Tripod connection fixture and tripod connection and fixing method

Abstract

To provide a tripod connection fixture and a tripod fixation method capable of realizing a tripod with an excellent tripod, without appearing on the appearance of the connected and fixed tripod.SOLUTION: A tripod connection fixture 10 for connecting and fixing three prismatic rods intersecting each other like a tripod, has a flat plate part 12, and three rising parts 14 rising at regular intervals from an outer peripheral part of the flat plate part 12. Each of the three rising parts 14 rises at the same angle with respect to the flat plate part 12 so as to be inclined in a circumferential direction of the flat plate part 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tripod connecting fixture and a tripod connecting and fixing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, connecting fasteners have been proposed for connecting and fixing the intersections of tripods used as supports for hanging clothing, tools, etc., or as frameworks for tarps, tents, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a trident structure in which three pipes are intersected, bolt insertion holes are drilled in each pipe at the intersection, and a trident bolt is inserted into each bolt insertion hole and fastened with a nut to form an integrated structure. Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a tripod support structure in which three pillars are intersected, insertion holes are drilled in each pillar at the intersection, and a pivot body with pivots protruding in three directions is disposed, and pillars are attached to the ends of each pivot through each insertion hole and fastened with nuts to form an integrated structure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-42785 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 2-12598 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned conventional three-pronged structures and tripod support structures, when the tripod is connected and fixed together and viewed from the outside, the nuts, three-pronged bolts, and part of the pivot body are clearly visible on the exterior, which mars the appearance of the tripod.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tripod connecting and fixing device and a tripod connecting and fixing method that are unlikely to be visible on the exterior of the connected and fixed tripod and that can realize a tripod with excellent appearance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The tripod connecting fixture of the present invention is a tripod connecting fixture for connecting and fixing three rod-shaped members that are crossed with each other in a tripod shape, and is characterized in that it has a flat plate-shaped flat portion and three rising portions that rise at equal intervals from the outer periphery of the flat portion, and each of the three rising portions rises at the same angle relative to the flat portion so as to be inclined in the circumferential direction of the flat portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tripod connecting fixture and a tripod connecting and fixing method that are unlikely to be visible on the exterior of the connected and fixed tripod, making it possible to realize a tripod with excellent appearance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire side table equipped with a tripod connected and fixed by a tripod connecting fixture according to the first embodiment, and Q is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the tripod connecting fixture. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view seen from below of a side table equipped with a tripod connected and fixed by a tripod connecting fixture according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tripod connecting fixture according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a front view of a tripod connecting fixture according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the entire tarp connected and fixed by a tripod connecting fixture according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the intersection position of the tripods in a tarp equipped with tripods connected and fixed by a tripod connecting fixture according to a second embodiment, viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a tripod connecting fixture according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a front view of a tripod connecting fixture according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. In the first embodiment, a tripod connecting fixture 10 for connecting and fixing a tripod 6 of a side table 2 as shown in Fig. 1 will be illustrated. As shown in Fig. 1, the side table 2 comprises a tabletop 4 and tripods 6 as legs. The tabletop 4 is substantially triangular in plan view (see Fig. 2) and has a certain thickness. The tripod 6 is made up of three prismatic rods (rod-like members) 8 that intersect with each other, and their lower ends are grounded. The three prismatic rods 8 that make up the tripod 6 are identical wooden prismatic members with a square cross section, and are equal in length, cross-sectional width, etc.

[0010] The three prismatic rods 8 that make up the tripod 6 intersect at equal angles at positions equidistant from one end of each rod, and are connected and fixed to one another at this intersection point P1 by a tripod connecting fixture 10. As a result, the height positions of the lower ends and upper ends of the three prismatic rods 8 of the tripod 6 are aligned. In this embodiment, the intersection point P1 of the three prismatic rods 8 is located at a height position that is approximately two-thirds of the overall height of the tripod 6. The tripod connecting fixture 10 is attached to the tripod 6 below the intersection point P1.

[0011] A plate-like bottom panel 9, which is the same shape as the top panel 4 but slightly smaller than the top panel 4, is attached to the underside of the tabletop 4 that constitutes the side table 2. The upper ends of the three rectangular rods 8, which are aligned at the same height, are machined flat and connected to the bottom panel 9, and are fixed with screws from the front side of the bottom panel 9. The heads of the screws that secure the three rectangular rods 8 are covered by the tabletop 4 that is attached to the bottom panel 9. On the other hand, the lower ends of the three rectangular rods 8, which are aligned at the same height, are not flat, and the corners of each lower end are set at points on the installation surface. This enhances the design of the installed side table 2.

[0012] The tripod connecting fixture 10 will now be described in detail. The tripod connecting fixture 10 is made of metal, and as shown in Figures 3 and 4, has a flat plate-shaped portion 12 and three raised portions 14 that rise in a plate-like shape from the outer periphery of the flat plate portion 12. The flat plate portion 12 and each raised portion 14 are integrally formed by metal processing, and have a strong structure with a uniform thickness.

[0013] 2, the tripod connecting fixture 10 is attached to the tripod 6 by screwing it in such a way that the plate surfaces of the three rising portions 14 abut against the inward-facing surfaces of the three prismatic rods 8 that make up the tripod 6 near the intersection point P1 of the three prismatic rods 8. In the following description, the side from which the rising portions 14 rise relative to the flat plate portion 12 will be referred to as the front side of the tripod connecting fixture 10, and the opposite side will be referred to as the back side of the tripod connecting fixture 10.

[0014] The flat plate portion 12 has a substantially hexagonal shape in a plan view. Specifically, the three end sides (hereinafter referred to as "first end sides 12a") that are not adjacent to each other in a plan view of the outer periphery of the flat plate portion 12 are equal in length, and the three end sides (hereinafter referred to as "second end sides 12b") that connect two first end sides 12c and are not adjacent to each other are equal in length. A notch 12c that is cut out in a curved line in a plan view is provided between the first end side 12a and the second end side 12b. Due to the provision of the notch 12c, the first end side 12a and the second end piece 12b have substantially the same length. Furthermore, the three pairs of first end sides 12a and second end sides 12b that constitute opposite sides are all non-parallel. Thus, the flat plate portion 12 has a deformed hexagonal shape in a plan view.

[0015] The three raised portions 14 have the same shape and dimensions and rise from the entire area of ​​each first end edge 12a of the outer periphery of the flat plate portion 12. Each raised portion 14 has a rectangular plate-like portion rising from the first end edge 12a and a circular plate-like tip. The rectangular plate-like portion and the circular plate-like portion of each raised portion 14 are continuous on the same plane and have the same thickness. The circular plate-like portion of each raised portion 14 has a screw hole 14a through which a screw is inserted when attaching the tripod connecting fixture 10 to the tripod 6. Each screw hole 14a is a conical through-hole (countersunk) whose diameter expands from the outside (the opposite side from the flat plate portion 12) toward the inside so that a flat head screw can be fastened from the inside (the flat plate portion 12 side).

[0016] As shown in FIG. 4, each of the raised portions 14 has an outer corner (the side opposite to the flat plate portion 12) that rises from the flat plate portion 12, chamfered in an R-shape. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in a plan view of the tripod connecting fixture 10 seen from the front side, each of the raised portions 14 rises at the same angle relative to the flat plate portion 12 so as to be inclined clockwise in the circumferential direction of the flat plate portion 12. Furthermore, each of the raised portions 14 rises at the same angle so as to open outward from the flat plate portion 12 (the side opposite to the flat plate portion 12). In other words, the angle θ between the flat plate portion 12 and the raised portion 14 is an obtuse angle. Therefore, each of the raised portions 14 is provided so as to be point-symmetrical with respect to the center position C1 of the flat plate portion 12.

[0017] The angle of inclination of the flat plate portion 12 in the circumferential direction at each rising portion 14 and the angle of inclination that opens outward from the flat plate portion 12 can be determined according to the intersection angle of the three prismatic rods 8 that make up the tripod 6 to which the tripod connecting fixture 10 is attached. In other words, the angle of intersection of the three prismatic rods 8 can be determined according to the angle of inclination of the flat plate portion 12 in the circumferential direction at each rising portion 14 and the angle of inclination that opens outward from the flat plate portion 12.

[0018] Next, a connecting and fixing method for connecting and fixing three prismatic rods 8 that make up a tripod 6 using a tripod connecting fixture 10 according to the embodiment will be described. First, the tripod connecting fixture 10 is placed at least above or below the intersection P1 where the three prismatic rods 8 intersect, so that the flat plate portion 12 is surrounded by the three prismatic rods 8 (placement process). In the example of the tripod 6 that makes up the side table 2 described above, the tripod connecting fixture 10 is attached only below the intersection P1 of the three prismatic rods 8. The tripod connecting fixture 10 can be attached either above or below the intersection P1, or to both the top and bottom, depending on the intersection P1 of the three prismatic rods 8 and the required strength of the connection and fixation.

[0019] When placing the tripod connecting fixture 10 below the intersection position P1, it is placed with its back side facing upward, leaving a small gap S (see the enlarged view of part Q in Figure 1) between the flat plate portion 12 and the intersection position P1. At this time, the tripod connecting fixture 10 is placed below the intersection position P1 so that the outer surfaces of each rising portion 14 (the surfaces opposite the flat plate portion 12) abut against the inner surfaces of the three prismatic rods 8 (the surfaces facing the flat plate portion 12, the surfaces where the three prismatic rods 8 face each other). Note that when placing the tripod connecting fixture 10 above the intersection position P1, it is placed with its front side facing upward.

[0020] Next, each of the rising portions 14 arranged between the three prismatic rods 8 is fixed to the inner surfaces of the three prismatic rods 8 (fixing process). At this time, flat head screws are fastened from the inside into the screw holes 14a provided in each rising portion 14, thereby fixing each rising portion 14 to each prismatic rod 8. Through the above procedure, the tripod connecting fixture 10 can be attached between the three prismatic rods 8 that make up the tripod 6, and the three prismatic rods 8 can be connected and fixed together.

[0021] As described above, in the tripod connecting fixture 10 according to this embodiment, each of the rising portions 14 rises at the same angle relative to the flat plate portion 12 so as to be inclined in the circumferential direction of the flat plate portion 12. Therefore, in accordance with the intersection angle of the three prismatic rods 8 that make up the tripod 6, the tripod connecting fixture 10 can be positioned so that the outer surface of each rising portion 14 abuts against the inner surface of each prismatic rod 8 near the intersection position P1 of the three prismatic rods 8. Then, each rising portion 14 can be fixed to the inner surfaces of the three prismatic rods 8 by, for example, screwing the screw holes 14a of each rising portion 14 from the inside.

[0022] The tripod connecting fixture 10 attached between the three prismatic rods 8 in the above manner is positioned between the three prismatic rods 8 below the intersection position P1 of the three prismatic rods 8, making it difficult to see when viewing the tripod 6 from the outside. Furthermore, the heads of the screws used to fasten the tripod connecting fixture 10 to each prismatic rod 8 are visible inside the screw holes 14a of each rising portion 14, making it difficult to see when viewing the tripod 6 from the outside. In this way, the tripod connecting fixture 10 is difficult to see on the exterior of the connected and fixed tripod 6, resulting in a tripod 6 and side table 2 with excellent appearance.

[0023] Furthermore, in the tripod connecting fixture 10, each rising portion 14 rises outward from the flat plate portion 12. Therefore, each of the three prismatic rods 8 that make up the tripod 6 can be connected and fixed by the tripod connecting fixture 10 according to the various intersection angles of the three prismatic rods 8.

[0024] Furthermore, in the tripod connecting fixture 10, the flat plate portion 12 is substantially hexagonal, and each rising portion 14 rises in a plate-like shape from a first end side 12a, which is one of three non-adjacent sides of the flat plate portion 12. This makes it possible to provide a specific configuration for the tripod connecting fixture 10, which allows the tripod connecting fixture 10 to be arranged with the outer surface of each rising portion 14 abutting against the inner surfaces of three prismatic rods 8 that intersect with each other at the same intersecting angle.

[0025] Furthermore, in the tripod connecting fixture 10, the outside of each rising portion 14 at the corner rising from the flat plate portion 12 is chamfered in an R shape. This prevents the corners from scratching the inner surface of the prismatic rod 8. Furthermore, since a gap is created between the outer surface of the rising portion 14 and the inner surface of the prismatic rod 8 at the chamfered portion, if stress that tends to bend inward occurs in each prismatic rod 8 near the intersection position P1 of the three prismatic rods 8 connected and fixed by the tripod connecting fixture 10, this stress can be released by the gap.

[0026] The method for connecting and fixing the tripod 6 includes an arrangement step of arranging the tripod connecting fixture 10 at least above or below the intersection position P1 where the three prismatic rods 8 intersect so that the flat portion 12 is surrounded by the three prismatic rods 8, and a fixing step of fixing each of the three rising portions 14 to the surface of the three prismatic rods 8 facing the flat portion 12. In this way, the three prismatic rods 8 are connected and fixed by the tripod connecting fixture 10, and the tripod connecting fixture 10 can be attached between the three prismatic rods 8 in a way that is not easily visible on the outside of the tripod 6.

[0027] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 8. In the second embodiment, a tripod connecting and fixing device 60 for connecting and fixing a tripod 56 of a tarp 52, for example, as shown in Figure 5, will be illustrated. As shown in Figure 5, the tarp 52 comprises a fabric part 54 and a tripod 56 serving as a frame. The tripod 56 is made up of three rectangular rods 58 that cross each other, and the lower ends of the tripod 56 are grounded. The three rectangular rods 58 that make up the tripod 56 are identical wooden rectangular rod members with a square cross section, and are equal in length, cross-sectional width, etc.

[0028] The three prismatic rods 58 constituting the tripod 56 are longer in length than the three prismatic rods 8 in the first embodiment, and their intersection position P2 is located at a higher position than the intersection position P1 of the three prismatic rods 8 in the first embodiment. The intersection angle of the three prismatic rods 58 at its acute angle is smaller than the intersection angle of the three prismatic rods 8 in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the vicinity of the intersection position P2, the distance between the three prismatic rods 58 is narrower than the distance between the three prismatic rods 58 in the vicinity of the intersection position P1 in the first embodiment.

[0029] In the tarp 52, the fabric portion 54 is stretched in two of the three spaces formed between the three rectangular rods 58 below the intersection position P2. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, in the tarp 52, tripod connection fixtures 60 are attached to both the upper and lower sides of the intersection position P2. (In FIG. 6, for the purpose of explanation, one of the three rectangular rods 58 is shown in a see-through view.) By attaching the tripod connection fixtures 60 to both the upper and lower sides of the intersection position P2 in this way, in the tarp 52, the three rectangular rods 58 are firmly connected and fixed by the two tripod connection fixtures 60.

[0030] Like the tripod connecting fixture 10 of the first embodiment, the tripod connecting fixture 60 is made of metal and has a flat plate portion 62 and three raised portions 64 that rise in a plate-like shape from the outer periphery of the flat plate portion 62 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Also, like the tripod connecting fixture 10 of the first embodiment, the flat plate portion 62 has a modified hexagonal shape with a first end side 62a, a second end side 62b, and a notched portion 62c, and each raised portion 64 is provided with a screw hole 64a. The three raised portions 64 rise from the entire area of ​​each first end side 62a in a manner that is point-symmetrical with respect to the center position C2 of the flat plate portion 62. The tripod connecting fixture 60 differs from the tripod connecting fixture 10 of the first embodiment in the length relationship between the first end side 62a and the second end side 62b and the rising angle of each raised portion 64.

[0031] In the flat plate portion 62, the length of the first end side 62a and the length of the second end side 62b are different (the length of the first end side 62a > the length of the second end side 62b). Furthermore, the angle of inclination of each rising portion 64 clockwise in the circumferential direction of the flat plate portion 62 is smaller than the angle of inclination of the tripod connecting fixture 10 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the angle of inclination of each rising portion 64, which inclines in a manner opening outward from the flat plate portion 62, is smaller than the angle of inclination of the tripod connecting fixture 10 in the first embodiment. Therefore, each rising portion 64 rises in a manner closer to perpendicular to the flat plate portion 62 compared to each rising portion 14 in the tripod connecting fixture 10 in the first embodiment.

[0032] As described above, because each rising portion 64 rises nearly perpendicular to the flat plate portion 62, even if the space between the three rectangular rods 58 on which the tripod connecting fixture 60 is placed is narrow, the tripod connecting fixture 60 can be placed with the outer surface of each rising portion 64 abutting against the inner surface of the three rectangular rods 58.

[0033] As explained above, the tripod connecting fixture 10 according to the second embodiment is disposed between the three prismatic rods 58 on both the upper and lower sides of the intersection position P2 of the three prismatic rods 58, and is therefore difficult to see when the tripod 56 is viewed from the outside. Furthermore, the heads of the screws used to secure the tripod connecting fixture 60 to the prismatic rods 58 are also difficult to see when the tripod 56 is viewed from the outside. In this way, the tripod connecting fixture 60 is difficult to see on the outside of the connected and fixed tripod 56, and as a result, it is possible to achieve a tripod 56 and tarp 52 that look good.

[0034] The above-described embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also encompassed by the claims and their equivalents. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the tripod connecting fixtures 10, 60 are fastened to the three prismatic rods 8, 58 that make up the tripod 6, 56 with flat head screws. However, other types of screws or fastening methods other than screw fastening may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 2 side tables 4 table tops 6 tripods 8 rectangular poles 10 Tripod connection fixture 12 Flat plate part 12a First edge 12b Second edge 12c Notch 14 Rising portion 14a screw hole 52 tarp 54 Fabric part 56 Tripod 58 Square rod 60 Tripod connection fixture 62 Flat plate part 62a First end side 62b Second edge 62c Notch 64 Rising portion 64a Screw hole C1,C2 center position P1, P2 intersection position S: Gap (between the flat plate and the intersection) θ (angle between flat plate and rising part)

Claims

1. A tripod connecting fixture for connecting and fixing three rod-shaped members that are crossed with each other in a tripod shape, a flat plate portion having a substantially hexagonal shape; a plate-like member provided with screw holes, and three rising portions rising at equal intervals from three non-adjacent sides of the outer periphery of the flat plate portion; each of the three rising portions rises in a manner opening outward from the flat plate portion at the same angle relative to the flat plate portion so as to be inclined in the circumferential direction of the flat plate portion; the flat plate portion is disposed so as to be surrounded by the three rod-shaped members at least on one side above or below the intersection of the three rod-shaped members; A tripod connecting fixture characterized by:

2. 2. The tripod connecting fixture according to claim 1, wherein each of the three rising portions has a rounded corner rising from the flat portion.

3. A tripod connection and fixing method for connecting and fixing three rod-shaped members crossed each other in a tripod shape using the tripod connection and fixing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, an arrangement step of arranging the tripod connection fixture so that the flat plate portion is surrounded by the three rod-shaped members at least above or below the intersection position of the three rod-shaped members; a fixing step of fixing each of the three rising portions to a surface of the three rod-shaped members facing the flat plate portion; A tripod connection and fixing method comprising:

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