Gas valve protective case

Abstract

To provide a protection case for a gas cock which is attached to a gas cock fixed to a wall surface to protect the gas cock, can be held in a state that the protection case covers the entire gas cock in a secure manner when the gas cock is not used, and easily opens to enable connection of a socket with a plug part when the gas cock is used.SOLUTION: A protection case for a gas cock comprises: a substrate case (1) which is fixedly attached to a wall surface and opens to the front surface side and the lower side; and a movable case (2) which is pivotally supported at both side parts of an upper extending part of the substrate case (1). The protection case for the gas cock is provided with a lock mechanism which locks the movable case (2) in a closed attitude when the movable case (2) is moved downward in the closed attitude in which the movable case (2) is rotated in a closing direction and the front surface side and the lower side of the substrate case (1) are closed. Further, the lock mechanism releases the lock state by moving the movable case (2) assuming the closed attitude upward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective case for a gas valve that covers and protects a gas valve fixed to a wall surface. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 3-80179 discloses a gas valve fitted with a protective case, in which the upstream pipe connection portion penetrates horizontally through the wall panel and the downstream socket connection plug portion is fixed to the wall surface facing downward. In this device, by attaching a protective case to the wall so as to cover the front, both sides and top of the gas valve fixed to the wall, the gas valve can be protected from direct sunlight, wind, rain, dust, external impacts, etc., and when using the gas valve, the socket can be inserted through the lower opening of the protective case and connected to the plug part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 3-80179 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the conventional protective case described above, there is a risk that foreign objects such as dust, dirt, splashed rainwater, and insects may enter the protective case through the lower open portion. In particular, when the gas valve is not in use, these foreign objects may enter and adhere to the tip of the plug portion, causing contamination, or if intentional tampering occurs, there is a problem that problems may occur when the socket is connected. Therefore, with the conventional protective case described above, protection of the plug portion is insufficient when the gas valve is not in use and the socket is not connected.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a protective case for a gas valve that is attached to a gas valve fixed to a wall surface to protect the gas valve, and that can keep the entire gas valve, including the plug portion, securely covered when the gas valve is not in use, and that can easily open the plug portion side to enable connection of a socket to the plug portion when the gas valve is in use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The solution of the present invention taken to solve the above problems is: A protective case for covering and protecting a gas cock that is fixed to a wall surface by a flange that protrudes near the base end of a pipe connection part for connecting an upstream pipe, the flange having a position where the pipe connection part for connecting a downstream socket faces downward, a base case that is open to the front and downward and that includes a wall mounting frame that is attached and fixed to the wall so as to surround the periphery of the flange, left and right plates that cover the left and right sides of the plug section, and an upper plate that covers the top of the plug section; a movable case that is pivotally supported near the upper end of the base case so as to be swingable, and that has left and right covering walls that cover the left and right plates from the outside, respectively, when in a closed position swung toward the base case, a front wall that is continuous with the left and right covering walls and covers the front side of the plug portion, and a lower covering wall that is continuous with the left and right covering walls and the front wall and covers a lower part of the plug portion, a shaft portion protruding from either one of both outer surfaces near the upper end of the base case or the inner surfaces near the upper ends of the left and right covering walls of the movable case, and a bearing groove provided on the other of the two, into which the shaft portion fits and which is movable in the up and down direction; A locking mechanism is provided that locks the movable case in the closed position when the shaft portion is moved downward along the bearing groove, and the locked state of the locking mechanism is set to be releasable when the shaft portion is moved upward along the bearing groove.

[0007] The above means operates as follows. The gas valve is fixed to the wall surface by the flange so that the pipe connection portion passes horizontally through the wall panel and the plug portion faces downward, and the wall mounting frame of the base case is attached to the wall surface so as to surround this flange. The base case and the movable case are integrated in such a manner that a shaft provided on either one of both outer surfaces near the upper end of the base case or near the upper ends of the inner surfaces of the left and right covering walls of the movable case that cover both outer surfaces is fitted into a bearing groove provided on the other side and pivotally supported so as to be able to swing freely. When the gas valve is not in use and the socket is not connected to the plug part, the movable case is swung toward the base case to assume the closed position. When the shaft moves downward along the bearing groove due to the movable case's own weight or manual downward movement in this closed position, the locking mechanism enters a locked state and the movable case is maintained in the closed position. In the closed position, the plug portion is doubly covered by the upper plate of the base case above, the front and lower sides by the front wall and lower covering wall of the movable case, and the left and right sides of the plug portion by the left and right plates of the base case and the left and right covering walls of the movable case.

[0008] When the movable case is moved upward from the closed position, the shaft moves upward along the bearing groove, and the locked state is released. After the lock is released, the movable case is swung forward to the open position, where the bottom of the plug is open, and the socket can be connected to the plug and the gas valve can be used. To remove the socket, simply swing the movable case forward until the entire socket is exposed, and the socket can be easily removed from the plug. After removing the socket, release the movable case, and it will swing in the closing direction under its own weight, then fall downward and automatically lock. This operation can also be done manually.

[0009] In the above-mentioned gas cock protective case, preferably, the locking mechanism comprises an engaging portion provided on either the outer surface of the left or right plate of the base case or the inner surface of the left or right covering wall of the movable case, and an engaged portion provided on the other of the outer surface of the left or right covering wall of the movable case, When the movable case in the closed position is moved downward, the engaging portion and the engaged portion engage with each other, and when the movable case in the closed position is moved upward, the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is released. The engaging and engaged parts that make up the locking mechanism are provided on the outer surfaces of the left and right plates of the base case and on the inner surfaces of the left and right covering walls of the movable case, respectively, so there is no need to provide separate members or devices for the locking mechanism, and the locking mechanism can be constructed easily and inexpensively.

[0010] In the gas cock protective case, preferably, the engaging portions are convex portions protruding inward from the open end edges of the left and right covering walls of the movable case, the engaged portions are recessed grooves formed on the outer surfaces of the left and right plates of the base case, The groove is formed in an approximately L-shape from a horizontal groove extending from the front edge of the left and right plates to the wall mounting frame, and a vertical groove continuing downward from the end of the horizontal groove on the wall mounting frame side. When the movable case is swung in the closing direction, convex portions provided on the open edges of the left and right covering walls of the movable case move laterally within horizontal grooves of approximately L-shaped recessed grooves provided on the outer surfaces of the left and right plates of the base case, allowing the movable case to smoothly swing toward the base case and assume the closed position. Once the movable case is in the closed position, the convex portions are moved into the vertical grooves that extend downward from the ends of the horizontal grooves on the wall mounting frame side, thereby preventing the convex portions from moving laterally. This prevents the movable case from swinging in the opening direction and locks it in the closed position. In this way, by configuring the locking mechanism with a convex portion and a concave groove, the locking mechanism can be provided more easily and inexpensively.

[0011] In the above-mentioned gas cock protective case, preferably, the locking mechanism comprises an engaging portion provided on either the lower end of the wall mounting frame of the base case or the open end edge of the lower covering wall of the movable case, and an engaged portion provided on the other of the engaging portion, When the movable case in the closed position is moved downward, the engaging portion and the engaged portion engage with each other, and when the movable case in the closed position is moved upward, the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is released. This also eliminates the need to provide separate members or devices for the locking mechanism, and the locking mechanism can be constructed easily and inexpensively. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] As described above, by placing the movable case in a closed position relative to the base case, it is possible to completely cover the entire gas valve, including the tip of the plug portion, which is fixed to the wall surface, and the locking mechanism can maintain this closed position, so the movable case in the closed position will not be accidentally swung open by wind or vandalism, etc. In particular, when the gas valve is installed on an outdoor wall, it is possible to reliably protect the gas valve from direct sunlight and wind and rain, and to prevent the plug portion from becoming contaminated with dirt, dust, insects, etc. This allows the gas valve to be protected in a stable state over a long period of time without impairing operability.

[0013] Furthermore, by making it possible to attach the wall mounting frame of the base case to the wall so as to surround the flange that secures the gas valve to the wall, a protective case can be easily installed on an existing gas valve, and if the protective case becomes dirty or damaged, the base case or movable case can be replaced or repaired while the gas valve is still installed on the wall, making maintenance easy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the attached state of the protective case for a gas cock according to the embodiment of the present invention, with the locking mechanism in an unlocked state. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a movable case of a gas cock protective case according to an embodiment of the present invention is in an open position. [Figure 3]1 is a front view showing a state in which a movable case of a protective case for a gas cock according to an embodiment of the present invention is in an open position. [Figure 4] 10 is an explanatory diagram of a locking mechanism showing a state in which a movable case of a gas cock protective case according to an embodiment of the present invention is in an open position. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a protective case for a gas cock according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a movable case is in a closed position and a locking mechanism is in an unlocked state. [Figure 6] 1 is a side view showing a state in which a gas valve is in use, in which a socket is connected to a gas valve covered with a protective case for a gas valve according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a gas cock protective case according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the movable case in a closed position and the locking mechanism in a locked state. FIG. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are side views showing another example of the locking mechanism of the protective case for a gas cock according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) shows the unlocked state and (B) shows the locked state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 and 2, the gas valve employed in this embodiment of the present invention is a gas valve in which a gas flow path from a pipe connection portion (41) for connecting an upstream pipe to a plug portion (4) for connecting a downstream socket is formed in a substantially L-shape, and the pipe connection portion (41) is inserted horizontally into an opening (50) formed in a wall plate (5) with the tip of the plug portion (4) facing downward, and a flange portion (42) extending from the vicinity of the base end of the pipe connection portion (41) is attached to the periphery of the opening (50) of the wall surface (51). As shown in Fig. 3, the flange portion (42) is a substantially rectangular plate, and is fixed to the periphery of the opening (50) by means of fixing screws (not shown) inserted through screw insertion holes (40) formed in three corners.

[0016] The protective case (100) is attached so as to entirely cover the flange (42) attached to the wall surface (51) and the plug portion (4) protruding from the flange (42) toward the front side. The protective case (100) is composed of a base case (1) fixed to the wall surface (51) by a wall mounting frame (12) having an opening (10) of a size and shape that allows the flange (42) to be fitted in, and a movable case (2) pivotally supported on the base case (1) so as to be able to swing freely.

[0017] 1 to 3, the base case (1) is a substantially rectangular box-shaped body that is open to the front and downward and that is made up of a wall-mounting frame (12), left and right plates (11a) and (11b) that protrude from the left and right sides of the wall-mounting frame (12) toward the front and cover both the left and right sides of the plug portion (4), and an upper plate (13) that is continuous with the upper end edges of the left and right plates (11a) and (11b) and covers the upper part of the plug portion (4), and an upper extension portion (14) is connected to the upper part of the upper plate (13). In addition, thin flange pieces (15) protrude left and right and downward from the wall-side edge of the wall-mounting frame (12) so as to follow the wall surface (51). As shown in FIG. 3, screw insertion holes 12a and 12b for inserting mounting screws (not shown) are formed on the diagonal line on the front surface of the wall mounting frame 12.

[0018] The movable case (2) is journaled on both the left and right surfaces of the upper extension portion (14) so ​​as to swing open and close the front side and the lower open portion of the base case (1). When in a closed position in which the front side and the lower open portion of the base case (1) are closed, the movable case (2) is composed of left and right covering walls (21a) and (21b) that cover the outsides of the left and right plates (11a) and (11b), respectively; a front wall (22) that is continuous with the front edge of the left and right covering walls (21a) and (21b) and covers the front side of the plug portion (4); and a lower covering wall (23) that is continuous with the lower end of the front wall (22) and the lower end of the left and right covering walls (21a) and (21b) and covers the lower part of the plug portion (4).

[0019] As shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, shafts 3a and 3b protrude inward from the inner surfaces of the left and right covering walls 21a and 21b near their upper ends, and vertically elongated bearing grooves 30 into which the shafts 3a and 3b fit are formed on both left and right sides of the upward extension 14 where the shafts 3a and 3b face each other, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. By fitting the left and right shafts 3a and 3b into the bearing grooves 30 on both left and right sides of the upward extension 14, the base case 1 and the movable case 2 are integrated, and the movable case 2 is assembled to the base case 1 so that it can swing in the opening / closing direction and slide up and down.

[0020] To attach the protective case (100) consisting of the base case (1) and the movable case (2) to a gas valve attached and fixed to a wall surface (51), as shown in Figures 2 to 4, the movable case (2) is swung widely forward to place the base case (1) in an open position with the front and bottom sides open, and the flange (42) of the gas valve attached to the wall surface (51) is positioned within the opening (10) of the wall mounting frame (12), and the wall mounting frame (12) is attached to the wall surface (51). Mounting screws (not shown) are then screwed into the wall panel (5) through the screw insertion holes (12a) and (12b) to fix the gas valve in place.

[0021] Next, a locking mechanism for maintaining the movable case (2) in a closed position relative to the base case (1) will be described.

[0022] In this embodiment, the convex portion (31) as an engaging portion constituting the locking mechanism protrudes inward from a predetermined position along the open edge of the inner surface of the left and right covering walls (21a) and (21b) of the movable case (2) near the lower covering wall (23), as shown by the dotted line in Figure 2, and the concave groove (32) as an engaged portion with which the convex portion (31) engages is formed at a predetermined position on the outer surface of the left and right plates (11a) and (11b) of the base case (1) that the convex portion (31) faces when the movable case (2) is swung in the closing direction.

[0023] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the recessed groove (32) is formed in an approximately L-shape by a horizontal groove (33) that opens to the front edge of the left and right plates (11a) and (11b) and reaches the flange piece (15), and a vertical groove (34) that continues downward from the end of the horizontal groove (33) on the flange piece (15) side.

[0024] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, when the shafts (3a) and (3b) protruding inward from predetermined positions on the left and right covering walls (21a) and (21b) of the movable case (2) are positioned at the upper ends of the bearing grooves (30) on both the left and right sides of the upward extension (14) of the base case (1), the movable case (2) is free to swing, and the front side and bottom of the base case (1) can be opened as shown in Figure 4, or the front side and bottom of the base case (1) can be closed as shown in Figure 5.

[0025] With the movable case (2) in the open position, the socket (43) can be connected to the plug portion (4) of the gas valve. After the socket (43) is connected, when the movable case (2) is released, the movable case (2) automatically swings in the closing direction due to its own weight, and as shown in Figure 6, the open end of the lower covering wall (23) of the movable case (2) comes into contact with the socket (43). When removing the socket (43), the movable case (2) is again swung largely toward the front as shown in Figure 4 to open the front side and the bottom of the base case (1), which makes it easy to remove the socket (43).

[0026] When the movable case (2) is released after the socket (43) is removed, the movable case (2) swings in the closing direction due to its own weight, and as shown in Figure 5, the open end of the movable case (2) abuts against the flange piece (15) of the base case (1), and at the same time, the convex part (31) moves laterally within the horizontal groove (33) of the approximately L-shaped recessed groove (32) provided on the outer surfaces of the left and right plates (11a) and (11b) of the base case (1) and reaches the end of the horizontal groove (33) on the flange piece (15) side. In this state, the locking mechanism is again in the unlocked state.

[0027] Thereafter, the movable case (2) falls due to its own weight, and as a result, the shafts (3a) and (3b) move to the lower ends of the bearing grooves (30), and the convex portions (31) fit into the vertical grooves (34), as shown in Fig. 7. When the convex portions (31) fit into the vertical grooves (34), the convex portions (31) are prevented from moving laterally, and therefore the movable case (2) is prevented from swinging in the opening direction and is locked in the closed position. The locking mechanism may be locked by manually pulling the movable case (2) downwards in the closed position.

[0028] By locking the movable case (2) in the closed position, the protective case (100) will not accidentally open due to external impact or tampering, and the gas valve can be reliably protected from direct sunlight, wind, and rain when not in use. This also prevents dirt, dust, insects, etc. from entering the case or being intentionally tampered with. Therefore, the entire gas valve, including the plug portion (3a) of the gas valve attached to the wall surface (51), can be reliably protected for a long period of time.

[0029] In the locking mechanism, when movable case (2) is in the locked state shown in Fig. 7, by pinching the left and right covering walls (21a) and (21b) with fingers and pulling them upward, the convex portion (31) is removed from the vertical groove (34), disengaging the convex portion (31) from the vertical groove (34), and the movable case (2) can be placed in the unlocked state shown in Fig. 5. At this time, the shafts (3a) and (3b) of movable case (2) are positioned at the upper ends of the bearing grooves (30) of the base case (1), and movable case (2) can swing in the opening direction.

[0030] The locking mechanism is not limited to the convex portion (31) and the concave groove (32) in the first embodiment described above, but may be composed of, for example, an engaging projection (35) protruding downward from the center of the open end of the lower covering wall (23) of the movable case (2) and an engaging ring (36) protruding toward the front side from the lower end of the flange piece (15) of the base case (1), as shown in FIG. 8. In this device, simply by swinging the movable case (2) from the open position shown in Figure 8(A) toward the base case (1) to the closed position, the engaging projection (35) is set to an unlocked state in which it is located above the engaging ring (36), as indicated by the two-dot chain arrow. When the movable case (2) is moved downward from this unlocked state, the engaging projection (35) fits into the engaging ring (36), as shown in Figure 8(B), preventing the movable case (2) from swinging and setting it to a locked state, and the closed position of the movable case (2) is maintained. To release the engagement between the engaging projection (35) and the engaging ring (36), the movable case (2) is pulled upward and the engaging projection (35) is pulled upward from the engaging ring (36).

[0031] The locking mechanism may be other engaging means that is provided at each position where the movable case (2) in the open or closed position faces the base case (1) and can be releasably engaged.

[0032] The protective case for a gas valve may be attached to any installed gas valve, whether indoors or outdoors. For example, when installed on the wall of an indoor kitchen, the protective case (100) can reliably protect the gas valve, particularly its plug portion, from radiant heat from the combustion appliance and splashes of hot water or high-temperature oil. Furthermore, the means for attaching the protective case (100) to the wall surface is not limited to screws, but may be adhesive or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] (1) Base case (2) Movable case (3a)(3b)...Shaft part (4) Plug section (5) ...Wall board (11a)(11b)...Left and right plates (12) Wall mounting frame (13) Upper plate (21a)(21b) Left and right covering walls (22)...Front wall (23)...Undercover wall (30) Bearing groove (31) Protrusion (locking mechanism) (32) Groove (locking mechanism)

Claims

1. A protective case for covering and protecting a gas cock that is fixed to a wall surface by a flange that protrudes near the base end of a pipe connection part for connecting an upstream pipe, the flange having a position where the pipe connection part for connecting a downstream socket faces downward, a base case that is open to the front and downward and that includes a wall mounting frame that is attached and fixed to the wall so as to surround the periphery of the flange, left and right plates that cover the left and right sides of the plug section, and an upper plate that covers the top of the plug section; a movable case that is pivotally supported near the upper end of the base case so as to be swingable, and that has left and right covering walls that cover the left and right plates from the outside, respectively, when in a closed position swung toward the base case, a front wall that is continuous with the left and right covering walls and covers the front side of the plug portion, and a lower covering wall that is continuous with the left and right covering walls and the front wall and covers a lower part of the plug portion, a shaft portion protruding from either one of both outer surfaces near the upper end of the base case or the inner surfaces near the upper ends of the left and right covering walls of the movable case, and a bearing groove provided on the other of the two, into which the shaft portion fits and which is movable in the up and down direction; A protective case for a gas valve is provided with a locking mechanism that locks the movable case in the closed position when the shaft portion is moved downward along the bearing groove, and the locked state by the locking mechanism is set to be releasable when the shaft portion is moved upward along the bearing groove.

2. The protective case for a gas valve according to claim 1, the locking mechanism comprises an engaging portion provided on one of the outer surfaces of the left and right plates of the base case and the inner surfaces of the left and right covering walls of the movable case, and an engaged portion provided on the other of the outer surfaces of the left and right plates of the base case and the inner surfaces of the left and right covering walls of the movable case; The protective case for a gas valve is configured so that when the movable case in the closed position is moved downward, the engaging portion and the engaged portion engage with each other, and when the movable case in the closed position is moved upward, the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is released.

3. The protective case for a gas valve according to claim 2, the engaging portions are convex portions protruding inward from open end edges of the left and right covering walls of the movable case, the engaged portions are recessed grooves formed on the outer surfaces of the left and right plates of the base case, The recessed groove is formed in an approximately L-shape by a horizontal groove extending from the front edge of the left and right plates to the wall mounting frame, and a vertical groove extending downward from the end of the horizontal groove on the wall mounting frame side.

4. The protective case for a gas valve according to claim 1, the locking mechanism comprises an engaging portion provided on either the lower end of the wall mounting frame of the base case or the open end edge of the lower covering wall of the movable case, and an engaged portion provided on the other of the engaging portion, The protective case for a gas valve is configured so that when the movable case in the closed position is moved downward, the engaging portion and the engaged portion engage with each other, and when the movable case in the closed position is moved upward, the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is released.

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