Method for preventing connection work failure of corrugated pipe joint, and gas appliance

Abstract

To provide a joint connecting method (construction failure preventing method) for easily and normally connecting an insertion connection type corrugated pipe joint even in a place inferior in a work environment such as a narrow place.SOLUTION: There is provided a method for preventing a construction failure when a corrugated pipe 211 is connected to other equipment 250 or piping via a corrugated pipe joint 201 in a narrow place 100. The corrugated pipe joint 201 includes a screw joint part attached to a corrugated pipe connection part via a universal mechanism part so as to be rotatable around an axis. The end part of the corrugated pipe 211 is inserted and connected to the corrugated pipe joint 201 in a wide place, and then the screw joint part is screwed and connected to other equipment or piping in a narrow place 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for preventing poor connection of a pipe fitting used to connect bellows-shaped corrugated pipes, and also to gas equipment connected to a corrugated pipe fitting.In particular, the present invention relates to a method for preventing poor connection of an insertion-type corrugated pipe fitting that has been improved to make it easier to connect normally in narrow spaces. [Background technology]

[0002] Corrugated pipes with bellows-like shapes are widely used for indoor gas piping and the like because they are flexible and easy to bend. Various pipe fittings are also used to connect these corrugated pipes to gas meters, gas appliances, and other piping. The corrugated pipe fittings disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 incorporate a compressed spring within the fitting. When the corrugated pipe is inserted, the tip of the corrugated pipe moves the movable member toward the back of the fitting body, releasing the spring from its compressed state. The biasing force of the spring compresses the sealing member (airtight packing) to increase the sealing surface pressure with the corrugated pipe, and also reduces the diameter of the retaining member (hereinafter also referred to as the "retainer") to lock the corrugated pipe into the fitting.

[0003] The inner bore of the fitting body is formed with a locking groove and a larger-diameter escape groove, while the outer diameter side of the nut member (press sleeve) is formed with an outer circumferential groove. A stop ring is positioned across the locking groove and the outer circumferential groove to lock the fitting body and the nut member. Additionally, a large-diameter portion is formed on the other end of the nut member, and a disassembly ring is provided between the large-diameter portion and the end of the fitting body. This configuration allows the corrugated pipe to be removed from the fitting without being damaged.

[0004] However, it was pointed out that the fittings of Patent Documents 1 and 2 may suffer from a problem where the corrugated pipe cannot be removed from the fitting if an unusual operation is performed during installation. The applicants of the present application therefore devised and developed a corrugated pipe fitting that includes a solution to this problem, and obtained the patent of Patent Document 3. This corrugated pipe fitting of Patent Document 3 is an excellent product and has been fully put into practical use.

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2010-053973 [Patent Document 2] 1718586864345_0 [Patent Document 3] Patent 5461116 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Fig. 5 is a half cross-sectional view of a current corrugated pipe joint (single unit), and Fig. 6 is a half cross-sectional view of the joint of Fig. 5 after the connection between the joint and the corrugated pipe is completed. In each diagram, the left side of the diagram is the corrugated pipe side (called the source side), and the right side of the diagram is the gas appliance or other piping side (called the tip side). From the outside, the pipe fitting 1 appears to consist of a fitting body 2 and a press nut (sleeve) 3. A male thread 22 is cut into the outer surface at the tip of the fitting body 2, and the center is a hexagonal portion 23 that can be fitted with a wrench.

[0007] The corrugated pipe joint 1 includes, from the base end to the tip end, the main components of the press nut 3, retainer 6, airtight packing 5, and spring assembly 4 (spring 41, guide member 42, and movable member 44). The press nut 3 prevents the retainer 6 from escaping toward the base end. As shown in FIG. 6, the retainer 6 has claws 62 that fit into the valleys (concave portions) of the corrugated pipe 11 to prevent the pipe 11 from escaping toward the base end. The airtight packing 5 has an inner hole that engages with the crests (convex portions) of the corrugated pipe 11 to seal in the gas inside. The spring 41 is compressed in the state shown in FIG. 5 and extends toward the base end in the state shown in FIG. 6. The guide member 42 and movable member 44 are pressed by the tip (right end) of the corrugated pipe 11 to switch the spring 41 from a compressed state to an extended state.

[0008] When the corrugated pipe 11 is inserted into the pipe fitting 1 shown in Figure 5 from the base side, the tip of the pipe hits the moving member 44 at the back of the fitting, and as shown in Figure 6, this member 44 is pushed forward. Then, the tip portion of the guide member 42 moves inward and toward the base, and the spring 41 is released from its compressed state and expands toward the base due to its restoring force. As the spring 41 expands, the airtight packing 5 slides toward the base, and the claws of the retainer 6 contract in diameter and are locked into the valleys of the corrugated pipe 11. At this time, the corrugated pipe 11 also retracts toward the base by the distance L in the figure. Note that to ensure that the spring 41 is expanded and to confirm that the corrugated pipe 11 is fixed to the fitting 1, the corrugated pipe 11 is manually pulled out of the fitting 1 ( Joining Confirmation operation) is performed.

[0009] When the insertion of the corrugated pipe 11 is complete as shown in Figure 6, the press nut 3 is pressed in the direction opposite to the insertion direction, so the stop ring 7 moves to the second annular groove 2x of the joint body 2 while being engaged with the outer circumferential groove 32 of the press nut 3, and is held in that position. The corrugated pipe 11 is then connected to the press nut 3 via the retainer 6, and the joint body 2 and the press nut 3 are mechanically coupled, preventing relative movement between them. Therefore, even if a pull-out force acts on the corrugated pipe 11 in the proximal direction, the corrugated pipe 11 will not come out of the pipe joint 1, and it is determined that the insertion of the corrugated pipe 11 (connection to the pipe joint 1) is complete.

[0010] As shown in Figure 6, when the insertion of the corrugated pipe 11 is complete, a gap g is formed between the end face of the joint body 2 and the press nut 3, and the disassembly ring 9, which was hidden by the joint body 2, appears in the gap g, making it possible to confirm (visually or by touch) the insertion of the corrugated pipe. At this stage of complete insertion, the airtight packing 5 is compressed toward the retainer 6 by the restoring force of the compression coil spring 41, thereby improving the sealing performance between the joint body 2 and the corrugated pipe 11.

[0011] As such, current corrugated pipe fittings have excellent structure and functionality. However, when connecting fittings to corrugated pipes in small spaces, workers may find it difficult to maintain a stable posture during the connection process. This can lead to poor installation. For example, individual gas meters in apartment buildings are a typical example of equipment to which corrugated pipe fittings are connected, but they are often located in meter boxes next to the entrance or in common corridors. The inside of the meter box is a recessed area with limited width. Furthermore, the area often contains other equipment, such as water pipes and water meters, further limiting the work space.

[0012] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic view of the inside of a meter box 100 in an apartment building (condominium), with (A) being a side view and (B) being a front view (with the door 103 open). The direction (arrow) in the figure indicates the back side, with the side closer to the back wall 105 of the meter box being the back side, and the side opposite door 103 (the side of display unit 129b of the gas meter 129) being the front side. Left and right are as seen from the perspective of a person facing the inside of meter box 100 with door 103 open. Up and down refer to the up and down in the direction of gravity. This meter box 100 is a recess surrounded on three sides (left, right, and rear) by concrete walls (the building's framework). For example, the width B between the left and right walls 102 and 102' is 85 cm, and the depth D between the door 103 and the rear wall 105 is 65 cm. The floor 107 and ceiling (not shown) of the meter box 100 are also typically concrete surfaces, and the height from floor to ceiling is, for example, 250 cm.

[0013] Within the meter box 100 of this example, a gas main pipe 121 and a clean water pipe (supply pipe) 123 are arranged so as to extend vertically near the left wall 102' and the rear wall 105. A water meter 115 is connected to the supply pipe 123. A gas meter 129 is connected to the gas main pipe 121 via a joint 1', a corrugated pipe 111, a joint 1, and a meter unit 127. These joints 1 and 1' are the corrugated pipe joints of the present application. The gas meter 129 is attached to a meter unit 127 fixed to a support frame 104 (beam).

[0014] When inserting the corrugated pipe 111 into the joint 1' between the gas main pipe 121 and the corrugated pipe 111 inside the meter box 100 of this example, the gas main pipe 121 is located about 30 cm behind the door 103 of the meter box 100, so the worker has to stretch out his or her arms, making it difficult to insert the corrugated pipe 111 straight into the joint with great force. On the other hand, when inserting the corrugated pipe 111 into the joint 1 between the meter unit 127 and the corrugated pipe 111, the work is difficult because the work is done deep inside the meter box 100, the distance between the gas main pipe 121 and the water supply pipe 123 is narrow (about 15 cm, for example), and the corrugated pipe 111 must be inserted from bottom to top.

[0015] As described above, in actual installations of corrugated pipe fittings, workers often cannot perform the connection work in a stable posture. For example, the following type of improper fitting connection can occur. For example, even if the corrugated pipe is inserted into the fitting, the tip of the corrugated pipe may not be inserted all the way into the fitting (the position where the moving member 44 operates). If the corrugated pipe is pulled in this state (the connection confirmation operation described above), the retainer 6 may catch on the proximal components of the corrugated pipe, causing them to move toward the proximal end. This problem is particularly likely to occur when pulling a flexible pipe at an angle. Although this condition is not normal installation, the disassembly ring 9, which also serves as a guide for connection confirmation, protrudes from the proximal end of the fitting body 2, which may lead the worker to mistakenly believe the installation is normal and conclude that the work is complete.

[0016] Even if such construction defects occur, they can be discovered during post-construction airtightness inspections and the fittings can be reconnected to normal, so no physical harm will be caused to gas consumers or other members of the public or to those involved in the construction. However, the effort required to find gas leaks, the costs of reconnecting and reinspecting defective parts, and construction delays will cause considerable inconvenience and disadvantage to the construction company and subsequent contractors.

[0017] The present invention aims to provide a method for connecting a fitting (a method for preventing poor installation) that has the advantage of making it easy to properly connect an insertion-type corrugated pipe fitting even in places with poor working environments, such as narrow spaces, and to provide gas equipment that has such an advantage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0018] In this section entitled "Means for Solving the Problem" and in the "Claims," ​​reference symbols for various parts in the attached drawings are shown in parentheses, but this is for reference purposes only and does not limit the scope of the rights to those in the attached drawings.

[0019] The method for preventing poor construction of a corrugated pipe joint of the present invention is a method for preventing poor construction when connecting a corrugated pipe (211) to another device (250) or a pipe through a corrugated pipe joint (201) in a narrow space (100), the method comprising: The device comprises: a corrugated pipe joint (202) including an inner hole into which an end of a corrugated pipe (211) is inserted, and a holding mechanism (203, 204, 205, 206, 241) for holding the corrugated pipe end in an airtight state within the inner hole; and a threaded joint (272) having an inner pipe portion (273s) communicating with the inner hole, attached to the corrugated pipe joint via a flexible mechanism (271) so as to be rotatable about its axis, the threaded joint (272) being attached to the corrugated pipe joint (201) in a wide area outside the narrow space (100), and then the threaded joint (272) is screwed into the other device (250) or piping in the narrow space (100).

[0020] The current method for connecting pipes using corrugated pipe fittings involves screwing the threaded portion (22) of the fitting (1) into an appliance (e.g., a meter unit 127) or other piping, and then inserting the corrugated pipe (111) into the fitting (1), regardless of whether the installation location is a small space (e.g., a meter box 100, see Figure 7) or a large open space. This order is required because if the corrugated pipe and fitting (reference numeral 1, which does not have a swivel mechanism, see Figures 5 and 6) were connected first and then the fitting was screwed into the appliance or other piping, the corrugated pipe would rotate (co-rotate) as the fitting rotates, resulting in twisting. Therefore, the current connection order is limited.

[0021] In the present invention, a swivel mechanism (271) is provided in the corrugated pipe fitting (201), allowing the hexagonal portion (220) of the threaded fitting portion (272, threaded socket) to rotate freely relative to the corrugated pipe fixing portion (202). This allows the corrugated pipe (211) and fitting (201) to be connected first without the screw-in rotation during installation of the threaded socket being transmitted to the corrugated pipe. Furthermore, because the corrugated pipe (211) and fitting (201) can be connected first in a wide area, there is no need to insert and connect the corrugated pipe to the fitting in a narrow area (100, meter box, etc.). As a result, the corrugated pipe (211) and fitting (201) are properly connected, avoiding poor installation work, which was the root cause of piping work in a narrow area (100).

[0022] The term "narrow place" or "narrow section" as used herein refers to a recess or a place sandwiched between objects that a person's body cannot enter or cannot move freely even if they do enter. Alternatively, it refers to a place that is deep inside and makes it difficult to move hands or tools, or where it is difficult to visually check.

[0023] The gas appliance to which the method for preventing poor connection of a corrugated pipe joint of the present invention is applied is a gas appliance that is installed in a narrow space (100) and has a corrugated pipe (211) connected to an appliance (250) or a pipe via a corrugated pipe joint (201), wherein the corrugated pipe joint (201) comprises: a corrugated pipe connecting part (202) including an inner hole into which the end of the corrugated pipe (211) is inserted and a holding mechanism (203, 204, 205, 206, 241) that holds the corrugated pipe end in an airtight state within the inner hole; and a threaded joint (272) attached to the corrugated pipe connecting part via a swivel mechanism part (271) so as to be rotatable about its axis and having an inner pipe part that communicates with the inner hole; and the end of the corrugated pipe (211) is inserted and connected to the corrugated pipe joint (201) in a wide space outside the narrow space (100), The threaded joint (272) is threadedly connected to the other device (250) or piping in the narrow area (100).

[0024] The corrugated pipe joint with a handle of the present invention comprises a joint body (304) including an inner hole into which the end of a corrugated pipe (311) is inserted, a corrugated pipe connecting part (302) having a holding mechanism that holds the corrugated pipe end in an airtight state within the inner hole, and a threaded joint part (373) that is attached to the corrugated pipe connecting part via a flexible mechanism part so as to be rotatable about its axis and has an inner pipe part that communicates with the inner hole, and is characterized by having a handle (305) protruding from the outer surface of the joint body (304) or the threaded joint part (373) that grips the joint and pushes it in the direction opposite to the insertion of the corrugated pipe when inserting and connecting the end of the corrugated pipe (311) into the corrugated pipe joint (301). By hooking a finger on the handle (305) and pushing the fitting (301) toward the corrugated pipe (311), the finger can be prevented from slipping on the outer surface of the fitting body (304) or the threaded fitting portion (373), and the tip of the corrugated pipe can be inserted into the fitting efficiently. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] The present invention can provide a method for connecting a fitting (a method for preventing installation defects) that makes it easy to properly connect an insertion-type corrugated pipe fitting even in places with poor working environments, such as narrow spaces. Alternatively, it can provide gas equipment and corrugated pipe fittings that incorporate measures to prevent installation defects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a meter unit 250, which is an example of gas equipment including a corrugated pipe joint with a flexible mechanism 201 according to an embodiment of the present invention, installed in a meter box (narrow location 100). [Figure 2] 10 is a half cross-sectional view of the state in which the connection between the corrugated pipe joint 201 with a swivel mechanism and the corrugated pipe 211 is completed. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a universal joint portion 271 of the corrugated pipe joint 201 of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an outline view of a corrugated pipe joint 301 having a handle 305 for gripping the joint when connecting a corrugated pipe. [Figure 5] This is a half cross-sectional view of a current corrugated pipe fitting (single unit). [Figure 6] 6 is a half cross-sectional view of the state in which the joint of FIG. 5 and the corrugated pipe are connected together. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the inside of a meter box 100 in an apartment building (condominium), in which (A) is a side view and (B) is a front view (with the door 103 open). [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] 1; corrugated pipe fitting, 2; fitting body, 2x; second annular groove, 22; male thread, 23; hexagonal part 3; press nut (sleeve), 32; peripheral groove 4; spring assembly; 41; spring; 42; guide member; 44; moving member 5; airtight packing, 6; retainer, 62; claw, 7; stop ring 9: Disassembly ring, 11: Corrugated pipe, 100; meter box (narrow area, narrow section), 111; corrugated pipe, 102; left and right walls, 103; door, 104; support frame (beam), 105; back wall, 107; floor 121; gas main pipe, 123; water supply pipe (water supply pipe), 127; meter unit, 129; gas meter, 129b; display unit, 129c; gas inlet, 129x; gas outlet 201; corrugated pipe joint, 202; corrugated pipe connection part, 203; press nut, 204; joint body tube, 204f; accommodation tube portion, 204p; flexible inner tube portion, 204r; inner hole, 204t; O-ring groove, 204v; stop ring groove, 204x; O-ring groove, 204z; tip surface 205; airtight packing, 206; retainer, 209; disassembly ring 211; Corrugated pipe (inlet piping, gas supply pipe), 213; Gas outlet piping (corrugated pipe) 220; Hexagonal section 240; spring assembly; 241; spring; 242; guide member; 244; moving member 250;Other equipment (meter unit) 251; support bracket, 251b; mounting rib, 251f; plate portion, 252; clamp 253; entry pipe, 253b; rear hanging part, 253f; horizontal pipe part, 253j; Front hanging part, 253p; Union 254;Gas valve, 254b;Opening and closing handle 255; Exit pipe, 255b; Back hanging part, 255f; Horizontal pipe part, 255j; Front hanging part, 255p; Union, 262; Claw 271; Universal mechanism part, 272; Screw joint part (screw socket, male thread) 273; flexible outer cylinder, 273c; O-ring abutment step, 273d; outer cylinder portion, 273f; stop ring groove, 273g; O-ring contact portion, 273j; inner step portion, 273p; external thread portion, 273s; inner hole 301; corrugated pipe joint, 302; corrugated pipe connection part, 304; joint body, 305; handle 311; Corrugated pipe, 373; Threaded joint, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, referring to Figure 1, we will explain how a meter unit 250, which is an example of gas equipment including a corrugated pipe joint with a flexible mechanism 201 according to an embodiment of the present invention, is installed inside a meter box (narrow space 100, see Figure 7). The directions (arrows) in the figure are the same as those in Figure 7, with the side closer to the back wall 105 of the meter box being the back side and the opposite direction being the front side. Left and right are the left and right as seen from a person facing the meter box from the front. Up and down are the up and down in the direction of gravity.

[0029] In the figure, the vertically long box-shaped object indicated by the two-dot chain line is a gas meter 129. This gas meter 129 calculates the amount of city gas consumed by a single city gas consumer such as an ordinary household. A display unit 129b that displays the accumulated gas flow rate and other information is provided in the center of the front side of the gas meter 129. Gas enters this gas meter 129 through a gas inlet 129c at the upper left and exits through a gas outlet 129x at the upper right. The gas meter 129 is supported in a suspended state by a meter unit 250.

[0030] Meter unit 250 has an inlet pipe 253 and an outlet pipe 255 that are generally U-shaped facing downward, and support bracket 251 that supports them. Support bracket 251 has a mounting rib 251b on the rear side and a plate portion 251f that extends toward the front. Mounting rib 251b is fixed to support frame 104 (beam) in Figure 7. Support bracket 251 holds inlet pipe 253 and outlet pipe 255 at four points: on the left, right, and rear front.

[0031] Inlet pipe 253 has horizontal pipe section 253f extending in the rear-front direction, and tubular rear-side hanging section 253b is connected to the rear side of horizontal pipe section 253f. Hanging section 253b is connected to gas inlet piping (gas supply pipe, corrugated pipe) 211 via corrugated pipe fitting 201. Specifically, hanging section 253b has a female thread (not shown) formed on its inner pipe section, and male thread section 272 (see FIG. 2) of corrugated pipe fitting 201 is screwed into this female thread. A hexagonal section is formed on the outside of hanging section 253b. Hanging section 253b is fixed by clamp 252 to the left rear section of plate section 251f of the support bracket.

[0032] Gas valve 254 (with opening / closing handle 254b) is provided on the front side of horizontal pipe section 253f of inlet pipe 253. Tubular front-side hanging portion 253j is connected to the bottom of gas valve 254. Hanging portion 253j is connected to gas inlet 129c of gas meter 129 via union 253p. Hanging portion 253j is abutted against the left front portion of plate portion 251f of the support bracket.

[0033] Outlet pipe 255 has horizontal pipe section 255f extending in the rear-front direction, and tubular rear-side hanging section 255b is connected to the rear side of outlet pipe 255. Hanging section 255b is connected to gas outlet piping (corrugated pipe that delivers gas to various parts of the house) 213 via a corrugated pipe joint (similar to that on the inlet pipe 253 side). The connection structure is also a screw structure similar to that on the inlet pipe 253 side. A hexagonal section is formed on the outside of hanging section 255b, and this section 255b is fixed to the right rear section of plate section 251f of the support bracket with a clamp, similar to that on the inlet pipe 253 side.

[0034] A tubular front-side hanging portion 255j is connected to the front side of horizontal pipe portion 255f of outlet pipe 255. Hanging portion 255j is connected to gas outlet 129x of gas meter 129 via union 255p. Hanging portion 255j is abutted against the right front portion of plate portion 251f of the support bracket. The procedure for installing and connecting this gas meter 129 and piping, as well as the effect of a method for preventing improper connection of corrugated pipe joints, will be described later.

[0035] Next, with reference to Figures 2 and 3, we will explain the corrugated pipe joint 201 with a universal mechanism, which is a main component of the method for preventing poor connection construction of a corrugated pipe joint according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a half cross-sectional view of the corrugated pipe 211 and the corrugated pipe joint 201 after connection is complete. Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the universal joint portion 271 of the joint 201 in Figure 2. In each figure, the left side of the figure is the corrugated pipe side (referred to as the base side), and the right side of the figure is the side of the gas appliance or other piping (referred to as the tip side).

[0036] 2 and 3 comprises a corrugated pipe connecting part 202 including holding mechanisms 203, 204, 205, 206, and 241 that hold the end of a corrugated pipe 211 in an airtight state, and a universal screw coupling part 272 that has an inner pipe part communicating with the inner hole and is attached to the corrugated pipe connecting part so as to be rotatable about its axis via a universal mechanism part 271. In Fig. 2, members and parts with numerals that are the same as those of the corrugated pipe joint 1 in Fig. 5 but with 200 added indicate members and parts that have the same structure and function.

[0037] The corrugated pipe connection portion 202 of this corrugated pipe joint 201 has the same configuration as the current product shown in Figure 5. Specifically, the main components of the corrugated pipe joint 201, from the base end to the tip end, include a press nut 203, a retainer 206, an airtight packing 205, and a spring assembly 240 (spring 241, guide member 242, and moving member 244). The press nut 203 prevents the retainer 206 from slipping out toward the base end. The retainer 206 has claws 262 that fit into the valleys (concave portions) of the corrugated pipe 211, preventing the pipe 211 from slipping out toward the base end. The airtight packing 205 has an inner hole that engages with the peaks (convex portions) of the corrugated pipe 211, sealing in the gas inside. In the state shown in Figure 2, the spring 241 extends toward the base end. The guide member 242 and the moving member 244 inside the spring 241 are pressed by the leading end (right end) of the corrugated tube 211 to switch the state of the spring 241 from a compressed state to an extended state. The configuration and operation of these parts and components have been explained with reference to Figures 5 and 6, but further details are described in the publication of Japanese Patent No. 5461116 filed by the applicants of the present application.

[0038] Next, the flexible mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. The joint body tube 204 consists of a thick, base-side accommodating tube portion 204f for the corrugated pipe connecting components, and a flexible inner tube portion 204p that protrudes forward and is one level thinner than the accommodating tube portion 204f. The corrugated pipe connecting components, such as the press nut 203, retainer 206, airtight packing 205, and spring assembly 240, are incorporated into an inner hole 204h of the accommodating tube portion 204f. These connecting components are also cylindrical, and the end of the corrugated pipe is received and fixed in their inner holes.

[0039] On the outer periphery of the flexible inner cylinder portion 204p on the tip side of the joint body cylinder 204, an O-ring groove 204t, a stop ring groove 204v, and an O-ring groove 204x are formed in this order from the base side to the tip side. These grooves are ring-shaped. The inner hole 204r of the flexible inner cylinder portion 204p has approximately the same diameter as the inner hole of the spring moving member 244 and forms a gas flow path. The tip end surface 204z of the flexible inner cylinder portion 204p faces the inner step portion 273j of the flexible outer cylinder 273 across a small gap.

[0040] The universal outer cylinder 273 is composed of an outer cylinder portion 273d on the base side and an externally threaded portion 273p protruding toward the tip side thereof. The outer cylinder portion 273d is rotatably fitted onto the outer periphery of the universal inner cylinder portion 204p of the joint body cylinder 204 described above. An O-ring abutment step portion 273c, a stop ring groove 273f, and an O-ring abutment portion 273g are formed in the inner hole (inner peripheral surface) of the universal outer cylinder 273, in this order from the base side to the tip side. The outer surface of the universal outer cylinder outer cylinder portion 273d forms a hexagonal portion 220. A male thread 272 is cut on the outer surface of the externally threaded portion 273p, and an inner hole 273s (same diameter as the inner hole 204r of the flexible inner cylindrical portion 204p of the joint body cylindrical) for the gas flow path is formed on the inner surface.

[0041] Next, we will explain the installation of the gas meter 129, the procedure for connecting the corrugated pipe 211 and the corrugated pipe fitting 201, and the operation of a method for preventing poor connection of the corrugated pipe fitting. The meter unit 250 shown in Figure 1 has its mounting rib 251b fixed to the support frame (beam) 104 inside the meter box 100 shown in Figure 7 using bolts and nuts (not shown). The corrugated pipe 211 (inlet piping, gas supply pipe) connected to the inlet side of the meter unit 250 is cut to the required and appropriate length, and then the coating on both ends is stripped to expose the ends of the bellows-shaped main pipe 212.

[0042] The corrugated pipe fittings 201 are inserted straight into both ends of the corrugated pipe 211 in a wide space, and the springs 241 are extended. This causes the claws of the retainer 206 to fit into the recesses on the outer surface of the corrugated pipe body, securing the corrugated pipe 211 from the fitting body 204. The airtight packing 205 also fits snugly into the protrusions on the outer surface of the corrugated pipe body, sealing the pipe and fitting together to prevent gas from leaking out. After fitting insertion is complete, the fitting corrugated pipe 211 is manually pulled out of the fitting 201 (a fitting confirmation operation) to confirm the fitting connection. The disassembly ring 209 that appears at the end of the fitting is then visually confirmed. Because the corrugated pipe and fitting are connected in a wide space (not inside a meter box), the corrugated pipe 211 and fitting 201 are properly connected, avoiding poor installation, which was a fundamental cause of piping work in a narrow space (such as the meter box 100).

[0043] Next, the corrugated pipe 211 with fittings 201 attached to both ends is connected between the gas main pipe 121 (see FIG. 7) and the meter unit 250. Specifically, the male thread portion 272 (see FIG. 2) of the corrugated pipe fitting 201 is screwed into the hanging portion 253b (on which a female thread, not shown, is formed) of the unit's inlet pipe 253. At this time, a wrench or the like is applied to the hexagonal portions 220 and 253b of both pipes to turn them. The connection structure and operation between the gas main pipe 121 and the corrugated pipe 211 are also similar. In the present invention, a flexible mechanism 271 is provided in the corrugated pipe fitting 201, and the side of the screw fitting portion 272 (screw socket) from the hexagonal portion 220 to the screw portion 272 is rotatable relative to the corrugated pipe fixing portion 202. This allows the connection work to be performed without the screwing rotation during installation of the screw socket being transmitted to the corrugated pipe (without twisting the corrugated pipe), even if the corrugated pipe 211 and fitting 201 are connected first.

[0044] Next, with reference to Figure 4, we will explain an improved example of a corrugated pipe fitting 301 having a handle 305 for gripping the fitting when connecting a corrugated pipe. The corrugated pipe fitting 301 in Figure 4 comprises a fitting body 304 including an inner hole into which the end of a corrugated pipe 311 is inserted, and a corrugated pipe connecting part 302 having a holding mechanism for holding the corrugated pipe end in an airtight state within the inner hole. The corrugated pipe connecting part 302 also comprises a threaded coupling part 373 having an inner pipe part communicating with the inner hole, which is attached to the connecting part 302 via a flexible mechanism part so as to be rotatable about its axis. The corrugated pipe connecting part 302 and the threaded coupling part 373 have the same structure and function as the corrugated pipe fitting 201 in Figures 2 and 3.

[0045] A characteristic feature of the corrugated pipe fitting 301 in FIG. 4 is that a handle 305 protrudes from the outer surface of the fitting body 304 or the threaded joint portion 373. In this example, the handle 305 has a flange-like shape with a circular outer shape. The handle 305 may also have a polygonal outer shape, and may be formed on either the fitting body 304 or the threaded joint portion 373. By hooking a finger on this handle 305 and pushing (or pulling) the fitting 301 toward the corrugated pipe 311, the finger is prevented from slipping on the outer surface of the fitting body 304 or the threaded joint portion 373, making it easier to apply force, and allowing for efficient insertion of the tip of the corrugated pipe into the fitting. Furthermore, when holding the fitting during flexible pipe connection work (such as when pulling the corrugated pipe), the hand will not slip and the threaded portion will not be grasped by mistake, preventing injury. In addition, when the screw joint portion 272 (screw socket) is screwed into a gas appliance or the like, it also has the function and effect of preventing the wrench from sliding sideways.

Claims

1. A method for preventing poor installation when connecting a corrugated pipe (211) to another device (250) or a pipe through a corrugated pipe joint (201) in a narrow space (100), comprising: The corrugated pipe joint (201) is a corrugated pipe connection part (202) including an inner hole into which an end of the corrugated pipe (211) is inserted and holding mechanisms (203, 204, 205, 206, 241) that hold the end of the corrugated pipe in an airtight state within the inner hole; a threaded joint (272) attached to the corrugated pipe connecting portion via a flexible mechanism (271) so as to be rotatable about an axis, the threaded joint (272) having an inner pipe (273s) communicating with the inner hole, In a wide area outside the narrow area (100), an end of the corrugated pipe (211) is inserted into the corrugated pipe joint (201) and connected; Then, the threaded joint portion (272) is screwed into the other equipment (250) or piping at the narrow location (100).

2. A gas appliance installed in a narrow space (100) and having a corrugated pipe (211) connected to an appliance (250) or a pipe via a corrugated pipe joint (201), The corrugated pipe joint (201) is a corrugated pipe connection part (202) including an inner hole into which an end of the corrugated pipe (211) is inserted and holding mechanisms (203, 204, 205, 206, 241) that hold the end of the corrugated pipe in an airtight state within the inner hole; a threaded joint (272) attached to the corrugated pipe connecting portion via a flexible mechanism (271) so as to be rotatable about an axis and having an inner pipe portion communicating with the inner hole, In a wide area outside the narrow area (100), an end of the corrugated pipe (211) is inserted into and connected to the corrugated pipe joint (201), A gas appliance equipped with a method for preventing poor connection construction of a corrugated pipe joint, characterized in that the threaded joint portion (272) is screwed and connected to the other appliance (250) or piping in the narrow area (100).

3. a corrugated pipe connecting part (302) having a joint body (304) including an inner hole into which an end of a corrugated pipe (311) is inserted, and a holding mechanism for holding the end of the corrugated pipe in an airtight state within the inner hole; a threaded joint (373) attached to the corrugated pipe connection portion via a flexible mechanism portion so as to be rotatable about an axis, the threaded joint having an inner pipe portion communicating with the inner hole; A corrugated pipe fitting (301) characterized in that it has a handle (305) protruding from the outer surface of the fitting body (304) or the threaded fitting portion (373), which is used to grasp the fitting and push it in the direction opposite to the insertion of the corrugated pipe when inserting and connecting the end of the corrugated pipe (311) into the corrugated pipe fitting (301).

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