: PLATE COMPACTOR TRANSPORT DEVICE

Abstract

A transport device is provided to allow switching between transport and non-transport modes of a plate compactor in a very simple and safe manner, while also ensuring sufficient durability against wear due to vibration. Arms are pivotally fixed to a base 2 on the rear side of the plate compactor 9 so that they can pivot between a position higher than the plate 91 and a lower position. An arm locking mechanism includes a stop to limit the upward pivoting of the arms, and a locking lever 6 with a hook adapted to engage the stop. The arms can be locked in the position higher than the plate 91 to prevent pivoting by means of the hook of the locking lever 6 engaging the stop.When the lock is released, the distal ends of the arms and the wheels 5 pivot downwards by their own weight until the wheels touch the ground behind the plate compactor. [Selected figure] FIG. 6.

Description

Title of the invention: PLATE COMPACTOR TRANSPORT DEVICE Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport device for plate compactors used for compacting a paved surface or a ground surface.

[0002] [Context of the invention]

[0003] A plate compactor, which is used for compacting a paved surface or a ground surface, has a significant weight (for example, approximately 40 to 100 kg). To transport a plate compactor when it is not in use for compaction, the compactor is traditionally carried on a custom transport trolley, or moved using a wheeled transport device that can be attached to the compactor's machine body.

[0004] When a custom transport trolley is used, the compactor must be loaded and unloaded each time, and the transport trolley itself must be brought to the site. A transport device that can be attached to the compactor's machine body also requires attachment and detachment for each use. In both cases, moving a plate compactor is complicated.

[0005] Recently, plate compactors which are equipped with integrated transport wheels or a folding wheeled transport device mounted on the rear part of the machine body have also been developed and are commercially available.

[0006] Patent document 1: JP 2018-076737 A Patent document 2: JP 2000-257017 A Patent document 3: JP 2000-257019 A Summary of the invention Technical problem

[0007] However, conventional plate compactors equipped with transport wheels had limited ease of use during compaction and maneuverability due to the wheel placement, which restricted mounting to a limited area. Conventional plate compactors with a folding frame transport device at the rear of the machine body have handling problems when deploying and folding the frame for storage. Furthermore, the moving parts (such as pivoting parts) that make up the folding structure are sensitive to vibration during compaction and are not sufficiently resistant to wear caused by vibration.

[0008] The present invention addresses these prior art problems. One object of the invention is to provide a plate compactor transport device that allows for a very simple and safe switching between transport and non-transport modes, while also ensuring sufficient durability against wear due to vibration. Technical solution

[0009] A plate compactor transport device according to the present invention is adapted for mounting on a plate compactor and comprises a base, an arm, a wheel, an arm locking means, and an arm deflection means. The base is permanently fixed to a plate via an anti-vibration means in a position above the plate. The wheel is rotatably supported at a distal end of the arm. The arm has a proximal end pivotally fixed to the base on a rear side of the plate compactor so as to allow the distal end of the arm to pivot between a position higher than the plate and a position lower than it. The arm locking means comprises: a stop configured to limit the upward pivoting of the arm; and a locking lever having a hook configured to engage the stop.The arm locking means is configured: to lock the arm in a position higher than the plate to prevent the arm from pivoting by means of the locking lever hook engaging the stop; and to release the arm to allow the distal end of the arm and the wheel to pivot downwards by their own weight until the wheel touches a ground surface behind the plate compactor. The arm deflection means is configured to deflect the distal end of the arm and the wheel to a position below the plate when the plate compactor is tilted forward from an orientation in which the wheel is in contact with the ground surface behind the plate compactor.

[0010] In the plate compactor transport device, preferably, the base comprises a support, and the proximal end of the arm is pivotally fixed to the support. The locking lever is pivotally fixed to the arm, while the stop is permanently fixed to the support. A locking lever deflection means is disposed between the support and the locking lever to deflect the locking lever in a direction so that the hook engages the stop when the arm is very close to the stop.

[0011] Preferably, the transport device comprises a spring with one end anchored to the support and the other end anchored to the locking lever, this spring serving as a means for deflecting the locking lever as well as a means for deflecting the arm. Preferably, the stop is permanently fixed to the support via an anti-vibration means. Preferably, the transport device comprises a device for Handle lock suitable for locking the operating handle in a rearward tilted position.

[0012] [Advantageous effect of the invention]

[0013] The plate compactor transport device according to the present invention is used by being mounted on a plate compactor, and allows switching from a non-transport mode (in which compaction can be carried out) to a transport mode (in which the plate compactor can be easily moved with the wheels touching the ground) of the plate compactor on which it is mounted, and vice versa, in a very simple yet safe manner.

[0014] The plate compactor transport device according to the present invention takes anti-vibration measures in the necessary parts and is intended to ensure sufficient durability against wear due to vibrations even if it comprises a one-piece structure which allows switching between non-transport and transport modes (a structure comprising moving parts). Brief description of the drawings

[0015] Fig. 1 is a side view of a plate compactor transport device 1 according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the supports 3, the frame 4 and the wheels 5 shown in Fig. 1; [Fig.3] is a diagram representing a state of a locking lever 6 mounted on the arm 41 shown in [Fig.2]; Fig. 4 is a side view of the proximal end of the operating handle 93 and the handle locking device 7 shown in Fig. 1; [Fig.5] is an illustrative diagram showing an operating state of the transport device 1 represented in [Fig.1]; [Fig.6] is an illustrative diagram showing an operating state of the transport device 1 represented in [Fig.1]; [Fig.7] is an illustrative diagram showing an operating state of the transport device 1 represented in [Fig.1]; Figure 8 is an illustrative diagram showing an operating state of the transport device 1 shown in Figure 1; and Fig. 9 is an illustrative diagram showing an operating state of the transport device 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0016] [Description of embodiments]

[0017] A specific embodiment of the PLATE COMPACTOR TRANSPORT DEVICE according to the present invention is described below with reference to to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a side view of the plate compactor transport device 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "transport device 1") according to the present invention. As illustrated, this transport device 1 is mounted on a plate compactor 9 for use. The plate compactor 9 shown in Figure 1 has a general design and comprises: a plate 91 (a compaction plate) for compacting a paved surface or a ground surface; a main unit 92 placed on the plate (comprising a vibrator for oscillating the plate 91, a motor and fuel tank or an electric motor and battery for driving the vibrator); and an operating handle 93.

[0018] The transport device 1 according to the present invention comprises a base 2, a frame 4 (arms 41), wheels 5, an arm locking means (for example, a locking lever 6), an arm deflection means, and a handle locking device 7. Among these, the base 2 is a part for permanently fixing the transport device 1 to the plate compactor 9, and is mounted above the plate 91 via an anti-vibration means (for example, anti-vibration rubber) to dampen the vibration transmitted by the vibrator and the plate 91. More particularly, the base 2 is fixed to the plate 91 via the anti-vibration means, or fixed to a machine frame or other component that is mounted on the plate 91 via the anti-vibration means.

[0019] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the base 2 has supports 3 at the rear (of the machine body of the plate compactor 9 on which the transport device is mounted). The supports 3 are designed to support the frame 4 so that it can pivot about a horizontal axis.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the supports 3, the frame 4 and the wheels 5 shown in Fig. 1. In this embodiment, as illustrated in this drawing, two plate-like supports 3 spaced in the width direction (of the machine body of the plate compactor 9 on which the transport device is mounted) are permanently fixed (or formed as a single piece) each on a rear part of the main body of the base 2 (see Fig. 1) and coupled to each other by a horizontally extending rod-like reinforcing element 31.

[0021] The frame 4, which rotatably supports the wheels 5, is mounted on the supports 3. The frame 4 consists of two arms 41 of the same shape and a shaft 44. The two arms 41 have a curved or bent shape as illustrated, and are coupled to each other by the shaft 44 arranged between the distal ends 42 of the arms 41. The proximal end 43 of each arm 41 is pivotally fixed to each of the two supports 3 (portions of the base 2). In other words, the arms 41 are supported so as to allow their distal ends 42 to pivot about a horizontal axis Cl shown in [Fig. 2] (the line passing through the centers of bolts 32 inserted into the through holes formed in the supports 3) between a position higher than the plate 91 (see [Fig. 1]) and a lower position than plate 91 at the rear of the machine body of the plate compactor 9 (see [Fig. 1]). The wheels 5 are each fixed to the distal ends 42 of the arms 41 (at both ends of the shaft 44).

[0022] As illustrated in [Fig. 2], a stop 33 (an arm locking means) is permanently provided on a support 3 to prevent the upward pivoting of the arms 41 at a predetermined position. The stop 33 projects laterally from a side face of the support 3 and is located on the front side (of the machine body of the plate compactor 9 on which the transport device is mounted), and on the upper side, of the pivot point (i.e., the center of the bolts 32) of the arms 41, so that when the arms 41 and the wheels 5 are turned upwards, the stop 33 comes into contact with the arms 41 before the arms 41 and the wheels 5 come into contact with the operating handle 93 (at a position where the arms 41 and the wheels 5 are not in contact with the operating handle 93). The stop 33 is fixed to the support 3 via an anti-vibration means (for example, anti-vibration rubber).

[0023] The support 3 also includes a fixed pin (a first anchor pin 34) for anchoring one end of a spring that is intended to deflect the locking lever 6 (the arm locking means) shown in [Fig. 1]. The first anchor pin 34 projects from the side face of the support 3 in the same direction as the stop 33. One of the two arms 41 is provided with a hole 45 for pivotally supporting the locking lever 6 shown in [Fig. 1], and a slot 46 to limit the pivoting range (the angle range) of the locking lever 6.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a diagram representing a state of the locking lever 6 mounted on the arm 41 shown in Fig. 2. As illustrated, the locking lever 6 is pivotally fixed to the arm 41 by a bolt 61, and supported so as to be able to pivot about a horizontal axis C2 (the line passing through the center of the bolt 61 inserted into the hole 45 (see Fig. 2) formed in the arm 41).

[0025] The locking lever 6 consists of a hook 62 on one side and a claw 63 on the other side of the pivot point (the bolt 61). The hook 62 is sized to engage the stop 33 and is positioned to engage the stop 33 when the arm 41 comes into contact with (or approaches) the stop 33. A second anchor pin 64 is formed between the pivot point (the bolt 61) and the hook 62 of the locking lever 6. The second anchor pin 64 projects from the lateral face of the locking lever 6 in the same direction as the first anchor pin 34.

[0026] A projection 65 is formed on the side opposite the second anchor pin 64 (on a lateral face of the locking lever 6 opposite the lateral face where the second anchor pin 64 protrudes). The projection 65 protrudes into the slot 46 formed in the arm 41 to limit the pivoting range (angle range) of the locking lever 6 jointly with the slot 46. In other words, the locking lever 6 can pivot within the displacement range of the projection 65 protruding into the slot 46 and moving between the upper and lower edges of the slot 46.

[0027] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], a spring 8 (a helical tension spring) is tensioned between the support 3 and the locking lever 6. More specifically, one end of the spring 8 is anchored to the first anchor pin 34 of the support 3, and the other end of the spring 8 is anchored to the second anchor pin 64 of the locking lever 6. The locking lever 6 is deflected by this spring 8 (the locking lever deflection means) in the direction so that the hook 62 engages the stop 33 when the arm 41 is very close to the stop 33.

[0028] Figure 4 is a side view of the proximal end of the operating handle 93 and the handle locking device 7 shown in Figure 1. The operating handle 93 is mounted on a machine body frame of the plate compactor 9 (see Figure 1) so that it can pivot about a hinge 94. The orientation of the handle can be changed from a rearward inclined position (represented by solid lines in Figure 4) to a forward inclined position (represented by dashed lines in Figure 4) or to a perpendicular upright position. The operating handle 93 can be held permanently in the rearward inclined position (represented by solid lines in Figure 4) by actuating the handle locking device 7.

[0029] More specifically, the handle locking device 7 comprises a cylinder 71, an axially sliding rod 72 held inside the cylinder 71, and a tab 73, and is fixed near the proximal end of the operating handle 93. By actuating the tab 73, the rod 72 can switch between a state in which the distal end of the rod 72 is retracted inside the cylinder 71 (positioned as shown by dashed lines in [Fig. 4]) and a state in which the distal end of the rod is extended from the end of the cylinder 71 (positioned as shown by solid lines in [Fig. 4]). As also shown in [Fig. 4], the base 2 has a fan-shaped cover 21 permanently fixed to it so as to cover the vicinity of the proximal end of the operating handle 93 from the outside.

[0030] With the operating handle 93 in the rearward inclined position as illustrated by the solid lines in [Fig. 4], the tab 73 is actuated to cause the distal end of the rod 72 to extend from the end of the cylinder 71. The distal end of the rod 72 coming into contact with a portion of the rear end of the cover 21 stops the forward pivoting of the operating handle. 93. That is to say, the operating handle 93 can be locked in its rearward tilted position.

[0031] Actuating the tab 73 to bring the distal end of the rod 72 to be retracted inside the cylinder 71 as illustrated by the dashed lines on the [Fig.4] releases the locking of the operating handle 93, allowing the operating handle 93 to pivot freely to the position represented by the dashed lines on the [Fig.4].

[0032] The operating modes of the transport device 1 according to this embodiment are now described. In the transport device 1 shown in [Fig. 1], the plate compactor 9 is in its non-transport mode (in which compaction can be carried out). The arms 41 and the wheels 5 are held in a position where they do not interfere with the compaction operation using the plate compactor 9 (behind the machine body and higher than the plate 91). More specifically, the arm 41 is positioned in contact with the stop 33 as illustrated in [Fig. 3], and the hook 62 of the locking lever 6 is engaged with the stop 33, preventing the arm 41 from pivoting. In this state, the plate compactor 9 can switch to transport mode (with the wheels 5 touching the ground for easy movement of the plate compactor 9) by means of a simple operation.

[0033] First, the handle locking device 7 is actuated to lock the operating handle 93 in its rearward inclined state as illustrated by solid lines in [Fig. 4]. Then, the locking lever 6 is actuated to release the hook 62 from the stop 33. In particular, the claw 63 of the locking lever 6 is pushed downwards to rotate the locking lever 6 from the position shown by the solid lines in [Fig. 3] to the position shown by the dashed lines (where the hook 62 does not engage with the stop 33).

[0034] This releases the locking mechanism of the arms 41, allowing them to pivot. The arms 41 and the wheels 5 pivot primarily by their own weight until the wheels 5 make contact with the ground surface G (the soil) on which the plate compactor 9 is placed, as illustrated in [Fig. 5]. In this state, an upper portion of the operating handle 93 is grasped and pushed upwards towards the front of the machine body of the plate compactor 9 (towards a point diagonally above and in front of the machine body), to place the plate compactor 9 in a forward-leaning orientation (with the rear portion of the plate 91 raised from the ground surface G), as illustrated in [Fig. 6].

[0035] As the rear portion of the plate 91 is lifted from the ground surface G, the wheels 5 and the distal ends of the arms 41 pivot to a position under a rear portion of the plate 91 by their own weight and by the deflection force of the spring 8 (the arm deflection means). The arms 41 are made up of portions stepped 47 (a portion of each arm 41 protruding outwards more than the radius of the wheel 5 to prevent the wheel 5 from coming into contact with the plate 91). The arms 41 and the wheels 5 stop when these stepped portions 47 come into contact with the plate 91 and remain stable.

[0036] This point will be described in more detail. When the wheels 5 are in contact with the ground surface G before the plate compactor 9 is placed in its forward tilted orientation, the centerline of the spring 8 (the line connecting the first anchor pin 34 and the second anchor pin 64) is located above the pivot point of the arms 41 (the center of the bolts 32), as illustrated in [Fig. 5]. In this state, as the rear part of the plate 91 is raised and the angle of the plate 91 with respect to the ground surface G exceeds a certain limit, the centerline of the spring 8 (the line connecting the first anchor pin 34 and the second anchor pin 64) moves downwards below the pivot point of the arms 41 (the center of the bolts 32), as illustrated in [Fig. 7].

[0037] As the rear portion of the plate 91 is raised further, the wheels 5 and the distal ends of the arms 41 are pulled by the spring 8 towards the position under the rear portion of the plate 91, until the stepped portions 47 of the arms 41 come into contact with the plate 91, as illustrated in [Fig. 6]. The deflection force (tension) of the spring 8 maintains the arms 41 and the wheels 5 in this state in a stable manner.

[0038] Next, the operating handle 93 is pulled back to the rear of the machine body to bring the wheels 5 into contact with the ground surface G. In this state, pulling the operating handle 93 further back raises the front part of the plate 91 off the ground surface G, as illustrated in [Fig. 8]. In this state, the entire weight of the plate compactor 9 is supported by the wheels 5, so that the plate compactor 9 can be moved freely back and forth or diagonally by grasping and maneuvering the operating handle 93.

[0039] Without the spring 8 that pulls the wheels 5 and the distal ends of the arms 41 towards the position under the rear part of the plate 91, the wheels 5 and the distal ends of the arms 41 oscillate for a moment under the pivot point of the arms 41 (the center of the bolts 32) when the rear part of the plate 91 is raised in the state shown in [Fig. 5]. Lowering the wheels 5 to the ground surface G before the oscillating movement stops is very dangerous because the wheels 5 may fail to move into the correct position under the plate 91 and slide back towards the rear of the plate 91 (returning to the state shown in [Fig. 5]).

[0040] In the transport device 1 according to this embodiment, when the rear part of the plate 91 is lifted, the wheels 5 and the distal ends of the arms 41 are pulled by the spring 8 and move into the correct position under the plate 91, and are held stably in this state. Therefore, the risk of the wheels 5 sliding back towards the rear of plate 91 can be avoided.

[0041] To move from the transport mode shown in [Fig.8] (in which the plate compactor 9 can be easily moved) to the non-transport mode shown in [Fig.1] (in which compaction can be carried out), the plate compactor 9 is first tilted forward as shown in [Fig.6], to lift the wheels 5 from the surface of the ground G. The arms 41 and the wheels 5 then pivot from the position under the plate 91 to the rear of the machine body and further upwards to the position shown in [Fig.1], more particularly to the position where the arm 41 comes into contact with the stop 33, as shown in [Fig.3].

[0042] When the arms 41 and the wheels 5 are raised at the rear of the machine body, the centerline of the spring 8 (the line connecting the first anchor pin 34 and the second anchor pin 64) is located above the pivot point of the arms 41 (the center of the bolts 32). Consequently, the tension of the spring 8 increases as the arms 41 pivot, assisting the pivoting of the arms 41 and allowing a smooth transition to the non-transport mode.

[0043] A latching device adopted in the locking lever 6 mounted on the arm 41, for operation with the stop 33 and the spring 8, causes the hook 62 of the locking lever 6 to automatically engage the stop 33 as soon as the arm 41 comes into contact with the stop 33. More specifically, the distal end of the locking lever 6 has a pointed portion 66, as illustrated in [Fig. 9]. The pointed portion 66 is positioned to first come into contact with the stop 33 as the arm 41 pivots towards the stop 33. After making contact with the stop, the pointed portion slides on an outer circumferential surface of the stop 33 as the arm 41 pivots further. The angle of the point causes the distal end of the locking lever 6 to pivot upwards.

[0044] As described above, the hook 62 of the locking lever 6 is positioned to engage the stop 33 when the arm 41 is in contact with the stop 33. In addition, the locking lever 6 is deflected by the spring 8 in the direction so that the hook 62 engages the stop 33. Consequently, the hook 62 automatically engages the stop 33 when the arm 41 comes into contact with the stop 33.

[0045] The operation of switching from the transport mode shown in [Fig. 8] to the non-transport mode shown in [Fig. 1] can be carried out, for example, as follows: an operator grasps the operating handle 93, and, while holding the plate compactor 9 in the forward-leaning orientation, hooks the end of their foot onto the shaft 44 shown in [Fig. 2], pulls the shaft 44 towards the rear of the machine body, and slowly lifts it as if kicking it. Alternatively, the shaft 44 can be operated manually by another person while the operator grasps the operating handle 93.

[0046] As described above, the transport device 1 according to this embodiment allows the plate compactor 9 on which it is mounted to switch from the non-transport mode (in which compaction can be carried out) to the transport mode (in which the plate compactor can be easily moved with the wheels touching the ground), and vice versa, in a very simple yet safe manner.

[0047] The transport device incorporates anti-vibration measures in the necessary parts and is intended to ensure sufficient durability against wear due to vibration. More specifically, the base 2 is permanently fixed to the plate 91 via an anti-vibration means in a position above the plate 91 to dampen the vibrations transmitted by the vibrator and the plate 91. The stop 33 for holding the arms 41 and the wheels 5 at the rear of the machine body in the non-transport mode is mounted via an anti-vibration means. Thus, the transmission of vibrations to moving parts (the arms 41 and the wheels 5), which are sensitive to vibration, is effectively minimized, so that the transport device is intended to exhibit sufficient durability.

[0048] The stop 33 is mounted on the support 3 via an anti-vibration means in the embodiment described above. Alternatively, the locking lever 6 can be mounted on the arm 41 via an anti-vibration means. Both the stop 33 and the locking lever 6 can be mounted via an anti-vibration means. In the embodiment described above, the stop 33 is mounted on the base 2 (the support 3) and the locking lever 6 is mounted on the arm 4L. Alternatively, the locking lever 6 can be mounted on the base 2 (the support 3), and the stop 33 can be mounted on the arm 4L. List of reference signs

[0049] 1 Transport device 2 Base 21 Cover 3 Support 31 Reinforcing element 32 Bolt 33 Stop 34 First anchor pin 4 Frame 41 Arms 42 Distal end 43 Proximal extremity 44 Tree 45 Hole 46 Slot 47 Layered Portion 5 Wheel 6 Locking lever 61 Bolt 62 Crochet 63 Claw 64 Second anchor pin 65 Projection 66 Portion at the tip 7 Handle locking device 71 Cylinder 72 Stem 73 Tongue 8 Spring 9 Plate compactor 91 Plate 92 Main Unit 93 Operating handle 94 Hinge

Claims

Demands

1. A plate compactor (9) transport device (1) adapted for mounting on a plate compactor (9), comprising: a base (2), an arm (41), a wheel (5), an arm locking means, and an arm deflection means (8), the base (2) being permanently fixed to a plate (91) via an anti-vibration means in a position above the plate (91), the wheel (5) being rotatably supported at a distal end (42) of the arm (41), the arm (41) having a proximal end (43) pivotally fixed to the base (2) on a rear side of the plate compactor (9) so as to allow the distal end (42) of the arm (41) to pivot between a position higher than the plate (91) and a position lower than the plate (91), the arm locking means comprising: a stop (33) configured to limit the upward pivoting of the arm(41);and a locking lever (6) having a hook (62) configured to engage the stop (33); the arm locking means being configured: to lock the arm (41) in the position higher than the plate (91) to stop the pivoting of the arm (41) by means of the hook (62) of the locking lever (6) engaging the stop (33); and to release the arm (41) to allow the distal end (42) of the arm (41) and the wheel (5) to pivot downwards by their own weight until the wheel (5) touches a ground surface behind the plate compactor (9), the arm deflection means (8) being configured to deflect the distal end (42) of the arm (41) and the wheel (5) to a position under the plate (91) when the plate compactor (9) is tilted forward from an orientation in which the wheel (5) is in contact with the ground surface behind the plate compactor (9).

2. Transport device (1) for plate compactor (9) according to claim 1, wherein the base (2) comprises a support (3), the proximal end (43) of the arm (41) is pivotally fixed to the support (3), the locking lever (6) is pivotally fixed to the arm (41), the stop (33) is permanently fixed to the support (3), and a locking lever deflection means (8) is disposed between the support (3) and the locking lever (6) to deflect the locking lever (6) in a direction so that the hook (62) engages the stop (33) when the arm (41) is very close to the stop (33).

3. Transport device (1) of plate compactor (9) according to claim 2, wherein a spring (8) with one end anchored to the support (3) and another end anchored to the locking lever (6) serves as a means of deflecting the locking lever (8) as well as a means of deflecting the arm (8).

4. Transport device (1) of plate compactor (9) according to claim 2, wherein the stop (33) is permanently fixed to the support (3) via an anti-vibration means.

5. Transport device (1) for plate compactor (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plate compactor (9) has an operating handle (93) configured to pivot forward from a rearward inclined position, the transport device (1) further comprising a handle locking device (7) adapted to lock the operating handle (93) in the rearward inclined position.

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