Connector

Abstract

By making it possible to temporarily fasten the components to be connected together, workability during construction is improved and the number of construction personnel required is reduced. [Solution] The connector comprises a first member and a second member, the first member having a first fixing portion and a first support portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the first frame member, and the second member having a second fixing portion and a second support portion extending in the axial direction of the second frame member. The first support portion and the second support portion overlap each other, and the load of the second frame member is supported by the first support portion via the second support portion. One of the first and second support portions has a locking portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the second frame member, and the other has a locking receiving portion that receives the locking portion in the second frame member. The second member is restricted in movement away from the first member and is movable between a close position approaching the first frame member and a separate position away from the first frame member, and the first member and second member can be fastened to each other when the second frame member is in the close position.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector. [Background technology]

[0002] When placing a beam horizontally between two upright columns and connecting these two columns and beams, at least three workers are required for safe operation: one to position one end of the beam while supporting one of the columns, one to position the other end of the beam while supporting the other column, and one to secure the beam to the columns by driving fasteners such as screws into each end of the beam. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-294880 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the more workers required for construction, the higher the construction costs. Therefore, there is a demand for a technology that can reduce the number of workers required for construction without compromising work safety. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a connector that improves workability during construction by enabling temporary fastening of components to be connected, and also reduces the number of construction personnel required. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The connector of the present invention connects first and second frame members extending in an axial direction with the axial directions crossing each other, and comprises a first member attached to the first frame member and a second member attached to the second frame member. The first member has a first fixing portion that fixes the first member to the first frame member and a first support portion that extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the first frame member, and the second member has a second fixing portion that fixes the second member to the second frame member and a second support portion that extends in the axial direction of the second frame member, the first support portion and the second support portion overlap each other, and the load of the second frame member is supported by the first support portion via the second support portion. One of the first and second support parts has a locking part that is convex in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the second frame member when the first and second frame members are connected by the connector, and the other has a locking receiving part that receives the locking part with some play in the axial direction of the second frame member. With the locking part housed in the locking receiving part, the second member is restricted in movement away from the first member, and is movable between a close position where the axial end of the second frame member approaches the first frame member and a distant position where the axial end is distant from the first frame member. The first member and the second member are configured to be fastenable to each other when the second frame member is in the close position. With this configuration, when the locking portion is housed in the locking receiving portion, the locking portion is restrained by the locking receiving portion due to the play provided in the locking receiving portion, and the locking receiving portion can move in the axial direction of the second frame member within the range of this play. This makes it possible to temporarily fasten the second frame member to the first frame member using the first and second members.

[0006] The first support portion of the connector of the present invention may have a first planar portion extending in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the first frame material, and the second support portion may have a second planar portion extending in a plane parallel to the axial direction of the second frame material, and the first support portion and the second support portion may overlap with the first planar portion and the second planar portion in contact with each other. The first and second support parts of the present invention firmly support the load of the second frame material by the first support part via the second support part, thereby enabling the first and second frame materials to be even more stable after construction.

[0007] The connector of the present invention may connect the first and second frame members to each other with the first frame member in an upright position and the second frame member positioned horizontally, and may have the locking receiving portion on the first support portion and the locking portion on the second support portion, respectively. The first and second support parts of the present invention ensure sufficient dimensions for the locking parts, making it possible to reliably temporarily fasten the first frame member and the second frame member together.

[0008] The locking portion of the connector of the present invention may be a notch or a through-hole that passes through the first support portion in the thickness direction thereof. The engagement receiving portion of the present invention is easy to form.

[0009] The locking portion of the connector of the present invention may be a recessed portion recessed in the thickness direction of the first support portion relative to the first flat surface portion. The lock receiving portion of the present invention makes it possible to suppress a decrease in strength of the first support portion due to its formation.

[0010] The locking portion and the locking receiving portion of the connecting device of the present invention may be provided on both edges of the first and second support portions in the width direction, with the direction perpendicular to the axial directions of the first and second frame members, respectively, being the width direction. The locking portion and lock-receiving portion of the present invention stabilize the position of the second frame member in a temporarily fastened state, making it easier to fasten the first member and the second member together.

[0011] The locking portion and the locking receiving portion of the connecting device of the present invention may be provided at the center of each of the first and second support portions in the width direction, with the direction perpendicular to the axial directions of the first and second frame members, respectively, being the width direction. The locking portion and lock-receiving portion of the present invention ensure the effectiveness of temporary fastening while facilitating simplification of the configuration related to temporary fastening.

[0012] The connector of the present invention may connect the first and second frame members to each other with the first frame member in an upright position and the second frame member positioned horizontally, and may have the locking portion on the first support portion and the locking receiving portion on the second support portion, respectively. The first and second support portions of the present invention provide a wider range of options or freedom of choice when providing the locking portion and lock receiving portion, making it possible to flexibly accommodate a variety of installation conditions.

[0013] The connector of the present invention may further comprise a third member attached to the axial end of the first frame member, the third member being arranged on the axial end face of the first frame member at the axial end and comprising an end face fixing portion that fixes the third member to the axial end, and a plurality of mounting portions that extend in the axial direction from the end face fixing portion along a plurality of side faces of the first frame member, and a plurality of the first members and a plurality of the second members are provided, and the plurality of first members are attached to each of the plurality of mounting portions at the first fixing portion and are configured to be fixable to the first frame member via the mounting portions. The third member of the present invention eliminates the need to individually fix the first member to each of the multiple side surfaces of the first frame member, and enables the position of the first member to be determined without the use of special positioning members. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The connector of the present invention has the effect of improving workability without compromising safety during construction, and also making it possible to reduce the number of construction personnel required. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a first member and a second member, respectively. [Figure 2] 1A to 1D are diagrams showing a first member of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with (a) a front view, (b) a side view, (c) a top view, and (d) a bottom view. [Figure 3] 3A to 3D are diagrams showing the second member of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention, with (a) being a front view, (b) being a side view, (c) being a top view, and (d) being a bottom view. [Figure 4] 1A, 1B, and 1C are diagrams showing a mounting state of a first frame material and a first member according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a top view. [Figure 5] 1A to 1D are diagrams showing the mounting state of the second frame material and the second member according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a front cross-sectional view, (b) is a side cross-sectional view, (c) is a top view, and (d) is a bottom view. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing a first frame member and a second frame member according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a temporarily fastened state, respectively showing a state when they are separated from each other and a state when they are close to each other. [Figure 7] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a first modified example of the connector (first member) according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a top view. [Figure 8] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a first modified example of the connector (second member) according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a top view. [Figure 9] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a second modified example of the connector (first member) according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a top view. [Figure 10] 10A, 10B, and 10C are diagrams showing a second modified example of the connector (second member) according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a top view. [Figure 11] 10A, 10B, and 10C are diagrams showing a third modified example of the connector (first member) according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a top view. [Figure 12]10A, 10B, and 10C are diagrams showing a third modified example of the connector (second member) according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a top view. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention in an installed state. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention attached to a first frame member, with (a) being a front view and (b) being a top view. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a third member of a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with (a) being a front view and (b) being a top view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the connector of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The dimensions of each part in the drawings used in the following description are not necessarily the same as the actual dimensions and can be changed as appropriate.

[0017] A connector 1A according to a first embodiment of the present invention is used to connect a first frame member F1 and a second frame member F2 that extend in one direction to each other. In this embodiment, the first and second frame members F1, F2 are both elongated and have an axial direction. The first frame member F1 is installed upright on the floor of a room and used as a column member of the structure. The second frame member F2 is placed horizontally and used as a beam member of the structure. A pair of first frame members F1 can be installed upright, and the second frame member F2 can be placed horizontally between the pair of first frame members F1, and the first frame member F1 and the second frame member F2 can be connected to each other with connectors 1A. After the first frame member F1 and the second frame member F2 are connected, the axial directions of the first and second frame members F1, F2 intersect, and the end face of the second frame member F2 in the axial direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the "end face" or sometimes as the "axial end face") abuts against the side face of the first frame member F1. The connector 1A is interposed between the end face of the second frame member F2 and the side face of the first frame member F1. The first and second frame members F1, F2 can also be applied to outdoor structures.

[0018] For ease of explanation, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions are defined for the connector 1A. The front-to-rear direction refers to the direction in which the end face of the second frame member F2 faces when the end face of the second frame member F2 abuts against the side face of the first frame member F1, and the opposite direction. The direction in which the end face of the second frame member F2 faces is referred to as the forward direction. The left-right and up-down directions are defined based on the front-to-rear direction. In the following description, a view showing the connector 1A, the first member 11a, and the second member 21a as viewed from the front is referred to as a front view, a view showing them as viewed from the side, specifically from the left, is referred to as a side view, a view showing them as viewed from above is referred to as a top view, and a view showing them as viewed from below is referred to as a bottom view.

[0019] 1 to 3, the connector 1A includes a pair of engageable members, namely, a first member 11a and a second member 21a. During installation, the first member 11a is attached to the side surface of the first frame member F1, and the second member 21a is attached to the end face of the second frame member F2.

[0020] The first member 11a has a first fixing portion 111a, a first top surface support portion 112a, and a first bottom surface support portion 113a. First fixing portion 111a, first top support portion 112a, and first bottom support portion 113a are all rectangular flat plates with a uniform thickness. First fixing portion 111a, first top support portion 112a, and first bottom support portion 113a have the same width in the left-right direction. The first upper support portion 112a and the first bottom support portion 113a are parallel to each other and joined perpendicularly to the first fixed portion 111a. This causes the first member 11a to have a U-shape when viewed from the side (FIG. 2(b)). However, as shown in FIG. 1(a), the first bottom support portion 113a is slightly longer in the front-rear direction than the first upper support portion 112a.

[0021] The first fixing portion 111a is arranged along the side surface of the first frame material F1 and fixes the first member 11a to the first frame material F1. Fixation to the first frame material F1 is performed using an appropriate fastener such as a screw. The first fixing portion 111a has a through hole ha1 for passing the fastener. The through hole ha1 passes through the first fixing portion 111a in its thickness direction. Fixation of the first fixing portion 111a to the first frame material F1 is not limited to using a fastener, and can also be performed using an appropriate joining method such as welding or adhesive. The first upper surface support portion 112a extends in a direction perpendicular to the first fixed portion 111a and forms an upper mounting surface fa11 that receives the load of the second frame member F2 via the second upper surface support portion 212a of the second member 21a, which will be described next. Because the first upper surface support portion 112a is flat, the upper mounting surface fa11 is flat overall and extends within a plane perpendicular to the first fixed portion 111a. The first bottom surface support portion 113a extends in a direction perpendicular to the first fixed portion 111a and forms a bottom mounting surface fa21 that receives the load of the second frame member F2 via the second bottom surface support portion 213a of the second member 21a. That is, in this embodiment, the load of the second frame member F2 is distributed and supported by the upper mounting surface fa11 and the bottom mounting surface fa21 formed on the first top surface support portion 112a and the first bottom surface support portion 113a, respectively. However, the range of the first bottom surface support portion 113a that substantially contributes to supporting the load, i.e., the range of the substantial bottom mounting surface fa21, is narrower than the range of the first upper surface support portion 112a that substantially contributes to supporting the load, i.e., the range of the substantial upper mounting surface fa11. Because the first bottom surface support portion 113a is flat, the bottom mounting surface fa21 is also flat. The first bottom surface support portion 113a and the second bottom surface support portion 213a may be omitted depending on the load on the second frame member F2 and other conditions.

[0022] The second member 21a has a second fixing portion 211a, a second top surface support portion 212a, and a second bottom surface support portion 213a. The second fixing portion 211a, the second top support portion 212a, and the second bottom support portion 213a are all rectangular flat plates with a uniform thickness. The second fixing portion 211a, the second top support portion 212a, and the second bottom support portion 213a have the same width in the left-right direction, and also have the same width as the portions 111a, 112a, and 113a of the first member 11a described above. In other words, the first member 11a and the second member 21a have the same width as a whole. The second top support portion 212a and the second bottom support portion 213a are parallel to each other and joined perpendicularly to the second fixed portion 211a. As a result, the second member 21a has a U-shape when viewed from the side, similar to the first member 11a (FIG. 3(b)). However, as shown in FIG. 1(b), the second top support portion 212a is slightly longer in the front-rear direction than the second bottom support portion 213a.

[0023] The second fixing portion 211a is disposed along the end face of the second frame member F2 and fixes the second member 21a to the second frame member F2. Fixation to the second frame member F2 is performed using an appropriate fastener such as a screw. The second fixing portion 211a has a through-hole (not shown) for passing the fastener. Instead of using a fastener, the second member 21a can be joined to the second frame member F2 in advance by an appropriate joining method such as welding or adhesive. The second upper surface support portion 212a extends in a direction perpendicular to the second fixed portion 211a and is interposed between the second frame member F2 and the first upper surface support portion 112a of the first member 11a to form an upper abutment surface fa12 that transmits the load of the second frame member F2 to the first upper surface support portion 112a. Because the second upper surface support portion 212a is flat, the upper abutment surface fa12 is flat overall and extends in a plane perpendicular to the second fixed portion 211a. The second bottom support portion 213a extends in a direction perpendicular to the second fixed portion 211a and is interposed between the second frame member F2 and the first bottom support portion 113a of the first member 11a, forming a bottom abutment surface fa22 that transmits the load of the second frame member F2 to the first bottom support portion 113a. Similar to the first bottom support portion 113a, the range of the second bottom support portion 213a that substantially contributes to the transmission of the load, i.e., the range of the substantial bottom abutment surface fa22, is narrower than the range of the second top support portion 212a that substantially contributes to the transmission of the load, i.e., the range of the substantial upper abutment surface fa12. Because the second bottom support portion 213a is flat, the bottom abutment surface fa22 is also flat.

[0024] In addition to the above, in this embodiment, as a configuration for temporarily fastening the first frame member F1 and the second frame member F2 during construction, a locking portion is provided on one of the first member 11a and the second member 21a, and a lock-receiving portion is provided on the other. The engagement between the locking portion and the lock-receiving portion restricts relative movement between the first member 11a and the second member 21a in the front-to-rear direction. Specifically, a locking portion p1 is provided on the second upper surface support portion 212a of the second member 21a, and a lock receiving portion n1 is provided on the first upper surface support portion 112a of the first member 11a.

[0025] The locking portion p1 is a hook-shaped portion or hook that hangs down from the front edge of the second upper surface support portion 212a. The locking portion p1 extends in the vertical direction and protrudes from the second upper surface support portion 212a in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the second frame member F2 when the second member 21a is attached to the second frame member F2. The locking portion p1 is provided at each of the left and right ends of the second upper surface support portion 212a. The locking receiving portion n1 is a notch formed by cutting the first upper surface support portion 112a in the left-right direction. The locking receiving portion n1 is longer in the front-rear direction than the locking portion p1, and is provided from near the center of the first upper surface support portion 112a in the front-rear direction to the upper end of the first fixing portion 111a. The locking receiving portion n1 is provided at each of the left and right ends of the first upper surface support portion 112a, corresponding to the position of the locking portion p1. The locking receiving portion n1 and the locking portion p1 have approximately the same size in the left-right direction; in other words, the depth of the locking receiving portion n1 and the width of the locking portion p1 are approximately the same. Here, the locking receiving portion n1 has a play that allows relative movement of the locking portion p1 in the front-to-rear direction relative to the locking receiving portion n1 when the locking portion p1 is housed. In other words, the locking portion p1 is movable in the front-to-rear direction in the locking receiving portion n1. As will be described later, the play of the locking receiving portion n1 allows relative movement of the second frame member F2 in relation to the first frame member F1 during construction, specifically, movement of the second frame member F2 between a close position and a separated position.

[0026] The procedure for construction work will be described with reference to FIGS. During construction, the first member 11a and the second member 21a are attached to the first frame member F1 and the second frame member F2, respectively, as follows.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the first member 11a is attached to the side surface Ff1 of the first frame member F1. The side surface Ff1 to which the first member 11a is attached may be any side surface of the first frame member F1. The first member 11a is attached by abutting the first fixing portion 111a against the side surface Ff1 of the first frame F1, with the first top support portion 112a facing up and the first bottom support portion 113a facing down, and then fastening the first fixing portion 111a to the first frame member F1 with an appropriate fastener such as a screw. After fastening, the first top support portion 112a and the first bottom support portion 113a of the first member 11a extend in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction Af1 of the first frame member F1.

[0028] 5, the second member 21a is attached to the end surface Ff2 of the second frame member F2. The second member 21a is attached by joining an attachment support plate (hereinafter referred to as the "attachment support plate") to the end (i.e., the axial end) of the second frame member F2 in the axial direction Af2. Then, the rear surface of the second fixing portion 211a is brought into contact with the end surface Ff2 of the second frame member F2 formed by the attachment support plate, and the second fixing portion 211a is fastened to the second frame member F2 with an appropriate fastener, with the second top support portion 212a facing up and the second bottom support portion 213a facing down. After fastening, the second member 21a is surrounded by three of the side surfaces of the second frame member F2 excluding the lower one, and the second top support portion 212a and second bottom support portion 213a of the second member 21a extend in the axial direction Af2 of the second frame member F2. The second top support portion 212a and the locking portion p1 extending from its front edge portion are positioned in the axial direction Af2 to coincide with the front edge portion of the second frame member F2. The attachment of the second member 21a to the second frame material F2 is not limited to via the end face Ff2 of the second frame material F2, but can also be achieved by joining the second upper surface support portion 212a to the second frame material F2 using a joining method such as using fasteners, welding or adhesive.

[0029] After the first member 11a is attached to the first frame member F1 and the second member 21a is attached to the second frame member F2 in this manner, as shown in FIG. 6, the first frame member F1 is supported in an upright position, and the second frame member F2 is lifted horizontally. Then, while maintaining the second frame member F2 in a horizontal position, the second frame member F2 is brought close to the first frame member F1, and positioned slightly above the axial end of the first frame member F1. The first top support portion 112a of the first member 11a is inserted between the second top support portion 212a and the second bottom support portion 213a of the second member 21a. When the locking portion p1 of the second member 21a and the locking receiving portion n1 of the first member 11a are aligned vertically, the second frame member F2 is lowered, and the locking portion p1 is inserted into the locking receiving portion n1 from above, thereby engaging the first member 11a and the second member 21a.

[0030] As described above, after the first and second members 11a and 21a are connected, the first upper support portion 112a and the first bottom support portion 113a of the first member 11a are in contact with the second upper support portion 212a and the second bottom support portion 213a of the second member 21a. The contact between the first member 11a and the second member 21a is flat. Specifically, the upper mounting surface fa11 of the first member 11a abuts against the upper abutment surface fa12 of the second member 21a, and the bottom mounting surface fa21 abuts against the bottom abutment surface fa22.

[0031] As a result, the load of the second frame member F2 is supported in a plane by the first member 11a and the second member 21a, and the movement of the locking portion p1 in the axial direction Af2 of the second frame member F2 is restricted by the locking receiving portion n1, thereby achieving a temporary fixation of the second frame member F2 to the first frame member F1.

[0032] Here, due to the play provided in the locking receiving portion n1, the second frame member F2 can move in the axial direction Af2 relative to the first frame member F1 within the range in which the locking portion p1 can move, and can move between the separated position shown in Figure 6(a) and the close position shown in Figure 6(b). When the second frame member F2 is in the distant position, the shaft end to which the second member 21a is attached is located away from the side surface Ff1 of the first frame member F1, forming a gap between the second frame member F2 and the first frame member F1. In contrast, when the second frame member F2 is in the close position, the same shaft end abuts against the side surface Ff1 of the first frame member F1.

[0033] The first member 11a and the second member 21a can be fastened to each other with the second frame member F2 in a position close to each other. In this embodiment, when the second frame member F2 is in a proximal position and the shaft end abuts against the side surface Ff1 of the first frame member 11a, the through hole ha22 of the second top support portion 212a and the screw hole ha21 of the first top support portion 112a are aligned vertically, and the through hole ha31 of the first bottom support portion 113a and the screw hole ha32 of the second bottom support portion 213a are aligned vertically. In this state, appropriate fasteners such as screws are driven into the screw holes ha21 and ha32 via the through holes ha22 and ha31 to fasten the first member 11a and the second member 21a and fix their relative positions.

[0034] As described above, in this embodiment, the connector 1A is configured to include the first member 11a and the second member 21a, and the first member 11a is attached to one (the first frame member F1) of the first and second frame members F1, F2 to be joined, and the second member 21a is attached to the other (the second frame member F2). After attachment, the first member 11a extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction Af1 of the first frame member F1 (FIG. 4), and the second member 21a extends in the axial direction Af2 of the second frame member F2 (FIG. 5).

[0035] Then, by overlapping the support portions of the first member 11 (first upper surface support portion 112a, first bottom surface support portion 113a) and the support portions of the second member 21a (second upper surface support portion 212a, second bottom surface support portion 213a) with each other, the load of the second frame member F2 is transmitted to the support portions 112a, 113a of the first member 11a via the support portions 212a, 213a of the second member 21a, and is supported by the first frame member F1.

[0036] Here, when the locking portion p1 of the support portion (in this embodiment, the second upper surface support portion 212a) provided on either the first or second member 11a, 21a is housed in the locking receiving portion n1 of the support portion (in this embodiment, the first upper surface support portion 112a) provided on the other member, the locking portion p1 is restrained by the locking receiving portion n1 due to the play provided in the locking receiving portion n1, and the locking receiving portion n1 can move in the axial direction Af2 of the second frame member F2 within the range of this play. This makes it possible to temporarily fasten the second frame member F2 to the first frame member F1 using the first and second members 11a and 21a.

[0037] Therefore, for example, when a second frame member F2 is placed horizontally between two first frame members F1 that are installed in an upright position and the first frame member F1 and the second frame member F2 are connected, it is not necessary to assign dedicated personnel to support one of the first frame members F1 and position the second frame member F2, and to support the other first frame member F1 and position the second frame member F2.

[0038] For example, one person can support one of the first frame members F1, and another person can support the other first frame member F1, while using tools to fasten the other first frame member F1 to the second frame member F2 that has been temporarily fastened.

[0039] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to improve workability without compromising safety during construction and also reduce the number of construction workers required. Specifically, construction that previously required at least three workers to ensure safety can now be safely performed by two workers.

[0040] In this embodiment, the support portions 112a and 113a of the first member 11a are formed with an upper mounting surface fa11 and a bottom mounting surface fa21, and the support portions 212a and 213a of the second member 21a are formed with an upper abutment surface fa12 and a bottom abutment surface fa22, so that the support portions 112a and 113a of the first member 11a and the support portions 212a and 213a of the second member 21a are overlapped in a state where they are in contact with each other on their flat surfaces. This more securely supports the load of the second frame portion F2, stabilizing the first and second frame members F1 and F2 after construction and making it possible to support a larger load via the first and second support portions.

[0041] In this embodiment, when the first and second frame members F1, F2 are joined together with the first frame member F1 in an upright position and the second frame member F2 positioned horizontally, a locking receiving portion n1 is formed on the support portion of the first member 11a, specifically the first upper surface support portion 112a, and a locking portion p1 is formed on the support portion of the second member 21a, specifically the second upper surface support portion 212a. This makes it easy to ensure the dimensions of the locking portion p1 (for example, the length determined in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction Af2 of the second frame member F2, or the protruding length of the locking portion p1 in the up-down direction), making it possible to reliably temporarily fasten the first frame F1 and the second frame F2.

[0042] Furthermore, by forming the lock receiving portion n1 as a notch that penetrates the first upper surface support portion 112a in the thickness direction thereof, the formation of the lock receiving portion n1 becomes easy.

[0043] Furthermore, by forming the locking portion p1 and the locking receiving portion n1 on both edges of the first upper surface support portion 112a and the second upper surface support portion 212a in the left-right direction in each of the first member 11a and the second member 21a, the position of the second frame material F2 in a temporarily fastened state is stabilized, making it easier to fasten the first member 11a and the second member 21a with screws or the like.

[0044] A modification of this embodiment will be described below.

[0045] 1, the locking portion n1 is formed on the support portion (first upper surface support portion 112a) of the first member 11a, and the locking portion p1 is formed on the support portion (second upper surface support portion 212a) of the second member 21a. The arrangement of the locking portion and the locking portion is not limited to this, and it is also possible to form the locking portion on the support portion of the first member, and the locking portion on the support portion of the second member.

[0046] 7 and 8, a locking portion p2 is formed on the support portion of the first member 11b, and a locking receiving portion n2 is formed on the support portion of the second member 21b. In other words, in the first modified example, the relationship between the locking portion p2 and the locking receiving portion n2 is reversed from that in the previous embodiment.

[0047] Specifically, the first member 11b attached to the first frame member F1 is formed with portions 111b, 112b, and 113b having functions similar to the first fixing portion 111a, first upper surface support portion 112a, and first bottom surface support portion 113a in the previous embodiment, and the second member 21b attached to the second frame member F2 is formed with portions 211b, 212b, and 213b having functions similar to the second fixing portion 211a, second upper surface support portion 212a, and second bottom surface support portion 213a.

[0048] Then, as shown in FIG. 7, a locking portion p2 is formed on the first upper surface support portion 112b, which is the support portion of the first member 11b, and as shown in FIG. 8, a locking receiving portion n2 is formed on the second upper surface support portion 212b, which is the support portion of the second member 21b.

[0049] In the first modified example, the locking portion p2 protrudes upward from the rear edge of the first upper surface support portion 112b. The height to which the locking portion p2 protrudes is approximately equal to the thickness of the second upper surface support portion 212b. As in the previous embodiment, the locking portions p2 are provided at both the left and right ends of the first member 11b. Furthermore, in the first modified example, the first upper surface support portion 112b and the first bottom surface support portion 113b have equal dimensions in the front-to-back direction, while the dimension of the second upper surface support portion 212b determined in the same front-to-back direction is slightly longer than the dimension of the second bottom surface support portion 213b.

[0050] In this way, by providing the locking portion p2 on the support portion of the first member 11b and the locking receiving portion n2 on the support portion of the second member 21b, the freedom of choice when providing the locking portion p2 and the locking receiving portion n2 is increased, in other words, the range of options is expanded, making it possible to flexibly respond to a variety of installation conditions.

[0051] In the second modified example shown in Figures 9 and 10, the relationship between the locking portion and the lock receiving portion is the same as in the previous example, but the relative arrangement of the locking portion and the lock receiving portion on the first and second members is different from that in the previous example. Specifically, the first member 11c attached to the first frame member F1 is formed with portions 111c, 112c, and 113c having functions similar to the first fixing portion 111a, first upper surface support portion 112a, and first bottom surface support portion 113a in the previous embodiment, and the second member 21c attached to the second frame member F2 is formed with portions 211c, 212c, and 213c having functions similar to the second fixing portion 211a, second upper surface support portion 212a, and second bottom surface support portion 213a. As shown in FIG. 9, a locking receiving portion n3 is formed in the center in the left-right direction of the first upper surface support portion 112c of the first member 11c, and as shown in FIG. 10, a locking portion p3 is formed in the second upper surface support portion 212c of the second member 21c.

[0052] In contrast to the previous embodiment, in the second modified example, there is no difference in the dimensions determined in the front-to-rear direction between the first upper surface support portion 112c and the first bottom surface support portion 113c provided on the first member 11c, and there is also no difference in the dimensions determined in the front-to-rear direction between the second upper surface support portion 112c and the second bottom surface support portion 113c provided on the second member 21c.

[0053] In this way, by forming the locking portion p3 and the locking receiving portion n3 in the center of the first upper surface support portion 112c and the second upper surface support portion 212c in the left-right direction, it is possible to ensure the feasibility of temporary fastening by the locking portion p3 and the locking receiving portion n3 while simplifying the structure related to temporary fastening.

[0054] In the third modified example shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the relationship between the locking portions and the lock receiving portions, and further the relative arrangement of the locking portions and the lock receiving portions on the first and second members are the same as in the second modified example. Specifically, the first member 11d attached to the first frame member F1 is formed with portions 111d, 112d, and 113d having functions similar to the first fixing portion 111a, first upper surface support portion 112a, and first bottom surface support portion 113a in the previous embodiment, and the second member 21d attached to the second frame member F2 is formed with portions 211d, 212d, and 213d having functions similar to the second fixing portion 211a, second upper surface support portion 212a, and second bottom surface support portion 213a. Then, a lock receiving portion n4 is formed in the center in the left-right direction in the first upper surface support portion 112d of the first member 11d, and a lock portion p4 is formed in the second upper surface support portion 212d of the second member 21d. Furthermore, there is no difference in the dimension determined in the front-to-rear direction between the support portions 112c and 113c provided on the first member 11d, and there is also no difference in the dimension determined in the front-to-rear direction between the support portions 112c and 113c provided on the second member 21d.

[0055] In contrast to this, in the third modified example, as shown in Fig. 11, the lock receiving portion n4 is formed as a recessed portion that is recessed in the thickness direction relative to the upper mounting surface fa11 that receives the load of the second frame member F2 in the first upper surface support portion 112d of the first member 11d. Then, as shown in Fig. 12, the locking portion p4 is formed as a protrusion that protrudes downward relative to the upper contact surface fa12 that contacts the upper mounting surface fa11 in the second upper surface support portion 212d of the second member 21d.

[0056] In this way, by making the locking receiving portion n4 a recess in the support portion (first upper surface support portion 112d) of the first member 11d, that is, a concave portion recessed in the thickness direction relative to the upper mounting surface fa11, the reduction in strength of the first upper surface support portion 112d due to the formation of the locking receiving portion n4 is suppressed, and the load of the second frame material F2 can be more securely supported.

[0057] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

[0058] 13 to 15 show a connector 1B according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 shows the state after construction in which the first frame member 1 and the second frame member 2 are joined to the connector 1B, and Figure 14 shows the state before the second frame member F2 is temporarily fastened, that is, the state in which the first member 11a of the connector 1B is attached to the first frame member F1, in (a) a front view and (b) a top view. FIG. 15 shows the third member 31 of the connector 1B in (a) a front view and (b) a top view.

[0059] The connector 1B includes a plurality of first members 11a, the same number of second members 21a as the first members 11a, and a third member 31. In this embodiment, there are four first members 11a and four second members 21a. The third member 31 is interposed between the first frame member F1 and the plurality of first members 11a, and serves as a bracket that attaches the plurality of first members 11a to the first frame member F1. The third member 31 is attached to the axial end of the first frame member F1 and surrounds the axial end of the first frame member F1.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 15, the third member 31 includes an end surface fixing portion 311 and a plurality of attachment portions 312. The end surface fixing portion 311 is arranged on the end surface of the first frame member F1 in the axial direction and fixes the third member 31 to the axial end portion of the first frame member F1. The end surface fixing portion 311 is shaped like a flat plate that is square overall in plan view, and when arranged on the end surface of the first frame member F1, it covers the entire end surface. The end surface fixing portion 311 is fixed to the first frame member F1 by, for example, a bolt B (FIG. 13) that is inserted through a through hole provided in the center of the end surface fixing portion 311. The mounting portions 312 are formed along each side surface of the first frame member F1 to which the first member 11a is attached, and surround the axial end portion of the first frame member F1 from multiple directions. In this embodiment, four mounting portions 312 are provided, the same number as the first members 11a, and the mounting portions 312 surround the axial end portion of the first frame member F1 from all four sides.

[0061] The mounting portion 312 is L-shaped overall, and includes a hanging portion 3121 and a flange portion 3122 . Hanging portion 3121 extends from end surface fixing portion 311 in a direction perpendicular to end surface fixing portion 311, and first fixing portion 111a of first member 11a is fixed to hanging portion 3121 to support first member 11a. First fixing portion 111a can be fixed to hanging portion 3121 by an appropriate fastener such as a screw, or by a joining method such as welding or adhesive. Flange portion 3122 extends from hanging portion 3121 in a direction perpendicular to hanging portion 3121 and contacts first bottom support portion 113a of first member 11a to provide auxiliary support for first member 11a. Flange portion 3122 prevents first member 11a from rotating about the rotation axis extending perpendicular to hanging portion 3121, and stabilizes the orientation of first member 11a after it is attached to attachment portion 312.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 13, the first member 11a can be attached to some or all of the four attachment portions 312. For example, when joining a pair of second frame members F2 to the first frame member F1 so that the first frame member F1 is sandwiched between them, the first member 11a is attached to a pair of mounting portions 312 that sandwich two opposing side surfaces among the four mounting portions 312. When joining the second frame member F2 to the first frame member F1 from three sides, the first member 11a is attached to all but one of the four mounting portions 312. The first member 11a can also be attached to all four attachment portions 312. Figure 14 shows an example of this case.

[0063] After the first member 11a is attached using the third member 31, the second frame member F2 is joined to the first frame member F1 in the same manner as described above. That is, while maintaining the first frame member F1 in an upright position, the locking portion n1 of the first member 11a is engaged with the locking portion p1 of the second member 21a, temporarily fastening the second frame member F2 to the first frame member F1. Then, the end face of the second frame member F2 is butted against the side face of the first frame member F1, and the first member 11a and the second member 21a are fastened together using appropriate fasteners, thereby fixing the first frame member F1 and the second frame member F2 together.

[0064] In this way, by further providing a third member 31 that is attached to the axial end of the first frame member F1 and configuring the first member 11a to be attachable to each of the multiple mounting portions 312 provided on the third member 31, it is possible to eliminate the hassle of individually fixing the first member 11a to each of the multiple side surfaces of the first frame member F1 and to efficiently install multiple first members 11a.

[0065] Furthermore, since the position of the first member 11a is determined by the third member 31 without using a special member for positioning, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and save the time and effort required for positioning work. Furthermore, after construction, the positioning members are not exposed after installation, and the appearance is also good.

[0066] The first and second members applicable to this embodiment are not limited to the previous examples, but may be any of the first modified example (Figures 7 and 8), the second modified example (Figures 9 and 10), and the third modified example (Figures 11 and 12). [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] F1...First frame material F2: Second frame material 1A, 1B...Connector 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d...first member 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d...Second member 31...Third member 111a, 111b, 111c, 111d...first fixed part 211a, 211b, 211c, 211d...Second fixed part 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d...first upper support part 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d...first bottom support part 212a, 212b, 212c, 212d...Second top support part 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d...Second bottom support part p1, p2, p3, p4...locking part n1, n2, n3, n4...Latching receiving parts fa11...Upper loading surface fa21...Bottom mounting surface fa12...Top contact surface fa22…Bottom contact surface 311...End face fixing part 312...Mounting part 3121...Drooping part 3122…flange-like part B...Bolt

Claims

1. A connector that connects first and second frame members extending in an axial direction with the axial directions intersecting each other, a first member attached to the first frame member; a second member attached to the second frame member, The first member is a first fixing portion that fixes the first member to the first frame member; a first support portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the first frame member, The second member is a second fixing portion that fixes the second member to the second frame member; a second support portion extending in the axial direction of the second frame member, The first support portion and the second support portion overlap each other, and the load of the second frame member is supported by the first support portion via the second support portion, One of the first and second support parts has a locking part that is convex in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the second frame member when the first and second frame members are connected by the connector, and the other has a locking receiving part that receives the locking part with play in the axial direction of the second frame member, With the locking portion housed in the lock-receiving portion, movement of the second member in a direction away from the first member is restricted, and the second member is movable between a close position where the shaft end portion of the second frame member approaches the first frame member and a distant position where the shaft end portion is away from the first frame member, A connector configured so that the first member and the second member can be fastened to each other when the second frame member is in the close position.

2. the first support portion has a first planar portion extending in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the first frame member, the second support portion has a second planar portion extending in a plane parallel to the axial direction of the second frame member, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the first support portion and the second support portion overlap with each other with the first flat portion and the second flat portion in contact with each other.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the first and second frame members are connected to each other with the first frame member in an upright position and the second frame member in a horizontal position, The connector, wherein the locking receiving portion is formed on the first support portion, and the locking portion is formed on the second support portion.

4. The connector according to claim 3 , wherein the locking portion is a notch or a through-hole that penetrates the first support portion in a thickness direction thereof.

5. The connector according to claim 3 , wherein the locking portion is a recessed portion recessed in a thickness direction of the first support portion relative to the first flat portion.

6. The connecting device described in claim 3, wherein the locking portion and the locking receiving portion are formed on both edge portions of each of the first and second support portions in the width direction, with the direction perpendicular to the axial directions of the first and second frame members, respectively, being the width direction.

7. The connecting device described in claim 3, wherein the locking portion and the locking receiving portion are formed at the center of each of the first and second support portions in the width direction, with the direction perpendicular to the axial directions of the first and second frame members, respectively, being the width direction.

8. 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the first and second frame members are connected to each other with the first frame member in an upright position and the second frame member in a horizontal position, The connector, wherein the locking portion is formed on the first support portion, and the lock receiving portion is formed on the second support portion.

9. Further provided is a third member attached to an axial end of the first frame member, The third member is an end surface fixing portion disposed on an end surface of the first frame member in the axial direction and fixing the third member to the shaft end portion; a plurality of attachment portions extending in the axial direction from the end surface fixing portion along a plurality of side surfaces of the first frame member, a plurality of the first members and a plurality of the second members are provided; 9. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first members are attached to the plurality of mounting portions at the first fixing portions and are configured to be fixable to the first frame material via the mounting portions.

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