Abstract:
A control cable attachment structure for attaching a control cable to an anchoring member. A plate-part-side attachment groove, includes an anchoring groove in which an attachment part is positioned and anchored, and a constricted part that is connected to the anchoring groove and is narrower than the anchoring groove. The attachment part of the control cable has an engaging part that is engaged by the anchoring groove and is wider than the constricted part, an approximately parallel pair of opposing surfaces respectively opposing the front and rear of a plate surface of the anchor plate part, and an anchoring groove, the surface of which is formed by the pair of opposing surfaces, and in which the peripheral parts of the plate-part-side attachment grove of the anchor plate part engage. The one opposing surface is provided with a protruding part that protrudes toward the other opposing surface.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a control cable attachment structure including a control cable having an outer tube and an inner cable inserted through the outer tube, and an anchoring member anchoring an attachment part provided on a leading end of the outer tube. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A control cable attachment structure including an anchoring member and an attachment part (a conduit anchoring part) of a control cable attached to the anchoring member is known as disclosed in patent literature 1 below. 
     The anchoring member includes a base piece disposed in parallel to an axis of the control cable, and a perpendicular piece disposed at a right angle to the base piece. The perpendicular piece has a C-shaped cutout. The base piece has an opening portion communicating with the cutout of the perpendicular piece. The attachment part of the control cable has an engagement groove for engagement with the cutout of the perpendicular piece, and a flange and lugs for sandwiching a peripheral edge of the opening portion of the base piece. 
     As for the control cable attachment structure disclosed in patent literature 1, that is, the attachment part is anchored to the anchoring member by engaging the engagement groove of the attachment part with the cutout of the anchoring member and sandwiching the peripheral edge of the opening portion of the base piece between the flange and each of the lugs. 
     In the manner as stated above, the attachment part can be more rigidly attached to the anchoring member. 
     By sandwiching the base piece between the flange and each of the lugs of the attachment part, it is possible to easily anchor the control cable to the anchoring part. 
     However, the control cable attachment structure is complicated due to the base and perpendicular pieces of the anchoring member and the flange and lugs of the attachment part of the control cable. 
     To improve work efficiency or simplify the structure, for example, it may be suggested that the anchoring member retain the attachment part of the control cable only by engagement of the engagement groove of the attachment part with the cutout of the perpendicular piece. In this case, merely pulling the control cable in a direction in which the cutout of the perpendicular piece is opened does not remove the attachment part because the C-shaped cutout of the perpendicular piece tapers such that the attachment part is not removed therefrom unless a certain degree of load is applied to the attachment part. 
     The attachment portion may tilt when a load is applied to a point of the control cable, which point is distant from the attachment portion. In this case, the attachment portion has a fulcrum at a bottom point (below the engagement groove engaged with the C-shaped cutout). As a result, the attachment part of the control cable may be undesirably removed from the anchoring member under only a small load in accordance with “principle of the lever”. 
     PRIOR ART LITERATURE 
     Patent Literature 
     Patent Literature 1: JP-B-4015437 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     It is an object of the present invention is to provide a control cable attachment structure which is simplified and designed to prevent removal of a control cable by tilting of the control cable. 
     Solution to Problem 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, as defined in claim  1 , there is provided a control cable attachment structure comprising: a control cable comprising an outer tube and an inner cable inserted through the outer tube; and an anchoring member anchoring an attachment part provided on a leading end of the outer tube; the anchoring member comprising an anchoring plate portion having a shape of a substantially flat plate, and an attachment groove extending through the anchoring plate portion in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the anchoring plate portion, the attachment groove being opened toward one side edge of the anchoring plate portion, the attachment groove comprising an anchoring groove positioning and anchoring the attachment part, and a constricted groove formed between the anchoring groove and the one side edge of the anchoring plate portion, the constricted groove having a width smaller than a width of the anchoring groove; the attachment part comprising an engaged portion engaged with the anchoring groove and having a dimension larger than the width of the constricted groove, a pair of opposed surfaces protruding from an outer surface of the engaged portion in substantially parallel to each other, the pair of opposed surfaces being opposed to front and back surfaces of the anchoring plate portion, and an engaged groove defined by the pair of opposed surfaces and engaged with peripheral edges of the attachment groove of the anchoring plate portion, wherein at least one of the pair of opposed surfaces includes a protruding portion protruding toward an opposite one of the pair of opposed surfaces, the protruding portion being located closer to the one side edge of the anchoring plate portion than a boundary between the constricted groove and the anchoring groove. 
     Preferably, as defined in claim 2, the anchoring member includes an general surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the anchoring plate portion, and the anchoring plate portion is connected to the general surface at a side thereof located oppositely from the one side edge. The attachment part further includes an extension portion extending from either one of the pair of opposed surfaces or the opposite one of the pair of opposed surfaces in a direction away from the engaged groove and along the general surface, the protruding portion being formed on the one of the pair of opposed surfaces. A distance between the protruding portion and the opposite one of the pair of opposed surfaces is set to allow the protruding portion and the opposite one of the pair of opposed surfaces to come into abutment on the front and back surfaces of the anchoring plate portion, respectively, before a distal end of the extension portion abuts on the general surface when the control cable tilts in such a manner as to bring the distal end of the extension portion close to the general surface. 
     Preferably, as defined in claim  3 , the distal end of the extension portion has a flat, beveled portion only at a side thereof facing the general surface. 
     Preferably, as defined in claim  4 , the front surface of the anchoring plate portion faces the protruding portion and slants such that the anchoring plate portion has a thickness increasing from the one side edge toward the general surface. 
     Preferably, as defined in claim  5 , the protruding portion has an inclined surface along the slanting front surface. 
     Preferably, as defined in claim  6 , the attachment part includes a first connection portion located outwardly of the one side edge and interconnecting the pair of opposed surfaces. 
     Preferably, as defined in claim  7 , the attachment part includes a second connection portion interconnecting the pair of opposed surfaces and inserted through the constricted groove with the engaged portion being anchored to the anchoring groove. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     As defined in claim  1 , the attachment part has the protruding portion at the at least one of the opposed surfaces, and the protruding portion protrudes toward an opposite one of the opposed surfaces and is located closer to the one side edge of the anchoring plate portion than the boundary between the constricted groove and the anchoring groove. The engaged groove has a smaller width at the protruding portion than at locations other than the protruding portion, such that, when the control cable tilts, the attachment part abuts on the anchoring plate portion above the boundary between the constricted groove and the anchoring groove (above a location of the attachment part where the engaged portion is anchored to the anchoring groove). That is, when the control cable tilts to apply a load to the engaged portion in such a direction as to remove the engaged portion from the anchoring groove, either the protruding portion or an opposite one of the opposed surfaces bends the anchoring plate portion, producing the friction force therebetween. This friction force assists a retaining force produced only at the engaged portion. Thus, it is possible to prevent removal of the engaged portion from the anchoring groove by the tilting of the control cable. Furthermore, the control cable attachment structure is simplified because the at least one of the opposed surfaces is merely provided with the protruding portion protruding toward an opposite one of the opposed surfaces and located closer to the one side edge than the boundary between the constricted groove and the anchoring groove. 
     As defined in claim  2 , the protruding portion is formed on the one of the pair of opposed surfaces. The distance between the protruding portion and the opposite one of the pair of opposed surfaces is set to allow the protruding portion and the opposite one of the pair of opposed surfaces to come into abutment on the front and back surfaces of the anchoring plate portion, respectively, before the distal end of the extension portion abuts on the general surface when the control cable tilts in such a manner as to bring the distal end of the extension portion close to the general surface. Even when the distal end of the extension portion abuts on the general surface and acts as a fulcrum to apply a load to the engaged portion in such a direction as to remove the engaged portion from the anchoring groove in accordance with the “principle of the lever”, either the opposite one of the opposed surfaces or the protruding portion bends the anchoring plate portion, producing the friction force therebetween. This friction force assists the retaining force produced only at the engaged portion. Thus, it is possible to prevent removal of the engaged portion from the anchoring groove by tilting the control cable to apply the load to the engaged portion in accordance with the “principle of the lever”. 
     As defined in claim  3 , since the flat, beveled portion is formed only at the side of the distal end facing the general surface, a distance between the distal end and the general surface is so great as to prevent the distal end from abutting on the general surface. Even if the distal end abuts on the general surface, the distal end contacts the general surface along a line or surface of the distal end such that a load applied to the extension portion through the outer tube may be easily transmitted to the general surface, thereby reducing a force produced in accordance with the “principle of the lever”. Additionally, since the distal end of the extension portion is beveled only at the side facing the general surface, reduction in rigidity of the distal end can be minimized. 
     As defined in claim  4 , the front surface of the anchoring plate portion faces the protruding portion and slants such that the anchoring plate portion has the thickness increasing from the one side edge toward the general surface. The front surface facing the protruding portion slants in such a manner as to allow insertion of the control cable, thereby eliminating concern that the control cable  31  can be less smoothly inserted with the protruding portion being caught on a tip of the anchoring plate portion. 
     As defined in claim  5 , the protruding portion has the inclined surface along the slanting front surface to lessen a clearance defined between the anchoring plate portion and the protruding portion. The protruding portion can contact the slanting front surface along the inclined surface, such that the protruding portion can bend the anchoring plate portion, producing a greater friction force therebetween. The production of this greater friction force increases the retaining force during tilting of the control cable. 
     As defined in claim  6 , the attachment part includes the first connection portion located outwardly of the one side edge and interconnecting the pair of opposed surfaces. The first connection portion prevents the pair of opposed surfaces from moving away from each other. The presence of the first connection portion makes it easier to identify which direction of insertion of the attachment part into the anchoring groove, thereby improving workability in attaching the control cable. 
     As defined in claim  7 , the attachment part includes the second connection portion interconnecting the pair of opposed surfaces and inserted through the constricted groove with the engaged portion being anchored to the anchoring groove. The second connection portion prevents the pair of opposed surfaces from moving away from each other. The second connection portion also prevents the control cable from rotating. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle employing a control cable attachment structure according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the control cable attachment structure in an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the control cable attachment structure shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the control cable attachment structure shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of an attachment part (cable cap) shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the cable cap shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the cable cap shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of the cable cap shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of a region indicated at  10  in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 14(   a ) is an elevation view showing the cable cap having a beveled portion in the embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 14(   b ) is an elevation view showing a cable cap having no beveled portion in a comparative example; 
         FIGS. 15(   a )- 15 ( c ) are elevation views showing different external forces applied to a control cable; and 
         FIGS. 16(   a )- 16 ( d ) are elevation views showing that a function of the control cable under an external force varies depending upon whether or not the cable cap includes a protruding portion. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     A certain preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Embodiment 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a vehicle  10  has a vehicle compartment  12 . Within the vehicle compartment  12  are disposed a driver&#39;s seat  14  for a driver to sit and a steering wheel  16  for steering front wheels (not shown). The vehicle  10  further includes a door opening portion  17  disposed outwardly of the steering wheel  16  for allowing the driver to get into or out of the vehicle  10 , a vehicular door  18  selectively opening and closing the door opening portion  17 , and a striker  19  disposed on the door opening portion  17  for locking the door  18 . 
     The door  18  includes a door body  21  attached to a vehicle body  11  for moving between an open position and a closed position, and a door glass  22  vertically movably attached to the door body  21 . The door body  21  has a side facing the vehicle compartment  21  and covered with a door lining  23 . The door  18  further includes an armrest  24  disposed at a vertically centrally of the door lining  23  and extending in a front-and-rear direction of the vehicle body  11 . The door  18  also includes a latch mechanism  25  lockable to the striker  19 , an inner door handle  26  for unlocking the latch mechanism  25 , and a control cable  31  interconnecting the inner door handle  26  and the latch mechanism  25 . 
     The latch mechanism  25  includes a housing  32  accommodating a latch (not shown). The housing  32  is an anchoring member anchoring the control cable  31  (the housing  32  is hereinafter referred to as “anchoring member  32 ”). A control cable attachment structure  30  comprises the control cable  31  and the anchoring member  32 . 
     The anchoring member  32  includes a general surface  34  along the control cable  31 , and an anchoring plate portion  35  uprising from the general surface  34  and having a shape of substantially flat plate. The anchoring plate portion  35  anchors the control cable  31 . The general surface  34  extends in a direction perpendicular to a plane  36  ( FIG. 4 ) of the anchoring plate portion  35 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 , the anchoring plate portion  35  has a front surface  36   a  facing in a direction toward a point of connection between the control cable  31  and the inner door handle  26 , and a back surface  36   b  facing in a direction toward a point of connection between the control cable  31  and the latch mechanism  25 . The front surface  36   a  of the anchoring plate portion  35  slants such that a thickness of the anchoring plate portion  35  increases from one side edge  38  of the anchoring plate portion  35  toward the general surface  34  of the anchoring member  32 . The front surface  36   a  of the anchoring plate portion  35  faces a protruding portion  61  of an attachment part  48  discussed later. The back surface  36   b  of the anchoring plate portion  35  is oriented perpendicularly to the general surface  34 . 
     In the anchoring plate portion  35 , there is formed an attachment groove  39  opened toward a top end provided by the one side edge  38  of the anchoring plate portion  35 . The anchoring plate portion  35  is connected to the general surface  34  at a side located oppositely from the one side edge  38 . The anchoring plate portion  35  has opposite sides supported by support walls  44 ,  45 . The attachment groove  39  includes an anchoring groove  41  for positioning and anchoring the attachment part  48 , and a constricted groove  42  formed between the anchoring groove  41  and the one side edge  38  and having a width smaller than a width of the anchoring groove  41 . 
     The constricted groove  42  becomes wider toward the top end (one side edge)  38  of the anchoring plate portion  35 . The anchoring groove  41  is located below and contiguous with the constricted groove  42  and has a circular shape opened toward the constricted groove  42 . That is, in the constricted groove  42 , a contiguity portion (boundary)  43  contiguous with the anchoring groove  41  has the smallest width W 1  ( FIG. 11 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the control cable  31  includes an inner cable  46  formed by a deformable wire, an outer tube  47  through which the inner cable  46  is inserted, and the attachment part (a cable cap)  48  provided on a leading end  47   a  of the outer tube  47  and in a vicinity of the anchoring member  32 . The attachment part  48  is anchored to the anchoring plate portion  35 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 13 , the attachment part (cable cap)  48  has an inner tubular portion  51  through which the inner cable  46  is inserted, and an outer tubular portion  52  through which the outer tube  47  fits into. The attachment part  48  includes an engaged portion  53  of circular cross-section having a diameter larger than the width of the constricted groove  42  (the width W 1  of the contiguity portion  43 ). The engaged portion  53  is engaged with the anchoring groove  41 . The attachment part  48  also includes a pair of opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  protruding from an outer surface of the engaged portion  53  in substantially parallel to each other. The pair of opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  is opposed to the front and back surfaces  36   a ,  36   b  of the anchoring plate portion  35 . The attachment part  48  has an engaged groove  58  defined by the pair of opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  and is engaged with peripheral edges  56   a ,  56   b  of the attachment groove  39  of the anchoring plate portion  35 . One  54  of the pair of opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  includes the protruding portion  61  protruding toward the opposite one  55  of the pair of opposed surfaces  54 ,  55 . The protruding portion  61  is located closer to the one side edge  38  than the boundary (contiguity portion)  43  between the constricted groove  42  and the anchoring groove  41 . The attachment part  48  further includes an extension portion  62  extending from either one of the one  54  and the opposite one  55  in a direction away from the engaged groove  58  and along the general surface  34 . The attachment part  48  further includes a first connection portion  63  located outwardly of the one side edge  38  and interconnecting the pair of opposed surfaces  54 ,  55 . The attachment part  48  further includes a second connection portion  64  interconnecting the pair of opposed surfaces  54 ,  55 . The second connection portion  64  is inserted through the constricted groove  42  with the engaged portion  53  being anchored to the anchoring groove  41 . 
     The peripheral edges  56   a ,  56   b  are portions of the front and back surfaces  36   a ,  36   b  of the anchoring plate portion  35 , which portions engage the engaged groove  58 . 
     In the embodiment, the pair of opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  includes the one surface  54  facing the point of connection between the control cable  31  and the inner door handle  26 , and the opposite surface  55  facing the point of connection between the control cable  31  and the latch mechanism  25  ( FIG. 2 ). In the embodiment, on the one surface  54 , there is provided the protruding portion  61  protruding toward the opposite surface  55  and located closer to the one side edge  38  than the boundary (contiguity portion)  43  between the constricted groove  42  and the anchoring groove  41 . That is, the protruding portion  61  is provided only on the one surface  54 . When attached to the anchoring plate portion  35 , the opposite surface  55  is formed along the back surface  36   b  of the anchoring plate portion  35 . 
     As discussed above, the extension portion  62  extends from the one surface  54  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  in the direction away from the engaged groove  58  and along the general surface  34 . At a distal end  62   a  of the extension portion  62 , there is formed a flat, beveled portion  66 . The flat, beveled portion  66  is located only at a side of the distal end  62   a  facing the general surface  34 . On the protruding portion  61 , an inclined surface  67  is formed along the slanting surface (the front surface  36   a  of the anchoring plate portion). 
     The beveled portion  66  is formed to extend in parallel to the general surface  34  when the distal end  62   a  of the extension portion  62  tilts toward the general surface  34 . Thus, when the distal end  62   a  tilts toward the general surface  34 , the beveled portion  66  abuts on the general surface  34 . 
       FIG. 14(   a ) shows the control cable attachment structure  30 . In the control cable attachment structure  30 , the protruding portion  61  is formed on the one surface  54  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55 . A distance D 1  between the protruding portion  61  and the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  is set to allow the protruding portion  61  and the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  to come into abutment on the front and back surfaces  36   a ,  36   b  of the anchoring plate portion  35 , respectively, before the distal end  62   a  of the extension portion  62  abuts on the general surface  34  when the control cable  31  tilts in such a manner as to bring the distal end  62   a  close to the general surface  34 . 
     Thus, when the control cable  31  tilts to apply a load to the engaged portion  53  ( FIG. 4 ) in such a direction as to remove the engaged portion  53  from the anchoring groove  41 , either the protruding portion  61  or the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  bends the anchoring plate portion  35 , producing a friction force therebetween. This friction force assists a retaining force produced only at the engaged portion  53 . Thus, it is possible to prevent removal of the engaged portion  53  from the anchoring groove  41  by the tilting of the control cable  31 . 
     In the control cable attachment structure  30 , furthermore, the distal end  62   a  of the extension portion  62  has the flat, beveled portion  66  at the side facing the general surface  34 . If there is not the flat, beveled portion  66 , the distal end  62   a  of the extension portion  62  is spaced a distance S 1  from the general surface  34  when the protruding portion  61  and the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  abut on the front and back surfaces  36   a ,  36   b  of the anchoring plate portion  35 , respectively. 
     If there is the flat, beveled portion  66 , the distal end  62   a  is spaced a distance S 2  from the general surface  34  when the protruding portion  61  and the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  abut on the front and back surfaces  36   a ,  36   b  of the anchoring plate portion  35 , respectively. That is, the distance S 2 &gt;the distance S 1 . The provision of the flat, beveled portion  66  at the side of the distal end  62  facing the general surface  34  makes a distance between the distal end  62   a  and the general surface  34  so great as to prevent the distal end  62   a  from abutting on the general surface  34 . 
       FIG. 14(   b ) shows a control cable attachment structure  130  in a comparative example. In the control cable attachment structure  130 , a protruding portion  131  is formed on one (one surface)  132  of opposed surfaces. A distance D 2  between the protruding portion  131  and an opposite one (an opposite surface)  133  of the opposed surfaces is set to provide a gap B between the protruding portion  131  and the opposite surface  133  even with a distal end  134   a  of an extension portion  134  abutting on an general surface  135  when a control cable  136  tilts in such a manner as to bring the distal end  134   a  of the extension portion  134  close to the general surface  135 . 
     That is, there is no friction force produced by either the opposite surface  133  of the opposed surfaces or the protruding portion  131  bending an anchoring plate  137  when the control cable  136  tilts. Therefore, the control cable attachment structure  130  in the comparative example produces a less retaining force than the control cable attachment structure  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15(   a ), in the control cable attachment structure  30 , an upward load A is applied to a point on the outer tube  47 , which point is located a distance L from the protruding portion  61 , a bending moment whose magnitude is equivalent to LA is applied to the engaged portion  53  and the anchoring groove  41  ( FIG. 4) . This moment acts as a removing force to remove the engaged portion  53  ( FIG. 4 ) from the anchoring groove  41 . At this time, the engaged portion  53  rubs against the anchoring plate portion  35  to generate a friction therebetween. Additionally, either the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  or the protruding portion  61  bends the anchoring plate portion  35 , producing a friction force therebetween. The friction force assists a retaining force generated only at the engaged portion  53 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15(   b ), in the control cable attachment structure  30 , when a downward load A is applied to a point of the outer tube  47 , which point is located a distance L from the protruding portion  61 , a bending moment whose magnitude is equivalent to LA is applied to the engaged portion  53  and the anchoring groove  41  ( FIG. 4) . This moment acts as a removing force to remove the engaged portion  53  from the anchoring groove  41 . At this time, the engaged portion  53  rubs against the anchoring plate portion  35  to generate a friction therebetween. Additionally, either the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  or the protruding portion  61  bends the anchoring plate portion  35 , producing a friction force therebetween. This friction force assists a retaining force generated only at the engaged portion  53 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15(   c ), in the control cable attachment structure  30 , a downward load A is applied to a point on the outer tube  47  spaced a distance L from the protruding portion  61  ( FIG. 4) , until the distal end  62   a  of the extension portion  62  abuts on the general surface  34 . In this regard, a distance between the point to which the load A is applied and the distal end  62   a  is designated at L 1 , and a distance between the protruding portion  61  and the distal end  62   a  of the extension portion  62  is designated at L 2 . 
     When the distal end  62   a  of the extension portion  62  abuts on the general surface  34  of the anchoring member  32 , the distal end  62   a  of the extension portion  62  acts as a fulcrum such that a load whose magnitude is equivalent to L 1 /L 2 ·A is applied to the engaged portion  53  ( FIG. 4 ) and the anchoring groove  41  in accordance with the “principle of the lever”, thereby making it easier to remove the engaged portion  53  from the anchoring groove  41 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , a distance between the protruding portion  61  and the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  is set such that the protruding portion  61  and the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  abut on the front and back surfaces  36   a ,  36   b  of the anchoring plate portion  35 , respectively, before the distal end  62   a  of the extension portion  62  abuts on the general surface  34  when the control cable  31  tilts in such a manner as to bring the distal end  62   a  of the extension portion  62  close to the general surface  34 . 
     Thus, either the protruding portion  61  or the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  bends the anchoring plate portion  35 , producing the friction force therebetween even when the distal end  62   a  of the extension portion  62  acts as a fulcrum to apply a load to the engaged portion  53  and the anchoring groove  41  in such a direction as to remove the engaged portion  53  from the anchoring groove  41  in accordance with the “principle of the lever”. This friction force assists a retaining force produced only at the engaged portion  53 . Thus, it is possible to prevent removal of the engaged portion  53  from the anchoring groove  41  by tilting of the control cable  31  to apply the load to the engaged portion  53  in accordance with the “principle of the lever”. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16(   a ), when an upward load B is applied to an outer tube  47 A fitting into an attachment part  48 A having no protruding portion  61  (see  FIG. 16(   c )), a gap is formed on a side of one surface  54 A of opposed surfaces, and hence a lower end  57 A of an opposite surface  55 A of the opposed surfaces firstly abuts on the back surface  36   b  of the anchoring plate portion  35 . As a result, the attachment part  48 A pivots on the lower end  57 A of the opposite surface  55 A of the opposed surfaces, as indicated by an arrow e 1 . 
       FIG. 16(   b ) is a cross-sectional view taken along line b-b of  FIG. 16(   a ). As shown in  FIG. 16(   a ) and  FIG. 16(   b ), an engaged portion  53 A is subjected to a load in a direction toward the constricted groove  42  to remove the engaged portion  53 A, as indicated by arrows e 2 , e 3 . 
     In the control cable attachment structure  30 , as shown in  FIG. 16(   c ), the protruding portion  61  on the one surface  54  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  firstly abuts on the front surface  36   a  of the anchoring plate portion  35  when an upward load B is applied to the outer tube  47 . The attachment part  48  then pivots on the protruding portion  61  on the one surface  54 , as indicated by an arrow e 4 . 
       FIG. 16(   d ) is a cross-sectional view taken along line d-d of  FIG. 16(   c ). As shown in  FIG. 16(   c ) and  FIG. 16(   d ), the engaged portion  53  of the attachment part  48  is subjected to a load in a direction away from the constricted groove  42  to depress the engaged portion  53 , as indicated by arrows e 5 , e 6 . 
     That is, as shown in  FIG. 16(   a ) to  FIG. 16(   d ), when the upward load B is applied to the outer tube  47 , whether a load is applied to the engaged portion  53  or  53 A in a direction toward or away from the constricted groove  42  depends upon whether or not there is the protruding portion  61 . In the control cable attachment structure  30 , since the engaged portion  53  is subjected to the load in a direction away from the constricted groove  42  to depress the engaged portion  53 , the engaged portion  53  produces a greater retaining force than if there is not the protruding portion  61 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the control cable attachment structure  30  includes the control cable  31  having the inner cable  46  and the outer tube  47  through which the inner cable  46  is inserted, and the anchoring member  32  anchoring the attachment part  48  provided on the leading end  47   a  of the outer tube  47 . 
     The anchoring member  32  includes the anchoring plate portion  35  having the shape of the substantially flat plate, and the attachment groove  39  extending through the anchoring plate portion  35  in the direction perpendicular to the plane  36  of the anchoring plate portion  35  and opened toward the one side edge  38  of the anchoring plate portion  35 . The attachment groove  39  includes the anchoring groove  41  positioning and anchoring the attachment part  48 , and the constricted groove  42  formed between the anchoring groove  41  and the one side edge  38  and having the width smaller than the width of the anchoring groove  41 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIGS. 11 to 13 , the attachment part  48  includes the engaged portion  53  engaged with the anchoring groove  41  and having the width larger than the width of the constricted groove  42  (the width W 1  of the contiguity portion  43 ). The attachment part  48  also includes the pair of opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  protruding from the outer surface of the engaged portion  53  in substantially parallel to each other and opposed to the front and back surfaces  36   a ,  36   b  of the anchoring plate portion  35 , respectively. The attachment part  48  further includes the engaged groove  58  defined by the pair of opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  and engaged with the peripheral edges  56   a ,  56   b  of the attachment groove  39  of the anchoring plate portion  35 . 
     The one surface  54  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  includes the protruding portion  61  protruding toward the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55 , and the protruding portion  61  is located closer to the one side edge  38  of the anchoring plate portion  35  than the boundary  43  between the constricted groove  42  and the anchoring groove  41 . The engaged groove  58  has a smaller width D 1  at the protruding portion  61  than at locations other than the protruding portion  61 , such that, when the control cable  31  tilts, the attachment part  48  (more particularly, the protruding portion  61  and the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55 ) abut on the anchoring plate portion  35  above the boundary between the constricted groove  42  and the anchoring groove  41  (above a location of the attachment part  48  where the engaged portion  53  is anchored to the anchoring groove  41 ). 
     That is, when the control cable  31  tilts to apply a load to the engaged portion  53  in such a direction as to remove the engaged portion  53  from the anchoring groove  41 , either the protruding portion  61  or the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  bends the anchoring plate portion  35 , producing the friction force therebetween. This friction force assists a retaining force produced only at the engaged portion  53 . Thus, it is possible to prevent removal of the engaged portion  53  from the anchoring groove  41  by the tilting of the control cable  31 . Furthermore, the control cable attachment structure  30  is simplified because the one surface  54  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  is merely provided with the protruding portion  61  protruding toward the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  and located closer to the one side edge  38  than the boundary between the constricted groove  42  and the anchoring groove  41 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the anchoring member  32  includes the general surface  34  extending perpendicularly to the plane  36  of the anchoring plate portion  35 . The anchoring plate portion  35  is connected to the general surface  34  at the side thereof located oppositely from the one side edge  38 . The attachment part  48  further includes the extension portion  62  extending from either the one surface  54  or the opposite surface  55  in the direction away from the engaged groove  58  and along the general surface  34 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 15(   c ), the protruding portion  61  is formed on the one surface  54  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55 . The distance between the protruding portion  61  and the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces is set to allow the protruding portion  61  and the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  to come into abutment on the front and back surfaces  36   a ,  36   b  of the anchoring plate portion  35 , respectively, before the distal end  62   a  of the extension portion  62  abuts on the general surface  34  when the control cable  31  tilts in such a manner as to bring the distal end  62   a  of the extension portion  62  close to the general surface  34 . 
     Even when the distal end  62   a  of the extension portion  62  abuts on the general surface  34  and acts as a fulcrum to apply a load to the engaged portion  53  in such a direction as to remove the engaged portion  53  from the anchoring groove  41  in accordance with the “principle of the lever”, either the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  or the protruding portion  61  bends the anchoring plate portion  35 , producing the friction force therebetween. This friction force assists a retaining force produced only at the engaged portion  53 . Thus, it is possible to prevent removal of the engaged portion  53  form the anchoring groove  41  by tilting the control cable  31  to apply the load to the engaged portion  53  in accordance with the “principle of the lever”. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , since the flat, beveled portion  66  is formed only at the side of the distal end  62   a  facing the general surface  34 , a distance between the distal end  62   a  and the general surface  34  is so great as to prevent the distal end  62   a  from abutting on the general surface  34 . Even if the distal end  62   a  abuts on the general surface  34 , the distal end  62   a  contacts the general surface  34  along a line or surface of the distal end  62   a  such that a load applied to the extension portion  62  through the outer tube  47  may be easily transmitted to the general surface  34 , thereby reducing a force produced in accordance with the “principle of the lever”. 
     Since the distal end  62   a  of the extension portion  62  is beveled only at the side facing the general surface  34 , reduction in rigidity of the distal end  62   a  can be minimized. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 , the front surface  36   a  of the anchoring plate portion  35  faces the protruding portion  61  and slants such that the anchoring plate portion  35  has a thickness increasing from the one side edge  38  toward the general surface  34 . The front surface  36   a  facing the protruding portion  61  slants in such a manner as to allow insertion of the control cable  31 , thereby eliminating concern that the control cable  31  can be less smoothly inserted with the protruding portion  61  being caught on a tip of the anchoring plate portion  35 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 12 , the protruding portion  61  has the inclined surface  67  along the slanting front surface  36   a  to lessen a clearance defined between the anchoring plate portion  35  and the protruding portion  61 . The protruding portion  61  can contact the slanting front surface  36   a  along the inclined surface  67 , such that the protruding portion  61  can bend the anchoring plate portion  35 , producing a greater friction force therebetween. The production of this greater friction force increases the retaining force during tilting of the control cable  31 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 , in the control cable attachment structure  30 , the attachment part  48  includes the first connection portion  63  located outwardly of the one side edge  38  and interconnecting the pair of opposed surfaces  54 ,  55 . The first connection portion  63  prevents the pair of opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  from moving away from each other. The presence of the first connection portion  63  makes it easier to identify which direction of insertion of the attachment part  48  into the anchoring groove  41 , thereby improving workability in attaching the control cable  31 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , the attachment part  48  includes the second connection portion  64  interconnecting the pair of opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  and inserted through the constricted groove  42  with the engaged portion  53  being anchored to the anchoring groove  41 . The second connection portion  64  prevents the pair of opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  from moving away from each other. The second connection portion  64  also prevents the control cable  31  from rotating. 
     Although the one surface  54  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  has the protruding portion  61  protruding toward the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  and located closer to the one side edge  38  than the boundary between the constricted groove  42  and the anchoring groove  41 , as shown in  FIG. 12 , the opposite surface  55  of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  may have a protruding portion or both of the opposed surfaces  54 ,  55  may have protruding portions. 
     Although the front surface  36   a  faces the point of connection between the control cable  31  and the inner door handle  26 , and the back surface  36   b  faces the point of connection between the control cable  31  and the latch mechanism  25 , as shown in  FIG. 12 , the front surface  36   a  may face the point of connection between the control cable  31  and the latch mechanism  25 , and the back surface  36   b  faces the point of connection between the control cable  31  and the inner door handle  26 . 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The control cable attachment structure according to the present invention is preferably used in an automobile including a control cable having an inner cable and an outer tube, an attachment part provided on a leading end of the outer tube, and an anchoring member anchoring the attachment part thereto. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           30  . . . control cable attachment structure,  31  . . . control cable,  32  . . . anchoring member,  34  . . . general surface,  35  . . . anchoring plate portion,  36  . . . plane,  36   a  . . . slanting front surface  36   b  . . . back surface,  38  . . . one side edge,  39  . . . attachment groove,  41  . . . anchoring groove,  42  . . . constricted groove,  43  . . . boundary,  46  . . . inner cable,  47  . . . outer tube,  47   a  . . . leading end,  48  . . . attachment part,  53  . . . engaged portion,  54  . . . one surface,  55  . . . opposite surface,  56   a ,  56   b  . . . peripheral edges,  58  . . . engaged groove,  61  . . . protruding portion,  62  . . . extension portion,  62   a  . . . distal end,  63  . . . first connection portion,  64  . . . second connection portion,  66  . . . beveled portion,  67  . . . inclined surface