Water meter unit

Abstract

To provide a water meter unit capable of improving watertightness against repeated replacement of a water meter.SOLUTION: A water meter unit provided in a water facility comprises: a water meter 1 that has an inflow part 11 into which water flows and an outflow part 12 from which water flows out, and measures a flow rate of water; a first joint 2 that is provided at the inflow part 11 of the water meter 1; a second joint 3 that is provided at the outflow part 12 of the water meter 1; and a base 4 that supports the water meter 1. The first joint 2 comprises: a sleeve 21 that is detachably connected to the inflow part 11 of the water meter 1; and a handle 23 that is provided on the sleeve 21. The sleeve 21 slides on the base 4 along an axial direction of the water meter 1 by operating the handle 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a water meter unit provided in water supply facilities for measuring the flow rate of tap water.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, as shown in FIG. 8, a water meter unit used in water supply facilities has an inlet portion 11 where water flows in and an outlet portion 12 where water flows out, which are provided in the water supply facilities, a water meter 1 for measuring the flow rate of water, a first joint 2 provided on the inlet side of the water meter 1, a second joint 3 provided on the outlet side of the water meter 1, and a pedestal 4 for supporting the water meter 1. Water flows in the order of the first joint 2, the water meter 1, and the second joint 3. The first joint 2 includes an L-shaped sleeve 21, a support portion 22 for supporting the sleeve 21, and a handle 23 provided on the sleeve 21. An inlet pipe 51 having the function of a stop valve 510 is provided at the upstream end portion 21b. The second joint 2 has the function of a check valve (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In this water meter unit, when attaching the water meter 1 to the pedestal 4, the handle 23 of the first joint 2 is rotated, and the sleeve 21 is slid axially away from the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1. After bringing the outlet portion 12 of the water meter 1 into contact with the second joint 3, the handle 23 of the first joint 2 is rotated, and the sleeve 21 is slid axially closer to the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1, and the handle 23 is connected to the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1 in a crimped state, thereby attaching the water meter 1 onto the pedestal 4.

[0004] On the one hand, in this water meter unit, when removing the water meter 1 from the pedestal 4, rotate the handle 23 of the first joint 2 and slide it in the axial direction away from the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1 with respect to the sleeve 21. After disconnecting the connection of the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1 by the handle 23 of the first joint 2, while lifting the water meter 1 upward, also disconnect the connection between the outlet portion 12 of the water meter 1 and the second joint 3, thereby removing the water meter 1 from the pedestal 4.

[0005] In the conventional water meter unit in this way, in the first joint 2, the handle 23 itself slides along the axial direction of the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1 while rotating axially with respect to the sleeve 21, whereby the water meter 1 is attached or removed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in the case of the structure where the handle 23 slides on the pedestal 4 along the axial direction of the water meter 1 while rotating axially with respect to the sleeve 21 as described above, an O-ring 100 is required to maintain watertightness at the sliding portion between the handle 23 and the sleeve 21 in the first joint 2. For this reason, when the water meter is repeatedly replaced over a long period of time, the O-ring 100 also slides while rotating axially many times, causing the O-ring 100 to be twisted, kinked, worn, and damaged, and there is a problem that water may leak from the location of the O-ring 100.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a water meter unit capable of improving watertightness against repeated replacement of the water meter.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a water meter unit provided in water supply facilities, comprising: an inlet portion where water flows in and an outlet portion where water flows out; a water meter for measuring the flow rate of water; a first joint provided at the inlet portion of the water meter; a second joint provided at the outlet portion of the water meter; and a pedestal for supporting the water meter. The first joint includes a sleeve detachably connected to the inlet portion of the water meter and a handle provided on the sleeve, and the sleeve slides on the pedestal along the axial direction of the water meter by operating the handle.

[0010] According to this, when attaching the water meter to the pedestal, the sleeve is slid in a direction approaching the inlet portion of the water meter by operating the handle in the first joint, and the water meter can be attached to the pedestal by connecting the sleeve to the inlet portion of the water meter in a crimped state. On the other hand, when removing the water meter from the pedestal, the sleeve is slid in a direction away from the inlet portion of the water meter by operating the handle in the first joint, and the water meter can be removed from the pedestal by releasing the connection of the inlet portion of the water meter by the sleeve. In this way, instead of crimping the handle of the first joint to the inlet portion of the water meter, the water meter is attached to the pedestal by directly crimping the sleeve of the first joint to the inlet portion of the water meter, so that the O-ring between the handle and the sleeve in the first joint becomes unnecessary, and water leakage due to damage of the O-ring does not occur, improving the watertightness.

[0011] Further, in the first joint, the sleeve and the handle may be provided separately, and the sleeve may slide on the pedestal in a state where it cannot rotate axially along the axial direction of the water meter by operating the handle. According to this, the sleeve of the first joint can be reliably slid along the axial direction of the water meter.

[0012] Further, the first joint may be provided with the sleeve and the handle integrally, and the sleeve may slide on the pedestal while axially rotating along the axial direction of the water meter by operating the handle. According to this, the sleeve of the first joint can be surely slid along the axial direction of the water meter.

[0013] Further, a flexible hose member may be provided on the inflow side of the first joint, and the hose member may bend as the sleeve of the first joint slides along the axial direction of the water meter. According to this, when the sleeve of the first joint slides along the axial direction of the water meter by operating the handle, the hose member bends so as to follow the sliding of the sleeve of the first joint, so that the sleeve of the first joint can be slid smoothly.

[0014] Further, the sleeve is formed in an L shape in which the downstream end extends along the axial direction of the water meter and the upstream end extends along a direction intersecting the axial direction of the water meter, and the inflow pipe may be connected to the upstream end of the sleeve in a manner that allows axial displacement in the axial direction of the water meter. According to this, when the sleeve slides along the axial direction of the water meter by operating the handle, the connection ends are axially displaced between the sleeve and the inflow pipe, so that the sleeve of the first joint can be slid smoothly.

[0015] Further, a connecting pipe communicating the sleeve and the inflow pipe is provided between the sleeve of the first joint and the inflow pipe, and the downstream end of the connecting pipe may be connected to the upstream end of the sleeve in a swingable manner, and the upstream end may be connected to the downstream end of the inflow pipe in a swingable manner. According to this, when the sleeve slides along the axial direction of the water meter by operating the handle, the connecting pipe swings while being axially displaced between the sleeve and the inflow pipe, so that the sleeve of the first joint can be slid smoothly.

[0016] Further, a fixing jig for fixing the sleeve and the inflow pipe may be provided between the sleeve of the first joint and the inflow pipe. According to this, when the sleeve of the first joint is connected to the inlet portion of the water meter, by providing a fixing jig between the sleeve and the inflow pipe, it is possible to prevent the first joint and the inflow pipe from being accidentally axially displaced.

[0017] Further, the first joint may be provided with a flexible member at at least the upstream end of the sleeve, and the flexible member may bend and / or expand and contract as the sleeve slides. According to this, when the sleeve slides along the axial direction of the water meter by operating the handle, since the flexible member bends and / or expands and contracts as the sleeve slides, the sleeve of the first joint can be smoothly slid.

[0018] Further, the flexible member may be a diaphragm provided between the sleeve and the inflow pipe. According to this, when the sleeve slides along the axial direction of the water meter by operating the handle, since the diaphragm bends and / or expands and contracts as the sleeve slides, the sleeve of the first joint can be smoothly slid.

[0019] Further, the first joint may be provided with a fixing jig for fixing the sleeve when the sleeve is connected to the inlet portion of the water meter. According to this, when the sleeve of the first joint is connected to the inlet portion of the water meter, by fixing the sleeve on the pedestal by the fixing jig, it is possible to prevent the sleeve of the first joint from accidentally sliding during the use of the water meter.

[0020] Further, the first joint may include an outer cylinder portion that supports the sleeve in a penetrating state, and the sleeve may slide on the pedestal along the axial direction of the water meter in a state where the sleeve is engaged with the outer cylinder portion. According to this, when the sleeve slides along the axial direction of the water meter by operating the handle, it is possible to prevent the sleeve of the first joint from rotating with the handle.

[0021] Further, the first joint includes an outer cylinder portion that supports the sleeve in a penetrating state, and when the sleeve is connected to the inlet portion of the water meter, the sleeve and the outer cylinder portion may be made to fit together. According to this, when the sleeve of the first joint is connected to the inlet portion of the water meter, since the sleeve and the outer cylinder portion fit together in the first joint, it is possible to prevent the sleeve of the first joint from inadvertently rotating axially during the use of the water meter. The present invention also relates to a water meter unit provided in a water meter that has an inlet portion through which water flows in and an outlet portion through which water flows out and measures the flow rate of water, and includes a first joint provided at the inlet portion of the water meter, a second joint provided at the outlet portion of the water meter, and a pedestal that supports the water meter. The first joint includes a sleeve that is detachably connected to the inlet portion of the water meter and a handle provided on the sleeve, and the sleeve slides on the pedestal along the axial direction of the water meter by operating the handle. A water meter unit may be provided.

Effects of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, when attaching the water meter to the pedestal, the sleeve is slid in a direction approaching the inlet portion of the water meter by operating the handle of the first joint, and the water meter is attached to the pedestal by connecting the sleeve to the inlet portion of the water meter in a pressure-bonded state. On the other hand, when removing the water meter from the pedestal, the sleeve is slid in a direction away from the inlet portion of the water meter by operating the handle of the first joint, and the water meter is removed from the pedestal by releasing the connection of the inlet portion of the water meter by the sleeve. Thus, instead of pressing the handle of the first joint against the inlet portion of the water meter, the water meter is attached to the pedestal by directly pressing the sleeve of the first joint against the inlet portion of the water meter, so that the O-ring between the handle and the sleeve in the first joint becomes unnecessary, and water leakage due to damage to the O-ring does not occur, improving the watertightness.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] <First Embodiment> Next, a first embodiment of the water meter unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, this water meter unit includes a water meter 1 for measuring the flow rate of water, a first joint 2 provided on the inflow side of the water meter 1, a second joint 3 provided on the outflow side of the water meter 1, a pedestal 4 for supporting the water meter 1, and an inflow pipe 5 provided on the first joint 2. Water flows in the order of the inflow pipe 5, the first joint 2, the water meter 1, and the second joint 3.

[0026] The water meter 1 includes an inlet portion 11 through which water flows in from the first joint 2, an outlet portion 12 through which water flows out to the second joint 3, and a meter main body portion 13 disposed between the inlet portion 11 and the outlet portion 12. After the water flowing in from the inlet portion 11 passes through the meter main body portion 13, it flows out from the outlet portion 12. This meter main body portion 13 is composed of a casing made of metal or resin, and includes a measuring portion for measuring the water flow rate and the like, and a display portion for displaying the water flow rate and the like measured by the measuring portion. In this embodiment, the axial direction of the water meter 1 is the direction K (the left - right direction in FIG. 1) extending from the inlet portion 11 to the outlet portion 12 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0027] The first joint 2 is provided above the inlet side of the pedestal 4, and includes a metal sleeve 21, a metal supporting portion 22 for supporting the sleeve 21, and a metal handle 23 provided separately from the sleeve 21. The sleeve 21 is coaxially connected to the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the sleeve 21 is formed in an L - shape in which the downstream end portion 21a extends in the axial direction of the water meter 1 as a whole, and the upstream end portion 21b extends in the vertical direction with respect to the axial direction of the water meter 1, and includes a sleeve main body portion 211 and a crimping portion 212.

[0029] The sleeve main body portion 211 is formed in an L - shape that extends in the axial direction (horizontal direction) of the water meter 1 from the downstream end portion 21a and then extends upward in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the water meter 1. The crimping portion 212 is fixed to the downstream end portion 211a in an inserted state, and the downstream end portion 51a of the downstream inflow pipe 51 of the inflow pipe 5 described later is connected to the upstream end portion 211b.

[0030] The crimping portion 212 is formed in an annular shape with an outer diameter larger than that of the sleeve main body portion 211, and a male screw portion 212a that is screwed into the female screw portion 231a of the handle 23 described later is formed on the outer peripheral surface. Further, a concave portion 212b that crimps to the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1 when the water meter 1 is installed is provided. The concave portion 212b is formed such that its inner diameter is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1, and an O-ring 212c that enhances the adhesion to the outlet portion 12 of the water meter 1 is embedded in the end face.

[0031] The support portion 22 includes an outer cylinder portion 221 that extends in the axial direction of the water meter 1 and supports the sleeve main body portion 211 in a penetrating state, and a support portion 222 that supports the outer cylinder portion 221 on the pedestal 4. The sleeve 21 is configured to be able to move in the axial direction while being supported within the outer cylinder portion 221. The inner diameter of the outer cylinder portion 221 is formed to be substantially the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the horizontal portion of the sleeve main body portion 211, and the axial length is formed to be shorter than the length of the horizontal portion of the sleeve main body portion 211.

[0032] The handle 23 includes an annular handle main body portion 231 rotatably provided at the downstream end portion 221a of the outer cylinder portion 221, and a plurality of gripping portions 232 provided on the peripheral surface of the handle main body portion 231.

[0033] The handle main body portion 231 has a female screw portion 231a formed on its inner peripheral surface that is screwed into the male screw portion 212a on the outer peripheral surface of the crimping portion 212 of the sleeve 21. Therefore, when the handle main body portion 231 is rotated in a predetermined direction on the outer cylinder while placing a finger on the gripping portion 232 of the handle 23, the crimping portion 212 of the sleeve 21 moves along the axial direction of the water meter 1 due to the screwing structure between the handle 23 (female screw portion 231a of the handle main body portion 231) and the sleeve 21 (male screw portion 212a of the crimping portion 212). Along with this, the sleeve main body portion 211 can also slide within the outer cylinder portion 221 along the axial direction of the water meter 1. The handle 23 is fixed at the position of the upstream end portion 221a of the outer cylinder portion 221 and only rotates without moving in the axial direction.

[0034] In addition, in the present embodiment, a protrusion 211c is provided on the upper surface of the sleeve main body 211 (horizontal portion), and a notch 221c extending in the axial direction is formed at the upstream end 221b of the outer cylinder portion 221, and the protrusion 211c is engaged with the notch 221c in a state where it can move in the axial direction. Therefore, when the sleeve 21 slides along the axial direction of the water meter 1 by operating the handle 23, the sleeve 21 does not rotate axially with respect to the outer cylinder portion 221, so it is possible to prevent the sleeve 21 of the first joint 2 from rotating together with the handle 23.

[0035] The second joint 3 includes a metal joint main body 31, a support portion 32 that supports the joint main body 31, and a check valve mechanism 33 provided inside the joint main body 31, and is connected coaxially to the outlet portion 12 of the water meter 1 when the water meter 1 is installed.

[0036] The pedestal 4 supports the water meter 1 via the first joint 2 and the second joint 3, and includes a top plate portion 41 having a rectangular shape in plan view, side plate portions 42 extending downward from the peripheral edge of the top plate portion 41, and a substrate portion 43 extending horizontally from the lower end portions of the side plate portions 42, and is installed on a predetermined installation surface. The pedestal 4 includes a support plate portion 44 at the middle portion of the upper surface of the top plate portion 41, and the water meter 1 is also supported from below by the support plate portion 44.

[0037] The inflow pipe 5 includes a metal downstream inflow pipe 51 having a pressure reducing valve 510, with its downstream end 51a connected in a communicating state to the upstream end 21b of the sleeve 21 of the first joint 2 (the upstream end 211b of the sleeve main body 211), a metal upstream inflow pipe 52 having a ball stop valve 520, with its downstream end 52a connected in a communicating state to the upstream end 51b of the downstream inflow pipe 51, and a flexible hose member 53 with its downstream end 53a connected in a communicating state to the upstream end 52b of the upstream inflow pipe 52. Thus, the water flowing from the hose member 53 flows through the upstream inflow pipe 52 and the downstream inflow pipe 51 and then into the first joint 2.

[0038] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, when the sleeve 21 of the first joint 2 slides along the axial direction of the water meter 1 by operating the handle 23, the downstream inflow pipe 51 and the upstream inflow pipe 52 move in the axial direction of the water meter 1 while maintaining a vertical state as the sleeve 21 of the first joint 2 slides. However, since the hose member 53 bends so as to follow the sliding of the sleeve 21 of the first joint 2, the sleeve 21 of the first joint 2 can slide smoothly.

[0039] Thus, when attaching the water meter 1 to the pedestal 4, as shown in FIGS. 1(a) to 1(b), in a state where the outlet portion 12 of the water meter 1 is connected to the second joint 3, by rotating the handle 23 of the first joint 2 (clockwise toward the water meter 1), the sleeve 21 is slid in a direction approaching the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1, and by connecting the crimping portion 212 of the sleeve 21 to the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1 in a crimped state, the water meter 1 can be attached onto the pedestal 4.

[0040] On the other hand, when removing the water meter 1 from the pedestal 4, as shown in FIGS. 1(b) to 1(a), by rotating the handle 23 of the first joint 2 (counterclockwise toward the water meter 1), the sleeve 21 is slid in a direction away from the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1, and by releasing the crimped connection of the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1 by the crimping portion 212 of the sleeve 21, the water meter 1 can be removed from the pedestal 4.

[0041] In this way, instead of crimping the handle 23 of the first joint 2 to the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1, the water meter 1 is attached to the pedestal 4 by directly crimping the sleeve 21 (crimping portion 212) of the first joint 2 to the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1. Therefore, an O-ring is not required between the handle 23 and the sleeve 21 in the first joint 2, and water leakage due to damage of the O-ring does not occur, improving the watertightness.

[0042] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the water meter unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In the following description, only the configurations different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and the same configurations will be omitted and denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the first joint 2 is provided above the inflow side of the pedestal 4, and includes a metal sleeve 21, a metal support portion 22 that supports the sleeve 21, and a metal handle 23 provided integrally with the sleeve 21 and the support portion 22. The sleeve 21 is coaxially connected to the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, the sleeve 21 is formed in an L shape in which the downstream end portion 21a extends in the axial direction of the water meter 1 as a whole, and the upstream end portion 21b extends in the vertical direction with respect to the axial direction of the water meter 1. The sleeve 21 includes a sleeve main body portion 211 that extends horizontally, a crimping portion 212 provided at the downstream end portion 211a of the sleeve main body portion 211, and an elbow pipe 213 provided at the upstream end portion 211b of the sleeve main body portion 211.

[0045] The sleeve main body portion 211 is provided with the crimping portion 212 in contact with the end surface of the upstream end portion 211a, and the downstream end portion 213a of the elbow pipe 213 is rotatably connected to the downstream end portion 211b. A male screw portion 211d that engages with the female screw portion 221d of the outer cylinder portion 221 described later is formed on the outer peripheral surface. Two O-rings 215 are embedded in the outer peripheral surface of the upstream end portion 211b of the sleeve main body portion 211 to improve the watertightness between the sleeve main body portion 211 and the elbow pipe 213.

[0046] The crimping portion 212 is provided with a recess 212b that crimps the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1 when the water meter 1 is installed. The recess 212b is formed by the end surface of the crimping portion 212 and the inner peripheral surface of the handle 23, and the inner diameter is formed to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1. An O-ring 212c that enhances the adhesion to the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1 is embedded in the end surface.

[0047] The elbow pipe 213 has a downstream end 213a rotatably connected to the upstream end 211b of the sleeve main body 211, and an upstream end 213b connected to the downstream end 51a of the downstream inflow pipe 51. A fixing bolt 214 is provided at the downstream end 213a of the elbow pipe 213. By fixing the elbow pipe 213 and the sleeve 21 with the fixing bolt 214, it is possible to prevent the sleeve main body 211 from accidentally rotating axially when the water meter 1 is installed or during work.

[0048] The support portion 22 includes an outer cylinder portion 221 that supports the sleeve main body 211 in a penetrating state, and a support portion 222 that supports the outer cylinder portion 221 on the pedestal 4. The sleeve 21 is configured to be able to move axially while being supported within the outer cylinder portion 221. The inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder portion 221 is formed with an internal thread portion 221d, which is screwed onto the external thread portion 211d formed on the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve main body 211.

[0049] The handle 23 includes an annular handle main body portion 231 rotatably provided at the downstream end 221a of the outer cylinder portion 221, and a plurality of gripping portions 232 provided on the peripheral surface of the handle main body portion 231.

[0050] In this embodiment, the handle main body portion 231 is integrally provided at the downstream end 211a of the sleeve main body 211, and the crimping portion 212 is fixed in a fitted state inside the handle main body portion 231. Therefore, when the handle 23 is rotated in a predetermined direction while a finger is placed on the gripping portion 232 of the handle 23, the sleeve main body 211 can move along the axial direction of the water meter 1 while rotating axially within the outer cylinder portion 221 due to the screwing structure between the sleeve 21 (the external thread portion 211d of the sleeve main body 211) and the outer cylinder portion 221 (the internal thread portion 221d of the outer cylinder portion 221). When the sleeve main body 211 moves in the axial direction of the water meter 1 while rotating axially, the elbow pipe 213 moves along the axial direction of the water meter 1 while maintaining a vertical state without rotating axially, along with the sliding of the sleeve main body 211.

[0051] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a protruding portion 213c that protrudes axially is provided at the downstream end portion 213a of the elbow pipe 213, and a recessed portion 221e that extends axially is formed at the upstream end portion 221b of the outer cylinder portion 221. When the sleeve 21 is connected to the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1, the protruding portion 213c is engaged with the recessed portion 221e. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sleeve 21 of the first joint 2 from accidentally rotating axially when the water meter 1 is in use.

[0052] When attaching the water meter 1 to the pedestal 4, as shown in FIGS. 3(a) to 3(b), with the outlet portion 12 of the water meter 1 connected to the second joint 3, the sleeve 21 is slid in a direction approaching the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1 by a rotation operation (clockwise toward the water meter 1) of the handle 23 in the first joint 2, and the water meter 1 can be attached onto the pedestal 4 by connecting the crimping portion 212 of the sleeve 21 to the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1 in a crimped state.

[0053] On the other hand, when removing the water meter 1 from the pedestal 4, as shown in FIGS. 1(b) to 1(a), the sleeve 21 is slid in a direction away from the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1 by a rotation operation (counterclockwise toward the water meter 1) of the handle 23 in the first joint 2, and the connection of the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1 by the crimping portion 212 of the sleeve 21 is released, whereby the water meter 1 can be removed from the pedestal 4.

[0054] Instead of crimping the handle 23 of the first joint 2 to the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1 in this way, the water meter 1 is attached to the pedestal 4 by directly crimping the sleeve 21 of the first joint 2 to the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1. Therefore, an O-ring is not required between the handle 23 and the sleeve 21 in the first joint 2, and water leakage due to damage to the O-ring does not occur, improving the watertightness. Although an O-ring 215 is provided between the sleeve main body portion 211 and the elbow pipe 213, even if the sleeve main body portion 211 rotates with respect to the elbow pipe 213, it does not shift in the axial direction, and no torsional distortion occurs due to the O-ring 215, so the watertightness can be sufficiently maintained.

[0055] <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the water meter unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5. Hereinafter, only the configurations different from the above-described embodiments will be described, and the same configurations will be omitted and denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0056] In the present embodiment, the first joint 2 has the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment, and a connecting pipe 6 is provided between it and the inflow pipe 5. This connecting pipe 6 is formed in a straight tubular shape that communicates the sleeve 21 and the inflow pipe 5, and includes a bulging downstream end portion 6a that is swingably fitted to the bulging upstream end portion 21b of the sleeve 21, and a bulging upstream end portion 6b that is swingably fitted to the bulging downstream end portion 50a of the most downstream inflow pipe 50 of the inflow pipe 5. Note that the most downstream inflow pipe 50 has its upstream end portion 50b connected in a communicating state to the downstream end portion 51a of the downstream inflow pipe 51.

[0057] When attaching the water meter 1 to the pedestal 4, as shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(b), with the outlet portion 12 of the water meter 1 connected to the second joint 3, when the sleeve 21 is slid in a direction approaching the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1 by a rotational operation (clockwise toward the water meter 1) of the handle 23 in the first joint 2, the connecting pipe 6 shifts from an inclined state to a vertical state between the sleeve 21 and the inflow pipe 5. Therefore, the sleeve 21 can be slid smoothly, and the water meter 1 can be attached easily and surely.

[0058] On the other hand, when removing the water meter 1 from the pedestal 4, as shown in FIGS. 5(b) to 5(a), when the sleeve 21 is slid in a direction away from the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1 by a rotational operation (counterclockwise toward the water meter 1) of the handle 23 in the first joint 2, the connecting pipe 6 shifts from a vertical state to an inclined state between the sleeve 21 and the inflow pipe 5. Therefore, the sleeve 21 can be slid smoothly, and the water meter 1 can be removed easily and surely.

[0059] In this embodiment, a C-shaped fixing jig 7 for fixing the sleeve 21 and the inflow pipe 5 after attaching the water meter 1 is provided between the sleeve 21 of the first joint 2 and the inflow pipe 5, so that it is possible to prevent the first joint 2 and the inflow pipe 5 from accidentally shifting axially after attaching the water meter 1.

[0060] <Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the water meter unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Hereinafter, only the configurations different from the above embodiments will be described, and the same configurations will be omitted and denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0061] In this embodiment, the first joint 2 has the same basic configuration as the first joint 2 according to the second embodiment, and the elbow pipe 213 is configured as a bellows-like expansion and contraction member. Therefore, when the sleeve 21 slides along the axial direction of the water meter 1 by operating the handle 23 of the first joint 2, the elbow pipe 213 bends and expands and contracts as the sleeve 21 slides. Thus, the sleeve 21 of the first joint 2 can slide smoothly on the pedestal 4.

[0062] <The Fifth Embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment of the water meter unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7. Hereinafter, only the configurations different from the above embodiments will be described, and the same configurations will be omitted and denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0063] In this embodiment, the first joint 2 has the same basic configuration as the first joint 2 according to the first embodiment, and an annular diaphragm 8 is provided as an expansion and contraction member between the sleeve body and the elbow pipe 213. The outer peripheral edge portion 8a of the diaphragm 8 is connected to the downstream end portion 213a of the elbow pipe 213, and the inner peripheral edge portion 8b is connected to the upstream end portion 211b of the sleeve body portion 211, and is configured to bend and expand and contract between the sleeve body portion 211 and the elbow pipe 213.

[0064] Thus, when attaching the water meter 1 to the pedestal 4, as shown in FIGS. 7(b) to 7(a), with the outlet portion 12 of the water meter 1 connected to the second joint 3, when the handle 23 of the first joint 2 is rotated (clockwise toward the water meter 1) to slide the sleeve 21 in a direction approaching the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1, the diaphragm 8 shifts from a stretched state to a bent state. Therefore, the sleeve body portion 211 can slide smoothly, and the water meter 1 can be attached easily and surely.

[0065] On the other hand, when removing the water meter 1 from the pedestal 4, as shown in FIGS. 7(a) to 7(b), when the sleeve 21 is slid in a direction away from the inlet portion 11 of the water meter 1 by rotating the handle 23 in the first joint 2 (counterclockwise toward the water meter 1), the diaphragm 8 transitions from a bent state to a taut state. Therefore, the sleeve main body portion 211 can be smoothly slid, and the water meter 1 can be easily and surely removed.

[0066] Note that when the sleeve main body portion 211 in the first joint 2 slides, since the elbow pipe 213 does not move in the axial direction of the water meter 1 while maintaining a vertical state, the inflow pipe 5 also does not move in the axial direction of the water meter 1. Therefore, it is possible to attach and remove the water meter 1 without affecting the inflow pipe 5 and the facilities on its upstream side.

[0067] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Various modifications and variations can be made within the same scope or equivalent scope as the present invention with respect to the illustrated embodiments.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0068] 1... Water meter 11... Inlet portion 12... Outlet portion 13... Meter main body portion 2... First joint 21... Sleeve 21a... Downstream end portion of the sleeve 21b... Upstream end portion of the sleeve 211... Sleeve main body portion 211a... Downstream end portion of the sleeve main body portion 211b... Upstream end portion of the sleeve main body portion 211c... Protrusion 211d... Male screw portion 212... Crimping portion 212a... Male screw portion 212b... Recess 212c... O-ring 213…Elbow pipe 213a…Downstream end of the elbow pipe 213b…Upstream end of the elbow pipe 213c…Protrusion 214…Fixing bolt 215…O-ring 22…Supporting part 221…Outer cylinder part 221a…Downstream end of the outer cylinder part 221b…Upstream end of the outer cylinder part 221c…Notch part 221d…Female thread part 221e…Depression part 222…Support part 23…Handle 231…Handle main body part 231a…Female thread part 232…Grip part 3…Second joint 31…Joint main body part 32…Supporting part 33…Check valve mechanism 4…Base 41…Top plate part 42…Side plate part 43…Substrate part 44…Supporting plate part 5…Inflow pipe 51…Downstream inflow pipe 51a…Downstream end of the downstream inflow pipe 51b…Upstream end of the downstream inflow pipe 510…Pressure reducing valve 52…Upstream inflow pipe 52a…Downstream end of the upstream inflow pipe 52b…Upstream end of the downstream inflow pipe 520…Ball stopcock 53…Hose member 53a…Downstream end of the hose member 6…Connecting pipe 6a…Downstream end of the connecting pipe 6b…Upstream end of the connecting pipe 7…Fixing jig 8…Diaphragm (flexible member)

Claims

1. A water meter unit provided in a water supply facility, having an inlet portion where water flows in and an outlet portion where water flows out, a water meter for measuring the flow rate of water, a first joint provided at the inlet portion of the water meter, a second joint provided at the outlet portion of the water meter, and a pedestal for supporting the water meter, wherein the first joint includes a sleeve detachably connected to the inlet portion of the water meter and a handle provided on the sleeve, and the sleeve slides on the pedestal along the axial direction of the water meter by operating the handle. The water meter unit is characterized by this.

2. The water meter unit according to claim 1, wherein the first joint has the sleeve and the handle provided separately, and the sleeve slides on the pedestal in a state where it cannot rotate axially along the axial direction of the water meter by operating the handle.

3. The water meter unit according to claim 1, wherein the first joint has the sleeve and the handle provided integrally, and the sleeve slides on the pedestal while rotating axially along the axial direction of the water meter by operating the handle.

4. The first joint is provided with a flexible hose member on the inflow side, and the hose member bends as the sleeve of the first joint slides along the axial direction of the water meter. The water meter unit is characterized by this according to claim 1.

5. The sleeve is formed in an L shape where the downstream end extends along the axial direction of the water meter and the upstream end extends along a direction intersecting the axial direction of the water meter. The inflow pipe is connected to the upstream end of the sleeve in a manner that allows axial misalignment in the axial direction of the water meter. The water meter unit is characterized by this according to claim 1.

6. A connecting pipe communicating the sleeve and the inflow pipe is provided between the sleeve of the first joint and the inflow pipe, wherein the downstream end of the connecting pipe is connected to the upstream end of the sleeve in a swingable manner, and the upstream end is connected to the downstream end of the inflow pipe in a swingable manner. The water meter unit is characterized by this according to claim 5.

7. A fixing jig for fixing the sleeve and the inflow pipe is provided between the sleeve of the first joint and the inflow pipe. The water meter unit is characterized by this according to claim 6.

8. The water meter unit according to claim 1, wherein the first joint is provided with a flexible member at at least the upstream end of the sleeve, and the flexible member bends and / or expands and contracts as the sleeve slides.

9. The water meter unit according to claim 8, wherein the flexible member is a diaphragm provided between the sleeve and the inflow pipe.

10. The water meter unit according to claim 1, wherein the first joint is provided with a fixing jig for fixing the sleeve when the sleeve is connected to the inlet portion of the water meter.

11. The water meter unit according to claim 2, wherein the first joint includes an outer cylinder portion that supports the sleeve in a penetrating state, and the sleeve slides on the pedestal along the axial direction of the water meter in a state where the sleeve is engaged with the outer cylinder portion.

12. The water meter unit according to claim 2, wherein the first joint includes an outer cylinder portion that supports the sleeve in a penetrating state, and when the sleeve is connected to the inlet portion of the water meter, the sleeve and the outer cylinder portion are made to fit together.

13. A water meter unit provided in a water meter that has an inlet portion where water flows in and an outlet portion where water flows out and measures the flow rate of water, a first joint provided at the inlet portion of the water meter, a second joint provided at the outlet portion of the water meter, and a pedestal that supports the water meter, wherein the first joint includes a sleeve detachably connected to the inlet portion of the water meter and a handle provided on the sleeve, and the sleeve slides on the pedestal along the axial direction of the water meter by operating the handle.

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