Joining device and joining method for joining target components

Abstract

This coupling device comprises: an attachment / detachment member 20 attachable / detachable to / from a lattice; a first coupling member 21 and a second coupling member 22 which are provided to the attachment / detachment member 20; and a connection member 23 which is provided to the attachment / detachment member 20 and connects the first coupling member 21 and the second coupling member 22. The first coupling member 21 and the second coupling member 22 respectively have: long holes; arcuate sections 51a, 51b respectively provided on lower outer peripheral sections of the first coupling member 21 and the second coupling member 22; and semi-circular arcuate sections that can be coupled to the lattice, wherein the connection member 23 has a fixed shaft 24 which extends horizontally and is inserted into each of the long holes of the first coupling member 21 and the second coupling member 22.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a joining device and a method for joining members to be joined using the joining device. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, shallow drainage gutters are installed along the shoulders of expressways to drain rainwater and other water. These gutters are equipped with rectangular drainage openings at regular intervals, each with a grating covering the opening. This structure prevents foreign objects from falling into the openings and allows water to be discharged into a drainage pipe buried beneath the road shoulder. Patent Document 1, for example, describes a known connecting device for connecting and securing a grating to a drainage gutters. This connecting device involves placing a frame connector with a nut on a horizontal support frame of a support frame installed in the drainage gutters, and placing the grating on the support frame. The grating is then secured to the drainage gutters by threading fixing bolts inserted through each cover connecting plate on the grating into the nut on the frame connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-17014 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to rectify the flow of water from the drainage gutter to the grating, a step filling member may be installed on the grating to fill in the step between the drainage gutter and the road surface. This step filling member needs to be connected to the grating with an appropriate connecting device to prevent it from moving onto the road due to the influence of wind or water currents or contact with vehicles. Therefore, it is considered to use the connecting device described in Patent Document 1 to connect this step filling member to the grating.

[0005] However, when using the connecting device described in Patent Document 1 to join this step filling member to the grating, it is necessary to place a frame connecting part on the grating each time a step filling member is installed on the grating, and to screw the fixing bolt inserted into the connecting member into the nut part of the frame connecting part, which creates the problem of increased labor hours required to install the step filling member on the grating.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a connecting device that can easily connect a grating and a step filling member while reducing the number of steps. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The coupling device according to the present invention comprises a detachable member that is detachable from a first coupled member, a first coupling member provided on the detachable member, a second coupling member provided on the detachable member, a connecting member provided on the detachable member and connecting the first coupling member and the second coupling member, and a third coupling member connected to the detachable member and coupled to the second coupled member, wherein the first coupling member and the second coupling member each have an elongated hole, a contact portion provided on the lower outer periphery of the first coupling member and the second coupling member and having one end located higher than the other end, and a hook portion provided on one end of the contact portion and connectable to the first coupled member, the connecting member extending horizontally and having at least one fixed shaft inserted into each of the elongated holes of the first coupling member and the second coupling member, the first coupling member and the second coupling member being supported so as to be rotatable about the fixed shaft and movably relative to the fixed shaft, When the detachable member is not attached to the first attachment target member, and the detachable member moves downward, the contact portions of the first attachment member and the second attachment member are pressed by the first attachment target member, and the first attachment member and the second attachment member rotate about the fixed shaft so that one end of each contact portion moves upward, and move relative to the fixed shaft in a direction that shortens the distance from the contact portion of the first attachment member to the contact portion of the second attachment member. Next, when the detachable member moves further downward and the contact portions of the first attachment target member and the first attachment member and the second attachment member are separated, the first attachment member and the second attachment member move relative to the fixed shaft in a direction that lengthens the distance from the contact portion of the first attachment member to the contact portion of the second attachment member. Next, when the detachable member moves upward, the hook-shaped portions of the first attachment member and the second attachment member are connected to the first attachment target member, and the detachable member is the 1. Connected to the connecting target component.

[0008] Furthermore, the first connecting member and the second connecting member each have a release arm that is provided above the hook-shaped portions and extends in a direction intersecting the direction extending along the contact portions, and when the hook-shaped portions of the first connecting member and the second connecting member are connected to the first target member, when the detachable member moves downward, the release arms of the first connecting member and the second connecting member are pressed from below to above by the first target member, and the first connecting member and the second connecting member rotate around the fixed shaft so that the release arms move upward, and then, when the detachable member moves further downward and the first target member and the release arms of the first connecting member and the second connecting member are separated from each other, the first connecting member and the second connecting member rotate around the fixed shaft so that the release arms move downward, and then, when the detachable member moves vertically upward, the release arms of the first connecting member and the second connecting member No. 1 Joining target part Material The detachable member may be pressed downward by the first connecting member and the second connecting member, and the first connecting member and the second connecting member may be rotated around the fixed axis so that each release arm moves downward, thereby releasing the connection between the detachable member and the first connecting target member. In addition, the first connecting member may have a first arc-shaped gear, and the second connecting member may have a second arc-shaped gear, and the first arc-shaped gear and the second arc-shaped gear may be capable of meshing with each other when the first connecting member and the second connecting member rotate around a fixed axis or move relative to the fixed axis. Furthermore, the contact portions of the first and second coupling members may be arc-shaped portions. Furthermore, the contact portion of the first connecting member and the second connecting member may be a straight portion. The device may also include a joint member with two degrees of freedom that connects the connecting member and the third connecting member, the first connecting member being a grating, and the second connecting member being a gap filling member that fills the gap between the grating and the road surface on which the grating is installed. The second connection target member may be a boom of a crane apparatus. The second connecting target member may also be a prize acquisition device. Furthermore, the second connecting target member may be a drone, and at least two detachable members may be provided for one drone. The connecting member may have a guide bar member, and the first connecting target member may have a guide member that guides the guide bar member. Furthermore, a spacer may be provided between the connecting member and the first joining member, and between the connecting member and the second joining member. The third connecting member may also be an expandable mechanism.

[0009] The system may further include a rope engaging member connecting at least two of the detachable members, the third connecting member being a rope extending vertically formed by twisting together a plurality of strands, the first connecting member having a lower part to which the object to be hung is connected and an upper part having a ring-shaped member to which each of the detachable members can be attached and detached, and the rope engaging member may engage with the strands that form the outer shape of the rope. A rope fixing member may be provided at the lower end of the rope, and an object fixing member that can be coupled to the rope fixing member may be provided at the bottom of the object to be suspended. The apparatus may also have a capsule member that is attached to the upper side of the rope engaging member so as to be able to open and close, and that is formed so as to be able to house the rope engaging member and the detachable member when closed. The rope engaging member may further include a tubular member extending vertically and accommodating the first connecting target member, and the rope engaging member may have a guide rail, and a threaded portion may be formed on at least one of the inside and outside of the side wall of the tubular member so that it can be threaded onto the guide rail.

[0010] Furthermore, a method of connecting members to be connected according to the present invention includes a detachable member that is detachable from a first member to be connected, a first connecting member provided on the detachable member, a second connecting member provided on the detachable member, a connecting member provided on the detachable member and connecting the first connecting member and the second connecting member, and a third connecting member connected to the detachable member and connected to the second member to be connected, wherein the first connecting member and the second connecting member each have an elongated hole, a contact portion provided on the lower outer periphery of the first connecting member and the second connecting member and having one end located higher than the other end, and a hook portion provided on one end of the contact portion and connectable to the first member to be connected, the connecting member extends horizontally and has a fixed shaft that is inserted into each of the elongated holes of the first connecting member and the second connecting member, and the first connecting member and the second connecting member are supported rotatably about the fixed shaft and movably relative to the fixed shaft, When not coupled, when the detachable member moves downward, the contact portions of the first coupling member and the second coupling member are pressed by the first coupling target member, and the first coupling member and the second coupling member rotate about the fixed axis so that one end of each contact portion moves upward and move relative to the fixed axis in a direction that shortens the distance from the contact portion of the first coupling member to the contact portion of the second coupling member; next, when the detachable member moves further downward and the contact portions of the first coupling target member and the first and second coupling members are separated, the first coupling member and the second coupling member move relative to the fixed axis in a direction that lengthens the distance from the contact portion of the first coupling member to the contact portion of the second coupling member; next, when the detachable member moves upward, the hook-shaped portions of the first coupling member and the second coupling member connect to the first coupling target member, thereby coupling the detachable member to the first coupling target member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, a joining device including a detachable member that can be attached to and detached from the member to be joined, a first joining member provided on the detachable member, a second joining member, and a connecting member that connects the first joining member and the second joining member can be used to reduce labor and easily join a grating and a step filling member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a coupling device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a front view of the first connecting member and the second connecting member shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a front view showing an initial state of the detachable member shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic view of a first step-filling member according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is a schematic view of a second step filling member according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a drainage gutter and grating according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a first step filling member and a second step filling member are attached to a grating according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is a schematic view showing a joining device attached to a first step filling member according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 is a schematic view showing a joining device attached to a second step filling member according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a first state of the mounting holes of the first and second step filling members according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a second state of the mounting holes of the first and second step filling members according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a third state of the mounting holes of the first and second step filling members according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth state of the mounting holes of the first and second step filling members according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a fifth state of the mounting holes of the first and second step filling members according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a sixth state of the mounting holes of the first and second step filling members according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a seventh state of the mounting holes of the first and second step filling members according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 17] 4 is a schematic view showing an upper portion of a first step filling member when a detachable member according to the first embodiment is positioned below an attachment hole. FIG. [Figure 18] 10 is a schematic view showing an upper portion of a second step filling member when the detachable member according to the first embodiment is positioned below the mounting hole. FIG. [Figure 19] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an eighth state of the mounting holes of the first and second step filling members according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 20] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a ninth state of the mounting holes of the first and second step filling members according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 21] 4 is a schematic view showing an upper part of a first step filling member according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 22] 4 is a schematic view showing an upper part of a second step filling member according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 23] 4 is a schematic view showing an upper portion of a first step filling member when the step filling member connecting member according to the first embodiment is rotated in the vertical direction. FIG. [Figure 24] 10 is a schematic view showing an upper portion of a second step filler when the step filler joining member according to the first embodiment is rotated in the vertical direction. FIG. [Figure 25] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a tenth state of the mounting holes of the first and second step filling members according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 26] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an eleventh state of the mounting holes of the first and second step filling members according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 27] 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a twelfth state of the mounting holes of the first and second step filling members according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 28] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a thirteenth state of the mounting holes of the first and second step filling members according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 29] 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourteenth state of the mounting holes of the first and second step filling members according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 30] 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the fifteenth state of the mounting holes of the first and second step filling members according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 31]FIG. 10 is a front view of a first coupling member and a second coupling member according to the second embodiment. [Figure 32] 10 is a front view showing an initial state of a detachable member provided in a coupling device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 33] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a method of using the coupling device according to the third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 34] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a prize acquisition device according to embodiment 4. FIG. [Figure 35] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a coupling device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 36] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a coupling device according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 37] 13 is a schematic side view of a detachable member of a coupling device according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. [Figure 38] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a coupling device according to an eighth embodiment. [Figure 39] FIG. 13 is a front view of the first and second coupling members according to the eighth embodiment, as viewed from the surface on which the first and second gears are provided. [Figure 40] FIG. 40 is a front view showing the first and second gears shown in FIG. 39 when they have moved. [Figure 41] FIG. 20 is a front view showing a first state of the detachable member when connecting the first and second step filling members to the grating in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 42] 13 is a front view showing a second state of the detachable member according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 43] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a third state of the detachable member according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 44] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a fourth state of the detachable member according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 45] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a fifth state of the detachable member according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 46] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a sixth state of the detachable member according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 47] FIG. 20 is a front view showing a seventh state of the detachable member according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 48] FIG. 20 is a front view showing an eighth state of the detachable member according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 49] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a ninth state of the detachable member according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 50] FIG. 19 is a front view showing a tenth state of the detachable member according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 51] FIG. 19 is a front view showing an eleventh state of the detachable member according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 52] FIG. 19 is a front view showing a twelfth state of the detachable member according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 53] FIG. 19 is a front view showing a thirteenth state of the detachable member according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 54] FIG. 20 is a front view showing a fourteenth state of the detachable member according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 55] FIG. 19 is a front view showing the fifteenth state of the detachable member according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 56] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a coupling device according to a ninth embodiment. [Figure 57] 57 is a front view showing a first state of the coupling device shown in FIG. 56. FIG. [Figure 58] 57 is a front view showing a second state of the coupling device shown in FIG. 56. FIG. [Figure 59] FIG. 22 is a schematic view of an engagement device according to a tenth embodiment. [Figure 60] FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of a coupling device according to a tenth embodiment. [Figure 61] FIG. 61 is a plan view of the rope engaging member shown in FIG. 60. [Figure 62] 61 is a cross-sectional view of the rope engaging member and the clamping member shown in FIG. 60 taken along the vertical direction. FIG. [Figure 63] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a coupling device according to a tenth embodiment before a suspended object is suspended. [Figure 64] FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view of a coupling device according to an eleventh embodiment. [Figure 65] FIG. 23 is a partial cross-sectional view of a coupling device according to a twelfth embodiment. [Figure 66] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a coupling device according to a thirteenth embodiment. [Figure 67]FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a coupling device according to a fourteenth embodiment. [Figure 68] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing a rope fixing member and a bottom plate fixing member of a wire rope according to a fifteenth embodiment. [Figure 69] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing the rope fixing member when fixed to the bottom plate fixing member according to the fifteenth embodiment. [Figure 70] FIG. 23 is an exploded view of the rope fixing member according to the sixteenth embodiment. [Figure 71] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing a method of attaching a rope fixing member according to a sixteenth embodiment. [Figure 72] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of the rope fixing member of the sixteenth embodiment after installation is completed. [Figure 73] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of a coupling device according to a seventeenth embodiment. [Figure 74] FIG. 74 is a schematic diagram showing the deployed state of the air brake shown in FIG. 73. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a connecting device according to a first embodiment. As will be described in detail later, connecting device 10 is used to connect a grating installed in a road drainage ditch or the like to a step filler member placed on the grating. Connecting device 10 has a detachable member 20 that can be attached to and detached from the grating, a step filler member connecting member 30 that is provided above detachable member 20 and connected to the step filler member, and a joint member 40 that connects detachable member 20 and step filler member connecting member 30. In addition, step filler member connecting member 30 constitutes a third connecting member.

[0014] The detachable member 20 has a first connecting member 21, a second connecting member 22, and a connecting member 23. The first connecting member 21, the second connecting member 22, and the connecting member 23 are made of a metal material such as stainless steel. A fixed shaft 24 made of a metal material such as stainless steel is provided on the lower end 23d side of the connecting member 23. An elongated hole 50a penetrating the first connecting member 21 from the front to the back is formed in the first connecting member 21, and the fixed shaft 24 provided in the connecting member 23 and protruding from the front surface 23a of the connecting member 23 is inserted into this elongated hole 50a. This connects the first connecting member 21 to the front surface 23a of the connecting member 23. The fixed shaft 24 also extends horizontally.

[0015] The second connecting member 22 is formed in the same shape as the first connecting member 21. Although not shown in FIG. 1 , the second connecting member 22 has an elongated hole that penetrates from the front to the back surface, similar to the first connecting member 21. A fixed shaft 24 that is provided in the connecting member 23 and protrudes from the back surface 23b of the connecting member 23 is inserted into the elongated hole of the second connecting member 22. This connects the second connecting member 22 to the back surface 23b of the connecting member 23. In other words, the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 are connected by the connecting member 23 with the connecting member 23 sandwiched therebetween. Furthermore, the second connecting member 22 is connected by the connecting member 23 so as to be bilaterally symmetrical to the first connecting member 21 when viewed in the direction in which the fixed shaft 24 extends, i.e., the axial direction.

[0016] In order to prevent the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 from falling off, the fixed shaft 24 is formed with a flange 24a whose diameter is larger than the width of the elongated hole 50a of the first connecting member 21 and the width of the elongated hole of the second connecting member 22.

[0017] The width of the elongated hole 50a is approximately the same as the diameter of the fixed shaft 24, allowing the fixed shaft 24 to slide inside the elongated hole 50a. Like the elongated hole 50a, the width of the second connecting member 22 is approximately the same as the diameter of the fixed shaft 24, allowing the fixed shaft 24 to slide inside the elongated hole. As a result, the first connecting member 21 is rotatable around the fixed shaft 24 in the direction of arrow A1 and is movable relative to the fixed shaft 24 in the direction of arrow B1 along the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 50a. The second connecting member 22 is rotatable around the fixed shaft 24 in the direction of arrow A2 and is movable relative to the fixed shaft 24 in the direction of arrow B2 along the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 50b.

[0018] A joint member 40 is provided at the upper end 23c of the connecting member 23. The joint member 40 is a two-axis joint that connects the connecting member 23 and the step filler connecting member 30. The joint member 40 allows the step filler connecting member 30 to rotate relative to the connecting member 23 in the direction of arrow C, which is a rotation direction centered on axis Z that extends vertically through the center of the joint member 40, and also in the direction of arrow D, which is a rotation direction centered on a direction perpendicular to axis Z.

[0019] The step filler connecting member 30 is provided with a plate-like member 31 having a rectangular flat surface 31c. One end 31a of the flat surface 31c is connected to the joint member 40. A first pressing portion 32, which is a rectangular flat plate that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the flat surface 31c, is provided on the side of the plate-like member 31 closer to the one end 31a. A second pressing portion 33, which is a rectangular flat plate that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the flat surface 31c, is provided on the other end 31b of the plate-like member 31. A bolt hole 33a is formed in the second pressing portion 33 for threading a bolt.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a front view of the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22. The outer circumferential portion 21a of the first connecting member 21 is provided with an arc-shaped portion 51a extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 50a. A semicircular arc portion 52a is provided at one upper end of the arc-shaped portion 51a. An opening 53a of the semicircular arc portion 52a is formed so as to open in a direction extending along the arc-shaped portion 51a. A tongue portion 54a is formed at the end of the semicircular arc portion 52a on the outer circumferential portion 21a side, and protrudes from the one end of the arc-shaped portion 51a. In addition, a release arm 55a is provided above the semicircular arc portion 52a of the first connecting member 21, extending in a direction intersecting the direction extending along the arc-shaped portion 51a. A bent portion 58a is formed at the other end of the arc-shaped portion 51a where the tongue portion 54a is not provided. A first lightening hole 56a is formed on the side of the first connecting member 21 that is closer to the arc-shaped portion 51a and the semicircular arc portion 52a, and a second lightening hole 57a is formed on the side of the first connecting member 21 that is farther from the arc-shaped portion 51a and the semicircular arc portion 52a. The arc-shaped portion 51a constitutes the contact portion, and the semicircular arc portion 52a constitutes the hook-shaped portion.

[0021] The second coupling member 22 has a similar configuration to the first coupling member 21. Specifically, an arc-shaped portion 51b is provided on the outer peripheral portion 22a of the second coupling member 22, extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 50b. A semicircular arc portion 52b is provided at one upper end of the arc-shaped portion 51b. An opening 53b of the semicircular arc portion 52b is formed to open in a direction extending along the arc-shaped portion 51b. A tongue portion 54b is formed at the end of the semicircular arc portion 52b on the outer peripheral portion 22a side, protruding and continuing from the one end of the arc-shaped portion 51b. In addition, a release arm 55b is provided on the upper side of the semicircular arc portion 52b of the second coupling member 22, extending in a direction intersecting the direction extending along the arc-shaped portion 51b. A bent portion 58b is formed at the other end of the arc-shaped portion 51b, where the tongue portion 54b is not provided. Additionally, a first lightening hole 56b is formed on the side closer to the arc-shaped portion 51b and the semicircular portion 52b of the second connecting member 22, and a second lightening hole 57b is formed on the side farther from the arc-shaped portion 51b and the semicircular portion 52b of the second connecting member 22. The arc-shaped portion 51b constitutes a contact portion, and the semicircular portion 52b constitutes a hook-shaped portion.

[0022] 3 is a front view showing the initial state of the detachable member 20. In the following description, the initial state refers to a state in which the detachable member 20 is arranged along axis Z extending vertically as shown in FIG. 1, the fixed shaft 24 of the detachable member 20 is positioned vertically downward, and no external force is being applied to the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22. In the initial state, the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 are positioned so that the fixed shaft 24 contacts one end 50c of the elongated holes 50a, 50b. Furthermore, the bent portion 58a of the first connecting member 21 and the bent portion 58b of the second connecting member 22 are positioned vertically downward of the fixed shaft 24 and are positioned at the lowest position of the entire detachable member 20. That is, the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 are formed so that the center of gravity of the detachable member 20 is in the initial state such that the fixed shaft 24 contacts one end 50c of the elongated holes 50a, 50b, the bent portions 58a, 58b are located vertically below the fixed shaft 24, and are located at the lowest part of the entire detachable member 20. Furthermore, the tongue portions 54a, 54b connected to one end of the arc-shaped portions 51a, 51b of the first and second connecting members 21, 22 are located above the bent portions 58a, 58b. The tongue portions 54a, 54b form one end of the arc-shaped portions 51a, 51b, and the bent portions 58a, 58b form the other end of the arc-shaped portions 51a, 51b.

[0023] 4 is a schematic diagram of a first step filling member used in the first embodiment. The first step filling member 60 has a flat top surface 61, a bottom surface 62, and a pair of flat side surfaces 63a, 63b formed between the top surface 61 and the bottom surface 62 and extending along the vertical direction. The first step filling member 60 also has, between one side surface 63a and the other side surface 63b, a front flat surface 64 which is an elongated flat surface adjacent to the bottom surface 62 and extending along the vertical direction, and a front inclined surface 65 which is an arc-shaped curved surface extending at an angle from the front flat surface 64 to the top surface 61. The first step filling member 60 also has a back surface 66 which is parallel to the front flat surface 64. That is, the first step filling member 60 is formed so that the length in a direction parallel to the side surface portions 63a and 63b of the top surface portion 61 is shorter than the length in a direction parallel to the side surface portions 63a and 63b of the bottom portion 62. The first step filling member constitutes the second joining target member.

[0024] Two rectangular mounting holes 67 that open vertically upward are formed in the front inclined portion 65. A rectangular cutout 68 is formed in the front flat portion 64 to allow rainwater to flow through.

[0025] 5 is a schematic diagram of a second step filler used in the first embodiment. The second step filler 70 has a flat top surface 71, a bottom surface 72, and a pair of flat side surfaces 73a and 73b formed between the top surface 71 and the bottom surface 72 and extending in the vertical direction. The second step filler 70 also has, between one side surface 73a and the other side surface 73b, a front flat surface 74 which is an elongated flat surface adjacent to the bottom surface 72 and extending in the vertical direction, and a front inclined surface 75 which is an arc-shaped curved surface extending at an angle from the front flat surface 74 to the top surface 71. The second step filler 70 also has a back surface 76 which is parallel to the front flat surface 74. That is, the second step filling member 60 is formed so that the length of the top surface portion 71 in a direction parallel to the side surface portions 73a and 73b is shorter than the length of the bottom portion 72 in a direction parallel to the side surface portions 73a and 73b. The top surface portion 71 of the second step filling member 70 is formed to be narrower in width than the top surface portion 61 of the first step filling member 60. The second step filling member 70 constitutes a second joining target member.

[0026] The front inclined portion 75 has two rectangular mounting holes 77 that open vertically upward. The front flat portion 74 has a rectangular cutout 78 to allow rainwater to drain. The front inclined portion 65 and mounting holes 67 of the first step filler 60 and the front inclined portion 75 and mounting holes 77 of the second step filler 70 are formed to have the same shape. The cutouts 68 of the first step filler 60 and the cutouts 78 of the second step filler 70 are formed to have the same vertical height. In other words, the main difference between the first step filler 60 and the second step filler 70 is that the top surface 71 of the second step filler 70 is narrower in width than the top surface 61 of the first step filler 60.

[0027] The first step filling member 60 and the second step filling member 70 have planar surfaces formed from a polyurea resin and interiors formed from any known foam material.

[0028] Next, a grating according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a road drainage ditch and grating according to the first embodiment. A drainage ditch 80 with a shallow U-shaped cross section is formed on the road surface of the road shoulder portion for draining rainwater and the like from the road. A flat grating 81 is provided on a rectangular installation portion 82 of this drainage ditch 80. The grating 81 forms a lid that covers the entrance of a drainage pipe (not shown) provided below the drainage ditch 80. Spaces 83a and 83b exist between the drainage ditch 80 and the road surface around it and the top of the grating 81, forming a step relative to the road surface and the drainage ditch. When wastewater flows through the drainage ditch 80, resistance to the water flow is created by spaces 83a and 83b, reducing the flow rate of the water, which makes it easy for mud and debris to accumulate in spaces 83a and 83b. Note that spaces 83a and 83b form a step.

[0029] Next, in the first embodiment, a method for connecting the first step filling member 60 to the grating 81 and a method for connecting the second step filling member 70 to the grating 81 using the connecting device 10 will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the attachment of the first step filling member 60 and the second step filling member 70 to the grating 81. The first step filling member 60 is attached to the space 83a above the grating 81, and the second step filling member 70 is attached to the space 83b above the grating 81. This prevents resistance to the water flow in the spaces 83a and 83b, prevents a decrease in the water flow velocity, and prevents the accumulation of mud and debris during drainage. The first step filling member 60 and the second step filling member 70 are attached and fixed to the grating 81 to prevent them from moving due to wind, drainage water flow, contact with vehicles, etc.

[0030] As already described, the front inclined portion 65 and the mounting hole 67 of the first step filler member 60 and the front inclined portion 75 and the mounting hole 77 of the second step filler member 70 are formed in the same shape, and the notch 68 of the first step filler member 60 and the notch 78 of the second step filler member 70 are formed to have the same vertical height. The main difference between the first step filler member 60 and the second step filler member 70 is that the top surface 71 of the second step filler member 70 is formed to be narrower in width than the top surface 61 of the first step filler member 60. Therefore, in the present embodiment 1, the method of joining the first step filler member 60 and the grating 81 using the joining device 10 and the method of joining the second step filler member 70 and the grating 81 using the joining device 10 are the same, and therefore will be described together below with reference to FIGS. 8 to 22.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the coupling device 10 attached to the first step filler member 60. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the coupling device 10 attached to the second step filler member 70. In order to couple the first and second step filler members 60, 70 to the top of the grating 81, the coupling device 10 is inserted into each of the mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second step filler members 60, 70 with the detachable member 20 positioned vertically below. Note that FIGS. 8 to 22 illustrate the procedure for inserting the coupling device 10 into one of the mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second step filler members 60, 70. The grating 81 has a lattice 84 extending horizontally, and the lattice 84 constitutes the first coupling target member.

[0032] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the first state of the mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second step filler members 60, 70, with the detachable member 20 of the coupling device 10 (see Figure 8) inserted vertically downward in the direction of arrow F. Note that for ease of explanation, the step filler member coupling member 30 is omitted from Figures 10 to 16 and 19 to 20.

[0033] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a second state of the mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second step filling members 60, 70. When the detachable member 20 is further inserted in the direction of arrow F, the arc-shaped portion 51a of the first connecting member 21 and the arc-shaped portion 51b of the second connecting member 22 come into contact with the lattice 84 of the grating 81 because the detachable member 20 is in its initial state.

[0034] 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a third state of the mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second step filling members 60, 70. When the detachable member 20 is further inserted in the direction of arrow F after the arc-shaped portion 51a of the first connecting member 21 and the arc-shaped portion 51b of the second connecting member 22 have come into contact, the arc-shaped portions 51a, 51b come into contact with the lattice 84, and the lattice 84 presses the arc-shaped portions 51a, 51b, causing the first connecting member 21 to rotate in the direction of arrow A10 and the second connecting member 22 to rotate in the direction of arrow A20. That is, the tongues 54a, 54b of the first and second connecting members 21, 22 move upward.

[0035] Furthermore, because the fixed shaft 24 is inserted into the elongated hole 50a of the first connecting member 21, when the arc-shaped portion 51a comes into contact with the lattice 84 and the first connecting member 21 rotates in the direction of arrow A10, the first connecting member 21 moves in the direction of arrow B10 along the extension of the elongated hole 50a while sliding on the fixed shaft 24. Similarly, because the fixed shaft 24 is inserted into the elongated hole 50b of the second connecting member 22, when the arc-shaped portion 51b comes into contact with the lattice 84 and the first connecting member 22 rotates in the direction of arrow A20, the second connecting member 22 moves in the direction of arrow B20 along the extension of the elongated hole 50b while sliding on the fixed shaft 24.

[0036] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth state of the mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second gap filling members 60, 70. When the detachable member 20 is further inserted in the direction of arrow F, the first connecting member 21 further rotates in the direction of arrow A10 and moves in the direction of arrow B10. The second connecting member 22 rotates in the direction of arrow A20 and moves in the direction of arrow B20. As a result, the horizontal distance between the centers of the arc-shaped portions 51a and 51b of the detachable member 20, as indicated by arrow M1, becomes the smallest. Because this distance indicated by arrow M1 is equal to or less than the spacing between adjacent lattices 84, the detachable member 20 can pass through the gap between adjacent lattices 84.

[0037] 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a fifth state of the mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second step filling members 60, 70. When the detachable member 20 is further inserted in the direction of arrow F, the first connecting member 21 rotates in the direction of arrow A11 due to the positional relationship between the arc-shaped portion 51a of the first connecting member 21 and the lattice 84. Furthermore, the second connecting member 22 rotates in the direction of arrow A21 due to the positional relationship between the arc-shaped portion 51b of the second connecting member 22 and the lattice 84. Next, when the detachable member 20 is further inserted in the direction of arrow F, the tongue 54a of the first connecting member 21 moves downward while contacting the lattice 84, and the tongue 54b of the second connecting member 22 moves downward while contacting the lattice 84.

[0038] 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a sixth state of the mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second step filling members 60, 70. When the detachable member 20 is further inserted in the direction of arrow F, the tongue portion 54a of the first connecting member 21 moves below the lattice 84, separating the lattice 84 from the tongue portion 54a, and the tongue portion 54b of the second connecting member 22 moves below the lattice 84, separating the lattice 84 from the tongue portion 54b. Next, as the lattice 84 and the tongue portion 54a are separated from each other, the first connecting member 21 moves in the direction of arrow B11 while the elongated hole 50a slides on the fixed shaft 24, and the second connecting member 22 moves in the direction of arrow B21 while the elongated hole 50b slides on the fixed shaft 24. That is, the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 move in a direction in which the horizontal distance between the center of the arc-shaped portion 51a and the center of the arc-shaped portion 51b of the detachable member 20, as indicated by the arrow M2, increases.

[0039] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a seventh state of the mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second step-filling members 60, 70. When the detachable member 20 is further inserted in the direction of arrow F, the detachable member 20 moves downward into the mounting holes 67, 77. At this time, the first connecting member 21 rotates in the direction of arrow A11 due to its center of gravity and moves in the direction of arrow B11. At the same time, the second connecting member 22 rotates in the direction of arrow A21 due to its center of gravity and moves in the direction of arrow B21. As a result, the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 move further in the direction indicated by arrow M3, increasing the horizontal distance between the centers of the arc-shaped portions 51a and 51b of the detachable member 20. Furthermore, the release arm 55a of the first connecting member 21 is supported in contact with the lattice 84, and the release arm 55b of the second connecting member 22 is supported in contact with the lattice 84.

[0040] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing the upper portion of the first step filler 60 when the detachable member 20 is positioned below the mounting hole 67 as shown in FIG. 16 . FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the upper portion of the second step filler 70 when the detachable member 20 is positioned below the mounting hole 77 as shown in FIG. 16 . In this state, as shown in FIG. 16 , the release arm 55 a of the first coupling member 21 is supported in contact with the lattice 84, and the release arm 55 b of the second coupling member 22 is supported in contact with the lattice 84. Therefore, the coupling device 10 is temporarily coupled to the grating 81 with the step filler coupling member 30 protruding upward from the mounting holes 67 and 77. Next, the first step filler 60 and the grating 81 are permanently fixed by the coupling device 10, and the step filler coupling member 30 is pulled vertically upward to permanently fix the second step filler 70 and the grating 81 by the coupling device 10.

[0041] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing an eighth state of the mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second step fillers 60, 70. When the step filler connecting member 30 (see FIGS. 17 and 18 ) is pulled up vertically in the direction of arrow G from a state in which the release arm 55a of the first connecting member 21 is in contact with the lattice 84 and the release arm 55b of the second connecting member 22 is in contact with the lattice 84, the detachable member 20 is pulled up in the direction of arrow G. As a result, the first connecting member 21, pressed by the lattice 84, is rotated in the direction of arrow A11. Furthermore, the second connecting member 22, pressed by the lattice 84, is rotated in the direction of arrow A21. Next, when the detachable member 20 is further pulled up in the direction of arrow G, the lattice 84 moves from the opening 53a of the first connecting member 21 to the semicircular arc portion 52a, and also moves from the opening 53b of the second connecting member 22 to the semicircular arc portion 52b.

[0042] 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the ninth state of the mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second step filling members 60, 70. When the detachable member 20 is further pulled up in the direction of arrow G, the first connecting member 21 rotates in the direction of arrow A11, and the second connecting member 22 rotates in the direction of arrow A21. That is, the tongues 54a, 54b of the first and second connecting members 21, 22 move downward. As a result, the lattice 84 is supported and connected to the semicircular arc portion 52a of the first connecting member 21, and the lattice 84 is supported and connected to the semicircular arc portion 52b of the second connecting member 22. That is, the lattice 84 is suspended by the semicircular arc portions 52a and 52b.

[0043] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram showing the upper part of the first step filler member 60. Figure 22 is a schematic diagram showing the upper part of the second step filler member 70. The pulled-up step filler connecting member 30 is rotated horizontally, and the first pressing portion 32 and the second pressing portion 33 of the step filler connecting member 30 come into contact with the edge portions 67a, 77a of the mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second step filler members 60, 70. Next, a common bolt 90 is inserted through the bolt hole 33a of the second pressing portion 33 (see Figures 17 and 18) and the bolt holes 69, 79 of the edge portions 67a, 77a, and the second pressing portion 33 of the step filler connecting member 30 is fastened to the edge portions 67a, 77a by the bolt 90. As a result, the step filler connecting member 30 is fixed to the position of the mounting holes 67, 77, and the detachable member 20 attached to the step filler connecting member 30 suspends the grid 84 as shown in Fig. 20, so that the first and second step filler members 60, 70 and the grating 81 are connected by the connecting device 10. Similarly, the connecting device 10 is inserted into the other mounting hole 67, 77 of the first and second step filler members 60, 70, and the step filler connecting member 30 is fixed to the position of the mounting holes 67, 77, so that the first and second step filler members 60, 70 and the grating 81 are connected by the connecting device 10.

[0044] Next, a method for releasing the connection between the first step filling member 60 and the grating 81 using the connecting device 10 and a method for releasing the connection between the second step filling member 70 and the grating 81 using the connecting device 10 will be described. Note that the method for releasing the connection between the first step filling member 60 and the grating 81 using the connecting device 10 and the method for releasing the connection between the second step filling member 70 and the grating 81 using the connecting device 10 are the same, so in the following explanation, they will be explained together with reference to Figures 23 to 30. When releasing the connection between the first and second step filling members 60, 70 and the grating 81, the bolt 90 is removed and the step filling member connecting member 30 is rotated vertically.

[0045] Fig. 23 is a schematic diagram showing the upper part of the first step filler member 60 when the step filler connecting member 30 is rotated in the vertical direction to release the connection between the first step filler member 60 and the grating 81. Fig. 24 is a schematic diagram showing the upper part of the second step filler member 70 when the step filler connecting member 30 is rotated in the vertical direction to release the connection between the second step filler member 70 and the grating 81. When the step filler connecting member 30 is inserted into the mounting holes 67, 77, the entire connecting device 10 moves downward in the vertical direction.

[0046] Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the tenth state of the mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second step filler members 60, 70. For ease of explanation, the step filler joining member 30 is omitted from Figures 25 to 30. When the detachable member 20 of the joining device 10 (see Figure 20) moves vertically downward in the direction of arrow F, the first joining member 21 comes into contact with a lattice 84, and the second joining member 22 comes into contact with the adjacent lattice 84. This causes the first joining member 21 to rotate in the direction of arrow A10, and the second joining member 22 to rotate in the direction of arrow A20.

[0047] 26 is a cross-sectional view showing an eleventh state of the mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second step filling members 60, 70. As the detachable member 20 moves further in the direction of arrow F, the release arm 55a of the first connecting member 21 comes into contact with the lattice 84 and is pressed upward from below, causing it to be lifted, and the first connecting member 21 further rotates in the direction of arrow A10. Also, the release arm 55b of the second connecting member 22 comes into contact with the lattice 84 and is pressed upward from below, causing it to be lifted, and the second connecting member 22 further rotates in the direction of arrow A20. This releases the connection between the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 and the lattice 84.

[0048] 27 is a cross-sectional view showing a twelfth state of the mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second step filling members 60, 70. As the detachable member 20 has moved vertically below the lattice 84, the release arms 55a and 55b are separated from the lattice 84 and are no longer supported by the lattice 84. This returns the detachable member 20 to its initial state.

[0049] 28 is a cross-sectional view showing a thirteenth state of the mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second step filler members 60, 70. Next, when the step filler connecting member 30 (see FIG. 21) is pulled up vertically upward in the direction of arrow G, the detachable member 20 is pulled up in the direction of arrow G. As a result, the release arm 55a of the first connecting member 21 comes into contact with the lattice 84, and the release arm 55b of the second connecting member 22 comes into contact with the lattice 84.

[0050] 29 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourteenth state of the mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second step filling members 60, 70. When the detachable member 20 is further pulled up in the direction of arrow G, the release arm 55a of the first connecting member 21 is pressed downward by the lattice 84 and moves downward, and the first connecting member 21 rotates in the direction of arrow A10. Furthermore, the release arm 55b of the second connecting member 22 is pressed downward by the lattice 84 and moves downward, and the second connecting member 22 rotates in the direction of arrow A20. Next, when the detachable member 20 is further pulled up in the direction of arrow G, the release arms 55a, 55b pass through the lattice 84 and are released from contact with the lattice 84.

[0051] FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing the fifteenth state of the mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second step filler members 60, 70. When the release arms 55a, 55b are released from contact with the grating 84, the detachable member 20 returns to its initial state. Next, the step filler connecting member 30 (see FIG. 21) is pulled up vertically in the direction of arrow G and removed from the mounting holes 67, 77, thereby releasing the connection between the first and second step filler members 60, 70 and the grating 81 by the connecting device 10. Similarly, for the other mounting holes 67, 77 of the first and second step filler members 60, 70, the bolt 90 is removed, and the step filler connecting member 30 is inserted into the mounting holes 67, 77 and then pulled up vertically, thereby releasing the connection between the second step filler member 70 and the grating 81 by the connecting device 10.

[0052] As described above, the coupling device 10 according to the first embodiment and the coupling method of the coupling device 10 between the lattice 84 and the first and second step filling members 60, 70 include a detachable member 20 that is detachable from the lattice 84, a first coupling member 21 and a second coupling member 22 that are provided on the detachable member 20, and a coupling member 23 that is provided on the detachable member 20 and couples the first coupling member 21 and the second coupling member 22. The first coupling member 21 and the second coupling member 22 have elongated holes 50a, 50b, and tongues 54a, 54b that are provided on the lower outer peripheries of the first coupling member 21 and the second coupling member 22, and the tongues 54a, 54b are bent at bent portions 58a, , 58b, and semicircular arc portions 52a, 52b provided on tongue portions 54a, 54b of the arc portions 51a, 51b and connectable to the lattice 84. The connecting member 23 extends horizontally and has at least one fixed shaft 24 inserted into each of the elongated holes 50a, 50b of the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22. The first and second connecting members 21, 22 are provided so as to be rotatable and movable about the fixed shaft 24 with respect to the fixed shaft 24 by inserting the fixed shaft 24 into the elongated hole 50a. The first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 are When the detachable member 20 is not coupled to the lattice 84, the arc-shaped portions 51 a, 51 b of the first coupling member 21 and the second coupling member 22 are pressed by the lattice 84, respectively, and the first coupling member 21 and the second coupling member 22 rotate about the fixed shaft 24 so that the tongue portions 54 a, 54 b move upward, and move relative to the fixed shaft 24 in a direction that shortens the distance from the arc-shaped portion 51 a of the first coupling member 21 to the arc-shaped portion 51 b of the second coupling member 22. Next, the detachable member 20 moves further downward, and the lattices 84 and the first coupling member 21 and the second coupling member 22 are pressed by the lattice 84. When the arc-shaped portions 51a, 51b of the member 22 are separated, the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 move relative to the fixed shaft 24 in a direction that increases the distance from the arc-shaped portion 51a of the first connecting member 21 to the arc-shaped portion 51b of the second connecting member 22, and then when the detachable member 20 moves upward, the semicircular arc portions 52a, 52b of the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 are connected to each grating 84, thereby connecting the detachable member 20 to each grating 84, thereby reducing the amount of labor and easily connecting the first and second step filling members 60, 70 to the grating 81.

[0053] Furthermore, the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 are provided above the semicircular arc portions 52a and 52b, and each have release arms 55a and 55b extending in a direction intersecting the direction extending along the arc-shaped portions 51a and 51b. When the semicircular arc portions 52a and 52b of the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 are connected to the respective lattices 84, when the detachable member 20 moves downward, the release arms 55a and 55b of the first connecting member and the second connecting member are pressed upward from below by the respective lattices 84, and the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 rotate about the fixed shaft 24 so that the release arms 55a and 55b move upward. Next, the detachable member 20 moves further downward, and the respective lattices 84 and the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 are pressed upward from below by the respective lattices 84. When the release arms 55a, 55b of the member 21 and the second connecting member 22 move apart, the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 rotate around the fixed shaft 24 so that the release arms 55a, 55b move downwards, and then, when the detachable member 20 moves upwards, the release arms 55a, 55b of the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 are pressed downwards by each grating 84, and the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 rotate around the fixed shaft 24 so that the release arms 55a, 55b move downwards, thereby releasing the connection between the detachable member 20 and each grating 84, so that the labor required can be reduced and the connection between the grating 81 and the first and second step filling members 60, 70 can be easily released.

[0054] Furthermore, since the contact portions of the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 are the arc-shaped portions 51a, 51b, the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member can be rotated smoothly when the arc-shaped portions 51a, 51b are pressed against the lattice 84.

[0055] In addition, since the joint member 40 has two degrees of freedom in two axes and connects the connecting member 23 and the step filling member connecting member 30, the first and second step filling members 60, 70 can be easily fixed to the lattice 84 of the grating 81.

[0056] In this embodiment 1, the first connecting member 21 has the first lightening hole 56a and the second lightening hole 57a formed therein, and the second connecting member 22 has the first lightening hole 56b and the second lightening hole 57b formed therein, but these lightening holes do not necessarily have to be formed.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, the first connecting member 21 has a semicircular arc portion 52a, and the second connecting member 22 has a semicircular arc portion 52b, but these semicircular arc portions 52a, 52b are not limited to a semicircular arc shape as long as they are hook-shaped portions that can be connected to the lattice 84, and may be, for example, hook-shaped portions having a bent portion.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, the first connecting member 21, the second connecting member 22 and the connecting member 23 are formed of a metal material such as stainless steel, but as long as sufficient strength can be ensured, they may be formed of other metal materials such as aluminum alloys, or non-metallic materials such as resin.

[0059] In addition, in the first embodiment, the planar surfaces of the first step filling member 60 and the second step filling member 70 are formed from a polyurethane resin, but they may be formed from any other resin material or metal material in consideration of strength, durability, etc. Furthermore, the interiors of the first step filling member 60 and the second step filling member 70 are formed from any known foam material, but they may be formed from any other resin material or metal material in consideration of strength, durability, etc.

[0060] Embodiment 2 Next, a coupling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, the same reference numerals as those in Figures 1 to 30 of the first embodiment denote the same or similar components, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The coupling device according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the shapes of the first coupling member and the second coupling member are changed. 31 is a front view of the first connecting member 21b and the second connecting member 22b according to the second embodiment. The outer peripheral portion 21a of the first connecting member 21b has a linear portion 51c on the extension of the elongated hole 50a. The outer peripheral portion 22a of the second connecting member 22b has a linear portion 51d on the extension of the elongated hole 50b.

[0061] 32 is a front view showing the initial state of the detachable member 20a provided in the coupling device according to the second embodiment. The detachable member 20a has a first coupling member 21b and a second coupling member 22b. In the initial state, the linear portion 51c of the first coupling member 21b and the linear portion 51d of the second coupling member 22b form an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The linear portions 51c and 51d form contact portions. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0062] In this way, since the contact portions of the first connecting member 21b and the second connecting member 22b are straight portions 51c and 51d, molding of the first connecting member 21b and the second connecting member 22b is easier than molding of arc-shaped portions, and the cost of manufacturing the parts can be reduced.

[0063] Embodiment 3 Next, a description will be given of a coupling device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The coupling device according to the third embodiment is used in place of a hook of a crane device. Figure 33 is a schematic diagram showing how to use a coupling device 10a according to the third embodiment. The coupling device 10a is attached to the lower part of a hook block 103 suspended by a wire rope 102 from a tip end 101 of a boom 100 of a crane apparatus. The coupling device 10a also has a connecting member 23 and a detachable member 20. That is, the connecting member 23 is attached to the boom 100 of the crane apparatus via the wire rope 102 and the hook block 103. The boom 100 constitutes the second member to be coupled, and the hook block 103 constitutes the third coupling member. The other configurations are the same as those of the first and second embodiments.

[0064] Two frame-shaped hanging fittings 84a are attached to a hanging object 85 that is hung by a crane apparatus in the third embodiment. Each of these hanging fittings 84a has a horizontal member 84b extending horizontally. Furthermore, these hanging fittings 84a are arranged so that the distance between each horizontal member 84b is the same as the distance between each lattice 84 (see FIG. 10) in the first embodiment. The hanging fittings 84a constitute the first connecting target members.

[0065] Next, the operation of coupling device 10a according to the third embodiment will be described. When an operator operates the crane apparatus and hook block 103 suspended from boom 100 moves vertically downward in the direction of arrow F, detachable member 20 of coupling device 10a is inserted between horizontal members 84b of hanging fitting 84a, as in the first embodiment, and detachable member 20 is coupled to hanging fitting 84a, as in the first embodiment. In other words, coupling device 10a is coupled to suspended object 85. Next, when an operator operates the crane apparatus and hook block 103 moves vertically upward in the direction of arrow G, the crane apparatus can suspend suspended object 85.

[0066] Next, the worker operates the crane device to move hook block 103, moves suspended object 85 in the direction of arrow F at the unloading position, and moves hook block 103 in the direction of arrow G after suspended object 85 has touched the ground. This releases the connection between detachable member 20 and suspension fitting 84a.

[0067] In conventional crane devices, an object is hoisted by a crane by slung from a rope for the object onto a hook attached to a hook block suspended from the crane arm. However, with such conventional crane devices, the slinging work must be performed by an operator each time, which increases the man-hours required for hoisting work using a crane device.

[0068] On the other hand, in this way, the second connecting object member is the boom 100 of the crane device, and the detachable member 20 is connected to each hanging fitting 84a and the connection is released, so that the boom 100 and the hanging fitting 84a are connected, and the object to be hung 85 can be suspended by the crane device with less man-hours compared to conventional crane devices.

[0069] In the third embodiment, the coupling device 10a is provided at the tip 101 of the boom 100 of the crane device, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the coupling device 10a may be provided in a hoist-type crane device installed on the ceiling of a facility, or in any other known crane device.

[0070] Furthermore, although one coupling device 10a is used in this embodiment 3, two or more coupling devices 10a can be hung from the hook block 103 by a wire rope or the like and connected to the lattice 84 of the grating 81 (see Figure 8) at a predetermined interval, thereby making it possible to use it as a hanging jig for the grating 81.

[0071] Embodiment 4 Next, a description will be given of a coupling device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The coupling device according to the fourth embodiment is used as a prize-winning crane device for a prize-winning device generally called a crane game machine. Note that in the fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in Figure 33 of the third embodiment indicate the same or similar components, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0072] FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram showing a prize winning device of the fourth embodiment. A known transport device (not shown) is provided on a ceiling 111 of a prize winning device 110, generally called a crane game machine, for moving a connecting device 10a, which serves as a prize winning hook device, within a game area 115 between the ceiling 111 and a floor 113. This transport device is provided with a known telescopic boom 112 for crane game machines that extends vertically downward. The telescopic boom 112 is configured to be telescopic in the vertical direction and rotatable in the axial direction. The connecting device 10a is provided at the lower end of the telescopic boom 112. The prize winning device 110 constitutes a second connecting target member, and the telescopic boom 112 constitutes a third connecting member.

[0073] The connecting device 10a can move freely within the game area 115 by driving a transport device provided on the ceiling 111 and by extending and retracting the telescopic boom 112. A prize 85a, which has a rectangular parallelepiped packaging box with two frame-shaped hanging brackets 84a attached parallel to each other, is placed in an appropriate position on the floor 113. In addition, a prize discharge port 114 that communicates with the outside of the prize winning device 110 is formed in a certain area on the floor 113. The prize discharge port 114 has a lid 114a that can be opened and closed. In addition, an operation panel 116 is provided on the front of the prize winning device 110. The other configurations are the same as those in the third embodiment.

[0074] Next, the operation of the prize winning device 110 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. When a player operates the operation panel 116 of the prize winning device 110, the transport device on the ceiling 111 is driven, and the telescopic boom 112 extends and retracts vertically and rotates axially, causing the connecting device 10a to move within the game area 115. Next, when the connecting device 10a moves vertically downward above the prize 85a, the detachable member 20 of the connecting device 10a is inserted between the hanging fittings 84a, and the detachable member 20 is connected to the hanging fittings 84a in the same manner as in the third embodiment. As a result, the connecting device 10a is connected to the prize 85a, and the prize 85a can be lifted from the floor 113 and moved.

[0075] Next, with the lid 114a of the prize discharge opening 114 closed, the conveying device and the telescopic boom 112 operate to move the connecting device 10a vertically downward above the prize discharge opening 114, and the prize 85a is lowered onto the lid 114a. Next, the telescopic boom 112 operates to move the connecting device 10a vertically upward. This releases the connection between the detachable member 20 and the hanging fitting 84a. Next, when the lid 114a is opened, the prize 85a falls from the prize discharge opening 114 and is discharged outside the prize capturing device 110.

[0076] In this way, the second connecting target member is the prize winning device 110, and by connecting the detachable member 20 to each hanging fitting 84a, the telescopic boom 112 and the prize 85a can be connected to win the prize 85a, thereby providing a prize winning device that offers different gameplay from conventional prize winning devices 110.

[0077] The prize acquisition device 110 described in the fourth embodiment is given as an example, and the connecting device 10a may be used as a prize acquisition crane device for other types of known prize acquisition devices.

[0078] Embodiment 5 Next, a description will be given of a coupling device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The coupling device according to the fifth embodiment is provided at the bottom of the drone. Note that in the fifth embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 34 of the fourth embodiment indicate the same or similar components, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0079] 35 is a schematic diagram of a coupling device according to the fifth embodiment. Two coupling devices 10a are provided on the bottom of the drone 120. Each coupling device 10a is connected to the bottom of the drone 120 via a hanging boom 112a. The drone 120 constitutes the second coupling target member, and the hanging boom 112a forms the third coupling member.

[0080] Two frame-shaped hanging fittings 84c are attached to the hanging object 85 that is hung by the detachable member 20 of the coupling device 10a of the fifth embodiment. The hanging fittings 84a are formed by connecting the corners of two parallel rectangular frame-shaped fittings with two horizontal members 84b. The hanging fittings 84c are arranged so that the distance between the horizontal members 84b is the same as the distance between the lattices 84 (see FIG. 10) in the first embodiment. The hanging fittings 84c constitute the first coupling target members. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the fourth embodiment.

[0081] Next, the operation of coupling device 10a according to Embodiment 5 will be described. When an operator operates drone 120 and inserts detachable member 20 of each coupling device 10a suspended from suspension boom 112a between horizontal members 84b of suspension fitting 84c, detachable member 20 is coupled to suspension fitting 84c, enabling drone 120 to suspend suspended object 85. Furthermore, when drone 120 is suspending suspended object 85, an operator operates drone 120 to place suspended object 85 at the unloading position, and the coupling between detachable member 20 and suspension fitting 84c is released.

[0082] Furthermore, since the drone 120 according to the fifth embodiment is provided with two coupling devices 10a per drone, it can transport the suspended object 85 more stably than when only one coupling device 10a is provided.

[0083] In this way, the second connecting member in this embodiment 5 is the drone 120, and at least two detachable members 20 are provided for one drone 120, thereby improving stability when the hanging object 85 is suspended by the drone 120.

[0084] Embodiment 6 Next, a description will be given of a coupling device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The coupling device according to the sixth embodiment is different from the fifth embodiment in that it is provided with a guide bar member that performs positioning between the coupling device and the hanging metal fitting attached to the suspended object. Note that in the sixth embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 35 of the fifth embodiment indicate the same or similar components, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted. 36 is a schematic diagram of a coupling device 10b according to the sixth embodiment. Guide bar members 25 extending vertically downward from the top are formed on the front surface 23a and the back surface 23b of the connecting member 23 of the coupling device 10b. The detachable member 20 is located between the guide bar members 25.

[0085] Hanging bracket 84c attached to hanging object 85 (see FIG. 35) extends perpendicular to horizontal member 84b, and two longitudinal members 84d connecting horizontal members 84b each have a guide 86 formed at the center. Each guide 86 is formed of two protrusions 86a arranged in parallel with a gap 86c extending in the vertical direction, and each protrusion 86a has a guide inclined portion 86b on the side facing the other protrusion 86a on the vertically upper side. The guides 86 form a guide member. The rest of the configuration is the same as in embodiment 5.

[0086] Next, the operation of a coupling device 10b according to the sixth embodiment will be described. A guide bar member 25 extending vertically downward is formed on connecting member 23 of this coupling device 10b, and guides 86 having vertically extending gaps 86c are formed on each longitudinal member 84d of hanging fitting 84c. Therefore, when coupling device 10b moves in the direction of arrow F, from the vertically upper side of hanging fitting 84c to the vertically lower side, each guide bar member 25 is inserted into and guided by each gap 86c of each guide 86, facilitating positioning of coupling device 10b and hanging fitting 84c. Furthermore, a guide inclined portion 86b is formed on protrusion 86a of each guide 86, making it easier to insert each guide bar member 25 into each gap 86c of each guide 86.

[0087] In this way, since the connecting member 23 has the guide bar member 25 and the hanging fixture 84c has the guide 86 that guides the guide bar member 25, it is easy to position the coupling device 10b and the hanging fixture 84c.

[0088] In the sixth embodiment, the guide 86 is provided on the hanging fitting 84c, but the guide 86 may be provided on the lattice 84 or hanging fitting 84a or the like in the first to fifth embodiments.

[0089] Embodiment 7 Next, a description will be given of a coupling device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The coupling device according to the seventh embodiment differs from the coupling device according to the first embodiment in that spacers are provided between the connecting member and the first connecting member and between the connecting member and the second connecting member.

[0090] 37 is a schematic side view of detachable member 20b of a coupling device according to Embodiment 7. A spacer 140, through which fixed shaft 24 passes, is provided between connecting member 23 and first coupling member 21. In addition, a spacer 140, through which fixed shaft 24 passes, is provided between connecting member 23 and second coupling member 22. The other configurations are the same as those in Embodiment 1.

[0091] In this way, spacers 140 are provided between the connecting member 23 and the first connecting member 21, and between the connecting member 23 and the second connecting member 22, thereby preventing friction between the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 when they rotate and move, allowing the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 to rotate and move smoothly.

[0092] Embodiment 8 Next, a description will be given of a coupling device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. The coupling device according to the eighth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it is provided with a gear that connects the first coupling member and the second coupling member. FIG. 38 is a schematic diagram of a coupling device 10c according to the eighth embodiment. The coupling device 10c has a coupling member 26 having a joint member 40 connected to an upper end 26c. The coupling member 26 has a first coupling member 26e and a second coupling member 26f each having an L-shape, and a coupling member spacer 26g provided between the first coupling member 26e and the second coupling member 26f. The coupling member spacer 26g is provided to provide a gap between the first coupling member 26e and the second coupling member 26f. The same step-filling member coupling member (not shown) as in the first embodiment is connected to the joint member 40.

[0093] A first coupling member 21c is provided at a lower end 26d of the first coupling member 26e, and is rotatably attached to the first coupling member 26e by a fixed shaft 24. A second coupling member 22c is provided at a lower end 26d of the second coupling member 26f, and is rotatably attached to the second coupling member 26f by a fixed shaft 24. The first coupling member 26e and the second coupling member 26f are formed in an L-shape, and the front and back surfaces of the first coupling member 26e and the second coupling member 26f are arranged in opposite directions, so the fixed shaft 24 to which the first coupling member 26e is attached and the fixed shaft 24 to which the second coupling member 26f is attached are disposed at different positions in the horizontal direction.

[0094] The first connecting member 21c has an arc-shaped first gear 130a formed on the surface facing the second connecting member 22c. The second connecting member 22c has an arc-shaped second gear 130b formed on the surface facing the first connecting member 21c. As will be described in detail later, the first gear 130a and the second gear 130b are configured to be able to mesh with each other when the first connecting member 21c rotates in the A1 direction and moves in the B1 direction, and the second connecting member 22c rotates in the A2 direction and moves in the B2 direction. The first gear 130a constitutes the first arc-shaped gear, and the second gear 130b constitutes the second arc-shaped gear.

[0095] 39 is a front view of the first and second coupling members 21c, 22c as viewed from the surface on which the first and second gears 130a, 130b are provided. Slits 131a, 131b are formed on the upper sides of the first and second gears 130a, 130b, extending between the first lightening holes 56a, 56b and the second lightening holes 57a, 57b. Elastic members 132a, 132b are provided inside the first and second engaging members 21c, 22c along the slits 131a, 131b.

[0096] FIG. 40 is a front view showing the first and second gears 130a and 130b when they have moved. The first gear 130a is connected to an elastic member 132a through a slit 131a. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, the first gear 130a is provided to be movable in the direction of arrow C1, which is the direction along the slit 131a. The second gear 130b is connected to an elastic member 132b through a slit 131b. As a result, the second gear 130b is provided to be movable in the direction of arrow C2, which is the direction along the slit 131b. The first and second gears 130a and 130b are biased downward as shown in FIGS. 39 and 40 by the elastic members 132a and 132b. Therefore, when no external force is applied, the first and second gears 130a and 130b are positioned at the lowest position as shown in FIG. 39. The elastic members 132a and 132b may be any known elastic member such as a coil spring, etc. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0097] Next, a method of joining the first step filling member 60 and the grating 81 using the joining device 10c of the eighth embodiment (see FIG. 7) and a method of joining the second step filling member 70 and the grating 81 using the joining device 10c will be described. Note that the method of joining the first step filling member 60 and the grating 81 using the joining device 10c and the method of joining the second step filling member 70 and the grating 81 using the joining device 10c are the same, and therefore will be described together using FIGS. 41 to 49.

[0098] 41 is a front view showing a first state of the detachable member 20c when the first and second step filling members 60, 70 are coupled to the grating 81 (see FIG. 7) in the eighth embodiment. In the following description of the eighth embodiment, the description and illustration of the first step filling member 60 and the second step filling member 70 (see FIG. 10) described in the first embodiment will be omitted, and the positional relationship between the detachable member 20c and the lattice 84 of the grating 81 will be described. In the first state, the first coupling member 21c and the second coupling member 22 of the detachable member 20c are not in contact with the lattice 84.

[0099] 42 is a front view showing a second state of the detachable member 20c of the present embodiment 8. When the detachable member 20c is further inserted in the direction of the arrow F, the arc-shaped portion 51a of the first connecting member 21c and the arc-shaped portion 51b of the second connecting member 22c come into contact with the lattice 84.

[0100] 43 is a front view showing a third state of the detachable member 20c according to the eighth embodiment. After the arc-shaped portion 51a of the first connecting member 21c and the arc-shaped portion 51b of the second connecting member 22c come into contact with each other, when the detachable member 20c is further inserted in the direction of arrow F, the arc-shaped portions 51a and 51b come into contact with the lattice 84, and the lattice 84 presses the arc-shaped portions 51a and 51b, causing the first connecting member 21c to rotate in the direction of arrow A10 and the second connecting member 22c to rotate in the direction of arrow A20. That is, the tongues 54a and 54b of the first and second connecting members 21c and 22c move upward.

[0101] Furthermore, because the fixed shaft 24 is inserted into the elongated hole 50a of the first coupling member 21c, when the arc-shaped portion 51a comes into contact with the lattice 84 and the first coupling member 21c rotates in the direction of arrow A10, the first coupling member 21 moves in the direction of arrow B10 along the extension of the elongated hole 50a while sliding on the fixed shaft 24. Similarly, because the fixed shaft 24 is inserted into the elongated hole 50b of the second coupling member 22c, when the arc-shaped portion 51b comes into contact with the lattice 84 and the first coupling member 21c rotates in the direction of arrow A20, the second coupling member 22c moves in the direction of arrow B20 along the extension of the elongated hole 50b while sliding on the fixed shaft 24. This causes the first gear 130a of the first coupling member 21c and the second gear 130b of the second coupling member 21b to mesh with each other. Thereafter, when the detachable member 20c is further inserted in the direction of arrow F, the first engagement member 21c rotates in the direction of arrow A10 while the first gear 130a and the second gear 130b mesh with each other, and the second engagement member 22c rotates in the direction of arrow A20.

[0102] 44 is a front view showing a fourth state of the detachable member 20c of the eighth embodiment. When the detachable member 20 is further inserted in the direction of arrow F, the first coupling member 21 further rotates in the direction of arrow A10. This disengages the first gear 130a from the second gear 130b. Furthermore, the second coupling member 22 rotates in the direction of arrow A20. This causes the horizontal distance between the centers of the arc-shaped portions 51a and 51b of the detachable member 20, as indicated by arrow M1, to become the smallest. Because this distance indicated by arrow M1 is equal to or less than the spacing between adjacent lattices 84, the detachable member 20 can pass through the gap between adjacent lattices 84.

[0103] 45 is a front view showing a fifth state of the detachable member 20c according to the eighth embodiment. When the detachable member 20 is further inserted in the direction of arrow F, the positional relationship between the arc-shaped portion 51a of the first connecting member 21c and the lattice 84 causes the first connecting member 21c to rotate in the direction of arrow A11. Furthermore, the positional relationship between the arc-shaped portion 51b of the second connecting member 22c and the lattice 84 causes the second connecting member 22c to rotate in the direction of arrow A21. Next, when the detachable member 20 is further inserted in the direction of arrow F, the tongue 54a of the first connecting member 21c moves downward while contacting the lattice 84, and the tongue 54b of the second connecting member 22c moves downward while contacting the lattice 84.

[0104] 46 is a front view showing a sixth state of the detachable member 20c of the eighth embodiment. When the detachable member 20 is further inserted in the direction of arrow F, the tongue portion 54a of the first connecting member 21c moves below the lattice 84, separating the lattice 84 from the tongue portion 54a, and the tongue portion 54b of the second connecting member 22c moves below the lattice 84, separating the lattice 84 from the tongue portion 54b. At this time, the horizontal distance between the centers of the arc-shaped portions 51a and 51b of the detachable member 20, as indicated by arrow M2, becomes larger than the distance between adjacent lattices 84.

[0105] 47 is a front view showing a seventh state of the detachable member 20c according to the eighth embodiment. As a result of the separation of the lattice 84 and the tongue 54a, the first coupling member 21c moves in the direction of arrow B11 while the elongated hole 50a slides along the fixed shaft 24, and the second coupling member 22c moves in the direction of arrow B21 while the elongated hole 50b slides along the fixed shaft 24. As a result, the first coupling member 21 and the second coupling member 22 move further in the direction indicated by arrow M3, increasing the horizontal distance between the center of the arc-shaped portion 51a and the center of the arc-shaped portion 51b of the detachable member 20. Furthermore, the release arm 55a of the first coupling member 21c is supported in contact with the lattice 84, and the release arm 55b of the second coupling member 22c is supported in contact with the lattice 84.

[0106] Because release arm 55a of first connecting member 21c is supported in contact with lattice 84 and release arm 55b of second connecting member 22c is supported in contact with lattice 84, connecting device 10c (see FIG. 38) is temporarily connected to grating 81 (see FIG. 7). Next, in order to permanently fix first step filling member 60 and grating 81 with connecting device 10, and permanently fix second step filling member 70 and grating 81 with connecting device 10, a step filling member connecting member (not shown) that was connected to connecting member 26 via a joint member (not shown) is pulled up vertically.

[0107] FIG. 48 is a front view showing an eighth state of the detachable member 20c according to the eighth embodiment. When the release arm 55a of the first connecting member 21c is in contact with the lattice 84 and the release arm 55b of the second connecting member 22c is in contact with the lattice 84, and the step-filling member connecting member is pulled up vertically in the direction of arrow G, the detachable member 20c is pulled up in the direction of arrow G. As a result, the first connecting member 21c pressed by the lattice 84 is rotated in the direction of arrow A11 and moves in the direction of arrow B10. Furthermore, the second connecting member 22c pressed by the lattice 84 is rotated in the direction of arrow A21 and moves in the direction of arrow B20. Next, when the detachable member 20c is further pulled up in the direction of arrow G, the lattice 84 moves from the opening 53a of the first connecting member 21c to the semicircular arc portion 52a, and then from the opening 53b of the second connecting member 22c to the semicircular arc portion 52b.

[0108] 49 is a front view showing a ninth state of the detachable member 20c according to the eighth embodiment. When the detachable member 20c is further pulled up in the direction of arrow G, the first connecting member 21c is rotated in the direction of arrow A11, and the second connecting member 22c is rotated in the direction of arrow A21. That is, the tongues 54a and 54b of the first and second connecting members 21 and 22 move downward. As a result, the lattice 84 is supported and coupled to the semicircular arc portion 52a of the first connecting member 21c, and the lattice 84 is supported and coupled to the semicircular arc portion 52b of the second connecting member 22c. That is, the lattice 84 is suspended by the semicircular arc portions 52a and 52b. In this state, by connecting the step filling member connecting members of the connecting device 10c to the first and second step filling members 60, 70 (see FIG. 7), the first and second step filling members 60, 70 and the grating 81 are connected by the connecting device 10c.

[0109] Next, a method for releasing the connection between the first step filling member 60 (see FIG. 7) and the grating 81 using the coupling device 10c and a method for releasing the connection between the second step filling member 70 and the grating 81 using the coupling device 10c will be described. Note that the method for releasing the connection between the first step filling member 60 and the grating 81 using the coupling device 10c and the method for releasing the connection between the second step filling member 70 and the grating 81 using the coupling device 10c are the same, and therefore will be described together using FIGS. 50 to 55.

[0110] 50 is a front view showing the tenth state of the detachable member 20c of the eighth embodiment. When the step-filler connecting members (not shown) of the connecting device 10c are detached from the first and second step-filler members 60 and 70 and the detachable member 20c moves vertically downward in the direction of arrow F, the first connecting member 21c comes into contact with the lattice 84 and the second connecting member 22c comes into contact with the adjacent lattice 84. As a result, the first connecting member 21c rotates in the direction of arrow A10 and moves in the direction of arrow B10, and the second connecting member 22c rotates in the direction of arrow A20 and moves in the direction of arrow B20.

[0111] 51 is a front view showing the eleventh state of the detachable member 20c of the eighth embodiment. As the detachable member 20 further moves in the direction of arrow F, the release arm 55a of the first coupling member 21c comes into contact with the lattice 84 and is pressed upward from below, causing the first coupling member 21c to further rotate in the direction of arrow A10. Also, the release arm 55b of the second coupling member 22c comes into contact with the lattice 84 and is pressed upward from below, causing the first coupling member 22c to further rotate in the direction of arrow A20. As a result, the coupling between the first coupling member 21c and the second coupling member 22c and the lattice 84 is released.

[0112] 52 is a front view showing the twelfth state of the detachable member 20c of the eighth embodiment. As the detachable member 20c has moved vertically below the lattice 84, the release arms 55a and 55b are separated from the lattice 84 and are no longer supported by the lattice 84. As a result, the first connecting member 21c rotates in the direction of arrow A11, and the second connecting member 22c rotates in the direction of arrow A21, returning the detachable member 20c to its initial state.

[0113] 53 is a front view showing the detachable member 20c of the eighth embodiment in a thirteenth state. Next, when the step filler connecting member is pulled up vertically in the direction of arrow G, the detachable member 20c is pulled up in the direction of arrow G. As a result, the release arm 55a of the first connecting member 21c comes into contact with the lattice 84, and the release arm 55b of the second connecting member 22c comes into contact with the lattice 84. Furthermore, the first gear 130a of the first connecting member 21c and the second gear 130b of the second connecting member 22c mesh with each other.

[0114] 54 is a front view showing the fourteenth state of the detachable member 20c of the eighth embodiment. When the detachable member 20c is further pulled up in the direction of arrow G, the release arm 55a of the first coupling member 21c is pressed downward by the lattice 84 and moves downward, causing the first coupling member 21c to rotate in the direction of arrow A10. Furthermore, the release arm 55b of the second coupling member 22c is pressed downward by the lattice 84 and moves downward, causing the second coupling member 22c to rotate in the direction of arrow A20. At this time, the first gear 130a and the second gear 130b are pressed against each other in a meshed state, causing the first coupling member 21c and the second coupling member 22c to rotate.

[0115] The first gear 130a and the second gear 130b, which are pressed against each other, move in the directions of arrows C1 and C2 (see FIG. 39), which are directions along the slits 131a and 131b, and therefore the engagement between the first gear 130a and the second gear 130b does not prevent the rotation of the first coupling member 21c and the second coupling member 22c. Next, when the detachable member 20c is further pulled up in the direction of arrow G, the release arms 55a and 55b pass through the lattice 84 and are released from contact with the lattice 84.

[0116] Figure 55 is a front view showing the fifteenth state of the detachable member 20c of the eighth embodiment. When the release arms 55a, 55b are released from contact with the grating 84, the detachable member 20c returns to its initial state. Next, the step filler connecting member (not shown) is pulled up vertically in the direction of arrow G, and the connection between the first and second step filler members 60, 70 (see Figure 7) and the grating 81 by the connecting device 10c is released.

[0117] Thus, in this embodiment 8, the first connecting member 21c has a first gear 130a, and the second connecting member 22c has a second gear 130b, and the first gear 130a and the second gear 130b can mesh with each other when the first connecting member 21c and the second connecting member 22c rotate around the fixed shaft 24 or move relative to the fixed shaft 24, so that the first connecting member 21c and the second connecting member 22c can rotate in conjunction with each other, allowing the first connecting member 21c and the second connecting member 22c to operate stably.

[0118] Furthermore, since the first and second gears 130a and 130b can move in the directions of arrows C1 and C2, which are directions along the slits 131a and 131b, in the fourteenth state of the detachable member 20c (see Figure 54), the meshed first and second gears 130a and 130b do not hinder the rotation of the first connecting member 21c and the second connecting member 22c.

[0119] Furthermore, since the first and second gears 130a and 130b are biased downward by the elastic members 132a and 132b, when the meshing between the first gear 130a and the second gear 130b is released, the first gear 130a and the second gear 130b automatically return to their initial positions, and the first gear 130a and the second gear 130b can mesh with each other the next time the first and second connecting members 21c and 22c rotate and move.

[0120] In the eighth embodiment, the first and second gears 130a and 130b are biased downward by the elastic members 132a and 132b, but they may be biased upward.

[0121] Embodiment 9 Next, a description will be given of a coupling device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. The coupling device according to the ninth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that an expansion and contraction mechanism is provided on the upper side of the connecting member. 56 is a schematic diagram of a coupling device 10d according to the 9th embodiment. An upper portion 27c of a coupling member 27 extends horizontally. Two coupling member elongated holes 27h are provided in the upper portion 27c along the direction in which the upper portion 27c extends.

[0122] An extension mechanism 150 is attached to the upper portion 27c of the connecting member 27. The extension mechanism 150 has a cross-unit structure in which two linear metal plates 151 are rotatably connected to each other at a fulcrum 152, allowing for extension and contraction. A sliding fitting 153 is provided at one end of the vertically lower side of each metal plate 151, connecting the metal plate 151 to the connecting member elongated hole 27h. The sliding fitting 153 slides within the connecting member elongated hole 27h while remaining connected to the connecting member elongated hole 27h. A plate-shaped mounting portion 154 with a vertically extending bolt hole 154a is formed at the other end of the vertically upper side of each metal plate 151. This allows the mounting portion 154 to be bolted to a fixed object (not shown) that constitutes a second connecting object. The other configuration is the same as in the first embodiment. The extension mechanism 150 constitutes a third connecting member.

[0123] Next, the operation of the coupling device 10d according to the ninth embodiment will be described. FIG. 57 is a front view showing the coupling device 10d when the extension / contraction mechanism 150 is contracted. FIG. 58 is a front view showing the coupling device 10d when the extension / contraction mechanism 150 is extended. The coupling device 10d has an extension / contraction mechanism 150 having a cross unit structure attached to an upper portion 27c of a connecting member 27. Therefore, by contracting the extension / contraction mechanism 150 as shown in FIG. 57 or extending the extension / contraction mechanism 150 as shown in FIG. 58 with respect to a fixed object (not shown) to which the mounting portion 154 of the extension / contraction mechanism 150 is attached, it is possible to freely adjust the position of the detachable member 20 of the coupling device 10d.

[0124] In this way, the third connecting member of the ninth embodiment is the extension mechanism 150, and therefore the position of the detachable member 20 relative to the second connecting target member can be freely adjusted.

[0125] In this embodiment 9, the mounting portion 154 of the extension mechanism 150 has a bolt hole 154a, and the mounting portion 154 is bolted to the object to be attached, but this is not limited to this, and the mounting portion 154 may be provided with a known mounting mechanism other than the bolt hole 154a, such as a clip-shaped metal fitting.

[0126] Furthermore, in the third to ninth embodiments of the present invention, the contact portions of the first and second coupling members are arc-shaped portions as in the first embodiment, but the contact portions may be straight portions as in the second embodiment.

[0127] Embodiment 10 Next, a description will be given of a coupling device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the fifth embodiment, the tenth embodiment is configured by providing a detachable member on a rope engaging member that engages with a rope connected to a drone. Figure 59 is a schematic diagram of an engagement device according to the tenth embodiment. The coupling device 10e is connected to the lower part of the drone 120 and attached to a wire rope 160 extending vertically downward. The wire rope 160 is formed by twisting together multiple strands and extends vertically. The wire rope 160 is wound and extended vertically by a motor (not shown) inside the drone 120. The wire rope 160 constitutes a third coupling member.

[0128] The coupling device 10e has a rope engaging member 161. The rope engaging member 161 is formed so that the wire rope 160 is inserted into the center and the strand that forms the outer shape of the wire rope 160 can be engaged with the center. The rope engaging member 161 also has a descent prevention stopper (not shown) that stops the rope engaging member 161 from descending along the wire rope 160. Furthermore, two detachable members 20 are provided at the bottom of the rope engaging member 161, symmetrically and parallel to each other with the center in between. The connecting member 23 of the detachable member 20 is connected to the bottom of the rope engaging member 161. A ring-shaped clamp member 162 is connected to the top of the rope engaging member 161 so as to be rotatable relative to the rope engaging member 161.

[0129] A hanging fixture 84e is attached to a hanging object 85 suspended by a detachable member 20 of a coupling device 10e according to the present embodiment 10. This hanging fixture 84e comprises a ring-shaped hanging member 84f disposed vertically above and extending horizontally, connected to a circular bottom plate 84h of the hanging object 85 by a vertical member 84g extending vertically. The ring-shaped hanging member 84f is formed to have a diameter that allows the detachable member 20 to be coupled to the ring-shaped hanging member 84f. A bottom plate fixing member 84i made of a ferromagnetic material such as iron is provided at the center of the bottom plate 84h. The hanging object 85 may itself be a cargo to be transported by the drone 120, or cargo to be transported by the drone 120 may be loaded on the bottom plate 84h. The ring-shaped hanging member 84f constitutes a first coupling target member, and the bottom plate fixing member 84i constitutes an object fixing member.

[0130] FIG. 60 is an enlarged view of coupling device 10e. For ease of explanation, capsule member 163 is not shown in FIG. 60. Two cylindrical hinge portions 164, which connect capsule member 163 so that it can be opened and closed, are provided parallel to each other at the top of clamp member 162. Referring again to FIG. 59, capsule member 163 is a rugby-ball-shaped, ellipsoidal capsule, and its top is connected to hinge portion 164. It can be opened and closed along its longitudinal axis using a capsule opening / closing device, such as an actuator (not shown), with hinge portion 164 as a fulcrum. Furthermore, capsule member 163 is configured to accommodate rope engaging member 161, clamp member 162, and detachable member 20 when closed. Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, when detachable member 20 suspends suspended object 85, capsule member 163 can accommodate suspended object 85. A rope fixing member 165, consisting of an electromagnet, is provided at the lower end of wire rope 160.

[0131] Figure 61 is a plan view of the rope engaging member 161. The rope engaging member 161 has an engaging hole 161a at its radial center, which is engageable with the outer diameter portion of the strand of the wire rope 160 (see Figure 60).

[0132] 62 is a cross-sectional view of the rope engaging member 161 and the clamp member 162 cut along the vertical direction. An engaging hole 161a of the rope engaging member 161 engages with the outer diameter portion of the wire rope 160. On the other hand, an inner diameter portion of the clamp member 162 does not engage with the outer diameter portion of the wire rope 160. In addition, a ring-shaped protrusion 161b extending along the radial direction of the rope engaging member 161 and a ring-shaped protrusion 162b extending along the radial direction of the clamp member 162 are fitted together. This allows the clamp member 162 to rotate freely with respect to the rope engaging member 161 engaged with the wire rope 160. The other configurations are the same as those in embodiment 5.

[0133] Next, the operation of coupling device 10e of Embodiment 10 will be described. Fig. 63 is a schematic diagram of coupling device 10e before coupling device 10e suspends suspended object 85. Before suspending suspended object 85, capsule member 163 of coupling device 10e is in a closed state. After an operator operates drone 120 and gets close enough to above suspended object 85, capsule member 163 is opened by the operator's suspension start operation, as shown in Fig. 59.

[0134] Next, drone 120 lowers wire rope 160 vertically downward. At this time, rope fixing member 165, which is an electromagnet, is energized, generating magnetic force. As wire rope 160 descends, rope fixing member 165 and bottom plate fixing member 84i approach each other, and rope fixing member 165 is attracted to and fixed to bottom plate fixing member 84i, which is a ferromagnetic material, by the magnetic force. As a result, wire rope 160 is positioned above object 85 to be hung.

[0135] Next, when the drone 120 lowers the wire rope 160, as shown in FIG. 62 , the rope engaging member 161 is engaged with the wire rope 160, and therefore the rope engaging member 161, the detachable member 20 connected thereto, and the clamp member 162 descend together with the wire rope 160. At this time, since the capsule member 163g is open, a large air resistance is generated in the capsule member 163, appropriately reducing the descent speed of the wire rope 160, the rope engaging member 161, and the detachable member 20. Next, as the wire rope 160 descends, the detachable member 20 comes into contact with the ring-shaped hanging member 84f. As the detachable member 20 descends further, the detachable member 20 is coupled to the ring-shaped hanging member 84f. As a result, the suspended object 85 is suspended from the detachable member 20.

[0136] Next, when the worker performs a transport start operation, drone 120 raises wire rope 160, causing suspended object 85 suspended from detachable member 20 to rise. Next, after suspended object 85 has risen to a predetermined altitude, the worker performs a closing operation on capsule member 163, which closes capsule member 163 and completes flight preparations for drone 120 to transport suspended object 85. When capsule member 163 is exposed to wind during drone 120 flight, its tip faces in the direction of travel so that its shape naturally reduces air resistance. This makes it possible to reduce air resistance on coupling device 10e and suspended object 85 while drone 120 is flying.

[0137] Next, after drone 120 flies to the unloading position of suspended object 85, the worker performs a transport end operation to open capsule member 163, as shown in FIG. 59 . Next, drone 120 stops the power supply to rope fixing member 165, and the generation of magnetic force stops. This releases the fixation between rope fixing member 165 and bottom plate fixing member 84i. Next, drone 120 lowers wire rope 160 vertically downward, thereby lowering detachable member 20 vertically downward. Next, after the lowered suspended object 85 touches the ground, wire rope 160 descends further, thereby releasing the connection between detachable member 20 and ring-shaped hanging member 84f, and suspended object 85 is placed at the transport destination position.

[0138] In this way, the connecting device 10e of this embodiment 10 further includes a rope engaging member 161 connecting at least two of the detachable members 20, and the wire rope 160 is a rope extending in the vertical direction formed by twisting together a plurality of strands, and the hanging fitting 84e has a ring-shaped hanging member 84f at the top to which the object to be hung 85 is connected and to which each detachable member 20 can be attached and detached, and since the rope engaging member 161 is engaged with the strand that forms the outer shape of the wire rope 160, the detachable member 20 connected to the drone 120 and the object to be hung 85 can be easily connected and disconnected.

[0139] Furthermore, a rope fixing member 165 is provided at the lower end of the wire rope 160, and a bottom plate fixing member 84i that can be connected to the rope fixing member 165 is provided at the bottom of the suspended object 85, making it easy to position the detachable member 20 and the suspended object 85 for connection.

[0140] In addition, the drone 120 has a capsule member 163 that is attached to the upper side of the rope engaging member 161 in an openable and closable manner and is formed so that it can accommodate the rope engaging member 161 and the detachable member when closed, thereby reducing the air resistance of the coupling device 10e and the suspended object 85 while the drone 120 is flying.

[0141] Embodiment 11 Next, a description will be given of a coupling device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. In this eleventh embodiment, in addition to the tenth embodiment, a cylindrical member for positioning the coupling device is further provided. Figure 64 is a partial cross-sectional view of coupling device 10f according to the eleventh embodiment. A cylindrical member 170 extending vertically and accommodating hanging fixture 84e is provided on the outer periphery of suspended object 85b. The bottom of cylindrical member 170 is common to bottom plate 84h. A threaded portion 171 with a tapped right-hand screw is formed on the inner sidewall of cylindrical member 170.

[0142] Four guide rails 166 are attached to the rope engaging member 161 at 90-degree angular intervals in the circumferential direction. The guide rails 166 have a horizontal rail 166a connected to the rope engaging member 161 and extending horizontally, a vertical rail 166b connected to the horizontal rail 166a and extending vertically downward, and a rectangular parallelepiped rail protrusion 166c provided at the lower end of the vertical rail 166b so as to protrude radially outward. This rail protrusion 166c is formed so as to be able to be screwed into and released from a threaded portion 171 on the inner surface of a cylindrical member 170. The other configurations are the same as those of the tenth embodiment.

[0143] Next, the operation of coupling device 10f according to the eleventh embodiment will be described. After an operator operates drone 120 and brings it sufficiently close above suspended object 85, capsule member 163 is opened by the operator's suspension start operation, as shown in FIG. 59. When drone 120 lowers wire rope 160 to couple detachable member 20 to suspension fitting 84e, guide rail 166, rail protrusion 166c, and rope fixing member 165 connected to rope engaging member 161 shown in FIG. 64 descend. When rope fixing member 165 and bottom plate fixing member 84i approach each other, rope fixing member 165 is attracted to and fixed by magnetic force to bottom plate fixing member 84i, which is a ferromagnetic material. This positions wire rope 160 above suspended object 85.

[0144] Next, the descent prevention stopper of rope engaging member 161 is released. As a result, rope engaging member 161 descends while rotating horizontally along the strand of wire rope 160, and guide rail 166 connected to rope engaging member 161 also descends while rotating horizontally. At this time, clamp member 162 is not engaged with wire rope 160, and rope engaging member 161 and clamp member 162 are rotatable relative to each other, so clamp member 162 and capsule member 163 provided on clamp member 162 descend without rotating as rope engaging member 161 descends. As guide rail 166 descends while rotating horizontally, rail protrusion 166c of guide rail 166 threadably engages with threaded portion 171 of tubular member 170. This enables alignment of detachable member 20 with hanging fitting 84e. At this time, because capsule member 163g is open, a large air resistance is generated in capsule member 163, appropriately reducing the descent speed of wire rope 160, rope engaging member 161, detachable member 20, and suspended object 85. After rail protrusion 166c is threadedly engaged with threaded portion 171 of tubular member 170, the descent prevention stopper of rope engaging member 161 is actuated, and the descent of rope engaging member 161 is stopped.

[0145] Next, in the eleventh embodiment, the operation after drone 120 flies to the unloading position of suspended object 85, capsule member 163 is opened by the operator's operation to end transport, and power supply to rope fixing member 165 is stopped, causing the generation of magnetic force to cease will be described. After suspended object 85 has descended to the destination transport position and is grounded, the connection between detachable member 20 and ring-shaped suspension member 84f is released, and suspended object 85 is placed at the destination transport position, when wire rope 160 rises to move drone 120, rail protrusion 166c of guide rail 166 rotates along threaded portion 171 of tubular member 170, causing the engagement between rail protrusion 166c and threaded portion 171 to be released.

[0146] As described above, the coupling device 10g of this embodiment 11 further includes a tubular member 170 that extends vertically and accommodates the hanging fitting 84e, the rope engaging member 161 has a guide rail 166, and the side wall of the tubular member 170 has a threaded portion 171 formed on the inside of the side wall so that it can be threaded onto the guide rail 166, thereby enabling the detachable member 20 to be aligned with the hanging fitting 84e.

[0147] Embodiment 12 Next, a description will be given of a coupling device according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention. In this twelfth embodiment, the shape of the guide rail connected to the rope engaging member is changed from that of the eleventh embodiment. 65 is a partial cross-sectional view of a coupling device 10g of embodiment 12. A rail protrusion 166e is formed at the lower end of the vertical rail 166b of the guide rail 166d provided on the rope engaging member 161 of the coupling device 10g, and protrudes radially outward and circumferentially. This rail protrusion 166e is formed in a shape that allows it to be screwed and unscrewed along the thread groove of the threaded portion 171 of the tubular member 170. The other configurations are the same as those of embodiment 11.

[0148] In this way, in the coupling device 10g of this embodiment 12, the rail protrusion portion 166e is formed to protrude along the circumferential direction at the lower end of the vertical rail 166b of the guide rail 166d provided on the rope engaging member 161, so that the rail protrusion portion 166c can be screwed into the threaded portion 171 of the tubular member 170 to align the detachable member 20 with the hanging fitting 84e.

[0149] Embodiment 13 Next, a description will be given of a coupling device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. In the thirteenth embodiment, the shape of the cylindrical member is changed from that of the eleventh embodiment. FIG. 66 is a schematic diagram of a coupling device 10h according to the thirteenth embodiment. A threaded portion 171a with a tapped right-hand screw is formed on the outer sidewall of a cylindrical member 170a. Although not shown, a hanging fixture 84e and a hanging object 85 are provided inside the cylindrical member 170a. A rectangular parallelepiped rail protrusion 166g is formed at the tip of a vertical rail 166b of a guide rail 166f provided on a rope engaging member 161, protruding radially inward. This rail protrusion 166g is formed in a shape that allows it to be screwed into and released from the threaded portion 171a on the outer sidewall of the cylindrical member 170a. The other configurations are the same as those of the eleventh embodiment.

[0150] In this way, in the coupling device 10h of this embodiment 13, a rectangular parallelepiped rail protrusion portion 166g is formed at the lower end of the vertical rail 166b of the guide rail 166f provided on the rope engaging member 161 so as to protrude radially inward, and a screw portion 171a is formed on the outer side of the tubular member 170a so as to be able to screw into the rail protrusion portion 166g, making it possible to align the detachable member 20 with the hanging fitting 84e.

[0151] Embodiment 14 Next, a description will be given of a coupling device according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention. In this fourteenth embodiment, the shape of the guide rail connected to the rope engaging member is changed from that of the thirteenth embodiment. FIG. 67 is a schematic diagram of a coupling device 10i according to the fourteenth embodiment. A threaded portion 171a is formed on the outer sidewall of a cylindrical member 170a. Although not shown, a hanging fixture 84e and a hanging object 85 are provided inside the cylindrical member 170a. A rail projection 166i is formed at the tip of a vertical rail 166b of a guide rail 166h provided on a rope engaging member 161, and the rail projection 166i projects radially inward and protrudes along the circumferential direction. The rail projection 166i is shaped so that it can be screwed into and released from the threaded portion 171a on the outer sidewall of the cylindrical member 170a. The other configurations are the same as those of the thirteenth embodiment.

[0152] In this way, in the coupling device 10i of this embodiment 14, a rectangular parallelepiped rail protrusion portion 166i is formed at the lower end of the vertical rail 166b of the guide rail 166h provided on the rope engaging member 161 so as to protrude radially inward, and a screw portion 171a is formed on the outer side of the tubular member 170a so as to be able to screw into the rail protrusion portion 166i, making it possible to align the detachable member 20 with the hanging fitting 84e.

[0153] Although the threaded portion 171 in the present embodiments 11 and 12 and the threaded portion 171a in the present embodiments 13 and 14 are threaded portions with right-handed threads tapped, they may also be threaded portions with left-handed threads tapped.

[0154] Embodiment 15 Next, a description will be given of a coupling device according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention. In the fifteenth embodiment, the configuration of the rope fixing member at the lower end of the wire rope 160 is changed from that of the tenth embodiment. Figure 68 is a schematic diagram showing a rope fixing member and a bottom plate fixing member of a wire rope 160 according to the fifteenth embodiment. A rope fixing member 165a made of resin is provided at the lower end of the wire rope 160. Rope fixing member 165a has fixing member protrusions 165b that protrude radially outward. Furthermore, a bottom plate fixing member 84j made of resin is provided at a circular bottom plate 84h of the suspended object 85. A notch 84k extending vertically and circumferentially at a lower portion of bottom plate fixing member 84j is formed in bottom plate fixing member 84j.

[0155] Figure 69 is a schematic diagram showing the rope fixing member 165a when fixed to the bottom plate fixing member 84j. When fixing the rope fixing member 165a to the bottom plate fixing member 84j, the wire rope 160 is lowered and the fixing member protrusion 165b of the rope fixing member 165a is inserted into the notch 84k of the bottom plate fixing member 84j. Next, when the drone 120 rotates the wire rope 160 horizontally, the fixing member protrusion 165b fits into the notch 84k. This fixes the wire rope 160 to the bottom plate 84h.

[0156] In this way, in the connecting device 10e of this embodiment 15, the rope fixing member 165a provided on the wire rope 160 has a fixing member protrusion 165b that protrudes radially outward, and the fixing member protrusion 165b fits into the notch 84k provided in the bottom plate 84h, so that the wire rope 160 can be fixed to the bottom plate 84h with a simple configuration.

[0157] The configuration of the fifteenth embodiment is not limited to being applied to the invention of the tenth embodiment, but may also be applied to any of the eleventh to fourteenth embodiments.

[0158] Embodiment 16 Next, a description will be given of a coupling device according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention. In the sixteenth embodiment, the method of attaching the rope fixing member is changed from the fifteenth embodiment. 70 is an exploded view of a rope fixing member 180 according to the sixteenth embodiment. The rope fixing member 180 provided at the lower end of the wire rope 160 is composed of a key portion 181, a first end fixing plate 1182, a second end fixing plate 183, and a screw 184. The key portion 181 has a ring shape and has a center hole 181a formed in the center, a fixing member protrusion 165b protruding radially outward, and a screw hole 181b extending vertically.

[0159] First end fixing plate 182 and second end fixing plate 183 have the same ring-shaped configuration and respectively have engagement holes 182a and 183a that can engage with the strands that form the outer shape of wire rope 160. They also respectively have screw holes 182b and 183b. The other configurations are the same as those in the fifteenth embodiment.

[0160] Next, a method for attaching the rope fixing member 180 according to the sixteenth embodiment will be described. FIG. 71 is a schematic diagram illustrating the method for attaching the rope fixing member 180 according to the sixteenth embodiment. First, the lower end of the wire rope 160 is inserted into the engagement hole 182a of the first end fixing plate 182 and the engagement hole 183a of the second end fixing plate 183. At this time, due to the twisting of the outer diameter portion of the strand at the lower end of the wire rope 160, a circumferential angular difference occurs between the first end fixing plate 182 and the second end fixing plate 183, which engage with the lower end of the wire rope 160. This causes a circumferential positional difference between the screw hole 182b of the first end fixing plate 182 and the screw hole 183b of the second end fixing plate 183 when viewed from above in the vertical direction. Note that in FIG. 71, the engagement hole 183a and the screw hole 183b of the second end fixing plate 183 are projected onto the top surface of the first end fixing plate 182 and displayed.

[0161] Next, the second end fixing plate 183 is rotated horizontally to align the screw hole 182b of the first end fixing plate 182 with the screw hole 183b of the second end fixing plate 183. As a result, the engagement hole 183a of the second end fixing plate 183 bites into the outer diameter portion of the strand at the lower end of the wire rope 160, and the wire rope 160 is fixed. Figure 72 is a schematic diagram of the rope fixing member 180 of this embodiment 16 when installation is complete. As shown in Figure 72, the lower end of the wire rope 160 is inserted into the center hole 181a of the key portion 181, and each screw 184 is inserted into and screwed into each screw hole 182b, each screw hole 183b, and each screw hole 181b, thereby fixing and attaching the rope fixing member 180.

[0162] Thus, in the connecting device 10e of this embodiment 16, the rope fixing member 180 has a key portion 181, a first end fixing plate 182, and a second end fixing plate 183, and the second end fixing plate 183 is rotated horizontally and fixed, so that the rope fixing member can be fixed to the lower end of the wire rope 160 without using a method such as crimping, which requires special tools.

[0163] Embodiment 17 Next, a description will be given of a coupling device according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention. In the seventeenth embodiment, an air brake is further provided in addition to the eleventh embodiment. 73 is a schematic diagram of a coupling device 10j according to the seventeenth embodiment. An air brake 190 is attached to the wire rope 160 between the drone 120 and the capsule member 163. The other configurations are the same as those in the eleventh embodiment.

[0164] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the coupling device 10j of this embodiment 17. As shown in Fig. 73, the air brake 190 is in an undeployed state while the drone 120 is flying, and air resistance during the flight of the drone 120 is reduced.

[0165] Figure 74 is a schematic diagram showing the deployed state of air brake 190 in embodiment 17. By releasing the descent prevention stopper and lowering rope engaging member 161, air brake 190 is deployed when capsule member 163 is lowered. This allows air brake 190 to appropriately slow down the descent speed of capsule member 163 descending in the vertical direction, making it possible to prevent capsule member 163 from colliding with the ground or the like and damaging suspended object 85 or the like.

[0166] In this way, in the coupling device 10j of this embodiment 17, the descent speed of the capsule member 163 descending vertically is appropriately slowed down by the air brake 190, making it possible to more reliably prevent the capsule member 163 from colliding with the ground or the like and damaging the suspended object 85 or the like.

[0167] The configuration of the seventeenth embodiment is not limited to being applied to the invention of the eleventh embodiment, but may also be applied to any of the tenth, twelfth to sixteenth embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0168] 20, 20a, 20b, 20c Detachable members, 21, 21b, 21c First connecting member, 22, 22b, 22c Second connecting member, 23, 26, 27 Connecting member, 24 Fixed shaft, 25 Guide bar member, 26g Connecting member spacer, 30 Step filling member connecting member (third connecting member), 40 Articulation member, 50a, 50b Elongated hole, 51a, 51b Arc-shaped portion (contact portion), 51c, 51d Straight portion (contact portion), 52a, 52b Semicircular arc portion (hook-shaped portion), 54a, 54b Tongue portion (one end portion), 55a, 55b Release arm, 58a, 58b Bent portion (other end portion), 60 First step filling member (second connecting target member), 70 Second step filling member (second connecting target member), 81 Grating, 83a, 83b space (step), 84 lattice (first connecting member), 84a, 84c, 84e hanging hardware (first connecting member), 84f ring-shaped hanging member (ring-shaped member), 84i bottom plate fixing member (object fixing member), 84k notch, 85 hanging object, 100 boom (second connecting member), 103 hook block (third connecting member), 110 prize acquisition device (second connecting member), 112 telescopic boom (third connecting member), 120 drone (second connecting member), 130a first gear (first connecting member arc-shaped gear), 130b second gear (second arc-shaped gear), 140 spacer, 150 telescopic mechanism (third connecting member), 160 wire rope (rope, third connecting member), 161 rope engaging member, 163 Capsule member, 165 rope fixing member, 165b fixing member protrusion, 166, 166d, 166f guide rail, 166b vertical rail, 166c, 166e, 166g, 166i rail protrusion, 170, 170a tubular member, 171, 171a screw portion, 180 rope fixing member, 181 key portion, 182 first end fixing plate, 183 second end fixing plate, 190 air brake.

Claims

1. a detachable member that is detachable from the first connecting target member; a first coupling member provided on the detachable member; a second coupling member provided on the detachable member; a connecting member provided on the detachable member and connecting the first connecting member and the second connecting member; a third coupling member connected to the detachable member and coupled to the second coupling target member; Equipped with The first connecting member and the second connecting member are With a slotted hole, a contact portion provided on a lower outer periphery of each of the first and second coupling members, the contact portion having one end located higher than the other end; a hook-shaped portion provided at one end of the contact portion and connectable to the first target member; and the connecting member has at least one fixed shaft extending horizontally and inserted into each of the elongated holes of the first connecting member and the second connecting member; the first connecting member and the second connecting member are supported so as to be rotatable about the fixed shaft and so as to be movable relative to the fixed shaft, When the first connecting member and the second connecting member are not connected to the first connecting target member, when the detachable member moves downward, the contact portions of the first connecting member and the second connecting member are pressed by the first connecting target member, and the first connecting member and the second connecting member rotate around the fixed shaft so that one end of each contact portion moves upward, and move relative to the fixed shaft in a direction that shortens the distance from the contact portion of the first connecting member to the contact portion of the second connecting member, Next, when the detachable member moves further downward and the first target member and the contact portions of the first connecting member and the second connecting member are separated from each other, the first connecting member and the second connecting member move relative to the fixed shaft in a direction that increases the distance from the contact portion of the first connecting member to the contact portion of the second connecting member, Next, when the detachable member moves upward, the hook-shaped portions of the first connecting member and the second connecting member connect to the first connecting target member, thereby connecting the detachable member to the first connecting target member.

2. the first coupling member and the second coupling member each have a release arm provided above the hook-shaped portion and extending in a direction intersecting a direction extending along the contact portion, When the hook-shaped portions of the first connecting member and the second connecting member are connected to the first connecting target member, when the detachable member moves downward, the release arms of the first connecting member and the second connecting member are pressed upward from below by the first connecting target member, and the first connecting member and the second connecting member rotate around the fixed shaft so that the release arms move upward, Next, when the detachable member moves further downward and the first target member and the release arms of the first connecting member and the second connecting member move apart, the first connecting member and the second connecting member rotate around the fixed shaft so that the release arms move downward, Next, when the detachable member moves vertically upward, the release arms of the first connecting member and the second connecting member are pressed downward by the first connecting target member, and the first connecting member and the second connecting member rotate around the fixed axis so that the release arms move downward, thereby releasing the connection between the detachable member and the first connecting target member.

3. the first coupling member has a first arcuate gear, and the second coupling member has a second arcuate gear; The coupling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first arc-shaped gear and the second arc-shaped gear are capable of meshing with each other when the first coupling member and the second coupling member rotate around the fixed shaft or move relative to the fixed shaft.

4. The coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the contact portions of the first coupling member and the second coupling member are arc-shaped portions.

5. The coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the contact portions of the first coupling member and the second coupling member are linear portions.

6. a joint member having two degrees of freedom of movement that connects the connecting member and the third connecting member; A coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first coupling target member is a grating, and the second coupling target member is a step filling member that fills a step between the grating and a road surface on which the grating is installed.

7. The coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second member to be coupled is a boom of a crane device.

8. The coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second coupling target member is a prize-winning device.

9. The coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second coupling target member is a drone, and at least two of the detachable members are provided for one drone.

10. 10. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member has a guide bar member, and the first coupling target member has a guide member that guides the guide bar member.

11. The coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a spacer is provided between the connecting member and the first coupling member and between the connecting member and the second coupling member.

12. The coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the third coupling member is an extendable mechanism.

13. a rope engaging member connecting at least two of the detachable members; The third connecting member is a rope extending in the vertical direction formed by twisting together a plurality of strands, the first connecting member has a lower part to which a hanging object is connected and an upper part to which each of the detachable members can be detachably attached, 10. The coupling device of claim 9, wherein the rope engaging member is engaged with the strands that define the rope profile.

14. A rope fixing member is provided at the lower end of the rope, 14. The connecting device according to claim 13, wherein an object fixing member that can be connected to the rope fixing member is provided at a lower portion of the suspended object.

15. 15. A coupling device according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising a capsule member attached to the upper side of the rope engaging member so as to be able to open and close, and formed so as to be able to house the rope engaging member and the detachable member when closed.

16. a cylindrical member extending in a vertical direction and accommodating the first connecting target member; The rope engaging member has a guide rail, A coupling device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein a threaded portion is formed on at least one of the inside and outside of the side wall of the tubular member so as to be capable of threadably engaging with the guide rail.

17. a detachable member that is detachable from the first connecting target member; a first coupling member provided on the detachable member; a second coupling member provided on the detachable member; a connecting member provided on the detachable member and connecting the first connecting member and the second connecting member; a third coupling member connected to the detachable member and coupled to the second coupling target member; Equipped with The first connecting member and the second connecting member are With a slotted hole, a contact portion provided on a lower outer periphery of each of the first and second coupling members, the contact portion having one end located higher than the other end; a hook-shaped portion provided at one end of the contact portion and connectable to the first target member; and the connecting member has a fixed shaft that extends horizontally and is inserted into each of the elongated holes of the first connecting member and the second connecting member; In a coupling device in which the first coupling member and the second coupling member are supported so as to be rotatable about the fixed shaft and movably relative to the fixed shaft, when the first connecting member and the second connecting member are not connected to the first connecting target member, when the detachable member moves downward, the contact portions of the first connecting member and the second connecting member are pressed by the first connecting target member, and the first connecting member and the second connecting member rotate about the fixed shaft so that one end of each contact portion moves upward and move relative to the fixed shaft in a direction that shortens the distance from the contact portion of the first connecting member to the contact portion of the second connecting member; next, when the detachable member is further moved downward and the first target member and the contact portions of the first connecting member and the second connecting member are separated from each other, the first connecting member and the second connecting member move relative to the fixed shaft in a direction that increases a distance from the contact portion of the first connecting member to the contact portion of the second connecting member; Next, when the detachable member is moved upward, the hook-shaped portions of the first connecting member and the second connecting member are connected to the first target member, thereby connecting the detachable member to the first target member.

Images