Connection device

A connection device in combination with two adjacently disposed connection target members for detachably connecting and fixing the two adjacently disposed connection target members together, comprising

• a connection device main body comprised of a pair of lever members configured swingably about a fulcrum,
• each one lever member consisting of, consecutively,
• a flat upright power application portion extending along a first straight line from a first end of said one lever member,
• a flat sloped portion continuous with the power application portion and extending along a second straight line, directly and angularly from an end of the power application portion, whereby the respective sloped portions extend toward each other,
• a flat operating portion continuous from the flat sloped portion and extending along a third straight line, directly and angularly from an end of the flat sloped portion, wherein a junction of the flat sloped portion and the flat operating portion is a fulcrum point at which the lever members are in contact with each other, and
• a flat, locking portion continuous from an end of the operating portion, and extending along a fourth straight line, directly and angularly from said end of the operating portion to a second end of the lever member,
• drive means entirely at the power application portions for causing the power application portions to execute motion in which the power application portions approach each other and separate from each other over a fixed distance,
• the operating portions extending through respective mutually aligned openings in the connection target members,
• the locking portions substantially flatly abutting against a portion of an outermost peripheral surface of a first of the connection target members so as to releasably lock a portion of an opposing outermost peripheral surface of the first connection target member to a second of the connection target members disposed adjacently to the first connection target member,
• the distance between the outermost peripheral surface and the opposing outermost peripheral surface of the first connection target member being an entire width of the first connection target member,
• whereby portions of the two connection target members defining horizontal surfaces are horizontally disposed directly adjacent each other and are locked together when the power application portions approach each other and unlocked from each other when the power application portions separate from each other upon operation of the drive means and
• whereupon as the power application portions approach each other the locking portions are substantially flatly abutted against the outermost peripheral surface of the first connection target member so as to lock the adjacently disposed connection target members together,
• the drive means driving the power application portions about the fulcrum of the connection device, formed by the fulcrum points in contact with each other, for moving the locking portions upwardly against the outermost peripheral surface of the first connection member so as to cause an application of force from the locking portions that is directed in the same direction and toward each of the connection target members upon locking of the connection target members together and a release of the application of force upon unlocking of the connection target members.