Connectors

Abstract

To provide a connector that enables easier and stronger connection. [Solution] The connector 100 comprises a ring 10 having a first through hole 11, a semi-cylindrical first half-pipe 20 provided inside the ring and fixed to a part of the inner surface of the ring, a semi-cylindrical second half-pipe 30 having a second through hole 31 and capable of being inserted inside the ring and the first half-pipe, a nut 40 fixed to the inner surface of the second half-pipe at a position corresponding to the second through hole, and a bolt 50 inserted into the first through hole, the second through hole and the nut.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector having a half pipe. [Background technology]

[0002] Steel fences tend to rust over time. In particular, the bases of the fence posts can become corroded by rust. In this case, the fence is at a higher risk of collapsing, so it is important to repair it as soon as possible. Furthermore, for single-pipe scaffolding, which is often used at construction sites, various structures have been proposed as connecting fittings for connecting single-pipe pipes together when assembling the single-pipe scaffolding (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 2519941 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when repairing a fence, it is difficult to replace corroded posts, and rebuilding the fence takes a lot of time. Also, for connecting metal fittings that connect single pipes such as those in Patent Document 1, stronger connections are desired. Therefore, the present invention provides a connector that allows for easier and stronger connection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A connector according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a ring having a first through hole, a first half-pipe having a semi-cylindrical shape provided inside the ring and fixed to a portion of the inner surface of the ring, a second half-pipe having a second through hole and capable of being inserted inside the ring and the first half-pipe, a nut fixed to the inner surface of the second half-pipe at a position corresponding to the second through hole, and a first bolt inserted into the first through hole, the second through hole, and the nut.

[0006] In the connector, the ring may be circular, the first half pipe and the second half pipe may be semicircular, the outer diameter of the first half pipe may be smaller than the inner diameter of the ring, and the outer diameter of the second half pipe may be smaller than the inner diameter of the first half pipe.

[0007] In the connector, an end of the second half pipe in an insertion direction of the first bolt may overlap and engage with an end of the first half pipe in an insertion direction of the first bolt.

[0008] The connector may connect a fence post to an insertion hole of the post.

[0009] The connector may have a protrusion on at least one of one end of the first half pipe and one end of the second half pipe.

[0010] The connector may further include a third through hole at the other end of the first half pipe, a fourth through hole at the other end of the second half pipe, and a second bolt inserted into the third through hole and the fourth through hole.

[0011] In the connector, a length in an extension direction of the first half pipe and the second half pipe may be longer than a width of the ring. Effect of the Invention

[0012] The present invention can provide a connector that can be connected more simply and firmly.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a fence connector according to an embodiment of the present invention when used for repairing a fence post. [Diagram 2] FIGS. 2(a) to (c) show a perspective view, a side view, and a front view of a fence connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIGS. 3(a) to (d) show a perspective view, a side view, and a front view of a ring and a large semi-pipe of a fence connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIGS. 4(a) to (d) show a perspective view, a side view, and a front view of a small semi-pipe and a nut of a fence connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIGS. 5(a) to (c) show a perspective view and a side view of a modified example of a fence connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a modified example of the fence connector shown in FIGS. 5(a) to (c) when used for repairing a fence post. [Figure 7] FIGS. 7(a) to (d) show a perspective view, a side view, and a front view of a modified example of a small semi-pipe and a nut of a fence connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIGS. 8(a) and (b) show a front view of a modified example of a fence connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIGS. 9(a) to (c) show a schematic view of the repair process of a fence post using a fence connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, elements having the same function and configuration are denoted by common reference numerals.

[0015] [1] Fence connector Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a fence connector according to an embodiment of the present invention used to repair a fence post. Fig. 2(a) to (c) show a perspective view, a side view, and a front view of a fence connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3(a) to (d) show a perspective view, a side view, and a front view of a ring and a large half pipe of a fence connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4(a) to (d) show a perspective view, a side view, and a front view of a small half pipe and a nut of a fence connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the fence connector according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, when a fence 4 is to be installed on the ground 1, for example, a concrete foundation 2 is buried in the ground 1, and insertion holes 3 for inserting posts 5 of the fence 4 are provided in this concrete foundation 2. In such a fence 4, if the base of the post 5 corrodes due to rust, a gap will form between the post 5 and the concrete foundation 2. Therefore, a fence connector 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is inserted between the concrete foundation 2 and the post 5, and the fence connector 100 is connected to the post 5.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2(a) to (c), 3(a) to (d), and 4(a) to (d), the fence connector 100 of this embodiment has a ring 10, a large half pipe 20, a small half pipe 30, a nut 40 and a bolt 50.

[0018] The ring 10 is shaped like a ring, for example a circle (FIG. 2(c)). The ring 10 has a through hole 11 into which the bolt 50 can be inserted. The ring 10 has a predetermined width W1 (FIG. 2(b)). In this embodiment, the width W1 of the ring 10 is slightly larger than the head of the bolt 50, but can be changed in various ways, for example, to twice the width of the head of the bolt 50. However, since there are cases where the post 5 is cut to a width equal to or larger than the width W1 of the ring 10, as shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable not to make the width W1 of the ring 10 too wide from the viewpoint of maintaining the strength of the fence connector 100.

[0019] The large half pipe 20 has a semi-cylindrical shape formed by splitting a cylinder in half (Fig. 3(a)). The large half pipe 20 is, for example, a semicircular cylinder with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the ring 10 (Figs. 2(c) and 3(d)). The large half pipe 20 has a length W2 that is longer than the width W1 of the ring 10 (Fig. 2(b)). The large half pipe 20 is fixed to a fixing portion 21 on the inner surface of the ring 10, for example by welding. In this embodiment, the fixing portion 21 is located on the opposite side to the through hole 11 of the ring 10.

[0020] The small half pipe 30 has a semi-cylindrical shape obtained by splitting a cylinder in half (Figure 4(a)). The small half pipe 30 is, for example, a semicircular cylinder with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the large half pipe 20 (Figure 2(c)). The small half pipe 30 can be inserted inside the ring 10 and the large half pipe 20 (Figure 2(c)). The small half pipe 30 has a length W3 that is longer than the width W1 of the ring 10 and is approximately the same as the length W2 of the large half pipe 20 (Figure 2(b)). Here, the width W1, lengths W2 and W3 are the lengths in the extension direction of the cylindrical large half pipe 20 and small half pipe 30. The small half pipe 30 has a through hole 31 into which a bolt 50 can be inserted.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2(c), the length L3 of the small half pipe 30 in the direction of insertion of the bolt 50 is longer than half the length L1 (the inner diameter of the ring 10) of the ring 10 in the direction of insertion of the bolt 50, and is longer than the length L2 of the large half pipe 20 in the direction of insertion of the bolt 50. In other words, the combined length of the lengths L2 and L3 in the direction of insertion of the bolt 50 is longer than the length L1 of the ring 10 (L2+L3>L1). As a result, when the bolt 50 is tightened, the semicircular end of the small half pipe 30 (the end in the direction of insertion of the bolt 50) overlaps with the semicircular end of the large half pipe 20 (the end in the direction of insertion of the bolt 50), making it easier to engage with the large half pipe 20. It is preferable that the end of the small half pipe 30 enters inside the end of the large half pipe 20 even when the bolt 50 is loosened to the maximum (the state in which the small half pipe 30 is farthest from the ring 10).

[0022] The nut 40 is fixed to the inner surface of the small half pipe 30 at a position corresponding to the through hole 31, for example by welding.

[0023] The bolt 50 can be inserted into the through holes 11, 31 and the nut 40. By tightening the bolt 50, the small half pipe 30 moves toward the ring 10, and the end of the small half pipe 30 and the end of the large half pipe 20 engage with each other.

[0024] The ring 10, large half pipe 20, and small half pipe 30 constituting the fence connector 100 of this embodiment may have substantially the same thickness or may have different thicknesses. For example, the large half pipe 20 may be thicker than the small half pipe 30. In this case, the strength of the large half pipe 20 is increased, so that even if the small half pipe 30 engages and a large force is applied to the large half pipe 20 when the bolt 50 is tightened to connect the fence connector 100, deterioration of the fence connector 100 can be suppressed. However, it is preferable that the thickness of the large half pipe 20 and the small half pipe 30 be substantially the same so that they can support each other.

[0025] The thicknesses of the ring 10, large half pipe 20, and small half pipe 30 that make up the fence connector 100 of this embodiment may be approximately the same overall, or may be different. For example, the thickness of the ring 10 near the through hole 11 may be made thicker than the thickness of other parts. The thickness of the small half pipe 30 near the nut 40 may be made thicker than the thickness of other parts. In this case, the strength of the part that receives the greatest load when the bolt 50 is tightened is increased, so deterioration of the fence connector 100 can be suppressed even if a large force is applied to this part.

[0026] The ring 10, large half pipe 20, small half pipe 30, nut 40, and bolt 50 constituting the fence connector 100 of this embodiment are made of, for example, metal, steel such as stainless steel, etc. The materials of the ring 10, large half pipe 20, small half pipe 30, nut 40, and bolt 50 may be the same or different.

[0027] The fence connector 100 of this embodiment is not limited to the above-described structure, but can be modified in various ways. 5(a) to 5(c), protrusions 22, 32 may be provided at one end of the large half pipe 20 and the small half pipe 30. The protrusions 22, 32 are triangular protrusions formed by cutting a notch into the side of the large half pipe 20 and the small half pipe 30 and pulling the cut portion outward.

[0028] Here, the protrusions 22, 32 may be structured such that a part of the thickness of the large half pipe 20 and the small half pipe 30 is turned up, leaving the large half pipe 20 and the small half pipe 30 below the protrusions 22, 32. Alternatively, the entire thickness of the large half pipe 20 and the small half pipe 30 may be turned up, leaving no large half pipe 20 or small half pipe 30 below the protrusions 22, 32, leaving a penetrating state.

[0029] 5(a) to 5(c), through holes 23, 33 may be provided at the other ends of the large half pipe 20 and the small half pipe 30. The through holes 23, 33 are holes into which a bolt can be inserted.

[0030] In the case of the structure shown in Figures 5(a) to (c), one end of the fence connector 100 having the protrusions 22, 32 is inserted into the insertion hole 3 of the concrete foundation 2, and the other end of the fence connector 100 having the through holes 23, 33 is inserted into the post 5 of the fence 1, as shown in Figure 6.

[0031] In this way, by providing the triangular barbed projections 22, 32, the fence connector 100 is less likely to come loose from the insertion hole 3 in the concrete foundation 2. Also, by inserting bolts 51 into the through holes 23, 33 of the large half pipe 20 and the small half pipe 30 and fixing them to the post 5 with nuts 52, the fence connector 100 is less likely to come loose from the post 5.

[0032] The protrusions 22, 32 are not limited to being provided one each on the large half pipe 20 and the small half pipe 30 as shown in the figure. For example, the protrusions 22, 32 may be provided in multiple numbers on each of the large half pipe 20 and the small half pipe 30. The number of protrusions 22, 32 on each of the large half pipe 20 and the small half pipe 30 may be the same or different. The protrusions 22, 32 may be provided on only one of the large half pipe 20 and the small half pipe 30. The shape of the protrusions 22, 32 is not limited to a triangle, and can be variously changed, for example, a square. The protrusions 22, 32 are not limited to being formed by making a cut, and for example, a new protrusion may be added to the large half pipe 20 and the small half pipe 30.

[0033] 7(a) to 7(d), a recess 34 may be provided in the small half pipe 30, and a nut 40 may be provided so as to protrude into the recess 34. The nut 40 may be provided so as to protrude above and below the through hole 31, or may be provided so as to protrude only above the through hole 31. Here, the nut 40 may be fixed around the through hole 31 of the small half pipe 30 by, for example, welding.

[0034] Furthermore, the shapes of the ring 10, large half pipe 20, and small half pipe 30 in this embodiment are not limited to circular or semicircular, and for example, in order to increase the connection strength, it is desirable for the shape to correspond to the shape of the connecting member (the post 5 of the fence 4 in this embodiment), and various changes are possible, such as ellipse, polygon, etc. For example, as shown in Figures 8(a) and (b), the ring 10 may be rectangular, and the large half pipe 20 and small half pipe 30 may be U-shaped.

[0035] [2] How to repair a fence post 9(a) to 9(c) are schematic diagrams showing a process for repairing a fence post using a fence connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method for repairing a fence post using a fence connector according to the present embodiment will be described below.

[0036] When installing a fence 4 on the ground 1, for example, a concrete foundation 2 is buried in the ground 1, insertion holes 3 are formed in the concrete foundation 2, and posts 5 of the fence 4 are inserted into the insertion holes 3.

[0037] However, as shown in Figure 9(a), if the base of the post 5 corrodes due to rust, a gap 6 will form between the post 5 and the concrete foundation 2. Even if no gap 6 is formed, if part of the base of the post 5 corrodes and there is a risk of the fence 4 collapsing, this part may be cut off to the extent that the engagement strength can be maintained.

[0038] Next, as shown in FIG. 9( b ), the fence connector 100 , in which the small half pipe 30 is inserted into the large half pipe 20 , is inserted into the base of the post 5 and the insertion hole 3 .

[0039] 9(c), the bolt 50 is inserted into the fence connector 100 and the bolt 50 is tightened, thereby drawing the small half pipe 30 toward the ring 10. As a result, the large half pipe 20 and the small half pipe 30 of the fence connector 100 engage with the post 5 and are fixed in place.

[0040] Furthermore, when the bolt 50 of the fence connector 100 is loosened, the small half pipe 30 moves away from the ring 10 and toward the center of the ring 10. This makes it easier to remove the fence connector 100 from the post 5.

[0041] In a process of repairing the posts 5 of the fence 4 using the fence connector 100 of this embodiment, gaps near the fence connector 100 may be filled with a filling material such as resin (e.g., epoxy resin). This makes it possible to inhibit the progression of rust on the posts 5 and further prevent the posts 5 from coming loose.

[0042] Specifically, for example, the gaps in the insertion holes 3 in the concrete foundation 2 may be filled with epoxy resin or the like. In this case, water can be prevented from accumulating in the insertion holes 3 in the concrete foundation 2, and the fence connector 100 can be prevented from rattling or coming loose.

[0043] Alternatively, a hole may be provided in the upper post 5 of the fence connector 100 and epoxy resin may be injected through this hole.

[0044] Furthermore, when inserting the post 5 into the fence connector 100, for example, a High Impact Vinyl Pipe (HIVP) is passed through the post 5 and caulking is applied to the bottom of this pipe. Then, epoxy resin may be injected into the gap between the post 5 and the pipe.

[0045] [3] Effects In the fence connector 100 according to this embodiment, the large half pipe 20 is fixed to the inside of the ring 10, and the nut 40 is fixed at a position corresponding to the through hole 31 of the small half pipe 30. Then, the small half pipe 30 is inserted inside the large half pipe 20 inside the ring 10. Such a fence connector 100 is inserted into the post 5 of the fence 4 that needs repair and the insertion hole 3 of the concrete foundation 2, and the bolt 50 is tightened. As a result, the large half pipe 20 and the small half pipe 30 engage with each other and are connected to the post 5 of the fence 4. In this way, the fence connector 100 according to this embodiment can be connected to the post 5 more easily and firmly.

[0046] The connector 100 according to the present embodiment as described above is not limited to use for repairing the posts 5 of the fence 4, but can also be applied to repairing rusted pipes, etc. Furthermore, the connector 100 according to the present embodiment can also be used, for example, to connect single-tube pipes together.

[0047] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1...ground 2...Concrete foundation 3…insertion hole 3 4. Fence 5…Strut 10. Ring 11, 23, 31, 33...Through holes 20…Half pipe large 21...Fixed part 22, 32...protrusion 30…Small half pipe 34…Recess 40…Nut 50, 51…Volts 100…Fence connector

Claims

1. a ring having a first through hole; a first half pipe provided inside the ring and fixed to a part of an inner surface of the ring, the first half pipe having a semi-cylindrical shape; a second half pipe having a semi-cylindrical shape and having a second through hole, the second half pipe being insertable into the ring and the first half pipe; a nut fixed to an inner surface of the second half pipe at a position corresponding to the second through hole; a first bolt to be inserted into the first through hole, the second through hole, and the nut; A connector comprising:

2. the ring is circular; the first half-pipe and the second half-pipe are semicircular; an outer diameter of the first half-pipe is smaller than an inner diameter of the ring; 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the second half pipe is smaller than an inner diameter of the first half pipe.

3. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein an end of the second half pipe in the insertion direction of the first bolt overlaps and engages with an end of the first half pipe in the insertion direction of the first bolt.

4. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector connects a fence post to an insertion hole of the post.

5. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein at least one of one end of the first half pipe and one end of the second half pipe has a protrusion.

6. a third through hole at the other end of the first half pipe; a fourth through hole at the other end of the second half pipe; 6. The connector according to claim 1 or 5, further comprising a second bolt inserted into the third through hole and the fourth through hole.

7. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the length of the first half pipe and the second half pipe in the extending direction is longer than the width of the ring.

Images