gatepost

Abstract

To realize a structure allowing improved design and connecting strength at a gate post in which a plurality of vertical supports is coupled by a horizontal support and to which at least one function part can be attached.SOLUTION: A gate post comprises a plurality of vertical supports erected at intervals in a horizontal direction and a horizontal support coupled so as to connect the plurality of vertical supports in the horizontal direction between the plurality of vertical supports. An end of each support has an end surface facing in a diagonal direction relative to a longitudinal direction and the end of the vertical support and the end of the horizontal support are coupled via a corner member. The corner member comprises a corner part having two inclined surfaces, a vertical insertion part projecting from one inclined surface and inserted into the vertical support, a horizontal insertion part projecting from the other inclined surface and inserted into the horizontal support, a vertical support coupling hole formation part fixed to the vertical support by a first screw and a horizontal support coupling hole formation part fixed to the horizontal support by a second screw. Each screw is arranged so as not to be exposed to an exterior surface in a state where each support is coupled by the corner member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a gatepost to which at least one functional component can be attached. [Background technology]

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, functional gateposts have been known in the past, in which functional components such as lighting, a nameplate, and an intercom are attached to the gatepost. The functional gatepost described in Patent Document 1 has a front panel attached to the front side of the gatepost body, which consists of multiple pillars arranged in parallel at equal intervals, so that the front panel spans the multiple pillars. The upper parts of the multiple pillars are connected by fixing the front panel to each pillar. Lighting, a nameplate, and an intercom are attached to the front panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-303683 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a gate post capable of mounting functional components, as described in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable to connect horizontal posts between multiple vertical posts spaced apart in the horizontal direction, so as to connect the multiple vertical posts horizontally. In this case, it is conceivable to connect the vertical and horizontal posts by inserting a joint inside them, but if the joint is simply L-shaped, a large portion of the joint is exposed to the outside, reducing the design quality. Furthermore, simply inserting a portion of the joint inside the vertical and horizontal posts leaves room for improvement in terms of increasing the connection strength.

[0005] The object of the present disclosure is to realize a structure that can enhance design and connection strength in a gate post that has multiple vertical posts connected by horizontal posts and can be fitted with at least one functional part. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The gate post of the present disclosure is a gate post to which at least one functional component can be attached, and comprises a plurality of vertical posts spaced apart horizontally, and horizontal posts connected between the plurality of vertical posts to connect the plurality of vertical posts horizontally, wherein the ends of the vertical posts and the ends of the horizontal posts each have end faces facing diagonally to the longitudinal direction, and the ends of the vertical posts and the ends of the horizontal posts are connected via corner members, and the corner members include a corner portion having two inclined surfaces on both sides in a direction inclined with respect to the up-down direction, a vertical insertion portion protruding from one of the inclined surfaces and inserted into the vertical post, a horizontal insertion portion protruding from the other inclined surface and inserted into the horizontal post, a vertical post connecting hole forming portion fixed to the vertical post by a first screw, and a horizontal post connecting hole forming portion fixed to the horizontal post by a second screw, and is configured such that when the vertical posts and horizontal posts are connected by the corner member, the first screw and the second screw are not exposed to the outside. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the gate post disclosed herein, multiple vertical posts are connected by horizontal posts, and at least one functional component can be attached between the multiple vertical posts. Furthermore, when the vertical insertion portion and horizontal insertion portion of the corner member are inserted into the vertical posts and the horizontal posts, respectively, the corner portion exposed to the outside can be reduced, thereby enhancing the design. Furthermore, the corner member includes a vertical post connecting hole forming portion that is fixed to the vertical post by a first screw and a horizontal post connecting hole forming portion that is fixed to the horizontal post by a second screw. When the vertical posts and the horizontal posts are connected by the corner member, the first screw and the second screw are not exposed to the outside, thereby increasing the connecting strength of the vertical posts and the horizontal posts and further enhancing the design. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the gatepost of the embodiment in use. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper part of FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 3, with some parts omitted. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of FIG. 2 with the horizontal support columns omitted. [Figure 6] 2 is an exploded perspective view of a connecting portion of a vertical support, a horizontal support, and a corner member that constitute the gatepost of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a perspective view showing the vertical support and the corner member taken out from FIG. 6, illustrating the insertion portion of the corner member into the vertical support. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the corner member taken out from FIG. 6, viewed from above on the vertical insertion portion side. [Figure 9] 9 is a perspective view of the corner member of FIG. 8, seen from above on the lateral insertion portion side. [Figure 10] 9 is a perspective view of the outer surface of the vertical insertion portion of the corner member of FIG. 8, as viewed from the outside. [Figure 11] 9 is a perspective view of the outer surface of the vertical insertion portion of the corner member of FIG. 8 as seen from the outside, showing a state in which a second screw has been fastened to the corner member. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the horizontal support taken out from FIG. 6, viewed from below on one side in the longitudinal direction. [Figure 13] 13 is a perspective view of the horizontal support of FIG. 12 as seen from below. FIG. [Figure 14] 7 is a perspective view of the vertical support, horizontal support, and corner member of FIG. 6 in a connected state, as viewed obliquely from below. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lighting unit is attached from the state shown in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion D in FIG. 2. [Figure 18] 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of the corner member having a predetermined thickness in the front-rear direction, which corresponds to part E in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the angular variation of the tip of a horizontal support and the length dimension of half of the horizontal support in the longitudinal direction. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a corner member forming a gatepost in another embodiment. [Figure 21] This is a schematic diagram showing how rainwater is discharged below the vertical support through the drainage holes in the corner members in a gate post of another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described using the drawings. The shapes, materials, quantities, and values ​​described below are examples for the purpose of explanation and can be changed as appropriate depending on the specifications of the gatepost. In the following, the same symbols are used for equivalent elements in all drawings. Furthermore, in the description below, the symbols previously mentioned will be used as necessary.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gate post 10 of an embodiment in use. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper part of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3, with some parts omitted. When in use, the gate post 10 is fitted with multiple functional components, such as a post 30, a nameplate 32, and a delivery box 40. The gate post 10 is called a functional gate post when fitted with functional components. A lighting unit 42 and a power supply box 50 are fixed to the top of the gate post 10. The gate post 10 is not limited to a configuration in which multiple functional components can be fitted, as long as it is fitted with at least one functional component.

[0011] During use, the lower end of the gate post 10 is fixed to a hollow rectangular plate that is buried in a concrete block or placed outdoors on the ground. The plate is made of, for example, metal or resin and has holes on the top and sides that lead to the interior. A fixed gate post structure is formed by laying multiple plates on the ground and connecting them to each other, and a power cord can be routed through the inside of the multiple plates. One end of the power cord is connected to a commercial power source inside a building such as a house, and the other end of the power cord can be connected to a gate post power cord that runs from the power box 50 through the inside of the vertical support 12 (described below) and is routed out the lower end.

[0012] The gatepost 10 is installed standing between the building and the road. In the following explanation, when the gatepost 10 faces the road and has a nameplate 32 attached to it, the front side of the nameplate 32 may be referred to as the "front side," and the building side of the gatepost 10 may be referred to as the "rear side." Additionally, the left-right direction when viewing the gatepost 10 from the front side may be referred to as the "lateral direction."

[0013] The gate post 10 includes a plurality of vertical posts 12, 13, more specifically two vertical posts 12, 13, which are spaced apart horizontally, and a horizontal post 60 that is connected between the upper ends of the two vertical posts 12, 13 so as to connect the two vertical posts 12, 13 horizontally. Each of the vertical posts 12, 13 and the horizontal post 60 is made of, for example, resin or metal. Furthermore, a reinforcing plate 100 is connected by screws or the like to at least one position in the middle of the vertical direction of the two vertical posts 12, 13 so as to connect the two vertical posts 12, 13 horizontally.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 (described later), the upper ends of the vertical columns 12 and 13 and both ends of the horizontal columns 60 have end faces that face obliquely relative to the longitudinal direction, for example, by being cut obliquely relative to the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the upper end faces of the vertical columns 12 and 13 are cut so as to be inclined at 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal direction. Both longitudinal end faces of the horizontal columns 60 are also cut so as to be inclined at 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal direction. Both longitudinal end faces of the horizontal columns 60 face diagonally downward on opposite sides of each other in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper ends of the vertical columns 12 and 13 and the ends of the horizontal columns 60 are connected via corner members 70. The corner members 70 are connected to the vertical columns 12 and 13 by first screws 90 (see FIG. 5), as described later, and to the horizontal columns 60 by second screws 94.

[0015] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of Fig. 2 without the horizontal support post 60. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the connection between the vertical supports 12, 13, the horizontal support post 60, and the corner member 70 that make up the gatepost. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the vertical supports 12, 13 and the corner member 70 removed from Fig. 6, showing the insertion portion of the corner member 70 into the vertical supports 12, 13.

[0016] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the vertical supports 12 and 13 are hollow, vertically elongated cylindrical structures, and their cross sections perpendicular to the longitudinal direction are formed in the shape of a flat, trapezoidal shape elongated in the front-to-rear direction, with a rectangular section protruding from the front-to-rear middle of the apex. The vertical supports 12 and 13 have the same basic structure. The vertical supports 12 and 13 are provided with a plurality of partition plates inside, which divide the internal space into four vertical chambers 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d extending in the vertical direction. The four vertical insertion portions 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d (described below) provided at the lower end of the corner member 70 are inserted into the four vertical chambers 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d and fit together without rattle.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 7 , in the two central vertical chambers 14c, 14d, a cylindrical wall 15 extending in the vertical direction of the vertical posts 12, 13 is formed on the inner surface of the wall at the outer end in the front-to-rear direction. The cylindrical wall 15 has a C-shaped cross section with a partial circumferential opening. The inner surface of the cylindrical wall 15 is tapped to form a tapping hole 16 with a female thread. A first screw 90 ( FIG. 5 ) for connecting a corner member 70 (described later) to the vertical posts 12, 13 is connected to the female thread of the tapping hole 16. This eliminates the need for a worker to use a tool to fasten a nut to the threaded portion of the first screw 90 when connecting the corner member 70 to the vertical posts 12, 13 with the first screw 90, and also eliminates the need to form a large hole in the outer surface of the vertical posts 12, 13 in the lateral direction to accommodate the tool. This improves the design of the gate post 10. Furthermore, by controlling the tightening torque of the first screw 90, a strong fastening can be achieved. By providing a helical insert with a metal coil fixed to the cylindrical wall or cylindrical hole with a C-shaped cross section, the inner periphery of the coil may be made into a female screw for coupling with the first screw 90.

[0018] The corner member 70 shown in FIG. 6 has vertical supports 12 and 13 connected to its lower end, and then the horizontal ends of the horizontal supports 60 are connected to multiple horizontal insertion portions 73a, 73b, 73c, and 73d extending horizontally of the corner member 70.

[0019] As can be seen from FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, which shows the gatepost 10 of FIG. 2 with the horizontal support 60 omitted from the top, a lighting unit 42 is fixed to the lower side of the horizontal support 60 between the upper parts of the two vertical supports 12, 13, extending horizontally. As shown in FIG. 4, the lighting unit 42 includes a support plate 43 extending horizontally, a case portion 44 that is a generally rectangular tubular shape and extends horizontally, bulging upward on one side of the support plate 43 in the front-to-rear direction, a light guide rod 45 fixed inside the case portion 44, and a light source (not shown) that inputs light to the light guide rod 45. Light emitted from the underside of the light guide rod 45 illuminates the underside through a transparent plate-like cover 46. This allows the lighting unit 42 to illuminate the nameplate 32 fixed between the two vertical supports 12, 13 below the lighting unit 42. The nameplate 32 may be a transparent plate such as an acrylic plate. The lighting unit is not limited to a configuration including a light guide rod, but may be configured, for example, such that a light-emitting section having light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in multiple horizontal positions is placed inside the case section 44 and illuminates the lower side through the cover 46.

[0020] The corner member 70 will be described in more detail using Figures 8 to 11. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the corner member 70 taken out from Figure 6, viewed from above on the vertical insertion portions 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d sides. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the corner member 70, viewed from above on the horizontal insertion portions 73a, 73b, 73c, and 73d sides. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the outer surfaces of the vertical insertion portions 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d of the corner member 70, viewed from outside. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the outer surfaces of the vertical insertion portions 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d of the corner member 70, viewed from outside, showing the state in which the second screw 94 has been fastened to the corner member 70.

[0021] 3 and 8 to 11, corner member 70 is integrally formed with a substantially flat corner portion 74 having two inclined surfaces 75a, 75b on both sides in a direction inclined 45 degrees with respect to the vertical direction, multiple vertical insertion portions 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d, and multiple horizontal insertion portions 73a, 73b, 73c, and 73d. Corner member 70 is formed, for example, from resin. Multiple vertical insertion portions 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d are cylindrical and protrude vertically downward from one inclined surface 75a facing diagonally downward, and are shaped so as to fit securely into multiple vertical chambers 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d of vertical supports 12 and 13, respectively. The vertical insertion portions 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d are fitted into the vertical chambers 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d without rattle.

[0022] As shown in Figure 7, at the outer ends of the two vertical insertion sections 71c, 71d at the center in the fore-and-aft direction of the multiple vertical insertion sections 71a, 71b, 71c, 71d, a cylindrical section 76 that fits into the outer periphery of the cylindrical wall 15 of the vertical support 12, 13 is formed so as to be recessed inside the vertical insertion sections 71c, 71d.

[0023] The multiple lateral insertion sections 73a, 73b, 73c, and 73d include two generally rectangular tubular lateral insertion sections 73c and 73d at the center in the front-rear direction and two dish-shaped lateral insertion sections 73a and 73b at both ends in the front-rear direction. Each dish-shaped lateral insertion section 73a and 73b has a stepped bottom plate section, a vertical wall connected to the inner end of the bottom plate section in the front-rear direction, and a vertically inclined wall connected to the outer end in the front-rear direction, and is open at the top end and the lateral center.

[0024] Furthermore, in the corner member 70, a cylindrical portion 77 protrudes vertically upward from the inner inclined surface 75b of each of the dish-shaped horizontal insertion portions 73a, 73b, and a circular hole forming portion 78 having a circular hole penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the cylindrical portion 77 and the corner portion 74 below the cylindrical portion 77. The circular hole forming portion 78 corresponds to the vertical support connecting hole forming portion.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 5, a first screw 90 passes through the circular hole of the circular hole forming portion 78, and the lower threaded portion of the first screw 90 is coupled to the female thread of the tapping hole 16 in FIG. 7. Although FIG. 5 shows only one first screw 90 directed toward the circular hole of one circular hole forming portion 78, similar first screws also pass through the circular holes of the other circular hole forming portions 78. In this way, the vertical supports 12, 13 are connected and fixed to the corner member 70 by the first screw 90. In this state, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper end surfaces of the vertical supports 12, 13, which are inclined relative to the up-down direction, abut against one inclined surface 75a of the corner member 70.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10 , a cylindrical portion 79 protrudes laterally outward from between the two central vertical insertion portions 71c, 71d on the outer inclined surface 75a of the corner member 70. A circular hole forming portion 81 having a circular hole penetrating laterally is formed in the cylindrical portion 79, the corner portion 74 located laterally inside the cylindrical portion 79, and a cylindrical portion 80 protruding laterally inward from the inner inclined surface 75b of the corner portion 74 ( FIGS. 4 , 7 , and 9 ). The circular hole forming portion 81 corresponds to a horizontal support column connecting hole forming portion. The circular hole forming portion 81 is fixed to the horizontal support column 60 (described later) with a second screw 94 and is used to connect the horizontal support column 60 to the corner member 70. The upper portion of the cylindrical portion 80 protruding from the inner inclined surface 75b of the corner portion 74 also serves as a corner portion of the wall forming the two horizontal insertion portions 73c, 73d on the center side in the front-rear direction.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the corner member 70 has a rotation prevention portion 82 formed on the upper portion of the outer inclined surface 75a, which protrudes from the outer inclined surface 75a and extends around the periphery of the circular hole in the cylindrical portion 79 that protrudes from the outer inclined surface 75a. As shown in FIG. 11 , the rotation prevention portion 82 has a V-shaped cross-section valley that can engage with the hexagonal head of the second screw 94 when the second screw 94 is inserted through the circular hole in the cylindrical portion 79. As a result, when the second screw 94 is inserted through the circular hole in the cylindrical portion 79, the head of the second screw 94 engages with the valley of the rotation prevention portion 82, preventing rotation of the second screw 94. Therefore, when fastening a nut 95 (FIG. 3) to the threaded portion of the second screw 94, an operator does not need to use a tool to prevent the head of the second screw 94 from rotating, and there is no need to form a large hole in the lateral outer surface of the vertical support posts 12 and 13 to insert the tool. This further improves the design of the gate post 10.

[0028] 18, which will be described later, a curved surface portion 83 having an arc-shaped cross section is formed at the corner of the upper end of the corner portion 74 of the corner member 70. Furthermore, a vertical covering portion 84 is formed that protrudes from the upper end of this corner portion 74 toward the vertical supports 12, 13, and a horizontal covering portion 85 is formed that protrudes from the upper end of the corner portion 74 toward the horizontal support 60. This will be described later using FIGS. 17 to 19.

[0029] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the horizontal support 60 taken out from Fig. 6 and viewed from below on one longitudinal side. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the horizontal support 60 viewed from below. The horizontal support 60 is elongated in the horizontal direction and has two fitting cylindrical portions 61a, 61b having horizontal chambers 62a, 62b with L-shaped cross sections extending laterally at both ends in the front-to-rear direction, a plate portion 63 connecting the upper ends of the two fitting cylindrical portions 61a, 61b in the front-to-rear direction, a support plate 64 extending downward from a central portion in the front-to-rear direction on the underside of the plate portion 63, and three cylindrical portions 65, 66 with C-shaped cross sections formed at the lower end of the support plate 64, extending laterally, and open at their lower ends. Of the four lateral insertion portions 73a, 73b, 73c, and 73d provided on the corner member 70, the two lateral insertion portions 73c and 73d on the central side in the front-to-rear direction are fitted between the two fitting cylindrical portions 61a and 61b and the support plate 64 and the cylindrical portions 65 and 66. The two lateral insertion portions 73a and 73b on both ends of the corner member 70 in the front-to-rear direction are inserted into the lateral chambers 62a and 62b of the two fitting cylindrical portions 61a and 61b and fitted together without rattle.

[0030] At this time, of the three tubular portions 65, 66 of the horizontal support 60, the two tubular portions 66 at both lateral ends are fitted without rattle inside the tubular portions 80 provided on the horizontal support 60 side of the corner member 70, and the support plate 64 of the horizontal support 60 is inserted into the gap between the two lateral insertion portions 73c, 73d of the corner member 70. Then, the tip of a second screw 94 inserted into the circular hole of the circular hole forming portion 81 of the corner member 70 from the outside of the corner member 70 passes through the tubular portion 66 at the end of the horizontal support 60, and a nut 95 and a washer are fastened to the tip of the second screw 94 protruding from the tubular portion 66, thereby connecting the horizontal support 60 to the corner member 70. Furthermore, because gaps are provided between the three tubular portions 65, 66 of the horizontal support 60, nuts 95 can be placed in these gaps.

[0031] At this time, in order to form a gap for connecting the nut 95 between the tubular portions 65, 66, a tubular portion is formed that is continuous and elongated in the horizontal direction, has a C-shaped cross section, and is open at the lower end, including the three tubular portions 65, 66, and the portion of the tubular portion that corresponds to the gap is cut away to form a notch, thereby easily forming the gap.

[0032] FIG. 7 shows a state in which a nut 95 is fastened to the tip of the second screw 94 before connecting the horizontal support 60 to the corner member 70. However, in reality, the threaded portion of the second screw 94 is inserted into the circular hole of the circular hole forming portion 81 of the corner member 70 from the outside of the corner member 70, and the lateral insertion portions 73a, 73b, 73c, and 73d of the corner member 70 are inserted into the horizontal support 60, and then the nut 95 is fastened to the tip of the second screw 94. This connects the corner member 70 to one end of the horizontal support 60. Similarly, a corner member 70 is connected to the other end of the horizontal support 60. This results in a structure in which two vertical supports 12 and 13 are connected to both ends of the horizontal support 60, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 . Although no nut is fastened to the tip of the second screw 94 on the right side in FIG. 14 , in reality, a nut 95 is fastened to the same second screw 94 on the left side. In this state, the second screw 94 and nut 95 are exposed when the gate post 10 is viewed from below as shown in Figure 15. On the other hand, when the two vertical posts 12, 13 and the horizontal post 60 are connected by the corner member 70 in this manner, the first screw 90 and the second screw 94 are configured so as not to be exposed on the outer surface of the gate post 10, that is, on the outer periphery of the gate post 10 and on the surface facing the front-to-rear direction.

[0033] In this way, the horizontal support 60 is joined and fixed to the corner member 70 by the second screw 94. In this state, the end face of the horizontal support 60 that is inclined relative to the longitudinal direction abuts against the other inclined surface 75b of the corner member 70, as shown in FIG.

[0034] Figure 16 is a perspective view showing the state after the lighting unit 42 has been attached from the state shown in Figure 14. When the lighting unit 42 is attached to the lower end of the horizontal support 60 with a screw or the like as shown in Figure 16, the second screw 94 and nut 95 are covered from below by the lighting unit 42. In other words, in this state, they are configured so that they are not exposed not only on the outer surface of the gate post 10 but also on the inside of the gate post 10, on the side where functional parts such as the post 30 are arranged.

[0035] FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of portion D in FIG. 2. FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the corner member 70 corresponding to portion E in FIG. 3, taken out from a predetermined thickness in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 17, when the vertical support 12 and the horizontal support 60 are connected by the corner member 70, only the upper, front, and rear edges of the corner portion 74 of the corner member 70 are exposed to the outer surface of the gatepost 10, while the rest of the corner member 70 is covered by the vertical support 12 and the horizontal support 60. As shown in FIG. 18, the corner of the upper end exposed to the outside of the corner portion 74 is formed with a curved surface portion 83 having an arc-shaped cross section. This prevents sharp edges from being formed at the joints between the vertical support 12 and the horizontal support 60 and the corner member 70, thereby improving safety. Furthermore, the corners of the front and rear ends exposed to the outside of the corner portion 74 are also formed with a curved surface portion having an arc-shaped cross section. This further improves safety.

[0036] 18, the corner portion 74 has a vertical covering portion 84 that protrudes in a generally U-shape from the peripheral edge connecting both front-rear edges and the upper edge on one inclined surface 75a, which is the surface facing the vertical support 12. Here, the "front-rear direction" corresponds to the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the two vertical supports 12, 13. The upper end of the vertical support 12 is fitted inside the vertical covering portion 84, so that the vertical covering portion 84 covers the upper end of the vertical support 12.

[0037] Furthermore, the corner portion 74 has a horizontal covering portion 85 that protrudes in a generally U-shape overall from the peripheral edge connecting both front-to-rear edges and the upper edge on the other inclined surface 75b, which is the surface facing the horizontal support 60. The longitudinal ends of the horizontal support 60 are fitted inside the horizontal covering portion 85, so that the horizontal covering portion 85 covers the longitudinal ends of the horizontal support 60. As a result, even if there is variation in the inclination angles of the end faces of the vertical supports 12, 13 and the horizontal support 60 relative to the longitudinal direction due to cutting errors, etc., the vertical covering portion 84 and the horizontal covering portion 85 can absorb the variation in longitudinal length due to this variation, preventing the occurrence of gaps visible from the outside between the corner member 70 and the vertical supports 12, 13 and the horizontal support 60.

[0038] FIG. 19 shows an example of the relationship between the variation in the tip angle of the horizontal support 60 and the length dimension X of half the longitudinal direction of the horizontal support 60. As shown in FIG. 19, if the tip angle θ, which matches the inclination angle of the tip surface of the horizontal support 60 relative to the front-to-rear direction, is the appropriate angle of 45 degrees, the length dimension X of half the longitudinal direction of the horizontal support 60 is 229.000 mm. On the other hand, if the tip angle θ is 46 degrees, which is larger than the appropriate angle, the tip of the horizontal support 60 cannot be inserted all the way into the intersection between the horizontal covering portion 85 and the inclined surface 75b. Therefore, when the spacing between the two vertical supports 12 and 13 is constant, the length of the horizontal support 60 is 228.404 mm, which is shorter than the appropriate length. Furthermore, if the tip angle θ is 44 degrees, which is smaller than the appropriate angle, the tip of the horizontal support 60 is inserted too far into the intersection between the horizontal covering portion 85 and the inclined surface 75b. As a result, when the distance between the two vertical supports 12, 13 is constant, the length of the horizontal support 60 becomes 229.627 mm, which is longer than the appropriate length.

[0039] In this way, if the tip angle θ is shifted by 2 degrees, there is a possibility that the length dimension of half the longitudinal direction of the horizontal support 60 will change by 1.22 mm. As a result, by making the horizontal protrusion length L of the horizontal covering part 85 from the inclined surface 75b of the corner part 74 larger than the length of this change, the deviation in the length of the horizontal support 60 can be absorbed by the horizontal covering part 85.

[0040] According to the gate post 10 described above, two vertical posts 12, 13 are connected by a horizontal post 60, and at least one functional component can be attached between the vertical posts 12, 13. Furthermore, when the vertical insertion portions 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d and the horizontal insertion portions 73a, 73b, 73c, and 73d of the corner member 70 are inserted into the vertical posts 12, 13 and the horizontal post 60, respectively, the area of ​​the corner portion 74 exposed to the outside can be reduced, thereby enhancing the design of the gate post 10. Furthermore, the corner member 70 includes a circular hole forming portion 78 that is fixed to the vertical posts 12, 13 by a first screw 90 and a circular hole forming portion 81 that is fixed to the horizontal post 60 by a second screw 94. This increases the connection strength between the vertical posts 12, 13 and the horizontal post 60, with little or no gap occurring at the corner portion 74. Furthermore, when the vertical posts 12, 13 and the horizontal post 60 are connected by the corner member 70, the first screw 90 and the second screw 94 are configured so as not to be exposed to the outside, thereby further enhancing the design of the gate post 10.

[0041] Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a corner member 101 forming a gatepost of another example of the embodiment. Fig. 21 is a schematic diagram showing how rainwater is drained below the vertical support 12 through the drainage holes 109 of the corner member 101 in a gatepost 10a of another example of the embodiment. In the configuration of this example, in the configuration shown in Figs. 1 to 18, the corner member 101 is formed with four tubular horizontal insertion portions 102a, 102b, 102c, and 102d with a substantially rectangular cross section. Then, a circular hole forming portion 103 having a circular hole into which a first screw is inserted is formed between the two central horizontal insertion portions 102c and 102d. Correspondingly, a female screw such as a tapping hole is formed on the inner surface of the vertical support 12 at a position aligned with the circular hole forming portion 103. A first screw passes through the circular hole of the circular hole forming portion 103 of the corner member 101 and engages with the female screw of the vertical support 12, thereby connecting the corner member 101 to the vertical support 12.

[0042] Furthermore, recesses 104 are formed between two of the four lateral insertion portions 102a, 102b, 102c, and 102d on each side in the front-to-rear direction, into which a second screw and a C-shaped cross-sectional cylindrical portion into which the second screw is inserted are inserted. Correspondingly, the lateral support 60 is formed with two fitting cylindrical portions extending laterally on both sides in the front-to-rear direction, support plates protruding downward from the upper ends of the inner surfaces of each fitting cylindrical portion, and C-shaped cross-sectional cylindrical portions connected to the lower ends of the support plates. Second screws pass through circular hole-forming portions formed in two positions on both sides in the front-to-rear direction of the corner member 101, and the second screws pass through the cylindrical portions of the lateral support 60. Nuts are fastened to the portions protruding from the cylindrical portions, thereby connecting the lateral support 60 to the corner member 70.

[0043] 21, a partition plate 107 is formed inside each vertical insertion portion 71d of the corner member 70 to divide the interior into two vertical chambers 105, 106 on both sides in the horizontal direction. The corner member 70 has drainage holes 109 formed on the horizontal outer side of each of the horizontal plate portions 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108d, which are provided along the lower surface of the upper plate portion that forms the upper surface of the horizontal support 60. The drainage holes 109 are formed to allow rainwater to flow down inside the vertical chambers 106 on the horizontal outer side of the vertical support 12. For this purpose, a partition plate 110 is provided in the horizontal middle portion of each of the horizontal plate portions 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108d to separate the spaces into which rainwater can enter, and a drainage hole 111 is also formed in the corner portion 74 in a portion corresponding to the space into which rainwater can enter. As a result, when the horizontal support 60 and the vertical supports 12, 13 are connected via the corner member 70, even if rainwater enters between the upper plate portion of the horizontal support 60 and the upper surfaces of the horizontal insertion portions 102a, 102b, 102c, and 102d from near the upper end of the corner portion 74, as shown by arrow α in FIG. 21 , the rainwater can be made to flow down inside the vertical supports 12, 13. The rainwater that flows down inside the vertical supports 12, 13 is discharged from the lower ends of the vertical supports 12, 13. As a result, even if a power supply box 50 connected to a power line is placed on the gate post 10a, rainwater flows inside the vertical supports 12, 13, preventing rainwater from splashing on the power supply box 50. This makes it easier to achieve a leakage prevention structure.

[0044] Furthermore, inside the vertical supports 12, 13, rainwater flows into the vertical chamber 106 on the outer side in the horizontal direction, which is separated by the partition plate 107, thereby further preventing rainwater from flowing on the side closer to the power supply box 50. In this example, other configurations and functions are the same as those of the configurations in Figures 1 to 18. Note that the drain holes provided in the configuration of this example may also be provided in the configurations in Figures 1 to 18.

[0045] In addition, in the above examples, the head of the second screw 94 is described as being positioned laterally outside the corner portion 74, i.e., in a portion located inside the vertical struts 12, 13. On the other hand, the head of the second screw may be positioned laterally inside the corner portion 74, i.e., in a portion located inside the horizontal strut 60. For example, a female thread may be formed by tapping the circular hole of a circular hole forming portion formed in the corner member 70, and the threaded portion of the second screw may be coupled to the female thread.

[0046] In the above examples, the ends of the vertical supports 12 and 13 and the end of the horizontal support 60 are each inclined at 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal direction, and the two inclined surfaces of the corner portion 74 of the corner member 70 are inclined at 45 degrees relative to the vertical direction. However, the inclination angle may be other than 45 degrees, as long as the sum of the inclination angle of the end face of the horizontal support 60 and the inclination angle of the end faces of each vertical support 12 and 13 is 90 degrees. For example, the inclination angle of the end face of the horizontal support 60 relative to the longitudinal direction may be 30 degrees, and the inclination angle of the end face of the vertical support 12 relative to the longitudinal direction may be 60 degrees, and the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the corner member 70 may be adjusted to match these. Furthermore, the sum of the inclination angle of the end face of the horizontal support and the inclination angle of the end face of each vertical support is not limited to a 90-degree configuration; for example, this sum may be greater than 90 degrees, such as 120 degrees. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10, 10a gatepost, 12, 13 vertical support, 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d vertical chamber, 15 cylindrical wall, 16 tapping hole, 30 post, 32 nameplate, 40 delivery box, 42 lighting unit, 43 support plate, 44 case portion, 45 light guide rod, 46 cover, 50 power supply box, 60 horizontal support, 61a, 61b fitting cylindrical portion, 62a, 62b horizontal chamber, 63 plate portion, 64 support plate, 65, 66 cylindrical portion, 70 corner member, 71a, 71b, 71c, 71d vertical insertion portion, 73a, 73b, 73c, 73d horizontal insertion portion, 74 corner portion, 75a, 75b inclined surface, 76, 77 cylindrical portion, 78 circular hole forming portion, 79, 80 Cylinder portion, 81 circular hole forming portion, 82 anti-rotation portion, 83 curved portion, 84 vertical covering portion, 85 horizontal covering portion, 90 first screw, 94 second screw, 95 nut, 100 reinforcing plate, 101 corner member, 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d horizontal insertion portion, 103 circular hole forming portion, 104 recess, 105, 106 vertical chamber, 107 partition plate, 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d horizontal plate portion, 109 water drain hole, 110 partition plate, 111 water drain hole.

Claims

1. A gatepost to which at least one functional component can be attached, a plurality of vertical supports erected at intervals in the horizontal direction; and horizontal supports connected between the plurality of vertical supports so as to connect the plurality of vertical supports in the horizontal direction, The end of the vertical support and the end of the horizontal support each have an end surface that faces in a direction oblique to the longitudinal direction, and the end of the vertical support and the end of the horizontal support are connected via a corner member, The corner member is The support includes a corner portion having two inclined surfaces facing in opposite directions on both sides of a portion along a direction inclined relative to the vertical direction, a vertical insertion portion protruding from one of the inclined surfaces and inserted into the vertical support, a horizontal insertion portion protruding from the other inclined surface and inserted into the horizontal support, a vertical support connection hole forming portion fixed to the vertical support by a first screw, and a horizontal support connection hole forming portion fixed to the horizontal support by a second screw, the first screw is inserted into the vertical support in a direction in which the vertical support extends, and a portion of the first screw that is exposed to the outside when the horizontal support is not present is covered by the horizontal support; A gate post configured so that when the vertical support and the horizontal support are connected by the corner member, the first screw and the second screw are not exposed to the outside.

2. The gatepost according to claim 1, In the corner member, a rotation prevention portion is provided at an opening peripheral edge portion of the horizontal support column connecting hole forming portion to prevent rotation of the second screw. Gatepost.

3. The gatepost according to claim 1 or 2, When the vertical support and the horizontal support are connected by the corner member, the corner of the upper end exposed to the outside at the corner portion has a curved portion with an arc-shaped cross section. Gatepost.

4. The gatepost according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The corner portions have a vertical covering portion that protrudes from a peripheral portion connecting both edges and upper edges in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement of the vertical columns on the surface facing the vertical columns, and covers the ends of the vertical columns; and a horizontal covering portion that protrudes from a peripheral portion connecting both edges and upper edges in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement of the horizontal columns on the surface facing the horizontal columns, and covers the ends of the horizontal columns. Gatepost.

5. The gatepost according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The corner member has a horizontal plate portion provided along the lower surface of the upper plate portion of the horizontal support, and a drain hole is formed in the horizontal plate portion to allow rainwater to flow down inside the vertical support. Gatepost.

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