Abstract:
A cap fixing structure is provided, which is excellent in operability and can be easily assembled. An outer shaft barrel to be fixed with a clip is formed on the outer peripheral surface with an opening, and inside the outer shaft barrel, there is fixedly disposed a clip spring having an elastically displaceable elastic piece portion. The clip comprises a clip main body disposed outside of an outer shaft barrel, and a base portion to enter into the outer shaft barrel from the opening formed in the outer shaft barrel. The base portion of the clip is stopped from being fell out of the opening by the clip spring with elastically contacting the elastic piece portion of the clip spring inside said fixed member so that the clip is fixed to the fixing member. The clip displaces the elastic piece portion so as to be rockable relative to the outer shaft barrel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a clip fixing structure in which a clip is fixed to a fixed member such as a writing tool, a toilet tool, and the like. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Heretofore, the clip fixing structure, for example, disclosed in Japanese Utility Mode Laid-Open No. 5-2993 or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-288297 has been known. 
   The clip fixing structure disclosed in Japanese Utility Mode Laid-Open No. 5-2993 comprises a metallic resilient clip formed at its back side with an inserting portion having a dimension equal to an inside dimension of a fixing hole formed in a fixed barrel such as a shaft barrel, a cap and the like, and also formed with a tongue whose tip end portion Is curved in a center direction of the fixed barrel so as to be provided adjacent to the inserting portion. The top end portion of the clip back side and a ball at the clip back side are pressed toward the surface of the fixed barrel, so that the tongue is pressed toward the inner surface of the fixed barrel on the tip end side from the fixing hole. When assembling, the tip end edge of the tongue does not hit upon the end edge of the fixing hole so that it can be easily attached. 
   The clip fixing structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-288297 is constructed by that the clip attached to an inner cap. The inner cap has a guide portion, and the clip is displaceably disposed along the guide portion by opposing the spring force of a clip spring, and the inner cap is surrounded by an outer cap. In this manner, the clip can displace in a direction to obliquely break away from the inner cap by opposing the spring force of the clip spring. Further, when the clip force is released, the clip can return to the original position by the spring force of the clip spring. 
   However, according to the clip fixing structure disclosed in Japanese Utility Mode Laid-Open No. 5-2993, since the clip provides a spring property only by elasticity possessed by the clip itself, when the clip is rocked against the main body to grip a thing by the clip, a considerable force is required, and a problem is that It is difficult to rock the clip to a large extent. 
   According to the clip fixing structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-288297, since the elastic force of the clip is provided by the clip spring, the operability is presumed to be better than Japanese Utility Mode Laid-Open No. 5-2993, and yet its structure is complicated, and a problem is that the number of component parts is increased, and assembling work is not easy. 
   The present invention has been made in view of the above described problems, and an object of the invention is to provide a cap fixing structure which is excellent in operability and is easy to assemble. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   To achieve the object, the clip fixing structure according to the present invention to fix a rockable clip to a fixed member is characterized in that an outer peripheral surface of the fixed member is formed with an opening, and a clip spring having an elastic piece portion elastically displaceable is fixedly disposed inside the fixed member, and the clip comprises a clip main body disposed outside of the fixed member and a base portion entering into the fixed member from its opening, and the base portion of said clip is stopped from being fell out of the opening by the clip spring with elastically contacting the elastic piece portion of the clip spring inside said fixed member so that the clip is fixed to the fixing member, and the clip is rockable relative to the fixed member by displacing the elastic piece portion of the clip spring. 
   According to the present invention, when the clip is inserted into the fixed member, the clip is stopped from being fell out of the opening by the clip spring. This can ensure the clip to be fixed to the fixed member. Since the clip is stopped from being fell out of the opening by the clip spring, the clip can be fixed with the small number of component parts, and the assembly work thereof can be also made simple. Further, since the clip elastically contacts the elastic piece portion of the clip spring, the clip can be rocked by utilizing its elasticity. Even if the clip itself is not given high spring properties, the clip can be simply rocked with excellent spring properties. 
   The base portion of the clip can be gripped by the clip spring whereby the base portion is stopped from being fell out of the opening. Since the stopping of falling out is performed only by gripping the base portion of the clip by the clip spring, the clip can be simply fixed to the fixed member. 
   The base portion of the clip can have an engaging portion to engage with one portion of the clip spring and a stopper portion to abut against an end surface portion of the elastic piece portion, and the base portion of the clip, during assembling, enters into the fixed member while pressing the elastic piece portion, and when moving so as to engage with the one portion of the clip spring, the stopper portion abuts against the end surface portion of the elastic piece portion. 
   During assembly, when the base portion of the clip enters into the fixed member while pressing the elastic piece portion, and further, when the clip moves and the stopper portion of the base portion of the clip abuts against the end edge portion of the elastic piece portion, the clip is unable to move in a reverse direction. This does not allow the engagement with the clip spring of the base portion of the clip to be released, and therefore, the clip can be simply fixed, and at the same time, once it is fixed, it is not possible to be simply removed. 
   The base portion of the clip can configure a loop portion solely or together with other members inside the fixed member, and is stopped from being fell out of the opening by that the elastic piece portion is inserted into the loop portion. Since the base portion is stopped from being fell out of the opening by that the elastic piece portion is inserted into the loop portion configured by the base portion of the clip, the clip can be simply fixed to the fixed member. 
   The tip end of the elastic piece portion can be folded back, and the folded portions are inserted into the loop. When the clip is rocked, though the fold ed portion of the elastic piece portion is displaced, since it is the folded portion, it is high in elasticity and rigidity, and for this reason, it can be given durability of the clip spring and high restoring force of the clip. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  is a whole view of a writing tool adapted to the clip structure according to a first embodiment of the present Invention; 
       FIG. 1B  is a partially sectional enlarged view of  FIG. 1A ; 
       FIG. 1C  is a partially sectional enlarged view of  FIG. 1A , and shows a state in which the clip is rocked; 
       FIG. 2A  is a side view of a clip of the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 2B  is a sectional view taken along the line  2 B to  2 B of  FIG. 2A : 
       FIG. 3A  is a longitudinal sectional view of an inner shaft barrel of the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 3B  is a plan view of the inner shaft barrel of the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 4A  is a plan view of a clip spring of the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 4B  is a longitudinal sectional view of the clip spring of the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 4C  is a longitudinal sectional view of the clip spring of the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 4D  is a rear view of the clip spring of the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 5A  is a view showing an assembly procedure of a clip fixing structure of the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 5B  is a view showing an assembly procedure of a clip fixing structure of the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 5C  is a view showing an assembly procedure of a clip fixing structure of the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 6A  is an enlarged sectional view at the assembly time of the clip fixing structure of the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 6B  is an enlarged sectional view at the assembly time of the clip fixing structure of the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 6C  is an enlarged sectional view at the assembly time of the clip fixing structure of the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 7A  is a whole view of the writing tool adapted to the clip structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7B  Is a partially sectional enlarged view of  FIG. 7A ; 
       FIG. 7C  is a partially sectional enlarged view of  FIG. 7A , and shows a state in which the clip is rocked. 
       FIG. 8A  is a side view of the clip of the second embodiment; 
       FIG. 8B  is a sectional view taken along the line  8 B to  8 B of  FIG. 8A ; 
       FIG. 9A  is a longitudinal sectional view of the inner shaft barrel of the second embodiment; 
       FIG. 9B  is a plan view of the inner shaft barrel of the second embodiment; 
       FIG. 10A  is a plan view of the clip spring of the second embodiment: 
       FIG. 10B  is a side view of the clip spring of the second embodiment; 
       FIG. 11A  is a view showing the assembly procedure of the clip fixing structure of the second embodiment; 
       FIG. 11B  is a view showing the assembly procedure of the clip fixing structure of the second embodiment: 
       FIG. 11C  is a view showing the assembly procedure of the clip fixing structure of the second embodiment; 
       FIG. 12A  is a whole view of a writing tool adapted to the clip structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 12B  is a partially sectional enlarged view of  FIG. 12A ; 
       FIG. 12C  is a partially sectional enlarged view of  FIG. 12A , and shows a state in which the clip Is rocked; 
       FIG. 13A  is a side view of the clip of the third embodiment; 
       FIG. 13B  is a sectional view taken along the line  13 B to  13 D of  FIG. 13A ; 
       FIG. 14A  is a plan view of the clip spring of the third embodiment; and 
       FIG. 14B  is a longitudinal sectional view of the clip spring of the third embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 
   First Embodiment  
     FIG. 1  is the whole view of a writing tool adapted to the clip structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the Figure, reference numeral  10  denotes a product fixed with a clip, which is a writing tool in this example, but can be a toilet tool or other arbitrary products. The product  10 , to be more in detail, comprises an outer shaft barrel  12  as a fixed member, an inner shaft barrel  14 , a tall tap  16 , and moreover, a functional unit including the inner shaft barrel  14  or configured separately from the inner shaft barrel  14 . The functional unit is a part or a mechanism required to perform a primary function of the product  10 , and for example, corresponds to a mechanism to propel a writing body or an applicator or to a portion to protect the tip end of the writing tool or the like, but since it is out of the content of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted, though it can be an arbitrary part or mechanism. 
   A clip  20  to be fixed to the outer shaft barrel  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , comprises a clip main body  20   a  which extends along the outer periphery of the outer shaft barrel  12  and has a transverse sectional shape of an inverted U shape in its entirety and a pair of base portions  20   b  which enters into the outer shaft barrel  12 . Between the tip end of the clip main body  20   a  and the outer shaft barrel  12 , a document, clothing, and the like can be nipped. Each of the base portions  20   b  extends from the rear end of the clip main body  20   a  to the outer shaft barrel  12 , and is formed with a notch  20   c  facing ahead of the base portion, and further, is formed with a small stopper step portion  20   d  facing rearward so as to oppose to the notch  20   c . The notch  20   c  functions as an engagement portion, which will be described later. 
   The outer shaft barrel  12  is formed on its peripheral surface with a pair of slit openings  12   a  and  12   a  to be inserted by the base portions  20   b  of the clip  20  (see  FIG. 5B ). 
   The inner shaft barrel  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , is formed on its peripheral surface with an opening  14   a , and adjacent to the opening  14   a , there is formed a circular groove  14   b . In the front end of the opening  14   a , there is formed a pair of notches  14   c  continued from the opening  14   a.    
   A circular groove  14   b  of the inner shaft barrel  14  is fitted and fixed with a clip spring  18  The clip spring  18 , as shown in  FIGS. 4A to 4D , has a ring portion  18   a  fitted to the circular groove  14   b  and an elastic piece portion  18   b  extending rearward from one region of the ring portion  18   a . The ring portion  18   a  is formed with a slit  18   d . Further, the elastic piece portion  18   b  is formed at the rear with a receiving portion  18   c  protruding from both side faces in a circumferential direction. The elastic piece portion  18   b , as shown in  FIG. 4C , can be elastically displaced in a radial direction. 
   The rear inside of the inner shaft barrel  14  is screwed with the tail tap  16 . The tail tap  16  and the inner shaft barrel  14  are connected with each other crossing the rear end surface of the outer shaft barrel  12  so that they are attached to the outer shaft barrel  12 . 
   The clip fixing procedure of the clip fixing structure configured by the above described component parts will be described with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
   First, the circular groove  14   b  of the inner shaft barrel  14  is fitted with the ring portion  18   a  of the clip spring  18  ( FIG. 5A ). At this time, the slit  18   d  can be properly expanded and fitted. 
   Next, the assembly of the inner shaft barrel  14  and clip spring  18  is inserted into the outer shaft barrel  12  from the front of the outer shaft barrel  12 . Further, the tail tap  16  is inserted from the rear side of the outer shaft barrel  12  and is screwed into the inner shaft barrel  14 . At this time, the slit openings  12   a  and  12   a  of the outer shaft barrel  12  and the opening  14   a  of the inner shaft barrel  14  are disposed in position to be aligned with. In this state, each base portion  20   b  of the clip  20  is inserted into the corresponding slit opening  12   a  of the outer shaft barrel  12 . The base portion  20   b  enters into a space formed between the receiving portion  18   c  and the ring portion  18   a  at both sides of the elastic piece portion  18   b  of the clip spring  18  inside the outer shaft barrel  12  and in the opening  14   a  inside the inner shaft barrel  14 . 
     FIGS. 6A to 6C  are sectional views inside the outer shaft barrel  12 , which omit the outer shaft barrel  12  for convenience of explanation. Accompanied with entering into the outer shaft barrel  12  of the base portion  20   b , the base portion  20   b  abuts against the receiving portion  18   c  from the upper side, and presses down the receiving portion  18   c  ( FIG. 6A ). When the base portion  20   b  is further pressed and after the notch  20   c  is almost inserted into the outer shaft barrel  12 , the clip  20  is moved leftward in  FIG. 63 . Then, the ring portion  18   a  of the clip spring  18  and the unillustrated outer shaft barrel  12  enter relatively into the notch  20   c . Note that, at the same time, a portion lower than the notch  20   c  of the base portion  20   b  enters into the notch  14   c  of the opening  14   a.    
   Further, at the same time, since the stopper step portion  20   d  passes through above the receiving portion  18   c , the receiving portion  18   c  is slightly returned upward by the elastic force of the elastic piece portion  18   b , and the stopper step portion  20   d  abuts against the end portion of the receiving portion  18   c , and both of them are engaged. 
   In the above described manner, by the simple assembly procedure, the clip  20  can be fixed to the fixed member  10 . The clip  20 , in a fixed state, has the notch  20   c  engaged with the ring portion  18   a  of the clip spring  18  and the outer shaft barrel  12 . Moreover, the stopper step portion  20   d  is engaged with the receiving portion  18   c  of the clip spring  18 . Even if an attempt is made to return the clip  20  rearward in order to release the engagement among the notch  20   c , the clip spring  18 , and the outer shaft barrel  12 , because of the engagement between the stopper step portion  20   d  and the receiving portion  18   c , the clip  20  is unable to retreat. In other words, the base portion  20   b  of the clip  20  is sandwiched between the ring portion  18   a  of the clip spring  18  and the receiving portion  18   c . Hence, once the clip  20  Is fixed, it is not allowed to be simply removed. Further, the base portion  20   b  of the clip  20  elastically contacts the receiving portion  18   c  of the elastic piece portion  18   b.    
   When the clip  20  fixed in this manner, as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , is rocked so as to nip a thing between the clip  20  and the outer shaft barrel  12 , the clip  20  rotates around the notch  20   c  as a fulcrum point, and at this time, since the base portion  20   b  presses the receiving portion  18   c  and pushes the elastic piece portion lab into the external shaft barrel  12 , the elastic piece portion  18   b  is deformed. Further, when the force applied to the clip  20  is released, the elastic piece portion  18   b  is restored to its original state by restoring force of the elastic piece portion  18   b.    
   In this manner, by utilizing the spring force of the elastic piece portion lab of the clip spring  18 , the clip  20  can be rocked, and therefore, the elastic force of the clip  20  itself is not needed to use mainly, thereby providing an excellent operability. 
   Second Embodiment  
     FIG. 7  is a whole view of a writing tool adapted to the clip structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same component parts as the first embodiment are attached with the same reference numerals, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted. 
   In the Figure, reference numeral  10  denotes a product fixed with a clip, and the product  10 , to be more in detail, comprises an outer shaft barrel  22  as a fixed member, an inner shaft barrel  24 , a tail tap  26 , and moreover, a functional unit including the inner shaft barrel  24  or configured separately from the inner shaft barrel  24 . 
   A clip  30  to be fixed to the outer shaft barrel  22 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , comprises a clip main body  30   a  which extends along the outer periphery of the outer shaft barrel  22  and has a transverse sectional shape of an inverted U shape in its entirety and a pair of base portions  30   b  which enter into the outer shaft barrel  22 . Between the tip end of the clip main body  30   a  and the outer shaft barrel  22 , a document clothing, and the like can be nipped. A pair of base portions  30   b  extend from the rear end of the clip main body portion  30   a  to the outer shaft barrel  22 , and the tip end thereof has bent portions  30   c  bent almost vertical so as to close with each other. 
   The outer shaft barrel  22  is formed on its periphery with a pair of slit openings  22   a  and  22   a  to be inserted by the base portions  30   b  of the clip  30  (see  FIG. 11A ). 
   The inner shaft barrel  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , is formed on the periphery of the rear end portion with an opening  24   a  communicating rearward, and adjacent to the opening  24   a , a circumferential groove  24   b  extending in a circumferential direction is formed. The circumferential groove  24   b , similarly to the first embodiment, may be a circular groove extending in a full circle, but in this example, it is a circumferential groove extending approximately in a half-circle. 
   The circumferential groove  24   b  of this inner shaft barrel  24  is fitted and fixed with a clip spring  28 . The clip spring  28 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , has a half-ring portion  28   a  fitted to the circumferential groove  24   b  and an elastic piece portion  28   b  extending rearward from one portion of the half ring  28   a  by interposed between a pair of notches. Further, the elastic piece portion  28   b  is properly curved in a natural state, and its degree of curvature can be elastically changed. 
   The rear inside of the inner shaft barrel  24  is screwed with the tail tap  26 . The tail tap  26  and the inner shaft barrel  24  are connected with each other crossing the rear end surface of the outer shaft barrel  22  so that they are attached to the outer shaft barrel  22 . 
   The clip fixing procedure of the clip fixing structure configured by the above described component parts will be described with reference to  FIGS. 11A to 11C . 
   First, the circumferential groove  24   b  of the inner shaft barrel  24  is fitted with the half ring portion  28   a  of the clip spring  28 . At this time, since the half ring portion  28   a  is a half ring having approx. 180 degrees, it can be simply fitted. 
   In the meantime, each base portion  30   b  of the clip  30  is inserted into the corresponding slit openings  22   a  and  22   a  of the outer shaft barrel  22 , and after that, the assembly of the inner shaft barrel  24  and clip spring  28  is inserted into the outer shaft barrel  22  from the front of the outer shaft barrel  22  ( FIG. 11B ). Further, the tall tap  26  is inserted from the rear of the outer shaft barrel  22 , and is screwed to the inner shaft barrel  24 . 
   Since a pair of base portions  30   b  of the clip  30  have bent portions  30   c  turning at almost right angles so as to close with each other, in the opening  24   a  of the inner shaft barrel  24  inside the fixed member  10 , the base portion  30   b  of the clip  30  configures a loop portion together with the outer shaft barrel  22 . Into this loop portion, the elastic piece portion  28   b  of the clip spring  28  is inserted. 
   In this manner, by simpler assembly procedure, the clip  30  can be fixed to the fixed member  10 . Since in a fixed state of the clip  30 , the elastic piece portion  28   b  of the clip spring  28  is inserted into the loop portion configured by the base portion  30   b , the clip  30  is impossible to be removed from the fixed member  10 . Note that, since the loop portion is to maintain a state, in which the elastic piece portion  28   b  is inserted, it has no need to be a fully closed loop as in this example. The loop portion configured by the base portion  30   b  of the clip  30  elastically contacts the elastic piece portion  28   b.    
   When the clip  30  fixed in this manner, as shown in  FIG. 7B and 7C , is rocked so as to nip a thing between the clip  30  and the outer shaft barrel  22 , the clip  30  rotates around the rear end portion of the base portion  30   b  as a fulcrum point, and at this time, since the bent portions  30   c  press the elastic piece portion  28   b  to push it toward outside of the outer shaft barrel  22 , the elastic piece portion  28   b  is deformed. Further, when the force applied to the clip  30  is released, the elastic piece portion  28   b  is restored to its original state by the restoring force of the elastic piece portion  28   b.    
   In this manner, by utilizing the spring force of the elastic piece portion  28   b  of the clip spring  28 , the clip  30  can be rocked, and therefore, the elastic force of the clip  30  itself is not needed to use mainly, thereby providing an excellent operability. 
   Third Embodiment  
     FIG. 12  is a whole view of a writing tool adapted to the clip structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The same component parts as the first embodiment are attached with the same reference numerals, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted. 
   In the Figure, reference numeral  10  denotes a product, and the product  10 , to be more in detail, comprises an outer shaft barrel  22  as a fixed member, an inner shaft barrel  24 , a tail tap  26 , and moreover, a functional unit including the inner shaft barrel  24  or configured separately from the inner shaft barrel  24 . 
   A clip  40  to be fixed to the outer shaft barrel  22 , as shown in  FIG. 13 , comprises a clip main body  40   a  which extends along the outer periphery of the outer shaft barrel  22  and has a transverse sectional shape of an inverted U shape in its entirety and a pair of base portions  40   b  which enter into the outer shaft barrel  22 . Between the tip end of the clip main body  40   a  and the outer shaft barrel  22 , a document, clothing, and the like can be nipped. A pair of base portions  40   b  extend from the rear end of the clip main body portion  40   a  to the outer shaft barrel  22 , and the tip end thereof has bent portions  40   c  turning at almost right angles so as to close with each other. 
   The clip spring  38 , as shown in  FIG. 14A , has a half-ring portion  38   a  fitted to the circumferential groove  24   b  of the inner shaft barrel  24  and an elastic piece portion  38   b  extending rearward from one region of the half-ring  38   a . Further, the elastic piece portion  38   b  has its tip end folded back, and the folded back tip end can be elastically changed in its bent angle. 
   The clip fixing procedure of the clip fixing structure configured by the above described component parts is almost the same as the second embodiment, and is performed by the procedures of  FIGS. 11A to 11C . That is, the elastic piece portion  38   b  of the clip spring  38  is inserted into a space surrounded by the loop portion configured by the base portion  40   b  of the clip  40  and its bent portion  40   c . Further, the loop portion configured by the base portion  40   b  of the clip  40  elastically contacts the elastic piece portion  38   b.    
   In this manner, by simpler assembly procedure, the clip  40  can be fixed to the outer shaft barrel  22 . Since in a fixed state of the clip  40 , the elastic piece portion  38   b  of the clip spring  38  is inserted into the base portion  40   b , the clip  40  is impossible to be removed from the outer shaft barrel  22 . 
   When the clip  40  fixed in this manner, as shown in  FIGS. 12B and 12C , is rocked so as to nip a thing between the clip  40  and the outer shaft barrel  22 , the clip  40  rotates around the rear end portion of the base portion  40   b  as a fulcrum point, and at this time, since the bent portions  40   c  press the elastic piece portion  38   b  to push it toward outside of the outer shaft barrel  22 , the elastic piece portion  38   b  is deformed. Further, when the force applied to the clip  40  is released, the elastic piece portion  38   b  is restored to its original state by the restoring force of the elastic piece portion  38   b.    
   In this manner, by utilizing the spring force of the elastic piece portion  38   b  of the clip spring  38 , the clip  40  can be rocked, and therefore, the elastic force of the clip  40  itself is not needed to use mainly, thereby providing an excellent operability. In this embodiment, since the elastic piece portion  38   b  is folded back, the elastic force becomes high, and high restoring force of the clip  40  can be obtained, and moreover, the durability of the clip spring  38  can be also increased. 
   While the principles of the invention have been described above in connection with specific embodiments, and particular modifications thereof, it Is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation on the scope of invention.