Decorative washer

The decorative washer, formed by joining semi-annular washer halves with integrated ribs, addresses the complexity and cost issues of conventional designs by maintaining shape and stable holding without extra parts, facilitating low-cost assembly and production.

JP2026013918APending Publication Date: 2026-01-29FUJII GOKIN SEISAKUSHO CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024114650
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-07-18
Publication Date
2026-01-29

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional decorative washers require additional elastic parts to maintain their annular shape and stably hold cylindrical bodies, leading to increased costs and complex assembly.

Method used

A decorative washer composed of a pair of semi-annular washer halves joined by a joining means comprising first and second ribs with protruding pieces that provide elastic engagement and pressing, eliminating the need for separate elastic materials.

Benefits of technology

The solution allows for a cost-effective, easy-to-assemble decorative washer that maintains its annular shape and stably holds cylindrical bodies without additional parts, using a simple mold structure for production.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a decorative washer formed in an annular shape by assembling a pair of washer half bodies, having an annular shape maintaining function as the decorative washer and a holding function for holding a cylindrical body in a central hole of the pair of washer half bodies in a stable state, without arranging a separate part in the respective washer half bodies.SOLUTION: When an annular body is constituted of a pair of substantially semi-annular washer half bodies (51) and (52) having the same diameter and the same size, an engaging part (12) of a first rib (1) integrally provided on a back surface of one washer half body (51) is elastically engaged with an engaged part (22) of a second rib (2) of the other washer half body (52), so that the washer half bodies (51) and (52) can be connected in a state of maintaining an annular shape. A pressing part (23) provided at the projecting end of the second projecting piece part (21) of the second rib (2) can be supported in a state of elastically pressing the outer surface of the cylindrical body inserted into the central hole (50).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a decorative washer that covers and conceals a wall hole so as to surround the periphery of a pipe drawn out from the wall hole. [Background technology]

[0002] Wall panels of buildings have holes through which pipes such as electrical conduits, water pipes, and gas pipes can be pulled into the building, and annular decorative washers are attached to cover the holes around the pipes and maintain a good appearance of the wall panels. A decorative washer is generally an annular body that has a central hole for inserting a cylindrical body such as the above-mentioned pipe or the pipe connection part of a gas valve, and covers the entire wall hole, and is composed of a pair of washer halves that can be attached around the cylindrical body. As decorative washers of this type, techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are disclosed.

[0003] The decorative washer in Patent Document 1 is an annular body with an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the wall hole and a hexagonal central hole through which the hexagonal cylindrical pipe connection part of the gas valve can be inserted.By joining a pair of half-halves of a semi-annular washer that are split into two, the pipe connection part is sandwiched between them, making it possible to attach the washer so as to cover and conceal the wall hole while maintaining its annular shape. In addition, an elastic anti-slip member made of rubber or the like is attached to the inner peripheral edge of each washer half, and when the washer half is attached around the piping connection part, a part of the elastic anti-slip member is pressed against the outer surface of the piping connection part to support it, thereby making it possible to hold the piping connection part in a stable state between the pair of washer half bodies. In addition, in Patent Document 2, a pair of semi-annular washer halves can be maintained in their annular shape by a separate elastic material attached to each washer half, while at the same time stably holding the piping between them. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 50-149914 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 54-146417 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned conventional decorative washers, a separate part made of an elastic material or the like was attached to each half washer in order to maintain the annular shape of the decorative washer with the pair of half washer bodies and to stably hold a cylindrical body such as a pipe between the pair of half washer bodies. This resulted in a large number of parts, which increased costs, and also created the problem of troublesome assembly work because the work of attaching the elastic material to the half washer was necessary.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a decorative washer formed into an annular shape by assembling a pair of half washers, which can maintain its annular shape without providing any additional parts to the pair of half washers, and which can stably hold a cylindrical body between the pair of half washers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The technical means for solving the above problem is as follows: A decorative washer is an annular body having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of a wall hole and having a central hole through which a cylindrical body such as a pipe drawn out from the wall hole can be inserted, the decorative washer surrounding the cylindrical body and covering the wall hole, It consists of a pair of washer halves formed into a roughly semi-annular shape of the same size, when the pair of half washers are placed face to face to form an annular body, a joining means is provided in the vicinity of first and second opposing surfaces of each of the opposing half washers to join the half washers together, the joining means comprises a first rib that is integrally provided on the back surface of the washer half in the vicinity of the first opposing surface and that projects in the axial direction of the annular body, and that has a first projecting piece that projects beyond the first opposing surface toward the other washer half, and a second rib that is integrally provided on the back surface in the vicinity of the second opposing surface along the inner periphery and that projects in the same direction as the first rib, and that has a second projecting piece that projects beyond the second opposing surface toward the one washer half, An engagement portion is provided at a protruding end of the first protruding piece portion of the first rib, the second rib is provided with an engaged portion with which the engaging portion can be engaged from the radially outer side of each washer half when the first opposing surface of one washer half is brought into contact with the second opposing surface of the other washer half, The protruding end of the second protruding piece is formed with a pressing portion that protrudes toward the center of the central hole and presses against the outer surface of a cylindrical body inserted into the central hole.

[0008] The above technical means operates as follows. Since the pair of washer halves are approximately semi-annular bodies of the same size, when one washer half is rotated 180 degrees to face the other washer half, the first opposing surface of one washer half faces the second opposing surface of the other washer half, and similarly, the second opposing surface faces the first opposing surface. The first and second ribs are both protruding in the same direction (the axial direction of the annular body formed by the pair of washer halves), and the first and second protruding pieces that protrude beyond the first and second opposing surfaces are away from the back surfaces of the washer halves and are therefore elastic in the radial direction.

[0009] When the pair of washer halves are brought close together so that the first and second opposing surfaces of one washer half abut against the second and first opposing surfaces of the other washer half, respectively, the engaging portion of the protruding end of the first protruding piece of the first rib of one washer half elastically engages from the outside with the engaged portion of the second rib of the other washer half, and at the same time, the engaging portion of the first rib of the other washer half elastically engages from the outside with the engaged portion of the second rib of the one washer half.As a result, with the first opposing surface of one washer half abutting against the second opposing surface of the other washer half and the second opposing surface of one washer half abutting against the first opposing surface of the other washer half, the pair of washer halves are joined by the joining means consisting of the first and second ribs to form an annular body having a central hole through which a cylindrical body can be inserted.

[0010] The pair of washer halves are joined together by a joining means that utilizes the elastic restoring force of the first and second protruding pieces to form a ring-shaped body, and the joining means are provided at two locations symmetrical with respect to the center of the ring-shaped body. As a result, the ring-shaped body made up of the pair of washer halves is less likely to become distorted, and can maintain its ring-shaped form as a decorative washer. Furthermore, because the second rib protrudes along the inner peripheral edge of the washer half, the second rib is positioned along the shape of the central hole of the annular body made up of the first and second washer half, and the protruding end of the second protruding piece is provided with a pressing part that protrudes into the central hole, so that the outer surface of the cylinder inserted into the central hole is partially surrounded by the second rib, and at the same time, each position on the outer surface symmetrical with respect to the center of the cylinder is supported in a state where it is elastically pressed by the pressing part. Therefore, the cylinder can be held stably between the pair of washer half bodies without rattle.

[0011] When the pair of washer halves joined by the joining means are forcibly pulled away from each other, the first protruding piece of the first rib elastically deforms radially outward, disengaging the engaging portion of the first protruding piece from the engaged portion of the second rib, thereby separating the pair of washer bodies and enabling them to be removed from the cylindrical body.

[0012] In the above decorative washer, preferably, a third rib is provided integrally with the back surface of the washer half in the vicinity of the second opposing surface and protrudes in the same direction as the second rib, the third rib is positioned radially outward of the second rib from the washer half body, and has a third projecting piece portion that projects beyond the second opposing surface along the second projecting piece portion, When the pair of half washers are placed face to face and the first and second opposing surfaces are brought closer to each other, the first protruding piece of the first rib of one half washer enters between the second protruding piece of the second rib and the third protruding piece of the third rib of the other half washer, When the engaging portion of the first protruding piece of the first rib engages with the engaged portion of the second rib, the protruding end of the third protruding piece of the third rib is configured to elastically press the first rib toward the second rib.

[0013] The third rib is added to the connecting means consisting of the first and second ribs, and these first, second and third ribs all protrude in the same direction along the axial direction of the annular body. When a pair of half washers are brought close together while facing each other, the first protruding piece of the first rib of one half washer enters between the second protruding piece of the second rib and the third protruding piece of the third rib of the other half washer, and in this state, the engaging piece of the first protruding piece can be engaged with the engaged piece of the second rib. In other words, the third rib acts as a guide for the first protruding piece, allowing the engaging piece of the first protruding piece to be easily and reliably engaged with the engaged piece of the second rib.

[0014] Furthermore, the third protruding piece of the third rib protrudes beyond the second opposing surface and is therefore elastic in the radial direction, so that the first rib, which is connected to the second rib, is elastically pressed toward the second rib by the protruding end of the third protruding piece. This strengthens the engagement between the first rib and the second rib, making it possible to more reliably prevent rattling of the pair of washer halves connected by the connecting means and maintain the annular shape. To remove a pair of washer halves joined by the above-mentioned joining means, simply pull them apart, causing the first protruding piece of the first rib to elastically deform radially outward, and accordingly, the third protruding piece of the third rib also elastically deforms radially outward, thereby disengaging the engagement between the engaging portion of the first protruding piece and the engaged portion of the second protruding piece, allowing the pair of washer bodies to be separated.

[0015] In the above decorative washer, it is preferable that "the shape of the central hole of the annular body formed by joining the pair of half washers is circular." In this case, when a pair of half washers are joined together to sandwich a cylindrical body with an annular cross section, such as a flexible pipe, the cylindrical body is inserted into a circular central hole. At this time, two points on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body, which are symmetrically positioned about the center, are pressed and supported by the pressing portions of the protruding ends of the second protruding pieces, so that the pipe, such as an electric conduit, water pipe, or gas pipe, can be stably held within the circular central hole.

[0016] In the above decorative washer, preferably, "the central hole of the annular body formed by joining the pair of half washers is hexagonal in shape." For example, this can be attached to a hexagonal pipe connection portion of a gas valve to which a gas pipe is connected via a fitting, and by matching the hexagonal shape of the central hole to the shape of the hexagonal pipe connection portion, placing a pair of half washers on either side of the pipe connection portion, and joining them together, an annular body consisting of the pair of half washers can be attached around the pipe connection portion. At this time, two symmetrically positioned faces of the six outer faces of the pipe connection portion are pressed and supported by the pressing portions of the protruding ends of the second protruding pieces, so that the hexagonal pipe connection portion can be stably held within the hexagonal central hole.

[0017] In the decorative washer, preferably, "the engaging portion of the first protruding piece portion of the first rib and the engaged portion of the second rib are formed in a sawtooth shape with peaks and valleys that mesh with each other and are alternately connected along the longitudinal direction of each rib, The state in which the peak portion at the protruding end of the first protruding piece portion passes over the peak portion located at the most base end of the second rib and engages with it is the state in which the pair of washer halves are completely joined. When the pair of half washers is brought closer together with the first and second opposing surfaces facing each other, the multiple peaks and valleys on the engaging portion of the first protruding piece of one half washer elastically engage and disengage with the multiple peaks and valleys on the engaged portion of the second rib of the other half washer. The assembly of the pair of half washers is completed when the peaks on the protruding end of the first protruding piece pass over the peaks located at the base end of the second rib and engage. At this time, the other peaks and valleys are designed to engage with each other. In this way, when the first and second opposing surfaces of the pair of half washers are brought closer together, the multiple peaks and valleys on the engaging portion and engaged portion mesh with each other, forming an annular body. This allows the pair of half washers to be easily and reliably coupled, and the annular body after coupling can more reliably maintain its annular shape without accidental detachment. Furthermore, if the two are forcibly separated, the first protruding piece elastically deforms, and the engagement between the peak and valley portions is sequentially released, making it easy to disassemble the annular body consisting of the first and second washer halves. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The present invention has the following unique effects due to the above-described configuration. By simply abutting the opposing surfaces of a pair of identical and sized half washers facing each other, the joining means consisting of the first and second ribs join together to form an annular body serving as a decorative washer, which can reliably maintain its annular shape and stably hold a cylindrical body to be inserted into the central hole. In other words, the decorative washer, consisting of a pair of half washers, itself has the shape-maintaining function of maintaining the annular shape and the holding function of stably holding a cylindrical body within the central hole, so there is no need to prepare separate parts such as elastic materials separately from the half washers, and there is no need to assemble them to the half washers. This reduces the number of parts and simplifies the structure of the decorative washer, and the elimination of the need to assemble separate parts makes it easy to prepare decorative washers at low cost. Furthermore, each half washer has a simple structure with only ribs protruding from the backside, making it possible to form it by injection molding with synthetic resin. In particular, because all of the ribs protrude in the axial direction of the annular body, only two molds, one above the other and one positioned in the axial direction, are required for molding, allowing for production with the simplest mold structure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a decorative washer according to a first embodiment of the present invention is used. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an exploded state of the decorative washer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the decorative washer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the back side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the decorative washer according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a pipe. [Figure 5] 4 is a rear view of a decorative washer showing a state in which half washers according to the first embodiment of the present invention are assembled. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing how a decorative washer according to a second embodiment of the present invention is attached to a pipe connection portion of a gas cock. [Figure 7] 10 is a back view of a decorative washer showing a state in which half washers according to a second embodiment of the present invention are assembled. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the decorative washer according to the second embodiment of the present invention, seen from the back side, showing the assembled state of the decorative washer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the decorative washer (5) of the first embodiment surrounds the periphery of a cylindrical gas pipe (4) drawn out from a wall hole (40) provided in a wall panel (41) such as a partition wall, and covers the entire wall hole (40) to maintain a good appearance of the wall panel (41). The decorative washer (5) is composed of a pair of approximately semi-annular washer halves (51) and (52).

[0021] The pair of washer halves (51) and (52) are formed by injection molding of synthetic resin into roughly semi-annular shapes of the same size as shown in FIG. 2, and the area from each inner peripheral edge (13) to the outer peripheral edge (14) is formed to have a roughly arc-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. One washer half (51) is rotated 180 degrees relative to the other washer half (52) and they are joined together using a joining means described below. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the inner peripheral edges (13) of each washer half (51) and (52) form a circular central hole (50) through which the pipe (4) can be inserted, and a shallow, bowl-shaped annular body having an outer diameter larger than that of the wall hole (41) is formed. The piping may be a gas pipe or a resin pipe with a smooth outer surface made of a synthetic resin such as vinyl chloride resin, through which wiring materials such as cables are inserted.

[0022] Both circumferential ends of each of the washer halves (51) and (52) form first and second opposing surfaces (10) and (20) consisting of arc-shaped end faces extending from the inner peripheral edge (13) to the outer peripheral edge (14). On the back surface of each of the washer halves (51) and (52), a guide rib (30) is provided in an approximate central region along the inner peripheral edge (13), a first rib (1) is provided near the first opposing surface (10), and a second rib (2) and a third rib (3) are provided near the second opposing surface (20), all of which protrude integrally in the same direction, i.e., in the axial direction of the decorative washer (5) composed of a pair of washer halves (51) and (52). These first to third ribs (1), (2), and (3) function as joining means for joining the washer halves (51) and (52) together to form an annular body.

[0023] 2 and 3, the first rib (1) is integrally provided on the rear surface of one of the washer halves (51) or (52) near the first opposing surface (10), and has a first protruding piece (11) that protrudes beyond the first opposing surface (10) toward the other opposing washer half (52) or (51), and the protruding end of the first protruding piece (11) is provided with an engaging portion (12) in which two continuous ridges protrude toward the inner peripheral edge (13). Because the first protruding piece (11) is in a free state beyond the first opposing surface (10), it can elastically deform toward the inner peripheral edge (13) (hereinafter referred to as inward) and the outer peripheral edge (14) (hereinafter referred to as outward).

[0024] The second rib (2) is provided along the inner peripheral edge (13) near the second opposing surface (20) on the back surface of one of the washer half (51) or (52), integrally projecting so as to be continuous with the guide rib (30), and has a second projecting piece (21) that projects beyond the second opposing surface (20) toward the other opposing washer half (52) or (51). A pressing portion (23) is formed at the projecting end of the second projecting piece (21) that projects beyond the inner peripheral edge (13) toward the center of the central hole (50), and an engaged portion (22) is provided at a predetermined position near the base end of the second rib (2) with two continuous peaks that project outward.

[0025] Furthermore, a third rib 3 is integrally provided on the back surface of each of the washer halves 51, 52 near the second opposing surface 20, outward of the second rib 2, so as to project along the second rib 2. The third rib 3 is provided with a third protruding piece 31 that protrudes beyond the second opposing surface 20 and along the second protruding piece 21.

[0026] To attach the decorative washer (5) consisting of the pair of washer halves (51) and (52) configured as described above around the gas pipe (4) pulled out from the wall hole (40) in the wall panel (41), first, as shown in FIG. 4, the pair of washer halves (51) and (52) are positioned facing each other on both sides of the gas pipe (4), and the first and second opposing surfaces (10) and (20) facing each other are brought closer together. Then, the first protruding piece 11 of the first rib 1 of one washer half 51 or 52 is inserted between the second protruding piece 21 of the second rib 2 of the other washer half 52 or 51 and the third protruding piece 31 of the third rib 3, and the peaks of the engaging portion 12 of the first protruding piece 11 advance while elastically engaging with the valleys between the peaks of the engaged portion 22 of the second rib 2. The state in which the peak 12a at the protruding end of the first protruding piece 11 goes over the peak 22a located at the base end of the second rib and engages from the outside is the completed assembly state of the pair of washer half 51, 52 shown in Figures 3 and 5. In this engaged state, the outer surface of the first rib (1) is elastically pressed inward by the protruding end of the third protruding piece (31) of the third rib (3).

[0027] In this assembled state, the first and second opposing surfaces 10, 20 of the washer halves 51, 52 come into contact with each other, and at the same time, the elastic restoring force of the first protruding piece 11 causes the peaks and valleys of the engaging portion 12 of the first rib 1 to mesh with the peaks and valleys formed on the engaged portion 22 of the second rib 2, thereby forming a secure connection, and the elastic restoring force of the third protruding piece 31 causes its protruding end to press against the outer surface of the first rib 1. As a result, the engagement state formed by the engaging means consisting of the first, second, and third ribs 1, 2, and 3 will not be accidentally released. Furthermore, the engagement points of the first, second, and third ribs (1), (2), and (3) are provided at two locations symmetrical with respect to the center of the decorative washer (5) (two locations above and below the gas pipe (4) in the drawing), so that the decorative washer (5), consisting of a pair of washer halves (51), (52), is less likely to be distorted when attached around the gas pipe (4), and can maintain its annular shape.

[0028] Furthermore, the pressing portion (23) provided at the protruding end of the second protruding piece (21) is configured to protrude into the circular central hole (50) formed by the inner peripheral edges (13) of each of the pair of washer halves (51) and (52). Therefore, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 5, the gas pipe (4) inserted into the central hole (50) is supported by the guide ribs (30) located on both the left and right sides of the drawing, and at the same time, is elastically pressed and supported by the pressing portion (23) at two upper and lower points on the outer peripheral surface of the gas pipe (4) by the elastic restoring force of the second protruding piece (21). As a result, the gas pipe (4) can be held between the pair of half washers (51) and (52) in a stable state at all times without rattle.

[0029] After the pair of washer halves (51) and (52) are attached to the gas pipe (4), their outer edges (14) are brought into contact with the wall panel (41). As shown in FIG. 1, the entire wall hole (40), including the periphery of the gas pipe (4), can be covered and concealed by the decorative washer (5) consisting of the pair of washer halves (51) and (52).

[0030] Furthermore, since the first, second and third protruding pieces (11), (21) and (31) of the first, second and third ribs (1), (2) and (3) are elastically deformable, by forcibly pulling the washer halves (51) and (52) in the direction of separating them, the engagement portion (12) of the first protruding piece (11) and the engaged portion (22) of the second protruding piece (21) can be disengaged, and the decorative washer (5) can be separated into the washer halves (51) and (52) and removed from the pipe (4).

[0031] Next, a decorative washer according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 6, the decorative washer (6) of the second embodiment is attached to a pipe connection portion (44) of a gas valve (43) to which a gas pipe (4) drawn out from a wall hole (40) in a wall panel (41) is connected via a fitting (42). The central hole (60) formed by joining a pair of washer halves (61) and (62) is set to a hexagonal shape of a size that can just surround the hexagonal cylindrical pipe connection portion (44).

[0032] The inner peripheral shape of the pair of washer halves (61) and (62) is a hexagon divided into two by a center line passing through the centers of two opposing sides, and the guide rib (33) provided in the approximate center region of the inner peripheral edge on the back surface of each washer halve (61) and (62) has an approximately triangular cross section. Except for this, the same connecting means as the first, second and third ribs (1), (2) and (3) provided on the washer halves (51) and (52) of the first embodiment are used.

[0033] That is, both circumferential ends of the washer halves (61) and (62) are formed as first and second opposing surfaces (10) and (20) consisting of arc-shaped end faces, and a first rib (1) is provided near the first opposing surface (10) on the back surface of the washer halves (61) and (62), and a second rib (2) and a third rib (3) are provided near the second opposing surface (20), all protruding in the same direction, and these first to third ribs (1), (2), and (3) function as connecting means for connecting the washer halves (61) and (62) to an annular body.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6, a pair of washer halves (61) and (62) are disposed facing each other on both sides of the pipe connection portion (44) of the gas cock, and first and second opposing surfaces (10) facing each other are provided. (20) moves closer. Then, in the same manner as the engaging means of the first embodiment described above, the first protruding piece (11) of the first rib (1) of one washer half (61) or (62) is inserted between the second protruding piece (21) of the second rib (2) of the other washer half (62) or (61) and the third protruding piece (31) of the third rib (3). The peak portion of the protruding end of the engaging portion (12) of the first protruding piece (11) passes over the peak portion located at the base end of the second rib and engages. At the same time, the protruding end of the third protruding piece (31) of the third rib (3) elastically presses the outer surface of the first rib (1) inward, thereby completing the assembly of the pair of washer half bodies (61) and (62), and the decorative washer (6) is attached to the pipe connection portion (44) of the gas valve (43), as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0035] In the decorative washer (6) attached to the pipe connection (44) of the gas valve (43), when the first and second opposing surfaces (10) and (20) of the pair of washer halves (61) and (62) come into contact with each other, the elastic restoring forces of the first to third protruding pieces (11), (21), and (31) respectively ensure a secure engagement by the engaging means consisting of the first, second, and third ribs (1), (2), and (3), preventing accidental disengagement. Furthermore, the engagement points of the first, second, and third ribs (1), (2), and (3) are provided at two locations symmetrical about the center of the decorative washer (6) (two locations, one above and one below, in the drawing). Therefore, the decorative washer (6) assembled with the pair of washer halves (61) and (62) can maintain its annular shape without distortion when attached to the pipe connection (44) of the gas valve (43).

[0036] 7, the pressing portion 23 provided at the protruding end of the second protruding piece 21 is formed to protrude into the hexagonal central hole 60 of the decorative washer 6, which is composed of a pair of washer halves 61 and 62. Therefore, when the pipe connection 44 of the gas valve 43 is positioned in the central hole 60, as shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure, two of the four sides of the pipe connection 44, located on both sides, are supported by the guide ribs 33, each having a substantially triangular cross section, and the two upper and lower sides are supported in a state in which they are elastically pressed by the pressing portion 23 due to the elastic restoring force of the second protruding piece 21. This allows the decorative washer 6, composed of a pair of washer halves 61 and 62, to be attached to the pipe connection 44 of the gas valve 43 in a stable manner without any rattle. In other words, the hexagonal tubular pipe connection portion can be held in a stable state between the pair of washer halves (61) and (62).

[0037] The gas pipe (4) pulled out from the wall hole (40) is connected to the pipe connection portion (44) of the gas valve (43) via the joint (42), and a decorative washer (6) consisting of washer halves (61) and (62) is attached to the pipe connection portion (44). Then, the gas pipe (4) is pushed back into the wall hole (40) and the decorative washer (6) is brought into contact with the wall plate (41). Then, the pipe connection portion (44) is inserted into the wall hole (40), and the entire wall hole (40) including the area around the pipe connection portion (44) can be covered and concealed with the decorative washer (6).

[0038] In addition, in the decorative washer (6) of the second embodiment, if the washer halves (61) and (62) are forcibly pulled in a direction separating them, the first, second and third protruding pieces (11), (21) and (31) of the first, second and third ribs (1), (2) and (3) are elastically deformed, and the engagement by the engaging means consisting of the first, second and third ribs (1), (2) and (3) can be released, the washer halves (61) and (62) are separated, and the decorative washer (6) can be removed from the pipe connection portion (44).

[0039] In the decorative washer in each of the above embodiments, the pair of washer halves themselves are integrally provided with engaging means consisting of first, second, and third ribs (1), (2), and (3) that have elastic restoring force, thereby enabling the decorative washer to have a shape-maintaining function in its annular shape and a holding function for stably holding a cylindrical body such as a gas pipe or pipe connection within the circular or hexagonal central hole, eliminating the need for additional parts for maintaining the shape of the decorative washer or for holding the cylindrical body.This makes it possible to provide a decorative washer that is inexpensive and easy to assemble. Furthermore, the first, second, and third ribs (1), (2), and (3) are all integrally formed on the back surface of each washer half and protrude in the axial direction of the annular body, so that they can be easily molded by injection molding of synthetic resin using a simple mold structure consisting of only two dies positioned in the axial direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] (1) First rib (2) Second rib (4) Gas piping (cylinder) (5)(6) Decorative washer (10) First opposing surface (11)...First protruding piece (12) Engagement part (20) Second opposing surface (21)...Second protruding piece (22) Engaged part (23) Pressing section (40)...Wall hole (50)(60)...Central hole (51)(52) Half washer (61)(62) Half washer

Claims

1. A decorative washer is an annular body having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of a wall hole and having a central hole through which a cylindrical body such as a pipe drawn out from the wall hole can be inserted, the decorative washer surrounding the cylindrical body and covering the wall hole, It consists of a pair of washer halves formed into a roughly semi-annular shape of the same size, when the pair of half washers are placed face to face to form an annular body, a joining means is provided in the vicinity of first and second opposing surfaces of each of the opposing half washers to join the half washers together, the coupling means comprises a first rib integrally provided on the back surface of the washer half in the vicinity of the first opposing surface, protruding in the axial direction of the annular body, and having a first protruding piece portion protruding beyond the first opposing surface toward the other washer half, and a second rib integrally provided on the back surface in the vicinity of the second opposing surface along the inner periphery, protruding in the same direction as the first rib, and having a second protruding piece portion protruding beyond the second opposing surface toward the one washer half, an engaging portion is provided at a protruding end of the first protruding piece portion of the first rib; the second rib is provided with an engaged portion with which the engaging portion can be engaged from the radially outer side of each washer half when the first opposing surface of one washer half is brought into contact with the second opposing surface of the other washer half, A decorative washer having a pressing portion formed at the protruding end of the second protruding piece portion that protrudes toward the center of the central hole and presses against the outer surface of a cylindrical body inserted into the central hole.

2. The decorative washer according to claim 1, a third rib is integrally provided on a rear surface of the half washer near the second opposing surface and projects in the same direction as the second rib; the third rib is positioned radially outward of the second rib from the washer half body, and has a third projecting piece portion that projects beyond the second opposing surface along the second projecting piece portion, When the pair of washer halves are placed face to face and the first and second opposing surfaces are brought closer to each other, the first protruding piece of the first rib of one washer half enters between the second protruding piece of the second rib and the third protruding piece of the third rib of the other washer half, A decorative washer configured so that when the engaging portion of the first protruding piece of the first rib engages with the engaged portion of the second rib, the protruding end of the third protruding piece of the third rib elastically presses the first rib toward the second rib.

3. The decorative washer according to claim 1 or 2, A decorative washer in which the central hole of the annular body formed by joining the pair of washer halves is circular.

4. The decorative washer according to claim 1 or 2, A decorative washer in which the central hole of the annular body formed by joining the pair of washer halves is hexagonal.

5. The decorative washer according to claim 1 or 2, The engaging portion of the first protruding piece of the first rib and the engaged portion of the second rib are each formed in a sawtooth shape with peaks and valleys that mesh with each other and are alternately arranged along the longitudinal direction of each rib, A decorative washer in which the state in which the peak portion at the protruding end of the first protruding piece passes over and engages with the peak portion located at the most base end of the second rib is the state in which the pair of washer halves are completely joined.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • JP1975149914U

  • JP1979146417U