JP3225946U - Casters and suitcases - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a caster in which a roller can be easily replaced without affecting the side of a mounting object. A first member for attaching a base member to an attachment target, which includes a base member B attached to a case body of a suitcase S as an attachment target and a roller R rotatably provided on the base member. A base member Ba and a second base member Bb that supports the roller are provided, and a rod 20 is projectingly provided on the first base member. The second base member has a central axis orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the roller. A bearing portion 30 having a bearing hole that has a rod that can be inserted and extracted relatively and that pivotally supports the rod at the time of insertion is formed to allow the rod to rotate when the rod is inserted and release the extraction. Equipped with a locking mechanism that locks as much as possible. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a caster that is attached to an object to be attached and facilitates transportation thereof, and a suitcase to which the caster is attached.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 7, a suitcase Sa having a plurality of casters Ca attached for facilitating transportation is known (for example, see Registered Utility Model No. 3219894). In this suitcase Sa, a storage-type handle 101 is provided in a case body 100, and casters Ca are attached to four corners on one surface of the case body 100 opposite to the side where the handle 101 is present.
Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 7, this type of caster Ca is configured to include a base member 102 attached to an attachment object including a case body 100, and a roller 103 rotatably provided on the base member 102. ing.

Registered utility model No. 3219894

By the way, in this conventional caster Ca, when the roller 103 and its shaft are worn or damaged, the base member 102 is removed from the case body 100 and replaced with a new caster Ca. Since the base member 102 must be removed together, there is a problem that the work is complicated. Further, the mounting portion on the side of the case main body 100, which is an object to be mounted, is also damaged when the base member 102 is removed.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a caster and a suitcase in which the rollers can be easily replaced without affecting the object to be mounted. To do.

  The caster of the present invention for achieving such an object is, in the invention of claim 1, a caster comprising a base member attached to an attachment object and a roller rotatably provided on the base member. In the above, the base member includes a first base member that is attached to the attachment target and a second base member that supports the roller, and a rod is projectingly provided on the first base member. 2 The base member has a bearing portion having a central axis orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the roller, and a bearing hole capable of relatively inserting and withdrawing the rod and pivotally supporting the rod during insertion. The lock mechanism is formed so as to allow the rotation of the rod when the rod is inserted and to lock the withdrawable state.

  As a result, when the roller or its shaft is worn or damaged, the second base member supporting the roller is replaced with a new one. At this time, the lock of the pulling out of the rod by the lock mechanism is released to allow the pulling out, and in this state, the second base member supporting the roller is pulled from the first base member to pull the rod from the bearing hole of the bearing portion. Pull out relatively. Then, a new second base member is prepared, and the second base member is pushed so that the rod of the first base member is inserted into the bearing hole of the bearing portion. In this state, the rod mechanism is locked again by the lock mechanism. In this case, since a new roller can be replaced by a simple work by relatively pulling out and inserting the rod, the replacement work can be performed extremely easily and the work efficiency can be improved. Further, since the first base member is still attached to the attachment target, it does not adversely affect the attachment target side, and the durability can be improved accordingly.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a ring-shaped sliding surface is formed at an opening peripheral edge portion of the bearing hole of the bearing portion, and the sliding surface is formed at a base end portion of the rod when the rod is rotated. Are in sliding contact with each other and form a ring-shaped sliding surface that receives a load in cooperation with the sliding surface.
As a result, since the load is received by the ring-shaped sliding surface and the sliding surface, the load can be received in a concentrated manner, which makes it easier to rotate the rod and improve the operability during use. it can.

Further, in the invention of claim 3, a resin-made thrust washer is interposed between the sliding surface and the sliding surface.
Accordingly, the rod can be easily rotated while reliably receiving the load, and the operability during use can be further improved.

  Still further, in the invention of claim 4, a groove is formed on the outer periphery of the tip end portion of the rod, and the lock mechanism is provided in a constituent member of the second base member and is orthogonal to the central axis of the bearing hole. A lateral hole that is open to the side hole, and the lateral hole is provided with a movable rod that can move back and forth in the lateral hole and that engages with the groove of the rod when the tip portion advances and that moves out of the groove when retracting; A vertical hole having a horizontal hole that is provided in a component member and is orthogonal to the horizontal hole and has the horizontal hole open to the outside is formed in the middle, and the vertical hole has a push button body whose upper end projects from the open hole and which can move the vertical hole up and down. A cam follower is provided at a base end portion of the movable rod, and the movable rod is retracted to the lower end side of the push button body through the cam follower when the push button body is moved downward by the push button. Via cam follower A cam for advancing the movable rod is formed, and a coil spring for constantly urging the push button body in the upward movement direction is interposed between the bottom surface of the vertical hole and the lower end of the push button body, and when the push button body moves up. A stopper is provided to stop the movement of the push button body.

Thus, when the rod is inserted into the bearing hole and the lock of pulling out the rod by the lock mechanism is released, the push button body is pushed down against the biasing force of the coil spring. As a result, the cam retracts the movable rod via the cam follower, so that the tip of the movable rod retracts from the groove of the rod. Therefore, the rod can be relatively pulled out from the bearing hole.
Also, when the rod is inserted into the bearing hole, the push button body is similarly pushed down against the biasing force of the coil spring to move downward. As a result, the cam retracts the movable rod via the cam follower, and the tip of the movable rod retracts, so that there is no obstacle and the rod can be inserted into the bearing hole.
On the other hand, when locking the pull-out of the rod by the lock mechanism with the rod inserted in the bearing hole, the hand is released from the push button body. As a result, since the push button body is moved upward by the biasing force of the coil spring, the cam advances the moving rod through the cam follower, so that the tip of the moving rod engages with the groove of the rod. Therefore, the pulling out of the rod is locked.
In this way, by pushing and releasing the push button of the push button body, it is possible to pull out and lock the pull out of the rod by the lock mechanism, so that the operability is extremely improved. Further, since the rod is normally pulled out and locked, the rod is not easily pulled out, and the second base member is reliably held with respect to the first base member, and the roller can be used. it can.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a pair of the rollers is provided, and the pair of rollers are independently rotatably supported by both ends of a shaft body supported by the second base member. There is.
Accordingly, when the rollers are traveling, the pair of rollers can be independently rotated, so that the rotation can be smoothly performed, and the traveling by the rollers can be reliably performed.

Further, the invention of claim 6 is characterized in that the second base member has a columnar space having a central axis that is on the same cross section as the central axis of the bearing hole and is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the central axis of the bearing hole. A certain cylindrical member is provided, and the shaft is penetrated through the cylindrical member such that the axis of the shaft is orthogonal to the central axis of the columnar space, and the shaft is arranged in the cylindrical member at the center of the columnar space. A long hole is provided to support the shaft body so as to be movable back and forth, and a coil spring for constantly urging the shaft body in the advancing direction is provided in the columnar space.
As a result, even if an excessive load is applied to the roller during traveling, or if there is an impact, the shaft body can reciprocate in the elongated hole while being urged by the coil spring, so that traveling can be stabilized.

  Further, according to a suitcase of the present invention for achieving the above object, as in the invention of claim 7, in a suitcase in which a plurality of casters are attached to a case body as an attachment object, the caster described above is attached. It is configured. It is possible to provide a suitcase having the same actions and effects as the above.

  In the caster of the present invention, according to the invention of claim 1, the base member comprises a first base member attached to an attachment object and a second base member supporting a roller, and a first base member. Since the rod is projectingly provided on the member, and the second base member is formed with the bearing portion having the bearing hole for relatively inserting and withdrawing the rod and pivotally supporting the rod at the time of insertion, the relative rod portion is formed. Since a new roller can be replaced with a new one by simple pulling out and inserting, the replacement work can be performed extremely easily and the work efficiency can be improved. Further, since the first base member is still attached to the attachment target, it does not affect the attachment target side, and the durability can be improved accordingly.

  Further, in the invention of claim 2, since the load is received by the ring-shaped sliding surface and the sliding surface, the load can be received intensively, so that the rod can be easily rotated and used. The operability at the time can be improved.

  Further, in the invention of claim 3, since the resin-made thrust washer is interposed between the sliding surface and the sliding surface, it is possible to easily rotate the rod while reliably receiving the load. Therefore, the operability during use can be further improved.

  Further, in the invention of claim 4, the rod can be pulled out and locked by the lock mechanism by the push button of the push button body and the push button being released, so that the operability is extremely improved. Further, since the rod is normally pulled out and locked, the rod is not easily pulled out, and the second base member is reliably held with respect to the first base member, and the roller can be used. it can.

  Further, in the invention of claim 5, the pair of rollers can be independently rotated when the rollers are traveling, so that the rotation can be smoothly performed and the traveling by the rollers can be reliably performed.

  Further, in the invention of claim 6, even if an excessive load is applied to the roller or a shock is applied during traveling, the shaft body can reciprocate in the elongated hole while being urged by the coil spring. Can be stabilized.

  Further, in the invention of claim 7, in a suitcase in which a plurality of casters are attached to a case main body as an attachment object, the casters are attached, so that a suitcase having the same action and effect as the above Can be provided.

1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a caster and a suitcase having the caster according to the present invention. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a caster according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a front main part showing an embodiment of a caster according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a state where the second base member is separated from the first base member in the caster according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a state where the second base member is incorporated in the first base member in the caster according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the lock mechanism in the caster according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the conventional caster and the suitcase which attached this.

Hereinafter, casters and suitcases according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a suitcase S according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a storage-type handle 11 on a case body 10, and a four-sided surface of the case body 10 on the side opposite to the side where the handle 11 is present. Casters C according to the embodiment of the present invention are attached to one corner.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, a caster C according to the embodiment includes a base member B attached to a case body 10 as an attachment object, and a roller R rotatably provided on the base member B. Is configured.
The base member B includes a first base member Ba attached to the case body 10 and a second base member Bb that supports the roller R.

  The first base member Ba is integrally formed of hard resin. A metal rod 20 is projectingly provided on the front surface side of the first base member Ba. In addition, on this surface side, a tubular cover portion 21 that is coaxial with the rod 20 and that covers the base end portion side of the rod 20 and the upper end surface side of the bearing portion 30 described below is provided. A groove 22 is formed on the outer periphery of the tip of the rod 20. An attachment portion 23 is formed on the back surface side so as to be in close contact with the corner portion of the case body 10 and attached with a screw or the like.

  The second base member Bb is made of a hard resin, and has a central axis P1 that is orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis of the roller R (the axis P3 of the shaft body 50 described below). A bearing portion 30 having a bearing hole 31 through which the rod 20 is relatively insertable and withdrawable and which pivotally supports the rod 20 when inserted is formed. A ring-shaped sliding surface 32 is formed on the peripheral edge portion of the bearing hole 31 of the bearing portion 30. On the other hand, at the base end portion of the rod 20, a sliding surface 32 is formed that is in sliding contact with the sliding surface 32 when the rod 20 rotates and that receives a load in cooperation with the sliding surface 32. A thrust washer 34 made of resin is interposed between the sliding surface 32 and the sliding surface 33.

  Further, the caster C is provided with a lock mechanism 40 that allows the rod 20 to rotate when the rod 20 is inserted and locks the pullout so that the pullout can be released. Referring also to FIG. 4, the lock mechanism 40 has a lateral hole 41 that is provided in a component of the second base member Bb and that is orthogonal to the central axis P1 of the bearing hole 31 and opens into the bearing hole 31. 41 is provided with a movable rod 42 made of metal that can be moved back and forth and whose tip engages with the groove 22 of the rod 20 when advanced and withdraws from the groove 22 when retracted, and is provided in the lateral hole 41 in the constituent member of the second base member Bb. A vertical hole 44 is formed which is orthogonal to the horizontal hole 41 and has an opening 43 on the outside, and a push button body 45 whose upper end projects from the opening 43 and can move up and down the vertical hole 44 is provided in the vertical hole 44. A convex cam follower 46 extending laterally is provided at the base end portion of the push button body 42, and the moving rod 42 is retracted to the lower end side portion of the push button body 45 via the cam follower 46 when the push button body 45 is moved downward by the push button. 45 when moving up A cam 47 for advancing the movable rod 42 through the follower 46 is formed, and a coil spring 48 for constantly urging the push button body 45 in the upward movement direction is interposed between the bottom surface of the vertical hole 44 and the lower end of the push button body 45. A stopper 49 that stops the movement of the push button body 45 when the push button body 45 moves upward is provided. The push button body 45 is made of a hard resin, the cam 47 is formed in a groove shape on the push button body 45, and its wall surface is a cam surface with which the cam follower 46 is in sliding contact, and the stopper 49 is a cam surface as shown in FIG. It is constituted by a wall portion that closes the lower end of the groove of 47 and is in contact with the cam follower 46.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lateral hole 41 has its side portion opened to the constituent member of the second base member Bb, the coil spring 48 and the push button body 45 are inserted into the vertical hole 44, and the push button body 45 is biased by the coil spring 48. The movable rod 42 is inserted into the lateral hole 41 from the opened opening 41a in a state of being moved downward against the contact hole so that the cam follower 46 is engaged with the groove of the cam 47, whereby the movable rod 42 is moved into the lateral hole 41. It can be installed inside. As shown in FIG. 6, the movable rod 42 is provided with a knob 42a protruding from the side opposite to the cam follower 46 when the knob 42a is inserted into the lateral hole 41.

  Further, in the caster C, the rollers R are formed in a wheel shape and are provided in a pair, and the pair of rollers R are provided at both ends of the metal shaft body 50, respectively, as shown in FIG. It is rotatably supported independently.

The second base member Bb has a central axis P2 that is on the same cross section as the central axis P1 of the bearing hole 31 (on the cross sections of FIGS. 4 and 5) and is inclined at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the central axis P1 of the bearing hole 31. A cylindrical member 52 having a columnar space 51 having a is provided.
The tubular member 52 is provided with the shaft body 50 penetrating through the shaft body 50 such that the axis line P3 thereof is orthogonal to the central axis P2 of the columnar space 51. Each roller R rotates with the axis line P3 of the shaft body 50 as the rotation axis line. The cylindrical member 52 is provided with a long hole 53 that supports the shaft body 50 so as to be movable back and forth in the direction along the central axis P2 of the columnar space 51, and the shaft body 50 has the length of the long hole 53. It is held so that it can be moved back and forth.
A coil spring 54 that constantly biases the shaft body 50 in the advancing direction is provided in the columnar space 51 via a sliding member 55 that slides in the columnar space 51. The predetermined angle θ is set to θ = 25 ° to 35 °. In the embodiment, θ = 30 °. The angle θ is not limited to this.

Therefore, when the suitcase S according to the embodiment is conveyed by using the caster C according to the embodiment, the handle R is gripped and the roller R is rolled on the ground. In this state, the second base member Bb rotates with respect to the first base member Ba depending on how the handle 11 is pulled and the condition of the ground. That is, the rod 20 relatively rotates in the bearing hole 31 of the bearing portion 30, and the ring around the rod 20 is moved with respect to the ring-shaped sliding surface 32 at the opening peripheral edge portion of the bearing hole 31 of the bearing portion 30. The sliding surface 33 in the shape of a line slides via the thrust washer 34.
In this case, since the load is received by the ring-shaped sliding surface 32 and the sliding surface 33, the load can be received in a concentrated manner, which facilitates the rotation of the rod 20 and improves the operability during use. Can be made.
Further, since the resin-made thrust washer 34 is interposed between the sliding surface 32 and the sliding surface 33, it is possible to easily rotate the rod 20 while reliably receiving a load. The operability of can be further improved.

  Further, during this traveling, since the pair of rollers R can independently rotate the shaft body 50, the rotation is smoothly performed, and the traveling by the rollers R can be reliably performed. Further, even if an excessive load is applied to the roller R during traveling or if there is an impact, the shaft body 50 can reciprocate in the elongated hole 53 while being biased by the coil spring 54, so that traveling can be stabilized. .

Then, when the roller R or its shaft is worn or damaged due to use, the second base member Bb supporting the roller R is replaced with a new one. At this time, the lock of the pulling out of the rod 20 by the lock mechanism 40 is released to allow the pulling out, and in this state, the second base member Bb supporting the roller R is pulled from the first base member Ba to pull out the rod 20. It is relatively pulled out from the bearing hole 31 of the bearing portion 30.
More specifically, when the rod 20 is inserted into the bearing hole 31 (FIG. 5) and the lock for pulling out the rod 20 by the lock mechanism 40 is released, as shown in FIG. The push button is pushed down against the biasing force of 48. As a result, the cam 47 retracts the movable rod 42 via the cam follower 46, so that the tip of the movable rod 42 retracts from the groove 22 of the rod 20. Therefore, the rod 20 can be relatively pulled out from the bearing hole 31.

Next, the second base member Bb prepared in advance is used, and the second base member Bb is pushed so that the rod 20 of the first base member Ba is inserted into the bearing hole 31 of the bearing portion 30. In this case as well, similarly, the push button body 45 is pushed against the biasing force of the coil spring 48 to move downward.
As a result, the cam 47 retracts the movable rod 42 via the cam follower 46, and the tip of the movable rod 42 withdraws, so that there is no obstacle and the rod 20 can be inserted into the bearing hole 31. .

In this state, the withdrawal of the rod 20 is locked again by the lock mechanism 40. In this case, with the rod 20 inserted in the bearing hole 31, the pulling out of the rod 20 by the lock mechanism 40 is locked, but at this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the push button body 45 is released.
As a result, the push button body 45 is moved upward by the urging force of the coil spring 48, and the cam 47 advances the moving rod 42 via the cam follower 46, so that the tip of the moving rod 42 engages with the groove 22 of the rod 20. To meet. Therefore, the withdrawal of the rod 20 is locked.

In this way, the new roller R can be replaced with a new one by a simple work of relatively pulling out and inserting the rod 20, so that the replacement work can be performed extremely easily and the work efficiency can be improved.
Further, since the first base member Ba remains attached to the case body 10, it does not adversely affect the case body 10, and the durability can be improved accordingly.

  Further, since the rod 20 can be pulled out and locked by the lock mechanism 40 by pushing and releasing the push button of the push button body 45, the operability is extremely improved. Further, since the pulling-out of the rod 20 is normally locked, the rod 20 is not easily pulled out, the second base member Bb is securely held with respect to the first base member Ba, and the roller R is used. It can be used for.

  In the above-described embodiment, the lock mechanism 40 is configured such that the moving rod 42 is moved forward and backward by the cam 47 so that the push button body 45 can be pushed and the lock can be released when necessary. However, the present invention is not limited to this. However, instead of using the cam 47, the movable rod 42 is directly moved, or instead of the movable rod 42, a ball that engages with the groove 22 of the rod 20 is provided, and this ball is urged by the coil spring. It may be appropriately modified, for example, by using a so-called click mechanism that engages with the groove 22 and releases the engagement of the rod 20 against the biasing force of the coil spring when the rod 20 is pulled out.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the caster C is attached to the case body 10 of the suitcase S has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any attachment object may be used. Of course good things.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art can easily make many modifications to these exemplary embodiments without substantially departing from the novel teachings and effects of the present invention. And many of these changes are within the scope of the invention.

C caster S Suitcase 10 Case body (attachment target)
11 Handle B Base Member Ba First Base Member Bb Second Base Member
R roller 20 rod 21 cover portion 22 groove 23 mounting portion 30 bearing portion 31 bearing hole 32 sliding surface 33 sliding surface 34 thrust washer 40 locking mechanism 41 lateral hole 41a opening 42 moving rod 42a knob 43 opening 44 vertical hole 45 push button Body 46 Cam follower 47 Cam 48 Coil spring 49 Stopper 50 Shaft body 51 Columnar space 52 Cylindrical member 53 Long hole 54 Coil spring 55 Sliding member P1 Central axis P2 of bearing hole Central axis P3 Columnar axis P3 Shaft axis (roller (Axis of rotation)

Claims (7)

In a caster including a base member attached to an attachment target and a roller rotatably provided on the base member,
The base member includes a first base member attached to the attachment target and a second base member supporting the roller,
A rod is projectingly provided on the first base member, the second base member has a central axis orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the roller, and the rod is relatively insertable and withdrawable. A caster having a lock mechanism that forms a bearing portion having a bearing hole that is movably supported, and that allows the rod to rotate when the rod is inserted and locks the pullout so that the pullout can be released.   A ring-shaped sliding surface is formed on the opening peripheral edge of the bearing hole of the bearing portion, while the sliding surface is in sliding contact with the base end portion of the rod when the rod rotates, and The caster according to claim 1, wherein a ring-shaped sliding surface that jointly receives a load is formed.   The caster according to claim 2, wherein a thrust washer made of resin is interposed between the sliding surface and the sliding surface.   A groove is formed on the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the rod, and the lock mechanism is formed in a lateral hole that is provided in a constituent member of the second base member and that is orthogonal to the central axis of the bearing hole and opens into the bearing hole. Is provided with a movable rod that is capable of advancing and retreating in the lateral hole and that engages with the groove of the rod when the distal end advances and withdraws from the groove when retracting, and is provided in the constituent member of the second base member and is orthogonal to the lateral hole. Along the way, a horizontal hole is opened to form a vertical hole having an opening on the outside.In the vertical hole, a push button body having an upper end protruding from the opening and capable of moving the vertical hole up and down is provided at the base end of the moving rod. A cam follower is provided, and the movable rod is retracted to the lower end side of the push button body through the cam follower when the push button body is moved downward by the push button, and the movable rod is advanced through the cam follower when the push button body is moved upward. Cam A coil spring for constantly urging the push button body in the upward movement direction is interposed between the bottom surface of the vertical hole and the lower end of the push button body, and the movement of the push button body is stopped when the push button body moves upward. The caster according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the caster is provided with a stopper.   5. The pair of rollers are provided, and the pair of rollers are independently rotatably supported at both ends of a shaft body supported by the second base member. Castors on the crab.   The second base member is provided with a tubular member having a columnar space having a central axis that is on the same cross section as the central axis of the bearing hole and is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the central axis of the bearing hole. The shaft member through the cylindrical member so that the axis of the shaft member is orthogonal to the central axis of the columnar space, the cylindrical member allows the shaft member to move back and forth in a direction along the central axis of the columnar space. The caster according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a long hole for supporting is provided, and a coil spring for constantly urging the shaft body in the advancing direction is provided in the columnar space. In a suitcase with multiple casters attached to the case body as the attachment target,
A suitcase having the caster according to any one of claims 1 to 6 attached thereto.