Lock nut structures and panel mounting equipment

Abstract

To provide a lock nut structure that allows for efficient attachment and detachment. [Solution] The lock nut structure 1 includes a nut portion 2 having at least one gap 2a in the circumferential direction, configured to be retractable and expandable in diameter, and having a female thread portion 20 on its inner circumference, and a lock portion 3 that fits onto the nut portion 2 from the outer circumference and moves axially relative to the nut portion 2 to retract or expand the nut portion 2, and moves circumferentially relative to the nut portion 2 to lock the female thread portion 20 of the nut portion 2 with an external male thread portion 101 that screws into it. Multiple engaging protrusions 24 are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion 2, and multiple engaging grooves 30a are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion 3 in which each engaging protrusion 24 can engage. Each engaging groove 30a has an axial groove 30a1 extending in the axial direction and a circumferential groove 30a2 communicating with it and extending in the circumferential direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lock nut structure and panel mounting equipment, and more particularly to an improvement in the structure for enabling efficient attachment and detachment.

Background Art

[0002] In paragraph

[0020] and FIG. 9 of Japanese Patent No. 4108453, in a panel mounting unit, an operation unit (1) is disposed on the front side (left side in FIG. 9) of a panel (201), and a male screw portion (10b) of an operation unit body (10) is inserted into a mounting hole (202) formed in the panel (201), and a tightening nut (5) is screwed onto the male screw portion (10b) from the back side (right side in the figure) of the panel (201) and tightened, whereby the operation unit (1) is screwed and fixed to the panel (201).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Generally, the male screw portion formed on the operation unit body of the operation unit has a predetermined length so as to be able to cope with a thick panel. Therefore, when screwing and fixing the operation unit to a thin panel, it is necessary to turn the tightening nut more than necessary on the tightening side (that is, it takes time to temporarily fix the tightening nut), and similarly, when removing the operation unit screwed and fixed to a thin panel, it is necessary to turn the tightening nut more than necessary on the loosening side (that is, it takes time to remove the tightening nut). Therefore, in the conventional configuration, the working time is long and the working efficiency at the time of attaching and detaching the tightening nut is poor.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional situation, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a lock nut structure capable of efficiently performing attachment and detachment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The lock nut structure according to the present invention comprises a nut portion having at least one gap in the circumferential direction, configured to be retractable and expandable in diameter, and having a female threaded portion on its inner circumference; and a locking portion that fits onto the nut portion from the outer circumference, moves axially relative to the nut portion to retract or expand the nut portion, and moves circumferentially relative to the nut portion to lock the female threaded portion of the nut portion against an external male threaded portion that screws into it. A plurality of engaging protrusions are provided on either the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion or the inner circumferential surface of the locking portion, and a plurality of engaging grooves corresponding to each engaging protrusion and into which each engaging protrusion can engage are provided on either the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion or the inner circumferential surface of the locking portion. Each engaging groove has an axial groove extending in the axial direction and a circumferential groove communicating therewith and extending in the circumferential direction.

[0006] According to the lock nut structure of the present invention, in order to lock the nut portion to the external male thread portion, the lock portion is fitted to the nut portion from the outer circumference by engaging the axial grooves of the engagement grooves on the inner circumference surface of the lock portion (or the outer circumference surface of the nut portion) with the engagement projections on the outer circumference surface of the nut portion (or the inner circumference surface of the lock portion), and then the nut portion, which is in an expanded diameter state due to the axial movement of the lock portion relative to the nut portion, is inserted into the external male thread portion. At this time, since the nut portion is in an expanded diameter state, the female thread portion of the nut portion does not interfere with the external male thread portion, and the nut portion enters the external male thread portion in the axial direction.

[0007] Next, by moving the locking part axially relative to the nut part, the nut part becomes reduced in diameter, and as a result, the female thread of the nut part screws onto the external male thread. From this state, when the locking part is moved circumferentially toward the tightening side relative to the nut part, each engaging projection of the nut part (or locking part) engages with the circumferential grooves of each engaging groove of the locking part (or nut part). When the locking part is moved further circumferentially relative to the nut part from this state, the nut part rotates together with the locking part, and as a result, the female thread of the nut part locks onto the external male thread that screws onto it. In this way, the attachment of the lock nut structure to the external male thread is completed.

[0008] Next, to remove the lock nut structure from the external male thread, the lock part is moved relative to the nut in the opposite direction to the tightening direction in the circumferential direction. When this happens, each engaging projection of the nut (or lock part) moves within the circumferential groove of each engaging groove of the lock part (or nut part) in the opposite direction to the circumferential direction during installation. From this state, if the lock part is moved further relative to the nut in the circumferential direction to loosen, the nut rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation direction during installation, thereby releasing the lock state of the nut relative to the external male thread.

[0009] From this state, the locking part is moved relative to the nut in the opposite direction to the axial direction (i.e., the axial extension direction) when it was installed (i.e., the axial retraction direction). At this time, each engaging projection of the nut (or locking part) moves within the axial groove of each engaging groove of the locking part (or nut) in the opposite direction to the axial direction when it was installed. As a result, the nut expands in diameter, and the screwing of the female thread of the nut to the external male thread is released. This allows the nut to move axially outward together with the locking part without the female thread of the nut interfering with the external male thread. In this way, the removal of the lock nut structure is completed.

[0010] According to the present invention, when attaching the lock nut structure to an external male thread, the nut portion, which is in an expanded state due to the axial movement of the lock portion, is axially inserted into the external male thread, and then the nut portion is reduced in diameter and rotated only by the amount necessary for locking. When removing the lock nut structure from the external male thread, the nut portion is rotated only by the amount necessary for unlocking, and then the nut portion is expanded in diameter due to the axial movement of the lock portion and retracted axially from the external male thread. As a result, it is not necessary to rotate the nut portion more than necessary when attaching or detaching it, and attachment and detachment can be performed efficiently.

[0011] In this invention, elastic parts are provided in the gaps between the nut parts to elastically connect the nut parts in the circumferential direction.

[0012] In this invention, either the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion or the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion has a tapered surface, and the other of the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion or the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion has a contact portion that abuts against the tapered surface.

[0013] In this invention, the nut portion is in direct or indirect contact with an external device having a male threaded portion when locked.

[0014] The panel mounting component according to the present invention incorporates the aforementioned lock nut structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] As described above, the lock nut structure according to the present invention has the effect of enabling efficient attachment and detachment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is an overall perspective view of a lock nut structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above the nut portion. [Figure 2] This is a front view of the aforementioned lock nut structure (Figure 1). [Figure 3] This is an overall perspective view of the lock nut structure (Figure 1) as seen from below the locking portion. [Figure 4] This is an overall perspective view of the nut portion (Figure 1) as seen from above. [Figure 5] This is a front view of the nut portion (Figure 4). [Figure 6] This is an overall perspective view of the nut portion (Figure 5) as seen from below. [Figure 7] This is an overall perspective view of the locking mechanism (Figure 3) as seen from above. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing a vertical cross-section of the locking mechanism (Figure 7). [Figure 9] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the procedure for attaching the aforementioned lock nut structure (Figure 1) to the external male threaded portion in chronological order. [Figure 10] Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view. [Figure 11] It is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing the procedure of attaching the lock nut structure (FIG. 1) to an external male thread portion in chronological order. [Figure 12] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 11. [Figure 13] It is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing the procedure of attaching the lock nut structure (FIG. 1) to an external male thread portion in chronological order. [Figure 14] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 13. [Figure 15] In FIGS. 9 and 10, it is a view showing the positional relationship between the engagement groove formed in the lock portion (FIG. 8) and the engagement protrusion of the nut portion (FIG. 4) that engages with it. [Figure 16] In FIGS. 11 and 12, it is a view showing the positional relationship between the engagement groove (FIG. 15) and the engagement protrusion (FIG. 15) that engages with it. [Figure 17] In FIGS. 13 and 14, it is a view showing the positional relationship between the engagement groove (FIG. 15) and the engagement protrusion (FIG. 15) that engages with it. [Figure 18] It is a front view in a state where the attachment of the lock nut structure (FIG. 1) to the external male thread portion (FIG. 11) is completed (FIGS. 13, 17). [Figure 19] It is an overall perspective view of the lock nut structure according to another embodiment of the present invention as seen from above the nut portion. [Figure 20] It is an overall perspective view of the nut portion (FIG. 19) as seen from above. [Figure 21] It is an overall perspective view of the nut portion (FIG. 19) as seen from below. [Figure 22] It is an overall perspective view of the lock portion of the lock nut structure (FIG. 19) as seen from above.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 18 are diagrams illustrating a lock nut structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figures 1 to 3 are external views of the lock nut structure, Figures 4 to 6 are external views of the nut portion constituting the lock nut structure, Figure 7 is an external view of the lock portion constituting the lock nut structure, Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a cross-section of the lock portion, and Figures 9 to 18 are diagrams showing the procedure for attaching the lock nut structure to an external male threaded portion in chronological order. For the purposes of the following description, when using Figure 2 as an example, the upper side (upwards) of the figure will be referred to as the upper side (upwards / upwards in the axial direction), the lower side (downwards) of the figure will be referred to as the lower side (downwards / downwards in the axial direction), and the left-right direction of the figure will be referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the lock nut structure 1 comprises a nut portion 2 having an internal threaded portion 20 on its inner circumference, and a locking portion 3 that fits onto the nut portion 2 from the outer circumference and locks the nut portion 2 into an external external male threaded portion (described later).

[0019] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the nut portion 2 has, for example, four gaps 2a in the circumferential direction. In this example, it is composed of four nut segments 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, each extending in an arc shape (i.e., each in a quarter-circle shape). By increasing or decreasing the gaps 2a between adjacent nut segments 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D in the circumferential direction, the nut segments 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D move apart or closer together in the circumferential direction, thereby allowing the nut portion 2 to expand or contract in diameter.

[0020] Each gap 2a is provided with an elastically deformable elastic part 22, for example, U-shaped (or inverted U-shaped). One end of the U-shaped elastic part 22 is fixed to a nut segment (for example, nut segment 2A) on one end of the gap 2a, and the other end is fixed to a nut segment (for example, nut segment 2B) on the other end of the gap 2a. As a result, each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are elastically connected in the circumferential direction. The elastic part 20 is made of, for example, resin or metal. The entire nut section, including the elastic part 20, may be made of resin or metal.

[0021] As shown in Figure 5, the nut portion 2 (and thus each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D that constitutes it) has a cylindrical base portion 21 positioned on the lower side, a tapered portion 23 having a tapered surface 23a on its outer circumference that tapers upward from the upper end of the base portion 21 while expanding in diameter, and a flange portion 25 positioned at the upper end of the tapered portion 23 and extending radially outward. The upper surface 25a of the flange portion 25 is a part for directly (or indirectly) contacting external equipment, and is designed to press against external equipment when the nut portion 2 is screwed into the external male thread portion (described later) and locked. The flange portion 25 has a cylindrical lower part 25b.

[0022] The outer circumferential surface of the base 21 of the nut portion 2 is provided with a plurality (four in this example) of engaging protrusions 24 that project radially outward. One engaging protrusion 24 is provided on each of the nut segments 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D.

[0023] As shown in Figure 7, the locking portion 3 has a cylindrical tubular portion 30 positioned on the upper side and a base portion 31, for example, a hexagonal prism-shaped portion, positioned below it. As shown in Figure 8, the inner circumferential surface of the locking portion 3 has a cylindrical inner circumferential surface 30b positioned on the upper side and a tapered circumferential surface 30c positioned below it, which gradually decreases in diameter towards the bottom. A stepped portion 30b' is formed at the upper end of the inner circumferential surface 30b. The upper end corner portion 30b1 of the inner circumferential surface 30b functions as a contact portion that abuts against the tapered surface 23a of the tapered portion 23 of the nut portion 2, as will be described later.

[0024] Multiple (four in this example) engagement grooves 30a are formed on the inner circumferential surfaces 30b and 30c of the cylindrical portion 30. Each engagement groove 30a is positioned to correspond to each engagement projection 24 of the nut portion 2 and is sized to engage with the corresponding engagement projection 24. Here, an example is shown where each engagement groove 30a penetrates the cylindrical portion 30 in the thickness direction (i.e., an example of a through hole), but it does not have to penetrate.

[0025] Each engagement groove 30a has an axial groove 30a1 extending in the axial direction and a circumferential groove 30a2 that communicates with the axial groove 30a1 and extends circumferentially from the lower end of the axial groove 30a1, and is configured in a substantially L-shape (or substantially inverted L-shape). The lock nut structure 1 is formed when each engagement projection 24 of the nut portion 2 is inserted into and engages with the respective engagement groove 30a of the lock portion 3. At this time, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, each engagement projection 24 of the nut portion 2 is engaged with the upper end of the axial groove 30a1 in each engagement groove 30a of the lock portion 3.

[0026] Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be explained using Figures 9 to 18. Here, we will take the example of fixing panel-mounted equipment such as operating switches and indicator switches to a panel using the lock nut structure 1 described above.

[0027] In Figures 9, 11, and 13, reference numeral 100 indicates a part of the panel mounting device. The panel mounting device 100 has a male threaded portion 101, which extends to the back side of the panel (bottom side in each figure) through a mounting hole Pa formed in the panel P. Note that each figure is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lock nut structure 1 and the panel mounting device 100, but hatching has been omitted for the sake of illustration. Also, for the sake of illustration, the structure of the nut portion 2 and lock portion 3 of the lock nut structure 1 is partially simplified in each figure. On the other hand, Figures 10, 12, and 14 correspond to views of Figures 9, 11, and 13 from below, respectively, and are diagrams for explaining the position of each engaging projection 24 within each engaging groove 30a.

[0028] When fixing the panel mounting device 100 to the panel P, as shown in Figure 9, first, the lock nut structure 1 is fitted onto the male threaded portion 101 of the panel mounting device 100 from below as shown in the figure. At this time, the lock portion 3 is moved axially downward relative to the nut portion 2, and the upper end corner (contact portion) 30b1 of the cylindrical inner circumferential surface 30b of the lock portion 3 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical base portion 21 below the tapered surface 23 of the nut portion 2, so that the nut portion 2 is in an expanded diameter state. Therefore, a radial gap is formed between the female threaded portion 20 on the inner circumference of the nut portion 2 and the male threaded portion 101 of the panel mounting device 100, and the two threaded portions 20 and 101 are not screwed together. Also, at this time, each engaging projection 24 of the nut portion 2 is located at the upper end position (Figure 15) of the axial groove 30a1 within the corresponding engaging groove 30a of the lock portion 3 (see Figures 10, 1 to 3).

[0029] Next, the lock nut structure 1 is slid upward in the axial direction (upward in Figure 9, that is, toward panel P). During this sliding movement, as described above, the nut portion 2 is in an expanded diameter state, and a radial gap is formed between the female thread portion 20 on the inner circumference of the nut portion 2 and the male thread portion 101 of the panel mounting device 100. Therefore, the female thread portion 20 of the nut portion 2 and the male thread portion 101 of the panel mounting device 100 do not interfere with each other, and the lock nut structure 1 moves smoothly.

[0030] As the lock nut structure 1 slides, the upper surface 25a of the flange portion 25 of the nut portion 2 comes into contact with the panel P, stopping the movement of the nut portion 2. However, from this state, the operator pushes the lock portion 3 further toward the panel P. As a result, the lock portion 3 moves axially upward relative to the nut portion 2, and at this time, the upper end corner (contact portion) 30b1 of the cylindrical inner circumferential surface 30b of the lock portion 3 moves upward along the tapered surface 23 of the nut portion 2, applying a pressing force to the tapered surface 23, causing the nut portion 2 to gradually shrink in diameter. That is, at this time, the elastic portion 22 connecting each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D of the nut portion 2 undergoes elastic compression deformation, causing the gap 2a between each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D to gradually narrow in the circumferential direction. The upper end corner (contact portion) 30 b1 of the inner circumferential surface 30b of the locking portion 3 moves along the tapered surface 23 of the nut portion 2 while resisting the elastic repulsive force from each elastic portion 22.

[0031] Then, as shown in Figure 11, when the upper end corner (contact portion) 30b1 of the inner circumferential surface 30b of the locking portion 3 moves beyond the tapered surface 23 of the nut portion 2 to the position of the upper cylindrical inner circumferential surface 25b of the nut portion 2, each engaging projection 24 of the nut portion 2 is positioned at the lower end position (Figure 16) of the axial groove 30a1 within the corresponding engaging groove 30a of the locking portion 3 (see Figure 12). At this time, the gap 2a between each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D is at its narrowest, and the nut portion 2 is contracted to its maximum extent. If the inner diameter of the nut portion 2 at this time is D (see Figure 12), then the inner diameter D corresponds to the diameter of the male thread portion 101 of the panel mounting device 100, and the female thread portion 20 of the nut portion 2 is screwed into the male thread portion 101 of the external device 100.

[0032] From this state, the locking part 3 is rotated circumferentially toward the locking side (i.e., toward the tightening side of the nut part 2 (clockwise in Figure 12)). As a result, each engaging projection 24 of the nut part 2 moves from the lower end position of the axial groove 30a1 (Figure 16) along the circumferential groove 30a2 within each engaging groove 30a of the locking part 3, and is positioned at the end position of the circumferential groove 30a2 (Figure 17) (see Figure 18). From this state, if the locking part 3 is rotated further circumferentially toward the locking side, the nut part 2 rotates circumferentially together with the locking part 3 (see Figure 14). At this time, since the female thread portion 20 of the nut part 2 is screwed onto the male thread portion 101 of the external device 100, when the nut part 2 rotates, the nut part 2 advances axially upward relative to the male thread portion 101 of the external device 100, and the upper surface 25a of the flange portion 25 of the nut part 2 is pressed against the panel P (see Figure 13). Furthermore, at this time, within each engagement groove 30a, the upper end of each engagement projection 24 of the nut portion 2 presses against the upper end of the circumferential groove 30a2 of each engagement groove 30a. This locks the nut portion 2 against the male threaded portion 101 of the external device 100.

[0033] Next, when removing the lock nut structure 1 from the panel mounting device 100, simply follow the reverse procedure of the fixing procedure described above. That is, From the state shown in Figure 13, the locking part 3 is rotated circumferentially toward the unlocking side (i.e., toward the loosening side of the nut part 2 (counterclockwise in Figure 14)). As a result, each engaging projection 24 of the nut part 2 moves along the circumferential groove 30a2 from its end position (Figure 17) within each engaging groove 30a of the locking part 3, and is positioned at the lower end position (Figure 16) of the axial groove 30a1. From this state, if the locking part 3 is further rotated circumferentially toward the unlocking side, the nut part 2 rotates circumferentially together with the locking part 3, thereby releasing the locking state of the nut part 2 against the male threaded portion 101 of the external device 100 (see Figures 11 and 12). Also, as the nut part 2 rotates, it moves axially downward relative to the male threaded portion 101 of the external device 100, releasing the pressure contact state of the upper surface 25a of the flange portion 25 of the nut part 2 against the panel P.

[0034] From this state, the locking part 3 is moved axially downward (downward in Figure 11) (i.e., it is slid toward the side away from panel P). As a result, the locking part 3 moves axially downward relative to the nut part 2, and at this time, the upper end corner (contact part) 30b1 of the cylindrical inner circumferential surface 30b of the locking part 3 moves downward along the tapered surface 23 of the nut part 2, causing the nut part 2 to gradually expand in diameter. That is, at this time, the elastic part 22 that connects each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D of the nut part 2 undergoes elastic extension deformation from a state of elastic compression deformation, causing the circumferential gap 2a between each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D to gradually widen. As a result, the screwed state of the female thread 20 of the nut part 2 to the male thread 101 of the external device 100 is released, and the nut part 2 moves axially downward together with the locking part 3 (Figure 9). At this time, each engaging projection 24 of the nut portion 2 moves upward along the axial groove 30a1 within the corresponding engaging groove 30a of the lock portion 3 and is positioned at the upper end of the axial groove 30a1 (Figure 15) (see Figure 10). From this state, the lock nut structure 1 can be removed from the male threaded portion 101 of the panel mounting device 100.

[0035] As described above, according to this embodiment, when attaching the lock nut structure 1 to the external male thread portion 101, the nut portion 2, which is in an expanded state due to the axial movement of the lock portion 3, is first driven axially into the external male thread portion 101 together with the lock portion 3, and then the nut portion 2 is rotated by the amount of rotation required to lock it. Similarly, when removing the lock nut structure 1 from the external male thread portion 101, the nut portion 2 is rotated by the amount of rotation required to unlock it, and then the nut portion 2 is expanded due to the axial movement of the lock portion 3, and then it is moved axially out of the external male thread portion 101. Therefore, (even in the case of thin panels) it is not necessary to rotate the nut portion 2 more than necessary when attaching or detaching it, which shortens the working time and allows for efficient attachment and detachment.

[0036] [Other examples] In the above embodiment, the elastic portion 22 was described as being U-shaped, but in the present invention, the shape of the elastic portion may be V-shaped (including inverted V-shaped), W-shaped (including inverted W-shaped, i.e., M-shaped), or any other shape (for example, a wave shape) as long as it can be elastically stretched and deformed in the circumferential direction.

[0037] Figures 19 to 22 show other embodiments of the present invention, in which the shape of the elastic part is W-shaped. In each figure, the same reference numerals as in the above embodiments indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0038] As shown in Figures 19 to 21, in the lock nut structure 1 according to this other embodiment, similar to the embodiment described above, the nut portion 2 has four gaps 2a in the circumferential direction and is composed of four nut segments 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D that extend in an arc shape (i.e., each is a quarter circle). Similar to the embodiment described above, the nut portion 2 can be expanded or contracted in diameter by increasing or decreasing the gaps 2a between adjacent nut segments 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D in the circumferential direction, causing each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D to move away from or approach each other in the circumferential direction.

[0039] Each gap 2a is provided with an elastically deformable W-shaped (or inverted W-shaped) elastic portion 22. Both ends of each elastic portion 22 are connected to a sheet-like circumferential extension portion 25 (corresponding to the flange portion 25 in the above embodiment) that extends circumferentially along the upper end of each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D. These four elastic portions 22 and four circumferential extension portions 25 are integrated and preferably made of metal. On the other hand, each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D having a female thread portion 20 is, for example, made of resin. Such a nut portion 2 is manufactured by insert molding each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D with resin, using the integrated metal elastic portions 22 and each circumferential extension portion 25 as inserts. Furthermore, the upper surface 25a of the circumferentially extended portion 25 is the part that presses against external equipment when the nut portion 2 is locked, and is provided with multiple protruding portions 25a1 that project upward and extend radially. These protruding portions 25a1 provide an anti-slip function when pressed against external equipment, thereby enabling a more secure locking state.

[0040] Each of the nut sections 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D has two engaging protrusions 24 on its outer tapered surface 23 (eight in total for the entire nut section) that project radially outward. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 22, the locking section 3 has a cylindrical section 30 positioned on the upper side and a base section 31, for example, a polygonal prism-shaped base section 31 positioned below it. The inner surface of the locking section 3 has a tapered inner surface 30b that gradually decreases in diameter towards the bottom. The upper end corner 30b1 of the inner surface 30b functions as a contact section that abuts against the tapered surface 23a of the tapered section 23 of the nut section 2.

[0041] Multiple (eight in this example) engagement grooves 30a are formed on the inner circumferential surface 30b of the cylindrical portion 30. Each engagement groove 30a is positioned to correspond to each engagement projection 24 of the nut portion 2 and is sized to engage with the corresponding engagement projection 24. Here, an example is shown in which each engagement groove 30a does not penetrate the cylindrical portion 30 in the thickness direction, but it may penetrate.

[0042] Each engagement groove 30a, similar to the embodiment described above, has an axial groove 30a1 extending in the axial direction and a circumferential groove 30a2 that communicates with the axial groove 30a1 and extends circumferentially from the lower end of the axial groove 30a1, and is configured in a substantially L-shape (or substantially inverted L-shape). The lock nut structure 1 is formed when each engagement projection 24 of the nut portion 2 is inserted into and engages with the respective engagement groove 30a of the lock portion 3 of the lock portion 3.

[0043] With the lock nut structure 1 according to this other embodiment, the procedure for attaching or detaching the panel mounting equipment to or from the panel is the same as that shown in the above embodiment, and a detailed explanation is omitted here. In this case as well, when attaching the lock nut structure 1 to the external male thread, the nut portion 2, which is in an expanded state due to the axial movement of the lock portion 3, is inserted axially into the external male thread together with the lock portion 3, and then the nut portion 2 is rotated by the amount of rotation required to lock it. When removing the lock nut structure 1 from the external male thread 101, the nut portion 2 is rotated by the amount of rotation required to unlock it, and then the nut portion 2 is expanded due to the axial movement of the lock portion 3, and then it is retracted axially from the external male thread 101. Therefore, (even in the case of thin panels) it is not necessary to rotate the nut portion 2 more than necessary when attaching or detaching it, which shortens the working time and allows for efficient attachment and detachment.

[0044] [First variation] In the above embodiments and the other embodiments, the case in which the nut portion 2 has four gaps 2a in the circumferential direction was described as an example. However, in the present invention, the number of gaps in the nut portion may be one, two, three, or five or more. In summary, it is sufficient to have at least one gap. Furthermore, when there are multiple gaps, it is preferable that the circumferential lengths of each nut segment divided by the gaps are substantially the same, but they may be different.

[0045] [Second variation] In the above embodiments and the other embodiments, an elastically deformable elastic portion 22 is provided in the gap 2a of the nut portion 2, and the nut portion 2 becomes reduced in diameter or expanded in diameter due to the elastic compression deformation or elastic extension deformation of the elastic portion 22 as an example, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of providing an elastic portion 22 in the gap 2a, an elastic body, such as a belt, may be provided that can apply an elastic pressing force to the nut portion from the outer circumference of the nut portion 2 in a direction that narrows each gap 2a.

[0046] [Third variation] In the above-described embodiment and the other embodiment, an example was shown in which an engaging projection 24 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion 2 and an engaging groove 30a is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion 3. However, the application of the present invention is not limited thereto. Conversely to the above-described embodiment and the other embodiment, a plurality of engaging projections projecting radially inward may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion 3, and an engaging groove that can engage with these engaging projections may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion 2.

[0047] [Fourth variation] In the above-mentioned embodiments and the other embodiments, a tapered surface 23a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion 2, and a contact portion 30b1 that can abut against the tapered surface 23a is provided on the inner circumferential surface 30b of the lock portion 3. However, the application of the present invention is not limited thereto. Conversely to the above-mentioned embodiments and the other embodiments, a tapered surface may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion 3, and a contact portion that can abut against the tapered surface may be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion 2. Alternatively, tapered surfaces that can engage with each other may be formed on both the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion 2 and the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion 3.

[0048] [Fifth variation] In the above embodiment, the lock nut structure was used as an example to fix panel-mounted equipment 100 such as an operating switch or an indicator switch to a panel P. In this case, when the lock portion 3 of the lock nut structure 1 is locked, the upper surface 25a of the flange portion 25 of the nut portion 2 indirectly contacts the panel-mounted equipment 100 via the panel P. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to this.

[0049] The present invention can also be applied to cases where wall-mounted equipment is fixed to a wall (for example, by using a male threaded portion erected on the wall). In this case, when the locking portion 3 of the lock nut structure 1 is locked, the upper surface 25a of the flange portion 25 of the nut portion 2 will be in direct contact with the wall-mounted equipment.

[0050] [Other examples and modifications] Each of the embodiments and modifications described above should be considered in all respects merely as examples of the invention and not as limiting. Those skilled in the art to which the invention relates can construct various modifications and other embodiments that employ the principles of the invention, taking into consideration the teachings described above, without deviating from the spirit and essential features of the invention, even if not explicitly stated herein. [Industrial applicability]

[0051] The present invention is useful for lock nut structures, and is particularly suitable for structures that enable efficient attachment and detachment of lock nuts. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1: Lock nut structure 2: Nut section 2a: Gap 20: Female thread section 22: Elastic part 23a: Tapered surface 24: Engagement protrusion 3: Rock section 30a: Engagement groove 30a1: Axial groove 30a2: Circumferential groove [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0053] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 4108453 (see paragraph

[0020] and Figure 9)

Claims

1. A lock nut structure, A nut portion having at least one gap in the circumferential direction, configured to be retractable and expandable in diameter, and having an internal threaded portion on its inner circumference, A locking part that fits onto the nut portion from the outer circumference, moves axially relative to the nut portion to reduce or expand its diameter, and moves circumferentially relative to the nut portion to lock the female thread portion of the nut portion against the external male thread portion that screws into it, Equipped with, A plurality of engaging protrusions are provided on either the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion or the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion, and a plurality of engaging grooves corresponding to each of the engaging protrusions and into which each of the engaging protrusions can engage are provided on either the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion or the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion, and each of the engaging grooves has an axial groove extending in the axial direction and a circumferential groove communicating with it and extending in the circumferential direction. A lock nut structure characterized by the following features.

2. In claim 1, The gap is provided with an elastic portion that elastically connects the nut portion in the circumferential direction. A lock nut structure characterized by the following features.

3. In claim 1, Either the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion or the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion has a tapered surface, and the other of the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion or the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion has a contact portion that abuts against the tapered surface. A lock nut structure characterized by the following features.

4. In claim 1, In the locked state, the nut portion is in direct or indirect contact with the external device having the male thread portion. A lock nut structure characterized by the following features.

5. A panel mounting device to which the lock nut structure described in claim 1 is applied.

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