JP5132992B2 - Pipe fitting - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pipe joint composed of a plug and a socket, and more particularly to a pipe joint provided with means for confirming that the plug and the socket are securely coupled.

A water pipe buried in the ground is drawn into a general household, and various devices such as a sink, a basin or a water purifier are connected to the water pipe.
The connection between the water pipe and various devices usually employs a screw coupling means for threading the pipes and connecting the threaded pipes with a coupling or the like. When such a screw coupling means is used, it is possible to perform coupling with little occurrence of water leakage even when pressure is applied to the water supply from the water pipe. However, since this coupling means is threaded into the pipe and coupled by coupling, there is a problem that the work is troublesome and requires skill, and once coupled, it cannot be easily removed.

  As another coupling means, there is a pipe joint that can be coupled with one touch using a plug and a socket. This type of pipe joint includes, for example, a cylindrical socket in which a lock ball is loosely fitted and held in a tapered hole, and a cylindrical plug provided with an annular groove into which the lock ball escapes. A pipe joint in which a cylindrical plug is locked with a lock ball by inserting the cylindrical plug is known (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2 below).

FIG. 11 shows a lock mechanism for a pipe joint disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, FIG. 11 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the main part at the time of coupling, and FIG. 11 (b) is an explanatory view for explaining the action at the time of lock. is there.
This pipe joint 200 includes a coupling ring 201 that can freely rotate and move in the longitudinal direction via a ring spring 204 on a joint body 202, and a joint sleeve 203 that is coupled to the joint body 202. By forming the pin 205, forming the boot shoe notch 206 in the coupling ring 201, and striking the boot shoe notch 206 against the pin 205 via the spring force in the rotational direction of the ring spring 204, the length of the coupling ring The movement in the direction and the rotation direction is regulated. According to this configuration, the lock function can be maintained even if an unexpected external force is applied in the longitudinal direction and in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Further, a pipe joint that includes similar plugs and sockets and can be coupled with one touch is also disclosed in Patent Document 2 below.

JP-A-7-103386 (paragraphs [0011] to [0015], FIG. 1) JP 2000-193172 A (paragraphs [0022] to [0029], FIG. 1)

  The pipe joints disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 can easily connect the socket and the plug with a single touch, so that the connecting operation is extremely simpler and easier to remove than the screw connecting means. However, pipes of water pipes and equipment connected to them are generally not flexible because steel pipes such as iron pipes are used. When plugs and sockets are connected to such steel pipes, the pipes are connected to each other. Because the steel pipe does not bend freely, the coupling angle between the plug and the socket is shifted, resulting in an incomplete connection. Also, even if the operator intends to complete the connection, it may not be completely connected. Incomplete coupling can cause water leakage, etc., so this type of pipe joint is rarely used for connecting water pipes, and even if it is used, it requires meticulous coupling work. , You will have to check the connection state repeatedly.

  In view of such a conventional technique, the inventor provides a confirmation member capable of easily confirming the coupling state in a pipe joint capable of one-touch connection. The present inventors have found that an incompletely connected state can be prevented even if it is difficult to connect pipes, and that the connected state can be easily confirmed.

  That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a pipe joint that can prevent an operator's connection error in a simple manner.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a pipe joint that prevents inadvertent disconnection between a plug and a socket.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of a pipe joint according to claim 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a plug having a conduction hole inside and a lock groove outside, and the conduction hole. A cylindrical hole having a locking hole for engaging or releasing the locking member with the locking groove, and a socket having a communicating hollow hole and a locking member that engages with the locking groove and locks the removal of the plug; In a pipe joint having a movable lock sleeve attached to the socket, a confirmation ring having a pair of clamping claws is provided, and the pair of clamping claws of the confirmation ring are clamped around the outer periphery of the socket before the plug and the socket are coupled. Each of the clamping claws is covered with the lock sleeve to prevent its removal, and when the plug is completely coupled to the socket, the lock sleeve is moved to Tsu is characterized in that to allow removal of the check ring with engagement click member and with said locking groove.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the pipe joint according to the first aspect, the socket is configured by connecting first and second socket members each having a hollow hole therein in series in the front-rear direction. One socket member is fitted into the lock sleeve, and a predetermined gap is formed between the first socket member and the second socket member, and the confirmation ring is sandwiched in the gap.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation ring connects a pair of clamping claws that clamp the outer periphery of the socket and one end of the pair of clamping claws. And a gripping piece for mounting or removing the clamping claws extended outward, and these are integrally connected.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the pipe joint according to the third aspect, the lock sleeve is formed with a notch groove having a predetermined width in the opening opposite to the direction in which the plug is inserted. The gripping piece of the confirmation ring is exposed from the notch groove when the nail of the confirmation ring is covered with the lock sleeve and the removal is locked.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the pipe joint according to the first aspect, the lock member is composed of a plurality of spherical lock balls, and the lock balls are a plurality of holding holes provided in the socket. The lock ball is engaged with the lock groove by the lock means of the lock sleeve, and the removal of the plug is locked.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the pipe joint according to the fifth aspect, the locking means of the lock sleeve includes a protrusion that engages the lock ball with the lock groove on a front inner peripheral wall surface, and A recess for releasing the engagement of the lock ball is formed adjacently, an elastic member is interposed between the lock sleeve and the socket, and the lock ball is inserted into the hollow hole of the socket. A retaining ring for preventing the plug and the socket from being coupled to each other, the lock sleeve is resisted against the urging force of the elastic member, and the retaining ring is The lock ball is locked in the recess, and when the plug and the socket are coupled, the holding ring and the lock ball are locked. Is divided, characterized in that the locking ball is held by the protrusion of the locking sleeve is incorporated dropped into the locking groove.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the pipe joint according to claim 6, wherein the holding ring is disposed at a position where the holding hole is closed by an elastic member, and the hollow is formed in the hollow hole of the socket. When the plug is inserted, the plug is moved against the urging force of the elastic member by the plug.

  By providing the above configuration, the present invention has the following excellent effects. That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a confirmation ring having a pair of clamping claws is provided, and before the socket and the plug are coupled, the pair of clamping claws of the confirmation ring is attached to the socket. It was clamped around the outside and each clamping claw was covered with a lock sleeve to prevent its removal, and when the plug was fully connected to the socket, the lock sleeve was moved so that the confirmation ring could be removed Therefore, the confirmation ring can be removed only when the plug is completely connected to the socket. By collecting this confirmation ring, the operator does not overlook the incomplete connection when performing connection work of the water pipe. be able to. Therefore, when this pipe joint is used, it is only necessary to confirm the confirmation ring without directly confirming the complete mating connection between the socket and the plug, thus eliminating the fear of water leakage due to poor connection of water pipes and the like. And can be used with confidence.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 2, the socket is constituted by connecting the first and second socket members having hollow holes in the front and rear in series, the first socket member is inserted into the lock sleeve, Since the clearance is formed between the first socket member and the second socket member, and the confirmation ring is sandwiched in the clearance, the confirmation ring can be easily sandwiched.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the confirmation ring includes a pair of clamping claws that clamp the outer periphery of the socket, and one end of the clamping claws connected to each other so as to extend outward to attach each clamping claw. Alternatively, by having a gripping piece to be removed and integrally forming them, it is possible to manufacture the check ring with a simple configuration at low cost and to easily attach and remove the confirmation ring.

  According to the invention of claim 4, when the gripping piece is provided on the confirmation ring, and the holding claw of the confirmation ring is covered with the lock sleeve and its removal is locked, the gripping piece of the confirmation ring from the notch groove Is exposed so that the mounting state of the confirmation ring can be accurately grasped, especially if the confirmation ring remains with the plug connected to the socket. Since it is exposed from the notch groove, the fitting state can be easily confirmed. Further, by providing the gripping piece, it is easy to remove the confirmation ring.

  According to the invention of claim 5, since the lock member is formed of the lock ball, the connection lock between the socket and the plug can be performed with a simple configuration.

  According to the invention of claim 6, the inner peripheral wall surface in front of the lock sleeve is formed with a protrusion for engaging the lock ball with the lock groove as a locking means and a recess for allowing the lock ball to escape. Thus, even when the lock sleeve is slid in the longitudinal direction when connected to the plug, the connection with the socket is not released, and inadvertent release can be prevented.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the holding ring for holding the lock ball is inserted into the hollow hole of the socket, and the holding ring is moved as the plug is inserted. The lock ball can be easily held before the connection with the socket, and at the time of releasing the lock ball, no special operation is required.

  Hereinafter, the best embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment shown below exemplifies a pipe joint for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and is not intended to specify the present invention for this pipe joint. Other embodiments within the scope are equally applicable.

1A and 1B show a state in which a socket and a plug of a pipe joint according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention are coupled, FIG. 1A is an external perspective view, and FIG. 1B is a longitudinal direction of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cut-away sectional view, FIG. 2 shows a socket that is not coupled with a plug of a pipe joint according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 (a) is an external perspective view, and FIG. 2 (b) is FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the longitudinal direction of a), FIG. 3 shows a first socket member constituting the pipe joint of FIG. 1, FIG. 3A is an external perspective view, and FIG. 3B is FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the second socket member constituting the pipe joint of FIG. perspective of the locking sleeve diagram constituting a pipe joint, Fig. 6 shows the locking sleeve of Figure 5, FIG. 6 (a) Figure viewed from the direction X ₁ in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 ( b) is a sectional view taken along the longitudinal direction in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 (c) Fig, 7 as viewed from the X ₂ direction in FIG. 5 shows the confirmation ring constituting the pipe joint of FIG. 1, FIG. 7 (a ) Is a plan view, FIG. 7B is a side view, FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a retaining ring constituting the pipe joint of FIG. 1, and FIG. 9 is a plug constituting the pipe joint of FIG. FIG. 10 is a front view showing a slider spring.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pipe joint 1 according to the first embodiment includes a plug 10 connected to one water pipe or the like, and a socket connected to the other water pipe or the like and detachably coupled to the plug 10. 2. Socket 2 includes a first socket member 3 of a predetermined length of tubular shape having a hollow bore 3 ₀ within the rear end and one end is screwed to the other end of the socket member is secured to the equipment, such as water pipes A second socket member 4, a lock sleeve 5 slidably fitted so as to cover the outer periphery of the first socket member 3 via a slider spring S, and an outer periphery of the rear end of the first socket member 3. A confirmation ring 6 that is detachably fixed, a holding ring 7 that is disposed in the first socket member 3 and is pressed toward the front of the first socket member 3 by the second socket member 4 via a coil spring 9; have.

The first socket member 3, as shown in FIG. 3, made of a circular cylindrical body having a thickness predetermined length and meat has a hollow bore 3 ₀ therein, for example, is formed as a molding made of a resin material ing. The diameter of the bore _{3 0,} for example 19.0 mm, the length in the longitudinal direction is 39.0 mm, the wall thickness of the tube is 1.0 mm. The first socket member 3 is a lock ball made of four steel balls at substantially equal intervals around the outer periphery in the vicinity of the front opening 3a into which the plug 10 is inserted (see FIGS. 1B and 2B). (Hereinafter, simply referred to as balls) holding holes 3 _{1 to} 3 ₄ are inserted. These holding holes 3 ₁ to 3 ₄ are each formed of a cylindrical bore having the same shape, its outer diameter has no significantly diameter of the inner small conical, ball 8 is hollow hole 3 ₀ Its diameter is set so that it does not fall into the inside. The outer diameter is, for example, 5.0 mm. The inner wall of the position moved from the holding hole 3 ₁ to 3 ₄ hollow holes 3 ₀ at a predetermined distance behind and stepped portion 3e is formed forward from the stepped portion 3e is reduced in diameter, the retaining ring will be described later 7 The step portion 3e comes into contact with the enlarged diameter portion 7c of the retaining ring 7 to restrict the movement of the retaining ring 7.

  Further, an annular flange 3c protruding outward along the outer periphery is formed in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the first socket member 3, and a part of the flange 3c is shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, a regulation protrusion 3c ′ having a predetermined width is provided to extend further outward from the flange 3c. Further, a space 3d in which the confirmation ring 6 can be mounted is provided behind the flange 3c. The diameter of the rear opening 3b is slightly larger than that of the front opening 3a, and a female screw 3b ′ is inserted into the inner peripheral wall surface retracted from the opening 3b by a predetermined length (for example, 13.0 mm). It is engraved. In addition, the flange 3c of the first socket member 3 is notched so that the other end S2 (see FIG. 10) of the slider spring S can be fixed to form a fixing portion 3f.

Second socket member 4, as shown in FIG. 4, has a smaller cylindrical portion 4A and the large-diameter cylindrical-shaped portion 4B, the internal hollow hole 4 ₀ is formed in a predetermined length (e.g. 27.0 mm) And a circular cylindrical body having a predetermined thickness, and is formed of a metal material (for example, brass) or the like. The small-diameter cylindrical portion 4A is formed with concave grooves 4 ₁ , 4 _{1 in} which a seal ring O (see FIG. 1B) is mounted on the inner peripheral wall surface of the front opening 4a, and the outer peripheral wall surface is male. A mold screw 4a 'is engraved. In the large-diameter cylindrical portion 4B, a female screw 4b ′ is engraved on the inner peripheral wall surface of the rear opening 4b.

Locking sleeve 5, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, has a small diameter tubular portion 5A and the large-diameter cylindrical portion 5B, an internal hollow bore 5 ₀ is formed in a predetermined length (e.g. 39.0mm ) And a circular cylindrical body having a predetermined thickness, for example, a molded body made of a resin material. The small-diameter cylindrical portion 5A has four concave recesses 5 _{1 to} 5 ₄ formed at equal intervals on the inner peripheral wall surface in the vicinity of the front opening 5a. And between each concave depression ₅ 1 to 5 ₄ are respectively a convex protrusion 5 _{1 '5 4'.} Each concave depression 5 ₁ to 5 _4, engages slightly the larger width dimension than the diameter of the ball 8, and a depth enough to lock the portion of the ball 8, the inner part is a part of the ball 8 It becomes the latching step part 5x for stopping. Further, the convex protrusions 5 _{1 ′ to} 5 _{4 ′} extend rearward from the concave depressions 5 _{1 to} 5 ₄ , that is, to the back, and serve as surfaces that press the ball 8 inward. The gap between the adjacent concave depressions 5 _{1 to} 5 ₄ and the gap between the adjacent convex protrusions 5 _{1 ′ to} 5 _{4 ′} are equal to the gap between the holding holes 3 _{1 to} 3 ₄ of the adjacent first socket member 3. It has become. Thus, by setting the interval between the concave recesses 5 _{1 to} 5 ₄ and the convex protrusions 5 _{1 ′ to} 5 _{4 ′ as} the interval between the holding holes 3 _{1 to} 3 ₄ , the concave recesses 5 _{1 to} 5 ₄ are balls. 8, and the convex protrusions 5 _{1 ′ to} 5 _{4 ′} become protrusions that press the ball 8.

The large-diameter cylindrical portion 5B from the rear of the opening 5b of the predetermined width dimension W and a depth L, even a predetermined length from the first socket member 3 of the flange 3c to expose the grip piece 6 ₀ confirmation ring 6 to be described later A concave notch groove 5b ′ is formed in which the extended regulation protrusion 3c ′ is accommodated. The depth of the notch groove 5b ′, that is, the axial length L is formed slightly longer than the distance that the lock sleeve 5 moves in the axial direction, and the width, that is, the circumferential length W is The lock sleeve 5 rotates around the outer periphery of the first socket member 3, and is a length obtained by adding the width of the restricting protrusion 3c ′ to the length that allows the ball 8 to rotate from the pressed state to the released state. Further, a fixing portion 5c for fixing one end S1 (see FIG. 10) of the slider spring S is formed at the front end portion of the inner wall surface of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 5B.

Check ring 6, as shown in FIG. 7, a pair of claw unit 6 gapped 6 ₃ branched tip in an arc shape from one end of the grip piece 6 ₀ of the grip piece 6 ₀ Toko projecting outwardly ₁ has 6 _2, are formed by flexible resin material. Gap 6 ₃ has a width enough to be able to fit the check ring 6 to the outer periphery of the first socket member 3. Incidentally, the grip piece 6 ₀ may be eliminated rather than indispensable, but if that would remove the clamping nails in the tool.

Retaining ring 7, there is accommodated in the first socket member 3, as shown in FIG. 8, consist ring ring short length having a hollow bore 7 ₀ therein, are formed of a resin material . The diameter of the hollow hole 7 ₀ is slightly greater than the diameter of the distal end of the plug 10, its outer diameter is slightly smaller than the front diameter of the hollow hole 3 ₀ of the first socket member 3, plug the hollow hole 3 ₀ when 10 is plugged, and is slid in the hollow bore 3 ₀ of the first socket member 3. The front opening 7a of the holding ring 7 is formed with an inclined surface 7a ′ whose diameter is reduced inward from the tip, and the outer peripheral surface of the rear opening 7b is enlarged by a predetermined length. The expanded diameter portion 7c. The front wall surface of the enlarged diameter portion 7 c comes into contact with the step portion 3 e of the first socket member 3, thereby preventing the holding ring 7 from falling off from the front opening portion of the first socket member 3. doing. The distance from the front wall surface of the enlarged diameter portion 7c to the front opening 7a is such that the front wall surface of the enlarged diameter portion 7c is in contact with the step portion 3e of the first socket member 3 and The surface is set so as to block the entire holding holes 3 _{1 to} 3 ₄ . The retaining ring 7 is opened by a coil spring 9 having a size that can be accommodated in the first socket member 3, and in the state of being accommodated in the first socket member 3, the opening 3 a in front of the first socket member 3. Is held in a pressed state. The coil spring 9 has a smaller spring constant than the slider spring S provided between the first socket member 3 and the lock sleeve 5.

As shown in FIG. 9, the plug 10 includes a connecting portion 10 </ b> A and a connecting portion 10 </ b> B connected to a water pipe or the like, and a locking portion 10 </ b> C provided between the inserting portion 10 </ b> A and the connecting portion 10 </ b> B. a tubular body through hole 10 ₀ is formed, it is formed of a metal material (e.g., brass) or the like. Because it is connected to the water pipe in this through hole 10 ₀ this embodiment the water passage hole. 10 A of insertion parts are formed in the magnitude | size which is press-contacted to the seal ring O (refer FIG. 1), and does not leak when it is inserted in the opening part 4a ahead of the 2nd socket member 4. As shown in FIG. The lock portion 10C is raised from the insertion portion 10A, and a concave groove (lock groove) 10c into which the ball 8 is fitted along the outer periphery is formed at a predetermined position of the raised portion. In addition, an inclined surface 10b ′ is formed on the end surface of the protruding portion on the insertion portion 10A side. The inclined surface 10 b ′ has the same inclination angle as the inclined surface 7 a ′ formed in the opening 7 a in front of the holding ring 7, and when the plug 10 enters the socket 2, the inclined surface 10 b ′. And 7a ′ are brought into contact with each other. Further, a male screw 10a ′ is engraved on the outer periphery of the connecting portion 10B. And this screw part is connected to an end of a water pipe or the like.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 1-9, the assembly method of the socket 2 and the connection method with the plug 10 are demonstrated.
In assembling the socket 2, first, the balls 8 are accommodated in the holding holes 3 _{1 to} 3 ₄ of the first socket member 3 shown in FIG. 3, and the slider spring S is inserted into the outer periphery of the first socket member 3. Then, the lock sleeve 5 is fitted and mounted from the front opening 3a side of the first socket member 3 toward the flange 3c (see FIGS. 2 and 3). At the time of mounting, the front end S1 of the slider spring S is fixed to a fixing portion 5c formed on the front inner wall surface of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 5B of the lock sleeve 5, and the other end S2 at the rear is fixed to the first end S2. It fixes to the fixing | fixed part 3f provided in the flange 3c of the socket member 3. FIG. The slider spring S generates a biasing force that extends in the axial direction when the lock sleeve 5 moves in a direction close to the flange 3c of the first socket member 3, and in addition, both ends of the slider spring S are fixed. Thus, the first socket member 3 also has a biasing force in the direction in which the lock sleeve 5 is rotated. That is, when the lock sleeve 5 is pushed into the flange 3 c side along the longitudinal direction of the first socket member 3, a biasing force from the slider spring S is generated in the direction in which the lock sleeve 5 rotates with respect to the first socket member 3. When this push-in is released, the lock sleeve 5 is pushed out by the slider spring S while being rotated forward with respect to the first socket member 3 in the longitudinal direction. In addition, by bringing the ball 8 into contact with each step portion 5x in each of the concave depressions 5 _{1 to} 5 ₄ in a state where the lock sleeve 5 is pushed in as described above, the lock sleeve 5 is in a state as shown in FIG. Locked.

Next, the first holding ring 7 from the opening 3b of the rear of the socket member 3 to the hollow bore 3 in _0, was inserted in the order of the coil spring 9, the bore 4 ₀ inside the concave grooves _41, 42 seal ring ₁ The second socket member 4 fitted with O is inserted into the opening 3b at the rear of the first socket member 3, and the screws 3b ′ and 4b ′ are coupled and fixed. Due to the coupling of both the socket members 3 and 4, the holding ring 7 is pressed forward of the first socket member 3 by the coil spring 9, and the outer peripheral surface of the holding ring 7 is moved to a position covering the holding holes 3 _{1 to} 3 _4. extruding the respective balls 8 hollow hole _{3 0} outside the Rukoto (see Figure 2 (b)). In addition, when the ball 8 is pushed outward, the lock sleeve 5 is pushed in while rotating in the direction of the flange 3c of the first socket member 3, and then the depression is released, whereby each concave recess 5 of the lock sleeve 5 is released. each step portion 5x of _{1-5 4} is locked in contact with the ball 8.

The confirmation ring 6 is attached to the socket 2 to which the first and second socket members 3 and 4 and the lock sleeve 5 are coupled, for example, before the holding ring 7 and the coil spring 9 are accommodated in the first socket member 3. 5 is arranged forward, the holding hole 3 ₁ to 3 each ball 8 within ₄ is abutted against the convex protrusion 5 _{1 '5 4'} by narrowing down the hollow bore 3 ₀ side, the rear of the locking sleeve 5 A gap D (see FIG. 1B) is opened between the opening 5b of the second socket member 4 and the shoulder 4d of the second socket member 4, and the clamping claws 6 ₁ and 6 ₂ of the check ring 6 are inserted into the gap D. Then, the first socket member 3 is mounted in the space 3d. Then, by positioning an extension of notched groove 5b of the locking sleeve 5 the grip piece 6 ₀ confirmation ring 6 '(see FIG. 2 (a)), a locking sleeve 5 to the flange 3c direction of the first socket member 3 After being pushed back, it is attached between the first socket member 3 and the lock sleeve 5 by rotating. The attachment of the confirmation ring 6 is not limited to the above method. For example, after the assembly of the socket 2 is completed without attaching the confirmation ring 6, the plug 10 or an alternative product is temporarily inserted into the socket 2 and locked. The clearance D may be formed by moving the sleeve 5 forward, and the confirmation ring 6 may be attached.

Therefore, when the confirmation ring 6 is attached in this way, the confirmation ring in which the opening 5b behind the lock sleeve 5 is held in the space 3d of the first socket member 3 when the plug 10 and the socket 2 are not connected. Removing the check ring 6 since each claw unit 6 _and 62 gripping piece 6 ₀ covers are protruded from the notched groove 5b 'to the outside of the 6 is locked. When the plug 10 and the socket 2 are not connected as described above, the length of the lock sleeve 5 is such that the rear opening 5b of the lock sleeve 5 reaches a position beyond the shoulder 4d of the second socket member 4. It is preferable to set the length (see FIG. 2B).

Next, the case where the socket 2 with the confirmation ring 6 attached is connected to the plug 10 will be described below.
The socket 2 not connected to the plug 10 is in a state as shown in FIG. 2B, and the plug 10 is inserted into the opening 3 a in front of the first socket member 3 from this state. This insertion, first entering the hollow hole 7 ₀ of the retaining ring 7 which plug insertion section 10A is disposed in the hollow hole 3 within _0. Subsequently, when the inclined surface 10 b ′ of the lock portion 10 </ b> C of the plug 10 comes into contact with the inclined surface 7 a ′ of the holding ring 7, the holding ring 7 resists the biasing force of the coil spring 9 as the plug 10 is inserted. It is pushed behind the socket member 3. However, even if the outer peripheral surface of the retaining ring 7 moves from the position covering the retaining holes 3 _{1 to} 3 ₄ due to this pushing, the retaining holes 3 _{1 to} 3 ₄ are similarly blocked by the outer peripheral surface of the lock portion 10C. Therefore, the ball 8 is kept pushed out of the first socket member 3 until it falls into a lock groove 10c described later.

Further on the insertion of the plug 10, the bore 3 ₀ side opening of the holding hole 3 ₁ to 3 ₄ is to polymerize with locking grooves 10c of the plug 10, the ball 8 is no longer restricted by the outer peripheral surface of the lock portion 10C It will be able to on drop into the hollow hole 3 ₀ of the first socket member 3. When the restriction of the ball 8 is eliminated as described above, the lock sleeve 5 moves forward by the biasing force of the slider spring S. This movement, the step portions by pressing the push useless hollow bore 3 in ₀ of the step portions 5x ball 8 abuts recesses each recess was 5 ₁ to 5 ₄ to the ball 8 first socket member 3 The contact between the ball 5x and the ball 8 is released, and the sliding movement of the lock sleeve 5 becomes possible, whereby the locking sleeve 5 is moved forward while rotating in the circumferential direction. This forward movement stops when one side of the notch groove 5b ′ of the lock sleeve 5 abuts against the restricting projection 3c ′ of the first socket member 3, and at this time, the ball 8 is protruded from the convex projections 5 _{1 ′ to} 5 _′. It is maintained in a state of being incorporated dropped into the first socket member 3 of the hollow hole 3 in ₀ by _{4 '.}

  By connecting the plug 10 and the socket 2 in this way, the confirmation ring 6 is not covered with the lock sleeve 5, so that it can be removed, and the ball 8 is maintained in a state of protruding into the lock groove 10c. Therefore, the plug 10 and the socket 2 can be firmly connected. Further, when the ball 8 protrudes into the lock groove 10c, the outer peripheral portion of the insertion portion 10A of the plug 10 is liquid-tightly held by the two seal rings O of the second socket member 4. The water passing through 1 passes through the second socket member 4 and the plug 10 made of a metal material or the like.

When releasing the connection between the socket 2 and the plug 10, the lock sleeve 5 is slid in the direction of the flange 3 c of the first socket member 3, and then the ball 8 is further moved to the concave recesses 5 _{1 to} 5 _4. The ball 8 can be escaped from the inside of the lock groove 10c by being rotated so that it can be accommodated in the socket. In this state, the plug 10 is pulled, or the socket 2 and the plug 10 are automatically connected by the biasing force of the coil spring 9. Will be released.

In the first embodiment, with the forward movement of the locking sleeve 5, claw unit 6 _and 62 of the check ring 6 is removable located outside from the rear of the opening 5b of the locking sleeve 5 However, if the connection between the socket 2 and the plug 10 is not complete, the lock sleeve 5 does not move forward and cannot be removed. Therefore, by removing the confirmation ring 6, it is possible to determine whether the socket 2 and the plug 10 are in a coupled state, that is, in a completely coupled state or an incompletely coupled state, for example, a semi-coupled state. In particular, when a large number of connections are made in an apartment house, etc., it is possible to determine incomplete coupling by collecting this confirmation ring. I can know.

  Furthermore, if a check valve is provided inside the second socket member 4 of the pipe joint 1 shown in the first embodiment, the use as a pipe joint used for fluid piping is increased.

When releasing the coupling of the pipe joint 1 having the above-described configuration, the ball 8 is not only moved rearward but also slid rearward, and then the ball 8 is further moved to the respective concave depressions 5 _{1 to} 5 _4. Since it cannot be removed unless it is rotated so that it can be housed in the pipe joint, there is no possibility that the pipe joint 1 will be inadvertently detached.

  In addition, the pipe joint 1 shown in Example 1 can be used not only for pipes such as water pipes through which water is conducted, but also for coupling pipes through which chemicals are conducted and pipes through which gases are conducted. is there.

  Further, in the pipe joint 1 of the first embodiment, it has been described that the confirmation ring 6 is disposed in the gap (D) formed between the first and second socket members 3 and 4. The second socket members 3 and 4 are not necessarily formed as separate members, and may be formed integrally, for example. Therefore, in that case, the attachment position of the confirmation ring 6 is a position where a part or all of the rear end portion of the lock sleeve 5 is covered with the plug 10 not connected.

1A and 1B show a state in which a socket and a plug of a pipe joint according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention are coupled, FIG. 1A is an external perspective view, and FIG. 1B is a longitudinal direction of FIG. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected. 2 shows a socket in a state where it is not coupled to a plug of a pipe joint according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 (a) is an external perspective view, and FIG. 2 (b) is a longitudinal direction of FIG. 2 (a). It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected by. 3 shows a first socket member constituting the pipe joint of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 (a) is an external perspective view, and FIG. 3 (b) is a sectional view cut in the longitudinal direction of FIG. 3 (a). FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the second socket member constituting the pipe joint of FIG. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of a lock sleeve constituting the pipe joint of FIG. Figure 6 shows a locking sleeve of FIG. 5, FIG. 6 (a) Figure viewed from the direction X ₁ in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 (b) cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal direction in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 (c) it is a view as seen from the X ₂ direction in FIG. 5. 7 shows a confirmation ring constituting the pipe joint of FIG. 1, FIG. 7 (a) is a plan view, and FIG. 7 (b) is a side view. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the retaining ring constituting the pipe joint of FIG. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the plug constituting the pipe joint of FIG. FIG. 10 is a front view showing the slider spring. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the prior art, FIG. 11 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the main part at the time of coupling, and FIG. 11 (b) is an explanatory view for explaining the action at the time of locking.

1 fitting 2 socket 3 first socket member ₃ 1 to 3 ₄ holding hole 4 second socket members 5 locking sleeve 5b 'notched groove ₅ 1 to 5 ₄ concave depression 5 _1' 5 _{4 ''} convex projection 6 confirmed ring ₆ 1, _{6 2} Kyojitsume _{6 0} gripping piece 7 the retaining ring 7c enlarged diameter portion 8 (lock) the ball 9 coil spring 10 plug 10 ₀ introducing hole 10A plug portion 10B connecting portion 10C locking portion 10b 'inclined surface 10c concave groove (Lock groove)
S Slider spring O Seal ring

Claims (7)

A plug having a conduction hole inside and a lock groove on the outside; a socket having a hollow hole communicating with the conduction hole; and a lock member that engages with the lock groove and locks removal of the plug; In a pipe joint in which a cylindrical movable lock sleeve having locking means for engaging or releasing the lock member with the lock groove is mounted on the socket,
A confirmation ring having a pair of clamping claws is provided, the pair of clamping claws of the confirmation ring are clamped around the outer periphery of the socket before the plug and the socket are coupled, and each clamping claw is covered with the lock sleeve, When the plug is completely coupled to the socket, the lock sleeve is moved to engage the lock member and the lock groove, and the confirmation ring can be removed. Characteristic pipe joint.   The socket is formed by connecting first and second socket members having hollow holes in the front and rear in series, the first socket member is fitted into the lock sleeve, and the first socket member and the second socket The pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined gap is formed between the members and the confirmation ring is sandwiched between the gaps.   The confirmation ring includes a pair of clamping claws that clamp the outer periphery of the socket, and a gripping piece that attaches or removes the clamping claws that extend outward by connecting one end of the pair of clamping claws. The pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein the pipe joint is integrally connected.   The lock sleeve is formed with a notch groove having a predetermined width in the opening opposite to the direction in which the plug is inserted, and the holding claw of the confirmation ring is covered with the lock sleeve, and its removal is locked. The pipe joint according to claim 3, wherein a grip piece of the confirmation ring is exposed from the notch groove.   The lock member includes a plurality of spherical lock balls, and the lock balls are loosely fitted into a plurality of holding holes provided in the socket, and the lock balls are locked by the lock means of the lock sleeve. 2. The pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein the plug is removed by being engaged with the groove. The lock means of the lock sleeve is formed adjacently to a front inner peripheral wall surface with a protrusion for engaging the lock ball with the lock groove and a recess for releasing the lock ball, and the lock sleeve and the lock sleeve An elastic member is interposed between the socket and a holding ring for preventing the lock ball from protruding into the hollow hole is provided in the hollow hole of the socket.
In a state where the plug and the socket are not coupled, the lock sleeve is resisted against the urging force of the elastic member, and the lock ball is locked in the recess by the holding ring,
When the plug and the socket are coupled, the retaining ring and the lock ball are unlocked, and the lock ball is dropped into the lock groove and held by the protrusion of the lock sleeve. The pipe joint according to claim 5, wherein:   The holding ring is disposed at a position where the holding hole is closed by an elastic member. When the plug is inserted into the hollow hole of the socket, the holding ring resists the urging force of the elastic member. The pipe joint according to claim 6, wherein the pipe joint is moved.

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