JP2019078405A - Fastener including engagement indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a fastener including an engagement indicator.SOLUTION: A fastener fixed to a target structure includes a head portion having an upper surface and a lower surface at an opposite side of the upper surface, a first shaft having a free end at a side separating from the head portion and projecting from the lower surface of the head portion, and an indicator mounted on the head portion. The indicator has at least a first wing portion, and the first wing portion has a first horizontal portion extended toward the first side portion of the head portion, and a first indicator portion connected to the first horizontal portion and extended toward the free end of the first shaft. The indicator portion is designed to be pressed to the target structure when the first shaft is driven into the target structure and reaches a prescribed engagement depth, to be separated from the fastener.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to fasteners, and more particularly to fasteners with engagement indicators.

  Fasteners, for example concrete screws, are often used to target objects such as air conditioners, lighting fixtures or pipes on target structures such as walls and ceilings. In order to ensure the performance of the fastener, the shank of the fastener must be driven into the target structure until a predetermined engagement depth is reached. However, after work, it is difficult for the examiner to determine proper engagement between the fastener and the ceiling from below.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an anchor provided with a V-shaped expanding member in order to show an arrangement state of an anchor shaft in a hole of a housing such as a concrete structure. The spreader is a wing that opens when the shaft is screwed into the hole so that the arrangement can be observed by checking from below the member located on the lower side of the spreader. Includes an expanded portion of

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2012-026571 specification

However, to ensure that the expansion member functions properly, the minimum distance between the anchor and an adjacent object, such as an adjacent anchor, wall or column is the winged expansion. Limited by the length of In addition, compared to the conventional anchor without the spreader, the winged spread remains on the ceiling and affects the appearance (appearance) of the surface of the ceiling.
Thus, it is worthwhile to deal with alternative anchors with engagement indicators.

  In one embodiment, the present invention provides a fastener that is secured to a target structure. The fastener has a head portion having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, and a free end on a side away from the head portion, the first portion protruding from the lower surface of the head portion 1 includes a shaft and an indicator attached to the head portion. The indicator is connected to a first wing with a first horizontal portion extending towards a first side of the head and to the first horizontal portion at the free end of the first shaft. And at least a first indicator portion extending toward the end. As the first shaft is driven into the target structure and reaches a predetermined engagement depth, the first indicator portion is pressed against the target structure and disengages from the fastener.

  The invention, together with its objects and advantages, will be best understood by the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an exploded view of a fastener for securing to a target structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic isometric view of the fastener of FIG. 1 assembled according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic plan view shown about the state where the fastener of Drawing 1 concerning one embodiment of the present invention was attached. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the fastener of FIG. 3 taken along line A-A according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the indicator of the fastener of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the indicator of the fastener of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a view showing a side cross section taken along line BB in the indicator of FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic isometric view of the coupler of the fastener of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic isometric view of the head portion of the fastener of FIG. 1 with a first shaft and a second shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing an appropriate engagement between the fastener of FIG. 1 and the target structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic isometric view showing a fastener for securing to a target structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is a schematic front view of the fastener of Figure 11 according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of the fastener of FIG. 11 according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention showing proper engagement between the fastener and the target structure.

  BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The detailed description set forth below in connection with the attached drawings is intended to clearly describe the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and to show only one form in which the present invention may be practiced. It is not intended. It should be understood that the same or equivalent functions may be achieved by different embodiments which are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the drawings, numbers etc. are used throughout to indicate elements etc. Furthermore, the terms "comprises," "," "comprising," or other changes are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a list of elements or steps The components of the modules, circuits, components of the devices and structures of the devices and steps of the methods not only include those elements but are not explicitly described as such modules, circuits, device components or steps Or other elements or steps that are not inherent may also be included. An element or step advanced by “comprises..a)” does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements or steps that make up that element or step without further restriction.

  Referring to FIG. 1, an exploded perspective view of a fastener 100 for securing to a target structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The fastener 100 includes a head portion 102 with an upper surface 104 and a lower surface 106 opposite the upper surface 104, and a first end with a free end 109 facing away from the head portion 102. It has a shaft 108. In a preferred embodiment, the head portion 102 and the first shaft 108 are coaxial, wherein the head portion 102 is a polygonal torque receiving member (torque receiver), for example a hexagonal shape, the first shaft Reference numeral 108 denotes a screw shaft actuated by the head portion 102. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener 100 is a self tapping screw consisting of a head portion 102 and a first shaft 108 integrally formed as a piece of metal or alloy material.

  The fastener 100 further includes an indicator 110 attached to the head portion 102. The indicator 110 has at least one first wing 112, which is connected to a first horizontal 114, which extends towards the first side of the head 102, and to the horizontal 114 The first indicator portion 116 is included. The first indicator portion 116 extends along the first side of the head portion 102 and faces the free end of the first shaft 108.

  2 and 3 are an isometric view and a plan view, respectively, of the fastener 100 of FIG. 1 assembled, and FIG. 4 relates to an embodiment of the present invention, taken along line A-A in the fastener 100 of FIG. FIG. 6 shows a side cross section of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the distal end 118 of the first indicator portion 116 vertically passes the lower surface 106 of the head portion 102 and the free end 109 of the first shaft 108 is within the target structure. When the predetermined engagement depth is reached, the distal end 118 of the first indicator portion 116 contacts and is pressed against the target structure, and the free end 109 is the predetermined engagement depth in the target structure. Is reached, i.e., when the proper engagement between the fastener 100 and the target structure is achieved, the fastener 100 is eventually disengaged.

  In the preferred embodiment, the indicator 110 further comprises a second wing 120, which is substantially the same as the first wing 112 and is disposed opposite the first wing 112. There is. Similarly, the second wing 120 includes a second horizontal 122 extending towards the second side of the head 102 opposite the first side, and the second indicator 124 Connected to the second horizontal portion 122 and extending along the second side of the head portion 102 and facing the free end 109 of the first shaft 108, where the distal end 126 of the second indicator portion 124 is It extends vertically beyond the lower surface 106 of the head 102.

  In the preferred embodiment, the first horizontal portion 114 and the second horizontal portion 122 have a lower surface that is attached to the upper surface 104 of the head portion 102. In another preferred embodiment, the first horizontal portion 114 and the second horizontal portion 122 are attached to the side of the head portion 102 with an adhesive material. In yet another preferred embodiment, the first horizontal portion 114 and the second horizontal portion 122 have an upper surface attached to the lower surface 106 of the head portion 102.

  In a preferred embodiment, the head portion 102 further comprises a flange 128 set at its lower portion, wherein the flange 128 is such that the first indicator portion 116 and the second indicator portion 124 are pressed against the target structure Sometimes, the first indicator portion 116 and the second indicator portion 124 are not bent inward. In another preferred embodiment, the flange 128 is a separate washer attached to the lower surface 106 of the head portion 102. In a preferred embodiment, the first horizontal portion 114 and the second horizontal portion 122 are sandwiched and fixed between the washer and the head portion 102.

  In the preferred embodiment, the fastener 100 further comprises a second shaft 130 projecting from the upper surface 104 of the head portion 102 and the coupler 132 extends longitudinally from the first end 136 of the coupler 132 A first cavity 134 is included. The first shaft 108, the head portion 102, the second shaft and the coupler 132 are preferably arranged coaxially, and the second shaft 130 is housed in the first cavity 134. In a preferred embodiment, the first shaft 108 and the second shaft 130, and the head portion 102 are integrally formed as a piece of metal or alloy material.

  In a preferred embodiment, coupler 132 is a long nut that is a generally cylindrical body, where the cylindrical body is preferably polygonal in cross section, for example hexagonal. In the preferred embodiment, the coupler 132 further includes a second cavity 138 extending longitudinally from the second end 140 of the coupler 132 opposite the first end 136. In a preferred embodiment, the second cavity 138 is a threaded hole that receives and engages a threaded bolt (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the first cavity 134 and the second cavity 138 form threaded through holes in the coupler 132. The coupler 132 is preferably formed of a metal or alloy material.

  5 and 6 are a front view and a plan view, respectively, of the indicator 110, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the indicator 110 at line B-B of FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the preferred embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, the first wing 112 is substantially symmetrical horizontally to the first horizontal 114 and the second wing 120 is horizontal to the second horizontal 122 Is substantially symmetrical. In the preferred embodiment, the indicator 110 further comprises a connection 142 connected between the first horizontal portion 114 and the second horizontal portion 122. In the preferred embodiment, the connection 142 includes a through hole 144 that allows the second shaft 130 to pass, and the first horizontal portion 114 and the second horizontal 122 together with the connection 142, the head 102 and It is sandwiched between the first end 136 of the coupler 132 and fixed. In a preferred embodiment, the first wing 112 and the second wing 120 and the connection 142 may be acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a combination of ABS and polycarbonate (PC), or polyoxymethylene (POM) or the like. It is integrally formed as a piece of such a resin material.

  Referring to FIG. 7, in a preferred embodiment, the first wing 112 is connected to a first shoulder 146 between the first horizontal 114 and the first indicator 116, and a second horizontal 122 and a second A second shoulder portion 148 connected between the indicator portion 124 is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the strengths of the first and second shoulders 146 and 148 are weaker than the strengths of the first and second horizontal portions 114 and 122, respectively. Is pressed against the target structure, the first wing 112 and the second wing 120 are separated at the first shoulder 146 and the second shoulder, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the thickness of the first and second shoulder portions 142 and 144 is thinner than the thickness of the first horizontal portion 114 and the second horizontal portion 122. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the first shoulder 146 and the second shoulder 148 is 5/6 or less of the thickness of the first horizontal portion 114 and the second horizontal 122, for example, the first shoulder 146 and the second horizontal 122. The thickness of the second shoulder portion 148 is two thirds of the thickness of the first and second horizontal portions 114, 122.

  In the preferred embodiment, each of the first indicator portion 116 and the second indicator portion 124 is arc-shaped horizontally with respect to the head portion 102 and is arranged annularly, wherein the first indicator portion 116 and the second indicator Each of the portions 124 encloses less than half of the perimeter of the head portion 102.

In a preferred embodiment, the first indicator portion 116 and the second indicator portion 124 project radially outward and when pressed against the target structure, the first indicator portion 116 and the second indicator portion 124 are outside. The first shoulder portion 146 and the second shoulder portion 148 are applied here to generate a bending force that causes them to release.

  In a preferred embodiment, indicator portion 110 includes two or more wings, eg, three or four wings are generally equally spaced about the longitudinal axis of head portion 102.

  FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a coupler 132 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the coupler 132 includes a recess 150 formed in the first end 136 to receive the first horizontal portion 114 and the second horizontal portion 122, and the connection portion 142 is assembled with the fastener 100. Prevents the indicator 110 from rotating relative to the head portion 102 afterward.

  FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the head portion 102 with the first shaft 108 and the second shaft 130 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In another preferred embodiment, to accommodate the first and second horizontal portions 114, 122 and the connection portion 142 for preventing the indicator 110 from rotating relative to the head portion 102 after the fastener 100 is assembled. In addition, the head portion 102 includes a recess 151 formed in its upper surface 104.

  FIG. 10 shows a side view of a preferred engagement between the fastener 100 and the target structure 152, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first and second indicator portions 116, 124 disengage from the fastener 100 when the free end 109 of the first shaft 108 reaches a predetermined engagement depth in the target structure 152, which is the fastener 100 and the target It will indicate a suitable engagement with the structure 152. The first and second indicator portions 116 and 124 are disposed around the head portion 102 and drop from the fastener 100 when the predetermined engagement depth is reached. Accordingly, there is no additional restriction on the minimum distance between the fastener 100 and the adjacent object, and there is no effect on the appearance (appearance) of the surface of the target structure 152. In a preferred embodiment, the color of the first and second indicator portions 116, 124 is different from the color of the head portion 102.

  FIG. 11 shows an isometric view of a fastener 200 for securing to a target structure according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 12 and 13 are front and side views of the fastener 200 of FIG. Figure is shown. The fastener 200 is substantially similar to the fastener 100 of FIG. 1 except that the fastener 200 has band-shaped first and second indicator portions 204 and 206. In a preferred embodiment, the distal end 208, 210 of each of the indicator portions 204, 206 comprises a sloped inner surface 207 extending towards the lower portion of the head portion 102 and towards the first shaft 108. This causes the head portion 102 to press against the angled inner surface 207 of the distal end 208, 210 as it is pressed towards the target structure after the distal end 208, 210 contacts the target structure. And, thereby, the first and second indicator portions 204, 206 expand outward and disengage from the fastener 200. In a preferred embodiment, the angle α between the inner surface and the longitudinal axis of the head portion 102 is 50 degrees or less, for example 40 degrees.

  FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of fastener 300 with first shaft 108 pushed into recess 154 of target structure 152 to reach a predetermined engagement depth according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. is there. Fastener 300 is the fastener of FIG. 4 except that the distal ends 302, 304 of the first and second indicator portions 306, 308 do not extend vertically beyond the lower surface of the head portion 102. It is substantially the same as 100. During mounting, the first and second indicator portions 306, 308 are respectively pressed against the edge 156 of the recess 154, and when the first shaft 108 reaches a predetermined engagement depth in the target structure 152, the fastener Leave from 300. In a preferred embodiment, the respective lengths of the first and second indicator portions are the flatness of the surface of the target structure, the length of the first shaft, the predetermined engagement depth, the dimension of the head portion, and the first Determined based on at least one of the material properties of the indicator to confirm that the first and second indicator parts disengage from the fastener when the shaft reaches a predetermined engagement depth in the target structure .

  The description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been set forth for the purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the form disclosed. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that changes can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad concept of the present invention. It is understood that this is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments disclosed, but rather to include the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims and modifications within its scope.

Claims (14)

A fastener for securing to a target structure,
A head portion having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite said upper surface;
A first shaft having a free end on the side away from the head and projecting from the lower surface of the head;
And at least a first wing portion, and an indicator attached to the head portion;
The first wing portion is
A first horizontal portion extending towards the first side of the head portion;
A first indicator portion connected to the first horizontal portion and extending toward the free end of the first shaft;
The indicator portion is designed to be pressed against the target structure and disengaged from the fastener when the first shaft is driven into the target structure and reaches a predetermined engagement depth Fasteners that are characterized.   The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the first indicator portion extends vertically beyond the lower surface of the head portion. The first wing portion further comprising a first shoulder portion connected between the first horizontal portion and the first indicator portion;
The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first shoulder portion is thinner than the thickness of the first horizontal portion. The indicator further comprises a second wing,
The second wing is a second horizontal portion extending toward the second side of the head;
And a second indicator portion coupled to the second horizontal portion and extending toward the free end of the first shaft and extending vertically beyond the lower surface of the head portion A distal end of the second indicator portion;
A second shoulder portion connected between the second horizontal portion and the second indicator portion, wherein the thickness of the second shoulder portion is thinner than the thickness of the second horizontal portion The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises: A second shaft projecting from the upper surface of the head portion and a coupler;
The coupler comprises a first cavity extending from a first end of the coupler for receiving the second shaft, the first and second horizontal portions being at least partially defined by the head portion 5. A fastener according to claim 4, wherein the fastener is clamped between an upper surface and the first end of the coupler.   The indicator further includes a connecting portion connected between the first horizontal portion and the second horizontal portion, the connecting portion having a through hole through which the second shaft passes. The fastener according to item 5.   7. The device according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the first end of the coupler and the upper surface of the head portion has a recess for receiving the first and second horizontal portions and the connection portion. Fasteners described in.   Each of the first and second indicator portions is arranged in an arc shape and an annular shape horizontally with respect to the head portion, and each of the first and second indicator portions is less than half the circumference of the head portion. 5. A fastener according to claim 4, characterized in that it is horizontal.   The fastener according to claim 8, wherein the first and second indicator portions project radially outward.   The fastener according to claim 8, wherein the first and second indicator portions are arranged at substantially equal intervals around the head portion.   5. The fastener of claim 4 wherein each of the first and second indicator portions is band shaped and has a distal end with an angled inner surface extending downwardly of the head portion.   The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the head further comprises a flange formed on a lower portion of the head.   The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is formed of a resin material.   The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the color of the first indicator portion is different from the color of the head portion.

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