JP2002181267A - Flexible tube - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flexible tube having satisfactory piping workability and free from the fear of breakage even in the occurrence of a twisting displacement after construction. SOLUTION: This flexible tube 31 comprises joint parts 36 and 36 for other apparatuses 62 and 63 at both ends. The flexible tube 31 and each joint part 36, 36 are constituted so as to be mutually rotatable about an axis regardless of during piping work and after completion of piping.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flexible tube.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, when connecting an end of a gas pipe to a gas appliance or connecting an LPG cylinder to a gas appliance, a flexible tube or a flexible tube constituted by a corrugated tube is used. Often.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a conventional flexible tube used for such a purpose. Here, 1 is a flexible tube, that is, a flexible tube, which is formed of a metal corrugated tube. At one end of the flexible tube 1, a screw joint 3 for joining with a first other member 2 such as a gas pipe or a gas appliance is fixed by brazing or the like.

[0004] At the other end of the flexible tube 1 is attached a joint portion 4 which is rotatable with respect to the flexible tube 1 during piping work. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a nut 6 is rotatably fitted to a cylindrical portion 5 attached to the distal end of the flexible tube 1, and the nut 6 is used to form a gas pipe or gas appliance. A screw joint 8 for joining to the other member 7 is fixed to an end of the cylindrical portion 5. The cylindrical portion 5 and the threaded joint 8 are sealed with each other by an O-ring 9.

In such a configuration, the first other member 2
When the piping is connected to the second member 7 with the flexible tube 1, the screw joint 3 brazed to the flexible tube 1 is first rotated together with the flexible tube 1 to connect the first member 7 to the second member 2. Screw in and fix. After that, the screw joint 8 is screwed and fixed to the second other member 7, and then the nut 6 is tightened to fix the screw joint 8 to the tubular portion 5 of the flexible tube 1.

FIG. 5 shows another example of a conventional flexible tube. Here, reference numeral 11 denotes a flexible tube similar to that shown in FIG. 3, which is formed of a thin metal material, and has a flared portion 12 having a flared shape as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, joint portions 13 and 14 are attached to one end and the other end of the flexible tube 11, respectively. Here, in one joint portion 13, an external thread type screw joint 16 and a nut 17 that can be joined to another member 15 such as a gas appliance are provided, and in the other joint portion 14, a gas pipe or the like is provided. An internal thread type threaded joint 19 and a nut 17 that can be joined to the other member 18 are provided.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed structure of the joint 14. The nut 17 is a flared portion 12 of the flexible tube 11.
The flare processing part 12 is rotatably fitted
Thus, the detachment from the flexible tube 11 is prevented. The threaded joint 19 is configured such that the threaded portion 20 at the tip thereof is screwed to the nut 17, and in this threaded state, the outer peripheral tapered surface 21 at the tip of the threaded portion 20.
And the inner peripheral tapered surface 22 of the nut
2 can be sandwiched. By sandwiching the flared portion 12 in this manner, the space between the flexible tube 11 and the joint portion 14 is sealed in a metal touch state, and the screw joint 19 is fixed to the nut and the flexible tube 11.

The joint 13 has the same configuration as the joint 14. It should be noted that whether to use the external thread type threaded joint 16 or the internal thread type threaded joint 19 in the joint portions 13 and 14 is optional.

In such a configuration, the other members 15, 1
When connecting the pipes 8 with each other by the flexible tube 1, first, the threaded joints 16 and 19 are connected to the joints 13 and 1
4 and the like, and screwed and fixed to the other members 15 and 18. And the screw joint 16 in this state,
By screwing nuts 17, 17 to 19,
The nuts 17, 17 and the threaded joints 16, 19 are fixed to each other, and the flared portion 12 of the flexible tube 11 and the joints 13, 14 are fixed to each other in a sealed state.

[0010]

3 and 4, since the threaded joint 3 and the flexible tube 1 are fixed, as described above, the threaded joint 3 is made flexible at the time of piping construction. It has to be rotated together with the tube 1, and the workability is poor. Further, since the threaded joint 3 is brazed to the flexible tube 1, the manufacturing cost is high. And after the plumbing is completed,
Screw joint 3 and flexible tube 1, and joint 4
The flexible tube 1 and the flexible tube 1 are fixed to each other and cannot rotate with each other. Therefore, for example, when an earthquake occurs after construction is completed and the flexible tube 1 and the screw joint 3 and the joint 4 are relatively distorted, a torsional stress is applied to the flexible tube 1 and breakage may occur. There is.

5 and 6, after the completion of the piping work, the flexible tube 11 and the joints 13 and 14 are fixed to each other and cannot rotate with each other. At the time of occurrence, for example, a torsional stress is applied to the flexible tube 11, which may cause breakage.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, and has an object of improving piping workability and preventing the flexible tube from being damaged even when torsional displacement occurs after construction. Aim.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a joint portion with other equipment is provided at both ends of a flexible tube. Regardless of the time of completion, they are configured to be freely rotatable about the axis.

With such a configuration, since the flexible tube and the respective joints are rotatable relative to each other around the axis during the piping work, the work can be easily performed. In addition, even when piping is completed, the flexible tube and each joint are rotatable relative to each other around the axis, so that when a torsional displacement occurs between the flexible tube and each joint during an earthquake, etc. The relative rotation prevents dangerous torsional stress from acting on the flexible tube.

According to the present invention, each of the joints is provided in the vicinity of the distal end portion of the cylindrical body, the retaining ring having the distal end inserted into the cylindrical main body, and the distal end of the retaining ring in the cylindrical main body. The flexible tube is constituted by a corrugated tube, and the tip of the corrugated tube is
By being inserted from the end of the retaining ring toward the inside of the retaining ring, the retainer, and the cylindrical main body, it is configured to be capable of one-touch joining to each joint portion so as to be engaged with the retainer, In the case where a joint force is applied between the joint and the flexible tube in the completed state, the retainer that the corrugated tube engages with the retaining ring is configured to be able to prevent the detachment, and the flexible tube is a tube. It is possible to be configured so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body and the retaining ring.

According to such a structure, it is possible to obtain a specific structure in which the flexible tube and each joint can be freely rotated about the axis regardless of whether the pipe is being constructed or the pipe is completed. .

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 31 denotes a flexible tube, which is composed of a thin stainless steel corrugated tube 32 and a resin-made tube-shaped coating 33 covering the outer periphery of the corrugated tube 32. Have been. In the corrugated tube 32, 34 is a peak, and 35 is a valley. Joint portions 36 are connected to both ends of the flexible tube 31, respectively. The flexible tube 31 is joined to the joints 36, 36 in a state where the covering 33 is removed at several peaks of the corrugated tube 32.

In the joint 36, reference numeral 41 denotes a cylindrical main body.
It is made of a metal such as brass, and is formed so that it can be connected to other members 62 and 63 such as a gas pipe and a gas appliance by forming an external thread portion 42 at one end. 43
Is a hexagonal column-shaped tool hook portion, which is used for screwing the outer thread portion 42.

On the inner circumference at the other end of the cylindrical main body 41, an inner screw portion 45, an inner peripheral surface 46, and an annular seal material accommodating portion 47 are provided in this order from the opening side. An annular rubber sealing material 48 is loosely press-fitted in the sealing material housing portion 47. An annular projection 49 is formed on the inner peripheral side of the sealing material accommodating portion 47 so as to project from the back side of the cylindrical main body 41 toward the opening side.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a retaining ring, which is formed in a tubular shape from metal such as brass, and has a tubular main body 41 at one end thereof.
Has an external threaded portion 51 which can be screwed into the internal threaded portion 45. An outer peripheral surface 52 having a larger diameter than the outer screw portion 51 is formed on the outer periphery of the other end side of the retaining ring 50.

The retaining ring 50 includes a flexible tube 31.
Is formed in a penetrating state. A packing 54 is accommodated in the inner periphery of the hole 53 on the other end side of the retaining ring 50. A tapered surface 55 whose diameter increases toward one end of the retaining ring 50 is formed on the inner periphery of one end of the retaining ring 50 in the hole 53.

As shown in FIG. 2, the retaining ring 50 is connected to the cylindrical main body 41.
In the state of being screwed in, the inner peripheral taper surface 55 of the retaining ring 50, the inner peripheral surface 46 of the cylindrical main body 41, and the sealing material 48
A space 56 is formed, which is surrounded by the end face of FIG. This space 5
6 is provided with an annular retainer 57. The retainer 57 is formed of a metal material such as brass, and has a radially inward projection 58 formed at one end thereof, that is, at the back of the tubular main body 41. The projection 58 can be engaged with the valley 35 of the corrugated tube 32.
On the outer periphery of the retainer 57, the inner peripheral tapered surface 55 of the retaining ring 50 is provided.
A taper surface 59 that can contact the surface is formed.

Further, the retainer 57 has a plurality of circumferential cuts in the axial direction from the one end side having the protrusion 58 toward the other end. It is configured so that the diameter can be expanded. Retainer 5
An annular groove 60 having a rectangular cross section is formed on the outer circumference of one end of the annular groove 7.
A ring spring 61 for urging the member to a reduced diameter state shown in the figure is fitted therein.

In such a structure, when the joint portion 36 is formed, first, a sealing material 48 is fitted into the accommodating portion 47 of the tubular main body 41. Then, the retainer 57 in a state where the ring spring 61 is fitted in the annular groove 60 is attached to the retaining ring 50.
This retaining ring 5 is housed on the inner peripheral side of the tapered surface 55 of
0 is screwed into the cylindrical main body 41. Then, in a state where the retainer 57 is housed in the space 56 as shown in the drawing, the joint 36
Is completed.

The flexible tube 31 and the joint 36 are joined to each other by a manufacturer as shown in the figure, and can be sold in the joined state. Alternatively, the flexible tube 31 and the joint 3
6 and 36 are sold in an unjoined state, and the user can attach these flexible tubes 31 and the joints 36 and
36 may be joined by itself. In any case, the flexible tube 31 and the joint 36,
36 can be joined with one touch as follows.

That is, as shown in the figure, a flexible tube in a state in which the joint portion 36 in the completed state is cut off at the valley portion 35 of the corrugated tube 32 and the covering 33 is removed from the corrugated tube 32 at several tips at the tip thereof. 31 to the retaining ring 50
From the end of the hole 53 into the hole 53. Then, the peak portion 34 at the tip of the corrugate tube 32 pushes and spreads the protrusion 58 of the retainer 57 and passes through the position of the protrusion 58, and the sealing material 48.
The joining operation is completed by being press-fitted into the inner periphery of the.

FIG. 2 shows this joint completed state. At this time, the projection 58 of the retainer 57 is reduced in diameter by the spring 61 and engages the valley 35 on the outer periphery of the corrugated tube 32. In this joint completed state, the annular projection 49 is inserted into the corrugate tube 32 without a large gap. The packing 54 seals the outer periphery of the cover 33.

In the state where the joint is completed, when a pull-out force from the joint portion 36 acts on the flexible tube 31, the projection 5 is formed on one valley 35 of the corrugate tube 32.
The outer peripheral tapered surface 59 of the retainer 57 with which the retaining ring 8 is engaged contacts the tapered surface 55 of the retaining ring 50, and the retainer 57 receives a radially inward reaction force from the retaining ring 50. Then, the projection 58 of the retainer 57 presses the outer periphery of the one valley 35 of the corrugated pipe 32 over the entire circumference, and the engagement between the retainer 57 and the corrugated pipe 32 is ensured. This prevents the flexible tube 31 from coming out of the joint portion 36.

When the joining is completed, the retaining ring 50
Only the packing 54 is in pressure contact with the outer periphery of the coating material 33, and the retainer 57 engaging with the corrugated tube 32 is located in the space 56 and
1 and the retaining ring 50 are not fixed. Further, the corrugated tube 32 is merely press-fitted into the sealing member 48 with its tip end covering the annular projection 49 as described above. That is, the flexible tube 31 is not fixed to any member of the joint portion 36, and is relatively rotatable around the axis with respect to the joint portion 36.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, when connecting the other members 62 and 63 such as gas pipes and gas appliances to the piping using the flexible tube 31, the joint 36,
By rotating the 36 relative to the flexible tube 31, the work can be easily performed.

Further, the flexible tube 3 can be used even after the piping is installed.
1 and the joints 36, 36 are relatively rotatable, so that even if a torsional displacement occurs between the flexible tube 31 and each of the joints 36, 36 during an earthquake or the like, the relative rotation of the flexible tube 31 It is possible to prevent dangerous torsional stress, which may cause breakage, from acting on the surface.

As a mode of manufacturing and selling the flexible tube having the above structure, as shown in FIG.
In addition to the sales form in which the joint portions 36, 36 are relatively rotatably joined to both ends, a pair of joint portions 36, 36 and the flexible tube 31 having a predetermined length are sold as a set.
A sales form in which the user joins the flexible tube 31 and the joint portions 36, 36 one-touch by the above-described method can be considered. In this case, the user can also cut and use the flexible tube 31 of the specified length sold as a set to an arbitrary length. Alternatively, instead of the flexible tube 31 sold as a set, another flexible tube cut to an arbitrary length by the user or the like can be used. Alternatively, assuming that the user finally assembles the flexible tube of the present invention, only the pair of joints 36, 36 can be sold as a set.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, joints with other devices are provided at both ends of the flexible tube,
Since the flexible tube and each joint portion are configured so as to be rotatable relative to each other around the axis regardless of whether the pipe is being constructed or at the time of completion of the piping, the flexible tube and each joint portion are constructed during the pipe construction. It is rotatable relative to each other about the axis, and not only can the construction work be easily performed, but also at the time of completion of the piping, the flexible tube and each joint part can rotate relative to each other about the axis, Therefore, even if a torsional displacement occurs between the flexible tube and each joint during an earthquake or the like, the relative rotation prevents the flexible tube from applying dangerous torsional stress that could cause damage. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a flexible tube according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway enlarged view of a main part in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a conventional flexible tube.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway enlarged view of a main part in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view showing another conventional flexible tube.

FIG. 6 is a partially cut-away enlarged view of a main part in FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 31 Flexible tube 36 Joint part 41 Cylindrical main body 50 Retaining ring 57 Retainer 62 Other members 63 Other members

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hisao Onishi 4-1-2, Hirano-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Atsunori Komura 4-chome, Hirano-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka No. 1-2 Inside Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. 2-10-16 Minamikagaya Shinwa Sangyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazura Kariki 2-10-16 Minamikagaya Suminoe-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka F-term in Shinwa Sangyo Co., Ltd. 3H017 CA08 3H111 AA02 CA44 CB03 CB14 CB27 DA23 DA26 DB11 3J106 AA02 AB01 AB09 BA01 BB01 BC04 BC11 BD01 BE40 CA16 EA03 EB02 EC01 EC07 ED03 ED04 EE02 FA04

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A joint portion with other equipment is provided at both ends of a flexible tube, and the flexible tube and each joint portion are rotatable relative to each other around an axis irrespective of whether piping is completed or not. A flexible tube, characterized in that: 2. Each of the joints includes a tubular main body, a retaining ring having a distal end inserted into the cylindrical main body, and a retainer provided near the distal end of the retaining ring inside the cylindrical main body. The flexible tube is formed of a corrugated tube, and the end of the corrugated tube is inserted from the end of the retaining ring toward the inside of the retaining ring, the retainer, and the tubular main body. In order to be in a state of engaging with the retainer,
It is configured to be able to perform one-touch joining to each joint part, and when a joint force is applied between the joint part and the flexible tube in the completed state, the retainer with the corrugated pipe engages with the retaining ring to remove the joint. The flexible tube according to claim 1, wherein the flexible tube is configured to be rotatable with respect to the tubular main body and the retaining ring.