JPH1178903A - Drop moderating device and cart for step elevating vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrain a user from worrying or fearing about cart falling and suppress load falling down or others due to impact by cart falling. SOLUTION: A drop moderating device 8 is placed in a cart which goes up or down on an escalator and is equipped with a locking member 87 and a oil damper 81. The locking member 87 is linked with the cart to move relatively and vertically, and is locked to the upper part of a step when a wheel 55 falls from the upper part of the step. The oil damper 81 damps the speed of relative movement between a cart body and the locking member 87.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fall mitigation device for a vehicle with a step-up / down system, and more particularly to a fall mitigation device mounted on a cart that goes up and down with an escalator after entering an escalator used at an airport or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At the airport, a cart pushed by hand is prepared as an auxiliary tool for moving loads such as large trunks and bags. Aircraft passengers move around the airport with luggage in this cart. Since there are many escalators in the airport, it is convenient if cart users can use the escalator with the cart.

However, since the escalator is inclined from the middle and a step is generated between the steps, there is a possibility that the cart may fall during the inclination depending on the position of the cart on the escalator. In order to prevent this drop, a method of placing the cart in a safe position on the escalator is conceivable, but it is impractical to require a cart user to perform such an operation. Therefore, it can be said that the cart is inevitable to fall due to the structure of the escalator.

[0004] As means for suppressing the cart from falling, it is conceivable to provide a fall prevention member which can contact the step on the escalator when the cart is tilted on the escalator. In this way, even when the cart wheel falls on the rear end of the step and the cart falls when inclined,
The fall prevention member contacts the lower step, so that the cart can be prevented from dropping further.

A cart provided with such a fall prevention member is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-60576. Here, a front sliding portion having a step portion corresponding to the above-described fall prevention member is provided, and a friction engagement portion is provided at a lower portion of a center portion of the cart.

[0006]

By providing the cart with the fall prevention member as described above, it is possible to prevent the cart from falling continuously. However, even if it falls for one step, dropping the cart gives the user anxiety and fear. Furthermore, the impact of the fall may cause the luggage stacked thereon to fall or collapse.

Further, when a frictional engagement portion is provided at the lower portion of the center portion such as to contact the corner of the step as in the cart disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 6-60576, the escalator starts to be inclined and When the inclination disappears near the cart, the cart enters a seesaw state with the contact point between the frictional engagement portion and the corner of the step as a support point, giving a sense of anxiety to the cart user.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to suppress anxiety and fear of a user due to a drop of a cart and to suppress collapse of a load due to an impact of a drop of a cart.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fall mitigation device mounted on a vehicle that moves up and down a step, and includes a locking member and a damper. The locking member is connected to the vehicle so as to be relatively movable in the vertical direction, and is locked to the upper part of the step when a wheel of the vehicle falls from the upper part of the step. The damper attenuates the speed of the relative movement between the vehicle and the locking member.

[0010] When the vehicle starts to fall from the upper part of the step to the lower part when the vehicle moves up and down the step, first, the locking member is locked on the upper part of the step. Then, the vehicle continues to fall while the locking member is locked above the step. However, after the locking member is locked on the upper part of the step, the relative movement speed between the vehicle and the locking member is attenuated by the damper, so that the falling speed of the vehicle is reduced. Thereby, anxiety and fear given to the operator of the vehicle due to the fall of the vehicle can be reduced. Also,
Since the impact when the wheel of the vehicle touches the lower part of the step is reduced, the impact force acting on luggage and the like on the vehicle is also reduced. Therefore, when luggage or the like is being loaded, it is possible to suppress collapse of the load, falling of the luggage, and the like.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the fall mitigation device according to the first aspect, further comprising an arm.
The arm connects the locking member to the vehicle. The locking member moves with respect to the vehicle while drawing an arc centered on a connecting portion between the arm and the vehicle. Here, the locking member moves via the arm while drawing an arc centered on the connecting portion between the arm and the vehicle with respect to the vehicle. Thereby, unlike the case where the falling motion of the vehicle after the locking member is locked on the upper part of the step is simply falling or sliding down,
A circular motion is mixed. For this reason, the operator of the vehicle has a feeling that the falling of the vehicle is a predetermined operation, and the feeling of uneasiness given to the operator by the falling of the vehicle is reduced.

The damper may be arranged between the locking member and the vehicle, or may be arranged between the arm and the vehicle. The cart according to claim 3, which is a cart that moves up and down with the escalator after entering the escalator,
A cart body, a plurality of wheels, and a fall mitigation device are provided. The plurality of wheels are mounted on a lower part of the cart body. The fall alleviation device has a first locking member and a damper. The first locking member is connected to the cart body so as to be relatively movable in the vertical direction. Also, the first locking member is
It is located behind at least one of the plurality of wheels and is away from the floor when the wheel is on the floor. One end of the damper is linked to the first locking member, and the other end is connected to the cart body. This damper attenuates the speed of the relative movement between the cart body and the first locking member.

When the cart wheels begin to fall from one step to the next lower step when the cart is on the down escalator, the first locking member is locked to the upper step. Then, the cart body continues to fall while the first locking member is locked in the upper step. However, after the first locking member is locked, the relative movement speed between the cart main body and the first locking member is attenuated by the damper, and the falling speed of the cart main body is reduced. Thereby, anxiety and fear given to the operator (user) of the cart due to the fall of the cart can be reduced. Further, since the impact when the cart wheel touches the next lower step is reduced, the impact force acting on the load loaded on the cart is also reduced. Therefore,
The collapse of cargo and the fall of luggage are suppressed.

In this case, the first locking member is arranged behind the wheel, especially in view of the fact that it is difficult for the operator to prevent the cart from dropping on the escalator going down and the operator has a great sense of anxiety. ing. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce at least the feeling of anxiety and the like that the drop of the cart on the down escalator gives the operator. When the cart is pushed and walked on a normal horizontal floor, only the wheels are in contact with the ground and the first locking member is separated from the floor, so that the running of the cart is hindered by the presence of the first locking member. There is no.

The cart according to a fourth aspect is the cart according to the third aspect, wherein the fall alleviation device further has a first arm. The first arm connects the first locking member and the cart body. In addition, the first locking member includes a first locking member.
The robot moves with respect to the cart body while drawing an arc centered on the connection between the arm and the cart body. Here, the first
The locking member moves via the first arm with respect to the cart body while drawing an arc centered on the connection between the first arm and the cart body. Thereby, unlike the case where the cart body simply falls down or the case where the cart body slides down after the first locking member is locked, the cart body has a mixed circular motion. For this reason, the cart operator has a feeling that the drop of the cart is a predetermined operation, and the feeling of uneasiness given to the operator by the drop of the cart is reduced.

The first damper may be arranged between the first locking member and the cart body, or may be arranged between the first arm and the cart body. The cart according to claim 5 is the cart according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the fall alleviation device further includes a second locking member. The second locking member is connected to the cart body so as to be relatively movable up and down, and is interlocked with one end of the damper. Also, the second
The locking member is located in front of at least one of the plurality of wheels, and is away from the floor when the wheel is on the floor.

Here, the second locking member is arranged on the front side of the wheel, so that the feeling of anxiety and the like given to the operator by the falling of the cart on the escalator going up can be reduced.
If the cart wheels begin to fall from one step to the next lower step when the cart is on the up escalator, the second locking member is locked to the upper step. And
The cart body continues to fall with the second locking member locked in the upper step. However, after the second locking member is locked, the relative movement speed between the cart main body and the second locking member is attenuated by the damper, and the falling speed of the cart main body is reduced. As a result, the anxiety and fear given to the cart operator by the cart dropping can be reduced. Further, since the impact when the cart wheel touches the next lower step is reduced, the impact force acting on the load loaded on the cart is also reduced. Therefore, the collapse of the cargo and the fall of the luggage can be suppressed.

The cart may be provided with a damper interlocking with the second locking member and a damper interlocking with the first locking member. A cart according to a sixth aspect is the cart according to the fifth aspect, wherein the first locking member and the second locking member are interlocked with each other. When the cart wheels begin to fall from one step to the next lower step when the cart is on the down escalator, the first locking member is locked to the upper step. Thereafter, the cart body continues to fall while moving with respect to the first locking member. Then, the cart wheels touch the ground one step below.

Here, if the second locking member does not move with respect to the cart body, there is a possibility that the second locking member may contact a step one step below the wheel before the wheel. In this case, the movement of the second locking member is further added to the movement of the cart falling, which complicates the movement of the cart and increases the anxiety of the operator of the cart. Here, since the first locking member and the second locking member are linked, the cart wheel is grounded to the next lower step before the second locking member contacts the next lower step. It becomes possible.

The same applies to the drop of the cart when the cart is on the up escalator, and the cart wheel is turned by one before the first locking member contacts the step one step below.
It becomes possible to ground to the step below the step. The cart according to claim 7 is a cart that goes up and down with the escalator after entering the escalator, and includes a cart body, front wheels and rear wheels, a front wheel drop mitigation device, and a rear wheel drop mitigation device. The front and rear wheels are mounted on the lower part of the cart body. The front wheel drop mitigation device includes a first locking member, a second locking member, a first damper, a first arm,
A second arm. The first locking member is located behind the front wheel, and is away from the floor when the front wheel is on the floor. The second locking member is located on the front side of the front wheel, and is separated from the floor when the front wheel is on the floor. One end of the first damper is interlocked with the first locking member and the second locking member, and the other end is connected to the cart body. The first damper attenuates the speed of the relative movement between the cart body and the first and second locking members. The first arm connects the first locking member and the cart body. The second arm connects the second locking member and the cart body. The first locking member and the second locking member are interlocked with each other. The rear wheel drop mitigation device includes a third locking member, a second damper, and a third arm. Third
The locking member is located on the rear side of the rear wheel, and is separated from the floor when the rear wheel is on the floor. One end of the second damper is linked to the third locking member, and the other end is connected to the cart body. The second damper attenuates the speed of the relative movement between the cart body and the third locking member. The third arm connects the third locking member and the cart body.

When the front wheel and the rear wheel of the cart start dropping to the next lower step while the cart is on the down escalator, the first locking member and the third locking member are locked to the upper step. . Then, the cart body continues to fall with the first and third locking members locked. However, after the first locking member and the third locking member are locked, the relative speed of movement between the cart body and the first locking member is attenuated by the first damper, and the cart body and the third locking member are locked by the second damper. Since the relative movement speed with respect to the locking member is attenuated, the falling speed of the cart body is reduced. Thereby, anxiety and fear given to the operator of the cart when the cart falls on the down escalator can be reduced. In addition, since the impact when the front wheel and the rear wheel of the cart touch the step one step below is reduced, the impact force acting on the load loaded on the cart is also reduced. Therefore, the collapse of the cargo and the fall of the luggage can be suppressed.

When the front wheel of the cart starts dropping to the next lower step when the cart is on the up escalator, the second locking member is locked to the upper step. Then, the cart body continues to fall while the second locking member is locked. However, after the second locking member is locked, the relative movement speed between the cart main body and the second locking member is attenuated by the first damper, and the drop speed of the cart main body is reduced. Thereby, the anxiety and fear given to the operator of the cart due to the fall of the cart on the escalator up can be reduced.
In addition, since the impact when the front wheel and the rear wheel of the cart touch the step one step below is reduced, the impact force acting on the load loaded on the cart is also reduced. Therefore, the collapse of the cargo and the fall of the luggage can be suppressed.

The cart according to claim 8 is the cart according to claim 7, wherein the first, second, and third locking members are:
Each is arranged at least at the lower left and lower right portions of the cart body. Here, each locking member is arranged at least at the lower left and lower right portions of the cart body. Therefore, even when the cart enters the escalator with the traveling direction of the cart slightly inclined with respect to the escalator, there is a high probability that one of the locking members will be locked to the step. That is, each fall alleviation device operates more reliably.

The cart according to claim 9 is the cart according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the distance between the front wheel and the rear wheel is substantially a natural number times the span between the steps of the escalator. be equivalent to. When the front wheel and the rear wheel of the cart start dropping to the next lower step while the cart is on the down escalator, the first locking member and the third locking member are locked to the upper step. Then, the cart body continues to fall while the first locking member and the third locking member are locked,
The front and rear wheels touch the ground one step below.

If the distance between the front wheel and the rear wheel is set irrespective of the span between the steps of the escalator, the timing at which the front wheel starts to fall and the time when the first locking member is locked to the step, and the time when the rear wheel falls. The timing at which the third locking member is locked to the step may start to shift. If these timings deviate, the cart's falling movement becomes complicated,
Anxiety of the cart operator increases.

Here, since the distance between the front wheel and the rear wheel is set to be substantially a natural number times the span between the steps of the escalator, when the front wheel starts to fall, the rear wheel falls. At this time, the timing at which the first locking member locks on the step substantially coincides with the timing at which the third locking member locks on the step. For this reason, the movement of the cart falling becomes simple, and the anxiety of the cart operator is reduced.

[0027]

FIG. 1 shows an airport cart according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cart 1 is used for moving luggage such as a trunk at an airport.
The cart 1 mainly includes a cart body 2, a handle 3, a front wheel 4, two rear wheels 5, and a front wheel drop mitigation device 6.
And a rear wheel fall mitigation device 8 attached to each rear wheel 5, an automatic brake mechanism, and a manual brake mechanism. The direction D1 in FIG. 1 indicates the traveling direction of the cart 1. Hereinafter, the “front-back direction” and “left-right direction” described in the description are defined based on the traveling direction D1. The distance (wheel base) between the front wheel 4 and the rear wheel 5 in the front-rear direction is 800 mm in accordance with twice the distance between the steps of the escalator. The distance between the left and right rear wheels 5 is 600 mm, and the total length including the handle 3 is 1300 mm
It is. The cart 1 is compatible with an escalator of 25 degrees / R5000 specification.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the cart main body 2 mainly includes a main frame 21, a carrier rear frame 22, a carrier lower frame 23, and a carrier front frame 24. The main frame 21 includes first and second horizontal portions 21 a and 21 g and first to fifth inclined portions 21.
b to 21f and a vertical portion 21h. The first horizontal portion 21a is a portion extending in the left-right direction at the forefront of the cart 1. First to fifth inclined portions 21b to 21f
Are portions extending from both left and right end portions of the first horizontal portion 21a so as to spread leftward and rightward. The first inclined portion 21b is inclined upward and extends rearward from both left and right ends of the first horizontal portion 21a. The second inclined portion 21c is slightly inclined downward from the rear end of the first inclined portion 21b and extends rearward. The third inclined portion 21d is inclined upward from the rear end of the second inclined portion 21c and extends rearward. The fourth inclined portion 21e is inclined downward from the rear end of the third inclined portion 21d and extends rearward. The fifth inclined portion 21f is inclined upward and extends rearward from the rear end of the fourth inclined portion 21e. The second horizontal portion 21g extends rearward from the rear end of the fifth inclined portion 21f in the front-rear direction. The vertical portion 21h extends upward from the upper surface of the second horizontal portion 21g.

The back frame 22 of the loading platform is provided with a side pillar portion 22a.
And the first and second support portions 22b and 22c. The lower end of the side pillar portion 22a is fixed to the main frame 21, and extends upward and rearward from around the front portion of the fifth inclined portion 21f on both left and right sides. The side display panel 11 for displaying an advertisement or the like is mounted using the side pillar portion 22a and the vertical portion 21h (see FIG. 1). The first support portion 22b connects the upper ends of the both side pillar portions 22a.
The second support portion 22c connects between the central portions of both side pillar portions 22a.

The carrier lower frame 23 is provided with the bottom support 2.
3a and a rear support portion 23b. The bottom support portion 23a includes a round bar extending in the front-rear direction and a round bar extending in the left-right direction.
1d and both fourth inclined portions 21e. The rear support portion 23b extends upward and rearward from the rear end of the bottom support portion 23a.

The carrier front frame 24 includes a front support 24
a and the fixing portion 24b. The fixing portion 24b is fixed to the left and right fourth inclined portions 21e. The front support portion 24a has a gate shape, and is supported by a fixed portion 24b by a hinge with a spring. The front support portion 24a is rotatable relative to the fixed portion 24b at a position shown by a dotted line in FIG. In addition, the front support portion 24a has
The front display panel 10 for displaying an advertisement or the like as shown in FIG.

The handle 3 includes a connecting portion 33 fixed to the main frame 21 and first and second handle portions 31 and 3.
And 2. The connecting part 33 is a left and right vertical part 2
It is fixed to the upper end of 1h. The first handle portion 31 connects the left and right connecting portions 33 and extends horizontally in the left-right direction. The second handle portion 32 extends rearward from the connecting portion 33 and has an oval shape that expands toward the rear. That is, the upper portion 32a of the second handle portion 32 extends rearward and upward. In FIG. 1, the height from the floor to the top of the handle 3 is 950.
mm, the distance between the rear ends of both second handle portions is 700 mm. The front wheel 4 is a two-wheel caster, and includes a fixed portion 4a and two tires 4b, as shown in FIGS. The front wheel 4 is mounted on a support plate 61 described later, and is rotatable around a vertical axis with respect to the cart body 2.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the front wheel drop mitigation device 6 mainly includes a support plate 61, two first oil dampers 64, a first shaft 65, first and second shafts.
Arms 68 and 71, and first and second locking members 73 and 75
It is composed of Both ends of the support plate 61 are fixed to the second inclined portion 21 c of the main frame 21. The front wheel 4 is located at the lower center of the support plate 61.
Are arranged, and the fixing portion 4 a of the front wheel 4 is fixed to the support plate 61 by bolts 62. Two connecting plates 63 are mounted on the support plate 61 symmetrically with respect to the central axis OO so as to extend upward from a front end near the center of the support plate 61. These connection plates 63 are provided with holes.

The first oil damper 64 is bilaterally symmetrical.
It mainly comprises a cylinder 64a, a cylinder-side joint 64b, a piston 64c, and a piston-side joint 64d. The cylinder-side joint portion 64b is attached to the end of the cylinder 64a on the traveling direction D1 side, and is pin-joined to the connection plate 63. The piston-side joint portion 64d is attached to an end of the piston 64c on the side opposite to the traveling direction D1 side, and is pin-joined to a connection plate 65a described later.

Both ends of the first shaft 65 are rotatably supported by a shaft support member 66. The shaft support member 66 is fixed to the lower surface of the support plate 61. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.
a is non-rotatably fixed to the first shaft 65. A hole for pin-joining the first oil damper 64 with the piston-side joint 64d is formed at an upper portion of the coupling plate 65a and at a position shifted from the axis center of the first shaft 65. A portion of the first shaft 65 outside the shaft support member 66 includes the first shaft 65.
The gear 67 and the first arm 68 are fixed.

The first arm 68 has one end fixed to the end of the first shaft 65 and extends to the rear of the front wheel 4 as shown in FIG. The third shaft 72 connects the other ends of the left and right first arms 68 and is rotatably supported by the first arm 68. Near the left and right ends of the third shaft 72, first locking members 73 made of rubber or the like are mounted. First locking member 73
Has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the third shaft 72. As shown in FIG. 6, the lower end of the first locking member 73 is slightly higher than the lower end of the front wheel 4 when the front wheel 4 is on the floor.

One end of the second arm 71 is fixed to the second shaft 69, and extends to the front side of the front wheel 4 as shown in FIG.
The second shaft 69 is supported by the shaft support member 66. The second gear 70 fixed to the second shaft 69 is in a state of being meshed with the first gear 67 as shown in FIGS. Therefore, when the first arm 68 moves in an arc around the first shaft 65, the first shaft 65 rotates, and the rotation is transmitted by the first and second gears 67 and 70, and the second shaft 69.
Rotates, and the second arm 71 moves in an arc around the second shaft 69. An example after this movement is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. Conversely, when the second arm 71 moves in an arc around the second axis 69, the second axis 69
Rotate, the rotation is transmitted by the second and first gears 70 and 67, the first shaft 65 rotates, and the first arm 68
It moves while drawing an arc around the axis 65. 4th shaft 74
Is connected to the other ends of the left and right second arms 71, and the second
The arm 71 is rotatably supported. A second locking member 75 made of rubber or the like is mounted near both ends of the fourth shaft 74.

The second locking member 75 has an outer diameter of the fourth shaft 7.
4 is larger than the outside diameter. As shown in FIG. 6, the lower end of the second locking member 75 is slightly higher than the lower end of the front wheel 4 when the front wheel 4 is on the floor. When the first and second arms 68 and 71 open from the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 6 to the state shown by the dotted line, the first shaft 65 rotates, and the connection point between the connection plate 65a and the piston-side connection portion 64d is changed. Move forward and downward. As a result, the first oil damper 64 tilts up and down, and the piston 6
4c and the cylinder 64a move relatively. At this time,
Since the piston 64c and the cylinder 64a relatively move while receiving resistance, the rotation speed of the first shaft 65, and thus the movement speed of the first and second arms 68 and 71, are attenuated.

One rear wheel 5 is provided on each of the left and right sides. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rear wheel 5 mainly includes a fixing portion 51, a casing 52, and a fifth shaft 53.
And a tire 54. The fixing portion 51 is fixed to the lower surface of the second horizontal portion 21g of the main frame 21. The casing 52 mainly includes a horizontal plate 52a, a first side plate 52b, and a second side plate 52c.

The horizontal plate 52a is fixed to the lower surface of the fixed part 51. The first side plate 52b is outside the horizontal plate 52a (FIG. 8).
The second side plate 52c extends downward and backward from the inner (upper side in FIG. 8) end of the horizontal plate 52a. As shown in FIG.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12, a rectangular hole 52d is formed. Round holes are formed in the lower end portions of the first and second side plates 52b and 52c, and rotatably support the fifth shaft 53.

A tire 54 is fixed between the side plates 52b and 52c of the fifth shaft 53. The tire 54 includes a wheel portion 54a and a tire portion 54b, as shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. The wheel portion 54a is formed from the outer peripheral end of the disk whose center portion is fixed to the fifth shaft 53 from the first side plate 5
This is a structure in which a cylindrical portion extends to the side 2b. In the space on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion of the wheel portion 54a, a locking gear 56 and an inner protruding portion 5
5b are arranged. The tire portion 54b is made of rubber, and is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the wheel portion 54a.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rear wheel drop mitigation device 8 mainly includes a second oil damper 81 and a third oil damper 81.
An outer arm 82 and a third inner arm 84 and a third locking member 87 are provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the rear wheel cover 9 is provided so as to cover the outside of the second oil damper 81, and is fixed to the main frame 21.

The second oil damper 81 mainly includes a cylinder 81a, a cylinder-side joint 81b, a piston 81c, and a piston-side joint 81d. The cylinder-side joint portion 81b is
a, and is rotatably connected to the fifth shaft 53 outside the first side plate 52b. The piston-side joint portion 81d is attached to one end of the piston 81c, and is pin-joined to the upper end of the third outer arm 82.

One end of the third outer arm 82 is pin-joined to the piston-side joint 64d, and extends therefrom to the rear side of the rear wheel as shown in FIG. The other end of the third outer arm 82 supports the end of the sixth shaft 86. The second outer arm 82 is rotatably supported on the first side plate 52b by a pin 83 between both ends (at a position closer to the joint with the piston-side joint 81d). Therefore, the second outer arm 82 is rotatable about the pin 83.

As shown in FIG. 8, the third inner arm 84 is rotatably supported on the second side plate 52c by the pin 85 at a position where the height of the pin 83 and the front and rear positions are equal to each other. The other end of the third inner arm 84 supports an end of the sixth shaft 86. The sixth shaft 86 is connected to the third outer arm 8.
2 and the end of the third inner arm 84, and extends horizontally in the left-right direction. At the center of the sixth shaft 86, a third locking member 87 made of rubber or the like is mounted.

The third locking member 87 has an outer diameter of the sixth shaft 8.
6 is larger than the outside diameter. As shown in FIG. 9, the lower end of the third locking member 87 is slightly higher than the lower end of the rear wheel 5 when the rear wheel 5 is on the floor. When the third outer arm 82 and the third inner arm 84 move from the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 9 to the state shown by the dotted line, the joining point between the third outer arm 82 and the piston-side joint 81d moves forward and downward. Moving. Accordingly, the second oil damper 81 is tilted, and the piston 81c and the cylinder 81a are relatively moved and compressed. At this time, since the piston 64c and the cylinder 64a relatively move while receiving resistance, the moving speed of the connecting point between the third outer arm 82 and the piston-side connecting portion 81d, and consequently, the moving speed of the third locking member 87 are attenuated. Is done.

The automatic brake mechanism is a mechanism for automatically restricting the rotation of the rear wheel 5 when the cart 1 enters the escalator and the rear wheel 5 is mounted on the step of the escalator. It is composed of a plate 55 and a lock gear 56 (see FIGS. 10 to 13). The locking gear 56 has eight teeth on the outer circumference as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, and the inner circumference is fixed to the fifth shaft 53. The locking gear 56 includes the tire 54 and the first side plate 5.
2b, and is disposed inside (to the right in FIGS. 11 and 13) a detection plate 55 described later.

The detection plate 55 is disposed between the tire 54 and the first side plate 52b in the left-right direction. The detection plate 55 has an outer protrusion 55 protruding toward the first side plate 52b.
a, an inner protruding portion 55b protruding toward the tire 54, and a hole 55c near the center. Outer protrusion 55
a protrudes into the square hole 52d of the first side plate 52b.
The inner protruding portion 55 b protrudes to the outer peripheral side of the lock gear 56. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the fifth shaft 53 passes through the hole 55 c so that the detection plate 55 can move up and down with respect to the fifth shaft 53.

As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG.
When the vehicle 4 is traveling on the normal floor surface 99, the lower end of the detection plate 55 is on the floor surface. At this time, the outer projecting portion 55a is located above the square hole 52d, and the inner projecting portion 55b is located above the outer peripheral end of the teeth of the locking gear 56. At this time, the fifth shaft 53 is
5c is penetrating the lower part. Here, the tire 54 and the lock gear 56 are not restricted by the detection plate 55 and the like, and can freely rotate together with the fifth shaft 53 while being supported by the casing 52. Thus, when the tire 54 is traveling on the normal floor surface 99,
The automatic brake mechanism is not operating and the rear wheel 5
No brake is applied.

When the tire 54 is on the step of the escalator 98, the tire 54 is in the groove 9 of the step of the escalator 98, as shown in FIGS.
Since the width of the tire portion 54b is larger than the width of the groove 8a, the groove 98
It does not fit in a. On the other hand, the thickness of the detection plate 55 is
8a is smaller than the width of the groove 98a.
It falls into a. That is, the detection plate 55 moves downward with respect to the tire 54, the lock gear 56, and the first side plate 52b. As a result, the outer protrusion 55a moves to the lower part of the square hole 52d, and the inner protrusion 55a moves.
b moves between the teeth of the locking gear 56, and the fifth shaft 53 passes through the upper part of the hole 55c. Here, the rotation of the lock gear 56 is regulated by the first side plate 52b via the inner protrusion 55b and the outer protrusion 55a. According to the rotation of the lock gear 56, the rotation of the fifth shaft 53 and the tire 54 is also restricted. As described above, when the tire 54 is on the step of the escalator 98, the automatic brake mechanism is in operation, and the rear wheel 5 is braked.

The manual brake mechanism is a brake mechanism for the rear wheel 5 for parking, and is turned on / off by an operation of an operator. This manual brake mechanism mainly includes a friction brake member 57 and a switching lever 58 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). By switching the switching lever 58, the friction brake member 57
Is switched between a state in which is frictionally engaged with the tire 54 and a state in which it is not frictionally engaged.

In this embodiment, a manual brake mechanism for mounting the switching lever 58 on the casing 52 is employed. However, a structure in which the switching lever is arranged near the operator may be employed. -A structure in which non-operation is linked to the handle may be adopted. Next, the normal movement of the cart 1 on the floor will be described.

On a normal floor, a user (operator) of the cart 1 holds the handle 3 and pushes the cart 1. Here, since the lower ends of the first, second, and third locking members 73, 75, and 87 are slightly higher than the floor surface, only the front wheel 4 and the rear wheel 5 are in contact with the floor and the cart 1 Moves. Here, regarding which part of the handle 3 is to be gripped, the grip on the middle part of the handle 3 in the front-rear direction is improved because the safety of the operator on the escalator is further improved by grasping the middle part of the handle 3 in the front-rear direction. It is desirable to guide the operator to grip the middle part in the front-rear direction of the handle 3 by explaining the posture of the operator and the cart 1 on an escalator to be described later with a note.

Next, the movement of the cart 1 on the down escalator will be described. When the front wheel 4 and the rear wheel 5 are on the steps S2 and S4 on the descending escalator in the state as shown in FIG. 14, the cart 1 is moved forward and backward by the rotation of the rear wheel 5 by the operation of the automatic brake mechanism. Does not shift in the direction. That is, in the state shown in FIG.
The cart 1 is carried by the escalator without falling. In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, the front wheel 4 and the rear wheel 5
When the cart 1 is placed on the central portion in the front-rear direction, the second locking member 75 contacts the front portion of steps S2 and S4 on which the front wheel 4 is placed, and assists in regulating the cart 1 from moving forward and backward.

When the front wheel 4 and the rear wheel 5 are placed near the step between the steps on the descending escalator, when the escalator is inclined, the cart 1 is in a state as shown in FIG. Then, the cart 1 starts dropping to steps S6 and S8 one step below, and becomes a state as shown in FIG. Here, almost simultaneously, the first locking member 73 and the third locking member 87 are locked in steps S5 and S7 on which the front wheel 4 and the rear wheel 5 are mounted first. Then, the cart 1 continues to fall while the first locking member 73 and the third locking member 87 are locked in steps S5 and S7, and the front wheel 4 and the rear wheel The wheel 5 comes into contact with the ground (see FIG. 17). However, after the first locking member 73 and the third locking member 87 are locked in steps S5 and S7, the first locking member 73 and the third locking member 87 are locked.
The cart body 2, the first locking member 73 and the third locking member 8 are controlled by the oil damper 64 and the second oil damper 81.
7, the moving speed of the cart 1 is decreased, and the falling speed of the cart 1 is reduced. Thereby, the feeling of anxiety and fear of the operator due to the drop of the cart 1 on the down escalator is alleviated. In addition, since the impact when the front wheel 4 and the rear wheel 5 touch the ground at steps S6 and S8, which are one step below, is also reduced, collapse and drop of luggage loaded on the cart 1 can be suppressed.

Next, the movement of the cart 1 on the escalator uphill will be described. When the front wheel 4 and the rear wheel 5 are on the steps S11 and S13 on the ascending escalator in the state shown in FIG. 18, the cart 1 is moved forward and backward by the rotation of the rear wheel 5 by the operation of the automatic brake mechanism. Does not shift in the direction. That is, in the state shown in FIG. 18, the cart 1 is carried by the escalator without falling. Also, as shown in FIG. 18, when the front wheel 4 and the rear wheel 5 are mounted on the center in the front-rear direction of steps S11 and S13, the first and third locking members 73 and 87 are mounted on the front wheel 4 and the rear wheel 5. And touching the rear part of steps S11 and S13 to assist in regulating the back and forth movement of the cart 1.

When the front wheel 4 and the rear wheel 5 are placed between the steps on the escalator going up, the cart 1 enters the state shown in FIG. 19 when the escalator is inclined. Then, the cart 1 starts dropping to steps S16 and S18 one step below, and as shown in FIG. 20, the second locking member 75 is locked at step S15 on which the front wheel 4 was initially placed. Further, at this time, the third locking member 87 is grounded to step S18 one step below. Then, the cart 1 continues to fall while the second locking member 75 is locked in step S15. Then, as shown in FIG. 21, the front wheel 4 and the rear wheel 5 are moved down by one step to step S1.
6, ground to S18. However, after the second locking member 75 is locked, the relative movement speed between the cart body 2 and the second locking member 75 is attenuated by the first oil damper 64, and the falling speed of the cart 1 is reduced. Thereby, the feeling of anxiety and fear of the operator due to the drop of the cart 1 on the escalator on the upside is relieved, and the collapse of the load and the drop of the load are suppressed. Further, the falling speed of the rear wheel 5 and the rear portion of the cart 1 is reduced by the second oil damper 81.

Next, another advantageous effect of the cart 1 of the present embodiment on the escalator will be described. 1) In the cart 1 of the present embodiment, each locking member 73, 7
5, 87 are connected to the cart body 2 via the arms 68, 71, 82, 84, respectively.
The robot moves while drawing an arc centered on the connecting portion between 84 and the cart body 2. For this reason, the locking members 73, 75, 8
The movement of the cart 1 after the 7 is locked to the step
Unlike the case of simply falling or sliding down, the movement is a mixture of circular motions. Therefore, the operator has a feeling that the drop of the cart 1 is a predetermined operation, and the feeling of uneasiness given to the operator by the drop of the cart 1 is suppressed.

2) When the cart 1 falls from the state shown in FIG. 16 to the state shown in FIG. 17 on the descending escalator, if the second locking member 75 does not move upward, the cart 1 The second locking member 75 contacts the step S8 one step below. In this case, in addition to the impact due to the grounding of the front wheel 4 at step S8, the impact due to the grounding of the second locking member 75 at step S8 occurs, and the cart 1
The movement of touching the ground to the step is complicated, and the operator's feeling of anxiety increases.

In the present embodiment, the first locking member 73 and the second
Since the movement with the locking member 75 is linked by the engagement of the first and second gears 67 and 70, when the front wheel 4 comes into contact with the step S8, the second locking member 75 is at a position higher than the surface of the step S8. Move (see FIG. 17). As a result, the movement of the cart 1 falling is simplified, and anxiety of the operator is suppressed.

The same applies to the case where the cart 1 falls from the state shown in FIG. 20 to the state shown in FIG. 21 on the up escalator, and the first locking member 73 is moved down by one step to step S16. Before contact, the front wheels 4 touch the ground at step S16. 3) In the present embodiment, each of the locking members 73, 75, 87 is disposed on each of the left and right sides. Therefore, even when the cart 1 enters the escalator in a state where the traveling direction of the cart 1 is slightly inclined with respect to the escalator, there is a high probability that any of the locking members 73, 75, and 87 will be locked at the step. That is, even if the cart 1 enters the escalator in a slightly inclined state, each of the fall mitigation devices 6,
8 are designed to work.

4) In this embodiment, the distance between the front wheel 4 and the rear wheel 5 in the front-rear direction is set to twice the span between the steps of the escalator. If this distance is set irrespective of the span between the steps of the escalator, the front wheels 4 begin to fall on the down escalator and the first
Timing at which the locking member 73 is locked to the step and the rear wheel 5
Starts falling and the timing at which the third locking member 87 locks to the step is shifted. If these timings are off,
When the cart 1 starts to fall, first, one of the first and third locking members 73 and 87 is locked to the step, and then the other is locked to the step. In other words, the falling movement of the cart 1 becomes complicated, and the operator's feeling of anxiety increases.

However, here, when the front wheel 4 starts to fall, the rear wheel 4 starts to fall, and the timing when the first locking member 73 locks in step S7 and the third locking member 87 relates to step S5. The stop timing almost coincides with the stop timing (FIG. 1
6). For this reason, the falling movement of the cart 1 becomes simple, and the anxiety of the operator is reduced. 5) In the cart 1 of the present embodiment, in addition to the manual brake mechanism employed in the conventional airport cart, an automatic brake mechanism that automatically operates when the cart is on the escalator is provided. Therefore, when the cart 1 enters the escalator, the brake is automatically applied regardless of the operation of the operator. Thereby, the stability of the cart 1 on the escalator is increased.

6) In this embodiment, the first handle portion 31
The handle 3 has a structure in which the second handle portion 32 extends rearward from both ends of the handle 3. Accordingly, the operator pushes the cart 1 at a position where three surfaces are surrounded by the first handle portion 31 and the two second handle portions 32. When traveling on a normal floor, if the user grips the middle portion of the second handle portion 32 in the front-rear direction, the escalator goes down to the rear end portion of the second handle portion 32 in the front-rear direction. (2) The front end of the handle portion 32 in the front-rear direction or the first handle portion
By changing the gripping position to 1, the operator does not need to perform a step movement even if the handle 3 moves away from or approaches the operator on the escalator (see FIGS. 14 and 17). In other words, since the operator is located between the left and right second handle portions 32, even if the handle 3 moves in the front-rear direction with respect to the operator, the operator can move the second handle portion 32 or the first handle portion 31 somewhere. You can hold.

As described above, since the step movement of the operator on the escalator can be made unnecessary, the safety of the operator on the escalator is improved and the fear and anxiety of the operator are alleviated. You. In the present embodiment, the upper portion 32a of the second handle portion 32 extends rearward and upward. Therefore, the height position of the rear end portion of the second handle portion 32 in the front-rear direction on the descending escalator is closer to the operator (see FIG. 14). Therefore, even if the handle 3 moves forward and downward from the operator due to the downward inclination, the operator can grip the second handle portion 32 in a more natural posture.

7) In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 21, by setting the frame shape, dimensions, and inclination of the cart main body 2, a gap is always provided between the cart main body 2 and the escalator on the escalator. Is secured. Specifically, the fourth inclined portion 21e of the main frame 21 and the bottom support portion 23a of the carrier lower frame 23 are inclined upward from the rear to the front on the floor surface. This inclination secures a predetermined gap between the cart body 2 and the escalator on the escalator while keeping the center of gravity of the entire cart low.

This prevents the cart from coming into contact with the corner of the step and becoming in a seesaw state with the contact point as a support point when the escalator starts to lean or the slope stops near the exit. In. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operator from feeling uneasy due to the seesaw state of the cart 1. Also, since the fourth inclined portion 21e of the main frame 21 and the bottom support portion 23a of the carrier lower frame 23 that are in contact with the bottom of the load are inclined upward from the rear to the front on the floor surface,
In particular, when the cart 1 is tilted on the down escalator, it is possible to prevent the luggage from moving or dropping, and to prevent the collapse of the luggage (see FIG. 14).

8) In the present embodiment, the main frame 21, which is the lower member of the cart body 2, also functions as the lower member of the carrier. This simplifies the structure, improves the assemblability, and reduces the number of members, thereby lowering the manufacturing cost.

[0069]

According to the present invention, since the relative movement speed between the vehicle and the locking member locked above the step is attenuated by the damper, the falling speed of the vehicle is reduced, and the falling of the vehicle is controlled by the operator of the vehicle. Anxiety and fear given to the user can be alleviated, and when the luggage or the like is loaded, the collapse of the load or the fall of the luggage can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a cart according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a cart body and a handle.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a cart body and a handle.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a cart body and a handle.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the front wheel and the front wheel drop mitigation device.

FIG. 6 is a view taken in the direction of arrows VI-VI in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view taken in the direction of arrows VII-VII in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the rear wheel and the rear wheel drop mitigation device.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the front wheel and the front wheel drop mitigation device.

FIG. 10 is a state diagram of an automatic brake mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a state diagram of an automatic brake mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a state diagram of a cart.

FIG. 15 is a state diagram of a cart.

FIG. 16 is a state diagram of a cart.

FIG. 17 is a state diagram of a cart.

FIG. 18 is a state diagram of a cart.

FIG. 19 is a state diagram of a cart.

FIG. 20 is a state diagram of a cart.

FIG. 21 is a state diagram of a cart.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 cart 2 cart body 3 handle 4 front wheel 5 rear wheel 6 front wheel drop mitigation device 8 rear wheel drop mitigation device 21 main frame 21e fourth inclined portion 31 first handle portion 32 second handle portion 55 detection plate 56 locking gear (regulation) 64) First oil damper 68 First arm 71 Second arm 73 First locking member 75 Second locking member 81 Second oil damper 82 Third outer arm (third arm) 84 Third inner arm (Third arm) Arm) 87 Third locking member

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A fall mitigation device mounted on a vehicle that moves up and down a step, wherein the fall mitigation device is connected to the vehicle so as to be relatively movable in the up-down direction, and the wheel of the vehicle drops when the vehicle falls from above the step. A fall mitigation device comprising: a locking member that locks on an upper portion; and a damper that attenuates a relative movement speed between the vehicle and the locking member. 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising an arm connecting the locking member and the vehicle, wherein the locking member draws an arc around the connecting portion between the arm and the vehicle with respect to the vehicle. The fall mitigation device of claim 1 that moves. 3. A cart which goes up and down together with an escalator after entering an escalator, a cart body, a plurality of wheels mounted on a lower portion of the cart body, and a rear side of at least one of the plurality of wheels. A first locking member that is located at a distance from the floor surface when the wheels are on the floor and is in contact with the cart body so as to be relatively movable up and down, and one end is A cart having a damper for interlocking with the first locking member and having the other end connected to the cart main body and having a damper for attenuating a relative movement speed between the cart main body and the first locking member. 4. The drop mitigation device further includes a first arm connecting the first locking member and the cart body, wherein the first locking member includes a first arm and the cart body. The cart according to claim 3, wherein the cart moves with respect to the cart body while drawing an arc centered on the connecting portion of the cart. 5. The fall mitigation device is located in front of at least one of the plurality of wheels and is separated from the floor surface when the wheels are in contact with the floor surface. 5. The cart according to claim 3, further comprising a second locking member that is connected to the cart body so as to be relatively movable in a vertical direction and that is interlocked with one end of the damper. 6. The cart according to claim 5, wherein said first locking member and said second locking member are interlocked with each other. 7. A cart which goes up and down together with the escalator after entering the escalator, comprising: a cart body; front wheels and rear wheels mounted on a lower portion of the cart body; A first locking member that is separated from the floor when the front wheel is in contact with the ground, and the floor is located on the front side of the front wheel when the front wheel is in contact with the floor. A second locking member separated from the first locking member and one end interlocked with the first locking member and the second locking member and the other end connected to the cart main body; A first damper for attenuating a speed of relative movement between the second locking member and the cart body; a first arm connecting the first locking member to the cart body; And a second arm connecting the first arm and the first arm. A front wheel drop mitigation device that is interlocked with the material and the second locking member; and a member that is located behind the rear wheel and that is separated from the floor when the rear wheel is on the floor and is in contact with the ground. A third locking member, and a second damper having one end interlocked with the third locking member and the other end connected to the cart body to attenuate the speed of relative movement between the cart body and the third locking member. And a rear wheel drop mitigation device having a third arm connecting the third locking member and the cart body. 8. The cart according to claim 7, wherein said first, second and third locking members are respectively arranged at least at a lower left portion and a lower right portion of said cart body. 9. A cart according to claim 7, wherein the distance between the front wheels and the rear wheels is substantially equal to a natural number times the span between the steps of the escalator.