U.S. patent application number 10/508404 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-16 for storage member for long material and method of manufacturing the storage member.
This patent application is currently assigned to MIRAI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kitamura, Yusuke, Shimizu, Shohachi.
Application Number | 20050126094 10/508404 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30022622 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050126094 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shimizu, Shohachi ; et
al. |
June 16, 2005 |
Storage member for long material and method of manufacturing the
storage member
Abstract
A housing member for housing a long material includes a base and
a cover. The base includes an opening extending along a
longitudinal direction, and a plurality of convex portions arranged
at predetermined pitches along a longitudinal direction. The cover
covers the opening of the base. Each of the convex portions of the
cover extends along a circumferential direction of the cover. The
cover includes a plurality of convex portions provided at
predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the
cover. The arranged pitch of the convex portions of the base and
the arranged pitch of the convex portions of the cover are the
same. When the cover is assembled to the base, the convex portion
of the cover and the convex portion of the base are fitted to each
other so as to overlay on each other.
Inventors: |
Shimizu, Shohachi;
(Gifu-ken, JP) ; Kitamura, Yusuke; (Gifu-ken,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARSTENS YEE & CAHOON, LLP
P O BOX 802334
DALLAS
TX
75380
|
Assignee: |
MIRAI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
1695-1, Niremata, Wanouchi-cho, Anpachi-gun
Gifu-ken
JP
503-0295
|
Family ID: |
30022622 |
Appl. No.: |
10/508404 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
July 5, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP02/06845 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/220.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G 3/32 20130101; F16L
3/26 20130101; H02G 3/0468 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/220.1 |
International
Class: |
E04C 002/52 |
Claims
1. A housing member for housing an elongate material, the housing
member comprising: a base, said base having an opening extending
along a longitudinal direction of the housing member and a
plurality of convex portions arranged at predetermined pitches
along said longitudinal direction, each of the convex portions
extending along a circumferential direction of said base; and a
cover for covering the opening of said base, said cover comprising
a plurality of convex portions arranged at predetermined pitches
along said longitudinal direction, each of the convex portions of
the cover extending along a circumferential direction of the cover,
the arranged pitch of the convex portions of said base and the
arranged pitch of the convex portions of said cover being the same
or having a relationship of an integral multiple, and wherein, when
said cover is assembled to said base, the convex portions of said
cover and the convex portions of said base are fitted to each other
so as to be overlaid on each other, and one of width of the convex
portion of said cover and width of the convex portion of said base
is wider than the other one with respect to a longitudinal
direction of the housing member.
2. The housing member according to claim 1, wherein said cover is
fitted onto an outer side of said base.
3. The housing member according to claim 1, wherein the fitted
portions are provided at both ends of each of the convex portions
of said base, fitting portions are provided at both ends of each of
the convex portions of said cover, and each of the fitting portions
of said cover is fitted on the corresponding fitted portion of said
base.
4. The housing member according to claim 3, wherein a locking
projection is provided at an inner side of said each of the fitting
portions, and a locked projection capable of being locked at the
locking projection of the corresponding fitting portion is provided
at an outer side of said each of the fitted portions.
5. The housing member according to claim 4, wherein an abutting
step portion is formed at a border portion of said each of the
fitted portions and the convex portion continuing to said each of
the fitted portions, and when said cover covers said base, an end
surface of said each of the fitting portions abuts the
corresponding abutting step portion.
6. The housing member according to claim 5, wherein a
cross-sectional shape of said each of the fitted portions is
smaller than a cross-sectional shape of the corresponding convex
portion.
7. The housing member according to claim 1, wherein an
approximately U-shaped reinforcement tool is disposed in at least
one of an inner concave portion which is formed inside each of the
convex portions of said base and an outer concave portion which is
formed between a pair of adjacent convex portions of said
cover.
8. The housing member according to claim 7, wherein said
reinforcement tools are placed respectively in both of each of the
inner concave portions of said base and each of the outer concave
portions of said cover.
9. The housing member according to claim 1, wherein the convex
portions of said cover and the convex portions of said base are
fitted to each other so as to prevent said cover from being
displaced along the longitudinal direction of the housing member
with respect to said base.
10. The housing member according to claim 1, wherein in a portion
at which the convex portion of said cover and the convex portion of
said base are overlaid on each other, restraining means for
restraining said cover from being detached from said base is
provided between the convex portion of said cover and convex
portion of said base.
11. The housing member according to claim 10, wherein said cover
and said base each comprise a pair of side walls opposed to each
other along the longitudinal direction of the cover and the base,
and said restraining means includes a bulged base portion which is
formed by bulging the side wall of said base outward, and a cover
bulged portion which is formed by bulging the side wall of said
cover outward to be capable of being fitted on the bulged base
portion.
12. The housing member according to claim 1, wherein said elongate
material is a cable which is laid inside a building.
13. The housing member according to claim 1, wherein said elongate
material is a fluid pipe which is laid indoors or outdoors and
allows a flow of a fluid.
14. The housing member according to claim 1, wherein said base is
fixed to a structure constructed in a building.
15. A housing member for housing an elongate material, said housing
member comprising a cylindrical molded product made of a resin,
wherein the cylindrical molded product has annular convex portions
arranged at predetermined pitches along a longitudinal direction of
the housing member, and has been divided into a base and a cover
along said longitudinal direction, the base and the cover each have
semi-annular convex portions arranged at the said pitches along the
longitudinal direction of the housing member, one of width of the
semi-annular convex portions of the cover and width of the
semi-annular convex portions of the base is wider than the other
one with respect to the longitudinal direction of the housing
member, and the cover is assembled to the base so as to cover an
opening of the base, and when the cover is assembled to the base,
the convex portions of the cover and the convex portions of the
base are fitted to each other so as to be overlaid on each
other.
16. A method for manufacturing housing member for housing an
elongate material, the method comprising: molding a cylindrical
intermediate product of resin and including annular convex portions
arranged at predetermined pitches along a longitudinal direction
thereof and integrally molding a base and a cover with a portion to
be cut off therebetween; and dividing said intermediate molded
product along its longitudinal direction by cutting said portion to
be cut off and obtaining said base and said cover which are
separated from each other.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said portion to be
cut off of said intermediate molded product has a convex portion
which is connected to the convex portions of said base and cover
and has a smaller cross-sectional shape than cross-sectional shapes
of the convex portions.
18. A connecting device for use with an elongate material, the
connecting device comprising housing members for housing the long
material and a connecting tool for connecting said housing members,
wherein the housing member has a base and a cover which are
assembled to each other, the base and the cover each have convex
portions arranged at predetermined pitches along a longitudinal
direction of the housing member, said connecting tool forms an
approximately cylindrical shape, connecting ports are provided at
both ends in an axial direction of the connecting tool, one end of
said housing member is connected to each of the connecting ports,
and the connecting tool has a connecting base body and a connecting
cover body which are separable to divide said connecting port into
two and capable of being assembled to each other; and displacement
preventing means, for connecting both the base and the connecting
base body by vertically overlaying the base and the connecting base
body on each another, and preventing the base and the connecting
base body connected to each other from being displaced vertically,
provided between said base and connecting base body.
19. A connecting tool for connecting housing members for housing an
elongate material, wherein the housing member has a base and a
cover which are assembled to each other, the base and the cover
each have convex portions arranged at predetermined pitches along a
longitudinal direction of the housing member, said connecting tool
comprising an approximately cylindrical shape, connecting ports
provided at both ends in an axial direction of the connecting tool,
with one end of said housing member being connected to each of the
connecting ports, and the connecting tool having a connecting base
body and a connecting cover body which are separable to divide said
connecting port into two and capable of being assembled to each
other; and said connecting base body comprises displacement
preventing means for connecting both the base and the connecting
base body by overlaying the base on the connecting base body, and
preventing the base and the connecting base body as connected to
each other from being displaced vertically.
20. The connecting tool according to claim 19, wherein said
displacement preventing means includes a convex line provided at an
inner surface of said connecting base body to extend along an axis
line of the connecting base body so as to engage with a step
portion provided at an outer surface in the vicinity of an opening
of said base.
21. The connecting tool according to claim 20, wherein in sectional
view along a surface perpendicular to the axis line of said
connecting base body, said connecting base body forms an
approximately U-shape, and has said convex lines at both end
portions thereof.
22. The connecting tool according to claim 19, wherein a locking
convex line which is locked at the convex portion of said housing
member is provided on the inner surface of said connecting base
body to extend in the direction perpendicular to the axis line of
the connecting base body.
23. The connecting tool according to claim 19, wherein said
connecting base body and connecting cover body are connected by a
hinge to be relatively rotatable.
24. A placement structure for a cylindrical housing member having
flexibility for housing an elongate material, wherein said housing
member has annular convex portions arranged at predetermined
pitches along a longitudinal direction of the housing member, said
placement structure comprising racks and rail bodies laid on said
racks, and said housing member is fixed to the rail body to extend
along said rail body.
25. The placement structure according to claim 24, further
comprising a fixing tool for fixing said housing member to said
rail body.
26. The placement structure according to claim 24, wherein said
housing member comprises a vertically separable base and cover, and
said base is fixed on said rail body.
27. The placement structure according to claim 24, further
comprising a connecting tool for connecting both the adjacent rail
bodies, and characterized in that the connecting tool is fixed to
said rack.
28. A fixing tool for fixing a housing member, which has
flexibility and includes a space for housing an elongate material
inside, to a rail body laid on a rack, the fixing tool comprising:
a held portion which is held at said rail body; and a fixing
portion facing an upper surface of the rail body to be able to fix
said housing member to said rail body in a state in which said held
portion is held at said rail body.
29. A fixing tool for fixing a housing member for housing an
elongate material at a placement section, said housing member
having a base and a cover which are assembled to each other, and
the base and the cover respectively having convex portions arranged
at predetermined pitches along a longitudinal direction of the
housing member, said fixing tool comprising: a body portion fitted
into a concave portion provided between both adjacent convex
portions of said base; a locking portion locked at a portion of
said base, which does not interfere with mounting and dismounting
of said cover to and from the base on an occasion of mounting and
dismounting of said cover to and from the base to prevent said base
from rising with respect to said placement section; and a fixing
portion fixed to said placement section.
30. The fixing tool according to claim 29, wherein: said body
portion comprises: fitting portions respectively fitted into a
plurality of concave portions of said base; and an insertion hole
in which at least one of the convex portions of said base is able
to be inserted.
31. The fixing tool according to claim 29, wherein said locking
portion is locked at a portion in said base, which is covered with
said cover.
32. The fixing tool according to claim 31, wherein said locking
portion is locked at said base so as to cover end edge portions at
both sides of said base.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a housing member for
housing an elongate material, such as a wire material, optical
cable, electric wire, and pipe material, for example, and its
manufacturing method.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0002] Housing members are conventionally used to lay wire
materials and pipe materials esthetically without impairing views
or to protect such materials from wind and rain. However, in
general, housing members are made of concrete or metal, and
therefore are heavy in weight. Therefore, in order to reduce the
weight, the housing members molded of a synthetic resin are
sometimes used. Light housing members made of a resin have fewer
burdens on transportation even when they are molded to be long, and
there are a smaller number of connecting spots for the housing
members at the time of a laying operation, thus enhancing the
operation efficiency. As compared with housing members of concrete
and metal, cutting work or the like is easily performed for the
housing members made of resin at a construction site, which
enhances the working efficiency, and it is possible to newly
construct or renew the housing members in a short construction
period. Moreover, there is no fear of corrosion in the housing
members made of a resin as in metal housing members. Therefore,
when it is desired to use housing members that will not rust, and
when it is not desired to make noise during piping work, a housing
member made of a resin is preferably used.
[0003] When a cable is protected by using a conventional housing
member made of resin, the following methods are cited. The first
method is a method for previously laying a pipe-shaped housing
member with a lid put thereon in the construction site and pulling
the cable into the hollow part of the housing member. The second
method is a method for laying the cable on the base formed into a
U-shape in section, opening upward, and constructing a part of the
housing member, and thereafter, covering the base with a cover, for
example, in a half-pipe shape opening downward, from above.
[0004] The above described housing member made of resin extends in
a flat plate shape along its longitudinal direction. Therefore, the
strength of the housing member made of resin is low as compared
with the strength of housing members made of metal and concrete
material. In order to maintain strength, it is necessary to
increase the plate thickness for the housing member, and as a
result, the housing member becomes heavy in weight. As a result,
the advantage of being made of resin is lost, thus hampering
transportation and operation. Further, in order to carry out wiring
according to the aforementioned second method, the base and the
cover have to be separately molded, and therefore the cost
increases.
[0005] Connecting tools are used for connecting a plurality of the
aforementioned housing members along the entire lay-out path. The
connecting tool connects end portions of the adjacent two housing
members. The connecting tool has a semi-cylindrical connecting base
body and a similarly semi-cylindrical connecting cover body.
[0006] When the cable is laid by using the aforementioned housing
member constituted by the base and the cover, adjacent end portions
of the bases in the two housing members are disposed on the
connecting base body of the connecting tool and connected. The
required number of bases for the housing members in the state in
which they are connected by the connecting base bodies are placed
along the lay-out path. Thereafter, the cable is disposed into the
bases from the upward openings of the bases. In the state in which
the bases house the cable, the bases are covered with the covers of
the aforesaid housing members, and the connecting base body is
covered with the connecting cover body of the aforesaid connecting
tool. In the state in which the aforesaid covers and connecting
cover body cover the corresponding bases and the connecting base
body, the strength of the connecting portion by the connecting tool
is firm. However, in the state in which the aforesaid base is only
connected to the connecting base body, the connection is
imperfect.
[0007] When the above-described connecting tool is used, especially
at the time of lay-out operations when the aforesaid housing
members are exposed or buried outdoors, there exist the following
problems. Specifically, the road surface and the ground outdoors
(burial location) on which the housing member is laid are not
usually flat. Therefore, if the cable is placed on a large number
of the aforesaid bases which are incompletely connected by only the
connecting base bodies along the lay-out path, the bases and the
connecting base bodies are easily disconnected by the impact due to
placement of the cable and the weight of the cable. Further, the
connection state is not stabilized, and therefore there is the
possibility that the connecting base bodies will be displaced with
respect to the bases and disconnected. Therefore, the lay-out
operation for the cable becomes troublesome and difficult.
[0008] When the housing members are laid on a place which is not
flat, or on a place with many obstacles, a consideration is whether
to install a plurality of racks along the lay-out path and place
the housing members on the racks. In this case, the housing members
are sometimes bent between two adjacent racks. Especially as the
housing member including the base and the cover, becomes difficult
to attach and detach the cover to and from the base and as a result
that the housing member bends. In the case in which the housing
member has flexibility, the bending further increases. In order to
relieve or prevent bending of the housing member, it is suitable to
increase the number of racks per unit length, but since a large
number of racks are needed, the lay-out operation becomes
cumbersome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a housing
member for an elongate material which is high in strength, light in
weight and easy to handle, and is capable of being manufactured at
low cost, and a manufacturing method therefor.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
connecting tool which easily and reliably connects the housing
members, and enhances efficiency in a lay-out operation.
[0011] Still another object of the present invention is to prevent
bending of the housing member and make it possible to place the
housing members with a minimum number of racks.
[0012] In order to achieve the above-described objects, the present
invention provides a housing member for housing an elongate
material. The housing member comprises a base and a cover. The base
has an opening extending along a longitudinal direction of the
housing member, and a plurality of convex portions arranged at
predetermined pitches along the longitudinal direction. Each of the
convex portions extends along a circumferential direction of the
base. The cover covers the opening of the base. The cover comprises
a plurality of convex portions arranged at predetermined pitches
along the longitudinal direction. Each of the convex portions of
the cover extends along a circumferential direction of the cover.
The arranged pitch of the convex portions of the base and the
arranged pitch of the convex portions of the cover are the same or
have a relationship of an integral multiple. The convex portions of
the cover and the convex portions of the base are fitted to each
other so as to be overlaid on each other when the cover is
assembled to the base.
[0013] The present invention further provides another housing
member for housing an elongate material. The housing member is
formed by dividing a cylindrical molded product made of a resin,
which has annular convex portions arranged at predetermined pitches
along a longitudinal direction of the housing member, into a base
and a cover along the longitudinal direction. The base and the
cover each have semi-annular convex portions arranged at the
aforesaid pitches along the longitudinal direction of the housing
member. The cover is assembled to the base to cover an opening of
the base. When the cover is assembled to the base, the convex
portions of the cover and the convex portions of the base are
fitted to each other so as to be overlaid on each other.
[0014] The present invention further provides a manufacturing
method for the housing member. The method includes the step of
preparing a cylindrical intermediate molded product made of a resin
which is formed by integrally molding the base and the cover with a
portion to be cut off therebetween, and the step of dividing the
intermediate molded product along its longitudinal direction by
cutting off the portion to be cut off and obtaining the base and
the cover which are separated from each other.
[0015] The present invention further provides a connecting device
comprising housing members for housing an elongate material and a
connecting tool for connecting the housing members. The housing
member has a base and a cover which are assembled to each other.
The base and the cover each have convex portions arranged at
predetermined pitches along a longitudinal direction of the housing
member. The connecting tool forms an approximately cylindrical
shape. Connecting ports are provided at both ends in an axial
direction of the connecting tool. One end of the housing member is
connected to each of the connecting ports. The connecting tool has
a connecting base body and a connecting cover body which are
separable to divide the connecting port into two and capable of
being assembled to each other. Displacement preventing means, which
connects both the base and the connecting base body by vertically
overlaying the base and the connecting base body on each other,
prevents the base and the connecting base body connected to each
other from being displaced vertically, and is provided between the
base and connecting base body.
[0016] The present invention further provides a connecting tool for
connecting housing members for housing an elongate material. The
housing member has a base and a cover which are assembled to each
other. The base and the cover each have convex portions arranged at
predetermined pitches along a longitudinal direction of the housing
member. The connecting tool forms an approximately cylindrical
shape. Connecting ports are provided at both ends in an axial
direction of the connecting tool. One end of the housing member is
connected to each of the connecting ports. The connecting tool has
a connecting base body and a connecting cover body which are
separable to divide the connecting port into two and capable of
being assembled to each other. The connecting base body includes
displacement preventing means which connects both the base and the
connecting base body by overlaying the base on the connecting base
body, and prevents the base and the connecting base body as
connected to each other from being displaced vertically.
[0017] The present invention further provides a placement structure
for a cylindrical housing member having flexibility for housing an
elongate material. The housing member has annular convex portions
arranged at predetermined pitches along a longitudinal direction of
the housing member. The placement structure comprises racks and
rail bodies laid on the racks. The housing member is fixed to the
rail body to extend along the rail body.
[0018] The present invention further provides a fixing tool for
fixing a housing member, which has flexibility and includes a space
for housing an elongate material inside, on a rail body laid on a
rack. The fixing tool comprises a held portion which is held at the
rail body, and a fixing portion facing an upper surface of the rail
body. The fixing portion fixes the housing member to the rail body
in a state in which the held portion is held at the rail body.
[0019] The present invention further provides a fixing tool for
fixing a housing member for housing an elongate material to a
placement section. The housing member has a base and a cover which
are assembled to each other. The base and the cover respectively
have convex portions arranged at predetermined pitches along a
longitudinal direction of the housing member. The fixing tool
comprises a body portion, a locking portion and a fixing portion
fixed to the placement section. The body portion is fitted into a
concave portion provided between both adjacent convex portions of
the base. The locking portion is locked at a portion of the base,
which does not interfere with mounting and dismounting of the cover
to and from the base on an occasion of mounting and dismounting of
the cover to and from the base to prevent the base from rising with
respect to the placement section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an intermediate molded
product of a housing member in a first embodiment in which the
present invention is embodied;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base and a cover which are
formed by cutting off a portion to be cut off from the molded
product in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3(a) is a sectional view of each of convex portions of
the cover and the base of the intermediate molded product;
[0023] FIG. 3(b) is a sectional view of each of the convex portions
of the cover and the base in a state in which a portion to be cut
off is cut off from the molded product in FIG. 3(a);
[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a housing member T in a
usage state;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a side view of a housing member in a state in
which the cover covers the base;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of each of the convex portions
taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 5;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view of a fitting portion and
a fitted portion in FIG. 6;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the fitting
portion and the fitted portion of the housing member taken along
the line 8-8 in FIG. 5;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a plane view of a connected mold device for
performing extrusion molding of the intermediate molded
product;
[0030] FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in FIG.
9;
[0031] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a housing member including
first and second reinforcement tools in a second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0032] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 11;
[0033] FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line 13-13 in
FIG. 11;
[0034] FIG. 14 is a partially enlarged view of a locking portion in
FIG. 13;
[0035] FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line
15-15 in FIG. 11;
[0036] FIG. 16 is a view showing a state in which a second
reinforcement tool is provided at the cover of the housing member
in FIG. 8;
[0037] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a connecting tool
for connecting the housing members and the housing members in a
third embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a state in which the
bases of the housing members in FIG. 4 are connected on a
connecting base body of the connecting tool in FIG. 17;
[0039] FIG. 19 is a plane view showing a state in which the bases
of the housing members in FIG. 4 are connected on a connecting base
body of the connecting tool in FIG. 17;
[0040] FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along the line 20-20 in
FIG. 19;
[0041] FIG. 21 is a partially enlarged plane view of respective
overlaid portions of the connecting base body of the connecting
tool and the bases of the housing members in FIG. 19;
[0042] FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along the line 22-22 in
FIG. 21;
[0043] FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line 23-23 in
FIG. 21;
[0044] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a connecting cover body and
a connecting base body in an exploded state;
[0045] FIG. 25 is a perspective partial view of the connecting tool
in a state in which two housing members are connected;
[0046] FIG. 26 is a plane view of the connecting tool in a state in
which two housing members are connected;
[0047] FIG. 27 is a sectional view taken along the line 27-27 in
FIG. 26;
[0048] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a separated state of each
kind of members necessary for placing the housing member, in a
fourth embodiment of the present invention;
[0049] FIG. 29 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion at
which a rail body is fixed to a rack via a connecting member;
[0050] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the connecting member;
[0051] FIG. 31(a) is a view showing a state before the connecting
member is fixed to the rack;
[0052] FIG. 31(b) is a view showing a state in which the connecting
member is fixed to the rack;
[0053] FIG. 32 is a sectional view taken along the line 32-32 in
FIG. 31(b);
[0054] FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing a disposition
relationship of the rail body, a fixing member and the base of the
housing member;
[0055] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the fixing member in FIG.
33;
[0056] FIG. 35 is a sectional view of a state in which the fixing
member in FIG. 33 is held at the rail body;
[0057] FIG. 36 is a sectional view of a state in which the cover of
the housing member is fixed to the rail body via the fixing
member;
[0058] FIG. 37 is a sectional view taken along the line 37-37 in
FIG. 36;
[0059] FIG. 38(a) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a
plurality of connected housing members are placed on the racks;
[0060] FIG. 38(b) is a schematic view showing a state in which a
plurality of connected intermediate molded products are placed on
the racks;
[0061] FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a fixing tool for the
housing member in a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
[0062] FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a separated state for a
cable, the base and the cover constructing the housing member, and
a seat to which the housing member is fixed;
[0063] FIG. 41 is a perspective partial view of a state in which
the base of the housing member is fixed to the placement section
via the seat and the fixing tool;
[0064] FIG. 42 is a sectional view of a state in which the base of
the housing member is fixed to the placement section via the seat
and the fixing tool;
[0065] FIG. 43 is a partial side view of the state in which the
base of the housing member is fixed to the placement section via
the seat and the fixing tool;
[0066] FIG. 44 is a partially perspective view of the state in
which the base of the housing member is fixed to the placement
section by a fixing tool in an example modification;
[0067] FIG. 45 is an exploded perspective view showing the housing
member in a seventh embodiment;
[0068] FIG. 46 is a side view showing the cover and the base of the
housing member in FIG. 45;
[0069] FIG. 47 is a sectional view showing an intermediate molded
product of FIG. 45;
[0070] FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the housing member in FIG.
45;
[0071] FIG. 49 is a sectional view taken along the line 49-49 in
FIG. 48;
[0072] FIG. 50 is a sectional view taken along the line 50-50 in
FIG. 48;
[0073] FIG. 51 is a side view of the cover and the base in an
eighth embodiment;
[0074] FIG. 52 is a partial sectional view showing the assembled
state of the cover and the base in FIG. 51;
[0075] FIG. 53 is a side view of the housing member in an example
modification; and
[0076] FIG. 54 is a plane view of the housing member in an example
modification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0077] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention
will be explained based on FIG. 1 to FIG. 10. In the following
explanation, for each part of an intermediate molded product T' of
a housing member (trough) T, "dash" is given to the reference
numeral and character of each part of the finished product, and
thereby the housing member T and the intermediate molded product T'
are distinguished.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 1, in the intermediate molded product T'
forming a cylindrical shape made of a resin, the shape of a section
perpendicular to its longitudinal direction forms an approximately
square shape, and has approximately uniform wall thickness. The
intermediate molded product T' has a pair of left and right
portions to be cut off 31', which continue along a longitudinal
direction S, a cover C' located at an upper position from them, and
a base B' located at a lower position from the aforesaid pair of
portions to be cut off 31'. The pair of portions to be cut off 31',
the cover C' and the base B' are integrally molded. As shown in
FIG. 3(a), the portion to be cut off 31' is located at an upper
position from a center in a height direction of both side wall
portions of the intermediate molded product T', and has a
predetermined width (cutoff width) R in the height direction. The
portion to be cut off 31' has a step in a width direction of the
intermediate molded product T'.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3(a), the cover C' is provided
with a plurality of convex portions 1' each having a predetermined
width direction dimension QL. The base B' is also provided with a
plurality of convex portions 2' each having the same width
direction dimension QL as the cover C'. A pair of connecting
portions 32' are formed between each of the convex portions 1' and
the corresponding convex portion 2' of the base B'. The convex
portions 1' are arranged at predetermined pitches P along the
longitudinal direction S of the intermediate molded product T', and
the convex portions 2' are also arranged at the same pitches P as
the convex portions 1' along the longitudinal direction S of the
intermediate molded product T' (see FIG. 5). A pair of connecting
portions 32' continue to both ends of each of the convex portions
2'. Therefore, the intermediate molded product T' forms a
concavo-convex shape, that is, a wave shape in its longitudinal
direction. As shown in FIG. 5, a width W.sub.1 of each of the
convex portions 1' of the cover C' is larger than a width W.sub.2
of each of the convex portions 2' of the base B'.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 2, as a result that the portions to be cut
off 31' are cut off, the intermediate molded product T' is divided
vertically into two, and a cover C and a base B of the housing
member T are obtained. The intermediate molded product T' is an
intermediate product in the molding process of the housing member
T, and is subjected to continuous blow extrusion molding according
to a method that will be described later. In FIG. 2, a cutoff
portion 31 represents a portion obtained by cutting off the portion
to be cut off 31' of the intermediate molded product T'.
[0081] FIG. 3(a) is a sectional view in a region of the convex
portions 1' and 2' of the intermediate molded product T', and FIG.
3(b) is a sectional view in a region of the convex portions 1 and 2
of the housing member T in the state in which the portion to be cut
off 31' has been cut off. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the connecting
portion 32 after the portion to be cut off 31' has been cut off is
the portion corresponding to a fitted portion 4. Fitting portions 3
provided at both ends of each of the convex portions 1 of the cover
C are fitted over the outsides of the fitted portions 4 provided at
both ends of each of the convex portions 2 of the base B. A cross
sectional shape (a sectional shape along a horizontal plane
perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 3(b)) of the fitted
portion 4 is approximately similar to a cross-sectional shape of
the fitting portion 3, and is smaller than the cross-sectional
shape of the fitting portion 3.
[0082] As shown in FIG. 1, in the base B', a concave portion 12' is
formed between both the adjacent convex portions 2'. Similarly, in
the cover C', a concave portion 11' is formed between both the
adjacent convex portions 1'. As shown in FIG. 3(a), an inner width
U.sub.2 of each of the concave portions 12' of the base B' is
smaller than an inner width U.sub.1 of the concave portion 11' of
the cover C'. In a portion continuing from the convex portion 1' of
the cover C' to the portion to be cut off 31', a locking projection
9' which projects to an inside of the convex portion 1' is provided
at each end portion of the convex portion 1'. The aforesaid
connecting portions 32' for the fitted portion is provided with a
locked projection 10' which has a plane forming a diagonal shape in
a vertical direction and projects to an outside thereof. An
abutting step portion 6' is formed between the connecting portion
32' and the convex portion 2' of the base B'.
[0083] An upper end portion of the aforesaid portion to be cut off
31' is located in the middle of the aforesaid locking projection 9'
in the vertical direction, and its lower end is located in the
upper region of the connecting portion 32' from the aforesaid
locked projection 10'. When a pair of the portions to be cut off
31' are cut off along the longitudinal direction S from the
intermediate molded product T', the portions to be cut off 31'
become an unneeded pair of cutoff portions 31, and the intermediate
molded product T' is divided vertically into two, thus obtaining
the cover C and the base B that construct the housing member T (see
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3(b)). As shown in FIG. 3(b), a dimension V.sub.1
in the vertical direction of the locking projection 9 of the cover
C is smaller than a dimension V.sub.2 between the abutting step
portion 6 and a lower end of the locked projection 10 in the base
B. A distance in the vertical direction from an outer surface of a
bottom wall of the convex portion 2 of the base B to the abutting
step portion 6 corresponds to a height H.sub.1 of the convex
portion 2 of the cover C.
[0084] Next, a molding method for the above-described intermediate
molded product T' will be explained. The intermediate molded
product T' is molded by a continuous extrusion molding method by a
connected mold 22 which is made by connecting single molds 21 in a
caterpillar shape as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. On an inner
surface of a cavity 21a formed by a pair of single molds 21 which
are in close contact with each other, a concavo-convex strip 21b
corresponding to an outer shape of the aforesaid intermediate
molded product T' is formed.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 9, a pair of connected molds 22 which are
formed by connecting a number of single molds 21 are disposed to be
opposed to each other so as to perform circulatory travel within
the horizontal plane, and the left and right connected molds 22
which perform circulatory travel are in close contact with each
other in the regions of a molding section N. After the connected
molds 22 pass the regions of the molding section N, both the single
molds 21 which are in close contact with each other are separated
to the left and right, and thereby mold release is performed.
[0086] A molten resin 24 extruded from an extruder 23 is pressed by
air pressure against an inner surface of the cavity 21a formed by
the left and right single molds 21 in the regions of the molding
section N. As a result, the intermediate molded products T' each
having uniform wall thickness, in which the base B', the cover C'
and a pair of portions to be cut off 31' are integrated, are
continuously molded by extrusion. The intermediate molded product
T' is cut to length for use (4 to 5 m).
[0087] As shown in FIG. 7, in the housing member T, the fitting
portion 3 which is fitted on the outer side of the convex portion 2
of the base B is formed at an end portion of each of the convex
portions 1 of the cover C. The fitting portion 3 has a locking
projection 9. A step portion 18 is formed between the fitting
portion 3 and the locking projection 9. The fitted portion 4 which
continues to the convex portion 2 of the base B and has an
approximately similar small section to the section thereof is
formed at an end portion of the convex portion 2 of the base B. The
fitted portion 4 has a locked projection 10. The fitted portion 4
is fitted in an inner side of the fitting portion 3 in a width
direction of the housing member T. The fitted portion 4 corresponds
to a part of the connecting portion 32' before the portion to be
cut off 31' is cut off. Specifically, by only molding the
intermediate molded product T' of the single structure, the
separate cover C and the base B can be obtained, which construct
the intended housing member T.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 4, the housing member T of long length is
used for protecting a cable K by placing the cable K on the base B,
and covering the base B with the cover C from above this, or by
inserting the cable K into a space which is defined by the cover C
and the base B after the base B is covered with the cover C. A
method for covering the base B with the cover C will be explained
hereinafter.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, the fitting portion 3 of the
convex portion 1 of the cover C, and the fitted portion 4 which
continues to the convex portion 2 of the base B are positioned
along the longitudinal direction S to approximately correspond to
each other, and the cover C is pressed to the base B from above the
base B. In order that the fitted portion 4 is fitted into the inner
side of the fitting portion 3 in the width direction of the housing
member T, the sectional shapes of them are formed to be
approximately similar to each other. A concave portion 12 of the
base B is disposed inside from a concave portion 11 of the cover C
in the width direction of the housing member T. Therefore, the
cover C can cover the outer side of the base B over the entire
length of the housing member T in the longitudinal direction S.
[0090] The width W.sub.1 of the convex portion 1 of the cover C is
larger than the width W.sub.2 of the convex portion 2 of the base
B. Therefore, in the state in which the cover C covers the base B,
and the fitting portion 3 of the cover C is fitted on the outer
side of the fitted portion 4 of the base B, the cover C is movable
in the longitudinal direction of the housing member T with respect
to the base B within a fixed range. Therefore, in the state in
which the cover C covers the base B, the cover C can reliably cover
the base B even if the fitting portion 3 of the cover C is
displaced along the longitudinal direction S with respect to the
fitted portion 4 of the base B.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 7, when the base B is covered with the
cover C, the locking projection 9 and the locked projection 10
interfere with each other. When the fitting portion 3 of the cover
C is fitted onto the fitted portion 4 of the base B, an inclined
plane portion 10a of the locked projection 10 guides the locking
projection 9, and thereby the interference of the locking
projection 9 and the locked projection 10 can be relieved. Further,
the fitting portion 3 is elastically deformed slightly outward, and
thereby the cover C can be smoothly fitted onto the base B. After
the locking projection 9 and the locked projection 10 are once
locked, a horizontal plane portion 10b of the locked projection 10
and a step portion 18 of the locking projection 9 interfere with
each other. Therefore, the cover C is locked at the base B, and the
cover C is difficult to detach from the base B. The fitted portion
4 of the base B is connected to an abutting step portion 6 which
continues to the convex portion 2 of the base B. An end surface 7
of the fitting portion 3 abuts the abutting step portion 6, and
thereby the state in which the cover C covers the base B becomes
stable. In addition, the convex portion 2 of the base B and the
convex portion 1 of the cover C have approximately the same width
dimension QL (see FIG. 6), and therefore the entire width of the
housing member T is approximately the same. A projected portion
does not exist in the part where the convex portion 1 of the cover
C and the convex portion 2 of the base B engage with each other,
and therefore the housing member T can be easily handled.
[0092] As described above, the housing member T constituted of the
cover C and the base B are formed in a corrugated plate shape
having projections and depressions along its longitudinal direction
S. As a result, strength against bending force in the width
direction and twisting force becomes larger than the case in which
the housing member is molded into a flat plate shape, and therefore
the housing member T can be prevented from curving. Accordingly,
when the housing member T housing the cable K is used outdoors, the
housing member T has high strength against heat deformation from
solar heat even without increasing the wall thickness, and is light
in weight. Therefore, when the housing member T is used in the
state of long length, handling of it is easy.
[0093] In the conventional housing member made of concrete or
metal, the cover is heavy, and even if the outer force is applied
to the cover, the cover is not easily displaced with respect to the
base. However, when a man rides on or steps on the housing member
or the housing member is buried in the earth, and an outer force is
applied to the housing member, in the light housing member made of
a resin, there is the possibility that the cover will be displaced
in the longitudinal direction with respect to the base and the
cable which is housed will be exposed. Further, in the case of the
housing member molded into a flat plate shape by extrusion molding,
a displacement of the cover and the base in the longitudinal
direction can be prevented by only the frictional force thereof.
Therefore, when the housing member is placed along the vertical
direction, or when the housing member is placed to be inclined
relative to the vertical direction, the cover is displaced with
respect to the base by the tare weight of the cover. Further, when
the extrusion-molded housing member made of a resin is disposed
outdoors, the cover of the housing member is deformed by solar
heat, and the cover expands outward. Therefore, in the case of the
housing member in the flat plate shape, the fitting of the cover to
the base is released.
[0094] In contrast to the above, in the housing member T of this
embodiment, the convex portion 1 of the cover C is fitted on the
convex portion 2 of the base B so as to be overlaid on the convex
portion 2 of the base B, and therefore a displacement of the cover
C with respect to the base B along the aforesaid longitudinal
direction S can be restrained. Even if the cover C is expanded more
or less due to thermal deformation, the fitted state of the convex
portion 1 of the cover C and the convex portion 2 of the base B is
kept, and a displacement between the base B and the cover C does
not occur. Therefore, the cable K can be reliably protected.
[0095] The fitting portion 3 of the convex portion 1 of the cover C
is fitted onto the outer side of the fitted portion 4 of the convex
portion 2 of the base B. Therefore, the fitting portion 3 functions
as "an umbrella" for the housing member T, and can prevent
rainwater and dust from entering from above into the housing member
T. Further, the width W.sub.1 of the convex portion 1 of the cover
C is larger than the width W.sub.2 of the convex portion 2 of the
base B (see FIG. 5). Therefore, even if the cover C slightly
displaces along the longitudinal direction S of the housing member
T with respect to the base B, rainwater and dust can be prevented
from entering from above into the housing member T.
[0096] As the elongate material which is housed in the housing
member T, it is not limited to a wire material such as optical
cable and electric wire, and various kinds of pipes may be housed
therein.
[0097] In the above-described embodiment, the pitches P of the
convex portions 2 of the base B and the convex portions 1 of the
cover C are the same, but the pitch of the convex portions 2 of the
base B may be twice as long as the pitch of the convex portions 1
of the cover C, for example, and a difference may exist between the
number of convex portions 2 of the base B and the number of convex
portions 1 of the cover C in a fixed length. Specifically, it is
suitable if only there is the relationship of an integral multiple
between the pitch of the convex portions 1 of the cover C and the
pitch of the convex portion 2 of the base B. In this case, the
fitting portion 3 of the cover C can also be fitted onto the outer
side of the fitted portion 4 of the base B.
[0098] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be
explained based on FIG. 11 to FIG. 16. In this embodiment, first
and second reinforcement tools R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are included in
the housing member T in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 10.
The same reference numerals and characters are given to the same
components as those in the embodiment in FIG. 1 to FIG. 10, and the
explanation thereof will be omitted.
[0099] As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the first reinforcement
tools R.sub.1 are inserted in concave portions 33, which are each
formed in an inner side of the convex portion 2 of the base B, at
predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction S of the
base B. Each of the reinforcement tools R.sub.1 forms an
approximately U-shape corresponding to the sectional shape of the
base B. As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the first reinforcement
tool R.sub.1 is inserted into the concave portion 33 so that
predetermined spaces are formed between both end portions (upper
end portions of upright portions in the usage state) of the first
reinforcement tool R.sub.1 and surfaces of plate portions
constructing the abutting step portions 6 corresponding to both the
end portions. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the
second reinforcement tools R.sub.2 are inserted in concave portions
11 of the cover C at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal
direction S of the cover C. Each of the second reinforcement tools
R.sub.2 forms an approximately U-shape corresponding to the
sectional shape of the cover C. Both ends (lower ends of the
upright portions in the usage state) of each of the second
reinforcement tools R.sub.2 do not project from the lower end
surface of the aforesaid cover C in the state in which the second
reinforcement tool R.sub.2 is inserted in the concave portion 11 of
the cover C (see FIG. 5).
[0100] In the state in which the cover C covers the base B, the
width by height of the housing member T is about 200.times.150 mm.
The housing member T is used in lengths of 4 to 5 m. Each of the
reinforcement tools R1 and R2 is inserted into the corresponding
spot at a pitch of 0.5 to 1 m. It is preferable that both the
reinforcement tools R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 be made of stainless steel
or the like having corrosion resistance in consideration that the
housing member T is laid outdoors and both of them are inserted
into the corresponding spots by slightly elastically deformed.
Specifically, the first reinforcement tool R.sub.1 is held in a
state in which it is slightly opened in the unused state. The
second reinforcement tool R.sub.2 is held in the state in which it
is slightly contracted in the unused state. In the state in which
the first reinforcement tool R.sub.1 is inserted in the concave
portion 33 of the base B, the first reinforcement tool R.sub.1 is
in close contact with the inner surface of the base B as a result
that the upright portions of the first reinforcement tool R.sub.1
are elastically deformed. Meanwhile, in the state in which the
second reinforcement tool R.sub.2 is inserted in the concave
portion 11 of the cover C, the second reinforcement tool R.sub.2 is
in close contact with the outer surface of the cover C as a result
that the upright portions of the second reinforcement tool R.sub.2
is elastically deformed. As a result, the reinforcement tools
R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are difficult to detach from the corresponding
base B and cover C.
[0101] The base B is laid out in the state in which the first
reinforcement tools R.sub.1 are inserted in the concave portions 33
of the base B, and the cable K is housed inside the base B.
Thereafter, when the cover C covers the base B in which the cable K
is housed, the fitting portions 3 of the cover C or the fitted
portions 4 of the base B are slightly elastically deformed, and the
fitting portions 3 of the cover C are fitted onto the outer sides
of the fitted portions 4. Further, the locking projections 9 of the
cover C are locked at the locked projections 10 of the base B, and
thus the cover C is difficult to detach from the base B. As shown
in FIG. 14, in the state in which the cover C covers the base B,
the lower end surface of the cover C abuts the abutting step
portions 6 of the base B.
[0102] When the housing member T is laid out outdoors and used,
expansion of the cover C due to solar heat or the like is prevented
by the second reinforcement tools R.sub.2 which are inserted in the
concave portions 11 of the cover C. Since the cover C is fitted
onto the outer side of the base B, the expansion of the base B is
also prevented at the same time. When the housing member T is
buried in the ground, in the case in which the pressing force from
the earth acts on both side portions of the base B, the first
reinforcement tools R.sub.1 inserted in the concave portions 33
inside the base B prevents the inward deformation of the base B. As
a result, the strength of the base B is enhanced. In this manner,
the strength of the base B and the cover C is enhanced by the
reinforcement tools R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 respectively inserted and
held in the concave portions 33 and 11 of the base B and the cover
C, and in combination with the concavo-convex structure along the
longitudinal direction S of the base B and the cover C, the
strength of the housing member T is further enhanced.
[0103] In this embodiment, the second reinforcement tools R.sub.2
are inserted into the concave portions 11 at the outer side of the
cover C, and the first reinforcement tools R.sub.1 are inserted
into the concave portions 33 inside the base B, but the
corresponding reinforcement tools R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 may be
inserted into either one of the base B or the cover C,
corresponding to the installation state of the housing member
T.
[0104] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be
explained based on FIG. 17 to FIG. 27. The housing member T of this
embodiment is the same as the housing member T explained in the
embodiment explained in FIG. 1 to FIG. 10, and the explanation
thereof will be omitted.
[0105] As shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 25, a connecting tool J made of
a resin and connects two of the housing members T in a connecting
direction (lay-out path) S. The connecting tool J has an
approximately similar shape to the sectional shape of the housing
member T when the opening of the housing member T is seen from the
front, and includes a connecting cover body Jc and a connecting
base body Jb each forming a semi-cylindrical shape. The connecting
cover body Jc and the connecting base body Jb are assembled along a
vertical direction Q. As shown in FIG. 25, the end portions of the
corresponding housing members T are overlaid and held in each of
the connecting ports 31 of the connecting tool J, whereby the two
housing members T are connected. In this embodiment, concerning the
illustration of the housing members T, only connected portions at
both the ends of the housing members T are shown instead of the
entire bodies of long lengths.
[0106] As shown in FIG. 17, FIG. 18 and FIG. 24, on the outer side
of an upper end portion of a first wall portion 62 which continues
to a body portion 61 of the connecting cover body Jc forming an
approximately U-shape in section, two first connecting portions 63
are integrally provided at both end portions in the longitudinal
direction S of the housing member T. On the other hand, on outer
side of an upper end portion of a second wall portion 64 which
continues to the body portion 61 of the connecting cover body Jc,
an engaging portion 65 is formed integrally with the connecting
cover body Jc.
[0107] On an outer side of an upper end portion of a first wall
portion 42 which continues to a body portion 41 of the connecting
base body Jb forming an approximate U-shape in section, a second
connecting portion 43 for connecting to the first connecting
portion 63 of the connecting cover body Jc is integrally provided
at a central portion in the longitudinal direction S of the housing
member T. On the other hand, on an outer side of an upper end
portion of a second wall portion 44 which continues to the body
portion 41 of the connecting base body Jb, an engaged portion 45
for engaging with the engaging portion 65 of the aforesaid
connecting cover body Jc is formed integrally with the connecting
base body Jb.
[0108] A first through-hole 63a for allowing insertion of a hinge
pin 81 is formed in each of the first connecting portions 63 of the
connecting cover body Jc. Meanwhile, a second through-hole 43a that
allows the insertion of the hinge pin 81 which penetrates through
the aforesaid first through-hole 63a is formed in the second
connecting portion 43 of the connecting base body Jb.
[0109] The second connecting portion 43 is sandwiched by a pair of
first connecting portions 63 from both sides, and the corresponding
hinge pin 81 is inserted from the outside of each of the first
connecting portions 63 to the inside, whereby the connecting base
body Jb and the connecting cover body Jc are connected. A
restraining piece 63b of the first connecting portion 63 restrains
the rotation of the connecting cover body Jc with respect to the
connecting base body Jb.
[0110] The connecting cover body Jc rotates around the hinge pins
81. The connecting tool J, which is formed by closing an open
portion of the connecting base body Jb by the connecting cover body
Jc, forms a cylindrical shape. The entire length of the connecting
cover body Jc (or the connecting base body Jb) along the
longitudinal direction S of the housing member T is about four
times as long as the pitch P of the convex portion 1 of the cover C
(or the convex portion 2 of the base B) of the housing member
T.
[0111] An engaged groove 46 extending along the longitudinal
direction S and the vertical direction Q of the housing member T is
formed in a central portion of the engaged portion 45 of the
connecting base body Jb. A pair of fitting claw pieces 48 is
provided at both end portions of the engaged portion 45. A lower
hole 47 for screwing a self-tapping screw not shown therein is
formed between each of the end portions of the engaged groove 46
and the corresponding fitting claw piece 48. Each of the lower
holes 47 extends along the vertical direction Q.
[0112] In a central portion of the engaging portion 65 of the
connecting cover body Jc, a tongue-shaped locking piece 66 is
provided at a position corresponding to the engaged groove 46 of
the engaged portion 45. A tap screw hole 67 corresponding to the
lower hole 47 of the engaged portion 45 is formed in each end
portion 90 of the engaging portion 65. The tap screws, not shown,
are inserted into the tap screw holes 67. A fitting groove 68
extending along the vertical direction Q is formed in each of the
end portions 90 of the engaging portion 65, as shown in FIG. 18.
Each of the fitting claw pieces 48 of the engaged portion 45 is
fitted into the corresponding fitting groove 68 of the engaging
portion 65. The tongue-shaped locking piece 66 engages in the
engaged groove 46, and the fitting claw pieces 48 engage in the
corresponding fitting grooves 68, whereby the assembled state of
the connecting base body Jb and the connecting cover body Jc is
kept. As necessary, the aforesaid tap screws are inserted into the
tap screw holes 67, and the tap screws are screwed into the lower
holes 47. This strengthens the above-described assembly state. The
fitting claw pieces 48 are fitted into the fitting grooves 68, and
thereby the aforesaid assembled state is made stable.
[0113] As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 24, in an inner peripheral
surface near both end portions of the main body portion 41 of the
connecting base body Jb in the longitudinal direction S of the
housing member T, two pairs of first locking convex lines 49 are
provided, two of which make one pair, and which extend along the
inner peripheral surface. Similarly, two pairs of second locking
convex lines 69 which extend along an inner peripheral surface are
provided near both end portions of the main body portion 61 of the
connecting cover body Jc in the longitudinal direction S of the
housing member T. As shown in FIG. 24, each of the locking convex
lines 49 and 69 forms an approximately triangular shape in section
and has a notched portion at a central portion along its own
longitudinal direction. The adjacent first locking convex lines 49
in the nearest position are provided on the body portion 41 of the
base Jc with a space corresponding to the width W.sub.2 (see FIG.
5) of the convex portion 2 of the base B therebetween. Similarly,
the adjacent second locking convex lines 69 at the nearest position
are provided on the body portion 61 of the connecting cover body Jc
with a space corresponding to the width W.sub.1 (see FIG. 5) of the
convex portion 1 of the cover C therebetween.
[0114] When the base B and the cover C are assembled, annular
convex lines 121 are formed by the convex portions 1 of the cover C
and the corresponding convex portions 2 of the cover B.
[0115] In the state in which the connecting cover body Jc is
assembled to the connecting base body Jb, the respective locking
convex lines 49 and 69 hold both side surfaces of the convex lines
121 at the end portions of the housing member T. (See FIG. 26).
Accordingly, both the side surfaces of the convex line 121 of the
housing member T is locked by the respective locking convex lines
49 and 69, and the housing member T is prevented from slipping
outside from the connecting tool J.
[0116] As shown in FIG. 21, two pairs of displacement preventing
convex lines 51 project toward the wall portions 44 and 42 to which
they are each respectively opposed, are provided at the upper end
portions of both the wall portions 42 and 44 of the body portion 41
of the connecting base body Jb. Each of the displacement preventing
convex lines 51 extend along the longitudinal direction S of the
housing member T. Two of the displacement preventing convex lines
51 are disposed so that the distance between the adjacent
displacement preventing convex lines 51 provided at the upper end
portion of the first wall portion 42 has a predetermined space.
Similarly, two of the displacement preventing convex lines 51 are
disposed so that the distance between the adjacent displacement
preventing convex lines 51 provided at the upper end portion of the
second wall portion 44 has a predetermined space. In the direction
along the aforesaid longitudinal direction S, the entire length of
a pair of displacement preventing convex lines 51 opposed to each
other corresponds to about the width dimension of the two
continuing convex portions 2 of the base B of the housing member T.
The displacement preventing convex line 51 engages with the
abutting step portion 6 of the convex portion 2 of the
corresponding base B, and prevents the base B of the housing member
T from rising from the connecting base body Jb.
[0117] The base B is cut at the position of the concave portion 12
of the base B. The end surface of each of the cut bases B is
disposed at the approximately central portion of the connecting
base body Jb in the aforesaid longitudinal direction S. As
described above, each of the displacement preventing convex lines
51 engages with the corresponding abutting step portion 6 provided
at the convex portion 2 of the aforesaid base B (See FIG. 19 and
FIG. 20). Accordingly, the displacement preventing convex line 51
does not have to be formed between the adjacent displacement
preventing convex lines 51 in the longitudinal direction S of the
housing member T. Therefore, the resin material at the time of
injection molding of the connecting base body Jb can be saved. For
example, even if the displacement preventing convex lines 51 are
formed continuously along the longitudinal direction S, the
aforesaid rise is prevented.
[0118] As shown in FIG. 22, the sectional shape of the displacement
preventing convex line 51 forms an approximately trapezoidal shape.
Each of the displacement preventing convex lines 51 has an inclined
plane 51a. In the width direction of the connecting base body Jb,
the inclined plane 51a inclines so that the space between both the
opposing inclined planes 51a becomes narrower toward the lower
portion of the connecting base body Jb. Each of the displacement
preventing convex lines 51 has an abutting surface 51b which forms
an approximate right angle with the inner surface of each of the
aforesaid wall portions 42 and 44. Each of the abutting surfaces
51b is formed to project by a dimension M to the inside from the
inner surface of each of the corresponding wall portions 42 and 44.
The narrowest inner width W.sub.4 (see FIG. 20 and FIG. 22) between
a pair of displacement preventing convex lines 51, which are
opposed to each other, (between a pair of abutting surfaces 51b
corresponding to the lower end surfaces of the trapezoids), is
slightly smaller than the outer width W.sub.3 of the convex portion
2 of the base B. A height H.sub.2 from the inner surface of the
bottom wall of the body portion 41 of the connecting base body Jb
up to the abutting surface 51b of the displacement preventing
convex line 51 is slightly larger than a height H.sub.1 from the
inner surface of the bottom wall of the main body portion 41 of the
connecting base body Jb up to the abutting step portion 6 of the
base B.
[0119] As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 24, a pair of screw insertion
holes 55 are formed at an approximately central portion of the body
portion 41 of the connecting base body Jb. The connecting tool J is
not limited to the case in which it is used by being directly
placed on the ground with earth and sand or the like, but it is
sometimes placed on a mounting table made of a resin or wood. In
the latter case, the connecting base body Jb is fixed to the
aforesaid mounting table via a screw 82 inserted through the screw
insertion hole 55. An approximately square seating portion 56 which
slightly projects to the outside (towards the ground mounted side
or the like) is formed at a bottom portion of the body portion 41
of the connecting base body Jb (see FIG. 20 and FIG. 24). The
seating portion 56 is formed to make seating favorable when the
connecting base body Jb is placed on the ground or the like. The
seating portion 56 facilitates the lay-out operation of the
connecting tool J.
[0120] In order to lay a plurality of housing members T along a
predetermined path on the ground having bumps and dips, the end
portions of the bases B of two of the housing members T are
connected with the connecting tool J. The connecting base body Jb
and the connecting cover body Jc are connected via the hinge pin 81
in advance, and are opened at approximately 180.degree. (see FIG.
20). The open state of the connecting cover body Jc is maintained
by the restraining pieces 63b provided at both the end portions of
the first connecting portion 63 of the cover C.
[0121] Next, the connecting tool J in the opened state is placed on
the ground or the like, and subsequently, the base B is pressed
above the connecting base body Jb to overlay one end portion of the
base B on the one end portion of the connecting base body Jb. This
operation is desirably performed while positioning the end portion
of the base B to be connected with respect to the connecting base
body Jb along the longitudinal direction S of the housing member T.
The dimension of the outer width W.sub.2 of the convex portion 2 of
the base B is larger than the inner width W.sub.3 of a pair of
displacement preventing convex lines 51 opposed to each other, and
therefore the convex portion 2 of the base B interferes with the
corresponding displacement preventing convex line 51 in the middle
of the pressing of the base B. At this time, interference of the
convex portion 2 of the base B and the displacement preventing
convex line 51 is relieved by the inclined plane 51a of the
displacement preventing convex line 51. Further, when the base B is
pressed against the connecting base body Jb, both the wall portions
42 and 44 of the connecting base body Jb are elastically deformed
slightly outward. Accordingly, there is no hindrance in the
operation of pressing the base B against the connecting base body
Jb and overlaying both of them on each other.
[0122] As shown in FIG. 18 to FIG. 20, the sectional shape of the
convex portion 2 is approximately similar to the sectional shape of
the body portion 41, and is formed to be a little compact so that
the convex portion 2 of the base B is disposed on the inner surface
of the body portion 41 of the connecting base body Jb. In the state
in which the base B is mounted on the connecting base body Jb, the
abutting step portion 6 of the convex portion 2 is disposed at a
lower position in the vertical direction Q than the displacement
preventing convex line 51 of the connecting base body Jb
(H.sub.1<H.sub.2). Therefore, the base B is overlaid on the
connecting base body Jb in the state in which the aforesaid
abutting step portion 6 is disposed along the longitudinal
direction S, at the lower side of the abutting surface 51b of the
displacement preventing convex line 51. Further, the base B can be
overlaid on the connecting base body Jb in the state in which the
outer surface of the convex portion 2 of the base B is held between
the aforesaid pair of the first locking convex lines 49 which are
formed on the inner surface of the end portion of the body portion
41 of the connecting base body Jb.
[0123] When two of the bases B are mounted on the connecting tool
J, each of the pairs of locking convex lines 49 hold the second
convex portion 2 from the end surface of the corresponding base B
(see FIG. 23). Accordingly, at the connecting section where two of
the bases B are connected to the connecting base body Jb, a portion
from the end surface thereof up to the second concave portion 12 of
each of the bases B, that is, the end portion of the base B
corresponding to the dimension U is overlaid on the body portion 41
of the connecting base body Jb (see FIG. 19, FIG. 21 and FIG. 23).
The displacement preventing convex lines 51 are formed on
approximately all the parts of both upper end portions of the
connecting base body Jb, in other words, at least the portions of
the connecting base body Jb, which correspond to the abutting step
portions 6 of the convex portions 2 of the bases B.
[0124] When the two bases B are mounted on the connecting base body
Jb, each of the bases B is pressed against the connecting base body
Jb from above the connecting base body Jb by estimating that the
end surface of each of the bases B is positioned at the portion
which is a little shorter than the length from the end surface of
the connecting base body Jb to the middle position of the body
portion 41 in the longitudinal direction S. Then, in the state in
which two of the convex portions 2 of the bases B from the end
surfaces of the bases B are held in the pairs of the first locking
convex lines 49, the abutting step portions 6 of the bases B are
disposed at the lower sides of the abutting surfaces 51b of the
displacement preventing convex lines 51. As a result, the two bases
B are connected in the states in which the connecting base body Jb
and the two bases B are overlaid. At the above-described time of
operation, the displacement preventing convex lines 51 are provided
at the upper end portions of both the wall portions 42 and 44 of
the connecting base body Jb, and therefore the operator can
reliably visually recognize the suitability of the placement state
of the displacement preventing convex lines 51 and the abutting
step portions 6 from above. The operation of overlaying the
connecting base body Jb and the bases B on each other and
connecting them by engaging the displacement preventing convex
lines 51 and the abutting step portions 6 and engaging the convex
portions 2 of the bases B and the first locking convex lines 49 in
this manner is easy, and the bases B can be reliably connected to
the connecting base body Jb.
[0125] The outer width W.sub.3 of the convex portion 2 of the base
B is smaller than the inner width (W.sub.4+2M) between both the
wall portions 42 and 44 of the connecting base body Jb, and is
larger than the total (M+W.sub.4) of the inner width W.sub.4
between the aforesaid pair of displacement preventing convex lines
51 and the projection length M of the displacement preventing
convex line 51 (W.sub.4+2M>W.sub.3>W.su- b.4+M). Accordingly,
after the base B is connected to the connecting base body Jb, even
if the convex portion 2 of the base B is slightly displaced from
the reference position with respect to the body portion 41, within
the range of the clearance between the inner surface of the body
portion 41 of the connecting base body Jb and the outer surface of
the convex portion 2 of the base B, the abutting step portions 6 of
the base B abut the abutting surfaces 51b of the displacement
preventing convex lines 51 of the connecting base body Jb.
Therefore, the base B does not displace upward from the connecting
base body Jb to such an extent as to impair the connection state
(see FIG. 20 and FIG. 22). Even if the outer force which causes the
displacement along the vertical direction Q is applied to the
connecting base body Jb, for example, the base B is prevented from
rising with respect to the connecting base body Jb as described
above, and therefore the connection state of both of them is
stabilized.
[0126] Even when the outer force is applied to the connecting base
body Jb and the base B to remove them from the connecting base body
Jb along the longitudinal direction S of the housing member T, the
convex portion 2 of the base B is held by the first locking convex
lines 49 of the connecting base body Jb. Therefore, the base B does
not slip off from the connecting base body Jb along the aforesaid
longitudinal direction S (see FIG. 21). In this way, slipping off
of the base B along the longitudinal direction S is also prevented
in addition to the rise of the base B with respect to the
connecting base body Jb, and therefore the connection state of the
base B and the connecting base body Jb is very stable, thus
facilitating the next connecting operation.
[0127] Next, the connecting base bodies Jb of a plurality of
connecting tools J are placed along the aforesaid longitudinal
direction (lay-out path) S, and the operation of overlaying the
bases B of a plurality of housing members T one after another is
carried out. The number of the overlaid portions of the bases B and
the connecting base bodies Jb increases as the number of
connections of the bases B and the connecting base bodies Jb
increases. After connecting the connecting base bodies Jb and the
bases B is finished, the operation of housing the cable K is
performed from the end portion of the row of the connected bases B
in sequence. Since the surface on which the bases B and the
connecting base bodies Jb are laid is the ground having bumps and
dips, in each of the overlaid portions of the bases B and the
connecting base bodies Jb, the impact at the time of housing the
cable K and the weight of the cable K work significantly, and the
force along the vertical direction Q sometimes works. The base B
and the connecting base body Jb both correspond to approximately
straight semi-cylindrical shapes, and have strength such that they
are not deformed due to the weight of the cable K. Therefore, in
each of the overlaid portions, the force of the base B to rise from
the connecting base body Jb is sufficient, and the force is
transmitted one after another to the other adjacent overlaid
portions in which the cable K is not yet housed. In addition, the
base B is a part of the thin, light and long housing member T made
by blow molding, and therefore the force to rise becomes further
larger.
[0128] However, the connecting base body Jb and the base B are
respectively provided with the displacement preventing convex lines
51 and the abutting step portions 6 as the displacement preventing
means, and therefore rise of the base B with respect to the
connecting base body Jb is prevented. Further, since the convex
portion 2 of the base B is locked at the first locking convex lines
49 of the connecting base body Jb, the base B is prevented from
slipping off the aforementioned connecting base body Jb, and the
connecting state of both of them is stable, thus making it possible
to carry out the lay-out operation of the cable K quickly and
efficiently.
[0129] Next, an operation for assembling the housing member T by
covering the base B with the cover C is performed. In the state in
which the fitting portions 3 of the cover C and the fitted portions
4 of the base B are positioned along the longitudinal direction S
so as to approximately correspond to each other, the cover C is
slightly pressed against the base B from above the base B. Then,
the locking projections 9 of the cover C are locked at the locked
projections 10, and the housing member T in the long cylindrical
shape is formed. The convex lines 121, which project from all over
the peripheral surface of the housing member T including the convex
portions 1 of the cover C and the convex portions 2 of the base B,
are formed along the longitudinal direction of the housing member T
at approximately the same pitches. The portion of the housing
member T of the aforesaid dimension U corresponds to a connected
portion 123 connected to the connecting tool J (see FIG. 21).
[0130] Next, an operation for assembling the connecting tool J by
covering the connecting base body Jb with the connecting cover body
Jc connected to the aforesaid connecting base body Jb is performed.
The tongue-shaped locking piece 66 and the fitting grooves 68 of
the aforesaid engaging portion 65 of the connecting cover body Jc,
and the engaged groove 46 and the fitting claw pieces 48 of the
engaged portion 45 of the corresponding connecting base body Jb are
positioned along the longitudinal direction S of the housing member
T. Thereafter, the connecting cover body Jc is turned, and the
engaging portion 65 of the connecting cover body Jc is engaged with
the engaged portion 45 of the connecting base body Jb from above
the second wall portion 44 of the connecting base body Jb, whereby
the short cylindrical connecting tool J is formed. As described
above, the connecting cover body Jc covers the connecting base body
Jb, and thereby the aforesaid connected portions 123 of the two
housing members T housing the cable K are connected to the
connecting tool J. In the connected portion 123, the second convex
portion 1 of the cover C from the end surface of the housing member
T is locked at the pair of the second locking convex lines 69 of
the body portion 61 of the connecting cover body Jc. In this
manner, the convex portion 2 of the base B and the convex portion 1
of the cover C are locked by the respective corresponding locking
convex lines 49 and 69 which are formed on the inner surfaces of
the respective body portions 41 and 61. Accordingly, in the
connecting state in which two of the long cylindrical housing
members T are connected by the short cylindrical connecting tool J,
there is no fear that the base B and the cover C which construct
the aforesaid housing member T are not detached from the aforesaid
connecting tool J.
[0131] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17 to FIG. 27, the case in
which the housing member T is in the corrugated shape and the
number of convex lines 121 at both end portions of the housing
members T connected to the connecting tool J is shown, but it is
suitable if at least one of the aforesaid convex line which is to
be connected to the housing member is included. The connecting
operation for both of them can be performed with the connecting
state of the base B and the connecting base body Jb being
stabilized without impairing the function of preventing the
aforesaid rise at all. Further, the connecting base body and the
connecting cover body, which construct the connecting tool, may not
be connected, and may be of separate structures.
[0132] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be
explained based on FIG. 28 to FIG. 38(b). This embodiment is a
structure in which the housing member T is placed in a state in
which it is laid on racks V adjacent to each other in a state in
which the housing member T does not bend. The housing member T of
this embodiment is the same as the housing member T of the
embodiment in FIG. 1 to FIG. 10, and therefore the explanation
thereof will be omitted.
[0133] The rack V includes a horizontal member 110 and two vertical
members 120 constructed by an angle bar which has an L-shape in
section, as shown in FIG. 28 and FIG. 29. The three members 110 and
120 are integrally assembled via a pair of connecting plates 130
and a plurality of fixing bolts 140 to be in a portal shape. A base
plate 150 is mounted to a lower end of each of the vertical members
120. A bolt insertion hole 150a which allows the insertion of a
fixing bolt not shown is formed in each of the base plates 150. The
rack V is used when the housing member T is arranged in a place
which is not flat, or the like. A plurality of racks V are fixed
onto the ground at the spaces corresponding to the length of rail
bodies L. More specifically, concrete of a predetermined thickness
is provided at the installation position of the rack V, and a
fixing bolt inserted through the bolt insertion hole 150a of each
of the base plates 150 is screwed into an anchor nut (not shown)
which is buried inside the concrete layer, whereby the rack V is
fixed to the aforesaid concrete layer.
[0134] Each of the rail bodies L is formed by the angle bar that is
L-shaped in section. The rail bodies L are connected to each other
via a rail connecting tool 200. The rail connecting tool 200 is
fixed to the horizontal member 110 of the rack V. As shown in FIG.
29 to FIG. 31(b), a body 210 of the rail connecting tool 200 which
forms a U-shape in section includes a pair of side plate portions
220. A fitting space 230 is formed by partially notching both the
side plate portions 220, in a central portion in the longitudinal
direction of the body 210. The horizontal member 110 of the rack V
is fitted into the fitting space 230. In order to define the space
230, a folded plate portion 240, which is folded in the
perpendicular direction to the surface of the side plate portion
220 extending in the longitudinal direction, is formed at a part of
each of the side plate portions 220. A female screw 260 into which
a bolt 250 having a pointed tip end portion is screwed, is formed
in each of the folded plate portions 240. An opening width W (see
FIG. 30) of the fitting space 230 is formed to be slightly larger
than the width of the horizontal member 110 so that the horizontal
member 110 of the rack V can be inserted. In a part of the side
plate portion 220 opposed to the folded plate portion 240 at an
upper end portion of the fitting space 230, an insertion groove 270
for inserting an end portion in the width direction of the
horizontal member 110 of the rack V therein is formed to continue
to the aforesaid fitting space 230. At both end portions of each of
the side plate portions 220, bolt insertion holes 290 for inserting
connecting bolts 280 therethrough, which connect the rail body L to
the body 210, are formed respectively to extend along the
longitudinal direction of the side plate portion 220 (See FIG. 30
and FIG. 32).
[0135] An operation for placing the rail body L between the racks V
adjacent to each other and fixed to the ground at a space
corresponding to the length of the rail body L, and fixing the rail
connecting tool 200 for connecting the rail bodies L to the rack V
is carried out as follows. First, when the rail connecting tool 200
is fixed to the rack V, the rail connecting tool 200 is placed
above the horizontal member 110 of the rack V, and the horizontal
member 110 is fitted into the fitting space 230, as shown in FIG.
31(a). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 31(b), the rail connecting tool
200 is moved along the width direction of the horizontal plate 110a
of the horizontal member 110, and thereby an end portion in the
width direction of the horizontal plate 110a is inserted into the
insertion groove 270 which continues to the fitting space 230 of
the rail connecting tool 200. Thereafter, the bolt 250 is screwed
into each of the female screws 260 provided at a pair of the folded
plate portions 240 of the body 210, and the pointed portion of its
tip end is made to abut a vertical plate 110b of the horizontal
member 110 of the rack V, which is to be propped up. Thereby, the
end surface of the aforesaid horizontal plate 110a abuts the end
surface of the aforesaid insertion groove 270, and the rail
connecting tool 200 is fixed in a state in which the rail
connecting tool 200 is perpendicular to the horizontal member 110
of the rack V.
[0136] As shown in FIG. 32, the rail body L includes a horizontal
plate portion 310 and a vertical plate portion 320 which are
respectively horizontal and vertical in its placed state. Bolt
insertion holes 330 for inserting the connecting bolts 280
therethrough are provided at both end portions of the vertical
plate portion 320 (see FIG. 31(a)). The horizontal plate portion
310 of the rail body L is disposed so that an outer surface of the
horizontal plate portion 310 is an upper surface. The aforesaid
body 210 and the rail body L are overlaid on each other in a state
in which each end portion of the corresponding rail body L covers
each end portion of the body 210 of the rail connecting tool 200
fixed perpendicularly to the horizontal member 110 of the rack V.
In this state, the connecting bolt 280 is inserted through the bolt
insertion hole 290 of the body 210 and the bolt insertion hole 330
of the vertical plate portion 320 of the rail body L, as shown in
FIG. 32. The body 210 of the rail connecting tool 200 is connected
to the rail body L via the connecting bolt 280 and a nut 340. As a
result, the rail bodies L are connected to each other via the rail
connecting tool 200 which is fixed to the horizontal member 110 of
the rack V. The width of the rail body L is smaller than the width
of the housing member T which is fixed on its horizontal plate
portion 310 as shown in FIG. 36.
[0137] The bolt insertion holes 290 provided at both the end
portions in the longitudinal direction of the body 210 of the rail
connecting tool 200 each form an elongate hole shape extending
along the longitudinal direction of the body 210. Therefore, even
if there is a variation in length of the space of the rail body L
and each of the adjacent racks V, the rail bodies L can be
connected to each other, and extension and contraction of the rail
body L due to temperature change can be absorbed. For example, when
the rail body L is laid on the rack V which is fixed to a metal
bridge member forming a bridge, and a wire material or a pipe
material is fixed to and placed at the rail body L, the space
between the racks V changes, corresponding to the extension and
contraction of the aforesaid bridge member due to temperature
change. However, the aforesaid bolt insertion hole 290 provided at
the body 210 of the rail connecting tool 200 can also cope with the
change in the space between the racks V.
[0138] The housing member T is placed between the respective racks
V in the state in which it is supported on the rail body L which is
laid between the respective racks V that are adjacent to each other
as described above. The housing member T supported by the rail body
L is fixed to the aforesaid rail body L via a fixing tool F.
[0139] As shown in FIG. 33 and FIG. 35, the resin fixing tool F is
held by the rail body L which is L-shaped in section, and forms an
L-shape corresponding to the sectional shape of the rail body L. A
first held portion 430 forming a U-shape is integrally formed at
one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the body portion
410 of the fixing tool F. An insertion groove 420 which allows
insertion of the vertical plate portion 320 of the rail body L is
formed inside the first held portion 430 to extend along the
vertical direction. The first held portion 430 is elastically
deformable so that the opening of the insertion groove 420 becomes
wide.
[0140] Fixing portions 440 for fixing the base B of the housing
member T are provided respectively at both end portions in the
longitudinal direction of the body portion 410 of the fixing tool
F. Each of the fixing portions 440 is formed into a step shape so
as to be higher than an upper surface of a second held portion 450
which is formed between the fixing portions 440. Each of the fixing
portions 440 is provided with a concave portion 460 which allows
insertion of the convex portion 2 of the base B of the housing
member T in a state in which the fixing tool F is held by the rail
body L. In the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction of the body portion 410 of the fixing tool F, a pair of
convex portions 470 are formed at both end portions of each of the
fixing portions 440. An engaging claw portion 480 which slightly
extends toward the aforesaid second held portion 450 is provided at
an end portion of each of the convex portions 470, which faces the
second held portion 450. A tap screw lower hole 490, which forms an
approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape and is opened to the
upper surface, is formed at the concave portion 460 of each of the
fixing portions 440. Each of the tap screw lower holes 490 extends
along the longitudinal direction of the body portion 410.
[0141] A plurality of fixing tools F are used for one rail body L.
As shown in FIG. 33, when the fixing tool F is pressed against the
rail body L in a state in which the fixing tool F is disposed under
the rail body L, the vertical plate portion 320 of the rail body L
is inserted into the insertion groove 420 of the first held portion
430. Further, the portion of the first held portion 430 is
elastically deformed so that the upper surface opening of the
insertion groove 420 becomes slightly wider, and the horizontal
plate portion 310 of the rail body L is inserted into the portion
of the second held portion 450 in the fitted state. After the
insertion, the first held portion 430 is restored to the original
shape, whereby the horizontal plate portion 310 of the rail body L
engages with the engaging claw portions 480 (see FIG. 35).
[0142] As shown in FIG. 36, the fixing tool F is held with respect
to the rail body L in a state in which each of the fixing portions
440 at both the end portions in the longitudinal direction project
to both the sides in the width direction of the rail body L. In
this held state, the fixing tool F is slidable along the
longitudinal direction (placement direction Q of the housing member
T) of the rail body L. Accordingly, after the base B of the housing
member T is placed on the rail body L, the fixing tool F is pressed
against the rail body L in its placement state, and thereby the
fixing tool F is held by the rail body L. The fixing tool F held by
the rail body L is slidable with respect to the aforesaid rail body
L to correspond to the convex portion 2 of the base B of the
housing member T. As shown in FIG. 35, each of the fixing portions
440 faces the upper surface of the horizontal plate portion 310 of
the rail body L in the state in which the fixing tool F is held by
the rail body L.
[0143] After the fixing tool F is first held at the rail body L and
the base B of the housing member T is placed on the horizontal
plate portion 310 of the aforesaid rail body L, if the positions of
the convex portion 2 of the base B and the concave portion 460 of
the fixing tool F are displaced with respect to the longitudinal
direction S of the housing member T, the fixing tool F is slightly
slid so that both of them correspond to each other (see FIG. 36 and
FIG. 37). Next, the tap screw 510 is inserted into the concave
portion 33 of the base B of the housing member T to penetrate
through the base B, and the tap screw 510 which penetrates through
the base B is screwed into the tap screw lower hole 490 of the
fixing tool F. Thereby, the rail body L is sandwiched between the
base B of the housing member T and the fixing tool F, and the base
B of the housing member T is fixed to the rail body L via the
fixing tool F.
[0144] In the aforesaid fixing tool F held at the rail body L, the
respective fixing portions 440 at both its end portions project to
both sides of the rail body L in the width direction. Accordingly,
the fixing width of the housing member T, where the housing member
T is fixed to the rail body L is wider than the width of the rail
body L. Therefore, the housing member T can be stably supported on
the rail body L, though the rail body L with a small width with
respect to the housing member T is used. The tap screw lower hole
490 of the fixing tool F forms a long hole shape along the width
direction of the rail body L or the base B of the housing member T,
and therefore the screw position of the tap screw 510 along the
aforesaid width direction has a predetermined allowable range.
Therefore, it is easy to screw the tap screw 510.
[0145] Further, the places where the housing members T are placed
by using the racks V outdoors are places having a comparatively
large temperature change, such as the area along a railroad track,
in many cases. Therefore, expansion and contraction of the housing
member T due to temperature change are inevitably large. However,
as described above, the fixing tool F, which fixes the housing
member T to the rail body L, is slidable with respect to the
aforesaid rail body L, and therefore when the housing member T
expands and contracts due to temperature change and generates
internal stress from tension or compression inside the housing
member T, and the internal stress becomes larger than a
predetermined value or more, the housing member T makes very small
movement integrally with the fixing tool F to release the aforesaid
internal stress. Accordingly, the housing member T is not
unreasonably deformed by heat.
[0146] The base B of the housing member T is first placed on the
horizontal plate portion 310 of the rail body L, and thereafter,
the fixing tool F is held onto the aforesaid rail body L from below
the rail body L, whereby it is also possible to fix the base B of
the housing member T to the rail body L.
[0147] After the base B of the hosing member T is fixed to the rail
body L via a plurality of fixing tools F, the cable K is housed in
the housing space 500 inside the base B. Finally, the cover C
covers the base B, whereby the lay-out operation of the cable K is
finished [see FIG. 38(a)]. The housing members T adjacent along the
longitudinal direction S are connected to each other via the
connecting tools J shown in the embodiment in FIG. 17 to FIG.
27.
[0148] The housing member T itself easily bends, but the entire
housing member T is supported by the rail body L spanning between
the racks V in this embodiment. Accordingly, the aforesaid bending
can be prevented. The housing member T of this embodiment
especially bends easily because it has the corrugated structure
made of a resin, but this bending can be prevented in this
embodiment. As a result, the operation of covering the base B with
the cover C after laying the cable K is performed without
hindrance.
[0149] The housing member T is fixed to the rail body L spanning
between the racks V, and bending of the housing member T is
prevented. Therefore, the space between the adjacent racks V can be
made large, and the number of racks V per unit length is reduced,
and the total number of the racks V is reduced.
[0150] As shown in FIG. 38(b), in the case of a housing member
T.sub.1 which is shorter than the length of the housing member T in
FIG. 38(a), the space between he racks V can be made larger than
the length of the housing member T.sub.1. In the case shown in the
drawing, the space between the racks V, and the length of a rail
body L' spanning between the racks V are approximately twice as
long as the length of the housing member T.sub.1. In the placement
structure of the conventional housing member, the space between the
racks is shorter than the length of the housing member, or
approximately equal to the length of the housing member. When the
housing member becomes short, the number of the racks V required
increases correspondingly. However, in this embodiment, as compared
with the conventional structure, the total number of the racks V
can be reduced. In FIG. 38(a) and FIG. 38(b), reference character G
denotes the ground.
[0151] The embodiment shown in FIG. 28 to FIG. 38(b) may be applied
to the placement of a housing member made of a metal plate in which
the surface of the housing member does not have the concavo-convex
structure.
[0152] For example, the rail bodies span between the brackets
mounted on the wall surface, and the housing members are fixed to
the rail bodies, whereby the housing members may be placed along
the wall surface.
[0153] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 28 to FIG. 38(b), when the
housing member T is fixed to the rail body L, the housing members T
are laid on multi-tiers, and all the housing members T may be fixed
to the rail body L in a state in which they are tied in bundle.
[0154] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be
explained based on FIG. 39 to FIG. 43. The housing member T in this
embodiment is the same as the housing member T shown in FIG. 1 to
FIG. 10, and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted.
[0155] When the cable K is laid out according to the method of
covering the base B with the cover C after placing the cable K
inside the base B, the base B is fixed to a predetermined placement
section X first (see FIG. 40 and FIG. 41). In this embodiment, a
seat D forming a U-shape in section is fixed to the aforesaid
placement section X, and the housing member T is fixed to the
aforesaid seat D via a fixing tool G.sub.1. As shown in FIG. 41,
the seat D has a bottom plate portion 721, and a pair of side plate
portions 722 integrally formed at the bottom plate portion 721. A
locking piece 723 which is folded inward at an angle exceeding
90.degree. is formed at an end tip portion (portion which is an
upper end in the usage state) of each of the side plate portions
722. The bottom plate portion 721 of the seat D is directly fixed
to the placement portion X.
[0156] Next, the fixing tool G.sub.1 of this embodiment will be
explained based on FIG. 39 to FIG. 43. The fixing tool G.sub.1 is
formed by performing stamp forming by press and fold forming for a
metal plate material. The fixing tool G.sub.1 includes a
plate-shaped body portion 701 having a length corresponding to the
height of the base B of the housing member T, an approximately
plate-shaped locking portion 702 which is formed by folding one end
portion (portion which is an upper end in the usage state) in the
longitudinal direction of the body portion 701 at approximately
180.degree., and a fixing portion 703 which is formed by folding
the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the
aforesaid body portion 701 to the opposite side from the aforesaid
locking portion 702 at approximately 90.degree.. An insertion hole
701b extending along the longitudinal direction is formed in the
central portion in the body portion 701.
[0157] The body portion 701 of the fixing tool G.sub.1 includes two
fitting portions 701a which are fitted into the respective concave
portions 12 adjacent to each other of the base B, and an insertion
hole 701b which allows insertion of the convex portion 2 of the
base B between the adjacent concave portions 12 and the fitting
portion 4. The insertion hole 701b is continuously formed from a
slightly upper portion from a connecting portion of the body
portion 701 and the fixing portion 703 to an upper end of the
aforesaid body portion 701. The width of only a lower end portion
(portion near the fixing portion 703) of the insertion hole 701b
gradually becomes narrower toward the lower position corresponding
to the approximately trapezoidal shape of the sectional shape of
the convex portion 2 of the base B. The width of the remaining
portion of the insertion hole 701b is constant. When the convex
portion 2 of the base B is inserted into the insertion hole 701b of
the body portion 701, and each of the fitting portions 701a of the
body portion 701 is fitted into the concave portion 12 of the base
B, the convex portion 2 of the base B is inserted into the
insertion hole 701b of the fixing tool G.sub.1 without a clearance
as shown in FIG. 41 and FIG. 43.
[0158] The locking portion 702 of the fixing tool G.sub.1 has a
little elasticity (spring action) to return it in the closing
direction. The locking portion 702 elastically contacts an inner
side of the end edge portion 2c of the base B of the housing member
T. As shown in FIG. 39, an end tip portion of the locking portion
702 (lower end portion in the usage state) is slightly folded
outward. This folded portion facilitates locking of the base B to
the above-described end edge portion 2c and the release thereof.
The fixing portion 703 of the fixing tool G.sub.1 is the
flat-shaped portion directly in contact with a cover plate 731,
which covers an outer side of an opening of the aforesaid seat D.
In the fixing portion 703, a bolt insertion hole 703a in a long
hole shape is formed along the width direction of the fixing tool
G.sub.1. A reinforcement portion 704 which bulges inward at the
time of press forming is provided at a border portion of the body
portion 701 and the fixing portion 703.
[0159] The aforesaid seats D are fixed to the placement section X,
which is the lay-out section for the housing members T via fixing
means, such as fixing bolts 732 (see FIG. 42) at predetermined
spaces therebetween along the lay-out direction S of the cable K.
The process steps of dropping the cable K into the housing space
500 of the base B after fixing the base B of the housing member T
to the aforesaid seat D by using the fixing tool G.sub.1, and
thereafter covering the base B with the cover C are carried out as
follows.
[0160] As shown in FIG. 40 and FIG. 41, the upper opening of the
seat D is first covered with the cover plate 731 including downward
flange portions 731a at both ends in the width direction. The base
B of the housing member T is placed on an upper surface of the
cover plate 731. Next, while the convex portion 2 of the base B
placed on the cover plate 731 is inserted into the insertion hole
701b of the body portion 701, the fixing tool G.sub.1 is pressed
against the base B from directly above each of the end edge
portions 2c of the base B, and the locking portion 702 at the upper
end portion of the fixing tool F.sub.1 is locked at the aforesaid
end edge portion 2c. Thereby, the aforesaid end edge portion 2c of
the base B is held between the locking portion 702 of the fixing
tool F.sub.1 and the upper end portion of the body portion 701
opposed to the locking portion 702, and thus the fixing tool
G.sub.1 is mounted to the base B. Next, a fixing bolt 705 is
inserted through the bolt insertion hole 703a of the fixing portion
703 of the fixing tool G.sub.1 and each bolt insertion hole 731b
formed at both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the
aforesaid cover plate 731. The fixing bolt 705 and a plate nut 734,
which is inserted inside the seat D, are screwed to each other, and
the portion of the specific convex portion 2 of the base B is fixed
to the aforesaid seat D via a pair of fixing tools G.sub.1. Since
the bolt insertion hole 703a which is formed in the fixing portion
703 has an elongate hole shape along the lay-out direction S of the
cable K, it is possible to fix the base B to the seat D via the
fixing tool G.sub.1 even when the convex portion 2 of the base B is
not located at the center of the width direction of the seat D.
[0161] Each bolt insertion hole 731b formed in both ends of the
longitudinal direction of the cover plate 731 form elongate
hole-shapes extending along the longitudinal direction. Each of the
bolt insertion holes 731b opens at a side surface of the aforesaid
cover plate 731, and therefore it is possible to fix the base B to
the seat D as follows. First, the upper opening of the seat D is
covered with the cover plate 731, and the base B is placed on the
cover plate 731. Next, the fixing bolt 705 which is inserted
through the bolt insertion hole 703a of the fixing portion 703 of
the fixing tool G.sub.1 and the aforesaid plate nut 734 are
slightly screwed to each other, and thereby the fixing tool G.sub.1
and the plate nut 734 are temporarily assembled. In this
temporarily assembled state, the fixing portion 703 of the fixing
tool G.sub.1 is positioned close to a head portion of the fixing
bolt 705, with the fixing portion 703 and the plate nut 734 are
spaced from each other as much as possible, and then while the
fixing tool G.sub.1 is moved to the base B from both end sides of
the seat D, the aforesaid fixing bolt 705 is inserted into the bolt
insertion hole 731b of the cover plate 731, and further, the plate
nut 734 is further inserted into the inside of the seat D. In this
state, a part of the convex portion 2 of the base B is inserted
into the insertion hole 701b of the fixing tool G.sub.1, and the
lower end of the locking portion 702 of the fixing tool G.sub.1 is
located at an upper position from the end edge portion 2c of the
base B. Next, when the fixing tool G.sub.1 is pressed down with
respect to the base B, the locking portion 702 is fitted into the
end edge portion 2c of the base B and locked. Finally, the plate
nut 734 and the fixing bolt 705 are completely screwed to each
other by rotating the fixing bolt 705. As a result, the base B is
fixed to the seat D via the fixing tool G.sub.1, and since the
plate nut 734 is in a square shape, it does not rotate with the
fixing bolt 705 when the fixing bolt 705 rotates.
[0162] In this state, the base B of the housing member T is fixed
to the seat D via a pair of the fixing tools G.sub.1 which are
placed to oppose to each other along the width direction of the
base B in each of a plurality of spots at predetermined intervals
along its longitudinal direction. A pair of the fitting portions
701a, which form the body portion 701 of the fixing tool G.sub.1,
are fitted into the concave portions 12 of the base B. Therefore,
the base B, which is fixed to the seat D via the fixing tool
G.sub.1, does not move along its longitudinal direction. In this
embodiment, the locking portion 702 of the fixing tool G.sub.1 is
locked in a state in which the locking portion 702 of the fixing
tool G.sub.1 covers the aforesaid end edge portion 2c of the
aforesaid base B, and therefore fixing of the base B to the seat D
is ensured.
[0163] As described above, the base B of the housing member T is
brought into the state in which it is firmly fixed to the seat D by
a pair of the fixing tools G.sub.1 at each of a plurality of spots
along the longitudinal direction, and the cable K is sequentially
dropped into the housing space 500 from above the housing space 500
of the aforesaid base B and placed. Since the base B is firmly
fixed to the each of the seats D, the light base B does not spring
up or does not move in the longitudinal direction due to the impact
at the time of dropping the cable K, even at the time of dropping
the cable K. Accordingly, the housing operation (lay-out operation)
of the cable K into the housing space 500 of the base B is smoothly
carried out.
[0164] After the cable K is housed in the housing space 500 of the
base B, the base B fixed to the seat D is covered with the cover C.
At the outer side of the convex portion 2 and the concave portion
12 of the base B, the convex portion 1 and the concave portion 11
of the cover C are respectively disposed, and the fitted portion 4
(locked projection 10) of the base B and the fitting portion 3
(locking projection 9) of the cover C are fitted to each other. The
lower end surface of the cover C abuts the abutting step portion 6
which is formed at the portion near the upper end of the convex
portion 2 of the base B. Thereby, the cover C is not easily
detached from the base B.
[0165] In a state in which the cover C covers the base B, a larger
clearance e (see FIG. 16) than the plate thickness of the metal
plate material, which forms the fixing tool G.sub.1, is formed
between each of the convex portions 1 and 2 and each of the concave
portions 11 and 12. Accordingly, even in the state in which the
fixing tool G.sub.1 is mounted to the base B as described above,
the cover C can cover the base B without hindrance. The locking
portion 702 of the fixing tool G.sub.1 is completely covered with
the cover C and protected. Therefore, the external force does not
directly act on the aforesaid locking portion 702. Accordingly,
after the cover C covers the base B, the locking portion 702 of the
fixing tool G.sub.1 is more difficult to detach from the base
B.
[0166] Not only the base B is fixed to the seat D via the fixing
tools G.sub.1, but also the body portions 701 are fitted into the
concave portions 12 at both sides of the base B. Therefore,
deformation (especially, thermal deformation) of both side portions
of the base B is prevented. Thereby, when the cover C covers the
base B, the aforesaid fitting can be prevented from being released
for a long period of time, after the locking projection 9 and the
locked projection 10 are engaged with each other.
[0167] The above-described lay-out example of the cable K is an
example in which the base B of the housing member T is fixed to the
seat D fixed to the placement section X via the fixing tools
G.sub.1. For example, when the placement section forms a plane
shape, and when the base B of the housing member T is directly
fixed to the placement section, there are no or few limitations in
the fixing position of the housing member T to the placement
section. Therefore, it is possible to previously mount the fixing
tools G.sub.1 to a plurality of spots at predetermined intervals
along the longitudinal direction of the base B and place the bases
B in the aforesaid placement section X in this state. This enhances
the efficiency of the fixing operation of the base B to the
placement section X. Further, the housing member T is not limited
to the case in which it is placed at the horizontal part, but it
may be placed along the vertical direction of a vertical wall of a
building or the like, and in this case of vertical placement, the
base B of the housing member T can be fixed to the vertical wall by
the fixing tool G.sub.1 according to this embodiment.
[0168] Next, a fixing tool G.sub.2 in a sixth embodiment of the
present invention will be explained based on FIG. 44. The fixing
tool G.sub.2 of this embodiment differs in the construction of the
body portion 701 and the locking portion 702 of the fixing tool
G.sub.1 shown in FIG. 39 to FIG. 43. The fixing tool G.sub.2
includes a body portion 707, a locking portion 708 and the fixing
portion 703. The locking portion 708 is formed by folding an upper
end portion of the body portion 707 in the same direction as the
fixing portion 703 at an approximate right angle, and partially
abuts the abutting step portion 6 of the base B. The outer side
surfaces of both the end edge portions (lower end portions in the
usage state) of the convex portion 2 of the cover C are recessed
inward from the other portions because the locking projections 9
are formed at their inner sides.
[0169] When the cover C covers the base B, the end surface of the
convex portion 2 of the cover C abuts the aforesaid abutting step
portion 6 of the base B. In this state, the aforesaid end surface
of the cover C does not abut the outer side portion of the
aforesaid abutting step portion 6, but the outer side portion of
the aforesaid abutting step portion 6 remains as it is in the
exposed state. The locking portion 708 of the aforesaid fixing tool
G.sub.2 abuts the aforesaid exposed portion of the abutting step
portion 6 of the base B. As a result, the base B can be fixed to
the placement section X by using the fixing tool G.sub.2 in state
in which the cover C covers the base B. The placement section X'
shown in FIG. 44 is in a planar shape, and the base B of the
housing member T is directly fixed to this planar placement section
X'.
[0170] In each of the embodiments shown in FIG. 39 to FIG. 44, the
body portions 701 and 707 of each of the fixing tools G.sub.1 and
G.sub.2 are each provided with a pair of fitting portions 701a,
which are fitted into the concave portions 12 at both sides of the
convex portion 2 of the base B, at both sides of the insertion
holes 701b. However, the fixing tool is not limited to this
construction, but it is possible to adopt the construction in which
the fixing tool is fitted into three or more of the continuous
concave portions 12 of the base B, that is, the construction having
three or more of the fitting portions 701a and having a plurality
of insertion holes 701b. The present invention includes a fixing
tool with the construction having, between two fitting portions
701a that are fitted into the two concave portions 12 of the base
B, which are not continuous, for example, the insertion hole 701b,
into which a plurality of continuous convex portions 2 provided
between the aforesaid two concave portions 12 that are not
continuous can be inserted. Here, the width of the insertion hole
into which a plurality of continuous convex portions 2 can be
inserted is equal to the length between both outer side edges of
the group of the aforesaid plurality of continuous convex portions
2. This makes it possible to fix the base B to the placement
section more firmly. On the other hand, it is possible to fix the
base B even with a fixing tool with the construction having only
one fitting portion 701a that is inserted into one concave portion
12 of the base B.
[0171] Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be
explained based on FIG. 45 to FIG. 50. A housing member T.sub.2 in
this embodiment has a construction in which the cover C and the
base B of the housing member T of the embodiment in FIG. 1 to FIG.
10 are modified.
[0172] As shown in FIG. 45, the housing member T.sub.2 which is in
an elongate shape and made of a synthetic resin is used for housing
within the inside thereof the cable K laid along a wall surface as
a structure inside a building and for protecting the cable K. The
housing member T.sub.2 includes a base B.sub.2 housing the cable K
and a cover C.sub.2.
[0173] As shown in FIG. 45 and FIG. 46, the cover C.sub.2 forming
an approximately inverted U-shape in section includes an upper wall
843 and a pair of side walls 844 which are opposed to each other.
Each of the side walls 844 is formed to be bent to bulge outward,
and a bulged cover portion 845 is formed at the bulged region. The
bulged cover portion 845 functions as detachment restraining means,
which restrains the cover C.sub.2 from being easily detached from
the base B.sub.2 in a state in which the cover C.sub.2 is assembled
to the base B.sub.2. A plurality of cover convex portions 846a,
which continuously extend along the circumferential direction of
the cover C.sub.2, are formed on the cover C.sub.2. Cover concave
portions 846b are formed between the adjacent cover convex portions
846a.
[0174] The base B.sub.2 which forms an approximate U-shape in
section includes a bottom wall 847 and a pair of side walls 848
which are opposed to each other. Each of the side walls 848 is
formed to be bent to bulge outward, and a bulged base portion 849
is formed at the bulged region. The bulged base portion 849
functions as the aforesaid detachment restraining means together
with the bulged cover portion 845. A plurality of base convex
portions 850a, which extend continuously along a peripheral
direction of the base B.sub.2, are formed on the base B.sub.2. Base
concave portions 850b are formed between the adjacent base convex
portions 850a.
[0175] Though not shown, the cover convex portion 846a and the base
convex portion 850a each have approximately the same dimension
Q.sub.2 in the width direction. A pitch P.sub.2 of the cover convex
portion 846a and the pitch P.sub.2 of the base convex portion 850a
are equal to each other. A width W.sub.5 of the cover convex
portion 846a is larger than a width W.sub.6 of the base convex
portion 850a.
[0176] The base convex portion 850a is fitted in the cover convex
portion 846a, and the bulged cover portion 845 and the bulged base
portion 849 are locked to each other, whereby the base B.sub.2 and
the cover C.sub.2 are assembled to form the housing member T.sub.2.
In the assembled state of the base B.sub.2 and the cover C.sub.2,
the cover convex portion 846a and the base convex portion 850a are
overlaid on each other to form an overlaid section Y, and both the
convex portions 846a and 850a are fitted to each other at the
overlaid section Y.
[0177] Next, a cylindrical intermediate molded product T.sub.2'
made of the synthetic resin before the housing member T.sub.2 is
formed will be explained. As shown in FIG. 47, the intermediate
molded product T.sub.2' is formed into an elongate shape having
uniform wall thickness, which is in an approximate square-shape in
front sectional view. The aforesaid cover C.sub.2 and the base
B.sub.2 are integrally formed by being connected by a portion 854
to be cut off. Specifically, the intermediate molded product
T.sub.2' is formed by connecting both side walls 848 of the base
B.sub.2 and both side walls 844 of the cover C.sub.2 at their
respective end edges along their longitudinal direction via the
portion 854 to be cut off. The intermediate molded product T.sub.2'
is divided into two, and thereby the aforesaid cover C.sub.2 and
the base B.sub.2 are obtained.
[0178] Next, a method for forming the housing member T.sub.2 by
assembling the cover C.sub.2 to the base B.sub.2, and an operation
of the housing member T.sub.2 will be explained.
[0179] First, the base B.sub.2 is fixed to a wall surface as a
constructed structure in a building so that an opening extending in
its longitudinal direction extends vertically, and thereafter the
cable K is housed inside from the opening of the base B.sub.2.
Next, as shown in FIG. 46, the cover C.sub.2 is positioned in the
longitudinal direction with respect to the base B.sub.2 so that the
cover convex portion 846a and the base convex portion 850a
approximately correspond to each other, and the cover C.sub.2 is
pressed from above the base B.sub.2.
[0180] End tips of the side walls 844 of the cover C.sub.2 are
pressed outward by the bulged base portion 849, and the side walls
844 of the cover C.sub.2 are elastically deformed outward. When the
cover C.sub.2 is further pressed and the end tips of the side walls
844 pass the bulged base portion 849, and the bulged cover portion
845 corresponds to the bulged base portion 849, the side walls 844
are each restored to the original shape, and are disposed so that
an inner surface of the bulged cover portion 845 is along an outer
surface of the bulged base portion 849.
[0181] Namely, as shown in FIG. 48, the bulged cover portion 845 is
locked at the outer surface of the bulged base portion 849, and the
end tip of the side wall 844 is located at an inner side of the
base B.sub.2 from the bulged base portion 849. Accordingly, the
bulged base portion 849 and the bulged cover portion 845 interfere
with each other. Therefore, there is provided a structure in which
the cover C.sub.2 hardly slips off in the direction intersecting
the longitudinal direction of the base B.sub.2, that is, in the
forward direction. In the aforesaid overlaid section Y, the base
convex portion 850a is fitted in the cover convex portion 846a all
over the height of the overlaid section Y.
[0182] In the housing member T.sub.2 of this embodiment, the area
in which the base convex portion 850a and the cover convex portion
846a are fitted to each other is viewed as large, and the area in
which both the convex portions 850a and 846a interfere with each
other can be viewed as large. As a result, the downward movement of
the cover C.sub.2 along the longitudinal direction of the base
B.sub.2 can be effectively restrained, and the cable K can be
protected with the mounting state of the housing member T.sub.2
being maintained without exposing the cover C.sub.2 to the
outside.
[0183] The cover C.sub.2 is prevented from being detached from the
base B.sub.2 by locking the bulged cover portion 845 and the bulged
base portion 849 by the recovery shape due to the elastic force of
the side wall 848. Accordingly, the construction of the mold for
molding the intermediated molded product T.sub.2' can be simplified
as compared with the case in which the locking projection 9 and the
locked projection 10 are formed as in FIG. 1 to FIG. 10.
[0184] As in a housing member T.sub.3 of an eighth embodiment shown
in FIG. 51 and FIG. 52, a projection line 855 may be formed on the
outer surface of the base convex portion 850a located at the side
wall 844 of the housing member T.sub.2 in FIG. 45, along the
direction in which the convex portion 850a of the base B.sub.2
extends. In the case of this construction, the cover convex portion
846a is fitted on the base convex portion 850a, and the projection
line 855 is housed in the cover convex portion 846a in a state in
which the cover C.sub.3 is assembled to the base B.sub.3, as shown
in FIG. 52. As a result, since the base convex portion 850a and the
projection line 855 abut the cover convex portion 846a, they
interfere with one another, and the positional displacement of the
cover C.sub.3 along the length direction of the base B.sub.2 can be
effectively restrained. The aforesaid projection line 855 may be
formed over the entire perimeter of the base convex portion
850a.
[0185] In the embodiment in FIG. 45 to FIG. 50, the locked
projection 10 shown in FIG. 7 may be formed on the outer surface of
the base convex portion 850a and in the vicinity of the end portion
of the opening of the base B.sub.2. Further, in the inner surface
of the cover C.sub.2, the locking projection 9 at which the
aforesaid locked projection 10 can be locked in the assembled state
of the base B.sub.2 and the cover C.sub.2 may be formed on the side
wall 844 at the side of the upper wall 843. In the assembled state
of the base B.sub.2 and the cover C.sub.2, the aforesaid locking
projection 9 is locked at the locked projection 10, and the cover
bulged portion 845 is locked at the base bulged portion 849,
whereby the cover C.sub.2 can be prevented from being detached from
the base B.sub.2 easily.
[0186] In the embodiment in FIG. 45 to FIG. 50, the cover convex
portion 846a may be formed to be fitted in the inside of the base
convex portion 850a.
[0187] In the embodiment in FIG. 45 to FIG. 50, for example, the
side of the cover convex portion 846a, which is beside the bottom
wall 847, is fitted on the end tip portion of the base convex
portion 850a, and the fitting position may be formed at a part of
the overlaid section Y.
[0188] In the embodiment in FIG. 45 to FIG. 50, for example, a pipe
material may be housed inside the housing member T.sub.2, other
than the cable K. As the aforesaid pipe material, the pipe material
in which a fluid (a gas or a liquid) passes through is cited, and a
refrigerant pipe and an air-conditioning pipe of an
air-conditioner, and the like are cited.
[0189] In a housing member T.sub.4 of a modified example shown in
FIG. 53, a pitch P.sub.4 of convex portions 915a of a cover C.sub.4
and convex portions 919a of a base B.sub.4 is formed to be shorter
than the pitch P of the housing member T in FIG. 5. A width W.sub.5
of the convex portion 915a of the cover C.sub.4 and a width W.sub.6
of the convex portion 919a of the base B.sub.4 are formed to be
shorter than the corresponding width W.sub.1 of the convex portion
1 of the cover C and the width W.sub.2 of the convex portion 2 of
the base B of the housing member T in FIG. 5.
[0190] In a housing member T.sub.5 of a modified example shown in
FIG. 54, the flexibility of the housing member T of the embodiment
in FIG. 1 to FIG. 10 is further enhanced. Therefore, the housing
member T.sub.5 can be easily bent.
[0191] Each width QL of the convex portion 1 of the cover C and the
convex portion 2 of the base B, the cover convex portion 846a of
the cover C.sub.2 and the base convex portion 850a of the base
B.sub.2, and the cover convex portion 915 of the cover C.sub.4 and
the base convex portion 919a of the base B.sub.4 in each of the
embodiments in FIG. 1 to FIG. 54 may be changed as follows.
Explaining the housing member of the modified example with use of
FIG. 6, for example, the dimension QL of the convex portion 1 of
the cover C is formed to be smaller than the dimension QL of the
convex portion 2 of the base B, and the fitted portion 4 is formed
in the inner side from the base B in FIG. 6. In the case of the
construction of the housing member of the modified example, when
the cover covers the base, the sectional shape of the housing
member forms a convex shape when the housing member is seen from
the direction shown in FIG. 6. In this construction, a space is
formed between adjacent covers when a plurality of housing members
are placed adjacently to each other along the longitudinal
direction. Therefore, the convex portion of the cover can be easily
caught by one's fingers, and the cover can be easily removed from
the base.
[0192] Each of the housing members T, T.sub.2, T.sub.3, T.sub.4 and
T.sub.5 shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 54 may be placed on a floor inside
a building. Even if a person kicks the cover C of the housing
member T shown in FIG. 4, for example, in its longitudinal
direction with his or her foot, the movement of the cover C can be
restrained by the fitting of the convex portion 2 of the base B and
the convex portion 1 of the cover C. Accordingly, the problem with
the cable K being exposed to the outside of the housing members T,
T.sub.2, T.sub.3, T.sub.4 and T.sub.5 can be eliminated. Therefore,
there is no fear of the cable K being directly stamped underfoot or
a foot being caught by the cable K.
[0193] When a receptacle or the like is placed on the floor, each
of the housing members T, T.sub.2, T.sub.3, T.sub.4 and T.sub.5
shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 54 is bent, and thereby the housing members
T, T.sub.2, T.sub.3, T.sub.4 and T.sub.5 can be placed on the floor
by avoiding the receptacle and the like. For example, in the case
of the housing member, which is formed into a planar shape along
the longitudinal direction and is formed to be incapable of bending
deformation, it is necessary to connect a plurality of housing
members via separate connecting members formed by bending in order
to avoid the receptacle. However, the housing members T, T.sub.2,
T.sub.3, T.sub.4 and T.sub.5 can be bent, and therefore the housing
members T, T.sub.2, T.sub.3, T.sub.4 and T.sub.5 can be placed on
the floor without using the aforesaid connecting members. As a
result, the placement operation for the housing members T, T.sub.2,
T.sub.3, T.sub.4 and T.sub.5 can be performed easily and
quickly.
* * * * *