Transport dolly

Abstract

To provide a transport dolly which can deliver a transported object properly even when the transport dolly is away from a delivery destination.SOLUTION: A transport dolly 20 delivers a transported object W to a tiered platform S installed on a floor surface F of a vehicle and has: a placement surface for placing the transported object W; transport rails 26 serving as a transport passage which spans the placement surface and the tiered platform S; and a rail length variable mechanism 20A which may move the transport rails 26 from positions away from the tiered platform S to positions where the transport rails 26 are supported from below in the tiered platform S in a rail length direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport vehicle, and more particularly to a transport vehicle for delivering an article to a destination. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a transport cart on which an object is placed and transported to a destination. The transport cart has transport rollers on its loading surface. After being parked next to the destination, the transport cart transfers the object to the destination by sending it along the transport rollers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-184422 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the transport vehicle must be parked next to the destination in order to transfer the transported object to the destination. Therefore, the present invention provides a transport vehicle that can properly transfer the transported object even if it is far from the destination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the transport vehicle of the present invention employs the following means.

[0006] In other words, the first invention of the present invention is a transport cart for transferring transported items between a destination, the transport cart having a loading surface on which the transported items are placed, a transport rail that serves as a transport path that spans between the loading surface and the destination, and a rail length variable mechanism that can move the transport rail so as to extend it in the rail length direction from a position away from the destination to a position where it is supported at the destination.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the transport cart is away from the destination, the rail length variable mechanism can extend the transport rail to the destination and bridge the load surface and the destination. More specifically, the rail length variable mechanism extends the transport rail to a position where it is supported at the destination. This allows the transport rail to be supported (supported at both ends) by both the transport cart and the destination. As a result, since the transport rail is not cantilevered, the transported object can be properly handed over between the load surface and the destination even if the transport cart is away from the destination.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is the transporting carriage according to the first aspect of the present invention, further comprising a rail fixing portion capable of fixing the transport rail at the supported position relative to the destination.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the transport rail can be appropriately positioned at the destination, so that the transported object can be more appropriately delivered between the placement surface and the destination.

[0010] The third invention of the present invention is a transport cart according to the first or second invention, which has a transport platform connected to the transport rail so as to be slidable in the rail length direction and having the above-mentioned placement surface on which the transported object is placed, and a platform fixing part that can fix the position of the transport platform relative to the cart body rather than the transport rail.

[0011] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the conveyor rail can be extended and handed over to the destination while the conveyor platform is fixed to the cart body. Therefore, the conveyor rail can be securely handed over to the destination, and then the conveyor object can be transferred from the placement surface to the destination. In addition, when transferring the conveyor object from the destination to the placement surface, the conveyor rail can be returned to its original extension after the conveyor rail is fixed to the cart body.

[0012] A fourth invention of the present invention is a transport cart according to the first or second invention above, wherein the rail length variable mechanism has a first rail that connects the transport rail to the cart body so that it can slide in the rail length direction, a second rail that connects an extension rail equipped with a handle for rail operation to the transport rail so that it can slide in the rail length direction, and a drawer fixing portion that can fix the extension rail in a position pulled out relative to the transport rail in the direction opposite to the destination, and is configured so that the extension rail and the transport rail can be slid together relative to the cart body to the supported position at the destination by operating the handle.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the operation of extending the transport rail from the carriage body and passing it over to the delivery destination can be easily performed by operating the extension rail.

[0014] A fifth invention of the present invention is a transport cart according to the first or second invention, which has a pair of transport rails in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the rail length direction, and further has a rail spacing adjustment mechanism that can adjust the installation spacing of the pair of transport rails relative to the cart body.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by providing a pair of conveying rails, the transported object can be more appropriately delivered between the placement surface and the delivery destination. In addition, the rail spacing adjustment mechanism makes it possible to adjust the installation width between the pair of conveying rails according to conditions such as the shape of the transported object. Therefore, the transported object can be more appropriately delivered between the placement surface and the delivery destination.

[0016] A sixth invention of the present invention is a transport cart according to the first or second invention, which is provided with an overhang that enables the cart body to reach the supported position at the destination by bringing the cart body close to the destination when the transport rail is in an initial state in which the extension in the rail length direction is minimized.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the transport cart can be brought close to the destination, the transport cart can be handed over to the destination where it is supported without extending the transport rail. Therefore, when the transport cart can be brought close to the destination, the transported object can be easily handed over between the placement surface and the destination. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a transporting cart apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first transporting carriage is parked alongside a floor surface of a vehicle. [Diagram 3] 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the second transporting carriage has been moved onto the floor surface of the vehicle from FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the height of the second transporting carriage is raised from that of FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the handle of the second transporting carriage is pulled toward the viewer from FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the handle is pushed inward from the state shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 7 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the article has been transferred from FIG. 6 to a second transporting carriage. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the second transporting carriage is directed toward a tiered stand on the floor surface, as seen from FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the second transporting cart has been moved close to the lower stage of the tiered stand from the state shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the transported article has been moved from FIG. 9 to a lower stage of the tiered platform. [Figure 11] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the height of the second transporting carriage is raised from that of FIG. 8. [Figure 12] 12 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the handle of the second transporting carriage is pulled toward the viewer from FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the handle is pushed inward from the state shown in FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 14]14 is a perspective view showing a state in which the transported article has been moved from FIG. 13 to the upper stage of the tiered platform. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a rail structure of the first transporting carriage. [Figure 16] FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a placement lock mechanism and a striker. [Figure 18] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second transporting carriage. [Figure 19] FIG. 4 is a front view of the second transporting carriage. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the handle of the second transporting carriage is pulled toward the user. [Figure 21] 21 is a perspective view showing a state in which the handle is pushed inward from the state shown in FIG. 20. FIG. [Figure 22] 13 is a perspective view showing a configuration in which the rail tip fixing portion fits into a groove of the fixed rail. FIG. [Figure 23] 13 is a perspective view showing the state in which the rail tip fixing portion has been released from engagement with the fixed rail by operating the release button. FIG. [Figure 24] 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the transport platform has been slid to a position in which it is aligned side by side with the transport rail. FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a locked state of the placement lock mechanism. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a release state of the placement lock mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] First Embodiment (Schematic configuration of transport cart device 1) First, the configuration of a transporting cart device 1 equipped with a transporting cart (second transporting cart 20) according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 26. In the following description, when directions such as front, back, up, down, left and right are indicated, they refer to the respective directions shown in each figure.

[0021] The directions shown in each figure are those seen by a user using the second transport vehicle 20, which will be described later. In the following description, when no specific reference figure is shown or when no reference figure has a corresponding reference symbol, any of Figures 1 to 26 will be referred to as appropriate.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, the transport cart device 1 according to this embodiment is configured as a transport device for carrying an article W from outside a vehicle to inside the vehicle. The article W is, for example, a storage rack that is a vehicle facility. The transport cart device 1 has a first transport cart 10 capable of carrying a plurality of articles W, and a second transport cart 20 mounted on the first transport cart 10.

[0023] The first transporting cart 10 and the second transporting cart 20 each have a hand-pushed cart structure. The first transporting cart 10 is an external cart device for traveling on the ground G outside the vehicle. By traveling on the ground G, the first transporting cart 10 is capable of carrying a plurality of transported objects W into the vehicle and carrying them out from the vehicle to the outside.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2, the second transporting cart 20 is an in-vehicle cart device that can move between the first transporting cart 10 and the floor surface F by opening the cover plate 11D of the first transporting cart 10 and bridging it over the floor surface F after the first transporting cart 10 is parked next to the floor surface F of the vehicle. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, by bridging the cover plate 11D, the second transporting cart 20 can move between the first transporting cart 10 and the floor surface F using the cover plate 11D as a travel path.

[0025] The second transport vehicle 20 is configured to receive the transported article W brought to the side of the vehicle by the first transport vehicle 10 and transport it to the tiered platform S on the floor surface F. Here, the second transport vehicle 20 corresponds to the "transport vehicle" of the present invention. Also, the first transport vehicle 10 and the tiered platform S each correspond to the "recipient" of the present invention. Specifically, the second transport vehicle 20 is capable of transporting the transported article W in the following procedure. First, the operation of transferring the transported article W from the first transport vehicle 10 onto the second transport vehicle 20 will be described.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, first, the second transporting carriage 20 is moved from the first transporting carriage 10 onto the floor surface F of the vehicle. Next, as shown in Fig. 4, the height of the pair of transport tables 27 installed on the upper part of the second transporting carriage 20 is raised so that each transport table 27 is aligned with the height of the middle shelf surface 11B (or upper shelf surface 11A) on which the transported article W of the first transporting carriage 10 is placed.

[0027] Next, the second transporting carriage 20 is moved closer to the first transporting carriage 10. However, since the second transporting carriage 20 is on the floor surface F, it cannot be moved to a position close to the first transporting carriage 10 except for the position where the cover plate 11D is located. Therefore, in order to bridge the transport path between the second transporting carriage 20 and the first transporting carriage 10, which are positioned apart from each other, an operation is next performed to extend the pair of transport rails 26 from the second transporting carriage 20 toward the first transporting carriage 10.

[0028] Specifically, first, a pair of first fixing parts K1 provided on the upper part of the second transporting carriage 20 is operated to release the fixing of the handle 29. Next, as shown in Fig. 5, the handle 29 is pulled toward the front side (away from the first transporting carriage 10). As a result, the pair of extension rails 28 formed integrally with the handle 29 are pulled out so as to be shifted toward the front side relative to the respective transporting rails 26.

[0029] By this drawing, the first fixing parts K1 lock the extension rails 28 and the transport rails 26 together by the biasing force of a spring (not shown). Next, the pair of second fixing parts K2 provided on the upper part of the second transport cart 20 is operated to release the fixation between the transport rails 26 and the cart body 21.

[0030] 6, the handle 29 is pushed inward. As a result, the extension rails 28 and the transport rails 26, which are integrated with the handle 29, are pushed inward toward the first transporting carriage 10 as a unit. This pushing causes the transport rails 26 to extend so as to protrude further inward than the second transporting carriage 20.

[0031] Then, together with this extension operation, the handle 29 and / or the second transporting carriage 20 are moved to move the rail tip fixing parts 26A provided at the lower ends of the transporting rails 26 onto the fixed rails TU embedded in the upper surface of the middle shelf surface 11B of the first transporting carriage 10. As a result, each rail tip fixing part 26A is fitted into a corresponding groove formed in the fixed rail TU.

[0032] This fitting causes each transport rail 26 to be integrally bridged between the second transporting carriage 20 and the middle shelf surface 11B of the first transporting carriage 10. More specifically, each transport rail 26 is positioned and fixed with its tip supported against the middle shelf surface 11B of the first transporting carriage 10. As a result, each transport rail 26 is supported at both ends by both the second transporting carriage 20 and the middle shelf surface 11B of the first transporting carriage 10, rather than extending in a cantilevered manner from the second transporting carriage 20. Here, each rail tip fixing portion 26A corresponds to the "rail fixing portion" of the present invention.

[0033] 7, each of the transport tables 27 of the second transport cart 20 is released from the cart body 21 and slid along each of the transport rails 26 to a position where they are aligned side by side with each of the transport rails 26. Then, each of the transport tables 27 is fixed in the position to which it was moved. Next, the transported article W is pulled out from the middle shelf surface 11B of the first transport cart 10 and transferred onto each of the transport tables 27.

[0034] Next, the article W to be transported is fixed to each transport platform 27, and the fixation of each transport platform 27 is released. Then, each transport platform 27, together with the article W thereon, is moved along each transport rail 26 to the upper part of the cart body 21. Then, each transport platform 27 is fixed to the upper part of the cart body 21. Next, the rail tip fixing part 26A of each transport rail 26 shown in FIG. 6 is disengaged from the fixed rail TU of the middle shelf surface 11B. Then, the handle 29 is pulled toward the front again (see FIG. 5), and each transport rail 26 is pulled back to the upper part of the cart body 21.

[0035] Thereby, each extension rail 28 is fixed to the cart body 21 by each second fixing part K2 (see FIG. 5). Next, each first fixing part K1 is operated to release the fixation between each extension rail 28 and each transport rail 26. After that, the handle 29 is pushed inward (see FIG. 4). By the above operation, as shown in FIG. 8, the transported object W can be transferred onto the second transport cart 20 and each transport rail 26 can be returned to its original extended state.

[0036] Next, an operation of transferring the transported article W placed on the second transport vehicle 20 to the tiered platform S installed on the floor surface F of the vehicle will be described. The tiered platform S has a step structure with two steps rising from the floor surface F toward the back side in the figure. First, an operation of transferring the transported article W to the lower step SL, which is the step surface on the front side of the tiered platform S, will be described below.

[0037] The lower level SL of the tiered platform S is the first step up from the floor surface F. Therefore, the second transporting carriage 20 can be moved to a position close to the lower level SL of the tiered platform S. Here, as shown in Fig. 4, in the initial state before being extended by the operation of the handle 29 described above, each transport rail 26 of the second transporting carriage 20 has a tip portion provided with the rail tip fixing portion 26A that protrudes from the carriage body 21 in the rail length direction.

[0038] For this reason, when the second transport cart 20 transfers the transported item W to the lower tier SL of the tiered platform S shown in Figure 8, each transport rail 26 can be spanned and fixed across the lower tier SL of the tiered platform S without having to extend each transport rail 26 by operating the handle 29 described above.

[0039] Specifically, first, the height of each transport platform 27 of the second transport carriage 20 is adjusted to match the height of the lower tier SL of the tiered platform S. Next, as shown in Fig. 9, the second transport carriage 20 is moved closer to the lower tier SL of the tiered platform S, and the rail tip fixing parts 26A provided at the lower ends of the transport rails 26 are caused to ride up onto the fixed rails TU embedded in the upper surface of the lower tier SL of the tiered platform S. As a result, each rail tip fixing part 26A is fitted into the corresponding groove formed in the fixed rail TU.

[0040] By this fitting, each transport rail 26 is integrally bridged between the second transport carriage 20 and the lower tier SL of the tiered platform S. More specifically, each transport rail 26 is positioned and fixed with its leading end supported by the lower tier SL of the tiered platform S. As a result, each transport rail 26 is supported at both ends by both the second transport carriage 20 and the lower tier SL of the tiered platform S.

[0041] 10, the article W placed on each of the transport tables 27 of the second transport cart 20 is released from the transport tables 27, and the article W is transferred from each of the transport tables 27 to the lower level SL of the tiered platform S. In this manner, when transferring the article W to the lower level SL of the tiered platform S, the second transport cart 20 is designed to easily transfer the article W without having to extend each of the transport rails 26 by operating the handle 29.

[0042] Returning to reference to Fig. 8, next, an explanation will be given of the operation of transferring the transported article W placed on the second transporting carriage 20 to the upper level SU, which is the step surface at the rear of the tiered platform S. The upper level SU of the tiered platform S is located at the rear of the lower level SL, and is in a position where the second transporting carriage 20 cannot approach closely.

[0043] Therefore, in order to bridge the transport path between the second transport carriage 20 and the upper level SU of the tiered platform S, which are spaced apart from each other, an operation is then performed to extend each transport rail 26 from the second transport carriage 20 toward the upper level SU of the tiered platform S. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 11, first, the height of each transport platform 27 of the second transport carriage 20 is adjusted to match the height of the upper level SU of the tiered platform S.

[0044] Next, in order to bridge a transport path between each transport platform 27 of the second transport carriage 20 and the upper level SU of the tiered platform S, an operation is performed to extend each transport rail 26 from the second transport carriage 20 toward the upper level SU of the tiered platform S. Specifically, first, a pair of first fixing parts K1 provided on the upper part of the second transport carriage 20 is operated to release the fixing of the handles 29.

[0045] 12, the handle 29 is pulled toward the front (away from the stage S). As a result, the extension rails 28 formed integrally with the handle 29 are pulled out so as to be shifted toward the front relative to the transport rails 26.

[0046] By this drawing, the first fixing parts K1 lock the extension rails 28 and the transport rails 26 together by the biasing force of a spring (not shown). Next, the pair of second fixing parts K2 provided on the upper part of the second transport cart 20 is operated to release the fixation between the transport rails 26 and the cart body 21.

[0047] 13, the handle 29 is pushed inward. As a result, the extension rails 28 and the transport rails 26, which are integrated with the handle 29, are pushed inward toward the upper level SU of the tiered platform S. This pushing causes the transport rails 26 to extend so as to protrude further inward than the second transport carriage 20.

[0048] Then, together with this extension operation, the handle 29 and / or the second transporting carriage 20 are moved to move the rail tip fixing parts 26A provided at the lower ends of the transporting rails 26 onto the fixed rails TU embedded in the upper surface of the upper tier SU of the tiered platform S. As a result, each rail tip fixing part 26A is fitted into a corresponding groove formed in the fixed rail TU.

[0049] By this fitting, each transport rail 26 is integrally bridged between the second transporting carriage 20 and the upper tier SU of the tiered platform S. More specifically, each transport rail 26 is positioned and fixed with its leading end supported by the upper tier SU of the tiered platform S. As a result, each transport rail 26 is supported at both ends by both the second transporting carriage 20 and the upper tier SU of the tiered platform S, rather than extending in a cantilevered manner from the second transporting carriage 20.

[0050] 14, each transport platform 27 of the second transport vehicle 20 is released from its fixed position with the transport vehicle body 21. Then, each transport platform 27, together with the transported object W fixedly installed thereon, is slid along each transport rail 26 to a position where it is aligned side by side with each transport rail 26. Then, each transport platform 27 is fixed at the position where it was moved.

[0051] Next, the article W is released from the transport platforms 27, and the article W is transferred from each transport platform 27 to the upper level SU of the tiered platform S. By performing such an operation, even if the second transport vehicle 20 is away from the upper level SU of the tiered platform S, the article W can be appropriately transferred from each transport platform 27 of the second transport vehicle 20 to the upper level SU of the tiered platform S. The above is the operation of transferring the article W to the upper level SU or lower level SL of the tiered platform S.

[0052] The work of transferring the transported article W from the upper level SU or the lower level SL of the tiered platform S to the second transporting carriage 20 can also be performed by moving the second transporting carriage 20 in the same manner as described above. The work of transferring the transported article W from the second transporting carriage 20 to the first transporting carriage 10 described above in FIG. 7 and the like can also be performed by moving the second transporting carriage 20 in the same manner as described above.

[0053] The first transporting cart 10 described above in Fig. 1 incorporates a structure that can releasably fix the transported article W placed on the middle shelf surface 11B or the upper shelf surface 11A. The tiered platform S also incorporates a structure that can releasably fix the transported article W placed on the upper level SU or the lower level SL. The specific configurations of each part of the first transporting cart 10, the second transporting cart 20, and the tiered platform S will be described in detail below.

[0054] (Details of the first transport vehicle 10) First, the configuration of the first transporting cart 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The first transporting cart 10 has a box-shaped cart body 11, a plurality of casters 12 attached to the bottom surface of the cart body 11, and a foot pedal type cart stopper 13. Each caster 12 is a so-called swivel caster. The cart stopper 13 is a so-called hammer lock.

[0055] The cart body 11 is configured by connecting two vertically long box-shaped units side by side. Each unit of the cart body 11 is configured to have a three-tiered shelf structure having an upper shelf surface 11A, a middle shelf surface 11B, and a lower shelf surface 11C. The upper shelf surface 11A and the lower shelf surface 11C of each unit are configured so that one transported article W can be placed on the upper part.

[0056] The lower shelf surface 11C of the unit at the back side in the figure is configured so that the second transporting carriage 20 can be placed thereon. The lower shelf surface 11C of the unit at the front side in the figure is not used in this embodiment, but may be configured so that, for example, a charging device is installed thereon for charging a drive unit (height adjustment mechanism 22, etc.) (not shown) provided on the second transporting carriage 20 that has been returned to the adjacent lower shelf surface 11C.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 15, two fixed rails TU extending parallel to each other are embedded in the upper shelf surface 11A so as to be exposed flush along the upper surface. In the figure, in order to clearly show the configuration of the fixed rails TU, the parts embedded in the upper shelf surface 11A are also shown by solid lines. The fixed rails TU are arranged side by side so as to extend linearly along the arrangement direction of the units of the bogie body 11.

[0058] A pair of strikers TS for fixing the position of the transported article W placed on the upper shelf surface 11A is engaged with each fixed rail TU. Each striker TS has an engaging portion shaped like an inverted U. As the transported article W moves to be stored on the upper part of the upper shelf surface 11A, each striker TS inserts a corresponding hook portion W2 provided on the bottom surface of the transported article W into the inside of the U shape.

[0059] Furthermore, among the strikers TS, a pair of strikers TS provided on the fixed rail TU on the front side in the figure are releasably locked to placement lock mechanisms W3 provided on the corresponding hook portions W2 of the transported article W. By locking these placement lock mechanisms W3, the transported article W placed on the upper shelf surface 11A is fixed in position on the upper shelf surface 11A.

[0060] Each of the fixed rails TU described above is made of an airline rail (registered trademark). In addition, the engagement portion of each striker TS with each fixed rail TU is made of a stud fitting that can adjust the engagement position with each fixed rail TU in the rail length direction. Detailed configurations of these strikers TS and fixed rails TU are described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-158076.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 16, the transported article W has casters W1 and hooks W2 attached to four positions on the front, back, left and right sides of the bottom surface of the article, and a loading lock mechanism W3 provided on the two hooks W2 lined up on the front side in the figure. As shown in Fig. 17, each loading lock mechanism W3 has a structure that can lock the corresponding striker TS in a state where the gap is narrowed so that no rattling occurs.

[0062] Specifically, each mounting lock mechanism W3 has a lock arm W3b rotatably connected to the corresponding hook portion W2 via a support shaft W3a, and a position adjustment bolt W3c attached to the lock arm W3b. When the corresponding hook portion W2 is inserted into the U-shape of the striker TS, the claws at the ends of the lock arms W3b come into contact with the striker TS and are pushed upward, and then the lock arms W3b are hooked from above onto the striker TS by the biasing force of a spring (not shown).

[0063] Thereby, each lock arm W3b pinches each striker TS between the claw portion at the tip thereof and each hook portion W2, and is held in a positionally fixed state with respect to each striker TS. Each lock arm W3b has a double arm structure.

[0064] The positional relationship of the double arm structure of each lock arm W3b is shifted by turning a position adjustment bolt W3c passed through the double arm structure, and the distance between the claws at the tips of the lock arms W3b and each striker TS is adjusted. This adjustment adjusts the gap for clamping each striker TS between each lock arm W3b and each hook portion W2.

[0065] Each of the mounting lock mechanisms W3 is released from the locked state with each of the strikers TS by a user gripping each of the lock arms W3b and pushing and rotating them in the opposite direction to the biasing direction of a spring (not shown). The hooking structure of each of the hook portions W2 with respect to each of the strikers TS and the detailed configuration of each of the mounting lock mechanisms W3 are described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-055419.

[0066] The above-mentioned fixed rails TU and strikers TS are provided on each of the upper shelf surfaces 11A as well as on each of the middle shelf surfaces 11B described above in Fig. 1. The fixed rails TU and strikers TS allow the transported article W to be releasably fixed to the upper shelf surface 11A and the middle shelf surface 11B.

[0067] The fixed rails TU and strikers TS are also provided in the lower tier SL and upper tier SU of the tiered platform S described above in Fig. 8. The fixed rails TU and strikers TS enable the transported article W to be releasably fixed to the lower tier SL and upper tier SU of the tiered platform S. The engagement position of each striker TS with respect to each fixed rail TU in the rail length direction can be appropriately adjusted in accordance with the position of each corresponding hook portion W2 provided on the transported article W.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 2, the lower shelf surface 11C is formed in a planar shape on which the second transporting cart 20 can be mounted. The lower shelf surface 11C is formed at approximately the same height as the floor surface F of the vehicle. An openable and closable cover plate 11D is attached to the side portion on the right side in the figure of the intermediate portion where the lower shelf surface 11C of the first transporting cart 10 is located. The cover plate 11D is rotatably connected to the side portion on the right side in the figure of the intermediate portion where the lower shelf surface 11C of the first transporting cart 10 is located via a support shaft D1.

[0069] The above connection allows the cover plate 11D to rotate about the support shaft D1 between a closed position (see FIG. 1) where the cover plate 11D is raised at a substantially right angle from the right side of the lower shelf surface 11C in the figure, and an open position (see FIG. 2) where the cover plate 11D is tilted substantially horizontally to the right side in the figure. As shown in FIG. 1, when the cover plate 11D is closed to the above closed position, it engages with the right side of the first transport cart 10 in the figure and is held in the closed position.

[0070] As a result, the cover plate 11D widely covers the second transporting carriage 20 placed on the lower shelf surface 11C from the right side in the figure in a planar manner, thereby concealing the second transporting carriage 20 from the outside and holding it so that it does not fall off the lower shelf surface 11C.

[0071] 2, when a release button (not shown) is pressed from the closed position, the cover plate 11D is released from the closed position and opened to the open position. The cover plate 11D is opened from a position where the first transporting cart 10 is parked next to the floor surface F of the vehicle, so that the cover plate 11D is opened to a state where it is bridged over the floor surface F. As a result, the cover plate 11D bridges the lower shelf surface 11C and the floor surface F in a flush manner, enabling the second transporting cart 20 to move between them.

[0072] The cover plate 11D may be opened so as to hang on the floor surface F of the vehicle as described above, or may be opened so as to be slightly spaced apart from the floor surface F of the vehicle. In that case, since the cover plate 11D is opened in a cantilever manner from the first transporting carriage 10, legs (not shown) may be provided that are deployed from the cover plate 11D so as to be in contact with the ground G so as to properly support the opened cover plate 11D.

[0073] The lower shelf surface 11C does not necessarily have to be formed at approximately the same height as the vehicle floor surface F. In other words, the lower shelf surface 11C only needs to be at a height that allows the second transporting carriage 20 to pass between the lower shelf surface 11C and the vehicle floor surface F via the cover plate 11D, and may be formed at a higher or lower position than the floor surface F.

[0074] The first transporting cart 10 is capable of smoothly running on the ground surface G by using a plurality of casters 12 attached to its bottom surface. In addition, the first transporting cart 10 is configured such that, by operating a cart stopper 13 at an appropriate position on the ground surface G, each caster 12 is raised above the ground surface G and fixed in a fixed position.

[0075] (Details of the second transport vehicle 20) Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the second transporting carriage 20. As shown in Fig. 18, the second transporting carriage 20 has a carriage body 21 having a top plate 21A and a bottom plate 21B, and a height adjustment mechanism 22 capable of adjusting the height position of the top plate 21A.

[0076] The second transport vehicle 20 also has a plurality of casters 23 attached to the bottom surface of the vehicle body 21, and a foot pedal type vehicle stopper 24. Each caster 23 is a so-called swivel caster. The vehicle stopper 24 is a so-called hammer lock.

[0077] The top plate 21A and the bottom plate 21B that constitute the cart body 21 are made of rectangular plates of approximately the same shape and size. The height adjustment mechanism 22 is made of a so-called pantograph-type lifting mechanism provided between the top plate 21A and the bottom plate 21B. The height adjustment mechanism 22 is an electric drive mechanism that raises and lowers the top plate 21A relative to the bottom plate 21B by a driving force supplied from an electric motor (not shown).

[0078] The height adjustment mechanism 22 operates to raise or lower the top plate 21A relative to the bottom plate 21B by operating a lift button (not shown) provided on the top plate 21A. The height adjustment mechanism 22 operates to raise or lower the top plate 21A while the lift button is being operated, and stops the top plate 21A at each raised or lowered position when the lift button is released. With this configuration, the height adjustment mechanism 22 can adjust the height position of the top plate 21A to a desired height position.

[0079] The second transporting cart 20 is mounted on the lower shelf surface 11C of the first transporting cart 10 described above in Fig. 2 with the height position of the top plate 21A being fully lowered by the height adjustment mechanism 22. The second transporting cart 20 is capable of smoothly running between the floor surface F of the vehicle and the lower shelf surface 11C of the first transporting cart 10 by a plurality of casters 23 attached to its bottom surface.

[0080] In addition, by operating the carriage stopper 24 at a position on the floor surface F of the vehicle or on the lower shelf surface 11C of the first transporting carriage 10, the casters 23 of the second transporting carriage 20 are raised above the ground surface and fixed in a fixed position. Therefore, when the second transporting carriage 20 is loaded on the lower shelf surface 11C of the first transporting carriage 10 and transported, the second transporting carriage 20 can be appropriately prevented from rattling or moving on the lower shelf surface 11C.

[0081] 18, the second transporting carriage 20 further includes a rail length variable mechanism 20A capable of moving a pair of transport rails 26 installed on the top plate 21A of the second transporting carriage 20 so as to extend them in the rail length direction from above the top plate 21A. The second transporting carriage 20 further includes a rail distance adjustment mechanism 20B capable of adjusting the installation distance of the pair of transport rails 26 relative to the top plate 21A. Specific configurations of these will be described below.

[0082] As shown in Figs. 18 and 19, the second transport vehicle 20 further has a pair of left and right bases 25 installed on the top plate 21A. Each base 25 serves as a mounting base to which a pair of transport rails 26 are respectively attached. Each base 25 is fixed by being hooked by a respective hook member 25A to each width adjustment rail R5 provided along the front side and the back side of the top plate 21A. Each width adjustment rail R5 is made of an airline rail (registered trademark), the same as each fixed rail TU described above in Fig. 15.

[0083] Moreover, each of the hooks 25A that engage with each of the width adjustment rails R5 is made of a stud fitting having the same engagement structure as the attachment portion that engages with each of the fixed rails TU of each of the strikers TS described above with reference to Fig. 15. This makes it possible to adjust the engagement position of each of the hooks 25A with respect to each of the width adjustment rails R5 in the rail length direction.

[0084] By adjusting the engagement position of each hook 25A with respect to each width adjustment rail R5 in the rail length direction, the position of each base 25 on the top plate 21A in the rail length direction can be individually adjusted. This makes it possible to adjust the installation interval of the pair of transport rails 26 attached to each base 25 with respect to the top plate 21A. The above-mentioned rail interval adjustment mechanism 20B is configured by such an adjustment mechanism.

[0085] The second transport cart 20 further has a pair of left and right transport rails 26 installed on the above-mentioned pair of left and right bases 25. The second transport cart 20 further has a pair of left and right transport tables 27 connected to each of the transport rails 26 so as to be slidable in the rail length direction.

[0086] The second transporting carriage 20 further has a pair of left and right extension rails 28 connected to each transport rail 26 so as to be slidable in the rail length direction. The second transporting carriage 20 further has a handle 29 provided between each extension rail 28. The handle 29 is connected to the apex of the V of a bridging arm 28A that connects the extension rails 28 in a V-shape in plan view. The second transporting carriage 20 has a left-right symmetrical configuration in which the above-mentioned components are provided symmetrically.

[0087] Each of the transport rails 26 has a rail length that is slightly longer than the front-rear width of the top board 21A. Each of the transport rails 26 is connected to each of the bases 25 by a first rail R1 that extends in the front-rear direction so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.

[0088] Each of the first rails R1 has a three-rail structure including a rail piece fixed to each base 25, a rail piece fixed to each transport rail 26, and an intermediate rail piece disposed so as to bridge between these rail pieces. This allows each transport rail 26 to slide relative to each base 25 via the first rail R1 between an initial position where the arrangement in the rail length direction overlaps with each base 25, and an extended position where the rail extends in the rail length direction beyond each base 25 to the rear side.

[0089] A second fixing portion K2 capable of fixing each transport rail 26 to an initial position before extension relative to each base 25 is provided on the end side surface of each base 25 on the front side in the drawing. Each second fixing portion K2 is composed of a pin connected to each base 25 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction.

[0090] Each second fixing portion K2 comes into contact with the inclined protrusion of each conveyor rail 26 and is pushed aside by sliding each conveyor rail 26 to the initial position relative to each base 25, and then fits laterally into the protrusion of each conveyor rail 26 due to the biasing force of a spring (not shown). As a result, each second fixing portion K2 fixes each conveyor rail 26 to the initial position relative to each base 25.

[0091] Each second fixing portion K2 is released from the engagement with each conveying rail 26 by the user pulling the lever portion formed integrally with each pin in the direction opposite to the biasing direction. This releases the fixed state of each conveying rail 26 in the initial position, and allows each conveying rail 26 to slide toward the back side relative to each base 25.

[0092] 22, a rail tip fixing portion 26A capable of fitting into a groove of a fixed rail TU from above is provided at the lower end of the tip of each transport rail 26. As each transport rail 26 is extended and its tip moves up onto the upper surface of the transport destination, each rail tip fixing portion 26A comes into contact with the upper surface of the transport destination and is pushed upward, and then fits from above into one of the grooves of the fixed rail TU embedded in the upper surface by the biasing force of a spring (not shown). As a result, each transport rail 26 is fixed integrally to the fixed rail TU.

[0093] 23, each rail tip fixing portion 26A is removed upward from the groove of the fixed rail TU by pushing in the release protrusion 26B protruding from the rail top plate portion of each transport rail 26. This releases the fixed state of each transport rail 26 with respect to the fixed rail TU.

[0094] 18 and 19, each transport table 27 is connected to each transport rail 26 by a third rail R3 extending in the front-rear direction so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, each transport table 27 is connected to each base 25 by a fourth rail R4 extending in the front-rear direction so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. Each of the third rails R3 and each of the fourth rails R4 has the same rail structure as each of the first rails R1.

[0095] Specifically, each of the third rails R3 has a three-rail structure consisting of a rail piece fixed to each of the transport rails 26, a rail piece fixed to each of the transport tables 27, and an intermediate rail piece that bridges between these rail pieces. Similarly, each of the fourth rails R4 has a three-rail structure consisting of a rail piece fixed to each of the bases 25, a rail piece fixed to each of the transport tables 27, and an intermediate rail piece that bridges between these rail pieces.

[0096] Thereby, each transport table 27 is supported by each third rail R3 and each fourth rail R4 at two positions in the left and right direction with respect to each transport rail 26 and each base 25. In detail, each transport table 27 is able to slide relative to each transport rail 26 and each base 25 via each third rail R3 and each fourth rail R4 between an initial position (see FIG. 18) where the arrangement of each transport table 27 overlaps with each base 25 in the rail length direction, and an extended position (see FIG. 24) where each transport rail 26 is extended forward beyond each base 25.

[0097] A recessed rail groove surface 27A capable of receiving the corresponding caster W1 of the transported article W from the tip side in the rail length direction is formed on the upper surface of each transport platform 27. A cushion rubber 27B is provided on the upper surface of the end portion on the front side in the drawing of each transport platform 27, against which the transported article W received on the front side along each rail groove surface 27A can elastically abut and be engaged. Here, the rail groove surface 27A corresponds to the "mounting surface" of the present invention.

[0098] Further, a third fixing portion K3 is provided on the side surface of the end portion on the front side in the drawing of each of the transport tables 27, which can fix each of the transport tables 27 to the above-mentioned initial position (see FIG. 18) and extended position (see FIG. 24) relative to each of the bases 25. Each of the third fixing portions K3 is formed of a pin connected to each of the transport tables 27 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction.

[0099] Each third fixing part K3 hits an inclined protrusion of each base 25 and is pushed aside by sliding each transport platform 27 to the initial position (see FIG. 18) and the extended position (see FIG. 24) relative to each base 25, and then fits laterally into the protrusion of each base 25 due to the biasing force of a spring (not shown). As a result, each third fixing part K3 fixes each transport platform 27 to the respective position where it has been slid to the initial position (see FIG. 18) and the extended position (see FIG. 24) relative to each base 25.

[0100] Each third fixing portion K3 is released from its engagement with each base 25 by the user pulling the lever portion formed integrally with each pin in the direction opposite to the biasing direction. This releases each conveying table 27 from its fixed state in the initial position (see FIG. 18) or the extended position (see FIG. 24), allowing each conveying table 27 to slide.

[0101] 25 and 26, a striker 27C for locking the transported article W placed on the rail groove surface 27A is attached to the side surface of the end on the front side in the drawing of each transport table 27. Each striker 27C is attached to each transport table 27 in a bridging manner between the tips of a pair of arms extending from a shaft extending in the left-right direction. Thus, each striker 27C is attached to each transport table 27 so as to be rotatable around the corresponding shaft via each arm.

[0102] After the transported article W is placed on the rail groove surface 27A of each transport table 27, each striker 27C is rotated so as to engage from the front with the corresponding loading lock mechanism W3 provided on the bottom surface of the transported article W, thereby being locked by each loading lock mechanism W3. The detailed configuration of each loading lock mechanism W3 is as described above in Fig. 17. Each loading lock mechanism W3 can lock the transported article W on the rail groove surface 27A of each transport table 27 so as not to rattle.

[0103] 18 and 19, each extension rail 28 has a rail length slightly shorter than the front-rear width of the top board 21A. Each extension rail 28 is connected to each transport rail 26 by a second rail R2 extending in the front-rear direction so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. Each second rail R2 has the same rail structure as each first rail R1.

[0104] Specifically, each of the second rails R2 has a three-rail structure including a rail piece fixed to each of the transport rails 26, a rail piece fixed to each of the extension rails 28, and an intermediate rail piece disposed so as to bridge between these rail pieces. This allows each of the extension rails 28 to slide relative to each of the transport rails 26 via each of the second rails R2 between an initial position (see FIG. 18) where the extension rails 28 overlap with each of the transport rails 26 in the rail length direction, and an extended position (see FIG. 20) where the extension rails 28 extend in the rail length direction beyond each of the transport rails 26 to the front side.

[0105] A first fixing portion K1 is provided on the side surface of the end portion on the front side in the drawing of each of the transport rails 26, which can fix each extension rail 28 to the above-mentioned initial position (see FIG. 18) and an extended position (FIG. 20) in which the extension rail 28 is extended on the front side in the drawing with respect to each of the transport rails 26. Each of the first fixing portions K1 is composed of a pin connected to each of the transport rails 26 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction.

[0106] Each first fixing part K1 hits against the inclined protrusion of each extension rail 28 and is pushed aside by sliding each extension rail 28 to the initial position (see FIG. 18) and the extended position (see FIG. 20) relative to each transport rail 26, and then fits laterally into the protrusion of each extension rail 28 due to the biasing force of a spring (not shown). As a result, each first fixing part K1 fixes each extension rail 28 to the respective position where it has been slid to the initial position (see FIG. 18) and the extended position (see FIG. 20) relative to each transport rail 26.

[0107] 20, the extension rails 28 are integrated with the transport rails 26, thereby extending the effective rail length by which the transport rails 26 can slide relative to the bases 25. The above-mentioned rail-length varying mechanism 20A is configured by such a mechanism for extending the rail length.

[0108] Each first fixing part K1 is released from its engagement with each extension rail 28 by the user pulling the lever part formed integrally with each pin in the direction opposite to the biasing direction. This releases the fixed state of each extension rail 28 at the extended position (see FIG. 20), allowing each extension rail 28 to slide relative to each transport rail 26. Here, each first fixing part K1 corresponds to the "drawer fixing part" of the present invention.

[0109] (Rail operation of the second transport cart 20) Next, the rail operation of the second transporting carriage 20 will be described. First, the procedure for extending each transport rail 26 from the carriage body 21 from the initial position shown in Fig. 18 and handing it over to the delivery destination will be described. In the initial state of the second transporting carriage 20, each transport rail 26, each transport platform 27, and each extension rail 28 are locked in a state in which they are arranged overlapping each other on each base 25 on the top plate 21A.

[0110] First, from the initial state described above, the first fixing parts K1 are unlocked, and the handle 29 is pulled toward the front side as shown in Fig. 20. As a result, the handle 29 and each extension rail 28 are pulled out integrally with each other toward the front side as shown in the figure relative to each transport rail 26.

[0111] Then, when each extension rail 28 reaches an extension position where it is pulled out a predetermined amount toward the front side in the figure relative to each transport rail 26, each first fixing part K1 is urged to lock, and each extension rail 28 is integrated with each transport rail 26. Next, each second fixing part K2 is unlocked, and the handle 29 is pushed toward the rear side in the figure as shown in Fig. 21. This causes each extension rail 28 to return to above the top plate 21A of the dolly main body 21, and each transport rail 26 is pushed out so as to go beyond the top plate 21A toward the rear side in the figure.

[0112] 22, the leading ends of the transport rails 26 are moved so as to ride up onto the upper surface of the receiving end, so that the rail leading end fixing parts 26A provided at the lower ends of the transport rails 26 fit into the grooves of the fixed rail TU from above (see FIG. 23). As a result, the transport rails 26 are fixed integrally to the fixed rail TU.

[0113] 24, the lock of each third fixing part K3 is released, and each transport table 27 is moved from its initial position on the top board 21A to an extended position where it is aligned side by side with each transport rail 26. This movement causes each third fixing part K3 to be biased and locked again, and each transport table 27 is fixed to each base 25. Here, each third fixing part K3 corresponds to a "table fixing part" of the present invention.

[0114] Next, as shown in Fig. 25, the transported article W locked on each transport platform 27 is released from the locked state with each transport platform 27. Specifically, the lock arm W3b of each placement lock mechanism W3 is operated to release the article W from the locked state with each striker 27C. Then, as shown in Fig. 26, each striker 27C that has been released from the lock with each placement lock mechanism W3 is tilted forward.

[0115] Specifically, the arm of each striker 27C is provided with a fourth fixing portion K4 that can fix each striker 27C in a locking position in which the striker 27C is raised upward relative to each transport platform 27. Each fourth fixing portion K4 is formed of a pin that is connected to the arm of each striker 27C so as to be slidable in the left-right direction.

[0116] 25, by rotating each striker 27C to a locking position where it is raised upward relative to each conveyance table 27, each fourth fixing portion K4 is fitted laterally into the end side surface of each conveyance table 27 on the front side in the drawing by the biasing force of a spring (not shown). As a result, each fourth fixing portion K4 fixes each striker 27C to the locking position relative to each conveyance table 27.

[0117] Each fourth fixing portion K4 is released from its engagement with each conveying table 27 by the user pulling a lever portion formed integrally with each pin in the direction opposite to the biasing direction. This releases the fixed state of each striker 27C at the lock position, as shown in Fig. 26, and each striker 27C can be tilted forward together with each fourth fixing portion K4. This allows the conveyed article W to be conveyed from each conveying table 27 to a delivery destination.

[0118] To summarise the above, the second transporting carriage 20 according to this embodiment has the following configuration: In the following, the reference characters in parentheses correspond to the respective components shown in the above embodiment.

[0119] That is, the transport vehicle (20) is a vehicle that delivers the transported article (W) to and from the delivery destination (10, S). The transport vehicle (20) has a placement surface (27A) on which the transported article (W) is placed, a transport rail (26) that serves as a transport path connecting the placement surface (27A) and the delivery destination (10, S), and a rail length variable mechanism (20A) that can move the transport rail (26) so as to extend it in the rail length direction from a position away from the delivery destination (10, S) to a position where the transport rail (26) is supported at the delivery destination (10, S).

[0120] According to the above configuration, even if the transport cart (20) is away from the destination (10, S), the rail-length variable mechanism (20A) can extend the transport rail (26) toward the destination (10, S) to bridge the transport between the placement surface (27A) and the destination (10, S). More specifically, the rail-length variable mechanism (20A) extends the transport rail (26) to a position where the transport rail (26) is supported at the destination (10, S). This allows the transport rail (26) to be supported (supported at both ends) by both the transport cart (20) and the destination (10, S). As a result, since the transport rail (26) is not cantilevered, the transported article (W) can be appropriately delivered between the placement surface (27A) and the destination (10, S) even if the transport cart (20) is away from the destination (10, S).

[0121] The transport cart (20) further includes a rail fixing portion (26A) capable of fixing the transport rail (26) at a position where the transport rail (26) is supported by the destination (10, S). With the above-described configuration, the transport rail (26) can be appropriately positioned at the destination (10, S). As a result, the transported article (W) can be more appropriately delivered between the placement surface (27A) and the destination (10, S).

[0122] The transport cart (20) is connected to the transport rail (26) so as to be slidable in the rail length direction, and includes a transport table (27) having a placement surface (27A) on which the transported object (W) is placed, and a table fixing portion (K3) that can fix the position of the transport table (27) relative to the cart body (21) rather than the transport rail (26).

[0123] According to the above configuration, the conveyor rails (26) can be extended and handed over to the destination (10, S) while the conveyor platform (27) is fixed in position to the carriage body (21). Therefore, the conveyor rails (26) can be securely handed over to the destination (10, S), and then the article (W) can be transferred from the placement surface (27A) to the destination (10, S). When transferring the article (W) from the destination (10, S) to the placement surface (27A), the conveyor rails (26) can be returned to their original extension after the article (W) is fixed to the carriage body (21).

[0124] The rail length variable mechanism (20A) has a first rail (R1) that connects the transport rail (26) to the carriage body (21) so as to be slidable in the rail length direction, a second rail (R2) that connects the extension rail (28) equipped with a rail operation handle (29) to the transport rail (26) so as to be slidable in the rail length direction, and a drawer fixing part (K1) that can fix the extension rail (28) to a position where it is drawn out from the transport rail (26) in the opposite direction to the delivery destination (10, S), and is configured so that the extension rail (28) and the transport rail (26) can be slid together with the carriage body (21) to a position where they are supported by the delivery destination (10, S) by operating the handle (29). According to the above configuration, the operation of the extension rail (28) to extend the transport rail (26) from the carriage body (21) and to lay it over the delivery destination (10, S) can be easily performed.

[0125] The transport cart (20) includes a pair of transport rails (26) in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the rail length direction, and further includes a rail interval adjustment mechanism (20B) capable of adjusting the installation interval of the pair of transport rails (26) relative to the cart body (21). According to the above configuration, the provision of a pair of transport rails (26) allows the transported object (W) to be more appropriately delivered between the placement surface (27A) and the delivery destination (10, S). In addition, the rail interval adjustment mechanism (20B) allows the installation width between the pair of transport rails (26) to be adjusted according to conditions such as the shape of the transported object (W). Therefore, the transported object (W) can be more appropriately delivered between the placement surface (27A) and the delivery destination (10, S).

[0126] In addition, the transport rail (26) has an overhang that allows the carriage body (21) to reach a position at the destination (S) where it is supported by bringing the carriage body (21) close to the destination (S) when the transport rail (26) is in an initial state where it is most extended in the rail length direction. According to the above configuration, when the transport carriage (20) can be brought close to the destination (S), it can be handed over to a position at the destination (S) where it is supported by the carriage body (21) without extending the transport rail (26). Therefore, when the transport carriage (20) can be brought close to the destination (S), the transported article (W) can be easily handed over between the placement surface (27A) and the destination (S).

[0127] Other embodiments Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be embodied in various forms other than the above embodiment.

[0128] 1. The objects to be transported by the transport vehicle of the present invention can be storage racks as well as various vehicle equipment that is installed according to the specifications of the vehicle. The objects to be transported can be vehicle equipment as well as items other than vehicle equipment such as furnishings, furniture, and fixtures. The transport vehicle can travel on the ground as well as on the floor surface of the vehicle to transport the objects.

[0129] 2. The loading surface on which the transported object is placed may be made of a roller conveyor. The transport cart may not have a transport platform that slides along the transport rail, but may have a configuration in which the upper surface of the transport rail is used as the loading surface on which the transported object is placed. The transport rail may be provided in a pair, or may be provided as a single rail having a wide structure. In addition, when multiple transport rails are provided, the transport platform may be connected so as to be able to slide across each transport rail in the rail length direction.

[0130] 3. The rail fixing portion that fixes the conveying rail in a position where it is supported relative to the destination may fix the conveying rail to the destination by attaching a magnet or fitting the conveying rail in the rail length direction.

[0131] 4. As shown in Fig. 12 to Fig. 14, when the second transport vehicle 20 transfers the transported object W to the upper stage SU of the tiered platform S, if the transported object W has been brought onto the lower stage SL first, the transported object W on the lower stage SL may be made to function as a bridge transport path. Specifically, first, the tip of each transport rail 26 is caused to ride on the upper surface of the transported object W on the lower stage SL. Next, the transported object W placed on the second transport vehicle 20 is slid onto the upper surface of the transported object W on the lower stage SL, and is transferred as it is to the upper stage SU.

[0132] In this case, it is preferable that the upper surface of the transported object W on the lower tier SL is flat in the portion that becomes the transport path. Also, it is preferable that the upper surface of the transported object W on the lower tier SL is close in height position to the placement surface of the transported object W on the second transporting carriage 20 and the upper tier SU. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 1. Transport vehicle device 10 First transport cart (delivery destination) 11 Cart body 11A Upper shelf surface 11B Middle shelf surface 11C Lower shelf surface 11D Lid plate D1 spindle 12 Caster 13 Cart stopper 20 Second transport cart (transport cart) 20A Rail length variable mechanism 20B Rail spacing adjustment mechanism 21 Cart body 21A Top plate 21B Bottom plate 22 Height adjustment mechanism 23 Caster 24 Cart stopper 25 Base 25A Latch 26 Transport rail 26A Rail end fixing part (rail fixing part) 26B Release protrusion 27 Transport platform 27A Rail groove surface (mounting surface) 27B Cushioning rubber 27C Striker 28 Extension rail 28A Bridge Arm 29 Handle R1 First rail R2 2nd rail R3 3rd rail R4 4th rail R5 width adjustment rail K1 First fixing part (drawer fixing part) K2 2nd fixed part K3 3rd fixing part (base fixing part) K4 4th fixed part F Floor surface G ground S Tiered stand (delivery destination) SL Lower SU Upper TU Fixed Rail TS Striker W Transported goods W1 Caster W2 Hook W3 Placement lock mechanism W3a Support shaft W3b Lock Arm W3c position adjustment bolt

Claims

1. A transport vehicle that delivers transported items to and from a delivery destination, A placement surface on which the transported object is placed; A conveying rail serving as a conveying path connecting the placement surface and the delivery destination; and a rail length varying mechanism capable of moving the conveying rail so as to extend it in the rail length direction from a position away from the delivery destination to a position where the conveying rail is supported at the delivery destination.

2. The transport vehicle according to claim 1, The transport vehicle further includes a rail fixing portion capable of fixing the transport rail at the supported position relative to the destination.

3. The transport vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, a conveyance table connected to the conveyance rail so as to be slidable in the rail length direction and including the placement surface on which the conveyed object is placed; The transport platform has a platform fixing portion that can fix the position of the transport platform relative to the platform body rather than to the transport rail.

4. The transport vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, The rail length variable mechanism has a first rail that connects the conveying rail to the cart body so that it can slide in the rail length direction, a second rail that connects an extension rail equipped with a handle for rail operation to the conveying rail so that it can slide in the rail length direction, and a pull-out fixing part that can fix the extension rail in a position pulled out in the opposite direction to the delivery destination relative to the conveying rail, and is configured so that the extension rail and the conveying rail can be slid together relative to the cart body to the supported position at the delivery destination by operating the handle.

5. The transport vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, The transport cart includes a pair of transport rails arranged in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the rail length direction, and further includes a rail spacing adjustment mechanism that can adjust the installation spacing of the pair of transport rails relative to the cart body.

6. The transport vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, A transport cart having an overhang that can reach the supported position at the destination by bringing the cart body close to the destination when the transport rail is in an initial state in which the extension in the rail length direction is minimized.

Images