JP4435361B2 - Coupler - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coupler. More particularly, the present invention relates to a coupler that can easily and reliably attach and detach a waterproof cloth, and that has greatly improved durability.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 8, in a railway vehicle, a coupler 31 is used to connect between two adjacent vehicles C.
[0003]
As shown in FIGS. 9 to 10, the conventional vehicle connector is manufactured in a cylindrical shape by combining a waterproof cloth 33 and an aggregate 32, and can travel freely and safely between the two adjacent vehicles C. It is what I did.
[0004]
The aggregate 32 is made of a metal or FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) round bar or the like, and is inclined to connect the rectangular frame portion 32a and two adjacent frame portions 32a in a telescopic manner if necessary. It is comprised from the support bar (not shown) arrange | positioned.
[0005]
As a method of fixing the waterproof cloth 33 to the outer periphery of the aggregate 32, as shown in FIG. 10, the waterproof cloth 33 is sewn in a ring shape using sewing threads 34 on the upper and lower ends of the frame portion 32 a of the aggregate 32. Method is used.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the conventional coupler, the waterproof cloth 33 is sewn to the aggregate 32. Therefore, when the waterproof cloth 33 is periodically replaced or replaced due to deterioration or damage, the sewing thread 34 is used. Are required to cut off the old waterproof cloth and to sew the new waterproof cloth 33 with the sewing thread 34. Therefore, there is a problem that replacement of the waterproof cloth takes time and effort and requires high skill.
[0007]
Further, when the waterproof cloth 33 is sewn with the sewing thread 34, there is a possibility that the sewing thread 34 may be frayed or damaged in about 3 years, so that the desired strength cannot be maintained for a long period of time and the durability is low.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a coupler in which a waterproof cloth can be attached and detached easily and reliably by hand, and which has greatly improved durability. To do.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the railway vehicle of the present invention, the coupler for connecting two adjacent vehicles has a plurality of aggregates having a space part through which a passenger can pass, and a cylindrical shape covering the outer periphery of the plurality of aggregates A waterproof cloth and a fastener fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the waterproof cloth,
The fastener includes an engaging portion and an engaged portion that can be manually connected and separated from each other,
When the engaging portion and the engaged portion are connected, at least a part of the aggregate is sandwiched between the waterproof cloth and the fastener, and the engaging portion of the fastener is elastically deformed, A groove that opens so that the engaging portion and the engaged portion can engage with each other; the engaged portion of the fastener includes a protrusion that can engage with the inside of the groove; and By pressing the ridge against the opening of the groove, the engaging portion and the ridge are elastically deformed and engaged with each other, and the longitudinal direction of the aggregate in the groove with the ridge engaged with the groove by sliding along, and is characterized in Rukoto you can separate the ridges from the groove.
[0010]
It is preferable that at least a contact portion between the waterproof cloth and the fastener is made of a heat-fusible material, and the fastener is heat-sealed to the inner peripheral surface of the waterproof cloth.
[0012]
It is preferable that the aggregate has a substantially rectangular shape and the fastener is disposed at a position where the four corners of the aggregate can be held.
[0013]
It is preferable that the fastener is disposed at a position capable of holding substantially the entire aggregate by a length approximately equal to the length of the aggregate.
[0014]
It is preferable that an inner cloth that covers the aggregate and the fastener from the inside is disposed inside the waterproof cloth.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, the connector of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective explanatory view showing an embodiment of a coupler according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part in the vicinity of a fastener showing a state in which an aggregate is sandwiched between the waterproof cloth and the fastener of FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part showing the state before and after the engagement of the fastener of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a perspective explanatory view showing another embodiment of the coupler of the present invention, and FIGS. It is a principal part enlarged view of the fastener vicinity which shows other embodiment of this.
[0016]
The connector shown in FIG. 1 is fixed to a plurality of aggregates 1 having a space part through which passengers can pass, a cylindrical waterproof cloth 2 covering the outer periphery of the plurality of aggregates 1, and an inner peripheral surface of the waterproof cloth 2. It is comprised from the fastener 3 made. As shown in FIG. 3, the fastener 3 includes an engaging portion 4 and an engaged portion 5 that can be manually connected and separated from each other. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, at least a part of the aggregate 1 is sandwiched between the waterproof cloth 2 and the fastener 3 when the engaging portion 4 and the engaged portion 5 are connected. It is like that.
[0017]
Moreover, in the coupler of this Embodiment, as FIG. 1 shows, the front-and-back edge part of the waterproof cloth 2 is fastened by the aggregate (not shown) located in the front-back end. These aggregates located at the front and rear ends are further fixed by being connected to the connection frame 6 connected to the vehicle by bolts or the like. The connecting frame 6 is made of FRP or the like, and the connecting frame 6 is fixed to a corresponding frame of each vehicle with a bolt or the like.
[0018]
Therefore, when replacing the waterproof cloth 2, the old waterproof cloth 2 can be easily detached from the aggregate 1 by first removing the waterproof cloth 2 from the connecting frame 6 and then separating the fastener 3 by hand. Then, after covering the outer periphery of the aggregate 1 with a new waterproof cloth 2, the waterproof cloth 2 can be easily attached by connecting the fastener 3 by hand. Therefore, since it does not take time and effort and does not require a high level of skill, the waterproof cloth 2 can be replaced easily and reliably. In addition, if the fastener 3 is used, the durability can be greatly improved without the risk of fraying and breakage as in the case of sewing threads.
[0019]
Moreover, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, at least the contact portion 7 between the waterproof cloth 2 and the fastener 3 is made of a heat-fusible material, and the fastener 3 has a high frequency on the inner peripheral surface of the waterproof cloth 2. Since it is heat-sealed using a sewing machine or the like, the fastener 3 can be easily attached to the waterproof cloth 2.
[0020]
The waterproof cloth 2 is waterproof (only about 1000 mm), wear resistance, tensile strength and shear (tear) strength, light weight, stretchability, long life (about 7 to 10 years), nonflammability (or difficult) (Flammability), bending strength, resistance to fluttering against wind pressure, weather resistance (waterproofing life, discoloration life), resistance to dirt (metal powder, salt, dust and other dirt on the outside of the waterproof cloth, and grease and other waterproof cloths) The waterproof fabric is selected from the standpoints of stains on the inner side, chemical resistance (acid, alkali), water repellency, aesthetics, elastic recovery, and cost reduction.
[0021]
The waterproof cloth 2 having the above performance is made of, for example, a woven fabric having a high density using a filament yarn of synthetic fiber such as nylon or polyester as a reinforcing material, and olefin such as vinyl chloride or ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer from both sides of the fabric. A waterproof cloth generally called tarpaulin (trade name), which is laminated with a base elastomer, other urethane, synthetic rubber, foamed polyethylene or the like, is used. In addition, any other waterproof cloth can be used as long as predetermined conditions such as waterproofness, strength, and lightness are satisfied. For example, a cotton canvas or a canvas made of a synthetic fiber (for example, vinylon) is used. It is particularly preferable to use the tarpaulin because it can satisfy the required strength and is lightweight.
[0022]
Among the materials of the waterproof cloth 2, if a synthetic fiber such as polyester, which is a heat-fusible material, or a vinyl chloride resin is selected as the material for the contact portion 7 or the whole of the waterproof cloth 2 and the fastener 3, the heat of the fastener 3 can be obtained. Fusion is possible. The fastener 3 can exhibit durability that can withstand more than 8 years by heat-sealing to the waterproof cloth 2, and can greatly improve durability compared to the case of sewing having only 3 years. it can.
The present invention is not particularly limited as long as the fastener 3 includes an engaging portion 4 and an engaged portion 5 that can be manually connected to and separated from each other. However, the present embodiment shown in FIG. Employing a so-called slide fastener like the fastener 3 is preferable in that it can be easily attached and detached and can be easily operated. That is, in the slide fastener type fastener 3, as shown in FIG. 3, the engaging portion 4 has a groove 8 that opens in the width direction of the fastener 3, and the engaged portion 5 is inside the groove 8. It has the protrusion 9 which protrudes in the width direction of the fastener 3 which can be engaged.
[0023]
When engaging the protrusion 9 with the groove 8, as shown in FIG. 3A, the engaging portions 4 and the protrusions are pressed by pressing the portions 3 a and 3 b of the fastener 3 facing each other. 9 are slightly elastically deformed and engaged with each other as shown in FIG. Note that the claw 4a of the engaging portion 4 and the claw 9a of the ridge 9 are engaged with each other even if the portions 3a and 3b are separated from the engaged state of FIG. 3B again as shown in FIG. 3A. Therefore, it cannot be pulled apart.
[0024]
In the case of separating the fastener 3, the fastener 3 is sheared along the aggregate 1 in a state where the protrusion 9 is engaged with the groove 8 (see FIG. 3B), and the fastener 3 is formed inside the groove 8. The ridges 9 can be easily separated from the ends of the grooves 8 by sliding along the longitudinal direction (perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 3).
[0025]
The position at which the fastener 3 is disposed is not particularly limited in the present invention, but as shown in FIG. 1, when the aggregate 1 has a substantially rectangular shape, the fastener 3 has four corners of the aggregate 1. If it is arrange | positioned in the position which can hold | maintain, the waterproof cloth 2 can be hold | maintained with a small amount of fasteners 3. FIG.
[0026]
As another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the fastener 11 is disposed at a position that can hold almost the entire aggregate 1 by a length substantially equal to the length of the aggregate 1. If so, the waterproof cloth 2 can be firmly held.
[0027]
As still another embodiment of the coupler of the present invention, the fastener 13 may be attached to the waterproof cloth 2 via the restricting member 12 so that the movement of the aggregate 1 can be restricted as shown in FIG. . The restricting member 12 is made of the heat-fusible material or the like, and a space portion having substantially the same cross-sectional area as the aggregate 1 is formed inside. The limiting member 12 is high-frequency bonded to the waterproof cloth 2 within the range of the bonding region 14. By closing the fastener 13 fixed to the restricting member 12, the aggregate 1 can be held between the waterproof cloth 2 and the fastener 13. Moreover, the movement of the aggregate 1 in the axial direction and the radial direction is almost completely restricted by the restricting member 12.
[0028]
Further, when a gap remains between the aggregate 1 and the restricting member 12 as in the coupler shown in FIG. 5, the gap is eliminated, and the axial and radial movements of the aggregate 1 are eliminated. In order to further restrict this, as shown in FIG. 6, the root portion of the restricting member 12 may be sewn with a sewing thread 15.
[0029]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in order to improve the aesthetic appearance of the internal space of the coupler used as a passage between trains, the aggregate 1 and the fastener 3 are covered from the inside inside the aggregate 1. In addition, a good-looking inner cloth 10 may be provided. As the inner cloth 10, a quilted or pile cloth is particularly preferable because it looks good. When the inner cloth is disposed, an adhesive cloth may be provided on the mutually facing surfaces of the waterproof cloth 2 and the inner cloth 10 and the waterproof cloth 2 and the inner cloth 10 may be directly bonded to each other.
[0030]
In the present invention, the material of the aggregate 1 is not particularly limited, but by adopting the aggregate 1 made of FRP, the weight of the coupler is also reduced to about 12 kg, thereby achieving energy saving in operation of the train. be able to.
[0031]
As a fiber contained in FRP which comprises the aggregate 1, inorganic fibers, such as glass, carbon, and a ceramic fiber, are employ | adopted and an organic fiber can also be used.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, by attaching the waterproof cloth to the aggregate using the fastener, the waterproof cloth can be attached and detached easily and reliably by hand as compared with the case of the conventional sewing, and it is durable. It is possible to provide a coupler with greatly improved performance.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory perspective view showing an embodiment of a coupler of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part in the vicinity of the fastener showing a state in which an aggregate is sandwiched between the waterproof cloth and the fastener of FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a state before and after engagement of the fastener of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective explanatory view showing another embodiment of the coupler of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part in the vicinity of a fastener showing still another embodiment of the coupler of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part in the vicinity of a fastener showing still another embodiment of the coupler of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a front view of a train equipped with a conventional vehicle coupler.
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state in which the train of FIG. 7 curves.
FIG. 9 is a front view of an aggregate in a coupler provided with a conventional fiber reinforced plastic aggregate.
10 is a partially cutaway front view of a coupler having the aggregate of FIG. 9. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Aggregate 2 Waterproof cloth 3, 11, 13, 17 Fastener

Claims (4)

A plurality of aggregates having a space part through which a passenger can pass, a cylindrical waterproof cloth covering the outer periphery of the aggregates, and a fastener fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the waterproof cloth,
The fastener includes an engaging portion and an engaged portion that can be manually connected and separated from each other,
When the engaging portion and the engaged portion are connected, at least a part of the aggregate is sandwiched between the waterproof cloth and the fastener ,
The engaging portion of the fastener has a groove that opens so that the engaging portion and the engaged portion can be engaged by elastic deformation, and the engaged portion of the fastener is inside the groove. A protrusion that can be engaged with
By pressing the ridge against the opening of the groove, the engagement portion and the ridge are elastically deformed and engaged with each other, and the ridge is engaged with the groove while the rib is engaged with the groove. A connector for connecting two adjacent vehicles in a railway vehicle, characterized in that the ridge can be separated from the groove by sliding along the longitudinal direction .   The coupler according to claim 1, wherein at least a contact portion between the waterproof cloth and the fastener is made of a heat-fusible material, and the fastener is heat-sealed to an inner peripheral surface of the waterproof cloth. The coupler according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the aggregate has a substantially rectangular shape, and the fastener is disposed at a position where the four corners of the aggregate can be held. The coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein an inner cloth that covers the aggregate and the fastener from the inside is disposed inside the waterproof cloth.

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