Hinge structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a hinge structure capable of quickly and easily connecting two members. A hinge structure (10) comprises: a first support part (1) having two bifurcated first arm parts (1A, 1B); and a second support part (2) which has a second arm part (2A) installed between the first arm parts (1A, 1B) and which can engage with the first support part (1). The first arm parts (1A, 1B) each have a protrusion (5) with a protruding shape. The second arm part (2A) has a hole part (6) into which the protrusions (5) are inserted. In the state in which the protrusions (5) are inserted into the hole part (6) such that the first support (1) and the second support part (2) are connected to each other, the first support part (1) and the second support part (2) can rotate relative to each other. The second support part (2) has an insertion part (3) which is formed at one end of the second arm part (2A) and which protrudes in a direction intersecting the rotation axis. When the connection between the first support part (1) and the second support part (2) is released, an opening (4) allowing insertion of the insertion part (3) is formed between the first arm parts (1A, 1B).

Description

Hinge structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge structure.

[0002] Hinges (also called hinges or hinges) are primarily attached to components such as swing doors or box lids, allowing the components to rotate around an axis. This allows the doors, lids, and other components to rotate and open and close. Hinges are also attached to the temples of eyeglass frames, allowing the temples to open and close. In this way, hinges can open and close two components while they are connected, allowing the two components to be folded.

[0003] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a hinge structure for eyeglasses that connects the endpiece and temples in a freely rotatable manner. In Patent Document 1, the temples have two branches that branch off from a branch on the endpiece side, and an axis formed at the end of the upper branch is inserted into an axis hole in the endpiece and is fitted with a receiving part formed at the end of the lower branch.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-13469

[0005] Generally, hinges are constructed so that the two components they connect do not separate, so it takes time and effort to connect the two components during assembly. Furthermore, once assembled, the hinge is firmly fixed to the components, making it difficult to separate the two components connected by the hinge.

[0006] For example, in the case of Patent Document 1 mentioned above, when assembling the hinge structure, it is necessary to pull the upper and lower branches provided on the temple in the vertical direction with the fingers of both hands or a jig to widen the gap between the two branches before inserting the shank into the shank hole of the end piece. Also, when separating the temple and end piece connected by the hinge structure, it is necessary to pull the upper and lower branches in the vertical direction with the fingers of both hands or a jig to pull out the shank engaged in the receiver.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hinge structure that can quickly and easily connect two members.

[0008] The hinge structure of the present invention comprises a first support part having a plurality of first arms branched from a single base and arranged opposite each other, the first support part being elastically deformable, and a second support part having a second arm installed between the two first arms and capable of engaging with the first support part on the opposing surface of the second arm facing the first arm, one of the first arm and the second arm having a protrusion having a protruding shape, and the other of the first arm and the second arm having a hole into which the protrusion is inserted, and when the protrusion is inserted into the hole and the first support part and the second support part are connected, the first support part and the second support part can rotate relatively around a central axis that is parallel to the protrusion direction of the protrusion, the second support part is formed at one end of the second arm and has an insertion part that protrudes in a direction intersecting the central axis, and an opening is formed between the two first arms into which the insertion part can be inserted when the connection between the first support part and the second support part is released.

[0009] According to this configuration, the device includes a first support portion having a plurality of first arms and being elastically deformable, and a second support portion having second arms disposed between the two first arms, the plurality of first arms being branched from a single base portion and arranged opposite one another, and the second support portion being engageable with the first support portion on an opposing surface of the second arm opposing the first arm. The protrusion has a protruding shape and is provided on one of the first arms or the opposing surface. The hole is provided on the other second arm relative to the first arm having the protrusion, or on the other first arm relative to the second arm having the protrusion, and the protrusion is inserted into the hole. When the protrusion is inserted into the hole, the first support portion and the second support portion engage with each other, and in a state where they are connected, the first support portion and the second support portion rotate relatively around a central axis that is parallel to the protruding direction of the protrusion.

[0010] Furthermore, an insertion portion is formed at one end of the second arm portion, and the insertion portion protrudes in a direction intersecting the central axis. An opening is formed between the two first arms, and the insertion portion can be inserted into the opening when the first support portion and the second support portion are disconnected. When the first support portion and the second support portion are disconnected, the insertion portion of the second support portion is inserted into the opening between the two branched first arms, causing the first support portion to elastically deform and widen the gap between the two first arms. The first support portion and the second support portion can then move to a position where the protrusions are inserted into the holes and fitted together, and the first support portion and the second support portion engage and are connected.

[0011] According to the present invention, when the insertion portion of the second arm is inserted into the opening between the two branched first arms, the protrusion fits into the hole, and the first support portion and the second support portion engage and connect, allowing the two components to be connected quickly and easily.

[0012] 1B is a front view showing a hinge structure according to embodiment 1A of the present invention; FIG. 1C is a plan view showing a hinge structure according to embodiment 1B of the present invention; FIG. 1D is a front view showing a hinge structure according to embodiment 1B of the present invention; FIG. 1E is a plan view showing a hinge structure according to embodiment 1B of the present invention; FIG. 1F is a plan view showing a hinge structure according to embodiment 1B of the present invention, showing a state in which the connection between the first support portion and the second support portion is released; FIG. 1G is a front view showing a hinge structure according to embodiment 1B of the present invention, showing a state in which the connection between the first support portion and the second support portion is released; FIG. 1H is a perspective view showing a second support portion of the hinge structure according to embodiment 1B of the present invention; FIG. 1H is a perspective view showing a first support portion of the hinge structure according to embodiment 1B of the present invention; FIG. 1I is a front view showing a hinge structure according to embodiment 1B of the present invention, showing a process in which the first support portion and the second support portion are engaged; FIG. 1J is a front view showing a hinge structure according to embodiment 1B of the present invention; 9A and 9B. FIG. 9B is a perspective view showing a mask frame to which the hinge structure according to embodiment 1B of the present invention is applied, showing a state in which the mask frame is opened. FIG. 9C is a perspective view showing a mask frame to which the hinge structure according to embodiment 1B of the present invention is applied, showing a state in which the mask frame is closed. FIG. 9D is a perspective view showing a second support part shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. FIG. 9E is a front view showing a hinge structure according to embodiment 1C of the present invention. FIG. 9F is a front view showing a hinge structure according to embodiment 2A of the present invention. FIG. 9G is a front view showing a hinge structure according to embodiment 2B of the present invention. FIG. 9H is a longitudinal sectional view showing a hinge to which the hinge structures according to embodiments 2A and 2B of the present invention are applied.

[0013] [First Aspect] A hinge structure 10 according to a first aspect of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the hinge structure 10 according to this aspect includes a first support portion 1 and a second support portion 2 that are engageable with each other. The first support portion 1 located on the outer side has two first arms 1A and 1B, and the second support portion 2 located on the inner side has one second arm 2A. In this aspect, protrusions 5 protrude from the inner surfaces of the first arms 1A and 1B, and a hole 6 is formed in the second arm 2A. The protrusions 5 and the hole 6 form a rotation axis (central axis) of the hinge structure 10. When the protrusions 5 are inserted into and fitted into the hole 6, the first support portion 1 and the second support portion 2 are engaged with each other, and the first support portion 1 and the second support portion 2 are coupled together. With this state, the first support portion 1 and the second support portion 2 rotate relatively around the rotation axis. The axial direction of the rotation shaft is parallel to the protruding direction of the protrusion 5 .

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1 , the second arm 2A has an insertion portion 3 formed at one end. The insertion portion 3 protrudes in a direction intersecting the rotation axis. An opening 4 is formed between the first arm 1A and the first arm 1B. When the first support portion 1 and the second support portion 2 are disconnected, the insertion portion 3 can be inserted into the opening 4. The first support portion 1 is a deformable elastic member. When the insertion portion 3 is inserted into the opening 4, the insertion portion 3 bends the first arm 1A and the first arm 1B outward, widening the gap between the first arm 1A and the first arm 1B. When the second support portion 2 is then further inserted, the protrusion 5 and the hole 6 align, and the opening 4 is closed to its original state. As a result, the protrusion 5 is inserted into the hole 6, the first support portion 1 and the second support portion 2 engage with each other, and the hinge structure 10 is assembled.

[0015] 1, the surface of the protrusion 5 of the first support part 1 on the opening 4 side and the surface of the tip side of the insertion part 3 of the second support part 2, indicated by the thick line, are perpendicular to the insertion direction indicated by the arrow in the figure. Therefore, the protrusion 5 of the first support part 1 and the insertion part 3 of the second support part 2 come into contact with each other at their perpendicular surfaces (the thick line portion in the figure), making it difficult for the gap between the first arm part 1A and the first arm part 1B to widen. Therefore, to solve this problem, the present invention may be configured as in the following embodiment 1B.

[0016] 1B Embodiment A hinge structure 10 according to 1B embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 2A to 2C, 3A and 3B, and 4 to 6. Detailed descriptions of components that overlap with those of 1A embodiment will be omitted.

[0017] 2A to 2C, in the hinge structure 10, a first support portion 1 is provided on a member 51, and a second support portion 2 is provided on a member 52. The hinge structure 10 according to this embodiment connects two members 51 and 52, and opens and closes the two members 51 and 52 while the two members 51 and 52 are connected. The hinge structure 10 opens the two members 51 and 52 as shown in FIG. 2A, and folds the two members 51 and 52 as shown in FIG. 2C.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3B , the protrusion 5 of the first support unit 1 has a tapered surface 5a that is an inclined surface on the opening 4 side. The second support unit 2 also has inclined surfaces 2c and 2d on the tip side of the insertion unit 3. The tapered surface 5a of the protrusion 5 and the inclined surfaces 2c and 2d of the insertion unit 3 are inclined obliquely with respect to the insertion direction of the second support unit 2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6 , in this embodiment, collision between the protrusion 5 of the first support unit 1 and the insertion unit 3 of the second support unit 2 is mitigated. Furthermore, when the insertion unit 3 is inserted into the opening 4, the protrusion 5 moves smoothly along the inclined surfaces 2c and 2d, so the gap between the first arm 1A and the first arm 1B can be easily widened with little force. Therefore, the operator does not need to widen the gap between the first arm 1A and the first arm 1B by hand or with a jig, and excessive force is unlikely to be applied to the first arms 1A and 1B, eliminating the risk of damage. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the two members 51 and 52 can be easily connected, and the time and effort required to assemble the two members 51 and 52 via the hinge structure 10 can be reduced.

[0019] The components of the hinge structure 10 will be described below. As shown in Figures 3B and 5, in the hinge structure 10, the first support part 1 has a first arm part 1A and a first arm part 1B, with the first arm part 1A being provided on one side of a rotation axis of the hinge structure 10 and the first arm part 1B being provided on the other side of the rotation axis. The first arm part 1A and the first arm part 1B are branched into two at a base part 13 of the first support part 1 and are provided facing each other with a gap between them. The first support part 1 has a shape that extends in one direction from the base part 13 to the tip part 14.

[0020] The first support part 1 is a deformable elastic member, but because it functions as a hinge, it has the strength to not deform due to the weight of the member on which the hinge structure 10 is installed, vibrations during rotation, friction, etc.

[0021] The first support portion 1 has a protrusion portion 5 having a protruding shape that protrudes toward the second support portion 2. The protrusion portion 5 is formed on the surface of the first support portion 1 facing the second support portion 2, i.e., on the inner surface between the first arm portion 1A and the first arm portion 1B. The protrusion portion 5 has, for example, a cylindrical shape. Note that the shape of the protrusion portion 5 is not limited to a cylindrical shape as long as the first support portion 1 and the second support portion 2 can be rotated relative to each other.

[0022] 3B, protrusions 5 are provided on both first arm portion 1A and first arm portion 1B, and the length (height) of each protrusion 5 in the protruding direction is set so that the tip of protrusion 5 on first arm portion 1A and the tip of protrusion 5 on first arm portion 1B do not come into contact with each other. Protrusions 5 on first arm portion 1A and protrusions 5 on first arm portion 1B are provided to be located on a common rotation axis.

[0023] The protrusion 5 may be provided on only one of the first arm 1A and the first arm 1B. Furthermore, when the protrusion 5 is provided on both the first arm 1A and the first arm 1B, the length (height) of the protrusion 5 in the protruding direction may be set so that the tips of the two protrusions 5 come into contact with each other. Furthermore, the surface of the protrusion 5 on the opening 4 side may be formed with a curved R-surface instead of a tapered surface 5a.

[0024] 3B and 4, the second support part 2 has a second arm part 2A that is installed between the first arm part 1A and the first arm part 1B. The second support part 2 has a shape that extends in one direction from the base part 15 to the tip part 16. The second support part 2 has opposing surfaces 2a and 2b of the second arm part 2A that face the first arm part 1A or the first arm part 1B, and has inclined surfaces 2c and 2d around the opposing surfaces 2a and 2b, respectively. The second support part 2 can engage with the first support part 1 at the opposing surfaces 2a and 2b of the second arm part 2A.

[0025] The second arm portion 2A has holes 6 in the opposing surfaces 2a and 2b into which the protrusions 5 are inserted and fitted. The holes 6 are, for example, through holes formed between the opposing surfaces 2a and 2b. The inner circumferential surface of the holes 6 is the surface with which the protrusions 5 come into contact when the protrusions 5 rotate, and is, for example, cylindrical. Note that the holes 6 are not limited to through holes, and may be holes with bottoms, one each provided on the opposing surfaces 2a and 2b.

[0026] The inclined surface 2c or the inclined surface 2d is a continuous surface extending from the tip portion 16 formed at one end to the opposing surface 2a or the opposing surface 2b. This makes it easier for the protrusion 5 to be guided into the hole 6 in the opposing surface 2a or the opposing surface 2b. The cross section of the insertion portion 3, in which the inclined surfaces 2c and 2d are formed on the upper and lower sides of the second support portion 2, is V-shaped. Note that only one of the inclined surfaces 2c and 2d may be formed in the insertion portion 3, and the other side may be a horizontal surface (a surface parallel to the insertion direction). Furthermore, the second support portion 2 may have a curved surface formed on the tip side of the insertion portion 3, instead of the inclined surfaces 2c and 2d. The curved surface formed on the insertion portion 3 may be a curved surface that bulges outward or a curved surface that recesses inward.

[0027] 3A and 4, when the second support part 2 is viewed from above, the insertion part 3 has a shape in which a gap is formed on the side surface on the stopper 12 side and extends to the side surface without forming a gap on the side surface opposite the stopper 12, and is formed in a fan shape to surround the periphery of the hole 6. Because the insertion part 3 has a fan shape, it can receive the protrusion 5 over a wide surface, so that the protrusion 5 slides reliably on the inclined surfaces 2c and 2d. Note that the insertion part 3 may also have a shape in which no gap is formed between the insertion part 3 and the stopper 12 on the side surface on the stopper 12 side of the second support part 2 and extends to the stopper 12.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 5, stoppers 11 are provided on the first arm 1A and the first arm 1B of the first support portion 1, and as shown in FIGS. 2A and 4, a stopper 12 is provided on the second support portion 2. The stoppers 11 and 12 abut against each other to restrict the rotation range of the first support portion 1 and the second support portion 2. The stoppers 11 and 12 have a shape that protrudes perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation shaft. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2B, the stopper 12 is formed at a position that protrudes beyond the opposing surface 2a or 2b of the second arm 2A in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the rotation shaft. This allows the stopper 12 of the second support portion 2 to abut against the stopper 11 of the first support portion 1.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 2C, when the first support part 1 and the second support part 2 are connected and the stoppers 11 and 12 are spaced apart, the first support part 1 and the second support part 2 can rotate freely. As shown in Fig. 2A, when the stoppers 11 and 12 come into contact with each other, the rotation of the first support part 1 and the second support part 2 is restricted.

[0030] Note that stopper 11 of first support part 1 may be formed on only one of first arm part 1A and first arm part 1B as long as it can abut against stopper 12 of second support part 2. Also, depending on the protruding shapes of stopper 11 and stopper 12, the shapes of the arms, and the range of rotation, only one of stopper 11 and stopper 12 may be provided, or neither stopper may be required. In this case, the stopper may abut against the side surface of the base of the other connected support part, or the sides of the bases of connected support parts may abut against each other.

[0031] <Configuration and Method for Disassembling Hinge Structure> The configuration and method for disassembling the hinge structure 10 will be described below. As shown in Figures 2B and 7, in the first support part 1, a space 7 is formed between the first arm part 1A and the first arm part 1B. The space 7 is narrow on the base part 13 side and wide on the tip part 14 side opposite the base part 13. When the first support part 1 and the second support part 2 are connected, a gap is formed between the opposing inner inclined surface 1a of the first arm part 1A and the inner inclined surface 1b of the first arm part 1B, and the space 7 has a V-shaped cross section.

[0032] 7, with the first support part 1 and the second support part 2 connected, a pin 60 can be inserted into the apex of a space 7 having a V-shaped cross section formed around the rotation axis in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the rotation axis. The pin 60 is, for example, a rod-shaped member with a conical or polygonal pyramidal tip, and has a shape where the thickness of the tip varies along the length.

[0033] When the pin 60 is inserted into the apex of the space 7, the pin 60 comes into contact with the first arms 1A and 1B and the tip 16 of the second support part 2 shown in FIG. 3B . Then, as the pin 60 is inserted further, a force acts on the first support part 1 to widen the gap between the first arms 1A and 1B depending on the contact position between the pin 60 and the first arms 1A and 1B. At this time, the first arms 1A and 1B bend outward, widening the gap between the first arms 1A and 1B as shown in FIG. 6 . Furthermore, as the pin 60 is inserted further, a force acts from the pin 60 on the tip 16 of the second support part 2 to push the second support part 2 outward. As a result of these forces acting simultaneously, the protrusion 5 is removed from the hole 6, and the second support part 2 is released from the first support part 1. That is, to widen the gap between first arm portion 1A and first arm portion 1B, an operator does not need to pull first arm portion 1A and first arm portion 1B outward with their hands or a jig, and excessive force is not applied to first arm portions 1A and 1B. Therefore, the two members 51 and 52 can be easily separated, reducing the time and effort required to remove the two members 51 and 52 via hinge structure 10 and also reducing the risk of mechanical fatigue and breakage.

[0034] The inner surfaces of the first arms 1A and 1B that form the V-shaped space 7 are not limited to the inclined surfaces 1a and 1b, but may be curved surfaces that bulge outward or curved surfaces that are recessed inward. Also, as long as the gap between the first arms 1A and 1B can be widened from the inside by the pin 60, the insides of the first arms 1A and 1B do not necessarily have to have inclined or curved surfaces, and may instead have horizontal surfaces or stepped portions.

[0035] A modified example of the hinge structure 10 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 8. An inclined or curved surface may be formed on the hole 6 of the second support part 2, which comes into contact with the protrusion 5 of the first support part 1 when the hinge structure 10 is released, or on the protrusion 5 of the first support part 1. In the example shown in Fig. 8, an inclined surface 6a is formed on the edge of the hole 6 on the insertion part 3 side, and an inclined surface 5b is formed on the surface of the protrusion 5 on the base part 13 side.

[0036] As a result, when the second arm portion 2A of the second support portion 2 is pulled out from between the first arm portion 1A and the first arm portion 1B, the protrusion portion 5 and the hole portion 6 slide along the inclined surfaces 5b and 6a, mitigating the collision of the protrusion portion 5. This allows the protrusion portion 5 to smoothly disengage from the hole portion 6, allowing the second arm portion 2A to be pulled out between the first arm portion 1A and the first arm portion 1B. This reduces the effort and time required to release the connection between the first support portion 1 and the second support portion 2, and also reduces the risk of mechanical fatigue and breakage. As shown in FIG. 8 , the hole portion 6 may have an inclined surface 6a formed along the entire circumference of the hole portion 6, including the edge on the base portion 15 side, in addition to the edge on the insertion portion 3 side. This facilitates the manufacturing process of the first support portion 1 or the second support portion 2. The inclined surface 5b may also be formed along the entire circumference of the tip-side edge of the protrusion portion 5.

[0037] Next, an application example of the hinge structure 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9C . The hinge structure 10 is provided, for example, on a mask frame 50, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B . When a user wears a hygienic mask (hereinafter referred to as a "mask") made of nonwoven fabric or the like, the mask frame 50 is placed inside the mask with members 51 and 52 open, as shown in FIG. 9A . By placing the mask frame 50, contact between the mask and the face can be eliminated or reduced, and the mask does not stick to the nose or mouth, making breathing and speaking easier. The hinge structure 10 provided on the mask frame 50 allows the mask frame 50 to be foldable. When the user is not wearing the mask and mask frame 50, the mask frame 50 is compact, with members 51 and 52 closed, as shown in FIG. 9B .

[0038] Furthermore, the application of the hinge structure 10 is not limited to the illustrated mask frame 50, but can be applied to various parts having a hinge structure. For example, the hinge structure 10 can be applied to doors, lids, temples of eyeglass frames, etc.

[0039] 9C shows the second support part 2 in the hinge structure 10 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. As shown in FIG. 9C, in the second support part 2, the insertion part 3 is formed only on the tip side when the second support part 2 is viewed in plan. A gap is formed between the insertion parts 3 on the side of the second support part 2 on the stopper 12 side and on the side opposite the stopper 12.

[0040] 1Cth Embodiment A hinge structure 10 according to a 1Cth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Fig. 10. Note that detailed descriptions of components that overlap with those of the 1Ath and 1Bth embodiments will be omitted.

[0041] As shown in Figure 10, the hinge structure 10 of this embodiment has a first support part 1 and a second support part 2 that can engage with each other, and the first support part 1 located on the outside has two first arms 1A and 1B, and the second support part 2 located on the inside has one second arm 2A.

[0042] In the above-described first and first embodiments, the first support portion 1 is provided with a protrusion 5, and the second support portion 2 is provided with a hole 6. In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 , the first support portion 1 has a hole 6, and the second support portion 2 has a protrusion 5 having a protruding shape that protrudes toward the first support portion 1. The hole 6 is formed on the inner surface between the first arm portion 1A and the first arm portion 1B. The hole 6 may be a through-hole that penetrates between the inner surface and the outer surface of the first support portion 1, or may be a hole with a bottom. The protrusion 5 is formed on the surface of the second support portion 2 that faces the first support portion 1, i.e., on the outer surface of the second arm portion 2A.

[0043] 10 , the first support part 1 has an inclined surface 1c formed on the tip side of the opening 4. Furthermore, the protrusion part 5 of the second support part 2 has an inclined surface 5c formed on the insertion part 3 side. The inclined surfaces 1c and 5c are surfaces that are inclined obliquely with respect to the insertion direction of the second support part 2. This reduces the collision between the opening part 4 of the first support part 1 and the protrusion part 5 of the second support part 2 when the second arm part 2A of the second support part 2 is inserted between the first arm part 1A and the first arm part 1B. Furthermore, when the insertion part 3 is inserted into the opening part 4, the protrusion part 5 tends to move smoothly along the inclined surface 1c.

[0044] If the inclined surface 1c or the inclined surface 5c is not formed, the protrusion 5 of the second support part 2 will come into contact with the opening 4 of the first support part 1 at a perpendicular surface. Therefore, the gap between the first arm part 1A and the first arm part 1B is difficult to widen. In contrast, as shown in Figure 10, by forming the inclined surface 1c at the opening 4 of the first support part 1 where the protrusion 5 comes into contact, or by forming the inclined surface 5c on the protrusion 5, the second arm part 2A can be smoothly inserted between the first arm part 1A and the first arm part 1B.

[0045] [2Ath Embodiment] A hinge structure 20 according to a 2Ath embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Fig. 11. Note that detailed descriptions of components that overlap with those of the 1Ath to 1Cth embodiments will be omitted.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 11, the hinge structure 20 according to this embodiment includes a first support portion 1 and a second support portion 2 that are engageable with each other. In the above-described first to first embodiments, the second support portion 2 includes one second arm portion 2A. In contrast, as shown in Fig. 11, in the second embodiment, the second support portion 2 includes two second arms 2A and 2B.

[0047] The second arm portion 2A and the second arm portion 2B are branched into two at the base portion 15 of the second support portion 2, and are provided facing each other with a gap therebetween.

[0048] The first support part 1 is provided with two arms, a first arm 1A and a first arm 1B, and has a protruding protrusion 5 that protrudes toward the second support part 2. The second arms 2A and 2B each have a hole 6 into which the protrusion 5 is inserted and fitted. When the protrusion 5 is inserted into the hole 6 and fitted, the first support part 1 and the second support part 2 engage with each other, and in this state where the first support part 1 and the second support part 2 are connected, the first support part 1 and the second support part 2 rotate relatively around the rotation axis.

[0049] At least one of the first support portion 1 and the second support portion 2 is a deformable elastic member. Here, the description will be given assuming that the second support portion 2 is a deformable elastic member. The characteristics of the first support portion 1 when it is a deformable member will be omitted as they overlap with the other embodiments described above. When the insertion portions 3 of the second arms 2A and 2B are inserted into the opening 4 between the first arm portion 1A and the first arm portion 1B, the second arms 2A and 2B bend inward, narrowing the gap between the second arms 2A and 2B and closing their tips. This allows the protrusion 5 to move to a position where it is inserted into the hole 6, where they fit together to connect the first support portion 1 and the second support portion 2.

[0050] [Embodiment 2B] Fig. 12 shows a hinge structure 20 according to embodiment 2B of the present invention. In the above-described embodiment 2A, a protrusion 5 is provided on the first support portion 1, and a hole 6 is provided on the second support portion 2. In contrast, as shown in Fig. 12, in this embodiment, in the hinge structure 20, the first arms 1A and 1B of the first support portion 1 have a hole 6, and the second arms 2A and 2B of the second support portion 2 have a protrusion 5 having a protruding shape that protrudes toward the first support portion 1. As shown in Fig. 12, the first support portion 1 has an inclined surface 1c formed on the tip side of the opening 4. Furthermore, the protrusion 5 of the second support portion 2 has an inclined surface 5c formed on the insertion portion 3 side. Details of the protrusion 5 and the hole 6 overlap with the details regarding the protrusion 5 and the hole 6 of embodiment 1C, and therefore will be omitted here.

[0051] 13 , the hinge 30 is configured with multiple combinations of two first arms 1A, 1B and opposing second arms 2A, 2B. The hinge 30 also has a first space 32 formed between adjacent first arms 1A and 1B to allow the first arms 1A, 1B to flex, and a second space 33 formed between adjacent second arms 2A and 2B to allow the second arms 2A, 2B to flex. The protrusion 5 is provided on one of the first arms 1A, 1B and the second arms 2A, 2B, and the hole 6 is provided on the other. As described in the second A and second B embodiments, during insertion, the protrusion 5 causes the first arms 1A, 1B and the second arms 2A, 2B to flex, thereby widening or narrowing the gap between the first arms 1A, 1B and the second arms 2A, 2B. Then, the arm of one support part is smoothly inserted between the two arms of the other support part, and finally the protrusion 5 is inserted into the hole 6 and fitted together, connecting the two support parts.

[0052] 1: First support portion 1A, 1B: First arm portion 1a, 1b, 1c: Inclined surface 2: Second support portion 2A, 2B: Second arm portion 2a, 2b: Opposing surface 2c, 2d: Inclined surface 3: Insertion portion 4: Opening portion 5: Projection portion 5a: Tapered surface 5b, 5c: Inclined surface 6: Hole portion 6a: Inclined surface 7: Space 10, 20: Hinge structure 11, 12: Stopper 13, 15: Base 14, 16: Tip 30: Hinge 32: First space 33: Second space 50: Mask frame 51, 52: Member 60: Pin

Claims

1. A hinge structure comprising: a first support part having a plurality of first arms branched from a single base and arranged opposite each other, the first support part being elastically deformable; and a second support part having a second arm installed between two of the first arms and capable of engaging with the first support part on an opposing surface of the second arm opposing the first arm, wherein one of the first arm and the second arm has a protrusion having a protruding shape, and the other of the first arm and the second arm has a hole into which the protrusion is inserted, and when the protrusion is inserted into the hole and the first support part and the second support part are connected, the first support part and the second support part are relatively rotatable around a central axis that is parallel to the protrusion direction of the protrusion, the second support part has an insertion part formed at one end of the second arm and protruding in a direction intersecting with the central axis, and an opening is formed between the two first arms into which the insertion part can be inserted when the first support part and the second support part are disconnected.

2. A hinge structure as described in claim 1, wherein the second support portion has a plurality of second arms branched from a single base portion and arranged opposite each other.

3. A hinge structure as described in claim 1, wherein the insertion portion of the second support portion has an inclined or curved surface that continues to the opposing surface.

4. A hinge structure as described in claim 1, wherein the opening of the first support portion has an inclined or curved surface that continues to the inner surfaces of the two opposing first arms.

5. The hinge structure according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion has an inclined or curved surface.

6. A hinge structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first support portion and the second support portion is provided with a stopper that restricts the range of rotation of the first support portion and the second support portion.

7. A hinge structure as described in claim 1, wherein an inclined or curved surface is formed on the inner surfaces of the two opposing first arms so that the space formed between the two first arms is narrow on the base side and wide on the end side opposite the base.

8. A hinge structure as described in claim 2, comprising a plurality of combinations of the two first arms and two second arms installed between the two first arms, and having a first space formed between two adjacent first arms to allow the first arms to flex, and a second space formed between two adjacent second arms to allow the second arms to flex.

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