Lift auxiliary tool

Abstract

To provide a technology that facilitates positioning of an object article to be transported using a lift and an installation object position.SOLUTION: A lift auxiliary tool comprises a base fixed to a lifting part of a lift, a table which is provided on the base and on which at least a part of an object article to be transported using the lift can be placed, and an elastic body provided between the base and the table. The table is capable of oscillating relative to the base by deforming the elastic body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to a lifting aid. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lift equipped with a lifting body such as a fork at the front of a pair of masts erected at a predetermined distance on the left and right. The lift in Patent Document 1 can lift and transport an object placed on or suspended from the lifting body to a predetermined position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3216452 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology of Patent Document 1, the lifting body can only move up and down along the mast. Therefore, for example, when a large component (e.g., an aircraft-related component) placed on the lifting body is attached to a target installation position (e.g., the aircraft body) by guiding a rail provided on the component to a groove provided on the target installation position, it may be difficult to properly perform fine alignment between the rail of the component and the groove on the target installation position by adjusting the position of the lifting body of the mast.

[0005] This specification discloses a technique that can easily align an object to be transported by a lift with a target installation position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The lift assisting device disclosed in this specification includes a base fixed to a lifting section of a lift, a table provided on the base and capable of supporting at least a portion of an object to be transported by the lift, and an elastic body provided between the base and the table. The table can be swung relative to the base by deforming the elastic body.

[0007] According to the above configuration, when attaching a target item to a target installation position by guiding a rail provided on the target item into a groove provided in the installation position, the position, angle, etc. of the rail can be finely changed by swinging the table relative to the base. In particular, when the target item is a large item, fine alignment can be easily performed between the rail of the part and the groove in the installation position. Fine alignment can be easily performed between the target item transported by the lift and the installation position.

[0008] The table may have a main body provided on the base and a resin plate provided on an upper surface of the main body, and the resin plate may have a smaller coefficient of friction than the main body.

[0009] With this configuration, at least a portion of the target object can be placed on the resin plate. The coefficient of friction of the resin plate is smaller than that of the main body. Therefore, the target object placed on the resin plate can be slid along the upper surface of the resin plate. The target object placed on the resin plate can be moved forward and backward, left and right, or rotated along the upper surface of the resin plate. For example, fine alignment between the target object and the installation position can be more easily performed.

[0010] The target item may be an aircraft-related part.

[0011] This configuration makes it easy to align the aircraft-related part being transported by the lift with the installation target position. For example, even when installing a large aircraft-related part such as a gimbal camera, it is easy to finely align the aircraft-related part with the installation target position.

[0012] The elastic body may be a metal spring.

[0013] Generally, metal springs have higher durability and a longer stroke than other elastic bodies. Therefore, with this configuration, even if the target object to be placed on the table is large, at least a portion of the target object can be properly placed on the table and the target object can be properly swung. Furthermore, since the metal spring is highly durable, the lifting auxiliary device also has excellent durability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 shows an overview of a lift unit 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 shows a perspective view of a lifting aid 10. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 shows an exploded view of the lifting aid 10. FIG. [Figure 4] An exploded explanatory view of the guide mechanism 50 is shown. [Figure 5] An example of how the lift unit 1 is used is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] (Example) A lift unit 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. As shown in Figure 1, the lift unit 1 of this embodiment includes a lift 2 and a lift auxiliary tool 10 fixed to the lifting section 4 of the lift 2. The lift unit 1 is a device for supporting, transporting, and lifting an object using the lift 2 and the lift auxiliary tool 10. The lift auxiliary tool 10 is an auxiliary tool that is fixed to the lifting section 4 of the lift 2 when used. In the example of Figure 1, the object is a gimbal camera 100. A gimbal camera is a camera that is attached to an aircraft such as a helicopter. The object may also be an aircraft-related part other than a gimbal camera.

[0016] The lift 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a device for supporting, transporting, and lifting objects. It includes a pair of masts 3 erected at a predetermined distance from each other, a lifting unit 4 supported in front of the masts 3 so that it can be raised and lowered, and casters 5 for moving the masts 3. The lifting unit 4 has a base 4a and a mounting plate 4b protruding forward from the base 4a. Alternatively, the lifting unit 4 may be a fork or the like. The lifting unit 4 can be raised and lowered along the masts 3. The lifting unit 4 can be raised and lowered by a manual mechanical mechanism such as a foot pump or by an electric mechanism such as a motor. The casters 5 are wheels that allow the lift 2 to move forward and backward (or forward and backward and left and right). It is preferable that at least one of the front and rear wheels of the casters 5 be a swivel caster. The lift 2 shown in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and any type of lift can be used as long as it has a lifting unit 4 supported in a raised and lowered manner.

[0017] The lifting aid 10 of this embodiment includes a base 20, a table 30, a compression spring 50, and a guide mechanism 80.

[0018] The base 20 is a plate-like member fixed to the lifting unit 4 of the lift 2. The base 20 is fixed to the underside of the lifting unit 4 (i.e., the underside of the base 4a and the underside of the mounting plate 4b) with screws or the like. In this embodiment, the base 20 is made of a rigid metal (e.g., iron). The base 20 is formed in a shape corresponding to the target object. In the example of FIG. 1, the target object is a gimbal camera 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the lift unit 1 supports the fixing portion 102 of the gimbal camera 100 from below. The imaging unit 106 hangs below the base 20. Therefore, in the examples of FIGS. 1 to 5, the base 20 is formed in a U-shape with an open front. As shown in FIG. 3, the base 20 has two holes 22 for inserting linear bushings 56 (described below). Screw holes 24 are also formed at the rear of the base 20 for fixing the base 20 to the underside of the lifting unit 4 (i.e., the underside of the base 4a and the underside of the mounting plate 4b).

[0019] The table 30 is a plate-like member on which the fixed portion 102 of the gimbal camera 100 (target object) is placed. The table 30 is formed separately from the base 20. The table 30 is provided on the base 20 via a compression spring 50. The table 30 supports the fixed portion 102 of the gimbal camera 100 from below. Therefore, in the example of FIGS. 1 to 5, the table 30 is also formed in a U-shape with an open front.

[0020] The table 30 has a main body 31 and a resin plate 32 provided on the upper surface of the main body 31. The main body 31 is made of a rigid metal (e.g., iron). The resin plate 32 covers most of the upper surface of the main body 31. The friction coefficient of the resin plate 32 is lower than that of the main body 31. The resin plate 32 is made of a resin with a low friction coefficient. The friction coefficient of the resin plate 32 is, for example, 0.1 μm to 0.2 μm. The resin plate 32 is made of, for example, polyacetal (POM), fluororesin (PTFE), or the like. In this embodiment, the fixed part 102 of the gimbal camera 100 is placed on the resin plate 32. The fixed part 102 placed on the resin plate 32 can slide along the upper surface of the resin plate 32. The fixed part 102 placed on the resin plate 32 can slide on the upper surface of the resin plate 32. The fixed part 102 placed on the resin plate 32 can move or rotate in the front-rear and left-right directions along the upper surface of the resin plate 32. Furthermore, by providing the resin plate 32 with a small coefficient of friction on the main body 31, damage to the fixed part 102 placed on the table 30 is also suppressed.

[0021] Two support arms 33 are provided on the main body 31 to support the fixed part 102 placed on the resin plate 32. The support arms 33 are rotatable around shafts 36. The rotated support arms 33 can be positioned using pins 34. A support pad 37 is provided at the tip of the support arm 33. A cushioning material is attached to the outer periphery of the support pad 37. When placing the fixed part 102 on the resin plate 32 (on the table 30) and when removing the fixed part 102 from the resin plate 32 (on the table 30), the support arms 33 are opened. That is, the support arms 33 are rotated outward around the shafts 36 to separate the support pads 37. When maintaining the state in which the fixed part 102 is placed on the resin plate 32 (on the table 30), the support arms 33 are closed. That is, the support arms 33 are rotated inward around the shafts 36 to bring the support pads 37 closer to each other. The support pad 37 acts as a retainer, preventing the fixed part 102 from falling off the table 30.

[0022] Two more stoppers 40 are provided on the rear portion of the main body 31. The stoppers 40 each include a restricting plate 41 and a support pillar 42. The support pillar 42 is erected on the main body 31. A cushioning material is attached to the outer periphery of the support pillar 42. The restricting plate 41 is supported by the two support pillars 42. The restricting plate 41 is a triangular plate-like member. As shown in FIG. 1 etc., when the fixing part 102 is placed on the resin plate 32, the support pillar 42 abuts against the fixing part 102. The support pillar 42 positions and supports the placed fixing part 102. The restricting plate 41 is disposed above the placed fixing part 102. A gap of approximately 10 mm to 20 mm is provided in the vertical direction between the fixing part 102 placed on the resin plate 32 and the restricting plate 41. The gap between the fixing part 102 and the regulating plate 41 functions as a play space (margin) when the lifting part 4 is lowered and the lifting auxiliary device 10 is removed after the gimbal camera 100 is attached to the installation position.

[0023] Furthermore, the main body 31 is formed with holes 44 at two locations for inserting a shaft 52 (described later).

[0024] The compression springs 50 are metal coil springs. As shown in FIG. 3 , the lifting aid 10 of this embodiment is provided with two compression springs 50. In other examples, the number of compression springs 50 is not limited to two and may be changed depending on the shape of the object to be lifted and the shapes of the base 20 and table 30. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , both compression springs 50 are provided between the base 20 and the table 30. As shown in FIG. 3 , a shaft 52 and a linear bushing 56 are provided inside each compression spring 50 to guide the compression springs 50. The upper end of the shaft 52 is inserted into a hole 44 in the table 30 and fixed to the table 30 with a screw 54 and a fastener 55. The shaft 52 is fixed to the table 30 so as to protrude below the table 30. The linear bushing 56 is inserted into a hole 22 in the base 20 and fixed to the base 20. The linear bushing 56 is fixed to the base 20 so that its cylindrical portion protrudes above the base 20.

[0025] The cylindrical portion of a linear bushing 56 is inserted inside the compression spring 50, and the shaft 52 is inserted into the linear bushing 56. A screw 58 is attached to the lower end of the linear bushing 56. The screw 58 is fixed to the lower end of the shaft 52. This prevents the shaft 52 from slipping out of the cylindrical portion of the linear bushing 56. It also prevents the compression spring 50 from falling off. As described above, the compression spring 50 is provided between the upper surface of the base 20 and the lower surface of the table 30. The compression spring 50 expands and contracts while being guided by the inner linear bushing 56 and the shaft 52.

[0026] As described above, in this embodiment, the compression spring 50 is provided between the table 30 and the base 20, and therefore the table 30 can be swung relative to the base 20 by deforming the compression spring 50. In other words, when a force is applied to the table 30 from above, the angle and attitude of the table 30 relative to the base 20 can be changed by deforming the compression spring 50. In other words, by deforming the compression spring 50 with the fixing portion 102 of the gimbal camera 100 placed on the table 30, the angle and attitude of the fixing portion 102 on the table 30 can be adjusted. The angle and attitude of the fixing portion 102 of the gimbal camera 100 can be adjusted while it is being transported by the lift 2.

[0027] The guide mechanism 80 is formed by a shaft 26 mounted on the base 20 and a main body member 70 mounted on the main body 31 of the table 30. The shaft 26 is fixed to the base 20. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the main body member 70 is formed by a housing 60 having an elongated hole 72, and a linear bushing 62, a spherical bearing 64, and a compression spring 66 housed in the housing 60. The housing 60 is formed by blocks 60a, 60b, and 60c and a cover 60d. The outer periphery of the linear bushing 62 is fitted into the spherical bearing 64. The linear bushing 62 with the spherical bearing 64 attached is disposed in the elongated hole 72 of the housing 60. The compression spring 66 is attached to the block 60c and presses the spherical bearing 64 from both sides so that the spherical bearing 64 is positioned approximately in the center of the elongated hole 72. The center of the spherical bearing 64 disposed within the housing 60 is positioned at approximately the same height as the upper surface of the rail 104 on the fixed part 102 placed on the table 30. Therefore, as will be described later, even when the table 30 on which the fixed part 102 is placed swings left and right, the rail 104 is prevented from shifting position in the left and right direction. The table 30 can be swung while the rail 104 maintains the same position. This facilitates alignment of the rail 104 with respect to the installation position. A shaft 26 is inserted into the linear bushing 62. The upper end of the shaft 26 is fixed with a screw 68. The shaft 26 and the linear bushing 62 are positioned at the center of the elongated hole 72. When the table 30 tilts relative to the base 20, the main body side member 70 also tilts relative to the shaft 26 and the linear bushing 62. In this case, the spherical bearing 64 and the compression spring 66 prevent the shaft 26 and the linear bushing 62 from tilting in accordance with the tilt of the main body side member 70. The elongated hole 72 also prevents the shaft 26 and the linear bushing 62 from interfering with the housing 60 .

[0028] With the above structure, even when the table 30 swings relative to the base 20, the guide mechanism 80 can properly support the table 30.

[0029] The configuration of the lift unit 1 (the lift 2 and the lift auxiliary tool 10) of this embodiment has been described above. Next, the operation of the lift unit 1 when using the lift unit 1 of this embodiment to attach a target object (gimbal camera 100) to an installation target position will be described. In this example, the installation target position is the tip of the arm 200 attached to the body of a helicopter.

[0030] First, before transporting the gimbal camera 100, the lifting auxiliary tool 10 is fixed to the lift 2. Specifically, the base 20 of the lifting auxiliary tool 10 is fixed to the lifting section 4 of the lift 2. This completes the lift unit 1 of FIG.

[0031] Next, the gimbal camera 100 is supported by the lift unit 1. Specifically, the fixed portion 102 of the gimbal camera 100 is placed on the resin plate 32 of the table 30. At this time, the fixed portion 102 is positioned by abutting the fixed portion 102 against the support pillars 42 of the stopper 40. A regulating plate 41 is placed above the positioned fixed portion 102. A gap of approximately 10 mm to 20 mm is provided between the fixed portion 102 and the regulating plate 41 in the vertical direction. Thereafter, the support arms 33 are closed, and the support pads 37 are brought close to each other. The fixed portion 102 is supported on the table 30.

[0032] Lift 2 is operated to move gimbal camera 100 close to the tip of arm 200. A groove 210 is formed at the tip of arm 200. Gimbal camera 100 can be attached to arm 200 by fitting rail 104 formed on the upper surface of fixing part 102 of gimbal camera 100 into groove 210.

[0033] When aligning the groove 210 and the rail 104, a force can be applied to the fixed part 102 or the table 30 to deform the compression spring 50. By deforming the compression spring 50, the angle and attitude of the table 30 relative to the base 20 can be changed. This makes it possible to adjust the angle and attitude of the fixed part 102. It is also possible to fine-tune the angle and attitude of the rail 104 relative to the groove 210. Alignment of the groove 210 and the rail 104 can be easily performed.

[0034] Furthermore, when aligning the groove 210 and the rail 104, the fixed part 102 can be slid along the upper surface of the resin plate 32. That is, the fixed part 102 can be slid on the resin plate 32. The fixed part 102 can move in the front-rear and left-right directions along the upper surface of the resin plate 32, or can rotate. This allows fine adjustment of the position of the rail 104 relative to the groove 210. The groove 210 and the rail 104 can be aligned easily.

[0035] Furthermore, as described above, the center of the spherical bearing 64 disposed within the housing 60 of the guide mechanism 80 is positioned at approximately the same height as the upper surface of the rail 104 formed on the fixed part 102 placed on the table 30. Therefore, even when the table 30 on which the fixed part 102 is placed swings left and right, the rail 104 is prevented from shifting position in the left and right direction. The table 30 can be swung while the rail 104 maintains the same position. Alignment of the groove 210 and the rail 104 can be easily performed.

[0036] As described above, after aligning the groove 210 with the rail 104, the rail 104 is fitted into the groove 210, thereby attaching the gimbal camera 100 to the arm 200 as shown in FIG. 5 . The gimbal camera 100 is then fixed to the arm 200 by a predetermined means. The support arms 33 are then opened. The lifting unit 4 is slightly lowered to separate the table 30 and the fixed unit 102. At this time, the lifting unit 4 may be lowered to a position where the upper surface of the fixed unit 102 interferes with the restricting plate 41 of the stopper 40. The lift 2 is then moved away from the arm 200 and the gimbal camera 100.

[0037] Through the above steps, the gimbal camera 100 is attached to the arm 200. Note that the gimbal camera 100 can be removed from the arm 200 by following substantially the reverse procedure of the attachment. That is, the fixed part 102 attached to the arm 200 is placed on the table 30, the fixed part 102 is fixed to the table 30, and then the rail 104 is removed from the groove 210, thereby removing the gimbal camera 100 from the arm 200.

[0038] The configuration and operation of the lift unit 1 of this embodiment have been described above. As described above, the lift auxiliary device 10 of this embodiment can swing the table 30 relative to the base 20 by deforming the compression spring 50. Therefore, for example, when attaching an object to a target installation position by guiding a rail provided on the object into a groove provided in the target installation position, swinging the table 30 relative to the base 20 can finely change the position, angle, etc. of the rail. In particular, when the target object is a large object, fine alignment can be easily achieved between the rail of the part and the groove in the target installation position. Fine alignment can be easily achieved between the object transported by the lift 2 and the target installation position.

[0039] In this embodiment, the table 30 includes a main body 31 provided on the base 20 and a resin plate 32 provided on the upper surface of the main body 31. Therefore, with the lifting support device 10 of this embodiment, at least a portion of the target object can be placed on the resin plate 32. Furthermore, the coefficient of friction of the resin plate 32 is smaller than that of the main body 31. Therefore, the target object placed on the resin plate 32 can slide along the upper surface of the resin plate 32. The target object placed on the resin plate 32 can be moved or rotated in the front-rear and left-right directions along the upper surface of the resin plate 32. Therefore, for example, fine alignment between the target object and the installation position can be more easily performed. Furthermore, since the resin plate 32 with a small coefficient of friction is provided on the main body 31, scratches on the target object placed on the table 30 are also reduced.

[0040] In this embodiment, the object to be placed on the table 30 is an aircraft-related part such as a gimbal camera 100. The lifting aid 10 of this embodiment makes it easy to finely align the aircraft-related part, which is generally large, with the installation position.

[0041] In this embodiment, the compression spring 50 provided between the table 30 and the base 20 is a metal spring. Generally, metal springs have higher durability and a larger stroke than other elastic bodies. Therefore, according to this embodiment, even if the object to be placed on the table 30 is large, the object can be properly placed and swung appropriately. Furthermore, since the metal compression spring 50 has high durability, the lifting auxiliary device 10 also has excellent durability.

[0042] Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and alterations of the specific examples exemplified above. For example, the following modifications may be adopted.

[0043] (Modification 1) In the above embodiment, the table 30 is provided with the resin plate 32 having a small coefficient of friction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the table 30 does not necessarily have to be provided with the resin plate 32.

[0044] (Variation 2) In the above embodiment, a metal compression spring 50 is provided between the table 30 and the base 20. However, this is not limiting, and any elastic body may be provided between the table 30 and the base 20. As the elastic body, for example, an elastic member such as rubber or resin may be used, or a spring member other than a metal compression spring, such as an air spring or a gas damper, may be used.

[0045] (Modification 3) In the above embodiment, the target article is an aircraft-related part such as the gimbal camera 100. However, the target article is not limited to this, and may be any other article.

[0046] (Modification 4) In the above embodiment, the target object is the gimbal camera 100, so the base 20 and the table 30 are both formed in a U-shape with an open front. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the base 20 and the table 30 may have any shape according to the target object.

[0047] Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings may exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving one of those objectives alone has technical utility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1: Lift unit 2: Lift 3: Mast 4: Lifting section 5: Caster 10: Lifting aids 20: Bass 30: Table 31: Main body 32: Resin board 50: Compression spring 100: Gimbal camera 102: Fixed part 104: Rail 106: Imaging unit 200: Arm 210: Groove

Claims

1. a base fixed to the lifting section of the lift; a table provided on the base and capable of placing at least a portion of an object to be transported by the lift; an elastic body provided between the base and the table, The table is capable of swinging relative to the base by deforming the elastic body. Lift aids.

2. The lifting aid of claim 1, wherein the table has a main body provided on the base and a resin plate provided on the upper surface of the main body, and the coefficient of friction of the resin plate is smaller than the coefficient of friction of the main body.

3. The lifting aid according to claim 1 , wherein the object is an aircraft-related part.

4. 2. The lifting aid according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body is a metal spring.

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