Aluminum handle reinforcement member for dolly and dolly using the same

Abstract

To provide an aluminum handle reinforcement member that is easy to install and maintains appropriate strength despite of being lightweight.SOLUTION: In a hand dolly including an aluminum handle, a top plate, and a bracket on the top plate, a lower end of the handle is pivotally supported by the bracket, and a resin member is pressed into the lower end of the handle to reinforce the handle. The resin member has a cylindrical appearance when viewed from a long distance, but the cross-section has a lattice-like pattern based on an interrupted circumference, and the resin member includes multiple cavities formed therein. There is a through hole near the center of the resin member for allowing a rivet to pass through, and two small protrusions having extremely small height and located on the side of the lower portion of the resin member are provided at positions facing each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5a

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a reinforcing member for an aluminum handle for a trolley and a trolley using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Lightweight trolleys are important for improving user operability and increasing the efficiency of logistics and warehouse operations. Lightweight trolleys are easy to move and have the effect of reducing fatigue, especially when used in narrow spaces or for long periods of time. Lightweight trolleys also contribute to improving energy efficiency during transportation and are expected to increase overall work productivity. To reduce the weight of trolleys, the handles are sometimes changed from the conventional steel to aluminum. In addition, the bracket that is pivotally supported by the handle at the bottom end of the handle is sometimes changed from the conventional metal to plastic.

[0003] However, using an aluminum handle instead of a steel one poses problems in terms of durability and stability, and there is a particular drawback in that the base of the aluminum handle and the rivet holes are prone to breakage. Therefore, if a reinforcing member is inserted at the base of the aluminum handle, the weight increases accordingly, which can cause problems in achieving the original purpose of reducing the weight of the entire trolley. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2006-76428 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Patent Document 1 features a reinforcing member press-fitted into the lower end of a handle made of a cylindrical member, the reinforcing member having an outer diameter and outer wall surface corresponding to the handle's inner diameter and inner wall surface (claim 7). While this may prevent damage to the handle's base, a heavy reinforcing member increases the weight of the handle, potentially affecting the overall weight of the trolley. Furthermore, the fact that the trolley's bracket is not made of resin but is molded from a single metal plate further increases the weight (0013). While Patent Document 1 aims to prevent rattle and damage to the handle mounting structure of a hand truck, it does not consider reducing the weight of the truck. Therefore, there is a need for a reinforcing member that can maintain appropriate strength without increasing the overall weight of the truck.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcing member for an aluminum handle that is easy to install, lightweight, yet maintains adequate strength, thereby contributing to reducing the overall weight of the dolly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Provided is a resin member which is press-fitted into the lower end of a handle of a hand truck having an aluminum handle, a top plate, and a bracket on the upper surface of the top plate, the lower end of the handle being journaled on the bracket, to reinforce the handle; the resin member has a cylindrical appearance in a perspective view, but its cross section has a lattice-like pattern based on an interrupted circumference, multiple cavities are formed inside, a through hole for passing a rivet is provided near the center of the resin member, and two small protrusions of extremely small height are provided on the side of the lower part of the resin member in positions facing each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present invention can provide a reinforcing member for an aluminum handle that is easy to install, lightweight, and maintains appropriate strength. The use of aluminum handles on transport carts can reduce the overall weight of the cart, but aluminum handles can cause deformation of the cylindrical shape of the handle and the holes into which the rivets are inserted. The resin member of the present invention provides the necessary strength to reinforce aluminum handles, i.e., strength to prevent damage to the handle base and deformation of the rivet insertion holes, while being lightweight and easy to install. In particular, the lattice pattern and internal cavity allow for structural reinforcement while reducing the weight of the material. Furthermore, the fixing mechanism using small protrusions securely holds the member in place and improves stability. Reinforcing the handle with a lightweight reinforcing member is expected to improve the operability and efficiency of the dolly, reducing user fatigue and increasing work productivity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a diagram showing the general appearance of a handcart equipped with a reinforcing member of the present invention. 1 is a top plate, 2 is a wheel, 3 is an aluminum handle, and 4 is a bracket connecting the handle 3 and the top plate 1. The wheels 2 are attached to the four corners of the bottom of the tabletop 1. The handle 3 is U-shaped, and both ends of the handle 3 are attached to the two corners of the tabletop 1. By loading luggage or the like onto the tabletop 1 and manually pushing the handle 3, the hand cart can be moved.

[0010] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the bracket 4 when the handle is connected. Reference numeral 1 denotes a top plate, 3 denotes an aluminum handle, and 5 denotes a lever shaft. When an operator steps on lever shaft 5, the handle 3 can be tilted forward. The bracket 4 is made of resin and comprises two parts: a first member 4a and a second member 4b.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bracket 4 with the second member 4b of the bracket 4 removed. The bracket 4 is attached to the upper surface of both corners of the rear end of the tabletop 1. The bracket 4 and the end of the handle 3 are axially connected by rivets 6. The handle 3 has holes 7 through which the rivets 6 pass. The handle 3 is rotatable, but can only be tilted forward.

[0012] Figure 4a is an explanatory diagram of a cross section of the handle. Assuming that the handle of the dolly of the invention has a U-shaped structure and stands perpendicular to the ground, the A-A cross section shows that it is cut on a plane parallel to the direction of travel of the dolly. Similarly, the B-B cross section shows that it is cut on a plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the dolly.

[0013] Fig. 4b is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA. Fig. 4b is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB. As shown in Figs. 4b and 4c, a resin member 8 is press-fitted into the lower end of the handle 3. The resin member 8 has a cylindrical shape in appearance when viewed from a distance, and has a through hole 9 near the center of the resin member 8 for passing the rivet 6 through.

[0014] 5a to 5e are views of the resin member 8 before being press-fitted. 5a is a front view, FIG. 5b is a left side view, FIG. 5c is a right side view, FIG. 5d is a plan view, and FIG. 5e is a bottom view. As shown in FIG. 5a, the resin member 8 has a plurality of cavities 10 formed therein, and has a through hole 9 near the center of the resin member for passing a rivet through. The resin member 8 has a cylindrical appearance in a far-sighted state, but as shown in FIGS. 5d and 5e, its cross section has a lattice pattern based on a broken circumference. This "hollowed-out" structure allows the resin member to be lightweight while maintaining its structural strength.

[0015] As shown in Figures 5b and 5c, two small protrusions 11 and 12 having a very small height are provided on the side surface of the lower part of the resin member 8 at positions facing each other. The provision of these small protrusions 11 and 12 makes the outer diameter of the resin member 8 larger than the inner diameter of the handle. Once the resin member 8 is inserted into the handle 3, it catches inside the handle 3, and as the insertion proceeds further, the protrusions are scraped away, allowing for stable press-fitting of the resin member. The resin member's machinability is utilized during processing and assembly, allowing the shape to be changed by applying a certain amount of force, making it possible to cut it. Therefore, the fixing mechanism using the projections 11 and 12 reliably keeps the member in position and improves stability.

[0016] The material of the resin member is preferably polyacetal (POM). The reasons for selecting polyacetal (POM) include its abrasion resistance, high mechanical strength, self-lubricating properties, and also its machinability, which is particularly important during insertion. The design of this resin component includes two small protrusions with extremely low height, which are shaved off during insertion, allowing for stable fixation to the handle. Polyacetal (POM) maintains its shape and functionality, allowing for long-term use. Other preferable materials for the resin member include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyamide (PA), etc., but are not limited to these.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a hand truck equipped with a reinforcing member of the present invention.

[0018] As described above, in the trolley, the resin member is pressed into the lower end of the aluminum handle to reinforce the handle, and its appearance is cylindrical when viewed from a distance, but its cross section has a lattice pattern based on an interrupted circumference, and multiple cavities are formed inside.The resin member has a through hole near the center for passing a rivet, and two small protrusions of extremely small height are provided on the side of the lower part of the resin member in positions facing each other. [Industrial Applicability]

[0019] The resin member of the present invention has industrial applicability. Its ease of installation, light weight, and appropriate strength are particularly noteworthy. The adoption of a grid pattern and internal cavities reduces the weight of the material while simultaneously achieving structural reinforcement. This design allows the entire trolley to be lightweight while still providing adequate strength as a handle auxiliary member, significantly improving operability and efficiency. The reduction in the overall weight of the trolley reduces user fatigue and contributes to increased work productivity, and is therefore expected to be widely applied in the industrial sector. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a handcart equipped with a reinforcing member of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bracket when the handle is connected. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bracket when the second member of the bracket is removed. [Figure 4a] FIG. [Figure 4b] A cross-sectional view of the handle taken along line A-A. [Figure 4c] A cross-sectional view of the handle taken along line B-B. [Figure 5a] FIG. [Figure 5b] FIG. [Figure 5c] FIG. [Figure 5d] FIG. [Figure 5e] FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a handcart equipped with a reinforcing member according to the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0021] 1 baking sheet 2 wheels 3 Handle 4 Bracket 4a First member of bracket 4b Second member of bracket 5 Lever shaft 6 Rivets 7 Handle hole 8 Resin parts 9 Hole in resin material 10 cavities 11 Protrusions 12 protrusions

Claims

1. A hand truck having an aluminum handle, a top plate, and a bracket on the top surface of the top plate, the lower end of the handle being pivotally supported by the bracket, a resin member press-fitted into the lower end of the handle to reinforce the handle; The resin member has a cylindrical appearance in a far-sighted state, but its cross section has a lattice pattern based on a broken circumference, A plurality of cavities are formed inside the resin member, and a through hole for passing a rivet is provided near the center of the resin member, The resin member is characterized in that two small protrusions having a very small height are provided at positions facing each other on the side surface of the lower portion of the resin member.

2. 2. The resin member according to claim 1, wherein the material of the resin member is polyacetal (POM), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), or polyamide (PA).

3. A hand truck in which the bracket is made of resin and the resin member according to claim 1 or 2 is provided on an aluminum handle.

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