Pipe fitting, piping assembly kit and construction method using same

Abstract

To provide a pipe joint which makes distortion less likely to be caused by heat expansion and heat shrinkage in a pipeline itself and a connection portion with the pipeline and makes an end of the pipeline less likely to fall from the pipe joint even if a resin pipeline is used, and to provide a pipeline assembly kit and a construction method using the pipeline assembly kit.SOLUTION: A pipe joint 1 connects ends 21, 21 of a plurality of pipelines 2, 2 into which a cable 3 is inserted and has: a cylindrical outer cylinder member 11 extending along an insertion direction D of the cable 3; slide members 12 each of which is attached to an end 21 of the pipeline 2, located in the outer cylinder part 11, and configured to slide in a direction in which the slide member 12 gets into or out from an opening end 11a of the outer cylinder member 11 in response to the pipeline 2 being expanded or contracted by heat; and removal preventing means 13 each of which prevents the slide member 12 from falling from the outer cylinder member 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe joint, a piping assembly kit, and an installation method using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] When wiring power generation equipment that uses renewable energy such as solar power, or outdoor wiring in buildings, road facilities, railway facilities, etc., cables are protected by being inserted inside metal piping.

[0003] However, metal piping is heavy and time-consuming to install, so it is being considered to construct piping from lightweight resin to improve workability during installation. In this case, constructing piping from lightweight resin also has the advantage of preventing corrosion of the piping.

[0004] As a pipe joint for such resin piping, for example, Non-Patent Document 1 describes a pipe joint in which the portion that accommodates the end of the piping is elongated in consideration of the thermal expansion and contraction of the piping. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] “2022 Electrical Materials General Catalog”, [online], Mirai Kogyo Co., Ltd., [Retrieved March 18, 2023], Internet〈URL: https: / / sun-dbook.meclib.jp / denzai_mirai_2022 / book / #target / page_no=970〉 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The pipes that house cables tend to expand and contract thermally due to fluctuations in outside temperature and exposure to sunlight. In particular, outdoor wiring, which experiences large fluctuations in outside temperature and is prone to direct sunlight, is prone to experiencing large amounts of thermal expansion and contraction.

[0007] In particular, resin piping has a higher thermal expansion rate than metal piping, and also than the concrete and metal that are used to install the piping. Therefore, in the summer, the resin pipe expands thermally along its length (the direction the cable is inserted), causing problems such as damage to the pipe fittings and fixtures that support and secure the piping, and the pipe itself and the connections between the pipe and the pipe fittings or fixtures becoming distorted, resulting in unsightly appearances. Furthermore, because the resin piping has a higher thermal expansion rate than the cable conductor, there is also the problem that the cable is pulled by the piping when the resin pipe expands thermally along its length.

[0008] In this regard, the pipe fitting described in Non-Patent Document 1 has a long section that accommodates the end of the pipe, taking into account the thermal expansion and contraction of the pipe, but when the plastic pipe thermally expands along its length, the connection between the plastic pipe and the pipe fitting distorts, which causes the pipe fitting to be unable to fully absorb the thermal expansion and contraction of the pipe.In addition, the pipe fitting described in Non-Patent Document 1 has a simple structure in which the end of the pipe is simply inserted into the opening of the cylindrical pipe fitting, which causes the end of the pipe to easily fall off the pipe fitting, particularly when the plastic pipe shrinks due to thermal contraction.

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a pipe fitting and a piping assembly kit that are less likely to be distorted by thermal expansion and contraction in the pipe itself or in the connection with the pipe, even when resin piping is used, and that make it difficult for the end of the pipe to fall off the pipe fitting, as well as a construction method using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The inventors have discovered that by providing a sliding member at the end of a pipe and using a pipe fitting configured so that this sliding member slides in and out of the open end position of an outer tubular member in response to thermal expansion and contraction of the pipe, the sliding member slides relative to the outer tubular member in response to thermal expansion and contraction of the pipe, thereby absorbing the thermal expansion and contraction of the pipe with the pipe fitting and making it less likely that distortion due to thermal expansion and contraction will occur in the pipe itself or in the connection portion with the pipe.The inventors have also discovered that by providing a retaining means in the pipe fitting to prevent the sliding member from falling off the outer tubular member, the positional relationship between the outer tubular member and the sliding member can be defined within a range in which the sliding member can slide due to displacement of the end portion caused by thermal expansion and contraction of the pipe.

[0011] (1) A pipe joint for connecting the ends of a plurality of pipes through which cables are inserted, the pipe joint comprising: a cylindrical outer tube member extending along the cable insertion direction; a sliding member attached to the end of the pipe, located within the outer tube member, and configured to slide in and out of the open end position of the outer tube member in response to thermal expansion and contraction of the pipe; and a retaining means for preventing the sliding member from falling off the outer tube member.

[0012] (2) The pipe joint according to (1) above, wherein the outer tubular member has a fixing means for fixing it to an object to be installed.

[0013] (3) The pipe fitting according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the sliding member is a ring-shaped member having an outer surface on which at least two first engaging portions each consisting of a convex portion or a concave portion are formed, the outer tubular member has an inner surface on which at least two second engaging portions each consisting of a concave portion or a convex portion are formed to engage with the first engaging portions and extend along the insertion direction, and the sliding member restricts rotation of the sliding member by sliding the first engaging portions and the second engaging portions in an engaged state.

[0014] (4) A pipe fitting as described in any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the outer tube member has a plurality of through holes at positions shifted in the insertion direction of the cable to discharge water that has entered the internal space of the outer tube member.

[0015] (5) A piping assembly kit having a pipe fitting according to any one of (1) to (4) above, comprising: a plurality of pipes connected by the pipe fitting and having outer surfaces formed by alternatingly connecting ring-shaped recesses and ring-shaped protrusions; a piping fixture made of an elastic material and having a bottom with an attachment means; and a pair of gripping portions extending upright from both ends of the bottom and having inner surfaces shaped to correspond to the recesses and protrusions that form the outer surfaces of the pipes.

[0016] (6) The piping assembly kit according to (5) above, wherein the piping is a cable protection tube made of polyethylene.

[0017] (7) A piping assembly kit according to (5) or (6) above, wherein the piping has, in order from the inside out, at least an inner layer, an intermediate layer, and an outer layer, one or both of the inner layer and the intermediate layer containing a flame retardant, and the outer layer containing a weather resistant agent.

[0018] (8) A construction method using the piping assembly kit described in any one of (5) to (7) above, comprising the steps of: fixing the outer tubular member of the pipe joint and the piping fixing tool to an object to be installed; connecting the sliding member to an end of the piping; inserting the sliding member connected to the piping into the outer tubular member fixed to the object to be installed; and inserting the piping connected to the outer tubular member by pushing the piping connected to the outer tubular member into a pair of gripping parts of the piping fixing tool, and fitting the inner surfaces of the gripping parts into the concave and convex parts on the outer surface of the piping. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pipe fitting and a piping assembly kit, and an installation method using the same, which are less likely to cause distortion due to thermal expansion and thermal contraction in the pipe itself or the connection part with the pipe, even when using resin piping, and which are less likely to cause the end of the pipe to fall off the pipe fitting. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a pipe fitting according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1(a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the cable insertion direction, and FIG. 1(b) is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the cable insertion direction in FIG. 1(a). [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the arrangement of each part when assembling the pipe joint according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the cable insertion direction, schematically illustrating the structure of a pipe fitting according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which the first engagement portion is constituted by a recess and the second engagement portion is constituted by a protrusion. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a pipe joint according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which a retaining means formed by a bent portion of the second engaging portion is provided near the open end of the outer tubular member. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing an example of piping used in the piping assembly kit of the present invention, where FIG. 5A is a perspective view and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the imaginary plane P shown in FIG. 5A. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a piping fixture used in the piping assembly kit of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the process of attaching the pipe to the pipe fixture by pushing the pipe into a pair of gripping portions of the pipe fixture to insert the pipe, in a construction method using the pipe assembly kit of the present invention. Figure 7(a) shows the state before the pipe is inserted into the pipe fixture, and Figure 7(b) shows the state after the pipe has been inserted into the pipe fixture. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0022] 1. Pipe fittings Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of a pipe fitting according to an embodiment of the present invention, with Fig. 1(a) being a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the cable insertion direction, and Fig. 1(b) being a transverse cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the cable insertion direction in Fig. 1(a). Fig. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line aa of the cable in Fig. 1(a). Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the arrangement of each part when assembling a pipe fitting according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1(a), the pipe fitting 1 connects the ends 21, 21 of multiple pipes 2, 2 through which a cable 3 is inserted, and includes a cylindrical outer tube member 11 extending along the insertion direction D of the cable 3, a sliding member 12 attached to the end 21 of the pipe 2 and positioned within the outer tube member 11, and configured to slide in and out of the position of the open end 11a of the outer tube member 11 in response to the expansion and contraction of the pipe 2 due to heat, and a retaining means 13 for preventing the sliding member 12 from falling off the outer tube member 11.

[0024] Here, by providing a sliding member 12 at the end 21 of the pipe 2 and configuring this sliding member 12 to slide in and out of the position of the open end 11a of the outer tubular member 11 in response to thermal expansion and contraction of the pipe 2, the sliding member 12 slides relative to the outer tubular member 11 in response to expansion and contraction of the pipe 2, so that the pipe fitting 1 absorbs the thermal expansion and contraction of the pipe 2, making it difficult for distortion due to thermal expansion and contraction to occur in the pipe 2 itself or in the connection between the pipe fitting 1 and the pipe 2. Furthermore, by providing the pipe fitting 1 with a retaining means 13 that prevents the sliding member 12 from falling off the outer tubular member 11, the sliding range of the sliding member 12 can be restricted, and therefore the sliding member 12 can be prevented from falling off the open end 11a of the outer tubular member 11 when, for example, an external force is applied to the pipe 2. Therefore, this pipe fitting 1 makes it possible to provide a pipe fitting 1 and a pipe assembly kit 10, as well as an installation method using the same, in which even when a resin pipe 2 is used, the pipe 2 itself and the connection part with the pipe 2 are less likely to be distorted due to thermal expansion and thermal contraction, and the end 21 of the pipe 2 is less likely to fall off the pipe fitting 1.

[0025] The pipe fitting 1 according to this embodiment is configured to connect the ends 21 of multiple pipes 2 through which cables 3 are inserted, and includes at least an outer tube member 11, a sliding member 12, and a retaining means 13. In Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the pipe fitting 1 is configured to connect the ends 21 of two pipes 2, but this is not limited thereto, and the pipe fitting 1 may be configured to connect the ends of three or more pipes. For example, the pipe fitting 1 may be configured so that multiple portions where the ends 21 of two pipes 2 are connected are lined up in parallel (not shown).

[0026] [Outer cylinder material] The outer tube member 11 is a cylindrical member extending along the insertion direction D of the cable 3. The outer tube member 11 is arranged so that the cylindrical portion covers the cable 3 and the ends 21 of the two pipes 2, and serves to protect the portions of the cable 3 that are not covered by the two pipes 2.

[0027] The inner surface of the outer tube member 11 forms the inner surface of a tube extending along the insertion direction D of the cable 3, contacts the outer surface of the sliding member 12 described below, and forms the sliding surface when the sliding member 12 slides. As a result, the outer tube member 11 guides the position where the sliding member 12 slides when the piping 2 expands or contracts, making it easier to slide the sliding member 12 in the direction of moving in and out of the position of the open end 11a of the outer tube member 11 (i.e., along the insertion direction D) in accordance with the expansion or contraction of the piping 2, and making it less likely that distortion will occur in the piping or its connection portions.

[0028] Here, as will be described later, when the sliding member 12 has at least two first engagement portions 15a-15d each consisting of a convex portion, the outer tube member 11 preferably has an inner surface formed so that the first engagement portions 15a-15d engage with the outer tube member 11, respectively, and the at least two second engagement portions 16a-16d each consisting of a concave portion extend along the insertion direction D. In this case, the second engagement portions 16a-16d each consisting of a concave portion of the outer tube member 11 preferably have grooves extending along the insertion direction D so as to continuously engage with the first engagement portions 15a-15d over a range that includes at least the sliding range of the sliding member 12. In this way, by engaging the second engagement portions 16a-16d of the outer tube member 11 with the first engagement portions 15a-15d of the sliding member 12, the sliding member 12 can be guided to a desired position of the outer tube member 11, even if the shape of the inner surface of the outer tube member 11 varies along the insertion direction D. In this case, the shape and size of the inner surface of the outer tubular member 11 may be constant along the insertion direction D, or may be different.

[0029] It is preferable that the second engagement portions 16a to 16d of the outer tubular member 11 are configured by the same number of recesses as the first engagement portions 15a to 15d at positions where they engage with the first engagement portions 15a to 15d of the sliding member 12. Note that Fig. 1(b) shows an example in which four second engagement portions 16a to 16d of the outer tubular member 11 and four first engagement portions 15a to 15d of the sliding member 12 are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0030] In the pipe fitting 1 according to this embodiment, the outer tubular member 11 preferably has fixing means 17 for fixing to an object to be installed. As a result, the outer tubular member 11 is fixed to the object to be installed by the fixing means 17, and therefore, when the pipe 2 expands or contracts, the outer tubular member 11 can be prevented from following the end 21 of the pipe 2. As a result, the sliding member 12 can easily slide in and out of the position of the open end 11a of the outer tubular member 11.

[0031] Here, the fixing means 17 may be fixed to the object to be installed by screwing. For example, as shown in Figure 1(b), a mounting hole 17a consisting of a through hole may be provided at a position that does not intersect with the inner surface of the outer tube member 11, and the outer tube member 11 may be fixed by passing a screw through this mounting hole 17a and screwing it to the object to be installed.

[0032] Furthermore, fixing means 17 may have installation surface 17b formed by a flat surface, and in this case, installation surface 17b may be provided with a protrusion (not shown) that engages with the installation object. In this way, when outer tubular member 11 has installation surface 17b, the contact area between outer tubular member 11 and the installation object increases, making it difficult for outer tubular member 11 to follow end 21 of piping 2 when piping 2 expands and contracts due to thermal expansion and contraction.

[0033] The outer tube member 11 preferably has a plurality of through holes 18 at positions offset from the insertion direction D of the cable 3, for draining water that has entered the internal space S of the outer tube member 11. As a result, even if water enters the internal space S, the water is drained from at least one of the through holes 18, making it difficult for the cable 3 to deteriorate due to submersion. Furthermore, since submersion of the cable 3 can be prevented without providing a waterproofing mechanism such as an O-ring in a position adjacent to the internal space S, the sliding member 12 can be configured to slide in and out of the position of the open end 11a of the outer tube member 11 with a small force due to thermal expansion and contraction of the piping 2. Here, from the viewpoint of introducing outside air into the internal space S and efficiently draining water from the internal space S, it is preferable that the plurality of through holes 18 be arranged at different heights when installed on the installation object.

[0034] The cylindrical inner surface of outer tube member 11 is preferably configured so that the central axis C of the cylindrical shape is linear along the insertion direction D of cable 3. This allows sliding member 12, which will be described later, to slide easily along the insertion direction D of cable 3, making it more difficult for distortion due to thermal expansion and thermal contraction to occur in the pipe itself or in the connection portion with the pipe.

[0035] The material of the outer cylinder member 11 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of facilitating installation and preventing corrosion, it is preferable that the outer cylinder member 11 be made of a highly rigid resin such as polyethylene.

[0036] [Sliding member] The sliding member 12 is attached to the end 21 of the pipe 2, is located inside the outer tubular member 11, and is configured to slide in and out of the position of the open end 11a of the outer tubular member 11 in response to thermal expansion and contraction of the pipe 2. The sliding member 12 is disposed at the end 21 of the pipe 2 and slides along the cylindrical inner surface of the outer tubular member 11. As a result, the sliding member 12 slides along the insertion direction D of the cable 3 in the direction of moving in and out of the position of the open end 11a of the outer tubular member 11 in response to expansion and contraction of the pipe 2. Therefore, even if thermal expansion and contraction occur in the pipe 2, this does not affect the positioning of the cable 3, and distortion of the pipe 2 itself or the connection portion between the pipe fitting 1 and the pipe 2 is unlikely to occur.

[0037] The sliding member 12 is ring-shaped or cylindrical and extends along the insertion direction D of the cable 3, and its outer surface contacts the inner surface of the outer tube member 11. The sliding member 12 has its sliding position guided by the outer tube member 11 when the piping 2 expands or contracts, and slides along the insertion direction D in response to the expansion or contraction of the piping 2.

[0038] In this embodiment, the sliding member 12 is a ring-shaped member having an outer surface on which at least two first engagement portions 15a to 15d each consisting of a convex portion are formed. Here, it is preferable that the inner surface of the outer cylindrical member 11 is formed so that the first engagement portions 15a to 15d engage with the first engagement portions 15a to 15d, respectively, and that at least two second engagement portions 16a to 16d each consisting of a concave portion extend along the insertion direction D. In this case, by sliding the sliding member 12 with the first engagement portions 15a to 15d and the second engagement portions 16a to 16d engaged with each other, it is possible to restrict rotation of the sliding member 12, particularly rotation about the insertion direction D.

[0039] When the outer tubular member 11 has two open ends 11a, the sliding member 12 is provided at one or both of the open ends 11a. When the outer tubular member 11 has three or more open ends 11a, some of the open ends 11a may not be provided with a sliding member 12. In particular, of the outer tubular members 11 located at the start or end of multiple pipes 2 connected by the pipe fitting 1, the open end 11a on the side to which the pipe 2 is not connected may not be provided with a sliding member 12.

[0040] From the viewpoint of smoothing the sliding of the sliding member 12 due to thermal expansion and contraction and reducing the likelihood of distortion in the pipe itself or the connection portion with the pipe, it is preferable that the ring-shaped or cylindrical outer surface of the sliding member 12 be configured so that the central axis C is linear along the insertion direction D of the cable 3. From the same viewpoint, it is also preferable that the outer surface of the sliding member 12 be configured with a smooth flat or curved surface.

[0041] The material of the sliding member 12 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoints of facilitating installation and preventing corrosion, it is preferable that it be formed from a highly rigid resin such as polyethylene. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of preventing unilateral wear of the inner surface of the outer tubular member 11 or the outer surface of the sliding member 12 due to the sliding of the sliding member 12, it is preferable that both the outer tubular member 11 and the sliding member 12 be formed from the same material, and as an example, it is preferable that both be formed from polyethylene.

[0042] A cable 3 is inserted inside the cylindrical sliding member 12. An end 21 of the pipe 2 is connected directly or indirectly to an end (outside) of the sliding member 12 that exits the open end 11a of the outer cylindrical member 11. Here, the end 21 of the pipe 2 can be connected to the sliding member 12 via a connector 14 provided on the end 21 of the pipe 2, as shown in FIG. 1(a), for example. In this case, the inner surface of the cylindrical sliding member 12 may be threaded so that the outer surface of the connector 14 can be screwed onto the inner surface of the sliding member 12.

[0043] 1(a) and 1(b) show an embodiment in which the outer surface of the sliding member 12 has at least two first engagement portions 15a-15d each consisting of a convex portion, and the inner surface of the outer tubular member 11 has at least two second engagement portions 16a-16d each consisting of a concave portion, but the first engagement portions and the second engagement portions may have different configurations. For example, as shown in the pipe fitting 1A in FIG. 3, the sliding member 12A may have an outer surface on which at least two first engagement portions 15a'-15d' each consisting of a concave portion are formed, and the outer tubular member 11A may have an inner surface on which at least two second engagement portions 16a'-16d' each consisting of a convex portion are formed so as to extend along the insertion direction D. In another embodiment, the first engagement portions may be a combination of an engagement portion consisting of a convex portion and an engagement portion consisting of a concave portion, and in this case, the second engagement portions may be configured to engage with the first engagement portions, respectively.

[0044] [Means to prevent slipping out] The retaining means 13 is provided to prevent the sliding member 12 from falling off from the outer tubular member 11. This restricts the sliding range of the sliding member 12, and therefore prevents the sliding member 12 from falling off from the open end 11a of the outer tubular member 11 when, for example, an external force is applied to the pipe 2.

[0045] As the retaining means 13, it is preferable to use means for blocking or bending the sliding path of the sliding member 12 near the open end 11a of the outer tubular member 11. For example, when the sliding path of the sliding member 12 is blocked by blocking a portion of the open end 11a of the outer tubular member 11, it is possible to configure the structure so that a portion of the sliding member 12 moves in and out from the portion of the open end 11a that is not blocked by the retaining means 13. In particular, from the perspective of reducing the size of the retaining means 13 and thereby reducing the overall size of the pipe fitting 1, it is more preferable to use, as the retaining means 13, means for blocking or bending the portion of the second engaging portions 16a to 16d of the outer tubular member 11 near the open end 11a.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the retaining means 13 may be formed as a separate member from the outer tubular member 11. Alternatively, to simplify assembly of the pipe fitting 1, a retaining means 13 formed by integral molding with the outer tubular member 11 may be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, retaining means 13B formed by bent portions of the second engaging portions 16a to 16d of the outer tubular member 11B may be provided near the open end 11a. In a pipe fitting 1B having this retaining means 13B, the first engaging portions 15a to 15d of the sliding member 12 are engaged with the second engaging portions 16a to 16d facing the open end 11a of the outer tubular member 11B, and then the sliding member 12 is inserted into the outer tubular member 11B while being rotated in accordance with the bend of the retaining means 13B, which are the bent portions of the second engaging portions 16a to 16d. This allows for easy assembly of the pipe fitting 1B.

[0047] 2. Piping assembly kit The piping assembly kit of the present invention is a piping assembly kit having the above-mentioned pipe joint 1 , and includes a plurality of pipes 2 and a piping fixture 4 .

[0048] Of these, the pipes 2 are connected by pipe fittings 1, and include a plurality of pipes each having an outer surface 22 formed by alternately connecting ring-shaped recesses 22a and ring-shaped protrusions 22b, as shown in Figure 5.

[0049] The material of the pipe 2 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably made of a highly rigid resin such as polyethylene in order to facilitate processing such as cutting and installation, and to prevent corrosion. In particular, the pipe 2 is preferably a cable protection pipe made of polyethylene.

[0050] The pipe 2 has, in order from the inside out, at least an inner layer 23, an intermediate layer 24, and an outer layer 25. Preferably, one or both of the inner layer 23 and the intermediate layer 24 contain a flame retardant, and the outer layer 25 contains a weather-resistant agent. By incorporating a flame retardant into one or both of the inner layer 23 and the intermediate layer 24, the cables inserted inside the pipe 2 can be protected from fires and other fires, even if the pipe 2 is made of resin. At the same time, the inclusion of a weather-resistant agent in the outer layer 25 makes the resin less susceptible to deterioration due to exposure to sunlight and other factors. In particular, using a metal powder such as aluminum powder as the weather-resistant agent creates a metallic appearance, thereby improving the reliability of the pipe 2 in terms of appearance.

[0051] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6, the piping fixture 4 is made of an elastic material and has a bottom 41 with an attachment means 44, and a pair of gripping portions 42a, 42b that extend upright from both ends of the bottom 41 and have inner surfaces 43 shaped to correspond to the recessed portions 22a and protruding portions 22b that constitute the outer surface of the piping 2. As a result, the bottom 41 of the piping fixture 4 is attached to the installation object by the attachment means 44, and because the piping fixture 4 is made of an elastic material, it can hold the piping 2 between the pair of gripping portions 42a, 42b. Furthermore, the piping fixture 4 is configured so that the inner surfaces 43 of the gripping portions 42a, 42b fit into the recessed portions 22a and protruding portions 22b on the outer surface 22 of the piping 2, respectively, thereby limiting movement of the piping 2 along the insertion direction D of the cable 3 at the inner surfaces 43 of the gripping portions 42a, 42b. Therefore, when thermal expansion and contraction occur in the piping 2, the portion of the piping 2 whose movement is restricted by the piping fixture 4 becomes a fulcrum, allowing the sliding force of the sliding member 12 to act on the pipe fitting 1. As a result, the number of points where the piping 2 is supported by the piping fixture 4 is reduced, and even if, for example, one pipe 2 is supported by one piping fixture 4, distortion of the piping is less likely to occur.

[0052] The piping assembly kits of the present invention can be made of a lightweight material such as polyethylene, and the piping 2 can be easily fixed to the piping fixture 4 by simply clamping it between the pair of gripping portions 42a, 42b. Therefore, the piping assembly kit of the present invention can shorten the time required to attach the piping 2 to the installation object.

[0053] 3. Installation method using piping assembly kit An installation method using the piping assembly kit of the present invention is an installation method using the above-mentioned piping assembly kit 10, and one example thereof is a method having the steps of fixing the outer tube member 11 of the pipe fitting 1 and the piping fixing device 4 to the installation object, connecting the sliding member 12 to the end 21 of the piping 2, inserting the sliding member 12 connected to the piping 2 into the outer tube member 11 fixed to the installation object, and pushing the piping 2 connected to the outer tube member 11 between the pair of gripping portions 42a, 42b of the piping fixing device 4 to insert the piping 2, and engaging the inner surfaces 43 of the gripping portions 42a, 42b with the recessed portion 22a and protruding portion 22b on the outer surface 22 of the piping 2.

[0054] Among these, in the process of fixing the outer tubular member 11 of the pipe fitting 1 and the piping fixture 4 to the installation object, screws are passed through the mounting holes 17a provided in the outer tubular member 11 of the pipe fitting 1 to screw the outer tubular member 11 to the installation object. At the same time, screws are passed through the through holes that serve as mounting means 44 provided in the bottom 41 of the piping fixture 4 to screw the piping fixture 4 to the installation object. This determines the arrangement of the components that make up the piping assembly kit on the installation object.

[0055] Furthermore, in the step of connecting the sliding member 12 to the end 21 of the pipe 2, the sliding member 12 can be directly or indirectly connected to the end 21 of the pipe 2. Here, the end 21 of the pipe 2 may be indirectly connected to the sliding member 12 by providing a connector 14 at the end 21 of the pipe 2 and screwing the outer surface of this connector 14 into the inner surface of the sliding member 12, as shown in FIG.

[0056] The process of inserting the sliding member 12 connected to the piping 2 into the outer tube member 11 fixed to the installation object can be performed by engaging the first engagement portions 15a to 15d of the sliding member 12 with the second engagement portions 16a to 16d facing the opening end 11a of the outer tube member 11, and then inserting them into the outer tube member 11 in the engaged state.

[0057] Here, if outer tubular member 11 or sliding member 12 does not have retaining means 13, it is preferable to carry out a step of attaching retaining means 13 to outer tubular member 11 into which sliding member 12 is inserted. This makes it possible to prevent sliding member 12 from falling off from open end 11a of outer tubular member 11 when, for example, an external force is applied to piping 2, and therefore makes it possible to prevent sliding member 12 from falling off when piping 2 is installed.

[0058] The pipe 2 connected to the outer tubular member 11 can be attached to the pipe fixing device 4 by inserting the pipe 2 by pushing it between the pair of gripping portions 42a, 42b of the pipe fixing device 4 and fitting the inner surfaces 43 of the gripping portions 42a, 42b into the recessed portions 22a and protruding portions 22b on the outer surface 22 of the pipe 2. For example, when the pipe 2 shown in Figure 7(a) is installed in the pipe fixing device 4, the positional relationship between the pipe 2 and the pipe fixing device 4 is as shown in Figure 7(b).

[0059] The construction method using the piping assembly kit of the present invention uses a piping assembly kit made of a lightweight material such as polyethylene, which makes it easy to perform processing such as cutting and installation, and also makes it easy to fix the pipe 2 to the piping fixture 4 by simply clamping it between the pair of gripping portions 42a, 42b of the piping fixture 4, so that an empty pipe with a cable 3 inserted inside can be installed on the installation object in a shorter time.

[0060] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes all aspects encompassed by the concept of the present invention and the scope of the claims, and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1, 1A, 1B pipe fittings 11, 11A, 11B Outer cylinder member 11a Open end of outer cylindrical member 12, 12A Sliding member 13, 13B Retaining means 14 Connectors 15a~15d, 15a'~15d' 1st engagement part 16a~16d, 16a'~16d' 2nd engagement part 17 Fixing means 17a Mounting hole 17b Installation surface 18 Through holes 2 Piping 21 Pipe end 22 Outer surface of piping 22a Recess 22b Convex part 23 Inner layer 24 Middle Class 25 Outer layer 3 Cable 4 Piping fixture 41 Bottom 42a, 42b grip part 43 Inner surface of gripping part 44 Mounting means C: Central axis of outer cylinder D Cable insertion direction S Internal space of outer cylinder

Claims

1. A pipe joint for connecting the ends of a plurality of pipes through which cables are inserted, a cylindrical outer tube member extending along the cable insertion direction; a sliding member attached to an end of the pipe, positioned within the outer tubular member, and configured to slide in and out of an open end position of the outer tubular member in response to thermal expansion and contraction of the pipe; a retaining means for preventing the sliding member from falling off from the outer cylindrical member; and A pipe joint, wherein the outer tube member has a plurality of through holes at positions offset in the insertion direction of the cable, for discharging water that has entered the internal space of the outer tube member.

2. 2. The pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein the outer cylindrical member has a fixing means for fixing the outer cylindrical member to an object to be installed.

3. the sliding member is a ring-shaped member having an outer surface on which at least two first engagement portions each consisting of a convex portion or a concave portion are formed, the outer cylindrical member has an inner surface on which at least two second engaging portions, each of which is formed as a recess or a protrusion and engages with the first engaging portion, extend along the insertion direction; 2. The pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein the sliding member is slidable in an engaged state between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, thereby restricting rotation of the sliding member.

4. A pipe joint for connecting the ends of a plurality of pipes through which cables are inserted, a cylindrical outer tube member extending along the cable insertion direction; a sliding member attached to an end of the pipe, positioned within the outer tubular member, and configured to slide in and out of an open end position of the outer tubular member in response to thermal expansion and contraction of the pipe; A retaining means for preventing the sliding member from falling off from the outer cylindrical member. Pipe fitting having and, a plurality of pipes connected by the pipe joints, each having an outer surface formed by alternately connecting ring-shaped recesses and ring-shaped protrusions; a piping fixture made of an elastic material and having a bottom portion with an attachment means, and a pair of gripping portions extending upright from both ends of the bottom portion and having inner surfaces shaped to correspond to the recessed and protruding portions that constitute the outer surface of the piping; A piping assembly kit comprising:

5. 5. The piping assembly kit according to claim 4, wherein the piping is a cable protection tube made of polyethylene.

6. The pipe has, in order from the inside, at least an inner layer, an intermediate layer, and an outer layer, one or both of the inner layer and the intermediate layer contains a flame retardant; The piping assembly kit according to claim 4 , wherein the outer layer contains a weathering agent.

7. A construction method using the piping assembly kit according to claim 4, a step of fixing the outer tubular member of the pipe joint and the piping fixing tool to an object to be installed; connecting the sliding member to an end of the pipe; inserting the sliding member, to which the piping is connected, into an outer tubular member fixed to the installation object; a step of inserting the piping connected to the outer tubular member into a pair of gripping portions of the piping fixture, and fitting inner surfaces of the gripping portions into recessed and protruding portions on an outer surface of the piping; A construction method having the above construction method.

Images