Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that allows for the creation of a three-dimensional ornament with high precision by using articles that have circular top walls like used container lids and cylindrical skirt walls hanging down from the edge of the top walls as mosaic pieces arranged in a three-dimensional form.SOLUTION: The connector is characterized by having a top plate that is in proximity to or in contact with a part of the upper surface of the top wall of each of the multiple articles that are adjacent in the lateral direction, where the underside of the top plate is formed with a downward-hanging wall. The downward-hanging wall has an inner surface with an arcuate shape that is in proximity to or in contact with a part of the outer peripheral surface of the skirt wall of each of the multiple articles that are adjacent laterally, and on the upper surface of the top plate, there are support means that can support the lower end part of the skirt wall of the article, and the article supported by the support means is positioned above the multiple articles that are adjacent laterally.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector for creating a three-dimensional decorative item using an article having a circular top wall and a cylindrical skirt wall hanging down from the periphery of the top wall, such as a used container lid, as a mosaic piece. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an arrangement tool for creating decorative paintings by using container lids that have been attached to used (although it is not specifically stated that they are used, it is assumed that they are used) containers (containers commonly called PET bottles) made of an appropriate synthetic resin such as polytetrafluoroethylene, and that have a circular top wall and a cylindrical skirt wall hanging down from the periphery of the top wall, as mosaic pieces. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-237184 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Therefore, with the above-mentioned arrangement tool, used container lids can be used as mosaic pieces and arranged two-dimensionally to create decorative pieces that resemble paintings, but used container lids cannot be used as mosaic pieces and arranged three-dimensionally, so three-dimensional decorative pieces cannot be created.

[0005] Therefore, prior to filing the present application, the present inventors invented a new connector that can be arranged three-dimensionally using used container lids as mosaic pieces, and the applicant of the present application has already filed a patent application for this invention (for example, Patent Application No. 2023-174660). The specification of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-174660 discloses a connector (hereinafter referred to as the "preceding connector") that has an annular main portion with an inner peripheral surface that is cylindrical or truncated conical with an inner diameter that gradually decreases upward and has an inner diameter that corresponds to the outer diameter of the skirt wall of the article, and that has a first connecting means and a second connecting means disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the annular main portion, and that the first connecting means of one connector can be engaged with the second connecting means of another connector to connect the one connector to the other connector, and that the annular main portion is further provided with at least one clamping means having two clamping pieces that are spaced apart and between which the lower end of the skirt wall of the article can be inserted.

[0006] By using the above-mentioned precedent connector, it is possible to arrange used container lids three-dimensionally as mosaic pieces to create a three-dimensional decorative item. However, with the precedent connector, one container lid is placed directly above another container lid, in other words, the items are arranged at equal intervals horizontally when viewed vertically, which results in a rough appearance of the three-dimensional decorative item. Therefore, with the precedent connector, the freedom of expression when arranging used container lids three-dimensionally as mosaic pieces to create a three-dimensional decorative item is low, and the quality of the design cannot be fully maintained.

[0007] The present invention was made in consideration of the above facts, and its main technical objective is to provide a new connector that makes it possible to use articles having a circular top wall, such as used container lids (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "container lids"), and a cylindrical skirt wall hanging down from the periphery of this top wall as mosaic pieces and arrange them three-dimensionally to create three-dimensional decorative items with high precision. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the present invention, a connector for achieving the above-mentioned main technical object is a connector for creating a three-dimensional decorative item by using an article having a circular top wall and a cylindrical skirt wall hanging down from the periphery of the top wall as a mosaic piece, a top plate whose lower surface is close to or abuts on a part of the upper surface of each of the top walls of the plurality of articles adjacent in the horizontal direction; a downwardly-hanging wall is formed on the lower surface, the downwardly-hanging wall having an arc-shaped inner surface that is close to or in contact with a portion of the outer circumferential surface of each of the skirt walls of the plurality of articles; a support means for supporting a lower end of the skirt wall of one of the other articles is disposed on the upper surface of the top plate, and the one other article supported by the support means is positioned above the plurality of articles; A connector characterized by the above features is provided.

[0009] Preferably, the lower surface of the hanging wall is adjacent to or abuts a portion of the upper surface of the top wall of each of two laterally adjacent articles, and in a plan view, the center of the other article supported by the support means is located at the midpoint of a line segment connecting the centers of the two articles. Alternatively, the lower surface is adjacent to or abuts a portion of the upper surface of each of the top walls of three or more laterally adjacent articles, and in a plan view, the center of the other article supported by the support means is preferably located at the center of gravity of a regular polygon connecting the centers of the three or more articles. The inner surface of the hanging wall is preferably formed with knurls, consisting of a plurality of alternating axially extending concave and convex portions, either throughout the entire inner surface or at a plurality of circumferentially spaced locations. Preferably, first and second connecting means are disposed on the outer peripheral edge of the top plate, and the first connecting means of one connector can be engaged with the second connecting means of another connector to connect the one connector to the other connector. In this case, preferably, third and fourth connecting means are also disposed on the outer peripheral edge of the top plate, and the third connecting means of one connector can be engaged with the fourth connecting means of another connector to connect the one connector to the other connector. Furthermore, it is preferable that the top plate has a square shape in a plan view, and that the first, second, third, and fourth connecting means are disposed at the center of each side of the top plate. Preferably, four support means are disposed at equal angular intervals around the circumferential direction. It is preferable that the top plate is integrally formed from a synthetic resin. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the connector of the present invention, the underside of the tabletop is adjacent to or abuts a portion of the upper surface of each tabletop wall of a plurality of laterally adjacent items, and the inner surface of the hanging wall hanging from the underside of the tabletop is adjacent to or abuts a portion of the outer periphery of each skirt wall of the plurality of items, thereby supporting the plurality of items. Furthermore, support means disposed on the upper surface of the tabletop supports other items on the plurality of items, thereby enabling the arrangement of items to be expanded vertically via the connector. Furthermore, since the underside of the tabletop is adjacent to or abuts only a portion of the upper surface of the tabletop wall of an item, the arrangement of items can be expanded horizontally by bringing the underside of the tabletop of another connector into proximity with or abutting the remaining portion of the upper surface of the tabletop wall that is not adjacent to or abutting the underside of the tabletop. Thus, the items can be arranged three-dimensionally as mosaic pieces to create a three-dimensional decorative item. Furthermore, with the connector of the present invention, since other items placed on the upper surface of the tabletop are positioned on top of the multiple items placed on the lower surface of the tabletop, no other item placed on the upper surface of the tabletop is positioned directly above any of the multiple items placed on the lower surface of the tabletop. In other words, the items are placed at different pitches in the horizontal direction when viewed in the vertical direction, which makes it possible to precisely express the appearance shape of a three-dimensional decorative item. In other words, the connector of the present invention allows for a high degree of freedom of expression when creating a three-dimensional decorative item by arranging used container lids three-dimensionally as mosaic pieces, and the quality of the shape can be fully maintained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a typical example of a used container lid. [Figure 2] 1 is a top perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a connector constructed in accordance with the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the connector shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a front view of the connector shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the connector shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the connector shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 7]FIG. 3 is a right side view of the connector shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] 3 is a top perspective view showing the connector shown in FIG. 2 applied to an article. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A more detailed description will now be given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a representative example of a used container lid and a preferred embodiment of a connector constructed in accordance with the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical example of an article to be attached as a mosaic piece to a connector constructed according to the present invention. In this example, a used container lid is used as the article. The container lid, generally designated by the numeral 2, has a circular top wall 4 and a cylindrical skirt wall 6 that hangs down from the periphery of the top wall 4. A circumferentially extending ridge 8 is formed on the lower edge of the skirt wall 6. A knurl 10, consisting of multiple alternating axially extending projections and depressions, is formed along the entire circumferential direction above the ridge 8 on the outer circumferential surface of the skirt wall 6. The knurls 10 may be formed only in a few circumferentially spaced locations. When the illustrated container lid 2 is attached to the neck of a container (not shown) and seals the neck, a tamper-evident skirt 12 is connected to the lower end of the skirt wall 6 via multiple breakable bridges (not shown), as shown by the two-dot chain line. When the container lid 2 is removed from the neck of the container, the multiple bridges break, separating the tamper-evident skirt 12 from the skirt wall 6. Such a container lid 2 is made of a suitable synthetic resin, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. However, the connector constructed according to the present invention can be applied not only to used container lids made of synthetic resin, but also to used container lids whose shells are made of a suitable metal sheet, such as an aluminum-based alloy sheet. The container lid 2 itself, as described above, may be of a known configuration, and therefore a detailed description thereof (such as the configuration of the inner surface of the top wall and the inner peripheral surface of the skirt wall) will be omitted in this specification.

[0014] The mosaic pieces applicable to the connectors constructed according to the present invention are not limited to used container lids, but also include articles formed specifically for use as mosaic pieces, having a circular top wall and a cylindrical skirt wall hanging down from the periphery of the top wall, and made of an appropriate material such as synthetic resin or sheet metal.

[0015] 2-6, the illustrated connector constructed in accordance with the present invention, generally designated 14, is preferably integrally molded from a suitable synthetic resin such as a polyester-based synthetic resin, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or a polycarbonate-based synthetic resin. Connector 14 may be transparent or translucent, or may be colored any desired color, such as white, red, or blue.

[0016] The connector 14 includes a top plate 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the top plate 16 is a substantially horizontally extending square having a pair of parallel first and second sides 14a and 14b, and a pair of parallel third and fourth sides 14c and 14d that are perpendicular to the first and second sides 14a and 14b. The length of each side of the top plate 16 corresponds to the outer diameter of the circular lower edge of the skirt wall 6, and is slightly longer than the outer diameter of the circular lower edge of the skirt wall 6. Two substantially fan-shaped recessed portions 18 are formed in the center of the top plate 16, penetrating vertically. The two recessed portions 18 are arranged such that, in a plan view, the convex surfaces of the arc-shaped outer peripheries of the two recessed portions 18 face each other, and the circumferential center positions of the outer peripheries and the centers of the circles defining the outer peripheries are positioned on a line passing through the midpoint of the third side 14c and the midpoint of the fourth side 14d. A hanging wall 20 is formed on the underside of the top plate 16 and hangs downward. In the illustrated embodiment, the hanging wall 20 has an arcuate shape extending over an angular range of 180 degrees, i.e., the inner surface is also arcuate, and is formed along the periphery of each of the two lightening holes 18. Therefore, the radius of curvature of the arcuate outer periphery of the lightening hole 18 is the same as the radius of curvature of the hanging wall 20, and the outer peripheries of the two hanging walls 20 are close to or in contact with each other at their circumferential centers. The inner surface of the hanging wall 20 extends substantially vertically. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner surface of the hanging wall 20 is a single arcuate surface that is continuous in the circumferential direction. However, if desired, the inner surface of the hanging wall 20 may be an intermittent arcuate surface by, for example, dividing the hanging wall 20 into a plurality of sections. As described above, the length of one side of the top plate 16 corresponds to the outer diameter of the circular lower edge of the skirt wall 6, and therefore the inner diameter of the hanging wall 20 also corresponds to the outer diameter of the skirt wall 6, more specifically, is substantially the same as or slightly narrower or wider than the outer diameter of the skirt wall 6. The inner surface of the hanging wall 20 is formed with knurls 22, which are multiple axially extending concave and convex portions that are alternately present at multiple locations (two in the illustrated embodiment) spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, first connecting means 24a and second connecting means 24b are disposed on the outer peripheral edge of top plate 16. Starting with first connecting means 24a, a substantially rectangular first side wall 26a that hangs downward is connected to first edge 14a of top plate 16. Both ends of the inner surface of first side wall 26a are connected to the circumferential ends of the outer surfaces of the two hanging walls 20, respectively. First connecting means 24a is formed on first side wall 26a. First connecting means 24a is comprised of a rectangular first recess 28a that is displaced inward at the center of the outer surface of first side wall 26a except for its lower end, and a first connecting piece 29a that has an L-shaped cross section and extends somewhat outward and then upward at the lower end of the center of the outer surface of first side wall 26a. Due to the presence of the first recess 28a, the central portion of the inner surface of the first side wall 26a is slightly displaced inward.

[0018] Next, regarding the second connecting means 24b, a generally rectangular second side wall 26b that hangs downward is connected to the second edge 14b of the top panel 16. Both ends of the inner surface of the second side wall 26b are also connected to the circumferential ends of the outer surfaces of the two hanging walls 20, respectively. The second connecting means 24b is formed on the second side wall 26b. The second connecting means 24b is composed of a rectangular second recess 28b that is displaced inward at the center of the outer surface of the second side wall 26b except for its upper end, and a second connecting piece 29b that has an L-shaped cross section and extends slightly outward and then downward at the upper end of the central portion of the outer surface of the second side wall 26b. Due to the presence of the second recess 28b, the center of the inner surface of the second side wall 26b is also displaced inward slightly.

[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, third connecting means 24c and fourth connecting means 24d are also disposed on the outer peripheral edge of the top plate 16. Starting with the third connecting means 24c, a U-shaped notch 30c is formed in the center of the third side 14c of the top plate 16, and the third connecting means 24c is disposed in the notch 30c. The third connecting means 24c includes a pair of base ends 32c connected to the top plate 16 at both ends of the notch 30c and extending outward slightly beyond the portion of the third side 14c other than the center when viewed in the left-right direction, and a connecting portion 34c connecting the extending ends of the pair of base ends 32c to each other and extending linearly parallel to the third side 14c, and a gap 38c is defined between the inner surface of the connecting portion 34c and the outer surface of the top plate 16, i.e., the third side 14c. 3, 5, and 6, the pair of base ends 32c and the connecting portion 34c are made thinner than the top plate 16, and the upper surfaces of the pair of base ends 32c and the connecting portion 34c are flush with the upper surface of the top plate 16, but the lower surfaces are displaced slightly upward relative to the lower surface of the top plate 16. A downward-protruding locking rib 40c is formed along the outer edge on the lower surface of the connecting portion 34c.

[0020] Next, the fourth connecting means 24d will be described. A U-shaped notch 30d is also formed in the center of the fourth side 14d of the table top 16, and the fourth connecting means 24d is disposed in the notch 30d. The fourth connecting means 24d includes a pair of base ends 32d that are connected to the table top 16 at both ends of the notch 30d and extend outward slightly beyond the portion of the fourth side 14d other than the center when viewed in the left-right direction, and a connecting portion 34d that connects the extending ends of the pair of base ends 32d to each other and extends linearly parallel to the fourth side 14d, and a gap 38d is defined between the inner surface of the connecting portion 34d and the outer surface of the table top 16, i.e., the fourth side 14d. 2, 5, and 6, the pair of base ends 32d and the connecting portion 34d are made thinner than the top plate 16, and the lower surfaces of the pair of base ends 32d and the connecting portion 34d are flush with the lower surface of the top plate 16, but the upper surfaces are displaced slightly downward from the upper surface of the top plate 16. An upward-protruding locking rib 40d is formed along the outer edge on the upper surface of the connecting portion 34d.

[0021] A support means 42 is disposed on the upper surface of the top plate 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the support means 42 is disposed at each of the four corners of the top plate 16. The support means 42 includes a bottom plate piece 44 that forms part of the top plate 16, and an outer support piece 46 and an inner support piece 48 that stand upright from the upper surface of the bottom plate piece 44. Both the outer support piece 46 and the inner support piece 48 extend perpendicular to the radial direction, with the outer support piece 46 being longer than the inner support piece 48. The inner surface of the outer support piece 46 and the outer surface of the inner support piece 48 face each other with a radial gap between them. The gap between the inner surface of the outer support piece 46 and the outer surface of the inner support piece 48 corresponds to the thickness of the lower end of the skirt wall 6 of the container lid 2, and more specifically, is substantially the same as or slightly narrower or wider than this thickness. A locking projection 50 is formed at the upper end of the outer surface of the inner support piece 48. If desired, either the outer support piece 46 or the inner support piece 48 may be omitted.

[0022] Next, a manner of using the connector 14 as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector 14 is fitted over two laterally adjacent container lids 2 (articles) to connect these two container lids 2. At this time, the underside of the top plate 16 of the connector 14, more specifically, the underside of the bottom plate piece 44 constituting the support means 42, is brought into contact with a portion (half) of the upper surface of each of the top walls 4 of these two container lids 2. Furthermore, the inner surface of the hanging wall 20 is brought into proximity with or into contact with the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the skirt wall 6 of the container lid 2, and the knurl 22 formed on the inner surface of the hanging wall 20 engages with the knurl 10 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the skirt wall 6. Another container lid 2 is supported on the upper surface of the top plate 16 by the support means 42. More specifically, the container lid 2 connected to the upper surface of the connector 14 is supported by the bottom plate piece 44 in a state where lateral movement is restricted by inserting the lower end of the skirt wall 6 between the outer support piece 46 and the inner support piece 48 of each of the four support means 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the center of the container lid 2 supported by the support means 42 is positioned at the midpoint of a line segment connecting the centers of two laterally adjacent container lids 2. In other words, the center of the container lid 2 located on the upper side of the connector 14 is positioned at the midpoint of a line segment connecting the centers of two container lids 2 located on the lower side.

[0023] Then, as necessary, a next connector 14 is fitted onto the container lid 2 assembled on the top surface side of one connector 14 and the container lid 2 assembled on the top surface side of the other connector 14. In this manner, the container lids 2 can be deployed in the vertical direction. At this time, the container lids 2 are arranged vertically with a half-pitch shift in the horizontal direction. To deploy the container lids 2 in the horizontal direction, a next connector 14 is fitted onto the container lid 2 on which the first connector 14 is fitted. At this time, the movement of the other connector 14 relative to the first connector 14 can be restricted by connecting the first connecting means 24a formed on the first connector 14 to the second connecting means 24b formed on the other connector 14, or by connecting the third connecting means 24c formed on the first connector 14 to the fourth connecting means 24d formed on the other connector 14. One connector 14 and another connector 14 are connected by positioning the connecting piece 29a of the first connecting means 24a of the one connector 14 into the recess 28b of the second connecting means 24b of the other connector 14, and the connecting piece 29b of the second connecting means 24b of the other connector 14 into the recess 28a of the first connecting means 24a of the one connector 14, respectively; or by inserting the locking protrusion 40c of the third connecting means 24c of the one connector 14 into the gap 38d of the fourth connecting means 24d of the other connector 14, and the locking protrusion 40d of the fourth connecting means 24d of the other connector 14 into the gap 38c of the third connecting means 24c of the one connector 14, respectively.

[0024] According to the connector of the present invention, the underside of the top plate 16 is adjacent to or abuts a portion of the upper surface of each of the top walls 4 of a plurality of laterally adjacent container lids 2 (articles), and the inner surface of the hanging wall 20 hanging from the underside of the top plate 16 is adjacent to or abuts a portion of the outer periphery of each of the skirt walls 6 of the plurality of container lids 2, thereby supporting the plurality of container lids 2. Furthermore, support means 42 arranged on the upper surface of the top plate 16 supports other container lids on the plurality of container lids 2, allowing the arrangement of container lids 2 to be expanded vertically via the connector 2. Furthermore, because the underside of the top plate 16 is adjacent to or abuts only a portion of the upper surface of the top wall 4 of one container lid 2, the underside of the top plate 16 of another connector 2 can be brought into proximity with or abut the remaining portion of the upper surface of the top wall 4 that is not adjacent to or abutting the underside of the top plate 16, allowing the arrangement of container lids to be expanded horizontally. Thus, the container lids 2 (articles) can be arranged three-dimensionally as mosaic pieces to create a three-dimensional decorative item. Furthermore, in the connector of the present invention, other container lids 2 arranged on the upper side of the top plate 16 are positioned above multiple container lids 2 arranged on the lower side of the top plate 16, so that other container lids 2 arranged on the upper side of the top plate 16 are not positioned directly above any of the multiple container lids 2 arranged on the lower side of the top plate 16. In other words, the container lids 2 are arranged at different pitches in the horizontal direction when viewed in the vertical direction, which makes it possible to express the external shape of a three-dimensional decorative item in detail. In other words, the connector of the present invention allows for a high degree of freedom of expression when creating a three-dimensional decorative item by arranging used container lids three-dimensionally as mosaic pieces, and the quality of the shape can be fully maintained.

[0025] Although the connector constructed according to the present invention has been described above in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the center of the container lid 2 supported by the support means 42 is located at the midpoint of the line segment connecting the centers of two laterally adjacent container lids 2 in a plan view. However, the center of the container lid 2 supported by the support means 42 does not necessarily have to be located at the midpoint and can be displaced relative to the midpoint as necessary. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the lower surface of the top plate 16 is adjacent to or abuts a portion of the upper surface of each of the top walls 4 of two laterally adjacent container lids 2. However, the lower surface of the top plate 16 may be adjacent to or abuts a portion of the upper surface of each of the top walls 4 of three or more laterally adjacent container lids 2. In this case, the center of the container lid 2 supported by the support means 42 in a plan view is preferably located at the center of gravity of a regular polygon connecting the centers of the three or more laterally adjacent container lids 2. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the inner surface of the hanging wall 20 extends substantially vertically, and the lower surface of the top plate 16 abuts against a portion of the upper surface of each of the top walls 4 of the multiple laterally adjacent container lids 2, thereby being supported by the multiple laterally adjacent container lids 2; however, if the inner surface of the hanging wall 20 has a truncated conical shape that slopes radially inward toward the top, the lower surface of the top plate 16 may also be supported by the multiple laterally adjacent container lids 2 in a state close to the upper surface of each of the top walls 4 of the multiple laterally adjacent container lids 2 without abutting against the upper surface of the top walls 4 of the multiple laterally adjacent container lids 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 2: Container lid (article) 4: Top wall 6: Skirt wall 14: Connector 16: Top plate 20: Hanging wall 42: Support means

Claims

1. A connector for creating a three-dimensional decorative item using an article having a circular top wall and a cylindrical skirt wall hanging down from the periphery of the top wall as a mosaic piece, a top plate whose lower surface is close to or abuts on a part of the upper surface of each of the top walls of the plurality of articles adjacent in the horizontal direction; a downwardly-hanging wall is formed on the lower surface, the downwardly-hanging wall having an arc-shaped inner surface that is close to or in contact with a portion of the outer circumferential surface of each of the skirt walls of the plurality of articles; a support means for supporting a lower end of the skirt wall of one of the other articles is disposed on the upper surface of the top plate, and the one other article supported by the support means is positioned above the plurality of articles; A connector characterized by:

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the lower surface is in close proximity to or abuts a portion of the upper surface of the top wall of each of the two laterally adjacent articles, and in a plan view, the center of the other article supported by the support means is positioned at the midpoint of a line segment connecting the centers of each of the two articles.

3. 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the lower surface is in close proximity to or abuts a portion of the upper surface of the top wall of each of three or more laterally adjacent articles, and in a planar view, the center of one of the other articles supported by the support means is positioned at the center of gravity of a regular polygon connecting the centers of each of the three or more articles.

4. 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the depending wall is formed with knurls having a plurality of alternating axially extending projections and depressions along the entire surface or at a plurality of circumferentially spaced locations.

5. A connector as described in claim 1, wherein a first connecting means and a second connecting means are arranged on the outer peripheral edge of the top plate, and the first connecting means of one connector can be engaged with the second connecting means of another connector to connect the one connector to the other connector.

6. A connector as described in claim 5, wherein a third connecting means and a fourth connecting means are also arranged on the outer peripheral edge of the top plate, and the third connecting means of one connector can be engaged with the fourth connecting means of another connector to connect the one connector to the other connector.

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the top plate is square in plan view, and the first connecting means, the second connecting means, the third connecting means, and the fourth connecting means are arranged one at the center of each side of the top plate.

8. 2. A connector according to claim 1, wherein four of said support means are arranged at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction.

9. 2. The connector according to claim 1, which is integrally formed from synthetic resin.

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