Lifting tool for box pallet
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022012866
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-01-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-17
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting tool for a box pallet, and more particularly, to a lifting tool for a box pallet used when lifting and transporting a box pallet in which articles are stored in various industrial fields, for example, by a crane.
Background Art
[0002] As shown in FIG. 9, the above-described box pallet 100 includes a pallet body 101 formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open upper part using various members such as lattice-shaped members, and leg members 102 provided near the four corners of the lower surface of the pallet body 101. It is widely used and is configured to be lifted and transported by a crane via a lifting tool for a box pallet.
[0003] As a lifting tool for a box pallet, there is a well-known one including two frames each composed of upper and lower horizontal members and a pair of connecting members connecting both longitudinal ends of the upper and lower horizontal members, a holding member for holding the upper horizontal members of both frames so that both frames can be opened and closed around the upper horizontal member, and engaging members attached to both upper horizontal members of both frames and engaged with the hanging member of the crane.
[0004] The transportation of the box pallet by the crane via the lifting tool for the box pallet is performed, for example, by a method consisting of the following steps 1 to 8.
[0005] First, the crane lifts the box pallet lifting device and moves it above the box pallet to be transported. Then, with the box pallet lifting device still in the air, both frames are opened to match the size of the box pallet body (Procedure 1). Next, while holding both frames open, the crane lowers the box pallet lifting device (Procedure 2). After confirming that the lower horizontal member is positioned below the bottom surface of the pallet body, the force holding both frames open is released, causing the frames to close under their own weight around the upper horizontal member, thereby moving the lower horizontal members of both frames to the inside of a pair of opposing edges on the bottom surface of the pallet body (Procedure 3). Next, the crane lifts the box pallet lifting device, engaging the lower horizontal members of both frames with the inside of a pair of opposing edges on the bottom surface of the pallet body in the initial stage (Procedure 4). Subsequently, the crane lifts the box pallet lifting device to lift the box pallet via the device and transport the box pallet to the required position (Procedure 5). Next, the box pallet is lowered by the crane via the box pallet lifting device, and the leg members of the box pallet are brought to rest on a flat surface, thereby separating the lower horizontal members of both frames downward from the underside of the box pallet body and releasing the engagement of the opposing pair of edges of the lower horizontal members of both frames with the underside of the pallet body (Step 6). Next, both frames of the box pallet lifting device are opened, and the lower horizontal members of both frames are moved to the outside of the underside of the pallet body (Step 7). After that, the box pallet lifting device is lifted by the crane while holding both frames of the box pallet lifting device in an open position, causing both frames to close under their own weight (Step 8). When transporting multiple box pallets, Steps 1 to 8 are repeated after Step 8.
[0006] In the method described above, steps 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 include tasks performed by workers, but these tasks require multiple workers, resulting in poor work efficiency.
[0007] As a lifting device that solves these problems, the devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have been proposed.
[0008] The suspension device described in Patent Document 1 is a well-known suspension device described above, and is equipped with an opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing both frames of the suspension device body. The opening and closing mechanism consists of a first opening and closing rod pivotally attached to one connecting member of one frame and a second opening and closing rod pivotally attached to one connecting member of the other frame. The two opening and closing rods are pivotally attached to each other at their ends, an operating handle is fixed to one of the opening and closing rods, and a stopper is provided on the other opening and closing rod to which the operating handle is locked.
[0009] The suspension device described in Patent Document 2 is a well-known suspension device as described above, and is equipped with a swinging device attached to the connecting member of either one of the two frames of the suspension device body, which swings the connecting member of both frames in a direction that brings the lower horizontal members of both frames closer together or further apart from each other. The swinging device comprises an electric cylinder that connects the connecting members of both frames at a position offset from the swing center of both connecting members, a battery that supplies power to the electric cylinder, a control device that controls the power supply state from the battery to the electric cylinder, and a remote control device that controls the control device. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]
[0010] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-25279 [Patent Document 2] Tokukai Hei 7-315755 Publication [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0011] However, in the case of the lifting device described in Patent Document 1, an opening fitting is required for each lifting device, which leads to an increase in the cost of the lifting devices.
[0012] Furthermore, in the case of the lifting device described in Patent Document 2, each lifting device requires a swinging device consisting of an electric cylinder, battery, control device, and remote control device, as well as power supply equipment, which leads to increased costs and makes it difficult to use outdoors or with a crane.
[0013] In view of the above circumstances, the object of this invention is to provide a lifting device for box pallets that offers excellent work efficiency in transporting box pallets and can reduce costs compared to the lifting devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2. [Means for solving the problem]
[0014] To achieve the above objective, the present invention comprises the following embodiments.
[0015] 1) The lifting device body comprises two frames consisting of upper and lower horizontal members and a pair of connecting members connecting the longitudinal ends of the upper and lower horizontal members, a holding member that holds the upper horizontal members of both frames so that both frames can open and close around the upper horizontal member, an engaging member that engages with the crane's suspension member, and a horizontal middle member that is provided above the longitudinal center of both connecting members in each frame and below the upper horizontal member, and connects the two connecting members and is used to adjust the distance between the lower horizontal members of both frames, and the lifting device body is equipped with a spacing adjustment member that adjusts the distance between the lower horizontal members of both frames. A lifting device for a box pallet, comprising a spacing adjustment member comprising a rod-shaped body, a substantially U-shaped reference-side fitting member provided on one end of the rod-shaped body into which a horizontal middle cross member of one frame can be detachably fitted, and a substantially U-shaped adjustment-side fitting member provided on the other end of the rod-shaped body into which a horizontal middle cross member of the other frame can be detachably fitted.
[0016] 2) The lifting device for a box pallet as described in 1), wherein one reference side fitting member is provided on one end of the rod-shaped body of the spacing adjustment member, and a plurality of adjustment side fitting members are provided at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped body on the other end.
[0017] 3) The box pallet lifting device according to 1) above, wherein the rod-shaped body of the spacing adjustment member is composed of two shaft-shaped members that are relatively movable in the axial direction and are combined so as to partially overlap, and is extendable and retractable, and the rod-shaped body is provided with a fixing member that can releasely fix both shaft-shaped members, and one reference-side fitting member is fixed to one shaft-shaped member of the rod-shaped body and one adjustment-side fitting member is provided to the other shaft-shaped member.
[0018] 4) A lifting device for box pallets according to any one of 1) to 3) above, wherein a handle is provided on the rod-shaped body of the spacing adjustment member or the reference side fitting member. [Effects of the Invention]
[0019] The transport of box pallets by crane via the box pallet lifting devices described in 1) to 4) above is carried out, for example, by the following procedure consisting of steps 1 to 8.
[0020] First, with the frame of the lifting device body for the box pallet placed on a flat surface such as the ground, both frames are opened so that the distance between the lower horizontal members is greater than the width of the pallet body of the box pallet to be transported. The horizontal middle member of one frame is then fitted into the reference side fitting member of the spacing adjustment member, and the horizontal middle member of the other frame is fitted into the adjustment side fitting member, thereby holding both frames in the open position (Procedure 1). Next, the lifting device body is lifted by a crane and moved above the box pallet to be transported, and then the lifting device body with both frames open is lowered by the crane (Procedure 2). After confirming that the lower horizontal members are positioned below the bottom surface of the pallet body of the box pallet, the two fitting members of the spacing adjustment member are removed from the horizontal middle members of both frames of the lifting device body, causing both frames to close around the upper horizontal member by their own weight, and moving the lower horizontal members of both frames inward to the opposite pair of sides on the bottom surface of the pallet body (Procedure 3). Next, the lifting device body is lifted by the crane, and in the initial stage, the lower horizontal members of both frames are engaged with the inside of a pair of opposing edges on the underside of the pallet body (Step 4). Then, the lifting device body is further lifted by the crane, and the box pallet is lifted via the lifting device body and transported to the required position (Step 5). Next, the box pallet is lowered via the lifting device body by the crane, and the leg members of the box pallet are brought to rest on a flat surface, thereby separating the lower horizontal members of both frames downward from the underside of the pallet body of the box pallet and releasing the engagement of the lower horizontal members of both frames with the inside of a pair of opposing edges on the underside of the pallet body (Step 6). Next, the horizontal middle crossbar of one frame of the lifting device body is fitted into the reference side fitting member of the spacing adjustment member, and the other frame is opened relative to the first frame so that the distance between the lower horizontal members of both frames is greater than the width of the box pallet body, and the horizontal middle crossbar of the other frame is fitted into the reference side fitting member of the spacing adjustment member, holding both frames in the open position (Step 7). After that, the lifting device body, which is held in the open position by the spacing adjustment member, is lifted by a crane (Step 8).When transporting a plurality of box pallets, after step 8, steps 1 to 8 are repeated.
[0021] In the method described above, steps 1, 3, and 7 include operations performed by an operator. Since these operations can be performed by one operator, the work efficiency is improved compared to the well-known lifting tools described above.
[0022] Also, when used for various box pallets of different sizes, it is only necessary to prepare a plurality of types of spacing adjustment members with different intervals between the reference-side fitting portions and the adjustment-side fitting portions. Since the lifting tool body can be shared for a plurality of types of box pallets of different sizes, cost reduction can be achieved compared to the box pallet lifting tools described in Patent Documents 1 and 2.
[0023] According to the box pallet lifting tool of 2) above, by appropriately selecting the number of adjustment-side fitting portions of the spacing adjustment member and the interval between the reference-side fitting portion and the adjustment-side fitting portion according to a plurality of box pallets of different sizes, it becomes possible to use the box pallet lifting tool equipped with one spacing adjustment member for various box pallets of different sizes.
[0024] According to the box pallet lifting tool of 3) above, since the two shaft-like members can be fixed by the fixing member in a state where the relative positions of the two shaft-like members are arbitrarily changed, it becomes possible to arbitrarily change the interval between the reference-side fitting portion and the adjustment-side fitting portion of the spacing adjustment member. Therefore, it becomes possible to use the box pallet lifting tool equipped with one spacing adjustment member for various box pallets of different sizes.
[0025] According to the box pallet lifting tool of 4) above, in steps 1, 3, and 7 described above, it is possible to easily attach and detach the horizontal middle rail member of the lifting tool body into both fitting portions of the spacing adjustment member that needs to be held at the center of the opening of the box pallet.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0026] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the lifting device for box pallets according to this invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the spacing adjustment member of the lifting device for the box pallet. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing step 2 of the method for transporting a box pallet using the box pallet lifting device. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing step 3 of the method for transporting a box pallet using the box pallet lifting device. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing step 6 of the method for transporting a box pallet using the box pallet lifting device. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a spacing adjustment member used in a lifting device for box pallets. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing another modified example of the spacing adjustment member used in the box pallet lifting device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view showing box pallets being transported using a lifting device for box pallets. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of this invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0028] Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the box pallet lifting device according to this invention, and Figure 2 shows the spacing adjustment member. Figures 3 to 5 show how to use the box pallet lifting device according to this invention.
[0029] In Figure 1, the lifting device 1 for the box pallet is composed of a lifting device body 10, which consists of two frames 11 made up of upper and lower horizontal members 12, 13 and a pair of connecting members 14 that connect the longitudinal ends of the upper and lower horizontal members 12, 13; a holding member that holds the upper horizontal members 12 of both frames 11 together so that both frames 11 can be opened and closed around the upper horizontal member 12, and a holding and engaging member 15 that is attached to both upper horizontal members 12 and serves as an engaging member that engages with a crane's suspension member (not shown); and a horizontal middle crossbar member 16 that is provided above the longitudinal center of both connecting members 14 in each frame 11 and below the upper horizontal member 12, and connects the two connecting members 14 together and adjusts the distance between the lower horizontal members 13 of both frames 11; and a distance adjustment member 20 that adjusts the distance between the lower horizontal members 13 of both frames 11 of the lifting device body 10. Furthermore, the holding member that holds the upper horizontal members 12 of both frames 11 together and the engaging member that is attached to both upper horizontal members 12 and engages with the crane's suspension member (not shown) may be provided separately.
[0030] Multiple reinforcing diagonal members 17 are attached between the upper horizontal member 12 and the horizontal middle member 16 of each frame 11 of the suspension device body 10. In addition, a displacement prevention member 18 is provided between the longitudinal center of the upper horizontal member 12 and the longitudinal center of the horizontal middle member 16 of each frame 11 of the suspension device body 10 to prevent displacement of the holding and engaging member 15.
[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the spacing adjustment member 20 consists of a rod-shaped body 21, a substantially U-shaped reference-side fitting member 22 fixed to one end of the rod-shaped body 21 into which the horizontal middle cross member 16 of one frame 11 is detachably fitted, a plurality of substantially U-shaped adjustment-side fitting members 23 fixed to the other end of the rod-shaped body 21 at longitudinal intervals into which the horizontal middle cross member 16 of the other frame 11 is detachably fitted, and a handling handle 24 with one end fixed to the longitudinal center of the rod-shaped body 21.
[0032] The openings of the reference-side fitting member 22 and the adjustment-side fitting member 23 face in the same direction, downward in this embodiment. One end of the handle 24 is fixed to a fixing portion 211 that protrudes upward from the longitudinal center of the rod-shaped body 21, and the other end extends parallel to the rod-shaped body 21 to the outside of the reference-side fitting member 22 on the rod-shaped body 21.
[0033] Next, the method of transporting the box pallet shown in Figure 9 using a crane via the box pallet lifting device 1 shown in Figure 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 1, 3 to 5. Note that the crane is not shown in Figures 3 to 5.
[0034] First, with the frame 11 of the lifting device body 10 of the box pallet lifting device 1 placed on a flat surface such as the ground, both frames 11 are opened around the upper horizontal member 12 so that the distance between the lower horizontal members 13 is greater than the left-right width of the pallet body 101 of the box pallet 100 to be transported. The horizontal middle member 16 of one frame 11 is then fitted into the reference side fitting member 22 of the spacing adjustment member 20, and the horizontal middle member 16 of the other frame 11 is fitted into the adjustment side fitting member 23, thereby holding both frames 11 in an open state (Procedure 1) (see Figure 1).
[0035] Next, the crane's suspension member is engaged with the holding and engaging member 15, and the crane lifts the lifting device body 10 of the box pallet lifting device 1 and moves it above the box pallet 100 to be transported. Then, the crane lowers the lifting device body 10 with both frames 11 open (Procedure 2) (see Figure 3).
[0036] Next, after confirming that the lower horizontal member 13 is positioned below the lower surface of the pallet body 101 of the box pallet 100, the two fitting members 22 and 23 of the spacing adjustment member 20 are removed from the horizontal middle members 16 of both frames 11, causing both frames 11 to close around the upper horizontal member 12 by their own weight, and moving the lower horizontal members 13 of both frames 11 to the inside of a pair of opposing sides on the lower surface of the pallet body 101 and outside of the leg members 102 (Procedure 3) (See Figure 4).
[0037] Next, the lifting device body 10 is lifted by the crane, and in the initial stage, the lower horizontal members 13 of both frames 11 are engaged with the inner sides of a pair of opposing edges on the underside of the pallet body 101 and with the outer sides of the leg members 102 (step 4). Subsequently, the lifting device body 10 is lifted by the crane, and the box pallet 100 is lifted via the lifting device body 10 and moved to the required position (step 5).
[0038] Next, the box pallet 100 is lowered via the lifting device body 10 using a crane, and the leg members 102 of the box pallet 100 are brought to rest on a flat surface, thereby separating the lower horizontal members 13 of both frames 10 from the lower surface of the pallet body 101 of the box pallet 100, and releasing the engagement of the lower horizontal members 13 of both frames 11 with the outside of the leg members 102 on the inner side of the opposing pair of sides on the lower surface of the pallet body 101 (procedure 6) (see Figure 5).
[0039] Next, the horizontal middle member 16 of one frame 11 of the lifting device body 10 is fitted into the reference side fitting member 22 of the spacing adjustment member 20, and the other frame 11 is opened relative to the first frame 11 with the upper horizontal member 12 as the center, so that the distance between the lower horizontal members 13 of both frames 11 is greater than the width of the pallet body 101, and the horizontal middle member 16 of the other frame 11 is fitted into the adjustment side fitting member 23 of the spacing adjustment member 20, thereby holding both frames 11 in an open state (step 7).
[0040] Subsequently, the lifting device body 10, which is held open by the spacing adjustment member 20 with both frames 11 open, is lifted by the crane (step 8). When transporting multiple box pallets, steps 1 to 8 are repeated after step 8.
[0041] In the method described above, steps 1, 3, and 7 involve tasks performed by a worker, but these tasks can be performed by a single worker, thus improving work efficiency compared to the well-known lifting devices described above.
[0042] Figures 6 and 7 show modified examples of the spacing adjustment member 20 used in the box pallet lifting device 1.
[0043] In Figures 6 and 7, the spacing adjustment member 30 consists of a rod-shaped body 31 that is extendable and retractable, composed of two axial members 32 and 33 that can move relatively in the axial direction and are combined to partially overlap; a substantially U-shaped reference-side fitting member 34 fixed to one of the first axial members 32 of the rod-shaped body 31, into which the horizontal middle member 16 of one of the frames 11 can be detachably fitted; a substantially U-shaped adjustment-side fitting member 35 fixed to the other second axial member 33 of the rod-shaped body 31, into which the horizontal middle member 16 of the other frame 11 can be detachably fitted; a fixing member 36 provided on the rod-shaped body 31 that can detachably fix both axial members 32 and 33; and a handling handle 37 fixed to the longitudinal center of the first axial member 32. The openings of the reference-side fitting member 34 and the adjustment-side fitting member 35 face in the same direction, downward in this embodiment.
[0044] The two axial members 32 and 33 of the rod-shaped body 31 are made of round pipes, with the inner diameter of the round pipe constituting the first axial member 32 being larger than the outer diameter of the round pipe constituting the second axial member 33, and the second axial member 33 being inserted into the first axial member 32 so as to be movable in the axial direction. The reference side fitting member 34 is fixed to the end of the first axial member 32 opposite to the second axial member 33, and the adjustment side fitting member 35 is fixed to the end of the second axial member 33 opposite to the first axial member 32.
[0045] The fixing member 36 consists of a nut 38 fixed to the outer surface of the first shaft-shaped member 32, and a wing bolt 39 that is screwed onto the nut 38 from the outside, passes through a through hole 321 formed in the first shaft-shaped member 32, and whose tip abuts against the outer surface of the second shaft-shaped member 33. By pressing the second shaft-shaped member 33 with the tip of the wing bolt 39 on the opposite side from the part that the wing bolt 39 abuts against, the second shaft-shaped member 33 is pressed against the inner surface of the first shaft-shaped member 32, thereby fixing both shaft-shaped members 32 and 33 together.
[0046] The handle 37 is fixed at one end to a fixing portion 322 that protrudes upward from the longitudinal center of the first axial member 32, and at the other end extends parallel to the first axial member 32 to an extent outside the reference side fitting member 34 on the first axial member 32.
[0047] The method of moving the box pallet 100 shown in Figure 9 by a crane via a box pallet lifting device 1 having a spacing adjustment member 30 is the same as the method using the box pallet lifting device 1 having a spacing adjustment member 20 described above. Except for adjusting the distance between the reference-side fitting member 34 and the adjustment-side fitting member 35 to an appropriate distance by extending or retracting the rod-shaped main body 31 when performing step 1, and fixing both axial members 32 and 33 in that position with the fixing member 36, the procedure is the same as the method using the box pallet lifting device 1 having the spacing adjustment member 20 described above.
[0048] Figure 8 shows another modified example of the spacing adjustment member used in the box pallet lifting device 1.
[0049] In Figure 8, the spacing adjustment member 40 has a handle 41 for handling, one end of which is fixed to the reference side fitting member 34, and the other end of which is provided coaxially with the first axial member 32 so as to be separated from the rod-shaped body 31. The other configurations are the same as those of the spacing adjustment member 30 shown in Figures 6 and 7, and it is used to move the box pallet 100 in the same way as the box pallet lifting device having the spacing adjustment member 30. [Industrial applicability]
[0050] The box pallet lifting device 1 according to this invention is suitably used for moving various types of box pallets of different sizes. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0051] 1: Lifting device for box pallets, 10: Lifting device body, 11: Frame, 12: Upper horizontal member, 13: Lower horizontal member, 14: Connecting member, 15: Holding and engaging member, 16: Horizontal middle member, 20: Spacing adjustment member, 21: Rod-shaped body, 22: Reference side insertion member, 23: Adjustment side insertion member, 30: Spacing adjustment member, 31: Rod-shaped body, 32: First axial member, 33: Second axial member, 34: Reference side insertion member, 35: Adjustment side insertion member, 36: Fixing member, 40: Spacing adjustment member
Claims
1. the lifting device comprises two frames each consisting of upper and lower horizontal members and a pair of connecting members connecting both longitudinal ends of the upper and lower horizontal members; a holding member for holding the upper horizontal members of both frames so that the frames can be opened and closed around the upper horizontal member; an engaging member with which a hanging member of a crane engages; a horizontal center rail member that is provided above the longitudinal centers of the connecting members of both frames and below the upper horizontal member, and that connects the connecting members and is used to adjust the distance between the lower horizontal members of both frames; and a spacing adjustment member that adjusts the distance between the lower horizontal members of both frames of the lifting device body; A hanger for a box pallet, wherein the spacing adjustment member comprises a rod-shaped main body, a roughly U-shaped reference side insertion member provided on one end side of the rod-shaped main body and into which a horizontal center rail member of one frame is removably fitted, and a roughly U-shaped adjustment side insertion member provided on the other end side of the rod-shaped main body and into which a horizontal center rail member of the other frame is removably fitted.
2. A lifting device for a box pallet as described in claim 1, wherein one reference side insertion member is provided on one end side of the rod-shaped body of the spacing adjustment member, and multiple adjustment side insertion members are provided on the other end side at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped body.
3. A lifting device for box pallets as described in claim 1, wherein the rod-shaped body of the spacing adjustment member is composed of two axial members that can move relatively in the axial direction and are combined so that they partially overlap, making it extendable and contractible, the rod-shaped body is provided with a fixing member that can releasably fix both axial members, one reference side insertion member is fixed to one axial member of the rod-shaped body, and one adjustment side insertion member is provided to the other axial member.
4. A suspender for a box pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a handle is provided on the rod-shaped body of the distance adjusting member or on the reference side insertion member.