Patent Description:
Patent literature <NUM> below discloses that a door frame as a doorway is arranged in a wall as a skeleton of a building. In this example, the inside of the door frame is opened and closed by a hinged door.

Documents <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose connecting fittings for connecting two construction materials arranged with an interval therebetween.

The work for arranging an opening frame such as a door frame in a wall includes a work for arranging an opening frame as a construction material for a hinged door with an interval from a skeleton-side construction material formed on the wall side, and connecting the skeleton-side construction material and the opening frame by using a connecting member.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a connecting fitting for construction materials and a connecting method therefor that make it possible to easily perform the work for connecting two construction materials spaced apart from each other within a short time by improving the workability. Means of Solution to the Problem.

A connecting fitting for construction materials according to the present invention is a connecting fitting according to claim <NUM>.

In the connecting fitting for construction materials according to the present invention as described above, the second end portion of the connecting member, on the side of the other construction material, of the connecting part is formed to have a torsion angle as an inclination angle to the axial direction of the locked member. Therefore, when the second end portion is coupled with the other construction material by the coupling fitting and the torsion angle of the second end portion reduces or disappears, a torsion angle to the axial direction is generated in the first end portion, on the side of one construction material, of the connecting part. Due to the generation of this torsion angle, the first end portion of the connecting member locks on the locked member arranged in one construction material, and the two construction materials are connected. Accordingly, by performing the work for coupling the second end portion, of the two end portions of the connecting part, with the other construction material by the coupling fitting, the work for connecting the two construction materials so that they are immobile in the axial direction of the locked member is spontaneously performed. This makes it possible to easily perform the work for connecting two construction materials spaced apart from each other within a short time, thereby improving the workability.

In the connecting fitting for construction materials according to the present invention described above, the first end portion of the connecting member can be locked by the locked member by, e.g., forming an insertion portion for inserting the locked member in the first end portion.

This insertion portion can be a hole and can also be a notch such as a recess.

In the connecting fitting for construction materials according to the present invention, the connecting part of the connecting member can be one part, but it is also possible to form two connecting parts in the axial direction of the locked member. In addition, when arranging the two connecting parts in the axial direction of the locked member, the two connecting parts can be coupled with each other by a bridge part having a widthwise dimension in the axial direction of the locked member.

When coupling the two connecting parts by the bridge part having the widthwise dimension in the axial direction of the locked member, the directions of the torsion angles of the second end portions of the two connecting parts can the either the same direction or opposite directions.

Also, when coupling the two connecting parts by the bridge part having the widthwise dimension in the axial direction of the locked member, a strength decreasing portion for decreasing the strength of the bridge part can be formed in the bridge part.

In this case, when the two end portions of the two connecting parts are coupled with the other construction material by the coupling fittings, the torsion angles reduce or disappear, so the bridge part causes deformation such as curving, and a torsion angle with which the first end portion locks on the locked portion is generated in each of the first end portions of the two connecting parts. In this case, when the strength decreasing portion for decreasing the strength of the bridge part is formed in the bridge part, the bridge part easily causes deformation such as curving, so each end portion on the side of one construction material can be locked by the locked member more reliably.

This strength decreasing portion can be, e.g., a hole such as an elongated hole or a round hole formed in the bridge part, a notch such as a recess, or a thin portion formed by thinning a portion of the bridge part.

In the connecting fitting for construction materials according to the present invention, the coupling fittings for coupling the second end portions of the two connecting parts, which are coupled by the bridge part, with the other construction material can be arranged on opposite sides of the two connecting parts in the axial direction, and can point in opposite directions in the axial direction. Alternatively, the coupling fittings can be arranged on the side of one of the two connecting parts, which is opposite to the other connecting part, in the axial direction, and can couple the two end portions of the two connecting parts with the other construction material in the same direction in the axial direction, and at least one of the coupling fittings can draw the other connecting part of the two connecting parts toward one connecting part.

In the latter embodiment, the work for coupling the second end portions of the two connecting parts with the other construction material can be performed by using these coupling fittings from the same side in the axial direction of the locked member. Consequently, the workability can further be improved. In addition, the work for connecting two construction materials can also be performed on an internal corner portion of a building.

In the connecting fitting for construction materials according to the present invention, the locked member is preferably a member having projections and recesses on the surface, in order to lock the first end portion by the locked member more reliably. In this case, the first end portion of the connecting part locks on the locked member more reliably due to the abovementioned projections and recesses on the surface of the locked member.

To use a member having projections and recesses on the surface as the locked member, the locked member can be a male screw rod on the surface of which a male screw is formed, and can also be a rod-like member on which projections and recesses formed on the entire circumference are alternately continuously arranged parallel in the axial direction.

The connecting fitting for construction materials according to the present invention may include a first connecting member and a second connecting member each configured to connect the two construction materials, wherein the first connecting member includes a connecting part including a first end portion reaching a locked member arranged in one construction material of the two construction materials such that a thickness direction of the one construction material, which is perpendicular to a direction of the interval, is an axial direction, and a second end portion reaching the other construction material of the two construction materials, the second end portion is formed to have a torsion angle as an inclination angle to the axial direction of the locked member, a torsion angle to the axial direction can be generated in the first end portion when the second end portion is coupled with the other construction material and the torsion angle of the second end portion reduces or disappears, and the first end portion locks on the locked member due to the generation of the torsion angle, thereby connecting the two construction materials, and the first connecting member and the second connecting member make inclination angles to the direction of the interval, and the inclination angle of the second connecting member to the direction of the interval becomes opposite to the inclination angle of the first connecting member, thereby connecting the two construction materials.

In this connecting fitting for construction materials, the second end portion of the connecting part of the first connecting member is formed to have the torsion angle as an inclination angle to the axial direction of the locked member. Therefore, when the second end portion is coupled with the other construction material by the coupling fitting and the torsion angle of this end portion reduces or disappears, a torsion angle to the axial direction is generated in the first end portion of the connecting part. The generation of this torsion angle causes the first end portion to lock on the locked member arranged in one construction material, thereby connecting the two construction materials. Even when using this connecting fitting for construction materials, therefore, by performing the work for coupling the end portion, on the side of the other construction material, of the two end portions of the connecting part of the first connecting member, with the other construction material by using the coupling fitting, the work for connecting the two construction materials so that they are immobile in the axial direction of the locked member is spontaneously performed. This makes it possible to easily perform the work for connecting two construction materials spaced apart from each other within a short time, thereby improving the workability.

Also, in this connecting fitting for construction materials, the first connecting member connects two construction materials by forming an inclination angle to the direction of an interval between the two construction materials, and the second connecting member connects these construction materials such that the inclination angle to the direction of the interval between the two construction materials is opposite to the inclination angle of the first connecting member. Therefore, after the two construction materials are connected by the first connecting member and the second connecting member, the two construction materials can be connected as they are immobile in, e.g., the vertical direction as the direction perpendicular to the direction of the interval between the two construction materials.

Note that in this connecting member for construction materials, an insertion member different from the locked member to be inserted into the first end portion of the first connecting member can be inserted into the first end portion of the second connecting member. However, the locked member to be inserted into the first end portion of the first connecting member may also be inserted as a common insertion member into the first end portion of the second connecting member.

In this case, the use of the common insertion member can simplify the structure and reduce the cost by reducing the number of members.

A connecting method for construction materials according to the present invention is a connecting method according to claim <NUM>.

In this connecting method for construction materials, the second end portion of the connecting part of the first connecting member is formed to have the torsion angle as an inclination angle to the axial direction of the locked member, like the above-described connecting fitting for construction materials. Therefore, when the second end portion is coupled with the other construction material by the coupling fitting and the torsion angle of this end portion reduces or disappears, a torsion angle to the axial direction is generated in the first end portion of the connecting part. Due to the generation of this torsion angle, the first end portion locks on the locked member arranged in one construction material, and the two construction materials are connected. Even in this connecting fitting for construction materials, therefore, by performing the work for coupling the second end portion of the connecting part of the first connecting member with the other construction material by using the coupling fitting, it is possible to spontaneously perform the work for connecting the two construction materials by rendering them immobile in the axial direction of the locked member. This makes it possible to easily perform the work for connecting two construction materials spaced apart from each other within a short time, thereby improving the workability.

In addition, in this connecting method for construction materials, the first and second connecting members make inclination angles to the direction of the interval, and the two construction materials are connected such that the inclination angle of the second connecting member with respect to the direction of the interval is opposite to the inclination angle of the first connecting member. Accordingly, after the two construction materials are connected by the first and second connecting members, the two construction materials can be connected as they are rendered immobile in, e.g., the vertical direction as a direction perpendicular to the direction of the interval between these construction materials.

Furthermore, in this connecting method for construction materials, when inserting the first and second connecting members between the two construction materials in the first working step, the first and second connecting members are made parallel or almost parallel to each other as they are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the interval and to the thickness direction of one of the two construction materials. Therefore, the work for inserting the first and second connecting members between two construction materials can effectively be performed even when the interval between the first and second connecting members is small.

Two construction materials to be connected by the connecting fitting for construction materials and the connecting method therefor according to the present invention explained above can be arbitrary construction materials. One example of these construction materials includes a skeleton-side construction material such as a wall, and an opening frame arranged to oppose this construction material in the horizontal direction. This opening frame can be any of a door frame for a hinged door apparatus, an opening frame for a sliding door apparatus, and an opening frame for a passing opening to be formed in a wall. Also, one of the two construction materials can be a door case for accommodating a fire door that is normally opened from a door frame. In addition, the connecting fitting for construction materials and the connecting method therefor according to the present invention can also be used to connect two construction materials such as pillars including a middle pillar of a building, beams, crossbars, and face plates, that is, the present invention is applicable to arbitrary construction materials.

Furthermore, the connecting fitting for construction materials and the connecting method therefor according to the present invention are applicable to construction materials to be newly formed in a structure such as a building, and are also applicable to construction materials to be repaired.

The present invention achieves the effect of easily performing the work for connecting two construction materials spaced apart from each other within a short time, thereby improving the workability.

A mode for carrying out the present invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. <FIG> shows a whole front view of a hinged door apparatus. In this hinged door apparatus, a hinged door <NUM> is attached to a door frame <NUM> so as to be pivotal around hinges <NUM>, and the door frame <NUM> is arranged inside an opening 4A formed in a wall <NUM> as a building skeleton. <FIG> shows the door frame <NUM> before the hinged door <NUM> is attached. As shown in <FIG>, the door frame <NUM> is an opening frame as a doorway <NUM> the inside of which is opened and closed by the hinged door <NUM>. Since the door frame <NUM> of this embodiment is a four-side frame, the door frame <NUM> includes left and right side frame members 2A and 2B, an upper frame member 2C, and a lower frame member 2D as a doorsill member. The frame members 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are welded in a factory beforehand, and transported to the construction site of a structure such as a building in which the hinged door apparatus is installed.

Note that the door frame <NUM> may also be a three-side frame having no lower frame member 2D.

<FIG> shows a state in which the door frame <NUM> is arranged in the wall <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> is a sectional view taken along a line S4 - S4 shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the wall <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> is a building skeleton formed by fixing face plates <NUM> such as plaster boards on both the front and rear surfaces of core members <NUM>. The door frame <NUM> is arranged inside the opening 4A shown in <FIG> and <FIG> formed in the wall <NUM>. Of a large number of core members <NUM> formed inside the wall <NUM>, <FIG> shows core members 5A and 5B arranged in portions opposing, in the horizontal direction, the left and right side frame members 2A and 2B of the door frame <NUM>, and a core member 5C arranged in a portion opposing the upper frame member 2C of the door frame <NUM> in the vertical direction.

Before the work for arranging the door frame <NUM> inside the opening 4A of the wall <NUM>, reinforcing members <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> are coupled with the core members 5A, 5B, and 5C in advance. Also, an auxiliary member <NUM> is attached to each reinforcing member <NUM> by a fixing fitting <NUM> shown in <FIG>. A crank-shaped positioning member <NUM> is coupled with each auxiliary member <NUM>. After each positioning member <NUM> is brought into contact with one of the two surfaces of the reinforcing member <NUM> in the thickness direction of the door frame <NUM> (the thickness direction of the hinged door <NUM> and the wall <NUM>), the auxiliary member <NUM> is attached to the reinforcing member <NUM> by the fixing fitting <NUM>. Consequently, each auxiliary member <NUM> is set in a predetermined position in the thickness direction of the door frame <NUM> and attached to the reinforcing member <NUM>.

In the above explanation, the core member <NUM>, the reinforcing member <NUM>, and the auxiliary member <NUM> are members of the wall <NUM> as a building skeleton, so the core member <NUM>, the reinforcing member <NUM>, and the auxiliary member <NUM> are skeleton-side construction materials. On the other hand, the hinged door <NUM> and the door frame <NUM> are members of the hinged door apparatus to be installed in the wall <NUM>, so the hinged door <NUM> and the door frame <NUM> are hinged door apparatus-side construction materials.

<FIG> shows a state in which after the work for arranging the door frame <NUM> inside the opening 4A of the wall <NUM> is performed, the door frame <NUM> is connected to the reinforcing member <NUM> via the auxiliary member <NUM> by using a connecting fitting <NUM>. A plurality of connecting fittings <NUM> are formed for each of the left and right side frame members 2A and 2B and the upper frame member 2C of the door frame <NUM>, and connect the door frame <NUM> to the reinforcing members <NUM> via the auxiliary members <NUM>. As the connecting fittings <NUM>, a plurality of first connecting fittings 20A and two second connecting fittings 20B are used. The first connecting fitting 20A includes first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM>, whereas the second connecting fitting 20B includes the first connecting member <NUM> but does not include the second connecting member <NUM>. The plurality of first connecting fittings 20A have the same shape and the same structure. Therefore, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate, as a typical example of the plurality of first connecting fittings 20A shown in <FIG>, the first connecting fitting 20A that is arranged on the side frame member 2A of the door frame <NUM> shown in <FIG> and connects the side fame member 2A to the auxiliary member <NUM> attached to the reinforcing member <NUM> coupled with the core member 5A described earlier. <FIG> and <FIG> do not show the side frame member 2A.

Note that the two second connecting fittings 20B shown in <FIG> also have the same shape and the same structure. As shown in <FIG>, the second connecting fittings 20B are arranged below the plurality of first connecting fittings 20A vertically arranged on each of the left and right side frame members 2A and 2B.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of the first connecting fitting 20A by including the auxiliary member <NUM>. <FIG> is a front view of <FIG>. As is also shown in <FIG>, the first connecting fitting 20A includes a bearing member <NUM> formed into the shape of a hat, a central shaft <NUM> supported by the bearing member <NUM>, and the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> described above. The thickness direction of the door frame <NUM> is an axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM>, and the two end portions in the axial direction N function as retaining portions 24A and retain the central shaft <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the central shaft <NUM> is inserted, as an insertion member common to the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM>, through the end portions, on the side of the door frame <NUM>, of the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM>. The first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> can freely pivot around the central shaft <NUM>. Also, the end portion, on the side of the wall <NUM>, of the first connecting member <NUM> is coupled with the auxiliary member <NUM> by coupling fittings <NUM> as self-drill screws. Likewise, the end portion, on the side of wall <NUM>, of the second connecting member <NUM> is coupled with the auxiliary member <NUM> by coupling fittings <NUM> as self-drill screws.

<FIG>, <FIG> depict the first connecting member <NUM>. <FIG>, <FIG> are respectively a plan view, a side view, a bottom view, and a rear view of the first connecting member <NUM>. The first connecting member <NUM> is a product obtained by punching and bending a metal plate. The first connecting member <NUM> includes two connecting parts <NUM> opposing each other. The two connecting parts <NUM> are separated from each other in the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM>, and coupled with each other by a bridge part <NUM> for which the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM> is the widthwise dimension. The bridge part <NUM> is bridged between the end portions of the two connecting parts <NUM>, on the side of the thickness direction of the whole first connecting member <NUM> perpendicular to the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM>. Also, assuming that a direction perpendicular to the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM> and perpendicular to the thickness direction of the whole first connecting member <NUM> is the longitudinal direction of each connecting part <NUM>, the dimension of each connecting part <NUM> in the longitudinal direction is a dimension by which two end portions 26A and 26B of the connecting part <NUM> in the longitudinal direction reach the door frame <NUM> and the auxiliary member <NUM> as the skeleton of the wall <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the end portion 26A, on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, of the two end portions 26A and 26B of each connecting part <NUM> in the longitudinal direction has a torsion angle <NUM>°-α as an angle inclining to the outside of the first connecting member <NUM> with respect to a direction perpendicular to the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM>. The torsion angles <NUM>°-α of the two connecting parts <NUM> are torsion angles in directions opposite to each other. On the other hand, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the end portion 26B on the side of the door frame <NUM> has no such torsion angle as described above. A portion between the end portions 26A and 26B is an intermediate portion 26C for gradually eliminating the torsion angle <NUM>°-α. The end portion 26B on the side of the door frame <NUM> has a first hole <NUM> having a large diameter, as an insertion portion for inserting the central shaft <NUM>, and the end portion 26A on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM> has a small-diameter second hole <NUM> for inserting the coupling fitting <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The connecting parts <NUM> also have third holes <NUM> for inserting coupling fittings <NUM> and <NUM> to be described later with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, within the range in which the above-described torsion angle <NUM>°-α exists.

Furthermore, the bridge part <NUM> has an elongated hole <NUM>. The elongated hole <NUM> is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the connecting part <NUM>, and functions as a strength decreasing portion formed in the bridge part <NUM> in order to decrease the strength of the bridge part <NUM>.

As described above, the first connecting member <NUM> is formed by the two connecting parts <NUM> and the bridge part <NUM> bridged between the connecting parts <NUM>, and the section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is an almost U-shaped section. However, the end portions 26A, on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, of the two connecting parts <NUM> open to the outside of the first connecting member <NUM> due to the torsion angles <NUM>°-α described above. In other words, the end portions 26A form an inverted V-shape that opens outward in the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM>.

<FIG> depict a state in which loads W in directions opposite to each other in the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM> act on the end portions 26A, on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, of the connecting parts <NUM>. A state like this occurs when the coupling fitting <NUM> shown in <FIG> couples the end portions 26A, on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, of the connecting parts <NUM>, with the auxiliary member <NUM>. When the loads W as described above act on the end portions 26A on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, the torsion angles <NUM>°-α shown in <FIG> and <FIG> of the end portions 26A on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM> reduce or disappear, and the influence of the loads W deforms, e.g., curves the bridge part <NUM> in a direction projecting to the outside of the first connecting member <NUM>, in the thickness direction of the bridge part <NUM> (the thickness direction of the whole first connecting member <NUM>). The influence of the loads W also generates torsion angles <NUM>°-β as angles inclining to the inside of the first connecting member <NUM> with respect to a direction perpendicular to the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM>, on the end portions 26B on the side of the door frame <NUM>, which are connected to the end portions 26A on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM> via the intermediate portion 26C. The torsion angles <NUM>°-β are torsion angles in directions opposite to each other with respect to the end portions 26B on the side of the door frame <NUM>.

In the whole first connecting member <NUM>, therefore, the shape formed by the end portions 26B, on the side of the door frame <NUM>, of the two connecting parts <NUM> is a V-shape that closes to the inside of the first connecting member <NUM> due to the torsion angles <NUM>°-β.

Note that the elongated hole <NUM> is formed in the bridge part <NUM> and decreases the strength of the bridge part <NUM>, so the bridge part <NUM> is easily deformed, e.g., curved as described above, due to the loads W. Accordingly, the reduction or elimination of the torsion angles <NUM>°-α of the end portions 26A on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM> and the generation of the torsion angles <NUM>°-β of the end portions 26B on the side of the door frame <NUM> occur more reliably.

<FIG> show the second connecting member <NUM>. <FIG> are respectively a side view and a rear view of the second connecting member <NUM>. Like the first connecting member <NUM>, the second connecting member <NUM> is a product obtained by punching and bending a metal plate. The second connecting member <NUM> also includes two connecting parts <NUM> opposing each other. The two connecting parts <NUM> are separated from each other in the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM>, and coupled with each other by a bridge part <NUM> for which the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM> is the widthwise dimension. The bridge part <NUM> is bridged between the end portions of the two connecting parts <NUM>, on the side of the thickness direction of the whole second connecting member <NUM> perpendicular to the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM>. Also, assuming that a direction perpendicular to the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM> and perpendicular to the thickness direction of the whole second connecting member <NUM> is the longitudinal direction of each connecting part <NUM>, the dimension of each connecting part <NUM> in the longitudinal direction is a dimension by which two end portions 35A and 35B of the connecting part <NUM> in the longitudinal direction reach the door frame <NUM> and the auxiliary member <NUM> as the skeleton of the wall <NUM>.

Also, of the two end portions 35A and 35B in the longitudinal direction of each connecting part <NUM>, the end portion 35A on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM> slightly bends toward the inside of the second connecting member <NUM> with respect to the end portion 35B on the side of the door frame <NUM>. Of the end portions 35A and 35B, the end portion 35B on the side of the door frame <NUM> has a first hole <NUM> having a large diameter, as an insertion portion for inserting the central shaft <NUM>, and the end portion 35A on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM> has a second hole <NUM> having a small diameter, as an insertion portion for inserting the coupling fitting <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In addition, the connecting parts <NUM> have third holes <NUM> for inserting the coupling fittings <NUM> and <NUM> to be described later with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Furthermore, the end portion 36B, on the side of the door frame <NUM>, of the bridge part <NUM> has a projecting piece <NUM> that projects toward the central shaft <NUM>, in other words, projects toward the first connecting member <NUM>. The end portion 36B of the bridge part <NUM> has notches <NUM> in portions close to the projecting piece <NUM>. In the end portion 36B of this embodiment, two notches <NUM> are formed on the two sides of the projecting piece <NUM>. Note that as shown in <FIG>, the projecting piece <NUM> of this embodiment is so formed as to slightly bend from the bridge part <NUM> to the inside of the second connecting member <NUM> in the thickness direction.

The projecting piece <NUM> formed in the second connecting member <NUM> as described above can be bent in the thickness direction of the whole second connecting member <NUM> if a load acts on the projecting piece <NUM> in this thickness direction. The two notches <NUM> of the end portion 36B of the bridge part <NUM>, which are formed on the two sides of the projecting piece <NUM>, function as strength decreasing portions for decreasing the strength of the proximal end portion of the projecting piece <NUM> in the bridge part <NUM>. Therefore, the projecting piece <NUM> can easily be bent even if the abovementioned load acting on the projecting piece <NUM> is small.

In a factory for manufacturing the door frame <NUM>, the first connecting fitting 20A including the first connecting member <NUM>, the second connecting member <NUM>, the bearing member <NUM>, and the central shaft <NUM> explained above is assembled into a structure shown in <FIG> (a front view of the first connecting fitting 20A) and <FIG> (a side view of the first connecting fitting 20A). This assembling is performed by, e.g., inserting the central shaft <NUM> as a common insertion member into the first holes <NUM> formed in the connecting parts <NUM> of the first connecting member <NUM> and the first holes <NUM> formed in the connecting parts <NUM> of the second connecting member <NUM>, further inserting the central shaft <NUM> into the hat-shaped bearing member <NUM>, and performing processing that forms the retaining portions 24A on the two end portions of the central shaft <NUM> in order to prevent removal from the bearing member <NUM>.

Note that the central shaft <NUM> according to this embodiment is a male screw rod on the surface of which many projections and recesses are alternately formed in the axial direction by thread ridges and grooves.

<FIG> is a sectional view taken along a line S12 - S12 shown in <FIG>. <FIG> shows the sectional view of the first connecting fitting 20A assembled by the first connecting member <NUM>, the second connecting member <NUM>, the bearing member <NUM>, and the central shaft <NUM> as described above. In the first connecting fitting 20A assembled in a factory, the projecting piece <NUM> formed in the second connecting member <NUM> is in contact with a rear surface 27A of the bridge part <NUM> formed in the first connecting member <NUM>. Therefore, the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> for which the central shaft <NUM> is a common insertion member is connected by the central shaft <NUM>. Also, the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> are parallel or almost parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM>.

Accordingly, the projecting piece <NUM> forms a parallelizing means <NUM> that aligns the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM> and makes first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> parallel or almost parallel to each other. Also, as will be described later, when the first connecting fitting 20A is inserted into the gap between the door frame <NUM> shown in <FIG> and the auxiliary member <NUM> as a construction material of the wall, the parallelizing function of the parallelizing means <NUM> can align the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> in a direction (the vertical direction for the first connecting fitting 20A arranged in the side frame members 2A and 2B of the door frame <NUM>, and the horizontal direction for the first connecting fitting 20A arranged in the upper frame member 2C of the door frame <NUM>) perpendicular to the direction of the interval between the door frame <NUM> and the auxiliary member <NUM>, and to the thickness direction of the door frame <NUM> (that is also the thickness direction of the wall <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>), thereby making the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> parallel or almost parallel to each other.

As shown in <FIG>, in the factory having manufactured the door frame <NUM>, the first connecting fitting 20A described above is attached to the door frame <NUM> by fixing the bearing member <NUM> to the left and right side frame members 2A and 2B and the upper frame member 2C of the door frame <NUM> by welding or the like. The second connecting fitting 20B shown in <FIG> includes the first connecting member <NUM>, the bearing member <NUM>, and the central shaft <NUM>. Accordingly, the second connecting fitting 20B has a structure obtained by removing the second connecting member <NUM> from the first connecting fitting 20A. The second connecting fitting 20B as described above is also attached to the door frame <NUM> in the factory by fixing the bearing member <NUM> to the left and right side frame members 2A and 2B of the door frame <NUM>.

The door frame <NUM> to which the first and second connecting fittings 20A and 20B are attached in the factory is transported to a construction site where the hinged door apparatus shown in <FIG> is to be installed. After that, before the face plates <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the wall <NUM> (see <FIG>) are attached to the core members <NUM>, the first and second connecting fittings 20A and 20B are inserted into the horizontal interval between the auxiliary member <NUM> and the left and right side frame members 2A and 2B of the door frame <NUM>, and the first connecting fitting 20A is inserted into the vertical interval between the auxiliary member <NUM> and the upper frame member 2C of the door frame <NUM>. Consequently, the door frame <NUM> and the first and second connecting fittings 20A and 20B are arranged inside the opening 4A of the wall <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In this state, the auxiliary member <NUM> is attached to the reinforcing member <NUM> coupled with the core members 5A, 5B, and 5C (see <FIG>), thereby forming the wall <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Note that the work for attaching the auxiliary member <NUM> to the reinforcing member <NUM> is performed immediately before the work for arranging the door frame <NUM> and the first and second connecting fittings 20A and 20B inside the opening 4A of the wall <NUM> as described above.

In this embodiment, when performing the work for arranging the door frame <NUM> and the first and second connecting fittings 20A and 20B inside the opening 4A of the wall <NUM> as described above, for the first connecting fitting 20A, among the plurality of first connecting fittings 20A, which is inserted into the horizontal interval between the auxiliary member <NUM> and the side frame members 2A and 2B of the door frame <NUM>, the parallelizing function of the parallelizing means <NUM> described above can make the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> parallel or almost parallel to each other while aligning the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> in the vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction as the interval between the reinforcing member <NUM> and the side frame members 2A and 2B, and to the thickness direction of the door frame <NUM>, even when the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> can pivot around the central shaft <NUM>. Also, for the first connecting fitting 20A to be inserted into the vertical interval between the upper frame member 2C of the door frame <NUM> and the auxiliary member <NUM> attached to the reinforcing member <NUM> coupled with the core member 5C, the parallelizing function of the parallelizing means <NUM> can make the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> parallel or almost parallel to each other while aligning the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction as the interval between the upper frame member 2C and the reinforcing member <NUM>, and to the thickness direction of the door frame <NUM>.

As described above, therefore, even when the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> of the first connecting fitting 20A are pivotable around the central shaft <NUM>, and the horizontal interval between the reinforcing member <NUM> and the side frame members 2A and 2B and the vertical interval between the upper frame member 2C and the reinforcing member <NUM> are small, the first connecting fitting 20A can effectively be inserted into these intervals. This insertion work can be performed by standing up only the first connecting member <NUM> of the second connecting fitting 20B around the central shaft <NUM> of the second connecting fitting 20B. Since a few workers can easily finish the insertion work within a short time period, the workability can be improved.

After inserting the plurality of first connecting fittings 20A into the horizontal interval between the auxiliary member <NUM> and the side frame members 2A and 2B and into the vertical interval between the upper frame member 2C and the reinforcing member <NUM> as described above, the worker performs the work for pivoting at least one of the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> of each of the first connecting fittings 20A toward the side frame members 2A and 2B or the opposite side of the upper frame member 2C around the central shaft <NUM> with respect to the other connecting member. This pivoting work can be performed by, e.g., inserting a tool or the like into the second and third holes <NUM> and <NUM> of the first connecting member <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and <FIG>, and into the second and third holes <NUM> and <NUM> of the second connecting member <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows the side view of the first connecting fitting 20A after this pivoting work is performed. <FIG> is the sectional view of the first connecting fitting 20A taken along a line S14 - S14 shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, when the above-described pivoting work is performed, the projecting piece <NUM> formed in the second connecting member <NUM> and in contact with the rear surface 27A of the bridge part <NUM> of the first connecting member <NUM> bends from the portion connected to the bridge part <NUM> of the second connecting member <NUM> due to the load of the pivoting work by the worker, and this eliminates the parallelizing function of the parallelizing means <NUM>. Consequently, for the first connecting fitting 20A, among the plurality of connecting fittings 20A, which is inserted into the interval between the reinforcing member <NUM> and the side frame members 2A and 2B, the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> are pivoted around the central shaft <NUM>, as indicated by the alternate long and two short dashed lines shown in <FIG>, such that inclination angles θ1 and θ2 with respect to a horizontal direction M as the direction of the interval between the reinforcing member <NUM> and the side frame members 2A and 2B are angles in directions opposite to each other. This makes it possible to insert (see <FIG>) the auxiliary member <NUM> between the end portions 26A and between the end portions 35A, on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, of the two connecting parts <NUM> and <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) of the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM>. Also, for the first connecting fitting 20A inserted into the interval between the upper frame work 2C and the auxiliary member <NUM>, the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> are pivoted around the central shaft <NUM> such that inclination angles with respect to the vertical direction as the direction of the interval between the upper frame member 2C and the reinforcing member <NUM> are angles in directions opposite to each other. This makes it possible to insert the auxiliary member <NUM> between the end portions 26A and between the end portions 35A, on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, of the two connecting parts <NUM> and <NUM> of the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM>.

In each first connecting fitting 20A, therefore, the first connecting member <NUM> forms an inclination angle with respect to the direction of the interval between the auxiliary member <NUM> and the side frame members 2A and 2B, and to the direction of the interval between the upper frame member 2C and the auxiliary member <NUM>, and the second auxiliary member <NUM> forms an inclination angle in a direction opposite to that of the inclination angle of the first auxiliary member, with respect to the direction of the interval between the auxiliary member <NUM> and the side frame members 2A and 2B, and to the direction of the interval between the auxiliary member <NUM> and the upper frame member 2C.

Note that in the first connecting fittings 20A, the second connecting member <NUM> has the two notches <NUM> formed on the two sides of the projecting piece <NUM> of the second connecting member <NUM> as described above. Therefore, the worker can reliably bend the projecting piece <NUM> even when the load of the above-described pivoting work for bending the projecting piece <NUM> from the portion connected to the bridge part <NUM> of the second connecting member <NUM> is small.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the central shaft <NUM> as the constituting member of the first connecting fitting 20A is an insertion member inserted into both the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> of the first connecting member 20A in order to make the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> pivotable. Accordingly, the number of members constituting the first connecting fitting 20A can be reduced compared to a case in which a central shaft for making each of the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> pivotable is used for each of the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM>. This makes it possible to simplify the structure and reduce the manufacturing cost.

<FIG> shows a state in which the auxiliary member <NUM> is inserted between the end portions 26A and between the end portions 35A, on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, of the two connecting parts <NUM> and <NUM> in the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> of the first connecting fitting 20A as described above.

After performing the above-described work, the worker inserts the two coupling fittings <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) into the second holes <NUM> (see <FIG>, and <FIG>) formed in the connecting part <NUM> of the first connecting member <NUM> of the first connecting fitting 20A (see <FIG>), and screws the two coupling fittings <NUM> into the auxiliary member <NUM>, thereby coupling the end portion, on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, of the first connecting member <NUM> with the auxiliary member <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Also, the worker inserts the two coupling fittings <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) into the second holes <NUM> (see <FIG>) formed in the connecting part <NUM> of the second connecting member <NUM> of the first connecting fitting 20A, and screws the two coupling fittings <NUM> into the auxiliary member <NUM>, thereby coupling the end portion, on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, of the second connecting member <NUM> with the auxiliary member <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Furthermore, for each of the two second connecting fittings 20B (see <FIG>) arranged in the lowermost portions of the left and right side frame members 2A and 2B of the door frame <NUM>, the worker pivots the first connecting member <NUM> around the central shaft <NUM>, and makes the angle (see <FIG>) of the first connecting member <NUM> in above-described horizontal direction M the same as or almost the same as the inclination angle θ1 of the first connecting member <NUM> of the first connecting fitting 20A described above, and couples the end portion, on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, of the first connecting member <NUM> with the auxiliary member <NUM> by using the two coupling fittings <NUM>.

Note that the second connecting fittings 20B are formed without using the second connecting member <NUM> because the second connecting fittings 20B can effectively be arranged in the lowermost portions of the left and right side frame members 2A and 2B by omitting the second connecting member <NUM> that is supposed to be arranged below the first connecting member <NUM>.

When the coupling work for coupling the first and second connecting fittings 20A and 20B by using the coupling fittings <NUM> and <NUM> as described above, the door frame <NUM> is connected to the auxiliary member <NUM> via the two connecting portions <NUM> of the first connecting member <NUM> and the two connecting parts <NUM> of the second connecting member <NUM> of the plurality of first connecting fittings 20A, and connected to the auxiliary member <NUM> via the two connecting parts <NUM> of the first connecting member <NUM> of the two connecting fittings 20B. In this connecting work for connecting the door frame <NUM> to the auxiliary member <NUM>, the first connecting fitting 20A inserted into the gap between the reinforcing member <NUM> and the side frame members 2A and 2B has a posture by which the inclination angle θ1 made by the first connecting member <NUM> in the horizontal direction M as the direction of the gap between the reinforcing member <NUM> and the side frame members 2A and 2B and the inclination angle θ2 made by the second connecting member <NUM> in the horizontal direction M are in opposite directions (see <FIG>). The door frame <NUM> is connected to the auxiliary member <NUM> so as to be vertically immobile. Also, in the abovementioned connecting work, the first connecting fitting 20A inserted into the gap between the upper frame member 2C and the auxiliary member <NUM> has a posture by which the inclination angle made by the first connecting member <NUM> in the vertical direction as the direction of the gap between the upper frame member 2C and the reinforcing member <NUM> and the inclination angle made by the second connecting member <NUM> in the vertical direction are in opposite directions. Accordingly, the door frame <NUM> is connected to the auxiliary member <NUM> so as to be immobile in the horizontal direction as well.

Also, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the end portion (see <FIG> and <FIG>), on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, of the first connecting member <NUM> of the first connecting fitting 20A is coupled with the auxiliary member <NUM> by the two coupling fittings <NUM> inserted into the second holes <NUM> (see <FIG>, and <FIG>) formed in the connecting parts <NUM> of the first connecting member <NUM>, the loads W from the coupling fittings <NUM> act on the end portions 26A, on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, of the connecting parts <NUM> as explained above with reference to <FIG>. This action of the loads W reduces or eliminates the torsion angle <NUM>°-α having existed in the end portions 26A on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, and generates the torsion angles <NUM>°-β in the end portions 26B, on the side of the door frame <NUM>, as the end portions opposite to the end portions 26A as described previously.

<FIG> is an enlarged sectional view of the end portions 26B, on the side of the door frame <NUM>, of the connecting parts <NUM> of the first connecting member <NUM>, and shows that the torsion angles <NUM>°-β as described above form in the end portions 26B. As shown in <FIG>, when the torsion angle <NUM>°-β forms in the end portion 26B, on the side of the door frame <NUM>, of the connecting part <NUM> of the first connecting member <NUM>, the torsion angle <NUM>°-β is an angle inclining to a direction perpendicular to the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM>, so the hole <NUM> formed as an insertion portion in the end portion 26B on the side of the door frame <NUM> in order to insert the central shaft <NUM> also inclines to the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM>, and a corner 28A of the hole <NUM> locks on the surface of the central shaft <NUM>. In other words, the central shaft <NUM> functions as a locked member on which the corner 28A of the hole <NUM> locks. This locking of the hole <NUM> onto the locked member makes the first connecting fitting 20A including the first connecting member <NUM> as a constituting member immobile in the thickness direction of the door frame <NUM> as the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM>. Therefore, the door frame <NUM> is connected to the auxiliary member <NUM> as a skeleton-side construction material so as to be immobile in the thickness direction of the door frame <NUM>.

In particular, the central shaft <NUM> as the locked member of this embodiment is a male screw rod on the surface of which many projections and recesses are alternately formed in the axial direction by thread ridges and grooves, the corner 28A of the hole <NUM> locks on the surface of the central shaft <NUM> more reliably as described above. Consequently, the door frame <NUM> can be connected to the auxiliary member <NUM> such that the door frame <NUM> is immobile more reliably in the thickness direction of the door frame <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> are coupled with the auxiliary member <NUM> by the coupling fittings <NUM> and <NUM> described above. The auxiliary member <NUM> is attached to the reinforcing member <NUM> by being set in a predetermined position in the thickness direction of the door frame <NUM> by the positioning member <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Since, therefore, the corner 28A of the hole <NUM> locks on the surface of the central shaft <NUM>, the door frame <NUM> is arranged by being set in the predetermined position in the thickness direction of the door frame <NUM>.

In this embodiment as described above, when the load W (see <FIG>) from the coupling fitting <NUM> shown in <FIG> acts on the end portion 26A, on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, of each of the two connecting parts <NUM> of the first connecting member <NUM>, the bridge part <NUM> formed in the first connecting member <NUM> deforms, e.g., curves in a direction projecting to the outside of the first connecting member <NUM>, in the thickness direction of the bridge part <NUM>, and this forms the torsion angle <NUM>°-β in the end portion 26B, on the side of the door frame <NUM>, of the first connecting member <NUM>, as described with reference to <FIG>. In this embodiment, the elongated hole <NUM> as a strength decreasing portion for decreasing the strength of the bridge part <NUM> is formed in the bridge part <NUM>. Accordingly, the load W causes deformation, e.g., curving of the bridge part <NUM> more reliably, and this forms the torsion angle <NUM>°-β of the end portion 26B on the side of the door <NUM>.

In the embodiment explained above, the end portions 26A and 35A, on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, of the two connecting parts <NUM> and <NUM> of the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> of the first connecting fitting 20A are coupled with the auxiliary member <NUM> by the two coupling fittings <NUM> and the two coupling fittings <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the coupling fittings <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged on the opposite sides in the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM> with respect to the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM>, and couple the end portions 26A and 35A on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM> with the auxiliary member <NUM> in opposite directions in the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM>.

On the other hand, another embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG> uses one coupling fitting <NUM> and another coupling fitting <NUM> different from the coupling fitting <NUM>, in order to couple end portions 26A, on the side of an auxiliary member <NUM>, of two connecting parts <NUM> of a first connecting member <NUM> of a first connecting fitting 20A, with the auxiliary member <NUM>. The coupling fittings <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged on the same side in an axial direction N of a central shaft <NUM> with respect to the first connecting member <NUM>, and in the same direction along the axial direction N. As shown in <FIG>, the coupling fitting <NUM> is a coupling fitting that is inserted into a connecting part 26D, of two connecting parts 26D and 26E, which is arranged on a side opposite to the side on which the coupling fittings <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged in the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM>, and draws the connecting part 26D toward the connecting part 26E. In addition, one coupling fitting <NUM> and another coupling fitting <NUM> different from the coupling fitting <NUM> are used to couple end portions 35A, on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, of two connecting parts <NUM> of a second connecting member <NUM>, with the auxiliary member <NUM>. The coupling fittings <NUM> and <NUM> are also arranged on the same side in the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM> with respect to the second connecting member <NUM>, and in the same direction along the axial direction N. As shown in <FIG>, the coupling fitting <NUM> is a coupling fitting that is inserted into a connecting part 35D, of two connecting parts <NUM>, which is arranged on a side opposite to the side on which the coupling fittings <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged in the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM>, and draws the connecting part 35D toward a connecting part 35E.

As shown in, e.g., <FIG>, the coupling fittings <NUM> and <NUM> are tapping screws including head portions 50A and 51A, small-diameter shaft portions 50B and 51B extending forward from the head portions 50A and 51A, and large-diameter male screw portions 50C and 51C extending forward from the small-diameter shaft portions 50B and 51B. The diameter of third holes <NUM> and <NUM> formed in the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> is smaller than that of the large-diameter male screw portions 50C and 51C and larger than that of the small-diameter shaft portions 50B and 51B.

Accordingly, when the coupling fittings <NUM> and <NUM> are inserted into the third holes <NUM> and <NUM> of the connecting parts 26E and 35E, of the pair of connecting parts 26D and 26E and the pair of connecting parts 35D and 35E of the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM>, and advanced by being rotated by using a tool, female screws are formed on the inner surfaces of the third holes <NUM> and <NUM> by the large-diameter male screw portions 50C and 51C. When the coupling fittings <NUM> and <NUM> are further advanced by being rotated by using the tool, the large-diameter male screw portions 50C and 51C form female screws in the third holes <NUM> and <NUM> of the connecting parts 26D and 35D on the side opposite to the side on which the coupling fittings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are arranged in the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM>. In this state, the small-diameter shaft portions 50B and 51B of the coupling fittings <NUM> and <NUM> have reached the third holes <NUM> and <NUM> of the connecting parts 26E and 35E on the same side as the side on which the coupling fittings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are arranged, and the small-diameter shaft portions 50B and 51B are idling in the third holes <NUM> and <NUM>. On the other hand, the large-diameter male screw portions 50C and 51C draw the connecting parts 26D and 35D on the side opposite to the side on which the coupling fittings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are arranged, toward the connecting parts 26E and 35E on the same side as the side on which the coupling fittings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are arranged.

Consequently, of the end portions 26A and 35A, on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, of the two connecting parts <NUM> and the two connecting parts <NUM> of the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM>, the end portions 26A and 35A on the side opposite to the side on which the coupling fittings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are arranged are strongly pressed against the auxiliary member <NUM>. This sets the end portions 26A and 35A in the same state as that when they are coupled with the auxiliary member <NUM>.

In this embodiment, all the coupling fittings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> for coupling the end portions 26A and 35A, on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, of the connecting parts <NUM> and <NUM> of the first and second connecting members <NUM> and <NUM> of the first connecting fitting 20A, with the auxiliary member <NUM> can be arranged on the same side in the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM>. Therefore, the work for rotating and advancing the coupling fittings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> by using a tool can be performed by a worker on the same side in the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM>. This makes it possible to facilitate the work, shorten the time of the work, and improve the workability of the work.

Note that in the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, coupling fittings similar to the coupling fittings <NUM> and <NUM> are used to couple the end portions 26A, on the side of the auxiliary member <NUM>, of the two connecting parts <NUM> of the first connecting member <NUM> forming the second connecting fitting 20B (see <FIG>), with the auxiliary member <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the third holes <NUM> are formed in the two connecting parts 26D and 26E of the first connecting member <NUM> of the first and second connecting fittings 20A and 20B. Also, the third holes <NUM> are formed in the two connecting parts 35D and 35E of the second connecting member <NUM> of the first connecting fitting 20A. Unlike the example shown in <FIG>, therefore, the coupling fittings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can also be arranged on the side of the connecting part 26D of the first connecting member <NUM>, and on the side of the connecting part 35D of the second connecting member <NUM>. Accordingly, the side on which the coupling fittings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are arranged can freely be selected in accordance with the state of each installation site of the hinged door apparatus. In addition, the work for connecting the door frame <NUM> to the auxiliary member <NUM> of the wall <NUM> can be performed by arranging the coupling fittings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> on the same side in the thickness direction of the door frame <NUM>, for the first and second connecting fittings 20A and 20B to be arranged in the left and right side frame members 2A and 2B and the upper frame member 2C of the door frame <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a plan sectional view showing the structure of a building or the like in which it is effective to arrange all the coupling fittings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> on the same side in the axial direction N of the central shaft <NUM> as explained with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. In this structure, a fire door <NUM> that normally opens a doorway <NUM> inside a door frame <NUM> is openable/closable around a hinge <NUM> between the door frame <NUM> and a door case <NUM> for accommodating the closed fire door <NUM>. The door case <NUM> is connected to a back wall <NUM> having a large thickness. The first and second connecting fittings 20A and 20B and the coupling fittings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> are used to connect the door case <NUM> to the back wall <NUM>. Therefore, even in the structure in which one surface of the door case <NUM> in the thickness direction is covered with the wall <NUM>, the work for connecting the door case <NUM> to the back wall <NUM> can effectively be performed by using the first and second connecting fittings 20A and 20B and the coupling fittings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The present invention can be used to connect two construction materials spaced apart from each other, more specifically, to connect a construction material of a skeleton such as a wall to an apparatus-side construction material, e.g., an opening frame such as a door frame of a hinged door apparatus, a sliding door apparatus, or the like.

Claim 1:
A connecting fitting for construction materials, which connects two construction materials arranged with an interval therebetween, wherein
the connecting fitting comprises a locked member (<NUM>) adapted to be arranged in one construction material of the two construction materials, and at least one connecting member (<NUM>),
the locked member (<NUM>) is adapted to be arranged in one construction material of the two construction materials such that a thickness direction of the one construction material, which is perpendicular to a direction of the interval, is an axial direction (N) of the locked member (<NUM>),
the at least one connecting member (<NUM>) includes a connecting part (<NUM>) including a first end portion (26B) reaching the locked member (<NUM>) and a second end portion (26A) reaching the other construction material of the two construction materials, characterized in that
the second end portion (26A) is formed to have a torsion angle (<NUM>°-α) as an inclination angle to a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (N) of the locked member (<NUM>), and
when the second end portion (26A) is coupled with the other construction material and the torsion angle (<NUM>°-α) of the second end portion (26A) reduces or disappears, a torsion angle (<NUM>°-β) as an inclination angle to a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (N) can be generated in the first end portion (26B), and the first end portion (26B) locks on the locked member (<NUM>) due to the generation of the torsion angle (<NUM>°-β) of the first end portion (26B), thereby connecting the two construction materials.