Water stop plug assembly device

Abstract

The present invention provides a water-stop plug assembly device that allows for easy assembly of a water-stop plug with an expandable hose or bag around a core pipe, and also allows for easy attachment of the water-stop plug to a pipe. [Solution] The device comprises a main body 11, a first slide table 13 that is retractable along a first rail 12 laid on its upper surface, a second rail 14 laid on the upper surface of the first slide table in the same direction as the first rail, a second slide table 15 that is retractable along the second rail, a water-stop plug assembly base 17 provided at the leading end of the first slide table in the retraction direction, and a grip cover receiver 18 provided on the second slide table. The water-stop plug assembly base allows the first slide table to move from the assembly position to the water-stop plug mounting position, and the grip cover receiver 18 waits at a position away from the water-stop plug assembly base and can move to the water-stop plug assembly base when the grip cover is assembled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug assembling device for assembling a plug (also referred to as a plug ball or a plug) for temporarily stopping water in a large-diameter pipe such as an underground sewer pipe and installing it in the pipe.

Background Art

[0002] When replacing a part of a pipe such as a water supply and drainage pipe or working in a manhole, a plug for temporarily stopping water in the pipe in the construction section is used. For example, there is one in which a cylindrical or ring-shaped hollow tube is attached to the outer peripheral surface of a core tube, one open end face of the core tube is closed with a plate, and a pressure fluid such as air or water is injected into the hollow tube to expand it so as to press against the inner wall of the pipe (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). When using these to stop water, the work of attaching the hollow tube and the plate to the core tube is performed on the ground, and it is carried into the underground pipe through the manhole.

[0003] By the way, in a large-diameter pipe with a large water flow rate, a strong back pressure (water pressure) for pressing the plug in the pipe axis direction is applied. In such a case, a plug with high water stopping performance having a strong gripping force (frictional force) against the inner wall of the pipe is required. To enhance the water stopping performance, it is effective to increase the length of the hollow tube in the pipe axis direction to increase the contact surface (friction surface) between the hollow tube and the pipe wall, or to increase the filling pressure of the pressure fluid filled in the hollow tube.

[0004] The applicant has devised a plug using a long hose as a new plug suitable for a large-diameter pipe with a large back pressure, replacing the conventional plug using a conventional cylindrical or ring-shaped hollow tube. That is, it includes a cylindrical core tube, an expandable hose wound spirally around the core tube, and a grip cover made of a flexible material covering the outside of the hose. A circular closing plate for closing the end face is fixed to one open end face of the core tube, and a plug with an annular plate attached to the other end face has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-134550). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-193312 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-193313 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Large-diameter pipes buried underground are connected to manholes that allow workers to enter and exit for repair and inspection purposes (see Figure 15). When installing water-stopping plugs inside the pipes, they are brought in through the manholes. The dimensions of the manhole covers that serve as entry points are standardized, with those having an inner diameter of 600 mm being widely used. Ideally, water-stopping plugs should be assembled above ground before being transported into the piping. However, large-diameter water-stopping plugs are large and heavy, making it difficult to transport them into the manhole through its small opening while assembled. Therefore, the rigid components of the water-stopping plug, such as the core pipe and closing plate, are divided into manageable sizes. Each divided section is then transported into the manhole, assembled within the internal space, and finally transported into the piping. However, this assembly and transportation process in a confined space is extremely cumbersome, time-consuming, and laborious.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a water-stop plug assembly device that allows a large-diameter water-stop plug of the type, which has an expandable hose or bag around a core pipe, to be assembled as easily and quickly as possible inside a manhole, and that allows the assembled water-stop plug to be easily transported and installed in a sewer pipe or other piping. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following technical means. Specifically, the water-stopping plug assembly device of the present invention comprises a device body, a first slide table arranged to be retractable along a first rail laid on the upper surface of the device body, a second rail laid on the upper surface of the first slide table in the same direction as the first rail, a second slide table arranged to be retractable along the second rail, a water-stopping plug assembly stand provided at the leading end of the first slide table in the retraction direction, and a grip cover receiver provided on the second slide table. The water-stopping plug assembly stand is formed to be movable from the assembly position where the first slide table is returned to the device body to the water-stopping plug mounting position forward in the retraction direction, and the grip cover receiver is configured to wait at a position away from the water-stopping plug assembly stand and move to the water-stopping plug assembly stand when the grip cover is assembled. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the water-stop plug assembly device of the present invention, the divided core pipe, closing plate, and annular plate can be easily assembled using the water-stop plug assembly stand as the device, and the installation of extension members such as hoses and grip covers can also be easily performed. Furthermore, the grip cover holder is kept away from the water-stop plug assembly stand when not installing the grip cover, so it does not interfere with other work. In addition, after the water-stop plug assembly work is completed, the water-stop plug can be pushed into the piping by moving the first slide table forward along the first rail while the water-stop plug is still placed on the water-stop plug assembly stand, thus making it easy to transport and install the water-stop plug into the piping, and also easy to remove.

[0010] In the present invention, the water-stopping plug assembly base is formed in a substantially semicircular shape with an upward-facing arc surface when viewed from the front side in the pulling-out direction of the slide table, and has a width in the front-rear direction. The arc of the assembly base is preferably formed with substantially the same arc as the inner circumferential surface of the core pipe to be assembled. This allows the divided tube walls of the core tube to be easily assembled into a cylindrical shape by arranging and connecting them along the arcuate surface of the assembly stand.

[0011] The components of the device, including the main body, the first and second rails, the first and second slide tables, the water stop plug assembly base, and the grip cover receiver, are preferably formed to be disassembled into a size that can be transported through the entrance of a manhole with a diameter of 600 mm, and also to be reassembled. This makes it possible to bring each separated component from the manhole entrance into the interior space and assemble and install the water-stopping plug assembly device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] A cross-sectional view showing an example of a water-stopping plug assembled by the water-stopping plug assembly device of the present invention. [Figure 2] Disassembled perspective view of the above water stop plug. [Figure 3] A perspective view of the water-stopping plug assembly device according to the present invention. [Figure 4] A perspective view showing the water-stopping plug assembly device described above, with the water-stopping plug assembly stand moved forward. [Figure 5] A perspective view showing the first step in the water stop plug assembly procedure using the water stop plug assembly device described above. [Figure 6] A perspective view showing the second stage of the water stop plug assembly procedure using the water stop plug assembly device described above. [Figure 7] A perspective view showing the third stage of the water stop plug assembly procedure using the water stop plug assembly device described above. [Figure 8] A perspective view showing the fourth step in the water stop plug assembly procedure using the water stop plug assembly device described above. [Figure 9] A perspective view showing the fifth step in the water stop plug assembly procedure using the water stop plug assembly device described above. [Figure 10] A perspective view showing the sixth step in the water stop plug assembly procedure using the water stop plug assembly device described above. [Figure 11]Perspective view showing the seventh step of the water stop plug assembly procedure by the above water stop plug assembly device. [Figure 12] Perspective view showing the eighth step of the water stop plug assembly procedure by the above water stop plug assembly device. [Figure 13] Perspective view showing the ninth step of the water stop plug assembly procedure by the above water stop plug assembly device. [Figure 14] Partial cutaway perspective view showing the state where the above water stop plug assembly device is installed in the internal space of the manhole and the water stop plug is assembled. [Figure 15] Explanatory drawing showing the state where the water stop plug assembled on the water stop plug assembly base is pushed into the pipe.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, the details of the water stop plug assembly device according to the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a water stop plug A assembled by the assembly device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view.

[0014] The water-stopping plug A comprises a cylindrical core tube 1 made of aluminum or resin, and a hose 2 spirally wound around the core tube 1. The hose 2 is made of a soft material that can shrink and deform when no pressurized fluid is injected into it. A pressurized fluid inlet 2a is provided at one end of the hose 2, opening into the central space through an insertion hole 1c provided in the wall of the core tube 1. The other end of the hose 2 is closed with a sealing plug 2b. A circular closing plate 3 is attached to one end face of the core tube 1 to close the opening of the core tube 1. The closing plate 3 consists of an annular outer plate portion 3a and a disc-shaped central plate portion 3b that closes the central space of the outer plate portion, and the two are connected by bolts 4 and nuts 5. The outside of the hose 2 is covered with a cylindrical grip cover 6 made of a flexible material. The grip cover 6 enhances the gripping force (frictional force) with the pipe it is pressed against and protects the inner hose 2. One end of the grip cover 6 is bent inward to form a folded piece 6a, which is sandwiched between the end face of the core pipe 1 and the closing plate 3. An annular plate 7 is positioned on the other end face of the core pipe 1, and the hose 2 is held between this annular plate 7 and the closing plate 3. The closing plate 3, grip cover 6, core pipe 1, and annular plate 7 are fastened and held together by screwing nuts 9 onto the exposed end of a long tie rod bolt 8 that penetrates the folded piece 6a of the cover, the pipe wall of the core pipe 1, and the annular plate 7 from the surface of the closing plate 3. Through holes through which the tie rod bolt 8 is inserted are pre-provided in the closing plate 3, the folded piece 6a of the grip cover 6, the core pipe 1, and the annular plate 7.

[0015] The above-mentioned water-stopping plug A is designed to stop water from entering large-diameter sewer pipes with an inner diameter of approximately 1000 to 5000 mm, and is assembled inside a manhole. For this purpose, the rigid components, excluding the retractable cover 6 and hose 2, are formed to be divided into sizes that can be transported through a manhole (for example, with a diameter of 600 mm) that serves as an entrance and exit. In this embodiment, the core pipe 1 is divided into 12 pipe walls 1a along the axial direction, and each pipe wall can be connected via interlocking parts 1b at adjacent end faces. The outer plate portion 3a and the annular plate 7 of the closing plate 3 are also divided into 12 sections along the radial direction, and the central plate portion 3b is also divided into 2 sections.

[0016] Next, the details of the water-stopping plug assembly device according to the present invention will be explained with reference to the figures. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the assembly apparatus of the present invention comprises an apparatus body 11, a first slide table 13 that is retractable along a first rail 12 laid on the upper surface of the apparatus body 11, a second rail 14 laid on the upper surface of the first slide table in the same direction as the first rail, and a second slide table 15 that is retractable along the second rail. In this specification, the direction in which the slide tables 13 and 15 are pulled out is described as forward, and the direction in which they are returned is described as backward.

[0017] The device body 11 is assembled from metal columns and is formed in a roughly rectangular shape in plan view. The rails 12 and 14 are laid along the longitudinal direction of the device body 11. The device body 11 is held in a horizontal position by the legs 11a at one end (front side) and by the lower support rod 16 at the other end (rear side).

[0018] A water-stop plug assembly base 17 is provided at the front end of the first slide table 13. This base has a roughly semicircular shape with an upward-facing arc surface when viewed from the front, and has width in the front-to-back direction. The upper arc of the assembly base 17 is formed with approximately the same arc as the inner circumferential surface of the core pipe 1 to which it is assembled.

[0019] In the position where the first slide table 13 is returned to the main body 11 of the device, i.e., the water-stopping plug assembly position shown in Figure 3, the water-stopping plug assembly base 17 is designed to protrude into the space in front of the main body 11, and the water-stopping plug is assembled in this position according to the procedure described later. Furthermore, the length of the first rail 12 of the water-stopping plug assembly stand 17 is predetermined so that it can move from the assembly position where the first slide table 13 is returned to the main body 11 of the device to the water-stopping plug mounting position (see Figure 4) in the forward direction of the pull-out.

[0020] The second slide table 15 is provided with a grip cover receiver 18. The grip cover receiver 18 has a rod support portion 18a that has a semi-ring shape when viewed from the front (with approximately 1 / 3 of the ring portion on the lower side missing), and a plurality of rods 18b that extend forward from this rod support portion 18a. The plurality of rods 18b are spaced apart so that they can be inserted along the inner circumferential surface of the opening of the cylindrical grip cover 6 to which it is attached. The grip cover receiver 18 is positioned away from the water stop plug assembly base 17 and is designed to move forward to the water stop plug assembly base 17 when the grip cover is assembled.

[0021] The water-stopping plug assembly device shown in this embodiment is designed so that each component can be disassembled and assembled so that it can be brought into the internal space C of manhole B as shown in Figure 14 for use. Specifically, the components such as the device body 11, the first and second rails 12 and 14, the first and second slide tables 13 and 15, the water-stopping plug assembly base 17, and the grip cover receiver 18 can be disassembled into a size that can be brought in through the entrance (inner diameter 600 mm) of the sewer manhole B, and are designed to be reassembled inside the manhole.

[0022] Next, the assembly procedure for water-stopping plug A using the water-stopping plug assembly device of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figures 5 to 15.

[0023] First, in the water-stopping plug assembly position where the first slide table 13 is returned to the main body 11 of the device, the pipe walls 1a of the 12-part core pipe 1 are sequentially assembled along the circumferential surface of the water-stopping plug assembly stand 17, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, to complete the cylindrical core pipe 1.

[0024] Next, as shown in Figure 7, the hose 2 is wound around the core pipe 1, and the pressurized fluid inlet of the hose 2 is exposed to the inside of the core pipe through a through hole 1c (see Figure 6) provided in the pipe wall. The other end of the hose, the sealing plug side, is engaged by inserting the fastener 2c into the through hole 1d provided in the pipe wall.

[0025] Next, as shown in Figure 8, the grip cover receiver 18 is advanced and the rod 18b is positioned around the hose 2.

[0026] Next, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the grip cover 6 is fitted around the group of rods 18b, and the grip cover receiver 18 is retracted. This allows the flexible grip cover 6 to easily cover the outside of the spirally wound flexible hose 2 without interference from the hose 2.

[0027] Next, as shown in Figure 11, the divided pieces of the outer plate portion 3a are attached one by one with tie rod bolts 8 to form a ring. Then, as shown in Figure 12, on the opposite side (rear side) of the core pipe 1, the divided pieces of the ring plate 7 are fitted one by one onto the protruding ends of the tie rod bolts 8 and tightened with nuts 9 to attach all the divided pieces and form a ring.

[0028] Finally, as shown in Figure 13, the central plate portion 3b of the closing plate 3 is secured with bolts 4 and nuts. Step 5 completes the assembly of the water stop plug A.

[0029] The assembly of the water-stopping plug described above is performed in the internal space C of manhole B, as shown in Figure 14. At this time, the water-stopping plug assembly device is positioned so that the water-stopping plug A assembled on the water-stopping plug assembly stand 17 is near the opening of the pipe D to which it is to be installed, and the axis of pipe D and the axis of water-stopping plug A are on the same axis.

[0030] As a result, as shown in Figure 15, after the assembly of the water-stopping plug A is completed, the first slide table 13 can be pushed forward along the first rail 12 to easily position the water-stopping plug A inside the pipe D. After this, the pressurized fluid inlet 2a of the hose 2 is connected to a fluid supply source such as a compressor via a pipe (not shown), and the hose 2 is expanded with pressurized fluid, causing the grip cover 6 to adhere tightly to the inner wall surface of the pipe D and thus closing the pipe D.

[0031] As described above, with the water-stopping plug assembly device of the present invention, the divided core pipe 1, closing plate 3, and annular plate 7 can be easily assembled using the water-stopping plug assembly stand 17, and the winding of the hose 2 and the attachment of the grip cover 6 can also be easily performed. Furthermore, after the assembly of the water-stopping plug A is completed, the water-stopping plug A can be placed on the water-stopping plug assembly stand 17, and the first slide table 13 can be moved forward along the first rail 12 to push the water-stopping plug A into the pipe D, so that the water-stopping plug A can be easily installed in the pipe D and can also be easily removed.

[0032] Although typical embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the embodiments described above. For example, in the above embodiment, a spirally wound hose 2 was used as the expansion member of the water-stopping plug assembled by the water-stopping plug assembly device of the present invention. However, the invention can also be applied to water-stopping plugs using expandable ring-shaped or cylindrical bags instead. In this case, the hose installation procedure shown in Figure 7 can be used, but the ring-shaped bag can be placed around the core pipe 1 instead of the hose (a through-hole is provided on the core pipe side at a position corresponding to the fluid inlet of the bag). Furthermore, the present invention can be modified and changed as appropriate without departing from the scope of the claims, while still achieving its objectives. [Industrial applicability]

[0033] This invention can be used as an assembly device for water-stopping plugs that temporarily stop water flow in large-diameter pipes such as water and sewage pipes. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] A water stop plug B Manhole C interior space D Piping 1 core tube 2 hoses 3. Closure plate 6 Grip Covers 7 Ring Plate 11. Main unit of the device 12 First Rail 13. First Slide Table 14. Second rail 15. Second Slide Table 17. Water stop plug assembly stand 18 Grip cover holder

Claims

1. The main body of the device, A first slide table is positioned to be retractable along a first rail laid on the top surface of the main body of the device, A second rail laid on the upper surface of the first slide table in the same direction as the first rail, A second slide table is positioned to be retractable along the second rail, A water-stopping plug assembly base provided at the leading edge of the first slide table in the pull-out direction, The second slide table is provided with a grip cover receiver, The water-stopping plug assembly stand is formed to be movable from the assembly position where the first slide table is returned to the main body of the device to the water-stopping plug mounting position forward in the pulling direction. The grip cover receiver is positioned away from the water stop plug assembly stand and is configured to move to the water stop plug assembly stand when the grip cover is assembled, thus forming a water stop plug assembly device.

2. The water-stopping plug assembly device according to claim 1, wherein the water-stopping plug assembly base is formed in a substantially semicircular shape with an upward-facing arc surface when viewed from the front side in the pulling-out direction of the slide table, and the arc of the assembly base is formed with substantially the same arc as the inner circumferential surface of the core pipe to be assembled.

3. The water-stop plug assembly device according to claim 1, wherein the main body of the device, the first and second rails, the first and second slide tables, the water-stop plug assembly base and grip cover receiver and other components are formed to be disassembled to a size that can be transported through the entrance of a manhole with a diameter of 600 mm, and are also formed to be reassembled.

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