Pseudo pipe joint and piping method

Abstract

To provide a piping method with high work efficiency, and a pseudo pipe joint capable of easily realizing the piping method.SOLUTION: A pipe joint comprises: a joint body into one end part of which one resin pipe is inserted and connected and into the other end part of which the other resin pipe is inserted and connected; a slip-out prevention mechanism that is constructed at the one end part and the other end part of the joint body, and is composed of a one-touch joint for holding a corresponding resin pipe; and a cap that attaches the slip-out prevention mechanism to the one end part and the other end part. A pseudo pipe joint 71 comprises: a joint body equivalent part 72 that has a similar appearance with the joint body of the pipe joint; and a cap equivalent part 73 that is provided at one end part and the other end part of the joint body equivalent part 72, and has a similar appearance with a corresponding cap. The cap equivalent part 73 allows a corresponding resin pipe to be inserted and removed, where relative positional relation between the one resin pipe and the other resin pipe in the inserted state is the same as when they are inserted and connected into the pipe joint.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pseudo pipe fitting and a piping method using the pseudo pipe fitting. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a crank-shaped cold water / hot water supply pipe that passes through an inlet and an outlet. Since such a complicated cold water / hot water supply pipe uses many pipe joints, the pipes tend to be cut into small pieces, and it is therefore necessary to cut each pipe between each pipe joint to an accurate length. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-157903 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, due to various factors such as incorrect calculation of the required length of each pipe, incorrect cutting, or deformation of the pipe, when the pipes are actually installed between the pipe fittings, they are often too long or too short, requiring re-installation. In particular, when pipe fittings that cannot be reinstalled are used, it is necessary to replace the pipe fittings with new ones.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a piping method with high work efficiency and an artificial pipe joint for easily implementing said piping method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, in the pseudo pipe fitting of the invention of claim 1, the pipe fitting to which the pseudo pipe fitting corresponds comprises a fitting body into one end of which one plastic pipe is inserted and connected and the other plastic pipe is inserted and connected to the other end, a slip-out prevention mechanism consisting of a one-touch fitting constructed at each of the one end and the other end of the fitting body for holding the corresponding plastic pipe, and a cap for attaching the slip-out prevention mechanism to each of the one end and the other end, and the pseudo pipe fitting comprises a fitting body equivalent part having an appearance similar to the fitting body of the pipe fitting, and cap equivalent parts provided at each of the one end and the other end of the fitting body equivalent part and having an appearance similar to the corresponding cap, and the corresponding plastic pipes can be inserted and removed into each of the cap equivalent parts, and the relative positional relationship between the one plastic pipe and the other plastic pipe in the inserted state is the same as when they are inserted and connected into the pipe fitting.

[0007] The invention of claim 2 is the same as claim 1, and further includes a retaining portion that is pressed against the outer surface of the plastic pipe to prevent the plastic pipe from coming loose, and the position at which the retaining portion is pressed against the plastic pipe is closer to the tip of the plastic pipe than the position at which the seal ring of the pipe fitting is pressed against the outer surface of the plastic pipe.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the piping method of the invention of claim 3 comprises, in the same order, a step of constructing a pseudo piping using the pseudo pipe fitting described in claim 1 or claim 2 and the plastic pipe, a step of dismantling the pseudo pipe, a step of correcting the length of the plastic pipe if the length of the plastic pipe is inappropriate, and a step of constructing actual piping using the plastic pipe of the appropriate length and the pipe fitting. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] Bottom view of the pseudo pipe fitting. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 5. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] Cross-sectional view of line BB in Figure 11. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cold water / hot water supply pipe near a step, with a portion of a pipe joint cut away. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a piping method, illustrating the state in which the pipes, in-cores, pipe joints, and dummy pipe joints necessary for constructing cold water and hot water supply piping to overcome a step are prepared. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining a piping method, showing a pseudo-pipe constructed using a pipe and a pseudo-pipe fitting (without using an in-core), where (a) shows a case where the pipe length is appropriate, and (b) shows an example where the pipe length is inappropriate. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a piping method, illustrating a process of shortening a pipe of an inappropriate length by using a pipe end adjustment tool. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a piping method, showing an actual cold water / hot water supply piping constructed using a pipe, an in-core, and a pipe joint. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a front view of a dummy pipe joint according to another embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a rear view of a dummy pipe joint according to another embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a pseudo pipe joint according to another embodiment. [Figure 23]FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a dummy pipe joint according to another embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a left side view of a dummy pipe joint according to another embodiment. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a right side view of a dummy pipe joint according to another embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 24, showing another example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in which the present invention is embodied in the construction of a water / hot water supply pipe.

[0011] <About water and hot water supply piping> As shown in Fig. 16, floor surface 201 on which cold and hot water supply piping is to be installed has step 202 with a rectangular cross-sectional outline. Step 202 is composed of two inlets 202a that form a right angle with each other and two outlets 202b that form a right angle with each other.

[0012] Therefore, as shown in Figures 15 and 19, the piping components required to overcome the step 202 include four elbow-type pipe fittings 11, two pipes 51A laid to each entrance 202a, three pipes 51B for connecting adjacent pipe fittings 11, and eight inner cores 52 corresponding to each of the pipes 51A, 51B.

[0013] For ease of explanation, it is assumed that the length of the two pipes 51A laid up to each entrance 202a of the step 202, in other words the distance between the tip face of the pipe 51A in the laid state and the entrance 202a facing the tip face (more specifically, the side wall face of the step 202 that constitutes the entrance 202a), does not require adjustment.

[0014] <About pipes and in-cores> 15, the pipes 51A and 51B are made of synthetic resin such as polyolefin (crosslinked polyethylene, polybutene, etc.) The pipes 51A and 51B are of the same material and have the same dimensions.

[0015] A cylindrical incore 52 is inserted into the end of pipe 51B. Although not shown, an incore 52 is also inserted into the end of pipe 51A, similar to pipe 51B. Incore 52 is prevented from sinking into pipes 51A and 51B by flanges 52a formed at the ends of incore 52. Incore 52 is intended to increase the roundness of the ends of pipes 51A and 51B and to maintain said roundness.

[0016] <About pipe fittings> The pipe joint 11 has two cylindrical main bodies 12. Pipes 51A, 51B of the same dimensions (same nominal diameter) can be inserted and connected to each of the main bodies 12. Each of the main bodies 12 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyphenylene sulfide resin. The two main bodies 12 are integrally molded via cylindrical corner portions 13.

[0017] In this embodiment, these two main body portions 12 and the corner portion 13 as a whole form the joint body, and in particular, one of the main body portions 12 forms one end portion of the joint body, and the other main body portion 12 forms the other end portion of the joint body.

[0018] In the pipe joint 11, one body part 12 and the other body part 12 are arranged so that their axes L1, L2 are perpendicular to each other. The one body part 12 and the other body part 12 are the same (same dimensions, shape, etc.), and the one body part 12 and the other body part 12 form the same one-touch joint (same dimensions, shape, etc.).

[0019] An outer tube portion 14 is formed to protrude from the main body portion 12. An insertion space 15 that allows the insertion of the pipes 51A, 51B is formed inside the outer tube portion 14. A step portion 14a is provided on the base end side of the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube portion 14. A locking step 14b is provided on the tip side of the step portion 14a on the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube portion 14.

[0020] A positioning surface 14c is provided at the base end of the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube portion 14 to abut against the tip surface of the incore 52 and determine the insertion positions of the pipes 51A, 51B. The positioning surface 14c exists on an imaginary plane perpendicular to the axes L1, L2 of the corresponding main body portion 12. The distances from the intersection of the axis L1 of one main body portion 12 and the axis L2 of the other main body portion 12 to the positioning surface 14c in the directions of the corresponding axes L1, L2 are the same, "x1."

[0021] A seal ring holder 16 made of polyacetal resin is held in place by the locking step 14b. Two seal rings 17 made of rubber such as ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer rubber are arranged at a distance between the seal ring holder 16 and the step 14a. A spacer ring 18 is arranged between the two seal rings 17.

[0022] When the pipes 51A, 51B are inserted into the insertion space 15, the seal ring 17 is crushed between the outer peripheral surfaces of the pipes 51A, 51B and the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube portion 14 and pressed against both peripheral surfaces, thereby ensuring watertightness between the two peripheral surfaces.

[0023] The pipe joint 11 includes a pair of retaining mechanisms 20 for holding the pipes 51A, 51B to the respective main bodies 12, and a pair of caps 21 for attaching the retaining mechanisms 20 to the respective main bodies 12. The caps 21 are made of synthetic resin such as polyphenylene sulfide resin.

[0024] Each cap 21 has a portion that has the maximum outer diameter centered on the corresponding axis L1, L2 in the pipe fitting 11, in other words, a portion that comes into contact with the installation surface (floor surface 201 or each surface of step 202) when the pipe fitting 11 is installed on the inlet 202a or outlet 202b. Hereinafter, this portion will be referred to as the "maximum outer diameter portion 21a."

[0025] The inner peripheral surface of the tip of the cap 21 is provided with an inclined surface 21b that tapers toward the tip. Two locking grooves 21c are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cap 21. Two locking ridges 14d are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube portion 14. The cap 21 is fitted onto the outer tube portion 14, and is connected to the outer tube portion 14 by snap-engaging the locking grooves 21c with the locking ridges 14d of the outer tube portion 14.

[0026] The cap 21 has a pipe insertion opening 21d that communicates with the insertion space 15. The distance in the direction of the axis L1 from the positioning surface 14c of one body portion 12 to the pipe insertion opening 21d of the cap 21 that corresponds to that body portion 12, and the distance in the direction of the axis L2 from the positioning surface 14c of the other body portion 12 to the pipe insertion opening 21d of the cap 21 that corresponds to that body portion 12, are the same as "x2".

[0027] The lock ring 22 constituting the retaining mechanism 20 is made of a thin metal plate such as stainless steel and has an annular shape. A plurality of retaining pieces 22a are formed on the inner periphery of the lock ring 22 so as to protrude and incline toward the inner end. A split ring 23 constituting the retaining mechanism 20 is interposed between the lock ring 22 and the cap 21. The split ring 23 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyphenylene sulfide resin. The split ring 23 backs up and maintains the inclination angle of the retaining pieces 22a of the lock ring 22.

[0028] A lock ring holder 24 constituting the retaining mechanism 20 is sandwiched between the seal ring holder 16 and the cap 21. The lock ring 22 is sandwiched between the lock ring holder 24 and the split ring 23.

[0029] Suppose that a pulling force acts on the pipes 51A, 51B inserted into the insertion space 15 and with the split ring 23 and lock ring 22 passing through them. In this case, the retaining pieces 22a of the lock ring 22 bite into the outer circumferential surfaces of the pipes 51A, 51B, preventing the pipes 51A, 51B from coming off from the pipe fitting 11. In this case, the split ring 23 is guided by the inclined surface 21b of the cap 21 to reduce its diameter and tighten the outer circumferential surfaces of the pipes 51A, 51B, preventing the pipes 51A, 51B from coming off from the pipe fitting 11.

[0030] It should be noted that with respect to the pipe fitting 11 into which the pipes 51A, 51B are inserted and connected, it is prohibited to pull out the pipes 51A, 51B and then reuse them, since there is a concern that the anti-slip function may be reduced due to excessive deformation of the lock ring 22, etc.

[0031] In the pipe fitting 11, an indicator 25 is provided on the outer surface of one of the main body parts 12. The indicator 25 is formed by printing, engraving, etc. The indicator 25 is composed of one indicator group consisting of an "outside" indicator, a "+" indicator, and a "y1" indicator, and the other indicator group consisting of an "inside" indicator, a "-" indicator, and a "y2" indicator.

[0032] The "outside" display of one display group indicates that this is a display group corresponding to the case where the pipe fitting 11 is placed in the outlet port 202b. The "inside" display of the other display group indicates that this is a display group corresponding to the case where the pipe fitting 11 is placed in the inlet port 202a.

[0033] The "+" display in one of the display groups indicates the side on which the tip face of the pipe 51B, whose insertion position is determined by the positioning surface 14c of the pipe fitting 11 which is positioned in the projection 202b, is shifted in the direction of the axes L1, L2 relative to the apex of the projection 202b, and more specifically, indicates that the pipe 51B corresponding to the projection 202b is longer relative to the apex of the projection 202b.

[0034] The "- " display in the other display group indicates the side on which the tip face of the pipe 51B, when its insertion position is determined by the positioning surface 14c of the pipe fitting 11 which is positioned in the entrance 202a, is shifted in the direction of the axes L1, L2 from the apex of the entrance 202a, and more specifically, indicates that it is appropriate for the pipe 51B corresponding to the entrance 202a to be shorter than the apex of the entrance 202a.

[0035] The "y1" display of one display group is a numerical value indicating the distance by which pipe 51B is lengthened relative to the apex of exit wall 202b, since that display group has a "+" display. The "y2" display of the other display group is a numerical value indicating the distance by which pipe 51B is shortened relative to the apex of entry wall 202a, since that display group has a "-" display.

[0036] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16, the worker can easily understand that in order to determine the required length of each pipe 51B, it is sufficient to add or subtract the corresponding numerical values ​​indicated by "y1" and "y2" from the distance "w1" between one inlet 202a and one outlet 202b, the distance "w2" between one outlet 202b and the other outlet 202b, and the distance "w3" between the other outlet 202b and the other inlet 202a (w1=w3 in this embodiment).

[0037] In this manner, since the pipe fitting 11 is provided with the display unit 25, the required length of the pipe 51B to be placed between the pipe fitting 11 and another pipe fitting 11 can be easily determined.

[0038] <About imitation pipe fittings> As shown in Figures 1 to 7, elbow-type pseudo pipe fitting 71 has a cylindrical fitting body equivalent part 72 similar in appearance to the fitting body (two body parts 12 and one corner part 13; see Figure 15) of pipe fitting 11. The pseudo pipe fitting 71 has a pair of cylindrical cap equivalent parts 73 similar in appearance to the cap 21 (see Figure 15) of pipe fitting 11. The fitting body equivalent part 72 and the cap equivalent part 73 are made of a transparent or translucent synthetic resin such as copolyester resin or polystyrene resin, and are molded integrally with each other.

[0039] The cap equivalent parts 73 are provided so that one end and the other end of the fitting body equivalent part 72 bulge in the direction of the corresponding axis L3, L4 and in the radial direction, respectively. Each cap equivalent part 73 has a part that has a maximum outer diameter centered on the axis L3, L4 of the corresponding end in the dummy pipe fitting 71, in other words, a part that is positioned by contacting with the installation surface (each surface of the floor surface 201 or the step 202) when the dummy pipe fitting 71 is installed on the entrance 202a or the exit 202b (see FIG. 17).

[0040] Hereinafter, this portion will be referred to as “maximum outer diameter portion 73a.” Maximum outer diameter portion 73a in tactic pipe fitting 71 is at the same position as maximum outer diameter portion 21a in pipe fitting 11 (see FIG. 15), and has the same outer diameter.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 7, each cap equivalent portion 73 is formed with a pipe insertion port 73b. An insertion space 74 is formed from one cap equivalent portion 73 to the corresponding one end portion of the joint body equivalent portion 72, and from the other cap equivalent portion 73 to the corresponding other end portion of the joint body equivalent portion 72. Each insertion space 74 allows the insertion of the pipes 51A, 51B through the corresponding pipe insertion port 73b. The pipes 51A, 51B are inserted into the dummy pipe fitting 71 without the in-core 52 attached.

[0042] A positioning surface 74a is provided in each insertion space 74. The positioning surface 74a directly contacts the tip surface of the pipe 51A, 51B to determine the insertion position of the pipe 51A, 51B. Each positioning surface 74a exists on an imaginary plane perpendicular to the axis L3, L4 of the corresponding joint body equivalent part 72.

[0043] The distances from the intersection of the axis L3 and the axis L4 to the positioning surface 74a in the directions of the corresponding axes L3 and L4 are the same. This distance is "x1+v" obtained by adding the thickness "v" of the flange 52a of the in-core 52 to the distance "x1" in the pipe fitting 11 (see FIG. 15).

[0044] The distance in the direction of axis L3 from one positioning surface 74a to the pipe insertion opening 73b of the cap equivalent part 73 corresponding to that positioning surface 74a is the same as the distance in the direction of axis L4 from the other positioning surface 74a to the pipe insertion opening 73b of the cap equivalent part 73 corresponding to that positioning surface 74a. This distance is "x2-v", which is the distance "x2" in the pipe fitting 11 (see FIG. 15) minus the thickness "v" of the flange 52a of the incore 52.

[0045] Therefore, as shown in Figures 17(a) and 19, when the pipes 51A, 51B are inserted into the dummy pipe fitting 71, the relative positional relationship between one pipe 51A, 51B and the other pipe 51A, 51B is the same as when the pipes 51A, 51B with the inner core 52 attached are inserted and connected to the pipe fitting 11.

[0046] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the maximum outer diameter portion 73a of the pseudo pipe fitting 71 is at the same position and has the same outer diameter as the maximum outer diameter portion 21a of the pipe fitting 11, so the relative positional relationship between each pipe 51A, 51B and the inlet 202a or outlet 202b is the same when the pipe 51A, 51B is inserted and connected to the pipe fitting 11 placed at the inlet 202a or outlet 202b, and when the pipe 51A, 51B is inserted into the pseudo pipe fitting 71 placed at the inlet 202a or outlet 202b.

[0047] 1 to 7, confirmation windows 72a that open outwardly to the insertion space 74 are formed penetrating the joint body equivalent part 72 near the positioning surface 74a. The confirmation windows 72a are elongated holes extending in the circumferential direction, and two confirmation windows 72a are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0048] A retaining portion 75 is integrally provided protrudingly on the inner surface of each insertion space 74 near the positioning surface 74a. The retaining portion 75 narrows the inner diameter of the insertion space 74 in a portion, and the radial tip surface is pressed against the outer surface of the pipes 51A, 51B to appropriately prevent the pipes 51A, 51B from coming out, in other words, to prevent the pipes 51A, 51B from coming out in a state in which they can be pulled out with a certain degree of force. A plurality of retaining portions 75 (four in this embodiment) are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. Two retaining portions 75 are arranged between each of the two confirmation windows 72a in the circumferential direction.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 7, the positions where the holding parts 75 are pressed against the outer surfaces of the pipes 51A and 51B are shifted toward the tip side of the pipes 51A and 52B from the positions where the seal rings 17 of the pipe fitting 11 are pressed against the outer surfaces (see Fig. 15). Therefore, even if the holding parts 75 cause sliding scratches on the outer surfaces of the pipes 51A and 52B by inserting them into the pseudo pipe fitting 71, and even if the tip of the pipe 52B removed from the pseudo pipe fitting 71 is adjusted to be shorter, when the pipes 51A and 52B are inserted and connected into the pipe fitting 11, the scratches will be shifted from the position of the seal rings 17 toward the tip side. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in watertightness caused by the seal rings 17 abutting against the scratches.

[0050] <About the pipe end adjustment tool> As shown in Figures 8 to 14, the pipe end adjustment tool 81 has a cylindrical shaft 82 that is inserted into the end of the pipe 51B. A convex curved surface 82a is formed at the tip of the shaft 82. The convex curved surface 82a makes it easy to insert the shaft 82 into the end of the pipe 51B. A flange 83 is provided at the base end of the shaft 82.

[0051] A positioning surface 83a is formed on the surface of the flange 83 facing the shaft 82 so as to surround the shaft 82. When the shaft 82 is inserted into the pipe 51B, the positioning surface 83a abuts against the tip surface of the pipe 51B. The positioning surface 83a exists on an imaginary plane perpendicular to the axis L5 of the shaft 82. When the shaft 82 is inserted into the pipe 51B, the pipe end adjustment tool 81 is capable of rotating relative to the pipe 51B, around the axis L5 of the shaft 82.

[0052] An operating portion 84 is provided on the flange 83. The shaft 82, flange 83 and operating portion 84 are integrally molded from synthetic resin materials such as acrylic resin, polypropylene resin, polyethylene resin, polyacetal resin, etc., or metal materials such as copper alloy, aluminum, etc. The operating portion 84 protrudes radially outward from the flange 83. The operating portion 84 has a portion that is cylindrical (cylindrical portion 84a) and another portion that is angular tubular (angular tubular portion 84b) extending in the same direction as the cylindrical portion 84a. The internal space of the cylindrical portion 84a and the internal space of the angular tubular portion 84b are integrated.

[0053] The operating portion 84 is disposed such that the axis L6 of the cylindrical portion 84a is perpendicular to the axis L5 of the shaft 82 and does not intersect with the axis L5. At both ends of the cylindrical portion 84a, the end faces on the flange 83 side are closed, and the end faces opposite to the closed end faces are open and form part of the discharge port 85.

[0054] At both ends of the rectangular tube portion 84b, the end faces on the flange 83 side are closed, and the end faces opposite to the end faces are open and form the other part of the discharge port 85. The flange 83 is formed with a receiving hole 83b penetrating from a part of the positioning surface 83a to the inner space of the rectangular tube portion 84b.

[0055] A plate-shaped cutting blade 86 is housed in the inner space of the square tube portion 84b. The cutting blade 86 has a cutting edge 86a that extends linearly in the direction of the axis L6 of the cylindrical portion 84a. The cutting blade 86 is fixed to the inner surface of the square tube portion 84b by a screw 87. In order to improve the workability when fixing the cutting blade 86 to the square tube portion 84b, a through hole 84c is formed in the cylindrical portion 84a at a position coaxial with the screw 87, so that a tool such as a screwdriver (not shown) can approach the screw 87 at a coaxial position through the through hole 84c.

[0056] The portion of the cutting blade 86 located on the flange 83 side protrudes from the operating portion 84 into the accommodation hole 83b of the flange 83. The surface to which the cutting blade 86 is fixed in the square tube portion 84b is inclined with respect to the positioning surface 83a of the flange 83, and therefore the cutting blade 86 is also inclined with respect to the positioning surface 83a in accordance with the inclination. Therefore, the portion of the cutting blade 86 located in the accommodation hole 83b is inclined with respect to an imaginary plane defined by the positioning surface 83a, and the cutting edge 86a protrudes slightly from the imaginary plane.

[0057] 8 and 18, to cut the end face of the pipe 51B using the pipe end adjustment tool 81, the shaft 82 is inserted into the end of the pipe 51B and the end face of the pipe 51B is brought into contact with the positioning surface 83a and the cutting edge 86a of the cutting blade 86. In this state, when the pipe end adjustment tool 81 is manually rotated via the operating part 84 and the pipe end adjustment tool 81 and the pipe 51B are rotated relative to each other, the cutting edge 86a, which is inclined with respect to the end face of the pipe 51B, continuously cuts the end face in the circumferential direction.

[0058] At this time, shavings K of the pipe 51B are generated in a thin plate shape and in a spiral shape, and the shavings K pass from the positioning surface 83a through the accommodation hole 83b (see FIG. 14), the square tube portion 84b, and the inner space of the cylindrical portion 84a, and are discharged from the inner space to the outside through the discharge port 85. The fact that the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 84a forms a cylindrical surface, in other words, that the inner peripheral surface forms a concave curved surface following the spiral shape of the shavings K, contributes to smooth discharge of the shavings K from the discharge port 85.

[0059] When the pipe end adjustment tool 81 is rotated once relative to the pipe 50B, the pipe 51B becomes shorter by approximately 1 mm to 3 mm. Also, in this embodiment, as described above, it is assumed that the length of the pipe 51A does not need to be corrected (especially it does not need to be shortened), but it goes without saying that in cases where this assumption is not met, the pipe end adjustment tool 81 can also be used to adjust the length of the pipe 51A that is too long.

[0060] <Piping method> In the process shown in Figure 16, four pipe fittings 11, two pipes 51A and two corresponding inner cores 52, three pipes 51B and six corresponding inner cores 52, and four artificial pipe fittings 71 are prepared as parts required for constructing cold water and hot water supply piping that overcomes the step 202.

[0061] In particular, when preparing pipe 51B, first, at step 202 on floor surface 201, the distance "w1" between one entrance 202a and one exit 202b, the distance "w2" between one exit 202b and the other exit 202b, and the distance "w3" between the other exit 202b and the other entrance 202a are measured.

[0062] Next, the required length of each pipe 51B is calculated by taking into account the contents of the corresponding display group (one display group having an "outside" display, a "+" display and a "y1" display, or the other display group having an "inside" display, a "-" display and a "y2" display) on the display unit 25 of the pipe fitting 11 (see FIG. 15) to each of the measured distances "w1" to "w3", and each pipe 51B is prepared by cutting it out from a pipe winding body (not shown) or the like.

[0063] In preparing each pipe 51B, each pipe 51B is cut out from a pipe wound body (not shown) while being conscious of making it slightly longer (for example, 5 mm to 10 mm) than the required length, in other words, not shorter than the required length.

[0064] 17(a) and 17(b), three prepared pipes 51B and four artificial pipe fittings 71 are used to construct an artificial pipe that overcomes a step 202 between two pipes 51A and 51A that have also been prepared and laid, without using an in-core 52. As shown in Fig. 7, whether or not the pipes 51A and 51B have been securely inserted into the artificial pipe fitting 71 up to the position of the positioning surface 74a can be easily visually confirmed by utilizing the confirmation window 72a and the fact that the artificial pipe fitting 71 is light-transmitting.

[0065] Here, as shown in Fig. 17(a), if the lengths of the pipes 51B cut out from the pipe wound body or the like are all appropriate, then all of the maximum outer diameter parts 73a of all of the pseudo pipe fittings 71 will be in contact with the corresponding installation surfaces (floor surface 201 or each surface of step 202). Therefore, after the pseudo piping consisting of pipes 51A, 51B and pseudo pipe fittings 71 is dismantled, as shown in Fig. 19, the pipes 51A, 51B used in the pseudo piping are used as they are to install pipe fittings 11 using in-cores 52 (see Fig. 15), completing the installation of the portion of the cold water / hot water piping that overcomes step 202.

[0066] Conversely, for example as shown in Fig. 17(b), if the length of at least one of the pipes 51B is inappropriate, then at least one maximum outer diameter portion 73a of at least one pseudo pipe fitting 71 will not come into contact with the installation surface (the surface of the floor surface 201 or the step 202) and will be in a floating state. As described above, in the process shown in Fig. 16, each pipe 51B is cut to be longer than the required length, and therefore an inappropriate length of pipe 51B means that the pipe 51B is too long.

[0067] Therefore, from the state shown in Fig. 17(b), the pseudo-pipe consisting of the pipes 51A, 51B and the pseudo-pipe fitting 71 is dismantled, and as shown in Fig. 18, the pipe 51B of the inappropriate length among the pipes 51B used in the pseudo-pipe is shortened using the pipe end adjustment tool 81. Thereafter, a pseudo-pipe is constructed again using the pipes 51A, 51B and the pseudo-pipe fitting 71 used in the pseudo-pipe including the shortened pipe 51B, and thereafter, the pipe end adjustment process shown in Fig. 18 and the pseudo-pipe process shown in Fig. 17 are repeated until the pseudo-pipe reaches the state shown in Fig. 17(a).

[0068] That is, in this embodiment, until it can be directly confirmed at the actual step 202 that the length of each pipe 51B is appropriate, the incore 52 is not inserted into the pipes 51A, 51B, and the pipes 51A, 51B with the incore 52 inserted are not inserted and connected to the pipe fitting 11. Therefore, there is no trouble of repeatedly inserting the incore 52 into the pipes 51A, 51B, and inserting and connecting the pipes 51A, 51B with the incore 52 inserted into the pipe fitting 11 at the same construction location.

[0069] In particular, when using a pipe fitting 11 that cannot be reinstalled as in this embodiment, there is no need to replace it with a new pipe fitting 11. Therefore, this embodiment can be said to be a piping method that is excellent in work efficiency and low in cost. In other words, the dummy pipe fitting 71 makes it easy to realize this piping method.

[0070] (Another example) The above embodiment can be modified, for example, as follows. To be realized in a Cheese-type pipe fitting and a Cheese-type pseudo pipe fitting that has a similar appearance to the said pipe fitting.

[0071] This should be embodied in socket-type (straight-type) pipe fittings and socket-type pseudo pipe fittings that have a similar appearance to the said pipe fittings.

[0072] The pipe joint 11 in the above embodiment is a so-called outer diameter seal type in which the outer circumferential surfaces of the pipes 51A, 51B are sealed by the seal ring 17. This can be changed to an inner diameter seal type in which the pipe joint 11 is an inner diameter seal type in which the inner circumferential surfaces of the pipes 51A, 51B are sealed by a seal ring.

[0073] The pipes 51A, 51B with the in-core 52 inserted therein are used as the pseudo pipe fitting 71 for pseudo piping. In this case, the distance from the intersection of the axis L3 and the axis L4 to the positioning surface 74a in the directions of the corresponding axes L3, L4 is the same as the distance "x1" in the pipe fitting 11, and the distance from the positioning surface 74a to the pipe insertion port 73b of the cap equivalent part 73 corresponding to the positioning surface 74a in the directions of the axes L3, L4 is the same as the distance "x2" in the pipe fitting 11.

[0074] In the pseudo pipe fitting 71 of the above embodiment, the portion of the fitting body equivalent part 72 corresponding to the corner part 13 of the pipe fitting 11 is hollow, and this hollow part is connected to each insertion space 74, so hot and cold water can pass through the inside from one pipe 51A, 51B to the other pipe 51A, 51B. This can be changed so that the portion of the fitting body equivalent part 72 corresponding to the corner part 13 of the pipe fitting 11 is solid, so that hot and cold water cannot pass from one pipe 51A, 51B to the other pipe 51A, 51B.

[0075] In this way, the inside of the portion of dummy pipe fitting 71 corresponding to corner portion 13 does not need to be hollow (the inner peripheral surface does not need to be molded), and manufacturing of dummy pipe fitting 71 is easy (particularly the mold is simple). Furthermore, even if construction of the cold water and hot water supply piping is completed by mistake with dummy pipe fitting 71 still in use, water will easily leak from dummy pipe fitting 71 (particularly inspection window 72a) during a water flow inspection of the cold water and hot water supply piping, so the mistake can be discovered early on.

[0076] In addition, when the inside of the part corresponding to the corner portion 13 is made hollow as in the above embodiment, there are advantages such as making the dummy pipe fitting 71 lighter and improving the escape of air from the dummy pipe fitting 71 when inserting the pipes 51A, 51B, making the insertion operation easier.

[0077] The dummy pipe fitting 71 is made of an opaque synthetic resin. Even in this case, it is easy to visually check, using only the confirmation window 72a, whether the pipes 51A, 51B are securely inserted into the dummy pipe fitting 71 up to the position of the positioning surface 74a.

[0078] The confirmation window 72a can be eliminated from the dummy pipe fitting 71. Even in this case, by utilizing the fact that the dummy pipe fitting 71 is made of a transparent synthetic resin, it is possible to easily visually check whether the pipes 51A, 51B are securely inserted up to the position of the positioning surface 74a.

[0079] The dummy pipe fitting 71 may be made of opaque synthetic resin, and the confirmation window 72a may be removed from the dummy pipe fitting 71. In this case, it is preferable to configure the fitting so that a specific sensation or sound is generated when the pipes 51A, 51B are securely inserted up to the position of the positioning surface 74a.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the pipe fitting 11 and the pipes 51A, 51B are exposed in the cold water / hot water supply piping. However, this can be changed to cover the pipe fitting 11 and / or the pipes 51A, 51B with a cover. In this case, when the pseudo-pipe is constructed with the pipes 51A, 51B and the pseudo-pipe fitting 71, the cover can be temporarily attached to the pseudo-pipe to check in advance how the pipe fitting 11 and / or the pipes 51A, 51B fit into the cover. In this sense, it is particularly effective that the maximum outer diameter portion 21a of the pipe fitting 11 and the maximum outer diameter portion 73a of the pseudo-pipe fitting 71 are located at the same position and have the same outer diameter.

[0081] 20 to 26, a U-shaped marking hole 76 is provided in a thin-walled portion 77 of the cap-equivalent portion 73, which has a reduced thickness. In this case, when marking is performed by placing a marker along the marking hole 76 while the pipes 51A, 51B are in contact with the positioning surface 74a, the provision of the thin-walled portion 77 can suppress interference between the marker and the cap-equivalent portion 73, making it easier to insert the tip of the marker into the marking hole 76. Therefore, the length of the pipes 51A, 51B to be inserted into the pipe fitting 11 can be easily determined.

[0082] 20 to 26, a through hole 78 is provided. In this case, it becomes easy to grasp the internal shape of the corner portion 13 in the pipe joint 11. In addition, by attaching a carabiner or the like to the through hole 78, it becomes easy to carry.

[0083] The technical ideas that can be understood from the above embodiment will be described. (1) The pseudo pipe fitting according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a maximum outer diameter part having the same outer diameter as the maximum outer diameter part of the pipe fitting, at the same position as the maximum outer diameter part of the pipe fitting.

[0084] (2) A pseudo pipe fitting as described in claim 1 or claim 2 or technical idea (1), in which the fitting body equivalent part and / or the cap equivalent part are made light-transmitting, or an inspection window is provided in the fitting body equivalent part and / or the cap equivalent part, thereby making it possible to visually confirm the tip of the inserted plastic pipe from the outside.

[0085] (3) A pseudo pipe fitting as described in claim 1 or claim 2, or technical idea (1) or technical idea (2), wherein the inside of the fitting body equivalent portion and the cap equivalent portion are configured to allow fluid to flow between the one plastic pipe and the other plastic pipe.

[0086] (4) A pipe end adjustment tool used for cutting an end face of a plastic pipe, comprising: a cylindrical shaft whose tip is inserted into the end of the pipe; a flange provided at the base end of the shaft and having a positioning surface against which the end face of the pipe abuts; a tubular operating part protruding radially outward from the flange; and a cutting blade arranged in the internal space of the operating part, wherein the flange is formed with an accommodating hole that allows the tip of the cutting blade to protrude into the positioning surface, and the end face of the operating part opposite the flange is open to form an outlet, and shavings generated in a spiral shape of the pipe are discharged to the outside from the positioning surface through the accommodating hole, the internal space of the operating part, and the outlet, and the inner peripheral surface of the operating part forms a concave curved surface that follows the spiral shape of the shavings. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 11...pipe fitting, 12...main body portion, 13...corner portion, 14...outer tube portion (a...step portion, b...locking step, c...positioning surface, d...locking ridge), 15...insertion space, 16...seal ring holder, 17...seal ring, 18...spacer ring. 20...anti-slip mechanism, 21...cap (a...maximum outer diameter portion, b...inclined surface, c...engaging groove, d...pipe insertion port), 22...lock ring (a...anti-slip piece), 23...split ring, 24...lock ring retainer, 25...display portion. 51A, 51B...pipe, 52...incore (a...flange). 71...pseudo pipe fitting, 72...part equivalent to fitting body (a...inspection window), 73...part equivalent to cap (a...maximum outer diameter part, b...pipe insertion port), 74...insertion space (a...positioning surface), 75...retaining part, 76...marking hole, 77...thin-walled part, 78...through hole. 81...pipe end adjustment tool, 82...shaft (a...convex curved surface), 83...flange (a...positioning surface, b...accommodating hole), 84...operating part (a...cylindrical part, b...square tube part, c...through hole), 85...discharge port, 86...cutting blade (a...blade tip), 87...screw. 201...floor surface, 202...step (a...entrance, b...exit).

Claims

1. The pipe joint includes a joint body into one end of which one plastic pipe is inserted and connected, and the other plastic pipe is inserted and connected to the other end of which another plastic pipe is inserted and connected, a slip-out prevention mechanism that is constructed at each of the one end and the other end of the joint body and is made of a one-touch joint for holding the corresponding plastic pipe, and a cap for attaching the slip-out prevention mechanism to each of the one end and the other end, A pseudo pipe fitting comprising a fitting body equivalent portion having an appearance similar to the fitting body of the pipe fitting, and cap equivalent portions provided at one end and the other end of the fitting body equivalent portion, the cap equivalent portions being similar in appearance to the corresponding caps, the corresponding plastic pipes being insertable and removable into the cap equivalent portions, and the relative positional relationship between the one plastic pipe and the other plastic pipe in the inserted state being the same as when the pipes are inserted and connected into the pipe fitting.

2. 2. The pseudo pipe joint according to claim 1, further comprising a retaining portion that presses against an outer surface of the plastic pipe to prevent the plastic pipe from coming loose, and the position at which the retaining portion presses against the plastic pipe is closer to the tip of the plastic pipe than the position at which a seal ring of the pipe joint presses against the outer surface of the plastic pipe.

3. A piping method comprising the steps of: constructing a pseudo piping using the pseudo pipe fitting described in claim 1 or claim 2 and the plastic pipe; dismantling the pseudo piping; correcting the length of the plastic pipe if the length of the plastic pipe is inappropriate; and constructing actual piping using the plastic pipe of the appropriate length and the pipe fitting, in the same order.

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