Expandable pipe joint

Abstract

To provide an expandable pipe joint capable of preventing an insertion member from coming off from a receiving member.SOLUTION: An expandable pipe joint 1 comprises: a sleeve 2 (receiving member); a slide pipe 3 (insertion member) having an insertion end part 3b that can be inserted into a receiving end part 2b of the sleeve 2; an outside regulation part 35 (insertion side regulation part) provided on an outer peripheral surface 33a of the insertion end part; and a receiving side regulation part 60 provided on an inner peripheral part of the receiving end part, where the outside regulation part 35 is brought into contact with the receiving side regulation part 60 to prevent the slide pipe 3 from coming off from the sleeve 2 in a pipe axis direction. The outside regulation part 35 has: a stopper ring 41 extending in a circumferential direction; a stopper ring 42 arranged in parallel with the stopper ring 41 in the pipe axis direction, and extending in the circumferential direction; and a screw member 43 connecting the stopper ring 41 and the stopper ring 42. The outside regulation part 35 is connected in an annular manner in the circumferential direction by connecting the stopper ring 41 and the stopper ring 42 in the pipe axis direction with the screw member 43.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an expansion pipe joint in which a receiving member and an insert member are connected so as to be movable relative to each other along the pipe axial direction. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in an expansion pipe joint in which a receiving member and an insertion member are connected so as to be able to move relative to each other along the pipe axis direction, an insertion side regulating portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion member inserted into the receiving member, and by abutting against the receiving side regulating portion of the receiving member, the relative movement in the removal direction along the pipe axis is restricted, thereby preventing the insertion member from coming off the receiving member.

[0003] If this type of insertion side regulating portion is provided in advance on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion member before the insertion member is inserted into the receiving member, it will come into contact with the receiving side regulating portion, making it impossible for the insertion member to be inserted into the receiving member. Therefore, for example, a regulating ring formed into a C-shape that is cut and separated at one circumferential point and can elastically deform in the diameter expanding direction is pre-stored inside the receiving member, and the insertion member is inserted into the receiving member with the ring expanded in diameter using an attachment tool to position it on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion member, and then the expansion operation is released and the ring is reduced in diameter by elastic return force and attached to the outer peripheral surface of the insertion member, thereby forming the insertion side regulating portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-65993 A (Pages 11-13, Figures 7-10) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the expansion joint described in Patent Document 1, the C-shaped restraining ring is cut and separated at one circumferential location, and therefore when a large external force is applied to the restraining ring due to an earthquake or the like, the ring is prone to expand in diameter due to elastic deformation, which may cause it to shift in the axial direction of the pipe and become detached from the receiving member, resulting in the problem that it is not possible to prevent the insertion member from becoming detached from the receiving member.

[0006] The present invention has been made in light of these problems, and has an object to provide an expansion pipe joint that can prevent the insertion member from coming off the receiving member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the expansion pipe joint of the present invention comprises: an expansion pipe joint comprising: a receiving member; an insertion member having an insertion end portion insertable into a receiving end portion of the receiving member; an insertion side regulating portion provided on an outer circumferential surface of the insertion end portion; and a receiving side regulating portion provided on an inner circumferential portion of the receiving end portion, wherein the insertion side regulating portion abuts against the receiving member to prevent the insertion member from coming off in a pipe axial direction from the receiving member, The insertion side regulating portion has a first regulating portion extending circumferentially, a second regulating portion arranged in parallel to the first regulating portion in the tube axis direction and extending circumferentially, and a connecting member connecting the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion, and the insertion side regulating portion is characterized in that it is connected in a ring shape circumferentially by connecting the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion in the tube axis direction by the connecting member. According to this feature, by connecting the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion in the tube axis direction with a connecting member, an endless insertion side regulating portion connected in a ring shape in the circumferential direction is formed, which makes it easy to perform the connecting work in the narrow space between the inner surface of the receiving member and the outer surface of the insertion member.In addition, because the regulating portion is connected in a ring shape, it will not expand in diameter and become displaced in the tube axis direction when a large external force is applied, thereby preventing the insertion member from coming off the receiving member.

[0008] The first regulating portion is characterized in that it is made up of a plurality of first divided members arranged in an annular shape in the circumferential direction, and the second regulating portion is characterized in that it is made up of a plurality of second divided members arranged in annular shape in the circumferential direction. According to this feature, each of the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion is formed in an annular shape using a plurality of divided members, so that the restricting force can be effectively increased.

[0009] The first divided member and the second divided member are characterized in that they are disposed such that their dividing positions are shifted from each other in the circumferential direction. According to this feature, since either the first divided member or the second divided member extends in the circumferential direction, the restricting force can be exerted in the circumferential direction.

[0010] The first divided member and the second divided member are characterized in that they all have the same shape of a substantially arcuate arc. According to this feature, the annular insertion side regulating portion can be formed from divided members of a common shape, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0011] The connecting member is a screw member, and at least one of the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion has an insertion hole formed in the pipe axial direction, through which the screw member can be inserted. According to this feature, the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion can be easily connected together by simply inserting the screw member into the insertion hole.

[0012] The screw member is characterized in that, when inserted into the insertion hole, it does not protrude from side surfaces of the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion. According to this feature, when the first separate member or the second separate member abuts against the socket side restricting portion, the screw member does not come into contact with the socket side restricting portion, thereby preventing damage to the socket side restricting portion or the screw member.

[0013] A groove portion into which the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion can be fitted is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the insertion end portion in a circumferential direction, The insertion hole is characterized in that it is formed on the outer diameter side of the outer circumferential surface of the insertion member when the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion are fitted into the recessed groove portion. According to this feature, it is possible to preferably prevent positional deviation in the tube axial direction, and the first and second restricting portions can be connected by the screw member even in a state where they are fitted into the recessed groove portion.

[0014] The side surface of the receiving port side restricting portion constitutes a mounting surface on which the first restricting portion or the second restricting portion can be mounted. According to this feature, the first and second restricting portions can be positioned at the mounting positions by utilizing the side surface of the receiving port side restricting portion, so that the mounting operation can be easily performed.

[0015] The present invention is characterized in that a space for connecting the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion is defined between the inner surface of the receiving end and the outer surface of the inserting end. According to this feature, the space between the inner circumferential surface of the receiving end and the outer circumferential surface of the insertion end can be utilized to ensure space for placing and attaching the first restricting portion or the second restricting portion.

[0016] At least one of the first divided member and the second divided member has an index portion that indicates the dividing position of the other divided member. According to this feature, the split positions of the two divided members can be easily shifted in the circumferential direction by simply aligning the indicator portion with the split position of the other divided member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the inside and outside of an expansion and contraction flexible pipe joint according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram showing the inside and outside of the expansion flexible pipe joint bent from the state shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1A is a diagram showing the inside and outside of the case, and FIG. 1B is a right side view showing the case. [Figure 4]1A is a left side view showing the gland, FIG. 1B is a view showing the inside and outside of the gland, and FIG. 1C is a right side view showing the gland. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing the inside of the slide pipe, and FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4A is a front view showing a stopper ring as a first restricting portion, FIG. 4B is a right side view, and FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. [Figure 7] 1A is a front view showing a stopper ring as a second restricting portion, FIG. 1B is a right side view, and FIG. 1C is a BB cross-sectional view of FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a stopper ring as a first restricting portion and a stopper ring as a second restricting portion. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 1A is a view showing the inside and outside of the sleeve, and FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a first joint unit in which a slide pipe and a case are connected via a gland. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing the main parts of the case and the gland, in which (a) shows the state before the gland is inserted into the case, (b) shows the state after the gland has been inserted into the case, (c) shows the state after the gland has been rotated in the circumferential direction, and (d) shows the state after the movement of the piece has been restricted by the knock pin. [Figure 12] 11(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 11(a), (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 11(c), and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 11(d). [Figure 13] 1A is a plan view showing an insertion fixing jig, and FIG. 1B is a plan view showing an insertion margin adjusting jig. [Figure 14] 11 is a vertical sectional view showing a state in which a sleeve is inserted into a slide pipe of the first joint unit which has been turned upside down from the state shown in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a stopper ring is attached after a sleeve is inserted into a slide pipe of a first joint unit. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 15 shown in FIG. [Figure 17] 1A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a stopper ring serving as a second regulating part is placed in the gap between the sleeve and the slide pipe, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a stopper ring serving as a first regulating part is placed on top of the stopper ring of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the two stopper rings are connected by a screw member. [Figure 18] 17(a) is a GG cross-sectional view of FIG. 17(a), (b) is an HH cross-sectional view of FIG. 17(b), (c) is a II cross-sectional view of FIG. 17(c), and (d) is a JJ cross-sectional view of FIG. 17(c). [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the second joint unit in a state in which the sleeve has been moved downward. [Figure 20] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sleeve of a second joint unit is inserted into a slide pipe of a first joint unit configured separately from the first joint unit of FIG. 10 and a stopper ring is attached. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the expansion and contraction flexible pipe joint in which the first joint units are connected above and below the sleeve is lifted up. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the expansion and contraction flexible pipe joint in a horizontal position. [Diagram 23] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a tie rod is attached to the expansion and contraction flexible pipe joint. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An expansion joint according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. EXAMPLES

[0019] An expansion flexible pipe joint as an expansion pipe joint according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In the following description, the near side of Figure 1 will be referred to as the front side (front surface side) of the pipe joint, and the far side will be referred to as the rear side (rear surface side).

[0020] [Structure of expansion and contraction flexible pipe joint] As shown in Fig. 1, an expansion flexible pipe joint 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention mainly comprises a cylindrical sleeve 2, a pair of cylindrical slide pipes 3, 3 connected in a sealed and expandable manner to both ends of the sleeve 2, cylindrical cases 4, 4 connected in a sealed and flexible manner to the slide pipes 3, 3, respectively, and annular glands 5, 5 (press rings) connected to each of the cases 4, 4. Even if an unexpected external force such as an earthquake occurs and the relative positions of the fluid pipes change after a fluid pipe (not shown) is connected via this expansion flexible pipe joint 1, the expansion flexible pipe joint 1 expands and contracts or flexes, thereby maintaining the connection state of the fluid pipes (see Fig. 2).

[0021] The sleeve 2 as the base tube, the slide pipe 3, 3 as the telescopic tube (hereinafter referred to as the slide pipe 3), the case 4, 4, and the gland 5, 5 are all made of cast iron, but may be made of metal such as steel, concrete, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyolefin, etc. Also, since the slide pipe 3, 3, the case 4, 4, and the gland 5, 5 are configured in the same way on both the left and right sides, in the following, only one will be described and the other will be omitted.

[0022] 3(a) and (b), the case 4 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a circular flange portion 11 is formed on the outer periphery of the left end opening in Fig. 3(a) so as to protrude in the outward radial direction, and a fluid pipe (not shown) can be connected and fixed to this flange portion 11 via fastening members such as bolts and nuts (not shown). Note that the fluid in the fluid pipe and the expansion flexible pipe joint 1 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] A part of the case 4 is formed with a spherical bulge 12 whose inner and outer circumferential surfaces bulge outwardly, and the receiving end 4a on the spherical bulge 12 side can be flexibly fitted onto the slide pipe 3. On the inner circumferential surface of the right end of the case 4 in FIG. 3(a), a plurality of inner circumferential locking portions 13 that protrude inwardly are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. In addition, a protruding wall 14 that protrudes inwardly is formed in the circumferential direction at a position away from the inner inner side of the plurality of inner circumferential locking portions 13. Furthermore, a recessed groove portion 15 into which an annular packing 16 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) can be fitted is formed in the circumferential direction near the inner inner side of the protruding wall 14.

[0024] At positions corresponding to the recessed groove portion 15 on the outer peripheral surface of the case 4, a plurality of support pieces 20 projecting in the outer diameter direction are formed at four positions at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each support piece 20 is formed with a plurality of insertion holes 20a (two in this example) through which a tie rod 17 (see Figs. 1 and 2) that connects the left and right cases 4, 4 can be inserted. A hanging seat 18 having a through hole 18a formed therein for engaging a lifting wire W (see Fig. 22) is protruded from the upper portion of the outer peripheral surface of the case 4. Two insertion holes 19a, 19a (see Figs. 11(a) and 12(a)) through which a knock pin 19 (see Figs. 11(d) and 12(c)) described later can be inserted are formed between the inner peripheral engaging portions 13, 13 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction at a predetermined position near the outside of the protruding wall 14 on the outer peripheral surface of the case 4.

[0025] Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the gland 5 is formed in an annular shape, and a plurality of outer peripheral locking portions 23 protruding in the outer diameter direction are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the left end opening in FIG. 4(b). The circumferential dimension of the outer peripheral locking portions 23 is slightly shorter than the circumferential dimension between the adjacent inner peripheral locking portions 13, 13 of the case 4, and the circumferential dimension between the adjacent outer peripheral locking portions 23, 23 is formed to be slightly longer than the circumferential dimension of the inner peripheral locking portions 13 of the case 4. As a result, each outer peripheral locking portion 23 is inserted between the adjacent inner peripheral locking portions 13, 13, and each inner peripheral locking portion 13 is inserted between the adjacent outer peripheral locking portions 23, 23. In addition, hook pieces 24 for locking a lifting wire W (see FIG. 10) are protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the gland 5 at four equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0026] 5(a) and (b), the slide pipe 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and on the left side in Fig. 5(a) is formed a spherical bulging portion 32 whose inner and outer circumferential surfaces bulge outwardly, and the insertion end portion 3a on the spherical bulging portion 32 side can be fitted into the receiving end portion 4a on the spherical bulging portion 12 side of the case 4. The outer circumferential surface 32a of the spherical bulging portion 32 slides against the inner circumferential surface 12a of the spherical bulging portion 12 of the case 4 (see Fig. 3(a)), so that the slide pipe 3 is flexible with respect to the case 4, that is, the axis of the slide pipe 3 is connected to the axis of the case 4 so as to be inclined (swingable) in multiple directions (see Fig. 2).

[0027] On the right side in FIG. 5(a), a cylindrical portion 33 is formed, and on the left side of the outer peripheral surface 33a of the cylindrical portion 33, an inner regulating portion 34 protruding in the outer diameter direction is formed in an annular shape in the circumferential direction. On the other hand, on the right side of the outer peripheral surface 33a of the cylindrical portion 33, an outer regulating portion 35 protruding in the outer diameter direction is provided in an annular shape in the circumferential direction. In addition, the insertion end 3b on the right side of the cylindrical portion 33 can be inserted into the receiving end 2b of the sleeve 2 without the stopper rings 41, 42 constituting the outer regulating portion 35, which will be described later, being attached. In addition, the inner regulating portion 34 and the outer regulating portion 35, which serve as insertion side regulating portions for regulating the relative movement of the slide pipe 3 and the sleeve 2 in the tube axis direction, are disposed apart in the tube axis direction, and the receiving port of the sleeve 2, which will be described later, is externally fitted between them so as to be slidable in the tube axis direction, thereby regulating the relative movement range of the slide pipe 3 and the sleeve 2 in the tube axis direction within a predetermined range, and preventing separation.

[0028] In addition, the inner regulating portion 34 is formed integrally by the outer circumferential surface of the slide pipe 3 protruding in the outward diameter direction, whereas the outer regulating portion 35 is composed of a stopper ring 41 as a first regulating portion extending in the circumferential direction, a stopper ring 42 as a second regulating portion arranged in parallel to the stopper ring 41 in the tube axis direction and extending in the circumferential direction, and a screw member 43 as a connecting member connecting the stopper ring 41 and the stopper ring 42 in the tube axis direction.

[0029] Further, a ring-shaped recessed groove 36 is formed in the circumferential direction at the right end of the outer circumferential surface 33a of the cylindrical portion 33, and the inner diameter portions of the stopper rings 41, 42 are housed in the recessed groove 36. A vertical surface 36a on the right side (the opening side of the insertion end 3b) of the recessed groove 36 is substantially perpendicular to the tube axis, and a left inclined surface 36b is inclined leftward so as to open toward the outer diameter direction. When the stopper ring 41 abuts against the vertical surface 36a of the recessed groove 36, the sliding movement of the stopper ring 41 to the right in the tube axis direction is restricted, and the stopper ring 41 is prevented from deviating from the slide pipe 3.

[0030] 6(a) and (b), the stopper ring 41 as the first restricting portion is composed of a plurality of (four in this example) stainless steel divided members 41a-41d divided in the circumferential direction. Each divided member 41a-41d is formed in the same shape of a substantially circular arc, and is formed in an annular shape having an inner diameter substantially the same as the bottom surface of the recessed groove portion 36 when the divided members 41a-41d are arranged so that their circumferential ends are close to or in contact with each other.

[0031] Each of the divided members 41a to 41d has screw insertion holes 44, 44 facing the pipe axis direction formed at two locations on both sides in the longitudinal direction, spaced apart from each other, so that a screw member 43 can be inserted therethrough. As shown in Fig. 6(c), on the right side of the screw insertion holes 44, 44, an accommodating portion 44a capable of accommodating a head 43a (see Fig. 5(a)) of the screw member 43 is formed so that the head 43a of the screw member 43 does not protrude from the right side surface of the divided members 41a to 41d when fastened.

[0032] 6(b), a circular indicator portion 45 is displayed on the right side surface of each of the divided members 41a to 41d at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction. The indicator portion 45 is formed by applying paint of a predetermined color (e.g., white) and functions as an indicator portion that indicates the split position of the stopper rings 42 adjacent in the tube axial direction. The shape, color, size, etc. of the indicator portion 45 are arbitrary and can be changed in various ways. Also, the indicator portion 45 may be formed by attaching a sticker or by engraving. Furthermore, the indicator portion 45 may be displayed not only on the right side surface of each of the divided members 41a to 41d but also on the left side surface.

[0033] 7(a) and (b), the stopper ring 42 as the second restricting portion is composed of a plurality of (four in this example) stainless steel divided members 42a-42d divided in the circumferential direction. The divided members 42a-42d are all formed in the same shape of a substantially circular arc, and are formed in an annular shape with an inner diameter substantially the same as the bottom surface of the recessed groove portion 36 when the divided members 42a-42d are arranged so that their circumferential ends are close to or in contact with each other.

[0034] Each of the divided members 42a to 42d has two screw holes 54, 54 on both sides in the longitudinal direction, which are spaced apart from each other, so that the screw member 43 can be screwed in (see FIG. 7(c)). In addition, a circular indicator portion 55 is displayed on the right side of each of the divided members 42a to 42d in FIG. 7(b) at a substantially central position in the longitudinal direction. The indicator portion 55 is formed by applying paint of a predetermined color (for example, white) and functions as an indicator portion that indicates the split position of the stopper rings 41 adjacent in the axial direction. The shape, color, size, etc. of the indicator portion 55 are arbitrary and can be changed in various ways. Also, the indicator portion 55 may be formed by sticking a sticker or by engraving. Furthermore, the indicator portion 55 may be substantially the same as the indicator portion 45 of the stopper ring 41, or may be different. Furthermore, the indicator portion 55 may be displayed not only on the right side of each of the divided members 42a to 42d but also on the left side.

[0035] In this way, the stopper rings 41 and 42 are configured in substantially the same manner using common members, except for the screw insertion holes 44 and 44 of the stopper ring 41 and the screw holes 54 and 54 of the stopper ring 42. As shown in Fig. 8, the divided members 41a to 41d of the stopper ring 41 and the divided members 42a to 42d of the stopper ring 42 are arranged in a substantially annular shape with their ends close to or in contact with each other, and are arranged side by side in the axial direction so that their split positions P1 and P2 are shifted by approximately 45 degrees in the circumferential direction. At this time, the index portion 45 of the stopper ring 41 is matched with the split position P2 of the stopper ring 42, and the index portion 55 of the stopper ring 42 is matched with the split position P1 of the stopper ring 41, so that the split positions P1 and P2 can be arranged to be shifted by approximately 45 degrees in the circumferential direction.

[0036] In addition, by shifting the split positions P1, P2 from each other in the circumferential direction, the screw insertion holes 44, 44 of the stopper ring 41 and the screw holes 54, 54 of the stopper ring 42 match in the axial direction, so that by attaching the screw members 43 to the screw insertion holes 44, 44 and screwing them into the screw holes 54, 54, the stopper rings 41, 42 are connected in the pipe axial direction and are also connected in an annular shape in the circumferential direction and attached to the recessed groove portion 36 of the cylindrical portion 33. As a result, an outer regulating portion 35 is formed on the outer circumferential surface 33a of the cylindrical portion 33.

[0037] In detail, for example, one of the screw members 43, 43 attached to the screw insertion holes 44, 44 of the divided member 41a is screwed into the screw hole 54 of the divided member 42a, and the other is screwed into the screw hole 54 of the divided member 42d circumferentially adjacent to the divided member 42a. In other words, by connecting the two divided members 42a, 42d of the stopper ring 42 to one divided member 41a of the stopper ring 41 in the tube axis direction, the divided members 41a and 42a, 42d adjacent in the tube axis direction are connected by the screw member 43, and the divided members 42a, 42d adjacent in the tube axis direction are connected in the circumferential direction via the divided members 41a of the stopper ring 41 adjacent in the tube axis direction.

[0038] Furthermore, two divided members 42a, 42b are connected to one divided member 41b in the tube axis direction by a screw member 43, two divided members 42b, 42c are connected to one divided member 41c in the tube axis direction by a screw member 43, and two divided members 42c, 42d are connected to one divided member 41d in the tube axis direction by a screw member 43, so that each of the divided members 41a to 41d and the divided members 42a to 42d is connected in a circular ring shape in the circumferential direction via the other divided member, and the two integrated stopper rings 41, 42 form the outer regulating portion 35. In this way, the outer regulating portion 35 is formed of a plurality of stopper rings 41, 42 connected in the tube axis direction with the split positions P1, P2 of each of the stopper rings 41, 42 shifted from each other in the circumferential direction, so that the outer regulating portion 35 as a whole does not have any cracked portions in the circumferential direction, and at least one of the stopper rings 41, 42 is extended in the circumferential direction, so that the structural strength of the outer regulating portion 35 is high all around.

[0039] In this embodiment, the stopper rings 41, 42 are configured by divided members 41a-41d, 42a-42d divided into four in the circumferential direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of divisions is not limited as long as the stopper rings are divided into at least two in the circumferential direction, and the stopper rings may be divided into three, five or more. Also, the stopper rings 41, 42 do not have to be divided into the same number (four in this example), and the stopper rings 41 and 42 may have different numbers of divisions.

[0040] 9(a) and (b), the sleeve 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the left and right end openings are formed with socket side restricting portions 60, 60 protruding in the inner diameter direction, and the socket end portion 2b, 2b having the socket side restricting portions 60, 60 can be fitted onto the insertion end portion 3b of the slide pipe 3. The socket side restricting portions 60, 60 have a groove portion 61 formed in the inner peripheral surface thereof in the circumferential direction into which a packing 62 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) can be fitted. The sleeve 2 has a plurality of (four in this example) hanging seats 63 formed with through holes 63a for engaging a lifting wire W (see FIG. 19) formed on the left and right sides of the outer peripheral surface thereof, which are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0041] [Assembly method of expansion and contraction flexible pipe joint] Next, a method for assembling the expansion flexible pipe joint 1 will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 23. Note that the following assembly will be described as being performed in a factory of a manufacturer of the expansion flexible pipe joint 1, but it may be performed outside the factory, such as at an installation site.

[0042] First, a flexible tube fitting step is performed in which the case 4 and the slide pipe 3 are fitted in a substantially vertical direction. More specifically, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 10, the gland 5 is placed on a substantially horizontal gland line GL (mounting surface) with the outer circumferential locking portion 23 facing upward. Next, the slide pipe 3 is oriented substantially vertically with the spherical bulge portion 32 facing upward and the cylindrical portion 33 facing downward, and is placed on the gland line GL so that the insertion end portion 3b on the cylindrical portion 33 side is inserted into the opening of the gland 5. At this stage, the stopper rings 41, 42 are not attached to the recessed groove portion 36 of the slide pipe 3.

[0043] Next, the case 4 is oriented in a substantially vertical direction with the receiving end 4a on the spherical bulge 12 side facing downward, and a wire W suspended by a crane (not shown) as a suspending means is engaged with the eyebolt 46 attached to the flange 11, and the packing 16 is fitted into the concave groove 15 of the case 4. Then, the case 4 is hung down, and the receiving end 4a of the case 4 is fitted onto the insertion end 3a on the spherical bulge 32 side of the slide pipe 3, and a heavy object (not shown) is placed on the case 4 as necessary and inserted into a predetermined position of the slide pipe 3. In this way, by connecting the slide pipe 3 and the case 4 in a substantially vertical direction in a sealed state via the packing 16, the case 4 fitted onto the top of the slide pipe 3 is stably held in a position in which the tube axis faces substantially vertically, that is, in a substantially vertical direction perpendicular to the substantially horizontal ground line GL, which is the placement surface, due to its own weight, even if it is not firmly fixed, and therefore the upper case 4 is prevented from being flexible and tilted relative to the slide pipe 3. Furthermore, by connecting the slide pipe 3 and the case 4 in a substantially vertical direction without tilting them, high sealing performance can be achieved all around without causing localized elastic deformation of the packing 16.

[0044] Next, the wire W suspended by a crane (not shown) is engaged with the hook piece 24 to lift up the ground 5, and then inserted between the inner surface 12a of the spherical bulge portion 12 of the case 4 and the outer surface 32a of the spherical bulge portion 32 of the slide pipe 3.

[0045] Next, a process of assembling the gland 5 and the case 4 will be described. For ease of explanation, some of the multiple outer circumferential locking portions 23 are designated by the reference numerals 23a and 23b, and some of the multiple inner circumferential locking portions 13 are designated by the reference numerals 13a and 13b. In addition, in FIG. 11, the outer circumferential locking portions 23, the inner circumferential locking portions 13, and the pieces 65 and 66 are indicated by dots to facilitate distinction.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 11(a) and Fig. 12(a), a piece 65 that is gently curved in the circumferential direction is arranged below the outer circumferential locking portion 23a on the outer circumferential surface of the gland 5, and a piece 66 having a different shape from the piece 65 is arranged above the inner circumferential locking portion 13b near the insertion holes 19a, 19a on the inner circumferential surface of the case 4. Then, the gland 5 is moved upward and inserted into the case 4 in the direction of the black arrow. At this time, the relative positions of the case 4 and the gland 5 are adjusted so that the outer circumferential locking portion 23a with the piece 65 arranged below it is located between the inner circumferential locking portion 13b with the piece 66 arranged above it on the case 4 and the adjacent inner circumferential locking portion 13a. As a result, the outer circumferential locking portions 23, 23a, 23b are arranged between the inner circumferential locking portions 13, 13a, 13b adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.

[0047] Next, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the outer peripheral locking portions 23, 23a, 23b are inserted between the inner peripheral locking portions 13, 13a, 13b, and the gland 5 is inserted axially into the case 4. In this state, the piece 65 is located between the adjacent inner peripheral locking portions 13a, 13b of the case 4, and the piece 66 is located between the adjacent outer peripheral locking portions 23a, 23b of the gland 5. Thereafter, the gland 5 is rotated relative to the case 4 in one circumferential direction (the direction of the black arrow in FIG. 11(b)), so that the outer peripheral locking portions 23a, 23b of the gland 5 move relative to the case 4 together with the gland 5. At this time, the piece 66 arranged between the outer peripheral locking portions 23a, 23b also moves together with the gland 5.

[0048] 11(c) and 12(b), when the outer circumferential locking portions 23a, 23b of the gland 5 are disposed above the inner circumferential locking portions 13a, 13b of the case 4, the piece 66 that was disposed between the outer circumferential locking portions 23a, 23b moves between the inner circumferential locking portions 13a, 13b, and then falls by its own weight to be positioned above the piece 65. Here, since the piece 66 is disposed between both the inner circumferential locking portions 13a, 13b and the outer circumferential locking portions 23a, 23b, circumferential rotation of the gland 5 relative to the case 4 is restricted.

[0049] Next, as shown in FIG. 11(d) and FIG. 12(c), the knock pins 19, 19 are inserted into the two insertion holes 19a, 19a from the outer diameter side, thereby restricting the upward movement of the piece 66. As a result, the piece 66 is held between both the inner peripheral locking parts 13a, 13b and the outer peripheral locking parts 23a, 23b, so that the circumferential rotation of the gland 5 relative to the case 4 is restricted. Then, the gland 5 is prevented from coming off the case 4, so that the slide pipe 3 is prevented from coming off the case 4, and the slide pipe 3 and the case 4 are connected in a flexibly sealed state. In this way, the first joint unit Y1 consisting of the case 4, the slide pipe 3, and the gland 5 is formed (see FIG. 10). After the gland 5 is fitted into the case 4, the hook piece 24 of the gland 5 is removed.

[0050] Next, a base tube fitting step is performed in which the slide pipe 3 and the sleeve 2 of the first joint unit Y1 are fitted and inserted in a substantially vertical direction. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 14, two stacked H-shaped steels 70, 70 are arranged apart from each other on the ground line GL, and the slide pipe 3 and the case 4 connected via the ground 5 are placed upside down on a substantially horizontal placement surface 70a on the H-shaped steels 70, 70 so that the case 4 is located at the bottom and the slide pipe 3 is located at the top. The H-shaped steels 70, 70 position the opening of the flange portion 11 side of the case 4 at a predetermined height from the ground line GL, so that a worker (not shown) can enter below the case 4 between the H-shaped steels 70, 70 and enter the inside of the case 4 from the opening on the flange portion 11 side using a stepladder 50 or the like.

[0051] Next, the packing 62 is fitted into the recessed groove portion 61 on the lower end side of the sleeve 2 in Fig. 14, and the dust cover 21 (see Figs. 1 and 2) that covers the gap between the gland 5 and the sleeve 2 from the outside is attached to its outer periphery with a steel band or the like (not shown). Also, an insertion fixing jig 71 is attached to the outer periphery of the sleeve 2 closer to the center in the pipe axial direction than the dust cover 21, and an insertion adjustment jig 81 is attached to the outer periphery 33a of the cylindrical portion 33 of the slide pipe 3 (see Fig. 15).

[0052] As shown in Fig. 13(a), the insertion fixture 71 is mainly composed of mounting members 71a to 71d divided into four in the circumferential direction and having an arc shape in a plan view, fixing pieces 72 fixed to each of the mounting members 71a to 71d, insertion holes 73a formed through the fixing pieces 72 and facing the vertical direction, connection pieces 75, 75 provided on both ends of each of the mounting members 71a to 71d, and bolts and nuts 76 for fastening the connection pieces 75, 75 together. A bolt 73 is inserted through the insertion hole 73a of each of the fixing pieces 72, and the bolt 73 is held by nuts 74, 74 screwed into the top and bottom of the fixing pieces 72. Furthermore, the through hole (not shown) of the connection piece 75 is aligned with the through hole 63a of the sleeve 2, and the connection piece 75 sandwiches the hanging seat 63 and the bolt and nut 76 are inserted and fixed, so that the sleeve 2 and the insertion fixture 71 are integrated.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 13(b), the insertion adjustment jig 81 is mainly composed of mounting members 81a-81d which are divided into four parts in the circumferential direction and have an arc shape in a plan view, a standing plate 87 (see FIG. 19) which is erected along the inner circumference of the mounting members 81a-81d, fixing pieces 82 fixed to each of the mounting members 81a-81d, insertion holes 83a, 83b which are formed through the fixing pieces 82 and face in the vertical direction, connecting pieces 85, 85 provided on both ends of each of the mounting members 71a-71d, and bolts and nuts 86 which fasten the connecting pieces 85, 85 together. In addition, a bolt 83 (see Figure 15) is inserted into the insertion hole 83b of each fixed piece 82 and held in place by nuts 84, 84 (see Figure 15) screwed into the top and bottom of the fixed piece 82, and the lower part of the bolt 83 is inserted into the insertion hole 20a of the support piece 20 and held in place by nuts 86, 86 screwed into the top and bottom of the support piece 20, thereby fixing the slide pipe 3 and the case 4 in an inflexible manner.

[0054] Next, a wire W is passed through the through hole 63a of the hanging seats 63, 63 on the upper end side of the sleeve 2 in FIG. 14, and the sleeve 2 is lifted up by a crane (not shown) in a position facing substantially vertically.

[0055] 15, the sleeve 2 is hung down, and the lower parts of the bolts 73 are inserted into the insertion holes 83a of the fixing pieces 82 of the insertion adjustment jig 81 attached to the slide pipe 3 for positioning, and then a weight (not shown) is placed on the top of the sleeve 2 as necessary, and the socket end 2b of the sleeve 2 is fitted onto the socket end 3b on the cylindrical part 33 side of the slide pipe 3. Here, the socket side restricting part 60 of the sleeve 2 is positioned below the concave groove part 36 formed in the outer circumferential surface 33a of the slide pipe 3.

[0056] 18(a), the receiving port side restricting portion 60 is disposed so that the inner surface 60a is located near the boundary between the bottom surface of the recessed groove portion 36 and the inclined surface 36b. Next, as shown in FIG. 15, while the sleeve 2 is kept suspended, the nuts 74, 74 screwed onto the top and bottom of the fixed piece 72 and the nuts 76, 76 disposed above and below the fixed piece 82 are tightened to fix the bolt 73 to the fixed pieces 72, 82, whereby the sleeve 2 and the slide pipe 3 are fixed so as not to move relative to each other in the pipe axial direction.

[0057] Furthermore, by connecting the slide pipe 3 and the sleeve 2 in a substantially vertical direction in a sealed state via the packing 62, the sleeve 2 fitted over the slide pipe 3 is stably held in a position in which the tube axis faces substantially vertically due to its own weight without being firmly fixed, thereby preventing the sleeve 2 from being flexible and tilting relative to the slide pipe 3. Furthermore, by connecting the slide pipe 3 and the sleeve 2 in a substantially vertical direction without tilting, that is, in a substantially vertical direction perpendicular to the substantially horizontal mounting surface 70a, high sealing performance can be exhibited all around without causing local elastic deformation in the packing 62.

[0058] [Installation of stopper ring] Next, a method for attaching the stopper rings 41 and 42 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, in a state where the sleeve 2 is fitted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 33 of the slide pipe 3, the outer periphery side of the concave groove portion 36 formed in the outer periphery surface 33a of the cylindrical portion 33 is covered by the sleeve 2. The outer periphery surface 33a of the cylindrical portion 33 and the inner periphery surface 2a of the sleeve 2 are radially separated from each other, and a gap S that opens upward is formed in the circumferential direction between the outer periphery surface 33a and the inner periphery surface 2a. However, since the radial dimension of the gap S is narrow, it is difficult for a worker (not shown) who uses a stepladder 50 to enter the inside of the case 4 from the opening on the flange portion 11 side to visually confirm the concave groove portion 36 from above the gap S. Therefore, by utilizing the inner surface 60a of the receiving port side regulating portion 60 arranged at the lower part of the concave groove portion 36, the stopper rings 41, 42 can be easily attached to the concave groove portion 36.

[0060] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 17(a) and Fig. 18(a), each of the divided members 42a to 42d constituting the stopper ring 42 is hung down from above the gap S by a tool (not shown) and placed on the inner surface 60a of the receiving-side restricting portion 60 arranged substantially horizontally below the gap S. By arranging the inner surface 60a as a placement surface expanding in the outer diameter direction at the bottom of the recessed groove portion 36 in this manner, the divided members 42a to 42d can be placed at the mounting position in the recessed groove portion 36 without dropping downward. Then, each of the divided members 42a to 42d is pushed in the inner diameter direction toward the tube axis to fit the inner diameter portion of each of the divided members 42a to 42d into the recessed groove portion 36, whereby the divided members 42a to 42d are arranged in a ring shape around the recessed groove portion 36.

[0061] 17(b) and 18(b), the divided members 41a to 41d constituting the stopper ring 41 are hung from above the gap S by a tool (not shown) and placed on the divided members 42a to 42d placed on the inner surface 60a. At this time, as described in FIG. 8, the index portion 45 of the stopper ring 41 is aligned with the split position P2 of the stopper ring 42, and the split position P1 of the stopper ring 41 is aligned with the index portion 55 of the stopper ring 42, so that the split positions P1, P2 can be arranged with a circumferential offset of about 45 degrees. Then, each divided member 41a to 41d is pressed inward toward the tube axis, and the inner diameter portion of each divided member 41a to 41d is fitted into the recessed groove portion 36. Here, the inner surface 60a of the receiving side regulating portion 60 is positioned at approximately the same vertical position as the base of the inclined surface 36b of the groove portion 36, so that the divided members 42a to 42d and the divided members 41a to 41d can be accurately fitted into the groove portion 36.

[0062] 17(c) and 18(c) and (d), the screw insertion holes 44, 44 of the stopper ring 41 and the screw holes 54, 54 of the stopper ring 42 are aligned in the axial direction, so that the screw members 43 are attached to the screw insertion holes 44, 44 and screwed into the screw holes 54, 54, whereby the stopper rings 41, 42 are connected in the pipe axial direction and are connected in an annular shape in the circumferential direction and attached to the recessed groove portion 36 of the cylindrical portion 33. As a result, an outer regulating portion 35 is formed on the outer circumferential surface 33a of the cylindrical portion 33, and the sleeve 2 is prevented from coming off the slide pipe 3. Then, the second joint unit Y3 is configured by connecting the sleeve 2 to the first joint unit Y1 consisting of the case 4, the slide pipe 3, and the gland 5 (see FIG. 15).

[0063] After the stopper rings 41, 42 are attached, the nuts 86, 86 of the bolts 83 are loosened and the sleeve 2 is moved further downward so that the face-to-face dimension between the insertion openings on the cylindrical portions 33 of the slide pipes 3 facing each other after installation becomes a predetermined dimension, as shown in Fig. 19. Then, at a position where the outer surface 60b of the socket side restricting portion 60 of the sleeve 2 abuts against the upper end of the vertical plate 87 of the insertion allowance adjusting jig 81 and the mounting members 81a to 81d abut against the inner restricting portion 34 to restrict downward movement, and the dimension from the inner restricting portion 34 to the outer surface 60b of the socket side restricting portion 60 is set to a predetermined gauge dimension L, the nuts 86, 86 are fastened to fix the sleeve 2 and the slide pipe 3 so that they cannot move relative to each other in the pipe axial direction.

[0064] Next, a process is performed in which the sleeve 2 of the second joint unit Y3 and the slide pipe 3 of a new first joint unit Y2 are fitted together in a substantially vertical direction. In detail, a new first joint unit Y2 consisting of a case 4 and a slide pipe 3 is constructed separately from the first joint unit Y1 based on the process described in Fig. 10 to Fig. 12, and as shown in Fig. 20, the first joint unit Y2 is placed on the placement surface 70a on the H-shaped steel 70, 70 in an orientation in which the pipe axis faces the vertical direction so that the case 4 of the first joint unit Y2 is located at the bottom and the slide pipe 3 is located at the top, and an insertion adjustment jig 81 is attached to fix the slide pipe 3 and the case 4 inflexibly. Note that, although the outer regulating portion 35' is shown in Fig. 20, the stopper rings 41, 42 are not attached to the concave groove portion 36 of the slide pipe 3 at this stage.

[0065] Next, the second joint unit Y3 (part surrounded by a dashed line) shown in Fig. 19 is turned upside down so that the sleeve 2 is located below, the slide pipe 3 is located above it, and the case 4 is located above that, and then the second joint unit Y3 is placed in a position facing approximately vertically, and then an insertion fixing jig 71 is attached to the other end side of the sleeve 2. Next, the second joint unit Y3 is lifted up with a crane (not shown), and then, as shown in Fig. 20, the second joint unit Y3 is suspended and the receiving end 2b of the sleeve 2 of the second joint unit Y3 is fitted onto the insertion end 3b of the slide pipe 3 of the first joint unit Y2.

[0066] In this way, by connecting the slide pipe 3 of the first joint unit Y2 and the sleeve 2 of the second joint unit Y3 in a sealed state in the substantially vertical direction via the packing 62, the second joint unit Y3, which is heavy and is composed of the case 4, the slide pipe 3, and the sleeve 2, is stably held in a position in which the pipe axes of the cylinders face in the substantially vertical direction due to its own weight even without being firmly fixed, so that the second joint unit Y3 including the sleeve 2 is prevented from being flexibly tilted relative to the slide pipe 3. In addition, by connecting the slide pipe 3 of the first joint unit Y2 and the sleeve 2 of the second joint unit Y3 in the substantially vertical direction without tilting, high sealing performance can be exhibited over the entire circumference without causing local elastic deformation of the packing 62.

[0067] Then, based on the steps described with reference to Figures 15 to 18, stopper rings 41, 42 are attached to the recessed groove portion 36 of the slide pipe 3 of the first joint unit Y2 to form an outer regulating portion 35', thereby preventing the sleeve 2 from coming off the slide pipe 3.

[0068] Next, based on the process described in Figure 19, the nuts 86, 86 of the bolt 83 of the first joint unit Y2 (see Figure 20) are loosened, and the sleeve 2 is moved further downward. At a position where the dimension from the inner regulating portion 34 to the outer surface 60b of the receiving side regulating portion 60 is set to the predetermined gauge dimension L, the nuts 86, 86 are tightened to fix the sleeve 2 and the slide pipe 3 so that they cannot move relative to each other in the pipe axial direction. After that, the nut 86 on the sleeve 2 side of the nuts 86, 86 of the insertion adjustment jig 81 is loosened in order to dismantle the jig by laying it horizontally in a later process.

[0069] 21, the expansion and contraction flexible pipe joint 1 consisting of the sleeve 2 and the first joint units Y1, Y2 connected to both ends thereof is lifted by a crane (not shown), so that a small gap (not shown) is generated between the mounting members 81a to 81d of the insertion adjustment jig 81 and the inner regulating portion 34. The gap generated between the nut 86 on the slide pipe 3 side is tightened and fixed.

[0070] Next, as shown in Fig. 22, the wire W is engaged with the through hole 18a of the suspension seat 18 of the case 4, 4 connected to both sides of the sleeve 2 via the slide pipe 3, 3, and the expansion flexible pipe joint 1 consisting of the sleeve 2 and the first joint units Y1, Y2 connected to both ends thereof is lifted up by a crane (not shown) in a sideways position so that the pipe axis faces in a substantially horizontal direction. Then, the sleeve 2 is placed on a pedestal 90a installed on the ground line GL, and is lowered so that the flange portion 11 is placed on the pedestals 90b, 90c. Next, with the wire W substantially stretched by the crane (not shown), the insertion fixing jigs 71, 71 and the insertion allowance adjusting jigs 81, 81 are removed.

[0071] After the insertion and fixing jigs 71, 71 and the insertion adjustment jigs 81, 81 have been removed, the dust cover 21 is attached and the tie rods 17, 17 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) are inserted into the insertion holes 20a of each support piece 20 and temporarily fixed.

[0072] 23, the suspension position by the crane (not shown) is changed from the case 4, 4 to the sleeve 2, and the tie rods 17, 17 are fastened and adjusted so that the distance between the insertion openings on the cylindrical portion 33 side of the slide pipes 3, 3 becomes a predetermined distance. In this way, the expansion and contraction flexible pipe joint 1 is constructed.

[0073] [Actions and Effects] As described above, the expansion and contraction flexible pipe joint 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the sleeve 2 (receiving port member), the slide pipe 3 (insertion port member) having the insertion port end 3b that can be inserted into the receiving port end 2b of the sleeve 2, the outer regulating portions 35, 35' (insertion port side regulating portions) provided on the outer circumferential surface 33a of the insertion port end, and the receiving port side regulating portion 60 provided on the inner circumferential portion of the receiving port end. When the outer regulating portions 35, 35' abut against the receiving port side regulating portion 60, the slide pipe 3 is prevented from moving away from the sleeve 2 in the pipe axial direction. In the expandable flexible pipe joint 1 that prevents dislodging, the outer regulating portion 35, 35' has a stopper ring 41 (first regulating portion) extending in the circumferential direction, a stopper ring 42 (second regulating portion) arranged in parallel with the stopper ring 41 in the pipe axis direction and extending in the circumferential direction, and a screw member 43 (connecting member) that connects the stopper ring 41 and the stopper ring 42, and the outer regulating portion 35 is connected in a ring shape in the circumferential direction by connecting the stopper ring 41 and the stopper ring 42 in the pipe axis direction with the screw member 43.

[0074] According to this, by connecting the stopper rings 41, 42 in the pipe axis direction with the screw member 43, an endless outer regulating portion 35, 35' connected in a ring shape in the circumferential direction is formed, so that the connection work can be easily performed in the narrow gap S between the inner surface 2a of the sleeve 2 and the outer surface 33a of the slide pipe 3.In addition, since the stopper rings are connected in a ring shape, they will not expand in diameter and become displaced in the pipe axis direction when a large external force is applied, so that the slide pipe 3 can be prevented from coming off the sleeve 2.

[0075] Furthermore, each of the divided members 41a to 41d constituting the first regulating portion and each of the divided members 42a to 42d constituting the second regulating portion are connected in the circumferential direction without connecting adjacent divided members to each other in the circumferential direction with other screw members or the like, for example, by connecting adjacent divided members 41a, 41b to each other in the pipe axis direction with screw members 43, 43, so that the divided members can be connected to each other efficiently.

[0076] Moreover, the stopper ring 41 is made up of a plurality of divided members 41a-41d (first divided members) arranged in a ring shape in the circumferential direction, and the stopper ring 42 is made up of a plurality of divided members 42a-42d (second divided members) arranged in a ring shape in the circumferential direction. With this, the stopper rings 41, 42 are each made up of a plurality of divided members 41a-41d, 42a-42d in a ring shape, and the restricting force can be effectively increased. More specifically, the divided members adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are close to or in contact with each other, and the divided members are arranged with no gaps in the circumferential direction, so that the contact area with the receiving port side restricting portion 60 is increased, and the restricting force can be increased.

[0077] In addition, the stopper rings 41, 42 are arranged such that the split positions P1, P2 are offset from each other in the circumferential direction, so that the outer regulating portions 35, 35' as a whole are free of split portions in the circumferential direction, and each of the divided members 41a-41d, 42a-42d extends in the circumferential direction, so that the regulating force can be exerted in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the split positions P1, P2 are offset from each other by 45 degrees in the circumferential direction, but the angle of offset is arbitrary and can be changed in various ways depending on the number of divisions, etc.

[0078] Furthermore, since the stopper rings 41, 42 all have the same generally arcuate shape, the annular outer restriction portions 35, 35' can be formed from divided members 41a to 41d, 42a to 42d of a common shape, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0079] Furthermore, the connecting member is the screw member 43, and the stopper ring 41 has a screw insertion hole 44 formed in the axial direction, through which the screw member 43 can be inserted, so that the stopper rings 41 and 42 can be easily connected together simply by inserting the screw member 43 into the screw insertion hole 44. In this embodiment, the insertion hole for the screw member is formed only in the stopper ring 41, and the screw hole 54 is formed in the stopper ring 42, but an insertion hole may be formed only in the stopper ring 42, or insertion holes may be formed in both the stopper rings 41 and 42, and the stopper rings 41 and 42 may be fastened by screwing a nut or the like into the screw member.

[0080] Furthermore, since the connecting members such as the screw members 43 do not protrude to the outer diameter side of the stopper rings 41, 42, the stopper rings 41, 42 can be connected by the connecting members even in the gap S having a narrow radial width dimension.

[0081] Furthermore, when the screw member 43 is inserted into the screw insertion hole 44, it does not protrude from the side of the stopper rings 41, 42 (see Figure 5 (a)). This means that when the divided members 42a-42d abut against the receiving port side regulating portion 60, the screw member 43 does not come into contact with the receiving port side regulating portion 60, thereby preventing damage to the receiving port side regulating portion 60 and the screw member 43.

[0082] A groove 36 into which the stopper rings 41, 42 can be fitted is formed in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface 33a of the insertion port end, and the screw insertion hole 44 is formed on the outer diameter side of the outer peripheral surface 33a of the slide pipe 3 when the stopper rings 41, 42 are fitted in the groove 36 (see Figs. 16(c) and 17(d)). This makes it possible to suitably prevent the stopper rings 41, 42 from shifting in the axial direction, and allows the stopper rings 41, 42 to be connected by the screw member 43 even when fitted in the groove 36.

[0083] Furthermore, the inner surface 60a of the receptacle side restricting portion 60 forms a mounting surface on which the stopper rings 41, 42 can be mounted, and the stopper rings 41, 42 can be positioned at the mounting positions using the inner surface 60a of the receptacle side restricting portion 60, making the mounting work easy. Note that, although the stopper ring 42 is mounted on the inner surface 60a of the receptacle side restricting portion 60 in this embodiment, the stopper ring 41 may also be mounted thereon.

[0084] In addition, a gap S (space) for connecting the stopper rings 41, 42 is defined between the inner surface 2a of the receiving end 2b and the outer surface 33a of the insertion end 3b, so that the gap S between the inner surface 2a of the receiving end 2b and the outer surface 33a of the insertion end 3b can be used to secure space for placing and installing the stopper ring 41 or stopper ring 42.

[0085] In addition, since the stopper rings 41, 42 are provided with index portions 45, 55 indicating the split positions of the other, the split positions P1, P2 can be easily shifted in the circumferential direction by simply aligning the index portions 45, 55 with the split positions P1, P2 of the other divided members 41a-41d, 42a-42d. In this embodiment, the index portions 45, 55 are provided on both the stopper rings 41, 42, but it is sufficient that the index portions 45, 55 are provided on at least one of the stopper rings 41, 42.

[0086] 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 depart from the gist of the present invention.

[0087] For example, in the above embodiment, as an example of an expansion pipe joint, an expansion flexible pipe joint 1 in which a slide pipe 3 is expandably and contractibly connected to a sleeve 2 and a case 4 is flexibly connected to the slide pipe 3, that is, an expansion flexible pipe joint 1 having an expansion joint portion and a flexible joint portion is applied. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be an expansion pipe joint that has at least a receiving member (e.g., a sleeve 2, etc.) and an insertion member (e.g., a slide pipe 3, etc.) whose insertion end can be inserted into the receiving end of the receiving member, and in which the insertion side regulating portion abuts against the receiving member to prevent the insertion member from coming off in the pipe axis direction from the receiving member, and does not have a flexible joint portion (e.g., the case 4, etc.).

[0088] In addition, in the above embodiment, a form has been exemplified in which a pair of slide pipes 3, 3 as insertion members are expandably connected to both ends of the sleeve 2 as the receiving member, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be an expansion pipe joint in which an insertion member is expandably connected to at least one end side of the receiving member.

[0089] In addition, in the above embodiment, the insertion side regulating portion is exemplified as having a form having stopper ring 41 as the first regulating portion and stopper ring 42 as the second regulating portion, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as long as it has at least a first regulating portion and a second regulating portion, it may have at least one other regulating portion that is different from the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion and is connected to the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion in the tube axis direction by a connecting member.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the stopper ring 41 as the first restricting portion and the stopper ring 42 as the second restricting portion are configured in an annular shape when the divided members 41a to 41d and 42a to 42d are arranged adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion are each configured of at least two or more divided members extending in the circumferential direction, the divided members do not necessarily have to be arranged in an annular shape in contact with or close to each other when the divided members are arranged in the circumferential direction, and at least one divided member among the plurality of divided members may be arranged spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. In addition, the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion do not necessarily have to be annular as long as they have a shape corresponding to the insertion member. In the above embodiment, the screw member is used as an example of a connecting member connecting the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion can be connected to each other, a pin, a hook, a clip, or the like may be used, or an adhesive or solder may be used. Furthermore, although the screw members 43 are inserted through the screw insertion holes 44 for connection, the connection may be achieved by attaching a connecting member without providing an insertion hole.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the divided members 41a-41d and 42a-42d as the first and second divided members are all configured to have the same shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first and second divided members may have different shapes. Also, the divided members 41a-41d as the first divided member and the divided members 42a-42d as the second divided member may be configured of members having different shapes, for example, different circumferential lengths.

[0092] In addition, in the above embodiment, the stopper rings 41, 42 constituting the insertion side regulating portion are exemplified as fitting into the groove portion 36 formed on the outer peripheral surface 33a of the cylindrical portion 33, but the groove portion does not necessarily have to be formed, and the stopper rings 41, 42 may be attached to the outer peripheral surface 33a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1. Expansion flexible pipe joint (expansion pipe joint) 2 Sleeve (receiving part) 2a Inner surface 2b Socket end 3 Slide pipe (insertion part) 3a,3b Socket end 4 Cases 4a Socket end 5 Grand (push ring) 12 Spherical bulge 12a Inner surface 16 Packing 32 Spherical bulge 32a Outer surface 33 Cylindrical section 33a Outer surface 34 Inner regulation part 35,35' Outer restriction part (inlet side restriction part) 36 Groove 36a Vertical surface (mounting surface) 36b Slope 41 Stopper ring (first restricting part) 41a to 41d: divided members (first divided members) 42 Stopper ring (second restricting part) 42a to 42d Divided member (second divided member) 43 Screw member (connecting member) 44 Screw insertion hole (insertion hole) 45,55 Index section 60 Receptacle side regulation part 60a Inner surface (mounting surface) 60b External surface 62 Packing GL Grand Line P1, P2 split position S Gap (space) Y1, Y2 1st coupling unit Y3 2nd coupling unit

Claims

1. an expansion pipe joint comprising: a receiving member; an insertion member having an insertion end portion insertable into a receiving end portion of the receiving member; an insertion side regulating portion provided on an outer circumferential surface of the insertion end portion; and a receiving side regulating portion provided on an inner circumferential portion of the receiving end portion, wherein the insertion side regulating portion abuts against the receiving member to prevent the insertion member from coming off in a pipe axial direction from the receiving member, an expansion pipe joint, characterized in that the insertion side regulating portion has a first regulating portion extending in a circumferential direction, a second regulating portion arranged in parallel to the first regulating portion in the pipe axis direction and extending in the circumferential direction, and a connecting member connecting the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion, and the insertion side regulating portion is connected in a ring shape in the circumferential direction by the connecting member connecting the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion in the pipe axis direction.

2. The expansion joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the first restricting portion is made up of a plurality of first divided members arranged in an annular shape in the circumferential direction, and the second restricting portion is made up of a plurality of second divided members arranged in an annular shape in the circumferential direction.

3. The expansion joint according to claim 2, wherein the first divided member and the second divided member are arranged such that their respective split positions are shifted from each other in the circumferential direction.

4. 4. The expansion joint according to claim 2, wherein the first divided member and the second divided member all have the same shape of a substantially arcuate arc.

5. 2. The expansion joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting member is a screw member, and at least one of the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion has an insertion hole, through which the screw member can be inserted, formed in a pipe axial direction.

6. The expansion joint according to claim 5, wherein the screw member does not protrude from side surfaces of the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion when inserted into the insertion hole.

7. A groove portion into which the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion can be fitted is formed in a circumferential direction on an outer peripheral surface of the insertion end portion, The expansion joint according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the insertion hole is formed on an outer diameter side relative to an outer circumferential surface of the insertion member when the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion are fitted into the groove portion.

8. The expansion joint according to claim 7, characterized in that a side surface of the receiving port side regulating portion constitutes a mounting surface on which the first regulating portion or the second regulating portion can be mounted.

9. The expansion joint according to claim 8, characterized in that a space for connecting the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion is defined between an inner circumferential surface of the receiving end and an outer circumferential surface of the insertion end.

10. 4. The expansion joint according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the first divided member and the second divided member has an indicator portion that indicates a division position of the other divided member.

Images