Insulation sleeve

Abstract

To provide an insulation sleeve which enables improvement of attachment workability when a corporation cock is attached to a water pipe.SOLUTION: An insulation sleeve upper 90A is an insulation sleeve disposed between a hole part 22a of a saddle and a bolt 40 inserted into the hole part 22a in a structure where a water pipe is sandwiched between a band at the lower side and the saddle at the upper side and the band and the saddle are fastened by bolts to attach a corporation cock to the water pipe. The insulation sleeve upper 90A includes: a cylindrical part 91 inserted into the hole part 22a of the saddle; and inner protruding parts 92b2 which are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical part 91 and hold the bolt 40 inserted into the cylindrical part 91.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure for attaching a water tap to a water pipe.

Background Art

[0002] As a structure for attaching a water tap to a water pipe (main water pipe, distribution pipe), Patent Document 1 describes a structure in which a water pipe is sandwiched between a saddle and a band of a saddle-type water tap, and the upper saddle and the lower band are bolted together. In such a structure, an insulating sleeve is arranged in the hole through which the bolt is inserted in the saddle and the band, from the viewpoint of preventing corrosion due to contact of dissimilar metals and protecting the coating of the saddle and the band.

[0003] When attaching a water tap to a water pipe using such a structure, an operator inserts a bolt through each insulating sleeve from below and screws a nut onto the bolt from above.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the structure described in Patent Document 1, since the insulating sleeve arranged on the lower band can hold the bolt inserted from below, it is not necessary for the operator to support the bolt with a finger or the like during the attachment work, and the attachment workability is improved. However, until the nut is screwed onto the bolt with the bolt inserted through the insulating sleeve arranged on the upper saddle, it is necessary for the operator to support the lower band with a finger or the like to maintain the state of being in contact with the water pipe, and further improvement in the attachment workability is desired.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an insulating sleeve capable of improving the workability of attaching a water tap to a water pipe.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the insulating sleeve of the present invention has a structure in which a water tap is attached to the water pipe by sandwiching the water pipe with a lower band and an upper saddle and bolt-fastening the band and the saddle. An insulating sleeve disposed between a hole portion of the saddle and a bolt inserted through the hole portion, the insulating sleeve including a cylindrical portion inserted through the hole portion of the saddle, and an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, and an inner convex portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion for holding the bolt inserted through the cylindrical portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the workability of attaching a water tap to a water pipe can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with appropriate reference to the drawings. The same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted. In the following description, the radial direction, the circumferential direction, and the axial direction are based on the cylindrical shape of each insulating sleeve.

[0011] <First Embodiment> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a water distribution tap attachment structure 1A according to a first embodiment of the present invention is a structure for attaching a water distribution tap 10 to a water pipe 2 in a space excavated around a buried water pipe (main water pipe, distribution pipe) 2. The water distribution tap attachment structure 1A includes a water distribution tap 10, a saddle 20, a band 30, two sets of bolts 40, flat washers 50, and nuts 60, two sets of guides 70 and lower insulating sleeves 80, and two upper insulating sleeves 90A.

[0012] <Water Distribution Tap> The water distribution plug 10 includes a branch water passage (a cylindrical portion made of metal (for example, bronze) that constitutes the main body of the water distribution plug 10) 11 that is connected to the water pipe 2 so as to allow water to flow through the hole 2a formed in the upper part of the water pipe 2. Further, in the water distribution plug 10, a valve portion (for example, a rotatable ball valve body) 13 that can be switched in state by the operation of an operation portion (for example, a spindle) 12 by an operator is accommodated in the branch water passage 11. The valve portion 13 is configured to be able to switch between an open valve state that allows the flow of tap water in the branch water passage 11 and a closed valve state that blocks the flow of tap water in the branch water passage 11. Further, the end portion of the water distribution plug 10 on the side of the water pipe 2 is constituted by a metal (for example, copper) core member 14 having a cylindrical shape that is disposed in the hole 2a of the water pipe 2. A branch side water supply pipe (branch water pipe) 3 is connected to the downstream end portion of the branch water passage 11 so that tap water can flow through it.

[0013] <Saddle> The saddle 20 is a member made of metal (for example, cast iron) that is disposed above the water pipe 2 when attaching the water distribution plug 10 to the water pipe 2. The saddle 20, by having the water distribution plug 10 (branch water passage 11) attached in advance, cooperates with the water distribution plug 10 (branch water passage 11) to form a saddle-equipped water distribution plug 4. The saddle 20 holds the water distribution plug 10 in a state where the water distribution plug 10 is connected to the water pipe 2 by sandwiching the water pipe 2 in cooperation with the band 30. The saddle 20 integrally includes an arc portion 21 having an upwardly convex arc shape that follows the upper part of the water pipe 2, and a pair of flange portions 22, 22 extending from both end portions of the arc portion 21.

[0014] A hole 21a for attaching the water distribution plug 10 is formed in the arc portion 21.

[0015] A hole 22a through which the bolt 40 and the insulating sleeve 90A are inserted is formed in the flange portion 22. The hole 22a includes a small-diameter portion 22a1 that constitutes the upper part of the hole 22a and a large-diameter portion 22a2 that constitutes the lower part of the hole 22a.

[0016] <Band> The band 30 is a metal (e.g., cast iron) member disposed below the water pipe 2 when attaching the stopcock 10 to the water pipe 2. The band 30 integrally includes an arc portion 31 having a downwardly convex arc shape following the lower portion of the water pipe 2, and a pair of flange portions 32, 32 extending from both end portions of the arc portion 31.

[0017] A hole portion 32a through which the bolt 40 and the insulating sleeve lower 80 are inserted is formed in the flange portion 32. The hole portion 32a includes a small-diameter portion 32a1 constituting the lower portion of the hole portion 32a and a large-diameter portion 32a2 constituting the upper portion of the hole portion 32a.

[0018] On the lower surface side of the flange portion 32, a pair of ridge portions 32b, 32b extending downward from a position sandwiching the hole portion 32a are formed. The ridge portions 32b, 32b function as a stopper around the head 41 of the bolt 40.

[0019] <bolt> The bolt 40 is a metal (e.g., stainless steel) member. The bolt 40 integrally includes a head 41 and a shaft portion 42 extending from the head 41. The base end portion side (head 41 side) of the shaft portion 42 is a non-threaded portion 42a having a cylindrical shape without external threads cut on the outer peripheral surface, and the tip end portion side of the shaft portion 42 is a male threaded portion 42b with external threads cut on the outer peripheral surface.

[0020] <washer> The washer 50 is a metal (e.g., stainless steel) plate-like member. The washer 50 is interposed between the flange portion 22 and the annular flange portion 92 of the insulating sleeve upper 90A and the nut 60 to protect the flange portion 22 and the annular flange portion 92 from the nut 60. A hole portion through which the male threaded portion 42b of the bolt 40 is inserted is formed in the washer 50.

[0021] <nut> The nut 60 is a metal (e.g., stainless steel) cylindrical member. A female threaded portion into which the male threaded portion 42b of the bolt 40 can be screwed is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the nut 60.

[0022] <Guide> The guide 70 is a member made of metal (for example, stainless steel). The guide 70 integrally includes a flat plate portion 71 and a pair of opposing wall portions 72, 72 extending downward from both end portions of the flat plate portion 71.

[0023] The flat plate portion 71 is interposed between the flange portion 32, the annular flange portion 82 of the lower insulating sleeve 80 described later, and the head portion 41 of the bolt 40 to protect the flange portion 32 and the annular flange portion 82 from the head portion 41. A hole portion through which the shaft portion 42 of the bolt 40 can be inserted is formed in the flat plate portion 71.

[0024] The opposing wall portions 72, 72 are arranged so as to sandwich the hole portion. The opposing wall portion 72 is interposed between the protrusion portion 32b (see FIG. 3), the opposing wall portion 83 of the lower insulating sleeve 80 described later, and the head portion 41 of the bolt 40 to protect the protrusion portion 32b and the opposing wall portion 83 from the head portion 41.

[0025] <Lower insulating sleeve> As shown in FIG. 3, the lower insulating sleeve 80 is a cylindrical member made of resin (for example, polycarbonate) interposed between the band 30, the bolt 40, and the guide 70. The lower insulating sleeve 80 insulates between the band 30, the bolt 40, and the guide 70 to prevent corrosion due to contact of dissimilar metals and to protect the coating of the band 30. The lower insulating sleeve 80 integrally includes a cylindrical portion 81, an annular flange portion 82 extending radially outward over the entire circumferential direction from the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 81, and a pair of opposing wall portions 83, 83 extending downward from both end portions of the annular flange portion 82.

[0026] The cylindrical portion 81 is a portion located between the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion 32a and the outer peripheral surface of the non-threaded portion 42a by being inserted through the hole portion 32a. The cylindrical portion 81 integrally includes an entire circumferential portion 81a constituting the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 81 and a divided portion 81b constituting the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 81.

[0027] The entire circumference portion 81a has a cylindrical shape and is inserted into the small-diameter portion 32a1 of the hole portion 32a. On the inner circumferential surface of the entire circumference portion 81a, an inner convex portion 81a1 that protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface is formed.

[0028] The inner convex portion 81a1 is a portion that holds the bolt 40 when the non-threaded portion 42a of the bolt 40 is press-fitted. In the present embodiment, a plurality (for example, four) of inner convex portions 81a1 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0029] The divided portion 81b is a portion divided into a plurality (four in the present embodiment) by a plurality of notches 81c arranged in the circumferential direction. Such a divided portion 81b is elastically deformable in the radial direction with the entire circumference portion 81a side as the base end portion. On the upper portion of the outer circumferential surface of the divided portion 81b, an outer convex portion 81b1 that protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface is formed.

[0030] The outer convex portion 81b1 is housed in the large-diameter portion 32a2 and functions as a stopper to prevent the insulation sleeve lower 80 from coming off downward.

[0031] The annular flange portion 82 is a portion located between the lower surface of the flange portion 32, the end surface on the shaft portion 42 side of the head portion 41, and the flat plate portion 71 of the guide 70.

[0032] The opposing wall portions 83, 83 are portions located between the outer circumferential surface of the head portion 41, the opposing wall portions 72 of the guide 70, and the pair of ridge portions 32b, 32b.

[0033] The insulation sleeve lower 80 may be any one that can hold the bolt 40 with respect to the band 30. For example, it may adopt the structure of the insulation sleeve described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-1031.

[0034] <Insulation sleeve upper> As shown in FIGS. 4(a), 4(b), and 4(c), the upper insulating sleeve 90A is a resinous (e.g., polycarbonate) cylindrical member interposed between the saddle 20, the bolt 40, and the flat washer 50. The upper insulating sleeve 90A insulates between the saddle 20, the bolt 40, the flat washer 50, and the nut 60, thereby preventing corrosion due to contact of dissimilar metals and protecting the coating of the saddle 20. The upper insulating sleeve 90A integrally includes a cylindrical portion 91 and an annular flange portion 92 extending radially outward in the circumferential direction from the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 91.

[0035] The cylindrical portion 91 is a portion located between the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion 22a and the outer peripheral surface of the male screw portion 42b by being inserted into the hole portion 22a. The cylindrical portion 91 integrally includes an entire circumferential portion 91a constituting the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 91 and a divided portion 91b constituting the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 91.

[0036] The entire circumferential portion 91a has a cylindrical shape and is inserted into the small-diameter portion 22a1 of the hole portion 22a. The inner diameter of the entire circumferential portion 91a is equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 42 of the bolt 40, and the outer diameter of the entire circumferential portion 91a is equal to or less than the inner diameter of the small-diameter portion 22a1 of the flange portion 22.

[0037] The divided portion 91b is a portion divided into a plurality (four in this embodiment) by a plurality of notches 91c arranged in the circumferential direction. Such a divided portion 91b is elastically deformable in the radial direction with the entire circumferential portion 91a side as a base end portion. An outer convex portion 91b1 protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface is formed at the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the divided portion 91b. In addition, an inner convex portion 91b2 protruding radially inward from the inner peripheral surface is formed at the lower end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the divided portion 91b.

[0038] The outer convex portion 91b1 is accommodated in the large-diameter portion 22a2 and functions as a retaining means to prevent the upper insulating sleeve 90A from coming off. The outer diameter φ1 of the outer convex portion 91b1 (the outer diameter as the diameter when the outer convex portions 91b1 are provided so as to face each other across the axis center) is larger than the inner diameter of the small-diameter portion 22a1 of the flange portion 22 and smaller than the inner diameter of the large-diameter portion 22a2.

[0039] The inner convex portion 91b2 is a portion that holds the male screw portion 42b of the bolt 40. The inner diameter φ2 of the inner convex portion 91b2 (the inner diameter as the diameter when the inner convex portions 91b2 are provided so as to face each other across the axial center) is smaller than the outer diameter of the male screw portion 42b (the crest portion) of the bolt 40. The thickness (radial dimension) of the portion where the outer convex portion 91b1 and the inner convex portion 91b2 are formed in the divided portion 91b is smaller than the dimension between the male screw portion 42b (the outer diameter φ3 of the crest portion) of the bolt 40 and the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 22a2 of the flange portion 22. In the present embodiment, the axial dimension L1 of the inner convex portion 91b2 is longer than the screw pitch (the interval between adjacent screw crests) of the male screw portion 42b. Here, the axial dimension L1 is the dimension of the portion of the inner convex portion 91b2 where the inner diameter is the smallest, and is a portion that abuts against at least one, preferably two or more screw crests in the axial direction. With such a configuration, the inner convex portion 91b2 holds the bolt 40 when the male screw portion 42b of the bolt 40 is press-fitted.

[0040] Further, the lower end portion of the inner convex portion 91b2 exhibits an inclined surface (tapered surface) that extends radially outward as it goes downward. Such an inner convex portion 91b2 can facilitate the entry of the male screw portion 42b of the bolt 40 from below.

[0041] The annular flange portion 92 is a portion that is placed on the upper surface of the flange portion 22.

[0042] <Operation Example> Subsequently, an example of a method for attaching the water faucet 10 to the water pipe 2 using the water faucet attachment structure 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described (refer to FIGS. 3 and 4 as appropriate).

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, the band 30, the guide 70, and the lower insulating sleeve 80 are shipped in an assembled state with each other. Here, the lower insulating sleeve 80 is held by the band 30 in such a manner that the outer convex portion 81b1 is positioned in the large-diameter portion 32a2 of the hole portion 32a and the downward movement is restricted by the boundary surface between the large-diameter portion 32a2 and the small-diameter portion 32a1. Further, a protruding portion (not shown) protruding radially inward is formed at the lower end portions of the opposing wall portions 83, 83. The guide 70 is held by the lower insulating sleeve 80 when the lower end portions of the opposing wall portions 72, 72 are locked to the locking portions.

[0044] The operator positions (arranges) the band 30 with the guide 70 and the lower insulating sleeve 80 attached below the water pipe 2, and then positions (arranges) the band 30 below the water pipe 2 by bringing the upper surface of the arc portion 31 of the band 30 into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion of the water pipe 2.

[0045] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6, the operator inserts the bolt 40 through the hole portion of the guide 70 and also inserts such a bolt 40 from below through the guide 70 and the lower insulating sleeve 80. Here, the non-threaded portion 42a of the bolt 40 is press-fitted into the inner convex portion 81a1 of the lower insulating sleeve 80, so that the bolt 40 is held by the band 30 via the lower insulating sleeve 80. That is, in such a state, the operator only needs to support the band 30 and does not need to support it with a finger or the like so that the bolt 40 does not fall off.

[0046] When there is sufficient space around the water pipe 2, the operator may insert the bolt 40 through the hole portion of the guide 70 and the lower insulating sleeve 80 and then position (arrange) the band 30 below the water pipe 2.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7, the saddle-type water distribution faucet 4 and the upper insulating sleeve 90A are shipped in an assembled state with each other. Here, the upper insulating sleeve 90A is held by the saddle 20 when the annular flange portion 92 is placed on the upper surface of the flange portion 22.

[0048] With the band 30 positioned (arranged) below the water pipe 2, the operator installs the saddle water faucet 4 above the water pipe 2 by bringing the lower surface of the arc portion 21 of the saddle 20 to which the insulating sleeve upper 90A is attached into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the water pipe 2.

[0049] Here, when the male screw portion 42b of the bolt 40 is press-fitted into the inner convex portion 91b2 of the insulating sleeve upper 90A, the bolt 40, the guide 70, the insulating sleeve lower 80, and the band 30 are held by the saddle 20 via the insulating sleeve upper 90A. That is, in such a state, the operator does not need to support the bolt 40, the guide 70, the insulating sleeve lower 80, and the band 30 with fingers or the like so that they do not fall off.

[0050] In addition, the upward movement of the insulating sleeve upper 90A accompanying the insertion of the bolt 40 is restricted by the outer convex portion 91b1 (and the contact of the boundary surface between the large diameter portion 22a2 and the small diameter portion 22a1), whereby the insulating sleeve upper 90A is held by the saddle 20.

[0051] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 1, the operator externally fits the flat washer 50 onto the male screw portion 42b of the bolt 40 from above and screws the nut 60 onto the male screw portion 42b of the bolt 40 from above. Specifically, after the operator temporarily tightens the nut 60 with fingers, the operator uses a tool such as a wrench to fasten the nut 60 to the bolt 40. In a state where the water faucet 10 is attached to the water pipe 2, the operator forms a hole portion 2a in the water pipe 2 and attaches the core member 14 to the hole portion 2a by using a jig or the like. Thereby, the water pipe 2 and the branch water passage 11 (the upstream end portion thereof) are connected so that tap water can flow through the core member 14 disposed in the hole portion 2a.

[0052] Note that the method of attaching the water tap 10 to the water pipe 2 is not limited to the above-described procedure, and it may be a procedure of positioning (arranging) the saddle water tap 4 around the water pipe 2 before the band 30. In this case, first, the operator positions (places) the saddle water tap 4 above the water pipe 2, and then positions (arranges) the band 30 below the water pipe 2. Subsequently, the operator inserts the bolt 40 from below through the lower insulating sleeve 80 and the upper insulating sleeve 90A, and then screws the nut 60 onto the male screw portion 42b of the bolt 40 from above.

[0053] In the insulating sleeve (upper insulating sleeve 90A) of the water tap attachment structure 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in the structure of attaching the water tap 10 to the water pipe 2 by sandwiching the water pipe 2 with the lower band 30 and the upper saddle 20 and bolt-fastening the band 30 and the saddle 20, it is an insulating sleeve disposed between the hole portion 22a of the saddle 20 and the bolt 40 inserted through the hole portion 22a, and includes a cylindrical portion 91 inserted through the hole portion 22a of the saddle 20, and an inner convex portion 91b2 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 91 and holding the bolt 40 inserted through the cylindrical portion 91. Therefore, by holding the bolt 40 with respect to the saddle 20, the insulating sleeve can reduce the necessity for the operator to support the bolt 40 and improve the attachment workability when attaching the water tap 10 to the water pipe 2. Further, when the band 30 is held by the bolt 40, the insulating sleeve can reduce the necessity for the operator to support the band 30 and further improve the attachment workability when attaching the water tap 10 to the water pipe 2. Examples of the method of holding the band 30 by the bolt 40 include aspects such as the head 41 of the bolt 40 supporting the band 30 from below, and the male screw portion 42b of the bolt 40 being screwed with a female screw portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion 32a of the band 30 or the cylindrical portion 81 of the lower insulating sleeve 80.

[0054] In the insulating sleeve, the cylindrical portion 91 includes an entire circumferential portion 91a that constitutes the upper part of the cylindrical portion 91 and a divided portion 91b that constitutes the lower part of the cylindrical portion 91 and is divided in the circumferential direction, and the inner convex portion 91b2 is provided on the divided portion 91b. Therefore, the insulating sleeve can improve the insertability and retention of the bolt 40.

[0055] In the insulating sleeve, the inner convex portion 91b2 is provided at the lower end of the divided portion 91b. Therefore, the insulating sleeve can further improve the insertability and retention of the bolt 40.

[0056] The insulating sleeve includes an outer convex portion 91b1 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the divided portion 91b, and the outer convex portion 91b1 is received in a large-diameter portion 22a2 that constitutes the lower part of the hole portion 22a. Therefore, the insulating sleeve can prevent upward detachment when the bolt 40 is inserted from below.

[0057] In the insulating sleeve, a plurality of the inner convex portions 91b2 are arranged in the circumferential direction or the axial direction (in this embodiment, the circumferential direction) of the cylindrical portion 91. Therefore, the insulating sleeve can improve the retention of the bolt 40.

[0058] In the insulating sleeve, the axial dimension L1 of the inner convex portion 91b2 is larger than the thread pitch of the bolt. Therefore, the insulating sleeve can preferably hold the bolt 40 by press-fitting the bolt 40.

[0059] The insulating sleeve extends radially outward from the upper end of the cylindrical portion 91 and includes a flange portion (annular flange portion 92) placed on the upper surface of the saddle 20. Therefore, the insulating sleeve can prevent detachment from the saddle 20.

[0060] <Second Embodiment> Next, the water distribution tap mounting structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on the differences from the water distribution tap mounting structure 1A according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b), the water distribution tap mounting structure 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes an insulating sleeve upper portion 90B instead of the insulating sleeve upper portion 90A.

[0061] <on the insulating sleeve> In the dividing portion 91b of the insulating sleeve upper portion 90B, an inner convex portion 91b3 is formed instead of the inner convex portion 91b2. The inner convex portion 91b3 has a mountain shape (triangular shape) in the axial direction. In one dividing portion 91b, a plurality of inner convex portions 91b3 are arranged in the axial direction of the dividing portion 91b. The axial dimension L2 of the inner convex portion 91b3 is greater than zero and not more than the thread pitch of the male thread portion 42b of the bolt 40. The interval L3 between the vertices of adjacent inner convex portions 91b3 is equal to the thread pitch of the male thread portion 42b of the bolt 40.

[0062] The bolt 40 is held by the inner convex portion 91b3 entering and engaging between the thread crests of the male thread portion 42b of the bolt 40.

[0063] In the insulating sleeve (insulating sleeve upper portion 90B) of the water distribution tap mounting structure 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of inner convex portions 91b3 are arranged in the circumferential direction or the axial direction (in this embodiment, the circumferential direction and the axial direction) of the cylindrical portion 91. Therefore, the insulating sleeve can improve the holding property of the bolt 40.

[0064] In the insulating sleeve, the axial dimension L2 of the inner convex portion 91b3 is not more than the thread pitch of the bolt 40. Therefore, the insulating sleeve can preferably hold the bolt 40 by the inner convex portion 91b3 entering and engaging between the thread crests of the male thread portion 42b of the bolt 40.

[0065] <Third Embodiment> Next, the water distribution faucet mounting structure according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on the differences from the water distribution faucet mounting structure 1A according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), the water distribution faucet mounting structure 1C according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes an insulating sleeve upper part 90C instead of the insulating sleeve upper part 90A.

[0066] <on the insulating sleeve> In the dividing part 91b of the insulating sleeve upper part 90C, an inner convex part 91b4 is formed instead of the inner convex part 91b2. The inner convex part 91b4 has a tapered shape that tapers radially inward as it goes upward. Among the four dividing parts 91b, one inner convex part 91b4 is formed over the entire circumferential direction of each of the two long-side dividing parts 91b, 91b that face each other. Among the four dividing parts 91b, two inner convex parts 91b4 provided at both ends in the circumferential direction of each of the two short-side dividing parts 91b, 91b that face each other are formed. In other words, in one dividing part 91b (in this embodiment, the two short-side dividing parts 91b, 91b that face each other), the inner convex part 91b4 is divided into a plurality (two in this embodiment) in the circumferential direction.

[0067] Such an insulating sleeve 90C holds the bolt 40 by the corner part of the inner convex part 91b4 entering and being locked between the threads of the male screw part 42b of the bolt 40. Also, the inclination angle of the lower surface (inclined surface) of the inner convex part 91b4 with respect to the axial direction is smaller than the inclination angle of the upper surface (in this embodiment, a vertical surface orthogonal to the axial direction) of the inner convex part 91b4 with respect to the axial direction. Also, the corner part, which is the boundary between the lower inclined surface and the upper surface of the inner convex part 91b4, has an acute angle shape. Such an inner convex part 91b4 can achieve both the entry property from below and the prevention of dropping downward of the male screw part 42b of the bolt 40.

[0068] In the insulating sleeve (insulating sleeve upper part 90C) of the water distribution faucet mounting structure 1C according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of inner convex parts 91b4 are arranged in the circumferential direction or the axial direction (in this embodiment, the circumferential direction and the axial direction) of the cylindrical part 91. Therefore, the insulating sleeve can improve the holding property of the bolt 40, particularly by the arrangement of the plurality of inner convex portions 91b4 in the axial direction. Further, the insulating sleeve can reduce the resistance to the entry from below the male screw portion 42b of the bolt 40 and improve the attachment workability by the arrangement of the plurality of inner convex portions 91b4 in the circumferential direction, specifically, the arrangement of the two inner convex portions 91b4 in the circumferential direction at the split portions 91b, 91b of the two short sides facing each other (compared with the case where the two inner convex portions 91b4 in the circumferential direction are connected together).

[0069] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the flange portion extending radially outward from the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 91 of the insulating sleeves 90A, 90B, 90C is not limited to the annular flange portion 92, and any shape capable of preventing the insulating sleeves 90A, 90B, 90C from falling off from the saddle 20 may be used. Further, the inner convex portions may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the entire circumferential portion of the insulating sleeve.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0070] 1 Water tap attachment structure 2 Water pipe (main water pipe, distribution pipe) 4 Saddle-equipped water tap 10 Water tap 20 Saddle 21 Arc portion 22 Flange portion 22a Hole portion 22a1 Small-diameter portion 22a2 Large-diameter portion 30 Band 31 Arc portion 32 Flange portion 32a Hole portion 32a1 Small-diameter portion 32a2 Large-diameter portion 40 Bolt 41 Head portion 42 Shaft portion 42a Non-threaded portion 42b Male screw portion 60 Nut On the 90A insulating sleeve (insulating sleeve) 91 Cylindrical part 91a Entire circumference part 91b Divided part 91b1 Outer convex part 91b2, 91b3, 91b4 Inner convex parts 92 Annular flange part (flange part)

Claims

1. In a structure for attaching a water faucet to a water pipe by sandwiching the water pipe with a lower band and an upper saddle and bolt-fastening the band and the saddle, an insulating sleeve disposed between a hole of the saddle and a bolt inserted through the hole, a cylindrical portion inserted through the hole of the saddle, and an inner convex portion formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and holding the bolt inserted through the cylindrical portion. The insulating sleeve is characterized by comprising the above.

2. The cylindrical portion includes an entire circumferential portion constituting an upper part of the cylindrical portion, and a divided portion constituting a lower part of the cylindrical portion and divided in a circumferential direction. The insulating sleeve is characterized by comprising the above. The inner convex portion is provided on the divided portion. The insulating sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the inner convex portion is provided on the divided portion.

3. The inner convex portion is provided at a lower end portion of the divided portion. The insulating sleeve according to claim 2, wherein the inner convex portion is provided at a lower end portion of the divided portion.

4. The insulating sleeve includes an outer convex portion formed on an outer peripheral surface of the divided portion, and the outer convex portion is received in a large-diameter portion constituting a lower part of the hole. The insulating sleeve according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the outer convex portion is received in a large-diameter portion constituting a lower part of the hole.

5. A plurality of the inner convex portions are arranged in a circumferential direction or an axial direction of the cylindrical portion. The insulating sleeve according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the inner convex portions are arranged in a circumferential direction or an axial direction of the cylindrical portion.

6. An axial dimension of the inner convex portion is larger than a thread pitch of the bolt. The insulating sleeve according to claim 1, wherein an axial dimension of the inner convex portion is larger than a thread pitch of the bolt.

7. An axial dimension of the inner convex portion is equal to or less than a thread pitch of the bolt. The insulating sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that...

8. It is provided with a flange portion that extends radially outward from the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion and is placed on the upper surface of the saddle. The insulating sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that...

Images