Mounting unit

Abstract

To provide a mounting unit that can be removed more easily. [Solution] An attachment unit comprising an attachment 2 used to attach a device to a wall by engaging with the housing of the device to be installed on a wall, and a fixing pin 3 that is inserted through a pin insertion hole formed in the attachment 2 and driven into the wall, wherein the attachment unit comprises a pin insertion hole for inserting the fixing pin 3 and a first stage portion 31 that exposes the lower surface 3c of the pin head 3a of the fixing pin 3 in at least one direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the pin insertion hole, and a second stage portion 32 formed in at least one direction of the first stage portion 31.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting unit.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, mounting units for attaching a housing such as an alarm device like a gas alarm or a fire alarm to a wall surface have been proposed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). These mounting units can be attached by piercing a fixing pin without screwing to the wall surface, and have a relatively simple attachment structure.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, these mounting units do not have a structure for removing the mounting unit and are not easily removable. In particular, alarm devices such as gas alarms and fire alarms need to be replaced at regular intervals and are also removed when moving out of a rented property, so the mounting units for alarm devices are relatively often removed. In addition, the opportunity to remove the mounting unit for attaching other housings is not zero, and the same problem occurs.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a mounting unit that can be more easily removed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The mounting unit of the present invention comprises an attachment used to attach a device to a wall surface by engaging with the housing of the device to be installed on the wall surface, and a fixing pin that is inserted through a pin insertion hole formed in the attachment and driven into the wall surface, wherein the mounting unit comprises a pin insertion hole for inserting the fixing pin and a first stage portion that exposes the lower surface of the pin head of the fixing pin in at least one direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the pin insertion hole, and a second stage portion formed in at least one direction of the first stage portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mounting unit that can be removed more easily. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the mounting unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a front view of the mounting unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 2. [Figure 5] This is a front view showing the process of removing the fixing pin. [Figure 6] This is a side view showing the process of removing the fixing pin. [Figure 7] This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the process of removing the fixing pin. [Figure 8] This is a plan view showing a mounting unit and a modified example according to the first embodiment, where (a) shows the vicinity of the first step of the first embodiment and (b) shows the vicinity of the first step of the modified example. [Figure 9] This is a front view showing a mounting unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a side view showing a mounting unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a partially enlarged view of Figure 10. [Figure 12] This figure shows a first modified example of the first stage, where (a) is a schematic top view and (b) is a schematic side view. [Figure 13] This figure shows a second modified example of the first section, where (a) is a schematic top view and (b) is a schematic side view. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The present invention will be described below in accordance with preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, in the embodiments shown below, some components are not illustrated or described; however, details of the omitted technologies can be appropriately applied from publicly known or well-known technologies, to the extent that they do not contradict the content described below.

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the mounting unit according to the first embodiment, and Figure 2 is a front view of the mounting unit according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 2.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the mounting unit 1 comprises an attachment 2 that is roughly trapezoidal in front view, and two fixing pins 3. Each of the two fixing pins 3 has a pin head 3a and a pin portion 3b that extends from the pin head 3a and penetrates the wall surface. Note that the fixing pins 3 are not limited to two; there may be one or three or more.

[0012] Attachment 2 is used to attach a housing containing an alarm device, such as a gas alarm or fire alarm, to a wall surface by engaging with the housing. Attachment 2 generally comprises a base portion 10, an engaging portion 20, and two mounting portions 30.

[0013] The base 10 is a member that forms the basic part of the attachment 2 and has a rib 11 that is roughly U-shaped in reverse. This rib 11 plays a role in ensuring the rigidity of the attachment 2. Also, the base 10 has a through-hole 12 at the central part in the vertical and horizontal directions. The through-hole 12 is a part formed when molding the engaging part 20 and also contributes to reducing the resin amount of the attachment 2.

[0014] The engaging part 20 is a structural part for hooking the housing. This engaging part 20 includes a protruding part 21 that projects forward (in the direction away from the wall surface) from the center of the lower end of the base 10 and a hook part 22 that extends upward from the protruding part 21. At the lower end of the protruding part 21, a rib 21a is formed to enhance the strength in the left-right direction. Also, the upper end part 21b of the protruding part 21 has a semi-cylindrical shape that extends in the front-back direction and is, for example, shaped to match the shape on the housing side. The hook part 22 is a part that extends upward from above the front end of the protruding part 21. The upper end position of the hook part 22 is set so as not to exceed the upper end position of the through-hole 12. Such an engaging part 20 supports the housing with the protruding part 21 and prevents the housing from coming off by being hooked by the hook part 22.

[0015] The two mounting parts 30 are for fixedly mounting the attachment 2 to the wall surface and are provided at both ends on the lower end side of the base 10. The mounting part 30 is configured to have a surface (upper surface part 31a described later) that faces roughly upward and slightly toward the center side, and by driving the fixing pin 3 through this surface, it becomes a fixing part for the wall surface. In particular, since the surface of the mounting part 30 faces roughly upward and slightly toward the center side, the two fixing pins 3 will pierce the wall surface in a state of facing slightly downward and outward. Since the two mounting parts 30 have a common configuration except for being symmetrically structured left and right, the two mounting parts 30 will be described together below.

[0016] The mounting portion 30 comprises a first stage portion 31 and a second stage portion 32. As shown in Figure 3, the first stage portion 31 has a pin insertion hole 33 formed therein for inserting the fixing pin 3. This first stage portion 31 comprises an upper surface portion 31a and a side surface portion 31b. As shown in Figure 4, the upper surface portion 31a is the portion that at least a part of the lower surface 3c (the surface opposite to the surface being struck and facing the wall) of the pin head 3a of the fixing pin 3 comes into contact with when the fixing pin 3 is fully inserted into the pin insertion hole 33. The side surface portion 31b is the portion that extends toward the wall from the lower end 31c of the upper surface portion 31a.

[0017] In the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the first stage portion 31 is in a state where the lower surface 3c of the pin head 3a of the fixing pin 3 is exposed on the lower orthogonal side (an example of at least one direction, and an example of a direction including a downward component) perpendicular to the insertion direction of the pin insertion hole 33. More specifically, in the first stage portion 31, a part of the lower orthogonal side of the pin portion 3b of the fixing pin 3 protrudes from the side portion 31b. As a result, the lower orthogonal side of the lower surface 3c of the pin head 3a also does not come into contact with the upper portion 31a and protrudes from the side portion 31b, becoming exposed.

[0018] The second step portion 32 is a step portion formed on the lower, perpendicular side of the first step portion 31. That is, the second step portion 32 is formed on the exposed side of the lower surface 3c relative to the first step portion 31. The position and shape of the second step portion 32 are not particularly important as long as it protrudes forward from the wall surface, but it is preferable that it protrudes forward from the first step portion 31.

[0019] Here, the mounting unit 1 according to the first embodiment has the first stage portion 31 and the second stage portion 32 in the mounting portion 30 as described above, making it easier to remove the fixing pin 3 and thus easier to detach. Next, the method for removing the mounting unit 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0020] Figures 5 to 7 show the process of removing the fixing pin 3; Figure 5 is a front view, Figure 6 is a side view, and Figure 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view.

[0021] First, when removing the mounting unit 1 from the wall, it is necessary to remove the fixing pin 3 from the attachment 2. When removing the fixing pin 3, the worker should use a long object LC, such as a flathead screwdriver. Note that the long object LC is not limited to a flathead screwdriver; it may also be a long, spatula-shaped object with a certain level of rigidity, such as a paper knife.

[0022] To explain in detail, as shown in Figures 5-7, the worker inserts the tip of the long member LC below the lower surface 3c of the pin head 3a of the fixing pin 3 (towards the wall). At this time, the worker inserts the long member LC in the direction from the second stage 32 toward the first stage 31. In other words, the worker inserts the long member LC from the side where the lower surface 3c of the pin head 3a is exposed.

[0023] Next, the worker manipulates the long member LC so that the gripping side is closer to the wall (in the direction of the arrows shown in Figures 6 and 7). This allows the gripping side to act as the point of force application and the second stage 32 as the fulcrum, applying a force in the removal direction to the fixing pin 3. Thus, the mounting unit 1 can be removed from the wall more easily.

[0024] Next, a modified version of the mounting unit 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. Figure 8 is a plan view showing the mounting unit 1 according to the first embodiment and a modified version, where (a) shows the vicinity of the first step portion 31 of the first embodiment and (b) shows the vicinity of the first step portion 31 of the modified version. In the mounting unit 1 according to the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, for example, a part of the pin insertion hole 33 is exposed from the side portion 31b, and a part of the pin portion 3b is also exposed. In this case, since the pin portion 3b is very thin and circular, as shown in Figure 8(a), the tip of the long member LC tends to shift easily and is unstable.

[0025] On the other hand, in the modified mounting unit 1, the pin insertion hole 33 is not exposed from the side portion 31b. Therefore, the pin portion 3b of the fixing pin 3 inserted into the pin insertion hole 33 is also kept from being exposed. Note that the lower perpendicular side of the lower surface 3c of the pin head 3a is exposed, just as in the first embodiment. With this modified version, the very thin, circular pin portion 3b is not exposed from the side portion 31b, and the tip of the long member LC does not come into contact with the pin portion 3b. As a result, the tip of the long member LC is less likely to shift and remains stable, making it easier to remove the fixing pin 3.

[0026] Thus, according to the mounting unit 1 of the first embodiment, a first stage portion 31 is formed in which a pin insertion hole 33 is formed and the lower surface 3c of the pin head 3a of the fixing pin 3 is exposed on the lower perpendicular side, and a second stage portion 32 is formed on the lower perpendicular side of the first stage portion 31. Therefore, an operator can insert a long member LC, such as a flathead screwdriver, from the second stage portion 32 toward the first stage portion 31, and bring the tip of the long member LC into contact with the lower surface 3c of the pin head 3a. Furthermore, by operating the gripping side of the long member LC to press it against the wall surface from this state, the gripping side can function as the point of force application, the second stage portion as the fulcrum, and the tip of the long member LC as the point of application. Therefore, the mounting unit 1 can apply a force in the pulling direction to the fixing pin 3 using leverage. Accordingly, a mounting unit 1 that can be removed more easily can be provided.

[0027] In particular, when removing the mounting units described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the worker must use, for example, a tool that can grasp the pin head of the fixing pin and pry out the fixing pin, which tends to leave a large hole for the fixing pin after removal. However, the mounting unit 1 according to the first embodiment is less prone to such problems.

[0028] Furthermore, the exposed side of the lower surface 3c of the pin head 3a is the lower orthogonal side including the lower component when mounted on a wall. Therefore, it is possible to create a structure that is easy to remove when the housing is mounted on the upper side of a wall, such as for city gas alarms or fire alarms. Thus, it is possible to provide a mounting unit 1 that can be removed even more easily.

[0029] Furthermore, according to the mounting unit 1 of the modified embodiment, the fixing pin 3 is not exposed from the side portion 31b of the first stage portion 31. As a result, the fixing pin 3 is not exposed from the side portion 31b, and the tip of the long member LC does not come into contact with the pin portion 3b of the fixing pin 3. This prevents the tip of the long member LC from coming into contact with the pin portion 3b and becoming unstable, and provides a mounting unit 1 that can be removed even more easily.

[0030] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The mounting unit according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but some components are different. In the following description of the second embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be the main focus, and elements that are the same or similar as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0031] Figure 9 is a front view showing the mounting unit 1a according to the second embodiment, and Figure 10 is a side view showing the mounting unit 1a according to the second embodiment. Figure 11 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 10. As shown in Figure 9, the mounting unit 1a according to the second embodiment has a substantially H shape that is oriented horizontally when viewed from the front. This mounting unit 1a comprises a base portion 10, an engaging portion 20, and two mounting portions 30, similar to the first embodiment. The shape of the engaging portion 20 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0032] The base 10 has L-shaped ribs 13 at the upper right and lower left corners when viewed from the front. Two mounting parts 30 are provided at the upper left and lower right corners of the base 10. The lower right corner is designated as the first mounting part 34, and the upper left corner as the second mounting part 35. The first mounting part 34 is the same as that shown in Figure 4.

[0033] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the second mounting portion 35 has an upper surface 31a of the first step portion 31 facing downwards, and the fixing pin 3 is inserted into the wall surface such that the pin portion 3b is positioned above the pin head 3a. The pin insertion hole 33 (see Figure 3) formed in the first step portion 31 of the second mounting portion 35 also extends in the same direction. Furthermore, a side portion 31b is formed horizontally toward the wall surface from the lower end 31c of the upper surface portion 31a. The lower surface 3c of the pin head 3a of the fixing pin 3 is exposed on the downward perpendicular side. In the second embodiment as well, the pin portion 3b is exposed from the side portion 31b, but it is preferable that it be not exposed.

[0034] The second step portion 32 is formed at a position perpendicular to the lower side of the first step portion 31. In particular, the second step portion 32 in the second embodiment is in close proximity to the first step portion 31. That is, in the second embodiment, the distance between the first step portion 31 and the second step portion 32 of the second mounting portion 35 is shorter than the distance between the first step portion 31 and the second step portion 32 of the first mounting portion 34. Note that the second step portion 32 is not located in front of the first step portion 31 and is provided on the wall side.

[0035] Next, the method for removing the mounting unit 1a according to the second embodiment will be described. First, the first mounting portion 34 is the same as in the first embodiment. That is, the long member LC is inserted from the lower side where the lower surface 3c of the pin head 3a is exposed, and the gripping side of the long member LC is rotated toward the wall. As a result, an upward and forward force is applied to the lower surface 3c of the pin head 3a, and the fixing pin 3 is removed.

[0036] Furthermore, with respect to the second mounting section 35, the worker inserts the tip of the long member LC below the lower surface 3c of the pin head 3a of the fixing pin 3. The worker then rotates the gripping side of the long member LC toward the wall. This applies a forward force to the fixing pin 3. Here, the second stage section 32 is located closer to the wall than the first stage section 31. Therefore, when the long member LC is inserted, the gripping side, which is the point of force application, is relatively close to the wall, and the range of motion of the point of force application is narrow. However, because the first stage section 31 and the second stage section 32 are close together in the second mounting section 35, a large force can be applied to the pin head 3a of the fixing pin 3 by the lever principle, resolving the issues of the direction of force application and the range of motion.

[0037] In this way, the mounting unit 1a according to the second embodiment provides a mounting unit 1a that can be removed even more easily, similar to the first embodiment.

[0038] Although the present invention has been described above based on the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention, or the technologies of the embodiments or known or well-known technologies may be combined as appropriate.

[0039] For example, in the above embodiment, the first stage 31 and the second stage 32 are formed for all pin insertion holes 33, but the configuration is not limited to this, and they may be formed for only one of the pin insertion holes 33. In this case, it becomes easier to remove one of the fixing pins 3, making it easier to remove the mounting units 1,1a. In particular, if the above configuration is adopted for one of the two pin insertion holes 33, one of the two fixing pins 3 can be removed smoothly. Once one fixing pin 3 is removed, there is only one fixing pin 3 remaining that is embedded in the wall, and the attachment 2 itself can be removed by gripping it and pulling it out.

[0040] Furthermore, although the first step portion 31 and the second step portion 32 were stair-shaped in the above embodiment, they are not limited to a stair-shaped form. In particular, the first step portion 31 is composed of an upper surface portion 31a and a side surface portion 31b, but other surfaces may be interposed between the upper surface portion 31a and the side surface portion 31b. Moreover, at least one of the interposing surface, the upper surface portion 31a, and the side surface portion 31b may be a curved surface.

[0041] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the mounting unit 1,1a has the side of the lower surface 3c of the pin head 3a that is exposed on the downward orthogonal side including the downward component when mounted on a wall. However, the direction in which the lower surface 3c is exposed is not limited to the downward orthogonal side, but may be in other directions. In particular, if the direction in which the lower surface 3c is exposed is the upward orthogonal side including the upward component, it is possible to create a structure that is easy to remove when the housing is mounted on the lower side of a wall, such as an LP gas alarm.

[0042] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first stage portion 31 may have the following configuration. Figures 12 and 13 show modified examples of the first stage portion 31, where (a) is a schematic top view and (b) is a schematic side view. In Figures 12 and 13, the dashed lines indicate the fixing pins 3, and in particular in (a), the inner dashed line shows the outer shape of the pin portion 3b, and the outer dashed line shows the outer shape of the pin head 3a.

[0043] As shown in Figure 12, the first step portion 31 may be a cylindrical boss with a pin insertion hole 33 formed therein. In this modified example, the outer shape of the cylindrical boss, which is the first step portion 31, is located inward from the outer shape of the pin head 3a. Therefore, in the first modified example, the first step portion 31 exposes the lower surface 3c of the pin head 3a in all directions perpendicular to the pin portion 3b, i.e., 360°. Thus, the second step portion 32 can be provided in any direction within 360° relative to the first step portion 31.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, the first step portion 31 may be formed by a rib. Because the first step portion 31 is formed by a rib, one side of the first step portion 31 that forms the rib forms part of the pin insertion hole 33. Therefore, in the first step portion 31 according to the second modification, the lower surface 3c of the pin head 3a is exposed in the direction in which the rib is provided, which is perpendicular to the direction of the pin portion 3b. Thus, a structure that makes it easy to remove the fixing pin 3 can be realized by utilizing the rib. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1,1a: Mounting unit 2: Attachments 3: Fixing pins 3a: Pinhead 3c: Bottom surface 31: First paragraph 31a: Top part 31b: Side part 32: Second paragraph 33: Pin insertion hole

Claims

1. A mounting unit comprising: an attachment used to engage with the housing of a device to be installed on a wall and to mount the housing to the wall; and a fixing pin that is inserted through a pin insertion hole formed in the attachment and driven into the wall, A pin insertion hole for inserting the fixing pin is formed, and a first stage portion is provided which exposes the lower surface of the pin head of the fixing pin in at least one direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the pin insertion hole, The second step portion formed in at least one direction of the first step portion, A mounting unit characterized by having the following features.

2. The first stage portion has an upper portion that contacts at least a part of the lower surface of the pin head of the fixing pin, and a side portion that extends from the upper portion toward the wall surface, The aforementioned fixing pin is not exposed from the side portion. The mounting unit according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned at least one direction is a direction that includes an upward component or a downward component when the mounting state is on the wall surface. The mounting unit according to feature 1.

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