Snow melting device

Abstract

To provide a snow melting block which can be installed without moving it laterally and which serves as a connection to a water supply channel.SOLUTION: A snow melting block 2 on which a sprinkler nozzle 1 is installed is made by connecting an existing snow melting block 3 with a new snow melting block 5 that has been replaced. The new snow melting block 5 is divided into a main block 7 and an auxiliary block 8. The auxiliary block 8 is inserted between an end face of the main block 7 and the adjacent existing snow melting block 3. A tip of a new water supply pipe on the new snow melting block 5 protrudes from the end face of the main block 7 to within the width W of the auxiliary block 8. A pipe fitting 9 that can move in the axial direction is fitted to the tip of the new water supply pipe. The axial length of this pipe fitting 9 is set to be equal to or less than the width of the auxiliary block 8. The tip of the new water supply pipe is connected to the existing water supply pipe 4 of the adjacent existing snow melting block 3 using the pipe fitting 9. The auxiliary block 8 is inserted between the end face of the main block 7 and the adjacent existing snow melting block 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a snow melting device that is buried in the road surface to melt snow that has accumulated on a paved road by spraying water. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, in cold regions where roads are covered in snow during the winter, snow melting devices have been installed on major roads to allow cars and pedestrians to pass through without being affected by the accumulated snow. There are various types of snow melting devices, but the most common type is one that sprays water in a fountain-like manner from nozzles embedded near the center of the road, melting the snow and pouring it into the gutters.

[0003] The snow melting device is equipped with snow melting blocks made of concrete on the road surface and concrete with exposed sprinkler nozzles. These snow melting blocks are embedded in the road surface, and sprinkler nozzles are intermittently arranged on the upper surface exposed to the road surface. In order to shorten the construction work of burying such snow melting blocks in a road gutter excavated in the road surface, snow melting blocks are prepared in advance by integrating a water supply pipe through which groundwater flows inside the snow melting block, branch pipes branching from this water supply pipe, and sprinkler nozzles with concrete or the like, and multiple such snow melting blocks are connected and buried in a road gutter excavated in the road surface.

[0004] The connecting structure of the snow melting blocks is such that one end of the water supply pipe that supplies snow melting water to the sprinkler nozzles is extended and protruded from one of the butting surfaces at both ends of the snow melting blocks, and a connecting receptacle into which the connecting insertion tube can be inserted is formed on the other end, and the connecting receptacle is inserted and attached in an erected state between the butting surfaces at both ends of multiple vertically arranged snow melting blocks to connect and link the water supply pipes together (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3061559 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In all of the connection structures using the above-mentioned connection receptacles, one snow melting block is moved laterally relative to the other snow melting block to insert and connect the connection insert. This connection work involves aligning the water supply pipes and inserting them while moving the other snow melting block laterally as horizontally as possible relative to the snow melting block that was installed first. However, if the other snow melting block is made too horizontal relative to the first snow melting block, the bottom of the snow melting block will be dragged on the installation surface. Moreover, if the other snow melting block is tilted too much, it will be difficult to connect the water supply pipes and in some cases the water supply pipes will be damaged, so this is a job that requires experience and skill.

[0007] This invention was made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a snow melting device with a snow melting block connecting structure that can be installed without moving the snow melting blocks laterally and makes it easy to connect water supply channels. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention is configured as follows.

[0009] The invention described in claim 1 is a snow melting device in which multiple snow melting blocks, each equipped with a sprinkler nozzle, are buried in the road surface, the snow melting blocks being made by connecting existing snow melting blocks with new replacement snow melting blocks, the new snow melting blocks being divided into main blocks and auxiliary blocks, the auxiliary blocks being insertably interposed between the end faces of the main blocks and the adjacent existing snow melting blocks, the tip of a new water supply pipe on the new snow melting block protruding from the end face of the main block to within the width of the auxiliary block, a pipe fitting movable in the pipe axial direction is fitted to the tip of the new water supply pipe, the pipe axial length of this pipe fitting being equal to or less than the width of the auxiliary block, the tip of the new water supply pipe and the existing water supply pipe of the adjacent existing snow melting block are connected by the pipe fitting, and the auxiliary block is inserted between the end face of the main block and the adjacent existing snow melting block.

[0010] The invention described in claim 2 is the snow melting device described in claim 1, characterized in that the bottom of the main block is extended toward the end face of the adjacent existing snow melting block to form an extended bottom, and a U-shaped notch is provided below the auxiliary block, which notch passes through the tip of the new water supply pipe and the lower end of the auxiliary block abuts against the upper surface of the extended bottom.

[0011] The invention described in claim 3 is the snow melting device described in claim 2, characterized in that the tip of the new water supply pipe is placed on the upper surface of the extended bottom, and the outer surface of the extended bottom and the outer surface of the auxiliary block are fastened together with a connecting plate to connect the two.

[0012] The invention described in claim 4 is the snow melting device described in claim 1, characterized in that a regulating member is interposed between one end of the pipe fitting that connects the tip of the new water supply pipe to the existing water supply pipe of the adjacent existing snow melting block and the end face of the main block, and this regulating member prevents the pipe fitting from moving toward the end face of the main block. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] With the above-described configuration, the present invention has the following effects.

[0014] In the invention described in claim 1, a snow melting device buries a plurality of snow melting blocks, on which sprinkler nozzles are installed, in the road surface, the snow melting blocks are formed by connecting existing snow melting blocks and new replaced snow melting blocks, the new snow melting blocks are divided into main blocks and auxiliary blocks, the auxiliary blocks are inserted between the end faces of the main blocks and the adjacent existing snow melting blocks, the tip of a new water supply pipe on the new snow melting block protrudes beyond the end face of the main block to within the width of the auxiliary block, and a pipe joint movable in the pipe axial direction is fitted to the tip of the new water supply pipe, and this pipe The pipe axis length of the fitting is less than the width of the auxiliary block, and the tip of the new water supply pipe is connected to the existing water supply pipe of the adjacent existing snow melting block using the pipe fitting, and the auxiliary block is inserted between the end face of the main block and the adjacent existing snow melting block.This means that the new snow melting block to be replaced can be lifted in a horizontal position without tilting it, and inserted between the existing snow melting blocks in that horizontal position, making the installation of the new snow melting block simple and quick.Moreover, the movement of the pipe fitting as it is connected to the existing water supply pipe can be visually observed from above, allowing visual confirmation that the connection is secure.

[0015] In the invention described in claim 2, the bottom of the main block is extended toward the end face of the adjacent existing snow melting block to form an extended bottom, and a U-shaped notch is provided below the auxiliary block, which notch passes through the tip of the new water supply pipe and the lower end of the auxiliary block abuts against the upper surface of the extended bottom, so that the auxiliary snow melting block can be easily inserted from above between the main block and the adjacent existing snow melting block.

[0016] In the invention described in claim 3, the tip of the new water supply pipe is placed on the upper surface of the extended bottom, and the outer surface of the extended bottom and the outer surface of the auxiliary block are fastened together with a connecting plate, so that the new water supply pipe is reliably supported by the extended bottom against repeated loads from vehicles and the like from the road surface, preventing damage such as bending of the new water supply pipe.

[0017] In the invention described in claim 4, a regulating member is interposed between one end of the pipe fitting that connects the tip of the new water supply pipe to the existing water supply pipe of the adjacent existing snow melting block and the end face of the main block, and this regulating member prevents the pipe fitting from moving toward the end face of the main block.Therefore, the pipe fitting will not be moved toward the end face of the main block by the snow melting water flowing through the existing water supply pipe, and the connection point of the pipe fitting can be prevented from coming loose and causing snow melting water to leak. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a snow melting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing fitting of a pipe joint according to the present invention. [Figure 6] 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing the movement of a pipe joint according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a restricting member according to the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the installation work of the new snow melting block in this invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a snow melting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] A first embodiment of the snow melting device of the present invention will be described below. The embodiment of the present invention shows the most preferred mode of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to this.

[0020] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Figure 1 shows a number of concrete snow melting blocks 2 buried in the road surface GL. A number of sprinkler nozzles 1 are installed flush with the top surface of the snow melting blocks 2 at predetermined intervals, and branch pipes 1a are connected to the sprinkler nozzles 1.

[0021] The snow melting block 2 buried in the road surface GL is made by connecting an existing snow melting block 3 and a new snow melting block 5 that has been replaced, and the new snow melting block 5 has replaced the damaged existing snow melting block 3.

[0022] The new snow melting block 5 is divided into a main block 7 and an auxiliary block 8, and the auxiliary block 8 is inserted between the end face 7a of the main block 7 and the adjacent existing snow melting block 3.

[0023] The bottom 7b of the main block 7 extends toward the end face of the adjacent existing snow melting block 3 to form an extended bottom 7c, which has the width W of the auxiliary block 8.

[0024] The interior of the existing snow melting block 3 and the interior of the new snow melting block 5 have existing water supply pipes 4 and new water supply pipes 6 made of polyvinyl chloride arranged longitudinally, and the new water supply pipe 6 is connected to the existing water supply pipe 4.

[0025] The plurality of sprinkler nozzles 1 installed on the existing snow melting block 3 and the new snow melting block 5 are connected to the existing water supply pipe 4 and the new water supply pipe 6 via the branch pipe 1a.

[0026] The tip 6a of the new water supply pipe 6 protrudes from the end face 7a of the main block 7 to within the width W of the auxiliary block 8, and the tip 6a of the new water supply pipe 6 is placed on the upper surface of the extended bottom 7c, thereby supporting the new water supply pipe 6 against repeated loads from vehicles and the like on the road surface GL and preventing damage to the new water supply pipe 6.

[0027] A U-shaped notch 8a is provided below the auxiliary block 8, and the tip 6a of the new water supply pipe 6 passes through this notch 8a, and the lower end 8b of the auxiliary block 8 abuts against the upper surface of the extended bottom portion 7c.

[0028] The auxiliary block 8 is inserted between the end face 7a of the main block 7 and the adjacent existing snow melting block 3, and the outer surface of the extended bottom 7c and the outer surface of the auxiliary block 8 are fastened together with a connecting plate 10 to connect the two.

[0029] A pipe fitting 9 that can be moved in the axial direction of the pipe is fitted to the tip 6a of the new water supply pipe 6, and this pipe fitting 9 connects the tip 6a of the new water supply pipe 6 to the existing water supply pipe 4 of the adjacent existing snow melting block 3.

[0030] To move the pipe fitting 9 fitted onto the tip 6a of the new water supply pipe 6 toward the existing water supply pipe 4 of the adjacent existing snow melting block 3, as shown in Figure 6, the tip of a lever tool 11 is butted against one end of the pipe fitting 9, the head of a bolt 11a threaded into the lever tool 11 is brought into contact with the end face 7a of the main block 7, and the lever tool 11 is tilted in the direction of the arrow using this as a fulcrum to push out the pipe fitting 9.

[0031] The pipe joint 9 is connected by moving the pipe joint 9 without inserting the auxiliary block 8, so visibility is very good, and the pipe joint 9 can be connected to the existing water supply pipe 4 of the adjacent existing snow melting block 3 while being visually confirmed, and it can be visually confirmed whether the new water supply pipe 6 is securely connected.

[0032] The pipe axial length L of the pipe fitting 9 is set to be less than the width W of the auxiliary block 8, and seal rings 9a are fixed to the inner surfaces of both ends of the pipe fitting 9 to prevent leakage of snow melting water flowing through the existing water supply pipe 4 and the new water supply pipe 6.

[0033] A restricting member 12 is interposed between one end of the pipe joint 9 and the end face 7a of the main block 7, and this restricting member 12 prevents the pipe joint 9 from moving in the direction of the end face 7a of the main block 7.

[0034] The regulating member 12 is made of a metal plate or the like and has a C-shape so that the tips do not overlap as shown in Figure 7. After the pipe fitting 9 is moved to the existing water supply pipe 4, both ends of the regulating member 12 are expanded and wrapped around the outer periphery of the new water supply pipe 6.

[0035] In addition, reference numeral 13 denotes a joint material 13 interposed between the end face of the existing snow melting block 3 and the end face of the auxiliary block 8.

[0036] Next, the installation and replacement work of the new snow melting block 5 in the center will be described with reference to FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b).

[0037] When replacing one of the multiple existing snow melting blocks 3, first, on both sides of the new snow melting block 5, the pipe fittings 9 are fitted onto the tips 6a of the new water supply pipes 6 that protrude from the main blocks 7 of the new snow melting blocks 5.

[0038] Then, as shown in Figure 8(a), the new snow melting block 5 in the center is lifted horizontally without tilting it, and then lowered in this lifted state to place the new snow melting block 5 between the existing snow melting blocks 3 on the left and right.

[0039] Next, the pipe fitting 9 is moved until it is fitted onto the existing water supply pipe 4 of the existing snow melting block 3, and the tip 6a of the new water supply pipe 6 is connected to the existing water supply pipe 4 of the adjacent existing snow melting block 3, and further, the regulating member 12 is interposed between one end of the pipe fitting 9 and the end face 7a of the main block 7.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(b), the U-shaped notch 8a provided below the auxiliary block 8 penetrates the tip 6a of the new water supply pipe 6, and the auxiliary block 8 is inserted between the end face 7a of the main block 7 and the adjacent existing snow melting block 3.

[0041] The outer surface of the auxiliary block 8 and the outer surface of the extended bottom 7c formed on the bottom 7b of the main block 7 are fastened together with the connecting plate 10, and then concrete is poured into the gutter dug in the road surface during the replacement work, completing the installation work.

[0042] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0043] This second embodiment is a case where the newly installed snow melting block 5 described in the first embodiment becomes an existing snow melting block 31 after several years have passed.

[0044] Then, when the newly installed snow melting block 5 described in the first embodiment is used as the existing snow melting block 31, the joint material 13 is cut with a cutter so that the pipe fitting 9 does not protrude from the end face of the existing snow melting block 31, and then half of the pipe fitting 9 remaining on the existing snow melting block 31 side is removed.

[0045] In this way, when the new snow melting block 5 is connected to the existing snow melting block 31, the auxiliary block 81 of the existing snow melting block 31 is positioned adjacent to the auxiliary block 8 of the new snow melting block 5.

[0046] The connecting plate 101 is similar to the connecting plate 10 described in the first embodiment, and both ends of this connecting plate 101 are fastened to the outer surface of the auxiliary block 81 and the outer surface of the lower part of the main block 71.

[0047] In the snow melting device configured as described above, the snow melting block 2 is formed by connecting the existing snow melting block 3 and the new snow melting block 5 that it replaced, and the new snow melting block 5 is divided into a main block 7 and an auxiliary block 8, and the auxiliary block 8 is inserted between the end face 7a of the main block 7 and the adjacent existing snow melting block 3 so that it can be inserted. The tip 6a of the new water supply pipe 6 on the new snow melting block 5 protrudes from the end face 7a of the main block 7 to within the width W of the auxiliary block 8, and a pipe fitting 9 that can move in the pipe axial direction is fitted to the tip 6a of the new water supply pipe 6, and the pipe axial length L of this pipe fitting 9 is set to be less than the width W of the auxiliary block 8, so that the new snow melting block 5 to be replaced can be lifted horizontally without tilting it and inserted between the existing snow melting blocks 3, making the installation work of the new snow melting block 5 simple and quick.

[0048] By connecting the tip 6a of the new water supply pipe 6 to the existing water supply pipe 4 of the adjacent existing snow melting block 3 using the pipe fitting 9 and inserting the auxiliary block 8 between the end face 7a of the main block 7 and the adjacent existing snow melting block 3, the movement of connecting the pipe fitting 9 to the existing water supply pipe 4 can be visually observed from above, and it can be visually confirmed whether the connection is secure.

[0049] In addition, the bottom 7b of the main block 7 is extended toward the end face of the adjacent existing snow melting block 3 to form the extended bottom 7c, and a U-shaped notch 8a is provided below the auxiliary block 8, and this notch 8a passes through the tip 6a of the new water supply pipe 6, causing the lower end 8b of the auxiliary block 8 to abut against the upper surface of the extended bottom 7c, so that the auxiliary snow melting block 8 can be easily inserted from above between the main block 7 and the adjacent existing snow melting block 3.

[0050] Furthermore, the tip 6a of the new water supply pipe 6 is placed on the upper surface of the extended bottom portion 7c, and the outer surface of the extended bottom portion 7c and the outer surface of the auxiliary block 8 are fastened together by the connecting plate 10, so that the new water supply pipe 6 is reliably supported by the extended bottom portion 7c against repeated loads from vehicles and the like from the road surface GL, preventing damage such as bending of the new water supply pipe 6.

[0051] Furthermore, the regulating member 12 is interposed between one end of the pipe fitting 9, which connects the tip 6a of the new water supply pipe 6 to the existing water supply pipe 4 of the adjacent existing snow melting block 3, and the end face 7a of the main block 7, and this regulating member 12 prevents the pipe fitting 9 from moving toward the end face 7a of the main block 7. Therefore, the pipe fitting 9 will not be moved toward the end face 7a of the main block 7 by the snow melting water flowing through the existing water supply pipe 4, and the connection point of the pipe fitting 9 can be prevented from coming loose and causing snow melting water to leak. [Industrial Applicability]

[0052] This invention is an innovative snow melting device that allows the work of connecting adjacent snow melting blocks and the work of replacing connected snow melting blocks to be performed easily and quickly. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 watering nozzle 1a Branch pipe 2. Snow melting blocks 3 Existing snow melting blocks 4 Existing water pipe 5. New snow melting blocks 6 New water pipes 6a tip 7 Main Block 7a End face 7b bottom 7c extension bottom 8 Auxiliary Blocks 8a U-shaped notch 8b Bottom edge 9 Pipe Fittings 9a Seal ring 10 Connecting plate 11 Lever dedicated tool 11a Fulcrum bolt 12 Regulatory elements 13 Joint sealant 31 Existing snow melting blocks 71 Main Block 81 Auxiliary Block 101 Connecting plate GL road surface W Width of auxiliary block L Pipe axial length of the pipe fitting

Claims

1. A snow melting device in which multiple snow melting blocks, each equipped with a sprinkler nozzle, are buried in the road surface, the snow melting blocks being made by connecting existing snow melting blocks with new replacement snow melting blocks, the new snow melting blocks being divided into main blocks and auxiliary blocks, the auxiliary blocks being insertably interposed between the end faces of the main blocks and the adjacent existing snow melting blocks, the tip of a new water supply pipe on the new snow melting block protruding from the end face of the main block to within the width of the auxiliary block, a pipe fitting movable in the pipe axial direction is fitted to the tip of the new water supply pipe, the pipe axial length of this pipe fitting being equal to or less than the width of the auxiliary block, the tip of the new water supply pipe and the existing water supply pipe of the adjacent existing snow melting block are connected by the pipe fitting, and the auxiliary block is inserted between the end face of the main block and the adjacent existing snow melting block.

2. The snow melting device of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the main block is extended toward the end face of the adjacent existing snow melting block to form an extended bottom, and a U-shaped notch is provided below the auxiliary block, and this notch passes through the tip of the new water supply pipe, and the lower end of the auxiliary block abuts against the upper surface of the extended bottom.

3. The snow melting device described in claim 2, characterized in that the tip of the new water supply pipe is placed on the upper surface of the extension bottom, and the outer surface of the extension bottom and the outer surface of the auxiliary block are fastened together by a connecting plate to connect the two.

4. The snow melting device described in claim 1, characterized in that a regulating member is interposed between one end of the pipe fitting that connects the tip of the new water supply pipe to the existing water supply pipe of the adjacent existing snow melting block and the end face of the main block, and this regulating member prevents the pipe fitting from moving toward the end face of the main block.

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