Attachment for cart and cart

Abstract

To provide an attachment for a cart that enables the cart to be held by a conveyance device with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: An attachment (10) for a cart is attached to a center frame (21) of the cart (20). The attachment (10) comprises: a bar- or plate-shaped upper member (11) that is positioned on the upper side of the center frame (21) when attached to the frame (21); a plate-shaped lower member (12) that is positioned on a lower side of the frame (21) when attached to the frame (21); and a connecting member (13) that connects the upper member (11) and the lower member (12) and holds the lower member (12) in a position facing the upper member (11).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cart attachment for assisting automatic transport of the cart. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a cart transport system is disclosed in the following Patent Document 1. In this system, an automatically traveling transport device holds the cart and travels, thereby automatically transporting the cart. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2005 / 105620 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the system of Patent Document 1, the transport device is provided with gripping members that grip the cart frame by pinching it from both sides, which requires a complex mechanism for the transport device.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and has an object to provide a cart attachment that enables a cart to be held by a transport device with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The cart attachment according to the present disclosure is a cart attachment that is attached to the frame of a cart, and comprises a bar- or plate-shaped upper member that is positioned on the upper side of the frame when attached to the frame, a plate-shaped lower member that is positioned on the lower side of the frame when attached to the frame, and a connecting member that connects the upper and lower members and holds the lower member in a position facing the upper member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the cart attachment of the present disclosure, the cart can be held by a transport device with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a cart transport system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the configuration of a cart attachment according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the configuration of a cart attachment according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the cart attachment attached to the cart. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the cart attachment attached to the cart. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the transport device in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which carts equipped with cart attachments are nested. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a cart attachment according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the configuration of a cart attachment according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a cart transport system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the configuration of a cart attachment according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the configuration of a cart attachment according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the transport device in the fourth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the transport device in the fourth embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] <First Embodiment> Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining a cart transport system according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the cart transport system includes a cart 20 equipped with a cart attachment 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as "attachment 10"), and a transport device 30 that transports the cart 20.

[0010] The cart 20 is composed of a center frame 21, multiple support frames 22, an upper connecting frame 23, leg frames 24, and casters 25. The multiple support frames 22 are erected at intervals on the center frame 21, and the center frame 21 connects the multiple support frames 22 together. The upper connecting frame 23 connects the upper parts of the multiple support frames 22 together. The leg frames 24 are installed below both longitudinal ends of the center frame 21 so as to intersect with the center frame 21. The casters 25 are attached to both longitudinal ends of the leg frames 24. The center frame 21, the upper connecting frame 23, and the leg frames 24 are bar-shaped. The upper connecting frame 23 is provided to increase the strength of the cart 20 and may be omitted if the necessary strength can be obtained without the upper connecting frame 23.

[0011] The attachment 10 is attached to a center frame 21 of the cart 20. Figures 2 and 3 show the configuration of the attachment 10. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the attachment 10 seen from an oblique direction above, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the attachment 10 seen from an oblique direction below.

[0012] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the attachment 10 includes an upper member 11, a lower member 12, a connecting member 13, and an angle member 14. The upper member 11 is a bar-shaped member having a frame-facing surface 11a (see Figure 3) that faces the center frame 21 when attached to the center frame 21. The lower member 12 is a plate-shaped member that is disposed opposite the frame-facing surface 11a of the upper member 11. The connecting members 13 are attached to both side surfaces of the upper member 11, connect the upper member 11 and the lower member 12, and hold the lower member 12 in a position facing the frame-facing surface 11a. The angle members 14 are attached to both longitudinal ends of the upper member 11, and have surfaces that are at a different height or in a different orientation than the frame-facing surface 11a of the upper member 11.

[0013] 4 and 5 show the attachment 10 mounted on the cart 20. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the attachment 10 mounted on the cart 20, viewed obliquely from above, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the attachment 10 mounted on the cart 20, viewed obliquely from below. When the attachment 10 is mounted on the cart 20, the upper member 11 is positioned above the center frame 21. Therefore, the lower surface of the upper member 11 becomes the frame-facing surface 11a. Furthermore, the lower member 12 is positioned below the center frame 21. In other words, the center frame 21 is passed between the upper member 11 and the lower member 12.

[0014] The width of the lower member 12 is wider than the width of the upper member 11 and the width of the center frame 21, and when the attachment 10 is attached to the cart 20, both ends of the lower member 12 protrude from both sides of the center frame 21. In other words, when the attachment 10 is attached to the cart 20, the lower member 12 intersects with the center frame 21, and the lower member 12 and the center frame 21 form a cross shape.

[0015] The length of the upper member 11 is designed to be the same as or slightly shorter than the spacing between the support frames 22. Therefore, the upper member 11 placed on the support frames 22 is sandwiched between the two support frames 22, thereby fixing the longitudinal position of the upper member 11. In addition, the width of the upper member 11 is designed to be the same as or slightly wider than the width of the center frame 21. Therefore, the center frame 21 inserted between the upper member 11 and the lower member 12 is sandwiched between the two connecting members 13 extending from both side surfaces of the upper member 11, thereby fixing the position of the upper member 11 in the width direction. However, because the preferred width of the upper member 11 varies depending on the shape of the angle members 14, the width of the upper member 11 does not necessarily have to be equal to the width of the center frame 21.

[0016] The angle members 14 attached to the upper member 11 abut against the undersides of the two support frames 22 that sandwich the upper member 11. This fixes the vertical position of the upper member 11. The angle members 14 may abut against either the center frame 21 or the multiple support frames 22, as long as they can stabilize the position of the attachment 10. For example, if the distance between the upper member 11 and the lower member 12 is the same as the thickness of the center frame 21, the center frame 21 can be sandwiched between the upper member 11 and the lower member 12, thereby fixing the vertical position of the upper member 11, and the angle members 14 may be omitted.

[0017] By fixing the upper member 11 to the center frame 21 in this way, the attachment position of the attachment 10 is stabilized. Note that the portion of the attachment 10 that comes into contact with the cart 20 when attached to the cart 20 may be provided with a cushioning material to prevent damage to the cart 20.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a cross-shaped groove is provided on the top surface of the transport device 30, consisting of a center frame groove 31 shaped to correspond to the center frame 21 of the cart 20 and an attachment groove 32 shaped to correspond to the lower member 12 of the attachment 10. When the transport device 30 transports the cart 20, as shown in FIG. 6, the transport device 30 moves under the cart 20 from the side, rotates 90°, lifts the top surface of the transport device 30, and fits the center frame 21 into the center frame groove 31 and the lower member 12 into the attachment groove 32. This holds the cart 20 on the transport device 30. The transport device 30 then travels while holding the cart 20, thereby transporting the cart 20.

[0019] In this way, the cart 20 equipped with the attachment 10 can be held by the transport device 30, which has a simple configuration. Furthermore, the attachment 10 itself has a simple configuration, which contributes to cost reduction of the cart transport system. The upper member 11, which is the main body of the attachment 10, is bar-shaped like the center frame 21, so it has the advantage of not getting in the way when nesting multiple carts 20 (arranging multiple carts 20 with their respective support frames 22 stacked on top of each other), as shown in Figure 7.

[0020] The upper member 11, lower member 12, connecting member 13, and angle member 14 of the attachment 10 are fixed to one another using, for example, screws. Therefore, the attachment 10 can be easily attached to and detached from the cart 20 by loosening the screws. Therefore, the attachment 10 can be attached to an existing cart 20. If an existing cart 20 is used, a cart transport system can be constructed at low cost.

[0021] Existing carts 20 come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but by customizing the size and shape of some of the parts of the upper member 11, lower member 12, connecting member 13, and angle member 14 of the attachment 10 to fit the size and shape of the cart 20, it becomes possible to apply the attachment 10 to a variety of carts 20. The length of the upper member 11 is adjusted to match the spacing of the support frames 22, but if the upper member 11 is configured to be extendable in the longitudinal direction of the center frame 21 to which it is attached, customizing the length of the upper member 11 becomes unnecessary.

[0022] <Embodiment 2> For example, when the cart 20 is placed in the corner of a room or when multiple carts 20 are nested, it may be difficult for the conveying device 30 to get under the cart 20 and hold it.

[0023] In the second embodiment, the transport device 30 is provided with a hook that can be hooked onto the attachment 10 as auxiliary transport means for moving the cart 20 without crawling under it. As shown in FIG. 8 , a groove 15 or hole 16 is provided in the lower member 12 or connecting member 13 of the attachment 10 to allow the transport device 30 to hook the hook or pin. This makes it easier for the transport device 30 to hook the hook or pin onto the attachment 10. Furthermore, since the transport device 30 has auxiliary transport means, restrictions on where the cart 20 can be placed can be reduced.

[0024] <Third Embodiment> In order for the conveying device 30 to automatically convey the cart 20, it is necessary to use a camera or the like to have the conveying device 30 recognize the position of the attachment 10 attached to the cart 20, and to accurately guide the conveying device 30 to below the attachment 10.

[0025] In the third embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, a marker 17 for guiding the transport device 30 is provided on the side surface of the upper member 11 of the attachment 10. The marker 17 may be any type that can enable the transport device 30 to recognize the position of the marker 17. For example, the marker 17 may be an "AR marker" used in marker positioning, which is a positioning method that applies AR (augmented reality) technology.

[0026] By having the transport device 30 recognize the position of the marker 17, the position of the attachment 10 can be accurately recognized, which enables reliable transport of the cart 20 and improves the reliability of the cart transport system. In addition, since the transport device 30 can be accurately guided, complex transport operations of the cart 20 can be performed using the transport device 30.

[0027] <Fourth Embodiment> 10 is a diagram illustrating a cart transport system according to embodiment 4. In the cart transport system according to embodiment 4, the configuration of the cart 20 is the same as that of embodiment 1, but the configurations of the attachment 10 and the transport device 30 attached to the center frame 21 of the cart 20 are different from those of embodiment 1.

[0028] Figures 11 and 12 show the configuration of attachment 10 of embodiment 4. Figure 11 is a perspective view of attachment 10 seen from an oblique direction above, and Figure 12 is a perspective view of attachment 10 seen from an oblique direction below.

[0029] The attachment 10 of the fourth embodiment also includes an upper member 11, a lower member 12, a connecting member 13, and an angle member 14. The upper member 11 is a plate-like member having a frame-facing surface 11a (see FIG. 12) that faces the center frame 21 when attached to the center frame 21. The lower member 12 is a plate-like member disposed opposite the frame-facing surface 11a of the upper member 11. The connecting members 13 are attached to both sides of the upper member 11, connect the upper member 11 and the lower member 12, and hold the lower member 12 in a position facing the frame-facing surface 11a. The angle members 14 are provided at both longitudinal ends of the attachment 10 and have surfaces that are at a different height or in a different orientation than the frame-facing surface 11a of the upper member 11. In this embodiment, the angle members 14 are formed by bending a portion of the upper member 11.

[0030] When the attachment 10 is mounted on the cart 20, the upper member 11 is disposed above the center frame 21. Therefore, the lower surface of the upper member 11 becomes the frame-facing surface 11a. Furthermore, the lower member 12 is disposed below the center frame 21. In other words, the center frame 21 is passed between the upper member 11 and the lower member 12.

[0031] The width of the lower member 12 is wider than the width of the upper member 11, and the lower member 12 has portions that protrude laterally beyond the upper member 11. Holes 16 are formed in the lower member 12 in each of the portions that protrude laterally beyond the upper member 11. Therefore, when the attachment 10 is attached to the cart 20, the portions of the lower member 12 where the holes 16 are formed protrude laterally beyond the center frame 21.

[0032] Two lower members 12 are provided at the bottom of the attachment 10. As shown in FIG. 12 , if the distance between the holes 16 in each lower member 12 is D1 and the distance between the hole 16 in one lower member 12 and the hole 16 in the other lower member 12 is D2, the two lower members 12 are fixed to the connecting member 13 in a positional relationship such that the distance D2 is equal to the distance D1. That is, the four holes 16 provided in the attachment 10 are arranged so as to form the vertices of a square or parallelogram (preferably a square) in plan view. Note that the distances D1 and D2 are designed to be the same values ​​as the distances between the pins 33 of the transport device 30, which will be described later.

[0033] Two upper members 11 are provided on the top of the attachment 10, and are positioned so that when the attachment 10 is attached to the cart 20, the angle members 14 provided on each of the two upper members 11 abut against the support frames 22. Therefore, the upper members 11 placed on the support frames 22 are sandwiched between the two support frames 22, thereby fixing the longitudinal position of the attachment 10. The width of the upper members 11 is designed to be the same as or slightly wider than the width of the center frame 21. Therefore, the center frame 21 inserted between the upper member 11 and the lower member 12 is sandwiched between two connecting members 13 extending from both side surfaces of the upper member 11, thereby fixing the widthwise position of the attachment 10. However, because the preferred width of the upper members 11 varies depending on the shape of the angle members 14, the width of the upper members 11 does not necessarily have to be equal to the width of the center frame 21.

[0034] The upper surface of the lower member 12 abuts against the lower surface of the center frame 21. This fixes the vertical position of the attachment 10. When the vertical position of the attachment 10 is fixed by the angle member 14 as in the first embodiment, the lower member 12 does not need to abut against the center frame 21.

[0035] In addition, a cushioning material may be provided on the portion of the attachment 10 that comes into contact with the cart 20 when the attachment 10 is attached to the cart 20 to prevent the cart 20 from being damaged.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 10 , two pins 33 corresponding to the holes 16 formed in the lower member 12 of the attachment 10 are provided on the upper surface of the transport device 30. That is, the spacing between the pins 33 is the same as the spacing between the holes 16 of the attachment 10 (the spacing D1 and spacing D2 shown in FIG. 12 ). When the transport device 30 transports the cart 20, as shown in FIG. 13 , the transport device 30 slips under the cart 20 from the side of the cart 20, rotates 90°, lifts the pins 33, and passes them through the holes 16 of the attachment 10. At this time, the two pins 33 are passed through the same holes 16 of the lower member 12. As a result, the cart 20 is held by the transport device 30. The transport device 30 then travels while holding the cart 20, thereby transporting the cart 20.

[0037] For example, when the cart 20 is placed in a corner of a room or when multiple carts 20 are nested, it may be difficult for the transport device 30 to get under the cart 20. In such a situation, the transport device 30 inserts the mounting portion of its pins 33 under the cart 20 and holds the cart 20 from the side by passing two pins 33 through the holes 16 of different connecting members 13, as shown in FIG. 14 . The transport device 30 then moves backward, pulling the cart 20 out to the side, creating a situation where the transport device 30 can get under the cart 20. Then, as described with reference to FIG. 13 , the transport device 30 gets under the cart 20, rotates 90°, and passes two pins 33 through the holes 16 of the same lower member 12 to transport the cart 20.

[0038] The transport device 30 of the fourth embodiment has a simpler configuration than the transport device 30 of the first embodiment, in which the upper surface of the transport device 30 is lifted. Furthermore, the attachment 10 itself has a simple configuration, which contributes to cost reduction of the cart transport system. Furthermore, the width of the attachment 10 other than the lower member 12 is approximately the same width as the center frame 21, which is advantageous in that it does not get in the way when nesting multiple carts 20.

[0039] Furthermore, in the attachment 10 of the fourth embodiment, the distance D1 between the holes 16 in the individual lower members 12 and the distance D2 between the holes 16 in one lower member 12 and the holes 16 in the other lower member 12 are both the same as the distance between the pins 33 of the conveying device 30. Therefore, the conveying device 30 can hold the cart 20 from the side by passing two pins 33 through the holes 16 of different connecting members 13. Therefore, the conveying device 30 can easily pull out the cart 20 to the side even when the cart 20 is placed in a corner of a room or when multiple carts 20 are nested together. This reduces restrictions on where the cart 20 can be placed.

[0040] In the fourth embodiment, the upper member 11, lower member 12, connecting member 13, and angle member 14 of the attachment 10 are also fixed to one another using, for example, screws. Therefore, the attachment 10 can be easily attached to or detached from the cart 20 by loosening the screws. Therefore, the attachment 10 can be attached to an existing cart 20. If an existing cart 20 is used, a cart transport system can be constructed at low cost.

[0041] Existing carts 20 come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but by customizing the size and shape of some of the parts of the upper member 11, lower member 12, connecting member 13, and angle member 14 of the attachment 10 to fit the size and shape of the cart 20, it becomes possible to apply the attachment 10 to a variety of carts 20. The attachment 10 of this embodiment may also be configured to be extendable in the longitudinal direction of the center frame 21 to which it is attached, but the spacing between the holes 16 must be maintained at the same spacing as the pins 33 of the transport device 30 even if the length of the attachment 10 changes.

[0042] In this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the holes 16 are provided in the lower member 12, but as long as the pins 33 can hold the attachment 10, grooves may be provided instead of the holes 16.

[0043] Furthermore, the marker 17 shown in the third embodiment can also be applied to the attachment 10 of this embodiment. In the third embodiment, the marker 17 is provided on the side surface of the upper member 11, but since the side surface of the attachment 10 of this embodiment is formed by the connecting member 13, it is preferable to provide the marker 17 on the connecting member 13.

[0044] It is possible to freely combine the embodiments, and to modify or omit the embodiments as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10 attachment, 11 upper member, 11a frame opposing surface, 12 lower member, 13 connecting member, 14 angle member, 15 groove, 16 hole, 17 marker, 20 cart, 21 center frame, 22 support frame, 23 upper connecting frame, 24 leg frame, 25 caster, 30 transport device, 31 groove for center frame, 32 groove for attachment, 33 pin.

Claims

1. A cart attachment that is attached to a cart frame, a bar-shaped or plate-shaped upper member that is disposed on an upper side of the frame when attached to the frame; a plate-shaped lower member that is disposed below the frame when attached to the frame; a connecting member that connects the upper member and the lower member and holds the lower member in a position facing the upper member; A cart attachment equipped with:

2. The upper member is provided with an angle member having a surface that is different in height or orientation from the lower surface of the upper member.

2. The cart attachment of claim 1.

3. The width of the lower member is wider than the width of the upper member.

3. The cart attachment according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A groove or a hole is formed in the lower member or the connecting member.

3. The cart attachment according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the lower member or the connecting member has a protruding portion that protrudes laterally beyond the upper member, The groove or the hole is formed in the protrusion.

5. The cart attachment according to claim 4.

6. The grooves or holes are arranged so as to form vertices of a square or a parallelogram in plan view.

5. The cart attachment according to claim 4.

7. Further, a marker is provided for guiding a transport device that transports the cart.

3. The cart attachment according to claim 1 or 2.

8. It is configured to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction of the frame to which it is attached.

3. The cart attachment according to claim 1 or 2.

9. A cart equipped with the cart attachment according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The cart includes: A center frame and a plurality of support frames erected on the center frame and connected by the center frame; Equipped with The cart attachment is attached to the center frame.

10. The cart of claim 9.

11. The cart attachment is the cart attachment according to claim 2, The angle member abuts against either the center frame or the plurality of support frames. The cart of claim 10.

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