Abstract:
The object of the instant invention is to provide a cable (or the like) protection and guide device in which inadvertent disengagement during operation can be avoided. Engagement between an opening/closing arm and link plates is accomplished by a dual mechanism locking structure. Easy engagement during use allows for excellent durability. The dual locking structure exhibits adequate strength even in smaller scale versions. The cable protection and guide device contains a plurality of link bodies with each link body comprises one link plate and another ( 110, 110 ). The link bodies are flexibly connected to each other. Each link body includes a connecting arm ( 120 ), an opening/closing arm ( 130 ), a hinge connection mechanism ( 100 A), a main locking mechanism ( 100 B), and an auxiliary locking mechanism ( 100 C). A main locking mechanism ( 100 B) secures the opening/closing arm ( 130 ) and the link plates ( 110, 110 ). An auxiliary locking mechanism ( 100 C) locks the opening/closing arm ( 130 ) and the link plates ( 110, 110 ).

Description:
Technical Field  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a cable or the like protection and guide device which safely and reliably protects and guides a flexible body such as an electric cable or a hose which supplies a movable machine with energy. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cable or the like protection and guide device comprising a plurality of link bodies flexibly connected to each other. Each link body comprises one link plate and another link plate, a connecting plate, and an opening/closing arm. The connecting arm connects the respective lower edges of the link plates. The opening/closing arm is connected to the respective upper edges (upper portions) of the link plates.  
       BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY  
       [0002]     The cable or the like protection and guide device comprises link bodies flexibly connected to adjacent link bodies. The front end of each link body is flexibly connected to the respective rear end of an adjacent link body. One end of the cable or the like protection and guide device is attached to a movable machine and the other end thereof is attached to a fixed frame or a floor surface. Each link body has a hollow space inside the link body. Further, a flexible body such as a cable, a hose, or the like is accommodated in the hollow space of the continuous link bodies. Energy is supplied to the movable machine from the floor surface.  
         [0003]     One example of the cable or the like protection and guide device comprises a plurality of flexibly connected link bodies. Each link body has a pair of right and left link plates, a connecting arm, and an opening/closing arm. Sometimes herein the right link plate is referred to as one link plate and the left link plate is referred to as the other link plate or “another link plate”. The connecting arm connects the respective lower edges of the link plates. The upper portion of one of the link plates of each link body includes a hinge pivotably connected to a first end of the opening/closing arm.  
         [0004]     An engagement pin is provided in an upper portion of the other link plate. The engagement pin is engageable with an engagement piece on the second end of the connecting arm. The engagement pin extends in the longitudinal direction of the chain. The chain is located in the hollow space inside of the connected link bodies. An engagement piece inserts into and is slidably movable along the opening/closing arm. One end of the engagement piece slidably interconnects with the second end of the opening/closing arm. The other end of the engagement piece has an engagement pin insertion groove which extends in the longitudinal direction of the link plate. The first end of the opening/closing arm is pivoted about an end of the hinge which resides in the upper portion of the link plate. The engagement piece is movable along the opening/closing arm so that the engagement pin may be engaged with the engagement pin insertion groove. See for example Patent Reference 1. Patent Reference 1 is Japanese Patent Publication No. 3356699.  
         [0000]     Problems to be Solved by the Invention  
         [0005]     In a conventional cable or the like protection and guide device, an upper end portion of a link plate and the end of an opening/closing arm are fixed to each other by an engagement structure. The engagement structure consists of an engagement pin insertion groove in an engagement piece movable along the opening/closing arm. As a result when both elements are not reliably fixed to a required engagement position due to insufficient positioning there are problems. One serious problem that may occur is the easy disengagement by vibration or the like during operation. This can lead to a serious failure in engagement. Further, when members forming the engagement structure break, the other end of the opening/closing arm cannot be fixed to the upper end portion of the other link plate and the opening/closing arm is separated. Additionally, when the engagement piece that is movable along the opening/closing arm is lost, the opening/closing arm is not used.  
         [0006]     Further, when an upper end portion of the other link plate and the other end of an opening/closing arm are fixed to each other by only one engagement structure such as an engagement pin insertion groove in an engagement piece other problems may occur. For example, when the cable (or the like) is heavy, the large load applied to the engagement structure can result in significant loss of endurance throughout the entire structure. Further, there is a problem that the size of the engagement structure has limitations due to strength requirements. As a result, miniaturization of the entire device with sufficient strength cannot be achieved.  
         [0007]     Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a cable or the like protection and guide device in which inadvertent disengagement during operation can be avoided by making the engagement between an opening/closing arm and link plates reliable and strong. It is an additional object of the invention to provide a structure with a dual locking mechanism. Easy engagement operation and excellent endurance are achieved.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0000]     Means for Solving the Problems  
         [0008]     First, the invention solves the above-mentioned problems with a cable or the like protection and guide device in which a plurality of link bodies are flexibly connected to each other. Each link body is comprised of a pair of right and left link plates, a connecting arm, an opening/closing arm, and a hinge connecting mechanism. The connecting arm connects the lower edges of the link plates to each other. The opening/closing arm connects the upper portions of the link plates to each other. The opening/closing arm is comprised of a first end and a second end. The hinge connecting mechanism openably pivots the opening/closing arm and is located at an upper end portion of one of the link plates. The hinge connecting mechanism is pivotably interconnected with the first end of the opening/closing arm.  
         [0009]     The cable or the like protection and guide device is characterized in having both a main locking mechanism and an auxiliary locking mechanism. The main locking mechanism secures the opening/closing arm to one of the link plates. This main locking mechanism is also capable of disengaging the opening/closing arm from the link plate. The main locking mechanism comprises an engagement pin and an engagement piece. The engagement pin is integrally molded in an upper end portion of the other link plate and extends in the longitudinal direction of the chain. The engagement piece is attached to the second end of the opening/closing arm and is movable from the outside toward the inside of the other link plate along the opening/closing arm. The engagement piece when opened exposes an engagement pin insertion groove which receives the engagement pin. The engagement pin and the engagement pin insertion groove extend in the longitudinal direction of the opening/closing arm. The auxiliary locking mechanism locks the opening/closing arm and the link plate.  
         [0010]     The auxiliary locking mechanism comprises a protrusion piece insertion groove and an auxiliary protrusion piece. The protrusion piece insertion groove is integrally molded in the other link plate sometimes described herein as “another” link plate in the vicinity of an end portion of the engagement pin and opens toward the inside of the link plate. The auxiliary protrusion piece is integrally molded on the second end of the opening/closing arm and is engageably inserted from the inside toward the outside of the other link plate.  
         [0011]     The cable or the like protection and guide device further solves the above-mentioned problems with a guide surface. The guide surface guides the auxiliary protrusion piece to an insertion start position of the protrusion piece insertion groove by allowing the auxiliary protrusion piece to slide along its surface. The guide surface is integrally formed in the other link plate in the vicinity of the end portion of the engagement pin.  
         [0012]     Further, the cable or the like protection and guide device further solves the above-mentioned problems with a locking tongue piece, which cooperates with the engagement pin insertion groove in the engagement piece to hold the engagement pin. The locking tongue piece is integrally formed in the opening/closing arm and is in the vicinity of the auxiliary protrusion piece.  
         [0013]     Further, the cable or the like protection and guide device further solves the above-mentioned problems with a hinge connecting mechanism comprised of a second engagement pin and an engagement pin insertion groove. The engagement pin is integrally molded on an upper end portion of the other link plate and extends in the longitudinal direction of the chain. The engagement pin insertion groove is formed on an end of the engagement piece slidably interconnected with the opening/closing arm. The engagement pin insertion groove is open from an inner peripheral side of the link plate toward an outer peripheral side thereof. This allows the engagement pin insertion groove to engage with the second engagement pin.  
         [0014]     Further, the cable or the like protection and guide device solves the above-mentioned problems by providing an elastic deformable locking tongue part and at least one stopper portion. The deformable locking tongue part is integrally molded in the engagement piece. The stopper portion is also integrally molded and is located in the opening/closing arm. The stopper portion interengages and locks the locking tongue part. The locking tongue part is locked by the stopper portion to block movement of the engagement piece when the engagement pin insertion groove of the engagement piece is moved to engage the engagement pin. In this way the engagement remains interconnected to the engagement pin.  
         [0000]     Effects of the Invention  
         [0015]     The cable or the like protection and guide device of the invention includes a main locking mechanism which disengageably secures the opening/closing arm and the other link plate. An auxiliary locking mechanism also disengageably locks the opening/closing arm and the other link plate. The engagement between the opening/closing arm and the other link plate is performed by dual locking engagement mechanisms. A load, which acts on the opening/closing arm is distributed between both the main locking mechanism and the auxiliary locking mechanism. Excellent endurance of the device can be achieved. Additionally, even if the main locking mechanism is disengaged during operation the auxiliary mechanism is still engaged and inadvertent disengagement of the opening/closing arm during operation is avoided. As a result, reliable engagement and disengagement of the opening/closing arm can be realized. Additionally, the following peculiar effects can be obtained.  
         [0016]     The main locking mechanism comprises an engagement pin and an engagement piece. The engagement pin is integrally molded in an upper portion of the other link plate and extends in the longitudinal direction of the chain. The engagement piece is slidably attached to the second end of the opening/closing arm and is movable from the outside toward the inside of the link plate along the opening/closing arm. The engagement piece when opened reveals an engagement pin insertion groove engageable with the engagement pin. The engagement piece moves in the direction of the opening/closing arm. The pivoting direction of the opening/closing arm and the direction of movement of the engagement piece are different from each other. Thus, as long as the engagement piece has engaged the engagement pin and the protrusion piece is inserted into the protrusion piece insertion groove, the opening/closing arm is not inadvertently disengaged from the link plate. Further, since the engagement pin insertion groove in the engagement piece is moved from the outside toward the inside of the link plate to engage with an engagement pin, the engagement operation for engagement securing the opening/closing arm to the link plate becomes easy and the efforts of operation can be reduced.  
         [0017]     The auxiliary locking mechanism comprises a protrusion piece insertion groove and an auxiliary protrusion piece. The protrusion piece insertion groove is integrally molded in the other link plate and in the vicinity of an end portion of the engagement pin. The opening of the protrusion piece insertion groove faces the inside of the link plate. An auxiliary protrusion piece is integrally molded on the second end of the opening/closing arm and is engageably inserted into the protrusion piece insertion groove from the inside toward the outside of the other link plate. When the auxiliary protrusion piece is inserted into the protrusion piece insertion groove, sandwiching pressure from both right and left link plates acts on the auxiliary protrusion piece. Thus, an insertion state of the auxiliary protrusion piece into the protrusion piece insertion groove is reliable and stable. The strength of the auxiliary lock mechanism allows miniaturization to be attained without compromising the strength or endurance of the device. Further, even if the main locking mechanism does not work, the opening/closing arm does not disengage from the link plate and torsional rigidity of the entire link body is significantly improved.  
         [0018]     Further, a guide surface is integrally formed in the vicinity of the end portion of the engagement pin. The guide surface positions the auxiliary protrusion piece for entry into the protrusion piece insertion groove. Force is applied to the opening/closing arm and the gap between the right and left link plates is widened. Or, put another way, the gap between the link plate and the other link plate is increased. The protrusion piece is guided along the guide surface which allows the auxiliary protrusion piece to slide into place within the protrusion piece insertion groove. As a result, the engagement operation load is reduced.  
         [0019]     Further, a locking tongue piece cooperates with the engagement pin insertion groove in the engagement piece to hold the engagement pin. The locking tongue piece is integrally formed in the vicinity of the auxiliary protrusion piece. The opening/closing arm is reliably locked with an engagement pin so that the opportunity for inadvertent disengagement can be significantly reduced.  
         [0020]     Additionally, the hinge connecting mechanism is comprised by a second engagement pin and an engagement pin insertion groove. The second engagement pin is integrally molded in an upper end portion on the link plate denoted one link plate and extends in the longitudinal direction of a chain. The engagement pin insertion groove formed on the second end of the engagement piece is open in the inner peripheral side thereof. The engagement pin insertion groove can be engaged with the second engagement pin when the auxiliary locking mechanism is engaged. The opening direction of the engagement pin insertion groove formed on the end of the engagement piece slidably attached to the opening/closing arm is different from the opening direction of the protrusion piece insertion groove of the auxiliary locking mechanism.  
         [0021]     That is, to unlock the main locking mechanism the engagement piece is extended outwardly from the other link plate. To unlock the auxiliary protrusion piece it must be moved inwardly with respect to the other link plate. Thus, even if an opening/closing arm side auxiliary protrusion piece is intentionally pulled out of a link plate side protrusion piece insertion groove, the opening/closing arm still does not inadvertently disengage from the link plate. And even though the auxiliary locking mechanism is a simple engagement structure, it can exhibit reliable engagement force by itself.  
         [0022]     Additionally, a cable or the like protection and guide device further comprises an elastic deformable locking tongue part and at least one stopper portion. The elastic deformable locking tongue part is integrally molded in the engagement piece. At least one stopper portion is integrally molded in the opening/closing arm and locks the locking tongue part. The locking tongue part is locked by one stopper portion to block movement of the engagement piece in direction away from the engagement pin when the engagement pin insertion groove in the engagement piece is moved to engage the engagement pin. The locking tongue part and the stopper portion block the movement of the engagement piece. The locking tongue part and the stopper block the movement of the engagement piece by elastic deformation of the locking tongue part. Thus, when the second end of the opening/closing arm is engaged with an engagement pin or the second end of the opening/closing arm is disengaged from the engagement pin, large force is not needed and the assembling and disassembling of the opening/closing arm can be easily achieved.  
         [0023]     The present invention is a cable or the like protection and guide device in which a plurality of link bodies are flexibly connected to each other. Each link body comprises a pair of right and left link plates, a connecting arm, an opening/closing arm, and a hinge connecting mechanism. The link bodies are flexibly connected to each other. The connecting arm connects the lower edges of the link plates to each other. The opening/closing arm connects the upper edges or upper portions of the link plates to each other. The hinge connecting mechanism openably pivots the opening/closing arm. The opening/closing arm includes a first end portion which pivots about a hinge in one link plate. The opening/closing arm includes a second end portion which interlocks with the other link plate.  
         [0024]     The cable or the like protection and guide device is characterized by a main locking mechanism and an auxiliary locking mechanism. Both locking mechanisms secure the link plates together. The main locking mechanism includes an engagement pin and an engagement piece. The engagement pin (sometimes referred to herein as the first engagement pin) is integrally molded in an upper end portion of the other link plate and extends in the longitudinal direction of a chain. The engagement piece is attached to the second end of the opening/closing arm and is movable from the outside toward the inside of the link plate along the opening/closing arm. To lock the opening/closing arm the engagement piece is moved from the outside toward the inside of the link plate. To unlock the opening/closing arm the engagement piece is moved away from the other link plate. The engagement piece opens an engagement pin insertion groove engageable with the engagement pin in the longitudinal direction of the opening/closing arm. An auxiliary locking mechanism disengageably locks the opening/closing arm and the other link plate. The auxiliary locking mechanism comprises a protrusion piece insertion groove and auxiliary protrusion piece. The protrusion piece insertion groove is integrally molded in the vicinity of an end portion of the engagement pin and opens toward the inside of the other link plate. The auxiliary protrusion piece is integrally molded on the second end of the opening/closing arm and is engageably inserted from the inside toward the outside of the link plate. The present invention avoids inadvertent disengagement during operation by making the engagement between the opening/closing arm and the link plate reliable and strong. The present invention includes a dual locking engagement mechanism. The cable or the like protection and guide device can perform an easy engagement operation and exhibit excellent endurance even if miniaturized. Additional concrete embodiments of the invention may be used.  
         [0025]     It is noted that in the present invention the engagement piece is slidably attached to the opening/closing arm. The main locking mechanism may be formed with one end engagement piece slidably attached to the second end of the opening/closing arm. The slidable engagement piece can also be attached to the first end of the opening/closing arm to form the main locking mechanism. In this case, the structure of the opening/closing arm becomes symmetrical on both ends thereof and no attention is needed for an attachment direction of the opening/closing arm during assembly. Thus, the slidable engagement piece can be engaged and disengaged from the first end and the second end of the opening/closing arm, and it is needless to say that engagement and disengagement workability is further improved. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a cable or the like protection and guide device, which is one example of the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is an entire view of the link body shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a connecting state between a link plate and a connecting arm.  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the opening/closing arm and the engagement piece.  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a state where an opening/closing arm is locked by only an auxiliary locking mechanism.  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view showing a securing starting state of a main locking mechanism.  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view showing a securing completion state of the main locking mechanism.  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged perspective view showing a locking starting state of an auxiliary locking mechanism.  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view showing a locking completion state of the auxiliary locking mechanism. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     EXAMPLE  
       [0035]     A cable or the like protection and guide device, which is one example of the present invention, will be described with reference to drawings.  
         [0036]     First,  FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a cable or the like protection and guide device, which is one example of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is an entire view of a link body shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a connection state between link plates and a connecting arm.  FIG. 4  is an exploded view of an opening/closing arm and an engagement piece.  FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a state where an opening/closing arm is locked by only an auxiliary locking mechanism.  FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view showing a securing starting state of a main locking mechanism.  FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view showing a securing completion state of the main locking mechanism.  FIG. 8  is an enlarged perspective view showing a locking starting state of an auxiliary locking mechanism.  FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view showing a locking completion state of the auxiliary locking mechanism.  
         [0037]     The cable or the like protection and guide device, which is one example of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1  includes a plurality of link bodies  100 , and a longitudinal end of the connected link bodies is attached to a movable machine (not shown) and the other end of the connected link bodies is attached to a floor surface (not shown).  
         [0038]     The link body  100  includes, as shown in  FIG. 2 , one link plate and another link plate  110 ,  110 , a connecting arm  120 , which connects lower end portions (lower edges) of the respective link plates  110 ,  110 , and an opening/closing arm  130 , which connects upper end portions of the respective link plates  110 ,  110 . It is noted that the reference numeral  111  in  FIGS. 1 and 2  denote a connecting pin, which connects the link plates  110  to each other in the longitudinal direction, and the reference numeral  112  denotes a connecting hole for the connecting pin, which connects the link plates  110  to each other in the longitudinal direction, to flexibly fit into the connecting hole.  
         [0039]     Further, the link body  100  is injection-molded of a resin material as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The connecting arm  120  is integrally molded together with oval-shaped link bodies  110 , and the opening/closing arm  130  is disengageably formed on the link plate  110  so that a cable or the like C composed of a flexible body such as a cable, a hose or the like is accommodated into the link body  100 .  
         [0040]     The link body  100  includes a hinge connecting mechanism  100 A in  FIG. 2 , a main locking mechanism  100 B in  FIG. 2 , and an auxiliary locking mechanism  100 C in  FIG. 5 . The hinge connecting mechanism  100 A in  FIG. 2 , openably pivots the opening/closing arm  130 . The hinge connection mechanism is formed in an upper end portion of one of the link plates  110 . The first end of the opening/closing arm  130  pivotably engages the hinge portion. A main locking mechanism  100 B in  FIG. 2  is formed between the upper end portion of the other link plate, and the second end of the opening/closing arm  130  to disengageably secure the opening/closing arm  130  and the other link plate  110 . An auxiliary locking mechanism  100 C in  FIG. 5  is formed between the upper end portion of the other link plate  110  and the second end of the opening/closing arm  130  to disengageably lock the opening/closing arm  130  and the link plate  110 .  
         [0041]     Since the cable or the like protection and guide device of the example includes the main locking mechanism  100 B and the auxiliary locking mechanism  100 C, the engagement between the opening/closing arm  130  and the link plate  110  has dual locking engagement mechanisms, and a load, which acts on the opening/closing arm  130  is distributed between the two structures: the main locking mechanism  100 B and the auxiliary locking mechanism  100 C. And even if the main locking mechanism  100 B is disengaged from the other link plate  110  during operation, the auxiliary locking mechanism  100 C is still engaged as shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0042]     Thus, the main locking mechanism  100 B, the auxiliary locking mechanism  100 C, and the hinge connecting mechanism, respectively formed between the link plates  110  and the opening/closing arm  130  are characterized portions of the cable or the like protection and guide device of the example and are described in detail below.  
         [0043]     First, the main locking mechanism  100 B comprises, as shown in  FIG. 2  or  FIG. 6 , an engagement pin  113  and an engagement piece  140 . The engagement pin  113  is integrally molded in an upper end portion of the other link plate and extends in the longitudinal direction of a chain. Engagement pin  113  is sometimes referred to herein as the first engagement pin. The engagement piece  140  is slidably attached to the second end of the opening/closing arm  130 . The engagement piece is slidably movable along the longitudinal direction of the opening/closing arm. The engagement piece  140  may be moved from the outside toward the inside of the other link plate  110  along the opening/closing arm  130  to lock the arm and the engagement pin insertion groove  141  is engaged with the engagement pin  113 . As a result, the opening/closing arm  130  and the link plate  110  can be disengageably secured.  
         [0044]     And as shown in  FIG. 7 , the pivoting direction of the opening/closing arm  130  and the movement direction of the engagement piece  140  are different from each other. When the engagement pin  113  is engaged with the engagement pin insertion groove  141  of the engagement piece  140 , the opening/closing arm  130  is not inadvertently disengaged from the link plate  110 . Further, since the engagement pin insertion groove  141  in the engagement piece  140  is moved from the outside toward the inside of the other link plate  110  to engage with an engagement pin  113 , the engagement operation for engagement securing the opening/closing arm  130  to the link plate  110  becomes easy and the efforts to operate this device can be reduced.  
         [0045]     Additionally, the auxiliary locking mechanism  100 C comprises, as shown in  FIG. 8 , a protrusion piece insertion groove  114  and an auxiliary protrusion piece  131 . The protrusion piece insertion groove  114  is integrally molded in the vicinity of an end portion of the engagement pin  113  and opens toward the inside of one link plate  110 . The auxiliary protrusion piece  131 , is integrally molded on the second end of the opening/closing arm  130  and is engageably inserted into the protrusion piece insertion groove  114  from the inside toward the outside of the link plate  110 . When the auxiliary protrusion piece  131  is inserted into the protrusion piece insertion groove  114 , the opening/closing arm  130  and the link plate  110  are disengageably locked.  
         [0046]     And as shown in  FIG. 9 , when the auxiliary protrusion piece  131  is inserted into the protrusion piece insertion groove  114 , sandwiching pressure is generated, from both side walls of a pair of right (other)and left (another) link plates  110 ,  110  so that the auxiliary protrusion piece  131  falls inside the protrusion piece insertion groove  114 . Thus, an insertion state of the auxiliary protrusion piece  131  into the protrusion piece insertion groove  114  becomes reliable and strong. The miniaturization of the auxiliary locking mechanism  100 C can be achieved. Further, even if the main locking mechanism  100 B does not work, the opening/closing arm  130  does not disengage from the upper end portion of the other link plate  110  and torsional rigidity of the entire link body  100  can be significantly improved.  
         [0047]     Further, as shown in  FIG. 8 , a guide surface guides the auxiliary protrusion piece  131  by allowing the auxiliary protrusion piece  131  to slide to an insertion start position in the protrusion piece insertion groove  114 . The guide surface is integrally formed in the vicinity of the end portion of the engagement pin  113 . Force F pushes the other end of the opening/closing arm  130  into the link plate  110  from an upper end portion of the link plate  110  so as to engage both elements. Component F 1  of the force widens the gap between a pair of right and left link plates  110 ,  110  in the guide surface  115 . Component F 1  smoothly slides an auxiliary protrusion piece  131  in the opening/closing arm  130  on a guide surface  115  to easily guide the auxiliary protrusion piece  131  to an insertion starting position of the protrusion piece insertion groove  114 . As a result, the engagement operation load can be reduced.  
         [0048]     Further, as shown in  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 , a locking tongue piece  132 , which cooperates with the engagement pin insertion groove  141  in the engagement piece  140  to hold the engagement pin  113 , is integrally formed in the vicinity of the auxiliary protrusion piece  131 . When the main locking mechanism  100 B is operated, the opening/closing arm  130  is reliably locked to an engagement pin  113  so that the chance of inadvertent disengagement can be greatly reduced.  
         [0049]     Further, when the other end of the opening/closing arm  130  is pushed into the link plate  110  from the upper end portion of the link plate  110  to engage both elements and the auxiliary locking mechanism  100 C is operated, the locking tongue piece  132  abuts on a positioning contact surface  116 . The positioning contact surface  116  is integrally molded on the upper end portion of one link plate  110  to reliably position an insertion starting position of the auxiliary protrusion piece  131  for insertion into the protrusion piece insertion groove  114 . Thus, a reliable and easy engagement operation of the auxiliary locking mechanism  100 C is attained.  
         [0050]     Further, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the hinge connecting mechanism  100 A comprises a second engagement pin  113  and an engagement pin insertion groove  133 . The engagement pin  113  is integrally molded in an upper end portion of one link plate  110  (i.e. the right link plate) and extends in the longitudinal direction of the chain. The engagement pin insertion groove  133  is formed on the first end of the opening/closing arm  130 . The engagement pin insertion groove  133  is opened from an inner peripheral side of the link plate  110  toward an outer peripheral side thereof.  
         [0051]     Referring to FIGS.  3  and  FIG. 4 , engagement insertion groove  133  is interlocked with engagement pin  113  by hooking the insertion groove  133  to pin  113  and then rotating opening/closing arm  130  into place. In this way, opening/closing arm  130  is restrained with respect to the pin  113 .  
         [0052]     When the auxiliary locking mechanism  100 C is in an engagement state, the engagement pin insertion groove  133  has a U-shaped side cross-section engageable with the engagement pin  113 . When the auxiliary locking mechanism  100 C is locked the opening direction of the engagement pin insertion groove  133  which is formed on the first end of the opening/closing arm of the hinge connecting mechanism is different from the opening direction of the protrusion piece insertion groove  114  of the other link plate forming the auxiliary locking mechanism  100 C. Thus, if the auxiliary protrusion piece  131  is intentionally pulled out of the other link plate  110  protrusion piece insertion groove  114 , the opening/closing arm  130  still does not inadvertently disengage from the link plate  110 . And even though the auxiliary locking mechanism  100 C is a simple engagement structure it can exhibit reliable engagement force.  
         [0053]     Additionally, the main locking mechanism  100 B comprises, as shown in  FIG. 4 , an elastic deformable locking tongue part  142  and stopper portions,  134 A and  134 B. Elastic deformable locking tongue part  142  is integrally molded in the engagement piece  140 . Stopper portions  134 A and  134 B are integrally molded in the opening/closing arm  130 . The locking tongue part  142  is locked by the stopper portion  134 A to block a movement of the engagement piece  140  in the opposite direction when the engagement pin insertion groove  141  in the engagement piece  140  is moved to engage the engagement pin  113 . By opposite direction, it is meant the outward direction away from the other link plate  110  to open the engagement piece  140  and expose the engagement pin insertion groove  141 . The locking tongue part  142  and the stopper portion  134 A, block the movement of the engagement piece  140 , and exhibit a slight locking state of such an extent that they can block the movement of the engagement piece  140  by elastic deformation of the locking tongue part  142 . Thus, when the second end of the opening/closing arm  130  is engaged with engagement pin  113  or the second end of the opening/closing arm  130  is disengaged from the engagement pin  113 , large force is not needed and the assembling and disassembling of the opening/closing arm  130  can be easily attained.  
         [0054]     It is noted that the reference numbers  143  shown in  FIG. 4  denote a pair of right and left guide pieces disposed in parallel with the locking tongue part  142  for the engagement piece  140  to move in the longitudinal direction of the opening/closing arm  130 .  
         [0055]     Further, when the locking tongue part  142  in the engagement piece  140  and the stopper portion  134 A in the opening/closing arm  130  are disengaged, the stopper portion  134 B shown in  FIG. 4  prevents the engagement piece  140  from separating from the opening/closing arm  130 , as shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0056]     In the present example, the engagement piece  140  attached to the opening/closing arm  130  is mounted on only the second end of the opening/closing arm  130  to form the main locking mechanism  100 B. However, the opening/closing arm  130  may be connected by attaching an engagement piece  140  to the first end of the opening/closing arm  130  so that the main locking mechanism  100 B is formed. In this case, the structure of the opening/closing arm  130  becomes symmetrical on both ends thereof and no attention is needed for an attachment direction of the opening/closing arm  130  during assembly. Thus, the opening/closing arm  130  can be engaged and disengaged from the first end and the second end of the opening/closing arm  130 . Engagement and disengagement workability is further improved.  
         [0057]     The thus obtained cable or the like protection and guide device of this example includes a main locking mechanism  100 B and an auxiliary locking mechanism  100 C. The main locking mechanism  100 B disengageably secures an opening/closing arm  130  and a link plate  110  referred to herein as the other link plate. The auxiliary locking mechanism  100 C, disengageably locks them. The engagement between the opening/closing arm  130  and the link plate  110  is performed by a dual locking mechanism. A load, which acts on the opening/closing arm  130  is distributed between the main locking mechanism  100 B and auxiliary mechanism  100 C so that excellent endurance of the device can be exhibited. Even if the main locking mechanism  100 B is disengaged during operation, since the auxiliary mechanism  100 B is still engaged, inadvertent disengagement of the opening/closing arm  130  during operation is avoided. As a result, reliable engagement and disengagement are realized. Additionally, miniaturization of the cable or the like protection and guide device of this invention can also be achieved. Thus, the effects of the present invention are very significant.  
         [0000]     Description of Reference Numerals  
         [0000]    
       
           100  . . . Link plate  
           100 A . . . Hinge connecting mechanism  
           100 B . . . Main locking mechanism  
           100 C . . . Auxiliary locking mechanism  
           110  . . . Link plate  
           111  . . . Connecting pin  
           112  . . . Connecting hole  
           113  . . . Engagement pin  
           114  . . . Protrusion piece insertion groove  
           115  . . . Guide surface  
           116  . . . Positioning contact surface  
           120  . . . Connecting arm  
           130  . . . Opening/closing arm  
           131  . . . Auxiliary protrusion piece  
           132  . . . Locking tongue piece  
           133  . . . Engagement pin insertion groove  
           134 A . . . Stopper portion  
           134 B . . . Stopper portion  
           140  . . . Engagement piece  
           141  . . . Engagement pin insertion groove  
           142  . . . Locking tongue part  
           143  . . . Guide piece  
          C . . . Cable or the like  
          F . . . Pushing force  
          F 1  . . . Component force  
          f . . . Sandwiching pressure  
       
     
         [0084]     Although the invention has been described herein by way of particularity, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that changes may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the attached claims.