JP2003327125A - Carrier for transportation - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a carrier for transportation having high stability of positioning and fixing of a stacking state of carrier bases by tightly constraining rotation of a universal caster wheel. <P>SOLUTION: In the carrier for transportation, a plurality of wheels having at least one universal caster are mounted to the lower surface of a carrier base, and the upper surface is provided with a wheel constraining part at a position of each wheel of the carrier for transportation placed on it. The wheel constraining part has an outer engaging region for constraining an outer part of the universal caster wheel in the turn radial direction from moving in the outside direction of the turn radius, and two constraining step parts for constraining the movement of both inner corner parts in the turn radial direction of the wheel while the outer part is positioned in a range of the outer engaging region. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a carriage for use mainly as a flat carriage, a hand carriage, a shelf, etc. for transporting materials in factories, and more particularly, to at least one lower surface of a carriage base. A technology of a transporting trolley in which a plurality of wheels including individual swivel casters are attached, and a wheel restraint unit for restraining the movement of the wheels is installed on the upper surface of each wheel of the transporting trolley mounted on it. Belong to the field.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are various well-known transport trucks in which a wheel restraining portion for restraining the movement of each wheel of the transport truck mounted on the upper surface of the truck base is installed. For example, (1) the carrier truck disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2683726 has a configuration including a holding means including an outer engagement area and an inner engagement area for the wheels of the universal caster. (2) In the carrying carriage disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2971320, in order to fix the universal caster wheels in the engaged state, a wheel fixing portion having a rectangular shape and a size adapted to the universal wheels is formed. (3) In the carrier truck disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-138922, the recessed wheel receiving portions for accommodating the free caster wheels are formed at the four corners of the truck base, and the wheel receiving portions are mounted by the partition walls. It is divided into wheel receiving rooms that can be placed.

[0003]

The above-described conventional carriages are common for the purpose of restraining the movement of each wheel of the carriages mounted thereon to obtain a stable stacked state.

However, in the carrying carriages described in (2) and (3) above, since the wheel fixing portion or the wheel receiving portion is formed in a rectangular shape, the carrying carriage to be mounted thereon can be freely moved. It is necessary to set (guarante) the direction of the caster wheel to a rectangular shape that is a wheel fixing portion or a wheel receiving portion, which is inconvenient and difficult to use.

The carrier truck described in the above (1) has the degree of freedom in the direction of the universal caster wheels, and does not have the above-mentioned problems. However, since the rotation of the swivel caster wheels themselves held by the wheel holding means in plan view (hereinafter, referred to as rotation) is not constrained, the rotation of the swivel caster wheels causes a flat surface. From the perspective, the ground point of the universal caster wheel is the fixed point, and the trolley base supported by the caster arm turns and moves in the opposite direction, which is the planar position between the trolley bases stacked vertically. The relationship will shift. That is, the function of positioning and fixing the stacked trolley bases in the stacked state is unstable, and there is a problem in transportation and storage.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is that the swivel caster wheels have a degree of freedom or tolerance in the stacking work, which is convenient in use, and moreover, the swivel caster wheels themselves rotate in plan view (automatic rotation). ) Is tightly restrained and stacked vertically to provide a carriage with high stability in positioning and fixing the stacked bases.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] As means for solving the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, a carrier truck according to the invention described in claim 1 has at least one lower surface of a truck base.
In a carriage that has a plurality of wheels including individual swivel casters, and a wheel restraint that restrains the movement of the wheels is installed at the position of each wheel of the carriage that is mounted on the upper surface. The wheel restraint portion of the swivel caster wheel has an outer engagement region for restraining the outer portion of the swivel caster wheel in the turning radius direction from moving in the outer direction of the turning radius over a certain range in the turning direction. And two restraint steps for restraining the movement of the inner corners of the wheel in the turning radius direction while the outer portion in the turning radius direction of the universal caster wheel is located within the range of the outer engagement region. It is characterized by a different configuration.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the transporting trolley according to the first aspect, the outer engagement region and the two restraint step portions forming the wheel restraint portion of the universal caster wheel are seen in a plan view. , And is formed in a shape of a pair of line symmetry.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the trolley for transporting according to the first or second aspect, the wheel restraint portion is made of a rubber material having a large friction coefficient and is placed on the upper surface of the trolley base. It is characterized in that it is also installed as a non-slip member for luggage.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings will be described below.

FIGS. 1 to 7 show an embodiment in which the transport carriage according to the invention described in claim 1 is a flat carriage.

[0012] The carrying cart 1 is provided with five universal caster wheels 3, one at each of the four corners of the lower surface of the cart base 2, and one at the center. The wheel 3 is a tire wheel made of resin. On the upper surface of the same trolley base 2, the position of each wheel 3 of the same type of trolley 1 mounted on the trolley base 2 as shown in FIG.
And concentric positions), the same number of wheel restraint portions 4 that restrain the movement of the respective free caster wheels 3 are installed.

The wheel restraint portion 4 of the illustrated example is formed to have a size and a shape (circular shape) extending over the entire circumference of the turning range around the turning axis 30 of the universal caster wheel 3 when seen in a plan view.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the structure of the wheel restraint portion 4 of the swivel caster wheel 3 is such that the outer portion 3a of the swivel caster wheel 3 in the turning radius direction moves to the outside of the turning radius. The outer engagement region 4a for restraining the is formed in an arc shape over a range of an appropriate turning angle α in the turning direction (directions of arrows P and Q in FIG. 4A).

Incidentally, in the case of the present invention, when viewed in plan as shown in FIG. 4A, the distance from the turning axis 30 of the universal caster wheel 3 to the rotation axis 31 of the wheel 3 is the turning radius R, and the direction is turning. It is called the radial direction. The direction of the arrow of the turning radius R in FIG. 4 is defined as the outer side in the turning radius direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the inner side.

The outer engagement area 4a is formed as a riding edge that restricts or restrains the movement of the universal caster wheel 3 in the outer direction of the turning radius direction. Inevitably, the inner portion of the outer engagement region 4a is formed as a concave portion 4c that is recessed in a tray shape (FIG. 5).

Next, the outer portion 3a of the swivel caster wheel 3 in the turning radius direction is located within the range of the outer engagement region 4a (in the concave portion 4c), and the outer portion 3a of the wheel 3 is located outside. Both corners 3b ′, 3 of the inner portion 3b of the wheel 3 in the turning radius direction are restrained from hitting the engagement region 4a and moving outward in the turning radius.
Two restraining steps 4b, 4b, which b'abut against to limit or restrain its movement, form two fan-shaped hypotenuses in the outer engagement region 4a and surround the concave portion 4c. Figure 3
And as is clear in FIG. 4, the two restraint steps 4b,
4b is formed from two end positions of the outer engagement region 4a forming an arc of the turning angle α to a fan-shaped two oblique sides as a stepped portion having substantially the same height up to the vicinity of the turning center (the position of the turning axis 30).
On the other hand, the flexible caster wheel 3 is a resin tire wheel as described above, and has relatively good sliding. Therefore, in the free caster wheel 3 that has entered the concave portion 4c, both corner portions 3b ', 3b' of the inner portion 3b in the turning radius direction must always hit the two restraining step portions 4b, 4b on both sides to move. Since it is restricted or constrained, so-called rotation does not occur, and since the swivel axis 30 of the universal caster wheel 3 is located at the center of the wheel constraining portion 4, it is possible to vertically stack the transport carriage on the upper surface. It is stable even in multi-tiered stacks. It should be noted that the wheel contact surface of the restraint step portion 4b does not have to be the inclined surface shown in the figure, and the same action and effect can be obtained even if it is in the form of standing at a right angle without limit.

As a preferred embodiment, the wheel restraining portion 4 of the swivel caster wheel 3 shown in FIG. 4A has a fan-shaped outer engaging region 4a and two restraining step portions 4b and 4b in plan view. It is formed in a line-symmetrical shape with the line B-B as a line of symmetry, and has an outer shape of a circle (the invention according to claim 2). That is, the left and right concave portions 4c and 4c can be used as the wheel restraining portions, respectively. Because of the above-mentioned line-symmetrical shape, the restraining step portion 4b extruded into a substantially V shape.
A portion near the turning center is formed as a concave surface having a depth in which the concave surface portions 4c and 4c are continuous.

In the wheel restraint portion 4 of the universal caster wheel 3 shown in FIG. 4B, the portions of the two restraint steps 4b and 4b near the turning center are connected at the height of the restraint step 4b. The concave portions 4c and 4c are formed into concave surfaces having a divided depth.

According to the wheel restraint portion 4 of the universal caster wheel 3 having the above-described structure, each universal caster wheel 3 of the transporting trolley 1 of the same type stacked thereon has a corresponding wheel restraint portion 4.
If only the position is carefully placed so that it will be placed on the top, the orientation of the transporting trolleys 1 to be stacked will be πrad regardless of the orientation of the respective free caster wheels 3. Even if the wheels 3 are diametrically opposite to each other at an angle of (180 °), if each wheel 3 is housed in the concave surface portion 4c, both corner portions 3b 'and 3b' of the inner portion 3b in the turning radius direction are eventually calm, The two restraint steps 4b, 4b on both sides are hit and restrained, and at the same time, the outer portion 3a in the turning radius direction of the same wheel 3 hits the outer engagement region 4a to be restrained. Even if the wheels 3 are not aligned in the right direction and face the W direction in FIG. 4B, if the trolley base 2 is swung in the front-rear direction (the direction perpendicular to the direction of the wheels 3), the outer engagement area 4a is formed. And the two restraint steps 4b and 4b, the action of canceling the imbalance of the contact condition (contact pressure) works, rapidly rotating in the U direction, the approximate direction is set in the U direction, and the wheel 3 The turning axis core 30 moves to the position of the center of the wheel restraint portion 4, and the resting state becomes comfortable.

Thus, the outer portion 3a of the swivel caster wheel 3 in the turning radius direction is restrained by the outer engagement region 4a, and both corner portions 3b ', 3'of the inner portion 3b in the turning radius direction are constrained.
b'is also held between the two restraint steps 4b, 4b and is restrained and stabilized. Therefore, consideration and operation for predetermining (guaranteeing) the direction of the universal caster wheels 3 are not particularly required when stacking the transport vehicles 1.

Moreover, since both corners 3b ', 3b' of the inner portion 3b of the free caster wheel 3 in the turning radius direction are tightly restrained from both sides by the two restraint steps 4b, 4b, the so-called "rotation" of the wheel 3 is performed. Is reliably prevented.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, there is no concern that the transport carts 1 ... Stacked in multiple stages will be misaligned with each other, and an extremely stable stacked state can be maintained.

The wheel restraint portion 4 having the above-mentioned structure is made of, for example, a rubber material having a large friction coefficient, and is also installed as an anti-slip member for a load placed on the upper surface of the carriage base 2 (claims). Invention described in 3). Reference numeral 4e in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a drainage hole for rainwater or the like.

As an example of means for installing the wheel restraint portion 4 having the above structure on the upper surface of the truck base 2, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a tenon protrusion 4d is provided on the lower bottom surface of the wheel restraint portion 4. Has been. On the other hand, an attachment portion is provided on the upper surface of the trolley base 2 as a concave surface having the same depth as the wheel restraint portion 4,
Put the wheel restraint part 4 so that it fits into this mounting part,
Further, it is installed in such a manner that the above-mentioned tenon projection 4d is fitted and stopped in a tenon hole previously provided in the same mounting portion.

However, the wheel restraining portion 4 is not an independent member, but may be integrally formed with the carriage base 2 or the corner joint 11 for the carriage base shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Alternatively, it may be integrally formed on the carriage base 2 itself (not shown).

1 and 2, the wheel restraint portion 4 is
1 shows an embodiment in which the universal caster wheels 3 are installed on the upper surface of the trolley base 2 so as to be restrained in a direction perpendicular to the forward / backward directions (arrow E and F directions in FIG. 1) of the transport trolley 1. . However, the forward and backward directions of the carriage 1 (see FIG.
Flexible caster wheel 3 in the same direction as the arrow E, F in the direction)
It is also possible to install and implement in a constrained arrangement.

In the above embodiment, when the wheel restraint portion 4 is viewed two-dimensionally, a shape composed of a pair of line symmetry with the line BB passing through the center of the turning axis 30 of the universal caster wheel 3 as the symmetry line ( It is formed into a circular shape as a whole), but is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, a semi-circular shape of only one side of the symmetry line corresponding to the line BB, or as shown in FIG. It can be similarly implemented in a non-circular / non-circular shape including up to the position. In this case, another semi-circular wheel restraining portion, or simply a semi-circular object, or a non-circular remaining non-circular object is fitted in the air space of the mounting portion of the trolley base 2,
The positioning of the wheel restraint portion and the fall of the wheel 3 into the air space are prevented. 8A and 8B, the turning angle α of the outer engagement region 4a is substantially similar, but the inclination angle of the restraint step portion 4b is different from β ₁ > γ ₁ and β ₂ <γ _2. The morphology is shown. In short, the outer caster wheels 3 are housed comfortably and exert a restraining effect so that the outer engagement regions 4
The turning angle α of a and the inclination angle (β, γ) of the restraint step portion 4b may be properly designed and implemented.

As for the plan view of the restraint step portion 4b, as shown in FIG. 10A, it is in the form of a boat as a whole, and the portions where the both corner portions 3b ', 3b' of the inner portion 3b of the wheel 3 come inward are inward. Both the corners 3b ′ of the inner portion 3b of the wheel 3 are narrowed toward the tip to exert the above-mentioned restraining effect, or are parallel as a whole as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to carry out with a restraining stepped portion 4b in the form of an arrow which 3b 'hits and is restrained. In addition, the restraint step portion 4b is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the concave surface portion 4 in the circular outer engagement region 4a is
It can also be implemented by forming it as an independent protrusion on c.

Next, in the carrier truck shown in FIG. 11, the two rear wheels on the lower surface of the carriage base 12 are fixed caster wheels 1.
3, the two front wheels are swivel caster wheels 3, and an embodiment of a hand truck having a handle 15 on the rear wheel side is shown. The wheel restraints 14 and 4 are provided on the corner joints 11 for bogie bases at the four corners.

The wheel restraining portion 14 for the rear wheels on the upper surface of the truck base 12 is provided in a rectangular shape because the orientation of the rear wheels 13 is fixed. The wheel restraint portion 4 having the above-described configuration is employed as it is for the free caster wheel 3 for the front wheel.

In the carrier truck shown in FIG. 12, all the wheels located at the four corners of the lower surface of the carriage base 22 are the caster wheels 3, and when viewed in plan, the U-shaped upper frame 20 is provided. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a frame carriage. As a matter of course, the wheel restraint 4 on the upper surface of the truck base 22 is
The wheel restraint portion 4 having the above-described structure is directly adopted for the universal caster wheel 3, and is provided on the corner joints 11 for the trolley base at the four corners.

Although not shown, so-called tricycles in which the front wheels are one universal caster wheel and the two rear wheels are fixed wheels or universal caster wheels can be similarly implemented.

[0033]

The carrying carriage according to the present invention uses the wheel restraint portion 4 developed for the flexible caster wheels, and is adapted to the direction of the flexible caster wheels during the stacking work of the carrying carts. Since there is a degree of freedom or tolerance, it is convenient for stacking trolleys and is easy to work with. Moreover, because the configuration in which the rotation of the flexible caster wheels themselves in plan view (so-called rotation) is restricted within the external engagement area, the stacking state of the vertically stacked trolley bases is constant, so positioning and stability are high, and the stacking state is high. It is very convenient for transportation and storage.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a flat carriage.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a flat carriage.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a wheel restraint portion.

4A and 4B are plan views showing a situation in which a universal caster wheel is restrained by a wheel restraint portion.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 4A.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a stacked state of flat carriages.

8A and 8B are plan views showing different embodiments of the wheel restraint portion.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the wheel restraint section.

10A and 10B are plan views showing different embodiments of the wheel restraint portion.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a stacked state of the hand trucks.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a frame cart.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 trolley for transportation 2 dolly base 3 Flexible caster wheels 4 Wheel restraint R turning radius 4a Outer engagement area 4b restraint step

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of wheels including at least one swivel caster are attached to a lower surface of a trolley base, and movement of the wheels is restrained to a position of each wheel of a carrier truck on the upper surface. In a carriage for which a wheel restraint portion is installed, the wheel restraint portion of the universal caster wheel has an outer engagement that restrains an outer portion of the universal caster wheel in the turning radius direction from moving outward in the turning radius. The region is formed over a certain range in the turning direction, and with the outer portion of the universal caster wheel in the turning radial direction located within the range of the outer engagement region, the inner corner portions of the wheel in the turning radius direction of the same caster wheel are positioned. A carriage for transporting, comprising two restraint steps for restraining movement. 2. The outer engagement region and the two restraint steps forming the wheel restraint portion of the universal caster wheel are formed in a pair of line-symmetrical shapes in a plan view. The trolley for carrying according to claim 1. 3. The wheel restraint portion is formed of a rubber material or the like having a large friction coefficient, and is installed also as an anti-slip member for a load placed on the upper surface of the truck base.
The trolley for transportation according to claim 1 or 2.