CN114630780B - Folding trolley - Google Patents

Abstract

In the folding trolley (1), the trolley frame (2) is folded from an unfolded state (P1) in which the shelf (9) is supported horizontally by a plurality of transverse structural bodies (10) to a folded state (P2) in which the plurality of transverse structural bodies (10) are folded to bring a pair of vertical structural bodies (5) close to each other. The bogie frame (2) is provided with a diagonal strut member (20) which maintains the unfolded state (P1). The diagonal brace member (20) is provided with a diagonal brace movable section (21) that can be bent in the middle in the longitudinal direction. The second handle (32) enables folding operation of the carriage frame (2). The second handle (32) is provided with an abutting part (35) which abuts against the diagonal strut member (20) when the trolley frame (2) is folded, and bends the diagonal strut member (20).

Description

Folding trolley

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a folding trolley.

Background

Conventionally, a folding type cart capable of reducing a floor area required for accommodating a cart by folding a cart frame is known (for example, refer to patent document 1).

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication 2016-203743

Disclosure of Invention

Summary of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in the above-described conventional structure, although folding and unfolding of the carriage can be performed without disassembling and reassembling the constituent members, a lock mechanism for locking the folding carriage in the unfolded state is located at the upper end of the frame separated from the operating handle, and there is room for improvement in terms of operability and the like. In addition, the folding type carriage has many movable parts, and in order to secure rigidity in an unfolded state, it is also desirable to provide a diagonal strut member on the carriage frame, but this is a problem when the carriage frame is folded.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a folding type trolley capable of facilitating folding and unfolding of a trolley frame provided with a diagonal strut member.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides a cart frame (2) comprising a pair of vertical structures (5) facing each other in a first horizontal direction and a plurality of horizontal structures (10) connecting and supporting a shelf (9) between the pair of vertical structures (5), wherein each of the plurality of horizontal structures (10) includes a bendable movable portion (13) at a center portion in the first direction, wherein the plurality of horizontal structures (10) are bendable in a interlocked manner via an interlocking member (18), wherein the cart frame (2) is capable of holding the shelf (9) in a horizontally-extended state (P1) by the plurality of horizontal structures (10) in a folded state (P2) in which the plurality of horizontal structures (10) are interlocked and the movable portion (13) is bent so as to move upward to bring the pair of vertical structures (5) close to each other, wherein the cart frame (2) is provided with a holding member (20) in a folded state (2) in which the cart frame (1) is held in a tilted state (20) in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first direction, the diagonal brace member (20) is disposed so as to extend so as to be bridged between an upper portion of one of the pair of vertical structures (5) and a lower portion of the other vertical structure (5), the diagonal brace member (20) includes a diagonal brace movable portion (21) that is bendable in a middle of the diagonal brace member (20) in a longitudinal direction, and the handle (30) includes: a first handle (31) fixed to one of the pair of vertical structures (5); and a second handle (32) fixed to the operation cross member (10 c) located below the first handle (31) in the extended state (P1) among the plurality of cross members (10), wherein, when the vertical member (5) to which the first handle (31) is fixed is set as a fixing vertical member (5 a), each of the cross members (10) is divided into a first divided member (10 a) located on the fixing vertical member (5 a) side in the first direction and a second divided member (10 b) located on the opposite side of the fixing vertical member (5 a) in the first direction, and when the first divided member (10 a) is folded, the second handle (32) is fixed to the first divided member (10 a) of the operation cross member (10 c), the first divided member (10) and the second divided member (10 b) can be brought into contact with each other in a manner of the first handle (31) and the support member (20) to be bent in a manner of at least one of the two cross members (20) when the first divided member (35) is folded.

According to this structure, when the bogie frame is folded from the unfolded state, the plurality of horizontal structural bodies including the horizontal structural body for operation are bent in a interlocked manner, so that the pair of vertical structural bodies approach each other. At this time, the abutment portion abuts against the diagonal strut member to bend the diagonal strut member, and thereby the diagonal strut member can be bent by one operation, and the bogie frame can be brought into a folded state.

When the bogie frame is unfolded from the folded state, the folded plurality of horizontal structures are extended in conjunction with each other, and the pair of vertical structures are separated from each other. At this time, the abutment portion is separated from the diagonal strut member to return the folded diagonal strut member to the extended state, whereby the diagonal strut member can be extended by one operation, and the bogie frame can be brought into the deployed state.

In this way, it is possible to provide a folding type carriage in which the carriage frame provided with the diagonal strut members can be folded and unfolded easily without the need for disassembly and reassembly of the constituent components.

A second aspect of the present invention is the first aspect, wherein the folding trolley includes a leg member (40), the leg member (40) is held at a lower portion of the trolley frame (2), and when the trolley frame (2) is in the folded state (P2), the leg member (40) extends outward in the first direction than the pair of vertical structures (5) and is grounded or brought close to the ground (F).

According to this configuration, even if the width of the carriage frame is narrowed in the first direction by folding the carriage frame, the leg members can be extended outward from the pair of vertical structures, so that the carriage in the folded state can be prevented from falling down in the first direction. The leg members automatically expand in response to folding of the carriage frame, thereby facilitating the operation from folding to storage of the carriage, and the leg members can be reliably supported during folding of the carriage.

A third aspect of the present invention is the above-described second aspect, wherein the leg member (40) is provided on the other side of the bogie frame (2) on the opposite side of the second direction from the handle (30).

According to this configuration, since the leg member is provided on the opposite side of the handle in the second direction, interference between the leg member and the underfoot space of the user who grips the handle can be suppressed. The leg members are located at a position distant from the user holding the handle, but automatically expand in response to folding of the carriage frame, so that the carriage folding operation can be prevented from being complicated.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the second or third aspect, wherein the leg member (40) extends in the first direction, a leg movable portion (41) that is bendable is provided in a middle of the leg member (40) in a longitudinal direction, the leg member (40) is bendable by the leg movable portion (41) to enable an end portion (40 c) in the longitudinal direction to be grounded or to be close to a ground surface (F), and the folding trolley (1) includes a leg locking device (50), and the leg locking device (50) holds the leg movable portion (41) in a bent state in a state where the leg member (40) is grounded or to be close to the ground surface (F).

According to this structure, the leg locking device locks the operation of the leg movable portion in a state where the leg member is grounded or close to the ground, whereby the folded-state carriage can be reliably supported by the leg member.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the fourth aspect, wherein the leg locking device (50) includes a locking operation portion (51 b) on the handle (30) side in the second direction in the bogie frame (2).

According to this configuration, the user who grips the handle can easily operate the locking operation of the leg locking device, and can easily lock and unlock the leg member. In particular, when the leg member is provided on the opposite side of the handle, the effect is high.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the folding trolley includes a leg link member (45), the leg link member (45) extending downward from at least one of the plurality of the lateral structures (10), and the leg movable portion (41) is pulled upward with upward movement of the movable portion (13) to ground or bring an end portion (40 c) of the leg member (40) close to the ground (F).

According to this configuration, the leg members are interlocked by the upward movement of the movable portion of the cross structure body at the time of folding the carriage frame, and the end portions are grounded or brought close to the ground, so that the carriage in the folded state can be easily and reliably supported.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is the above-described first to sixth aspects, wherein a locking device (15) for holding the carriage frame (2) in a folded state (P2) is provided on one side of the carriage frame (2) in the second direction.

According to this configuration, since the locking device is provided on the same side of the bogie frame as the handle, the user can easily lock and unlock the bogie frame by the folded state of the locking device when the user uses the handle to perform the folding operation and the unfolding operation of the bogie frame.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is the folding trolley according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the folding trolley includes a biasing member (25) that biases the diagonal strut member (20) so as to flatten the bending of the diagonal strut movable section (21).

According to this configuration, when the abutment portion abuts the diagonal strut member during folding of the carriage, the diagonal strut member can be bent against the urging force of the urging member. When the abutment portion is separated from the diagonal strut member during deployment of the carriage, the diagonal strut member can be rapidly elongated into a linear shape by the urging force of the urging member.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is the folding trolley according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the folding trolley includes a cover member (26) covering a periphery of the diagonal strut movable section (21).

According to this structure, contact, engagement, and the like of foreign matter during operation of the diagonal strut movable section can be suppressed.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is the above-described first to ninth aspects, wherein the contact portion (35) includes a roller (37) capable of rolling in contact with the inclined strut member (20).

According to this configuration, the roller of the contact portion is brought into rolling contact with the diagonal strut member and the diagonal strut member is bent, so that the bending of the diagonal strut member can be smoothly performed.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, a folding type cart in which a cart frame provided with a diagonal strut member is easily folded and unfolded can be provided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a folding trolley in an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the diagonal strut member side of the folding type carriage.

Fig. 3 is a side view corresponding to fig. 2 in a case where the carriage frame is folded in the above-described folding carriage.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an effect of bending the diagonal strut member when the folding trolley is folded.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a locking device for locking the folding trolley in a folded state.

Fig. 6 is a side view showing an upper portion of the diagonal strut member, (a) shows when the bogie frame is in an unfolded state and the diagonal strut member is extended, (b) shows when the diagonal strut member is in a middle of folding of the bogie frame, and (c) shows when the bogie frame is in a folded state and the diagonal strut member is folded.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the leg members of the folding type carriage, (a) showing the carriage frame in an unfolded state and the leg members being stored, (b) showing the carriage frame in a folded state and the leg members being extended halfway, and (c) showing the carriage frame in a folded state and the leg members being extended.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the leg locking device of the folding trolley, in which (a) shows the whole leg locking device, (b) shows the periphery of the operating member, and (c) shows the periphery of the locking member.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the periphery of the leg movable portion of the folding type carriage.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, the folding type carriage of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

For example, in a finished vehicle assembly line of an automobile, a folding type carriage 1 (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as a carriage 1) shown in fig. 1 to 3 is used for carrying a plurality of group units assembled by a group line to a main line. Since the trolley storage area of the group wire is limited, the trolley 1 can be stored compactly by folding (see fig. 3), and the following effects can be achieved. That is, the number of steps can be reduced without storing the pallet 1 in a separate storage place, and the number of the pallet 1 can be easily adjusted even when the number of the production is increased or decreased.

The carriage 1 includes a carriage frame 2 that defines a rectangular parallelepiped component accommodation space and supports a multi-layered shelf 9 in the space. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, each structure in the horizontally extended state (see fig. 1 and 2) of the shelf 9 will be described.

In this embodiment, each structure will be described by setting an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system. The direction along arrow X is referred to as the left-right direction (carriage width direction), the direction along arrow Y is referred to as the front-back direction (carriage depth direction), and the direction along arrow Z is referred to as the up-down direction (carriage up-down direction). The vertical direction is the normal direction (vertical direction) of the horizontal floor surface F of the mounting carriage 1. The case of viewing from the width direction of the vehicle is referred to as side view.

The carriage frame 2 is constituted by combining a frame member made of, for example, a hollow extruded material made of an aluminum alloy with a hinge mechanism that connects a plurality of frame members to be rotatable about an axial center in the lateral direction. The carriage frame 2 is composed of a light aluminum material and is a parallel link mechanism that can be easily unfolded and folded.

The carriage frame 2 includes: a pair of vertical structures 5 opposed in the front-rear direction; and a plurality of horizontal structures 10 connecting the pair of vertical structures 5.

The pair of vertical structures 5 has a symmetrical structure in the front-rear direction. Each vertical structure 5 includes: a pair of support posts 6 extending in the up-down direction at both end portions in the left-right direction; and a plurality of left and right cross members 7 erected between the pair of struts 6. The left and right cross members 7 are arranged in four layers at substantially equal intervals, for example. Casters 6a capable of moving the carriage 1 are attached to the lower end portions of the respective columns 6.

Both ends of each of the left and right cross members 7 are connected to the stay 6 via an end rotation mechanism 8 having a coaxial rotation axis. The left and right cross members 7 are arranged at the same height as the plurality of cross members 10. Each of the left and right cross members 7 rotatably supports the corresponding cross member 10 with respect to the column 6. Each of the left and right cross members 7 may also be referred to as a part of the corresponding cross structure 10.

The plurality of transverse structures 10 have a common structure with each other. Each of the lateral structures 10 includes: a pair of front and rear cross members 11 extending in the front-rear direction at both end portions in the left-right direction, respectively; and a plurality of intermediate cross members 12 erected between the pair of front and rear cross members 11. The plurality of horizontal structural bodies 10 are provided in four layers up and down at a height corresponding to each of the plurality of left and right horizontal frame members 7 of the vertical structural body 5. The plurality of horizontal structures 10 support the shelf 9 horizontally. For ease of illustration, the lowermost shelf 9 is not shown.

Hereinafter, the plurality of horizontal structures 10 may be referred to as first to fourth horizontal structures 101 to 104 in order from the upper side. The first cross structure 101 connects the upper ends of the pair of struts 6, and the fourth cross structure 104 connects the lower ends of the pair of struts 6. The second cross structure 102 and the third cross structure 103 connect the upper and lower intermediate portions of the pair of struts 6, respectively.

Each of the plurality of horizontal structures 10 includes a bendable movable portion 13 at a central portion in the front-rear direction. The movable portion 13 is provided at the central portion of each of the pair of front and rear cross members 11 in the front-rear direction. The movable portion 13 can bend the lateral structure 10 (each of the front and rear cross members 11) upward into a convex mountain shape. Each of the lateral structures 10 is divided into a first divided body 10a on one side in the front-rear direction (a base end side (hereinafter referred to as a rear side) of an arrow Y in the drawing) and a second divided body 10b on the other side in the front-rear direction (a tip end side (hereinafter referred to as a front side) of the arrow Y in the drawing) through the movable portion 13 in the front-rear direction. The front and rear cross members 11 and the shelves 9 are also divided in the front-rear direction in correspondence with the division of the cross structures 10. The front-rear outer ends of the first divided body 10a are connected to a fixing vertical structure 5a described later among the pair of vertical structures 5. The end portions of the second divided body 10b on the outer sides in the front-rear direction are connected to the moving vertical structure 5b on the opposite side to the fixing vertical structure 5 a.

The bogie frame 2 is capable of being folded from an unfolded state P1 (see fig. 1 and 2) in which the plurality of horizontal structures 10 and the shelf 9 are horizontally, to a folded state P2 (see fig. 3) in which the plurality of horizontal structures 10 and the shelf 9 are bent upward in a convex mountain shape and the pair of vertical structures 5 are brought close to each other in the front-rear direction.

At the time of folding the carriage frame 2, the plurality of transverse structural bodies 10 can be bent in conjunction with each other via the interlocking member 18 extending in the up-down direction. The interlocking members 18 are provided on both sides in the front-rear direction of the carriage frame 2. Casters 18a are attached to the lower end portions of the interlocking members 18. When the carriage frame 2 is folded, the casters 18a move upward together with the interlocking members 18 and are separated from the floor surface F. When the carriage frame 2 is unfolded, the casters 18a are grounded, and the horizontal structure 10 is maintained in a state of being linearly extended in the front-rear direction (the state in which the shelf 9 is in a horizontal posture). The interlocking member 18 and the caster 18a are disposed so as to be offset inward in the lateral direction from the lateral direction outer ends (positions of the stay 6 and the diagonal stay member 20) of the carriage frame 2. This prevents the casters 18a from interfering with the two divided bodies 10a, 10b of the lowermost lateral structure 10 and the diagonal strut member 20 when the bogie frame 2 is folded.

The bogie frame 2 includes, on one side in the left-right direction (the tip end side of arrow X in the figure (hereinafter referred to as the left side)), a diagonal strut member 20 for holding the deployed state P1 and a handle 30 for grasping by a user when the bogie frame 2 is folded.

In the deployed state P1, the diagonal brace member 20 is disposed so as to extend obliquely so as to be erected on an upper portion of one (for example, a rear side) of the pair of vertical structures 5 and on a lower portion of the other (for example, a front side) of the pair of vertical structures 5. The diagonal strut member 20 is disposed at a position overlapping the strut 6 in the left-right direction.

Referring to fig. 6, the diagonal brace member 20 includes a diagonal brace movable portion 21 that is bendable in the middle of the length direction thereof. The diagonal brace movable section 21 is provided at a position on the upper end of the diagonal brace member 20. The diagonal brace movable section 21 is provided at a position on the upper end of the diagonal brace member 20 in the embodiment, but may be provided at any position between both ends in the longitudinal direction of the diagonal brace member 20. The inclined strut movable part 21 can bend the inclined strut member 20 upward into a convex mountain shape. The diagonal strut member 20 is divided into a relatively short first diagonal strut split 20a connected to the upper portion of one (rear) vertical structure 5 and a relatively long second diagonal strut split 20b connected to the lower portion of the other (front) vertical structure 5 side in the longitudinal direction through a diagonal strut movable portion 21.

Referring to fig. 1 to 4, the handle 30 includes: a first handle 31 fixed to one of the pair of vertical structures 5 (for example, the rear side, the side connecting the upper ends of the diagonal strut members 20); and a second handle 32 fixed to the cross structure 10 (third cross structure 103) at a position lower than the first handle 31 and separated from the floor surface F in the expanded state P1 of the carriage frame 2 among the plurality of cross structures 10. Hereinafter, the vertical structure 5 to which the first handle 31 is fixed is sometimes referred to as a vertical structure 5a for fixing, and the horizontal structure 10 to which the second handle 32 is fixed is sometimes referred to as a horizontal structure 10c for operation.

The second handle 32 is fixed to the first divided body 10a (divided body of the front and rear cross frame 11) of the operation cross structure 10c. The second handle 32 includes a lever member 32a extending in the front-rear direction, and a support member 32b provided between the lever member 32a and the first divided body 10 a. The lever member 32a is disposed at a position separated outward in the left-right direction of the operation cross structure 10c. The lever member 32a is shorter than the entire width of the carriage frame 2 in the front-rear direction, and extends across the center position of the carriage frame 2 in the front-rear direction to both sides. The rear half portion of the lever member 32a is supported and fixed to the operation cross structure 10c via a pair of support members 32b.

When the user folds the carriage frame 2 having the above-described handle 30, first, the user stands on the left side of the carriage frame 2, grips the first handle 31 with the left hand and grips the second handle 32 with the right hand (only the right hand is illustrated by the symbol H). Next, the user rotates the second handle 32 with the right hand in a lifted manner to operate in such a manner that the second handle 32 approaches the first handle 31. Then, the first divided body 10a of the operation cross structure 10c is also rotated integrally with the second handle 32, and accordingly, the plurality of cross structures 10 are bent in association with each other. Thereby, the bogie frame 2 and even the bogie 1 are folded so that the pair of vertical structures 5 approach each other.

At this time, the movable vertical structure 5b moves backward to approach the fixed vertical structure 5a to which the first handle 31 is fixed. The casters 6a of the vertical fixing structure 5a are locked to swivel around a vertical axis, for example, and the movement in the front-rear direction is restricted. This facilitates the rear movement of the movable vertical structure 5b to approach the fixed vertical structure 5a. The caster 6a of the vertical structure 5a for fixing may be a caster 6a capable of switching between locking and unlocking, and the caster 6a may be a caster 6a of the vertical structure 5b for moving.

Referring to fig. 2, at least one of the second handle 32 and the operation cross structure 10c includes an abutment portion 35 for abutting against the diagonal strut member 20 (the second diagonal strut split 20 b) and bending the diagonal strut member 20 when the bogie frame 2 is folded. The contact portion 35 includes, for example, a contact member 36 fixed to the inner side of the second handle 32 in the left-right direction. The second handle 32 and the operation cross structure 10c are rotated upward about the rotation axis of the rear end portion of the operation cross structure 10c, and the rotation locus R1 of the abutment member 36 at the time of the rotation intersects the diagonal strut member 20 in a side view. Therefore, when the second handle 32 is rotated upward so as to be lifted, the abutment member 36 abuts the diagonal strut member 20 from below, and gives a moment of bending to the diagonal strut member 20. At this time, the pair of vertical structures 5 start to approach, and a load in the buckling direction is applied to the diagonal strut member 20. Accordingly, only the initial movement of the bending is generated by the abutment member 36 abutting against the diagonal strut member 20, and thereafter the diagonal strut member 20 is folded in such a manner as to automatically increase the bending angle.

Referring to fig. 1 and 4, the contact portion 35 may be constituted by a support member 32b on the central side in the front-rear direction of the carriage frame 2 in the second handle 32, for example. The contact portion 35 may include a roller 37 capable of rolling in contact with the middle of the diagonal strut member 20 in the longitudinal direction. The drum 37 may be made of a resin material softer than the diagonal strut member 20, for example. This suppresses damage to the surface of the diagonal strut member 20 and maintains a good appearance, compared to a structure in which the metal abutment portion 35 is in sliding contact with the diagonal strut member 20 and is thereby lifted by friction. The contact portion 35 is not limited to the structure of the first divided body 10a provided in the operation cross structure 10c, and may be provided in the second divided body 10b of the operation cross structure 10 c.

Referring to fig. 2, 3 and 6, the diagonal-column movable section 21 is provided with a biasing member 25 that applies a biasing force so as to flatten the bending of the diagonal-column movable section 21. The biasing member 25 is constituted by, for example, a tension coil spring, and is disposed so that the expansion and contraction direction is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the diagonal strut member 20. The urging member 25 engages the spiral end on one side in the expansion and contraction direction with the end of the rotation shaft of the diagonal strut movable section 21, and engages the spiral end on the other side in the expansion and contraction direction with the strut 6 by being disposed obliquely downward. When the carriage frame 2 is returned from the folded state P2 to the unfolded state P1 by the biasing force of the biasing member 25, the inclined strut member 20 in the folded state is easily returned to the straight state. In other words, the biasing member 25 easily returns the diagonal strut member 20 to the form as a diagonal strut.

The periphery of the diagonal strut movable section 21 and the biasing member 25 is covered with a cover member 26. The cover member 26 covers the periphery of the inclined strut movable part 21 and the telescopic urging member 25, thereby preventing foreign matter from coming into contact with and engaging with the inclined strut movable part 21 and the urging member 25. In addition, the cover member 26 conceals the mechanism components to improve the appearance. The cover member 26 may be transparent or translucent.

The uppermost horizontal structure 10 (first horizontal structure 101) where the upper end of the diagonal strut member 20 is close to is provided with a restricting member 27 that is fixed to the first divided body 11a (divided body of the front and rear horizontal frame 11) of the horizontal structure 10 and protrudes outward in the left-right direction. The restricting member 27 assists to suppress excessive bending of the diagonal strut member 20 when the bogie frame 2 is folded and to reliably extend the diagonal strut member 20 when the bogie frame 2 is unfolded.

Referring to fig. 2, 3, and 5, a locking device 15 for holding the carriage frame 2 in the folded state P2 is provided on one side (left side, same side as the handle 30) in the left-right direction of the carriage frame 2. The locking device 15 is constituted, for example, using an air connector 16. The air connector 16 is disposed with its axial direction along the front-rear direction. The plug 16a of the air connector 16 is fixed to the fixing vertical structure 5a via the support member 17 a. The socket 16b of the air connector 16 is fixed to the moving vertical structure 5b via a support member 17 b. The air connector 16 can be automatically locked in response to an operation of folding the carriage frame 2 (an operation of approaching the pair of vertical structures 5 in the front-rear direction). When the carriage frame 2 is folded, the air connector 16 is disposed at a height that is in the vicinity of the second handle 32 (in the embodiment, below the second handle 32). Thus, when the carriage frame 2 is folded, the connection of the air connector 16 can be assisted by the hand H that grips the second handle 32, or when the carriage frame 2 is unfolded, the unfolding can be assisted by the hand H that rapidly grips the second handle 32 by the hand H that operates the unlocking sleeve (not shown) of the socket 16 b.

Referring to fig. 1, 3, and 7, a leg member 40 extending outward in the front-rear direction than the pair of vertical structures 5 in the folded state P2 of the carriage frame 2 is provided below the transverse structure 10 (fourth transverse structure 104) of the carriage frame 2, which is located near the lowermost layer of the floor surface F. The leg member 40 is provided on the other side (right side, opposite to the handle 30) in the left-right direction in the bogie frame 2. The leg member 40 extends in the front-rear direction, and includes a bendable leg movable portion 41 in the middle of the length direction thereof. The leg movable portion 41 is provided at a central portion in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the leg member 40. The leg movable portion 41 can bend the leg member 40 upward into a convex mountain shape. The leg member 40 is divided into a first leg divided body 40a on one side (rear side) in the front-rear direction and a second leg divided body 40b on the other side (front side) in the front-rear direction in the longitudinal direction with the leg movable portion 41 interposed therebetween.

The leg members 40 have a length equal to the entire width of the carriage frame 2 in the front-rear direction in the expanded state P1, and do not protrude outward in the front-rear direction of each of the vertical structures 5 in the expanded state P1 (see fig. 7 (a)). During folding of the bogie frame 2, the leg members 40 protrude outward in the front-rear direction relative to the pair of vertical structures 5 that are adjacent to each other (see fig. 7 (b) and 7 (c)). The leg member 40 is bent by the leg movable portion 41 to change into a mountain shape, and thereby the longitudinal both end portions 40c can be displaced downward to be grounded on the floor surface F.

Referring to fig. 1, 7 and 8, a leg lock device 50 for holding the leg movable portion 41 in a bent state in a state where both end portions 40c of the leg member 40 are grounded or close to the floor surface F is provided below the lowermost horizontal structure 10 in the bogie frame 2. The leg locking device 50 includes: an operation member 51 supported on one side (left side, same as the handle 30) of the carriage frame 2 in the left-right direction and at a position offset to one side (for example, the side of the vertical structure 5b for movement) from the central position in the front-rear direction so as to be movable in the left-right direction; a lock member 53 supported on the other side (right side, opposite to the handle 30) of the carriage frame 2 in the lateral direction and supported at a central position in the front-rear direction so as to be movable in the lateral direction; and a relay lever 55 provided on the operating member 51 and the locking member 53.

The operation member 51 is supported by a support member 52 fixed to, for example, the left and right cross members 7 at the lowermost layer of the vertical fixing structure 5a so as to be capable of moving in the front-rear direction. The operation member 51 includes: a rod 51a which is supported by the support member 52 in a straight line along the left-right direction; a knob 51b provided outside the lever 51a in the left-right direction, for example, in a spherical shape; and an annular portion 51c provided on the inner side of the lever portion 51a in the left-right direction.

The lock member 53 is supported by a support member 54 fixed to one of the first leg segment 40a and the second leg segment 40b (the second leg segment 40b in the drawing) so as to be capable of moving in the front-rear direction. The lock member 53 includes: a rod 53a which is supported by the support member 54 in a straight line along the left-right direction; a lock pin 53b provided outside the lever 53a in the left-right direction; and an annular portion 53c provided on the inner side of the lever portion 53a in the left-right direction. When the leg movable portion 41 is bent to change to a mountain shape, the lock pin portion 53b can be inserted into and removed from between the pair of hinge members 41a and 41b that relatively rotate via the rotation shaft 42 of the leg movable portion 41. The locking pin 53b locks the leg movable portion 41 and even the leg member 40 in a bent state when inserted between the pair of hinge members 41a, 41 b. Thus, the both end portions 40c of the leg member 40 are maintained in a state of being grounded or close to the floor surface F, and the carriage 1 in the folded state P2 can be suppressed from being laid down.

The relay lever 55 includes: a linear body portion 55a extending obliquely to the left-right direction in the expanded state P1 of the carriage frame 2; a first annular portion 55b provided at the left end portion (the operating member 51 side) of the main body portion 55a; and a second annular portion 55c provided at an end portion on the right side (locking member 53 side) of the main body portion 55 a. The first annular portion 55b is engaged with and swingably coupled to the annular portion 51c of the operation member 51. The second annular portion 55c is engaged with and swingably coupled to the annular portion 53c of the lock member 53.

When the carriage frame 2 is in the deployed state P1, the lock member 53 cannot be inserted into the leg movable portion 41. The leg members 40 have both ends 40c passing through and supported by the leg insertion portions 43 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and the leg insertion portions 43 are swingably suspended from the left and right cross members 7 at the lowermost level. For example, the end caps 44a are made large in diameter, so that the both end portions 40c of the leg member 40 are prevented from coming off the leg insertion portions 43. When the carriage frame 2 is in the expanded state P1, the relay lever 55 is disposed obliquely to the front-rear direction, and the knob portion 51b of the operating member 51 is disposed near the left end portion of the vertical structure 5.

Here, when the pair of vertical structures 5 are brought close to each other by folding the bogie frame 2, and the leg insertion sections 43 of the respective vertical structures 5 are brought close to each other, the length of the leg members 40 extending outward in the front-rear direction than the leg insertion sections 43 increases. A pair of stopper members 44b (see fig. 7 c) are fixed to the inner sides of the leg members 40 in the front-rear direction so that the leg members 40 extend toward one side in the front-rear direction in the folded state P2 of the carriage frame 2. The stopper member 44b has an outer diameter that cannot pass through the leg insertion portion 43, and is disposed on both sides of the leg movable portion 41 with a gap therebetween. Even if the leg members 40 are moved toward the front-rear direction side during folding of the carriage frame 2, the stopper members 44b can restrict the movement at appropriate positions. Thus, in the folded state P2 of the carriage frame 2, the leg members 40 are in a state of being extended equally on both sides in the front-rear direction.

In the folded state P2 of the carriage frame 2, the leg members 40 may be bent into a mountain shape by their own weight so that both end portions 40c move downward. In the embodiment, the leg link wire 45 is provided to positively bend the leg member 40 (see fig. 7 b and 7 c). The leg link wire 45 extends downward from the movable portion 13 of at least one of the plurality of horizontal structures 10 (in the embodiment, the third horizontal structure 103) and is connected to the leg movable portion 41. When the carriage frame 2 is in the expanded state P1 and in the first half of the folding of the carriage frame 2, the leg link wires 45 are arranged with flexure between the movable portion 13 of the transverse structure body 10 and the leg movable portions 41 of the leg members 40 (see fig. 7 (b)).

In the latter half of the folding of the bogie frame 2, the movable section 13 moves upward greatly with the bending of the transverse structural body 10, and the leg link wires 45 cancel the bending and pull up the leg movable sections 41 upward. Thus, the leg members 40 can be bent in association with the folding of the carriage frame 2, and can function as a parking frame for the carriage 1 in the folded state P2. Since the bending angle of the leg member 40 is smaller than that of the lateral structure 10, the leg member 40 can be bent at a shallow angle later than the lateral structure 10 by the deflection of the leg link wire 45 (the cable-like member). In the embodiment, the leg movable portion 41 and the like may further include a biasing member (not shown) for returning the bent leg member 40 to a linear shape. In this case, when the carriage frame 2 is unfolded from the folded state P2, the leg members 40 quickly return to the linear shape, and therefore the stroke of the leg members 40 becomes smooth.

As shown in fig. 9, instead of (or in combination with) the leg link wire 45, a biasing member 46 may be provided between the pair of hinge members 41a and 41b of the leg movable portion 41 as a structure for positively bending the leg member 40. The urging member 46 is, for example, a compression coil spring, and is provided between the pair of hinge members 41a and 41b in a compressed state at a position eccentric from the rotation shaft 42. By the urging member 46, the leg member 40 is easily bent at the time of folding the carriage frame 2, and the lock pin 53b is easily inserted between the pair of hinge members 41a and 41 b.

When the carriage frame 2 is brought into the folded state P2, the lock pin 53b can be inserted into and removed from between the pair of hinge members 41a and 41b of the leg movable portion 41. At this time, the relay lever 55 is reduced in the inclination angle with respect to the front-rear direction, and therefore the tab portion 51b of the operation member 51 is projected outward in the front-rear direction by the remaining length of the relay lever 55, and the lock pin portion 53b is inserted into the leg movable portion 41. In this state, the knob portion 51b is moved in the left-right direction, whereby the lock pin portion 53b can be inserted into and removed from the leg movable portion 41. When the carriage frame 2 is brought into the folded state P2, the operating member 51 and the locking member 53 are also biased in the up-down direction. In contrast, since the operation member 51 and the relay lever 55 are swingable and the relay lever 55 and the lock member 53 are swingable, even when the bogie frame 2 is in the folded state P2, the lock member 53 can be inserted into and removed from the leg movable section 41 by the stroke operation of the operation member 51.

< action >

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described.

First, when the carriage frame 2 is folded from the unfolded state P1, the user holds the first handle 31 with the left hand and rotates the second handle 32 with the right hand in a lifted manner, thereby moving the second handle 32 so as to approach the first handle 31. Then, the plurality of horizontal structural bodies 10 including the operation horizontal structural body 10c are bent in conjunction with each other, so that the pair of vertical structural bodies 5 approach each other. At this time, the first divided body 10a of the operation cross structure 10c rotates together with the second handle 32, and at least one of them is provided with an abutting portion 35 that abuts against the diagonal strut member 20 to bend the diagonal strut member 20. The abutment portion 35 abuts against the diagonal strut member 20 having the bendable diagonal strut movable portion 21 from a lateral direction intersecting the longitudinal direction thereof, thereby assisting in bending (folding) of the diagonal strut member 20. Therefore, by the operation of one operation of raising the second handle 32 to rotate it so as to approach the first handle 31, the diagonal brace member 20 is automatically bent to approach the pair of vertical structures 5, and the bogie frame 2 can be changed to the folded state P2. In folding the carriage frame 2, the leg members 40 as fall-preventing parking frames are automatically unfolded in conjunction with the folding, and thus the folding operation of the carriage 1 is made easier.

When the bogie frame 2 is unfolded from the folded state P2, the second handle 32 is rotated downward so as to be separated from the first handle 31, and the plurality of bent horizontal structural bodies 10 are extended to a horizontal state, and the pair of vertical structural bodies 5 are separated from each other. At this time, the abutment portion 35 is separated from the inclined strut member 20, and the bent inclined strut member 20 can be extended in a straight line. As a result, the bogie frame 2 can be changed to the deployed state P1 in which the diagonal strut members 20 are disposed between the pair of vertical structures 5 by one operation of rotating the second handle 32 away from the first handle 31, as in the case of folding. When the carriage frame 2 is unfolded, the leg members 40 as fall-preventing parking frames are automatically stored in conjunction with the unfolding operation of the carriage frame 1.

As described above, the folding cart 1 according to the above embodiment includes the pair of vertical structures 5 facing each other in the front-rear direction and the plurality of horizontal structures 10 connecting the pair of vertical structures 5 to each other and supporting the shelf 9, and constitutes the cart frame 2. Each of the plurality of horizontal structures 10 includes a bendable movable portion 13 at a central portion in the front-rear direction. The plurality of transverse structures 10 are bent so as to be interlocked with each other via the interlocking member 18. The bogie frame 2 is capable of being folded from an unfolded state P1 in which the shelf 9 is supported horizontally by the plurality of horizontal structural bodies 10 to a folded state P2 in which the plurality of horizontal structural bodies 10 are linked to bend the movable portion 13 so as to move upward, thereby bringing the pair of vertical structural bodies 5 closer to each other in the front-rear direction. The bogie frame 2 includes, on one side in the lateral direction, a diagonal strut member 20 that maintains the unfolded state P1, and a handle 30 that is gripped by a user when folding the bogie frame 2. In the deployed state P1, the diagonal brace member 20 is disposed so as to extend so as to be erected on the upper portion of one of the pair of vertical structures 5 and the lower portion of the other vertical structure 5. The diagonal brace member 20 includes a diagonal brace movable portion 21 that is bendable in the middle of the longitudinal direction thereof. The handle 30 includes: a first handle 31 fixed to one of the pair of vertical structures 5; and a second handle 32 fixed to the operation cross structure 10c located below the first handle 31 in the expanded state P1 among the plurality of cross structures 10. When the vertical structure 5 to which the first handle 31 is fixed is referred to as a vertical structure 5a for fixation, each of the horizontal structures 10 is divided into a first divided body 10a located on the vertical structure 5a side in the front-rear direction and a second divided body 10b located on the opposite side to the vertical structure 5a in the front-rear direction through the movable portion 13. The second handle 32 is fixed to the first divided body 10a of the operation cross structure 10c, and the first divided body 10a and the second handle 32 can be operated together so as to approach the first handle 31 when the bogie frame 2 is folded. At least one of the second handle 32 and the operation cross structure 10c includes an abutment portion 35 that abuts against the diagonal strut member 20 to bend the diagonal strut member 20 when the bogie frame 2 is folded.

According to this structure, when the bogie frame 2 is folded from the unfolded state P1, the plurality of horizontal structural bodies 10 including the operation horizontal structural body 10c are bent in a interlocked manner, so that the pair of vertical structural bodies 5 approach each other. At this time, the abutment portion 35 abuts against the diagonal strut member 20 to bend the diagonal strut member 20, whereby the diagonal strut member 20 can be bent by one operation, and the bogie frame 2 can be brought into the folded state P2.

When the bogie frame 2 is unfolded from the folded state P2, the folded plurality of horizontal structures 10 are extended in conjunction with each other, and the pair of vertical structures 5 are separated from each other. At this time, the abutment portion 35 is separated from the diagonal strut member 20 to return the folded diagonal strut member 20 to the extended state, whereby the diagonal strut member 20 can be extended by one operation, and the bogie frame 2 can be brought into the deployed state P1.

In this way, it is possible to provide the folding type carriage 1 in which the folding and unfolding of the carriage frame 2 provided with the diagonal strut members 20 are facilitated without the need for disassembly and reassembly of the constituent components.

The folding cart 1 according to the above embodiment includes the leg members 40, and the leg members 40 are held at the lower portion of the cart frame 2, and when the cart frame 2 is in the folded state, the leg members 40 extend outward in the first direction than the pair of vertical structures 5 and are grounded or brought close to the floor surface F.

According to this configuration, even if the width of the bogie frame 2 is narrowed in the first direction by folding the bogie frame 2, the leg members 40 extend outward from the pair of vertical structures 5, and therefore, the bogie 1 in the folded state can be prevented from falling down in the first direction. The leg members 40 are automatically unfolded in response to folding of the carriage frame 2, thereby facilitating the operation from folding to storage of the carriage 1, and the leg members 40 can be reliably supported at the time of folding of the carriage 1.

In the folding cart 1 of the above embodiment, the leg member 40 is provided on the other side of the cart frame 2 opposite to the handle 30 in the second direction.

According to this configuration, since the leg member 40 is provided on the opposite side of the handle 30 in the second direction, interference between the leg member 40 and the underfoot space of the user who grips the handle 30 can be suppressed. The leg members 40 are located at a position distant from the user who grips the handle 30, but automatically expand in response to folding of the carriage frame 2, so that the folding operation of the carriage 1 can be prevented from being complicated.

In the folding cart 1 of the above embodiment, the leg member 40 extends in the first direction, a bendable leg movable portion 41 is provided in the middle of the leg member 40 in the longitudinal direction, the leg member 40 is bent by the leg movable portion 41 to enable the longitudinal end portion 40c to be grounded or to be close to the floor surface F, and the folding cart 1 includes a leg lock device 50, and the leg lock device 50 holds the leg movable portion 41 in a bent state in a state where the leg member 40 is grounded or to be close to the floor surface F.

According to this structure, the leg lock device 50 locks the operation of the leg movable portion 41 in a state where the leg member 40 is grounded or close to the floor surface F, whereby the folded-state carriage 1 can be reliably supported by the leg member 40.

In the folding cart 1 of the above embodiment, the leg locking device 50 includes a locking operation portion (knob portion 51 b) on the handle 30 side in the second direction in the cart frame 2.

With this configuration, the user who grips the handle 30 can easily operate the locking operation of the leg locking device 50, and can easily lock and unlock the leg member 40. In particular, in the case where the leg member 40 is provided on the opposite side from the handle 30, the effect is high.

The folding cart 1 according to the above embodiment includes a leg link member (leg link wire 45) that extends downward from at least one of the plurality of the transverse structural bodies 10, and pulls up the leg movable portion 41 upward as the movable portion 13 moves upward, so that the end 40c of the leg member 40 is grounded or brought close to the floor surface F.

According to this configuration, the leg members 40 are linked by moving the upper side of the movable portion 13 of the transverse structural body 10 at the time of folding the carriage frame 2, and the end 40c is grounded or brought close to the floor surface F, so that the carriage 1 in the folded state can be easily and reliably supported.

In the folding cart 1 of the above embodiment, a locking device 15 for holding the cart frame 2 in a folded state is provided on one side of the cart frame 2 in the second direction.

According to this configuration, since the locking device 15 is provided on the same side of the bogie frame 2 as the handle 30, when the user uses the handle 30 to perform folding and unfolding operations of the bogie frame 2, locking and unlocking can be easily performed by the folded state of the locking device 15.

The folding cart 1 of the above embodiment includes a biasing member 25 that biases the diagonal strut member 20 so as to bend and flatten the diagonal strut movable section 21.

According to this configuration, when the abutment portion 35 abuts against the diagonal strut member 20 during folding of the carriage 1, the diagonal strut member 20 can be folded against the urging force of the urging member 25. When the abutment 35 is separated from the diagonal strut member 20 during deployment of the bogie 1, the diagonal strut member 20 can be rapidly extended into a linear shape by the urging force of the urging member 25.

The folding cart 1 of the above embodiment includes a cover member 26 covering the periphery of the diagonal strut movable section 21.

With this configuration, contact, engagement, and the like of foreign matter during operation of the diagonal strut movable section 21 can be suppressed.

In the folding cart 1 of the above embodiment, the contact portion 35 includes a roller 37 capable of rolling in contact with the inclined strut member 20.

According to this structure, the roller 37 of the contact portion 35 is brought into rolling contact with the diagonal brace member 20 and the diagonal brace member 20 is bent, so that the bending of the diagonal brace member 20 can be smoothly performed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and for example, the pair of vertical structures 5 is not limited to a frame shape, and may include a wall-shaped portion or a plate-shaped portion in at least a part thereof. The lateral structure 10 is not limited to the upper and lower four layers, and may have a smaller number or a larger number of lateral structures 10.

The configuration of the above-described embodiment is an example of the present invention, and the constituent elements of the embodiment may be replaced with known constituent elements or the like, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Symbol description:

1. folding trolley

2. Trolley frame

5. Vertical structure

Vertical structure for 5a fixation

9. Shelf board

10. Transverse structure

10a first segment

10b second segment

Transverse structure for 10c operation

13. A movable part

15. Locking device

20. Inclined strut member

21. Movable part of inclined strut

25. Force application member

26. Cover member

30. Handle grip

31. First handle

32. Second handle

35. Abutment portion

37. Roller

40. Leg member

40c end

41. Leg movable part

45. Leg linkage wire (leg linkage component)

50. Leg locking device

51b handle (locking operation part)

P1 expanded state

P2 folded state

F floor surface (floor)

Claims (10)

1. A folding trolley, wherein,

the folding trolley comprises a pair of vertical structural bodies (5) which are opposite in a horizontal first direction and a plurality of horizontal structural bodies (10) which connect the pair of vertical structural bodies (5) and support a shelf (9) so as to form a trolley frame (2),

the plurality of transverse structures (10) are respectively provided with a bendable movable part (13) at the central part of the first direction,

the plurality of cross structures (10) can be mutually bent in a linkage manner through a linkage member (18),

the trolley frame (2) is capable of changing from an unfolded state (P1) in which the shelf (9) is supported horizontally by a plurality of the horizontal structural bodies (10) to a folded state (P2) in which the movable part (13) is folded so as to move upward in conjunction with the plurality of the horizontal structural bodies (10) to bring the pair of vertical structural bodies (5) close to each other,

the trolley frame (2) is provided with an inclined strut member (20) for maintaining the unfolded state (P1) on one side of a horizontal second direction orthogonal to the first direction and a handle (30) for a user to hold when the trolley frame (2) is folded,

In the unfolded state (P1), the diagonal brace member (20) is arranged so as to extend so as to span the upper portion of one of the pair of vertical structures (5) and the lower portion of the other vertical structure (5),

the inclined strut member (20) is provided with an inclined strut movable part (21) which can be bent at the midway of the length direction of the inclined strut member (20),

the handle (30) is provided with: a first handle (31) fixed to one of the pair of vertical structures (5); and a second handle (32) fixed to the operation cross structure (10 c) located below the first handle (31) in the expanded state (P1) among the plurality of cross structures (10),

when the vertical structure (5) to which the first handle (31) is fixed is used as a vertical structure (5 a) for fixing, each of the horizontal structures (10) is divided into a first divided body (10 a) located on the vertical structure (5 a) side for fixing in the first direction and a second divided body (10 b) located on the opposite side of the vertical structure (5 a) for fixing in the first direction through the movable part (13),

the second handle (32) is fixed to the first divided body (10 a) of the operation cross structure (10 c), and the first divided body (10 a) and the second handle (32) can be operated together so as to approach the first handle (31) when the bogie frame (2) is folded,

At least one of the second handle (32) and the operation cross structure (10 c) is provided with an abutting portion (35) that abuts the diagonal strut member (20) and bends the diagonal strut member (20) when the bogie frame (2) is folded.

2. The folding trolley of claim 1 wherein,

the folding trolley is provided with leg members (40), wherein the leg members (40) are held at the lower part of the trolley frame (2), and when the trolley frame (2) is in the folded state (P2), the leg members (40) extend outward in the first direction than the pair of vertical structures (5) and are grounded or close to the ground (F).

3. The folding trolley of claim 2 wherein,

the leg member (40) is provided on the other side of the bogie frame (2) opposite to the handle (30) in the second direction.

4. A folding trolley according to claim 2 or 3, wherein,

the leg member (40) extends in the first direction,

a leg movable part (41) capable of being bent is provided in the middle of the leg member (40) in the longitudinal direction,

the leg member (40) is bent by the leg movable part (41) so that the end (40 c) in the longitudinal direction can be grounded or brought close to the ground (F),

The folding trolley (1) is provided with a leg locking device (50), and the leg locking device (50) maintains the leg movable part (41) in a bent state in a state that the leg member (40) is grounded or is close to the ground (F).

5. The folding cart of claim 4 wherein,

the leg locking device (50) is provided with a locking operation part (51 b) on the handle (30) side in the second direction in the trolley frame (2).

6. The folding cart of claim 4 wherein,

the folding trolley is provided with a leg linkage member (45), wherein the leg linkage member (45) extends downwards from at least one of the plurality of transverse structural bodies (10), and the leg movable part (41) is pulled upwards along with the upward movement of the movable part (13), so that the end part (40 c) of the leg member (40) is grounded or is close to the ground (F).

7. The folding trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,

a locking device (15) for holding the trolley frame (2) in a folded state (P2) is provided on one side of the trolley frame (2) in the second direction.

8. The folding trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,

the folding trolley is provided with a biasing member (25) for biasing the diagonal strut member (20) so as to flatten the bending of the diagonal strut movable part (21).

9. The folding trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,

the folding trolley is provided with a cover member (26) covering the periphery of the inclined strut movable part (21).

10. The folding trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,

the contact portion (35) is provided with a roller (37) capable of rolling in contact with the inclined strut member (20).