PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a curved mechanism for an endoscope, which is enabled by a simple construction to return a curved portion reliably from a curved state.SOLUTION: A curved mechanism comprises: an angle wire for curving a curved portion in response to traction by an operation member and a coil spring inserting the angle wire thereinto, wherein the coil spring has its one end portion connected to a first spring supporting member fixed on a holding member for holding a curved piece in the curved portion and its other end connected to a second spring supporting member fixed on the angle wire. The spacing between the first support member and the second support member is changed by the traction of the angle wire so that the length of the coil spring is changed to apply a biasing force backward of the traction direction to the angle wire. When the traction of the angle wire is released, the curved portion is caused to restore a noncurved state by the biasing force of the coil spring.COPYRIGHT: (C)2014,JPO&INPIT【課題】簡単な構成で、湾曲部を確実に湾曲状態から復帰させることが可能な内視鏡の湾曲機構を提供する【解決手段】操作部材による牽引に応じて湾曲部を湾曲させるアングルワイヤを備えた湾曲機構であって、アングルワイヤを挿通させたコイルバネを備え、コイルバネの一端部が、湾曲部内の湾曲駒を保持する保持部材に固定した第1のバネ支持部材に接続し、コイルバネの他端部が、アングルワイヤに固定した第2のバネ支持部材に接続される。アングルワイヤの牽引によって第1の支持部材と第2の支持部材の間隔が変化し、コイルバネの長さが変化してアングルワイヤに対して牽引方向と逆方向への付勢力を付与する。アングルワイヤの牽引を解除すると、コイルバネの付勢力によって湾曲部が非湾曲状態に復帰する。【選択図】図3
