JP2001233002A - Caster with height adjusting function, paper feeding device carrying it, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive and strong caster with a height adjusting function easy for a height adjusting operation and requiring little space when adjusting while having a simple structure. SOLUTION: In this caster with a height adjusting function, a supporting rod 217 forming a caster rotating shaft is provided in a vertical direction making a right angle with the wheel shaft of the caster, a screw part 217c is formed at the upper part of the supporting rod and a cylinder part 217b is concentrically provided at the lower part, a holding member on which a screw part threadedly engaged with the screw part of the supporting rod and a cylindrical part engaged with the cylinder part to guide it are concentrically formed is fixedly mounted to the fixing base 201 of an apparatus body, the caster is fixed to the fixing base with the screw part of the supporting rod screwed in the screw part of the holding member and with the cylinder part engagedly guided by the cylindrical part, and a block 218 having a shape for applying a spanner is fixed to the top part of the supporting rod.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a caster having a height adjusting function, and more particularly to a caster preferably used for an apparatus, particularly, an image forming apparatus or a sheet feeding apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are the following two mechanisms for adjusting a caster having a height adjusting function.

In the first type, as shown in a front view of a conventional caster with a height adjusting function in FIG. 4, a support bolt 216 integral with a portion forming a rotation axis of a base frame 212 of the caster is provided. And has a structure in which it is attached to and supported by a nut member 203 fixed to the fixed base 201 on the device main body side, and a screwdriver and a special tool for adjustment are provided from the top at the bolt tip with a groove for the driver. This is a method of adjusting the height while inserting and turning. This is because the support bolt 216 is fixed only at the screw portion of the nut member 203 provided to be fixed to the fixed base 201 on the device body side.
Is a structure that is supported, so to speak, a one-point support structure,
This is the simplest type.

In the second type, as shown in a front view of a conventional caster with a height adjusting function in FIG. 5, the movable height is coaxial with a portion forming a rotation axis of a base frame 212 of the caster. A nut portion 220 is fixedly provided on the base frame 212, a nut member 203 fixed to the fixed base 201 on the device main body side is provided, and a bolt 214 provided on the upper portion thereof is fitted to the nuts and tightened from above. The height is adjusted by using a wrench. This structure is supported not only at the screw portion of the nut member 203 fixed to the fixed base on the device body side but also at the movable high nut portion 220. In other words, it is a two-point support structure, and it is safe in terms of strength. You can do it.

[0005]

The first type has a simple structure, but requires a screwdriver as a tool and a space for a hand in an upward direction. Special tools are required.

[0006] Further, the bolt portion on the free end side (caster wheel side) of the support portion fastened to the nut portion is a portion that is weak in strength, and the portion where the bolt is weak against a lateral load on the caster. Has the disadvantage that it is easily deformed.

The workability of the second type is good because the structure can be adjusted using a spanner. In addition, there is a movable high nut portion which is stronger in strength on the free end side (caster wheel side) than the support portion, and the bolt portion is not deformed. However, there are disadvantages in that many components are required, space is required, and the cost is high.

The present invention is directed to a caster with a height adjusting function, a paper feeder and an image forming apparatus equipped with the caster, which eliminate such disadvantages, have a simple structure, are strong in strength, and can easily be adjusted in height. The purpose is to provide.

[0009]

This object is achieved by any of the following technical means (1) to (10).

(1) A caster with a height adjusting function provided on a fixed base at a lower portion of a box-shaped device main body, wherein a support bolt forming a caster rotating shaft in a vertical direction perpendicular to a wheel axis of the caster. A nut member is fixedly attached to the fixed base, the caster and the fixed base are fixed in a state where the support bolt is screwed into the nut member, and a spanner is attached to the top of the support bolt. A caster with a height adjustment function, characterized in that a block having a shape that hangs is fixed.

(2) The caster with height adjusting function according to (1), wherein the support bolt is provided with a double nut in contact with the nut member.

(3) The mounting of the block with the spanner on the support bolt is performed after the support bolt is screwed into the nut member or the double nut. (1) or (2) Casters with height adjustment function described in the item.

(4) A caster with a height adjusting function provided on a fixed base at a lower portion of the box-shaped device main body, wherein the support rod forms a caster rotation axis in a vertical direction perpendicular to a wheel axis of the caster. A screw portion is formed at an upper portion of the support rod, and a cylinder portion is provided concentrically at a lower portion, and a screw portion to be screwed with the screw portion of the support rod and the cylinder portion are fitted to the fixed base. A holding member having a concentrically formed cylindrical portion that is joined and guided is fixedly attached, and the caster and the fixed base are fixed by screwing the support rod thread into the holding member thread. A caster having a height adjustment function, wherein the caster is performed in a state where the cylinder portion is fitted and guided by the cylinder portion, and a slit is formed on a top portion of the support rod.

(5) A caster with a height adjusting function provided on a fixed base at a lower portion of the box-shaped device main body, wherein the support rod forms a caster rotation axis in a vertical direction perpendicular to a wheel axis of the caster. A screw portion is formed at an upper portion of the support rod, and a cylinder portion is provided concentrically at a lower portion, and a screw portion to be screwed with the screw portion of the support rod and the cylinder portion are fitted to the fixed base. A holding member having a concentrically formed cylindrical portion that is joined and guided is fixedly attached, and the caster and the fixed base are fixed by screwing the support rod thread into the holding member thread. The height adjusting function is performed in a state where the cylinder portion is fitted and guided by the cylinder portion, and a block having a shape with a spanner is fixed to a top portion of the support rod. With caster.

(6) A caster with a height adjusting function according to (4) or (5), wherein a double nut is provided between the top of the support rod and the holding member.

(7) The block according to (5), wherein the mounting of the block with the spanner on the support rod is performed after the support rod is screwed into the holding member or the double nut. Casters with height adjustment function.

(8) The box-shaped device is an image forming apparatus or a paper feeder connected to the image forming apparatus and supplying a recording medium to the image forming apparatus (1) to (7). The caster with a height adjusting function according to any one of the above items.

(9) A sheet feeding device provided with the caster having a height adjusting function according to any one of (1) to (7).

(10) An image forming apparatus comprising the caster with a height adjusting function according to any one of (1) to (7).

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the first embodiment, as shown in the front view of FIG. 1, a lower shaft 216A and a lower flange 216B of a support bolt 216 are attached to a base frame 212.
12, the base frame 212 is rotatable. The lower end of the support bolt is caulked. Also, a pair of forks 212A are provided from the base frame 212.
Extends downward in a U-shape, and the fork 212A is provided with an axle 212S that rotatably supports the wheels 211. Further, a clamp mechanism 212B for stopping rotation of the wheel 211 and a brake mechanism are also provided. The upper bolt portion 216C of the support bolt 216 is screwed into a nut member 203 welded to the fixed base 201 of the main body 200, so that the height can be adjusted in the vertical direction.
Further, a part of the surface of the bolt tip portion 216D in the outer diameter direction is angularly bent, and the block 218 is fitted and fixed there. Here, the block shape is a shape in which a rectangular wrench is hooked, whereby the wrench can be inserted from the side and turned to adjust the height of the support bolt arbitrarily and easily. In the second and third embodiments, the double nut 219 is incorporated in advance before assembling the block 218, and has a role of a clamp when the height adjustment is completed.

Further, if the strength of the caster is insufficient in this state, there is a possibility that the caster may have insufficient strength. Therefore, it may be necessary to increase the diameter of the support bolt 216 and each nut.

In the fourth embodiment, as shown in the front view of FIG. 2, a lower shaft portion 217A and a lower flange 217B of a support rod 217 are attached to a base frame 212.
12, the base frame 212 is rotatable. A cylinder portion 217b is formed on a side surface of the lower flange 217B. The upper bolt portion 217C of the support rod 217 is screwed into the screw portion 205A of the holding member 205 attached to the fixed base 201 of the main body 200, so that the height can be adjusted in the vertical direction. Also,
The cylinder 217b is slidably fitted to the lower cylindrical portion 205B of the holding member 205, so that the height in the vertical direction can be smoothly adjusted. Further, in the holding member 205, the reinforcing effect is greatly exhibited by the cylindrical portion 205B in which the screw portion 205A and the cylinder portion 217b are fitted, and the strength is stable without bending the support rod with a simple structure. State can be maintained.

In this embodiment, a slot 217G is provided at the top of the support rod 217, and the height can be adjusted by turning the slot 217G with a driver or a tool. Further, when the height adjustment of the caster is completed, the double nut is tightened with a spanner so as to be locked.

In the fifth embodiment, as shown in the front view of FIG. 3, the support rod 217 in the fourth embodiment is different from that of the fourth embodiment.
A part of the surface of the tip portion 217F in the outer diameter direction is bent in a square shape, and the block 218 is fitted and fixed there. Here, the block shape is a shape in which a rectangular wrench is hooked, and the height of the support bolt can be arbitrarily adjusted easily by inserting and turning the wrench from the lateral direction. In the sixth and seventh embodiments, the double nut 219 is incorporated in advance before assembling the block 218, and has a role of a clamp when the height adjustment is completed.

The caster with a height adjusting function of the present invention generally functions by being attached to a fixed base of a box-shaped device. A specific embodiment of the box-shaped device is an electronic device. It can be preferably used for an image forming apparatus to which a photographic system is applied or a large paper feeding apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus.

[0027]

According to the present invention, a caster with a height adjusting function and a paper feeder which are simple in structure, inexpensive, strong in strength, easy to adjust the height, and require almost no space for adjustment. And an image forming apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a caster with height adjustment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a caster with height adjustment according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a caster with height adjustment according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an example of a conventional caster with height adjustment.

FIG. 5 is a front view of another example of the conventional caster with height adjustment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 200 Body 201 Fixed base 203 Nut member 205 Holding member 205A Screw part 205B Cylindrical part 212 Base frame 216 Support bolt 216A, 217A Lower shaft part 216B, 217B Lower flange 216C, 217C Bolt part 216D Bolt tip part 217 Support rod 217b Cylinder part 217F Tip 217G Slot 218 Block 219 Double nut 220 Movable high nut

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A caster with a height adjusting function provided on a fixed base at a lower portion of a box-shaped device main body, wherein a support bolt forming a caster rotating shaft in a vertical direction perpendicular to a wheel axis of the caster is provided. A nut member is fixedly attached to the fixed base, the caster and the fixed base are fixed in a state where the support bolt is screwed into the nut member, and a wrench is provided on the top of the support bolt. A caster with a height-adjusting function, characterized in that a hanging block is fixed. 2. The caster with a height adjusting function according to claim 1, wherein the support bolt is provided with a double nut in contact with the nut member. 3. The mounting method according to claim 1, wherein the mounting of the block with the spanner on the support bolt is performed after the support bolt is screwed into the nut member or the double nut. Casters with height adjustment function. 4. A caster with a height adjusting function provided on a fixed base at a lower portion of a box-shaped device main body, wherein a support rod forming a caster rotating shaft in a vertical direction perpendicular to a wheel axis of the caster is provided. A screw portion is formed at an upper portion of the support rod, and a cylinder portion is provided concentrically at a lower portion. The screw portion to be screwed with the screw portion of the support rod and the cylinder portion are fitted to the fixed base. The cylindrical member to be guided and guided is fixedly attached to a holding member formed concentrically, and the caster and the fixed base are fixed by screwing the screw portion of the support rod into the screw portion of the holding member. A caster with a height adjustment function, wherein the caster is performed in a state where a cylinder portion is fitted and guided by the cylinder portion, and a slit is formed on a top portion of the support rod. 5. A caster with a height adjusting function provided on a fixed base at a lower portion of a box-shaped device main body, wherein a support rod forming a caster rotating shaft in a vertical direction perpendicular to a wheel axis of the caster is provided. A screw portion is formed at an upper portion of the support rod, and a cylinder portion is provided concentrically at a lower portion. The screw portion to be screwed with the screw portion of the support rod and the cylinder portion are fitted to the fixed base. The cylindrical member to be guided and guided is fixedly attached to a holding member formed concentrically, and the caster and the fixed base are fixed by screwing the screw portion of the support rod into the screw portion of the holding member. A key having a height adjustment function, wherein the cylinder portion is guided while being fitted to the cylindrical portion, and a block having a shape with a spanner is fixed to the top of the support rod. Justa. 6. The caster with a height adjusting function according to claim 4, wherein a double nut is provided between a top portion of the support rod and the holding member. 7. The height according to claim 5, wherein the mounting of the block with the spanner on the support rod is performed after the support rod is screwed into the holding member or the double nut. Casters with adjustment function. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the box-shaped device is an image forming apparatus or a paper feeder connected to the image forming apparatus and supplying a recording medium to the image forming apparatus.
The caster with a height adjustment function according to any one of claims 7 to 7. 9. A sheet feeding device provided with the caster with a height adjusting function according to claim 1. Description: 10. An image forming apparatus comprising the caster with a height adjusting function according to claim 1. Description: