Plate for wiring device and wiring device

Abstract

To provide a wiring accessory plate in which a recess that is related to mounting on a holding frame is not formed in a surface of a metal decorative plate 30.SOLUTION: A lock claw 33 that is formed by bending a metal plate material having a spring property is spot-welded to a rear surface of a decorative plate 30, and the lock claw 33 is locked to a lock part disposed on a surface of a holding frame. Furthermore, a reinforcement member 40 for preventing distortion of the lock claw 33 is disposed on the rear surface of the decorative plate 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plate for wiring devices for covering the surface of a mounting member for wiring devices installed on an indoor wall surface or the like to form an attractive appearance.

Background Art

[0002] Various wiring devices such as electrical outlets, switches, and modular jacks are mounted on a wiring device mounting member and fixed to an indoor wall surface or the like. Thereafter, a decorative plate (also referred to as a flush plate) is mounted so as to cover the surface of the wiring device mounting member, thereby forming an attractive appearance.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a plate for wiring devices composed of a metal fixing frame (10) and a metal decorative plate (20).

[0004] The metal decorative plate has the characteristics that it can improve the fire resistance of the part where the wiring device is mounted on the indoor wall surface and can create a high-class appearance.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the plate for wiring devices of Patent Document 1, in order to attach the metal decorative plate (20) to the fixing frame (10), plate-side locking protrusions (25, 26) are formed on the peripheral wall of the decorative plate (20) by stamping. Since a recess is formed on the peripheral wall surface at the location where the plate-side locking projections (25, 26) are embossed in this way (see paragraph "0022" of the specification of the same reference 1), there is a risk of degrading the design performance (for example, a sense of luxury) of the decorative plate (20).

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a wiring device plate on which a recess related to attachment to a holding frame is not formed on the surface of a metal decorative plate.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The wiring device plate of the present invention includes a resin-made holding frame attached to the surface of a wiring device attachment member, and a metal decorative plate attached to the holding frame. On the back surface of the decorative plate, locking claws formed by bending a springy metal plate material are spot-welded, and the holding frame is provided with a locking portion for locking the locking claws, which is characterized.

[0009] The wiring device plate of the present invention can also be provided with a reinforcing member for preventing distortion of the locking claws on the back surface of the decorative plate.

[0010] Here, the locking claw includes an elastic body portion rising from the back surface of the decorative plate and a claw portion formed by bending the tip portion of the elastic body portion. The reinforcing member can be configured to have a rigid body portion disposed opposite and close to the elastic body portion.

[0011] Furthermore, the locking claw has a supported piece extending to the back side from the claw portion, and the reinforcing member can be configured to have a notch recess formed at the tip of the rigid body portion, and the supported piece of the locking claw is disposed inside the notch recess.

[0012] Furthermore, the wiring device plate of the present invention includes a mounting spring member made of a springy thin metal plate. The mounting spring member may be configured such that the locking claw and the pressing piece for pressing the holding frame are formed by bending, and the mounting spring member is spot-welded to the back surface of the decorative plate.

[0013] Further, the plate for wiring device of the present invention includes a mounting spring member made of a thin metal plate having spring properties. The mounting spring member is formed by bending the locking claw and the upper and lower support pieces, and the mounting spring member is spot-welded to the back surface of the decorative plate. The holding frame may be configured to be provided with upper and lower support engaging portions for engaging the upper and lower support pieces.

[0014] Furthermore, the plate for wiring device of the present invention has a second locking claw formed by bending a springy metal plate material spot-welded to the back surface of the decorative plate. The holding frame is provided with a second locking portion for locking the second locking claw. The locking claw supports the decorative plate in the lateral direction. The second locking claw may be configured to support the decorative plate in the vertical direction.

[0015] Next, the wiring device of the present invention is characterized by including a wiring device, a wiring device mounting member for supporting the wiring device, and the plate for wiring device having the above-described configuration that covers the surface of the wiring device mounting member.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the plate for wiring device and the wiring device of the present invention, a locking claw formed by bending a springy metal plate material is spot-welded to the back surface of the decorative plate, and this locking claw is configured to be locked to a locking portion provided on the surface of the holding frame. Therefore, it is not necessary to form a dent related to the attachment to the holding frame on the surface of the metal decorative plate.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a wiring device composed of a combination of a plate for a wiring fixture and a wiring fixture mounting member according to this embodiment. The wiring device is composed of a combination of each member of a wiring fixture mounting member 10, a holding frame 20, and a decorative plate 30. Further, a plate for wiring fixtures is configured by the combination of the holding frame 20 and the decorative plate 30.

[0019] The wiring fixture mounting member 10 is installed on an indoor wall surface or the like and is configured to be able to assemble and fix various wiring fixtures 11 such as a socket, a switch, and a modular jack (a socket in the figure). General specifications of the wiring fixture mounting member 10 are defined in Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), and since a large number of prior arts of the wiring fixture mounting member 10 are also disclosed, detailed description thereof is omitted here. In the wiring device of the present embodiment, wiring fixture mounting members 10 of various specifications can be applied.

[0020] The holding frame 20 is made of a synthetic resin material and is mounted on the surface of the member so as to cover the peripheral portion of the wiring fixture mounting member 10. In FIG. 1, the holding frame 20 is configured to be mounted on the wiring fixture mounting member 10 by a fastener 25 such as a screw, but is not limited to such a mounting structure.

[0021] The holding frame 20 includes a pair of horizontal frames 21 and a pair of vertical frames 22, and locking portions 23 are formed at four corners. Further, an engaging portion 24 for vertical support is formed at the center of the vertical frame 22. In the present embodiment, the locking portion 23 is formed by a locking hole penetrating from the front surface to the back surface of the holding frame 20. Further, the engaging portion 24 for vertical support is formed by an engaging hole penetrating from the front surface to the back surface of the holding frame 20.

[0022] The decorative plate 30 is mounted on the holding frame 20 and covers the surface of the wiring fixture mounting member 10. An opening is formed at the center of the front surface of the decorative plate 30, and a boss portion (functional portion) of the wiring fixture 11 is exposed from this opening. A metal material is used for the decorative plate 30, and it can be manufactured by various metal processing techniques. For example, the decorative plate 30 can be manufactured by pressing a metal plate, and the decorative plate 30 can also be manufactured by die casting. The metal decorative plate 30 has a thick and luxurious appearance, and is characterized by excellent fire resistance.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, two mounting spring members 31 are respectively attached along the left and right edges on the back surface of the decorative plate 30. Each mounting spring member 31 has a symmetric shape on the left and right, and is made by pressing a thin metal plate with spring properties. Locking claws 33 are formed at two locations near both ends of each mounting spring member 31, and a pair of upper and lower support pieces 37 are formed opposite to each other at the central portion. Further, pressing pieces 38 are formed at intermediate portions (two locations) between the locking claws 33 and the upper and lower support pieces 37.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, the locking claw 33 includes respective components of an elastic body portion 34, a claw portion 35, and a supported piece 36. The elastic body portion 34 is formed by bending and rising from the flat substrate 32 of the mounting spring member 31. This elastic body portion 34 can elastically bend in the lateral direction. The claw portion 35 is formed by bending the tip portion of the elastic body portion 34. Further, the leading edge of the locking claw 33 is extended to the back side from the claw portion 35, and the supported piece 36 is formed by the extended portion.

[0025] Also, a pair of upper and lower support pieces 37 are arranged opposite to each other vertically, and are respectively formed by bending and rising from the flat substrate 32 of the mounting spring member 31. Each upper and lower support piece 37 has a bent portion 37a formed at the upper intermediate portion. The leading edge sides of the opposing upper and lower support pieces 37 extend obliquely and gradually narrow the interval from the bent portion 37a. Each upper and lower support piece 37 can elastically bend in the vertical direction.

[0026] The pressing piece 38 is formed by bending and raising obliquely from the flat substrate 32 of the mounting spring member 31, and can elastically bend in the front-rear direction (direction perpendicular to the substrate 32).

[0027] Each spring member 31 for attachment, configured as described above, is fixed by spot welding to the back surface of the decorative plate 30 as shown in FIGS. 2(a), 2(b), and 3(b). Since the decorative plate 30 is made of a metal material and the spring member 31 for attachment is also made of a thin metal plate, they can be joined to each other by spot welding. Although there are no restrictions on the metal materials used to manufacture the decorative plate 30 and the spring member 31 for attachment, it goes without saying that at least materials suitable for spot welding should be selected. For example, stainless steel is suitable for the decorative plate 30 and the spring member 31 for attachment because it can be firmly joined by spot welding.

[0028] The location for spot welding can be set arbitrarily, but it is preferable to perform spot welding and fix it to the back surface of the decorative plate 30, at least near the roots (base portions 32) of the locking claws 33, the upper and lower support pieces 37, and the pressing piece 38. Thereby, even if an external force acts on the locking claws 33, the upper and lower support pieces 37, and the pressing piece 38, the welded portion can receive the external force and prevent the spring member 31 for attachment from peeling off from the decorative plate 30.

[0029] Also, as shown in FIGS. 2(b) and 3(b), etc., a reinforcing member 40 for preventing distortion of the locking claws 33 is provided on the back surface of the decorative plate 30. The reinforcing member 40 is also made of a metal material suitable for spot welding and is provided by spot welding to the substrate 32 of the spring member 31 for attachment adjacent to the locking claws 33.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the reinforcing member. As shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c), the reinforcing member 40 includes components such as a base portion 41, a rigid barrel portion 42, and a notch recess 43. The base portion 41 is formed in a flat plate shape, and this base portion 41 is spot welded to the substrate 32 of the mounting spring member 31. Thereby, the reinforcing member 40 is fixed to the back surface of the decorative plate 30 via the mounting spring member 31. The rigid barrel portion 42 is formed by bending and rising from the base portion 41. In a state where the reinforcing member 40 is fixed to the back surface of the decorative plate 30, this rigid barrel portion 42 rises from the back surface of the decorative plate 30. The notch recess 43 is formed at the tip of the rigid barrel portion 42.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 5(d) and 5(e), the reinforcing member 40 is provided adjacent to the back side of the locking claw 33, and the rigid barrel portion 42 of the reinforcing member 40 is disposed close to and facing the elastic barrel portion 34 of the locking claw 33. Then, a supported piece 36 formed at the tip of the locking claw 33 is disposed inside the notch recess 43.

[0032] Here, when the locking claw 33 moves relative to the locking portion 23 of the holding frame 20 in a direction different from the direction in which the locking claw 33 elastically deflects (for example, the width direction), there is a risk that the locking claw 33 may interfere with surrounding obstacles (specifically, the inner wall of the locking hole constituting the locking portion 23) and become distorted. However, since the decorative plate 30 of the present embodiment is provided with the reinforcing member 40, the rigid barrel portion 42 of the reinforcing member 40 contacts the surrounding obstacles before the locking claw 33, and distortion of the locking portion 23 is prevented.

[0033] Further, when an external force acts on the locking claw 33 in a direction different from the direction in which the locking claw 33 elastically deflects (for example, the width direction), the supported piece 36 of the locking claw 33 is supported by the inner wall of the notch recess 43 to prevent distortion. When the locking claw 33 elastically deflects, the supported piece 36 of the locking claw 33 can move freely through the openings in the front and back of the notch recess 43, so the elastic deflection is not restricted.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a plan sectional view showing an enlarged mounting state of the decorative plate on the holding frame. As shown in the figure, when the decorative plate 30 is attached to the surface of the holding frame 20, the locking claw 33 is inserted into the locking portion 23 formed by the locking holes from the front, and the claw portion 35 of the locking claw 33 is locked to the edge on the back side of the locking portion 23 (the back side opening edge of the locking hole). In this embodiment, since the locking claw 33 is configured to be locked to the locking portion 23 from the lateral direction, with such a locked state, the decorative plate 30 is supported in the lateral direction with respect to the holding frame 20, and displacement and rattling in the same direction are mainly prevented. Note that the direction in which the locking claw 33 and the locking portion 23 support the decorative plate 30 is not limited to the lateral direction.

[0035] Also, when the decorative plate 30 is attached to the surface of the holding frame 20, the upper and lower support pieces 37 shown in FIGS. 2(b) and 3(b) etc. are inserted from the front of the upper and lower support engaging portions 24 formed by the engaging holes, and the upper and lower support pieces 37 are elastically bent and abutted against the inner wall of the upper and lower support engaging portions 24. Thereby, the upper and lower support pieces 37 are supported, and displacement and rattling of the decorative plate 30 in the vertical direction with respect to the holding frame 20 are prevented.

[0036] Furthermore, when the decorative plate 30 is attached to the surface of the holding frame 20, the pressing pieces 38 shown in FIGS. 2(b) and 3(b) etc. press the front of the holding frame 20 to form an elastically bent state. Thereby, rattling of the decorative plate 30 in the front-rear direction with respect to the holding frame 20 is prevented.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, a removal hook hole 30a is formed on the lower surface of the decorative plate 30. To remove the decorative plate 30 from the holding frame 20, a tool such as a driver is inserted into the hook hole 30a, and it is pried forward using the principle of a lever. By this operation, the decorative plate 30 rotates with the back edge of the upper surface as a fulcrum, and the locked state of the locking claw 33 with respect to the locking portion 23 and the engaged state of the upper and lower support pieces 37 with respect to the upper and lower support engaging portions 24 are released, and the decorative plate 30 is removed from the holding frame 20.

[0038] At this time, the locking claw 33 also rotates together with the decorative plate 30. However, the rigid body portion 42 of the reinforcing member 40 contacts the surrounding obstacles (specifically, the inner wall of the locking hole constituting the locking portion 23) before the locking claw 33, protecting the elastic body portion 34 of the locking claw 33. Therefore, distortion of the locking portion 23 is prevented.

[0039] Figs. 7 to 9 are diagrams showing a wiring device according to another embodiment of the present invention. In addition, in the wiring device according to another embodiment shown in these figures, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in the wiring device according to the previously shown embodiment.

[0040] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, two wiring device mounting members 10 are provided side by side, and a set of wiring device plates (holding frame 20 and decorative plate 30) cover the surfaces of these wiring device mounting members 10. Also, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 8, three wiring device mounting members 10 are provided side by side, and a set of wiring device plates (holding frame 20 and decorative plate 30) cover the surfaces of these wiring device mounting members 10.

[0041] In a wiring device having such a configuration, since the decorative plate 30 becomes larger and heavier, there is a possibility that the decorative plate 30 cannot be fully supported only by the support structure of the upper and lower support pieces 37 provided at both left and right edges. Therefore, as shown in Figs. 9(a) and 9(b), second locking claws 51 are provided at both upper and lower edges on the back surface of the decorative plate 30, and second locking portions 52 are provided at corresponding positions on the holding frame 20. When the decorative plate 30 is attached to the holding frame 20, the second locking claws 51 are locked to the second locking portions 52. Here, one second locking claw 51 is provided at the upper and lower sides respectively on the decorative plate 30 shown in Fig. 9(a), and two second locking claws 51 are provided at the upper and lower sides respectively on the decorative plate 30 shown in Fig. 9(b).

[0042] The second locking claw 51 is formed by bending a springy metal plate material and is spot-welded to the back surface of the decorative plate 30. For this reason, it is preferable to use a metal material suitable for spot welding also for the second locking claw 51. The second locking portion 52 is formed by a locking hole that penetrates from the front surface to the back surface of the holding frame 20, and locks the second locking claw 51 inserted from the front surface at the edge on the back surface side (the edge of the opening on the back surface side of the locking hole).

[0043] With these second locking portion 52 and second locking claw 51, the decorative plate 30 is supported in the vertical direction with respect to the holding frame 20, and displacement and rattling in the vertical direction can be prevented.

[0044] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications and applications can be made as necessary.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0045] 10: Wiring device mounting member, 11: Wiring device, 20: Holding frame, 21: Horizontal frame, 22: Vertical frame, 23: Locking portion, 24: Engaging portion for vertical support, 25: Fastener, 30: Decorative plate, 30a: Hanging hole, 31: Spring member for mounting, 32: Substrate, 33: Locking claw, 34: Elastic body portion, 35: Claw portion, 36: Supported piece, 37: Vertical support piece, 37a: Bending portion, 38: Pressing piece, 40: Reinforcing member, 41: Base portion, 42: Rigid body portion, 43: Notch recess, 51: Second locking claw, 52: Second locking portion

Claims

1. A resin-made holding frame mounted on the surface of a wiring fixture mounting member, and a decorative plate made of metal mounted on the holding frame, wherein locking claws formed by bending a springy metal plate material are spot-welded to the back surface of the decorative plate, and the holding frame is provided with a locking portion for locking the locking claws, and the plate for wiring fixtures is characterized by this.

2. The plate for wiring fixtures according to claim 1, wherein a reinforcing member for preventing distortion of the locking claws is provided on the back surface of the decorative plate.

3. The locking claws include an elastic body portion rising from the back surface of the decorative plate and a claw portion formed by bending the tip portion of the elastic body portion, and the reinforcing member has a rigid body portion disposed opposite and adjacent to the elastic body portion, and the plate for wiring fixtures according to claim 2 is characterized by this.

4. The locking claws have a supported piece extending to the back side of the claw portion, and the reinforcing member has a notch recess formed at the tip of the rigid body portion, and the supported piece of the locking claws is disposed inside the notch recess, and the plate for wiring fixtures according to claim 3 is characterized by this.

5. A spring member for mounting made of a springy thin metal plate is provided, and a locking claw and a pressing piece for pressing the holding frame are formed by bending on the spring member for mounting, and the spring member for mounting is spot-welded to the back surface of the decorative plate, and the plate for wiring fixtures according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is characterized by this.

6. A spring member for mounting made of a springy thin metal plate is provided, and a locking claw and upper and lower support pieces are formed by bending on the spring member for mounting, and the spring member for mounting is spot-welded to the back surface of the decorative plate, and the holding frame is provided with upper and lower support engaging portions for engaging the upper and lower support pieces, and the plate for wiring fixtures according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is characterized by this.

7. Second locking claws formed by bending a springy metal plate material are spot-welded to the back surface of the decorative plate, and the holding frame is provided with second locking portions for locking the second locking claws, and the locking claws support the decorative plate in the lateral direction, and the second locking claws support the decorative plate in the vertical direction, and the plate for wiring fixtures according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is characterized by this.

8. A wiring fixture, and A wiring device mounting member that supports a wiring device, and a wiring device plate according to any one of claims 1 to 7 that covers the surface of the wiring device mounting member, wherein the wiring device is provided.

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