JP7518758B2 - Branch pipe connection parts - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a branch pipe connection member.

Conventionally, as a jig for constructing a branch pipe connection member for connecting a branch pipe to an existing main pipe of a sewer system, for example, a branch pipe installation jig such as that shown in Patent Document 1 below has been provided.

The branch pipe installation jig of Patent Document 1 is intended to form a branch pipe section to which a branch pipe can be connected by assembling an inner surface locking member that can be locked to the inner surface of the main pipe and an outer surface connecting member that can be connected to the inner surface locking member from the outer surface of the main pipe to an opening formed in the main pipe to which the branch pipe is to be connected. The branch pipe installation jig of Patent Document 1 is equipped with a branch pipe installation jig main body that can temporarily hold the inner surface locking member inside the main pipe when assembling it to the main pipe.

Patent No. 5859844

Here, in the prior art, a jig for attaching a branch pipe, such as that disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, is used to attach a branch pipe connection member. However, in the prior art, it takes a considerable amount of time, effort, and labor to prepare a jig such as the branch pipe attachment jig described above and to use such a jig to install it in a predetermined location. In addition, in the prior art, there is also the trouble that when attaching a branch pipe, the jig must be removed before the branch pipe can be connected.

The present invention aims to provide a branch pipe connection member that can be attached to a main pipe to which a branch pipe is to be attached without using special tools, etc.

(1) The branch pipe connection member of the present invention is used to connect a branch pipe to a main pipe, and includes an outer peripheral member arranged on the outside of the main pipe and capable of connecting the branch pipe, an inner peripheral member introduced into the main pipe and attached to the inner peripheral side of the main pipe around an opening drilled in the main pipe, and a linear member connecting the inner peripheral member and the outer peripheral member, the outer peripheral member having an outer tube portion arranged such that the axial direction intersects with the main pipe, a rotating portion that is rotatable around the axial center position of the outer tube portion, and a rotating portion movement mechanism that allows the rotating portion to move in the axial direction in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating portion, and the connecting portion on the outer peripheral member side of the linear member is movable in the axial direction together with the rotating portion.

The branch pipe connection member of the present invention is provided with a rotating part that can rotate around the axial center position of the outer tube part that constitutes the outer peripheral member, and a rotating part movement mechanism that can move the rotating part in the axial direction with the rotation of the rotating part. In addition, in the branch pipe connection member of the present invention, the connecting part on the outer peripheral member side of the linear member is movable in the axial direction together with the rotating part. Therefore, the branch pipe connection member of the present invention can attach the outer peripheral member and the inner peripheral member to the main pipe by introducing the inner peripheral member into the main pipe through an opening drilled in the main pipe, and with the outer peripheral member disposed on the outer periphery of the main pipe, rotating the rotating part to move it in the axial direction until the inner peripheral member is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe. Therefore, according to the present invention, a branch pipe connection member that can be attached to the main pipe without using a special jig or the like can be provided.

(2) The branch pipe connection member of the present invention is used to connect a branch pipe to a main pipe, and includes an outer peripheral member that is arranged on the outside of the main pipe and is capable of connecting the branch pipe, an inner peripheral member that is introduced into the main pipe and is attached to the inner peripheral side of the main pipe around an opening drilled in the main pipe, and a linear member that connects the inner peripheral member and the outer peripheral member, and the outer peripheral member includes an outer tube portion that is arranged such that its axial direction intersects with the main pipe, a rotating portion that is rotatable around the axial center position of the outer tube portion, and a linear member that rotates around the axial center position of the outer tube portion. The linear member is wound around a winding section, a switching mechanism that can switch between an integral rotation state in which the rotating section and the winding section are connected so that they can rotate together, and an independent rotation state in which the rotating section is connected so that it can rotate independently of the winding section, and a rotating section movement mechanism that can move the rotating section in the axial direction as the rotating section rotates, at least in the independent rotation state, and the connecting section on the outer peripheral member side of the linear member is capable of moving in the axial direction together with the rotating section.

The branch pipe connection member of the present invention has a rotating part that can rotate around the axial center position of the outer tube part that constitutes the outer peripheral member, and a winding part that can rotate around the axial center position of the outer tube part to wind a linear member. The branch pipe connection member of the present invention also has a switching mechanism for switching the connection state of the rotating part and the winding part, and the switching mechanism can make the rotating part and the winding part rotatable as a unit by setting them in an integrally rotating state. Therefore, in the branch pipe connection member of the present invention, when in an integrally rotating state, the rotating part can be rotated to wind the linear member around the winding part. As the operation of winding the linear member around the winding part proceeds, the distance between the outer peripheral member and the inner peripheral member is shortened by an amount equivalent to the length of the linear member wound around the winding part, and the inner peripheral member is drawn in a direction approaching the inner peripheral surface. Therefore, the branch pipe connection member of the present invention can pull the inner circumferential member toward the inner circumferential surface of the main pipe by introducing the inner circumferential member into the main pipe through an opening drilled in the main pipe, placing the outer circumferential member on the outer periphery of the main pipe, and rotating the rotating part while they are rotating together.

The branch pipe connection member of the present invention can be switched to an independent rotation state by a switching mechanism, so that the rotating part can be rotated independently of the winding part. The branch pipe connection member of the present invention also has a rotating part movement mechanism, and can move the rotating part in the axial direction by rotating the rotating part in the independent rotation state. Furthermore, in the branch pipe connection member of the present invention, the connecting part on the outer peripheral member side of the linear member can move in the axial direction together with the rotating part. Therefore, the branch pipe connection member of the present invention can move the inner peripheral member in a direction approaching the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe by introducing the inner peripheral member into the main pipe through an opening drilled in the main pipe and rotating the rotating part to move in the axial direction when the outer peripheral member is placed on the outer periphery of the main pipe. This allows the inner peripheral member to be crimped against the main pipe, and the branch pipe connection member to be firmly connected.

As described above, the branch pipe connection member of the present invention can move the inner circumferential member introduced into the main pipe from an opening drilled in the main pipe in a direction approaching the inner circumferential surface of the main pipe by both the operation of rotating the rotating part in an integral rotation state (hereinafter also referred to as "integral rotation operation") and the operation of rotating the rotating part in an independent rotation state to move the rotating part in the axial direction (hereinafter also referred to as "independent rotation operation"). Therefore, for example, the inner circumferential member can be moved to a position approaching the inner circumferential surface of the main pipe by an integral rotation operation, and then the inner circumferential member can be further moved closer to the inner circumferential surface of the main pipe by an independent rotation operation. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a branch pipe connection member that can be firmly attached to the main pipe without using a special jig or the like.

(3) The branch pipe connecting member of the present invention described above preferably has a tubular portion that is rotatable around the same axial center position as the outer tubular portion, a first rotation regulating portion that can regulate and release the rotation of the tubular portion relative to the outer tubular portion, and a second rotation regulating portion that can regulate and release the rotation of the rotating portion relative to the tubular portion, and the switching mechanism is configured to include the tubular portion, the first rotation regulating portion, and the second rotation regulating portion, and the winding portion is connected to the tubular portion so as to be movable in the axial direction but non-rotatable.

According to this configuration, while the first rotation restricting unit restricts the rotation of the tubular part and the outer tubular part, and the second rotation restricting unit releases the restriction on the rotation of the tubular part relative to the tubular part, an operation to rotate the tubular part (independent rotation operation) is performed, and the rotatable part is moved in the axial direction by the rotatable part moving mechanism, so that the winding part can be moved in the axial direction together with the rotatable part relative to the tubular part. On the other hand, while the first rotation restricting unit releases the restriction on the rotation of the tubular part relative to the outer tubular part, and the second rotation restricting unit restricts the rotation of the tubular part relative to the tubular part, an operation to rotate the rotatable part (integral rotation operation) is performed, so that the winding part can be rotated together with the rotatable part and the tubular part, and a linear member can be wound around the winding part, so that the winding part can be moved in the axial direction together with the rotatable part relative to the tubular part. Therefore, with the above-described configuration, the first rotation restriction unit and the second rotation restriction unit can be used to switch between a state in which independent rotation operation is possible and a state in which integrated rotation operation is possible.

(4) The branch pipe connection member of the present invention described above may be as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the winding portion rotates in response to a rotational force acting on the rotating portion.

With this configuration, by applying a rotational force to the rotating part, it is possible to rotate not only the rotating part but also the winding part. This eliminates the need to provide a separate member for rotating the winding part, and accordingly simplifies the configuration of the branch pipe connection member.

(5) The branch pipe connecting member of the present invention described above may be characterized in that the tubular portion has tubular portion irregularities arranged to form irregularities on the periphery, the outer tubular portion has outer tubular portion irregularities arranged to form irregularities on the periphery, and the first rotation restricting portion has a first engaging/disengaging portion that can be switched between a state in which the relative rotation of the tubular portion and the outer tubular portion is restricted by engaging with both the tubular portion irregularities and the outer tubular portion irregularities, and a state in which the relative rotation of the tubular portion and the outer tubular portion is permitted by disengaging from one or both of the tubular portion irregularities and the outer tubular portion irregularities.

With this configuration, a branch pipe connection member can be provided that can switch between a state in which the relative rotation between the tubular portion and the outer tubular portion is restricted and a state in which it is released, by performing an operation to engage and disengage the first engagement/disengagement portion provided in the first rotation restriction portion with respect to the tubular portion irregularities provided in the tubular portion and the outer tubular portion irregularities provided in the outer tubular portion.

(6) The branch pipe connecting member of the present invention described above may be characterized in that the tubular portion has tubular portion concaves and convexes provided to form concaves and convexes on the periphery, the rotating portion has rotating portion concaves and convexes provided to form concaves and convexes on the periphery, and the second rotation restricting portion has a second engaging/disengaging portion that can be switched between a state in which the relative rotation of the tubular portion and the rotating portion is restricted by engaging with both the tubular portion concaves and convexes and the rotating portion concaves and a state in which the relative rotation of the tubular portion and the rotating portion is permitted by disengaging from one or both of the tubular portion concaves and convexes and the rotating portion concaves and convexes.

With this configuration, a branch pipe connection member can be provided that can switch between a state in which the relative rotation between the tubular portion and the rotating portion is restricted and a state in which it is released, by performing an operation to engage and disengage the second engagement/disengagement portion provided in the second rotation restricting portion with respect to the tubular portion concaves and convexes provided in the tubular portion and the rotating portion concaves and convexes provided in the rotating portion.

(7) The branch pipe connecting member of the present invention described above may be characterized in that it has a rotation restricting portion that can slide along the circumferential surfaces of the tubular portion, the rotating portion, and the outer tubular portion, a tubular portion irregularity formed on the circumferential portion of the tubular portion so as to extend in the sliding direction of the rotation restricting portion, an outer tubular portion irregularity formed on the circumferential portion of the outer tubular portion so as to extend in the sliding direction of the rotation restricting portion, and a rotation portion irregularity formed on the circumferential portion of the rotating portion so as to extend in the sliding direction of the rotation restricting portion, the rotation restricting portion has a rotation restricting irregularity that can be engaged with and disengaged from the tubular portion irregularity, the outer tubular portion irregularity, and the rotating portion irregularity as the rotation restricting portion slides, and the first rotation restricting portion and the second rotation restricting portion are constituted by the rotation restricting irregularity.

This configuration provides a branch pipe connection member that allows the rotation restriction portion to be slid and the first and second rotation restriction portions, which are formed by the rotation restriction irregularities, to be engaged and disengaged with respect to the cylindrical portion irregularities and the outer cylindrical portion irregularities.

(8) The branch pipe connection member of the present invention described above may be characterized in that the rotation restriction portion is a cylindrical member that can slide along the circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical portion, the rotating portion, and the outer cylindrical portion, the rotation restriction irregularities are provided in a plurality of portions in the circumferential direction of the rotation restriction portion, and the cylindrical portion irregularities, the outer cylindrical portion irregularities, and the rotating portion irregularities are provided in a plurality of portions on the circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical portion, the rotating portion, and the outer cylindrical portion.

As described above, by forming the rotation restricting portion into a cylindrical shape and providing multiple rotation restricting irregularities in the circumferential direction, as well as multiple cylindrical portion irregularities, outer cylindrical portion irregularities, and rotation portion irregularities, the first rotation restricting portion and the second rotation restricting portion can be engaged with the cylindrical portion irregularities, outer cylindrical portion irregularities, and rotation portion irregularities at multiple points in the circumferential direction, and the stress associated with rotation can be firmly absorbed.

If the above-mentioned configuration is used, and the linear member becomes tangled, it may cause problems in rotating the rotating part to pull the inner peripheral member toward the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe.

(9) Based on this knowledge, it is preferable that the above-mentioned branch pipe connection member has a guide portion that guides the linear member, and that the guide portion guides the linear member in the axial direction on the inner peripheral member side relative to the winding portion.

With this configuration, the linear member can be guided in the axial direction by the guide portion while being wound neatly around the winding portion. Therefore, with the above-mentioned configuration, a branch pipe connection member can be provided that can smoothly perform the task of drawing the inner peripheral member to the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe by rotating the rotating portion and winding the linear member around the winding portion.

(10) In the above-mentioned branch pipe connection member, it is preferable that the winding portion has a winding groove in which the linear member is accommodated, the winding groove being formed in a spiral shape in the axial direction.

With this configuration, by rotating the rotating part, it is possible to wind the linear member neatly along the winding groove provided in the winding part. Therefore, with the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to provide a branch pipe connection member that can more smoothly perform the task of rotating the rotating part to draw the inner peripheral member to the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe.

(11) The above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member is preferably such that the inner peripheral member has a first inner peripheral piece and a second inner peripheral piece, the linear member has a first linear member connected to the first inner peripheral piece and a second linear member connected to the second inner peripheral piece, and the winding groove is configured by two helical grooves consisting of a helical groove forming a first winding groove in which the first linear member fits, and a helical groove forming a second winding groove in which the second linear member fits.

As described above, if the winding groove is configured with two spiral grooves, the amount of movement of the inner peripheral member relative to the amount of rotation of the rotating part can be made large. Furthermore, if two spiral grooves are provided as described above, the first linear member and the second linear member can be wound approximately evenly around the rotating part, and the inner peripheral member can be pulled toward the main pipe in a balanced manner. Therefore, with the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to improve the work efficiency of the pulling operation in which the rotating part is rotated to pull the inner peripheral member toward the inner surface of the main pipe.

(12) The above-mentioned branch pipe connection member is an inner peripheral member that is connected to a plurality of inner peripheral pieces that abut the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe in a bendable and extendable manner, and by bending the inner peripheral pieces, the inner peripheral pieces are brought into a bent state that can be introduced from the outside to the inside of the main pipe through the opening of the main pipe, and by extending the inner peripheral pieces inside the main pipe, the inner peripheral pieces are brought into an extended state that cannot be removed from the opening of the main pipe to the outside of the main pipe, and it is preferable that by rotating the rotating part in the bent state and winding the linear member around the winding part, the inner peripheral member can be brought into the extended state while being close to the inner peripheral surface.

The above-mentioned branch pipe connection member is an inner peripheral member that connects multiple inner peripheral pieces in a bendable and extendable manner. In addition, by bending the inner peripheral member, it is possible to make it compact enough to be introduced into the main pipe through an opening provided in the main pipe. Therefore, the above-mentioned branch pipe connection member allows the inner peripheral member to be easily and smoothly introduced into the main pipe.

In addition, in the branch pipe connection member described above, the inner peripheral member can be brought into a state (extended state) in which it cannot be removed from the opening of the main pipe to the outside of the main pipe by extending the multiple inner peripheral pieces inside the main pipe. In addition, by rotating the rotating part and winding a linear member around the winding part, the inner peripheral member can be changed from a bent state to an extended state in the process of being drawn to the inner peripheral part of the main pipe. Therefore, with the branch pipe connection member of the present invention, after the inner peripheral member is introduced into the inside of the main pipe, by rotating the rotating part to perform a drawing operation, the inner peripheral member can be attached to the inner peripheral part of the main pipe so that it will not come off through the opening.

(13) In the above-mentioned branch pipe connection member, the inner peripheral member preferably has a connecting portion that connects the inner peripheral pieces so that they can be bent and extended around a predetermined bending axis, and the linear member is preferably connected so that a force accompanying the rotation of the rotating portion acts at a position away from the bending axis.

In the above-mentioned branch pipe connection member, the multiple inner peripheral pieces constituting the inner peripheral member are connected via the connecting portion so that they can be bent and extended around a predetermined bending axis. Therefore, by applying a pulling force to the inner peripheral piece at a position away from the bending axis, the inner peripheral piece can be bent or extended around the bending axis. In the above-mentioned branch pipe connection member, the operating member is connected to the inner peripheral piece, and by performing a pulling operation, an operating force can be applied to the inner peripheral piece at a position away from the bending axis. Therefore, in the above-mentioned branch pipe connection member, by performing a pulling operation with the operating member, the inner peripheral piece can be extended around the bending axis and changed to an extended state.

The present invention provides a branch pipe connection member that can be attached to a main pipe to which a branch pipe is to be attached without using special tools, etc.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a branch pipe connecting member according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a branch pipe connecting member according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a main pipe. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the branch pipe connecting member according to one embodiment of the present invention is in an integrally rotating state. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a branch pipe connecting member according to an embodiment of the present invention is in an independently rotating state. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a branch pipe connecting member according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an exploded state of a branch pipe connecting member according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an inner circumferential member in an extended state. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an inner circumferential member in a bent state. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a rotation restricting portion.

The branch pipe connection member 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the expressions of directions such as up, down, left, right, front, back, front, back, etc. will be described based on the state in which the branch pipe connection member 10 is attached to the main pipe 1 in the position shown in Figure 1, etc. In the following description, the configuration of the branch pipe connection member 10 will first be described, and then the construction method of connecting the branch pipe 5 to the main pipe 1 using the branch pipe connection member 10 will be described.

<<Configuration of branch pipe connecting member 10>>
As shown in Figures 1 to 4, etc., the branch pipe connection member 10 is used to connect a branch pipe 5 to an opening 3 newly formed by drilling in an existing main pipe 1, such as a sewer pipe. The main pipe 1 can be, for example, a concrete pipe, a Hume pipe, or a resin pipe made of resin such as polyvinyl chloride. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, etc., the branch pipe connection member 10 includes an outer circumferential member 20, an inner circumferential member 50, and a linear member 70.

The outer peripheral member 20 is a member that is attached to the outer peripheral surface 7 of the main pipe 1 around the opening 3 drilled in the main pipe 1. The outer peripheral member 20 includes an outer peripheral fixing portion 22, a branch pipe connection portion 24, a rotating winding portion 26, a cylindrical portion 28, a guide portion 30, and a rotation restricting portion 32.

The outer peripheral fixing portion 22 is a portion that is attached so as to abut against the outer peripheral surface 7 of the main pipe 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the outer peripheral fixing portion 22 has an outer peripheral abutment portion 22x and an outer tube portion 22y. The outer peripheral abutment portion 22x is a member that has a cross-sectional shape that is curved in an arc shape with the same curvature as the outer peripheral surface 7 and has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The outer peripheral abutment portion 22x has a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction (generatrix direction), and is provided with a through hole 22c that is provided at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction so as to penetrate from the front surface 22a to the back surface 22b.

The outer tube portion 22y is a cylindrical portion formed to surround the through hole 22c. The outer tube portion 22y is provided with an outer tube portion unevenness 22d and an outer tube portion engaged portion 22e. The outer tube portion unevenness 22d is provided on a bulging portion 22f that bulges out so that the outer peripheral surface is substantially flush with the tubular portion 28 described in detail later on the upper end side of the outer tube portion 22y. The outer tube portion unevenness 22d is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the outer tube portion 22y so as to form a plurality of unevennesses at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer tube portion 22y. The outer tube portion unevenness 22d is formed to extend in the axial direction of the outer tube portion 22y (the sliding movement direction of the rotation restriction portion 32 described in detail later).

The outer tube portion engaged portion 22e is provided further toward the upper end side of the outer tube portion 22y than the bulge portion 22f on which the outer tube portion irregularities 22d are formed. The outer tube portion engaged portion 22e is composed of an annular recess (circumferential groove) and a protrusion extending in the circumferential direction. The recess and protrusion constituting the outer tube portion engaged portion 22e are capable of engaging with the tubular portion engaging portion 28d formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 28, which will be described in detail later. The bulge portion 22f is also capable of supporting the lower end portion of the tubular portion 28.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the branch pipe connection part 24 is a cylindrical member that penetrates in the vertical direction. The branch pipe connection part 24 is a part that functions as a receiving port to which the branch pipe 5 is connected. The branch pipe connection part 24 is formed from an elastic material such as resin or rubber. The branch pipe connection part 24 can be connected by inserting its lower end into the rotating winding part 26, which will be described in detail later.

The rotating winding portion 26 is used to wind up the linear member 70 connecting the outer peripheral member 20 and the inner peripheral member 50 by a rotating operation when attaching the branch pipe connection member 10 to the main pipe 1. As shown in FIG. 8 etc., the rotating winding portion 26 has a generally cylindrical external shape. The rotating winding portion 26 is an integrated unit of the rotating portion 34 and the winding portion 36.

The rotating part 34 is provided on one side of the axial direction of the rotating winding part 26 (upper side in the illustrated state). The rotating part 34 is arranged so as to be rotatable around the axial center position of the cylindrical part 28 described later. A screw groove (rotating part screw 34a) is formed in a spiral shape on the outer periphery of the rotating part 34. In addition, a pair of handles 34b, 34b is provided on the rotating part 34. The handles 34b, 34b are each foldable. Specifically, the handles 34b, 34b can be switched between a folded position along the outer periphery of the rotating part 34 and a position protruding radially outward from the rotating part 34 by rotating the handles 34b, 34b around a hinge provided on the base end side (the outer periphery side of the rotating part 34) as a fulcrum. The rotating part 34 can function as a grip for rotating the rotating part 34 by setting the handles 34b, 34b in a state where they are protruded radially outward.

The rotating part 34 has rotating part irregularities 34c that are provided on the outer peripheral surface to form irregularities. The rotating part irregularities 34c are formed to extend in the axial direction of the rotating winding part 26 (the sliding movement direction of the rotation restricting part 32, which will be described in detail later). Multiple rotating part irregularities 34c are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotating part 34.

The winding portion 36 is provided on the other axial side (lower side in the illustrated state) of the rotating winding portion 26 with respect to the rotating portion 34 described above. The winding portion 36 is a portion around which the linear member 70 is wound by rotating together with the rotating portion 34 around the axial center position of the cylindrical portion 28 described in detail later. In this embodiment, a winding groove 38 in which the linear member 70 fits is formed in a spiral shape in the axial direction of the winding portion 36 on the outer circumferential surface of the winding portion 36. The winding groove 38 is formed in the same direction as the rotating portion screw 34a provided in the rotating portion 34 described above. The winding groove 38 also has a first winding groove 38a and a second winding groove 38b. The winding groove 38 is a double spiral groove in which the first winding groove 38a and the second winding groove 38b are alternately arranged in the axial direction of the winding portion 36. The first winding groove 38a and the second winding groove 38b are intended to accommodate the first linear member 70a and the second linear member 70b, respectively, that constitute the linear member 70. In addition, the winding portion 36 is connected to the tubular portion 28, which will be described in detail later, so as to be movable in the axial direction but not rotatable.

The winding portion 36 also has a cylindrical portion engaging portion 37. The cylindrical portion engaging portion 37 is provided axially upward from the winding groove 38. The cylindrical portion engaging portion 37 is a convex portion formed to bulge radially outward. A plurality of cylindrical portion engaging portions 37 are provided in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 39. The cylindrical portion engaging portions 37 are also formed to extend in the axial direction.

2 to 4, the cylindrical portion 28 is a member disposed adjacent to the rotating portion 34 on the axially lower side. The cylindrical portion 28 supports the rotating portion 34 from below so that the rotating portion 34 can rotate. As shown in FIG. 9, the cylindrical portion 28 is a cylindrical member penetrating in the axial direction. The cylindrical portion 28 has an opening diameter and height (axial length) large enough to accommodate the rotating portion 34. Therefore, when the rotating winding portion 26 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 28 from one axial end side (upper side in the illustrated example), the winding portion 36 comes out from the other axial end side (lower side in the illustrated example) of the cylindrical portion 28. In addition, the cylindrical portion screw groove 28a corresponding to the rotating portion screw 34a provided on the outer periphery of the rotating portion 34 is provided on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 28. Therefore, by rotating the rotating winding part 26, which is inserted into the cylindrical part 28 from one axial end side (the upper side in the illustrated example), the rotating part screw 34a engages with the cylindrical part screw groove 28a, allowing the rotating winding part 26 to rotate smoothly.

A winding portion engaging portion 28b is provided on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 28. The winding portion engaging portion 28b is provided at a position corresponding to the cylindrical portion engaging portion 37 provided on the winding portion 36 described above. The winding portion engaging portion 28b is formed to transverse the cylindrical portion thread groove 28a in the axial direction (up and down direction). By engaging with the cylindrical portion engaging portion 37, the winding portion engaging portion 28b can restrict the circumferential movement of the cylindrical portion engaging portion 37 while allowing movement in the axial direction (up and down direction).

The cylindrical portion 28 has cylindrical portion irregularities 28c that are provided on the outer peripheral surface to form irregularities. The cylindrical portion irregularities 28c are formed to extend in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 28 (the sliding movement direction of the rotation restriction portion 32, which will be described in detail later). Multiple cylindrical portion irregularities 28c are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 28.

In addition, a cylindrical portion engaging portion 28d is provided on the inner peripheral portion of the cylindrical portion 28. The cylindrical portion engaging portion 28d is formed so as to protrude radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 28. The cylindrical portion engaging portion 28d is formed in an annular uneven shape over substantially the entire circumference of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 28. The cylindrical portion engaging portion 28d engages with the outer cylindrical portion engaged portion 22e provided on the upper end side of the above-mentioned outer cylindrical portion 22y. In this way, the cylindrical portion 28 is connected to the upper end side of the outer cylindrical portion 22y.

The guide portion 30 functions as a guide for guiding the linear member 70. As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the guide portion 30 is a cylindrical member arranged on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 28. As shown in Fig. 10, the guide portion 30 has a guide groove 30a on its peripheral surface. The guide groove 30a is provided at two locations in the circumferential direction of the guide portion 30. The guide groove 30a has a rising portion 30b and a circumferential groove portion 30c. The rising portion 30b is a groove formed so as to rise up and down from the position of the lower end side of the guide portion 30 in the illustrated state to the middle portion in the axial direction (height direction). The circumferential groove portion 30c is a groove that is continuous with the rising portion 30b at the axial middle portion of the guide portion 30 and extends in the circumferential direction of the guide portion 30. The circumferential groove portion 30c is a groove that has a one-sided tapered shape when the peripheral surface of the guide portion 30 is viewed from the front. The circumferential groove portion 30c is formed so that the upper edge side slopes upward as it moves away from the part that continues to the rising portion 30b in the circumferential direction, and the groove width (length in the vertical direction) increases. In addition, the guide portion 30 has a communication portion 30d at the end side of the circumferential groove portion 30c. The communication portion 30d is configured as an opening that extends in the axial direction of the guide portion 30 (vertical direction in the illustrated state). Therefore, the outer circumferential side and the inner circumferential side of the guide portion 30 are connected via the communication portion 30d.

The guide portion 30 has a guide portion engaging portion 30e on the outer peripheral surface. The guide portion engaging portion 30e is configured by a protrusion that protrudes radially outward from the guide portion 30. The guide portion engaging portion 30e is provided at multiple locations (two locations in this embodiment) in the circumferential direction of the guide portion 30. The guide portion engaging portions 30e, 30e are provided in the middle of the two guide grooves 30a, 30a provided in the circumferential direction of the guide portion 30. The guide portion 30 is inserted inside the above-mentioned cylindrical portion 28, and is arranged so that the guide portion engaging portions 30e, 30e are engaged with the cylindrical portion engaging portions 28d, 28d provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 28. As a result, the guide portion 30 is fixed in a circumferentially positioned state relative to the cylindrical portion 28. In addition, by arranging the guide portion 30 inside the cylindrical portion 28, two paths 44, 44 formed by the guide grooves 30a, 30a are formed so that the linear member 70 can pass through.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the inner peripheral member 50 is a portion that is fixed to the inner peripheral surface 9 of the main pipe 1 in the periphery of the opening 3 drilled in the main pipe 1. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the inner peripheral member 50 has multiple curved pieces 52 (two in this embodiment), a connecting portion 54, and an inner peripheral cylindrical portion 56.

The curved piece 52 is a piece-like member curved in an arc shape so as to fit the inner circumferential surface 9 of the main pipe 1 when viewed from the side. In other words, the curvature of the curved piece 52 is approximately the same as the curvature of the inner circumferential surface 9 of the main pipe 1. The curved pieces 52 are connected to each other so as to be rotatable in a state in which they are arranged in parallel via a connecting portion 54, which will be described in detail later.

When the inner peripheral member 50 is rotated so that the back surfaces of the adjacent curved pieces 52, 52 move away from each other, the adjacent curved pieces 52, 52 are butted together and the front surfaces become continuous. This causes the inner peripheral member 50 to be in an extended state as a whole (extended state). In addition, when in the extended state, the inner peripheral member 50 has an external shape that is roughly saddle-shaped. In this way, the curved pieces 52 have a portion (joint portion 52x) that butts against the adjacent curved pieces 52 in the extended state.

In addition, the inner peripheral member 50 can be folded at the connecting portion 54 so that the back surfaces of the adjacent curved pieces 52, 52 are close to each other, forming a discontinuous portion between the front surfaces of the adjacent curved pieces 52, 52, resulting in a bent (deformed) state.

The connecting portion 54 connects multiple curved pieces 52 (two in this embodiment) so that they can rotate around a predetermined rotation axis C that extends in the generatrix direction of the curved pieces 52. The rotation axis C is located at a position on the side of the joint portion 52x that forms the boundary between the curved pieces 52, 52 arranged side by side.

The inner cylindrical portion 56 is a cylindrical portion that is inserted into the inside of the opening 3 drilled in the main pipe 1. The inner cylindrical portion 56 is composed of a combination of multiple (two in this embodiment) cylindrical components 58 that can be assembled and separated in conjunction with the rotation of the curved pieces 52. The inner cylindrical portion 56 is formed by assembling the cylindrical components 58 when the inner member 50 is in an extended state. The cylindrical components 58 are integrally provided with the curved pieces 52. The cylindrical components 58 protrude upward from the surface side of the curved pieces 52. The cylindrical components 58 are provided approximately in the center of the curved pieces 52 in the longitudinal direction (generatrix direction). In the curved pieces 52, the base end (lower end) side of the cylindrical components 58 is cut into a semicircular shape to match the shape of the curved pieces 52.

Furthermore, fixing portions 60, 60 for fixing the linear member 70 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tube components 58, 58 that constitute the inner cylindrical portion 56. The fixing portions 60, 60 have fixing grooves 60a, 60a formed to extend from the base end side (the surface side of the curved pieces 52, 52) of the inner cylindrical portion 56 in the axial direction (the up-down direction in the illustrated state) of the inner cylindrical portion 56. The fixing grooves 60a, 60a are grooves into which the linear member 70 can be fitted and fixed. Furthermore, the fixing grooves 60a, 60a are bent in a substantially U-shape on the base end side, and the terminal end of the linear member 70 can be connected.

The linear member 70 is a member for pulling the inner peripheral member 50 introduced inside the main pipe 1 in a direction approaching the inner peripheral surface 9 of the main pipe 1 by an operation (pulling operation) from the outside of the main pipe 1. The linear member 70 is composed of a wire made of a material such as metal or resin. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the linear member 70 includes a first linear member 70a connected to one of the curved pieces 52, 52 (hereinafter also referred to as the "first inner peripheral piece 52a") and a second linear member 70b connected to the other (hereinafter also referred to as the "second inner peripheral piece 52b").

The first linear member 70a and the second linear member 70b that constitute the linear member 70 are connected so that the operating force associated with the pulling operation acts at a position that is off the rotation axis C of the first inner peripheral piece 52a and the second inner peripheral piece 52b that constitute the inner peripheral member 50, respectively.

Specifically, one end of the first linear member 70a is fitted into a fixed groove 60a provided on the outer periphery of the tube-forming portion 58 constituting the first inner peripheral piece 52a, and the terminal end is connected to the inner peripheral member 50. As shown in FIG. 5, the first linear member 70a is introduced into the inside of the guide portion 30 through one of two paths 44, 44 provided between the tube-shaped portion 28 and the guide portion 30 in the guide portion 30. Furthermore, the first linear member 70a is connected to the winding portion 36 of the rotating winding portion 26 inside the tube-shaped portion 28 connected to the guide portion 30 in the axial direction (up and down direction in the illustrated state). As a result, the first linear member 70a can be wound around the first winding groove 38a by rotating the rotating winding portion 26.

Similarly, one end of the second linear member 70b is fitted into a fixing groove 60a provided on the outer periphery of the tube-forming portion 58 constituting the second inner peripheral piece 52b, and the terminal end is engaged with the fixing groove 60a to connect it to the inner peripheral member 50. The second linear member 70b is introduced into the inside of the guide portion 30 through one of the paths 44, 44 provided between the tube-shaped portion 28 and the guide portion 30, which is different from the path through which the first linear member 70a is arranged. Furthermore, the second linear member 70b is connected to the winding portion 36 inside the tube-shaped portion 28 connected to the guide portion 30. As a result, the second linear member 70b can be wound around the second winding groove 38b by rotating the rotating winding portion 26.

The rotation restricting portion 32 is a member that can slide in the axial direction along the circumferential surfaces of the outer tube portion 22y, the cylindrical portion 28, and the rotating portion 34. As shown in FIG. 13 etc., the rotation restricting portion 32 has a cylindrical shape. The rotation restricting portion 32 has a rotation restricting unevenness 32a.

The rotation restricting unevenness 32a can be engaged with and disengaged from the outer tube unevenness 22d, the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c, and the rotation portion unevenness 34c as the rotation restricting portion 32 slides. Specifically, the rotation restricting unevenness 32a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotation restricting portion 32 so as to extend in the sliding movement direction (the axial direction in this embodiment). The rotation restricting unevenness 32a is formed so that multiple unevennesses are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction around substantially the entire circumference of the rotation restricting portion 32. The rotation restricting unevenness 32a constitutes the first rotation restricting portion 32b and the second rotation restricting portion 32c.

The first rotation restricting portion 32b is capable of restricting and releasing the rotation of the cylindrical portion 28 relative to the outer cylindrical portion 22y by engaging and disengaging with the outer cylindrical portion unevenness 22d and the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c. That is, the first rotation restricting portion 32b is a portion (first engaging and disengaging portion) of the rotation restricting unevenness 32a that engages and disengages with the outer cylindrical portion unevenness 22d and the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c. The first rotation restricting portion 32b (first engaging and disengaging portion) engages with both the outer cylindrical portion unevenness 22d and the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c by the sliding movement of the rotation restricting portion 32, thereby restricting the relative rotation of the outer cylindrical portion 22y and the cylindrical portion 28. Furthermore, the first rotation restricting portion 32b can be disengaged from one or both of the outer tube portion irregularities 22d and the cylindrical portion irregularities 28c by sliding the rotation restricting portion 32, thereby allowing relative rotation between the outer tube portion 22y and the cylindrical portion 28.

The second rotation restricting portion 32c is capable of restricting and releasing the rotation of the rotating portion 34 relative to the cylindrical portion 28 by engaging and disengaging with the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c and the rotating portion unevenness 34c. That is, the second rotation restricting portion 32c is a portion (second engaging and disengaging portion) of the rotation restricting unevenness 32a that engages and disengages with the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c and the rotating portion unevenness 34c. The second rotation restricting portion 32c (second engaging and disengaging portion) can be in a state in which the relative rotation of the cylindrical portion 28 and the rotating portion 34 is restricted by engaging with both the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c and the rotating portion unevenness 34c by the sliding movement of the rotation restricting portion 32. In addition, the second rotation restricting portion 32c can be in a state in which the relative rotation of the cylindrical portion 28 and the rotating portion 34 is permitted by disengaging from one or both of the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c and the rotating portion unevenness 34c.

The branch pipe connection member 10 includes a switching mechanism 100 that is configured by combining the various parts described above, and a rotating part movement mechanism 120.

The switching mechanism 100 is a mechanism for switching between an integral rotation state in which the rotating part 34 and the winding part 36 are connected so as to be integrally rotatable, and an independent rotation state in which the rotating part 34 is connected so as to be independently rotatable with respect to the winding part 36. The switching mechanism 100 is configured to include a cylindrical part 28 and a rotation restricting part 32 (first rotation restricting part 32b, second rotation restricting part 32c). The rotating part moving mechanism 120 is a mechanism for moving the rotating part 34 in the axial direction in association with the rotation of the rotating part 34 in the independent rotation state. The rotating part moving mechanism 120 is configured to include a rotating part screw 34a formed on the outer periphery of the rotating part 34, and a cylindrical part screw groove 28a formed in a spiral shape on the inner periphery side of the outer cylinder part 22y.

Specifically, when the branch pipe connection member 10 is brought into an integral rotation state by the switching mechanism 100, the rotation restriction portion 32 is slid to engage the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c and the rotation portion unevenness 34c with the second rotation restriction portion 32c of the rotation restriction unevenness 32a, and the first rotation restriction portion 32b is disengaged from the outer cylindrical portion unevenness 22d. As a result, the branch pipe connection member 10 is brought into a state (integral rotation state) in which the cylindrical portion 28 can be rotated together with the rotation portion 34 by rotating the rotation portion 34. In the integral rotation state, the winding portion 36 connected to the rotation portion 34 rotates integrally with the rotation portion 34. Therefore, in the integral rotation state, the branch pipe connection member 10 can wind and unwind the linear member 70 around the winding portion 36.

In addition, when the branch pipe connection member 10 is put into an independently rotating state by the switching mechanism 100, the rotation restricting portion 32 is slid to disengage the second rotation restricting portion 32c of the rotation restricting unevenness 32a from the rotating portion unevenness 34c, and the first rotation restricting portion 32b is engaged with the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c and the outer cylindrical portion unevenness 22d. As a result, the branch pipe connection member 10 is in a state in which the cylindrical portion 28 is integrated with the outer cylindrical portion 22y, and the outer cylindrical portion 22y does not rotate even when the rotating portion 34 is rotated. Therefore, when the rotating portion 34 is rotated with the branch pipe connection member 10 in an independently rotating state, the rotating portion screw 34a formed on the outer periphery of the rotating portion 34 moves along the cylindrical portion screw groove 28a formed in a spiral shape on the inner periphery of the outer cylindrical portion 22y, and the rotating portion 34 and the winding portion 36 connected thereto advance and retreat in the axial direction. That is, when the branch pipe connecting member 10 is put into an independently rotating state by the switching mechanism 100, the rotating part movement mechanism 120, which is configured by the rotating part screw 34a screwing into the cylindrical part screw groove 28a, allows the rotating part 34 to be moved axially forward and backward relative to the cylindrical part 28 by rotating the rotating part 34. Because of this configuration, in the independently rotating state, the branch pipe connecting member 10 can move the rotating part 34 and the winding part 36 forward and backward in the axial direction in response to the rotation of the rotating part 34.

<<Concerning the construction method using the branch pipe connection member 10>>
Next, a construction method for connecting the branch pipe 5 to the opening 3 drilled in the main pipe 1 using the branch pipe connecting member 10 will be described.

When connecting the branch pipe 5 to the main pipe 1, the branch pipe connection member 10 is first prepared with the outer peripheral member 20 assembled, and the rotating winding portion 26 of the outer peripheral member 20 and the inner peripheral member 50 connected by the linear member 70. At this time, the linear member 70 is hardly wound around the rotating winding portion 26, and the outer peripheral member 20 and the inner peripheral member 50 are prepared in a state where they are sufficiently separated. With the branch pipe connection member 10 thus prepared, the curved pieces 52, 52 constituting the inner peripheral member 50 are bent at the connecting portion 54 to be in a folded state (deformed state). In this state, the inner peripheral member 50 is introduced into the inside of the main pipe 1 from the opening 3 in a deformed state.

When the inner peripheral member 50 is introduced into the main pipe 1 as described above, the outer peripheral abutment portion 22x of the outer peripheral fixing portion 22 is placed along the outer peripheral surface 7 of the main pipe 1, and the position of the outer peripheral member 20 is adjusted so that the through hole 22c provided in the outer peripheral fixing portion 22 arrives at a position corresponding to the opening 3 of the main pipe 1. In this way, when the arrangement of the outer peripheral member 20 is completed, the branch pipe connection member 10 is put into an integral rotation state by the switching mechanism 100. Specifically, by sliding the rotation restricting portion 32, the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c and the rotation portion unevenness 34c engage with the second rotation restricting portion 32c of the rotation restricting unevenness 32a, and the first rotation restricting portion 32b is released from the outer cylindrical portion unevenness 22d. In addition, the handles 34b, 34b provided on the rotation portion 34 are protruded radially outward. In this state, the rotating winding part 26 (rotating part 34) is rotated in the forward direction using the handles 34b, 34b. Accordingly, the rotating part 34 and the winding part 36 rotate together around the axis. As a result, the linear members 70, 70 connected to the curved pieces 52, 52 that form the inner peripheral member 50 are pulled toward the rotating winding part 26 via the paths 44 formed by the guide parts 30, and are wound around the winding part 36.

As described above, when the branch pipe connection member 10 is rotated together and the rotating winding portion 26 (rotating portion 34) continues to rotate in the positive direction, the inner circumferential member 50 approaches the inner circumferential surface 9 of the main pipe 1, and the inner circumferential member 50 (first inner circumferential piece 52a and second inner circumferential piece 52b) changes state from a deformed state to an elongated state inside the main pipe 1. When the inner circumferential member 50 is drawn close to the inner circumferential surface 9, the inner circumferential member 50 enters an elongated state and approaches the inner circumferential surface 9.

As described above, when the rotating part 34 is rotated in the integral rotation state and the inner peripheral member 50 is brought into close contact with the inner peripheral surface 9 of the main pipe 1, the branch pipe connection member 10 is brought into an independently rotating state. Specifically, the rotation restricting part 32 is slid to disengage the second rotation restricting part 32c of the rotation restricting unevenness 32a from the rotating part unevenness 34c, and the first rotation restricting part 32b is engaged with the cylindrical part unevenness 28c and the outer cylindrical part unevenness 22d, thereby bringing the branch pipe connection member 10 into an independently rotating state. When the rotating part 34 is further rotated in the positive direction in this state, the winding part 36 can be moved axially upward together with the rotating part 34 by the action of the rotating part moving mechanism 120 formed by screwing the cylindrical part screw groove 28a and the rotating part screw 34a. As a result, the inner peripheral member 50, which was located close to the inner peripheral surface 9, moves even closer to the inner peripheral surface 9 and into a tightly sealed state. This completes the attachment of the branch pipe connection member 10 to the main pipe 1. Also, once the branch pipe connection member 10 is attached to the main pipe 1, the branch pipe 5 is inserted into and connected to the branch pipe connection portion 24. This completes the attachment of the branch pipe 5 to the main pipe 1 using the branch pipe connection member 10.

<Function and effect of branch pipe connecting member 10>
According to the branch pipe connecting member 10 described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.

The branch pipe connection member 10 of this embodiment is provided with a rotating part 34 that can rotate around the axial center position of the outer tube part 22y that constitutes the outer peripheral member 20, and a rotating part moving mechanism 120 that can move the rotating part 34 in the axial direction with the rotation of the rotating part 34. In addition, the branch pipe connection member 10 is configured such that the part (connecting part) connected to the outer peripheral member 20 side of the linear member 70 can move in the axial direction together with the rotating part 34. Therefore, in the branch pipe connection member 10 of this embodiment, the inner peripheral member 50 is introduced into the main pipe 1 through the opening 3 drilled in the main pipe 1, and in a state in which the outer peripheral member 20 is arranged on the outer periphery of the main pipe 1, the rotating part 34 is rotated and moved in the axial direction, and the inner peripheral member 50 is moved until it is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe 1, thereby attaching the outer peripheral member 20 and the inner peripheral member 50 to the main pipe 1. Therefore, the branch pipe connection member 10 of this embodiment can be attached to the main pipe 1 without using special tools, etc.

In addition, the branch pipe connection member 10 of this embodiment has a rotating part 34 that can rotate around the axial center position of the outer tube part 22y that constitutes the outer peripheral member 20, and a winding part 36 that can rotate around the axial center position of the outer tube part 22y to wind the linear member 70. The branch pipe connection member 10 can rotate the rotating part 34 and the winding part 36 as a unit by placing them in an integrally rotating state using the switching mechanism 100. Therefore, in the branch pipe connection member 10 of this embodiment, the linear member 70 can be wound around the winding part 36 by rotating the rotating part 34 in the integrally rotating state. As the operation of winding the linear member 70 around the winding part 36 proceeds, the distance between the outer peripheral member 20 and the inner peripheral member 50 is shortened by an amount equivalent to the length of the linear member 70 wound around the winding part 36, and the inner peripheral member 50 is drawn in a direction approaching the inner peripheral surface. Therefore, in the branch pipe connection member 10 of this embodiment, the inner peripheral member 50 is introduced into the main pipe 1 through the opening 3 drilled in the main pipe 1, the outer peripheral member 20 is placed on the outer periphery of the main pipe 1, and the rotating part 34 is rotated in the integrally rotating state, thereby drawing the inner peripheral member 50 toward the inner surface of the main pipe 1.

In the branch pipe connection member 10 of this embodiment, when the branch pipe connection member 10 is switched to the independent rotation state by the switching mechanism 100, the rotating part 34 is rotated, and the rotating part movement mechanism 120 moves the rotating part 34 together with the winding part 36 in the axial direction. Therefore, in the branch pipe connection member 10 of this embodiment, the inner peripheral member 50 is introduced into the main pipe 1 through the opening 3 drilled in the main pipe 1, and in a state in which the outer peripheral member 20 is disposed on the outer periphery of the main pipe 1, the inner peripheral member 50 can be moved in a direction approaching the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe 1 by rotating the rotating part 34 and moving it in the axial direction. This allows the inner peripheral member 50 to be crimped against the main pipe 1, and the branch pipe connection member 10 to be firmly connected.

As described above, the branch pipe connection member 10 of this embodiment can move the inner circumferential member 50 introduced into the main pipe 1 from the opening 3 drilled in the main pipe 1 in a direction approaching the inner circumferential surface of the main pipe 1 by both the operation of rotating the rotating part 34 together with the winding part 36 in the integral rotation state (integral rotation operation) and the operation of rotating the rotating part 34 in the independent rotation state (independent rotation operation). Therefore, as exemplified in the above embodiment, the inner circumferential member 50 can be attached so that it is firmly in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the main pipe 1 by moving the inner circumferential member 50 to a position close to the inner circumferential surface of the main pipe 1 by the integral rotation operation and then performing the work of further moving the inner circumferential member 50 closer to the inner circumferential surface of the main pipe 1 by the independent rotation operation. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a branch pipe connection member 10 that can be firmly attached to the main pipe 1 without using a special jig or the like.

In the above embodiment, a method of attaching the branch pipe connection member 10 to the main pipe 1 by performing an independent rotation operation after a unitary rotation operation is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the branch pipe connection member 10 may be attached by any appropriate method, such as a method of performing an independent rotation operation after a unitary rotation operation, which is the opposite to that illustrated in the above embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the winding section 36 is provided to allow the linear member 70 and the inner peripheral member 50 connected thereto to be drawn toward the main pipe 1 not only by the axial movement of the rotating section 34 but also by winding the linear member 70 around the winding section 36, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the branch pipe connection member 10 may not have the winding section 36, and may be configured such that the linear member 70 and the inner peripheral member 50 can be drawn toward the main pipe 1 by moving the rotating section 34 in the axial direction using the action of the rotating section movement mechanism 120. This allows the winding section 36 and the configuration for rotating the winding section 36 and winding the linear member 70 around the winding section 36 to be omitted, simplifying the configuration of the branch pipe connection member 10.

The branch pipe connection member 10 of the present embodiment described above includes a cylindrical portion 28 that is rotatable around the same axial center position as the outer cylindrical portion 22y, a first rotation regulating portion 32b that can regulate and release the rotation of the cylindrical portion 28 relative to the outer cylindrical portion 22y, and a second rotation regulating portion 32c that can regulate and release the rotation of the rotating portion 34 relative to the cylindrical portion 28. The switching mechanism 100 includes the cylindrical portion 28, the first rotation regulating portion 32b, and the second rotation regulating portion 32c, and the winding portion 36 is connected to the cylindrical portion 28 so as to be movable in the axial direction but not rotatable. Therefore, the branch pipe connection member 10 can use the first rotation restricting portion 32b and the second rotation restricting portion 32c to switch between an independent rotation state in which the rotating portion 34 can be rotated independently of the winding portion 36, and an integrated rotation state in which the rotating portion 34 and the winding portion 36 can be rotated together.

In addition, in the branch pipe connection member 10 of the present embodiment described above, the winding portion 36 rotates in response to a rotational force acting on the rotating portion 34. Therefore, by applying a rotational force to the rotating portion 34, it is possible to rotate not only the rotating portion 34 but also the winding portion 36. This eliminates the need to provide a separate member for rotating the winding portion 36, and the configuration of the branch pipe connection member 10 can be simplified accordingly.

In the above embodiment, the switching mechanism 100 or other configuration is used to switch the power transmission path of the rotating part 34, thereby enabling both integral rotation and independent rotation to be performed by operating the rotating part 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, a lever or the like for rotating the winding part 36 may be provided separately, so that the rotation of the winding part 36 can be performed separately from the rotation of the rotating part 34.

As described above, the branch pipe connection member 10 has a rotation restriction portion 32 that can slide along the circumferential surface of the tubular portion 28, the rotating portion 34, and the outer tube portion 22y. In addition, the circumferential portions of the tubular portion 28, the outer tube portion 22y, and the rotating portion 34 are provided with the tubular portion irregularities 28c, the outer tube portion irregularities 22d, and the rotating portion irregularities 34c that are formed to extend in the sliding direction of the rotation restriction portion 32. Furthermore, the branch pipe connection member 10 has a rotation restriction irregularity 32a provided on the inner circumferential surface of the rotation restriction portion 32 that has a portion that forms the first rotation restriction portion 32b (first engaging/disengaging portion) and a portion that forms the second rotation restriction portion 32c (second engaging/disengaging portion), and is capable of engaging with and disengaging from the tubular portion irregularities 28c, the outer tube portion irregularities 22d, and the rotating portion irregularities 34c as the rotation restriction portion 32 slides. Because of this configuration, the branch pipe connection member 10 can be switched between an integral rotation state and an independent rotation state by a simple operation of sliding the rotation restriction portion 32, and the power transmission path associated with the rotation of the rotation portion 34 can be switched.

In this embodiment, the sliding movement of the cylindrically formed rotation restricting portion 32 switches the engagement state between the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c, the outer cylindrical portion unevenness 22d, and the rotation portion unevenness 34c and the rotation restricting unevenness 32a, and the branch pipe connecting member 10 can be switched between an integral rotation state and an independent rotation state, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of being cylindrical as described above, the rotation restricting portion 32 may be a member equipped with a sliding mechanism that can slide in the axial direction and can be engaged and disengaged with the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c, the outer cylindrical portion unevenness 22d, and the rotation portion unevenness 34c. In addition, from the viewpoint of engagement and disengagement with the rotation restricting portion 32, the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c, the outer cylindrical portion unevenness 22d, and the rotation portion unevenness 34c do not necessarily have to be like a protrusion formed to extend in the axial direction (sliding direction), and may be, for example, like a protrusion.

In addition, the above-mentioned branch pipe connection member 10 shows an example in which the rotation restricting portion 32 has both the function as the first rotation restricting portion 32b (first engaging/disengaging portion) and the function as the second rotation restricting portion 32c (second engaging/disengaging portion), but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the branch pipe connection member 10 can be switched between a state in which the relative rotation of the cylindrical portion 28 and the outer cylindrical portion 22y is restricted and a state in which the relative rotation of the cylindrical portion 28 and the outer cylindrical portion 22y is permitted by disengaging from one or both of the cylindrical portion 28c and the outer cylindrical portion 22d. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a branch pipe connecting member 10 that can be switched between a state in which the relative rotation between the tubular portion 28 and the outer tubular portion 22y is restricted and a state in which it is released, by performing an operation to engage and disengage the first rotation restricting portion 32b (first engaging and disengaging portion) provided on the first rotation restricting portion 32b with the tubular portion unevenness 28c and the outer tubular portion unevenness 22d.

Similarly, the branch pipe connection member 10 described above includes a second rotation restricting portion 32c that can be engaged and disengaged with the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c and the rotating portion unevenness 34c, and can be switched between a state in which the relative rotation of the cylindrical portion 28 and the rotating portion 34 is restricted, and a state in which the relative rotation of the cylindrical portion 28 and the rotating portion 34 is permitted by disengaging from one or both of the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c and the rotating portion unevenness 34c. With this configuration, a branch pipe connection member 10 can be provided that can be switched between a state in which the relative rotation of the cylindrical portion 28 and the rotating portion 34 is restricted and a state in which the relative rotation is released by performing an operation to engage and disengage the second rotation restricting portion 32c (second engaging and disengaging portion) provided on the second rotation restricting portion 32c with the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c and the rotating portion unevenness 34c.

As described above, in the branch pipe connection member 10 of this embodiment, the rotation restriction unevenness 32a, the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c, the outer cylindrical portion unevenness 22d, and the rotation portion unevenness 34c are provided in multiple numbers in the circumferential direction of the rotation restriction portion 32, the cylindrical portion 28, the rotation portion 34, and the outer cylindrical portion 22y. Therefore, in the branch pipe connection member 10 described above, the first rotation restriction portion 32b and the second rotation restriction portion 32c formed by the rotation restriction unevenness 32a can be engaged with the cylindrical portion unevenness 28c, the outer cylindrical portion unevenness 22d, and the rotation portion unevenness 34c at multiple points in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the branch pipe connection member 10 described above can firmly receive the stress accompanying the rotation of the rotation portion 34 at the rotation restriction portion 32, the cylindrical portion 28, the rotation portion 34, and the outer cylindrical portion 22y. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which multiple rotation restriction irregularities 32a, cylindrical portion irregularities 28c, outer cylindrical portion irregularities 22d, and rotation portion irregularities 34c are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and each of these may be a single one, etc.

The branch pipe connection member 10 described above has a guide section 30 that guides the linear member 70, and the guide section 30 guides the linear member 70 in the axial direction on the inner peripheral member 50 side of the winding section 36. Therefore, the branch pipe connection member 10 can wind the linear member 70 in an orderly manner around the winding section 36 while guiding the linear member 70 in the axial direction with the guide section 30. Therefore, according to the branch pipe connection member 10, the work of drawing the inner peripheral member 50 to the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe 1 can be smoothly performed by rotating the rotating section 34 to wind the linear member 70 around the winding section 36.

In this embodiment, a configuration in which a guide portion 30 that guides the linear member 70 is provided is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the branch pipe connection member 10 may be configured without the guide portion 30, or may be configured to include another member capable of guiding the linear member 70 instead of or in addition to the guide portion 30.

As described above, the branch pipe connection member 10 has a winding section 36 in which the winding groove 38, in which the linear member 70 fits, is formed in a spiral shape in the axial direction. Because of this configuration, by rotating the rotating section 34, it is possible to wind the linear member 70 orderly along the winding groove 38 provided in the winding section 36. Therefore, the branch pipe connection member 10 described above can smoothly wind the linear member 70 around the winding section 36 without problems such as the linear member 70 becoming tangled.

In this embodiment, a configuration in which the winding groove 38 is provided in the winding portion 36 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the branch pipe connection member 10 may be configured without the winding groove 38, or a mechanism for winding the linear member 70 in an orderly manner may be provided in addition to or in place of the winding groove 38.

In addition, in the above-mentioned branch pipe connection member 10, the inner peripheral member 50 is provided with the first inner peripheral piece 52a and the second inner peripheral piece 52b, and the linear member 70 is provided with a first linear member 70a connected to the first inner peripheral piece 52a and a second linear member 70b connected to the second inner peripheral piece 52b, and the winding groove 38 is provided with a two-stranded spiral groove consisting of a first winding groove 38a for the first linear member 70a and a second winding groove 38b for the second linear member 70b. Therefore, the branch pipe connection member 10 can have a large amount of movement of the inner peripheral member 50 relative to the amount of rotation of the rotating part 34. In addition, if the first winding groove 38a and the second winding groove 38b are configured as two-stranded spiral grooves, the first linear member 70a and the second linear member 70b can be wound approximately evenly, and the inner peripheral member 50 can be pulled toward the main pipe 1 in a balanced manner. Therefore, the branch pipe connection member 10 can improve the work efficiency of the pulling operation in which the rotating part 34 is rotated to pull the inner peripheral member 50 toward the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe 1.

In this embodiment, the inner peripheral member 50 is provided with the first inner peripheral piece 52a and the second inner peripheral piece 52b, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first inner peripheral piece 52a and the second inner peripheral piece 52b may be integrally formed so that the state does not change between the bent state and the extended state, or the inner peripheral member 50 may be formed by combining a number of inner peripheral pieces in addition to the first inner peripheral piece 52a and the second inner peripheral piece 52b. Also, for example, when the configuration of the inner peripheral member 50 is different from that described above, the linear member 70 may be configured differently from the first linear member 70a and the second linear member 70b.

The above-mentioned branch pipe connection member 10 is configured such that the inner circumferential member 50 is connected to a plurality of abutment pieces (two in this embodiment) so as to be bent and stretchable. In addition, the inner circumferential member 50 can be made compact enough to be introduced into the inside of the main pipe 1 through the opening 3 provided in the main pipe 1 by bending it. Therefore, the above-mentioned branch pipe connection member 10 can easily and smoothly introduce the inner circumferential member 50 into the inside of the main pipe 1. In addition, the branch pipe connection member 10 can change the inner circumferential member 50 from a bent state to an extended state in the process of rotating the rotating part 34 to wind the linear member 70 around the winding part 36 and drawing the inner circumferential member 50 to the inner circumferential part of the main pipe 1. Therefore, the branch pipe connection member 10 can complete the installation work on the main pipe 1 by rotating the rotating part 34 and drawing it after introducing the inner circumferential member 50 into the inside of the main pipe 1.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and variations, and other embodiments may be possible within the scope of the claims, based on the teachings and spirit of the invention. The components of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Any component of the embodiment may also be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the means for solving the invention or any component that embodies any component described in the means for solving the invention. We intend to obtain rights to these as well through amendments to this application or divisional applications, etc.

The present invention can be suitably used to connect branch pipes to main pipes in various types of piping, such as water pipes, sewer pipes, and drainage pipes.

[0033] 1: Main pipe 3: Opening 5: Branch pipe 10: Branch pipe connecting member 20: Outer peripheral member 22d: Outer tube portion unevenness 22y: Outer tube portion 28: Cylindrical portion 28c: Cylindrical portion unevenness 30: Guide portion 32: Rotation restricting portion 32a: Rotation restricting unevenness 32b: First rotation restricting portion 32c: Second rotation restricting portion 34: Rotation portion 34c: Rotation portion unevenness 36: Winding portion 38: Winding groove 50: Inner peripheral member 52: Curved piece 70: Linear member 100: Switching mechanism 120: Rotation portion moving mechanism

Claims (8)

A branch pipe connecting member used to connect a branch pipe to a main pipe,
an outer circumferential member disposed outside the main pipe and capable of connecting the branch pipe;
an inner circumferential member that is introduced into the main pipe and attached to the inner circumferential side of the main pipe around an opening formed in the main pipe;
a linear member connecting the inner circumferential member and the outer circumferential member,
The outer peripheral member is
An outer tubular portion is disposed so that an axial direction thereof intersects with the main pipe;
a rotating part that is rotatable around an axial center position of the outer cylinder part;
a winding portion that can rotate around an axial center position of the outer cylinder portion to wind the linear member;
a rotation unit moving mechanism that moves the rotation unit in the axial direction in response to rotation of the rotation unit,
A branch pipe connecting member, wherein a portion of the linear member connected to the winding portion is movable in the axial direction together with the rotating portion. A branch pipe connecting member used to connect a branch pipe to a main pipe,
an outer circumferential member disposed outside the main pipe and capable of connecting the branch pipe;
an inner circumferential member that is introduced into the main pipe and attached to the inner circumferential side of the main pipe around an opening formed in the main pipe;
a linear member connecting the inner peripheral member and the outer peripheral member,
The outer peripheral member is
An outer tubular portion is disposed so that an axial direction thereof intersects with the main pipe;
a rotating part that is rotatable around an axial center position of the outer cylinder part;
a winding portion that can rotate around an axial center position of the outer cylinder portion to wind the linear member;
a switching mechanism that can switch between an integral rotation state in which the rotating portion and the winding portion are connected so as to be integrally rotatable, and an independent rotation state in which the rotating portion is connected so as to be rotatable independently of the winding portion;
a rotation unit moving mechanism that allows the rotation unit to move in the axial direction in accordance with the rotation of the rotation unit at least in the independent rotation state,
A branch pipe connecting member, wherein a portion of the linear member connected to the winding portion is movable in the axial direction together with the rotating portion. A cylindrical portion that is rotatable around the same axis as the outer cylindrical portion;
a first rotation restricting portion that restricts and releases the rotation of the cylindrical portion relative to the outer cylindrical portion;
a second rotation restricting portion that restricts and releases the rotation of the rotating portion relative to the cylindrical portion,
the switching mechanism includes the cylindrical portion, the first rotation restricting portion, and the second rotation restricting portion,
3. The branch pipe connecting member according to claim 2, wherein the winding portion is connected to the tubular portion so as to be movable in the axial direction but not rotatable. The branch pipe connection member according to claim 3, characterized in that the winding part rotates in response to a rotational force acting on the rotating part. The cylindrical portion has a cylindrical portion unevenness provided so as to form an unevenness on a circumferential portion,
The outer cylinder portion has an outer cylinder portion unevenness provided so as to form an unevenness on a circumferential portion,
The first rotation restricting portion,
The branch pipe connecting member described in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that it has a first engaging/disengaging portion that can be switched between a state in which it engages with both the tubular portion concave-convex and the outer tube portion concave-convex to restrict relative rotation of the tubular portion and the outer tube portion, and a state in which it disengages from one or both of the tubular portion concave-convex and the outer tube portion concave-convex to allow relative rotation of the tubular portion and the outer tube portion. The cylindrical portion has a cylindrical portion unevenness provided so as to form an unevenness on a circumferential portion,
The rotating part has a rotating part unevenness provided so as to form an unevenness on a circumferential part,
The second rotation restricting portion,
The branch pipe connecting member described in any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that it has a second engagement/disengagement portion that can be switched between a state in which it engages with both the tubular portion concave-convex and the rotating portion concave-convex to restrict relative rotation of the tubular portion and the rotating portion, and a state in which it disengages from one or both of the tubular portion concave-convex and the rotating portion concave-convex to allow relative rotation of the tubular portion and the rotating portion. a rotation restricting portion that is slidable along peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical portion, the rotating portion, and the outer cylindrical portion;
a cylindrical portion unevenness formed on a periphery of the cylindrical portion so as to extend in a sliding direction of the rotation restricting portion;
an outer cylinder portion having projections and recesses formed on a periphery of the outer cylinder portion so as to extend in a sliding direction of the rotation restricting portion;
a rotation portion unevenness formed on a periphery of the rotation portion so as to extend in a sliding movement direction of the rotation restricting portion,
The branch pipe connecting member according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the rotation regulating portion has rotation regulating irregularities that can be engaged and disengaged with the tubular portion irregularities, the outer tube portion irregularities, and the rotation portion irregularities as the sliding movement progresses, and the first rotation regulating portion and the second rotation regulating portion are constituted by the rotation regulating irregularities. the rotation restricting portion is a cylindrical member that is slidable along circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical portion, the rotation portion, and the outer cylindrical portion,
The rotation restricting irregularity is provided in a plurality of portions in a circumferential direction of the rotation restricting portion,
The branch pipe connecting member according to claim 7, characterized in that the tubular portion unevenness, the outer tube portion unevenness, and the rotating portion unevenness are provided in multiple numbers on the peripheral surfaces of the tubular portion, the rotating portion, and the outer tube portion.

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