Fastener, fastening structure, and automotive interior accessory

Abstract

To prevent excessive force from being required to rotate a fastener to release engagement with a fastening object, even if largely setting force required to remove the fastener from the fastening object.SOLUTION: A fastener 1 accepts the introduction of a body part 5 to a receiving part 19 formed in a fastening object 2, by elastically deforming an elastic arm part 6 that is a part of the body part 5 to a center side of the body part 5, and is fastened to the fastening object 2 by putting a part of the elastic arm part 6 into an engaging hole 20 formed on a side wall of the receiving portion 19 when the elastic arm part 6 is elastically returned at a completion position of the introduction. The elastic arm part 6 is formed along a direction surrounding a center axis x1 of the body part 5, and is made by forming an engaging projecting portion 15 to be engaged with the engaging hole 20 between a base portion 6b and a free end 6a of the elastic arm part 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastener having a configuration that allows introduction into a receiving portion formed in an object to be fastened by elastic deformation and is fastened to the object to be fastened by elastic return at the completion position of the introduction, a fastening structure including the same, and an automotive interior accessory.

Background Art

[0002] There is a device shown in Patent Document 1 that is composed of a grommet and a pin, allows introduction of the leg portion of the pin into the grommet by elastic deformation of a claw provided on the leg portion, and causes the claw to enter the opening of the grommet by elastic return of the claw at the completion position of the introduction to fasten the pin to the grommet.

[0003] In the device of Patent Document 1, the claw is formed along the central axis of the pin, has a base portion on the tip side of the pin, and has a free end on the head side of the pin.

[0004] In the device of Patent Document 1, when the pin is rotated from the state where the pin is fastened to the grommet, the side portion of the claw abuts against the opening edge of the opening, the claw is elastically deformed inwardly and comes out of the opening, and thus the fastening state between the pin and the grommet is released.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the case of the one in Patent Document 1, the fastening state between the pin and the grommet is improved by setting a large force required for removing the pin from the grommet. However, in the one of Patent Document 1, the greater the force required for such removal is set, the greater the resistance force becomes when the pin is rotated to release the fastening.

[0007] The main problem to be solved by this invention is that, in this type of fastener, the fastening structure including the same, and the automotive interior accessory configured using these, even if a large force required for removing the fastener from the receiving portion of the object to be fastened is set, the force required for rotating the fastener to release the engagement with the object to be fastened is not made excessive.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, in this invention, from a first aspect, a fastener having a head and a body, allowing the introduction of the body into a receiving portion formed in an object to be fastened by elastic deformation of an elastic arm portion, which is a part of the body, toward the center side of the body, and fastening the object to be fastened by inserting a part of the elastic arm portion into an engagement hole formed in a side wall of the receiving portion by elastic return of the elastic arm portion at the completion position of the introduction, the fastener is formed such that the elastic arm portion is formed along a direction orbiting the central axis of the body, and an engagement protrusion engaged with the engagement hole is formed between the base portion and the free end of the elastic arm portion.

[0009] Since the elastic arm portion is formed along a direction orbiting the central axis of the body, when a force in a direction to remove the body from the receiving portion is applied to the fastener in a state where the fastener is fastened to the object to be fastened, the elastic arm portion is difficult to deform in a direction approaching the central axis, and the engagement protrusion is caught in the engagement hole to prevent the removal of the fastener. On the other hand, when a torque in a direction with the base portion of the elastic arm portion on the rotation side around the central axis is applied to the fastener from a state where the fastener is fastened to the object to be fastened, the engaging protrusion and the hole edge of the engaging hole are in sliding contact, and the elastic arm portion is easily elastically deformed in a direction approaching the central axis. Thereby, the state where the fastener is fastened to the object to be fastened can be easily released by a rotation operation with the base portion side of the elastic arm portion constituting the fastener on the rotation side.

[0010] One aspect of this invention is to form two or more of the elastic arm portions at intervals in the direction of orbiting around the central axis on the body portion, and to arrange the other base portion of the elastic arm portion adjacent to one free end of the adjacent elastic arm portions in the orbiting direction.

[0011] Another aspect of this invention is to provide a restricting portion on the body portion that abuts against the elastic arm portion and prevents elastic deformation of the elastic arm portion when a force in a direction to remove the body portion from the receiving portion acts.

[0012] Another aspect of this invention is that the body portion has a bottom portion for positioning the elastic arm portion between the body portion and the head portion, and the restricting portion is provided on this bottom portion.

[0013] Another aspect of this invention is that the engaging protrusion is provided with a side inclined surface that gradually reduces the height of the engaging protrusion as it approaches the base portion side of the elastic arm portion.

[0014] Another aspect of this invention is that the engaging protrusion is provided with a lower inclined surface that gradually reduces the height of the engaging protrusion as it moves away from the head portion.

[0015] Another aspect of this invention is to provide a through hole for a string-like body extending across the head portion and the body portion.

[0016] Another aspect of this invention is that the head portion is provided with a gripping portion.

[0017] Also, in order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, from a second aspect, the fastening structure is composed of the fastener and the object to be fastened having the receiving portion on the body portion of the fastener, and is configured such that the inner diameter of the receiving portion gradually decreases as it approaches the back of the receiving portion.

[0018] Also, in order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, from a third aspect, the automotive interior accessory is composed of the fastener and the object to be fastened having the receiving portion on the body portion of the fastener, and the object to be fastened is a cylindrical body having the engaging hole provided in a cylindrical side portion between an open cylindrical one end and the other end which serve as an entrance of the receiving portion.

Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, even if the force required to remove the fastener from the receiving portion of the object to be fastened is set large, the force required to rotate the fastener to release the engagement with the object to be fastened can be prevented from becoming excessive. While making the fastening state of the fastener stable, the removal operation from the object to be fastened can be performed smoothly.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, typical embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20.

[0022] The fastener 1 according to this embodiment has a head 4 and a body 5, and allows the introduction of the body 5 into a receiving portion 19 formed in the object to be fastened 2 by elastic deformation of an elastic arm portion 6, which is a part of the body 5, toward the center side (the side of the central axis x1 described later) of the body 5. Further, a part of the elastic arm portion 6 is inserted into an engagement hole 20 formed in the side wall of the receiving portion 19 by elastic return of the elastic arm portion 6 at the completion position of the introduction, so that the fastener 1 is fastened to the object to be fastened 2.

[0023] The imparting of this characteristic to the portion that should have the elastic deformation characteristic in such a fastener 1 can be easily realized by forming the fastener 1 as a plastic molded product.

[0024] A fastening structure is constituted by such a fastener 1 and an object to be fastened 2.

[0025] Further, an automotive interior accessory is constituted by such a fastener 1 and an object to be fastened 2.

[0026] In this embodiment, the object to be fastened 2 is a cylindrical body 21 having an open cylindrical one end 21a serving as an entrance 19a of the receiving portion 19, a closed cylindrical other end 21b, and a cylindrical side portion 21c formed between the cylindrical one end 21a and the cylindrical other end 21b. In this embodiment, the inside of the cylindrical body 21 serves as the receiving portion 19, and the cylindrical side portion 21c functions as the side wall of the receiving portion 19.

[0027] In the illustrated example, circumferential outer flanges 21d are respectively formed on the cylindrical one end 21a and the cylindrical other end 21b of the cylindrical body 21 so as to surround the cylindrical axis x2 (see FIG. 10) of the cylindrical body 21.

[0028] An engaging hole 20 that allows communication between the inside and outside of the cylindrical body 21 is formed in the cylindrical side portion 21c between two outer flanges 21d in the cylindrical body 21. In the illustrated example, the engaging holes 20 are formed in two or more, with a space therebetween in the circumferential direction around the cylinder axis x2 of the cylindrical body 21, and in the illustrated example, four engaging holes 20 are formed at 90-degree intervals in the above-described direction.

[0029] In the illustrated example, the four engaging holes 20 are each configured to be substantially the same size and shape as the other engaging holes 20. In the illustrated example, such an engaging hole 20 substantially presents a rectangular window shape. The engaging hole 20 is formed to have a hole edge 20a along the cylinder axis x2 and a hole edge 20b orthogonal to this cylinder axis x2.

[0030] Also, the inner diameter of the receiving portion 19 is configured to gradually decrease toward the depth of the receiving portion 19, in the illustrated example, as it approaches the other end 21b of the cylindrical body 21. In the illustrated example, the inside and outside of the cylindrical side portion 21c of the cylindrical body 21 are in a form along the arc of a virtual circle, and the inner diameter of this cylindrical side portion 21c is wide on the side of the one end 21a of the cylinder and gradually decreases as it approaches the other end 21b of the cylinder (see FIG. 19).

[0031] The object to be fastened 2 only needs to be the above-described receiving portion 19 and have an engaging hole 20 in its side wall, and its specific structure can be appropriately changed as needed. For example, the object to be fastened 2 may be an automotive interior trim or the like, and may be on the vehicle body side of an automobile.

[0032] In the illustrated example, the object to be fastened 2 further has a shaft body 22 integrated with the cylindrical body 21, and is attached to another object 3, for example, the vehicle body side of the automobile, via this shaft body 22 (see FIG. 20).

[0033] In the illustrated example, the shaft body 22 has a bolt shape with a dish head 22a. From the dish head 22a to a position in the middle of the length direction in the shaft body 22, it is a thick-diameter portion 22b, and the part beyond the thick-diameter portion 22b is a thin-diameter portion 22c. A male thread 22d is formed on the outer periphery of this thin-diameter portion 22c. The shaft body 22 is incorporated in the portion constituting the other end 21b of the cylinder of the cylindrical body 21 with the dish head 22a, and the part below this dish head 22a is made to protrude from the cylindrical body 21, and is integrated with the cylindrical body 21. The cylinder axis x2 of the cylindrical body 21 and the central axis of the shaft body 22 are integrated so as to be located on the same virtual straight line. At the same time, a hole 21e for exposing a part of the dish head 22a to the receiving portion 19 is formed at the center of the closed portion of the other end 21b of the cylinder of the cylindrical body 21 at the back of the receiving portion 19. A fitting recess 22e having a shape complementary to the shape of the tip of a tool such as a driver is formed in the dish head 22a located in this hole 21e. In the illustrated example, the shaft body 22 is used as an insert for the mold for forming the cylindrical body 21, and the shaft body 22 and the cylindrical body 21 are integrated as described above.

[0034] In the illustrated example, the fastening target 2 is fastened to another object 3 by screwing the shaft body 22 into the screw hole 23 of the other object 3 using the male thread 22d of the shaft body 22. Fig. 20 shows a state where the fastening target 2 is provided on the side wall inside the vehicle as another object 3. In Fig. 20, reference numeral 24 indicates the side wall (trim), and reference numeral 25 indicates the body panel. The shaft body 22 is screwed into the screw hole 23 formed in the body panel 25 through the through hole formed in the side wall 24.

[0035] In the illustrated example, when the object 2 to be fastened is provided on the side wall 24 inside a vehicle, for example, such that the cylindrical body 21 protrudes from the side wall 24, it is possible to hook a shopping bag handle or the like on the cylindrical side portion 21c between the two outer flanges 21d, and it can be used as a hook so to speak. Further, when the fastener 1 is removed, the object 2 to be fastened can also be used by passing a string or the like through the engagement hole 20 formed in the cylindrical side portion 21c, or by hooking a hook of a hanger or the like on the engagement hole 20. Further, when the fastener 1 is removed, the object 2 to be fastened can also be used by receiving the end portion of a rod-shaped body or the like in the receiving portion 19 and supporting such a rod-shaped body or the like inside the vehicle.

[0036] The fastener 1 has a head 4 and a body portion 5 having a hollow shaft shape. In the illustrated example, the body portion 5 can be introduced into the receiving portion 19 of the object 2 to be fastened until the tip 5a of the body portion 5, which is opposite to the side connected to the head 4 in the body portion 5, substantially abuts against the closed portion at the other end of the cylindrical body 21, which is the depth of the receiving portion 19 (the completion position of introduction in FIG. 15). And at the completion position of this introduction, the body portion 5 enters the receiving portion 19 and the head 4 is positioned outside the receiving portion 19.

[0037] In the illustrated example, the fastener 1 includes an inner cylindrical portion 7 and an outer cylindrical portion 8.

[0038] Both ends of the inner cylindrical portion 7 are open. Also, one end 7a side of the inner cylindrical portion 7 constitutes a part of the head 4. The other end 7b side of the inner cylindrical portion 7 constitutes a part of the tip 5a of the body portion 5.

[0039] The inner diameter of the outer cylindrical portion 8 is larger than the outer diameter of the inner cylindrical portion 7. Also, the overall length of the outer cylindrical portion 8 is made smaller than the overall length of the inner cylindrical portion 7.

[0040] One end 8a of the outer cylindrical portion 8 located on the head portion 4 side is positioned closer to the tip 5a of the body portion 5 than one end 7a of the inner cylindrical portion 7, and the one end 7a side of the inner cylindrical portion 7 protrudes from the one end 8a of the outer cylindrical portion 8 to form the head portion 4. Further, the inner cylindrical portion 7 and the outer cylindrical portion 8 are integrated by a circumferential connecting portion 9 extending between the other end 7b of the inner cylindrical portion 7 and the other end 8b of the outer cylindrical portion 8. Also, between the outer surface of the inner cylindrical portion 7 and the inner surface of the outer cylindrical portion 8, in the direction of orbiting around the central axis x1 of the body portion 5 (see FIG. 5), that is, the cylindrical axis of the inner cylindrical portion 7, the inner cylindrical portion 7 and the outer cylindrical portion 8 are integrated so that an interval is formed at any position. The elastic arm portion 6 described later is elastically deformed in a direction approaching the central axis x1 described later by utilizing this interval. Thereby, the fastener 1 is provided with a circumferential opening portion 10 communicating with the interval on the head portion 4 side. Further, the fastener 1 is provided with a bottom portion 11 formed by the circumferential connecting portion 9 on the tip 5a side.

[0041] The elastic arm portion 6 is formed along the direction of orbiting around the central axis x1 of the body portion 5. In the illustrated example, the elastic arm portion 6 is formed on the outer cylindrical portion 8. In the illustrated example, the elastic arm portion 6 is spaced apart from the adjacent elastic arm portion 6 in the direction of orbiting around the central axis x1 of the body portion 5, and two or more, in the illustrated example, four are formed at 90-degree intervals in the said direction corresponding to the number and position of the engaging holes 20 of the object to be fastened 2. In the illustrated example, the four elastic arm portions 6 are each configured to be substantially the same size and shape as the other elastic arm portions 6. In the illustrated example, such an elastic arm portion 6 is constituted by a part of the outer cylindrical portion 8 divided by a pair of lateral slits 12 extending along the direction of orbiting around the central axis x1 and a longitudinal slit 13 extending in the direction along the central axis x1 across one ends of the pair of lateral slits 12. One of the pair of lateral slits 12 is formed at substantially the same level as the inner surface of the bottom portion 11. The other of the pair of lateral slits 12 is formed at a position in the middle of the entire length of the inner cylindrical portion 7. The elastic arm portion 6 formed in this manner has a free end 6a located on the side of the longitudinal split groove 13, and has a base portion 6b (root) at the opposing position thereof.

[0042] In addition, two or more elastic arm portions 6 formed in this manner are each formed such that the other base portion 6b of the elastic arm portion 6 adjacent to one free end 6a of the adjacent elastic arm portion 6 in the direction of orbiting the central axis x1 is adjacent. That is, when the fastener 1 is rotated in one direction (for example, the direction of arrow r1 in FIG. 1) about the central axis x1, each elastic arm portion 6 is formed such that the free end 6a is positioned on the rotation front side of this rotation, and the base portion 6b is positioned on the rotation rear side of this rotation.

[0043] In the illustrated example, the groove end located on the base portion 6b side of the elastic arm portion 6 of the lateral split groove 12 formed at a position in the middle of the entire length of the inner cylindrical portion 7 is bent toward the tip side of the body portion 5, and the width in the direction along the central axis x1 of the base portion 6b side of the elastic arm portion 6 is made slightly smaller than other portions by this bent portion 14. Thereby, the elastic arm portion 6 is likely to cause elastic deformation in a direction of bringing the free end 6a side closer to the central axis x1 with the base portion 6b side as the center.

[0044] An engaging protrusion 15 that engages with the engaging hole 20 of the object to be fastened 2 is formed between the base portion 6b and the free end 6a of such an elastic arm portion 6. The engaging protrusion 15 is formed on the inner surface 6c (inner surface of the outer cylindrical portion 8) located on the central axis x1 side of the elastic arm portion 6 and on the outer surface 6d (outer surface of the outer cylindrical portion 8) of the elastic arm portion 6 that is back-to-back. In the illustrated example, the engaging protrusion 15 is formed in a region located between the position that is about half of the entire length (length between the base portion 6b and the free end 6a) of the elastic arm portion 6 and the free end 6a.

[0045] In the illustrated example, the engaging protrusion 15 includes a top portion 15a, a side inclined surface 15b, a lower inclined surface 15c, a side engaging surface 15d, and an upper engaging surface 15e. On the top portion 15a, a side inclined surface 15b is formed on the base portion 6b side of the elastic arm portion 6, and a side engaging surface 15d is formed at a position facing the side inclined surface 15b. That is, in the direction of orbiting around the central axis x1, the top portion 15a is positioned between the side inclined surface 15b and the side engaging surface 15d. In the illustrated example, the side engaging surface 15d is continuous with the free end 6a of the elastic arm portion 6 and is a surface along a virtual straight line y (see FIG. 3) that extends in the radial direction orthogonal to the central axis x1. On the top portion 15a, a lower inclined surface 15c is formed on the bottom portion 11 side, and an upper engaging surface 15e is formed at a position facing the lower inclined surface 15c. That is, in the direction along the central axis x1, the top portion 15a is positioned between the upper engaging surface 15e and the lower inclined surface 15c.

[0046] The side inclined surface 15b is configured to gradually decrease the height of the engaging protrusion 15 as it approaches the base portion 6b side of the elastic arm portion 6.

[0047] Also, the lower inclined surface 15c is configured to gradually decrease the height of the engaging protrusion 15 as it moves away from the head portion 4.

[0048] The outer diameter of the body portion 5 is slightly larger than the inner diameter on the entrance 19a side or the inner diameter on the back side of the receiving portion 19 of the object to be fastened 2 at the formation position of the top portion 15a of the engaging protrusion 15. The outer diameter of the body portion 5 is sized to fit into the receiving portion 19 except at the formation position of the engaging protrusion 15. Also, when the body portion 5 is introduced into the receiving portion 19 to the completion position of the introduction, the engaging protrusion 15 is positioned at a level where it can enter the engaging hole 20.

[0049] The insertion operation for introducing the body portion 5 into the receiving portion 19 is permitted by the sliding contact of the engaging projection 15 with the inner surface of the side wall of the receiving portion 19 and the accompanying elastic deformation of the elastic arm portion 6 in a direction approaching the central axis x1 (see FIGS. 11 and 12). This insertion operation is facilitated by the lower inclined surface 15c. At this time, the elastic arm portion 6 is subjected to the action of a force directed toward the front side of the insertion, and is elastically deformed in a direction approaching the central axis x1 without hitting the regulating portion 16 on the regulating portion 16 described later. When the body portion 5 is introduced into the receiving portion 19 up to the completion position of the introduction, when the engaging projection 15 is positioned inside the engaging hole 20, the elastic arm portion 6 elastically returns and the engaging projection 15 enters the engaging hole 20 (see FIGS. 13 to 15). When the body portion 5 is introduced into the receiving portion 19 up to the completion position of the introduction, but is introduced in a direction in which the engaging projection 15 is positioned between adjacent engaging holes 20, by slightly rotating the fastener 1 in a direction around the central axis x1, the engaging projection 15 can be positioned inside the engaging hole 20. In this way, the elastic arm portion 6 elastically returns as described above and the engaging projection 15 enters the engaging hole 20. Thereby, the fastener 1 is fastened to the object to be fastened 2 with a single touch.

[0050] Since the elastic arm portion 6 is formed along the direction of orbiting around the central axis x1 of the body portion 5, when a force in a direction to remove the body portion 5 from the receiving portion 19 with respect to the fastener 1 acts on the fastener 1 in a state where the fastener 1 is fastened to the object to be fastened 2, the elastic arm portion 6 is difficult to deform in a direction approaching the central axis x1, and the engaging projection 15 is caught in the engaging hole 20 to prevent the removal of the fastener 1. On the other hand, when a torque in the direction r2 (see FIG. 1) with the base portion 6b of the elastic arm portion 6 as the rotation side is applied to the fastener 1 about the central axis x1 with respect to the fastener 1 in a state where the fastener 1 is fastened to the object to be fastened 2, the engaging projection 15 and the hole edge of the engaging hole 20 are in sliding contact and the elastic arm portion 6 is easily elastically deformed in a direction approaching the central axis x1. Thereby, the state where the fastener 1 is fastened to the object to be fastened 2 can be easily released by a rotation operation with the base portion 6b side of the elastic arm portion 6 constituting the fastener 1 as the rotation side.

[0051] More specifically, when a force in a direction to remove the body portion 5 from the receiving portion 19 acts on the fastener 1 from the state where the fastener 1 is fastened to the fastening target 2 in this way, the upper engaging surface 15e catches on the engaging hole 20 and the removal of the fastener 1 is prevented (see FIG. 16).

[0052] Further, when a torque in the direction r1 with the free end 6a of the elastic arm portion 6 as the rotation side acts on the fastener 1 about the central axis x1 from the state where the fastener 1 is fastened to the fastening target 2 in this way, the side engaging surface 15d catches on the engaging hole 20 and the rotation of the fastener 1 is prevented.

[0053] On the other hand, when a torque in the direction r2 with the base portion 6b of the elastic arm portion 6 as the rotation side acts on the fastener 1 about the central axis x1 from the state where the fastener 1 is fastened to the fastening target 2 in this way, the side inclined surface 15b and the hole edge of the engaging hole 20 are in sliding contact, and the elastic arm portion 6 is elastically deformed in a direction approaching the central axis x1 (see FIGS. 17 to 19). Thus, in this embodiment, the state where the fastener 1 is fastened to the fastening target 2 can be easily released by a rotation operation with the base portion 6b side of the elastic arm portion 6 constituting the fastener 1 as the rotation side. In particular, in the illustrated example, since the inner diameter of the receiving portion 19 is configured to gradually decrease as it approaches the back of the receiving portion 19, when the engaging protrusion 15 is withdrawn from the engaging hole 20 by the rotation operation and the engaging protrusion 15 contacts the inner surface of the receiving portion 19 outside the engaging hole 20, the elastic force of the elastic arm portion 6 acts as a force in a direction to cause the body portion 5 to come out of the receiving portion 19, and the body portion 5 is so to speak pushed out from the receiving portion 19 and smoothly comes out. Note that the rotation operation with the base portion 6b side of the elastic arm portion 6 as the rotation side with respect to the fastener 1 can also be continuously performed by repeating the elastic deformation and elastic return of each elastic arm portion 6 (so-called idling), and the fastener 1 is not damaged by the rotation operation in this direction.

[0054] Further, in this embodiment, the body portion 5 is provided with a restricting portion 16 that abuts against the elastic arm portion 6 and prevents elastic deformation of the elastic arm portion 6 when a force in a direction to remove the body portion 5 from the receiving portion 19 acts thereon. In this embodiment, the restricting portion 16 is provided on the bottom portion 11.

[0055] When a force in the removing direction acts on the body portion 5, the upper engaging surface 15e catches in the engaging hole 20 as described above, and this catching causes a force to act on the elastic arm portion 6 to deform the elastic arm portion 6 in a direction approaching the central axis x1. In this embodiment, when such a force acts, the thick-walled surface 6e on the bottom portion 11 side of the elastic arm portion 6 abuts against the bottom portion 11, and a protruding restricting portion 16 provided at a position closer to the central axis x1 than the inner surface 6c of the elastic arm portion 6 on the bottom portion 11 abuts against the inner surface 6c of the elastic arm portion 6 to suppress deformation of the elastic arm portion 6 in a direction approaching the central axis x1 (see FIG. 16). As a result, while facilitating the release of the fastener 1 by the rotational operation, the resistance to removal can be set large, thereby stabilizing the fastened state of the fastener 1.

[0056] Also, in the illustrated example, the fastener 1 includes a through hole 17 for a string-like body W extending across the head portion 4 and the body portion 5. In the illustrated example, an inner flange 7c is formed at one end 7a of the inner cylindrical portion 7 constituting the head portion 4. The through hole 17 is formed across between the inner flange 7c and the other end 7b of the inner cylindrical portion 7 constituting the body portion 5. Thereby, in the illustrated example, after passing the string-like body W through the through hole 17 from the one end side and making a knot Wa at the terminal thereof, the knot Wa catches on the inner flange 7c inside the inner cylindrical portion 7, so that the fastener 1 can be reasonably provided at the end of the string-like body W (see FIG. 7). Then, by fastening the fastener 1 linked to the string-like body W in this way to the object to be fastened 2, the string-like body W can be linked to the object to be fastened 2 via the fastener 1 (see FIG. 20).

[0057] In the illustrated example, the fastener 1 is provided with a gripping portion 18 on the head 4. The gripping portion 18 is mainly composed of a plate piece 18a that protrudes from the side portion of the inner cylindrical portion 7 toward a direction perpendicular to the central axis x1 on one end 7a side of the inner cylindrical portion 7. The plate piece 18a is formed so that its plate surface is along the central axis x1. Further, the plate pieces 18a are respectively formed on both sides in the diameter direction of the inner cylindrical portion 7. Also, the protruding end 18b of the plate piece 18a is located outside the side portion of the outer cylindrical portion 8, and the plate piece 18a and the outer cylindrical portion 8 are integrated within the formation range of the plate piece 18a. Accordingly, in the illustrated example, the fastener 1 can be attached to the object to be fastened 2 using the gripping portion 18, and also, a torque in the direction of loosening this attachment (a torque in the direction r2 with the base portion 6b of the elastic arm portion 6 centered on the central axis x1 as the rotation destination side) can be applied to the fastener 1. Also, from the state where the fastener 1 is attached to the object to be fastened 2, using the gripping portion 18, a torque in the direction opposite to the torque in the direction of loosening this attachment (a torque in the direction r1 with the free end 6a of the elastic arm portion 6 centered on the central axis x1 as the rotation destination side) can be applied to the fastener 1, and at this time, the object to be fastened 2 can be made to rotate together. In the illustrated example, by this co-rotation, the screwing of the male screw 22d of the shaft body 22 is loosened, and for example, it becomes possible to remove the object to be fastened 2 provided with the fastener 1, that is, the automotive interior accessory, from the side wall side inside the automobile.

[0058] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes all embodiments capable of achieving the object of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0059] 1 Fastener 2 Object to be fastened 5 Body portion 6 Elastic arm portion 6a Free end 6b Base portion 15 Engaging protrusion 19 Receiving portion 20 engaging holes x1 central axis

Claims

1. A fastener having a head and a body, allowing the introduction of the body into a receiving portion formed on an object to be fastened by elastic deformation of an elastic arm portion, which is part of the body, toward the center of the body, and fastening the object to be fastened by causing a part of the elastic arm portion to enter an engagement hole formed in a side wall of the receiving portion by elastic return of the elastic arm portion at the completion position of the introduction, wherein the elastic arm portion is formed along a direction surrounding the central axis of the body, and an engagement protrusion engaged with the engagement hole is formed between a base portion and a free end of the elastic arm portion.

2. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein two or more of the elastic arm portions are formed on the body at intervals in a direction surrounding the central axis, and a base portion of the other elastic arm portion adjacent to a free end of one of the adjacent elastic arm portions in the surrounding direction is adjacent to the other elastic arm portion.

3. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the body is provided with a restricting portion that abuts against the elastic arm portion and prevents elastic deformation of the elastic arm portion when a force in a direction of removing the body from the receiving portion acts.

4. The fastener according to claim 3, wherein the body has a bottom portion for positioning the elastic arm portion between the head and the bottom portion, and the restricting portion is provided on the bottom portion.

5. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the engagement protrusion is provided with a side inclined surface that gradually reduces the height of the engagement protrusion as it approaches the base portion side of the elastic arm portion.

6. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the engagement protrusion is provided with a lower inclined surface that gradually reduces the height of the engagement protrusion as it moves away from the head.

7. The fastener according to claim 1, further comprising a through hole for a string-shaped body extending across the head and the body.

8. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the head is provided with a gripping portion.

9. The fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and an object to be fastened having the receiving portion of the body of the fastener, and a fastening structure configured such that an inner diameter of the receiving portion gradually decreases as it approaches the depth of the receiving portion.

10. The fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and an object to be fastened having the receiving portion of the body of the fastener, and An automotive interior accessory, wherein the object to be fastened is a cylindrical body having the engagement hole in a cylindrical side portion between an open cylindrical one end and a cylindrical other end which serve as an entrance of the receiving portion.

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