JP7530743B2 - Underfloor inspection hatch - Google Patents

Description

Patent Law Article 30, Paragraph 2 applied Daiken Corporation "DAIKEN Inspection Hatch/Floor Ventilation Catalog vol. 9" Issued March 5, 2020

The present invention relates to an underfloor inspection hatch installed in the floor of a wooden building.

Conventionally, an example of this type of underfloor inspection hatch is shown in Patent Document 1. The underfloor inspection hatch of Patent Document 1 comprises an outer frame that is fitted into an opening in the floor and fixed to the joist, a lid that is fitted inside the outer frame, and an outer frame fixing member that fixes the outer frame to the joist. The outer frame fixing member comprises an engagement portion that engages with the outer frame and a fixing portion that is fixed to the joist, and the outer frame is fixed to the joist by screwing the fixing portion in a state in which it is in contact with the fixing surface of the joist. When the outer frame fixing member rotates relative to the outer frame, the engagement piece of the engagement portion is engaged with the outer frame, and the fixing portion faces the fixing surface of the joist and can be fixed to the joist.

Patent No. 5863500

However, in the underfloor inspection hatch of Patent Document 1, when fixing the outer frame fixing member to the joist, the outer frame fixing member needs to be rotated relative to the outer frame to engage with the outer frame, which creates the problem that attachment of the outer frame fixing member to the outer frame is complicated.
Furthermore, in order to engage the outer frame fixing member with the outer frame without the engaging piece of the engaging portion of the outer frame fixing member coming into contact with the outer frame when the outer frame fixing member rotates, it is necessary to chamfer the engaging piece of the engaging portion and provide a hole in the outer frame for inserting the engaging piece of the engaging portion. This results in problems such as a complex configuration of the underfloor inspection hatch (outer frame and outer frame fixing member) and the need for many man-hours to create the outer frame and outer frame fixing member.

The present invention aims to solve the above problems by providing an underfloor inspection hatch that can simplify the outer frame and the outer frame fixing members and that allows easy attachment of the outer frame fixing members to the outer frame.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an underfloor inspection hatch comprising an outer frame having a rectangular planar shape that is fitted into an opening in a floor and fixed to a joist, a lid that is fitted inside the outer frame, and an outer frame fixing member that fixes the outer frame to the joist, and a corner member that covers the butt joint between the frame materials that make up the outer frame is provided at a corner of the outer frame formed by framing the frame materials at right angles , and the corner member is positioned at the corner of the outer frame by being sandwiched between one end of the frame material that forms the butt joint and the other end of the frame material that is adjacent to the one end of the frame material and forms the butt joint, and the outer frame fixing member is composed of a fixing portion that is fixed to the joist and an engaging portion that is formed on the fixing portion and engages with the corner member, and the fixing portion abuts against the underside of the outer frame and abuts against the fixing surface of the joist by engaging the engaging portion with the corner member .

According to the underfloor inspection hatch of the present invention, the outer frame fixing member can be attached to the outer frame by engaging the engagement portion of the outer frame fixing member with the corner member without rotating the outer frame fixing member relative to the outer frame, so the outer frame fixing member can be easily attached to the outer frame while the butt joints between the frame materials that make up the outer frame are protected by the corner member. In addition, since it is no longer necessary to chamfer the engagement portion of the outer frame fixing member or to provide holes in the outer frame, the structure of the underfloor inspection hatch (outer frame and outer frame fixing member) can be simplified, and the outer frame and outer frame fixing member can be easily created.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an underfloor inspection hatch according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged oblique view of a corner of the outer frame of the underfloor inspection hatch. 1A is a front oblique view of the corner member and outer frame fixing member in the same underfloor inspection hatch, and FIG. 1B is a rear view of the outer frame fixing member in the same underfloor inspection hatch. A cross-sectional view showing the fixed state of the outer frame fixing member to the joist in the same underfloor inspection hatch.

First, we will explain the underfloor inspection hatch 10 according to the present invention.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the underfloor inspection hatch 10 is attached to an opening 91 formed in a floor 90 of a wooden building and is used for inspecting underfloor areas. The underfloor inspection hatch 10 comprises an outer frame 11 with a rectangular planar shape that is provided around the periphery of the opening 91 in the floor 90, and a lid 20 with a rectangular planar shape that is fitted inside the outer frame 11.

The outer frame 11 is fitted into the opening 91 and fixed to the joists 92 by the outer frame fixing members 40 described below. The outer frame 11 is formed by assembling aluminum extruded outer frame materials 12 (an example of a "frame material") to form a rectangular frame shape in plan view. The outer frame 11 is formed by framing adjacent outer frame materials 12 at right angles, and four outer frame materials 12 with the same cross section are arranged on the four sides, and one end 12a of an outer frame material 12 is joined to the other end 12b of the adjacent outer frame material 12 to form a rectangle.

As shown in FIG. 3, the outer frame material 12 has a rising wall 13 that runs along the inner peripheral surface of the opening 91. A flange 14 is connected to the upper end of the rising wall 13. The flange 14 is provided horizontally toward the outside of the opening 91 and abuts against the upper surface of the floor 90 at the opening periphery of the opening 91. A lid body receiving portion 15 is connected to the lower end of the rising wall 13. The lid body receiving portion 15 is provided horizontally toward the inside of the opening 91 and supports the lid body 20. A groove 16 is provided in the lid body receiving portion 15 (the lower end of the rising wall 13) for placing an airtight material (not shown) to improve the airtightness between the outer frame 11 and the lid body 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lid body 20 includes a lid plate 21 and an inner frame 22. The lid plate 21 is made of the same material as the floor 90 and is formed into a flat plate having a rectangular planar shape. The inner frame 22 is screwed to the lid plate 21 so as to cover the outer periphery of the lid plate 21. The inner frame 22 is formed into a rectangular frame shape by assembling inner frame materials 23 extruded from aluminum. The inner frame 22 is formed by framing adjacent inner frame materials 23 at right angles, and four inner frame materials 23 with the same cross section are arranged on the four sides, and one end 23a of the inner frame material 23 is joined to the other end 23b of the adjacent inner frame material 23 to form a rectangle.

As shown in FIG. 3, one end 12a and the other end 12b of the outer frame material 12 are cut at a 45-degree angle so that when one end 12a of the outer frame material 12 is butted against the other end 12b of the outer frame material 12 adjacent to that outer frame material 12, the butted outer frame materials 12 form a right angle. The corners 11a of the outer frame 11 are formed by butting one end 12a of the outer frame material 12 against the other end 12b of the outer frame material 12 adjacent to that outer frame material 12 and framing them at a right angle. Corner members 30 are attached to the corners 11a of the outer frame 11.

The corner member 30 is a protective member that covers the butt portion (the portion where the outer frame materials 12 are joined) where adjacent outer frame materials 12 are butted together at the corner 11a of the outer frame 11. The corner member 30 is placed in the center of the corner 11a of the outer frame 11 when one end 12a of the outer frame material 12 is butted together with the other end 12b of the adjacent outer frame material 12. By placing the corner member 30 at the corner 11a of the outer frame 11, the butt portion of the outer frame materials 12 is not exposed to the outside, and it is possible to prevent hands and feet from getting caught in the butt portion of the outer frame materials 12.

As shown in FIG. 4(a), the corner member 30 is formed of a resin member that is generally Z-shaped when viewed from the side. The corner member 30 is composed of a cover portion 31 that covers the butt portion between the outer frame materials 12, a support portion 32 that supports the cover portion 31, and an engagement portion 33 that engages with the outer frame fixing member 40 described later.

The covering portion 31 is formed to protrude horizontally from the upper end of the supporting portion 32. When the outer frame materials 12 are framed at right angles to each other, the covering portion 31 is arranged along the diagonal line T of the outer frame 11 so as to cover from above the joint portion between one end 12a of an outer frame material 12 and the other end 12b of the adjacent outer frame material 12. The covering portion 31 is formed in a roughly arrow shape, with one end formed at an acute angle and the other end formed by a concave portion recessed at an acute angle.

The support portion 32 is a portion formed in an L-shape in a side view, and is arranged along the diagonal line T (see FIG. 1) of the outer frame 11. When the outer frame materials 12 are framed at right angles to each other, the support portion 32 is sandwiched between one end 12a of the outer frame material 12 and the other end 12b of the adjacent outer frame material 12. Specifically, the portion of the support portion 32 extending in the vertical direction is sandwiched between the rising walls 13 of the adjacent outer frame materials 12, and the portion extending in the horizontal direction is sandwiched between the lid receiving portions 15 of the adjacent outer frame materials 12. In addition, the portion of the support portion 32 extending in the vertical direction is formed with a fitting portion 35 into which a metal plate-shaped connecting metal fitting 95 (see FIG. 3) is fitted. The fitting portion 35 is a groove-shaped portion that is approximately C-shaped in a side view and is formed on the outer surface of the rising wall 13 along the longitudinal direction of the outer frame material 12, and the connecting metal fitting 95 arranged in the vertical direction is fitted into it.

The engagement portion 33 is a portion formed in a horizontal U-shape in a side view, and is formed at the bottom of the support portion 32. The engagement portion 33 has a recessed portion 36 for fitting the outer frame fixing member 40. The engagement portion 33 locks the outer frame fixing member 40 by fitting the outer frame fixing member 40 into the recessed portion 36 from the horizontal direction. The recessed portion 36 of the engagement portion 33 is composed of an upper surface portion 36a that is molded integrally with the support portion 32, a fork-shaped lower surface portion 36b that is arranged parallel to the upper surface portion 36a at a predetermined interval and splits into two at the center, and a connection portion 36c that connects the upper surface portion 36a and the lower surface portion 36b in the vertical direction.

The outer frame fixing member 40 is a member for fixing the outer frame 11 to the joists 92. The outer frame fixing member 40 is attached to the corner member 30 by engaging with the engagement portion 33 of the corner member 30. In addition, the outer frame fixing member 40 attached to the corner member 30 is screwed to the joists 92, thereby fixing the outer frame 11 to the joists 92.

A groove 41 (an example of an "engagement part") that engages with the engagement part 33 of the corner member 30 is formed in the upper center of the main body part 40A (an example of a "fixation part") of the outer frame fixing member 40. The groove part 41 is formed in a concave shape with a depth that allows the upper surface part 36a of the concave part 36 of the engagement part 33 to be fitted in. The bottom part 41a of the groove part 41 is formed with a thickness that allows it to be fitted into the concave part 36 of the engagement part 33 (between the upper surface part 36a and the lower surface part 36b). As shown in FIG. 4(b), a beam part 42 (an example of an "engagement part") extending in the vertical direction is formed between the lower surface of the groove part 41 and a screw hole 45 described later. The beam part 42 is formed with a thickness that allows it to be fitted into the lower surface part 36b of the concave part 36 of the engagement part 33.

The upper surface 43 of the main body 40A of the outer frame fixing member 40 is the surface that abuts against the lower surface of the outer frame 11 (the lower surface of the lid receiving portion 15) when the outer frame fixing member 40 is engaged with the corner member 30. As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the upper surface 43 of the main body 40A of the outer frame fixing member 40 is formed flat so that it abuts without tilt against the lower surface of the outer frame 11 (the lower surface of the lid receiving portion 15) when the outer frame fixing member 40 is engaged with the corner member 30.

The outer frame fixing member 40 has a main body 40A fixed to the joist 92. A screw hole 45 is provided in the center of the main body 40A of the outer frame fixing member 40 for fixing the outer frame fixing member 40 to the joist 92. The screw hole 45 is inclined downward with respect to the upper surface 43 of the main body 40A of the outer frame fixing member 40. When fixing the outer frame fixing member 40 to the joist 92, a screw 96 is inserted into the screw hole 45 with the back surface of the main body 40A abutting against the fixing surface of the joist 92.

Next, we will explain how to assemble the outer frame 11 of the underfloor inspection hatch 10.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a corner member 30 is attached to one end 12a of the outer frame material 12 that constitutes the outer frame 11. When the corner member 30 is attached to one end 12a of the outer frame material 12, the other end 12b of the other outer frame material 12 is abutted against the corner member 30. As a result, the two outer frame materials 12 are butted together at a right angle to form a framework, and the corner member 30 is sandwiched between the two outer frame materials 12 and positioned in the center of the corner 11a of the outer frame 11. The corner member 30 then covers the joint between the two outer frame materials 12 from above. Therefore, the corner member 30 prevents the joint between the two outer frame materials 12 from being exposed.

When the corner member 30 is sandwiched between two outer frame members 12 and the two outer frame members 12 are butted together to form a frame, a connecting metal fitting 95 is attached between the two butted outer frame members 12 and the attached connecting metal fitting 95 is crimped to join the two outer frame members 12. Specifically, the connecting metal fitting 95 is fitted into the fitting portion 35 of the support portion 32 of the two butted outer frame members 12, and the fitted connecting metal fitting 95 is crimped to join the two outer frame members 12. As a result, the connecting metal fitting 95 is attached so as to cover the corner member 30 and the two outer frame members 12 along the outer surface of the corner portion 11a of the outer frame 11 formed by butting the two outer frame members 12 together. In this way, by crimping the connecting metal fitting 95 attached between the two butted outer frame members 12, the shape of the outer frame 11 formed by butting the outer frame members 12 together can be stabilized, and the diagonal corner of the outer frame 11 can be easily made. By repeating this process of joining the outer frame material 12 to the corner members 30 for four outer frame materials 12, an outer frame 11 with a rectangular planar shape is formed.

Next, the procedure for installing the underfloor inspection hatch 10 to the opening 91 in the floor 90 will be described.

As shown in Figures 3, 4(a) and 4(b), an outer frame fixing member 40 is engaged with the rectangular outer frame 11. The outer frame fixing member 40 is engaged with the corner member 30 arranged at the corner 11a of the outer frame 11. Specifically, the groove portion 41 and the beam portion 42 of the outer frame fixing member 40 are engaged with the concave portion 36 of the engagement portion 33 of the corner member 30. The groove portion 41 of the outer frame fixing member 40 is fitted into the upper surface portion 36a of the concave portion 36. The beam portion 42 of the outer frame fixing member 40 is fitted into the lower surface portion 36b of the concave portion 36.

1 to 3, the outer frame fixing member 40 is engaged with the corner member 30, and the outer frame fixing member 40 is attached to the outer frame 11 with its upper surface 43 abutting the lower surface of the outer frame 11 (the lower surface of the lid body receiving portion 15 of the outer frame material 12). The outer frame 11 with the outer frame fixing member 40 attached to the four corners 11a is fitted into an opening 91 formed in the floor 90. The outer frame 11 is fitted so that the flange portion 14 of the outer frame material 12 abuts the upper surface of the floor 90 around the opening 91. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the outer frame 11 is fitted into the opening 91, and the back surface of the main body portion 40A of the outer frame fixing member 40 faces the fixing surface of the joist 92, and the main body portion 40A of the outer frame fixing member 40 can be fixed to the joist 92. Screws 96 are inserted into the screw holes 45 of the outer frame fixing member 40 that is in contact with the fixing surface of the joist 92, and the main body 40A of the outer frame fixing member 40 is screwed to the joist 92. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, after the main body 40A of the outer frame fixing member 40 is screwed to the joist 92 to fix the outer frame 11, the lid body 20 with the lid plate 21 supported by the inner frame 22 is fitted inside the outer frame 11.

As described above, in the underfloor inspection hatch 10, the outer frame fixing member 40 can be attached to the outer frame 11 by engaging the groove 41 and beam 42 of the outer frame fixing member 40 with the concave portion 36 of the engagement portion 33 of the corner member 30 without rotating the outer frame fixing member 40 relative to the outer frame 11. This makes it easy to attach the outer frame fixing member 40 to the outer frame 11 while protecting the butt joints between the outer frame materials 12 that make up the outer frame 11 with the corner member 30. In addition, since it is not necessary to chamfer the groove 41 and beam 42 of the outer frame fixing member 40 or to provide holes in the outer frame 11, the configuration of the underfloor inspection hatch 10 (outer frame 11 and outer frame fixing member 40) can be simplified, and the outer frame 11 and outer frame fixing member 40 can be easily created.

In this embodiment, the outer frame 11 with the outer frame fixing members 40 attached to the four corners 11a is fitted into the opening 91 of the floor 90, but this is not limited to this, and the outer frame fixing members 40 may be attached to the four corners 11a of the outer frame 11 fitted into the opening 91 of the floor 90. In other words, the outer frame fixing members 40 may be attached to the outer frame 11 before or after the outer frame 11 is fitted into the opening 91 of the floor 90.

10 Underfloor inspection hatch 11 Outer frame 11a Corner of outer frame 12 Outer frame material (frame material)
20 Lid body 30 Corner member 40 Outer frame fixing member 40A Main body portion (fixing portion)
41 Groove portion (engagement portion)
42 Beam portion (engagement portion)
90 Floor 91 Opening 92 Joist

Claims (1)

The outer frame is rectangular in plan view and is fitted into the opening in the floor and fixed to the joists.
A lid body that is fitted inside the outer frame;
An outer frame fixing member that fixes the outer frame to the joists;
An underfloor inspection hatch equipped with:
A corner member is provided at a corner of the outer frame formed by joining the frame members constituting the outer frame at a right angle to cover the butt joint between the frame members,
The corner member is sandwiched between one end of a frame material forming the butt joint and the other end of a frame material adjacent to the one end of the frame material forming the butt joint, and is disposed at a corner of the outer frame,
The outer frame fixing member is
A fixing portion fixed to the floor joist;
an engagement portion formed on the fixing portion and adapted to engage with the corner member;
It is composed of
The fixing portion abuts against the lower surface of the outer frame and the fixing surface of the joist by engaging the engaging portion with the corner member.
An underfloor inspection hatch characterized by:

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