JPH06265072A - Coupling for bellows pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform reliable connection by a method wherein a coupling body comprises a pair of screw joining type cylinders, an engaging member contained in a body is engaged with the root part of a bellows pipe for anti-slip-off through mounting of the bellows pipe, a connection state is produced through screw-in of a pair of the cylinder, in a coupling for a bellows pipe for feeding gas for a home use. CONSTITUTION:A coupling body 20 is formed through screw coupling of first and second cylinders 21 and 23 with each other. Before connection of a bellows pipe, the end face 21s of the first cylinder 21 is separated away from the second step 23s of the second cylinder 23. An approximate annular engaging member 50 is contained in a containing recessed part 28 in a state to be mounted in a resiliently expanded state on the outer periphery of the receipt part 33 of a support member 30 incorporated in the body 20. When the support member 30 mounted in the cylinder 23 is pressed by the bellows pipe against the force of a spring 40, the engaging member 50 is disengaged from the support member 30 and fitted in the root part of the bellows pipe, and the bellows pipe is securely held through lock operation thereof to a lock part 29. With this state, by screwing-in the cylinder 21, the end face 21s and the step 23s are brought into contact with each other to complete connection.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a joint for easily connecting a bellows tube used for supplying gas at home.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-52493 discloses a joint which can be easily connected by inserting a bellows tube. In detail, the body of this joint has a through hole provided at one end as an inlet. In the through hole, first and second accommodating recesses having an annular shape are formed axially away from the inlet. The first accommodating recess accommodates an annular engagement member that connects both ends of the coil spring, and the second accommodating recess accommodates an annular seal member. Of the two side surfaces that define the first accommodation recess, the side surface closer to the inlet is tapered, and the other side surface is orthogonal to the axis. The engaging member and the seal member are attached to the body in advance before connecting the bellows tube. When the tip portion of the bellows tube is inserted from one end of the through hole, every time the crest portion of the bellows tube passes through the engaging member, all the winding portions of the engaging member are deformed from a circular shape to an elliptical shape, and a valley portion is formed. All winding members return to their original circular shape each time they pass through the engaging members. While repeating this several times, the bellows tube further advances to insert the tip of the bellows tube into the seal member. The tip of the bellows tube hits a step formed on the body and is prevented from further entering. In this way, the bellows tube is connected to the joint, and in the connected state, the seal member is brought into close contact with the outer periphery of the bellows tube in an elastically deformed state, thereby sealing the bellows tube and the body. When a pulling force is applied to the bellows tube, radial and outward forces are applied to the engaging member from the inclined surface of the bellows tube, but radial and inward forces from the tapered surface of the first accommodating recess, that is, bellows. Since the force for pushing back to the valley portion of the pipe is applied, the engaging member is prevented from overcoming the crest portion of the bellows pipe while deforming into the elliptical diameter.

Even the joints disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 4 or the joints disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 6 of Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-91592 can be easily connected by inserting a bellows tube. More specifically, in this joint, the through hole of the body has an annular accommodation recess whose inner peripheral surface is tapered, and the accommodation recess is provided with a seal member and an annular engagement member whose outer peripheral surface is tapered. Is installed in advance. The engaging member is
It is formed in an annular shape by connecting both ends of the coil spring, and is fixed to the end of the seal member when the seal member is molded. The seal member is biased toward the entrance of the through hole by another coil spring. In the joint having such a structure, when the bellows tube is inserted into the through hole of the body, the leading edge of the bellows tube hits the engaging member, and the engaging member and the sealing member are moved toward the back of the housing recess. . When the seal member hits the inner end of the accommodating recess and the movement of the seal member is restricted, the bellows tube is inserted further into the seal member after passing through the engaging member. The engaging member elastically expands in diameter each time the crest portion of the bellows tube passes, and then reduces in diameter after the peak portion passes and fits into the trough portion. After that, when the worker releases the bellows tube, the force of the coil spring moves the seal member, the engagement member and the bellows tube in the direction opposite to the insertion direction, and the taper outer peripheral surface of the seal member is tapered by the accommodation recess. It contacts the inner peripheral surface of the body, which seals the body and the bellows tube. In addition, the engaging member hits a tapered locking surface formed at the entrance of the through hole in a state where the engaging member is fitted in the valley portion of the bellows tube,
The bellows tube is prevented from coming off.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned actual Kaihei 3
The joint of No. 52493 had the following disadvantages. That is, since the engaging member is simply accommodated in the first accommodating recess, a relatively small impact is applied to the joint while the joint having the engaging member mounted on the body is transported to the construction site at the factory. Occasionally, the engagement member will fall out of the joint.
Further, when the bellows tube is inserted, the engaging member rides over the peak portion of the bellows tube due to the elastic deformation of each winding portion, so that the engaging member receives a force from the inner peripheral surface of the first accommodating recess toward the trough. The insertion resistance was large. Also, the actual Kaihei 3-91
In the joint of Japanese Patent No. 592, although the insertion resistance varies each time the engaging member crosses the crest portion of the bellows tube a plurality of times, the operator can clearly confirm the end of the connecting work of the bellows tube to the joint. There wasn't. An object of the present invention is to prevent the engaging member from falling out of the body before the work of connecting the bellows tube, to easily connect the bellows tube, and to clearly recognize the connection of the bellows tube to the operator. An object of the present invention is to provide a joint that can ensure the connection.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The gist of the present invention is a joint for a bellows pipe having alternating peaks and valleys,
(A) A first cylinder having an internal thread on the inner circumference of one end and a second cylinder having an external thread on the outer circumference of one end are configured to be screwed together, and the inner circumference of the first cylinder is between the female thread and the other end. An annular first step is formed, and an annular locking portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface near one end of the second cylinder, and the other end opening of the second cylinder serves as an inlet for the bellows tube. A body provided with an annular housing recess formed between the first stage of the first cylinder and one end surface of the second cylinder; and (b) having a tubular shape and being housed in the first cylinder of the body, (C) a support member whose end portion on the inlet side is provided as a receiving portion; and (c) the first cylinder of the body is housed, the supporting member is pushed toward the inlet, and the receiving portion of the supporting member is housed in the receiving recess. A spring arranged at a position facing the inner peripheral surface of the support member, and When the distal end of the bellows tube inserted from the above-mentioned inlet while being elastically expanded in the circumference pushes the supporting member against the spring in a direction away from the inlet, the inlet of the receiving portion of the supporting member The diameter deviates from the side edge,
The bellows tube is fitted into the outer circumference of the trough, and with this engaging member fitted, the portion protruding from the outer circumference of the crest of the bellows tube is locked by the locking part of the body to prevent the bellows tube from coming off. And an annular second second cylinder facing the one end surface of the first cylinder on the outer periphery of the intermediate portion of the second cylinder of the body.
When a step is formed and one end surface of the first tube and one end surface of the second tube are in a screwed state separated by a distance equal to the cross-sectional diameter of the engaging member,
The joint for bellows pipe is characterized in that one end surface of the first cylinder and the second step of the second cylinder are separated from each other, and the separation distance is equal to or less than the cross-sectional diameter of the engaging member.

[0006]

In the present invention, since the engaging member is housed in the housing recess of the body and mounted on the outer periphery of the receiving portion of the slider, it is possible to reliably prevent the engaging member from falling off the body. Also, when the bellows tube is inserted into the joint by a certain amount, the engaging member separates from the receiving part, its elastic force reduces the diameter and fits into the valley part of the bellows tube. The person can clearly recognize that the engagement between the engaging member and the bellows tube is completed, and the connection between the bellows tube and the joint is completed. Since the engaging member is locked to the locking portion of the body, the bellows tube can be prevented from coming off. Before connecting the bellows tube, the one end surface of the first cylinder and the second step of the second cylinder are separated from each other. When the bellows tube is not sufficiently inserted, the engaging member remains in the accommodation recess without being disengaged from the receiving portion of the supporting member, and is located between the first stage of the first cylinder and the one end surface of the second cylinder. Is intervened in. Therefore, in this case, even if the second cylinder is screwed into the first cylinder, the engaging member prevents the second cylinder from being screwed in. Therefore, the second stage of the second cylinder should be brought into contact with the one end surface of the first cylinder. I can't. When the bellows tube is inserted sufficiently, the engaging member is disengaged from the receiving portion of the support member and fits in the valley of the bellows tube, so that the second tube is engaged when screwed into the first tube. The member does not prevent it, and the second step of the second cylinder can be brought into contact with the one end surface of the first cylinder. in this way,
By the contact between the second stage of the second tube and the one end surface of the first tube, the completion of the connecting work of the bellows tube can be recognized more clearly.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A joint A according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the gas pipe B (FIG. 2) connected to the joint A will be described. The gas pipe B includes a thin bellows tube 10 made of metal and having alternating peaks 10a and valleys 10b, and a resin protective tube 11 covering the outside of the bellows tube 10. The gas pipe B can be easily bent by human power.

The joint A has a body 20 as shown in FIG.
And a slider 30 housed in each body 20
(Supporting member), coil spring 40, engaging member 50,
The seal members 61 and 62 are provided.

The body 20 is constructed by connecting a first cylinder 21 and a second cylinder 23 made of metal. First
The cylinder 21 has a through hole 22 extending in the axial direction. The diameter of the through hole 22 gradually increases toward the right in the figure. More specifically, the through holes 22 have four different diameters.
It has two inner peripheral surfaces. These inner peripheral surfaces are numbered 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d in order from the left. An annular convex portion 22e serving as a spring receiver is formed on the innermost surface 22a on the leftmost side. In addition, the inner peripheral surfaces 22a and 22b
22f and 22g are respectively attached to the step formed at the boundary of and the step formed at the boundary of the inner peripheral surfaces 22b and 22c. A female screw 21x is formed on the inner peripheral surface 22d. A taper screw 21y for connecting to a gas appliance is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the left end of the first cylinder 21.

The second cylinder 23 has a through hole 24 extending in the axial direction. The right end 24x of the through hole 24 is provided as an inlet for inserting the bellows tube 10. Second cylinder 2
Housing recesses 24a and 24b are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 24 of No. 3 in order from the inlet 24x. An annular seal member 6 made of soft rubber is provided in the accommodation recesses 24a and 24b.
1, 62 are housed respectively. Seal member 61
Has an annular projection 61a that projects radially and inwardly. The inner diameter of the projection 61a is equal to that of the protection tube 1 described above.
It is smaller than the outer diameter of 1. The inner diameter of the seal member 62 is smaller than the outer diameter of the peak portion 10a of the bellows tube 10 and larger than the outer diameter of the valley portion 10b. Three annular protrusions 62a are formed on the outer periphery of the seal member 62 at equal intervals, and these protrusions 62a are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the accommodation recess 24b. Second
A tapered annular locking surface 29 (locking portion) is formed near the left end surface 23a of the cylinder 23. This locking surface 2
The inner diameter of 9 is gradually reduced toward the inlet 24x. An annular recess 23b is formed on the outer periphery of the left end of the second cylinder 23, and an annular seal member 65 is housed in the recess 23b. A male screw 23x is formed on the outer periphery of the left end of the second cylinder 23.

The above-described pair of first cylinder 21 and second cylinder 23 are coaxially connected by screwing together screws 21x and 23x. In the state before connecting the bellows pipe, the second cylinder 23 is shallowly screwed to the first cylinder 21, and the second step 23s formed on the outer periphery of the intermediate portion of the second cylinder 23 and the first cylinder 23s.
A gap is formed between the right end surface 21s of the cylinder 21. A C-ring shaped stopper 70 made of an elastic material is interposed in this gap. Further, the left end surface 23a of the second cylinder 23, the first step 22g and the inner peripheral surface 22c of the first cylinder 21 form an annular accommodation recess 28 for the engaging member 50. In this screwed state, the axial length of the accommodating recess 28 is the diameter D (cross-sectional diameter,
2) slightly larger than The outer diameter of the left end of the second cylinder 23 is smaller than the inner diameter of the housing recess 28.

The inner peripheral surface 22b of the first cylinder 21 is provided as a guide portion for slidably guiding the metal slider 30. The slider 30 has a cylindrical base 31.
And an annular flange 32 formed on the inner circumference of the intermediate portion of the base 31, and from the base 31 in the axial and rightward directions (inlet 24x
The receiving portion 33 has a cylindrical shape protruding in the direction) and an annular projection 34 formed on the outer circumference of the right end of the receiving portion 33. The outer diameter of the base portion 31 is 10 μm larger than the inner diameter of the guide portion 22b.
It is formed to have a small size of about 50 μm, and silicone oil or grease is interposed in a slight gap between them to reduce the frictional resistance between them. The outer diameter of the receiving portion 33 is smaller than that of the base portion 31, and a step 35 is formed between them. Further, the slider 30 is formed with an accommodating recess 36a facing the inlet 24x, and the accommodating recess 36a accommodates an annular seal member 36 made of an elastic material.

The slider 30 is biased to the right (in the direction of the inlet 24x) by the coil spring 40 in a compressed state. The left end of the coil spring 40 contacts the convex portion 22e of the first cylinder 21, and the right end thereof contacts the flange 32 of the slider 30.

The engaging member 50 is formed by bending a coil spring in a circular shape, and both ends thereof are not connected to each other and overlap each other in a natural state. In a state before the bellows tube 10 is inserted into the joint A, the engagement member 50 is mounted on the outer periphery of the receiving portion 33 of the slider 30 and is accommodated in the accommodation recess 28 of the body 20, as shown in FIG. 1. In this mounted state, the engagement member 50 is elastically expanded in diameter, and both ends thereof are separated. The slider 30 is pushed to the right by the force of the coil spring 40, but since the engaging member 50 is interposed between the step 35 and the tip end surface 23a of the second cylinder 23, the slider 30 Is restricted from moving to the right. In this state, the receiving portion 33 of the slider 30 is arranged so as to face the inner peripheral surface 22c of the housing recess 28 and closes the housing recess 28. Diameter D of one turn of the engaging member 50
(FIG. 2) is smaller than the gap between the inner peripheral surface 22c of the housing recess 28 and the outer peripheral surface of the receiving portion 33 of the slider 30.

In the joint A having the above structure, as shown in FIG. 1, the engaging member 50 is housed in the housing recess 28 of the body 20 and the slider 30 that closes the housing recess 28.
Since it is mounted on the outer periphery of the receiving portion 33 of the
Can be reliably prevented from falling off the body 20.

The joint A is attached to a gas appliance by previously screwing a taper screw 21y into a screw hole of a gas appliance such as a gas stopper, a header, or cheese. In this state,
The end of the bellows tube 10 is inserted into the joint A and connected.

If the joint A is not sufficiently inserted into the bellows tube 10, the tip of the bellows tube 10 does not reach the slider 30, as shown in FIG.
It does not fit into the valley portion 10b of the bellows tube 10. Therefore, the stopper 70 is removed, and the second cylinder 23
When screwed in, only the difference between the initial length of the accommodation recess 28 (the length in the state of FIG. 1) and the diameter D of the winding portion of the engaging member 50 can be screwed in, and further screwing is not possible. , Second
The left end surface 23a of the cylinder 23 is connected to the first cylinder 2 via the engaging member 50.
It is prevented by hitting the first stage 22g of No.1. The operator can know that the insertion of the bellows tube 10 is insufficient because the second cylinder 23 cannot screw in the second step 23s thereof until it hits the right end surface 21s of the first cylinder 21.

If the insertion amount of the bellows tube 10 is sufficient, the sloped surface of the peak 10a of the bellows tube 10 contacts the seal member 36 of the slider 30. In this state, the right end of the receiving portion 33 of the slider 30 is located at a position corresponding to the mountain portion 10a of the bellows tube 10. The slider 30 is pushed by the tip of the bellows tube 10 and moved to the left against the force of the coil spring 40. At this time, the receiving portion 33 of the slider 30 has the receiving recess 28
Away from the first step 22 of the body 20
g, that is, the side surface of the accommodating recess 28 prevents movement to the left. As a result, as shown in FIG.
0 is detached from the receiving portion 33, reduced in diameter by its elastic force and fitted into the valley portion 10b of the bellows tube 10. At the moment when the engaging member 50 is fitted into the valley portion 10b of the bellows tube 10, an impact sound is generated and the vibration accompanying this impact is transmitted to the operator's hand through the bellows tube 10. Engaging member 50
It can be recognized that the engagement between the bellows tube 10 and the bellows tube 10 is completed, and that the connection between the bellows tube 10 and the joint A is completed.
Even when the engagement member 50 is fitted in the valley portion 10b of the bellows tube 10, both ends are apart from each other and the diameter thereof is elastically expanded. Touches.

The insertion depth of the bellows tube 10 is restricted by the left end of the slider 30 hitting the step 22f of the body 20. When the operator releases the bellows tube 10, as shown in FIG. 4, the slider 30 and the bellows tube 10 are returned to the right by the force of the coil spring 40, and the engaging member 50 moves to the tubular portion 2.
It is locked to the locking surface 29 formed at the tip of the No. 3. Thus, by confirming that the bellows tube 10 is returned by the force of the coil spring 40, it is possible to confirm the completion of the connecting work of the bellows tube 10. Further, by locking the engaging member 50 to the locking surface 29, the bellows tube 10 can be prevented from coming off the joint A even when the bellows tube 10 is pulled to the right. When the bellows tube 10 is pulled to the right, the inclined portion of the bellows tube 10 applies a force to the engaging member 50 in the radial direction and the outward direction. Since the force in the direction is applied, it is possible to reliably prevent the diameter from being elastically expanded.

In the state shown in FIG. 4, since the engaging member 50 does not exist in the accommodation recess 28, the screwing of the second cylinder 23 is not restricted. Therefore, when the second cylinder 23 is screwed into the first cylinder 21, as shown in FIG.
3s can be applied to the right end surface 21s of the first cylinder 21. Thereby, the worker can confirm that the connection work has been completed. In this final state, the seal member 65 is elastically deformed and the inner peripheral surface 2 of the first cylinder 21 is
Touch 2c.

As is apparent from the above description of the operation, the second step 23s of the second cylinder 23 hits the right end surface 21s of the first cylinder 21 to confirm the completion of the connecting work of the bellows tube 10. Requires the following conditions: That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the tip end surface 23a of the second cylinder 23 and the first step 22g of the first cylinder 21 are separated by a distance equal to the diameter D of the winding portion of the engaging member 50. In the screwed state of the two cylinders 23, the second stage 23s of the second cylinder 23 and the first cylinder 21
Is separated from the right end surface 21s, and the distance L is less than or equal to the diameter D of the winding portion of the engaging member 50. This separation distance L is preferably at least half the diameter D of the winding portion of the engaging member 50.

When the bellows tube 10 is connected to the joint A, the sealing member 6 is attached to the peak portion 10a of the bellows tube 10.
Since the elastic tubes 1, 62 are in contact with the outer circumferences of the protective tube 11 and the bellows tube 10 of the gas pipe B, respectively, the joint A and the gas pipe B can be sealed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modes are possible. For example, it can be applied to the case where the body of the gas appliance also serves as the body of the joint. The engagement member may be a coil spring having both ends connected to form an annular shape. Further, it may be a circular elastic ring with a part cut away. Further, it may be an assembly of a coil spring having both ends connected, and a circular elastic ring housed in the coil spring and partially cut away.

[0024]

As described above, according to the joint of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the engaging member from falling off before connecting the bellows pipe.
The work of connecting the bellows tube is easy, and it is securely prevented from coming off.
By the impact when the engaging member fits in the valley of the bellows tube,
The operator can clearly recognize the completion of the work of connecting the bellows tube. Moreover, after the work of connecting the bellows tube, the second tube is screwed into the first tube, and the step of the outer circumference of the second tube can be brought into contact with the one end surface of the first tube. The final confirmation of completion can be performed, and the connection work can be made even more reliable.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before connecting a bellows pipe of a joint according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the joint when the insertion amount of the bellows tube is insufficient.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the joint showing a state at the moment when the engaging member is fitted into the bellows tube when the insertion amount of the bellows tube is sufficient.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state obtained when the hand is released from the bellows tube in the state of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which one cylinder is screwed into the other cylinder from the state of FIG. 4 to complete the work of connecting the bellows pipe.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Bellows tube 10a ... Mountain part 10b ... Valley part 20 ... Body 21 ... 1st cylinder 21x ... Female screw 21s ... One end surface 22g ... 1st step 23 ... 2nd cylinder 23a ... One end surface 23x ... Male screw 23s ... 2nd step 24x ... Inlet 28 ... Accommodating recess 29 ... Locking part (locking surface) 30 ... Supporting member (slider) 33 ... Receiving part 40 ... Coil spring 50 ... engaging member

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuya Wada 4-20-14 Toyohachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Koyo Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Keizo Okawa 4-20-14 Toyohachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo No. Koyo Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasushi Kosugi 4-20-14 Toyohashi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Koyo Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A joint for a bellows pipe having alternating peaks and valleys, comprising: (a) a first cylinder having an internal thread on the inner circumference of one end and a second cylinder having an external thread on the outer circumference of the end. The first cylinder is formed by being screwed with each other, and an annular first step located between the female screw and the other end is formed on the inner circumference of the first cylinder. An annular locking portion is formed, the other end opening of the second cylinder is provided as an inlet for the bellows tube, and an annular accommodation recess is formed by the first stage of the first cylinder and the one end surface of the second cylinder. And (b) a support member that is housed in the first cylinder of the body and has a tubular shape, and the inlet end is provided as a receiving portion, and (c) the first cylinder of the body. And pressing the support member toward the inlet, the receiving portion of the support member is positioned at a position facing the inner peripheral surface of the accommodation recess. (D) The spring to be arranged is (d) substantially annular and is mounted on the outer periphery of the receiving portion of the support member in a state where the diameter is elastically expanded. When pushed in a direction away from the inlet against the pressure, the diameter of the support member is deviated from the inlet side end of the receiving portion and the diameter of the support member is fitted into the outer periphery of the valley portion of the bellows tube. And an engaging member for preventing the bellows tube from coming off by locking a portion of the bellows tube projecting from the outer periphery of the mountain portion to the locking section of the body, and further, an intermediate portion of the second cylinder of the body. An annular second step facing the one end surface of the first cylinder is formed on the outer circumference, and the first step of the first cylinder and the one end surface of the second cylinder are screwed together with a distance equal to the cross-sectional diameter of the engaging member. When in the state, the one end surface of the first cylinder and the second stage of the second cylinder are separated from each other, and this separation distance is equal to Bellows pipe fittings, which is a cross-sectional diameter or less of a wood.