Cable or the like protection and guide device

A cable or the like protection and guide device is provided in which inadvertent disconnection in a coupling portion of a side plate due to the repetition of flexional movement is avoided. A load, which is liable to occur in a flexion portion during restriction of flexional movements, is avoided, whereby excellent endurance can be obtained. Maintenance at the coupling of the side plates is easy. A cable or the like protection and guide device (100) is disclosed in which right and left spaced side plates (110, 110) are each integrally formed by a front side plate portion (111) connected to a precedent side plate (110), a rear side plate portion (111) connected to a subsequent side plate (110′) and a flexible coupling portion (113) intervened between said front side plate portion (111) and said rear side plate portion (112). Snap-fit mechanisms Sa and Sb, which connect the side plates to each other are provided between a rear side plate portion (112) of the precedent side plate (110) and a front side plate portion (111′) of a side plate (110) subsequently connected to the rear side plate portion (112).

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-068498 filed Mar. 11, 2005.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cable or the like protection and guide device, and more specifically relates to a cable or the like protection and guide device suitable for accommodating a cable or the like such as a cable (cables), a hose (hoses) or the like, which supplies a movable member of an industrial machine with electric power or energy of compressed air and safely, reliably guiding and protecting a cable (cables) or the like even during the movable portion.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

As conventional cable or the like protection and guide devices, an energy guide chain, which connects side plates to each other with a different coupling element from the side plate, is known (see for example Patent Reference 1).

Further, as conventional cable or the like protection and guide devices, a cable or the like protection and guide device, which connects side plates to each other by fitting a connecting rod integrally formed on each side plate to a connecting groove between side plates, is also known (see for example Patent Reference 1).

Patent Reference 1 is Japanese Patent Indication No. 2004-527706.

Patent Reference 2 is Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-299238.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, in such an energy guide chain as in the Patent Reference 1, since a side plate and a coupling element are separately formed, there was a problem that a significant load of manufacturing parts and a significant load of operating assembly are required.

Further, in such energy guide chain as in the Patent Reference 1, since a side plate and a coupling element are separately formed, there was a troublesome problem in maintenance that mutual coupling of side plates take much time and effort.

Further, in the energy guide chain as in the Patent Reference 1, since side plates are connected to each other by fitting a different element from the side plates between the side plates, there was a problem that displacements are gradually generated between a side plate and a connecting member by repetitions of flexional movements between links and the chain is decomposed by disconnection of such a side plate at a coupling portion whereby breakage is liable to occur.

On the other hand, in the cable or the like protection and guide device as in the Patent Reference 2, since a connecting rod formed in a protruding manner outside a side edge of a side plate also serves a flexion portion for flexibly connecting link bodies to each other and the connecting rod has a configuration in which the rod supports a load on a side plate during restriction of mutual flexion of connecting side plates, there was a possibility the connecting rod is broken so that a service life of the guide device is shortened. That is in the protection and guide device of the Patent Reference 2, there was a problem that a flexion portion composed of a connecting rod is broken by a load given at the time of the restriction of flexion so that a service life of the guide device is shortened.

Further, in the protection and guide device of Patent Reference 2, since the side plates are connected to each other by fitting a connecting rod between the side plates into a connecting groove, there was a problem that displacements are gradually generated between the connecting rod between the side plates and the connecting groove by repetitions of flexional movements between link bodies and the guide device is decomposed by disconnection of such a side plate at a coupling portion whereby breakage is liable to occur.

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems or to provide a cable or the like protection and guide device, in which inadvertent disconnection in a coupling portion of a side plate due to the repetition of flexional movement sis avoided, and a load, which is liable to occur in a flexion portion during restriction of flexional movements, is avoided, whereby excellent endurance can be exerted, and in which a load of manufacturing parts and a load of assembly operation can be reduced and maintenance at the coupling of side plates is easy.

Means for Solving the Problems

The invention according to claim1attains the above-mentioned object by a cable or the like protection and guide device in which a number of right and left pair of spaced side plates are connected to each other in a longitudinal direction and connecting arms are bridged over flexion inner circumferential sides and flexion outer circumferential sides of said side plates with predetermined intervals, so that a cable or the like is accommodated in a cable accommodating space along the longitudinal direction, formed by being surrounded by said side plates and said connecting arms, characterized in that said side plate is integrally formed by a front side plate portion connected to a precedent side plate, a rear side plate portion connected to a subsequent side plate and a flexible coupling portion intervened between said front side plate portion and said rear side plate portion, and that a snap-fit mechanism, which causes said side plates to engage each other to connect them, is provided between a rear side plate portion of the precedent side plate and a front side plate portion of a side plate subsequently connected to said rear side plate portion.

The invention according to claim2attains the above-mentioned object by, in addition to the configuration of claim1, a cable or the like protection and guide device according to claim1, characterized in that a linear position holding surface, which holds a linear connection state of said side plate, is formed on a flexion outer circumferential side portion than a coupling portion of the side plate and a flexed position restricting surface, which restricts the flexed connection state of said side plate, is formed on a flexion inner circumferential side portion than a coupling portion of the side plate.

The invention according to claim3attains the above-mentioned object by, in addition to the configuration of claim1, a cable or the like protection and guide device according to claim1, characterized in that a linear position holding surface, which holds a linear connection state of said side plate, is respectively formed on a flexion outer circumferential side portion than a coupling portion in a front side plate portion of adjacent side plates and a flexion inner circumferential side portion than a coupling portion in a rear side plate portion of adjacent side plates, and a flexed position restricting surface, which restricts the flexed connection state of said side plate, is respectively formed on a flexion outer circumferential side portion than a coupling portion in a front side plate of adjacent side plates, and a flexion inner circumferential side portion than a coupling portion in a rear side plate of adjacent side plates.

Effects of the Invention

According to the cable or the like protection and guide device of the invention of claim1, since a number of right and left pair of spaced side plates are connected to each other in a longitudinal direction and connecting arms are bridged over flexion inner circumferential sides and flexion outer circumferential sides of the side plates with predetermined intervals, a cable (cables) or the like can be accommodated in a cable accommodating space surrounded by side plates and connecting arms along the longitudinal direction of the device. Additionally the following peculiar effects can be obtained.

That is since said side plate is integrally formed by a front side plate portion connected to a precedent side plate, a rear side plate portion connected to a subsequent side plate and a coupling portion intervened between said front side plate portion and said rear side plate portion, the load of manufacturing parts and the load of assembly operation can be reduced without increasing a parts count and an inadvertent disconnection of the side plate at a coupling portion, which is liable to occur by repetition of flexional movements can be avoided.

And since an engaged snap-fit mechanism is provided between a rear side plate portion of the precedent side plate and a front side plate portion of a side plate subsequently connected to the rear side plate portion, the adjacent side plates become detachable each other through the snap-fit mechanism. Thus, the maintenance during coupling and decoupling the side plates can be easily attained.

According to the cable or the like protection and guide device of the invention of claim2, in addition to the effects obtained by the cable or the like protection and guide device of claim1, since a linear position holding surface, which holds a linear connection state of said side plate, is formed on a flexion outer circumferential side portion than a coupling portion of the side plate and a flexed position restricting surface, which restricts the flexed connection state of said side plate, is formed on a flexion inner circumferential side portion than a coupling portion of the side plate, a load which is liable to occur at a coupling portion, which becomes a flexible portion during restriction of a flexed position, is avoided so that excellent endurance can be exhibited and a linear connection state and flexed connection state can be reliably maintained.

According to the cable or the like protection and guide device of the invention of claim2, in addition to the effects obtained by the cable or the like protection and guide device of claim1, since a linear position holding surface, which holds a linear connection state of said side plate, is respectively formed on a flexion outer circumferential side portion than a coupling portion in a front side plate portion of adjacent side plates and a flexion inner circumferential side portion than a coupling portion in a rear side plate portion of adjacent side plates, and a flexed position restricting surface, which restricts the flexed connection state of said side plate, is respectively formed on a flexion outer circumferential side portion than a coupling portion in a front side plate of adjacent side plates, and a flexion inner circumferential side portion than a coupling portion in a rear side plate of adjacent side plates, a load which is liable to occur at a coupling portion, which becomes a flexible portion during restriction of a flexed position, is avoided so that excellent endurance can be exhibited. And since a surface contact load between side plates, which occur during the flexed positional restriction and the linear positional retention, is divided into two parts that is a flexion outer circumferential side and a flexion inner circumferential side, the linear connection state and flexed connection state can be reliably maintained.

If a cable or the like protection and guide device according to the present invention avoids inadvertent disconnection of a side plate due to repetition of flexional movements and avoids a load, which is liable to occur at a flexed portion during flexional restriction so that excellent endurance is exhibited, and if the cable or the like protection and guide device reduces a load of manufacturing parts and a load of an assembly operation so that the maintenance during coupling and decoupling of the side plate can be easily attained, by the configurations that a number of right and left pair of spaced side plates are connected to each other in a longitudinal direction and connecting arms are bridged over flexion inner circumferential sides and flexion outer circumferential sides of said side plates with predetermined intervals, and that said side plate is integrally formed by a front side plate portion connected to a precedent side plate, a rear side plate portion connected to a subsequent side plate and a flexible coupling portion intervened between said front side plate portion and said rear side plate portion, and a snap-fit mechanism, which causes said side plates to engage each other to connect them, is provided between a rear side plate portion of the precedent side plate and a front side plate portion of a side plate subsequently connected to said rear side plate portion, so that a cable or the like is accommodated in a cable accommodating space along the longitudinal direction, formed by being surrounded by said side plates and said connecting arms, any concrete embodiments may be used.

That is, if the side plate used in the cable or the like protection and guide device of the present invention is a resin, which can form a snap-fit mechanism, which can ensure a flexible coupling portion and predetermined engagement strength, it may be molded of any engineering plastic resins. For example, polyamide 6 resin, polyamide 12 resin, polyamide 46 resin, polyamide 66 resin, acryl resin, polyacetal resin and the like may be preferably adopted.

And if a concrete form of the snap-fit mechanism provided between a rear side plate portion of the precedent side plate and a front side plate portion of a side plate subsequently connected to the rear side plate portion is for example a mutually concave-convex engagement member formed by an engagement protrusion or a hole to be engaged disposed on a front end surface or a side surface in a front side plate portion of the side plate and a portion to be engaged or an engagement protrusion disposed on a rear end surface or a side surface in a rear side plate portion of the side plate opposed to the former engagement protrusion or the hole to be engaged, or the like, any snap-fit forms may be used.

Further if the linear position holding surface and the flexed position restriction surface formed in the cable or the like protection and guide device of the present invention are provided on a flexion outer circumferential side portion or a flexion inner circumferential side portion of the side plate except for a coupling portion thereof, any portions may be used. For example, an end surface or a side surface of the side plate may be adopted.

A better understanding will be had when reference is made to the Description Of The Invention and Claims which follow hereinbelow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

First, a cable or the like protection and guide device100, which is a first example of the present invention, will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2. Here,FIG. 1is a perspective view showing a flexed state of the cable or the like protection and guide device100, andFIG. 2is a perspective view of side plates used in the cable or the like protection and guide device100.

The cable or the like protection and guide device100, which is a first example of the present invention, is used for protecting and guiding cables or the like C such as electric cables, which connect between a movable portion and a stationary portion in a semiconductor device, an explosive charge testing device, a door opening/closing device for a vehicle or the like to carry out transmission and supply of electric signals, and hoses, which supply pressure liquid or pressure gas, and is longitudinally connected to connect between the movable portion and the stationary portion (not shown), and further the device100can exhibit a linear position or a flexed position in accordance with relatively remote movement conditions between the movable portion and the stationary portion. As shown inFIG. 1, the cable or the like protection and guide device100is formed in such a manner that a number of right and left pair of spaced side plates110,110are connected to each other in a longitudinal direction and connecting arms120are bridged over flexion inner circumferential sides and flexion outer circumferential sides of the side plates110,110with predetermined intervals, so that a cable (cables) or the like C is accommodated in a cable accommodating space with a rectangular section along the longitudinal direction, formed by being surrounded by these right and left pair of side plates110,110and these connecting arms120,120arranged on upper and lower positions in a bridged manner over the flexion inner circumferential side and the flexion outer circumferential side, respectively.

It is noted that inFIG. 1, the above-mentioned movable portion and stationary portion are not shown.

And the side plates110used in the first example are molded using a polyamide resin and have the same shape in both right and left spaced side plates. The side plate110is integrally formed as shown inFIG. 2by a front side plate111connected to a precedent side plate110′, a rear side plate portion112connected to a subsequent side plate110″ and a flexible coupling portion113intervened between said front side plate portion111and said rear side plate portion112.

Further, between the rear side plate portion112′ of the precedent side plate110′ and a front side plate portion111of a side plate110subsequently connected to the rear side plate portion112′ are respectively provided a flexion outer circumferential side snap-fit mechanism Sa and flexion inner circumferential side snap-fit mechanism Sb, respectively connected to each other. Then side plates110, which are adjacent through these snap-fit mechanisms Sa and Sb, are detachable from each other and maintenance during the decoupling and coupling of the side plate can be easily attained.

It is noted that in the first example, the snap-fit mechanisms Sa and Sb adopted on the flexion outer circumferential side and the flexion inner circumferential side are respectively comprised of engagement protrusions114a,114bconsisting of hook-shaped engagement pawls and window-shaped holes115a,115bto be engaged, which detachably engage the engagement protrusions114a,114b.

Further, between a rear end of the front side plate portion111and a front end of the rear side plate portion112, positioned on a flexion outer circumferential side than the coupling portion113, are respectively formed linear position holding surfaces Xa, and between a rear end of the front side plate portion111and a front end of the rear side plate portion112, positioned flexion inner circumferential side than the coupling portion113, are respectively formed flexed position restriction surfaces Yb. Then while the flexion inner circumferential side flexed position restriction surfaces Yb are opened during linear position holding as shown inFIG. 1, the flexion outer circumferential side linear position holding surfaces Xa are brought into contact with each other so that a linear position can be reliably maintained without applying a load to the coupling portion113. Further, while the flexion outer circumferential side linear position holding surfaces Xa are opened during flexed position restriction as shown inFIG. 1, the flexion inner circumferential side flexed position restriction surfaces Yb are brought into contact with each other so that a flexed position can be reliably maintained without applying a load to the coupling portion113.

It is noted that the maximum opening angle α between the flexed position restriction surfaces Yb in the first example can be determined in accordance with the number of the side plates110forming a flexed position and the flexional radius.

Further, the coupling portion113in the first example is integrally molded of a polyamide resin, which is the same material as those of the front side plate portion111and the rear side plate portion112, forming the side plate110. However, in order to enhance the rigidity of the front side plate portion111and the rear side plate portion112forming the side plate110, side plates110may be molded using a two-color molding process such that only the front side plate portion111and the rear side plate portion112, forming the side plate110, are made of a different high strength resin. Alternatively, in order to enhance the flexion strength of the coupling portion113a wire may be buried into only the coupling portion113by an insert molding process.

Further, if a concrete mount form of the connecting arm120is a mount form, in which the connecting arms are bridged over the flexion inner circumferential side and flexion outer circumferential side of the right and left pair of spaced side plates110,110so that a cable accommodating space with a rectangular section can be formed, any concrete forms may be used. For example, any one of a mount form of the connecting arm120on right and left pair of spaced side plates110,110by adhesion, a mount form by concave-convex fitting, a mount form by a one side hinge and the like may be adopted. However, when maintenance of a cable (cables) or like C accommodated in the cable accommodating space is performed, an openable/closable mount form of the connecting arm120is preferred.

It is noted that although, in the case of the first example, the connecting arms120are bridged over a number of connected side plates110in alternate their arrangement intervals of the side plates110, the connecting arms120may be bridged over the side plates110in 1:1 accordance with respect to each side plate110.

Since the side plate is integrally formed by a front side plate portion111, a rear side plate portion112and a flexible coupling portion113, the thus obtained cable or the like protection and guide device100can reduce a load of manufacturing parts and a load of an assembly operation without increasing a parts count, and can avoid an inadvertent disconnection at the coupling portion113, which is liable to occur due to repetition of flexing movements. Further, since adjacent side plates110,110becomes detachable through two-sets of snap-fit mechanisms Sa and Sb respectively provided on the flexion outer circumferential side and the flexion inner circumferential side, the device100easily can attain maintenance during decoupling and coupling of the side plates110,110, and reliably maintains the linear position and the flexed position are reliably maintained so that a load, which is liable to occur at a coupling portion113, which becomes a flexed portion during flexed position restriction, is avoided and excellent endurance can be exhibited. Thus the effects of the cable or the like protection and guide device100of the first example are very large.

A cable or the like protection and guide device200, which is a second example of the present invention, will be described below with reference toFIGS. 3 to 7. Here,FIG. 3is a perspective view showing a flexed state of the cable or the like protection and guide device200,FIGS. 4 to 7are perspective views of a side plate used in the cable or the like protection and guide device200, and particularlyFIG. 4is a perspective view of the side plate shown by an arrow A inFIG. 3,FIG. 5is a perspective view of the side plate viewed from a direction B inFIG. 4,FIG. 6is a perspective view of the side plate viewed from a direction C inFIG. 4andFIG. 7is a perspective view of the side plate viewed from a direction D inFIG. 4.

The cable or the like protection and guide device200, which is a second example of the present invention, is used, as in the above-mentioned cable or the like protection and guide device100of the first example, for protecting and guiding cables or the like C such as electric cables, which connect between a movable portion and a stationary portion in a semiconductor device, an explosive charge testing device, a door opening/closing device for a vehicle or the like to carry out transmission and supply of electric signals, and hoses, which supply pressure liquid or pressure gas, and is longitudinally connected to connect between the movable portion and the stationary portion (not shown), and further the device200can exhibit a linear position or a flexed position in accordance with relatively remote movement conditions between the movable portion and the stationary portion. As shown inFIG. 3, the cable or the like protection and guide device200is formed in such a manner that a number of right and left pair of spaced side plates21OA,210B are connected to each other in a longitudinal direction and connecting arms220are bridged over flexion inner circumferential sides and flexion outer circumferential sides of these side plates210A,210B in alternate arrangement intervals of the side plates210A,210B, so that a cable (cables) or the like C is accommodated in a cable accommodating space with a rectangular section along the longitudinal direction, formed by being surrounded by these right and left pair of side plates210A,210B and these connecting arms220,220arranged in a bridged manner over the flexion inner circumferential side and the flexion outer circumferential side, respectively.

It is noted that inFIG. 3, the above-mentioned movable portion and stationary portion are not shown.

And the side plates210A used in the first example are, as shown inFIG. 4, molded using a polyamide resin and are symmetrical on the right and left sides by right and left pair of spaced arrangement. The side plate210is integrally formed as shown inFIG. 3by a front side plate portion211connected to a precedent side plate210′, a rear side plate portion212connected to a subsequent side plate210and a flexible coupling portion213intervened between said front side plate portion211and said rear side plate portion212.

Further, between the rear side plate portion212′ of the precedent side plate210′ and a front side plate portion211of a side plate210subsequently connected to the rear side plate portion212′ are respectively provided a flexion outer circumferential side snap-fit mechanism Sa and flexion inner circumferential side snap-fit mechanism Sb, respectively connected to each other. Then side plates210,210which are adjacent through these snap-fit mechanisms Sa and Sb, are detachable from each other and maintenance during the decoupling and coupling of the side plates210,210can be easily attained.

That is the snap-fit mechanisms Sa adopted on the flexion outer circumferential side in the second example is comprised of an engagement protrusion214aconsisting of an engagement hook214aand a window-shaped hole215ato be engaged, which is detachably engaged with this engagement protrusion214aconsisting of the engagement hook. On the other hand, the snap-fit mechanism Sb adopted on the flexion inner circumferential side is comprised of an engagement protrusion214bconsisting of an engagement protrusion pawl and a dimple-shaped hole215bto be engaged, which is engaged with the engagement protrusion214bconsisting of the engagement protrusion pawl in an insertable manner

Further, between an off set side surface of a front side plate portion211positioned on the flexion outer circumferential side than a coupling portion213of the side plate210and a front end of the front side plate portion211′ of the subsequent side plate210′ and between an off set side surface of a rear side plate portion212of the side plate210positioned on the flexion inner circumferential side than a coupling portion213of the side plate210and a front end of a rear side plate portion212′ of the subsequent side plate210′ are respectively provided two-sets of linear position holding surfaces, which hold the linear connecting state of the side plate210, that is flexion outer circumferential side linear position holding surfaces Xa and flexion inner circumferential side linear position holding surfaces Xb.

Also, between an off set side surface of a rear side plate portion212positioned on the flexion inner circumferential side than a coupling portion213of the side plate210and a front end of the rear side plate portion212′ of the subsequent side plate210′ and between an off set side surface of a front side plate portion211positioned on the flexion outer circumferential side than a coupling portion213of the side plate210and an off set side surface of a rear side plate portion212′ of the subsequent side plate210′ are respectively provided two-sets of flexed position restriction surfaces, which restrict the flexed connecting state of the side plate210, that is flexion inner circumferential side flexed position restriction surfaces Yb and flexion outer circumferential side flexed position restriction surfaces Ya.

As described above, in the cable or the like protection and guide device200of the second example, while the flexion inner circumferential side flexed position restriction surfaces Yb and the flexion outer circumferential side flexed position restriction surfaces Ya are respectively opened during linear position holding as shown inFIG. 3, the flexion outer circumferential side linear position holding surfaces Xa and the flexion inner circumferential side linear position holding surfaces Xb are respectively brought into contact with each other so that a linear position can be reliably maintained without applying a load to the coupling portion213. Further, while the flexion outer circumferential side linear position holding surfaces Xa and the flexion inner circumferential side linear position holding surfaces Xb are respectively opened during flexed position restriction as shown inFIG. 3, the flexion inner circumferential side flexed position restriction surfaces Yb and the flexion outer circumferential side flexed position restriction surfaces Ya are respectively brought into contact with each other so that a flexed position can be reliably maintained without applying a load to the coupling portion213.

It is noted that the maximum opening angles α between the flexion inner circumferential side flexed position restriction surfaces Yb and between the flexion outer circumferential side flexed position restriction surfaces Yb in the second example can be determined in accordance with the number of the side plates210continuously forming a flexed position and the flexional radius.

Therefore, the cable or the like protection and guide device200of the second example can reduce a load of manufacturing parts and a load of an assembly operation without increasing a parts count, and can avoid an inadvertent disconnection at the coupling portion213, which is liable to occur due to repetition of flexing movements. Further, since adjacent side plates210,210becomes detachable through two-sets of snap-fit mechanisms Sa and Sb respectively provided on the flexion outer circumferential side and the flexion inner circumferential side, the device200easily can attain maintenance during decoupling and coupling of the side plates110,110, and avoids a load, which is liable to occur at a coupling portion113, which becomes a flexed portion during flexed position restriction so that excellent endurance can be exhibited. Further, since a surface contact load of the side plate, which occurs during the flexed position restriction and linear position holding is divided into two sides that are the flexion outer circumferential side and the flexion inner circumferential side, the device100endurably reliably can maintain the linear connection state and flexed connection state.

A cable or the like protection and guide device300, which is a third example of the present invention, will be described below with reference toFIGS. 8 to 12. Here,FIG. 8is a perspective view showing a flexed state of the cable or the like protection and guide device300,FIGS. 9 to 12are perspective views of a side plate used in the cable or the like protection and guide device300, and particularlyFIG. 9is a perspective view of the side plate shown by an arrow E inFIG. 8,FIG. 10is a perspective view of the side plate viewed from a direction F inFIG. 9,FIG. 11is a perspective view of the side plate viewed from a direction G inFIG. 9andFIG. 12is a perspective view of the side plate viewed from a direction H inFIG. 9.

The cable or the like protection and guide device300, which is a third example of the present invention, is used, as in the above-mentioned cable or the like protection and guide device200of the first example, for protecting and guiding cables or the like C such as electric cables, which connect between a movable portion and a stationary portion in a semiconductor device, an explosive charge testing device, a door opening/closing device for a vehicle or the like to carry out transmission and supply of electric signals, and hoses, which supply pressure liquid or pressure gas, and is longitudinally connected to connect between the movable portion and the stationary portion (not shown), and further the device300can exhibit a linear position or a flexed position in accordance with relatively remote movement conditions between the movable portion and the stationary portion. As shown inFIG. 8, the cable or the like protection and guide device300is formed in such a manner that a number of right and left pair of spaced side plates310A,310B are connected to each other in a longitudinal direction and connecting arms320are bridged over flexion inner circumferential sides and flexion outer circumferential sides of these side plates310A,310B in alternate arrangement intervals of the side plates310A,310B, so that a cable (cables) or the like C is accommodated in a cable accommodating space with a rectangular section along the longitudinal direction, formed by being surrounded by these right and left pair of side plates310A,310B and these connecting arms320,320arranged in a bridged manner over the flexion inner circumferential side and the flexion outer circumferential side, respectively.

It is noted that inFIG. 8, the above-mentioned movable portion and stationary portion are not shown.

And the side plates310A,310B used in the first example are molded using a polyamide resin and are symmetrical on the right and left sides. The side plate310is integrally formed as shown inFIG. 8by a front side plate portion311connected to a precedent side plate310′, a rear side plate portion312connected to a subsequent side plate310and a flexible coupling portion313intervened between said front side plate portion311and said rear side plate portion312.

And between the rear side plate portion312′ of the precedent side plate310′ and a front side plate portion311of a side plate310subsequently connected to the rear side plate portion312′ are respectively provided a flexion outer circumferential side snap-fit mechanism Sa and flexion inner circumferential side snap-fit mechanism Sb, respectively connected to each other, and snap-fit mechanism Sc adopted in the vicinity of the coupling portion313. Then side plates310,310which are adjacent through these snap-fit mechanisms Sa, Sb, Sc are detachable from each other and maintenance during the decoupling and coupling of the side plates310,310can be easily attained.

That is the snap-fit mechanisms Sa adopted on the flexion outer circumferential side in the third example is comprised of an engagement protrusion314aconsisting of an engagement hook314aand a window-shaped hole315ato be engaged, which is detachably engaged with this engagement protrusion314bconsisting of the engagement hook. On the other hand, the snap-fit mechanism Sb adopted on the flexion inner circumferential side is comprised of an engagement protrusion314bconsisting of an engagement hook and a window-shaped hole315bto be engaged, which is detachably engaged with the engagement protrusion314bconsisting of the engagement hook. And the snap-fit mechanism Sc adopted in the vicinity of the coupling portion313of the side plate310, is comprised of an engagement protrusion314cconsisting of a cylindrical engagement pin and a window-shaped hole315cto be engaged, which is detachably engaged with the engagement protrusion314cconsisting of the engagement pin.

Further, between an off set side surface of a front side plate portion311positioned on the flexion outer circumferential side than a coupling portion313of the side plate310and a front end of the front side plate portion311′ of the subsequent side plate310′ and between an off set side surface of a rear side plate portion312of the side plate310positioned on the flexion inner circumferential side than a coupling portion313of the side plate310and a front end of a rear side plate portion312′ of the subsequent side plate310′ are respectively provided two-sets of linear position holding surfaces, which hold the linear connecting state of the side plate310, that is flexion outer circumferential side linear position holding surfaces Xa and flexion inner circumferential side linear position holding surfaces Xb.

Also, between an off set side surface of a rear side plate portion312positioned on the flexion inner circumferential side than a coupling portion313of the side plate310and a front end of the rear side plate portion312′ of the subsequent side plate310′ and between an off set side surface of a front side plate portion311positioned on the flexion outer circumferential side than a coupling portion313of the side plate310and an off set side surface of a rear side plate portion312′ of the subsequent side plate310′ are respectively provided two-sets of flexed position restriction surfaces, which restrict the flexed connecting state of the side plate310, that is flexion inner circumferential side flexed position restriction surfaces Yb and flexion outer circumferential side flexed position restriction surfaces Ya.

As described above, in the cable or the like protection and guide device300of the second example, while the flexion inner circumferential side flexed position restriction surfaces Yb and the flexion outer circumferential side flexed position restriction surfaces Ya are respectively opened during linear position holding as shown inFIG. 8, the flexion outer circumferential side linear position holding surfaces Xa and the flexion inner circumferential side linear position holding surfaces Xb are respectively brought into contact with each other so that a linear position can be reliably maintained without applying a load to the coupling portion313. Further, while the flexion outer circumferential side linear position holding surfaces Xa and the flexion inner circumferential side linear position holding surfaces Xb are respectively opened during flexed position restriction as shown inFIG. 8, the flexion inner circumferential side flexed position restriction surfaces Yb and the flexion outer circumferential side flexed position restriction surfaces Ya are respectively brought into contact with each other so that a flexed position can be reliably maintained without applying a load to the coupling portion313.

It is noted that the maximum opening angles α between the flexion inner circumferential side flexed position restriction surfaces Yb and between the flexion outer circumferential side flexed position restriction surfaces Yb in the second example can be determined in accordance with the number of the side plates310continuously forming a flexed position and the flexional radius.

Therefore, the cable or the like protection and guide device300of the second example can reduce a load of manufacturing parts and a load of an assembly operation without increasing a parts count, and can avoid an inadvertent disconnection at the coupling portion313, which is liable to occur due to repetition of flexing movements. Further, since adjacent side plates310,310becomes detachable through two-sets of snap-fit mechanisms Sa and Sb respectively provided on the flexion outer circumferential side and the flexion inner circumferential side, the device300easily can attain maintenance during decoupling and coupling of the side plates310,310, and avoids a load, which is liable to occur at a coupling portion313, which becomes a flexed portion during flexed position restriction so that excellent endurance can be exhibited. Further, since a surface contact load of the side plate, which occurs during the flexed position restriction and linear position holding is divided into two sides that is the flexion outer circumferential side and the flexion inner circumferential side, the device300endurably reliably can maintain the linear connection state and flexed connection state.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

100,200,300. . . Cable or the like protection and guide device

115a,215a,315a. . . Flexion outer circumferential side hole to be engaged

115b,215b,315b. . . Flexion inner circumferential side hole to be engaged

315c. . . Hole to be engaged

Xa . . . Flexion outer circumferential side linear position holding surface

Ya . . . Flexion outer circumferential side flexed position restriction surface

Xb . . . Flexion inner circumferential side linear position holding surface

C . . . Cable (Cables) or the like

α . . . Maximum opening angle between flexed position restriction surfaces

While the invention has been described herein by way of example those skilled in the art will readily recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.