Fixture

Abstract

To provide a fixture for undetachably fixing a lid member.SOLUTION: The fixing tool 100 attached to the lid member 200 includes the attachment portion 110 provided with the shaft portion 111 rotatably and pivotally supported by a part of the lid member 200, the lateral extension portion 120 extending laterally from the attachment portion 110, and the locking portion 130 extending forward from the lateral extension portion 120, and the locking portion 130 is configured to be lockable to the back surface 410 side of the other lid member 200 adjacent to the lid member 400.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixture that can be attached to a cover member such as a grating installed in a street gutter or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Covering members such as gratings are attached to buried structures such as road gutters to prevent people, vehicles, etc. from falling in. There are various types of covering members, and as shown in Patent Document 1, typical gratings are made of a lattice-shaped metal material that can withstand the load of people and vehicles passing through while allowing rainwater and other water to drain. However, if the covering members can be removed, there are problems such as theft of the covering members. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-250075 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In view of the above problem, the present invention provides a fixture that fixes a cover member so that it cannot be removed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The fixing device of the present invention is a fixing device that is attached to a cover member, and is characterized in that it comprises an attachment portion having an axis that is rotatably supported on a part of the cover member, a lateral extension portion that extends laterally from the attachment portion, and a locking portion that extends forward from the lateral extension portion, and the locking portion is configured to be able to lock onto the back side of another cover member adjacent to the cover member.

[0006] According to the above feature, even if the lid member is inadvertently lifted upward, the locking portion extending forward of the fixing device (i.e., toward the adjacent lid member) locks onto the back surface of the adjacent lid member, preventing the lid member from being inadvertently removed. Also, because the lateral extension portion of the fixing device extends laterally from the mounting portion of the fixing device, the fixing device can be rotatably attached to a portion of the lid member without interfering with a portion of the inner surface of the buried structure (such as the lid hook portion or side wall) when it rotates.

[0007] Furthermore, the fixture of the present invention is characterized in that the upper end of the engaging portion is formed with projections and recesses.

[0008] According to the above feature, the concave and convex portions of the locking portion tightly lock onto the rear surface of the lid member, thereby more effectively preventing the lid member from being accidentally removed.

[0009] Furthermore, the fixture of the present invention is characterized in that the shaft portion is disposed forward of the center of gravity of the fixture.

[0010] According to the above feature, when the fastener is pivotally supported about the shaft, its own weight causes it to rotate counterclockwise about the shaft so that the center of gravity of the fastener is aligned directly below the shaft, which causes the tip of the engaging portion to rotate upward and easily come into contact with the back surface of the adjacent cover member, as described below. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] As described above, the fixture of the present invention secures the cover member so that it cannot be removed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is an overall perspective view of the fixture 100, FIG. 1(b) is a side view of the fixture 100, and FIG. 1(c) is a front view of the fixture 100. As shown in FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the fixture 100 according to the present invention attached to the cover member 200. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view of a buried structure 300 in which a cover member 200 having a fixing device 100 attached thereto is installed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(a) is an enlarged perspective view of the lid member 200 installed on the buried structure 300, and FIG. 4(b) is an enlarged front view of the lid member 200 installed on the buried structure 300. As shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the cover member 200 installed on the buried structure 300. As shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 7] 7(a) is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the lid member 200 is lifted slightly upward from the state shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the lid member 200 is lifted further upward from the state shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which fixture 100 has been rotated from the state shown in FIG. 6. [Explanation of symbols]

[0013] 100 Fixtures 110 Mounting part 111 Shaft 120 Lateral extension 130 Locking part 200 Lid member 400 Other cover parts 401 Back side DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The following describes embodiments of the present invention. Note that the shapes of the drawings referred to in the following description are conceptual or schematic diagrams for explaining preferred shapes and dimensions, and the dimensional ratios do not necessarily correspond to the actual dimensional ratios. In other words, the present invention is not limited to the dimensional ratios in the drawings.

[0015] First, Fig. 1 shows a fixture 100 according to the present invention. Fig. 1(a) is an overall perspective view of fixture 100, Fig. 1(b) is a side view of fixture 100, and Fig. 1(c) is a front view of fixture 100.

[0016] 1, fixture 100 is a metal member that includes a plate-shaped mounting portion 110 that is attached to a portion of a cover member (described later), a lateral extension portion 120 that extends laterally from mounting portion 110, and a locking portion 130 that extends forward from lateral extension portion 120. Mounting portion 110 is provided with a shaft portion 111 that is rotatably supported on a portion of the cover member (described later). Shaft portion 111 is a through hole that allows a bolt or the like to be inserted therethrough.

[0017] 1(b), in a side view of fastener 100, shaft 111 is positioned more forward (toward tip 131 of locking portion 130) than center P1 in the front-to-rear direction of mounting portion 110. Therefore, shaft 111 is positioned forward of center of gravity Z of fastener 100. Then, when fastener 100 is pivotally supported about shaft 111 so that it can rotate about shaft 111, the weight of fastener 100 causes fastener 100 to rotate counterclockwise about shaft 111 so that center of gravity Z is aligned directly below shaft 111. Therefore, as will be described later, tip 131 of locking portion 130 tends to rotate upward and come into contact with the back surface of the adjacent cover member.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1(c), the lateral extension 120 extends laterally from the mounting portion 110 in a stepped shape, and the locking portion 130 extends linearly forward from the lateral extension 120. As shown in FIG. 1(b), the lateral extension 120 is positioned rearward (on the opposite side of the tip 131 of the locking portion 130) from the center P1 of the mounting portion 110 in the front-to-rear direction. As a result, the weight of the lateral extension 120 is biased rearward, and the center of gravity Z of the fixing device 100 also moves further rearward. As a result, the shaft 111 is positioned further forward relative to the center of gravity Z of the fixing device 100. When the fixing device 100 is pivotally supported around the shaft 111, the tip 131 of the locking portion 130 rotates upward, making it more likely to come into contact with the rear surface of the adjacent cover member, as will be described later.

[0019] Furthermore, locking portion 130 extends linearly from end 132 to tip 131. Upper end 133 of locking portion 130 is linear, and has claw-like irregularities 134 formed on a portion thereof. While locking portion 130 extends linearly from end 132 to tip 131, this is not limiting, and as long as locking portion 130 can be locked to the backside of the adjacent lid member, as described below, locking portion 130 may have any shape, such as a curved shape. Furthermore, although irregularities 134 are formed on a portion of locking portion 130, this is not limiting, and any configuration can be adopted as long as locking portion 130 can be securely locked to the backside of the lid member, such as not providing irregularities 134 or attaching a material with high friction force to upper end 133 instead of irregularities 134.

[0020] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1( b), the intermediate portion 140 connecting the lateral extension portion 120 and the locking portion 130 is positioned more rearward (on the opposite side from the tip 131 of the locking portion 130) than the shank 111 in a side view of the fixing device 100. Therefore, the weight of the intermediate portion 140 is biased rearward, and the center of gravity Z of the fixing device 100 is also moved further rearward. Furthermore, because the intermediate portion 140 is bent in a Z shape, the weight of the intermediate portion 140 increases. Therefore, because the weight of the intermediate portion 140 increases on the rear side, the center of gravity Z of the fixing device 100 is also moved further rearward. As a result, the shank 111 is positioned further forward relative to the center of gravity Z of the fixing device 100. When the fixing device 100 is supported so as to be rotatable around the shaft portion 111, as will be described later, the tip 131 of the locking portion 130 rotates upward, making it even more likely to come into contact with the back surface of the adjacent cover member.

[0021] Next, FIG. 2 shows an overall perspective view of the fixing device 100 according to the present invention attached to the cover member 200. As shown in FIG. 2, the cover member 200 has a metallic grid-like grating configuration and includes a height-enhancing member 210 at each end of its underside. The height-enhancing member 210 has a metal square pipe shape and includes a flat inner surface 211 and a flat bottom surface 212 that is placed on a cover hanger of the buried structure, which will be described later. A shaft hole 213 is formed in the inner surface 211. By aligning the shaft portion 111 of the fixing device 100 with the shaft hole 213 and inserting a connector 214 such as a bolt to connect the fixing device 100, the fixing device 100 is rotatably supported on a part of the cover member 200 (e.g., the height-enhancing member 210). Note that the cover member 200 has a grating configuration, but is not limited thereto, and may have any configuration as long as it can close the opening of the buried structure. Furthermore, although the fixture 100 is attached to the bulkhead member 210 of the lid member 200, the present invention is not limited to this and the fixture 100 may be attached to any location on the lid member 200.

[0022] Next, usage modes of fastener 100 according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 6. Figure 3 is an overall perspective view of buried structure 300 on which lid member 200 with fastener 100 attached is installed, Figure 4(a) is an enlarged perspective view of lid member 200 installed on buried structure 300, Figure 4(b) is an enlarged front view of lid member 200 installed on buried structure 300, Figure 5 is a plan view of lid member 200 installed on buried structure 300, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 5.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 , buried structure 300 is in the form of a concrete gutter and includes bottom wall 310, side wall 320, and drainage channel 340 surrounded by bottom wall 310 and side wall 320. An opening 330 is formed above drainage channel 340, allowing rainwater to be collected from the surrounding road surface. Cover member 200 closes opening 330 to prevent people, vehicles, and the like from falling into it. Specifically, a stepped cover hook 322 is provided at the upper end 321 of side wall 320, and the bottom surface 212 of the elevation member 210 of cover member 200 rests on flat cover hook 322. Another cover member 400 is placed on cover hook 322 adjacent to cover member 200 to close drainage channel 340. Cover member 400 is a roughly rectangular concrete block, but is not limited to this and may have any shape. Furthermore, although the buried structure 300 is in the form of a concrete gutter, it is not limited to this and may be in any form, such as a catch basin, as long as it is an buried structure on which the cover member 200 can be placed.

[0024] 5, one fastener 100 is attached to each of the bulkhead members 210 on both sides of the lid member 200 (a total of two fasteners 100 are attached to the lid member 200 as a whole), with one fastener 100 disposed on one of the lid members 400 (the right-side lid member 400 in FIG. 5) and the other fastener 100 disposed on the other lid member 400 (the left-side lid member 400 in FIG. 5). Attaching one fastener 100 to each of the bulkhead members 210 of the lid member 200 ensures that the lid member 200 is sufficiently secured to prevent accidental removal, as will be described later. While one fastener 100 is attached to each of the bulkhead members 210 on both sides of the lid member 200, the present invention is not limited to this, and any number of fasteners 100 may be attached to the lid member 200.

[0025] 4(b), the lateral extension portion 120 of the fixing device 100 extends laterally from the mounting portion 110 of the fixing device 100, and therefore the locking portion 130 extending forward from the lateral extension portion 120 does not come into contact with the lid hook portion 322 or the inner surface of the side wall 320 of the buried structure 300. Therefore, when the fixing device 100 rotates, it can be rotatably attached to a part of the lid member 200 without interfering with a part of the inner surface of the buried structure 300 (such as the lid hook portion 322 or the side wall 320). In particular, even if the width of the lid hook portion 322 or the width of the bulkhead member 210 of the buried structure 300 changes, the lateral extension portion 120 of the fixing device 100 can prevent the locking portion 130 from coming into contact with the lid hook portion 322 or the inner surface of the side wall 320 of the buried structure 300.

[0026] 6, fixing device 100 is rotatably supported on a part of cover member 200 by overlapping shaft portion 111 of fixing device 100 with shaft hole 213 of bulkhead member 210 and connecting device 214, such as a bolt, through which fixing device 100 is connected. Since fixing device 100 is rotatably attached around connecting device 214, fixing device 100 automatically rotates counterclockwise around shaft portion 111 due to its own weight so that center of gravity Z is aligned directly below shaft portion 111. As a result, tip 131 of engaging portion 130 rotates upward, making it more likely to abut against back surface 401 of adjacent cover member 400. Due to the weight of the fixing device 100, the fixing device 100 rotates counterclockwise around the shaft portion 111 so that the center of gravity Z is aligned directly below the shaft portion 111. However, this is not limited to this, and if the connecting device 214 is fastened relatively tightly, the user may rotate the fixing device 100 so that the tip 131 of the engaging portion 130 abuts against the back surface 401 of the cover member 400.

[0027] Next, Fig. 7 illustrates how the fixing device 100 of the present invention fixes the lid member 200 so that it does not come off. Fig. 7(a) is a cross-sectional view of the lid member 200 lifted slightly upward from the state shown in Fig. 6, and Fig. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view of the lid member 200 lifted further upward from the state shown in Fig. 6.

[0028] In FIG. 7(a), lid member 200 is in an inadvertently lifted upward. Then, tip 131 of locking portion 130 of fixing device 100 abuts against back surface 401 of lid member 400, causing fixing device 100 to rotate clockwise about shaft 111 as lid member 200 moves upward. Locking portion 130 extending forward of fixing device 100 (i.e., toward the adjacent lid member 400) locks with back surface 401 of lid member 400, preventing lid member 200 from being inadvertently removed. Furthermore, because locking portion 130 extends linearly, linear upper end 133 is in line contact with back surface 401 of lid member 400. Therefore, locking portion 130 can lock with back surface 401 of lid member 400 over a wide area, effectively preventing lid member 200 from being inadvertently removed.

[0029] 7(b), when lid member 200 is further lifted upward with a strong force, fixing device 100 further rotates clockwise about shaft 111 as lid member 200 moves upward. As a result, irregularities 134 of locking portion 130 lock tightly onto back surface 401 of lid member 400, further effectively preventing lid member 200 from being accidentally removed.

[0030] Furthermore, when cover member 200 is to be intentionally removed for maintenance or the like, a dedicated rod-shaped member Y is used, as shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which fixture 100 has been rotated from the state shown in Fig. 6.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 8 , member Y is inserted from above lid member 200 into space V, which penetrates lid member 200 from top to bottom, and the tip of member Y is brought into contact with any location on fastener 100 (for example, locking portion 130). Then, member Y is pushed downward, and fastener 100 is rotated clockwise until tip 131 of locking portion 130 of fastener 100 moves to a position where it does not vertically overlap with back surface 401 of lid member 400. Since locking portion 130 of fastener 100 then does not lock with back surface 401 of lid member 400, lid member 200 can be lifted upward and easily removed. Note that space V in lid member 200 will be a lattice-like space if lid member 200 is a lattice-like grating, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be any space that penetrates vertically.

[0032] The fixing device of the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various modifications and combinations are possible within the scope of the claims and the scope of the embodiments, and these modifications and combinations are also included in the scope of rights.

Claims

1. A fixture attached to a lid member, an attachment portion provided with a shaft portion rotatably supported on a part of the cover member; a lateral extension portion extending laterally from the mounting portion; a locking portion extending forward from the side extension portion, The fastener is characterized in that the engaging portion is configured to be able to engage with the back surface side of another cover member adjacent to the cover member.

2. 2. The fixture according to claim 1, wherein the upper end of the engaging portion is formed with a concave or convex shape.

3. The fixture according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shaft portion is disposed forward of the center of gravity of the fixture.

Images