JPH09189378A - Fixing structure for flexible tube - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To install and fix a flexible tube without being bent in the tube stacked into a staged state by mounting the flexible tube with rigidity, which is arranged in the bottom stage, on a flat face along the longitudinal direction of tubes and holding the flexible tube by a plurality of fixtures whose tube holding parts of C-cross section are joined in the height direction. SOLUTION: A fixture 3 is arranged in such a position that a base board 3b is sandwiched between opening parts 3c of two tube holding parts 3a which have bending elasticity and almost C-cross section and are opposed with each other, and the bottom parts of the tube holding parts 3a which are mutually stacked thereon. The base board 3b and the bottom parts of the tube holding part 3a are connected by a rivet, welding, etc. When a flexible tube 1 is detached from/attached to the opening part 3c, the opening part 3c is opened/ closed so as to facilitate its detachment/attachment and the tube holding parts 3a surround the outer circumference of the flexible tube 1 so that fixing force by friction of the both is large. This constitution can arrange and fix the flexible tube without being bent in the case of fixing the tube and smoothly draw in a cable, etc., when it is stored in the flexible tube.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure fixed by a fixture (supporting means) of a flexible tube used for protecting filaments such as electric wires and optical fibers and transporting fluid such as water and oil. It is a thing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Pipes used for protecting filaments such as electric wires and optical fibers, and for transporting fluids such as water and oil are roughly classified into those shown in FIG.
It can be classified into a rigid tube 11 shown in (a) and a flexible tube (or also called a flexible tube) 1 shown in FIG. 9 (b). The flexible tube 1 is made of a material such as rubber or resin and has an outer shape of a spiral shape or a bellows shape. As its name implies, it is flexible and has a wider installation range than the rigid tube 11. There is an advantage. Conventionally, the technique used for the rigid tube 11 is often applied as it is to the fixing structure of the flexible tube 1.

An example thereof will be described below. However, this is a structure in which the tubes are fixed in a plurality of stages in the height direction. First, in the case of only the rigid tube 11 as shown in FIG. 9A, the plurality of rigid tubes 11 arranged in parallel are arranged on the rigid tube 11 at regular intervals (for example, about 1 to 3 m) in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of square-tube-shaped nozzle bases 12 (thickness: about 100 mm) are mounted over a plurality of rigid pipes. Another rigid tube 11 is mounted on and supported by the nozzle base 12. As described above, since the rigid pipe 11 has rigidity as its name suggests, even if the pipe stubs 12 such as a square bar having a certain thickness are sandwiched and piled up, the pipes of the pipes are stacked. The shape is maintained, and a gap can be increased between the upper and lower rigid tubes 11. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, in the case of a structure in which the rigid tube 11 is simply replaced with the flexible tube 1 in the same structure as the case of the rigid tube 11 described above, the nozzle 12 is replaced by the flexible tube 1. Since they are arranged at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction (for example, at intervals of about 1 to 3 m), the upper flexible tube 1 depends on the diameter and rigidity of the tube.
Not supported (one nozzle 12 and another nozzle 12)
(A portion between and) bends downward due to the weight of the flexible tube 1 or the like. If this flexure becomes even greater, the amount of flexure is large in the part where the upper flexible tube 1 is not supported, especially in the central part,
It may be supported by being in partial contact with the lower flexible tube 1. The degree of this bending depends on the weight of the flexible tube 1 and the tension in the longitudinal direction, but is often proportional to the distance between the flexible tubes 1 in the height direction, that is, the thickness of the nozzle 12.

[0004]

However, as described above, in the structure of the flexible tube 1 which is supported by the relatively thick nozzle 12, the material of the flexible tube 1, the moment of inertia of section, the spacing of the fixtures, Although the upper flexible tube 1 is not supported by the nozzle 12 but bends downward, depending on the load and the contents in the tube, for example, an electric wire, an optical fiber or a cable is drawn into the flexible tube 1. In this case, the contact friction between the inner surface of the bent portion of the pipe and the outer surface of the cable or the like drawn into the tube becomes large, and the drawing becomes difficult. In addition, there is a problem that it becomes more difficult to draw in and out when the flexible tube 1 becomes long. Further, if the pulling-in and pulling-out operations into the pipe are after the backfilling work of earth and sand (usually in many cases), naturally the bent portion of the flexible tube 1 may be buried in the earth and sand. Has a problem that it is more difficult to pull in and pull out compared to before the earth and sand backfilling work. There is nothing that hinders the flexibility of the flexible tube 1 around 1. Therefore, depending on the degree of flexibility of the tube, when pulling out an electric wire, an optical fiber or a cable inside the tube, it is not possible to do so to some extent by hand. Bending and bending can be corrected to a straight line to some extent to reduce contact friction with the contents in the pipe).

Since the surface of the nozzle 12 is usually a flat surface and does not particularly have a structure for fixing the tube, when the flexible tube 1 is placed on the nozzle 12, it easily rolls and the earth and sand 5 At the time of backfilling, the flexible tube 1 was sometimes bent or displaced due to the external force of the earth and sand 5 sprinkled. In this case, there is a problem that the degree of the above-mentioned problem is further increased. In particular, when an optical fiber is housed in the flexible tube 1, if the flexible tube 1 has an extremely bent portion, the side surface of the optical fiber comes into contact with the bent portion, the optical fiber receives a strong lateral pressure, and the microbend ( If there is a radius bend that cannot be ignored compared to the wavelength, light will be emitted from the optical fiber,
It causes optical transmission loss. Such a small bend is called a microbend. ), And the optical transmission loss increases.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and in pipes stacked in the height direction,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a structure in which a flexible tube can be installed and fixed without being bent.

[0007]

The invention according to claim 1 is a structure in which a plurality of pipes including at least one flexible pipe are fixed by a fixture, and the length of the arranged pipe is long. The flexible tube arranged at the bottom of the flexible tubes arranged in the fixture is placed on a substantially smooth surface along the direction, and the tube holding portion having a substantially C-shaped cross section has a height. The flexible tube is held by a plurality of fixtures connected in the direction.

The surface on which the flexible tube is placed (for example, the ground level, the outer surface of the rigid tube, and the surface of the rigid plate) has rigidity and is substantially smooth along the longitudinal direction of the tube to be placed. Since it is formed on the surface, there is no downward bending of the flexible tube due to gravity or the like, and the linear shape can be maintained. Further, since the pipe holding portion of the fixture has a substantially C-shaped cross section, the pipe can be attached / detached to / from the pipe holding portion with one touch, which facilitates the attachment / detachment work. Needless to say, the pipes can be arranged in a plurality of stages in the height direction because the pipes are fixed to a fixture in which a plurality of pipe holding portions are connected in the height direction.

The invention according to claim 2 is a structure in which a plurality of tubes including at least one flexible tube are fixed by a fixing tool, has rigidity, and is substantially smooth along the longitudinal direction of the arranged tubes. The flexible tube arranged at the lowest stage among the flexible tubes arranged in the fixture is placed on the flat surface, and at least one tube holding portion having a substantially S-shaped cross section is arranged in the height direction. It is characterized in that the flexible tube is held by the formed fixture.

The difference from the invention of claim 1 is that the cross-section outline S
This is the point that the flexible tube is held by a fixture formed with at least one tube-shaped tube holding portion in the height direction. With this configuration, one tube holding portion can support two tubes in the height direction. Moreover, since the gap between the pipes stacked in the height direction is about the thickness of the pipe holding portion at the portion in contact with the fixture, depending on the design, the gap between the pipes vertically adjacent to each other is hardly created and the flexible pipe It is possible to make the amount of bending in the height direction negligible.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure in which a plurality of tubes including at least one flexible tube are fixed by a fixing tool, which has rigidity, and is substantially smooth along the longitudinal direction of the arranged tubes. A flexible tube arranged at the lowest stage among the flexible tubes arranged in the fixture is placed on a flat surface, and is formed by combining a general C-shaped section and a general S-shaped section. The flexible tube is held by a fixture having at least one portion formed in the height direction.

The present invention is a combination of the inventions of claims 1 and 2 described above. As a result, it is possible to configure a pipe holding portion having a shape that cannot be realized by the inventions of claims 1 and 2 (for example, R of the bent portion).
(A generally W-shaped cross section such that the curved part follows the outer diameter of the pipe). With this configuration, one tube holding portion can support any number of tubes in the height direction. Moreover, since the gap between the pipes stacked in the height direction is about the thickness of the pipe holding portion at the portion in contact with the fixture, depending on the design, the gap between the pipes vertically adjacent to each other is hardly created and the flexible pipe It is possible to make the amount of bending in the height direction negligible.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure in which a plurality of tubes including at least one flexible tube are fixed by a fixing tool, which has rigidity, and is substantially smooth along the longitudinal direction of the arranged tubes. The flexible tube placed at the bottom of the flexible tubes placed in the fixture is placed on a flat surface, and the vertically adjacent tubes can be in direct contact with each other almost continuously in the longitudinal direction. It is characterized in that the flexible tube is held by a fixture composed of a rod-shaped or plate-shaped tube holding portion that supports both sides of the tube and is vertically fixed.

In the above structure, since the lowermost tube is a rigid tube or a flexible tube placed on a surface having rigidity, the flexible tube loaded thereon is substantially continuous with the adjacent lower tube. In this case, the flexible tube does not bend downward due to gravity or the like. Since there is almost no interval between the tubes in the height direction, the installation space is reduced in the height direction, and when creating a new installation space, it is possible to reduce the creation work and the like.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a flexible tube fixing structure according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing structure of the flexible tube 1 is installed on the lower surface 6a of an underground groove 6 provided in the ground 2 by stacking the flexible tubes 1 in a plurality of stages in the height direction, It is the same as the conventional one in that it is buried and fixed by the earth and sand 5. Therefore,
A description of this point will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the fixture 3, the openings 3c of two tube holding portions 3a having bending elasticity and having a substantially C-shaped cross section face each other, and the bottom portion of the tube holding portion 3a (opening 3c). Substrate 3b at a position where the portions facing each other) overlap each other.
Are arranged so as to be sandwiched between. The substrate 3b
The bottom of the pipe holding portion 3a is connected to the bottom of the pipe holding portion 3a by rivets, welding, or the like. Note that FIG. 1 shows an example in which two pipe holding portions 3a are arranged in the lateral direction, but one or
Three or more may be arranged.

When the flexible tube 1 is pushed into or removed from the opening 3c, the tube holding portion 3a is bent and elastically deformed to open and close the opening 3c, so that the flexible tube 1 can be easily attached and detached. Further, the tube holding portion 3a has a shape that substantially wraps the outer periphery of the flexible tube 1 like a C-shaped ring, and the flexible tube 1 and the tube holding portion 3a are
If the contact area is large, the fixing force due to friction between the two becomes large. In this way, by the pipe holder 3a,
Since the plurality of flexible tubes 1 are held by the fixture 3, the earth and sand 5
Even when backfilling, the installation location can be buried without shifting.

The substrate 3b may be a single plate, but FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, two upper and lower substrates 3d may be fixed in an overlapping manner with the center of the substrate 3b in the thickness direction as the center.
This example will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 (b)
As shown in, the bottom of the tube holding portion 3a is connected to one surface of the substrate 3d. The connection point 7 is shown in FIG.
And at the positions shown in FIG. 7B, they are connected by rivets or welding. On the surface opposite to the one surface, there is provided a locking piece 8 having a shape in which a part of the substrate 3d is punched out in a tongue shape, and at least an end thereof is projected outward by bending or the like.
It is provided in places. Further, on the same surface, two locking holes 9 each having a shape into which the locking piece 8 can be inserted are adjacently provided at one position. It should be noted that, as shown in FIG. 7C, when the locking pieces 8 and the locking holes 9 are installed, when the different substrates 3d having the same shape are overlapped with each other, both the locking pieces 8 and the locking holes 9 are placed. May be connected to each other, and the number of installations may be any number and is not limited. A set of two substrates 3 described above
d is combined as shown below. First, the surfaces on which the locking pieces 8 project are superposed so that the locking pieces 8 are inserted into both locking holes 9. Next, by sliding the substrate 3d, the protrusions 8a formed at the tips of both the locking pieces 8 are projected from the other locking hole 9. As described above, the fixtures 3 shown in FIG. 7 can be combined into one to form the fixture 3 as shown in FIG. Such a fixture 3 is used by combining the two into one, or by using them alone without being combined.
It is preferable because the range of application of is expanded.

As shown in FIG. 7, the fixture 3 can be used in a state where the substrates 3d are not overlapped, that is, the fixture 3 in which a plurality of tube holding portions 3a are formed on only one surface of the substrate 3d alone. However, in this case, in the fixture 3, the tube holding portion 3a has only one step in the height direction. In this case, the fixture 3 to which the flexible tube 1 is fixed may be directly provided on the ground, but it may be stacked over a plurality of flexible tubes 1 that are already arranged and arranged in parallel. Yes (not shown).

The fixture 3 includes a tube holding portion 3a and a substrate 3
Both b are formed of a plate as thin as possible within the range allowed by the design. Therefore, the space between the vertically adjacent flexible tubes 1 is formed small.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the fixture 3 may have a shape in which the tube holding portions 3a are connected side by side with the above-described roughly C-shaped section, that is, a substantially W-shaped section. However, it is not limited to the simple C-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. As described above, when the plurality of tube holding portions 3a are integrally formed, the number of parts is smaller than that of the fixture 3 having a substantially C-shaped cross section, which has an advantage of cost reduction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the fixture 3 is not limited to one in which the flexible tubes 1 are stacked in two stages, but may be in three or more stages. Since the basic structure of the fixture 3 is common to that of FIG. 1, the description of the common part will be omitted here, and only the characteristic part will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a plate-shaped columnar portion 3e is provided vertically from the central portion of the base plate 3b that serves as a pedestal, and a tube holding portion having a substantially C-shaped cross section is provided so as to be symmetrical on both side surfaces of the columnar portion 3e. It is a fixture 3 in which the bottom of 3a is connected and fixed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, in the fixture 3, the bottom portions of the pipe holding portions 3a having a substantially C-shaped cross section are connected to each other by a connecting member 7.
It is also possible to have a structure in which one point is connected and the opening 3c faces the other side. The connection member 7 is preferably a rivet or the like that allows the connection member 7 and the pipe holding portion 3a to rotate relative to each other about the axis in a state of being connected to the pipe holding portion 3a. In such a fixture 3, the crossing angle can be freely changed while the two flexible tubes 1 are fixed. For example, when it is desired to bend only one flexible tube 1 in the other direction in the middle of the route, the bending portion is fixed to the other flexible tube 1, so that the displacement can be prevented. Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the pipe installation can be increased.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the fixture 3 may be one in which two tube holding portions 3a each having a bending elasticity and having a substantially S-shaped cross section are arranged on the substrate 3b. The substrate 3b and the bottom of the tube holding portion 3a are connected by rivets or welding. Although FIG. 3 shows an example in which two pipe holding portions 3a are arranged in the lateral direction, one or three or more pipe holding portions 3a may be arranged. In addition, since the pipe holding portion 3a has a substantially S-shaped cross section as described above, it is possible to hold two pipes with one pipe holding portion 3a, and the interval between the two pipes. Is about the thickness of the tube holding portion 3a interposed therebetween. Therefore, although depending on the design, in the fixture 3 in which the wall thickness of the tube holding portion 3a is relatively thin, the space between the vertically adjacent flexible tubes 1 is formed small,
It is possible to make the amount of bending of the flexible tube in the height direction negligible without forming a gap between the tubes that are vertically adjacent to each other.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the pipe holding portion 3a has a shape in which a pipe holding portion 3a having a substantially C-shaped cross section is further provided on the fixture 3 having a generally S-shaped cross section shown in FIG. Fixture 3
May be used. In the fixture 3, it is not necessary to dispose the tube holding portions 3a in multiple rows in the lateral direction, and one tube may be disposed. In that case, the tube holding portion 3a is attached to the substrate 3
It is preferable to dispose in the center of b in terms of balance.
Of course, a multi-row arrangement is also possible. In this manner, the flexible tube is held by the fixture formed by at least one tube holding portion formed by combining the generally C-shaped section and the generally S-shaped section in the height direction. One section can support any number of tubes in the height direction. Moreover, since the gap between the pipes stacked in the height direction is about the thickness of the pipe holding portion at the portion in contact with the fixture, depending on the design, the gap between the pipes vertically adjacent to each other is hardly created and the flexible pipe It is possible to make the amount of bending in the height direction negligible.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the fixture 3 may be composed of a rod-shaped or plate-shaped pipe holding portion 3a which supports both sides of the pipe and is fixed vertically. The position of the tube holding portion 3a on the substrate 3b is not particularly limited as long as the tube is sufficiently sandwiched. Also, the substrate 3
As shown in FIG. 6, the fixing structure of b and the pipe holding portion 3a is not limited to screwing with the nut 3d, and welding or the like may be used. When the fixture 3 is used, there is almost no space between the tubes in the height direction, so the installation space is compact in the height direction, and when creating a new installation space, the creation work etc. should be reduced. You can

All the fixtures 3 described above as examples are stable when they are installed at a plurality of positions at regular intervals (for example, at intervals of about 1 to 3 m) in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube 1. preferable. Although the tubes shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 are all flexible tubes 1, they may have a structure in which a rigid tube and a flexible tube 1 are mixed. Further, it is preferable that at least the pipe holding portion 3a of the fixture 3 is formed by processing a plate-shaped spring steel material. When a plate-shaped member is used for the fixture 3, as shown in FIG. 7, a step along the longitudinal direction of the member is provided on the surface,
A reinforced structure is preferable because the wall thickness of the member can be minimized as much as possible. An example of the approximate dimensions of the main parts of the fixture 3 is shown below using the symbols shown in FIG. Thickness (t): about 1.5 mm, width (W): about 50 mm, inner diameter (d): about 130 mm. Of course, this size is only an example, and other sizes may be used without limitation.
Further, the member may be any member as long as the reliability is sufficiently secured. For example, a member integrally molded of plastic is suitable for mass production because it has excellent workability, and mass production effect such as cost reduction. Give birth.

[0029]

As described above, the effect common to the inventions of claims 1 to 4 is that when the pipes are fixed in a plurality of stages, the flexible pipes are bent even if the flexible pipes are fixed. Since it is arranged and fixed without being mounted, it is possible to provide a fixing structure for a flexible tube that can be smoothly drawn in when a cable or the like is housed in the flexible tube.

Further, according to the first aspect of the invention, the flexible tube is held by the fixing tool in which at least one tube holding section is formed in the height direction in which the tube holding section of the fixing tool has a substantially C-shaped cross section. By doing so, each tube has an independent fixed structure,
For example, it is possible to avoid a situation where one tube comes off the fixture and the other tube comes off. The tubes can be attached to and detached from the tube holding portion with one touch, which facilitates the attachment and detachment work.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the pipe holding portion of the fixture has a substantially S-shaped cross section, and the pipe holding portion has at least 1 in the height direction.
By holding the flexible tube in one or more fixtures formed, one tube holding portion can support two tubes in the height direction. Moreover, since the gap between the pipes stacked in the height direction is about the thickness of the pipe holding portion at the portion in contact with the fixture, depending on the design, the gap between the pipes vertically adjacent to each other is hardly created and the flexible pipe It is possible to make the amount of bending in the height direction negligible.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the flexible tube is held by a fixture in which at least one tube holding portion formed by combining a generally C-shaped section and a generally S-shaped section is formed in the height direction. By doing so, a plurality of tubes can be supported in the height direction by one tube holding portion. Moreover, since the gap between the pipes stacked in the height direction is about the thickness of the pipe holding portion at the portion in contact with the fixture, depending on the design, the gap between the pipes vertically adjacent to each other is hardly created and the flexible pipe It is possible to make the amount of bending in the height direction negligible.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the vertically adjacent tubes are almost continuously in direct contact with each other and the flexible tube is held by the fixture, that is, the lowermost tube is a rigid tube or a rigid tube. With the flexible tube placed on the above-mentioned surface, the flexible tube loaded thereon is directly and almost continuously contacted with and supported by the adjacent lower tube, so that the flexible tube does not bend. Since there is almost no space between pipes in the height direction, the installation space shrinks in the height direction, and when creating a new installation space,
The creation work etc. can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

7 (a) is a plan view showing the upper half of the fixture shown in FIG. 1,
(B) It is a front view and (c) is a bottom view.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention (fixing device only).

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Flexible tube 2 Underground 3 Fixture 3a Pipe holding part 3c Opening

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page (72) Inventor Hiroki Senoo 2-6-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshio Nakata 2-6-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo No. Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshio Horikoshi 1-3-1, Uchisaiwai-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Within Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc. (72) Koichi Yokosuka 1-3-1, Uchisai-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Within Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A structure in which a plurality of tubes including at least one flexible tube are fixed by a fixture, and the structure has rigidity.
The flexible tube arranged at the lowest stage among the flexible tubes arranged in the fixture is placed on a substantially smooth surface along the longitudinal direction of the arranged tube, and has a substantially C-shaped cross section. A flexible tube fixing structure in which a flexible tube is held by a fixture in which a plurality of tube holding portions are connected in the height direction. 2. A structure in which a plurality of tubes including at least one flexible tube are fixed by a fixture, and the structure has rigidity.
The flexible tube arranged at the lowest stage among the flexible tubes arranged in the fixture is placed on a substantially smooth surface along the longitudinal direction of the arranged tube, and has a generally S-shaped cross section. A flexible tube fixing structure, wherein a flexible tube is held by a fixture having at least one tube holding portion formed in a height direction. 3. A structure in which a plurality of tubes including at least one flexible tube are fixed by a fixing tool, and the structure has rigidity.
The flexible tube arranged at the lowest stage among the flexible tubes arranged in the fixture is placed on a substantially smooth surface along the longitudinal direction of the arranged tube, and has a cross-section of a substantially C shape and a cross section. At least one pipe holding portion formed by combining the substantially S-shapes in the height direction
A flexible tube fixing structure, characterized in that the flexible tube is held by one or more fixtures formed. 4. A structure in which a plurality of tubes including at least one flexible tube are fixed by a fixing tool, and the structure has rigidity.
The flexible tubes arranged at the lowest stage among the flexible tubes arranged in the fixture are placed on a substantially smooth surface along the longitudinal direction of the arranged tubes, and the vertically adjacent tubes are mutually A flexible tube characterized in that it is held in direct contact with the pipe substantially continuously in the longitudinal direction, and the flexible tube is held by a fixture consisting of a rod-shaped or plate-shaped tube holding portion that supports both sides of the tube and is fixed vertically. Fixed structure of pipe.