JP5850622B2 - Trolley coupling device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a dolly connecting apparatus that is arranged between dollys such as a simple dolly called a dolly and connects two dollys.

  A simple cart called a dolly cart has a structure in which casters are attached to the lower surface of a base portion on which a distribution container is placed (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Dolly carts are usually used to move multiple carts carrying logistics containers at the same time. Therefore, a device has been devised in which the carts are connected and moved together. In this case, two types of locking tools that lock each other are provided on the opposing edges of the base portion (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP-A-8-276847 JP-A-10-980 JP 2000-127980 A

Since the trolleys are usually handled and arranged randomly, the conventional trolleys need to consider the direction of the trolleys when they are connected, and the work is complicated.
Also, in retail stores and the like, after unpacking the distribution container and taking out the contents, there was no place for the distribution container and it was placed on the floor. In particular, since the work is performed in the passage between the product shelves, there is a problem that the movement between the product shelves and the work efficiency are deteriorated.

  Also, in linen transport vehicles such as hospitals, a device for connecting carts having different functions using vertical pipes has been devised, but since vertical pipes are essential, they could not be applied to carts (Patent Document 3). ).

  Therefore, in the present invention, since a locking tool that can be locked to the peripheral portion of the carriage is provided at the peripheral portion of the connecting flat plate, the connecting flat plate is arranged between the carts so that the two carts can be easily connected. The device can be configured.

In other words, the present invention is an apparatus for connecting a cart in which a caster is attached to the lower surface of a base portion, and is configured as follows.
(1) A gap is formed along the edge of both long sides or both short sides at the periphery of a rectangular or square connecting flat plate .
(2) On the connecting flat plate, a locking tool that can be locked to the peripheral edge of the base portion is provided on the gap side .
(3) When the two connecting carts are arranged apart from each other, the connecting flat plate is arranged in the gap so that the locking tool can be connected to the peripheral portion of the base of the cart. .
(4) A substantially inverted U-shaped fence member opened downward is provided on the upper surface of the connecting flat plate and around the opposite side edge.
(5) When the other connecting devices are stacked from above, the fence member is inserted into the gap between the upper connecting devices so that the connecting flat plates of both connecting devices can be brought close to each other.

According to another aspect of the present invention , there is provided an apparatus for connecting a cart in which a caster is attached to the lower surface of the base portion, and is configured as follows.
(1) The base is formed in a planar rectangle having a short side and a long side.
(2) Form a gap along the edge of both long sides at the peripheral edge of the rectangular connecting flat plate.
(3) A locking tool that can be locked to either the long side or the short side of the base is provided on both long sides of the connecting flat plate.
(4) When the two connecting carts are arranged apart from each other, the connecting flat plate is arranged in the gap so that the locking tool can be connected to the peripheral portion of the base of the cart. .
(5) A substantially inverted U-shaped fence member opened downward is provided on the upper surface of the connecting flat plate and around the opposite side edge.
(6) When the other connecting devices are stacked from above, the fence material is inserted into the gap between the upper connecting devices so that the connecting flat plates of both connecting devices can be brought close to each other.

Furthermore, in the above, the carriage connecting apparatus is characterized in that a fence member is erected on the upper surface of the connecting flat plate and around the opposite side edge and configured as follows .
(1) The fence member has a substantially inverted U shape with an open bottom, and has a top piece and a hypotenuse, and a reinforcing member is constructed and fixed between the hypotenuses.
(2) A gap is formed in each of the opposing side edges of the connecting flat plate along the side edges.
(3) The fence member of another connecting device can be inserted into the gap, and at this time, the top piece of the fence member of the other connecting device is configured to be able to contact the reinforcing member of the fence member. .

  In addition, the structure of the locking device of the connection device in the above is arbitrary as long as it can be locked to the peripheral portion of the carriage to be used, and can be appropriately selected depending on the structure of the carriage.

Since the present invention is configured by providing a locking tool at the peripheral edge of the connecting flat plate, the connecting flat plate can be inserted between the two carts to connect the carts. In addition, it is not necessary when unpacking the logistics container at a retail store, especially when the logistics container is placed on the cart, because it is possible to put things on the connecting flat plate while coupled to the cart. A logistics container can be placed on a connecting flat plate.
Further, since only the connecting flat plate is configured, the unnecessary carts are vertically held and the connecting flat plates are also stacked at the same time, so that it is possible to improve the efficiency of the work using the distribution container on the cart as a whole.
Further, when the fence member is provided on the connecting flat plate, it is possible to work orderly without dropping the unnecessary distribution container or the like placed on the connecting flat plate.
Further, when the fence member is provided in the opening provided in the connecting flat plate, a plurality of connecting devices can be nested even when the fence member is provided.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a truck coupling device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a front view, FIG. 1B is a side view, FIG. 1C is a plan view, and FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1C, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 2C is a perspective view of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the AA line | wire by a figure, (d) is the C section enlarged part of (b). FIGS. 3A and 3B are views for explaining the connection of the bogie connection device of the present invention. FIGS. 3A and 3B are before connection, FIG. 3A is a side view, FIG. 3B is a front view, and FIGS. Similarly, after connection, (c) is a side view, (d) is a front view, and (e) is a plan view. 4A and 4B are perspective views showing (a) before connection and (b) after connection. 5A is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 3E, FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the E portion of FIG. 3A, and FIG. 5C is a perspective view broken along the DD line. (D) is the F section enlarged view of (c). 6A and 6B are views after connection in another connection state, where FIG. 6A is a side view, FIG. 6B is a front view, FIG. 6C is a plan view, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a usage example of the connected state of FIG. 6, and (a) and (b) are perspective views. FIG. 8 is a nesting state of the carriage, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a plan view. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line GG in FIG. 8A, and FIG. 9B is a perspective view broken along the line GG. 10A and 10B are perspective views of the nesting state.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1. Applicable cart 1

(1) A cart 1 that uses this connecting device is configured by attaching casters 12 and 12 to the four corners of the lower surface of a flat rectangular base 3 (FIGS. 4A and 3A).

(2) The base unit 3 is configured as follows. L-shaped steel materials (long side) 4, 4 composed of vertical pieces 5 and horizontal pieces 6, L-shaped steel materials (short side) 7, 7 composed of vertical pieces 8 and horizontal pieces 9 are assembled into a rectangular shape on a plane, The vertical pieces 5, 5, 8, 8 are positioned on the outer periphery, and the horizontal pieces 6, 9 are positioned at the lower ends on the inner peripheral sides of the vertical pieces 5, 8. Auxiliary plates 11 are attached to the long side L-shaped steel materials 4 and 4 along the inside. The auxiliary plate 11 is formed with a rib in the length direction, and the lower surface thereof is supported by the horizontal piece 6 of the L-shaped steel material 4 on the long side and the horizontal piece 9 of the L-shaped steel material 7 on the short side. The length of the long side of the base unit 3 is L ₀₁ , and the length of the short side is L ₀₂ .
Accordingly, the vertical pieces 5 and 8 of the L-shaped steel materials 4 and 7 are arranged on the peripheral edge of the base portion 3 of the carriage 1, and the vertical pieces 5 and 8 constitute a locked tool.

(3) In addition, the cart 1 holds the logistics container 51 by inserting the bottoms of various logistics containers 51 inside the vertical pieces 5 and 8 of the base 3 and receiving them with the auxiliary plates 11 and 11. To do. Normally, a large number of distribution containers 51, 51 can be stacked one above the other on the distribution container 51 held on the cart 1, and a large number of distribution containers 51, 51 can be transported by one cart 1.

(4) The cart 1 is a so-called dolly cart. However, even if it is a dolly cart other than the dolly cart, it can be used for carts of other structures as long as it has edges (vertical pieces 5 and 8) that can be locked when they are connected. Applicable (not shown).

2. Configuration of connecting device 40

(1) The rectangular pipe 21 is arranged on the short side and the L-shaped steel material 23 composed of the vertical piece 24 and the horizontal piece 25 is arranged on the long side to form a plane rectangular frame material. The L-shaped steel material 23 is arranged in a state where the vertical piece 24 is positioned on the outer periphery and the horizontal piece 25 is continuously provided on the upper edge of the vertical piece 24, and at the corner of the frame material, A horizontal piece 25 of the shape steel material 23 is placed and fixed.
A flat plate 27 is installed between the center portions of the short side pipes 21 and 21. Between the edge 28 on the long side of the flat plate 27 and the edge of the horizontal piece 25 of the L-shaped steel material 23, along the L-shaped steel material 23 in the long-side direction of the frame material (= in the long-side direction of the flat plate 27) The size and mounting position of the flat plate 27 are set so that a gap 29 is formed (along the edge 28). The connecting flat plate 20 is configured as described above. The long side length L ₁ of the connecting flat plate 20 is formed substantially the same as the long side length L ₀₁ of the base portion 3 of the carriage 1.

(2) On both long sides of the connecting flat plate 20, the locking tool 30 is fixed to the upper surface of the L-shaped steel material 23 (= the upper surface of the horizontal piece 25). The locking tool 30 is made of an L-shaped steel material including a vertical piece 31 and a horizontal piece 32, and the horizontal piece 32 is positioned on the upper surface of the horizontal piece 25 of the L-shaped steel materials 23 and 23 of the connecting flat plate 20. Is placed on the outside so that it faces downward. Accordingly, the vertical piece 31 of the locking tool 30 is located outside the vertical piece 24 of the L-shaped steel material 23 of the connecting flat plate 20, and the “vertical piece 31 of the L-shaped steel material of the locking tool 30” and “ An insertion gap 33 is formed between the vertical piece 24 ”of the L-shaped steel material 23”. The insertion gap 33 is formed with a width that allows the vertical pieces (locked members) 5 and 8 of the L-shaped steel materials 4 and 7 of the base portion 3 of the carriage 1 to be used to be inserted.
In addition, the latching tool 30 can also be attached so that the width | variety of the insertion gap 33 can be adjusted (not shown).

(3) The fence member 35 is formed by bending the square pipe 21 into an inverted U shape. The fence member 35 is provided with slant pieces 37, 37 that are substantially horizontal in the top piece 36, and extend downward on both sides of the top piece 36 so that the width is wider than the width of the top piece 36. Is bent substantially vertically to form a fixed portion 38. Further, a reinforcing member 39 is erected and fixed between the oblique pieces 37 and 37 at a slightly upper height substantially parallel to the top piece 36 (substantially horizontally). The fence member 35 is formed in such a size that an upper portion and an intermediate portion (a portion excluding the lower end portion of the slant piece 37 and the fixing portion 38) can be inserted into the gap 29 of the connecting flat plate 20.
Subsequently, the fixing portion 38 of the fence member 35 is inserted into the gap 29 of the connecting flat plate 20 so that the top piece 36 is positioned above the connecting flat plate 20. The fixing portion 38 is fixed to the inner surface of the square pipe 21 of the connecting flat plate 20. Further, the fence member 35 is erected substantially perpendicular to the connecting flat plate 20 (FIGS. 1B and 1C).
As described above, the coupling device 40 of the present invention is configured (FIG. 1).

3. Use of connecting device 40

(1) The first use state is a use state in which two carriages 1 and 1 are connected with their long sides (L-shaped steel materials 4 and 4 on the long sides) facing each other. Two carriages 1, 1 are arranged with their long sides facing each other and spaced apart from each other, and between the base parts 3, 3 of the two carriages 1, 1, the connecting flat plate 20 of the connecting device 40. Is inserted (FIGS. 4A, 3A and 3B). Then, the vertical pieces 5 of the base portion 3 of each carriage 1 are respectively inserted into the insertion gaps 33 of the locking tools 30 and 30 (FIGS. 5B and 5D). It connects (FIG. 4 (a) (b), FIG. 5 (a) (c), FIG.3 (c)-(e)). At this time, if the work is performed with the fence members 35 of the connecting device 40, the work efficiency is increased.
Similar to the use of the normal cart 1, the two carts 1, 1 can be moved simultaneously by stacking the distribution containers 51, 51 on the two carts 1, 1. Further, at this time, if the fence members 35 and 35 of the coupling device 40 are moved and moved, the distribution container 51 can be moved efficiently without imposing a burden. At this time, a transported object such as another physical distribution container 51 can be simultaneously placed on the connecting flat plate 20 of the connecting device 40 (not shown).
Further, not only one carriage 1 and 1 can be connected, but similarly, if the connecting devices 40 and 40 are provided between the carriages 1 and 1, three or more cars can be connected (not shown).
In addition, since the long side length L ₁ of the connecting flat plate 20 is formed substantially the same as the long side length L ₀₁ of the base part 3 of the carriage 1, the short side of the base part 3 of the carriages 1 and 1. Since the side and the short side of the connecting flat plate 20 of the connecting device 40 are aligned substantially in a straight line (FIG. 3 (e), FIG. 4 (b)). When the short side is attached to the wall, it fits well.

(2) When this connected cart 40 is applied to a collapsible logistics container 51, for example, a logistics container 51 packed with products for a retail store, the logistics container 51, Carriages 1 and 1 on which 51 is placed are arranged (FIG. 3A). Therefore, the distribution container 51 is opened, the products inside are taken out and arranged on the product shelf. Then, the empty distribution container 51 is folded and stood on the connecting flat plate 20 of the connecting device 40 (FIG. 3C). The folded distribution containers 51A and 51A are sandwiched between the fence members 35 and 35 even when standing upright, so that they do not fall down and scatter, and do not touch other unopened distribution containers 51, and can be stored stably. Is done. Therefore, there is no possibility that the distribution containers 51A and 51A folded in the passage and the empty containers before folding are scattered.
When the work is finished, the connecting device (accommodating the folded distribution container) 40 is connected to the empty carts 1 and 1 as they are. It is also possible to lift the connecting device 40, disconnect the empty carts 1 and 1, stack the two carts 1 and 1 up and down, place the connecting device 40 thereon, and remove them together. Yes (not shown).

(3) Next, as a second use state, a use state in which the two carriages 1 and 1 are connected with the short side L-shaped steel materials 7 and 7 facing each other will be described. The two carts 1 and 1 are arranged with the short L-shaped steel materials 7 and 7 facing each other and spaced apart, and a connecting plate of the connecting device is inserted between the bases of the two carts. Then, the vertical pieces 8 and 8 of the base portion 3 of the carriage 1 are inserted into the insertion gap 33 of the locking tool 30 (see FIGS. 5B and 5D), and the two carriages are connected (see FIG. 6 (a)-(d)).
In this case, if a container 53 opened upward is placed on the connecting flat plate 2, it can be used as a trash box into which trash generated at the time of opening work is placed, for example (FIG. 7A). Further, when an empty cardboard 54 is generated during the opening operation, the cardboard 54 can be placed on the connecting flat plate 2 (FIG. 7B).
Other specific uses are the same as those in the first use state.

(4) Further, in the first use state and the second use state, the distribution containers 51 and 51 are placed only on one connected cart 1 and the distribution container 51 is not placed on the other cart 1 (empty In this state, after the logistics container 51 is taken out from one cart 1 and unpacked, the unpacked logistics container can be placed on the other empty cart 1 ( Not shown). In this case, in particular, when the unfoldable distribution container 51 is used, the correspondence between the loaded distribution container 51 and the empty distribution container to be carried out becomes clear, and work efficiency can be improved.

(5) Next, nesting of the empty coupling device 40 will be described (FIGS. 8 to 10).
When the other coupling device 40A is lowered from above the empty coupling device 40, the fence member 35 of the lower coupling device 40 passes through the gap 29A of the upper coupling device 40A and is coupled to the upper coupling device 40A. The flat plate 20 </ b> A can be brought close to the lower connecting flat plate 20. The upper surface of the top piece 36 of the lower connecting device 40 hits the lower surface of the reinforcing member 39 of the fence member 35 of the upper connecting device 40, and the further dropping of the upper connecting device 40A is restricted (FIG. 9 ( a) (b), nesting is possible (FIG. 8).
Further, the third connecting device 40B is further lowered from above the two nested connecting devices 40, 40A, and the fence members 35, 35A of the lower connecting devices 40, 40A are placed in the gaps 29B, 29B of the connecting device 40B. By inserting (FIGS. 10A and 10B), the three coupling devices 40, 40A, and 40B can be nested. Furthermore, four or more connecting devices can be nested (not shown).

4). Other embodiments

(1) In the said embodiment, although the latching tool (L-shaped steel material) was attached to the long side of the connection flat plate 20, it can also be attached to a short side or both a short side and a long side (FIG. Not shown).

(2) In the above embodiment, the gap 29 is formed on the long side of the connecting flat plate 20 and the fence member 35 is attached in the gap 29. However, the gap 29 is formed on the short side of the connecting flat plate 20. A fence member 35 can also be attached (not shown).
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the fence material 35 was attached in the gap | interval 29 in order to perform nesting, nesting can also be implement | achieved with the attachment structure of the other fence material 35 (not shown). For example, the upper side from the lower end portion of the fence member 35 is bent so as to be positioned outside the side of the connecting flat plate 20. If nesting is not performed, the attachment structure of the fence member 35 is arbitrary.

(3) Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure of the fence material 35 is arbitrary if it can stand up when accommodating a plate-shaped thing. Further, the fence member 35 can be omitted (not shown).

(4) Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the structure of the connection flat plate 20 formed the frame shape and provided the flat plate 27, the structure is arbitrary. Further, although the connecting flat plate 20 is rectangular, it may be other shapes such as a square or a circle (not shown).

(5) Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the latching tool used the L-shaped steel material and formed the insertion gap 33 between the outer peripheral surfaces of the connection flat plate 20, the vertical | vertical of the outer periphery of the trolley | bogie 1 was comprised. If it can latch to the pieces 5 and 8, it can also be set as another structure (not shown). Moreover, if it can latch with respect to the trolley | bogie 1 of another structure, it can also be set as the latching tool 30 of another structure (not shown).

(6) Further, in the above described embodiment, the long side _{L 1} of the connecting flat 20 of the coupling device 40, the long side _{L 01} of the base part 3 of the carriage 1 and was substantially the same, connecting the flat plate 20 of the coupling device 40 of the long sides L _1, it is also possible to short side L ₀₂ of the base part 3 of the carriage 1 and substantially the same (not shown). In this case, even in the second use state, the connecting flat plate 20 of the connecting device 40 does not protrude from the base portion 3 of the carriage 1 as shown in FIGS.

1 dolly 3 base 4 L-shaped steel (long side)
5 Long piece of L-shaped steel (long side) 6 Horizontal piece of L-shaped steel (long side) 7 L-shaped steel (short side)
8 Long piece of L-shaped steel (short side) 9 Horizontal piece of L-shaped steel (short side) 11 Auxiliary plate 12 Caster 20, 20A, 20B Connecting flat plate 21 Square pipe (short side)
22 Upper surface of square pipe (short side) 23 L-shaped steel (long side)
24 Vertical piece 25 of L-shaped steel (long side) 25 Horizontal pieces 27, 27A, 27B of L-shaped steel (long side) Flat plate 28 Edges 29, 29A, 29B of flat plate Gap (opening)
30, 30A, 30B Locking tool 31 Locking tool vertical piece 32 Locking tool horizontal piece 33 Insertion gap 35, 35A, 35B Fence material 36, 36A, 36B Fence material top piece 37, 37A, 37B Fence material The slant piece 38 of the fence material 39, 39A, 39B The reinforcement material 40, 40A, 40B of the fence material Connecting device 51 Logistic container 51A Folded logistics container 53 Container 54 Corrugated cardboard for packing

Claims (3)

An apparatus for connecting a cart, in which casters are attached to the lower surface of the base portion, and configured as follows.
(1) A gap is formed along the edge of both long sides or both short sides at the periphery of a rectangular or square connecting flat plate .
(2) On the connecting flat plate, a locking tool that can be locked to the peripheral edge of the base portion is provided on the gap side .
(3) When the two connecting carts are arranged apart from each other, the connecting flat plate is arranged in the gap so that the locking tool can be connected to the peripheral portion of the base of the cart. .
(4) A substantially inverted U-shaped fence member opened downward is provided on the upper surface of the connecting flat plate and around the opposite side edge.
(5) When the other connecting devices are stacked from above, the fence member is inserted into the gap between the upper connecting devices so that the connecting flat plates of both connecting devices can be brought close to each other. An apparatus for connecting a cart, in which casters are attached to the lower surface of the base portion, and configured as follows.
(1) The base is formed in a planar rectangle having a short side and a long side.
(2) A gap is formed along the edges of both long sides at the peripheral edge of the rectangular connecting flat plate .
(3) On both long sides of the connecting flat plate, a locking tool that can be locked to either the long side or the short side of the base is provided.
(4) When the two connecting carts are arranged apart from each other, the connecting flat plate is arranged in the gap so that the locking tool can be connected to the peripheral portion of the base of the cart. .
(5) A substantially inverted U-shaped fence member opened downward is provided on the upper surface of the connecting flat plate and around the opposite side edge.
(6) When the other connecting devices are stacked from above, the fence material is inserted into the gap between the upper connecting devices so that the connecting flat plates of both connecting devices can be brought close to each other. The trolley coupling device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a fence member is erected on the upper surface of the coupling flat plate and around the opposite side edge, and configured as follows .
(1) The fence member has a substantially inverted U shape with an open bottom, and has a top piece and a hypotenuse, and a reinforcing member is constructed and fixed between the hypotenuses.
(2) A gap is formed in each of the opposing side edges of the connecting flat plate along the side edges.
(3) The fence member of another connecting device can be inserted into the gap, and at this time, the top piece of the fence member of the other connecting device is configured to be able to contact the reinforcing member of the fence member. .

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