Pseudo pipe fittings

Abstract

To provide a pseudo-pipe joint that facilitates the implementation of highly efficient piping methods. [Solution] The pipe fitting comprises a fitting body into which one resin pipe is inserted and connected at one end and the other resin pipe is inserted and connected at the other end; a retaining mechanism consisting of a one-touch fitting constructed at one end and the other end of the fitting body to hold the corresponding resin pipe; and caps for attaching the retaining mechanism to the one end and the other end, respectively. The pseudo pipe fitting 71 comprises a fitting body equivalent part 72 that has an appearance similar to the fitting body of the pipe fitting, and cap equivalent parts 73 provided at one end and the other end of the fitting body equivalent part 72 that have an appearance similar to the corresponding cap. The cap equivalent parts 73 allow the corresponding resin pipes to be inserted and removed, and the relative positional relationship between one resin pipe and the other resin pipe in the inserted state is the same as when they are inserted and connected to the pipe fitting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pseudo pipe joint that mimics a pipe joint constituting a water supply and hot water supply pipe, for example.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a crank-shaped water supply and hot water supply pipe that passes through an outlet and an inlet. Since such a complex water supply and hot water supply pipe uses many pipe joints and the pipes are cut into small pieces, it is necessary to cut each pipe located between the pipe joints to an accurate length.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when the pipes are actually installed between the pipe joints, various factors such as calculation errors and cutting errors of the required lengths of the pipes, or deformation of the pipes are accumulated, and the pipes are too long or conversely too short, and rework is often required. In particular, when a pipe joint that cannot be reworked is used, it is also necessary to replace the pipe joint with a new one.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a pseudo pipe joint for easily realizing a piping method with high work efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the pseudo-pipe joint of the invention of claim 1 comprises a joint body into which one resin pipe is inserted and connected at one end and the other resin pipe is inserted and connected at the other end; a retaining mechanism consisting of a one-touch joint constructed at the one end and the other end of the joint body for holding the corresponding resin pipe; and caps for attaching the retaining mechanism to the one end and the other end, respectively. The pseudo-pipe joint comprises a joint body equivalent portion that is similar in appearance to the joint body of the pipe joint, and cap equivalent portions provided at the one end and the other end of the joint body equivalent portion, respectively, for the corresponding cap, and the corresponding resin pipe can be inserted into and removed from each of the cap equivalent portions. The relative positional relationship between the one resin pipe and the other resin pipe in the inserted state is the same as when they are inserted and connected to the pipe joint.

[0007] The invention of claim 2 is as described in claim 1, wherein the part corresponding to the joint body and the part corresponding to the cap are each in the shape of a half-split cylinder, and the part corresponding to the joint body and the part corresponding to the cap are configured to allow the corresponding resin pipe to be inserted and removed from a direction intersecting the axis of the resin pipe.

[0008] The invention of claim 3 is as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the part corresponding to the joint body has a cutting position marking guide portion used for marking a cutting position mark on the resin pipe that is inserted into the part corresponding to the joint body, and the part corresponding to the cap has an insertion depth marking guide portion used for marking an insertion depth mark on the resin pipe that is inserted into the part corresponding to the cap.

[0009] The invention of claim 4 is configured in claim 3 such that the cutting position marker guide portion and the insertion depth marker guide portion are configured such that the cutting position marker and the insertion depth marker have different shapes from each other. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Front view of a simulated pipe fitting. [Figure 2] Rear view of a simulated pipe fitting. [Figure 3] Plan view of a simulated pipe joint. [Figure 4] Bottom view of a pseudo-pipe joint. [Figure 5] Left side view of a simulated pipe fitting. [Figure 6] Right side view of a simulated pipe fitting. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 5. [Figure 8] Front view of the pipe end adjustment tool. [Figure 9] Rear view of the pipe end adjustment tool. [Figure 10] Plan view of a pipe end adjustment tool. [Figure 11] Bottom view of the pipe end adjustment tool. [Figure 12] Left side view of the pipe end adjustment tool. [Figure 13] Right side view of the pipe end adjustment tool. [Figure 14] Cross-sectional view of line BB in Figure 11. [Figure 15] This diagram shows the water supply and hot water piping near a step, with a portion of the pipe joint broken to illustrate the connection. [Figure 16] A diagram illustrating a piping method, showing the pipes, inner cores, pipe fittings, and dummy pipe fittings necessary for constructing water supply and hot water piping to overcome steps. [Figure 17] This diagram illustrates a piping method, showing simulated piping constructed using pipes and simulated pipe fittings (without using Incore). (a) shows a case where the pipe length is appropriate, and (b) shows an example of a case where the pipe length is inappropriate. [Figure 18] This diagram illustrates a piping method, specifically the process of shortening an improperly sized pipe using a pipe end adjustment tool. [Figure 19] A diagram illustrating a piping method, showing an actual water supply and hot water supply piping system constructed using pipes, in-cores, and pipe fittings. [Figure 20]A diagram showing an alternative example, which is a front view of a pseudo pipe joint. [Figure 21] A diagram showing an alternative example, which is a rear view of a pseudo pipe joint. [Figure 22] A diagram showing an alternative example, which is a plan view of a pseudo pipe joint. [Figure 23] A diagram showing an alternative example, which is a bottom view of a pseudo pipe joint. [Figure 24] A diagram showing an alternative example, which is a left side view of a pseudo pipe joint. [Figure 25] A diagram showing an alternative example, which is a right side view of a pseudo pipe joint. [Figure 26] A diagram showing an alternative example, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. 24. [Figure 27] A diagram showing another alternative example, which is a front view of a pseudo pipe joint. [Figure 28] A diagram showing another alternative example, which is a rear view of a pseudo pipe joint. [Figure 29] A diagram showing another alternative example, which is a plan view of a pseudo pipe joint. [Figure 30] A diagram showing another alternative example, which is a bottom view of a pseudo pipe joint. [Figure 31] A diagram showing another alternative example, which is a left side view of a pseudo pipe joint. [Figure 32] A diagram showing another alternative example, which is a right side view of a pseudo pipe joint. [Figure 33] A diagram for explaining a piping method, which shows a pseudo piping constructed using a pipe and a pseudo pipe joint, and shows a state in which cutting position marks and insertion depth marks are drawn on the pipe using the pseudo pipe joint. [Figure 34] A diagram showing a partial modification example of the pseudo pipe joint shown in FIGS. 27 to FIG. 33, which is a diagram showing a partially enlarged front view. [Figure 35] A cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D of FIG. 34. [Figure 36] A diagram showing a pipe marked using the pseudo pipe joint shown in FIGS. 34 and FIG. 35.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] The following describes one embodiment of the present invention in the construction of water supply and hot water supply piping.

[0012] <Regarding water supply and hot water piping> As shown in Figure 16, the floor surface 201 where the water supply and hot water piping is to be installed has a step 202 with a rectangular cross-section. The step 202 is composed of two right-angled inlets 202a and two right-angled outlets 202b.

[0013] Therefore, as shown in Figures 15 and 19, the piping components necessary to overcome the step 202 include four elbow-type pipe fittings 11, two pipes 51A laid up to each corner 202a, three pipes 51B for connecting adjacent pipe fittings 11, and eight inner cores 52 corresponding to each pipe 51A, 51B.

[0014] For the sake of clarity, it is assumed that the lengths of the two pipes 51A laid up to each corner 202a of the step 202, or in other words, the distance between the tip surface of the laid pipe 51A and the corner 202a opposite to the tip surface (more specifically, the side wall surface of the step 202 that constitutes the corner 202a), do not require adjustment.

[0015] <About pipes and incores> As shown in Figure 15, pipes 51A and 51B are made of synthetic resin such as polyolefin (crosslinked polyethylene, polybutene, etc.). Pipes 51A and 51B are made of the same material and have the same dimensions.

[0016] A cylindrical inner core 52 is inserted into the end of pipe 51B. Although not shown in the figure, an inner core 52 is also inserted into the end of pipe 51A, similar to pipe 51B. The inner core 52 is prevented from being fully immersed in pipes 51A and 51B by a flange 52a formed at the end of the inner core 52. The inner core 52 is intended to increase and maintain the roundness of the ends of pipes 51A and 51B.

[0017] <Regarding pipe fittings> The pipe fitting 11 comprises two cylindrical body sections 12. Each body section 12 can be connected to pipes 51A and 51B of the same dimensions (same nominal diameter). Each body section 12 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyphenylene sulfide resin. The two body sections 12 are integrally molded via a cylindrical corner section 13.

[0018] In this embodiment, the two main body portions 12 and the corner portion 13 together constitute the joint body, with one main body portion 12 forming one end of the joint body and the other main body portion 12 forming the other end of the joint body.

[0019] In the pipe joint 11, one main body 12 and the other main body 12 are arranged so that their respective axes L1 and L2 are perpendicular to each other. The one main body 12 and the other main body 12 are identical (they have the same dimensions and shape, etc.), and the same (identical in dimensions and shape, etc.) one-touch joint is constructed between the one main body 12 and the other main body 12.

[0020] An outer cylinder portion 14 is formed to protrude from the main body portion 12. An insertion space 15 is formed inside the outer cylinder portion 14 to allow the insertion of pipes 51A and 51B. A stepped portion 14a is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion 14 on the base end side. A locking step 14b is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion 14 on the tip side of the stepped portion 14a.

[0021] A positioning surface 14c is provided at the base end of the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion 14, which abuts against the tip surface of the inner core 52 and defines the insertion positions of the pipes 51A and 51B. The positioning surface 14c lies on a virtual plane perpendicular to the axes L1 and L2 of the corresponding main body portions 12. The distance from the intersection point of the axis L1 of one main body portion 12 and the axis L2 of the other main body portion 12 to the positioning surface 14c in the direction of the corresponding axes L1 and L2 is the same, "x1".

[0022] A seal ring retainer 16 made of polyacetal resin is locked to the locking step 14b. Between the seal ring retainer 16 and the step 14a, two seal rings 17 made of rubber such as ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer rubber are placed at an interval. A spacer ring 18 is placed between the two seal rings 17.

[0023] When pipes 51A and 51B are inserted into the insertion space 15, the seal ring 17 is compressed between the outer circumferential surfaces of pipes 51A and 51B and the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion 14, thereby ensuring watertightness between the two circumferential surfaces.

[0024] The pipe fitting 11 is equipped with a retaining mechanism 20 for holding pipes 51A and 51B in their respective main bodies 12, and a pair of caps 21 for attaching the retaining mechanism 20 to each main body 12. The caps 21 are made of synthetic resin such as polyphenylene sulfide resin.

[0025] Each cap 21 has a portion that is the maximum outer diameter of the pipe joint 11 centered on the corresponding axes L1 and L2, in other words, a portion that comes into contact with the installation surface (each surface of the floor 201 or step 202) when the pipe joint 11 is installed against the inlet corner 202a or outlet corner 202b. Hereinafter, this portion will be referred to as the "maximum outer diameter portion 21a".

[0026] The inner circumferential surface of the tip of the cap 21 is provided with an inclined surface 21b that narrows in diameter towards the tip. Two locking grooves 21c are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cap 21. Two locking protrusions 14d are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion 14. The cap 21 is fitted onto the outer cylinder portion 14 and connected to the outer cylinder portion 14 by the locking grooves 21c snapping into place with the locking protrusions 14d of the outer cylinder portion 14.

[0027] The cap 21 has a pipe insertion opening 21d that connects to the insertion space 15. The distance in the direction of axis L1 from the positioning surface 14c of one body portion 12 to the pipe insertion opening 21d of the cap 21 corresponding to that body portion 12, and the distance in the direction of axis L2 from the positioning surface 14c of the other body portion 12 to the pipe insertion opening 21d of the cap 21 corresponding to that body portion 12, are the same by "x2".

[0028] The locking ring 22, which constitutes the retaining mechanism 20, is made of a thin metal plate such as stainless steel and has an annular shape. Multiple retaining pieces 22a are formed to protrude from the inner circumference of the locking ring 22, inclined toward the inner end. A split ring 23, which also constitutes the retaining mechanism 20, is interposed between the locking ring 22 and the cap 21. The split ring 23 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyphenylene sulfide resin. The split ring 23 provides backup support for the inclination angle of the retaining pieces 22a of the locking ring 22.

[0029] A lock ring retainer 24, which constitutes the retaining mechanism 20, is sandwiched between the seal ring retainer 16 and the cap 21. A lock ring 22 is sandwiched between the lock ring retainer 24 and the split ring 23.

[0030] Assume that a pulling force is applied to pipes 51A and 51B that have been inserted into the insertion space 15 and through which the split ring 23 and lock ring 22 have been inserted. In this case, the retaining piece 22a of the lock ring 22 bites into the outer surface of pipes 51A and 51B, preventing pipes 51A and 51B from coming out of the pipe fitting 11. In this case, the split ring 23 shrinks in diameter guided by the inclined surface 21b of the cap 21 and tightens around the outer surface of pipes 51A and 51B, preventing pipes 51A and 51B from coming out of the pipe fitting 11.

[0031] Furthermore, with respect to the pipe fitting 11 into which pipes 51A and 51B are inserted and connected, it is prohibited to remove the pipes 51A and 51B and then reuse the fitting, as this may lead to a decrease in the anti-loosening function due to excessive deformation of the lock ring 22.

[0032] In the pipe fitting 11, a display section 25 is provided on the outer surface of one of the main body sections 12. The display section 25 is formed by printing, engraving, or the like. The display section 25 consists of one display group consisting of an "outside" display, a "+" display, and a "y1" display, and the other display group consisting of an "inside" display, a "-" display, and a "y2" display.

[0033] The "Outside" indication in one group of indicators indicates that this group corresponds to the case where the pipe fitting 11 is placed at outlet corner 202b. The "Inside" indication in the other group of indicators indicates that this group corresponds to the case where the pipe fitting 11 is placed at inlet corner 202a.

[0034] The "+" symbol in one of the display groups indicates that the tip surface of the pipe 51B, whose insertion position is defined by the positioning surface 14c of the pipe fitting 11 positioned on the protrusion 202b, is offset from the apex of the protrusion 202b in the direction of axes L1 and L2. More specifically, it indicates that the pipe 51B corresponding to the protrusion 202b is more appropriate when it is longer than the apex of the protrusion 202b.

[0035] The "-" symbol in the other group of symbols indicates that the tip surface of the pipe 51B, whose insertion position is defined by the positioning surface 14c of the pipe fitting 11 positioned in the corner 202a, is offset from the apex of the corner 202a in the direction of axes L1 and L2. More specifically, it indicates that it is more appropriate for the pipe 51B corresponding to the corner 202a to be shorter than the apex of the corner 202a.

[0036] The "y1" display in one group of indicators, since that group has a "+" indicator, represents the distance that lengthens pipe 51B relative to the vertex of corner 202b. The "y2" display in the other group of indicators, since that group has a "-" indicator, represents the distance that shortens pipe 51B relative to the vertex of corner 202a.

[0037] Therefore, as shown in Figure 16, the worker can easily understand that in order to determine the required length of each pipe 51B, they should add or subtract the corresponding numerical values ​​indicated as "y1" and "y2" from the distance "w1" between one inlet corner 202a and one outlet corner 202b, the distance "w2" between one outlet corner 202b and the other outlet corner 202b, and the distance "w3" between the other outlet corner 20b and the other inlet corner 202a (w1=w3 in this embodiment), which are measured with a tape measure or the like.

[0038] Thus, because the pipe fitting 11 is equipped with a display unit 25, the required length of the pipe 51B to be placed between it and another pipe fitting 11 can be easily determined.

[0039] <Regarding pseudo-pipe joints> As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the elbow-type pseudo-pipe fitting 71 includes a cylindrical fitting body equivalent portion 72 that is similar in appearance to the fitting body of the pipe fitting 11 (two main body portions 12 and one corner portion 13; see Figure 15). The pseudo-pipe fitting 71 also includes a pair of cylindrical cap equivalent portions 73 that are similar in appearance to the cap 21 of the pipe fitting 11 (see Figure 15). The fitting body equivalent portion 72 and the cap equivalent portion 73 are made of transparent or translucent synthetic resin such as copolyester resin or polystyrene resin, and are integrally molded with each other.

[0040] The cap-equivalent portion 73 is provided so that one end and the other end of the joint body-equivalent portion 72 bulge out in the direction of the corresponding axes L3 and L4 and in the radial direction, respectively. Each cap-equivalent portion 73 has a portion that is the maximum outer diameter centered on the axes L3 and L4 of the corresponding end of the pseudo-pipe joint 71, in other words, a portion that abuts against the installation surface (each surface of the floor surface 201 or step 202) when the pseudo-pipe joint 71 is installed against the inlet corner 202a or outlet corner 202b (see Figure 17) and is positioned accordingly.

[0041] Hereafter, this portion will be referred to as the "maximum outer diameter portion 73a". In the pseudo-pipe joint 71, the maximum outer diameter portion 73a is in the same position and has the same outer diameter as the maximum outer diameter portion 21a (see Figure 15) in the pipe joint 11.

[0042] As shown in Figure 7, each cap-equivalent portion 73 has a pipe insertion opening 73b. Insertion spaces 74 are formed from one cap-equivalent portion 73 to the corresponding end of the fitting body-equivalent portion 72, and from the other cap-equivalent portion 73 to the corresponding other end of the fitting body-equivalent portion 72. Each insertion space 74 allows for the insertion of pipes 51A and 51B through the corresponding pipe insertion opening 73b. Note that pipes 51A and 51B are inserted into the pseudo-pipe fitting 71 without the inner core 52 installed.

[0043] A positioning surface 74a is provided within each insertion space 74. The positioning surface 74a directly contacts the end surfaces of the pipes 51A and 51B, thereby defining the insertion positions of the pipes 51A and 51B. Each positioning surface 74a lies on a virtual plane perpendicular to the axes L3 and L4 of the corresponding joint body equivalent portion 72.

[0044] The distance from the intersection of axis L3 and axis L4 to the positioning surface 74a in the corresponding direction of axis L3 and L4 is the same for all of them. This distance is "x1+v", which is the distance "x1" at the pipe joint 11 (see Figure 15) plus "v", the thickness of the flange 52a of the inner core 52.

[0045] The distance from one positioning surface 74a to the pipe insertion opening 73b of the cap-equivalent portion 73 corresponding to that positioning surface 74a in the direction of axis L3 is the same as the distance from the other positioning surface 74a to the pipe insertion opening 73b of the cap-equivalent portion 73 corresponding to that positioning surface 74a in the direction of axis L4. This distance is "x2-v", which is the distance "x2" in the pipe joint 11 (see Figure 15) minus "v", the thickness of the flange 52a of the inner core 52.

[0046] Therefore, as shown in Figures 17(a) and 19, when pipes 51A and 51B are inserted into the pseudo-pipe fitting 71, the relative positional relationship between one pipe 51A or 51B and the other pipe 51A or 51B is the same as when pipes 51A and 51B with the inner core 52 attached are inserted and connected to the pipe fitting 11.

[0047] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the maximum outer diameter portion 73a of the pseudo-pipe fitting 71 is in the same position and has the same outer diameter as the maximum outer diameter portion 21a of the pipe fitting 11. Therefore, the relative positional relationship between each pipe 51A, 51B and the inlet corner 202a or outlet corner 202b is the same whether the pipes 51A, 51B are inserted and connected to the pipe fitting 11 located at the inlet corner 202a or outlet corner 202b, or whether the pipes 51A, 51B are inserted into the pseudo-pipe fitting 71 located at the inlet corner 202a or outlet corner 202b.

[0048] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, a confirmation window 72a is formed through the joint body portion 72 near the positioning surface 74a, opening the insertion space 74 outward. The confirmation window 72a is an elongated hole extending in the circumferential direction, and two of them are formed at equal intervals in that circumferential direction.

[0049] A retaining portion 75 is integrally provided protruding from the inner surface of each insertion space 74 near the positioning surface 74a. The retaining portion 75 narrows the inner diameter of the insertion space 74 in part and presses its radial tip against the outer surface of the pipes 51A and 51B, thereby moderately preventing the pipes 51A and 51B from coming out, in other words, preventing them from coming out in a state where they can be pulled out with a certain amount of force. Multiple retaining portions 75 (four in this embodiment) are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. Two retaining portions 75 are arranged between each of the two inspection windows 72a in the circumferential direction.

[0050] As shown in Figure 7, the position where each retaining part 75 presses against the outer surface of pipes 51A and 51B is shifted towards the tip of pipes 51A and 52B compared to the position where the seal ring 17 of the pipe fitting 11 presses against the outer surface (see Figure 15). Therefore, even if the retaining part 75 causes sliding scratches on the outer surface of pipes 51A and 52B when inserted into the pseudo-pipe fitting 71, and even if the tip of pipe 52B is shortened after being removed from the pseudo-pipe fitting 71, when pipes 51A and 52B are inserted and connected to the pipe fitting 11, the scratches will be shifted towards the tip from the position of the seal ring 17. This prevents a decrease in watertightness caused by the seal ring 17 contacting the scratches.

[0051] <About pipe end adjustment tools> As shown in Figures 8 to 14, the pipe end adjustment tool 81 includes a cylindrical shaft 82 that is inserted into the end of the pipe 51B. A convex curved surface 82a is formed at the tip of the shaft 82. The convex curved surface 82a facilitates the insertion of the shaft 82 into the end of the pipe 51B. A flange 83 is provided at the base end of the shaft 82.

[0052] On the flange 83, a positioning surface 83a is formed on the side facing the shaft 82, surrounding the shaft 82. The positioning surface 83a contacts the end surface of the pipe 51B when the shaft 82 is inserted into the pipe 51B. The positioning surface 83a exists on a virtual plane perpendicular to the axis L5 of the shaft 82. The pipe end adjustment tool 81 can rotate relative to the pipe 51B about the axis L5 of the shaft 82 when the shaft 82 is inserted into the pipe 51B.

[0053] An operating portion 84 is provided on the flange 83. The shaft 82, flange 83, and operating portion 84 are integrally molded from synthetic resin materials such as acrylic resin, polypropylene resin, polyethylene resin, and polyacetal resin, or from metal materials such as copper alloy and aluminum. The operating portion 84 protrudes radially outward from the flange 83. The operating portion 84 is partially cylindrical (cylindrical portion 84a) and the other part is rectangular (rectangular portion 84b) extending in the same direction as the cylindrical portion 84a. The inner space of the cylindrical portion 84a and the inner space of the rectangular portion 84b are integrated.

[0054] The operating section 84 is positioned such that the axis L6 of the cylindrical portion 84a is perpendicular to the axis L5 of the shaft 82, and the axis L6 does not intersect with the axis L5. At both ends of the cylindrical portion 84a, the end face on the flange 83 side is closed, while the end face on the opposite side is open and forms part of the discharge port 85.

[0055] At both ends of the rectangular tube portion 84b, the end face on the flange 83 side is closed, while the end face on the opposite side is open and forms the other part of the outlet 85. The flange 83 has a housing hole 83b that penetrates from a part of the positioning surface 83a into the inner space of the rectangular tube portion 84b.

[0056] A plate-shaped cutting edge 86 is housed in the inner space of the rectangular tube portion 84b. The cutting edge 86 has a cutting edge 86a that extends linearly in the direction of the axis L6 of the cylindrical portion 84a. The cutting edge 86 is fixed to the inner surface of the rectangular tube portion 84b by a screw 87. To improve workability when fixing the cutting edge 86 to the rectangular tube portion 84b, a through hole 84c is formed in the cylindrical portion 84a at a position coaxial with the screw 87, allowing a tool such as a screwdriver (not shown) to approach the screw 87 at a coaxial position through the through hole 84c.

[0057] The portion of the cutting edge 86 located on the flange 83 side protrudes from the operating portion 84 into the housing hole 83b of the flange 83. The surface on which the cutting edge 86 is fixed in the rectangular tube portion 84b is inclined with respect to the positioning surface 83a of the flange 83, and therefore the cutting edge 86 is also inclined with respect to the positioning surface 83a in accordance with this inclination. Consequently, the portion of the cutting edge 86 located in the housing hole 83b is inclined with respect to a virtual plane defined by the positioning surface 83a, and the cutting edge 86a protrudes slightly from this virtual plane.

[0058] As shown in Figures 8 and 18, in order to cut the end face of the pipe 51B using the pipe end adjustment tool 81, the shaft 82 is inserted into the end of the pipe 51B, and the end face of the pipe 51B is brought into contact with the positioning surface 83a and the cutting edge 86a of the cutting blade 86. In this state, the pipe end adjustment tool 81 is manually rotated via the operating part 84, causing the pipe end adjustment tool 81 and the pipe 51B to rotate relative to each other. This causes the cutting edge 86a, which is inclined with respect to the end face of the pipe 51B, to continuously cut the end face in the circumferential direction.

[0059] At this time, the shavings K from the pipe 51B are generated in the form of thin plates and spirals. These shavings K are discharged from the positioning surface 83a, through the containment hole 83b (see Figure 14), the inner space of the rectangular tube portion 84b and the cylindrical portion 84a, and then to the outside through the discharge port 85. The fact that the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 84a is cylindrical, or in other words, that the inner circumferential surface is a concave curved surface that follows the spiral shape of the shavings K, contributes to the smooth discharge of the shavings K from the discharge port 85.

[0060] When the pipe end adjustment tool 81 is rotated once around the pipe 50B, the pipe 51B becomes approximately 1 mm to 3 mm shorter. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as mentioned above, it is assumed that the length of the pipe 51A does not need to be adjusted (in particular, it does not need to be shortened). However, it goes without saying that if this assumption is not met, the pipe end adjustment tool 81 can also be used to adjust the length of the pipe 51A if it is too long.

[0061] <Regarding piping methods> In the process shown in Figure 16, the following components are prepared as necessary parts for constructing the water supply and hot water supply piping that overcomes the step 202: four pipe fittings 11, two pipes 51A and their corresponding two inner cores 52, three pipes 51B and their corresponding six inner cores 52, and four pseudo-pipe fittings 71.

[0062] In particular, when preparing pipe 51B, first, the distance "w1" between one inlet corner 202a and one outlet corner 202b, the distance "w2" between one outlet corner 202b and the other outlet corner 202b, and the distance "w3" between the other outlet corner 20b and the other inlet corner 202a are measured at the step 202 of the floor surface 201.

[0063] Next, the required length of each pipe 51B is calculated by adding the contents of the corresponding display groups on the display section 25 of the pipe joint 11 (see Figure 15) (either one display group with "Outside", "+", and "y1", or the other display group with "Inside", "-", and "y2") to the measured distances "w1" to "w3", and each pipe 51B is prepared by cutting it from a pipe winding or the like (not shown).

[0064] When preparing each pipe 51B, the pipes are cut from a pipe winding or the like (not shown) while being mindful of making them slightly longer than the required length (for example, 5mm to 10mm), in other words, not making them shorter than the required length.

[0065] In the process shown in Figures 17(a) and 17(b), a pseudo-pipe that overcomes the step 202 is constructed between one pipe 51A and the other pipe 51A, which have also been prepared and laid, using the three prepared pipes 51B and four pseudo-pipe fittings 71, without using an inner core 52. As shown in Figure 7, whether or not the pipes 51A and 51B have been securely inserted into the pseudo-pipe fittings 71 up to the positioning surface 74a can be easily confirmed by using the confirmation window 72a and the light-transmitting properties of the pseudo-pipe fittings 71.

[0066] Here, as shown in Figure 17(a), if the length of each pipe 51B cut from the pipe winding body is appropriate, then all of the maximum outer diameter portions 73a of each pseudo-pipe joint 71 will be in contact with the corresponding construction surface (each surface of the floor 201 or step 202). Therefore, after the pseudo-piping made of pipes 51A, 51B and pseudo-pipe joints 71 is dismantled, as shown in Figure 19, the pipe joints 11 are constructed using the same pipes 51A and 51B used in the pseudo-piping, with the inner core 52 (see Figure 15) being used, and the construction of the section that overcomes the step 202 in the water supply and hot water supply piping is completed.

[0067] Conversely, as shown in Figure 17(b), if the length of at least one of the pipes 51B is inappropriate, at least one maximum outer diameter portion 73a of at least one pseudo-pipe joint 71 will be floating without contacting the construction surface (each surface of the floor 201 or step 202). As mentioned above, in the process shown in Figure 16, each pipe 51B is cut to be longer than the required length, so an inappropriate length of pipe 51B means that the pipe 51B is too long.

[0068] Therefore, from the state shown in Figure 17(b), the simulated piping made of pipes 51A, 51B and simulated pipe fittings 71 is dismantled, and as shown in Figure 18, any pipes 51B of an inappropriate length used in the simulated piping are shortened using the pipe end adjustment tool 81. Subsequently, the simulated piping is constructed again using the pipes 51A, 51B and simulated pipe fittings 71 used in the simulated piping, including the shortened pipes 51B. From there, the pipe end adjustment process shown in Figure 18 and the simulated piping process shown in Figure 17 are repeated until the simulated piping reaches the state shown in Figure 17(a).

[0069] In other words, in this embodiment, the inner core 52 is not inserted into the pipes 51A and 51B, nor are the pipes 51A and 51B with the inner core 52 inserted inserted and connected to the pipe fitting 11, until it is possible to directly confirm that the length of each pipe 51B is appropriate at the actual step 202. Therefore, there is no need to repeatedly perform the work of inserting the inner core 52 into the pipes 51A and 51B, or the work of inserting the pipes 51A and 51B with the inner core 52 inserted, to the pipe fitting 11 at the same construction site.

[0070] In particular, when using a pipe joint 11 that cannot be reinstalled, as in this embodiment, there is no need to replace it with a new pipe joint 11. Therefore, this embodiment can be said to be a piping method that is highly efficient and low-cost. In other words, the pseudo-pipe joint 71 facilitates the implementation of this piping method.

[0071] (Another example) The above embodiment can be modified as follows, for example. To be implemented in cheese-type pipe fittings and cheese-type pseudo-pipe fittings that have an appearance similar to said pipe fittings.

[0072] To be implemented in socket-type (straight-type) pipe fittings and socket-type pseudo-pipe fittings that have an appearance similar to said pipe fittings.

[0073] ○The pipe fitting 11 in the above implementation was a so-called outer diameter seal type in which the outer circumferential surfaces of pipes 51A and 51B were sealed by a seal ring 17. This will be changed to an inner diameter seal type in which the inner circumferential surfaces of pipes 51A and 51B are sealed by a seal ring.

[0074] The pseudo-pipe joint 71 is made by performing pseudo-piping with pipes 51A and 51B into which the inner core 52 is inserted. In this case, the distance from the intersection of axis L3 and axis L4 to the positioning surface 74a in the direction of the corresponding axes L3 and L4 is the same as the distance "x1" in the pipe joint 11, and the distance from the positioning surface 74a to the pipe insertion opening 73b of the cap equivalent part 73 corresponding to the positioning surface 74a in the direction of axes L3 and L4 is the same as the distance "x2" in the pipe joint 11.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the pseudo-pipe joint 71 had a hollow section in the joint body equivalent portion 72 corresponding to the corner portion 13 of the pipe joint 11, and this hollow section was in communication with each insertion space 74, allowing hot water to pass through the inside from one pipe 51A, 51B to the other pipe 51A, 51B. This was changed to make the section in the joint body equivalent portion 72 corresponding to the corner portion 13 of the pipe joint 11 solid, so that hot water cannot pass through from one pipe 51A, 51B to the other pipe 51A, 51B.

[0076] In this way, it becomes unnecessary to make the inside of the part of the pseudo-pipe joint 71 corresponding to the corner portion 13 hollow (i.e., to form the inner circumferential surface), making the manufacture of the pseudo-pipe joint 71 easier (especially the mold simpler). Furthermore, even if the installation of the water supply and hot water piping is mistakenly completed with the pseudo-pipe joint 71 still in place, water will easily leak from the pseudo-pipe joint 71 (especially the inspection window 72a) during a water flow test of the water supply and hot water piping, allowing the error to be detected early.

[0077] Furthermore, as in the above embodiment, if the inside of the part corresponding to the corner portion 13 is made hollow, there are advantages such as reducing the weight of the pseudo-pipe joint 71 and improving air escape from the pseudo-pipe joint 71 when inserting pipes 51A and 51B, making the insertion work easier.

[0078] ○ The pseudo-pipe fitting 71 is made of opaque synthetic resin. Even in this case, it is easy to visually confirm whether the pipes 51A and 51B have been securely inserted into the pseudo-pipe fitting 71 up to the position of the positioning surface 74a using only the inspection window 72a.

[0079] ○ Remove the inspection window 72a from the pseudo-pipe fitting 71. Even in this case, by utilizing the fact that the pseudo-pipe fitting 71 is made of transparent synthetic resin, it is possible to easily visually confirm whether or not the pipes 51A and 51B have been securely inserted up to the position of the positioning surface 74a.

[0080] ○ The pseudo-pipe joint 71 should be made of an opaque synthetic resin, and the confirmation window 72a should be removed from the pseudo-pipe joint 71. In this case, it is preferable to configure the system so that a specific feel or sound is emitted when the pipes 51A and 51B are securely inserted up to the position of the positioning surface 74a.

[0081] ○In the above embodiment, the water supply and hot water supply piping had the pipe fittings 11 and pipes 51A and 51B exposed. This is changed to cover the pipe fittings 11 and / or pipes 51A and 51B with a cover. In this case, when the pseudo-piping is installed with pipes 51A and 51B and pseudo-pipe fittings 71, the fit of the pipe fittings 11 and / or pipes 51A and 51B into the cover can be checked in advance by temporarily assembling the cover to the pseudo-piping. In this sense, it is particularly effective that the maximum outer diameter portion 21a of pipe fitting 11 and the maximum outer diameter portion 73a of pseudo-pipe fitting 71 are at the same position and have the same outer diameter.

[0082] As shown in Figures 20 to 26, a U-shaped insertion depth guide hole (insertion depth guide section) 76 is provided in the thin-walled section 77 of the cap-equivalent portion 73, where the thickness has been reduced. In this case, when marking the insertion depth guide hole 76 with the pipes 51A and 51B in contact with the positioning surface 74a, the thin-walled section 77 prevents interference between the marker and the cap-equivalent portion 73, making it easier to insert the tip of the marker into the insertion depth guide hole 76. Therefore, the lengths of the pipes 51A and 51B to be inserted into the pipe fitting 11 can be easily determined.

[0083] As shown in Figures 20 to 26, a through-hole 78 should be provided. In this case, it becomes easier to understand the internal shape of the corner portion 13 in the pipe joint 11. Also, by attaching a carabiner or the like to the through-hole 78, it becomes easier to carry.

[0084] Figures 27 to 33 show another example of a pseudo-pipe joint 79. In the pseudo-pipe joint 79, the joint body equivalent portion 72 and the cap equivalent portion 73 are in the shape of a half-split cylinder (half-split cylindrical shape in this embodiment). In other words, in the pseudo-pipe joint 79, the appearance of the joint body equivalent portion 72 is similar to that of the joint body 12 and 13 of the pipe joint 11 only on approximately half of its circumference, and the appearance of the cap equivalent portion 73 is similar to that of the cap 21 of the pipe joint 11 only on approximately half of its circumference.

[0085] In this way, the joint body portion 72 and the cap portion 73 can be inserted into and removed from the corresponding pipes 51A and 51B from a direction intersecting the axes L3 and L4 of the pipes 51A and 51B. For example, as shown in Figure 33, even with pipes 51A and 51B housed in an elbow-type cover 203, the pseudo-pipe joint 79 can be inserted from a direction perpendicular to the axes L3 and L4 and fixed in place by its own elastic snap engagement.

[0086] ○As shown in the pseudo-pipe joint 79 in Figures 27 to 33, the positioning surface 74a is removed to allow insertion of pipes 51A and 51B that are longer than the required length. In this case, it is preferable to form a cutting position guide hole (cutting position guide part) 72b in the part corresponding to the joint body 72. The cutting position guide hole 72b is used as a guide for the marker when marking the cutting position mark 53 of the required length on the pipes 51A and 51B that are inserted into the part corresponding to the joint body 72. In this way, the cutting position mark 53 can be marked at the appropriate position on the pipes 51A and 51B in the actual piping state, in other words, by fitting them to the actual object.

[0087] As shown in the pseudo-pipe fitting 79 in Figures 27 to 33, the end face of the cap-equivalent portion 73 is used as the insertion depth mark guide portion 73c. ​​The insertion depth mark guide portion 73c is used as a guide for the marker when marking the insertion depth mark 54 into the pipe fitting 11 on the pipes 51A and 51B that are inserted into the cap-equivalent portion 73. In this way, the insertion depth mark 73c can be marked at the appropriate position on the pipes 51A and 51B in the actual piping state, in other words, by trial and error. The insertion depth mark guide portion 73c may also be constructed by forming a through hole at a position away from the end face of the cap-equivalent portion 73.

[0088] Figures 34 and 35 show an alternative example in which the cutting position marker guide hole 72b of the pseudo-pipe joint 79 shown in Figures 27 to 33 has been partially modified. In this alternative example, a partition 72c is formed at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the cutting position marker guide hole 72b, dividing the cutting position marker guide hole 72b into front and rear sections in the longitudinal direction (circumferential direction), and bridging it in the short direction (axial direction).

[0089] Therefore, as shown in Figure 36, when the cutting position guide holes 72b shown in Figures 34 and 35 are used as guides for the markers to mark the pipes 51A and 51B, the cutting position marker 53 becomes a dotted line due to the masking effect of the partition 72c, and even if the lengths in the circumferential direction are the same, it will have a different shape (different line type) from the insertion depth marker 54, which is a solid line.

[0090] Therefore, the operator can easily distinguish between the cutting position marker 53 and the insertion depth marker 54, and can reliably cut the pipes 51A and 51B, especially using the cutting position marker 53. The partition 72c has a semi-circular cross-section with rounded corners, making it easier for the marker to move over it in the longitudinal direction.

[0091] The fact that the cutting position marker 53 and the insertion depth marker 54 have different shapes is not limited to the embodiments shown in Figures 34 to 36 (where the line types are different). For example, the cutting position marker guide hole 72b may be configured such that the cutting position marker 53 is a dashed line, a double dashed line, a double line, or a wavy line. Alternatively, even when using markers of the same thickness, the cutting position marker guide hole 72b may be configured such that the cutting position marker 53 is thicker or thinner than the insertion depth marker 54 (where the line thicknesses are different).

[0092] Furthermore, for example, the configuration of the cutting position marker guide hole 72b may be the same as that of the pseudo-pipe joint 79 shown in Figures 27 to 33 (the cutting position marker 53 may be a solid line), and the configuration of the insertion depth marker guide section 73c may be changed from that of the pseudo-pipe joint 79 shown in Figures 27 to 33, so that the cutting position marker 53 and the insertion depth marker 54 have different shapes (different thicknesses and / or wire types).

[0093] The technical concepts that can be understood from the above embodiments are described below. (1) The pseudo-pipe joint according to claim 1, comprising a retaining portion that presses against the outer surface of the resin pipe to prevent the resin pipe from coming off, wherein the position where the retaining portion presses against the resin pipe is closer to the tip of the resin pipe than the position where the seal ring of the pipe joint presses against the outer surface of the resin pipe.

[0094] (2) A pseudo-pipe joint according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pipe joint is provided with a maximum outer diameter portion having the same outer diameter as the maximum outer diameter portion at the same position as the maximum outer diameter portion of the pipe joint.

[0095] (3) A pseudo-pipe joint according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or technical idea (1) or technical idea (2), wherein the part corresponding to the joint body and / or the part corresponding to the cap is made light-transmitting, or an inspection window is provided in the part corresponding to the joint body and / or the part corresponding to the cap, so that the tip of the inserted resin pipe can be seen from the outside.

[0096] (4) The pseudo-pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein the inside of the joint body equivalent portion and the cap equivalent portion is configured to allow fluid to flow between one resin pipe and the other resin pipe.

[0097] (5) A pipe end adjustment tool used for cutting the end face of a resin pipe, comprising: a cylindrical shaft whose tip is inserted into the end of the pipe; a flange provided at the base end of the shaft and having a positioning surface against which the end face of the pipe abuts; a cylindrical operating part projecting radially outward from the flange; and a cutting blade arranged in the internal space of the operating part, wherein the flange has a housing hole formed therein that allows the cutting edge of the cutting blade to project onto the positioning surface; the end face of the operating part opposite to the flange side is open to form a discharge port; the pipe shavings generated in a spiral shape are discharged to the outside from the positioning surface through the housing hole, the internal space of the operating part, and the discharge port; and the inner circumferential surface of the operating part has a concave curved shape that follows the spiral shape of the shavings.

[0098] (6) A piping method comprising, in the same order, the steps of: constructing a simulated piping using a simulated pipe fitting and the resin pipe described in any one of claims 1 to 4; dismantling the simulated piping; adjusting the length of the resin pipe to an appropriate length if the length of the resin pipe is inappropriate; and constructing actual piping using the resin pipe and the pipe fitting of an appropriate length.

[0099] (7) The pseudo-pipe joint according to claim 4, wherein the cutting position marker guide portion and / or the insertion depth marker guide portion consists of an elongated hole (cutting position marker guide hole 72b) in which a partition is provided in a part of the longitudinal direction bridging to the short direction, and the corresponding cutting position marker and / or the insertion depth marker form a dashed line due to the masking effect of the partition.

[0100] (8) The partition is provided with an R-chamfer in the longitudinal direction, a pseudo-pipe joint as described in technical concept (7). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0101] 11...Pipe fitting, 12...Main body, 13...Corner section, 14...Outer cylinder section (a...Step section, b...Locking step, c...Positioning surface, d...Locking protrusion), 15...Insertion space, 16...Seal ring retainer, 17...Seal ring, 18...Spacer ring. 20... Retaining mechanism, 21... Cap (a... Maximum outer diameter, b... Inclined surface, c... Locking groove, d... Pipe insertion opening), 22... Locking ring (a... Retaining piece), 23... Split ring, 24... Locking ring retainer, 25... Indicator. 51A, 51B...pipe, 52...in-core (a...flange), 53...cutting position marker, 54...insertion depth marker. 71... Pseudo-pipe fitting, 72... Fitting body equivalent part (a... Inspection window, b... Cutting position marker guide hole, c... Partition), 73... Cap equivalent part (a... Maximum outer diameter part, b... Pipe insertion opening, c... Insertion depth marker guide part), 74... Insertion space (a... Positioning surface), 75... Holding part, 76... Insertion depth marker guide hole, 77... Thin-walled part, 78... Through hole, 79... Another example of a pseudo-pipe fitting. 81... Pipe end adjustment tool, 82... Shaft (a... Convex curved surface), 83... Flange (a... Positioning surface, b... Housing hole), 84... Operating part (a... Cylindrical part, b... Square tube part, c... Through hole), 85... Discharge port, 86... Cutting blade (a... Cutting edge), 87... Screw. 201...Floor surface, 202...Step (a...In corner, b...Out corner), 203...Cover.

Claims

1. The pipe fitting comprises a fitting body into which one resin pipe is inserted and connected at one end and the other resin pipe is inserted and connected at the other end; a retaining mechanism consisting of a one-touch fitting constructed at the one end and the other end of the fitting body, respectively, for holding the corresponding resin pipes; and caps for attaching the retaining mechanism to the one end and the other end, respectively. A pseudo-pipe joint comprising a part equivalent to a pipe joint body that is similar in appearance to the pipe joint body, and cap equivalents provided at one end and the other end of the pipe joint equivalent, respectively, which are similar in appearance to the corresponding cap, wherein the corresponding resin pipe can be inserted into and removed from each cap equivalent, and the relative positional relationship between one resin pipe and the other resin pipe in the inserted state is the same as when they are inserted and connected to the pipe joint.

2. The pseudo-pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein the joint body equivalent portion and the cap equivalent portion each have a half-split cylindrical shape, and the joint body equivalent portion and the cap equivalent portion are configured to allow the corresponding resin pipe to be inserted and removed from a direction intersecting the axis of the resin pipe.

3. The pseudo-pipe joint according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the part corresponding to the joint body has a cutting position marking guide portion used for marking a cutting position mark on the resin pipe that is inserted into the part corresponding to the joint body, and the part corresponding to the cap has an insertion depth marking guide portion used for marking an insertion depth mark on the resin pipe that is inserted into the cap.

4. The pseudo-pipe joint according to claim 3, wherein the cutting position marker guide portion and the insertion depth marker guide portion are configured such that the cutting position marker and the insertion depth marker have different shapes from each other.

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