Auxiliary tool for a strut bar

Abstract

To provide an aid for a tension pole that can be simply attached / detached and that can prevent the tension pole from falling.SOLUTION: The present invention is for an aid 1 for a tension pole that is composed in a freely stretchable manner by slidably operating a small diameter pipe 92 inserted in a large diameter pipe 91 and that is used to prevent falling of the tension pole 9 in which a large diameter end tool 95 is provided in a drawer side end part of the small diameter pipe 92. In a peripheral wall 11, there is installed a vertically split slot 12 that is continuous along the axial-center direction, with the small diameter pipe 92 provided with a cylindrical elastic aid body 10 having an externally fitting slot. The aid body 10 is composed in an elastically deformable manner so that the vertically split slot 12 is made expandable to a dimension allowing passing of the small diameter pipe 92. The aid body 10 is also composed in a manner capable of embracing the small diameter pipe 92 by an elastic force in a state externally fitted to the drawer part of the small diameter pipe 92 and, in the embraced state, is composed so that the aid body is interposed between the large diameter pipe 9 and the end tool 95.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an auxiliary tool for a tension rod for stably attaching a stretchable tension rod, which is used as a hanger pipe, a mounting shelf, a curtain rail, etc., to a wall surface.

Background Art

[0002] The popular tension rod as a convenient item can be easily attached to dead spaces indoors such as around the kitchen, around the washbasin, the toilet, the entrance, etc., and can be widely used as a hanger pipe for hanging clothes, etc., a mounting shelf for installing small items, and a curtain rail for hanging curtains.

[0003] The tension rod is composed of a stretchable rod, and both ends are pressed against a pair of opposing wall surfaces in a stretched state and assembled between the pair of wall surfaces.

[0004] A general tension rod includes a large-diameter pipe and a small-diameter pipe slidably inserted along the axial direction in the large-diameter pipe. By sliding the small-diameter pipe relative to the large-diameter pipe, it is configured to be stretchable and adjustable in length. Further, in the case of a spring-type tension rod, for example, the sliding movement of the small-diameter pipe in the contraction direction is restricted by the biasing force of a spring housed in the large-diameter pipe, and based on the biasing force, it is maintained in a state of being stretched between a corresponding pair of wall surfaces.

[0005] In such a tension rod, especially when the spring deteriorates due to long-term use and the tension force decreases, there is a risk that the tension rod may fall off the wall surface even when a small load is applied.

[0006] Therefore, in order to prevent the strut bar from falling off, the fixtures shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below have been proposed. This fixture includes a base member that is attached to the wall surface, and engages with the end of the strut bar so as to support it in a U-shaped receiving portion provided on the base member, thereby preventing the strut bar from falling off.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, the fixtures for strut bars shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above have the problem that they need to be accurately attached to a desired position on the wall surface, and this alignment work is troublesome and the attachment work is difficult. Furthermore, since conventional fixtures for strut bars are fixed to the wall surface with an adhesive or double-sided tape, etc., once they are fixed to the wall surface, they are difficult to remove.

[0009] In view of the above problems, the present invention has been made, and an object thereof is to provide an auxiliary tool for a strut bar that can surely prevent the strut bar from falling off and can further easily perform the attachment work and the removal work with one touch.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises the following means.

[0011] [1] An auxiliary tool for a strut bar used to prevent the strut bar from falling off, which is configured to be telescopic by sliding a small-diameter pipe inserted into a large-diameter pipe, and an end fitting having a diameter larger than that of the small-diameter pipe is provided at the leading end of the small-diameter pipe. The auxiliary tool for a strut bar is characterized in that: A cylindrical elastic auxiliary tool body with a slot is provided, in which a longitudinal slot continuous in the axial direction is provided on the peripheral wall and can be externally fitted to the small-diameter pipe. The auxiliary tool body is configured to be elastically deformable so as to expand the longitudinal slot to a size that allows the small-diameter pipe to pass through. The auxiliary tool body is configured to be able to hold the small-diameter pipe by elastic force when externally fitted to the leading end of the small-diameter pipe, and is configured to be interposed between the large-diameter pipe and the end fitting in the held state. An auxiliary tool for a strut bar is characterized by this.

[0012] [2] The auxiliary tool for a strut bar according to item 1 above, wherein the auxiliary tool body is configured to be cuttable by scissors.

[0013] [3] The auxiliary tool for a strut bar according to item 1 or 2 above, wherein a guide piece that protrudes outward and guides the small-diameter pipe into the auxiliary tool body through the longitudinal slot is provided at the opening edge of the longitudinal slot in the auxiliary tool body.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the auxiliary tool for a strut bar of Invention [1], by externally fitting it to the leading end of the small-diameter pipe in the strut bar, the sliding movement of the small-diameter pipe in the contraction direction can be restricted. Therefore, even if the strutting force of the strut bar has decreased due to aging or the like, a desired strutting state can be maintained, and problems such as falling off from the wall surface can be surely prevented. Furthermore, this auxiliary tool can be easily attached only by externally fitting it to the small-diameter pipe using elastic force, and can be easily removed only by pulling it out from the small-diameter pipe.

[0015] According to the auxiliary tool for the strut bar of the invention [2], since it can be cut by scissors, the length can be surely adjusted according to the drawing amount of the small-diameter pipe of the strut bar. Therefore, this auxiliary tool can be surely attached in an appropriate state regardless of the expansion and contraction amount of the strut bar, and the convenience can be improved.

[0016] According to the auxiliary tool for the strut bar of the invention [3], since guide pieces are provided on both side edges of the longitudinal split slot, it can be smoothly externally fitted to the small-diameter pipe of the strut bar by the guidance of the guide pieces, and the attachment work to the strut bar can be made even easier.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] FIGS. 1 to 4 are views showing an auxiliary tool 1 for a strut bar according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in these figures, the auxiliary tool 1 of the present embodiment includes a slotted cylindrical auxiliary tool body 10 with both ends open and a longitudinal split slot (longitudinal split opening) 12 formed along the axial direction on the peripheral wall 11. The auxiliary tool 1 of the present embodiment is auxiliary attached to a strut bar (telescopic bar) 9 to prevent accidental contraction of the strut bar 9 and prevent it from falling off.

[0019] First, the configuration of the strut 9 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the strut 9 includes a large-diameter pipe 91 and a small-diameter pipe 92. The small-diameter pipe 92 is slidably inserted into the large-diameter pipe 91 along the axial direction with their axes aligned. And it is configured to be able to expand and contract by sliding the small-diameter pipe 92 relative to the large-diameter pipe 91. Further, an end fitting 95 having a larger diameter than the small-diameter pipe 92 is provided at the end of the small-diameter pipe 92 on the drawing-out side. Although not shown in the drawing, an end fitting (not shown in the drawing) having a larger diameter than the large-diameter pipe 91 is also provided at the end of the large-diameter pipe 91 on the opposite side (the non-insertion side end of the small-diameter pipe 92). When this strut 9 is extended and the end fittings 95 at both ends are arranged to abut against a pair of wall surfaces, the small-diameter pipe 92 is restricted from sliding in the contraction direction by a contraction restricting means such as a spring, and it is configured to be assembled in a strutting manner between the pair of wall surfaces. In this embodiment, the contraction restricting means is not particularly limited, but as those other than the above spring type, a jack type or a lock type in which a stopper is screwed in is well known.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in the auxiliary tool 1 of this embodiment, the auxiliary tool main body 10 is constituted by an integrally molded product of a rigid synthetic resin having elasticity. The peripheral wall 11 of this auxiliary tool main body 10 is formed in an arc shape whose cross section exceeds a semi-circle, and the width dimension of the longitudinal slit 12 is formed smaller than the inner diameter of the auxiliary tool main body 10.

[0021] Furthermore, the inner diameter dimension of the auxiliary tool main body 10 is formed to be of a size corresponding to the outer diameter dimension of the small-diameter pipe 92 of the strut 9.

[0022] The auxiliary tool body 10 can be elastically deformed to expand (widen) the longitudinal split slot 12 in the circumferential direction (width direction) against its own elastic force, and the width dimension of the longitudinal split slot 12 can be made larger than the outer diameter dimension of the small-diameter pipe 92 of the tension rod 9 by this expansion deformation operation. Therefore, the small-diameter pipe 92 is inserted into the longitudinally split slot 12 after expansion deformation, so that the auxiliary tool body 10 can be externally fitted onto the small-diameter pipe 92, and the externally fitted auxiliary tool body 10 can be removed from the small-diameter pipe 92.

[0023] Also, when the auxiliary tool body 10 is externally fitted onto the small-diameter pipe 92, the auxiliary tool body 10 contracts in diameter due to its own elastic force, the width of the longitudinal split slot 12 becomes smaller than the outer diameter of the small-diameter pipe 92, and further, the auxiliary tool body 10 adheres closely to the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter pipe 92, so that the auxiliary tool body 10 is held and fixed to the small-diameter pipe 92 in a state where it cannot come off.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, guide pieces 2 protruding outward are integrally formed on both side edges of the longitudinal split slot 12 in the peripheral wall 11 of the auxiliary tool 1. The tip of this guide piece 2 is formed so as to bend outward in the width direction of the longitudinal split slot 12. When the auxiliary tool 1 is externally fitted onto the small-diameter pipe 92, the guide piece 2 is guided along the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter pipe 92, so that the external fitting operation of the auxiliary tool 1 onto the small-diameter pipe 92 can be performed smoothly.

[0025] Also, the auxiliary tool 1 of this embodiment is formed in the same cross-sectional shape even when cut at any position in the axial direction. Further, this auxiliary tool 1 is configured to be able to be cut without difficulty by a general pair of scissors, a cutter knife, etc., for example, an office pair of scissors, and its axial length can be adjusted by this cutting. Needless to say, the auxiliary tool 1 of this embodiment may be cut using a cutting tool other than a pair of scissors or a cutter knife, for example, a saw or an outdoor knife.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, to attach the auxiliary tool 1 of the present embodiment to a tension rod 9 assembled in a stretched state between a pair of wall surfaces, first, the length of the auxiliary tool 1 is adjusted to correspond to the drawing amount of the small-diameter pipe 92 in the tension rod 9, precisely to correspond to the distance between the end face on the small-diameter pipe insertion side of the large-diameter pipe 91 and the end fitting 95 at the leading end of the small-diameter pipe 92. For example, if the length of the auxiliary tool 1 is longer than the drawing amount of the small-diameter pipe 92, the auxiliary tool 1 can be cut with pliers or the like for use. If it matches the drawing amount, the auxiliary tool 1 can be used as it is. If the length of the auxiliary tool 1 is shorter than the drawing amount of the small-diameter pipe 92, a plurality of auxiliary tools 1 can be connected and used as described later.

[0027] After adjusting the length, as shown in FIG. 3, while arranging the auxiliary tool 1 with its axis parallel to the axis of the tension rod 9, the guide pieces 2 at both side opening edges in the longitudinal split slot 12 of the auxiliary tool 1 are opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter pipe 92 of the tension rod 9, and in this state, the auxiliary tool 1 is strongly pushed toward the small-diameter pipe 92 side. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, as the guide pieces 2 of the auxiliary tool 1 move along the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter pipe 92, the auxiliary tool 1 elastically deforms so that the longitudinal split slot 12 expands, and the small-diameter pipe 92 passes through the slot 12. Thereafter, due to the elastic restoring force, the longitudinal split slot 12 narrows and the auxiliary tool 1 is externally fitted to the small-diameter pipe 92. In the state where the auxiliary tool 1 is externally fitted to the small-diameter pipe 92 in this way, since the auxiliary tool 1 holds the small-diameter pipe 92 by the elastic force, the auxiliary tool 1 is surely attached without coming off.

[0028] In this attached state (holding state), the auxiliary tool 1 is interposed between the large-diameter pipe 91 and the end fitting 95 of the tension rod 9, and both end faces of the auxiliary tool 1 are configured to be locked to the end face of the large-diameter pipe 91 and the end face of the end fitting 95. Therefore, the auxiliary tool 1 functions as a spacer between the large-diameter pipe 91 and the end fitting 95. For this reason, even if the tension force of the tension rod 9 decreases due to aging deterioration or the like, the small-diameter pipe 92 does not slide and contract inadvertently, so the tension rod 9 can maintain the tension state and surely prevent problems such as falling off from the wall surface.

[0029] On the other hand, when removing the auxiliary tool 1 from the strut bar 9, the auxiliary tool 1 may be pulled out in the direction opposite to the mounting direction (the direction on the side where the longitudinal split slot 12 is not formed). As a result, the auxiliary tool 1 is elastically deformed so that the longitudinal split slot 12 expands, and the small-diameter pipe 92 passes through the slot 12, so that the auxiliary tool 1 can be detached from the small-diameter pipe 92 and removed.

[0030] In addition, when the extraction amount of the small-diameter pipe 92 in the strut bar 9 assembled between the pair of wall surfaces is longer than the length of the auxiliary tool 1, a plurality of auxiliary tools 1 may be arranged in series so as to be aligned in the axial direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, two auxiliary tools 1 are respectively fitted into the small-diameter pipe 92 in the same manner as described above, and the auxiliary tools 1 are arranged in series without gaps over the entire length direction of the extraction portion of the small-diameter pipe 92. Needless to say, if it is too long with two auxiliary tools 1, the total length of the auxiliary tools 1 arranged in series may be adjusted by cutting one of the auxiliary tools 1 (for example, the left side in FIG. 5) with pliers or the like. Even when a plurality of auxiliary tools 1 are attached in a series arrangement in this way, the contraction of the strut bar 9 can be prevented in the same manner as described above, and the detachment can be surely prevented.

[0031] As described above, according to the auxiliary tool 1 of the present embodiment, by fitting into the extraction portion of the small-diameter pipe 92 in the strut bar 9, the sliding movement in the contraction direction of the small-diameter pipe 92 is restricted, and it functions as a spacer (intervening object) between the large-diameter pipe 91 and the end fitting 95. Therefore, even if the strutting force of the strut bar 9 has decreased due to long-term use or the like, the strut bar 9 can surely maintain the desired strutting state and surely prevent problems such as falling off from the wall surface.

[0032] In addition, the auxiliary tool 1 of the present embodiment can be attached only by pressing it against the strut bar 9 from the side, and can be removed only by pulling it laterally with respect to the strut bar 9. In this way, the attachment and detachment operation of the auxiliary tool 1 can be easily and surely performed with one touch.

[0033] Also, in the present embodiment, since the guide pieces 2 are provided on both side edges of the vertical split slot 12 in the auxiliary tool 1, the auxiliary tool 1 can be smoothly externally fitted onto the small-diameter pipe 92 of the strut bar 9 by the guidance of the guide pieces 2, and the attachment work to the strut bar 9 can be made even easier.

[0034] Moreover, since the auxiliary tool 1 of the present embodiment can be cut by office scissors or the like, the length of the auxiliary tool 1 can be surely adjusted corresponding to the drawing-out amount of the small-diameter pipe 92 of the strut bar 9. For this reason, regardless of the expansion and contraction amount of the strut bar 9, the auxiliary tool 1 can be surely attached in an appropriate state, and the convenience can be further improved.

[0035] In the above embodiment, a cylindrical auxiliary tool 1 (auxiliary tool main body 10) is used, but the auxiliary tool 1 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and a square tube shape with a polygonal cross-section, an elliptical tube shape or an oblong tube shape may be used. However, in the present invention, it is preferable to use a cylindrical auxiliary tool so as to fit onto the small-diameter pipe of a commercially available and very common strut bar.

Industrial Applicability

[0036] The auxiliary tool for a strut bar of this invention can be suitably used as a tool for preventing the detachment of a strut bar attached to a wall surface.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0037] 1: Auxiliary tool for a strut bar 10: Auxiliary tool main body 11: Peripheral wall 12: Vertical split slot 2: Guide piece 9: Strut bar 91: Large-diameter pipe 92: Small-diameter pipe 95: End fitting

Claims

1. An auxiliary tool for a strut bar used to prevent the strut bar from falling off, which is configured to be telescopic by sliding a small-diameter pipe inserted into a large-diameter pipe, and an end fitting having a larger diameter than the small-diameter pipe is provided at the leading end of the small-diameter pipe. The auxiliary tool for a strut bar is characterized in that: it is provided with a longitudinally split slot that is continuous in the axial direction on the peripheral wall, and includes a cylindrical auxiliary tool body with a slot that can be externally fitted to the small-diameter pipe; the auxiliary tool body is configured to be elastically deformable so as to expand the longitudinally split slot to a size that allows the small-diameter pipe to pass through; the auxiliary tool body is configured to be able to hold the small-diameter pipe by elastic force in a state where it is externally fitted to the leading end of the small-diameter pipe, and in the holding state, it is configured to be interposed between the large-diameter pipe and the end fitting.

2. The auxiliary tool for a strut bar according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary tool body is configured to be cuttable by scissors.

3. The auxiliary tool for a strut bar according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a guide piece that protrudes outward and guides the small-diameter pipe into the auxiliary tool body through the longitudinally split slot is provided at the opening edge of the longitudinally split slot in the auxiliary tool body.

Images