Truck

Abstract

To provide a truck with a loading part on which an article on a pallet can be easily loaded for a short time.SOLUTION: A truck comprises: a vehicle body 3 with a loading part 2a on which an article (part box B1) can be loaded; and a loading mechanism 11 which loads an article on a pallet P to the loading part. The loading mechanism includes: a slider 12 which is movably supported by the vehicle body in a front and back direction A1; and an operation lever 13 whose lower part is oscillatably support by the slider. An engagement part 17 which can be engaged with the article on the pallet is arranged at the lower part of the operation lever. The operation lever is operated to draw in the article on the pallet through engagement of the engagement part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cart for carrying articles.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, articles on a pallet are loaded onto a cart, or articles on a cart are loaded onto and unloaded from a pallet. As the loading operation, for example, as shown in FIG. 19(a), an operation of placing one by one a plurality of parts boxes B1 stacked on a pallet P onto a cart 100 is known. Further, as the loading and unloading operation, for example, as shown in FIG. 19(b), an operation of lowering one by one a plurality of empty parts boxes B2 stacked on a cart 100 onto a pallet P is known. Note that the parts boxes B1 on the pallet P contain parts and are generally relatively heavy (for example, about 10 kg per box).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above loading operation, since the relatively heavy parts boxes B1 on the pallet P are placed one by one onto the cart 100, it is heavy labor and a time-consuming operation. In particular, placing the parts box B1 at a high position on the pallet P onto the cart 100 at a low position results in a strenuous working posture. Further, also in the above loading and unloading operation, since the empty parts boxes B2 on the cart 100 are lowered one by one onto the pallet P, it is a time-consuming operation.

[0005] Note that Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose technologies for loading and unloading articles onto and from a carriage using an electric cargo handling mechanism.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and an object thereof is to provide a carriage capable of easily and quickly loading articles on a pallet onto a loading portion. In addition to the above object, another object of the present invention is to provide a carriage capable of easily and quickly loading and unloading articles on a loading portion onto and from a pallet.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention is as follows. 1. A vehicle body having a loading portion capable of loading articles, and a loading mechanism for loading articles on a pallet onto the loading portion, The loading mechanism includes a slider movably supported in the front-rear direction on the vehicle body, and an operation lever having a lower portion swingably supported by the slider. An engaging portion engageable with the article on the pallet is provided at the lower portion of the operation lever. By operating the operation lever, the article on the pallet is drawn into the loading portion by the engagement of the engaging portion. A carriage characterized by this. 2. A loading and unloading mechanism for loading and unloading articles on the loading portion onto and from the pallet is provided. The loading and unloading mechanism includes a pusher movably supported in the front-rear direction on the vehicle body, a displacement operation portion displaceably supported on the vehicle body, a pulley provided on the displacement operation portion, and a cord connecting the vehicle body and the pusher via the pulley. By operating the displacement operation portion, the pusher is moved forward by the traction of the cord, and the article on the loading portion is pushed forward by the pusher. The carriage according to 1. above. 3. The loading mechanism has a fall prevention portion for preventing the article on the loading portion from falling. The fall prevention part includes a swing bar whose rear end side is swingably supported by the vehicle body, a stopper provided on the front end side of the swing bar, and a biasing part that biases the swing bar in a direction in which the stopper protrudes from the upper surface of the loading part. The slider is provided with an engaging part that engages with the swing bar. The trolley according to 1. above, wherein when the slider moves forward, the engaging part engages with the swing bar, and against the biasing force of the biasing part, the swing bar is swung in a direction in which the stopper sinks from the upper surface of the loading part. 4. The stacking mechanism has a fall prevention part for preventing articles on the loading part from falling. The fall prevention part includes a swing bar whose rear end side is swingably supported by the vehicle body, a stopper provided on the front end side of the swing bar, and a biasing part that biases the swing bar in a direction in which the stopper protrudes from the upper surface of the loading part. The pusher is provided with an engaging part that engages with the swing bar. The trolley according to 2. above, wherein when the pusher moves forward, the engaging part engages with the swing bar, and against the biasing force of the biasing part, the swing bar is swung in a direction in which the stopper sinks from the upper surface of the loading part. 5. The fall prevention part has a swing regulation part for regulating the swing of the swing bar. The swing regulation part includes a lock pin movably supported in the front-rear direction by the vehicle body, a biasing part that biases the lock pin in a direction in which it protrudes from the front end surface of the vehicle body, and a receiving base provided on the lock pin. The swing bar is provided with an engaging part that engages with the receiving base. When the lock pin is in a protruding state protruding from the front end surface of the vehicle body, the swing of the swing bar is regulated by the engagement of the receiving base and the engaging part. The trolley according to 3. or 4. above, wherein when the lock pin abuts against the pallet and retracts from the protruding state, the engagement between the receiving base and the engaging part is released, and the swing regulation of the swing bar is released. 6. It is equipped with a traveling regulation mechanism for regulating the traveling of the trolley. The traveling control mechanism includes a stopper portion and an operating portion for operating the stopper portion. The stopper portion includes a main body attached to the vehicle body, a stopper shaft supported by the main body so as to be movable up and down, a locking member for restricting the lifting position of the stopper shaft, and a biasing portion for biasing the stopper shaft in the upward direction. The operating portion includes a main body attached to the vehicle body, a first shaft supported by the main body so as to be movable up and down, and a second shaft swingably supported at the lower end portion of the first shaft. The first shaft is provided with a contact portion that contacts the upper end portion of the stopper shaft. The second shaft is provided with an engaging portion that can engage with the locking member. A pedal portion for operating with the foot is provided at the lower end portion of the second shaft. By operating the pedal portion to lower the first shaft and the second shaft from a state where the stopper shaft is separated from the floor surface, the stopper shaft is grounded on the floor surface by the contact of the contact portion. The trolley according to 1. above, wherein, from a state where the stopper shaft is grounded on the floor surface, by swinging the second shaft by operating the pedal portion, the engaging portion engages with the locking member to release the restraint of the lifting position of the stopper shaft and separate the stopper shaft from the floor surface.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the trolley of the present invention, by providing a specific loading mechanism and operating an operation lever, the articles on the pallet are drawn into the loading portion by the engagement of the engaging portion. Thereby, the articles on the pallet can be easily and quickly loaded into the loading portion. Furthermore, when a specific loading and unloading mechanism is provided, by operating the displacement operation portion, the pusher is moved forward by the traction of the cable, and the articles on the loading portion are pushed forward by the pusher. Thereby, the articles on the loading portion can be easily and quickly loaded and unloaded onto / from the pallet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] The present invention will be further described in the following detailed description by way of non-limiting examples of typical embodiments according to the present invention, with reference to the multiple drawings mentioned. The same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout several views of the drawings.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The matters shown here are exemplary and for exemplarily explaining the embodiments of the present invention, and are described for the purpose of providing an explanation that can most effectively and easily understand the principle and conceptual features of the present invention. In this regard, it is not intended to show the structural details of the present invention to a greater extent than necessary for a fundamental understanding of the present invention, and it is to clarify for those skilled in the art how several forms of the present invention are actually embodied by the description in combination with the drawings.

[0011] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings according to the embodiments. In this embodiment, parts boxes B1 and B2 are exemplified as the "articles" according to the present invention. However, the articles are not particularly limited as long as they can be engaged with the engaging portion 17 of the operation lever 13 described later.

[0012] The parts box B1 contains parts and is hereinafter also referred to as the "full box B1". The parts box B2 has had its parts removed and is hereinafter also referred to as the "empty box B2". The parts boxes B1 and B2 are provided with a gripping portion 77 that can be gripped by an operator (see Fig. 5). The gripping portion 77 functions as a portion that can engage with an engaging portion 17 of an operation lever 13 described later.

[0013] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the trolley 1 according to this embodiment includes a vehicle body 3 having a loading portion 2 on which the parts boxes B1 and B2 can be loaded, and a loading mechanism 11 for loading a plurality (six in the figure) of full boxes B1 on the pallet P onto the loading portion 2. Further, the trolley 1 is provided with an unloading mechanism 21 for unloading a plurality (six in the figure) of empty boxes B2 on the loading portion 2 onto the pallet P.

[0014] The vehicle body 3 includes a horizontal frame 3a and a vertical frame 3b rising from the rear end portion of the horizontal frame 3a. The loading portion 2, the loading mechanism 11, and the unloading mechanism 21 are supported on the horizontal frame 3a. Further, an upper portion of the vertical frame 3b is provided with a handle portion 4 that is operated by an operator when the trolley 1 is traveling.

[0015] The loading portion 2 is constituted by a plurality of conveying rollers 5 arranged along the front-rear direction A1 of the vehicle body 3 (see Fig. 2). However, as the loading portion 2, a floor surface portion made of a material capable of reducing the frictional resistance with the parts boxes B1 and B2 may be adopted. Further, the loading portion 2 includes a full-box loading portion 2a for loading the full box B1 and an empty-box loading portion 2b for loading the empty box B2. These loading portions 2a and 2b are arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the vehicle body 3.

[0016] The loading mechanism 11 is arranged corresponding to the full-box loading portion 2a (see Fig. 2). As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the present loading mechanism 11 includes a slider 12 movably supported in the front-rear direction A1 on the vehicle body 3, and an operation lever 13 whose lower portion is swingably supported by the slider 12.

[0017] Note that the above "supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction A1" includes not only the form supported so as to be movable in the horizontal direction, but also the form supported so as to be movable in a direction inclined up and down at a predetermined angle (for example, 10 degrees or less) in the horizontal direction. This point also applies in the following description.

[0018] A guide shaft 14 extending in the front-rear direction A1 of the vehicle body 3 is inserted through the slider 12 (see FIG. 4). That is, the slider 12 is supported by the guide shaft 14 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction A1. Further, left and right support pieces 15 are provided on the upper surface of the slider 12. Between the left and right support pieces 15, the lower part of the operation lever 13 is supported so as to be swingable around a horizontal axis orthogonal to the front-rear direction A1. However, as the operation lever 13, one swingably supported by the slider 12 by means of a universal joint may be adopted.

[0019] The operation lever 13 is formed in a substantially L shape. A handle portion 13a that can be gripped by an operator is provided at the upper part of the operation lever 13. The handle portion 13a is formed in a frame shape. Further, an engaging portion 17 that can engage with the gripping portion 77 of the full box B1 on the pallet P is provided at the lower part of the operation lever 13. The engaging portion 17 is formed in a rod shape. A locking portion 17a that is hooked from below by the projection 77a of the gripping portion 77 is provided on the tip side of the engaging portion 17 (see FIG. 5). The locking portion 17a is formed in a concave shape.

[0020] Note that it is preferable to provide a holding mechanism for holding the operation lever 13 in a standby state (standing state). As the holding mechanism, a spring mechanism provided between the slider 12 and the operation lever 13 or a hooking mechanism provided on the vehicle body 3 can be adopted.

[0021] The loading mechanism 11 pulls the full box B1 on the pallet P into the loading part 2a by the engagement of the engaging part 17 by operating the operation lever 13 (specifically, the swinging operation of the operation lever 13 accompanied by the movement of the slider 12) (see Fig. 5). More specifically, the loading mechanism 11 lifts the full box B1 on the pallet P by operating the operation lever 13 and pulls it into the loading part 2a in a state of being in line contact with the ground. Note that the full box B1 pulled into the loading part 2a from the pallet P may be transported in a state of being in line contact with the ground on the loading part 2a, or may be transported in a state of being in surface contact with the ground.

[0022] Depending on the operation of the operation lever 13 of the loading mechanism 11 (specifically, the swinging operation of the operation lever 13 accompanied by the movement of the slider 12 in the front-rear direction A1), the engaging part 17 can push out a plurality of full boxes B1 loaded on the loading part 2a forward, and the plurality of full boxes B1 can be unloaded onto the pallet P or the floor stand. That is, the present loading mechanism 11 can exhibit a unloading function in addition to the loading function.

[0023] The unloading mechanism 21 is arranged corresponding to the loading part 2b for empty boxes (see Fig. 2). As shown in Figs. 6 to 9, the present unloading mechanism 21 includes a pusher 22 movably supported in the front-rear direction A1 on the vehicle body 3, an operation lever (displacement operation part) 23 swingably supported on the vehicle body 3, a pulley 31a provided on the operation lever 23, and a cord-like object 32 (for example, a string, a rope, etc.) connecting the vehicle body 3 and the pusher 22 via the pulley 31a.

[0024] A guide shaft 24 extending in the front-rear direction A1 of the vehicle body 3 is inserted through the pusher 22 (see Fig. 7). That is, the pusher 22 is movably supported in the front-rear direction A1 by the guide shaft 24. Further, the pusher 22 has a contact part 22a that contacts the lowermost empty box B2 among the plurality of empty boxes B2 on the loading part 2b. The contact part 22a is formed in a long shape in the left-right direction A2 of the vehicle body 3.

[0025] The operation lever 23 is swingably supported on the vehicle body 3 by a support shaft or a universal joint (not shown) (see FIG. 8). Specifically, the operation lever 23 is swingably supported between the standby state C1 and the operation state C2. Further, an urging portion 25 for urging the operation lever 23 in the direction to the standby state C1 is provided between the operation lever 23 and the vehicle body 3. The urging portion 25 is constituted by a spring. However, as the urging portion 25, an elastic body, a fluid spring, or the like may be employed. Further, a handle portion 23a that can be gripped by an operator is provided at the upper portion of the operation lever 23 (see FIG. 6).

[0026] A pulley (movable pulley) 31a is provided at the upper portion of the operation lever 23, and a pulley (fixed pulley) 31b is provided on the vehicle body 3 (see FIGS. 6 and 8). One end of a cord-like member 32 wound around each of these pulleys 31a and 31b is fixed to the vehicle body 3, and the other end is fixed to the pusher 22. Further, a pulley (movable pulley) 33a is provided on the operation lever 23, and a pulley (fixed pulley) 33b is provided on the vehicle body 3. One end of a cord-like member 34 wound around each of these pulleys 33a and 33b is fixed to the vehicle body 3, and the other end is fixed to the pusher 22.

[0027] By operating the unloading mechanism 21 (specifically, operating the operation lever 23 from the standby state C1 to the operation state C2), the pusher 22 is moved forward by the traction of the cord-like member 32, and the plurality of empty boxes B2 on the loading portion 2b are pushed forward by the pusher 22 (see FIG. 9). From this state, by operating the operation lever 23 (specifically, operating the operation lever 23 from the operation state C2 to the standby state C1) and / or by the urging force of the urging portion 25, the pusher 22 is pulled back by the traction of the cord-like member 34.

[0028] The loading mechanism 11 has a fall prevention portion 37a for preventing the full box B1 on the loading portion 2a from falling (see FIG. 2). Further, the unloading mechanism 21 has a fall prevention portion 37b for preventing the empty box B2 on the loading portion 2b from falling. Since these fall prevention portions 37a and 37b have substantially the same configuration, the fall prevention portion 37b will be mainly described in detail below.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the fall prevention part 37b includes a swing bar 38 whose rear end side 38a is swingably supported by the vehicle body 3, a stopper 39 provided on the front end side 38b of the swing bar 38, and a biasing part 40 that biases the swing bar 38 in a direction in which the stopper 39 protrudes from the upper surface of the loading part 2b. The biasing part 40 is constituted by a spring. However, as the biasing part 40, an elastic body, a fluid spring, or the like may be adopted.

[0030] An engaging part 41 that engages with the swing bar 38 is provided on the pusher 22 of the loading and unloading mechanism 21 (see FIG. 7). The engaging part 41 is constituted by a roller that rolls on the upper surface of the swing bar 38. However, as the engaging part 41, a sliding part made of a material capable of reducing the frictional resistance with the swing bar 38 or the like may be adopted. Note that an engaging part 41 that engages with the swing bar 38 of the fall prevention part 37a is also provided on the slider 12 of the loading mechanism 11 in substantially the same manner as the pusher 22 (see FIG. 4).

[0031] When the pusher 22 is located at the rear end in the front-rear direction A1, the fall prevention part 37b swings the swing bar 38 in a direction in which the stopper 39 protrudes from the upper surface of the loading part 2b by the biasing force of the biasing part 40 (see FIG. 12(b)). At this time, the stopper 39 prevents the empty box B2 on the loading part 2b from falling. From this state, when the pusher 22 moves forward, the engagement between the engaging part 41 and the swing bar 38 swings the swing bar 38 in a direction in which the stopper 39 is submerged from the upper surface of the loading part 2b against the biasing force of the biasing part 40 (see FIG. 12(c)). From this state, when the pusher 22 moves backward, the swing bar 38 is returned in a direction in which the stopper 39 protrudes from the upper surface of the loading part 2b by the biasing force of the biasing part 40 (see FIG. 12(b)).

[0032] The fall prevention parts 37a and 37b have a swing regulation part 43 for regulating the swing of the swing bar 38 (see Fig. 2). This swing regulation part 43 has a lock pin 44 movably supported in the front-rear direction A1 on the vehicle body 3, a biasing part 45 for biasing the lock pin 44 in the direction protruding from the front end face 7 of the vehicle body 3, and a receiving base 46 provided on the lock pin 44.

[0033] The lock pin 44 and the receiving base 46 are attached to a slider 49 through which a guide shaft 48 is inserted (see Fig. 11). The biasing part 45 is constituted by a spring. However, as the biasing part 45, an elastic body, a fluid spring, etc. may be adopted.

[0034] The swing bar 38 is provided with an engaging part 47 that engages with the receiving base 46. The engaging part 47 is constituted by a roller that rolls on the upper surface of the receiving base 46. However, as the engaging part 47, a sliding part made of a material capable of reducing the frictional resistance with the swing bar 38, etc. may be adopted.

[0035] The swing regulation part 43 regulates the swing of the swing bar 38 by the engagement of the receiving base 46 and the engaging part 47 when the lock pin 44 is in a protruding state protruding from the front end face 7 of the vehicle body 3 (see Fig. 12(a)). At this time, the state where the stopper 39 protrudes from the upper surfaces of the loading parts 2a and 2b is maintained, and the state where the forward movement of the slider 12 and the pusher 22 is regulated is maintained. On the other hand, when the lock pin 44 abuts against the pallet P due to the traveling of the carriage 1 and retreats from the protruding state, the engagement between the receiving base 46 and the engaging part 47 is released, and the swing regulation of the swing bar 38 is released (see Fig. 12(b)). When the lock pin 44 is separated from the pallet P due to the traveling of the carriage 1, the lock pin 44 returns to the state of protruding from the front end face 7 of the vehicle body 3 (that is, the swing regulation state of the swing bar 38) by the biasing force of the biasing part 45 (see Fig. 12(a)).

[0036] The carriage 1 is provided with a travel control mechanism 50 for regulating the travel of the carriage 1 (see Fig. 2). As shown in Fig. 13, this travel control mechanism 50 has a stopper portion 51 and an operation portion 61 for operating the stopper portion 51. Further, the travel control mechanism 50 has a display portion 71 for displaying the regulation and release of the travel of the carriage 1.

[0037] The stopper portion 51 has a main body 52 attached to the vehicle body 3, a stopper shaft 53 supported by the main body 52 so as to be movable up and down, a lock member 54 for restricting the up and down position of the stopper shaft 53, and a biasing portion 55 for biasing the stopper shaft 53 in the upward direction. The biasing portion 55 is constituted by a spring. However, as the biasing portion 55, an elastic body, a fluid spring, etc. may be adopted. Note that, as the stopper portion 51, for example, "900 - A Free Lock (trade name)" manufactured by Hammer Castar Sales Co., Ltd. can be adopted.

[0038] The operation portion 61 has a main body 62 attached to the vehicle body 3, a first shaft 63 supported by the main body 62 so as to be movable up and down, and a second shaft 64 supported by the lower end portion of the first shaft 63 so as to be swingable. The first shaft 63 is provided with a contact portion 65 that contacts the upper end portion of the stopper shaft 53. Further, the upper end portion of the second shaft 64 is swingably supported by the lower end portion of the first shaft 63 by a support shaft or a universal joint (not shown). Further, the second shaft 64 is provided with an engaging portion 66 that can engage with the lock member 54. Further, a pedal portion 67 for operating with the foot is provided at the lower end portion of the second shaft 64.

[0039] The travel restriction mechanism 50 lowers the first shaft 63 and the second shaft 64 by operating the pedal part 67 (specifically, pushing the pedal part 67 downward) from a state where the stopper shaft 53 is separated from the floor surface, and thereby lowers the stopper shaft 53 by the contact of the contact part 65 to make it contact the floor surface (see FIGS. 14(a) and (b)). On the other hand, from a state where the stopper shaft 53 is in contact with the floor surface, by operating the pedal part 67 (specifically, pushing the pedal part 67 laterally) to swing the second shaft 64, the engaging part 66 engages with the locking member 54 to release the restraint on the lifting position of the stopper shaft 53 and raise the stopper shaft 53 to separate it from the floor surface (see FIGS. 14(c) and (a)).

[0040] The display unit 71 is disposed above the operation operation unit 61 (see FIG. 13). As shown in FIG. 15, the display unit 71 includes a first display plate 72 provided at the upper end of the first shaft 63 and a second display plate 73 swingably supported at the upper end of the main body 62. On the surface of the first display plate 72, first information D1 (for example, characters, symbols, patterns, etc.) indicating the state of release of the travel restriction of the carriage 1 is marked. Further, on the surface of the second display plate 73, second information D2 (for example, characters, symbols, patterns, etc.) indicating the state of travel restriction of the carriage 1 is marked.

[0041] In a state where the stopper shaft 53 is separated from the floor surface (that is, the state of release of the travel restriction of the carriage 1), the display unit 71 lifts the second display plate 73 to an upright state by the first shaft 63 in the raised state (see FIG. 15(a)). At this time, the operator can visually recognize the first information D1 on the surface of the first display plate 72. On the other hand, in a state where the stopper shaft 53 is in contact with the floor surface (that is, the state of travel restriction of the carriage 1), the surface of the first display plate 72 is covered with the second display plate 73 by the first shaft 63 in the lowered state (see FIG. 15(b)). At this time, the operator can visually recognize the second information D2 on the surface of the second display plate 73.

[0042] Next, the operation and effect of the carriage 1 configured as described above will be described. In the loading operation of the carriage 1, the vehicle body 3 is brought into contact with the pallet P by the running of the carriage 1 (see FIGS. 16(a) and (b)). From this state, the operation lever 13 is operated, and by engaging the engaging portion 17 with the full boxes B1 on the pallet P, a plurality of full boxes B1 are drawn onto the loading portion 2a at once in an inclined state in line contact with the ground (see FIGS. 16(c) and (d)).

[0043] Next, in the unloading and loading operations of the carriage 1, the carriage 1 with a plurality of full boxes B1 stacked thereon is driven and moved to the vicinity of the work table T (see FIGS. 17(a) and (b)). From this state, the full boxes B1 on the loading portion 2a are transferred one by one onto the work table T, the parts 79 are taken out from the full boxes B1, and then the subsequent empty boxes B2 are transferred onto the loading portion 2b (see FIGS. 17(c) and (d)).

[0044] Next, in the unloading operation of the carriage 1, the vehicle body 3 is brought into contact with the pallet P by the running and movement of the carriage 1 with a plurality of empty boxes B2 stacked thereon (see FIGS. 18(a) and (b)). From this state, the operation lever 23 is operated, and a pusher 22 pulled forward by a cord-like member 32 is used to push out a plurality of empty boxes B2 on the loading portion 2b onto the pallet P at once (see FIGS. 18(c) and (d)).

[0045] As described above, according to the carriage 1 of the present embodiment, by providing a specific loading mechanism 11 and operating the operation lever 13, the full boxes B1 on the pallet P are drawn into the loading portion 2a by the engagement of the engaging portion 17. As a result, the full boxes B1 on the pallet P can be easily and quickly loaded onto the loading portion 2a.

[0046] In particular, in this embodiment, the loading mechanism 11 operates the operation lever 13, and by engaging the engaging portion 17, it lifts the full boxes B1 on the pallet P and draws them into the loading portion 2a in a state of being in line contact with the ground. As a result, by utilizing the principle of a lever, a plurality of full boxes B1 can be drawn into the loading portion 2a with a force smaller than their total weight. Further, by lifting and drawing in a plurality of full boxes B1, the frictional resistance is reduced, so that a plurality of full boxes B1 can be drawn into the loading portion 2a with a light force. For example, when the total weight of a plurality of full boxes B1 is about 60 kg, the plurality of full boxes B1 can be lifted and drawn in with a force of about 5 kg. Also, in the conventional loading operation of placing the full boxes B1 on the cart 100 one by one (see Fig. 19(a)), the time required to place them on the cart 100 was 1 box / about 10 seconds (i.e., about 60 seconds for 6 boxes). On the other hand, according to this loading mechanism 11, since 6 boxes can be moved simultaneously with one action of the operation lever 13, it can be completed in about 5 seconds, and the process time of about 55 seconds can be reduced.

[0047] Also, in this embodiment, it is provided with a specific loading and unloading mechanism 21. By operating the operation lever 23, the pusher 22 is moved forward by the traction of the cord-like object 32, and a plurality of empty boxes B2 on the loading portion 2b are pushed forward by the pusher 22. As a result, by using the movable pulley 31a, a plurality of empty boxes B2 can be pushed out with a small operation amount of the operation lever 23 and unloaded onto the pallet P. As a result, the empty boxes B2 on the loading portion 2b can be easily and quickly unloaded onto the pallet P.

[0048] Also, in this embodiment, the loading mechanism 11 has a specific fall prevention portion 37a. When the slider 12 moves forward, by engaging the engaging portion 41 and the swing bar 38, against the biasing force of the biasing portion 40, the swing bar 38 is swung in a direction in which the stopper 39 sinks from the upper surface of the loading portion 2a. As a result, since the stopper 39 is sunk from the upper surface of the loading portion 2a in conjunction with the forward movement of the slider 12, the full boxes B1 can be loaded more quickly.

[0049] Also, in the present embodiment, the loading and unloading mechanism 21 has a specific fall prevention portion 37b. When the pusher 22 moves forward, the engagement between the engaging portion 41 and the swing bar 38 causes the swing bar 38 to swing in a direction in which the stopper 39 sinks from the upper surface of the loading portion 2b against the biasing force of the biasing portion 40. As a result, since the stopper 39 sinks from the upper surface of the loading portion 2b in conjunction with the forward movement of the pusher 22, the empty box B2 can be loaded and unloaded more quickly.

[0050] Here, in a form where the rising and falling operation of the stopper 39 and the forward movement of the pusher 22 are not interlocked, the time taken to push the empty box B2 after lowering the stopper 39 was about 10 seconds. On the other hand, according to the present loading and unloading mechanism 21, since the lowering of the stopper 39 and the movement of the empty box B2 can be performed simultaneously with one action of the operation lever 23, it can be completed in about 5 seconds, and a process time of about 5 seconds can be eliminated.

[0051] Also, in the present embodiment, the fall prevention portions 37a and 37b have a specific swing restriction portion 43. When the lock pin 44 protrudes from the front end surface 7 of the vehicle body 3, the engagement between the receiving base 46 and the engaging portion 47 restricts the swing of the swing bar 38. When the lock pin 44 abuts against the pallet P and retracts from the protruding state, the engagement between the receiving base 46 and the engaging portion 47 is released, and the swing restriction of the swing bar 38 is released. As a result, by bringing the front end surface 7 of the carriage 1 into contact with the pallet P, the loading operation and the loading and unloading operation can be quickly shifted.

[0052] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a specific travel control mechanism 50 is provided. By operating the pedal unit 67 to lower the first shaft 63 and the second shaft 64 from a state where the stopper shaft 53 is separated from the floor surface, the stopper shaft 53 is grounded to the floor surface by the contact of the contact portion 65. From the state where the stopper shaft 53 is grounded to the floor surface, by operating the pedal unit 67 to swing the second shaft 64, the engaging portion 66 engages with the locking member 54 to release the restraint of the lifting position of the stopper shaft 53 and separate the stopper shaft 53 from the floor surface. Thereby, by operating the pedal unit 67 disposed at a position close to the floor surface, the grounding and separation of the stopper shaft 53 with respect to the floor surface can be easily switched. On the other hand, in a cart provided only with the stopper portion 51, it is necessary to operate parts (the upper portion of the stopper shaft 53 and the locking member 54) having different positions in the height direction to switch the grounding and separation of the stopper shaft 53 with respect to the floor surface.

[0053] Note that in the present invention, it is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modified embodiments can be adopted within the scope of the present invention according to the purpose and application. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the loading mechanism 11 that draws the full box B1 on the pallet P into the loading portion 2a with the bottom surface in line contact with the ground is exemplified, but it is not limited thereto. For example, a loading mechanism 11 that draws the full box B1 on the pallet P into the loading portion 2a with the bottom surface in surface contact with the ground may be adopted.

[0054] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the loading mechanism 11 that engages the engaging portion 17 of the operation lever 13 with the gripping portion 77 of the full box B1 to draw the full box B1 into the loading portion 2a is exemplified, but it is not limited thereto. For example, a loading mechanism 11 that engages the engaging portion 17 of the operation lever 13 with the bottom surface portion of the full box B1 or the like to draw the full box B1 into the loading portion 2a may be adopted.

[0055] Also, in the above-described embodiment, as the displacement operation portion of the lifting mechanism 21, the operation lever 23 swingably supported by the vehicle body 3 is exemplified, but it is not limited thereto. For example, a slide operation portion movably supported by the vehicle body 3 in a predetermined direction may be adopted.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the lifting and lowering mechanism 21 that returns the pusher 22 to the rear end by pulling the cable 34 is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a lifting and lowering mechanism 21 that returns the pusher 22 to the rear end by the biasing force of a biasing portion such as a spring may be employed.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the carriage 1 including the loading mechanism 11 and the lifting and lowering mechanism 21 is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a carriage 1 including only one of the mechanisms may be employed.

[0058] In the above embodiment, a form in which each of the loading mechanism 11 and the lifting and lowering mechanism 21 includes the fall prevention portions 37a and 37b is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a form in which only one of the loading mechanism 11 and the lifting and lowering mechanism 21 includes the fall prevention portions 37a and 37b may be employed. Further, a form in which both mechanisms 11 and 21 do not include the fall prevention portions 37a and 37b may be employed.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the fall prevention portions 37a and 37b including the swing restriction portion 43 are illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, by employing a biasing portion 40 that exhibits a strong biasing force, fall prevention portions 37a and 37b that do not include the swing restriction portion 43 may be employed.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the carriage 1 including the traveling restriction mechanism 50 is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a carriage 1 that does not include the operation operation portion 61 and includes only the stopper portion 51 may be employed.

[0061] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a carriage having traveling wheels is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, instead of or in addition to the traveling wheels, a carriage having an air injection portion that injects air onto the floor surface to lift the vehicle body 3 may be employed. Further, a carriage that travels on a rail laid on the floor surface may be employed.

[0062] The foregoing examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. Although the present invention has been described by way of examples of typical embodiments, the language used in the description and illustration of the present invention is to be understood as explanatory and exemplary rather than restrictive. As detailed herein, modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention in its form. Although specific structures, materials, and examples have been referred to in the detailed description of the present invention, it is not intended to limit the present invention to the disclosure herein. Rather, the present invention is intended to cover all functionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses within the scope of the appended claims.

Industrial Applicability

[0063] The present invention is widely used as a cart for carrying articles (e.g., parts boxes, etc.).

Explanation of Signs

[0064] 1; Cart 2, 2a, 2b; Loading part 3; Vehicle body 11; Loading mechanism 12; Slider 13; Operating lever 17; Engaging part 21; Loading mechanism 22; Pusher 23; Operating lever (displacement operating part) 31a; Pulley 32; Cable 37a, 37b; Fall prevention part 38; Rocking bar 39; Stopper 40; Biasing part 41; Engaging part 43; Rocking restricting part 44; Lock pin 45; Biasing part 46; Receiving base 47; Engaging part 50; Travel restricting mechanism 51; Stopper part 52; Main body 53; Stopper shaft 54; Locking member 55; Biasing part 61; Actuating operation part 62; Main body 63; First shaft 64; Second shaft 65; Contact part 66; Engaging part 67; Pedal part A1; Front - rear direction of the cart B1, B2; parts box (article) P; pallet.

Claims

1. A vehicle body having a loading section capable of loading items; a loading mechanism for loading items on a pallet onto the loading section, The loading mechanism includes a slider supported on the vehicle body so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and an operation lever whose lower portion is supported on the slider so as to be swingable, An engagement portion capable of engaging with an article on the pallet is provided at a lower portion of the operating lever, A trolley characterized in that, by operating the operating lever, the engaging portion engages with the pallet to pull items onto the loading portion.

2. a loading / unloading mechanism for loading / unloading the items on the loading section onto the pallet, the loading / unloading mechanism includes a pusher supported on the vehicle body so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, a displacement operation unit supported on the vehicle body so as to be displaceable, a pulley provided on the displacement operation unit, and a cord-like member connecting the vehicle body and the pusher via the pulley, The dolly according to claim 1 , wherein the pusher is moved forward by pulling the cord-like object when the displacement operation unit is operated, so that the article on the loading unit is pushed forward by the pusher.

3. The loading mechanism has a drop prevention unit for preventing items on the loading unit from falling, the fall prevention unit includes a swing bar whose rear end side is swingably supported by the vehicle body, a stopper provided on the front end side of the swing bar, and a biasing unit that biases the swing bar in a direction in which the stopper protrudes from an upper surface of the loading unit, The slider is provided with an engagement portion that engages with the swing bar, The cart of claim 1, wherein when the slider moves forward, the engagement between the engagement portion and the sway bar causes the sway bar to sway in a direction in which the stopper retracts from the top surface of the loading portion, against the biasing force of the biasing portion.

4. The loading / unloading mechanism has a fall prevention part for preventing an article on the loading part from falling, the fall prevention unit includes a swing bar whose rear end side is swingably supported by the vehicle body, a stopper provided on the front end side of the swing bar, and a biasing unit that biases the swing bar in a direction in which the stopper protrudes from an upper surface of the loading unit, The pusher is provided with an engagement portion that engages with the swing bar, The cart of claim 2, wherein when the pusher moves forward, the engagement between the engagement portion and the sway bar causes the sway bar to sway in a direction in which the stopper retracts from the top surface of the loading portion, against the biasing force of the biasing portion.

5. The fall prevention unit has a swing restriction unit for restricting the swing of the swing bar, the rocking restriction portion includes a lock pin supported on the vehicle body so as to be freely movable in the front-rear direction, a biasing portion that biases the lock pin in a direction protruding from a front end surface of the vehicle body, and a receiving base that is provided on the lock pin, The swing bar is provided with an engagement portion that engages with the receiving base, When the lock pin is in a protruding state protruding from the front end surface of the vehicle body, the engagement between the receiving base and the engagement portion restricts the swing of the swing bar, 5. The trolley according to claim 3 or 4, wherein when the lock pin abuts against the pallet and retreats from the protruding state, the engagement between the receiving base and the engagement portion is released, thereby releasing the restriction on the swinging of the swing bar.

6. A travel restriction mechanism for restricting travel of the carriage is provided, The travel restriction mechanism has a stopper portion and an actuation operation portion for actuating the stopper portion, the stopper portion includes a main body attached to the vehicle body, a stopper shaft supported by the main body so as to be movable up and down, a locking member that restricts a lifted position of the stopper shaft, and a biasing portion that biases the stopper shaft in an upward direction, the operation unit includes a main body attached to the vehicle body, a first shaft supported by the main body so as to be movable up and down, and a second shaft supported at a lower end of the first shaft so as to be swingable, The first shaft is provided with an abutment portion that abuts against an upper end of the stopper shaft, The second shaft is provided with an engagement portion that is engageable with the locking member, A pedal portion to be operated by a foot is provided at a lower end of the second shaft, When the stopper shaft is separated from a floor surface, the pedal portion is operated to lower the first shaft and the second shaft, so that the stopper shaft is brought into contact with the floor surface by the abutment of the abutment portion, 2. The trolley of claim 1, wherein when the stopper shaft is in contact with a floor surface and the second shaft is swung by operating the pedal portion, the engagement portion engages with the locking member to release the restriction on the raised and lowered position of the stopper shaft and move the stopper shaft away from the floor surface.

Images