JP4227159B2 - Foldable frame structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a foldable frame structure suitable for canopy structures used in event venues, earthquake shelter evacuation shelters, camp tents, and the like.

In recent large-scale earthquakes, there is a limit to the number of refugees that can be accommodated sufficiently at public facilities, which are evacuation sites immediately after the earthquake. Therefore, an outdoor tent becomes an emergency simple living space. In the past major earthquakes, it is known that many citizens who lost their homes were forced to live in tents for a long time (nearly a month) until a simple house was installed.

Many of the tents used at this time are large camping tents, but the interior space is narrow to live in the tent, which hinders the average family to live. In some cases, the inconvenience of movement in a narrow space can cause stress and harm the mind and body.

Some large camping tents have a relatively high ceiling height in order to maintain comfort. The frame has a structure that can be quickly expanded and folded in addition to maintaining flexibility and rigidity in harmony with the tension of the tent cloth (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Some larger tents are mainly known as event tents. This kind of tent can be rapidly expanded and folded by a bellows type skeleton, and a wide internal space can be formed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

What is required of evacuation tents for disasters as well as earthquakes is that it is possible to secure a comfortable space on the premise of living in the tent. Second, it is a structure with excellent rigidity to ensure safety over a long period of time. And thirdly, it is easy to expand and fold in order to respond quickly to emergency situations.

Considering the large camping tents and event tents mentioned above, both have the ability to easily and quickly expand and fold their structures, but they are inferior in terms of rigidity for long-term installation. Yes. Many of the former tents are weak in a structure with only a skeleton, and the structure is held by the tension of the tent cloth. In the latter case, the place where the bellows type or scissor system is structurally rigid has rigidity, but the upright column is open because it is an event tent, and is particularly vulnerable to crosswinds. is there.

As a so-called problem, the structure of a conventional large tent is different in its original purpose, and is difficult to apply and substitute for a disaster evacuation tent, and has a limit.

Evacuation tents are required to have a relatively large scale and a structure that can withstand long-term installation. For this purpose, the framework structure needs to have rigidity that does not depend on the tension of the tent cloth. In addition, it is required to install quickly in response to a disaster situation, so that it is easy to deploy the framework, and it is necessary to have the convenience of being compactly folded and transported and stored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a framework structure suitable for a canopy structure that can secure a relatively wide space so that a comfortable life can be provided for a long-term installation and is excellent in rigidity. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a framework structure suitable for a canopy structure that can be easily deployed and folded, can be folded compactly, and can be quickly installed and transported.
JP-A-11-44131 Patent No. 2597670

Means to solve the problem

In order to achieve the object having the above structural rigidity, the structure of the present invention has a dome-shaped polyhedral structure composed of a plurality of rhombus lattices as a basic structure. The rhomboid lattice is first composed of n (n ≧ 3) with the vertex of the structure as the center, and the first rhomboid lattice is formed by connecting the vertices around the vertex while sharing the vertices and the upper lattice frame. Arrange. A second-stage rhombus lattice that is shared and connected to the lower lattice frame of the lattice is disposed below the first-stage lattice series, thereby forming a stable structure.

According to the present invention, the lattice structure having the basic structure is formed as a support member, the contact points of the lattice frames are formed as connection portions thereof, and the connectors are driven by the connection portions. It is a foldable frame structure that can be quickly converged and deployed.

Hereinafter, the support members in the framework structure are referred to as the upper support member E, the intermediate support member F, and the lower support member G in order from the apex to the installation surface, and the connector located at the apex is referred to as the first connector A, and the upper support member E and A connector that connects the intermediate support member F is referred to as a second connector B, a connector that connects the intermediate support member F and the lower support member G is referred to as a third connector C, and a connector that connects adjacent lower support members G, which are the lowermost parts. Is referred to as a fourth connector D.

The first connector A has a drive element that allows the upper support member E to be driven vertically in the vertical direction. Under the first connector A, an opening / closing tool 2 is provided, and the opening / closing tool includes an arm 3 connected to the support member E via a driving element.

The second connector B that connects the upper support member E and the intermediate support member F includes an element 7 that the intermediate support member F connected to the lower side drives to the right and left about the right-angle axis H in the inner and outer directions of the upper support member E, The intermediate support member F includes an element 8 that is driven back and forth around a right angle axis I in the left-right direction of the support member F.

The third connector C connecting the intermediate support member F and the lower support member G includes an element 11 that the intermediate support member F drives right and left about a right-and-left axis H in the inner and outer directions of the intermediate support member F, and the intermediate support The member F includes an element 12 that drives back and forth about the right-and-left axis of the intermediate support member, and the lower support member G drives left and right about the right-and-left axis H of the lower support member G. An element 13 is provided, and two sets of intermediate support members F and a lower support member G that are connected adjacently to the left and right of the third connector C are provided with an element 14 that drives left and right about the longitudinal axis J of the connector C. ing.

Further, the fourth connector D that connects the lower support member G to another adjacent lower support member G is an element 16 that the lower support member G drives to the left and right around a right-angle axis H in the inner and outer directions of the support member G. And both lower support members G positioned on the left and right sides of the connector D are provided with elements 17 that are driven to the left and right about a longitudinal axis J passing through the center of the connector D. As a result, the framework structure can be quickly folded and unfolded.

Depending on the intended final canopy structure, the present frame structure is appropriately connected to the element 9 for controlling the driving of the intermediate support member F connected to the connector in the second connector B and the connector in the third connector C. At least one drive control element among the three elements of the element 15 for controlling the drive of the lower support member G and the element for controlling the drive of the lower support member G connected to the connector in the fourth connector D Is provided in the corresponding connector. Thereby, the rigidity of the present structure can be further increased.

Depending on the intended final canopy structure, the present frame structure is appropriately composed of a connecting element 21 made of wire connecting adjacent connectors of the same kind and a wire connecting adjacent support members of the same kind in a horizontal position. And a connecting element 22. Thereby, the rigidity of the present structure can be further increased.

The invention's effect

The basic structure of the structure of the present invention is a stable structure because it is formed with a rhombus lattice as a unit and forms a dome shape. By tensioning the canopy fabric, film tension is applied to the framework, and the final canopy structure has strength, but if the diagonal line corresponding to the horizontal position of each lattice is used as a tension material, a triangular lattice will be formed and structurally Increased rigidity.

Since it has sufficient rigidity to be used as a large structure, it can be used as a canopy structure for various events and exhibition halls in addition to disaster evacuation tents. Moreover, you may use as a framework of a large-sized camping tent.

Since the structure of the present invention can be easily unfolded and folded, it can be compactly transported and installed in a stricken area that must be handled quickly.

As a further effect, the structure of the present invention is configured by connecting the unit members so as to go around the vertex. Therefore, even if the number of units increases, manufacturing can be performed with a single member, and manufacturing cost can be suppressed even if the scale is increased.

First, the basic structure of the framework structure of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The structure of the present invention has a basic structure in the form of a dome configured with a rhombus lattice as a unit. FIG. 1 shows an example of a basic form suitable for the frame structure. The upper figure is a front view thereof, and the lower figure is a plan view thereof.

Describing with reference to this preferred example, the rhombus lattice is connected in a circle by sharing the upper lattice frame radially with the vertex of the structure as the center, and becomes n (n ≧ 3) (n Is a natural number). Further, a second stage rhombus lattice shared with the lower frame is arranged around the lattice series in the lower frame of the grid series to form a second stage grid series. Thereby, a dome-like form is formed. In the drawing, the type is composed of six rhombuses with the apex at the center.

In the present invention, the rhombus lattice frame is used as a support member, and a foldable frame structure is formed by using a contactable connector as a contact.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the folding principle of the structure, and the unit of the basic structure is extracted and the folding process is shown. The framework shown in this figure is a unit consisting of a total of six units, two upper support members E, two intermediate support members F, and two lower support members G in the order from the top to the bottom of the structure. The upper supporting material E, the first connector A, the second connector B, and the third connector D are shared and connected to the other adjacent units.

FIG. 2A shows a form at the maximum deployment, and the apex connecting portion has a first connector A to which a plurality of upper support members E are connected and which drives the support members E in the vertical direction. ing.

An opening / closing tool for manually operating the drive of the upper support member E from below is provided at the lower part of the connector A in the vertical direction. The opening / closing tool is provided with an arm that is connected and driven in a vertical direction via a pivot pin as a driving element at one position from the base end portion to the intermediate portion of each upper support member E, and the upper support member is provided via this arm. Drive.

A connecting portion between the upper support member E and the intermediate support member F has a second connector B that can drive the two intermediate support members F. The connecting portion between the intermediate support member F and the lower support member G has two intermediate support members F above and a third connector C below which can drive the two lower support members G. ing. Furthermore, the connection part of the said lower support member G and the lower support member of another unit has the 4th connector D which can drive mutually.

In addition, in application to the final canopy structure, in order to appropriately increase the rigidity of the structure at the time of maximum deployment of the framework structure, an element that is driven and controlled to at least one of the second connector, the third connector, and the fourth connector It is preferable to provide.

The folding method of the structure will be described. First, the upper support member E is lowered vertically through the arm by the opening / closing tool located at the lower part of the connector A, and the intermediate support member F is based on the second connector B. Folds inward and changes to the form shown in FIG.

The arrows shown in the figure indicate the movement. Further, when the lower support member G is moved toward the center from the outside, the adjacent support members are linked inward and finally become parallel to the central axis 1 as shown in FIG. It can be folded.

On the contrary, the lower support G is expanded outward to the outer peripheral position of the maximum plane area in parallel with the central axis 1 and the upper support member E is raised through the open / close tool while lifting the open / close tool upward. Then, the intermediate support members are also raised in conjunction with each other, and the respective support members are held at the positions at the maximum deployment.

Next, the best mode based on the example of the basic structure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a preferred embodiment for specifically explaining the present invention, and is a skeleton structure 100 having a connector that can be manufactured relatively inexpensively. The framework shown in the figure shows one unit extracted from the entire structure.

The first connector A1 located at the apex includes an opening / closing tool 2 for driving the upper support member E1 in the vertical direction below the first connector A1. The opening / closing tool 2 includes an arm 3 that can be driven in a vertical direction and is connected to one place from a base end portion to an intermediate portion of the support member E1 via a pivot joint as a drive element. In this embodiment, an opening / closing tool used for an umbrella opened with one touch is used. At the time of folding, the auxiliary rod 4 is screwed and connected to the support column of the opening / closing tool, and smoothly promotes the lowering of the opening / closing tool. During deployment, the frame is easily deployed with the help of manual and built-in springs. And just after expansion | deployment, the said auxiliary rod should just be removed.

When the final canopy structure is made of a relatively small and light material, the opening / closing tool may not have a spring-type one-touch structure, and in that case, may have a structure similar to an umbrella.

The strut members and connectors are preferably lightweight and robust materials, and aluminum materials, reinforced plastics, reinforced fiber materials, and the like are used. The connector shown in this embodiment is provided with a drive element by a hinge hinge / pivot joint and has a plate shape.

Hereinafter, each connector is shown in an enlarged view, and the details thereof will be specifically described. At the same time, the details of the drive elements will be more clearly understood by showing examples of other different forms of support members and connectors.

FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of the first connector A1. The connector A1 includes an element that drives the upper support member E1 in the vertical direction. The flange 5a and a pin penetrating into the base end portion of the support member through the flange 5a serve as a driving element.

When a pipe-shaped material is selected instead of the cross-sectional shape of the support member, the end of the support member E2 may be attached with a pivot joint 6b as shown in FIG. 4B.

If the enlarged view of 2nd connector B1 is shown by Fig.5 (a), this connector is provided with two types of drive elements. The first one is an element 7a for driving the intermediate support member F1 to the left and right around the right-angle axis H in the inner and outer directions of the upper support member E1. The second is an element 8a that the intermediate support member F1 drives back and forth around the right-angled axis 1 in the left-right direction of the intermediate support member F1.

Further, if the drive control element 9a is attached to the drive element 8a, the structure is more rigid against external pressure and its own weight when the structure is fully deployed. In particular, if the scale of the final canopy structure is relatively large and the frame structure takes more weight than necessary, it is preferable to attach the first drive control element 9a.

When selecting a pipe-shaped material instead of a rectangular cross-sectional shape of the support member, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the connection portion may be a connector formed by casting made of a lightweight material such as aluminum or reinforced plastic. preferable. As a result, the first drive element 7b can have a thicker drive shaft, the pivot pin of the pivot joint, which is the second drive element 8a, is long, and the joint portion has a thickness. Can be increased over the former example. At this time, the drive control element 9b may be attached outside the connector, but it is safe if it is built in the drive element 8b.

Next, an enlarged view of the third connector C1 is shown in FIG. When the structure is fully deployed, the butterfly plate-like drive element 14a in the third connector C1 is in a completely closed state. In the drawing, the connector C1 is slightly moved to the left and right to explain the details of the drive element. In the open position.

The connector C1 includes a total of four types of drive elements, two types at the top, one at the bottom, and one at the middle. The first driving element at the top is an element 11a that drives the intermediate support member F1 to the left and right about the right-and-left axis H in the inner and outer directions of the intermediate support member F1. The second element 12a is an element 12a that drives the intermediate support member F1 back and forth around a right-and-left axis I in the left-right direction of the intermediate support member F1.

In the lower part of the connector C1, an element 13a for driving the lower support member G1 to the left and right is provided around a right angle axis H in the inner and outer directions of the lower support member G1.

In the folding structure, the pair of left and right upper support members F and lower support members G that are drivingly connected to the third connector C is folded and converged while opening left and right relative to each other. For this reason, the connector C1 includes two sets of intermediate support members F1 and elements 14a that are driven to the left and right at the middle portion thereof, centered on the longitudinal axis J of the connector.

In addition, when the drive element 14a is long in the vertical direction and the hinge form of the butterfly plate type is selected as shown in the embodiment, depending on the unbalanced stress from the intermediate support member F and the lower support member G, the connector C1 The stability of the structure may be impaired by tilting the vertical position. Therefore, in order to control the drive of the lower support member G1 at the position when the structure is fully deployed, the drive element 13a may be provided with the drive control element 15a. However, if the drive element 14a is relatively short in the longitudinal direction and the drive shaft is thick, the third connector does not incline from side to side with respect to stress from the outside, and the drive control element 13a is not necessarily required. I do not.

When a pipe-shaped material is selected instead of a rectangular cross-sectional shape of the support member, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the connection portion may be a connector formed by casting made of a lightweight material such as aluminum or reinforced plastic. preferable. Accordingly, the drive shaft of each drive element can be made thicker, the joint portion can be thicker, and the strength of the connector can be increased than in the former example.

Finally, if an enlarged view of the fourth connector D1 is shown in FIG. 7A, the connector D1 includes two types of drive elements. The first one is an element 16a in which the lower support member G1 connected to the left and right of the connection portion D is driven to the left and right around the perpendicular axis H in the inner and outer directions of the support member G1. The second is an element 17a in which two adjacent drive elements 16a are connected to each other, and the lower support member G1 drives left and right around the longitudinal axis.

If it is desired that the lower support member G1 be more smoothly installed at the position of maximum deployment during the deployment process of the structure 100, the lower support member G1 is attached to the connector D1 at the maximum deployment of the structure. It may be provided with drive control elements 18a and 19a which can be fixed at the position in time.

When the structure is applied to the final structure and installed on the ground, the lower support member G1 is provided with a connecting element 20a having a ring shape or a through-hole at the lower end of the lower support member G1, What is necessary is just to connect a rope to the ring or hole previously struck into the ground near the fourth connector and fix it.

When a pipe-like material is selected instead of a rectangular cross-sectional shape of the support member, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the connection portion may be a connector formed by casting made of a lightweight material such as aluminum or reinforced plastic. preferable. Accordingly, the drive shaft of each drive element can be made thicker, the joint portion has a thickness, and the strength of the connector can be increased as compared with the previous example. In addition, safety can be ensured if the drive control element is incorporated not inside the drive element but inside.

As mentioned above, although each connector of this structure was described, the whole structure is shown next and the folding and expansion | deployment are demonstrated. FIG. 8 shows the maximum deployment of the structure 100 having the connector of the above embodiment. Lateral pressure is applied to the dome-shaped structure by its own weight or external pressure. When the scale of the final canopy structure is large and the structure is relatively heavy, the pressure is mainly applied to the third connector. For this reason, each drive element of this connector is preferably designed to be robust.

Also, if the connectors adjacent to each other in the horizontal position or the adjacent support members are connected to each other by connecting elements 21a and 22b made of a wire rod such as a wire and rope, the connecting elements connect the two support members and the triangular lattice. It becomes a tension member to be formed, and the rigidity of the structure is further increased.

The folding procedure has an internal operation first and then complete folding by an external operation. Referring also to FIG. 3, first, the auxiliary rod 4 is attached to the opening / closing tool 2, and when the opening / closing tool 2 is unfastened, the upper support member E <b> 1 descends vertically through the arm 3, and in conjunction therewith. The upper end portion of the intermediate support member F1 that is drivingly connected to the second connector B1 is driven down.

FIG. 9 shows an intermediate process in which the upper part of the framework structure 100 is lowered and folded. When the upper frame descends, the operator who operates inside may just go outside between the adjacent support members. However, when the opening / closing tool 2 selects the one-touch type with a built-in spring, if the force of the spring and the weight of the upper part of the structure are adjusted appropriately, the upper frame and canopy will slowly descend when folded, Just go outside.

In the next external operation, each lower support member G1 is gradually and uniformly moved inward from the outer side. In conjunction with this, the inner support member is also folded. If the scale of the structure is relatively large and heavy, it is preferable to extend the lower end of the upper support member E1 and attach the pulley 10a to the end as shown in FIG. Thereby, the resistance between the support member and the installation surface is reduced, and the folding can be performed more smoothly. However, this is not necessarily limited.

FIG. 10 shows a completely folded state. Each support member is located substantially parallel to the central axis 1 and converges. The expansion procedure may be performed in the reverse procedure described here.

Then, the example of application to the final canopy structure of this folding type frame structure is shown. FIG. 11 shows a canopy structure 200 using a frame structure of the type composed of six rhombuses centered on the apex shown above, and can accommodate a family with a radius of 4 m to 5 m and a ceiling height of 2.3 m. It is a large-scale tent, and is most suitable for evacuation tents at the time of disaster.

The canopy cloth 224 is covered on the outside of the frame, but may be hung on the inside via each frame. In addition, a connecting element that connects adjacent connectors in the framework may not be applied to the connector, and instead, a tension member (such as a rope) may be charged at the same position on the canopy cloth 224 side.

If the final canopy structure is lightweight and may fall over due to external pressure due to strong winds or the like, it can be tied to a pile 226 that is driven into the installation surface through a connecting element 20 applied to the lower end of the lower support member G. Good (see FIG. 7). In places where it is difficult to stake the installation surface such as a parking lot, a weight may be placed directly on each fourth connector and fixed.

As shown in the figure, the entrance of the tent is provided in one of the second-stage rhomboid lattices in the basic structure, and is driven through a pivot pin at the lower end of the upper support member E1 in consideration of rain protection. An auxiliary arm 225 may be provided and a canopy cloth may be hung thereon.

Next, a small canopy structure is shown in FIG. 12 as an application example. The canopy structure 300 uses a framework structure of a type that is composed of five rhombuses with the apex at the center. The upper part of the figure shows the elevation and the lower part shows the plan view. This scale is suitable for camping tents.

Finally, an example of application to a large-scale final canopy structure is shown in FIG. The upper part of the figure shows the elevation and the lower part shows the plan view. This embodiment is a canopy structure 400 using a frame structure of a type composed of eight rhombuses with the apex at the center. Mainly suitable for entertainment venues / exhibition halls, etc. The entrances and openings at that time are easy to use by providing them in the lower triangular lattice frame in the basic structure.

It is a concept (front and plane) figure of the frame structure according to the Example of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the principle of expansion | deployment and folding of a frame unit. It is a perspective view of a framework unit. It is a perspective view explaining a 1st connector. It is a perspective view explaining a 2nd connector. It is a perspective view explaining a 3rd connector. It is a perspective view explaining a 4th connector. It is a perspective view which shows the time of expansion | deployment of a frame structure. It is a perspective view which shows the folding middle progress of a frame structure. It is a perspective view which shows the state which folded the frame structure completely. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment. It is the front and top view which show the Example by a comparatively small-sized structure. It is the front and top view which show the Example by a comparatively large-scale structure.

Explanation of symbols

A ... 1st connection part, 1st connector B ... 2nd connection part, 2nd connector C ... 3rd connection part, 3rd connector D ... 4th connection part, 4th connector E.・ ・ Upper support material F ・ ・ ・ Intermediate support material G ・ ・ ・ Lower support material H ・ ・ ・ Internal and external right angle axis I ・ ・ ・ Left and right angle axis J ・ ・ ・ Vertical axis

Claims (4)

Centering on the apexes, n (n ≧ 3) rhombus lattices connect each other around the apexes while sharing the apex and the upper lattice frame, thereby arranging the first rhombus lattice series. A dome-shaped polyhedron structure composed of a plurality of rhombus lattices, in which a second-stage rhombus lattice train is arranged by jointly connecting with a lower lattice frame of the lattice below the lattice train, Folding frame structure characterized by having a basic structure, a lattice frame as a support member, a contact point of each lattice frame as a connection portion, and a connector that can drive each connection portion. . The first connector A in the structure includes a driving element in which the upper support member E is vertically driven in the vertical direction, and has an opening / closing tool 2 below the first connector A. The second connector B connecting the upper support member and the intermediate support member F is provided with an arm 3 connected to the upper support member E via a drive element, and the intermediate support member F connected downward is connected to the upper support member E. An element 7 for driving the member E to the right and left about the right-and-left axis H in the inner and outer directions, and an element 8 for driving the intermediate support member F back and forth about the right-and-left axis I for the supporting member. The third connector C that connects the intermediate support member F and the lower support member G includes an element 11 that the intermediate support member F drives right and left about a right-angle axis H in the inner and outer directions of the intermediate support member, and the intermediate support member F is a right angle in the left-right direction of the intermediate support member An element 12 that drives back and forth around I, an element 13 that the lower support member G drives right and left about the right-and-left axis H in the inner and outer directions of the lower support member, and the left and right of the third connector C are adjacent to each other. Two sets of intermediate support members F and a lower support member G to be connected are provided with an element 14 that drives left and right about the longitudinal axis J of the connector, and other lower support members G adjacent to the lower support member G The fourth connector D is connected to the element 16 in which the lower support member is driven to the left and right about the right-and-left axis H in the inner and outer directions of the support member, and both lower support members G located on the left and right of the connector D are connected to the connector D. The folding frame structure according to claim 1, further comprising: an element 17 that drives left and right about a longitudinal axis J that passes through the center of the frame. An element 9 for controlling driving of the intermediate support member F connected to the connector in the second connector B; an element 15 for controlling driving of the lower support member G connected to the connector of the third connector C; Among the three elements of the four connectors D, the element 18 that controls the driving of the lower support member G connected to the connector, at least one drive control element is provided in the corresponding connector. The folding frame structure according to claim 2, wherein rigidity is further increased. A structure having a connecting element 21 made of a wire connecting adjacent connectors of the same type and a connecting element 22 made of a wire connecting adjacent supporting members of the same kind in a horizontal position at appropriate positions. The folding frame structure according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the rigidity of the folding frame structure is further increased.

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