Connection structure of buried gas valves

Abstract

Regarding the connection structure of a buried gas valve installed in an opening in a wall panel, the aim is to facilitate the connection work between the gas valve body and the piping connection part, prevent the connection part from becoming larger, and allow the gas valve body to be easily removed from the opening. [Solution] The gas valve body (1) is externally fitted and connected to the pipe connection part (2) by a C-shaped elastic ring (3) in a manner that prevents it from coming loose. The pipe connection part (2) is provided with an outward-facing annular groove (21) into which the C-shaped ring portion (31) of the C-shaped elastic ring (3) is fitted, and the gas valve body (1) is provided with an inward-facing annular groove (11) into which the C-shaped ring portion (31) engages when connected. A notch (12) is provided from the upstream open end of the gas valve body (1) to the inward-facing annular groove (11) so as to open in the direction of the protrusion of the plug portion (1a). An airtight seal portion is provided between the gas valve body (1) and the pipe connection part (2) when the connection is complete, and the diameter reduction operation of the C-shaped ring portion (31) is possible through the opening (40).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connection structure of an embedded gas plug, particularly to a connection structure between a gas plug body and a pipe connection part in an embedded gas plug installed in an opening of a wall panel or a floor panel.

Background Art

[0002] As shown in FIG. 4, the gas plug body (5) of the embedded gas plug is fixed to a gas plug fixing fitting (54) composed of a frame body (54a) and a back plate (54b) attached to a rectangular opening (40) formed in a wall (4) or a floor panel. The gas plug body (5) and the pipe connection part (51) are connected and fixed by small screws (53), and a flexible pipe is connected to the pipe connection part (5).

[0003] In the connection structure of the conventional embedded gas plug, at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the upstream connection cylinder part of the gas plug body (5) and at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the downstream connection cylinder part of the pipe connection part (51), there are respectively flange parts (50a) and (50b) protruding outward. When the upstream connection cylinder part of the gas plug body (5) is inserted into the downstream connection cylinder part of the pipe connection part (51) in an airtight state, the flange part (50a) of the gas plug body (5) and the flange part (50b) of the pipe connection part (51) are set to abut. A screw insertion hole is formed in the flange part (50a) of the gas plug body (5), and a screw hole is formed in the flange part (50b) of the pipe connection part. By inserting a small screw (53) from the screw insertion hole of the flange part (50a) of the gas plug body (5) and screwing it into the screw hole of the flange part (50b) of the pipe connection part (51), the connection between the gas plug body (5) and the pipe connection part (51) is completed. When the gas plug body (5) is attached to the gas plug fixing fitting (54) and a decorative plate (55) is attached so that the plug part (52) of the gas plug body (5) faces the opening (40) side, the construction of the embedded gas plug is completed. If an abnormality is discovered in the gas valve body (5) after the installation of the buried gas valve, the decorative plate (55) can be removed, a screwdriver can be inserted through the opening (40) to remove the mounting screws of the gas valve body (5) and the gas valve fixing bracket (54), and then the small screws (53) can be removed to detach the gas valve body (5) from the pipe connection part (51), allowing only the gas valve body (5) to be removed for repair or replacement. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-40468 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] However, in the conventional buried gas valve described above, the gas valve body (5) and the pipe connection part (51) have flanges (50a) and (50b) that protrude outward, respectively. As a result, the connection between the gas valve body (5) and the pipe connection part (51) becomes bulky and large, which is a problem. Furthermore, since each flange portion (50a) (50b) is connected by screw fastening with a small screw (53), the connection work is cumbersome. Moreover, when removing the gas valve body (5) from the pipe connection portion (51), a screwdriver must be inserted through a small opening (40) provided in the wall plate (4) or floor plate, and the tip of the screwdriver must be engaged with the groove in the head of the small screw (53) which is positioned diagonally to the opening (40), and the screw (53) must be rotated to remove it, resulting in the inconvenience of making the removal work difficult.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to simplify the structure of the connection between the gas valve body and the piping connection part in a buried gas valve connection structure to facilitate connection work, prevent the connection part from becoming larger, and furthermore, enable the gas valve body to be easily removed through an opening provided in a wall panel or floor panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The technical means to solve the above problem are: A connection structure for a recessed gas valve that is installed in an opening provided in a wall panel or floor panel, In a buried gas valve connection structure in which the downstream connecting cylinder of the piping connection part is inserted into the upstream connecting cylinder of the gas valve body, An outward-facing annular groove is formed along the entire circumferential surface of the downstream connecting cylinder portion of the aforementioned pipe connection portion, opening outwards. The C-shaped ring portion of the C-type elastic ring is housed in the outward-facing annular groove in a manner that allows it to be reduced in diameter, and a diameter reduction operation part for reducing the diameter is provided at the open end of the C-shaped ring portion. An inward-facing annular groove is formed on the entire circumferential surface of the upstream connecting cylinder portion of the gas valve body, such that the elastically returned C-shaped ring portion engages simultaneously with the outward-facing annular groove, and the inward-facing annular groove opens inward. From the inward-facing annular groove to the upstream open end of the gas valve body, a notch is cut along the axis that opens in the direction of the protruding plug portion for socket connection. A feature is that an airtight seal portion is provided between the upstream connecting cylinder portion of the gas valve body and the downstream open end of the piping connection portion, which are in a connected state, to maintain an airtight seal around the outer circumference.

[0008] The above technical means work as follows: To connect the gas valve body to the pipe connection, first, the C-shaped ring portion of the C-type elastic ring is fitted onto the outward-facing annular groove provided in the downstream connection cylinder portion of the pipe connection, and the diameter reduction operation is performed to reduce the diameter so that the C-shaped ring portion does not protrude outward from the outward-facing annular groove. While maintaining this state, the downstream connection cylinder portion of the pipe connection is inserted into the upstream connection cylinder portion of the gas valve body. At this time, the diameter reduction operation unit moves axially within the notch provided in the gas valve body, and when the outward-facing annular groove and the inward-facing annular groove coincide, the C-shaped ring portion elastically returns to its original position, engaging with both the outward-facing and inward-facing annular grooves. As a result, the downstream connection cylinder portion of the pipe connection is inserted and connected to the upstream connection cylinder portion of the gas valve body in a secure manner, and the connection is maintained unless the diameter reduction operation unit is reduced within the notch.

[0009] In the above connection state, an airtight seal is provided between the upstream connecting cylinder of the gas valve body and the downstream connecting cylinder of the piping connection, so the gas valve body is connected to the piping connection in an airtight manner on the outer circumference. Then, the gas valve body is attached to the opening, for example, via a gas valve fixing bracket, so that the plug part faces the opening, and after that, a decorative plate is attached to cover the opening, thereby completing the installation of the buried gas valve.

[0010] To remove the gas valve body connected in the manner described above from the piping connection, remove the decorative panel from the wall or floor panel, exposing the plug portion of the gas valve body through the opening. If the gas valve body is installed inside the wall or floor panel via a gas valve fixing bracket, remove it from the gas valve fixing bracket. The gas valve body is installed so that the notch, along with the plug portion, faces the opening. The diameter reduction operating portion of the C-shaped elastic ring is located within the notch, allowing the diameter reduction operating portion within the notch to be operated by a finger or tool through the opening. By operating the diameter reduction operating portion to reduce the diameter of the C-shaped ring, the engagement with the inward-facing annular groove of the gas valve body is released, allowing the upstream connecting cylinder portion of the gas valve body to be pulled out from the downstream connecting cylinder portion of the pipe connection, thereby removing the gas valve body from the pipe connection. To reattach the gas valve body to the pipe connection, the connection procedure described above should be performed through the opening.

[0011] In the above-described connection structure for buried gas valves, preferably, "the airtight sealing portion is a sealing structure using a rubber O-ring." For example, a second outward-facing annular groove is provided downstream of the outward-facing annular groove of the downstream connecting cylinder portion of the pipe connection, and an O-ring is accommodated in the second outward-facing annular groove with a slight protrusion, and the downstream connecting cylinder portion of the pipe connection is inserted into the upstream connecting cylinder portion of the gas valve body. The O-ring accommodated in the second outward-facing annular groove is pressed and deformed on the inner circumferential surface of the upstream connecting cylinder portion of the gas valve body, and adheres tightly to the inner circumferential surface of the upstream connecting cylinder portion of the gas valve body downstream of the inward-facing annular groove into which the C-shaped ring portion of the C-shaped elastic ring engages. This ensures airtightness between the gas valve body and the pipe connection portion.

[0012] In the above-described connection structure for buried gas valves, preferably, "a cover portion that covers the diameter reduction operation portion of the C-shaped elastic ring is provided so as to be able to close the notch and to be detachably attached." With the gas valve body connected to the pipe connection, the cover is attached to the notch provided in the gas valve body. By closing the entire notch with the cover, the diameter reduction operation part of the C-shaped elastic ring inside the notch is concealed, thus improving the aesthetic appearance of the connection between the gas valve body and the pipe connection. Furthermore, since the diameter reduction operation part cannot be unintentionally operated unless the cover is removed, it is possible to prevent the C-shaped elastic ring from being reduced in diameter due to tampering or other reasons, which could lead to the gas valve body being unintentionally pulled out of the pipe connection. Since the cover is detachable, removing the cover exposes the diameter reduction mechanism within the notch, allowing for diameter reduction operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] Because of the above configuration, the present invention has the following unique effects. Since it does not require a flange or a screw, the structure of the connection part between the gas plug body and the pipe connection part can be simplified, the entire gas plug can be miniaturized, and the materials used for the gas plug body and the pipe connection part can be saved, so it can be manufactured at a low cost. In addition, since the gas plug body can be connected to the pipe connection part in a retaining state only with a C-shaped elastic ring, the connection work becomes easy. The plug part is installed so as to face the opening side formed in the wall plate or the floor plate in the construction completed state, and the notch part where the diameter reduction operation part of the C-shaped elastic ring is located is also opened in the same direction as the plug part. Therefore, the diameter reduction operation part of the C-shaped elastic ring can be easily operated from the opening, and the C-shaped ring part of the C-shaped elastic ring can be reduced in diameter to pull out the gas plug body from the pipe connection part. Thus, unlike the conventional method, it is not necessary to insert a driver from the opening into the wall cavity or under the floor, engage it with the head of a small screw in a forced posture, and rotate the driver, and the removal work of the gas plug body becomes easy.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] [Figure 1] It is a cross-sectional view showing the connection structure of the embedded gas plug according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a front view showing the connection structure of the embedded gas plug according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is an exploded perspective view of the connection structure of the embedded gas plug according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is an explanatory view of the connection structure of a conventional embedded gas plug.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the connection structure of the embedded gas plug according to the first embodiment, and show the connection part between the gas plug body (1) and the pipe connection part (2) installed in the opening (40) provided in the wall plate (4). At the downstream end of the gas valve body (1), a plug portion (1a) for socket connection is provided, protruding perpendicularly to the body portion including the upstream connecting cylinder portion (10).

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the outer circumferential surface of the downstream connecting cylinder portion (20) of the pipe connection portion (2) has first and second outward-facing annular grooves (21) and (22) that open outward, formed along the entire circumference, and a rubber airtight O-ring (30) as an airtight sealing member is housed in the second outward-facing annular groove (22) located on the downstream side.

[0017] A C-shaped elastic ring (3) is fitted to the first outward-facing annular groove (21), which is located upstream of the second outward-facing annular groove (22). The C-shaped elastic ring (3) is composed of a C-shaped ring portion (31) housed in the first outward-facing annular groove (21), and a pair of diameter-reducing operating portions (32) (32) formed in a substantially L-shape, each consisting of a protruding portion that extends outward from both open ends of the C-shaped ring portion (31) to the outside of the first outward-facing annular groove (21), and an extension portion that extends parallel to the upstream side of the pipe connection portion (2) from the protruding end.

[0018] The width and depth of the first outward-facing annular groove (21) are set to be larger than the wire diameter of the C-shaped elastic ring (3), so that the C-shaped ring portion (31) in the reduced diameter state can be housed within the first outward-facing annular groove (21), and in the free state after elastic return, the C-shaped ring portion (31) is set so that its outer circumferential surface protrudes from the open end of the first outward-facing annular groove (21). Furthermore, a portion of the outer surface of the hexagonal cylindrical portion (23) that continues upstream of the downstream connecting cylinder portion (20) of the pipe connection portion (2) is cut out to open downstream, forming a rectangular recess (24) in which the extension portion of the pair of diameter reduction operating portions (32)(32) of the C-shaped elastic ring (3) fitted into the first outward annular groove (21) can be freely accommodated.

[0019] When the downstream connecting cylinder portion (20) of the piping connection portion (2) is inserted into the upstream connecting cylinder portion (10) of the gas valve body (1) until it reaches the final insertion position, an inwardly opening annular groove (11) is formed in the entire circumferential direction at a predetermined location on the inner circumferential surface of the upstream connecting cylinder portion (10) of the gas valve body (1) corresponding to the first outwardly opening annular groove (21). Furthermore, the depth of the inward annular groove (11) is set to be shallower than the wire diameter of the C-shaped elastic ring (3). As a result, when the first outward annular groove (21) and the inward annular groove (11) coincide, the C-shaped ring portion (31) elastically returns to its original position and engages with the first outward annular groove (21) and the inward annular groove (11) so as to straddle them.

[0020] In the axial direction from the inward annular groove (11) to the upstream open end of the gas valve body (1), a notch (12) is cut out so as to open in the direction of the protrusion of the plug portion (1a), and its width is made to be approximately the same as the width of the rectangular recess (24) described above, so that the protruding side of the pair of diameter-reducing operating portions (32)(32) can be accommodated in a free state.

[0021] To connect the upstream connecting pipe portion (10) of the gas valve body (1) to the downstream connecting pipe portion (20) of the pipe connection portion (2), first, the C-shaped ring portion (31) of the C-shaped elastic ring (3) is fitted onto the first outward-facing annular groove (21) of the pipe connection portion (2) with the diameter reduction operating portions (32)(32) positioned within the rectangular recess (24). As a result, the C-shaped ring portion (31) of the C-shaped elastic ring (3) is installed so that it is housed within the first outward-facing annular groove (21), and the extension portion of the diameter reduction operating portions (32)(32) is housed within the rectangular recess (24). The diameter reduction operating portions (32)(32) within the rectangular recess (24) are then grasped with a tool or the like and brought closer together to reduce the diameter of the C-shaped ring portion (31), so that it is housed within the first outward-facing annular groove (21) in a non-protruding state. While maintaining that state, the upstream connecting pipe portion (10) of the gas valve body (1) is fitted onto the downstream connecting pipe portion (20) of the pipe connection portion (2) in an orientation such that the notch portion (12) is continuous with the rectangular recess (24).

[0022] While pinching the diameter reduction operating parts (32)(32) of the C-shaped elastic ring (3), insert the downstream connecting cylinder part (20) of the pipe connection part (2) into the upstream connecting cylinder part (10) of the gas valve body (1). When the first outward-facing annular groove (21) of the pipe connection part (2) corresponds to the inward-facing annular groove (11) of the gas valve body (1), release the diameter reduction of the C-shaped elastic ring (3). The C-shaped ring part (31), which was housed in the first outward-facing annular groove (21) in a reduced diameter state, elastically returns to its original position, expanding toward the inward-facing annular groove (11) of the gas valve body (1), and engaging so as to straddle the first outward-facing annular groove (21) and the inward-facing annular groove (11).

[0023] As a result, the gas valve body (1) is connected to the downstream connecting cylinder portion (20) of the pipe connection portion (2) in a way that prevents it from coming loose by the elastically restored C-shaped ring portion (31), and the airtight O-ring (30) in the second outward annular groove (22) is pressed and deformed on the inner circumferential surface of the downstream connecting cylinder portion (10) of the gas valve body (1) and adheres tightly to the inner circumferential surface, thereby ensuring airtightness between the upstream connecting cylinder portion (10) of the gas valve body (1) and the pipe connection portion (2).

[0024] In the above connection state, the protruding side of the diameter reduction operating section (32)(32) is housed in the notch (12) of the gas valve body (1), and the extension side is housed in the rectangular recess (24) of the pipe connection section (2). In this embodiment, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 2, a cover section (13) capable of covering the pair of diameter reduction operating sections (32)(32) is attached so as to close the entire notch (12).

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the cover portion (13) is a roughly U-shaped body in cross-section, with a closing plate (13a) large enough to close the entire notch portion (12), and a pair of insertion pieces (13b) protruding from both sides which are inserted into the notch portion (12). Engaging projections (13c) are provided on a portion of the tip of each insertion piece (13b) that can engage with the side edges of the notch portion (12). Since the engaging projections (13c) only engage by catching on a portion of the side edges of the notch portion (12), the engagement can be easily released by forcibly pulling the closing plate (13a) of the cover portion (13) which is in the closed state of the notch portion (12), and the cover portion (13) can be removed.

[0026] Following the procedure described above, connect the gas valve body (1) to the pipe connection section (2), then connect the gas piping using a metal flexible pipe, attach a gas valve fixing bracket (not shown) to the opening (40) in the wall panel (4), and attach the gas valve body (1) to the gas valve fixing bracket with the plug section (1a) facing the opening (40). After that, attach a decorative panel to the wall panel (4) so ​​as to cover the opening (40), and the installation of the buried gas valve is completed.

[0027] The notch (12) is closed off by the cover (13) and is therefore not visible through the window in the decorative panel. Thus, the aesthetic appearance of the gas valve body (1) is improved, and at the same time, the pair of diameter reduction operating parts (32)(32) are concealed by the cover (13), thus preventing tampering. Furthermore, as in this embodiment, if the size of the closing plate (13a) of the cover portion (13) is set to a size that can be simultaneously fitted into the notch portion (12) and the rectangular recess (24), the cover portion (13) functions as an anti-rotation member, and the gas valve body (1) is connected to the pipe connection portion (2) in a manner that prevents relative rotation.

[0028] If a problem occurs with the buried gas valve after installation, or if it becomes necessary to remove the gas valve body (1) from the pipe connection part (2), first remove the decorative panel from the wall panel (4) to expose the opening (40), and then remove the gas valve body (1) from the gas valve fixing bracket through the opening (40). Since the plug portion (1a) and notch portion (12) of the gas valve body (1) face the opening (40), the cover portion (13) that is blocking the notch portion (12) can be removed from the opening (40), and the diameter reduction operating portion (32)(32) of the C-shaped elastic ring (3) can be exposed inside the notch portion (12). The cover portion (13) is only held in place by engaging its engaging projection (13c) with both side edges of the notch portion (12), so it can be easily removed by pulling the closing plate (13a).

[0029] Then, by inserting a special tool (not shown) through the opening (40) and bringing the two together with the diameter reduction operating parts (32) (32) in between, the C-shaped ring part (31) is reduced in diameter so that it does not protrude outward from the first outward annular groove (21), and the engagement of the C-shaped ring part (31) with the inward annular groove (11) of the gas valve body (1) is released, and the gas valve body (1) can be removed from the pipe connection part (2). This makes it possible to repair or replace any malfunctions or defects in the gas valve body (1) or the pipe connection part (2).

[0030] To reconnect the gas valve body (1) to the pipe connection part (2) after repairing or replacing the gas valve body (1), as described above, the diameter reduction operating parts (32)(32) inside the rectangular recess (24) are brought close together with a tool, and the upstream connecting cylinder part (10) of the gas valve body (1) is fitted onto the downstream connecting cylinder part (20) of the pipe connection part (2) with the plug part (1a) facing the opening (40).

[0031] The gas valve body (1) is connected to the pipe connection part (2) in a non-loosening state by a C-shaped ring portion (31) that elastically returns when the first outward-facing annular groove (21) aligns with the inward-facing annular groove (11) of the gas valve body (1), and at the same time, it is connected in an airtight state around the outer circumference by an airtight O-ring (30) fitted onto the second outward-facing annular groove (22). Subsequently, by fitting the cover portion (13) across the notch (12) and the rectangular recess (24) in the manner described above, the gas valve body (1) is connected to the pipe connection part (2) in a state that prevents relative rotation. Next, the gas valve body (1) and the gas valve fixing bracket are secured with mounting screws.

[0032] Thus, when connecting the gas valve body (1) to the pipe connection part (2) and when removing it from the pipe connection part (2), all that is required is to bring the diameter reduction operation part (32)(32), which is positioned to be visible from the opening (40) of the wall plate (4), closer. Compared to conventional connection structures in which the flanges of the gas valve body (1) and the pipe connection part (2) are screwed together with small screws, the connection and removal of the gas valve body (1) and the pipe connection part (2) can be easily performed through the opening (40), and since the flanges do not protrude outward, the connection part between the gas valve body (1) and the pipe connection part (2) does not become larger.

[0033] Figure 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the connection structure of a buried gas valve according to the second embodiment, and is an enlarged perspective view of the main parts showing the upstream connection cylinder portion (10) of the gas valve body (1) and the downstream connection cylinder portion (20) of the piping connection portion (2). In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment described above, the downstream connecting cylinder portion (20) of the pipe connection portion (2) is provided with a first outward-facing annular groove (21) into which a C-shaped elastic ring (3) is fitted, and a second outward-facing annular groove (22) into which an airtight O-ring (30) is fitted. However, only a pair of protrusions (33)(33) protrude outward from both open ends of the C-shaped ring portion (31) toward the outside of the first outward-facing annular groove (21). These protrusions (33)(33) function as diameter-reducing operating parts for the C-shaped elastic ring (3), and the diameter of the C-shaped ring portion (31) can be reduced by pinching the protrusions (33)(33) with a tool and bringing them closer together.

[0034] The upstream connecting cylinder portion (10) of the gas valve body (1), into which the downstream connecting cylinder portion (20) of the piping connection portion (2) is inserted, has an inward-facing annular groove (11) corresponding to the first outward-facing annular groove (21), similar to the first embodiment, and a notch (12) capable of accommodating the protruding portion (33)(33) is provided extending from the inward-facing annular groove (11) to the upstream open end of the gas valve body (1).

[0035] By gripping the protruding parts (33)(33), which serve as diameter reduction operating parts, with a tool or the like and bringing them close together, the C-shaped ring portion (31) of the C-shaped elastic ring (3) is reduced in diameter and housed in the first outward annular groove (21). With this state, the downstream connecting cylinder portion (20) of the pipe connection portion (2) is inserted into the upstream connecting cylinder portion (10) of the gas valve body (1) with the protruding parts (33)(33) positioned on the side where the notch portion (12) is formed. When the C-shaped ring portion (31) engages so as to straddle the first outward annular groove (21) and the inward annular groove (11), the gas valve body (1) is connected to the pipe connection portion (2) in a retaining state and in an airtight state around the circumference by the airtight O-ring (30) housed in the second outward annular groove (22). At this time, the protruding parts (33)(33) are arranged in a circumferential direction and protrude within the notch portion (12).

[0036] In the second embodiment, a cover portion (13) is provided that is sized and shaped to fit precisely into the notch (12). The shape of the cover portion (13) is the same as in the first embodiment, and is formed in a roughly U-shape in cross-section from a closing plate (13a) and an insertion piece (13b). The engaging projection (13c) provided on the insertion piece (13b) is engaged with the notch (12) on the side edge upstream of the inward-facing annular groove (11) to attach it. Furthermore, it is desirable to set the protruding length of the protruding parts (33)(33) so that when fitted into the notch (12), the protruding parts (33)(33) can be concealed by the closing plate (13a) of the cover part (13). Although not shown in the figures, the cover portion (13) may also be configured such that the closing plate (13a) has two through holes through which the protrusions (33)(33) can be inserted, or that the closing plate (13a) has recesses on the back side to receive the tips of the protrusions (33)(33). Since the protruding parts (33)(33) are concealed by the cover part (13), the protruding parts (33)(33) cannot be reduced in diameter unless the cover part (13) is removed. In other words, the cover part (13) also functions as a means of restricting the reduction in diameter of the C-shaped elastic ring (3).

[0037] To remove the gas valve body (1) from the pipe connection (2) while it is connected, first remove the decorative panel on the wall panel, then remove the cover (13) through the opening to expose the protruding parts (33)(33). After that, reduce the diameter of the protruding parts (33)(33) to release the engagement of the C-shaped ring part (31) with the inward annular groove (11), and then pull the gas valve body (1) out from the pipe connection (2). When reconnecting, the upstream connecting cylinder portion (10) of the gas valve body (1) is fitted onto the downstream connecting cylinder portion (20) of the pipe connection portion (2) while the protruding portions (33) (33) are reduced in diameter through the opening, and then the cover portion (13) is fitted into the notch portion (12).

[0038] In the embodiments described above, we explained embedded gas valves installed in wall panels, but it goes without saying that they can also be installed in floor panels in the same way. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] (1) ········Gas valve body (1a)········Plug part (2) ········Pipe connection (3) ········C-type elastic ring (4) · · · · Wall board (10)········Upstream connecting pipe section (11) ········Inward-facing annular groove (12)········Notch (20) ········ Downstream connecting pipe section (21)········First outward annular groove (31)········C-shaped ring section (32)···········································− (40)········Opening

Claims

1. A connection structure for a recessed gas valve that is installed in an opening provided in a wall panel or floor panel, In a buried gas valve connection structure in which the downstream connecting cylinder of the piping connection part is inserted into the upstream connecting cylinder of the gas valve body, An outward-facing annular groove is formed along the entire circumferential surface of the downstream connecting cylinder portion of the aforementioned pipe connection portion, opening outwards. The C-shaped ring portion of the C-type elastic ring is housed in the outward-facing annular groove in a manner that allows it to be reduced in diameter, and a diameter reduction operation part for reducing the diameter is provided at the open end of the C-shaped ring portion. An inward-facing annular groove is formed on the entire circumferential surface of the upstream connecting cylinder portion of the gas valve body, such that the elastically returned C-shaped ring portion engages simultaneously with the outward-facing annular groove, and the inward-facing annular groove opens inward. From the inward-facing annular groove to the upstream open end of the gas valve body, a notch is cut along the axis that opens in the direction of the protruding plug portion for socket connection. A connection structure for a buried gas valve, characterized in that an airtight seal portion is provided between the upstream connecting cylinder portion of the gas valve body and the downstream open end of the piping connection portion, which are in a connected state, to maintain an airtight seal on the outer circumference of both.

2. A connection structure for a buried gas valve according to claim 1, wherein the airtight sealing portion is a sealing structure using a rubber O-ring.

3. A connection structure for a buried gas valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a cover portion covering the diameter reduction operation portion of the C-shaped elastic ring is provided so as to be able to close the notch and to be detachably attached.

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