JP2003023875A - Coupler for member of framework and auxiliary tool for coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coupler for members of framework or the like wide in applicable size, applicable to coupling members of framework in various direction, easy to handle and reuse. SOLUTION: This coupler is used as follows; a contact member 4 is moved in approximately the Z1 direction along linking parts 68, 74 of a linear member 6 until a contact part 42 of the contact member 4 comes into contact with a vertical pile 900 while rotating an operating part 80 of the coupler for members 2 to the R1 direction in the figure; and then stress strength generates on contact parts 42, 64, 66, 62 by the action of energizing force of springs 76, 78 caused by releasing the operating parts 80; according a stress strength is set between the vertical pile 900 and a crossbar 902. The vertical pile 900 and the crossbar 902 of various sizes are easily coupled and released from coupling in the above method. The coupler is capable of easily coupling two vertical piles by jointly using a proper auxiliary tool 800 (refer to figure 4).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a member connecting device and a connecting aid, and more particularly to a technique for connecting two members that intersect or are parallel to each other.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In agriculture and horticulture, it is necessary to connect two members such as fixing a vertical pile and a horizontal rail, or adding another vertical pile to a vertical pile driven into the ground. There are cases. In such a case, it has been practiced to connect both members by using a special fastener, or by binding them with a string or a wire.

[0003]

However, such a conventional method has the following problems. If a dedicated fastener is used, it can be removed and reused, so there is little waste, but it is not possible to join members other than those of a predetermined size. Further, it is possible to connect only members in the directions assumed in advance.

On the other hand, if a string or a wire is used, members of any size and members in any direction can be dealt with, but skill is required to surely connect them. It costs. Also, it takes time to bind and untie. Furthermore, since the string and the wire are usually disposed of after one use, it is a waste of resources.

The present invention solves the problems of the conventional method of joining members, has a wide range of applicable sizes, is applicable to joining members in various directions, and is easy to handle and reuse. Etc. are intended to be provided.

[0006]

The member coupler according to claim 1 is a member coupler for connecting the first and second members intersecting each other, wherein the first and second members of the first member are joined together.
A first member capable of substantially abutting the first member in a direction in which the first member is pressed toward the second member on both sides of the intersecting portion of the first member.
And a third contact portion, and a second contact member that can substantially contact the second member in a direction that presses the second member toward the first member on both sides of the intersecting portion of the second member. And a fourth contact portion, first and second contact portions, second and third contact portions, third and fourth contact portions, and fourth and first contact portions. Is provided on at least one of the first to fourth connecting portions, the first to fourth contact portions, and the first to fourth connecting portions, respectively, and the first and second members are coupled to each other. Means for urging the first to fourth abutting parts and the first and second members to generate a pressing force at the time of connection, and the effective lengths of the first to fourth connecting parts are adjusted. And a connecting portion length adjusting means for performing the adjustment.

Therefore, the effective lengths of the first to fourth connecting portions are adjusted to be longer than the length required for connecting the first and second members by using the connecting portion length adjusting means, and the first and fourth connecting portions are adjusted. After setting the second member at a predetermined position, the effective length of the first to fourth connecting portions is adjusted to the length required for connecting the first and second members by using the connecting portion length adjusting means. Thus, the first and second members can be easily combined. In addition, by adjusting the effective length of the first to fourth connecting portions from the connected state to the length required for connecting the first and second members by using the connecting portion length adjusting means, the first length is adjusted. And the connection of the second member can be easily released. That is, it is possible to realize a member connector that is easy to handle and reuse.

Further, when connecting the first and second members, the effective length of the first to fourth connecting portions can be adjusted by using the connecting portion length adjusting means, so that the first and the fourth members of various sizes can be adjusted. Two members can be joined.

Furthermore, if the adjustment range of the effective length of the first to fourth connecting portions is set to be large, it is possible to connect the three members. For this reason, if the joining aid described later is used as the second member, the third member substantially parallel to the first member can also be joined together. Therefore, it is possible to connect not only two intersecting members but also two substantially parallel members.

In other words, it is possible to realize a member connecting device which has a wide range of applicable sizes, can be applied to connecting members in various directions, and can be easily handled and reused.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a member coupling tool comprising: a second and a fourth contact portion, and at least a part of the first to fourth connecting portions which are continuous with the second and fourth contact portions. It is made of a flexible material, and as a connecting portion length adjusting means,
A contact member having a first contact portion, wherein when the first and second members are not connected, the first and fourth connecting portions made of a flexible material At least a part of the contact member is slidably held in the longitudinal direction thereof and is held so as not to be slidable at the time of connection.

Therefore, even if the sizes of the first and second members vary, the second member can be moved by sliding the contact member with respect to the first and fourth connecting portions made of a flexible material. And the first to fourth connecting portions made of a flexible material continuous with the fourth abutting portion are provided as new second
Also, the first and second members can be combined as the fourth contact portion. Therefore, it is possible to easily deal with the first and second members having various sizes.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a member connecting tool, wherein the third contact portion and the second and third portions which are continuous with the third contact portion.
The connecting portion is configured to be separable and connectable at or near the third contact portion.

Therefore, first, the third contact portion and the second and third connecting portions continuous to the third contact portion are separated, and the first and second members are set at predetermined positions. After that, it becomes possible to connect the separated parts. Therefore, it becomes easy to set the first and second members.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a member coupling tool comprising: the second and fourth abutting portions, and at least a part of the first to fourth connecting portions continuous with the second and fourth abutting portions. It is made of a flexible material, and as a connecting portion length adjusting means,
It is provided with a string-shaped member having an adjustable effective length, which constitutes a third contact portion and at least a part of second and third connecting portions continuous with the third contact portion. .

Therefore, even if the sizes of the first and second members are changed, the effective length of the string-like member is adjusted so that the flexible material continuous to the second and fourth abutting portions is used. The configured first to fourth connecting portions serve as new second and fourth abutting portions, and the first and second members can be coupled. Therefore, it is possible to easily deal with the first and second members having various sizes.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a joining assisting tool for use with any one of the above-mentioned member joining tools for joining first and third members which are substantially parallel to each other. The corresponding second member corresponding part and the guide part fixedly provided to the second member corresponding part are brought into contact with the third member so that the second member corresponding part intersects the third member. And a guide part for guiding the guide.

Therefore, the first and third members and the joining aid are brought into contact with each other in this order, and the first and third members which are substantially parallel to each other are joined by joining using any one of the above-mentioned member joining tools. , Can be easily combined.

[0019]

1 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of a member connector 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the member coupling tool 2 in a state in which a vertical pile 900 that is a substantially orthogonal first member and a horizontal rail 902 that is a second member are coupled to each other. As shown in FIG. 1, the member coupler 2 includes a metal contact member 4 and a linear member 6 formed by bending a single metal wire.

More specifically, the member connector 2 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10, the vertical pile 900 is attached to both sides of the intersection 904 of the vertical pile 900 and the horizontal rail 902 in the vertical pile 900.
The first and third contact portions 42 and 62 that can substantially contact the vertical pile 900 in the direction of pressing the horizontal pile 900.
At both sides of the intersection 904 in the
The second and fourth contact portions 64 and 66 that can substantially contact the horizontal rail 902 in the direction of pressing toward 00.

Further, the member coupling device 2 includes the first and second contact portions 42, 64 and the second and third contact portions 64, 6.
2, 3rd and 4th contact part 62, 66, and 1st thru | or 4th connection part 44 and 68, 70, 72 which connects 4th and 1st contact part 66, 42, respectively.
And 74 and 46.

First connecting portions 44 and 68 and fourth
Of the connecting portions 74 and 46, part of the connecting portions 68 and 74 configured by the linear member 6 are configured as torsion coil springs 76 and 78, respectively. When the vertical pile 900 and the horizontal rail 902 are connected by the springs 76 and 78, the first to fourth contact portions 42, 64, and
A pressing force is generated between 62, 66 and the vertical pile 900 and the horizontal rail 902.

A portion of the linear member 6 that follows the connecting portions 68 and 74 in the direction opposite to the abutting portions 64 and 66 is formed in a substantially U-shape to form an operating portion 80. That is, the connecting portions 68 and 74 are connected in the operating portion 80.

The abutting member 4 is formed in a substantially U shape, and a first abutting portion 42 is formed at a position forming a bottom portion of the U shape. The contact portion 42 is formed in a substantially V shape so as to stably contact the vertical pile 900. On both sides of the contact portion 42, connecting portions 44 and 46 are formed so as to form substantially U-shaped side portions.

Through holes 48 and 50 are provided at the ends of the connecting portions 44 and 46, that is, at the positions forming the substantially U-shaped open ends. The diameters of the through holes 48, 50 are configured to be slightly larger than the thickness of the linear member 6, and the through holes 48, 5
The connecting portions 68, 74 of the linear member 6 are inserted through the connector 0.
Therefore, the contact member 4 is movable along the connecting portions 68 and 74 of the linear member 6 when the contact portion 42 does not receive the pressure response from the vertical pile 900.

On the other hand, when the abutting portion 42 receives a responsive force from the vertical pile 900, the abutting member 4 tries to rotate in the R1 direction in the drawing around the through holes 48 and 50. By this rotation, the through holes 48 and 50 and the connecting portion 6 inserted into these
Twist occurs between 8 and 74. Due to this twisting, the contact member 4 becomes immovable with respect to the connecting portions 68 and 74 of the linear member 6.

The linear member 6 is constructed so that it can be separated and connected at the third contact portion 62. That is, the linear member 6 has both end portions 8 following the connecting portions 70 and 72.
2, 84 are curled. By hooking the curled ends 82 and 84 on each other, the linear member 6
Can be connected in a substantially annular shape, and the linear member 6 can be released (separated) at the contact portion 62 by releasing the catch (engagement) of the end portions 82, 84.

Next, by using this member connecting tool 2, a vertical pile 9
00 and the cross rail 902 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 1, the ends 82 and 84 of the linear member 6 are disengaged.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the vertical pile 900 slightly below the intersection 904 (Y2 direction in the drawing) is passed between the released ends 82 and 84, and the end 82, 8
4 is moved in the Z1 direction in the figure. After that, the end portions 82 and 84 are moved in the Y1 direction in the drawing so that the horizontal rail 902 is scooped up. Further, a portion slightly above the crossing portion 904 of the vertical pile 900 (Y1 direction in the drawing) is provided with the released end portion 8
Pass it between 2 and 84, hold the vertical pile 900,
The curled ends 82, 84 are hooked together.

Next, the operation portion 80 of the linear member 6 is indicated by R in the figure.
While rotating in one direction, that is, while squeezing the springs 76 and 78, the abutting member 4 until the abutting portion 42 of the abutting member 4 abuts the vertical pile 900, the connecting portions 68, 7 of the linear member 6.
4 along the direction Z4. The contact member 4 is pressed against the vertical pile 900, and the operation portion 80 is released.

By releasing the operation portion 80, the spring 7 is released.
The urging force of 6, 78 acts, and the contact portions 42, 64, 6
A pressure response occurs at 6, 62. Along with this, the vertical pile 90
A responsive pressure is also generated between 0 and the cross rail 902.

In this way, the vertical pile 900 and the horizontal rail 902 can be easily connected. The contact portion 42
As described above, the contact member 4 becomes immovable with respect to the connecting portions 68 and 74 of the linear member 6 due to the action of the responsive force.

In order to release the connection between the vertical pile 900 and the horizontal rail 902 that are connected in this way, the operation opposite to the operation at the time of connection may be performed, but the force exerted by the springs 76 and 78 is resisted. Then, the engagement of the curled ends 82 and 84 may be released. In this way, the vertical pile 900 and the horizontal rail 902 can be released more quickly.

In the above example, the end portion 8 of the linear member 6 is
The procedure for connecting the vertical pile 900 and the horizontal rail 902 from the state in which the engagement of 2, 84 is released has been described.
The connection procedure of 00 and the cross rail 902 is not limited to this. For example, the ends 82, 84 of the linear member 6
The linear member 6 at a predetermined position of the vertical pile 900 while engaging the
Alternatively, the horizontal rail 902 may be inserted so as to pass through the predetermined position of the linear member 6. If the cross rail 902 can be inserted later, this procedure can connect the vertical pile 900 and the cross rail 902 more quickly.

In the above embodiment, the case where the first member and the second member which are substantially orthogonal to each other are connected has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where a first member and a second member that intersect diagonally are joined together.

Next, by using the member coupler 2, the vertical piles 900 which are the first members and the vertical piles 9 which are the third members are substantially parallel to each other.
A method of combining 06 and 06 will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a coupling assisting tool 800 used in this method. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the member coupling tool 2 and the coupling assisting tool 800 in a state in which the vertical pile 900 and the vertical pile 906 are coupled.

As shown in FIG. 3, the joining aid 800 is
Wing portion 802 and guide portion 80, which are portions corresponding to the second member
4 and. The wing portion 802 is a portion corresponding to the second member, and is, for example, in the lateral direction (X direction in the drawing).
Is formed by a part of a cylindrical surface imitating a second member whose longitudinal direction is.

The guide portion 804 is fixedly provided to the wing portion 802, and as shown in FIG. 4, is arranged along a vertical pile 906 whose longitudinal direction is the vertical direction (Y direction in the drawing). ing. That is, the longitudinal direction of the guide part 804 is configured to be substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the wing part 802, and the lateral cross-sectional shape of the guide part 804 is substantially V-shaped, and the upper end (open end) of the V-shape is a vertical pile. It is configured to abut the 906. Therefore, the guide portion 804 is attached to the vertical pile 9
The wing portion 802 is brought into contact with the vertical pile 9
It will be substantially orthogonal to 06.

In order to connect the vertical piles 900 and the vertical piles 906 that are substantially parallel to each other using the member connecting tool 2 and the connecting aid 800, first, the vertical piles 900, the vertical piles 906, and the connecting aids 800.
Of the guide portions 804 in this order in a line from the Z2 direction in the drawing to Z
Place them in close contact in one direction.

After this, the vertical piles 900 and 906 are regarded as the vertical piles 900 in FIG.
If the wing portion 802 of 00 is regarded as the horizontal rail 902 in FIG. 2 and the member coupling tool 2 is used in the manner shown in FIG. 2, the substantially parallel vertical piles 900 and 906 can be easily coupled. You can

In this example, the method of connecting the vertical pile 900, which is the first member, and the vertical pile 906, which is the third member, which are substantially parallel to each other, has been described as an example.
Even if the members are substantially parallel horizontal rails, they can be joined in the same manner.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, FIG.
As shown in, the third contact portion 62 and the second and third connecting portions 70 and 72 continuous to the third contact portion 62 are
Although the third contact portion 62 is configured to be separable and connectable at or near the third contact portion 62, the third contact portion 62 and the second and third connecting portions 70, 7 continuous with the third contact portion 62.
It is also possible that the second member is inseparable at or near the third contact portion 62. In this case, the linear member 6 is
First, second or fourth abutting portion and first to fourth
It is desirable that the connection and disconnection be possible at any part of the connection part.

Next, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the member coupling 102 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows the member coupling tool 102 and the coupling assisting tool 800 in a state in which the vertical pile 900 that is a substantially parallel first member and the vertical pile 906 that is a third member are coupled using the member coupling tool 102. It is a perspective view shown.

As shown in FIG. 5, the member coupler 102 is
It is similar to the member coupler 2 shown in FIG. That is, the member coupler 102 is the linear member 6 that constitutes the member coupler 2.
20 which is a string-like member (connecting part length adjusting means)
It is replaced with 0, and includes a linear member 106 formed by bending one metal wire, a metal chain 200, and an abutting member 4.

One end of the chain 200 is fitted into a chain fixing ring 194 formed at one end of the linear member 106. A chain locking hook 192 is formed at the other end of the linear member 106. By locking an appropriate part of the chain 200 to the chain locking hook 192, the effective length of the chain 200 can be adjusted. In the member coupler 102, members and parts having the same functions as those of the member coupler 2 are designated by the same reference numerals.

Now, in more detail, the member coupling device 10
As shown in FIG. 6, the chain 200, which is the second component, includes at least one of the third contact portion 262 and the second and third connecting portions 270 and 272 continuous with the third contact portion 262. Make up part.

In the example of FIG. 6, it is assumed that a part of the linear member 106 is the second and fourth contact portions 64, 66, but the present invention is not limited to this. is not. For example, a part of the chain 200 may serve as the second and fourth contact portions. In this case, the chains 200 of the portions corresponding to the second and fourth contact portions are grasped as a flexible material.

The procedure for connecting the vertical pile 900 and the vertical pile 906 using the member coupler 102 is similar to the case of the member coupler 2 shown in FIG. The difference from the case of the member coupling tool 2 is that instead of engaging or disengaging the ends 82, 84 of the linear member 6, the chain locking hook 192 of the member coupling tool 102 locks an appropriate portion of the chain 200. It is a point to do and remove.

As described above, if the chain 200 is used together with the abutting member 4 as the connecting portion length adjusting means means, it is possible to cope with a large change in size of the members to be joined, which is more convenient.

In FIG. 6, the case where the vertical pile 900 and the vertical pile 906 are connected by using the member coupler 102 has been described as an example, but the use of the member coupler 102 is not limited to this. For example, the member coupling 102 is used instead of the member coupling 2 of FIG. 2, and the vertical pile 900 and the cross rail 902 are used.
You can also combine and.

In the above embodiment, the case where the metal chain 200 is used as the string-like member has been described as an example, but the string-like member is not limited to this. As the string-like member, for example, a synthetic resin chain, rope, or band can be used.

The method of adjusting these effective lengths is not particularly limited, either. For example, one end of the rope or band is fixed to the chain fixing ring 194 shown in FIG. It is also possible to provide a plurality of holes (not shown) and hook the chain locking hook 192 shown in FIG. 5 in any of the locking holes. Further, for example, the band may be locked with an appropriate length by using Velcro (registered trademark) or the like.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the pressing force acts on the first contact portion by utilizing the twisting based on the pressing force acting on the first contact portion as the contact member. In a situation in which there is no pressure, at least a part of the first and fourth connection portions is slidably held in the longitudinal direction thereof, and a pressing force acts on the first contact portion, The contact member 4 which is held so as not to be slidable in the longitudinal direction with respect to at least a part of the first and fourth connecting portions has been described as an example, but the contact member is not limited to this.

As the contact member, by some means,
When the first and second members are not joined, the first and second members are held slidably in the longitudinal direction with respect to at least a part of the first and fourth connecting portions made of a flexible material. It suffices that it be held so that it cannot slide when combined.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the contact member is used as the connecting portion length adjusting means or the case where the contact member and the string-like member are used together has been described as an example. The adjusting means is not limited to these.
For example, as the connecting portion length adjusting means, only the string-like member may be used without using the contact member.

For example, a member connecting tool obtained by removing the contact member 4 from the member connecting tool 102 shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to this. In this case, the portion corresponding to the operation unit 80 shown in FIG. 5 becomes the first contact portion.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the torsion coil springs 76 and 78 are used as the biasing means has been described as an example, but the biasing means is not limited to this. As the urging means, for example, a tension coil spring, a compression coil spring, a torsion bar or the like can be used.

Further, as the biasing means, the first to fourth
Of the abutting portion and the first to fourth connecting portions may be made use of the bending elasticity and the elongation elasticity of the material itself, or the elasticity of these materials and the torsion coil spring may be used. It may be a combination.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the metal wire is used as an example of the flexible material, but the flexible material is not limited to this. As the flexible material, in addition to the metal wire, for example, a synthetic resin wire, a molded product, a string, a chain or the like is included. The point is that the material should be flexible so that a part of the first to fourth connecting portions can appropriately serve as the second and fourth contact portions depending on the sizes of the plurality of members to be coupled. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall structure of a member connector 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a member coupling tool 2 in a state where vertical piles 900 and horizontal rails 902 that are substantially orthogonal to each other are coupled.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a coupling assisting tool 800.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the member coupling tool 2 and a coupling assisting tool 800 in a state where the vertical pile 900 and the vertical pile 906 are coupled to each other.

FIG. 5 is a member connector 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
It is a perspective view which shows the whole 2 structure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the member coupling device 102 and the coupling assisting device 800 in a state in which the vertical pile 900 and the vertical pile 906 are coupled to each other.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Member coupling 4 ... Abutting member 6 ... ・ Linear members 42, 64, 66, 62 ... Contact part 68, 74 ... Connection parts 76, 78 ... Spring 80 ... Operation part 900 ... Vertical pile 902 ...

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A member connecting tool for connecting first and second members intersecting each other, wherein the first member is provided on both sides of an intersection of the first and second members in the first member. The first and third contact portions that can substantially contact the first member in the direction of pressing toward the second member, and the second member on both sides of the intersecting portion of the second member Second and fourth contact portions that can substantially contact the second member in the direction of pressing toward the first member, first and second contact portions, and second and third contact portions. An abutting part, a third and a fourth abutting part, and a first to a fourth connecting part for connecting the fourth and the first abutting part respectively, and a first to a fourth abutting part and It is provided in at least one of the first to fourth connecting portions, and when the first and second members are connected, the first to fourth contact members are connected. A biasing means for biasing the contact portion and the first and second members to generate a pressing force, and a connecting portion length adjusting means for adjusting the effective length of the first to fourth connecting portions are provided. A member coupling tool characterized by the above. 2. The member coupler according to claim 1, wherein the second and fourth abutting portions and at least a part of the first to fourth connecting portions continuous with the second and fourth abutting portions, Is made of a flexible material, and is a contact member having a first contact portion as a connecting portion length adjusting means, and is not allowed when the first and second members are not coupled. A contact member that is slidably held in the longitudinal direction with respect to at least a part of the first and fourth connecting portions made of a flexible material, and is held so as not to be slidable when coupled; Characterized by. 3. The member coupler according to claim 1, wherein the third contact portion and the second and third connecting portions continuous with the third contact portion are connected to the third contact portion. Characterized by being configured to be separable and connectable at a part or in the vicinity thereof. 4. The member coupler according to claim 1, wherein the second and fourth abutting portions and the first to fourth connecting portions which are continuous with the second and fourth abutting portions. At least a part of the second contact part and at least a part of the second and third connecting parts continuous to the third contact part as a connecting part length adjusting means. And a cord-shaped member that adjusts the effective length of the cord. 5. A joining aid used with the member joining device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 for joining the substantially parallel first and third members, which corresponds to the second member. The second member equivalent part and the guide part fixedly provided to the second member equivalent part so that the second member equivalent part intersects the third member by abutting against the third member. A coupling assisting tool comprising: a guide portion for guiding.