JP2022133322A - Rail change-over unit and rail structure using this unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rail change-over unit which is useful in guiding a runner in a predetermined direction even in a branch rail structure in which a plurality of rails are branched, and to provide a rail structure which includes this change-over unit.

SOLUTION: At a mounting plate 11 which can be mounted on a ceiling wall, a reference rail member 1a which can be connected to a reference rail body 1b, and a plurality of branch rail members 2a, 3a which can be connected to a plurality of branch rail bodies 2b, 3b are mounted. At an end part of the reference rail member, a movable rail member 15 is rotatably mounted in a hinge-like manner. The movable rail member is drawn by a spring member (spring), and against elasticity of the spring member, the movable rail member is towed and rotated by a crank mechanism 23, and being interlocked with the towing action of the crank mechanism, by a tabular restriction member 28 mounted on the movable rail member, a runner 31 which has entered or shifted to the predetermined branch rail bodies 2b, 3b is restricted from traveling in a direction of the reference rail member and derailing from the branch rail bodies 2b, 3b.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rail switching unit useful for smoothly guiding or guiding a runner on a branched running path, and a rail structure provided with this unit.

An auxiliary device has been proposed in which a runner is movably arranged on a rail attached to a ceiling surface or a space on the ceiling side, and a user uses the runner to move around a house or facility.

For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-26254 (Patent Document 1) discloses a running rail having a C-shaped cross section, a running means movable along the running rail, and a connection supported downward on the running means. A moving device for the elderly, etc., is described that includes a rod and a long pipe-shaped handrail that is attached and detached along the longitudinal direction outer peripheral surface of the connecting rod and vertically installed in an extendable manner. In this document, the traveling means includes a disk-shaped runner body attached to be rotatable about a support shaft, a plurality of ball casters attached to the bottom side peripheral edge and side edges of the disk-shaped runner body, and a disk It is described that it is provided with a non-slip means attached to the top plate of the runner body, is slidable in the concave portion of the running rail, and can change direction and branch with a T-shaped branching mechanism. ing.

However, at a bifurcation where the running rail branches in a substantially T-shape, the user must move to the substantially T-shaped intersection and then turn around and move in a smooth direction. can't convert. In particular, in the process of changing direction, the support shaft of the traveling means is likely to come into contact with the corner portion of the branching device and be locked. Furthermore, since the width of the running path is widened at the T-shaped branching portion, the runner body is likely to come off the wheel, which hinders smooth direction change and branching operation.

Rails and runners are also used in fields such as shielding and partitioning (opening and closing) of a predetermined space, transportation of articles, and the like. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-250694 (Patent Document 2) discloses a shaft portion inserted between rails of a curtain rail, and a shaft portion that is horizontally rotatable or integrally connected to the upper end of the shaft portion. A suspension runner provided with a running portion that is engaged with the upper surface of the rail and a suspension portion that is horizontally rotatably connected to the lower end of the shaft portion for suspending an object to be suspended is described. . This document also describes that the traveling part horizontally rotates and changes direction when moving along the curved portion of the curtain rail.

However, even with this runner, when the rail is branched into a T-shaped branch, the shaft is likely to get caught in the branch, and it is not possible to smoothly change direction and transfer the rail. In particular, when a large load acts, the runner cannot run smoothly and stably. Furthermore, when applied to a branched rail, there is a risk that the runner will run in the reverse direction after transitioning to a predetermined rail, making it impossible to smoothly transfer or convey articles.

JP 2006-26254 A (Claims, [0010], [0025] to [0032], [Fig. 6], [Fig. 8]) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-250694 (Claims, [0012], [Fig. 1] to [Fig. 4])

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a rail switching unit useful for guiding or guiding a runner in a predetermined direction even in a branched rail structure in which a plurality of rails are branched; a rail structure equipped with this switching unit. to do.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rail switching unit that allows runners to run smoothly and stably even when a predetermined load is applied; and a rail structure provided with this switching unit.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a rail switching unit that can smoothly change direction and travel even at a divergence where the width of the running path is wide; to provide a rail structure equipped with this switching unit. be.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a switching unit useful for moving or transporting various objects such as articles non-linearly in a predetermined direction; a rail structure equipped with this switching unit. be.

The inventors of the present invention, as a result of intensive studies to achieve the above problems, found that runners can run,
In addition, when a switching unit for selectively changing or switching the route of the runner is arranged at the branching portion of the reference rail and the plurality of branch rails, the runner can be moved to the desired direction using the reference rail and the plurality of branch rails. A reference rail and a predetermined branch rail (or a reference branch rail) among a plurality of branch rails can communicate from a reference position (or a position where the rail can communicate in a steady state) to a plurality of branches. Using a movable rail member that is movable to a moving position that allows communication with another branch rail (a desired moving branch rail corresponding to a desired traveling direction selected) among the rails, the movable rail among the plurality of branch rails In a state where the branch rail (the reference branch rail and the movable branch rail as the communication branch rail) that can be communicated via the member (or the running of the runner is permitted) and the reference rail are in communication, at the reference position and the movement position, When the communication between the reference rail and other branch rails (non-connecting branch rails) other than the connecting branch rails (non-connecting branch rails) is cut off (or the running of the runner is restricted) by the regulating member, respectively, the connecting branch rails (reference branch rail and moving The inventors have found that the runner can be moved or run in a desired direction to change direction while preventing the runner from falling off from the branch rail, and completed the present invention.

That is, the switching unit of the present invention includes a reference rail on which runners can run, and a plurality of branch rails on which runners can travel, extending in a plurality of directions with respect to the reference rail at predetermined intervals from the reference rail. (or intersections of three or more branch rails on which runners can run), and change or switch (or guide) the course of the runner. The switching unit is arranged between a reference rail and a plurality of branch rails, and is movable (or orientable) in a direction connecting the reference rail and the plurality of branch rails; A moving mechanism is provided for moving in a predetermined direction to bring the reference rail into communication with a predetermined branch rail among the plurality of branch rails. In such a switching unit, the moving mechanism can orient the movable rail member in a direction connecting the reference rail and the plurality of branch rails, and can selectively change or switch the course of the runner.

The switching unit includes a movable rail member that is hingedly connected to the reference rail; the movable rail member is moved in a rotating or swinging manner to connect the reference rail and a predetermined branch rail among the plurality of branch rails. It may be provided with a moving mechanism for moving. With such a hinge structure and moving mechanism, the movable rail member can be oriented in the direction of the plurality of branch rails. That is, the movable rail member of the switching unit includes, for example, a reference rail (or its end),
From a reference position at which a predetermined branch rail or a reference branch rail (or an end thereof) of a plurality of branch rails can communicate, the reference rail and another branch other than the predetermined branch rail among the plurality of branch rails It may be movable (or capable of rotating or swinging) within a moving position where it can communicate with the rail (or its end), and the reference rail and the branch rail can be moved at the reference position and the moving position. They can be used to communicate with each other to run or advance the runner.

Further, the switching unit is interlocked with the movable rail member, and among the plurality of branch rails, a predetermined branch rail (connectable branch rail (or runner running permitted) via the movable rail member) The runner that has shifted to the standard branch rail or moving branch rail))
A control means (or blocking means (shutter) or reverse run prevention means) is provided to control or prevent derailing (or falling off) from the connecting branch rail by running in the direction of the reference rail or running in the reverse direction. may Such regulating means (or blocking means or reverse running prevention means) may be interlocked with the movable rail member, and the movable rail member may move between the reference position and the moving position (moving with the reference rail via the movable rail member). In a state where the branch rail is located at a communication position (reference position and moving position) where communication is possible, the runners that have entered or moved to the branch rail travel in the direction of the reference rail and derail from the branch rail. can be regulated.

For example, the regulating means (regulating member, blocking means, or reverse running prevention means) is such that the movable rail member can communicate with the reference position (reference rail and a reference branch rail (predetermined branch rail) among a plurality of branch rails). (reference position), the runner moves or advances to the other branch rail (moving branch rail corresponding to the intended direction of movement) among the plurality of branch rails in conjunction with the movable rail member and retreats. to restrict or prevent entry (or reverse running) into the reference rail (or its end); (moving position where the movable branch rail can communicate with the movable branch rail), the runner that has entered or moved to the predetermined branch rail (or the reference branch rail) in conjunction with the movable rail member moves to the reference rail. Entry (or reverse running) may be restricted or prevented. With such a restricting means (or shutter), it is possible to move or run the runner in a desired direction and change direction while restricting or preventing the runner from derailing.

More specifically, the movable rail member may be hinged and pivotally attached to the end of the reference rail, and is connectable or communicable with the plurality of branch rails about the hinge. It may be rotatable (or rockable) in a range. The switching unit rotates the movable rail member around the hinge portion with the reference rail, and provides a movement or orientation mechanism for directing the movable rail member toward a predetermined branch rail among the plurality of branch rails (or connecting to the predetermined branch rail). a moving mechanism or a rotating mechanism for moving the movable rail member; attached to the movable rail member and interlocking with the moving mechanism (or rotating mechanism) to position the movable rail member at the reference position and the moving position; Respectively, a control wall ( or blocking wall). That is, the restricting wall is attached to the movable rail member and interlocked with the moving mechanism to enter or shift to the other branch rail (moving branch rail) while the movable rail member is positioned at the reference position. In a state in which the runner is restricted from derailing from the other branch rail (moving branch rail) and the movable rail member is positioned at a moving position where communication with the other branch rail (moving branch rail) is possible, the A runner that has entered or moved to a predetermined branch rail (reference branch rail) may be restricted from derailing from the predetermined branch rail (reference branch rail).

Furthermore, the movable rail member may be attachable to an upper mounting portion (ceiling wall or upper space mounting plate, etc.); A running wall formed (for example, formed extending in the direction of both sides at the lower end) and allowing the runner to run; and a notch formed at the upper end (for example, a notch formed through) and; a reinforcing shaft member or a reinforcing pin attached to the upper end portion including the cutout portion so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. For example, the movable rail member includes a support wall extending in the longitudinal direction; a running wall formed at the lower end of the supporting wall (running wall having a running path on which the wheel portion of the runner can run); and an upper end of the supporting wall. a notch formed in the portion; and a reinforcing shaft member or a reinforcing pin that extends longitudinally and is attached or fitted to the upper end including the notch. Also, a support member that can be attached to the upper attachment portion (ceiling wall or upper space attachment plate, etc.) in a form that slidably or slidably supports the reinforcing shaft member or the reinforcing pin in the notch portion; A stopper attached to the support member for restricting the range of motion of the movable rail member may be provided.

The movable rail member has a reference position at which the reference rail and a predetermined branch rail of the plurality of branch rails can communicate with each other, and a branch rail other than the predetermined branch rail of the reference rail and the plurality of branch rails. (i.e., moveable within an orientable range toward the entire plurality of branch rails). Further, the moving mechanism (or rotating mechanism) returns the movable rail member from the moving position to the reference position in a state in which the runner moves or advances from the reference rail to another branch rail at the moving position. It may be provided with a return means (or a return mechanism) for making it return. Using this return means, the movable rail member can be returned to the orientation of a predetermined reference branch rail (predetermined branch rail) among the plurality of branch rails.

A moving mechanism (or a rotating mechanism) includes a locking mechanism (or a locking mechanism) for fixing (or locking) the movable rail member at the moving position, and releasing the locking mechanism to move the movable rail member to the moving position. A lock release mechanism (or a return mechanism) for returning to the reference position may be provided. By using such a lock mechanism, the runner can be smoothly moved between the reference rail and the predetermined branch rail at the moving position via the movable rail member, and the runner can move to the predetermined branch rail or the reference rail. After shifting, the movable rail member can be returned to the reference position by releasing the lock mechanism.

Further, the reference rail may include a reference rail body and a reference rail member connectable to the reference rail body (a rail member capable of forming an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the reference rail), and a plurality of branch rails. may comprise a plurality of branch rail bodies and a plurality of branch rail members connectable to the rail bodies (rail members capable of forming longitudinal ends of the plurality of branch rails). Further, the switching unit includes a mounting plate (or the upper mounting portion) that can be mounted or arranged on the ceiling wall or the upper space; the reference rail member that can be mounted on the mounting plate; a plurality of branch rail members attachable to the mounting plate at the end of the reference rail member; hingedly and pivotably attached to an end of the reference rail member; a movable rail member for connecting a predetermined rail member (movable branch rail member) among the branch rail members; a spring member for pulling or pulling (a spring as a return means); a crank mechanism for pulling and rotating the movable rail member against the elasticity of the spring member; attached to the movable rail member, It is movable in conjunction with the pulling motion of the crank mechanism, and at the reference position and the moving position, the runner that has entered or moved to the branch rail travels in the direction of the reference rail member and derails from the branch rail. It may be provided with a plate-like regulating member for regulating the. The spring member (spring) and the crank mechanism may form the movement mechanism, the spring member (spring) may form the return mechanism, and the crank mechanism may form the traction mechanism. good too.

Further, the movement mechanism may include a crank mechanism, the crank mechanism comprising a lock mechanism (or locking mechanism) for fixing (or locking) the movable rail member at the movement position, and the locking mechanism. and a lock release mechanism (or a return mechanism) for releasing and returning the movable rail member to the reference position. For example, the crank mechanism includes a movable arm (or a rotating lever) for pulling the movable rail member as it rotates around the pivot; and a fixed portion for rotatably supporting the movable arm. (or a fixed wall); and a locking mechanism (for example, a and a return mechanism or unlock mechanism capable of releasing the locked state and returning the movable rail member to the reference position as the movable arm is displaced.

Further, a drawing means may be provided which can mechanically or electromagnetically push or draw the movable arm against the fixed portion. In the crank mechanism provided with such pulling means, the movable rail member is pulled toward the fixed portion (for example, pressed by a pressing spring member as pulling means or attracted by a solenoid actuator). At the moving position, the movable arm and the fixed portion can be locked by a lock mechanism, and the pulling force of the pulling means (for example, the pressing force of the pressing spring member or the attracting force of the solenoid actuator) is resisted. As the movable arm is displaced, the locked state is released, and the movable rail member can be returned to the reference position by the return mechanism.

The plurality of branch rails may be straight rails and/or curved rails, and the reference rail may also be a straight rail and/or curved rails. These rails (the reference rail and the plurality of branch rails) may be bendable or bendable transversely to the longitudinal direction.

The reference rail and the plurality of branch rails each include a support wall extending in the longitudinal direction; and a running wall formed so as to extend in the direction of both sides at least at the lower end of the upper end and the lower end of the support wall, on which runners can run. and may be provided. For example, a running wall formed on at least one end (especially both ends) of the support wall and extending in the direction of both sides; and a running path formed on the running wall and on which the runner wheel can run. may be provided.

Further, the runner includes a support portion having a U-shaped cross section, shaft portions attached to both side walls of the support portion so as to face each other, wheels (rollers) rotatably attached to the shaft portions, and the A connecting or coupling means attached to the bottom wall of the support for connecting or attaching the moving body or the transported body may be provided. The connection or connection means may be formed by a locking member (ring, hook member, etc.); Part) may be formed and reinforced. The notches (or depressions) may be longitudinally spaced and formed at the bent corners of the support. Furthermore, on both side walls of said support, shafts may be mounted facing each other, and said shafts may be mounted at intervals in the longitudinal direction; The wheels (rollers) may be mounted, and the wheels (rollers) may be provided with ball bearings. If the wheel portion (roller) is mounted at intervals in the longitudinal direction of both side walls of the support portion, it is possible to smoothly change direction and travel in a predetermined direction even at a branch portion where the width of the travel path is wide.

The present invention comprises a reference rail on which runners can run, a plurality of branch rails extending in a plurality of directions from the reference rail and on which runners can travel, and arranged at branching portions between the reference rail and the plurality of branch rails. and a switching unit for diverting the runner's course,
It also includes rail structures. This switching unit may have the same form as described above (a form including a movable rail member and a moving mechanism), and may further include restricting means (or blocking means), returning means, and the like. Furthermore, the movable rail member may also have the same form as described above.

In such a rail structure, the reference rail may include a reference rail body and a reference rail member connectable to the reference rail body, and the plurality of branch rails may include a plurality of branch rail bodies and the rails. A plurality of branch rail members connectable with the main body may be provided. Alternatively, a mounting plate may be mounted or placed on the ceiling wall or the upper space; and the reference rail member and the plurality of branch rail members may be mounted on this mounting plate. Furthermore, the rail structure includes the following movable rail member (A) that can be attached to the mounting plate and return means (B
) and a regulating means (C).

(A) a reference position at which the reference rail member and a predetermined branch rail member (reference branch rail member) of the plurality of branch rail members can communicate with each other; a movable rail member that is movable to a moving position in which the branch rail member of the branch rail member can be communicated with, and that communicates the reference rail member and the other branch rail member to allow the runner to run;
(B) returning means for returning the movable rail member from the moving position to the reference position in a state where the runner has moved from the reference rail member to another branch rail body or branch rail member at the moving position;
(C) At the reference position and the reference position, the runner that has entered or moved into the branch rail main body or the branch rail member in conjunction with the movable rail member travels in the direction of the reference rail member and leaves the branch rail member. control means for controlling derailment;
Further, the reference rail main body and the plurality of branch rail main bodies may be attached to the construction site by means of brackets.

In addition, the moving mechanism may include the locking mechanism and the unlocking mechanism.

In this specification, the reference rail and the plurality of branch rails may be simply referred to as "rail", and the reference rail member and its main body, and the plurality of branch rail members and its main body may simply be referred to as "rail member". In this specification and the scope of claims, for the sake of convenience, the position at which the reference rail and a predetermined branch rail out of a plurality of branch rails can communicate with each other via the movable rail member will be referred to as a "reference position." For the sake of convenience, the position at which the reference rail and other desired branch rails out of the plurality of branch rails can communicate with each other via the movable rail member moved from the "position" will be referred to as the "movement position".
sometimes referred to as A branch rail located at a reference position together with a movable rail member is called a "predetermined branch rail" or a "reference branch rail", and a branch rail located at a moving position together with a movable rail member is called a "other branch rail" or a "moving branch rail." ” may be called. Furthermore, the ``reference position'' and ``movement position'' are collectively referred to as ``connection position'', and the branch rail that can communicate with the reference rail via the movable rail member, that is, the branch rail at the ``reference position'' and the ``movement position'' is `` It may be collectively referred to as "connection branch rail".

In addition, the movable rail member faces from the reference rail to between the plurality of branch rails (direction in which communication with the branch rail is impossible or the runner cannot run) at the start position (start position) where the movable rail member starts. It may face an arbitrary branch rail among a plurality of branch rails, or it may face the reference position and the movement position. Further, even when the movable rail member is at the "moving position", it may be positioned or moved to the second moving position with this "moving position" as a new reference position. Therefore, the "reference position" and the "moving position" indicate a relative positional relationship, and the "reference position" and the "moving position" may become the "moving position" and the "reference position", respectively. The start position (start position) is "reference position" and "
"moving position".

In the present invention, even in a branched rail structure in which a plurality of rails are branched, the switching unit can smoothly guide or guide the runner in a predetermined direction. In addition, the restricting means can prevent the runner from running in the opposite direction, allowing the runner to run in a predetermined direction. Furthermore, the movable rail member can be attached in a form in which the reinforcing pin is supported, and can be moved or moved by the moving mechanism, so that the runner can run smoothly even if a large load is applied. Furthermore, by using a predetermined rail structure and runner, the runner can run smoothly and stably even when a predetermined load acts. Furthermore, even at a branching portion where the width of the travel path is widened, the vehicle can smoothly change direction and travel in a predetermined direction. Therefore, the switching unit and rail structure of the present invention can move various objects such as articles, or moving objects such as users who have difficulty walking, such as the elderly and physically handicapped, in a predetermined direction and in a non-linear manner. Useful for moving or transporting to a location.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a rail structure provided with a switching unit of the present invention. 2 is a schematic bottom view showing a rail structure provided with the switching unit of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the switching unit of FIG. 1 in a reference position; FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the switching unit of FIG. 1 in the displaced position; FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the switching unit of FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the plate-shaped regulating member and the rail of the switching unit of FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the rail of FIG. 1; FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing the relationship between the rail and the runner in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing the relationship between the rail and the stopper in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway schematic side view showing the relationship between the rail, stopper and runner of FIG. 1. FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a bracket that can be attached by connecting the rail bodies of FIG. 1. FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing another bracket to which the rail body of FIG. 1 can be attached; FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing still another bracket to which the rail body of FIG. 1 can be attached; FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing another bracket to which the rail body of FIG. 1 can be attached; FIG. FIG. 15 is a schematic bottom view showing another example of the rail structure provided with the switching unit of the present invention. 16 is a schematic bottom view for explaining the operation of the movable rail member of the switching unit shown in FIG. 15. FIG. FIG. 17 is a schematic bottom view showing another example of the switching unit of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a schematic bottom view showing still another example of the switching unit of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a schematic bottom view showing another example of the rail structure provided with the switching unit of the present invention. 20 is a schematic perspective view showing an unlocked state of the switching unit of FIG. 19. FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view showing a locked state of the switching unit of FIG. 19. FIG.

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same members or elements (or members or elements having similar functions) are given the same reference numerals.

The switching unit and rail structure shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 consist of a reference rail 1 that extends linearly and on which runners can run, and a plurality of directions branching off from the end of this reference rail and on which runners can run. two branch rails 2, 3, which are communicable with the reference rail 1 by means of a movable rail member 15 in the reference position and which extend linearly. and a curved desired branch rail (moving branch rail) 3 which can communicate with the reference rail 1 by means of a movable rail member 15 at the moving position.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rails [reference rail 1 and two branch rails (reference branch rail 2 and moving branch rail 3)] are each formed by extruding a metal such as aluminum into an I-shaped cross section. A narrow support wall (plate-shaped support wall) 4 formed in a shape and extending in the longitudinal direction, and a running plate formed at both ends (upper and lower portions) of this support wall and extending in both side directions. a wall 5, a running path 6 formed on the upper wall surface (inner wall surface) of the running wall 5 to have a U-shaped cross section (curved concave groove) on which the wheel portion 34 of the runner 31 can run, and the running wall 5. In the outer wall, dovetail-shaped grooves (connecting holes) 7 (upper wall groove 7a and lower wall groove 7b) are formed at intersections with the support wall 4 and extend in the longitudinal direction. The groove (connecting hole) 7 can be used to connect the rail member and the rail main body using the connecting pin 8 . A plurality of longitudinally extending grooves 9 are formed in both side walls of the support wall 4 at intervals in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the support wall 4 includes a reinforcing inclined wall portion formed in a triangular cross-sectional shape with a thick wall on the base side of the traveling wall 5, a flat supporting wall connecting these reinforcing inclined wall portions, and this flat supporting wall. It has five grooves 9 extending in the longitudinal direction at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction.

Such a rail can be bent transversely to the longitudinal direction using the plurality of grooves 9 . Therefore, it is possible to form a transport path (or a transport path) having a rail structure that can pass through a plurality of stations (exchanging or loading/unloading places for objects to be transported) by combining a straight path and a curved or curved path. , the object to be transferred connected or connected to the runner 31 is transferred to a predetermined station, and the object to be transferred can be detached and replaced.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reference rail 1 utilizes a short linear reference rail member 1a forming the longitudinal ends of the reference rail 1 and a connecting pin 8 to support this reference. It comprises a rail member 1a and an elongated reference rail body 1b that can be connected or connected. Short linear branch rail members 2a and 3a (reference branch rail member 2a and movable branch rail member 3a) and connecting pins 8 can be used to connect or connect to the short linear branch rail members 2a and 3a. and a plurality of long branch rail bodies 2b and 3b (reference branch rail body 2b and moving branch rail body 3b). In the following description, the branch rail (or branch rail member) that can communicate with the reference rail (or reference rail member) at the reference position is the reference branch rail (or reference branch rail member), and the reference rail (or reference rail member) is at the movement position. moving branch rail (or moving branch rail member) that can communicate with the branch rail (or branch rail member)
It states.

Further, the reference rail member 1a and the plurality of branch rail members 2a and 3a are separated from each other by a predetermined interval, and a mounting plate 1 that can be mounted, fixed, or placed on the ceiling wall or upper space.
attached to 1. That is, a mounting plate 11 having a flat plate shape and capable of being mounted on a ceiling wall or the like has a reference rail member 1a and a reference branch rail member 2a facing each other with a gap therebetween (or facing each other on the same axis). ), the flange-shaped running walls 5 on both sides of the rail members 1a, 2a, and 3a are attached by sandwiching between the clamping fixing member 12 and the mounting plate 11 using the screw member 13, thereby forming a moving branch rail member. 3a adjoins the side portion of the reference branch rail member 2a with a space therebetween (adjacent in a parallel form), and the running wall of the moving branch rail member 3a is attached to the clamping fixing member 12 using the screw member 13. It is mounted by sandwiching it with the mounting plate 11 .

A movable rail member 15 is disposed at a branching portion between the reference rail member 1a and the reference branching rail member 2a and the movable branching rail member 3a. 2a or the moving branch rail member 3a. That is, a movable rail member 15 is rotatably attached to the end of the reference rail member 1a by means of a hinge pin 16. At the reference position, the movable rail member 15 is attached to the reference rail member 1a and the reference rail member 1a. The movable rail member 15 communicates linearly with the branch rail member 2a, and in the moving position, the reference rail member 1a and the movable branch rail member 3a can communicate with each other. The movable rail member 15 is rotatable about a hinge portion (hinge pin 16) within a rotation range directed toward the reference rail member 1a and the moving branch rail member 3a. The movable rail member 15 has the same cross-sectional shape as the rails [the reference rail 1 and the two branch rails 2 and 3].

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, of the upper end portion of the movable rail member 15 that can be attached to the mounting plate 11, different portions in the longitudinal direction (hinge portion 16 side and movable range side) are shown. A portion on the wide tip side) is notched, and a reinforcing shaft member or a reinforcing pin 18 is fitted and mounted in the groove portion 7 (7b) of the upper end portion including these notch portions 17a and 17b to move. The rail member 15 is reinforced, and a reinforcing shaft member or reinforcing pin 18 is loose in these notches 17a, 17b. That is, the cutouts 17a and 17b are formed by hollowing out to a position above the groove (connecting hole) 7 (7b), and the reinforcing shaft member or the reinforcing pin 18 and the lower wall of the cutouts 17a and 17b are formed. An arrangement space is formed between them. Narrow plate-like support members 19 (19a, 19b) are disposed in the arrangement spaces of these cutouts 17a and 17b in such a manner as to support a reinforcing shaft member or a reinforcing pin 18 from below. Both sides of the member are attached or fixed to the mounting plate 11 by screw members 20 . In such a form, the reinforcing shaft member or the reinforcing pin 18 is attached to the plate-like support members 19a, 19a.
Therefore, even if the notches 17a and 17b are formed, the movable rail member 15 can be greatly reinforced, and the plate-like support members 19a and 19b can be slid by the reinforcing shaft member or the reinforcing pin 18. The movable rail member 15 is rotatable while contacting. Corresponding to the movable range (rotating range) of the movable rail member 15, the length of the support member 19a on the side of the hinge portion 16 is formed to be smaller than the length of the support member 19b on the side of the tip portion. , corresponding to the locus of rotation of the movable rail member 15 from the reference position, the plate-like support member 19 is inclined toward the hinge portion 16 from the reference position toward the movement position.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mounting plate 11 on one side of the movable rail member 15
A spring member (spring) 22 is attached to elastically pull the movable rail member 15 in a lateral direction crossing the longitudinal direction. Stop members (stoppers) 21 (first and second stop members 21a and 21b) that define the movable range (rotating range) of the movable rail member 15 are attached to both side portions. Therefore, the movable rail member 15 has a spring member (spring) 22 at the reference position.
, and its movement is restricted by the first stop member 21a so as to face the reference rail member 1a. Excessive movement is regulated by the second stop member 21b and positioned facing the moving branch rail member 3a.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the movable rail member 15 can be pulled by the crank mechanism 23 against the elasticity of the spring member 22 and rotated to the moving position. That is, the crank mechanism 23 is located on the opposite side of the mounting plate 11 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the hinge portion 16 and on the side opposite to the spring member (spring) 22 . 22), a movable arm 25 to which a traction string or chain 24 can be attached at the end, and a movable arm rotatably supported and attached or fixed to the mounting plate 11. and a rod-shaped or plate-shaped traction rod 27 having one end rotatably supported by the movable arm 25 and the other end attached to the movable rail member 15. I have it. In this example, the lower part of the movable arm 25 is formed in a wide flat plate shape, and in order to pull the traction rod 27 with different action sites by the movable arm 25, the wide part is aligned with the axis line of the movable arm 25. With respect to the straight line connecting the fixed wall 26 and the shaft support portion, the shaft support portion of the traction rod 27 is positioned in a long L-shaped positional relationship.
6 is positioned midway on the movable rail member 15 side, and the pivotal support part with the traction rod 27 is positioned at the lower portion on the side opposite to the movable rail member 15 . Such a pulling rod 27 pulls the movable rail member 15 against the elasticity (pulling force) of the spring member (spring) 22 as the pulling string or chain 24 is pulled, and the movable rail member 15 moves and branches. By moving or rotating toward the rail member 3a, the reference rail member 1a and the moving branch rail member 3a are connected at the moving position. Therefore, the runner 31 can move or run from the reference rail member 1a to the moving branch rail member 3a at the moving position.

On the other hand, when the traction of the traction string or chain 24 is released, the movable rail member 15 moves or rotates toward the reference branch rail member 2a due to the elasticity (pulling force) of the spring member (spring) 22, and returns to the reference position. At this reference position, the reference rail member 1a and the reference branch rail member 2
a. Therefore, the spring member (spring) 22 forms a return mechanism. The return mechanism by the spring member (spring) 22 and the crank mechanism 23 form a moving mechanism or an orientation mechanism (or a rotational alignment mechanism) for orienting or moving the movable rail member 15 in a predetermined direction. .

In such a structure, when the movable rail member 15 rotates to the movement position in a state where the runner 31 has moved or moved from the reference rail member 1a to the reference branch rail member 2a, the runner 31 moves along the reference branch rail member 2a. There is a risk of falling backwards. Furthermore, even in a state in which the runner moves or moves from the reference rail member 1a to the movable branch rail member 3a, when the movable rail member 15 returns to the reference position, there is a risk that the runner will run backward along the movable branch rail member 3a and fall off. be.

Therefore, the movable rail member 15 has the reference branch rail member 2a in the state where the movable rail member 15 is rotated to the moving position and in the state where the movable rail member 15 has returned from the moving position to the reference position.
Alternatively, the runner 31 moved or advanced to the moving branch rail member 3a
(movable rail member 15) to prevent it from coming off or derailing from the reference branch rail member 2a or the moving branch rail member 3a (or drop-off prevention wall or reverse run prevention plate). 28 is attached or fixed. In this example, the movable rail member 15 blocks the communication path between the reference rail member 1a and the reference branch rail member 2a at the moving position, and opens the communication path between the reference rail member 1a and the moving branch rail member 3a at the reference position. A plate-shaped regulating member 28 is attached for blocking, and this plate-shaped regulating member interlocks with the pulling motion of the crank mechanism 23 (rotating motion of the movable rail member 15) and is a guide member fixed to the mounting plate. It is movable along the guide groove 30 of 29 . In the reference position, the plate-shaped regulating member (reverse running prevention plate) is such that the runner 31, which has moved to the moving branch rail member 3a, is the reference rail member 1a (movable rail member 1).
5), the first plate-shaped portion 28a for regulating or preventing derailment due to backward or reverse running, and at the moving position, the runner 31 shifted to the reference branch rail member 2a is the reference rail member 1a (movable The rail member 15) is provided with a second plate-shaped portion 28b for regulating or preventing derailment due to backward or reverse running, and this second plate-shaped portion is positioned at the reference position on the reference rail. Member 1a
(the side portion opposite to the moving branch rail member 3a). That is, a cutout opening (passing portion) through which the runner 31 can run or pass is formed in a portion of the plate-shaped regulating member (reverse running prevention plate) corresponding to the axial direction of the movable rail member 15 . .

With such a switching unit and rail structure, the route of the runner 31 can be guided or guided in a predetermined direction at the branch (intersection) between the reference rail 1 and the branch rails 2 and 3, and the branched. Even with the rail structure, the direction of the runner 31 can be changed smoothly.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a runner 31 capable of running along the rail has opposing side walls 32a, 32b and a lower wall 32c, and a support portion 32 having a U-shaped cross section with an open top. , two pairs of shaft members 33 (33a, 33b) mounted facing both side walls 32a, 32b of the support portion and spaced apart in the running direction, and rotatably mounted on these shaft members, It is provided with two pairs of wheel portions (rotating bodies or ball bearings whose outer peripheral portions are coated with resin or metal) 34 (34a, 34b) capable of traveling on the rail travel path 6 . The outer circumference of the wheel portion 34 is curved outward in cross-section to correspond to the running path 6 of the rail and is formed like a tire. In addition, in order to reinforce the runner 31 (supporting portion 32), a depression (or A carved portion 35 is formed, and a shaft member 36 is attached to the lower wall 32c of the support portion 32 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. A ring member 37 for detachably attaching or connecting the body) is attached so as to be able to swing.

When the runner 31 travels along the rail with the object to be transported suspended from the ring member 37, the wheels 34 are attached to the running walls 5 on both sides of the support wall 4 of the rail. Runner 31 can rotate smoothly at high speed because it can be rotated smoothly by the bearing.
and can run smoothly without the wheel part 34 coming off even if it runs at a high speed. Furthermore, in order to prevent the side walls 32a and 32b from opening outward, reinforcing depressions (or engravings) are provided at the bent corners of the support portion 32 of the runner 31 having a U-shaped cross section. 35 is formed, and two pairs of wheel portions 34 attached to both side walls 32a and 32b at intervals in the longitudinal direction can support the object to be transferred. can be transferred to Furthermore, since the two pairs of wheel portions 34 are attached in the longitudinal direction of both side walls 32a and 32b, the width of the connecting portion between the movable rail member 15 and the reference rail 1 and the branch rails 2 and 3 is Even if the width is wide, the runner 31 does not derail and can run smoothly.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the rails [the reference rail body 1b and the two branch rail bodies 2b and 3b] are provided with the runners 31 in order to stop them at predetermined positions or locations.
A stopper 41 is attached. The stopper 41 is formed of a spring steel material in a narrow plate shape, is formed on both sides in the longitudinal direction, and has plate-like mounting portions 42a and 42b that can be mounted on the lower wall of the running wall 5 of the rails 1b to 3b. , rails 1b to 3 between these mounting portions
In the free portion separated from the portion b, two mountain-shaped elastically deforming portions 43a and 43b formed adjacent to the mounting portions 42a and 42b are provided.
, 42b bulging downward and curved in a rounded shape, and troughs or second curved portions bulging upward and gently curving from the apexes of these first curved portions. (
The free portion may have an arched shape as a whole.

When such a stopper 41 is attached to the lower wall of the running wall 5 of the rails 1b to 3b, since the first curved portions 44a and 44b are curved in a rounded shape, the runner 31 moves as the runner 31 runs. The bottom wall 32c contacts the first curved portions 44a and 44b, and the elastic deformation portion 43
With the spring deformation (compressive elastic deformation) of a and 43b, the runner 31 is deformed by the elastic deformation portions 43a and 43b.
It climbs over the top of 3b, enters the valley (second curved portion) 45, and stops. In particular, since the first curved portions 44a and 44b are curved in a rounded shape, the runner 31 traveling from one direction can easily enter the stopper 41, overcoming the top of the preceding elastically deforming portion 43a and reaching the valley. Once it enters the portion 45, it is inclined upward (downward in the figure) toward the following mountain-shaped elastically deforming portion 43b, so excessive penetration is suppressed, and it returns to the valley portion 45 and stops. Therefore, the object to be transferred (object to be transferred) attached to the ring member 37 of the runner 31 can be stopped at a predetermined station. Furthermore, since the valley portion 45 between the peaks of the elastically deforming portions 43a and 43b is loose, both ends (mounting portions 42a and 42b) of the stopper 41 are attached to the rails 1b to 3b.
Even if it is fixed to the body, it is possible to absorb the expansion and contraction motion due to the spring deformation of the elastically deformable portions 43a and 43b. Therefore, the valley portion 45 can also be called an absorption portion. Moreover, even if the runner 31 runs at a high speed from either end (mounting portions 42a, 42b) of the stopper 41 (both directions), the elastically deforming portions 43a, 43a and 43b do not exert an impact force on the runner 31. The spring deformation force of 43 b is applied to the runner 31 to smoothly stop the runner 31 at the valley portion 45 . Furthermore, the runner 31 stopped at the trough portion 45 can overcome the elastically deformable portions 43a and 43b by applying traction force, and the runner 31 can run in both directions. The object to be transferred (object to be transferred) attached to 27 can be smoothly transferred or conveyed to a predetermined station.

Therefore, at the start station, the suspended object is attached to the ring member 37 of the runner 31, the runner 31 is run, and at the first station, the suspended object is removed from the ring member 37, The runner 31 can also be returned to the starting station, where a new object to be transferred can be attached to the ring member 37 (or replaced by a new object) at the first station, and a subsequent second transfer can be carried out. It can also be transported to a station. Such a stopper 41 is useful for forming a transport system for detachably transporting objects to be transported at at least one station.

The rail [reference rail main body 1b and two branch rail main bodies 2b, 3b] is attached to the ceiling wall or the attachment portion of the upper space and/or the side wall using brackets to form a rail structure. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the engagement connecting member 51 as a bracket can connect the adjacent rail bodies 1b, 2b, 3b and can be attached to the upper wall (ceiling wall or wall of the upper space). It is attachable and can function as a joint cover and bracket. That is, the bracket (engagement connection member) 51 includes a plate-like mounting portion 52 that can be attached to the upper wall with a screw member, and one end of the plate-like mounting portion, which serves as an extended engaged portion. and a side wall portion 54 extending from the other end of the plate-like mounting portion 52 and into which a screw member can be screwed. , the threaded member can enter the lower part of the running wall 5 and engage with the running wall 5 by screwing the side wall.

Using such an engagement connecting member (plate-like connecting mounting member) 51, the connecting pin 8 is mounted or fitted into the groove portion (connecting hole) 7 (7a, 7b) of the rail or rail member of the above structure. At the same time, the plate-like mounting portion 52 is attached to the upper wall (ceiling wall or wall portion of the upper space) with a screw member, the traveling wall (extending engaged portion) 5 is engaged with the engaging bent portion 53, and the screw member is screwed into the running wall 5, rails or rail members can be connected to form a rail structure. When using such an engagement connecting member 51, at least one of the plurality of adjacent rail bodies (reference rail body 1b, reference branch rail body 2b, moving branch rail body 3b) can be connected.
Two connections can be made using the connecting pin 8 and the engaging connecting member 51 and can be attached to the upper wall using the engaging connecting member 51 . can be concatenated and extended.

A bracket 55 shown in FIG. 12 has a plate-like mounting portion 5 that can be mounted on the upper wall by a screw member.
6, and plate-like clamping portions (engagement walls) 57a and 57b that bend or curve from both ends of the plate-like mounting portion and can clamp the traveling wall 5 extending to both sides. Bracket 5 like this
5 is slidably inserted into or attached to the running wall 5 of the rail, and has a mounting hole 58 (a clamping portion adjacent to the running wall 5 in the attached state) penetrating through the clamping portions 57a and 57b and the plate-like mounting portion 56. 57
a and 57b, and mounting holes formed on both sides of the plate-shaped mounting portion 56). It can be attached to the upper wall while fastening the plate-shaped attachment portion 56 to 57b. A countersunk hole (countersunk hole) 59 is formed in the central portion of the plate-like mounting portion 56, and the bracket 55 may be attached to the upper wall by screwing a screw member into the machined hole 59 from below. .

Furthermore, depending on the structure of the construction site, the rail structure can also be formed in a form separated from the upper wall (the ceiling wall or the wall of the upper space) or the side wall. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the bracket 61 utilizes a clamping mechanism, and is capable of clamping the support wall (plate-like support wall) 4 of the rail or rail member in a reverse umbrella-shaped cross section. A pair of clamping members (plate-like clamping members) 62a and 62b having width clamping portions (claw portions) 63a and 63b are provided to form an inverted pentagonal clamping portion (a clamping frame). ing. That is, the first clamping member 62a and the second clamping member 62b are composed of clamping portions (claw portions) 63a and 63b capable of clamping both side walls of the support wall 4, and standing walls 64a and 64b. Extending walls 65a, 65b extending laterally from this clamping portion via
and a wall to be fastened 66a and a fastening wall 66b which are bent and extended from this extension wall and which can be fastened to each other with a screw member or the like. 9
), the fastening wall 6
By fastening 6b with a screw member 69, the rail or the support wall 4 of the rail member can be sandwiched between the pair of sandwiching members 62a and 62b. Further, the first sandwiching member 62a constitutes a bracket body formed by molding a plate-like member, and bends and extends from the fastened wall 66a to the attached portion (upper wall such as a ceiling wall). A mounting wall 67 is provided to which the mounting wall 67 can be attached.
is attached to a portion to be attached (an upper wall such as a ceiling wall) with a screw member 70 or the like, the rail or rail member can be attached to a predetermined portion for construction. That is, the second clamping member 6
2b is similar to the first clamping member 62a except that it does not have a mounting wall 67 and a reinforcing portion 68.
It is formed in a symmetrical form. In the clamping member (bracket main body) 62a, the corner portion between the wall 66a to be fastened and the extending wall 65a and the corner portion between the wall 66a to be fastened and the mounting wall 67 are reinforced by brace-like reinforcing portions 68, respectively. .

In addition, in order to firmly attach the rail or rail member to the attached portion, the reinforcing portion 6
8, and the first clamping member 62a is formed to be thicker than the second clamping member 62b.

Furthermore, by using an auxiliary bracket (secondary bracket), the bracket 6
1 can also be attached to a side wall or the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, an auxiliary bracket (secondary bracket) 71 includes a plate portion 72 that can be attached to the mounting wall 67 with a screw member 75, and a plate portion that is bent into an L-shaped cross section and rises from the plate portion. , an upright wall portion 73 that can be attached to the side wall by an attachment means such as a screw member 76; ing.

A mounting wall 67 extending upward without bending is formed from the fastened wall 66a and/or the fastening wall 66b, and the mounting wall 67 extends from the upper wall or the upper mounting portion in a hanging or suspended state. The holding member may be attached to a member, and the holding member has an attachment portion with the attachment wall at the bottom, and extends from the attachment portion in a linear cross section or in a branched shape (Y-shape, etc.) extending in a plurality of directions. , and a rod-shaped or plate-shaped member that can be attached to the upper wall or upper attachment portion.

With such a switching unit and rail structure, the rails and rail members can be stably and firmly arranged at predetermined locations, and the orientation of the movable rail member 15 can be switched to a predetermined direction using the switching unit to suspend the transported object. It is possible to form a transport system that can be advanced in a state and transported smoothly. The switching unit of the above configuration switches the movable rail member leftward or rightward by adjusting the position of the movable branch rail 3 with respect to the reference branch rail 2 and the movable direction of the movable rail member 15 by the movement mechanism. , may form a left branch unit or a right branch unit.

In the rail structure of the illustrated example, the object to be transferred is transferred using the two branch rails 2 and 3, but a plurality of branch rails on which runners can run may be used.

15 and 16 show another example of the switching unit and rail structure of the present invention. In the following examples, elements and members similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals. This example shows an example (an example of a three-branch unit) that includes a reference rail 1 and three branch rails 82, 83, and 84 and branches in three directions. , a short linear reference rail member 1a and a long linear reference rail main body 1b. A short linear reference branch rail member 83a and a long linear branch rail main body 8
3b, and the branch rails 82, 84 located on both sides are short linear second and third rails.
branch rail members 82a, 84a and long curved branch rail bodies 82b, 84b. Each rail member and the rail main body can be connected or connected to each other using a connecting pin (not shown) in the same manner as described above.

On the mounting plate 11, the reference rail member 1a and the reference branch rail member 83a are connected via the movable rail member 85 which is hinged and rotatably attached to the end of the reference rail member 1a in the same manner as described above. The second and third branch rail members 82a and 84a are mounted so as to face each other or face each other, and are mounted in a positional relationship parallel to each other with a predetermined distance from the reference branch rail member 83a.

Spring members (springs) 92a and 92b for elastically pulling and returning the movable rail member 85 and crank mechanisms 93a and 93b are provided on both sides of the movable rail member 85, respectively.
and are attached. Through holes are formed at different positions in the movable rail member 85, and the mounting shafts 95a and 95b at the ends of the springs 92a and 92b are loosely inserted into the through holes, and the tips of the mounting shafts are inserted into the through holes. The portion is permanently connected or attached in engagement with the wall portion of the through hole. Therefore, even if the movable rail member 85 rotates in one direction, the mounting shafts 95a and 95b of the springs 92a and 92b positioned in the other direction (rotating direction) are inserted through the through-holes and the movable rail member 85 rotates. No loss of rotation.

Further, the crank mechanisms 93a and 93b use movable arms (or levers) whose distal end portions are bent in an L-shape, in place of the movable arms having the wide portions, and which can pivotally support the traction rod at the bent distal end portions. It has the same form and function as the crank mechanism 23 except that the crank mechanism 23 is

A plate-shaped regulating member (reverse running prevention plate or shutter) 98 is attached to the tip of the movable rail member 85 (on the side of the reference branch rail member 83a), so that the movable rail member 85 and the reference branch rail member 83a are separated from each other. are in contact with each other, the second and third branch rail members 82
a and 84a, the runner moves backward to the reference rail member 1a (movable rail member 85) and derails, and the movable rail member 85 and the second and third branch rail members 82a
, 84a are in communication with one of the branch rail members, the reference branch rail member 8
3a and other branch rail members are restricted from running backward in the direction of the reference rail member 1a (movable rail member 85) and derailing.

In this example, the end surfaces of the reference branch rail member 83a and the second and third branch rail members 82a and 84a (facing the movable rail member 85) correspond to the rotation of the movable rail member 85 from the reference position. possible end surface) is formed along the rotational locus of the movable rail member 85 .

In such a switching unit, springs 92a, 92b and crank mechanisms 93a, 93
b can be used to orient or distribute the moveable rail member 85 toward the three branch rail members 82a-84a to move the runners to the three branch rail members 82a-84.
It is possible to selectively shift to either of a.

[rail]
The rail may include at least one reference rail on which runners can run, and a plurality of branched rails extending in a plurality of directions from this reference rail and on which runners can travel. The reference rail may comprise a plurality (at least 2 or 3) of reference rails, and the branch rail may comprise a plurality of branch rails equal to or greater than 3, depending on the transportation route of the body and the like. The reference rail may be formed by a straight rail and/or a curved rail, the plurality of branch rails may also be formed by a straight rail and/or a curved rail, and a closed form loop running. A path may be formed. In such a loop-shaped running path, at least two (especially at least three) branching paths (
The running path formed by the reference rail) may be branched. The shape of the loop-shaped running path is not particularly limited. Pentagonal frame, hexagonal frame, etc.), elliptical frame shape, circular frame shape (ring shape, etc.), and the like. May be extended.

The reference rail may include a reference rail body and a reference rail member connectable to the reference rail body, and the plurality of branch rails may include a plurality of branch rail bodies and a plurality of connection members connectable to the rail body. and a branch rail member. In such a configuration, the reference rail member may form the longitudinal ends of the reference rail and the plurality of branch rail members may form the longitudinal ends of the plurality of branch rails. Therefore, the reference rail body and the plurality of branch rail bodies may be communicated or connected by attaching or fixing the reference rail member and the plurality of branch rail members to the mounting plate.

Note that, unlike the form shown in the above figures, a predetermined branch rail (or branch rail member) among the plurality of branch rails is opposed to the reference rail (or reference rail member) at a predetermined interval. Rather than being parallel to each other, the branch rail members may be oriented in different directions.

The structure of the rail (reference rail and a plurality of branch rails) is not particularly limited as long as it has a running portion on which the runner can run. It may have a hollow cross-sectional shape (for example, a square frame hollow shape),
Preferred rails typically have a T-shaped (or inverted T-shaped) or I-shaped configuration in cross section.

Such a rail includes a support wall (plate-like support wall) extending in the longitudinal direction; a running wall formed at least at the lower end (especially both ends) of the supporting wall and extending in both side directions; A running path formed in the wall and on which the wheel portion of the runner can run. Thus, the rail need only have at least a lower running wall, and the upper part of the rail (or the non-running part of the runner) is, but need not be, mounted or located in the ceiling wall or in the upper space. It may be attached or fixed to a member such as a plate, or may be formed by a plate-like portion or the like extending in the lateral direction. Usually, it often has a vertically and horizontally symmetrical structure, for example, an upper running wall and a lower running wall. By using rails with such a symmetrical structure, the bending accuracy is high, there is no vertical directionality, and a right-curving rail can be reversed to be constructed as a left-curving rail, improving workability and suppressing deformation. can. In addition, although it is not necessary to form dovetail grooves 7 in the upper and lower running walls, connecting pins are attached or inserted into the grooves 7 of a plurality of adjacent rails, and the plurality of rails are connected by the connecting pins. Or you may connect.

Such rails may be formed in a laterally and/or vertically symmetrical shape and can be attached to the lower running wall from which the runners can run in a hanging or suspended state. In such a rail member, the groove 3 extending in the support wall is not necessarily required, and the running path does not have to be concave and curved with a U-shaped cross section. It may be formed to have a convex cross section (or a ridge or a ridge on the peripheral edge), or it may be flat. The running path having a convex cross section may be formed at an appropriate position in the width direction of the running path, for example, in the intermediate portion or the outer peripheral portion (outer edge portion).

The rail does not necessarily need to be bent, but it is preferable that it can be bent or bent in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction (for example, a direction orthogonal to the support wall) depending on the shape of the construction site. . Also, the longitudinally extending groove 9 of the support wall of the rail is not necessarily required, but at least one groove in the longitudinal direction of the support wall (for example, depending on the height of the support wall of the rail:
2 to 10, preferably 3 to 7, and more preferably 4 to 6 grooves) are formed, even if bending or bending is performed in the longitudinal direction, distortion does not occur,
A smooth rail can be formed.

In order to increase the mechanical strength and improve the durability even when used for transporting heavy objects, the rail may be enlarged or thickened. For example, the height of the rail is 30-100 mm (eg, 40-90 mm, preferably 50-80 mm, more preferably 55-75 mm), and the thickness of the support wall is 3-10 mm (eg, 4-9 mm, preferably 5-10 mm). 8 mm), the width of the running wall (upper running wall and lower running wall) is 15 to 50 mm (for example, 20 to 45 mm, preferably 25 to 40 mm, more preferably 30 to 40 mm), the running wall (upper running wall and lower running wall The thickness of the wall) may be about 2 to 10 mm (eg, 3 to 8 mm, preferably 4 to 6 mm). Furthermore, the minimum thickness of the running path (running wall) is 1 to 5 mm (eg, 1.2 to 3 mm
, preferably 1.5 to 2.5 mm), and the depth of the groove 9 is 0.1 to 1.5 mm (for example, 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm).
3 to 1.2 mm, preferably 0.5 to 1 mm).

[Movable rail member of switching unit]
The switching unit is placed at a branch (or intersection) between the reference rail and the plurality of branch rails, and can selectively change or guide (or guide) the course of the runner in the branched rail structure.

The movable rail member of the switching unit is interposed or arranged between the reference rail and the plurality of branch rails (or the branch portion), and is arranged in a direction connecting the reference rail and the plurality of branch rails in relation to the moving mechanism. It may be movable or orientable (or arrangable or distributable). Runners can be guided or migrated.

The movable rail member may be translatable or shiftable in relation to the movement mechanism, and may be diverted toward a predetermined branch rail member, for example, by a pivoting or swinging mechanism, a deflection mechanism, or the like. , hingedly pivotally connected to the reference rail (especially the end of the reference rail member),
It may be rotatable or swingable around a hinge portion with the reference rail. In addition, the rotatable movable rail member may be rotatable within a range in which it can be oriented (or distributed) with respect to at least a plurality of branch rails. It may exceed the range of the branch rail. Such a movable rail member has a simple structure, and can be quickly oriented or distributed to a predetermined branch rail among a plurality of branch rails by a rotating operation.

The movable rail member includes a reference position at which the reference rail and a predetermined branch rail (for example, the reference branch rail) of the plurality of branch rails can communicate (or are oriented or arranged toward the reference branch rail); The predetermined branch rail (for example,
It may be movable within a range of a movement position (or a second position) where communication with other branch rails other than the reference branch rail is possible (or arrangement is possible toward other branch rails), and the reference position teeth,
For example, any position in the movable range (for example, a position facing a plurality of adjacent branch rails, a position facing between the plurality of branch rails without facing the plurality of branch rails) may be used. 2, in a steady state, the runner can mutually run on the reference rail and the reference branch rail (state in which the runner is allowed to run on the reference rail and the reference branch rail). may The movable rail member may be movable from the reference position to the movement position.

The structure of the movable rail member is the same as the rail (reference rail and branch rail), and can be attached to the running part where the runner can run and the mounting member such as the mounting plate that can be mounted or placed on the ceiling wall or the upper space. or a fixable mounting portion (such as a plate-like portion extending in the lateral direction), a support wall extending in the longitudinal direction; A running wall formed on which the runner can run; and a running path formed on the running wall and on which the wheel portion of the runner can run.

The movable rail member may be rotatable using a hinge portion as described above. In the rotatable movable rail member, a rotatable sliding portion (such as a sliding convex portion) is formed on the movable rail member along a curved slide groove formed in the mounting plate or the mounting member, Orientation or rotation may be performed using this sliding portion, and although it is not always necessary, orientation or rotation may be performed using a reinforcing shaft member or a reinforcing pin as in the embodiment shown in the above figures. .

The reinforcing shaft member may be integrated with the movable rail member, and does not necessarily have to be attached or fitted using the groove of the movable rail member. In addition, the cutout portion may be formed on the side of the mounting portion where the movable rail member is mounted on the mounting plate or the mounting member (in the above example, at least on the side of the upper end portion of the support wall). A plurality of movable rail member pieces may be connected at intervals by a reinforcing shaft member extending in the longitudinal direction, and cutout portions may be formed between the plurality of movable rail member pieces. The notch is often formed in a portion (non-running portion or non-running area) that does not hinder the running of the runner.

Furthermore, in the notch portion through which the reinforcing shaft member or the reinforcing pin penetrates, the supporting member slides or slidably supports the reinforcing shaft member or the reinforcing pin as described above. It is attachable to a mounting member. In such a mode, the reinforcing shaft member or the reinforcing pin slides with respect to the support member as the movable rail member moves. Therefore, by forming the reinforcing shaft member or the reinforcing pin from a tough and highly wear-resistant metal (for example, steel) or ceramics, the durability can be improved compared to metals such as aluminum.

A stop member (stopper) that regulates the movable range of the movable rail member is not necessarily required, and the stop member (stopper) may be formed on the mounting plate or the mounting member without being formed on the support member. .

In the switching unit, the mounting plate is not necessarily required, and may be in the form of a lattice, plate, or the like, and may be mounted on the construction site (ceiling wall, upper space, side wall, etc.). For increased flexibility, the moveable rail members are often attached to mounting plates or members that can be mounted or positioned on the ceiling wall or headspace. Also, the reference rail and the plurality of branch rails do not necessarily need to be attached to the mounting plate, and may be arranged so as to be communicated or connectable with respect to the movable rail member of the mounting plate. In order to improve the workability of the switching unit, the mounting plate or mounting member usually includes a movable rail member,
In many cases, the reference rail member and the plurality of branch rail members are attached. That is, a reference rail member and a plurality of branch rail members are attached or fixed to a mounting plate or a mounting member, a reference rail main body is connected to the reference rail member, and a plurality of branch rail members are attached to each of the plurality of branch rail members. branch rail bodies are connected. As described above, each of the reference rail body and the plurality of branch rail bodies can be attached to a construction site (ceiling wall, upper space, side wall, or the like) using brackets.

[Movement mechanism of switching unit]
The moving mechanism is not particularly limited as long as it can move the movable rail member in a predetermined direction to allow communication between the reference rail and a predetermined branch rail among the plurality of branch rails. Alternatively, the movable rail member may be moved in a rotating or swinging manner around a hinge portion with the reference rail.

The movement mechanism includes a rotation positioning mechanism, for example, a return means (or a return mechanism) for returning the movable rail member from the movement position to the reference position, and a movement mechanism for directing the movable rail member from the reference position to the movement position. (or for moving or positioning) a traction means (or traction mechanism). The return means is not limited to the spring member, but may be the swing mechanism, rotation-linear mechanism, or the like, as long as the movable rail member can be returned from the moving position to the reference position. A preferable return means is a spring member (spring) which can simplify the structure and can quickly return to the reference position. When such a spring member (spring) is used, a return mechanism can be formed simply by attaching one end to the fixed portion and attaching the other end to the movable rail member. It can be elastically stretched in cross lateral directions (eg, orthogonal directions). The return means is useful for returning the movable rail member from the movement position to the reference position in a state where the runner has moved from the reference rail to the predetermined branch rail at the movement position.

The traction means is not limited to a crank mechanism, and may utilize a gear mechanism, a forward/backward movement mechanism, or the like, as long as it can pull the movable rail member. The crank mechanism as the pulling means is not limited to the above structure, and may be any structure as long as it can pull the movable rail member as the movable arm rotates. and a rod-shaped or plate-shaped traction rod similar to the one described above. In addition, the traction means includes a string-like body (or wire, etc.) attached to the movable rail member, a rotating body capable of winding this string-like body (for example, a rotating shaft such as a stepping motor, or a rotating shaft attached to this rotating shaft). rotating member).

The moving mechanism may be formed by a rotating positioning mechanism capable of rotating the movable rail member to position it at a predetermined position (reference position or moving position).
It may be formed by a motion mechanism combining various mechanical elements such as a swing mechanism. For example, the moving mechanism may be formed by a cylinder mechanism (hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, etc.) whose tip is connected to a movable rail member, or may be formed by a rotating mechanism and a gear mechanism.

FIG. 17 is a schematic bottom view showing another example of the switching unit of the present invention. In this example, a movable rail member 85 that can be hingedly rotated has a rod that can move back and forth from a cylinder (solenoid) 103. 104 is loosely fitted or connected with play. That is, the cylinder 103 is arranged on the mounting plate 11, and the side wall of the movable rail member 85 is formed with a housing portion 105 capable of housing the tip portion of the rod 104. The housing portion accommodates the tip portion of the rod 104. The locking portion locks with the wall portion of the housing portion so that it can be housed in a locked state.

FIG. 18 is a schematic bottom view showing still another example of the switching unit of the present invention. In this example, a portion corresponding to the hinge portion is formed as a rotating shaft 106, which is formed integrally with the movable rail member 85. , forming a rotatable movable rail member. A gear 10 is mounted on the rotating shaft 106 .
7 is attached, and this gear 107 meshes with a gear 111 attached to a rotating shaft 110 of a stepping motor 109 via a rotatable gear 108 .

In addition, the rotation mechanism is not limited to a motor, and various rotation mechanisms can be employed, and the gear of the rotation mechanism may be engaged with the gear of the movable rail member directly or indirectly via one or more gears. . Furthermore, various motion conversion mechanisms that can distribute (or direct) the movable rail member to a plurality of branch rails using a rotation mechanism, such as a mechanism that converts rotation motion into linear motion or swing motion, can be used. Such a motion mechanism is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a pinion attached to the rotating shaft, and a rack (or a movable rail member to which the rack is attached) formed on the movable rail member and optionally provided with a pin. A combination of a rack and pinion mechanism such as a combination of a helical portion formed on the rotating shaft and a nut portion that is attached to the movable rail member and can be screwed with this helical portion, is attached to the rotating shaft, and is attached to the peripheral surface A spiral body (or a cylindrical rotating body) in which a spiral groove (a spiral groove that may intersect) is formed, and a slider (or cylindrical rotating body) attached to a movable rail member and slidable along the spiral groove on the peripheral surface of the spiral body ( sliding pin),
Examples include a combination of a worm gear and a gear, an engraving mechanism in which a pawl gear is attached to a rotating shaft, and a belt transmission mechanism in which a pulley is used instead of a gear and a belt is stretched between the pulley and the rotating shaft.

By using such a moving mechanism, the object to be transported can be automatically transported to a predetermined transport destination or a predetermined station. For example, a tag (an information recording medium containing information such as a barcode) that is attached or attached to a transported object and contains information about the transport destination or a predetermined station, and a sensor (such as an optical sensor) that can read the information of this tag and a control unit that generates a switching signal for transporting to a transport destination or a predetermined station based on information from this sensor, and the cylinder (solenoid) and motor based on the switching signal from this control unit By using a control system with a drive unit for driving, the object to be transported can be automatically transported to a predetermined transport destination or a predetermined station.

The entry of the runner into the movable rail member or branching portion is detected by a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, or the like, and this detection signal (switch signal) and the switching signal of the control unit are used to move the movable rail member to a predetermined position. may be distributed or oriented in the direction of

Furthermore, even in the moving mechanism having the forward/backward movement mechanism, the movable rail member may be limited in movement range by using a stop member as described above. The range of motion of the member may be controlled.

A movable rail member that is movable between a reference position and a moving position where the reference rail and a predetermined branch rail out of a plurality of branch rails can communicate with each other member), the moving mechanism includes a locking mechanism for fixing or locking the movable rail member at a predetermined position, and an unlocking mechanism for releasing the locked state at the locked position (the predetermined position). mechanism. In such a moving mechanism, a lock mechanism is used to fix the movable rail member at the moving position or the reference position so that the runner can smoothly run on the branch rail or the reference rail, and an unlocking mechanism is used. By doing so, the lock mechanism can be released to move or return the movable rail member to the reference position or the movement position.

19 to 21 show another example of a rail structure with the switching unit of the invention.
In this example, unlike the previous example, the crank mechanism 113 of the moving mechanism is movable along the guide groove 30 of the guide member 29, and to restrict reverse running (or derailment) of the runner (not shown). It is formed away from the plate-shaped regulating member (or reverse running prevention plate) 28 without adjoining it. The crank mechanism 113 includes a spring member (spring) 22 that pulls the movable rail member 15 and forms a return mechanism, and a movable arm (or rotating lever) 25 that is centered on the shaft support portion.
A fixed wall (fixed portion) 26 that rotatably supports the movable arm (or a rotating lever) 25
and a rod-shaped or plate-shaped traction rod 27 that connects the movable rail member 15 and the movable rail member 15. The movable arm 25 pulls the movable rail member 15 against the elasticity (pulling force) of the spring member 22. can move or rotate toward the moving branch rail member 3a. As the movable arm (or rotating lever) 25 rotates, the plate-shaped regulating member (reverse running prevention plate or shutter) 2
8 also slides to prevent the runner from derailing. In this example, similarly to the above, a spring member (tension spring member) 22 is attached to the mounting plate 11 for pulling the movable rail member 15 toward the reference position. A shaft member 102a is arranged in a hole in the side wall of the movable rail member 15 so as to be movable back and forth (or slide) at a distance from the spring member 22 in the longitudinal direction. , a biasing spring member (or compression spring member) 102 for biasing the traction rod 27 is mounted. That is, one end of the shaft member 102a is connected to the traction rod 27, and the other end of the shaft member 102a acts as an urging spring member (or a compression spring member) while preventing slipping out of the hole. A head is formed to hold 102 . Therefore, the biasing spring member (or compression spring member) 102 is movable together with the movable rail member 15, and biases or presses the movable rail member 15 against the stop member 21b at the moving position. The tension Fd of the tension spring member 22 and the biasing force Fp of the biasing spring member 102 are adjusted so that Fd<Fp.
housed inside.

The fixed wall 26 is formed by one of the pair of fixed side walls 26a and 26b having a U-shaped cross section, and on which the movable arm (or lever) 25 is rotatably supported. ing. The crank mechanism 113 has a lock mechanism for fixing or locking the movable rail member 15 at the moving position. In this example, the lock mechanism includes a locking member (locking plate) 114 attached to the side wall of the movable arm (or rotating lever) 25 on the side of the fixed side wall 26a, and a lock around the fixed wall 26. The movable arm 2 is formed with an inclined surface (an engaging inclined surface with an inclined corner portion) 115 inclined from the upper end portion of the wall surface.
5 (or to the moving position), the end surface of the locking member 114 can be engaged with the inclined surface (engagement inclined surface or inclined portion) 115 of the fixed wall 26 .

Furthermore, the locking mechanism is attached to the fixed side wall 26b opposite to the fixed wall (one fixed side wall) 26, and the movable arm (or lever) 25 is attached to the fixed wall 26a.
is provided with a pressing spring member (biasing member) 116 (116a, 116b) for pressing or biasing. By using such a pressing spring member (biasing member) 116, the movable arm 25 is pressed against the fixed wall 26 (fixed side wall 26a), and the locking member 114 and the fixed side wall 26a (engaged) are pressed. Engagement strength (locking strength) with the mating inclined surface 115) can be increased.

In such a switching unit, the locking member 114 and the fixed wall 26 are engaged or locked by rotating the movable arm 25 to pull the movable rail member 15 to the moving position and releasing the rotating operation. to move the movable rail member 15 to the moving position, and the runner can travel in both directions of the reference rail and the predetermined branch rail. Further, after the runner runs in a predetermined direction, the movable arm 25 is slightly displaced in the longitudinal direction of the reference rail by the thickness of the locking member 114 against the biasing force of the pressing spring member (biasing member) 116 . The locked state can be released by an operation, and the movable rail member 15 can be returned to the reference position by utilizing the pulling force of a spring member (spring) 22 forming a return mechanism.

In order to position the movable rail member 15 at the moving position (locking member 114 engages or locks with respect to the fixed wall 26, or unlocks), when the movable arm 25 is rotated, the locking member 114 is moved. is plate-shaped, the locking member 114 is slightly shifted or moved laterally (toward the movable arm), and in this shift or movement process, the spring member (tension spring member) 22 pulls the movable rail member 15 in the width direction (for example, , lateral direction corresponding to the thickness of the locking member 114). However, since the biasing spring member (or compression spring member) 102 can bias or press the movable rail member 15 against the stop member 21b, the movable arm 2
5, without displacing the movable rail member 15, the locking member (locking plate) 1
14 and the inclined surface (engagement inclined surface) 115 can be maintained in an engaged (or locked) state.

In the above example, a single spring member 22 may be provided for pulling the movable rail member 15 toward the reference position, and the urging spring member (or compression spring member) 102 is not necessarily required. A biasing spring member (or compression spring member) 102 is normally movable with the movable rail member and is capable of biasing or pressing the movable rail member 15 in the moving position.

In addition, the crank mechanism provided with the locking mechanism may be formed adjacent to a plate-like restricting member (or a reverse run prevention plate) for restricting reverse running of the runner. The locking mechanism may be capable of locking (or fixing) the movable arm (or rotating lever) and the fixed wall as a fixed part. It may be formed by engaging means (engaging portion) that can be engaged. The engaging means (engaging portion) of such a lock mechanism is, as described above,
The engaging member formed on the movable arm (or lever) and the engaged portion of the fixed portion may be formed; It is not necessary to form the inclined surface (engagement inclined portion) 115, and even if the movable arm 25 is rotated, the movable rail member 15 is not displaced in the width direction. formed with
It may be formed by an engaging portion that can slide along the curved surface and engage with each other as the movable arm 25 is rotated. For example, the fixed wall 26 (for example, the upper portion of the corner portion) is curved in an arc-shaped engagement curved surface (arc-shaped engagement surface), and the lower portion of the locking member 114 is curved in an arc-shaped manner. An engaging portion (or a locking portion) is formed with a lower curved surface (arcuate sliding surface) that is slidable along the engaging curved surface as the movable arm 25 is rotated. may be formed; a curved groove formed in the fixed wall 26 and formed in the movable arm 25 or the locking member 114,
An engaging portion (or a locking portion) may be formed with a sliding convex portion that can slide along the curved groove as the movable arm 25 is rotated. In addition, in the engaging portion (or locking portion), the curvature radius of the engaging curved surface (arc-shaped engaging surface) formed on the fixed wall 26 is in the form of a spiral curve at the locked position or at the locked position. so that the sliding or engagement strength of the curved surface (arc-shaped sliding surface) formed on the locking member 114 is increased as the movable arm 25 is rotated to the locked position. The radius of curvature of the curved surface (arc-shaped sliding surface) formed on the locking member 114 is larger than the radius of curvature of the engagement curved surface (arc-shaped engagement surface) formed on the fixed wall 26, or may be identical; in said locked position the locking portion may be formed as a flat portion or a curved portion (recessed curved surface) and the engaging curved surface (arcuate engaging surface) forms a cam surface; Alternatively, the locking member may be attached to the movable arm so as to be slidable and movable back and forth along the cam surface.

Further, the engaging means (engaging portion) of the lock mechanism is an engaging hole or an engaging recess formed in one of the movable arm (or lever) and the fixed portion (for example, the movable arm or the fixed wall).
or groove) and an engaging protrusion (or an engaging pin) formed in the other (for example, fixed wall or movable arm) and capable of engaging with this engaging hole or engaging recess (or groove). The engagement hole may be formed at the end of a guide groove or guide hole that can guide the engagement projection (or pin) in sliding contact, and the engagement projection (or pin) is It may be movable forward and backward with respect to the engagement hole or the engagement recess.

The engaging projection (or pin) may be mechanically moved back and forth using a spring member or the like, or may be moved back and forth electromagnetically. For example, an engaging convex portion that can be engaged with an engaging hole or an engaging concave portion formed in one of the fixed portion and the movable arm (for example, a fixed wall). A solenoid actuator (push-type, push-pull type actuator, etc.) for electromagnetically advancing and retreating (or the shaft portion of the engaging pin) may be formed. A switch for turning on/off the operation of the solenoid actuator may also be provided, and the switch detects or detects rotation (for example, a predetermined degree of rotation) of the movable arm (or lever) with a sensor. It may detect and operate automatically in response to a signal from a sensor (control signal).

Further, the engaging means (engaging portion) includes an engaging convex portion (or pin) formed on one member or portion of the movable arm and the fixed portion and the other member or portion (for example, a movable portion). arm), and with the rotation of the movable arm (or lever), the engagement convex portion (or pin)
You may form with the engaging claw which can be engaged with. Even in such an engaging means, the engaging convex portion (or pin) may be moved forward and backward (for example, magnetically forward and backward).

The locking mechanism may be formed by at least the engaging means (engaging portion). It may be equipped with a attracting means capable of being pushed or attracted, either magnetically or electromagnetically. Examples of the mechanical attracting means include the aforementioned biasing member (pressing spring member), and examples of the magnetic pressing or attracting means include a solenoid actuator. For example, a solenoid actuator may be attached to the fixed portion, and magnetically (or electromagnetically) attached to and detached from the fixed portion (fixed wall) in conjunction with the rotation operation of the movable arm (or rotating lever). . The pressing or drawing means is usually formed by an urging member (or pressing spring member) for pressing the movable arm (or rotating lever) against the fixed portion.

The unlocking mechanism can be formed by the displacement mechanism of the movable arm, and resists the pressing force or the drawing force of the pressing or drawing means (the pressing force of the pressing spring member, the attracting force (magnetic attraction force) of the magnetic actuator, etc.). The engagement mechanism (locked state) can be released by displacing the movable arm. As the movable arm is displaced, the movable rail member can be returned to the reference position using the return mechanism. The release mechanism and the return mechanism can be formed of a traction spring member for pulling the movable arm (or lever) in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the reference rail (or movable rail member) in accordance with the disengagement operation. .

In addition, when a forward/backward movement mechanism such as a cylinder or a rotating mechanism such as a stepping motor is used as a mechanism for arranging the movable rail members in a predetermined direction, a locking mechanism and an unlocking mechanism are not necessarily required. It can be operated according to the degree of advancement and retraction of a mechanism such as a cylinder and the number of revolutions of a rotating mechanism such as a motor.
It can be actuated in correspondence with forward/backward movement and rotational movement from a predetermined position.

[Restricting or blocking means of switching unit]
In addition, in the switching unit, a regulation means (reverse running prevention means or blocking means) for preventing the runner from running in reverse and derailing or falling off is not always necessary, but a predetermined one of the plurality of branch rails It is preferable that a runner moving to the branch rail travel in the direction of the reference rail (movable rail member) and drop off or detach from the branch rail. The restricting means enters the branch rails (the reference branch rail and the movable branch rail as communication branch rails capable of communicating with the movable rail member) in a state in which the movable rail member is positioned at the reference position and the movement position, respectively. Alternatively, it may be regulated or prevented that the transferred runner retreats and derails (or falls off) from the branch rail (connection branch rail). That is, when the movable rail member is positioned at one of the reference position and the moving position, the branch rail (for example, the movable branch rail) and the reference rail communicate with each other via the movable rail member at the one position. When the runner is allowed to run between the branch rails (
For example, the connecting path between the moving branch rail) and the reference rail is cut off, and the branch rail (for example,
To prevent a runner shifted to a moving branch rail) or a reference rail from running backward and derailing from the branch rail (for example, moving branch rail) or the reference rail.

The restricting means is not limited to a plate-like restricting member (reverse travel prevention plate), and various interrupting members (movement restricting members) such as a pin or bar-like restricting member, a restricting wall member, and a shutter can be used. The restricting means may be operable independently of the movable rail member. Therefore, the runner may be prevented or restricted from coming off at the reference position and the moving position. for example,
A plate-shaped regulating member (reverse running prevention plate) is attached to the movable rail member, and in conjunction with the movement mechanism (or return mechanism), the runner enters or moves at the reference position (or return position) and movement position, respectively. A communication path between the transferred branch rail and the reference rail may be cut off. In addition, the restricting means (such as a plate-like restricting member) has a notch (passing portion) formed in a portion corresponding to the front (axial direction) of the movable rail member so that the runner can run (or pass through). It may be attached to a rail member so as to be interlockable with the movable rail member. Moreover, the guide groove for guiding the restricting means (such as a plate-shaped restricting member) is not necessarily required.

When the control system is used, a blocking member (reverse running prevention plate) such as a shutter may be driven in response to the switching signal from the control unit to block a predetermined communication path.

[runner]
The runners need only be able to run along the rail. a wheel portion that can run on one or more running walls extending from both side walls; a shaft portion that supports the wheel portion; a support portion that supports the shaft portion and hangs down from the slit-shaped opening; It may be attached to the supporting portion directly or via a rotating member, and may have attaching or connecting means (such as the ring portion) for attaching the object to be carried. A preferred runner includes a support portion having a U-shaped cross section having opposing side walls, a pair of shaft portions or shaft members (a pair of opposing shaft members) attached to both side walls of the support portion so as to face each other, and A wheel portion (for example, a rotating body in which a bearing member such as a ball bearing is rotatably attached to the shaft member) that is rotatably attached to the shaft portion or shaft member of the and can run on the travel path of the rail member; A connecting or connecting means attachment member may be provided which is attached to the bottom wall or lower wall of the unit and to which the object to be transferred or the object to be transferred can be connected or attached.

At least a pair of shaft members may be attached to both side walls of the support portion so as to face each other, and a plurality of pairs (for example, 2 to 6 pairs, preferably 3 to 5
pairs, more preferably 3-4 pairs) of shaft members may be attached. By attaching a plurality of pairs of shaft members, a plurality of pairs of wheel portions rotatably attached to these shaft members can effectively support the object to be transferred, and even a heavy object to be transferred (or an object to be transferred) can be smoothly carried. can be transferred or transported to Furthermore, the runner can run smoothly without derailing even at the connecting or branching portion of the rail.

In runners, it is not always necessary to have depressions at the bent corners of the U-shaped cross section of the supporting part. can increase the strength of At least one depression may be formed in the bent corner, or a plurality of depressions may be formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction.

As long as the wheel portion (roller) can run smoothly, the bearing member and/or the coating resin on the outer peripheral portion is not necessarily required. In order to rotate smoothly and run the runner at a relatively high speed, it is preferable to have a bearing member (or bearing). It is preferable to be In addition, the outer ring (metal outer ring) of the bearing member (or bearing) is made of metal or the like in a wheel or tire shape, for example, in a shape that bulges (curves and bulges) in the outer peripheral direction (radial direction). You can improve the quality. In many cases, the outer peripheral portion of the wheel portion has a shape adapted to the running path of the rail member. For example, the outer peripheral portion of the wheel portion has a curved, convex, U-shaped, or trapezoidal cross-sectional shape (a configuration in which a running groove is formed on the peripheral surface) corresponding to a curved concave, grooved, or ridged running path. may have

A connection or connection means for connecting or attaching a moving body or a body to be transferred (or a body to be transferred) can be attached to a bottom wall or a lower wall of the support part, and the connection or connection means is attached to the support body. It may be rotatable with respect to the support using a shaft member rotatably attached to the. Further, the connecting or coupling means may be detachable from the moving body or the object to be transferred (or the object to be transferred), and is not limited to the ring member. A locking member such as a hook portion may be used. For example, instead of the ring member 37,
A one-touch type ring member may be attached for detachably attaching or connecting the object to be conveyed. For one-touch attachment and detachment, an openable and closable pin may be attached, one end of which is rotatable and the other end of which is capable of closing the open portion.

As the runner travels, the elastically deforming portion of the stopper attached to the rail or rail member may come into contact with the bottom wall or lower wall of the support.

In the present invention, lightweight objects and heavy objects (eg, 20 kg or more (eg, 50 to 150 kg)
(especially objects to be transported or moving objects weighing 100 kg or more). In particular, use of a runner having a plurality of pairs of wheel portions and/or recessed portions can increase mechanical strength and improve durability even when used for transporting heavy objects.

[stopper]
Furthermore, the rail and/or the runner may be provided with a stopper for stopping the running of the runner, if necessary. For example, the bottom wall (bottom surface of the lower wall) of the rail may be provided with a stopper that elastically deforms in the vertical direction upon contact with the runner to stop the running of the runner.

The stopper may include an attachment portion that can be attached to the rail member, a loose portion that separates from the rail member in the longitudinal direction from the attachment portion, and an elastically deformable portion formed in the loose portion. . For example, the stopper is made of spring steel and has a narrow plate shape. , an elastically deformable portion that extends in a cross-sectionally arcuate or arched form and is capable of contacting the bottom wall of the runner, and from this elastically deformable portion, a lower running wall (bottom wall) of the rail
The elastically deformable portion may be provided with a short extension portion (free end portion) that extends in a bent or curved upward direction approaching the . formed in the part.

When such a stopper is used, even if the runner is run at high speed, the elastically deforming portion is gently inclined and curved, so that the compressive elastic deformation force of the elastically deforming portion can be reduced without applying a large impact force. Alternatively, the spring deforming force can be gradually applied to the runner to stop it. Further, by pulling the runner with a force greater than the spring deformation force of the elastically deforming portion, the runner can be made to run in both directions at the stopper attachment site (predetermined station). The extending portion (free end portion) may move forward (or extend) and move backward (or contract) in the longitudinal direction of the rail in accordance with the spring deformation of the elastic deformation portion.

The stopper can be made of various spring-deformable materials.
It is often made of spring steel. In particular, the stopper is often formed of a leaf spring having a strip-like or plate-like planar shape. The attachment portion can be formed at an appropriate position of the stopper, may be formed in the middle of the stopper in the longitudinal direction, or may be formed at least at one end (one end or both ends) of the stopper.

The free end may be movable forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the rail member along with the spring deformation of the elastically deformable portion. , or a sliding contact portion capable of line contact or surface contact with the rail member may be formed. The free end may bend and extend from the curved inclined surface, or may extend flat like the mounting portion.

At least one elastically deformable portion may be formed in the free portion, and a plurality of elastically deformable portions may be provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the free portion. Also, the elastically deformable portion (the elastically deformable portion curved in a mountain shape from the mounting portion) may be formed in the free portion adjacent to the mounting portion, or the elastically deforming portion may be formed away from the mounting portion. In addition, in a stopper having a plurality of elastically deformable portions, the intermediate portion between the plurality of elastically deformable portions may be tense, but the spring deformation of the elastically deformable portion is not impaired (or the spring deformation of the elastically deformable portion is It is preferable that the troughs (or absorption portions) are formed in a slack form without tension in order to absorb the accompanying longitudinal movement or forward/retreat movement and stop the runner smoothly.

The elastically deformable portion has a mountain-shaped cross-section (a mountain-shaped configuration having a top portion), and in the vertical cross-sectional shape, at least one ridge may be a linear mountain shape, and at least one of the ridges may be linear. The ridgeline portion may be in a curved mountain shape (a mountain shape that bulges upward or is depressed and curved downward), or a plurality of stepped bent portions may form a mountain shape as a whole. . For example, the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the elastically deformable portion is triangular (
symmetrical or asymmetrical triangular shape on the sides); linear sloping ridges and curved ridges extending from the top of the ridges (bulging upwards or concave downwards) A mountain shape formed by curved ridges (symmetrical or asymmetrical curved ridges around the top on the side surface) may be formed. The longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the elastically deformable portion is usually a mountain-like shape including at least a curved ridgeline portion (a curved ridgeline portion that bulges upward or dents downward).

The longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the elastically deformable portion may have ridges that are curved in a symmetrical or asymmetrical manner centering on the apex. It may have a cross-sectional shape such as an arcuate, rounded or arched shape), and centered on the top, an asymmetrical shape (an inclined ridge extending linearly in an oblique upward direction and A form that has a ridge portion that is recessed downward and curves from the bottom (for example, a ridge portion that curves in a semicircular shape like a suspension bridge); ridgeline) and a ridgeline section that is recessed (or descended) downward from the apex of the ridgeline section (for example, a ridgeline section that curves in a semicircular shape like a suspension bridge). may be A stopper having an elastically deformable portion may be asymmetrical as a whole about a longitudinal intermediate portion (or central portion), but is usually symmetrical in many cases.

The elastically deformable portion usually has an inclined surface (linearly extending or curved inclined surface) that can come into contact with the runner, and forms a curved inclined surface that can come into contact with the runner. Such an elastically deformable portion can be spring-deformed in a direction in which the rail member and the runner are opposed to each other as it comes into contact with the running runner.

[bracket]
Furthermore, the rails (the reference rail body and the plurality of branch rail bodies, etc.) can be directly or indirectly attached to the construction site such as the ceiling wall and the side wall using brackets.
This bracket is not limited to the structure described above, but depending on the structure of the rail and the form of the installation site,
Various structures can be adopted for the construction site, either in close contact or loosely (for example, in a suspended state, in a form parallel to the wall surface). For example, the bracket may include an attachment mechanism (engagement mechanism, clamping mechanism, etc.) for the rail, and an attachment portion that can be attached or fixed to a ceiling wall or upper space attachment portion and/or a side wall or the like. For example, (a) ceiling wall or upper space attachment (upper wall)
An attachment member (e.g., plate-shaped attachment member or attachment plate) that can be attached or placed on the rail, and an engagement wall ( For example, an engaging wall that bends and extends parallel to the mounting member) and a screwing member that can be screwed by penetrating the engaging wall and the mounting member. In this bracket (a), the mounting member may be attached to the upper wall by a threaded member, and the threaded member may be threadedly engaged with the engaging wall to sandwich the rail running wall from below. The mounting member may be attached to the upper wall by a threaded member passing through the and mounting member. In addition, the bracket includes (b) an engaging wall that can be bent from one end of the mounting member to engage with the upper running wall of the rail, and this engaging wall engages with one of the running walls of the upper running wall. In this state, it is rotatably attached to a wall portion on the other end side of the mounting member (for example, a wall portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the mounting member), and moves forward and backward along with the rotation to travel upward. A pivoting member (or pivoting pawl) engageable with the running wall on the other side of the wall may be provided. (c) this rotating member (
or rotating claw), the advancing/retreating member is attached to the wall portion on the other end side of the mounting member so as to be able to move forward and backward, and is capable of engaging with the other running wall of the upper running wall along with this forward/backward movement. (advance/retreat claw such as a screw member or a biasing member biased by a spring member). This bracket (
b) In (c), the other end of the mounting member may be attached to the upper wall or the like with a threaded member.

Further, the mounting member (plate-shaped mounting member) includes an auxiliary bracket (secondary bracket) for mounting to the side wall and/or the upper wall, for example, (d) a base portion (welding, A base part that can be integrated with a mounting member with a screw member, etc.), and can be bent or raised from this base part in an L-shaped or U-shaped cross section, and can be attached to the side wall or upper wall by mounting means such as a screw member. There may also be an auxiliary bracket (secondary bracket) having a suitable mounting portion (such as an upright portion or lateral portion). In addition, when the part to be installed is an extension part that extends sideways from a wall part, an extension part that hangs down from the ceiling wall and extends sideways at the lower end, etc., the auxiliary bracket (two (e) integrally attached to the base portion;
A receiving member having a U-shaped or U-shaped cross section into which the extending portion can be inserted or attached, and a receiving member screwable from an upper wall to a lower wall of the receiving member, the extending portion being a lower portion of the receiving member. A clamping member (for example, a screw member) for clamping to the wall may be provided.

[set]
The present invention provides not only the switching unit and rail structure, but also the reference rail (reference rail main body and reference rail member), a plurality of branch rails (branch rail main body and branch rail member),
Movable rail member, mounting plate, moving means for moving (rotating) or distributing the movable rail member, returning means for returning the movable rail member to the reference position, and preventing runners from falling off from the plurality of branch rails Also includes a set containing the regulatory means of This set may include at least a reference rail (reference rail body and reference rail member), a plurality of branch rails (branch rail body and branch rail member), and a movable rail member; , returning means, and restricting means, and the moving means may include a locking mechanism and an unlocking mechanism.

If necessary, drop-off prevention means (e.g., penetrating both side walls of the rail,
drop-off preventing member for contacting the rotation of the runner or contacting the wheel portion (ball bearing) to stop running] may be attached. As long as it is possible to stop the running of the runner, the drop-off preventing member is not limited to a form that traverses the rail, but may be formed by a protrusion formed on the inner wall of the rail, a closing member that can be attached to the opening end of the rail, or the like. may

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful for constructing a transport system for transporting or conveying an object to be transported (object to be transported, moving object) to a predetermined station.

In this transport system, a transported object (or moving object) is attached (or connected)
A runner can run along the rail member to transfer the object to be transferred to at least one station. The object to be transferred is usually suspended or suspended from the runner (runner mounting member).
can be attached or connected to A station can be formed by attaching the attachment portion of the stopper to a portion of the rail member corresponding to the station, and the runner traveling along the rail member can be stopped at the station. At the station, the object to be transferred may be detachable or replaceable, and may be loaded and unloaded.

The object to be transferred (or the moving object) may be transferred to at least one station. For example, a plurality of stations may be formed by attaching stoppers to a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction of the rail member. The rail member may form a linear transfer path that extends linearly or a curved transfer path that extends curvedly according to the installation space and the transfer portion of the object to be transferred. may be combined to form a transfer path, or a loop-shaped transfer path may be formed. In order to connect adjacent rail members, a connecting pin (joint rod) may be used as described above. Furthermore, the transfer path by the rail member may be flat, slanted or curved in the height direction.

The object to be transferred may be transferred manually (or by walking), or by using a running body that can automatically run along the rail member (a running body whose operation can be controlled by a computer or the like),
You may connect such a running body and the said runner.

Transport systems (or transport systems) are useful in a wide variety of fields for transporting objects that open and close spaces in homes, factories, warehouses, stores, distribution centers, garages, vehicles, and the like. It may be an opening/closing body or an opening/closing member of an opening/closing device (e.g., a curtain, a partition sheet such as a sheet, a partition pole, etc.). It may be an object to be transferred (or a member to be transferred) in a farm, a hydroponics field, an article sorting place, or the like. The types of such members or articles are not particularly limited, and examples include processing equipment such as tools; ), etc.; sorting goods; transported members such as water and nutrient source supply units and hoses. In addition, the transport system can also be used to move mobile bodies (humans such as the elderly, animals, etc.). In the meantime, users (pedestrians or mobile bodies) such as the elderly and physically handicapped intervene (or use) assistive devices (mobility or walking assistance devices) for moving or walking in homes and facilities, For example, elderly people who have difficulty walking,
It can be used to assist (assist) a disabled person to walk smoothly and stably and move to a desired place.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Reference rail 2, 3, 82, 83, 84... Branch rail 15, 85... Movable rail member 16... Hinge pin 17a, 17b... Notch part 18... Reinforcing shaft member or reinforcing pin 19a, 19b... Plate-shaped support member 21a , 21b... Stopping member 22, 92a, 92b... Traction spring member (spring)
23, 93a, 93b... Crank mechanism 28, 98... Plate-shaped restricting member 31... Runner 102... Biasing or compression spring member 103... Cylinder 109... Stepping motor 114... Locking member 115... Inclined surface (engagement inclined surface)
116 (116a, 116b): pressing spring member

Claims (3)

A switching unit arranged at a branching portion between a reference rail on which runners can run and a plurality of branching rails extending in a plurality of directions from the reference rail and on which runners can travel, for switching or changing the route of the runner. There is
a movable rail member hingedly rotatably connected to an end of the reference rail and movable in a direction connecting the reference rail and the plurality of branch rails; and a moving mechanism for communicating with a predetermined branch rail among the branch rails;
The reference rail, the plurality of branch rails, and the movable rail member are formed with a support wall extending in the vertical direction; a running wall that can run; a reinforced inclined wall portion formed in the shape of a triangular cross-section with a thick wall on the base side of the running wall among the supporting walls; a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves formed in a hollow circle and having an inverted T-shaped cross-section or an I-shaped cross-section;
The moving mechanism converts rotary motion by the rotary shaft of the motor into linear or oscillating motion, rotates the movable rail member around a hinge portion with the reference rail, and distributes the movable rail member to a plurality of branch rails. A switching unit with a dynamic motion conversion mechanism. A switching unit arranged at a branching portion between a reference rail on which runners can run and a plurality of branching rails extending in a plurality of directions from the reference rail and on which runners can travel, for switching or changing the route of the runner. There is
a mounting plate or member mounted or arranged in the ceiling wall or headspace; attachable to the mounting plate or member and hingedly pivotally connected to an end of the reference rail; and a moving mechanism for rotating the movable rail member to connect the reference rail and a predetermined branch rail among the plurality of branch rails. and
The movable rail member can communicate between the reference rail and a predetermined branch rail in the form of (a1) or (a2) below;
(a1) The reference rail and a plurality of branch rails are arranged so as to be able to communicate or connect to the movable rail member, and the movable rail member rotates to move the reference rail and a predetermined number of the branch rails. (a2) The reference rail includes a reference rail body and a reference rail member connectable to the reference rail body, and the plurality of branch rails are connected to a plurality of branch rail bodies. and a plurality of branch rail members connectable to the branch rail main body;
the reference rail member is mountable to the mounting plate or mounting member; the plurality of branch rail members is mountable to the mounting plate or mounting member in spaced relation to the reference rail member; A movable rail member is hingedly rotatably connected to an end portion of the reference rail member, and the movable rail member is rotatably connected to the reference rail member and a predetermined branch rail among the plurality of branch rail members. can be contacted;
The runner includes a support portion having a U-shaped cross section, at least a pair of shaft members attached to both side walls of the support portion so as to face each other, wheel portions rotatably attached to the shaft members, and the support. connecting or coupling means attached to the bottom wall of the unit for connecting or attaching a moving or conveyed object;
The moving mechanism converts rotary motion by the rotary shaft of the motor into linear or oscillating motion, rotates the movable rail member around a hinge portion with the reference rail, and distributes the movable rail member to a plurality of branch rails. A switching unit with a dynamic motion conversion mechanism. a reference rail on which runners can run; a plurality of branch rails extending in a plurality of directions from the reference rail and on which runners can travel; A rail structure comprising a switching unit for switching or diverting the course of a runner,
A rail construction, wherein the switching unit comprises a switching unit according to claim 1 or 2.

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