JP7495129B2 - Fasteners - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fastener, in particular a fastener that can be built into an object to be fastened and fastens various components by screwing into a male thread.

Patent Document 1 describes a fastener that can be built into an object to be fastened and fastens various components by screwing into a male thread. The fastener includes a cylindrical casing, multiple split screws that form a female thread, a tapered portion that presses the multiple split screws toward the inner diameter, a biasing means that biases the multiple split screws in a direction in which the multiple split screws are pressed toward the inner diameter, and a rotating means that rotates the multiple split screws inside the casing. With the fastener described in Patent Document 1, the multiple split screws can be rotated inside the casing to provide additional tightening, and the fastener can be easily additional tightened even when the object to be fastened with the built-in fastener cannot be rotated.

JP 2015-227670 A

However, in the fastener described in Patent Document 1, the multiple split screws need to be relatively thick to form a tapered portion, and in order to keep the diameter of the casing below a certain diameter, the multiple split screws and the rotating means need to be arranged in line in the axial direction of the casing, making it difficult to make the axial length of the casing shorter than a certain length. Therefore, the fastener described in Patent Document 1 has the problem that it cannot be embedded in the object to be fastened and cannot be applied depending on the shape and design of the object to be fastened.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a fastener that can reduce the axial length of the casing and can be used for fastening objects of a wider range of shapes and designs.

The fastener disclosed in the present application comprises a first female threaded body (10), a first casing (20), a rotating means (30), a second female threaded body (40), a second casing (50), a pressing means (60), and a biasing means (70). The first female threaded body (10) is screwed into a first threaded portion (1a) arranged on one end side of an axial male threaded body (1). The first casing (20) rotatably accommodates the first female threaded body (10) and engages with a first article to be fastened. The rotating means (30) rotates the first female threaded body (10). The second female threaded body (40) is formed by combining a plurality of split threads (41) arranged in an annular shape, and is screwed into a second threaded portion (1b) arranged on the other end side of the male threaded body (1). The second casing (50) accommodates the second female-threaded body (40) so that it can move along the axial direction of the male-threaded body (1) and engages with a second article to be fastened. The pressing means (60) presses the multiple split screws (41) in a direction in which the inner diameter of the second female-threaded body (40) becomes smaller as the multiple split screws (41) move in the fastening direction (X1) of the male-threaded body (1). The fastening direction (X1) is a direction from the other end side of the male-threaded body (1) toward the one end side. The biasing means (70) biases the multiple split screws (41) in the fastening direction (X1).

In the fastener disclosed in the present application, the first female-threaded body (10) has a cylindrical main body portion (11) and a flange portion (12). The main body portion (11) has a female thread on the inner peripheral side. The flange portion (12) is disposed at the end of the main body portion (11) in the fastening direction (X1). The rotating means (30) includes an axle gear (31) and an annular gear (32). The axle gear (31) is journaled on the first casing (20) with its axial direction intersecting the axial direction of the first female-threaded body (10). The annular gear (32) is formed on a surface of the flange portion (12) facing in the opposite direction to the fastening direction (X1).

In the fastener disclosed in the present application, the pressing means (60) includes a first tapered portion (61) and a second tapered portion (62). The first tapered portion (61) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second female threaded body (40) in each of the multiple split screws (41), and has an inclined surface in which the outer diameter of the second female threaded body decreases in the tightening direction (X1). The second tapered portion (62) is shaped like the inner surface of a mortar, has an inclined surface that inclines in the same direction as the first tapered portion (61), and is disposed inside the second casing (50) so as to be in sliding contact with the first tapered portion (61).

The fastener of the present invention allows the axial length of the casing to be made smaller, making it applicable to fastening objects of a wider range of shapes and designs.

1 is an overall cross-sectional view showing a fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A is a general perspective view showing an example of use of the fastener of FIG 1, the general perspective view being seen from the inside side of a room relative to a door, and FIG 2B is a general perspective view showing an example of use of the fastener of FIG 1, the general perspective view being seen from the outside side of a room relative to the door. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first casing. 4(a) is a top view showing the details of the first casing, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the second casing. 6(a) is a top view showing the details of the second casing, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 6(a).

The fastener according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is a preferred specific example for carrying out the present invention, and therefore various technical limitations are imposed thereon, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment unless otherwise specified in the following description to limit the invention.
<Embodiment>
A fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. Fig. 1 is an overall cross-sectional view showing a fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2(a) is an overall perspective view showing an example of use of the fastener of Fig. 1, as viewed from the inside of a room relative to a door. Fig. 2(b) is an overall perspective view showing an example of use of the fastener of Fig. 1, as viewed from the outside of a room relative to the door. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a first casing. Fig. 4(a) is a top view showing details of the first casing. Fig. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in Fig. 4(a). Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a second casing. Fig. 6(a) is a top view showing details of the second casing. Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in Fig. 6(a).

As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the fastener according to the embodiment can be built into the object to be fastened, and includes a first female threaded body 10, a first casing 20, a rotating means 30, a second female threaded body 40, a second casing 50, a pressing means 60, and a biasing means 70. In this embodiment, the object to be fastened is a first connecting member 2 as the first object, and a second connecting member 3 as the second object. The first connecting member 2 and the second connecting member 3 connect the first door handle 4 and the second door handle 5, which are rectangular rod-shaped and long vertically, to the door 6, respectively. The door 6 also has a latch bolt 6a on its side end surface for locking the door 6 to a door frame (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 1, the first female threaded body 10 screws into the first threaded portion 1a disposed on one end of the axially shaped male threaded body 1. If the male threaded body 1 is a cut bolt with a male thread formed along its entire length, the portion of the male threaded body 1 that is a predetermined length from one end of the male threaded body 1 is the first threaded portion 1a.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first female threaded body 10 has a cylindrical main body 11 and a flange 12. The main body 11 has a female thread 10a on the inner circumferential side. The flange 12 is disposed at the end of the main body 11 in the tightening direction X1. The tightening direction X1 is the direction from the other end side to the one end side of the male threaded body 1, and is the direction in which the male threaded body 1 moves when tightening the male threaded body 1. The male threaded body 1 can move freely in the direction opposite to the tightening direction X1 relative to the second female threaded body 40, but its movement in the tightening direction X1 is restricted by the screw engagement with the second female threaded body 40.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the first casing 20 rotatably houses the first female threaded body 10 and engages with the first article to be fastened. In the embodiment, the first casing 20 has a first insertion hole 21 and a first engagement portion 22. The first threaded portion 1a of the male threaded body 1 is inserted into the first insertion hole 21. The first engagement portion 22 is disposed on the outer surface of the first casing 20 where the first insertion hole 21 is open. Also, in the embodiment, the first casing 20 is built into the first connecting member 2 as the first article, and the first engagement portion 22 engages with the first connecting member 2.

The first casing 20 further comprises a first casing body 20a in the shape of a square box with an opening at the top, and a first lid 20b. The first casing body 20a has a pair of screw holes 20c at the top end. The first lid 20b has a through hole 20e through which a pair of fastening screws 20d are inserted, and is fixed to the first casing body 20a by the pair of fastening screws 20d. The first lid 20b also has a through hole 20f through which the male threaded body 1 is inserted when it is screwed deep into the first female threaded body 10.

The rotating means 30 rotates the first female threaded body 10. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the rotating means 30 includes a bevel gear-shaped shaft gear 31 and an annular gear 32.

The shaft gear 31 is supported by the first casing 20 with its axial direction intersecting with the axial direction of the first female screw body 10. In the embodiment, the axial direction of the shaft gear 31 is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the first female screw body 10, and the shaft gear 31 has a shaft portion 31a and a tooth portion 31b. A wrench hole 31c is formed in the shaft portion 31a, and the shaft gear 31 is rotated by a tool such as a hexagonal L-shaped wrench (not shown) inserted into the wrench hole 31c. The shaft gear 31 is supported by the first casing 20 by inserting the shaft portion 31a into the shaft hole 20g formed in the side wall of the first casing main body 20a. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a through hole 2a for operation is formed in the connecting member 2, and a tool is inserted into the wrench hole 31c through the through hole 2a.

The ring gear 32 is formed on a surface of the flange portion 12 facing in the opposite direction to the fastening direction X1, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. By forming the ring gear 32 on a surface of the flange portion 12 facing in the opposite direction to the fastening direction X1, it is possible to position the shaft gear 31 opposite the main body portion 11 of the first female threaded body 10, as shown in Figure 4(b).

As shown in FIG. 1, the second female threaded body 40 screws into the second threaded portion 1b disposed on the other end of the male threaded body 1. If the male threaded body 1 is a cut bolt with a male thread formed along its entire length, the portion of the male threaded body 1 that is a predetermined length from the other end of the male threaded body 1 is the second threaded portion 1b.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second female threaded body 40 is formed by joining together a number of split threads 41 arranged in an annular shape. A female thread 41a is formed on the inner peripheral side of the second female threaded body 40 in each of the multiple split threads 41.

As shown in FIG. 6, the second casing 50 houses the second female threaded body 40 so that it can move along the axial direction of the male threaded body 1, and engages with the second article to be fastened. In the embodiment, the second casing 50 has a second insertion hole 51 and a second engagement portion 52. The second threaded portion 1b of the male threaded body 1 is inserted into the second insertion hole 51. The second engagement portion 52 is disposed on the outer surface of the second casing 50 where the second insertion hole 51 is open. Also, in the embodiment, the second casing 50 is built into the second connecting member 3 as the second article, and the second engagement portion 52 engages with the second connecting member 3.

The second casing 50 has a square box-shaped second casing body 50a with an opening at the top, and a second lid 50b. The second lid 50b is fixed to the second casing body 50a, for example, by adhesive. The second lid 50b has a through hole 50c through which the male threaded body 1 is inserted when it is screwed deep into the second female threaded body 40.

The pressing means 60 presses the multiple split screws 41 in a direction in which the inner diameter of the second female threaded body 40 becomes smaller as the multiple split screws 41 move in the tightening direction X1 of the male threaded body 1. In the embodiment, the pressing means 60 includes a first tapered portion 61 and a second tapered portion 62.

The first tapered portion 61 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second female threaded body 40 in each of the multiple split screws 41, and has an inclined surface in which the outer diameter of the second female threaded body becomes smaller as it approaches the tightening direction X1 of the male threaded body 1.

The second tapered portion 62 is shaped like the inner surface of a mortar, has an inclined surface that inclines in the same direction as the first tapered portion 61, and is disposed inside the second casing 50 so as to be in sliding contact with the first tapered portion 61. In the embodiment, the inclined surface of the second tapered portion 62 is approximately parallel to the inclined surface of the first tapered portion 61. The fastener of the embodiment also includes a plurality of guide pieces 63. The plurality of guide pieces 63 are disposed on the second tapered portion 62 at intervals corresponding to the circumferential lengths of each of the plurality of split screws 41, and prevent the rotational movement of the plurality of split screws 41 and guide the axial movement of the plurality of split screws 41.

In this embodiment, the biasing means 70 is a spring that is disposed inside the second casing 50 and biases the multiple split screws 41 in the tightening direction X1.

The operation of the fastener according to the embodiment is described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first female threaded body 10 screws into the first threaded portion 1a of the male threaded body 1, and the second female threaded body 40 screws into the second threaded portion 1b of the male threaded body 1, so that the fastener of the embodiment fastens the first connecting member 2 and the second connecting member 3 to the door 6.

In the actual fastening operation, as shown in FIG. 1, the first threaded portion 1a of the male threaded body 1 is screwed into the first female threaded body 10 to a predetermined position, and the first connecting member 2 is pressed against the door 6 so that the male threaded body 1 is inserted into an insertion hole (not shown) in the door 6, and the second threaded portion 1b protrudes to the opposite side of the door 6.

Next, the second connecting member 3 is pressed against the door 6 so that the second screw portion 1b is inserted into the inside of the second casing 50 through the second insertion hole 51 of the second casing 50. When the second connecting member 3 is pressed against the door 6, the multiple split screws 41 are pressed against the second screw portion 1b against the biasing force of the biasing means 70, and move in the direction opposite to the tightening direction X1.

When the split screws 41 move in the direction opposite to the fastening direction X1, the pressing force of the pressing means 60 pressing the split screws 41 in the direction in which the inner diameter of the second female threaded body 40 becomes smaller decreases. Therefore, the male threaded body 1 can freely move in the direction opposite to the fastening direction X1 relative to the second female threaded body 40, and the second threaded portion 1b is inserted into the second casing 50 until it approaches the fastening completion position.

When the second screw portion 1b is inserted into the second casing 50 close to the fastening completion position, the first connecting member 2 and the second connecting member 3 are provisionally fixed to the door 6. With the first connecting member 2 and the second connecting member 3 provisionally fixed to the door 6, a tool is inserted into the wrench hole 31c through the through hole 2a and the shaft gear 31 is rotated, which rotates the first female threaded body 10 and further tightens the male threaded body 1, completing the fastening operation.

As described above with reference to Figures 1 to 6, the fastener according to the embodiment has two female threaded bodies, the first female threaded body 10 and the second female threaded body 40, and the rotating means 30 is arranged in the first casing 20 so as to rotate the first female threaded body 10, which has a simple structure, rather than the second casing 50 having the pressing means 60. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the layout of the first female threaded body 10 and the rotating means 30 housed in the first casing 20 can be increased, the axial length of the first casing 20 can be easily reduced, the axial length of the first casing 20 can be further reduced, and the fastener can be applied to fastening objects of a wider range of shapes and designs.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the fastener according to the embodiment can be applied to a first connecting member 2 and a second connecting member 3 that have a slanted portion extending diagonally so that the handle is less likely to hit the door frame, improving convenience for the user. In contrast, the fastener described in the prior art can be suitably applied to a connecting member that extends perpendicular to the door, but because the axial length of the casing is large, application to fastening objects such as the first connecting member 2 and the second connecting member 3 that have a slanted portion is restricted.

As described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, in the fastener according to the embodiment, the first female threaded body 10 has a cylindrical main body 11 and a flange 12, and the rotating means 30 includes an axle gear 31 and an annular gear 32, and the annular gear 32 is formed on a surface of the flange 12 facing in the opposite direction to the fastening direction X1. Therefore, the axle gear 31 can be arranged to face the main body 11 of the first female threaded body 10, and there is no need to arrange the first female threaded body 10 and the rotating means 30 side by side in the axial direction of the first casing 20, and the axial length of the first casing 20 can be further reduced with more certainty, making it applicable to fastening objects of a wider range of shapes and designs.

As described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6, the fastener according to the embodiment includes a pressing means 60 including a first tapered portion 61 and a second tapered portion 62, the first tapered portion 61 being formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second female threaded body 40 in each of the multiple split screws 41, and having an inclined surface in which the outer diameter of the second female threaded body 40 decreases in the tightening direction X1, and the second tapered portion 62 having an inclined surface inclined in the same direction as the first tapered portion 61, and being disposed inside the second casing 50 so as to be in sliding contact with the first tapered portion 61. Therefore, the pressing means 60 can be formed by a simple process of simply forming inclined surfaces on the multiple split screws 41 and the inside of the second casing 50, and the simplification of the mechanism can suppress the occurrence of malfunctions and increase the reliability of operation. It can also suppress manufacturing costs.

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings (Figs. 1 to 6). However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the gist of the present invention.

X1: Fastening direction 1: Male threaded body 1a: First threaded portion 1b: Second threaded portion 2: First connecting member (first article)
3...Second connecting member (second article)
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10...first female-threaded body 11...main body portion 12...flange portion 20...first casing 30...rotation means 31...shaft gear 32...annular gear 40...second female-threaded body 41...split screw 50...second casing 60...pressure means 61...first tapered portion 62...second tapered portion 70...urging means

Claims (3)

A first female-threaded body (10) that screws into a first threaded portion (1a) disposed on one end side of a shaft-shaped male-threaded body (1);
A first casing (20) that rotatably accommodates the first female-threaded body (10) and engages with a first article to be fastened;
A rotating means (30) for rotating the first female-threaded body (10);
A second female-threaded body (40) formed by combining a plurality of divided threads (41) arranged in an annular shape and screwed into a second threaded portion (1b) disposed on the other end side of the male-threaded body (1);
a second casing (50) that accommodates the second female-threaded body (40) so as to be movable along the axial direction of the male-threaded body (1) and engages with a second article to be fastened;
a pressing means (60) that presses the plurality of split screws (41) in a direction in which the inner diameter of the second female threaded body (40) becomes smaller as the plurality of split screws (41) move in a fastening direction (X1) of the male threaded body (1) from the other end side toward the one end side of the male threaded body (1);
A biasing means (70) for biasing the plurality of split screws (41) in the fastening direction (X1).
A fastener comprising: The first female-threaded body (10) has a cylindrical main body portion (11) having a female thread on its inner circumferential side, and a flange portion (12) disposed at an end of the main body portion (11) in the fastening direction (X1),
2. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the rotating means (30) includes an axle gear (31) journalled to the first casing (20) in a direction intersecting an axial direction of the first female-threaded body (10), and a ring gear (32) formed on a surface of the flange portion (12) facing in a direction opposite to the fastening direction (X1). The pressing means (60)
a first tapered portion (61) formed on an outer peripheral surface of the second female-threaded body (40) in each of the plurality of split screws (41), the first tapered portion having an inclined surface in which the outer diameter of the second female-threaded body (40) becomes smaller as it approaches the fastening direction (X1);
A second tapered portion (62) having an inclined surface shaped like the inner surface of a mortar and inclined in the same direction as the first tapered portion (61), and disposed inside the second casing (50) so as to be in sliding contact with the first tapered portion (61).
The fastener of claim 1 or claim 2, comprising:

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