JP2000007117A - Roller conveyor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easy-to-use roller conveyor whose overall width is adjustable in accordance with the size of an object transported, which can be stored being folded small at the time out of service, and assures smooth opening/closing operations. SOLUTION: Each conveyor base 1 is formed from rollers 3 arranged in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of a machine frame 2, and two such conveyor bases 1 are laid parallel and coupled together by a link mechanism 4. The link mechanism 4 consists of a pair of intersecting swing links 4A and 4B, which are connected with the machine frames 2 of the conveyor bases 1 whose two ends are opposing while they are swingable oppositely. Accordingly it is possible to open and close while the conveyor bases 1 are kept in parallel condition through the link mechanism 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a roller conveyor, and more particularly, to a roller conveyor that can be adjusted in its entire width according to the size of a conveyed product and can be folded and stored small when not in use.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, belt conveyors, chain conveyors, roller conveyors and the like are known as conveyors for transporting articles. Among them, roller conveyors are roughly classified into gravity conveyors having a number of rollers, drive roller conveyors capable of automatically driving rollers with a drive source, and wheel conveyors using wheels as rollers, each of which is manually conveyed and powered. It is widely used for conveyance using gravitational force and conveyance using gravity.

[0003] However, many of these types have a wide machine frame equipped with rollers or wheels at an appropriate pitch so that they can be applied to the conveyance of articles of various sizes, and are relatively large and heavy. It was difficult to move when installed and to store when not in use.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 10-35843 proposes a roller conveyor in which a pair of slender conveyors are connected by a toggle joint so as to be adjustable in distance as a folding conveyor. According to this conveyor, the interval is adjusted according to the size of the conveyed object, and the conveyor can be folded and stored when not in use.

[0005]

However, according to the above-mentioned conventional foldable conveyor, the two links constituting the toggle joint become in series when the distance between them is increased, so that the folding becomes difficult. There is
In addition, since a plurality of sets of toggle joints are connected by the interval adjusting rod, the structure becomes complicated, and the total weight increases, which causes a problem of lack of convenience.

Accordingly, the present invention is to provide a simple roller conveyor that can be adjusted in its entire width according to the size of a conveyed product and can be folded and stored small when not in use, so that the opening and closing operation thereof can be smoothly performed. Is the main purpose.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a conveyor base having rolling rollers connected in series along the longitudinal direction of a machine frame, and at least two conveyor bases are provided. A roller conveyor connected in parallel with a link mechanism capable of adjusting a distance, wherein the link mechanism comprises a pair of intersecting rocking links, and the rocking links can be rocked in opposite directions to each other so that both ends are relatively movable. And a roller conveyor connected to a conveyor-based machine frame.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a conveyor base comprising rolling rollers connected in series along the longitudinal direction of the machine frame is provided, and at least two of the conveyor bases are arranged in parallel. A roller conveyor connected so as to be able to adjust the distance by a link mechanism, wherein the link mechanism comprises a pair of swinging links connected to a conveyer base with both ends crossing each other, and the swinging links swing at their intersections. Each end is fixed to the machine frame of the opposing conveyor base as the moving center, and the other end is connected to the machine frame of each conveyor base via a slider that slides along the longitudinal direction of the opposing conveyor base. A roller conveyor is provided.

[0009] In particular, on the opposite conveyor-based machine frame,
A track for slidably supporting the slide is formed along each longitudinal direction, and a fixing means for regulating the swing is provided at the intersection of the pair of swing links.

[0010]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a preferred example of a roller conveyor according to the present invention; FIG. The state of use, (B), shows a state in which this is folded.

The roller conveyor of this embodiment belongs to a wheel conveyor, and reference numeral 1 denotes a conveyor base as its main component. The conveyor base 1 is constructed by connecting rolling rollers 3,... As wheels in series along a longitudinal direction with a rigid and elongated machine frame 2 made of aluminum or the like. The rolling roller 3 is a roller (wheel) having a width smaller than the diameter, but a roller having a width larger than the diameter may be used.

According to the roller conveyor according to the present invention, two conveyor bases 1 are arranged in parallel (1, 1) as shown in FIG. The link mechanism 4 includes a pair of intersecting swing links 4A and 4B. The swing links 4A and 4B can swing in opposite directions, and both ends thereof are connected to the conveyer bases 1 and 1 facing each other. You. The pair of conveyor bases 1 and 1 are opened and closed while maintaining the parallel state by the operation of the link mechanism 4 composed of the swing links 4A and 4B, and the mutual interval is set as shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B). It can be adjusted freely.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section taken along line XX in FIG. As is apparent from this figure, the machine casing 2 is in the shape of a square pipe, and a side wall 5 is formed in a series at a predetermined height on the upper outer edge thereof. A rectangular through hole 6 is formed in accordance with the pitch. The rolling roller 3 is rotatably mounted in the inside thereof by a bolt 7 and a nut 8 so as to be rotatable in the normal and reverse directions, and a part of the outer periphery thereof projects outside through the through hole 6 of the machine frame 2. The rolling roller 3 has a hub 9 through which a bolt 7 is passed and a through hole 6.
The rim 10 is integrally formed with the rim 10 which is further protruded, and is rotatably attached to the portion of the machine frame 2 as described above, and is connected in series at a predetermined pitch along its longitudinal direction.

As is apparent from FIG. 2, the machine frame 2 includes a connecting member 13 having a concave cross section fixed by bolts 11 and nuts 12 on the bottom side thereof. One end of each of 4A and 4B is connected.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged bottom view of a part of the roller conveyor in FIG. As shown in this figure, the connecting fittings 13 are mounted on opposing conveyor bases 1 and 1 with a predetermined length, and the connecting fittings 1
Both ends of a pair of swing links 4A, 4B are connected to 3, 3 respectively. Here, the pair of rocking links 4A and 4B have the same length and are pivotally connected (pin-joined) to each other at their central portions. It is.

That is, a pair of oscillating links 4A, 4B are formed in a cross shape, and one end of each of them is fixed to one end of connecting metal fittings 13, 13 in the machine frames 2, 2 of the conveyor bases 1, 1 by using rivets or the like. One end on the opposite side is fixed to the other end of the connection fitting 13 by a movable pin 15 made of a rivet or the like.

In particular, one end 4A of the oscillating link is connected at both ends via spacers 16 for height adjustment to the connecting fitting 1A.
3, 13 and the connection fittings 13,
The track 13 has elongated holes 17 for guiding the movable pins 15 along the longitudinal direction. That is,
The movable pins 15, 15 are sliders slidably supported on their tracks 17, 17. When the conveyor bases 1, 1 are opened and closed, the swing links 4A, 4B swing in opposite directions to each other, and serve as sliders. Of the movable pin 15
It will reciprocate along 5,15. The center lines of the tracks 17, 17 pass through the positions of the fixing pins 14, 14.

Therefore, during use, as shown in FIG. 4, the distance between the conveyor bases 1 and 1 is adjusted in accordance with the size of the conveyed object W, and the rolling rollers 3 of the conveyor bases 1 and 1 are used to move the conveyed object W on both sides. Can be properly supported and transported. Moreover, since the side walls 5 are formed on the outer edges of the machine frames 2 and 2 of the respective conveyor bases 1 and 1, the course of the conveyed object W is not shifted, and the path of the conveyed articles W is not changed along the longitudinal direction of the conveyor bases 1 and 1. And can be reliably moved.

It is preferable that the swing links 4A and 4B can be regulated so that the interval between the conveyor bases 1 and 1 can be kept constant during use. Therefore, in the roller conveyor of this embodiment, the swing links 4A are used. , 4B, a stud bolt 18 and a fastening knob 19 are provided at the intersection P as shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 5, the stud bolt 18 is fixed to one of the swing links 4A, and the shaft thereof is inserted through the other swing link 4B. A fastening knob 19 is screwed into the shaft of the stud bolt from the swing link 4B side. The fastening knob 19 is a flanged nut formed by subjecting the peripheral surface to knurling or the like, and the swing links 4A and 4B can be fixed by tightening the flange.

Here, in order to convey articles by the roller conveyor configured as described above, first, the conveyor bases 1 and 2 are used.
1 is opened, the interval between them is adjusted to adapt to the size of the conveyed object W, and in this state, the fastening knob 19 is tightened to fix the swing links 4A and 4B. Thereafter, this is set horizontally at a required place, and the conveyed object W is placed on the rolling rollers 3 of the conveyor bases 1, 1 on both the left and right sides and manually conveyed, or is set at a required place in an inclined manner. do it,
The transported object W can be transported from the upstream side to the downstream side by the action of gravity.

After use, if the fastening knob 19 is loosened and the conveyor bases 1, 1 are pushed inward, the oscillating links 4A, 4B are pivoted about each other at one end on the fixed side with the intersection P of each other as the oscillating center. The conveyor bases 1 and 1 are close to each other and the distance between them is narrowed,
In that state, it can be carried and stored at a predetermined place.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings, the link mechanism 4 is not limited to being provided at two locations on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor bases 1, 1 as shown in FIG. Depending on the length of the bases 1 and 1, it may be provided at one or a plurality of places such as one place at the center or three places including both sides.

Further, instead of fixing one end of each of the swing links 4A and 4B to the machine frames 2 and 2 of the conveyer bases 1 and 1, the swing links 4A and 4B are crossed as shown in FIG. And the conveyor bases 1, 1 facing each other.
May be slidably connected to the bottoms of the machine casings 2 and 2 along the longitudinal direction of the frame as in the above example.

Here, as the slider, a movable pin 15, such as a rivet, which slides along a long hole-shaped track 17, 17, formed on the conveyor-based machine frame 2, 2, is not used. Conveyor base 1, as shown
Exposure 20 sliding along the longitudinal direction of 1 is mounted on each machine frame 2, 2, and one end or both ends of swing links 4 A, 4 B are connected to the exposures 20, 20 by fixed pins 14. Is also good. In this case, grooves and protrusions (not shown) are formed on the conveyor base machine frames 2 and 2 along the longitudinal direction thereof as tracks for slidably supporting the exposures 20 and 20.

Also, instead of fixing one end of each of the swing links 4A and 4B to the machine frames 2 and 2 of the conveyer bases 1 and 1, the swing links 4A and 4B are crossed as shown in FIG. Then, one end of each of them is fixed to one machine frame 2 of the conveyor bases 1 and 1 with fixing pins 14 and 14, and each one end opposite to the machine frame 2 is movable along the longitudinal direction of the other conveyor base 1. You may make it connect slidably with the pin 15,15. However, in this case, the swing links 4A and 4B are not connected to each other, and the swing links 4A and 4B swing while shifting the position of the intersection with each other as the conveyor bases 1 and 1 are opened and closed.

Further, according to the above example, the conveyor base 1
Are connected in parallel with each other, but they may be arranged in a three-row configuration or the like.

As an application example of the present invention, a chain conveyor using a chain instead of the rolling rollers, a belt conveyor using a belt, or a ball conveyor using a sphere can be configured.

[0029]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the roller conveyor of the present invention, a pair of swing links are made to cross each other so as to be able to swing in opposite directions so that each end of the conveyor base faces each other. Since these swing links are always in an intersecting state, the conveyor base can be opened and closed smoothly.

Further, since each end of the swing link is fixed to the machine frame of the opposing conveyor base, there is no backlash of the swing link, and further, each end on the opposite side slides to the opposing conveyor base. Since the connection is made through the connection, the connecting force of the conveyor base can be increased.

In particular, since the track for supporting the slide is slidably formed on the machine frame of the conveyor base, the rocking link can be rocked smoothly, and the rocking link is located at the intersection of the rocking links. Equipped with fixing means for restricting the movement, the distance between the conveyor bases can be kept constant during use.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a roller conveyor according to the present invention,
(A) shows a used state, and (B) shows a folded state.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged bottom view of the roller conveyor shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a part of the roller conveyor cut away.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing the intersection of the oscillating link partially broken away;

FIG. 6 is a schematic bottom view partially showing another embodiment of the roller conveyor according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic bottom view partially showing another embodiment of the roller conveyor according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic bottom view partially showing another embodiment of the roller conveyor according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Conveyor base 2 Machine frame 3 Rolling roller 4 Link mechanism 4A, 4B Swing link 13 Connecting bracket 14 Fixed pin 15 Movable pin 16 Spacer 17 Track 17 Stud bolt 19 Fastening knob

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A roller conveyor which includes a conveyor base having rolling rollers connected in series along the longitudinal direction of a machine frame, wherein at least two of the conveyor bases are arranged in parallel and connected with a link mechanism so as to be able to adjust the interval. The link mechanism comprises a pair of intersecting swing links, and the swing links are swingable in opposite directions so that both ends are connected to a conveyer-based machine frame facing each other. Roller conveyor. 2. A roller conveyor comprising a conveyor base having rolling rollers connected in series along the longitudinal direction of a machine frame, wherein at least two of the conveyor bases are arranged in parallel and connected with a link mechanism so as to be able to adjust the interval. The link mechanism is composed of a pair of swinging links connected to a conveyor base with both ends crossing each other, and these swinging links have a crossing point at the center of the swinging, and each end of the linking mechanism is a conveyor base. A roller conveyor fixed to a frame and having the other end connected to a machine frame of each conveyor base via a slider that slides along the longitudinal direction of the conveyer base. 3. The roller conveyor according to claim 2, wherein the machine frames of the opposing conveyor bases are each provided with a track for slidably supporting a slide along a longitudinal direction thereof. 4. The roller conveyor according to claim 2, further comprising fixing means for restricting the swing at the intersection of the pair of swing links.