JP2001055005A - Caster with turning regulating mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability of an operation lever by keeping an operation lever face in a direction for being attached to a bottom part of a carrying device or various transporting vehicle, to improve operation reliability by using a cam member, and to certainly regulate a turn of a wheel by making it easy to lock a locking portion to a locking groove. SOLUTION: A wheel frame 2 rotatably supporting wheel 7 is rotatably attached to a lower part of a base 1, and an operation lever axially supporting a cam member 10 is attached to one end of the base 1 in such a way as to protrude the base from the base 1, and a locking member 12 interlocking the cam member 10 is attached. A locking portion 12c is provided on the locking member 12, which withdraws the locking portion to the operation lever side or protrude it to the wheel frame 2 according to the operation of the operating lever. A locking groove 5 in which the locking member 12 is engaged/disengaged is formed on the wheel frame 2. By the operation of the operating lever, the locking member 12 is locked in the locking groove 5, thereby regulating turns of the wheel of the wheel frame 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a caster equipped with a turning control mechanism which is used by being attached to the bottom of transport equipment or various types of transport vehicles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of a caster with a turning regulating mechanism, for example, there is one as shown in FIG.

[0003] The caster comprises a side plate 32a of a wheel frame 32 which is attached below the pedestal 31 so as to be pivotable.
A wheel 33 is pivotally supported, and a vertically movable operation lever 34 is protruded from the wheel frame 32, and a locking portion 35 that moves vertically according to the vertical movement of the operation lever 34 is provided. A locking groove 37 is formed in a part of a fixed plate 36 fixed to a lower portion, where the locking portion 35 is engaged and disengaged. When the operation lever 34 is vertically moved, the locking portion 3 is moved.
The turning of the wheel 33 is restricted by locking the lock 5 in the locking groove 37.

[0004]

In the conventional caster with a turning control mechanism, the turning of the wheels 33 is controlled by operating the operating lever 34 with hands or feet. However, since the operation lever 34 is provided on the wheel frame 32 side, the operation lever 34 turns with the turning of the wheel 33. For this reason, the operating lever 34 enters the bottom 38 of the transporting equipment or various transport vehicles, so that it is difficult to determine which direction the operating lever 34 is facing, and it is very difficult to operate the operating lever 34 when trying to operate it. There was a problem that there was a case.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and the operation lever is always oriented in the direction when it is attached to the bottom of transporting equipment or various vehicles. The operability of the wheel is improved, and the use of a cam member improves the reliability of the operation, and furthermore, the turning portion of the wheel can be reliably restricted as the locking portion is easily locked in the locking groove. The purpose is to provide a caster with a regulating mechanism.

[0006]

Therefore, in the caster with a turning control mechanism of the present invention, a wheel frame 2 which supports a wheel 7 is turnably mounted below the pedestal 1, and a cam member is attached to one end of the pedestal 1. An operation lever 11 having a shaft 10 fixed thereto is mounted so as to protrude from the pedestal 1 and the cam member 1 is mounted.
0, and a locking portion 12c that is pulled down toward the operation lever 11 or protrudes toward the wheel frame 2 in accordance with the operation of the operation lever 11 is attached to the engaging member 12c. A locking groove 5 is provided in the stopping member 12 and further engages and disengages the locking portion 12c in the wheel frame 2. The locking portion 1 is operated by operating the operation lever 11.
The turning of the wheels 7 of the wheel frame 2 is restricted by locking the locking grooves 2 c in the locking grooves 5.

Further, in the caster with a turning restricting mechanism of the present invention, a wheel frame 2 which supports a wheel 7 is pivotally mounted below the pedestal 1 and an operation lever frame 3 is protruded from one end of the pedestal 1. Then, the locking pin 14 is inserted into the shaft hole 9a of the operation lever frame 3 and the shaft hole 13 of the locking member 12, and the shaft hole 9b of the operation lever frame 3 and the stop shaft hole of the cam member 10. 10a receiving member 1
5, the operation lever 11 is inserted, and one arm 16 of a torsion coil spring 16 wound around the locking pin 14
a was brought into contact with the circumferential groove 10f provided in the cam member 10, and the other arm 16b of the torsion coil spring 16 was brought into contact with the front end side of the locking member 12 so as to press the locking member 12. By attaching the operation lever 11 and the locking member 12 to the operation lever frame 3,
When the rotation regulation is released, the upper plate 3 of the operation lever frame 3 is released.
The second contact surface 10c of the cam member 10 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the cam member 10 and the locking projection 10e of the cam member 10
Is locked to the locking step 12e of the locking member 12, the locking portion 12c of the locking member 12 is pulled down toward the operation lever 11, and the locking groove 5 of the wheel frame 2 is locked. The locking of the member 12 with the locking portion 12c is released.
The first contact surface 10b of the cam member 10 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the upper plate 3a, and the locking piece 12d of the locking member 12 is locked in the locking groove 10d of the cam member 10. The locking portion 12c of the locking member 12 is
The locking portion 12 c of the locking member 12 is locked in the locking groove 5 of the wheel frame 2.

Further, in the caster with a turning control mechanism of the present invention, the locking groove 5 is formed in an arc-shaped pressing portion 4 provided at an end of the upper plate 2a of the wheel frame 2,
When the pressing portion 4 turns while being pressed by the locking portion 12c, and the locking groove 5 and the locking portion 12c match,
The locking portion 12c is locked in the locking groove 5.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an embodiment of a caster with a turning restriction mechanism according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a pedestal of a caster mounted on the bottom of transporting equipment or various transport vehicles, and a wheel frame 2 is pivotably mounted below the pedestal 1. At one end of the pedestal 1, an operation lever frame 3 is protruded. The wheel frame 2 has an upper plate 2
An arc-shaped pressing portion 4 is formed at an end of the a, and a locking groove 5 is formed in the pressing portion 4.
A support hole 6 is provided in the lower part of b. In the support hole 6, a wheel 7 is supported by a support shaft 8.

The operation lever frame 3 may be formed separately from the pedestal 1 as shown in this embodiment, or may be formed integrally with the pedestal 1. One end of the operation lever frame 3 is a screw or a bolt (not shown).
The support plate 9 is fixed to one end of the pedestal 1 and both side plates 3b, 3b bent below the upper plate 3a are formed with a support hole 9a having a small diameter hole and a support hole 9b having a large diameter hole. An operation lever 11 on which the cam member 10 is fixed is mounted on the operation lever frame 3, and the cam member 10
And a locking member 12 interlocked with the above.

The cam member 10 is provided with a stop shaft hole 10a for the operation lever 11 at the center of its rotation, and has a first contact surface 10b and a second contact surface 10c formed therearound. A locking groove 10d and a locking protrusion 10e are formed at positions facing the contact surface 10b and the second contact surface 10c.

The locking member 12 has a support hole 13 having a small-diameter hole formed in both side plates 12b, 12b bent above the lower plate 12a.
Are formed, and locking portions 12c with the locking grooves 5 of the wheel frame 2 are provided at the front ends of the side plates 12b, 12b. Further, the two side plates 12b, 1
At the rear end of the cam member 10, a locking piece 12d with the locking groove 10d of the cam member 10 is projected, and the locking piece 12d is provided with a locking step 12e with the locking projection 10e of the cam member 10. Is formed.

Therefore, the operation lever frame 3
To mount the operation lever 11 and the locking member 12, the locking pin 14 is inserted into the support hole 9 a of the operation lever frame 3 and the support hole 13 of the locking member 12, and Support shaft hole 9b and stop shaft hole 1 of cam member 10
0a, the operation lever 11 is inserted via the receiving member 15,
Further, one arm 16a of a double torsion type torsion coil spring 16 wound around the locking pin 14 is connected to the cam member 1
0, and the other arm 16b of the torsion coil spring 16 is brought into contact with the front end side of the locking member 12 by pressing the locking member 12. And

When the turning regulation is released, the second contact surface 10c of the cam member 10 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the upper plate 3a of the operation lever frame 3, as shown in FIGS. The locking projection 10e of the cam member 10 is locked to the locking step 12e of the locking member 12. At the time of turning control, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first contact surface 10b of the cam member 10 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the upper plate 3a of the operation lever frame 3, and the cam member 10
The locking piece 12d of the locking member 12 is locked in the locking groove 10d.

That is, in the caster with a turning restriction mechanism of the present invention, when the operation lever 11 is turned counterclockwise from the turning restriction release state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cam member 10 rotates accordingly. Then, the locking projection 10e of the cam member 10 is disengaged from the locking step 12e of the locking member 12, and the locking piece 12d of the locking member 12 is fixed to the locking groove 10d of the cam member 10.
The locking portion 12 c of the locking member 12 is pressed toward the wheel frame 2 by the pressing force of the torsion coil spring 16. Then, the pressing portion 4 of the wheel frame 2 turns while being pressed by the locking portion 12c, and when the locking groove 5 formed in the pressing portion 4 and the locking portion 12c match, the locking portion 12c is The protrusion protrudes toward the wheel frame 2 and the locking portion 12c is locked in the locking groove 5, so that the turning of the wheel frame 2 is restricted, and the turning restricted state shown in FIGS.

Further, the caster with a turning restricting mechanism of the present invention, when turning the operating lever 11 clockwise against the pressing force of the torsion coil spring 16 from the turning restricting state shown in FIGS. Accordingly, the cam member 10 rotates, and the locking piece 12 d of the locking member 12 is moved to the locking groove 10 of the cam member 10.
d, the locking projection 10e of the cam member 10 is locked to the locking step 12e of the locking member 12, and the locking portion 12c of the locking member 12 is pulled down to the operation lever 11 side. Then, the locking between the locking groove 5 and the locking portion 12c is released, and the pressing portion 4 of the wheel frame 2 is fixed to the locking portion 1c.
2c, the wheel frame 2 can freely turn, and the turning restriction is released as shown in FIGS.

When the caster with a turning control mechanism of the present invention is mounted on the bottom 21 of transport equipment or various transport vehicles, the operation lever 11 can be operated as shown in FIGS. If the operating body 17 is attached to the outer end 11a of the operating lever 11 orthogonal to the operating lever 11, the operating lever 11 can be easily operated by operating the operating body 17 with a foot.

Further, when the caster with a turning regulating mechanism of the present invention is mounted on both sides of the bottom 21 of the transport equipment and various transport vehicles, it is not shown, but the inner sides of the operation levers 11 on both sides thereof are not shown. If the ends 11b are connected to each other, the operation of the operation body 17 allows the operation lever 11 to be operated.
Can be operated in conjunction with each other.

[0020]

The caster with a turning control mechanism of the present invention is constructed as described above. Therefore, when the caster is mounted on the bottom of transport equipment or various types of transport vehicles, the operating lever always operates. Since it is oriented in the direction when attached to the bottom, operability is good. Further, since the cam member is stopped at each of the rotation positions, it is possible to reliably switch between the rotation restriction release state and the rotation restriction state, and thus the reliability of the operation of the rotation restriction release and the rotation restriction is improved. Further, when the pressing portion of the wheel frame rotates while pressing the locking portion, and the locking groove formed in the pressing portion and the locking portion match, the locking portion is locked in the locking groove. As a result, the locking portion is easily locked in the locking groove, and the turning of the wheel can be reliably restricted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a caster with a turning restriction mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of the caster with a turning restriction mechanism of the present invention when turning restriction is released.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the caster with a turning control mechanism of the present invention in a state where wheels are removed when turning control is released.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the caster with a turning restriction mechanism of the present invention when turning is restricted.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the caster with a turning control mechanism of the present invention in a state where wheels are removed during turning control.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which the caster with a turning control mechanism of the present invention is attached to the bottom of transport equipment, various types of transport vehicles, and the like.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state in which the casters with a turning control mechanism of the present invention are attached to the bottom of transport equipment, various types of transport vehicles, and the like.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a conventional caster with a turning restriction mechanism when turning is restricted.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 pedestal 2 wheel frame 2a upper plate 3 operation lever frame 3a upper plate 4 pressing portion 5 locking groove 7 wheel 9a support shaft hole 9b support shaft hole 10 cam member 10a stop shaft hole 10b first contact surface 10c second Contact surface 10d Locking groove 10e Locking projection 10f Peripheral groove 11 Operating lever 12 Locking member 12c Locking portion 12d Locking piece 12e Locking step 13 Support shaft hole 14 Locking pin 15 Receiving member 16 Torsion coil spring 16a Arms 16b arms

Claims (3)

[Claims] An operation in which a wheel frame (2) supporting a wheel (7) is pivotally mounted below a pedestal (1), and a cam member (10) is axially fixed to one end of the pedestal (1). The lever (11) is mounted so as to protrude from the pedestal (1), and the locking member (12) interlocked with the cam member (10).
A locking portion (12) that is pulled down toward the operation lever (11) or protrudes toward the wheel frame (2) in accordance with the operation of the operation lever (11).
c) is provided on the locking member (12), and a locking groove (5) for engaging and disengaging the locking portion (12c) is formed in the wheel frame (2) to operate the operating lever (11). By restricting the locking portion (12c) in the locking groove (5), the turning of the wheels (7) of the wheel frame (2) is restricted. With caster. 2. A frame (2) for a wheel, which supports a wheel (7), is pivotally mounted below the pedestal (1), and a frame (3) for an operation lever protrudes from one end of the pedestal (1). And a shaft hole (9a) of the operation lever frame (3).
And a locking pin (1) in a shaft hole (13) of the locking member (12).
4) and the shaft hole (9b) of the operation lever frame (3) and the stop shaft hole (10) of the cam member (10).
a), the operating lever (11) is inserted through the receiving member (15), and one arm (16a) of the torsion coil spring (16) wound around the locking pin (14) is connected to the cam member (10). )) And contact the peripheral groove (10f) provided in
The other arm (16b) of the torsion coil spring (16) is brought into contact with the front end side of the locking member (12) by pressing the locking member (12), whereby the operating lever is provided. The operating lever (11) and the locking member (12) are mounted on the operating frame (3), and when the rotation restriction is released, the cam member (10) is mounted on the lower surface of the upper plate (3a) of the operating lever frame (3). The two contact surfaces (10c) are brought into contact with each other, and the engaging projection (10e) of the cam member (10) is engaged with the engaging step (12e) of the engaging member (12). The locking portion (12c) of the locking member (12) is pulled down toward the operation lever (11), and the locking groove (5) of the wheel frame (2) and the locking portion of the locking member (12). (1
2c) is released, and when turning is restricted, the upper plate (3a) of the operation lever frame (3)
The first contact surface (10b) of the cam member (10) is brought into contact with the lower surface of the cam member (10), and the locking piece (12) of the locking member (12) is fitted into the locking groove (10d) of the cam member (10). 12d) is locked, and the locking portion (12) of the locking member (12) is locked.
c) protrudes toward the wheel frame (2), and the locking member (12) is inserted into the locking groove (5) of the wheel frame (2).
A caster with a turning restricting mechanism, wherein the locking portion (12c) is locked. 3. An arc-shaped pressing portion (4) provided at an end of an upper plate (2a) of a wheel frame (2), wherein said locking groove (5) is formed. 4) pivots while being pressed by the locking portion (12c), and when the locking groove (5) and the locking portion (12c) match, the locking portion (12c) is inserted into the locking groove (5). 3. The caster with a turning restricting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the casters are locked.