BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaner designed to be used with an adhesive tape
roll attached thereto, the adhesive tape roll formed of a tape-shaped base having
at least one adhesive surface and wound around a center line in a tubular form.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] There is a known cleaner of this type in related art including a pair of shaft receiving
members inserted into cylindrical holes of an adhesive roller on both sides and a
holder having a pair of holding portions that hold the shaft receiving members and
a body that supports the holding portions (Patent Literature 1, for example).
[0003] Each of the shaft receiving members described above includes a tubular fitting portion
that is inserted into the corresponding cylindrical hole of the adhesive roller, a
shaft receiving plate that covers one open end of the fitting portion, and a shaft
receiving hole that passes through the shaft receiving plate along the cylindrical
hole. The pair of holding members include a pair of rod-shaped legs that extend from
the body, a disk-shaped portion that is provided at an end of each of the legs and
can be disposed such that the disk-shaped portion faces the corresponding shaft receiving
plate, and a rotary shaft that protrudes from the disk-shaped portion and can fit
into the corresponding shaft receiving hole. To attach the adhesive roller to the
thus configured cleaner, the shaft receiving members are inserted into both ends of
the adhesive roller, the pair of holding portions of the holder are forced to separate
from each other, and the rotary shafts are fit into the shaft receiving holes with
the shaft receiving members facing the holding portions. On the other hand, to detach
the adhesive roller from the cleaner, the pair of holding portions of the holder are
forced to separate from each other, protrusion/recess fit between the rotary shafts
and the shaft receiving members is released, and the shaft receiving members are detached
from both ends of the adhesive roller.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
SUMMARY
Technical Problem
[0005] The cleaner of related art described above, however, has a problem of complicated
operation of attaching and detaching the adhesive roller because the attachment and
detachment of the adhesive roller requires a series of actions of detachably fitting
the shaft receiving members to both ends of the adhesive roller, forcing the pair
of holding portions of the holder to separate from each other, and detachably fitting
the rotary shafts of the pair of holding portion into the shaft receiving holes of
the corresponding shaft receiving members as described above.
[0006] Furthermore, in the cleaner of related art described above, since the shaft receiving
holes are rotatably supported by the rotary shafts of the disc-shaped portions provided
at the ends of the rod-shaped legs that extend from the body, a shaft receiving structure
that supports the rotary shafts is not rigid enough, and the legs are hence likely
to be broken. There is therefore room for improvement in terms of strength.
[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the problem described above, and an
object of the present invention is to provide a cleaner that allows a user to readily
attach and detach an adhesive tape roll and has improved strength that prevents the
cleaner from being easily broken.
Solution to Problem
[0008] A cleaner according to the present invention has been made to achieve the object
described above and includes a rod-shaped core member inserted into a cylindrical
hole of an adhesive tape roll formed of a tape-shaped base having at least one adhesive
surface and wound around a center line in a tubular form and a body member having
a first end support portion and a second end support portion for supporting a first
end portion and a second end portion in an axial direction of the core member. The
first end portion of the core member includes shaft portions that allow the core member
to be movable relative to the body member with the first end portion serving as a
pivotal point. The second end portion of the core member is configured to be detachably
locked by the second end support portion of the body member. The motion of the core
member is restricted in a state in which the second end portion is locked by the second
end support portion and is allowed in a state in which the locked state is released.
The body member includes a top wall portion that is disposed such that the top wall
portion faces the core member but is set apart therefrom in a radial direction thereof
and a pair of sidewall portions that extend from the top wall portion toward the core
member and face each other in the radial direction of the core member. The first end
support portion of the body member includes the pair of sidewall portions and a portion
of the top wall portion that is interposed between the pair of sidewall portions.
The pair of sidewall portions rotatably support the shaft portions in an area surrounded
by the top wall portion and the pair of sidewall portions.
[0009] According to the thus configured cleaner, in the state in which the second end portion
of the core member locked by the second end support portion of the body member is
released, the second end portion of the core member behaves as a free end, and the
core member is movable relative to the body member with the first end portion serving
as a pivotal point. Therefore, to attach or detach the adhesive tape roll to or from
the cleaner, the second end portion of the core member locked by the second end support
portion of the body member is released, and the core member is moved relative to the
body member with the first end portion serving as a pivotal point to a desired position
to sufficiently separate the second end portion of the core member and the second
end support portion of the body member from each other, whereby the adhesive tape
roll can be readily attached to or detached from the core member by using the cylindrical
hole of the adhesive tape roll in the direction from the second end portion toward
the first end portion or in the opposite direction. According to the thus configured
cleaner, the first end support portion rotatably supports the shaft portions between
the pair of sidewall portions in an area surrounded by the top wall portion and the
pair of sidewall portions, whereby a shaft receiving structure that supports the shaft
portions can have increased rigidity and improved strength, and hence breakage of
the shaft support structure can be suppressed or prevented.
[0010] In the thus configured cleaner, the motion of the core member with the first end
portion serving as a pivotal point is restricted in the state in which the second
end portion of the core member is locked by the second end support portion of the
body member. Therefore, to use the adhesive tape roll, the second end portion of the
core member to which the adhesive tape roll is attached can be locked by the second
end support portion of the body member to restrict the motion of the core member with
the first end portion serving as a pivotal point, whereby the adhesive tape roll attached
to the core member can be appropriately rotated when used.
[0011] In the cleaner according to the present invention, the first end support portion
of the body member may include a reinforcing wall portion that connects the pair of
sidewall portions to each other along the direction in which they face each other,
and the reinforcing wall portion may be configured to stand on the top wall portion.
[0012] According to the thus configured cleaner, the first end support portion rotatably
supports the shaft portions between the pair of sidewall portions in an area surrounded
by the pair of sidewall portions and the reinforcing wall portion, whereby the shaft
support structure that supports the shaft portions can have increased rigidity and
improved strength, and hence breakage of the shaft support structure can be suppressed
or prevented.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0013] As described above, in the cleaner according to the present invention, in the state
in which the second end portion of the core member locked by the second end support
portion of the body member is released, the second end portion of the core member
behaves as a free end, and the core member is movable relative to the body member
with the first end portion serving as a pivotal point. Therefore, to attach or detach
the adhesive tape roll to or from the cleaner, the second end portion of the core
member locked by the second end support portion of the body member is released, and
the core member is moved relative to the body member with the first end portion serving
as a pivotal point to a desired position to sufficiently separate the second end portion
of the core member and the second end support portion of the body member from each
other, whereby the adhesive tape roll can be readily attached to or detached from
the core member by using the cylindrical hole of the adhesive tape roll in the direction
from the second end portion toward the first end portion or in the opposite direction.
Furthermore, the first end support portion rotatably supports the shaft portions between
the pair of sidewall portions in an area surrounded by the top wall portion and the
pair of sidewall portions, whereby the shaft receiving structure that supports the
shaft portions can desirably have increased rigidity and improved strength, and hence
breakage of the shaft support structure can be suppressed or prevented.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a body member that supports a core member in a cleaner
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the core member;
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the body member;
FIG. 3B is a plan view of the body member;
FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 3B;
FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 3B;
FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 3B;
FIG. 5A is a front view of the body member that supports the core member;
FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 5A;
FIG. 6A is a plan view of the body member that supports the core member;
FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 6A;
FIG. 7 is a view of a state in which the core member supported by the body member
is moved with the first end portion serving as a pivotal point;
FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a state in which the body member is fit into a case
and the core member is accommodated in the case; and
FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F-F in FIG. 8A.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0015] An embodiment of a cleaner according to the present invention will be described below
with reference to the drawings. The following description will be made in the following
order: [1. Overall configuration], [2. Core member], [2-1. First end portion of core
member], [2-2. Second end portion of core member (portion to be locked)], [3. Body
member], [3-1. Shaft receiving portion], [3-2. Locking portion], [4. Converting portion],
[5. Case], [6. Schematic operation of cleaner], [6-1. Locking operation], [6-2. Lock
releasing operation], [7. Configuration and advantageous effects of embodiment (summary)],
and [8. Variations of embodiment].
[1. Overall configuration]
[0016] The cleaner is designed to be used with an adhesive tape roll for cleaning purposes
attached thereto, and the adhesive tape roll is formed of a tape-shaped (band-shaped)
base having at least one adhesive surface and wound around a center line in a tubular
form. The adhesive tape roll is produced by winding the tape-shaped base around the
center line with the one adhesive surface facing outward and a shaft hole created
along the center line. The cross-sectional shape of the shaft hole is not limited
to a specific shape and can be a circle or a polygon. The thus configured adhesive
tape roll is rolled (that is, rotationally moved) over a surface to be cleaned (floor
surface, clothing surface, and screen of mobile phone, for example) to clean the surface
to be cleaned.
[0017] The cleaner according to the present embodiment includes a core member 1, which is
inserted into a shaft hole (cylindrical hole) of an adhesive tape roll (not shown),
and a body member 2, which supports the core member 1, as shown in FIG. 1. In the
following sections, a right and left direction and a front and rear direction are
defined with reference to FIG. 1 and an up and down direction is defined as a direction
that intersects the right and left direction and the front and rear direction for
ease of description.
[2. Core member]
[0018] The core member 1 is shaped such that it can be inserted into the shaft hole of the
adhesive tape roll. Specifically, the core member 1 has a rod-like shape and can,
for example, be configured to have a tubular shape or a columnar shape (having, for
example, a circular or polygonal cross-sectional shape). The core member 1 in the
present embodiment includes a core member body 1 a, which has a columnar shape elongated
in the right and left direction. The core member body 1 a includes a pair of rectangular-plate-shaped
body wall portions 1 b, which are set apart from each other in the front and rear
direction and elongated in the right and left direction, right and left rectangular-plate-shaped
wall portions 1 c, which are provided on the pair of body wall portions 1 b in an
intermediate position in the up and down direction (at the center in the up and down
direction, for example) and extending along the right and left direction, and semicircular-plate-shaped
reinforcing wall portions 1 d, which are provided on the pair of body wall portions
1 b in an intermediate position in the right and left direction (at the center in
the right and left direction, for example) and extending along the up and down direction.
[0019] The thus configured core member body 1 a has first end portion 10, which is provided
at first-end-side (right end side) in the right and left direction (longitudinal direction
or insertion direction in which core member body 1 a is inserted into shaft hole of
adhesive tape roll), and a second end portion 11, which is provided at a second-end-side
(left end side) in the right and left direction (see FIG. 2).
[2-1. First end portion of core member]
[0020] The first end portion 10 is a portion supported by first end support portion 20 of
the body member 2, which will be described later. Specifically, the first end portion
10 is a portion rotatably supported by the first end support portion 20 of the body
member 2 such that the core member 1 is movable relative to the body member 2 with
the first end portion 10 serving as a pivotal point.
[0021] The first end portion 10, which does not necessarily have a specific shape, is formed
of a connection portion 12 including a plate-shaped base portion 12a, which extends
in the up and down direction (direction that intersects the front and rear direction
and the right and left direction (insertion direction)), which is the direction radially
outward from the core member 1, and a pair of shaft portions 12b (circular columns),
which are provided at an upper end portion (end portion in a direction in which base
portion extends) of the base portion 12a and protrude outward in the front and rear
direction, in the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 2. The upper end portion of
the base portion 12a and the pair of shaft portions 12b of the thus configured connection
portion 12 protrude in the direction radially outward from the core member body 1
a and are located outside a projected width of the core member body 1 a projected
along the axial direction of the core member body 1 a (right and left direction in
FIG. 1). In another configuration, the connection portion 12 (upper end portion of
base portion 12a and pair of shaft portions 12b) is located outside a projected width
of the shaft hole of the adhesive tape roll, with the core member body 1 a inserted
therein, projected in the axial direction of the shaft hole (right and left direction
in FIG. 1). That is, when the core member 1 (core member body 1 a) is inserted into
the adhesive tape roll (shaft hole) in the direction from the second end portion 11
of the core member 1 toward the first end portion 10 thereof, the base portion 12a
of the connection portion 12 (first end portion 10) restricts motion of the adhesive
tape roll in the insertion direction at the first end portion 10.
[0022] The present embodiment has been described with reference to the case where the connection
portion 12 extends off the projected width of the core member body 1 a projected along
the right and left direction, but the connection portion 12 is not necessarily configured
in this way and may be configured such that the connection portion 12 falls within
the projected width of the core member body 1 a projected along the right and left
direction.
[2-2. Second end portion (portion to be locked) of core member]
[0023] The second end portion 11 is a portion supported by a second end support portion
21 of the body member 2, which will be described later. Specifically, the second end
portion 11 is a portion detachably locked by the second end support portion 21 of
the body member 2. In more detail, one of the second end portion 11 and the second
end support portion 21 of the body member 2 is provided with a recessed portion, and
the other portion is provided with a protruding portion fit into the recessed portion
described above. In a state in which the protruding portion is fit into the recessed
portion, the second end portion 11 is locked by the second end support portion 21
of the body member 2 such that the motion of the core member 1 with the first end
portion 10 serving as a pivotal point is restricted. In a state in which the fit described
above is released, the second end portion 11 is a free end released from the second
end support portion 21 of the body member 2 so that the core member 1 is movable relative
to the body member 2 with the first end portion 10 serving as a pivotal point.
[0024] The second end portion 11, which does not necessarily have a specific shape, includes
a portion to be locked 13, which has a base portion 13a extending leftward from the
core member body 1 a, in the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 2. The portion to
be locked 13 further has a recessed portion 13b, which is recessed in a left surface
13d (specifically, substantially central portion of left surface 13d) of the circular-plate-shaped
base portion 13a, and a pair of rail portions 13c, which protrude from the front and
rear ends of the recessed portion 13b and extend in parallel to each other in the
up and down direction to an upper edge of the left surface 13d of the base portion
13a. Part of an upper end portion of the base portion 13a, specifically, a portion
13e between the pair of rail portions 13c has a tapered shape. Specifically, the left
surface 13d of the base portion 13a between the pair of rail portions 13c is inclined
rightward (rightward and upward) from a position set apart from the upper edge of
the left surface 13d toward the center thereof to the upper edge. The thus configured
portion to be locked 13 falls within the projected width of the core member body 1
a projected in the axial direction thereof. In another configuration, the portion
to be locked 13 falls within the projected width of the shaft hole of the adhesive
tape roll with the core member body 1 a inserted therein, projected in the axial direction
of the shaft hole. That is, when the core member 1 is inserted into the adhesive tape
roll (shaft hole) in the direction from the second end portion 11 of the core member
1 toward the first end portion 10 thereof, the portion to be locked 13 (second end
portion 11) does not prevent the motion of the adhesive tape roll in the insertion
direction on the second end portion 11 side of the core member 1, whereby the second
end portion 11 of the core member 1 can be smoothly inserted into the adhesive tape
roll (shaft hole).
[3. Body member]
[0025] The body member 2 is configured to be capable of supporting the first end portion
10 and the second end portion 11 of the core member 1. The body member 2, which does
not necessarily have a specific shape, includes a body support portion 2a (top wall
portion), which is a rectangular-plate-shaped wall portion elongated in the right
and left direction, and side wall portions 2b and 2c, which extend from circumferential
edges of the lower surface of the body support portion 2a (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). In
other words, the body member 2 includes the body support portion 2a (top wall portion),
which is disposed such that it faces the core member 1 but is set apart therefrom
in the radial direction thereof, a pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c, which
extend from the body support portion 2a toward the core member 1 and face each other
in the radial direction, and a pair of right and left sidewall portions 2b (pair of
reinforcing wall portions), which connect the pair of front and rear sidewall portions
2c to each other along the direction in which they face each other.
[0026] The body support portion 2a has a length in the right and left direction that corresponds
to the length of the core member body 1 a in the axial direction (longitudinal direction)
thereof and a length in the front and rear direction that corresponds to the length
of the core member body 1 a in the radial direction thereof. In the present embodiment,
the length of the body support portion 2a in the right and left direction is longer
than the longitudinal length of the core member body 1 a, and the length of the body
support portion 2a in the front and rear direction is longer than the radial length
of the core member body 1 a.
[0027] The sidewall portions 2b and 2c form a rectangular frame-like shape. Specifically,
the sidewall portions 2b and 2c are formed of the pair of right and left sidewall
portions 2b, which extend downward from the right and left ends of the lower surface
of the body support portion 2a, and the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c,
which extend downward from the front and rear ends of the lower surface of the body
support portion 2a, in which the pair of right and left sidewall portions 2b connect
the right and left ends of the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c to each
other along the front and rear direction. The pair of right and left sidewall portions
2b are each provided at the right and left ends of the body support portion 2a over
the total length thereof in the front and rear direction, has a rectangular-plate-like
shape along the up and down direction and the front and rear direction, and stands
on the lower surface of the body support portion 2a. The pair of front and rear sidewall
portions 2c are each provided at the front and rear ends of the body support portion
2a over the total length thereof in the right and left direction, have a rectangular-plate-like
shape along the up and down direction and the right and left direction, and stand
on the lower surface of the body support portion 2a. The standing state described
above is, for example, a state in which one surface (lower surface of the body support
portion 2a, for example) and another surface (rectangular-plate-shaped surfaces of
the pair of right and left sidewall portions 2b, for example) intersect each other,
preferably a state in which the one surface and the other surface interest with each
other at an angle ranging from an acute angle to an obtuse angle, more preferably,
a state in which the one surface and the other surface intersect each other at right
angle or at substantially right angle. Among the thus configured sidewall portions
2b and 2c, the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c are provided with shaft
receiving portions 22 capable of supporting (rotatably receiving or supporting) the
first end portion 10 (specifically, pair of shaft portions 12b of connection portion
12) of the core member 1, and the left sidewall portion 2b is provided with a locking
portion 23 capable of locking the second end portion 11 (specifically, recessed portion
13b of the portion to be locked 13) of the core member 1.
[0028] The body member 2 includes the first end support portion 20 and the second end support
portion 21 for supporting the first end portion 10 and the second end portion 11,
which are the right and left end portions of the core member 1, as shown in FIG. 4A.
The first end support portion 20 is a portion on one side (right end side) of the
body member 2. Specifically, the first end support portion 20 includes the following
portions of the body member 2: first-end-side (right-end-side) portions of the pair
of front and rear sidewall portions 2c; a first-end-side wall portion of the body
support portion 2a (first-end-side (right-end-side) portion of body support portion
2a) that is interposed between the first-end-side portions of the pair of front and
rear sidewall portions 2c; the right sidewall portion 2b; and the shaft receiving
portions 22 provided on the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c. The second
end support portion 21 is a portion on the second-end-side (left end side) of the
body member 2. Specifically, the second end support portion 21 includes the following
portions of the body member 2: second-end-side (left-end-side) portions of the pair
of front and rear sidewall portions 2c; a second-end-side wall portion of the body
support portion 2a (second-end-side (left-end-side) portion of body support portion
2a) that is interposed between the second-end-side portions of the pair of front and
rear sidewall portions 2c; the left sidewall portion 2b; and the locking portion 23
provided on the left sidewall portion 2b.
[3-1. Shaft receiving portion]
[0029] The shaft receiving portions 22 are configured so that the pair of shaft portions
12b of the connection portion 12 are detachably fit into the shaft receiving portions
22 and can be configured so that each of the shaft receiving portions 22 has a recess
or a through hole. The shaft receiving portions 22 in the present embodiment have
base portions 22a, which protrude from the inner surfaces (opposing surfaces) of the
pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c on the first end side (right end side)
in the right and left direction and have a certain thickness in the front and rear
direction, recessed portions 22b, which are recessed in the base portions 22a, and
shaft guide portions 22c, which are recessed in the base portions 22a to a depth shallower
than the depth of the recessed portions 22b and formed from the lower ends of the
base portions 22a to the recessed portions 22b, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C. That
is, when the first end portion 10 of the core member 1 is attached to the first end
support portion 20 of the body member 2, the pair of shaft portions 12b of the core
member 1 (connection portion 12) are smoothly guided by the shaft guide portions 22c
of the body member 2 (shaft receiving portions 22) from the lower ends of the base
portions 22a to the recessed portions 22b and fit into the recessed portions 22b.
In the state in which the pair of shaft portions 12b are fit into the recessed portions
22b as described above, the first end portion 10 of the core member 1 is connected
to and supported (rotatably supported) by the first end support portion 20 of the
body member 2 such that the core member 1 is movable relative to the body member 2
with the first end portion 10 (pair of shaft portions 12b) serving as a pivotal point
(see FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, and 7). That is, the pair of shaft portions 12b serve as
movable shafts of the core member 1 and allow the core member 1 to be movable relative
to the body member 2 with the movable shafts serving as a pivotal point. In the thus
configured shaft support structure, the first end support portion 20 rotatably supports
the pair of shaft portions 12b between the pair of front and rear sidewall portions
2c in an area surrounded by the body support portion 2a (top wall portion) and the
pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c, whereby the shaft support structure that
supports the pair of shaft portions 12b can have increased rigidity and improved strength,
and hence breakage of the shaft support structure can be prevented. Furthermore, the
first end support portion 20 rotatably supports the pair of shaft portions 12b between
the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c in an area surrounded by the pair
of front and rear sidewall portions 2c and the right sidewall portion 2b, whereby
the shaft support structure that supports the pair of shaft portions 12b can have
further increased rigidity and improved strength, and hence breakage of the shaft
support structure can be prevented.
[3-2. Locking portion]
[0030] The locking portion 23 is configured to detachably lock (specifically, detachably
fit into) the portion to be locked 13 (recessed portion 13b). The locking portion
23, which does not necessarily have a specific shape, includes a base portion 23a,
which protrudes from a lower-end-side inner surface (right surface) of the left sidewall
portion 2b, in the present embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The base portion
23a is configured to have flexibility. Specifically, the base portion 23a is formed
of a plate-shaped upper portion 23b, which extends rightward and downward from the
inner surface of the left sidewall portion 2b described above, and a lower portion
23c, which extends downward from the lower end of the upper portion 23b. The thus
configured base portion 23a can elastically deflect leftward. A right surface 23d
of the lower portion 23c is an inclined surface inclined leftward by an increasing
amount with distance toward the lower end (that is, inclined surface inclined leftward
and downward). The inclination angle of the right surface 23d of the lower portion
23c is not limited to a specific value as long as the right surface 23d is inclined
leftward with respect to the vertical plane along the up and down direction. The right
surface 23d can, for example, be inclined leftward and downward by an angle ranging
from 0.1° to 3°, preferably about 1° with respect to the vertical plane along the
up and down direction. The right surface 23d of the lower portion 23c has a protruding
portion 23e, which can fit into the recessed portion 13b of the portion to be locked
13, and a pair of grooves 23f, into which the pair of rail portions 13c of the portion
to be locked 13 can fit. Specifically, the right surface 23d of the lower portion
23c includes the protruding portion 23e, which protrudes from a lower central portion
of the right surface 23d, and the pair of grooves 23f, which are recessed in the right
surface 23d and extend in parallel to each other from the front and rear ends of the
protruding portion 23e to an upper portion of the right surface 23d along the up and
down direction, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The upper surface of the protruding portion
23e forms an inclined surface 231 e inclined rightward and downward, as shown in FIG.
4A. The width of the protruding portion 23e in the front and rear direction is substantially
equal to or smaller than the separation width between the pair of grooves 23f (or
pair of rail portions 13c), as shown in FIG. 4B. An end portion 23g of the lower portion
23c in the front and rear direction and the downward direction is tapered. Specifically,
the right surface 23d of the lower portion 23c is inclined leftward from a position
set apart from front, rear, and the lower edges of the right surface 23d toward the
center thereof to the other edges.
[0031] The present embodiment has been described with reference to the case where the protruding
portion 23e is provided on the second end support portion 21 (locking portion 23)
of the body member 2, the recessed portion 13b is provided in the second end portion
11 (portion to be locked 13) of the core member 1, and the protruding portion 23e
can fit into the recessed portion 13b, but the configuration described above is not
necessarily employed. Instead, a recessed portion (or a hole) can be provided in the
second end support portion 21 (locking portion 23) of the body member 2, a protruding
portion can be provided on the second end portion 11 (portion to be locked 13) of
the core member 1, and the protruding portion can fit into the recessed portion.
[4. Converting portion]
[0032] To release the state in which the locking portion 23 (protruding portion 23e) locks
the portion to be locked 13 (recessed portion 13b) (specifically, protruding portion
23e fits into recessed portion 13b) (protrusion/recess fit), the core member 1 is
moved in the movable direction (circumferential direction with first end portion 10
serving as pivot) against the restriction of the motion (movable action) of the core
member 1 imposed by the protrusion/recess fit between the protruding portion 23e and
the recessed portion 13b. At least one of the core member 1 and the body member 2
includes a converting portion that converts at least part of the force that produces
the motion (movable action) into a force that moves at least one of the recessed portion
13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that they separate from each other
to release the protrusion/recess fit. For example, the second end portion 11 and the
second end support portion 21 have contact surfaces that come into contact with each
other (left surface 13d and right surface 23d, inclined surface 231 e and inner surface
of recessed portion 13b) when the core member 1 is moved to release the fit. The converting
portion described above is formed of at least one of the contact surfaces described
above, and the contact surface that forms the converting portion described above can
be configured to include a surface that is inclined to the insertion direction (right
and left direction) and converts the force that moves the core member 1 into a force
that moves the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that
they separate from each other. The converting portion described above is instead formed
of at least one of the first end support portion 20 and the second end support portion
21 of the body member 2, and at least one of the first end support portion 20 and
the second end support portion 21 that forms the converting portion can be configured
to have flexibility that allows the first end support portion 20 and/or the second
end support portion 21 to elastically deflect in such a way that the recessed portion
13b and the protruding portion 23e separate from each other when the core member 1
is moved against the restriction of the motion of the core member 1 described above
to release the protrusion/recess fit. The converting portion is still instead formed
of the second end support portion 21, and the second end support portion 21 can be
configured to have the flexibility.
[0033] In the present embodiment, the body member 2 includes the converting portion, and
the converting portion is formed of the leftwardly and downwardly inclined right surface
23d of the locking portion 23, the inclined surface 231 e, which is the upper surface
of the protruding portion 23e of the locking portion 23, and the second end support
portion 21 (base portion 23a), which has flexibility that allows the second end support
portion 21 to elastically deflect leftward.
[0034] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the converting portion described above has
a shaft receiving structure in which the core member 1 and the body member 2 are operated
in association with each other, and the shaft receiving structure is a structure in
which the shaft receiving portions 22 of the first end support portion 20 of the body
member 2 rotatably receive the shaft portions 12b of the first end portion 10 of the
core member 1. In the thus configured shaft receiving structure, the shaft receiving
portions 22 of the first end support portion 20 of the body member 2 are configured
to rotatably receive the shaft portions 12b of the first end portion 10 of the core
member 1 in a position (shaft receiving position) above the position where the protruding
portion 23e fits into the recessed portion 13b (on the side opposite to the side toward
which the core member 1 in the fit state is movable or on the side toward the body
support portion 2a) in the up and down direction (direction that intersects the axial
direction of the core member 1) (see FIG. 6B). The shaft receiving position in the
present embodiment is specifically a position that is outside the projected width
of the core member body 1 a projected along the axial direction thereof (right and
left direction) and shifted toward the body support portion 2a.
[0035] The converting portion does not necessarily employ the configuration described above
and can be configured such that the first end support portion 20 has flexibility (flexibility
that allows the first end support portion 20 to elastically deflect rightward). Instead,
the converting portion can be configured to have the left surface 13d (contact surface
that comes into contact with the right surface 23d of the locking portion 23) and/or
the inner surface of the recessed portion 13b (contact surface that comes into contact
with upper surface of the protruding portion 23e of the locking portion 23) of the
portion to be locked 13 (base portion 13a). In this case, the left surface 13d is
configured to include a surface inclined to the right and left direction (for example,
surface inclined rightward and downward and set apart rightward from the right surface
23d by increased amount with distance from above), and part of the inner surface of
the recessed portion 13b, specifically, the surface that comes into contact with the
upper surface of the protruding portion 23e of the locking portion 23 can be configured
to include a surface inclined to the right and left direction (for example, surface
inclined rightward and downward and set apart rightward from right surface 23d by
increased amount with distance from above).
[0036] Instead, the converting portion can be configured to include a protruding portion
provided on one of the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 and the second end
support portion 21 of the body member 2 (specifically, protruding portion that fits
into a recessed portion provided in the other of the second end portion 11 and the
second end support portion 21), and the protruding portion can be configured such
that the amount of protrusion (volume) of the protruding portion from a surface where
the protruding portion is formed decreases so that the protruding portion separates
from the recessed portion when the core member 1 is moved against the restriction
of the core member 1 to release the protrusion/recess fit. For example, the protruding
portion described above can be configured to include a protrusion that protrudes from
the contact surface of the second end portion 11 or the second end support portion
21 described above and a support (elastic support, for example) that supports the
protrusion in such a way that the protrusion can protrude from or retract into the
contact surface described above, specifically, in such a way that when the protrusion
is pressed at a certain pressure (based on elasticity, for example), the protrusion
retracts into the contact surface described above so that the amount of protrusion
decreases, whereas when the pressing force described above is removed, the protrusion
returns to a position where the amount of protrusion is its initial value. For example,
the support is buried in the contact surface described above. It is noted that to
move the core member 1 to release the protrusion/recess fit, the protrusion described
above can be pressed via the inner surface of the recessed portion, and that the pressing
at or more than the certain pressure is performed by a force that can move the core
member 1 in the movable direction against the restriction of the core member 1 to
release the protrusion/recess fit.
[5. Case]
[0037] The cleaner according to the present embodiment is configured to include a case 3,
into which the body member 2 is detachably fit to accommodate the core member 1, as
shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The case 3 has a body portion 3A, which has an enclosure-like
shape that can accommodate the core member 1 and has an opening on one side (specifically,
opening on upper side). Protruding legs 3a (specifically, a pair of protruding ridges
parallel to each other along the front and rear direction) are formed on the right
and left end portions of the lower surface of the case 3 to allow the case 3 (body
portion 3A) to rest in a stable manner. Furthermore, fitting pieces 2d of the body
member 2 (specifically, base portions extending downward from the right and left end
portions of lower ends of the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c and having
fitting-purpose recessed portions (see FIG. 1)) can fit into portions to be fit 3b
(specifically, recessed portions into which the base portions of the fitting pieces
2d described above fit and which have fitting-purpose protruding portions that fit
into the fitting-purpose recessed portions of the fitting pieces 2d described above),
and the portions to be fit 3b are recessed in the right and left end portions of the
upper-end-side inner surface of the case 3 (body portion 3A). The configuration that
allows the body member 2 to fit into the case 3 described above is not limited to
a specific configuration. A fitting-purpose protruding portion only needs to be provided
on one of the body member 2 and the case 3, and a fitting-purpose recessed portion
only needs to be provided in the other. Furthermore, the cleaner according to the
present embodiment includes the case 3 but does not necessarily include the case 3.
The cleaner can instead be configured to include the core member 1 and the body member
2 but no case 3.
[6. Schematic operation of cleaner]
[0038] In the thus configured cleaner, the first end portion 10 of the core member 1 is
connected to and supported by the first end support portion 20 of the body member
2, and the core member 1 is movable relative to the body member 2 with the first end
portion 10 serving as a pivotal point (see FIGS. 5A, 6B, and 7). Specifically, the
pair of shaft portions 12b of the first end portion 10 are rotatably received (rotatably
supported) by the shaft receiving portions 22 of the first end support portion 20
and are rotatable around the central axis of the pair of shaft portions 12b fit into
the recessed portions 22b (movable axis along the front and rear direction). That
is, the core member 1 pivotally moves relative to the body member 2 with the first
end portion 10 (pair of shaft portions 12b) serving as a pivotal point (see FIGS.
5A and 7). Furthermore, the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 is detachably
locked by the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2.
[6-1. Locking operation]
[0039] A description will be made for operation of the second end support portion 21 of
the body member 2 that locks the second end portion 11 of the core member 1. The core
member 1 is caused to pivotally move with the first end portion 10 serving as a pivotal
point to allow the second end portion 11 and the second end support portion 21 to
approach each other so that the outer surface side of the portion to be locked 13
(left surface 13d) on the second end portion 11 come into contact with the inner surface
side of the second end support portion 21 (right surface 23d). In this process, when
the recessed portion 13b in the portion to be locked 13 of the second end portion
11 is allowed to approach the protruding portion 23e of the second end support portion
21 or the protruding portion 23e is allowed to approach the recessed portion 13b,
the protruding portion 23e is moved (or caused to slide) so that the protruding portion
23e follows part of an upper end portion of the portion to be locked 13 (base portion
13a), specifically, the tapered portion 13e between the pair of rail portions 13c,
and the protruding portion 23e is guided between the pair of rail portions 13c along
the pair of rail portions 13c to the recessed portion 13b. When the protruding portion
23e is caused to follow the tapered portion 13e described above, the base portion
23a of the locking portion 23 elastically deflects leftward due to its flexibility.
Therefore, after the protruding portion 23e comes into contact with the tapered portion
13e, the protruding portion 23e follows the inclined surface of the tapered portion
13e and smoothly slides along the left surface 13d while causing the base portion
23a to elastically deflect as appropriate.
[0040] When the protruding portion 23e of the second end support portion 21 (locking portion
23) is fit into the recessed portion 13b of the second end portion 11 (portion to
be locked 13) and the pair of rail portions 13c are fit into the pair of grooves 23f,
the left surface 13d of the portion to be locked 13 comes into contact with the right
surface 23d of the locking portion 23 (see FIGS. 5A and 6B). At this point, the second
end portion 11 of the core member 1 is locked by the second end support portion 21
of the body member 2. As described above, in the state in which the second end portion
11 is locked by the second end support portion 21, the second end portion 11 is supported
as a supported end by the second end support portion 21 and the pivotal motion of
the core member 1 with the first end portion 10 serving as a pivotal point is restricted
(see FIG. 5A). In this state, when the body support portion 2a and the core member
body 1 a are set apart from each other in the up and down direction, face each other,
and are parallel to each other in the right and left direction (see FIG. 5A), and
the core member 1 (core member body 1 a) is inserted into and attached to an adhesive
tape roll, the adhesive tape roll described above can be used appropriately.
[6-2. Lock releasing operation]
[0041] A description will subsequently be made for operation of releasing the locked state
described above of the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 locked by the second
end support portion 21 of the body member 2 (protrusion/recess fit) (operation of
releasing restriction of pivotal motion of the core member 1). The core member 1 is
moved against the restriction of the pivotal motion of the core member 1 in the direction
in which the core member 1 is movable and the recessed portion 13b of the second end
portion 11 separates from the protruding portion 23e of the second end support portion
21 or the protruding portion 23e separates from the recessed portion 13b to move the
portion to be locked 13 and the locking portion 23 (or cause them to slide) relative
to each other in such a way that they separate from each other. The motion of the
core member 1 described above releases the fit between the protruding portion 23e
and the recessed portion 13b and the fit between the pair of rail portions 13c and
the pair of grooves 23f.
[0042] The rightwardly and downwardly inclined surface 231 e of the protruding portion 23e
slides along part of the inner surface of the recessed portion 13b, specifically,
the upper surface thereof. The inclined surface 231e moves the recessed portion 13b
and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that they separate from each other along
the inclined surface 231 e. Specifically, when the core member 1 is moved in the movable
direction against the restriction of the motion (movable action) of the core member
1 described above, the inclined surface 231 e converts the force that moves the core
member 1 into a force that moves the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion
23e in such a way that they separate from each other to readily release the protrusion/recess
fit. More specifically, when the core member 1 is moved in the movable direction against
the restriction of the motion (movable action) of the core member 1 described above,
part of the force in the movable direction (force along the radial direction of the
core member 1) is changed by the inclined surface 231 e such that the part of the
force is directed in the axial direction of the core member 1 toward the first end
portion thereof, and hence acts on the second end portion 11 (recessed portion 13b).
As a reaction of the action, the second end portion 11 (recessed portion 13b) exerts
a force outward in the axial direction of the core member 1 on the second end support
portion 21 (protruding portion 23e). The action and reaction forces that the second
end portion 11 (recessed portion 13b) and the second end support portion 21 (protruding
portion 23e) exert on each other readily release the protrusion/recess fit.
[0043] Furthermore, the leftwardly and downwardly inclined right surface 23d of the locking
portion 23 slides along the left surface 13d of the portion to be locked 13. The right
surface 23d moves the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such
a way that they separate from each other along the right surface 23d. Specifically,
when the core member 1 is moved in the movable direction against the restriction of
the core member 1 described above, the right surface 23d causes the second end portion
11 (recessed portion 13b) and the second end support portion 21 (protruding portion
23e) to exert the action and reaction forces described above on each other to convert
part of the force that moves the core member 1 in the movable direction into a force
that moves the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that
they separate from each other, whereby the protrusion/recess fit can be readily released.
[0044] Furthermore, since the base portion 23a of the locking portion 23 has flexibility
that allows the base portion 23a to elastically deflect leftward, elastic deflection
resulting from the flexibility moves the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion
23e in such a way that they separate from each other. Specifically, when the core
member 1 is moved in the movable direction against the restriction of the core member
1 described above, the base portion 23a elastically deflects leftward (outward in
the axial direction of the core member 1) to convert part of the force that moves
the core member 1 in the movable direction into a force that moves the recessed portion
13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that they separate from each other,
whereby the protrusion/recess fit can be readily released.
[0045] Furthermore, in the shaft receiving structure in which the shaft receiving portions
22 of the first end support portion 20 of the body member 2 rotatably receive the
shaft portions 12b of the first end portion 10 of the core member 1, since the shaft
receiving portions 22 of the first end support portion 20 of the body member 2 rotatably
receive the shaft portions 12b of the first end portion 10 of the core member 1 at
a shaft receiving position above the fit position where the protruding portion 23e
fits into the recessed portion 13b in the up and down direction, the path (specifically,
arcuate pivotal path) of the second end portion 11 that the second end portion 11
follows when the core member 1 is caused to pivotally move with the first end portion
10 of the core member 1 serving as a pivotal point against the restriction of the
motion of the core member 1 to release the protrusion/recess fit is shifted rightward
(specifically, rightward and downward) as compared with a shaft receiving structure
in which the fit position and the shaft receiving position substantially coincide
with each other in the up and down direction (for example, a shaft receiving structure
in which along the axial line (right and left direction) of the core member 1 or within
the projected width of the core member 1 projected along the axial direction thereof,
the fit position is located along the axial line or within the projected width in
a position shifted toward the second end portion 11 and the shaft receiving position
is located along the axial line or within the projected width in a position shifted
toward the first end portion 10). That is, the shaft receiving structure described
above, which has the shaft receiving position shifted upward from the fit position
in the up and down direction toward the body support portion 2a, moves the recessed
portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that they separate from each
other with the pivotal path of the second end portion 11 shifted rightward. Specifically,
when the core member 1 is moved in the movable direction against the restriction of
the core member 1 described above, the shaft receiving structure described above causes
the second end portion 11 (recessed portion 13b) and the second end support portion
21 (protruding portion 23e) to exert the action and reaction forces described above
to each other with the pivotal path of the second end portion 11 shifted rightward
and downward. As a result, part of the force that moves the core member 1 in the movable
direction is converted into a force that moves the recessed portion 13b and the protruding
portion 23e in such a way that they separate from each other, whereby the protrusion/recess
fit can be readily released.
[0046] As described above, when the fit between the recessed portion 13b of the second end
portion 11 and the protruding portion 23e of the second end support portion 21 is
released, the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 locked by the second end
support portion 21 of the body member 2 is released. In the state in which the locked
second end portion 11 described above is released, the second end portion 11 released
and unsupported by the second end support portion 21 is separated as a free end from
the second end support portion 21, and the core member 1 pivotally moves relative
to the body member 2 with the first end portion 10 serving as a pivotal point. When
the core member 1 pivotally moves relative to the body member 2 as described above,
the core member 1 can be moved relative to the body member 2 with the first end portion
10 serving as a pivotal point to a desired position, whereby the second end portion
11 of the core member 1 and the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2
can be separated from each other, as shown in FIG. 7. In this state, when no adhesive
tape roll is attached to the core member 1, the core member 1 can be inserted into
an adhesive tape roll in the direction from the second end portion 11 of the core
member 1 to the first end portion 10 thereof, or when a used adhesive tape roll is
attached to the core member 1, the adhesive tape roll can be readily detached from
the core member 1 via the second end portion 11.
[0047] After the cleaner is used (after the adhesive tape roll attached to the core member
1 cleans a surface to be cleaned), the body member 2 can be fit into the case 3 with
the body member 2 serving as an upper lid of the case 3, and the core member 1 (or
adhesive tape roll) can be accommodated in the case 3 for appropriate storage. Specifically,
the pair of fitting pieces 2d of the body member 2 are fit into the pair of the portions
to be fit 3b of the case 3 to close the upper opening of the case 3 with the body
member 2.
[7. Configuration and advantageous effects of embodiment (summary)]
[0048] As a summary of the present embodiment described above, the cleaner includes the
rod-shaped core member 1, which is inserted into the cylindrical hole of the adhesive
tape roll formed of a tape-shaped base having at least one adhesive surface and wound
around a center line in a tubular form, and the body member 2, which has the first
end support portion 20 and the second end support portion 21 for supporting the one
axial end portion 10 and the second end portion 11 in the axial direction of the core
member 1. The first end portion 10 of the core member 1 includes the shaft portions
(pair of shaft portions) 12b that allow the core member 1 to be movable relative to
the body member 2 with the first end portion 10 serving as a pivotal point. The second
end portion 11 of the core member 1 is configured to be detachably locked by the second
end support portion 21 of the body member 2. The motion of the core member 1 described
above is restricted in the state in which the second end portion 11 is locked by the
second end support portion 21 and allowed in the state in which the locked state described
above is released. The body member 2 includes the top wall portion (body support portion)
2a, which is disposed such that it faces the core member 1 and is set apart therefrom
in the radial direction thereof, and the pair of sidewall portions (pair of front
and rear sidewall portions) 2c, which extend from the top wall portion 2a toward the
core member 1 and face each other in the radial direction of the core member 1. The
first end support portion 20 of the body member 2 includes the pair of sidewall portions
2c and a portion of the top wall portion 2a that is interposed between the pair of
sidewall portions 2c, and the pair of sidewall portions 2c rotatably support the shaft
portions 12b in an area surrounded by the top wall portion 2a and the pair of sidewall
portions 2c.
[0049] According to the thus configured cleaner, in the state in which the second end portion
11 of the core member 1 locked by the second end support portion 21 of the body member
2 is released, the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 behaves as a free end,
and the core member 1 is movable relative to the body member 2 with the first end
portion 10 serving as a pivotal point. Therefore, to attach or detach the adhesive
tape roll to or from the cleaner, the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 locked
by the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2 is released, and the core
member 1 is moved relative to the body member 2 with the first end portion 10 serving
as a pivotal point to a desired position to sufficiently separate the second end portion
11 of the core member 1 and the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2
from each other, whereby the adhesive tape roll can be readily attached to or detached
from the core member 1 by using the cylindrical hole of the adhesive tape roll in
the direction from the second end portion 11 toward the first end portion 10 or in
the opposite direction. According to the thus configured cleaner, the first end support
portion 20 rotatably supports the shaft portions 12b between the pair of sidewall
portions 2c in an area surrounded by the top wall portion 2a and the pair of sidewall
portions 2c, whereby the shaft receiving structure that supports the shaft portions
12b can have increased rigidity and improved strength, and hence breakage of the shaft
support structure can be suppressed.
[0050] In the thus configured cleaner, the motion of the core member 1 with the first end
portion 10 serving as a pivotal point is restricted in the state in which the second
end portion 11 of the core member 1 is locked by the second end support portion 21
of the body member 2. Therefore, to use the adhesive tape roll, the second end portion
11 of the core member 1 to which the adhesive tape roll is attached can be locked
by the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2 to restrict the motion of
the core member 1 with the first end portion 10 serving as a pivotal point, whereby
the adhesive tape roll attached to the core member 1 can be appropriately rotated
when used.
[0051] In the cleaner according to the present embodiment, the first end support portion
20 of the body member 2 described above includes the reinforcing wall portions (pair
of right and left wall portions) 2b, which connect the pair of sidewall portions 2c
described above to each other along the direction in which they face each other, and
the reinforcing wall portions 2b are configured to stand on the top wall portion 2a.
[0052] According to the thus configured cleaner, the first end support portion 20 rotatably
supports the shaft portions 12b between the pair of sidewall portions 2c in an area
surrounded by the pair of sidewall portions 2c and the reinforcing wall portions 2b,
whereby the shaft support structure that supports the shaft portions 12b can have
increased rigidity and improved strength, and hence breakage of the shaft support
structure can be prevented.
[8. Variations of embodiment]
[0053] The cleaner according to the present embodiment is not limited to the embodiment
described above, and a variety of changes can be made thereto to the extent that the
changes do not depart from the scope of the present invention.
[0054] For example, the present embodiment has been described with reference to the adhesive
tape roll having the configuration in which the tape-shaped base is wound around the
center line with one adhesive surface facing outward in such a way that a shaft hole
is formed along the center line, but the adhesive tape roll is not necessarily configured
in this way. The adhesive tape roll may have a configuration in which the tape-shaped
base is wound around the center line with one adhesive surface facing inward in such
a way that a shaft hole is formed along the center line or a configuration in which
each of one surface and the other surface of the tape-shape base is an adhesive surface.
[0055] Furthermore, the present embodiment has been described with reference to the case
where the connection portion 12 of the core member 1 is formed of the base portion
12a and the pair of shaft portions 12b, but the connection portion 12 is not necessarily
configured in this way. The connection portion 12 may be formed of the base portion
12a and a single rod-shaped shaft portion provided on the upper end side of the base
portion 12a.
[0056] Furthermore, the present embodiment has been described with reference to the case
where the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c are provided along the front
and rear ends of the body support portion 2a over the total length thereof in the
right and left direction, but the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c are
not necessarily configured in this way. The pair of front and rear sidewall portions
2c may instead be provided at least in portions of the body support portion 2a on
a first end side (right end side) in the right and left direction in correspondence
with the first end portion 10 of the core member 1. For example, the pair of front
and rear sidewall portions 2c can be provided in portions of the body support portion
2a only on a first end side (right end side) in the right and left direction. Instead,
the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c can be provided in intermediate positions
in the front and left direction of the body support portion 2a instead of the front
and rear end portions of the body support portion 2a.
[0057] Furthermore, the present embodiment has been described with reference to the case
where the pair of right and left sidewall portions 2b connect the right and left end
portions of the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c to each other along the
front and left direction, but the pair of right and left sidewall portions 2b are
not necessarily configured in this way. The pair of right and left sidewall portions
2b may connect portions of the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c at intermediate
positions in the right and left direction to each other along the front and left direction.
Furthermore, the pair of right and left sidewall portions 2b do not need to extend
from the lower surface of the body support portion 2a but can be configured such that
the pair of right and left sidewall portions 2b can connect portions of the pair of
front and rear sidewall portions 2c (intermediate portions in the right and left direction
or end portions in the right and left direction) in certain positions in the up and
down direction to each other (lower end portions to each other, central portions in
the up and down direction to each other, or portions ranging from central portions
to the lower end portions in the up and down direction to each other, for example)
except the upper end portions along the direction in which the connected portions
face each other, and the pair of right and left sidewall portions 2b stand on the
lower surface of the body support portion 2a. Furthermore, the right and left sidewall
portions 2b are not necessarily paired portions but can be formed only of a signal
wall portion that connects the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c to each
other along the direction in which they face each other. In this case, for example,
the right and left sidewall portion 2b is configured to connect the pair of front
and rear sidewall portions 2c, which are provided on a first end side of the body
support portion 2a in the right and left direction in correspondence with the first
end portion 10 of the core member 1, to each other along the front and left direction.
In addition to the above, in the embodiment described above, the body member 2 can
be configured without at least one of the right sidewall portion and the left sidewall
portion of the pair of right and left sidewall portions 2b, and in the embodiment
described above, the first end support portion 20 can be configured without the right
sidewall portion 2b.
[0058] Furthermore, the present embodiment has been described with reference to the case
where the second end support portion 21 is formed of the second-end-side portion of
the body support portion 2a, the left sidewall portion 2b, the second-end-side portions
of the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c, and the locking portion 23, but
the second end support portion 21 is not necessarily configured in this way. The second
end support portion 21 may be configured such that the locking portion 23 extends
downward from the body support portion 2a. Instead, the second end support portion
21 may be configured to include the left-side wall portion 2b and the locking portion
23.
[0059] Furthermore, the present embodiment has been described with reference to the case
where the second end portion 11 is locked by the second end support portion 21 by
way of the protrusion/recess fit between the recessed portion 13b and the protruding
portion 23e, but the locking operation is not necessarily performed in this way. The
second end portion 11 may instead include a claw-shaped hook portion that hooks and
locks the second end support portion 21, or the second end support portion 21 may
include a claw-shaped hook portion that hooks and locks the second end portion 11.
In this case, the second end portion 11 can be locked by the second end support portion
21 by way of the hooking operation using the hook portion.
[0060] Instead, the second end portion 11 may include an urging device urged toward the
second end support portion 21 or the second end support portion 21 may include an
urging device urged toward the second end portion 11. In this case, the second end
portion 11 can be locked by the second end support portion 21 based on an urging force
produced by the urging device.
[0061] Furthermore, the body member 2 may be configured to include a knob that a user can
grasp. The knob can be configured to have a rod-like shape. For example, the knob
can be configured to protrude from the body member 2 in at least one of the up and
down direction, the right and left direction, and the front and rear direction.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0062]
1: Core member
1 a: Core member body
2: Body member
2a: Body support portion
3: Case
10: First end portion
11: Second end portion
12: Connection portion
13: Portion to be locked
13b: Recessed portion
13d: Left surface
20: First end support portion
21: Second end support portion
22: Shaft receiving portion
23: Locking portion
23a: Base portion
23d: Right surface
23e: Protruding portion
231 e: Inclined surface