Cap

Abstract

To provide a cap that is easy to use when removing a cap body from an article.SOLUTION: A cap attached to an article having an opening includes a cap body and at least one locking member that is slidably attached inward and outward from a center and comes in press-contact with an inner circumferential surface of the article to be locked to the cap body, where the locking member slidably engages with other locking members on both sides, slides inward toward the center, thereby pushes the other locking members inward, and releases locking.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap, and more particularly to a cap that can be removed by pinching any two points. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Removable caps have been available in the past that are attached by pressing the inner circumferential surface of the opening of an article using an outward biasing force from an elastic body or the like, and are removed by releasing the pressure.

[0003] For example, in the case of a camera lens barrel, there is a cap that protects the lens by using a pair of locking members for locking the cap body to the lens barrel and an elastic body (e.g., a spring) that biases the locking members outward.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a lens cap in which locking members are attached to two opposing positions of a plate-shaped cap member so as to be slidable outward.

[0005] Patent document 2 also discloses a cap that includes a cap body that is attached to a component, a pair of movable members that are provided on the cap body and can move toward or away from each other, a biasing member that biases the pair of movable members in the direction of separation, and a regulating means that regulates the movement of the pair of movable members in the direction of separation against the biasing force of the biasing member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3007668 [Patent Document 2] JP 2010-2807 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Here, there is a need for such a cap to be easily removable in any condition when it is removed from the article to which it is attached.

[0008] However, in the device described in Patent Document 1 and the invention described in Patent Document 2, when the cap is gripped (for example, pinched with two fingers) to remove it from the part to which it is attached, it can only be gripped in a substantially straight line in the radial direction where the pair of biased locking members or movable members are aligned. When such a cap is used as a lens cap for a camera, if the cap is to be removed while holding the camera, the part to be gripped cannot be seen, and since the part is only on a substantially straight line in the specific radial direction as described above, removal is difficult in such a state, and usability is not necessarily satisfactory.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cap that is easy to use when removing the cap body from an article. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The cap of the present invention is a cap that is attached to an article having an opening, and comprises a cap body and at least one locking member that is attached so as to be slidable inward and outward from the center and presses against the inner surface of the article to lock the cap body, and the locking member slidably engages with other locking members on either side, and by sliding inward toward the center, pushes the other locking members inward to release the lock.

[0011] Furthermore, the cap according to the present invention may include a plurality of locking members, and the locking members may be arranged at equal angles relative to the center of the cap body.

[0012] Furthermore, the cap of the present invention may include a support member having three or more grooves extending outward from the center at equal angles, and the locking member may be slidably attached by fitting at least a portion of it into any one of the three or more grooves.

[0013] Furthermore, the cap according to the present invention may include an elastic member that is installed in the groove and biases the locking member outward from the center, and the locking member may be pressed against the inner surface of the article by the biasing force to lock the cap body.

[0014] Furthermore, in the cap of the present invention, the cap body may have a circular opening in the center and three or more rectangular openings extending outward from the circular opening at equal angles.

[0015] Furthermore, in the cap of the present invention, the locking member has a first upper locking piece and a second upper locking piece that form two sides of a triangle that gradually widen toward the center, and a first lower locking piece and a second lower locking piece that are arranged to form steps in the same direction as the first upper locking piece and the second upper locking piece, respectively, and the locking pieces of other adjacent locking members can be fitted into the upper and lower gaps created by the steps, and the locking member can slide inward toward the center, pushing the other locking members inward.

[0016] Furthermore, the cap according to the present invention may be a lens cap attached to the glass or mirror surface of a camera lens or to the lens barrel of a camera. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The cap of the present invention comprises a cap body that is attached to an article, and at least one locking member that is attached so as to be slidable inward and outward from the center and that locks the cap body by pressing it against the article or clamping the article, and the locking member slidably engages with other locking members on either side, and by sliding inward toward the center, pushes the other locking members inward to release the lock.

[0018] With these configurations, by pinching and pushing any two of the three or more locking members, i.e., any two points, the locking members can be released from the article to which they are attached by pressing them, allowing the cap body to be removed from the article, improving usability. In other words, the cap of the present invention is easier to use than conventional caps when removing it from the article to which it is attached. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] (a) A plan view showing an example of the cap 1 in the first embodiment. (b) A plan view showing an example of the cap 1 in the second embodiment. (c) A bottom view showing an example of the cap 1 in the first embodiment. (d) A bottom view showing an example of the cap 1 in the second embodiment. [Figure 2] (a) A bottom view showing an example of the cap body 2 in the first embodiment. (b) A bottom view showing an example of the cap body 2 in the second embodiment. (c) A plan view showing an example of the locking member 3 and the support member 4 in the first embodiment. (d) A plan view showing an example of the locking member 3 and the support member 4 in the second embodiment. [Figure 3] (a) Plan view, bottom view, right side view, and left side view showing an example of a locking member 3 in a first embodiment. (b) Plan view, bottom view, and left side view showing an example of a locking member 3 in a second embodiment. (c) Plan view showing an example of a support member 4 and an elastic member 5 in the first embodiment. (d) Plan view showing an example of a support member 4 and an elastic member 5 in the second embodiment. [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a handle portion (locking piece) in one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a handle portion according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are a plan view, a perspective view, and a front view showing an example of a support member according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of attaching a cap in one embodiment. [Figure 8] 10(a) is a perspective view of the cap 1 according to the second embodiment when it is removed, and FIG. 10(b) is a perspective view of the cap 1 according to the second embodiment when it is attached to an article. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an assembly procedure for the cap according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] 1A is another example of a bottom view of the cap; FIG. 1B is another example of a bottom view of the cap; FIG. 1C is another example of a perspective view of the cap; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The cap according to the present invention is a cap that is attached to an article to be protected and covers the portion of the article to be protected. Specifically, the cap according to the present invention protects the portion of the article to be protected by, for example, covering the mouth of the article by sealing it, or by covering the tip of the article by covering the portion of the article to be protected. The article to which the cap according to the present invention is attached may be any article as long as it can be attached and covered by a cap body, and is not limited to a specific article.

[0021] (First embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment, four locking members 3 are fitted together to attach the cap 1A to an article at four points. Note that the cap according to the present invention can be locked with at least two locking members 3, and two or more locking members 3 are fitted together to lock the cap to the article at two or more points. Conventional caps can only be locked at two points, but the cap according to the present invention preferably has three or more locking points from the viewpoint of locking stability, and there is an advantage in that a more stable lock can be achieved by having four locking members 3 (locking points) than two (two points).

[0022] FIG. 1(a) is a plan view illustrating a cap 1A according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The cap 1A is a cap attached to the opening of an item (not shown), and is used, for example, to attach to a cylindrical part to protect items inside the part from the outside. Specifically, the cap 1A may be, for example, a lens cap attached to the lens barrel of a camera or the like, or a lens cap attached so as to cover the camera lens or mirror surface. When used as a lens cap, the cap 1A is attached to the lens barrel of a camera to protect the lens and the like from dirt and damage. The cap 1A may also be, for example, a lid attached to a cup. When used as a lid for a cup, the cap 1A may be attached to the opening of the cup to protect the beverage in the cup. The cap 1A may also be, for example, a lid attached to a container.

[0023] 1(a) shows a state in which the locking member 3 protrudes outward from the cap body 2A. In this position, the cap 1A is attached to an article (not shown) (in other words, the locking member 3 is biased outward from the cap body 2B and presses against the inner circumferential surface of the opening of the article, locking the cap 1A).

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1(a), cap 1A is composed of cap body 2A, locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D (these locking members may be collectively referred to as "locking members 3" as necessary), and support member 4A. Cap body 2A, locking members 3, and support member 4 are made of, for example, synthetic resin (PC / ABS, etc.), and elastic member 5 is made of, for example, synthetic resin or metal. However, the materials of these members are not limited to these.

[0025] The locking member 3 is a component for attaching the cap body 2A to an article and is also a component that is pinched and pushed with fingers as a knob 9A when removing the cap. As shown in FIG. 1(a), the locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are arranged at equal angles relative to the center of the cap body 2A. Note that "the locking members 3A-3D are arranged at equal angles relative to the center of the cap body 2A" means that when one end of the locking members 3A-3D is positioned at the center, the distance or angle between adjacent locking members 3A-3D is equal. The locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are attached to the cap body 1A so that they can slide inward and outward from the center and are locked by pressing them against the inner circumferential surface of the opening of the article. With this configuration, the cap 1B can be attached to the inner circumferential surface of the opening of the article at four points on the locking members 3.

[0026] The cap body 2A is a member for covering, for example, a protective portion of an article by applying it to an opening of the article to close it or by covering the tip of the article. The cap body 2A may be formed, for example, in a circular shape and provided with a circular opening 10A in the center and rectangular openings 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D extending outward from the circular opening 10A at equal angles, as shown in Fig. 2(a). As shown in Fig. 1(a), the cap body 2A may protrude from the circular opening 10A with at least some of the locking pieces of the four locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D disengaged.

[0027] Here, "a state in which the engagement of the locking pieces is at least partially released" means that the locking member 3 is biased outward by the elastic member 5 of the cap 1 (cap 1A, cap 1B) to press against the inner circumferential surface of the opening of the article and lock it, but at this time, the locking pieces provided at the ends of the locking member 3 toward the center of the cap body 2 (cap body 2A, cap body 2B) are not completely engaged with each other (for example, the state shown in Figures 5(a) and (b)), but are at least partially released from engagement so that they are separated from each other (loosely engaged state) (the state shown in Figures 5(c) and (d)). This refers to a state in which the engagement of the locking pieces of the locking member 3 is at least partially released from engagement so that they are separated from each other.

[0028] With this configuration, when cap 1A is attached to a tubular part using locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, the locking pieces of locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are first engaged and cap 1A is inserted into the opening of the article, and after insertion, the engagement is released, pushing locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D outward, pressing them against the inner circumferential surface of the opening of the article, thereby fixing cap 1A to the article. Furthermore, by pinching and pushing any two points on the outer periphery of knob 9A formed by the engagement (combination) of any two of locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, i.e., handle portions 6 of locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, cap 1A can be released from the locking of the locking members by pressing them against the inner circumferential surface of the opening of the article, allowing the cap body to be removed from the tubular part, improving usability.

[0029] In particular, when used as a camera lens cap, etc., if you try to remove the cap while holding the camera, you cannot see your hands and have to find a place to pinch. However, with cap 1A, you can remove the cap by pinching any two points around 360 degrees on knob 9A, which is formed by fitting handle portions 6 of locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, thereby improving usability.

[0030] Cap 1A may also have a pillar portion provided at the center of support member 4, and a circular flange having a size approximately the same as or slightly smaller than circular opening 10A of cap body 2A provided on top of the pillar portion. With this configuration, the flange can cover part of the fitting portions of the locking pieces of locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, thereby improving the appearance of cap 1A.

[0031] Fig. 1(c) is a bottom view illustrating a cap 1A according to the first embodiment. The cap 1A may include, for example, a support member 4A having two or more grooves extending outward from the center at equal angles. Specifically, the cap 1A may include, for example, a support member 4A having four grooves 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D extending outward from the center at equal angles, as shown in Fig. 1(c). The grooves will be described later with reference to Fig. 6 for an example of a support member 4B according to the second embodiment.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1(c), the support member 4A may specifically include four rectangular box-shaped grooves 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D extending outward from the center at equal angles along the arrangement of the locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D to support the locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D. As shown in FIG. 1(c), the grooves 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D may be formed so that they meet at the center to form a cross. The longitudinal lengths of the grooves 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D may be shorter than the radius of the cap body 2A.

[0033] 1(c), the support member 4A may be provided with sector-shaped flanges 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D that connect the grooves 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D to one another. The support member 4A may be fixed by, for example, fitting the sector-shaped flanges into the circular opening of the cap body 2A.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1(c), the cap body 2A may have one or more side walls along its outer periphery. Specifically, the cap body 2A may have two side walls, an outer side wall and an inner side wall, where the outer side wall has a substantially identical shape so as to abut against the inner periphery of the side of the tubular part, and the inner side wall is slightly smaller than the outer side wall and is taller than the outer side wall. At the locations where the locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are disposed, gaps must be provided to allow the locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D to pass through in order to press against the inner periphery of the opening of the article. These gaps may be provided at the lower ends of the outer side wall and the inner side wall, or midway between the upper and lower ends of the outer side wall and the inner side wall.

[0035] Fig. 2(a) is a bottom view illustrating the cap body 2A according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2(a), the cap body 2A has a circular opening 10A in the center and four rectangular openings 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D extending outward from the circular opening at equal angles.

[0036] FIG. 2(c) is a plan view illustrating the locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D and the support member 4 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2(c), portions of the locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are fitted into four grooves 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D that extend outward from the center of the support member 4 (the same position as the center of the cap body 2A) at equal angles, and are slidably attached. The "portions of the locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D" here refer to the rectangular protrusions formed on the mounting portion 8 side (lower side) of the slide portion 7, as shown in the bottom view, left side view, and right side view of FIG. 3(a). This will be described later using FIG. 3(a).

[0037] As shown in Figure 2(c), the locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D may have one end (grip portion 6) that forms two sides of a substantially triangle that gradually widens toward the center of the support member 4 (a center that is at the same position as the center of the cap body 2A). These two sides of the substantially triangle may be arranged to surround the pillar portion of the support member 4. As shown in Figure 2(c), the locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D slidably engage with other locking members on either side, and by sliding inward toward the center, the other locking members can be pushed inward to release the lock, thereby providing a cap that is easy to use.

[0038] FIG. 3(a) is a plan view (upper left), a bottom view (upper right), a left side view (lower left), and a right side view (lower right) for explaining the locking member 3 in the first embodiment.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 3(a), the locking member 3 is composed of a handle portion 6, a slide portion 7, and an attachment portion 8. As shown in Fig. 3(a), the handle portion 6 is provided at one end of the slide portion 7 in the longitudinal direction, and the attachment portion 8 is provided at the other end of the slide portion 7.

[0040] The slide portion 7 is a part of the locking member 3, and is provided at the center of the locking member 3. It is a component that allows the locking member 3 to slide inward and outward from the center of the cap body. The slide portion 7 slides along the groove of the support member 4. However, as shown in the bottom view, left side view, and right side view of FIG. 3(a), the slide portion 7 may be provided with a rectangular protrusion on the underside of the mounting portion 8 that is formed to fit into the groove. When the protrusion presses the elastic member 5 installed in the groove, the locking members 3 slide inward and the locking members 3 engage with each other. When the pressure is released, the locking members 3 slide outward and the locking members 3 disengage from each other. The elastic member 5 biases the protrusion 8, and the mounting portion 8 can press the protrusion 8 against the inner circumferential surface of the opening of the object to which the locking member 3 is attached.

[0041] The handle portion 6 is a part of the locking member 3 and is provided at one end of the locking member 3. As shown in Fig. 3(a), it is a part that can be gripped (e.g., pinched with fingers) as a knob 9 when attaching or detaching the cap 1A to or from a tubular part, and is formed by fitting three or more handle portions 6 together. The handle portion 6 may have a first upper locking piece and a second upper locking piece that form two sides of a substantially triangle that gradually widens toward the center, and a first lower locking piece and a second lower locking piece that are arranged to form steps that face the same directions as the first upper locking piece and the second upper locking piece, respectively.

[0042] As shown in the plan view of FIG. 3(a), the handle portion 6 may specifically have, for example, a first upper locking piece and a first lower locking piece on the left side of the axis of the slide portion 7, and a second upper locking piece and a second lower locking piece on the right side of the axis. As shown in the plan view of FIG. 3(a), a roughly triangular protruding piece may be further provided on the left side of the apex of the roughly triangle formed by the first upper locking piece and the second upper locking piece. This protruding piece can stop and hold the locking piece of the handle portion 6 of another locking member when it slides and fits into the gap that is generated to the left of the first upper locking piece and above the first lower locking piece.

[0043] The attachment portion 8 is a part of the locking member 3, provided at one end of the locking member 3, and is a component that presses against the inner circumferential surface of the opening of an article when attaching the cap 1A to a tubular part. As shown in the left and right side views of FIG. 3(a), the attachment portion 8 may be formed to have a step. This step allows the attachment portion 8 to fit snugly into the cap body 2A by matching the height difference between the outer and inner side walls of the cap body 2A.

[0044] FIG. 3(c) is a plan view illustrating the support member 4 and the elastic member 5 in the first embodiment.

[0045] The support member 4 is a component that supports the locking member 3 from the back surface of the cap body 2A and is used to install the elastic member 5. As shown in Fig. 3(c), the support member 4 may have, for example, a circular flange in the center and two or more grooves extending outward at equal angles from the center of the circular flange (the center of the cap body 2A). The support member 4 may have, for example, four grooves as shown in Fig. 3(c).

[0046] The elastic member 5 is a member for biasing the locking member 3 outward to attach the locking member 3 to an article. While the elastic member 5 is illustrated as a separate member from the support member 4 in this embodiment, the elastic member 5 and the support member 4 may be integrally molded. As shown in FIG. 3( c), the elastic member 5 may be composed of elastic members 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D, and may be installed in a groove in the support member 4 to bias the locking member 3 outward from the center. The locking member 3 presses against the inner circumferential surface of the cap body by this biasing force, and also presses against the inner circumferential surface of the article to be attached, thereby locking the cap body. This configuration allows the locking member 3 to be slidably attached to the support member 4, and allows it to be evenly pressed against an article having an opening from the center of the circular flange (the center of the cap body 2A).

[0047] (Second embodiment) Regarding the second embodiment, while the first embodiment was an example in which four locking members 3 fit together to attach the cap 1A to an article at four points, the second embodiment will be described as an example in which three locking members 3 fit together to attach the cap 1B to an article at three points. The description will be made with reference to the drawings. Note that the cap according to the present invention can be locked with at least two locking members 3, and two or more locking members 3 fit together to lock the cap to the article at two or more points. While conventional caps can only be locked at two points, the cap according to the present invention preferably has three or more locking points from the viewpoint of locking stability. Having three locking members 3 (locking points) rather than two (two points) provides the advantage of achieving more stable locking.

[0048] 1(b) is a plan view illustrating a cap 1B according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Since the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the number of locking members 3 (three and four) and the number of attachment points (three and four points), a description thereof will be omitted.

[0049] 1(d) is a bottom view illustrating a cap 1B according to the second embodiment. Except for the number of locking members 3 (three and four) and the number of attachment points (three and four), the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0050] 2(b) is a bottom view illustrating a cap body 2B according to the second embodiment. Since the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the number of rectangular openings (three and four), a description thereof will be omitted.

[0051] 2(d) is a plan view illustrating locking members 3A, 3B, 3C and a support member 4 in the second embodiment. Other than the number of locking members 3 (three and four) and the number of rectangular box-shaped grooves of the support member 4 (three and four), the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0052] 3(b) is a plan view (upper left), a bottom view (upper right), and a left side view (lower) for explaining the locking members 3 in the second embodiment. Since the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the number of locking members 3 (three and four), a description thereof will be omitted.

[0053] 3(d) is a plan view illustrating the support member 4 and the elastic member 5 in the second embodiment. Since the number of rectangular box-shaped grooves in the support member 4 and the number of elastic members (three and four) are the same as those in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0054] 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the handle portion 6 in the second embodiment. Note that the basic configuration is the same as that of the handle portion 6 in the first embodiment, except for the number of handle portions.

[0055] 5, the handle 6 is made up of two or more (three) handles: a handle 6E, a handle 6F, and a handle 6G. In other words, the handle 6 is configured as a gear in the center of the cap 1B.

[0056] Fig. 5(a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the handle portion 6E is fitted with the handle portions 6F and 6G of other adjacent locking members on both sides. Fig. 5(a) is a plan view showing a state in which the handle portion 6E is fitted with the handle portions 6F and 6G of other adjacent locking members on both sides (a state in which the gears at the center are contracted). Fig. 5(c) is a perspective view showing a state in which the handle portion 6E is at least partially disengaged from the handle portions 6F and 6G of other adjacent locking members on both sides (a state in which the gears at the center are expanded). Fig. 5(c) is a plan view showing a state in which the handle portion 6E is at least partially disengaged from the handle portions 6F and 6G of other adjacent locking members on both sides.

[0057] 5, when handle portion 6E and handle portion 6F are pinched with fingers and pushed to slide toward the center (the center of the approximate triangle formed by handle portions 6E, 6F, and 6G (the center of cap body 2B)), the first lower locking piece of handle portion 6E presses the second lower locking piece of handle portion 6F, and the second upper locking piece of handle portion 6F presses the first upper locking piece of handle portion 6F inward toward the center (the center of cap body 2) while gradually pressing them from their tips. Note that handle portions 6E, 6F, and 6G fit together (combine) to form knob 9B as shown in FIG. 5.

[0058] At this time, when handle portions 6E and 6F apply pressure to handle portion 6G, the force components perpendicular to the apex of the approximate triangle formed by handle portion 6G and the direction of the axis passing through the center are canceled out because the force components applied from handle portion 6E and handle portion 6F are in opposite directions, while the force components in the direction of the apex of the approximate triangle formed by handle portion 6G and the axis passing through the center are combined and become a force that pushes handle portion 6G inward toward the center because the force components applied from handle portion 6E and handle portion 6F are in the same direction.

[0059] 5, in cap 1B, by pinching and pushing any two of handle portions 6E, 6F, and 6G with the fingers, all of the other handle portions will move in conjunction with the other handle portions, causing all of the handle portions to slide toward the center. Similarly, in cap 1A, by pinching and pushing any two of handle portions 6E, 6F, 6G, and 6D with the fingers, all of the other handle portions will move in conjunction with the other handle portions, causing all of the handle portions to slide toward the center.

[0060] When handle portion 6E, handle portion 6F, and handle portion 6G are pushed inward toward the center, the force is transmitted to slide 7 connected to the lower part of handle portion 6, and slide 7 applies a force to elastic member 5 that opposes the force exerted by elastic member 5, causing the entire locking member 3 to slide inward toward the center.

[0061] With this configuration, the handle portion 6 slidably fits into the other handle portions 6 on either side, and by sliding inward toward the center, the other handle portions 6 are pushed inward to release the engagement of the cap 1 with the item, allowing the cap body to be removed from the item, thereby providing a user-friendly cap.

[0062] 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the support member 4 in the second embodiment. Note that the basic configuration is the same as that of the support member 4 in the first embodiment, except for the number of grooves.

[0063] 6, support member 4 has three grooves 12E, 12F, and 12G extending outward from the center at equal angles. Support member 4 may also have a central pillar 15B, on which a substantially circular flange 13B and fan-shaped flanges 14E, 14F, and 14G may be provided in the substantially central portion to connect the grooves. Support member 4 may be attached to cap body 2B by fitting fan-shaped flanges 14E, 14F, and 14G into circular opening 10B of cap body 2B.

[0064] As shown in Figure 6, the three grooves 12E, 12F, and 12G of the support member 4 are configured to form a substantially rectangular groove on two side surfaces and a bottom surface. The length of the bottom surface of the grooves 12E, 12F, and 12G in the longitudinal direction may be shorter than the length of the side surfaces in the longitudinal direction. This configuration can prevent wear due to friction between the mounting portion 8 of the locking member 3 and the grooves.

[0065] 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of attaching cap 1B of the second embodiment to tubular part 20. Note that the basic configuration is the same as that of cap 1A of the first embodiment, except for the number of locking members, etc. In this example, the article to which cap 1B is attached is a tubular part.

[0066] As shown in Figure 7, when attaching cap 1B to tubular part 20, any two points of knob 9B, which is formed by the handle portions 6 of locking members 3E, 3F, and 3G fitting together (combining), are pinched with fingers and pushed to prevent locking members 3E, 3F, and 3G from protruding outward from cap body 2B, and then cap 1B is attached by fitting it into the opening of tubular part 20.

[0067] 8 is a perspective view of the cap 1B of the second embodiment when it is removed from and attached to an article. The basic configuration is the same as that of the cap 1A of the first embodiment, except for the number of locking members, etc.

[0068] Fig. 8(a) shows the cap 1B in a state where it has been removed from the article. As shown in Fig. 8(a), in the removed state of the cap 1B, the grip portions 6E, 6F, and 6G of the locking member 3 are at least partially disengaged and spaced apart from one another. This configuration is achieved, for example, by having the locking member 3 biased outward by the elastic member 5, and the slide portions 7E, 7F, and 7G of the locking member 3 locked by the side walls of the cap body 2B.

[0069] Fig. 8(b) shows the state in which cap 1B is attached to an article. As shown in Fig. 8(b), in the attached state of cap 1B, handle portions 6E, 6F, and 6G of locking member 3 are fully fitted together. At this time, handle portions 6E, 6F, and 6G of the locking member are biased outward by elastic member 5, and are in a state in which they press against the inner circumferential surface of tubular part 20 and lock.

[0070] (common) 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the locking piece of the handle portion 6 in one embodiment of the present invention. This example of the configuration is an example of the configuration common to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 4, the handle portion 6 of the locking member 3 has a first upper locking piece and a second upper locking piece that form two sides of a triangle that gradually widens toward the center of the cap body 2A, and a first lower locking piece and a second lower locking piece that are arranged to form steps that face the same direction as the first upper locking piece and the second upper locking piece. The handle portion 6 of the locking member 3 fits the locking pieces of other adjacent locking members 3 into the upper and lower gaps created by the steps, and the locking member 3 slides inward toward the center of the cap body 2A, pushing the other locking members inward. As shown in Fig. 4, the first upper locking piece, the second upper locking piece, the first lower locking piece, and the second lower locking piece may be formed, for example, in a substantially rectangular shape.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 4, the handle portion 6 of the locking member 3 may further have a roughly triangular protruding piece on the left side of the outer apex of the roughly triangle formed by the first upper locking piece and the second upper locking piece. This protruding piece can stop and hold the locking piece of the handle portion 6 of another locking member when it slides into and fits into the gap that is formed on the left side of the first upper locking piece and above the first lower locking piece.

[0073] 4, the handle portion 6 of the locking member 3 may have a step on the left side of the inner apex of the approximate triangle formed by the first upper locking piece and the second upper locking piece (on the inner apex side of the first upper locking piece). This step prevents the locking piece of the handle portion 6 of another locking member from sliding and fitting into the gap that is formed on the left side of the second upper locking piece and above the second lower locking piece.

[0074] In the example shown in Figure 4(b), for the sake of simplicity, the handle portion 6 of the locking member 3 has a space between the first upper locking piece and the second upper locking piece and the first lower locking piece and the second lower locking piece. However, instead of providing such a space, a step may be provided between them, so that the first upper locking piece and the first lower locking piece are formed continuously in a curved hook shape via the step, and the second upper locking piece and the second lower locking piece are also formed continuously in a curved hook shape via the step.

[0075] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of an assembly procedure for the cap 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] 9, the elastic members 5 are attached to the support member 4 (step S11). Specifically, the elastic members 5 are placed in each of the grooves 12 of the support member 4. When placing the elastic members 5 in the grooves 12, the elastic members 5 are placed in the grooves of the grooves 12 with one end of the elastic member 5 in the longitudinal direction in contact with the column 15 and the other end being released.

[0077] The locking members 3 are attached to the support member 4 to which the elastic members 5 are attached (step S12). Specifically, the locking members 3 are placed in each of the grooves 12 of the support member 4 to which the elastic members 5 are attached from the upper side of the elastic member 5 (the side opposite the support member 4). During this placement, the rectangular protrusions formed on the underside of the slide portion 7 of the locking member 3 are brought into contact with the released end of the elastic member 5. After placement, the handle portions 6 of the locking members 3 are pinched with fingers and pushed inward, sliding the locking members 3 inward along the grooves 12 of the support member 4 against the outward biasing force of the elastic members 5, and fixing the handle portions 6 of the locking members 3 in an engaged state. At this time, specifically, the protrusions of the locking members 3 press the elastic members 5 against the biasing force, sliding the locking members 3 inward.

[0078] The cap body 2 is attached to the support member 4 to which the locking member 3 is attached (step 13). Specifically, with the handle portion 6 of the locking member 3 fitted and fixed to the support member 4, parts of the support member 4 (the sectorial flange portion 14 and the slide portion 7 of the locking member 3) are fitted into the circular opening 10 and the rectangular opening 11 of the cap body 2, and by releasing the pushing operation in the fitted state, the fitting of the handle portion 6 of the locking member 3 is partially released and the slide portion 7 of the locking member 3 is locked by the side wall of the cap body 2, thereby attaching the cap body 2.

[0079] Note that the cap 1A shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(c) is an example in which the cap is attached to an article by providing four-way protruding locking members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, which are pressed against the inner circumferential surface (inner wall) of the article at four points. Similarly, the cap 1B shown in FIGS. 1(b) and 1(d) is an example in which the cap is attached to an article by providing three-way protruding locking members 3E, 3F, and 3G, which are pressed against the inner circumferential surface (inner wall) of the article at three points. Providing multiple locking members allows the cap to be stably attached to the article, but a single locking member may also be used. In this case, the cap may be configured as shown in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b). FIG. 10(a) shows an example in which the cap 1A is provided with only locking member 3A, and only locking member 3A is pressed against the inner wall of the article. Similarly, Fig. 10(b) shows an example of cap 1B provided with only locking member 3F, and only locking member 3F presses against the inner wall of the article. In this case, in cap 1B, the side portion on the opposite side of locking member 3F (hatched portion 101 shown in Fig. 10(c)) also presses against the inner peripheral surface (inner wall) of the article as locking member 3F protrudes, allowing the cap to be pressed against and attached to the article at two points. By reducing the number of locking members, the number of parts of the cap can be reduced, and manufacturing costs can be reduced compared to when multiple locking members are provided.

[0080] Furthermore, while one locking member is sufficient, multiple parts must be combined to form the handle 6. In this case, from the viewpoint of moment, it is more desirable to have an odd number of parts combined to form the handle 6 than an even number. In other words, the handle 6 is easier to grip if it is configured to consist of an odd number of parts. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1 cap 2 Cap body 3 Operating member 4 Support member 5 Elastic member 6 Handle 7 Slide section 8 Mounting part

Claims

1. A cap attached to a tubular part having an opening, A cap body, at least three or more locking members attached to the cap body so as to be slidable inward and outward from the center of the cap body, and which are pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the tubular part to lock the cap body; The locking members are slidably fitted with other locking members on both sides thereof, and slide inward toward the center to push the other locking members inward to release the locking, Each of the locking members has a handle member at an end on the side where it fits with another locking member, Each of the locking members is fitted with another locking member to form a handle portion by the handle member, By pinching the handle portion, all of the locking members are moved inward, the locking member includes a support member having three or more grooves arranged at equal angles relative to the center of the cap body and extending outward from the center at equal angles, The support member includes a flange portion that connects the groove portions to each other. A cap characterized by:

2. The locking member is slidably attached by fitting at least a portion of it into any one of the three or more grooves. The cap according to claim 1 .

3. The slide portion has a rectangular protrusion formed on the lower side of the mounting portion to fit into the groove. The cap according to claim 2 .

4. The mounting portion has a step The cap according to claim 1 .

5. an elastic member that is installed in the groove and biases the locking member outward from the center, and the locking member is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the tubular part by the biasing force to lock the cap body; The cap according to claim 2 .

6. A locking mechanism for locking a flat member in an opening of a tubular part, the locking mechanism comprising: A flat plate-shaped member body, at least three or more locking members attached so as to be slidable inward and outward directions and press against the inner circumferential surface of the tubular part to lock the member main body; The locking members are slidably engaged with other adjacent locking members on both sides, and when the locking members slide inward toward the direction of engagement, they push the other locking members inward to release the lock; Each of the locking members has a handle member at an end on the side where it fits with another locking member, Each of the locking members is fitted with another locking member to form a handle portion by the handle member, By pinching the handle portion, all of the locking members are moved inward, the locking member is provided with a support member having three or more grooves arranged at equal angles with respect to the center of the cap body, which is the flat-plate-shaped member body, and extending outward from the center at equal angles, The support member includes a flange portion that connects the groove portions to each other. A locking mechanism characterized by:

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