HK1115569B - Adjoining expansion structure excellent in design - Google Patents

Description

Excellent design of bonded expansion structures

This application is based on and claims priority from Japanese patent application No. 2006-2454047, filed 2006, 9, 11, and the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a structure capable of jointly expanding each device (herein referred to as a "joint expansion structure").

Background

For example, when stacking several synthetic resin molded products, combining the expansion structures often requires aligning the respective products and coupling them together.

A first prior art will be described with reference to fig. 1A to 1C.

As shown in fig. 1A, the parent device 31 is configured as a rectangular parallelepiped box, and the expansion metal fittings 32 are configured as rectangular plates. The expansion metal fitting 32 is provided with a total of four hooks 32a at two portions near the middle of the rear side thereof and at two portions near the rear corners of the left and right sides thereof. The expansion metal fitting 32 is also provided with a screw fixing plate portion 32b near the middle of the front side thereof. Also, holes 32c for screw insertion are provided near the four corners of the expansion metal fitting 32.

As shown by the downward arrow in fig. 1A, the expansion metal fitting 32 is placed on the upper surface of the parent device 31 and fixed to the parent device 31 by four screws (not shown).

As shown in fig. 1B, the child device 33 is configured as a rectangular parallelepiped box having the same size as the parent device 31. The sub-device 33 is provided with hook engaging portions (not shown) at portions corresponding to the four hooks 32a of the expanded metal fitting 32. The sub-assembly 33 is provided with screw holes 33a at two portions near the middle of the front lower portion thereof.

As shown in fig. 1C, the sub-device 33 is placed on the expanded metal fitting 32 so that the hook engaging portions of the sub-device 33 engage the hooks 32a of the expanded metal fitting 32, respectively. Then, two screws 34 are inserted into the two screw fixing plate portions 32b of the expansion metal fitting 32, and they are screwed into the two screw holes 33a of the sub-assembly 33. As a result, the child device 33 is coupled to the parent device 31. An expansion metal fitting 32 is seen between the parent device 31 and the child device 33.

A second prior art will be described with reference to fig. 2A and 2B.

As shown in fig. 2A, the parent device 41 is made of synthetic resin and is configured as a rectangular parallelepiped box. Hook engaging holes 41a are formed at three portions on one side of the parent device 41. The sub-assembly 42 is made of synthetic resin and is constructed as a rectangular parallelepiped box. The hooks 42a are formed to protrude at three portions on one side of the sub-device 42.

The child device 42 is connected to the parent device 41 as shown in fig. 2B. This design is undamaged because no expansion metal fittings are used between the parent device 41 and the child device 42. However, since the hook 42a and the hook engaging hole 41a are each a part of the molded product, the structural strength is insufficient.

The third prior art will be described (see, for example, Japanese unexamined Utility model publication (JP-U) No. Sho 62-70480). The plate member of the coupler has four pairs of L-shaped claws and a pair of fixing pieces. After the L-shaped claws are fitted into the connecting surfaces of two devices to be coupled together, the fixing pieces are screwed onto the devices, respectively.

The fourth prior art will be described (see, for example, Japanese unexamined Utility model publication (JP-U) No. Hei 04-10376). The housings are stacked together by using the feet of the upper device housing and the foot receiving members of the lower device housing as positioning guides. In this case, the L-shaped metal fittings of the upper device case are engaged with the U-shaped metal fittings of the lower device case, respectively. Then, fixing screws are inserted into the holes of the U-shaped metal fittings and the holes of the L-shaped metal fittings, respectively, and then tightened, thereby fixedly coupling the housings together.

ｃA fifth prior art will be described (see, for example, japanese unexamined patent application publication (JP- ｃA) No. 2002-284168). When the handles of the container box are respectively placed in the handle cut-out portions, the engaging claws are respectively engaged with the engaging rods of another container box located below. Thus, the two container boxes are coupled together. When the handle is lifted from the handle cut-away portion, the engaging claw is released from engagement with the engaging lever. Thus, the two container boxes are released from the coupled state.

Each of the first to fifth prior arts has at least one of the following disadvantages.

(1) Since the expanded metal fittings that couple the parent device and the child device together are viewed from the outside, the design performance of the device is reduced.

(2) The structure that couples the parent and child devices together is weak.

(3) The structure for coupling the parent device and the child device together is complicated.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an exemplary object of the present invention to provide a bonded expansion structure which is excellent in design, strong and simple.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coupling expansion structure for coupling adjacent devices together in a coupling direction, the coupling expansion structure including grooves penetrating the adjacent devices in the coupling direction, and coupling members respectively inserted into the grooves and fixed to the adjacent devices, wherein the coupling members are adapted to be coupled together in the coupling direction.

Drawings

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the expanded metal fitting prior to attachment to a first prior art parent device;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the state of the child device prior to being secured to an expanded metal fitting that has been secured to the parent device;

fig. 1C is a front view showing a state in which a parent device and a child device are coupled together;

fig. 2A is a perspective view showing a state before a parent device and a child device are coupled together in a second related art;

fig. 2B is a plan view showing a state in which a parent device and a child device are coupled together;

fig. 3A is a perspective view showing a state before a parent device and a child device are coupled together using the integrated expansion structure according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of the parent device;

fig. 3C is a perspective view showing a state in which a parent device and a child device are coupled together;

fig. 3D is a perspective view showing a state in which two expansion metal fittings included in the joint expansion structure are engaged with each other;

fig. 4A is a perspective view showing a state where a hook and a screw receiving plate are protruded from a base plate in an expansion metal fitting;

fig. 4B is a front view showing the same state;

FIG. 4C is a left side view showing the same state;

FIG. 4D is a perspective view showing the state where the hook and screw receiving plate is retracted into the base plate in the expanded metal fitting;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a parent device provided with a bonded expansion feature in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 6 is a perspective view of a pair of expanded metal fittings included in a bonded expanded configuration.

Detailed Description

With reference to fig. 3A to 3D and 4A to 4D, a bonded expansion structure according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The parent device 1 is configured as a rectangular parallelepiped box. As will be explained in detail later, tip end portions of a hook 2b and a screw receiving plate 2c of a pair of (left and right) expansion metal fittings 2 protrude from openings 1a and 1b provided on both left and right sides of the upper surface of the parent device 1. The expansion metal fitting 2 on the left side and the expansion metal fitting 2 on the right side have shapes symmetrical to each other. As shown in fig. 3B, grooves 1c for insertion of the pair of (left and right) expansion metal fittings 2 are provided on the left and right sides of the bottom of the parent device 1 near the front side thereof.

The child device 3 is configured as a rectangular parallelepiped box having the same size as the parent device 1. Openings 3a and 3b are provided on the left and right sides of the upper surface of the sub-device 3.

The sequence of stacking the child device 3 on the parent device 1 and coupling them together will be described.

First, the pair of expansion metal fittings 2 included in the bonded expansion structure are inserted into the pair of grooves 1c of the parent device 1, respectively, and fixed thereto. In this case, the hook 2b and the screw receiving plate 2C of each expansion metal fitting 2 both protrude from the base plate 2a thereof, as shown in fig. 4A to 4C.

Then, another pair of expansion metal fittings 2 are inserted into a pair of grooves (not shown) of the sub-device 3, respectively, and they are fixed to the grooves. In this case, since the sub-device 3 is the uppermost device when expanded, the hook 2b and the screw receiving plate 2c of each expansion metal fitting 2 are retracted into the base plate 2a thereof, as shown in fig. 4D.

Subsequently, the state shown in fig. 3C is reached by moving the lower surface of the child device 3 relative to the upper surface of the parent device 1 according to a pair of L-shaped arrows in fig. 3A. In this state, the hooks 2b of the expanded metal fittings 2 fixed to the parent device 1 are engaged with the hook receiving portions 2a2 of the expanded metal fittings 2 fixed to the child device 3, respectively.

Also, in this state, a screw (not shown) and a screwdriver (not shown) are inserted into each of the through holes 3d provided on both sides of the front lower portion of the sub-device 3. Then, by turning the screwdriver, screws are screwed into the screw hole 2a5b of each expansion metal fitting 2 fixed to the child device 3 and the screw hole 2c2 of the screw receiving plate 2c of each expansion metal fitting 2 fixed to the parent device 1. Thus, the child device 3 is fixed to the parent device 1.

The expansion metal fitting 2 will be described in detail with reference to fig. 4A to 4D.

As shown in fig. 4A, the expansion metal fitting 2 includes a substantially rectangular base plate 2a, a hook 2b held on one end side of the base plate 2a so as to be slidable parallel to the short side thereof, and a screw receiving plate 2c held on the other end side of the base plate 2a so as to be slidable parallel to the short side thereof.

The base plate 2a has hook receiving portions 2a1 and 2a2 on both upper and lower sides of the base plate 2a at each portion located near one end of each long side of the base plate 2a, a bent portion 2a3 along one of short sides thereof, and a guide screw 2a4 near an upper portion of the same short side. Further, the base plate 2a has a bent portion 2a5 along the other short side, and the bent portion 2a5 is provided with screw holes 2a5a and 2a5b in the vicinity of the upper and lower ends thereof.

The hook 2b has an elongated hole 2b1 extending in its sliding direction, a projection 2b2 at its upper end side portion, and a projection 2b3 at its lower end side portion.

As shown in fig. 4A to 4C, the screw receiving plate 2C is bent into a substantially L-shape, is formed with a rectangular convex portion 2C1 near the middle thereof, and is provided with a screw hole 2C2 near the upper end thereof.

Fig. 4A to 4C show a state in which the hook 2b and the screw receiving plate 2C protrude upward from the base plate 2 a. In this state, the expansion metal fittings 2 fixed to the devices other than the uppermost device in the expansion are used. The lower end of the elongated hole 2b1 of the hook 2b abuts on the guide screw 2a4, and the projection 2b3 of the hook 2b abuts on the upper hook accommodating part 2a1 of the expansion metal fitting 2. The projection 2b2 of the hook 2b is engaged and fixed to the hook accommodating part 2a2 of the expansion metal fitting 2 of the upper side sub-assembly 3.

A method of retracting the hook 2b and the screw receiving plate 2c into the base plate 2a will be described.

When the hook 2b is pushed down with a finger, the hook 2b slides while the hook 2b is guided by the guide screw 2a4 and the curved portion 2a3 until the projection 2b2 abuts on the hook accommodating portion 2a1, and then the hook 2b stops at the position shown in fig. 4D.

Further, when the screw receiving plate 2c is pushed downward by hand, after the screw 2a6 that fixes the screw receiving plate 2c to the base plate 2a is removed using a screwdriver until the screw hole 2c2 and the screw hole 2a5a of the base plate 2a coincide, the screw receiving plate 2c slides while being guided by the curved portion 2a5, and reaches the position shown in fig. 4D. A screw (not shown) is screwed into the screw hole 2a5a and the screw hole 2c2 using a screwdriver, thereby fixing the screw receiving plate 2c to the base plate 2 a.

The hook accommodating portion 2a1 may be omitted if the hook 2b can be fixed at its protruding position and its retracted position with respect to the base plate 2a by the guide screw 2a 4.

Referring to fig. 5 and 6, a bonding expansion structure according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same reference numerals denote the same or similar parts, and thus explanations thereof are omitted.

As shown in fig. 6, the 19-inch shelf connecting metal fittings 4 are directly connected to the outer sides of the left and right expansion metal fittings 2. Each of the shelf connecting metal fittings 4 is formed by bending a plate vertically, and each of the shelf connecting metal fittings 4 includes a connecting portion 4a to be connected to a shelf and a fixing portion 4b to be fixed to the expansion metal fitting 2. The connecting portion 4a is formed with cut portions 4a1 on both sides of the tip end surface thereof. The fixing portion 4B is fixed to the expansion metal fitting 2 by screwing screws (not shown) into four screw holes 2a7 (shown in fig. 4B) formed in the base plate 2a of the expansion metal fitting 2 through-holes (not shown) provided on each of the left and right sides of the parent device 1. The shelf connection fitting 4 may also be used as a connection fitting for connecting to a device such as a wall.

In the combined expansion structure according to each of the first and second embodiments, two expansion metal fittings 2 are provided for each of the parent device 1 and the child device 3. However, depending on the size, strength, or structure of the parent device 1 and the child device 3, the design may be changed such that only one expansion metal fitting 2 is provided on one side (i.e., left, right, front, rear, upper, or lower side) or on the middle thereof for each of the parent device 1 and the child device 3.

A third exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a coupling expansion structure in which each coupling member includes a hook capable of protruding from or retracting into a corresponding one of adjacent devices, and a receiving portion having a form (or shape) suitable for receiving the hook in a coupling direction.

A fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a bonding expansion structure in which each of the first coupling members further includes an additional receiving portion capable of receiving a hook in a coupling direction.

A fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a combined expansion structure, wherein each coupling member further includes a base plate placed in each recess and having a screw hole, and a screw receiving hole connected to the base plate, wherein the screw receiving plate can protrude from or retract into a corresponding one of adjacent devices, and wherein the screw receiving plate has a screw hole having a form (or shape) suitable for being screwed together with the screw hole of the base plate.

A sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a bonding expansion structure in which the screw receiving plate is placed apart from the hook in a direction perpendicular to the coupling direction.

A seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a joint expansion structure in which the coupling member includes first and second coupling metal fittings each having a hook and one or two hook receiving portions on one end side thereof, the hook being held so as to be capable of protruding and retracting, and having a screw receiving plate and first and second screw holes on the other end side thereof, the screw receiving plate being held so as to be capable of protruding and retracting, the screw receiving plate having a third screw hole, the hook of the first coupling metal fitting engaging the hook receiving portion of the second coupling metal fitting in a protruding state thereof, the screw being screwed into the second screw hole of the second coupling metal fitting and the third screw hole of the screw receiving plate of the first coupling metal fitting using a screwdriver in the protruding state of the screw receiving plate of the first coupling metal fitting, and in a retracted state of the screw receiving plate of the first coupling metal fitting, screws are screwed into the first screw hole of the first coupling metal fitting and the third screw hole of the screw receiving plate of the first coupling metal fitting using a screwdriver.

An eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a bonded expansion structure in which each of the neighboring devices has another groove and another through-hole in addition to the groove and the through-hole, the groove and the another groove are located near both sides of each of the neighboring devices, and the through-hole and the another through-hole are located near both sides of each of the neighboring devices.

A ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a coupling expansion structure in which the hook of the first coupling metal fitting has an elongated hole for guiding when the hook is projected and retracted, and a protrusion for engaging one of the hook receiving portions of the second coupling metal fitting.

A tenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a bonded expansion structure in which each of the neighboring devices has another groove and another through-hole in addition to the groove and the through-hole, the groove and the another groove are located near both sides of each of the neighboring devices, and the through-hole and the another through-hole are located near both sides of each of the neighboring devices.

An eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a combining expansion structure in which the hook of the first coupling metal fitting has an elongated hole for guiding when the hook protrudes and retracts, a first protrusion for engaging the other hook receiving portion of the first coupling metal fitting in a retracted state of the hook of the first coupling metal fitting, and a second protrusion for engaging the other hook receiving portion of the first coupling metal fitting in a protruding state of the hook of the first coupling metal fitting.

A twelfth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a bonded expansion structure in which each of the neighboring devices has another groove and another through-hole in addition to the groove and the through-hole, the groove and the another groove are located near both sides of each of the neighboring devices, and the through-hole and the another through-hole are located near both sides of each of the neighboring devices.

A thirteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a coupling expansion structure in which each screw receiving plate: are bent into a generally L-shape and are removably secured to the base plate of a corresponding one of the first and second coupling metal fittings, and have a third screw hole near one end thereof.

A fourteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a bonded expansion structure in which each of the neighboring devices has another groove and another through-hole in addition to the groove and the through-hole, the groove and the another groove are located near both sides of each of the neighboring devices, and the through-hole and the another through-hole are located near both sides of each of the neighboring devices.

A fifteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a bonded expansion structure in which each of adjacent devices is formed with openings on both sides thereof through which connecting metal fittings are fixed to first and second coupling metal fittings, respectively, and each of the connecting metal fittings is formed by bending a plate vertically and has a connecting portion for connecting to an apparatus and a fixing portion for fixing to a corresponding one of the first and second coupling metal fittings.

A sixteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a combined expansion structure in which adjacent devices have the same size as each other.

Exemplary advantages described by the present invention are:

(1) the expansion metal fittings that couple several devices together are not visible from the outside, thus improving the overall design performance of the device;

(2) since each of the expansion metal fittings that couple the devices together is configured to have a hook and screw receiving plate, the coupling structure is strong and stable.

(3) The coupling structure is realized by inserting and fixing the expansion metal fitting into the groove of the corresponding device, so that the coupling structure is simple and low in cost; and

(4) by turning the screw with a screwdriver, the device can be easily coupled together.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to only these embodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (14)

1. A bonded expansion structure for coupling adjacent devices together in a coupling direction, the bonded expansion structure comprising:

penetrating through the grooves of adjacent devices in the connecting direction; and

coupling members inserted into the respective grooves and fixed to the respective adjacent devices, respectively;

wherein the coupling members are adapted to be joined together in a coupling direction, an

Wherein:

the coupling member comprises a first and a second coupling metal fitting,

each of the first and second coupling metal fittings has a hook held so as to be capable of projecting and retracting and one or two hook receiving portions at one end side thereof, and a screw receiving plate held so as to be capable of projecting and retracting and first and second screw holes at the other end side thereof,

the screw receiving plate has a third screw hole,

the hook of the first coupling metal fitting engages in its protruding state one of the hook receiving parts of the second coupling metal fitting,

in the projected state of the screw receiving plate of the first coupling metal fitting, screws are screwed into the second screw hole of the second coupling metal fitting and the third screw hole of the screw receiving plate of the first coupling metal fitting using a screwdriver, and

in the retracted state of the screw receiving plate of the first coupling metal fitting, screws are screwed into the first screw hole of the first coupling metal fitting and the third screw hole of the screw receiving plate of the first coupling metal fitting using a screwdriver.

2. The bonded expansion structure of claim 1, wherein each coupling member comprises:

a hook capable of protruding from and retracting into a corresponding one of the adjacent devices; and

an accommodating portion having a shape adapted to accommodate the hook in the coupling direction.

3. The bonded expansion structure of claim 2, wherein each coupling member further comprises an additional receiving portion capable of receiving the hook in a coupling direction.

4. The bonded expansion structure of claim 2, wherein each coupling member further comprises:

a substrate placed in each groove and having a screw hole; and

a screw receiving plate connected to the base plate;

wherein the screw receiving plate is capable of protruding from and retracting into a corresponding one of the adjacent devices;

wherein the screw receiving plate has a screw hole having a form adapted to be screwed together with the screw hole of the base plate.

5. The joint expansion structure of claim 4, wherein the screw receiving plate is placed apart from the hook in a direction perpendicular to the coupling direction.

6. The bonded expansion structure of claim 1, wherein each adjacent device has another groove and another through-hole in addition to the groove and the through-hole, the groove and the another groove being located near both sides of each adjacent device, and the through-hole and the another through-hole being located near both sides of each adjacent device.

7. The bonded expansion structure of claim 1, wherein the hook of the first coupling metal fitting has: an elongated hole for guiding when the hook is protruded and retracted, and a protrusion for engaging one of the hook receiving portions of the second coupling metal fitting.

8. The bonded expansion structure of claim 7, wherein each adjacent device has another groove and another through-hole in addition to the groove and the through-hole, the groove and the another groove being located near both sides of each adjacent device, and the through-hole and the another through-hole being located near both sides of each adjacent device.

9. The joint expansion structure of claim 1, wherein the hook of the first coupling metal fitting has an elongated hole for guiding when the hook is projected and retracted, a first projection for engaging the other of the hook receiving portions of the first coupling metal fitting in a retracted state of the hook of the first coupling metal fitting, and a second projection for engaging the other of the hook receiving portions of the first coupling metal fitting in a projected state of the hook of the first coupling metal fitting.

10. The expansion-joining structure of claim 9, wherein each adjacent means has another groove and another through-hole in addition to the groove and the through-hole, the groove and the another groove being located near both sides of each adjacent means, and the through-hole and the another through-hole being located near both sides of each adjacent means.

11. The bonded expansion structure of claim 1, wherein each screw receiving plate: are bent into a generally L-shape and are removably secured to the base plate of a corresponding one of the first and second coupling metal fittings and have a third screw hole near one end thereof.

12. The bonded expansion structure of claim 11, wherein each adjacent device has another groove and another through-hole in addition to the groove and the through-hole, the groove and the another groove being located near both sides of each adjacent device, and the through-hole and the another through-hole being located near both sides of each adjacent device.

13. The bonded expansion structure of claim 12, wherein each of the adjacent means is formed with openings on both sides thereof, through which the connection metal fittings are fixed to the first and second coupling metal fittings, respectively, and each of the connection metal fittings is formed by bending a plate vertically, and has a connection portion for connection to the equipment and a fixing portion for fixing to a corresponding one of the first and second coupling metal fittings.

14. The bonded expansion structure of claim 1, wherein each adjacent device has the same dimensions as each other.