Patent ID: 7559180
Filing Date: 2009-07-14
Classification: F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A fixing apparatus, comprising a pair of structural members each having an engagement groove formed in at least one side surface thereof, said engagement groove being provided at two side wall surfaces thereof with two protrusions protruding toward each other, an end face of one of said pair of structural members, when said pair of structural members are fixed to each other, is abutted with one side surface of the other structural member such that one side surface of said one structural member is intersected with one side surface of the other structural member, characterized in that said fixing apparatus comprises: an abutment member abutted with one side surface of each of said pair of structural members; a first engagement member having two engagement parts capable of engaging the respective protrusions formed on the respective one side wall surfaces of said engagement grooves of said pair of structural members such that said two engagement parts are unable to escape outside from inside of said engagement grooves, said two engagement parts of said first engagement member being disposed at the respective side parts of said first engagement member on the side of said pair of structural members; a second engagement member arranged in the widthwise direction of said engagement grooves in such a manner as to be opposite to said first engagement member and having two engagement parts capable of engaging the respective protrusions formed on the other side wall surfaces of said engagement grooves of said pair of structural members such that said engagement parts are unable to escape outside from inside of said engagement grooves, said two engagement parts being disposed at the respective side parts of said second engagement member on the side of said pair of structural members, said second engagement member being formed as a separate component with respect to said first engagement member; a female screw member disposed at said first and second engagement members in such a manner to be non-movable in a direction away from the respective one side surfaces of said pair of structural members; a male screw member passed through said abutment member and threadingly engaged with said female screw member; said first and second engagement members being movable between an inserting position where said engagement parts can be brought into and out of said engagement grooves through the opposing surfaces of said protrusions and an engaging position where said engagement parts can be engaged with said protrusions such that they cannot escape outside from inside of said engagement grooves, in a widthwise direction of said engagement grooves toward/away from each other; a coiled spring disposed between middle parts of said first engagement member and said second engagement member, said coiled spring biasing said first and second engagement members in a direction away from each other so that said engagement parts are moved into the engaging position; wherein when said male screw member is tightened, said abutment member is brought into abutment with the respective one side surfaces of said pair of structural members and the respective engagement parts of said first and second engagement members located in said engaging position are brought into abutment with the corresponding protrusions of said pair of structural members by having said engagement parts disposed, at least partially, within said engagement grooves, thereby fixing said pair of structural members to each other.