Protective case for gas valves
The protective case for gas valves maintains a fully closed state with a movable case design that accommodates the socket, addressing vulnerabilities and obstructions in existing designs by ensuring complete protection and ease of use.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FUJII GOKIN SEISAKUSHO CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2022-12-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing protective cases for gas valves cannot maintain a fully closed position when a socket is connected, leaving the valve vulnerable to dust, rain, and other external factors, and create an obstruction when in use.
A protective case design with a base case and a movable case that includes left and right covering walls, a front covering wall, and a lower covering wall, featuring a notch that opens with a lid to accommodate the socket or rubber tube, allowing the case to remain closed even when in use.
Ensures the gas valve is fully protected from external elements and maintains a stable, obstruction-free position regardless of use, preventing ingress of dust and debris while allowing easy socket connection.
Smart Images
Figure 0007880576000001 
Figure 0007880576000002 
Figure 0007880576000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a protective case for a gas tap that is coated and protected when fixed to a wall surface.
Background Art
[0002] As a protective case (300) for protecting a gas tap in a posture where the pipe connection part (41) on the upstream side horizontally penetrates the wall plate (5) and the plug part for socket connection on the downstream side faces downward and is fixed to the wall surface, an application has been filed for the one of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-78128. As shown in FIG. 10, this includes a base case (310) attached and fixed to the wall plate (5) so as to cover the upper part and both left and right sides of the gas tap main body including the plug part, and a front covering wall (322) and a lower covering wall (323) that are pivotally supported near the upper end of the base case (310) and can respectively open and close the front side and the lower opening part (311) of the base case (310). It consists of a movable case (320). When the movable case (320) is swung toward the base case (310) side, the protective case (300) can completely close the front opening part and the lower opening part (311) of the base case (310) with the movable case (320), and can surround the gas tap when not in use from above, below, left, right, and the front side as a whole, preventing the intrusion of direct sunlight, wind and rain, or dust, and protecting it from external impacts and the like. And when using the gas tap, by swinging the movable case (320) in the opening direction to open the lower part of the protective case (300), the socket (43) can be inserted from the lower opening part (311) of the base case (310) and connected to the plug part.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] However, in the protective case (300) described above, if the movable case (320) is swung in the closing direction after the socket (43) is connected to the plug, the open end edge (324) of the lower covering wall (323) of the movable case (320) comes into contact with the socket (43) protruding from the lower opening (311) of the base case (310), or with the rubber tube (44) connected to the socket (43), as shown in the figure. Therefore, the movable case (320) cannot be swung any further in the closing direction. In other words, while the gas valve is in use, the movable case (320) is held in a half-open state, so there is a risk that dust, dirt, splashes of rainwater, insects, and other foreign matter may enter the protective case (300) from the uncovered area of the lower covering wall (323) of the lower opening (311). Furthermore, in the protective case (300) where the movable case (320) is in a half-open state, the amount of protrusion to the front is greater than in the protective case (300) when the gas valve is not in use and the lower opening (311) of the base case (310) is completely closed by the lower covering wall (323) of the movable case (320), and this protruding part becomes an obstruction.
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a protective case for a gas valve that protects the gas valve fixed to a wall panel from direct sunlight, wind and rain, dust and debris, and external impacts by covering the gas valve with the entire valve, and that can maintain a completely closed position without the protective case becoming partially open even when the gas valve is in use with a socket connected to the plug. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The solution to the above problem, as implemented in this invention, is: A protective case that covers and protects a gas valve fixed to a wall surface in a position where the pipe connection portion for upstream piping connection penetrates the wall plate horizontally and the plug portion for downstream socket connection faces downward, It consists of a base case having a wall mounting frame attached to and fixed to the wall surface, and a movable case that is pivotably supported in the upper area of the base case and opens towards the base case side. The movable case, when swung toward the wall mounting frame side until it reaches the final swinging position, has left and right covering walls that cover the left and right sides of the plug portion, a front covering wall that covers from above to the front of the plug portion, and a lower covering wall that covers below the plug portion. In the completely closed position, a notch is provided at a predetermined position on the lower covering wall, from which a part of the socket to be connected to the plug portion or a rubber tube connected to the socket can protrude. movable case The open edge is formed to be open, and a lid portion is provided that can be opened and closed. The lid portion is designed to close the notch when the movable case is in the fully closed position with the socket not connected, and to move in the opening direction when the movable case is swung in the closing direction with the socket connected, thereby contacting the socket or rubber tube and opening the notch. The movable case is designed to be maintained in the fully closed position even when the lid is moved in the opening direction.
[0007] The above means works as follows: The gas valve is fixed to the wall with the pipe connection portion horizontally penetrating the wall panel and the downstream end of the plug portion facing downwards, and the wall mounting frame of the base case is attached to the wall so as to surround it. The base case and the movable case are configured such that, for example, a shaft portion provided on either the outer surfaces of the upper region of the base case or near the upper end of the inner surface of the left and right covering walls of the movable case that cover the said outer surfaces is fitted into a bearing groove provided on the other side and pivotably supported.
[0008] When the gas valve is not in use and a socket is not connected to the plug, the movable case can be swung toward the base case until it reaches its final swinging position to achieve a completely closed position. In this completely closed position, the plug is surrounded from above, to the front, both sides, and below by the front, left and right, and bottom covering walls of the movable case, and the notch in the bottom covering wall is closed by the lid. As a result, the gas valve can be completely enclosed by the protective case when not in use.
[0009] By swinging the movable case away from the base case to open the lower part of the plug, the socket can be connected to the plug and the gas valve can be used. After the socket is connected, swinging the movable case in the closing direction causes the tip of the lid to come into contact with the socket or the rubber tube connected to it, and at the same time, the lid is pushed in the opening direction. The movement of the lid causes the notch The movable case Open edge to The opening allows a portion of the socket or a rubber tube to protrude from the opening. In this state, the movable case can be swung in the closing direction relative to the base case until it reaches the final swing position and maintained in the fully closed position.
[0010] In the above protective case for a gas valve, preferably, the lid portion is It is pivotably mounted within the aforementioned movable case, In the free state, the notch is closed by its own weight and maintained in a closed position. The plug portion, when it comes into contact with a socket or rubber tube connected to it, swings in the opening direction and is simultaneously housed within the movable case. When the gas valve is not in use and the socket is not connected to the plug, if the movable case is in a completely closed position relative to the base case, the free-moving lid will swing due to its own weight in the direction that closes the notch, and the notch will be closed by the lid. In this way, the gas valve can be completely surrounded and protected by the protective case. When using the gas valve, the movable case is swung in the opening direction, and after connecting the socket to the plug, the movable case is swung in the closing direction. This causes the tip of the lid to contact the socket or rubber tube, causing the lid to swing in the opening direction and a portion of the notch to open. A portion of the socket or rubber tube can protrude from this open portion, and in this state, the movable case can be maintained in a completely closed position. Furthermore, since the swung lid is housed inside the movable case, the lid does not get in the way.
[0011] In the above protective case for a gas valve, preferably, the lid portion is It is slidably provided within the aforementioned movable case, In the free state, the notch is closed by its own weight and maintained in a closed position. The plug portion, when it comes into contact with a socket or rubber tube connected to it, slides in the opening direction and is simultaneously housed within the movable case. When the gas valve is not in use and the socket is not connected to the plug, if the movable case is in a completely closed position relative to the base case, the free-moving lid slides in the direction that closes the notch due to its own weight, and the notch is closed by the lid. In this way, the gas valve can be completely surrounded and protected by the protective case. When using the gas valve, the movable case is swung in the opening direction, and after connecting the socket to the plug, the movable case is swung in the closing direction. This causes the tip of the lid to contact the socket or rubber tube, causing the lid to slide in the opening direction and a portion of the notch to open. A portion of the socket or rubber tube can protrude from this open portion, and in this state, the movable case can be maintained in a completely closed position. Furthermore, since the slid lid is housed inside the movable case, the lid does not get in the way. [Effects of the Invention]
[0012] As described above, whether the gas plug is in use or not, the movable case can be maintained in the fully closed position with respect to the base case. Therefore, the gas plug fixed to the wall surface can be entirely surrounded regardless of whether it is in use or not, and the gas plug installed on the outdoor wall surface can be reliably protected from direct sunlight, wind, and rain. Note that when the gas plug is in use, in order to protrude a part of the socket or the rubber tube, the notch movable case is open on the open edge side, but the part communicating inside is only a small part around the socket and the rubber tube. Therefore, there is almost no inconvenience for dust, dirt, or insects to enter the protective case. The gas plug can be always protected in a stable state without deterioration of its operability over a long period of time.
[0013] Also, since the movable case can be maintained in the fully closed state even when the gas plug is in use, the amount of protrusion of the movable case from the wall surface is the same as when the gas plug is not in use. Therefore, there is no inconvenience such that the protruding part of the movable case becomes an obstacle or an obstruction when the gas plug is in use.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0014] [Figure 1] It is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting state of the protective case for a gas plug according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view showing the state where the movable case of the protective case for a gas plug according to the first embodiment of the present invention is in the open position. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing the state where the movable case of the protective case for a gas plug according to the first embodiment of the present invention is in the open position. [Figure 4] It is an enlarged rear view of the main part of the movable case for explaining the lid part of the protective case for a gas plug according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view showing the usage state of a gas plug with a socket connected to the gas plug covered with the protective case for a gas plug according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]This is a perspective view showing a gas valve in use, with a socket connected to a gas valve covered with a protective case for gas valves according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting state of the protective case for a gas valve according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of a protective case for a gas valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view showing the usage state of a gas valve in which a socket is connected to a gas valve covered with a protective case for gas valves according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram of a conventional protective case for gas valves. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0015] The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the gas valve (40) used in the embodiment of the present invention is a gas valve in which the gas flow path from the upstream pipe connection part (41) for connecting the pipe to the downstream plug part (4) for connecting the socket is formed in a substantially L shape. The pipe connection part (41) is inserted horizontally through the opening (50) that penetrates the wall plate (5), and the downstream tip of the plug part (4) is facing downwards. The flange part (42) that protrudes near the base end of the pipe connection part (41) is fixed to the wall surface (51) around the opening (50) by screws (not shown).
[0016] A protective case (100) is attached so as to completely surround the flange portion (42) which is fixed to the wall surface (51) and the plug portion (4) which protrudes from the flange portion (42) toward the front. The protective case (100) consists of a base case (1) which is a wall mounting frame (11) having an opening (10) of a size and shape that can accommodate the flange portion (42), and a movable case (2) which is pivotally supported on the base case (1).
[0017] The wall mounting frame (11) is fixed to the wall surface (51) by screws (not shown) with the flange (42) of the gas valve (40) housed in the opening (10), and the upper end of the movable case (2) is pivotally supported and attached to an upward extension (12) that extends above the wall mounting frame (11). Furthermore, a flange plate (13) protrudes from the periphery of the wall mounting frame (11) and, in a fully closed position where the movable case (2) is swung toward the base case (1) until it reaches its final swinging position, the open end edge (2a) of the movable case (2) abuts against it.
[0018] The movable case (2), in the fully closed position shown in Figure 1, is composed of left and right covering walls (21a) and (21b) that cover the left and right sides of the plug portion (4), a front covering wall (22) that is continuous with the curved edges of the left and right covering walls (21a) and (21b) and can cover the front side of the plug portion (4) from above, and a lower covering wall (23) that is continuous with the lower end of the front covering wall (22) and the lower ends of the left and right covering walls (21a) and (21b) and covers the area below the plug portion (4) (see Figure 3).
[0019] As shown by the dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2, shaft portions (24) are provided on the inner surfaces near the upper ends of the left and right covering walls (21a) and (21b), respectively, and bearing holes are formed on both the left and right sides of the upward extension portion (12) where each shaft portion (24) faces, so as to be able to support the shaft portion (24). By fitting the left and right shaft portions (24) into the bearing holes on both the left and right sides of the upward extension portion (12), the base case (1) and the movable case (2) become one unit, and the movable case (2) is assembled to the base case (1) so as to be able to swing in the opening and closing direction.
[0020] When the movable case (2) is in the completely closed position, a rectangular notch (20) is formed in the central area of the lower covering wall (23) facing the downstream tip of the plug portion (4), as shown in Figures 1 to 3, so as to open to the open edge (2a) of the movable case (2). The size of the notch (20) is such that a part of the socket (43) to be connected to the plug part (4), which will be described later, or the rubber tube (44) connected to the socket (43) can protrude.
[0021] The notch (20) can be opened and closed by a lid (3) provided inside the movable case (2). As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the lid (3) consists of a rectangular lid plate (30) large enough to close off almost the entire notch (20), and a pair of roughly triangular support plates (31a) and (31b) that stand upright from both sides of the lid, with roughly circular projections (32) extending from the tops of the support plates (31a) and (31b) through which the axial hole (32a) passes.
[0022] Within the movable case (2), a pair of base plates (25a) and (25b) are provided on both the left and right sides of the notch (20) to pivotally support the support plates (31a) and (31b) of the lid (3), so as to stand upright integrally from the lower covering wall (23) and the front covering wall (22), and a pivot shaft (26) is provided projecting inward from the upper end of the movable case (2) near the open edge (2a), and is insertable into an axial hole (32a) provided in the projection (32) of the lid (3).
[0023] The lid (3) is set to maintain a closed position in its free state, where the rectangular lid plate (30) closes the notch (20) due to its own weight. When the gas valve (40) is not in use, as shown in Figure 1, the protective case (100) is in a completely closed position where the open edge (2a) of the movable case (2) abuts against the flange plate (13) of the base case (1), and the notch (20) is closed by the lid (3). As a result, the gas valve (40) fixed to the wall surface (51) can be completely surrounded by the protective case (100), and in the case of an outdoor-installed gas valve (40), it can be reliably protected from direct sunlight and wind and rain, as well as preventing dirt, dust, or insects from entering the protective case (100) and reliably preventing them from adhering to the plug (4). Furthermore, when installed on the wall of an indoor kitchen, the protective case (100) can reliably protect the gas valve (40), especially its plug (4), from radiant heat from combustion equipment and splashing hot water or high-temperature oil.
[0024] To use the gas valve (40), as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the movable case (2) is swung in the opening direction with the shaft portion (24) as the pivot point to open the lower part of the protective case (100), and as shown in Figure 5, the socket (43) is connected to the plug portion (4) of the gas valve (40).
[0025] When the movable case (2) is released after the socket (43) is connected, the movable case (2) automatically swings in the closing direction due to its own weight. At this time, the rectangular cover plate (30) of the cover portion (3) that closes the notch (20) formed in the lower covering wall (23) of the movable case (2) comes into contact with the rubber tube connection portion (45) of the socket (43) connected to the plug portion (4), and the rectangular cover plate (30) is pushed by this, causing the cover portion (3) to swing inward into the movable case (2) as shown in Figures 5 and 6, and an unclosed area (20a) is formed in the notch (20) that is not closed by the rectangular cover plate (30). The rubber tube connection portion (45) of the socket (43) and the rubber tube (44) connected thereto protrude from this unclosed area (20a). While maintaining this state, the open end edge (2a) of the movable case (2) can be brought into contact with the flange plate (13) of the base case (1), thereby bringing the protective case (100) into a completely closed position.
[0026] In other words, even when using the gas valve (40) with the socket (43) connected to the plug (4), the movable case (2) can be maintained in a completely closed position, just as when the gas valve (40) is not in use. Therefore, the amount of protrusion of the movable case (2) from the wall surface (51) does not change. Thus, compared to a design where the movable case is half-open when the gas valve (40) is in use, there is no inconvenience of the movable case (2) protruding from the wall surface (51) and getting in the way. Furthermore, since the lid (3) is housed within the movable case (2) by being swung, the lid (3) does not get in the way when it is swung. When the gas valve is used, the lid (3) swings, creating an unblocked area (20a) in the notch (20) of the lower covering wall (23) of the movable case (2) that is not blocked by the lid (3). However, since the socket (43) and rubber tube (44) protrude from this unblocked area (20a), only a small portion of the unblocked area (20a) is in communication with the outside. Therefore, dust, debris, or insects are unlikely to enter the protective case (100) from this area.
[0027] When removing the socket (43), the movable case (2) can be swung forward again, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, to open the bottom of the protective case (100), which makes it easier to remove the socket (43).
[0028] After removing the socket (43), if you release your hand from the movable case (2), the movable case (2) will swing in the closing direction due to its own weight, and as shown in Figure 1, the open edge (2a) of the movable case (2) will come into contact with the flange piece (13) of the base case (1), and at the same time, the lid (3) will also close the notch (20) due to its own weight. As described above, the entire gas valve, including the plug portion (4) of the gas valve (40) attached to the wall surface (51), can be reliably protected for a long period of time.
[0029] Figures 7 to 9 are explanatory diagrams of the protective case (110) of the second embodiment, and the gas valve (40) and base case (1) are the same as those used in the first embodiment. The gas valve (40) has a roughly L-shaped gas passage from a pipe connection part (41) horizontally inserted through an opening (50) in the wall plate (5) to a downward-facing plug part (4), and is screwed to the wall surface (51) around the opening (50) by a flange part (42). The base case (1) comprises a wall mounting frame (11) having an opening (10) of a size and shape that can accommodate the flange part (42), a flange plate (13) protruding around it, and an extension part (12) that extends above the wall mounting frame (11) and pivotally supports the vicinity of the upper end of the movable case (200).
[0030] The movable case (200) used in the second embodiment consists of left and right covering walls (210a) and (210b) that cover the left and right sides of the plug portion (4) in the fully closed position shown in Figures 7 and 8, and a curved wall (220) that is continuous with the curved edges of the left and right covering walls (210a) and (210b) and continuously covers the top, front, and bottom of the plug portion (4). Furthermore, the curved wall (220) corresponds to the combination of the front covering wall and the lower covering wall of the inventive features, and the arc-shaped lower region (230) of the curved wall (220) has a substantially rectangular cutout (20), similar to the first embodiment. Movable case (200) It is formed to open to the open edge (22a). The size of the notch (20) is set to be the same as in the first embodiment, such that a part of the socket (43) connected to the plug part (4) or the rubber tube (44) connected to the socket (43) can protrude.
[0031] The lid portion (33) that closes the notch (20) formed in the movable case (200) of the second embodiment consists of a substantially rectangular curved plate (34) that has an arc-shaped cross-section along the inner circumferential surface of the arc-shaped lower region (230) and is larger than the notch (20), and a pair of curved sliding pieces (35) provided on both sides thereof and having the same curvature as the curved plate (34). The left and right covering walls (210a) (210b), or a support plate (not shown) positioned parallel to the left and right covering walls (210a) (210b), has ribs (27) protruding from it that have the same curvature as the curved plate (34) and the curved sliding piece (35). The cover portion (33) is arranged such that the curved sliding piece (35) is interposed between the ribs (27) and the inner surface of the arc-shaped lower region (230).
[0032] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the free-moving lid (33) is maintained in a closed position by its own weight, with the curved plate (34) closing the notch (20). When the gas valve (40) is not in use, the protective case (110) can be completely closed. This completely surrounds the gas valve (40) fixed to the wall surface (51), ensuring protection from direct sunlight, wind and rain, dust and debris, insects, etc.
[0033] To use the gas valve (40), the movable case (200) is swung in the opening direction to open the lower part of the protective case (110), and the socket (43) is connected to the plug portion of the gas valve (40) as shown in Figure 9. After connecting the socket (43), when you release your hand from the movable case (200), the movable case (200) automatically swings in the closing direction due to its own weight. At this time, the leading edge (34a) of the curved plate (34) of the lid (33) that closes the notch (20) in the arc-shaped lower region (230) of the movable case (200) comes into contact with the rubber tube (44) connected to the rubber tube connection part (45) of the socket (43), and the curved plate (34) is pushed by this, causing the curved sliding piece (35) to slide upward in an arc along the rib (27). As a result, of the notch (20), Movable case (200) The open end edge (22a) is open, and the rubber tube (44) protrudes. While maintaining this state, the open end edge (22a) of the movable case (200) can be brought into contact with the flange plate (13) of the base case (1), and the protective case (110) can be brought into a completely closed position.
[0034] In other words, the protective case (110) of the second embodiment can also be in a completely closed position regardless of whether the gas valve (40) is in use or not, and can maintain a state in which the gas valve (40), including the plug part (4), is completely surrounded. Therefore, even when the gas valve (40) is in use, the gas valve (40) can be reliably protected for a long period of time, and the movable case (200) and the lid part (33) will not protrude unintentionally.
[0035] In the first embodiment, the lid (3) was of the swinging type, and in the second embodiment, the lid (33) was of the sliding type. However, other movable types can be used as long as they can move in the direction of opening the notch (20) by contacting the socket (43) or rubber tube (44) connected to the plug (4), and can be closed by their own weight. Furthermore, the lids (3) and (33) may have other shapes and configurations.
[0036] Furthermore, the means of attaching the protective cases (100)(110) to the wall surface (51) are not limited to screw fastening; they may also be attached using adhesive or the like. [Explanation of symbols]
[0037] (1) ······Base case (2)(200)····Movable case (2a)(22a)...Open edge (3)(33)...Lid part (4) ······ Plug part (5) ...Wall board (11)······Wall mounting frame (20)······Notch (21a)(21b)(210a)(210b) Left and right covering walls (22)...Front covering wall (23)... Lower covering wall (40) Gas valve (41) Pipe connection section (42)······guard (43) Socket (44) ······Rubber tube (51)······Wall surface (100)(110) ···Protective Case
Claims
1. A protective case that covers and protects a gas valve fixed to a wall surface in a position where the pipe connection portion for upstream piping connection penetrates the wall plate horizontally and the plug portion for downstream socket connection faces downward, It consists of a base case having a wall mounting frame attached to and fixed to the wall surface, and a movable case that is pivotably supported in the upper area of the base case and opens towards the base case side. The movable case, when swung toward the wall mounting frame side until it reaches the final swinging position, has left and right covering walls that cover the left and right sides of the plug portion, a front covering wall that covers from above to the front of the plug portion, and a lower covering wall that covers below the plug portion. In the completely closed position, a notch is formed at a predetermined position on the lower covering wall, allowing a part of the socket to be connected to the plug portion or a rubber tube connected to the socket to protrude, opening to the open edge of the movable case, and a lid portion is provided that can open and close the notch. The lid portion is designed to close the notch when the movable case is in the fully closed position with the socket not connected, and to move in the opening direction when the movable case is swung in the closing direction with the socket connected, thereby contacting the socket or rubber tube and opening the notch. A protective case for a gas valve, wherein the movable case is maintained in the fully closed position when the lid is moved in the opening direction.
2. In the protective case for a gas valve according to claim 1, The aforementioned lid portion is It is pivotably mounted within the aforementioned movable case, In the free state, the notch is closed by its own weight and maintained in a closed position. A protective case for a gas valve that, when it comes into contact with a socket or rubber tube connected to the plug portion, swings in the opening direction and is simultaneously housed within the movable case.
3. In the protective case for a gas valve according to claim 1, The aforementioned lid portion is It is slidably provided within the aforementioned movable case, In the free state, the notch is closed by its own weight and maintained in a closed position. A protective case for a gas valve that, upon contact with a socket or rubber tube connected to the plug portion, slides in the opening direction and is simultaneously housed within the movable case.