Tension fixture type pillar

Abstract

To provide a tension fixture type pillar which prevents easy release of a handle restriction structure for restricting operation of a handle to achieve high-level safety.SOLUTION: In a tension fixture type pillar, a handle restriction structure 42 includes: a first lock structure 43 for restricting position change of a handle 11 from a locked position to an intermediate position; and a second lock structure 44 for restricting the handle 11 in the locked position from changing its position by swing operation. The first lock structure 43 is guided and supported between an engagement position at which a lock claw 48 of a lock piece 49 is engaged with a lock recessed part 47 to restrict an extension handle 23 from being operated to be displaced from a storage position to an extension position and an engagement release position at which the lock claw 48 is disengaged from the lock recessed part 47 to allow the extension handle 23 to being operated to be displaced from the storage position to the extension position. The tension fixture type pillar is provided with a sub-lock structure 64 which prevents the lock piece 49 of the first lock structure 43 from being operated to be displaced from the engagement position to the engagement release position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tension-fixed column installed between a floor and a ceiling.

Background Art

[0002] Regarding this type of column, the applicant has proposed a tension-fixed column in Patent Document 1. The column of Patent Document 1 includes an upper frame body having a ceiling pressing body, a lower frame body having a floor contact body, and a fixing mechanism (locking mechanism) provided between the upper part of the lower frame body and the middle part of the upper frame body for fixing and holding the upper frame body pulled out from the lower frame body so as not to move up and down. The fixing mechanism includes a fulcrum ring fixed to the upper part of the lower frame body, a holding ring externally fitted to the upper frame body for holding and fixing the middle part of the upper frame body, a handle (locking handle) supported by a handle support shaft provided on the holding ring so as to be swingable up and down, and a push-up link connecting the fulcrum ring and the handle. The handle includes a handle base connected to the holding ring via a handle support shaft, and an extension handle configured to be extendable with respect to the handle base. The handle is configured to be swingably displaceable between a lock release posture in which the handle base and the extension handle protrude outside the holding ring around the upper frame body and the holding and fixing state of the upper frame body by the holding ring is released, and a lock posture in which the handle base and the extension handle are along the periphery of the lower frame body and the holding and fixing state of the upper frame body by the holding ring is established. The extension handle is configured to be slidably displaceable between a storage posture covering the outer surface of the handle base and an extension posture protruding from the end of the handle base in the extending direction of the handle base to increase the length of the handle. In a state where the extension handle is in the extension posture, the handle is configured to be able to be switched between the lock release posture and the lock posture. Between the handle and the fulcrum ring, there are provided a first lock structure for restricting the extension handle in the storage posture from protruding from the end of the handle base to the outside of the base, and a second lock structure for restricting the posture displacement of the handle from the lock posture to the lock release posture.

[0003] Specifically, the first locking structure includes a locking recess provided at the lower part of the fulcrum ring and opening outwardly laterally, and a locking piece provided on the handle base and having a locking claw that engages with and disengages from the locking recess. The locking piece is guided and supported so as to be reciprocally slidable with respect to the handle base between an engagement posture in which the locking claw engages with the locking recess and an engagement release posture in which the locking claw disengages from the locking recess. In a state where the handle is in the retracted posture, by setting the locking piece in the engagement posture, the locking claw is engaged with the locking recess, and the extension handle is configured to be restricted from changing its posture from the retracted posture to the extended posture. The second locking structure includes a second locking recess provided at the lower part of the fulcrum ring and opening downward, and a second locking claw provided on the extension handle and engaging with and disengaging from the second locking recess. When the extension handle is switched to the retracted posture, the second locking claw engages with the second locking recess, and the handle base and the extension handle are restricted from swinging about the handle support shaft. By lowering the extension handle from the retracted posture to the extended posture along the handle base, the second locking claw disengages from the second locking recess, and the handle base and the extension handle are configured to be swingable about the handle support shaft.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the support pole of Patent Document 1, to operate the handle from the locked position to the unlocked position, both locking structures must be released. Specifically, the lock piece of the first locking structure must be displaced from the engaged position to the disengaged position (to release the restriction imposed by the first locking structure), and then the extension handle must be displaced from the retracted position to the extended position to release the restriction imposed by the second locking structure. In this way, the support pole of Patent Document 1 prevents the unlocking operation by two locking structures, preventing accidental operation of the handle. However, the first locking structure can be released simply by sliding the lock piece, and since the lock piece is exposed on the outer surface of the fixing mechanism, it is relatively easy to operate. Therefore, the support pole of Patent Document 1 is susceptible to the risk of the restriction imposed by the first locking structure being released by tampering or the like, resulting in the handle being accidentally unlocked. This leaves room for improvement.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a brace-fixed support pole that is safer by preventing a handle restriction structure that restricts the operation of the handle from being easily released. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The strut of the tension-fixed type of the present invention includes an upper frame body 1 provided with a ceiling pressing body 3 that abuts against the ceiling R, a lower frame body 2 provided with a floor contacting body 4 placed on the floor F, and a fixing mechanism 5 provided between the upper part of the lower frame body 2 and the middle part of the upper frame body 1 for fixedly holding the upper frame body 1 drawn out from the lower frame body 2 so as not to move up and down. The fixing mechanism 5 includes a fulcrum ring 8 fixed to the upper part of the lower frame body 2, a holding ring 9 externally fitted to the upper frame body 1 for holding and fixing the middle part of the upper frame body 1, a handle 11 supported by a handle support shaft 10 provided on the holding ring 9 so as to be swingable up and down, and a handle regulating structure 42 for regulating the posture displacement of the handle 11. The handle 11 includes a handle base 22 swingably connected to the holding ring 9 via the handle support shaft 10, and an extension handle 23 configured to be extendable and retractable with respect to the handle base 22. The extension handle 23 is configured to be slidably displaceable between a storage posture in which it covers the outer surface of the handle base 22 and an extended posture in which it extends from the end of the handle base 22 in the extending direction of the handle base 22 to increase the length of the handle 11. The handle 11 is configured to be posture-displaceable between a lock posture in which the handle base 22 and the extension handle 23 in the storage posture are along the peripheral surface of the lower frame body 2 and the holding and fixing state of the upper frame body 1 by the holding ring 9 is established, an intermediate posture in which the handle base 22 and the extension handle 23 in the extended posture are along the peripheral surface of the lower frame body 2 and the holding and fixing state of the upper frame body 1 by the holding ring 9 is established, and a lock release posture in which the handle base 22 and the extension handle 23 project outward of the holding ring 9 around the handle support shaft 10 and the holding and fixing state of the upper frame body 1 by the holding ring 9 is released. The handle regulating structure 42 includes a first lock structure 43 for regulating the posture displacement of the handle 11 from the lock posture to the intermediate posture, and a second lock structure 44 for regulating the posture displacement of the handle 11 caused by being swing-operated from the lock posture. By releasing the regulation of the first lock structure 43 and then the second lock structure 44, the handle 11 in the lock posture can be posture-displaced to the lock release posture via the intermediate posture.The first locking structure 43 comprises a locking recess 47 that is provided on the lower part of the fulcrum ring 8 and opens outward, and a locking piece 49 that is provided on the extension handle 23. The locking piece 49 is guided and supported so as to be able to slide back and forth between an engaged position in which a locking claw 48 of the locking piece 49 engages with the locking recess 47 to restrict the extension handle 23 from being displaced from the retracted position to the extended position, and a disengaged position in which the locking claw 48 disengages from the locking recess 47 to allow the extension handle 23 to be displaced from the retracted position to the extended position. The first locking structure 43 is further characterized by the provision of a sub-locking structure 64 that prevents the locking piece 49 of the first locking structure 43 from being displaced from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

[0008] A slide groove 50 in which the lock piece 49 is slidably mounted is formed at the tip of the extension handle 23. The slide groove 50 is a recess with an operation opening 51 on the tip surface of the extension handle 23, and the lock piece 49 can be displaced from the engaged position to the disengaged position via the operation opening 51. The sub-lock structure 64 is composed of a closure cap 65 that is displaceable between a closed position that blocks the operation opening 51 to prevent the lock piece 49 from being displaced from the engaged position to the disengaged position, and an open position that opens the operation opening 51 to allow the lock piece 49 to be displaced from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

[0009] The closing cap 65 comprises a cap body 66 that closes the operation opening 51 in the closed position, and a holding body 67 that extends from the cap body 66 and holds the lower frame body 2. The closing cap 65 is guided and supported so as to be able to slide up and down as the holding body 67 slides relative to the lower frame body 2, and is held in position relative to the lower frame body 2 by frictional resistance between the lower frame body 2 and the holding body 67.

[0010] On the upper surface of the cap body 66, a pair of engaging arms 68·68 project upward. On the inner surface of the slide groove 50, a pair of engaging stepped portions 69·69 are formed for the engaging arms 68 to engage and disengage. When the engaging arm 68 engages with the engaging stepped portion 69, the closing cap 65 is connected to the tip of the extension handle 23 at the closed position.

[0011] A level 70 is provided between the pair of engaging arms 68·68. The level 70 is visible when the closing cap 65 is in the open position, and is configured to be housed in the inner space surrounded by the slide groove 50 and the cap body 66 and not visible when the closing cap 65 is in the closed position.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] In the strut of the tension-fixed type according to the present invention, the handle 11 can be displaced in posture from the locked posture (see Fig. 13(a)) to the unlocked posture (Fig. 12(a)) by the following procedure. First, as shown in Fig. 13(a), from the state where the handle 11 is in the locked posture, the sub-lock structure 64 is operated to release the restriction on the locking piece 49 of the first lock structure 43 (Fig. 13(b)). Next, after displacing the locking piece 49 of the first lock structure 43 from the engaged posture to the disengaged posture (Fig. 13(c)), the extension handle 23 is displaced from the stored posture to the extended posture, and the handle 11 is slidably displaced from the locked posture to the intermediate posture (Fig. 13(d)). By this displacement operation of the handle 11 from the locked posture to the intermediate posture, the restriction on the handle 11 of the second lock structure 44 is released. Finally, the handle 11 is swing-displaced from the intermediate posture to the unlocked posture (Fig. 12(a)). Thus, the handle 11 can be displaced from the locked posture to the unlocked posture. Also, by displacing the handle 11 to the unlocked posture in this way, the holding and fixing state of the upper frame body 1 by the holding ring 9 can be released, and the length of the strut can be changed to be longer or shorter.

[0013] As described above, the tension-type fixed support post according to the present invention is provided with a sub-lock structure 64 that prevents the lock piece 49 of the first locking structure 43 from being displaced from the engaged position to the disengaged position, thereby preventing the lock piece 49 from being displaced to the disengaged position by tampering, etc. As described above, according to the present invention, the handle restriction structure 42, such as the first locking structure 43 and the second locking structure 44, can be more reliably prevented from being easily released, thereby preventing the handle 11 from being inadvertently unlocked by tampering, etc., and providing a tension-type fixed support post with superior safety.

[0014] If the sub-lock structure 64 is configured with a blocking cap 65 that is displaceable between a blocked position that blocks the operation opening 51 of the slide groove 50 in which the lock piece 49 is attached, thereby preventing the lock piece 49 from being displaced from the engaged position to the disengaged position, and an open position that opens the operation opening 51 and allows the lock piece 49 to be displaced from the engaged position to the disengaged position, placing the blocking cap 65 in the blocked position can block the operation opening 51 of the slide groove 50 and prevent the lock piece 49 from being displaced, and placing the blocking cap 65 in the open position can open the operation opening 51 and allow the lock piece 49 to be displaced. As described above, according to the present invention, placing the blocking cap 65 in the blocked position can reliably block the operation opening 51 of the slide groove 50 and prevent the lock piece 49 from being displaced, thereby preventing the lock piece 49 from being inadvertently displaced by tampering, etc.

[0015] The closing cap 65 includes a cap body 66 that closes the operation opening 51 at the closing position, and a holding body 67 that extends from the cap body 66 and holds the lower frame body 2. The closing cap 65 is guided and supported so as to be vertically slidable by the sliding of the holding body 67 with respect to the lower frame body 2, and is held in position with respect to the lower frame body 2 by the frictional resistance between the lower frame body 2 and the holding body 67. By imparting both the guiding support and the position holding functions of the closing cap 65 to the holding body 67, the configuration of the closing cap 65 can be simplified. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the overall cost of the support column due to the provision of the sub-block structure 64.

[0016] When the engaging arm 68 engages with the engaging step portion 69 so that the closing cap 65 is connected to the tip of the extension handle 23 at the closing position, in order to displace the closing cap 65 from the closing position to the open position, in addition to the operating force against the frictional resistance between the lower frame body 2 and the holding body 67, an operating force for separating the engaging arm 68 from the engaging step portion 69 is required. From the above, in order to displace the closing cap 65, a larger operating force is required, so it is possible to prevent the closing cap 65 in the closed position from being inadvertently displaced to the open position due to mischief or the like.

[0017] When the level 70 provided on the closing cap 65 is configured to be visible when the closing cap 65 is in the open position, when installing the support column between the floor F and the ceiling R, the locking operation of the fixing mechanism 5 can be performed while checking with the level 70 whether the support column is in a vertical posture. Also, after the installation of the support column, it is possible to check with the level 70 whether the support column is installed vertically. In addition, when the level 70 is configured to be housed in the inner space surrounded by the slide groove 50 and the cap body 66 and not visible when the closing cap 65 is in the closed position, the level 70 will not be exposed on the outer surface of the support column after installation, and it is possible to prevent the appearance of the support column from being impaired.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

[0019] (Embodiment) Figures 1 to 13 show an embodiment of a tension-type support column of the present invention. In this embodiment, the terms "front, back, left, right, top, bottom" refer to the crossed arrows shown in Figures 2, 4, and 9 and the symbols near each arrow. In Figure 2, the tension-type support column includes an upper frame 1 with a ceiling presser 3 that contacts the ceiling R, a lower frame 2 with a floor-contact member 4 that rests on the floor F, and a fixing mechanism 5 located between the top of the lower frame 2 and the middle of the upper frame 1 to securely hold the upper frame 1 in place and prevent it from moving up and down when pulled out from the lower frame 2. The upper frame 1 is formed from a stainless steel round pipe, and the lower frame 2 is formed from a resin-coated high-strength aluminum alloy round pipe. The upper frame 1 is made of a round pipe whose outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the lower frame 2. This diameter difference allows the upper frame 1 to be inserted and removed from the lower frame 2.

[0020] As shown in Figure 4, the fixing mechanism 5 includes a fulcrum ring 8 fixed to the upper part of the lower frame body 2, a holding ring 9 fitted onto the outside of the upper frame body 1 to hold and fix the middle part of the frame body 1, a handle 11 supported so as to be swingable up and down by a handle support shaft 10 provided on the holding ring 9, a push-up link 12 connecting the fulcrum ring 8 and the handle 11, and a cam structure for operating the holding ring 9 to reduce its diameter.

[0021] 1 and 4, the fulcrum ring 8 is formed by joining a pair of halves made of aluminum die-cast moldings formed on opposite sides, and includes a cylindrical fitting tube 15 and a guide frame 16 that protrudes from the front surface of the fitting tube 15. The fulcrum ring 8 is fixed to the lower frame 2 in such a manner that the fitting tube 15 is fitted into the upper end of the lower frame 2, which is made of a round pipe, and the guide frame 16 protrudes forward from a notch 17 formed in the cylindrical wall on the front upper end of the lower frame 2. The inner diameter of the fitting tube 15 is formed to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the round pipe that makes up the upper frame 1, and the upper frame 1 is guided by the fulcrum ring 8 to slide freely up and down by sliding against the inner surface of the fitting tube 15.

[0022] The holding ring 9 is formed from an aluminum die-cast product including a ring main body 18 with a C-shaped cross section and a pair of brackets 19 that protrude continuously from the circumferential edge of the ring main body 18. The left and right brackets 19 face each other with a gap between them, and by narrowing this gap with a cam structure, the inner surface of the cylindrical wall of the ring main body 18 is brought into close contact with the upper frame 1, and the upper frame 1 is held and fixed by the frictional force between them (upper frame 1 and holding ring 9). The ring main body 18 is housed within the cylinder of the lower frame 2 above the fulcrum ring 8, and the brackets 19 protrude forward from a notch 17 in the lower frame 2. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 20 denotes an upper end cover that closes the upper end opening of the lower frame 2 and covers the upper part of the handle 11.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the handle 11 includes a handle base 22 and an extendable handle 23 that is guided and telescopically slidably supported by the base 22. The handle base 22 is a frame with a gate-shaped cross section, and a pair of connecting portions 24 formed on one end thereof are connected to the bracket portion 19 of the holding ring 9 by the handle support shaft 10. The handle support shaft 10, which is a hexagonal bolt, is inserted into the support shaft holes of the bracket portion 19 and the connecting portion 24 and is fixed by a nut 25 threaded onto the shaft end (see Figure 4). As shown in Figure 6, one end of the push-up link 12 is connected by a link shaft 27 to a pair of link frames 26 formed on the inner surface of the handle base 22, and the other end of the push-up link 12 is connected to a link groove 29 of the guide frame 16 via a fulcrum shaft 28. The link groove 29 is recessed into the inner surface of a slit 30 that extends vertically in the guide frame 16 (see Figure 4).

[0024] As shown in Figure 5, the extension handle 23 is composed of an inner handle body 33 with a gate-shaped cross section that is slidably guided by the handle base 22, and a cover body 34 with a gate-shaped cross section that covers the outer surface of the inner handle body 33. The inner handle body 33 is formed by joining a pair of half bodies made of plastic molded products that are formed on opposite sides. The handle base 22 and the inner handle body 33 are integrated by sandwiching the handle base 22 between the pair of half bodies and fastening the half bodies in this state with three screws 35. The cover body 34 is fitted and fixed to the front and left and right sides of the inner handle body 33 to be integrated with it. Its longitudinal dimension is longer than that of the inner handle body 33, and a slide groove 50 for a lock piece 49, described later, is formed at its tip (on the swing tip side)

[0025] The extension handle 23 is slidable between a stored position (the position shown in FIG. 1) in which the handle 23 covers the outer surface of the handle base 22, and an extended position (the position shown in FIG. 3) in which the extension handle 23 extends from the end of the handle base 22 to the outside of the base 22, increasing the handle length. To achieve this, a pair of guide ribs 36, 36 are provided on the outer surfaces of the left and right walls of the handle base 22, respectively, and these guide ribs 36, 36 slide and guide slide ribs 37 provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right walls of the inner handle body 33 (see FIG. 5).

[0026] The handle 11 can be swung between an unlocked position (the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 12(a)) in which the handle base 22 and the extension handle 23 in the extended position protrude outward from the holding ring 9 around the handle support shaft 10 provided on the holding ring 9, and the holding and fixed state of the upper frame body 1 by the holding ring 9 is released, and an intermediate position (the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 12(b)) in which the handle base 22 and the extension handle 23 in the extended position follow the circumferential surface of the lower frame body 2, and the holding and fixed state of the upper frame body 1 by the holding ring 9 is established. Furthermore, the handle 11 can be extended and retracted between the aforementioned intermediate position and a locked position (the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 12(c)) in which the handle base 22 and the extension handle 23 in the stored position follow the circumferential surface of the lower frame body 2, and the holding and fixed state of the upper frame body 1 by the holding ring 9 is maintained.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, between the bracket portion 19 of the holding ring 9 and the connecting portion 24 of the handle base 22, a cam structure is provided for reducing the diameter of the holding ring 9 as the handle 11 swings to the intermediate position. The cam structure is composed of a pair of fan-shaped cam pieces 38 bulging from the outer surface of the bracket portion 19 and an operating portion 39 bulging from the opposing surface of the connecting portion 24. FIG. 7(a) shows the cam structure when the handle 11 is in the unlock position, and FIG. 7(b) shows the cam structure when the handle 11 is in the intermediate or locked position. When the handle 11 is in the unlock position, the operating portion 39 and the cam pieces 38 are alternately arranged around the handle support shaft 10. When the handle 11 is swung downward from the unlock position to the intermediate position, the operating portion 39 rides on the cam pieces 38, narrowing the opposing interval of the bracket portion 19 and tightly fixing the ring main body portion 18 to the upper frame body 1.

[0028] The fixing mechanism 5 is provided with a handle restricting structure 42 for preventing the unlocking operation of the handle 11. The handle restricting structure 42 includes a first locking structure 43 for restricting the extension handle 23 of the handle 11 in the locked position from being slidably operated to the extended position unnecessarily and causing the handle 11 to be displaced to the intermediate position, and a second locking structure 44 for restricting the handle 11 in the locked position from being swung around the handle support shaft 10 unnecessarily. The handle 11 in the locked position can be displaced to the unlock position through the intermediate position by releasing the restriction by the first locking structure 43 and then releasing the restriction by the second locking structure 44.

[0029] 5 and 8, the first locking structure 43 includes a first locking recess (locking recess) 47 that is provided in the lower part of the fulcrum ring 8, specifically in the fitting cylinder 15 below the guide frame 16, and opens forward (outward sideways), and a locking piece 49 that has a first locking claw (locking claw) 48 that engages with and disengages from the first locking recess 47. At the swinging tip of the extension handle 23, a slide groove 50 that slidably guides and supports the locking piece 49 is formed across the inner handle body 33 and the cover body 34. This slide groove 50 consists of a recess that has an operation opening 51 on the swinging tip surface of the extension handle 23.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, slide recesses 52 are formed in the left and right side surfaces of the lock piece 49, and these slide recesses 52 are guided by guide protrusions 53 provided on the opposing lower surface of the inner handle body 33, so that the lock piece 49 is mounted in the slide groove 50 so that it can slide back and forth. The lock piece 49 mounted in the slide groove 50 is guided and supported so that it can slide back and forth between an engaged position (see solid lines in Figure 8) in which the first locking claw 48 of the lock piece 49 engages with the first locking recess 47, restricting the extension handle 23 from being displaced from the retracted position to the extended position, and a disengaged position (see phantom lines in Figure 8) in which the first locking claw 48 disengages from the first locking recess 47, allowing the extension handle 23 to be displaced from the retracted position to the extended position.

[0031] An operating piece 54 protrudes downward from the front end of the lock piece 49. As shown in Figure 8, in the engaged position, the front surface of the operating piece 54 is flush with the front surface of the extension handle 23, and in the disengaged position, the operating piece 54 protrudes forward from the front surface of the extension handle 23. The lock piece 49 can be displaced from the engaged position to the disengaged position by operating the operating piece 54 through the operation opening 51.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 8, the second lock structure 44 is provided at the lower part of the fulcrum ring 8, specifically at the lower end of the guide frame 16, and includes a second lock recess 55 that opens downward and a second lock claw 56 that is provided on the inner handle body 33 of the extension handle 23 and engages with and disengages from the second lock recess 55. In a state where the extension handle 23 is switched to the stored position, that is, in a state where the handle 11 is switched to the locked position, the second lock claw 56 engages with the second lock recess 55 to hold the handle 11 in the locked state, and it is possible to restrict the handle 11 from swinging unnecessarily about the handle support shaft 10.

[0033] According to the second lock structure 44 as described above, even when a part of the body collides with the support column and an external force acts on the handle 11, it is possible to reliably prevent the handle 11 from swinging away from the lower frame body 2 about the handle support shaft 10, that is, swinging upward. Further, the second lock structure 44 can be switched to the locked state simply by sliding the extension handle 23 from the extended position to the stored position, and conversely, it can be switched to the unlocked state simply by sliding the extension handle 23 from the stored position toward the extended position.

[0034] A moderation structure for holding the extension handle 23 in the stored position and the extended position is provided between the handle base 22 and the inner handle body 33. As shown in Fig. 5, the moderation structure includes a fixed moderation body 60 composed of a pair of elastic claws provided on the handle base 22, and upper and lower movable moderation bodies 61·61 formed with recesses on the inner surface of the extension handle 23 and engaged with the fixed moderation body 60. The extension handle 23 in the state switched to the stored position is held with the fixed moderation body 60 engaged with the lower movable moderation body 61 as shown in Fig. 1, and the extension handle 23 in the state switched to the extended position is held with the fixed moderation body 60 engaged with the upper movable moderation body 61 as shown in Fig. 3.

[0035] Furthermore, in the support column according to the present embodiment, a sub-block structure 64 that prevents displacement operation of the first lock structure 43 is provided between the lower frame body 2 and the handle 11. The sub-block structure 64 prevents the lock piece 49 switched to the engaged posture from being displaced to the disengaged posture, and is composed of a closing cap 65 that is displaceable between an upper closing position (the state shown in FIG. 1) that closes the operation opening 51 of the slide groove 50 and a lower opening position (the state shown in FIG. 3) that opens the operation opening 51 of the slide groove 50. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the closing cap 65 includes a cap body 66 whose planar shape matches the outer contour shape of the lower end surface of the cover body 34 and closes the operation opening 51 at the closing position, and a holding body 67 composed of a pair of left and right elastic arms that extend from the cap body 66 and hold the lower frame body 2.

[0036] The closing cap 65 can be slid along the lower frame body 2 in a state where the holding body 67 holds the outer surface of the lower frame body 2. That is, the closing cap 65 is guided and supported so as to be vertically slidable along the lower frame body 2. Further, the closing cap 65 is held in position with respect to the lower frame body 2 by the frictional resistance between the lower frame body 2 and the holding body 67, and the position of the closing cap 65 can be changed by vertically displacing it against this frictional resistance. When the closing cap 65 is switched to the closing position, the cap body 66 closes the operation opening 51 and prevents the lock piece 49 from being displaced from the engaged posture to the disengaged posture. Further, when the closing cap 65 is switched to the open position, the operation opening 51 is opened and the lock piece 49 can be displaced from the engaged posture to the disengaged posture.

[0037] As shown in Figure 9, a pair of engagement arms 68 protrude upward from the left and right sides of the top surface of the cap body 66. In addition, a pair of engagement steps 69 into which the engagement arms 68 engage and disengage are formed on the left and right sides of the inner surface of the slide groove 50. The closure cap 65 in the closed position is connected to the tip of the extension handle 23 by the engagement of the engagement arms 68 with the engagement steps 69. As described above, when the closure cap 65 is moved from the closed position to the open position, in addition to the frictional resistance between the lower frame 2 and the holder 67, an operating force is required to release the engagement between the engagement steps 69 and the engagement arms 68, so that the closure cap 65 can be prevented from being moved to the open position inadvertently. As shown in Figure 11, when the blocking cap 65 is connected to the extension handle 23, no steps are formed at the boundaries between the extension handle 23 and the blocking cap 65, the extension handle 23 and the lock piece 49, and the blocking cap 65 and the lock piece 49, and the surfaces of these three (extension handle 23, blocking cap 65, lock piece 49) are smoothly continuous.

[0038] As shown in Figure 10, the closing cap 65 is provided with a spirit level 70. This spirit level 70 is made up of a circular level filled with liquid and air bubbles, and is attached to the top surface of the cap body 66 between a pair of engaging arms 68, 68. When the closing cap 65 is in the open position, the user (the person installing the support pole) can see the spirit level 70 (see Figure 3), but when the closing cap 65 is in the closed position, the spirit level 70 is stored in the inner space surrounded by the slide groove 50 and the cap body 66, so the user cannot see the spirit level 70 (see Figure 1).

[0039] The installation procedure for the tension-fixed support column configured as described above will be explained. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the floor support body 4 is placed on the floor F and the lower frame body 2 is raised. In this state, the upper frame body 1 is slid upward relative to the lower frame body 2, and the ceiling presser body 3 is positioned directly opposite the ceiling R with a small gap between them. In this state, the handle 11 is in the unlocked position as shown in FIG. 12(a). Also, the blocking cap 65 that constitutes the sub-lock structure 64 is in the open position on the lower side. When the handle 11 is swung downward from this state, the push-up link 12 moves downward along the link groove 29 together with the handle 11, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 6, and the fulcrum shaft 28 is received at the lower end of the link groove 29.

[0040] When the handle 11 is further pushed down from the position shown by the imaginary line in Figure 6, the operating portion 39 provided on the connecting portion 24 rides up onto the cam piece 38, causing the pair of bracket portions 19 to move closer to each other and the ring main body 18 to contract in diameter, embracing and fixing the upper frame body 1. In this state, the fulcrum shaft 28 is received at the lower end of the link groove 29, so the handle base 22 is supported and tensioned by the push-up link 12, and after the upper frame body 1 is pushed up toward the ceiling R, the handle 11 switches to the intermediate position as shown in Figure 12(b). As a result, the upper frame body 1 is pushed up by the push-up reaction force of the push-up link 12, and the ceiling presser 3 comes into close contact with the ceiling R, so that the entire support column is fixed and tensioned between the floor F and the ceiling R. At this time, the level 70 provided on the blocking cap 65 is used to check whether the support column is installed vertically, and if it is not vertical, the handle 11 is temporarily switched to the unlocked position, the position of the ceiling pressing body 3 relative to the ceiling R is adjusted, and then the handle 11 is again operated to the intermediate position.

[0041] Next, as shown in Figure 12(c), the extension handle 23 is slid to the storage position to switch the handle 11 to the locked position. At this time, the second locking structure 44 is switched to the locked state. Next, the lock piece 49 is displaced to the engaged position to switch the first locking structure 43 to the locked state, preventing the extension handle 23 from switching to the extended position. Finally, as shown in Figure 13(a), the blocking cap 65 of the sub-locking structure 64 is switched from the open position to the closed position to prevent the lock piece 49 from being displaced to the disengaged position.

[0042] To remove the support pole, simply reverse the previous steps. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13(a), the handle 11 is first in the locked position. Then, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the closing cap 65 of the sub-lock structure 64 is slid along the lower frame 2 from the upper closed position to the lower open position, opening the operation opening 51 and enabling the first locking structure 43 to be displaced to the disengaged position. Next, as shown in FIG. 13(c), the lock piece 49 of the first locking structure 43 is pulled outward to displace the lock piece 49 from the engaged position to the disengaged position, releasing the lock state of the first locking structure 43 and enabling the extension handle 23 to be displaced from the retracted position to the extended position. Next, as shown in FIG. 13(d), the extension handle 23 is moved from the retracted position to the extended position, and the handle 11 is set to the intermediate position. Furthermore, by setting the extension handle 23 to the extended position in this manner, the second locking claw 56 constituting the second locking structure 44 is disengaged from the second locking recess 55, thereby releasing the locked state by the second locking structure 44. Finally, by swinging the handle 11 around the handle support shaft 10, the handle 11 can be moved from the intermediate position to the unlocked position (see FIG. 12(a)), releasing the state in which the lower frame 2 is fixed to the upper frame 1 by the fixing mechanism 5. Furthermore, the tension of the support pillar between the ceiling R and the floor F can be released, allowing the support pillar to be removed.

[0043] As described above, in the strut of the propping and fixing type according to the present embodiment, since the sub-lock structure 64 that prevents the lock piece 49 of the first lock structure 43 from being displaced from the engaged position to the disengaged position is provided, it is possible to prevent the lock piece 49 from being displaced to the disengaged position due to mischief or the like. From the above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to more reliably prevent the handle restriction structure 42 such as the first lock structure 43 and the second lock structure 44 from being easily released, so that it is possible to prevent the handle 11 from being inadvertently unlocked due to mischief or the like, and a propping and fixing type strut with better safety can be obtained.

[0044] The sub-lock structure 64 is composed of a closing cap 65 that can be displaced between a closed position that blocks the operation opening 51 of the slide groove 50 where the lock piece 49 is mounted to prevent the lock piece 49 from being displaced from the engaged position to the disengaged position, and an open position that opens the operation opening 51 to allow the lock piece 49 to be displaced from the engaged position to the disengaged position. Therefore, by setting the closing cap 65 to the closed position, it is possible to block the operation opening 51 of the slide groove 50 and prevent the lock piece 49 from being displaced, and by setting the closing cap 65 to the open position, it is possible to open the operation opening 51 and displace the lock piece 49. From the above, according to the present embodiment, by setting the closing cap 65 to the closed position, it is possible to reliably prevent the operation opening 51 of the slide groove 50 from being blocked and the lock piece 49 from being displaced, so that it is possible to prevent the lock piece 49 from being inadvertently displaced due to mischief or the like.

[0045] The closing cap 65 is provided with a cap body 66 that closes the operation opening 51 in the closed position, and a holding body 67 that extends from the cap body 66 and holds the lower frame body 2. The closing cap 65 is guided and supported so as to be vertically slidable by the sliding of the holding body 67 with respect to the lower frame body 2, and is positionally held with respect to the lower frame body 2 by the frictional resistance between the lower frame body 2 and the holding body 67. Therefore, both functions of guiding and supporting and positional holding of the closing cap 65 are imparted to the holding body 67, and the configuration of the closing cap 65 can be simplified. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress an increase in the overall cost of the support column due to the provision of the sub-block structure 64.

[0046] When the engaging arm 68 engages with the engaging step portion 69, the closing cap 65 is connected to the tip of the extension handle 23 in the closed position. Therefore, in order to displace the closing cap 65 from the closed position to the open position, in addition to the operating force that resists the frictional resistance between the lower frame body 2 and the holding body 67, an operating force for separating the engaging arm 68 from the engaging step portion 69 is required. From the above, in order to displace the closing cap 65, a larger operating force is required, so it is possible to prevent the closing cap 65 in the closed position from being inadvertently displaced to the open position due to mischief or the like.

[0047] The level 70 provided on the closing cap 65 is configured to be visible when the closing cap 65 is in the open position. Therefore, when installing the support column between the floor F and the ceiling R, the locking operation of the fixing mechanism 5 can be performed while checking with the level 70 whether the support column is in a vertical posture. Also, after the installation of the support column, it is possible to check with the level 70 whether the support column is installed vertically. In addition, since the level 70 is configured to be housed in the inner space surrounded by the slide groove 50 and the cap body 66 and not visible when the closing cap 65 is in the closed position, the level 70 is not exposed on the outer surface of the support column after installation, and it is possible to prevent the appearance of the support column from being impaired.

Explanation of Signs

[0048] 1 Upper frame body 2 Lower frame body 3 Ceiling pressure body 4 Floor contact body 5 Fixing mechanism 8 Fulcrum ring 9 Embrace Ring 10 Handle support shaft 11 Handle 22 Handle base 23 Extension handle 42 Handle regulation structure 43 First lock structure 44 Second lock structure 47 Lock recess (first lock recess) 48 Locking claw (first locking claw) 49 Rock Piece 50 Slide groove 51 Operation opening 64 Sub-lock structure 65 Closure Cap 66 Cap body 67 Holding body 68 Engagement arm 69 Engagement stepped portion 70 Level F floor R ceiling

Claims

1. An upper frame body (1) having a ceiling pressing body (3) that contacts the ceiling (R), a lower frame body (2) having a floor contacting body (4) placed on the floor (F), and an upper frame body (1) drawn out from the lower frame body (2) provided between the upper part of the lower frame body (2) and the middle part of the upper frame body (1), and a fixing mechanism (5) for fixing and holding the upper frame body (1) so that it cannot move up and down. The fixing mechanism (5) includes a fulcrum ring (8) fixed to the upper part of the lower frame body (2), a holding ring (9) that fits over the upper frame body (1) and holds and fixes the middle part of the upper frame body (1), a handle (11) that is supported by a handle support shaft (10) provided on the holding ring (9) so as to be swingable up and down, and a handle regulating structure (42) that regulates the posture displacement of the handle (11). The handle (11) includes a handle base (22) swingably connected to the holding ring (9) via the handle support shaft (10), and an extension handle (23) configured to be extendable and retractable with respect to the handle base (22). The extension handle (23) is configured to be slidably displaceable between a storage posture in which it covers the outer surface of the handle base (22) and an extended posture in which it extends from the end of the handle base (22) in the extending direction of the handle base (22) to increase the length of the handle (11). The handle (11) has a lock posture in which the handle base (22) and the extension handle (23) in the storage posture are along the circumferential surface of the lower frame body (2), and the holding and fixing state of the upper frame body (1) by the holding ring (9) is established, and an intermediate posture in which the handle base (22) and the extension handle (23) in the extended posture are along the circumferential surface of the lower frame body (2), and the holding and fixing state of the upper frame body (1) by the holding ring (9) is established, and a lock release posture in which the handle base (22) and the extension handle (23) project outward of the holding ring (9) around the handle support shaft (10) and release the holding and fixing state of the upper frame body (1) by the holding ring (9). It is configured to be displaceable in posture. The handle regulating structure (42) includes a first lock structure (43) that regulates the posture displacement of the handle (11) from the lock posture to the intermediate posture, and a second lock structure (44) that regulates the posture displacement of the handle (11) caused by being swung from the lock posture. By releasing the regulation of the first lock structure (43) and then the second lock structure (44), the handle (11) in the lock posture can be displaced in posture to the lock release posture via the intermediate posture. The first lock structure (43) includes a lock recess (47) provided at the lower part of the fulcrum ring (8) and opening outwardly, and a lock piece (49) provided on the extension handle (23). The lock piece (49) is reciprocally slidably guided and supported between an engagement position where a lock claw (48) of the lock piece (49) engages with the lock recess (47) to restrict the displacement operation of the extension handle (23) from the retracted position to the extended position, and a disengaged position where the lock claw (48) disengages from the lock recess (47) to allow the displacement operation of the extension handle (23) from the retracted position to the extended position. The strut of the tension fixing type is characterized in that a sub-lock structure (64) is provided to prevent the lock piece (49) of the first lock structure (43) from being displaced from the engaged position to the disengaged position. **Claim 2** A slide groove (50) is formed at the tip of the extension handle (23) for slidably mounting the lock piece (49). The slide groove (50) is a recess provided with an operation opening (51) on the tip surface of the extension handle (23), and the lock piece (49) can be displaced from the engaged position to the disengaged position through the operation opening (51). The sub-lock structure (64) is composed of a closing cap (65) displaceable between a closed position for closing the operation opening (51) to prevent the lock piece (49) from being displaced from the engaged position to the disengaged position, and an open position for opening the operation opening (51) to allow the lock piece (49) to be displaced from the engaged position to the disengaged position. The strut of the tension fixing type according to Claim 1. **Claim 3** The closing cap (65) includes a cap body (66) for closing the operation opening (51) in the closed position, and a holding body (67) extending from the cap body (66) for holding the lower frame body (2). The closing cap (65) is reciprocally slidably guided and supported by the sliding of the holding body (67) with respect to the lower frame body (2), and is held in position with respect to the lower frame body (2) by the frictional resistance between the lower frame body (2) and the holding body (67). The strut of the tension fixing type according to Claim 2. **Claim 4** A pair of engaging arms (68, 68) project upward from the upper surface of the cap body (66). A pair of engaging step portions (69, 69) for engaging and disengaging the engaging arms (68) are formed on the inner surface of the slide groove (50). The strut of the tension fixing type according to claim 3, wherein the closing cap (65) is connected to the tip of the extension handle (23) at the closing position by the engagement arm (68) engaging with the engagement step portion (69).

5. A level (70) is provided between the pair of engagement arms (68, 68), The level (70) is visible when the closing cap (65) is in the open position, and the level (70) is configured to be housed in an inner space surrounded by the slide groove (50) and the cap body (66) and not visible when the closing cap (65) is in the closed position. The strut of the tension fixing type according to claim 4.

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