Cable guide device and cable guide

Abstract

The present invention provides a cable guide device that allows for easy insertion and removal of cables from the insertion space within the cable guide. [Solution] The cable guide comprises a plurality of cable guides 2 through which a cable 5 can be inserted, and a first joint that connects adjacent cable guides 2 in a first direction which is the connecting direction. Each cable guide 2 comprises a connecting plate portion 11 that connects to the first joint, and a cover plate portion 12 that forms a cable insertion space 13 between itself and the connecting plate portion 11. The base end of the connecting plate portion 11 in a second direction intersecting the first direction is a connecting portion 15 that connects to the cover plate portion 12. The cover-side tip portion 12a of the cover plate portion 12 opposite to the connecting portion 15 is spaced apart from the connecting plate portion 11, and an insertion / removal opening 16 is formed between the cover-side tip portion 12a and the connecting plate portion 11 that allows the cable 5 to be inserted into and removed from the insertion space 13. The connecting portion 15 is displaceable to widen the insertion / removal opening 16.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable guide device for guiding a cable and a cable guide used therefor.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a cable guide for guiding a cable of an electronic device used on a table to the floor. This cable guide is configured by connecting a plurality of cable insertion units with a connector. Each cable insertion unit includes a peripheral wall portion having an overall elliptical shape. And, notch portions through which a cable can be inserted are provided at opposite positions in the minor axis direction of the peripheral wall portion. Further, a support wall is provided at a position that becomes the minor axis on the peripheral wall portion. Inside the peripheral wall portion, a support wall extending in the major axis direction is provided. And, inside the peripheral wall portion, two insertion spaces partitioned by the support wall are formed. A cable inserted from the notch portion can be inserted into each insertion space. Further, a connection hole into which a connector is inserted is formed in the support wall.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Insertion and removal of the cable with respect to the insertion space are performed through the notch portion. When the thickness of the cable is thicker than the width of the notch portion, the peripheral wall portion is bent to widen the width of the notch portion. By the way, insertion and removal of the cable with respect to the insertion space are often performed when the table is moved or the like. In a situation where the frequency of layout change of the table in a conference room or the like increases, the frequency of insertion and removal of the cable with respect to the insertion space increases, and thus it is desired to be simpler.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A cable guide device that solves the above problems comprises a plurality of cable guides through which a cable can be inserted, and a joint that connects adjacent cable guides in a first direction which is the connecting direction, each of the cable guides comprises a connecting plate portion that connects with the joint, and a cover plate portion that forms a space for inserting the cable between itself and the connecting plate portion, the base end of the connecting plate portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction is a connecting portion that connects with the cover plate portion, the cover-side tip of the cover plate portion opposite to the connecting portion is spaced apart from the connecting plate portion, and an insertion / removal opening is formed between the cover-side tip and the connecting plate portion that allows the cable to be inserted into and removed from the insertion space, and the connecting portion is displaceable to widen the insertion / removal opening.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the cable guides can be connected using joints to a predetermined length in the first direction. When inserting or removing the cable from the insertion space, the connecting part flexes, widening the insertion / removal opening. This makes it easy to insert and remove the cable.

[0007] In the above-described cable guide device, it is preferable that the cable guide has a barrier portion on at least one of the inner surfaces of the connecting plate portion and the cover plate portion that constitute the insertion / removal opening, which prevents the cable from being inserted into or removed from the insertion space.

[0008] According to the above configuration, a barrier is provided near the insertion / removal opening. Therefore, while the opening is designed to be easily opened, it is also possible to make it difficult for the cable inserted into the insertion space to come out of the opening.

[0009] In the above-described cable guide device, the cable guide can be joined to another cable guide by butting the joining plate portions together, and each of the joining plate portions is provided with a joining groove and a joining piece, the joining groove is configured between an inner wall and an outer wall that are aligned in the second direction and extend in the first direction, and it is preferable that the joining piece of one cable guide engages with the joining groove of the other cable guide, thereby butting the joining plate portions together and joining them.

[0010] According to the above configuration, two cable guides can be joined by butting their connecting plates together. Specifically, the two cable guides can be joined by engaging the connecting piece of one connecting plate with the connecting groove of the other connecting plate.

[0011] In the above-described cable guide device, the joint is an elongated plate material, having a first insertion portion at one end and a second insertion portion at the other end in the first direction, the connecting plate portion forming an insertion groove into which either the first or second insertion portion is inserted, each of the first and second insertion portions having a first surface and a second surface on the back side of the first surface, each of the first and second surfaces being connectable to the connecting plate portion, and preferably the connecting plate portion of the cable guide is connected to each of the first and second surfaces of the joint, or to either the first surface or the second surface.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the joint can connect the two cable guides to the first and second insertion parts. Furthermore, the cable guides can be connected to the same surfaces of the first and second insertion parts, i.e., either the first surface or the second surface.

[0013] In the above-described cable guide device, it is preferable that the coupling plate portion which is coupled to each other, and one of the insertion portions of the first insertion portion and the second insertion portion, have a projection, and the other has an engagement opening into which the projection engages.

[0014] With the above configuration, the protrusion engages with the engagement opening, making it difficult for one cable guide, either connected to the joint of the two cable guides or to either the first insertion part or the second insertion part, to come loose.

[0015] In the above-described cable guide device, it is preferable that either the first insertion portion or the second insertion portion is pivotable relative to the coupling plate portion in at least one of the first and second directions.

[0016] In the above-described cable guide device, the insertion portion and the coupling plate portion can swing relative to each other in at least one of the first and second directions, so that the overall shape and length of the cable guide device can be adjusted.

[0017] In the above-described cable guide device, each of the first insertion portion and the second insertion portion is preferably provided with a first guide portion and a second guide portion extending in the first direction at each side edge in the second direction, wherein the first guide portion and the second guide portion are configured to have different heights, and the insertion groove portion preferably includes a first guide groove portion corresponding to the height of the first guide portion and a second guide groove portion corresponding to the height of the second guide portion.

[0018] According to the above configuration, the heights of the first guide section and the second guide section are different, and the first guide groove section and the second guide groove section are provided to match these heights. This prevents incorrect insertion of the insertion section in the wrong orientation.

[0019] In the above-described cable guide device, the connecting plate portion is provided with an insertion groove portion into which the joint is inserted, and the joint is preferably an elongated plate material in which, in the first direction, one end is a first insertion portion and the other end is a second insertion portion, and an engaging piece is provided between the first insertion portion and the second insertion portion to engage with the object to be attached. With the above configuration, it can be attached to the mounting groove of the object to be attached, such as the underside of the table top, support legs, floor surface, or wall, via the engaging piece.

[0020] The cable guide for solving the above problems is a plurality of cable guides through which a cable can be inserted and which are connected via a joint in a first direction, and includes a coupling plate portion that couples with the joint, and a cover plate portion that forms an insertion space for the cable between the coupling plate portion and the cover plate portion. A base end portion of the coupling plate portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction is a connecting portion that connects to the cover plate portion, a tip end portion of the cover plate portion on the opposite side of the connecting portion is separated from the coupling plate portion, and an insertion opening is formed between the tip end portion and the coupling plate portion to enable insertion and removal of the cable into and from the insertion space. The connecting portion is displaceable so as to widen the insertion opening.

Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, insertion and removal of a cable into and from an insertion space in a cable guide can be easily performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a first usage mode of a cable guide device. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing a second usage mode of a cable guide device. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing a third usage mode of a cable guide device. [Figure 4] It is an exploded perspective view showing the relationship between a combined body of two cable guides and a first joint. [Figure 5] It is a side view of a cable guide. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view explaining a coupling process of two cable guides. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view of a combined body of two cable guides. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view showing a state where a first joint is inserted into a combined body of two cable guides. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view of a state where a first joint is inserted into a combined body of two cable guides. [Figure 10] This is a plan view showing the relationship between the connecting plate portion of the cable guide and the first joint. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the second joint and the stand. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view of the second joint. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view showing the cable guide being installed on the mounting target via the third joint in a second embodiment of use. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of use, in which the cable guide is installed on the support leg via the third joint. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] [Overall structure] The cable guide device 1 can be used in any of the following three modes of use, depending on the purpose of use: the first mode of use, the second mode of use, and the third mode of use.

[0024] [First mode of use] As shown in Figure 1, the cable guide device 1 comprises a plurality of cable guides 2 and a first joint 3a that connects the cable guides 2 to each other. Each stage is composed of a coupling 2a formed by joining two cable guides 2. The couplings 2a connected by the first joint 3a are arranged in a straight line in the first direction, and the lowest part is supported by a stand 4. The lowest coupling 2a is connected to the stand 4 by a second joint 3b.

[0025] Each cable guide 2 has a D-shape and includes a flat connecting plate portion 11 and an arc-shaped cover plate portion 12. A cable 5 can be inserted through each cable guide 2 that makes up each connecting body 2a.

[0026] Cable 5 is a power cable, network cable, or similar cable that extends under the table. This type of cable 5 may extend from electronic devices such as a personal computer or monitor placed on the table and hang down into the space under the table.

[0027] The cable guide device 1 is positioned in the space beneath the table, and the cable 5, which hangs down into the space beneath, is inserted through it. As a result, the cable 5 is hidden within the cable guide device 1, improving the appearance of the interior space such as an office or conference room.

[0028] Furthermore, the uppermost connector 2a can also be fitted with a second joint 3b and connected to an insertion receiving part on the underside of the tabletop or the like. This stabilizes the orientation of the cable guide device 1. Alternatively, the cable guide device 1 may be configured simply by connecting the cable guide 2 to one side of the first joint 3a.

[0029] [Second Usage Mode] As shown in Figure 2, the cable guide device 1 can also be installed on a flat surface such as a floor. In the usage configuration shown in Figure 2, each cable guide 2 is a single unit, and they are connected via a third joint 3c with their orientations aligned. The cable guide device 1 configured in this way can be installed with its flat connecting plate portion 11 facing a flat surface 59. In this case, the cable guide device 1 is also fixed to the flat surface 59 by fixing the third joint 3c to the flat surface 59 with a fixing member 68a such as a screw. By this method as well, the cable guide device 1 can hide the cable 5. The cable guide device 1 in the usage configuration shown in Figure 2 can also be installed on a flat surface 59 such as the underside of a tabletop.

[0030] [Third mode of use] As shown in Figure 3, the cable guide device 1 can also be installed on the support legs 71 of the table. In the usage configuration shown in Figure 3, there is one cable guide 2 for each level, and they are connected through the third joint 3c with their orientations aligned. The cable guide device 1 configured in this way can be installed with the flat connecting plate portion 11 facing the support legs 71. In this case, the cable guide device 1 can be fixed by engaging the engaging piece 69b provided on the third joint 3c with the mounting groove 72 provided on the support legs 71. By this method as well, the cable guide device 1 can hide the cables 5 that extend into the space under the table. If a mounting groove 72 is provided on the underside of the table top, the cable guide device 1 can also be installed in that location.

[0031] In this specification, the connection direction of the cable guide 2 is referred to as the first direction, and the direction intersecting the first direction is referred to as the second direction. The first direction is also the direction in which joints 3a to 3c are inserted into the insertion grooves 25 and 28 of the cable guide 2 (Figures 4 and 7). The direction intersecting the first and second directions is the third direction. The third direction is the thickness direction of each cable guide 2.

[0032] [First mode of use] [Cable guide configuration] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cable guide 2 comprises a connecting plate portion 11 and a cover plate portion 12, and the overall shape is D-shaped.

[0033] The connecting plate portion 11 is the part that abuts against the connecting plate portion 11 of the cable guide 2 when forming the connecting body 2a in the usage configuration shown in Figure 1. Also, in the usage configuration shown in Figure 2, it is the part that faces a flat surface 59 such as the underside of the top plate or the floor. Furthermore, in the usage configuration shown in Figure 3, the connecting plate portion 11 is the part that faces the mounting groove 72 of the support leg 71, etc. Furthermore, it is the part to which the joints 3a to 3c are connected. The space enclosed by the connecting plate portion 11 and the cover plate portion 12 constitutes the insertion space 13 through which the cable 5 is inserted. The insertion space 13 varies depending on the thickness of the cable 5, but it is a space through which not only one cable 5 but multiple cables 5 can be inserted.

[0034] The connecting plate portion 11 includes a rectangular bottom plate portion 14. In the second direction, one end of the bottom plate portion 14 is the base end, which is the connecting portion 15 with the cover plate portion 12. The connecting portion 15 has a bulging shape that expands outward. In the second direction, the bottom plate side tip portion 14a opposite to the connecting portion 15 is spaced apart from the cover plate portion 12.

[0035] The cover plate portion 12 is a D-shaped curved portion that bulges in a third direction. The base end portion of the cover plate portion 12 that connects to the connecting portion 15 and the cover-side tip portion 12a on the opposite side of the connecting portion 15 are walls that are perpendicular to the connecting plate portion 11. The space between the base end portion connected to the connecting portion 15 and the cover-side tip portion 12a is a curved wall that bulges outward. The cover-side tip portion 12a is spaced apart from the bottom plate-side tip portion 14a of the connecting plate portion 11. The space between the spaced bottom plate-side tip portion 14a and the cover-side tip portion 12a becomes an insertion / removal opening 16 for inserting and removing the cable 5.

[0036] On the inner surface of the bottom plate portion 14, a bottom plate side barrier portion 17 extends from the bottom plate side tip portion 14a into the insertion space 13. The bottom plate side barrier portion 17 extends diagonally to the bottom plate portion 14 in the direction opposite to the insertion / removal opening 16. That is, the angle between the bottom plate side barrier portion 17 and the bottom plate portion 14 is acute. Also, on the inner surface of the cover plate portion 12, a cover side barrier portion 18 extends from near the cover side tip portion 12a into the insertion space 13 in a direction that narrows the insertion / removal opening 16. The angle between the cover side barrier portion 18 and the cover side tip portion 12a is, for example, perpendicular. This angle is not limited to perpendicular, but it is preferable that it is an angle close to perpendicular.

[0037] In this configuration, the cable guide 2 is elastically displaceable at the connecting portion 15, and the bottom plate-side tip 14a and the cover-side tip 12a bend in a direction that separates them from each other (see Figure 5). This allows the cable guide 2 to temporarily widen the insertion / removal opening 16, making it easier to insert and remove the cable 5 into and out of the insertion space 13. Furthermore, the cable guide 2 has open ends 19 at each end in the first direction that are continuous with the insertion space 13.

[0038] [Structure of the connecting plate section] As shown in Figure 5, the outer surface of the connecting plate portion 11 is provided with a connecting groove 21 and a connecting piece 22. The connecting groove 21 and the connecting piece 22 are aligned parallel to the second direction and extend in the first direction on the outer surface of the bottom plate portion 14. The cable guides 2 can be joined by butting the connecting plate portions 11 together, and the connecting piece 22 of one cable guide 2 engages with the connecting groove 21 of the other cable guide 2. As a result, the connecting plate portions 11 overlap each other in the third direction.

[0039] The coupling groove 21 is located adjacent to the insertion / removal opening 16. The coupling groove 21 is located between an inner wall 23 and an outer wall 24 that are aligned in a second direction and extend parallel to each other in a first direction. The outer wall 24 is a piece that extends outward in a continuous manner with the bottom plate side barrier portion 17. The bottom plate side barrier portion 17 has a bent piece 24a that is bent inward at its tip. The inner wall 23 is a wall parallel to the outer wall 24 and located inside the outer wall 24. The inner wall 23 also has a bent piece 23a that is bent inward at its tip. The bent pieces 23a and 24a are pieces that are bent in the same direction. The inner wall 23 also has a contact portion 23b that protrudes from the bent piece 23a. The contact portion 23b contacts the bottom plate portion 14 of the mating cable guide 2.

[0040] The connecting piece 22 is provided adjacent to the connecting portion 15. The connecting piece 22 comprises a vertical wall portion 22a and a guide piece 22b provided at the tip of the vertical wall portion 22a, and has an overall T-shape. One end of the guide piece 22b has a protruding contact portion 22c. The contact portion 22c is at the same height as the contact portion 23b and contacts the bottom plate portion 14 of the opposing cable guide 2. The space between the connecting piece 22 and the outer wall 24 is wider than the space between the inner wall 23 and the outer wall 24. The bottom plate portion 14 is provided with an engagement opening 26 that penetrates in the thickness direction at the position of the insertion groove portion 25.

[0041] When the two cable guides 2 are joined, an insertion groove 25 is formed between the inner walls 23 (used in the first mode of use, see Figure 7). The insertion groove 25 is the groove into which the first joint 3a and the second joint 3b are inserted. In each cable guide 2, the groove formed between the joining piece 22 and the inner wall 23 is an insertion groove 28 into which the insertion parts 61 and 62 of the third joint 3c are inserted from the side of the opposing open end 19 in the first direction (used in the second mode of use (see Figure 13) and the third mode of use (see Figure 14)).

[0042] The engagement opening 26 engages with the projections 37a of the joints 3a to 3c that are inserted from each direction, restricting the movement of the joints 3a to 3c in the opposite direction of insertion and preventing the joints 3a to 3c from falling out.

[0043] As shown in Figure 6, the two cable guides 2 can be joined by butting their connecting plate portions 11 together. The joining method involves engaging the connecting piece 22 of one cable guide 2 with the connecting groove 21 of the other cable guide 2. Specifically, the two cable guides 2 are joined by inserting one end of the connecting piece 22 into one end of the connecting groove 21 and sliding it in. As a result, the two cable guides 2 are joined so that their connecting plate portions 11 overlap in the third direction, forming a combined body 2a.

[0044] As shown in Figure 7, in two cable guides 2 joined together by butting their connecting plate portions 11, the space between the pair of inner walls 23 becomes an insertion groove portion 25 into which the first joint 3a is inserted. Furthermore, in the inner wall 23, the space between the bent piece 23a and the bottom plate portion 14 becomes a first guide groove portion 27a and a second guide groove portion 27b, which guide the insertion of the first joint 3a. The first guide groove portion 27a and the second guide groove portion 27b are at different heights from the bottom plate portion 14. The contact portions 22c and 23b of the cable guides 2 abut against the bottom plate portion 14 of the other cable guide, thereby suppressing rattling.

[0045] [Structure of the first joint] As shown in Figure 8, the connecting body 2a is connected by a first joint 3a. The first joint 3a is an elongated plate material and includes a base portion 30. The base portion 30 includes a first insertion portion 31, a second insertion portion 32, and a boundary wall 33 between the first insertion portion 31 and the second insertion portion 32.

[0046] Each of the first insertion portion 31 and the second insertion portion 32 comprises a first surface 34 and a second surface 35 which is the back surface to the first surface 34, and each of the first surface 34 and the second surface 35 is a bonding region to which the bonding plate portion 11 is bonded.

[0047] Each of the first insertion portion 31 and the second insertion portion 32 is provided with an elastic piece 37 by a pair of slits 36, and the tip side of the elastic piece 37 is provided with a projection 37a that protrudes toward the first surface 34. The projection 37a is composed of an inclined surface on the tip side of the insertion portion 31,32 and a vertical wall or a locking wall close to a vertical wall on the opposite side.

[0048] Each of the first insertion portion 31 and the second insertion portion 32 is provided with a first guide portion 38a and a second guide portion 38b on each side edge in the second direction. The first guide portion 38a is provided at a height corresponding to the first guide groove portion 27a of the first joint 3a, and the second guide portion 38b is provided at a height corresponding to the second guide groove portion 27b. Furthermore, each of the first insertion portion 31 and the second insertion portion 32 is provided with a first guide wall portion 39a that guides the tip of the bent piece 23a on the first guide groove portion 27a side, and a second guide wall portion 39b that guides the tip of the bent piece 23a on the second guide groove portion 27b side.

[0049] [Connection method] Next, a method for connecting two connecting bodies 2a using the first joint 3a will be explained using Figures 8 and 9. In the first joint 3a, the first insertion part 31 is inserted into the insertion groove 25 of one connecting body 2a, and the second insertion part 32 is inserted into the insertion groove 25 of the other connecting body 2a. When inserting the insertion parts 31 and 32 into the insertion groove 25, the first guide part 38a of the insertion parts 31 and 32 is aligned with the first guide groove 27a, and the second guide part 38b is aligned with the second guide groove 27b. When the guide grooves 27a and 27b do not correspond to the guide parts 38a and 38b, the insertion parts 31 and 32 cannot be inserted into the insertion groove 25. The insertion parts 31 and 32 are inserted in the direction of the boundary wall 33. When the insertion portions 31 and 32 are inserted into the insertion groove portion 25, the projection portion 37a engages with the engagement opening 26. This prevents the coupling from falling out of the first joint 3a. In this state, the insertion portions 31 and 32 can swing in the first and second directions relative to the coupling plate portion 11.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 10, the relationship between the engaging opening 26 and the protrusion 37a will be described here. The engaging opening 26 is a rectangular through-hole with the first direction as the long side 26a and the second direction as the short side 26b. The engaging opening 26 is configured to have a size that allows play at least in the first direction when the protrusion 37a is engaged with the engaging opening 26. Specifically, the relationship between the length L1 of the protrusion 37a and the length L2 of the long side of the engaging opening 26 is L1 < L2. Thereby, the rows of the combined bodies 2a swing so as to expand and contract in the first direction as a whole.

[0051] In addition, in the present embodiment, the relationship between the width W1 of the protrusion 37a and the length W2 of the short side of the engaging opening 26 is W1 < W2. Thereby, the combined body 2a allows the swing in the second direction with respect to the first joint 3a.

[0052] Also, the relationship between the width W3 of the insertion groove portion 25 and the widths W4 of the insertion portions 31 and 32 is W3 > W4. Thereby, the combined body 2a also swings in the second direction with respect to the first joint 3a. For example, the width W3 of the insertion groove portion 25 is configured to gradually widen in the second direction from the center in the first direction toward the opening end 19.

[0053] Note that the plate thickness of the bottom plate portion 14 may also be configured such that the outer surface (the formation surface of the insertion groove portion 25) is an inclined surface that gradually descends from the center in the first direction toward the opening end 19. Thereby, the combined body 2a has a swing in the third direction (the direction in which the two cable guides 2 are overlapped) which is the thickness direction with respect to the first joint 3a (see FIG. 9).

[0054] 〔Configuration of the stand and the second joint〕 By the way, the lowest connecting member 2a is connected to the stand 4. As shown in Figure 11, the stand 4 has a main body 42. The main body 42 has a skirt shape that widens from the top end to the bottom end. The top surface has an insertion receiving portion 43 into which the second joint 3b is inserted. The insertion receiving portion 43 has an insertion recess 44 into which the second joint 3b is inserted. A through hole 45 is provided at the bottom of the insertion recess 44. On both sides of the insertion recess 44, the main body 42 has insertion spaces 46 below each open end 19 of the lowest connecting member 2a. The cable 5 hanging down from the open end 19 enters the insertion space 46 and is led out from the notch 47.

[0055] As shown in Figure 12, the second joint 3b is an elongated plate material and includes a base portion 51. The base portion 51 includes a guide insertion portion 52, a stand insertion portion 53, and a boundary portion 54 between the guide insertion portion 52 and the stand insertion portion 53.

[0056] The guide insertion portion 52 comprises an insertion portion 52a and a stop portion 52b. The insertion portion 52a is the part that is inserted into the insertion groove portion 25 of the connecting body 2a and has a frame shape. The insertion portion 52a is provided with an elastic piece 52c, and the tip side of the elastic piece 52c is provided with a projection 52d that protrudes to one side. The projection 52d has an inclined surface on the tip side of the insertion portion 52a and a vertical wall or a locking wall close to a vertical wall on the opposite side. Note that the projection 52d may also be provided on the opposite side of the elastic piece 52c so that it can engage with the engagement opening 26 on the opposite side. The stop portion 52b is a flange portion provided at the base end of the insertion portion 52a and abuts against the opening end of the insertion groove portion 25 (see Figure 1).

[0057] When the guide insertion portion 52, configured as described above, is inserted into the insertion groove portion 25 until it abuts against the abutment portion 52b, the projection portion 52d engages with the engagement opening 26 of the connecting plate portion 11. This makes it difficult for the guide insertion portion 52 to fall out of the insertion groove portion 25. The guide insertion portion 52 may be pivotable in at least one of the first, second, and third directions relative to the insertion groove portion 25, or it may be fitted in such a way that it does not pivot.

[0058] The stand insertion portion 53 is provided spaced apart from the abutment portion 52b via a boundary portion 54. The stand insertion portion 53 comprises a plate portion 53a and a flange portion 53b provided at the base end of the plate portion 53a. Furthermore, the plate portion 53a is rectangular in shape and includes an elastic engaging piece 53c. The plate portion 53a is the part that is inserted into the insertion recess 44 and further inserted into the through hole 45. The elastic engaging piece 53c has its base at the tip side of the plate portion 53a and its tip at the base end side of the plate portion 53a, and extends inclined toward the base end. The tip of one elastic engaging piece 53c is provided to protrude from one side of the plate portion 53a, and the tip of the other elastic engaging piece 53c is provided to protrude from the other side of the plate portion 53a. The flange portion 53b is insertable into the insertion recess 44 of the stand 4 and abuts against the periphery of the through hole 45. This prevents the second joint 3b from coming loose from the stand 4.

[0059] The stand insertion portion 53, configured as described above, is inserted into the insertion recess 44 with the tip of the plate portion 53a as the insertion end. The elastic engaging piece 53c flexes so as to become flush with the plate portion 53a as it passes through the through hole 45. Then, after passing through the through hole 45, it elastically returns to its original position, and its tip is locked around the through hole 45. As a result, the stand insertion portion 53 is inserted until the flange portion 53b abuts against the perimeter of the through hole 45. The stand insertion portion 53 is attached to the insertion recess 44 with some play between the flange portion 53b and the tip of the elastic engaging piece 53c. Specifically, the stand insertion portion 53 is pivotable within the insertion recess 44 in at least one of the first, second, and third directions.

[0060] [Second mode of use and third joint configuration] As shown in Figures 2 and 13 above, cable guides 2 facing the same direction can also be connected using a third joint 3c. The third joint 3c used here is a long, narrow plate material and includes a base portion 60. The base portion 60 includes a first insertion portion 61, a second insertion portion 62, and a boundary portion 63 between the first insertion portion 61 and the second insertion portion 62.

[0061] Each of the first insertion portion 61 and the second insertion portion 62 comprises a first surface 64 and a second surface 65 which is the back surface to the first surface 64, and each of the first surface 64 and the second surface 65 is a bonding region into which the bonding plate portion 11 is bonded. Each of the first insertion portion 61 and the second insertion portion 62 is provided corresponding to the width of the insertion groove portion 28 that is partitioned between the bonding piece 22 provided on the bottom plate portion 14 and the inner wall 23.

[0062] Each of the first insertion portion 61 and the second insertion portion 62 is provided with an elastic piece 67 by a U-shaped slit 66, and the tip end of the elastic piece 67 is provided with a projection 67a that protrudes toward the first surface 64. The projection 67a is composed of an inclined surface on the tip end of the insertion portion 61, 62, and a vertical wall or a locking wall close to a vertical wall on the opposite side.

[0063] The boundary portion 63 between the first insertion portion 61 and the second insertion portion 62 is provided with fixing holes 68 through which fixing members 68a such as screws are inserted. Furthermore, guide walls 69a are provided on both side edges of the base plate portion 60 on the first surface 64 side of the boundary portion 63 for attachment to mounting objects such as support legs 71 in mounting grooves 72. In addition, engaging pieces 69b are provided on both side edges of the base plate portion 60 on the first surface 64 side of the boundary portion 63.

[0064] The tip of the elastic piece 67 is also provided with a projection 67b that protrudes toward the second surface 65. The projection 67b protrudes toward the opposite side from the projection 67a. On the second surface 65 side, the boundary portion 63 is provided with a base portion 63a. The upper surface of the base portion 63a is at the same height as the top surface of the projection 67b (see Figure 14).

[0065] The base portion 60 has protruding structures of different heights, such as a projection 67a, a guide wall 69a, and an engaging piece 69b, on the first surface 64 side, while on the second surface 65 side, even with the protruding structures, the heights of the base portion 63a and the projection 67b are the same. In the second mode of use, the cable guide 2 is installed on a flat surface 59. The flat surface 59 is, for example, a floor or the underside of a table top. The third joint 3c uses the second surface 65 as the installation surface for the flat surface 59. Since the heights of the protruding structures on the second surface 65, which is the installation surface, are the same, the third joint 3c can be stably placed on the flat surface 59. For connection with the cable guide 2, the first surface 64 is the surface facing the connecting plate portion 11. The insertion portions 61 and 62 are inserted into the insertion groove portion 28 partitioned between the connecting piece 22 and the inner wall 23. As a result, the projection 67a engages with the engagement opening 26 of the connecting plate 11. This makes it difficult for the insertion parts 61 and 62 to come loose from the cable guide 2.

[0066] Even when the insertion portions 61 and 62 are inserted into the insertion groove portion 28, the boundary portion 63 is exposed and not covered by the connecting plate portion 11. In the second embodiment of use, the cable guide device 1 does not use the stand 4. In the second embodiment of use, the cable guide device 1 is installed on a flat surface 59 by fixing member 68a using fixing hole 68 in the boundary portion 63.

[0067] [Third mode of use] Some tables and other furniture have a structure that allows for the installation of the cable guide device 1 in the third usage mode. Figures 3 and 14 show the state in which the cable guide device 1 is attached to the support leg 71 of the table. The support leg 71 to which the device is attached is provided with a mounting groove 72.

[0068] In the third embodiment of use, the third joint 3c is used to connect the cable guides 2. In the third embodiment of use, the second surface 65 of the third joint 3c is the surface facing the connecting plate portion 11. The second surface 65 is the mounting surface against the support leg 71. In the third embodiment of use, the insertion portions 61 and 62 are inserted into the insertion groove portion 28 partitioned between the connecting piece 22 and the inner wall 23. The projection 67b on the second surface 65 engages with the engagement opening 26. This makes it difficult for the insertion portions 61 and 62 to come loose from the cable guide 2.

[0069] Even when the insertion portions 61 and 62 are inserted into the insertion groove portion 28, the boundary portion 63 is exposed and not covered by the connecting plate portion 11. In the third embodiment of use, the cable guide device 1 does not use the stand 4. In the third embodiment of use, the cable guide device 1 is installed on the support leg 71 by aligning the guide wall 69a of the boundary portion 63 with the mounting groove 72 and engaging the engaging piece 69b with the mounting groove 72.

[0070] [Effects of the Embodiment] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The cable guides 2 can be connected in the first direction to a predetermined length using joints 3a to 3c. When inserting or removing the cable 5 into the insertion space 13, the connecting part 15 flexes, allowing the insertion / removal opening 16 to be easily widened. This makes it easy to insert and remove the cable 5.

[0071] (2) Barrier portions 17 and 18 are provided near the insertion / removal opening 16. Therefore, the insertion / removal opening is configured to be easily widened, while making it difficult for the cable 5 inserted into the insertion space 13 to come out of the insertion / removal opening 16.

[0072] (3) Two cable guides 2 can be joined together by bringing their connecting plate portions 11 together to form a joint 2a. Specifically, the two cable guides 2 can be joined together by engaging the connecting piece 22 of one connecting plate portion 11 with the connecting groove 21 of the other connecting plate portion 11.

[0073] (4) In the first embodiment of use, the first joint 3a can connect the two cable guides 2 to the first insertion part 31 and the second insertion part 32. In this case, the bottom row of the cable guides 2 can be supported by the stand 4 by connecting it to the stand 4 using the second joint 3b. In addition, even in the first embodiment of use, the cable guides 2 can be connected to only one of the first surface 34 or the second surface 35 of the first joint 3a.

[0074] In the second embodiment of use, the first surfaces 64 of the insertion portions 61 and 62 of the third joint 3c can be connected to the connecting plate portion 11 of the cable guide 2. As a result, the height of the protruding structure on the second surface 65, which serves as the installation surface, is uniform in the third joint 3c. Therefore, the third joint 3c can be stably placed on a flat surface 59.

[0075] Furthermore, in a third embodiment of use, the second surfaces 65 of the insertion portions 61 and 62 of the third joint 3c can be connected to the connecting plate portion 11 of the cable guide 2. By engaging the engaging piece 69b of the third joint 3c with the mounting groove 72 of the support leg 71, etc., it becomes possible to attach it to the support leg 71, etc.

[0076] (5) In the first embodiment of use, the projection 37a engages with the engagement opening 26, making it difficult for the coupling body 2a to come off the first joint 3a. In the second embodiment of use, the projection 67a engages with the engagement opening 26, making it difficult for the cable guide 2 to come off the third joint 3c.

[0077] (6) In the first embodiment of use, the coupling body 2a and the first joint 3a are pivotable in a first direction, making it possible to adjust (extend or retract) the overall length of the cable guide device 1. Furthermore, the coupling body 2a and the first joint 3a are pivotable in a second direction, making it possible to adjust the overall length of the cable guide device 1 by bending it in a second direction.

[0078] (7) In the first embodiment of use, the heights of the first guide portion 38a and the second guide portion 38b are different, and the first guide groove portion 27a and the second guide groove portion 27b are provided to match these heights. This prevents incorrect insertion of the insertion portions 31 and 32 in the wrong orientation.

[0079] (8) According to the third mode of use, the cable guide can be attached by the engaging piece 69b to the mounting groove 72 of the support leg 71, which can be attached to the underside of the table top, the support leg, the floor, the wall, etc. Also, according to the second mode of use, the third joint 3c is turned in the opposite direction so that the engaging piece 69b is in the same direction as the cable guide 2, and the installation surface is made flat. This makes it possible to install the row of cable guide 2 extending in the first direction on a flat surface. In other words, the third joint 3c can be used in both the second and third modes of use.

[0080] [Variation] This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0081] In the second embodiment of use, the engaging piece 69b may be omitted in the third joint 3c. The guide wall 69a may also be omitted. In this case, the third embodiment of use will no longer be possible.

[0082] In the cases of the second and third modes of use, the fixing hole 68 may be omitted in the third joint 3c. In this case, the method of use in the second mode of use will not be possible. Alternatively, if the third joint 3c is fixed to a flat surface 59 with adhesive, double-sided tape, etc., it will be possible to use it in the second mode of use.

[0083] In the first embodiment of use, the heights of the first guide portion 38a and the second guide portion 38b may be aligned. In the first embodiment of use, the width W3 of the insertion groove 25 and the width W4 of the insertion parts 31 and 32 may be made approximately the same width to suppress oscillation in the second direction.

[0084] Alternatively, the length L2 of the long side 26a of the engagement opening 26 in the first direction and the length L1 of the projection 37a in the first direction may be made approximately the same to suppress oscillation in the first direction. Furthermore, the width W1 of the projection 37a and the length W2 of the short side of the engagement opening 26 may be made approximately the same to suppress oscillation in the second direction.

[0085] In the first embodiment of use, the engagement opening 26 may be provided in the insertion portions 31 and 32, and the elastic piece 37 with the projection 37a of the first joint 3a may be provided in the bottom plate portion 14. In this case, the second joint 3b only needs to have the engagement opening 26 in the insertion portion 52a. Also, in the second and third embodiments of use, the third joint 3c only needs to have the engagement opening 26 in the insertion portions 61 and 62.

[0086] In the first embodiment of use, the configuration in which the connecting plate portions 11 of the two cable guides 2 are brought together is not limited to a configuration in which the connecting groove 21 and the connecting piece 22 are engaged. For example, one connecting plate portion 11 may be provided with an engagement opening, and the other connecting plate portion 11 may be provided with an engagement piece that engages with the engagement opening.

[0087] In the first embodiment of use, the first joint 3a may be configured to have one cable guide 2 connected to either the first surface 34 or the second surface 35, on the same surface. In the cable guide 2, at least one of the barriers, the bottom plate side barrier portion 17 and the cover side barrier portion 18, may be omitted.

[0088] The bottom plate side barrier portion 17 may extend perpendicularly to the bottom plate portion 14, or it may extend at an obtuse angle. The cover-side barrier portion 18 may extend at an acute or obtuse angle with respect to the wall near the cover-side tip portion 12a.

[0089] The overall shape of cable guide 2 is not limited to a D-shape. The overall shape of cable guide 2 may be a polygonal prism shape, such as a rectangular prism shape, or a cylindrical shape. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1...Cable guide device, 2...Cable guide, 2a...Connecting body, 3a-3c...Joint, 4...Stand, 5...Cable, 11...Connecting plate section, 12...Cover plate section, 12a...Cover side tip section, 13...Insertion space, 14...Bottom plate section, 14a...Bottom plate side tip section, 15...Connecting section, 16...Insertion / removal opening, 17...Bottom plate side barrier section, 18...Cover side barrier section, 21...Connecting groove, 22...Connecting piece, 23...Inner wall, 24...Outer wall, 25,28...Insertion groove section, 26...Engagement opening, 31...First insertion section, 31,32...Insertion section, 33...Boundary wall, 34...First surface, 35...Second surface, 37...Elastic piece, 37a...Protrusion.

Claims

1. Multiple cable guides through which cables can be inserted, It comprises a joint that connects adjacent cable guides in a first direction which is the connection direction, Each of the cable guides has a connecting plate portion that connects to the joint, It comprises a cover plate portion that forms a space for inserting the cable between the connecting plate portion and the connecting plate portion, The base end of the connecting plate portion in the second direction intersecting the first direction is a connecting portion that connects to the cover plate portion, The cover-side tip of the cover plate portion opposite to the connecting portion is spaced apart from the connecting plate portion, and an insertion / removal opening is formed between the cover-side tip and the connecting plate portion, which allows the cable to be inserted into and removed from the insertion space. The connecting portion is displaceable so as to widen the insertion / removal opening. Cable guide device.

2. The cable guide is provided with a barrier portion on at least one of its inner surfaces, the inner surface of the connecting plate portion and the inner surface of the cover plate portion, which constitute the insertion / removal opening, to prevent the cable from being inserted into or removed from the insertion space. The cable guide device according to claim 1.

3. The cable guide can be connected to further cable guides by butting the connecting plate portions together. Each of the aforementioned connecting plate portions is provided with a connecting groove and a connecting piece, The coupling groove is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall, which are aligned in the second direction and extend in the first direction. The connecting piece of one cable guide engages with the connecting groove of the other cable guide, causing the connecting plates to abut and connect. The cable guide device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The joint is an elongated plate material, and in the first direction, it has a first insertion portion at one end and a second insertion portion at the other end. The connecting plate portion constitutes an insertion groove portion into which either the first insertion portion or the second insertion portion is inserted. Each of the first insertion portion and the second insertion portion has a first surface and a second surface on the back side of the first surface, Each of the first and second surfaces is capable of having the connecting plate portion attached to it. The joint is such that the connecting plate portion of the cable guide is connected to each of the first and second surfaces, The connecting plate portion is connected to either the first surface or the second surface. The cable guide device according to claim 1.

5. The connecting plate portions, which are joined together, and either the first insertion portion or the second insertion portion, each have a projection, while the other has an engagement opening into which the projection engages. The cable guide device according to claim 4.

6. Either the first insertion portion or the second insertion portion is pivotable relative to the connecting plate portion in at least one of the first and second directions. The cable guide device according to claim 4.

7. Each of the first insertion portion and the second insertion portion is provided with a first guide portion and a second guide portion extending in the first direction at each side edge in the second direction, The first guide section and the second guide section are configured to have different heights. The insertion groove portion comprises a first guide groove portion corresponding to the height of the first guide portion and a second guide groove portion corresponding to the height of the second guide portion. The cable guide device according to claim 4.

8. The connecting plate portion includes an insertion groove portion into which the joint is inserted, The joint is an elongated plate, and in the first direction, one end is a first insertion portion and the other end is a second insertion portion. Between the first insertion portion and the second insertion portion, there is an engaging piece that engages with the object to be attached. The cable guide device according to claim 1.

9. A plurality of cable guides through which cables can be inserted and which are connected in a first direction via joints, A connecting plate portion that connects to the aforementioned joint, It comprises a cover plate portion that forms a space for inserting the cable between the connecting plate portion and the connecting plate portion, The base end of the connecting plate portion in the second direction intersecting the first direction is a connecting portion that connects to the cover plate portion, The tip of the cover plate portion opposite to the connecting portion is spaced apart from the connecting plate portion, and an insertion / removal opening is formed between the tip portion and the connecting plate portion, which allows the cable to be inserted into and removed from the insertion space. The connecting portion is displaceable so as to widen the insertion / removal opening. Cable guide.

Images