US 12,434,376 B2
Coupling structure including plurality of coupling parts, and shape-variable member
Norimichi Matsuoka, Arao (JP)
Assigned to FUJIMIYASEISAKUSHO CO., LTD., Arao (JP)
Appl. No. 18/024,566
Filed by FUJIMIYASEISAKUSHO CO., LTD., Arao (JP)
PCT Filed Jan. 19, 2023, PCT No. PCT/JP2023/001445
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Mar. 3, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2023/145587, PCT Pub. Date Aug. 3, 2023.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-013667 (JP), filed on Jan. 31, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0280135 A1, Aug. 22, 2024
Int. Cl. B25J 1/06 (2006.01)
CPC B25J 1/06 (2013.01) 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A coupling structure used for a shape-variable member configured to extend and contract by coupling a plurality of coupling structures, the coupling structure comprising:
a first member having a first intermediate coupling part, a pair of first extension parts extending laterally from the first intermediate coupling part, and a first end side coupling part on an end side of each of the first extension parts, the pair of first extension parts extending linearly or in an arc shape via the first intermediate coupling part; and
a second member having a second intermediate coupling part, a pair of second extension parts extending laterally from the second intermediate coupling part, and a second end side coupling part on an end side of each of the second extension parts, the pair of second extension parts extending linearly or in an arc shape via the second intermediate coupling part,
wherein one of a convex shaped engaging part and a concave shaped engaged part capable of being engaged with the engaging part is arranged on a first facing part facing the second intermediate coupling part in the first intermediate coupling part,
wherein the other of the engaging part and the engaged part is arranged on a second facing part facing the first facing part in the second intermediate coupling part,
wherein one of the engaging part and the engaged part arranged on the first facing part engages with the other of the engaging part and the engaged part arranged on the second facing part to form a coupling structure in which the first intermediate coupling part and the second intermediate coupling part are coupled oppositely in a vertical direction, and to enable a rotation action centered on a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction,
wherein the engaging part or the engaged part is arranged on a first opposing part positioned on an opposite side in the vertical direction to the first facing part in the first intermediate coupling part, and another coupling structure is coupled by stacking in the vertical direction to enable a rotation action centered on a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction,
wherein one of each of a convex shaped end side engaging part and a concave shaped end side engaged part capable of being engaged with the end side engaging part is arranged on each of the first end side coupling part and the second end side coupling part,
wherein the first end side coupling part engages with one of the first end side coupling part and the second end side coupling part of the another coupling structure to enable a rotation action centered on a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction,
wherein the second end side coupling part engages with the other of the first end side coupling part and the second end side coupling part of the another coupling structure to enable a rotation action centered on a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction, and
wherein the first member and the second member constituting one of the coupling structures intersect in an X-shape when seen from the vertical direction by positioning the first end side coupling parts on different sides straddling the second member and positioning the second end side coupling parts on different sides straddling the first member.