U.S. patent application number 11/522718 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-05 for cable protection and guide device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tsubakimoto Chain Co.. Invention is credited to Masaaki Ikeda, Shoichiro Komiya, Takayuki Matsuda.
Application Number | 20070151225 11/522718 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38135938 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070151225 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ikeda; Masaaki ; et
al. |
July 5, 2007 |
CABLE PROTECTION AND GUIDE DEVICE
Abstract
A cable protection and guide device is disclosed which can
reliably protect and guide cables without increasing and decreasing
the width between link plates even if the height of the link plates
of the cable protection and guide device is increased. The cable
protection and guide device includes a number of link frame bodies
each comprising a pair of right and left spaced link plates and
upper and lower connecting rods respectively bridged on upper edge
and lower edges of the link plates are connected to each other in
the longitudinal direction of the device while restricting a
flexion radius to a fixed value. A central connecting rod connects
the pair of link plates at substantially the center portion along
the height direction of the link plate. The central connecting rod
is integrally molded with the pair of link plates.
Inventors: |
Ikeda; Masaaki; (Osaka,
JP) ; Komiya; Shoichiro; (Osaka, JP) ;
Matsuda; Takayuki; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Woodling, Krost, & Rust (Kenneth L. Mitchell)
9213 Chillicothe Road
Kirtland
OH
44094
US
|
Assignee: |
Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
|
Family ID: |
38135938 |
Appl. No.: |
11/522718 |
Filed: |
September 18, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
59/78.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G 11/006 20130101;
F16G 13/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
59/78.1 |
International
Class: |
F16G 13/00 20060101
F16G013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 27, 2005 |
JP |
2005-375889 |
Claims
1. A cable protection and guide device comprising a number of link
frame bodies, each link frame body comprising a pair of right and
left spaced link plates and upper and lower connecting rods
respectively bridged on upper and lower edges of said link plates,
said link bodies are connected to each other in the longitudinal
direction of the device while restricting a flexion radius, a
central connecting rod integrally molded with said pair of link
plates connects said pair of link plates in a substantially
centrally located portions thereof, said upper connecting rod and
said lower connecting rod each include a first end and a second
end, and, said first end includes a hinge mechanism and said second
end includes an adjustable hook mechanism.
2. (canceled)
3. A cable protection and guide device according to claim 1,
characterized in that said central connecting rod is molded in a
wave shape in cross-section.
4. (canceled)
5. A cable protection and guide device comprising a plurality of
link frame bodies, each of said link frame bodies comprises a pair
of right and left spaced plates, upper and lower connecting rods,
respectively bridged on upper and lower edges of said link plates,
said link plates are connected to each other in the longitudinal
direction of the device, a central connecting rod integrally molded
with said pair of link plates and connects said pair of link plates
in substantially centrally located portions of said link plates
forming two passageways through said link frame bodies for
separation of cables by type of cable, said upper connecting rod
and said lower connecting rod each include a first end and a second
end, and said first end includes a hinge mechanism and said second
end includes an adjustable hook mechanism.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a cable or the like
protection and guide device (hereinafter referred to as only "cable
protection and guide device), which safely and reliably protects
and guides a flexible cable(s) or the like such as an electric
cable (which connects a movable portion and a stationary portion to
each other in an industrial machine, a vehicle and the like to
transmit electric signals or supply power) and a hose, which
supplies oil or air under pressure and the like.
BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY
[0002] This type of the cable protection and guide device has a
configuration that a number of link frame bodies each comprising a
pair of right and left spaced link plates and upper and lower
connecting rods respectively bridged on a flexion outer
circumferential side and a flexion inner circumferential side of
the link plate are connected to each other in the longitudinal
direction of the device while restricting a flexion radius to a
fixed value or more. Here, "the flexion outer circumferential side"
and "the flexion inner circumferential side" respectively mean "a
side positioned outside" and "a side positioned inside" when a link
plate is flexed to form an arc. The flexion of the link plate is
restricted so that it is permitted within a predetermined angle,
See for example Japanese Patent Publication No. 3356733.
[0003] In a cable protection and guide device which the present
applicant previously proposed and for which patent was filed, as
disclosed in FIG. 6 as related art, a pair of right and left spaced
link plates 310 and a lower connecting rod 320b are integrally
molded of a resin material into a link frame body 300 by injection
molding. And an upper connecting rod 320a has a hinge mechanism 334
at an end and a hook mechanism 332 and a locking pin 313 at the
other end and is openably and pivotably provided on an upper edge
end of the link plate 310. FIG. 7 shows three connected link frame
bodies 300 shown in FIG. 6. See the specification of Japanese
patent application No. 2005-285263.
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0004] However, in the above-mentioned cable protection and guide
device that the present inventor previously filed, as shown in FIG.
6, the pair of link plates 310 and the lower connecting rod 320b
are integrally molded by injection molding using a metal mold, when
the height H of the link plate 310 is increased, new problems arise
in that the upper portion of the link plate 310 is warped or bent
outside as shown in FIG. 5(a) so that the upper connecting rod 320a
cannot be closed. Also, when the upper portion of the link plate
310 is warped or bent inside as shown in FIG. 5(b) the upper
connecting rod 320a cannot be closed.
[0005] Further, to protect and guide a number of cables when a
conventional cable protection and guide device 300 is used, the
height H of the link plate 310 is increased so that the warpage of
the upper portion of the link plate 310 inside or outside the
device is liable to occur. Therefore, in a case where the number of
cables to be protected and guided must be increased, it is
necessary to increase the height of the link plate 310. In this
case to increase the rigidity of the link plate 310 it is necessary
to increase the thickness of the link plate 310. Thus a problem has
been pointed out that the link plate 310 is increased in size and
the manufacturing costs are increased.
[0006] FIG. 7 is a perspective view shows a conventional guide
having three link frame bodies 300 connected to each other. As can
be seen from FIG. 7, for example a thick cable C1, which supplies
electric power and thin cables C2 and C3, through which signals or
the like are sent, cannot be protected and guided in a sorted
manner. As a result, signal lines C2 and C3, which pass delicate
signals of small amplitudes and the like, catch electromagnetic
noises generated from a power cable C1 so that the signals carried
in signal lines C2 and C3 are corrupted and a malfunction is
generated in a machine which uses the signals for control purposes.
Further, in a case where only one cable is replaced the cable must
be pulled out from a number of cables and the maintenance is
increased.
[0007] Furthermore, when a number of cables are accommodated in a
conventional cable protection and guide device, the cables must be
accommodated into link frame bodies in a laminated manner to avoid
interference/corruption of the signals. Thus such a problem has
been pointed out that in a case where signal lines and power supply
lines should be accommodated so as not to overlap, a partitioning
plate (not shown) must be attached between the upper connecting rod
320a and the lower connecting rod 320b and the number of parts is
increased.
[0008] Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to
provide a cable protection and guide device, which can reliably
protect and guide cables without increasing and decreasing width
between link plates even if the height of the link plates of the
cable protection and guide device is increased.
MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS
[0009] The invention attains the above-mentioned object by a cable
protection and guide device in which a number of link frame bodies
each comprising a pair of right and left spaced link plates and
upper and lower connecting rods are respectively bridged on an
upper edge and a lower edge of the link plate. The rods are
connected to each other in the longitudinal direction of the device
while restricting a flexion radius to a fixed value. A central
connecting rod, which connects the pair of link plates at
substantially the center portion along the height direction of the
link plate, is integrally molded with the pair of link plates.
[0010] The invention attains the above-mentioned object in that the
upper connecting rod and the lower connecting rod each include a
hinge mechanism at one end and a hook mechanism at the other
end.
[0011] The invention attains the above-mentioned object in that the
central connecting rod is molded in a wave shape in its
cross-section.
EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0012] According to the invention a cable protection and guide
device in which a number of link frame bodies each comprising a
pair of right and left spaced link plates and upper and lower
connecting rods respectively bridged on upper and lower edges of
the link plate are connected to each other in the longitudinal
direction of the device while restricting a flexion radius to a
fixed value. A central connecting rod connects the pair of link
plates at substantially the center portion along the height
direction of the link plate. The central connecting rod is
integrally molded with the pair of link plates, the respective
distances from the central connecting rod to the upper edge and
lower edge of the link plate can be substantially conforms to the
height of the link plate of a conventional cable protection and
guide device. As a result the cable accommodation capacity can be
substantially doubled.
[0013] According to the invention, since, in addition to the
effects obtained by the invention and set forth above, the upper
connecting rod and the lower connecting rod each includes a hinge
mechanism at one end and a hook mechanism at the other end. The
cable can be taken in and out from any one of a flexion outer
circumferential side and a flexion inner circumferential side of
the chain and at the same time space in the link frame body divided
into two sections can be efficiently used. Namely, power cables for
supplying electric, hoses for supplying air or liquid, signal lines
for transmitting the output of a sensor or the like and the like
can be sorted into the space divided into two sections.
[0014] According to the invention, since, in addition to the
effects obtained by the invention set forth above, the central
connecting rod is molded in a wave shape in its cross-section, and
when the cable protection and guide device is moved, the cables can
be suppressed from moving in a zigzag line or waving
vertically.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a link frame body of a
cable protection and guide device of example 1 according to the
present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing three series of link
frame bodies in the cable protection and guide device of the
present invention in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line
III-III in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a link frame body of a
cable protection and guide device of example 2 according to the
present invention.
[0019] FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are schematic cross-sectional views
explaining problems of a cable protection and guide device relating
to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 6 is perspective view showing a link frame body of a
cable protection and guide device relating to the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing three series of link
frame bodies in the cable protection and guide device shown in FIG.
6.
[0022] The drawings will be better understood when reference is
made to the Description Of The Invention and Claims which follow
hereinbelow.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to drawings.
Example 1
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one of link frame
bodies 100 forming the present invention. This link frame body 100
includes a pair of right and left spaced link plates 110a and 110b,
an upper connecting rod 120a bridged on these link plates 110
(110a, 110b) and a lower connecting rod 120b bridged on these link
plates 110 (110a, 110b). And a central connecting rod 130, which
connects said pair of link plates 110a and 110b at a substantially
center portion along the height direction, is integrally molded
with the pair of link plates 110a and 110b by an injection molding
process. Further, the upper connecting rod 120a and the lower
connecting rod 120b each have a hinge mechanism 134 at one end and
a hook mechanism 132 at the other end. It is noted that in FIG. 1,
members denoted by reference numerals 113 are locking pins 113,
which cooperate with the hook mechanism 132 to lock an opening end
portion side of the upper connecting rod 120a and the lower
connecting rod 120b. Locking pins 113 also pivotably lock a pivot
portion side of the upper connecting rod 120a and the lower
connecting rod 120b. Further, in FIG. 1, members denoted by
reference numerals 140 are locking members which cooperate with the
hook mechanisms 132 to reliably lock the upper connecting rod 120a
and the lower connecting rod 120b to the link frame bodies 110a and
110b, respectively.
[0025] Further, when a thin-walled portion 112 and a convex portion
114 of a link frame body 100 are connected to another link frame
body 100, the thin-walled portion 112 of the link plate 110 engages
with a convex portion 114 of another link frame body 100 and the
convex portion 114 engages with the thin-walled portion 112 of
another link frame body 100, so that a flexion radius in the
longitudinal direction is restricted to a fixed value. FIG. 2 is a
perspective view showing a state where three series of link frame
bodies 100 are connected to each other. As apparent from FIG. 2,
for example a cable C1 having a large diameter, which supplies
electric power, and cables C2 and C3 each having a comparatively
small diameter, which pass signals and the like from a sensor, are
sorted so that the cables can be protected and guided. In this case
the signal lines C1 and C3, which pass delicate signals having
small amplitudes, can be suppressed or shielded from catching
electromagnetic noises generated from the power cable C1.
[0026] The material forming the link frame body 100 comprising the
link plates 110 (110a, 110b), the upper connecting rod 120a, the
lower connecting rod 120b and the central connecting rod 130 is not
limited particularly. However, the link frame body 100 is
preferably molded by use of a fiber-reinforced resin, which can
exhibit excellent strength properties.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line
III-III in FIG. 1. The provision of the central connecting rod 130
which permits an increase in height H of the link plate and cable
accommodation space sorted into upper and lower sections is
illustrated. As apparent from FIG. 3, since the locking pins 113
are symmetrically formed on the upper end portion and the lower end
portion, the upper connecting rod 120a and the lower connecting rod
120b can be adapted to be opened and closed in a right or left
direction.
[0028] Next, another example of the embodiment of the present
invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4.
Example 2
[0029] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another example (example
2) of the present invention showing the same position as the
cross-section III-III in FIG. 1. According to example 2 the central
connecting rod 230 is formed in a wave shape in its cross-section.
Since other points of example 2 are substantially the same
construction as in the above-mentioned example 1, the details of
example 2 are omitted and the same portions in example 2 as in
example 1 are denoted by 200 plus the same two-digit in example
1.
[0030] In this manner, the cables do not tangle with each other and
adjacent cables are slidable on each other to reduce wear of the
cables. Further, an electric power cable, which supplies
electricity, a hose which supplies air or liquid, and signal lines
for transmitting outputs from a sensor or the like can be sorted
into space partitioned into two sections. Thus the effects are very
large.
[0031] According to the cable protection and guide device of the
present invention, since the connecting rod integrally connected to
the link plates is molded at a central portion along a height
direction of the link plate, the link frame body is partitioned and
a plurality of cables can be sorted. At the same time since the
height of the link frame body can be increased, a number of cables
can be accommodated into the link frame bodies. Therefore, the
industrial applicability of the present invention is very high.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0032] 100, 200, 300 . . . Link frame body [0033] 110a, 110b, 210a,
210b, 310a, 310b . . . Link plate [0034] 112, 312 . . . Cutout
portion [0035] 113, 213, 313 . . . Locking pin [0036] 114, 314 . .
. Convex portion [0037] 120a, 220a, 320a . . . Upper connecting rod
[0038] 120b, 220b, 320b . . . Lower connecting rod [0039] 130, 230
. . . Central connecting rod [0040] 132, 232, 332 . . . Hook
mechanism [0041] 134, 234, 334 . . . Hinge mechanism [0042] 140,
240, 340 . . . Rocking member [0043] H. 2H . . . Height of link
plate
[0044] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the
invention has been set forth by way of example only and that
changes may be made to the invention without departing from the
spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *