JP2004092903A

JP2004092903A - Pipe connector

Info

Publication number: JP2004092903A
Application number: JP2003004934A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Masabumi Minami; 南　正文
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-10
Filing date: 2003-01-10
Publication date: 2004-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2023-01-10
Also published as: JP3497158B1

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pipe connector of which connecting work is simple, which has a large locking force to a pipe, and with which even a hard pipe can be surely connected. <P>SOLUTION: The pipe connector is provided with a body 2 having a mouth part 2h with a male screw for receiving the pipe P, a lock nut 5 screwed in the mouth part 2h of the body 2, a ring-like core 6 arranged to the inner periphery of the lock nut 5, and a plurality of lock members 7 held circumferentially to a lock member holding part 6d of the core 6 in prescribed intervals. The lock member 7 is held to the lock member holding part 6d of the core so that a cone face 7a outside the lock member is exposed on the outer peripheral side of the core and a claw part 7b inside the lock member is exposed on the inner peripheral side of the core. By fastening the lock nut 5 to the body 2, a tapered face 5c formed on the inner peripheral face of the lock nut 5 is brought into contact with the cone face 7a of the lock member 7 and the lock member is pushed to the inner diameter side. The pipe P is prevented from being pulled out of the body 2 by engaging the claw part 7b of the lock member with the outer peripheral face of the pipe P. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は管接続装置、特に水道配管等の接続作業に用いることができる管継手などの管接続装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
【特許文献１】特開平１０−１２２４６０号公報
従来、水道埋設配管などの接続作業には、雌ねじ付きの管継手を用いるのが一般的である。すなわち、配管の端部に雄ねじを形成しておき、この雄ねじを管継手の雌ねじに螺合させることにより、配管を接続している。しかしながら、このような螺合による接続方式の場合、予め配管の端部に雄ねじを形成しておかなければならず、加工に手間がかかるとともに、現場での接合作業にも多大の手間がかかるという欠点があった。
【０００３】
このような問題を解消するものとして、特許文献１には、雌体に対してスプリングと、ロック部材を収容した内カラーとを順に配置し、雌体と一体または別体とした外カラーによってスプリングおよび内カラーを覆い、外カラーの内周に深部側が大径となるテーパ面を設け、ロック部材の外側面がテーパ面に接するように構成するとともに、ロック部材の内側面に管を抜け止めするエッジを形成した構造の管継手が提案されている。
【０００４】
この管継手を用いれば、管の端部に予め雄ねじを加工しておく必要がなく、しかも接合に際して管を内カラーおよび雌体に差し込むだけでよく、接合作業が簡素化される。また、内カラーが雌体に対して軸方向外側へ押されることで、ロック部材がテーパ面によって内側へ押圧され、それによってロック部材のエッジが管の外周に係合して管を抜け止めすることができる。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記のような構造の管継手の場合、ロック部材を管の外周に係合させるため、内カラーを雌体に対して軸方向外側へ押す必要がある。そのため、雌体と内カラーとの間にスプリングが配置されているが、スプリングだけでは押圧力が弱く、ロック部材を管の外周面との間に強く圧接させることが難しい。管が比較的柔らかな樹脂パイプであれば可能であるが、硬質樹脂パイプや金属パイプでは、スプリング力だけでロック部材のエッジを管に食い込ませることができず、所望の係止力を得ることができない。その結果、高い水圧などが作用して管に大きな引張力が作用すると、管が管継手から簡単に抜けてしまう恐れがあった。
【０００６】
そこで、本発明の目的は、接合作業が簡単で、管に対する係止力が大きく、硬質パイプでも確実に抜け止めできる管接続装置を提供することにある。
また、他の目的は、接合作業が簡単で、管に対する係止力が大きく、硬質パイプでも確実に抜け止めできる管接続具を提供することにある。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するため、請求項１に記載の発明は、管を受け入れる口部を持ち、この口部の外周に雄ねじ部を持つ本体と、軸方向一端部の内面に雌ねじ部を有し、軸方向他端部の内面に上記一端部側に向かって漸次大径となるテーパ面が形成されたロックナットと、上記ロックナットの内周に配置され、周方向に所定間隔おきに複数のロック部材保持部が形成されたリング状のコアと、上記コアのロック部材保持部に周方向に所定間隔おきに保持され、内側面に上記本体の口部に挿入された管の外周面に係合する爪部が形成され、外側面にロックナットのテーパ面に接触する当接部が形成された複数のロック部材とを備え、上記ロック部材は上記コアのロック部材保持部に、上記ロック部材の爪部と当接部とがコアの内外周に露出するように保持されており、上記本体の口部の雄ねじ部にロックナットの雌ねじ部を螺合させることにより、上記テーパ面が上記当接部に接触してロック部材を内径方向へ押し、上記爪部を管の外周面に係合させて管を本体に対して抜け止めすることを特徴とする管接続装置を提供する。
【０００８】
請求項６に記載の発明は、管を受け入れる口部を持ち、この口部の外周に雄ねじ部を持つ本体に対して、管を接続するための管接続具において、軸方向一端部の内面に雌ねじ部を有し、軸方向他端部の内面に上記一端部側に向かって漸次大径となるテーパ面が形成されたロックナットと、上記ロックナットの内周に配置され、周方向に所定間隔おきに複数のロック部材保持部が形成されたリング状のコアと、上記コアのロック部材保持部に周方向に所定間隔おきに保持され、内側面に上記本体の口部に挿入された管の外周面に係合する爪部が形成され、外側面にロックナットのテーパ面に接触する当接部が形成された複数のロック部材とを備え、上記ロック部材は上記コアのロック部材保持部に、上記ロック部材の爪部と当接部とがコアの内外周に露出するように保持されており、上記本体の口部の雄ねじ部にロックナットの雌ねじ部を螺合させることにより、上記テーパ面が上記当接部に接触してロック部材を内径方向へ押し、上記爪部を管の外周面に係合させて管を本体に対して抜け止めすることを特徴とする管接続具を提供する。
【０００９】
本発明では、軸方向一端部側が大径となるテーパ面が、本体の口部に螺合されるロックナットの内周面に形成されている。そのため、ロックナットを本体に螺合させると、テーパ面がロック部材の外側面（当接部）に摺接してロック部材を内径側へ押圧する。この内径方向への押圧力は、スプリングによる付勢力とは異なり、ロックナットを本体にねじ込むことによって得られるので、管が硬質樹脂パイプや金属パイプであっても、ロック部材の内側の爪部を管の外周面に係合させる（食い込ませるかあるいは凹ませる）ことができ、極めて大きな係止力を発揮することができる。そのため、水圧などが作用して管に引張力が作用しても、管が本体から抜けることがない。
また、ロックナットを回すだけで簡単に接続できるので、接続作業に熟練を必要とせず、作業性が向上する。しかも、ロックナットを回すに従いそのテーパ面が複数のロック部材の外側面に均等に接触し、これらロック部材を内径方向に均等に押圧するので、管に対して周方向に均等な係止力を発揮することができる。
【００１０】
本発明における本体とは、筒形の継手本体に限られるものではなく、管を受け入れる口部を持ち、この口部の外周に雄ねじ部を持つあらゆる部材あるいは機器を含む。
ロック部材の内側面に設けられる爪部は、厚肉管の場合には、管の外周面に食い込むことができるように尖った爪が望ましいが、薄肉管の場合には、爪部が管を内側へ凹ませることによって所望の係止力を発生するので、爪部は必ずしも尖っている必要はない。要するに、爪部の形状は、管に応じて任意に選定しうる。
【００１１】
請求項２のように、ロック部材に幅方向に貫通する穴または幅方向に延びる内側面の溝を形成し、コアの外周面に略リング状のワイヤを保持し、ロック部材の貫通穴または溝にワイヤを挿通するのがよい。
ロック部材をコアのロック部材保持部に、爪部と当接部とがコアの内外周に露出するように保持する必要がある。請求項２では、ロック部材の貫通穴または内側溝に略リング状ワイヤを挿通し、このワイヤをコアの外周面に保持することで、ロック部材をコアに対して簡単に保持することができる。このコアをロックナットの中に挿入すれば、ロック部材は外径方向にはテーパ面で保持され、内径方向にはリング状ワイヤで脱落が防止されるので、ロック部材を安定して保持することができる。ロック部材を弾性のあるワイヤによって支持することで、ロックナットの締め込みによってコアの内径側へ大きく突出させることができる。そのため、ロック部材と管との係合代を大きく取れ、管に対する係止力が増大する。
【００１２】
請求項３のように、ロック部材の外側面の当接部を、ロックナットのテーパ面に対応した傾きを持つ傾斜面またはコーン面とするのがよい。
ロック部材の当接部の形状は任意であるが、上記のような傾斜面またはコーン面とすれば、ロック部材の傾きを防止できると同時に、ロックナットの締め込みによってロック部材が内径方向へ平行移動するので、管に対して安定した係止力を発揮できる。
【００１３】
請求項４のように、本体の口部の内周面に、管の外周面をシールするＯリングの軸方向一側面および外周面を保持する段差部を形成し、コアの軸方向一端部に、段差部に嵌合し、Ｏリングの軸方向他側面を押圧するボス部を一体に形成するのがよい。
本体と管との間をシールするシール部材としてＯリングが広く用いられているが、管の外径寸法にはばらつきがあり、もし管が小径側にばらつくと、Ｏリングのシール力が低下し、水漏れなどの問題を引き起こす可能性がある。そのため、Ｏリングは最小径の管を用いた場合でもシール性を確保できる寸法に選定されるが、これでは外径の大きな管が挿入された場合に、挿入が非常に困難であり、Ｏリングが傷付きやすい。このようにＯリングを用いた管継手では、管の外径寸法のばらつきに対して安定したシール性を確保しにくい。
請求項４では、ロックナットの締め込みによって、ロック部材が内径方向へ押されると同時に深部側へ押されるようにしたので、コアも本体の深部側へ押される。このコアの動きを利用して、本体の段差部とコアとの間でＯリングの軸方向両側面を挟圧することで、Ｏリングの内径部が内側へ押されて管の外周面に密着する。そのため、管の外径寸法にばらつきがあっても安定したシール性を確保することができる。
【００１４】
請求項５のように、本体の外周面に、ロックナットを所定量締め込むことでロックナットの軸方向一端部の端面が圧接するストッパ壁部を設けるのがよい。
ロックナットの締め込み量に応じてロック部材の爪部が管に係合し、締め込み量は管の係止力に大きく影響するが、作業者によっては締め込み量が過大になったり、あるいは締め込み不足となる場合がある。
そこで、請求項５では本体の外周面にストッパ壁部を設け、このストッパ壁部にロックナットの軸方向一端部の端面が圧接するまでロックナットを締め込むことで、常にほぼ一定の締め込み量とすることができると同時に、ロックナットとストッパ壁部との反発力によってねじの緩みを防止できるようにしている。
【００１５】
請求項９のように、ロックナットの内面の雌ねじ部とテーパ面との間に内周溝を形成し、コアをロックナットの内周溝に装着されたストッパリングによって軸方向に抜け止めしてもよい。
ロックナットにコアおよびロック部材を組み付けた後、コアがロックナットから簡単に抜けると、ロック部材もコアから脱落する恐れがある。特に、管接続具単体で取り扱う際に不便となる。そこで、請求項９ではストッパリングを用いてコアをロックナットから軸方向に抜け止めしている。そのため、ロック部材がコアから脱落するのも防止でき、管接続具単体で容易に取り扱うことができる。
【００１６】
請求項１０では、ロックナットの内面の雌ねじ部とテーパ面との間に内周溝を形成し、コアの外周部に、ロックナットの内周溝に係合してコアを軸方向に抜け止めする突起部を一体に形成したものである。
この場合には、請求項９と同様に、コアがロックナットから抜け落ちるのを防止できるとともに、ストッパリングのような別部品を必要としないので、部品数が少なく、低コストになる。
【００１７】
【発明の実施の形態】
図１〜図８は本発明を管継手に適用した第１実施例を示し、この管継手は一般水道配管の接続に使用した例を示す。
この実施例の管継手１は、両方向に開口した筒体よりなる継手本体２を備えており、２本の水道配管（管）Ｐが継手本体２に対向して挿入される。管Ｐは例えば比較的小径で薄肉なステンレス鋼管（例えばＪＩＳ−Ｇ３４４８）などの金属管よりなる。管継手１は左右対称構造であるため、その一端側の構造についてのみ、以下に説明する。なお、図１で中央より左側は締め付け前、中央より右側は締め付け後である。
【００１８】
継手本体２はステンレスなどの金属材料よりなり、図５に示すように、その両端の口部２ｈの内周面には段差部２ａが形成され、中央部内周面には管Ｐの外周面を保持する保持面２ｂが形成され、この保持面２ｂの中央部に管Ｐの挿入深さを規定するためのストッパ壁２ｃが形成されている。上記段差部２ａにはＯリング３が嵌合され、Ｏリング３の軸方向一側面および外周面を保持している。継手本体２の口部２ｈの外周面には、雄ねじ部２ｄが形成され、この雄ねじ部２ｄの中央寄りの位置に樹脂あるいはゴムなどよりなる着色リング（締め込み表示部）４が装着されている。なお、着色リングに代えて塗料を塗ってもよい。継手本体２の中央部外周面には、レンチなどの工具が係合する例えば八角形の工具係合面２ｅが形成されている。
【００１９】
継手本体２の雄ねじ部２ｄには、ステンレスなどの金属材料よりなるロックナット５が螺合されている。図６に示すように、ロックナット５の軸方向一端部の内周面に、雄ねじ部２ｄに螺合する雌ねじ部５ａが設けられ、雌ねじ５ａの先端には、ネジ部を有しない遮蔽部５ｂが設けられている。この遮蔽部５ｂが継手本体２に装着された着色リング４を覆うことで、締め込み完了を表示できる。ロックナット５の他端部内周面にテーパ面５ｃが設けられ、ロックナット５の他端部外周面には、例えば八角形の工具係合面５ｄが形成されている。
【００２０】
ロックナット５の内側には、金属または樹脂によって円筒状に形成されたコア６が配置されている。コア６の内径は、継手本体２の保持面２ｂの内径とほぼ等しい。コア６の軸方向一端部（深部側端部）には、図７に示すように、継手本体２の段差部２ａに嵌合し、Ｏリング３の軸方向他側面を押圧する円環状のボス部６ａが一体に形成されている。コア６の中央部外周面には、ロックナット５の締め付け時に継手本体２の端面に当接し、Ｏリング３の圧縮代を規定するフランジ６ｂが設けられている。コア６の軸方向他端部には、テーパ状の外周面を持つ略円環状のガイド部６ｃが形成され、このガイド部６ｃには周方向に等間隔で複数のロック部材保持部６ｄが形成されている。この実施例のロック部材保持部６ｄは、軸方向一端側が開口し周方向に９０°間隔で４箇所設けられた開口部であり、これら保持部６ｄにそれぞれロック部材７が保持されている。つまり、４個のロック部材７がコア６に周方向に一定間隔おきに保持されている。なお、コア６の強度を必要とする場合には、ロック部材保持部６ｄを、ロック部材７の周囲を取り囲む窓穴とすることもできる。ガイド部６ｃの外周面には周溝６ｅが形成されており、この周溝６ｅに後述する金属ワイヤ８が保持される。
【００２１】
ロック部材７は、図８に示すように、一端から他端にかけて漸次厚みが増大する断面略クサビ形の金属部品であり、焼入れ等によって管Ｐより高強度に形成されている。ロック部材７の外側面には、継手本体２の深部側に向かって大径となるコーン面７ａが形成されており、コーン面７ａのテーパ角はロックナット５のテーパ面５ｃのテーパ角とほぼ等しい。ロック部材７の内側面には、管Ｐを抜け止めする爪部７ｂが形成されている。爪部７ｂが管Ｐの外周に広い面積で係合できるよう、内側面は湾曲している。この実施例では、爪部７ｂは断面鋸歯状の複数の歯形セレーションで構成されている。ロック部材７の爪部７ｂが形成された内側面には、軸方向に延びる縦溝７ｃと、この縦溝７ｃに対して直交する幅方向に延びる横溝７ｄとが形成されている。縦溝７ｃはロック部材７の幅方向中心に設けられ、爪部７ｂを幅方向に２分割することによって、直径の異なる管Ｐに対しても効果的な係止力が得られるようにしてある。また、横溝７ｄは、ロック部材７の重心を通過する位置に形成されている。横溝７ｄは縦溝７ｃより深く、溝底が湾曲している。横溝７ｄには、略リング状の金属ワイヤ８が挿入され、ロック部材７がコア６の保持部６ｄから内径側へ脱落するのを防止している。ワイヤ８によってロック部材７をコア６の保持部６ｄに保持した状態において、ロック部材７が保持部６ｄから内外方向に突出するように、ロック部材７の半径方向厚みはコア６のガイド部６ｃの厚みに比べて厚く設定されている。そのため、ロックナット５の締め付け時にガイド部６ｃがテーパ面５ｃや管Ｐに圧接することがない。
【００２２】
この実施例のワイヤ８は、図２に示すように、両端部がオーバーラップした略Ｃ字形状に形成されているが、ワイヤ８を無端円状としてもよい。Ｃ字形状とした場合、両端部をオーバーラップさせずに、両端を折り曲げてコア６に係止してもよい。この実施例のワイヤ８は外径方向への弾性を有している。つまり、自由状態におけるワイヤ８の外径は図示に比べて大きく設定されており、ロック部材７のコーン面７ａがロックナット５のテーパ面５ｃに接するように、ロック部材７がワイヤ８によって外径方向へ付勢されている。そのため、管Ｐをコア６の中に挿入する際にロック部材７が邪魔にならず、円滑に挿入できる。
【００２３】
ここで、継手本体２に対して管Ｐを接続する方法について説明する。
まず、継手本体２に対してＯリング３とコア６とロック部材７とロックナット５とを一体的にアッセンブリする。アッセンブリに際し、ワイヤ８をコア６の周溝６ｅに嵌合させるとともに、ワイヤ８に対して横溝７ｄが嵌まるようにロック部材７をコア６の保持部６ｄに配置する。このようにしてロック部材７を保持したコア６をロックナット５の内側に挿入する。Ｏリング３を段差部２ａに挿入した継手本体２の雄ねじ部２ｄに対して、上記ロックナット５の雌ねじ部５ａを軽く螺合させると、図１の左側に示すように、コア６のボス部６ａが段差部２ａに嵌合すると共に、ロック部材７はワイヤ８によって外径方向に付勢されているので、そのコーン面７ａがロックナット５のテーパ面５ｃに接触し、安定する。このようにアッセンブリした状態で、ロック部材７が脱落せずに保持され、コア６もロックナット５および継手本体２によって軸方向に抜け止めされる。
【００２４】
上記のように組み立てられた管継手１に対して管Ｐを挿入すると、ロック部材７はワイヤ８によって外径方向に付勢されており、ロック部材７の内側面を結ぶ包絡円の直径は管Ｐの外径より大きいので、管Ｐは抵抗なく挿入される。また、Ｏリング３も軸方向両側面が押圧されていないので、内径方向に突出せず、管Ｐを円滑に挿入できる（図１の左半分に示す）。
【００２５】
管Ｐをストッパ壁２ｃと当接する位置まで挿入した後、ロックナット５を継手本体２に対して締付方向に回すと、ロックナット５のテーパ面５ｃがロック部材７のコーン面７ａに圧接し、ロック部材７を深部方向に押すと同時に内径方向に押す。そのため、ロック部材７の爪部７ｂが管Ｐの外周面に係合し（食い込むか、あるいは凹ませ）、強力な係止力を発揮する。特に、ロックナット５のテーパ面５ｃとロック部材７のコーン面７ａとがほぼ同等なテーパ角を有するので、ロックナット５の締め付けに伴ってロック部材７は内径方向にほぼ平行移動し、爪部７ｂを管Ｐに均等に係合させることができる。ロック部材７が深部方向に押されると同時に、コア６のボス部６ａも深部方向へ押されるので、ボス部６ａがＯリング３の側面を継手本体２の段差部２ａ方向に押し、Ｏリング３を内側へ撓ませる。その結果、Ｏリング３の内周面が管Ｐの外周面に密着し、良好なシール性を発揮する。
【００２６】
ロックナット５を継手本体２に螺合させるに従い、ロックナット５のテーパ面５ｃが複数のロック部材５を均等に内径方向へ付勢するので、管Ｐに対するロック部材５の係合が均等になり、管Ｐの偏心を防止できる。ロックナット５を所定量締め付けると、ロックナット５の遮蔽部５ｂが継手本体２に装着された着色リング４を覆うことにより、締め付け完了を確認することができる（図１の右半分参照）。
【００２７】
図９は本発明にかかる管継手の第２実施例を示す。
この実施例では、継手本体２を、筒型のボデー２Ａと、ボデー２Ａの両端口部２ｈの外周に相対回転可能に嵌合されたスリーブ２Ｂとで構成し、スリーブ２Ｂの外周部にロックナット５が螺合する雄ねじ部２ｄを形成したものである。なお、継手本体２（２Ａ，２Ｂ）を除き、他の構成は第１実施例と同様であるため、同一符号を付して重複説明を省略する。
ボデー２Ａの外周面とスリーブ２Ｂの内周面との対向位置には、それぞれ環状溝１０，１１が形成され、これら環状溝の間にＣリングよりなる止め輪１２を挿入して、スリーブ２Ｂをボデー２Ａに対して相対回転可能とし、かつ軸方向に抜け止めしている。なお、スリーブ２Ｂをボデー２Ａに対して相対回転可能とする手段は、止め輪１２を用いる方法に限らない。スリーブ２Ｂの外周には工具係合面２ｅが形成されている。
この場合には、工具でスリーブ２Ｂの回転を止めながら、その雄ねじ部２ｄにロックナット５を螺合させることにより、第１実施例と同様にロック部材７を管Ｐに対して係合させることができる。
この実施例では、管Ｐを接続した状態において、一方の管Ｐに捩れ力が作用した場合に、ロック部材７、ロックナット５およびスリーブ２Ｂがこの管Ｐと一体に回転することで、管Ｐの捩れ力を吸収することができる。
【００２８】
図１０〜図１４は本発明の第３実施例を示す。
この実施例では、継手本体２の中央部外周面に厚肉部２ｆが設けられ、厚肉部２ｆの両側面が、ロックナット５を締め込んだ時にロックナット５の軸方向一端部の端面が圧接するストッパ壁部２ｇとなっている。このようにロックナット５の端面をストッパ壁部２ｇに圧接させることで、ロックナット５の締め込み限度を規定するとともに、ロックナット５とストッパ壁部２ｇとの反発力によって、ねじの緩みを防止できる。厚肉部２ｆの外周面には、レンチなどが係合する工具係合面２ｅが形成されている。
【００２９】
図１１，図１２に示すように、ロックナット５の内周面には、雌ねじ５ａとテーパ面５ｃとの間に内周溝５ｅが設けられている。ロックナット５に対してロック部材７およびワイヤ８と共にコア６を組み込んだ後、ロックナット５の内周溝５ｅにストッパリング１５を嵌め込むことによって、コア６は軸方向に抜け止めされる。ストッパリング１５としては、例えば樹脂リングや金属製のＣ形リングなどの弾性リングを用いることができる。このように、コア６、ロック部材７およびワイヤ８がロックナット５に一体的に組み付けられ、アッセンブリ化されるため、図１２のように管接続具として単独で取り扱うことができる。
この実施例では、ロックナット５の雌ねじ５ａおよび内周溝５ｅが設けられた部位の外周面に、工具係合面５ｄが形成されている。
【００３０】
図１３に示すように、コア６の外周面のロック部材保持部６ｄと位相が異なる位置に複数個（ここでは４個）の突起６ｆが周方向に等間隔で設けられている。これら突起６ｆにはワイヤ８が嵌合する浅い溝６ｇがそれぞれ設けられ、この溝６ｇの溝底は周溝６ｅの溝底より高い位置にある。この実施例のワイヤ８は内向きの弾性を有しており、上記溝６ｇにワイヤ８を嵌合させることで、ワイヤ８は周溝６ｅの溝底に接触することなく、４箇所で安定して保持される。ワイヤ８を突起６ｆの溝６ｇに嵌合させた状態で、コア６のロック部材保持部６ｄに位置するワイヤ８の部位に外側からロック部材７の横溝７ｄを嵌合させる。そして、コア６をロックナット５の内側に挿入し、コア６の背面を内周溝５ｅに装着したストッパリング１５で抜け止めすれば、簡単に組み付けができる。ワイヤ８は周溝６ｅより高い位置にある突起６ｆの溝６ｇで支持されているので、ロック部材７が外周側へ持ち上げられ、そのコーン面７ａがロックナット５のテーパ面５ｃにほぼ安定に接触すると同時に、ロック部材７の内側の爪部７ｂがコア６の内周側へ突出するのを防止できる。そのため、管Ｐを容易に挿入できる。
【００３１】
この実施例のロック部材７は薄肉管Ｐの接続に適したものであり、図１４に示すように、内側面の中央部にはロック部材７の幅寸法より狭い爪部７ｂが形成されている。上記爪部７ｂも複数の鋸歯を持つ歯形セレーションで構成されている。ロック部材７の内側面には、重心を通る横溝７ｄが幅方向に設けられているが、縦溝７ｃ（図８参照）は設けられていない。ロックナット５を強く締め込むと、ロック部材７の爪部７ｂが管Ｐを内側へ凹ませ、縦方向の凹みを形成する。そのため、管Ｐに作用する引張り力に対して強い係止力を発揮することができる。
爪部７ｂがロック部材７の幅より狭いので、ロックナット５の締付トルクが比較的小さくても、管Ｐを容易に凹ませることができる。爪部７ｂによって管Ｐに縦方向の凹みを形成するのは、管Ｐの流体通過面積をできるだけ減少させずに、大きな係止力を得るためである。
【００３２】
図１５，図１６は本発明の第４実施例を示す。
この実施例では、コア６、ロック部材７およびワイヤ８をロックナット５に一体的に組み付けてアッセンブリ化するため、第３実施例におけるストッパリング１５に代えて、コア６の外周部に、ロックナット５の内周溝５ｅに係合してコア６を軸方向に抜け止めする外向きの突起部６ｈを一体に形成したものである。このコア６は樹脂で形成されている。コア６をロックナット５の中に円滑に挿入できるように、突起部６ｈは内径方向に撓むことができる。
この実施例では、ロックナット５の軸方向一端部の内側に、テーパ面５ｃより内径方向に突出する内フランジ５ｆが形成されている。内フランジ５ｆは、ロックナット５を締め込んだ状態で管Ｐに強い引張力が作用した時、ロック部材７がロックナット５のテーパ面５ｃを越えて抜け出るのを防止するものである。
この実施例の継手本体２およびロック部材７は第３実施例と同じものを使用している。
【００３３】
言うまでもないことであるが、本発明は、管継手以外に止水栓、減圧弁、逆止弁など種々の流体機器への管接続に適用することができる。
図１７は本発明を止水栓に適用した一例を示す。
２１，２２は止水栓本体２０の両端部に設けられた、管Ｐを受け入れるための入口部および出口部である。入口部２１および出口部２２の外周面にはロックナット５が螺合する雄ねじ部２３，２４が設けられている。止水栓本体２０には、ボール弁２６を回転操作するためのスピンドル２５が取り付けられている。
管Ｐを入口部２１および出口部２２に挿入し、コア６、ロック部材７およびワイヤ８を予め組み込んだロックナット５をねじ込むことによって、管Ｐを止水栓本体２０に簡単かつ確実に接続することができる。
【００３４】
図１８はロック部材７の第３実施例を示す。
図８，図１４に示す実施例では、ロック部材７の内側面に金属ワイヤ８を挿通するための横溝７ｄを形成したが、この実施例では、幅方向に貫通する貫通穴７ｅを設けたものである。貫通穴７ｅの直径はワイヤ８の太さより大きければよい。この場合には、ワイヤ８を貫通穴７ｅに挿通することで、ロック部材７のコア６からの脱落を確実に防止でき、組付が容易になる。
この実施例では、横溝７ｄだけでなく縦溝７ｃも省略し、ロック部材７の内周面全面に爪部７ｂを設けてある。
【００３５】
図１９はロック部材７の第４実施例を示す。
この実施例では、ロック部材７に幅方向に貫通する鍵穴形状の穴７ｆを設けたものである。穴７ｆの開口部７ｆ_１　の幅はワイヤ８の線径とほぼ等しくするのがよい。この場合は、コア６に予め取り付けられたワイヤ８に対して、ロック部材７の穴７ｆの開口部７ｆ_１　を外側から嵌め込むことで、ロック部材７をコア６に簡単に組み付けることができるとともに、ロック部材７の脱落を防止できる。
【００３６】
図２０はロック部材７の第５実施例を示す。
この実施例では、ロック部材７の爪部７ｂを、基端部（厚みが厚い端部）から先端部（厚みが薄い端部）に向かって漸次幅広としたものである。
この場合は、ロックナット５の締付によって、ロック部材７の爪部７ｂの基端側が管Ｐに狭い面積で係合し、先端側が管Ｐに広い面積で係合する。管Ｐがロック部材７に対して図中左方向に引っ張られたとき、幅狭な爪部７ｂが先に管Ｐに係合して凹部を形成し、幅広な爪部７ｂがその凹部を押し広げる形となるので、一定幅の爪部に比べて係止力を増大させることができる。
【００３７】
図２１はロック部材７の第６実施例を示す。
この実施例では、ロック部材７の内側面に先端が尖っていない複数の爪部７ｂを設けたものである。この例では、半球状の爪部７ｂを先端側に１個、基端端に２個設けたが、先端側に２個、基端側に１個設けてもよい。
この実施例のロック部材７は、薄肉管に適したものであり、先端が尖っていない爪部７ｂが管Ｐを内側へ凹ませ、所望の係止力を発揮することができる。なお、幅方向に点在する複数の爪部７ｂを設けたのは、管Ｐが引っ張られた時、各爪部７ｂによる個別の条痕が発生し、大きな係止力が得られるからである。
【００３８】
本発明は上記実施例にのみ限定されるものではなく、本発明の趣旨を逸脱しない範囲で変更可能である。
例えば、上記実施例では略リング状のワイヤ８を用いてロック部材７の内径方向への脱落を防止するものについて説明したが、例えば図２２に示すように、ロック部材７の両側部にピン７ｇを突設し、このピン７ｇをコア６の周溝６ｅに係合させて内径方向への脱落を防止してもよい。ピン７ｇは、例えばロック部材７の幅方向に貫通する貫通穴に圧入固定された短いワイヤで構成できる。
上記のほか、ロック部材７をコア６のロック部材保持部６ｄに対して保持する手段は、管を挿入する前の段階で、少なくともロック部材７がロック部材保持部６ｄから内径方向に脱落しないものであれば、採用可能である。
また、略リング状のワイヤ８を用いる場合であって、ワイヤ８が外径方向へのばね力を有する場合には、周溝６ｅをコア６の内周面に設けてもよい。
ロック部材７の外側面に形成される当接部はコーン面である必要はなく、単なる傾斜面でもよく、さらに周方向に延びるリブなどを設けてもよい。ロックナットを締め上げた時、ロック部材７がロックナット５のテーパ面５ｃの作用によって内径方向へ動き得る当接部であればよい。
ロック部材７の内側面に形成される爪部７ｂとしては、実施例のような断面鋸歯形状のセレーションや半球状突起に限るものではなく、管Ｐを抜け止めする機能を有するものであれば、例えばスパイク状の突起や先端が尖っていない尾根状の突起であってもよい。
上記実施例では、管Ｐの直径が比較的小さいため、コア６に４個のロック部材７を保持したものであるが、直径が大きな管Ｐを接続する場合には、コア６に４個以上のロック部材７を保持してもよい。
【００３９】
第１〜第４実施例に示す管継手において、継手本体２を二方向に開口した接続口を有するソケット形とした場合を示したが、一端部が閉止され、他端部に接続口を設けた構造や、一端部にネジを形成して配管に螺着し、他端部に接続口を設けた構造としてもよい。さらに、継手本体２に３方向または４方向の接続口を設けてもよい。要するに、少なくとも１つの口部を有するものであれば、形状は自由に選択可能である。
本発明は、ステンレス鋼管のような金属管の接続だけでなく、架橋ポリエチレン管のような硬質樹脂管の接続にも使用できる。
また、継手本体やロックナット、コアは、金属材料や樹脂材料など如何なる材料を使用してもよい。
継手本体２と管Ｐとの間をシールするシール部材として、Ｏリング３を使用したが、リップを有するガスケットを使用してもよく、他の公知のシール部材を用いてもよい。
また、本発明の管接続装置は、液体配管の接続だけでなく、気体配管の接続に用いることも可能である。
【００４０】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明で明らかなように、本発明にかかる管接続装置は、ロックナットを本体に螺合させることで、ロックナットの内周面に設けたテーパ面によってロック部材を内径側へ押圧し、ロック部材の爪部を管の外周面に係合させ、管を抜け止めするものである。ロック部材の内径方向への押圧力は、スプリングによる付勢力とは異なり、ロックナットを本体にねじ込むことによって得られるので、非常に大きく、ロック部材の爪部を管の外周面に確実に係合させることができ、極めて大きな係止力を発生する。そのため、管が硬質樹脂パイプや金属パイプなどの硬質パイプであっても、管を確実に抜け止めできる。
また、ロックナットを回すに従いそのテーパ面が複数のロック部材の外側面に均等に接触し、これらロック部材を内径方向に均等に押圧するので、管が本体に対して偏心せず、安定した抜け止め効果を発揮できる。
さらに、管の外周面にねじなどを予め加工しておく必要がなく、ロックナットを回すだけで簡単に接続作業が行えるので、接続作業に熟練を必要とせず、作業性が向上する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明を管継手に適用した第１実施例の全体断面図である。
【図２】図１に示す管継手の分解斜視図である。
【図３】図１の主要部の拡大断面図である。
【図４】図１のＡ−Ａ線断面図である。
【図５】図１に示す継手本体の半断面側面図である。
【図６】図１に示すロックナットの半断面側面図である。
【図７】図１に示すコアの正面図および半断面側面図である。
【図８】図１に示すロック部材の正面図、Ｂ−Ｂ線断面図および底面図である。
【図９】本発明を管継手に適用した第２実施例の全体断面図である。
【図１０】本発明を管継手に適用した第３実施例の全体断面図である。
【図１１】図１０の一部拡大図である。
【図１２】図１０に示す管継手で用いられる管接続具の一部断面側面図である。
【図１３】図１０に示す管継手で用いられるコアの側面図、半断面図、Ｃ−Ｃ断面図である。
【図１４】図１０に示す管継手で用いられるロック部材の側面図および底面図である。
【図１５】本発明を管継手に適用した第４実施例の全体断面図である。
【図１６】図１５の一部拡大図である。
【図１７】本発明を止水弁に適用した例の全体断面図である。
【図１８】ロック部材の第３実施例の正面図およびＤ−Ｄ線断面図である。
【図１９】ロック部材の第４実施例の側面図および底面図である。
【図２０】ロック部材の第５実施例の側面図および底面図である。
【図２１】ロック部材の第６実施例の側面図および底面図である。
【図２２】ロック部材の第７実施例の斜視図である。
【符号の説明】
Ｐ　　　　管（水道配管）
１　　　　　　　　管継手
２　　　　　　　　継手本体（本体）
２ｄ　　　雄ねじ部
２ｈ　　　　　　口部
３　　　　　　　　Ｏリング
５　　　　　　　　ロックナット
５ｃ　　　テーパ面
６　　　　　　　　コア
７　　　　ロック部材
７ａ　　　コーン面
７ｂ　　　爪部
８　　　　　　　　ワイヤ[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pipe connection device, particularly to a pipe connection device such as a pipe joint that can be used for connection work of water pipes or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-10-122460
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a pipe joint with a female thread is generally used for connection work such as buried water pipes. That is, a pipe is connected by forming a male screw at the end of the pipe and screwing the male screw to the female screw of the pipe joint. However, in the case of such a connection method by screwing, an external thread must be formed at the end of the pipe in advance, so that it takes time and effort to process and also takes a great deal of time to join on site. There were drawbacks.
[0003]
In order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which a spring and an inner collar accommodating a lock member are sequentially arranged with respect to a female body, and an outer collar is formed integrally with or separate from the female body. The inner collar of the outer collar is provided with a tapered surface having a large diameter on the deep side, and the outer surface of the lock member is configured to be in contact with the tapered surface, and the inner surface of the lock member keeps the pipe from coming off. A pipe joint having an edge-formed structure has been proposed.
[0004]
If this pipe joint is used, it is not necessary to machine an external thread into the end of the pipe in advance, and it is only necessary to insert the pipe into the inner collar and the female body at the time of joining, so that the joining operation is simplified. Further, when the inner collar is pushed outward in the axial direction with respect to the female body, the locking member is pressed inward by the tapered surface, whereby the edge of the locking member engages with the outer periphery of the tube to prevent the tube from coming off. be able to.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the case of the pipe joint having the above structure, it is necessary to push the inner collar axially outward with respect to the female body in order to engage the lock member with the outer circumference of the pipe. For this reason, a spring is arranged between the female body and the inner collar. However, the pressing force is weak with only the spring, and it is difficult to make the locking member come into strong contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe. It is possible if the pipe is a relatively soft resin pipe, but with a hard resin pipe or metal pipe, the edge of the lock member cannot be cut into the pipe by the spring force alone, and the desired locking force can be obtained. Can not. As a result, when a large tensile force acts on the pipe due to high water pressure or the like, the pipe may easily come off from the pipe joint.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a pipe connecting device that can easily perform a joining operation, has a large locking force on a pipe, and can reliably prevent a hard pipe from coming off.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a pipe connector which can be easily joined, has a large locking force with respect to a pipe, and can reliably prevent a hard pipe from coming off.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 has a mouth for receiving a tube, a main body having a male thread on the outer periphery of the mouth, and a female thread on an inner surface at one axial end, A lock nut having a tapered surface gradually increasing in diameter toward the one end on the inner surface of the other end in the axial direction; and a plurality of locks arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, the lock nut being disposed on the inner periphery of the lock nut. A ring-shaped core having a member holding portion formed thereon is held at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction by a lock member holding portion of the core, and is engaged with an outer peripheral surface of a tube inserted into an opening of the main body on an inner surface. A plurality of lock members each having a claw portion formed thereon, and a contact portion formed on an outer surface of the lock member so as to contact a tapered surface of the lock nut, wherein the lock member includes a lock member holding portion of the core and a lock member of the lock member. Make sure that the claw and abutment are exposed on the inner and outer circumference of the core. It is held, and by screwing the female screw part of the lock nut to the male screw part of the mouth part of the main body, the tapered surface contacts the contact part and pushes the lock member in the inner diameter direction, and the claw part is There is provided a pipe connection device characterized in that the pipe is engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe so as to prevent the pipe from being removed from the main body.
[0008]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pipe connector for connecting a pipe to a main body having a mouth for receiving a pipe and having a male thread on the outer periphery of the mouth, wherein an inner surface of one end in the axial direction is provided. A lock nut having a female screw portion, and a taper surface having a gradually increasing diameter toward the one end side formed on the inner surface of the other end portion in the axial direction; and a lock nut disposed on the inner circumference of the lock nut and predetermined in the circumferential direction. A ring-shaped core in which a plurality of lock member holding portions are formed at intervals, and a tube which is held at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction by the lock member holding portion of the core and is inserted into the mouth of the main body on the inner side surface A plurality of lock members each formed with a claw portion that engages with an outer peripheral surface of the core and a contact portion that is formed on an outer surface of the lock member so as to contact a tapered surface of the lock nut; The claw portion and the contact portion of the lock member are inside the core. It is held so as to be exposed to the periphery, and by screwing the female thread of the lock nut to the male thread of the mouth of the main body, the tapered surface comes into contact with the contact portion and the lock member is moved in the radial direction. A pipe connector is characterized in that the pipe is engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe by pushing the pawl to prevent the pipe from being pulled out from the main body.
[0009]
In the present invention, the tapered surface having a large diameter at one end in the axial direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the lock nut screwed into the mouth of the main body. Therefore, when the lock nut is screwed into the main body, the tapered surface slides on the outer surface (contact portion) of the lock member and presses the lock member toward the inner diameter side. This pressing force in the inner diameter direction is different from the biasing force of the spring, and is obtained by screwing the lock nut into the main body. Therefore, even if the pipe is a hard resin pipe or a metal pipe, the inner claw portion of the lock member can be used. It can be engaged (cut or recessed) with the outer peripheral surface of the tube, and can exert an extremely large locking force. Therefore, even if a hydraulic pressure or the like acts on the pipe to exert a tensile force, the pipe does not fall out of the main body.
Further, since the connection can be easily made simply by turning the lock nut, no skill is required for the connection work, and the workability is improved. Moreover, as the lock nut is turned, its tapered surface evenly contacts the outer surfaces of the plurality of lock members, and presses these lock members evenly in the inner diameter direction. Can be demonstrated.
[0010]
The main body in the present invention is not limited to a tubular joint main body, but includes any member or device having an opening for receiving a pipe and having a male thread on the outer periphery of the opening.
In the case of a thick-walled tube, the claw portion provided on the inner surface of the lock member is preferably a sharp claw so as to be able to bite into the outer peripheral surface of the tube. Since the desired locking force is generated by inwardly recessing, the claw portion does not necessarily need to be sharp. In short, the shape of the claw can be arbitrarily selected according to the pipe.
[0011]
As in claim 2, a hole penetrating in the width direction or a groove on the inner surface extending in the width direction is formed in the lock member, a substantially ring-shaped wire is held on the outer peripheral surface of the core, and the through hole or groove of the lock member is formed. It is preferable to insert a wire through the wire.
It is necessary to hold the lock member on the lock member holding portion of the core such that the claw portion and the contact portion are exposed on the inner and outer circumferences of the core. According to the second aspect, the substantially ring-shaped wire is inserted into the through hole or the inner groove of the lock member, and the wire is held on the outer peripheral surface of the core, so that the lock member can be easily held on the core. When this core is inserted into the lock nut, the lock member is held in a tapered surface in the outer diameter direction, and is prevented from falling off by a ring-shaped wire in the inner diameter direction, so that the lock member is stably held. Can be. By supporting the lock member with an elastic wire, the lock nut can be largely projected toward the inner diameter side of the core by tightening the lock nut. Therefore, a large allowance for engagement between the lock member and the pipe is obtained, and the locking force on the pipe increases.
[0012]
It is preferable that the contact portion on the outer surface of the lock member be an inclined surface or a cone surface having an inclination corresponding to the tapered surface of the lock nut.
The shape of the contact portion of the lock member is arbitrary, but if the inclined surface or the cone surface is used as described above, the inclination of the lock member can be prevented, and at the same time, the lock member is parallel to the inner diameter direction by tightening the lock nut. Since it moves, a stable locking force can be exerted on the pipe.
[0013]
As in claim 4, a step portion for holding one axial side surface and an outer peripheral surface of an O-ring for sealing the outer peripheral surface of the pipe is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion of the main body, and is formed at one axial end portion of the core. It is preferable to integrally form a boss portion that fits into the step portion and presses the other side surface in the axial direction of the O-ring.
O-rings are widely used as sealing members to seal between the main body and the pipe. However, the outer diameter of the pipe varies, and if the pipe varies to the smaller diameter side, the sealing force of the O-ring decreases. Can cause problems such as water leaks. For this reason, the O-ring is selected to have such a size that the sealing performance can be ensured even when a minimum-diameter pipe is used. However, when a pipe having a large outer diameter is inserted, it is very difficult to insert the O-ring. But easily damaged. As described above, in the pipe joint using the O-ring, it is difficult to secure stable sealing performance with respect to variations in the outer diameter of the pipe.
According to the fourth aspect, the lock member is pushed in the inner diameter direction and at the same time as the lock member is pushed deeper by tightening the lock nut, so that the core is also pushed deeper in the main body. Utilizing this movement of the core, the inner surface of the O-ring is pressed inward by pressing both sides in the axial direction of the O-ring between the step portion of the main body and the core, so that the O-ring is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe. . Therefore, even if there is a variation in the outer diameter of the pipe, a stable sealing property can be ensured.
[0014]
It is preferable to provide a stopper wall on the outer peripheral surface of the main body, by which the lock nut is tightened by a predetermined amount so that the end face of one end in the axial direction of the lock nut is pressed.
The claw of the lock member engages with the pipe according to the amount of tightening of the lock nut, and the amount of tightening greatly affects the locking force of the pipe. However, depending on the operator, the amount of tightening may be excessive, or The tightening may be insufficient.
Therefore, a stopper wall is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main body, and the lock nut is tightened to the stopper wall until the end face of one end in the axial direction of the lock nut is pressed against the stopper wall. At the same time, loosening of the screw can be prevented by the repulsive force between the lock nut and the stopper wall.
[0015]
An inner circumferential groove is formed between the female screw portion on the inner surface of the lock nut and the tapered surface, and the core is prevented from coming off in the axial direction by a stopper ring mounted on the inner circumferential groove of the lock nut. Is also good.
After the core and the lock member are assembled to the lock nut, if the core easily comes off from the lock nut, the lock member may also fall off the core. In particular, it becomes inconvenient when handling the pipe connector alone. Therefore, in the ninth aspect, the core is prevented from coming off in the axial direction from the lock nut by using the stopper ring. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the lock member from falling off from the core, and it is possible to easily handle the pipe connector alone.
[0016]
In the tenth aspect, an inner circumferential groove is formed between the female screw portion on the inner surface of the lock nut and the tapered surface, and the outer circumferential portion of the core is engaged with the inner circumferential groove of the lock nut to prevent the core from coming off in the axial direction. That is, the projections are integrally formed.
In this case, similarly to the ninth aspect, the core can be prevented from falling off from the lock nut, and since no separate component such as a stopper ring is required, the number of components is reduced and the cost is reduced.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
1 to 8 show a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pipe joint, and show an example in which this pipe joint is used for connection of a general water supply pipe.
The pipe joint 1 of this embodiment includes a joint body 2 formed of a tubular body opened in both directions, and two water supply pipes (tubes) P are inserted facing the joint body 2. The tube P is made of a metal tube such as a stainless steel tube (for example, JIS-G3448) having a relatively small diameter and a small thickness. Since the pipe joint 1 has a left-right symmetric structure, only the structure on one end side thereof will be described below. In FIG. 1, the left side from the center is before tightening, and the right side from the center is after tightening.
[0018]
The joint main body 2 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel. As shown in FIG. 5, a step 2a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the mouth 2h at both ends, and the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the center. A holding surface 2b for holding is formed, and a stopper wall 2c for defining an insertion depth of the pipe P is formed at a central portion of the holding surface 2b. An O-ring 3 is fitted to the step 2a, and holds one side surface and the outer peripheral surface of the O-ring 3 in the axial direction. A male screw portion 2d is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth 2h of the joint body 2, and a coloring ring (tightening display portion) 4 made of resin, rubber, or the like is attached to a position near the center of the male screw portion 2d. . Note that a paint may be applied instead of the coloring ring. An octagonal tool engagement surface 2e with which a tool such as a wrench is engaged is formed on the outer peripheral surface at the center of the joint body 2.
[0019]
A lock nut 5 made of a metal material such as stainless steel is screwed into the male screw portion 2 d of the joint body 2. As shown in FIG. 6, a female screw portion 5a screwed to the male screw portion 2d is provided on the inner peripheral surface of one end portion in the axial direction of the lock nut 5, and a shield portion 5b having no screw portion is provided at the tip of the female screw 5a. Is provided. The completion of the tightening can be displayed by covering the coloring ring 4 attached to the joint main body 2 with the shielding portion 5b. A taper surface 5c is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the other end of the lock nut 5, and an octagonal tool engaging surface 5d is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the other end of the lock nut 5, for example.
[0020]
Inside the lock nut 5, a core 6 formed of metal or resin into a cylindrical shape is arranged. The inner diameter of the core 6 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the holding surface 2b of the joint body 2. As shown in FIG. 7, an annular boss that fits into the stepped portion 2 a of the joint body 2 and presses the other side surface of the O-ring 3 in the axial direction is provided at one axial end (the deep end) of the core 6. The part 6a is formed integrally. A flange 6 b is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the central portion of the core 6 to abut on the end surface of the joint body 2 when the lock nut 5 is tightened and to define the compression allowance of the O-ring 3. A substantially annular guide portion 6c having a tapered outer peripheral surface is formed at the other axial end portion of the core 6, and a plurality of lock member holding portions 6d are formed on the guide portion 6c at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Have been. The lock member holding portion 6d of this embodiment is an opening portion that is open at one end in the axial direction and is provided at four locations at 90 ° intervals in the circumferential direction, and the lock members 7 are held in these holding portions 6d, respectively. That is, the four lock members 7 are held on the core 6 at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. If the strength of the core 6 is required, the lock member holding portion 6d may be a window hole surrounding the periphery of the lock member 7. A peripheral groove 6e is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the guide portion 6c, and a metal wire 8 described later is held in the peripheral groove 6e.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 8, the lock member 7 is a metal part having a substantially wedge-shaped cross section whose thickness gradually increases from one end to the other end, and is formed to have a higher strength than the pipe P by quenching or the like. On the outer surface of the lock member 7, a cone surface 7 a having a larger diameter toward the deeper side of the joint body 2 is formed, and the taper angle of the cone surface 7 a is substantially equal to the taper angle of the taper surface 5 c of the lock nut 5. equal. On the inner surface of the lock member 7, a claw portion 7b for retaining the pipe P is formed. The inner surface is curved so that the claw portion 7b can engage with the outer periphery of the pipe P with a large area. In this embodiment, the claw portion 7b is formed of a plurality of serrations having a sawtooth cross section. A longitudinal groove 7c extending in the axial direction and a transverse groove 7d extending in the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal groove 7c are formed on the inner surface of the lock member 7 where the claw portion 7b is formed. The vertical groove 7c is provided at the center in the width direction of the lock member 7, and by dividing the claw portion 7b in the width direction, an effective locking force can be obtained even for pipes P having different diameters. . The lateral groove 7d is formed at a position passing through the center of gravity of the lock member 7. The horizontal groove 7d is deeper than the vertical groove 7c, and the groove bottom is curved. A substantially ring-shaped metal wire 8 is inserted into the lateral groove 7d to prevent the lock member 7 from dropping from the holding portion 6d of the core 6 to the inner diameter side. When the lock member 7 is held by the holding portion 6d of the core 6 by the wire 8, the thickness of the lock member 7 in the radial direction of the guide portion 6c of the core 6 is adjusted so that the lock member 7 projects inward and outward from the holding portion 6d. It is set thicker than the thickness. Therefore, the guide portion 6c does not press against the tapered surface 5c or the pipe P when the lock nut 5 is tightened.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 2, the wire 8 of this embodiment is formed in a substantially C-shape with both ends overlapping, but the wire 8 may be formed in an endless circular shape. In the case of a C-shape, both ends may be bent and locked to the core 6 without overlapping both ends. The wire 8 of this embodiment has elasticity in the outer diameter direction. That is, the outer diameter of the wire 8 in the free state is set to be larger than that shown in the figure, and the outer diameter of the lock member 7 is adjusted by the wire 8 so that the cone surface 7a of the lock member 7 contacts the tapered surface 5c of the lock nut 5. Biased in the direction. Therefore, when the pipe P is inserted into the core 6, the lock member 7 does not become an obstacle, and can be inserted smoothly.
[0023]
Here, a method of connecting the pipe P to the joint body 2 will be described.
First, the O-ring 3, the core 6, the lock member 7, and the lock nut 5 are integrally assembled with the joint body 2. At the time of assembly, the wire 8 is fitted into the circumferential groove 6 e of the core 6, and the lock member 7 is arranged on the holding portion 6 d of the core 6 so that the lateral groove 7 d fits into the wire 8. The core 6 holding the lock member 7 is inserted inside the lock nut 5 in this manner. When the female screw portion 5a of the lock nut 5 is lightly screwed into the male screw portion 2d of the joint main body 2 in which the O-ring 3 is inserted into the step portion 2a, the boss portion of the core 6 as shown on the left side of FIG. 6a is fitted into the step 2a and the lock member 7 is urged in the outer diameter direction by the wire 8, so that the cone surface 7a comes into contact with the tapered surface 5c of the lock nut 5 and is stabilized. In this assembled state, the lock member 7 is held without falling off, and the core 6 is also prevented from coming off in the axial direction by the lock nut 5 and the joint body 2.
[0024]
When the pipe P is inserted into the pipe joint 1 assembled as described above, the lock member 7 is urged in the outer diameter direction by the wire 8, and the diameter of the envelope circle connecting the inner surfaces of the lock member 7 is the pipe diameter. Since it is larger than the outer diameter of P, the tube P is inserted without resistance. Also, since the O-ring 3 is not pressed on both sides in the axial direction, the O-ring 3 does not protrude in the inner diameter direction, and the pipe P can be inserted smoothly (shown in the left half of FIG. 1).
[0025]
When the lock nut 5 is turned in the tightening direction with respect to the joint body 2 after the pipe P is inserted to a position where the pipe P comes into contact with the stopper wall 2c, the taper surface 5c of the lock nut 5 comes into pressure contact with the cone surface 7a of the lock member 7. Then, the lock member 7 is pushed in the depth direction and simultaneously in the inner diameter direction. Therefore, the claw portion 7b of the lock member 7 engages (bites or dents) with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P, and exerts a strong locking force. In particular, since the tapered surface 5c of the lock nut 5 and the cone surface 7a of the lock member 7 have substantially the same taper angle, the lock member 7 moves substantially parallel in the radial direction with the tightening of the lock nut 5, and the claw portion 7b can be evenly engaged with the pipe P. Since the boss 6a of the core 6 is also pushed in the depth direction at the same time when the lock member 7 is pushed in the depth direction, the boss 6a pushes the side surface of the O-ring 3 in the direction of the step 2a of the joint body 2 and the O-ring 3 Bend inward. As a result, the inner peripheral surface of the O-ring 3 comes into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P, and exhibits good sealing properties.
[0026]
As the lock nut 5 is screwed into the joint body 2, the tapered surface 5c of the lock nut 5 uniformly urges the plurality of lock members 5 in the inner diameter direction, so that the engagement of the lock members 5 with the pipe P becomes uniform. The eccentricity of the pipe P can be prevented. When the lock nut 5 is tightened by a predetermined amount, the shielding portion 5b of the lock nut 5 covers the coloring ring 4 attached to the joint body 2 so that the completion of the tightening can be confirmed (see the right half of FIG. 1).
[0027]
FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the pipe joint according to the present invention.
In this embodiment, the joint body 2 is composed of a cylindrical body 2A and a sleeve 2B fitted to the outer periphery of both ends 2h of the body 2A so as to be relatively rotatable, and a lock nut is provided on the outer periphery of the sleeve 2B. 5 is formed with a male screw portion 2d to be screwed. Except for the joint main body 2 (2A, 2B), the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the same reference numerals are given and the duplicated description is omitted.
Annular grooves 10 and 11 are formed at positions facing the outer peripheral surface of the body 2A and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 2B, and a retaining ring 12 made of a C-ring is inserted between these annular grooves to remove the sleeve 2B. It is rotatable relative to the body 2A and is prevented from falling off in the axial direction. The means for allowing the sleeve 2B to rotate relative to the body 2A is not limited to the method using the retaining ring 12. A tool engagement surface 2e is formed on the outer periphery of the sleeve 2B.
In this case, while the rotation of the sleeve 2B is stopped with a tool, the lock member 5 is screwed into the male screw portion 2d so that the lock member 7 is engaged with the pipe P as in the first embodiment. Can be.
In this embodiment, in a state where the pipe P is connected, when a torsional force is applied to one of the pipes P, the lock member 7, the lock nut 5, and the sleeve 2B rotate integrally with the pipe P, so that the pipe P Can be absorbed.
[0028]
10 to 14 show a third embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, a thick portion 2f is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the central portion of the joint body 2, and both side surfaces of the thick portion 2f have an end surface at one axial end of the lock nut 5 when the lock nut 5 is tightened. The stopper wall portion 2g is in pressure contact. By pressing the end face of the lock nut 5 against the stopper wall 2g in this manner, the tightening limit of the lock nut 5 is defined, and the loosening of the screw is prevented by the repulsive force between the lock nut 5 and the stopper wall 2g. it can. A tool engaging surface 2e with which a wrench or the like is engaged is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the thick portion 2f.
[0029]
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, an inner peripheral groove 5e is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the lock nut 5 between the female screw 5a and the tapered surface 5c. After the core 6 is assembled together with the lock member 7 and the wire 8 into the lock nut 5, the stopper ring 15 is fitted into the inner peripheral groove 5e of the lock nut 5, whereby the core 6 is prevented from coming off in the axial direction. As the stopper ring 15, for example, an elastic ring such as a resin ring or a metal C-shaped ring can be used. As described above, since the core 6, the lock member 7, and the wire 8 are integrally assembled to the lock nut 5 and assembled, they can be handled independently as a pipe connector as shown in FIG.
In this embodiment, a tool engagement surface 5d is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the lock nut 5 where the female screw 5a and the inner peripheral groove 5e are provided.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 13, a plurality (four in this example) of projections 6f are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction at positions on the outer peripheral surface of the core 6 which are different in phase from the lock member holding portion 6d. Each of the projections 6f is provided with a shallow groove 6g into which the wire 8 is fitted. The groove bottom of this groove 6g is located higher than the groove bottom of the peripheral groove 6e. The wire 8 of this embodiment has inward elasticity. By fitting the wire 8 into the groove 6g, the wire 8 is stabilized at four places without contacting the groove bottom of the circumferential groove 6e. Is held. With the wire 8 fitted in the groove 6g of the protrusion 6f, the lateral groove 7d of the lock member 7 is fitted from outside to the portion of the wire 8 located in the lock member holding portion 6d of the core 6. Then, if the core 6 is inserted into the lock nut 5 and the back surface of the core 6 is prevented from coming off by the stopper ring 15 attached to the inner peripheral groove 5e, assembly can be easily performed. Since the wire 8 is supported by the groove 6g of the projection 6f located at a position higher than the circumferential groove 6e, the lock member 7 is lifted to the outer peripheral side, and the cone surface 7a almost stably contacts the tapered surface 5c of the lock nut 5. At the same time, it is possible to prevent the claw portion 7b inside the lock member 7 from protruding toward the inner peripheral side of the core 6. Therefore, the pipe P can be easily inserted.
[0031]
The lock member 7 of this embodiment is suitable for connecting a thin-walled pipe P. As shown in FIG. 14, a claw portion 7b narrower than the width of the lock member 7 is formed at the center of the inner surface. . The claw portion 7b is also formed of a toothed serration having a plurality of saw teeth. On the inner surface of the lock member 7, a transverse groove 7d passing through the center of gravity is provided in the width direction, but the longitudinal groove 7c (see FIG. 8) is not provided. When the lock nut 5 is strongly tightened, the claw portion 7b of the lock member 7 indents the pipe P inward to form a vertical recess. Therefore, a strong locking force can be exhibited with respect to the tensile force acting on the pipe P.
Since the claw 7b is narrower than the width of the lock member 7, the pipe P can be easily recessed even if the tightening torque of the lock nut 5 is relatively small. The reason why the vertical recess is formed in the pipe P by the claw portion 7b is to obtain a large locking force without reducing the fluid passage area of the pipe P as much as possible.
[0032]
15 and 16 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, since the core 6, the lock member 7 and the wire 8 are integrally assembled to the lock nut 5 to form an assembly, a lock nut is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the core 6 instead of the stopper ring 15 in the third embodiment. An outwardly projecting portion 6h that engages with the inner peripheral groove 5e of the core 5 to prevent the core 6 from coming off in the axial direction is integrally formed. The core 6 is formed of a resin. The protrusion 6h can be bent in the inner diameter direction so that the core 6 can be smoothly inserted into the lock nut 5.
In this embodiment, an inner flange 5f projecting in the inner diameter direction from the tapered surface 5c is formed inside one end of the lock nut 5 in the axial direction. The inner flange 5f prevents the lock member 7 from coming out beyond the tapered surface 5c of the lock nut 5 when a strong tensile force acts on the pipe P with the lock nut 5 tightened.
The joint body 2 and the lock member 7 of this embodiment are the same as those of the third embodiment.
[0033]
Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to pipe connection to various fluid devices such as a stopcock, a pressure reducing valve, a check valve, and the like in addition to the pipe joint.
FIG. 17 shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a water stopcock.
Reference numerals 21 and 22 denote inlet and outlet portions provided at both ends of the water stopcock body 20 for receiving the pipe P. On the outer peripheral surfaces of the inlet 21 and the outlet 22, male screw portions 23 and 24 with which the lock nut 5 is screwed are provided. A spindle 25 for rotating the ball valve 26 is attached to the water stopcock body 20.
The pipe P is inserted into the inlet part 21 and the outlet part 22 and the pipe P is easily and securely connected to the water stopcock body 20 by screwing the lock nut 5 in which the core 6, the lock member 7 and the wire 8 are pre-installed. be able to.
[0034]
FIG. 18 shows a third embodiment of the lock member 7.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 14, the lock member 7 is formed with the lateral groove 7d for inserting the metal wire 8 on the inner side surface. In this embodiment, the lock member 7 is provided with the through hole 7e penetrating in the width direction. It is. The diameter of the through hole 7e may be larger than the thickness of the wire 8. In this case, by inserting the wire 8 into the through-hole 7e, the lock member 7 can be reliably prevented from dropping from the core 6, and the assembly becomes easy.
In this embodiment, not only the horizontal groove 7d but also the vertical groove 7c are omitted, and a claw portion 7b is provided on the entire inner peripheral surface of the lock member 7.
[0035]
FIG. 19 shows a fourth embodiment of the lock member 7.
In this embodiment, the lock member 7 is provided with a keyhole-shaped hole 7f penetrating in the width direction. Opening 7f of hole 7f ₁ Is preferably substantially equal to the wire diameter of the wire 8. In this case, the opening 8f of the hole 7f of the lock member 7 is ₁ By fitting the lock member 7 from the outside, the lock member 7 can be easily assembled to the core 6 and the lock member 7 can be prevented from falling off.
[0036]
FIG. 20 shows a fifth embodiment of the lock member 7.
In this embodiment, the claw 7b of the lock member 7 is gradually widened from a base end (thick end) to a front end (thin end).
In this case, by tightening the lock nut 5, the base end side of the claw portion 7b of the lock member 7 engages the pipe P with a small area, and the distal end side engages the pipe P with a wide area. When the pipe P is pulled leftward in the drawing with respect to the lock member 7, the narrow claw 7b first engages with the pipe P to form a recess, and the wide claw 7b pushes the recess. Since the shape is expanded, the locking force can be increased as compared with the claw portion having a constant width.
[0037]
FIG. 21 shows a sixth embodiment of the lock member 7.
In this embodiment, a plurality of claw portions 7b whose tips are not sharp are provided on the inner surface of the lock member 7. In this example, one hemispherical claw 7b is provided at the distal end and two at the proximal end, but two hemispherical claws 7b may be provided at the distal end and one at the proximal end.
The lock member 7 of this embodiment is suitable for a thin-walled tube, and the claw portion 7b having a blunt tip dents the tube P inward, so that a desired locking force can be exhibited. The reason why the plurality of claw portions 7b scattered in the width direction are provided is that when the pipe P is pulled, individual streaks are generated by each claw portion 7b, and a large locking force is obtained. .
[0038]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the lock member 7 is prevented from dropping in the inner diameter direction by using the substantially ring-shaped wire 8. However, for example, as shown in FIG. And the pin 7g may be engaged with the peripheral groove 6e of the core 6 to prevent the pin 7g from falling off in the inner diameter direction. The pin 7g can be composed of, for example, a short wire press-fitted and fixed in a through hole penetrating in the width direction of the lock member 7.
In addition to the above, the means for holding the lock member 7 with respect to the lock member holding portion 6d of the core 6 is such that at least the lock member 7 does not fall off from the lock member holding portion 6d in the inner diameter direction before the pipe is inserted. If so, it can be adopted.
Further, when the wire 8 having a substantially ring shape is used and the wire 8 has a spring force in the outer radial direction, the circumferential groove 6 e may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the core 6.
The contact portion formed on the outer surface of the lock member 7 does not need to be a cone surface, but may be a simple inclined surface, or may be provided with a rib extending in the circumferential direction. It is sufficient if the lock member 7 can be moved in the radial direction by the action of the tapered surface 5c of the lock nut 5 when the lock nut is tightened.
The claw portions 7b formed on the inner surface of the lock member 7 are not limited to serrations and hemispherical protrusions having a sawtooth cross section as in the embodiment, but may be any as long as they have a function of retaining the pipe P. For example, a spike-shaped projection or a ridge-shaped projection with a blunt tip may be used.
In the above embodiment, four lock members 7 are held on the core 6 because the diameter of the pipe P is relatively small. However, when connecting a pipe P having a large diameter, four or more May be held.
[0039]
In the pipe joints shown in the first to fourth embodiments, the case where the joint body 2 is a socket type having a connection port opened in two directions is shown, but one end is closed and a connection port is provided at the other end. Or a structure in which a screw is formed at one end and screwed to a pipe, and a connection port is provided at the other end. Further, connection ports in three directions or four directions may be provided in the joint body 2. In short, the shape can be freely selected as long as it has at least one mouth.
The present invention can be used not only for connecting a metal pipe such as a stainless steel pipe, but also for connecting a hard resin pipe such as a crosslinked polyethylene pipe.
Further, any material such as a metal material or a resin material may be used for the joint body, the lock nut, and the core.
Although the O-ring 3 is used as a seal member for sealing between the joint body 2 and the pipe P, a gasket having a lip may be used, or another known seal member may be used.
Further, the pipe connection device of the present invention can be used not only for connection of a liquid pipe but also for connection of a gas pipe.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, the pipe connection device according to the present invention, by screwing the lock nut to the main body, presses the lock member toward the inner diameter side by the tapered surface provided on the inner peripheral surface of the lock nut, The claw of the lock member is engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the tube to prevent the tube from coming off. Unlike the biasing force of the spring, the pressing force in the inner diameter direction of the lock member is obtained by screwing the lock nut into the main body, so it is very large and the claw of the lock member is securely engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe. And generate an extremely large locking force. Therefore, even if the pipe is a hard pipe such as a hard resin pipe or a metal pipe, the pipe can be reliably prevented from coming off.
Further, as the lock nut is turned, its tapered surface evenly contacts the outer surfaces of the plurality of lock members, and presses these lock members evenly in the inner diameter direction. The stop effect can be exhibited.
Furthermore, since it is not necessary to pre-process a screw or the like on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe, the connection operation can be easily performed just by turning the lock nut, so that the connection operation does not require skill and the workability is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall sectional view of a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pipe joint.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pipe joint shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a half sectional side view of the joint main body shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a half sectional side view of the lock nut shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a front view and a half sectional side view of the core shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a front view, a sectional view taken along line BB, and a bottom view of the lock member shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is an overall sectional view of a second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pipe joint.
FIG. 10 is an overall sectional view of a third embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pipe joint.
FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 10;
12 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a pipe connector used in the pipe joint shown in FIG.
13 is a side view, a half sectional view, and a CC sectional view of a core used in the pipe joint shown in FIG. 10;
14 is a side view and a bottom view of a lock member used in the pipe joint shown in FIG.
FIG. 15 is an overall sectional view of a fourth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pipe joint.
FIG. 16 is a partially enlarged view of FIG.
FIG. 17 is an overall sectional view of an example in which the present invention is applied to a water stop valve.
FIG. 18 is a front view and a sectional view taken along line DD of a third embodiment of the lock member.
FIG. 19 is a side view and a bottom view of a fourth embodiment of the lock member.
FIG. 20 is a side view and a bottom view of a fifth embodiment of the locking member.
FIG. 21 is a side view and a bottom view of a sixth embodiment of the lock member.
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the lock member.
[Explanation of symbols]
P pipe (water supply pipe)
1 Fittings
2 Fitting body (body)
2d male thread
2h mouth
3 O-ring
5 Lock nut
5c tapered surface
6 core
7 Lock member
7a cone surface
7b Claw
8 wires

Claims

A body having a mouth for receiving the tube, and having a male thread on the outer periphery of the mouth,
A lock nut having a female thread on the inner surface of one axial end, and a taper surface having a gradually increasing diameter toward the one end on the inner surface of the other axial end;
A ring-shaped core disposed on the inner periphery of the lock nut and having a plurality of lock member holding portions formed at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction;
A claw portion is formed on the inner surface of the lock member holding portion of the core at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, the claw portion engaging with the outer peripheral surface of the tube inserted into the mouth of the main body is formed, and the lock nut of the lock nut is formed on the outer surface. A plurality of lock members formed with a contact portion that contacts the tapered surface,
The lock member is held by the lock member holding portion of the core such that the claw portion and the contact portion of the lock member are exposed on the inner and outer circumferences of the core,
By screwing the female thread of the lock nut into the male thread of the mouth of the main body, the tapered surface comes into contact with the contact portion and pushes the lock member in the inner diameter direction. A pipe connection device wherein the pipe is engaged to prevent the pipe from coming off the main body.

A hole penetrating in the width direction or a groove on the inner surface extending in the width direction is formed in the lock member,
A substantially ring-shaped wire is held on the outer peripheral surface of the core,
2. The pipe connection device according to claim 1, wherein the wire is inserted into a through hole or a groove of the lock member, so that the lock member is prevented from dropping toward the inner diameter side. 3.

3. The pipe connection device according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion on the outer surface of the lock member is an inclined surface or a cone surface having an inclination corresponding to a tapered surface of the lock nut. 4.

On the inner peripheral surface of the mouth of the main body, a step portion for holding one axial side surface and the outer peripheral surface of the O-ring sealing the outer peripheral surface of the pipe is formed,
4. A boss portion, which is fitted to the step portion and presses the other side surface of the O-ring in the axial direction, is integrally formed at one end portion in the axial direction of the core. The pipe connection device according to item 1.

A stopper wall portion is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the main body, the stopper wall portion being pressed against an end surface of one end in the axial direction of the lock nut by tightening the lock nut by a predetermined amount. The pipe connection device as described in the above.

A pipe fitting for connecting a pipe to a main body having a mouth for receiving a pipe and having a male thread on the outer periphery of the mouth,
A lock nut having a female thread on the inner surface of one axial end, and a taper surface having a gradually increasing diameter toward the one end on the inner surface of the other axial end;
A ring-shaped core disposed on the inner periphery of the lock nut and having a plurality of lock member holding portions formed at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction;
A claw portion is formed on the inner surface of the lock member holding portion of the core at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, the claw portion engaging with the outer peripheral surface of the tube inserted into the mouth of the main body is formed, and the lock nut of the lock nut is formed on the outer surface. A plurality of lock members formed with a contact portion that contacts the tapered surface,
The lock member is held by the lock member holding portion of the core such that the claw portion and the contact portion of the lock member are exposed on the inner and outer circumferences of the core,
By screwing the female thread of the lock nut into the male thread of the mouth of the main body, the tapered surface comes into contact with the contact portion and pushes the lock member in the inner diameter direction. A pipe connector characterized in that the pipe is engaged with the main body to prevent the pipe from coming off from the main body.

A hole penetrating in the width direction or a groove on the inner surface extending in the width direction is formed in the lock member,
A substantially ring-shaped wire is held on the outer peripheral surface of the core,
The pipe connector according to claim 6, wherein the wire is inserted through a through hole or a groove of the lock member, and the lock member is prevented from dropping toward the inner diameter side.

8. The pipe connector according to claim 6, wherein the contact portion on the outer surface of the lock member is an inclined surface or a cone surface having an inclination corresponding to a tapered surface of the lock nut. 9.

An inner peripheral groove is formed between the female screw portion on the inner surface of the lock nut and the tapered surface,
The pipe connector according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the core is prevented from coming off in the axial direction by a stopper ring attached to an inner circumferential groove of the lock nut.

An inner peripheral groove is formed between the female screw portion on the inner surface of the lock nut and the tapered surface,
9. The outer periphery of the core is integrally formed with a projection that engages with an inner peripheral groove of the lock nut and prevents the core from coming off in the axial direction. Pipe fitting as described.