Roll bar

Abstract

Provided is a roll bar which can be installed in a vehicle or a ship while preventing a reduction in the amount of supplies that can be loaded onto the vehicle or ship. A roll bar 1 according to the present invention comprises a bar body 2, which is a frame body that can be placed on a vehicle body or a ship, and which is configured from a tubular member 211 inside which a water storage space S capable of storing water is formed, and a water discharge mechanism 3 and a ventilation mechanism 4 that are provided so as to communicate with the water storage space S, whereby, even when the roll bar is installed in a vehicle or ship, it is possible, by storing water inside the roll bar, to omit a water tank for loading water among supplies required for outdoor leisure.

Description

Roll bar

[0001] The present invention relates to a roll bar that is installed on a vehicle or a ship and is formed by assembling tubular members into a predetermined shape. Although a combination of tubular members is generally called a "roll cage," in this document it will be called a "roll bar."

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a roll bar formed by combining tubular members made of, for example, high-rigidity steel into a predetermined shape has been installed in a vehicle.

[0003] By installing such a roll bar inside a vehicle, the rigidity of the vehicle body can be reinforced, improving the safety of the occupants inside the vehicle. Also, by placing the roll bar on the bed of a truck, it is possible to form a roof tent or a canopy to cover people and objects on the bed (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-111510

[0005] In recent years, due to the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, outdoor leisure activities such as camping and barbecues in the relative safety of the outdoors have become increasingly popular. For such outdoor leisure activities, vehicles are used not only as a means of transportation and for transporting supplies such as food, but also as living space. When using vehicles for these purposes, it is important to ensure that the vehicle can carry the necessary supplies for the leisure activity.

[0006] However, when a conventional roll bar is installed in a vehicle, the amount of cargo that can be carried is reduced by the amount of space required for the roll bar installation, so it would be desirable to have a roll bar that can be installed while ensuring a large amount of cargo that can be carried.Such roll bars are also in demand on ships.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a roll bar that can be installed on a vehicle or a ship while preventing a reduction in the amount of goods that can be loaded on the vehicle or ship.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the roll bar according to the first aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a bar body, which is a frame that can be placed on a vehicle body or a ship body and is made of a tubular member having a water storage space formed therein, and an inlet / outlet mechanism and an air vent mechanism that are provided in communication with the water storage space.

[0009] In the above roll bar, the bar body preferably has a partition mechanism that partitions the water storage space in an openable and closable manner.

[0010] The roll bar preferably includes a heating mechanism for heating the water stored in the water storage space.

[0011] The roll bar preferably has a water level confirmation mechanism that allows visual confirmation of the level of the water stored in the water storage space.

[0012] In the above-mentioned roll bar, it is preferable that the bar body has a fixed portion of a fixed shape that is placed on the vehicle body or the ship body, and a detachable portion that is detachable from the fixed portion, and that the frame body is formed by the fixed portion and the detachable portion.

[0013] According to the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, even when a roll bar is installed on a vehicle or boat, water can be stored inside the roll bar, making it possible to omit a water tank for carrying water, one of the supplies necessary for outdoor leisure activities. This makes it possible to prevent the installation of a roll bar from reducing the amount of supplies that can be carried on the vehicle or boat.

[0014] 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a roll bar according to an embodiment of the present invention is used, with (A) being a schematic diagram showing a case where the roll bar is installed on the bed (vehicle body) of a truck, and (B) being a schematic diagram showing a case where the roll bar is installed on the deck (hull) of a ship. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a roll bar according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a detachable part is removed from the roll bar of FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of region G of the roll bar of FIG. 2 taken along a plane parallel to the extension direction of the tubular member. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of region H of the roll bar of FIG. 2 taken along a plane parallel to the extension direction of the tubular member.

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A roll bar according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] Fig. 1(A) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a roll bar 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed and used in the bed C of a truck T. Fig. 1(B) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a roll bar 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed and used on the deck D of a ship M. As shown in Fig. 1, the roll bar 1 according to this embodiment is used by being placed on the bed C of a truck T as a vehicle or on the deck D of the ship M. By covering the roll bar 1 placed on the bed C or deck D with a cover (not shown), a roof tent or a hood can be formed.

[0017] It is preferable to detachably fasten the roll bar 1 to the vehicle using any fastening means (not shown), not only when the roll bar 1 is placed on the bed C of a truck T as shown in Fig. 1(A) but also when the roll bar 1 is installed inside a sports utility vehicle (SUV) or a minivan. Similarly, it is preferable to detachably fasten the roll bar 1 to the vessel using any fastening means (not shown), not only when the roll bar 1 is placed on the deck D of a vessel M as shown in Fig. 1(B) but also when the roll bar 1 is installed inside the vessel, such as in a cabin. Various fastening means can be used as such fastening means, for example, bolt fastening, shackle fastening, steel wire fastening, etc.

[0018] In the following description of the embodiment, the forward direction of the vehicle or ship with respect to the loading platform C, deck D, and roll bar 1 installed thereon is referred to as the "forward" direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as the "rear" direction, and when the driver is sitting in the driver's seat, the right side is referred to as the "right side," the left side is referred to as the "left side," the direction toward the driver's head is referred to as the "up" direction, and the direction toward the driver's feet is referred to as the "down" direction. For convenience, the forward / backward, up / down, left / right directions are indicated by arrows in Figures 1 to 6.

[0019] 2 is a perspective view showing a roll bar 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The roll bar 1 is a frame formed using a hollow tubular member, and various shapes can be adopted depending on the type and shape of the vehicle or vessel on which the roll bar 1 is to be placed, the method of placement (placement on a loading platform or deck, or placement inside the vehicle or vessel, etc.), the intended use of the roll bar 1 (use as a roof tent that can also serve as living space for people during outdoor leisure activities, or use as a hood for transporting luggage), etc. It is desirable that the roll bar 1 be made of steel pipes in order to improve rigidity.

[0020] The roll bar 1 is configured to include a bar body 2, which is a frame body consisting of a fixed section 20 of a fixed shape that is placed on the loading platform C or deck D, and a detachable section 24 that is detachable from the fixed section 20, a ventilation mechanism 4 provided at the upper end of the roll bar 1, a partition mechanism 5 that separates the water storage space S (see Figures 3 to 5) inside the roll bar 1 so that it can be opened and closed, an injection and drainage mechanism 3 that injects and drains water into the water storage space S inside the roll bar 1, and a heating mechanism 6 that heats the water in the water storage space S.

[0021] The stationary section 20 comprises a left frame body 21 located on the left side of the vehicle or ship, a right frame body 22 located on the right side of the vehicle or ship, and a connecting frame body 23 connecting the left frame body 21 and the right frame body 22 at the upper end of the front of the loading platform. A water storage space S (see Figures 3 to 5) capable of storing water is formed inside each of the left frame body 21, the right frame body 22, and the connecting frame body 23, and the respective water storage spaces S are connected to each other in an openable and closable manner by a partition mechanism 5. Preferably, each of the left frame body 21 and the right frame body 22 is provided with a filling and draining mechanism 3 and a heating mechanism 6.

[0022] In the roll bar according to the present invention, when the amount of water stored in the water storage space S of each of the left and right frame bodies 21 and 22 increases and the water level reaches the connecting frame body 23, the water inside the left and right frame bodies 21 and 22 communicates through the water storage space S in the connecting frame body 23, and the water levels become equal. However, if the water level in the left and right frame bodies 21 and 22 is low and does not reach the connecting frame body 23, the water levels in the left and right frame bodies 21 and 22 become uneven, which can lead to poor weight balance of the vehicle or boat. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a water level confirmation mechanism 213 on both the left and right frame bodies 21 and 22, which allows the water levels to be visually confirmed and equalized. Furthermore, the water storage levels in the left and right frame bodies 21 and 22 can be made equal by connecting the filling and draining mechanism 3 on the left frame body 21 to the filling and draining mechanism 3 on the right frame body 22 with a tubular member such as a hose via a joint or the like.

[0023] 2 and other figures, the water level confirmation mechanism 213 may be, for example, a vertically long window portion fitted with a transparent resin or the like provided in the tubular member 211, or a transparent cylindrical member formed along the tubular member 211 and communicating with the water storage space S. By providing such a water level confirmation mechanism 213, the amount of water stored in the water storage space S of the roll bar 1 can be visually confirmed, making it possible to maintain an appropriate amount of water storage. Of course, a similar water level confirmation mechanism 213 can also be provided on the right frame 22. Furthermore, as will be described later, by connecting the ventilation mechanism 4 and the filling and draining mechanism 3 with a transparent or semi-transparent hose, the hose can be used as a simple water level confirmation mechanism.

[0024] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the state in which the detachable part 24 is being removed from the roll bar 1 of Figure 2. The detachable part 24 is a tubular member that is detachably attached to the upper rear end of the stationary part 20, and in this embodiment is formed using the same type of tubular member as the tubular member that constitutes the stationary part 20. The detachable part 24 can be detachably attached to the stationary part 20 using any means.

[0025] 2 and 3, pin holes 28 may be formed in the left frame body 21 and the right frame body 22 at the attachment location of the detachable part 24, and pin holes 241 may be formed at both longitudinal ends of the detachable part 24, and the pins 27 may be inserted into these pin holes 28, 241 to detachably fix the detachable part 24. Because the detachable part 24 is detachable, when loading large luggage such as a motorcycle on the loading platform C, the luggage can be easily loaded into the loading space L within the roll bar 1. The same applies when loading large luggage on the deck D.

[0026] In this embodiment, the water storage spaces S of the left frame body 21 and the right frame body 22 are blocked by blocking members 25 near the locations where the detachable portion 24 is fixed, preventing water from being stored beyond these blocked locations (toward the detachable portion 24). The blocking members 25 are, for example, plate-like members that are fixed by welding or other means to the internal space (water storage space S) of the tubular member that constitutes the roll bar 1, thereby blocking this space. The provision of the blocking members 25 in this manner makes it possible to appropriately prevent the stored water from moving or rippling due to the rolling of the vehicle or ship body. However, in the present invention, a valve may be provided instead of the blocking members 25, allowing water to be stored on the detachable portion 24 side as well, depending on the implementation.

[0027] The ventilation mechanism 4 is an openable / closable vent hole, and as shown in Figures 2 and 3, is provided at the upper end of the connecting frame 23 that constitutes the roll bar 1. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the openable / closable ventilation mechanism 4 is preferably configured from a single pipe embedded in the connecting frame 23, with the vent hole opening downward, and the opening can be opened and closed by any means such as a lid or a ventilation valve. This configuration eliminates the need for protrusions or openings on the top surface of the connecting frame 23, making it possible to place panels made of polycarbonate or the like on the connecting frame 23 and the left and right frame 21, 22 to protect them from rain and wind, and also making it possible to connect the vent hole to the filling and draining mechanism 3 with a transparent or semi-transparent hose to form a simple water level checking mechanism.

[0028] The ventilation mechanism 4 can also be realized by using any suitable mechanism, such as a ventilation hole formed in the connecting frame body 23 and a ventilation valve provided in the ventilation hole.

[0029] In any case, by providing the ventilation mechanism 4 at the upper end of the connecting frame 23, which is the upper end of the roll bar 1, it is possible to smoothly intake and exhaust air into the water storage space S when storing water in the water storage space S inside the roll bar 1 or when draining water from the water storage space S, thereby making it possible to smoothly store and drain water. Also, providing the ventilation mechanism 4 at the topmost part of the water storage space S has the advantage of making it less likely for water to leak from the ventilation mechanism 4.

[0030] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of region G of the roll bar 1 in Figure 2 taken along a plane parallel to the extension direction of the tubular member 211. As shown in Figure 4, the left frame 21 (and similarly the right frame 22) of the roll bar 1 is provided with partition mechanisms 5 that openably and closably partition the water storage space S, one at each of the front and rear lower end portions (5A, 5B) and one at the front upper portion (5C).

[0031] The partition mechanism 5 (5A, 5B, 5C) is configured to include a spindle valve 51, an insertion tube portion 52 into which the spindle valve 51 is inserted, and a joint portion 53 formed inside the tubular member 211.

[0032] The spindle valve 51 is configured to include a cylindrical main body 511, a screw thread 512 formed around one end of the main body 511 (the side facing upward in the pages of Figures 4 and 5), and a spherical tip 514 formed on the other end of the main body 511 (the side facing downward in the pages of Figures 4 and 5).

[0033] A circumferential groove 516 is formed along the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical main body 511. Two circumferential grooves 516 are formed, spaced apart from each other above and below, and an O-ring 515 serving as a sealing member is fitted into each circumferential groove.

[0034] Furthermore, a flat-head shaped tool hole 513 for fitting a flat-head screwdriver is formed at the upper end of the main body 511. The shape of the tool hole 513 is not limited to a flat-head shape, and may be a Phillips shape for a Phillips screwdriver.

[0035] A screw thread 512 is formed around the periphery of the main body 511, located above the circumferential groove 516 and below the tool hole 513. The screw thread 512 is capable of threadably engaging with a screw groove 521 of the insertion tube 52, which will be described later.

[0036] The spherical tip portion 514 is a spherical structure provided contiguous to the main body portion 511 on the lower end side of the main body portion 511, and as described below, is capable of sealing the communication hole 532 by tightly fitting with the spherical recess 531 of the node portion 53.

[0037] The insertion tube portion 52 is a cylindrical structure formed diagonally downward from the peripheral wall of the tubular member 211, and the upper end side forms an open end O into which a tool such as a flathead screwdriver can be inserted to rotate the spindle valve 51.

[0038] A screw groove 521 that can be threaded onto the screw thread 512 of the spindle valve 51 is formed on the inner surface of the insertion tube portion 52, and by rotating the spindle valve 51 with a tool such as a flathead screwdriver, the spindle valve 51 can be moved in the insertion direction and removal direction within the insertion tube portion 52.

[0039] A portion of the lower end of the insertion tube portion 52 is fixed to the node portion 53 by welding or the like, and the other portion is spaced apart from the node portion 53, thereby forming a gap 522 through which water can pass.

[0040] The nodes 53 are provided perpendicular to the extension direction of the tubular member 211 and serve as nodes that separate the water storage space S inside the tubular member 211. The nodes 53 are formed, for example, by fixing a substantially disk-shaped member to the inside of the tubular member 211 by welding or adhesive.

[0041] The node 53 has a communication hole 532 formed therein, through which water in the water storage space S can pass. In addition, on the upper surface of the node 53, around the communication hole 532, there is formed a spherical recess 531 having a shape complementary to the spherical tip 514 of the spindle valve 51 and capable of fitting in close contact therewith.

[0042] By using the partition mechanism 5 described above, the water storage space S can be partitioned so that it can be opened or closed. To close the partition mechanism 5, as shown in Figure 4, the spindle valve 51 is rotated clockwise with a tool such as a flathead screwdriver, and the spindle valve 51 is screwed into the insertion tube portion 52, thereby bringing the spherical tip portion 514 into close contact with the spherical recess 531 of the node portion 53 and closing the communication hole 532. This closes the partition mechanism 5, and the water storage spaces S above and below the node portion 53 are isolated from each other, with no water passing between them. This configuration can appropriately prevent the stored water from moving or rippling due to the rolling of the vehicle or ship body.

[0043] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the roll bar 1 of Figure 4 in an open state of the partition mechanism 5. To open the partition mechanism 5, as shown in Figure 5, the spindle valve 51 is rotated counterclockwise with a tool such as a flathead screwdriver to retract the spindle valve 51 within the insertion tube portion 52, releasing the tight contact between the spherical tip portion 514 and the spherical recess 531 and separating them, thereby opening the communication hole 532. The water storage spaces S above and below the node portion 53 are then connected via the opened communication hole 532 and the gap 522 formed on the lower end side of the insertion tube portion 52, allowing water in both water storage spaces S to move between them.

[0044] In the partition mechanism 5, by further retracting the spindle valve 51 from the state shown in Figure 5 and completely removing the spindle valve 51 from the insertion cylindrical portion 52, the water storage space S becomes connected to the outside through the insertion cylindrical portion 52. By achieving this state, the insertion cylindrical portion 52 can be used as a water inlet and a water outlet. Of course, the removed spindle valve 51 can be re-threaded into the insertion cylindrical portion 52 using a tool.

[0045] 6 is a cross-sectional view of region H of the roll bar 1 in FIG. 2, taken vertically along the longitudinal direction of the tubular member 211. The left and right frame bodies 21, 22 of the roll bar 1 are provided at their front lower end portions with a water filling and draining mechanism 3 for filling and draining water into and from the water storage space S within the roll bar 1, and a heating mechanism 6 for heating the water in the water storage space S.

[0046] The filling and draining mechanism 3 is a tubular flow path that communicates with the water storage space S inside the tubular member 211, and enables water to be filled into the water storage space S and drained from the water storage space S via an openable and closable valve not shown.

[0047] The heating mechanism 6 is configured to include an annular flow path 60 that runs between the inside of the tubular member 211 and a heat source (not shown) such as a heater or engine provided on the vehicle body or hull side, and a heat source fluid (not shown) that circulates within the annular flow path 60 and is heated by the heat source.

[0048] The annular flow path 60 is configured to include an outlet 61 for discharging the heat source fluid to a heat source on the vehicle side or the hull side, an inlet 62 for returning the heat source fluid heated by the heat source into the annular flow path 60, and a loop portion 63 connecting the outlet 61 and the inlet 62. As the heat source fluid heated by the heat source circulates within this loop portion 63, heat is conducted to the water in the water storage space S around the loop portion 63, and the water can be heated.

[0049] The heat source fluid can be any liquid that has good heat storage properties and is easy to handle. In addition to water, which has good heat storage properties and is safe to handle, various oils and emulsions of water and paraffin may also be used.

[0050] According to the roll bar of the above-described embodiment, even when the roll bar is installed on a vehicle or a boat to form a roof tent or a canopy that can be used as a space for storing supplies as well as a living space for people during outdoor leisure activities, the roll bar can store water, so it is possible to omit a water tank for storing water among the supplies to be carried, thereby enabling effective use of the space inside the vehicle or on or in the boat.

[0051] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, both the left frame body 21 and the right frame body 22 are provided with a filling and draining mechanism 3 and a heating mechanism 6, but by making the water storage spaces S of the left frame body 21 and the right frame body 22 non-communicating and operating only one of the heating mechanisms 6 of the left frame body 21 and the right frame body 22, it becomes possible to store both hot water and cold water.

[0052] For example, if hot water is stored in the left frame body 21 and cold water is stored in the right frame body 22, the hot water can be discharged from the filling and draining mechanism 3 provided in the left frame body 21 and the cold water can be discharged from the filling and draining mechanism 3 provided in the right frame body 22, which is more convenient.

[0053] It is also possible to store both hot and cold water by providing the heating mechanism 6 only in one of the left frame 21 and the right frame 22.

[0054] In addition, the water storage spaces S of the left frame body 21 and the right frame body 22 can be made non-communicating by, for example, opening all of the partition mechanisms 5 and adjusting the amount of water stored in the left frame body 21 and the right frame body 22 so that the water level is below the connecting frame body 23.

[0055] Alternatively, by closing the partition mechanism 5C located above and in front of the left frame body 21 and the right frame body 22, the water level in the left frame body 21 and the right frame body 22 will not reach above the partition mechanism 5C, which also makes it possible to make the water storage spaces S of the left frame body 21 and the right frame body 22 non-communicating.

[0056] Of course, depending on the user's needs, the water in both the left and right frame bodies 21 and 22 can be heated to hot water, or left unheated to cold water.

[0057] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the filling and draining mechanisms 3 located at the front and lower portions of the left and right frame bodies 21 and 22 enable filling and draining of the respective water storage spaces S. Furthermore, the insertion tube portion 52 can also be used as a filling and draining port by completely removing the spindle valve 51 of the partition mechanism 5 from the insertion tube portion 52. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any number of filling and draining mechanisms 3 may be provided in any location and in any orientation. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the filling and draining mechanisms 3 are provided only at the front and lower portions of the left and right frame bodies 21 and 22, facing forward. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the filling and draining mechanisms 3 may also be provided at the rear and lower portions, or only at the rear and lower portions, facing backward. This allows filling and draining to be tailored to the user's needs.

[0058] In addition, in the present invention, the partition mechanisms 5 can be provided in any desired locations and in any desired number. This makes it possible to appropriately adjust the water storage state (water storage position and water storage amount, particularly the amount of hot water and cold water) within the roll bar 1 to suit the user's needs. Furthermore, by closing the partition mechanisms 5 after water filling is complete, it is possible to effectively prevent water from shifting within the roll bar 1, disrupting the weight balance of the vehicle or boat, and preventing water from leaking.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the roll bar 1 according to the embodiment described above, and various modifications other than those described above can be adopted.

[0060] For example, the frame shape of the roll bar 1 is not limited to the shapes shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and can be any shape. Furthermore, the installation location of the roll bar 1 is not limited to the bed C of a truck T or the deck D of a ship. For example, the roll bar 1 according to the present invention may be installed inside a minivan or SUV used for outdoor leisure activities or off-road driving, not for the purpose of installing a top or roof tent, but for the purpose of improving the rigidity of the vehicle body. Furthermore, the roll bar 1 according to the present invention may be installed in an interior space such as the cabin of a ship to achieve both improved rigidity and water storage.

[0061] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the detachable portion 24 of the roll bar 1 is provided at the rear upper end portion, which is convenient because it makes it easier to load luggage when placing the roll bar 1 on the bed C of the truck T or the deck D of the ship M, but in the present invention, the location and number of the detachable portion 24 to be installed are optional and are not limited to this form.

[0062] For example, in the case of a minivan that travels off-road, a roll bar 1 is installed inside the minivan to improve the rigidity of the vehicle body, and detachable portions 24 are provided at positions facing the sliding doors on the left and right sides of the vehicle body, thereby improving the rigidity of the vehicle body and facilitating the loading of luggage, while allowing water to be stored inside the roll bar 1.

[0063] 1: Roll bar 2: Bar body 3: Inlet / outlet mechanism 4: Ventilation mechanism 5, 5A, 5B, 5C: Partition mechanism 6: Heating mechanism 20: Stationary part 21: Left frame body 22: Right frame body 23: Connecting frame body 24: Detachable part 27: Pin 28: Pin hole 51: Spindle valve 52: Insertion tube part 53: Joint part 60: Annular flow path 61: Outlet 62: Inlet 63: Loop part 211: Tubular member 213: Water level confirmation mechanism 241: Pin hole 511: Main body part 512: Thread 513: Tool hole 514: Spherical tip part 515: O-ring 516: Circumferential groove part 521: Thread groove 522: Gap 531: Spherical recess 532: Communication hole C: Loading platform D: Deck M: Ship O: Open end S: Water storage space T: Track

Claims

1. A roll bar comprising a bar body, which is a frame that can be placed on a vehicle or ship body and is composed of a tubular member with a water storage space formed inside, and an inlet / outlet mechanism and a ventilation mechanism that are connected to the water storage space.

2. A roll bar according to claim 1, wherein the bar body has a partition mechanism that partitions the water storage space in an openable and closable manner.

3. The roll bar according to claim 1, further comprising a heating mechanism for heating the water stored in the water storage space.

4. A roll bar according to claim 1, further comprising a water level confirmation mechanism that allows the water level in the water storage space to be visually confirmed.

5. A roll bar as described in claim 1, wherein the bar body has a fixed portion of a fixed shape that is placed on the vehicle body or the ship body, and a detachable portion that can be attached to and detached from the fixed portion, and the frame body is formed by the fixed portion and the detachable portion.

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