Preform for attaching receiving surface to storage rack or the like

Abstract

To provide a preform capable of attaching a product receiving surface to a storage rack or the like directly assembled with molded pipes.SOLUTION: There is provided a preform 10 that is attached to a grid E made up of combined molded pipes 1, and is provided with a molded main part 30 in which a receiving surface 11 is formed by vacuum molding, and a pair of joining shape parts 20 that grip a gripped part 1a of the molded pipe 1. The joining shape part 20 is provided with a pair of upper and lower engaging claws t that engage with an edge T of the gripped part 1a. The joining shape part 20 has a first region R where a lower engaging claw t is not provided and a second region F where the lower engaging claw t is provided. An operating part 21 having a tapered surface 21a is provided at a lower end of the first region, and is continuous with an operating extension portion at a lower end of the second region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a preform having a portion that is pre-formed by injection molding and a molded main portion in which a receiving surface is vacuum-formed after injection molding, and in particular to a preform having a receiving surface that can be fitted onto a molded pipe that constitutes a storage rack or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] At factory sites, storage racks, transport vehicles, and jigs (hereinafter referred to as storage racks, etc.) are assembled from standardized materials to improve the site by reducing workload, saving labor, and saving space. For example, aluminum pipe structural materials such as those disclosed in Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3 are known as formed pipes used for this purpose. The aluminum pipe structural materials disclosed therein are members in the shape of approximately round pipes.

[0003] Aluminum pipe structural materials are commercially available as standard structural materials, and a wide variety of connecting parts that can be assembled with a single wrench are readily available, making assembly easy for anyone. Furthermore, they have the advantage of achieving high perpendicularity and parallelism simply by assembling them. For example, Patent Document 4 shows an example of the use of aluminum pipe structural materials to create carts for use in automobile assembly sites. Known examples of such aluminum pipe structural materials include GF aluminum pipe structural materials from SUS Corporation (identification number 595034204) and NABEKI Co., Ltd. (identification number 309032706). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-84926 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-76912 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-28348 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-89384 [Patent Document 5] Patent No. 7215795 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] At factory work sites, parts to be assembled into factory products are stored in storage racks, etc. When storing parts, it is desirable to attach a receiving material with a receiving surface shape corresponding to the part in question to prevent the part from being scratched.

[0006] To attach a support member to a storage rack or the like assembled with formed pipes, a holder can be used to attach a plate or board material to the formed pipe with tape or bolts. Such holders are commercially available. A storage rack or the like equipped with a support member can be created by attaching a holder to the formed pipe, then attaching a board material to the holder, and then securing the support member to the board material with adhesive tape, cable ties, bolts, pins, or other fasteners. However, this increases the number of components from the formed pipe to the support member, resulting in increased weight and increased assembly time for the storage rack or the like. Furthermore, holders may interfere with each other, and installation position and space constraints may arise.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a preform that can be attached directly to a molded pipe without the need for holders, boards, receiving materials, or the binding tools required to secure them, and that can reduce the manufacturing process of a storage rack or the like that has a receiving surface of any desired three-dimensional shape, and that can be delivered in a short time, has a reduced number of parts, and is easy to separate and dispose of. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The preform of the present invention is a rectangular preform that is attached to a location where a pair of forming pipes are combined to form a grid, and the forming pipes are formed by extending longitudinally and having gripped portions that protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface, and the receiving surface is formed by vacuum forming, and the preform is provided with a pair of joining shape portions that respectively grip the gripped portions of the forming pipes that are arranged on opposite sides of the grid, The joining shape portions are formed so as to extend downward from the molding main portion along opposite sides of the preform, The joining shape portion is provided with a pair of upper and lower engaging claws that engage with an edge of the gripped portion, and The joining shape portion has a first range in which the lower engaging claw is not provided in its extension range, and a second range in which the lower engaging claw is provided, An operation part is provided at the lower end of the first section, the operation part having a tapered surface that is inclined downward on the outside, The lower end of the second range is provided with an operating extension portion that is a tapered surface inclined downward on the outside and is continuous with the operating portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The preform of the present invention can be attached and detached to the crisscross structure assembled by the forming pipes due to the elasticity of the resin that forms the preform. In other words, the receiving surface can be formed on the preform by vacuum forming without disassembling the storage rack, etc., and the storage rack, etc. can be changed to one with a different receiving surface shape simply by replacing the preform. This has the advantage of facilitating dual use and reuse without changing the storage rack itself. Furthermore, because the main forming part, the joint shape part, and the bank part on which the receiving surface is formed are integrated, the number of parts is extremely small, and the labor required for installation on the storage rack, etc. is reduced. Because the preform is made of a single type of resin, it can be easily separated and disposed of. Furthermore, the small number of parts reduces the risk of missing parts during attachment and detachment. Furthermore, because the receiving surface of the main forming part is created by vacuum forming, receiving surfaces tailored to customer needs can be provided in a short period of time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing examples of aluminum pipe structural members used as structural members when assembling a storage rack or the like, and connecting parts used in the assembly. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a preform. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a method for attaching or detaching preforms to or from a storage rack or the like made of aluminum pipe structural material. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for removing the preform. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of attaching a preform. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] First, using FIG. 1, we will explain an example of a formed pipe 1 used as a structure for assembling a storage rack or the like, and connecting parts 2 to 5 used in the assembly. The previously mentioned aluminum pipe structural material GF from SUS Corporation was used as the formed pipe 1. In FIG. 1A, the formed pipe 1 is a substantially round pipe-shaped member, and four grippable portions 1a are formed on the outer circumferential surface at 90-degree intervals, extending in the longitudinal direction. Each grippable portion 1a has a cross-sectional shape that is a nearly flattened arc-shaped convex portion protruding outward. Edges T are formed at the corners of the outer tip of each grippable portion 1a, extending slightly to the left and right beyond the base portion S. Four engaging recesses 1b are provided on the inner circumferential surface of each grippable portion 1a, corresponding to the grippable portions 1a. Each engaging recess 1b is a slightly smaller recess that is nearly flattened and arc-shaped, corresponding to the grippable portions 1a.

[0012] FIG. 1B shows an example of a connecting part. This connecting part 2 simultaneously fastens the end of the formed pipe 1 to the engaging recess 1b and the side of the formed pipe 1 to the gripped portion 1a by bringing a pair of connector elements 2a close to each other with a bolt 2b. Specifically, one end of each connector element 2a is provided with an engaging claw t that engages with one side of the gripped portion 1a, and the other end of each connector element 2a is provided with an insert portion v that is inserted into the inner periphery of the aluminum pipe structural material. As the bolt 2b is tightened, the engaging claws t at one end move closer to each other to grip the gripped portion 1a. At the same time, the insert portions v at the other ends move away from each other to fix the engaging recess 1b.

[0013] 1C shows another connecting part 3. This connecting part 3 is fixed to the gripped part 1a on the side of the formed pipe 1 by bringing a pair of connector elements 3a close to each other with bolts 3b, and bolt holes 3c are provided next to the formed pipe 1 so that other parts or devices (not shown) can be attached.

[0014] 1D shows a resin-molded connection part 4, in which a plate (not shown) can be attached between parallel protrusions 4a. This connection part 4 has a pair of engaging claws t arranged facing each other.

[0015] Fig. 1E shows a connecting part 5 formed by extruding aluminum, which, like the connecting part 4 in Fig. 1D, has opposing engaging claws t and uses the elastic force of the U-shaped part 5a to grip the gripped part 1a of the formed pipe 1. The connecting part 5 can be provided with a shelf 5b next to the formed pipe 1 on which a plate (not shown) can be attached.

[0016] In addition to the above, there are many types of connecting parts that can be used for the formed pipe 1, and these can be used to assemble storage racks and the like that are used in factory work sites and the like.

[0017] The preform according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In Fig. 2, the preform 10 is a resin molded product that is rectangular in plan view and is formed by injection molding a thermoplastic resin. The preform 10 is attached to a storage rack or the like to provide a receiving surface corresponding to a part to be assembled into a factory product to prevent the part from being scratched.

[0018] Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the preform 10 seen from above, Fig. 2B is a perspective view seen from below, and Fig. 2C shows the plan, front, bottom, side, PP cross section, and QQ cross section. Thermoplastic resins that form the preform include polyester-based resins, polyolefin-based resins, polystyrene-based resins, polyamide-based resins, and polycarbonate-based resins. In the figure, three-dimensional directions are defined by the Cartesian coordinates x, y, and z.

[0019] The preform 10 has a pair of joint-shaped portions 20, a main molded portion 30, and a pair of bank portions 40, which are preformed by injection molding. In a plan view, the central rectangular main molded portion 30 is surrounded by the joint-shaped portion 20 and the pair of bank portions 40. The main molded portion 30 is a portion where a custom-made receiving surface is formed through vacuum forming, and is a plate-like portion extending in the xy plane. The rear surface of the main molded portion 30 is concave upward in the Z direction, and ribs 31 are provided that rise from the bottom of the concave downward in the Z direction. The ribs 31 are in a lattice pattern consisting of vertical and horizontal lines. When the main molded portion 30 is deformed by vacuum forming, the ribs 31 are crushed by the mold, supplying resin material to the surrounding area and acting as bones for the shaped receiving surface. The detailed function of the ribs 31 is disclosed in Patent Document 5.

[0020] The pair of joining portions 20 each protrude downward in the z direction from a pair of sides of the main molded portion 30 extending in the y direction, and extend in the y direction. The pair of bank portions 40 protrude downward in the z direction from a pair of sides of the main molded portion 30 extending in the x direction, and extend in the x direction. The pair of joining portions 20 and the pair of bank portions 40 surround the periphery of the main molded portion 30. The pair of joining portions 20 and the pair of bank portions 40 have the function of suppressing thermal contraction of the preform 10 during vacuum molding and of providing strength to maintain the bonded state between the molded pipe 1 and the preform 10.

[0021] A pair of upper and lower joint shapes 20 is provided with a pair of engaging claws t. The lower side of the joint shape 20 in the z direction has a range R (first range) in which the lower engaging claws t are not provided within its extension range in the y direction, and a range F (second range) in which the lower engaging claws t are provided. In the drawing, the upper range R of the joint shape 20 in the z direction is depicted as having no engaging claws t, but the upper engaging claws t may or may not be present in the range R. The engaging claws t are formed so as to fit into the lower base portion S of the overhang of the edge T of the gripped portion 1a of the formed pipe 1, as with the connecting parts 2 to 5 shown in Figures 1B to 1E, respectively (see Figure 1A for the edge T and base portion S).

[0022] The range R where the lower engaging claw t is not provided is the range at both ends of the joining portion 20 in the y direction. The range R is also a position that does not overlap with the joining member 2. The range F where the lower engaging claw t is provided is the range sandwiched between the ranges R at both ends. In the range R, an operating portion 21 is provided at the tip on the lower side of the joining portion 20 in the z direction. The operating portion 21 is a portion of the joining portion 20 that extends further downward in the z direction than the lower engaging claw t. The outer side of the operating portion 21 has a tapered surface 21a formed by decreasing the thickness in the x direction as it goes downward in the z direction. The tapered surface 21a is set at an angle θ with respect to the z direction. The angle θ is 45 degrees or less. The operating portion 21 continues beyond the range R into the operating extension portion 22 provided in the range F while maintaining its z direction. The operating extension portion 22 is a portion of the joining portion 20 that extends further downward than the engaging claw t. The operation extension portion 22 also has a tapered surface 22a that is a continuation of the tapered surface 21a of the operation portion 21 at an angle θ. The operation extension portion 22 ensures that the force applied to the range R extends to the range F.

[0023] Even on the outside of the connection point J between the joining shape portion 20 and the main molded portion 30, the angle of the tapered surface is chamfered to 45 degrees or less, similar to the angle θ of the operating portion 21 and the angle α of the operating extension portion 22.

[0024] The pair of bank portions 40 have their length direction in the x direction. The pair of bank portions 40 are provided with flange portions 41. The flange portions 41 are provided in positions that do not overlap in the x direction. The positions at which the flange portions 41 are provided are also positions that do not overlap with the joining members 2. The height in the z direction of the lower surface of the flange portions 41 is matched to the height at which the edge T of the formed pipe 1 protrudes.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, a method for attaching or detaching a preform 10 to or from a storage rack or the like formed by the formed pipe 1 will be described.

[0026] The location where the preform 10 is attached is a location where the formed pipe 1 is assembled into a grid E by a connecting part in a structure such as a storage rack, as shown in Fig. 3A. In this example, the connecting part 2 shown in Fig. 1B is used as the connecting part. The size of the grid E is set to a size that can accommodate one preform 10 or multiple preforms 10 arranged in series.

[0027] Each of the pair of joining portions 20 provided on opposite sides of the preform 10 is fixed by gripping the gripped portions 1a of the pair of formed pipes 1 that form the corresponding crisscross E. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3B, when the preform 10 is inserted from above the crisscross E with the joining portions 20 facing downwards, the joining portions 20 elastically deform, and then the engaging claws t engage with the edges T of the gripped portions 1a on the side surfaces of the pair of formed pipes 1 that are arranged in parallel. As a result, the gripped portions 1a are gripped by the joining portions 20 on both opposite sides of the preform 10.

[0028] 3C shows a state in which one preform 10 is attached inside a grid E formed by forming pipes 1. A receiving surface 11 is formed by vacuum forming on the main forming part 30 of the preform 10. In this state, when a load is applied to the receiving surface 11, the flange part 41 abuts against the edge T of the forming pipe 1, as shown in FIG. 3D, and distributes the load to the forming pipe 1.

[0029] A method for removing the preform 10 will be described using Figure 4. Note that the extrusion pipe 1 in the x direction is omitted in the figure to make the removal method easier to understand. Unlike the connection parts 4 and 5 shown in Figures 1D and 1E, which are engaged with one extrusion pipe 1, the preform 10 is engaged in a crisscross pattern E so as to be sandwiched between two extrusion pipes 1 from both sides. This makes removal difficult. Therefore, the joining shape portion 20 of the preform 10 is provided with a range R where the lower engaging claw t is not provided, and an operating portion 21 having a tapered surface 21a inclined at an angle θ in this range R.

[0030] When the tapered surface 21a of the operating part 21 is pressed (arrow G) while the preform 10 is attached to the extrusion pipe 1 (FIG. 4A), the operating part 21 bends inward in the z direction, away from the extrusion pipe 1, as shown by the two-dot chain line w1, as shown in FIG. 4B. Contrary to this embodiment, if the operating part 21 were provided with a lower engaging claw t, the engaging claw t would remain engaged with the edge T, interfering with the edge, preventing this bending. This is the reason why the operating part 21 does not have a lower engaging claw t. Furthermore, when the operating part 21 bends (w1), as viewed in the y direction, the force applied to the operating part 21 in the range R deforms the end of the operating extension part 22 in the following range F, away from the extrusion pipe 1, as shown by the two-dot chain line w2, sequentially disengaging the lower engaging claws t from the end toward the inside of the range F. Once the lower engaging claw t is disengaged, the upper engaging claws t simply disengage upward.

[0031] Since the operating portions 21 are located on both ends of the joining shape portion 20, if both operating portions 21 are operated simultaneously, the engagement between the engaging claw t and the edge T becomes easier to disengage.

[0032] An example of how to attach a preform 10 is shown in Figure 5. The angle of the tapered surface at the outer connection point J between the joint shape portion 20 and the main molding portion 30 of the preform 10, and the angles θ and α at the operating portion 21 at the tip of the joint shape portion 20, are 45 degrees or less. Therefore, even when the crisscross pattern E of the molding pipe 1 is arranged at right angles and preforms 10 are attached to each of them as shown in Figure 5A, the preforms 10 can be attached without interfering with each other. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5B, it is also possible to attach the preforms 10 around a single molding pipe 1, shifted by 90 degrees.

[0033] Furthermore, the flange portions 41 provided on each of a pair of bank portions 40 of the preform 10 are positioned point-symmetrically with respect to each other, so that, as shown in Figure 5C, the flange portions 41 can be arranged side by side in a grid E that can accommodate two or more preforms 10 without overlapping each other.

[0034] Furthermore, when the preform 10 has a square shape in plan view, it can be rotated 90 degrees in plan view, assembled into a square, and attached to a grid of parallel crosses E arranged side by side, as shown in Fig. 5D. The range R of the joining shape portion 20 is provided in a position that does not overlap with the joining parts 2, and the flange portion 41 of the bank portion 40 is also provided in a position that does not overlap with the joining parts 2, so that the preforms can be joined regardless of whether they are vertically or horizontally oriented.

[0035] The preform 10 can be attached to and detached from the lattice E formed by the molding pipe 1 due to the elasticity of the resin. In other words, the storage rack or the like can be changed to one with a different receiving surface simply by replacing the preform 10 without disassembling the storage rack or the like, which has the advantage of facilitating dual use and reuse without changing the storage rack or the like. Furthermore, because the main molding portion 30, on which the receiving surface is formed, the joint shape portion 20, and the bank portion 40 are integrated, the number of parts is extremely small, and the labor required for attachment to the storage rack or the like is minimal. Because the preform 10 is made from a single type of resin, it can be easily disposed of separately. Furthermore, the small number of parts also reduces the risk of missing parts being attached or detached. Furthermore, because the receiving surface of the main molding portion 30 is created by vacuum molding, receiving surfaces tailored to customer requests can be provided in a short period of time.

[0036] The joining shape portion 20, which has a pair of upper and lower engaging claws t, has a range R where the lower engaging claws t are not provided and a range F where they are provided, and an operating portion 21 is provided at the lower tip of range R, and the outside of the operating portion 21 is a tapered surface 21a whose thickness in the x direction decreases the further downward in the z direction it goes, and the operating portion 21 continues beyond range R to an operating extension portion 22 provided in range F. Therefore, the operating portion 21 bends back away from the formed pipe 1, deforming the end of the operating extension portion 22 in the following range F, and can release the engagement of the lower engaging claws t in order from the end toward the inside of range F. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1. Molded pipe 1a Grasped part 1b Engagement recess 2~5 Connecting parts 2a, 3a connector elements 2b, 3b bolts 3c Bolt hole 4a protrusion 5a U-shaped part 5b shelf 10 Preform 11 Receiving surface 20 Joint shape part 21 Control section 21a Tapered surface 22 Operation extension 22a Tapered surface 30 Main molding part 31 Ribs 40 Embankment 41 Tsuba

Claims

1. A rectangular preform is provided with a main molding part, which is attached to a location where molding pipes formed by extending longitudinally and having gripped parts protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface thereof are combined to form a crisscross pattern, and a receiving surface is formed by vacuum forming, and a pair of joining shape parts, each of which grips the gripped parts of molding pipes arranged on opposite sides of the crisscross pattern, The joining shape portions are formed so as to extend downward from the molding main portion along opposite sides of the preform, The joining shape portion is provided with a pair of upper and lower engaging claws that engage with an edge of the gripped portion, and The joining shape portion has a first range in which the lower engaging claw is not provided and a second range in which the lower engaging claw is provided, An operating part is provided at the lower end of the first range, the operating part having a tapered surface that is inclined downward on the outside, A preform characterized in that an operating extension portion is provided at the lower end of the second range on the outside, the operating extension portion having a tapered surface inclined downward, and continuing from the operating portion.

2. The preform according to claim 1, A preform characterized in that a tapered surface is formed on the outside of the connection point between the joining shape portion and the main molding portion, and the tapered surface, the tapered surface of the operating portion, and the tapered surface of the operating extension portion are inclined at an angle of 45 degrees or less.

3. The preform according to claim 1, a pair of bank portions extending downward from the main molding portion along the other pair of opposite sides of the preform, respectively, and the main molding portion is surrounded by the pair of joining shape portions and the pair of bank portions; and The pair of bank portions each have a flange portion provided at a position that does not overlap in the direction in which the bank portions extend, and the vertical height of the lower surface of each flange portion is adjusted to the height at which the edge of the molding pipe protrudes when the preform is attached to the crisscross structure.

4. The preform according to claim 1, The preform is characterized in that it has a square shape in a plan view.

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