Connecting structures

Abstract

This prevents rattling between the pipe and the bracket. [Solution] A connecting structure between a pipe 20 and a bracket 40 using a fixing device 60, wherein the pipe has a slit 22 formed at the end of the pipe and extending along the direction of extension of the pipe, and a first insertion opening 24 formed at an intermediate position in the slit, the bracket has a connecting portion 46 that has a recess formed to conform to the outer shape of the pipe and fits over the end of the pipe, and a second insertion opening 50 that has a larger diameter than the first insertion opening and is formed on the connecting portion opposite the first insertion opening, the fixing device has a head that covers the second insertion opening on the outside of the connecting portion, and a tapered portion 64 whose outer diameter on the head side is larger than the diameter of the first insertion opening and which narrows in width from the head side to the tip side, the fixing device is inserted through both the first and second insertion openings, and the tapered portion of the fixing device widens the slit of the pipe, so that the outer surface of the pipe is pressed against the inner surface of the connecting portion of the bracket, thus forming a connecting structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure.

Background Art

[0002] In the passenger compartment of a vehicle such as a bus, a plurality of pipes as disclosed in Patent Document 1 are arranged. The pipes serve as handrails or the like, and some extend linearly, while others are curved in the middle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The end of such a pipe is inserted into the circular depression of the bracket, and both the pipe and the bracket are connected by inserting a bolt extending in the radial direction of the pipe.

[0005] To facilitate the insertion of the pipe into the depression of the bracket, the radial dimension of the depression of the bracket is larger than the radial dimension of the end of the pipe. Therefore, as described above, when the pipe and the bracket are connected using a bolt, rattling between the pipe and the bracket may occur due to the gap between the pipe and the bracket.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connection structure capable of suppressing rattling between a pipe and a bracket.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the aforementioned problems and can be realized in the following embodiments or application examples.

[0008] The connecting structure according to this application example is a connecting structure between a pipe and a bracket using a fastener, wherein the pipe has a slit formed at the end of the pipe and extending along the direction of extension of the pipe, and a first insertion opening formed at an intermediate position in the slit, the bracket has a connecting portion formed with a recess conforming to the outer shape of the pipe and fitted over the end of the pipe, and a second insertion opening formed in the connecting portion opposite the first insertion opening and having a larger diameter than the first insertion opening, the fastener has a head that covers the second insertion opening on the outside of the connecting portion, and a tapered portion whose outer diameter on the head side is larger than the diameter of the first insertion opening and which narrows in width from the head side towards the tip side, the fastener is inserted through both the first and second insertion openings, and the slit of the pipe is widened by the tapered portion of the fastener, so that the outer surface of the pipe is pressed against the inner surface of the connecting portion of the bracket.

[0009] In the connecting structure described in this example, the outer surface of the pipe and the inner surface of the connecting part are in pressure contact (contact under pressure). Therefore, the connecting structure described in this example can suppress rattling between the pipe and the bracket. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vehicle according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration near one end of the pipe in this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the bracket in this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the fastener in this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the connection structure between a pipe using the fastener of this embodiment and a bracket. [Figure 6] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the connection structure between a pipe using the fastener of this embodiment and a bracket. [Figure 7] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the connection structure between a pipe and a bracket using a modified fastener. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vehicle 10 of this embodiment. The vehicle 10 is, for example, a vehicle such as a bus. One or more pipes 20 that serve various roles are arranged in the vehicle 10. The pipes 20 serve, for example, as handrails.

[0012] The pipes 20 installed in the vehicle 10 include straight pipes and pipes that have been bent. At least one end of the pipes 20 is fixed to the wall, floor, or ceiling of the vehicle 10 via a bracket 40.

[0013] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration near one end of the pipe 20 in this embodiment. The pipe 20 has a circular inner circumference and an outer circumference. A slit 22 is formed at one end of the pipe 20, extending along the direction of extension of the pipe 20 and splitting the end of the pipe 20.

[0014] A first through-hole (first insertion opening) 24 is formed at an intermediate position in the slit 22. In addition, a second through-hole (allowable hole) 26 is formed in the slit 22 at the end furthest from one end of the pipe 20.

[0015] Furthermore, at one end of the pipe 20, a third through-hole 28 is formed on the opposite side of the first through-hole 24, which straddles the central axis A of the pipe 20. Moreover, the third through-hole 28 is formed in the same position as the first through-hole 24 in the extending direction of the pipe 20. Therefore, the first through-hole 24 and the third through-hole 28 are formed on the same straight line perpendicular to the central axis A.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the bracket 40 of the present embodiment. The bracket 40 includes a pedestal portion 42, a connecting portion 46, and the like. The pedestal portion 42 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member. Fourth through-holes 44 are formed near each corner of the pedestal portion 42. A fixture (not shown) for fixing the bracket 40 is inserted through the fourth through-holes 44.

[0017] The connecting portion 46 is a cylindrical member. The connecting portion 46 is provided on the pedestal portion 42. Therefore, the opening on the pedestal portion 42 side of the connecting portion 46 is blocked by the pedestal portion 42. Also, from these facts, it can be said that a depression 48 is formed in the connecting portion 46.

[0018] The shape of the depression 48 follows the outer shape of the pipe 20. The width of the depression 48 is set to such an extent that the insertion of one end portion of the pipe 20 is possible. Also, the depth of the depression 48 is larger than the distance from one extreme end of the pipe 20 to the end point on the second through-hole 26 side in the first through-hole 24.

[0019] Since the outer shape of the pipe 20 of the present embodiment is cylindrical, the depression 48 follows the outer shape of the pipe 20 and has a cylindrical shape with a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pipe 20. Also, the depression 48 of the present embodiment can be said to be a bottomed circular opening.

[0020] A fifth through-hole (second insertion port) 50 is formed in the connecting portion 46. The distance from the bottom of the depression 48 to the fifth through-hole 50 is the same as the distance from one extreme end of the pipe 20 to the first through-hole 24.

[0021] Also, in the connecting portion 46, a sixth through-hole 52 is formed on the side opposite to the fifth through-hole 50 across the central axis B of the connecting portion 46. Further, the sixth through-hole 52 is formed at the same position as the fifth through-hole 50 in the extending direction of the connecting portion 46. Therefore, the fifth through-hole 50 and the sixth through-hole 52 are formed on the same straight line orthogonal to the central axis B.

[0022] Furthermore, the diameters of the first through-hole 24 in the pipe 20, the third through-hole 28 in the pipe 20, and the sixth through-hole 52 in the bracket 40 are the same. Also, the diameter of the fifth through-hole 50 in the bracket 40 is larger than the diameters of these through-holes.

[0023] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the fastener 60 of this embodiment. The fastener 60 is, for example, a bolt. The fastener 60 comprises a head 62, a tapered portion 64, a shaft portion 66, etc. The head 62 is capable of rotational operation. The outer diameter of the head 62 is larger than the diameter of the fifth through hole 50 of the bracket 40.

[0024] The tapered portion 64 is a cylindrical member located between the head portion 62 and the shaft portion 66, and its width (diameter) decreases as it moves from the head portion 62 side towards the tip side (shaft portion 66 side). In other words, the tapered portion 64 is formed in a roughly frustoconical shape, and its width (diameter) increases as it moves from the tip side towards the head portion 62 side.

[0025] The outer diameter of the tapered portion 64 on the head 62 side is larger than the diameter of the first through hole 24 of the pipe 20, and smaller than the diameter of the fifth through hole 50 of the bracket 40. Furthermore, the maximum outer diameter of the tapered portion 64, that is, the diameter at the outermost end on the head 62 side, is larger than the diameter of the first through hole 24 of the pipe 20, and smaller than the diameter of the fifth through hole 50 of the bracket 40.

[0026] The minimum outer diameter of the tapered portion 64, that is, the diameter at the very end on the tip side, is slightly smaller than the diameter of the first through-hole 24 of the pipe 20, and also smaller than the diameter of the fifth through-hole 50 of the bracket 40.

[0027] The shaft portion 66 is a substantially cylindrical member. The outer diameter of the shaft portion 66 is slightly smaller than the diameters of the first through hole 24 of the pipe 20, the third through hole 28 of the pipe 20, and the sixth through hole 52 of the bracket 40. As mentioned above, the diameter of the fifth through hole 50 of the bracket 40 is larger than the diameters of the first through hole 24 and the others of the pipe 20, so the outer diameter of the shaft portion 66 is smaller than the diameter of the fifth through hole 50. In addition, a screw thread 68 (male screw portion) is formed at least on the tip side of the shaft portion 66.

[0028] Figures 5 and 6 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the connection structure between the pipe 20 and the bracket 40 using the fastener 60 of this embodiment. When the connecting portion 46 of the bracket 40 is placed over one end of the pipe 20, in other words, when one end of the pipe 20 is inserted into the recess 48 of the bracket 40, the first through-hole 24 of the pipe 20, the third through-hole 28 of the pipe 20, the fifth through-hole 50 of the bracket 40, and the sixth through-hole 52 of the bracket 40 can be arranged in the same straight line, as shown in Figure 5.

[0029] Furthermore, when the first through-hole 24, the third through-hole 28, the fifth through-hole 50, and the sixth through-hole 52 are arranged on the same straight line, the first through-hole 24 and the fifth through-hole 50 face each other, and the third through-hole 28 and the sixth through-hole 52 face each other.

[0030] In this way, the first through-hole 24, the third through-hole 28, the fifth through-hole 50, and the sixth through-hole 52 are arranged on the same straight line, and the tip of the fixing device 60 is passed through the fifth through-hole 50, the first through-hole 24, the third through-hole 28, and the sixth through-hole 52 in that order, thereby connecting the pipe 20 and the bracket 40.

[0031] When the fastener 60 is inserted through the various through holes, as shown in Figure 6, the head 62 of the fastener 60 covers the fifth through hole 50 on the outside of the connecting portion 46 of the bracket 40.

[0032] Furthermore, because the second through-hole 26 of the pipe 20 allows the slit 22 to widen to a certain extent, as shown in Figure 6, when the fastener 60 is inserted through the various through-holes, the tapered portion 64 widens the slit 22 of the pipe 20, and the outer surface 30 of the pipe 20 is pressed against the inner surface 54 of the connecting portion 46.

[0033] Furthermore, the tip of the fastener 60 is located on the outside of the connecting portion 46 and on the opposite side of the head 62, and a nut or the like is attached to the screw threads 68 of the fastener 60, thereby preventing the fastener 60 from falling off the pipe 20 and the bracket 40.

[0034] With this connection structure between the pipe 20 and the bracket 40 using the fixing device 60, the tapered portion 64 of the fixing device 60 widens the slit 22 of the pipe 20, and the outer surface 30 of the pipe 20 is pressed against the inner surface 54 of the connecting portion 46. As a result, the outer surface 30 of the pipe 20 and the inner surface 54 of the connecting portion 46 are in pressure contact (contact under pressure), and rattling between the pipe 20 and the bracket 40 is suppressed.

[0035] This concludes the description of this embodiment. However, the specific configuration shown in this embodiment is merely an example, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the configuration shown in this embodiment.

[0036] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a connection structure between a pipe 20 and a bracket 40 using a modified fastener 60. In this modified example, the shaft portion 66 of the fastener 60 is omitted, and screw threads 68 are formed on the tapered portion 64. Examples of the modified fastener 60 include tapping screws. In this modified example, the third through hole 28 of the pipe 20 and the sixth through hole 52 of the bracket 40 are omitted. The slit 22 and the second through hole 26 of the pipe 20 remain as they are, and the first through hole 24 may be omitted depending on the diameter of the fastener 60.

[0037] In a modified example, when the fastener 60 is inserted through the first through-hole 24 of the pipe 20 and the fifth through-hole 50 of the bracket 40, as shown in Figure 7, the tapered portion 64 widens the slit 22 of the pipe 20, and the outer circumferential surface 30 of the pipe 20 is pressed against the inner circumferential surface 54 of the connecting portion 46. As a result, the outer circumferential surface 30 of the pipe 20 and the inner circumferential surface 54 of the connecting portion 46 are pressed together (contact under pressure) and fixed in place.

[0038] Furthermore, the connection structure between the pipe 20 and the bracket 40 using the fixing device 60 in the above embodiment and modified example can also be applied when connecting the other end of the pipe 20 to the bracket 40.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above embodiments and modified examples, if the shape of the recess 48 conforms to the outer shape of the pipe 20 and the tapered portion 64 of the fixing device 60 widens the slit 22 of the pipe 20, the outer shape of the pipe 20 may be a shape other than a cylinder, for example, a rectangular prism.

[0040] Furthermore, although the above embodiment and modified examples use a bus as the vehicle 10, the connection structure between the pipe 20 using the fastener 60 and the bracket 40 can also be applied to connection structures between pipes and brackets installed in other vehicles such as ships and airplanes. In addition, the connection structure between the pipe 20 using the fastener 60 and the bracket 40 can also be applied to connection structures between pipes and brackets installed in facilities such as schools and hospitals. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 20 pipes 22 slits 24 First through-hole (first insertion port) 30 Outer surface 40 brackets 46 Connecting part 48. Indentation 50 Fifth through-hole (second insertion port) 54 Inner surface 60 Fixtures 62 Head 64 Tapered section

Claims

[Claim 1] A connecting structure between a pipe using a fastener and a bracket, The aforementioned pipe is A slit formed at the end of the pipe and extending along the direction of extension of the pipe, It comprises a first insertion opening formed at an intermediate position of the slit, The aforementioned bracket is A recess is formed that conforms to the outer shape of the pipe, and a connecting portion is fitted over the end of the pipe, It comprises a second insertion opening, which has a larger diameter than the first insertion opening and is formed in the connecting portion opposite to the first insertion opening, The aforementioned fixing device is The head portion covers the second insertion opening on the outside of the connecting portion, The head side has an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the first insertion opening, and the head side has a tapered portion that narrows as it moves from the head side towards the tip side. A connecting structure in which the fixing device is inserted through both the first insertion opening and the second insertion opening, and the tapered portion of the fixing device widens the slit of the pipe, thereby pressing the outer surface of the pipe against the inner surface of the connecting portion of the bracket.

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