Patent ID: 8042428
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: B60N,F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A cable connection structure, for axially connecting a first cable and a second cable to each other, wherein the first cable has a double layer structure in which an inner member capable of moving by a pulling operation is axially inserted into a tubular outer member, and has a pull-type cable structure in which the inner member can be operated in such a direction as to be pulled from the outer member at an opposite end portion opposite to a connection end portion that is connected to the second cable, wherein the second cable has a double layer structure in which an inner member capable of moving by a pushing operation is axially inserted into a tubular outer member, and has a push-type cable structure in which the inner member can be operated in such a direction as to be axially pushed into the outer member at a side of a connection end portion that is connected to the first cable, wherein an axial connection of the first cable and the second cable is performed by a connection structure that includes an axial connection condition in which the inner member of the first cable and the outer member of the second cable are integrally connected to each other so as to be prevented from axially moving relative to each other and a condition in which connection end portions of the outer member of the first cable and the inner member of the second cable contact each other, wherein in the axial connection condition in which the inner member of the first cable and the outer member of the second cable are connected, when the inner member of the first cable is pulled from a side of the opposite end portion thereof, the outer member of the first cable is axially relatively pushed out at a side of the connection end portion of the first cable, so that the connection end portion of the inner member of the second cable is axially pushed by a head portion of the outer member of the first cable that is pushed out, wherein the axial connection of the first cable and the second cable is performed via a cylindrical connection member that is axially connected to a stationary member, wherein the connection end portions of the first cable and the second cable are shaped so as to be inserted into the cylindrical connection member, wherein the connection end portion of the inner member of the first cable is provided with a radially outwardly projected engagement projection that constitutes the connection structure, and the tubular outer member of the first cable is provided with a cutout that allows the engagement projection to project radially outwardly therethrough and to relatively move axially therealong, wherein a circumferential wall of the connection end portion of the tubular outer member of the second cable is formed with an axially extended reception groove that constitutes the connection structure, the reception groove being capable of axially receiving the engagement projection provided to the connection end portion of the inner member of the first cable, wherein the first cable is constructed such that when the connection end portion of the first cable is inserted axially into the cylindrical connection member from one side, the engagement projection provided to the connection end portion of the inner member thereof can be axially moved along an insertion groove that is formed in the connection member, wherein the insertion groove formed in the connection member is shaped such that an axial terminal end portion of the insertion groove into which the engagement projection is inserted is bent in a circumferential direction, wherein the reception groove formed in the connection end portion of the outer member of the second cable is shaped such that an axial terminal end portion of the reception groove into which the engagement projection is inserted is bent in an opposite circumferential direction opposite to the terminal end portion of the insertion groove, wherein when the connection end portion of the first cable is axially inserted into the cylindrical connection member from one side thereof and the engagement projection provided to the connection end portion of the inner member of the first cable reaches the circumferentially bent terminal end portion of the insertion groove that is formed in the connection member, the engagement projection is maintained in a condition in which axial movement of the first cable with respect to the connection member is restrained, wherein when the connection end portion of the second cable is axially inserted into the cylindrical connection member retaining the connection end portion of the first cable from the other side thereof, the engagement projection retained in the terminal end portion of the insertion groove of the connection member is axially received by the reception groove formed in the connection end portion of the outer member of the second cable, and wherein when the second cable is further inserted into the cylindrical connection member, the engagement projection is pushed in the opposite circumferential direction from the terminal end portion of the insertion groove while guided by the circumferentially oppositely bent terminal end portion of the reception groove that is formed in the outer member of the second cable so as to reach the terminal end portion of the reception groove such that the engagement projection is released from a condition in which axial movement thereof with respect to the connection member is restrained and is placed in a condition in which axial movement thereof with respect to the outer member of the second cable is restrained, thereby providing the axial connection condition in which the inner member of the first cable and the outer member of the second cable can be integrally connected so as to axially move while integrated with each other.