Lock device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a lock device which can be easily assembled. [Solution] A lock device 1 includes: a base 3; and a slider 4 that is supported by a support part 21 of the base 3 so as to be slidable, along a first direction, between a lock position and a release position, and that is capable of locking a locked member 2 at the lock position. The base 3 has a stopper 23 that, when the slider 4 is in the lock position, comes into contact with a contact part 51c of the slider 4 from the first direction, and that prevents the slider 4 from separating from the support part 21. Either the base 3 or the slider 4 has a flexible piece 22 that is displaceable in a direction which differs from the first direction. Either the stopper 23 or the contact part 51c is provided to the flexible piece 22.

Description

Locking device

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking device that releasably locks a locking member such as a striker.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a locking device that fixes and releases a covering portion that freely opens and closes an opening of a storage portion for storing an article. In the locking device, a hook-shaped seat bottom provided on the covering portion is releasably locked by a slide bar. The slide bar is housed in a box-shaped holder. The slide bar slides between a locking position where it locks the seat bottom and a release position where it does not lock the seat bottom within the holder.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-83530

[0004] In the locking device described in Patent Document 1, a regulating convex portion that protrudes inward from the inner wall of the holder is provided above the slide bar. The regulating convex portion regulates the slide bar from detaching from within the holder. When assembling the locking device, an operator needs to push the slide bar downward from above the regulating convex portion and move the slide bar below the regulating convex portion while pushing the regulating convex portion outward. Since this operation requires a relatively large force, there is a problem that assembly is difficult.

[0005] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a locking device that can be easily assembled.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is a locking device (1), comprising a base (3), and a slider (4) supported on a support portion (21) of the base so as to be slidable between a locking position and a release position along a first direction (left-right direction), and capable of locking a locking member (2) at the locking position. The base has a stopper (23) that abuts against a contact portion (51c) of the slider from the first direction when the slider is in the locking position, and prevents the slider from detaching from the support portion. One of the base and the slider has a flexible piece (22) that is displaceable in a direction different from the first direction, and one of the stopper and the contact portion is provided on the flexible piece.

[0007] According to this embodiment, when assembling the slider to the support, the stopper can be displaced in a direction different from the first direction so that the stopper does not get in the way. This makes it possible to provide a locking device that can be easily assembled.

[0008] In the above embodiment, the base has a pair of side walls (11a, 11b) that extend in the first direction and face each other in a second direction (front-rear direction) perpendicular to the first direction, the support portion is provided on a first portion (16) located on one side in the first direction of each of the opposing inner surfaces (14a, 14b) of the pair of side walls, the flexible piece on which the stopper is provided is provided on a second portion (17) located laterally to the first portion in the first direction of the side wall, and an opening (13a) may be provided between the second portions of the pair of side walls to allow the slider to pass through.

[0009] According to this embodiment, the slider can be moved through the opening in a first direction and assembled to the support. Since a stopper is provided on the side of the support, the slider assembled to the support cannot move to the opening.

[0010] In the above embodiment, the support portion is an engaging portion (21) extending in the first direction, and the engaging portion may abut the slider in a third direction (up and down direction) perpendicular to the first and second directions.

[0011] According to this embodiment, the slider can resist a force acting from the locked member along a third direction. This allows the slider to properly lock the locked member.

[0012] In the above embodiment, the engaging portion is a pair of rails that protrude in the second direction from each of the inner surfaces of the pair of side walls and extend in the first direction, and the slider may have a pair of grooves (51a) that extend in the first direction and receive a portion of the corresponding rail.

[0013] According to this embodiment, the configuration of the support and slider can be simplified, and the manufacturing of the locking device becomes easier.

[0014] In the above embodiment, the width of the stopper in the third direction may be greater than the width of the groove in the third direction.

[0015] According to this embodiment, when assembling the slider to the base, the stopper is prevented from getting stuck in the groove of the slider. This makes it possible to easily assemble the slider to the support.

[0016] In the above embodiment, the flexible piece is a cantilever beam extending toward the support portion along the first direction, and the stopper may be provided at the tip of the cantilever beam.

[0017] According to this embodiment, the flexible piece and the stopper can be formed integrally with the side wall. As a result, the manufacturing of the locking device becomes easier.

[0018] With the above configuration, it is possible to provide a locking device that can be easily assembled.

[0019] Perspective view of the locking device according to the embodiment. Exploded perspective view of the locking device. Cross-sectional view of the base. Perspective view with part of the base omitted. Perspective view of the base. Side view of the locking device when the slider is in the locked position. Side view of the locking device when the slider is in the unlocked position. Explanatory diagram illustrating the assembly method of the locking device. Cross-sectional view of the locking device during assembly. Cross-sectional view of the locking device during assembly. Perspective view of the locking device during assembly with part of the base omitted. Perspective view of the locking device during assembly with part of the base omitted. Perspective view of the locking device during assembly with part of the base omitted.

[0020] The following describes an embodiment of the locking device of the present invention. The locking device 1 of the embodiment locks a striker 2, which is a locked member, in a lockable manner. The locking device 1 is installed on the body of a saddle-type vehicle, such as a scooter. The striker 2 may be installed on the lid of a storage box or on a fuel lid, for example. Instead of the striker 2 having an annular portion, a hook with a free end may be used as the locked member. The configuration of the locking device 1 will be described below based on the left-right direction (first direction), front-rear direction (second direction), and up-down direction (third direction), which are orthogonal to each other. Note that each direction does not limit the mounting direction of the locking device 1. The striker 2 moves in the up-down direction relative to the locking device 1.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the locking device 1 includes a base 3 and a slider 4 that removably locks the striker 2. The locking device 1 also includes a spring 5 and a control cable 6 for moving the slider 4. The locking device 1 may also have an upper cover 7 and a lower cover 8 attached to the base 3. The base 3, slider 4, upper cover 7, and lower cover 8 are preferably made of resin.

[0022] The base 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape that extends vertically and has openings at both ends in the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 2, the base 3 extends horizontally and has a pair of side walls 11a and 11b that face each other in the front-to-back direction, and a pair of end walls 12a and 12b that connect the left and right ends of the pair of side walls 11a and 11b. An inner hole 13 that opens vertically is formed inside the base 3.

[0023] The base 3 has a support portion 21, a pair of flexible pieces 22, and a pair of stoppers 23. The support portion 21, the flexible pieces 22, and the stoppers 23 are preferably provided on a pair of side walls 11a and 11b. As shown in Figure 3, the portion of the inner surfaces 14a and 14b of the pair of side walls 11a and 11b that is located on the right side (one side) in the left-right direction is defined as the first portion 16. The portion of the inner surfaces 14a and 14b of the pair of side walls 11a and 11b that is located to the left (lateral) of the first portion 16 in the left-right direction is defined as the second portion 17. The support portion 21 is provided on the first portion 16. The pair of flexible pieces 22 are provided on the second portion 17. An opening 13a is provided between the pair of second portions 17 to allow the slider 4 to pass through. The opening 13a forms part of the inner hole 13.

[0024] A slot 26 into which the striker 2 enters is formed in the side wall 11a. The slot 26 is recessed downward from the upper end of the side wall 11a. The slot 26 also penetrates the side wall 11a in the thickness direction. As shown in Figure 2, the upper end of the side wall 11b is offset downward from the upper end of the side wall 11a. A projection 27 that protrudes rearward is provided on the side wall 11b.

[0025] The support portion 21 has a pair of rails 21a. The pair of rails 21a protrude in the front-rear direction from the inner surfaces 14a, 14b of the pair of side walls 11a, 11b, respectively, and extend in the left-right direction. The pair of rails 21a function as engaging portions that engage with the slider 4. The pair of rails 21a are provided on the first portion 16 of the pair of side walls 11a, 11b.

[0026] Each rail 21a has an upper end surface and a lower end surface that extend in the left-right direction. The upper end surface and the lower end surface are formed on surfaces perpendicular to the vertical direction. Each rail 21a has a rectangular cross-section.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, through holes 22h extending in the front-rear direction are formed in the second portions 17 of the side walls 11a and 11b. The two through holes 22h face each other in the front-rear direction. A pair of flexible pieces 22 are arranged in the corresponding through holes 22h. Each flexible piece 22 is a cantilever beam extending towards the support portion 21 along the left-right direction. Each flexible piece 22 has a fixed end 22a connected to the left edge of the corresponding through hole 22h and a tip 22b located inside the through hole 22h. The flexible piece 22 is displaceable in the front-rear direction. That is, the tip 22b of the flexible piece 22 is displaceable in the front-rear direction. A stopper 23 is provided at the tip 22b of the flexible piece 22.

[0028] Each stopper 23 protrudes inward from the tip 22b of the corresponding flexible piece 22 in the front-rear direction from the base 3. Each stopper 23 has a stopper surface 23a facing to the right at its right end. Also, as shown in Figure 9, each stopper 23 has an inclined surface 23b at its lower part that is inclined upward inward from the base 3 in the front-rear direction. The stopper 23 is displaceable in the front-rear direction together with the tip 22b of the flexible piece 22.

[0029] On each side wall 11a, 11b, the rail 21a, the flexible piece 22, and the stopper 23 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. More specifically, when viewed from the front-rear direction, the rail 21a, the flexible piece 22, and the stopper 23 are arranged on a virtual line extending in the left-right direction. The right end of the stopper 23 and the flexible piece 22 are spaced to the left of the left end of the rail 21a.

[0030] Each of the lower parts of the inner surfaces 14a and 14b of each side wall 11a and 11b is provided with a downward-facing shoulder surface 24. The shoulder surface 24 extends along the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 9, on the inner surfaces 14a and 14b of each side wall 11a and 11b, the portion above the shoulder surface 24 is positioned further inward in the front-rear direction of the base 3 than the portion below the shoulder surface 24. As shown in Figure 3, the shoulder surface 24 is positioned below the flexible piece 22 and the rail 21a. The shoulder surface 24 has, from left to right, a first shoulder surface 24a, a second shoulder surface 24b, and a third shoulder surface 24c. The first shoulder surface 24a and the third shoulder surface 24c extend parallel to the left-right direction. The first shoulder surface 24a is offset downward from the third shoulder surface 24c. The second shoulder surface 24b slopes upward from the right end of the first shoulder surface 24a towards the left end of the third shoulder surface 24c. The second shoulder surface 24b is located below the flexible piece 22. The left end of the first shoulder surface 24a is connected to the left end wall 12b. The right end of the third shoulder surface 24c is connected to the right end wall 12a.

[0031] A downward-facing shoulder surface 25 is provided on the right side of the left end wall 12b. The shoulder surface 25 is positioned above the upper edge of the flexible piece 22.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, fastening holes 31 are formed in the upper part of each of the pair of end walls 12a and 12b. Each fastening hole 31 may penetrate each end wall 12a and 12b. Weight-reducing holes 32 may be formed in each end wall 12a and 12b.

[0033] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a spring seat 33 is provided on the left side of the right end wall 12a. The spring seat 33 is preferably a convex portion that protrudes to the left from the left side of the right end wall 12a. A cable support portion 34 is also provided at the lower end of the right end wall 12a. The cable support portion 34 is preferably a groove that is recessed upward from the lower end of the right end wall 12a. As shown in Figure 2, at least one locking portion 35 is provided at the lower part of the right side of the right end wall 12a. The locking portion 35 is preferably a recess that is recessed to the left from the right side of the right end wall 12a.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, a locking portion 36 is provided at the lower part of the left end wall 12b. The locking portion 36 is preferably a locking claw that protrudes to the left from the left side surface of the left end wall 12b.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the top cover 7 is attached to the upper end of the base 3 and closes a portion of the upper end of the inner hole 13. As shown in Figure 2, the top cover 7 has an upper plate 40 with its surface facing up and down and extending left and right, a slot 41 formed in the upper plate 40, and a pair of fastening pieces 42 extending downward from each of the left and right ends of the upper plate 40. Each of the pair of fastening pieces 42 is provided with a fastening hole 43. The top cover 7 is joined to the base 3 by inserting fasteners 44 into the opposing fastening holes 43 and fastening holes 31. The fasteners 44 may be clips, rivets, screws, etc. The top plate 40 is positioned on the upper edges of the front side wall 11a and the left and right end walls 12a and 12b. The slot 41 is recessed from the front edge of the top plate 40 toward the rear and penetrates the top plate 40 in the thickness direction. The front end of the slot 41 is connected to the upper end of the slot 26. A gap is formed between the rear edge of the top plate 40 and the upper edge of the rear side wall 11b.

[0036] The lower cover 8 covers the opening 13a at the lower end of the base 3. As shown in Figure 2, the lower cover 8 has a lower plate 45 with its surface facing up and down and extending in the left-right direction, a locking portion 46 provided at the right end of the lower plate 45, and a locking portion 47 provided at the left end of the lower plate 45. The locking portion 46 of the lower cover 8 is locked to the locking portion 35 of the right end wall 12a. The locking portion 46 of the lower cover 8 is, for example, a locking claw extending upward from the lower plate 45, which preferably hooks into the recessed locking portion 35. The locking portion 47 of the lower cover 8 is preferably a through hole formed in a tab extending upward from the left end of the lower plate 45. The locking portion 36 (see Figure 3), which is a locking claw on the left end wall 12b, preferably hooks into the locking portion 47 of the lower cover 8.

[0037] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the slider 4 has a central portion 51 slidably supported by a support portion 21, an upper portion 52 extending upward from the central portion 51, a claw portion 53 extending to the left from the upper portion 52, and a lower portion 54 extending downward from the central portion 51.

[0038] The central portion 51 is preferably formed as a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 10, the central portion 51 has a front surface 51f facing forward and a rear surface 51r facing backward. The front surface 51f of the central portion 51 is in sliding contact with the inner surface 14a of the front side wall 11a. The rear surface 51r of the central portion 51 is in sliding contact with the inner surface 14b of the rear side wall 11b. As shown in Figures 4 and 9, the central portion 51 has a pair of grooves 51a extending in the left-right direction on both the front surface 51f and the rear surface 51r. The left end of each groove 51a reaches the left side surface of the central portion 51, and the right end of each groove 51a reaches the right side surface of the central portion 51. That is, each groove 51a penetrates the central portion 51 in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 9, each groove 51a has an upward-facing lower wall 51d, a downward-facing upper wall 51u, and a bottom wall 51e facing forward or backward. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, it is preferable that projections 65 are provided on the lower wall 51d and the upper wall 51u.

[0039] As shown in Figure 12, each groove 51a receives a portion of the corresponding rail 21a. The lower wall 51d of each groove 51a abuts against the lower surface of the corresponding rail 21a, and the upper wall 51u of each groove 51a abuts against the upper surface of the corresponding rail 21a. In other words, the rail 21a is in contact with the slider 4 in the vertical direction. As a result, the slider 4 is restricted from moving vertically relative to the pair of rails 21a, while movement in the horizontal direction is permitted. The projection 65 (see Figure 4) fills the gap between the rail 21a and the groove 51a, suppressing rattling of the slider 4 relative to the rail 21a.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, the vertical width of the pair of stoppers 23 is greater than the vertical width of the groove 51a.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 4, a spring 5 for biasing the slider 4 with respect to the base 3 is provided between the base 3 and the slider 4. The spring 5 is preferably a compression coil spring. The spring 5 is preferably provided between the right end wall 12a and the right side surface of the slider 4. A spring seat 51b is provided at the right end of the central portion 51. The spring seat 51b is preferably a recess recessed leftward from the right side surface of the central portion 51. The left end of the spring 5 is preferably locked to the spring seat 51b. Also, the right end of the spring 5 is preferably locked to the spring seat 33 of the right end wall 12a.

[0042] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the slider 4 has a contact portion 51c that contacts each stopper 23. In the present embodiment, the contact portion 51c is constituted by the left end surface 51g of the central portion 51. The contact portion 51c is formed in a plane orthogonal to the left-right direction.

[0043] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the upper portion 52 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape extending upward from the central portion 51. The left side surface of the upper portion 52 is offset to the right with respect to the contact portion 51c of the central portion 51. As shown in Fig. 10, the front surface 52f of the upper portion 52 is in sliding contact with the inner surface 14a of the front side wall 11a. The rear surface 52r of the upper portion 52 is in sliding contact with the inner surface 14b of the rear side wall 11b.

[0044] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, guide grooves 52a are formed in each of the front surface 52f and the rear surface 52r of the upper portion 52. Each guide groove 52a is formed on the right side of the front surface 52f and the rear surface 52r. The guide groove 52a on the front surface 52f is recessed rearward, and the guide groove 52a on the rear surface 52r is recessed forward. Each guide groove 52a extends in the vertical direction. The upper end of each guide groove 52a reaches the upper surface of the upper portion 52.

[0045] The depth of the upper portion of the guide groove 52a is larger than the depth of the lower portion of the guide groove 52a. As shown in Fig. 9, the bottom surfaces 52e of the pair of guide grooves 52a are inclined upward and inward of the slider 4 in the front-rear direction. In a cross section passing through the pair of guide grooves 52a, the front-rear width W1 of the upper side of the upper portion 52 is smaller than the front-rear width W2 of the lower side of the upper portion 52.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the claw portion 53 protrudes leftward from the upper end of the left side surface of the upper portion 52. The upper end of the claw portion 53 may protrude upward from the upper end of the upper portion 52. A cam surface 53a that slopes downward toward the left is provided at the upper end of the claw portion 53.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, the lower portion 54 locks one end of the control cable 6. The lower portion 54 functions as a hook for locking the cable end 6c. The lower portion 54 extends downward from the central portion 51. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower portion 54 has a right wall portion 54a that extends downward from the central portion 51 and a lower wall portion 54b that extends leftward from the lower end of the right wall portion 54a. Slits 54c are formed in the lower wall portion 54b and the right wall portion 54a. The slit 54c extends from the left end to the right end of the lower wall portion 54b and also extends upward from the lower end of the right wall portion 54a. A receiving recess 54d that opens leftward when viewed in the front-rear direction is formed by the lower surface of the central portion 51, the right wall portion 54a, and the lower wall portion 54b. The lower portion 54 may extend downward from the central portion 51 and have a pair of front and rear side wall portions 54e joined to the front and rear edges of the right wall portion 54a and the lower wall portion 54b. A pair of front and rear flange portions 54f that protrude outward in the front and rear directions are provided at the front and rear edges of the lower wall portion 54b.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the control cable 6 has a tubular outer tube 6a and an inner wire 6b that is movably inserted inside the outer tube 6a. Both ends of the inner wire 6b protrude outward from both ends of the outer tube 6a. A spherical cable end 6c is provided at one end of the inner wire 6b. The cable end 6c is disposed within the receiving recess 54d of the lower portion 54. The cable end 6c is disposed in the receiving recess 54d, and the inner wire 6b passes through the slit 54c and penetrates the right wall portion 54a. Since the diameter of the cable end 6c is larger than the width of the slit 54c, the cable end 6c cannot pass through the slit 54c. Thereby, the cable end 6c is locked to the right wall portion 54a and the lower wall portion 54b.

[0049] A locking groove 56 extending in the circumferential direction is formed on the outer circumference of the end of the outer tube 6a. The locking groove 56 engages with the cable support portion 34 on the right end wall 12b. As a result, the outer tube 6a is supported by the locking device 1.

[0050] The other end of the inner wire 6b is fitted with a lever (not shown) that is operated by the user.

[0051] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the slider 4 is supported so as to be slidable between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the base 3. In this embodiment, the slider 4 is slidable in the left-right direction relative to the base 3. As shown in Figure 6, the locked position of the slider 4 is defined by the contact portion 51c of the slider 4 contacting the abutment surface 23a of each stopper 23. That is, the contact portion 51c of the slider 4 contacting the abutment surface 23a of each stopper 23 restricts the slider 4 from moving to the left of the locked position. When the slider 4 is in the locked position, the claw portion 53 is positioned to overlap with the slot 26 when viewed from the front-rear direction. This allows the claw portion 53 of the slider 4 to engage with the striker 2 in the slot 26. The spring 5 biases the slider 4 to the locked position.

[0052] When the inner wire 6b is pulled by the user, the cable end 6c of the inner wire 6b pulls the slider 4 to the right. This moves the slider 4 to the released position on the right. As shown in Figure 7, when the slider 4 is in the released position, the claw portion 53 retracts to the right from the slot 26 when viewed from the front-rear direction. This causes the striker 2 to separate from the claw portion 53 of the slider 4, and the striker 2 can disengage from the slot 26. When the user stops operating the inner wire 6b, the slider 4 moves to the locked position due to the biasing force of the spring 5. In this way, the slider 4 moves between the locked position and the released position along the left-right direction by the user's operation.

[0053] The assembly method of the locking device 1 will now be described. As shown in Figure 8, first, one end of the spring 5 is inserted into the spring seat 51b of the central part 51 of the slider 4. Next, the slider 4 is inserted into the opening 13a from below the base 3. At this time, the slider 4 is inserted into the opening 13a from the upper part 52 side. As a result, each stopper 23 of the base 3 is guided into the corresponding guide groove 52a of the slider 4. At this time, as shown in Figure 9, the inclined surface 23b allows each stopper 23 to enter the corresponding guide groove 52a without getting caught on the upper end of the upper part 52.

[0054] As shown in Figure 9, when the slider 4 moves upward relative to the base 3, the tips of the pair of stoppers 23 on the base 3 enter the pair of guide grooves 52a of the slider 4. Then, the tips of the pair of stoppers 23 on the base 3 slide against the bottom surface 52e of the guide grooves 52a. As the slider 4 moves further upward relative to the base 3, each stopper 23 is pressed against the inclined bottom surface 52e, and each flexible piece 22 elastically deforms forward or backward. As shown in Figure 10, as the slider 4 moves further upward, the pair of stoppers 23 detach from the lower ends of the pair of guide grooves 52a and come into contact with the front surface 51f and rear surface 51r of the central portion 51. At this time, since the vertical width of each stopper 23 is greater than the vertical width of the groove portion 51a, each stopper 23 is prevented from getting stuck in the groove portion 51a.

[0055] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the slider 4 moves upward relative to the base 3 until each flange portion 54f contacts the corresponding first shoulder surface 24a of the base 3. As shown in Figure 11, at this time, the upper surface of the left end of the central portion 51 may contact the shoulder surface 25. From this state, as the slider 4 moves to the right relative to the base 3, the left end of each rail 21a is inserted into the right end of the corresponding groove 51a. As the slider 4 moves further to the right relative to the base 3, the insertion of each rail 21a into the groove 51a progresses, and the right end of the spring 5 contacts the spring seat 33. From this state, as the slider 4 moves further to the right relative to the base 3, the spring 5 is compressed, and the contact portion 51c at the left end of the central portion 51 passes the pair of stoppers 23 to the right. As shown in Figure 12, at this time the pair of flexible pieces 22 return to their original state, and the impact surfaces 23a of each stopper 23 face the contact portion 51c of the slider 4 in the left-right direction. As a result, the slider 4 is supported on the support portion 21 of the base 3 so that it can slide in the left-right direction. In addition, the stoppers 23 restrict the movement of the slider 4 to the left, preventing the stoppers 23 from detaching from the support portion 21.

[0056] Next, as shown in Figure 13, the control cable 6 is assembled to the lower part 54 of the slider 4. At this time, the cable end 6c is inserted into the housing recess 54d, and the inner wire 6b is inserted into the slit 54c. This locks the cable end 6c to the lower part 54. Also, the locking groove 56 of the outer tube 6a is inserted into the cable support portion 34 of the end wall 12a. Finally, the upper cover 7 and the lower cover 8 are assembled to the base 3, completing the assembly of the locking device 1.

[0057] The effects of the locking device 1 according to this embodiment will now be described. Since the stopper 23 is provided on the flexible piece 22, the stopper 23 can be displaced in the front-rear direction by displacing the flexible piece 22. This allows the stopper 23 to be displaced outward in the front-rear direction from the opening 13a so that it does not get in the way when assembling the slider 4 to the support part 21. This provides a locking device 1 that allows the slider 4 to be easily assembled to the support part 21 of the base 3.

[0058] The slider 4 can be moved to the right through the opening 13a and assembled to the support 21. Since a stopper 23 is provided on the side of the support 21, the slider 4 assembled to the support 21 cannot move to the opening 13a. Because the opening 13a is positioned in the direction of extension of the rail 21a, even if the slider 4 receives an upward load from the striker 2, the slider 4 will not move towards the opening 13a. As a result, the stopper 23 is less likely to receive a load from the slider 4.

[0059] Since the slider 4 is supported by a pair of rails 21a extending in the left-right direction, it can adequately resist a downward load from the striker 2. This allows the slider 4 to properly lock the striker 2.

[0060] The flexible piece 22 is a cantilever beam extending linearly to the right, and has a stopper 23 at its tip 22b. Therefore, the flexible piece 22 receives an axial compressive force in response to a leftward load from the slider 4. As a result, the flexible piece 22 can adequately resist the load from the slider 4 and does not bend in the front-rear direction. This allows the flexible piece 22 and the stopper 23 to adequately maintain the slider 4 in the support portion 21.

[0061] This concludes the description of the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be broadly modified and implemented. For example, a pair of rails 21a may be provided on the slider 4, and a pair of grooves 51a may be provided on the base 3. Alternatively, a pair of stoppers 23 may be directly provided on the inner surfaces 14a, 14b of the front and rear side walls 11a, 11b, and a pair of flexible pieces 22 may be provided on the slider 4. In this case, the flexible piece is a cantilever beam extending to the left, and the contact portion at the left end of the slider 4 may be formed by the tip of the flexible piece.

[0062] Instead of the control cable 6, a drive mechanism equipped with an electric motor may be provided in the locking device 1. The drive mechanism may, for example, have a rack and pinion mechanism and convert the output of the electric motor into a driving force to the right of the slider 4.

[0063] 1: Locking device 2: Striker (locked member) 3: Base 4: Slider 11a, 11b: Side wall 13a: Opening 14a, 14b: Inner surface 16: First part 17: Second part 21: Support part 21a: Rail (engaging part) 22: Flexible piece (cantilever beam) 22b: Tip 23: Stopper 51a: Groove 51c: Contact part

Claims

1. A locking device comprising: a base; a slider supported on a support portion of the base so as to be slidable between a locked position and an unlocked position along a first direction, and capable of locking a member to be locked in the locked position, wherein the base has a stopper that contacts a contact portion of the slider from the first direction when the slider is in the locked position, preventing the slider from detaching from the support portion, and one of the base and the slider has a flexible piece that is displaceable in a direction different from the first direction, and the stopper and the contact portion are provided on the flexible piece.

2. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein the base has a pair of side walls that extend in the first direction and face each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the support portion is provided on a first portion located on one side in the first direction of each of the opposing inner surfaces of the pair of side walls, the flexible piece on which the stopper is provided is provided on a second portion located laterally to the first portion in the first direction of the side wall, and an opening is provided between the second portions of the pair of side walls to allow the passage of the slider.

3. The locking device according to claim 2, wherein the support portion is an engaging portion extending in the first direction, and the engaging portion is in contact with the slider in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.

4. The locking device according to claim 3, wherein the engaging portion is a pair of rails that protrude in the second direction from each of the inner surfaces of the pair of side walls and extend in the first direction, and the slider has a pair of grooves that extend in the first direction and receive a part of the corresponding rail.

5. The locking device according to claim 4, wherein the width of the stopper in the third direction is greater than the width of the groove in the third direction.

6. The locking device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the flexible piece is a cantilever beam extending toward the support portion in the first direction, and the stopper is provided at the tip of the cantilever beam.

Images