JP7584111B2 - Linked Structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connecting structure and a connecting device.

Conventionally, tools used in scientific experiments and the like include tools with a shaft-like portion, such as the clamp disclosed in Patent Document 1. As a member for connecting such tools to a shaft-like portion constituting a separately prepared support device (stand), a holder like that disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been provided.

Specifically, in the prior art, a connecting device called a muff or the like (called a holder in Patent Document 1) is installed by fixing it with a fixing screw at a predetermined position in the axial direction to a pipe fixed to a support device. The connecting device of the prior art has a support groove formed in a V-shape, and is used by passing a shaft-shaped part (hereinafter also referred to as a "shaft-shaped member") of a clamp or the like to be supported in the front-rear direction through this groove and fixing the shaft-shaped member with a fixing screw.

JP 2021-205112 A

The position of the experimental object, which includes experimental equipment such as flasks and test tubes held by an instrument such as a clamp supported on a support device (stand) via the connecting device of the conventional technology described above, is adjusted by loosening the fixing screw. When adjusting the position in the forward/backward direction, the object remains caught in the support groove of the support member even if the fixing screw is loosened, so it can maintain a stationary state without falling. However, when adjusting the position in the upward/downward direction, loosening the fixing screw applies a load in the falling direction. In this case, the user is subjected to an unexpected load, which raises the concern that the experimental equipment may fall.

In addition, in conventional coupling devices, even if the fixing screws are loosened, the coupling device and the experimental equipment and experimental object supported by it may not immediately fall. Specifically, when the coupling device is tilted due to the weight of the experimental object, it may interfere with the pipe on the supporting device at two points on the upper and lower sides of the coupling device, causing a gouged state, and it may not fall even if the operator releases his or her hands. In conventional coupling devices, such a state may lead to the user becoming complacent, and there is a concern that the user may perform work without fixing the coupling device. On the other hand, in the state where the coupling device and the pipe interfere with each other and goug out as described above, even a slight impact or vibration acting on the coupling device can eliminate the gouged state, raising the concern that the experimental equipment may suddenly fall.

The present invention aims to realize a connecting structure that can prevent falls that would be a surprise to the user, and a connecting device equipped with the same.

(1) A connecting structure according to one embodiment of the present invention and a connecting device including the same are capable of connecting a supported object, which is a support target, to a supporting device that supports the supported object, and include a locking mechanism that can be switched between a locked state in which axial movement of a shaft-shaped portion of the supporting device is restricted and an unlocked state in which axial movement is permitted, and the locking mechanism includes a shaft insertion portion (second shaft insertion portion/also simply referred to as a "shaft insertion portion") through which the shaft-shaped portion is inserted, and a locking mechanism that can be switched between a locked state in which axial movement of the shaft-shaped portion ... of the shaft-shaped portion is permitted. In this state, the locking mechanism has a control body (first control body, second control body/also simply referred to as "control body") that is capable of swinging relative to the shaft-shaped portion, and a biasing member that exerts a biasing force in a direction to swing the control body inserted into the shaft insertion portion, and the control body swings due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member, thereby rotating in a direction around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion inserted into the shaft insertion portion, and swinging around a swing axis that intersects with the axis of the shaft-shaped portion, thereby interfering with and gouging out the shaft-shaped portion, thereby entering a locked state.

The connecting structure and the connecting device of the present invention are configured as described above in (1) , so that the control body constituting the locking mechanism swings under the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member, and goes from the first abutment state to the second abutment state and then to the third abutment state. As a result, the connecting structure and the connecting device are locked by the control body abutting at various points in the circumferential and axial directions of the shaft-shaped portion and interfering with and scooping out the shaft-shaped portion. As a result, the connecting structure and the connecting device can be fixed in a locked state such that movement in a direction toward one axial side relative to the shaft-shaped portion is strongly restricted, and movement in a direction toward the other axial side is more gently restricted than movement in the one direction. Furthermore, the connecting structure and the connecting device can be configured as described above to suppress rotation in the circumferential direction.

(2) A connecting structure and a connecting device including the same of the present invention are connecting structures capable of connecting a supported object, which is a supported object, to a supporting device that supports the supported object, and include a locking mechanism that can be switched between a locked state in which axial movement of a shaft-shaped portion of the supporting device is restricted and an unlocked state in which axial movement is permitted, the locking mechanism including a shaft insertion portion through which the shaft-shaped portion is inserted, and a control body that is capable of swinging relative to the shaft-shaped portion when the shaft-shaped portion is inserted into the shaft insertion portion, and a biasing member that exerts a biasing force in a direction to swing the control body inserted into the shaft insertion portion, the control body being configured to swing due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member, and including a shaft interference portion (first abutment portion), a shaft abutment portion (second abutment portion), and a shaft abutment portion (third abutment portion) that are capable of abutting against the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped portion inserted into the shaft insertion portion, at positions spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the shaft insertion portion, and the control body being movable relative to the shaft-shaped portion due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member. When the control body is inclined relative to the shaft interference portion (first contact portion), a first contact state is reached in which the shaft interference portion (first contact portion) contacts the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped portion. In the first contact state, the control body rotates in a direction around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion around a position where the control body is displaced from the shaft interference portion (first contact portion) as a rotation fulcrum due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member, thereby reaching a second contact state in which the shaft contact portion (second contact portion) contacts the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped portion. In the second contact state, the control body rotates relative to the shaft interference portion (first contact portion) as a rotation fulcrum due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member. the shaft abutment portion (second abutment portion) swings about an oscillation axis intersecting the axis of the shaft-shaped portion, with the points at which the shaft abutment portion (second abutment portion) each abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped portion as the oscillation fulcrum, so that the shaft abutment portion (third abutment portion) abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped portion, thereby entering a third abutment state in which the control body interferes with the shaft-shaped portion at the shaft interference portion (first abutment portion), the shaft abutment portion (second abutment portion), and the shaft abutment portion (third abutment portion), thereby entering a locked state.

The connecting structure and the connecting device of the present invention are configured as described above in (2) , and the control body constituting the locking mechanism swings under the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member, from the first abutment state to the second abutment state and then to the third abutment state. As a result, the connecting structure and the connecting device behave as if the control body is entangled with the shaft-shaped portion, and the connecting structure and the connecting device are in a state in which the control body interferes with and scoops out the shaft-shaped portion, and the connecting structure and the connecting device are in a locked state. Therefore, by locking the connecting structure and the connecting device, the connecting structure and the connecting device can be firmly fixed to the shaft-shaped portion in the axial direction while suppressing rotation in the circumferential direction.

(3) In the connecting structure of the present invention and the connecting device including the same, the locking mechanism preferably has a storage section that stores multiple control bodies (two in the above embodiment), and inside the storage section, a first control body and a second control body that are adjacent to each other in the insertion direction of the shaft-shaped part are stored in a stacked state so that the rotation direction when they rotate around the axis of the shaft-shaped part due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member and the swing direction when they swing in a direction intersecting the axis of the shaft-shaped part are opposite directions.

By configuring the connecting structure and connecting device of the present invention as described above in (3) , the first control body and the second control body constituting the multiple control bodies can operate smoothly with respect to each other, and can be abutted against the shaft-shaped portion at multiple points spaced apart in the axial and circumferential directions of the shaft-shaped portion to be firmly fixed.

(4) In the connecting structure of the present invention and the connecting device equipped with the same, when the first control body and the second control body change from the second abutment state to the third abutment state, the movement of the first control body and the second control body in the direction away from each other in the axial direction of the shaft-shaped portion is preferably restricted by the accommodating portion.

By configuring the connecting structure and the connecting device of the present invention as described above in (4) , the first control body and the second control body arranged so as to overlap each other interact with each other when they change from the second abutment state to the third abutment state. This brings the first control body and the second control body into a state of more firmly abutting against the shaft-like portion. Therefore, by configuring the connecting structure and the connecting device as described above in (4) , it is possible to further improve the fixing strength to the shaft-like portion when in the locked state.

(5) In the connecting structure of the present invention and the connecting device including the same, the locking mechanism preferably has a storage portion that stores a control body, and the control body has an inner wall abutment portion that abuts against an inner wall portion of the storage portion as a result of swinging due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member, and rotates around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion inserted into the shaft insertion portion, with the abutment point between the inner wall portion of the storage portion and the inner wall abutment portion as a rotation fulcrum.

The connecting structure and the connecting device of the present invention, by being configured as described above in (5) , can rotate the control body smoothly and reliably.

The present invention provides a connection structure that solves the above problems, and a connection device that includes the same.

1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a connecting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is used. FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the connecting device shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the coupling device shown in FIG. 3 . 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views showing the use state of the connecting device shown in FIG. 1, in which FIG. 2A shows the use state of the connecting device in a locked state and FIG. 2B shows the use state of the connecting device in an unlocked state. 6A and 6B are explanatory views showing a schematic view of the main part of the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 5, in which FIG. 6A shows the main part in a locked state and FIG. 6B shows the main part in an unlocked state. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a connecting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is used. FIG. 8( b ) is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of FIG. 8( a ). 8(b) is an enlarged view showing a state where the main part of FIG. 8(a) is viewed from an angle different from that of FIG. 8; FIG. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the coupling device shown in FIG. 9 . FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a connecting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a connecting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connecting device shown in FIG. 9 is used. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a connecting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention is used. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which a connecting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention is used, as viewed from an angle different from that shown in FIG. 14 . FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a connecting device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a connecting device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a connecting device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a connecting device according to a third embodiment. 19A and 19B are enlarged views of a main portion of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 18, in which FIG. 19A shows a state in which the hook member is fixed, and FIG. 19B shows a state in which the hook member is released from the fixed state. 13A is a perspective view showing a connecting device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention as viewed from one side, and FIG. 13B is a perspective view showing the connecting device as viewed from the other side. FIG. 13 is a front view of a connecting device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which a connecting device according to a fourth embodiment is used. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connecting device according to a fourth embodiment is used. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which a connecting device according to a fifth embodiment is used. 13A, 13B, and 13C are diagrams showing a state in which a connecting device according to a fifth embodiment is fixed to a shaft-shaped portion, in which FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view, FIG. 13B is a side view, and FIG. 13A, 13B, and 13C are diagrams showing a state in which the connecting device of the fifth embodiment is released from its axial fixation to the shaft-shaped portion and movement in a direction intersecting the axial direction is restricted, where (a) is a cross-sectional view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a perspective view. 13A, 13B, and 13C are diagrams showing a state in which the connecting device of the fifth embodiment is released from its axial fixation to the shaft-shaped portion and is undergoing an operation to release the restriction on movement in a direction intersecting the axial direction imposed by the axial fall-off prevention mechanism, where (a) is a cross-sectional view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a perspective view. 13A, 13B, and 13C are diagrams showing a state in which the connecting device of the fifth embodiment is released from its axial fixation to the shaft-shaped portion and the restriction on movement in a direction intersecting the axial direction by the anti-fall-off mechanism is released, where (a) is a cross-sectional view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a perspective view. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a connecting device according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a stopper member provided in a connecting device according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a stopper member provided in a connecting device according to a sixth embodiment. 13A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a stopper member is pressed in a connecting device according to a sixth embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a plan view showing a state of a locking mechanism in the state shown in FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the pressing force on the stopper member is released in the connecting device according to the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a plan view showing the state of the locking mechanism in the state of FIG. 13A is a plan view showing the first control body and the second control body used in the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a plan view showing the first control body and the second control body of FIG. 13A superimposed on each other. (a) is a plan view showing the stopper member main body used in the sixth embodiment, (b) is a plan view showing the state in which a second control body is set on the stopper member main body shown in (a), and (c) is a plan view showing the state in which the first control body and the second control body are set on top of each other on the stopper member main body shown in (a). 11A and 11B are diagrams showing the state in which the stopper member is pressed in the connecting device of the sixth embodiment, where (a) is a cross-sectional view, (b) is a plan view showing the state of the locking mechanism with markings made at the locations corresponding to the first abutment portion to the third abutment portion, (c) is an enlarged view of the main parts of (a), (d) is a side view showing the relationship between the first control body and the shaft-shaped portion, (e) is a plan view showing the relationship between the first control body and the shaft-shaped portion, (f) is a side view showing the relationship between the second control body and the shaft-shaped portion, and (g) is a plan view showing the relationship between the second control body and the shaft-shaped portion. Figures showing the state in which the pressing force on the stopper member has been released in the connecting device of the sixth embodiment, where (a) is a cross-sectional view, (b) is a plan view showing the state of the locking mechanism with markings applied to the abutment points, (c) is an enlarged view of the main parts of (a), (d) is a side view showing the operation of the first control body relative to the shaft-shaped portion, (e) is an oblique view showing the relationship between the first control body and the shaft-shaped portion, (f) is an oblique view seen from a different angle than (e), (g) is a side view showing the operation of the second control body relative to the shaft-shaped portion, (h) is an oblique view showing the relationship between the second control body and the shaft-shaped portion, and (f) is an oblique view seen from an angle different from (e). 1A is a plan view showing a first abutment state in which a first control body receives a pressing force from a shaft-shaped portion due to the influence of a spring force in a connecting device of the sixth embodiment; (b) is a plan view showing a second abutment state in which the first control body has rotated from the state of (a); (c) is a side view showing the operation of the first control body relative to the shaft-shaped portion; (d) is a plan view showing the operation of the first control body relative to the shaft-shaped portion; (e) is an oblique view showing the relationship between the first control body and the shaft-shaped portion; (f) is an oblique view seen from an angle different from (e); (g) is a plan view showing the first abutment state in which a second control body receives a pressing force from the shaft-shaped portion due to the influence of a spring force; (h) is a plan view showing the second abutment state in which the second control body has rotated from the state of (g); (i) is a side view showing the operation of the second control body relative to the shaft-shaped portion; (j) is a plan view showing the operation of the second control body relative to the shaft-shaped portion; (k) is an oblique view showing the relationship between the first control body and the shaft-shaped portion; and (l) is an oblique view seen from an angle different from (k). (a) is an oblique view showing the state of the first control body and the shaft-shaped portion in the second abutment state, (b) is an oblique view seen from an angle different from (a), (c) is an oblique view showing the first control body and the shaft-shaped portion switching from the second abutment state to the third abutment state, (d) is an oblique view showing a state seen from an angle different from (c), (e) is an oblique view showing the state of the second control body and the shaft-shaped portion in the second abutment state, (f) is an oblique view seen from an angle different from (e), (g) is an oblique view showing the second control body and the shaft-shaped portion switching from the second abutment state to the third abutment state, and (h) is an oblique view showing a state seen from an angle different from (gc). (a) and (b) are oblique views showing the first control body and the shaft-shaped portion switching from the second abutment state to the third abutment state, (c) and (d) are oblique views showing the first control body and the shaft-shaped portion in the third abutment state, (e) and (f) are oblique views showing the second control body and the shaft-shaped portion switching from the second abutment state to the third abutment state, and (g) and (h) are oblique views showing the second control body and the shaft-shaped portion in the third abutment state. (a) is an oblique view showing the first and second control bodies and the shaft-shaped portion reaching a third abutment state, with arrows indicating the movement leading to the third abutment state, and (b) is an oblique view showing the state in which the first and second control bodies and the shaft-shaped portion have reached the third abutment state.

First Embodiment
Hereinafter, the coupling device 10 and the connection structure 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, first, the characteristic configurations of the coupling device 10 and the connection structure 1 will be described, and then a specific example of the coupling device 10 will be described.

(Characteristic configuration of the connecting device 10 and the connecting structure 1 according to the first embodiment)
1 to 6 show an example of a connecting device 10 and a connection structure 1 constituting the same. The connecting device 10 is interposed between a support object 24, which is a support target, and a support device 20 supporting the support object 24, thereby connecting the support object 24 to the support device 20. The connecting device 10 includes a first connecting portion 70 and a second connecting portion 72. The first connecting portion 70 is a portion connected to a shaft-shaped first shaft-shaped portion 22 included in the support device 20. The second connecting portion 72 is a portion connected to a shaft-shaped second shaft-shaped portion 26 included in the support object 24. In the connecting device 10, either one or both of the first connecting portion 70 and the second connecting portion 72 are constituted by the connection structure 1. In this embodiment, the first connecting portion 70 is constituted by the connection structure 1. The connection structure 1 includes a locking mechanism 60.

The locking mechanism 60 is a mechanism for switching between a locked state in which the axial movement of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 of the support device 20 is restricted, and an unlocked state in which axial movement is permitted. The locking mechanism 60 has a main body portion 30 (accommodating portion), a stopper member 40, and a biasing member 50.

The main body 30 constitutes a housing in which the stopper member 40 and the biasing member 50 are assembled. The main body 30 has a first shaft insertion portion 30a (main body shaft insertion portion) through which the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted. The main body 30 supports the stopper member 40 so that it can swing. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the main body 30 is provided with an opposing portion 34. The opposing portion 34 is located on the opposite side of the pressing portion 46 of the stopper member 40, which will be described later, in the direction in which the pressing force acts on the pressing portion 46.

The stopper member 40 has a second shaft insertion portion 40a (lock mechanism shaft insertion portion) through which the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted. When the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted into the second shaft insertion portion 40a, it is capable of swinging relative to the second shaft insertion portion 40a. The stopper member 40 is provided with a pressing portion 46. The pressing portion 46 is a portion where the user applies a pressing force to the stopper member 40.

The biasing member 50 biases the stopper member 40 in the axial direction of the first shaft portion 22 inserted into the second shaft insertion portion 40a.

The locking mechanism 60 can be switched between a locked state and an unlocked state. Specifically, in a state in which the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted through both the first shaft insertion portion 30a and the second shaft insertion portion 40a, the stopper member 40 is axially urged by the urging member 50, and the stopper member 40 contacts the first shaft-shaped portion 22 at a first contact portion P and a second contact portion Q that is on the opposite side of the axial center position of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 from the first contact portion P and is axially separated from the first contact portion P, thereby locking the stopper member 40 to the shaft-shaped portion (locked state). On the other hand, in the locked state, the locking mechanism 60 presses the stopper member 40 against the urging force of the urging member 50 to swing it, thereby releasing the contact at the first contact portion P and the second contact portion Q (unlocked state).

The connecting device 10 (connecting structure 1) can be pressed by a user by placing a first finger (e.g., index finger) on the pressing portion 46 and a finger other than the first finger (e.g., thumb) on the opposing portion 34, allowing the user to hold the device in one hand and apply a pressing force to the stopper member 40.

(Specific examples of the connecting device 10 and the connecting structure 1 according to the first embodiment)
Hereinafter, specific examples of the connecting device 10 and the connecting structure 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the use state of the coupling device 10 according to this embodiment. The coupling device 10 is configured as shown in Figures 2 to 6. The coupling device 10 is used in a state where the first shaft-shaped portion 22 (pipe) fixed to and erected on a support device 20 (stand) is inserted through the coupling device 10, and the axial movement of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is restricted by a locking mechanism 60, which will be described in detail later, and the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is fixed at a predetermined position by a first direction fixing screw 12. In other words, the coupling device 10 can be connected to the first shaft-shaped portion 22 by a first coupling portion 70 configured using the locking mechanism 60.

The connecting device 10 has a support groove 14 through which a shaft-shaped member can be inserted in a direction intersecting the first shaft-shaped portion 22 (in this embodiment, a direction perpendicular to the first shaft-shaped portion 22) when attached to the first shaft-shaped portion 22. The connecting device 10 can fix the second shaft-shaped portion 26 with a second direction fixing screw 16 while passing a shaft-shaped portion (second shaft-shaped portion 26) of an instrument such as a clamp, which is the support object 24, through the support groove 14. In other words, the connecting device 10 can be connected to the second shaft-shaped portion 26 with a second connecting portion 72 formed using the support groove 14 and the second direction fixing screw 16.

The connecting device 10 is interposed between the support object 24, which is the object to be supported, and the support device 20 for supporting the support object 24, and connects the first connecting portion 70 and the second connecting portion 72 described above to the first shaft-shaped portion 22 and the second shaft-shaped portion 26, thereby making it possible to connect the support object 24 to the support device 20.

The connecting device 10 is equipped with a locking mechanism 60, and even if the first direction fixing screw 12 (vertical direction fixing screw) for fixing it to the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is loosened, the stopper member 40 constituting the locking mechanism 60 interferes with the first shaft-shaped portion 22 and is in a scooped state (locked state), so that it is stationary.

When the locking mechanism 60 is in a locked state, the coupling device 10 can move upward but cannot move downward. When the locking mechanism 60 is in a locked state, the coupling device 10 can be used in a fixed state by pushing in the stopper member 40 to set the locking mechanism 60 to an unlocked state, thereby releasing the interference between the stopper member 40 and the first shaft-shaped portion 22 and enabling insertion into the first shaft-shaped portion 22 and adjustment of the vertical position. After adjusting the axial position of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 with the locking mechanism 60 in an unlocked state, the coupling device 10 can be used in a fixed state by tightening the first direction fixing screw 12.

The connecting device 10 is equipped with a locking mechanism 60 that is constructed by assembling the main components, which are the main body 30, the stopper member 40, and the biasing member 50 that is composed of a kick spring. When assembling the connecting device 10, the biasing member 50 is first inserted into and engaged with the inner protrusion 42 provided on the inside of the stopper member 40. The outer protrusion 44 provided on the outside of the stopper member 40 into which the biasing member 50 has been inserted is engaged with the engagement groove 32 formed on the inner side surface of the main body 30, and the stopper member 40 is pushed into the inside of the main body 30 along the engagement groove 32 to assemble the connecting device 10.

When the connecting device 10 is assembled as described above, the biasing member 50 is interposed between the stopper member 40 and the main body 30. As a result, the biasing force of the biasing member 50 in the direction of pushing up the stopper member 40 is constantly acting on the stopper member 40.

The locking mechanism 60 is capable of maintaining the stopper member 40 in a state where it is always pressed against the first shaft-shaped portion 22 when the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted into the first shaft insertion portion 30a provided on the main body portion 30 and the second shaft insertion portion 40a provided on the stopper member 40. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the coupling device 10 is locked when the stopper member 40 interferes with the first shaft-shaped portion 22 at two points and goes into a gouged state, and the movement of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 in the axial direction is suppressed and the coupling device 10 is stationary. The force that causes the coupling device 10 to fall is transmitted to the stopper member 40 as a force that tries to press it against the first shaft-shaped portion 22. Therefore, the coupling device 10 becomes even less likely to fall. In addition, the coupling device 10 is less likely to fall because the stopper member 40 maintains a gouged state by interfering with the first shaft-shaped portion 22 at two points even when it is subjected to impact or vibration.

The connecting device 10 can put the locking mechanism 60 into an unlocked state by pushing the stopper member 40 against the biasing force of the biasing member 50. That is, the connecting device 10 pushes the stopper member 40 against the biasing force of the biasing member 50 and swings the stopper member 40 in a direction approaching the horizontal direction, forming a gap between the first shaft-shaped portion 22 and the stopper member 40. As a result, the connecting device 10 is in a state in which the stopper member 40 can move in the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 without interfering with the first shaft-shaped portion 22. In addition, the connecting device 10 is structured so that even if the operator's hand is released due to an unexpected load when the locking mechanism 60 is released, the stopper member 40 is pushed back by the biasing force of the biasing member 50 and restored to the locked state. Therefore, the connecting device 10 stops instantly without falling.

Second Embodiment
Hereinafter, the coupling device 210 and the connection structure 201 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figures 7 to 13. In the following description, the characteristic configurations of the coupling device 210 and the connection structure 201 will first be described, and then specific examples of the coupling device 210 and the connection structure 201 will be described. In addition, in the description of the characteristic configurations and specific examples of the coupling device 210 and the connection structure 201 according to the second embodiment, the same reference numerals will be used for configurations common to the above-mentioned coupling device 10 and connection structure 1, and detailed description will be omitted.

(Characteristic configuration of the connecting device 210 and the connecting structure 201 according to the second embodiment)
The connecting device 210 has a main body 230 and a stopper member 240 instead of the main body 30 and the stopper member 40 of the connecting device 10 and the connecting structure 1. The main body 230 and the stopper member 240 are generally configured in the same manner as the main body 30 and the stopper member 40 described above, but are different in that the main body 230 has a main body shaft receiving portion 230b in addition to the first shaft insertion portion 230a corresponding to the first shaft insertion portion 30a and the second shaft insertion portion 240a corresponding to the second shaft insertion portion 40a, and the stopper member 240 has a lock mechanism shaft receiving portion 240b. In addition, the connecting device 210 and the connecting structure 201 are different in configuration from the connecting device 10 and the connecting structure 1 in that they are provided with a falling-off suppression mechanism 280 (cross-direction movement regulating portion).

The main body shaft receiving portion 230b is a portion formed to allow the first shaft-shaped portion 22 to be inserted and removed from the first shaft insertion portion 230a provided in the main body portion 230. The main body shaft receiving portion 230b is an opening portion that allows the first shaft-shaped portion 22 to be inserted and removed in a direction that intersects with the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 inserted into the first shaft insertion portion 230a. The main body shaft receiving portion 230b is formed by cutting out the main body portion 230 so as to communicate with the first shaft insertion portion 230a.

The locking mechanism shaft receiving portion 240b is a portion formed to allow the first shaft-shaped portion 22 to be inserted and removed from the second shaft insertion portion 240a provided in the stopper member 240. The locking mechanism shaft receiving portion 240b is an opening portion that allows the first shaft-shaped portion 22 to be inserted and removed in a direction that intersects with the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 inserted into the second shaft insertion portion 240a. The main body shaft receiving portion 230b is formed by cutting out the stopper member 240 so as to communicate with the second shaft insertion portion 240a.

When the stopper member 240 is attached to the main body 230, the connecting device 210 has an opening 274 that is open to the side and communicates with the main body shaft receiving portion 230b and the lock mechanism shaft receiving portion 240b. The connecting device 210 allows the first shaft-shaped portion 22 to be inserted into and removed from the first shaft insertion portion 230a and the second shaft insertion portion 240a through the opening 274 from the side of the main body 230.

The anti-disengagement mechanism 280 is intended to prevent the first shaft-shaped portion 22 from unexpectedly coming out of the opening 274 and the connecting device 210 (connecting structure 201) from disengaging from the first shaft-shaped portion 22 by restricting the relative movement between the first shaft-shaped portion 22 and the main body portion 230 in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22.

The fall-off prevention mechanism 280 can be switched between a restricted state in which the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is restricted from moving in and out via the main body shaft receiving portion 230b and the locking mechanism shaft receiving portion 240b provided on the main body portion 320, and a non-restricted state in which the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is permitted to move in and out via the main body shaft receiving portion 230b and the locking mechanism shaft receiving portion 240b.

(Specific examples of the connecting device 210 and the connecting structure 201 according to the second embodiment)
Hereinafter, specific examples of the connecting device 210 and the connecting structure 201 according to the second embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7, the connecting device 210 can be suitably used in a location where the connecting device 10 is already attached to the axially upper side of the first shaft-shaped portion 22, or when it is desired to attach an additional tool having a shaft-shaped portion (second shaft-shaped portion 26) such as the clamp described above as a support object 24 to the first shaft-shaped portion 22 provided on a frame-shaped laboratory bench.

The connecting device 210 has a hook-shaped shape. The connecting device 210 is configured as shown in Figs. 8 to 13. The connecting device 210 includes a first connecting portion 270 corresponding to the first connecting portion 70 described above, and a second connecting portion 272 similar to the second connecting portion 72. The second connecting portion 272 has the same configuration as the second connecting portion 72 described above. The first connecting portion 270 also includes a locking mechanism 60 similar to the first connecting portion 70 described above. In addition, the first connecting portion 270 includes an opening 274 formed in a hook shape so that the first shaft-shaped portion 22 can be inserted by moving the first shaft-shaped portion 22 in a direction intersecting the axis of the first shaft-shaped portion 22, and a falling-off prevention mechanism 280 for preventing the first shaft-shaped portion 22 from falling off the second connecting portion 272.

As shown in Figures 8 to 13, the fall-off prevention mechanism 280 is configured using a moving body 282 (cover). The moving body 282 is movable in the direction of advancing and retreating from the opening 274 that forms the entry and exit path of the first shaft-shaped part 22 via the main body shaft receiving part 230b and the lock mechanism shaft receiving part 240b. In this embodiment, the moving body 282 is provided with a moving body main body 283 having a substantially "L"-shaped shape in a plan view and a cylindrical protrusion 284. The moving body 282 is assembled to the main body part 230 by inserting the cylindrical protrusion 284 provided on the moving body 282 into a hole 230g (see Figures 11 and 12) provided on the bottom of the main body part 230. As a result, the moving body 282 is connected to the main body part 230 so as to be rotatable with the protrusion 284 as a support shaft. In addition, the fall prevention mechanism 280 can be switched between a state in which the opening 274 is closed (restricted state) and a state in which the opening 274 is open (unrestricted state) by the movable body 283 by rotating the protrusion 284 as a support axis.

Here, in the fall-off prevention mechanism 280, in addition to the use of assembling the moving body 282 (cover) to the main body of the connecting device 10, the first direction fixing screw 12 (vertical direction fixing screw) can be used as a lever for opening and closing operations. After assembling the moving body 282 to the main body 230 by inserting the protrusion 284 of the moving body 282 into the hole 230g provided in the bottom of the main body 230, the first direction fixing screw 12 can be inserted into the moving body 282 through the escape hole 230h provided in the main body 230 and engaged, thereby fixing the moving body 282 to the main body 230. The first direction fixing screw 12 is loosened, and the first direction fixing screw 12 is removed from the escape hole 230h provided in the main body of the connecting device 10, and the moving body 282 is rotated around the protrusion 284 as a support shaft, thereby enabling the opening 274 to be opened and closed. The fall-off prevention mechanism 280 uses the first direction fixing screw 12 as a lever, and by rotating the moving body 282 by 90 degrees, the first shaft-shaped portion 22 can be detached. The fall-off prevention mechanism 280 requires the operation of rotating the first direction fixing screw 12 a predetermined number of rotations (5 to 6 rotations in this embodiment). As a result, the fall-off prevention mechanism 280 is opened and closed by the operator consciously operating the first direction fixing screw 12. In addition, the fall-off prevention mechanism 280 is configured so that the first direction fixing screw 12 can be used not only as a member for assembling the moving body 282 to the main body of the connecting device 10, but also as a lever for the opening and closing operation, so the number of parts is small and the operation and configuration are simple.

Third Embodiment
Hereinafter, the coupling device 310 and the connecting structure 301 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figures 14 to 20. In the following description, the characteristic configurations of the coupling device 310 and the connecting structure 301 will first be described, and then specific examples of the coupling device 310 and the connecting structure 301 will be described. In addition, in the description of the characteristic configurations and specific examples of the coupling device 310 and the connecting structure 301 according to the third embodiment, the same reference numerals will be used to designate configurations common to the above-mentioned coupling device 10, coupling device 210, connecting structure 1, and connecting structure 201, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Characteristic configuration of the connecting device 310 and the connecting structure 301 according to the third embodiment)
The connecting device 310 and the connecting structure 301 are generally the same as the connecting device 210 and the connecting structure 201 of the second embodiment, but differ in that they are provided with a falling-off suppression mechanism 380 instead of the falling-off suppression mechanism 280. The connecting device 310 and the connecting structure 301 also differ in that they are provided with a main body portion 320 instead of the main body portion 230 provided in the connecting device 210 and the connecting structure 201 of the second embodiment, for the purpose of assembling the falling-off suppression mechanism 380, etc.

The main body 320 is a member to which the locking mechanism 60 consisting of the stopper member 40 and the biasing member 50 is attached, similar to the main body 230 provided in the connecting device 210 (connecting structure 201) of the second embodiment described above. The main body 320 is provided with the first shaft insertion portion 230a and the main body shaft receiving portion 230b of the main body 230 exemplified in the second embodiment. The main body 320 is also provided with a locking mechanism assembly portion 320d to which the locking mechanism 60 is attached. Furthermore, the main body 320 is provided with a moving body assembly portion 320c on the opposite side to the locking mechanism assembly portion 320d via the partition portion 320e (the lower side in the illustrated example).

The moving body assembly part 320c is a part to which the hook member 390 of the fall-off prevention mechanism 380, which will be described in detail later, is attached. The moving body assembly part 320c communicates with the main body shaft receiving part 230b and also communicates with the opposite side of the main body shaft receiving part 230b. In addition, the main body part 320 is provided with a pin insertion hole 320f from the partition part 320e forming the top surface of the moving body assembly part 320c to the bottom surface of the moving body assembly part 320c. The pin insertion hole 320f is provided to insert a pin 392 for rotatably supporting the hook member 390 assembled to the moving body assembly part 320c. In addition, the partition part 320e is provided with a screw hole 320g for screwing the first direction fixing screw 12 from the opposite side of the moving body assembly part 320c toward the moving body assembly part 320c. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 18 to 20, the partition 320e has a screw hole communication part 320h on the surface facing the movable body assembly part 320c (the bottom surface of the partition 320e). The screw hole communication part 320h is a communication hole provided to communicate between the movable body assembly part 320c and the screw hole 320g.

The anti-disengagement mechanism 380 is intended to prevent the first shaft-shaped portion 22 from unexpectedly coming loose through the opening 274 and the connecting device 310 (connecting structure 301) from disengaging from the first shaft-shaped portion 22 by restricting the relative movement between the first shaft-shaped portion 22 and the main body portion 230 in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22.

The fall-off prevention mechanism 380 can be switched between a restricted state in which the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is restricted from moving in and out via the main body shaft receiving portion 230b and the locking mechanism shaft receiving portion 240b, and a non-restricted state in which the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is permitted to move in and out via the main body shaft receiving portion 230b and the locking mechanism shaft receiving portion 240b.

The anti-fall-off mechanism 380 includes a hook member 390 instead of the moving body 282 of the anti-fall-off mechanism 280 according to the second embodiment described above. In addition, while the anti-fall-off mechanism 280 is configured to fix the moving body 282 by the first direction fixing screw 12 so that it does not open unexpectedly, the anti-fall-off mechanism 380 is configured to fix the hook member 390 so that it does not open unexpectedly by using a notch 382 provided in the first direction fixing screw 12, a spherical member 384, and a recess 394 provided in the hook member 390.

(Specific examples of the connecting device 310 and the connecting structure 301 according to the third embodiment)
Hereinafter, specific examples of the connecting device 310 and the connecting structure 301 according to the third embodiment will be described.

As shown in Figures 14 to 19, the connecting device 310 (connecting structure 301) is configured by assembling a locking mechanism 60 and a fall-off prevention mechanism 380 (cross-direction movement restriction portion) to a main body portion 320. The fall-off prevention mechanism 380 includes a hook member 390 instead of the moving body 282 of the fall-off prevention mechanism 280 of the second embodiment described above. The hook member 390 is assembled to the moving body assembly portion 320c of the main body portion 320.

The connecting device 310 is provided with a hook member 390 for preventing the first shaft-shaped portion 22 from falling by engaging with it. The hook member 390 is curved in a hook shape in a plan view. The hook member 390 has a recess 394 on the top surface side (the surface facing the partition wall portion 320e when assembled to the moving body assembly portion 320c). The hook member 390 also has a pin insertion hole 396 penetrating from the top surface to the bottom surface at one end side. The hook member 390 is fitted into the moving body assembly portion 320c, and is assembled to the main body portion 320 by inserting a pin 392 through the pin insertion hole 396 and the pin insertion hole 320f provided on the main body portion 320 side. This allows the hook member 390 to rotate around the pin 392 as a pivot, so that the end opposite the end where the pin insertion hole 396 is provided can move in and out of the main body shaft receiving portion 230b.

The connecting device 310 has a locking structure for the hook member 390 that utilizes a notch 382 provided in the middle of the first direction fixing screw 12 (vertical direction fixing screw) and a spherical member 384. The connecting device 310 is assembled so that the spherical member 384 fits into a recess 394 provided on the upper surface of the hook member 390, a screw hole communication portion 320h provided in the partition portion 320e of the main body portion 320, and the notch 382 provided in the first direction fixing screw 12.

As the connecting device 310 rotates to tighten the first direction fixing screw 12, the notch 382 moves in the axial direction of the first direction fixing screw 12, and the thread of the first direction fixing screw 12 arrives at a position corresponding to the screw hole communication portion 320h. In this state, the thread of the first direction fixing screw 12 comes into contact with the spherical member 384. As a result, as shown in FIG. 20(a), a downward pressing force acts on the spherical member 384, and the spherical member 384 presses and fixes the hook member 390. On the other hand, when the first direction fixing screw 12 is loosened, the notch 382 retreats in the axial direction of the first direction fixing screw 12, and the notch 382 of the first direction fixing screw 12 arrives at a position corresponding to the screw hole communication portion 320h. In this state, the spherical member 384 is in a state where it can retreat into the notch 382. This releases the pressing force (fixing force) of the hook member 390 by the spherical member 384.

Fourth Embodiment
The connecting device 410 and the connecting structure 401 according to the fourth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 21 to 24. In the following description, the characteristic configurations of the connecting device 410 and the connecting structure 401 will first be described, and then specific examples of the connecting device 410 and the connecting structure 401 will be described. Note that in the connecting device 410 and the connecting structure 401 according to the fourth embodiment, configurations common to the connecting device 10 (connecting structure 1), the connecting device 210 (connecting structure 201), and the connecting device 310 (connecting structure 301) described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

(Characteristic configuration of the connecting device 410 and the connecting structure 401 according to the fourth embodiment)
The connecting device 410 and the connecting structure 401 have a main body 420 instead of the main body 30, compared to the connecting device 10 and the connecting structure 1 of the first embodiment described above. The connecting device 410 and the connecting structure 401 have a shape in which the main body 420 extends in a rod-like shape, and have a main body side grip 420a (handle part). In addition, the connecting device 410 and the connecting structure 401 have a stopper grip 440b (lever part) that can directly or indirectly (directly in this embodiment) swing the stopper member 440. As a result, the connecting device 410 and the connecting structure 401 are designed so that the user can swing the stopper grip 440b in a state in which the user places a part of the hand (e.g., the palm) on the rod-shaped main body side grip 420a and holds the lever-shaped stopper grip 440b with his fingers.

(Specific examples of the connecting device 410 and the connecting structure 401 according to the fourth embodiment)
Hereinafter, specific examples of the connecting device 410 and the connecting structure 401 according to the fourth embodiment will be described.

The coupling device 410 is as shown in Figures 21 to 24. The coupling device 410 has a main body 420. The main body 420 is the part that forms the main body of the coupling device 410. The main body 420 has a main body side grip 420a that can be gripped by the user on one side in the longitudinal direction. The main body 420 has a support groove 414 corresponding to the support groove 14 described above on the other side in the longitudinal direction, and has a first shaft insertion portion 430a corresponding to the first shaft insertion portion 30a in the middle of the longitudinal direction. The first shaft insertion portion 430a penetrates in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the main body 420 (in this embodiment, a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction), and the first shaft-shaped portion 22 can be inserted therethrough. The coupling device 410 is provided with a stopper member 440 instead of the stopper member 40 provided in the coupling device 10 described above.

24, the main body 420 is hollow at a portion closer to the main body grip 420a than the support groove 414. The stopper member 440 is a plate-shaped member, one side of which in the longitudinal direction is inserted inside the main body 420, and the other side is taken out from an opening formed in the middle of the main body 420. The stopper member 440 is supported so as to be able to swing with respect to the main body 420, with the swing support portion 442 as a fulcrum. The stopper member 440 has a second shaft insertion portion 440a at one end side (the rear side in the direction of entry into the main body 420) of the swing support portion 442. The second shaft insertion portion 440a is a hole through which the first shaft-shaped portion 22 can be inserted, similar to the second shaft insertion portion 40a in the coupling device 10 of the first embodiment.

The stopper member 440 extends beyond the swing support portion 442 to a position facing the body-side grip portion 420a of the body portion 420. Therefore, the portion of the stopper member 440 facing the body-side grip portion 420a is a stopper grip portion 440b (lever portion) on which the user can place their fingers when the user places the palm of their hand on the body-side grip portion 420a.

The stopper member 440 is biased by a biasing member such as a spring (not shown) so that the stopper gripping portion 440b moves away from the main body side gripping portion 420a. Therefore, when the user places the palm of their hand on the main body side gripping portion 420a and places their fingers on the stopper member 440, the stopper member 440 can be operated so that it swings by gripping the stopper member 440 so that a force acts in the direction opposite to the biasing force of the biasing member (the direction in which the stopper gripping portion 440b moves closer to the main body side gripping portion 420a).

The connecting device 410 is attached to the support device 20 with the first shaft-shaped portion 22 of the support device 20 inserted into the first shaft insertion portion 430a of the main body portion 420 as shown in FIG. 23. In this state, the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted into the second shaft insertion portion 440a provided on the stopper member 440 inside the main body portion 420 as shown in FIG. 24.

As described above, the stopper member 440 is constantly biased by a biasing member (not shown) and is inclined as shown in FIG. 24. Therefore, the opening edge forming the second shaft insertion portion 440a of the stopper member 440 is constantly pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 on one side and the other side via the first shaft-shaped portion 22 at positions spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22. As a result, the stopper member 440 interferes with and gouges the first shaft-shaped portion 22 at two points, resulting in a locked state, and movement of the connecting device 410 in the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is suppressed and the device is stationary.

On the other hand, when the user places the palm of his/her hand on the main body gripping portion 420a of the main body 420, hooks his/her fingers on the stopper member 440, and grasps the stopper member 440 so that a force acts in the direction in which the stopper gripping portion 440b approaches the main body gripping portion 420a against the biasing force of the biasing member, the state in which the stopper member 440 interferes with and gouges the first shaft-shaped portion 22 at two points is eliminated, as described above, and the unlocked state is achieved. This allows the user to slide the connecting device 410 in the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 while grasping the main body 420 and the stopper member 440.

Fifth Embodiment
Hereinafter, the connecting device 510 and the connecting structure 501 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 25 to 29. In the following description, the characteristic configurations of the connecting device 510 and the connecting structure 501 will first be described, and then specific examples of the connecting device 510 and the connecting structure 501 will be described. In addition, in the description of the characteristic configurations and specific examples of the connecting device 510 and the connecting structure 501 according to the fifth embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the configurations common to the connecting device 10 (connecting structure 1), the connecting device 210 (connecting structure 201), the connecting device 310 (connecting structure 301), and the connecting device 410 (connecting structure 401) described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Characteristic configuration of the connecting device 510 and the connecting structure 501 according to the fifth embodiment)
The connecting device 510 and the connecting structure 501 are generally the same as the connecting device 210 (connecting structure 201) of the second embodiment and the connecting device 310 (connecting structure 301) of the third embodiment, but are different in that they are provided with a falling-off suppression mechanism 580 (cross-direction movement regulating portion) instead of the falling-off suppression mechanism 280 and the falling-off suppression mechanism 380. In addition, the main body portion 520 constituting the connecting device 510 and the connecting structure 501 has a generally common configuration with the main body portion 320 exemplified in the third embodiment described above, but the main body portion 520 has a partial configuration different from the main body portion 320 due to the assembly of the falling-off suppression mechanism 580, etc. In the following description, the falling-off suppression mechanism 580 and the main body portion 520 will be described focusing on the differences while the same reference numerals are used for the parts common to the above-mentioned falling-off suppression mechanism 380 and the main body portion 520 and detailed description is omitted.

Like the fall-off prevention mechanism 280 and the fall-off prevention mechanism 380, the fall-off prevention mechanism 580 can be switched between a restricted state in which the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is restricted from entering and exiting via the main body shaft receiving portion 230b and the locking mechanism shaft receiving portion 240b, and a non-restricted state in which the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is permitted to enter and exit via the main body shaft receiving portion 230b and the locking mechanism shaft receiving portion 240b. The fall-off prevention mechanism 580 has a moving body 582 instead of the moving body 282 and the hook member 390. The fall-off prevention mechanism 580 also has a switching mechanism 584.

The movable body 582 is movable in the direction of advancing and retreating from the opening 274, which is the entry and exit path of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 via the main body shaft receiving portion 230b and the locking mechanism shaft receiving portion 240b. The movable body 582 can put the fall-off prevention mechanism 580 into a restricted state by advancing into the entry and exit path of the first shaft-shaped portion 22, and can put the fall-off prevention mechanism 580 into a non-restricted state by retreating from the entry and exit path of the first shaft-shaped portion 22.

The switching mechanism 584 is a mechanism for switching between a movement restricted state in which the movement of the moving body 582 is restricted and a movement permitted state in which the movement of the moving body 582 is permitted. The switching mechanism 584 has a switching operation unit 586.

The switching operation unit 586 is for operating the switching mechanism 584. The switching operation unit 586 may be operable independently of other members such as the stopper member 40, but in this embodiment, it is operable in conjunction with the swinging operation of the stopper member 40. The switching operation unit 586 can be operated by appropriate movements such as swinging, but in this embodiment, it is operable by applying a pressing force (pressing unit 586a). The pressing unit 586a constituting the switching operation unit 586 is provided in the movable range of the stopper member 40. In this embodiment, the switching operation unit 586 (pressing unit 586a) presses and swings the stopper member 40 against the biasing force of the biasing member 50 further than the position where the locking mechanism 60 switches from the locked state to the unlocked state due to the swinging operation of the stopper member 40, thereby applying a pressing force from the stopper member 40 to the switching operation unit 586 (pressing unit 586a), thereby switching the switching mechanism 584 from the movement restricted state to the movement permitted state.

(Specific examples of the connecting device 510 and the connecting structure 501 according to the fifth embodiment)
Hereinafter, specific examples of the connecting device 510 and the connecting structure 501 according to the fifth embodiment will be described.

The connecting device 510 (connecting structure 501) has a locking mechanism 60 configured by assembling a stopper member 40 and a biasing member 50 to a main body 320, similar to the connecting device 310 (connecting structure 301) of the third embodiment. The connecting device 510 has a moving body 582 instead of the moving body 282 and the hook member 390 in the connecting device 210 of the second embodiment and the connecting device 310 of the third embodiment.

The moving body 582 is formed in a hook-like shape like the hook member 390. The moving body 582 is provided in a position adjacent to the space in the main body 320 where the lock mechanism 60 consisting of the stopper member 40 and the biasing member 50 is assembled, like the moving body 282 and the hook member 390 described above. In this embodiment, like the hook member 390 of the third embodiment, it is assembled to the moving body assembly part 320c provided in a position adjacent to the lock mechanism assembly part 320d in which the lock mechanism 60 consisting of the stopper member 40 and the biasing member 50 is assembled in the main body 320. In the same way that the hook member 390 in the third embodiment is rotatable with respect to the main body 320 around the pin 392 as a pivot, the moving body 582 is supported rotatably with respect to the main body 520 around the pin 392 as a pivot. The movable body 582 can rotate around the pin 392 as a support axis, and can move in the direction of advancing and retreating from the opening 274, which is the entry and exit path for the first shaft-shaped portion 22 via the main body shaft receiving portion 230b and the locking mechanism shaft receiving portion 240b.

The connecting device 510 includes the switching mechanism 584 described above. The switching mechanism 584 includes a switching operation unit 586, a fixed body 588, and a fixed body biasing member 560.

The switching operation part 586 is composed of a pin-shaped member. The pin of the switching operation part 586 is inserted into a communication hole 520f that communicates between the moving body assembly part 320c and the lock mechanism assembly part 320d in the partition part 320e that separates the moving body assembly part 320c and the lock mechanism assembly part 320d in the main body part 320. The switching operation part 586 has a length that is equal to or longer than the length of the communication hole 520f. The communication hole 520f opens at a position below the pressing part 46 of the stopper member 40 arranged in the lock mechanism assembly part 320d. Therefore, the switching operation part 586 inserted into the communication hole 520f is in a state of protruding within the movable range of the stopper member 40 (the lock mechanism assembly part 320d in this embodiment).

The fixed body 588 is composed of a pin-shaped member. The fixed body biasing member 560 is composed of a spring. The pin constituting the fixed body 588 and the spring constituting the fixed body biasing member 560 are fitted into the fixed body housing portion 582a that is provided so as to open on the top surface side of the moving body 582. The fixed body 588 is arranged on the fixed body biasing member 560 arranged on the bottom side of the fixed body housing portion 582a. The sum of the length of the fixed body 588 and the natural length of the spring constituting the fixed body biasing member 560 is longer than the depth (length) of the hole constituting the fixed body housing portion 582a. The length of the fixed body 588 and the natural length of the spring constituting the fixed body biasing member 560 are shorter than the depth (length) of the hole constituting the fixed body housing portion 582a. Therefore, when no axial pressing force is applied to the fixed body 588, the lower end of the fixed body 588 is accommodated in the fixed body accommodation portion 582a, while the upper end of the fixed body 588 protrudes from the top surface of the movable body 582 (see FIGS. 26(a) and 27(a)). When an axial pressing force is applied to the fixed body 588, the fixed body biasing member 560 contracts, and the upper end of the fixed body 588 becomes flush with the top surface of the movable body 582 or sinks below the top surface of the movable body 582 (see FIGS. 28(a) and 29(a)).

The above-mentioned fixed body accommodating portion 582a is provided at a position communicating with the communication hole 520f provided in the partition wall portion 320e of the main body portion 320 when the falling-off prevention mechanism 580 is in a restricted state by advancing the movable body 582 into the entry/exit path of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 (see Figs. 26(a) and 27(a)). Therefore, when the falling-off prevention mechanism 580 is in a restricted state, the upper end of the fixed body 588 fitted into the fixed body accommodating portion 582a of the movable body 582 protrudes toward the communication hole 520f of the partition wall portion 320e and is fitted into the communication hole 520f. As a result, the movable body 582 is in a non-rotatable state. Additionally, the switching operation part 586 inserted into the communication hole 520f is pushed by the fixed body 588 and protrudes downward from the stopper member 40 (pressing part 46) disposed in the lock mechanism assembly part 320d.

In addition, when the stopper member 40 (pressing portion 46) is pressed against the biasing force of the biasing member 50 in the state where the fall-off prevention mechanism 580 is in the restricted state, the stopper member 40 and the first shaft-shaped portion 22 eventually come into contact at the first contact portion P and the second contact portion Q, and the state where the movement of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 in the axial direction is suppressed is changed to a state where the contact at the first contact portion P and the second contact portion Q is released and movement in the vertical direction is permitted. When the stopper member 40 (pressing portion 46) is further pressed from this state, the stopper member 40 comes into contact with the upper end portion of the switching operation portion 586. When the stopper member 40 is further pressed from this state, as shown in FIG. 28(a), the switching operation portion 586 is pressed by the stopper member 40, and the fixed body 588 abutting the lower end portion of the switching operation portion 586 is pushed against the biasing force of the fixed body biasing member 560. As a result, when the upper end of the fixed body 588 eventually comes out of the communication hole 520f, the movable body 582 becomes freely rotatable. This causes the connecting device 510 to move the movable body 582 out of the opening 274, allowing the first shaft-shaped portion 22 to enter and exit via the main body shaft receiving portion 230b and the lock mechanism shaft receiving portion 240b, i.e., the connecting device 510 becomes detachable from the first shaft-shaped portion 22 via the opening 274.

Sixth Embodiment
Hereinafter, the connecting device 610 and the connecting structure 601 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 30 to 42. In the following description, the characteristic configuration of the connecting device 610 and the connecting structure 601 will be described first, and then a specific example of the connecting device 610 and the connecting structure 601 will be described. In addition, in the description of the characteristic configuration and specific example of the connecting device 610 and the connecting structure 601 according to the sixth embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the configurations common to the above-mentioned connecting device 10 (connecting structure 1), connecting device 210 (connecting structure 201), connecting device 310 (connecting structure 301), connecting device 410 (connecting structure 401), and connecting device 510 (connecting structure 501), and detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the shapes of the control bodies 684 and 686 described in detail later are partially different between the ones illustrated in FIGS. 30 to 36 and the ones illustrated in FIGS. 37 to 42 due to convenience of illustration, etc., but since both have the same action and effect, they will be described as the same in the following description without distinction.

(Characteristic configuration of the connecting device 610 and the connecting structure 601 according to the sixth embodiment)
In the connecting device 610 according to the sixth embodiment, the configuration of the connecting structure 601 is similar to that of the connecting structure 1 constituting the connecting device 10 of the first embodiment described above, but the configuration is different in that a stopper member 640 is used instead of the stopper member 40. In the connecting device 10, the stopper member 40 and the first shaft-shaped portion 22 come into contact with each other and are in a scooped state, thereby suppressing the axial movement (falling) of the first shaft-shaped portion 22. In the same principle, the connecting device 610 (connecting structure 601) can suppress the axial movement (falling) of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 by the stopper member 640 coming into contact with the first shaft-shaped portion 22 and being in a scooped state (see FIG. 34 ).

In addition, the locking mechanism 680 provided on the stopper member 640 can be used to restrict or permit rotation of the coupling device 610 (coupling structure 601) about the first shaft-shaped portion 22. That is, the coupling device 610 (coupling structure 601) is provided with a function for controlling movement in the axial direction of the shaft body (the first shaft-shaped portion 22 in this embodiment) to which it is attached, as well as a function for controlling rotation of the shaft body (the first shaft-shaped portion 22).

31 and 32, the stopper member 640 is configured to accommodate the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 constituting the locking mechanism 680 in the accommodation section 682a formed as a space inside the stopper member main body 682. The stopper member main body 682 has a second shaft insertion section 640a similar to the second shaft insertion section 40a provided in the stopper member 40. The accommodation section 682a is configured to accommodate the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 formed in a plate shape in a superimposed state in the portion where the stopper member main body 682 is provided. The first control body 684 and the second control body 686 are formed in the same shape and are assembled in a state where they are inverted relative to each other and fitted into the recess 682b provided in the accommodation section 682a. The first control body 684 and the second control body 686 have shaft insertion holes 684a, 686a through which the first shaft-shaped portion 22 can be inserted, similar to the stopper member main body 682.

When the locking mechanism 680 is pressed against the stopper member 640 as shown by arrow A in FIG. 33, the stopper member main body 682 and the locking mechanism 680 incorporated therein (first control body 684 and second control body 686) are not interfered with by the first shaft-shaped portion 22 and are not in a scooped-out state (see FIG. 33(b) and FIG. 37(b)-(g)). Therefore, in this state, the connecting device 610 (connecting structure 601) is not restricted in its axial and circumferential movement relative to the first shaft-shaped portion 22, and can freely move in the axial direction and rotate about the axis.

On the other hand, when the pressing force on the stopper member 640 is released, etc., and the stopper member 640 is raised by the biasing force of the biasing member 50 as shown by arrow B in Figures 34 and 38, the second shaft insertion portion 640a provided on the stopper member main body 682 of the stopper member 640 interferes with the first shaft-shaped portion 22 and is gouged out. Similarly, the shaft insertion holes 684a, 686a of the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 incorporated in the stopper member main body 682 interfere with the first shaft-shaped portion 22 and are gouged out at the portions indicated by black circles in Figure 34 and the portions highlighted in Figures 38(b) and (c). As a result, the connecting device 610 (connecting structure 601) is in a state in which the movement of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 in the axial direction is restricted.

In more detail, when the pressing force on the stopper member 640 is released and the shaft insertion holes 684a, 686a interfere with the first shaft-shaped portion 22, the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 are pressed by the first shaft-shaped portion 22 in the direction indicated by the arrow C in FIG. 34(b) and the arrows in FIG. 39(a) and (g). At this time, the corners of the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 are the rotating machine points, and move in the rotation direction as indicated by the arrow D in FIG. 34(b) and FIG. 39(b) and (h), and are pressed against the first shaft-shaped portion 22. As a result, the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 interfere with the first shaft-shaped portion 22 at various points in the circumferential direction and are gouged out. Therefore, in the locked state, the locking mechanism 680 is fixed so that the movement of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 in one axial direction is strongly restricted, and the movement in the other axial direction is more gently restricted than the movement in the one direction. In addition, in the locked state, the locking mechanism 680 is restricted from rotating the coupling device 610 (coupling structure 601) relative to the first shaft-shaped portion 22.

That is, as shown in FIG. 35(a), FIG. 37(e), (g), etc., the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 are each formed of a plate body with a rectangular portion 684b, 686b formed in a rectangular shape on one side and an arc-shaped portion 684c, 686c formed in an arc shape on the other side through a shaft insertion hole 684a, 686a provided in the approximate center when viewed from above. In addition, the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 have fulcrum portions 684p, 686p protruding outward in the width direction at the portion formed in the rectangular portion 684b, 686b on one side in the width direction. The fulcrum portions 684p, 686p are provided at the outer edge portion of the rectangular portion 684b, 686b that extends in a direction intersecting the width direction of the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 (hereinafter also referred to as the "vertical direction") and protrude in the width direction.

In addition, the shaft insertion holes 684a, 686a have shaft interference portions 684d, 686d formed so that the inner circumferential surface extends linearly in a direction intersecting the width direction of the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 (hereinafter also referred to as the "vertical direction") on the side where the fulcrum portions 684p, 686p are provided. Furthermore, the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 have bulging portions 684e, 686e at positions on the opposite side in the width direction to the shaft interference portions 684d, 686d, which make the shaft insertion holes 684a, 686a bulge outward. Furthermore, in the first control body 684, shaft abutment portions 684f, 684g protruding toward the inside of the shaft insertion hole 684a are provided at positions adjacent to one and the other circumferential sides of the shaft insertion hole 684a relative to the bulging portions 684e. Similarly, in the second control body 686, shaft abutment portions 686f, 686g that protrude toward the inside of the shaft insertion hole 686a are provided at positions adjacent to the bulge portion 686e on one and the other circumferential sides of the shaft insertion hole 686a.

As shown in FIG. 36(c), the accommodation section 682a of the stopper member main body 682 is sized to accommodate the above-mentioned first control body 684 and second control body 686 in a stacked state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 35(b) and FIG. 36(c), the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 are stacked so that their orientations are opposite to each other in the vertical direction and also in the width direction. In addition, the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 are oriented such that one side in the width direction faces the outer protrusion 44 side that serves as the swing fulcrum of the stopper member main body 682, and the other end side faces the side that serves as the point of application of force to the stopper member main body 682. The first control body 684 and the second control body 686 are stacked in this way and accommodated in the accommodation section 682a. That is, when the second control body 686 is accommodated in the accommodation section 682a having the shape as shown in FIG. 36(a), it becomes the state as shown in FIG. 36(b). The first control body 684 is set inside the accommodation section 682a by being accommodated in the accommodation section 682a as shown in FIG. 36(a) by being stacked on the second control body 686 previously accommodated in the accommodation section 682a as shown in FIG. 36(b) or by being stacked on the second control body 686 outside the accommodation section 682a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 36(c), the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 are accommodated in the accommodation section 682a in a stacked state in which they are oriented in opposite directions in the vertical direction and also in opposite directions in the width direction.

Instead of stacking the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 so that they are oriented in opposite directions in the vertical direction and in opposite directions in the width direction as described above, it is also possible to configure the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 so that they are oriented in opposite directions in the width direction and are stored in the storage section 682a so that they are oriented in the same direction in the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 42(b), for example. With this configuration, when the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 rotate or swing to the state shown in FIG. 42(b) as described in detail later, the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 interfere with each other (gouged state) and the twisting effect is enhanced. This allows the locking mechanism 680 to be fixed even more firmly.

When the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 are arranged as described above, the second shaft insertion portion 640a of the stopper member 640 and the shaft insertion holes 684a, 686a provided in the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 are accommodated in the accommodation portion 682a in a state of communication with each other. In this manner, when the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 are accommodated in the accommodation portion 682a, gaps are formed on one and the other widthwise sides of the first control body 684 and the second control body 686. In addition, the accommodation portion 682a has an arc-shaped portion accommodation portion 682c formed so that the tip portions of the arc-shaped portions 684c, 686c of the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 can be accommodated therein. Therefore, the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 can rotate around the shaft insertion holes 684a, 686a to the extent that their outer edge portions do not interfere with the inner edge portion of the storage portion 682a.

When the stopper member 640 is raised by the biasing force of the biasing member 50 as shown by arrow B in Figures 34 and 38 with the shaft-shaped portion 22 inserted through the second shaft insertion portion 640a and the shaft insertion holes 684a and 686a, the shaft-shaped portion 22 interferes with the inner edge portions (shaft interference portions 684d and 686d) of the shaft insertion holes 684a and 686a as shown in Figures 34 and 38, and the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 come into contact with the shaft-shaped portion 22 at the interference points (first contact state). In the first contact state, a force acts on the first control body 684 in the direction shown by arrow C in Figure 34 and Figures 39(a) and (g). Accordingly, the fulcrum portion 684c of the first control body 684 abuts against the inner edge of the storage portion 682a, and rotates around this as shown by the arrow D in FIG. 34 and the arrows in FIG. 39(b), (d), (h), and (j). The second control body 686 also rotates around the fulcrum portion 686c in the opposite direction to the first control body 684. When the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 perform such an operation, the shaft abutment portions 684f and 686f abut against the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped portion 22 (second abutment state) while maintaining the state in which the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 interfere with each other at the shaft interference portions 684d and 686d (see FIG. 39(e), (f), (k), and (l)).

When the first control body 684 comes into contact with the shaft-shaped portion 22 at the shaft interference portion 684d and the shaft abutment portion 684f as described above, as shown in Fig. 40, the first control body 684 oscillates around the axis of the oscillation axis (shown by a dashed line in Fig. 40, etc.) that intersects with the axis of the shaft-shaped portion 22, with the two points of the shaft interference portion 684d and the shaft abutment portion 684f as the oscillation fulcrums, due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member 50. As a result, as shown in Fig. 41, the first control body 684 comes into contact with the shaft-shaped portion 22 at the shaft abutment portion 684g in addition to the shaft interference portion 684d and the shaft abutment portion 684f (third abutment state). Similarly, when the second control body 686 comes into contact with the shaft-shaped portion 22 at the shaft interference portion 686d and the shaft abutment portion 686f, the second control body 686 swings around a swing axis that intersects with the axis of the shaft-shaped portion 22, with the shaft interference portion 686d and the shaft abutment portion 686f as swing fulcrums, due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member 50. As a result, the first control body 684 comes into contact with the shaft-shaped portion 22 at the shaft abutment portion 686g in addition to the shaft interference portion 686d and the shaft abutment portion 686f (third abutment state).

When the first control body 684 is in the third abutment state as described above, the first control body 684 is fixed at multiple locations (three locations in this embodiment/locations indicated by arrows in FIG. 42(b)) that are offset in both the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the shaft-shaped portion 22 by the shaft interference portion 684d, the shaft abutment portion 684f, and the shaft abutment portion 684f. Similarly, when the second control body 686 is in the third abutment state, the first control body 684 is fixed at multiple locations (three locations in this embodiment) that are offset in both the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the shaft-shaped portion 22 by the shaft interference portion 686d, the shaft abutment portion 686f, and the shaft abutment portion 686f. Therefore, the lock mechanism 680 is fixed to the shaft-shaped portion 22 at the total number (six locations) of multiple (three locations) fixing locations formed by the first control body 684 and multiple (three locations) fixing locations formed by the second control body 686. In addition, the fixed points formed in the third abutment state are located at positions offset from each other in either or both of the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the shaft-shaped portion 22. Therefore, when the locking mechanism 680 is in the third abutment state, the movement of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 toward one side in the axial direction is firmly restricted, and the movement toward the other side in the axial direction is more gently restricted than the movement in that direction. In addition, in the third abutment state, the locking mechanism 680 is in a state in which the rotation of the connecting device 610 (connecting structure 601) relative to the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is restricted.

As shown in FIG. 42(a), the locking mechanism 680 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 682a in a state in which the first control body 684 and the second control body 686, which are adjacent in the insertion direction of the shaft-shaped portion 22, are stacked so that the rotation direction when they rotate around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion 22 due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member 50 and the swing direction when they swing in a direction intersecting the axis of the shaft-shaped portion 22 are opposite directions. This allows the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 to operate smoothly with each other, and can be abutted against the shaft-shaped portion 22 at multiple points spaced apart in the axial and circumferential directions of the shaft-shaped portion 22 to be firmly fixed.

In the above embodiment, an example in which two control bodies 684, 686 are provided is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The connecting structure 601 and the connecting device 610 can be provided with only one of the control bodies 684, 686, or can be provided with a control body of a similar configuration in addition to the control bodies 684, 686 (three or more control bodies).

In the example shown in Figures 30 to 42, a connecting device 610 (connecting structure 601) is illustrated in which most of the configuration is the same as that of the connecting device 10 (connecting structure 1), but a stopper 640 is provided instead of the stopper 40, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, most of the configuration may be the same as that of the connecting device 210 (connecting structure 201), the connecting device 310 (connecting structure 301), the connecting device 410 (connecting structure 401), and the connecting device 510 (connecting structure 501), but it is also possible to adopt a stopper member 240 or a stopper member 440 that exhibits the same or equivalent function as the locking mechanism 680, like the stopper member 640.

<Action and effect>
The connecting devices 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 and the connecting structures 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 that constitute them exemplified in each of the above-mentioned embodiments have the following characteristic configurations (a) to (j), which enable the following unique operational effects to be achieved.

(a) The above-mentioned connecting structure 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 is capable of connecting a support object 24, which is a support target, to a support device 20 that supports the support object 24, and is equipped with a locking mechanism 60 that can be switched between a locked state in which axial movement of the shaft-shaped first shaft-shaped portion 22 of the support device 20 is suppressed, and an unlocked state () in which axial movement is permitted, and the locking mechanism 60 is equipped with a second shaft insertion portion 40a, 240a, 440a (locking mechanism 60 shaft insertion portion) through which the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted, and a stopper member 40, 240, 440 that is capable of swinging relative to the first shaft-shaped portion 22 when the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted into the second shaft insertion portion 40a, 240a, 440a (locking mechanism shaft insertion portion) and a second shaft insertion portion 40a, 240a, 440a (locking mechanism shaft insertion portion) that is capable of swinging relative to the first shaft-shaped portion 22. and a biasing member 50 that biases the stopper members 40, 240, 440 in the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 inserted into the second shaft-shaped portion 40a, 240a, 440a (locking mechanism shaft insertion portion). When the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted into the second shaft-shaped portion 40a, 240a, 440a (locking mechanism shaft insertion portion), the stopper members 40, 240, 440 are biased in the axial direction, and the stopper members 40, 240, 440 contact the first shaft-shaped portion 22 at a first contact portion P and a second contact portion Q that is on the opposite side of the axial center position of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 from the first contact portion P and is axially separated from the first contact portion P, thereby entering a locked state. In the locked state, the stopper members 40, 240, 440 are pressed against the biasing force of the biasing member 50 to swing, thereby releasing the contact at the first contact portion P and the second contact portion Q, entering an unlocked state.

The connecting structure 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 is equipped with a locking mechanism 60, and is switchable between a locked state in which the axial movement of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 of the support device 20 is restricted, and an unlocked state in which the axial movement of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is permitted.

Here, in the connecting structure 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, in a state where the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted into the second shaft insertion portion 40a, 240a, 440a (locking mechanism shaft insertion portion) provided on the stopper member 40, 240, 440 constituting the locking mechanism 60, an axial biasing force acts on the stopper member 40, 240, 440, and the stopper member 40, 240, 440 contacts (interferes) with the first shaft-shaped portion 22 at the first contact portion P and at the second contact portion Q, which is on the opposite side of the axial center position of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 from the first contact portion P and is axially separated from the first contact portion P, and is in a gouged state. As a result, the connecting structure 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 is in a locked state, and the axial movement of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is suppressed and the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is in a stationary state. In addition, the force acting on the connecting structure 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 in the falling direction due to gravity is transmitted as a force that presses the stopper member 40, 240, 440 against the first shaft-shaped portion 22. Therefore, the connecting structure 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 is unlikely to fall even if it receives some impact or vibration because the stopper member 40, 240, 440 is in a state of being gouged into the first shaft-shaped portion 22 and pressed against it. Therefore, by locking the connecting structure 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, it is possible to prevent the user from falling unexpectedly.

The connecting structure 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 can press the stopper member 40, 240, 440 against the biasing force of the biasing member 50 to swing the stopper member 40, 240, 440, thereby releasing the contact between the stopper member 40, 240, 440 and the first shaft-shaped portion 22 at the first contact portion P and the second contact portion Q, and thus entering an unlocked state. Therefore, by entering an unlocked state, the connecting structure 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 can be smoothly moved in the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22.

(b) The connecting structure 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 has a main body portion 30, 230, 320, 420, 520 to which the stopper member 40, 240, 440 and the biasing member 50 are assembled, and the main body portion 30, 230, 320, 420, 520 has a first shaft insertion portion 30a, 230a, 430a (main body shaft insertion portion) through which the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted, and supports the stopper member 40, 240, 440 so that it can swing, and the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted into the second shaft insertion portion When inserted through both 40a, 240a, 440a (lock mechanism shaft insertion portion) and first shaft insertion portion 30a, 230a, 430a (main body shaft insertion portion), the stopper members 40, 240, 440 are biased in the axial direction, thereby locking the lock mechanism 60 into a locked state, and when in the locked state, the stopper members 40, 240, 440 are pressed against the biasing force of the biasing member 50 to swing the stopper members 40, 240, 440 into an unlocked state.

When the connecting structure 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 is configured as shown in (b) above, it has a main body portion 30, 230, 320, 420, 520 to which the stopper member 40, 240, 440 and the biasing member 50 are assembled, and is connected to the first shaft-shaped portion 22 by inserting the first shaft-shaped portion 22 into both the second shaft insertion portion 40a, 240a, 440a (locking mechanism shaft insertion portion) provided on the stopper member 40, 240, 440 and the first shaft insertion portion 30a, 230a, 430a (main body shaft insertion portion) provided on the main body portion 30, 230, 320, 420, 520. Therefore, the connecting structure 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 can operate the stopper member 40, 240, 440, etc. in a stable state by inserting the first shaft-shaped portion 22 into the first shaft insertion portion 30a, 230a, 430a (main shaft insertion portion). Therefore, the connecting structure 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 can stably operate the stopper member 40, 240, 440, etc.

(c) The connecting structure 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 has a pressing portion 46 for applying a pressing force to the stopper member 40, 240, 440, and an opposing portion 34 located on the opposite side of the pressing force acting direction from the pressing portion 46, and is characterized in that the user can perform a pressing operation to apply a pressing force to the stopper member 40, 240, 440 while holding it in one hand by placing a first finger on the pressing portion 46 and a finger other than the first finger on the opposing portion 34.

The connecting structure 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 is configured as described above in (c), so that the user can stably operate the stopper member 40, 240, 440 with one hand by placing a first finger on the pressing portion 46 and a finger other than the first finger on the opposing portion 34.

(d) The connecting structure 401 has a rod-shaped main body side grip portion 420a (handle portion) and a lever-shaped stopper grip portion 440b (lever portion) that can directly or indirectly swing the stopper member 440, and is characterized in that the stopper grip portion 440b (lever portion) can be operated in a direction to move toward or away from the main body side grip portion 420a (handle portion).

The connecting structure 401 can be configured as shown in (d) above, for example, by placing the palm of the user's hand on the main body grip 420a (handle portion) and holding the stopper grip 440b (lever portion) with the fingers hooked, thereby swinging the stopper portion and switching the lock mechanism 60 from a locked state to an unlocked state. In addition, the connecting structure 401 can be moved along the first shaft portion 22 when the lock mechanism 60 is in an unlocked state by being held as described above. Therefore, the connecting structure 401 can be configured as shown in (d) above to improve operability.

(e) The connecting structure 201, 301, 501 has a main body portion 230, 320, 520 to which the stopper member 240 and the biasing member 50 are assembled, and a disengagement prevention mechanism 280, 380, 580 (cross-directional movement regulating portion), and includes a first shaft insertion portion 230a (main body shaft insertion portion) through which the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted in the main body portion 230, 320, 520, and a second shaft insertion portion 240a (locking The mechanism shaft insertion portion) is a portion in which the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted by inserting the first shaft-shaped portion 22 in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22, and the fall-off prevention mechanism 280, 380, 580 (intersecting direction movement restriction portion) is a portion that restricts the relative movement of the main body portion 230, 320, 520 with respect to the first shaft-shaped portion 22 in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22.

The connecting structure 201, 301, 501 can be attached to and detached from the first shaft-shaped portion 22 by moving the first shaft-shaped portion 22, which is the object of connection, forward and backward from the side (direction intersecting the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22) relative to the first shaft insertion portion 230a (main shaft insertion portion) and the second shaft insertion portion 240a (lock mechanism shaft insertion portion). Therefore, the connecting structure 201, 301, 501 can be attached and detached to a position such as the axial intermediate portion without moving in the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22. Therefore, the connecting structure 201, 301, 501 can be suitably used in applications where it is attached to and detached from the axial intermediate portion of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 in a state where it cannot be attached or detached by moving in the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22, for example, because another instrument or the like has already been attached.

The connecting structure 201, 301, 501 is also provided with a falling prevention mechanism 280, 380, 580 (cross-direction movement restriction portion) as described above (e), and is capable of restricting the relative movement of the main body portion 230, 320, 520 with respect to the first shaft-shaped portion 22 in a direction crossing the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22. This makes it possible to prevent the connecting structure 201, 301, 501 from falling, which would be a surprise to the user, when attached to the first shaft-shaped portion 22.

(f) The connecting structure 201, 301, 501 is preferably characterized in that the first shaft insertion portion 230a (main body shaft insertion portion) has a main body shaft receiving portion 230b that opens in a direction intersecting with the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22, the second shaft insertion portion 240a (locking mechanism shaft insertion portion) has a locking mechanism shaft receiving portion 240b that opens in a direction intersecting with the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22, and the falling-off prevention mechanism 280, 380, 580 (intersecting direction movement restriction portion) can be switched between a restricted state that restricts the entry and exit of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 via the main body shaft receiving portion 230b and the locking mechanism shaft receiving portion 240b, and a non-restricted state that allows the entry and exit of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 via the main body shaft receiving portion 230b and the locking mechanism shaft receiving portion 240b.

When the connecting structure 201, 301, 501 is configured as shown in (f) above, the anti-fall-out mechanism 280, 380, 580 (cross-direction movement restricting portion) is set to the unrestricted state, and the first shaft-shaped portion 22 to be connected can be moved laterally (in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22) toward and away from the first shaft insertion portion 230a (main body shaft insertion portion) and the second shaft insertion portion 240a (locking mechanism shaft insertion portion), thereby allowing the first shaft-shaped portion 22 to be attached to and detached from the first shaft-shaped portion 22. In addition, the connecting structure 201, 301, 501 can prevent the first shaft-shaped portion 22 from coming out of the first shaft insertion portion 230a (main body shaft insertion portion) and the second shaft insertion portion 240a (locking mechanism shaft insertion portion) via the main body shaft receiving portion 230b and the locking mechanism shaft receiving portion 240b by setting the falling-off prevention mechanism 280, 380, 580 (cross-direction movement prevention portion) in a restricted state. This makes it possible for the connecting structure 201, 301, 501 to prevent the first shaft-shaped portion 22 from falling out of the first shaft insertion portion 230a (main body shaft insertion portion) and the second shaft insertion portion 240a (locking mechanism shaft insertion portion) when attached to the first shaft-shaped portion 22.

(g) The connecting structure 501 is preferably characterized in that the anti-falling mechanism 580 (cross-direction movement restricting portion) has a moving body 582 that can move in directions advancing and retreating relative to the entry and exit path of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 via the main shaft receiving portion 230b and the locking mechanism shaft receiving portion 240b, and a switching mechanism 584 that can be switched between a movement restricting state in which the movement of the moving body 582 is restricted and a movement allowing state in which the movement of the moving body 582 is permitted, and a switching operation portion 586 for operating the switching mechanism 584 can be operated in conjunction with the swinging operation of the stopper member 240.

By configuring the connecting structure 501 as in (g) above, an operation to swing the stopper member 240 (swinging operation) can be performed to operate the switching operation unit 586 in conjunction with this, thereby switching the state of the switching mechanism 584. Therefore, the connecting structure 501 can be made more maneuverable than a configuration that requires the operation of the switching operation unit 586 in addition to the operation of the stopper member 240.

(h) The connecting structure 501 is preferably characterized in that the switching operation unit 586 is provided with a pressing unit 586a that can be switched from a movement restricted state to a movement permitted state by applying a pressing force, the pressing unit 586a being provided in the movable range of the stopper member 240, and by pressing and swinging the stopper member 240 against the biasing force of the biasing member 50 further than the position where the locking mechanism 60 switches from the locked state to the unlocked state, a pressing force is applied from the stopper member 240 to the pressing unit 586a, and the switching mechanism 584 can be switched from the movement restricted state to the movement permitted state.

By configuring the connecting structure 501 as shown in (h) above, an operation to swing the stopper member 240 (swinging operation) is performed, which in conjunction with this operates the pressing portion 586a that functions as the switching operation portion 586, and the switching mechanism 584 can be switched from a movement restricted state to a movement permitted state. Therefore, the connecting structure 501 can be made more maneuverable than a configuration that requires the operation of the switching operation portion 586 in addition to the operation of the stopper member 240.

(i) The connecting device 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 is a connecting device 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 that includes the connecting structure 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 described in claim 1 or 2, and is capable of connecting the supported object 24 to the support device 20 by being interposed between the supported object 24 that is the object to be supported and the support device 20 that supports the supported object 24, and is characterized in that it includes a second connecting portion 72 that is connected to the supported object 24.

When the connecting device 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 is configured as described above in (i), it can connect the supported object 24 to the supporting device 20 by connecting it to the first shaft-shaped portion 22 of the supporting device 20 and connecting it to the supported object 24 at the second connecting portion 72.

(j) The connecting device 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 is a connecting device 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 that is interposed between a support object 24, which is the object to be supported, and a support device 20 that supports the support object 24, and is capable of connecting the support object 24 to the support device 20, and has a first connecting portion that is connected to a shaft-shaped first shaft-shaped portion 22 provided on the support device 20, and a second connecting portion 72 that is connected to a shaft-shaped second shaft-shaped portion provided on the support object 24, and the first connecting portion, and At least one of the second connecting portions 72 is provided with a locking mechanism 60 that can be switched between a locked state in which axial movement of the first shaft-shaped portion 22, which is the connection target of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 and the second shaft-shaped portion, is restricted, and an unlocked state in which axial movement is permitted. The locking mechanism 60 includes a receiving portion having first shaft insertion portions 30a, 230a, 430a through which the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted, and a second shaft insertion portion 30a, 230a, 430a through which the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted. The stopper member 40, 240, 440 includes a shaft insertion portion 40a, 240a, 440a and is swingable inside the accommodation portion, and a biasing member 50 biases the stopper member 40, 240, 440 in the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 inserted into the first shaft insertion portion 30a, 230a, 430a and the second shaft insertion portion 40a, 240a, 440a. When the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted into the first shaft insertion portion 30a, 230a, 430a and the second shaft insertion portion 40a, 240a, 440a, In this state, the stopper members 40, 240, 440 are urged in the axial direction, and the stopper members 40, 240, 440 contact the first shaft-shaped portion 22 at a first contact portion P and a second contact portion Q that is axially spaced from the first contact portion P, thereby entering a locked state. In the locked state, the stopper members 40, 240, 440 are pressed against the urging force of the urging member 50, thereby releasing the contact at the first contact portion P and the second contact portion Q, thereby entering an unlocked state.

The connecting devices 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, and 610 are equipped with a locking mechanism 60, and are switchable between a locked state in which the axial movement of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 to be connected is restricted, and an unlocked state in which the axial movement of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is permitted.

Here, in the coupling device 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, when the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted through the first shaft insertion portion 30a, 230a, 430a and the second shaft insertion portion 40a, 240a, 440a, an axial biasing force acts on the stopper member 40, 240, 440, and the stopper member 40, 240, 440 contacts (interferes with) the first shaft-shaped portion 22 at the first contact portion P and the second contact portion Q, resulting in a gouged state. As a result, the coupling device 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 is in a locked state, and the axial movement of the first shaft-shaped portion 22 is suppressed, resulting in a stationary state. In addition, the force acting on the connecting device 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 in the falling direction due to gravity is transmitted as a force that presses the stopper member 40, 240, 440 against the first shaft-shaped portion 22. Therefore, the connecting device 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 is unlikely to fall even if it receives some impact or vibration because the stopper member 40, 240, 440 is in a state of being gouged into the first shaft-shaped portion 22 and pressed against it. Therefore, by locking the connecting device 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, it is possible to prevent the user from falling unexpectedly.

The connecting device 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 presses the stopper member 40, 240, 440 against the biasing force of the biasing member 50, causing the stopper member 40, 240, 440 to swing, thereby eliminating contact between the stopper member 40, 240, 440 and the first shaft-shaped portion 22 at the first contact portion P and the second contact portion Q, and thus entering an unlocked state. Therefore, by entering an unlocked state, the connecting device 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 can be smoothly moved in the axial direction of the first shaft-shaped portion 22.

(k) The connecting structure 601 and the connecting device 610 equipped with the same according to one embodiment of the present invention are capable of connecting a support object 24, which is the support target, to a support device 20 that supports the support object 24, and are equipped with a locking mechanism 680 that can be switched between a locked state in which axial movement of the shaft-shaped shaft-shaped portion 22 equipped on the support device 20 is suppressed, and an unlocked state in which axial movement is permitted, and the locking mechanism 680 is equipped with a shaft insertion portion (second shaft insertion portion 640a/also simply referred to as the "shaft insertion portion 640a") through which the shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted, and when the shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted into the shaft insertion portion 640a, The device has a control body (first control body 684, second control body 686/also simply referred to as "control body 684, 686") that can swing relative to the shaft-shaped portion 22, and a biasing member 50 that exerts a biasing force in a direction to swing the control body 684, 686 inserted into the shaft insertion portion 640a. The control bodies 684, 686 swing due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member 50, and rotate in the direction around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion 22 inserted into the shaft insertion portion 640a, while swinging around a swing axis that intersects with the axis of the shaft-shaped portion 22, thereby interfering with the shaft-shaped portion 22 and becoming gouged out, thereby entering a locked state.

The connecting structure 601 and the connecting device 610 are configured as described above in (k), and the control bodies 684, 686 constituting the locking mechanism 680 swing under the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member 50, so that the control bodies 684, 686 move from the first abutment state to the second abutment state and then to the third abutment state. As a result, the connecting structure 601 and the connecting device 610 are locked when the control bodies 684, 686 abut at various points in the circumferential and axial directions of the shaft-shaped portion 22 and interfere with and scoop out the shaft-shaped portion 22. Therefore, by locking the connecting structure 601 and the connecting device 610, they can be fixed in the axial direction relative to the shaft-shaped portion 22 while suppressing rotation in the circumferential direction.

(l) A connecting structure 601 and a connecting device 610 equipped with the same according to one embodiment of the present invention are connecting structures 601 capable of connecting a support object 24, which is a support target, to a support device 20 that supports the support object 24, and are equipped with a locking mechanism 680 that can be switched between a locked state in which axial movement of the shaft-shaped portion 22 equipped on the support device 20 is suppressed and an unlocked state in which axial movement is permitted, and the locking mechanism 680 is equipped with a shaft insertion portion 640a through which the shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted, and a control body 684 that is capable of swinging relative to the shaft-shaped portion 22 when the shaft-shaped portion 22 is inserted into the shaft insertion portion 640a. , 686, and a biasing member 50 that exerts a biasing force in a direction to oscillate the control bodies 684, 686 inserted into the shaft insertion portion 640a, and the control bodies 684, 686 are oscillated due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member 50, and are provided with shaft interference portions 684d, 686d (first abutment portions), shaft abutment portions 684f, 686f (second abutment portions), and shaft abutment portions 684g, 686g (third abutment portions) that can abut against the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped portion 22 inserted into the shaft insertion portion 640a, at positions spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the shaft insertion portion 640a, and the control bodies 684, 686 are oscillated due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member 50 against the shaft-shaped portion 22. As a result of the inclination, a first abutment state is reached in which the shaft interference portions 684d, 686d (first abutment portions) abut against the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped portion 22. In the first abutment state, the control bodies 684, 686 rotate in the direction around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion 22 around a position away from the shaft interference portions 684d, 686d (first abutment portions) as a rotation fulcrum due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member 50. As a result, a second abutment state is reached in which the shaft abutment portions 684f, 686f (second abutment portions) abut against the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped portion 22. In the second abutment state, the control bodies 684, 686 rotate in the direction around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion 22 around a position away from the shaft interference portions 684d, 686d (first abutment portions) as a rotation fulcrum due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member 50. The shaft abutment parts 684g, 686g (third abutment part) come into abutment with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped part 22, and the shaft abutment parts 684f, 686f (second abutment part) are pivoted about an axis of swing that intersects with the axis of the shaft-shaped part 22, and the shaft abutment parts 684g, 686g (third abutment part) come into abutment with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped part 22. This causes the control bodies 684, 686 to come into a third abutment state in which the control bodies 684, 686 interfere with the shaft-shaped part 22 at the shaft interference parts 684d, 686d (first abutment part), the shaft abutment parts 684f, 686f (second abutment part), and the shaft abutment parts 684g, 686g (third abutment part), resulting in a locked state.

The connecting structure 601 and the connecting device 610 are configured as described above in (l), so that the control bodies 684, 686 constituting the locking mechanism 680 swing under the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member 50, and go from the first abutment state to the second abutment state and then to the third abutment state. As a result, the connecting structure 601 and the connecting device 610 operate in such a manner that the control bodies 684, 686 are entangled with the shaft-shaped portion 22, and come into abutment at various points in the circumferential and axial directions of the shaft-shaped portion 22. As a result, the connecting structure 601 and the connecting device 610 are in a locked state, with the control bodies 684, 686 interfering with and gouging out the shaft-shaped portion 22. As a result, by locking the connecting structure 601 and the connecting device 610, the movement of the shaft-shaped portion 22 in one axial direction is firmly restricted, and the movement of the shaft-shaped portion 22 in the other axial direction is more gently restricted than the movement in the one direction. The connecting structure 601 and the connecting device 610 can also be prevented from rotating in the circumferential direction.

(m) As described above, in the connecting structure 601 and the connecting device 610 including the same, the locking mechanism 680 has a storage section 682a that stores multiple (two in the above embodiment) control bodies 684, 686, and inside the storage section 682a, the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 adjacent to each other in the insertion direction of the shaft-shaped portion 22 are stored in a stacked state such that the rotation direction when they rotate around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion 22 due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member 50 and the swing direction when they swing in a direction intersecting the axis of the shaft-shaped portion 22 are opposite directions.

By configuring the connecting structure 601 and the connecting device 610 as described above in (m), the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 that constitute the multiple control bodies can move smoothly with each other, and can be abutted against the shaft-shaped portion 22 at multiple points spaced apart in the axial and circumferential directions of the shaft-shaped portion 22, thereby firmly fixing them.

(n) As described above, in the connecting structure 601 and the connecting device 610 including the same, when the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 move from the second abutment state to the third abutment state, the movement of the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 in the direction away from each other in the axial direction of the shaft-shaped portion 22 is preferably restricted by the accommodating portion 682a.

By configuring the connecting structure 601 and the connecting device 610 as described above in (n), the first control body 684 and the second control body 686, which are arranged so as to overlap, interact with each other when they change from the second abutment state to the third abutment state. This brings the first control body 684 and the second control body 686 into a state of more firmly abutting against the shaft-shaped portion 22. Therefore, by configuring the connecting structure 601 and the connecting device 610 as described above in (n), the fixing strength to the shaft-shaped portion 22 when in the locked state can be further improved.

(o) As described above, in the connecting structure 601 and the connecting device 610 including the same, the locking mechanism 680 has a storage portion 682a that stores the control bodies 684, 686, and the control bodies 684, 686 have an inner wall abutment portion that abuts against the inner wall of the storage portion 682a as they swing due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member 50, and rotate around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion 22 inserted into the shaft insertion portion 640a, with the abutment point between the inner wall of the storage portion 682a and the inner wall abutment portion as the rotation fulcrum.

By configuring the connecting structure 601 and the connecting device 610 as described above in (o), the control bodies 684 and 686 can be rotated smoothly and reliably.

The inventions according to (k) to (o) above are not limited to the configuration exemplified in the sixth embodiment, but can be appropriately combined with the configurations according to the first to fifth embodiments. For example, the inventions according to (k) to (o) above and the configuration of the locking mechanism 680 according to the sixth embodiment that embodies them can be added to the configurations according to the first to fifth embodiments, or can be applied in place of part of the configurations according to the first to fifth embodiments.

The above-mentioned embodiment is merely an example of the present invention, and the configuration can be appropriately changed, added, omitted, etc., without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the connecting structure and the connecting device of the present invention may have all of the characteristic configurations related to (a) to (o) described above, only one of the configurations, a combination of a plurality of configurations, or other configurations in addition to the characteristic configurations related to (a) to (o). In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the connecting structure is applied to the connecting device, but the connecting structure is not only used to connect the supported object to the supporting device by being interposed between the supported object, which is the object to be supported, and the supporting device that supports the supported object, but may also be a part of the device or instrument itself that is connected to the supporting device that supports the supported object. In addition, the supported object is not limited to the above-mentioned physicochemical equipment and laboratory equipment.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and variations, and other embodiments may be possible within the scope of the claims, based on the teachings and spirit of the invention. The components of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Any component of the embodiment may also be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the means for solving the problem, or any component that embodies any component described in the means for solving the problem. We intend to obtain rights to these as well through amendments to this application or divisional applications, etc.

The present invention can be used effectively in all types of connecting devices that can be used to install equipment used in various devices, instruments, and tools used in scientific experiments, etc.

1: Connection structure 10: Connection device 20: Support device 22: First shaft-shaped portion (shaft-shaped portion)
24: Support object 30: Main body 30a: First shaft insertion portion (main body shaft insertion portion)
34: opposing portion 40: stopper member 40a: second shaft insertion portion (lock mechanism shaft insertion portion)
46: Pressing portion 50: Urging member 60: Locking mechanism 72: Second connecting portion 201: Connecting structure 210: Connecting device 230: Main body portion 230a: First shaft insertion portion (main body shaft insertion portion)
230b: Main body shaft receiving portion 240: Stopper member 240a: Second shaft insertion portion (lock mechanism shaft insertion portion)
240b: Locking mechanism shaft receiving portion 280: Falling-off prevention mechanism 301: Connection structure 310: Coupling device 320: Main body 380: Falling-off prevention mechanism 401: Connection structure 410: Coupling device 420: Main body 420a: Main body side gripping portion 430a: First shaft insertion portion 440: Stopper member 440a: Second shaft insertion portion 440b: Stopper gripping portion 501: Connection structure 510: Coupling device 520: Main body 580: Falling-off prevention mechanism 582: Moving body 584: Switching mechanism 586: Switching operation portion 586a: Pressing portion 601: Connection structure 610: Coupling device 640a: Shaft insertion portion 680: Locking mechanism 682a: Storage section 684: First control body (control body)
684d: Shaft interference portion (first contact portion)
684f: Shaft abutment portion (second abutment portion)
684g: Shaft contact portion (third contact portion)
686: Second control body (control body)
686d: Shaft interference portion (first contact portion)
686f: Shaft abutment portion (second abutment portion)
686g: Shaft contact portion (third contact portion)
P: First contact part Q: Second contact part

Claims (5)

A connection structure capable of connecting a support object to a support device that supports the support object,
The support device includes a lock mechanism that can be switched between a locked state in which axial movement of the shaft-shaped portion of the support device is restricted and an unlocked state in which axial movement is permitted,
The locking mechanism is
a control body including a shaft insertion portion through which the shaft-shaped portion is inserted, the control body being swingable relative to the shaft-shaped portion in a state in which the shaft-shaped portion is inserted into the shaft insertion portion;
a biasing member that exerts a biasing force in a direction to swing the control body inserted into the shaft insertion portion;
having
the control body swings due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member, and rotates in a direction around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion inserted into the shaft insertion portion, while swinging around a swing axis that intersects with the axis of the shaft-shaped portion, thereby interfering with and scooping out the shaft-shaped portion, thereby entering the locked state;
A connected structure characterized by: A connection structure capable of connecting a support object to a support device that supports the support object,
The support device includes a lock mechanism that can be switched between a locked state in which axial movement of the shaft-shaped portion of the support device is restricted and an unlocked state in which axial movement is permitted,
The locking mechanism is
a control body including a shaft insertion portion through which the shaft-shaped portion is inserted, the control body being swingable relative to the shaft-shaped portion in a state in which the shaft-shaped portion is inserted into the shaft insertion portion;
a biasing member that exerts a biasing force in a direction to swing the control body inserted into the shaft insertion portion;
having
the control body is pivoted by the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member to include a first abutment portion, a second abutment portion, and a third abutment portion that are capable of abutting against an outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped portion inserted into the shaft insertion portion, the first abutment portion, and a third abutment portion that are spaced apart from one another in a circumferential direction of the shaft insertion portion,
the control body is inclined with respect to the shaft-shaped portion due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member, thereby bringing the control body into a first abutment state in which the first abutment portion abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped portion,
In the first contact state, the control body rotates around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion with a position away from the first contact portion as a rotation fulcrum due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member, thereby bringing the control body into a second contact state in which the second contact portion abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped portion,
in the second abutment-like body, due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member, the control body swings about a swing axis intersecting with the axis of the shaft-shaped portion, with the points at which the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion each abut against the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped portion as a swing fulcrum, so that the third abutment portion abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped portion, thereby entering a third abutment state in which the control body interferes with the shaft-shaped portion at the first abutment portion, the second abutment portion, and the third abutment portion, thereby entering the locked state;
A connected structure characterized by: the locking mechanism has a housing portion that houses a plurality of the control bodies,
A connection structure as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that inside the accommodating portion, a first control body and a second control body adjacent to each other in the insertion direction of the shaft-shaped portion are accommodated in a stacked state so that the rotation direction when they rotate in a direction around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member and the swing direction when they swing in a direction intersecting the axis of the shaft-shaped portion are opposite directions. The connection structure according to claim 3, characterized in that when the first control body and the second control body change from the second abutment state to the third abutment state, the movement of the first control body and the second control body in the direction away from each other in the axial direction of the shaft-like portion is restricted by the housing portion. the lock mechanism has a housing portion that houses the control body,
3. The connection structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control body has an inner wall abutment portion that abuts against the inner wall portion of the accommodating portion by swinging due to the influence of the biasing force of the biasing member, and rotates in a direction around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion inserted into the shaft insertion portion, with the abutment point between the inner wall portion of the accommodating portion and the inner wall abutment portion as a rotation fulcrum .

Images