IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,486,426
Granted Patent B2
US 11,486,426 · App. 16/781,314 · Granted Nov 1, 2022

Snap-fit

Inventor: Junichi Sakamoto (Yamanashi-ken, JP)
Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
F16B5/0607H05K5/0017H05K5/0021H05K5/0204H05K5/0208Y10T403/59
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,486,426
App. No.
16/781,314
Granted
Nov 1, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

In a snap-fit for attaching a second unit to a first unit, an engaging member provided on the second unit includes: a claw configured to restrict movement of the second unit relative the first unit in a removing direction; an elastic support configured to support the claw so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the removing direction and in a releasing direction in which the claw is released from the engagement with an engaged member provided on the first unit; and an operative part provided on the elastic support and configured to release an engagement of the engaging member with the engaged member. The operative part includes at least a portion that overlaps the claw with respect to the removing direction.

Claims (31)

1. A snap-fit for attaching a second unit to a first unit by engaging an engaged member provided on the first unit with an engaging member provided on the second unit, wherein the engaging member comprises:

a claw configured to restrict movement of the second unit relative to the first unit in a removing direction;

an elastic support configured to support the claw so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the removing direction and in a releasing direction in which the claw is released from an engagement with the engaged member; and

an operative part provided on the elastic support and configured to release an engagement of the engaging member with the engaged member, wherein the operative part includes at least a portion that overlaps the claw with respect to the removing direction, the engaged member including a slit extending in the removing direction from a removing-direction end of the engaged member, and the operative part is located in the slit in a state where the engaging member and the engaged member are engaging with each other.

2. The snap-fit according to claim 1 , wherein the claw is supported by a distal end of the elastic support.

3. The snap-fit according to claim 1 , wherein:

the claw of the engaging member comprises two claws;

the operative part is arranged so that the portion is located between the two claws; and

the engaged member is configured to engage with each of the two claws.

4. The snap-fit according to claim 3 , wherein the two claws are arranged so as to be symmetrical to each other with the operative part interposed between the claws.

5. The snap-fit according to claim 1 , wherein the operative part is configured to project beyond the engaged member in a direction opposite to the releasing direction.

6. The snap-fit according to claim 1 , wherein one of the first and second units is a housing of a controller, and another unit thereof is a chassis of a display unit.

7. The snap-fit according to claim 1 , wherein the operative part is accessible from a left-side of the engaging member such that the operative part is configured to be pushed from the left side in the releasing direction toward the engaged member to release the claw from the engaged member.

8. The snap-fit according to claim 1 , wherein the engaged member includes:

a pair of spaced-apart columns; and

a pair of receiving portions extending laterally inward from the respective pair of space-apart columns and toward one another, the operative part being configured for receipt between the pair of receiving portions.

9. A snap-fit for attaching a second unit to a first unit by engaging an engaged member provided on the first unit with an engaging member provided on the second unit, wherein the engaging member comprises:

a claw configured to restrict movement of the second unit relative to the first unit in a removing direction;

an elastic support configured to support the claw so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the removing direction and in a releasing direction in which the claw is released from an engagement with the engaged member; and

an operative part provided on the elastic support and configured to release an engagement of the engaging member with the engaged member, wherein the operative part includes at least a portion that overlaps the claw with respect to the removing direction, wherein:

the claw has a first length extending along the releasing direction; and

the operative part is configured to protrude beyond the engaged member by a second length which is equal to or greater than the first length, in the direction opposite to the releasing direction.

10. A snap-fit for attaching a second unit to a first unit by engaging an engaged member provided on the first unit with an engaging member provided on the second unit, wherein the engaging member comprises:

a claw configured to restrict movement of the second unit relative to the first unit in a removing direction;

an elastic support configured to support the claw so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the removing direction and in a releasing direction in which the claw is released from an engagement with the engaged member; and

an operative part provided on the elastic support and configured to release an engagement of the engaging member with the engaged member, wherein the operative part includes at least a portion that overlaps the claw with respect to the removing direction, wherein:

the engaging member of the second unit comprises at least two engaging members each having the operative part;

the engaged member of the first unit comprises at least two engaged members so as to correspond to locations of the engaging members;

the second unit has a first face and a second face facing each other at a distance therebetween;

the first face and the second face each include at least one of the engaging members; and

the engaging member provided on the first face and the engaging member provided on the second face are shifted from each other with respect to an arrangement direction intersecting the removing direction on the first face and the second face.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 4, 2020
From: SAKAMOTO, JUNICHI
To: FANUC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 051713/0032 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2019-020499 · Feb 7, 2019 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20200256362A1 · Aug 13, 2020