JP7744652B2 - Work space securing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a work space securing device that is installed to secure a work space near a suspended object that is supported in a suspended state in a ceiling space.

Conventionally, a concealed air conditioner that is installed in a concealed state in the ceiling space between the upper floor floor slab and the lower floor ceiling panel has been known as an air conditioner that is supported in a suspended state in the ceiling space (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This type of air conditioner is supported in a suspended state in the ceiling space by multiple suspension bolts that are installed so as to hang down from the upper floor floor slab. Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which the air conditioner is attached to a frame body, and the frame body is supported by multiple suspension bolts. However, this is not limited to this, and a support structure in which the air conditioner is directly supported by multiple suspension bolts that hang down from the upper floor floor slab is also known.

Figure 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of an air conditioner 100 in a suspended state. This air conditioner 100 has a configuration in which the air conditioner main body 110, the blow-out chamber 120, and the intake chamber 130 are assembled together. Multiple suspension bolts 200 hanging from the upper floor floor slab support the air conditioner 100 in a substantially horizontal position. In the example shown in Figure 22, four suspension bolts 200 support the left and right sides of the air conditioner main body 110, two suspension bolts 200 support the end face of the blow-out chamber 120, and the remaining two suspension bolts support the end face of the intake chamber 130. Bolt connection portions 114 for connecting the lower ends of bolt members such as the suspension bolts 200 are provided on the sides of the air conditioner 100. The four suspension bolts 200 supporting the air conditioner main body 110 are connected to these bolt connection portions 114.

The air conditioner main body 110 is provided with a filter mounting section 102 for dust prevention and dust collection. One of the two sides of the air conditioner main body 110, side 112, is provided with a plate-shaped door member 101 that can be opened and closed when replacing the filter mounted in the filter mounting section 102. The same side 112 as the door member 101 also houses a box section 103 that houses the electrical system, etc. The same side 112 also has connectors for connecting refrigerant piping and drain pipes. In this way, the air conditioner main body 110 is configured so that all parts requiring maintenance are concentrated on one side 112. Therefore, it is preferable to install the air conditioner 100 in the ceiling space with a working space secured near the side 112 of the air conditioner main body 110.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-207095

However, for example, when installing an air conditioner 100 in a newly constructed building, after installing the air conditioner 100 in the ceiling space, a process may be carried out to install other ceiling-suspended items (e.g., cable wiring racks, ducts, lighting fixtures, ceiling underlayment, ceiling panels, etc.) in the ceiling space. In this case, the contractor installing the air conditioner 100 has specialized knowledge about the air conditioner 100 and is therefore aware that work space must be secured near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110. However, another contractor installing other ceiling-suspended items does not have specialized knowledge about the air conditioner 100 and is unaware that work space must be secured near the side surface 112 of the already-installed air conditioner main body 110. Therefore, as shown in Figure 22, there is a possibility that another contractor will install the suspension bolts 200a, 200b supporting the other ceiling-suspended items near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110.

If obstacles such as suspension bolts 200a, 200b are installed near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner body 110 as described above, it becomes impossible to perform maintenance work on the air conditioner 100. Therefore, if an inspection after work by another contractor is completed reveals that there is not enough work space, it becomes necessary to move obstacles such as suspension bolts 200a, 200b to another location, which significantly reduces work efficiency and causes delays in the construction schedule of the new building.

Furthermore, the above problem is not limited to the air conditioner 100. In addition to the air conditioner 100, various other suspended objects such as racks, ducts, and lighting fixtures are installed in the ceiling space and suspended by suspension bolts. It may become necessary to perform maintenance work on these other suspended objects as well. In such cases, if an obstacle such as another suspension bolt is installed near the suspended object, the maintenance work on the suspended object cannot be performed efficiently, which is a problem.

The present invention was conceived to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and aims to provide a work space securing device that can secure a work space for maintenance near a suspended object supported in a suspended state in the ceiling space.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, first, the present invention provides a work space securing device that is installed on a hanging object or a support member that supports the hanging object in order to secure a work space near the hanging object that is supported in a suspended state in a ceiling space, and that comprises a foldable sheet member and a holding member whose base end is attached to the hanging object or the support member and that holds the sheet member near the hanging object at the same height as the top surface of the hanging object or at a position higher than the top surface of the hanging object, and that is characterized in that the holding member secures the work space by unfolding the sheet member above the work space near the hanging object.

Secondly, the present invention is a work space securing device that is installed on a hanging object or a support member that supports the hanging object in order to secure a work space near the hanging object that is supported in a suspended state in a ceiling space, and is characterized by comprising: a sheet member of a size corresponding to the area of the work space to be secured near the hanging object; and a holding member whose base end is attached to the hanging object or the support member and that holds the sheet member in a deployed state above the work space at the same height as the upper surface of the hanging object or at a position higher than the upper surface of the hanging object.

Thirdly, the present invention provides a work space securing device having the first or second configuration described above, characterized in that the suspended object is an air conditioner, and the holding member holds the sheet member in an unfolded state above the side of the air conditioner, thereby securing a work space near the side of the air conditioner.

Fourthly, the present invention provides a workspace securing device having any one of the first to third configurations, wherein the holding member comprises a pair of rod-shaped bodies arranged parallel to each other and protruding outward from the side of the suspended object at the same height as the upper surface of the suspended object or at a position higher than the upper surface of the suspended object, and wherein both ends of the sheet member are supported by the pair of rod-shaped bodies.

Fifth, the present invention is a work space securing device having the above-mentioned fourth configuration, further comprising a long base member attached to the support member that supports the suspended object in a suspended state and arranged parallel to the side of the suspended object, and one end of each of the pair of rod-shaped bodies is attached to the base member.

Sixth, the present invention provides a workspace securing device having the fifth configuration described above, characterized in that one end of each of the pair of rod-shaped bodies attached to the base member is rotatable relative to the base member.

Seventh, the present invention provides a workspace securing device having the sixth configuration described above, further comprising a biasing member that rotates the pair of rod-shaped bodies to displace them so that they protrude outward from the side of the suspended object.

Eighth, the present invention provides a workspace securing device having any one of the first to third configurations above, wherein the holding member comprises a first rod-shaped body arranged to protrude outward from the side of the suspended object at the same height as the upper surface of the suspended object or at a position higher than the upper surface of the suspended object, and a second rod-shaped body attached to the tip of the first rod-shaped body and arranged in a state approximately parallel to the side of the suspended object, and wherein one end of the sheet member is attached to the second rod-shaped body and the other end is attached to the upper surface of the suspended object or at a position above it.

Ninth, the present invention is a work space securing device having the configuration of the eighth described above, further comprising a long base member attached to the support member that supports the suspended object in a suspended state and arranged parallel to the side of the suspended object, wherein one end of the first rod-shaped body is attached to the base member and the other end of the sheet member is attached to the base member.

Tenth, the present invention provides a workspace securing device having the ninth configuration described above, characterized in that one end of the first rod-shaped body attached to the base member is rotatable relative to the base member, and one end of the second rod-shaped body attached to the first rod-shaped body is rotatable relative to the first rod-shaped body.

Eleventh, the present invention provides a workspace securing device having the tenth configuration described above, further comprising a first biasing member that rotates the first rod-shaped body relative to the base member, displacing the first rod-shaped body into a state in which it protrudes outward from the side of the suspended object, and a second biasing member that rotates the second rod-shaped body relative to the first rod-shaped body, displacing the second rod-shaped body into a state in which it is approximately parallel to the side of the suspended object.

According to the present invention, the sheet member can cover the area above the suspended object, preventing obstacles such as suspension bolts supporting ceiling-suspended objects other than the suspended object from being installed near the suspended object. This allows for maintenance work space to be secured near the suspended object while it is supported in a suspended state in the ceiling space.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a work space securing device according to a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an air conditioner in which a work space securing device is installed. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which the work space securing device is installed in an air conditioner. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a work space securing device according to a second embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example in which a sheet member is unfolded by rotating a pair of rod-shaped bodies. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which a work space securing device is attached to an air conditioner. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the pair of rod-shaped bodies are rotated and the sheet member is unfolded. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a work space securing device according to a third embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the action of the position switching member and the stopper provided on the rod-shaped body. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a work space securing device according to a fourth embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example in which the work space securing device unfolds a sheet member. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a work space securing device according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a work space securing device according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a work space securing device according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an air conditioner in which a work space securing device according to a sixth embodiment is installed. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which a work space securing device is attached to an air conditioner. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the work space securing device unfolds the sheet member. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a support structure of an air conditioner according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the sheet member of the work space securing device is unfolded. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a rack for cable wiring that is installed as a hanging object in a ceiling space. FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the sheet member of the work space securing device is unfolded. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an air conditioner suspended in a ceiling space.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that common components in the drawings referred to below are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions of these components will be omitted.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment and in several embodiments described below, an air conditioner 100 is exemplified as the hanging object A that is supported in a suspended state in the ceiling space. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a work space securing device 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the air conditioner 100 in which the work space securing device 1 is installed. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which the work space securing device 1 is installed in the air conditioner 100. This work space securing device 1 is a device that is installed near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner 100 that is supported in a suspended state in the ceiling space in order to secure a work space for maintenance.

As shown in FIG. 1, the work space securing device 1 comprises a sheet member 4 and a holding member 2 that holds the sheet member 4. The sheet member 4 is a flexible sheet member made of, for example, fabric or a resin sheet, and is made of a non-flammable material. The holding member 2 comprises a pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a and 2b. The rod-shaped bodies 2a and 2b are made of, for example, angle bars with an L-shaped cross section.

Cylindrical portions 4a, 4b are formed on both ends of the sheet member 4. The tips of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b are inserted into the cylindrical portions 4a, 4b formed on both ends of the sheet member 4 to hold the sheet member 4. The length of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b is longer than the cylindrical portions 4a, 4b of the sheet member 4. Therefore, when the tips are inserted into the cylindrical portions 4a, 4b, the base ends of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b extend and are exposed from the ends of the cylindrical portions 4a, 4b. The pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b have magnets 3 attached to their base ends.

The air conditioner 100, installed as a suspended object A in the ceiling space, is concealed in the ceiling space between the upper floor floor slab and the lower floor ceiling panel 310, as shown in Figure 2, for example. This air conditioner 100 has a configuration in which the air outlet chamber 120 and the air intake chamber 130 are integrally assembled to the air conditioner main body 110, and is supported in a substantially horizontal position by multiple hanging bolts 200 hanging from the upper floor floor slab. The air conditioner main body 110 is a box-shaped unit that is rectangular in plan view. The air outlet chamber 120 is also a box-shaped unit that is rectangular in plan view and is connected to the front side (front side) of the air conditioner main body 110 and has at least one air outlet 125. This air outlet 125 is connected to a flexible duct or the like that directs conditioned air into the room. The air intake chamber 130 is also a box-shaped unit that is rectangular in plan view and is connected to the back side (rear side) of the air conditioner main body 110. Additionally, a duct that takes in outside air may also be connected to the intake chamber 130.

In the example shown in Figure 2, a total of eight hanging bolts 200 support the air conditioner 100, with four hanging bolts 200 supporting the left and right sides of the air conditioner main body 110, another two hanging bolts 200 supporting the end face of the outlet chamber 120, and the remaining two hanging bolts supporting the end face of the intake chamber 130.

Bolt connection portions 114 are provided on the two side surfaces 112, 113 of the air conditioner body 110 for connecting the lower ends of bolt members such as the suspension bolts 200. Vibration-isolating members 115 are attached to the bolt connection portions 114. The vibration-isolating members 115 are members that reduce the transmission of vibrations generated during operation of the air conditioner 100 to the suspension bolts 200. For example, the vibration-isolating member 115 is composed of a roughly U-shaped metal fitting 116 and a coil spring 117 attached to one end of the metal fitting 116. The vibration-isolating member 115 is attached with the lower ends of the suspension bolts 200 inserted into the coil spring 117 at one end, and the other end is fixed to the bolt connection portions 114 with a bolt and nut. In other words, the four suspension bolts 200 that support the air conditioner body 110 support the two side surfaces 112, 113 of the air conditioner body 110 via the vibration-isolating members 115.

A bolt connection portion 121 is provided on the end face of the blow-out chamber 120. A vibration-isolating member 122 is attached to the bolt connection portion 121. The vibration-isolating member 122 is a member that reduces the transmission of vibrations generated during operation of the air conditioner 100 to the suspension bolt 200. For example, the vibration-isolating member 122 has a cylindrical or truncated cone shape made of an elastic material such as rubber, and has a hole formed in its center through which the suspension bolt 200 is inserted. This vibration-isolating member 122 is attached, for example, to the underside of the bolt connection portion 121. The lower end of the suspension bolt 200 is inserted through the bolt connection portion 121 and the vibration-isolating member 122, and a nut is attached to the tip protruding from the underside of the vibration-isolating member 122. Therefore, the two suspension bolts 200 that support the blow-out chamber 120 support the end face of the blow-out chamber 120 via the vibration-isolating member 122.

A bolt connection 131 is provided on the end face of the intake chamber 130. A vibration-damping member 122 similar to that described above is also attached to the bolt connection 131. Therefore, the two suspension bolts 200 supporting the intake chamber 130 support the end face of the intake chamber 130 via the vibration-damping member 122.

The air conditioner main body 110 is provided with a filter mounting section 102 for dust prevention and dust collection. One of the two side surfaces 112, 113 of the air conditioner main body 110, has a plate-shaped door member 101 on one side surface 112 that can be opened and closed to replace the filter mounted in the filter mounting section 102. A box section 103 housing the electrical system and other components is located on the same side surface 112 as the door member 101. The same side surface 112 also has a connector 104 for connecting the refrigerant piping and a connector 105 for connecting the drain piping. In other words, the air conditioner main body 110 is configured so that all components requiring maintenance are concentrated on one side surface 112. Therefore, when installing the air conditioner 100 in a ceiling space, it is preferable to install it with a maintenance work space secured near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110.

Meanwhile, the ceiling panel 310 installed below the air conditioner 100 has an openable/closable opening 311 formed below the work space relative to the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110. This opening 311 is closed by another panel member when maintenance work is not being performed. Therefore, when performing maintenance work on the air conditioner main body 110, such as replacing filters or inspecting the electrical system, refrigerant piping, or drain piping, the opening 311 in the ceiling panel 310 can be opened to allow the worker to access the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110. For example, after the air conditioner 100 is installed in the ceiling space using multiple suspension bolts 200, a ceiling base material is installed in a suspended state below the air conditioner 100 using other suspension bolts, and the ceiling panel 310 is attached to the ceiling base material. However, the installation method of the ceiling panel 310 is not necessarily limited to this.

As shown in FIG. 3, the workspace securing device 1 is attached to the upper surface 111 of the air conditioner 100 when the air conditioner 100 is installed in the ceiling space using multiple hanging bolts 200. This workspace securing device 1 is attached to the upper surface of the air conditioner 100 while it is suspended in the ceiling space. The sheet member 4 of the workspace securing device 1 is flexible and therefore foldable. Therefore, by folding the sheet member 4 and bringing the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b close to each other, the workspace securing device 1 becomes small enough to be carried in one hand. Therefore, after the air conditioner 100 is installed in the ceiling space, the workspace securing device 1 can be carried into the upper surface of the air conditioner 100 with the sheet member 4 folded, which has the advantage of being easy to handle.

For example, in this embodiment, the top surface 111 of the air conditioner main body 110 is formed from a thin steel plate. Therefore, the workspace securing device 1 is installed by attaching the magnets 3 provided at the base ends of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b to the top surface 111 of the air conditioner main body 110. At this time, the workspace securing device 1 is attached with the tips of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b protruding outward from the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110. The worker then widens the gap between the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b, as shown in FIG. 3, to unfold the sheet member 4 above the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110, and installs the sheet member 4 so that it covers the upper part of the side surface 112. The sheet member 4 has a size (area) corresponding to the area of the workspace to be secured near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110, and is unfolded above the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110 with both ends supported by the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b. By unfolding the sheet member 4 at the same height as the upper surface 111 of the air conditioner main body 110, the work space securing device 1 allows the sheet member 4 to cover the upper area near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110, preventing obstacles such as additional hanging bolts from being installed in the work space near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110. It is more preferable that such a sheet member 4 be positioned so as to cover the upper area of an opening 311 provided in the ceiling panel 310, for example.

In this way, the workspace securing device 1 of this embodiment can prevent another contractor from installing obstacles such as hanging bolts near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner body 110 after the air conditioner 100 has been installed in the ceiling space. This makes it possible to prevent unnecessary work such as moving obstacles to another location after another contractor has completed their work, significantly improving work efficiency.

As described above, the workspace securing device 1 of this embodiment is a device installed to secure a workspace near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner 100, which is supported in a suspended state in the ceiling space. It includes a foldable sheet member 4 and a holding member 2 that holds the sheet member 4 and is set at the same height as the upper surface 111 of the air conditioner 100. The holding member 2 is configured to secure a workspace by unfolding the folded sheet member 4 above the side surface 112 of the air conditioner 100. This configuration prevents another contractor from installing obstacles such as additional hanging bolts near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner 100 after the air conditioner 100 has been installed in the ceiling space, and secures a workspace for maintenance near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner 100. In other words, this type of work space securing device 1 functions as an obstacle prevention device that prevents obstacles such as the hanging bolts 200a and 200b shown in Figure 22 from being placed near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner 100.

At a construction site for a new building, for example, after all installation processes for the air conditioner 100 and other ceiling-suspended objects in the ceiling space have been completed, the above-mentioned work space securing device 1 may be removed from the top surface 111 of the air conditioner 100. At this time, the work space securing device 1 can be easily removed from the air conditioner 100 by removing the magnet 3 from the top surface 111 of the air conditioner 100, resulting in excellent work efficiency.

The workspace securing device 1 may also be left attached to the upper surface 111 of the air conditioner 100. In this case, since the sheet member 4 is made of a non-flammable material, the sheet member 4 can be prevented from causing a fire or spreading of fire even if it is left in the ceiling space.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, a pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b holding a sheet member 4 is attached to the upper surface 111 of the air conditioner 100 by magnets 3. However, if the upper surface of the air conditioner 100 is covered with a heat insulating material or the like, the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b cannot be attached to the upper surface 111 of the air conditioner 100 by magnets 3. Furthermore, in a configuration in which the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b are attached to the upper surface 111 of the air conditioner 100 by magnets 3, there is a possibility that another contractor may move the position of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b and install an obstacle such as another hanging bolt near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner 100. Therefore, in this embodiment, a workspace securing device 1 that can solve such a problem will be described.

Figure 4 shows an example configuration of a work space securing device 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This work space securing device 1 includes a base member 5, a holding member 2, and a sheet member 4.

The base member 5 is a long metal fitting, for example, composed of an L-shaped angle bar, and includes a flat plate portion 5a and a vertical plate portion 5b. The flat plate portion 5a and the vertical plate portion 5b are connected at right angles to each other, with the flat plate portion 5a positioned approximately parallel to the horizontal plane and the vertical plate portion 5b positioned approximately parallel to the vertical direction. The base member 5 includes connecting fittings 6 at both ends of the vertical plate portion 5b, which can be attached to support members such as hanging bolts 200 that support the air conditioner 100 in a suspended state. For example, the connecting fittings 6 have U-shaped notches that engage with the outer surfaces of support members such as hanging bolts 200. The outer surfaces of the support members are joined to the inside of the notches, and bolts 7 are tightened to sandwich and secure the support members between the vertical plate portion 5b and the connecting fittings 6. For example, the bolts 7 pass through holes formed in the vertical plate portion 5b, and are attached to the vertical plate portion 5b with a nut attached to the tip of a male thread protruding from the back side of the vertical plate portion 5b.

As in the first embodiment, the holding member 2 includes a pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a and 2b. One end of each of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a and 2b is rotatably attached to the flat plate portion 5a of the base member 5. For example, the rod-shaped body 2a is attached to one end of the base member 5 by a bolt 8a. A cylindrical spacer (not shown) is disposed on the underside of the rod-shaped body 2a, and the spacer holds the rod-shaped body 2a at a predetermined height above the flat plate portion 5a of the base member 5. When the bolt 8a is loosely tightened, the rod-shaped body 2a can rotate around the shaft of the bolt 8a. The rod-shaped body 2b is attached to the other end of the base member 5 by a bolt 8b. For example, no spacer like that of the rod-shaped body 2a is provided on the underside of the rod-shaped body 2b. Therefore, the rod-shaped bodies 2a and 2b are attached to the base member 5 at different heights. When the bolt 8b is loosely tightened, the rod-shaped body 2b can rotate around the shaft of the bolt 8b.

Here, the spacing between the bolts 8a, 8b attached to the base member 5 is preferably longer than the length of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b. By making the spacing between the bolts 8a, 8b longer than the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b, the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b, which are held at different heights, can be stored in a substantially parallel state on the upper surface of the flat plate portion 5a. This makes it possible to carry the workspace securing device 1 with the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b stored in a parallel state.

As in the first embodiment, the sheet member 4 is a flexible sheet member made of a non-flammable material, such as fabric or a resin sheet. As in the first embodiment, cylindrical portions are formed at both ends of the sheet member 4. The tips of a pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b are inserted into the cylindrical portions formed at both ends of the sheet member 4, holding both ends of the sheet member 4. The example shown in FIG. 4 shows the sheet member 4 held by the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b in a folded state (more specifically, rolled up). As described above, the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b are held at different heights. Therefore, the folded sheet member 4 can be accommodated in the space between the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b, which are parallel to each other, as shown in FIG. 4. Tightening the bolts 8a, 8b in this state prevents the rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b from rotating, preventing the sheet member 4 from unfolding when the workspace securing device 1 is carried.

In the workspace securing device 1 configured as described above, the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b can be rotated by loosening the bolts 8a, 8b, and the sheet member 4 can be deployed to the side of the base member 5 by rotating the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b. Figure 5 shows an example of deploying the sheet member 4 by rotating the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b. For example, as shown in Figure 5(a), a portion of the sheet member 4 is deployed by rotating the rod-shaped body 2a approximately 90 degrees around the shank of the bolt 8a. Then, as shown in Figure 5(b), the entire sheet member 4 can be deployed to the side of the base member 5 by rotating the rod-shaped body 2b approximately 90 degrees around the shank of the bolt 8b.

Figure 6 shows an example of the workspace securing device 1 attached to the air conditioner 100. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the workspace securing device 1 is attached to the air conditioner 100 by fastening the connecting fittings 6 provided on the base member 5 to the hanging bolts 200 supporting the air conditioner 100. The connecting fittings 6 are attached, for example, to two hanging bolts 200 supporting the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110, and support the base member 5 in a substantially horizontal position between the two hanging bolts 200, 200. In this case, the base member 5 is attached at the same height as the upper surface 111 of the air conditioner main body 110 or at a higher height than the upper surface 111 of the air conditioner main body 110. Note that Figure 6 shows an example in which the flat portion 5a of the base member 5 is attached so that it faces the inside of the air conditioner 100, but this is not limited thereto; the flat portion 5a of the base member 5 may also be attached so that it faces the outside of the air conditioner 100. Furthermore, when attaching the base member 5 to the hanging bolts 200, 200, tightening the bolts 8a, 8b prevents the pair of rods 2a, 2b from rotating relative to the base member 5, allowing the base member 5 to be attached smoothly to the hanging bolts 200, 200.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the base member 5 is attached to two hanging bolts 200, 200, the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b can be rotated by loosening the bolts 8a, 8b, and the sheet member 4 can be deployed. FIG. 7 shows the state in which the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b have been rotated and the sheet member 4 has been deployed. As shown in FIG. 7, when the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b are rotated approximately 90 degrees, the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b protrude outward above the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110. The pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b then deploy the sheet member 4 above the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110. As a result, the sheet member 4 can cover the upper area near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110 with both ends supported by the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b. In this way, by covering the upper area near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110 with the sheet member 4, it is possible to prevent obstacles such as other hanging bolts from being installed in the work space on the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110. Then, as shown in Figure 7, by unfolding the sheet member 4 and tightening the bolts 8a, 8b, the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b are fixed in a state where they protrude outward above the side surface 112. This prevents another worker from rotating the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b.

Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the workspace securing device 1 of this embodiment can prevent another contractor from installing obstacles such as suspension bolts near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner body 110 after the air conditioner 100 has been installed in the ceiling space. This can reduce the need for another contractor to move the obstacle to another location after the other contractor has finished their work, significantly improving work efficiency. In particular, the workspace securing device 1 of this embodiment has a pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b attached to the base member 5, and the base member 5 can be fixed in a predetermined position above the side surface 112 of the air conditioner 100 by attaching it to suspension bolts 200, 200, etc. Therefore, the workspace securing device 1 can be installed in a predetermined position above the air conditioner 100 even if the top surface 111 of the air conditioner 100 is covered with insulation or the like. Furthermore, the work space securing device 1 of this embodiment has the advantage that the base member 5 supporting the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b is fixed in a position above the air conditioner 100, which prevents the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b from being moved by another contractor.

Furthermore, the workspace securing device 1 of this embodiment allows the sheet member 4 to be easily removed from the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b. In other words, in the state shown in FIG. 7 , by pulling the sheet member 4 in the extension direction of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b, the tubular portions at both ends of the sheet member 4 come out of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b, allowing the sheet member 4 to be easily removed from the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b. Therefore, for example, after completing the installation process for the air conditioner 100 and other ceiling-suspended objects in the ceiling space, if it becomes necessary to remove the sheet member 4 covering the upper portion near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110, the sheet member 4 can be easily removed by pulling it out of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b. After removing the sheet member 4, loosen the bolts 8a, 8b and rotate the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b to store them parallel to the base member 5, preventing the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b from getting in the way of subsequent maintenance work.

However, the sheet member 4 does not necessarily have to be removed from the work space securing device 1. In this case, the work space securing device 1 may be left in the ceiling space with the sheet member 4 unfolded, or the sheet member 4 may be folded and left in the ceiling space with the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b stored parallel to the base member 5. Even in this case, because the sheet member 4 is made of a non-flammable material, the sheet member 4 can be prevented from causing a fire or spreading of fire, even if it is left in the ceiling space.

Note that this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the points mentioned above.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the bolts 8a, 8b had to be tightened to restrict the rotation of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b, and loosened to allow the rotation of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b. Therefore, a worker must tighten and loosen the bolts 8a, 8b attached to one end of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b. For example, when the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b protrude outside the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110 and the sheet member 4 is deployed, the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b and the sheet member 4 get in the way, making it difficult to tighten the bolts 8a, 8b, which may reduce work efficiency. Therefore, in this embodiment, a work space securing device 1 will be described that does not require the tightening of the bolts 8a, 8b.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a work space securing device 1 in a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 8(a), the work space securing device 1, like the second embodiment, comprises a base member 5, a holding member 2, and a sheet member 4. The holding member 2 is a member that holds both ends of the sheet member 4, and like the second embodiment, comprises a pair of rod-shaped members 2a, 2b. For example, like the second embodiment, this work space securing device 1 is attached to the air conditioner 100 in the manner shown in Figure 6.

One end of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b is rotatably attached to the flat plate portion 5a of the base member 5. For example, rod-shaped body 2a is attached to one end of the base member 5 by bolt 8a and is rotatable around the shaft of bolt 8a. Rod-shaped body 2b is attached to the other end of the base member 5 by bolt 8b and is rotatable around the shaft of bolt 8b. Similar to the second embodiment, rod-shaped body 2a has a cylindrical spacer (not shown) on its underside, which keeps it suspended a predetermined height above the flat plate portion 5a of the base member 5, whereas rod-shaped body 2b does not have a spacer like rod-shaped body 2a.

The workspace securing device 1 also includes a position switching member 10 that rotates each of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b in a predetermined direction around the shafts of the bolts 8a, 8b to change their position relative to the base member 5. This position switching member 10 is provided individually for each of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b.

The posture switching member 10 includes a biasing member 11 that rotates each of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b in a predetermined direction to a position where they protrude outward from the side surface 112 of the air conditioner 100, and a stopper 13 that stops the rotation of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b at a position rotated approximately 90 degrees from a position parallel to the base member 5. The biasing member 11 attached to one end of the rod-shaped body 2a biases the rod-shaped body 2a in the rotational direction R1. The biasing member 11 attached to one end of the rod-shaped body 2b biases the rod-shaped body 2b in the rotational direction R2.

Figure 8(b) shows an enlarged view of one end of the rod-shaped body 2b. The biasing member 11 is formed, for example, by a coil spring 12. When the coil spring 12 is extended, both ends are connected to the rod-shaped body 2b and the base member 5, respectively. For example, one end of the coil spring 12 is connected to the rod-shaped body 2b, and the other end is connected to the flat portion 5a of the base member 5. The coil spring 12 is attached to the rear side of the rod-shaped body 2b so as to straddle the position where the bolt 8b is horizontally installed. In other words, one end of the coil spring 12 is attached at a position closer to the end of the rod-shaped body 2b than the position of the bolt 8b. Therefore, in the state shown in Figure 8(b), the extended coil spring 12 biases the rod-shaped body 2b in the rotational direction R2.

The stopper 13 is formed, for example, by a wire 14. One end of the wire 14 is connected to the base member 5, and the other end is connected to the rod-shaped body 2b. The wire 14 is in a bent state when the rod-shaped body 2b is stored parallel to the base member 5. When the rod-shaped body 2b rotates approximately 90 degrees in the rotation direction R2, the wire 14 applies tension between the base member 5 and the rod-shaped body 2b, restricting further rotation of the rod-shaped body 2b. The position-switching member 10 provided on the rod-shaped body 2a has a similar configuration.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing the action of the position-changing member 10 and stopper 13 on the rod-shaped body 2a. As shown in Figure 9(a), when the rod-shaped body 2a is parallel to the base member 5, the wire 14 provided as the stopper 13 is bent. At this time, the coil spring 12, which serves as the biasing member 11, is in an extended state and applies a biasing force in the contracting direction. This biasing force biases the rod-shaped body 2a in the rotational direction R1. This biasing force causes the rod-shaped body 2a to rotate in the rotational direction R1 around the shaft of the bolt 8a. As the rod-shaped body 2a rotates in the rotational direction R1, the wire 14 is displaced from its bent state. When the rod-shaped body 2a rotates approximately 90 degrees in the rotational direction R1, the wire 14 extends linearly between the rod-shaped body 2a and the base member 5, as shown in Figure 9(b), and applies tension between the base member 5 and the rod-shaped body 2a. This tension stops the rotation of the rod-shaped body 2a, and the rod-shaped body 2a is held in a position rotated approximately 90 degrees from the base member 5.

Note that the stopper 13 is not necessarily limited to the wire 14. For example, the stopper 13 may be a protrusion provided on the base member 5 that comes into contact with the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b when the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b rotates approximately 90 degrees to stop the rotation of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b.

In this manner, the workspace securing device 1 of this embodiment biases each of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b in rotational directions R1, R2 by the biasing member 11, and this biasing force allows the rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b to rotate approximately 90 degrees from a stored state parallel to the base member 5. As shown in FIG. 8(a), the workspace securing device 1 is provided with a restricting member 15 located approximately in the center of the base member 5, which restricts the positional change of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b. For example, the restricting member 15 is a plate-shaped restricting metal fitting 16 attached to the vertical plate portion 5b of the base member 5 with a bolt 17. The restricting metal fitting 16 rotates in the rotational direction R3 around the shaft of the bolt 17. As a result, the restricting metal fitting 16 changes position between a first position in which it protrudes from the top surface of the base member 5 and a second position in which it is parallel to the vertical plate portion 5b of the base member 5. By keeping this restricting metal fitting 16 in the first position, the pair of rods 2a, 2b interfere with the restricting metal fitting 16, preventing them from rotating in the rotational directions R1, R2, and maintaining a stored state parallel to the base member 5.

As shown in Figure 6, when attaching the work space securing device 1 to a support member such as a hanging bolt 200, the restricting metal fitting 16 can be placed in the first position, allowing the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b to be stored on the upper surface of the flat plate portion 5a of the base member 5. In other words, the work space securing device 1 can be attached to the air conditioner 100 without the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b or the sheet member 4 getting in the way, resulting in excellent work efficiency.

As shown in Figure 6, after attaching the workspace securing device 1 to a support member such as a hanging bolt 200, the restricting metal fitting 16 is rotated in the rotational direction R3 to assume the second position, causing the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b to rotate due to the biasing force of the biasing member 11. As a result, the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b protrude outward above the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110, as shown in Figure 7, and unfolding the sheet member 4 above the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110. At this time, the stopper 13 stops the rotation of the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b at a position where the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b have rotated approximately 90 degrees relative to the base member 5. As a result, the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b are held in the position where they protrude most outward above the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110. As a result, the sheet member 4, with both ends supported by the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b, can cover the upper area near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner body 110. Furthermore, by having the sheet member 4 cover the upper area near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner body 110, it is possible to prevent obstacles such as additional hanging bolts from being installed in the work space for the side surface 112 of the air conditioner body 110.

In this type of work space securing device 1, the biasing force of the biasing member 11 is constantly acting on the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b. Therefore, even if a force acts on the rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b in the direction opposite to the rotational directions R1, R2 when the sheet member 4 is unfolded as shown in Figure 7, causing the rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b to be displaced, the biasing force of the biasing member 11 will immediately return the rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b to their original position. Therefore, as described in the second embodiment, there is no need to tighten the bolts 8a, 8b after unfolding the sheet member 4 above and near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner 100, improving work efficiency.

Furthermore, in the workspace securing device 1 of this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the sheet member 4 can be easily removed from the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b. Therefore, for example, after all installation processes for the air conditioner 100 and other ceiling-suspended objects in the ceiling space are completed, if it becomes necessary to remove the sheet member 4 covering the upper portion near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110, the sheet member 4 can be easily removed by pulling it off the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b. After removing the sheet member 4, the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b can be stored parallel to the base member 5 against the biasing force of the biasing member 11, and this stored state can be maintained by the restricting member 15. By storing the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b parallel to the base member 5, the pair of rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2b can be prevented from getting in the way of subsequent maintenance work. However, the sheet member 4 does not necessarily have to be removed from the workspace securing device 1.

Note that this embodiment is similar to the first and second embodiments in all respects other than those described above.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a work space securing device 1 in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the work space securing device 1 unfolding a sheet member 4. This work space securing device 1 includes a base member 5, a sheet member 4, and a holding member 2.

The holding member 2 is a member that holds both ends of the sheet member 4. In this embodiment, the holding member 2 is composed of two rod-shaped bodies 2a and 2c. One of the rod-shaped bodies, 2a, is made up of, for example, an angle bar with an L-shaped cross section, and, as in the second or third embodiment, one end is rotatably attached to the flat plate portion 5a of the base member 5 by a bolt 8a. The other rod-shaped body, 2c, is made up of, for example, a cylindrical pipe member, and is not fixed to the base member 5.

The base member 5 is similar to that described in the second or third embodiment. This base member 5 has a cylindrical support rod 18 at a predetermined distance in its longitudinal direction from the position of the bolt 8a. The support rod 18 is attached at its base end to the vertical plate portion 5b of the base member 5, with its tip end protruding from the vertical plate portion 5b. For example, the support rod 18 is attached at a position away from the position of the bolt 8a by a distance equal to the length of the sheet member 4. The support rod 18 also has an outer diameter that allows it to be inserted inside the rod-shaped body 2c.

The sheet member 4 is attached at both ends to the two rod-shaped bodies 2a and 2c. For example, the sheet member 4 can be wrapped around the rod-shaped body 2c. Furthermore, instead of just wrapping the sheet member 4 around the rod-shaped body 2c, it can also be folded into a roll or accordion-like shape.

The work space securing device 1 configured as described above secures a work space near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner 100 by unfolding the sheet member 4 after the base member 5 is attached to a support member such as a hanging bolt 200 that supports the air conditioner 100 in a suspended state.

Figure 11 shows an example of unfolding the sheet member 4. First, after the base member 5 is attached to the support member, as shown in Figure 11(a), the rod-shaped body 2a is rotated around the shaft of the bolt 8a. At this time, it is preferable for the worker to rotate the rod-shaped body 2a while holding the two rod-shaped bodies 2a and 2c. After rotating the rod-shaped body 2a approximately 90 degrees relative to the base member 5, the worker then unfolds the sheet member 4 wrapped around the rod-shaped body 2c as shown in Figure 11(b). Note that the same applies when the sheet member 4 is folded. When the sheet member 4 is unfolded, the rod-shaped body 2c reaches a position approximately identical to the support rod 18 as shown in Figure 11(b). Then, as shown in Figure 11(c), the worker attaches the rod-shaped body 2c to the base member 5 by fitting it into the support rod 18. As a result, both ends of the sheet member 4 are supported by the two rod-shaped bodies 2a and 2c, and the sheet member 4 is held in an unfolded state to the side of the base member 5.

In the workspace securing device 1 having the above configuration, as in the second and third embodiments, the base member 5 is attached to a support member such as a suspension bolt 200 that supports the air conditioner 100 in a suspended state. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11(c), as the sheet member 4 is unfolded to the side of the base member 5, the sheet member 4 can cover the upper area near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110 with both ends supported by the two rod-shaped bodies 2a, 2c. Furthermore, by the sheet member 4 covering the upper area near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110, it is possible to prevent obstacles such as another suspension bolt from being installed in the workspace relative to the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110.

Furthermore, the work space securing device 1 of this embodiment can adjust the width W of the work space covered by the sheet member 4 by adjusting the position of the support rod 18 and the length of the sheet member 4. For example, by moving the support rod 18 closer to the rod-shaped body 2a, the width W of the work space can be made smaller than the length of the rod-shaped body 2a. Therefore, when it is necessary to secure a work space with a narrow width W, the work space securing device 1 of this embodiment has the advantage of being easier to use than the work space securing devices 1 of the second and third embodiments.

Furthermore, in the workspace securing device 1 of this embodiment, as in the second and third embodiments, the sheet member 4 can be easily removed from the rod-shaped body 2a. Therefore, for example, after all installation processes for the air conditioner 100 and other ceiling-suspended objects in the ceiling space are completed, if it becomes necessary to remove the sheet member 4 covering the upper portion near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110, removal can be easily achieved by pulling the rod-shaped body 2c out of the support rod 18 and pulling the sheet member 4 out of the rod-shaped body 2a. After removing the sheet member 4, the rod-shaped body 2a can be stored parallel to the base member 5. Storing the rod-shaped body 2a parallel to the base member 5 prevents the rod-shaped body 2a from getting in the way of subsequent maintenance work. However, the sheet member 4 does not necessarily have to be removed from the workspace securing device 1.

Note that apart from the points mentioned above, this embodiment is the same as that described in any of the first to third embodiments.

Fifth Embodiment
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fourth embodiment described above, an example in which the width W of the work space can be reduced was explained. In this embodiment, a configuration example in which the width W of the work space can be reduced in a form different from that of the fourth embodiment will be explained.

Figures 12, 13, and 14 are diagrams showing an example configuration of a work space securing device 1 in the fifth embodiment. This work space securing device 1 comprises a base member 5, a sheet member 4, and a holding member 2. The holding member 2 is a member that holds the sheet member 4, and comprises a first rod-shaped body 2a and a second rod-shaped body 2d.

The base member 5 is formed, for example, from an angle bar with an L-shaped cross section, and includes a flat plate portion 5a and a vertical plate portion 5b. In this embodiment, the base member 5 has the vertical plate portion 5b arranged on the side opposite the direction in which the sheet member 4 is unfolded, and support members such as hanging bolts 200 that support the air conditioner 100 in a suspended state are attached to the vertical plate portion 5b. However, the arrangement of the base member 5 is not limited to this.

The first rod-shaped body 2a is formed, for example, from an angle bar with an L-shaped cross section. The first rod-shaped body 2a is attached to one end of the flat plate portion 5a of the base member 5 by a bolt 8a. That is, one longitudinal end (base end) of the first rod-shaped body 2a is attached to the base member 5 so that it can rotate around the shaft of the bolt 8a. Furthermore, the other longitudinal end (tip end) of the first rod-shaped body 2a rotatably holds one end (base end) of the second rod-shaped body 2d.

The second rod-shaped body 2d is formed, for example, from an angle bar with an L-shaped cross section. The second rod-shaped body 2d is shorter than the first rod-shaped body 2a and has a length corresponding to the width W to be secured as a working space. The second rod-shaped body 2d is attached to the tip end of the first rod-shaped body 2a by a bolt 8c. In other words, one longitudinal end (base end) of the second rod-shaped body 2d is attached to the first rod-shaped body 2a so that it can rotate around the shank of the bolt 8c.

The workspace securing device 1 includes a position changer 10a that rotates the first rod-shaped body 2a in a predetermined rotational direction R1 around the shank of the bolt 8a to change its position relative to the base member 5, and a position changer 10b that rotates the second rod-shaped body 2d in a predetermined rotational direction R4 around the shank of the bolt 8c to change its position relative to the first rod-shaped body 2a. These position changer members 10a and 10b have the same configuration as the position changer 10 described above. Specifically, the position changer 10a includes a biasing member 11 that rotates the first rod-shaped body 2a in the predetermined rotational direction R1 to a position protruding laterally from the base member 5, and a stopper 13 that stops the rotation of the first rod-shaped body 2a at a position rotated approximately 90 degrees from a position parallel to the base member 5. The position switching member 10b also includes a biasing member 11 that rotates the second rod-shaped body 2d in a predetermined rotational direction R4 to a position where it protrudes to the side of the first rod-shaped body 2a, and a stopper 13 that stops the rotation of the second rod-shaped body 2d at a position where it has rotated approximately 90 degrees from a position where it is parallel to the first rod-shaped body 2a. In this embodiment, the sheet member 4 functions as the stopper 13 of the position switching member 10b.

As shown in FIG. 14, one end of the sheet member 4 is attached to the flat plate portion 5a of the base member 5, and the other end is attached to the second rod-shaped body 2d. For example, one end of the sheet member 4 is fixed to the base member 5 by a fixing means such as adhesive tape, and is held in a position above the side surface 112 of the air conditioner 100. In addition, a cylindrical portion is formed at the other end of the sheet member 4, and the second rod-shaped body 2d is inserted into this cylindrical portion, thereby holding the other end of the sheet member 4 by the second rod-shaped body 2d.

As shown in FIG. 12, the workspace securing device 1 having the above configuration can store the first rod-shaped body 2a in a state parallel to the base member 5 against the biasing force of the biasing member 11, and can also store the second rod-shaped body 2d in a state parallel to the first rod-shaped body 2a against the biasing force of the biasing member 11. At this time, the sheet member 4 can also be stored on the upper surface side of the base member 5 by folding the sheet member 4. This workspace securing device 1 is equipped with a restricting member 19 that restricts changes in the position of the first rod-shaped body 2a and the second rod-shaped body 2d. The restricting member 19 is a member that restricts changes in the position of the first rod-shaped body 2a and the second rod-shaped body 2d when the first rod-shaped body 2a, the second rod-shaped body 2d, and the sheet member 4 are stored in a state parallel to the base member 5, as shown in FIG. 12, and maintains the stored state shown in FIG. 12. For example, the regulating member 19 has a U-shape or a C-shape, and is attached so as to cover the base member 5 from above when the first rod-shaped body 2a, the second rod-shaped body 2d, and the sheet member 4 are stored in a state parallel to the base member 5, and restrains the first rod-shaped body 2a, the second rod-shaped body 2d, and the sheet member 4. As a result, the rotation of the first rod-shaped body 2a and the second rod-shaped body 2d in the rotation directions R1 and R4 is restricted by the regulating member 19, and the stored state parallel to the base member 5 is maintained. Therefore, when attaching the work space securing device 1 to a support member such as a hanging bolt 200, by attaching the regulating member 19 and restricting the displacement of the first rod-shaped body 2a and the second rod-shaped body 2d, it is possible to attach the first rod-shaped body 2a and the second rod-shaped body 2d in a state where they are stored on the upper surface of the flat plate portion 5a of the base member 5. In other words, the work space securing device 1 can be attached to the air conditioner 100 without the first rod-shaped body 2a, second rod-shaped body 2d, and sheet member 4 getting in the way, resulting in excellent work efficiency.

After attaching the work space securing device 1 to a support member such as a hanging bolt 200, removing the restricting member 19 causes a portion of the folded sheet member 4 to unfold, as shown in FIG. 13. Accordingly, the first rod-shaped body 2a and the second rod-shaped body 2d rotate in rotational directions R1 and R4, respectively, due to the biasing force of the biasing member 11. As a result, the work space securing device 1 unfolds the sheet member 4 between the base member 5 and the second rod-shaped body 2d, as shown in FIG. 14. When the sheet member 4 unfolds, it generates tension between the base member 5 and the second rod-shaped body 2d. This tension causes the sheet member 4 to function as a stopper 13, holding the second rod-shaped body 2d in a position rotated approximately 90 degrees relative to the first rod-shaped body 2a.

When the base member 5 is attached to a support member such as the hanging bolt 200 and the sheet member 4 is unfolded to the side of the base member 5 as shown in Figure 14, the sheet member 4 can cover the upper area near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110 while being supported by the second rod-shaped body 2d. By having the sheet member 4 cover the upper area near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110, it is possible to prevent obstacles such as other hanging bolts from being installed in the work space for the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110.

In this type of workspace securing device 1, the biasing force of the biasing member 11 is constantly acting on the first rod-shaped body 2a and the second rod-shaped body 2d. Therefore, even if a force in the direction opposite to the rotational directions R1 and R4 acts on the first rod-shaped body 2a and the second rod-shaped body 2d in the unfolded state as shown in FIG. 14, causing the first rod-shaped body 2a and the second rod-shaped body 2d to be displaced, the biasing force of the biasing member 11 will quickly return the first rod-shaped body 2a and the second rod-shaped body 2d to their original positions. Therefore, as described in the second embodiment, after unfolding the sheet member 4 above and near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner 100, the worker does not need to tighten the bolts 8a and 8c, improving work efficiency.

Furthermore, if it becomes necessary to remove the sheet member 4 covering the upper portion near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110 after all installation processes for the air conditioner 100 and other ceiling-suspended objects in the ceiling space are completed, the sheet member 4 can be easily removed by pulling it off the second rod-shaped body 2d and removing the fastening means, such as adhesive tape. After removing the sheet member 4, the first rod-shaped body 2a and the second rod-shaped body 2d are each stored parallel to the base member 5 against the biasing force of the biasing member 11, and the regulating member 19 can maintain this stored state. By storing the first rod-shaped body 2a and the second rod-shaped body 2d parallel to the base member 5, the first rod-shaped body 2a and the second rod-shaped body 2d can be prevented from getting in the way of subsequent maintenance work.

Furthermore, the work space securing device 1 of this embodiment can adjust the width W of the work space covered by the sheet member 4 by adjusting the length of the second rod-shaped body 2d. Therefore, when it is necessary to secure a work space with a narrow width W, the work space securing device 1 of this embodiment has the advantage of being easier to use than the work space securing devices 1 of the second and third embodiments.

Note that apart from the points mentioned above, this embodiment is the same as that described in any of the first to fourth embodiments.

Sixth Embodiment
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an air conditioner 100 in which a workspace securing device 1 according to this embodiment is installed. This air conditioner 100 differs from the one shown in Fig. 2 in that a refrigerant pipe 109 is connected to a connection portion 104. That is, the refrigerant pipe 109 is arranged vertically in the ceiling space and is connected to a connection portion 104 provided on a side surface 112 of the air conditioner body 110. In order to secure a workspace near the side surface 112 of this air conditioner 100, it is preferable to arrange sheet members 4 at two locations in the front-to-rear direction of the air conditioner 100 so as to straddle the refrigerant pipe 109. Therefore, in this embodiment, a workspace securing device 1 that can be arranged at two locations straddling the refrigerant pipe 109 will be described.

Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example configuration in which a work space securing device 1 according to this embodiment is attached to an air conditioner 100. This work space securing device 1 is configured to integrally include a work space securing device 1a and a work space securing device 1b. In other words, the work space securing device 1 has two work space securing devices 1a and 1b arranged on a single base member 5. For example, the work space securing device 1a has the same configuration as the work space securing device 1 described in the third embodiment. Furthermore, the work space securing device 1b has the same configuration as the work space securing device 1 described in the fifth embodiment. Note that the work space securing device 1a uses the restricting member 19 described in the fifth embodiment instead of the restricting member 15 described in the third embodiment.

The base member 5 is attached to a support member such as a hanging bolt 200 that supports the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110. This base member 5 has two work space securing devices 1a and 1b mounted on its flat plate portion 5a.

Figure 17 is a diagram showing the state in which work space securing devices 1a and 1b have deployed the sheet member 4. As shown in Figure 17, work space securing device 1a deploys the sheet member 4 from the refrigerant piping 109 to the rear side (rear side) of the air conditioner main body 110, thereby covering the upper part of the work space near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110. Furthermore, work space securing device 1b deploys the sheet member 4 from the refrigerant piping 109 to the front side (front side) of the air conditioner main body 110, thereby covering the upper part of the work space near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110.

Therefore, the work space securing device 1 of this embodiment has the advantage of being able to secure a wide range of work space, even when the refrigerant piping 109 is installed vertically near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110, because two work space securing devices 1a, 1b are arranged on the base member 5 and can unfold the sheet member 4 to sandwich the refrigerant piping 109.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 17, when the sheet members 4 are unfolded from each of the work space securing devices 1a, 1b, the sheet members 4 can cover the upper part of the work space near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110. In particular, in this embodiment, the two sheet members 4 cover the upper part of the work space, straddling the refrigerant piping 109 arranged vertically. This makes it possible to prevent obstacles such as additional hanging bolts from being installed in the work space covered by the sheet members 4.

In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the work space securing device 1 described in the third embodiment is used as the work space securing device 1a, and the work space securing device 1 described in the fifth embodiment is used as the work space securing device 1b. However, this is not limited to this. In other words, the work space securing device 1 of this embodiment can be realized by appropriately selecting and combining the work space securing devices 1 described in each of the above embodiments.

Note that apart from the points mentioned above, this embodiment is the same as that described in any of the first to fifth embodiments.

Seventh Embodiment
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the above embodiments, an example has been given in which the air conditioner 100 is installed in a state in which it is suspended in the ceiling space by a plurality of suspension bolts 200 hanging down from the floor slab of the upper floor. However, the structure for suspending the air conditioner 100 in the ceiling space is not necessarily limited to the form described in the above embodiments. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the air conditioner 100 is suspended in the ceiling space using a frame body 220.

Figure 18 is a diagram illustrating the support structure of the air conditioner 100 in this embodiment. This support structure has a frame body 220 arranged on the upper surface 111 side of the air conditioner 100, and a support section 210 that supports the frame body 220 in a suspended state in the ceiling space. The air conditioner 100 is supported in a suspended state in the ceiling space by bolt members 223, 224 hanging down from the frame body 220. Therefore, in this embodiment, the support section 210, frame body 220, and bolt members 223, 224 are each provided as support members that support the air conditioner 100 in a suspended state in the ceiling space.

The frame body 220 comprises a pair of frame members 221, 221 arranged along the front-to-rear direction of the air conditioner 100, and a pair of frame members 222, 222 arranged along the left-to-right direction of the air conditioner 100. The pair of frame members 221, 221 and the pair of frame members 222, 222 are arranged perpendicular to each other, and the intersections of the frame members 221, 222 are fixed with bolts and nuts to form a grid-shaped or rectangular frame body.

The support section 210 includes a suspension bolt 200 and a brace bolt 212. The suspension bolt 200 is attached to its upper end with a fixing bracket 215, which is fixed to a bolt member hanging from the upper floor floor slab, thereby hanging from the upper floor floor slab. The lower end of the suspension bolt 200 is fixed to the frame body 220. In this embodiment, the lower ends of four suspension bolts 200 are fixed to the frame body 220 to support the frame body 220. For example, the four suspension bolts 200 are arranged at the four vertices of a rectangle in plan view. Connecting brackets 211 are attached to the four suspension bolts 200 at two locations, near the upper and lower ends, that connect the brace bolts 212. Two brace bolts 212 are arranged between two adjacent suspension bolts 200, 200, so that they intersect with each other. One end of the brace bolt 212 is connected to a connecting fitting 211 attached near the upper end of one of the two suspension bolts 200, 200, and the other end is connected to a connecting fitting 211 attached near the lower end of the other suspension bolt 200. With a total of eight brace bolts 212 attached to four suspension bolts 200, the support section 210 has an earthquake-resistant reinforced structure.

The bolt members 223 hanging down from the frame body 220 support the end faces of the blow-out chamber 120 and the intake chamber 130 attached to the air conditioner main body 110. For example, in this embodiment, the bolt members 223 hang down from the ends of a pair of frame members 221, but this is not limited to this. It is preferable that the bolt members 223 support the end faces of the blow-out chamber 120 and the intake chamber 130 via the vibration-damping members 122, as described in the first embodiment.

The bolt members 224 hanging down from the frame body 220 are connected to vibration-isolating members 115 attached to bolt connection portions 114 on the side surfaces 1112, 113 of the air conditioner body 110. Therefore, the air conditioner body 110 is supported by the bolt members 224 hanging down from the frame body 220. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the bolt members 223 hang down from the ends of a pair of frame members 222, but this is not limited to this.

The upper ends of the bolt members 224 that support the side surfaces 112 of the air conditioner main body 110 protrude from the upper surface of the frame body 220. The work space securing device 1 is attached to the upper ends of the bolt members 224 that support the side surfaces 112 of the air conditioner main body 110. Figure 18 shows an example in which the work space securing device 1 described in the second embodiment is attached to the upper ends of the bolt members 224. However, this is not limited to this, and the work space securing device 1 of this embodiment may be one described in any of the second to sixth embodiments.

Figure 19 is a diagram showing the sheet member 4 of the work space securing device 1 in an unfolded state. In this embodiment, when the sheet member 4 of the work space securing device 1 is unfolded, the sheet member 4 can cover the upper part near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110. By having the sheet member 4 cover the upper part near the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110, it is possible to prevent obstacles such as additional hanging bolts from being installed in the work space on the side surface 112 of the air conditioner main body 110.

Note that Figures 18 and 19 show an example in which the work space securing device 1 is attached to the upper end of the bolt member 224. However, the position at which the work space securing device 1 is attached is not limited to the upper end of the bolt member 224. In other words, the work space securing device 1 may be attached to the suspension bolt 200, as in the above embodiments, or may be attached to the frame body 220. When the work space securing device 1 is attached to the frame body 220, the frame member 221 that constitutes the frame body 220 may be used as the base member 5 of the work space securing device 1.

Note that apart from the points mentioned above, this embodiment is the same as that described in any of the first to sixth embodiments.

Eighth Embodiment
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the above embodiments, an air conditioner 100 has been exemplified as the suspended object A. However, the above-described work space securing device 1 can also be used as a device for securing a work space near a suspended object A other than the air conditioner 100. In this embodiment, a cable wiring rack is exemplified as the suspended object A other than the air conditioner 100, and a form in which the work space securing device 1 is installed to secure a work space near the rack will be described.

Figure 20 shows a rack 180 for cable wiring placed in a ceiling space. This rack 180 has a configuration in which rod-shaped support members 183 that support cables, etc. are arranged at a predetermined interval between a pair of parallel wall members 181, 182. The pair of walls 181, 182 extend upward a predetermined height from both ends of the support members 183. This type of rack 180 is arranged along the wiring direction of the cables, etc., and stores the cables, etc. inside the pair of walls 181, 182, supporting the cables, etc. with multiple support members 183 arranged at a predetermined interval.

The rack 180 is also supported at a predetermined height by a number of hanging bolts 200 hanging down from the upper floor floor slab. For example, support brackets 185 are arranged on the underside of the rack 180 so as to cross a pair of wall sections 181, 182, and the lower ends of the hanging bolts 200 are connected to both ends of the support brackets 185, thereby supporting the rack 180 at a predetermined height in the ceiling space.

In the above configuration, for example, if it is desired to secure a work space near one side surface 184 of the rack 180, the work space securing device 1 is attached to the hanging bolts 200 that support the rack 180 in the ceiling space, as shown in FIG. 20. Specifically, of the four hanging bolts 200 that support two support brackets 185 arranged at a predetermined interval, the work space securing device 1 is attached to the two hanging bolts 200 that are located closest to the side surface 184 where the work space is to be secured. Note that this embodiment shows an example in which the work space securing device 1 described in the second embodiment is attached to the hanging bolts 200 that support the rack 180, but this is not limited to this, and any of the work space securing devices 1 described in the above embodiments may be attached.

Figure 21 is a diagram showing the sheet member 4 of the work space securing device 1 in an unfolded state. In this embodiment, when the sheet member 4 of the work space securing device 1 is unfolded, the sheet member 4 can cover the upper part of the rack 180, which is the suspended object A, near the side surface 184. By having the sheet member 4 cover the upper part of the rack 180 near the side surface 184, it is possible to prevent obstacles such as other suspension bolts from being installed in the work space when performing maintenance work on cables housed in the rack 180, etc.

Note that apart from the points mentioned above, this embodiment is the same as that described in any of the first to seventh embodiments. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a cable wiring rack 180 is used as an example of the hanging object A. However, the hanging object A to which the work space securing device 1 is attached to secure the work space is not limited to the rack 180. For example, the hanging object A may be a duct, a lighting fixture, or a ceiling underlayment, or may be something other than these.

(Modification)
Although several preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to those described in the above embodiments. In other words, the present invention includes applications in which various modifications are applied to those described in the above embodiments.

For example, the air conditioner 100 exemplified as the hanging object A in the above embodiment is configured such that the blow-out chamber 120 and the intake chamber 130 are connected in the front-to-rear direction of the air conditioner main body 110. However, the air conditioner 100 is not limited to being configured such that the blow-out chamber 120 and the intake chamber 130 are connected. For example, the air conditioner 100 may be configured with only the air conditioner main body 110, or may have a chamber attached to only one side of the air conditioner main body 110.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the air conditioner 100 exemplified as the hanging object A is a concealed air conditioner. However, the air conditioner 100 to which the above-mentioned work space securing device 1 can be applied is not necessarily limited to a concealed air conditioner. For example, the air conditioner 100 may be a ceiling cassette type air conditioner or a ceiling built-in type air conditioner.

In the above embodiment, the sheet member 4 is described as a flexible sheet member made of, for example, fabric or a resin sheet. However, the sheet member 4 is not limited to fabric or a resin sheet. For example, the sheet member 4 may be made of a stiff sheet material such as a cardboard sheet, as long as it is foldable. However, even in this case, the sheet member 4 is preferably non-flammable, and it is preferable to use one that is coated with, for example, a non-flammable paint.

1, 1a, 1b...work space securing device, 2...holding member, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d...rod-shaped body, 4...sheet member, 5...base member, 11...urging member, 13...stopper, 100...air conditioner (hanging object), 112...side surface, 180...rack (hanging object).

Claims (8)

A work space securing device that is installed on a suspended object or a support member that supports the suspended object in order to secure a work space near the suspended object that is supported in a suspended state in a ceiling space,
a foldable seat member;
a holding member having a base end attached to the suspended object or the support member, which holds the sheet member in the vicinity of the suspended object at the same height as an upper surface of the suspended object or at a position higher than an upper surface of the suspended object;
Equipped with
A work space securing device characterized in that the holding member secures the work space by unfolding the sheet member above the work space near the suspended object. A work space securing device that is installed on a suspended object or a support member that supports the suspended object in order to secure a work space near the suspended object that is supported in a suspended state in a ceiling space,
a sheet member having a size corresponding to the area of the work space to be secured near the suspended object;
a holding member having a base end attached to the suspended object or the support member, which holds the sheet member in a deployed state above the work space at the same height as the upper surface of the suspended object or at a position higher than the upper surface of the suspended object;
A work space securing device comprising: The hanging object is an air conditioner,
The work space creating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding member holds the sheet member in an unfolded state above the side of the air conditioner, thereby creating a work space near the side of the air conditioner. A work space securing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the holding member comprises a pair of rod-shaped bodies arranged parallel to each other and protruding outward from the side of the suspended object at the same height as the upper surface of the suspended object or at a position higher than the upper surface of the suspended object, and the pair of rod-shaped bodies support both ends of the sheet member. a long base member attached to the support member that supports the suspended object in a suspended state and arranged parallel to a side surface of the suspended object;
Further provided with
5. The work space securing device according to claim 4, wherein one end of each of the pair of rod-shaped bodies is attached to the base member. A work space securing device as described in claim 5, characterized in that one end of the pair of rod-shaped bodies attached to the base member is rotatable relative to the base member. a biasing member that rotates the pair of rod-shaped bodies to displace them into a state in which they protrude outward from the side surface of the suspended object;
7. The work space securing device according to claim 6, further comprising: The holding member is
a first rod-shaped body disposed at the same height as an upper surface of the suspended object or at a position higher than the upper surface of the suspended object so as to protrude outward from a side surface of the suspended object;
a second rod-shaped body attached to a tip of the first rod-shaped body and disposed in a state substantially parallel to a side surface of the suspended object;
and
4. The work space securing device according to claim 1, wherein one end of the sheet member is attached to the second rod-shaped body and the other end is attached to the upper surface or a position above the suspended object.