Wheel unit for a transport vehicle

Abstract

To provide a truck 2 whose size can be easily changed.SOLUTION: The bogie 2 includes a vertical bar 12, a horizontal bar 14, an upright bar 6, and a wheel unit 10. The wheel unit 10 includes a joint 16 and a caster 18. The joint 16 includes a first holder 20, a second holder 22, and a third holder 24. The vertical bar 12 extends along the length direction (Y direction) of the bogie 2. The longitudinal bar 12 passes through the first holder 20. The horizontal bar 14 extends along the width direction (X direction) of the carriage 2. The lateral bar 14 passes through the second holder 22. The erection bar 6 extends along the height direction (Z direction) of the cart 2. The vicinity of the lower end of the erecting bar 6 is inserted into the third holder 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present specification discloses a wheel unit for a transport vehicle such as a dolly or handcart. [Background technology]

[0002] Carts are used to transport items. Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 6-85167 discloses a disassembled cart, which can contribute to space saving. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-85167 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is difficult to transport large items using small carts. Using large carts to transport small items is not preferable from the standpoint of space saving. Preparing multiple carts of different sizes is not preferable from the standpoint of cost.

[0005] It is the applicant's intention to provide a transporter that is easily resizable in size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present specification discloses a transport vehicle including a wheel unit having a vertical bar and a horizontal bar. The wheel unit has a joint and a caster. The joint includes a first holder through which the vertical bar passes and a second holder through which the horizontal bar passes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The length and width of this transport vehicle can be easily changed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a dolly as a transport vehicle according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the carriage of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view showing a part of the carriage of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged left side view showing a part of the carriage of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a part of the cross section taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a carriage according to another embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a carriage according to still another embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a carriage according to still another embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a carriage according to still another embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a right side view showing a pushcart as a transport vehicle according to still another embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged front view of a portion of the pushcart of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the transport vehicle will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[0010] 1 and 2 show a dolly 2 as a transport vehicle. In these drawings, arrow X indicates the width direction of the dolly 2, arrow Y indicates the length direction of the dolly 2, and arrow Z indicates the height direction of the dolly 2. The dolly 2 has a frame 4, four standing bars 6, and a plate 8. The frame 4 has four wheel units 10, two vertical bars 12, and two horizontal bars 14. Each wheel unit 10 includes a joint 16 and a caster 18. In FIG. 2, the plate 8 is not shown.

[0011] 3 and 4, the joint 16 includes a first holder 20, a second holder 22, and a third holder 24. The joint 16 further includes a first bolt 26 (first fastener), a second bolt 28 (second fastener), and a third bolt 30 (third fastener).

[0012] In this embodiment, the first holder 20 is a pipe with a rectangular cross section. The material of the first holder 20 is metal (typically steel). The axial direction of the first holder 20 generally coincides with the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the carriage 2. The first holder 20 has a hole 32a. A first bolt 26 is passed through this hole 32a. This first bolt 26 is fixed to the first holder 20 by a nut 34a. In this embodiment, the first holder 20 is placed on the second holder 22. The first holder 20 is fixed to the second holder 22 by means of welding or the like.

[0013] In this embodiment, the second holder 22 is a pipe with a rectangular cross section. The material of the second holder 22 is metal (typically steel). The axial direction of the second holder 22 generally coincides with the width direction (X direction) of the carriage 2. The second holder 22 has a hole 32b. A second bolt 28 is passed through this hole 32b. The second bolt 28 is fixed to the second holder 22 by a nut 34b.

[0014] In this embodiment, the third holder 24 is a pipe having a rectangular cross section. The material of the third holder 24 is metal (typically steel). The axial direction of the third holder 24 generally coincides with the height direction (Z direction) of the bogie 2. The third holder 24 has a hole 32c. A third bolt 30 is passed through this hole 32c. This third bolt 30 is fixed to the third holder 24 by a nut 34c. In this embodiment, the third holder 24 is placed on the second holder 22. The third holder 24 is fixed to the second holder 22 by means of welding or the like. The bogie 2 may have a joint 16 that does not include the third holder 24.

[0015] The caster 18 has a top plate 36, forks 38, a rotating shaft 39, and wheels 40. In this embodiment, the top plate 36 is fixed to the second holder 22 by bolts (not shown). The top plate 36 may also be fixed to the second holder 22 by means of welding or the like. The forks 38 have two arms 42. A rotating shaft 39 is fixed to these arms 42. The wheels 40 can rotate relative to the forks 38.

[0016] In this embodiment, the position of the fork 38 relative to the tabletop 36 is fixed. In other words, the caster 18 is a fixed wheel. The dolly 2 may have casters that are swivel wheels. In casters that are swivel wheels, the fork can swivel relative to the tabletop. The dolly 2 may have both casters 18 that are fixed wheels and casters that are swivel wheels.

[0017] Each vertical bar 12 generally extends along the length direction (Y direction) of the trolley 2. In other words, the extension direction of the vertical bars 12 is horizontal. The vertical bars 12 pass through the first holder 20. As shown in FIG. 5 , the vertical bars 12 are pressed against the inner surface of the first holder 20 by first bolts 26. This pressing secures the vertical bars 12 to the first holder 20. In this trolley 2, the first bolts 26 can secure the vertical bars 12 to the first holder 20 at any position along the length of the vertical bars 12. The vertical bars 12 may also be secured to the first holder 20 by screws or the like.

[0018] Each horizontal bar 14 generally extends along the width direction (X direction) of the dolly 2. In other words, the extension direction of the horizontal bar 14 is horizontal. As shown in FIG. 3, the horizontal bar 14 passes through the second holder 22. Similar to the vertical bar 12 shown in FIG. 5, the horizontal bar 14 is pressed against the inner surface of the second holder 22 by the second bolt 28. This pressing secures the horizontal bar 14 to the second holder 22. In this dolly 2, the second bolt 28 can secure the horizontal bar 14 to the second holder 22 at any position along the length of the horizontal bar 14. The horizontal bar 14 may also be secured to the second holder 22 by a screw or the like.

[0019] Each of the standing bars 6 generally extends along the height direction (Z direction) of the cart 2. In other words, the extending direction of the standing bars 6 is vertical. As shown in FIG. 3, the vicinity of the lower end of the standing bar 6 is inserted into the third holder 24. As with the vertical bar 12 shown in FIG. 5, the standing bar 6 is pressed against the inner surface of the third holder 24 by the third bolt 30. This pressing secures the standing bar 6 to the third holder 24. The standing bar 6 may also be fixed to the third holder 24 by screws or the like. The cart 2 may have a structure that does not include the standing bar 6.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 1, the plate 8 is placed on the frame 4. An article to be transported is placed on this plate 8. The dolly 2 may have a structure that does not include the plate 8. In the dolly 2 that does not include the plate 8, an article is placed on the frame 4.

[0021] In Figure 2, the arrow Ly represents the lengthwise distance of the trolley 2. By employing a long vertical bar 12, a trolley 2 with a large distance Ly can be obtained. A trolley 2 with a large distance Ly is suitable for transporting items with a large vertical size. By employing a short vertical bar 12, a trolley 2 with a small distance Ly can be obtained. A trolley 2 with a small distance Ly is suitable for transporting items with a small vertical size. A trolley 2 with a small distance Ly is compact. The vertical size of this trolley 2 can be easily changed.

[0022] In Figure 2, the arrow Lx represents the widthwise distance of the trolley 2. By employing a long horizontal bar 14, a trolley 2 with a large distance Lx can be obtained. A trolley 2 with a large distance Lx is suitable for transporting items with a large width. By employing a short horizontal bar 14, a trolley 2 with a small distance Lx can be obtained. A trolley 2 with a small distance Lx is suitable for transporting items with a small width. A trolley 2 with a small distance Lx is compact. The width of this trolley 2 can be easily changed.

[0023] In this dolly 2, the length direction distance Ly can be set independently of the width direction distance Lx. Furthermore, in this dolly 2, the width direction length Lx is set independently of the length direction distance Ly. In this dolly 2, the aspect ratio (Lx / Ly) has a high degree of freedom.

[0024] A typical material for each of the bars 6, 12, and 14 is wood. As is clear from FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the cross section of the bars 6, 12, and 14 is rectangular. A typical size of this cross section is 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches. The bars 6, 12, and 14 may also be square pipes.

[0025] The dolly 2 can be disassembled by loosening the bolts 26, 28, and 30. The disassembled parts are compact. The parts can be transported to another location, where the dolly 2 can be reassembled. The dolly 2 is easy to transport. Because the parts are compact, it does not require a large space for storage.

[0026] 6 shows a dolly 44 according to another embodiment. The dolly 44 has a frame 46, a plurality of standing bars 48, and a plate (not shown). The frame 46 has eleven wheel units 50, three vertical bars 52, and three horizontal bars 54. The structure of each wheel unit 50 is the same as the structure of the wheel unit 10 of the dolly 2 shown in FIGS. 1-5. The wheel unit 50 includes a joint and a caster (not shown).

[0027] These wheel units 50 include a first auxiliary unit 50a and a second auxiliary unit 50b. The first auxiliary unit 50a has a vertical bar 52 passing through it, but no horizontal bar 54. The second auxiliary unit 50b has a horizontal bar 54 passing through it, but no vertical bar 52 passing through it. Each of the nine wheel units 50, excluding the first auxiliary unit 50a and the second auxiliary unit 50b, has a vertical bar 52 and a horizontal bar 54 passing through it.

[0028] The first auxiliary unit 50a and the second auxiliary unit 50b can contribute to distributing the load on each wheel unit 50. By providing the auxiliary units 50a and 50b directly below the part of the article where the mass is distributed most, the wheels can rotate smoothly. The number of auxiliary units 50a and 50b may be 0, 1, or 3 or more.

[0029] 6, the number of vertical bars 52 is 3. The dolly 44 may have four or more vertical bars 52. The number of vertical bars 52 is determined depending on the size and mass of the article.

[0030] In Fig. 6, the number of horizontal bars 54 is three. The cart 44 may have four or more horizontal bars 54. The number of horizontal bars 54 is determined depending on the size and mass of the article. In the cart 44, the number of horizontal bars 54 may be different from the number of vertical bars 52.

[0031] FIG. 7 shows a portion of a carriage 55 according to yet another embodiment. This figure shows a vertical bar 56, a first holder 58, a first bolt 60, a nut 62, and a backing plate 64. The backing plate 64 is located between the vertical bar 56 and the first bolt 60. When the first bolt 60 is tightened, the tip of the first bolt 60 presses against the backing plate 64. The vertical bar 56 is pressed against the inner surface of the first holder 58 by the backing plate 64. This pressing force secures the vertical bar 56 to the first holder 58. The first bolt 60 does not directly contact the vertical bar 56. The backing plate 64 disperses the force from the first bolt 60. The backing plate 64 can prevent damage to the vertical bar 56.

[0032] 1-5, the dolly 55 has a horizontal bar, an upright bar, a second holder, a third holder, a second bolt, and a third bolt. The dolly 55 may have a backing plate 64 between the horizontal bar and the second bolt. The dolly 55 may have a backing plate 64 between the upright bar and the third bolt.

[0033] FIG. 8 shows a portion of a dolly 65 according to yet another embodiment. This figure shows a vertical bar 66, a first holder 68, a first bolt 70, a nut 72, a backing plate 74, two auxiliary bolts 76, and two auxiliary nuts 78. The backing plate 74 is located between the vertical bar 66 and the first bolt 70. When the first bolt 70 is tightened, the tip of the first bolt 70 presses against the backing plate 74. The vertical bar 66 is pressed against the inner surface of the first holder 68 by the backing plate 74. This pressing force secures the vertical bar 66 to the first holder 68. The first bolt 70 does not directly contact the vertical bar 66. The backing plate 74 disperses the force from the first bolt 70. The backing plate 74 can prevent damage to the vertical bar 66. The auxiliary bolt 76 and the auxiliary nut 78 can prevent the backing plate 74 from falling off the first holder 68.

[0034] 1-5, the dolly 65 has a horizontal bar, an upright bar, a second holder, a third holder, a second bolt, and a third bolt. The dolly 65 may have a backing plate 74 between the horizontal bar and the second bolt. The dolly 65 may have a backing plate 74 between the upright bar and the third bolt.

[0035] FIG. 9 shows a portion of a dolly 86 according to yet another embodiment. This figure shows a vertical bar 88, a first holder 90, a first bolt 92, a nut 94, and a receiver 96. The vertical bar 88 has a circular cross-sectional shape. The receiver 96 has a generally V-shaped cross-section. The vertical bar 88 rests on the receiver 96. The vertical bar 88 is pressed against the upper surface of the receiver 96 by the first bolt 92. The vertical bar 88 abuts against the receiver 96 at two points and against the first bolt 92 at one point. The vertical bar 88 is fixed to the first holder 90 by a so-called three-point fastening. The vertical bar 88 may be a round pipe. The receiver 96 may have a shape other than a V-shape.

[0036] This dolly 86 has a horizontal bar, an upright bar, a second holder, and a third holder, similar to the dolly 2 shown in Figures 1-5. In this dolly 86, the cross section of the horizontal bar may be circular, and the second holder may have a receiver 96 having a "V" shape. In this dolly 86, the cross section of the upright bar may be circular, and the third holder may have a receiver 96 having a "V" shape.

[0037] 10 and 11 show a pushcart 98 as a transport vehicle according to yet another embodiment. The pushcart 98 has a frame 100, an upright bar 102, and a plate 103. The frame 100 has a wheel unit 104, a vertical bar 106, and a horizontal bar 108. The wheel unit 104 includes a joint 110, a receiver 112, a shaft 114, a hub 116, a plurality of spokes 118, and a wheel 120. The pushcart 98 may have two or more wheels 120.

[0038] The joint 110 includes a first holder 122, a second holder 124, and a third holder 126, similar to the joint 16 of the dolly 4 shown in FIGS. 1-4 . The joint 110 further includes a first bolt 128 (first fastener), a second bolt 130 (second fastener), and a third bolt 132 (third fastener). The vertical bar 106 passes through the first holder 122. The first bolt 128 can fasten the vertical bar 106 to the first holder 122 at any position along the length of the vertical bar 106. The horizontal bar 108 passes through the second holder 124. The second bolt 130 can fasten the horizontal bar 108 to the second holder 124 at any position along the length of the horizontal bar 108. The vicinity of the lower end of the standing bar 102 is inserted into the third holder 126. The third bolt 132 can fasten the standing bar 102 to the third holder 126.

[0039] The receiver 112 is fixed to the joint 110. The shaft 114 is fixed to the receiver 112. The hub 116 is attached to the shaft 114. The hub 116 includes bearings (not shown). The hub 116 is rotatable relative to the shaft 114. Each spoke 118 extends from the hub 116 and leads to a wheel 120. The wheel 120 is a fixed wheel. The wheelbarrow 98 may have a configuration in which the wheel 120 is a swivel wheel.

[0040] In this pushcart 98, by employing a long vertical bar 106, a pushcart 98 with a large size in the Y direction can be obtained. By employing a short vertical bar 106, a pushcart 98 with a small size in the Y direction can be obtained. By employing a long horizontal bar 108, a pushcart 98 with a large size in the X direction can be obtained. By employing a short horizontal bar 108, a pushcart 98 with a small size in the X direction can be obtained.

[0041] [Disclosure items] Each of the following sections discloses a preferred embodiment.

[0042] [Item 1] A wheel unit for a transport vehicle having vertical and horizontal bars, the wheel unit includes a joint and a wheel, The wheel unit, wherein the joint has a first holder through which the vertical bar passes and a second holder through which the horizontal bar passes.

[0043] [Item 2] 2. The wheel unit according to item 1, wherein the joint has a third holder for a standing bar included in the transporter.

[0044] [Item 3] 3. The wheel unit according to item 1 or 2, wherein the joint has a first fixing device capable of fixing the vertical bar to the first holder at any position in the length direction of the vertical bar, and a second fixing device capable of fixing the horizontal bar to the second holder at any position in the length direction of the horizontal bar.

[0045] [Item 4] It is equipped with vertical bars, horizontal bars and wheel units, the wheel unit includes a joint and a wheel, The joint has a first holder through which the vertical bar passes and a second holder through which the horizontal bar passes. [Industrial Applicability]

[0046] The wheel unit described above is suitable for a variety of transport vehicles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 2. Cart 4. Frame 6. Standing bar 8. Plate 10. Wheel unit 12 Vertical bar 14 Horizontal bar 16···Joint 18···Caster 20 First Holder 22 Second holder 24···Third holder 40···wheel 44... Cart 46...frame 48. Standing bar 50···Wheel unit 52 Vertical bar 54 Horizontal bar 55... Cart 56 Vertical bar 58···First holder 64 Backing plate 65... Cart 66···Vertical bar 68···First holder 74 Backing plate 86···Cart 88···Vertical bar 90···First holder 96...Receiver 98···Pushcart 100 frames 102 Standing bar 103 Plate 104···Wheel unit 106 Vertical bar 108···Horizontal bar 110···Joint 120···wheel 122 First Holder 124···Second holder 126···Third holder

Claims

1. A wheel unit for a transport vehicle having vertical and horizontal bars, the wheel unit includes a joint and a wheel, The wheel unit, wherein the joint has a first holder through which the vertical bar passes and a second holder through which the horizontal bar passes.

2. 2. A wheel unit according to claim 1, wherein the joint comprises a third holder for a standing bar included in the transporter.

3. 3. The wheel unit according to claim 1, wherein the joint has a first fixing device capable of fixing the vertical bar to the first holder at any position along the length of the vertical bar, and a second fixing device capable of fixing the horizontal bar to the second holder at any position along the length of the horizontal bar.

4. It is equipped with vertical bars, horizontal bars and wheel units, the wheel unit includes a joint and a wheel, The joint has a first holder through which the vertical bar passes and a second holder through which the horizontal bar passes.

Images