Coupling structure

Abstract

To provide a connection structure capable of preventing a shaft-like part from falling so as to surprise a user even when the shaft-like part is inserted from a side, that is, from a direction perpendicular to an axial direction.SOLUTION: A first stopper plate 19, a second stopper plate 20, a first interference point plate, and a second interference point plate 22 are rocked by the influence of energizing force by a spring member. As a result, by swinging around the swing axis that intersects the axis of the first pipe 19b while rotating in the direction around the axis of the first pipe 2b inserted via the cutout 2b, the lock member interferes with and gouges the first pipe 2b, thereby achieving the locked state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connecting structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, the present applicant has proposed a technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 as a support device used in physical and chemical experiments, etc. This technology can prevent the device from falling, which can be a surprise to the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-035159 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in recent years, there has been a growing demand for the above-mentioned technology to be able to insert the shaft-shaped portion into the locking mechanism provided on the stopper member in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, i.e., to be able to insert it from the side. To address this, it has been considered to cut out a part of the locking mechanism so that the shaft-shaped portion can be inserted.

[0005] However, this poses a problem in that the locked state may be insufficient, and it may not be possible to prevent the device from falling, which would be a surprise to the user.

[0006] Therefore, in view of the above problem, the present invention aims to provide a connecting structure that can prevent the shaft-shaped portion from falling unexpectedly, even if it is inserted from the side, i.e., from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following means: Note that the parentheses indicate reference symbols of embodiments to be described later, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0008] The connection structure according to claim 1 is a connection structure (1) connectable to a support device (2) having a shaft-shaped portion (first pipe 2b) extending vertically upward, a first control body (first stopper plate 19, second stopper plate 20) provided with a notch (19b) into which the shaft-shaped portion (first pipe 2b) can be inserted from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction; a second control body (first interference point plate 21, second interference point plate 22) provided on the first control body so as to be rotatable within the first control body; The first control body and the second control body swing under the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member (spring member B), rotating around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion inserted into the first control body through the notch (19b), and swinging around a swing axis that intersects with the axis of the shaft-shaped portion, thereby interfering with and scooping out the shaft-shaped portion, thereby entering a locked state.

[0009] The connection structure according to claim 2 is the connection structure (1) according to claim 1, wherein when the shaft-shaped portion (first pipe 2b) is inserted into the first control body (first stopper plate 19, second stopper plate 20), the second control body (first interference point plate 21, second interference point plate 22) rotates due to contact with the shaft-shaped portion, and one end (front end 21a2, 22a2) of the second control body comes into contact with the shaft-shaped portion, In this state, when the second control body oscillates due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member (spring member B), it rotates in a direction around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion and oscillates around an oscillating axis that intersects with the axis of the shaft-shaped portion, thereby interfering with the shaft-shaped portion and becoming gouged out. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] Next, the effects of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the reference symbols in parentheses are those of the embodiments described below, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0011] According to the invention of claim 1, the first control body (first stopper plate 19, second stopper plate 20) and the second control body (first interference point plate 21, second interference point plate 22) swing under the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member (spring member B), rotating in the direction around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion (first pipe 2b) and swinging around a swing axis that intersects with the axis of the shaft-shaped portion, thereby interfering with the shaft-shaped portion and entering a locked state. This makes it possible to prevent the shaft-shaped portion (first pipe 2b) from falling, which would be a surprise to the user, even if the shaft-shaped portion (first pipe 2b) is inserted from the side, that is, from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0012] According to the invention of claim 2, simply inserting the shaft-shaped portion (first pipe 2b) into the first control body (first stopper plate 19, second stopper plate 20) rotates the second control body (first interference point plate 21, second interference point plate 22), thereby allowing one end (front end 21a2, 22a2) of the second control body to simply and easily contact the shaft-shaped portion. Furthermore, by configuring the second control body (first interference point plate 21, second interference point plate 22) as described above, the first control body (first stopper plate 19, second stopper plate 20) can be fixed to the shaft-shaped portion (first pipe 2b) even more firmly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of use of a connection structure according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connection structure according to the embodiment, and is an exploded perspective view of the exterior components of the connection structure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of a main body of the connection structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first stopper plate and the second stopper plate are being stacked on top of each other and are about to be housed in the lever member according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 10(a) shows a state in which the first interference point plate is about to be accommodated in the first stopper plate according to the embodiment, and FIG. 10(b) is a perspective view showing the accommodated state. [Figure 6] 10(a) shows a state in which the second interference point plate is about to be accommodated in the second stopper plate according to the embodiment, and FIG. 10(b) is a perspective view showing the accommodated state. [Figure 7] 6(a) to 6(d) are perspective views illustrating an example of an operation before inserting a first pipe into the connection structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 10(a) to 10(d) are perspective views illustrating an example of an operation for inserting and connecting a first pipe into the connection structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 10(a) to 10(c) are perspective views illustrating an example of an operation for changing the connection position of the connection structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 8(a) is a perspective view showing the state of the first stopper plate and the second stopper plate when the first pipe is inserted into the connecting structure of the same embodiment as shown in FIG. 8(b), and FIG. 8(b) is a plan view of FIG. [Figure 11] 8(a) is a perspective view showing the state of the first stopper plate and the second stopper plate when they reach the state shown in FIG. 8(c), and FIG. 8(b) is a perspective view for explaining that the second stopper plate and the second interference point plate interfere with the first pipe and are in a tension state (gouged state). [Figure 12] (a) is an oblique view to explain that the second interference point plate interferes with the first pipe and is in a tension state (gouged state), and (b) is an oblique view to explain that the second interference point plate interferes with the first stopper plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A connecting structure according to one embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, when directions such as up, down, left, and right are indicated, they refer to up, down, left, and right when viewed from the front of the illustration.

[0015] <Outline of the connecting structure> The connecting structure according to this embodiment can prevent a user from being surprised by a fall even when the shaft-shaped portion is inserted from the side, i.e., perpendicular to the axial direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the connecting structure 1 can be connected to a support device 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the support device 2 includes an H-shaped stand 2a. A rod-shaped first pipe 2b extending vertically upward (extending upward in the drawing) is fixedly provided at approximately the center of the stand 2a. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the support device 2 includes a rod-shaped second pipe 2c provided in a direction perpendicular to the first pipe 2b (in the front-to-rear direction in the drawing). A clip 2d capable of holding a laboratory instrument such as a flask or test tube is provided at the tip of the second pipe 2c.

[0016] Thus, the connecting structure 1 can be connected to the first pipe 2b and the second pipe 2c of the support device 2 configured in this manner. In particular, the connecting structure 1 can be securely locked and connected to the first pipe 2b, thereby preventing the user from falling unexpectedly. This point will be explained in more detail below with regard to the connecting structure 1.

[0017] <External appearance of the connecting structure> First, the appearance of the connection structure 1 will be described.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting structure 1 includes a main body 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 10 is hollow and formed in a substantially horizontally elongated rectangular shape, with a semi-elliptical cutout 10a formed on the front side in the front-to-rear direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, a cover member 11 is rotatably provided on the right side surface 10b of the main body 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the cover member 11 is hollow and formed in an arc shape, with a pair of circular through-holes 11a formed in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 2, a protrusion 11b is attached and fixed to the top surface of the cover member 11 to allow the user to easily rotate the cover member 11. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the cover member 11 is provided with an inner cover 11A, and the protrusion 11b also serves to rotate the inner cover 11A.

[0019] Thus, when such a cover member 11 is provided on the right side surface 10b of the cover member 11 shown in Fig. 2, the cover member 11 is provided on the right side surface 10b of the cover member 11 shown in Fig. 2 so that the through hole 11a of the cover member 11 communicates with a pair of recessed holes 10c, which are provided on the right side surface 10b of the cover member 11 shown in Fig. 2 and have central portions that penetrate in the front-to-rear direction. Then, in this state, a pair of cylindrical bushings 12 shown in Fig. 2 are inserted into the through holes 11a and the recessed holes 10c, and the bolts 13 shown in Fig. 2 are inserted into the bushings 12. As a result, the cover member 11 is provided on the right side surface 10b of the main body 10 so as to be rotatable around the bolts 13 inserted into the bushings 12 as base points.

[0020] Meanwhile, a shutter member 14 is provided in the cutout portion 10a of the main body 10 shown in Fig. 2 so as to be able to open and close the cutout portion 10a. As shown in Fig. 2, this shutter member 14 includes a concave upper support base 14a and a concave lower support base 14b. As shown in Fig. 2, a vertically elongated rectangular connecting portion 14c that connects a front side surface 14a1 of the upper support base 14a with a front side surface 14b1 of the lower support base 14b is integrally provided with the upper support base 14a and the lower support base 14b. As shown in Fig. 2, a semicircular upper mounting base 14a3 is integrally provided on the left side surface 14a2 of the upper support base 14a so as to protrude outward, and a circular upper mounting piece (not shown) is integrally provided on the lower surface of the upper mounting base 14a3 so as to protrude. 2, a semicircular lower mounting base 14b3 is integrally provided on the left side surface 14b2 of the lower support base 14b so as to protrude outward, and a circular lower mounting piece 14b3a is integrally provided on the upper surface of the lower mounting base 14b3 so as to protrude. Note that an upper mounting piece (not shown) has the same shape as the lower mounting piece 14b3a.

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 2, a pair of rectangular handle holes 14c1 are provided in the connecting portion 14c at an appropriate interval in the vertical direction and penetrate the connecting portion 14c in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 2, a vertically elongated rectangular fitting piece 14c3 is integrally provided on the upper surface side of the right side surface 14c2 of the connecting portion 14c so as to protrude outward.

[0022] Thus, when the shutter member 14 configured as described above is inserted into the notch portion 10a of the main body 10 shown in FIG. 2, an upper mounting piece (not shown) on the underside of the upper mounting base 14a3 is attached to a mounting hole 10d (not shown) that penetrates the upper surface of the main body 10 in the vertical direction. Then, a lower mounting piece 14b3a on the upper surface of the lower mounting base 14b3 is attached to a mounting hole (not shown) that penetrates the lower surface of the main body 10 in the vertical direction. This allows the shutter member 14 to be mounted so that it can rotate within the notch portion 10a of the main body 10 shown in FIG. 2, using the upper mounting base 14a3 and the lower mounting base 14b3 shown in FIG. 2 as base points. Therefore, the shutter member 14 can open and close the notch portion 10a. A handle hole 14c1 is provided to facilitate the user's rotation of the shutter member 14. Furthermore, the fitting piece 14c3 of the shutter member 14 can be fitted with a gap in the recessed fitting groove 10e provided on the right side of the notch 10a of the main body 10 shown in Fig. 2. At this time, the fitting piece 14c3 of the shutter member 14 is pressed by the left corner of the cover member 11 shown in Fig. 2. This allows the shutter member 14 to firmly close the notch 10a of the main body 10 shown in Fig. 2. The pressing of the fitting piece 14c3 of the shutter member 14 at the left corner of the cover member 11 shown in Fig. 2 is released by rotating the cover member 11 upward in the drawing, using the bolt 13 inserted in the bush 12 as a base point.

[0023] Meanwhile, a clamp bracket 15 shown in Fig. 2 is attached and fixed to the left side surface 10f of the main body 10 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, this clamp bracket 15 has a concave top plate 15a, and a hook-shaped support portion 15b is integrally formed at the bottom of this top plate 15a. As shown in Fig. 2, a fixing screw 15c is provided on the top plate 15a, and an L-shaped locking piece 15d is integrally formed on the back surface of the support portion 15b.

[0024] Thus, when the clamp bracket 15 configured as described above is attached and fixed to the left side surface 10f of the main body 10 shown in FIG. 2, the left side surface 10f of the main body 10 shown in FIG. 2 is inserted into the recessed hole in the top plate 15a of the clamp bracket 15 shown in FIG. 2. Then, the locking piece 15d of the clamp bracket 15 shown in FIG. 2 is locked to an unillustrated locked portion of the main body 10. As a result, the clamp bracket 15 is attached to the left side surface 10f of the main body 10 shown in FIG. 2. Then, by fixing this position using the fixing tool 16 shown in FIG. 2, the clamp bracket 15 is attached and fixed to the left side surface 10f of the main body 10 shown in FIG. 2.

[0025] 2, the fixture 16 has a rectangular top plate 16a, a rectangular first locking piece 16b integrally formed on the lower left side of the top plate 16a, and a rectangular second locking piece 16c integrally formed on the lower right side of the top plate 16a. Furthermore, a bolt 16d is provided in the center of the top plate 16a.

[0026] Thus, in the fastener 16 configured as described above, the first locking piece 16b is inserted into the recessed hole in the top plate 15a of the clamp bracket 15 shown in Fig. 2. Then, the second locking piece 16c shown in Fig. 2 is inserted into the rectangular locking hole 10g that is provided to penetrate vertically on the left side surface 10f of the main body 10 shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, the bolt 16d shown in Fig. 2 is inserted into the circular bolt hole 10h that is provided to penetrate vertically on the left side surface 10f of the main body 10 shown in Fig. 2. As a result, the clamp bracket 15 is attached and fixed to the left side surface 10f of the main body 10 shown in Fig. 2.

[0027] 2, the bolt 13 is further inserted into a bolt insertion hole 10i provided on the underside of the right side surface 10b of the main body 10. The bolt 17 shown in FIG. 2 is inserted into a bolt insertion hole 10j provided on the underside of the left side surface 10f of the main body 10.

[0028] The above description is about the external appearance of the connection structure 1.

[0029] <Explanation of the inside of the linked structure> Next, the inside of the connection structure 1 will be described.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, a lever member 18 is placed inside the main body 10 of the connected structure 1 having the external configuration described above. As shown in Fig. 3, this lever member 18 has a spring member B installed on the underside of the right side surface 18a. As a result, the lever member 18 is normally disposed inside the main body 10 in a state tilted downward and leftward as shown in Fig. 3 due to the biasing force of the spring member B. Below, this lever member 18 will be described in detail.

[0031] <Explanation of lever parts> As shown in Fig. 4, lever member 18 is formed in a generally horizontally elongated rectangular shape, and has a semicircular upper notch 18b1 formed toward the rear at a generally central position on the front side of upper surface 18b. Also, as shown in Fig. 4, a semicircular lower notch 18c1 formed toward the rear at a generally central position on the front side of lower surface 18c of lever member 18. Note that upper notch 18b1 and lower notch 18c1 are positioned opposite each other.

[0032] 4, a horizontally elongated rectangular accommodation hole 18d is provided in the approximate center of the lever member 18, extending from the front to the rear. The first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 can be accommodated in this accommodation hole 18d in an overlapping state. When the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 are accommodated in the accommodation hole 18d in an overlapping state, they are accommodated with a small gap between them so that they can rotate and swing.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 4, a pair of support pieces 18f are integrally provided on the left side surface 18e of the lever member 18 so as to protrude outward in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 4, this support piece 18f is formed in a semicircular shape, and an elliptical through-hole 18f1 is provided in the center thereof so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction. Thus, the bolt 17 shown in Fig. 2 is inserted into this through-hole 18f1 via the bolt insertion hole 10j shown in Fig. 2. This allows the lever member 18 to rotate in the direction of arrow Y1 shown in Fig. 3, with the bolt 17 shown in Fig. 2 as a base point.

[0034] Next, the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 will be described in detail below.

[0035] <Explanation of the first stopper plate> As shown in FIG. 5(a), the first stopper plate 19 has a concave main body 19a, which has a substantially semicircular notch 19b extending in the front-to-rear direction. An approximately arc-shaped accommodating hole 19e is provided in an upper surface 19d of a right side surface 19a of the first stopper plate 19. As shown in FIG. 5(a), the accommodating hole 19e is composed of a communicating accommodating hole 19e1 that communicates with the notch 19b and a non-communicating accommodating hole 19e2 that communicates with the communicating accommodating hole 19e1 but not with the notch 19b. The first interference point plate 21 shown in FIG. 5(a) is movably accommodated within the accommodating hole 19e.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5(a), the first interference point plate 21 has an arc-shaped first main body 21a, and a semicircular first stopper portion 21b is integrally formed on the rear end side of the outer peripheral surface of this first main body 21a and protrudes outward.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5(b), the first main body 21a of the first interference point plate 21 configured as described above is accommodated in the communicating accommodation hole 19e1, and the first stopper portion 21b of the first interference point plate 21 is accommodated in the non-communicating accommodation hole 19e2. This allows the first main body 21a of the first interference point plate 21 to move in the direction of arrow Y2 within the communicating accommodation hole 19e1. At this time, the first stopper portion 21b also moves in the direction of arrow Y2 within the non-communicating accommodation hole 19e2 in accordance with this movement. However, as shown in FIG. 5(a), because there are wall surfaces on the left and right sides of the non-communicating accommodation hole 19e2, the first stopper portion 21b will eventually come into contact with one of these wall surfaces. As a result, the movement of the first main body 21a of the first interference point plate 21 is stopped by the contact of the first stopper portion 21b with the wall surface. Therefore, in this way, the first interference point plate 21 can move within the communicating accommodating hole 19e1 while restricting the movable range.

[0038] <Explanation of the second stopper plate> The second stopper plate 20 is formed in the same shape as the first stopper plate 19, and is simply the first stopper plate 19 turned 180°. Therefore, the same reference numerals as those explained above are used, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0039] Thus, the second interference point plate 22 shown in FIG. 6(a) is movably housed in the housing hole 19e of the second stopper plate 20 configured in this manner.

[0040] The second interference point plate 22 is also formed in the same shape as the first interference point plate 21, and is simply a 180° inverted version of the first interference point plate 21. To explain this in more detail with reference to Fig. 6(a), the second interference point plate 22 has an arc-shaped second main body 22a, and a semicircular second stopper portion 22b is integrally provided on the rear end side of the outer circumferential surface of this second main body 22a so as to protrude outward.

[0041] Thus, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the second main body 22a of the second interference point plate 22 configured in this manner is accommodated in the communicating accommodation hole 19e1, and the second stopper portion 22b of the second interference point plate 22 is accommodated in the non-communicating accommodation hole 19e2. This results in the state shown in FIG. 6(b), where the second main body 22a of the second interference point plate 22 moves in the direction of arrow Y3 within the communicating accommodation hole 19e1 as shown in FIG. 6(a). At this time, the second stopper portion 22b also moves in the direction of arrow Y3 within the non-communicating accommodation hole 19e2 in accordance with this movement. However, as described above, because the non-communicating accommodation hole 19e2 has wall surfaces on the left and right sides, the second stopper portion 22b will eventually come into contact with one of these wall surfaces. As a result, the movement of the second main body 22a of the second interference point plate 22 is stopped by the contact of the second stopper portion 22b with the wall surface. Therefore, in this way, the second interference point plate 22 can also move within the communicating accommodation hole 19e1 while limiting the movable range.

[0042] Since the second interference point plate 22 is simply accommodated in the accommodation hole 19e of the second stopper plate 20, the second interference point plate 22 will fall in the state shown in FIG. 6 . Therefore, to prevent this, as shown in FIG. 4 , the second stopper plate 20 is placed on top and the first stopper plate 19 is placed on the bottom, so that the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 overlap. This prevents the second interference point plate 22 from falling out of the accommodation hole 19e of the second stopper plate 20. Although the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 overlap, they are not in complete contact with each other, and a small gap is left between them. Therefore, the first interference point plate 21 and the second interference point plate 22 can rotate and swing due to this small gap.

[0043] The above is the explanation of the connection structure 1.

[0044] <Explanation of operation example of linked structure 1> Next, an example of operation of the connected structure 1 configured as above will be described.

[0045] First, the connecting structure 1 is placed in the state shown in Fig. 7(a). In this state, the user uses the protrusion 11b to rotate the cover member 11 in the direction of arrow Y4, with the bolt 13 inserted into the bushing 12 as the base point, as shown in Fig. 7(b).

[0046] Next, the user rotates the shutter member 14 in the direction of arrow Y5 shown in Fig. 7(c) using the handle hole 14c1 of the shutter member 14 shown in Fig. 7(b). As a result, the shutter member 14 rotates in the direction of arrow Y5 shown in Fig. 7(c) around the upper mount base 14a3 and the lower mount base 14b3 (see Fig. 2) as base points.

[0047] Next, the user presses the upper surface of the right side surface 18a of the lever member 18 shown in Fig. 7(c) in the direction of arrow Y6 shown in Fig. 7(d). That is, the user presses the upper surface of the right side surface 18a of the lever member 18 shown in Fig. 7(c) in the direction of arrow Y6 shown in Fig. 7(d) against the biasing force of the spring member B shown in Fig. 3, changing the lever member 18 from the inclined state shown in Fig. 3 to a horizontal state.

[0048] Next, the user inserts the connecting structure 1 in the above state into the first pipe 2b shown in FIG. 8(a) in the direction of arrow Y7. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the user inserts the first pipe 2b into the recessed hole of the upper support base 14a of the shutter member 14 and the recessed hole of the lower support base 14b shown in FIG. 2. At this time, if the connecting structure 1 in the above state is further moved in the direction of arrow Y7, the first pipe 2b shown in FIG. 8(a) will move further toward the rear end of the connecting structure 1, and the first pipe 2b will press against the wall surface of the recessed hole of the upper support base 14a and the wall surface of the recessed hole of the lower support base 14b shown in FIG. 2. As a result, the shutter member 14 rotates in the direction of arrow Y8 shown in FIG. 8(b) around the upper mount base 14a3 and the lower mount base 14b3 (see FIG. 2) shown in FIG. 8(a) as base points. Thus, due to this rotation, the fitting piece 14c3 is fitted into the recessed fitting groove 10e provided on the right side surface of the notch portion 10a of the main body 10 shown in Fig. 2. As a result, by fitting the fitting piece 14c3 into the fitting groove 10e, the rotation of the shutter member 14 stops at the position shown in Fig. 8(b).

[0049] As shown in Fig. 8(a), when the first pipe 2b is inserted into the recessed hole of the upper support base 14a of the shutter member 14 and the recessed hole of the lower support base 14b shown in Fig. 2, the first pipe 2b is also inserted into the notch portion 10a of the main body 10 shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, the lever member 18 (see Fig. 3) placed inside the main body 10 has an upper notch 18b1 and a lower notch 18c1 as shown in Fig. 4, and the first pipe 2b is inserted into the upper notch 18b1 and the lower notch 18c1. Furthermore, since the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 are accommodated in the accommodation hole 18d of the lever member 18 shown in Fig. 4 in an overlapping state, the first pipe 2b is also inserted into the notch 19b of the first stopper plate 19 shown in Fig. 5 and the notch 19b of the second stopper plate 20 shown in Fig. 6.

[0050] Therefore, by doing this, as shown in Figure 8(a), the first pipe 2b can be inserted from the side, that is, from a direction (front-back direction in the figure) perpendicular to the axial direction of the first pipe 2b (up-down direction in the figure).

[0051] Next, as shown in FIG. 8(b), when the first pipe 2b is inserted, the first pipe 2b contacts the rear end 21a1 of the first body 21a shown in FIG. 5(b), causing the first body 21a to move from the rear end shown in FIG. 5(b) toward the front end. When the first pipe 2b contacts the inner wall surface 19b1 (see FIG. 10(b)) of the notch 19b of the first stopper plate 19 (see the position line-symmetrical to point P1 of the black circle shown in FIG. 10(b)), the movement of the first body 21a stops. As a result, the front end 21a2 of the first body 21a of the first interference point plate 21 shown in FIG. 5(b) protrudes into the notch 19b, and the front end 21a2 comes into contact with the first pipe 2b as shown in FIG. 10(a). 5(b) serves to prevent the front end 21a2 from protruding too far into the notch 19b when the first pipe 2b is not inserted. In this embodiment, the front end 21a2 is rounded so that the first pipe 2b can be inserted regardless of the position of the first interference point plate 21 when the first pipe 2b is inserted.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 8(b), when the first pipe 2b is inserted, the first pipe 2b contacts the rear end 22a1 of the second body 22a shown in FIG. 6(a), causing the second body 22a to move from the rear end toward the front end as shown in FIG. 6(a). At this time, when the first pipe 2b contacts the inner wall surface of the notch 19b of the second stopper plate 20 (see point P1 in the black circle) as shown in FIG. 10(b), the movement of the second body 22a stops. As a result, the front end 22a2 of the second body 22a of the second interference point plate 22 shown in FIG. 6(b) protrudes into the notch 19b, and the front end 22a2 comes into contact with the first pipe 2b as shown in FIG. 10(a). 6(a) serves to prevent the front end 22a2 from protruding too far into the notch 19b when the first pipe 2b is not inserted. In this embodiment, the front end 22a2 is rounded so that the first pipe 2b can be inserted regardless of the position of the second interference point plate 22 when the first pipe 2b is inserted.

[0053] Thus, as described above, when the first pipe 2b is inserted, the inner wall surface 19b1 of the notch 19b of the second stopper plate 20 comes into contact with the first pipe 2b at two points (see points P1 and P2 in the black circle portions) as shown in Figure 10(b).

[0054] In this regard, simply cutting out the part will result in interference due to contact at two points (see points P1 and P2 in the black circle area) as described above.

[0055] However, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10(b), the front end 22a2 is in contact with the first pipe 2b at one point (see point P3 in the black circle). Although not shown, the inner wall surface 19b1 of the notch 19b of the first stopper plate 19 is also in contact with the first pipe 2b at two points, and further, the front end 21a2 (see Fig. 10(a)) is in contact with the first pipe 2b at one point. In contact at point P1 in the black circle, the rear end 21a1 (see Fig. 10(a)) is also in contact with the first pipe 2b.

[0056] Therefore, even if the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 have the notches 19b, they can interfere with the first pipe 2b through three-point contact, just as in the conventional case. At this stage, they are simply in contact. In other words, since they are in an unlocked state, the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 can be freely moved in the up and down directions shown in FIG. 10(a) relative to the first pipe 2b. Furthermore, the first pipe 2b can also be inserted and removed in the front and back directions shown in FIG. 10(a).

[0057] Next, when the pressure on the upper surface of the right side surface 18a of the lever member 18 shown in FIG. 8(c) is released from the state shown in FIG. 8(b), the upper surface of the right side surface 18a of the lever member 18 shown in FIG. 8(c) moves in the direction of arrow Y9 due to the biasing force of the spring member B shown in FIG. 3. As a result, the lever member 18 becomes tilted downward and left as shown in FIG. 3. At this time, the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 also become tilted as shown in FIG. 11(a). Therefore, the biasing force of the spring member B causes the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 to operate according to the same principle as in the conventional case. That is, the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 are accommodated in the accommodation hole 18d with a small gap provided so as to be able to rotate and swing, and therefore, they rotate around the axis of the first pipe 2b (the up-down direction) shown in Fig. 11(a) with the corners of the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 as rotation base points, while swinging around a swing axis that intersects with the axis of the first pipe 2b (the up-down direction). Note that, as in the conventional case, the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 are accommodated in the accommodation hole 18d so as to be able to swing while rotating in directions opposite to each other.

[0058] 11(b), the second stopper plate 20 is brought into a tensioning (gouged) state with the inner wall surface 19b1 of the notch 19b interfering with the first pipe 2b at two points (see points P1 and P2 of the black dotted portions) as shown in FIG. 11(b). Similarly, although not shown, the first stopper plate 19 located below the second stopper plate 20 is also brought into a tensioning (gouged) state with the inner wall surface 19b1 of the notch 19b interfering with the first pipe 2b at two points as shown in FIG. 11(b). In other words, the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 are brought into a locked state with respect to the first pipe 2b.

[0059] Thus, the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 rotate and swing in opposite directions, and are locked in a state where they interfere with each other (are interlocked). Therefore, by using two members, the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20, the torsional effect is strengthened, and the stopper plate is fixed to the first pipe 2b even more firmly.

[0060] Furthermore, the first interference point plate 21 and the second interference point plate 22 are also inclined in the same manner as the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 due to the biasing force of the spring member B. At this time, when the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 rotate around the axis of the first pipe 2b (vertical direction) shown in Fig. 11(a) while using the corners as rotation base points and swing around a swing axis that intersects with the axis of the first pipe 2b (vertical direction), the first interference point plate 21 and the second interference point plate 22 also rotate around the axis of the first pipe 2b (vertical direction) while swinging around the swing axis that intersects with the axis of the first pipe 2b (vertical direction). 11(b), the front end 22a2 and the rear end 22a1 of the second interference point plate 22 interfere with the first pipe 2b at two points (see points P1 and P3 in the black circle portions), resulting in a tension state (gouged state) and a locked state. Similarly, although not shown, the front end 21a2 (see FIG. 5(b)) and the rear end 21a1 (see FIG. 5(b)) of the first interference point plate 21 interfere with the first pipe 2b at two points, resulting in a tension state (gouged state) and a locked state.

[0061] Therefore, the first stopper plate 19 and the first interference point plate 21, or the second stopper plate 20 and the second interference point plate 22, interfere with the first pipe 2b at three points, creating a tensioned (scooped) state and a locked state, as in the conventional case. This ensures a securely locked state even if the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 are provided with notches 19b so that the first pipe 2b can be inserted from the side, that is, from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the first pipe 2b (the up-down direction shown in FIG. 8) (the front-to-back direction shown in FIG. 8). Therefore, as in the conventional case, it is possible to prevent the device from falling, which would be a surprise to the user.

[0062] The movements of the first and second interference point plates 21 and 22 will now be described in more detail. The front end 22a2 of the second interference point plate 22 shown in FIG. 11(a) is tilted by the biasing force of the spring member B shown in FIG. 3, causing the lower half of the front end 22a2 to contact the first pipe 2b and leaving a gap in the upper half. Therefore, in an attempt to fill this gap, the second interference point plate 22 rotates around the axis of the first pipe 2b (in the up-down direction) shown in FIG. 12(a) (see arrow Y15). Although the first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 are overlapped, they are not in complete contact with each other, leaving a small gap. Therefore, the second interference point plate 22 swings around a swing axis that intersects with the axis of the first pipe 2b (in the up-down direction) (see arrow Y16). As a result, the front end 22a2 and the rear end 22a1 of the second interference point plate 22 interfere with the first pipe 2b at two points (see points P1 and P3 in the black circles), resulting in a tensioning (gouged) state and a locked state. However, in this locked state, the gap in the upper half portion described above is not completely filled. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12(b), a force is generated in the second interference point plate 22 that tries to fill the gap in the upper half portion as much as possible in the direction of fitting to the first pipe 2b (see arrow Y17), i.e., a force that tries to return the tilt. As a result, the front end 22a2 of the second interference point plate 22 interferes with the first stopper plate 19. Therefore, due to this interference, the first stopper plate 19 tilts in the direction of arrow Y18 shown in FIG. 12(b), and the first stopper plate 19 tilts further. Thus, due to this inclination, the tension (deepening state) of the first stopper plate 19 against the first pipe 2b is further increased, and the first stopper plate 19 is fixed to the first pipe 2b even more firmly.

[0063] Although not shown, the first interference point plate 21 also moves in a similar manner. The front end 21a2 of the first interference point plate 21 shown in FIG. 11(a) is tilted by the biasing force of the spring member B shown in FIG. 3, causing the upper half of the front end 21a2 to contact the first pipe 2b and the lower half to leave a gap. Therefore, in an attempt to close this gap, the first interference point plate 21 rotates around the axis of the first pipe 2b (in the up-down direction) shown in FIG. 12(a) (see the direction opposite to arrow Y15). The first stopper plate 19 and the second stopper plate 20 are overlapped but not in complete contact with each other, leaving a small gap. Therefore, the first interference point plate 21 swings around a swing axis that intersects with the axis of the first pipe 2b (in the up-down direction) (see the direction opposite to arrow Y16). As a result, the front end 21a2 and the rear end 21a1 of the first interference point plate 21 interfere with the first pipe 2b at two points, creating a tension (gouged) state and a locked state. However, in this locked state, the gap in the lower half portion described above is not completely filled, so a force that tries to fill the gap in the lower half portion described above as much as possible in the direction to fit the first pipe 2b (see the direction opposite to arrow Y17 shown in FIG. 12(b)) is generated in the first interference point plate 21, i.e., a force that tries to return the tilt. As a result, the front end 21a2 of the first interference point plate 21 interferes with the second stopper plate 20. Therefore, this interference causes the second stopper plate 20 to tilt further. Thus, this tilt further increases the tension (gouged state) of the second stopper plate 20 against the first pipe 2b, and the second stopper plate 20 is more firmly fixed to the first pipe 2b.

[0064] Therefore, by providing the first interference point plate 21 and the second interference point plate 22 as described above, the device is more firmly fixed to the first pipe 2b, which can further prevent the device from falling, which would be a surprise to the user.

[0065] Therefore, as explained above, when the pressing on the upper surface of the right side surface 18a of the lever member 18 shown in FIG. 8(c) is released, the lever member 18 moves as explained above.

[0066] Next, as shown in Figure 8(d), the user uses the protrusion 11b to rotate the cover member 11 in the direction of arrow Y10, using the bolt 13 inserted into the bushing 12 as the base point, and returns it to its original position (the position shown in Figure 7(a)).

[0067] Thus, in this way, the connection structure 1 can be connected to the first pipe 2b of the support device 2 shown in FIG.

[0068] On the other hand, when it is desired to change the connection position of the connection structure 1 with respect to the first pipe 2b of the support device 2 shown in Fig. 1, the connection position can be changed by performing the operation shown in Fig. 9. That is, as shown in Fig. 9(a), an inner cover member 11A is provided on the cover member 11, and the user rotates this inner cover member 11A in the direction of arrow Y11 using the protrusion 11b.

[0069] Next, as shown in Figure 9(b), the user pushes the upper surface of the right side surface 18a of the lever member 18 shown in Figure 9(b) in the direction of arrow Y13 shown in Figure 9(b) to release the locked state to the extent that the connecting structure 1 can move up and down (see arrow Y12) in the axial direction (up and down direction) of the first pipe 2b.

[0070] Then, after releasing the locked state, the connection position of the connection structure 1 is moved to a desired position relative to the first pipe 2b. Thereafter, the upper surface of the right side surface 18a of the lever member 18 shown in FIG. 9(b) is released from being pressed, and the locked state is restored. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9(c), the protrusion 11b is used to rotate the inner cover member 11A in the direction of arrow Y14 to return it to its original position (the position shown in FIG. 7(a)).

[0071] Thus, in this way, the connection position of the connection structure 1 with respect to the first pipe 2b of the support device 2 shown in FIG. 1 can be changed.

[0072] Although not shown, after connecting the connecting structure 1 to the first pipe 2b of the support device 2 shown in Fig. 1, the second pipe 2c shown in Fig. 1 is connected to the connecting structure 1. Specifically, the second pipe 2c shown in Fig. 1 is placed inside the support portion 15b of the clamp bracket 15 shown in Fig. 2, and the fixing screw 15c is brought into contact with the upper surface of the second pipe 2c. This allows the second pipe 2c to be connected to the connecting structure 1 as shown in Fig. 1.

[0073] Therefore, the above description is an example of the operation of the linked structure 1.

[0074] Thus, according to the present embodiment described above, even if the first pipe 2b is inserted from the side, i.e., from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, it is possible to prevent the first pipe 2b from falling, which would be a surprise to the user.

[0075] <Description of Modifications> The shapes and other features shown in this embodiment are merely examples, and various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as defined in the claims. For example, the first and second interference point plates 21 and 22 illustrated in this embodiment are not limited to these. Any shape may be used as long as they interfere with the first pipe 2b at three points and form a tensioning (gouged) state. However, it is preferable that the first and second interference point plates 21 and 22 have the shapes illustrated in this embodiment. As described above, this shape allows the front end 21a2 of the first and second interference point plates 21 and 22a2 of the second interference point plates 22 to easily contact each other simply by inserting the first pipe 2b into the notches 19b of the first and second stopper plates 19 and 20. Furthermore, as described above, this allows the first and second stopper plates 19 and 20 to be more firmly fixed to the first pipe 2b. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 linked structure 2 Support device 2b First pipe (shaft-shaped part) 19 First stopper plate (first control body) 19b Notch 20 Second stopper plate (first control body) 21 First interference point plate (second control body) 21a1 Rear end 21a2 Front end (one end) 22 Second interference point plate (second control body) 22a1 Rear end 22a2 Front end (one end) B. Spring member (biasing member)

Claims

1. A connecting structure connectable to a support device having a shaft-like portion extending vertically upward, a first control body having a notch into which the shaft-shaped portion can be inserted from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction; a second control body provided on the first control body so as to be rotatable within the first control body; A connecting structure in which the first control body and the second control body swing due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member, rotating around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion inserted into the first control body through the notch, and swinging around a swing axis that intersects with the axis of the shaft-shaped portion, thereby interfering with and scooping out the shaft-shaped portion, thereby entering a locked state.

2. When the shaft-shaped portion is inserted into the first control body, the second control body rotates due to contact with the shaft-shaped portion, whereby one end of the second control body comes into contact with the shaft-shaped portion; In this state, when the second control body oscillates due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member, the second control body rotates in a direction around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion while oscillating around an oscillation axis that intersects with the axis of the shaft-shaped portion, thereby interfering with and gouging out the shaft-shaped portion, a connecting structure as described in claim 1.

Images