JP4215243B2

JP4215243B2 - Pipe fitting

Info

Publication number: JP4215243B2
Application number: JP2003094047A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 茂雄上田; 克己山本
Original assignee: 東亜高級継手バルブ製造株式会社
Priority date: 2003-03-31
Filing date: 2003-03-31
Publication date: 2009-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-31
Also published as: JP2004301216A

Description

【０００１】
【発明が属する技術分野】
本発明は、継手本体と管の間にスリーブ及びこれに保持させる抜け止め玉を配置し、スリーブを軸方向外側へ移動させることによって、継手本体の内面に形成した奥側が大径となるテーパ面で抜け止め玉を管外面に押し付け、管の抜け出しを防止する抜け止め機構を備えた管継手に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の抜け止め機構は、抜け止め玉として硬質のボールを用い、このボールを、スリーブに周方向に等間隔に形成された外面側の開口径が大径となるテーパ状の貫通孔に外面側から嵌め込み保持させ、スリーブを、この奥側に配置されたコイルバネ、板バネ、ゴム弾性体等の弾性部材で軸方向外側へ押し出すようにしていた。（例えば、特許文献１参照。）。
【０００３】
また、抜け止め玉として外表面にローレット加工を施し、かつ、中心に孔あけ加工を施して軸孔を形成した樽形状で硬質のコマを用い、このコマをリング状のワイヤに複数挿通させた状態で、このワイヤをスリーブに嵌め込み、各コマを、スリーブに周方向に等間隔に形成された貫通孔に保持させ、スリーブを上記と同様の弾性部材で軸方向外側へ押し出すものもあった（例えば、特許文献２参照。）。
【０００４】
さらに、スリーブの一端部を継手本体の端部から外側に突出させ、この突出端部に半径方向外側へ突出するフランジを形成し、このフランジに螺着させて端部を継手本体の端面に当接させる引き出しボルトによって、スリーブを軸方向外側に引き出すものもあった（例えば、特許文献３参照。）。
【０００５】
【特許文献１】
特開平６−２７２７９５号公報
【特許文献２】
特開２０００−１７９７６９号公報
【特許文献３】
特開２００２−９８２７６号公報
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記のような抜け止め機構を備えた管継手で接続される管は、一般に真円に製造することが困難で、多少の歪みを生じて楕円形となるため、継手本体内面のテーバ面と管外面の間に形成される隙間は円周方向に一様にはならず、狭い部分と広い部分ができる。そして、従来の抜け止め機構は、全ての抜け止め玉がスリーブと一体的に同じ軸方向位置にしか移動しないため、継手本体内面のテーパ面と管外面の間に形成される周方向の隙間の狭い部分で、例えば１乃至２個の抜け止め玉が噛み込み軸方向外側への移動が止められるなどした場合には、同時にスリーブも止まって隙間の広い部分にある他の抜け止め玉の軸方向外側への移動も止められることになり、全ての抜け止め玉を略均等な力で管の外面に押し付けることができないという問題があった。
【０００７】
そこで、本発明の目的は、継手本体と管の間にスリーブ及びこれに保持させる抜け止め玉を配置し、スリーブを軸方向外側へ移動させることによって、継手本体の内面に形成した奥側が大径となるテーパ面で抜け止め玉を管外面に押し付け、管の抜け出しを防止する抜け止め機構を備えた管継手において、継手本体内面のテーパ面と管外面の間に形成される隙間が円周方向に一様でなくとも、全ての抜け止め玉を略均等な力で管の外面に押し付け、所定の抜け止め作用を確実に安定して得ることができる管継手を提供することにある。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記の目的を達成するために本発明は、継手本体と管の間にスリーブ及びこれに保持させる抜け止め玉を配置し、スリーブを軸方向外側へ移動させることによって、継手本体の内面に形成した奥側が大径となるテーパ面で抜け止め玉を管外面に押し付け、管の抜け出しを防止する抜け止め機構を備えた管継手において、スリーブを部分的に軸方向へ変位可能に形成したことを特徴とする。
【０００９】
部分的に軸方向へ変位可能なスリーブの具体的な形態としては、一端にフランジを設けると共に、他端からフランジに達する軸方向の切り込みを円周方向に所定間隔おきに設け、各切り込み間のスリーブ片に抜け止め玉を配置する貫通孔を設け、またフランジにはヒンジ部を軸方向視でスリーブ片と重ならない位置で円周方向に所定間隔おきに設ける。これによって、一体構成のスリーブでありながら、部分的に軸方向へ変位させることができるようになる。この場合、ヒンジ部は、フランジに溝を半径方向へ設け、フランジの厚みを部分的に薄肉にすることで設けることができる。
【００１０】
また、筒状のスリーブを立てに例えば２乃至４つ割にした割スリーブを採用することでも、部分的に軸方向へ変位可能なスリーブを得ることができ、このような割スリーブにおいては、各スリーブ片に抜け止め玉を配置する貫通孔を設ける。さらにスリーブは、一端にフランジを設けると共に、他端からの軸方向の切り込みを円周方向に所定間隔おきに設け、切り込み間のスリーブ片に抜け止め玉を配置する貫通孔を設け、このスリーブを切り込み部分で複数に分割させて分割スリーブとすることが好ましい。
【００１１】
ところで、継手本体は、開口端部から半径方向内側へ突出する突起を円周方向に所定間隔おきに設け、各突起を一体構成のスリーブ又は分割スリーブに設けた切り込みの隙間内に突出させることで、継手本体の各突起にて管の自重及び曲げ荷重を受けるから、一体構成のスリーブ又は分割スリーブを一体的さらには部分的に軸方向へ変位させる場合、管Ｐの自重及び曲げ荷重を受けることなく軸方向に容易に移動できるようになり、有効である。
【００１２】
また、スリーブを軸方向外側へ付勢する弾性部材と、継手本体の開口端部外周に嵌めるリング状の操作部材を設け、操作部材の一端に一体構成のスリーブ又は分割スリーブのフランジに対して軸方向外側から重ね合わせる係止部を設けると共に、相互に嵌め合う係合溝と係合突起の一方を継手本体に設け、また他方を操作部材に設け、操作部材を所定の範囲内で継手本体に対して軸方向に移動可能で、かつ移動終端位置で継手本体に対して位置固定可能にすることで、ノンツールで抜け止め及びその解除を行えると共に、抜け止めされたか否かの確認を目視で行え、作業性の向上を図ることができ、有効である。
【００１３】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の一実施例を図面に基づいて詳述する。図１は本発明に係る管継手の一実施例を示す断面側面図、図２は同平面図であり、図中１はソケット形の金属製の継手本体で、接続すべき金属製の管Ｐの端部を挿入する継手受け口部２を対称に継手本体１の両端に一体形成してなり、この各継手受け口部２はこれに挿入される管（以下、「挿入管」という。）Ｐの端部を気密に連結するための構造を有し、この構造を以下に説明する。
【００１４】
図３乃至図５にも示す如く、継手受け口部２の内面には、この開口端（外側端）より所定寸法奥側へ入った軸方向位置から奥側（軸方向内側）に、奥側へ向かうに従って直径を拡径する（軸方向外側へ向かうに従って直径を縮径する）テーパ溝３を形成し、そのテーパ溝３の最奥端から奥側に、テーパ溝３の最大直径と同じ直径を溝幅全体にわたって有する玉収容溝４を連続形成し、その玉収容溝４の奥側に溝隔壁５を挟んでパッキン装着溝６を形成し、そのパッキン装着溝６よりさらに所定寸法奥側に半径方向内側へ突出する継手受け口底壁７を形成している。
【００１５】
図６にも示す如く、継手受け口部２のパッキン装着溝６に嵌め込む大径部８ａを一端に設ける筒状のゴムパッキン８を備えるもので、継手受け口部２のパッキン装着溝６と継手受け口底壁７の間の内周に嵌め込む小径部８ｂを他端に設け、大径部８ａ側の端部からこの内周側に傾斜状に折り返すリップ部８ｃと、小径部８ｂ側の端部から継手受け口底壁７に沿って半径方向内側へ直角に突出する管端防食用のフランジ形のコア部８ｄとをゴムパッキン８は設け、継手受け口部２のパッキン装着溝６から継手受け口底壁７までの内周にゴムパッキン８を嵌め込んでいる。なお、ゴムパッキン８に換え０リング材などのシール部材を用いても良い。
【００１６】
図７乃至図１０に示す如く、挿入管Ｐの外径より僅か大径の内径を有して内周に挿入管Ｐを挿通可能な樹脂製のスリーブ９を設け、継手受け口部２の開口端からテーパ溝３までの内径と溝隔壁５部の内径をスリーブ９の外径より僅か大径に形成し、継手受け口部２のパッキン装着溝６より軸方向外側の内周にスリーブ９を軸方向に移動自在に嵌め込んでいる。
【００１７】
上記のように継手受け口部２は、この内周奥部にシール部材であるゴムパッキン８を軸方向の移動を規制して嵌め込み、ゴムパッキン８より開口端側の受け口部２内周にスリーブ９を軸方向に移動自在に嵌め込んでいる。
【００１８】
図１０、図１１にも示す如く、スリーブ９は、継手受け口部２に対する入口より奥側寄りの部位に、内外周に貫通する貫通孔１０を複数個（本実施例では６個）円周方向に等間隔に開口形成し、各貫通孔１０に１個ずつ金属製（ステンレス等、硬い金属）の抜け止め玉１１を嵌め込み保持している。図１２にも示す如く、抜け止め玉１１は、継手受け口部２の玉収容溝４部の内面と挿入管Ｐの外面の間に形成される半径方向の隙間より小径で、かつスリーブ９の厚みより大径の最大直径を有する中実構造の樽形状に形成し、外表面にはローレット加工を施して軸方向に平行なローレット１１ａを形成している。なお、継手受け口部２内面を多角形状にすることにより、ローレット加工された円柱形の抜け止め玉１１でも良い。
【００１９】
前記貫通孔１０は、円周方向側の長さを抜け止め玉１１の全長より僅かに長く形成し、外周面側の軸方向の孔長さを玉１１の直径より大、内周面側の軸方向の孔長さを玉１１の直径より小に形成して、軸方向の対向孔周壁面をテーパ面１０ａに形成している。また抜け止め玉１１は、貫通孔１０にスリーブ９の外面側から嵌め込み、軸方向及び周方向の移動を規制させ、且つ、対向するテーパ面１０ａでスリーブ９を受け止めてスリーブ９の内周側への脱落を規制して、抜け止め玉１１が継手受け口部２の玉収容溝４内の周方向に等間隔に６個収容保持させて全抜け止め玉１１をスリーブ９と一体に軸方向へ移動可能とさせるように設けている。
【００２０】
各貫通孔１０は、この中に嵌め込まれる抜け止め玉１１に対してスリーブ９の外面側から内面側への押し込み力が働かない状態において、スリーブ９の内面からの抜け止め玉１１の突出量が最も少なく（スリーブ９の外面からの抜け止め玉１１の突出量が最も多く）、挿入管Ｐの外径とほぼ同径になる最も浅い深さ位置で抜け止め玉１１を受け止める状態とさせる一方（図１７）、抜け止め玉１１に対して押し込み力が働いたときには、対向するテーパ面１０ａを僅かに凹み変形させながら、抜け止め玉１１を最も浅い深さ位置からさらに深い深さ位置に移動変化させ、スリーブ９の内面からの抜け止め玉１１の突出量を増大させ（スリーブ９の外面からの抜け止め玉１１の突出量を減少させ）、抜け止め玉１１を挿入管Ｐ外周に食い込ませる状態（図２０、図２１）とさせるように構成している。
【００２１】
そして、継手受け口部２と挿入管Ｐの間にスリーブ９を配置し、スリーブ９の各貫通孔１０によって抜け止め玉１１を継手受け口部２内面の玉収容溝４内に複数個周方向に等間隔に収容保持した状態で、スリーブ９を軸方向外側へ移動させることによって、各抜け止め玉１１を玉収容溝４内からこの軸方向外側に連続形成されたテーパ溝３内に移動させ、このときスリーブ９の外周外側に突出する各抜け止め玉１１の外表面をテーパ面３ａに押し付け、テーパ面３ａからは各抜け止め玉１１に対して管Ｐの中心側に押し込む力を付与させ、各抜け止め玉１１を貫通孔１０の内方に強制的に押し込み、スリーブ９の内面からの抜け止め玉１１の突出量を増大させ（スリーブ９の外面からの抜け止め玉１１の突出量を減少させ）、挿入管Ｐの外面に各抜け止め玉１１のスリーブ９の内面側に突出する外表面を押し付け、継手受け口部２からの挿入管Ｐの抜け出しを防止する抜け止めを行う一方、この抜け止め状態からスリーブ９を奥側へ移動させることによって、各抜け止め玉１１をテーパ溝３内からこの奥側に連続形成された玉収容溝４内に移動させ、各抜け止め玉１１をテーパ面３ａから離反させ、挿入管Ｐの外面に対する各抜け止め玉１１の押し付けを解除し（抜け止めを解除し）、挿入管Ｐの端部を継手受け口部２に対して自由に抜き挿しさせる。即ち、継手本体１の継手受け口部２と挿入管Ｐの間にスリーブ９及びこれに保持させる複数の抜け止め玉１１を配置し、スリーブ９を軸方向外側へ移動させることによって、継手受け口部２の内面に形成した奥側が大径となるテーパ面３ａで各抜け止め玉１１を挿入管Ｐの外面に押し付け、挿入管Ｐの抜け出しを防止する抜け止め機構１２に設けている。
【００２２】
前記継手受け口部２の開口端部外周にはリング状の操作部材である外リング１３を嵌めている。外リング１３は、肉厚が薄い金属筒からなり、この外リング１３の内径を継手受け口部２の開口端部外径より僅か大径に形成すると共に、相互に嵌め合う係合溝１４と係合突起１５の一方を継手受け口部２に設け、また他方を外リング１３に設け、外リング１３を所定の範囲内で継手受け口部２に対して円周方向に回転及び軸方向に移動可能で、かつ回転及び移動終端位置で継手受け口部２に対して位置固定可能に設けている。
【００２３】
また前記スリーブ９の外端部を放射方向に折曲げて外側に突出させるフランジ１６を形成すると共に、外リング１３の外端部を受け口部２の中心側に折曲げて内側に突出させるフランジ１７を形成し、スリーブ９のフランジ１６の外側に外リング１３のフランジ１９を重ね合せると共に、継手受け口部２の端面と対向するスリーブ９のフランジ１６の間に弾性部材１８を介設させ、図２０に示す如く継手受け口部２の開口端部の内外周に嵌め込まれたスリーブ９及び外リング１３を一体的に軸方向外側へ付勢し、抜け止め機構１２を作動状態（挿入管９を抜け止め状態）で保持するように設けている。
【００２４】
本実施例では係合溝１４を継手受け口部２の外面に設け、係合突起１５を外リング１３の周壁面から内側（軸芯方向）へ突出させるように設けている。係合溝１４は、継手受け口部２の玉収容溝４に対応する外面に円周方向へ所定寸法だけ設ける第１係合横溝部１４ａと、第１係合横溝部１４ａに対して円周方向へ所定寸法だけ位置ずれさせ、かつ軸方向外側へも所定寸法だけ位置ずれさせて継手受け口部２のテーパ溝３に対応する外面に円周方向へ所定寸法だけ設ける第２係合横溝部１４ｂと、継手受け口部２の外面で第１係合横溝部１４ａと第２係合横溝部１４ｂの間に傾斜状に設けてこれらを連通接続する傾斜横溝部１４ｃと、継手受け口部２外面の軸方向に設けて第１係合横溝部１４ａの他端を継手受け口部２の開口端面に開放する縦溝部１４ｄとを有する。
【００２５】
また図１３、図１４に示す如く、前記係合突起１５は、外リング１３の継手受け口部２に対する挿入端から反対側の端部近傍までに所定間隔で軸方向に平行な２本の切り目１５ａ・１５ａを設け、この切り目１５ａ・１５ａの間に半径方向に撓むことができる板バネ状の弾性片１５ｂを形成し、この弾性片１５ｂの先端部を半径方向内側へ直角に折り曲げることによって設けられ、継手受け口部２に対する挿入端から他端側に所定寸法内側に入った軸方向位置から半径方向内側へ板状の係合突起１５を所定寸法だけ突出させ、係合突起１５を弾性力で半径方向へ進退移動可能に設けている。
【００２６】
外リング１３の係合突起１５を継手受け口部２の縦溝部１４ｄに合わせた状態で、外リング１３を継手受け口部２の開口端部外周に嵌め込むことによって、係合突起１５が、縦溝部１４ｄ内にこの開口端から嵌まり込み、縦溝部１４ｄ内を奥側に移動して第１係合横溝部１４ａに嵌め込まれ、外リング１３の回転操作で傾斜横溝部１４ｃを介し第２係合横溝部１４ｂまで突起１５が移動するとき、外リング１３を後退させスリーブ９のフランジ１６に対する外リング１３のフランジ１７の押圧を解除させ、弾性部材１８の弾性力で外リング１３のフランジ１７にスリーブ９のフランジ１６を当接させる位置までスリーブ９を後退させて、抜け止め機構１２を作動状態とさせるように設けている。
【００２７】
図１５、図１６に示す如く、前記弾性部材１８は円輪状に形成し、弾性部材１８の内径をスリーブ９の外径より大で外径を外リング１３の内径より小に形成し、弾性部材１８の円周等間隔（１２０度間隔）位置を一方向に所定長さ膨出させて弾性部１８ａに形成して板バネに設けたもので、外リング１３の押し込み操作でスリーブ９を作動させ継手受け口部２とスリーブ９のフランジ１６間の隙間を小とさせ弾性部１８ａを圧縮状態とさせる時、抜け止め機構１２の非作動状態（挿入管Ｐの抜け出し状態）とさせると共に、外リング１３の回転操作で継手受け口部２とフランジ１６間の隙間を大とさせ弾性部１８ａでスリーブ９を後退させるとき、抜け止め機構１２を作動状態（挿入管Ｐの抜け出し状態）とさせるように設けている。
【００２８】
なお、上述実施例にあっては板バネ式の弾性部材１８を用いたが、コイルバネや圧縮可能な流体を用いた弾性部材１８でも良く、またバネをスリーブ９のフランジ１６或いは継手本体１に固定しても良く、さらに外リング１３に対しスリーブ９を回転自在に連結させても良い。
【００２９】
図７乃至図９に示す如く、前記スリーブ９にはフランジ１６の反対側端からフランジ１６に達する軸方向の切り込み１９を円周方向に所定間隔おきに形成して、切り込み１９間に複数（６つの）スリーブ片２０を設け、各スリーブ片２０に前記貫通穴０を形成させるもので、またフランジ１６の円周方向における所定間隔おきのスリーブ片２０間にヒンジ部２１を形成させている。
【００３０】
図９にも示す如く、前記ヒンジ部２１は半径方向に略平行な２つの切欠溝２２を形成して、他のフランジ１６の厚みＴ１より切欠溝２２の厚みＴ２を薄肉（Ｔ１＞Ｔ２）に形成して、ヒンジ部２１間のフランジ１６を部分的に軸方向に移動可能とさせると共に、図２に示す如くヒンジ部２１間のフランジ１６中央に前記弾性部１８ａを当接させ押圧力を作用させる状態とさせて、スリーブ９全体を歪ませる不都合なく各ヒンジ部２１間のスリーブ片２０をそれぞれスムーズに移動可能とさせて、各抜け止め玉１１を略均等に挿入管Ｐに作用させて確実な挿入管Ｐの抜け止めを行うように設けている。
【００３１】
図３、図４、図１９に示す如く、前記継手本体１の両端には開口端部から半径方向内側に突出する突起２３を円周方向に所定間隔におきに設け、各突起２３の内周面で挿入管Ｐの案内を行うと共に、各突起２３間と挿入管Ｐとの間に形成される隙間４４に各スリーブ片２０を挿入（突出）させることで、管１の自重及び曲げ荷重などを各突起２３で受け、各スリーブ片２０を軸方向にスムーズに移動させて確実な挿入管Ｐの抜け止めを行うように設けている。
【００３２】
ところで図３、図２１に示す如く、前記係合溝１４の第２係合横溝部１４ｂ終端に内径方向に深さを一定寸法大とさせる外リング１３の位置固定部１４ｅを形成し、外リング１３の係合突起１５を横溝部１４ｂ終端に位置させるとき、位置固定部１４ｅ位置まで突起１５先端を侵入させ、外リング１３の抜け止め機構１２作動状態での位置保持を図っている。
【００３３】
次に、継手受け口部２の組み立てについて説明すると、先ず、抜け止め玉１１をスリーブ９に対してセットしておくもので、抜け止め玉１１を、スリーブ９の各貫通孔１０に対して外面側から少し力を加えて強制的に最も深い深さ位置に押し込み、各貫通孔１０の対向するテーパ面１０ａの間で挟持させ、各貫通孔１０内に嵌め込み保持させる。
【００３４】
続いて、抜け止め玉１１をセットしたスリーブ９を、ゴムパッキン８及び各弾性部材１８を装着した継手受け口部２に対して挿入すると共に、継手受け口部２の外周に外リング１３を嵌めるもので、外リング１３のフランジ１７で弾性部材１８を圧縮しながら、この外リング１３のフランジ１７と反対側の端部の係合突起１５を継手受け口部２の縦溝部６４ｄに挿入して受け口部２の開口端部外周に外リング１３を嵌め、この状態で外リング１３を一方向に若干回転させて、係合突起１５が第１係合横溝部１４ｂ位置を保つ状態とさせて、図１７，図１８に示す如き、抜け止め機構１２が作動する前の非作動に組み立てる。
【００３５】
そして、この組み立て状態の継手受け口部２に対して挿入管Ｐの端部を、スリーブ９及びゴムパッキン８の内周に挿通させた状態で挿入することにより、継手受け口部２に挿入管Ｐの端部が気密に連結されるもので、ゴムパッキン８が、継手受け口部２の内面と挿入管Ｐの外面の間に移動が規制された状態で配置され、このゴムパッキン８の外面が継手受け口部２の内面に密着し、かつ、ゴムパッキン８の内面が挿入管Ｐの外面に密着し、継手受け口部２の内面と挿入管Ｐの外面の間に形成される周方向の隙間を塞ぐことによって、継手受け口部２と挿入管Ｐの間で気密を保持できる。
【００３６】
また、継手受け口部２の内面と挿入管Ｐの外面の間に形成される円周方向の隙間でゴムパッキン８より軸方向外側には、抜け止め玉１１を継手受け口部２に対し６個円周方向に等間隔に保持させたスリーブ９、即ち６本のスリーブ片２０が軸方向に移動自在に配置されており、このスリーブ９に対してこれを軸方向外側へ押し出し移動させる弾性力を付勢し、抜け止め機構１２を作動させることによって、継手受け口部２に対して挿入管Ｐの端部を連結することができる。図１の継手受け口部２、図１７、図１８に示す非作動状態の抜け止め機構１２を作動させるには、継手受け口部２外周の最押し込み位置（第１係合横溝部４ａ）に係合突起１５を係合保持させている外リング１３を、突起１５に対し横溝部１４ｂ・１４ｃが係合する方向に回転させ、突起１５が第２係合横溝部１４ｂ終端の位置固定部１４ｃに係合する状態まで外リング１３を回転させるとき、前記弾性部材１８によってスリーブ９が自動的に軸方向外側へ押し出される。この押し出しに伴って、各スリーブ片２０の貫通孔１０に嵌め込み保持されている６個の抜け止め玉１１が、スリーブ９と一体的に軸方向外側へ移動し、玉収容溝４内からテーパ溝３内へと移動することによって、このテーパ溝３の周壁面であるテーパ面３ａから各抜け止め玉１１に対してこれを半径方向内側へ押し込む力が付与され、各抜け止め玉１１を貫通孔１０の内方に強制的に押し込み、スリーブ９の内面からの抜け止め玉１１の突出量を増大させ（スリーブ９の外面からの抜け止め玉１１の突出量を減少させ）、挿入管Ｐの外面に各抜け止め玉１１のスリーブ９の内面側に突出する外表面を押し付け、継手受け口部２からの挿入管Ｐの抜け出しを防止する抜け止めを行う。図２０、図２１に示すように、抜け止め機構１２が作動作動状態になると、抜け止め玉１１が継手受け口部２のテーパ面３ａと挿入管Ｐの外面の間に噛込んだ状態となり、この時点でスリーブ９の軸方向外側への移動が規制される。ここで、外リング１３を回転させるだけで、抜け止め機構１２を非作動状態から作動状態になすことができ、また係合溝１４と係合突起１５がインジケータの役目を果たし、抜け止め機構１２が作動したか否かを目視で確認できる。
【００３７】
継手受け口部２から挿入管Ｐを引き出す場合は、外リング１３の係合突起１５を、傾斜横溝部１４ｃ及び第１係合横溝部１４ａに沿って移動させるように継手受け口部２に対して外リング１３を回転させて弾性部材１８の付勢に抗して押込み、図１７、図１８に示す如く、抜け止め玉１１を継手受け口部２のテーパ溝３の内周側から玉収容溝４の内周側に移動させるとき、抜け止め機構１２を非作動状態とさせ、挿入管Ｐの外面に対する各抜け止め玉１１の押し付けを解除し、継手受け口部２に対する挿入管Ｐの端部の抜き挿しを可能とする。
【００３８】
従来の管と継手本体を備えた管継手の場合、継手本体にスリーブを介して管を受けるようになり、管が直接スリーブに接触するため、管の自重及び曲げ荷重がスリーブにかかり、スリーブの軸方向の移動荷重が非常に大きくなり、作業性が悪いばかりでなく、スリーブの動作不良の可能性があり、所定の抜け止め作用を確実に安定して得難いという問題があった。上記のように抜け止め機構１２は、スリーブ９の軸方向の移動によって、作動状態と非作動状態に切換えるもので、この場合、図１９に示す如く挿入管Ｐの自重及び曲げ荷重は、スリーブ９ではなく、このスリーブ９の切り込み１９より内方に突出させる円周方向の継手受け口部２の各突起２０によって受けるから、スリーブ９は、挿入管Ｐの自重及び曲げ荷重を受けることなく軸方向へ容易に移動でき、作業性が良くなり、また所定の抜け止め作用を確実に安定して得ることができる。
【００３９】
また一般に、挿入管Ｐを真円に成形することは困難で多少の歪みを生じ、この歪みで挿入管らスリーブ９が接触するなどしてスリーブ９の取付けが不安定となり全ての抜け止め玉１１が挿入管Ｐの外面に略均等に押し付けられなくなる場合がある。このような場合スリーブ９に形成する複数（実施例では３個所）のヒンジ部２１の２つの切欠溝２２によって、ヒンジ部２１間の３つのスリーブ９をそれぞれ独立にかつ軸方向に略平行に移動させることを可能とさせて、全ての抜け止め玉１１を挿入管Ｐの外面に対し略均等に押し付けて、挿入管Ｐの確実な抜け出し防止を行うことができるものである。なお、切欠溝２２はヒンジ部２１に１つ設ける構成でも良い。
【００４０】
図２２、図２３に示すものは、上記スリーブ９の変形例を示し、スリーブ９の切り込み１９の部位で放射方向に分割して、複数（変形例では３つ）の分割スリーブ９Ａ・９Ｂ・９Ｃからなる割スリーブ９に形成し、各分割スリーブ９Ａ・９Ｂ・９Ｃを独立的に軸方向に移動させて前述同様の効果を得るものである。
【００４１】
【発明の効果】
以上実施例から明らかなように本発明は、継手本体１と管Ｐの間にスリーブ９及びこれに保持させる抜け止め玉１１を配置し、スリーブ９を軸方向外側へ移動させることによって、継手本体１の内面に形成した奥側が大径となるテーパ面３ａで抜け止め玉１１を管Ｐ外面に押し付け、管Ｐの抜け出しを防止する抜け止め機構１２を備えた管継手において、スリーブ９を部分的に軸方向へ変位可能に形成したものであるから、例え管Ｐの歪みなどで、スリーブ９全体の取付けが不安定となる場合にも、スリーブ９の部分的な軸方向の移動によって、全ての抜け止め玉１１を管Ｐ外面に確実に押し付けて、管Ｐの継手効果を向上させることができるものである。
【００４２】
また、スリーブ９は、一端にフランジ１６を設けると共に、他端からフランジ１６に達する軸方向の切り込み１９を円周方向に所定間隔おきに設け、各切り込み１９間のスリーブ片２０に抜け止め玉１１を配置する貫通孔１０を設け、またフランジ１６にはヒンジ部２１をスリーブ片２０と重ならない位置で円周方向に所定間隔おきに設け、一体構成のスリーブ９を部分的に軸方向へ変位可能に形成したものであるから、管継手作業中のスリーブ９の取扱いを容易とさせると共に、スリーブ９の部分的且つ独立した移動操作を可能とさせて管Ｐの継手効果を向上させることができるものである。
【００４３】
さらに、ヒンジ部２１は、フランジ１６に設けた半径方向の溝２２によって、フランジ１６の厚みを部分的に薄肉にして設けたものであるから、スリーブ９の部分的且つ独立した移動を助長させて、管Ｐの継手効果を一層向上させることができるものである。
【００４４】
また、スリーブ９は、複数のスリーブ片２０からなる割スリーブとし、各スリーブ片２０に抜け止め玉１１を配置する貫通孔１０を設け、スリーブ９を部分的に軸方向へ変位可能にしたものであるから、管Ｐに対しスリーブ９をスムーズに移動させて、管Ｐの継手効果を向上させることができるものである。
【００４５】
さらに、スリーブ９は、一端にフランジ１６を設けると共に、他端からの軸方向の切り込み１９を円周方向に所定間隔おきに設け、切り込み１９間のスリーブ片２０に抜け止め玉１１を配置する貫通孔１０を設け、このスリーブ９を切り込み１９部分で複数に分割させて分割スリーブ９Ａ・９Ｂ・９Ｃに形成したものであるから、分割スリーブ９Ａ・９Ｂ・９Ｃをそれぞれ独立的にスムーズに移動させて管Ｐの継手効果を向上させることができるものである。
【００４６】
また、継手本体１は、開口端部から半径方向内側へ突出する突起２３を円周方向に所定間隔おきに設け、各突起２３をスリーブ９の切り込み１９の隙間内に突出させたものであるから、各突起２３によって管Ｐの自重を受けるなどしてスリーブ９の移動を容易とさせて、管Ｐの継手効果を向上させることができるものである。
【００４７】
さらに、スリーブ９を軸方向外側へ付勢する弾性部材１８と、継手本体１の開口端部外周に嵌めるリング状の操作部材１３を設け、操作部材１３の一端にスリーブ９のフランジ１６に対して軸方向外側から重ね合わせる係止部１７を設けると共に、相互に嵌め合う係合溝１４と係合突起１５の一方を継手本体１に設け、また他方を操作部材１３に設け、操作部材１３を所定の範囲内で継手本体１に対して軸方向に移動可能で、かつ移動終端位置で継手本体１に対して位置固定可能とさせるものであるから、操作部材１３でスリーブ９を確実に移動操作して、継手本体１と管Ｐの良好な接続固定を行うことができるものである。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る管継手の一実施例を示す断面側面図。
【図２】同平面図。
【図３】継手受け口部の平面図。
【図４】同断面側面図。
【図５】同側面図。
【図６】パッキンの半断面側面図。
【図７】スリーブの平面図。
【図８】スリーブの側面図。
【図９】スリーブの断面図。
【図１０】スリーブの取付説明図。
【図１１】継手部の断面説明図。
【図１２】抜け止め玉の外観図。
【図１３】外リングの平面図。
【図１４】外リングの側面説明図。
【図１５】弾性部材の平面図。
【図１６】弾性部材の側面図。
【図１７】抜け止め機構の非作動状態の側面説明図。
【図１８】抜け止め機構の非作動状態の平面説明図。
【図１９】突起部の作用説明図。
【図２０】抜け止め機構の作動状態の側面説明図。
【図２１】抜け止め機構の作動状態の平面説明図。
【図２２】スリーブの変形例を示す平面図。
【図２３】スリーブの変形例を示す側面図。
【符号の説明】
１継手本体
９スリーブ
１０貫通孔
１１抜け止め玉
１２抜け止め機構
１３外リング（操作部材）
１４係合溝
１５係合突起
１６フランジ
１９切り込み
２０スリーブ片
２１ヒンジ部
２２溝
２３突起
Ｐ管[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
In the present invention, a sleeve and a retaining ball to be held by the sleeve are arranged between the joint main body and the pipe, and the sleeve is moved outward in the axial direction. The present invention relates to a pipe joint provided with a retaining mechanism that presses a retaining ball against the outer surface of the pipe to prevent the pipe from coming out.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The conventional retaining mechanism uses a hard ball as a retaining ball, and this ball is formed on the sleeve through a tapered through hole formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction with a large opening diameter on the outer surface side. The sleeve is inserted and held, and the sleeve is pushed outward in the axial direction by an elastic member such as a coil spring, a leaf spring, or a rubber elastic body disposed on the back side. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0003]
Also, as a retaining ball, knurled on the outer surface and drilled at the center to form a shaft hole, using a hard piece with a barrel shape, a plurality of these pieces were inserted through a ring-shaped wire In this state, this wire was fitted into the sleeve, each piece was held in a through hole formed in the sleeve at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the sleeve was pushed outward in the axial direction by the same elastic member as above ( For example, see Patent Document 2.)
[0004]
Furthermore, one end of the sleeve is projected outward from the end of the joint body, a flange projecting radially outward is formed at the projected end, and the end is brought into contact with the end face of the joint body by being screwed to the flange. Some pull-out bolts that come into contact with each other pull out the sleeve outward in the axial direction (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-272895
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-179769 A
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2002-98276 A
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since pipes connected by pipe joints having the above-described retaining mechanism are generally difficult to manufacture in a perfect circle and are slightly distorted and become elliptical, the taber surface on the inner surface of the joint body and the pipe The gap formed between the outer surfaces is not uniform in the circumferential direction, and a narrow portion and a wide portion are formed. In the conventional retaining mechanism, all retaining balls move only to the same axial position integrally with the sleeve, so that a circumferential clearance formed between the tapered surface of the joint body inner surface and the outer surface of the pipe is eliminated. If, for example, one or two retaining balls are caught in a narrow portion and the movement to the outside in the axial direction is stopped, the sleeve also stops at the same time, and the axial direction of other retaining balls in the wide gap portion The outward movement is also stopped, and there is a problem that all retaining balls cannot be pressed against the outer surface of the pipe with a substantially equal force.
[0007]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to arrange a sleeve and a retaining ball to be held by the sleeve between the joint body and the pipe, and move the sleeve to the outside in the axial direction so that the inner side of the joint body has a large diameter. In a pipe joint equipped with a retaining mechanism that prevents the pipe from coming out by pressing the retaining ball against the pipe outer surface with a taper surface, the gap formed between the taper surface on the joint body inner surface and the pipe outer surface is circumferential. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pipe joint that can reliably obtain a predetermined retaining action by pressing all retaining balls against the outer surface of the pipe with substantially equal force even if they are not uniform.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is formed on the inner surface of the joint body by disposing a sleeve and a retaining ball held by the sleeve between the joint body and the pipe and moving the sleeve axially outward. A pipe joint with a retaining mechanism that prevents the pipe from coming out by pressing the retaining ball against the outer surface of the pipe with a tapered surface with a large diameter on the back side, and the sleeve is formed to be partially displaceable in the axial direction. And
[0009]
As a specific form of the sleeve that can be partially displaced in the axial direction, a flange is provided at one end, and axial notches reaching the flange from the other end are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. The sleeve piece is provided with a through-hole for disposing a retaining ball, and the flange is provided with a hinge portion at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction at a position where it does not overlap the sleeve piece as viewed in the axial direction. As a result, the sleeve can be partially displaced in the axial direction while being a monolithic sleeve. In this case, the hinge portion can be provided by providing a groove in the flange in the radial direction and partially reducing the thickness of the flange.
[0010]
Further, by adopting, for example, a split sleeve that is divided into two to four by using a cylindrical sleeve as a stand, a sleeve that can be partially displaced in the axial direction can be obtained. In such a split sleeve, A through hole is provided in the sleeve piece to place a retaining ball. Further, the sleeve is provided with a flange at one end, and axial notches from the other end are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and through holes for arranging retaining balls are provided in the sleeve pieces between the cuts. It is preferable that the sleeve is divided into a plurality of portions at the cut portion.
[0011]
By the way, the joint body is provided with protrusions protruding radially inward from the opening end at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and by protruding each protrusion into a notch gap provided in the integrally formed sleeve or the split sleeve. Since the pipe's own weight and bending load are received at each projection of the joint body, when the integrally formed sleeve or the split sleeve is displaced integrally or partially in the axial direction, the pipe P receives its own weight and bending load. It can be easily moved in the axial direction and is effective.
[0012]
Also, an elastic member that urges the sleeve outward in the axial direction and a ring-shaped operation member that fits on the outer periphery of the opening end of the joint body are provided. A locking portion that overlaps from the outside in the direction is provided, and one of the engaging groove and the engaging protrusion that are fitted to each other is provided on the joint body, and the other is provided on the operation member, and the operation member is provided on the joint body within a predetermined range. On the other hand, it can move in the axial direction and can be fixed with respect to the joint body at the end position of movement. It is possible to improve workability and is effective.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view showing an embodiment of a pipe joint according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof, and 1 is a socket-shaped metal joint body, and a metal pipe P to be connected The joint receiving part 2 into which the end of the joint is inserted is symmetrically formed integrally with both ends of the joint body 1, and each joint receiving part 2 is a pipe (hereinafter referred to as “insertion pipe”) P to be inserted therein. A structure for hermetically connecting the end portions is provided, and this structure will be described below.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, on the inner surface of the joint receiving portion 2, the axial position from the opening end (outer end) to the inner side of the predetermined dimension is shifted to the inner side (axially inner side) to the inner side. A taper groove 3 is formed which expands in diameter as it goes (reducing the diameter as it goes outward in the axial direction), and has the same diameter as the maximum diameter of the taper groove 3 from the innermost end of the taper groove 3 to the inner side. The ball receiving groove 4 having the entire groove width is continuously formed, and the packing mounting groove 6 is formed on the back side of the ball receiving groove 4 with the groove partition wall 5 being sandwiched between them. A joint receiving bottom wall 7 protruding inward in the direction is formed.
[0015]
As shown also in FIG. 6, a cylindrical rubber packing 8 having a large diameter portion 8a fitted at one end to be fitted into the packing mounting groove 6 of the joint receiving portion 2 is provided, and the packing mounting groove 6 and the joint receiving port of the joint receiving portion 2 are provided. A small-diameter portion 8b that fits into the inner periphery between the bottom walls 7 is provided at the other end, and a lip portion 8c that folds in an inclined manner from the end portion on the large-diameter portion 8a side to the inner peripheral side, and an end portion on the small-diameter portion 8b side The rubber packing 8 is provided with a flange-shaped core portion 8d for pipe end anticorrosion projecting perpendicularly inward in the radial direction along the joint receiving bottom wall 7, and the joint receiving bottom wall from the packing mounting groove 6 of the joint receiving portion 2 A rubber packing 8 is fitted on the inner periphery up to 7. Note that a seal member such as a 0-ring material may be used instead of the rubber packing 8.
[0016]
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, a resin sleeve 9 having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the insertion pipe P and capable of being inserted through the insertion pipe P is provided on the inner circumference, and the opening end of the joint receiving portion 2 is provided. To the taper groove 3 and the inner diameter of the groove partition wall 5 are formed slightly larger than the outer diameter of the sleeve 9, and the sleeve 9 is axially arranged on the inner periphery outside the packing mounting groove 6 of the joint receptacle 2. It can be moved freely.
[0017]
As described above, the joint receiving portion 2 is fitted with the rubber packing 8 serving as a seal member in the inner peripheral back portion thereof while restricting the movement in the axial direction, and the sleeve 9 is provided on the inner periphery of the receiving end portion 2 on the opening end side from the rubber packing 8. Are fitted in such a way as to be movable in the axial direction.
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the sleeve 9 has a plurality of through holes 10 (six in this embodiment) penetrating the inner and outer circumferences in a portion closer to the inner side than the inlet with respect to the joint receiving portion 2 in the circumferential direction. Openings are formed at regular intervals, and one metal stopper (hard metal such as stainless steel) is fitted and held in each through-hole 10 one by one. As shown in FIG. 12, the retaining ball 11 is smaller in diameter than the radial gap formed between the inner surface of the ball receiving groove 4 portion of the joint receiving portion 2 and the outer surface of the insertion tube P, and the thickness of the sleeve 9. The barrel is formed in a solid barrel shape having a larger maximum diameter, and the outer surface is knurled to form a knurl 11a parallel to the axial direction. Note that a knurled columnar retaining ball 11 may be used by forming the inner surface of the joint receiving port 2 into a polygonal shape.
[0019]
The through-hole 10 is formed with a length in the circumferential direction slightly longer than the entire length of the retaining ball 11, and the axial hole length on the outer peripheral surface side is larger than the diameter of the ball 11 and on the inner peripheral surface side. The hole length in the axial direction is formed smaller than the diameter of the ball 11, and the circumferential wall surface of the hole in the axial direction is formed on the tapered surface 10a. Further, the retaining ball 11 is fitted into the through hole 10 from the outer surface side of the sleeve 9 to restrict movement in the axial direction and the circumferential direction, and the sleeve 9 is received by the opposing tapered surface 10a to the inner peripheral side of the sleeve 9. The retaining balls 11 are accommodated and held at equal intervals in the circumferential direction in the ball housing groove 4 of the joint receiving portion 2 so that the retaining balls 11 are moved together with the sleeve 9 in the axial direction. It is provided to make it possible.
[0020]
Each through hole 10 has an amount of protrusion of the retaining ball 11 from the inner surface of the sleeve 9 in a state where the pushing force from the outer surface side of the sleeve 9 to the inner surface side does not act on the retaining ball 11 fitted therein. The least amount of the retaining ball 11 protruding from the outer surface of the sleeve 9 is the largest, and the retaining ball 11 is received at the shallowest depth position where the outer diameter of the insertion tube P is substantially the same ( FIG. 17) When the pushing force is applied to the retaining ball 11, the retaining ball 11 is moved and changed from the shallowest depth position to the deeper depth position while the opposing tapered surface 10a is slightly recessed and deformed. The amount of protrusion of the retaining ball 11 from the inner surface of the sleeve 9 is increased (the amount of protrusion of the retaining ball 11 from the outer surface of the sleeve 9 is decreased), and the retaining ball 11 is bitten into the outer periphery of the insertion tube P. State (FIG. 20, FIG. 21) are configured to a.
[0021]
A sleeve 9 is disposed between the joint receiving port 2 and the insertion pipe P, and a plurality of retaining balls 11 are inserted into the ball receiving grooves 4 on the inner surface of the joint receiving port 2 in the circumferential direction by the through holes 10 of the sleeve 9. By moving the sleeve 9 outward in the axial direction while being held and held at intervals, each retaining ball 11 is moved from the ball receiving groove 4 into the tapered groove 3 continuously formed on the outer side in the axial direction. When the outer surface of each retaining ball 11 projecting outward from the outer periphery of the sleeve 9 is pressed against the tapered surface 3a, a force for pushing the retaining ball 11 toward the center of the tube P from the tapered surface 3a is applied, The retaining ball 11 is forcibly pushed inward of the through hole 10 to increase the protruding amount of the retaining ball 11 from the inner surface of the sleeve 9 (decreasing the protruding amount of the retaining ball 11 from the outer surface of the sleeve 9). ), Outer surface of insertion tube P The outer surface of each retaining ball 11 that protrudes to the inner surface side of the sleeve 9 is pressed to prevent the insertion tube P from coming out of the joint receiving port 2, and the sleeve 9 is moved away from the retaining state. By moving, each retaining ball 11 is moved from the tapered groove 3 into the ball receiving groove 4 continuously formed on the back side, and each retaining ball 11 is separated from the tapered surface 3a, so that the insertion tube P The pressing of the retaining balls 11 against the outer surface is released (the retaining is released), and the end of the insertion tube P is freely inserted into and removed from the joint receiving port 2. That is, a sleeve 9 and a plurality of retaining balls 11 held by the sleeve 9 are disposed between the joint receiving portion 2 of the joint main body 1 and the insertion pipe P, and the sleeve 9 is moved outward in the axial direction. Each retaining ball 11 is pressed against the outer surface of the insertion tube P by a tapered surface 3a having a large diameter on the inner side of the inner surface of the insertion tube P, and is provided in a retaining mechanism 12 that prevents the insertion tube P from coming out.
[0022]
An outer ring 13, which is a ring-shaped operation member, is fitted on the outer periphery of the opening end of the joint receiving port 2. The outer ring 13 is made of a thin metal tube. The outer ring 13 has an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the opening end of the joint receiving portion 2 and is engaged with the engaging grooves 14 that are fitted to each other. One of the joint protrusions 15 is provided in the joint receiving port 2 and the other is provided in the outer ring 13, and the outer ring 13 can be rotated in the circumferential direction and axially moved with respect to the joint receiving port 2 within a predetermined range. In addition, the position can be fixed to the joint receiving port 2 at the rotation and movement end positions.
[0023]
Further, a flange 16 is formed by bending the outer end of the sleeve 9 in the radial direction and projecting outward, and a flange 17 for folding the outer end of the outer ring 13 toward the center of the receiving port 2 and projecting inward. 20, the flange 19 of the outer ring 13 is overlapped on the outer side of the flange 16 of the sleeve 9, and the elastic member 18 is interposed between the flange 16 of the sleeve 9 facing the end face of the joint receiving portion 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the sleeve 9 and the outer ring 13 fitted to the inner and outer circumferences of the opening end of the joint receiving port 2 are integrally biased outward in the axial direction, and the retaining mechanism 12 is in an operating state (the insertion tube 9 is prevented from slipping off). In a state).
[0024]
In the present embodiment, the engaging groove 14 is provided on the outer surface of the joint receiving portion 2, and the engaging protrusion 15 is provided so as to protrude inward (axial direction) from the peripheral wall surface of the outer ring 13. The engagement groove 14 is a circumferential direction with respect to the first engagement lateral groove portion 14a and a first engagement lateral groove portion 14a provided on the outer surface corresponding to the ball receiving groove 4 of the joint receiving portion 2 in a circumferential direction with a predetermined dimension. A second engagement lateral groove portion 14b provided with a predetermined dimension in the circumferential direction on the outer surface corresponding to the taper groove 3 of the joint receiving portion 2 by being displaced by a predetermined dimension to the outside in the axial direction An inclined lateral groove portion 14c that is provided between the first engagement lateral groove portion 14a and the second engagement lateral groove portion 14b on the outer surface of the joint receiving port portion 2 and communicates with them, and an axial direction of the outer surface of the joint receiving port portion 2 And a longitudinal groove portion 14d that opens the other end of the first engaging lateral groove portion 14a to the opening end face of the joint receiving port portion 2.
[0025]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the engagement protrusion 15 has two cuts 15a parallel to the axial direction at a predetermined interval from the insertion end of the outer ring 13 to the joint receiving portion 2 to the vicinity of the opposite end. Provided by forming a leaf spring-like elastic piece 15b that can be bent in the radial direction between the cuts 15a and 15a, and bending the tip of the elastic piece 15b at a right angle inward in the radial direction. The plate-like engagement protrusion 15 is protruded by a predetermined dimension radially inward from an axial position that enters a predetermined dimension inside from the insertion end to the other end side with respect to the joint receiving port portion 2, and the engagement protrusion 15 is elastically applied. It is provided so that it can move forward and backward in the radial direction.
[0026]
By fitting the outer ring 13 to the outer periphery of the opening end of the joint receiving port 2 in a state where the engaging projection 15 of the outer ring 13 is aligned with the vertical groove 14d of the joint receiving port 2, the engaging projection 15 is formed into the vertical groove. It fits into the opening 14d from the opening end, moves to the back side in the longitudinal groove 14d and is fitted into the first engaging lateral groove 14a, and the second engagement via the inclined lateral groove 14c by rotating the outer ring 13 When the projection 15 moves to the lateral groove portion 14b, the outer ring 13 is retracted to release the pressing of the flange 17 of the outer ring 13 against the flange 16 of the sleeve 9, and the sleeve 17 is pressed against the flange 17 of the outer ring 13 by the elastic force of the elastic member 18. The sleeve 9 is retracted to a position where the 9 flange 16 abuts, and the retaining mechanism 12 is activated.
[0027]
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the elastic member 18 is formed in an annular shape, the inner diameter of the elastic member 18 is larger than the outer diameter of the sleeve 9, and the outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer ring 13. Eighteen circumferentially equidistantly spaced (120 degree intervals) positions are swelled in one direction by a predetermined length and formed on an elastic portion 18a and provided on a leaf spring. The sleeve 9 is activated by pushing the outer ring 13. When the clearance between the joint receiving portion 2 and the flange 16 of the sleeve 9 is reduced to make the elastic portion 18a in a compressed state, the retaining mechanism 12 is deactivated (the insertion tube P is pulled out) and the outer ring 13 is removed. When the sleeve 9 is retracted by the elastic portion 18a by enlarging the gap between the joint receiving portion 2 and the flange 16 by the rotation operation, the retaining mechanism 12 is provided so as to be in an activated state (a state in which the insertion tube P is pulled out). Yes.
[0028]
In the above-described embodiment, the leaf spring type elastic member 18 is used, but a coil spring or an elastic member 18 using a compressible fluid may be used, and the spring is fixed to the flange 16 of the sleeve 9 or the joint body 1. Alternatively, the sleeve 9 may be rotatably connected to the outer ring 13.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, the sleeve 9 is formed with axial notches 19 reaching the flange 16 from the opposite end of the flange 16 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. The sleeve pieces 20 are provided, and the through holes 0 are formed in the respective sleeve pieces 20, and the hinge portions 21 are formed between the sleeve pieces 20 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the flange 16.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 9, the hinge portion 21 has two cutout grooves 22 substantially parallel to the radial direction, and the thickness T2 of the cutout groove 22 is thinner (T1> T2) than the thickness T1 of the other flange 16. The flange 16 between the hinge portions 21 is partially movable in the axial direction, and the elastic portion 18a is brought into contact with the center of the flange 16 between the hinge portions 21 as shown in FIG. In this state, the sleeve pieces 20 between the hinge portions 21 can be moved smoothly without any inconvenience that distorts the entire sleeve 9, and the retaining balls 11 act on the insertion tube P substantially evenly. It is provided so as to prevent the insertion tube P from coming off.
[0031]
As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 19, projections 23 projecting radially inward from the opening end portions are provided at both ends of the joint body 1 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. The insertion tube P is guided on the surface, and the sleeve pieces 20 are inserted (protruded) into the gaps 44 formed between the projections 23 and the insertion tube P, so that the weight of the tube 1 and the bending load are increased. Is received by each projection 23, and each sleeve piece 20 is smoothly moved in the axial direction so as to reliably prevent the insertion tube P from coming off.
[0032]
Incidentally, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 21, a position fixing portion 14e of the outer ring 13 is formed at the end of the second engagement lateral groove portion 14b of the engagement groove 14 so as to have a constant depth in the inner diameter direction. When the 13 engaging projections 15 are positioned at the end of the lateral groove portion 14b, the tips of the projections 15 are inserted to the position fixing portion 14e position so as to maintain the position of the outer ring 13 when the retaining mechanism 12 is in operation.
[0033]
Next, the assembly of the joint receiving portion 2 will be described. First, the retaining ball 11 is set on the sleeve 9, and the retaining ball 11 is placed on the outer surface side with respect to each through hole 10 of the sleeve 9. Then, a slight force is applied to forcibly push it into the deepest depth position, and it is sandwiched between the tapered surfaces 10a facing each through hole 10 and is fitted into each through hole 10 and held.
[0034]
Subsequently, the sleeve 9 on which the retaining ball 11 is set is inserted into the joint receiving port 2 to which the rubber packing 8 and each elastic member 18 are attached, and the outer ring 13 is fitted on the outer periphery of the joint receiving port 2. While the elastic member 18 is compressed by the flange 17 of the outer ring 13, the engaging protrusion 15 at the end opposite to the flange 17 of the outer ring 13 is inserted into the longitudinal groove portion 64 d of the joint receiving portion 2 to receive the receiving portion 2. The outer ring 13 is fitted to the outer periphery of the opening end of the inner ring. In this state, the outer ring 13 is slightly rotated in one direction so that the engagement protrusion 15 maintains the position of the first engagement lateral groove portion 14b. As shown in FIG. 18, it is assembled in a non-actuated state before the retaining mechanism 12 is activated.
[0035]
Then, the end of the insertion pipe P is inserted into the joint receptacle 2 in the assembled state in a state where the end of the insertion pipe P is inserted through the inner periphery of the sleeve 9 and the rubber packing 8. The end portions are hermetically connected, and the rubber packing 8 is disposed in a state where movement is restricted between the inner surface of the joint receiving port portion 2 and the outer surface of the insertion tube P, and the outer surface of the rubber packing 8 is the joint receiving port. The inner surface of the rubber packing 8 is in close contact with the outer surface of the insertion tube P, and the circumferential gap formed between the inner surface of the joint receiving port 2 and the outer surface of the insertion tube P is closed. Thus, airtightness can be maintained between the joint receiving port 2 and the insertion pipe P.
[0036]
In addition, a retaining ball 11 is provided for the joint receiving portion 2 in the circumferential direction formed between the inner surface of the joint receiving portion 2 and the outer surface of the insertion tube P at the outer side in the axial direction from the rubber packing 8. A sleeve 9 held at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, that is, six sleeve pieces 20 are arranged so as to be movable in the axial direction, and an elastic force is applied to the sleeve 9 to push it outward in the axial direction. The end of the insertion pipe P can be connected to the joint receiving port 2 by urging and operating the retaining mechanism 12. In order to operate the joint receiving port portion 2 in FIG. 1 and the non-operating state retaining mechanism 12 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, it is engaged with the most pushed-in position (first engaging lateral groove portion 4 a) on the outer periphery of the joint receiving port portion 2. The outer ring 13 that engages and holds the projection 15 is rotated in the direction in which the lateral groove portions 14b and 14c engage with the projection 15, and the projection 15 engages with the position fixing portion 14c at the end of the second engagement lateral groove portion 14b. When the outer ring 13 is rotated to the mating state, the sleeve 9 is automatically pushed outward in the axial direction by the elastic member 18. With this extrusion, the six retaining balls 11 fitted and held in the through holes 10 of the respective sleeve pieces 20 move axially outward integrally with the sleeve 9, and are tapered grooves from the inside of the ball receiving grooves 4. 3, a force for pushing the retaining balls 11 radially inward from the tapered surfaces 3a that are the peripheral wall surfaces of the tapered grooves 3 is applied to the retaining balls 11 so that the retaining balls 11 are inserted into the through holes. 10 is pushed inwardly to increase the amount of protrusion of the retaining ball 11 from the inner surface of the sleeve 9 (decreasing the amount of protrusion of the retaining ball 11 from the outer surface of the sleeve 9), and the outer surface of the insertion tube P. The outer surface protruding to the inner surface side of the sleeve 9 of each retaining ball 11 is pressed against the retaining ball 11 to prevent the insertion tube P from coming out of the joint receiving port 2. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, when the retaining mechanism 12 is activated, the retaining ball 11 is in a state of being caught between the tapered surface 3 a of the joint receiving portion 2 and the outer surface of the insertion pipe P. At that time, the movement of the sleeve 9 outward in the axial direction is restricted. Here, by simply rotating the outer ring 13, the retaining mechanism 12 can be changed from the non-actuated state to the activated state, and the engaging groove 14 and the engaging protrusion 15 serve as an indicator. It is possible to visually check whether or not has been activated.
[0037]
When the insertion pipe P is pulled out from the joint receiving port 2, the engagement protrusion 15 of the outer ring 13 is moved outside the joint receiving port 2 so as to move along the inclined horizontal groove 14c and the first engaging horizontal groove 14a. The ring 13 is rotated and pushed against the urging force of the elastic member 18, and as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the retaining ball 11 is inserted into the ball receiving groove 4 from the inner peripheral side of the tapered groove 3 of the joint receiving portion 2. When moving to the inner peripheral side, the retaining mechanism 12 is deactivated, the pressing of the retaining balls 11 against the outer surface of the insertion tube P is released, and the end of the insertion tube P is inserted into and removed from the joint receiving port 2 Is possible.
[0038]
In the case of a pipe joint having a conventional pipe and a joint body, the pipe body receives the pipe through the sleeve, and the pipe directly contacts the sleeve. Therefore, the weight of the pipe and the bending load are applied to the sleeve, and the sleeve The moving load in the axial direction becomes very large, and not only the workability is bad, but also there is a possibility that the sleeve may malfunction, and there is a problem that it is difficult to reliably obtain a predetermined retaining action. As described above, the retaining mechanism 12 is switched between the operating state and the non-operating state by the movement of the sleeve 9 in the axial direction. In this case, as shown in FIG. Instead, the sleeve 9 is received by the protrusions 20 of the joint receiving portion 2 in the circumferential direction that protrudes inwardly from the notches 19 of the sleeve 9, so that the sleeve 9 can move in the axial direction without receiving its own weight and bending load of the insertion pipe P. It can be moved easily, the workability is improved, and a predetermined retaining action can be obtained reliably and stably.
[0039]
In general, it is difficult to form the insertion tube P into a perfect circle, which causes some distortion. Due to this distortion, the sleeve 9 comes into contact with the insertion tube, and the attachment of the sleeve 9 becomes unstable. May not be pressed substantially evenly against the outer surface of the insertion tube P. In such a case, the three sleeves 9 between the hinge portions 21 are moved independently and substantially in parallel in the axial direction by the two notched grooves 22 of the hinge portions 21 formed in the sleeve 9 (three places in the embodiment). Therefore, all the retaining balls 11 can be pressed almost uniformly against the outer surface of the insertion tube P, and the insertion tube P can be reliably prevented from coming out. Note that one cutout groove 22 may be provided in the hinge portion 21.
[0040]
22 and FIG. 23 show a modified example of the sleeve 9, and a plurality of (three in the modified example) divided sleeves 9A, 9B, and 9C are divided in the radial direction at the notch 19 of the sleeve 9. The divided sleeves 9A, 9B and 9C are independently moved in the axial direction to obtain the same effect as described above.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above embodiments, the present invention provides the joint body by disposing the sleeve 9 and the retaining ball 11 held by the sleeve 9 between the joint body 1 and the pipe P and moving the sleeve 9 outward in the axial direction. In a pipe joint provided with a retaining mechanism 12 that prevents the pipe P from coming off by pressing the retaining ball 11 against the outer surface of the pipe P with a tapered surface 3a having a large diameter on the inner side of the inner surface of the sleeve 1, the sleeve 9 is partially Therefore, even if the entire sleeve 9 becomes unstable due to distortion of the pipe P, all the movement of the sleeve 9 due to partial axial movement causes The retaining ball 11 can be surely pressed against the outer surface of the pipe P to improve the joint effect of the pipe P.
[0042]
The sleeve 9 is provided with a flange 16 at one end, and axial notches 19 reaching the flange 16 from the other end are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and the retaining ball 11 is provided between the sleeve pieces 20 between the notches 19. The flange 16 is provided with hinge portions 21 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction so as not to overlap the sleeve pieces 20, and the integrally formed sleeve 9 can be partially displaced in the axial direction. Since the sleeve 9 is easily formed, it is possible to facilitate the handling of the sleeve 9 during the pipe joint operation and to improve the joint effect of the pipe P by enabling a partial and independent movement operation of the sleeve 9. It is.
[0043]
Further, since the hinge portion 21 is provided with the thickness of the flange 16 partially reduced by the radial groove 22 provided in the flange 16, it facilitates partial and independent movement of the sleeve 9. The joint effect of the pipe P can be further improved.
[0044]
The sleeve 9 is a split sleeve made up of a plurality of sleeve pieces 20, and each sleeve piece 20 is provided with a through hole 10 in which the retaining ball 11 is arranged so that the sleeve 9 can be partially displaced in the axial direction. Therefore, the sleeve 9 can be smoothly moved with respect to the pipe P, and the joint effect of the pipe P can be improved.
[0045]
Further, the sleeve 9 is provided with a flange 16 at one end, and axial notches 19 from the other end are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and the retaining ball 11 is disposed in the sleeve piece 20 between the notches 19. Since the hole 10 is provided and the sleeve 9 is divided into a plurality of cut portions 19 to form the divided sleeves 9A, 9B, and 9C, the divided sleeves 9A, 9B, and 9C are moved independently and smoothly, respectively. The joint effect of the pipe P can be improved.
[0046]
Further, the joint body 1 is provided with protrusions 23 protruding radially inward from the opening end portion at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and the protrusions 23 are protruded into the gaps of the cuts 19 of the sleeve 9. The sleeve 9 can be easily moved by receiving the weight of the pipe P by the projections 23 and the joint effect of the pipe P can be improved.
[0047]
Further, an elastic member 18 that urges the sleeve 9 outward in the axial direction and a ring-shaped operation member 13 that fits on the outer periphery of the opening end of the joint body 1 are provided, and one end of the operation member 13 is against the flange 16 of the sleeve 9. A locking portion 17 is provided that overlaps from the outside in the axial direction, and one of the engaging groove 14 and the engaging protrusion 15 that are fitted to each other is provided on the joint body 1, and the other is provided on the operating member 13. In this range, the sleeve 9 can be moved in the axial direction with respect to the joint body 1 and can be fixed with respect to the joint body 1 at the movement end position. Thus, the joint body 1 and the pipe P can be satisfactorily connected and fixed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view showing an embodiment of a pipe joint according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a joint receiving portion.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the same cross section.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the same.
FIG. 6 is a half sectional side view of a packing.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a sleeve.
FIG. 8 is a side view of a sleeve.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a sleeve.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of attaching a sleeve.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a joint part.
FIG. 12 is an external view of a retaining ball.
FIG. 13 is a plan view of an outer ring.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory side view of the outer ring.
FIG. 15 is a plan view of an elastic member.
FIG. 16 is a side view of an elastic member.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory side view of the non-operating state of the retaining mechanism.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory plan view of the non-operating state of the retaining mechanism.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the protrusion.
FIG. 20 is an explanatory side view of the operating state of the retaining mechanism.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory plan view of the operating state of the retaining mechanism.
FIG. 22 is a plan view showing a modified example of the sleeve.
FIG. 23 is a side view showing a modified example of the sleeve.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Fitting body
9 Sleeve
10 Through hole
11 Retaining ball
12 Retaining mechanism
13 Outer ring (operation member)
14 engaging groove
15 Engagement protrusion
16 Flange
19 notches
20 Sleeve pieces
21 Hinge part
22 groove
23 Protrusions
P tube

Claims

A sleeve and a retaining ball to be held by the sleeve are arranged between the joint main body and the pipe, and the sleeve is moved outward in the axial direction, whereby the rear surface formed on the inner surface of the joint main body has a tapered surface with a large diameter. A pipe joint provided with a retaining mechanism that prevents the pipe from coming out by pressing the pipe against the outer surface of the pipe, wherein the sleeve is formed so as to be partially displaceable in the axial direction.

The sleeve is provided with a flange at one end, axial incisions reaching the flange from the other end are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and through holes are provided in the sleeve pieces between the notches for disposing retaining balls. 2. The flange according to claim 1, wherein hinges are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction so as not to overlap the sleeve pieces, and the integrally formed sleeve is formed so as to be partially displaceable in the axial direction. Pipe fittings.

3. The pipe joint according to claim 2, wherein the hinge portion is provided with a thickness of the flange partially reduced by a radial groove provided in the flange.

2. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is a split sleeve composed of a plurality of sleeve pieces, and each sleeve piece is provided with a through-hole in which a retaining ball is arranged, so that the sleeve can be partially displaced in the axial direction. Pipe fittings.

The sleeve is provided with a flange at one end, axial cuts from the other end are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and through holes are provided in the sleeve pieces between the cuts to place retaining balls. The pipe joint according to claim 4, wherein the pipe joint is divided into a plurality of parts and formed into a split sleeve.

4. The joint body according to claim 2, wherein protrusions protruding radially inward from the opening end portion are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and the protrusions are protruded into a notch clearance of the sleeve. The pipe joint according to any one of 5.

An elastic member that biases the sleeve outward in the axial direction and a ring-shaped operation member that fits on the outer periphery of the opening end of the joint body, and a locking portion that overlaps the flange of the sleeve on the flange of the sleeve from the outside in the axial direction One of the engaging grooves and engaging protrusions that fit each other is provided on the joint body, and the other is provided on the operating member, and the operating member can be moved in the axial direction with respect to the joint body within a predetermined range. The pipe joint according to any one of claims 2 and 3, or 5 and 6, characterized in that the position can be fixed with respect to the joint body at the movement end position.