JP2004299532A - Ladder for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ladder for a vehicle having excellent durability and weatherability and capable of lessening the impact sound generated at the time of working as much as practicable. <P>SOLUTION: The ladder for the vehicle is composed of a left and a right column 1 to be fixed to the body of the vehicle, footboards 2 installed between the columns 1, and a step 3 fitted on the footboards 2 in such an arrangement as swinging in the vertical direction. Each footboard 2 is furnished protrusively with an engaging part 4 to engage the step 3 approximately in the horizontal direction. The step 3 is furnished with a fixation device 10 having a retractable lock rod 11 to be fitted in a fixing recess 2A formed at the oversurface of the footboard 2 and fixing the step 3 in such a way as directed upward in the vertical direction approximately. The lock rod 11 of the fixation device 10 assumes a bottom-equipped cylinder furnished internally with a pressing spring 12. The lock rod 11 is formed from an oil-impregnated plastic material. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is mounted on a vehicle such as a one-box car, a camper, a four-wheel drive vehicle, a truck, and fixed vertically when no step is used, and swings the step horizontally when used to fix the step. The present invention relates to a vehicle ladder.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a ladder of this kind, for example, a ladder for external use of a vehicle described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. This vehicle external ladder is provided with a ladder step that can swing freely. When used, the step is tilted substantially horizontally and used as a wide step, and when not in use, this step is lifted substantially vertically and along the vertical frame. It is held in a state.
[0003]
Further, in the work vehicle step structure described in Patent Literature 2, a step using a gas spring to control the swinging operation of the step is described. In this step, the upper and lower steps are linked by a link mechanism, and a gas spring is connected to one of the steps so that these two steps can be simultaneously rocked.
[0004]
These external ladders for a vehicle have a disadvantage caused by mounting the ladder on the vehicle, that is, there is a problem that vibration noise is generated at the time of traveling and a manufacturing cost is increased.
[0005]
That is, in the vehicle external ladder disclosed in Patent Document 1, the swinging portion of the step is cut out in a substantially circular shape, and a triangular projection is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cutout portion. A structure is adopted in which the steps are fixed by locking the steps. Therefore, the step at the time of use is in a stable state when a load of the user is applied, but the step at the time of non-use is in a state of being locked to the corner of the core rod by the weight of the step. Therefore, the steps are in a state of being easily vibrated. Therefore, this step always vibrates due to vibration during traveling, and there is a disadvantage that a harsh vibration sound is generated. In addition, since the triangular projection and the corner of the core rod come into contact with each other while constantly vibrating, the contact portion is likely to be damaged, and there is also a disadvantage that the life of the step is shortened. In addition, when the step is tilted horizontally, the swinging portion side of the step approaches the body of the vehicle, so that it is necessary to increase the distance between the ladder and the body in advance. However, when the ladder is mounted along the body of the vehicle, it is desirable that the ladder be as close to the body as possible from the viewpoint of safe driving.
[0006]
On the other hand, in the step structure of the work vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 2, the inconvenience caused by the vibration is eliminated by providing the link mechanism and the gas spring, but there is a disadvantage that the manufacturing cost becomes too high. If a large production cost is allowed as described above, a mechanism such as a gas spring can be adopted, but it is not practical as a ladder to be mounted on a general vehicle because of the cost problem.
[0007]
Therefore, the present inventor has proposed Patent Literature 3 that solves these problems, and has previously proposed a ladder for a vehicle that can be mounted without generating vibration noise. This vehicle ladder is provided with a spherical stopper which is fitted into a fixed recess provided on the upper surface of the step by the elastic force of a pressing spring mounted inside the step so as to be able to protrude and retract from the step.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-175275 [Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-71815 [Patent Document 3]
Registered Utility Model No. 3091804
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Patent Literature 3 proposed by the present inventor solves the problems of Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 and can be mounted without generating unpleasant vibration noise during traveling. It became possible to mount the ladder as close as possible. However, in subsequent studies, it was found that Patent Literature 3 had problems in durability and weather resistance and a problem such as generation of an impact sound when the steps were stored.
[0010]
That is, in the vehicle ladder of Patent Document 3, a spherical stopper is provided so as to be able to protrude and retract from the step by the elastic force of a pressing spring mounted inside the step, and the stopper is fitted into a fixing recess provided on the upper surface of the step. It is something that can be combined. However, since the spherical stopper is exposed to rainwater, the spherical stopper may be rusted, or the biasing force of the spring pressing the stopper may gradually deteriorate. .
[0011]
Further, since the spherical stopper is pressed by the elastic force of the pressing spring, it has been found that a loud impact sound is generated when the stopper is fitted into the fixing recess on the upper surface of the step. In addition, since the impact sound becomes louder as the elastic force of the pressing spring is increased, there is a disadvantage that the impact sound becomes larger in proportion to the support strength of the stopper. Further, since the fixing concave portion is strongly repelled by the stopper, the fixing concave portion is easily damaged, and when the step is painted, the coating of the fixing concave portion may be easily damaged and peeled off. There is also.
[0012]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle ladder having excellent durability and weather resistance and capable of extremely reducing an impact sound generated during operation. .
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a first means of the present invention comprises a pair of right and left columns 1 fixed to a vehicle body, a step 2 erected between the columns 1, and an outer fitting on the step 2. A locking portion 4 for locking the step 3 in a substantially horizontal state, protrudingly provided on the step 2, and a fixing recess 2A provided on an upper surface of the step 2; In a vehicle ladder having a lock rod 11 which can be inserted into and retracted from and fitted with a fixing device 10 for fixing the step 3 substantially vertically upward in the step 3, the lock rod 11 of the fixing device 10 has an inside. The lock rod 11 has a bottomed cylindrical shape provided with a pressing spring 12, and the lock rod 11 is formed of an oil-containing plastic material.
[0014]
In the second means, the fixing device 10 includes a fixing bracket 13 fixed to the step 3, a sleeve 14 fixed to the fixing bracket 13, and a lock rod slidably mounted inside the sleeve 14. And a pressing bolt 15 for pressing the lock rod 11 from the end of the sleeve 14 toward the fixing recess 2A via a pressing spring 12 mounted inside the lock rod 11. .
[0015]
The pressing bolt 15 of the third means is screwed to a nut 16 fixed to the end of the sleeve 14 and adjusts the tightening force of the pressing bolt 15 through the adjusting hole 3C opened in the step 3. Is a means for solving the problem.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
The present invention is a ladder for a vehicle fixed along the outside of a vehicle body, and includes a pair of right and left columns 1, and a step 2 provided between the columns 1 (see FIG. 1).
[0018]
The step 2 is provided with a step 3 that swings up and down around the step 2 as an axis. The step 3 is externally fitted to the step 2, and a locking portion 4 for locking the step 3 in a substantially horizontal state is provided on the step 2. Further, a fixing device 10 for fixing the step 3 substantially vertically upward is provided in the step 3. The step 3 is formed in a flat and substantially box-like shape having a substantially cylindrical connecting portion 3A rotatably fitted to the outer periphery of the step 2. Then, a notch engaging portion 3B is formed in the outer periphery of the connecting portion 3A in Step 3 in a long hole shape. By inserting the locking portion 4 into the notch locking portion 3B, the step 3 is swung within the range of the notch locking portion 3B (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
[0019]
The locking portion 4 locks the step 3 in a horizontal direction, and protrudes from the side surface of the step 2 (see FIG. 2). The illustrated locking portion 4 is provided so as to protrude to one side of the step 2, but is not limited to the illustrated example. When the notch locking portion 3B is opened in the connecting portion 3A of the step 3 and the locking portion 4 is inserted through the notch locking portion 3B, the step 3 is fixed in a state where the step 3 is oriented in the horizontal direction and vertically upward ( (See FIG. 3).
[0020]
The fixing device 10 is a device that fixes the step 3 substantially vertically upward (see FIG. 4). The fixing device 10 includes a fixing bracket 13 fixed to the step 3, a sleeve 14 fixed to the fixing bracket 13, and a lock rod 11 slidably mounted inside the sleeve 14. I have. The fixing bracket 13 is screwed with a fixing screw 17 inside the substantially cylindrical step 3 having an open side surface, and the sleeve 14 is fixed to the fixing bracket 13. When the fixing screw 17 is removed, the fixing bracket 13 and the sleeve 14 can be removed from the opening 3D on the side surface of the step 3 while the fixing bracket 13 and the sleeve 14 are integrated. By attaching the fixing screw 17 to the upper surface when step 3 is used, that is, to the body side during storage, the fixing screw 17 does not stand out when step 3 is not used, and the fixing screw 17 serves as a non-slip when step 3 is used. It has a functional effect (see FIG. 1).
[0021]
The lock rod 11 has a bottomed cylindrical shape having a hemispherical bottom and is slidably mounted inside a sleeve 14 with a pressing spring 12 provided inside. Then, the lock rod 11 is pressed by the pressing biasing force of the pressing spring 12, and the bottom of the lock rod 11 is fitted into the fixed concave portion 2A provided on the upper surface of the step 2 (see FIG. 4).
[0022]
The material of the lock rod 11 is formed of an oil-impregnated plastic material. Oil-containing plastics are obtained by uniformly dispersing oil droplets of submicron diameter in a base polymer such as polyacetal, nylon, PET, polyethylene, etc., and can be molded under almost the same conditions as those of the base polymer. Lubricating agent can be gradually supplied by contacting the oil-impregnated plastic with a portion to be lubricated, or by attaching it near. Further, since oil itself does not easily flow out unlike grease or lubricating oil, oil supply is unnecessary. Therefore, by forming the lock rod 11 of an oil-impregnated plastic material, an extremely smooth sliding action can be obtained and the shock absorbing action of the base polymer can be obtained at the same time. As a result, when the lock rod 11 is fitted into the fixing recess 2A, the lock rod 11 can be fitted extremely smoothly, softly and quietly. By mounting the lock rod 11 made of oil-impregnated plastic slidably inside the sleeve 14, an extremely high waterproof effect can be obtained.
[0023]
A pressing bolt 15 is provided at the end of the sleeve 14 so as to press and urge the pressing spring 12 inside the lock rod 11 (see FIG. 4). The illustrated pressing bolt 15 is screwed to a nut 16 fixed to an end of the sleeve 14 and presses a pressing spring 12 mounted inside the lock rod 11 in a direction in which the lock rod 11 projects. A nut 16 fixed to the end of the sleeve 14 seals the end of the sleeve 14 so as to also have a waterproof action inside the sleeve 14.
[0024]
In order to adjust the pressing bolt 15, an adjustment hole 3 </ b> C into which a driver or the like is inserted is formed in the corresponding portion of the step 3 (see FIG. 1). By adjusting the pressing bolt 15, the elastic force of the pressing spring 12 can always be adjusted to an appropriate pressing urging force. As described above, the step 3 is fixed in the fixing recess 2A of the step 2 in a vertical state by constantly urging the lock rod 11 by the elastic force of the pressing spring 12.
[0025]
Further, the lock rod 11 of the fixing device 10 urges against the outer surface of the step 2 even after detaching from the fixing recess 2A. Therefore, wobbling of step 3 can be prevented even during the swing operation of step 3 or when step 3 is used (see FIG. 2). Moreover, since the lock rod 11 that contacts the outer surface of the step 2 is an oil-impregnated plastic material, even if the urging force of the lock rod 11 is increased, damage to the step 2 can be prevented.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention achieves the original object by being configured as described above.
[0027]
That is, the lock rod 11 of the fixing device 10 has a bottomed cylindrical shape having a pressing spring 12 therein, and the lock rod 11 is formed of an oil-impregnated plastic material. The impact noise generated when fitting to the device can be extremely reduced. Moreover, even if the elastic force of the pressing spring is increased, the impact noise does not need to be increased, and the supporting strength of the stopper can be sufficiently increased. In addition, since the oil-impregnated plastic material absorbs the shock at the time of fitting, the possibility of damaging the coating of the step 2 is also eliminated. In addition, since an oil-impregnated plastic material is used, the weight can be reduced.
[0028]
Further, the fixing device 10 includes a fixing bracket 13 fixed to the step 3, a sleeve 14 fixed to the fixing bracket 13, and a lock rod 11 slidably mounted inside the sleeve 14. Since the pressing bolt 15 for pressing the lock rod 11 from the end of the sleeve 14 toward the fixing recess 2A via the pressing spring 12 mounted inside the lock rod 11 is provided on the sleeve 14, the durability is extremely high. It became excellent in property and weather resistance. As a result, the inconvenience caused by long-term use, such as the conventional spherical stopper being rusted by rainwater or the like and the biasing force of the spring pressing the stopper being gradually deteriorated, has been solved. In addition, since the structure is simple, there is an effect of preventing unexpected inconvenience.
[0029]
The pressing bolt 15 is screwed to a nut 16 fixed to the end of the sleeve 14 and adjusts the tightening force of the pressing bolt 15 through the adjusting hole 3C opened in the step 3, so that the pressing spring 12 can be arbitrarily adjusted. Therefore, when the urging force of the pressing spring 12 is gradually weakened, by adjusting the pressing bolt 15, an optimum locking force can always be obtained. In addition, the pressing spring 12 is double protected by the lock rod 11 and the sleeve 14, and has excellent weather resistance.
[0030]
As described above, according to the present invention, various useful effects such as excellent durability and weather resistance, and extremely small impact noise generated during operation can be achieved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a rear view showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway sectional view showing an embodiment of the fixing device of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Support 2 Step 2A Fixing recess 3 Step 3A Connecting part 3B Notch locking part 3C Adjusting hole 3D Opening part 4 Locking part 10 Fixing device 11 Lock rod 12 Press spring 13 Fixing bracket 14 Sleeve 15 Press bolt 16 Nut 17 Fix screw

Claims (3)

A pair of right and left columns fixed to the body of the vehicle, a step provided between the columns, and a step which is externally fitted to the step and is mounted so as to be swingable up and down. A locking portion that locks in a substantially horizontal state is protrudingly provided, and the step includes a retractable lock rod that fits into a fixing recess provided on the upper surface of the step, and the step is directed substantially vertically upward. In a vehicle ladder provided with a fixing device for fixing, a lock rod of the fixing device has a bottomed cylindrical shape having a pressing spring therein, and the lock rod is formed of an oil-containing plastic material. Ladder. The fixing device includes a fixing bracket fixed to a step, a sleeve fixed to the fixing bracket, and a lock rod slidably mounted inside the sleeve, and mounted inside the lock rod. 2. The vehicle ladder according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing bolt for pressing an end of the lock rod toward the fixing recess through a pressing spring. 3. The vehicle ladder according to claim 1, wherein the pressing bolt is screwed to a nut fixed to an end of the sleeve, and a tightening force of the pressing bolt is adjusted through an adjusting hole formed in the step. .

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