WO2021084604A1

WO2021084604A1 - Folding cart

Info

Publication number: WO2021084604A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/042314
Authority: WO
Inventors: 悟史塚田; 伸行上野
Original assignee: 本田技研工業株式会社
Priority date: 2019-10-29
Filing date: 2019-10-29
Publication date: 2021-05-06
Also published as: JP7208412B2; CN114630780B; JPWO2021084604A1; BR112022007803A2; CN114630780A

Abstract

In a folding cart (1), a cart frame (2) is transformed from a deployed state (P1) in which shelf boards (9) are horizontally supported by a plurality of horizontal structure bodies (10) into a folded state (P2) in which the plurality of horizontal structure bodies (10) are bent, whereby a pair of vertical structure bodies (5) come close to each other. The cart frame (2) includes a brace member (20) that holds the deployed state (P1). The brace member (20) includes, at a certain point in the length direction, a brace movable section (21) that can be bent. A second handle (32) allows a folding operation of the cart frame (2). The second handle (32) includes an abutment part (35) that abuts against the brace member (20) to bend the brace member (20) when the cart frame (2) is folded.

Description

Folding trolley

The present invention relates to a foldable trolley.

Conventionally, a foldable trolley that can reduce the floor area required for storing the trolley by folding the trolley frame is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-203743

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the dolly can be folded and unfolded without disassembling or reassembling the components, but the lock mechanism that locks the foldable dolly in the unfolded state is the upper end of the frame away from the operation handle. There was room for improvement in terms of operability, etc. In addition, the foldable bogie has many moving parts, and it is desired to provide a brace member on the bogie frame in order to secure the rigidity in the deployed state, but this becomes a problem when the bogie frame is folded.

Therefore, the present invention provides a foldable trolley capable of facilitating folding and unfolding of a trolley frame provided with a brace member.

As a means for solving the above problems, the first aspect of the present invention is to connect a pair of vertical structures (5) facing each other in the first horizontal direction and the pair of vertical structures (5). A plurality of horizontal structures (10) supporting the shelf board (9) and a trolley frame (2) are provided, and each of the plurality of horizontal structures (10) is centered in the first direction. A movable portion (13) that can be bent is provided in the portion, and the plurality of horizontal structures (10) can be bent in interlocking with each other via an interlocking member (18). From the deployed state (P1) in which the shelf board (9) is horizontally supported by the plurality of horizontal structures (10), the plurality of horizontal structures (10) are interlocked and the movable portion (13) moves upward. The pair of vertical structures (5) can be bent so as to be in a folded state (P2) in which the pair of vertical structures (5) are brought close to each other, and the trolley frame (2) is horizontal perpendicular to the first direction. On one side of the second direction, a streak member (20) for holding the unfolded state (P1) and a handle (30) gripped by the user when folding the trolley frame (2) are provided. In the deployed state (P1), the streak member (20) includes an upper portion of one vertical structure (5) and a lower portion of the other vertical structure (5) in the pair of vertical structures (5). The streak member (20) is provided with a bendable streak movable portion (21) in the middle of the streak member (20) in the length direction, and the handle (30) is the handle (30). The first handle (31) fixed to one of the pair of vertical structures (5) and the first handle (P1) of the plurality of horizontal structures (10) in the unfolded state (P1). The vertical structure (5) including a second handle (32) fixed to an operation horizontal structure (10c) located below 31), and the first handle (31) is fixed. ) Is the fixing vertical structure (5a), each of the horizontal structures (10) sandwiches the movable portion (13) and is on the fixing vertical structure (5a) side in the first direction. It is divided into a first divided body (10a) located in the above and a second divided body (10b) located on the opposite side of the fixing vertical structure (5a) in the first direction. The second handle (32) is fixed to the first divided body (10a) of the operating horizontal structure (10c), and when the trolley frame (2) is folded, together with the second handle (32). The first split body (10a) can be operated so as to be close to the first handle (31). At least one of the second handle (32) and the operating horizontal structure (10c) is brought into contact with the brace member (20) when the bogie frame (2) is folded, and the brace member (20) is attached to the brace member (20). It is provided with a bending contact portion (35).

According to this configuration, when the bogie frame is folded from the unfolded state, a plurality of horizontal structures including the horizontal structure for operation are interlocked and bent, and the pair of vertical structures are brought close to each other. At this time, when the abutting portion abuts on the brace member and bends, the brace member can be bent by a one-action operation, and the bogie frame can be put into a folded state.
Further, when the carriage frame is unfolded from the folded state, a plurality of bent horizontal structures are interlocked and extended to separate the pair of vertical structures from each other. At this time, by returning the brace member, which has been bent away from the brace member, to the extended state, the brace member can be extended by a one-action operation, and the bogie frame can be brought into the expanded state.
As described above, it is possible to provide a foldable carriage that facilitates folding and unfolding of the carriage frame provided with the brace member without requiring disassembly or reassembly of the components.

The second aspect of the present invention is the first aspect when the carriage frame (2) is held under the carriage frame (2) and the carriage frame (2) is in the folded state (P2) in the first aspect. A leg member (40) extending outward from the pair of vertical structures (5) in the direction and touching or approaching the ground (F) is provided.
According to this configuration, even if the dolly frame is folded and the width of the dolly frame is narrowed in the first direction, the dolly in the folded state is in the first direction by extending the leg members to the outside of the pair of vertical structures. It is possible to prevent the vehicle from tipping over. By automatically deploying the leg members according to the folding of the dolly frame, the work from folding to storing the dolly can be facilitated, and the dolly can be reliably supported by the leg members when the dolly is folded.

In the third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the leg member (40) is placed on the other side of the carriage frame (2) in the second direction opposite to the handle (30). It is provided.
According to this configuration, since the leg member is provided on the side opposite to the handle in the second direction, it is possible to prevent the leg member from interfering with the foot space of the user who grips the handle. Although the leg member is located far from the user who grips the handle, it can be avoided that the folding work of the carriage becomes complicated by automatically deploying the leg member according to the folding of the carriage frame.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, the leg member (40) extends in the first direction and can be bent in the middle of the leg member (40) in the length direction. The leg member (40) is provided with a movable leg (41), and the end (40c) in the length direction can be grounded or approached to the ground (F) by bending the leg movable portion (41). The foldable trolley (1) is a leg locking device (50) that holds the leg movable portion (41) in a bent state while the leg member (40) is in contact with or close to the ground (F). It has.
According to this configuration, the leg locking device locks the operation of the leg movable portion while the leg member is in contact with or close to the ground, so that the trolley in the folded state can be reliably supported by the leg member.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the leg locking device (50) has a lock operation unit (50) on the handle (30) side in the second direction of the carriage frame (2). 51b) is provided.
According to this configuration, the user who holds the handle can easily operate the lock operation of the leg lock device, and the leg member can be easily locked and unlocked. In particular, the effect is high when the leg member is provided on the side opposite to the handle.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is, in the fourth or fifth aspect, the leg extending downward from at least one of the plurality of lateral structures (10) and moving upward with the movable portion (13). A leg interlocking member (45) is provided so that the movable portion (41) is pulled upward to bring the end portion (40c) of the leg member (40) into contact with or close to the ground (F).
According to this configuration, by moving the movable part of the horizontal structure upward when the dolly frame is folded, the leg members are interlocked to bring the end portion to the ground or close to the ground, so that the dolly in the folded state is easily and surely supported. be able to.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is that in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the carriage frame (2) is folded on one side of the carriage frame (2) in the second direction. The lock device (15) held in (P2) is provided.
According to this configuration, since the lock device is provided on the same side as the handle on the bogie frame, when the user performs the folding work and the unfolding work of the bogie frame by using the handle, the locked and unlocked state in the folded state by the lock device. Can be made easier.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, an urging member that urges the brace member (20) so as to extend the flexion of the brace movable portion (21). (25) is provided.
According to this configuration, when the abutting portion comes into contact with the brace member when the carriage is folded, the brace member can be bent against the urging force of the brace member. When the abutting portion is separated from the brace member when the carriage is deployed, the brace member can be quickly and linearly extended by the urging force of the brace member.

A ninth aspect of the present invention includes a cover member (26) that covers the periphery of the brace movable portion (21) in any one of the first to eighth aspects.
According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress contact and biting of foreign matter during operation of the brace movable portion.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the contact portion (35) abuts on the brace member (20) and is rollable (37). ) Is provided.
According to this configuration, the roller at the contact portion bends the brace member while rolling on the brace member, so that the brace member can be smoothly bent.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a foldable trolley that facilitates folding and unfolding of a trolley frame provided with a brace member.

It is a perspective view of the foldable trolley in embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the foldable carriage on the brace member side. It is a side view corresponding to FIG. 2 when the carriage frame in the folding carriage is in a folded state. It is a perspective view which shows the action of bending a brace member when folding the foldable carriage. It is a perspective view which shows the lock device which locks the foldable trolley in a folded state. It is a side view which shows the upper part of the brace member, (a) is when the bogie frame is in the deployed state and the brace member is fully extended, (b) is when the brace member is in the middle of bending of the trolley frame, and is in the process of bending. (C) shows when the bogie frame is in the folded state and the brace member is completely bent. It is a perspective view which shows the leg member of the foldable trolley, (a) is the trolley frame in the expanded state and the leg member is retracted, (b) is the trolley frame in the middle of folding, and the leg member is in the middle of extension. At one time, (c) indicates when the bogie frame is in the folded state and the leg members are fully extended. It is a perspective view which shows the leg lock device of the foldable trolley, (a) shows the whole leg lock device, (b) shows the periphery of an operation member, and (c) shows the periphery of a lock member. It is a perspective view around the leg movable part of the foldable carriage.

Hereinafter, the foldable trolley of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
The foldable trolley 1 (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as trolley 1) shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 carries a plurality of small assembly units assembled on the small assembly line to the main line, for example, in a completed vehicle assembly line of an automobile. Used for Since the dolly stock area of the small group line is limited, the following effects can be obtained by folding the dolly 1 (see FIG. 3) so that it can be stored compactly. That is, it is possible to reduce the man-hours by eliminating the need to put the trolley 1 in and out of a separate storage place, and to make it easier to adjust the number of trolley 1 even when the number of production increases or decreases.

The carriage 1 is provided with a carriage frame 2 that partitions a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped component storage space and supports a plurality of shelves 9 in this space. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, each configuration in the unfolded state (see FIGS. 1 and 2) in which the shelf board 9 is horizontal will be described.
In this embodiment, the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is set and each configuration is described. The direction along the arrow X is referred to as the left-right direction (vehicle width direction), the direction along the arrow Y is referred to as the front-rear direction (vehicle depth direction), and the direction along the arrow Z is referred to as the vertical direction (vehicle vertical direction). The vertical direction is the normal direction (vertical direction) of the horizontal floor surface F on which the carriage 1 is placed. Viewing from the width of the dolly is called side view.

The bogie frame 2 is configured by combining, for example, a frame member made of a hollow extruded material made of aluminum alloy and a hinge mechanism that rotatably connects a plurality of frame members at the center of an axis along the left-right direction. The dolly frame 2 is made of a light aluminum material and constitutes a parallel link mechanism that can be easily unfolded and folded.

The carriage frame 2 includes a pair of vertical structures 5 facing each other in the front-rear direction, and a plurality of horizontal structures 10 connecting between the pair of vertical structures 5.
The pair of vertical structures 5 have a symmetrical structure in the front-rear direction. Each vertical structure 5 includes a pair of columns 6 extending in the vertical direction at both ends in the left-right direction, and a plurality of left and right horizontal members 7 extending between the pair of columns 6. The left and right horizontal members 7 are provided in four upper and lower stages at a substantially equal pitch, for example. A caster 6a that allows the carriage 1 to move is attached to the lower end of each column 6.

Both ends of each of the left and right horizontal members 7 are connected to the support column 6 via an end rotation mechanism 8 having a coaxial rotation axis. Each of the left and right horizontal members 7 is arranged at the same height as each of the plurality of horizontal structures 10. Each left and right horizontal member 7 rotatably supports the corresponding horizontal structure 10 with respect to the support column 6. It can be said that each left and right horizontal member 7 is a part of the corresponding horizontal structure 10.

The plurality of horizontal structures 10 have a structure common to each other. Each horizontal structure 10 includes a pair of front-rear horizontal members 11 extending in the front-rear direction at both ends in the left-right direction, and a plurality of intermediate horizontal members 12 extending between the pair of front-rear horizontal members 11. .. The plurality of horizontal structures 10 are provided in four upper and lower stages at a height corresponding to each of the plurality of left and right horizontal members 7 of the vertical structure 5. Each of the plurality of horizontal structures 10 horizontally supports the shelf board 9. For convenience of illustration, the bottom shelf plate 9 is not shown.

Hereinafter, the plurality of horizontal structures 10 may be referred to as first to fourth horizontal structures 101 to 104 in order from the upper side. The first horizontal structure 101 connects the upper ends of the pair of columns 6, and the fourth horizontal structure 104 connects the lower ends of the pair of columns 6. The second horizontal structure 102 and the third horizontal structure 103 connect between the upper and lower intermediate portions of the pair of columns 6, respectively.

Each of the plurality of horizontal structures 10 is provided with a bendable movable portion 13 at the central portion in the front-rear direction. The movable portion 13 is provided at the central portion in the front-rear direction of each of the pair of front-rear horizontal members 11. The movable portion 13 can bend the horizontal structure 10 (each front and rear horizontal member 11) into an upwardly convex chevron shape. Each horizontal structure 10 has a movable portion 13 in the front-rear direction, and has a first divided body 10a on one side in the front-rear direction (the base end side of the arrow Y in the figure (hereinafter referred to as the rear side)) and the front-rear direction. It is divided into a second divided body 10b on the other side (the tip side of the arrow Y in the figure (hereinafter referred to as the front side)). Each front and rear horizontal member 11 and each shelf board 9 are also divided in the front-rear direction in accordance with the division of each horizontal structure 10. The outer end portion of the first divided body 10a in the front-rear direction is connected to the fixing vertical structure 5a described later in the pair of vertical structures 5. The outer end portion of the second split body 10b in the front-rear direction is connected to the moving vertical structure 5b on the opposite side of the fixing vertical structure 5a.

The trolley frame 2 bends the plurality of horizontal structures 10 and the shelf boards 9 into an upwardly convex chevron shape from the unfolded state P1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) in which the plurality of horizontal structures 10 and the shelf boards 9 are horizontally arranged. It is possible to bring the pair of vertical structures 5 closer to each other in the front-rear direction to a folded state P2 (see FIG. 3).

When the carriage frame 2 is folded, the plurality of horizontal structures 10 can be bent by interlocking with each other via an interlocking member 18 extending in the vertical direction. The interlocking members 18 are provided on both sides of the carriage frame 2 in the front-rear direction. A caster 18a is attached to the lower end of the interlocking member 18. When the carriage frame 2 is folded, the casters 18a move upward together with the interlocking member 18 and separate from the floor surface F. The casters 18a are grounded when the carriage frame 2 is deployed, and are maintained in a state in which the horizontal structure 10 extends linearly in the front-rear direction (a state in which the shelf plate 9 is in a horizontal posture). The interlocking member 18 and the casters 18a are arranged so as to be offset inward in the left-right direction from the left-right outer end (position where the support column 6 and the brace member 20 are located) of the bogie frame 2. This prevents the casters 18a from interfering with the two divided

bodies

10a and 10b of the lowermost horizontal structure 10 and the brace member 20 when the carriage frame 2 is folded.

The dolly frame 2 has a brace member 20 for holding the unfolded state P1 on one side in the left-right direction (the tip side of the arrow X in the figure (hereinafter referred to as the left side)) and a user when folding the dolly frame 2. It is provided with a handle 30 for gripping.
In the unfolded state P1, the brace member 20 is vertically aligned with the upper portion of one of the pair of vertical structures 5 (for example, the rear side) and the other of the pair of vertical structures 5 (for example, the front side). It is arranged so as to extend diagonally across the lower part of the structure 5. The brace member 20 is arranged at a position where it overlaps with the support column 6 in the left-right direction.

With reference to FIG. 6, the brace member 20 includes a brace movable portion 21 that can be bent in the middle in the length direction thereof. The brace movable portion 21 is provided at a portion near the upper end of the brace member 20. In the embodiment, the brace movable portion 21 is provided at a portion near the upper end of the brace member 20, but may be provided at an arbitrary portion between both ends of the brace member 20 in the length direction. The brace movable portion 21 can bend the brace member 20 into an upwardly convex chevron shape. The brace member 20 is a relatively short first brace split 20a connected to the upper part of one (rear side) vertical structure 5 with the brace movable portion 21 sandwiched in the length direction, and the other (front side). It is divided into a relatively long second brace split 20b, which is connected to the lower part on the vertical structure 5 side.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the handle 30 is a first handle 31 fixed to one of the pair of vertical structures 5 (for example, the rear side, the side to which the upper end portion of the streak member 20 is connected). Among the plurality of horizontal structures 10, the horizontal structure 10 (third horizontal structure 103) is located at a height below the first handle 31 and away from the floor surface F in the unfolded state P1 of the carriage frame 2. ) Is provided with a second handle 32. Hereinafter, the vertical structure 5 to which the first handle 31 is fixed may be referred to as a fixing vertical structure 5a, and the horizontal structure 10 to which the second handle 32 is fixed may be referred to as an operating horizontal structure 10c.

The second handle 32 is fixed to the first divided body 10a (divided body of the front-rear horizontal member 11) of the operating horizontal structure 10c. The second handle 32 includes a lever member 32a extending in the front-rear direction, and a support member 32b extending over the lever member 32a and the first divided body 10a. The lever member 32a is arranged at a position separated from the lateral structure 10c for operation in the left-right direction. The lever member 32a is shorter than the total width of the carriage frame 2 in the front-rear direction, and extends to both sides across the central position of the carriage frame 2 in the front-rear direction. The latter half of the lever member 32a is supported and fixed to the operation horizontal structure 10c via a pair of support members 32b.

When the user folds the trolley frame 2 having the handle 30, the user first stands on the left side of the trolley frame 2, holds the first handle 31 with the left hand, and shows the right hand (only the right hand is indicated by reference numeral H). ) Holds the second handle 32. Next, the user rotates the second handle 32 so as to lift it with his right hand, and operates the second handle 32 so as to bring it closer to the first handle 31. Then, the first divided body 10a of the operating horizontal structure 10c also rotates integrally with the second handle 32, and the plurality of horizontal structures 10 are bent in conjunction with each other accordingly. As a result, the carriage frame 2 and thus the carriage 1 are folded so that the pair of vertical structures 5 come close to each other.

At this time, the moving vertical structure 5b moves backward and approaches the fixing vertical structure 5a to which the first handle 31 is fixed. The casters 6a of the fixing vertical structure 5a are locked from turning around the vertical axis, for example, and their movement in the front-rear direction is restricted. As a result, the moving vertical structure 5b is moved backward to make it easier to approach the fixed vertical structure 5a. A caster 6a capable of switching between locking and unlocking may be used for the caster 6a of the fixing vertical structure 5a, and the caster 6a may be used for the caster 6a of the moving vertical structure 5b. ..

With reference to FIG. 2, at least one of the second handle 32 and the operating horizontal structure 10c is brought into contact with the brace member 20 (second brace split body 20b) when the bogie frame 2 is folded, and the brace member 20 is attached. A contact portion 35 for bending is provided. The contact portion 35 includes, for example, a contact member 36 fixed to the inside of the second handle 32 in the left-right direction. The second handle 32 and the operating horizontal structure 10c rotate upward about the rotation axis of the rear end of the operating horizontal structure 10c, and the contact member 36 rotates during this rotation. The locus R1 intersects the brace member 20 in a lateral view. Therefore, when the second handle 32 is rotated upward so as to be lifted, the abutting member 36 abuts on the brace member 20 from below, giving the brace member 20 a trigger for bending. At this point, the pair of vertical structures 5 have started approaching, and a load in the buckling direction is applied to the brace member 20. Therefore, the abutting member 36 only abuts on the brace member 20 to cause the initial bending motion, and then the brace member 20 is automatically folded so as to increase the bending angle.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the contact portion 35 may be composed of, for example, a support member 32b on the center side in the front-rear direction of the carriage frame 2 in the second handle 32. The contact portion 35 may include a roller 37 that can contact and roll in the middle of the brace member 20 in the length direction. The roller 37 may be made of, for example, a resin material softer than the brace member 20. As a result, scratches on the surface of the brace member 20 are suppressed and the appearance is kept good, as compared with a configuration in which the metal contact portion 35 is in sliding contact with the brace member 20 and rubbed up. The contact portion 35 is not limited to the configuration provided in the first divided body 10a of the operating horizontal structure 10c, and may be provided in the second divided body 10b of the operating horizontal structure 10c.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the brace movable portion 21 is provided with an urging member 25 that applies an urging force so as to extend the flexion of the brace movable portion 21. The urging member 25 is composed of, for example, a tension coil spring, and is arranged so that the expansion / contraction direction is substantially orthogonal to the length direction of the brace member 20. In the urging member 25, the coil end on one side in the expansion / contraction direction is locked to the end of the rotation shaft of the movable portion 21, and the coil end on the other side in the expansion / contraction direction is arranged diagonally downward and locked to the support column 6. .. Due to the urging force of the urging member 25, when the carriage frame 2 is returned from the folded state P2 to the unfolded state P1, the brace member 20 in the bent state is likely to return to the linear state. In other words, the urging member 25 facilitates the brace member 20 to return to its brace mode.

The periphery of the brace movable portion 21 and the urging member 25 is covered with the cover member 26. The cover member 26 covers the periphery of the brace movable portion 21 that bends and stretches and the brace member 25 that expands and contracts, thereby suppressing contact and biting of foreign matter with the brace movable portion 21 and the brace member 25. In addition, the cover member 26 hides the mechanical parts to improve the appearance. The cover member 26 may be transparent or translucent.

The uppermost horizontal structure 10 (first horizontal structure 101) in which the upper ends of the brace member 20 are close to each other is fixed to the first split body 11a (split body of the front and rear horizontal members 11) of the horizontal structure 10. A regulating member 27 is provided so as to project outward in the left-right direction. The regulating member 27 prevents the brace member 20 from being excessively bent when the carriage frame 2 is folded, and assists the brace member 20 to be reliably extended when the carriage frame 2 is deployed.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, a lock device 15 for holding the carriage frame 2 in the folded state P2 is provided on one side (left side, the same side as the handle 30) of the carriage frame 2 in the left-right direction. There is. The lock device 15 is configured by using, for example, an air coupler 16. The air coupler 16 is arranged so that the axial direction is along the front-rear direction. The plug 16a of the air coupler 16 is fixed to the fixing vertical structure 5a via the support member 17a. The socket 16b of the air coupler 16 is fixed to the moving vertical structure 5b via the support member 17b. The air coupler 16 can be automatically locked in response to an operation of folding the carriage frame 2 (an operation in which a pair of vertical structures 5 approach each other in the front-rear direction). The air coupler 16 is arranged at a height close to the second handle 32 (below the second handle 32 in the embodiment) when the carriage frame 2 is folded. As a result, when the dolly frame 2 is folded, the hand H holding the second handle 32 assists the connection of the air coupler 16, and when the dolly frame 2 is unfolded, the unlock sleeve of the socket 16b (not shown). It is possible to quickly grasp the second handle 32 with the hand H that operates the above and assist the deployment.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 7, in the folded state P2 of the carriage frame 2 below the lowermost horizontal structure 10 (fourth horizontal structure 104) close to the floor surface F of the carriage frame 2. A leg member 40 extending outward in the front-rear direction from the pair of vertical structures 5 is provided. The leg member 40 is provided on the other side (right side, opposite to the handle 30) in the left-right direction of the carriage frame 2. The leg member 40 includes a leg movable portion 41 that extends in the front-rear direction and can be bent in the middle in the length direction thereof. The leg movable portion 41 is provided at the central portion of the leg member 40 in the length direction (left-right direction). The leg movable portion 41 can bend the leg member 40 into an upwardly convex chevron shape. The leg member 40 sandwiches the leg movable portion 41 in the length direction, and has a first leg split body 40a on one side (rear side) in the front-rear direction and a second leg split body 40b on the other side (front side) in the front-rear direction. And, it is divided into.

The leg member 40 has a length equivalent to the total width of the carriage frame 2 in the unfolded state P1 in the front-rear direction, and does not project outward in the front-rear direction of each vertical structure 5 in the unfolded state P1 (FIG. 7A). reference). When the carriage frame 2 is folded, the leg members 40 project outward in the front-rear direction relative to the pair of vertical structures 5 that are close to each other (see FIGS. 7 (b) and 7 (c)). In the leg member 40, the leg movable portion 41 bends and changes into a chevron shape, so that both end portions 40c in the length direction are displaced downward so that the leg member 40 can touch the floor surface F.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 7, and 8, below the lowermost horizontal structure 10 in the carriage frame 2, the leg movable portion 41 is in a state where both end portions 40c of the leg member 40 are in contact with or close to the floor surface F. A leg lock device 50 is provided to hold the leg lock device 50 in a bent state. The leg locking device 50 is located in the left-right direction of the trolley frame 2 at a position offset to one side (left side, same side as the handle 30) in the left-right direction and one side (for example, the side of the vertical structure for movement 5b) from the center position in the front-rear direction. An operating member 51 that is supported so as to be strokeable, and a lock member 53 that is supported so that the carriage frame 2 can be stroked in the left-right direction on the other side (right side, opposite to the handle 30) in the left-right direction and at the center position in the front-rear direction. It includes a relay rod 55 that spans the operation member 51 and the lock member 53.

The operation member 51 is inserted and supported in the support member 52 fixed to the left and right horizontal members 7 at the bottom of the fixing vertical structure 5a so as to be strokeable in the front-rear direction. The operating member 51 has a rod portion 51a that is linearly formed along the left-right direction and is supported by the support member 52, a spherical knob portion 51b provided on the lateral side of the rod portion 51a in the left-right direction, and a rod portion 51a in the left-right direction. It is provided with a circular ring portion 51c provided on the inside.

The lock member 53 is inserted into, for example, a support member 54 fixed to one of the first leg split body 40a and the second leg split body 40b (the second leg split body 40b in the figure) so as to be strokeable in the front-rear direction. It is supported. The lock member 53 has a rod portion 54a that is linearly formed along the left-right direction and is supported by the support member 54, a lock pin portion 53b provided on the outside in the left-right direction of the rod portion 54a, and the inside of the rod portion 54a in the left-right direction. It is provided with a circular ring portion 53c provided. The lock pin portion 53b can be inserted and removed between a pair of

hinge members

41a and 41b that rotate relative to each other via a rotation shaft 42 in the leg movable portion 41 when the leg movable portion 41 bends and changes into a chevron shape. is there. When the lock pin portion 53b is inserted between the pair of

hinge members

41a and 41b, the leg movable portion 41 and thus the leg member 40 are locked in a bent state. As a result, both end portions 40c of the leg member 40 are maintained in a state of being in contact with or close to the floor surface F, and the trolley 1 in the folded state P2 is suppressed from falling.

The relay rod 55 has a linear main body portion 55a extending in an inclined direction in the left-right direction in the unfolded state P1 of the bogie frame 2, and a first circle provided at an end portion on the left side (operation member 51 side) of the main body portion 55a. A ring portion 55b and a second round ring portion 55c provided at an end on the right side (lock member 53 side) of the main body portion 55a are provided. The first round ring portion 55b is oscillatedly connected to the round ring portion 51c of the operating member 51. The second circular ring portion 55c is entangled with the circular ring portion 53c of the lock member 53 and is swingably connected.

When the carriage frame 2 is in the deployed state P1, the lock member 53 cannot be inserted into the leg movable portion 41. Both end portions 40c of the leg member 40 are inserted and supported in the leg insertion portion 43 swingably suspended from the left and right horizontal members 7 at the lowermost stage so as to be strokeable in the front-rear direction. Both ends 40c of the leg member 40 are prevented from coming off from the leg insertion portion 43 by, for example, increasing the diameter of the end cap 44a. When the carriage frame 2 is in the deployed state P1, the relay rod 55 is arranged obliquely with respect to the front-rear direction, and the knob portion 51b of the operating member 51 is arranged near the left end portion of the vertical structure 5.

Here, when the trolley frame 2 is folded and the pair of vertical structures 5 approach each other and the leg insertion portions 43 of each vertical structure 5 approach each other, the leg member 40 is outside the leg insertion portion 43 in the front-rear direction. The length that extends to increases. A pair of stopper members 44b are fixed to the inside of the leg member 40 in the front-rear direction so that the leg member 40 does not extend to one side in the front-rear direction in the folded state P2 of the bogie frame 2. See FIG. 7 (c)). The stopper member 44b has an outer diameter that cannot be inserted into the leg insertion portion 43, and is arranged on both sides of the leg movable portion 41 at intervals. The stopper member 44b regulates this stroke at an appropriate position even if the leg member 40 makes a stroke that is offset to one side in the front-rear direction when the carriage frame 2 is folded. As a result, in the folded state P2 of the carriage frame 2, the leg members 40 are evenly extended to both sides in the front-rear direction.

In the folded state P2 of the carriage frame 2, the leg member 40 may be bent in a chevron shape so as to move both end portions 40c downward by its own weight. In the embodiment, the leg interlocking wire 45 is provided in order to positively bend the leg member 40 (see FIGS. 7 (b) and 7 (c)). The leg interlocking wire 45 extends downward from the movable portion 13 of at least one of the plurality of horizontal structures 10 (third horizontal structure 103 in the embodiment) and is connected to the leg movable portion 41. The leg interlocking wire 45 has a deflection between the movable portion 13 of the horizontal structure 10 and the leg movable portion 41 of the leg member 40 when the carriage frame 2 is in the deployed state P1 and in the first half when the carriage frame 2 is folded. (See FIG. 7 (b)).

The leg interlocking wire 45 eliminates bending and pulls up the leg movable portion 41 as the horizontal structure 10 bends and the movable portion 13 moves significantly upward in the latter half of folding the carriage frame 2. As a result, the leg member 40 can be bent as the carriage frame 2 is folded, and can function as a stand for the carriage 1 in the folded state P2. Since the bending angle of the leg member 40 is small with respect to the bending angle of the horizontal structure 10, the leg member 40 is bent at a shallow angle behind the horizontal structure 10 by utilizing the bending of the leg interlocking wire 45 (cord-shaped member). It is good to let it. In the embodiment, the leg movable portion 41 or the like may be further provided with an urging member (not shown) for returning the bent leg member 40 to a straight line. In this case, when the carriage frame 2 is unfolded from the folded state P2, the leg member 40 quickly returns to a straight line, so that the stroke of the leg member 40 becomes smooth.

As shown in FIG. 9, as a configuration in which the leg member 40 is positively bent, instead of (or in combination with) the leg interlocking wire 45, an urging member is provided between the pair of

hinge members

41a and 41b of the leg movable portion 41. 46 may be provided. The urging member 46 is, for example, a compression coil spring, and is contracted between the pair of

hinge members

41a and 41b at a position eccentric from the rotating shaft 42. The urging member 46 makes it easier for the leg member 40 to bend when the carriage frame 2 is folded, and makes it easier to insert the lock pin portion 53b between the pair of

hinge members

41a and 41b.

When the carriage frame 2 is in the folded state P2, the lock pin portion 53b can be inserted and removed between the pair of

hinge members

41a and 41b of the leg movable portion 41. At this time, since the relay rod 55 reduces the inclination angle with respect to the front-rear direction, the knob portion 51b of the operating member 51 projects outward in the front-rear direction and the lock pin portion is utilized by utilizing the surplus length of the relay rod 55. 53b is inserted into the leg movable portion 41. In this state, the lock pin portion 53b can be inserted into and removed from the leg movable portion 41 by stroking the knob portion 51b in the left-right direction. When the carriage frame 2 is in the folded state P2, the operation member 51 and the lock member 53 are also offset in the vertical direction. On the other hand, since the operation member 51 and the relay rod 55 are swingable, and the relay rod 55 and the lock member 53 are swingable, even if the carriage frame 2 is in the folded state P2, the operation member The lock member 53 can be inserted into and detached from the leg movable portion 41 by the stroke operation of 51.

<Action>
Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described.
First, when folding the dolly frame 2 from the unfolded state P1, the user holds the first handle 31 with his left hand and rotates it so as to lift the second handle 32 with his right hand to lift the second handle 32. Move it closer to the first handle 31. Then, the plurality of horizontal structures 10 including the horizontal structure 10c for operation are interlocked and bent, and the pair of vertical structures 5 are brought close to each other. At this time, the first divided body 10a of the operating horizontal structure 10c rotates together with the second handle 32, and at least one of them is provided with a contact portion 35 that abuts and bends the brace member 20. ing. The brace member 20 having the bendable brace movable portion 21 is brought into contact with the abutting portion 35 from the lateral direction intersecting the longitudinal direction thereof, whereby the bending (folding) of the brace member 20 is assisted. Therefore, the brace member 20 is automatically bent and the pair of vertical structures 5 approach each other by a one-action operation of lifting the second handle 32 and rotating it so as to bring it closer to the first handle 31. It is possible to change the carriage frame 2 to the folded state P2. When the carriage frame 2 is folded, the leg member 40 as a fall prevention stand is automatically deployed in conjunction with the folding, so that the folding operation of the carriage 1 becomes even easier.

When the carriage frame 2 is unfolded from the folded state P2, the plurality of bent horizontal structures 10 are in a horizontal state by rotating the second handle 32 downward so as to separate it from the first handle 31. The pair of vertical structures 5 are separated from each other. At this time, the abutting portion 35 is separated from the brace member 20, and the bent brace member 20 can be extended linearly. As a result, the brace member 20 is passed between the pair of vertical structures 5 by the one-action operation of rotating the second handle 32 so as to be separated from the first handle 31, as in the case of folding. It is possible to change to the expanded state P1. When the carriage frame 2 is deployed, the leg member 40 as a fall prevention stand is automatically stored in conjunction with the deployment, so that the deployment work of the carriage 1 becomes even easier.

As described above, the foldable carriage 1 in the above embodiment has a plurality of horizontal structures that connect between the pair of vertical structures 5 and the pair of vertical structures 5 that face each other in the front-rear direction and support the shelf board 9. The dolly frame 2 is provided with the structure 10. Each of the plurality of horizontal structures 10 is provided with a bendable movable portion 13 at a central portion in the front-rear direction. The plurality of horizontal structures 10 can be bent in interlocking with each other via the interlocking member 18. The carriage frame 2 is a pair of horizontal structures 10 that are bent so that the movable portion 13 moves upward by interlocking the plurality of horizontal structures 10 from the deployed state P1 in which the shelf board 9 is horizontally supported by the plurality of horizontal structures 10. It is possible to set the folded state P2 in which the vertical structures 5 are brought close to each other in the front-rear direction. The carriage frame 2 includes a brace member 20 that holds the unfolded state P1 and a handle 30 that the user grips when folding the carriage frame 2 on one side in the left-right direction. The brace member 20 is arranged so as to extend over the upper portion of one vertical structure 5 and the lower portion of the other vertical structure 5 in the pair of vertical structures 5 in the deployed state P1. The brace member 20 includes a brace movable portion 21 that can be bent in the middle in the length direction thereof. The handle 30 is an operation in which the first handle 31 fixed to one of the pair of vertical structures 5 and the plurality of horizontal structures 10 are located below the first handle 31 in the deployed state P1. It is provided with a second handle 32 fixed to the horizontal structure 10c. When the vertical structure 5 to which the first handle 31 is fixed is used as the fixing vertical structure 5a, each horizontal structure 10 is positioned on the fixing vertical structure 5a side in the front-rear direction with the movable portion 13 interposed therebetween. It is divided into a first divided body 10a and a second divided body 10b located on the opposite side of the fixing vertical structure 5a in the front-rear direction. The second handle 32 is fixed to the first divided body 10a of the horizontal structure for operation 10c, and when the carriage frame 2 is folded, the first divided body 10a is used as the first handle 31 together with the second handle 32. It can be operated to bring it closer. At least one of the second handle 32 and the operating horizontal structure 10c is provided with an abutting portion 35 that abuts on the brace member 20 and bends the brace member 20 when the carriage frame 2 is folded.

According to this configuration, when the carriage frame 2 is folded from the unfolded state P1, a plurality of horizontal structures 10 including the operating horizontal structure 10c are interlocked and bent to bring the pair of vertical structures 5 close to each other. .. At this time, when the abutting portion 35 abuts on the brace member 20 and bends the brace member 20, the brace member 20 can be bent by a one-action operation, and the carriage frame 2 can be brought into the folded state P2.
Further, when the carriage frame 2 is unfolded from the folded state P2, the plurality of bent horizontal structures 10 are interlocked and extended to separate the pair of vertical structures 5 from each other. At this time, by returning the brace member 20 which was bent at a distance from the brace member 20 to the extended state, the brace member 20 is extended by a one-action operation, and the trolley frame 2 is brought into the deployed state P1. can do.
As described above, it is possible to provide the foldable carriage 1 that facilitates folding and unfolding of the carriage frame 2 provided with the brace member 20 without requiring disassembly or reassembly of the component parts.

In the foldable trolley 1 of the above embodiment, when the trolley frame 2 is held under the trolley frame 2 and the trolley frame 2 is in the folded state, it is outside the pair of vertical structures 5 in the first direction. A leg member 40 that extends and touches or is in contact with the floor surface F is provided.
According to this configuration, even if the trolley frame 2 is folded and the width of the trolley frame 2 is narrowed in the first direction, the leg members 40 are extended to the outside of the pair of vertical structures 5, so that the trolley 1 in the folded state is used. Can be prevented from tipping over in the first direction. By automatically deploying the leg member 40 according to the folding of the carriage frame 2, the work from the folding to the storage of the carriage 1 can be facilitated, and when the carriage 1 is folded, the leg member 40 can be reliably supported by the leg member 40.

In the foldable carriage 1 of the above embodiment, the leg member 40 is provided on the other side of the carriage frame 2 in the second direction opposite to the handle 30.
According to this configuration, since the leg member 40 is provided on the side opposite to the handle 30 in the second direction, it is possible to prevent the leg member 40 from interfering with the foot space of the user who grips the handle 30. Although the leg member 40 is located far from the user who grips the handle 30, it can be avoided that the folding work of the carriage 1 becomes complicated by automatically deploying the leg member 40 according to the folding of the carriage frame 2. ..

In the foldable trolley 1 of the above embodiment, the leg member 40 extends in the first direction and includes a leg movable portion 41 that can be bent in the middle of the leg member 40 in the longitudinal direction. By bending the leg movable portion 41, the end portion 40c in the length direction can be grounded or close to the floor surface F, and in the foldable trolley 1, the leg member 40 is grounded or close to the floor surface F. The leg locking device 50 is provided to hold the leg movable portion 41 in the bent state in the bent state.
According to this configuration, the leg locking device 50 locks the operation of the leg movable portion 41 while the leg member 40 is in contact with or close to the floor surface F, so that the trolley 1 in the folded state is reliably supported by the leg member 40. be able to.

In the foldable carriage 1 of the above embodiment, the leg lock device 50 includes a lock operation unit (knob portion 51b) on the handle 30 side in the second direction of the carriage frame 2.
According to this configuration, the user who grips the handle 30 can easily operate the lock operation of the leg lock device 50, and the leg member 40 can be easily locked and unlocked. In particular, when the leg member 40 is provided on the side opposite to the handle 30, the effect is high.

In the foldable carriage 1 of the above embodiment, the leg member 40 extends downward from at least one of the plurality of horizontal structures 10 and pulls up the leg movable portion 41 as the movable portion 13 moves upward. A leg interlocking member (leg interlocking wire 45) is provided so that the end portion 40c of the above is grounded or brought close to the floor surface F.
According to this configuration, by moving the movable portion 13 of the horizontal structure 10 upward when the carriage frame 2 is folded, the leg members 40 are interlocked and the end portion 40c is brought into contact with or close to the floor surface F, so that the movable portion 40c is in the folded state. The dolly 1 can be easily and surely supported.

In the foldable carriage 1 of the above embodiment, a lock device 15 for holding the carriage frame 2 in a folded state is provided on one side of the carriage frame 2 in the second direction.
According to this configuration, since the lock device 15 is provided on the same side as the handle 30 of the carriage frame 2, when the user performs the folding work and the unfolding work of the carriage frame 2 using the handle 30, the locking device 15 is used for folding. It is possible to easily lock and unlock the state.

The foldable carriage 1 of the above embodiment includes an urging member 25 that urges the brace member 20 so as to extend the bending of the brace movable portion 21.
According to this configuration, when the abutting portion 35 comes into contact with the brace member 20 when the carriage 1 is folded, the brace member 20 can be bent against the urging force of the brace member 25. When the abutting portion 35 is separated from the brace member 20 when the carriage 1 is deployed, the brace member 20 can be quickly and linearly extended by the urging force of the brace member 25.

The foldable carriage 1 of the above embodiment includes a cover member 26 that covers the periphery of the brace movable portion 21.
According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress the contact and biting of foreign matter during the operation of the brace movable portion 21.

In the foldable carriage 1 of the above embodiment, the contact portion 35 includes a roller 37 that can contact the brace member 20 and roll.
According to this configuration, the roller 37 of the contact portion 35 bends the brace member 20 while rolling on the brace member 20, so that the brace member 20 can be smoothly bent.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the pair of vertical structures 5 is not limited to a frame shape, and may include a wall-shaped portion or a plate-shaped portion at least in part. The horizontal structure 10 is not limited to the upper and lower four stages, and may include a smaller number or a larger number of horizontal structures 10.
The configuration in the above embodiment is an example of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention, such as replacing the constituent elements of the embodiment with well-known constituent elements.

1 Folding trolley 2 trolley frame 5 Vertical structure 5a Vertical structure for fixing 9 Shelf board 10 Horizontal structure 10a First split body 10b Second split body 10c Horizontal structure for operation 13 Moving part 15 Locking device 20 Brace Member 21 Brace movable part 25 Brace member 26 Cover member 30 Handle 31 First handle 32 Second handle 35 Contact part 37 Roller 40 Leg member 40c End 41 Leg movable part 45 Leg interlocking wire (leg interlocking member)
50 Leg lock device 51b Knob section (lock operation section)
P1 Unfolded state P2 Folded state F Floor (ground)

Claims

A plurality of horizontal structures (10) that connect between a pair of vertical structures (5) facing each other in the first horizontal direction and the pair of vertical structures (5) and support the shelf board (9). And, to configure the trolley frame (2),
Each of the plurality of transverse structures (10) includes a bendable movable portion (13) at a central portion in the first direction.
The plurality of horizontal structures (10) can be bent by interlocking with each other via the interlocking member (18).
In the carriage frame (2), the plurality of horizontal structures (10) are interlocked with each other from the deployed state (P1) in which the shelf board (9) is horizontally supported by the plurality of horizontal structures (10). It is possible to bend the movable portion (13) so as to move upward so that the pair of vertical structures (5) are brought close to each other in a folded state (P2).
The bogie frame (2) has a brace member (20) holding the unfolded state (P1) and the bogie frame (2) on one side in a horizontal second direction orthogonal to the first direction. With a handle (30) that the user grips when folding,
In the unfolded state (P1), the brace member (20) includes an upper portion of one vertical structure (5) and a lower portion of the other vertical structure (5) in the pair of vertical structures (5). Arranged to extend over
The brace member (20) includes a bendable brace movable portion (21) in the middle of the brace member (20) in the length direction.
The handle (30) is the first handle (31) fixed to one of the pair of vertical structures (5) and the unfolded state (P1) of the plurality of horizontal structures (10). ), The second handle (32) fixed to the operation horizontal structure (10c) located below the first handle (31) is provided.
When the vertical structure (5) to which the first handle (31) is fixed is used as the fixing vertical structure (5a).
Each of the horizontal structures (10) includes a first divided body (10a) located on the fixing vertical structure (5a) side in the first direction with the movable portion (13) interposed therebetween. It is divided into a second divided body (10b) located on the opposite side of the fixing vertical structure (5a) in the first direction.
The second handle (32) is fixed to the first divided body (10a) of the operating horizontal structure (10c), and when the carriage frame (2) is folded, the second handle (32) is used. ), And the first divided body (10a) can be operated so as to approach the first handle (31).
At least one of the second handle (32) and the operating horizontal structure (10c) is brought into contact with the brace member (20) when the bogie frame (2) is folded, and the brace member (20) is attached to the brace member (20). A foldable trolley with a bending contact (35).
It is held under the carriage frame (2), and when the carriage frame (2) is in the folded state (P2), it extends outward from the pair of vertical structures (5) in the first direction. The foldable trolley according to claim 1, further comprising a leg member (40) grounded or close to the ground (F).
The foldable carriage according to claim 2, wherein the leg member (40) is provided on the other side of the carriage frame (2) in the second direction opposite to the handle (30).
The leg member (40) extends in the first direction.
A leg movable portion (41) that can be bent is provided in the middle of the leg member (40) in the length direction.
The leg member (40) can touch or approach the end portion (40c) in the length direction to the ground (F) by bending the leg movable portion (41).
The foldable carriage (1) includes a leg locking device (50) that holds the leg movable portion (41) in a bent state while the leg member (40) is in contact with or close to the ground (F). The foldable trolley according to claim 2 or 3.
The foldable carriage according to claim 4, wherein the leg lock device (50) includes a lock operation unit (51b) on the handle (30) side in the second direction of the carriage frame (2). ..
The leg movable portion (41) is pulled upward as the movable portion (13) moves upward, extending downward from at least one of the plurality of lateral structures (10), and the end of the leg member (40). The foldable trolley according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a leg interlocking member (45) that brings the portion (40c) into contact with or close to the ground (F).
Any of claims 1 to 6, wherein a lock device (15) for holding the carriage frame (2) in a folded state (P2) is provided on one side of the carriage frame (2) in the second direction. The foldable trolley described in item 1.
The foldable carriage according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an urging member (25) for urging the brace member (20) so as to extend the bending of the brace movable portion (21). ..
The foldable carriage according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a cover member (26) that covers the periphery of the brace movable portion (21).
The foldable carriage according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the contact portion (35) is provided with a roller (37) that is in contact with the brace member (20) and can roll.