JPH04287704A - Height adjusting system for caster section - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a caster section height adjusting system capable of resolving the nonuniformity of the lock state and having excellent workability by vertically moving a caster supported with a wheel on a caster shaft screwed to a frame for height adjustment. CONSTITUTION:A height adjusting nut 3 is integrally provided on the caster shaft 4 of a caster 1, and a nut rotation stop plate 11 with a coupling piece 13 coupled with the outer shape of the nut 3 and a spring 12 exciting the plate 11 in the direction apart from a frame 5 are inserted between the frame 5 of a device and the nut 3 to constitute a caster height adjusting system. End sections of the spring 12 are hooked on the frame 5 and the plate 11 respectively. The caster shaft 4 supports a wheel and is screwed to the frame 5.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a caster height adjustment mechanism that adjusts the height of a caster by vertically moving a caster having a wheel supported on a caster shaft screwed into a frame.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 is a front view showing a conventional caster height adjustment mechanism. In the figure, 1 is a caster and 2 is a locking nut. The caster 1 is constructed by supporting a wheel 7 on a caster shaft 4 integrally equipped with a height adjustment nut 3, and the caster shaft 4 is screwed into a nut-like member 6 fixed to a frame 5 of the device. There is. The lock nut 2 is for locking the caster 1 in a predetermined position in the vertical direction, and is screwed onto the caster shaft 4.

When adjusting the height, loosen the lock nut 2 as shown by the chain line, apply a wrench to the height adjustment nut 3, rotate the caster shaft 4, and lock when the desired height is obtained. Tighten the nut 2 to lock the caster 1.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in this conventional method, it is difficult to make the tightening torque of the lock nut uniform due to the influence of the accuracy of each threaded portion, the operator, the type of tool used, etc. If the tightening torque is weak, the locking nut will begin to loosen due to vibrations during transportation, and if it is too strong, the locking nut may be difficult to turn when adjusting the height.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a caster height adjustment mechanism that can solve the problem of uneven locking and has excellent workability.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a height adjustment system for adjusting the height of a caster by moving up and down a caster which is formed by supporting a wheel on a caster shaft screwed into a frame. In the height adjustment mechanism, a height adjustment nut is integrally provided on the caster shaft, and a nut rotation prevention plate having an engagement piece that engages with an outer shape of the nut is provided between the frame and the nut; The structure is characterized in that a spring is inserted to bias the plate in a direction away from the frame, and each end of the spring is locked to the frame and the plate, respectively.

[0007]

[Operation] The plate is biased by the spring and comes into contact with the nut, and the engaging piece engages with the outer shape of the nut.Moreover, each end of the spring is locked to the frame and plate, so it does not rotate. . Therefore, the plate does not rotate either, and the caster shaft, that is, the caster, is securely locked. Moreover, the lock state is made uniform.

When adjusting the height, the plate is pushed up against the urging force of the spring to separate the engagement piece from the outer shape of the nut, and in this state, a wrench is applied to the nut to rotate the caster shaft in a predetermined direction. As a result, the caster shaft screwed into the frame moves upward or downward. When the caster shaft moves a predetermined amount and the height adjustment is completed, when the plate is released from being pushed up, the plate is lowered by the biasing force of the spring and comes into contact with the nut, and the engagement piece engages with the outer shape of the nut. Each end of the spring is locked to the frame and plate, so the plate does not rotate.
The casters are securely locked when the height adjustment is completed. This adjustment work is extremely easy and the locking state is uniform.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the caster height adjustment mechanism of this example. In the figure, 11 is a rotation prevention plate and 12 is a spring. Each of these members is inserted into the caster shaft 4 between the nut 3 and the frame 5. Note that the same reference numerals are used for the same constituent members as in the prior art.

The plate 11 is integrally provided with an engaging piece 13 that engages with the outer shape of the nut 3. The spring 12 is
The plate 11 is urged downward (in the direction away from the frame 5). The upper end 12a of the spring 12 is engaged with the frame 5, and the lower end 12b is engaged with the plate 11, thereby restricting rotation of the plate 11.

The caster height adjustment mechanism of this example is constructed as described above, and the plate 11 urged by the spring 12 comes into contact with the upper surface of the nut 3, and the engaging piece 13 is moved as shown in FIG. Since the spring 1 is engaged with the outer shape of the nut 3 (one side of the hexagonal shape), even if vibration occurs when transporting or moving a device with casters attached, the spring 1
2. The plate 11 does not rotate and the caster shaft 4 is securely locked. Reference numeral 14 shown in FIG. 3 is a hole provided in the plate 11 for locking the tip of the spring, and a similar hole is also provided in the frame 5.

When adjusting the height, from the left end state (locked state) in FIG. 2, the plate 11 is pushed up against the biasing force of the spring 12 to separate the engagement piece 13 from the outer shape of the nut 3. The center of FIG. 2 shows this state. In this state, when a wrench is applied to the nut 3 and the caster shaft 4 is rotated in a predetermined direction, the caster shaft 4 screwed into the frame 5 side moves downward (or upward). When the caster shaft 4 has moved a predetermined amount and the height adjustment has been completed, the plate 1
When the push-up of the plate 1 is released, the plate 11 is lowered by the biasing force of the spring 12 and comes into contact with the nut 3, and the engagement piece 13 engages with the outer shape of the nut 3, completing the height adjustment. Note that in order for the engagement piece 13 to engage with the outer shape of the nut 3, it is necessary to rotate the caster shaft 4 a little. The right end of FIG. 2 shows this state, where a is the height adjustment amount. In this state, the spring 12 and plate 11 do not rotate, and the caster shaft 4 is securely locked. This adjustment work is extremely easy, and the lock state is uniform. Also, the structure is simple, just by providing a plate 11 and a spring 12 instead of the conventional lock nut.

[0014]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a caster portion height adjustment mechanism that can uniformize the locking state and has excellent workability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a caster height adjustment mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a caster part height adjustment procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the engagement state between the engagement piece of the plate and the outer shape of the nut according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a conventional caster height adjustment mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Caster 3 Height adjustment nut 4 Caster shaft 5 Frame 11　　　Preventing plate 12 Spring 13 Engagement piece

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A caster part height adjustment mechanism that adjusts the height by vertically moving a caster (1) having a wheel supported on a caster shaft (4) screwed into a frame (5), wherein the caster Height adjustment nut (3) on shaft (4)
and a nut rotation prevention plate (11) having an engaging piece (13) that engages with the outer shape of the nut (3) between the frame (5) and the nut (3).
) and a spring (12) that biases the plate (11) in a direction away from the frame (5),
Each end of the spring (12) is connected to the frame (5).
and the plate (11), respectively.