Strut connector

Abstract

To provide a universal and easy-to-construct strut coupler that can select the distance between connected struts, is not easily restricted by the installation position of the struts, and can surely install a scaffold along the outer periphery of a building corresponding to various-shaped buildings. 【Solution means】The strut coupler 10 includes a connecting pipe member 16 in which one side of a first pipe portion 12 and the other side of a second pipe portion 13 are connected via a rotational connection means 14, and two vertical wedges 21 that are detachably attached to locking portions 20 that are U-shaped in plan view provided on the side portions of adjacent struts 11 to fix both ends of the connecting pipe member 16 to the adjacent struts 11. The first pipe portion 12 and the second pipe portion 13 are rotatable in a horizontal plane about a vertical rotation axis 15 of the rotational connection means 14.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a column connector used for connecting columns at the erection position at a construction site or the like.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, at a construction site or the like, an erection position is assembled for work, and at that time, it is necessary to connect and fix adjacent columns. And usually, the erection position is installed along the outer periphery of a building (construction), but the outer peripheral surface (peripheral wall) of the building is not necessarily linear, and the entire outer peripheral surface may be curved, or there may be a curved portion or uneven portion in a part of the outer peripheral surface. In that case, the structure and arrangement of the erection position become complicated, the number of parts increases, and there is a problem that the assembly work is troublesome. Also, depending on the shape of the outer peripheral surface, in some cases, the erection position cannot be installed partially, or a larger gap than other places may occur between the peripheral wall and the erection position, and there is a problem of lack of installability. In response to these problems, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a handrail for a scaffold that constitutes a reinforcing member for a scaffold that can be erected by rotatably bending both ends thereof so as to match the radius of curvature of the outer periphery of a building.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the scaffold handrail in Patent Document 1 pivotally attaches coupling fittings that can rotate horizontally about a rotation center axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane to both ends of the handrail body made of a pipe material, and a wedge-shaped locking member is vertically provided at the tip of the coupling fitting. Therefore, although it is possible to change the angle formed by the pipe material and the locking member by rotating the coupling fittings at both ends, the horizontal distance between the locking members at both ends does not change significantly, and the distance between the connected columns is also almost constant. That is, the distance between the columns connected by this scaffold handrail is almost limited by the length of the pipe material, and the installation position of the columns cannot be freely selected, lacking versatility and constructability. Depending on the shape of the building, there was a problem that the scaffold could not necessarily be installed along the outer periphery of the building. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and aims to provide a column coupler with high freedom in selecting the distance between connected columns, being hardly restricted by the installation position of the columns, and being able to reliably install a scaffold along the outer periphery of buildings with various shapes, having excellent versatility and constructability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The column coupler according to the first invention along the above object is a column coupler that horizontally connects adjacent columns at the erection site, and has first and second pipe portions arranged in series, and rotation connection means for connecting one side of the first pipe portion and the other side of the second pipe portion, and the first pipe portion and the second pipe portion are provided with a connecting pipe material that can rotate in a horizontal plane about the vertical rotation axis of the rotation connection means. Vertical wedges that can be detachably attached to locking portions in a U-shape in plan view provided on the side portions of the adjacent columns are respectively attached to the other end of the first pipe portion and one end of the second pipe portion. Each of the vertical wedges is integrally formed by an end face portion that abuts against the outer peripheral surface of each column and a peripheral edge portion that stands upright from the periphery of the end face portion, and has a pipe mounting portion that is respectively mounted and fixed to the other end of the first pipe portion and one end of the second pipe portion at the upper part.

[0006] In the column coupler according to the first invention, the distance L2 from the end face portion of the vertical wedge member attached to one end side of the second pipe portion to the center of the vertical rotation axis of the rotation connection means is preferably in the range of 1 to 15 times the distance L1 from the end face portion of the vertical wedge member attached to the other end side of the first pipe portion to the center of the vertical rotation axis of the rotation connection means.

[0007] The column coupler according to the second invention that meets the above object is a column coupler that horizontally connects adjacent columns in the erection position, comprising a first pipe portion, an intermediate pipe portion arranged in series on one side of the first pipe portion, a second pipe portion arranged in series on one side of the intermediate pipe portion, a first rotation connection means for connecting one side of the first pipe portion and the other side of the intermediate pipe portion, and a second rotation connection means for connecting one side of the intermediate pipe portion and the other side of the second pipe portion, wherein the first pipe portion and the intermediate pipe portion are rotatable in a horizontal plane about the vertical rotation axis of the first rotation connection means, and the intermediate pipe portion and the second pipe portion are rotatable in a horizontal plane about the vertical rotation axis of the second rotation connection means, and is provided with a connecting pipe member, Vertical wedge members that can be detachably attached to U-shaped locking portions provided on the side portions of the adjacent columns are respectively attached to the other end of the first pipe portion and one end of the second pipe portion, Each of the vertical wedge members is integrally formed by an end face portion that abuts against the outer peripheral surface of each column and a peripheral edge portion that stands upright from the periphery of the end face portion, and has a pipe mounting portion that is respectively mounted and fixed to the other end of the first pipe portion and one end of the second pipe portion at the upper portion.

[0008] In the column connector according to the second invention, the distance L3 from the vertical rotation axis of the first rotation connection means to the vertical rotation axis of the second rotation connection means is in the range of 1 to 15 times the distance L4 from the end face portion of the vertical wedge member attached to the other end side of the first pipe portion to the vertical rotation axis of the first rotation connection means, and is preferably in the range of 1 to 15 times the distance L5 from the end face portion of the vertical wedge member attached to one end side of the second pipe portion to the center of the vertical rotation axis of the second rotation connection means.

[0009] In the column connectors according to the first and second inventions, reinforcing portions may be provided at the bottom of the other end side of the first pipe portion and the bottom of the one end side of the second pipe portion, respectively.

[0010] In the column connectors according to the first and second inventions, each of the vertical wedge members can have a through hole penetrating the end face portion at the position of each pipe mounting portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] The column connector according to the first invention can rotate the first and second pipe portions connected via the rotation connection means in the horizontal plane, so that the distance between the columns to be connected can be selected over a wide range together with the angle formed by the first pipe portion and the second pipe portion, and it is excellent in the installability of the columns. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of columns, prevent the structure and arrangement of the scaffold from becoming complicated, and efficiently install the scaffold along the outer periphery of the building, thereby improving versatility and constructability.

[0012] In the column connector according to the first invention, when the distance L2 from the end face portion of the vertical wedge member attached to one end side of the second pipe portion to the center of the vertical rotation axis of the rotation connection means is in the range of 1 to 15 times the distance L1 from the end face portion of the vertical wedge member attached to the other end side of the first pipe portion to the center of the vertical rotation axis of the rotation connection means, by selecting and combining column connectors with different dimensions (distances L1, L2), it is possible to install a scaffold corresponding to various shaped buildings, and it is excellent in the installability of the scaffold.

[0013] The strut coupler according to the second invention can rotate the first and second pipe portions connected via the first and second rotational connection means on both sides of the intermediate pipe portion in the horizontal plane, so that the distance between the connected struts can be selected within a wide range together with the angle formed by the first pipe portion and the second pipe portion, and the struts can be installed with excellent freedom.

[0014] In the strut coupler according to the second invention, when the distance L3 from the vertical rotation axis of the first rotational connection means to the vertical rotation axis of the second rotational connection means is in the range of 1 to 15 times the distance L4 from the end face portion of the vertical wedge member attached to the other end side of the first pipe portion to the vertical rotation axis of the first rotational connection means and in the range of 1 to 15 times the distance L5 from the end face portion of the vertical wedge member attached to one end side of the second pipe portion to the center of the vertical rotation axis of the second rotational connection means, by selecting and combining strut couplers with different dimensions (distances L3, L4, L5), scaffolds can be installed corresponding to buildings with more complex shapes, and the installability of the scaffolds is improved.

[0015] In the strut coupler according to the first and second inventions, when reinforcing portions are provided at the bottom of the other end side of the first pipe portion and the bottom of the one end side of the second pipe portion, respectively, when the vertical wedge members are removed from the locking portions of the respective struts by hitting the bottom of the other end side of the first pipe portion and the bottom of the one end side of the second pipe portion with a hammer or the like, deformation of the first and second pipe portions due to impact can be prevented, and the shape stability and durability are excellent.

[0016] In the strut coupler according to the first and second inventions, when each vertical wedge member has a through hole penetrating the end face portion at the position of each pipe mounting portion, when the first and second pipe portions to which the vertical wedge members are attached are subjected to hot dip galvanizing (immersion plating) treatment, the other end side of the first pipe portion and the one end side of the second pipe portion are prevented from being blocked at the pipe mounting portion, and molten zinc does not accumulate inside, and the plating treatment can be performed efficiently.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Subsequently, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described to facilitate understanding of the present invention. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the column connector 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), the column connector 10 is for horizontally connecting adjacent columns 11 at the erection site, such as at a construction site. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2(A), (B), 4(A), (B), 5, and 6, the support connecting device 10 has first and second pipe portions 12 and 13 arranged in series, and a rotation connecting means 14 that connects one side of the first pipe portion 12 and the other side of the second pipe portion 13. The first pipe portion 12 and the second pipe portion 13 are provided with a connecting pipe member 16 that can rotate in a horizontal plane about the vertical rotation axis 15 of the rotation connecting means 14. In the present embodiment, as the rotation connecting means 14, a U-shaped connecting and holding portion 17 is attached to one side of the first pipe portion 12 when viewed from the front, and the other side of the second pipe portion 13 is clamped from above and below by the connecting and holding portion 17. A bolt serving as the vertical rotation axis 15 is passed through the connecting and holding portion 17 and the second pipe portion 13, and a nut 18 is screwed thereon. Thereby, the first and second pipe portions 12 and 13 connected via the rotation connecting means 14 can be rotated in a horizontal plane, and the distance between the connected supports 11 can be selected within a wide range together with the angle formed by the first pipe portion 12 and the second pipe portion 13. Note that the connecting and holding portion may be attached to the other side of the second pipe portion, or a pin (bar) may be passed through instead of the bolt as the vertical rotation axis, and the upper and lower portions thereof may be fixed to the connecting and holding portion.

[0019] Also, at the other end of the first pipe portion 12 and one end of the second pipe portion 13, vertical wedges 21 that can be detachably inserted into U-shaped locking portions 20 (see FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B)) provided on the side portions of adjacent columns 11 in plan view are respectively attached. Each vertical wedge 21 is integrally formed by an end face portion 22 that abuts against the outer peripheral surface of each column 11 and a peripheral edge portion 23 that stands upright from the periphery of the end face portion 22. Here, as shown in FIGS. 2(A), 2(B), 4(B), and 5, an arcuate curved surface 24 is formed on the end face portion 22 in accordance with the outer diameter of the column 11, enabling the column 11 and the vertical wedge 21 (end face portion 22) to be in close contact and enhancing the fixing stability of the column connector 10. Further, on the upper portion of the vertical wedge 21, pipe mounting portions 25 that are respectively mounted and fixed to the other end of the first pipe portion 12 and one end of the second pipe portion 13 are formed. Each pipe mounting portion 25 is a part of each vertical wedge 21, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape by the peripheral edge portion 23 on the upper portion of each vertical wedge 21. The other end of the first pipe portion 12 and one end of the second pipe portion 13 are respectively externally inserted (fitted), and the outer periphery is fixed by welding at a welding portion 26.

[0020] Also, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2(B), and 6, reinforcing portions 28 are respectively provided at the bottom of the other end side of the first pipe portion 12 and the bottom of the one end side of the second pipe portion 14. This reinforcing portion 28 reinforces the wall thickness of the first and second pipe portions 12 and 13. When disassembling the scaffold, when hitting the bottom of the other end side of the first pipe portion 12 and the bottom of the one end side of the second pipe portion 13 with a hammer or the like to remove the vertical wedge 21 from the locking portion 20 of each column 11, it prevents the first and second pipe portions 12 and 13 from being deformed by the impact. Note that the reinforcing portion 28 is fixed to the first and second pipe portions 12 and 13 by a reinforcing weld portion 29. By continuously forming each welding portion 26 and the reinforcing weld portion 29, each vertical wedge 21 (each pipe mounting portion 25) and each reinforcing portion 28 can be integrated, improving the fixing stability to the first and second pipe portions 12 and 13.

[0021] It is preferable to subject the column connector 10 to a hot-dip galvanization (immersion plating) treatment for rust prevention. In that case, the plating treatment is performed with the connecting and holding portions 17 and the vertical wedges 21 attached to the first and second pipe portions 12 and 13, and then they are connected by the vertical rotation shaft 15. However, if the other end side of the first pipe portion 12 and one end side of the second pipe portion 13 are blocked by the vertical wedges 21 (pipe mounting portions 25), the plating liquid will accumulate inside the first and second pipe portions 12 and 13. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3(A), (B), and 6, through holes 30 are formed in each of the vertical wedges 21 so as to penetrate the end face portions 22 at the positions of the respective pipe mounting portions 25. As a result, the plating liquid does not accumulate inside the first and second pipe portions 12 and 13, and the plating treatment can be performed efficiently and uniformly. Note that the shape, size, arrangement, and number of the through holes can be appropriately selected.

[0022] The distance L1 from the end face portion 22 of the vertical wedge 21 attached to the other end side of the first pipe portion 12 to the center of the vertical rotation shaft 15 and the distance L2 from the end face portion 22 of the vertical wedge 21 attached to one end side of the second pipe portion 13 to the center of the vertical rotation shaft 15 can be appropriately selected. However, the distance L2 from the end face portion 22 of the vertical wedge 21 attached to one end side of the second pipe portion 13 to the center of the vertical rotation shaft 15 is preferably in the range of 1 to 15 times the distance L1 from the end face portion 22 of the vertical wedge 21 attached to the other end side of the first pipe portion 12 to the center of the vertical rotation shaft 15 (see FIG. 1). By selecting and combining column connectors with different dimensions (distances L1 and L2), in addition to the angle formed by the first pipe portion and the second pipe portion, the freedom in the distance and arrangement between the columns to be connected can be improved, and it becomes possible to install scaffolds along the outer periphery of a building having a complex shape with not only circular but also partially curved portions, uneven portions, etc.

[0023] Subsequently, the column connector 32 according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 will be described. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The difference between the support connecting tool 32 and the support connecting tool 10 is that, as shown in Fig. 7, the connecting pipe member 33 has an intermediate pipe portion 34, and the first and second pipe portions 38 and 39 are connected in series via the first and second rotation connecting means 35 and 36 on both sides (the other side and one side) of the intermediate pipe portion 34. Thereby, the first pipe portion 38 and the intermediate pipe portion 34 can rotate in the horizontal plane around the vertical rotation axis 40 of the first rotation connecting means 35, and the intermediate pipe portion 34 and the second pipe portion 39 can rotate in the horizontal plane around the vertical rotation axis 41 of the second rotation connecting means 36.

[0024] In the present embodiment, as the first rotation connecting means 35, a U-shaped connecting and holding portion 43 is attached to one side of the first pipe portion 38 when viewed from the front, the other side of the intermediate pipe portion 34 is clamped from above and below by the connecting and holding portion 43, and a bolt serving as the vertical rotation axis 40 is passed through the connecting and holding portion 43 and the intermediate pipe portion 34, and a nut 44 is screwed thereon. Further, as the second rotation connecting means 36, a U-shaped connecting and holding portion 45 is attached to the other side of the second pipe portion 39 when viewed from the front, one side of the intermediate pipe portion 34 is clamped from above and below by the connecting and holding portion 45, and a bolt serving as the vertical rotation axis 41 is passed through the connecting and holding portion 45 and the intermediate pipe portion 34, and a nut 46 is screwed thereon. As described above, the first and second pipe portions 38 and 39 connected to the intermediate pipe portion 34 via the first and second rotation connecting means 35 and 36 can be rotated in the horizontal plane, and similar to the support connecting tool 10, the distance between the connected supports can be selected over a wide range together with the angle formed by the first pipe portion 38 and the second pipe portion 39. In particular, by rotating the first and second pipe portions 38 and 39 with respect to the intermediate pipe portion 34, a scaffold can be efficiently installed corresponding to a building with a more complex shape. Note that each connecting and holding portion may be attached to both sides (the other side and one side) of the intermediate pipe portion, or a pin (rod) may be passed through instead of the bolt as the vertical rotation axis, and the upper and lower portions thereof may be fixed to the connecting and holding portion.

[0025] The distance L3 from the vertical rotation axis 40 of the first rotation connection means 35 to the vertical rotation axis 41 of the second rotation connection means 36, the distance L4 from the end face portion 22 of the vertical wedge member 21 attached to the other end side of the first pipe portion 38 to the vertical rotation axis 40 of the first rotation connection means 35, and the distance L5 from the end face portion 22 of the vertical wedge member 21 attached to one end side of the second pipe portion 39 to the center of the vertical rotation axis 41 of the second rotation connection means 36 can be appropriately selected. However, the distance L3 from the vertical rotation axis 40 of the first rotation connection means 35 to the vertical rotation axis 41 of the second rotation connection means 36 is in the range of 1 to 15 times the distance L4 from the end face portion 22 of the vertical wedge member 21 attached to the other end side of the first pipe portion 38 to the vertical rotation axis 40 of the first rotation connection means 35, and is in the range of 1 to 15 times the distance L5 from the end face portion 22 of the vertical wedge member 21 attached to one end side of the second pipe portion 39 to the center of the vertical rotation axis 41 of the second rotation connection means 36. It is preferably used. By selecting and combining the column connectors with different dimensions (distances L3, L4, L5), in addition to the angle formed by the first pipe portion and the second pipe portion, the freedom in the distance and arrangement between the columns to be connected is further improved, and it is excellent in diversity. Note that the distances L4 and L5 may be equal or different.

[0026] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above-described embodiments at all, and includes other embodiments and modifications conceivable within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0027] 10: Strut connecting tool, 11: Strut, 12: First pipe part, 13: Second pipe part, 14: Rotating connection means, 15: Vertical rotation axis, 16: Connecting pipe material, 17: Connection holding part, 18: Nut, 20: Locking part, 21: Vertical wedge material, 22: End face part, 23: Peripheral edge part, 24: Curved surface, 25: Pipe mounting part, 26: Weld part, 28: Reinforcement part, 29: Reinforcement weld part, 30: Through hole, 32: Strut connecting tool, 33: Connecting pipe material, 34: Intermediate pipe part, 35: First rotating connection means, 36: Second rotating connection means, 38: First pipe part, 39: Second pipe part, 40, 41: Vertical rotation axis, 43: Connection holding part, 44: Nut, 45: Connection holding part, 46: Nut

Claims

1. A column connector that horizontally connects adjacent columns of an assembly scaffold, (a) a connecting pipe member having a first pipe section, a second pipe section disposed on one side of the first pipe section, and a pivot connection means for connecting one side of the first pipe section and the other side of the second pipe section; (b) two vertical wedge members, each of which is inserted into and removably attached to a U-shaped locking portion in a plan view provided on a side of each of the adjacent columns at the other end of the first pipe section and one end of the second pipe section, to fix both ends of the connecting pipe member to each of the adjacent columns; A pillar connector, characterized in that the first pipe section and the second pipe section are rotatable within a horizontal plane around a vertical rotation axis of the pivot connection means.

2. The pillar connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that the pivotal connecting means includes a connecting and holding part attached to one side of the first pipe part and clamping the other side of the second pipe part from above and below, and a bolt that passes through the connecting and holding part and the second pipe part and has a nut screwed onto its end to serve as the vertical pivot axis.

3. The pillar connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that the pivotal connecting means includes a connecting and retaining portion attached to one side of the first pipe portion and clamping the other side of the second pipe portion from above and below, and a pin that passes through the connecting and retaining portion and the second pipe portion and is fixed to the connecting and retaining portion at the top and bottom, forming the vertical pivot axis.

4. A column connector that horizontally connects adjacent columns of an assembly scaffold, (a) a connecting pipe material having a first pipe section, an intermediate pipe section arranged on one side of the first pipe section, a second pipe section arranged on one side of the intermediate pipe section, a first pivot connecting means connecting one side of the first pipe section and the other side of the intermediate pipe section, and a second pivot connecting means connecting one side of the intermediate pipe section and the other side of the second pipe section; (b) two vertical wedge members, each of which is inserted into and removably attached to a U-shaped locking portion in a plan view provided on a side of each of the adjacent columns at the other end of the first pipe section and one end of the second pipe section, to fix both ends of the connecting pipe member to each of the adjacent columns; A pillar connector characterized in that the first pipe section and the intermediate pipe section are rotatable in a horizontal plane around a vertical rotation axis of the first pivot connecting means, and the intermediate pipe section and the second pipe section are rotatable in a horizontal plane around the vertical rotation axis of the second pivot connecting means.

5. the first rotation connecting means includes a connecting and holding part attached to one side of the first pipe part and holding the other side of the intermediate pipe part from above and below, and a bolt that passes through the connecting and holding part and the intermediate pipe part and has a nut screwed onto a tip end thereof to serve as the vertical rotation axis of the first rotation connecting means, The pillar connector as described in claim 4, characterized in that the second pivotal connecting means comprises a connecting and holding portion attached to the other side of the second pipe portion and clamping one side of the intermediate pipe portion from above and below, and a bolt that passes through the connecting and holding portion and the intermediate pipe portion and has a nut screwed onto its end, forming the vertical pivot axis of the second pivotal connecting means.

6. the first pivotal connecting means includes a connecting and holding part attached to one side of the first pipe section and holding the other side of the intermediate pipe section from above and below, and a pin that penetrates the connecting and holding part and the intermediate pipe section and is fixed at the top and bottom to the connecting and holding part to serve as the vertical pivot axis of the first pivotal connecting means, The pillar connector according to claim 4, characterized in that the second pivotal connecting means comprises a connecting and retaining portion attached to the other side of the second pipe portion and clamping one side of the intermediate pipe portion from above and below, and a pin that penetrates the connecting and retaining portion and the intermediate pipe portion and is fixed to the connecting and retaining portion at the top and bottom, forming the vertical pivot axis of the second pivotal connecting means.

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