Vine prevention device

Abstract

The purpose is to prevent climbing plants from ascending the gap between the utility pole and the pipe, and to improve the ease of installation. [Solution] The vine prevention device 1a is attached to the utility pole 2 and the pipe 3 which is positioned in contact with the utility pole 2. The vine prevention device 1a comprises a sheet portion 11 and an elastic portion 12 as a first elastic portion. The sheet portion 11 is a light-shielding sheet portion that is wrapped around the utility pole 2 and the pipe 3. The elastic portion 12 is integrally attached to the sheet portion 11 and is positioned in the gap between the sheet portion 11 and the utility pole 2 and the pipe 3.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vine grass preventer.

Background Art

[0002] Every year, from after the rainy season to the autumn season, vine grass growing from the ground surface climbs through the gaps between utility poles and pipes, increasing the risk of contacting tram lines and distribution lines. When the vine grass touches the tram lines and distribution lines, electricity may flow through the vine grass, potentially causing major transportation disruptions such as fires and ground faults. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the vine grass before contact. However, the removal work needs to be carried out several times a year and is not easy to reach the upper part of the utility pole.

[0003] Vine grass has the property that it cannot climb on those with a diameter above a certain size. For this reason, a vine grass preventer composed of a sheet member wound around a utility pole and a pipe, and a fixing band for fixing the sheet member is known (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the above conventional preventer, due to the pipe, a gap is formed between the sheet member and the utility pole, so there is a risk that vine grass may climb through the gap. Also, when attaching a member to fill the gap, since the member for filling the gap and the sheet member are separate bodies, the workability of attaching the preventer was not good.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to prevent vine grass from climbing through the gap between a utility pole and a pipe and to improve the workability of attachment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a weed control device for vines, A light-shielding sheet portion that is wrapped around the utility pole and the piping positioned adjacent to the utility pole, The system comprises a first elastic portion which is integrally attached to the sheet portion and positioned in the gap between the sheet portion, the utility pole, and the piping.

[0008] Furthermore, preferably, the first elastic portion is made of synthetic rubber foam.

[0009] Preferably, the vine prevention device also includes a second elastic portion that is positioned in the gap so as to be in contact with the first elastic portion.

[0010] Furthermore, preferably, the second elastic portion has a separated third elastic portion and a fourth elastic portion. The third elastic portion and the fourth elastic portion each have a notch corresponding to the shape of the pipe.

[0011] Preferably, the second elastic portion has a notched hole corresponding to the shape of the pipe.

[0012] Furthermore, preferably, the second elastic portion is made of synthetic rubber foam.

[0013] Furthermore, preferably, the length of the first elastic portion is 3 / 4 times the length of the outer circumference of the utility pole and the piping.

[0014] Furthermore, preferably, the first elastic portion has a tapered portion at its end in the extending direction, the thickness decreasing towards the end.

[0015] Preferably, the first elastic portion is located at one end of the sheet portion in the extending direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the vine grass from climbing up the gap between the utility pole and the pipe, and improve the workability of installation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the vine grass preventing tool after installation of the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a plan view showing the vine grass preventing tool of the embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a side view showing the vine grass preventing tool of the embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vine grass preventing tool of the embodiment attached to the utility pole and the pipe. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing the attachment of the elastic body to the sheet part, the elastic body and the fixing part wound around the utility pole and the pipe. [Figure 6] It is a side view showing the vine grass preventing tool of the modified example.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments and modified examples according to the present invention will be described in detail in order with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0019] (Embodiment) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described. First, referring to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the vine grass preventing tool 1a of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the vine grass preventing tool 1a after installation of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the vine grass preventing tool 1a. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the vine grass preventing tool 1a.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the vine prevention device 1a is attached to the utility pole 2 and the pipe 3. The utility pole 2 is a concrete pole, a steel pipe pole, etc. Equipment such as transformers for transmitting power to overhead lines of railway tracks or streetlights are installed on top of the utility pole 2. Electrical wires such as grounding wires and power supply cables are connected to the equipment. The pipe 3 is a VE (Vinyl Electric) pipe, etc. Electrical wires for the equipment are inserted through the pipe 3. The pipe 3 is in contact with the utility pole 2 and its axial direction is parallel to the axial direction of the utility pole 2. The diameter of the cross-section of the pipe 3 perpendicular to the axial direction is smaller than the diameter of the utility pole 2. For this reason, vines may not climb the utility pole 2 alone, but they may climb the pipe 3 alone. The diameter of the pipe 3 is, for example, 20 to 60 mm.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the weed control device 1a comprises a sheet portion 11, elastic portions 12, 13a, and a fixing portion 14. The sheet portion 11 is made of a light-shielding resin, such as EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate copolymer). EVA is a general-purpose plastic that exhibits little change in hardness (softness) due to temperature changes, maintains flexibility under any usage environment, has excellent weather resistance, and has an expected lifespan of 20 years or more. However, the material of the sheet portion 11 is not limited to EVA, and may also be LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene), HDPE (High Density Polyethylene), PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), PP (Polypropylene), etc. The sheet portion 11 is wrapped around the utility pole 2 and the pipe 3. Due to the light-blocking properties of the sheet portion 11, even if climbing plants grow into the gap between the sheet portion 11 and the utility pole 2 and pipe 3, the plants will not receive sunlight and will not be able to photosynthesize, thus hindering their growth. The three-dimensional XYZ axes are shown in Figure 2, and the same applies to Figures 3 and 6. The sheet portion 11 shown in Figure 2 is in its unfolded state before installation and is cut into a rectangle with a length L1 in the Y-axis direction and a length L2 in the X-axis direction.

[0022] The elastic part 12 is a flexible elastic material, such as an opsealer component. Opsealer is a foam based on synthetic rubber. The opsealer material (base material) of the elastic part 12 is, for example, EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer: a combination of ethylene and propylene). EPDM has excellent weather resistance, ozone resistance, heat degradation resistance, and cold resistance, and is particularly excellent in rebound elasticity. Furthermore, EPDM has an expected lifespan of 20 years or more. However, the material of the elastic part 12 is not limited to EPDM, and may also be NR (Natural Rubber), CR (Chloroprene Rubber), NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber), SI (Silicon), etc. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the elastic portion 12 is positioned at the -X, +Y, and -Y ends of the planar sheet portion 11, extending in the X direction, and is attached to the sheet portion 11 with an adhesive. The adhesive is, for example, double-sided tape (acrylic adhesive). In this way, the elastic portion 12 is integrally formed with the sheet portion 11. The elastic portion 12 is positioned corresponding to the pipe 3, and when the sheet portion 11 is wrapped around the utility pole 2 and the pipe 3, it fills the gap between the sheet portion 11 and the utility pole 2 and the pipe 3. As shown in Figure 2, the elastic portion 12 is formed in a rectangular shape with a length (width) L3 in the Y direction in plan view. As shown in Figure 3, the elastic portion 12 is formed in a trapezoidal shape in side view, having a length L4 in the X direction and a length (thickness) L5 in the Z direction. In other words, the elastic portion 12 has tapered portions 121 at both ends in the X direction. The tapered portion 121 on the -X side is set so that its length (thickness) in the Z-axis direction decreases as it moves towards the -X side. The tapered portion 121 on the +X side is set so that its length (thickness) in the Z-axis direction decreases as it moves towards the +X side. The tapered portion 121 allows the gap between the sheet portion 11 and the utility pole 2 and pipe 3 to be easily and efficiently filled when the sheet portion 11 is wrapped around it.

[0023] The elastic part 13a is an elastic body separate from the sheet part 11 and the elastic part 12, and is, for example, made of an op-sealer made of EPDM, similar to the elastic part 12. The elastic part 13a has elastic parts 131a and 132a. The elastic parts 131a and 132a are packed into the gap between the sheet part 11 wrapped around the utility pole 2 and the pipe 3 and the utility pole 2 and the pipe 3, filling the gap. As shown in Figure 3, the elastic parts 131a and 132a each have a length L6 in the X-axis direction and a length (thickness) L7 in the Z-axis direction in their side shape, and are formed into a roughly triangular shape with a semi-teardrop shaped cutout 133a for the pipe 3. When the elastic parts 131a and 132a are in contact, a roughly isosceles triangle is formed. In this case, the two cutouts 133a come together to form a roughly teardrop shape.

[0024] The fixing part 14 is a metal band, such as stainless steel. For example, two fixing parts 14 are used. One fixing part 14 wraps around the sheet part 11, which is wrapped around the utility pole 2 and the pipe 3, at the +Y direction position. The other fixing part 14 similarly wraps around the sheet part 11 at the -Y direction position. Since the fixing part 14 only wraps around the sheet part 11 from the outside, there are no holes in the sheet part 11 for the fixing part 14 to pass through. However, the sheet part 11 may be configured to have holes for the fixing part 14 to pass through. Also, the number of fixing parts 14 that the vine prevention device 1a has is not limited to two.

[0025] The following describes specific dimensions for each part of the vine prevention device 1a. Lengths L1 to L7 are set to, for example, 1500 [mm], 600 [mm], 100 [mm], 1125 [mm], 30 [mm], 150 [mm], and 60 [mm], respectively. However, these values ​​for lengths L1 to L7 are just examples and are not limiting.

[0026] Length L1 is sufficiently larger than the outer circumference of the utility pole 2 and pipe 3 where the weed control device 1a is to be attached, and is long enough to create an overlapping portion when the weed control device 1a is wrapped around the utility pole 2 and pipe 3. Length L4 is set to approximately 3 / 4 of the outer circumference of the utility pole 2 and pipe 3 where it is to be attached. In this way, lengths L1 and L4 are set, for example, based on the outer circumference of the utility pole 2 and pipe 3 where it is to be attached. The outer circumference of the utility pole 2 and pipe 3 is, for example, the length of the closed curve of the cross section formed by the sheet portion 11 when the sheet portion 11 is wrapped around the utility pole 2 and pipe 3 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. By setting the length L4 to this, the elastic portion 12 can sufficiently cover the gap between the sheet portion 11 and the utility pole 2 and pipe 3. Therefore, the installation work of the weed control device 1a becomes easier, the number of workers can be reduced and the workability is improved.

[0027] Next, with reference to Figures 4 and 5, the method of attaching the vine prevention device 1a to the utility pole 2 and pipe 3 will be explained. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vine prevention device 1a attached to the utility pole 2 and pipe 3. However, in order to make the wrapping state of the sheet portion 11 easier to understand, the fixing portion 14 is omitted from the illustration in Figure 4. Furthermore, in order to make the wrapping state of the sheet portion 11 easier to understand, Figure 4 is drawn so that the length L1 of the sheet portion 11 in the X-axis direction is longer than the outer circumference of the utility pole 2 and pipe 3. Thus, the length L1 of the sheet portion 11 may be set to be longer than the outer circumference of the utility pole 2 and pipe 3. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the sheet portion 11 wrapped around the utility pole 2 and pipe 3, the elastic portion 12, and the attachment of the elastic portion 12 to the fixing portion 14.

[0028] First, the worker attaches two sets of elastic sections 131a and 132a in advance using double-sided tape or the like to the positions of the elastic sections 12 corresponding to the gaps between the sheet section 11 and the utility pole 2 and pipe 3 during wrapping. Then, the worker aligns the elastic sections 12 with the positions of the elastic sections 131a and 132a so that the center line of the length of the elastic section 12 in the X-axis direction on the sheet section 11 is aligned with the axis direction of the pipe 3, and wraps the sheet section 11 around the utility pole 2 and pipe 3. Because the elastic sections 12 are located at the -X end of the sheet section 11, the work of aligning the elastic sections 12 with the pipe 3 becomes easy. Also, because the elastic sections 12 are integrally formed with the sheet section 11, the wrapping work becomes easy.

[0029] When the sheet portion 11 is wrapped around the pole, the elastic portions 131a and 132a of each set and the elastic portion 12 are deformed in contact with each other, filling the gap between the sheet portion 11 and the utility pole 2 and pipe 3. As a result, vines and other plants cannot enter the gap. The gap is easily and reliably filled when the elastic portions 12 and 13a come into contact with each other. Then, the worker wraps the two fixing portions 14 around the wrapped sheet portion 11 to secure it.

[0030] The method of attaching the vine prevention device 1a to the utility pole 2 and pipe 3 is not limited to the method described above. For example, first, the worker wraps the sheet portion 11 around the utility pole 2 and pipe 3 so that the center line of the length of the elastic portion 12 on the sheet portion 11 in the X-axis direction is aligned with the axis direction of pipe 3, and then wraps and secures the two fixing portions 14 around it. As shown in Figure 5, although the gap between the sheet portion 11 and the utility pole 2 and pipe 3 is filled to some extent by the elastic portion 12, there are still gaps 41 and 42 on the +Y direction side and gaps 43 and 44 on the -Y direction side. The worker then fills one pair of elastic portions 131a into gap 41 and the elastic portion 132a into gap 42. Similarly, the worker fills the other pair of elastic portions 131a into gap 43 and the elastic portion 132a into gap 44. Gaps 41 to 44 are filled by the elastic portions 12 and 13a. This method of attaching the vine prevention device 1a is also acceptable.

[0031] As described above, according to this embodiment, the vine prevention device 1a comprises a sheet portion 11 and an elastic portion 12 as a first elastic portion. The sheet portion 11 is a light-shielding sheet portion that is wrapped around the utility pole 2 and the pipe 3 which is arranged in contact with the utility pole 2. The elastic portion 12 is integrally attached to the sheet portion 11 and is positioned in the gap between the sheet portion 11 and the utility pole 2 and pipe 3. Therefore, the elastic portion 12 can prevent vines from climbing up the gap between the utility pole and the pipe. At the same time, since the sheet portion 11, which is integrated with the elastic portion 12, is wrapped around the utility pole 2 and pipe 3 for installation, the ease of installation can be improved.

[0032] Furthermore, the elastic part 12 is made of opsealer. This enhances the weather resistance of the elastic part 12 and extends its expected lifespan.

[0033] Furthermore, the vine prevention device 1a includes an elastic part 13a, which serves as a second elastic part, positioned in the gap so as to be in contact with the elastic part 12. Therefore, the elastic parts 12 and 13a can more reliably prevent vines from climbing up the gap between the utility pole and the pipe.

[0034] Furthermore, the elastic portion 13a has elastic portions 131a and 132a as a separated third elastic portion and a fourth elastic portion. Each of the elastic portions 131a and 132a has a notch portion 133a corresponding to the shape of the pipe 3. Therefore, the gaps corresponding to the shape of the pipe 3 that correspond to the elastic portions 131a and 132a can be reliably filled.

[0035] Furthermore, the elastic portion 13a is made of opsealer. This enhances the weather resistance of the elastic portion 13a and extends its expected lifespan.

[0036] Furthermore, the length L4 of the elastic section 12 is approximately 3 / 4 times the outer circumference of the utility pole 2 and the pipe 3. Therefore, the elastic section 12 can cover the gap between the sheet section 11 and the utility pole 2 and the pipe 3, making it easier to install the vine prevention device 1a, reducing the number of workers required, and improving work efficiency. Moreover, if the length L1 of the sheet section 11 is longer than the outer circumference of the utility pole 2 and the pipe 3 (the outer circumference corresponding to the state when the sheet section is wrapped around it), the portion of the sheet section 11 without the elastic section 12 can be overlapped with the sheet section 11 when wrapping it. Therefore, the installation of the vine prevention device 1a can be made even easier, reducing the number of workers required, and further improving work efficiency.

[0037] Furthermore, the elastic portion 12 has a tapered portion 121 at its end in the -X direction of the extending direction (X-axis direction), where the thickness decreases towards the end. As a result, the tapered portion 121 allows the gap between the sheet portion 11 and the utility pole 2 and pipe 3 to be easily and efficiently filled when the sheet portion 11 is wrapped around it.

[0038] Furthermore, the elastic portion 12 is positioned at one end (the -X direction side) in the extending direction (X-axis direction) of the sheet portion 11. This makes it easy to align the elastic portion 12 with the pipe 3.

[0039] (modified version) A modified example of the above embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a side view showing the vine prevention device 1b of this modified example. In the above embodiment, the vine prevention device 1a was configured to use a separate elastic part 13a. In this modified example, an integrated elastic part 13b is used.

[0040] The configuration of this modified example will be described with reference to Figure 6. However, components similar to those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. As shown in Figure 6, the vine prevention device 1b of this modified example comprises a sheet portion 11, elastic portions 12, 13b, and a fixing portion 14.

[0041] The elastic portion 13b is packed into the gap between the sheet portion 11 wrapped around the utility pole 2 and the pipe 3 and the utility pole 2 and the pipe 3, filling the gap. As shown in Figure 6, the elastic portion 13b is formed in a roughly isosceles triangle shape in plan view, having a length L8 in the X-axis direction and a length (thickness) L9 in the Z-axis direction, and having a roughly teardrop-shaped hole 133b for the pipe 3. The roughly teardrop-shaped hole 133b has a notch on the +Z direction side. The length of the hole 133b in the X-axis direction is length L10. The length L10 is, for example, 40 to 50 [mm].

[0042] The elastic portion 13b is formed as a single unit. Alternatively, the elastic portion 13b may be formed by integrally securing the ends of the elastic portions 131a and 132a on the -Z direction side with single-sided tape. Because the elastic portion 13b is integral, it is easy to fit the pipe 3 into the hole 133b through the notch.

[0043] Next, the method for attaching the vine prevention device 1b to the utility pole 2 and pipe 3 will be explained. First, the worker attaches the elastic part 13b to the gap between the sheet part 11 and the utility pole 2 and pipe 3. For example, the worker attaches the elastic part 13b by fitting the hole 133b of the elastic part 13b into the pipe 3. Furthermore, the pipe 3 and the elastic part 13b may be attached together with double-sided tape or the like. Then, the worker aligns the center line of the elastic part 12 on the sheet part 11 in the X-axis direction parallel to the axis direction of the pipe 3, and wraps the sheet part 11 around the utility pole 2 and pipe 3 to which the two sets of elastic parts 13b are attached. Finally, the worker wraps the fixing part 14 around the wrapped sheet part 11 to secure it.

[0044] As described above, according to this modified example, the vine prevention device 1b includes an elastic part 13b as a second elastic part. The elastic part 13b has a notched hole 133b that corresponds to the shape of the pipe 3. Therefore, the elastic part 13b can easily and reliably fill the gap corresponding to the shape of the pipe 3.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications, and various improvements and design changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0046] For example, in the above embodiment and its modifications, one pipe 3 is arranged on one utility pole 2, and vine-preventing devices 1a and 1b are attached to them. However, the configuration is not limited to this. Multiple pipes 3 may be arranged on one utility pole 2, and vine-preventing devices 1a and 1b may be attached to them.

[0047] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each component of the vine prevention devices 1a and 1b in the above embodiments and modified examples can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 1a, 1b Weed control device 11 Seat section 12,13a,131a,132a,13b Elastic part 121 Tapered section 133a Notch 133b Hole 14 Fixed part 2 utility poles 3 Piping

Claims

1. A light-shielding sheet portion that is wrapped around the utility pole and the piping positioned adjacent to the utility pole, A vine prevention device comprising a first elastic part integrally attached to the sheet portion and positioned in the gap between the sheet portion, the utility pole, and the piping.

2. The vine prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic part is made of synthetic rubber foam.

3. The vine prevention device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second elastic portion disposed in the gap so as to be in contact with the first elastic portion.

4. The second elastic portion has a separated third elastic portion and a fourth elastic portion. The third elastic portion and the fourth elastic portion each have a notch corresponding to the shape of the pipe, as described in claim 3.

5. The vine prevention device according to claim 3, wherein the second elastic portion has a notched hole corresponding to the shape of the pipe.

6. The vine prevention device according to claim 3, wherein the second elastic part is made of synthetic rubber foam.

7. The vine prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the first elastic portion is 3 / 4 the length of the outer circumference of the utility pole and the pipe.

8. The vine prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic portion has a tapered portion at its end in the extending direction, the thickness decreasing towards the end.

9. The first elastic portion is arranged at one end of the sheet portion in the extending direction, as described in claim 1.

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