Branch pipe connection parts

Abstract

To provide a branch pipe connection member that can be attached to a main pipe, to which a branch pipe is to be attached, without using a special jig or the like and that has a configuration compact in the height direction.SOLUTION: A branch pipe connection member 10 has an outer peripheral member 20 to which a branch pipe 5 can be connected, an inner peripheral member 80 mounted on the inner peripheral side of a main pipe 1, and a linear member 100 for connecting the inner peripheral member 80 and the outer peripheral member 20. The outer peripheral member 20 has an outer cylindrical portion 22y, a movable portion 40 that is movable in an axial direction of the outer cylindrical portion 22y, an operation portion 62 that is rotatively operable with respect to the movable portion 40 at a position deviated outward in the radial direction of the outer cylindrical portion 22y, and a power transmission mechanism 60 that transmits the rotating force generated by rotatively operating the operation portion 62 to the movable portion 40 to move the movable portion 40 in the axial direction. A connection portion on the outer peripheral member 20 side of the linear member 100 is movable in the axial direction interlockingly with the movable portion 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a branch pipe connecting member. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, branch pipe connecting members such as the branch pipe installation jig described in Patent Document 1 below have been provided as jigs for installing branch pipe connecting members for connecting branch pipes to main pipes of existing sewer systems, etc.

[0003] The branch pipe installation jig of Patent Document 1 is for forming a branch pipe section to which a branch pipe can be connected by assembling an inner surface side locking member that can be locked to the inner surface of the main pipe and an outer surface side connecting member that can be connected to the inner surface side locking member from the outer surface side of the main pipe to an opening formed in the main pipe to which a branch pipe is to be connected. The branch pipe installation jig of Patent Document 1 includes a branch pipe installation jig main body that can temporarily hold the inner surface side locking member inside the main pipe when assembling it to the main pipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5859844 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the prior art, a branch pipe connecting member such as the branch pipe mounting jig of Patent Document 1 is used for mounting a branch pipe. However, in the prior art, it takes a considerable amount of time, effort, and labor to prepare a jig such as the branch pipe mounting jig described above and to use such a jig to install the branch pipe at a predetermined location. In addition, in the prior art, there is also the trouble that the jig must be removed before the branch pipe can be connected when mounting the branch pipe.

[0006] Here, the inventors have conducted extensive research and have found that unless the height of the branch pipe connecting member is low relative to the depth from the ground surface to the main pipe (the distance between the position where the main pipe is buried and the ground surface), problems may arise such as the branch pipe connecting member being difficult to attach to the main pipe or the branch pipe connecting member not being able to be attached to the main pipe. Based on this finding, it is believed that by adopting a configuration in which the height of the branch pipe connecting member is suppressed, it will be possible to connect the branch pipe to the main pipe using the branch pipe connecting member even in cases where a large space cannot be secured in the height direction (depth direction) to connect the branch pipe to the main pipe using the branch pipe connecting member.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a branch pipe connecting member that can be attached to a main pipe to which a branch pipe is to be attached without using special tools, etc., and that has a compact configuration in the vertical direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) A branch pipe connecting member of the present invention is used to connect a branch pipe to a main pipe, and comprises: an outer peripheral member arranged on the outside of the main pipe and capable of connecting the branch pipe; an inner peripheral member introduced into the main pipe and attached to the inner peripheral side of the main pipe around an opening made in the main pipe; and a linear member connecting the inner peripheral member and the outer peripheral member, wherein the outer peripheral member comprises an outer tube portion arranged such that its axial direction intersects with the main pipe, a moving part movable in the axial direction of the outer tube portion, an operating part which is rotatable at a position radially outward of the outer tube portion with respect to the moving part, and a power transmission mechanism which transmits a rotational force generated by rotating the operating part to the moving part and moves the moving part in the axial direction, and wherein a connecting part on the outer peripheral member side of the linear member is movable in the axial direction in conjunction with the moving part.

[0009] The branch pipe connecting member of the present invention includes a power transmission mechanism that transmits a rotational force generated by rotating the operating part to the moving part and moves the moving part in the axial direction. The branch pipe connecting member of the present invention also has a linear member that connects the inner circumferential member and the outer circumferential member, and the connecting part of the linear member on the outer circumferential member side is movable in the axial direction in conjunction with the moving part. Therefore, the branch pipe connecting member of the present invention can move the linear member in the axial direction together with the moving part as the operating part is rotated, and draw the inner circumferential member toward the outer circumferential member. Therefore, the branch pipe connecting member of the present invention can move the inner circumferential member in a direction approaching the inner circumferential surface of the main pipe by introducing the inner circumferential member into the main pipe through an opening drilled in the main pipe and disposing the outer circumferential member on the outer periphery of the main pipe by rotating the operating part and moving the moving part in the axial direction. This allows the inner circumferential member to be crimped to the main pipe, and the branch pipe connecting member to be firmly connected. Therefore, according to the present invention, a branch pipe connecting member that can be firmly attached to the main pipe without using a special jig or the like can be provided.

[0010] Furthermore, the branch pipe connecting member of the present invention is capable of transmitting a rotational force from the radial outside to the moving part via the power transmission mechanism by rotating the operating part radially outward from the outer tubular part. In this way, the branch pipe connecting member of the present invention has the operating part and the power transmission mechanism disposed at a position radially outward from the outer tubular part, not in the axial direction (height direction) of the outer tubular part, and is configured to be compact in the height direction. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a branch pipe connecting member that can be used to connect a branch pipe to a main pipe, even in cases where a large space cannot be secured in the height direction (depth direction) to attach the branch pipe connecting member to the main pipe.

[0011] When attaching the branch pipe connecting member of the present invention to a main pipe, it is preferable to fix the outer peripheral member to the main pipe appropriately using an adhesive, bonding agent, etc. In this case, it is preferable to select an appropriate material for the adhesive, bonding agent, etc. depending on the main pipe to be fixed and the material of the outer peripheral member. When attaching the branch pipe connecting member of the present invention to a main pipe, it is preferable to fix the inner peripheral member to the main pipe using an adhesive, bonding agent, water-swelling rubber, etc. when the inner peripheral member is pulled to the inner wall (inner peripheral surface) of the main pipe by the linear member and brought into contact with it. In this case, it is preferable to select an appropriate material for the adhesive, bonding agent, etc. depending on the main pipe to be fixed and the material of the inner peripheral member.

[0012] (2) The above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member has a winding portion that can rotate around the axial center position of the outer tube portion to wind the linear member, and the connecting portion of the linear member on the outer member side is connected to the winding portion, and the winding portion can move in the axial direction together with the moving portion.

[0013] With this configuration, by rotating the winding portion, the linear member can be wound around the winding portion, and the inner peripheral member can be pulled in a direction closer to the inner peripheral surface by an amount corresponding to the length of the linear member wound around the winding portion. Furthermore, the above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member can move the winding portion together with the moving portion in the axial direction. Therefore, the above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member can improve the degree of crimping of the inner peripheral member against the main pipe and firmly connect the branch pipe connecting member by, for example, first rotating the winding portion to pull the inner peripheral member in a direction closer to the inner peripheral surface, and then rotating the operating portion to move the moving portion together with the winding portion in the axial direction.

[0014] Here, in the above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member, if the moving part is operable not only in the axial direction but also in the circumferential direction, there is a possibility that a part of the power transmitted by the power transmission mechanism is used for the circumferential movement of the moving part. Therefore, it is considered that the above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member can efficiently utilize the power transmitted by the power transmission mechanism for the axial movement of the moving part by limiting the circumferential movement (rotation) of the moving part.

[0015] (3) Based on this knowledge, in the branch pipe connecting member described above, it is preferable that the movable portion is restricted in its rotation about the axis of the outer tubular portion.

[0016] According to this configuration, the power transmitted by the power transmission mechanism can be efficiently used for axial movement of the movable part, thereby reducing the amount of rotation of the operating part required for axial movement of the movable part, and enabling efficient installation of the branch pipe connecting member.

[0017] (4) The above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member may preferably have a switching mechanism that restricts the movable part from rotating around the axis of the outer tube part and that can switch between a rotation locked state in which the winding part is non-rotatably connected to the movable part and a rotation free state in which the winding part is rotatable relative to the movable part.

[0018] With this configuration, the winding portion can be rotated in a free rotation state to wind the linear member and pull the inner peripheral member toward the outer peripheral member, and then the rotation can be locked to prevent the linear member wound around the winding portion from unwinding.

[0019] Here, in the branch pipe connecting member of the present invention, when performing an operation of winding a linear member around the winding part in a rotation-free state (independent rotation operation), and then performing an operation of rotating the moving part in a rotation-locked state (integral rotation operation) to move the winding part together with the moving part in the axial direction and crimp the inner peripheral member to the main pipe, a larger torque needs to be applied during the integral rotation operation than when performing the independent rotation operation. On the other hand, the work site where the work of connecting the branch pipe to the main pipe is performed is a place with poor workability because the soil in which the main pipe is buried must be dug up. Therefore, it is preferable that the above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member is configured to be able to apply a large torque to the moving part without applying a large force during the integral rotation operation.

[0020] (5) The branch pipe connection member of the present invention, provided on the basis of such knowledge, is characterized in that it has a winding rotational force acting portion that can apply a rotational force centered on the axial position of the outer tube portion to the winding portion, and the power transmission mechanism is capable of transmitting a rotational force to the moving portion at a position farther away from the axial position of the outer tube portion than the winding rotational force acting portion.

[0021] The branch pipe connecting member of the present invention can transmit a rotational force to the winding portion by applying a rotational force to the winding / rotating force application portion. Therefore, the branch pipe connecting member of the present invention can wind a linear member around the winding portion and draw the inner peripheral member toward the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe by applying a rotational force to the winding force application portion. Furthermore, in the branch pipe connecting member of the present invention, the power transmission mechanism can transmit a rotational force to the winding portion at a position farther away from the axial center position of the outer tube portion than the winding / rotating force application portion. Therefore, according to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to provide a branch pipe connecting member that can apply a large torque to the winding portion without applying a large force, and can easily perform the task of winding a linear member around the winding portion.

[0022] (6) The branch pipe connecting member of the present invention may be characterized in that it has a winding / rotating force acting portion that applies a rotational force to the winding portion about the axial center position of the outer tube portion, and the winding / rotating force acting portion has a protrusion that protrudes radially outward from the winding portion.

[0023] In this manner, by configuring the protruding portion of the winding / rotating force acting portion to protrude radially outward from the winding portion, it is possible to apply a rotational force to the protruding portion, thereby allowing the winding portion to rotate smoothly.

[0024] (7) The branch pipe connecting member of the present invention may be characterized in that the protruding portion is provided with a shaft insertion portion into which a shaft body can be inserted in a tangential direction of rotation of the winding portion.

[0025] According to this configuration, by inserting a shaft body into the shaft insertion portion, it becomes possible to apply a rotational force to the winding portion via the shaft body. The shaft body to be inserted into the shaft insertion portion can be a tool having a shaft-shaped portion, such as a screwdriver. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a branch pipe connection member that allows the operation of applying a rotational force to the winding portion to be performed without using a special tool.

[0026] (8) The branch pipe connecting member of the present invention may be characterized in that the switching mechanism has a first engaged portion provided on the moving portion, a second engaged portion provided on the winding portion side, and an engaging body that can be engaged and disengaged with both the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion, and the rotation locked state can be achieved by engaging the engaging body with both the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion, and the rotation free state can be achieved by disengaging the engaging body from at least one of the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion.

[0027] According to this configuration, by switching the engagement state of the engaging body with the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion, it is possible to switch between a rotation locked state and a rotation free state.

[0028] (9) The branch pipe connecting member of the present invention may be characterized in that the engaging body is slidable along the circumferential surfaces of the moving portion and the winding portion, and that by sliding the engaging body, the engaging body can be engaged and disengaged with respect to the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion.

[0029] According to this configuration, by performing an operation to slide the engaging body and switching the engagement state of the engaging body with the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion, it is possible to switch between a rotation locked state and a rotation free state.

[0030] (10) The branch pipe connection member of the present invention may be characterized in that, when the engaging body is engaged with the first engaged portion, it functions as a winding rotation force acting portion for applying a rotation force about the axial center position of the outer tube portion to the winding portion.

[0031] According to this configuration, the engaging body can also be used as the winding / rotating force acting portion, and the configuration of the branch pipe connecting member can be simplified accordingly.

[0032] (11) The branch pipe connection member of the present invention may be characterized in that the operating part is rotatable around the axial center position of the outer tube part on the outer peripheral side of the moving part, and its axial movement relative to the outer tube part is restricted, the power transmission mechanism is formed by screwing together a moving part side screw part formed in a spiral shape on the outer peripheral surface of the moving part and an operating part side screw part formed in a spiral shape on the inner peripheral surface of the operating part, and the moving part can be moved in the axial direction by rotating the operating part.

[0033] According to this configuration, the movable part can be moved in the axial direction by rotating the operating part. Also, as described above, by arranging the operating part on the outer circumferential side of the movable part, the height of the branch pipe connecting member can be suppressed, and by applying an appropriate force to the operating part, a sufficient torque can be applied to the operating part, and the movable part can be moved smoothly in the axial direction.

[0034] Here, in the case of the above-mentioned configuration, if the linear member becomes tangled, there is a possibility that an obstacle will arise in the operation of rotating the winding portion to draw the inner peripheral member towards the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe.

[0035] (12) Based on this knowledge, it is preferable that the above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member has a guide portion that guides the linear member, and the guide portion guides the linear member in the axial direction on the inner member side relative to the winding portion.

[0036] According to this configuration, the linear member can be wound around the winding portion in an orderly manner while being guided in the axial direction by the guide portion. Therefore, according to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to provide a branch pipe connection member that can smoothly perform the operation of drawing the inner circumferential member to the inner circumferential surface of the main pipe by rotating the winding portion to wind the linear member around the winding portion.

[0037] (13) In the above-described branch pipe connecting member, it is preferable that the winding portion has a winding groove, in which the linear member is accommodated, formed in a spiral shape in the axial direction.

[0038] According to this configuration, by rotating the winding portion, it is possible to wind the linear member orderly along the winding groove provided in the winding portion. Therefore, according to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to provide a branch pipe connection member that can more smoothly perform the operation of rotating the winding portion to draw the inner peripheral member onto the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe.

[0039] (14) The above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member may be such that the inner member has a first inner peripheral piece and a second inner peripheral piece, the linear member has a first linear member connected to the first inner peripheral piece and a second linear member connected to the second inner peripheral piece, and the winding groove is formed of two helical grooves consisting of a helical groove forming a first winding groove in which the first linear member is accommodated, and a helical groove forming a second winding groove in which the second linear member is accommodated.

[0040] If the winding groove is configured with two helical grooves as described above, the amount of movement of the inner circumferential member relative to the amount of rotation of the winding portion can be made large. Furthermore, if two helical grooves are provided as described above, the first linear member and the second linear member can be wound approximately evenly around the winding portion, and the inner circumferential member can be pulled toward the main pipe in a balanced manner. Therefore, with the above-mentioned configuration, the work efficiency of the pulling operation in which the winding portion is rotated to pull the inner circumferential member toward the inner circumferential surface of the main pipe can be improved.

[0041] (15) The branch pipe connecting member described above is an inner circumferential member having a plurality of inner circumferential pieces abutting the inner circumferential surface of the main pipe connected in a bent and extendable manner, and by bending the inner circumferential pieces, the inner circumferential pieces can be brought into a bent state that allows them to be introduced from the outside to the inside of the main pipe through the opening of the main pipe, and by extending the inner circumferential pieces inside the main pipe, the inner circumferential pieces can be brought into an extended state that does not allow them to be removed from the opening of the main pipe to the outside of the main pipe. It is preferable that by rotating the winding portion in the bent state and winding the linear member around the winding portion, the inner circumferential member can be brought into the extended state while being brought close to the inner circumferential surface.

[0042] The above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member is configured such that the inner circumferential member connects multiple inner circumferential pieces in a bendable and extendable manner. Furthermore, the inner circumferential member can be bent to be compact enough to be introduced into the main pipe through an opening provided in the main pipe. Therefore, the above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member makes it easy and smooth to introduce the inner circumferential member into the main pipe.

[0043] In the branch pipe connecting member described above, the inner circumferential member can be brought into a state (extended state) in which it cannot be removed from the opening of the main pipe to the outside of the main pipe by extending the multiple inner circumferential pieces inside the main pipe. In addition, by rotating the winding portion and winding a linear member around the winding portion, the inner circumferential member can be changed from a bent state to an extended state in the process of being drawn to the inner circumferential portion of the main pipe. Therefore, in the branch pipe connecting member of the present invention, after the inner circumferential member is introduced into the main pipe, by rotating the winding portion to perform a drawing operation, the inner circumferential member can be attached to the inner circumferential portion of the main pipe so that it will not be removed through the opening.

[0044] (16) The above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member may be configured such that the inner member has a connecting portion that connects the multiple inner pieces so that they can be bent and extended around a predetermined bending axis, and the linear members are connected so that a force accompanying the rotation of the winding portion acts at a position away from the bending axis.

[0045] In the above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member, the multiple inner peripheral pieces constituting the inner peripheral member are connected via connecting parts so as to be able to bend and extend around a predetermined bending axis. Therefore, by applying a pulling force to the inner peripheral piece at a position away from the bending axis, the inner peripheral piece can be bent or extended around the bending axis. In the above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member, an operating member is connected to the inner peripheral piece, and by performing a pulling operation, an operating force can be applied to the inner peripheral piece at a position away from the bending axis. Therefore, in the above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member, by performing a pulling operation with the operating member, the inner peripheral piece can be extended around the bending axis and changed to an extended state. Effect of the Invention

[0046] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a branch pipe connecting member that can be attached to a main pipe to which a branch pipe is to be attached without using special tools or the like, and that has a compact configuration in the vertical direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0047] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a branch pipe connecting member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a branch pipe connecting member according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a main pipe. [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a branch pipe connecting member according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a main pipe. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a branch pipe connecting member according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a branch pipe connecting member according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 1A is a perspective view showing the winding portion, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing the winding portion. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9]FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an inner circumferential member in an extended state. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an inner circumferential member in a bent state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0048] A branch pipe connecting member 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the expressions of directions such as up, down, left, right, front, back, front, back, etc. will be described based on the state in which the branch pipe connecting member 10 is attached to the main pipe 1 in the position shown in Figure 1 etc. In the following description, the configuration of the branch pipe connecting member 10 will first be described, and then a construction method for connecting the branch pipe 5 to the main pipe 1 using the branch pipe connecting member 10 will be described.

[0049] <Configuration of branch pipe connecting member 10> As shown in Figures 1 to 4, etc., the branch pipe connection member 10 is used to connect a branch pipe 5 to an opening 3 newly formed by drilling in an existing main pipe 1, such as a sewer pipe. The main pipe 1 can be, for example, a concrete pipe, a Hume pipe, or a resin pipe made of resin such as polyvinyl chloride. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, etc., the branch pipe connection member 10 includes an outer circumferential member 20, an inner circumferential member 80, and a linear member 100.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 2, the peripheral member 20 is a member that is attached to the outer peripheral surface 7 of the main pipe 1 in the periphery of the opening 3 drilled in the main pipe 1. As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the peripheral member 20 includes an outer peripheral fixing portion 22, a branch pipe connecting portion 24, a winding portion 26, a guide portion 30, a moving portion 40, an operating portion 62, etc. In addition, a switching mechanism 50, a power transmission mechanism 60, etc. are provided in the peripheral member 20 by combining the respective portions that constitute the peripheral member 20.

[0051] The outer periphery fixing part 22 is a part that is attached so as to abut against the outer periphery surface 7 of the main pipe 1. As shown in Fig. 6, the outer periphery fixing part 22 has an outer periphery abutment part 22x and an outer cylinder part 22y. The outer periphery abutment part 22x is a member that has a circular arc-shaped cross-sectional shape curved with the same curvature as the outer periphery surface 7 and has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The outer periphery abutment part 22x has a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction (generatrix direction), and is provided with a through hole 22c that is provided in the approximate center in the longitudinal direction so as to penetrate from the front surface 22a to the back surface 22b.

[0052] The outer cylinder portion 22y is a cylindrical portion formed to surround the through hole 22c. The outer cylinder portion 22y is provided with an operation portion engaged portion 22d, a moving portion guide portion 22e, a guide portion engaged portion 22f, and the like.

[0053] The operation part engaged part 22d is a part that is engaged with the operation part engaging part 68b of the operation part 62, which will be described later in detail. The outer cylinder part 22y bulges outward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder part 22y at the part where the operation part engaged part 22d is formed. Therefore, the outer cylinder part 22y is formed in a stepped shape at the part where the operation part engaged part 22d is provided. The operation part engaged part 22d is a groove extending in the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder part 22y. The operation part engaged part 22d can support the operation part 62 engaged with the groove so as to be rotatable and to restrict movement in the axial direction.

[0054] The moving part guide portion 22e is provided above the operation part engaged portion 22d. The moving part guide portion 22e is a protrusion formed to engage with the moving part guided portion 40d provided on the moving part 40 described in detail later. The moving part guide portion 22e guides the moving part 40 so as to restrict the movement of the outer cylinder part 22y in the circumferential direction while allowing the moving part 40 to move up and down in the axial direction of the outer cylinder part 22y in combination with the moving part guided portion 40d. In this embodiment, the moving part guide portion 22e is configured by a protrusion formed to bulge outward in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder part 22y and extend in the axial direction (up and down direction). The protrusions forming the moving part guide portion 22e are provided at multiple locations (two locations in this embodiment) in the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder part 22y. Furthermore, the amount by which the ridges forming the moving portion guide portion 22e protrude from the surface of the outer cylinder portion 22y is smaller than the amount by which the portions forming the above-mentioned operating portion engaged portion 22d protrude.

[0055] The guide portion engaged portion 22f is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube portion 22y. The guide portion engaged portion 22f is a portion that engages with the guide portion engaging portion 30e of the guide portion 30 described later in detail. By engaging the guide portion engaged portion 30e with the guide portion engaged portion 22f, it is possible to restrict the movement of the guide portion 30 in the circumferential direction while allowing the movement of the guide portion 30 in the axial direction. The guide portion engaged portion 22f is provided on the inner bulging portion 22g, which is a portion from the axial middle portion of the outer tube portion 22y toward the lower end side, and is a portion formed so that the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube portion 22y bulges radially inward. The guide portion engaged portion 22f is configured by a groove formed downward from the upper end side of the inner bulging portion 22g to the axial middle portion.

[0056] 1 to 4, branch pipe connecting part 24 is a tubular member that penetrates in the vertical direction. Branch pipe connecting part 24 is a part that functions as a socket to which branch pipe 5 is connected. Branch pipe connecting part 24 is formed from an elastic material such as resin or rubber. Branch pipe connecting part 24 can be connected by inserting its lower end into winding part 26, which will be described in detail later.

[0057] The winding portion 26 is for winding up the linear member 100 connecting the outer circumferential member 20 and the inner circumferential member 80 by a rotating operation when the branch pipe connection member 10 is attached to the main pipe 1. As shown in Figures 5, 7, etc., the winding portion 26 has a substantially cylindrical external shape. The winding portion 26 has three regions, a winding portion first region 34, a winding portion second region 35, and a winding portion third region 36, in the axial direction from the portion that becomes the upper end side in the installed state.

[0058] The first region 34 of the winding portion is a region that forms one side (upper end side) in the axial direction of the winding portion 26. The first region 34 of the winding portion is shaped to bulge outward in the radial direction most among the three regions that constitute the winding portion 26. The outer diameter of the first region 34 of the winding portion is larger than the inner diameter of the outer tube portion 22y described above. The winding portion 26 has a second engaged portion 26a on the outer periphery of the first region 34 of the winding portion. The second engaged portion 26a is a portion to which an engaging body 52 of a switching mechanism 50, which will be described in detail later, engages and disengages. The second engaged portion 26a is formed by a protrusion extending in the axial direction (up and down direction) of the winding portion 26. In addition, a plurality of the second engaged portions 26a (four at approximately 90 degree intervals in this embodiment) are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the first region 34 of the winding portion.

[0059] The second winding region 35 is a portion that forms an axial intermediate portion of the winding portion 26. The winding portion 26 has a shape that is smaller in diameter than the first winding region 34 at the portion where the second winding region 35 is provided. In this embodiment, the winding portion 26 is equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the outer tube portion 22y from the second winding region 35 to the third winding region 36. In the assembled state of the branch pipe connecting member 10, the portion of the second winding region 35 that is axially lower than the moving portion engaged portion 35a is inserted inside the outer tube portion 22y. The second winding region 35 is provided with the moving portion engaged portion 35a and a seal groove 35b.

[0060] The moving-part engaged portion 35a is a portion that engages with a convex portion that constitutes the moving-part engaging portion 40b of the moving part 40, which will be described later in detail. The moving-part engaged portion 35a is configured by a groove formed to extend in the circumferential direction at the lower end side of the winding-part first region 34. The seal groove 35b is a portion to which an annular seal member 35c is attached, which seals between the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube portion 22y and the winding part 26 when the branch pipe connection member 10 is in an assembled state. The seal groove 35b is provided at a position offset axially downward from the moving-part engaged portion 35a.

[0061] The third winding region 36 is provided at a position offset from the second winding region 35 in the axial direction of the winding portion 26 toward the other side (the lower side in the illustrated state). The third winding region 36 is a portion around which the linear member 100 is wound as the winding portion 26 rotates. In this embodiment, a winding groove 38 into which the linear member 100 fits is formed in a spiral shape in the axial direction of the winding portion 26 on the outer circumferential surface of the third winding region 36. The winding groove 38 has a first winding groove 38a and a second winding groove 38b. The winding groove 38 is a two-stranded spiral groove in which the first winding groove 38a and the second winding groove 38b are alternately arranged in the axial direction of the winding portion 26. The first winding groove 38a and the second winding groove 38b are intended to fit the first linear member 100a and the second linear member 100b constituting the linear member 100, respectively.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 5, etc., the guide portion 30 is provided in the portion of the winding portion third region 36 where the winding groove 38 is provided. The guide portion 30 serves as a guide for guiding the linear member 100. The guide portion 30 is a cylindrical member disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube portion 22y and the outer peripheral surface of the winding portion third region 36. As shown in FIG. 8, etc., the guide portion 30 has a guide groove 30a on its peripheral surface. The guide groove 30a is provided at two locations in the circumferential direction of the guide portion 30. The guide groove 30a has a rising portion 30b and a circumferential groove portion 30c. The rising portion 30b is a groove formed so as to rise in the vertical direction from a position on the lower end side of the guide portion 30 to a middle portion in the axial direction (height direction) in the illustrated state. The circumferential groove portion 30c is a groove that is continuous with the rising portion 30b at the axial intermediate portion of the guide portion 30 and extends in the circumferential direction of the guide portion 30. The circumferential groove portion 30c is a groove that has a one-sided tapered shape when the peripheral surface of the guide portion 30 is viewed from the front. The circumferential groove portion 30c is formed so that the upper side is inclined upward as it moves away from the portion that is continuous with the rising portion 30b in the circumferential direction, and the groove width (length in the vertical direction) increases. The guide portion 30 has a communication portion 30d at the end side of the circumferential groove portion 30c. The communication portion 30d is formed by an opening that extends in the axial direction of the guide portion 30 (vertical direction in the illustrated state). Therefore, the outer circumferential side and the inner circumferential side of the guide portion 30 are communicated through the communication portion 30d.

[0063] The guide portion 30 has a guide portion engaging portion 30e on the outer peripheral surface. The guide portion engaging portion 30e is configured by a protruding portion protruding radially outward of the guide portion 30. The guide portion engaging portion 30e is provided at a plurality of locations (two locations in this embodiment) in the circumferential direction of the guide portion 30. The guide portion engaging portions 30e, 30e are provided at the middle of two guide grooves 30a, 30a provided in the circumferential direction of the guide portion 30. The guide portion 30 is inserted inside the above-mentioned outer tube portion 22y, and is arranged so that the guide portion engaging portions 30e, 30e are engaged with the guide portion engaged portion 22f provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube portion 22y. As a result, the guide portion 30 is positioned in the circumferential direction with respect to the outer tube portion 22y. In addition, by arranging the guide portion 30 inside the outer tube portion 22y, two routes formed by the guide grooves 30a, 30a are formed so that the linear member 100 can pass through them.

[0064] 1 to 5, the moving part 40 is a cylindrical member disposed on the outer circumferential side of the outer cylinder part 22y. As shown in Fig. 9, the moving part 40 has a moving part side threaded part 40a, a moving part engaging part 40b, a first engaged part 40c, and a moving part guided part 40d.

[0065] The moving part side screw portion 40a is a portion on the outer periphery of the moving part 40 where a screw is formed in a spiral shape centered on the axial center position of the moving part 40. The moving part side screw portion 40a constitutes a part of the power transmission mechanism 60, which will be described in detail later. The moving part engaging portion 40b engages with a second engaged portion 26a provided on the winding portion 26. The moving part engaging portion 40b is formed so as to protrude radially inward of the moving part 40 at a position that is the upper end side of the moving part 40 when the branch pipe connecting member 10 is in an assembled state.

[0066] Specifically, when the moving part 40 is inserted onto the outer cylinder part 22y, the moving part 40 is erected on the bulging part (step part) that constitutes the operation part engaged part 22d in the outer peripheral member 20. In this state, the moving part engaging part 40b is formed so as to protrude toward the radial inside of the outer cylinder part 22y at a position above the upper end part of the outer cylinder part 22y and reach the moving part engaged part 35a provided in the winding part second region 35 of the winding part 26. As described above, the moving part engaged part 35a is a groove extending in the circumferential direction of the winding part 26. Therefore, by engaging the moving part engaging part 40b with the moving part engaged part 35a, the winding part 26 is allowed to rotate with respect to the moving part 40, but is restricted from moving in the axial direction with respect to the moving part 40.

[0067] The first engaged portion 40c is a convex portion provided on the outer circumferential surface of the moving portion 40. Specifically, the first engaged portion 40c is provided on one axial side (the side on which the moving portion engaging portion 40b is formed) in an assembled state of the branch pipe connecting member 10, at a position continuous with a lower side of the winding portion first region 34 of the winding portion 26. The first engaged portion 40c forms a part of the switching mechanism 50, which will be described later in detail, and is capable of engaging and disengaging with an engaging body 52 of the switching mechanism 50.

[0068] The moving-part guided portion 40d is a concave portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the moving part 40 so as to extend in the axial direction. The moving-part guided portion 40d engages with the moving-part guiding portion 22e provided on the outer tube part 22y when the branch pipe connecting member 10 is in an assembled state. In combination with the moving-part guided portion 40d, the moving part 40d can guide the moving part 40 so as to restrict movement of the outer tube part 22y in the circumferential direction while allowing the moving part 40 to move up and down in the axial direction of the outer tube part 22y.

[0069] The switching mechanism 50 is a mechanism for switching between a state in which the winding portion 26 is non-rotatably connected to the moving portion 40 (rotation locked state) and a state in which the winding portion 26 is rotatable relative to the moving portion 40 (rotation free state). The switching mechanism 50 is constituted by an engaging body 52 in addition to the second engaged portion 26a and first engaged portion 40c described above. As described above, the second engaged portion 26a is a ridge provided on the outer periphery of the winding portion first region 34 that constitutes the winding portion 26. Moreover, the first engaged portion 40c is a ridge provided on the outer periphery of the moving portion 40.

[0070] The engaging body 52 is capable of engaging with and disengaging from both the second engaged portion 26a and the first engaged portion 40c. As shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, the engaging body 52 is provided with a protruding portion 56 and a shaft insertion portion 58 on an engaging body main body 54 formed in an annular shape. The engaging body main body 54 has an inner diameter that is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the portion in the first region 34 of the winding portion where the second engaged portion 26a is provided, and the outer diameter of the portion in the moving portion 40 where the first engaged portion 40c is provided. This allows the engaging body main body 54 to slide along the outer circumferential surfaces of the winding portion 26 and the moving portion 40. In addition, a number of engaging grooves 54a are provided in the inner circumferential surface of the engaging body main body 54 in the circumferential direction. The engaging grooves 54a are formed to extend in the axial direction of the engaging body 52. As a result, the engaging body 52 is capable of engaging and disengaging the engaging groove 54a with the protrusions that form the second engaged portion 26a and the first engaged portion 40c by sliding the engaging body main body 54 in the axial direction on the outer circumferential side of the winding portion 26 and the moving portion 40.

[0071] The engagement body 52 can be brought into a state in which the engagement groove 54a provided in the engagement body main body 54 engages with the second engaged portion 26a of the winding portion 26 and does not engage with the first engaged portion 40c by moving the engagement body main body 54 toward the winding portion 26. By bringing the engagement body 52 into such a state, the winding portion 26 can be brought into a state (a free rotation state) in which the winding portion 26 can rotate independently of the moving portion 40. Here, the engagement body 52 has a protruding portion 56 formed so as to protrude radially outward from the outer periphery of the engagement body main body 54. Furthermore, the protruding portion 56 is provided with a shaft insertion portion 58, and a shaft body can be inserted into the protruding portion 56 in the tangential direction of the rotation of the winding portion 26. Therefore, in the free rotation state, an external force can be applied to the protruding portion 56 in the circumferential direction of the winding portion 26 by inserting a shaft body such as a screwdriver into the shaft insertion portion 58, for example., to rotate the winding portion 26. In this manner, in the freely rotatable state, the engagement body 52 can function as a winding / rotating force acting portion for applying a rotation force to the winding portion 26 about the axial center position of the outer cylindrical portion 22y.

[0072] Furthermore, when the engaging body main body 54 of the engaging body 52 is moved to a position spanning the winding portion 26 and the moving portion 40, the engaging groove 54a is brought into engagement with both the second engaged portion 26a and the first engaged portion 40c. This brings the winding portion 26 into a state in which it is non-rotatably connected to the moving portion 40 (rotation locked state). In this manner, the switching mechanism 50 can switch between a rotation free state and a rotation locked state by moving the engaging body 52 in the axial direction.

[0073] The power transmission mechanism 60 is a mechanism that, in a rotation lock state, allows the moving part 40 to move in the axial direction by a rotation force generated by a rotation operation of the operating part 62. That is, the power transmission mechanism 60 is a mechanism for converting a rotation force generated by a rotation operation of the operating part 62 into a moving force in the axial direction of the outer cylinder part 22y to move the moving part 40. As shown in Figs. 2 to 4 and the like, the power transmission mechanism 60 is capable of transmitting a rotation force to the operating part 62 at a position radially outside the engaging body 52 (wrapping rotation force acting part). The power transmission mechanism 60 is capable of transmitting a rotation force applied to the operating part 62 by screwing an operating part side screw part 68c provided on the operating part 62 with a moving part side screw part 40a provided on the moving part 40. In addition, the power transmission mechanism 60 can utilize the rotational force transmitted from the operating unit 62 to move the moving unit 40 in the axial direction by combining the moving unit guided portion 40d provided on the moving unit 40 and the moving unit guiding portion 22e provided on the outer tube portion 22y.

[0074] More specifically, the operation part 62 is a cylinder that is rotatable around the axial center position of the outer cylinder part 22y on the outer peripheral side of the moving part 40, and the movement of the outer cylinder part 22y in the axial direction is restricted. The operation part 62 can be configured as a single cylinder, but in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, it has two cylinders consisting of an operation outer cylinder 66 and an operation inner cylinder 68, and the operation inner cylinder 68 is inserted into the operation outer cylinder 66 to be integrated.

[0075] The operation outer tube 66 is a tube that forms the outer periphery of the operation unit 62. A plurality of operation handles 64 are provided on the outer periphery of the operation outer tube 66. In this embodiment, two operation handles 64, 64 are arranged at an interval of approximately 180 degrees in the circumferential direction. Each of the operation handles 64, 64 is foldable. Specifically, the operation handles 64, 64 can be switched between a folded position along the outer periphery of the operation outer tube 66 and a position protruding radially outward from the operation outer tube 66 by rotating the operation handles 64, 64 about a hinge provided on the base end side as a fulcrum. The operation unit 62 can function as a grip for rotating the operation unit 62 by putting the operation handles 64, 64 in a state of protruding radially outward. In addition, an outer tube engagement portion 66a is provided on the inner periphery of the operation outer tube 66. The outer tube engagement portion 66a is shaped like a groove extending in the axial direction from the lower end of the operation outer tube 66. A plurality of grooves (two in this embodiment) forming the outer cylinder engagement portion 66a are formed in the circumferential direction of the operating outer cylinder 66, at positions spaced apart by a predetermined angle (approximately 180 degrees in this embodiment).

[0076] The operation inner cylinder 68 is a cylinder inserted into the operation outer cylinder 66 and integrated with the operation outer cylinder 66. The operation inner cylinder 68 has an outer diameter that is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the operation outer cylinder 66. In addition, an inner cylinder engagement portion 68a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the operation inner cylinder 68. The inner cylinder engagement portion 68a is provided at a position corresponding to the outer cylinder engagement portion 66a formed on the operation outer cylinder 66 described above. In addition, the inner cylinder engagement portion 68a is formed so as to protrude radially outward from the operation inner cylinder 68 and extend in the axial direction of the operation inner cylinder 68. The operation inner cylinder 68 is inserted into the operation outer cylinder 66 in a state in which the inner cylinder engagement portion 68a and the outer cylinder engagement portion 66a are aligned. As a result, the operation inner cylinder 68 is integrated with the operation outer cylinder 66 in a state in which it is positioned circumferentially, and constitutes the operation portion 62.

[0077] An operation part engaging part 68b and an operation part side screw part 68c are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the operation inner cylinder 68. The operation part engaging part 68b is a part that engages with the operation part engaged part 22d provided on the outer cylinder part 22y of the outer peripheral member 20 described above. The operation part engaging part 68b is formed in an uneven shape over the circumferential direction of the operation inner cylinder 68. The operation part side screw part 68c is provided at a position offset in the axial direction of the operation inner cylinder 68 from the operation part engaging part 68b. The operation part side screw part 68c is configured by a screw formed in a helical shape.

[0078] In the power transmission mechanism 60, an operating part side screw portion 68c provided on the operating part 62 and a moving part side screw portion 40a provided on the moving part 40 are screwed together. In addition, the operating part 62 is restricted from moving in the axial direction by the operating part engaging portion 68b engaging with the operating part engaged portion 22d of the outer cylinder part 22y. Furthermore, the moving part 40 is restricted from moving in the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder part 22y while being movable up and down in the axial direction of the outer cylinder part 22y by the moving part guided portion 40d engaging with the moving part guide portion 22e provided on the outer cylinder part 22y. Therefore, by applying a rotational force to the operating part 62, the rotational force is transmitted to the moving part 40 via the operating part side screw portion 68c and the moving part side screw portion 40a, and the moving part 40 can be moved in the axial direction by the moving part guided portion 40d and the moving part guide portion 22e. In this way, by using the functions of the various parts constituting the power transmission mechanism 60, the rotational force applied to the operating part 62 can be converted into a moving force in the axial direction, and the moving part 40 can be moved in the axial direction.

[0079] 2, 3, and the like, the inner circumferential member 80 is a portion that is fixed to the inner circumferential surface 9 of the main pipe 1 in the periphery of the opening 3 drilled in the main pipe 1. As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, and the like, the inner circumferential member 80 has a plurality of curved pieces 82 (two in this embodiment), a connecting piece 84, and an inner circumferential cylindrical portion 86.

[0080] The curved pieces 82 are piece-like members curved in an arc shape so as to fit the inner circumferential surface 9 of the main pipe 1 in a side view. That is, the curvature of the curved pieces 82 is substantially the same as the curvature of the inner circumferential surface 9 of the main pipe 1. The curved pieces 82 are connected to each other rotatably in a state in which they are arranged in parallel via a connecting piece 84, which will be described in detail later.

[0081] By rotating the inner circumferential member 80 so that the back surfaces of the adjacent curved pieces 82, 82 move away from each other, the adjacent curved pieces 82, 82 are butted together and the front surfaces become continuous. This causes the inner circumferential member 80 to be in an extended state as a whole (extended state). In addition, when in the extended state, the inner circumferential member 80 has a generally saddle-shaped external shape. In this manner, the curved pieces 82 have portions (joint portions 82x) that are butted together with the adjacent curved pieces 82 in the extended state.

[0082] In addition, by folding the inner peripheral member 80 so that the back surfaces of adjacent curved pieces 82, 82 at the connecting piece 84 are brought close to each other, a discontinuous portion is formed between the front surfaces of the adjacent curved pieces 82, 82, and the inner peripheral member 80 can be put into a bent state (deformed state).

[0083] The connecting piece 84 connects the multiple curved pieces 82 (two in this embodiment) so that they can rotate about a predetermined rotation axis C extending in the generatrix direction of the curved pieces 82. The rotation axis C exists at a position on the side of a joint portion 82x that forms a boundary between the curved pieces 82, 82 arranged side by side.

[0084] The inner cylindrical portion 86 is a cylindrical portion that is inserted into the inside of the opening 3 drilled in the main pipe 1. The inner cylindrical portion 86 is formed by combining a plurality of (two in this embodiment) cylindrical constituent parts 88 that can be assembled and separated in conjunction with the rotation of the curved pieces 82. The inner cylindrical portion 86 is formed by assembling the cylindrical constituent parts 88 when the inner peripheral member 80 is in an extended state. The cylindrical constituent parts 88 are integrally provided with the curved pieces 82. The cylindrical constituent parts 88 protrude upward from the surface side of the curved pieces 82. The cylindrical constituent parts 88 are provided approximately at the center of the curved pieces 82 in the longitudinal direction (generatrix direction). In the curved pieces 82, the base end (lower end) side portions of the cylindrical constituent parts 88 are cut into a semicircular shape to match the shape of the curved pieces 82.

[0085] Fixing portions 90, 90 for fixing the linear member 100 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tube components 88, 88 that constitute the inner cylindrical portion 86. The fixing portions 90, 90 have fixing grooves 90a, 90a formed so as to extend from the base end side (the surface side of the curved pieces 82, 82) of the inner cylindrical portion 86 in the axial direction (the up-down direction in the illustrated state) of the inner cylindrical portion 86. The fixing grooves 90a, 90a are grooves into which the linear member 100 can be fitted and fixed. The fixing grooves 90a, 90a are bent in a substantially U-shape on the base end side, and are capable of connecting the terminal end of the linear member 100.

[0086] The linear member 100 is a member for pulling the inner peripheral member 80 introduced inside the main pipe 1 in a direction approaching the inner peripheral surface 9 of the main pipe 1 by an operation (pulling operation) from the outside of the main pipe 1. The linear member 100 is composed of a wire made of a material such as metal or resin. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the linear member 100 includes a first linear member 100a connected to one of the curved pieces 82, 82 (hereinafter also referred to as "first inner peripheral piece 82a") and a second linear member 100b connected to the other (hereinafter also referred to as "second inner peripheral piece 82b").

[0087] The first linear member 100a and the second linear member 100b constituting the linear member 100 are connected so that an operating force associated with a pulling operation acts at a position offset from the rotation axis C of the first inner peripheral piece 82a and the second inner peripheral piece 82b constituting the inner peripheral member 80, respectively.

[0088] Specifically, one end side of the first linear member 100a is fitted into a fixing groove 90a provided on the outer periphery of the tube-forming portion 88 constituting the first inner peripheral piece 82a, and the terminal end is connected to the inner peripheral member 80. As shown in FIG. 5, the first linear member 100a is introduced into the inside of the guide portion 30 through one of two paths provided between the outer tube portion 22y and the guide portion 30 in the guide portion 30. Furthermore, the first linear member 100a is connected to the winding portion 26. As a result, the first linear member 100a can be wound around the first winding groove 38a by rotating the winding portion 26.

[0089] Similarly, one end side of the second linear member 100b is fitted into a fixing groove 90a provided on the outer periphery of the tube-forming portion 88 constituting the second inner peripheral piece 82b, and the terminal end is engaged with the fixing groove 90a to connect it to the inner peripheral member 80. The second linear member 100b is introduced into the inside of the guide portion 30 through a path provided between the outer tube portion 22y and the guide portion 30 in the guide portion 30. Furthermore, the second linear member 100b is connected to the winding portion 26. As a result, the second linear member 100b can be wound around the second winding groove 38b by rotating the winding portion 26.

[0090] <Concerning the construction method using the branch pipe connection member 10> Next, a construction method for connecting a branch pipe 5 to an opening 3 drilled in a main pipe 1 using a branch pipe connecting member 10 will be described.

[0091] When connecting the branch pipe 5 to the main pipe 1, the branch pipe connection member 10 is first prepared with the outer peripheral member 20 assembled, and with the wound portion 26 of the outer peripheral member 20 and the inner peripheral member 80 connected by the linear member 100. At this time, the linear member 100 is hardly wound around the wound portion 26, and the outer peripheral member 20 and the inner peripheral member 80 are prepared in a state where they are sufficiently separated. With the branch pipe connection member 10 thus prepared, the curved pieces 82, 82 constituting the inner peripheral member 80 are bent at the connecting piece 84 to be in a folded state (deformed state). In this state, the inner peripheral member 80 is introduced into the main pipe 1 from the opening 3 in a deformed state.

[0092] When the inner peripheral member 80 is introduced into the main pipe 1 as described above, the outer peripheral abutment portion 22x of the outer peripheral fixing portion 22 is placed along the outer peripheral surface 7 of the main pipe 1, and the position of the outer peripheral member 20 is adjusted so that the through hole 22c provided in the outer peripheral fixing portion 22 arrives at a position corresponding to the opening 3 of the main pipe 1. When the placement of the outer peripheral member 20 is completed in this manner, the branch pipe connecting member 10 is put into a rotationally free state by the switching mechanism 50. Specifically, the engaging body 52 (engaging body main body 54) of the switching mechanism 50 is moved toward the winding portion 26, and the engaging groove 54a is engaged with the second engaged portion 26a of the winding portion 26 and is not engaged with the first engaged portion 40c, thereby putting the branch pipe connecting member 10 into a rotationally free state. In this state, a shaft such as a screwdriver is inserted into the shaft insertion portion 58 of the protruding portion 56 protruding radially outward from the engaging body main body 54, and an external force is applied to the protruding portion 56, thereby rotating the engaging body main body 54 in the circumferential direction. In conjunction with this, the winding portion 26 engaged with the engagement body main body 54 rotates independently with respect to the moving portion 40. As a result, the linear members 100, 100 connected to the curved pieces 82, 82 constituting the inner circumferential member 80 are wound around the winding groove 38 of the winding portion 26.

[0093] As described above, when the branch pipe connection member 10 is in a free-rotating state and the winding portion 26 continues to rotate in the forward direction, the inner circumferential member 80 approaches the inner circumferential surface 9 of the main pipe 1, and the inner circumferential member 80 (the first inner circumferential piece 82a and the second inner circumferential piece 82b) changes state from a deformed state to an elongated state inside the main pipe 1. When the inner circumferential member 80 is drawn until it abuts against the inner circumferential surface 9, the inner circumferential member 80 enters an elongated state and approaches the inner circumferential surface 9.

[0094] As described above, when the branch pipe connecting member 10 is placed in the rotation-locked state with the winding portion 26 rotated in the free rotation state and the inner peripheral member 80 brought into close proximity with the inner peripheral surface 9 of the main pipe 1, the rotation of the winding portion 26 is locked. Specifically, the engagement body 52 (engagement body main body 54) of the switching mechanism 50 is slid in the axial direction to a position that spans the winding portion 26 and the moving portion 40. As a result, the engagement groove 54a of the engagement body main body 54 is engaged with both the second engaged portion 26a of the winding portion 26 and the first engaged portion 40c of the moving portion 40. As a result, the branch pipe connecting member 10 is switched from the free rotation state to the rotation-locked state. This makes it possible to prevent the linear member 100, 100 wound around the winding portion 26 from being unexpectedly unwound.

[0095] In the state where the inner peripheral member 80 is brought close to the inner peripheral surface 9 of the main pipe 1 as described above, when the inner peripheral member 80 is to be brought into further intimate contact with the inner peripheral surface 9, the operation handles 64, 64 provided on the operation unit 62 are gripped, and the operation unit 62 is rotated in the forward direction. This allows the moving unit 40, which is screwed into the operation unit side screw portion 68c of the operation unit 62 via the moving unit side screw portion 40a, to be moved axially upward. As a result, the inner peripheral member 80, which was in a position close to the inner peripheral surface 9, is brought into a state of being further close to the inner peripheral surface 9 and in intimate contact therewith. This completes the attachment of the branch pipe connecting member 10 to the main pipe 1. Furthermore, when the branch pipe connecting member 10 is attached to the main pipe 1, the branch pipe 5 is inserted into the branch pipe connecting portion 24 and connected. This completes the attachment of the branch pipe 5 to the main pipe 1 using the branch pipe connecting member 10.

[0096] <Effects of branch pipe connecting member 10> According to the branch pipe connecting member 10 described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.

[0097] The branch pipe connecting member 10 of this embodiment includes a power transmission mechanism 60 that transmits a rotational force generated by rotating the operating unit 62 to the moving unit 40, and moves the moving unit 40 in the axial direction. The branch pipe connecting member 10 of this embodiment also has a linear member 100 that connects the inner periphery member 80 and the outer periphery member 20, and the connecting portion of the linear member 100 on the outer periphery member 20 side is movable in the axial direction in conjunction with the moving unit 40. Therefore, the branch pipe connecting member 10 of this embodiment can move the linear member 100 in the axial direction together with the moving unit 40 as the operating unit 62 is rotated, thereby drawing the inner periphery member 80 toward the outer periphery member 20. Therefore, in the branch pipe connecting member 10 of this embodiment, the inner circumferential member 80 is introduced into the main pipe 1 through the opening 3 drilled in the main pipe 1, and with the outer circumferential member 20 disposed on the outer periphery of the main pipe 1, the inner circumferential member 80 can be moved in a direction approaching the inner circumferential surface of the main pipe 1 by rotating the operating unit 62 and moving the moving unit 40 in the axial direction. This allows the inner circumferential member 80 to be crimped against the main pipe 1, firmly connecting the branch pipe connecting member 10. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a branch pipe connecting member 10 that can be firmly attached to the main pipe 1 without using a special jig or the like.

[0098] Furthermore, the branch pipe connecting member 10 of this embodiment is capable of transmitting a rotational force from the radial outside to the moving unit 40 via the power transmission mechanism 60 by rotating the operating unit 62 radially outward relative to the outer tube portion 22y. In this manner, the branch pipe connecting member 10 of this embodiment is configured to be compact in the height direction, with the operating unit 62 and the power transmission mechanism 60 disposed at a position radially outward relative to the outer tube portion 22y, not in the axial direction (height direction) of the outer tube portion 22y. Therefore, according to this embodiment, even in cases where a large space cannot be secured in the height direction (depth direction) to attach the branch pipe connecting member 10 to the main pipe, it is possible to provide a branch pipe connecting member 10 that can be utilized to connect a branch pipe 5 to a main pipe.

[0099] Moreover, the above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member 10 has a winding section 26 that can rotate around the axial center position of the outer tube portion 22y to wind the linear member 100, and the connecting section of the linear member 100 on the outer peripheral member 20 side is connected to the winding section 26, and the winding section 26 is movable in the axial direction together with the moving section 40. Therefore, by rotating the winding section 26, the branch pipe connecting member 10 can wind the linear member 100 around the winding section 26 and draw the inner peripheral member 80 in a direction approaching the inner peripheral surface by an amount equivalent to the length of the linear member 100 wound around the winding section 26. Moreover, the above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member 10 can move the winding section 26 in the axial direction together with the moving section 40. Therefore, the above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member 10 can improve the degree of crimping of the inner peripheral member 80 against the main pipe 1 and firmly connect the branch pipe connecting member 10, for example, by first rotating the winding portion 26 to draw the inner peripheral member 80 in a direction approaching the inner peripheral surface, and then rotating the operating portion 62 to move the moving portion 40 in the axial direction together with the winding portion 26.

[0100] When attaching the branch pipe connection member 10 to the main pipe 1, the outer peripheral member 20 may be fixed to the main pipe appropriately using an adhesive, bonding agent, or the like. In this case, the material of the adhesive, bonding agent, or the like may be selected appropriately depending on the material of the main pipe 1 to be fixed and the outer peripheral member 20. When attaching the branch pipe connection member 10 to the main pipe 1, when the inner peripheral member 80 is pulled to the inner peripheral surface 9 of the main pipe 1 by the linear member 100 and brought into contact with it, the inner peripheral member 80 may be fixed to the main pipe 1 using an adhesive, bonding agent, water-swelling rubber, or the like. In this case, the material of the adhesive, bonding agent, or the like may be selected appropriately depending on the material of the main pipe 1 to be fixed and the inner peripheral member 80.

[0101] In the branch pipe connecting member 10 described above, the movable part 40 is restricted in its rotation about the axis of the outer tube part 22y. Therefore, the branch pipe connecting member 10 can efficiently use the power transmitted by the power transmission mechanism 60 to move the movable part 40 in the axial direction. Therefore, the branch pipe connecting member 10 can suppress the amount of rotation of the operating part 62 required to move the movable part 40 in the axial direction, and can efficiently perform the attachment work to the main pipe 1.

[0102] In the present embodiment, the moving part 40 is limited in rotation about the axis of the outer cylinder 22y by engaging the moving part guided part 40d of the moving part 40 with the moving part guiding part 22e of the outer cylinder 22y, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the moving part 40 may be configured to be capable of moving in the axial direction while rotating about the axis.

[0103] The branch pipe connecting member 10 described above has a moving part 40 whose rotation around the axis of the outer tube part 22y is restricted, and has a switching mechanism 50 that can switch between a rotation locked state in which the winding part 26 is non-rotatably connected to the moving part 40, and a rotation free state in which the winding part 26 is rotatable relative to the moving part 40. In this way, the branch pipe connecting member 10 can rotate the winding part 26 in the rotation free state to wind the linear member 100 and draw the inner peripheral member 80 toward the outer peripheral member 20, and then maintain the rotation locked state so that the linear member 100 wound around the winding part 26 is not unwound.

[0104] In this embodiment, an example in which the switching mechanism 50 is provided has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the branch pipe connecting member 10 may not include the switching mechanism 50. In addition, the switching mechanism 50 is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and may have another configuration that provides the same effect.

[0105] Moreover, the branch pipe connecting member 10 of this embodiment includes an engagement body 52 that functions as a winding and rotating force acting part that can apply a rotation force to the winding portion 26 about the axial center position of the outer tube portion 22y. Therefore, the branch pipe connecting member 10 of this embodiment can wind the linear member 100 around the winding portion 26 and draw the inner peripheral member 80 toward the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe 1 by applying a rotation force to the engagement body 52. ​​Furthermore, in the branch pipe connecting member 10 of this embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 60 can transmit a rotation force to the moving part 40 at a position farther away from the axial center position of the outer tube portion 22y than the engagement body 52 (winding and rotating force acting part). Therefore, according to the above-mentioned configuration, by applying a rotation force to the engagement body 52, a large torque can be applied to the winding portion 26, and the operation of winding the linear member 100 can be performed easily.

[0106] In this embodiment, a configuration in which an engaging body 52 is provided as a winding / rotating force acting portion is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which no member functioning as a winding / rotating force acting portion is provided, or a configuration in which a member functioning as a winding / rotating force acting portion is provided separately from the engaging body 52, may also be used.

[0107] The branch pipe connecting member 10 of this embodiment has an engaging body 52 (winding and rotating force acting portion) that applies a rotation force about the axial center position of the outer tube portion 22y to the winding portion 26, and the engaging body 52 (winding and rotating force acting portion) has a protruding portion 56 that protrudes radially outward from the winding portion 26. With this configuration, it is possible to smoothly rotate the winding portion 26 by applying a rotation force at the protruding portion 56. Note that, in this embodiment, a configuration in which the protruding portion 56 is provided on a member that functions as the winding and rotating force acting portion (the engaging body 52 in this embodiment) is exemplified, but a configuration in which the protruding portion 56 is not provided may be used, for example, in a configuration in which a rotation force can be easily applied to the engaging body 52 without providing the protruding portion 56.

[0108] In the branch pipe connecting member 10 of this embodiment, a shaft insertion portion 58 into which a shaft body can be inserted in the tangential direction of rotation of the winding portion 26 is provided on the protruding portion 56. Therefore, the branch pipe connecting member 10 can apply a rotational force to the winding portion 26 via the shaft body by inserting a shaft body such as a screwdriver into the shaft insertion portion 58. This configuration can provide a branch pipe connecting member 10 that can apply a rotational force to the winding portion 26 without using special tools or the like. Note that, although the configuration provided with the shaft insertion portion 58 has been exemplified in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration without the shaft insertion portion 58 may also be used.

[0109] In the branch pipe connecting member 10 of this embodiment, the switching mechanism 50 includes a first engaged portion 40c provided on the moving portion 40, a second engaged portion 26a provided on the winding portion 26 side, and an engaging body 52 that can be engaged and disengaged with both the first engaged portion 40c and the second engaged portion 26a. The branch pipe connecting member 10 can be set in a rotationally locked state by engaging the engaging body 52 with both the first engaged portion 40c and the second engaged portion 26a, and can be set in a rotationally free state by disengaging the engaging body 52 from at least one of the first engaged portion 40c and the second engaged portion 26a. In the branch pipe connecting member 10 of this embodiment, the engaging body 52 can be slid along the circumferential surfaces of the moving portion 40 and the winding portion 26, and the engaging body 52 can be engaged and disengaged with the first engaged portion 40c and the second engaged portion 26a by sliding the engaging body 52. Therefore, the branch pipe connecting member 10 can switch the engagement state of the engaging body 52 with the first engaged portion 40c and the second engaged portion 26a, and can be switched between a rotation locked state and a rotation free state, by sliding the engaging body 52. ​​Therefore, the branch pipe connecting member 10 can be switched between a rotation locked state and a rotation free state by a simple operation of sliding the engaging body 52.

[0110] In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the switching mechanism 50 is provided so that the engagement body 52 can be slid to switch between a rotation locked state and a rotation free state, but the present invention is not limited to this. The branch pipe connecting member 10 may be provided with a mechanism different from that described above instead of the switching mechanism 50, or the switching mechanism 50 may be omitted.

[0111] In the branch pipe connecting member 10 of this embodiment, the operating part 62 is rotatable around the axial center position of the outer tube part 22y on the outer peripheral side of the moving part 40, and the movement in the axial direction relative to the outer tube part 22y is restricted. In addition, in the branch pipe connecting member 10, the power transmission mechanism 60 is formed by screwing the moving part side screw part 40a formed in a spiral shape on the outer peripheral surface of the moving part 40 with the operating part side screw part 68c formed in a spiral shape on the inner peripheral surface of the operating part 62, and the moving part 40 can be moved in the axial direction by rotating the operating part 62. In addition, the branch pipe connecting member 10 of this embodiment is configured such that the operating part 62 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the moving part 40. Therefore, the branch pipe connecting member 10 described above can smoothly move the moving part 40 in the axial direction by applying a sufficient torque to the operating part 62 by applying an appropriate force to the operating part 62 while suppressing the height.

[0112] Moreover, the branch pipe connection member 10 described above has a guide portion 30 that guides the linear member 100, and the guide portion 30 guides the linear member 100 in the axial direction on the inner peripheral member 80 side of the winding portion 26. Therefore, the branch pipe connection member 10 can wind the linear member 100 orderly around the winding portion 26 while guiding the linear member 100 in the axial direction by the guide portion 30. Therefore, with the branch pipe connection member 10, the inner peripheral member 80 can be smoothly drawn to the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe 1 by rotating the winding portion 26 to wind the linear member 100.

[0113] In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the guide portion 30 that guides the linear member 100 is provided is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the branch pipe connecting member 10 may be configured without the guide portion 30, or may be configured to include another member capable of guiding the linear member 100 instead of or in addition to the guide portion 30.

[0114] As described above, the branch pipe connecting member 10 has the winding portion 26 having the winding groove 38, into which the linear member 100 fits, formed helically in the axial direction. Because of this configuration, by rotating the winding portion 26, it becomes possible to wind the linear member 100 orderly along the winding groove 38 provided in the winding portion 26. Therefore, the branch pipe connecting member 10 described above can smoothly wind the linear member 100 around the winding portion 26 without problems such as tangling of the linear member 100.

[0115] In this embodiment, the winding portion 26 is provided with the winding groove 38, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the branch pipe connecting member 10 may be configured without the winding groove 38, or a mechanism for winding the linear member 100 in an orderly manner may be provided in addition to or in place of the winding groove 38.

[0116] In addition, in the above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member 10, the inner peripheral member 80 includes a first inner peripheral piece 82a and a second inner peripheral piece 82b, and the linear member 100 includes a first linear member 100a connected to the first inner peripheral piece 82a and a second linear member 100b connected to the second inner peripheral piece 82b. The winding groove 38 includes a first winding groove 38a for the first linear member 100a and a second winding groove 38b for the second linear member 100b. Therefore, the branch pipe connecting member 10 can have a large amount of movement of the inner peripheral member 80 relative to the amount of rotation of the winding portion 26. Furthermore, if the first winding groove 38a and the second winding groove 38b are configured as two spiral grooves, the first linear member 100a and the second linear member 100b can be wound approximately evenly, and the inner peripheral member 80 can be pulled toward the main pipe 1 in a well-balanced manner. Therefore, according to the branch pipe connecting member 10, the working efficiency of the pulling operation in which the inner peripheral member 80 is pulled to the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe 1 by rotating the winding portion 26 can be improved.

[0117] In the present embodiment, the inner peripheral member 80 includes the first inner peripheral piece 82a and the second inner peripheral piece 82b, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first inner peripheral piece 82a and the second inner peripheral piece 82b may be integrally formed so that the state does not change between the bent state and the extended state, or the inner peripheral member 80 may be formed by combining a number of inner peripheral pieces in addition to the first inner peripheral piece 82a and the second inner peripheral piece 82b. Also, for example, when the configuration of the inner peripheral member 80 is different from that described above, the linear member 100 may be configured differently from the first linear member 100a and the second linear member 100b.

[0118] In the above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member 10, the inner circumferential member 80 is connected to a plurality of abutment pieces (two in this embodiment) so as to be bent and stretchable. In addition, the inner circumferential member 80 can be made compact enough to be introduced into the inside of the main pipe 1 through the opening 3 provided in the main pipe 1 by being bent. Therefore, the above-mentioned branch pipe connecting member 10 allows the operation of introducing the inner circumferential member 80 into the inside of the main pipe 1 to be performed easily and smoothly. In addition, the branch pipe connecting member 10 can change the inner circumferential member 80 from a bent state to an extended state in the process of winding the linear member 100 around the winding portion 26 and drawing the inner circumferential member 80 to the inner circumferential portion of the main pipe 1 by rotating the winding portion 26. Therefore, the branch pipe connecting member 10 can be attached to the main pipe 1 by rotating the winding portion 26 after the inner circumferential member 80 is introduced into the inside of the main pipe 1, and the operation of drawing the inner circumferential member 80 can be completed.

[0119] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications, and other embodiments may be possible within the scope of the claims. The components of the above-mentioned embodiments may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Any component of the embodiment may be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the Summary of the Invention or any component that embodies any component described in the Summary of the Invention. We intend to obtain rights to these as well through amendments to this application or divisional applications. [Industrial Applicability]

[0120] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be suitably used for connecting branch pipes to main pipes in various types of piping, such as water pipes, sewer pipes, and drainage pipes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 1: Main 3:Aperture 5: Branch pipe 10: Branch pipe connection member 20: Peripheral member 22y: Outer cylinder 26: Winding section 26a: Second engaged part 40: Moving part 40a: Moving part side screw part 40c: First engaged part 50: Switching mechanism 52: Engagement body (winding / rotating force acting portion) 56: Protrusion 58: Shaft insertion part 60: Power transmission mechanism 62:Operation unit 68c: Threaded part on the control side 80: Inner circumference member 100: Linear member

Claims

1. A branch pipe connecting member used to connect a branch pipe to a main pipe, an outer circumferential member disposed outside the main pipe and capable of connecting the branch pipe; an inner circumferential member that is introduced into the main pipe and attached to the inner circumferential side of the main pipe around an opening formed in the main pipe; a linear member connecting the inner circumferential member and the outer circumferential member, The outer peripheral member is An outer tubular portion is disposed so that an axial direction thereof intersects with the main pipe; a moving part that is movable in an axial direction of the outer cylinder part; an operating portion that is rotatably operable at a position that is radially outwardly spaced from the outer cylinder portion with respect to the moving portion; a power transmission mechanism that transmits a rotational force generated by rotating the operation unit to the moving unit and moves the moving unit in an axial direction, A connecting portion of the linear member on the outer peripheral member side is movable in the axial direction in conjunction with the moving portion, a winding portion that can rotate around an axial center position of the outer cylinder portion and wind the linear member therearound, a connecting portion of the linear member on the outer peripheral member side is connected to the winding portion, A branch pipe connecting member, wherein the winding portion is movable in the axial direction together with the moving portion.

2. 2. The branch pipe connecting member according to claim 1, wherein the movable portion is restricted in its rotation about the axis of the outer tubular portion.

3. The movable portion is restricted in its rotation about the axis of the outer cylinder portion, The branch pipe connection member described in claim 1, characterized in that it has a switching mechanism that can switch between a rotation locked state in which the winding portion is non-rotatably connected to the moving portion, and a rotation free state in which the winding portion is rotatable relative to the moving portion.

4. A branch pipe connecting member used to connect a branch pipe to a main pipe, an outer circumferential member disposed outside the main pipe and capable of connecting the branch pipe; an inner circumferential member that is introduced into the main pipe and attached to the inner circumferential side of the main pipe around an opening formed in the main pipe; a linear member connecting the inner circumferential member and the outer circumferential member, The outer peripheral member is An outer tubular portion is disposed so that an axial direction thereof intersects with the main pipe; a moving part that is movable in an axial direction of the outer cylinder part; an operating portion that is rotatably operable at a position that is radially outwardly spaced from the outer cylinder portion with respect to the moving portion; a power transmission mechanism that transmits a rotational force generated by rotating the operation unit to the moving unit and moves the moving unit in an axial direction, A connecting portion of the linear member on the outer peripheral member side is movable in the axial direction in conjunction with the moving portion, a winding portion that can rotate around an axial center position of the outer cylindrical portion to wind the linear member; a winding / rotating force acting portion that can apply a rotation force about an axial center position of the outer cylinder portion to the winding portion, The branch pipe connecting member according to claim 1, wherein the power transmission mechanism is capable of transmitting a rotational force to the moving part at a position farther away from an axial center position of the outer tube part than the winding / rotating force acting part is.

5. A branch pipe connecting member used to connect a branch pipe to a main pipe, an outer circumferential member disposed outside the main pipe and capable of connecting the branch pipe; an inner circumferential member that is introduced into the main pipe and attached to the inner circumferential side of the main pipe around an opening formed in the main pipe; a linear member connecting the inner circumferential member and the outer circumferential member, The outer peripheral member is An outer tubular portion is disposed so that an axial direction thereof intersects with the main pipe; a moving part that is movable in an axial direction of the outer cylinder part; an operating portion that is rotatably operable at a position that is radially outwardly spaced from the outer cylinder portion with respect to the moving portion; a power transmission mechanism that transmits a rotational force generated by rotating the operation unit to the moving unit and moves the moving unit in an axial direction, A connecting portion of the linear member on the outer peripheral member side is movable in the axial direction in conjunction with the moving portion, a winding portion that can rotate around an axial center position of the outer cylindrical portion to wind the linear member; a winding / rotating force acting portion capable of applying a rotation force about an axial center position of the outer cylinder portion to the winding portion, A branch pipe connecting member, wherein the winding / rotating force acting portion has a protruding portion that protrudes radially outward from the winding portion.

6. 6. The branch pipe connecting member according to claim 5, wherein the protruding portion is provided with a shaft insertion portion into which a shaft body can be inserted in a tangential direction of rotation of the winding portion.

7. The switching mechanism is A first engaged portion provided on the moving portion; A second engaged portion provided on the winding portion side; an engaging body that can be engaged and disengaged with both the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion; having the engaging body is engaged with both the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion to establish the rotation locked state; The branch pipe connecting member according to claim 3 , wherein the free rotation state can be achieved by disengaging the engaging body from at least one of the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion.

8. The engagement body is slidable along circumferential surfaces of the moving portion and the winding portion, The branch pipe connecting member according to claim 7 , wherein the engaging body can be slidably moved to engage with and disengage from the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion.

9. The branch pipe connection member described in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, when the engaging body is engaged with the second engaged portion, it functions as a winding rotation force acting portion for applying a rotation force to the winding portion about the axial center position of the outer tube portion.

10. the operating portion is rotatable around an axial center position of the outer cylinder portion on an outer peripheral side of the moving portion, and movement of the operating portion in an axial direction relative to the outer cylinder portion is restricted, The power transmission mechanism includes: a movable part-side threaded portion formed in a spiral shape on an outer circumferential surface of the movable part and an operation part-side threaded portion formed in a spiral shape on an inner circumferential surface of the operation part are screwed together, 10. The branch pipe connecting member according to claim 1, wherein the movable portion is movable in the axial direction by rotating the operating portion.

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