Detachable fork guides for nesting racks and nesting racks to which these guides are attached.

Abstract

The invention provides fork guides that can be attached to and detached from nesting racks as needed. [Solution] A fork guide 4 for guiding the forks of a forklift is provided, comprising an engaging portion 6 and an engaging plate 8, which are configured to engage with each other while sandwiching the horizontal frame 2 of the nesting rack 1 between them, and a fork guide portion 5 extending from the engaging portion 6, wherein the fork guide portion 5 is formed in a bent shape so that when the fork guide 4 is attached to the horizontal frame 2 of the nesting rack 1, a space is created between the horizontal frame 2 and the fork guide portion 5 into which the forks should be inserted, and the fork guide 4 is provided to be detachably attached to the nesting rack 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fork guide attached to a nesting rack for guiding the forks of a forklift, the fork guide being configured to be detachable from the nesting rack as needed, and to a nesting rack to which this fork guide is attached.

Background Art

[0002] A nesting rack is generally a rack formed in a shape that can be nested and stacked for storage. A general regular nesting rack has an open upper side and a shelf provided on its lower side. By using a fork guide configured to guide the forks of a forklift for such a rack, even a person not accustomed to operating a forklift can easily lift or transport the nesting rack.

[0003] Patent Document 1 relates to a transport vehicle and discloses a fork guide provided so as to extend in the front-rear direction (and further in the left-right direction) of the bottom surface of the base panel of the transport vehicle for making the forks of a forklift truck insertable. It also discloses providing a recess in the transport vehicle to enable stacking of the transport vehicle to which the fork guide is attached.

[0004] Patent Document 2 relates to a container for agricultural products with a fork guide and discloses a technique in which the fork is held by the fork guide and there is no risk of extraction even when rotated to an arbitrary angle up to 360 degrees.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0006] As described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, integrated fork guides for containers and the like have existed before, but it is desirable to have fork guides that can be attached and detached as needed. If the fork guides are detachable, they can be swapped and used with other nesting racks, meaning the fork guides can be shared, which reduces the manufacturing cost of nesting racks including the fork guides. In addition, if the fork guides are detachable, it is possible to easily stack nesting racks simply by removing the fork guides, eliminating the need to provide recesses as described in Patent Document 1. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A fork guide for guiding the forks of a forklift is provided, comprising: an engaging portion and an engaging plate, which are configured to engage with each other while sandwiching the horizontal frame of a nesting rack between them; and a fork guide portion extending from the engaging portion, wherein the fork guide portion is formed in a bent shape so that when the fork guide is attached to the horizontal frame of the nesting rack, a space is created between the horizontal frame and the fork guide portion into which the forks should be inserted.

[0008] In one embodiment, the fastening plate is connected in such a way that it can be folded back via a hinge at the fastening portion.

[0009] In other embodiments, the fastening plate consists of a first fastening plate and a second fastening plate, the first fastening plate is formed in a plate shape having a generally U-shaped cross-section that opens downwards, and a generally rectangular through-hole is formed at approximately the same position on opposite surfaces of the first fastening plate, while the second fastening plate is formed in a plate shape having a thickness dimension smaller than the vertical dimension of the through-hole, and a screw hole is formed through the second fastening plate, and the fastening portion, the first fastening plate and the second fastening plate are configured such that, when the upper surface of the fastening portion abuts against the lower surface of the horizontal frame of the nesting rack and the lower surface of the central part of the first fastening plate abuts against the upper surface of the horizontal frame, the second fastening plate can be passed through the two through-holes of the first fastening plate and extended downwards from the fastening portion, and a screw hole is formed on the lower surface side of the fastening portion into which the tip of a bolt that has passed through the screw hole of the second fastening plate can be screwed.

[0010] In further embodiments, at least a portion of the locking portion or locking plate is formed from a magnetic material.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention provides a nesting rack to which the above-mentioned fork guides, which are configured to be detachable from the nesting rack, are attached. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] (a) A perspective view of a nesting rack with a fork guide according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and (b) to (c) Enlarged views of the fork guide. [Figure 2] (a) A perspective view of a nesting rack to which a fork guide according to a second embodiment of the present invention is attached, and (b1) to (c2) are enlarged views of the fork guide. [Figure 3] (a) A perspective view of a nesting rack with a fork guide according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and (b1) to (c2) magnified views of the fork guide. [Figure 4](a) A diagram showing the fork guide of the fourth embodiment of the present invention attached to a horizontal frame (shown with a portion cut out), and (b) a diagram showing the fork guide. [Figure 5] A diagram showing that the fork guide of the present invention can be attached to various types of racks. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The fork guide of the present invention and the nesting rack to which it is attached will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0014] Figure 1(a) is a perspective view showing the fork guide 4 attached to the nesting rack 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention. This nesting rack 1 has left and right front support columns and left and right rear support columns. It may also have a beam 3 formed in a V-shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the pair of left and right front support columns are positioned further out than the pair of left and right rear support columns, and the horizontal frame 2 connects these front and rear support columns, respectively. A forklift operator can easily lift and transport the nesting rack 1 by inserting the forks into the fork guide 4 attached to the horizontal frame 2 of the nesting rack 1.

[0015] The perspective view in Figure 1(b) shows the fork guide 4 shown in Figure 1(a). The fork guide 4 of the present invention comprises an engagement portion 6 for engaging with the horizontal frame 2 of the nesting rack 1, and a fork guide portion 5 extending from the engagement portion 6, which is bent in shape so as to create a space between itself and the horizontal frame 2 for inserting the forks of a forklift. The fork guide 4 also comprises an engagement plate 8 used in combination with the engagement portion 6. To explain how to attach this fork guide 4 to the nesting rack, the user brings the upper surface of the plate-shaped locking portion 6, which has a roughly U-shaped cross-section that opens upwards, into contact with the lower surface of the horizontal frame 2 of the nesting rack 1. After aligning the hole in the round pipe 7 welded to the locking portion 6 with the hole in the round pipe 9 welded to the locking plate 8, the user passes the bolt 10 through these holes and tightens it using nuts (which may include washers) 11 so that the horizontal frame 2 is sandwiched between the locking portion 6 and the locking plate 8 (see Figure 1(c)).

[0016] Figure 2(a) is a perspective view showing the fork guide 40 in a second embodiment of the present invention attached to the horizontal frame 2 of the nesting rack 1.

[0017] Figures 2(b1) and 2(c1) show enlarged views of the fork guide 40 attached to the front horizontal frame 2 of the nesting rack 1 shown in Figure 2(a), while Figures 2(b2) and 2(c2) show enlarged views of the fork guide 40 attached to the rear horizontal frame 2 of the nesting rack 1 shown in Figure 2(a). The fork guide 40 of the present invention comprises an engagement portion 60 for engaging with the horizontal frame 2 of the nesting rack 1, and a fork guide portion 50 extending from the engagement portion 60, which is formed in a bent shape to create a space for inserting the forks of a forklift. The fork guide 40 further comprises an engagement plate 80 which can be used in combination with the engagement portion 60. In addition, a hole 70 is formed in the engagement portion 60, and a tall nut 90 having a screw hole that can be aligned with the hole 70 is welded to the engagement plate 80. To explain how to attach this fork guide 40 to the nesting rack, the user brings the upper surface of the engagement portion 60 into contact with the lower surface of the horizontal frame 2 of the nesting rack 1, and brings the lower surface of the engagement plate 80 into contact with the upper surface of the horizontal frame 2, aligning the hole 70 formed in the engagement portion 60 with the screw hole of the high nut 90 welded to the engagement plate 80, and then passes the bolt 10 through these holes 70 and screw hole, and tightens it using the bolt 10 so that the horizontal frame 2 is sandwiched between the engagement portion 60 and the engagement plate 80 (see Figures 2(c1) and 2(c2)).

[0018] Figure 3(a) is a perspective view showing the fork guide 400 in a third embodiment of the present invention attached to the horizontal frame 2 of the nesting rack 1.

[0019] Figures 3(b1) and 3(c1) show an enlarged view of the fork guide 400 attached to the horizontal frame 2 on the front side of the nesting rack 1 shown in Figure 3(a), while Figures 3(b2) and 3(c2) show an enlarged view of the fork guide 400 attached to the horizontal frame 2 on the back side of the nesting rack 1 shown in Figure 3(a). In this embodiment, the fork guide 400 includes a fork guide portion 500 and an engaging portion 600, and the engaging plate 800 is connected via a hinge to the engaging portion 600 so that it can be folded back in the direction of arrow A. The fork guide 400 with the engaging plate 800 hinge-connected in this way can be provided as a detachable fork guide 400 having a flip-type engaging plate. In this embodiment, a hole 700 is formed in the engaging portion 600, while a hole 900 that can be aligned with the hole 700 is formed in the engaging plate 800. Regarding the method of attaching this fork guide 400 to the nesting rack, the user places the upper surface of the engaging portion 600 against the lower surface of the horizontal frame 2 of the nesting rack 1, folds the engaging plate 800 back in the direction of arrow A, and then passes a bolt 10 through the aligned holes 700 and 900 and tightens it using a connector such as the bolt 10 and a nut (which may include a washer) 11 so as to sandwich the horizontal frame 2 between the engaging portion 600 and the engaging plate 800 (see Figures 3(c1) and 3(c2)).

[0020] The perspective view of FIG. 4(a) shows the state in which the fork guide 4000 in the fourth embodiment of the present invention is attached to the horizontal frame 2 of the nesting rack. The fork guide 4000 includes a fork guide portion 5000 and a fastening portion 6000. This fork guide 4000 also includes a first fastening plate 8000 and a second fastening plate 9000 that are used in combination with the fastening portion 6000. The first fastening plate 8000 is formed in a plate-like shape having a U-shaped cross-sectional shape that opens downward, and a through-hole 8001 having a substantially rectangular shape is formed at substantially the same position on the opposing surfaces of the first fastening plate 8000. On the other hand, the second fastening plate 9000 is formed in a plate-like shape having a thickness dimension smaller than the vertical dimension of the through-hole 8001. Regarding the method of attaching this fork guide 4000 to the nesting rack, the user first abuts the upper surface of the fastening portion 6000 against the lower surface of the horizontal frame 2 of the nesting rack. Next, the first fastening plate 8000 having a U-shaped cross-section that opens downward is lowered from above the horizontal frame 2 and the fastening portion 6000, and the lower surface of the central portion of the first fastening plate 8000 (the portion having the surface connecting the opposing surfaces) is abutted against the upper surface of the horizontal frame 2. Then, the second fastening plate 9000 is passed through the two through-holes 8001 and extended downward of the fastening portion 6000. Subsequently, a bolt 10 is passed through the screw hole 7000 formed in the second fastening plate 9000 from below, and the tip of the bolt 10 is screwed into a screw hole (not shown) formed on the lower surface side of the fastening portion 6000. In this way, while the horizontal frame 2 is sandwiched between the upper surface of the fastening portion 6000 and the lower surface of the first fastening plate 8000, the fastening portion 6000 and the fastening plates 8000 and 9000 are fastened to each other.

[0021] The fork guide 4000 shown in FIG. 4(a) is shown alone in FIG. 4(b). As shown in this FIG. 4(b), since the through-hole 8001 formed in the first fastening plate 8000 has a vertical dimension larger than the thickness of the second fastening plate 9000, the height position of the second fastening plate 9000 can be adjusted according to the thickness of the horizontal frame 2. Thereby, the fork guide 4000 in this embodiment can be attached according to the horizontal frame 2 having various (vertical) thicknesses.

[0022] Furthermore, the attachment portion and attachment plate of each fork guide may be formed by press bending or other processes. In addition, when the fork guides 4, 40, 400, and 4000 of the present invention are attached to various nesting racks, connectors such as bolts, nuts, and washers may be used.

[0023] Each of the fork guides 4, 40, 400, and 4000 in the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention may be formed from metal (including alloys), ceramic, or hard synthetic resin. In one embodiment, in order to facilitate the attachment of the fork guides 4, 40, 400, and 4000 to the metal horizontal frame 2 of the nesting rack 1, at least a part of the attachment portion or attachment plate of the fork guides 4, 40, 400, and 4000 may be formed from a magnetic material.

[0024] Figures 5(a) to 5(c) show that the fork guides of the present invention can be used on various types of racks. For example, Figure 5(a) shows the fork guide 40 of the second embodiment of the present invention attached to a rack 12 of the first type. Figure 5(b) shows the fork guide 400 of the third embodiment of the present invention attached to a rack 22 of the second type. Furthermore, Figure 5(c) shows the fork guide 4 of the first embodiment of the present invention attached to a rack 32 of the third type. Note that, as shown above, the fork guides of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention can be arbitrarily selected and attached to various types of racks. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 1…Nesting rack 2… Horizontal frame 3…Beam (with a V-shape) 4…Fork guide (of the first embodiment) 5... Fork guide section 6...Attachment part 7…Round pipe 8...Mounting plate 9…Round pipe 10... Volts 11…Nut (may include washer) 12…(First type) rack 22…(Second type) rack 32…(Third type) rack 40…Fork guide (of the second embodiment) 50... Fork guide section 60...Attachment part 70...hole 80...Mounting plate 90… (Tall nuts with screw holes) 400… (Fork guide of the third embodiment) 500... Fork guide section 600...Attachment part 700...hole 800…Attachment plate 900...hole 4000… (Fork guide of the fourth embodiment) 5000... Fork guide section 6000...Attachment part 7000... Screw holes 8000...First attachment plate 8001... Through-hole 9000...Second attachment plate

Claims

1. In a fork guide for guiding the forks of a forklift, A locking portion and a locking plate, configured to be able to lock together with the horizontal frame of a nesting rack sandwiched between them, A fork guide portion extending from the above-mentioned attachment portion, Equipped with, A fork guide that can be attached to a nesting rack, characterized in that the fork guide portion is formed in a bent shape so that when the fork guide is attached to the horizontal frame of the nesting rack, a space is created between the horizontal frame and the fork guide portion into which the fork should be inserted.

2. The fork guide is configured to be detachably attached to a nesting rack according to claim 1, characterized in that the attachment plate is connected to the attachment portion so that it can be folded back via a hinge.

3. The above-mentioned attachment plate consists of a first attachment plate and a second attachment plate. The first locking plate is formed in a plate-like shape with a roughly U-shaped cross-section that opens downwards, and roughly rectangular through-holes are formed at approximately the same positions on opposite surfaces of the first locking plate, The second fastening plate is formed in a plate-like shape having a thickness dimension smaller than the vertical dimension of the through-hole, and a screw hole is provided through the second fastening plate. In a state where the upper surface of the locking portion abuts against the lower surface of the horizontal frame of the nesting rack and the lower surface of the central part of the first locking plate abuts against the upper surface of the horizontal frame, the locking portion, the first locking plate, and the second locking plate are each configured such that the second locking plate can be passed through the two through-holes of the first locking plate and extended downwards from the locking portion. A fork guide detachably attached to a nesting rack according to claim 1, characterized in that a screw hole into which the tip of a bolt that has passed through the screw hole of the second attachment plate can be screwed is formed on the lower surface side of the attachment portion.

4. A fork guide detachably configured for a nesting rack according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a portion of the locking portion or locking plate is made of a magnetic material.

5. A nesting rack to which a fork guide according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is attached.

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