JP3987292B2 - Fall prevention device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an overturn prevention device for preventing an overturn of a vertical type apparatus, such as an image forming apparatus, a paper feeding apparatus, and an OA apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a tipping prevention device for preventing a tipping in a vertical device having a height higher than a horizontal width, such as an image forming device, a paper feeding device, and an OA device. As shown in FIG. 16, the overturn prevention device 2 is attached to the bottom of a device 1 having an image forming apparatus 1a, a paper feeding device 1b, and casters 1c as legs. The overturn prevention device 2 is fixed so that the amount of protrusion from the side surface of the device 1 to the tip thereof is L, and the overturning proof strength for preventing the overturn of the device 1 is constant.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described overturn prevention device 2, since the protrusion amount L is fixed, the overturning strength is constant. For example, when another image forming apparatus is placed on the paper feeding device 1 b, the weight of the device 1, There is a problem that when the total height, the center of gravity, etc. change, the device 1 cannot be prevented from falling. In addition, since the protruding amount L is fixed, the device 1 cannot be installed exactly on the wall, and there is a problem that the installation space becomes larger than when only the device 1 is installed.
[0004]
Further, since the overturn prevention device 2 protrudes from the device 1, the packaging box 3 becomes significantly larger than the size of the paper feeding device 1b when packaging the paper feeding device 1b as shown in FIG. 17, for example. In addition to the problem that the handleability deteriorates, the problem that it is difficult to move when the floor surface is uneven, the operator or the pedestrian, etc. get caught in the fall prevention member 2 There is a problem.
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and to provide an easy-to-use overturn prevention device that can be applied to a plurality of image forming apparatuses.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is a fall prevention device disposed on the bottom surface of a device having a leg portion on the bottom surface facing the floor surface, and is provided to be rotatable about a support shaft of the leg portion. And a fall prevention member having a shape obtained by integrating two curved sectors having different shapes with the support shaft as a top .
[0006]
The invention according to claim 2 is the fall prevention device disposed on the bottom surface of the device having the leg portion on the bottom surface opposed to the floor surface, and rotates around the support shaft disposed between the leg portions. It has a fall prevention member which is provided so as to be movable and has a shape obtained by integrating two curved fan shapes having different shapes with the support shaft as a top .
[0007]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the fall prevention device according to the first or second aspect, the fall prevention member can be temporarily fixed at an arbitrary rotational position .
[0008]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the fall prevention device according to the third aspect , the fall prevention member rotates when an external force of a predetermined value or more is applied.
[0009]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fall prevention device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the fall prevention member is not in contact with the floor surface .
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the device 4 includes an image forming apparatus 4a and a paper feeding device 4b disposed below the image forming apparatus 4a. Casters 4e as legs are respectively attached to the four corners of the bottom surface 4c of the paper feeding device 4b via support shafts 4d.
[0017]
A fall prevention member 5 that constitutes a fall prevention device together with the spindle 4d is disposed above each caster 4d on the caster 4e mounting position. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the overturn prevention member 5 has a curved fan shape, which is a shape obtained by dividing a faced bowl into four parts, and its top 5a is rotatably supported by a support shaft 4d. ing. As shown in FIG. 1, each fall prevention member 5 is supported at a position that maintains a distance D with respect to the floor surface 6.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 4, each of the overturn prevention members 5 is formed in a size that is hidden by the bottom surface 4c of the device 4 (sheet feeding device 4b), and is rotated in the direction of the arrow in the figure by a solid line. It occupies an arbitrary position between the functional position shown and the retracted position shown by the two-dot chain line. By placing each fall prevention member 5 at the functional position, each fall prevention member 5 protrudes from the side surface of the sheet feeding device 4b by the length indicated by the reference symbol L in FIG. The functional position is not limited to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 4, and may be a position where the fall prevention member 5 protrudes from the bottom surface 4 c.
[0019]
Further, by placing each fall prevention member 5 in the retracted position, all the fall prevention members 5 are hidden inside the bottom surface 4c, and when the sheet feeder 4b is stored in the packing box 7 as shown in FIG. 7, the same size as that of the sheet feeding device 4b can be used, and the handleability can be improved. Furthermore, by moving each device 4 with each fall-preventing member 5 placed in the retracted position, the device 4 can be moved in the same state as the state without the fall-preventing member 5, thereby preventing a decrease in mobility. it can. Moreover, when arrange | positioning the 1st surface, 2nd surface, or 3rd surface of the apparatus 4 along a wall surface, by putting the fall prevention member 5 of the part along a wall surface in a retreat position (it does not fall to the side along the wall surface). Therefore, the device 4 can be placed exactly on the wall surface, and the space can be used effectively.
[0020]
FIG. 6 shows a tipping prevention member 8 used in the second embodiment of the present invention. The fall prevention member 8 has a curved sector shape, which is a shape obtained by dividing the faced bowl into four parts, and has a shape in which the tops of two members having different diameters are integrally joined to each other, and supports the joint portion 8a. The shaft 4d is rotatably supported. Each fall prevention member 8 is supported at a position that maintains a distance D with respect to the floor surface 6, similarly to the fall prevention member 5.
[0021]
By using such a fall prevention member 8, as shown in FIGS. 6 (a), (b), (c), and (d), the amount of protrusion from the side surface of the sheet feeding device 4b is set to L1 or L2 for each side surface. In addition, the protruding area of the fall prevention member 8 can be changed, and the fall prevention effect according to the shape or arrangement position of the device 4 can be obtained.
[0022]
7 and 8 show the overturn preventing member 9 used in the third embodiment of the present invention. The fall prevention member 9 has three curved sector members 9a, 9b, 9c each having a curved sector shape and different diameters, and each curved sector member 9a, 9b, 9c has its top portion as a support shaft 4d. It is supported rotatably. Each curved fan-shaped member 9 a, 9 b, 9 c is supported at a position that maintains a distance D with respect to the floor surface 6, similarly to the fall prevention member 5.
[0023]
By using such a fall prevention member 9, as shown in FIG. 8, the amount of protrusion from the side surface of the sheet feeding device 4b can be changed to L3, L4, L5 for each of the curved sector members 9a, 9b, 9c. In addition, the protrusion area of the overturn prevention member 8 can be changed, and the overturn prevention effect according to the shape or arrangement position of the device 4 can be obtained. Further, each of the curved sector members 9a, 9b, 9c can be placed at a position hidden inside the bottom surface 4c as shown in FIG. 7, thereby obtaining the same effects as those of the first embodiment. In addition, in this embodiment, although the thing which has three curved sector members 9a, 9b, 9c was shown as the fall prevention apparatus 9, the number of curved sector members is not limited to this, Two or more Any number may be used as long as there are multiple.
[0024]
In the first to third embodiments described above, the fall prevention members 5, 8, and 9 are rotatably supported by the support shaft 4d, and the fall prevention members 5, 8, and 9 are fixed at the functional positions. There is no means to do. When fixing each fall prevention member 5, 8, 9 at an arbitrary position of the functional position, a hole is formed in each fall prevention member 5, 8, 9 and a tap is formed on the bottom surface 4 c, and each fall prevention member 5 , 8 and 9 need to be screwed. Therefore, a configuration that can be fixed at an arbitrary position without screwing the tipping prevention member will be described below as a fourth embodiment.
[0025]
9 and 10 show a tipping prevention member 10 used in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fall prevention member 10 includes a curved sector member 10a having a curved sector shape, a ball 10b, and a compression spring 10c.
The curved fan-shaped member 10a is rotatably supported by the support shaft 4d at a portion closer to the top than the center thereof, and five holes 10d are formed in the vicinity of the top, and the center hole 10d and the support shaft 4d are formed. A hole 10e having the same shape as the hole 10d is formed at a position opposed to each other. The curved fan-shaped member 10 a is supported at a position that maintains a distance D with respect to the floor surface 6.
The ball 10b is formed in a size that can be fitted into the holes 10d and 10e, and the ball 10b is attached to the other end of the compression spring 10c having one end attached to the bottom surface 4c. The ball 10b and the compression spring 10c constitute a click stop mechanism.
[0026]
By using such a fall-preventing member 10, the fall-preventing member 10 can be temporarily fixed at the functional position without screwing by fitting any of the holes 10d with the ball 10b. By fitting the hole 10e and the ball 10b, the fall prevention member 10 can be temporarily fixed at the retracted position. Thereby, the protrusion amount and the protrusion direction of the fall prevention member 10 according to the shape and installation state of the device 4 can be easily set, and the usability is improved. In this configuration, when the fall prevention member 10 is provisionally fixed at the functional position, by adjusting the spring constant of the compression spring 10c, when an operator, a pedestrian, etc. hooks his / her foot on the fall prevention member The fall-preventing member can be easily rotated, and it is possible to prevent injuries and falls caused by catching a foot on the fall-preventing member.
[0027]
11 and 12 show a tipping prevention member 11 used in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fall prevention member 11 includes a curved sector member 11a having a curved sector shape, a pin 11b, a compression spring 11c, and a torsion coil spring 11d.
The curved fan-shaped member 11a is rotatably supported by the support shaft 4d at a portion closer to the top than the center, and a hole 11e is formed in the vicinity of the top. The curved fan-shaped member 11 a is supported at a position that maintains a distance D with respect to the floor surface 6.
[0028]
The pin 11b is formed to have a thickness that can be fitted into the hole 11e, and is disposed in a hole (not shown) drilled in the bottom surface 4c. The tip of the pin 11b is rounded so that it can be easily fitted into the hole 11e, and the pin 11b fitted into the hole 11e is placed upward in the vicinity of the tip while regulating the fitting depth of the pin 11b with respect to the hole 11e. A handle 11f for lifting is integrally formed. The compression spring 11c is interposed around the pin 11b and between the bottom surface 4c and the handle 11f. The torsion coil spring 11d is disposed around the support shaft 4d, and has one end fixed to the bottom surface 4c and the other end fixed to the top surface of the curved sector member 11a.
[0029]
By using such a fall-preventing member 11, each curved sector member 11 a is placed in a retracted position against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 11 d as in FIG. 5, and the device 4 is packed in the packing box 7. When taken out, each curved sector member 11a is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 12 by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 11d, and each pin 11b is fitted into each hole 11e. Is positioned at the functional position. Thereby, installation of the apparatus 4 can be facilitated.
[0030]
In each of the first to fifth embodiments described above, each of the fall prevention members 5, 8, 9, 10, and 11 is rotatably supported on the support shaft 4d of the caster 4e that is the leg portion of the device 4. However, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, other support shafts 12 are disposed between the support shafts 4d, and the overturn prevention members 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 are provided on the support shaft 12, respectively. You may employ | adopt the structure which supports these so that rotation is possible. With this configuration, the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained.
[0031]
In each of the first to fifth embodiments described above, the amount of protrusion of each fall prevention member 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 from the side surface of the device 4 (sheet feeding device 4b) is set to L, L1, L2, and so on. Although L3, L4, and L5 are used, as shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C, based on the weight, total height, center of gravity, and the like of the image forming apparatus 4a and the sheet feeding apparatus 4b that constitute the device 4. Easiness of the device 4 to fall (the larger the arrow in the figure, the easier it is to fall) A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, depending on the projection amount L6, L7, L8, L9, L10, L11 That's fine.
In each of the above-described embodiments, the image forming apparatus 4a and the sheet feeding device 4b are used as the devices 4. However, devices to which the present invention can be applied are not limited thereto.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, as a fall prevention device for preventing the device from toppling over, a device having a fall prevention member that is provided so as to be rotatable about a support shaft is used, so that the fall prevention member is placed inside the bottom surface of the device. By placing it in a hidden position, it is possible to use a packing box that is approximately the same size as the device when packing the device, and to improve handling. Furthermore, the device can be moved in the same state as the state without the fall-preventing member by moving the device with the fall-preventing member placed in a position hidden inside the bottom surface of the device, thereby preventing a decrease in mobility. Can do. In addition, when one, two, or three sides of the device are arranged along the wall surface, the device is placed on the wall surface by placing the fall prevention member along the wall surface in a position hidden inside the bottom surface of the device. And can be used effectively.
[0033]
Moreover, the amount of protrusion of the fall prevention member from the side surface of the device is changed for each side surface by using a shape that integrates two curved sectors having different shapes with the support shaft as the top as the fall prevention member. In addition, it is possible to change the protruding area of the fall prevention member, and to obtain the fall prevention effect according to the shape or arrangement position of the device.
Moreover, by using a member having a plurality of curved fan-shaped members with the support shaft at the top as a tipping prevention member, it is possible to improve handling, prevent deterioration of mobility, effectively use space, and according to the shape or arrangement position of equipment. A plurality of operational effects such as a fall prevention effect can be obtained.
[0034]
In addition, by allowing the fall prevention member to be temporarily fixed at an arbitrary rotation position, it is possible to easily set the projection amount and the projection direction of the fall prevention member according to the shape and installation status of the device, and the usability is improved. . In this configuration, the fall prevention member can be easily rotated when an operator, a pedestrian, or the like hooks his / her foot on the fall prevention member by being configured to be rotatable when an external force of a predetermined value or more is applied to the fall prevention member. Injuries and falls caused by hooking a foot on the fall prevention member can be prevented. In addition, it is easy to install equipment by adding a turning habit around the center of rotation of the anti-tip member, and the anti-tip member automatically protrudes when the equipment is unpacked. can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an image forming apparatus and a paper feeding apparatus adopting a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the front side of the tipping prevention member used in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the back side of the fall prevention member used in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the sheet feeding device for explaining the overturn preventing member used in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the paper feeding device in a packed state according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a fall prevention member used in a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a partial front view of a paper feeding device for explaining a fall prevention member used in a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a partial bottom view of a sheet feeding device for explaining a fall prevention member used in a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a partial front view of a paper feeding device for explaining a fall prevention member used in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a partial bottom view of a sheet feeding device for explaining a fall prevention member used in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a partial front view of a sheet feeding device for explaining a fall prevention member used in a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a partial bottom view of a sheet feeding device for explaining a fall prevention member used in a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a sheet feeding device for explaining another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a partial front view of a sheet feeding device for explaining another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining a protrusion amount of a fall prevention member used in each embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a schematic view for explaining problems of a conventional overturn preventing member.
FIG. 17 is a schematic view for explaining problems of a conventional overturn preventing member.
[Explanation of symbols]
4 Equipment 4c Bottom surface 4d, 12 Support shaft 4e Leg (caster)
5, 8, 9, 10, 11 Fall prevention member 6 Floor surface

Claims (5)

A fall prevention device disposed on the bottom surface of the device having legs on the bottom surface facing the floor surface,
A fall-preventing member comprising a fall-preventing member provided so as to be rotatable about a support shaft of the leg portion, and having a shape obtained by integrating two curved sectors having different shapes with the support shaft as a top portion. apparatus. A fall prevention device disposed on the bottom surface of the device having legs on the bottom surface facing the floor surface,
It has a fall prevention member which is provided so as to be rotatable around a support shaft disposed between the legs, and which has a shape obtained by integrating two curved sectors having different shapes with the support shaft as a top. A fall prevention device. The fall prevention device according to claim 1 or 2,
The fall prevention device, wherein the fall prevention member can be temporarily fixed at an arbitrary rotation position . The fall prevention device according to claim 3 ,
The fall prevention device, wherein the fall prevention member rotates when an external force of a predetermined value or more is applied. In the fall prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The fall prevention device, wherein the fall prevention member is in non-contact with the floor surface .

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