Reinforcement device

Abstract

To provide a reinforcement device that can be readily externally fitted to a synthetic resin fluid pipe and preferably reinforce a reinforcement object area of a fluid pipe irrespective of water leakage.SOLUTION: A reinforcement device 1 includes a case body 21 externally fitted to an outer peripheral surface 2f of a synthetic resin fluid pipe 2. The case body 21 includes: a reinforcement part 22 disposed so as to surround a reinforcement object area E10 in the fluid pipe 2; and locking parts 23, 23 disposed so as to be capable of locking to the outer peripheral surface 2f of the fluid pipe 2 on both sides in an axial direction of the reinforcement part 22 to regulate movement in the axial direction of the reinforcement part 22. The reinforcement part 22 is divided into multiple parts in a circumferential direction. The locking parts 23, 23 are divided into multiple parts in the circumferential direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a reinforcing device for reinforcing a region to be reinforced in a synthetic resin fluid pipe. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when connecting a flow path component such as a branch pipe or an air valve to a specific location in a flow path consisting of a fluid pipe made of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride, or when repairing a damaged portion of the fluid pipe, a method has been used in which squeeze-off devices are installed at two locations on either side of the specific location in the axial direction of the pipe, and the squeeze-off devices are used to crush the fluid pipe to close the cross section of the pipe and temporarily stop the water flow, thereby cutting off the water supply to a minimum required section including the specific location.

[0003] Furthermore, in the case where the fluid pipe is temporarily crushed by such a squeeze-off device to stop the water flow, after the connection of the flow path components and repair of the damaged portion are completed, the portion of the fluid pipe crushed by the squeeze-off device is restored to a cylindrical shape using a restoration tool to restore the water supply. Since the structural strength of the portion restored after being temporarily crushed in this manner is reduced and there is a risk of fluid leakage, there is a method for reinforcing the restored portion by covering the restored portion from the outside with a cylindrical electric fusion joint and fusing it to the fluid pipe (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6382498 (page 7, figures 5-7) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the reinforcement device described in Patent Document 1, the electric fusion joint is formed as a single unitary cylinder, and needs to be inserted from the cut end of the fluid pipe and slid along the pipe axis to the restored portion. This means that not only does the fluid pipe need to be cut even in cases where cutting the fluid pipe is not necessary, such as for repairs following damage to valves, etc., but it also poses the problem that the water-cutoff section becomes longer in order to secure waiting space for the electric fusion joint between the cut end of the fluid pipe and the squeeze-off device.

[0006] In addition, the restoration may cause the fluid pipe to become partially thin-walled or damaged, or the synthetic resin may turn white, making it more susceptible to water leakage due to internal pressure from the internal fluid, and the leaked water may enter the gap between the inner surface of the electric fusion joint and the outer surface of the fluid pipe, causing a drop in the fusion interface temperature and evaporating the water, creating voids at the fusion interface, which may prevent proper fusion from being achieved.

[0007] The present invention has been made in response to these problems, and aims to provide a reinforcing device that can be easily fitted onto a synthetic resin fluid pipe and can effectively reinforce the area of ​​the fluid pipe to be reinforced regardless of the occurrence of water leakage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the reinforcement device of the present invention comprises: A reinforcing device including a case body fitted onto an outer circumferential surface of a synthetic resin fluid pipe, The case body is A reinforcing portion disposed to surround a region to be reinforced in the fluid pipe; and a locking portion that is arranged on both axial sides of the reinforcing portion so as to be able to be locked to the outer circumferential surface of the fluid pipe and that restricts movement of the reinforcing portion in the axial direction. The reinforcing portion and the locking portion are each divided into a plurality of portions in the circumferential direction. According to this feature, since the reinforcing portion and the locking portion are divided into multiple parts in the circumferential direction, they can be easily fitted from the outer diameter side toward any area of ​​the fluid pipe to be reinforced, and since the locking portions are locked to the fluid pipe on both axial sides of the reinforcing portion, the axial movement of the reinforcing portion can be restricted without placing a large load on the area of ​​the fluid pipe to be reinforced where the structural strength has been reduced.

[0009] The case body is characterized by including at least a reinforcing member constituting the reinforcing portion, and a locking member constituting the locking portion. According to this feature, the reinforcing member can be placed in the area to be reinforced and then locked to the fluid pipe by the locking member, which makes the installation work easier.

[0010] The reinforcing portion is characterized by comprising the reinforcing member, and a pressing ring member having a storage portion for storing the locking member therein and an engaging portion for engaging with the reinforcing member, and capable of pressing the locking member in an inward radial direction. According to this feature, the locking member can be pressed in the radially inward direction by the pressing ring member, so that the locking effect can be enhanced and the locking member can be prevented from coming off the reinforcing member.

[0011] The housing portion of the pressing ring member has an inclined surface capable of pressing the locking member radially inward and toward the reinforcing member. According to this feature, the locking member is pressed not only in the radially inward direction but also in the direction of the reinforcing member, so that the locking member can be prevented from coming off the reinforcing member.

[0012] The reinforcing portion is characterized by having a correcting portion that corrects the outer shape of the fluid pipe. According to this feature, by surrounding the area to be reinforced in the fluid pipe with the reinforcing portion, the deformed portion is corrected by the correcting portion and is easily restored to its original state.

[0013] The straightening portion is characterized in that it has an inner diameter that is the same as or at most 10 mm larger than the outer diameter of the fluid pipe. According to this feature, even if the synthetic resin fluid pipe expands in diameter due to creep characteristics, the fluid pipe can be surrounded without being significantly damaged.

[0014] The locking portion is characterized in that it is divided in the circumferential direction into a specific number of portions which is greater than the number of portions of the reinforcing portion. According to this feature, the locking portion, which has a greater number of divisions in the circumferential direction than the reinforcing portion, can abut and conform to the shape of the outer peripheral surface even when the outer peripheral surface of the fluid pipe has not been accurately restored or is uneven.

[0015] The reinforcing portion is disposed in the area to be reinforced, and the engaging portion is disposed in a normal area that is on the outer side of the area to be reinforced in the axial direction of the fluid pipe. According to this feature, the locking portion is not disposed in an area to be reinforced, which has a low structural strength, and therefore damage to the synthetic resin fluid pipe caused by the locking portion can be suppressed.

[0016] The reinforcing portion is arranged in a first region, which is the main reinforcement target in the reinforcement target area, and the locking portion is arranged in a second region, which has a strength higher than that of the first region in the reinforcement target area. According to this feature, even when the reinforcing portion and the locking portion are arranged in the region to be reinforced, the locking portion is arranged in the second region which has a relatively high strength, so that damage to the synthetic resin fluid pipe due to locking can be suppressed.

[0017] The locking member is characterized by having a connecting portion that connects the locking portions to each other in the circumferential direction. According to this feature, a plurality of locking portions can be handled together, and the work of assembling them to the fluid pipe is simplified.

[0018] A portion of the engaging portion is characterized in that it extends in the circumferential direction across the ends of the reinforcing portions adjacent in the circumferential direction. According to this feature, a plurality of reinforcing portions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction can be evenly engaged without being misaligned. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the process of installing an air valve at a specific location on a fluid pipe, where (a) shows the process of preparing the work site, and (b) shows the process of squeezing off both sides of the specific location. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing the process of connecting a branch pipe to the cut-out portion, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing the process of connecting a repair valve and an air valve to the branch pipe and then removing the squeeze-off device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a process of restoring a deformed portion of a fluid pipe, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a process of installing a reinforcing device in an area to be reinforced. [Figure 4] FIG. 2(a) is a left side view showing a reinforcing device attached to a fluid pipe, and FIG. [Diagram 5] 1A is a left side view showing the lower reinforcing member, and FIG. [Figure 6] 1A is a plan view showing the seal packing, and FIG. [Figure 7] 1A is a front view showing the locking member, FIG. 1B is a right side view, FIG. 1C is a diagram for explaining a connecting process of the locking member, and FIG. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the process of installing a reinforcing device in an area of ​​a fluid pipe to be reinforced, where (a) is a diagram showing the process of attaching an upper reinforcing member and a lower reinforcing member, and (b) is a diagram showing the process of attaching a locking member and a pressing ring member. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views showing a fluid pipe, in which (a) shows a circular state, (b) shows a flattened state, (c) shows a restored state, and (d) shows a reinforced state. [Figure 10] FIG. 4( a ) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a reinforcing device attached to a fluid pipe. [Figure 12] 1A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which a locking member is pressed against a fluid pipe by a pressing ring member, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of a main part showing a connecting portion of the locking member as viewed from the axial direction. [Figure 13] 13 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a state in which a reinforcing device according to a modified example of the present invention is attached to a fluid pipe. FIG. [Figure 14] 13(a) and 13(b) are diagrams illustrating a mounting process of a reinforcing device as a modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A mode for carrying out a reinforcing device according to the present invention will be described below based on an embodiment. EXAMPLES

[0021] A reinforcing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 11. In the following description, the near side of Figure 1 will be referred to as the front side (front surface side) of the fluid pipe, and the far side will be referred to as the rear side (rear surface side).

[0022] In the following, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, a process will be described in which a specific portion S of a fluid pipe 2 constituting an existing flow path buried underground G is cut off, an air valve 3 (see Figure 2(b)) is installed at the cut off portion, and the portion of the fluid pipe 2 that has been deformed and restored during installation is reinforced by a reinforcing device 1, which will be described later. Note that the fluid in the fluid pipe 2 is clean water in this embodiment, but is not limited to this, and may be, for example, industrial water, agricultural water, sewage, gas, or a gas-liquid mixture of gas and liquid.

[0023] The fluid pipe 2 according to the present invention is made of polyethylene and is formed into a cylindrical shape that is almost a perfect circle in cross section. The fluid pipe according to the present invention may be made of other synthetic resins such as vinyl chloride or polyolefin, but as will be described later, the polyethylene pipe for water distribution according to this embodiment is preferable, which is a relatively soft synthetic resin suitable for so-called squeeze-off.

[0024] Also, a process of installing an air valve 3 at the location where the fluid pipe 2 has been cut is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and flow path components such as a gate valve, a repair valve, and a fire hydrant may be installed in addition to the air valve 3. Alternatively, a process may be used in which the area to be repaired is repaired with a repair device or the like without cutting out the specific location S of the fluid pipe 2, and the portion of the fluid pipe 2 that has been deformed and restored during the repair is reinforced with a reinforcing device 1 described below.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1(a), first, a preparation process is performed to prepare the work site. In the preparation process, a specific location S of a fluid pipe 2 buried underground, that is, a portion where an air valve 3 is to be installed and the surrounding ground are excavated to form an excavation hole 4. A branch pipe 6a extending toward a plurality of houses 6 to which clean water is to be supplied is connected to the fluid pipe 2, and a plurality of gate valves 5, 5 are installed in the axial direction. By closing adjacent gate valves 5, 5, a section E1 between these gate valves 5, 5 is cut off from water.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1(b), squeeze-off devices 10, 10 are installed at two locations on both sides of the specific location S of the fluid pipe 2 exposed in the drilled hole 4 in the axial direction. The squeeze-off devices 10, 10 are conventionally known devices, so detailed explanations are omitted. However, the squeeze-off devices 10, 10 are arranged between compression rods (not shown) so as to sandwich the fluid pipe 2 from above and below, and the upper compression rod is lowered by a driving source such as hydraulic pressure to squeeze off (press) the fluid pipe 2, thereby crushing a part of the outer wall of the fluid pipe 2 and closing the pipe cross section, so that the two locations on both sides of the specific location S in the axial direction can be temporarily watertight. In addition, since the fluid pipe 2 is made of polyethylene, which is a relatively soft synthetic resin as described above, the internal fluid does not leak even by such squeeze-off, and the sealed state is maintained.

[0027] If the gate valves 5, 5 are closed to cut off the water supply to the section E1, the supply of fluid to the multiple houses 6 in that section E1 will all stop, but by cutting off the water supply only to the section E2 between the squeeze off devices 10, 10, which is part of the section E1, it is possible to maintain an uninterrupted water supply state in which the supply of fluid to the multiple houses 6 between the squeeze off device 10 and the gate valve 5 on the outside of it continues. A bypass pipe may be provided in the section E2 to maintain an uninterrupted water supply state. Then, both ends of the specific point S, which is part of the section E2, are cut off with an electric saw or the like and removed.

[0028] Next, the air valve 3 is connected to the cut portion of the fluid pipe 2 via the branch pipe 11 and the repair valve 13. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 2(a), the left and right ends of the branch pipe 11 are butted against the left and right cut ends 2a, 2a of the fluid pipe 2, and cylindrical sockets 12, 12 previously inserted into the left and right ends of the branch pipe 11 are slid in the axial direction to cover the joint, thereby connecting the fluid pipe 2 and the branch pipe 11. The sockets 12, 12 may be used to hermetically connect and fix the fluid pipe 2 and the branch pipe 11 by electric fusion, or may be used to hermetically connect and fix the fluid pipe 2 and the branch pipe 11 by means of a locking claw, a seal member, or the like.

[0029] Next, as shown in Fig. 2(b), the repair valve 13 is connected above the branch pipe 11, and the air valve 3 is connected above the repair valve 13. After the air valve 3 is connected to the fluid pipe 2 via the branch pipe 11 and the repair valve 13 in this way, the squeeze-off caused by the upper and lower compression rods (not shown) is released, and the squeeze-off devices 10, 10 are removed from the fluid pipe 2. Next, the part of the fluid pipe 2 that has been crushed and deformed by the upper and lower compression rods (see Fig. 9(b)) is restored to an approximately cylindrical shape by applying an external force using a restoration tool (not shown) or the like while receiving internal pressure from the fluid in the fluid pipe 2 (see Fig. 9(c)), and the water cut-off state is released (see Fig. 3(a)).

[0030] In this way, the portion that has been temporarily deformed and then restored has a weakened structural strength that reduces, and the portion will deteriorate over time without satisfying the designed service life, resulting in the risk of fluid leakage. Therefore, the restored portion, i.e., the area E10 to be reinforced by the reinforcing device 1 described below (the dotted area in Figure 3(a)), is covered from the outside with a case body 21 described below and fitted around the fluid pipe 2, to reinforce the restored portion.

[0031] [Reinforcement device] Next, the reinforcement device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0032] 4(a) and (b), the reinforcement device 1 includes a case body 21 that is fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the fluid pipe 2. The case body 21 mainly includes a reinforcing portion 22 that is arranged to surround a region E10 to be reinforced in the fluid pipe 2, and locking portions 23, 23 (see FIG. 8(b)) that are arranged on both axial sides (left and right sides) of the reinforcing portion 22 so as to be able to be locked onto the outer circumferential surface of the fluid pipe 2 and that restrict movement of the reinforcing portion 22 in the axial direction.

[0033] 4(a), (b) and 5(a), (b), the reinforcing portion 22 has a structure divided in the circumferential direction, and in this embodiment is mainly composed of an upper reinforcing member 32 attached to the upper part of the outer circumferential surface of the fluid pipe 2, a lower reinforcing member 33 attached to the lower part of the outer circumferential surface of the fluid pipe 2, upper pressing ring members 52, 52 and lower pressing ring members 53, 53. Since the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 are configured in almost the same way, only the lower reinforcing member 33 will be described below, and detailed description of the upper reinforcing member 32 will be omitted, with the reference numeral "32" corresponding to the same member as the lower reinforcing member 33.

[0034] In addition, the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 are made of ductile cast iron, which has higher strength than the polyethylene fluid pipe 2, but they may also be made of other metals such as cast iron or steel, or made of concrete, or made of polyethylene similar to the fluid pipe 2, or made of other synthetic resins such as vinyl chloride or polyolefin. That is, it is preferable that the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 have higher strength than the fluid pipe 2, but they do not necessarily have to be higher, and the materials are not limited to those described above.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the lower reinforcing member 33 has a semi-circular arc shape when viewed from the axial direction of the fluid pipe 2, and includes a semi-cylindrical covering portion 33a that extends axially so as to be able to cover the lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the fluid pipe 2, and a pair of flange portions 33b, 33b that project substantially horizontally from both circumferential ends of the covering portion 33a.

[0036] The inner peripheral surface 34 of the covering portion 33a is formed as a concave curved surface having substantially the same curvature as the outer peripheral surface 2f of the fluid pipe 2 before squeeze-off. More specifically, the inner diameter dimension L2 (see FIG. 5(b)) of each of the inner peripheral surfaces 34, 34 of the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 is formed to be approximately 4 mm larger than the designed outer diameter dimension L1 (see FIG. 4(a)) of the fluid pipe 2 before squeeze-off (L1 < L2, L2 - L1 ≈ 4 mm). In addition, concave accommodation groove portions 35, 35 capable of accommodating a seal packing 40 described later are extended in the circumferential direction on the left and right sides of the inner peripheral surface 34. In addition, flange portions 36, 36 are formed so as to project in the outer diameter direction at the left and right ends of the covering portion 33a.

[0037] On the inner diameter side of the upper surface of the flange portions 33b, 33b, concave accommodation groove portions 37, 37 capable of accommodating a seal packing 40 described later are linearly extended along the inner peripheral surface 34 from the left accommodation groove portion 35 to the right accommodation groove portion 35. In addition, on the outer diameter side of the flange portions 33b, 33b, a plurality of bolt insertion holes 39 (three in the front and rear in this example) through which bolts 38a (see FIG. 4(b)), which are fastening members for fastening the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33, can be inserted are formed.

[0038] Next, the seal gasket 40 is made of an elastically deformable rubber material, and is composed of semicircular arc-shaped portions 41, 41 arranged at a distance from each other on the left and right, and connecting portions 42, 42 connecting the front ends and rear ends of the semicircular arc-shaped portions 41, 41, as shown in Figures 6(a) and (b), and the semicircular arc-shaped portions 41, 41 are capable of being accommodated in the accommodating groove portions 35, 35 of the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33, and the connecting portions 42, 42 are formed so as to be able to be accommodated in the accommodating groove portions 37, 37.

[0039] The inner peripheral surface 41c of the semicircular arc portion 41, 41 is curved so that the central portion is recessed toward the outer diameter side more than the edge portions 41d, 41d on both sides in the axial direction. In addition, the edge portions 41d, 41d are formed with notched grooves 41e, 41e on the outer diameter side, so that the edge portions 41d, 41d can be elastically deformed in the outer diameter direction. Therefore, the edge portions 41d, 41d are in sealing contact with the outer peripheral surface 2f in a state where they protrude toward the inner diameter side in the part of the fluid pipe 2 that is crushed in the inner diameter direction, and the edge portions 41d, 41d are in sealing contact with the outer peripheral surface 2f in a state where they are deformed toward the notched grooves 41e, 41e in the part that is not crushed. In other words, these notched grooves 41e, 41e function as an elastic deformation allowance when the fluid pipe 2 is in a sealed state.

[0040] In addition, one of the connecting portions 42, 42 is formed with a convex portion 43 extending in the longitudinal direction, and the other is formed with a concave portion 44 extending in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, when the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 are fastened to each other, the seal packing 40 disposed on the upper reinforcing member 32 and the seal packing 40 disposed on the lower reinforcing member 33 come into contact with each other while facing each other, so that the convex portion 43 of the seal packing 40 disposed on the upper reinforcing member 32 fits into the concave portion 44 of the seal packing 40 disposed on the lower reinforcing member 33, and the convex portion 43 of the seal packing 40 disposed on the lower reinforcing member 33 fits into the concave portion 44 of the seal packing 40 disposed on the upper reinforcing member 32. As a result, the connecting portions 42, 42 of the upper reinforcing member 32 and the connecting portions 42, 42 of the lower reinforcing member 33 come into contact with each other in a sealed manner.

[0041] In this embodiment, an example is given of a form in which a seal gasket 40 is provided as a seal member to prevent fluid leakage from inside the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 in the event of fluid leakage in the reinforcement target area E10 of the fluid pipe 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is not necessarily necessary to provide a seal member as long as the reinforcement target area E10 of the fluid pipe 2 can be reinforced.

[0042] Next, a description will be given of the upper press ring members 52, 52 and the lower press ring members 53, 53 capable of pressing the locking members 24a to 24g in the inner diameter direction shown in Fig. 7. Since the upper press ring members 52, 52 and the lower press ring members 53, 53 have almost the same configuration, only the upper press ring member 52 will be described below, and a detailed description of the lower press ring member 53 will be omitted, with the same members as those of the upper press ring member 52 being designated by the reference numeral "53".

[0043] Furthermore, the upper pressing ring members 52, 52 and the lower pressing ring members 53, 53 are made of ductile cast iron, which has a higher strength than the fluid pipe 2 made of polyethylene, but they may be made of other metals such as cast iron or steel, or made of concrete, or may be made of synthetic resins such as polyethylene, vinyl chloride, or polyolefin, like the fluid pipe 2. In other words, the upper pressing ring members 52 and the lower pressing ring members 53 preferably have a higher strength than the fluid pipe 2, but this is not necessarily required, and the materials are not limited to those mentioned above.

[0044] 4(a) and (b), the upper pressing ring member 52 is semicircular when viewed from the axial direction of the fluid pipe 2, and is composed of a semicylindrical covering portion 52a capable of covering the locking members 24a to 24g, and a pair of flange portions 52b, 52b protruding in a substantially horizontal direction from both circumferential end edges of the covering portion 52a. The flange portions 52b, 52b are each formed with a bolt insertion hole 59 through which a bolt 58a serving as a fastening member for fastening the upper pressing ring member 52 and the lower pressing ring member 53 can be inserted.

[0045] 10, covering portion 52a has housing portions 54 capable of housing locking members 24a-24g therein, and engaging portions 55 that engage with flange portion 36 of upper reinforcing member 32. Inner peripheral surface 54a of housing portion 54 is formed as an inclined surface that gradually inclines radially inward in a direction away from upper reinforcing member 32 in the axial direction, and is capable of coming into contact with outer peripheral surfaces 24i of locking members 24a-24g.

[0046] 7(a) and (b), the locking portion 23 is composed of multiple (seven in this example) divided locking members 24a-24g in the circumferential direction. The locking members 24a-24g are made of polyacetal, and are arc-shaped members having an inner peripheral surface 24h, an outer peripheral surface 24i, an inner side surface 24j facing the reinforcing portion 22, and an outer side surface 24k.

[0047] The inner peripheral surface 24h is formed of a concave curved surface having approximately the same curvature as the outer peripheral surface 2f of the fluid pipe 2 before squeeze-off. In addition, on the inner peripheral surface 24h, a plurality of locking claws 25 (four in this example) that can be locked to the outer peripheral surface 2f of the fluid pipe 2 are formed at predetermined intervals in the axial direction. The number of locking claws 25 is arbitrary and is not limited to the above four. Each locking claw 25 is formed to protrude in the inner radial direction from the inner peripheral surface 24h and extends in the circumferential direction. The tooth surface 25b of the locking claw 25 on the outer surface 24k side is inclined in the axial direction more than the tooth surface 25a on the inner surface 24j side, that is, the tip of the locking claw 25 is formed to protrude toward the inner surface 24j side (see FIG. 7(d)), so that the locking portion 23 is easily slid toward the outer surface 24k side in the axial direction and is easily locked to the inner surface 24j side, that is, the locking claw 25 is not easily slipped. The outer circumferential surface 24i is an inclined surface that is inclined radially inward from the inner surface 24j side toward the outer surface 24k side in the axial direction.

[0048] Fixed bosses 26, 26 having a generally T-shape in cross section are provided at both circumferential ends of the inner surface 24j in the axial direction. Heads 26a, 26a of the fixed bosses 26, 26 (see Figs. 7(c) and (d)) protrude radially and are arranged in a generally V-shape so that the spacing between the heads 26a, 26a gradually increases in the inner diameter direction. Each fixed boss 26 is adapted to engage a polyethylene fixed clip 27 and an O-ring 28 made of rubber. The fixed clip 27 is provided with rectangular engaging holes 27a, 27a at both ends extending in the longitudinal direction, and can be inserted into the heads 26a of the fixed bosses 26.

[0049] When the locking members 24a to 24g are connected to each other by the fixing clip 27, as shown in Fig. 7(c), the fixing clip 27 is disposed approximately perpendicular to the locking member 24a, the head 26a of one of the fixing bosses 26 of the locking member 24a is inserted into the locking hole 27a of the fixing clip 27, and the fixing clip 27 is rotated approximately 90 degrees around the fixing boss 26 and disposed in the circumferential direction. Next, the locking member 24b to be connected to the locking member 24a is disposed approximately perpendicular, the head 26a of one of the fixing bosses 26 of the locking member 24b is inserted into the locking hole 27a of the fixing clip 27 whose one end is locked to the locking member 24a, and the fixing clip 27 is rotated approximately 90 degrees around the fixing boss 26 and disposed in the circumferential direction. As a result, the locking members 24a and 24b are connected to each other in the circumferential direction via the fixing clip 27.

[0050] By repeating this connecting operation, each of the locking members 24a to 24g can be connected with the fixing clip 27. Then, for example, when locking members 24b and 24c are connected last, O-ring 28 is locked to fixing boss 26 of one of the locking members 24b, and then O-ring 28 is stretched and hung over fixing boss 26 of locking member 24c. In this way, all of the locking members 24a to 24g are connected to form the annular locking portion 23 (see FIG. 7(b)).

[0051] When the locking members 24a to 24g configured in this manner are accommodated in the accommodation portions 54 of the upper and lower press ring members 52 and 53, the upper and lower press ring members 52 and 53 are fastened together with bolts 58a and nuts 58b (see FIG. 4(a)), whereby the locking members 24a to 24g are pressed inwardly and the locking claws 25 bite into and lock into the outer circumferential surface 2f of the fluid pipe 2 (see FIG. 10). In addition, when the outer peripheral surfaces 24i of the locking members 24a to 24g are pressed inwardly by the inner peripheral surfaces 54a of the upper pressing ring member 52 and the lower pressing ring member 53, a force is generated that pushes the outer peripheral surfaces 24i toward the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33. Even if the inner peripheral surface 54a receives a reaction force from the outer peripheral surfaces 24i, the engagement portion 55 engages with the flange portion 36, thereby preventing the locking members 24a to 24g from coming off in the axial direction from the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33.

[0052] [How to install the reinforcement device] Next, a method for installing the reinforcement device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0053] 8(a), the reinforcing device 1 is installed so as to be able to reinforce an area E10 to be reinforced in a fluid pipe 2. In this embodiment, the area E10 to be reinforced is an area in the fluid pipe 2 where the structural strength has been reduced and weakened due to deformation and restoration caused by squeeze-off by the squeeze-off device 10.

[0054] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 9(a), the fluid pipe 2 is a circular pipe having a substantially perfect circular shape in cross section in its natural state, but when it is crushed by the upper and lower compression rods (not shown) of the squeeze-off device 10, the upper and lower walls of the fluid pipe 2 approach each other in the inner diameter direction, and the front and rear walls expand in the outer diameter direction, resulting in a bent and deformed flattened state, as shown in Fig. 9(b). Next, when a first straightening step is performed in which the fluid pipe 2 is straightened and restored using a restoration straightening tool (not shown) for rerounding the fluid pipe 2, as shown in Fig. 9(c), although it approaches a perfect circle, it is difficult to restore particularly the greatly bent portions of the fluid pipe 2 at the front and rear (left and right in the figure), so it is not restored to a perfect circle, but is formed into a substantially elliptical shape with a major axis in the left and right direction, i.e., a non-perfect circular shape.

[0055] Moreover, the degree of deformation in the axial direction of the fluid pipe 2 is highest at the crimped portion which is directly contacted and pressed by the upper and lower compression rods (not shown) of the squeeze-off device 10, and the degree of deformation gradually decreases with increasing distance in the axial direction from the crimped portion (see FIG. 2(b)). Thus, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the reinforcement target region E10 in the fluid pipe 2 is composed of a first region E10a (dark dotted area in the figure), which is the main reinforcement target, and second regions E10b, E10b (light dotted areas in the figure) on both sides of the first region E10a in the axial direction.

[0056] In detail, the first region E10a is the region with the lowest strength due to being crushed by the compression bar (not shown) of the squeeze-off device 10, and the second regions E10b, E10b are regions with lower strength than the normal region E11 (non-reinforced region) other than the reinforcement target region E10, but with a smaller degree of deformation and higher strength than the first region E10a. Also, the second regions E10b, E10b are formed symmetrically with respect to the first region E10a, and are formed to extend more in the axial direction than the first region E10a.

[0057] To fit the reinforcing device 1 to the fluid pipe 2, first, as shown in Fig. 8(a), the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 are arranged above and below the area E10 to be reinforced, and the longitudinal center positions of the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 are aligned with the first area E10a. Next, the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 are moved in the inner diameter direction, and the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 are fitted to the upper and lower parts of the fluid pipe 2, thereby performing a second straightening process in which the vicinity of the first area E10a (left and right parts in the figure), which is the flattest and has a larger diameter in the front and rear than the designed outer diameter dimension L1 in the fluid pipe 2 straightened in the first straightening process, is pressed in the inner diameter direction by the inner circumferential surfaces 34, 34 as the straightening parts. By such a second straightening process, the cross-sectional shape of the fluid pipe 2 is restored to a shape close to a substantially perfect circle in the natural state. Furthermore, the inner diameter dimension L2 of the circle formed by the inner surfaces 34, 34 is formed to be approximately 4 mm larger than the designed outer diameter dimension L1 of the fluid pipe 2, so that the fluid pipe 2 can be surrounded without causing significant damage even if the synthetic resin fluid pipe 2 expands in diameter due to creep characteristics.

[0058] Next, the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 are butted together vertically, and the bolt 38a attached from below to the bolt insertion hole 39 of the lower reinforcing member 33 is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 39 of the upper reinforcing member 32, and a nut 38b is screwed onto the tip of the bolt 38a protruding upward from the bolt insertion hole 39, thereby fastening the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33.

[0059] 8(b), the locking members 24a-24g, which are connected in a string-like manner with ends by a plurality of fixing clips 27, are wound circumferentially around both axial sides (left and right sides) of the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33, and both ends are connected by an O-ring 28 to form a ring, thereby attaching them to the outer circumferential surface 2f of the fluid pipe 2. Thereafter, the locking members 24a-24g are slid to bring the heads 26a of the fixing bosses 26 into contact with or close to the flanges 36 of the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33.

[0060] Next, the upper pressing ring members 52, 52 and the lower pressing ring members 53, 53 are arranged above and below the locking members 24a to 24g on both the left and right sides, and the locking members 24a to 24g are accommodated in the accommodation portion 54, and the upper pressing ring members 52, 52 and the lower pressing ring members 53, 53 are butted together so that the engagement portion 55 engages with the periphery of the flange portion 36 of the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33. Next, the bolt 58a attached from below to the bolt insertion hole 59 of the lower pressing ring members 53, 53 is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 59 of the upper pressing ring members 52, 52, and the nut 58b is screwed into the tip of the bolt 58a protruding upward from the bolt insertion hole 59, thereby fastening the upper pressing ring members 52, 52 and the lower pressing ring members 53, 53. In this way, the reinforcing device 1 is attached to the reinforcement target area E10 of the fluid pipe 2.

[0061] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, when the reinforcing device 1 is attached, substantially the entire first region E10a and second region E10b in the fluid pipe 2 are surrounded by cylindrical covering portions 32a, 33a consisting of an upper reinforcing member 32 and a lower reinforcing member 33 which have greater strength than the fluid pipe 2, thereby reinforcing the reinforcement target region E10.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 9(d) and 10, when the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 are fastened together, in the central portion corresponding to the first region E10a, a gap of approximately 5 mm in the radial direction (approximately 10 mm in total above and below) is created between the upper part of the peripheral wall of the fluid pipe 2 and the inner surface 34 of the upper reinforcing member 32, and between the lower part of the peripheral wall of the fluid pipe 2 and the inner surface 34 of the lower reinforcing member 33. However, in both end portions corresponding to the second regions E10b, 10b, the gap is not as large as in the portion corresponding to the first region E10a, and therefore both axial sides (left and right sides) of the reinforcement target region E10 are held by the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33.

[0063] As shown in Figures 9(d) and 11, the front and rear portions (left and right portions as shown) of the peripheral wall of the fluid pipe 2 are pressed radially inward by the covering portions 32a, 33a, and gaps are unlikely to form between the front and rear portions of the peripheral wall and the inner surfaces 34 of the covering portions 32a, 33a. As a result, the front and rear portions of the peripheral wall of the fluid pipe 2 are held in place even in the portion corresponding to the first region E10a, and the upper and lower portions of the peripheral wall are expanded radially outward, promoting restoration.

[0064] In addition, the polyethylene fluid pipe 2 has creep characteristics, and the outer diameter dimension L1 of the fluid pipe 2 tends to gradually expand due to aging caused by the internal pressure. In addition, in the reinforcement target area E10 where the squeeze-off process is performed as in this embodiment, the creep characteristics become prominent, that is, the diameter is easily expanded due to aging. According to the reinforcing device 1 of the present invention, the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 as reinforcing members having an inner circumferential surface 34 as a correcting part formed of a concave curved surface having substantially the same curvature as the outer circumferential surface 2f of the fluid pipe 2 before the squeeze-off process are used to reinforce the reinforcement target area E10, which is a part whose structural strength has been reduced and restored by the squeeze-off device 10, 10, and thus deformation due to creep characteristics of the restored part can be suppressed. In addition, by suppressing deformation, the reinforced reinforcement target area E10 can be maintained at the same level as the normal area E11.

[0065] Furthermore, in the portion corresponding to the second region E10b of the fluid pipe 2, the inner circumferential surface 41c of the semicircular portion 41 of the seal packing 40 abuts in a sealed manner against the outer circumferential surface 2f, thereby preventing leakage of fluid in the axial direction from inside the reinforcing portion 22. In particular, since the edges 41d, 41d of the semicircular portion 41 are elastically deformable, even if the outer circumferential surface 2f of the fluid pipe 2 is uneven, the edges 41d, 41d are deformed to follow the outer circumferential surface 2f, thereby maintaining a sealed state.

[0066] 10 and 11, the locking members 24a-24g are locked to the outer circumferential surface 2f of the fluid pipe 2 on both axial sides of the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33, thereby restricting axial movement of the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 without applying a load to the first region E10a, which has the lowest structural strength among the reinforcement target region E10 in the fluid pipe 2, and the second regions E10b on both sides of the first region E10a. In this embodiment, the locking members 24a-24g are locked to the normal region E11 (region having a substantially circular shape in cross section) outside the reinforcement target region E10 of the fluid pipe 2, so that they can bite evenly and deeply into the outer circumferential surface 2f of the fluid pipe, thereby enhancing the movement restriction effect of the locking claws 25. However, without being limited to this, the locking members 24a to 24g may be locked to the second region E10b of the reinforcement target region E10 of the fluid pipe 2, and in this way, the axial movement of the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 can be restricted without applying a large load to the first region E10a.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 7(b), the locking members 24a to 24g are divided into seven parts in the circumferential direction, and two of the locking members, 24d and 24g, are arranged to straddle the end of the upper press ring member 52 and the end of the opposing lower press ring member 53 in the circumferential direction. This prevents radial misalignment between the upper press ring member 52 and the lower press ring member 53 which are adjacent in the circumferential direction, thereby enabling them to be locked evenly.

[0068] [Actions and Effects] As described above, the reinforcing device 1 as an embodiment of the present invention comprises a case body 21 fitted onto the outer peripheral surface 2f of a fluid pipe 2 made of synthetic resin, and the case body 21 has a reinforcing portion 22 arranged to surround the reinforcement target area E10 in the fluid pipe 2, and locking portions 23, 23 arranged so as to be able to engage with the outer peripheral surface 2f of the fluid pipe 2 on both axial sides of the reinforcing portion 22 and restricting the axial movement of the reinforcing portion 22, and the reinforcing portion 22 is divided into multiple parts in the circumferential direction (in this example, two, upper and lower), and the locking portions 23, 23 are divided into multiple parts in the circumferential direction (in this example, seven).

[0069] As a result, since the reinforcing portion 22 and the locking portions 23, 23 are divided into multiple parts in the circumferential direction, they can be easily fitted from the outer diameter side toward any desired reinforcement target area E10 of the fluid pipe 2, and since the locking portions 23, 23 are locked to the fluid pipe 2 on both axial sides of the reinforcing portion 22, the axial movement of the reinforcing portion 22 can be restricted without applying a large load to approximately the axial center of the reinforcement target area E10 in the fluid pipe 2.

[0070] Furthermore, since the case body 21 at least comprises upper reinforcing member 32 and lower reinforcing member 33 which constitute the reinforcing portion 22, and locking members 24a to 24g which constitute the locking portion 23, the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 can be positioned in the reinforcement target area E10 and then locked to the fluid pipe 2 by the locking members 24a to 24g, making installation work easier.

[0071] In addition, the reinforcing portion 22 has an upper reinforcing member 32 and a lower reinforcing member 33, an accommodating portion 54 that accommodates the locking members 24a-24g therein, and an engaging portion 55 that engages with the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33.By being provided with upper press ring members 52, 52 and lower press ring members 53, 53 that can press the locking members 24a-24g in the inward radial direction, the upper press ring members 52, 52 and lower press ring members 53, 53 can press the locking members 24a-24g in the inward radial direction, thereby enhancing the locking action and preventing the locking members 24a-24g from coming off the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33.

[0072] In addition, the accommodating portion 54 of the upper pressing ring members 52, 52 and the lower pressing ring members 53, 53 has an inner peripheral surface 54a as an inclined surface that can press the locking members 24a-24g in the inner radial direction and toward the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33, thereby pressing the locking members 24a-24g not only in the inner radial direction but also toward the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33, thereby preventing the locking members 24a-24g from coming off the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33.

[0073] In addition, the reinforcing portion 22 has an inner surface 34 extending in the axial direction as a correction portion that corrects the outer shape of the fluid pipe 2, and by surrounding the reinforcement target area E10 in the fluid pipe 2 with the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33, the deformed portion is corrected by the inner surfaces 34, 34, making it easier to restore the shape.

[0074] In addition, the inner surface 34 as the straightening portion has an inner diameter L2 that is approximately 4 mm larger than the outer diameter L1 of the fluid pipe 2, so that it can surround the fluid pipe 2 without significantly damaging it even if the synthetic resin fluid pipe 2 expands in diameter beyond the design outer diameter L1 due to creep characteristics.

[0075] In this embodiment, the inner diameter L2 of the circle formed by the inner circumferential surfaces 34, 34 of the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 is approximately 4 mm larger than the designed outer diameter L1 of the fluid pipe 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the inner diameter L2 may be approximately 10 mm larger than the outer diameter L1. The difference between the inner diameter L2 and the outer diameter L1 may be within a range of 0 to 10 mm, and the difference may be 0 mm, that is, the inner diameter L2 and the outer diameter L1 may be approximately the same diameter.

[0076] Furthermore, the locking members 24a-24g having the locking portion 23 are divided in the circumferential direction into a specific number (7 pieces), which is greater than the number of divisions (2) of the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 having the reinforcing portion 22. As a result, the locking members 24a-24g, which have a greater number of divisions in the circumferential direction than the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33, can abut the locking members 24a-24g by following the shape of the outer circumferential surface 2f even when the outer circumferential surface 2f of the fluid pipe 2 has not been accurately restored to an approximately circular shape or is uneven.

[0077] Furthermore, by positioning the reinforcing portion 22 in the reinforcement target area E10 and the engaging portion 23 in the normal area E11 which is axially outboard of the fluid pipe 2 relative to the reinforcement target area E10, the engaging portion 23 is not positioned in the reinforcement target area E10, which has a low structural strength, and therefore damage to the synthetic resin fluid pipe 2 due to engaging can be suppressed.

[0078] Furthermore, by providing the fixing clip 27 and the O-ring 28 as connecting parts that connect the multiple locking members 24a to 24g to each other in the circumferential direction, the multiple locking members 24a to 24g can be handled together, making it easier to assemble them into the fluid pipe 2.

[0079] In this embodiment, the multiple locking members 24a to 24g are shown as being connectable in a ring shape using the fixing clip 27 and the O-ring 28 as connecting parts, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the locking members 24a to 24g may be connected by wrapping a chain member or the like around their outer periphery.

[0080] Furthermore, among the locking members 24a to 24g, the locking members 24d, 24g are extended circumferentially across the ends of the upper press ring member 52 and the lower press ring member 53 that are circumferentially adjacent, thereby enabling the upper press ring member 52 and the lower press ring member 53 to be evenly locked without being misaligned.

[0081] In addition, by disposing a seal gasket 40 as a sealing member between the outer peripheral surface 2f of the fluid pipe 2 and the inner peripheral surfaces 34 of the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33, the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 can be fitted tightly to the outer peripheral surface 2f of the fluid pipe 2 in a sealed manner. Therefore, even if fluid leaks from the outer peripheral surface 2f of the fluid pipe 2, leakage of fluid from the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 can be suppressed.

[0082] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention also includes modifications and additions that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0083] For example, in the above embodiment, the locking members 24a-24g are arranged outside the reinforcement target area E10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 may be arranged in the first area E10a, which is the main reinforcement target in the reinforcement target area E10, and the locking members 24a-24g may be arranged in the second area E10b having a higher strength than the first area E10a. By doing so, even if the upper reinforcing member 32, the lower reinforcing member 33 and the locking members 24a-24g are arranged in the reinforcement target area E10, the locking members 24a-24g are arranged in the second area E10b having a relatively high strength, so that damage to the synthetic resin fluid pipe 2 due to locking can be suppressed.

[0084] Furthermore, since the locking portion 23 is composed of locking members 24a-24g divided into multiple parts in the circumferential direction, for example, as shown in Figures 12(a) and (b), when the locking members 24a-24g are arranged in the second region E10b of the reinforcement target region E10, even if a part (e.g., the upper and lower parts) of the outer peripheral surface 2f of the fluid pipe 2 is deformed so as to be concave in the inner diameter direction, each locking member 24a-24g is arranged to conform to the uneven outer peripheral surface 2f, and therefore a decrease in the locking force when the locking members 24a-24g are arranged in the second region E10b is suppressed.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 as the reinforcing part 22 and the upper pressing ring members 52, 52 and the lower pressing ring members 53, 53 as the pressing ring members are separate members, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, as in the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 of the reinforcing device 101 as a modified example of the present invention shown in Fig. 13, a housing portion 54 capable of housing the locking members 24a to 24g may be formed integrally. In other words, the pressing ring members may be formed integrally with the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 as the reinforcing part 22.

[0086] Furthermore, in the case where the pressing ring members are integrally formed with the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33, the inner peripheral surface 34 as the corrective portion has an inner diameter dimension L2 that is approximately 4 mm larger than the outer diameter dimension L1 of the fluid pipe 2. Therefore, when the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 are fastened with the bolt 38a and the nut 38b, the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 are permitted to move in the inner diameter direction, and this movement presses the locking members 24a to 24g in the inner diameter direction, thereby increasing the locking force.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 serving as the reinforcing portion 22 are exemplified as having accommodating groove portions 35, 37 formed therein capable of accommodating the seal gasket 40, however, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reinforcing portion does not necessarily have to have an accommodating groove portion or the like formed therein capable of accommodating a seal member.

[0088] In addition, in the above embodiment, the reinforcing portion 22 is exemplified as having an upper reinforcing member 32 and a lower reinforcing member 33 that are divided circumferentially into upper and lower portions, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be divided circumferentially into front and back portions (left and right portions as shown in the figure), for example, as in reinforcing members 132, 133 as a modified example of the present invention shown in Figure 14(a).

[0089] In detail, since the fluid pipe 2 is crushed vertically by the upper and lower compression rods of the squeeze-off device 10, the outer diameter of the restored fluid pipe 2 in the front-to-rear direction is slightly larger than that in the natural state, and therefore, when the fluid pipe 2 is sandwiched from above and below by the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 as in the above embodiment, the front and rear parts of the outer circumferential surface 2f of the fluid pipe 2 come into contact with the inner circumferential surfaces 34 of the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 and are likely to be damaged. However, as shown in Fig. 14(b), by sandwiching the fluid pipe 2 from the front and rear as in the reinforcing members 132 and 133, that is, from the front and rear sides that are approximately perpendicular to the direction in which the fluid pipe 2 is crushed by the squeeze-off device 10 (vertical direction), the outer circumferential surface 2f of the fluid pipe 2 can be attached without being damaged and the fluid pipe 2 can be easily restored in the vertical direction.

[0090] In addition, in the above embodiment, the reinforcing portion 22 is exemplified as having an upper reinforcing member 32 and a lower reinforcing member 33 that are divided into two parts, upper and lower, in the circumferential direction, and an upper pressing ring member 52 and a lower pressing ring member 53. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of divisions is arbitrary, and the reinforcing portion 22 may be divided into three or more parts in the circumferential direction.

[0091] In addition, in the above embodiment, the locking portion 23 is exemplified as being composed of locking members 24a-24g that are divided into seven parts in the circumferential direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of divisions is arbitrary, and the locking portion 23 may be divided into 2 to 6 parts, or 8 or more parts in the circumferential direction.

[0092] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the locking members 24a to 24g having the locking portion 23 are circumferentially divided into a specific number (7 pieces) that is greater than the number of divisions (2 pieces) of the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 having the reinforcing portion 22 in the circumferential direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of divisions of the reinforcing portion may be greater than the number of locking portions, or the number of divisions of the locking portions and the reinforcing portions may be the same.

[0093] In addition, in the above embodiment, the reinforcement target area E10 in the fluid pipe 2 is an area whose structural strength has been reduced and weakened due to deformation and restoration caused by squeeze-off by the squeeze-off device 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the area may be an area whose structural strength has been reduced and weakened due to deformation and restoration caused by a device other than the squeeze-off device 10, or an area whose structural strength has been reduced due to cracks caused by other construction work or deterioration over time, regardless of deformation and restoration.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the upper reinforcing member 32 and the lower reinforcing member 33 constituting the reinforcing portion 22 are arranged over the entire area of ​​the reinforcement target area E10 in the fluid pipe 2, while the upper pressing ring members 52, 52 and the lower pressing ring members 53, 53 and the locking members 24a to 24g constituting the locking portion 23 are not arranged, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the reinforcing portion 22 does not necessarily have to be arranged over the entire area of ​​the reinforcement target area E10 as long as the reinforcing portion 22 is arranged in at least a part of the reinforcement target area E10 (for example, the first area E10a, etc.). Also, the locking members 24a to 24g constituting the locking portion 23 may be arranged in the reinforcement target area E10 (for example, the second area E10b, etc.) as long as they are arranged on both sides of the reinforcing portion 22 in the axial direction.

[0095] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example has been given of a form in which the locking portion 23 is arranged on the upper pressing ring members 52, 52 and the lower pressing ring members 53, 53 on both axial sides of the reinforcing portion 22, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the locking portion may be arranged on both axial sides of the reinforcing member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1 Reinforcement device 2 Fluid tube 2f Outer surface 3 Air valve 10 Squeeze-off device 21 Case body 22 Reinforcement 23 Locking part 24a~24g Locking member 25 Locking claw 26 Fixed Boss 26a Head 27 Fixing clip (connection part) 28 O-ring (connection part) 32 Upper reinforcing member (reinforcing member) 32a Covering part 33 Lower reinforcing member (reinforcing member) 33a Covering part 33b Flange part 34 Inner surface 35,37 Receiving groove 36 Flange 40 Seal packing (sealing material) 52 Upper push ring member (push ring member) 52a Covering part 52b Flange part 53 Lower push ring member (push ring member) 54 Storage unit 54a Inner surface (slanted surface) 55 Engagement part 101 Reinforcement device 132,133 Reinforcing members E10 Reinforcement target area E10a 1st area E10b 2nd area E11 Normal area

Claims

1. A reinforcing device including a case body fitted onto an outer circumferential surface of a synthetic resin fluid pipe, The case body is A reinforcing portion disposed to surround a region to be reinforced in the fluid pipe; and a locking portion that is arranged on both axial sides of the reinforcing portion so as to be able to be locked to the outer circumferential surface of the fluid pipe and that restricts movement of the reinforcing portion in the axial direction. A reinforcing device, characterized in that the reinforcing portion and the locking portion are each divided into a plurality of portions in the circumferential direction.

2. The reinforcing device according to claim 1 , wherein the case body includes at least a reinforcing member constituting the reinforcing portion and a locking member constituting the locking portion.

3. 3. The reinforcing device according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing portion comprises the reinforcing member, and a pressing ring member having a housing portion for housing the locking member therein and an engaging portion for engaging with the reinforcing member, the pressing ring member being capable of pressing the locking member in an inward radial direction.

4. 4. The reinforcing device according to claim 3, wherein the housing portion of the pressing ring member has an inclined surface capable of pressing the locking member radially inward and toward the reinforcing member.

5. The reinforcing device according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing portion has a correcting portion that corrects an outer shape of the fluid pipe.

6. 6. The reinforcing device according to claim 5, wherein the straightening portion has an inner diameter equal to or at most 10 mm larger than an outer diameter of the fluid pipe.

7. The reinforcing device according to claim 1 , wherein the engaging portion is divided in the circumferential direction into a specific number of portions which is greater than the number of portions of the reinforcing portion.

8. The reinforcing device according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing portion is disposed in the area to be reinforced, and the engaging portion is disposed in a normal area that is axially outboard of the area to be reinforced of the fluid pipe.

9. The reinforcement device according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcement portion is arranged in a first region which is the main reinforcement target in the reinforcement target area, and the engaging portion is arranged in a second region which has a strength higher than that of the first region in the reinforcement target area.

10. The reinforcing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a connecting portion that connects the locking portions to each other in the circumferential direction.

11. The reinforcing device according to claim 1 , wherein a part of the engaging portion extends in a circumferential direction across the ends of the reinforcing portions adjacent in the circumferential direction.

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