Ram attachment / detachment structure and transporter

Abstract

To attach / detach a ram to / from a lift bracket using a new method.SOLUTION: A ram attachment / detachment structure for a transporter comprises a lift bracket 3, a locking member 5, and a receiving member 6. The lift bracket 3 has a front surface 30 and a fitting hole 31 formed in the front surface 30 into which a root portion 41 of a ram 4 is fitted in order to attach the ram 4 to the lift bracket 3. The receiving member 6 is fixed to the front surface 30 of the lift bracket 3 so as not to interfere with the attachment of the ram 4 to the lift bracket 3, and is configured so that the locking member 5 is inserted from above. When the locking member 5 is inserted into the receiving member 6 from above with the root portion 41 fitted in the fitting hole 31, it is configured to restrict the root portion 41 from coming off the fitting hole 31 and to protect the R portion 42 of the ram 4 from the object 7 being transported.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a ram detachment structure for detaching a ram, and a transporter including the ram detachment structure.

Background Art

[0002] Forklifts usually support and transport an object by forks. Depending on the shape of the object, etc., another attachment is attached to the lift bracket instead of the forks. For example, when the object is a coil, the forks are replaced with rams. The ram is inserted into the hollow portion of the coil and the coil is supported by the ram.

[0003] As a structure for detaching the ram from the lift bracket, a simple detaching structure of the hook-on type is adopted (for example, Patent Document 1). This is a structure assuming the use of forks, and the overhang (the amount of protrusion forward from the axle of the front wheels) becomes long. Then, from the viewpoint of the stability (balance) in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the allowable load has to be set low.

[0004] As in Patent Document 2, there is a transporter dedicated to coils in which the ram is integrated with the lift bracket (ram base) by welding or the like. Since this transporter does not assume the use of forks, the mast device for raising and lowering the lift bracket and the ram is brought closer to the axle of the front wheels to shorten the overhang. Thereby, the reduction of the above-mentioned allowable load can be avoided.

[0005] However, such a dedicated transporter is of the mast-integrated type, so only the ram cannot be detached. Since the characteristics such as the shape and length of the ram are determined, its use is restricted. When the ram is damaged or worn, only the ram cannot be replaced. If an attempt is made to replace the ram with another ram, a very large-scale operation such as removing the lift bracket integrated with the ram from the mast is required. This cannot be done by the user side of the transporter and must be handled by the manufacturer side.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] This application provides a ram detachment structure for detaching a ram in a novel method. Further, this application provides a transporter having the ram detachment structure for transporting a hollow object.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] This application provides a ram detachment structure for detaching a ram, which is provided in a transporter for transporting a hollow object, The ram includes a main body portion, a root portion, and a concave R portion that connects the main body portion and the root portion and has a gradually increasing diameter toward the root portion. The ram detachment structure includes a lift bracket, a lock member, and a receiving member. The lift bracket has a front surface and a fitting hole formed in the front surface, into which the root portion is fitted for attaching the ram to the lift bracket. The receiving member is fixed to the front surface of the lift bracket so as not to interfere with the attachment of the ram to the lift bracket, and is configured such that the lock member is inserted from above. When the lock member is inserted into the receiving member from above in a state where the root portion is fitted into the fitting hole, the lock member is configured to restrict the root portion from detaching from the fitting hole and to protect the R portion from the object.

[0009] The lock member is It includes a central portion having an insertion notch through which the ram, which is attached to the lift bracket and protrudes forward from the lift bracket, passes. When the locking member is inserted into the receiving member from above with the root portion fitted into the fitting hole, the rear surface of the central portion faces the root portion to restrict the root portion from disengaging from the fitting hole, and the front surface of the central portion may be located in front of the R portion to protect the R portion from the object.

[0010] The locking member further includes a first side portion and a second side portion provided on both sides of the central portion. The receiving member includes a first portion and a second portion provided at intervals greater than the diameter of the fitting hole in the left - right direction of the transporter. The first portion is configured such that the first side portion is inserted from above. The second portion may be configured such that the second side portion is inserted from above.

[0011] For example, the receiving member is welded to the front surface of the lift bracket.

[0012] The locking member may be provided with a hook - hanging portion on its upper surface for hanging a suspension hook.

[0013] Also, the present application provides a transporter having the above - described ram detachment structure. The transporter includes a vehicle body configured to be able to travel, and a mast device provided in front of the vehicle body for raising and lowering the lift bracket.

[0014] For example, the object is a coil, and the transporter is a coil - dedicated transporter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the components shown in the drawings are not necessarily accurate dimensions or ratios, and merely represent their functions or operations.

[0017] Figures 1 and 2 show a transporter having a ram detachment structure according to an example. This exemplary transporter is a dedicated transporter for transporting a hollow object 7 (see Figures 3A and 3B) such as a coil, and is not assumed to use a fork. Note that reference sign X is the front-rear direction of the transporter, and reference sign Y is the left-right direction of the transporter.

[0018] The transporter includes a vehicle body 1 configured to be capable of traveling, and a mast device 2 provided in front of the vehicle body 1.

[0019] The vehicle body 1 includes front wheels 10, rear wheels, and a driver's seat 11 on which an operator rides to operate the transporter. In FIG. 2, the rear part of the vehicle body 1 is not shown, but since the vehicle body 1 is substantially the same as that of Patent Document 3, for example, its description is omitted. A well-known vehicle body 1 is adopted.

[0020] The mast device 2 is for raising and lowering the lift bracket 3. The mast device 2 adopts a well-known one including a mast 20, a chain 21 stretched over the mast 20 and connected to the lift bracket 3, an actuator 22 (for example, a hydraulic cylinder) (FIG. 2), and the like.

[0021] The mast device 2 operates the actuator 22 in response to the operation by the operator in the driver's seat 11 to raise and lower the lift bracket 3 along the mast 20. Therefore, as will be described later, when the ram 4 is attached to the lift bracket 3, the lift bracket 3 and the ram 4 are integrally raised and lowered by the mast device 2.

[0022] Furthermore, the transporter includes a ram detaching structure for detaching the ram 4. The ram detaching structure is composed of a lift bracket 3, a locking member 5, and a receiving member 6.

[0023] In the transporter with the ram 4 dedicated to the hollow object 7 without assuming the use of forks, as shown in FIG. 2, the mast device 2 is brought closer to the front wheels 10. Thereby, as described in the background art, the overhang is shortened and a reduction in the allowable load is avoided.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the transporter inserts the ram 4 into the hollow object 7 and supports the object 7 by the ram 4, and transports the object 7 by traveling in that state. The hollow object 7 to be transported is typically a coil, and the transporter is a coil-dedicated transporter. The coil is, for example, a rolled coil or a wire coil.

[0025] Figures 4A to 4D illustrate a ram 4 configured to conform to the ram detachment structure. Note that there is no intention to limit the ram 4 to the examples of Figures 4A to 4D.

[0026] Each ram 4 commonly has the following configuration. The ram 4 includes a columnar main body portion 40 and a root portion 41 having a diameter larger than that of the main body portion 40. The main body portion 40 is actually the portion that is inserted into the object and supports the object 7 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). The root portion 41 is the portion that is actually attached to the lift bracket 3 as described later. In order to facilitate attachment to and alignment with the lift bracket 3, the root portion 41 has a substantially frustum - of - cone shape with a gradually decreasing diameter toward its proximal end (toward the right end in FIG. 4). Further, the ram 4 includes a concave R - portion 42 that connects the main body portion 40 and the root portion 41 and has a gradually increasing diameter from the main body portion 40 toward the root portion 41. This R - portion 42 has the same role as that in Patent Document 2 and is for relieving stress concentration.

[0027] The ram 4 in FIG. 4A has a relatively short main body portion 40 and is suitable for the case where the transporter works in a narrow area. The ram 4 in FIG. 4B has a relatively long main body portion 40 and is suitable for supporting a plurality of objects 7 at once. The ram 4 in FIG. 4C has an attachment portion 43 for attaching a hook at the tip of the main body portion 40. The ram 4 in FIG. 4D has a roller 44 for pushing over an object 7 such as a coil at the tip of the main body portion 40.

[0028] Rams 4 having different characteristics (shape, function, etc.) such as those in FIGS. 4A to 4D can be easily exchanged by the following ram detachment structure according to the working environment and application.

[0029] With reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C, the configuration of the exemplary lock member 5 is described. The lock member 5 is plate - shaped. The lock member 5 includes a central portion 50, and a first side portion 51a and a second side portion 51b that project in the left - right direction Y from both sides of the central portion 50. The central portion 50 has an inverted U - shaped insertion notch 52 for the ram 4 that is attached to the lift bracket 3 and projects forward from the lift bracket 3 to pass through.

[0030] Furthermore, the locking member 5 is provided with hook hanging portions 53 on its upper surface. In this example, two hook hanging portions 53 are provided at intervals in the left - right direction Y. By inserting a suspension hook (not shown) into the holes of the hook hanging portions 53 and hanging it on the hook hanging portions 53, the locking member 5 can be suspended and inserted into the receiving member 6 from above or withdrawn upward from the receiving member 6. Since the locking member 5 is very heavy, the hook hanging portions 53 are useful for the insertion and withdrawal operations of the locking member 5 with respect to the receiving member 6.

[0031] FIG. 6A is a front view of the lift bracket 3 and the receiving member 6. The lift bracket 3 has a fitting hole 31 formed in its front surface 30. The fitting hole 31 is formed such that the root portion 41 of the ram 4 is fitted therein for mounting the ram 4 to the lift bracket 3. Therefore, as shown in the cross - sectional view of FIG. 6B, the fitting hole 31 has a shape complementary to the shape of the root portion 41.

[0032] The receiving member 6 is for receiving the locking member 5. The receiving member 6 is fixed to the front surface 30 of the lift bracket 3. Specifically, the receiving member 6 is welded to the front surface 30 of the lift bracket 3.

[0033] The receiving member 6 is configured not to interfere with the mounting of the ram 4 to the lift bracket 3, that is, the fitting of the root portion 41 into the fitting hole 31.

[0034] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6C, the exemplary receiving member 6 is composed of two parts, a first part 60a and a second part 60b, each of which is welded to the front surface 30. The first part 60a and the second part 60b are provided with a space in the left - right direction Y that is larger than the diameter (maximum diameter) of the fitting hole 31, and thus larger than the diameter (maximum diameter) of the root portion 41. Thereby, when the ram 4 is detached and attached to the lift bracket 3 in the front - rear direction X, the receiving member 6 does not interfere with the ram 4.

[0035] The receiving member 6 is further configured to receive the locking member 5 such that the locking member 5 is inserted from above and the inserted locking member 5 is not movable in the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y. In this illustration, the first portion 60a is configured such that the first side portion 51a of the locking member 5 is inserted from above, and the second portion 60b is configured such that the second side portion 51b of the locking member 5 is inserted from above.

[0036] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6C to 6E, the first portion 60a has a receiving notch 61a. As shown in FIGS. 6D and 6E, the receiving notch 61a is defined by an inner rear surface 62a that faces the front surface of the first side portion 51a when the locking member 5 is inserted, an inner side surface 63a that faces the side surface of the first side portion 51a, and an inner bottom surface 64a that faces the lower surface of the first side portion 51a. The first portion 60a receives the first side portion 51a by these surfaces 62a to 64a and the front surface 30 of the lift bracket 3.

[0037] Similarly, the second portion 60b has a receiving notch 61b. The second portion 60b has a configuration symmetric to that of the first portion 60a, and its receiving notch 61b is defined by an inner rear surface 62b, an inner side surface 63b, and an inner bottom surface 64b as shown in FIG. 6E. The second portion 60b receives the second side portion 51b by these surfaces 62b to 64b and the front surface 30 of the lift bracket 3.

[0038] The attachment and locking of the ram 4 to the lift bracket 3 are described.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, first, the ram 4 is attached to the lift bracket 3. Specifically, the root portion 41 is fitted into the fitting hole 31 and the main body portion 40 is projected forward from the lift bracket 3.

[0040] The ram 4 is very heavy. Therefore, for example, it is preferable to horizontally hold and stationary the ram 4 by a jig (not shown), move the transporter by running toward the ram 4, and fit the root portion 41 and the fitting hole 31.

[0041] Next, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, with the base portion 41 fitted into the fitting hole 31, the locking member 5 is inserted into the receiving member 6 from above. That is, as shown in FIG. 8C, the first and second side portions 51a, 51b are inserted into the first and second portions 60a, 60b (the first and second receiving notches 61a, 61b) respectively, and the portion protruding forward from the side portions 51a, 51b of the central portion 50 is inserted between the first portion 60a and the second portion 60b. Thereby, the locking member 5 is received by the receiving member 6 between the receiving member 6 and the front surface 30, and is held so as not to move in the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y.

[0042] The locking member 5 is also very heavy. Therefore, the insertion of the locking member 5 into the receiving member 6 is preferably performed, for example, by hanging a suspension hook on the hook hanging portion 53 and lowering the locking member 5 in a suspended state by a crane or the like.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 8D, when the locking member 5 is inserted into the receiving member 6 from above with the base portion 41 fitted into the fitting hole 31, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8D, a part of the rear surface of the central portion 50 of the locking member 5 (the portion around the insertion notch 52 (FIG. 5A)) faces a part of the front surface of the base portion 41. Thereby, the detachment of the base portion 41 from the fitting hole 31 is restricted by the central portion 50. That is, the ram 4 is locked by the locking member 5 so as not to come out of the lift bracket 3. In this state, the transporter can support the object 7 with the ram 4 without any problem.

[0044] Also, the front surface of the central portion 50 of the locking member 5 is located in front of the R portion 42 of the mounted ram 4, protecting the R portion 42 from the object 7 so that the object 7 does not contact the R portion 42. The R portion 42 is provided for stress concentration relief. If the object 7 contacts the R portion 42 and the R portion 42 wears or is damaged, the stress concentration relief function cannot be exerted, and problems such as cracks occurring in the ram 4 may occur. The locking member 5 not only locks the ram 4 as described above but also plays a role in protecting the R portion 42, avoiding such problems.

[0045] The unlocking and removal of the ram 4 may be performed in the reverse procedure of the mounting and locking procedure of the ram 4. That is, first, the locking member 5 is pulled out upward from the receiving member 6. This is preferably performed using the suspension hook and the hook engaging portion 53. Next, the ram 4 (base portion 41) is pulled out from the lift bracket 3 (fitting hole 31). This is preferably performed by moving the transporter away from the ram 4 by running the transporter while holding the ram 4 with a jig.

[0046] According to the above-described ram attaching / detaching structure, the ram 4 can be detachably attached to and locked to the lift bracket 3 by a new method using the locking member 5 instead of the hook-on type. At the same time, the R portion 42 for stress concentration relaxation can be protected.

[0047] Even in the case of a transporter dedicated to coils as shown in FIG. 1, the ram 4 can be easily replaced with an appropriate one according to the application, working environment, etc. Further, even when the ram 4 is worn or damaged, it can be easily replaced with a new one.

[0048] Unlike the ram integrated with the lift bracket, since the ram 4 can be removed from the lift bracket 3, only the ram 4 needs to be stored, and the storage space can be saved. The ram 4 can be applied to another transporter having the same ram attaching / detaching structure. This eliminates the need to prepare a transporter for each transportation operation and contributes to the reduction of equipment investment costs.

[0049] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not naturally limited to the above embodiments. It is easily understood by those skilled in the art who have read the specification of the present application that the shapes of the locking member 5 and the receiving member 6 described above are merely examples, and various shapes may be adopted as long as the above effects are achieved.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0050] 1 Vehicle body 2 Mast device 3 Lift bracket 30 Front surface 31 Fitting hole 4 Ram 40 Body part 41 Root part 42 R part 5 Locking member 50 Central part 51a First side part 51b Second side part 52 Insertion notch 53 Hook hanging part 6 Receiving member 60 First part 61 Second part 7 Object

Claims

1. A ram detachment structure provided in a transporter for transporting a hollow object, the ram detachment structure comprising: The ram includes a main body portion, a root portion, and a concave R portion that connects the main body portion and the root portion and has a gradually increasing diameter toward the root portion. The ram detachment structure includes a lift bracket, a lock member, and a receiving member. The lift bracket has a front surface and a fitting hole formed in the front surface, into which the root portion is fitted for mounting the ram to the lift bracket. The receiving member is fixed to the front surface of the lift bracket so as not to interfere with the mounting of the ram to the lift bracket, and is configured such that the lock member is inserted from above. When the lock member is inserted into the receiving member from above with the root portion fitted into the fitting hole, the lock member is configured to restrict the root portion from detaching from the fitting hole and to protect the R portion from the object. Ram detachment structure.

2. The lock member has a central portion with an insertion notch through which the ram, which is mounted on the lift bracket and protrudes forward from the lift bracket, passes. When the lock member is inserted into the receiving member from above with the root portion fitted into the fitting hole, the rear surface of the central portion faces the root portion to restrict the root portion from detaching from the fitting hole, and the front surface of the central portion is positioned in front of the R portion to protect the R portion from the object. The ram detachment structure according to claim 1.

3. The lock member further comprises a first side portion and a second side portion provided on both sides of the central portion. The receiving member comprises a first portion and a second portion provided at intervals greater than the diameter of the fitting hole from each other in the left-right direction of the transporter. The first portion is configured such that the first side portion is inserted from above. The second portion is configured such that the second side portion is inserted from above. The ram detachment structure according to claim 2.

4. The receiving member is welded to the front surface of the lift bracket. The ram detachment structure according to claim 1.

5. The lock member has a hook hanging portion on its upper surface for hanging a suspension hook. The ram detachment structure according to claim 1.

6. A transporter comprising the ram detachment structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A vehicle body configured to be movable, and a mast device provided in front of the vehicle body for raising and lowering the lift bracket, and comprising: a transporter.

7. The object is a coil, and the transporter is a transporter dedicated to coils. The transporter according to claim 6.

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