Connector and method for manufacturing a connector

Abstract

A connector (1) comprises: a base part (2) that has a hole (21) that passes therethrough in the thickness direction; a hook part that includes a shaft part (31) that is connected to the base part (2) and a turned-back part (32) that turns back from the shaft part (31), the hook part and the base part (2) forming a hook space (S) that passes in the thickness direction; and a spring part (4) that is connected to the shaft part (31). The base part (2), the hook part (3), and the spring part (4) are integrally formed from a resin material. The spring part (4) has: an arc-shaped curved part (41) that overlaps the base part (2) in the thickness direction and is arranged around the edge of the hole (21); an extending part (42) that extends so as to connect one end of the curved part (41) and the shaft part (31); and a cap part (43) that is connected to the other end of the curved part (41). The cap part (43) can move between a closed position in which an opening (SA) of the hook space (S) that opens between a tip end part (323) of the turned-back part (32) and the base part (2) is closed and an open position in which the opening (SA) is open.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector for connecting a plurality of articles and a method for manufacturing the connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a connector for connecting a plurality of articles, there exists a connector including a base portion to which an article is attached, a hook portion to which another article is attached, and a spring portion that elastically opens and closes an opening of the hook portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The connector described in Patent Document 1 includes a case member including a base portion, and an annular member including a hook portion and a spring portion. A thin portion is formed in the spring portion of the annular member, and the opening of the hook portion opens and closes by elastic deformation of the thin portion. The case member secures the strength of the connector by accommodating the thin portion of the annular member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a conventional connector, in order to ensure the strength of the connector while enabling the opening of the hook portion to be elastically opened and closed, generally, a plurality of resin members are combined to form the connector as in Patent Document 1, or the connector is formed from a metal material. However, when a connector is configured by combining a plurality of resin members, the assembly work is laborious and costly. Also, when a connector is configured from a metal material, the material cost becomes high.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a connector and a method for manufacturing a connector that can ensure strength and can be integrally molded using a resin material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A connector according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a base portion having a hole formed through it in the thickness direction, a hook portion including a shaft portion connected to the base portion and a folded portion folded back from the shaft portion, defining a hook space between the base portion and the shaft portion, and a spring portion connected to the shaft portion, wherein the base portion, the hook portion and the spring portion are integrally formed from a resin material, and the spring portion has an arc-shaped curved portion that overlaps the base portion in the thickness direction and is arranged around the edge of the hole, an extended portion that extends to connect one end of the curved portion and the shaft portion, and a cover portion connected to the other end of the curved portion, wherein the cover portion is movable between a closed position that closes the opening of the hook space that opens between the tip of the folded portion and the base portion and an open position that opens the opening. In this configuration, the base, hook, and spring components of the connector can be integrally molded from a resin material. Here, the spring component can be made long enough to extend from the extended portion through the curved portion to the lid portion. As a result, the spring component can be elastically deformed, allowing the lid portion to move between the closed and open positions without forming a thin-walled portion as in the conventional design. Furthermore, since the curved portion of the spring component is positioned to overlap the base in the thickness direction, it is protected from the outside by the base. Therefore, according to one aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided that can ensure strength and can be integrally molded from a resin material.

[0008] In a connector according to one aspect of the present invention, the base portion comprises a main body portion facing the thickness direction with respect to the curved portion, and a projection portion projecting from the main body portion toward the curved portion in the thickness direction, wherein when the lid portion is in the closed position, a gap exists between the inner circumferential surface of the curved portion and the projection portion, and when the lid portion is in the open position, the projection portion preferably abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the curved portion. In this configuration, the protruding portion can support the curved portion without unnecessarily hindering the movement of the spring portion, thereby improving the strength of the connector.

[0009] In a connector according to one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the protruding portion has an arc-shaped outer surface that can abut against the inner circumferential surface of the curved portion. In this configuration, the protruding portion can support the curved portion over a wider area, thereby improving the strength of the connector.

[0010] In a connector according to one aspect of the present invention, the base portion preferably has a ring shape with a notch formed therein that connects the hole and the hook space. In this configuration, the item to be attached can reach the hole in the base through the hook space and notch. This makes it easy to attach the item to the base.

[0011] In a connector according to one aspect of the present invention, the base portion preferably has a base end portion to which the shaft portion is connected, and a tip portion that faces the hook space while facing the base end portion across the notch. In this configuration, when moving the object to be attached from the hook space to the notch, the object can be easily aligned with the notch by bringing it into contact with the tip of the base.

[0012] In a connector according to one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the extended portion is connected to the outer surface of the shaft portion facing the side opposite to the hook space side. In this configuration, the spring is positioned to wrap around the edge of the hole in the base from the outside of the shaft, allowing for a longer spring while avoiding interference between the spring and the shaft. This makes opening and closing the lid easier.

[0013] In a connector according to one aspect of the present invention, the lid portion includes an engaging portion that can engage with the tip portion of the folded portion, and it is preferable that the dimension of the engaging portion in the thickness direction is greater than the dimension of the curved portion in the thickness direction. With such a configuration, the engagement strength between the engaging portion and the tip of the folded-back portion can be improved.

[0014] A method for manufacturing a connector according to one aspect of the present invention is a manufacturing method for manufacturing the aforementioned connector, comprising a molding step of integrally molding, with a resin material, a molded article including the base portion, the hook portion, and the spring portion, and in which the curved portion is disposed at a position offset to the outer peripheral side with respect to the base portion when viewed in the thickness direction; and an assembly step, after the molding step, of elastically deforming the spring portion so that the curved portion overlaps the base portion in the thickness direction and engaging the lid portion with the tip of the folded-back portion. According to such a manufacturing method, the aforementioned connector can be suitably manufactured.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] Front view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Rear view showing the connector of the embodiment. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] Side view showing the connector of the embodiment. [Figure 5] Perspective view showing the connector of the embodiment. [Figure 6] Rear view showing the operation of the connector of the embodiment. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] Front view showing the state of the connector of the embodiment before assembly. [Figure 9] Front view showing an example of use of the connector of the embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. Figs. 1 to 9 are diagrams showing the connector 1 according to the present embodiment. This connector 1 is for connecting a plurality of articles, and includes a base 2 to which an article (for example, the first ring 91 in Fig. 9) can be attached, a hook portion 3 to which another article (for example, the second ring 92 in Fig. 9) can be attached, and a spring portion 4 that opens and closes an opening SA of a hook space S in the hook portion 3. In the following description, the thickness direction (front and back direction) of the connector 1 is defined as the Z direction, the front side of the connector 1 is defined as the +Z side, and the back side of the connector 1 is defined as the -Z side. Also, a direction that is orthogonal to the Z direction and is the length direction of the connector 1 is defined as the Y direction. Further, a direction that is orthogonal to both the Y direction and the Z direction and is the width direction (left and right direction) of the connector 1 is defined as the X direction, one side in the width direction of the connector 1 is defined as the +X side, and the other side in the width direction of the connector 1 is defined as the -X side. Also, a plane orthogonal to the Z direction is defined as the XY plane.

[0017] (Configuration of the connector 1) The configuration of the connector 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. The base 2, the hook portion 3, and the spring portion 4 that constitute the connector 1 are integrally formed of a resin material such as synthetic resin. Also, in the following description, the state in which the spring portion 4 closes the opening SA of the hook space S is taken as the basis.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the base 2 has a ring shape in which a hole 21 penetrating in the Z direction and a notch 22 are formed. The hole 21 has a substantially circular shape. The notch 22 has a tapered shape whose width decreases toward the hole 21 and communicates the inner and outer spaces of the hole 21. This ring-shaped base 2 includes a base end portion 23 to which the hook portion 3 is connected and a tip end portion 24 facing the base end portion 23 with the notch 22 interposed therebetween.

[0019] Also, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the base 2 includes a main body portion 25 facing the spring portion 4 in the Z direction and a protruding portion 26 protruding from the main body portion 25 toward the spring portion 4 side (-Z side) in the Z direction. The main body portion 25 has a ring shape in which the aforementioned holes 21 and notches 22 are formed. The main body portion 25 also has a side surface 251 that faces in the Z direction relative to the spring portion 4. The projection 26, like the main body 25, has a ring shape with the aforementioned hole 21 and notch 22 formed therein, and protrudes to the -Z side from the edge of the hole 21 in the main body 25. This projection 26 has an outer circumferential surface 261 that forms an arc in the XY plane. The projection 26 is also provided with a convex portion 262 that protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface 261 at the tip portion 24 of the base 2.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the hook portion 3 includes a shaft portion 31 connected to the base portion 2 and a folded portion 32 that is folded back from the shaft portion 31, thereby defining a hook space S that penetrates in the Z direction between the hook portion 3 and the base portion 2. The hook space S is a space in the hook portion 3 through which an article can be inserted in the Z direction.

[0021] The shaft portion 31 is connected to the base end portion 23 of the base portion 2 (specifically, the main body portion 25 and the protruding portion 26 at the base end portion 23 of the base portion 2) and extends in a direction away from the base portion 2. In this embodiment, the shaft portion 31 is arranged along a direction perpendicular to the Z direction and slightly inclined with respect to the Y direction.

[0022] The folded portion 32 is connected to the end of the shaft portion 31 opposite to the base portion 2 and has a bottom piece portion 321 that curves and extends toward one side in the X direction (-X side), and a locking piece portion 322 that extends from the bottom piece portion 321 toward the base portion 2. In this embodiment, the locking piece portion 322 is arranged along the Y direction. The tip of the locking piece portion 322 is the tip portion 323 of the folded portion 32, and an opening SA of the hook space S is formed between the tip portion 323 and the base portion 2.

[0023] The locking piece 322 has a configuration that allows it to engage with the cover portion 43 of the spring portion 4, which will be described later. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the locking piece 322 has a bar portion 324 connected to the bottom piece 321 and an enlarged portion 325 connected to the bar portion 324. Here, the Z-direction dimensions of the bar portion 324 and the enlarged portion 325 are smaller than the Z-direction dimension of the bottom piece 321, and the Z-direction dimension of the enlarged portion 325 is larger than the Z-direction dimension of the bar portion 324. Also, as shown in Figure 1, the +X side surface of the locking piece 322 is inclined with respect to the Y direction, and the X-direction dimension of the locking piece 322 gradually decreases toward the tip portion 323.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the spring portion 4 has an overall U-shaped leaf spring shape. Specifically, the spring portion 4 has an arc-shaped curved portion 41 that overlaps the base portion 2 in the Z direction and is arranged around the edge of the hole 21, an extended portion 42 that extends to connect one end of the curved portion 41 and the shaft portion 31, and a cover portion 43 connected to the other end of the curved portion 41.

[0025] The curved portion 41 overlaps the main body portion 25 of the base portion 2 in the Z direction. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the curved portion 41 abuts against the side surface 251 of the main body portion 25 in the Z direction and is slidable along the side surface 251. Also, as shown in Figure 2, the curved portion 41 is curved to surround half the circumference of the outer circumferential surface 261 of the protruding portion 26. This curved portion 41 has an inner circumferential surface 411 that forms a circular arc in the XY plane. In this embodiment, when viewed in the Z direction, a portion of the curved portion 41 may be positioned to protrude from the main body portion 25. Also, the curved portion 41 may not contact the side surface 251 of the main body portion 25, and there may be a gap between the curved portion 41 and the side surface 251.

[0026] The extension portion 42 is connected to the outer surface 311 of the shaft portion 31, which faces the side opposite to the hook space S. Furthermore, the extension portion 42 extends so as to protrude from the outer surface 311 of the shaft portion 31, and an acute-angled gap is formed between the extension portion 42 and the shaft portion 31.

[0027] As shown in Figure 5, the curved portion 41 and the extended portion 42 have dimensions in the Z direction that are approximately equal to those of the protruding portion 26 of the base portion 2, and are positioned within the same range as the protruding portion 26 in the Z direction. The extended portion 42 is also provided with a thickened portion 421 that protrudes from the extended portion 42 toward the +Z side and is connected to the shaft portion 31. The extended portion 42 is supported by the worker's fingers when the worker deforms the lid portion 43 so that it bends toward the hook space S side (-X side). At this time, the thickened portion 421 works in cooperation with the extended portion 42 to ensure a large contact area with the fingers.

[0028] The lid portion 43 is pivotably supported by the curved portion 41. This lid portion 43 can move between a closed position that closes the opening SA of the hook space S and an open position that opens the opening SA, as the spring portion 4 elastically deforms. The opening and closing operation of the lid portion 43 will be described in detail later.

[0029] Furthermore, the lid portion 43 has an engaging portion 431 that can engage with the locking piece portion 322 of the hook portion 3. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the engaging portion 431 has a thickness that extends to the +Z side of the curved portion 41, and the Z-direction dimension D1 of the engaging portion 431 is greater than the Z-direction dimension D2 of the curved portion 41. The engaging portion 431 also has a groove 432 that can accommodate the bar portion 324 of the locking piece portion 322, and a recess 433 that communicates with the groove 432 and can accommodate the enlarged portion 325 of the locking piece portion 322. This engaging portion 431 can clamp the bar portion 324 accommodated in the groove 432 in the Z direction. Furthermore, the engaging portion 431 can engage with the enlarged portion 325 accommodated in the recess 433 in the Y direction and the X direction, respectively.

[0030] Furthermore, when the lid portion 43 is in the closed position that closes the opening SA of the hook space S, the engaging portion 431 engages with the locking piece portion 322. In this state, the spring portion 4 is more bent than in the state before assembly of the connector 1 (see Figure 8), and the curved portion 41 biases the lid portion 43 toward the locking piece portion 322. Therefore, the engagement between the engaging portion 431 and the locking piece portion 322 is maintained by the elastic force of the spring portion 4.

[0031] Furthermore, when the lid portion 43 is in the closed position, a gap G exists between the inner circumferential surface 411 of the curved portion 41 and the outer circumferential surface 261 of the protruding portion 26 (see Figure 3). Therefore, when the spring portion 4 undergoes elastic deformation, the curved portion 41 can be elastically deformed until its inner circumferential surface 411 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface 261 of the protruding portion 26.

[0032] (Operation of connector 1) The operation of the connector 1 of this embodiment will now be described. In the following explanation, the first ring 91 and the second ring 92 in Figure 9 will be used as examples of articles that can be attached to the connector 1.

[0033] First, as shown in Figure 6, the operator applies pressure to the lid portion 43 toward the hook space S side (-X side) by pressing the first ring 91 against the lid portion 43. This causes the spring portion 4 to elastically deform, moving the lid portion 43 from a closed position that closes the opening SA of the hook space S to an open position that opens the opening SA. Here, as the spring portion 4 undergoes elastic deformation, the portion 434 adjacent to the curved portion 41 on the lid portion 43 deforms so as to bend toward the hook space S side (-X side). Also, the curved portion 41 deforms so that its inner circumferential surface 411 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface 261 of the protruding portion 26 (see Figure 7).

[0034] As shown in Figure 6, when the lid 43 moves to the open position, the first ring 91 passes through the opening SA of the hook space S and is housed in the hook space S. That is, the first ring 91 is positioned so that it is inserted through the hook space S in the Z direction. When the lid portion 43 is in the open position, the protruding portion 26 supports the curved portion 41. In addition, the movement of the lid portion 43 may be restricted by contact with at least one of the inner surface 312 of the shaft portion 31 and the convex portion 262 of the protruding portion 26.

[0035] When the first ring 91 is housed in the hook space S, the pressure applied to the lid portion 43 is released. Then, due to the elasticity of the spring portion 4, the lid portion 43 moves from the open position to the closed position, and the engaging portion 431 re-engages with the locking piece portion 322.

[0036] Next, the operator moves the first ring 91 in the hook space S toward the base 2, as shown in Figure 2. At this time, the first ring 91 is guided toward the notch 22 of the base 2 by the inner surface 312 of the shaft portion 31 and can come into contact with the tip portion 24 of the base 2. By coming into contact with the tip portion 24 of the base 2, the first ring 91 is aligned with the notch 22 of the base 2. The worker then presses the first ring 91 against the notch 22 of the base 2. This causes the base 2 to elastically deform so that the notch 22 expands, and the first ring 91 passes through the notch 22 and is accommodated in the hole 21 of the base 2. In other words, the first ring 91 is positioned so that it is inserted through the hole 21 of the base 2 in the Z direction. Thus, the first ring 91 is attached to the base 2.

[0037] Subsequently, the worker places the second ring 92 into the hook space S, similar to the first ring 91 described above. This attaches the second ring 92 to the hook portion 3. As a result, as shown in Figure 9, the connector 1 can connect the first ring 91 and the second ring 92.

[0038] (Method of manufacturing the connector 1) An example of a manufacturing method for the connector 1 of this embodiment will be described. First, a molded product 10, as shown in Figure 8, is integrally molded from a resin material. This molded product 10 has a configuration almost identical to the connector 1 described above, and comprises a base portion 2, a hook portion 3, and a spring portion 4A.

[0039] Here, the spring portion 4A has the same shape as the spring portion 4 described above, and therefore uses the same reference numeral as the spring portion 4, but is positioned in a different location than the spring portion 4. Specifically, the curved portion 41 of the spring portion 4A is positioned off-circumferentially from the base portion 2 when viewed from the Z direction. In other words, the curved portion 41 is positioned to surround the main body portion 25 of the base portion 2 in an area smaller than half a turn. Also, the engaging portion 431 is not engaged with the locking piece portion 322 and is positioned on the opposite side from the hook space S side relative to the locking piece portion 322. As a result, the spring portion 4 is positioned so as not to overlap with the base portion 2 or the hook portion 3 in the Z direction.

[0040] Next, the connector 1 is assembled using the molded product 10. Specifically, pressure is applied to the lid portion 43 on the -Z side and the +X side so that the lid portion 43 reaches the hook space S via the -Z side of the locking piece portion 322. Then, by releasing the pressure on the lid portion 43, the engaging portion 431 is engaged with the locking piece portion 322. This completes the assembly of the connector 1.

[0041] (Effects of this embodiment) In this embodiment, the base portion 2, hook portion 3, and spring portion 4 constituting the connector 1 can be integrally molded from a resin material. Here, the spring portion 4 can be made long as the spring length, extending from the extended portion 42 through the curved portion 41 to the lid portion 43. Therefore, without forming a thin-walled portion as in the conventional method, the spring portion 4 can be elastically deformed, allowing the lid portion 43 to move between the closed and open positions. Furthermore, since the spring portion 4 is positioned overlapping the base portion 2 in the Z direction, it is protected from the outside by the base portion 2. Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a connector 1 that can ensure strength and can be integrally molded from a resin material. Furthermore, the spring portion 4 undergoes elastic deformation while in contact with the base portion 2, which allows the lid portion 43 to perform stable opening and closing operations.

[0042] In this embodiment, when the lid portion 43 is in the closed position, a gap G exists between the inner circumferential surface 411 of the curved portion 41 and the protruding portion 26, and when the lid portion 43 is in the open position, the inner circumferential surface 411 of the curved portion 41 comes into contact with the protruding portion 26. As a result, the protruding portion 26 can support the curved portion 41 without unnecessarily hindering the movement of the spring portion 4, thereby improving the strength of the connector 1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the protruding portion 26 has an arc-shaped outer surface 261 that can abut against the inner circumferential surface 411 of the curved portion 41. As a result, the protruding portion 26 can support the curved portion 41 over a wider area, thereby further improving the strength of the connector 1.

[0043] In this embodiment, the base 2 has a ring shape with a notch 22 formed therein that connects the hole 21 of the base 2 to the hook space S. In this configuration, the article to be attached can reach the hole 21 of the base 2 through the hook space S and the notch 22. Furthermore, if the diameter of the article is larger than the width of the notch 22, the base 2 will elastically deform, allowing the article to pass through the notch 22. This makes it easy to attach the article to the base 2. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the base portion 2 has a base end portion 23 to which the shaft portion 31 is connected, and a tip portion 24 that faces the hook space S while facing the base end portion 23 across the notch 22. With this configuration, when moving the item to be attached from the hook space S to the notch 22, the item can be easily aligned with the notch 22 by bringing it into contact with the tip portion 24 of the base portion 2.

[0044] In this embodiment, the extension portion 42 is connected to the outer surface 311 of the shaft portion 31, which faces the side opposite to the hook space S. In this configuration, the spring portion 4 is positioned to wrap around the edge of the hole 21 of the base portion 2 from the outside of the shaft portion 31, so that the length of the spring portion 4 can be increased while avoiding interference between the spring portion 4 and the shaft portion 31. This makes it easier to open and close the lid portion 43.

[0045] In this embodiment, the lid portion 43 includes an engaging portion 431 that can engage with the tip portion 323 of the folded portion 32, and the Z-direction dimension D1 of the engaging portion 431 is greater than the Z-direction dimension D2 of the curved portion 41. With this configuration, the engagement strength between the engaging portion 431 and the tip portion 323 of the folded portion 32 can be improved.

[0046] As described above, the connector 1 of this embodiment includes a molding step of integrally molding the molded product 10 with a resin material, and an assembly step of elastically deforming the spring portion 4 after the molding step so that the curved portion 41 overlaps the base portion 2 in the Z direction, and engaging the lid portion 43 with the tip portion 323 (locking piece portion 322 in this embodiment) of the folded portion 32. This manufacturing method allows for the suitability of producing the connector 1 of this embodiment. Specifically, since there is no overlap between elements in the molded product 10, the mold used in the molding process of the molded product 10 can be simplified. Furthermore, because the spring portion 4 is elastically deformed during the assembly process, the connector 1 after the assembly process has the lid portion 43 biased toward the locking piece portion 322. As a result, the engagement between the lid portion 43 and the locking piece portion 322 can be maintained by the elastic force of the spring portion 4.

[0047] (modified version) In the above embodiment, the first ring 91 and the second ring 92 are given as examples of articles to be connected by the connector 1, but the connector 1 is not limited to these, and can connect any article.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the projection 26 of the base 2 has an arc-shaped outer surface 261, but is not limited to this. For example, the projection 26 may be a convex portion of any shape located near the edge of the hole 21 of the base 2, or it may be a plurality of convex portions intermittently arranged along the edge of the hole 21 of the base 2. Furthermore, it is not essential that the base 2 has a projection 26, and the projection 26 may be omitted.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the base 2 has a ring shape with a notch 22 formed therein, but is not limited thereto. For example, the base 2 may have a continuous ring shape without a notch 22. Alternatively, the base 2 is not limited to a ring shape and may have other shapes with a hole 21 formed therein. Furthermore, the base 2 may have a notch that does not communicate with the hook space S, rather than the notch 22 described above.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the curved portion 41 of the spring portion 4 does not need to overlap the base portion 2 in the Z direction; it is sufficient for at least a part of the curved portion 41 to overlap the base portion 2. For example, a part of the curved portion 41 may protrude outside the base portion 2.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the extension portion 42 of the spring portion 4 is connected to the outer surface 311 of the shaft portion 31, but is not limited to this. That is, the extension portion 42 may be connected to a part of the shaft portion 31 other than the outer surface 311, for example, the front surface of the shaft portion 31 facing the +Z side, or the back surface of the shaft portion 31 facing the -Z side.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the cover portion 43 of the spring portion 4 includes an engaging portion 431 that can engage with the tip portion 323 of the folded portion 32, but the configuration of the engaging portion 431 can be arbitrarily changed. Similarly, the configuration of the folded portion 32 corresponding to the engaging portion 431 can also be changed. Alternatively, the cover portion 43 of the spring portion 4 may not include the engaging portion 431 as described above, and a part of the cover portion 43 may simply abut against the tip portion 323 of the folded portion 32 in the X direction.

[0053] The connector of the present invention is not limited to being manufactured by the manufacturing method of the embodiment described above, but may be manufactured by any other manufacturing method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1...Connector, 10...Molded part, 2...Base, 21...Hole, 22...Notch, 23...Base end, 24...Tip, 25...Main body, 251...Side, 26...Protruding part, 261...Outer surface, 262...Convex part, 3...Hook part, 31...Shaft part, 311...Outer surface, 312...Inner surface, 32...Folded part, 321...Bottom piece, 322...Locking piece, 323...Tip, 324...Bar part, 325...Enlarged part, 4,4A...Spring part, 41...Bent part, 411...Inner surface, 42...Extended part, 421...Thick part, 43...Lid part, 431...Engaging part, 432...Groove, 433...Recess, 91...First ring, 92...Second ring, G...Gap, S...Hook space, SA...Opening.

Claims

1. A base portion (2) having a hole (21) that penetrates in the thickness direction, A hook portion comprising a shaft portion (31) connected to the base portion (2) and a folded portion (32) folded back from the shaft portion (31), defining a hook space (S) penetrating in the thickness direction between the base portion (2) and the hook portion, It comprises a spring portion (4) connected to the shaft portion (31), The base portion (2), the hook portion (3), and the spring portion (4) are integrally formed from a resin material. The spring portion (4) is An arc-shaped curved portion (41) overlaps the base portion (2) in the thickness direction and is arranged around the edge of the hole (21), An extended portion (42) extends to connect one end of the curved portion (41) and the shaft portion (31), It has a cover portion (43) connected to the other end of the curved portion (41), The lid portion (43) is a connector that is movable between a closed position that closes the opening (SA) of the hook space (S) that opens between the tip portion (323) of the folded portion (32) and the base portion (2), and an open position that opens the opening (SA).

2. The base (2) is The main body portion (25) facing the thickness direction relative to the curved portion (41), The main body portion (25) is provided with a protruding portion (26) that protrudes toward the curved portion (41) side in the thickness direction, When the lid portion (43) is in the closed position, a gap (G) exists between the inner circumferential surface (411) of the curved portion (41) and the protruding portion (26). The connector according to claim 1, wherein when the lid portion (43) is in the open position, the inner circumferential surface (411) of the curved portion (41) abuts against the protruding portion (26).

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the protruding portion (26) has an arc-shaped outer surface (261) that can abut against the inner circumferential surface (411) of the curved portion (41).

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the base portion (2) has a ring shape with a notch (22) formed therein that connects the hole (21) and the hook space (S).

5. The base (2) is The base end portion (23) to which the shaft portion (31) is connected, The connector according to claim 4, having a tip portion (24) that faces the hook space (S) while facing the base end portion (23) with the notch (22) in between.

6. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the extended portion (42) is connected to the outer surface (311) of the shaft portion (31) that faces the side opposite to the hook space (S).

7. The lid portion (43) includes an engaging portion (431) that can engage with the tip portion (323) of the folded portion (32), The connector according to claim 1, wherein the dimension (D1) of the engaging portion (431) in the thickness direction is greater than the dimension (D2) of the curved portion (41) in the thickness direction.

8. A manufacturing method for producing a connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A molding process in which a molded product (10) comprising the base (2), the hook (3), and the spring (4A), and in which the curved portion (41) is positioned off-circumferentially relative to the base (2) when viewed from the thickness direction, is integrally molded from a resin material, A method for manufacturing a connector, comprising: an assembly step after the molding step, in which the spring portion (4) is elastically deformed so that the curved portion (41) overlaps the base portion (2) in the thickness direction, and the lid portion (43) is engaged with the tip portion (323) of the folded portion (32).

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