Lifting device

Abstract

To provide a lifting device capable of surely preventing a base from falling from a lifting table.SOLUTION: The stacker 1 includes a pallet 10 on which sheets are stacked, a lifting table 9 that supports the pallet 10 from below and lifts and lowers the pallet 10, a lifting drive unit that drives the lifting table 9 in the up-down direction, and a second stopper 15 that restricts the pallet 10 to a predetermined position on the lifting table 9. The regulation of the second stopper 15 is released under the condition that the elevating table 9 is located at a predetermined height position or lower and the carriage for delivering the pallet 10 to / from the elevating table 9 is located at the delivery position where the pallet 10 can be delivered.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator device for raising and lowering a base. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a lifting device that lifts and lowers a base on which sheet-like substrates such as paper are stacked. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a sheet stacking device that stacks sheets on a base (tray means) and lifts and lowers them. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-94581 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The lifting device raises and lowers a base such as a pallet on which sheet-like substrates are stacked using a lifting member such as a lifting table. A stopper is provided to prevent the pallet from falling off the lifting table during lifting. However, there is a risk that the stopper may be released due to carelessness on the part of the worker, causing the base to fall off the lifting member.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lifting device that can reliably prevent a base from falling off a lifting member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a lifting device includes a base on which sheet-like substrates are stacked or which handles sheet-like substrates, a lifting member which supports the base from below and raises and lowers it, a lifting drive unit which drives the lifting member in an up and down direction, and a stopper which restricts the base to a predetermined position on the lifting member, and the restriction of the stopper is released when the lifting member is below a predetermined height position and a transfer device which transfers the base between the lifting member and the lifting member is positioned at a transfer position where the base can be transferred.

[0007] When the lifting member is positioned higher than a predetermined height, the stopper restricts the base to a predetermined position on the lifting member, thereby preventing the base from falling off the lifting member. When the lifting member falls below a predetermined height, the stopper is released when the transfer device that transfers the base is positioned at the transfer position. This eliminates the risk of the base falling from a high position because the stopper is released only when the height is below the predetermined height. Furthermore, by releasing the stopper when the transfer device is positioned at the transfer position, it is linked to the movement of the transfer device. This limits the release of the stopper to conditions under which the base can move between the transfer device and the transfer device, further improving safety. The base can be used as, for example, a pallet on which sheet-like substrates such as paper are stacked, or as a conveying section that conveys sheet-like substrates with rollers or the like. When the base is a pallet for stacking sheet-like substrates, the lifting device is a stacker or a feeder.

[0008] Furthermore, in a lifting device according to one aspect of the present invention, the stopper is provided on the lifting member and comprises a regulating portion that regulates movement of the base when the stopper advances relative to the base, and a lever member that moves the regulating portion forward and backward relative to the base, the lever member having one end to which the regulating portion is fixed, a fulcrum that serves as the center of rotation of the lever member, and another end on the opposite side of the fulcrum from the one end, and comprising an operating member that is located below the other end of the lever member only when the transfer device is located at the transfer position, and that pushes up the other end in response to the downward movement of the lifting member, thereby retracting the regulating portion fixed to the one end from the base.

[0009] The other end of the lever member is pushed up by the actuating member, causing the restricting portion fixed to one end of the lever member to retract from the base, thereby releasing the restriction of the stopper. The actuating member is located below the other end of the lever member only when the delivery device is located at the delivery position, and therefore when the delivery device is not located at the delivery position, the actuating member is not located below the other end of the lever member, and therefore the restriction of the stopper is not released. The lever member operates in response to the downward movement of the lifting member, thereby releasing the restriction of the stopper, so that the restriction of the stopper can be released only when the lifting member is at or below a predetermined height position.

[0010] Furthermore, in the lifting device according to one aspect of the present invention, the operating member is fixed to the delivery device.

[0011] Since the operating member is fixed to the delivery device, the restriction of the stopper can be released in conjunction with the delivery device being positioned at the delivery position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] This can reliably prevent the base from falling off the lifting member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view showing a lifting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the lifting member and the pallet of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 3 is an enlarged view of a main part showing the first stopper of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is an enlarged view of a main part showing the second stopper of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the mechanism of the second stopper. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the second stopper and illustrating the restricted state of the stopper. [Figure 7] 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the second stopper in FIG. 6 in a non-restrictive state. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a modified example of the pallet. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a modified example of the pallet. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a modified example of the pallet. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is a front view of the pallet of FIG. 10A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, stacker (elevating device) 1 is provided between a pre-processing device 3, such as a sheet cutter that cuts paper to a predetermined size, and a post-processing device 5, such as a paper folder that folds paper. Note that the pre-processing device 3 and post-processing device 5 are not limited to these, and stacker 1 is not limited to being placed between pre-processing device 3 and post-processing device 5.

[0015] The stacker 1 comprises a main body 7 and a lifting table (lifting member) 9 that moves up and down relative to the main body 7. The lifting table 9 is a generally plate-shaped body with a horizontal upper surface, and one side is supported by a lifting drive unit (not shown) provided on the main body 7. The lifting table 9 is raised and lowered in a cantilevered state by the lifting drive unit. Note that a fork-shaped table may be used instead of the lifting table 9.

[0016] The lifting drive unit includes, for example, an electric motor, a gear that is rotationally driven by the electric motor, a chain that is driven by the gear, etc. The lifting drive unit is operated by a control unit (not shown).

[0017] The control unit controls the overall operation of the stacker 1 and is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and computer-readable storage media. The series of processes for realizing various functions are stored in storage media, for example, in the form of a program. The CPU reads this program into RAM and executes information processing and arithmetic operations to realize various functions. The program may be pre-installed in a ROM or other storage medium, provided in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or distributed via wired or wireless communication means. Examples of computer-readable storage media include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and semiconductor memories.

[0018] A pallet (base) 10 can be placed on the lift table 9. In the state shown in Fig. 1, the pallet 10 has been moved from the lift table 9 onto a cart (delivery device) 12, as indicated by arrow A1.

[0019] Another dolly 12' is shown in Figure 1. A pallet 10 is placed on the other dolly 12', and a stack of sheets of paper P is placed on the pallet 10. As indicated by the outline arrow A2, the dollies 12, 12' move back and forth between the position of the other dolly 12' and the position of the dolly 12 adjacent to the lift table 9 (transfer position B), thereby transferring the sheets of paper P to the lift table 9. When the sheets of paper P are transferred to the lift table 9, they move together with the pallet 10 to the lift table 9, and after the sheets of paper P have been consumed, only the pallet 10 is returned to the dolly 12.

[0020] Figure 2 shows a state in which a pallet 10 is placed on the lifting table 9. The position of the pallet 10 relative to the lifting table 9 is restricted by a first stopper 14 and a second stopper 15 to prevent the pallet 10 from falling off the lifting table 9. In Figure 2, reference numeral 16 denotes a handle 16 provided on the pallet 10. An operator can move the pallet 10 using the handle 16.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, the first stopper 14 restricts the movement of the pallet 10 by engaging the locking member 14a with the pallet 10. The locking member 14a can be rotated to switch between a restricted state and a non-restricted state. The operation of the locking member 14a can be performed manually or by a command from the control unit.

[0022] 4, the second stopper 15 has a restricting portion 15a that is, for example, a metal plate. The restricting portion 15a comes into contact with the side portion 10a of the pallet 10, thereby restricting the movement of the pallet 10. The restricting portion 15a can advance and retreat from the upper surface 9a of the lifting table 9.

[0023] 5, second stopper 15 includes a restricting portion 15a and a lever member 15b. Lever member 15b is a rod-shaped body extending substantially horizontally, and is provided inside lift table 9. The lower end of restricting portion 15a is rotatably fixed to one end (right end) 15b1 of lever member 15b.

[0024] Lever member 15b is rotatable around fulcrum 15c. A protrusion 15d that protrudes downward is provided at the other end (left end) 15b2 of lever member 15b. A through hole 17 formed in the underside of lift table 9 is provided below protrusion 15d. An operating rod 18 (FIGS. 6 and 7), which will be described later, can be inserted into through hole 17. The lever member 15b is biased by a spring (elastic member) 20 fixed to one end 15b1 so that the restricting portion 15a always projects from the upper surface of the lift table 9.

[0025] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, when the actuating rod (actuating member) 18 hits the protrusion 15d from below, the lever member 15b rotates around the fulcrum 15c. That is, as shown in Figure 6, when the lift table 9 descends to a predetermined height, the protrusion 15d of the lever member 15b approaches the actuating rod 18 located below. The actuating rod 18 is positioned below the protrusion 15d only when the cart 12 is located at a delivery position B (see Figure 1) where the pallet 10 can be delivered. Specifically, the actuating rod 18 is fixed at a predetermined position on the cart 12, and is positioned below the protrusion 15d when the cart 12 is located at the delivery position B.

[0026] When the lift table 9 is further lowered (see arrow A3) from the state in Fig. 6, the tip of the actuating rod 18 comes into contact with the protruding portion 15d and pushes up the other end 15b2 of the lever member 15b, as shown in Fig. 7. This causes the lever member 15b to rotate around the fulcrum 15c, causing one end 15b1 to move downward, and the restricting portion 15a to retreat downward.

[0027] When the lift-up table 9 is raised, the opposite operation to that described above occurs, and the other end 15b2 of the lever member 15b is lowered by the biasing force of the spring 20, and the lever member 15b rotates around the fulcrum 15c, raising one end 15b1 of the lever member 15b. As a result, the restricting portion 15a advances upward from the upper surface 9a of the lift-up table 9, and the second stopper 15 enters the restricted state.

[0028] This embodiment provides the following advantageous effects. When the lifting table 9 is positioned higher than a predetermined height, the second stopper 15 restricts the pallet 10 to a predetermined position on the lifting table 9. This prevents the pallet 10 from falling off the lifting table 9.

[0029] The restriction by the second stopper 15 is released only when the lift table 9 is at or below a predetermined height and the cart 12 that delivers the pallet 10 is located at delivery position B. As a result, the second stopper 15 is released only when the height is below the predetermined height, so there is no risk of the pallet 10 falling from a high position. For example, even if the restriction by the first stopper 14 is released due to carelessness on the part of an operator, the second stopper 15 is always in a restricting state as long as the lift table 9 is at or above the predetermined height, so the pallet 10 will not fall.

[0030] Moreover, by releasing the restriction of the second stopper 15 when the cart 12 is positioned at the delivery position B, the position of the cart 12 and the operation of the second stopper 15 are linked. This makes it possible to limit the conditions under which the pallet 10 can move between the cart 12 and the second stopper 15, further improving safety.

[0031] By pushing up the other end 15b2 of the lever member 15b with the operating rod 18, the restricting portion 15a fixed to one end 15b1 of the lever member 15b is retracted from the pallet 10, thereby releasing the restriction of the second stopper 15. At this time, the operating rod 18 is positioned below the other end 15b2 of the lever member 15b only when the cart 12 is located at the delivery position B, and the operating rod 18 is not positioned below the other end 15b2 of the lever member 15b when the cart 12 is not located at the delivery position B. As a result, the restriction of the second stopper 15 is not released when the cart 12 is not located at the delivery position B.

[0032] The lever member 15b operates in response to the downward movement of the lifting table 9, thereby releasing the restriction of the second stopper 15, so that the restriction of the second stopper 15 can be released only when the lifting table 9 falls below a predetermined height position.

[0033] Since the operating rod 18 is fixed to the carriage 12, the restriction of the second stopper 15 can be released in conjunction with the carriage 12 being positioned at the delivery position B.

[0034] Although the pallet 10 on which the paper sheets P are stacked has been described as an example of the base, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a conveying unit that conveys sheet-like substrates such as paper sheets using rollers or the like can be used as the base.

[0035] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the actuating rod 18 is configured to be fixed to the cart 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is sufficient if the restriction of the second stopper 15 can be released in conjunction with the cart 12 being positioned at the delivery position B. For example, the position of the cart 12 at the delivery position B may be detected by a sensor, and the restriction of the second stopper 15 may be released in response to a command from the control unit that obtains the sensor output. In this case, when the actuating rod 18 is used, it may be fixed to the cart 12, or it may be provided on the lifting table 9 or the main body 7 of the stacker 1.

[0036] Furthermore, although the description has been given using a mechanism for moving the regulating portion 15a back and forth using the lever member 15b, the mechanism is not limited to this as long as it moves the regulating portion 15a back and forth, and for example, it may be configured such that the moving rod is operated by an electric actuator.

[0037] Furthermore, although a stacker has been described as an example of a lifting device, the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to a feeder, for example.

[0038] This embodiment can also be applied to a case where the pallet 10 does not have rollers, as shown in FIG.

[0039] 9, this can also be applied to a case where the pallet 10 is provided with rollers 22. When the pallet 10 is provided with rollers 22, the second stopper 15 of this embodiment is particularly useful because the pallet 10 is easily moved.

[0040] 10A and 10B, this embodiment can also be applied to a structure in which a recess 10b is formed on the underside of the pallet 10 and the lift table 9 is inserted into this recess 10b. As shown in Fig. 10B, rollers 22 are provided on both sides of the recess 10b. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1 Stacker (lifting device) 3 Pre-treatment machine 5 Post-processing machine 7 Main body 9 Lifting table (lifting member) 9a Top side 10 Pallet (base) 10a Side 10b Recess 12,12' Cart (handover device) 14 First stopper 14a Locking member 15 Second stopper 15a Regulatory Department 15b Lever member 15b1 One end 15b2 Other end 15c fulcrum 15d protrusion 16 Handle 18 Actuating rod (actuating member) 20 springs 22 Laura B Delivery position P paper

Claims

1. A base on which sheet-like substrates are stacked or which handles sheet-like substrates; a lifting member that supports the base from below and lifts it up and down; an elevation drive unit that drives the elevation member in the up and down direction; a stopper that restricts the base to a predetermined position of the lifting member; Equipped with The stopper is released from restriction when the lifting member is at or below a predetermined height and a transfer device that transfers the base between the lifting member and the lifting member is positioned at a transfer position where the base can be transferred.

2. the stopper is provided on the lifting member and includes a restricting portion that restricts movement of the base when the restricting portion advances relative to the base, and a lever member that causes the restricting portion to advance relative to and retract from the base, the lever member includes one end to which the restricting portion is fixed, a fulcrum that serves as a rotation center of the lever member, and another end on the opposite side of the one end with the fulcrum in between, 2. The lifting device according to claim 1, further comprising an actuating member that is positioned below the other end of the lever member only when the transfer device is positioned at the transfer position, and that pushes up the other end in response to downward movement of the lifting member to retract the regulating portion fixed to the one end from the base.

3. The lifting device according to claim 2 , wherein the operating member is fixed to the transfer device.

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