Lock nut structure and panel mounting device

Abstract

Provided is a lock nut structure capable of being efficiently attached and detached. A lock nut structure 1 comprises: a nut part 2 which has at least one gap 2a in the circumferential direction, is configured to be radially contractable and expandable, and has a female thread portion 20 in the inner periphery; and a lock part 3 which is externally fitted on the nut part 2, moves in the axial direction with respect to the nut part 2 to radially contract or expand the nut part 2, and moves in the circumferential direction with respect to the nut part 2 to lock the female thread portion 20 of the nut part 2 to an external male thread portion 101 that is threaded to the female thread portion 20. A plurality of engagement projections 24 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the nut part 2, and a plurality of engagement grooves 30a with which the respective engagement projections 24 can engage are provided in the inner peripheral surface of the lock part 3. Each engagement groove 30a has an axial groove 30a1 extending in the axial direction and a circumferential groove 30a2 communicating with the axial groove and extending in the circumferential direction.

Description

Lock nut structures and panel mounting equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a lock nut structure and a panel mounting device, and more particularly to an improvement in the structure for efficient attachment and detachment.

[0002] Paragraph

[0020] and Figure 9 of Japanese Patent Publication No. 4108453 describe how, in a panel mounting unit, the operating unit (1) is positioned on the front side (left side in Figure 9) of the panel (201), the male threaded portion (10b) of the operating unit body (10) is inserted into a mounting hole (202) formed in the panel (201), and a tightening nut (5) is screwed onto the male threaded portion (10b) from the back side (right side in the same figure) of the panel (201) and tightened, thereby screwing the operating unit (1) to the panel (201).

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 4108453 (see paragraph

[0020] and Figure 9)

[0004] Generally, the male threaded portion formed on the operating part body of the operating part has a predetermined length to accommodate thick panels. Therefore, when screwing the operating part to a thin panel, it was necessary to turn the tightening nut more than necessary in the tightening direction (i.e., it took time to temporarily fasten the tightening nut), and similarly, when removing an operating part that had been screwed to a thin panel, it was necessary to turn the tightening nut more than necessary in the loosening direction (i.e., it took time to remove the tightening nut). As a result, the conventional configuration resulted in long working times and poor work efficiency when attaching and detaching the tightening nut.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and the problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a lock nut structure that can be attached and detached efficiently.

[0006] The lock nut structure according to the present invention comprises a nut portion having at least one gap in the circumferential direction, configured to be retractable and expandable in diameter, and having a female threaded portion on its inner circumference; and a locking portion that fits onto the nut portion from the outer circumference, moves axially relative to the nut portion to retract or expand the nut portion, and moves circumferentially relative to the nut portion to lock the female threaded portion of the nut portion against an external male threaded portion that screws into it. A plurality of engaging protrusions are provided on either the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion or the inner circumferential surface of the locking portion, and a plurality of engaging grooves corresponding to each engaging protrusion and into which each engaging protrusion can engage are provided on either the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion or the inner circumferential surface of the locking portion. Each engaging groove has an axial groove extending in the axial direction and a circumferential groove communicating therewith and extending in the circumferential direction.

[0007] According to the lock nut structure of the present invention, in order to lock the nut portion to the external male thread portion, the lock portion is fitted to the nut portion from the outer circumference by engaging the axial grooves of the engagement grooves on the inner circumference surface of the lock portion (or the outer circumference surface of the nut portion) with the engagement projections on the outer circumference surface of the nut portion (or the inner circumference surface of the lock portion), and then the nut portion, which is in an expanded diameter state due to the axial movement of the lock portion relative to the nut portion, is inserted into the external male thread portion. At this time, since the nut portion is in an expanded diameter state, the female thread portion of the nut portion does not interfere with the external male thread portion, and the nut portion enters the external male thread portion in the axial direction.

[0008] Next, by moving the locking part axially relative to the nut part, the nut part becomes reduced in diameter, and as a result, the female thread of the nut part screws onto the external male thread. From this state, when the locking part is moved circumferentially toward the tightening side relative to the nut part, each engaging projection of the nut part (or locking part) engages with the circumferential grooves of each engaging groove of the locking part (or nut part). From this state, when the locking part is moved further circumferentially relative to the nut part, the nut part rotates together with the locking part, and as a result, the female thread of the nut part locks onto the external male thread that screws onto it. In this way, the attachment of the lock nut structure to the external male thread is completed.

[0009] Next, to remove the lock nut structure from the external male thread, the lock part is moved relative to the nut in the opposite direction to the tightening direction in the circumferential direction. When this happens, each engaging projection of the nut (or lock part) moves within the circumferential groove of each engaging groove of the lock part (or nut part) in the opposite direction to the circumferential direction during installation. From this state, if the lock part is moved further relative to the nut in the circumferential direction to loosen, the nut rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation direction during installation, thereby releasing the lock state of the nut relative to the external male thread.

[0010] From this state, the locking part is moved relative to the nut in the opposite direction to the axial direction (i.e., the axial extension direction) when it was installed (i.e., the axial retraction direction). At this time, each engaging projection of the nut (or locking part) moves within the axial groove of each engaging groove of the locking part (or nut) in the opposite direction to the axial direction when it was installed. As a result, the nut expands in diameter, and the screwing of the female thread of the nut to the external male thread is released. This allows the nut to move axially outward together with the locking part without the female thread of the nut interfering with the external male thread. In this way, the removal of the lock nut structure is completed.

[0011] According to the present invention, when attaching the lock nut structure to an external male thread, the nut portion, which is in an expanded state due to the axial movement of the lock portion, is axially inserted into the external male thread, and then the nut portion is reduced in diameter and rotated only by the amount necessary for locking. When removing the lock nut structure from the external male thread, the nut portion is rotated only by the amount necessary for unlocking, and then the nut portion is expanded in diameter due to the axial movement of the lock portion and retracted axially from the external male thread. As a result, it is not necessary to rotate the nut portion more than necessary when attaching or detaching it, and attachment and detachment can be performed efficiently.

[0012] In this invention, elastic parts are provided in the gaps between the nut parts to elastically connect the nut parts in the circumferential direction.

[0013] In this invention, either the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion or the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion has a tapered surface, and the other of the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion or the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion has a contact portion that abuts against the tapered surface.

[0014] In this invention, the nut portion is in direct or indirect contact with an external device having a male threaded portion when locked.

[0015] The panel mounting component according to the present invention incorporates the aforementioned lock nut structure.

[0016] As described above, the lock nut structure according to the present invention has the effect of enabling efficient attachment and detachment.

[0017] Figure 9 is an overall perspective view of a lock nut structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above the nut portion. Figure 11 is a front view of the lock nut structure. Figure 12 is an overall perspective view of the lock nut structure, viewed from below the lock portion. Figure 13 is an overall perspective view of the nut portion, viewed from above. Figure 14 is a front view of the nut portion, viewed from below. Figure 5 is an overall perspective view of the nut portion, viewed from below. Figure 3 is an overall perspective view of the lock portion, viewed from above. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a longitudinal cross-section of the lock portion. Figure 9 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the procedure for attaching the lock nut structure, viewed from above the male thread portion. Figure 11 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the procedure for attaching the lock nut structure, viewed from above the male thread portion. Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view. Figures 9 and 10 show the positional relationship between the engagement groove formed in the locking portion (Figure 8) and the engagement projection of the nut portion (Figure 4) that engages therewith. Figures 11 and 12 show the positional relationship between the engagement groove (Figure 15) and the engagement projection (Figure 15) that engages therewith. Figures 13 and 14 show the positional relationship between the engagement groove (Figure 15) and the engagement projection (Figure 15) that engages therewith. This is a front view (Figures 13 and 17) of the lock nut structure (Figure 1) after it has been attached to the external male thread portion (Figure 11). This is an overall perspective view of a lock nut structure according to another embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above the nut portion. This is an overall perspective view of the nut portion (Figure 19) viewed from above. This is an overall perspective view of the nut portion (Figure 19) viewed from below. This is an overall perspective view of the locking portion of the lock nut structure (Figure 19) viewed from above.

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the attached drawings. Figures 1 to 18 are diagrams illustrating a lock nut structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, where Figures 1 to 3 are external views of the lock nut structure, Figures 4 to 6 are external views of the nut portion constituting the lock nut structure, Figure 7 is an external view of the lock portion constituting the lock nut structure, Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a cross-section of the lock portion, and Figures 9 to 18 are diagrams showing the procedure for attaching the lock nut structure to an external male thread portion in chronological order. For the purposes of the following description, when using Figure 2 as an example, the upper side (upwards) of the figure will be referred to as the upper side (upwards / upwards in the axial direction), the lower side (downwards) of the figure will be referred to as the lower side (downwards / downwards in the axial direction), and the left-right direction of the figure will be referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the lock nut structure 1 comprises a nut portion 2 having an internal threaded portion 20 on its inner circumference, and a locking portion 3 that fits onto the nut portion 2 from the outer circumference and locks the nut portion 2 by screwing it onto an external external male threaded portion (described later).

[0020] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the nut portion 2 has, for example, four gaps 2a in the circumferential direction. In this example, it is composed of four nut segments 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, each extending in an arc shape (i.e., each in a quarter-circle shape). By increasing or decreasing the gaps 2a between adjacent nut segments 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D in the circumferential direction, the nut segments 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D move apart or closer together in the circumferential direction, thereby allowing the nut portion 2 to expand or contract in diameter.

[0021] Each gap 2a is provided with an elastically deformable elastic part 22, for example, in the shape of a U (or an inverted U). One end of the U-shaped elastic part 22 is fixed to a nut segment (for example, nut segment 2A) on one end of the gap 2a, and the other end is fixed to a nut segment (for example, nut segment 2B) on the other end of the gap 2a. As a result, each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are elastically connected in the circumferential direction. The elastic part 20 is made of, for example, resin or metal. The entire nut section, including the elastic part 20, may be made of resin or metal.

[0022] As shown in Figure 5, the nut portion 2 (and thus each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D that constitutes it) has a cylindrical base portion 21 positioned on the lower side, a tapered portion 23 having a tapered surface 23a on its outer circumference that tapers upward from the upper end of the base portion 21 while expanding in diameter, and a flange portion 25 positioned at the upper end of the tapered portion 23 and extending radially outward. The upper surface 25a of the flange portion 25 is a part for directly (or indirectly) contacting external equipment, and is designed to press against external equipment when the nut portion 2 is screwed into an external male thread portion (described later) and locked. The flange portion 25 has a cylindrical lower part 25b.

[0023] The outer circumferential surface of the base 21 of the nut portion 2 is provided with a plurality (four in this example) of engaging projections 24 that protrude radially outward. One engaging projection 24 is provided on each of the nut segments 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D.

[0024] As shown in Figure 7, the locking portion 3 has a cylindrical tubular portion 30 positioned on the upper side and a base portion 31, for example, a hexagonal prism-shaped portion, positioned below it. As shown in Figure 8, the inner circumferential surface of the locking portion 3 has a cylindrical inner circumferential surface 30b positioned on the upper side and a tapered circumferential surface 30c positioned below it, which gradually decreases in diameter towards the bottom. A stepped portion 30b' is formed at the upper end of the inner circumferential surface 30b. Upper end corner portion 30b of the inner circumferential surface 30b １ As will be described later, this functions as a contact portion that abuts against the tapered surface 23a of the tapered portion 23 of the nut portion 2.

[0025] Multiple (four in this example) engagement grooves 30a are formed on the inner circumferential surfaces 30b and 30c of the cylindrical portion 30. Each engagement groove 30a is positioned to correspond to each engagement projection 24 of the nut portion 2 and is sized to allow the corresponding engagement projection 24 to engage. Here, an example is shown in which each engagement groove 30a penetrates the cylindrical portion 30 in the thickness direction (i.e., an example of a through hole), but it does not have to penetrate.

[0026] Each engagement groove 30a is an axial groove 30a extending in the axial direction １ and axial groove 30a １ While communicating with the axial groove 30a １The circumferential groove 30a extending circumferentially from the lower end of ２ and has a substantially L-shaped (or substantially inverted L-shaped) configuration. When each engaging projection 24 of the nut portion 2 is inserted into and engaged with each corresponding engaging groove 30a of the lock portion 3, the lock nut structure 1 is formed. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, each engaging projection 24 of the nut portion 2 engages with the position of the upper end of the axial groove 30a in each engaging groove 30a of the lock portion 3. １ is engaged.

[0027] Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 18. Here, as an example, the case where panel-mounted devices such as operation switches and display switches are fixed to the panel by the lock nut structure 1 described above will be taken.

[0028] In FIGS. 9, 11, and 13, reference numeral 100 indicates a part of the panel-mounted device. The panel-mounted device 100 has a male screw portion 101, and the male screw portion 101 extends to the back side of the panel (lower side in each figure) through a mounting hole Pa formed through the panel P. Each figure is a longitudinal sectional view of the lock nut structure 1 and the panel-mounted device 100, but for the sake of illustration, hatching is omitted for some cross-sections. Also, in each figure, for the sake of illustration, the structures of the nut portion 2 and the lock portion 3 of the lock nut structure 1 are shown with some simplification. On the other hand, FIGS. 10, 12, and 14 correspond to views of FIGS. 9, 11, and 13 seen from below, respectively, and are diagrams for explaining the positions of each engaging projection 24 in each engaging groove 30a.

[0029] When fixing the panel-mounted device 100 to the panel P, as shown in FIG. 9, first, the lock nut structure 1 is fitted onto the male screw portion 101 of the panel-mounted device 100 from below in the figure. At this time, the lock portion 3 has moved downward in the axial direction with respect to the nut portion 2, and the upper end corner portion (contact portion) 30b of the cylindrical inner peripheral surface 30b of the lock portion 3 １is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base portion 21 below the tapered surface 23 of the nut portion 2, and the nut portion 2 is in an expanded diameter state. Therefore, a radial gap is formed between the female screw portion 20 on the inner circumference of the nut portion 2 and the male screw portion 101 of the panel mounting device 100, and the two screw portions 20 and 101 are not screwed together. Also, at this time, each engaging projection 24 of the nut portion 2 is in the corresponding engaging groove 30a of the lock portion 3 in the axial groove 30a １ is located at the upper end position (FIG. 15) (see FIGS. 10, 1 to 3).

[0030] Next, the lock nut structure 1 is slid upward in the axial direction (upward in FIG. 9, that is, toward the panel P). During this sliding movement, as described above, the nut portion 2 is in an expanded diameter state, and a radial gap is formed between the female screw portion 20 on the inner circumference of the nut portion 2 and the male screw portion 101 of the panel mounting device 100. Therefore, the female screw portion 20 of the nut portion 2 and the male screw portion 101 of the panel mounting device 100 do not interfere with each other, and the movement of the lock nut structure 1 is smoothly performed.

[0031] When the upper surface 25a of the flange portion 25 of the nut portion 2 abuts against the panel P due to the sliding movement of the lock nut structure 1, the movement of the nut portion 2 stops. From this state, the operator further pushes the lock portion 3 toward the panel P. Then, the lock portion 3 moves upward in the axial direction with respect to the nut portion 2. At this time, the upper end corner portion (contact portion) 30b of the cylindrical inner peripheral surface 30b of the lock portion 3 １ moves upward along the tapered surface 23 of the nut portion 2 while applying a pressing force to the tapered surface 23, causing the nut portion 2 to gradually contract in diameter. That is, at this time, the elastic portion 22 that connects the nut split bodies 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D of the nut portion 2 elastically compresses and deforms, causing the gap 2a to gradually narrow in the circumferential direction of each nut split body 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D. The upper end corner portion (contact portion) 30b of the inner peripheral surface 30b of the lock portion 3 １ moves along the tapered surface 23 of the nut portion 2 while resisting the elastic repulsive force from each elastic portion 22.

[0032] And, as shown in FIG. 11, the upper end corner portion (contact portion) 30b of the inner peripheral surface 30b of the lock portion 3 １When it moves beyond the tapered surface 23 of the nut portion 2 to reach the position of the upper cylindrical inner peripheral surface 25b of the nut portion 2, each engaging projection 24 of the nut portion 2 is in the corresponding engaging groove 30a of the lock portion 3 in the axial groove 30a １ in the lower end position (FIG. 16) (see FIG. 12). At this time, the gap 2a between each nut split body 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D is the narrowest, and the nut portion 2 is contracted to the maximum extent. If the inner diameter of the nut portion 2 at this time is D (see FIG. 12), the inner diameter D corresponds to the diameter of the male screw portion 101 of the panel mounting device 100, and the female screw portion 20 of the nut portion 2 is screwed onto the male screw portion 101 of the external device 100.

[0033] From this state, the lock portion 3 is rotated in the circumferential direction toward the lock side (that is, the tightening side of the nut portion 2 (clockwise in FIG. 12)). Then, each engaging projection 24 of the nut portion 2 moves in the axial groove 30a in each engaging groove 30a of the lock portion 3 １ from the lower end position (FIG. 16) along the circumferential groove 30a ２ and is arranged at the end position (FIG. 17) of the circumferential groove 30a ２ (see FIG. 18). From this state, when the lock portion 3 is further rotated in the circumferential direction toward the lock side, the nut portion 2 rotates in the circumferential direction together with the lock portion 3 (see FIG. 14). At this time, since the female screw portion 20 of the nut portion 2 is screwed onto the male screw portion 101 of the external device 100, when the nut portion 2 rotates, the nut portion 2 advances upward axially with respect to the male screw portion 101 of the external device 100, and the upper surface 25a of the flange portion 25 of the nut portion 2 comes into pressure contact with the panel P (see FIG. 13). Also, at this time, in each engaging groove 30a, the upper end of each engaging projection 24 of the nut portion 2 is in pressure contact with the upper end of the circumferential groove 30a of each engaging groove 30a ２ . Thereby, the nut portion 2 is locked with respect to the male screw portion 101 of the external device 100.

[0034] Next, when removing the lock nut structure 1 from the panel mounting device 100, simply follow the reverse procedure of the fixing procedure described above. That is, from the state shown in Figure 13, rotate the lock portion 3 circumferentially toward the unlocking side (i.e., toward the loosening side of the nut portion 2 (counterclockwise in Figure 14)). Then, each engaging projection 24 of the nut portion 2 will engage with the circumferential groove 30a within each engaging groove 30a of the lock portion 3. ２ From the end position (Figure 17) to the circumferential groove 30a ２ Move along the axial groove 30a １ It is positioned at the lower end position (Figure 16). From this state, if the locking part 3 is further rotated circumferentially toward the unlocking side, the nut part 2 rotates circumferentially together with the locking part 3, thereby releasing the locking state of the nut part 2 against the male threaded part 101 of the external device 100 (see Figures 11 and 12). Also, as the nut part 2 rotates, the nut part 2 moves axially downward relative to the male threaded part 101 of the external device 100, thereby releasing the pressure contact state of the upper surface 25a of the flange part 25 of the nut part 2 against the panel P.

[0035] From this state, the locking part 3 is moved axially downward (downward in Figure 11) (that is, it is slid toward the side away from panel P). Then the locking part 3 moves axially downward relative to the nut part 2, and at this time the upper end corner (contact part) 30b of the cylindrical inner circumferential surface 30b of the locking part 3 １ As the nut portion 2 moves downward along the tapered surface 23, the nut portion 2 gradually expands in diameter. That is, at this time, the elastic portion 22 that connects each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D of the nut portion 2 undergoes elastic extension deformation from a state of elastic compression deformation, causing the circumferential gap 2a between each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D to gradually widen. As a result, the screwed state of the female thread portion 20 of the nut portion 2 to the male thread portion 101 of the external device 100 is released, and the nut portion 2 moves downward in the axial direction together with the lock portion 3 (Figure 9). At this time, each engaging projection 24 of the nut portion 2 moves into the corresponding engaging groove 30a of the lock portion 3 within the axial groove 30a １ Move upward along the axial groove 30a １It is positioned at the upper end (Figure 15) (see Figure 10). From this state, the lock nut structure 1 can be removed from the male threaded portion 101 of the panel mounting device 100.

[0036] As described above, according to this embodiment, when attaching the lock nut structure 1 to the external male thread portion 101, the nut portion 2, which is in an expanded state due to the axial movement of the lock portion 3, is first driven axially into the external male thread portion 101 together with the lock portion 3, and then the nut portion 2 is rotated by the amount of rotation required to lock it. Similarly, when removing the lock nut structure 1 from the external male thread portion 101, the nut portion 2 is rotated by the amount of rotation required to unlock it, and then the nut portion 2 is expanded due to the axial movement of the lock portion 3, and then it is moved axially out of the external male thread portion 101. Therefore, (even in the case of thin panels) it is not necessary to rotate the nut portion 2 more than necessary when attaching or detaching it, which shortens the working time and allows for efficient attachment and detachment.

[0037] [Other Embodiments] In the above embodiment, the elastic portion 22 was described as being U-shaped, but in the present invention, the shape of the elastic portion may be V-shaped (including inverted V-shaped), W-shaped (including inverted W-shaped, i.e., M-shaped), or any other shape (for example, a wave shape) as long as it can be elastically stretched and deformed in the circumferential direction.

[0038] Figures 19 to 22 show other embodiments of the present invention, in which the shape of the elastic portion is W-shaped. In each figure, the same reference numerals as in the above embodiments indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0039] As shown in Figures 19 to 21, in the lock nut structure 1 according to this other embodiment, similar to the embodiment described above, the nut portion 2 has four gaps 2a in the circumferential direction and is composed of four nut segments 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D that extend in an arc shape (i.e., each is a quarter circle). Similar to the embodiment described above, the nut portion 2 can be expanded or contracted in diameter by increasing or decreasing the gaps 2a between adjacent nut segments 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D in the circumferential direction, causing each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D to move away from or approach each other in the circumferential direction.

[0040] Each gap 2a is provided with an elastically deformable W-shaped (or inverted W-shaped) elastic portion 22. Both ends of each elastic portion 22 are connected to a sheet-like circumferential extension portion 25 (corresponding to the flange portion 25 in the above embodiment) that extends circumferentially along the upper end of each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D. These four elastic portions 22 and four circumferential extension portions 25 are integrated and preferably made of metal. On the other hand, each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D having a female thread portion 20 is, for example, made of resin. Such a nut portion 2 is manufactured by insert molding each nut segment 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D with resin, using the integrated metal elastic portions 22 and each circumferential extension portion 25 as inserts. The upper surface 25a of the circumferentially extending portion 25 is the part that presses against external equipment when the nut portion 2 is locked, and has multiple protruding portions 25a that project upward and extend radially. １ Multiple of these are provided. These protruding portions 25a １ This can achieve a more secure locking state by providing an anti-slip function when pressed against external equipment.

[0041] Each of the nut sections 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D has two engaging protrusions 24 projecting radially outward on its outer tapered surface 23 (eight in total for the entire nut section). On the other hand, as shown in Figure 22, the locking section 3 has a cylindrical section 30 positioned on the upper side and a base section 31, for example, a polygonal prism-shaped section, positioned below it. The inner circumferential surface of the locking section 3 has a tapered inner circumferential surface 30b that gradually decreases in diameter towards the bottom. The upper end corner 30b of the inner circumferential surface 30b １ This part functions as a contact portion that abuts against the tapered surface 23a of the tapered portion 23 of the nut portion 2.

[0042] Multiple (eight in this example) engagement grooves 30a are formed on the inner circumferential surface 30b of the cylindrical portion 30. Each engagement groove 30a is positioned to correspond to each engagement projection 24 of the nut portion 2 and is sized to allow the corresponding engagement projection 24 to engage. Here, an example is shown in which each engagement groove 30a does not penetrate the cylindrical portion 30 in the thickness direction, but it may penetrate.

[0043] Each engagement groove 30a is an axial groove 30a extending in the axial direction, similar to the embodiment described above. １ and axial groove 30a １ While communicating with the axial groove 30a １ A circumferential groove 30a extending circumferentially from the lower end ２ The structure has a substantially L-shape (or substantially inverted L-shape). The lock nut structure 1 is formed when each engaging projection 24 of the nut portion 2 is inserted into and engages with the corresponding engaging grooves 30a of the lock portion 3.

[0044] With the lock nut structure 1 according to this other embodiment, the procedure for attaching or detaching the panel mounting equipment to or from the panel is the same as that shown in the above embodiment, and a detailed explanation is omitted here. In this case as well, when attaching the lock nut structure 1 to the external male thread, the nut portion 2, which is in an expanded state due to the axial movement of the lock portion 3, is first driven axially into the external male thread together with the lock portion 3, and then the nut portion 2 is rotated by the amount of rotation required to lock it. When removing the lock nut structure 1 from the external male thread 101, the nut portion 2 is rotated by the amount of rotation required to unlock it, and then the nut portion 2 is expanded due to the axial movement of the lock portion 3, and then it is moved axially out of the external male thread 101. Therefore, (even in the case of thin panels) it is not necessary to rotate the nut portion 2 more than necessary when attaching or detaching it, which shortens the working time and allows for efficient attachment and detachment.

[0045] [First Modification] In the above embodiment and the other embodiment, the case in which the nut portion 2 has four gaps 2a in the circumferential direction was described as an example, but in the present invention, the number of gaps in the nut portion may be one, two, three, or five or more. In summary, it is sufficient to have at least one gap. Furthermore, when there are multiple gaps, it is preferable that the circumferential lengths of each nut segment divided by the gaps are substantially the same, but they may be different.

[0046] [Second Modification] In the above embodiment and the other embodiment, an elastically deformable elastic portion 22 is provided in the gap 2a of the nut portion 2, and the nut portion 2 becomes reduced in diameter or expanded in diameter due to the elastic compression deformation or elastic extension deformation of the elastic portion 22 as an example, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of providing an elastic portion 22 in the gap 2a, an elastic body, such as a belt, may be provided that can apply an elastic pressing force to the nut portion from the outer circumference of the nut portion 2 in a direction that narrows each gap 2a.

[0047] [Third Modification] In the above embodiments and the other embodiments, an example was shown in which an engaging projection 24 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion 2 and an engaging groove 30a is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion 3. However, the application of the present invention is not limited thereto. Conversely to the above embodiments and the other embodiments, a plurality of engaging projections projecting radially inward may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion 3, and an engaging groove that can engage with these engaging projections may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion 2.

[0048] [Fourth Modification] In the above embodiment and the other embodiment, a tapered surface 23a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion 2, and a contact portion 30b that can abut against the tapered surface 23a is formed on the inner circumferential surface 30b of the lock portion 3. １ Although examples of the provision have been shown, the application of the present invention is not limited thereto. Conversely to the above embodiments and the other embodiments, a tapered surface may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the locking portion 3, and a contact portion that can abut against the tapered surface may be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion 2. Alternatively, tapered surfaces that can engage with each other may be formed on both the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion 2 and the inner circumferential surface of the locking portion 3.

[0049] [Fifth Modification] In the above embodiment, the case was taken as an example in which a panel-mounted device 100 such as an operating switch or an indicator switch is fixed to the panel P by the lock nut structure. In this case, when the lock portion 3 of the lock nut structure 1 is locked, the upper surface 25a of the flange portion 25 of the nut portion 2 indirectly contacts the panel-mounted device 100 via the panel P. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to this.

[0050] The present invention can also be applied to cases where wall-mounted equipment is fixed to a wall (for example, by using a male threaded portion erected on the wall). In this case, when the locking portion 3 of the lock nut structure 1 is locked, the upper surface 25a of the flange portion 25 of the nut portion 2 will be in direct contact with the wall-mounted equipment.

[0051] [Other Examples and Modifications] The examples and modifications described above should be considered in all respects as merely illustrative and not limiting to the present invention. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates can construct various modifications and other examples that employ the principles of the present invention, taking into consideration the teachings described above, without deviating from the spirit and essential features of the present invention, even if not explicitly stated herein.

[0052] The present invention is useful for lock nut structures, and is particularly suitable for structures that enable efficient attachment and detachment of lock nuts.

[0053] 1: Lock nut structure 2: Nut portion 2a: Gap 20: Female thread portion 22: Elastic portion 23a: Tapered surface 24: Engaging projection 3: Lock portion 30a: Engaging groove 30a １ : Axial groove 30a ２ : Circumferential groove

Claims

1. A lock nut structure comprising: a nut portion having at least one gap in the circumferential direction, configured to be retractable and expandable in diameter, and having a female threaded portion on its inner circumference; a lock portion that fits onto the nut portion from the outer circumference, moves axially relative to the nut portion to retract or expand the nut portion, and moves circumferentially relative to the nut portion to lock the female threaded portion of the nut portion against an external male threaded portion that screws into it; wherein a plurality of engaging protrusions are provided on either the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion or the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion, and the other of the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion or the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion is provided with a plurality of engaging grooves corresponding to each of the engaging protrusions and into which each of the engaging protrusions can engage, and each of the engaging grooves has an axial groove extending in the axial direction and a circumferential groove communicating therewith and extending in the circumferential direction.

2. The lock nut structure according to claim 1, characterized in that an elastic portion is provided in the gap for elastically connecting the nut portion in the circumferential direction.

3. The lock nut structure according to claim 1, characterized in that either the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion or the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion has a tapered surface, and the other of the outer circumferential surface of the nut portion or the inner circumferential surface of the lock portion has a contact portion that abuts against the tapered surface.

4. The lock nut structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the nut portion is in direct or indirect contact with the external device having the male thread portion when in the locked state.

5. A panel mounting device to which the lock nut structure described in claim 1 is applied.

Images