Snow protection panel
The snow protection panel with a simple structure and adjustable components addresses the complexity of existing equipment by allowing easy net stretching, enhancing durability and reducing costs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024060637
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-04
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2044-04-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing snow protection equipment for tsunami evacuation towers in snowy areas has complex structures, which complicates deployment and maintenance, and often leads to net slack and reduced durability.
A snow protection panel with a simple structure featuring a frame, brackets, and adjustable vertical members that allow easy stretching of a net by using adjustment bolts to eliminate slack, reducing friction and excess load on the net.
The solution enables easy deployment and maintenance, prevents net flapping, improves durability, and reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining a neat appearance.
Smart Images
Figure 2025158264000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates generally to snow protection panels. More particularly, the present invention relates to snow protection panels that have a simple structure and allow the net to be easily stretched. In this specification, "stretched" means that the net is in a state where there is substantially no slack. [Background technology]
[0002] Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami evacuation towers have been constructed along coastlines across Japan. When these towers are installed in snowy areas, snow blows into the tower's stairs and slopes, so snow prevention equipment is required to prevent this.
[0003] Various types of general snow protection equipment have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1), but many of them have complex structures.
[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6754529 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] The present invention was developed in light of these circumstances, and aims to provide a snow protection panel with a simple structure that allows the net to be easily deployed. The snow protection panel of the present invention can be installed not only on the tsunami evacuation tower, but also to provide a general snow protection environment. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The snow protection panel according to claim 1 of the present application, which comprises an upper member, a lower member, a right member, and a left member, and has a rectangular frame with an opening in the center, comprises at least two first brackets attached to the right member or the left member, and at least two second brackets attached to the left member or the right member, each of the first brackets having a first portion disposed parallel to the attached left member or the right member, and a second portion disposed at an end of the first portion located toward the center of the frame so as to be perpendicular to the first portion, a recess is formed by the first portion, the second portion, and the attached left member or the right member, and each of the second brackets having a third portion disposed parallel to the attached right member or the left member, and a fourth portion disposed at an end of the third portion located toward the center of the frame so as to be perpendicular to the third portion. a net structure that covers the opening of the frame; and vertical members that are respectively arranged in the recesses of the first bracket and the second bracket and have the same length as the vertical dimension of the frame and a cross section that is smaller than the cross section of the recess. A plurality of ring-shaped portions are respectively attached to the right and left ends of the net structure, and the vertical members are passed through each of the ring-shaped portions. By bringing the tip of the adjustment bolt into contact with the vertical member and screwing the adjustment bolt, the net structure is moved in a direction away from the center of the frame, thereby expanding the net structure.
[0007] The snow protection panel described in claim 2 of the present application is the snow protection panel of claim 1, characterized in that the net structure has a net and reinforcing materials attached to the right and left ends of the net, and the ring-shaped portions are each attached to the reinforcing materials.
[0008] The snowproof panel described in claim 3 of the present application is the snowproof panel of claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the uppermost bracket among the brackets is attached so that its upper end is located at a predetermined distance from the upper end of the upper member, and the lowermost bracket is attached so that its lower end is located at a predetermined distance from the lower end of the lower member.
[0009] The snow protection panel described in claim 4 of the present application is characterized in that, in the snow protection panel described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the ring-shaped portion is attached to a location other than where the bracket is located. [Effects of the Invention]
[0010] According to the snow protection panel of the present invention, the net can be stretched by screwing in the adjustment bolts. This allows for easy elimination of net slack, preventing the net from flapping due to slack, avoiding a decrease in the durability of the net caused by friction due to flapping, and contributing to an improved appearance. Furthermore, unlike conventional snow protection equipment of this type that uses an eyelet structure to secure the net, the snow protection panel of the present invention uses a linear structure with a fixed length to pull the net, which reduces excess load on the net, and is therefore expected to improve the durability of the net. Furthermore, because the snow protection panel of the present invention has a simple structure, manufacturing costs can be kept relatively low and maintenance is easy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a snow protection panel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the snow protection panel of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view showing only the frame of the snow protection panel of FIG. 1. [Figure 4]FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view of a first bracket, FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view of a modified example of the first bracket, and FIG. 4(c) is a perspective view of a second bracket. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, illustrating a configuration in which the snow protection panel is small in size. [Figure 6] Figure 6(a) is an exploded perspective view of the net structure, Figure 6(b) is an enlarged perspective view of a ring-shaped member attached to a reinforcing material, and Figure 6(c) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a method for forming the ring-shaped member. [Figure 7] FIG. 7(a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the attachment location of the first bracket, and FIG. 7(b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the attachment location of the second bracket. [Figure 8] 1 is a series of diagrams illustrating vertical members of various cross-sectional shapes. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a front view showing three connected snow protection panels. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Next, a snow protection panel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a front view of the snow protection panel of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a rear view of the snow protection panel of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a rear view showing only the frame of the snow protection panel.
[0013] A snow protection panel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, generally designated by reference numeral 10 in Figures 1 and 2, includes a frame 12. The frame 12 has an upper member 12a, a lower member 12b of the same length, a right-side member 12c connecting corresponding ends of the upper member 12a and the lower member 12b, and a left-side member 12d connecting corresponding ends of the upper member 12a and the lower member 12b, and has a rectangular shape with a large opening 12e formed in the center (see Figure 3).
[0014] The upper member 12a, the lower member 12b, the right member 12c and the left member 12d are made of steel material such as flat steel or angle iron of appropriate dimensions and are connected by appropriate means such as welding.
[0015] Four first brackets 14 are attached to the right member 12c of the frame 12. The uppermost first bracket 14 has its upper end located at a distance W1 from the upper end of the upper member 12a, the lowermost first bracket 14 has its lower end located at a distance W2 from the lower end of the lower member 12b, and the remaining two first brackets 14 are attached so that they are positioned at equal distances W3 between the uppermost and lowermost first brackets 14.
[0016] Four second brackets 18 are attached to the left member 12d of the frame 12. The second brackets 18 are attached to positions corresponding to the positions where the first brackets 14 are attached.
[0017] FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view of the first bracket 14. The first bracket 14 has a first portion 14a arranged parallel to the right-side member 12c and a second portion 14b arranged at one end of the first portion 14a so as to be perpendicular to the first portion 14a, and has an overall L-shaped cross section. The first portion 14a and the second portion 14b may be formed integrally, or may be formed separately and then welded together. The area surrounded by the first portion 14a and the second portion 14b forms a recess 14c.
[0018] Each first bracket 14 is firmly attached by welding its second portion 14b to the right member 12c so as to form a recess 14c that opens away from the center of the frame 12. The second portion 14b is also provided with a threaded hole 14b1, into which an adjustment bolt 16 is screwed so that its tip is positioned within the recess 14c. As will be described in detail below, the second portion 14b of the first bracket 14 serves as an attachment portion for the adjustment bolt 16 that presses against the vertical member 22, and the first portion 14a serves as a guide to prevent the pressed vertical member 22 from deviating laterally.
[0019] Fig. 4(b) is a perspective view of a modified example of first bracket 14. First bracket 14 shown in Fig. 4(b) has the same configuration as first bracket 14 shown in Fig. 4(a) except that it includes third portion 14d, which is disposed at the other end of first portion 14a so as to be perpendicular to first portion 14a and has the same length as second portion 14b. First bracket 14 shown in Fig. 4(b) has an overall U-shaped cross section, and is characterized by being firmly fixed to right-side member 12c because it is welded to right-side member 12c at two points.
[0020] FIG. 4(c) is a perspective view of the second bracket 18. The second bracket 18 has a third portion 18a arranged parallel to the left-side member 12d and a fourth portion 18b arranged at the end of the third portion 18a toward the center of the frame 12 so as to be perpendicular to the third portion 18a, and has an L-shaped cross section as a whole. The third portion 18a and the fourth portion 18b may be formed integrally, or may be formed separately and then welded together. The area surrounded by the third portion 18a and the fourth portion 18b forms a recess 18c.
[0021] Since the fourth portion 18b of each of the second brackets 18 is located at the end closest to the center of the frame 12, the recess 18c opens in the direction away from the center of the frame 12.
[0022] 1 and 2, the number of first and second brackets 14, 18 attached to the right-side member 12c and the left-side member 12d, respectively, is four, but if the dimensions of the snow protection panel 10 are small (see FIG. 5), the number of brackets 14 may be two or three for each. If the dimensions of the snow protection panel 10 are large, the number of brackets 14 may be five or more for each.
[0023] FIG. 6(a) is an exploded perspective view showing a net structure 20 covering the opening 12e of the frame 12. The net structure 20 has a net 20a and reinforcing members 20b attached to the ends of the net 20a. In FIG. 6(a), the reinforcing members 20b are shown attached to all four sides (top, bottom, left, and right ends) of the net 20a, but the reinforcing members 20b are attached to at least the left and right ends of the net 20a to accommodate the ring-shaped portions 20b1 described below. The net 20a is larger than the opening 12e. A net made of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene is used as the net 20a, but other commercially available nets may also be used as desired. A desired cloth material or the like is used as the reinforcing members 20b.
[0024] The reinforcing material 20b may be attached to the net 20a by any method such as sewing or adhesive, as long as it can be firmly attached.
[0025] A plurality of ring-shaped portions 20b1 (FIG. 6(b)) are attached to the reinforcing member 20b at locations where the first bracket 14 and the second bracket 18 are not positioned when the net structure 20 is installed on the frame 12 so as to cover the opening 12e of the frame 12. The ring-shaped portions 20b1 may be made of the same material as the reinforcing member 20b. The ring-shaped portions 20b1 may be attached to the reinforcing member 20b by any method, such as sewing or adhesive, as long as it is securely attached. FIG. 6(c) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a method for forming the ring-shaped portions 20b1. In the example shown in FIG. 6(c), the protruding portions (see the left diagram in FIG. 6(c)) on the edge of the reinforcing member 20b are rounded, and the edges of the rounded protruding portions are fixed to the edge of the reinforcing member 20b by sewing or the like, thereby forming the ring-shaped portions 20b1. Alternatively, the ring-shaped portion 20b1 may be prepared separately and fixed to an appropriate position on the edge of the reinforcing material 20b by sewing or the like.
[0026] Vertical members 22 having substantially the same length as the vertical dimension H (see FIG. 3) of the frame 10 are placed in the recesses 14c of the first bracket 14 attached to the right member 12c and the recesses 18c of the second bracket 18 attached to the left member 12d, with the vertical members 22 being passed through the ring-shaped portions 20b1 of the right and left reinforcing members 20b. FIG. 6(a) shows the state in which the vertical members 22 are passed through the ring-shaped portions 20b1 of the right and left reinforcing members 20b.
[0027] The cross section of the vertical member 22 is selected to be smaller than the cross sections of the recesses 14c and 18c so that the vertical member 22 can move within the recesses 14c and 18c (see FIGS. 7(a) and (b)). Note that although the cross section of the vertical member 22 shown in FIGS. 7(a) and (b) is rectangular, it may have a cross section other than rectangular (for example, flat, hexagonal, circular, or elliptical), as exemplified in FIGS. 8(a) to 8(d).
[0028] 7(a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the attachment location of the first bracket 14, and Fig. 7(b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the attachment location of the second bracket 18. The vertical member 22 is positioned in the recess 14c of the first bracket 14 and the recess 18c of the second bracket 18, and the vertical member 22 is passed through the ring-shaped portion 20b1 of the reinforcing member 20b of the net structure 20.
[0029] When the adjustment bolt 16 is screwed in in this state, the tip of the adjustment bolt 16 comes into contact with the vertical member 22, as shown in FIG. 7(a). When the adjustment bolt 16 is screwed in further, the adjustment bolt 16 pushes the vertical member 22 to the left (away from the center of the frame 12) as shown by the arrow in FIG. 7(a), thereby pulling the entire net structure 20 to the left. At the same time, the vertical member 22 located in the recess 18c of the second bracket 18 is also pulled to the left and comes into contact with the inner surface of the fourth portion 18b of the second bracket 18. When the adjustment bolt 16 is screwed in further, the vertical member 22 located in the recess 14c of the first bracket 14 is pulled to the left while the vertical member 22 located in the recess 18c of the second bracket 18 is in contact with the inner surface of the fourth portion 18b of the second bracket 18. As a result, the entire net structure 20 is pulled further to the left, and the net 20a is expanded.
[0030] Snow protection panel 10 is secured to support post 24 by bolting to fastener plate 12f.
[0031] 9 is a front view showing three connected snow protection panels 10 (only the central snow protection panel is shown in its entirety, and only the left and right snow protection panels are shown near the connection points with the central snow protection panel). Snow protection panels 10 can be connected in this manner to any desired number of units.
[0032] Next, we will explain how to use the snow protection panel 10 configured as described above. The required number of support posts 24 are installed where the snow protection panel 10 is to be installed, the snow protection panel 10 is placed between the support posts 24, and the snow protection panel 10 is bolted to the support posts 24. Next, the adjustment bolts 16 are screwed in, and the tips of the adjustment bolts 16 are brought into contact with the vertical members 22, moving the net 20a away from the center of the snow protection panel 10 and stretching the net 20a. Over time, sagging occurs in the net 20a, but each time sagging occurs, the net 20a can be easily stretched by screwing in the adjustment bolts 16.
[0033] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments of the invention, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention.
[0034] For example, the overall dimensions of the illustrated snow protection panel, the dimensions, number, and details of each component are merely examples.
[0035] Also, in the above embodiment, the first bracket 14 is attached to the right-side member 12c and the second bracket 18 is attached to the left-side member 12d, but the first bracket 14 may be attached to the left-side member 12d and the second bracket 18 may be attached to the right-side member 12c. [Explanation of symbols]
[0036] 10 Snowproof Panel 12 frames 12a Upper member 12b Lower part 12c Right side member 12d Left side member 12e aperture 12f Fixture Plate 14 First Bracket 14a Part 1 14b Part 2 14b1 screw hole 14c recess 14d 3rd part 16 Adjustment bolt 18 Second Bracket 18a 3rd part 18b Part 4 18c recess 20 Net Structure 20a Net 20b Reinforcement 20b1 Ring-shaped part 22 Vertical Members 24 Posts
Claims
1. A snow protection panel having a rectangular frame with an opening in the center, the frame comprising an upper member, a lower member, a right member, and a left member, At least two first brackets attached to the right member or the left member; at least two second brackets attached to the left member or the right member; Each of the first brackets has a first portion disposed parallel to the attached left or right member, and a second portion disposed at an end of the first portion located on the center side of the frame so as to be perpendicular to the first portion, and a recess is formed by the first portion, the second portion, and the attached left or right member, each of the second brackets has a third portion disposed parallel to the attached right or left member, and a fourth portion disposed at an end of the third portion located on the frame center side so as to be perpendicular to the third portion, and a recess is formed by the third portion, the fourth portion, and the attached right or left member; an adjustment bolt that is screwed into a threaded hole provided in the second portion of the first bracket so that a tip thereof is positioned on the opposite side from the center; a net structure covering the opening of the frame; vertical members disposed in the recesses of the first bracket and the second bracket, respectively, having the same length as the longitudinal dimension of the frame and a cross section smaller than the cross section of the recess; A plurality of ring-shaped portions are attached to the right and left ends of the net structure, and the vertical members are passed through each of the ring-shaped portions, A snow protection panel characterized in that the net structure is moved in a direction away from the center of the frame and expanded by bringing the tip of the adjustment bolt into contact with the vertical member and screwing the adjustment bolt.
2. 2. The snow protection panel according to claim 1, wherein the net structure comprises a net and reinforcing members attached to the right and left ends of the net, and the ring-shaped portions are attached to the reinforcing members, respectively.
3. 3. A snow protection panel according to claim 1, wherein the uppermost bracket among the brackets is attached so that its upper end is located at a predetermined distance from the upper end of the upper member, and the lowermost bracket is attached so that its lower end is located at a predetermined distance from the lower end of the lower member.
4. 4. The snow protection panel according to claim 1, wherein the ring-shaped portion is attached to a location other than where the bracket is located.