JP2000326974A - Article conveying and storing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make an article in any size conveyable while being mounted on a pallet in a size suitable to the article with an article conveying and storing device comprising a pallet for carrying the article and four supports erected on the pallet. SOLUTION: A first and second connecting members 14 and 15 are provided between adjoining two supports 6 so that the distance between each of the supports 6 detachably attached to four corners of a pallet 2 carrying an article 1 can be changed freely, and a support unit comprising the supports 6 and the connecting members 14 and 15 are made storable at the inside when the pallets 2 with the supports 6 being removed therefrom are heaped up vertically.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pallet on which articles are placed, a plurality of columns which are detachably mounted on the pallet in a state of surrounding the articles placed on the pallet, and a plurality of columns adjacent to each other. Adjustable spacing between books
The present invention relates to an article transport / storage apparatus comprising a connecting means for connecting the two columns to each other, wherein the plurality of columns and the connecting means constitute a column unit which can be folded with the columns removed from the pallet. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Transporting industrial products such as electric appliances, parts thereof, building materials, furniture, natural products and other various articles,
Or, an article transport / storage device used for storing the same is conventionally known. A conventional article transport / storage device includes, for example, a pallet on which articles are placed, four pillars fixed to four corners of the pallet in a state of standing upright on the article placement surface, and adjacent to each other. And a connecting member for fixedly connecting the mating columns. To transport or store articles using such an article transport storage device,
An article is accommodated in the space inside the four columns, placed on a pallet, and the article is transported or stored together with the article transport storage device.

[0003] However, articles to be transported or stored by this type of article transport / storage device range from large size to small size. The volume of the space to be accommodated is constant. For this reason, with an article transport storage device of a certain size, for an article of a size corresponding to this,
Although it can be transported or stored, it is not possible to transport or store articles larger in size than the article storage space of the article transport storage device. Also, if an article extremely small than the article storage space is transported or stored by the article transport / storage device, the transport efficiency is reduced, or the mounting space of the article transport / storage apparatus is wasted. Not preferred.

Accordingly, the present applicant has proposed an article transport / storage device of the type described at the beginning (for example, Japanese Patent Application No.
No. 62447). Since this article transport / storage device can adjust the interval between adjacent columns, it can efficiently transport or store articles of any size, and can also transport or store the columns by removing the column unit removed from the pallet. It has an excellent advantage that it can be stored.

[0005] However, with only the configuration described at the beginning, when a plurality of support units removed from the pallet and the plurality of pallets are transported or stored, the whole is bulky, and the transport or storage is performed. The disadvantage of requiring a large space for the inevitable.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and an object of the present invention is to enable efficient transportation of articles or storage of the articles. Another object of the present invention is to provide a column unit removed from a pallet and an article transport / storage device capable of efficiently transporting the pallet or storing the pallet.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided an article transporting and storing apparatus of the type described at the beginning, wherein a plurality of pallets from which the support unit is removed are stacked up and down. The present invention proposes an article carrying / storage apparatus characterized in that an opening is formed in the pallet such that a space for accommodating the folded support unit is defined therein.

In this case, it is advantageous to provide a positioning means for positioning the pallets when the plurality of pallets from which the support unit has been removed are stacked up and down.

In the article transporting and storing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, it is effective that the opening is formed to have a size capable of holding the column unit inserted therein in an upright state. (Claim 3).

Further, in the article transport / storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, when a plurality of pallets from which the support unit is removed are stacked up and down, the openings of the pallets are aligned and opposed. Therefore, it is advantageous to set the position of the opening of the pallet, the area of the opening, and the form of the opening (claim 4).

Further, in the article transport / storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, it is effective that the opening is formed in a portion other than the article mounting surface of the pallet (claim 5). ).

Further, in the article transporting and storing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, it is advantageous that the opening is formed in a support unit holding plate detachably attached to the pallet body. Item 6).

Further, in the article transport / storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a part of the support unit is formed to be larger than the opening, and the support unit unit formed to be larger is formed in the opening. It is effective to be able to engage the edge (claim 7).

Further, in the article transport / storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, one end of the support unit is formed to be larger than the opening, and the support unit unit formed to be larger than the edge of the opening. Can be engaged with
And N is an integer of 2 or more, T is the thickness of one pallet, L
Is the total length of one support unit, (N-1) ×
It is advantageous to set the values of T and L such that T is approximately L (claim 8).

In the article transport / storage device according to the eighth aspect, the number of openings formed in the pallet is N.
It is particularly advantageous to set to (claim 9).

Further, in the article transporting and storing apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, when n is an integer of 1 or more,
The value of n × N × T is equal to or less than the value obtained by subtracting 3 cm from the height of the article entrance of the article storage space in the transportation device,
It is effective to set the values of N and T so as to be equal to or greater than the value obtained by subtracting 10 cm from the height of the article entrance.

Further, in the article transport / storage apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, when the article transport / storage apparatus is assembled by assembling one support unit expanded on one pallet. When the total height of the pallet and the support unit is H, and n is an integer of 1 or more, the value of H × n is
The value of H is set so as to be equal to or less than the value obtained by subtracting 3 cm from the height of the article entrance of the article storage space in the transport device and equal to or greater than the value obtained by subtracting 10 cm from the height of the article entrance. This is advantageous (claim 11).

Further, in the article transporting / storage apparatus according to any one of the above-mentioned claims, when the thickness of one pallet is T and m is an integer of 2 or more, the value of m × T is equal to When the value of T is set so as to be equal to or less than the value obtained by subtracting 3 cm from the height of the article entrance of the article storage space in the device and equal to or greater than the value obtained by subtracting 10 cm from the height of the article entrance / exit. It is effective (Claim 1
2).

Further, in the article transport / storage device according to any one of the above-mentioned claims 1 to 12, it is advantageous that the opening is formed at a position closer to the side edge of the pallet than the center of the pallet. There is (claim 13).

Further, according to the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in the article transport / storage device of the type described at the outset, a storage portion for storing a column unit is provided on the pallet. An article transport storage device is proposed (claim 14).

In this case, it is advantageous that the storage portion is provided on a leg portion of the pallet.

The article transport / storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the article is detachably mounted on the pallet in a state where the article stands up substantially perpendicular to the article mounting surface of the pallet. And the connecting means is configured to adjust the intervals in conjunction with each other so that the intervals between the two columns located adjacent to each other change at the same rate. Advantageously (claim 16).

Further, in the article transport / storage apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the article is detachably attached to the pallet in a state where the article stands substantially perpendicular to the article mounting surface of the pallet. And the connecting means includes a space between two columns positioned adjacent to each other, and another two columns positioned adjacent to each other and opposed to the two columns. It is particularly advantageous if the distances between the columns are configured to be adjusted in conjunction with each other so that they vary at the same rate (claim 17).

The article transport / storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the article is detachably mounted on the pallet while standing up substantially perpendicular to the article mounting surface of the pallet. The connecting means connects the first and second joints respectively attached to the respective columns along the longitudinal direction thereof and the two columns positioned adjacent to each other. The first joint and the second connecting member, wherein the four joints are attached to the pallet, and the second joint is located below the first joint; Are attached to the pallet, the first and second connecting members are respectively positioned crossing each other, and each of the first connecting members is positioned such that one end in the longitudinal direction thereof is adjacent to each other. Of the two pillars Square are connected in rotatably to the first joint attached to the post, and the other longitudinal end side,
Each of the second connecting members is rotatably connected to a second joint attached to the other of the two columns located adjacent to each other, and one end of the second connecting member in the longitudinal direction is the other column. Rotatably connected to a first joint attached to the
And the other end in the longitudinal direction is rotatably connected to a second joint attached to the one support, and the first and second joints are connected to each other.
Advantageously, at least one of the joints is mounted movably in the longitudinal direction with respect to each of these attached columns (claim 18).

Further, in the article transport / storage apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15 and 17, the article is stood substantially perpendicular to the article mounting surface of the pallet.
The pallet has first to fourth columns which are detachably attached to the pallet, and the connecting means includes first to third columns which are respectively attached to the first to fourth columns along the longitudinal direction thereof.
And the first and second columns, the first and second columns, the second and third columns, the third and fourth columns, and the first and fourth columns that connect the fourth and first columns respectively adjacent to each other. And a second connecting member, wherein the first to fourth struts are attached to the pallet, and the first and second connecting members are located in a crossed state with each other. , The first and second located adjacent to each other
First and second connecting members provided between the first and second columns, and first and second connections provided between the third and fourth columns located opposite the first and second columns. One longitudinal end of the member is rotatably connected to a first joint attached to the first and second struts and the third and fourth struts, respectively, and the other longitudinal end thereof is First and second
And the second joint respectively attached to the third and fourth posts are rotatably connected to each other, and the first and third posts provided between the second and third posts located adjacent to each other. 2 and the first and second connecting members provided between the fourth and first columns positioned opposite to the second and third columns, respectively, at one end in the longitudinal direction of the second and third columns. The third column and the first joint respectively attached to the fourth and first columns are rotatably connected to each other, and the other ends in the longitudinal direction thereof are connected to the second and third columns and the fourth and fourth columns, respectively. The first joint is rotatably connected to a third joint respectively attached to the first column, and the first joint is fixed to each column to which these are respectively attached, and the second and third joints are fixed to the first column. The joint is movable in its longitudinal direction for each of these mounted columns It is particularly advantageous if are assembled (claim 19).

In the article transport / storage device according to the nineteenth aspect, the second and third joints are located below the first joint in a state where the four columns are attached to the pallet. (Claim 20).

Further, in the article transport / storage device according to the above-mentioned claim 19, the first joint is located below the second and third joints in a state where the four columns are attached to the pallet. (Claim 21).

[0028]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the basic configuration of the article transport storage device will be clarified.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an article carrying / storing apparatus according to the present invention. The article carrying / storing apparatus is used when articles are transported or when articles are stored temporarily or for a long period of time. Or, it can be used for other purposes, and should be called an article holding device. Such an article transport / storage device includes, for example, a pallet 2 on which an article 1 made of a copying machine is placed as shown in the figure. The pallet 2 exemplified here has two legs 4 made of hollow members extending parallel to each other, and two pedestal members 3 fixed to each leg 4 while being bridged between the legs 4.
And two reinforcing members 3 </ b> A similarly fixed to both legs 4, and the upper surface of the pedestal member 3 is an article placement surface 5 on which the article 1 is placed. The planar form of the pallet 2 illustrated here is substantially square. Such a pallet 2
Is made of a metal plate such as steel, but the pallet 2 may be made of a highly rigid material such as wood or hard resin. Pedestal member 3 and reinforcing member 3A
And the leg 4 may be fixed by welding, an adhesive, or the like, but may be fixed by a screw (not shown) or the like so that they can be easily disassembled. Also the rectangle 1
A pallet in which an appropriate number of legs are fixed to the lower surface of a flat plate material or a pallet of another form can be used.Furthermore, a pallet having a plane form other than a square, such as an oval or a circle, is used. You can also.

The article 1 placed on the pallet 2 is not shown in the drawing, but for example, a pin protruding from the article 1 side and a hole formed on the pallet 2 to which the pin on the side of the article 1 fits. Pallet 2 by the article positioning means comprising
Or fixed so that it can be easily removed from the pallet 2 by an article fixing means such as a bolt and a nut.

Further, the article transport / storage device has a plurality of columns,
In the illustrated example, there are four columns 6, and these columns 6
As shown in FIG. 3, are mounted on the pallet 2 at four corners of the pallet 2 in a state of being substantially perpendicular to the article mounting surface 5 of the pallet 2 so as to be detachable. More generally, when a rectangle is imagined on the pallet 2, the columns 6 are detachably provided upright on the pallet portion of each corner of the rectangle. Each of the columns 6 is made of metal, resin, wood, or the like. In the illustrated example, each column 6 is formed of a hollow metal pipe as shown in FIGS. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the pallet 2 is provided with projections 7 made of pins at four corners on the side of the article mounting surface 5, and each projection 7 is provided with a lower portion of each support 6. Fitted as possible. In this manner, the plurality of columns 6 are detachably attached to the pallet 2 while surrounding the article 1 placed on the pallet 2. Each of the columns 6 in this example is attached to the pallet 2 so as to be easily detachable by manual operation, and is easily removed from the pallet 2 by manual operation.

[0032] The article transport / storage device further includes a connecting means for connecting the two columns so that the distance between the two columns can be adjusted. As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting means of the present embodiment includes first and second joints 8, which are attached to the columns 6 along the longitudinal direction, respectively.
9 and a pair of connecting members for connecting the two columns 6 located adjacent to each other, that is, first and second connecting members 14 and 15. Each of the first and second connecting members 14 and 15 is connected to each side of the pallet 2, that is, the first to fourth sides 10, 11, 12 and
In FIG. 13 (FIG. 1), two columns 6 which are respectively attached adjacent to each other are connected. FIG.
As can be seen from FIG. 3 and FIG.
The second joint 9 is attached to the first joint 8
And four pillars 6 are also located on the pallet 2
The first and second connecting members 14,
15 are located crossing each other.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, each of the first and second joints 8 and 9 is made of, for example, a cylindrical body formed of metal, synthetic resin, rubber, or the like. Each of the columns 6 is fitted into the holes 27 and 127 formed therethrough. Also, these joints 8 and 9 are provided with two tongue pieces 1 each.
6 and 18, each of which has a first and a second
Of the connecting members 14 and 15 are connected rotatably via pins 17 and 19, respectively. First
The second connecting members 14 and 15 are also made of a rigid body such as wood, hard resin or metal, and are formed in a rod shape or a thin plate shape.

Here, when it is necessary to identify the above-mentioned four columns 6, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, they are respectively connected to the first column 6A, the second column 6B, and the third column 6B. Each of the first and second joints 8, which are referred to as a column 6C and a fourth column 6D, and similarly attached to the columns 6A to 6D,
9, 8A, 9A; 8B, 9B; 8C, 9C;
8D and 9D are attached to identify them. Similarly,
First and second posts 6A, 6B, second and third posts 6
B, 6C, the first and second connecting members for connecting the third and fourth columns 6C, 6D, the fourth and first columns 6D, 6A to each other, 14A, 15A;
B; 14C, 15C; 14D, 15D are respectively identified to identify them. This is the same in the embodiment described later.

The first and second connecting members 14 and 15 are swingably connected to the joints 8 and 9 as follows.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3, the pallet 2
The first connecting member 14A provided between the first and second columns 6A and 6B attached adjacent to each other on the first side 10 of the first side 10 has a first column having one longitudinal end on one side. As described above, the first joint 8A attached to the first joint 6A is rotatably connected to the first joint 8A via the pin 17, and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the first joint 8A is the second support 6B as the other support.
Is rotatably connected via a pin 19 to a second joint 9B attached to the second joint 9B. Also, the first and second columns 6A,
One end of the second connecting member 15A provided between the second supporting members 6B is rotatably connected via a pin 17 to a first joint 8B attached to a second supporting member 6B as the other supporting member. And a second joint 9A attached to a first column 6A whose other end in the longitudinal direction is one column.
9 so as to be rotatable. These relationships are based on the first and second columns 6B and 3C provided between the second column 6B and the third column 6C, which are mounted adjacent to each other on the second side 11 adjacent to the first side 10 of the pallet 2. Connecting members 14B, 15B, third side 12 next to second side 11
In the first and second connecting members 14C and 15C provided between the third and fourth columns 6C and 6D attached adjacent to each other, and further on the fourth side 13 adjacent to the third side 12 The same applies to the first and second connecting members 14D and 15D provided between the fourth and first columns 6D and 6A which are attached adjacent to each other.

As described above, in the article transporting / storing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, each of the first connecting members 14 has one end of the pallet 2 on one side in the longitudinal direction.
The two joints 2 and 13 are rotatably connected to a first joint 8 attached to one of the two struts 6 positioned adjacent to each other, and the other ends in the longitudinal direction are adjacent to each other. Is rotatably connected to a second joint 9 attached to the other column 6 of the two columns 6 positioned at
One end of each second connecting member 15 in the longitudinal direction is rotatably connected to the first joint 8 attached to the other column 6, and the other end of the second connecting member 15 is connected to the other end of the first joint 8. It is rotatably connected to a second joint 9 attached to the column 6. As described above, each of the columns 6 functions as a column that supports the first and second connecting members 14 and 15.

Further, the first and second connecting members 14 and 15
Respectively, the first and second joints 8, 9 connected as described above are movable such that at least one of them can move freely in the longitudinal direction with respect to each of the columns 6 attached thereto. Assembled as possible. In the example shown, each second joint 9 is located at the lower part of each column 6, and FIG.
The first joint 8 is fixed to each of the columns 6 by screws 20 or welding as shown in FIG.
Are slidably fitted in the longitudinal direction. First
Is fixed to the support 6 and the second joint 9 is connected to the support 6.
Or the first and second joints 8 and 9 may be slidably fitted to the column 6 together.

The pallet 2 shown in FIG. 1 is prepared in various sizes corresponding to the size of the article 1 to be transported or stored. When transporting or storing the article 1, select a pallet 2 suitable for the size of the article 1,
The article 1 is placed on the article placement surface 5 on the upper surface thereof. At this time, according to the size of the selected pallet 2, the protrusion 7
Are different from each other, the distances D1 and D2 are different.
Can be freely adjusted as follows in order to conform to the following.

That is, two columns 6A and 6B adjacent to each other and two columns 6C and 6D opposed to each other among the columns 6 before being attached to the pallet 2 are indicated by arrows A in FIGS. When pressed in the direction away from each other,
Each first joint 8 slides downward with respect to each column 6, and
And the distance between the second and third columns 6A and 6B, and the third and fourth columns.
The spacing between the columns 6C and 6D is increased. At this time,
At the same time, the first and fourth columns 6A and 6D and the second and third columns
Are moved away from each other as shown by the arrow B, and the interval between these columns is also increased.

Conversely, when each column 6 is pressed in the direction opposite to the arrows A and B, each first joint 8 moves upward along the column 6, so that the interval between the columns adjacent to each other is reduced. Narrowed. As described above, in the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the distance between the two columns attached adjacent to each side 10, 11, 12, 13 of the pallet 2 is changed at the same ratio. Each interval is adjusted in conjunction with each other. That is, the above-mentioned connecting means for connecting the two columns each other has a distance between the two columns located adjacent to each other,
The intervals are adjusted so as to interlock with each other so that they all change at the same rate.

As described above, the distance between the adjacent columns 6 is adjusted in accordance with the distances D1 and D2 between the protrusions 7 of the selected pallet 2, and then the pallet on which the article 1 is placed. The lower part of each column 6 is fitted to each of the projections 7 of FIG. that time,
By fitting the center hole of each second joint 9 fixed to the lower part of each column 6 to each projection 7, the four columns 6 are configured to be detachably attached to the four corners of the pallet 2. Alternatively, mounting holes may be formed at the four corners of the pallet, and the lower portions of the columns may be fitted into the mounting holes, so that the columns 6 may be detachably mounted on the pallet 2.

As described above, the distances D1, D
By preparing a plurality of pallets 2 different from each other, it is possible to attach the support columns 6 with adjusted intervals to any of the pallets 2.

The distance between the pallet portions on which the two columns 6 are mounted adjacent to each other, in the example shown in the figure, the two projections 7 adjacent to each other on each side 10, 11, 12, 13 of the pallet 2. The pallet 2 is composed of a plurality of pallet members so that the distances D1 and D2 between the pallets can be adjusted.
2, the distance between the columns adjacent to each other can be adjusted in accordance with the distances D1 and D2 as described above, and the columns 6 can be mounted on the pallet. In this way, only one pallet and four pillars 6 connected by the connecting members 14 and 15 are prepared, and articles of various sizes or various forms are transported or stored. Can be.

The first and second connecting members 1 shown in FIG.
Although it is possible to leave the four and 15 in a free state without being connected to each other, in the illustrated example, the intermediate portion between the paired first and second connecting members 14 and 15 is connected by the pivot pin 21. The first and second connecting members 14 and 15 are smoothly operated to adjust the interval between the columns, thereby adjusting the interval between the columns. Work can be performed smoothly. This is the same in the embodiment described later.

Each of the first and second joints 8 and 9 is
Although the above-described work for adjusting the distance between the columns can be performed by slidably fitting in the longitudinal direction thereof, any one of the joints, for example, as shown in FIG. 2
When the joint 9 is fixed to the column 6 and the other joint 8 is slidably assembled to the column 6, the first and second connecting members 14 and 15 can be smoothly moved at the time of adjusting the interval between the columns. And the work can be performed easily.

In the article transporting and storing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a top plate 33 is used, but this top plate 33 is used as needed, and The description will be continued below.

By assembling the columns 6 to the pallet 2 as described above, the article transport / storage device 30 assembled as shown in FIG. 3 can be constituted. At this time, four pillars 6
And the article 1 (FIG. 3) placed on the article placing surface 5 in a storage space surrounded by the first and second connecting members 14 and 15.
(Not shown) is accommodated. In this state, for example, a forklift of a forklift (not shown) is inserted into the lower side of the pallet 2, and the article 1 can be transported by lifting up the article transporting storage device 30 by lifting the fork. Further, the article transport / storage device with the article 1 mounted thereon can be transferred to a truck, a ship, or a railway vehicle and transported.
Further, the articles 1 stored in the article transport / storage device 30 can be stored in a warehouse or the like. As described above, when the article 1 is transported or stored, the article 1 has the first side on all sides.
And since it is surrounded by the second connecting members 14 and 15, the article 1 can be protected.

On the other hand, the pallet 2 has a connecting portion on the back side opposite to the article mounting surface 5 to which the upper part of another article transporting / storage device is detachably connected. In the article transport / storage apparatus of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a part of the leg portion 4 is cut away, and a connecting portion including an engaging hole 22 is formed at four places of each leg portion 4 of the pallet 2. 5).

With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of article transport / storage devices on which articles (not shown in FIG. 3) are mounted can be vertically stacked in a stable state. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the article transport / storage device 30 is placed in, for example, a warehouse, and another article transport / storage device configured exactly the same as the article transport / storage device 30 above the article transport / storage device 30. 30A is lifted and placed by, for example, a forklift. At this time, the upper ends 23 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the four columns 6 of the lower article transport / storage device 30 are connected to the upper article transport / storage device 3.
The fitting holes 22 (FIG. 1) formed in the pallet 2 of 0A are fitted respectively. As a result, the plurality of article transport / storage devices 30 and 30A can be positioned one above the other and stacked one on top of the other, and the space in the warehouse can be effectively used, and the articles 1 can be effectively used.
Can be kept. In addition, a plurality of article transport / storage devices can be transported together in a state of being vertically stacked. A cap having a sharp tip may be fitted to the upper end 23 of each column 6, and each cap may be configured to engage with the engagement hole 22.

Also, when the article transport / storage device is not used,
When the four pillars 6 are extracted from the pallet 2 and the respective pillars 6 are brought closer to each other, the first and second pillars 6 are removed.
6 can be folded compactly as shown in FIG. 6, and can be stored in an extremely small space. As described above, the plurality of columns 6 and the above-mentioned connecting means constitute a column unit 32 that can be folded with the columns 6 removed from the pallet 2.

On the other hand, the pallet 2 from which the columns 6 have been removed
Can be stored one above the other as shown in FIG. In this way, the column unit 32 and the pallet 2 can be used many times, eliminating or reducing the number of items that must be discarded at the transport destination, such as a conventional article transport storage device including a cardboard box. can do.

As described above, according to the article transport / storage apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the article 1 to be transported or stored is
When the size of the pallet is substantially any, the pallet 2 corresponding to the pallet 2 is selected, or the pallet member of one pallet is relatively moved to adjust the distance between the protrusions 7, and the distance D1 between the protrusions 7 is adjusted. , D2, the article can be easily transported or stored.

The article transport / storage apparatus of the embodiment described above is referred to as an article transport / storage apparatus of the first embodiment, and the article transport / storage apparatus described below with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, the article transport / storage apparatus according to the second embodiment is, for example, an article 1 such as a copying machine (see FIGS. 8 and 9).
(Not shown), and a plurality of columns 6 detachably attached to the pallet 2 in a state surrounding the article 1 placed on the article placement surface 5 of the pallet 2. Connecting means for connecting the two columns so as to adjust the distance between the two columns adjacent to each other.

Also in this example, at the four corners of the pallet 2,
There are first to fourth four columns 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D detachably attached to the pallet 2 in a state of standing substantially perpendicular to the article mounting surface 5 of the pallet 2. are doing. More generally, when a rectangle is imagined on the pallet 2, the columns 6 are detachably provided at the corners of the rectangle. Also in this example, as shown by arrows P in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lower portions of the columns 6 made of hollow pipes are provided at the four corners of the pallet 2 on the article mounting surface side. , Each pillar 6 can be easily attached to or detached from the pallet 2 by manual operation. The configuration of the pallet 2 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is the same as the pallet 2 shown in FIG. Also in this case, the two columns 6
Of pallets that are mounted next to each other
A pallet composed of a plurality of pallet members can be used so that 1, D2 can be adjusted.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the connecting means for connecting the two pillars 6 to each other so that the distance between the two pillars adjacent to each other can be adjusted can be adjusted by the first and second connecting members 14. , 15 and the first and second joints 8, 9 as well as a third joint 26. Also for this third joint 26, reference numerals 26A, 26B, 2
6C and 26D are attached to identify them.

As described above, the connecting means of the article transport / storage device of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 is attached to the first to fourth columns 6A to 6D along the longitudinal direction, respectively. The first to third joints 8, 9, 26 are provided, and the column 6 is attached to the pallet 2 as in the case of the article transport / storage device of the first embodiment shown in FIG. At this time, the first and second columns 6A and 6A located adjacent to each other on each side 10 to 13 of the pallet 2
B, a pair of connecting members for connecting the second and third columns 6B and 6C, the third and fourth columns 6C and 6D, and the fourth and first columns 6D and 6A to each other, that is, the first and second columns. Second connection members 14 and 15 are provided.

Each of the columns 6 includes first to third joints 8, 9,
26 are fitted in holes 27, 127, 127A formed. With the four columns 6 attached to the pallet 2, the second and third joints 9 and 26 are connected to the first joint 8.
And the second joint 9 is located below the third joint 2
6, the first to fourth columns 6A
6D are attached to the pallet 2, each pair of connecting members, that is, each of the first and second connecting members 14, 1
5 are located crossing each other. Each first joint 8 has two tongue pieces 16A, 16A, and each of the second joint 9 and the third joint 26 has one tongue piece 1A.
8A and 18B.

Further, each of the first and second connecting members 14,
Each longitudinal end of the joint 15 is pivotally connected to a tongue piece of each joint via a pin as in the case shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as follows.

With the first to fourth columns 6A to 6D attached to the pallet 2, the first side 10 of the pallet 2
The first and second connecting members 14 provided between the first and second columns 6A and 6B located adjacent to each other
A and 15A have first ends 8A and 8 respectively attached to first and second columns 6A and 6B.
B, each of which is rotatably connected to one tongue piece 16A via a pin and whose other end in the longitudinal direction is attached to the second and first columns 6B, 6A, respectively. The tongue piece 18A of 9A is rotatably connected via a pin.

Similarly, the second side 11 adjacent to the first side 10 of the pallet 2 on the second side 11
And the first and second provided between the third support 6B and 6C.
One end of each of the connecting members 14B and 15B in the longitudinal direction is the second
And the first columns attached to the third columns 6B and 6C, respectively.
A third tongue 16A is rotatably connected to one tongue piece 16A of each of the joints 8B and 8C via a pin, and the other end in the longitudinal direction is attached to the third and second columns 6C and 6B, respectively. Are rotatably connected to the tongue pieces 18B of the joints 26C and 26B via pins.

Further, the third side 12 located adjacent to the third side 12 adjacent to the second side 11 of the pallet 2
And the first and second columns provided between the fourth and fourth columns 6C and 6D.
One end of each of the connecting members 14C and 15C in the longitudinal direction is the third member.
And the first columns attached to the fourth columns 6C and 6D, respectively.
The second tongues 16A of the joints 8C and 8D are rotatably connected via pins, and the other ends in the longitudinal direction are attached to the fourth and third columns 6D and 6C, respectively. Are rotatably connected to the tongue pieces 18A of the joints 9D and 9C via pins.

The first and second connecting members provided between the fourth and first columns 6D and 6A located adjacent to each other on the fourth side 13 adjacent to the third side 12 of the pallet 2. One longitudinal end of each of the members 14D, 15D is rotatably connected to one tongue piece 16A of the first joint 8D, 8A attached to the fourth and first column 6D, 6A via a pin. And the other end in the longitudinal direction is rotatably connected via a pin to a tongue piece 18B of a third joint 26A, 26D attached to the first and fourth column 6A, 6D, respectively. I have.

As described above, the first and second connecting members provided between the first and second columns positioned adjacent to each other, and the first and second connecting members are positioned opposite to the first and second columns. One end of each of the first and second connecting members provided between the third and fourth columns in the longitudinal direction is attached to the first and second columns and the first and third columns respectively attached to the third and fourth columns. The joints are rotatably connected to the joints, and the other ends in the longitudinal direction are rotatably connected to the second joints respectively attached to the first and second columns and the third and fourth columns. And first and second connecting members provided between the second and third posts positioned adjacent to each other, and fourth and first positions located opposite the second and third posts. The first end of each of the first and second connecting members provided between the supporting columns is connected to the second and third connecting members. The column and the first joint respectively attached to the fourth and first columns are rotatably connected to each other, and the other ends in the longitudinal direction are respectively connected to the second and third columns and the fourth and first columns. The third joints respectively attached to the columns are rotatably connected to respective third joints.

The above-mentioned first to third joints 8, 9, 26
Are all slidable in their longitudinal direction with respect to these mounted columns 6, and any one of these joints 8, 9, 26 is fixed to the columns 6 The other two may be slidable in the longitudinal direction with respect to the column 6, but in the example shown in FIG. 8, the first of the first to third joints 8, 9, 26 is the first. The joint 8 is fixed to each of the columns 6 to which they are respectively attached, and the second and third joints 9, 26 are freely movable in the longitudinal direction with respect to each of the columns 6 to which these are attached. It is movably assembled so that it can be done. Each of the first joints 8 located above each of the columns 6 is fixed to each of the columns 6 by, for example, press-fitting, screws, or welding.

When goods are transported or stored by the goods transport / storage device of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,
Select a pallet 2 that matches the size of the article, or
Adjust the distances D1 and D2 between the protrusions 7 of the two pallets,
As shown in FIG. 14, the article 1 is placed on the pallet 2 and the article 1 is positioned and held on the pallet 2 by positioning and holding means (not shown).
Alternatively, the article 1 is fixed to the pallet 2 by fixing means. On the other hand, the interval D1 between the protrusions 7 of the pallet 2
Each support 6 before being attached to the pallet 2 so as to fit D2
Adjust the interval between as follows.

That is, the first side 10 of the pallet 2
First and second two columns 6A, 6B attached adjacent to each other on the third side 12 facing the third side 12
Then, the third and fourth two columns 6C and 6D are pressed in a direction indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 8 or a direction opposite thereto. Then, the second joint 9 attached to these columns slides upward or downward along each column 6. Thus, the distance between the first and second two columns 6A and 6B and the distance between the other third and fourth two columns 6C and 6D change at the same ratio. At this time, in this example, the columns 6A, 6
B; The distance between the second support 6B and the third support 6C and the distance between the fourth support 6D and the first support 6A do not change only by adjusting the distance between 6C and 6D.

When adjusting these intervals, the second and third columns 6B and 6C and the fourth and first columns 6D and 6C are used.
A is pressed in the direction indicated by arrow B in FIG. 8 or in the opposite direction. Thus, the third joint 2 fitted to each support
6 moves up or down along each of its struts 6, and
And the distance between the third and third columns 6B and 6C, and the fourth and first columns.
The distance between the columns 6D and 6A changes at the same rate.

As described above, in the article transport / storage device of the second embodiment, the distance between one side of the pallet 2 and two columns attached adjacent to each of the opposite sides is the same. The distance is adjusted in conjunction with each other so as to vary, and is attached to each of the other two opposite sides of the pallet 2 adjacent to each other.
The spacings are adjusted in conjunction with each other so that the spacing between the columns of the book varies at the same rate. In other words, the above-mentioned connecting means for connecting the two columns respectively has an interval between the two columns 6 positioned adjacent to each other, and faces the two columns 6 and is positioned adjacent to each other. The distance between the other two columns 6 is adjusted in conjunction with each other so that the distance between the two columns 6 changes at the same rate.
Thereby, the adjustment of the interval between the columns can be adjusted more freely than in the case of the article transport / storage device of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The support 6 whose spacing has been adjusted is
Is mounted on the pallet 2 on which is mounted as described above.

Each of the first joints 8 is composed of two joint pieces, and one of the joint pieces is rotatable at one end (upper end) of the first connecting member 14 in the longitudinal direction. The second joint member 15 may be rotatably connected to the other joint piece at one end side (upper end side) in the longitudinal direction of the second connection member 15. These joint pieces are also fixed to the columns 6. In addition, the first and second
The second and third joints 9, with the other longitudinal ends (lower ends) of the connecting members 14, 15 being rotatably connected, respectively.
26 may be slidably fitted in the same or different guide grooves formed long in the longitudinal direction of the respective columns 6.
When the second and third joints 8 and 9 are fitted into different guide grooves, the second and third joints can move freely independently in the longitudinal direction of the columns 6, so that each Depending on the size of the spacing between the struts 6, the second joint may be located below, at the same level as, or even above the third joint. It may be located at

Further, the above-mentioned support column 6 and the connecting means described with reference to FIG. 8 can be used upside down from the state of FIG. That is, the upper end 23 of each column 6 shown in FIG. 8 is set to the lower side, and these ends are respectively fitted to the protrusions 7 of the pallet 2. In the example shown in FIG.
In a state where the four columns are attached to the pallet 2, the second and third joints 9, 26 are located below the first joint 8, but the column 6 is turned upside down, and 6 is attached to the pallet 2, the first joint 8 is located below the second and third joints 9, 26 in the attached state. Also in this case, all the joints 8, 9, and 26 can be slidably assembled to the column 6 in the longitudinal direction, or any one of the joints can be fixed to the column 6, It is advantageous to fix the first joint 8 to each column 6 and to assemble each second and third joint 9, 26 to each column 6 movably in its longitudinal direction. With such a configuration, the same operation as the configuration described above with reference to FIG. 8 can be achieved.

As described above, a plurality of pallets 2 having the distances D1 and D2 between the protrusions 7 to which the columns 6 whose distances are to be adjusted can be prepared in advance, or
By preparing a pallet 2 having a plurality of pallet members so that the pallets 1 and D2 can be adjusted, the columns 6 can be mounted in accordance with the intervals D1 and D2 between the protrusions 7 of the pallet 2.

As described above, the article placed on the article placing surface 5 of the pallet 2 is transported or stored in exactly the same manner as the article transporting and storing apparatus of the first embodiment described above. be able to. Also, the article transport / storage apparatus of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 can be stacked up and down as shown in FIG. 10, and at this time, the article placement on the pallet 2 of the upper article transport / storage apparatus 30A. Each of the four engagement holes 22 (FIG. 9) formed on the back surface opposite to the surface 5 has an upper end 2 of each of the columns 6 of the lower article transport / storage device 30.
3 is fitted directly or via a cap (not shown) attached thereto. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the pallet 2 of the upper article transport / storage device 30A may be supported by the first joint 8 of the lower article transport / storage device 30. In this way, the article transport / storage devices 30, 30A can be stacked one on top of the other, and articles can be stored or transported in a small space.

Further, also in the case of the article transport / storage device of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, if the support 6 is pulled out of the pallet 2, the support 6 and the first and second connecting members 1
4 and 15 can be compactly folded as shown in FIG. That is, also in the article transport / storage device of the second embodiment, the plurality of columns 6 and the above-described connecting means constitute a column unit 32A that can be folded with the columns 6 removed from the pallet 2. Prop unit 32
When folding A, as shown by the chain line in FIG. 12, the support 6 can be grasped by hand, and the support 6 can be brought close to the support unit 32A as shown in FIG. The support unit 32 shown in FIG. 1 can be similarly folded. By the reverse operation, the column unit 32A can be expanded as shown in FIG.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show that an article is placed on the pallet 2 and the article is detachably fixed to the pallet 2.
Next, the support unit 32A is lowered from above the pallet 2 and the lower part of the support 6 is fitted to the protrusion 7 of the pallet 2, and the support unit 32A is attached to the pallet 2 or the support unit 32A is lifted upward to pallet. 2 shows a state in which the support unit 32 is detached from the pallet 2 in this manner in the article transport / storage device shown in FIGS.

On the other hand, FIG. 14 slides the third joint 26 of the column unit 32A shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 upward, and the first and second connecting members 14B and 15B and the first opposing member. And the second connecting member 14D, 15D is lifted upward, and the second joint 9 is slid downward to move the other first and second connecting members 14A, 15A and 14C, 15
C, each of the support units 32A is horizontally moved, and the support unit 32A is moved to the pallet 2
Shows how to use it to attach or remove it. According to this method, since it is not necessary to move the support unit 32A up and down, the work can be performed very easily. In addition, the support 6 is largely separated from the article 1 and the support unit 32A is moved.
Since A is moved in the horizontal direction, the support 6 and the first and second
The column unit 32A can be attached to and detached from the pallet 2 without bringing the connecting members 14 and 15 into contact with the article, and the work can be performed without damaging the article 1.

The pallet 2 shown in FIG. 9 can also be stacked as shown in FIG. 7 by removing the column unit 32A therefrom.

As described above, two typical embodiments of the article transport / storage apparatus have been described and the basic configuration thereof has been described. However, as described above, when these article transport / storage apparatuses are not used, the column unit is not used. Remove 32, 32A from pallet 2,
The columns 6 of the column units 32, 32A and the first and second connecting members 14, 15 constituting the connecting means are folded, and the pallets 2 are stored one on top of the other as shown in FIG. Or can be transported. For example, the article 1 is mounted on each of a large number of article transporting and storing apparatuses, and these articles are transported, for example, from a manufacturing factory of the article 1 to a user, and the support unit 32,
32A is removed from the pallet 2, and the article 1 is lowered from the pallet 2. Then, the pallet 2 and the support unit 32,
When the 32A is returned to the original manufacturing plant, the pallets 2 are stacked one on top of the other, and the support units 32 and 32A are folded, so that they can be easily transported to the original place, and they are compactly stored. can do.

However, if a large number of pillar units 32, 32A folded as described above and a large number of pallets 2 stacked vertically are transported or stored separately, at this time, the pallet 2 and the pillar units 32, 32A Takes up a lot of space.

Therefore, the article transport / storage device of this embodiment is configured so that the folded support units 32 and 32A can be stored in the pallet 2 in addition to the above-described configuration shown in FIGS. The specific configuration example will be described below. In the following description, FIGS.
1 to 7 show a case where the column unit 32A of the example shown in FIG.
Can be stored in the pallet 2.

As described above, the pallet 2 has a pair of legs 4 and two pedestal members 3 fixed thereon, but the two legs 4 are spaced apart from each other. In addition, the two pedestal members 3 are also separated from each other.
Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3, 7, 9, and 10, an opening 24 is defined at the center of the pallet 2 by two legs 4 and two pedestal members 3. When such pallets 2 are vertically stacked as shown in FIG. 7, a space S penetrating vertically is formed inside the pallets by the opening 24.

FIG. 15 is also similar to FIG.
15 shows a state in which a plurality of pallets 2 from which the pallets 2 and 32A have been removed are stacked up and down. At this time, as shown in FIG.
Then, the column unit 32A removed from the pallet 2 is stored. In FIG. 15, the outline of the space S defined by the openings 24 of the plurality of pallets 2 is shown by broken lines, and the column unit 32A can be stored in such a space S in an upright state.

As described above, the column unit 32 is provided in the space S.
When A is stored, the space occupied by these can be effectively reduced as compared with the case where many support units 32A and many pallets 2 are separately transported or stored. As described above, in the article transport / storage device of the present embodiment, when the plurality of pallets 2 from which the support units 32 and 32A have been removed are stacked up and down in addition to the above-described configurations illustrated in FIGS. An opening 24 is formed in the pallet 2 so that a space S for accommodating the folded support units 32 and 32A is defined therein.
This is the first configuration.

By the way, when a large number of pallets 2 are vertically stacked as shown in FIGS. 7 and 15, if the pallets 2 are largely shifted from each other in the horizontal direction, the above-mentioned space S cannot be secured. The folded support unit 32A cannot be correctly stored in the space S.

Therefore, when the pallets 2 are vertically stacked as shown in FIGS. 7 and 15, as shown in FIG. The respective pallets 2 are correctly positioned vertically and stacked by being engaged with the engagement holes 22 to prevent the pallets 2 from being largely displaced in the horizontal direction. The protrusion 7 and the engagement hole 22 constitute an example of a positioning means for positioning the pallets stacked vertically.

At this time, the protruding height of each protruding portion 7 protruding from the pallet 2 is made higher than the height of the article mounting surface 5 as shown by a symbol D in FIG. In this case, each projection 7 is securely fitted into the engaging hole 22 of the upper pallet 2 so that each pallet 2 can be correctly positioned.

As described above, in the article transport / storage apparatus of this embodiment, in addition to the above-described first configuration, the column unit 3
When a plurality of pallets 2 from which the pallets 2 and 32A have been removed are stacked up and down, the pallets 2 have positioning means for positioning the pallets. The space S for accommodating 32A can be reliably secured. This is the second configuration.

Next, FIGS. 17 to 28 show a pallet 2 having a structure different from that of the pallet of the example shown in FIGS.
However, the basic configuration is the same as the examples shown in FIGS. That is, in the pallet 2 shown in FIGS. 17 to 28 as well, the lower part of each of the columns 6 of the column units 32 and 32A is detachably fitted to the projection 7 protruding from the pallet 2 to constitute an article transport storage device. The article transport and storage device is used in exactly the same manner as described above.
Also in the case of the pallet 2 shown in FIGS. 17 to 28, after removing the support units 32 and 32A from the pallet 2, the pallet 2 is stacked up and down, and the projections 7 protruding from the lower pallet 2 are provided. Are engaged with engaging holes 22 formed in the upper pallets 2 to position these pallets 2.

The pallet 2 shown in FIG. 17 and FIG.
One pedestal member 3 is bridged and fixed to the pair of legs 4, and a plurality of openings 24 are formed in the pedestal member 3,
The upper surface of the pedestal member 3 becomes the article mounting surface 5. The other basic configuration is the same as the pallet 2 shown in FIGS. When the plurality of pallets 2 from which the support unit is removed are piled up and down as shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of spaces S are formed therein by the plurality of openings 24 described above,
The column unit 32A can be inserted and stored in each space.

The pallet 2 shown in FIG. 15 has a large opening 24 formed therein.
When A is stored, the column unit 32A may fall from a standing state, and the column unit 32A may move violently during the transportation and rattle. On the other hand, in the pallet 2 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, since the size of the opening 24 formed in the pallet 2 is small, it is possible to hold the column unit 32A stored here in the upright state. And the rattling can be prevented. The support unit 32A can be held from the periphery by the opening 24, and the support unit 32A can be maintained in a vertical or nearly vertical standing state with respect to the floor surface or the ground on which the pallet 2 is placed. .

As described above, in the article transport / storage device using the pallet 2 illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, in addition to the above-described first or second configuration, the opening 24 is provided with the support inserted therein. The units 32 and 32A are formed in a size that can be held in an upright state. This is the third configuration.

In the example shown in FIGS. 17 and 18,
When a plurality of pallets 2 are stacked up and down, each opening 24
Are configured to match each other. This allows
The space S in an appropriate form for accommodating the column unit 32A can be formed in a partitioned manner, and the column unit 32A can be held in an upright state.

The pallet 2 shown in FIG. 19 and FIG.
The number of the openings 24 is equal to the opening 2 in the example shown in FIGS.
17 and FIG.
There is no difference from the pallet 2 shown in FIG. 19, and the example shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 can more reliably hold the column unit 32A.

As described above, in the article transport / storage apparatus using the pallet 2 illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 20, the column units 32, 32 are added to the first to third configurations.
When the plurality of pallets 2 from which A is removed are vertically stacked, the positions of the openings 24 of the pallets 2, the opening areas thereof, and the form of the openings so that the openings 24 of the respective pallets 2 are aligned and opposed to each other. Is added. This is the fourth configuration.

By the way, in the pallet 2 shown in FIGS. 17 to 20, an opening 24 for accommodating the column unit 32A is formed in the article mounting surface 5. Therefore, when the pallet 2 is used as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14, when the article 1 is placed on the article placement surface 5, a part of the lower part of the article is May fall into the opening 24 and the article may be tilted. For example, when the article 1 is a copying machine as shown in FIG. 1, when the copying machine is placed on the article mounting surface 5 shown in FIG. 17 to FIG. Legs (rubber feet) at the lower part of the machine get caught in the opening 24 or fall into the opening 24.

Therefore, in the pallet 2 shown in FIG. 21, the column unit holding plate 45 is interposed between a pair of pedestal members 3 which are bridged and fixed to a pair of legs 4 which are separated from each other.
Are arranged, and each end of the support unit holding plate 45 is fixed to each leg 4, respectively.
5, an opening 2 for storing the folded support unit
4 are formed. At this time, the support unit holding plate 45
Is lower than the surface of the article mounting surface 5. The other structure is the same as the pallet described above, and the pallet 2 shown in FIG.
The column unit can be stored in the space defined by the above.

Using the pallet 2 shown in FIG. 20, FIG.
To configure the goods transport storage device as shown in FIG.
When the article 1 is placed on the article placement surface 5 of the pallet 2, the article does not come into contact with the support unit holding plate 45. Therefore, a part of the lower part of the article does not get caught in the opening 24 or fall into the opening 24 and the article does not tilt.

As described above, the pallet 2 illustrated in FIG.
In the article transport / storage apparatus using the above, a configuration in which the opening 24 is formed in a portion other than the article mounting surface 5 of the pallet 2 is added to the above-described first to fourth configurations.
This is the fifth configuration.

The above-mentioned support unit holding plate 45 can be fixed to the leg portion 4 in a non-separable manner by welding or the like.
The support unit holding plate 45 may be detachably attached to the leg 4. That is, as shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, when the pallet portion other than the column unit holding plate 45 is referred to as a pallet body 46, the column unit holding plate 45 is detachably attached to the pallet body 46. At this time, as shown in FIG. 22, the column unit holding plate 45 can be detachably fixed to the pallet body 46 by attaching and detaching means such as screws 47 and bolts, but as shown in FIG. A locking claw 48 is formed on the holding plate 45, a locking hole 49 is formed in the upper wall of the leg 4 of the pallet body 46, and the locking claw 48 is locked in the locking hole 49 to hold the column unit. Plate 45 is attached to pallet body 4
6 can be detachably attached.

As described above, in the article transport / storage apparatus having the pallet 2 illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23, the opening 24 can be detachably attached to the pallet body 46 in each of the above-described first to fifth configurations. Post unit holding plate 4 to be attached
5 is added. This is the sixth
Configuration.

According to the above-described sixth configuration, the support unit holding plate 45 can be attached only to the required pallet 2, and therefore, compared to the case where the support unit 45 is provided for each pallet 2, Cost can be reduced. For example, after mounting articles on each of a plurality of article transport storage devices, transporting them from one place to another location, delivering the articles, removing the support unit from the pallet of each article transport storage apparatus. When stacking the pallets vertically and storing the folded support units in the internal space of the pallets and returning them to the original place, the support unit 45 is attached only to the pallet of one article transport storage device. When returning the pallet and the support unit, the pallet with the support unit holding plate 45 is placed at the top, and the support unit is inserted into the opening 24 of the support unit holding plate 45 and stored. In this way, when returning a plurality of pallets and support units to a factory or the like, one support unit holding plate 45 is provided.
By simply using, all the pallets 2 and the support units can be compactly returned to the original place.

As can be seen from FIGS. 15, 18 and 20, the column unit 32A inserted into the opening 24 of the pallet 2 has its lower part grounded to the floor. Therefore, when a large number of pallets 2 stacked vertically in this state are lifted up by a forklift or the like, the column unit 32A remains on the floor surface. In this way, it is impossible or extremely difficult to lift the pallet 2 and the column unit 32A together.

Therefore, in the pallet 2 shown in FIG. 24, the column unit 32A inserted into the opening 24 is
And the support unit 32A can be hung down. Pallet 2 in FIG.
Has a pair of legs 4, a pedestal member 3 fixed to them, and two reinforcing members 3A made of a plate material fixed to the legs 4, like the pallet 2 shown in FIGS. An opening 24 is formed in each reinforcing member 3A.
Then, a part of the column unit 32A which is folded and inserted into the opening 24, in this example, four first joints 8 on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the column unit 32A are formed larger than the area of the opening 24. ing.

According to the above configuration, each support unit 32A
Is inserted into the opening 24, the 4
One of the first joints 8 is hooked on the edge of the opening 24, and each column unit 32 </ b> A is held in a state of hanging down inside the plurality of pallets 2. Therefore, when the pallets 2 stacked vertically are lifted upward, the support units 32A can be lifted together, and the pallets 2 and the support units 32A can be efficiently transported.

As described above, in the article transport / storage device having the pallet 2 illustrated in FIG. 24, the column units 32 and 3 folded into the first to sixth configurations described above are used.
A configuration is added in which a part of 2A is formed larger than the opening 24, and the post unit unit formed larger can be engaged with the edge of the opening 24. This configuration is referred to as a seventh configuration.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 24, when a large number of pallets 2 are stacked up and down and all of them are lifted and transported, a cargo handling device,
For example, the fork 36 of a forklift is inserted as shown by an arrow, and the fork 36 is lifted and the pallet 2
At this time, if the lower portion of the column unit 32A inserted into the opening 24 of the pallet 2 projects between the two legs 4 of the lowermost pallet 2, the fork inserted here 36 is the support unit 32
A hits the lower part of A and the fork 36 cannot be inserted. Therefore, the column unit 3 is provided at the bottom of the pallet 2.
In order to prevent the lower part of 2A from being present, its support unit 32
It is desirable to store A in the pallet 2.

At that time, not only the lowermost pallet 2 but also
For example, so that the lower part of the pillar unit 32A does not exist in the second pallet from the bottom or the third pallet from the bottom,
If the length of the support unit 32A is determined or the number of stacked pallets 2 is set, the storage efficiency of the support unit 32A on the pallet 2 decreases.

Therefore, in the article transport / storage device having the pallet 2 illustrated in FIG.
In addition to the respective configurations, one end side of the support units 32 and 32A, in the example of FIG. 24, four first joints 8 are formed to be larger than the opening 24, and the larger support unit unit is formed. Among the plurality of pallets 2 stacked vertically, the upper pallet 2 can be engaged with the edge of the opening 24 formed therein, and N is an integer of 2 or more, T is the thickness of one pallet, and L is the pallet thickness. Assuming that the total length of one support unit 32, 32A, the values of T and L are set such that (N-1) × T becomes approximately L, preferably (N-1) × T = L. Is added. This is the eighth configuration.

In the example shown in FIG. 24, N = 8 because the pallets 2 are stacked vertically in eight stages.
−1 = 7, and the value 7 × T obtained by multiplying this value by the thickness T of each pallet 2 and the length L in the longitudinal direction of the column unit 32A are matched. In this manner, the lower part of the pallet 2 at the bottom does not have the lower portion of the stored column unit 32A, and the pallets 32A at the second or higher tier from the bottom. Pallet 3
The storage efficiency of the 2A can be maximized, and the fork 36 can be inserted into the lowermost pallet 2 without any trouble.

In the example of FIG. 24, when the pallets 2 are stacked in eight levels, the above-described effect can be expected by inserting the column unit 32A into each opening 24. It is troublesome to judge in each case whether or not it suffices.

Therefore, in the article transport / storage apparatus having the pallet 2 shown in FIG. 24, the number of openings 24 formed in each pallet 2 is set to N as described above, in addition to the eighth configuration. ing. In the example of FIG.
4 are formed on the individual pallets 2. In this way, the operator stacks the pallets 2 up and down by the number of openings 24 formed in each pallet 2, and from the opening 24 of the uppermost pallet 2, each column unit 32 </ b> A
Is inserted, the stacking of the pallets 2 and the storage of the support units 32A can be completed while automatically satisfying the requirement of (N-1) × T = L. At this time, the same number of support units 3 as the number of stacked pallets 2
Since the pallet 2 is stored in the pallet 2, the pallet 2 and the support unit 32A can be easily managed.

A plurality of pallets 2 stacked vertically
Alternatively, the article transport / storage device assembled as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 10 may be loaded on a transport device such as a truck or a container and transported. In this case, as shown in FIG. 25, when the stacked pallets 2 or the assembled article transport / storage devices 30 and 30A are stored in the cargo room of the truck, that is, the article storage space R, the upper part of the article storage space R When a large gap G is created,
The transportation efficiency of goods decreases. Conversely stacked pallets 2
If the total height of the pallet 2 or the article transport / storage device is equal to the height H1 of the article entrance E in the article storage space R, the pallet 2 or the article transport / storage device is put in / out of the article storage space R. Workability at the time decreases. The same is true when a pallet or an article transport / storage device is moved in and out of a container.

Therefore, in the article transport / storage device having the pallets of the above-described eighth or ninth configurations, when n is an integer of 1 or more, the value of n × N × T becomes the article storage space in the transport device. From the height H1 of the article entrance E of R to 3
It is advantageous to set the values of N and T so as to be less than the value obtained by subtracting 10 cm from the height H1 of the article entrance E and less than the value obtained by subtracting cm. This is the first
0.

The height H1 of the article entrance of the truck or the container, that is, the height H1 of the entrance E from the floor of the article storage space R is determined by a standard. If a size that is equal to or less than the height H1 minus 3 cm and equal to or greater than the value obtained by subtracting 10 cm from the height H1 of the article inlet / outlet is referred to as an optimum height, the value of n × N × T is defined as the optimum height. Set it to the optimal height.

For example, when the pallets 2 are stacked as shown in FIG. 24, the overall height is substantially N × T, and when the pallets 2 are to be stored in a truck, the value of N × T is equal to the above-mentioned value. To the optimal height. FIG.
26, the pallets 2 are further stacked in two stages and the pallets 2 are stacked as shown in FIG. 26, and the pallets 2 are stored in a truck. × N × T (n = 2), and this value is set to the above-mentioned optimum height.

According to the above-described structure, when the pallets 2 are passed through the article slot E in order to store the stacked pallets 2 in the truck, the uppermost pallet 2 and the upper part of the article slot E have a space between them. Since a gap larger than 3 cm is formed and smaller than 10 cm, the pallet 2 can be easily loaded into the article storage space R of the truck. The same applies when lowering this from the space R. Moreover, only a small gap G can be formed above the pallet 2 stored in the article storage space R, and the pallet storage efficiency can be improved. This is the same when the pallet 2 is stored in the container.

The above-mentioned idea is similarly applied to the case where the article transporting / storing devices 30, 30A stacked in one stage or a plurality of stages vertically are housed in a truck or a container. That is,
In the article transport / storage apparatus having the pallets of the above-described first to tenth configurations, the article transport / storage apparatus is assembled by assembling one post unit 32, 32A that is expanded to one pallet 2. Pallet 2 and support unit 3
When the total height of 2, 32A is H (see FIG. 10) and n is an integer of 1 or more, the value of H × n is determined from the height H1 of the article entrance E of the article storage space R in the transportation device. 3cm
Is smaller than or equal to the value obtained by subtracting 10 cm from the height H1 of the article entrance E.
The value of H is set. If this is an eleventh configuration, according to this configuration, a single-stage (n = 1) article transport / storage device, or a plurality of vertically stacked (n ≧ 2) as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. When the article transport / storage device is taken out of a truck or a container, the operation can be performed easily, and the article storage space can be effectively used, so that the article transport efficiency can be improved.

It is advantageous if the pallets 2 are stacked, for example, as shown in FIG. 24 or FIG. 26, and when the pallets 2 are put in or taken out of a truck or container, the same result as described above is obtained. That is, in the article transport / storage device of each of the first to eleventh configurations, when the thickness of one pallet is T and m is an integer of 2 or more, m
The value of × T is equal to or less than a value obtained by subtracting 3 cm from the height H1 of the article entrance E in the article storage space R of the transport device, and is equal to or greater than a value obtained by subtracting 10 cm from the height H1 of the article entrance E. The value of T is set so as to be large. According to the twelfth structure, the pallets 2 stacked vertically can be efficiently put in and taken out of the article storage space R with this structure, and the article storage space R can be effectively used.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 26, for example, when the pallets 2 are piled up and transported to another place by a forklift in two separate times, the pallets 2 are placed from above without the lower part of the column unit 32A. The pallet at the eighth stage (in FIG.
A), and the upper eight pallets 2 are lifted by the forks by inserting the forks into the lower side. At this time, the pallets where the lower part of the column unit 32A does not exist from the outside of the stacked pallets 2 If 2A cannot be easily confirmed visually, the work efficiency will decrease. Therefore, in the pallet 2 shown in FIGS. 24 and 26, the opening 24 is provided on the side where the fork is inserted, that is, the pallet 2
Is formed closer to the side edge than the center when viewed from above. In this way, the operator can simply look at the pallets 2 stacked on top and bottom and look at the support units 32A.
The pallet 2A without the lower part of the pallet can be confirmed, and a fork can be inserted under the pallet 2A, so that the work can be performed efficiently.

As described above, in the above-described first to twelfth structures, it is desirable to adopt a structure in which the opening 24 is formed at a position closer to the side edge of the pallet 2 than the center of the pallet 2. . This is the thirteenth configuration.

In each of the examples shown in FIGS. 15 to 26, the support units are stored in the pallets stacked one above the other, but the support units are stored in the individual pallets 2. Can also. FIG.
And FIG. 28 show an example thereof. The pallet 2 shown here is replaced with the pallet shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 9 and FIG.
A hollow third leg 4A also serving as a column unit storage section is added. The leg 4A is fixed to the lower surface of the reinforcing member 3A. The support unit 32A removed from the pallet 2 can be inserted into the third leg 4A as shown by an arrow in FIG. 27 and housed therein as shown in FIG. Thus, in this example, the third leg portion 4A constitutes a storage portion for the column unit.

As described above, the article transport / storage apparatus having the pallet 2 illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28 is the same as the article transport / storage apparatus of each configuration described above with reference to FIGS. Is provided with a storage section for storing the support units 32 and 32A. This is the 14th
In the article transport / storage apparatus exemplified in FIGS. 27 and 28, the storage section is provided on the leg 4A of the pallet 2 in the article transport / storage apparatus having the fourteenth configuration.
This is the fifteenth configuration.

According to the fourteenth and fifteenth constructions described above, even when the number of pallets is not large and there is only one pallet, the pallet 2 is provided with the support units 32, 32A.
Can be stored without hindrance. Moreover, if one support unit is stored in one pallet, it is possible to easily manage the number of support units and pallets during storage or transportation.

Incidentally, the article transport / storage apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has the top plate 33 detachably attached to the upper portions of the four columns 6 as described above. Below, this top plate 33
A usage mode of the article transport / storage device when using the device will be described.

The top plate 33 is made of a material having high rigidity such as a metal plate, a hard resin plate or a wooden plate. In the example shown in the drawing, the plane shape is formed in a square. Guide members 34 are fixed to the four corners of the upper surface of the top plate 33, respectively. Four corners of the top plate 33 and the top plate 3
Each guide member 34 fixed to the upper surface of 3 has a hole 35 passing therethrough.

As described above, the article 1 is placed on the article placing surface 5 of the pallet 2, and the lower portions of the columns 6 are fitted into the projections 7 of the pallet 2, respectively. Then, the top plate 33 is lowered from above the four columns 6 as shown by an arrow C in FIG. 1, and each of the top plate 33 and the guide member 34 is formed as shown in FIG. The upper ends 23 of the columns 6 are fitted into the holes 35. At this time, the holes 35 of the top plate 33 and the guide members 34 are frictionally engaged with the respective upper ends 23, and the top plate 33 is held at this position without moving below the position shown in FIG. You. In this way,
A top plate 33 is detachably attached to the upper portions of the plurality of columns 6.

By assembling the column 6 to the pallet 2 and attaching the top plate 33 to the upper portion of the column 6 as described above, the article transport / storage device 30 assembled as shown in FIG. 29 can be constructed. At this time, the four pillars 6 and the first
The article 1 (not shown in FIG. 29) placed on the article placing surface 5 is accommodated in an accommodation space surrounded by the second connecting members 14 and 15 and the top plate 33, and in this state, By inserting a fork 36 of a forklift into the lower side of the pallet 2 and raising the fork 36, the article transport / storage device 30 can be lifted to transport the article 1 or to store the article. in this way,
When the article 1 is transported or stored, the article 1 has first and second connecting members 14, 1 around its four sides and an upper portion.
5 and the top plate 33, the article 1 can be protected more reliably.

[0128] The top plate 33 is lifted upward, and the top plate 3
By removing the 3 from the four columns 6 and removing the four columns 6 from the pallet 2, the article 1 can be easily lowered from the pallet 2. In this way, the article transport storage device can be used many times.

By attaching the top plate 33 to the upper portions of the four columns 6, the upper portions of the four columns 6 can be connected to each other via the top plate 33. Therefore, during transportation or storage of the article 1, Even when an external force is applied to the column 6 from the lateral direction, the column 6 can be prevented from largely fluctuating.

Further, an article other than the article 1 can be placed on the top plate 33. At this time, in the case of a small article 1A shown by a broken line in FIG. 29, this can be placed on the center of the top plate 33, and in the case of a large article 1B shown by a chain line in FIG. Guide member 3 fixed to plate 33
The article 1 </ b> B can be placed on the object 4. Since each guide member 34 is located above each column 6 as shown in FIG. 29, when a large article 1B is placed on these guide members 34, the load of the article 1B is reduced by four. The article 1B can be supported by the column 6, and can be transported or stored in a stable state.

Also, as shown in FIG. 30, when the top plate 33 is used, a plurality of article transport / storage devices 30 and 30A on which the articles 1 (not shown in FIG. 30) are mounted are stably held vertically. Can be stacked. The other article transport / storage device 30A is lifted and placed on the upper part of the article transport / storage device 30, for example, by a fork 36 of a forklift. At this time, as shown in FIG. The upper ends 23 of the four struts 6 are
3 and project upward from a hole 35 formed in each guide member 34. The protruding upper end portion 23 is engaged with the engaging hole 22 formed in the pallet 2 of the upper article transport / storage device 30A.
(See FIGS. 1 and 5).

When the upper article transport / storage device 30A is lowered from above and placed on the lower article transport / storage device 30, the upper article transport / storage device 30A is Guided by a guide member 34 fixed to 33. Thus, the upper article transport / storage device 30A can be easily and correctly placed on the lower article transport / storage device 30.

Also in the case of the article transport / storage apparatus of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, after the four columns 6 are attached to the pallet 2, as shown by the arrow C in FIG. The top plate 33 (not shown in FIG. 8) is lowered, and as shown in FIG. 31 and FIG. The plate 33 is detachably attached. In this example, the upper ends 23 of the columns 6 protruding above the second joints 8 are directly fitted into holes 35 formed in the top plate 33 and the guide member 34, and the top plate 33 is It is configured to be placed on the upper surface of the four first joints 8 and to support the top plate 33. In this manner, the article transport / storage device 30 can be configured as shown in FIG.
Articles 1A and 1B indicated by broken lines or chain lines in FIG. 31 can be placed. Further, this article transport / storage device can be stacked up and down as shown in FIG. 33, and in this case also, on the back side opposite to the article placement surface 5 of the pallet 2 of the upper article transport / storage device 30A. In each of the four engaging holes 22 (FIG. 9) formed, the upper end 23 of each of the columns 6 projecting upward from the top plate 33 of the lower article transport / storage device 30 and the hole 35 of the guide member 34. Fit. Also in this case, when the upper article transport / storage apparatus 30A is lowered from above and placed on the lower article transport / storage apparatus 30, the upper article transport / storage apparatus 30A is placed on top of the lower article transport / storage apparatus 30. Board 3
Since it is guided by the guide member 34 fixed to 3, the upper article transport / storage device 30A can be easily mounted on the lower article transport / storage device 30.

In the case of the article transport / storage apparatus using the top plate 33, after the article 1 is dropped off from the article transport / storage apparatus at the destination, the empty article transport / storage apparatus is transported to the original place and collected. When the pallet 2 is removed from the pallet 2 and the top plate 33 is detached from the pallet 2 when the empty article transport storage device is stored in a warehouse or the like. Place it on the upper part of the pallet 2
And the top plate 33 as a set of top plate pallet assemblies, and by stacking a plurality of top plate pallet assemblies one above the other, the pallet 2 and the top plate 33 can be compactly transported or stored. it can. FIG. 34 shows a state where the top plate pallet assembly 31 in which the top plate 33 is placed on the pallet 2 is vertically stacked in eight stages. Thus, when the top plate 33 is placed on the pallet 2, each protrusion 7 of the pallet 2 is fitted into the hole 35 formed in the top plate 33, whereby the pallet 2 and the top plate 33 are horizontally It is possible to prevent a problem of relatively large displacement in the direction.

Also, in this case, when the upper pallet pallet assembly 31 is placed on the upper portion of the lower pallet pallet assembly 31, the guide fixed to the top plate of the lower pallet pallet assembly 31 is used. The legs 4 of the pallet 2 of the upper pallet pallet assembly 31 are guided by the member 34, and the upper pallet pallet assembly of the lower pallet pallet assembly 31 is provided on the projection 7 protruding from the pallet 2. The engaging holes 22 (FIGS. 1 and 9) formed in the pallet 2 of the three-dimensional body 31 can be fitted to position the upper and lower top pallet assemblies 31 without rattling.

As described above, the opening 24 is formed in the pallet 2, but the opening 25 is also formed in the top plate 33. A plurality of top plate pallet assemblies 31
Are stacked one on top of the other as shown in FIG.
A storage space for accommodating 2, 32A is formed. Therefore,
The column unit 32A shown by the solid line in FIG. 34 is inserted into the storage space through the opening 25 formed in the top plate as shown by the broken line in these figures. In this way, the large number of top pallet assemblies 31 and the large number of support units 32A can be transported or stored in an original place such as a factory in a more compact manner. FIG.
Shows the column unit 32A, but the column unit 32 shown in FIG. 6 can be stored in the storage space in the same manner.

At this time, a part of the support unit 32A, in the example shown in the figure, four first joints 8 are formed larger than the opening 25 formed in the top plate 33, and the support unit 3
When the 2A is stored in the storage space, the large-sized support column unit, that is, the four first joints 8 are connected to the edge of the opening 25 formed in the top plate 33 of the top-most top plate pallet assembly 31. Engages. Thereby, the column unit 32A stored in the storage space can be prevented from dropping out of the space, and the many top plate pallet assemblies 31 and the multiple column units 32A can be transported or stored more efficiently. Can be. The column unit 32 shown in FIG. 6 can be configured in exactly the same manner.

FIGS. 35 to 40 are explanatory views showing a state in which a plurality of top plate pallet assemblies 31 in which the pallet 2 and the top plate 33 are assembled as described above are vertically stacked. The top plate 33 shown in these figures is slightly different from the top plate 33 shown in FIG. 34 in that the guide member 34 is not fixed, and the like. There is no difference from the top plate 33 shown. That is, the top plate 33 shown in FIGS. 35 to 40 also has holes 35 formed at four locations, and the projections 7 protruding from the pallet 2 are fitted into the holes 35 to form an integral body. A top plate pallet assembly 31 is formed, and a projection of the lower top plate pallet assembly 31 is fitted into an engagement hole 22 (see FIGS. 1 and 9) formed in the pallet 2 of the upper top plate pallet assembly 31. 7 are fitted. An opening 25 is formed in each of the top plates 33, and the column unit 32A can be inserted and stored therein, as in FIG. 35 to 40, the support unit 32A is shown in a simplified manner.

[0139] Here, the articles are mounted on each of a plurality of article transport / storage devices from a shipping source such as a factory to the user, are transported collectively, and the articles are dropped from each of the article transport / storage apparatuses. Later, a case is considered in which the pallet 2 of the empty article transport / storage device and the top plate 33 are vertically stacked and returned to the factory.

The top plate 33 shown in FIG. 35 to FIG.
As in the case of the top plate 33 shown in FIG.
5 are formed, and as shown in FIG.
The same number of top plate pallet assemblies 31 as those above are stacked one on top of the other, and the column units 32A are inserted from the respective openings 25 of the topmost plate pallet assembly 31 to accommodate these column units. At that time, the lowest pallet pallet assembly 3
The lower part of the lowermost pallet 2 is provided with a lower portion of the column unit 32A so that the fork of the forklift can be inserted into the lower space of the pallet 2 and the column unit 32A can be efficiently stored. It is assumed that the length of the column unit 32A is determined so that the column unit 32A exists inside the seven top pallet assemblies 31 from the top.

As shown in FIG. 35, when returning the same number of article transporting / storage devices as the openings 25 to the factory at once, all eight top plate pallet assemblies 31 are stacked up and down, and If eight column units 32A are stored in the space, the lower part of the column unit 32A does not exist in the lower space of the pallet 2 of the top plate pallet assembly 31 at the lower position, and the fork of the forklift is inserted into this space. By transporting the entire article, the entire article transport / storage apparatus can be returned to the factory as a single unit.

However, when returning a smaller number of article transport / storage devices than the number of openings 25, for example, seven item transport / storage devices to the factory, the seven top plate pallet assemblies 31 are vertically stacked, and Top plate 3 of upper plate pallet assembly 31
7 from each opening 25 formed in 3
When each A is inserted, the lower part of the inserted column unit 32A is present in the lower space of the lowermost pallet. In this state, it is impossible to carry the stacked top plate pallet assembly 31 by a forklift. Can not. When returning less than seven article transport / storage devices to the factory, the top plate pallet assemblies of the respective article transport / storage devices are stacked one on top of the other, and the support unit 3 is inserted through the upper opening 25 thereof.
When the 2A is inserted, the lower portion of the column unit 32A hits the floor surface, and the column unit 32A cannot be stored in the stacked top plate pallet assembly.

Therefore, for example, one less than the opening 25 by 7
When returning the article transport / storage apparatus for the same number of units, as shown in FIG. 36, the top plate pallet assemblies 31 for six article transport / storage apparatuses are vertically stacked, and the pallet for the remaining one is The lower part of each column 6 of the column unit 32A is fitted into the projection 7 of the second unit 2 and the top plate 33 is attached to the upper part of each column 6 to form the article transport storage device 30. Each column unit 32 of six article transport / storage devices is inserted from above each opening 25 formed in the top plate 33.
Insert each A and let it hang down. If you do this,
The six article transport storage devices can be returned as a single unit, and can be returned. This makes it possible to make the column unit 32A more compact and transport it to the factory, compared to the case where the column unit 32A is separated and returned. it can.

When returning less than seven article transport / storage apparatuses, the constituent units of the article transport / storage apparatus can be made compact and returned to the factory. FIG. 37 shows a state in which each unit of the six article transport / storage apparatuses is returned, and FIG. 38 shows a state in which each unit of the five article transport / storage apparatuses is returned. Similarly, FIG. 39 shows a state in which four units of the article transport / storage apparatus are returned, and FIG. 40 shows a state in which three units of the article transport / storage apparatus are returned.

If the above-described return mode is adopted, when returning the same number of the article transporting and storing apparatuses as the openings 25, they are carried as a single unit. Can be carried as a single unit, and in any case, the article carrying / storage device can be efficiently carried to the factory. When storing these,
Can be kept in a small space.

The above-described method of returning or collecting the article transport / storage apparatus can be applied to an article transport / storage apparatus that does not use the top plate 33.

Although a number of preferred examples of the present invention have been described above, one or more of the above-described components may be appropriately combined to form an article transport / storage device, and the present invention may be further modified. It can also be configured. For example, in the article transport / storage device of each example described above,
It is advantageous if the joint and the joints 8, 9 or 8, 9, 26 attached thereto are separably assembled. Specifically,
In the case of the article transport / storage device shown in FIG. 1, as described above, the second joint 9 can be removed from the support
0 (FIG. 5), and by unscrewing the screw 20, each strut 6 can be separated from the first and second joints 8, 9 as shown in FIG.

According to this structure, when any one of the components of the article transporting / storage apparatus, for example, one of the columns 6 is damaged and is to be replaced, the column 6 is detached from the joint, and is replaced. It can be easily replaced with a new one. Also, when disposing of the article transport / storage device, it becomes possible to disassemble the columns and joints and separate and dispose each of them. Therefore, it is particularly preferable that the first and second connecting members 14 and 15 are configured to be able to be separated from the respective joints, and that the connecting members 14 and 15 can also be separated from each other.

The present invention relates to the transportation of virtually any goods other than copying machines, such as electric appliances, automobiles, parts such as engines thereof, vending machines, printers, facsimiles, furniture, building materials, natural products, and the like. It can also be used as a storage device.

[0150]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the spacing between the columns can be adjusted, articles of various sizes can be efficiently transported or stored, and the pallets stacked vertically. Since the column unit can be stored inside, all of these are compactly transported together,
Or it can be kept.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reliably secure a space for accommodating the column units inside the stacked pallets.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the column unit can be securely stored in an upright state, and the problem that the column unit falls down during transportation of the pallet can be prevented.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a predetermined space can be correctly defined inside the stacked pallets, and the column unit can be securely accommodated in the space.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when an article is placed on the article mounting surface of the pallet, it is possible to prevent the article from tilting.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the support unit holding plate can be attached only to the pallet which needs the opening into which the support unit is inserted, thereby reducing the cost and weight of the pallet. it can.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the stacked pallets are lifted, the column units accommodated in the pallets are also lifted, and these can be easily transported.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the lowermost pallet of the stacked pallets does not have the lower portion of the column unit, and the pallets can be easily transported by the cargo handling apparatus, and the stacked pallets can be easily stacked. The column unit can be efficiently stored inside the pallet.

According to the ninth aspect, by stacking pallets by the number of openings formed in the pallets, the number can be made an optimum number.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the stacked pallets can be efficiently taken in and out of the article storage space, and the article storage space can be effectively used.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the article transport / storage device can be efficiently put in and taken out of the article storage space, and the article storage space can be effectively used.

According to the twelfth aspect, the stacked pallets can be efficiently put in and taken out of the article storage space, and the article storage space can be effectively used.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the state of the column units inside the stacked pallets can be visually recognized from the outside of the stacked pallets.

According to the fourteenth aspect, even when the number of pallets is one, the column unit can be stored in the pallet.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the storage portion of the support unit and the leg portion of the pallet can be used.

According to the sixteenth to twenty-first aspects,
With a simple configuration, it is possible to configure an article transport / storage device that can adjust the interval between the columns.

In particular, according to the inventions of claims 17, 19, 20, and 21, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in adjusting the interval between the columns.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an article transport / storage device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing only a support unit of the article transport / storage device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the article transport / storage apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is assembled and stacked vertically.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the first joint shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a connecting member connected thereto.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a column separated from the second joint shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the support unit shown in FIG. 2 is folded.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the pallets shown in FIG. 1 are vertically stacked and stored.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a column unit of the article transport / storage device different from FIG. 1 is expanded.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a pallet to which a lower portion of the column shown in FIG. 8 is attached.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view when the article transport / storage device is vertically stacked.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state where the support unit shown in FIG. 8 is folded.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state where the support unit is folded.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the folded support unit.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which a support unit is attached to and detached from a pallet.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which a support unit is housed inside a stacked pallet.

FIG. 16 is a partially enlarged view of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing another example of a pallet.

18 is a perspective view showing a state in which the pallets shown in FIG. 17 are stacked.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing still another example of a pallet.

20 is a perspective view showing a state where a plurality of pallets shown in FIG. 19 are stacked.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing still another example of the pallet.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing an example of a pallet in which a support unit holding plate is made detachable from a pallet body.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing an example of a pallet in which a support unit holding plate is made detachable from a pallet body.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a state where pallets of still another form are stacked.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where a pallet and an article transport / storage device are loaded on a truck.

26 is a perspective view when a plurality of pallets shown in FIG. 24 are stacked in two stages.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing an example in which a support unit is housed inside a pallet.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a state where the column unit is stored in the leg shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a state when an article transport / storage device having a top plate is assembled.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view when a plurality of article transport / storage devices having a top plate are vertically stacked.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing a state when an article carrying / storage apparatus having a top plate is assembled.

FIG. 32 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view when a plurality of article transport / storage devices shown in FIG. 31 are vertically stacked.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of top plates and pallets are vertically stacked.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of top pallet assemblies are vertically stacked.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of top plate pallet assemblies are stacked one on top of the other and a support unit is housed in one article transport / storage device.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of top plate pallet assemblies are stacked one on top of the other and a support unit is stored in one article transport / storage device.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of top plate pallet assemblies are stacked one on top of the other and a support unit is stored in one article transport / storage device.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of top plate pallet assemblies are stacked one on top of the other and a support unit is stored in one article transport / storage device.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of top plate pallet assemblies are stacked one on top of the other and a support unit is stored in one article transport / storage device.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view showing a state where the column shown in FIG. 1 is separated from the first and second joints.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 article 2 pallet 2A pallet 3 pedestal member 4A leg 5 article placement surface 6 support 6A support 6B support 6C support 6D support 8 first joint 8A first joint 8B first joint 8C first joint 8D first 9 The 2nd joint 9A The 2nd joint 9B The 2nd joint 9C The 2nd joint 9D The 2nd joint 14 The 1st connection member 14A The 1st connection member 14B The 1st connection member 14C The 1st connection Member 14D First connecting member 15 Second connecting member 15A Second connecting member 15B Second connecting member 15C Second connecting member 15D Second connecting member 24 Opening 26 Third joint 26A Third joint 26B Third joint 26C Third joint 26D Third joint 30 Article transport / storage device 30A Article transport / storage device 32 Post unit 32A Post unit 45 Post post unit holding 46 pallet body E article loading and unloading opening H1 height R article storage space S space

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tetsu Ishihara 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Isamu 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Ricoh Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3E006 AA01 BA10 DA06 DB04 3E063 AA07 CB04 CC01 CD08 EE01 FF03 3F022 EE02 FF19 JJ12 MM01 MM11

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A pallet on which an article is placed, a plurality of columns which are detachably attached to the pallet while surrounding the article placed on the pallet,
Connecting means for connecting the two supports to each other so as to adjust the distance between the supports, wherein the plurality of supports and the connecting means are foldable in a state where the supports are removed from the pallet. In the article transport / storage device that constitutes the unit, when a plurality of pallets from which the support unit is removed are vertically stacked, a space for accommodating the folded support unit is defined therein. An article carrying storage device, wherein an opening is formed in the pallet. 2. The article transport / storage apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising positioning means for positioning the pallets when the plurality of pallets from which the support unit is removed are vertically stacked. 3. The article transport / storage device according to claim 1, wherein the opening is formed in a size that can hold the column unit inserted therein in an upright state. 4. A position, an opening area, and an opening of the pallets so that when the plurality of pallets from which the support unit is removed are stacked up and down, the openings of the pallets are aligned and opposed to each other. The article transport / storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the configuration is set as follows. 5. The article transport / storage device according to claim 1, wherein the opening is formed in a portion other than the article mounting surface of the pallet. 6. The article transport / storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening is formed in a support unit holding plate detachably attached to the pallet body. 7. The post according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the post unit is formed larger than the opening, and the post unit formed larger can be engaged with an edge of the opening. Goods transportation storage device. 8. An end portion of the support unit is formed larger than the opening, a portion of the support unit formed larger can be engaged with an edge of the opening, N is an integer of 2 or more, and T is one. 8. The value of T and L is set so that (N-1) × T becomes substantially L when the thickness of the pallet, L, is the total length of one support unit. An article transportation storage device as described in the above. 9. The number of openings formed in the pallet is N
The article transport / storage device according to claim 8, wherein: 10. When n is an integer of 1 or more, n × N
The value of × T is not more than a value obtained by subtracting 3 cm from the height of the article entrance of the article storage space in the transportation device, and is not less than a value obtained by subtracting 10 cm from the height of the article entrance. , N and T are set.
Item transport storage device. 11. A total height of the pallet and the post unit when one post unit expanded and assembled on one pallet is assembled to assemble the article transport / storage device, and n is an integer of 1 or more. , The value of H × n is equal to or less than a value obtained by subtracting 3 cm from the height of the article entrance of the article storage space in the transportation device, and 10 cm from the height of the article entrance.
The article transport / storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the value of H is set so as to be equal to or greater than a value obtained by subtracting (H). 12. When the thickness of one pallet is T and m is an integer of 2 or more, the value of m × T is a value obtained by subtracting 3 cm from the height of the article entrance of the article storage space in the transportation device. The following, 10cm from the height of the article entrance
The article transport / storage apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the value of T is set so as to be equal to or larger than a value obtained by subtracting the following. 13. The article transport / storage device according to claim 1, wherein the opening is formed at a position closer to a side edge of the pallet than a central portion of the pallet. 14. A pallet on which an article is placed, a plurality of pillars removably attached to the pallet while surrounding the article placed on the pallet, and a distance between two pillars adjacent to each other. And a connecting means for connecting the two supports to each other so that the support can be adjusted, and the plurality of supports and the connecting means constitute a support unit that can be folded with the supports removed from the pallet. The article transport / storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pallet is provided with a storage section for receiving a support unit. 15. The article transport / storage device according to claim 14, wherein the storage section is provided on a leg of the pallet. 16. The pallet has four columns which are detachably attached to the pallet in a state of standing substantially perpendicular to an article mounting surface of the pallet, wherein the connecting means are adjacent to each other. 16. The article transport / storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the distance between the two pillars is adjusted so that the distances are all changed at the same rate. . 17. A pallet having four columns which are detachably attached to the pallet in a state of standing substantially perpendicular to an article mounting surface of the pallet, wherein the connecting means are adjacent to each other. The intervals between the two columns are positioned so that the intervals between the two columns and the two columns that are positioned adjacent to each other and adjacent to each other change at the same rate. 16. The article transport / storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the article transport / storage apparatus is configured to adjust in conjunction with each other. 18. The pallet has four columns which are detachably attached to the pallet in a state of standing substantially perpendicularly to an article mounting surface of the pallet, and the connecting means is provided on each of the columns. The first and second joints attached along the longitudinal direction thereof, and the first and second connecting members for connecting the two columns positioned adjacent to each other to each other, and the four columns are provided. Is attached to the pallet,
The second joint is located below the first joint, and the first and second connecting members are respectively located crossing each other in a state where the four columns are attached to the pallet. At the same time, each of the first connecting members has one longitudinal end thereof rotatably connected to a first joint attached to one of the two columns positioned adjacent to each other, and The other end in the longitudinal direction is rotatably connected to a second joint attached to the other of the two columns positioned adjacent to each other, and each second connection member is
One longitudinal end thereof is rotatably connected to a first joint attached to the other support, and the other longitudinal end is rotatable to a second joint attached to the one support. And at least one of the first and second joints is movably mounted in a longitudinal direction with respect to each of the attached columns.
An article transport / storage device according to any one of the above. 19. The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising: first to fourth columns which are detachably attached to the pallet in a state of standing substantially perpendicular to an article mounting surface of the pallet, wherein the connecting means includes:
First to third joints respectively attached to the first to fourth columns along the longitudinal direction thereof, and first and second columns, second and third columns positioned adjacent to each other, A third and a fourth support, and first and second connecting members for connecting the fourth and the first support to each other, wherein the first to the fourth support are attached to the pallet. In this state, each of the first and second connecting members is located in a state of crossing each other, and the first and second connecting members are provided between the first and second pillars located adjacent to each other.
And a second connecting member, and one end in the longitudinal direction of each of the first and second connecting members provided between the third and fourth posts located opposite to the first and second posts, A first and a second support, and a first and a second support respectively mounted on the third and the fourth support.
And the other longitudinal ends thereof are respectively rotatably connected to the second joints respectively attached to the first and second columns and the third and fourth columns. Second and third connected and adjacent to each other
First and second connecting members provided between the first and second posts, and first and second connections provided between the fourth and first posts located opposite the second and third posts. One longitudinal end of the member is rotatably connected to the first and second joints respectively attached to the second and third struts and the fourth and first struts, and the other longitudinal end of each member is Second and third
And the first joint is rotatably connected to a third joint respectively attached to the fourth and first struts, and the first joint is fixed to each of the struts to which these are respectively attached, 18. Article transport and storage according to any one of claims 1 to 15 and 17, wherein the second and third joints are mounted movably in their longitudinal direction with respect to each of the attached columns. apparatus. 20. The article transport / storage apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the second and third joints are located below the first joint when the four columns are mounted on the pallet. . 21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the first joint is located below the second and third joints in a state where the four columns are attached to the pallet. .