rivet

Abstract

To eliminate a problem that work efficiency is lowered when supplying an unused rivet to a prescribed point one by one due to an unexpected freeze phenomenon.SOLUTION: A rivet 5 comprises a rivet main body 6 having a through-hole 6a reaching the other end 6a2 from one end 6a1, and a lock member 7 formed into a shape so as to be insertable and withdrawn to / from the through-hole 6a of the rivet main body 6, and is constituted so that the rivet main body 6 can exert an anchor function in a use state that a lock member 7 is immersed in the through-hole 6a without being accompanied by a deformation of the rivet main body 6. In an unused state that the rivet main body 6 does not exert the anchor function, the lock member 7 is held to one end 6a1 side of the through-hole 6a in a state that the lock member is partially or entirely exposed to the outside, and a diameter-contracted part 9 for prohibiting the intrusion of a member having the same shape as that of the lock member 7 into the through-hole 6a from the other end 6a2 side is arranged at the other end 6a2 of the through-hole 6a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rivet suitable for assembly or the like using an automatic supply device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of rivet, there is known one in which a rivet body having a through hole in its axis and a lock member that can be inserted into and removed from the through hole of the rivet body are integrally formed. That is, in such a rivet, the lock member is integrally formed in an exposed state via a breakable coupling portion at one end of the through hole of the rivet body. The other end side of the rivet body is attached to a predetermined rivet insertion hole using elastic deformation, and the lock member is driven into the through hole to prohibit elastic deformation of the rivet body, thereby enabling the rivet to exhibit a fixing function (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] However, in a structure of such a type, a plurality of rivets may be in an unexpected connected state in the automatic supply device, and the automatic supply device may be forced to temporarily stop. That is, in the unused state before driving, the other end side of the through hole of the rivet body is open. Therefore, the lock member of another rivet may fit into the other end side of the through hole, and the adjacent rivets may be connected to each other.

[0004] On the other hand, the automatic supply device is configured to, for example, sequentially cut out a large number of unused rivets one by one while loosening them in an inclined shaft rotating drum and supply them to a predetermined location by a shooter. However, the above-described connection phenomenon may occur during the process of loosening a large number of unused rivets. As the phenomenon of connecting a plurality of rivets progresses, the performance of cutting out the rivets one by one gradually decreases. As a result, it becomes necessary to disassemble the drum and take out the connected rivets, leading to a decrease in work efficiency. Such a problem is prominent in a drum-type automatic supply device, but the same phenomenon can also occur in other types of devices such as a so-called parts feeder type automatic supply device.

[0005] Furthermore, these problems are not limited to cases where automatic feeding devices are used; they can also arise, for example, when rivets are handled in processes that involve manual work. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3845575 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The present invention aims to solve the problem of reduced work efficiency when supplying unused rivets one by one to predetermined locations due to the aforementioned unforeseen coupling phenomenon. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The rivet according to claim 1 comprises a rivet body having a through hole extending from one end to the other, and a locking member having a shape that can be inserted into and removed from the through hole of the rivet body, wherein the rivet body is configured to perform its fastening function in a working state in which the locking member is inserted into the through hole without deforming the rivet body in the expanding diameter direction when the locking member is inserted into the through hole, and in an unused state in which the rivet body does not perform its fastening function, the locking member is held at one end of the through hole with part or all of it exposed to the outside, and the other end of the through hole is provided with a diameter-reducing portion that prevents a member of the same shape as the locking member from entering the through hole from the other end side. Furthermore, the rivet body and the locking member are integrally molded via a breakable joint. .

[0009] The rivet according to the invention described in claim 2 is the same as the one described in claim 1. 、 There are no projections protruding radially inward on the inner circumference of the through-hole of the rivet body other than the reduced diameter portion. 。

[0010] The rivet according to claim 3 is the same as that described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the rivet body comprises a neck portion having a through hole inside, an enlarged head portion provided on one end of the neck portion, and a resilient engaging portion provided on the other end of the neck portion that is displaceable radially inward, and is configured such that inward displacement of the resilient engaging portion is prohibited when the locking member is immersed in the through hole during use.

[0011] The rivet according to claim 4 is the same as that described in claim 3, wherein the reduced diameter portion is formed on the inner circumference of the elastic engagement portion.

[0012] The rivet according to claim 5 is the same as that described in claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the locking member has a chamfered portion on the periphery of its tip surface, and in the state of use, the reduced diameter portion is configured to engage with the chamfered portion to lock the locking member.

[0013] The rivet according to claim 6 is the same as that described in claim 5, wherein the tip surface of the locking member is engaged with the reduced diameter portion of the rivet body in an embedded position, and the base end surface of the locking member and one end surface of the rivet body are set to be flush. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the phenomenon of unused rivets falling due to unexpected coupling phenomena, thereby improving the work efficiency when supplying unused rivets one by one to predetermined locations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing a ring file using rivets according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] An overall perspective view showing an unused rivet according to the same embodiment. [Figure 3] An overall perspective view showing an unused rivet according to the same embodiment. [Figure 4] Bottom view showing a rivet in an unused state according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Central longitudinal sectional view showing a rivet in an unused state according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Overall perspective view showing a rivet in a used state according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Overall perspective view showing a rivet in a used state according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] View showing the joining mode of the front and back covers and the base by the rivet according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Central longitudinal sectional view showing a rivet in an unused state according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0017] This embodiment is a case where the rivet 5 according to the present invention is applied to the ring file RF.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the ring file RF includes a synthetic resin file body 1 provided with a back cover 13 between the base ends of the front cover 12 and the back cover 11, and a ring closing tool 2 provided in the vicinity of the base end of the back cover of the file body 1. The ring closing tool 2 includes, for example, a sheet metal base 3 and a pair of closing rings 4 held by the base 3, and the base 3 is fixed to the back cover 11 of the file body 1 using the rivet 5 according to the present invention.

[0019] As shown in Figures 2 to 8, the rivet 5 comprises a rivet body 6 having a through hole 6a extending from one end 6a1 to the other end 6a2, and a locking member 7 shaped to be insertable and removable from the through hole 6a of the rivet body 6. The rivet body 6 is configured to perform its fastening function in the usage state (U) shown in Figures 6 to 8, where the locking member 7 is inserted into the through hole 6a, which has substantially the same diameter, without deformation of the rivet body 6. In the unused state (N) shown in Figures 2 to 5, when the rivet body 6 does not perform its fastening function, the locking member 7 is held at one end 6a1 of the through hole 6a with substantially its entirety exposed to the outside. The other end 6a2 of the through hole 6a is provided with a diameter-reducing portion 9 that prevents a member of the same shape as the locking member 7 (the locking member 7 of another rivet 5 with the same structure) from entering the through hole 6a from the other end 6a2.

[0020] More specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the rivet 5 is made of synthetic resin in which the rivet body 6 and the locking member 7 are integrally molded via a breakable joint 8 when unused (N). As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the rivet body 6 comprises a neck portion 61 with a through hole 6a inside, an enlarged head portion 62 provided on one end of the neck portion 61, and a resilient engaging portion 63 provided on the other end of the neck portion 61 that is displaceable radially inward. In the usage state (U) shown in Figures 6 to 8, where the locking member 7 is immersed in the through hole 6a, the inward displacement of the resilient engaging portion 63 is prohibited. As shown in Figure 8, the neck portion 61 is cylindrical in shape that can be inserted through the rivet mounting holes 11a and 3a drilled in the back cover 11 of the file body 1 and the base 3 of the ring binder 2, and as shown in Figures 5 and 8, the through hole 6a is formed on its axis. As shown in Figures 5 and 8, the elastic engagement portion 63 is substantially cylindrical in shape, with the neck portion 61 extended in the direction of the other end, having the same outer diameter as the neck portion 61, and having a through hole 6a located at its axis. The elastic engagement portion 63 is divided into multiple elastic pieces 631 via multiple notches 63a, and an arrowhead portion 632 is formed on the outer circumference of the tip of each elastic piece 631.

[0021] However, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the diameter d1 of the through-hole 6a of this rivet 5 is approximately the same as the diameter d2 of the corresponding part of the locking member 7 in the usage state (U), and the elastic engaging portion 63 does not deform in the diameter-expanding direction during driving or in the usage state (U).

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, 7 and 8, the aforementioned reduced-diameter portion 9 is formed on the inner circumference 63b of the elastic engagement portion 63. Specifically, the reduced-diameter portion 9 is formed by projections 91 that are partially provided on the inner circumference of the tip of each elastic piece 631, and as shown in Figure 4, the diameter d3 of the virtual arc C connecting the protruding ends 91a of each projection 91 is set to be smaller than the diameter of the through hole 6a, i.e., the diameter d1.

[0023] As shown in Figures 2 to 8, the locking member 7 is cylindrical in shape with each part having the same diameter, and has a chamfered portion 71 on the periphery of its tip surface 7a. In the usage state (U), each projection 91 of the reduced diameter portion 9 engages with the chamfered portion 71 to lock the locking member 7. In the recessed position (B) where the tip surface 7a of the locking member 7 is engaged with the reduced diameter portion 9 of the rivet body 6, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, the base end surface 7b of the locking member 7 is set to be flush with one end surface of the rivet body 6, that is, the outer surface 62a of the flange-shaped enlarged head 62 which has a larger diameter than the neck portion 61.

[0024] Here, Figure 1 is an overall perspective view showing a ring binder RF using the rivet 5 of this embodiment. Figure 2 is an overall perspective view from above showing the rivet 5 in an unused state (N). Figure 3 is an overall perspective view from below showing the rivet 5 in an unused state (N). Figure 4 is a bottom view showing the rivet 5 in an unused state (N), with a virtual arc C indicated by a dashed line. Figure 5 is a central longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the rivet 5 in an unused state (N). Figure 6 is an overall perspective view from above showing the rivet 5 in use (U). Figure 7 is an overall perspective view from below showing the rivet 5 in use (U). Figure 8 is a diagram showing the joining of the back cover 11 and the base 3 by the rivet 5, and is a cross-sectional view cut by a plane passing through the axis of the rivet 5, in other words, a cross-sectional view cut by the cutting plane of the rivet 5 in Figure 5.

[0025] Next, the procedure for fastening the base 3 of the binding mechanism 2 to the back cover 11 of the file body 1 using the rivet 5 will be explained.

[0026] First, the back cover 11 of the file body 1 is placed on the base 3 of the binding device 2, which is held in a downward position by a jig or the like, so that the rivet mounting holes 3a and 11a align. In this state, when the unused rivet 5 is inserted from the other end, the elastic engagement portion 63 temporarily deforms elastically in the direction of reduction in diameter, and the arrowhead portion 632 engages with the base 3, completing the temporary attachment of the rivet 5. From this state, when the locking member 7 is driven into the through hole 6a, causing the joint portion 8 to break, the locking member 7 fits tightly into the through hole 6a, preventing deformation of the elastic engagement portion 63 in the direction of reduction in diameter, and completing the attachment of the rivet 5.

[0027] With a rivet 5 of this configuration, it can be driven into the desired location using the same procedure as before, but the unforeseen phenomenon of unused rivets 5 (N) becoming connected before being supplied to the location cannot occur. In other words, since such a rivet 5 has a reduced diameter portion 9 on the other end 6a2 side of the through hole 6a which is open in the unused state (N), the locking member 7 of another rivet 5 having the same structure cannot be fitted into the through hole 6a. Therefore, even if an automatic supply device is used that separates a large number of unused rivets 5 (N) in an oblique-axis rotating drum, cuts them out one by one, and sequentially supplies them to predetermined locations by a chute, multiple rivets 5 will not become connected. Therefore, the process of stopping the work, dismantling the drum, and removing connected rivets 5 is unnecessary, and it becomes possible to efficiently supply rivets 5 to the required locations sequentially. Furthermore, since a diameter-reducing portion 9 is provided on the other end 6a2 side of the through hole 6a, even if an external force acts on the locking member 7 in the direction of driving it into the rivet body 6, the diameter-reducing portion 9 restricts further movement of the locking member 7. In addition, after the locking member 7 has been driven in, it is difficult to access the tip side of the locking member 7 from the other end 6a2 side of the through hole 6a from the outside, thus preventing the locking member 7 from coming out of the rivet body 6 when driving it in or after it has been driven in.

[0028] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its spirit.

[0029] For example, the present invention is suitable for a type of rivet in which the through-hole and locking member have the same diameter in each part when in use, and the elastic engagement portion of the rivet body does not expand in diameter at all even when the locking member is driven into the through-hole. Specifically, it is not limited to those shown in Figures 1 to 8, but may be as shown in Figure 9, for example. That is, the rivet body A6 of this rivet A5 has a tapered through-hole A6a whose inner diameter gradually decreases from one end A6a1 to the other end A6a2. A locking member A7 is held in an exposed state at one end of this through-hole A6a via a breakable joint A8. The locking member A7 is tapered to correspond to the through-hole A6a and can be driven into the through-hole A6a without causing the elastic engagement portion A63 of the rivet body A6 to expand in diameter.

[0030] The reduced-diameter portion A9 of rivet A5 shown in Figure 9 is formed at the end (other end) of a tapered through-hole A6a2 whose inner diameter changes smoothly. As such, the shape of the reduced-diameter portion can be modified in various ways, but in embodiments such as those shown in Figures 1 to 8, where the reduced-diameter portion is formed by a partially protruding projection, the locking member driven into the through-hole of the rivet body can be locked by this reduced-diameter portion, and the locking member can be attached to a predetermined position. Specifically, in order to improve the appearance when in use, it is easy to set the locking member so that the base end face of the locking member and one end face of the rivet body are flush when the tip surface of the locking member is locked into the reduced-diameter portion of the rivet body in the recessed position. Furthermore, in this case, if a chamfered portion is provided on the periphery of the tip surface of the locking member, and the reduced diameter portion consisting of a projection engages with the chamfered portion in the state of use to lock the locking member, the tip surface of the locking member can be brought as close as possible to the other end surface of the rivet body, resulting in a good appearance from the other end surface side.

[0031] In addition, as mentioned above, the shape of the reduced diameter portion can be modified in various ways. For example, it can be extended in an L-shape from the other end of the through-hole (the end opposite to the side where the locking member is held in the unused state) toward the axis of the through-hole. However, as shown in the embodiments in Figures 1 to 8, if the reduced diameter portion is formed on the inner circumference of the through-hole, more specifically on the inner circumference of the elastic engagement portion, the reduced diameter portion can be placed within the longitudinal dimension of the through-hole. This allows the reduced diameter portion to be provided while suppressing an unnecessary increase in the longitudinal dimension of the rivet.

[0032] On the other hand, the shape of the locking member can be various, such as a cylindrical shape with all parts having the same diameter, as in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 8, or a tapered shape with a smoothly changing inner diameter, as in the embodiment shown in Figure 9. In particular, a cylindrical shape with all parts having the same diameter, as in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 8, is advantageous because it allows the locking member to be driven into the through-hole of the rivet body, which has approximately the same diameter, without any wobbling.

[0033] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described a case in which substantially the entire locking member is exposed when not in use and held by the rivet body, the locking member may also be held by the rivet body with a portion of it exposed to the outside. In this case, a portion of the tip of the locking member will be inserted into the through hole, but of course, the insertion dimension will be set within a range that does not hinder the temporary diameter reduction operation of the elastic engagement portion.

[0034] On the other hand, the manner in which the locking member is held to the rivet body in an unused state, and the configuration of the rivet body can also be changed in various ways. However, the main effects of the present invention described above can be more favorably obtained if the rivet body and the locking member are integrally molded via a breakable joint, as shown in Figures 1 to 8 and Figure 9, and if the rivet body comprises a neck portion with a through hole inside, an enlarged head portion provided on one end of the neck portion, and a resilient engaging portion provided on the other end of the neck portion that is displaceable radially inward.

[0035] Furthermore, the invention may be modified in various ways as long as it does not impair the significance of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 5… Rivet 6… Rivet body 6a...Through hole 6a1... One end of the through hole 6a2...the other end of the through hole 61...Neck 62…head enlargement 62a... One end face of the rivet body (outer surface of the enlarged head) 63...Resilient engagement part 63b...Inner circumference of the resilient engagement portion 7… Locking component 7a…Tip surface 7b…Proximal surface 71… Chamfered part 8...Connection part 9...Reduced diameter part (U)...Usage status (N)...Unused condition

Claims

1. A rivet comprising a rivet body having a through hole extending from one end to the other, and a locking member having a shape that allows it to be inserted into and removed from the through hole of the rivet body, wherein the rivet body is configured such that when the locking member is inserted into the through hole, the rivet body is not deformed in the radial expansion direction, and the rivet body can perform its fastening function in the state of use with the locking member inserted into the through hole, When the rivet body is not performing its fastening function and is in an unused state, the locking member is held at one end of the through-hole with part or all of it exposed to the outside. The other end of the through hole is provided with a diameter-reducing portion that prevents a member having the same shape as the locking member from entering the through hole from the other end. A rivet in which the rivet body and the locking member are integrally molded via a breakable joint.

2. The rivet according to claim 1, wherein there are no projections protruding radially inward on the inner circumference of the through hole of the rivet body other than the reduced diameter portion.

3. The rivet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rivet body comprises a neck portion having a through hole inside, an enlarged head portion provided on one end of the neck portion, and a resilient engaging portion provided on the other end of the neck portion that is displaceable radially inward, and is configured such that inward displacement of the resilient engaging portion is prohibited when the locking member is immersed in the through hole during use.

4. The rivet according to claim 3, wherein the reduced diameter portion is formed on the inner circumference of the elastic engagement portion.

5. The locking member has a chamfered portion on the periphery of its tip surface. The rivet according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein in the aforementioned usage state, the reduced diameter portion is configured to engage with the chamfered portion and lock the locking member.

6. The rivet according to claim 5, wherein the tip surface of the locking member is engaged with the reduced diameter portion of the rivet body in an embedded position, and the base end surface of the locking member and one end surface of the rivet body are set to be flush with each other.

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