protective material

Abstract

To provide a protective material which is hard to break, the protective material protecting by being inserted with part of or the whole article between a first member and a second member.SOLUTION: A protective material 70 includes: a first member 10 having a first contact surface; a second member 20 having a second contact surface which is separated in the separation direction from the first contact surface; and a connection member 30 for connecting an edge part of the first member 10 and an edge part of the second member 20. The connection member 30 includes: a first connection part 31 extending in the separation direction and connected at a plurality of first connection portions with respect to the edge part of the first member 10; a second connection part 32 extending in the separation direction and connected at a plurality of second connection portions with respect to the edge part of the second member 20; and a third connection part 33 extending in the separation direction and connecting the first connection part 31 and the second connection part 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for a protective material for protecting an article. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a protective material that has a first member and a second member and protects an article by inserting part or all of the article between the first member and the second member. The first member and the second member are connected by a connecting member with their contact surfaces spaced apart. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 1-110154 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The protective material may be damaged if a large load is applied to the first member or the second member when transporting an article, etc. For example, if a large load is applied to the connecting portion between the first member and the connecting member, or the connecting portion between the second member and the connecting member, the first member, the second member, and the connecting member may be damaged.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a protective material that is resistant to damage and that protects an item by inserting part or all of the item between a first member and a second member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the invention of claim 1 is a protective material including a first member having a first contact surface, a second member having a second contact surface spaced apart from the first contact surface in a separation direction, and a connecting member connecting an edge of the first member to an edge of the second member. The connecting member has a first connecting portion extending in the separation direction and connected to the edge of the first member at a plurality of first connecting portions, a second connecting portion extending in the separation direction and connected to the edge of the second member at a plurality of second connecting portions, and a third connecting portion extending in the separation direction and connecting the first connecting portion to the second connecting portion. The first connecting portion has, at end sides of the plurality of first connecting parts, a pair of first bent portions bent in an intersecting direction intersecting the separation direction, and a first extending portion extending between the pair of first bent portions, while the second connecting portion has, at end sides of the plurality of second connecting parts, a pair of second bent portions bent in the intersecting direction, and a second extending portion extending between the pair of second bent portions, and the third connecting portion connects the first extending portion of the first connecting portion to the second extending portion of the second connecting portion. If the distance in the separation direction from the first bent portion to the second bent portion is defined as the separation distance, the separation distance on one side of the connecting member in the intersecting direction is different from the separation distance on the other side of the intersecting direction, using the connecting portion of the first extending portion with the third connecting portion as a reference.

[0007] In the protective material having the above configuration, the distance between the first and second contact surfaces in the separation direction can be decreased or increased to insert part or all of an article between the first and second members to protect the article. The connecting member connecting the first and second members has a first connecting portion extending in the separation direction in which the first and second contact surfaces are separated and connected to the edge of the first member at multiple connecting portions, a second connecting portion extending in the separation direction and connected to the edge of the second member at multiple connecting portions, and a third connecting portion extending in the separation direction and connecting the first connecting portion to the second connecting portion. As a result, even when a load is applied to the first and second members from either direction, each of the first to third connecting portions deforms, thereby absorbing any misalignment between the first and second members due to the load. As a result, the protective material can be made less susceptible to breakage at each connecting portion. Furthermore, the side of the first and second members where the separation distance is greater can deform more than the side where the separation distance is smaller, which further increases the distance between the first and second contact surfaces in the separation direction, making it easier to insert an article between the first and second members.

[0008] The invention according to claim 2 is The protective material includes a first member having a first contact surface, a second member having a second contact surface spaced apart from the first contact surface in the separation direction, and a connecting member connecting an edge of the first member to an edge of the second member. The connecting member has a first connecting portion extending in the separation direction and connected to the edge of the first member at a plurality of first connecting portions, a second connecting portion extending in the separation direction and connected to the edge of the second member at a plurality of second connecting portions, and a third connecting portion extending in the separation direction and connecting the first connecting portion to the second connecting portion. The first connecting portion has, at the end side of the plurality of first connecting portions, a pair of first bent portions that bend in an intersecting direction that intersects with the separation direction, and a first extension portion that extends between the pair of first bent portions; the second connecting portion has, at the end side of the plurality of second connecting portions, a pair of second bent portions that bend in the intersecting direction, and a second extension portion that extends between the pair of second bent portions; and the third connecting portion connects the first extension portion of the first connecting portion and the second extension portion of the second connecting portion. The first contact surface and the second contact surface are surfaces extending in a first direction and a second direction that are directions intersecting the separation direction, respectively. The edge portion of the first member extends along the first direction and the second direction, respectively. The edge portion of the second member extends along the first direction and the second direction, respectively. If the portions of the first member and the second member where the edge portion extending along the first direction and the edge portion extending along the second direction are connected are defined as corners, the connecting member is comprised of a first connecting member that connects the edge portions of the first member and the second member that extend along the first direction. and a second connecting member that connects the edges of the first member and the second member that extend along the second direction, and if the distance in the separation direction from the first bent portion to the second bent portion is taken as the separation distance, the first connecting member has a larger separation distance on the corner side in the first direction, based on the connection portion of the first connecting portion with the third connecting portion, than the separation distance on the opposite side of the corner in the first direction, and the second connecting member has a larger separation distance on the corner side in the second direction, based on the connection portion of the first connecting portion with the third connecting portion, than the separation distance on the opposite side of the corner in the second direction.In the above configuration, by deforming the protective material so as to stretch the first and second bent portions in the separation direction, the distance between the first and second contact surfaces in the separation direction can be increased, making it easier to insert an article between the first and second contact surfaces. Furthermore, by deforming the protective material so as to reduce the distance between the first and second connecting members in the separation direction on the corner side, the distance between the first and second contact surfaces on the side opposite the corner can be increased, making it easier to insert part or all of the article between the first and second contact surfaces.

[0009] The invention according to claim 3 is 1 or 2, wherein the first extension portion is bent so that a connecting portion with the third connecting portion is located closer to the first member in the separation direction than the first bent portion, and the second extension portion is bent so that a connecting portion with the third connecting portion is located closer to the second member in the separation direction than the second bent portion, and the distance in the separation direction from the first bent portion of the first connecting portion to the second bent portion of the second connecting portion is shorter than the length of the third connecting portion. In the above configuration, when the protective material is deformed so as to stretch the first bent portion of the first connecting portion and the second bent portion of the second connecting portion in the separation direction, the first and second extension portions are stretched, thereby further increasing the distance in the separation direction between the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface, making it easier to insert an article between the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface.

[0012] Claim 4 The invention according to claim 2 the protective material described in , wherein the connecting members include a third connecting member that connects edge portions of the first and second members that extend along a first direction and is located on the opposite side of the corner from the first connecting member in the first direction, and a fourth connecting member that connects edge portions of the first and second members that extend along a second direction and is located on the opposite side of the corner from the second connecting member in the second direction, wherein the third connecting member has a distance from the first connecting member on the corner side in the first direction based on a connecting portion between the third connecting member and the first connecting member as a reference as a distance from the fourth connecting member on the corner side in the second direction based on a connecting portion between the first connecting member and the third connecting member as a reference as a distance from the fourth connecting member on the corner side in the second direction based on a connecting portion between the first connecting member and the third connecting member as a reference as a distance from the fourth connecting member on the corner side in the second direction based on a distance from the first connecting member to the third connecting member as a reference as a distance from the first connecting member to the third connecting member as a reference as a distance from the

[0013] Claim 5 The invention according to the present invention is as follows: 4 The protective material according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the edge of the first member has a first side surface facing the second member in the separation direction, and the first side surface has a connection portion with the first connecting portion; the edge of the second member has a second side surface facing the first member in the separation direction, and the second side surface has a connection portion with the second connecting portion; the first connecting portion has a first opposing portion facing the first side surface in the separation direction; and the second connecting portion has a second opposing portion facing the second side surface in the separation direction. With this configuration, when the protective material is significantly deformed, the first opposing portion of the first connecting portion abuts against the first side surface, and the second opposing portion of the second connecting portion abuts against the second side surface, thereby restricting excessive deformation of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. This makes the protective material even less susceptible to breakage at each connecting portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a protective material that is resistant to breakage and that protects an article by inserting a part or all of the article between a first member and a second member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an example of use of a protective material. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a view of the protective material shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from an arrow A. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a view of the protective material shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from an arrow B. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating another example of use of the protective material. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the protective material. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the protective material. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the protective material. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the protective material. [Figure 10]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the protective material.

[0016] (First embodiment) The protective material according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 1, the protective material 70 is used to protect an article, that is, a workpiece 90. The workpiece 90 can be held by inserting four protective materials 70 into the four corners of the workpiece 90 from the insertion recess 71 side. Examples of the workpiece 90 include thin cubic fittings such as doors and window glass, and automobile parts.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the protective material 70 includes a first member 10, a second member 20, and a connecting member 30. The first member 10 and the second member 20 are connected by the connecting member 30 with a first contact surface 40 and a second contact surface 50 (described later) spaced apart from each other. The first member 10 and the second member 20 are mirror-symmetrical members. However, the first member 10 and the second member 20 do not have to be mirror-symmetrical. The protective material 70 is formed by integrally forming the first member 10, the second member 20, and the connecting member 30 from a resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene. Alternatively, the protective material 70 may be formed by integrally forming the respective parts 10, 20, and 30 by foam molding a foamed resin.

[0018] Hereinafter, the direction in which the first member 10 and the second member 20 move away from each other with their contact surfaces 40, 50 facing each other will be referred to as the separation direction D3. The separation direction D3 is also the direction in which the first contact surface 40 and the second contact surface 50 face. When distinguishing between the connecting members 30 that connect the first member 10 and the second member 20, the alphabet "A, B, C, D" will be added to the end of the reference numeral.

[0019] The first member 10 has a holding plate 11, a first side portion 12, and a second side portion 13. The holding plate 11 is a plate-shaped portion having a first contact surface 40. The first contact surface 40 is The first abutment surface 40 is a surface extending in a first direction D1, which is the direction in which a first side 41 of the holding plate 11 extends, and in a second direction D2, which is the direction in which a second side 42 of the holding plate 11 extends. The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are also directions perpendicular to the separation direction D3. In this embodiment, the first side 41 and the second side 42 are connected at one end and connected at the other end via an outer peripheral edge portion 43, thereby forming a trapezoidal first abutment surface 40.

[0020] The shape of the first contact surface 40 is not limited to a trapezoidal shape, and may be determined to match the shape of the workpiece to be protected. In this case, the first contact surface 40 may be triangular or a polygonal shape with four or more sides. The same applies to the second contact surface 50 of the second member 20, which will be described later.

[0021] A first side portion 12 extending along the first direction D1 is provided on the first edge 41 side of the retaining plate 11. The first side portion 12 is a cubic-shaped portion whose long sides extend along the first direction D1, and extends further in the separation direction D3 than the retaining plate 11 on the first contact surface 40 side. The first side portion 12 has a first connecting side surface 44 facing in the same direction as the first contact surface 40. In the present embodiment, the first side portion 12 is an example of an edge portion of the first member 10 extending in the first direction D1.

[0022] A second side portion 13 extending along the second direction D2 is provided on the second edge 42 side of the retaining plate 11. The second side portion 13 is a plate-shaped portion whose longitudinal side extends along the second direction D2, and extends further in the separation direction D3 than the retaining plate 11 on the first contact surface 40 side. The second side portion 13 has a second connecting side surface 45 facing in the same direction as the first contact surface 40. In the present embodiment, the second side portion 13 is an example of an edge portion of the first member 10 extending in the second direction D2.

[0023] The second member 20 has a retaining plate 21, a third side portion 22, and a fourth side portion 23. The retaining plate 21 is a plate-shaped portion having a second abutment surface 50. The second abutment surface 50 is a surface that extends in a first direction D1, which is the direction in which a third side 51 (shown by a dashed line in FIG. 2) of the retaining plate 21 extends, and in a second direction D2, which is the direction in which a fourth side 52 (shown by a dashed line in FIG. 2) of the retaining plate 21 extends. In this embodiment, the second abutment surface 50 has the same shape as the first abutment surface 40, and the third side 51 and the fourth side 52 are directly connected at one end and connected at the other end via an outer circumferential edge portion 53, thereby forming a trapezoidal shape.

[0024] A third side portion 22 extending along the first direction D1 is provided on the third edge 51 side of the retaining plate 21. The third side portion 22 is a cubic-shaped portion whose long sides extend along the first direction D1, and extends further in the separation direction D3 than the retaining plate 21 on the second contact surface 50 side. The third side portion 22 has a third connecting side surface 54 facing in the same direction as the second contact surface 50. In the present embodiment, the third side portion 22 is an example of an edge portion of the second member 20 extending in the first direction D1.

[0025] A fourth side portion 23 extending along the second direction D2 is provided on the fourth edge 52 side of the retaining plate 21. The fourth side portion 23 is a plate-shaped portion whose longitudinal side extends along the second direction D2, and extends further in the separation direction D3 than the retaining plate 21 on the second contact surface 50 side. The fourth side portion 23 has a fourth connecting side surface 55 facing in the same direction as the second contact surface 50. In the present embodiment, the fourth side portion 23 is an example of an edge portion of the second member 20 extending in the second direction D2.

[0026] In this embodiment, the first connecting side surface 44 and the second connecting side surface 45 are an example of a first side surface, and the third connecting side surface 54 and the fourth connecting side surface 55 are an example of a second side surface.

[0027] In the first member 10, the region where the first side portion 12 and the second side portion 13 are connected is also referred to as a corner portion 46. In the second member 20, the region where the third side portion 22 and the fourth side portion 23 are connected is also referred to as a corner portion 56. In this embodiment, the first side portion 12 and the second side portion 13 are connected perpendicularly, and the third side portion 22 and the fourth side portion 23 are connected perpendicularly, so the corner portions 46, 56 are corners of the first and second members 10, 20. The corner portion 46 is not limited to a corner. For example, if another region is interposed between the first and second side portions 12, 13, so that a corner is not formed, the region interposed between the first and second side portions 12, 13 is the corner portion 46. The same applies to the corner portion 56.

[0028] The connecting member 30 is a member that connects the first member 10 and the second member 20. In this embodiment, four connecting members 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D connect the first member 10 and the second member 20 with their abutment surfaces 40, 50 spaced apart. Of the four connecting members 30, those that connect the first connecting side surface 44 of the first member 10 and the third connecting side surface 54 of the second member 20 will be referred to as the first connecting member 30A and the third connecting member 30C, and those that connect the second connecting side surface 45 of the first member 10 and the fourth connecting side surface 55 of the second member 20 will be referred to as the second connecting member 30B and the fourth connecting member 30D. In other words, the first and second connecting members 30A and 30B are connecting members 30 that connect the first and second members 10 and 20 on the side of the corner 46 in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, respectively. The third and fourth connecting members 30C and 30D are connecting members 30 that connect the first and second members 10 and 20 on the side opposite the corner 46 in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, respectively.

[0029] First, a description will be given of the configuration of the first connecting member 30A out of the four connecting members 30. As for the second to fourth connecting members 30B to 30D, the differences from the first connecting member 30A will be mainly described.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the first connecting member 30A has a first connecting portion 31 connected to the first member 10, a second connecting portion 32 connected to the second member 20, and a third connecting portion 33 connecting the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32.

[0031] The first connecting portion 31 extends in the separation direction D3 and is connected to the first connecting side surface 44 by two first connecting portions 311. The first connecting portion 31 has, on the end sides of the two first connecting portions 311, a pair of first bent portions 312 that bend in the first direction D1, and a first extending portion 313 that extends between the pair of first bent portions 312.

[0032] The first extending portion 313 is connected to one end of the third connecting portion 33 by a connecting portion 314. The first extending portion 313 is bent so that the connecting portion 314 with the third connecting portion 33 is located closer to the first connecting side surface 44 in the separation direction D3 than the pair of first bent portions 312. Of the connecting portion 314 with the third connecting portion 33, the surface facing the first connecting side surface 44 in the separation direction D3 is referred to as a first opposing portion 315. As a result, the first connecting portion 31 is bent in a substantially M-shape with the first opposing portion 315 facing the first connecting side surface 44 and the convex bending direction of the pair of first bent portions 312 facing the third connecting side surface 54.

[0033] The second connecting portion 32 extends in the separation direction D3 and is connected to the third connecting side surface 54 of the second member 20 at two second connecting portions 321. The second connecting portion 32 has, on the end sides of the two second connecting portions 321, a pair of second bent portions 322 that bend in the first direction D1, and a second extending portion 323 that extends between the pair of second bent portions 322.

[0034] The second extending portion 323 is connected to the other end of the third connecting portion 33 by a connecting portion 324. The second extending portion 323 is bent so that the connecting portion 324 with the third connecting portion 33 is located closer to the third connecting side surface 54 in the separation direction D3 than the pair of second bent portions 322. Of the connecting portion 324 with the third connecting portion 33, the surface facing the third connecting side surface 54 in the separation direction D3 is referred to as a second opposing portion 325. As a result, the second connecting portion 32 is bent in a substantially M-shape with the second opposing portion 325 facing the third connecting side surface 54 and the convex bending direction of the pair of second bent portions 322 facing the first connecting side surface 44.

[0035] The third connecting portion 33 extends in the separating direction D3 and connects the first extending portion 313 of the first connecting portion 31 and the second extending portion 323 of the second connecting portion 32. Specifically, the third connecting portion 33 extends linearly in the separating direction D3 and connects the approximate centers of the first and second extending portions 313, 323 in the first direction D1.

[0036] Hereinafter, the distance from the first bent portion 312 to the second bent portion 322 in the separation direction D3 will also be referred to as the separation distance L. The separation distance L is also the minimum distance from the first bent portion 312 to the second bent portion 322 in the separation direction D3. In this embodiment, the separation distance of the first connecting member 30A will be referred to as the "separation distance LA," and the separation distance of the second connecting member 30B will be referred to as the "separation distance LB." The separation distance of the third connecting member 30C will be referred to as the "separation distance LC," and the separation distance of the fourth connecting member 30D will be referred to as the "separation distance LD." In the first connecting member 30A, the separation distances LA1 and LA2 are shorter than the dimension H of the third connecting portion 33. In other words, the dimension H of the third connecting portion 33 is greater than each of the separation distances LA1 and LA2.

[0037] In the first and second connecting portions 31, 32 that form the first connecting member 30A, each bending portion 312, 322 is bent so that the separation distance LA1 on the corner 46 side in the first direction D1 is greater than the separation distance LA2 on the opposite side of the corner 46 in the first direction D1, based on the connection portion 314, 324 with the third connecting portion 33.

[0038] Next, the second connecting member 30B will be described, focusing on the differences in configuration from the first connecting member 30A. As shown in Fig. 4, the second connecting member 30B is a connecting member 30 that connects the second connecting side surface 45 of the first member 10 and the fourth connecting side surface 55 of the second member. Like the first connecting member 30A, the second connecting member 30B has a first connecting portion 31, a second connecting portion 32, and a third connecting portion 33.

[0039] In the first and second connecting portions 31, 32 that form the second connecting member 30B, each bending portion 312, 322 is bent so that the distance LB1 on the corner 46 side in the second direction D2 is greater than the distance LB2 on the opposite side of the corner 46 in the second direction D2, based on the connecting portion 314, 324 with the third connecting portion 33.

[0040] Next, the third connecting member 30C will be described, focusing on the differences in configuration from the first connecting member 30A. As shown in Fig. 3, the third connecting member 30C is a connecting member 30 that connects the first connecting side surface 44 of the first member 10 and the third connecting side surface 54 of the second member. The third connecting member 30C connects the first and second members 10, 20 on the opposite side of the corner portion 46 from the first connecting member 30A in the first direction D1.

[0041] In the first and second connecting portions 31, 32 that form the third connecting member 30C, the bent portions 312, 322 are bent relative to connecting portions 314, 324 with the third connecting portion 33 so that a separation distance LC1 on the corner 46 side in the first direction D1 is the same as a separation distance LC2 on the opposite side from the corner 46 in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the separation distances LC1, LC2 of the third connecting member 30C are smaller than the separation distance LA1 of the first connecting member 30A and are the same as the separation distance LA2. However, the separation distances LC1, LC2 of the third connecting member 30C may be smaller than the separation distance LA1 of the first connecting member 30A and larger than the separation distance LA2.

[0042] Next, the fourth connecting member 30D will be described, focusing on the differences in configuration from the first connecting member 30A. As shown in Fig. 4, the fourth connecting member 30D is a connecting member 30 that connects the second connecting side surface 45 of the first member 10 and the fourth connecting side surface 55 of the second member 20. The fourth connecting member 30D connects the first and second members 10 and 20 on the opposite side of the corner portion 46 from the second connecting member 30B in the second direction D2.

[0043] In the first and second connecting portions 31 and 32 that form the fourth connecting member 30D, the bent portions 312 and 322 are bent relative to connecting portions 314 and 324 with the third connecting portion 33 so that a separation distance LD1 on the side of the corner 46 in the second direction D2 is the same as a separation distance LD2 on the side opposite the corner 46 in the second direction D2. In this embodiment, the separation distances LD1 and LD2 of the fourth connecting member 30D are smaller than the separation distance LA1 of the first connecting member 30A and are the same as the separation distance LA2. However, the separation distances LD1 and LD2 of the fourth connecting member 30D may be smaller than the separation distance LA1 of the first connecting member 30A and larger than the separation distance LA2.

[0044] In the protective material 70 configured as described above, an insertion recess 71 into which a workpiece 90 can be inserted is formed between the first contact surface 40 of the first member 10 and the second contact surface 50 of the second member 20. When the protective material 70 is not in use, the distance between the first contact surface 40 and the second contact surface 50 in the separation direction D3, i.e., the inner dimension W1 (FIG. 1) of the insertion recess 71, is approximately the same in both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0045] Next, the function of the protective material 70 when fitting the protective material 70 to the four corners of the workpiece 90 shown in Fig. 1 will be described. In this example, the width dimension W2 of the workpiece 90 is larger than the inner width dimension W1 of the insertion recess 71 of the protective material 70.

[0046] The worker inserts the protective material 70 into the corner of the workpiece 90 from the insertion recess 71 side. At this time, the worker clamps the corners 46, 56 sides of the first and second members 10, 20 of the protective material 70 in the separation direction D3, thereby deforming the first to fourth connecting members 30A-30D and widening the inner width dimension W1 on the outer peripheral edge portions 43, 53 sides of the insertion recess 71. In the first and second connecting members 30A, 30B, the first to third connecting portions 31-33 are deformed so that the separation distances LA1, LB1 on the corners 46, 56 side are narrowed and the separation distances LA2, LB2 on the side opposite the corners 46, 56 are widened. Also, in the third and fourth connecting members 30C and 30D, the first to third connecting portions 31 to 33 are deformed so that the separation distances LC1 and LD1 on the corners 46 and 56 side become narrower and the separation distances LC2 and LD2 on the opposite side to the corners 46 and 56 become wider.

[0047] The worker inserts the insertion recess 71 into one of the four corners of the workpiece 90 while pushing out the outer peripheral edge portions 43, 53 of the insertion recess 71. At this time, as the protective material 70 is inserted into the workpiece 90, the first connecting portion 31, which is bent in a substantially M-shape, is stretched toward the second abutment surface 50 in the separation direction D3, and the second connecting portion 32, which is bent in a substantially M-shape, is stretched toward the first abutment surface 40 in the separation direction D3. This causes the inner width dimension W1 of the insertion recess 71 to expand to the width dimension W2 of the workpiece 90, making it possible to insert the insertion recess 71 into a corner of the workpiece 90. Thereafter, the worker releases the clamping of the protective material 70, thereby narrowing the inner width dimension W1 of the insertion recess 71, and the first and second abutment surfaces 40, 50 abut against the opposing surfaces of the workpiece 90.

[0048] The worker similarly inserts the remaining protective materials 70 into the corners of the workpiece 90. As a result, as shown in Fig. 1, the first side portions 12 of the protective materials 70 are fitted to the four corners of the workpiece 90 with the first side portions 12 projecting outward in the width direction relative to the workpiece 90. To remove the protective materials 70 from the four corners of the workpiece 90, the worker simply pulls out the protective materials 70 from the workpiece 90 while holding the first and second members 10, 20 in the separation direction D3.

[0049] When the protective material 70 is fitted to the workpiece 90 or when it is pulled out from the workpiece 90, a load is applied to the first and second members 10 and 20, which may cause the first and second members 10 and 20 to become misaligned. In such a case, a large load may be concentrated particularly on the connection portions 311 and 321 between the first and second members 10 and 20 and the connection members 30A to 30D. Note that even when the workpiece 90 is transported with the protective material 70 fitted to it, the first , a similar load may be applied to the second members 10 and 20. In response to this, the connecting member 30 that connects the first and second members 10 and 20 is made up of first to third connecting portions 31 to 33, and no matter which direction a load is applied to the first and second members 10 and 20 from, the first to third connecting portions 31 and 33 deform, respectively, thereby absorbing the positional deviation between the first and second members 10 and 20 and making the connecting portions 311 and 321 of the protective material 70 less likely to be damaged.

[0050] The present embodiment described above can achieve the following effects. The connecting member 30 connecting the first and second members 10, 20 can absorb misalignment between the first member 10 and the second member 20 due to the load, by deforming the first to third connecting portions 31-33, respectively, regardless of the direction from which a load is applied to the first and second members 10, 20. As a result, the protective material 70 can be made less susceptible to damage at the connecting portions 311, 321.

[0051] The first and second connecting portions 31, 32 have a pair of bent portions 312, 322. As a result, when a workpiece 90 having a width dimension W2 larger than the inner width dimension W1 is inserted into the insertion recess 71 of the protective material 70, the pair of bent portions 312, 322 are stretched in the separation direction D3, thereby widening the inner width dimension W1 of the insertion recess 71 in the separation direction D3. This makes it easier to insert the workpiece 90 into the insertion recess 71.

[0052] When the insertion recess 71 of the protective material 70 is inserted into a portion of the workpiece 90 and the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32 are deformed so as to be stretched in the separating direction D3, the first and second extending portions 313 and 323 can increase the amount by which the first and second connecting portions 31 and 32 are stretched. This can further increase the inner width dimension W1 of the insertion recess 71 in the separating direction D3, making it easier to insert the workpiece 90 into the insertion recess 71.

[0053] The protective material 70 can increase the amount of deformation on the side of the first and second members 10, 20 where the separation distance L is larger, and therefore can further increase the inner width dimension W1 of the insertion recess 71. This makes it easier to insert an article into the insertion recess 71.

[0054] By deforming the protective material 70 so as to narrow the separation distances LA1, LB1 on the corner 46 side relative to the first and second connecting members 30A, 30B, it is possible to widen the inner width W1 of the insertion recess 71 on the outer peripheral edge 43, 53 side. This makes it easier to insert the insertion recess 71 into the four corners of the workpiece 90.

[0055] Since the first and second members 10, 20 are connected by the first to fourth connecting members 30A to 30D, the amount of deformation of the protective material 70 is not significantly hindered, and the protective material 70 can be made less susceptible to damage.

[0056] When the protective material 70 is significantly deformed in the separation direction D3 between the contact surfaces 40, 50, the first opposing portion 315 of the first connecting portion 31 abuts against the first and second connecting side surfaces 44, 45, and the second opposing portion 325 of the second connecting portion 32 abuts against the third and fourth connecting side surfaces 54, 55, thereby restricting excessive deformation of the first and second connecting portions 31, 32. This makes it possible to make the protective material 70 even less susceptible to breakage.

[0057] (Modification of the first embodiment) FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a different example of use of the protective material 70. In FIG. 5, the workpiece 91 shown by the broken line is smaller in size than the workpiece 90 shown in the above-described embodiment. In this embodiment, the workpiece 91 can be protected by inserting almost the entire workpiece 91 into the insertion recess 71 of the protective material 70. Furthermore, the protective material 70 with the workpiece 91 inserted can be housed in an outer container 80, and the workpiece 91 can be stored or transported. The outer container 80 is a rectangular parallelepiped with an open top. The connecting member 30 is a member of a shape having a storage recess 81 that matches the shape of the protective material 70. When using the protective material 70, the workpiece 91 is inserted into the insertion recess 71 of the protective material 70, and then the protective material 70 together with the workpiece 91 is stored in the storage recess 81 of the outer container 80. Alternatively, the protective material 70 is stored in the storage recess 81 of the outer container 80, and then the workpiece 91 is inserted into the insertion recess 71. As a result, the connecting member 30 deforms, thereby absorbing and dispersing variations in the dimensional accuracy and deformation of the outer container 80 or the workpiece 91, thereby stabilizing the storage state of the protective material 70 in the outer container 80. Furthermore, for example, by stacking another outer container 80 on top of the outer container 80, multiple workpieces 91 can be stored or transported in an aligned state.

[0058] (Second embodiment) In the second embodiment, the configuration different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0059] The first and second connecting portions 31, 32 of the connecting member 30 are not limited to the shapes shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. In a first connecting member 30A shown in FIG. 6, the first and second connecting portions 31, 32 have a different shape on the corner 46 side from that shown in the first embodiment. Specifically, the first and second connecting portions 31, 32 on the corner 46 side are bent. In other words, the bent portion may have a bent shape. Note that a second connecting member 30B may also have a shape similar to that of the first connecting member 30A shown in FIG. 6.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 7, in the first and third connecting members 30A and 30C, the first and second extending portions 313 and 323 may be curved rather than extending linearly between the pair of bent portions 312 and 322. Furthermore, in the first connecting member 30A, the bent shape of the pair of bent portions 312 and 322 on the corner 46 side in the first direction D1 may be gentler than that of the above-described embodiment (shape having an acute angle). Specifically, the bent portions 312 and 322 may have an obtuse angle. That is, the angle of the bent portion of the connecting member 30 may be any of an acute angle, an obtuse angle, and a right angle. The second connecting member 30B may also have a shape similar to that of the first connecting member 30A shown in FIG. 7. The fourth connecting member 30D may also have a shape similar to that of the third connecting member 30C shown in FIG. 7.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 8, in the first and third connecting members 30A and 30C, the bend amount of the pair of bent portions 312 and 322 may be sharper than in the above-described embodiment. Specifically, the pair of first bent portions 312 bend more sharply toward the first connecting portion 311, and the pair of second bent portions 322 bend more sharply toward the second connecting portion 321. The second connecting member 30B may also have a shape similar to the first connecting member 30A shown in Fig. 8. The fourth connecting member 30D may also have a shape similar to the third connecting member 30C shown in Fig. 8.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 9, the first and third connecting members 30A and 30C may have a first opposing portion 315 and a second opposing portion 325 that are concavely curved. The second connecting member 30B may also have a shape similar to that of the first connecting member 30A shown in Fig. 9. The fourth connecting member 30D may also have a shape similar to that of the third connecting member 30C shown in Fig. 9.

[0063] In the first embodiment, each of the connecting side surfaces 44, 45, 54, and 55 forms a flat surface. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10 , the first connecting side surface 44 and the third connecting side surface 54 may be partially recessed, so that they do not form a flat surface. Specifically, a first indentation 47 is formed on the first connecting side surface 44 between the two connecting portions of the first connecting member 30A (the portion facing the first opposing portion 315). A second indentation 57 is formed on the third connecting side surface 54 between the two connecting portions 321. As a result, when the protective material 70 is deformed to change the separation distance L between the first member 10 and the second member 20, the first opposing portion 315 is less likely to come into contact with the first connecting side surface 44 due to the first indentation 47, and the second opposing portion 325 is less likely to come into contact with the second indentation 57. This makes it less likely for the first connecting member 30A to come into contact with the third connecting side surface 54. As a result, the amount of deformation of the first connecting member 30A can be increased, making it easier to widen the inner width dimension W1 of the insertion recess 71. Furthermore, in the use example of the protective material 70 shown in FIG. 5, the protective material 70 can be more easily housed in the outer container 80.

[0064] (Other embodiments) The technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified into various forms without departing from the spirit thereof, for example, the following modifications are also possible. In the above-described embodiment, the first side portion 12 of the first member 10 and the third side portion 22 of the second member 20 have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Alternatively, the first side portion 12 of the first member 10 and the third side portion 22 of the second member 20 may have a thin plate shape, similar to the second and fourth side portions 13 and 23. Furthermore, the second and fourth side portions 13 and 23 may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, similar to the first and third side portions 12 and 22, or each of the side portions 12, 13, 22, and 23 may have another shape.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, the first and second connecting portions 31, 32 of the connecting member 30 are connected to the first and second members 10, 20 at two connecting portions. Alternatively, the first and second connecting portions 31, 32 of the connecting member 30 may be connected to the first and second members 10, 20 at three or more connecting portions.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment, the first member 10 and the second member 20 are connected by four connecting members 30A to 30D. Alternatively, the first member 10 and the second member 20 may be connected by one to three or five or more connecting members 30. Furthermore, the first member 10 and the second member 20 may be connected by an appropriate combination of the first to fourth connecting members 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 10...first member, 20...second member, 30A to 30D...connecting member, 31...first connecting portion, 32...second connecting portion, 33...third connecting portion, 40, 50...contact surface, 46, 56...corner portion, 70...protective material, 71...insertion recess, 90, 91...work, 311, 321...connecting portion, 312, 322...bent portion, 313, 323...extension portion

Claims

1. a first member having a first abutment surface; a second member having a second contact surface spaced apart from the first contact surface in a separation direction; a connecting member that connects an edge portion of the first member and an edge portion of the second member, The connecting member is a first connecting portion extending in the separation direction and connected to the edge portion of the first member at a plurality of first connecting portions; a second connecting portion extending in the separation direction and connected to the edge portion of the second member at a plurality of second connecting portions; a third connecting portion extending in the separation direction and connecting the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion; and the first connecting portion has, at end sides of the plurality of first connecting parts, a pair of first bent portions bent in an intersecting direction intersecting the separation direction, and a first extending portion extending between the pair of first bent portions, The second connecting portion has a pair of second bent portions bent in the intersecting direction at end sides of the plurality of second connecting parts, and a second extending portion extending between the pair of second bent portions, the third connecting portion connects the first extending portion of the first connecting portion and the second extending portion of the second connecting portion, When the distance from the first bent portion to the second bent portion in the separation direction is defined as a separation distance, A protective material in which the connecting member has a distance on one side in the intersecting direction that is different from the distance on the other side in the intersecting direction, based on the connection point with the third connecting portion in the first extension portion.

2. a first member having a first abutment surface; a second member having a second contact surface spaced apart from the first contact surface in a separation direction; a connecting member that connects an edge portion of the first member and an edge portion of the second member, The connecting member is a first connecting portion extending in the separation direction and connected to the edge portion of the first member at a plurality of first connecting portions; a second connecting portion extending in the separation direction and connected to the edge portion of the second member at a plurality of second connecting portions; a third connecting portion extending in the separation direction and connecting the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion; and the first connecting portion has, at end sides of the plurality of first connecting parts, a pair of first bent portions bent in an intersecting direction intersecting the separation direction, and a first extending portion extending between the pair of first bent portions, The second connecting portion has a pair of second bent portions bent in the intersecting direction at end sides of the plurality of second connecting parts, and a second extending portion extending between the pair of second bent portions, the third connecting portion connects the first extending portion of the first connecting portion and the second extending portion of the second connecting portion, the first contact surface and the second contact surface are surfaces extending in a first direction and a second direction, respectively, which are directions intersecting the separation direction, the edge portion of the first member extends along the first direction and the second direction, the edge portion of the second member extends along the first direction and the second direction, When a portion of the first member and the second member where the edge portion extending along the first direction and the edge portion extending along the second direction are connected is defined as a corner, The connecting member is a first connecting member that connects the edge portions of the first member and the second member that extend along the first direction; a second connecting member that connects the edge portions of the first member and the second member that extend along the second direction, When the distance from the first bent portion to the second bent portion in the separation direction is defined as a separation distance, the first connecting member has a distance on the corner side in the first direction, the distance being greater than the distance on the opposite side of the corner in the first direction, based on a connection portion of the first connecting portion with the third connecting portion; The second connecting member is a protective material in which the distance on the corner side in the second direction, based on the connection point between the first connecting portion and the third connecting portion, is greater than the distance on the opposite side of the corner in the second direction.

3. the first extending portion is bent so that a connecting portion with the third connecting portion is located closer to the first member in the separation direction than the first bent portion, the second extending portion is bent so that a connecting portion with the third connecting portion is located closer to the second member in the separation direction than the second bent portion, The protective material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a distance in the separation direction from the first bent portion of the first connecting portion to the second bent portion of the second connecting portion is shorter than a length of the third connecting portion.

4. The connecting member is a third connecting member that connects edge portions of the first member and the second member that extend along the first direction and is located on a side opposite the corner portion relative to the first connecting member in the first direction; a fourth connecting member that connects edge portions of the first member and the second member that extend along the second direction and is located on a side opposite the corner portion relative to the second connecting member in the second direction, the third connecting member has a distance on the corner side in the first direction that is the same as the distance on the opposite side from the corner in the first direction, based on a connecting portion of the first connecting portion with the third connecting portion; The protective material described in claim 2, wherein the distance between the fourth connecting member and the corner portion in the second direction is the same as the distance between the fourth connecting member and the corner portion in the second direction, based on the connection point between the first connecting portion and the third connecting portion.

5. the edge portion of the first member has a first side surface facing the second member in the separation direction, and a connecting portion with the first connecting portion is provided on the first side surface; the edge portion of the second member has a second side surface facing the first member in the separation direction, and a connecting portion with the second connecting portion is provided on the second side surface; the first connecting portion has a first opposing portion opposing the first side surface in the separation direction, The protective material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second connecting portion has a second opposing portion that opposes the second side surface in the separation direction.

Images