JP2002012001A - Ball unit and ball device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ball unit having a simple structure and capable of being miniaturized. SOLUTION: This ball unit 3 is provided with a plurality of ball bodies 21 and a base body 22 as one ball supporting body common to all ball bodies 21 for rotatably supporting a plurality of ball bodies 21 in all directions. The ball unit 3 is provided with a cover body 23 as one ball falling preventing body common to all ball bodies 21 for preventing falling of all ball bodies 21 from the base body 22.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball unit having a plurality of balls and a ball device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 50-16375
The ball caster described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. Hei. 1-68902 and the like is known.

The conventional ball casters described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 50-16375, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-68902, etc. have a base body having a bowl-shaped ball support. A relatively large configuration is adopted in which a single ball is rotatably supported in all directions via a plurality of bearing balls, and a portion of the single ball is exposed through an opening of the cover. I have.

A ball caster having such a configuration is used, for example, as a part of a turning machine for turning an article in an arbitrary direction, and is attached to a turning machine frame in a matrix.

[0005]

However, when the above-mentioned conventional ball caster is used as a part of a turning machine, a plurality of ball casters are attached to the turning machine frame.
Since it must be attached one by one using fixing means such as bolts and nuts, the configuration becomes complicated and the installation takes time.

In the above-mentioned conventional ball casters, when the distance between the adjacent ball casters is set to be short when the ball casters are mounted on the direction changer frame, the base bodies interfere with each other, so that the distance can be set short. For example, there is a problem that it is difficult to handle small articles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a ball unit which has a simple structure and can be easily reduced in size, and a ball device provided with the ball unit.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ball unit for supporting a plurality of balls and rotatably supporting the plurality of balls at a predetermined distance from each other. And a plurality of openings formed at predetermined intervals in correspondence with the plurality of balls and exposing portions of the balls, respectively, to prevent the balls from falling off the ball support. And a ball drop-off prevention member.

[0009] In this configuration, the configuration includes a ball support that rotatably supports the plurality of balls and a ball drop-off preventing member that prevents the plurality of balls from dropping, so that the configuration is simple. , And can be easily miniaturized.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the ball unit according to the first aspect, the ball support has ball body rotation assisting means for supporting the ball body in a point contact manner so as to be rotatable in all directions. is there.

In this configuration, the rotation resistance of the ball can be reduced by the ball rotation assisting means, and the ball rotates smoothly.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ball unit of the second aspect, the ball body rotation assisting means is a spherical projection integrally formed on the ball support.

In this configuration, since the spherical projection as the ball body rotation assisting means is formed integrally with the ball support, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the configuration using a plurality of bearing balls. Manufacturability is improved.

A ball unit according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the ball unit according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the ball support has a plurality of ball supports integrally formed with the ball support. Things.

In this configuration, a plurality of ball support portions are integrally formed on the ball support, so that compared to a configuration in which only one ball support portion is formed on the ball support,
The number of parts can be reduced, and the manufacturability is improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the ball unit of the fourth aspect, the ball support has one fitting portion, and the ball drop-off preventing body fits into the one fitting portion. The other fitting portion.

In this configuration, by fitting one fitting portion of the ball support to the other fitting portion of the ball drop-off preventing member, the ball drop-off preventing member can be easily attached to the ball support. It is.

A ball unit according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the ball unit according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the ball support has one side face on the ball side and the other side face opposite to the ball side. It has a penetrating through hole.

In this configuration, foreign matter such as dust or liquid such as water can be removed from the through hole of the ball support, so that it is possible to prevent the rotation resistance of the ball from being increased by the foreign matter. is there.

A ball unit according to a seventh aspect is the ball unit according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the plurality of ball bodies are juxtaposed in a state of being close to each other.

In this configuration, for example, when the small article is used as a part of a direction change machine or a transfer device, the small article is appropriately changed in direction and transferred.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ball unit according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, further comprising a positioning engaging portion which engages with the engaged portion.

In this configuration, the positioning can be easily performed by engaging the positioning engaging portion with the engaged portion.

A ball unit according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is a plurality of ball bodies and a pair of holding means shared by the plurality of ball bodies and rotatably holding the plurality of ball bodies in a partially exposed state. It is provided with.

In this configuration, since a plurality of balls are provided with a pair of holding means in common, not only are they optimal as components of a turning machine or the like, but also the configuration is simple and easily reduced in size. Is possible.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ball device comprising: a unit mounting frame; and a plurality of ball units according to any one of the first to ninth aspects mounted on the unit mounting frame in parallel. Thus, the unit mounting frame and the ball unit have respective functions.

The ball device according to the eleventh aspect is the first aspect.
0. The ball device according to claim 0, further comprising a closing member for closing a gap formed between the unit mounting frame and the ball unit, wherein the closing member can close the gap between the unit mounting frame and the ball unit. It is possible to prevent the article from falling from this gap.

[0028] The ball device according to the twelfth aspect is the first aspect of the invention.
12. The ball device according to 0 or 11, wherein the unit mounting frame has an elongated unit support, and the ball unit has a fitting portion fitted to the unit support. By using the part, the ball unit can be easily attached to the unit support.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ball device straddling a plurality of ball units according to any one of the first to ninth aspects and a plurality of the ball units located adjacent to each other. And a connecting member for connecting the plurality of ball units. The use of the connecting member for connecting the plurality of ball units eliminates the need for an outer frame or the like, thereby reducing the weight. And cost reduction.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The construction of an embodiment of the ball device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a ball caster changing machine as a ball device, and the ball caster changing machine 1 is a direction changing machine for turning a small article in an arbitrary direction.

The ball caster converter 1 includes a unit mounting frame 2 which is horizontally held at a predetermined height by a plurality of leg members (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1, three ball units 3 are arranged side by side, for example, three along the X direction which is the longitudinal direction of the unit mounting frame 2 and 2 along the Y direction which is the width direction of the unit mounting frame 2. They are attached in a line.

The unit mounting frame 2 has a pair of elongated left and right side frames 5 which are separated from each other at a predetermined distance, and the upper ends of leg members (not shown) are connected to both side frames 5. I have. The two side frames 5 are connected by connecting members 6a and 6b as elongated unit supports having a longitudinal direction in the width direction, and six ball units 3 are fitted to these connecting members 6a and 6b. The six ball units 3 are fixed to each other and arranged as a set adjacent to each other between the side frames 5 and 5 to form one rectangular plate-shaped ball unit group 3a having a longitudinal direction in the X direction. Have been.

A vertically opened gap 7 formed between the unit mounting frame 2 and the ball unit 3 is closed by a plurality of, for example, six closing members 8, and a plurality of gaps 7 are located adjacent to each other. Are connected by a plurality of, for example, eight connecting members 9 fitted in a state of straddling two or four corresponding ball units 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the side frame 5 of the unit mounting frame 2 is formed by extruding, for example, aluminum or the like, and has grooves 11 and 12 having a substantially U-shaped cross section on the inner surface and the outer surface. It is formed along the longitudinal direction, and has a mounting groove 13 opened downward on the lower surface side along the longitudinal direction. In addition, the connecting member 6a
A mounting hole 15 penetrating through both the groove portions 11 and 12 is formed corresponding to the mounting position.

On the other hand, the transversal members 6a and 6b of the unit mounting frame 2 are formed by extrusion molding, for example, of aluminum or the like to have a substantially cylindrical cross section, and a part of the peripheral surface has a flat shape (not shown). A stop is formed, and the axial dimension of the other transverse member 6b is set slightly shorter than that of the one transverse member 6a.

Then, both ends of the connecting members 6a and 6b are slidably fitted into the grooves 11 inside the side frames 5, and screws 16 as fixing means are attached from outside of the side frames 5 to the mounting holes 15a. Through which the two side frames 5 are integrally fixed via the transverse joint member 6a. At this time, the detent portions of the transverse joint members 6a and 6b are joined to the upper surface of the groove 11 inside the side frame 5,
The rotation members 6a and 6b are prevented from rotating.

The transverse joint member 6b having a shorter length to which the screw 16 is not screwed is not fixed to both the side frames 5, and both end portions are slidable in the groove portion 11. Even after assembling the side frame 5 and one of the transverse members 6a, the other transverse member 6b is obliquely inserted between the two side frames 5 so that both ends of the transverse member 6b can be inserted inside the side frame 5. Can be fitted into the groove portion 11 of the main body.

Then, the fitting groove 20a formed in the ball unit 3 on which the closing member 8 is mounted is aligned with the connecting members 6a and 6b, and the ball unit 3 is pushed downward, whereby the fitting groove of the ball unit 3 is formed. 20a is fitted to the transverse joint members 6a, 6b. As a result, three ball units 3 are fixed to the unit mounting frame 2 in the X direction and two in the Y direction, and the two ball units 3 and 3 arranged in the Y direction are connected to one set of cross-connecting members 6a. And is supported by the transverse member 6b. The connecting member 6b is connected to the side frame 5
Therefore, even if the pitch of both fitting concave portions of the ball unit 3 and the pitch of the transverse members 6a and 6b are shifted, the movement of the transverse member 6b can easily cope with the deviation.

As shown in FIG. 3, each ball unit 3 has a plurality of, for example, 36, ball bodies 21, and a plurality of ball bodies 21, each of which supports each of the plurality of ball bodies 21 rotatably in all directions. Base body as one common ball support
22, a cover body 23 and the like as a single ball falling-off prevention body common to all the ball bodies 21 for preventing each ball body 21 from falling off from the base body 22. The base body 22 and the cover body
A pair of holding means 25 for holding all the ball bodies 21 shared by the holding member 23 so as to be rotatable in all directions is configured.

First, the ball 21 is, as shown in FIG.
For example, it is integrally molded into a spherical shape with a mold using a synthetic resin such as polyacetal or the like.
It is set in the range of mm to 15 mm, for example, about 10 mm.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the base body 22 is integrally formed with a mold using a synthetic resin such as polyacetal, for example, and is formed in a box shape with an open lower surface. Are formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The width of the base body 22 along the X direction is, for example, 1
The length dimension along the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction is set to about 00 mm, for example, to about 105 mm.

Positioning engagement portions 31a and 31b are formed at both ends in the Y direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the base 22, and the positioning engagement portions 31a and 31b are plural, for example, three.
It is composed of one engagement projection 32 and a plurality of, for example, three engagement recesses 33 adjacent to the engagement projection 32. Note that one positioning engagement portion 31a is engaged with the other positioning engagement portion 31b, while the other positioning engagement portion 3a is an engaged portion.
For 1b, one positioning engaging portion 31a is the engaged portion.

The one positioning engaging portion 31a is
As shown in FIG. 2, the adjacent ball units 3 are engaged with the other positioning engagement portions 31b of the adjacent ball units 3 so as to be releasably engaged with each other. As a result, the two end surfaces in the X direction, which is the width direction of the ball units 3, 3, are aligned on the same plane, while the other positioning engaging portion 31b is disengaged from the closing member 8 shown in FIG. Engage freely.

The base body 22 has a substantially rectangular plate-like upper plate portion.
A peripheral wall portion 36 projects downward from a peripheral edge of the upper plate portion 35.

On the upper plate portion 35 of the base member 22, a ball supporting portion 38 for supporting one ball member 21 so as to be rotatable in an arbitrary direction, that is, in all directions,
As many as 21 are juxtaposed.

The plurality of ball supporting portions 38 are dispersed on the vertices of a parallelogram over the entire upper plate portion 35 of the base body 22 and arranged, for example, in a staggered manner.

That is, Y which is the longitudinal direction of the base body 22
A plurality of, for example, six, ball support portions 38, which are located in a straight line at a predetermined interval Y1 along the direction, have a row of support portions 39, for example, six from the one end to the other end of the base body 22 in the X direction. However, the support portion row groups 39, 39 adjacent in the X direction are shifted from each other by a predetermined distance Y1 / 2 in the Y direction of the base body 22, and are different from each other.
38 are arranged in a zigzag pattern.

Alternatively, a support member row group 40 having a plurality of, for example, three ball support members 38 linearly located at a predetermined distance X1 from each other along the X direction, which is the width direction of the base member 22, is a base member. For example, twelve support member rows 40, 40 adjacent to each other in the Y direction are shifted from each other by a predetermined distance X1 / 2 in the X direction of the base body 22, and are different from each other. As a result, the ball support 38
The whole is staggered.

Each of the ball supporting portions 38 has a circular opening 41 formed on the upper surface of the upper plate portion 35.
From the periphery of 41, a substantially hemispherical, that is, a substantially bowl-shaped receiving portion 42
The receiving portion 42 protrudes downward from the lower surface of a portion other than the ball support portion 38 of the upper plate portion 35. The opening 41 is formed in a tapered shape whose diameter is reduced downward, and the inner diameter thereof is set slightly larger than the diameter of the ball 1.

The receiving portion 42 has a plurality of, for example, radial
The arm piece 43 is formed in an arc shape, and the upper end, which is one end in the longitudinal direction, of each arm piece 43 is circumferentially spaced at equal intervals on the periphery of the opening 41. Connecting portions 44 formed at predetermined five positions aligned in the direction
And are integrally connected and fixed. On the other hand, the lower end, which is the other end in the longitudinal direction, of each of the arm pieces 43 is integrally connected to each other at a position below the center of the opening 41 to form one common part 45.

Further, on the upper surface near both ends in the longitudinal direction of each arm piece 43 and on the upper surface at the center of the common portion 45, ball body rotation assisting means for supporting the ball body 21 in a point contact manner so as to be rotatable in all directions. Are formed integrally with each other, and a plurality of these, for example, eleven spherical protrusions 46 are formed.
Is formed in a hemispherical shape. And ball body 21
When inserted into the opening 41 of the corresponding ball support portion 38, it is fitted and received in the receiving portion 42, and is held in a point contact state so as to be rotatable in all directions by the spherical protrusion 46. .

On the other hand, the arm pieces 43, 43 adjacent to the receiving portion 42
A through-hole 48 having a substantially triangular shape as viewed from a plane is formed between them, and a plurality of these through-holes 48, for example, five through-holes 48 are formed between the upper surface which is one side surface of the receiving portion 42 on the ball body 21 side and the ball. It is in a state penetrating the lower surface which is the other side opposite to the body 21.

Further, the upper plate portion 35 of the base body 22 has a fitting hole as one fitting portion for mounting the cover body 23.
50 are formed, and these fitting holes 50 are formed in the upper plate portion.
It is distributed and spaced apart from each other throughout the 35.

The peripheral wall portion 36 of the base body 22 is, for example,
The base body 22 is composed of elongated flat plate portions 51, 51 at both ends in the X direction, which is the width direction of the base body 22, and elongated projections 52, 52 at both ends in the Y direction, which is the length direction of the base body 22. In addition, mounting holes 53 as mounting portions for mounting the closing member 8 are formed at both ends of the uneven plate portion 52. In addition, the positioning engagement portions 31a and 31b are formed by the concave and convex plate portions 52 and 52.

Further, a plurality of, for example, two fitting portions, which can be fitted to the transverse joint members 6a, 6b, are provided near both ends of the two flat plate portions 51, 51 and the two convex and concave plate portions 52, 52. Groove 20
a, 20b are formed, each of the fitting grooves 20a, 20b is formed in a substantially semicircular shape, and the groove width of the lower surface opening is changed to the transverse joint members 6a, 6b.
Is set slightly larger than the diameter.

At the intermediate position between the fitting grooves 20a, 20a of the two concave and convex plate portions 52 which are spaced apart from each other, as shown in FIG. A fitting groove 20a formed in the cylindrical portion 55 is disposed, and the fitting groove 20a is formed in the fitting groove 2 formed in the uneven plate portion 52.
It is located on the same straight line as 0a, is formed in a substantially semicircular shape, and the groove width of the lower surface opening is set to be slightly larger than the diameter of the transversal members 6a, 6b.

The upper plate portion of the base body 22 is located at an intermediate position between the fitting grooves 20b, 20b of the two flat plate portions 51 which are spaced apart from each other.
A fitting groove 20b formed in a cylindrical portion 56 which is a protruding portion protruding from the lower surface of the flat plate portion 51 is disposed on the same straight line as the fitting groove 20b of the flat plate portion 51. It is formed in a substantially semicircular shape, and the groove width of the lower surface opening is set to be slightly larger than the diameter of the transversal members 6a, 6b. In the present embodiment, these fitting grooves 20b are not used, and are not fitted to the transverse members 6a, 6b.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the cover body 23 is formed integrally with a mold using, for example, a synthetic resin such as polyacetal, and is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape. .

The cover body 23 has a shape corresponding to the base body 22, that is, for example, a shape overlapping the upper surface of the base body 22, and the width dimension along the X direction is set to, for example, about 100 mm. The length dimension along the orthogonal Y direction is set to, for example, about 105 mm, and the thickness dimension is set to, for example, about 2 mm. The cover body 23 also has a Y direction which is the longitudinal direction of the cover body 23, similarly to the base body 22.
Positioning engagement portions 31a and 31b are formed at both ends in the direction, and the positioning engagement portions 31a and 31b include a plurality of, for example, three engagement projections 32, and the engagement projections 32. It is composed of a plurality of, for example, three engaging recesses 33 adjacent to each other.

The cover body 23 has a thin, substantially rectangular plate-shaped substrate portion 61. The substrate portion 61 has one ball body.
Circular openings 62 for exposing a portion of 21, for example, about one-third of the entire upper portion so as to form a roller surface, are juxtaposed in the same number as the ball bodies 21 in a state of being close to each other. The openings 62 are arranged in a staggered manner corresponding to the ball support 38 of the base body 22. The opening 62 is formed in a tapered shape whose diameter increases downward, and the upper surface opening 62
The inner diameter of a is set slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball body 21,
The inner diameter of the lower surface opening 62b is set slightly larger than the diameter of the ball 21.

Further, a plurality of fitting projections 63 are formed on the lower surface of the substrate portion 61 as the other fitting portions to be fitted into the fitting holes 50 of the base body 22. 63
Are dispersedly arranged at a predetermined interval from each other over the entire cover body 23. The fitting projection 63 is formed in the shape of an elongated rod having a circular cross section, and is formed in a truncated conical shape in which the lower end, which is the distal end, is reduced in diameter toward the bottom, and is inserted into the fitting hole 50 of the base body 22. To fit. The board section
The upper surface of 61 is formed in a smooth shape.

On the other hand, each of the closing members 8 corresponds to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a substantially elongated rectangular plate-shaped side cover or the like integrally formed with a mold using a synthetic resin such as polyacetal has a function of flattening the side surface of the ball unit 3. .

The closing member 8 has, on one side surface facing the ball unit 3, an opposing concave and convex plate portion 71 as an elongated engaging portion which is irregular in the outer shape and the substantially shape of the ball unit 3. Has an elongated flat plate portion 72 on the other side on the opposite side, and the flat plate portion 72 and the concavo-convex plate portion 71 are integrally joined via a plurality of spaces 73.

The opposing concave and convex plate portion 71 is
Positioning body 31 of base body 22 and cover body 23
a, 31b. In addition, the opposite convex / concave plate portion 71 has a mounting protrusion 75 that is a mounting portion that fits into the mounting hole 53 of the base body 22 and protrudes from the side surface, and the mounting protrusions 75 are spaced apart from each other, for example. A pair of elastically deformable protruding pieces 76, 76 facing away from each other
It consists of. Each protruding piece 76 is formed in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, and a substantially semi-disc-shaped retaining portion 77 is formed at the tip.
When the mounting projection 75 is inserted into the mounting hole 53 of the base body 22 while deforming the protruding piece 76, the mounting projection 75 is retained in the mounting hole 53 by the retaining portion 77 so as to be retained.

On the other hand, the opposing concavo-convex plate portion 71 and the flat plate portion 72 of the closing member 8 are provided with a plurality of fittings that can be fitted to the transversal members 6a and 6b.
For example, fitting grooves 80 as two fitting portions are formed, each fitting groove 80 is formed in a substantially semicircular shape, and the groove width of the lower surface opening is slightly smaller than the diameter of the transverse joint members 6a, 6b. It is set large. When the closing member 8 is attached to the ball unit 3, the fitting groove 80
Are located on the same straight line as the fitting groove 20a.

On the other hand, each connecting member 9 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, for example, it is a joint or the like integrally formed with a mold using a synthetic resin such as polyacetal or the like.
The connecting member 9 is composed of two ball units 3 adjacent to each other.
It has a function of connecting between them and a function of connecting between four ball units 3 adjacent to each other. In addition,
Although not shown, the plurality of ball units 3 can be connected to each other by using the connecting member 9, so that an outer frame such as the unit mounting frame 2 or the like can be appropriately eliminated, and the weight and cost can be reduced.

The connecting member 9 has, for example, a square plate-shaped base 81, and is connected to one side of the base 81, that is, the upper surface on the lower side in FIG. Cross section L having different first plate portions 82 and second plate portions 83
A bent plate portion 84 is formed upright, and a predetermined distance L is set between the bent plate portion 84 and the second plate portion 83 having a smaller area.
A third plate portion 85 is provided standing upright and in parallel with a space therebetween. The first plate portion 82 is formed in a horizontally long rectangular plate shape, and is erected at one edge portion of the base portion 81, that is, at a position shifted to the center side from the lower edge portion in FIG.
And the lower edge of the base 81 are located parallel to each other. 2nd plate part 83
The third plate portion 85 is formed in a vertically long rectangular plate shape, and is located parallel to the other edge portion of the base portion, that is, the left edge portion in FIG. Located on the club.

The other side of the base 81, that is, FIG.
Similarly, a bent plate portion 88 having an L-shaped cross section and having a fourth plate portion 86 and a fifth plate portion 87 having different sizes connected orthogonally and integrally is also provided on the upper surface on the upper side. The fifth plate portion 87 having the smaller area of the bent plate portion 88 is separated from and opposed to the fifth plate portion 87 by a predetermined distance L with a sixth position.
A plate portion 89 is provided upright. The fourth plate portion 86 is formed in a horizontally long rectangular plate shape, and is erected at one edge portion of the base portion 81, that is, at a position shifted toward the center side from the upper edge portion in FIG. And the upper edge of the base 81 are positioned in parallel.
The fifth plate portion 87 and the sixth plate portion 89 are formed in a vertically long rectangular plate shape, and are located parallel to the other edge of the base portion 81, that is, the right edge in FIG. Are located on the left edge of the base. Also, the first plate portion 82 and the fourth plate portion 86
They are separated from each other by a predetermined distance L and are located in parallel. The predetermined distance L is set to be about twice the thickness of the peripheral wall 36 of the bail 22 of the ball unit 3.

Further, the first plate portion 82 and the first plate portion 83
A connecting end of the third plate portion 85, a fourth plate portion 86, and a connecting end of the fifth plate portion 87 with the fourth plate portion 86. And a sixth portion spaced apart from the connection end.
A first holding groove 91 capable of holding the overlapping peripheral wall 36 of the ball unit 3 is formed with the end of the plate 89. Further, the second plate portion 83 and the third plate portion 85 form a second holding groove portion 92 which can hold the overlapping peripheral wall portion 36 of the ball unit 3. Further, the fifth plate portion 87 and the sixth plate portion
With 89, a third holding groove 93 capable of holding the overlapping peripheral wall portion 36 of the ball unit 3 is formed. Note that the first holding groove 91, the second holding groove 92, and the third holding groove 93 are in communication with each other, and the first holding groove 91, the second holding groove 92, and the third holding groove 92 are connected to each other. 93 is located orthogonally. A first plate portion 82, a second plate portion 83, a third plate portion 85,
The upper edge of each of the fourth plate portion 86, the fifth plate portion 87, and the sixth plate portion 89 is provided with an inclined guide surface 94 for improving the mounting property.
Are formed.

When the four ball units 3 adjacent to each other are connected by using one connecting member 9, the corners of the base 22 of the four ball units 3 are formed as shown in FIG. Each of the ball units is mounted such that the first to third holding grooves 91, 92, and 93 of the connecting member 9 hold a predetermined portion of the peripheral wall portion 36 of the base body 22 at a position where the connecting member 9 is straddled. 3 is in a non-separable fixed state.

When two adjacent ball units 3 are connected by using one connecting member 9, the connecting members 9 are located at positions where the corners of the base bodies 22 of the two ball units 3 overlap. And the peripheral wall of the base body 22 is formed only by the first holding groove 91 of the connecting member 9.
Each of the ball units 3 is fixed in a non-separable state by holding a predetermined portion of the ball unit 36 therebetween. A positioning step 95 for positioning the connecting member 9 is provided at the lower edge of the corner of the peripheral wall 36 of the base body 22.
Are formed.

Next, the assembly of the ball caster converter 1 of the above embodiment will be described.

First, the ball unit 3 places a plurality of balls 21 on the ball support 38 of the base 22, and positions the balls 21 in a staggered manner in a state of being close to each other. At this time, each ball 21 is held rotatably in all directions by the spherical projection 46 of the ball support 38.

Then, by inserting the fitting projection 63 of the cover body 23 into the fitting hole 50 of the base body 22, the cover body 23 is attached to the upper surface side of the base body 22 from above, and the upper part of the ball body 21 is attached. It is exposed through the opening 62 of the cover body 23 to form a roller surface. In this state, the upper portion of the ball 21 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the cover 23. Thereafter, the closing member 8 is attached to the side surface of the ball unit 3 on the side facing the side frame 5.

On the other hand, the unit mounting frame 2 mounts the transverse members 6a and 6b to the pair of left and right side frames 5.

Then, the ball unit group 3a composed of the ball units 3 is placed on the transverse joint members 6a and 6b bridged over the side frames 5, and the ball unit group 3a is positioned between the side frames 5. . Then, the connection between the ball units 3 is fixed by attaching the connecting member 9 to the lower surface side of the base body 22 from below.

The ball caster converting machine 1 assembled in this manner can change the direction of an object, for example, a small article, at a roller surface portion protruding from the cover 23 of each ball 21.

According to such a ball caster converter 1, since a small ball unit 3 optimal for the ball caster converter 1 is used as a component, the configuration is simple and the number of components is extremely small, so that it is easy to use. Easy to assemble, easy to maintain, small,
Lightening can be achieved.

Further, since the distance between the adjacent ball bodies 21 of the ball unit 3 can be set to be short, it is possible to easily cope with small articles and to appropriately change the direction of the small articles.

Further, since the gap 7 between the unit mounting frame 2 and the ball unit 3 is closed by the closing member 8, small articles can fall from the gap 7 or
There is no clogging of small articles in the gap 7.

Further, by utilizing the fitting groove 20a of the ball unit 3, the ball unit 3 can be easily mounted on the unit mounting frame 2, and the assembling property can be improved.

Further, the rotational resistance of the ball 21 can be reduced by the spherical projection 46 of the ball unit 3, the ball 21 can be smoothly rotated, and the small article can be turned smoothly. Further, since the spherical projection 46 is formed integrally with the base body 22, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the conventional configuration using a plurality of bearing balls, and the ball unit 3
Can be improved in productivity.

Further, since foreign matter such as dust or liquid such as water can be removed from the through hole 48 of the base body 22 of the ball unit 3, it is possible to prevent the rotation resistance of the ball body 21 from being increased by the foreign matter. it can. For example, even when the ball unit 3 is washed with water, water does not accumulate in the ball holding portion 38 of the base body 22, and the ball unit 3 can be used immediately after washing with water.

Further, since the ball unit 3 is formed of a material which is resistant to both high and low temperatures such as a synthetic resin such as polyacetal, it can be used at a temperature of -50.degree. C. to 80.degree. Can be used. Also, it can be washed with hot water at 80 ° C.

In the above embodiment, the case where the ball device is applied to the ball caster conversion machine 1 has been described. For example, as shown in FIGS. As a transfer device
It can be applied to the chute 1a of the sorting device.

If the chute portion 1a is configured as described above, when the elongated article A in one direction is sorted and flows on the chute portion 1a, the direction of the article A can be freely changed. The direction of the article A in the longitudinal direction can be matched with the direction intersecting with the transport direction of the chute 1a, whereby the number of articles staying on the chute 1a can be increased. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, when the chute portion B of the sorting device is constituted by a roller conveyor, the articles A are daisy-chained on the chute portion 1b, and the number of staying articles on the chute portion B is small.

Although not shown, the ball units 1 and 1a and the ball unit 3 may be mounted on a bogie or the like by mounting the ball unit 3 with the roller surface portion down, in addition to the direction changer and the transfer device. Can be used as a caster device. In addition, it can be used as furniture, for example, a flooring part for a closet, a closet or the like. That is,
If the ball unit 3 is mounted on a bottom plate of a chest or the like with the roller surface facing upward, the luggage stored in a closet or the like can be easily taken out. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to health appliances such as foot health appliances, medical appliances, and playground equipment.

Further, in any of the above embodiments, the ball devices 1 and 1a
Although the case where the ball unit 3 is mounted on the unit mounting frame 2 by fitting the “a” to the transverse joint members 6a and 6b has been described, for example, although not shown, the direction of the ball unit 3 is changed, Mating groove
Even if 20b is used by fitting it to the transversal members 6a, 6b, FIG.
The same operation and effect as those of the ball devices 1 and 1a shown in FIG.

Further, in any of the above embodiments, the ball unit 3 has a fitting projection 63 formed on the cover body 23 as a fixing means for fixing the cover body 23 and the base body 22, and Although the configuration in which the fitting hole 50 is formed has been described, for example, as shown in FIGS.
Instead of the fitting hole 50 and the fitting protrusion 63, a pin 50a having a circular cross section, for example, is integrally formed on the upper surface of the base body 22, and the cover body 23 has a pin insertion hole 6 having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the pin 50a.
3a may be formed.

In this configuration, the pin 50a of the base 22 is inserted into the pin insertion hole 63a of the cover 23, and the portion of the inserted pin 50a protruding from the upper surface of the cover 23 is heated and melted. The cover body 23 and the base body 22 can be welded and fixed. Therefore, by utilizing the gap between the pin 50a and the pin insertion hole 63a, the cover
23 positioning adjustments can be made easily.

On the other hand, in any of the above embodiments, the ball unit 3a shown in FIGS. 19 to 21 may be used instead of the ball unit 3 shown in FIG. Is easy to assemble, easy to maintain, small and light, etc., and can easily and appropriately respond to small articles, and has the effect of appropriately turning small articles. Can be.

The ball unit 3a shown in FIGS. 19 to 21 includes a plurality of, for example, 42, ball bodies 101, and each of the ball bodies is positioned at a predetermined distance from the corresponding ball receiving base 102 one by one. It is supported so that it can rotate in all directions. These 42 ball receiving bases 102 are welded to one ball drop preventing body 103 common to all the ball bodies 101, and the ball bodies 101 are prevented from falling off from the ball receiving base 102 by the ball falling preventing bodies 103. Is done.

Each of the plurality of ball receivers 102 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a ball portion 101 is mounted on the base portion 105 via a plurality of bearing balls 106. Further, a mounting plate portion 107 which is an annular mounting portion is integrally formed on a peripheral edge of the base portion 105, and a welding surface 108 is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the mounting plate portion 107. Note that a ball support 110 is constituted by the plurality of ball receiving bases 102.

The ball drop-off prevention member 103 has a substrate portion 111 which is a substantially rectangular base. The substrate portion 111 has a portion of one ball body 101, for example, about one-third of the whole. The same number of circular openings 112 as the number of the ball bodies 21 that expose the upper part of the balls 1 are arranged in close proximity to each other, and the openings 112 are arranged in a staggered manner. The opening 112 is formed in a tapered shape whose diameter increases downward, the inner diameter of the upper surface opening 112a is set slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball body 101, and the inner diameter of the lower surface opening 112b is It is set slightly larger than the diameter. further,
A hexagonal cylinder-shaped pedestal mounting portion 1
13 are formed in a staggered manner corresponding to the openings 112, and an inner space of the pedestal attached portion 113 communicates with the openings 112.

Then, the ball receiving pedestal holding the ball body 101 in the pedestal receiving portion 113 of the ball drop preventing body 103
102 is inserted and fitted from below, and the welding surface
108 is welded to the inner peripheral surface of the pedestal mounting part 113, and each ball pedestal 102 is fixed to the ball drop-off preventing body 103.
In this state, the upper portion of the ball body 101 on the ball receiving pedestal 102 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the substrate portion 111.

On the other hand, the ball falling-off preventing body 103 is
As shown in FIG. 9, both end surfaces in the first direction have first step portions 123 formed by alternately positioned trapezoidal convex portions 121 and concave portions 122 in plan view, and have the first direction 123 On both end surfaces in the second direction orthogonal to each other, a second portion composed of a convex portion 125 and a concave portion 126 of an isosceles triangle in plan view that are alternately positioned
It has a step 127.

Each of the first step portion 123 and the second step portion 127 is, for example, connected to a ball unit 3a having the same structure as shown in FIG. The same function as the positioning engagement portion 20a of the unit 3 is exhibited, and the positioning of the other ball unit 3a with respect to the one ball unit 3a can be facilitated.

Although not shown, instead of juxtaposing the bearing balls 106 on the ball receiving base 102, a ball body rotation assisting device for supporting the ball 101 on the ball receiving base 102 in a point contact manner so as to be rotatable in all directions. The spherical projection as the means may be integrally formed.

[0100]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure comprising a ball support for rotatably supporting a plurality of balls, and a ball falling-off preventing body for preventing the plurality of balls from falling. Therefore, the configuration is simple and the size can be easily reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the rotation resistance of the ball can be reduced by the ball rotation assisting means, and the ball can be smoothly rotated.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the spherical projection as the ball rotation assisting means is formed integrally with the ball support, the number of parts is reduced as compared with the configuration using a plurality of bearing balls. Can be reduced and manufacturability can be improved.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of ball supporting portions are integrally formed on the ball supporting member, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with a configuration in which only one ball supporting portion is formed on the ball supporting member. Can be reduced and manufacturability can be improved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by fitting one fitting portion of the ball support and the other fitting portion of the ball drop-off preventing member, the ball drop-off preventing member is attached to the ball support. Can be easily installed.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, foreign matter such as dust or liquid such as water can be removed from the through hole of the ball support, so that the foreign matter increases the rotational resistance of the ball. Can be prevented.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of balls are juxtaposed in a state of being close to each other, when used as a part of a direction change machine or a transport device, for example, small articles can be reduced. It can change direction and transport properly.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the positioning can be easily performed by engaging the positioning engaging portion with the engaged portion.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of ball bodies are provided with a pair of common holding means,
It has a simple structure, can be easily miniaturized, and can be manufactured very easily.

According to the tenth aspect, the unit mounting frame and the ball unit can exhibit the respective effects.

According to the eleventh aspect, the gap between the unit mounting frame and the ball unit can be closed by the closing member, and the article can be prevented from dropping from this gap.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the ball unit can be easily attached to the unit support by utilizing the fitting portion of the ball unit, and the assembling property can be improved.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, by using the connecting member for connecting the plurality of ball units, the outer frame and the like can be eliminated, and the weight and cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of a ball device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ball device.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a ball unit of the ball device.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a base body of the ball unit.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a base body of the ball unit.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of a base body of the ball unit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cover body of the ball unit.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a closing member of the ball device.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the closing member.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a connecting member of the ball device.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the connecting member.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a view showing an example in which the ball device is applied to a chute of a sorting device.

FIG. 15 is a view showing an example in which the ball device is applied to a chute of a sorting device.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram in a case where a configuration different from that of the ball device is applied to a chute.

FIG. 17 is a side view showing a modified example of the ball unit.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the ball unit.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view from above showing another modified example of the ball unit.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the ball unit as viewed from below.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of the ball unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 Ball caster converting machine as ball device 1a Chute portion as ball device 2 Unit mounting frame 3 Ball unit 6a, 6b Crossing member as unit support 7 Gap 8 Closing member 9 Connecting member 20a, 20b As fitting portion Fitting groove 21 Ball body 22 Base body as ball support 23 Cover body as ball drop prevention body 25 Nipping means 31a, 31b Positioning engagement part 38 Ball support part 46 Spherical protrusion 48 as ball body rotation assisting means 48 Through-hole 50 Fitting hole 62 as one fitting part 62 Opening 63 Fitting projection as the other fitting part 101 Ball body 103 Ball drop-off prevention body 110 Ball support 112 Opening

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] July 10, 2000 (2007.1.
0)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG.

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 14

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG.

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG.

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

Claims (13)

[Claims] A plurality of balls; a ball support rotatably supporting the plurality of balls at a predetermined distance from each other; and a plurality of predetermined balls corresponding to the plurality of balls. A plurality of openings formed at intervals to respectively expose a part of the ball body, and a ball falling-off prevention body for preventing the ball body from falling off from the ball support. Ball unit. 2. The ball unit according to claim 1, wherein the ball support has ball body rotation assisting means for supporting the ball body in a point contact manner so as to be rotatable in all directions. 3. The ball unit according to claim 2, wherein the ball rotation assisting means is a spherical projection integrally formed on the ball support. 4. The ball unit according to claim 1, wherein the ball support has a plurality of ball supports integrally formed with the ball support. 5. The ball support has one fitting portion, and the ball drop-off preventing body has another fitting portion fitted to the one fitting portion. The described ball unit. 6. The ball support according to claim 1, wherein the ball support has a through hole penetrating one side surface of the ball body and the other side surface opposite to the ball body. Ball unit. 7. The ball unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of ball bodies are juxtaposed in a state of being close to each other. 8. The ball unit according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion. 9. A plurality of ball bodies, and a pair of holding means shared by the plurality of ball bodies and rotatably holding the plurality of ball bodies while partially exposing the plurality of ball bodies. And the ball unit. 10. A ball device comprising: a unit mounting frame; and a plurality of ball units according to claim 1 mounted on the unit mounting frame in parallel. 11. The ball device according to claim 10, further comprising a closing member that closes a gap formed between the unit mounting frame and the ball unit. 12. The unit mounting frame according to claim 10, wherein the unit mounting frame has an elongated unit support, and the ball unit has a fitting portion fitted to the unit support. Ball device. 13. A plurality of ball units according to any one of claims 1 to 9 which are positioned adjacent to each other, and are fitted over the plurality of ball units positioned adjacent to each other, A ball device comprising: a connecting member that connects the plurality of ball units.