JP2006240422A - Brake device, caster device provided with the brake device, and carrying vehicle equipped with the caster device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new brake device having a simple structure and high stiffness, capable of stopping turning movement at a position even if w wheel in a swiveling caster turns in any direction; a caster device provided with the brake device; and a carrying vehicle equipped with the caster device. <P>SOLUTION: The brake device 4 controls turning movement of the swiveling caster 3. The brake device 4 is composed of a base portion, and a stopper 42 attached to the base portion so as to move forward/backward. By forwardly moving the stopper, the brake device press-contacts an acting surface 421 provided on the stopper on a peripheral edge portion side wall of a rotating body in the swiveling caster or on a peripheral edge portion side wall of a rotating disc rotating according to the turning movement of the rotating body, thereby giving braking force to the turning swiveling movement of the swiveling caster. The caster device 1 provided with the brake device and the carrying vehicle equipped with the caster device are also provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a brake device for applying a braking force to a turning motion of a turning caster, a caster device provided with the brake device, and a transport vehicle equipped with the caster device.

  Wheels commonly referred to as “casters” are usually attached to the bottom of a transport vehicle for loading and transporting mainly cargo such as carts and containers. Can be roughly divided into two types: a “fixed caster” in which the wheel is fixed and a “rotating caster” in which the wheel can freely rotate left and right in the direction of travel.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the former fixed caster 2 includes a flange (mounting plate) 21 for mounting on a bottom surface of a transport vehicle or the like, a wheel support frame 22 that is continuously fixed to the flange 21, The wheel support frame 22 is generally composed of a wheel 23 pivotally attached to one end.

  On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the latter rotating caster 3 includes a flange (mounting plate) 31 for mounting on a bottom surface of a transport vehicle and the like, and a rotation rotatably mounted on the flange 31. In general, the structure includes a body 33, a wheel support frame 34 provided continuously on the rotating body 33, and a wheel 35 pivotally attached to the wheel support frame 34.

  Here, a transport vehicle in which only the former fixed casters are attached to a plurality of locations (usually 4 locations) on the bottom surface is excellent in straight running stability because the traveling direction of the wheels is fixed, but it does not make a small turn. On the other hand, there is a disadvantage that it is inferior in turning performance.On the other hand, a transport vehicle in which only the latter turning caster is attached to a plurality of places on the bottom surface can be turned freely because the wheel can freely turn left and right in the traveling direction. There are drawbacks such as instability and inferior straight-line stability because the wheels are easily wobbled and the wheels are easily taken into the gap in the ground.

  For this reason, when a caster is disposed at a plurality of locations on the bottom surface of a general transport vehicle, a rotating caster is usually disposed on the front two wheels and a fixed caster is disposed on the rear two wheels, or the front two wheels are disposed. By arranging a fixed caster and a rotating caster on the rear two wheels, both straight running stability and turning characteristics can be obtained.

  However, the situation where such a transport vehicle is used is mostly transport work in factories and warehouses, that is, such work places are complicatedly divided by luggage, goods and other goods and equipment. In addition, since it is almost always possible to secure a moving / transporting space for the transporting vehicle with a limited width, in such a work place, the conventional transporting vehicle (transportation with a rotation caster and a fixed caster appropriately arranged) is used. However, the turning performance is not sufficient, and it is often necessary to turn over several times to make a turn.

  In addition, when work is completed in such a work place, it is common to store a plurality of transport vehicles side by side in a predetermined range of a predetermined range. Since it is very difficult to line up the transport vehicles without gaps, or to pull out the transported vehicles at the start of the next work, it is necessary to arrange them at a certain interval, so that extra space is secured There was a need to do.

  However, in order to improve the turning performance of the transport vehicle, if all the four wheels are provided with a small turning caster, the straight traveling stability of the transport vehicle is significantly deteriorated, and the transport vehicle is moved or transported in the factory or warehouse. It becomes difficult to control the transport vehicle so that it does not come into contact with luggage, merchandise and other items / equipment placed on the car.

  Therefore, a caster device having a lock mechanism that can stop the turning motion of the rotating caster has recently been developed (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 6).

JP-A-8-132814 JP-A-9-109604 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-278505 JP-A-11-34604 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-321208 JP 2002-29205 A

  The locking mechanisms disclosed in these Patent Documents 1 to 6 are designed to stop the turning motion of the turning caster by inserting a locking member into the locking hole, although there are some structural differences.

  However, if the transport vehicle is moved with the turning motion of the turning caster stopped, that is, with the locking member inserted in the locking hole, the caster that has received a small gap in the ground trembles in small increments. In response to this tremor, the locking hole and the locking member contact irregularly and violently many times, so noise is likely to occur, and the locking hole and the locking member are damaged, deformed, or rattled, and the locking There may be a problem that the member cannot be removed when it is inserted into the locking hole, or that the locking member cannot be smoothly inserted into the locking hole.

  In addition, these lock mechanisms have a disadvantage that the rotation of the caster can be stopped only at the stop position corresponding to the position where the locking hole is provided.

  In this regard, as disclosed in the drawings of Patent Documents 2, 3, and 5, there is a structure in which a plurality of locking holes are provided so that stop positions can be taken in multiple directions. If the number of the locking holes increases, the rigidity of the member provided with the locking holes decreases accordingly, so that there is a problem that breakage and deformation are more likely to occur.

  Accordingly, as a result of the inventor's extensive studies to solve such problems, the present invention is a brake device for controlling the turning motion of a turning caster, the brake device being advanced to the base and the base. A turntable comprising a stopper attached so as to be retractable, and rotating the stopper according to the turning side wall of the rotating drum or the turning motion of the rotating drum in the rotating caster by advancing the stopper The braking device according to the present invention has been completed, wherein the braking device is brought into pressure contact with the side wall of the peripheral portion to apply a braking force to the rotating motion of the rotating caster.

  That is, the present inventor provides the rotating caster with the braking device of the present invention having a base and a stopper that can be advanced and retracted from the base, and the working surface provided on the stopper is provided in the rotating caster. In a state separated from the peripheral wall of the rotating drum or rotating disk, the swivel caster can freely rotate, while the working surface provided on the stopper is the peripheral edge of the rotating drum or rotating disk in the rotating caster. It has been found that when it is brought into pressure contact with the side wall, a braking force is generated against the turning motion of the rotating caster, and the turning motion of the rotating caster can be stopped.

  Also, the brake device of the present invention is different from the conventional lock mechanism in which the locking member is inserted into the locking hole as described above to stop the turning motion of the turning caster, and the working surface provided on the stopper is rotated on the turning caster. Since the turning motion of the rotating caster is stopped by being brought into pressure contact with the peripheral side wall of the drum or the rotating disk, the turning motion can be stopped at that position regardless of the direction of the wheel in the rotating caster. I also got the knowledge.

  Further, unlike the conventional lock mechanism in which the locking member is inserted into the locking hole as described above to stop the turning motion of the turning caster, the brake device of the present invention rotates the working surface provided on the stopper in the turning caster. A simple structure is adopted in which the rotating motion of the rotating caster is stopped by being pressed against the peripheral side wall of the body or the rotating disk, so that the rigidity is relatively high and the rotating caster is stopped. They also learned that rattling and tremors are less likely to occur, and that noise and breakage and deformation of the brake device can be prevented.

  In addition, the present inventors have found that the brake device of the present invention also has an advantage that it can be easily installed even for a turning caster currently on the market.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above knowledge, and has a simple structure, high rigidity, and a novel brake capable of stopping the turning motion at any position regardless of the direction of the wheel in the turning caster. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device, a caster device provided with the brake device, and a transport vehicle provided with the caster device.

  The brake device of the present invention, which is a means for solving the above problems, is a brake device for controlling the turning motion of a turning caster, and the brake device is attached to the base and the base so as to be able to advance and retract. The rotating caster by pressing the working surface provided on the stopper to the peripheral side wall of the rotating drum in the rotating caster or the peripheral side wall of the rotating disk rotating according to the turning motion of the rotating drum. This is characterized in that a braking force is applied to the turning motion.

The caster device of the present invention is characterized in that the brake device of the present invention is provided, and the transport vehicle of the present invention further includes the caster device of the present invention. Is.
Hereinafter, the brake device, the caster device, and the transport vehicle of the present invention will be described in detail in order.

  The brake device of the present invention is for controlling the turning motion of the turning caster. As the target “turning caster”, the wheel can freely turn left and right in the traveling direction. There is no particular limitation as long as it can be used by appropriately selecting a conventionally known turning caster. Specifically, for example, a flange (mounting plate) for mounting on a bottom surface of a transport vehicle, and the flange. And a rotating cylinder that is rotatably attached to the rotating cylinder, a wheel support frame that is continuously provided on the rotating cylinder, and a wheel that is pivotally attached to the wheel supporting frame.

  The rotating drum in the rotating caster is preferably provided with a disk-shaped or columnar rotating plate that rotates according to the rotating motion of the rotating drum. When this rotating plate is provided, the rotating drum in the rotating caster is directly provided. Compared with the case where the working surface of the stopper is pressed against, the power point can be set at a position farther from the turning axis of the turning caster, and a more reliable braking force can be obtained.

  The means for rotating the rotating disk according to the rotating motion of the rotating drum is not particularly limited. For example, the rotating motion of the rotating drum is rotated by a rotating mechanism such as a gear. Although an indirect structure that converts to motion may be used, in the present invention, in order to reliably transmit the braking force by the brake device to the rotating drum and to simplify the configuration of the device, the rotating drum in the rotating caster Alternatively, it is preferable that the rotating disk is directly attached to the wheel support frame so that the turning motion of the rotating drum is directly the rotating motion of the rotating disk.

  And the brake device of the present invention for controlling the turning motion of such a turning caster comprises a base and a stopper attached to the base so as to be able to advance and retreat. A working surface is provided to press-contact the peripheral side wall of the rotating drum or the peripheral side wall of the rotating disk provided on the rotating drum.

  That is, according to the brake device of the present invention, since the stopper is attached to the base so as to be able to advance and retract, the stopper is retracted, and the working surface provided on the stopper is rotated or rotated on the rotating caster. In the state separated from the peripheral side wall of the board, the turning caster can freely turn, while the stopper is advanced, and the working surface provided on the stopper is set to the periphery of the rotating drum or the rotating disk in the turning caster. When pressed against the side wall, a braking force against the turning motion of the turning caster is generated, and the turning motion of the turning caster can be stopped.

  Further, in the brake device of the present invention, the rotating surface of the rotating caster is stopped by bringing the working surface provided on the stopper into pressure contact with the peripheral wall of the rotating drum or rotating disk of the rotating caster. It is possible to stop the turning motion at that position regardless of which direction the wheel is facing, and it is less likely to cause rattling or tremor when the turning caster is stopped. It can be prevented.

  The “pressure contact” in the brake device of the present invention means that the working surface provided on the stopper is pressed against the peripheral wall of the rotating drum or the rotating disk of the rotating caster with sufficient force to stop the turning motion of the rotating caster. As a specific example of this pressure contact, the working surface of the stopper is made up of a rotating cylinder or an urging force by an electric means such as a motor or an elastic body such as a spring, or an operation such as a pushable wire. A means for pressing in the direction of the peripheral side wall of the rotating disk can be used.

  Here, the shape and material of the base and stopper are particularly limited as long as the stopper can quickly advance and retreat with respect to the base and does not significantly impair the handleability of the brake device of the present invention. It is not a thing, but at least 1 or more types selected from a known raw material, for example, a wooden material, a metal material, or a polymeric material, can be appropriately selected and processed into a desired shape (design).

  In addition, the means for attaching the stopper to the base so as to be able to advance and retract is not particularly limited. Specifically, for example, the stopper is slidably assembled to the base, or the stopper is attached to the base. A means for pivotally attaching one end of the stopper to the base so as to be rotatable can be exemplified.

  Furthermore, a part of the flange in the rotating caster or a part of the bottom surface of the transport vehicle may be used together as a base.

  In the brake device of the present invention, as the instruction means for giving an instruction to advance or retract the stopper, at least an instruction to advance the stopper or an instruction to retract the stopper can be independently given. There is no particular limitation as long as it does not cause any significant hindrance to handling as a device. Specifically, for example, electric means such as a motor that receives an electrical signal by radio or wire advances and retracts the stopper. For example, a means for moving the stopper forward and backward by physical operation such as a pushable wire, or an instruction means combining these means.

  In the brake device of the present invention, the working surface provided on the stopper is brought into pressure contact with the peripheral side wall of the rotating drum or the rotating disk in the rotating caster, in other words, the operating surface provided on the stopper and the peripheral edge of the rotating drum or the rotating disk. Since the rotating motion of the rotating caster is stopped by the frictional force or the catch generated between the side wall and the side wall, the control surface and the surface of the rotating drum or the peripheral side wall of the rotating disk are controlled by the material and surface properties. There is a difference in power.

  That is, when a surface having a relatively smooth surface is used for the working surface, the peripheral surface of the rotating drum or the rotating disk, there is slippage between the operating surface and the peripheral wall of the rotating drum or the rotating disk. May occur and sufficient braking force may not work.

  Therefore, in the brake device of the present invention, in order to generate a strong frictional force when the working surface is pressed against the peripheral side wall of the rotating drum or the rotating disk, the working surface in the stopper, the peripheral side wall in the rotating drum, Or by laminating a non-linear elastic body such as silicon rubber or neoprene rubber as appropriate at least one place on the peripheral side wall of the rotating disk, or by forming the working surface, the rotating drum or the rotating disk itself with a non-linear elastic body, It is preferable that the working surface and the peripheral side wall of the rotating drum, or the working surface and the peripheral side wall of the rotating disk be in contact with each other with a non-linear elastic body interposed therebetween.

  In addition, in the brake device of the present invention, in order to cause strong catch when the working surface is pressed against the peripheral side wall of the rotating drum or the rotating disk, for example, a plurality of irregularities are formed on the working surface in the stopper. By providing a plurality of irregularities on the peripheral side wall of the rotating drum in the rotating caster or on the peripheral side wall of the rotating disk provided in the rotating drum, the working surface, the peripheral side wall in the rotating drum, or the peripheral edge of the rotating disk It is preferable to roughen the surface properties of the side walls.

  It should be noted that if the unevenness provided on the working surface, the rotating drum, or the rotating disk becomes too large, breakage or deformation is likely to occur. Therefore, in the brake device of the present invention, the working surface, the rotating drum, or the rotating disk has a plurality of unevenness. In the case of providing, it is preferable to be a fine step such as a screw thread or a gear tooth in the screw, specifically, it is preferable that the uneven step to be provided is about 0.001 to 5 mm, About 0.01-3 mm is preferable.

  If such a plurality of unevenness of such a fine step is used, even if a part of the plurality of unevenness is damaged or deformed, the braking force of the brake device of the present invention is hardly affected. It does not occur.

  By the way, the brake device of the present invention stops the rotating motion of the rotating caster by bringing the working surface provided on the stopper into pressure contact with the peripheral wall of the rotating drum or rotating disk of the rotating caster. In the turning direction of the caster, there are two types of turning motions, a clockwise turning motion and a counterclockwise turning motion. Therefore, when there is only one working surface, the contact between the working surface and the rotating drum or the rotating disk. Depending on the position, the level of pressure, or the shape of the unevenness, it is possible to apply a braking force to a turning motion in one direction, but not to apply a braking force to a turning motion in the other direction. There is.

  Therefore, in the present invention, at least two actions of the counterclockwise turning action surface for controlling the clockwise turning movement of the turning caster and the counterclockwise turning action face for controlling the counterclockwise turning movement are applied to the stopper. It is preferable to have a surface.

  Also, in this case, if the stopper provided with the anti-turning action surface and the stopper provided with the anti-turning action surface are attached so as to be able to advance and retract independently from the base, When the right turning surface is in pressure contact, the rightward turning motion of the turning caster is limited, but the counterclockwise turning motion is free. This makes it possible to control the turning motion in a complicated manner such that the turning motion of the turning caster is limited to the left but the turning motion of the clockwise is free.

  Of course, when the anti-turning action surface and the anti-turning action surface are pressed against each other at the same time, the turning movement in any direction in the turning caster stops.

  The caster device of the present invention is characterized in that the brake device of the present invention is provided, and the turning motion can be stopped at any position regardless of the direction of the wheel of the rotating caster. It is a new caster device with a simple structure and relatively high rigidity.

  The transport vehicle of the present invention is characterized by comprising the caster device of the present invention, and the transport vehicle is loaded with luggage such as carts, containers, shopping carts and suitcases. It is not limited to general transport vehicles that are transported by hand, but also includes those that carry people such as strollers and wheelchairs, and those that are equipped with casters to assist in moving and transporting large equipment such as pianos. That is, there is no particular limitation as long as at least one rotating caster of the present invention is provided on the bottom surface or the leg portion.

  And, these transport vehicles of the present invention, when the turning motion of the swivel caster is stopped, good straight running stability is obtained and smooth movement is possible, while the turning motion of the swivel caster is made free In this case, since the turning performance is improved and the turn is very small, the handling at the work site where the movement / transportation space of the transport vehicle can be secured only by a limited width is improved.

  The present invention has the above-described configuration, and has a simple structure, high rigidity, and a novel brake device capable of stopping the turning motion at any position regardless of the direction of the wheels in the turning caster, and the braking device. A caster device provided with a caster device and a transport vehicle provided with the caster device.

  That is, if the brake device according to the present invention is configured with a base and a stopper that can be advanced and retracted from the base with respect to the rotating caster, the working surface provided on the stopper is a rotating cylinder or rotating disk in the rotating caster. In a state separated from the peripheral side wall, the swivel caster can freely turn, while the working surface provided on the stopper is pressed against the peripheral side wall of the rotary drum or the rotary disk in the rotary caster. In this case, a braking force against the turning motion of the turning caster is generated, and the turning motion of the turning caster can be stopped.

  Also, the brake device of the present invention is different from the conventional lock mechanism in which the locking member is inserted into the locking hole to stop the turning motion of the turning caster. Since the turning motion of the turning caster is stopped by being brought into pressure contact with the peripheral side wall of the turning caster, the turning motion can be stopped at that position regardless of the direction of the wheel in the turning caster.

  Further, the brake device of the present invention is different from the conventional lock mechanism in which the locking member is inserted into the locking hole to stop the turning motion of the turning caster. Because it uses a simple structure that stops the turning motion of the swivel caster by pressing it against the side wall of the peripheral part, it has relatively high rigidity, and when the swivel caster is stopped, rattling and tremors occur. It is hard to occur, and it is possible to prevent generation of noise and breakage or deformation of the brake device.

  In addition, the brake device of the present invention has an advantage that it can be easily installed even on a turning caster currently on the market.

  The caster device of the present invention is characterized in that the brake device of the present invention is provided, and the turning motion can be stopped at any position regardless of the direction of the wheel of the rotating caster. It has the characteristics that it has a simple structure and relatively high rigidity.

  Further, the transport vehicle of the present invention is characterized by comprising the caster device of the present invention, and when the swivel motion of the swivel caster is stopped, good straight running stability is obtained and smooth. On the other hand, when the turning motion of the turning caster is made free, the turning performance is improved and the turning ability becomes very small. The handling at work sites that cannot be performed is improved.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram ((a) bottom view, (b) side view, (c) bottom view showing a use state) showing the caster device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The turning caster 3 is provided with the brake device 4 of the present invention.

  A rotating caster 3 in the caster device 1 is connected to a flange (mounting plate) 31 for mounting on a bottom surface of a transport vehicle or the like, a rotating drum 33 rotatably attached to the flange 31, and the rotating drum 33. And a wheel support frame 34 pivotally attached to the wheel support frame 34.

  On the other hand, the brake device 4 in the caster device 1 includes a base 41, a stopper 42, and a spring member 43, and the stopper 42 can be slidably assembled to the base 41 so that the stopper 42 can be advanced and retracted. It is configured.

  In the caster device 1 of this embodiment, the action surface 421 itself provided on the stopper 42 is formed of a non-linear elastic body, and a strong frictional force is generated when the action surface 421 is brought into pressure contact with the peripheral side wall of the rotary drum 33. It is configured as follows.

  In this embodiment, the stopper 42 is urged in the direction of advancement by the spring member 43, and the action surface 421 provided on the stopper 42 is the peripheral portion of the rotary drum 33 when no instruction is given. Press contact to the side wall.

  Then, for example, when the stopper handle 51 in the indicating section 5 as shown in FIG. 3 is operated and a physical instruction in the direction of pulling the pushable wire 52 is transmitted to the brake device 4, the working surface 421 provided on the stopper 42 is Move away from the rotating drum 33.

  That is, according to the caster device 1 of the present embodiment, the stopper 42 is attached to the base portion 41 so as to be able to advance and retract, so that the user operates the stopper handle 51 in the indicating portion 5 to move the stopper 42. When the working surface 421 provided on the stopper 42 is moved away from the peripheral side wall of the rotating drum 33, the turning caster 3 can freely turn, while the stopper handle 51 is returned to the original state. The stopper 42 advances under the urging force of the spring member 43, and the action surface 421 provided on the stopper 42 is in pressure contact with the peripheral side wall of the rotating drum 33. Therefore, the stopper 42 resists the turning motion of the rotating caster 3. Power is generated and the turning motion of the rotating caster 3 can be stopped.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, in the caster device 1 of this embodiment, the working surface 421 provided on the stopper 42 is brought into pressure contact with the peripheral side wall of the rotating drum 33, whereby the turning caster 3 is turned. Since the movement is stopped, the turning movement can be stopped at that position regardless of which direction the wheel 35 in the turning caster 3 faces.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram ((a) bottom view, (b) side view, (c) bottom view showing a use state) showing the caster device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The turning caster 3 is provided with the brake device 4 of the present invention.

  A rotating caster 3 in the caster device 1 is connected to a flange (mounting plate) 31 for mounting on a bottom surface of a transport vehicle or the like, a rotating drum 33 rotatably attached to the flange 31, and the rotating drum 33. And a wheel support frame 34 pivotally attached to the wheel support frame 34.

  Further, the rotating drum 33 in the rotating caster 3 has a disk-shaped rotating disk 36 that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the rotating drum 33 so that a force point is obtained at a position farther from the rotating shaft of the rotating caster. Is provided.

  On the other hand, the brake device 4 in the caster device 1 includes a base 41, a stopper 42, and a spring member 43, and the stopper 42 can be slidably assembled to the base 41 so that the stopper 42 can be advanced and retracted. It is configured.

  In the present embodiment, in order to ensure the braking force by the brake device 4, a counterclockwise action surface 421R that mainly controls the turning motion of the turning caster 3 clockwise with respect to the stopper 42 is mainly provided. There are provided two action surfaces, a counterclockwise action surface 421L for controlling the counterclockwise turning movement, and a plurality of gear teeth on the surface of the action surface 421 (421R, 421L) and the peripheral side wall of the rotary disk 36. The operation surface 421 (421R, 421L) is configured to be strongly caught when pressed against the peripheral side wall of the rotary drum 33.

  In the present embodiment, the stopper 42 is urged in the advancing direction by the spring member 43. When no instruction is given, the action surface 421 (421R, 421L) provided on the stopper 42 rotates. The plate 36 is in pressure contact with the peripheral side wall.

  Then, for example, when the stopper handle 51 in the indicating section 5 as shown in FIG. 3 is operated and a physical instruction in the direction of pulling the pushable wire 52 is transmitted to the brake device 4, the working surface 421 ( 421R, 421L) separates from the turntable 36.

  That is, according to the caster device 1 of the present embodiment, the stopper 42 is attached to the base portion 41 so as to be able to advance and retract, so that the user operates the stopper handle 51 in the indicating portion 5 to move the stopper 42. When the working surface 421 (421R, 421L) provided on the stopper 42 is moved away from the peripheral side wall of the rotating disk 36, the turning caster 3 can freely turn, while the stopper handle 51 is moved. When the original state is restored, the stopper 42 advances by receiving the urging force of the spring member 43, and the action surface 421 (421R, 421L) provided on the stopper 42 presses against the peripheral side wall of the rotating plate 36. A braking force that resists the turning motion of the turning caster 3 is generated, and the turning motion of the turning caster 3 can be stopped.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, in the caster device 1 of this embodiment, the working surface 421 (421R, 421L) provided on the stopper 42 is brought into pressure contact with the peripheral side wall of the turntable 36, thereby Since the turning motion of the turning caster 3 is stopped, the turning motion can be stopped at that position regardless of the direction of the wheel 35 in the turning caster 3.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram ((a) bottom view, (b) side view, (c) bottom view showing a use state) showing the caster device 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The turning caster 3 is provided with the brake device 4 of the present invention.

  A rotating caster 3 in the caster device 1 is connected to a flange (mounting plate) 31 for mounting on a bottom surface of a transport vehicle or the like, a rotating drum 33 rotatably attached to the flange 31, and the rotating drum 33. And a wheel support frame 34 pivotally attached to the wheel support frame 34.

  Further, the rotating drum 33 in the rotating caster 3 has a disk-shaped rotating disk 36 that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the rotating drum 33 so that a force point is obtained at a position farther from the rotating shaft of the rotating caster. Is provided.

  On the other hand, the brake device 4 in the caster device 1 includes a base 41, a stopper 42, and a spring member 43, and the stopper 42 can be slidably assembled to the base 41 so that the stopper 42 can be advanced and retracted. It is configured.

  In the present embodiment, in order to ensure the braking force by the brake device 4, a counterclockwise action surface 421R that mainly controls the turning motion of the turning caster 3 clockwise with respect to the stopper 42 is mainly provided. There are provided two working surfaces of a counterclockwise turning working surface 421L for controlling the turning motion in the counterclockwise direction, and a plurality of screw-like shapes are provided on the surface of the working surface 421 (421R, 421L) and the peripheral side wall of the turntable 36. Concavities and convexities are provided, and the working surface 421 (421R, 421L) is configured to be strongly caught when pressed against the peripheral side wall of the rotary drum 33.

  In the present embodiment, the stopper 42 is urged in the advancing direction by the spring member 43. When no instruction is given, the action surface 421 (421R, 421L) provided on the stopper 42 rotates. The plate 36 is in pressure contact with the peripheral side wall.

  Then, for example, when the stopper handle 51 in the indicating section 5 as shown in FIG. 3 is operated and a physical instruction in the direction of pulling the pushable wire 52 is transmitted to the brake device 4, the working surface 421 ( 421R, 421L) separates from the turntable 36.

  That is, according to the caster device 1 of the present embodiment, the stopper 42 is attached to the base portion 41 so as to be able to advance and retract, so that the user operates the stopper handle 51 in the indicating portion 5 to move the stopper 42. When the working surface 421 (421R, 421L) provided on the stopper 42 is moved away from the peripheral side wall of the rotating disk 36, the turning caster 3 can freely turn, while the stopper handle 51 is moved. When the original state is restored, the stopper 42 advances by receiving the urging force of the spring member 43, and the action surface 421 (421R, 421L) provided on the stopper 42 presses against the peripheral side wall of the rotating plate 36. A braking force that resists the turning motion of the turning caster 3 is generated, and the turning motion of the turning caster 3 can be stopped.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, in the caster device 1 according to the present invention, the working surface 421 (421R, 421L) provided on the stopper 42 is brought into pressure contact with the peripheral side wall of the turntable 36, whereby the rotation is performed. Since the turning motion of the caster 3 is stopped, the turning motion can be stopped at that position regardless of the direction of the wheel 35 in the turning caster 3.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram ((a) bottom view, (b) side view, (c), (d) bottom view showing use state) showing the caster device 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The caster device 1 is a rotating caster 3 provided with a brake device 4 (4R, 4L) of the present invention.

  A rotating caster 3 in the caster device 1 is connected to a flange (mounting plate) 31 for mounting on a bottom surface of a transport vehicle or the like, a rotating drum 33 rotatably attached to the flange 31, and the rotating drum 33. And a wheel support frame 34 pivotally attached to the wheel support frame 34.

  Further, the rotating drum 33 in the rotating caster 3 has a disk-shaped rotating disk 36 that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the rotating drum 33 so that a force point is obtained at a position farther from the rotating shaft of the rotating caster. Is provided.

  On the other hand, the brake device 4 (4R, 4L) in the caster device 1 includes a base 41 (41R, 41L), a stopper 42 (42R, 42L), and a spring member 43 (43R, 43L), and the stopper 42 (42R, 42L). The stoppers 42 (42R, 42L) can be independently advanced and retracted by pivoting the respective end portions of) so as to be rotatable with respect to the base portion 41, respectively. is there.

  In the caster device 1 of the present embodiment, there are a plurality of gear teeth on the surface of the working surface 421 (421R, 421L) provided on the stopper 42 (42R, 42L) and the peripheral side wall of the rotating disk 36. It is provided so that a strong catch is generated when the working surface 421 (421R, 421L) is brought into pressure contact with the peripheral side wall of the rotating drum 33.

  In this embodiment, the stoppers 42 (42R, 42L) are all biased in the advancing direction by the spring members 43 (43R, 43L), and the stopper 42 (42R) is in a state where no instruction is given. , 42L), the working surfaces 421 (421R, 421L) are all in pressure contact with the rotating plate 36.

  Each brake device 4 (4R, 4L) is provided with an indicator 5 as shown in FIG. 3, and a pusher wire 52 is operated by appropriately operating a stopper handle 51 in each indicator 5. When a physical instruction in the pulling direction is transmitted to the brake device 4, the working surface 421 provided on the stopper 42 is separated from the turntable 36.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the stopper 42 (42R, 42L) has a counterclockwise turning surface 421R that controls the turning motion of the turning caster 3 in the clockwise direction, and a counterclockwise turning that controls the turning motion in the counterclockwise direction. At least two working surfaces 421 of the working surface 421L are provided, respectively, so that the anticlockwise turning surface 421R and the anticlockwise turning surface 421L can advance and retract independently from the base 41, respectively. As shown in FIG. 6C, when the anticlockwise turning surface 421R is pressed, the rightward turning motion of the turning caster 3 is restricted, but the counterclockwise turning surface 3 is counterclockwise. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6 (d), when the anti-slewing action surface 421L is pressed against the counterclockwise turning surface, the counterclockwise turning motion of the turning caster 3 is limited but clockwise. Swivel Dynamic will become one enables complex control of the pivoting movement that it becomes free.

  Of course, when the anti-turning action surface 421R and the anti-left-turning action surface 421L are pressed at the same time, the turning movement in any direction in the turning caster 3 is stopped.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram ((a) bottom view, (b) side view, (c) bottom view showing use state) of the transport vehicle 6 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  The transport vehicle 6 shown in this figure is provided with the caster device 1 of the present invention and the three swivel casters 3 on the bottom surface of a box-shaped cargo bed 61. An instruction to the caster device 1 is a pusher 62 in the cargo bed 61. It is comprised so that it may be performed by the instruction | indication part 5 with which it equipped.

  The stopper 42 in the caster device 1 is urged in the advancing direction by the spring member 43. When no instruction is given, the working surface 421 provided on the stopper 42 is in pressure contact with the rotating disk 36. In addition, since the turning motion of the caster device 1 is stopped, good straight running stability is obtained in the movement of the transport vehicle 6.

  On the other hand, when the stopper handle 51 in the instruction section 5 is operated and a physical instruction in the direction in which the pushable wire 52 is pulled is transmitted to the brake device 4, the action surface 421 provided on the stopper 42 is separated from the turntable 36. All the four casters provided in the transport vehicle 6 can turn, and the turning performance is improved.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG.7 (c), since the transport vehicle 6 of this invention is equipped with the caster apparatus 1 of this invention, even if the wheel 35 in the said caster apparatus 1 faces any direction. The turning motion can be stopped at that position.

  That is, the transport vehicle 6 according to the present embodiment can obtain good straight-ahead stability when the turning motion of the turning caster 3 in the caster device 1 of the present invention is stopped, and can move smoothly. When the turning motion of the turning caster 3 is made free, the turning performance is improved and the turning ability becomes very small. Therefore, the handling ability in the work site where the movement / transportation space of the transport vehicle can be secured only by a limited width. Is improved.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a conventionally known fixed caster and rotating caster. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the caster device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an indicating unit preferably used in the caster device of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a caster device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a caster device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a caster device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the transport vehicle according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Caster device 2 Fixed caster 3 Turning caster 4 Brake device 5 Instruction part 6 Car

Claims (8)

  A brake device for controlling a turning motion of a turning caster, the brake device comprising a base portion and a stopper attached to the base portion so as to be capable of advancing and retracting. The working surface provided on the rotating caster is brought into pressure contact with the peripheral side wall of the rotating drum in the rotating caster or the peripheral side wall of the rotating disk rotating in accordance with the turning motion of the rotating drum, thereby giving a braking force to the rotating motion of the rotating caster. Brake device characterized.   The brake device according to claim 1, wherein the working surface and the peripheral side wall of the rotating drum, or the operating surface and the peripheral side wall of the rotating disk are in pressure contact with each other through a non-linear elastic body.   The brake device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of projections and depressions are provided on a working surface of the stopper.   The brake device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of irregularities are arranged on a peripheral side wall of the rotating drum or a peripheral side wall of a rotating disk provided on the rotating drum in the rotating caster.   2. The stopper includes at least two action surfaces, a counterclockwise turning action surface for controlling a clockwise turning movement of the turning caster and a counterclockwise turning action face for controlling a counterclockwise turning action. The brake device of any one of thru | or 4.   The brake device according to claim 5, wherein a stopper provided with a counterclockwise turning action surface and a stopper provided with an anticlockwise turning action surface are independently attached to the base so as to be able to advance and retract.   A caster device comprising the brake device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A transport vehicle comprising the caster device according to claim 7.