Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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DESCRIPTION
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
FILING APPARATUS OF BOTH-SIDE OPENING/CLOSING TYPE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a filing apparatus which
is attached to the inner surface of a rear side cover of a
cover plate. The cover plate is constructed by providing a
continuous front cover, a back cover, and a rear side cover
so as to be freely bent and which files sheets by securing
the sheets therein on filing rods. More particularly, the
invention relates to a filing apparatus of the both-side
opening/closing type in which opening/closing members have
filing rods which are pierced through filing holes formed in
sheets, and in which the opening/closing members are
respectively rotatably attached by coupling means to both
side surfaces of an attaching member. The attaching member
is attached to the inner surface of a rear side cover and
attaching/detaching operations of the opening/closing member
can be performed by operating the coupling means from either
the right or left sides.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a conventional one-side opening type filing
apparatus, a finger hook is provided for an accompanying
plate which is pivotally attached to the side plate of a
base plate through a spring. The accompanying plate is
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opened against the spring by hooking the finger to the
finger hook.
An improved filing apparatus of a one-side opening
type, in which the opening/closing member can be opened from
either the right or left directions to file or remove sheets
therefrom disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Registration
Application No. 62-123979, laid open on August 6, 1987. The
above filing apparatus of the both-side opening type
comprises: an attaching member in which coupling axial
pipes are respectively provided at front and back positions
of right and left side edges of a rectangular base plate; a
pair of right and left hollow opening/closing members into
which filing rods having a spike shape and a tubular shape
which can be inserted, the hollow opening/closing members
and rods are respectively attached at the front and back
positions of the inner surface, and axial pipes which are
respectively coupled with the above axial pipes are provided
along the lower edges; and coupling means arranged in the
opening/closing members, wherein the coupling means is
constructed by operating plates which are slidable in the
front and back directions, a spring for always elastically
pressing the operating plates in either one of the front and
back directions, a pair of front and back coupling rods
which are retained to the operating plates, and a locking
member to lock the operative state of the operating
plates. With the above construction, in the inoperative
state, the pair of front and back coupling rods are moved
into the coupling state in which they project from the axial
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pipes of the opening/closing members into the axial pipes of
the attaching member by the pressing force of the spring.
When either one of the right and left operating plates is
pressed and slid by a finger against the spring in such a
coupling state, the coupling rods retained to such an
operating plate are removed from the axial pipes of the
attaching member, thereby disconnecting the axial pipes.
The operating state is locked by the locking member. The
other opening/closing member rotates relative to the
attaching member and the above disconnected opening/closing
member is moved away from the attaching member, thereby
enabling the filing operation of the sheets or the like to
be performed. According to the above-mentioned both-side
opening type filing apparatus, the filing operation of the
sheets or the like can be performed by releasing the
coupling state of the opening/closing members from any one
of the right and left directions and it is therefore
convenient to use. However, since the operating plates are
provided on the opening/closing member side, when the
operating plate is pressed by the finger against the spring
in order to remove the opening/closing member from the
attaching member, the finger pressing force acts in a
direction such as to restrict the operation of the
opening/closing member which intends to be away from the
attaching member, with the result that operating efficiency
of the opening/closing member is lost. Further, the cover
plate has a distinct top and bottom, from a viewpoint of the
display of an index and a title. In the case of releasing
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the coupling state of the opening/closing members, it is
most preferable to execute such a releasing operation on
this side of the user. However, in the case of the
foregoing construction, since the operating direction to
release the coupling state of the opening/closing members is
constant, in the case of attaching the filing apparatus to
the cover plate, it is necessary to make the top/bottom
directions of the cover plate coincident with the operating
direction of the filing apparatus. Thus, there is a
drawback in that when the filing apparatus is attached to
the cover plate its operating efficiency is lost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a
filing apparatus of the both-side opening type in which an
operating member which has previously been provided on the
side of an opening/closing member, is attached to the
attaching member side, thereby improving the operating
efficiency of the opening/closing member and enabling the
operating member to be operated from either the front or
back directions of the opening/closing member, so that an
attaching work of the filing apparatus to a front cover is
made easy. More practically speaking, the operating member
can be always operated at the position on the attaching
member side irrespective of the filing direction of the
sheets and the top/bottom directions of the cover plate.
According to the first embodiment of the
invention, a filing apparatus comprises: an attaching
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member in which a pair of front and back axial pipes and
retaining members are respectively provided at the right and
left side edges of a base plate; a pair of right and left
opening/closing members having filing rods which can
mutually pierce each other are mounted on inner surfaces of
the opening/closing members and axial pipes which are
coupled to the front and back axial pipes are provided at
lower portions; a pair of operating rods are relatively
moved in the front/back directions by a facing direction
interlocking mechanism and function as a pair of coupling
mechanisms which are symmetrically arranged at the right and
left positions on the base plate and operate to couple or
uncouple the right and left opening/closing members and the
attaching member; an elastic pressing member for always
elastically biasing the pair of operating rods in the
contactless direction; a pair of front and back operating
members which are respectively retained with the pair of
operating rods and are inserted into the axial pipes of the
attaching member and the axial pipes of the opening/closing
members at the inoperative positions to thereby rotatably
couple the axial pipes and enter the axial pipes of the
attaching member, and which release the coupling with the
axial pipes of the opening/closing members when the
operating members are operated against the elastic pressing
member; and a locking member which is provided for either
one of the operating rods and is retained to the retaining
members, the locking member restricting the relative
movement of the operating rods when the coupling of the
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axial pipes is released, and which acts on the axial pipes
of the opening/closing members and releases from retention
the retaining members to thereby allow the relative movement
of the operating rods when the axial pipes of the attaching
member coincide with the axial pipes of the opening/closing
members.
With the above construction, when the operating
members on one side of either one of the pair of right and
left opening/closing members, are pulled in the direction
from the inoperative position, where the pair of right and
left opening/closing members stand so as to face each other,
the pair of operating rods are relatively moved in such a
direction as to be away from each other. Further, the
operating members at the front and back positions are
removed from the axial pipes of the opening/closing members
and are retracted into the axial pipes of the attaching
member, so that one of the opening/closing members is
uncoupled from the attaching member. Thus, when the cover
plate is opened, the opening/closing member which is in the
coupling state rotates outwardly as a result of the weight
of the fallen sheets acting on the opening/closing members.
Due to this, when the coupling state is released, the
opening/closing members automatically float up. On the
other hand, since the pair of operating rods relatively move
in a direction as to be away from each other, the locking
member provided for one of the operating rods is retained to
the retaining member of the base plate, so that the
uncoupled state between the attaching member and one
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opening/closing member is maintained. The above operation
is also similarly executed when any one of the other
operating members is operated in the direction on this side.
According to the second embodiment, by providing
the operating members at the left, right, front, and back
positions of the attaching member, and by pressing either
one of the operating members, the pair of operating rods
relatively move in the contactless direction against the
pressing force by an interlocking coupling mechanism. The
operating rods provided for the front and back operating
members are withdrawn from the axial pipes of the
opening/closing members and retract into the axial pipes of
the attaching member, so that one opening/closing member may
be moved away from the attaching member. On the other hand,
since the pair of operating rods relatively move in a
direction towards each other, the retaining lever provided
for one of the operating rods is retained to a guide rib of
a cover, and therefore, the non-coupling state between the
attaching member and one opening/closing member is held.
The above operation is also similarly performed when any one
of the other operating members is pressed and operated.
Further, according to a modification of the second
embodiment, the attaching member is divided into halves by a
symmetrical line with respect to the right and left
positions, thereby enabling the attaching member to be
commonly used in the case where widths of rear side cover of
the cover plate differ.
According to the third embodiment, the operating
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members are constructed in a manner such that an operating
member for pressing is integratedly provided in one edge
portion of one operating rod, and the operating member for
pulling is integratedly provided in the other edge
portion. The operating members for pressing are arranged in
one edge portion of the attaching member, with the operating
members for pulling arranged in the other edge portion, and
when either one of the right and left pressing operating
members locating is pressed, one operating rod slides
against the pressing force and the front and back coupling
rods are withdrawn from the axial pipes of the
opening/closing members and retract into the axial pipes of
the attaching member. Consequently, one opening/closing
member may be moved away from the attaching member.
Since one operating rod slides, the retaining
lever provided for the operating rod is retained against the
guide rib of the cover, so that the non-coupling state
between the attaching member and the non-coupled
opening/closing member is held. Even in the case where
either one of the right and left operating members for
pulling is pulled and operated, one operating rod slides in
the pulling direction, so that the pulling operating member
functions in a manner similar to the case where the
operating member for pressing is depressed.
According to a further modification of the third
embodiment, the pressing operating member is arranged in one
edge portion of the attaching member, and the pulling
operating member is arranged in the other edge portion.
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Since the operating members are located at the front, back,
right, and left positions of the attaching member, there is
an effect such that the work to attach to the cover plate
can be executed without regard to the direction of the
attaching member.
According to the fourth embodiment, a filing
apparatus comprises: an attaching member having a pair of
front and back axial pipes provided at the right and left
side edges of a base plate; a pair of right and left hollow
flat-shaped opening/closing members from an inner surface of
project filing rods which can pierce each other, and from a
lower portion are provided a pair of front and back axial
pipes which may be coupled with the axial pipes of the base
plate; coupling means which are arranged in the pair of
right and left opening/closing members, respectively, and
are constructed such that coupling rods are respectively
provided for a pair of front and back operating plates
coupled by a facing direction interlocking mechanism,
wherein when the pair of operating plates move in one of the
facing directions, the coupling rods are respectively
projected from the pair of front and back axial pipes of the
opening/closing members into the pair of front and back
axial pipes of the attaching member, thereby rotatably
coupling them. When the pair of front and back operating
plates move in the other one of the facing directions, the
coupling rods respectively retract into the pair of front
and back axial pipes of the opening/closing members, out
from the pair of front and back axial pipes of the attaching
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member to thereby release the coupling state of the
opening/closing member and the attaching member.
A holding means is arranged in the pair of right
and left opening/closing members, constructed such that when
the coupling means move to the non-coupling position, such a
state is held. When the opening/closing members reach the
coupling positions of the attaching member, the holding
state is released by acting on the axial pipes of the
attaching member. Operating members are respectively
arranged at front and back positions on the right and left
sides of the attaching member, which operate the operating
plates of the coupling means the coupling positions to the
non-coupling positions. The operating plates are provided
with elastic members which are brought into pressure contact
with the axial pipes of the attaching member in the non-
coupling state and which apply repulsive elastic pressure
between the attaching member and the opening/closing
members. The operating members are depressed and, when the
coupling state between the attaching member and the
opening/closing members is released, the opening/closing
members automatically float up from the attaching member by
the applying force of the holding member and can be easily
removed from the attaching member.
In any of the first to fourth embodiments, when
the coupling state of one opening/closing member is
released, the filing rods outwardly rotate and stand at the
coupling position of the other opening/closing member which
remains coupled to the attaching member by the operation by
the hand due to the weight of the filed sheets. In this
state, the piercing states of the filing rods are released
and the sheets or the like are filed to one opening/closing
member. The filing rods are again mutually pierced and the
sheets or the like are filed to the filing rods. The
opening/closing member in the non-coupling state is then
returned to the original coupling position by manual
operation. When the positions of the axial pipes of the
opening/closing member are aligned with the coupling
positions of the axial pipes of the attaching member, the
holding state of the holding means is automatically released
by the axial pipes. The coupling means is returned under
the resiliently applied force and the axial pipes of the
attaching member and the axial pipes of one opening/closing
member are again coupled by the coupling rods.
As mentioned above, according to the invention,
since the operating members to operate the coupling
mechanism are provided on the attaching member side, the
filing operation can be smoothly executed without exerting
any trouble to the opening/closing operation of the
opening/closing member. On the other hand, since the
operating members are arranged at the front, back, right,
and left positions of the attaching member, the operating
member can be always operated at the position on this side
and the filing work can be executed irrespective of the
filing direction of the sheets or the handling of the user,
that is, independently of the normal standing filing or
handstanding filing. It is extremely convenient to
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handle. The direction of attachment of the cover plate is
not restricted. Therefore, the attaching work to the cover
plate can be also easily performed. Further, according to
the first, second, and fourth embodiments, since the
attaching relations of the opening/closing members to the
attaching member are made symmetrical with respect to the
oblique direction of the attaching member, there are effects
such that the pair of right and left opening/closing members
can be used from any one of the right and left directions
and the same parts can be commonly used and the
manufacturing costs can be reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a whole perspective view of the first
embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the
first embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the first embodiment of
the invention with a part cut away and with a part omitted;
Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of an
opening/closing member of the first embodiment of the
invention;
Fig. 5 is a perspective new of a state in which
one of the opening/closing members in the first embodiment
of the invention is opened;
Fig. 6 is a whole perspective view of the second
embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the
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second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a state in which
one of opening/closing members in the second embodiment of
the invention is opened;
Fig. 9 is a plan view of the second embodiment of
the invention with a part cut away and with a part omitted;
Fig. 10 is a whole perspective view in a
modification of the second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a state in which
an opening/closing member in the modification of the second
embodiment of the invention is opened;
Fig. 12 is a whole perspective view of the third
embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the
third embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a state in which
one of opening/closing members in the third embodiment of
the invention is opened;
Fig. 15 is a plan view of the third embodiment of
the invention with a part cut away and with a part omitted;
Fig. 16 is a whole perspective view in a
modification of the third embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 17 is an exploded perspective view in the
modification of the third embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a state in which
one of opening/closing members in the modification of the
third embodiment of the invention is opened;
Fig. 19 is a plan view of the modification of the
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third embodiment of the invention with a part cut away and
with a part omitted;
Fig. 20 is a whole perspective view of the fourth
embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 21 is an inside view of an opening/closing
member showing a coupling state of the fourth embodiment of
the invention;
Fig. 22 is an inside view of the opening/closing
member showing a non-coupling state of the fourth embodiment
of the invention;
Fig. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the
fourth embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 24 is a partial enlarged diagram in which an
operating member in the coupling state in the fourth
embodiment of the invention is partially cut out;
Fig. 25 is a partial enlarged diagram in which the
operating member in the non-coupling state of the fourth
embodiment of the invention is partially cut out;
Fig. 26 is a modification diagram corresponding to
Fig. 24 of the fourth embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 27 is a modification diagram corresponding to
Fig. 24 of the fourth embodiment of the invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The first embodiment of the invention will be
described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. Reference numeral
1 denotes an attaching member which is constructed in the
following manner. A rectangular base plate 2 is provided
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having along each longitudinal edge, a pair of front and
back axial pipes 3, receiving members 4 which project
upwardly at inner positions between the front and back axial
pipes 3 at desired intervals, and retaining members 5 from
the base plate 2 located at positions. The axial pipes 3,
receiving members 4 and retaining members 5 are respectively
provided at the right and left longitudinal side edges of a
rectangular base plate 2 so as to be symmetrical with
respect to the right/left directions and the front/back
directions. Guide members 6 and 7 are formed at the front
and back positions near the right and left side edges of the
base plate 2 and at the central position by cutting and
bending portions of the plate 2 vertically upwardly,
respectively. Attaching holes 8 are formed in the base
plate 2 for use in attaching the base plate 2 to, for
instance, the inner surface of the rear side cover of a
cover plate.
Reference numeral 10 denotes a pair of right and
left openingtclosing members having lengths such that the
opening/closing members 10 in the front/back directions
along their lower portions to permit insertion between the
pair of front and back axial pipes 3 of the attaching member
1. U-shaped bending portions 15 face outwardly and are
formed at the upper edges of side plates 14. Side plates 14
are made of metal and have axial pipes 13. The axial pipes
13 have concave portions 11 at front and back positions into
which the receiving members 4 are inserted, and inducing
members 12 which are provided at the inner surface positions
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of the concave portions 11. The lower edges of the inducing
members 12 come into pressure contact with the inner
surfaces of the receiving members 4, thereby inducing the
opening/closing members 10 inwardly. An auxiliary plate 17
made of a synthetic resin is overlaid over the outer surface
of the side plate 14. An upper edge of the auxiliary plate
17 is sandwiched by the bending portion 15, with the
front/back edges of the auxiliary plate projecting from the
side plate 14 into downward notched portions 16 which are
formed in edge surfaces of the plate 17.
As shown in Fig. 2, spike-shaped filing rods 18
and tubular filing rods 19 which can pierce each other,
enabling the right and left opening/closing members 10 to be
commonly used, project from the respective inner surfaces of
the opening/closing members 10.
Reference numeral 20 denotes a pair of right and
left coupling mechanisms which are arranged at the right and
left positions on the surface of the base plate 2 so as to
be symmetrical with respect to the front/back directions,
respectively. Each of the coupling mechanisms 20
comprises: a pinion 21; one operating rod 26; another
operating rod 30; a spring 31; and a pair of front/back
operating members 35 and 36 made of a synthetic resin. The
pinion 21 is rotatably pivotally attached onto the surface
of the base plate 2. The operating rod 26 includes a
retaining claw 22 provided at an outer edge, and a rack 23
which engages with the pinion 21 formed on a rear side
surface. The operating rod 26 further includes a locking
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member 25 having at a front edge a retaining portion 24
which is retained by the retaining member 5 and an inclined
surface 24a which is rotatably pivotally attached to an
inner edge. The operating rod 26 is guided between the
inner surface of one axial pipe 3 and one guide member 6
which faces the axial pipe 3, in sliding movement on the
base plate 2 in the front/back directions. The other
operating rod 30 has a retaining claw 28 at the outer edge
and a rack 29 which engages with the pinion 21 at the inner
edge, respectively, and extends in the front/back directions
of the base plate 2. The operating rod 30 is slid and
guided by the inner surface of the other axial pipe 3, the
other guide member 6 which faces the axial pipe 3, and the
guide member 7 which is located at the central position.
The spring 31 is disposed between the locking
member 25 of the operating rod 26 and the other operating
rod 30, and always resiliently urges both of the operating
rods 26 and 30 in the contactless direction, applying an
outward rotational force to the locking member 25.
The operating members 35 and 36 have finger
hooking notch portions 32 on the inner surfaces and coupling
shafts 33 horizontally projecting from their lower
portions. In the inoperative state, the coupling shafts 33
project from the axial pipes 3 and are communicated with the
axial pipes 13 of the opening/closing members 10 to thereby
rotatably couple the axial pipes 13 between the pipes 3. In
the operative state, the coupling shafts 33 are withdrawn
from the axial pipes 13 and release the coupling state of
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the axial pipes 3 and 13. Retaining grooves 34 in which
retaining claws 22 and 28 are respectively retained are
formed in the circumferential direction of the operating
members 35,36.
The coupling mechanisms 20 constructed as
mentioned above are arranged at the right and left positions
on the base plate 2 so as to be symmetrical with respect to
the diagonal line direction. The pair of right and left
opening/closing members can be used in any one of the right
and left directions. By fixedly attaching a cover 38 onto
the base plate 2 by projecting shafts 37, the coupling
mechanisms 20 are hidden between the cover 38 and the base
plate 2. Reference numeral 39 denotes attaching holes.
In the inoperative state of Fig. 5 in which the
pair of right and left opening/closing members 10 stand up
and face each other to thereby file the sheets, as shown at
the position of the upper half portion in Fig. 3, the pair
of front and back operating members 35 and 36 are retained
by the pair of front and back operating rods 26 and 30,
respectively, so that they are elastically pressed by the
spring 31 in the contact direction with each other. In the
above state, the pair of front and back axial pipes 3 are
coupled with the axial pipes 13 of the opening/closing
members 10 by the coupling shafts 33, and the retaining
portion 24 is moved into pressure contact with the inner
surface of the retaining member 5. Further, since the
pressure contact member 12 is in pressure contact with the
receiving member 4, a repulsive force is held between
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them. In the above inoperative state, for instance, when
the operating member 36 located on the side of either one of
the right and left opening/closing members 10 is pulled in
the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 1, as for example,
by hooking a finger into the notch portion 32, as shown at
the position of the lower half portion in Fig. 3, the pair
of operating rods 26 and 30, together with the operating
members 35 and 36, relatively move in the direction away
from each other. The rods 26,30 move against the spring 31
by the engagement between the pinion 21 and the racks 23 and
29 provided thereon. The coupling shafts 33 at the front
and back positions are withdrawn from the axial pipes 13 of
the associated opening/closing member 10 and are moved into
the axial pipes 3 of the base plate 2, so that the coupling
state between the axial pipes 3 and 13 is released. With
the sliding motion of the operating rod 26, the retaining
portion 24 is moved from the inner surface of the retaining
member 5 and engages the edge of the retaining member 5,
holding the inserting state of the coupling shafts 33 in the
axial pipes 3. The above operation is also executed in a
manner similar to the case where any one of the other
operating members is operated by the fingers.
Subsequently, the opening/closing member 10
automatically rotates outwardly by the use of the coupling
shafts 33 located at the front and back positions as
fulcrums, due to the weight of the filed sheets applied to
the inner surface of the other opening/closing member 10
which remains in the coupling state. As shown in Fig. 5,
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the filing rods 18 and 19 are allowed to stand up, after
which the filing rods 18 and 19 of the opening/closing
member 10 in the non-coupling state with the attaching
member 1 are pulled out of the filing rods 18 and 19 of the
other opening/closing member 10 which remains coupled to the
attaching member 1. The filing operation of the document is
executed from the spike-shaped filing rod 18 and the
document is finally filed on the tubular filing rods 19.
After filing, the sheets on the rods 19, the
opening/closing member 10 in the non-coupling state is
rotated and is allowed to stand up in the original position,
with the axial pipes 13 inserted between the axial pipes 3
of the attaching member 1. At this time, the inducing
members 12 are brought into contact with the outside of the
corresponding receiving members 4, so that the
opening/closing member 10 is attracted inwardly. Thus, the
lower surface of the axial pipe 13 contacts the inclined
surface 24a. As the retaining portion 24 is inclined
inwardly, the engagement between the retaining portion 24
and the retaining member 5 is released, and under the force
of the spring 31, the pair of operating rods 26 and 30 and
the operating members 35 and 36 slide in the contactless
direction. The coupling shafts 33 are again extended from
the axial pipes 3 and engage and couple the axial pipes 13
to return the attachment member to the coupling state of
Fig. 1.
In the above description, when an opening/closing
member 10 in the non-coupling state is outwardly inclined,
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the operating members 35 and 36 located at the front and
back positions of the opening member 10 are held in the
standing state. However, when the opening/closing member 10
is inclined and falls outwardly, the document filed on the
filing rods 19 is also inclined and falls in the same
direction, so that the operating members 35 and 36 are
automatically inclined in association with the falling
motion of the document. The inclined operating members 35
and 36 automatically stand up when the front cover or back
cover of the cover plate in which the attaching member 1 is
attached is closed. Since the operating portions are
provided so as to be symmetrical with respect to the right,
left, front, and back directions, the pair of right and left
opening/closing members can be also operated in any of the
right and left directions.
The second embodiment of the invention will be
further described with reference to Figs. 6 to 9.
An attaching member 41 comprises: a rectangular
base plate 42 made of a metal; and a rectangular cover 43
made of a synthetic resin which is attached so as to cover
the upper surface of the base plate 42. The base plate 42
is provided with four axial pipes 44 at symmetrical
positions of both sides of the plate 42 in the longitudinal
direction, respectively. Attaching holes 45 for attaching
the base plate 42 to the cover plate are formed at both edge
positions in the longitudinal direction of the base plate
42, and caulking holes 46 to attach the cover 43 are formed
at both the central position and edge positions. Stop
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members 47 are provided at diagonal positions towards both
edges of the base plate 42.
Cover members 48 and guide ribs 49 are provided on
both sides of the longitudinal direction of the cover 43.
The cover members 48 are upwardly curved as a convex shape,
and are located in the central portion of each longitudinal
side of the cover 43 and, as will be explained hereinafter,
covers the exposed portion of a coupling rod 65 from the
upper position. The guide ribs 49 are located at front and
back positions on the cover 43 and are bent downwardly.
Recess portions 50 with holes therethrough are fitted for
placement into the attaching holes 45, at the positions
corresponding to the attaching holes 45 of the base plate
42. Pillar-shaped projecting shafts 51 to maintain a space
are formed on the respective lower surfaces corresponding to
the caulking holes 46. The cover 43 is overlaid onto the
upper surface of the base plate 42, and the lower edges of
the projecting shafts 51 are caulked to the caulking holes
46, so that the attaching member 41 having a desired gap
between the base plate 42 and the cover 43 is constructed.
A pair of right and left opening/closing members
52 which are rotatably coupled to the attaching member 41, a
peripheral edge of a metal inner plate 52a is attached to an
outer peripheral holding portion 53 of an outer plate 52b
made of a synthetic resin. As shown in Fig. 7, in both edge
portions in the longitudinal direction of the inner plate
52a, there is shown a spike-shaped filing rod 54 and a
tubular filing rod 55 respectively located at the positions
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of both edge portions so that the right and left
opening/closing members 52 can be commonly used. At the
lower edges of the inner plates 52a constructed as mentioned
above, are provided a pair of front and back axial pipes 56
for coupling to the axial pipes 44 of the attaching member,
as well as a pair of front and back inwardly curved inducing
members 57. When the opening/closing members 52 are coupled
to the attaching member 41, the inducing members 57 come
into sliding contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of
the axial pipes 44 of the attaching member 41 and are fitted
into the axial pipes 44, thereby inwardly inducing one
opening/closing member 52.
A pair of right and left relative coupling
mechanisms 58 for rotatably coupling the opening/closing
members 52 to the attaching member 41 are respectively
arranged at the right and left half portion positions of the
attaching member 41. The coupling mechanisms 58 are
arranged in the short lateral direction within the gap
formed between the base plate 42 and the cover 43. Each
relative coupling mechanism 58 comprises: One operating rod
63; another operating rod 64; a spring 71 to always
elastically urge the operating rod 63- in one direction; and
a pair of front and back coupling rods 65. The operating
rod 63 is constructed having a pinion 74 which is rotatably
pivotally attached onto the surface of the base plate 42, a
rack 73 which engages the pinion 74 and which is formed in
one edge portion, and a concave surface 59 which is formed
in the longitudinal direction on part of the upper surface
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~,_
- 24 -
of an elongated member made of a synthetic resin. A notch
portion 60a is formed in almost the central portion in the
longitudinal direction of the rod 63. A wide operating
member 61 is provided in the other edge portion in the
longitudinal direction. In an outside portion, the rod 63
has a guide shaft 62 which is slidably fitted into the axial
pipe 44 located in one edge portion of the attaching base
plate 42. A notch portion 60b and a rack 73 which engages
the pinion 74 are formed in one edge portion of the rod
64. The rod 64 has the operating member 61 and the guide
shaft 62 in the other edge portion. The coupling rods 65
are bent into L-character shapes and their bent edges come
into engagement with the notch portions 60a and 60b
respectively.
A holding mechanism to maintain the non-coupling
state of the coupling mechanism 58 comprises: a holding
lever 67 having a hole 69 provided within base portion and
through which a shaft member 68 at the concave surface 59 of
the operating rod 63 may be inserted; the holding lever 67
is horizontally rotatably axially supported and includes a
claw member 66 projecting from a free edge portion; and the
spring 71 maintaining a continuous outward rotational force
to the holding lever 67. In the embodiment shown, the
spring 71 is disposed between a stop member 70 provided in
the base portion of the holding lever 67 and the stop member
47 provided on the base plate 42, thereby commonly using the
spring 71 in both the coupling mechanism 58 and in the
holding mechanism.
~,.
~; .
~ 7~
- 25 -
In the coupling state of the attaching member 41
and the opening/closing member 52, the claw member 66 of the
holding lever 67 is moved into pressure contact with the
inner surface of the guide rib 49 provided for the cover 43
by the rotating force of the spring 71. When the operating
rods 63 and 64 relatively move against the pressing force of
the spring 71 and the coupling state of the attaching member
41 and the opening/closing member 52 is released, the claw
member 66 is projected outwardly from a position against the
inner edge 49a of the guide rib 49, and is retained to the
inner edge 49a of the guide rib 49.
A cut-out portion 75 is provided at the corner
portion of one longitudinal edge portion of the attaching
member 41. The operating member 61 of the coupling
mechanism 58 faces the corner position so as to be movable
in the front and back directions. In the inoperative state
of Fig. 6 in which the pair of right and left
opening/closing members 52 stand up and face and file the
sheets, as for example is shown at the left half portion of
Fig. 9, the operating rod 63 is elastically pressed by the
spring 71, the front and back coupling rods 65 project from
the axial pipes 44 of the attaching member 41 into the axial
pipes 56 of the opening/closing member 52, to couple the
attaching member 41 to the opening/closing member 52. The
claw member 66 of the holding lever 67 is further moved into
pressure contact with the inner surface of the guide rib 49
by the rotating force applied by the spring 71.
When the operating member 61 is pressed against
....
~,;
' -
- 26 -
the spring 71 in the inoperative state so as to remove
either one of the opening/closing members 52 away from the
attaching member 41, the operating rods 63 and 64 relatively
move in the contactless direction. As shown at the right
half portion of Fig. 9, the coupling rod 65 is withdrawn
from the axial pipes 56 of the opening/closing member 52 and
enters the axial pipes 44 of the attaching member 41, so
that the coupling state of the axial pipes 44 and 56 is
released. The claw member 66 of the holding lever 67 which
is in pressure contact with the inner surface of the guide
rib 49 is moved to outwardly project from the inner edge 49a
of the guide rib 49 due to the relative movement of the
operating rods 63 and 64. The claw member 66 is retained in
the inner edge 49a, and the retracted state of the operating
rods 63 and 64, namely, the non-coupling state of the
coupling mechanisms 58 is maintained.
When the coupling state of one opening/closing
member 52 and the attaching member 41 is released, the other
opening/closing member 52 which is rotatably coupled with
the attaching member 41 outwardly rotates under the weight
of the sheets. As the attaching member 41 rotates, the
spike-shaped filing rod 54 and the tubular filing rod 55
stand up, and the pair of right and left opening/closing
members 52 are moved to a state in which they face in the
vertical direction as shown in Fig. 8.
Therefore, in a manner similar to the above, when
one opening/closing member 52 which has been moved away from
the attaching member 41 is removed from the other
~, ~
~ ~ 7 ~
"_
- 27 -
opening/closing member 52, the filing rods 54 and 55 may be
inserted into the filing holes formed in the sheets or the
like. The one opening/closing member 52 is then again
coupled to the other opening/closing member 52 and,
following which, the other openingtclosing member 52 is
allowed to stand up and rotate about an edge of the
attaching member 41, moving the curved inner surface of the
inducing member 57 to engage the outer peripheral surfaces
of the axial pipes 44. Thus, the opening/closing member 52
is inwardly attracted and the positioning of the axial pipes
56 is aligned in a coupling position between the axial pipes
44 of the attaching member 41.
As the axial pipes 56 of one opening/closing
member 52 are moved into contact with the front edge of the
claw member 66 projecting from the side of the attaching
member 41, the claw member 66 is inwardly pressed against
the spring 71. Thus, the engaging state between the inner
edge 49a of the guide rib 49 and the claw member 66 is
released, and the operating rods 63 and 64 are automatically
returned to the inoperative position by the elastic pressing
force of the spring 71. In the inoperative state, the
coupling rod 65 again coupling the axial pipes 44 and 56,
and the pair of right and left opening/closing members 52
again facing in a standing state.
Figs. 10 and 11 show a modification of the second
embodiment and differ from the second embodiment in that the
attaching member 41 is divided into a left attaching member
4la and a right attaching member 4lb with respect to a
- 28 -
symmetrical line with regard to the right and left
positions. As shown in Fig. 11, the modification has a
construction such that the attaching member can be commonly
used in the case where a width of rear side cover 76a of a
cover plate 76 differs. Although the detailed descriptions
are omitted here, the same component elements in the
modification as those in the second embodiment are
designated by the same reference numerals.
Further, the third embodiment of the invention
will be described with reference to Figs. 12 to lS.
An attaching member 81 comprises: a rectangular
base plate 82 made of a metal; and a rectangular cover 83
made of a synthetic resin which is attached so as to cover
the upper surface of the base plate 82. ~our axial pipes 84
are respectively provided at the symmetrical positions of
both longitudinal sides of the base plate 82. Attaching
holes 85 for attaching the base plate 82 to the cover plate
or the like and caulking holes 86 to attach the cover 83,
are formed at spaced locations of both longitudinally edge
positions of the base plate 82. Stop members 87 and guide
members 115 are provided at the symmetrical positions of the
right and left half portions in the short lateral direction
of the plate 82.
Cover members 88 which are upwardly curved in a
convex shape and guide ribs 89 which are downwardly bent are
provided on both longitudinal sides of the cover 83. The
cover members 88 are located in the central edge portions of
both longitudinal sides of the cover 83, as will be
~ ~ 7 ~
- 29 -
explained hereinafter, cover the exposed portions of
coupling rods 106, from the upper position. The guide ribs
89 are located at the front and back positions of the cover
83. At the positions corresponding to the attaching holes
85 of the base plate 82, recess portions 90 with holes are
formed which are fitted to the attaching holes 85. Pillar-
shaped projecting shafts 91 to maintain desired spacing
between the cover 83 and base plate 82 are formed on the
lower surfaces of the cover 83 corresponding to the caulking
holes 86, respectively. By overlaying the cover 83 onto the
upper surface of the base plate 82 and caulking the lower
edges of the projecting shafts 91 into the caulking holes
86, the attaching member 81 is constructed having a desired
gap between the base plate 82 and the cover 83.
A pair of right and left opening/closing members
92 which are rotatably coupled to the attaching member 81
are constructed by attaching the peripheral edges of metal
inner plates 92a to outer peripheral holding portions 93 of
synthetic resin outer plates 92b. Spike-shaped filing rods
94 and tubular filing rods 95 are respectively attached to
both edge portion positions in the longitudinal direction of
the inner plates 92a so that the right and left
opening/closing members 92 can be commonly used as shown in
Fig. 13. At the lower edges of the inner plates 92a are
constructed as mentioned above, a pair of front and back
axial pipes 96 and a pair of front and back inducing members
97. The axial pipes 96 are for coupling to the axial pipes
84 of the attaching member 81. The inducing members 97 are
- 30 -
inwardly curved, so that when the opening/closing members 92
are coupled to the attaching member 81, the inducing members
97 are fitted to the outer peripheral surfaces of the axial
pipes 84 of the attaching member 81, while coming into slide
contact therewith and inwardly move one opening/closing
member 92.
A pair of right and left coupling mechanisms 98
which rotatably couple the opening/closing members 92 to the
attaching member 81 are respectively arranged at the right
and left lateral half portion positions. The coupling
mechanisms 98 are arranged in the gap formed between the
base plate 82 and the cover 83.
Each coupling mechanism 98 is constructed having
in a longitudinal direction, a concave surface 99 formed in
a part of an upper surface of an elongated member made of a
synthetic resin, a notch portion 100 formed in the
intermediate portion, and in the longitudinal direction. A
pressing type operating member 101 of a wide width is
provided in one edge portion in the longitudinal
direction. The coupling mechanism 98 comprises: a guide
shaft 103; an operating rod 104; a pair of front and back
coupling rods 106; and a spring 113. The guide shaft 103 is
provided in the outside portion of the coupling mechanism
and is slidably fitted to the axial pipe 84 located in one
edge portion of the attached base plate 82. The operating
rod 104 is provided with a pulling type operating member 102
having a finger engaging portion with concave notches in the
other edge portion and a groove portion 107 which is bent in
~ ~ 7 ~
- 31 -
an L-character shape at the lower surface. The coupling
rods 106 are bent in an L-character shape and the bent edges
respectively come into engagement with the notch portion 100
and groove portion 107. The spring 113 always elastically
presses the operating rod 104 in one direction. The
operating rod 104 is arranged so as to be slidable in the
front and back directions on the base plate 82 by allowing a
slit 105 formed on the operating rod 104 to move into
engagement with the guide member 115 provided on the base
plate 82 and by fitting the guide shaft 103 within the axial
pipe 84 of the base plate 82.
A holding mechanism to hold the non-coupling state
of the coupling mechanism 98 comprises: a holding lever 109
having a base portion which is horizontally rotatably
axially supported on the concave surface 99 of the operating
rod 104 via a shaft member, and a claw member 108 projecting
from a free edge portion; and the spring 113 to maintain an
outward rotating force on the holding lever 109. In the
embodiment, the spring 113 is shown disposed between a stop
member 112 provided in the base portion of the holding lever
109 and the stop member 87 provided for the base plate 82,
thereby commonly using the spring 113 in both the coupling
mechanism 98 and the holding mechanism.
In the coupling state between the attaching member
81 and the opening/closing member 92, the claw member 108 is
moved into pressure contact with the inner surface of the
guide rib 89 provided on the cover 83 by the rotating force
of the spring 113. When the operating rod 104 slides
~ ....
- 32 -
against the pressing force of the spring 113 and the
coupling state of the attaching member 81 and the
opening/closing member 92 is released, the claw member 108
is projected outwardly adjacent and is retained against an
inner edge 89a of the guide rib 89.
A cut-out portion 114 is provided at the corner
position in one longitudinal edge portion of the attaching
member 81. The pressing type operating member 101 and the
pulling type operating member 102 of the coupling mechanism
98 face the corner position so as to be movable in the front
and back directions, respectively. In the inoperative state
of Fig. 12 in which both the right and left opening/closing
members 92 stand up and face each other and file the sheets,
as shown at the left half portion position of Fig. 15, the
operating rod 104 is elastically pressed by the spring 113,
and the front and back coupling rods 106 are projected from
the axial pipes 84 of the attaching member 81 into the axial
pipes 96 of the opening/closing member 92. Thus, the
attaching member 81 is coupled with the opening/closing
member 92 and the claw member 108 of the holding lever 109
is moved into pressure contact with the inner surface of the
guide rib 89 by the rotating force by the spring 113.
In the inoperative state, when the pressing type
operating member 101 or the pulling type operating member
102 is pressed or pulled against the spring 113 so as to
pivotally move either one of the opening/closing members 92
away from the attaching member 81, the operating rod 104
slides in the upper direction shown in the right half of
- 33 -
Figure 15. As shown in Fig. 15, the coupling rod 106 is
slid out from the axial pipe 96 of the opening/closing
member 92 and retracts into the axial pipe 84 of the
attaching member 81, releasing the coupling state of the
axial pipes 84 and 96. Due to the sliding of the operating
rod 104, the claw member 108 of the holding lever 109 which
was in pressure contact with the inner surface of the guide
rib 84 is outwardly projected from the inner edge 89a of the
guide rib 89. The claw member 108 is retained against the
inner edge 89a and the sliding state of the operating rod
104, namely, the non-coupling state of one coupling
mechanism 98 is held.
As mentioned above, when the coupling state of one
opening/closing member 92 and the attaching member 81 is
released, the other opening/closing member 92 which is
rotatably coupled with the attaching member 81 rotates
outwardly by the weight of the sheets. The spike-shaped
filing rods 94 and the tubular filing rods 95 stand up. As
shown in Fig. 14, the pair of right and left opening/closing
members 92 are moved into a state in which they face each
other in the vertical direction.
Therefore, in a manner similar to the above, when
the opening/closing member 92 which is pivotally moved away
from the attaching member 81 is removed from the other
opening/closing member 92, filing holes formed in the sheets
or the like are then pierced to the filing rods 94 and 95.
The opening/closing member 92 is again coupled to the other
opening/closing member 92 and, following which, the other
E~
- 34 -
opening/closing member 92 is moved to a position standing
up. As the opening/closing member 92 rotates to contact the
attaching member 81, the curved inner surface of the
inducing member 97 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface
of the axial pipe 84. Thus, one opening/closing member 92
is inwardly urged and the axial pipes 96 align with the
axial pipes 84 of the attaching member 81.
Thus, the axial pipe 96 of the opening/closing
member 92 is moved into contact with the front edge of the
claw member 108 of the holding lever 109 which projects from
the side of the attaching member 81. The claw member 108 is
pressed inwardly, and the engaging state between the inner
edge 89a of the guide rib 89 and the claw member 108 is
released, wherein the operating rod 104 is automatically
returned to the inoperative position by the elastic pressing
force of the spring 113. The coupling rod 106 couples the
axial pipes 84 and 96. The pair of right and left
opening/closing members 92 again face each other in the
standing state.
Figs. 16 to 19 show a modification of the third
embodiment which differs therefrom in that the pressing type
operating member 101 is arranged in one of the end portions
of one edge of the attaching member 81, the pulling type
operating member 102 is arranged in the other end portion of
the edge and the pulling type operating member 102 is
arranged in one of the end portions of the other edge
portion, and the pressing type operating member 101 is
arranged in the other end portion of the other edge. In the
" . _
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modification, since the pressing type operating members 101
and the pulling type operating members 102 are symmetrically
arranged in the diagonal line direction, the attaching
member 81 can be attached without considering its
direction. Although the detailed description is omitted
here, the same component elements in the modification as
those in the third embodiment are designated by the same
reference numerals.
The fourth embodiment of the invention will be
further described with reference to Figs. 20 to 27. An
attaching member 121 having axial pipes 123, 124, and 158 at
the front and back positions and a central portion of both
longitudinal sides of a rectangular base plate 122.
Attaching holes 125 to attach the attaching member to the
cover plate are formed at both edge portion positions in the
longitudinal direction.
Opening/closing members 126 which are rotatably
coupled to the right and left side edges of the attaching
member 121 comprise inner plates 126a and outer plates
126b. The inner plate 126a has outwardly bent ribs 127
along the upper, front and back edges, and two axial pipes
128 and 129 at lower edge front and back positions to
respectively couple with axial pipes 123 and 124. The outer
plate 126b is attached to an interval member 130 in such a
manner such its upper edge and the front and back edges
contact the rib 127, and a space is maintained between the
inner plate 126a and the outer plate 126b. Spike-shaped
filing rods 131 project from the inner surfaces of both edge
,; ~,.
- 36 -
portions in the longitudinal direction of one inner plate
126a, with tubular filing rods 132 projecting from the other
edge portions of the other inner plate 126a.
A coupling mechanism 133 to couple the
opening/closing member 126 to the attaching member 121 is
constructed by allowing a rack member 161 formed at the edge
of a front operating plate 137a and a rack member 162 formed
at the edge of a back operating plate 137b to face each
other in the vertical direction, and by interposing a pinion
163 between the rack members 161 and 162. Coupling rods 136
are respectively provided for the pair of front and back
operating plates 137a and 137b which are interlockingly
coupled in the facing directions by the pair of rack members
161 and 162 and the pinion 163 so that the coupling rods 136
extend in the facing directions.
Bent members 136a of the coupling rods 136 are
bent in an L-character shape and are inserted into the
corresponding axial pipes 128 and 129. Thé coupling rods
136 respectively come into engagement with engaging holes
135 formed at the lower edge front and back positions of the
pair of front and back operating plates 137a and 137b.
The front and back operating plates 137a,137b are
relatively movably arranged between the inner plate 126a and
the outer plate 126b of the opening/closing member 126
through a long hole 134 which is brought into engagement
with the interval member 130. There are arranged springs
138 for continually biasing the operating plates 137a and
137b in such directions that the coupling rods 136 project
, 7' ~
- 37 -
outwardly from the corresponding axial pipes 128 and 129.
Operating members 139 for pushing the operating
plates 137a and 137b against the springs 138 and thereby
release the coupling state of the attaching member 121 and
the opening/closing members 126 are slidably fitted into the
axial pipes 123 located at both side edge portions of the
attaching member 121. As shown in Fig. 24, the operating
member 139 comprises an operating rod 144 and a spring
145. The operating rod 144 has a finger pressing portion
140 at the outer edge. At the inner edge, the operating rod
144 has a projection 143 which projects upwardly from a slit
141 formed in the upper surface of the axial pipe 123, and
which is brought into engagement with a concave portion 142
formed at the lower edge of the operating plate 137a. The
spring 145 continuously biases the operating rod 144 in the
pushing direction by an elastic force which is weaker than
the elastic force of the spring 138.
Further, a holding mechanism 146 to hold the non-
coupling state of the coupling mechanism 133 includes a
holding member 150 made of a synthetic resin. The holding
member 150 is arranged into a notch concave portion 148 so
that it can be vertically inclined, and includes a base
portion 149 which fits into a recess portion 147 in an edge
portion of the concave portion 148. The notch concave
portion 148 opens at a lower edge provided in the back
operating plate 137b. A retaining claw 149 is provided in a
free edge portion of the holding member 150, and at an upper
surface of the holding mechanism 146, is integrally provided
~ ~ 7 ~
'_
- 38 -
an elastic member 152. The elastic member 152 is brought
into pressure contact with the inner surface of the notch
concave portion 148 and applies a continuous downward
inclining force on the holding member 150. A leg member 153
is integratedly provided at the lower surface of the holding
mechanism 146, with the leg member 153 maintained in
pressure contact with the upper surface of the intermediate
axial pipe 158 of the attaching member lZ1 by the pressing
force of the elastic member lS2. A stop member 154 is
provided at the inner surface of the outer plate 126b
corresponding to the retaining claw 149. When the operating
plates 137a and 137b relatively move and the coupling state
between the attaching member 121 and the opening/closing
members 126 is released, the holding member 150 is
downwardly inclined and the stop member 154 is retained
against retaining claw 149, thereby restricting the relative
movements of the operating plates 137a and 137b.
A notch portion 157 which allows for movement of
the finger pressing portion 140 is formed in the lower edge
corner portion of the opening/closing member 126
corresponding to the finger pressing portion 140 of the
operating member 139.
In the inoperative state in which the
openingtclosing members 126 are coupled to the attaching
member 121 and the sheets are filed, as shown in Fig. 21,
the pair of front and back operating plates 137a and 137b
are relatively moved by the springs 138 in such directions
as to be away from each other. The coupling rods 136 are
~ ~ ~ 7 ~
- 39 -
projected from the axial pipes 128 and 129 of the
opening/closing members 126 into the axial pipes 123 and 124
of the attaching member 121. In such an inoperative state,
when the finger pressing portion 140 of either one of the
right and left operating members 139 located at the front
and back positions is depressed, the pair of front and back
operating plates 137a and 137b relatively move together by
the engagement between the pinion 163 and the rack members
161 and 162 due to the retaining state between the concave
portion 142 and the projecting portion 143.
As shown in Fig. 22, consequently, the front and
back coupling rods 136 are withdrawn from the axial pipes
123 and 124 of the attaching member 121 and retract into the
axial pipes 128 and 129 of one opening/closing member 126,
so that the coupling state between them is released. The
opening/closing member 126 slightly floats up from the
attaching member 121 by the elastic force of the elastic
member 152, so that the holding member 150 is downwardly
inclined with the retaining claw 151 retained by the stop
member 154. The operative states of the operating plates
137a and 137b are restricted.
As mentioned above, after the coupling state
between one opening/closing member 126 and the attaching
member 121 was released, the other opening/closing member
126 which is rotatably coupled with the attaching member 121
is outwardly rotated by the weight of the sheets. The
filing rods 131 and 132 stand up and the pair of right and
left opening/closing members 126 are set into a state in
~,;
~ - 40 -
which they face each other in the vertical direction as
shown by virtual lines in Fig. 20.
Therefore, as already mentioned above, when one
opening/closing member 126 pivoted away from the attaching
member 121 is removed from the other opening/closing member
126, the filing holes formed in the sheets or the like may
be pierced over the filing rods 131,132. The filing rods
131 and 132 are then again mutually pierced and the sheets
filed and, after which the other opening/closing member 126
is rotated so as to stand up coupled to the attaching member
121. On rotating the opening/closing member 126, the leg
member 153 of the holding member 150 is brought into contact
with the upper surface of the axial pipe 158 of the
corresponding edge of the attaching member 121. The holding
member 150 is inclined upwardly against the elastic force of
the elastic member 152, and the retaining claw 151 is
released from the stop member 154, so that the operating
plates 137a and 137b are returned by the springs 138.
On the other hand, when the opening/closing member
126 is rotated in the standing direction, since the
operating rod 144 is inwardly elastically pressed by a
spring 145, the concave portion 142 is moved into engagement
with the projection 143 and the axial pipes 128 and 129 and
the axial pipes 123 and 124 align. Thus, the coupling rods
136 are respectively projected into the axial pipes 123 and
124 of the attaching member 121 from the axial pipes 128 and
129 of the opening/closing members 126 and the axial pipes
are mutually coupled, with the pair of right and left
.. . .
- 41 -
opening/closing members 126 again face in the standing
state.
Figs. 26 and 27 show a modification of the
operating member 139. The modification is constructed in
the following manner. By depressing the finger pressing
portion 140 provided at the outer edge of the operating rod
144 slidably fitted into the axial pipe 123 of the attaching
member 121, the front edge of the coupling rod 136 which is
inserted into the axial pipe 123 is directly pressed by the
operating rod 144, thereby sliding the operating plate 137
to the non-coupling position against the spring 138.
According to the above construction, the slit 141, concave
portion 142, projection 143, and spring 145 can be omitted.
As mentioned above, the pair of front and back
axial pipes 123 and 124 provided for the attaching member
121 and the pair of front and back axial pipes 128 and 129
provided for the opening/closing members 126 are
respectively symmetrically provided from the center in the
longitudinal direction. The axial pipes which are brought
into pressure contact with the leg member 153 of the holding
member 150 are provided at the right and left positions of
the central portion of the attaching member 121. Thus, the
pair of right and left opening/closing members can be
commonly used at the right and left positions of the
attaching member.
,. . ~ .
