JP2008144959A - Pipe joint, disengaging tool, and pipe joint device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pipe joint which can be kept threaded without being loosed when an unexpected accident occurs. <P>SOLUTION: At the upper end of a joint body 2, a tapered male screw portion 2a is formed which is threaded and fixed to one of two pipe bodies to be connected. At the lower end of the joint body 2, a nut 3 is provided which is threaded to the other pipe body. On the joint body 2, a shielding member 4 is provided rotatably and movably in the axial direction of the joint body 2. The shielding member 4 shields a nut 3, when located at a shielding position shown in a solid line, and exposes the nut 3 to the outside, when located at an exposing position shown in an imaginary line. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pipe joint for connecting a pipe body such as a gas pipe, an engagement release tool used for the pipe joint, and a pipe joint device including the pipe joint and the engagement release tool.

  Generally, when connecting a primary side gas pipe and a secondary side gas pipe to the inlet and outlet of a gas meter, pipe joints are used. The pipe joint includes a joint main body having a tapered male thread portion formed at one end thereof, and a nut that is rotatably provided at the other end of the joint main body in a retaining state. The tapered male thread portion of the joint body is screwed and fixed to the primary side gas pipe. The nut is screwed and fixed to the inlet of the gas meter. Thereby, the primary side gas pipe and the inlet of the gas meter are connected via the pipe joint. The secondary side gas pipe and the outlet of the gas meter are connected in the same manner.

  A tool hanger such as a spanner hanger is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the nut. The tool hook is for engaging a tool such as a spanner used when tightening the nut, and has a plurality of planes. This plane may accidentally hit tools during various operations such as gas piping. Then, the nut may be rotated and loosened by the rotational torque generated when the tools collide with the plane.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 below proposes a device for preventing loosening of a pipe joint. This loosening prevention device has a band provided with two engaging portions. The band is stretched between the two pipe joints in a hooked state with the respective engaging parts engaged with the respective tool hook parts of the two pipe joints. Therefore, if the nut of one pipe joint tries to rotate in the loosening direction, the nut of the other pipe joint will rotate in the tightening direction, and the rotation of one nut in the loosening direction is blocked by the other nut. Is done. Loosening of the nut of each pipe joint is prevented.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-53626

  The above-described loosening prevention device cannot be used unless two pipe joints are arranged adjacent to each other, and there is a problem that the nut cannot be prevented from loosening when there is only one pipe joint. . When there is only one pipe joint, the band wound around the nut rotates together with the nut, and the nut cannot be prevented from loosening.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the first invention includes a cylindrical joint body having a threaded portion formed at least at one end, and a tool hook portion having a flat surface is provided on the outer periphery of the joint body. In the pipe joint, on the outer peripheral portion of the joint body, a cylindrical shielding member is rotatable so as to be able to rotate with respect to the tool hanging portion, and the shielding position where the tool hanging portion is shielded, and the above Between the exposed position where the tool hook is exposed to the outside, it is fitted so as to be movable in the axial direction of the joint body, and either the outer peripheral surface of the joint body or the inner peripheral surface of the shielding member is An approximately C-shaped stopper capable of expanding / contracting diameter is provided so as not to be movable in the one axial direction and capable of expanding / contracting diameter, and the other is engaged with the stopper, thereby blocking the shielding member. An annular engagement groove for locking in position, and Extends in the axial direction of the square, one end is open to the other axial and the other end is characterized in that a plurality of release grooves crossing the engagement groove is formed.
In this case, it is desirable that a nut is rotatably provided on the outer periphery of the other end of the joint body, and the tool hook is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the nut.
The one side is formed with an annular recess that accommodates a stopper in a natural state that is not expanded and contracted in a non-movable manner in the one axial direction, and that can accommodate the entire stopper that has a reduced diameter. The relationship between the inner diameter of the stopper and the one outer diameter adjacent to the front side in the direction from the exposed position to the shielding position with respect to the annular recess is one side portion in the radial direction of the stopper in the natural state. When the stopper is moved in the radial direction of the annular recess until it hits one side of the annular recess, the other side of the stopper is set to be located in the other side of the annular recess. It is desirable.
The depth of the annular recess with reference to the one front portion located on the front side in the direction from the shielding position to the exposed position of the shielding member relative to the annular recess is the depth of the annular recess with respect to the annular recess. The diameters of the front part and the rear part are shallower than the depth of the annular recess with reference to the one rear part located on the rear side in the direction from the shielding position to the exposed position of the shielding member. It is desirable that it is defined.
On the other side, when the shielding member is located at the exposed position, the shield member is detachably engaged with the stopper so that the shielding member moves from the exposed position to the shielding position side with a predetermined size. It is desirable that a temporary fixing portion that is blocked by force is provided.
A second invention is an engagement release tool for releasing the engagement state of the stopper with respect to the engagement groove by reducing or expanding the diameter of the stopper of the pipe joint according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The first and second tool constituent members include first and second tool constituent members that are rotatably connected to each other so that the one end portions approach and separate from each other, and the first and second tool constituent members are provided between the one end portions. The joint body can be moved in the axial direction and cannot be moved in the radial direction between the insertion position where the joint body can pass through in the radial direction and the opposing surfaces of the first and second tool constituent members. The first and second tool configurations that are rotatable between a fitting position where a fitting restriction hole is formed, and the first and second tool components are located at the fitting position. When the member is moved closer to the shielding member, the plurality of release grooves are moved. Are inserted respectively from each end that is opened, it is characterized in that releasing the shaft portion for releasing the engagement is provided with respect to the engaging groove of the stopper by condensation diameter or the stopper is expanded.
A third invention is characterized by comprising the pipe joint according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and the disengagement tool according to claim 5.

  According to the present invention having the above-described characteristic configuration, the shielding member positioned at the shielding position shields the tool hook portion. Accordingly, during the piping work, the tools hit the shielding member, but the tools do not hit the plane of the tool hanging portion. Therefore, the joint body or nut does not rotate and loosen. Moreover, even if tools collide with the shielding member, and the shielding member rotates thereby, the shielding member can rotate with respect to the joint body and the tool hanging portion. The nut does not rotate.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 12 shows one use example of the pipe joint 1 according to the present invention, in which the primary and secondary side gas pipes G1, G2 and the gas meter M are connected via the pipe joints 1, 1. That is, each one end part of the primary side and secondary side gas pipes G1 and G2 is erected and fixed on the ground (not shown), and each other end part is bent in an inverted U shape and directed vertically downward. It has been. On the upper surface of the gas meter M, a gas inlet M1 and a gas outlet M2 are provided. The primary side gas pipe G1 and the gas inlet port M1 are connected via the pipe joint 1, and the secondary side gas pipe G2 and the gas outlet port M2 are connected via the pipe joint 1. The pipe joint 1 can also be used for connections other than the connection between the primary and secondary gas pipes G1, G2 and the outlets M1, M2. Moreover, the connection mode by the pipe joint 1 of the primary side gas pipe G1 and the gas inlet M1 and the connection mode by the pipe joint 1 of the secondary side gas pipe G2 and the gas outlet M2 are the same. Therefore, only the former connection mode will be described below.

  First, the structure of the pipe joint 1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the pipe joint 1 includes a joint body 2, a nut 3, and a shielding member 4.

  The joint body 2 is composed of a straight pipe body, and at one end thereof (in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the upper end portion; hereinafter, “upper and lower” means “upper and lower” in the drawings), A thread portion 2a is formed. A straight male screw portion may be formed instead of the tapered male screw portion. A large diameter portion 2 b is formed at the lower end of the joint body 2. An annular protrusion 2 c is formed on the inner peripheral portion of the lower end surface of the joint body 2.

  An annular recess 2d is formed at an intermediate portion in the vertical direction of the large diameter portion 2b. A stopper 5 is attached to the annular recess 2d. The stopper 5 is made of a wire having a circular cross section having elasticity such as steel, and is formed in a substantially C shape as shown in FIG. Therefore, the stopper 5 can be expanded and contracted by its own elasticity, and in a natural state where no external force acts on the stopper 5, only a portion slightly smaller than half of the inner peripheral side of the stopper 5 is accommodated in the annular recess 2d. A part slightly more than half of the outer peripheral side protrudes outside from the annular recess 2d. By reducing the diameter of the stopper 5, the entire stopper 5 can enter the annular recess 2d. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, a protruding portion 5 a that protrudes radially inward is formed at one end in the circumferential direction of the stopper 5. This protrusion 5a is inserted into a positioning hole 2e formed on the bottom surface of the annular recess 2d. Thereby, the stopper 5 is positioned in the circumferential direction. However, the protrusion 5a may not be formed. In that case, the stopper 5 is attached to the annular recess 2d so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the upper end portion of the nut 3 is fitted to the lower end portion of the large diameter portion 2 b so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction (vertical direction) of the joint body 2. However, the movement range of the nut 3 is limited to a predetermined narrow range by the retaining member 6. In other words, the nut 3 is prevented from coming out downward from the large diameter portion 2 b by the retaining member 6. The nut 3 may be immovable in the axial direction of the joint body 2. On the outer peripheral surface of the nut 3, a spanner hanging portion (tool hanging portion) 3a is formed. The spanner hanging portion 3a has eight planes extending in parallel with the axis of the nut 3, and is formed in a regular octagonal cross section. The spanner hanging portion 3a may be formed in a hexagonal cross section, or may have only two parallel planes facing each other across the axis of the nut 3. A straight female thread portion 3 b is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the nut 3 below the retaining member 6.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIGS. 7 to 9, the shielding member 4 is a cylindrical body having a circular cross section, and an annular protrusion 4 a is formed at the upper end portion of the inner peripheral surface thereof. . The annular protrusion 4a has an inner diameter that is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 2b, and is fitted to the outer periphery of the large-diameter portion 2b so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction. The downward movement range of the shielding member 4 is limited by the lower surface of the annular protrusion 4 a abutting against the upper surface of the nut 3. Hereinafter, the position of the shielding member 4 at this time is referred to as a shielding position. When the shielding member 4 is located at the shielding position, at least the spanner hooking portion 3 a of the nut 3 enters the shielding member 4. In particular, in this embodiment, the entire nut 3 enters the shielding member 4 and is shielded from the outside. Therefore, when the shielding member 4 is positioned at the shielding position, the spanner cannot be hung on the spanner hanging portion 3a, and as a result, the nut 3 cannot be rotated from the outside. In addition, since the shielding member 4 can rotate with respect to the nut 3, the nut 3 cannot be rotated even if the shielding member 4 is rotated. The shielding member 4 is movable upward until at least a part (lower end portion) of the spanner hooking portion 3a of the nut 3 is exposed from the shielding member 4. In this embodiment, as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. The whole nut 3 can be moved upward until it comes out of the shielding member 4. Hereinafter, the position of the shielding member 4 at this time is referred to as an exposure position.

  An engagement groove 4b extending in an annular shape is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the annular protrusion 4a. The engaging groove 4b is disposed so as to face the outer peripheral portion of the stopper 5 when the shielding member 4 is located at the shielding position. The depth of the engaging groove 4b is set to be approximately the same as the protruding amount of the stopper 5 from the annular recess 2d when in the natural state. The width of the engaging groove 4b is set to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the wire constituting the stopper 5. The bottom surface of the engagement groove 4b is formed in a semicircular cross section, and the radius of curvature is set to be substantially the same as the radius of the wire rod of the stopper 5. Therefore, when the shielding member 4 is located at the shielding position, the outer peripheral portion protruding outward from the annular recess 2d of the stopper 5 is fitted into the engaging groove 4b. As a result, the shielding member 4 is locked at the shielding position. In addition, the upper and lower side surfaces of the engagement groove 4b are constituted by horizontal surfaces (planes orthogonal to the axes of the joint body 2 and the shielding member 4). Therefore, even if a force directed in the vertical direction acts on the shielding member 4, the stopper 5 is not reduced in diameter by the upper and lower side surfaces of the engagement groove 4b. In addition, as described above, the diameter of the stopper 5 is prevented from being increased by the engagement groove 4b. Therefore, the shielding member 4 cannot be moved from the shielding position in the axial direction of the joint body 2 unless the stopper 5 is reduced in diameter and the outer peripheral portion thereof is escaped from the engaging groove 4b. This prevents the shielding member 4 from being moved from the shielding position due to an accident or mischief. In addition, the bottom surface of the engagement groove 4b may be a straight section instead of a semicircular section, and may be orthogonal to the upper and lower side surfaces of the engagement groove 4b. Of course, even in that case, the depth of the engaging groove 4b is set to be substantially the same as the protruding amount of the stopper 5 from the annular recess 2d when in the natural state.

  A tapered surface 4c is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the annular projecting portion 4a. The tapered surface 4c extends from the lower side surface of the engaging groove 4b to the lower surface of the annular projecting portion 4a, and increases in diameter downward. The inner diameter of the lower end portion of the tapered surface 4 c is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the stopper 5. Therefore, when the shielding member 4 is moved from the exposure position side toward the shielding position to a predetermined position, the tapered surface 4 c abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the stopper 5. When the shielding member 4 is further moved downward in this state, the diameter of the stopper 5 is reduced by the tapered surface 4c. When the shielding member 4 is moved to the shielding position, the engaging groove 4 b faces the stopper 5. Then, the stopper 5 expands in diameter by its own elasticity and returns to the natural state, and the outer peripheral portion of the stopper 5 is fitted into the engaging groove 4b. As a result, the shielding member 4 is fixed to the joint body 2 so as to be rotatable at the shielding position and not movable in the axial direction of the joint body 2.

  A plurality (six in this embodiment) of release grooves 4d are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the annular protrusion 4a. The release groove 4d is used when the engagement between the shielding member 4 and the stopper 5 is released using an engagement release tool 8 described later, and is disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the annular projecting portion 4a. ing. The release groove 4 d extends along the axis of the shielding member 4. One end of the release groove 4 d in the longitudinal direction is open to the upper surface of the shielding member 4. The other end of the release groove 4d crosses the engagement groove 4b and reaches the lower end surface of the annular protrusion 4a. The other end of the release groove 4d may be positioned on the lower end surface of the engagement groove 4b. The depth of the release groove 4d is set deeper than at least the depth of the engagement groove 4b.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, a mark 4 e is formed on the upper surface of the shielding member 4. This mark 4 e extends from the outer peripheral surface of the shielding member 4 to the inner peripheral surface with a predetermined width on the diameter line of the shielding member 4. The mark 4e may be formed in a dot shape having a predetermined size. The mark 4e is formed by applying a paint such as red on the upper surface of the shielding member 4, but may be a shallow recess having a predetermined width or size, or a paint is applied to the recess. It may be a thing. The mark 4e is arranged at the center between two release grooves 4d and 4d adjacent in the circumferential direction.

  Next, the case where the primary side gas pipe G1 and the gas inlet M1 of the gas meter M are connected using the pipe joint 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIGS. 13 to 15, the primary gas pipe G1 is omitted. When connecting the primary side gas pipe G1 and the gas introduction port M1 of the gas meter M, first, the taper male thread portion 2a of the joint body 2 is screwed and fixed to the downstream end portion of the primary side gas pipe G1. Next, the nut 3 is screwed into the gas inlet M1. The nut 3 is rotated by hand at the beginning of screwing into the gas inlet M1, and is rotated by a spanner at the final stage of screwing. At this time, if the shielding member 4 is freely movable downward, the shielding member 4 obstructs the rotation operation of the nut 3. Therefore, it is desirable to use the holding member 7 shown in FIG. 11 when the nut 3 is screwed.

  The holding member 7 includes an interposed portion 7a having a substantially arc shape of 2/3, and a gripping portion 7b that protrudes radially outward from a central portion in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the interposed portion 7a. The inner diameter of the interposition part 7 a is larger than the outer diameter of the large diameter part 2 b, but is set smaller than the outer diameter of the upper end of the nut 3. The distance between both ends of the interposition part 7a is set to be approximately the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the large diameter part 2b so that the large diameter part 2b can pass through between both ends in the radial direction. Therefore, the large-diameter portion 2b can be inserted from between both ends of the interposition portion 7a, and the interposition portion 7a can be placed on the upper surface of the nut 3 after the insertion. The outer diameter of the interposition part 7 a is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the shielding member 4. Therefore, the shielding member 4 can be placed on the interposition part 7a. The gripping portion 7b is formed so that the large-diameter portion 2b is fitted to the interposition portion 7a and protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the shielding member 4 when the shielding member 4 is placed on the interposition portion 7a. ing. Therefore, with the gripping part 7b gripped by hand, after inserting the large diameter part 2b into the interposition part 7a, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the interposition part 7a is placed on the nut 3, Furthermore, the shielding member 4 can be placed on the interposition part 7 a, whereby the shielding member 4 can be held on the upper side of the nut 3.

  When the nut 3 is screwed into the gas inlet M1 and tightened, the annular protrusion 2c of the joint body 2 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the gas inlet M1, and the upper surface of the gas inlet M1 is the lower surface of the joint body 2. Is pressed and contacted through the packing P. As a result, the joint body 2 and the gas inlet M1 are connected in an airtight manner, and the primary gas pipe G1 and the gas inlet M1 are connected in an airtight manner through the joint body 2.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the holding member 7 is extracted from between the nut 3 and the shielding member 4. Then, the shielding member 4 moves downward due to its own weight, and the tapered surface 4c hits the stopper 5 and stops. Therefore, when the shielding member 4 is pushed down with a predetermined force, the stopper 5 is reduced in diameter and the shielding member 4 is moved downward. When the shielding member 4 moves to the shielding position, the stopper 5 returns to its natural state due to its own elasticity, and the outer peripheral portion of the stopper 5 fits into the engaging groove 4b. Thereby, the shielding member 4 is connected to the joint body 2 so as to be rotatable and immovable in the axial direction of the joint body 2.

  According to the pipe joint 1 having the above configuration, since the spanner hooking portion 3a of the nut 3 is shielded by the shielding member 4, the nut 3 is not rotated by an accident or mischief. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the nut 3 is loosened and the joint body 2 is detached from the gas inlet M1. Of course, the shielding member 4 may be rotated. However, since the shielding member 4 is rotatable relative to the joint body 2 and the nut 3, even if the shielding member 4 is rotated, the joint body 2 is thereby rotated. And / or the nut 3 is not rotated. Moreover, since the rotation of the nut 3 is blocked by the shielding member 4 alone, the rotation of the nut 3 can be blocked even when the pipe joint 1 is used alone.

  It may be necessary to replace the gas meter M connected to the primary side and secondary side gas pipes G1, G2. In such a case, the nuts 3 and 3 must be removed from the gas inlet M1 and the gas outlet M2, and the shielding member 4 needs to be moved from the shielding position to the exposure position. When the shielding member 4 is moved from the shielding position to the exposure position, an engagement release tool 8 shown in FIGS. 17 to 19 is used.

  The disengagement tool 8 includes first and second tool constituent members 8A and 8B. The base end portions of the first and second tool constituent members 8A and 8B are connected to each other by a shaft 8C so as to be rotatable. The first and second tool constituent members 8A and 8B are rotatable between at least the fitting position shown in FIG. 17 and the insertion position shown in FIG. When the first and second tool constituent members 8A and 8B are positioned at the fitting positions, a restriction hole 8a is formed at a substantially central portion between the opposing surfaces of the first and second tool constituent members 8A and 8B. A gap 8b is formed between the tips of the second tool constituent members 8A and 8B. The inner diameter of the restriction hole 8 a is set to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 2 b of the joint body 2. The width of the gap 8b is set to be substantially the same as the width of the mark 4e of the shielding member 4. When the first and second tool constituent members 8A and 8B are positioned at the insertion positions, the distance between the tip portions of the first and second tool constituent members 8A and 8B becomes wider than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 2b. Therefore, the large diameter part 2b can be moved in the radial direction and inserted between the first and second tool constituent members 8A and 8B. After the insertion, when the first and second tool constituent members 8A and 8B are rotated to the fitting position, the large-diameter portion 2b is fitted into the restriction hole 8a. Accordingly, the first and second tool constituent members 8A and 8B are immovable in the radial direction with respect to the large diameter portion 2b and are movable in the axial direction.

  Release shaft portions 8c are formed on the lower surfaces of the first and second tool constituent members 8A and 8B, respectively. The number of release shaft portions 8c is the same as the number of release grooves 4d. Each release shaft portion 8c is disposed so as to be in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the restriction hole 8a. Moreover, each release shaft portion 8c puts the engagement release tool 8 in a predetermined position so that the gap 8b is located at the same position in the circumferential direction as the mark 4e in a state where the large diameter portion 2b is fitted in the restriction hole 8a. When rotated, each release groove 4d and the shielding member 4 are arranged so as to face each other in the axial direction. The release shaft portion 8c has substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the release groove 4d. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 21, when the disengagement tool 8 is moved closer to the shielding member 4 in a state where the large diameter portion 2b above the shielding member 4 is fitted into the restriction hole 8a, as shown in FIG. In addition, each release shaft portion 8c is inserted into the release groove 4d from its lower end. An inclined surface 8d that is inclined so as to be separated from the inner peripheral surface of the restriction hole 8a as it goes downward is formed at the lower part of the side surface that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the restriction hole 8a of the release shaft portion 8c. The distance between the lower end edge of the inclined surface 8d and the inner peripheral surface of the restriction hole 8a is set to be larger than the protruding amount of the stopper 5 from the annular recess 2d. Therefore, when the engagement release tool 8 is moved downward and the release shaft portion 8c is inserted into the release groove 4d from the upper end open portion, the inclined surface 8d abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the stopper 5. Therefore, when the disengagement tool 8 is further moved downward until it hits the upper surface of the shielding member 4, the inclined surface 8d of each release shaft portion 8c reduces the diameter of the stopper 5, and the stopper 5 is engaged as shown in FIG. Escape from the mating groove 4b. As a result, the engagement between the shielding member 4 and the stopper 5 is released, and the shielding member 4 can be moved from the shielding position to the exposed position as shown in FIG. After moving the shielding member 4 to the exposed position, the gas meter M can be removed from the primary side gas pipe G1 by loosening the nut 3 and removing it from the joint body 2.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiment, only the configuration different from the above embodiment will be described, and the same components as those in the above embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

  23 to 27 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the pipe joint 1 ′ of this embodiment, an annular recess 4 f is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the annular protrusion 4 a of the shielding member 4. A stopper 5 is attached to the annular recess 4f. In the natural state, the stopper 5 has an outer peripheral portion slightly larger than the center diameter (= (outer diameter + inner diameter) / 2) inserted into the annular recess 4f so as to be able to expand and contract, and an inner peripheral portion slightly larger than half is an annular recess. It protrudes inward from 4f. The stopper 5 can be expanded in diameter until the entire stopper 5 enters the annular recess 4f.

  On the other hand, an engagement groove 2 f is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 2 b of the joint body 2. Of course, the shape and position of the engaging groove 2f are determined so that the inner peripheral portion protruding from the annular recess 4f of the stopper 5 is fitted into the engaging groove 2f when the shielding member 4 is located at the shielding position. ing. Accordingly, when the shielding member 4 is located at the shielding position, the shielding member 4 is locked to the joint body 2 so as to be rotatable and immovable.

  A tapered surface 2g that decreases in diameter upward is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the large diameter portion 2b. When the shielding member 4 is moved from the exposed position to the shielding position to a predetermined position, the tapered surface 2g hits the inner peripheral portion of the stopper 5 and moves the stopper 5 with the movement of the shielding member 4 toward the shielding position. Increase the diameter. When the shielding member 4 is moved to the shielding position, as shown in FIG. 25, the diameter of the stopper 5 is reduced and the inner peripheral portion thereof is fitted into the engaging groove 2f. As a result, the shielding member 4 is locked to the joint body 2 by the stopper 5.

  A release groove 2h is formed in the large diameter portion 2b so that the shielding member 4 locked at the shielding position can be moved to the exposed position side. The release groove 2h extends downward from the upper end surface of the large diameter portion 2b and crosses the engagement groove 2f. When moving the shielding member 4 to the exposed position side, an engagement release tool 8 'shown in FIG. 26 is used. In this engagement release tool 8 ′, the cross-sectional shape of the release shaft portion 8c is formed substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the release groove 2h. An inclined surface 8e that is inclined so as to approach the inner peripheral surface of the restricting hole 8a as it goes downward is formed at the lower end portion of the side surface facing the outside of the release shaft portion 8c. The inclined surface 8e comes into contact with the inner peripheral portion of the stopper 5 when the release shaft portion 8c is inserted into the release groove 2h to a predetermined position. Then, the diameter of the stopper 5 is increased along with the insertion of the release shaft portion 8c, and as shown in FIG. When the disengagement tool 8 'is moved until it comes into contact with the shielding member 4, the outer side surface (the side surface located above the inclined surface 8e) of the release shaft portion 8c hits the stopper 5, and the stopper 5 is moved from the engagement groove 2f. Keep escaped. Therefore, the shielding member 4 can be moved from the shielding position to the exposed position together with the engagement release tool 8 ′. Other configurations are the same as those in the above embodiment.

  28 to 30 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In the pipe joint 1 ″ of this embodiment, a taper female thread part (thread part) 2i is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upper end part (one end part) of the joint main body 2. This taper female thread part 2i is the above-described embodiment. Instead of the tapered male threaded portion 2a, the downstream end of the primary gas pipe is screwed and fixed, and a straight female threaded portion may be formed instead of the tapered female threaded portion 2i.

  A large diameter portion 2 b and an annular recess 2 d are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the joint body 2. The outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 2b is changed with the annular recess 2d as a boundary, and the lower portion of the annular recess 2d (rear portion; hereinafter referred to as the lower large-diameter portion 2j) is the upper portion ( The front portion; hereinafter referred to as the upper large diameter portion 2k)) has a larger diameter. As a result, the depth of the annular recess 2d with respect to the lower large diameter portion 2j is different from the depth of the annular recess 2d with respect to the upper large diameter portion 2k. Of course, the depth of the former is deeper than the depth of the latter. The former depth is set slightly larger than the outer diameter of the wire constituting the stopper 5. The latter depth is set to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the wire constituting the stopper 5. The latter depth may be set slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the wire constituting the stopper 5. In addition, a tapered surface 21 that increases in diameter upward is formed on the side surface of the annular recess 2d located on the upper large diameter portion 2k side.

The inner diameter of the annular recess 2d, the inner and outer diameters of the stopper 5 in the natural state, and the outer diameter of the lower large-diameter portion 2j are determined in association with each other so as to satisfy the following conditions. That is, as shown in FIG. 30, when the stopper 5 is moved in the radial direction to the maximum extent, in this embodiment, one side portion of the stopper 5 in the radial direction hits one side portion of the bottom surface of the annular recess 2d. This is a condition that when the stopper 5 is moved in the radial direction until the inner peripheral portion of the other side portion of the stopper 5 enters the annular recess 2d. Such conditions are as follows when the inner diameter of the annular recess 2d is D1, the inner and outer diameters of the stopper 5 in the natural state are d1 and d2, respectively, and the outer diameter of the lower large-diameter portion 2j is D2. It can be satisfied by determining each diameter to satisfy the two equations.
(D2-D1) / 2> (d1-D1)
(D2-D1) / 2> (d2-d1) / 2

  In this embodiment, the length of the annular protrusion 4a of the shielding member 4 is significantly longer than the annular protrusion 4a of the above embodiment. An engagement groove 4b is disposed at the upper end of the annular protrusion 4a. The bottom surface of the engaging groove 4b is not formed in a semicircular cross section, but is formed in a linear cross section so as to be orthogonal to the upper and lower side surfaces. A tapered surface 4c is disposed at the lower end of the annular protrusion 4a. The tapered surface 4c is spaced downward with respect to the engagement groove 4b. A temporary fixing groove (temporary fixing portion) 4g is formed in an annular shape on the inner peripheral surface of the annular protruding portion 4a between the engagement groove 4b and the tapered surface 4c. 29 and 30, the temporary fixing groove 4g is disposed so as to face the stopper 5 when the shielding member 4 is located at the exposed position. In this embodiment, when the shielding member 4 is located at the exposed position, the exposed position is determined such that the entire shielding member 4 is separated upward from the nut 3.

  The inner diameter of the temporary fixing groove 4g is determined such that the outer peripheral surface of the temporary fixing groove 4g is in contact with the bottom surface of the temporary fixing groove 4g over the entire circumference with the stopper 5 slightly reduced in diameter. 5 is shallower than the radius of the wire constituting 5. Thus, when the shielding member 4 is moved in the vertical direction from the exposed position, the upper side surface or the lower side surface of the temporary fixing groove 4g is outside the center of the wire constituting the stopper 5. At the end of the stopper 5. Therefore, when a force of a predetermined magnitude or more is applied to the shielding member 4 upward or downward, the shielding member 4 moves upward or downward while reducing the diameter of the stopper 5 against its own elastic force. In other words, the temporary fixing groove 4g engages with the stopper 5 to prevent the shielding member 4 from moving from the exposed position with a predetermined amount of force. In this embodiment, since the tapered surface 4h having a small diameter upward is formed on the upper side surface of the temporary fixing groove 4g in this embodiment, the shielding member 4 is shielded from the exposed position as shown in FIG. The force for preventing the downward movement toward the upper side is weaker than the force for preventing the upward movement. However, the taper angle of the tapered surface 4h is set so that the shielding member 4 can be prevented from moving downward from the exposed position by its own weight.

  When the primary side gas pipe G1 and the gas inlet M1 are connected using the pipe joint 1 ″ having the above-described configuration, the shielding member 4 is first extrapolated from the upper end of the joint body 2. The shielding member 4 is the joint body. When the taper 4c is extrapolated downward to a predetermined position with respect to 2, the tapered surface 4c abuts against the stopper 5. Here, as shown in FIG. It is assumed that the other side portion of the stopper 5 protrudes outward from the other side portion of the annular recess 2d when it abuts against the side portion. The stopper 5 does not hit the entire circumference at the same time, but only hits the other side of the stopper 5. Then, the other side of the stopper 5 hits the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 2b below the annular recess 2d. Can no longer shrink, and as a result蔽部 member 4 toward the exposing position side can no longer be moved downward.

  In this respect, in the pipe joint 1 ″ of this embodiment, when the stopper 5 is in a natural state, at least the inner circumferential side of the stopper 5 is attached to the annular recess 2d in any form. A part of the groove penetrates into the annular recess 2d, so that when the tapered surface 4c hits the stopper 5, the stopper 5 is necessarily reduced in diameter and is entirely accommodated in the annular recess 2d. It can be reliably moved to the position.

  Thereafter, the downstream end of the primary gas pipe G1 is screwed and fixed to the taper female thread 2i of the joint body 2. Next, the nut 3 is screwed into the gas inlet M1 and tightened. At this time, since the shielding member 4 is located at the exposed position, the nut 3 can be easily tightened. Moreover, since the shielding member 4 can be positioned at the exposed position without using the holding member 7, the operation is easy. When the tightening of the nut 3 is completed, the shielding member 4 is moved from the exposure position to the shielding position. Thereby, the connection between the primary side gas pipe G1 and the gas inlet M1 is completed.

  When the gas introduction port M1 is removed from the primary side gas pipe G1, the disengagement tool 8 ″ is used as shown in FIG. 32. As shown in FIG. 33, the disengagement tool 8 ″ has a release shaft. A relief surface 8f and a contact surface 8g are formed on the inner surface of the portion 8c. The flank 8f is disposed on the upper side of the inclined surface 8d so as to intersect with the upper end portion thereof, and when the distal end surface (lower end surface in FIG. 32) of the release shaft portion 8c hits the lower end surface of the release groove 4d. The lower end of the annular recess 2d and the lower large-diameter portion 2j are opposed to each other. The diameter of a circle formed by each flank 8f of all the release shaft portions 8c (a circle in contact with all the flank 8f) is set to be equal to or greater than that of the lower large-diameter portion 2j. On the other hand, the contact surface 8g extends from the upper end of the inner surface of the release shaft portion 8c to the relief surface 8f, and when the tip end surface of the release shaft portion 8c hits the lower end surface of the release groove 4d, the upper end of the annular recess 2d. It arrange | positions so that a part and the upper large diameter part 2k may be opposed. The diameter of the circle in contact with each contact surface 8g of all the release shaft portions 8c is equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the upper large diameter portion 2k, but is equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the lower large diameter portion 2j. ing. Other configurations are the same as those of the disengagement tool 8.

  When the stopper 5 is removed from the engaging groove 4b using the disengaging tool 8 ″ and the shielding member 4 is moved from the shielding position to the exposed position, the disengaging tool 8 ″ is released as shown in FIG. The shaft portion 8c is inserted into the release groove 4d. Then, the diameter of the stopper 5 is sequentially reduced by the inclined surface 8d, the flank 8f, and the contact surface 8g. Since the diameter of the circle formed by the contact surface 8g is set to be equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the lower large diameter portion 2j, the stopper 5 is reduced in diameter until it becomes equal to or smaller than the lower large diameter portion 2j. Is done. Therefore, the shielding member 4 can be smoothly moved from the shielding position to the exposure position.

In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary, it can change suitably.
For example, in the pipe joint of the above embodiment, the nut 3 having the female threaded portion 3b is provided at the lower end (the other end) of the joint main body 2, but the female threaded portion of the nut 3 is provided at the lower end of the joint main body 2. You may form the external thread part replaced with 3b. In that case, a spanner hooking portion is formed at the outer peripheral portion of the joint main body 2 other than the male screw portion and the tapered male screw portion 2 a formed at one end of the joint main body 2, that is, at the intermediate portion of the outer peripheral portion of the joint main body 2.
Also in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 28 to 30, the stopper 5 may be provided on the shielding member 4 as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 23 to 27. In that case, a temporary fixing groove (temporary fixing portion) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the joint body 2.
Further, in place of the temporary fixing groove, when the shielding member 4 is located at the exposed position, the stopper 5 is engaged, whereby the shielding member 4 moves from the exposed position to the shielding position side with a predetermined size. You may provide the protrusion part (temporary stop part) blocked | prevented with force.

It is a front view showing a 1st embodiment of a pipe joint concerning this invention. It is a top view of the embodiment. It is sectional drawing which follows the XX line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the YY line of FIG. It is a front view which shows the same embodiment in the state which removed the shielding member. It is a front view which shows the same embodiment in the state which removed the shielding member and the stopper. It is a top view which shows the shielding member used in the embodiment. It is sectional drawing which follows the XX line of FIG. It is a bottom view of the shielding member. It is a top view which shows the stopper used in the embodiment. FIG. 11A is a plan view of FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B is a side view of the holding member for holding the shielding member in a state where the nut is exposed in the embodiment. is there. It is a front view which shows the state which connected the primary side and the secondary side gas pipe, and the gas inlet and gas outlet of a gas meter, respectively, using the pipe joint of the embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state before the nut of the embodiment is screwed together by the gas inlet of a gas meter. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state after the nut of the embodiment was screwed together by the gas inlet of a gas meter. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state by which the holding member was removed from between the nut and the shielding member after the nut of the embodiment is screwed together. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state by which the shielding member of the embodiment was moved to the shielding position. In the embodiment, it is a top view which shows the disengagement tool used when releasing engagement with a shielding member and a coupling main body. FIG. 18 is a view taken in the direction of arrow X in FIG. It is a top view which shows the same engagement cancellation | release tool in the state which made the 1st, 2nd tool structural member located in the penetration position. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which made the same engagement release tool fit to the large diameter part of a coupling main body. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which released the engagement with a shielding member and a coupling main body with the same engagement cancellation tool. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which moved the shielding member by which engagement with the coupling main body was released to the exposure position. It is a front view which shows 2nd Embodiment of the pipe joint which concerns on this invention. It is a top view of the embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the same embodiment. It is a figure similar to FIG. 18 which shows the disengagement member used in the embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which cancelled | released engagement with a shielding member and a coupling main body using the same engagement releasing member. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows 3rd Embodiment of the pipe joint which concerns on this invention in the state which screwed and fixed the nut to the gas inlet. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the same embodiment in the state which temporarily fixed the shielding member to the exposure position. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the same embodiment in the state which contact | abutted the taper surface of the shielding member to the stopper. FIG. 31 is a vertical cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 30 illustrating a problem when a predetermined condition is not satisfied in the same embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which released the engagement with the shielding member of the embodiment, and a coupling main body using the engagement cancellation member. It is an enlarged view of the principal part of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pipe Fitting 1 'Pipe Fitting 1 "Pipe Fitting 2 Fitting Body 2a Taper Male Thread (Threaded)
2d annular recess 2f engagement groove 2g release groove 2i taper female thread (thread)
2j Lower large diameter part (rear part)
2k Upper large diameter part (front part)
3 Nut 3a Spanner hanging part (tool hanging part)
4 shielding member 4b engagement groove 4d release groove 4f annular recess 4g temporary fixing groove (temporary fixing part)
5 Stopper 8 Disengagement tool 8 ′ Disengagement tool 8 ″ Disengagement tool 8A First tool component 8B Second tool component 8a Restriction hole 8c Release shaft

Claims (7)

In a pipe joint provided with a cylindrical joint body formed with a threaded portion at least at one end, and provided with a tool hook portion having a flat surface on the outer periphery of the joint body,
On the outer periphery of the joint body, a shielding member having a cylindrical shape is rotatable so as to be able to rotate with respect to the tool hanging portion, and a shielding position that shields the tool hanging portion and the tool hanging portion are provided. Between the exposed position exposed to the outside, it is fitted so as to be movable in the axial direction of the joint main body, and either one of the outer peripheral surface of the joint main body and the inner peripheral surface of the shielding member is substantially C-shaped. A stopper having a shape that can be expanded and contracted is provided so that it cannot move in the one axial direction and can be expanded and contracted, and the other is engaged with the stopper, thereby locking the shielding member at the shielding position. And a plurality of release grooves extending in the other axial direction, having one end opened in the other axial direction, and the other end intersecting the engagement groove. Pipe fittings. The pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein a nut is rotatably provided on an outer periphery of the other end of the joint body, and the tool hook is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the nut. The one side is formed with an annular recess that accommodates a stopper in a natural state that is not expanded and contracted in a non-movable manner in the one axial direction, and that can accommodate the entire stopper that has a reduced diameter. The relationship between the inner diameter of the stopper and the one outer diameter adjacent to the front side in the direction from the exposed position to the shielding position with respect to the annular recess is one side portion in the radial direction of the stopper in the natural state. When the stopper is moved in the radial direction of the annular recess until it hits one side of the annular recess, the other side of the stopper is set to be located in the other side of the annular recess. The pipe joint according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above-mentioned. The depth of the annular recess with reference to the one front portion located on the front side in the direction from the shielding position to the exposed position of the shielding member with respect to the annular recess is the depth of the annular recess with respect to the annular recess. The diameters of the front part and the rear part are smaller than the depth of the annular recess with respect to the one rear part located on the rear side in the direction from the shielding position to the exposed position of the shielding member. The pipe joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pipe joint is defined. On the other side, when the shielding member is located at the exposed position, the shield member is detachably engaged with the stopper so that the shielding member moves from the exposed position to the shielding position side with a predetermined size. The pipe joint according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a temporary fixing portion that is blocked by force is provided. An engagement release tool for releasing the engagement state of the stopper with respect to the engagement groove by reducing or expanding the diameter of the stopper of the pipe joint according to claim 1,
The first and second tool constituent members include first and second tool constituent members that are rotatably connected to each other such that the one end portions approach and separate from each other, and the first and second tool constituent members are disposed between the one end portions. The joint main body is fitted between the insertion position where the joint main body can pass through in the radial direction and the opposing surfaces of the first and second tool constituent members so as to be movable in the axial direction and immovable in the radial direction. The first and second tool components can be rotated between the fitting positions where the restriction holes are formed, and the first and second tool components located at the fitting positions are the above-described first and second tool components. When moved closer to the shielding member, the stoppers are inserted into the plurality of release grooves from the opened ends, respectively, and the stoppers are contracted or expanded to bring the stoppers into engagement with the engaging grooves. That a release shaft is provided Disengagement tool to be a butterfly. A pipe joint device comprising the pipe joint according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and the disengagement tool according to claim 6.

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