Storage casters and mobile bodies

Abstract

This invention provides a highly functional and easily controllable storage caster and mobile body for mobile bodies, which utilize a pair of casters to facilitate the easy extension of the casters from the mobile body and their retraction (storage) into the mobile body. [Solution] The storage caster 1 for the mobile body includes a front caster 11 located at the front and having a first rotating body 12, a rear caster 13 located at the rear and having a second rotating body 14, a front mounting part 22 to which the front caster 11 is attached and fixed downward, and a rear mounting part 32 to which the rear caster 13 is attached and fixed downward. It also includes a front caster fixing part 21 having a pair of front support shaft holes for holding a pair of front support shafts 24 that support the front caster 11 in pairs, and a rear caster fixing part 31 having a pair of rear support shaft holes for holding a pair of rear support shafts 34 that support the rear caster 13 in pairs. The pair of slide side plates 42 are moved back and forth via a shaft-shaped bolt 57 and a nut 46 to control the protrusion and retraction of the front caster 11 and rear caster 13.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage caster for a moving body that is mounted on the bottom surface of the moving body, retracts inside the bottom surface of the moving body when fixing the moving body, and protrudes from the bottom surface of the moving body to perform a wheel function when moving the moving body, and a moving body provided with such a storage caster for a moving body.

Background Art

[0002] For example, an apparatus in which moving casters (wheels) are attached to storage furniture (a moving body) is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a pair of wheels are attached to the lower end of a cabinet, the wheels are protruded from the lower end of the cabinet to move the storage furniture, and the wheels are stored inside the cabinet to install the cabinet on the floor surface, and the storage furniture is stabilized. According to this technique, when taking in and out the wheels from the lower end of the cabinet, the cabinet body is tilted, and when operating the wheels which are the control target, it is necessary to operate the cabinet body which is likely to be a large load, so there is a problem in the convenience as an apparatus, and practically, excessive labor is likely to be required.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the need for further improvement in practicality and functionality in consideration of conventional storage casters for moving bodies. The present invention aims to provide a highly functional and easily controllable storage caster for a mobile body, which allows for easy and precise extension of the caster from the mobile body and retraction (storage) of the caster into the mobile body by applying a pair of casters. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a mobile body that can be moved and fixed functionally and with high precision by applying the storage caster for mobile bodies according to the present invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The storage caster for a mobile body according to the present invention is located on the side of the bottom surface of a mobile body placed on a floor surface, and protrudes outward from the bottom surface when the mobile body is moved, and retracts inward from the bottom surface when the mobile body is fixed, and comprises a front caster located at the front in the longitudinal direction having a first rotating body that rotates on the floor surface to move the mobile body, a rear caster located at the rear in the longitudinal direction that is paired with the front caster and has a second rotating body that rotates on the floor surface to move the mobile body, and a part to which the front caster is attached and fixed downward The front caster fixing part has a front mounting part, front side plate parts located on both sides along the longitudinal direction below the front mounting part, and front support shaft holes for holding front support shafts that support the front casters in pairs at two paired locations at the front and rear ends of each of the front side plate parts that intersect the longitudinal direction, and a rear mounting part for attaching and fixing the rear casters downward, rear side plate parts located on both sides along the longitudinal direction below the rear mounting part, and rear support shaft holes for holding the rear casters in pairs at two paired locations at the front and rear ends of each of the rear side plate parts that intersect the longitudinal direction A rear caster fixing part having a pair of rear support shaft holes for holding the shaft, paired with the front caster fixing part; a slide frame having a slide top surface covering the entire front caster fixing part and the rear caster fixing part; side plates positioned on both sides of the slide top surface in the longitudinal direction and along the front and rear side plates, and a slide tip plate connecting the side plates at the front in the longitudinal direction; and bottom mounting parts that surround the front caster fixing part, the rear caster fixing part, and the slide frame and are attached to the bottom surface on both sides along the longitudinal direction, The housing comprises mounting side plates positioned vertically from each of the mounting portions facing the bottom surface, and a front connecting plate that connects the mounting side plates to each other in front of the mounting side plates, wherein the mounting side plates each comprise a vertically elongated hole for the front, defining an upper and lower end position for the vertical movement of the front support shaft at a position along the front caster fixing portion, and a rear vertical, elongated hole for the rear, defining an upper and lower end position for the vertical movement of the rear support shaft at a position opposite to the front support shaft at a position corresponding to the front support shaft, and the sliding side plates are,The front connecting plate is characterized by comprising a forward-sloping elongated hole that connects the front end position relative to the upper end position and the rear end position relative to the lower end position, as the front support shaft moves diagonally along the front caster fixing portion, and a rear diagonal elongated hole that is a pair of the front diagonal elongated hole that connects the front end position and the rear end position, as the rear support shaft moves diagonally along the rear caster fixing portion to a position opposite the front support shaft, and the front connecting plate is characterized by comprising a shaft-shaped bolt that is connected to a nut located on the opposing slide tip plate and moves the slide frame closer or further away by an external rotation operation, thereby determining the protrusion or retraction of the front caster and the rear caster from the bottom surface. Therefore, the storage caster for a mobile body according to the present invention allows for easy and precise control of the pair of first rotating bodies (front caster) and second rotating bodies (rear caster), enabling the front and rear casters to easily protrude or retract from the bottom surface of the mobile body, thus enabling functional and highly accurate control of movement and fixing.

[0006] Furthermore, in a storage caster for a mobile body according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first rotating body and the second rotating body are characterized in that they are disc-shaped. Furthermore, in a storage caster for a mobile body according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first rotating body and the second rotating body are characterized in that they are spherical in shape. Furthermore, in a storage caster for a mobile body according to one embodiment of the present invention, the mounting side plate is provided with an intermediate support shaft hole that supports an intermediate support shaft connecting the mounting side plates to each other between the front support shaft and the rear support shaft.

[0007] Furthermore, the mobile body according to the present invention is a mobile body that is placed on a floor surface and has a storage caster for the mobile body on the bottom side, wherein the storage caster for the mobile body is a storage caster for the mobile body described in any one of the embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the mobile body according to the present invention has a front caster located on the front side in the longitudinal direction and a rear caster located on the rear side that function as a pair, allowing it to protrude outwards from the bottom surface for movement and to retract inwards from the bottom surface to secure a fixed state, resulting in a mobile body with excellent operability. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The retractable caster for mobile bodies according to the present invention allows for easy and precise control of a pair of first rotating bodies (front caster) and second rotating bodies (rear caster), enabling the front and rear casters to easily protrude or retract from the bottom surface of the mobile body. This provides the advantage of functionally and precisely controlling movement and fixing. Furthermore, since the mobile body according to the present invention applies the storage caster for mobile bodies according to the present invention, it has the effect of being able to control movement and fixing with functionality and high precision. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing the overall configuration of a storage caster for a mobile body according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, viewed from diagonally above. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the main components of the retractable caster for mobile devices separated vertically, illustrating the general arrangement. [Figure 3] This is a schematic perspective view diagram of the protruding function, showing, from a longitudinal side view, the protruding state of the first and second rotating bodies that protrude from the bottom surface of a mobile body equipped with the retractable casters shown in Figure 1 and make contact with the floor surface when the mobile body is moved. [Figure 4] This is a schematic perspective view of the retraction function, showing the retracted state of the first and second rotating bodies, which retract inward and away from the floor surface when a mobile body equipped with the retractable casters for mobile bodies shown in Figure 1 is fixed in place, viewed from the longitudinal side. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the protruding function of a storage caster for a mobile body according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, showing the main part in a schematic perspective following the protruding state shown in Figure 3. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the retractable function, illustrating the main parts of the retractable caster for the mobile body shown in Figure 5, following the retracted state shown in Figure 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings (Figures 1 to 6). [Embodiment 1] (Figures 1-4) Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the storage caster 1 for a mobile body and the mobile body 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a schematic overview of the overall configuration of the storage caster 1 for a mobile body according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, viewed from diagonally above. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the arrangement of the main components of the movable storage caster 1 shown in Figure 1, separated vertically. Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view diagram illustrating the protruding state of the first rotating body 12 and the second rotating body 14, which protrude from the bottom surface 110 of the mobile body 100 and come into contact with the floor surface 120 when the mobile body 100, equipped with the mobile body storage caster 1 shown in Figure 1, is moved, as seen from the side in the longitudinal direction DL. Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the retraction function, showing the retracted state of the first rotating body 12 and the second rotating body 14, which retract inward from the bottom surface 110 of the mobile body 100 and are separated from the floor surface 120 when the mobile body 100, equipped with the retractable caster 1 for mobile body shown in Figure 1, is fixed in place, as viewed from the side in the longitudinal direction DL.

[0011] The retractable caster 1 for the mobile body is located on the side of the bottom surface 110 of the mobile body 100 which is placed on the floor surface 120. When the mobile body 100 is moved, it protrudes outward from the bottom surface 110, and when the mobile body 100 is fixed in place, it retracts inward from the bottom surface 110. The storage caster 1 for the mobile body comprises a front caster 11 located at the front in the longitudinal direction DL, having a first rotating body 12 that rotates on the floor surface 120 to move the mobile body 100, and a rear caster 13 located at the rear in the longitudinal direction DL, having a second rotating body 14 that is paired with the first rotating body 12 and rotates on the floor surface 120 to move the mobile body 100. The movable storage caster 1 comprises a front caster fixing part 21 having a front mounting part 22 to which the front caster 11 is attached and fixed downward, front side plate parts 23 located on both sides along the longitudinal direction DL below the front mounting part 22, and front support shaft holes 25 that hold front support shafts 24 that support the front caster 11 in pairs at two paired locations at the front and rear ends of each front side plate part 23 where the longitudinal direction DL intersects, and a rear caster fixing part 31 which, paired with the front caster fixing part 21, has a rear mounting part 32 to which the rear caster 13 is attached and fixed downward, rear side plate parts 33 located on both sides along the longitudinal direction DL below the rear mounting part 32, and rear support shaft holes 35 that hold rear support shafts 34 that support the rear caster 13 in pairs at two paired locations at the front and rear ends of each rear side plate part 33 where the longitudinal direction DL intersects, and

[0012] The movable storage caster 1 comprises a slide frame 40 having a slide top surface 41 that covers the entire front caster fixing part 21 and rear caster fixing part 31, side plates 42 that are located on both sides of the slide top surface 41 in the longitudinal direction DL and are aligned with the front side plate part 23 and the rear side plate part 33, and a slide tip plate 45 that connects the side plates 42 to each other at the front in the longitudinal direction DL, and a housing 50 that surrounds the front caster fixing part 21, the rear caster fixing part 31, and the slide frame 40 and has bottom mounting parts 51 that are attached to the bottom surface 110 on both sides along the longitudinal direction DL, side plates 52 that are positioned perpendicularly from each of the bottom mounting parts 51, and a front connecting plate 56 that connects the side plates 52 to each other at the front of the side plates 52.

[0013] The mounting-side plate 52 includes a pair of front vertical slots 53 in the form of a vertical long hole that defines an upper end position 53t and a lower end position 53b where the pair of front support shafts 24 move vertically at positions along the front caster fixing portion 21, and a pair of rear vertical slots 54 that define an upper end position 54t and a lower end position 54b where the pair of rear support shafts 34 move vertically at positions along the rear caster fixing portion 31 and are paired with the pair of front support shafts 24, and are paired with the pair of front vertical slots 53. The pair of slide side plates 42 includes a pair of front diagonal slots 43 in the form of a forward-sloping long hole that defines a front end position 43f with respect to the upper end position 53t and a rear end position 43r with respect to the lower end position 53b as the pair of front support shafts 24 move diagonally at positions along the front caster fixing portion 21, and a pair of rear diagonal slots 44 that define a front end position 44f and a rear end position 44r as the pair of rear support shafts 34 move diagonally at positions paired with the pair of front support shafts 24 and are paired with the pair of front diagonal slots 43. The front connecting plate 56 is connected to a nut 46 located on the facing slide front end plate 45 and includes a shaft-like bolt 57 that moves the slide frame body 40 closer or farther away by a rotational operation from the outside and determines the protrusion or retraction from the bottom surfaces 110 of the front caster 11 and the rear caster 13.

[0014] The mobile body storage caster 1 includes a pair of front casters 11 and rear casters 13, a pair of front caster fixing portions 21 with the front casters 11 attached and rear caster fixing portions 31 with the rear casters 13 attached, a front attachment portion 22, a pair of front side plate portions 23, a pair of front support shafts 24, and a pair of front support shaft holes 25 that the front caster fixing portion 21 has, and a rear attachment portion 32, a pair of rear side plate portions 33, a pair of rear support shafts 34, and a pair of rear support shaft holes 35 that the rear caster fixing portion 31 has. The mobile body storage caster 1 includes a slide top surface 41 that covers the entire front caster fixing portion 21 and rear caster fixing portion 31, a pair of slide side plates 42 along the pair of front side plate portions 23 and pair of rear side plate portions 33 on both sides of the slide top surface 41, and a slide frame body 40 having a slide front end plate 45 that connects the pair of slide side plates 42 in the front in the length direction DL. The mobile body storage caster 1 includes a front caster fixing part 21, a rear caster fixing part 31, a slide frame body 40, a bottom surface mounting part 51 that is mounted on the bottom surface 110 of the mobile body 100 surrounding them, mounting side plates 52 located on both sides of the bottom surface mounting part 51, and a housing 50 that connects the mounting side plates 52 in the front. Furthermore, the mounting side plates 52 include a vertically long hole-shaped front vertical long hole 53 that defines an upper end position 53t and a lower end position 53b where the front support shaft 24 moves vertically at a position along the front caster fixing part 21, and a rear vertical long hole 54 that defines an upper end position 54t and a lower end position 54b where the rear support shaft 34 moves vertically at a position along the rear caster fixing part 31 and is opposite to the front support shaft 24, and is opposite to the front vertical long hole 53.

[0015] The slide side plates 42 include a front ascending long hole-shaped front diagonal long hole 43 that defines a front end position 43f with respect to the upper end position 53t and a rear end position 43r with respect to the lower end position 53b as the front support shaft 24 moves diagonally at a position along the front caster fixing part 21, and a pair of rear diagonal long holes 44 that define a front end position 44f and a rear end position 44r as the rear support shaft 34 moves diagonally at a position opposite to the front support shaft 24 and is opposite to the front diagonal long hole 43 at a position along the rear caster fixing part 31. Also, the front connecting plate 56 is connected to a nut 46 located on the facing slide end plate 45, and includes a shaft-shaped bolt 57 that determines the protrusion or retraction from the bottom surface 110 of the front caster 11 and the rear caster 13 by approaching or separating the slide frame body 40 by a rotational operation from the outside. That is, the nut 46 and the shaft-shaped bolt 57 function integrally through the slide end plate 45 and the front connecting plate 56, converting the rotational operation (rotational movement) of the shaft-shaped bolt 57 from the outside into a position operation (horizontal movement in the length direction DL) of the slide end plate 45 (slide frame body 40) in the front connecting plate 56, and having the function of adjusting the protrusion or retraction from the bottom surface 110 of the front caster 11 and the rear caster 13. The storage caster 1 for a mobile body according to the present invention allows for easy and precise control of the pair of first rotating bodies 12 (front caster 11) and second rotating body 14 (rear caster 13), so that the front caster 11 and rear caster 13 can easily protrude or retract from the bottom surface 110 of the mobile body 100, thus enabling functional and highly accurate control of movement and fixing.

[0016] The operation and function of the mobile body 100 when the front casters 11 and rear casters 13 protrude from the bottom surface 110 of the mobile body 100 and the mobile body 100 is in a moving state will be explained in more detail (Figure 3). When the rotational operation of the shaft-shaped bolt 57, operated from the outside, brings the slide frame 40 (slide tip plate 45) close to the front connecting plate 56 (housing 50), the front support shaft 24 moves relative to the front oblique elongated hole 43 from its front end position 43f (corresponding to the upper end position 53t) to its rear end position 43r (corresponding to the lower end position 53b) as the slide side plate 42 moves forward, and the rear support shaft 34 moves parallel to the front support shaft 24, moving relative to the rear oblique elongated hole 44 from its front end position 44f (corresponding to the upper end position 54t) to its rear end position 44r (corresponding to the lower end position 54b). In other words, when the slide frame 40 is in close proximity to the front of the housing 50, the front caster 11 fixed to the front caster fixing part 21 has its front support shaft 24 fixed at the lower end position 53b, and the rear caster 13 fixed to the rear caster fixing part 31 has its rear support shaft 34 fixed at the lower end position 54b. When the positions of the front support shaft 24 and the rear support shaft 34 are at the lower end position 53b (rear end position 43r) and the lower end position 54b (rear end position 44r), the front caster 11 (first rotating body 12) and the rear caster 13 (second rotating body 14) protrude outward (towards the floor) from the bottom surface 110. In other words, when the sliding frame 40 (sliding tip plate 45) approaches the front connecting plate 56 (housing 50), the front support shaft 24 and the rear support shaft 34 are fixed at the lower end positions 53b and 54b on the floor surface 120 side relative to the upper end positions 53t and 54t. As a result, the front casters 11 and the rear casters 13 protrude outward (towards the floor surface 120) from the bottom surface 110, ensuring contact with the floor surface 120. The bottom surface 110 (movable body 100) is separated from the floor surface 120, and the storage casters 1 for the movable body can easily move the movable body 100.

[0017] Next, we will explain in more detail the operation and function when the front casters 11 and rear casters 13 retract inward from the bottom surface 110 of the mobile body 100, and the mobile body 100 becomes fixed and unable to move (Figure 4). When the slide frame 40 (slide tip plate 45) is separated from the front connecting plate 56 (housing 50) by the rotational operation of the shaft-shaped bolt 57 operated from the outside, the front support shaft 24 moves relative to the front oblique elongated hole 43 from the rear end position 43r (corresponding to the lower end position 53b) to the front end position 43f (corresponding to the upper end position 53t) as the slide side plate 42 moves rearward, and the rear support shaft 34 moves parallel to the front support shaft 24, moving relative to the rear oblique elongated hole 44 from the rear end position 44r (corresponding to the lower end position 54b) to the front end position 44f (corresponding to the upper end position 54t). In other words, when the slide frame 40 is separated from the front of the housing 50, the front caster 11 fixed to the front caster fixing part 21 has its front support shaft 24 fixed at the upper end position 53t, and the rear caster 13 fixed to the rear caster fixing part 31 has its rear support shaft 34 fixed at the upper end position 54t. When the positions of the front support shaft 24 and the rear support shaft 34 are at the upper end position 53t (front end position 43f) and the upper end position 54t (front end position 44f), the front caster 11 (first rotating body 12) and the rear caster 13 (second rotating body 14) are retracted inward from the bottom surface 110. In other words, when the sliding frame 40 (sliding tip plate 45) is separated from the front connecting plate 56 (housing 50), the front support shaft 24 and the rear support shaft 34 are fixed at the upper end positions 53t and 54t, respectively, which are above the lower end positions 53b and 54b. As a result, the front casters 11 and the rear casters 13 retract inward from the bottom surface 110, and the bottom surface 110 (movable body 100) is directly placed on the floor surface 120. The storage casters 1 for the movable body keep the movable body 100 stationary and ensure a stable fixed state.

[0018] The front support shaft 24 passes through the front oblique elongated hole 43 and the front vertical elongated hole 53, and is held and fixed in the front support shaft hole 25. As a result, the front support shaft 24 undergoes a positional shift in the front oblique elongated hole 43 and the front vertical elongated hole 53 as the slide side plate 42 moves back and forth, changing the position of the front support shaft hole 25. Along with the change in the position of the front support shaft hole 25, the front caster 11 fixed to the front caster fixing part 21 changes its position in the vertical direction. In other words, the storage caster 1 for the moving body controls the protrusion or retraction of the first rotating body 12 from the bottom surface 110 relative to the floor surface 120. The rear support shaft 34 passes through the rear oblique elongated hole 44 and the rear vertical elongated hole 54, and is held and fixed in the rear support shaft hole 35. As a result, the rear support shaft 34 undergoes a positional shift in the rear oblique elongated hole 44 and the rear vertical elongated hole 54 as the slide side plate 42 moves back and forth, changing the position of the rear support shaft hole 35. Due to the change in the position of the rear support shaft hole 35, the rear caster 13 fixed to the rear caster fixing part 31 changes its position in the vertical direction. In other words, the storage caster 1 for the moving body controls the second rotating body 14 to protrude from the bottom surface 110 relative to the floor surface 120, or to retract. The front support shaft 24 and the rear support shaft 34 are shafts with high precision, and the front oblique slot 43 and the rear oblique slot 44, which control the position of the front support shaft 24 and the rear support shaft 34 in the oblique direction, are positioned relative to the slide side plate 42 with high precision. In addition, the front vertical slot 53 and the rear vertical slot 54, which control the position of the front support shaft 24 and the rear support shaft 34 in the vertical direction, are positioned relative to the mounting side plate 52 with high precision.

[0019] The shaft-shaped bolt 57 is connected to a nut 46 on the slide end plate 45 via a bolt hole 56h on the front connecting plate 56. The nut 46 is fixed to the slide end plate 45. Therefore, the rotation of the shaft-shaped bolt 57 is converted into horizontal movement of the slide end plate 45 (movement to either the front or rear side in the longitudinal direction DL). The nut 46 on the slide tip plate 45 is precisely connected to the slide tip plate 45 by a shaft-shaped bolt 57 on the front connecting plate 56 facing the slide tip plate 45. The shaft-shaped bolt 57 is connected to the nut 46 by screw connection. The bolt head (head cap) has, for example, a hexagonal hole, and a hex wrench is inserted to rotate the bolt. With these configurations, the storage caster 1 for the mobile unit controls the protrusion and retraction of the first rotating body 12 and the second rotating body 14 with high precision. The bottom mounting portion 51 of the housing 50 is mounted on the bottom surface 110 of the movable body 100 via a mounting hole 58. The intermediate support shaft 37, located between the front support shaft 24 and the rear support shaft 34, is fixedly held in the intermediate support shaft hole 38 to maintain the strength of the mounting side plate 52 of the housing 50. The intermediate support shaft 37 maintains the movement of the slide frame 40 via an elongated intermediate support shaft movement hole 47 that is long in the longitudinal direction DL of the slide frame 40. In other words, the mounting side plate 52 is provided with an intermediate support shaft hole 38 that supports an intermediate support shaft 37 that connects the mounting side plates 52 to each other between the front support shaft 24 and the rear support shaft 34. The intermediate support shaft 37 connects the opposing mounting side plates 52 located on both sides of the housing 50, and is fixedly held in the intermediate support shaft hole 38 to maintain the strength of the opposing mounting side plates 52.

[0020] The first rotating body 12 and the second rotating body 14 are preferably disc-shaped. In other words, because the first rotating body 12 and the second rotating body 14 are disc-shaped, their structure as rotating bodies is simplified, making it easier to ensure stable operation and durability, and facilitating maintenance. Furthermore, because the first rotating body 12 and the second rotating body 14 are a pair, it is easier to improve the precision of the movement of the moving body 100 and to evenly distribute the weight of the load. Furthermore, the mobile body 100 according to this embodiment is placed on the floor surface 120 and is equipped with a storage caster 1 for the mobile body according to this embodiment on the bottom surface 110 side. With this configuration, the mobile body 100 has a front caster 11 located on the front side of the length DL and a rear caster 13 located on the rear side that function in pairs, allowing it to protrude outwards from the bottom surface 110 for movement and to retract inwards from the bottom surface 110 to secure a fixed position, resulting in a highly stable mobile body 100 with excellent maneuverability.

[0021] [Embodiment 2] (Figures 5 and 6) With reference to Figures 5 and 6, the storage caster 2 for a mobile body and the mobile body 100 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view diagram illustrating the protruding function of the main part of the storage caster 2 for a mobile body according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, following the protruding state shown in Figure 3. Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the retraction function, illustrating the main parts of the retractable caster 2 for the mobile body shown in Figure 5, following the retracted state shown in Figure 4. The storage caster 2 for a mobile body according to this embodiment differs from the storage caster 1 for a mobile body according to Embodiment 1 in that, while the first rotating body 12 and second rotating body 14 are disc-shaped, the first rotating body 12b and second rotating body 14b (not shown; reference numerals are assigned in a manner similar to the first rotating body 12b; the same applies hereinafter) are spherical. Since there are no differences between Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 in other components, the same reference numerals are used. Furthermore, descriptions of each component are omitted.

[0022] As described above, the first rotating body 12b and the second rotating body 14b of the movable storage caster 2 are spherical. As a result, it possesses spherical characteristics distinct from a disc shape. In other words, because the first rotating body 12 and the second rotating body 14b are spherical, they have high mobility in all directions as rotating bodies, and as a result, they can be easily operated with light external forces, resulting in high operability. Furthermore, because the first rotating body 12 and the second rotating body 14b are a pair, it is easier to improve the accuracy of the movement of the moving body 100 and to evenly distribute the weight of the load. Furthermore, as mentioned above, there are no differences between the movable storage caster 1 and the movable storage caster 2 except for the structure of the rotating body, so a detailed explanation is omitted. [Industrial applicability]

[0023] The present invention relates to a retractable caster for a mobile body, and because the front and rear casters can easily protrude or retract from the bottom surface of the mobile body, it has the effect of being able to control the movement and fixing of the mobile body functionally and with high precision. Furthermore, because the mobile body according to the present invention is fitted with the retractable caster for mobile bodies according to the present invention, it has the effect of being able to control the movement and fixing of the mobile body functionally and with high precision, and therefore has great industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0024] 1. Storage casters for mobile units 2. Storage casters for mobile units 11 Former Caster 12. First Rotating Body 12b First Rotating Solid 13 Rear casters 14. Second Rotating Body 14b Second solid of revolution (not shown) 21 Front caster fixing part 22 Front mounting section 23 Front side plate section 24 pairs of anterior support axes 25 Front support shaft holes 31 Rear caster fixing part 32 Rear mounting section 33 Rear side plate section 34 Rear support axis 35 Rear support shaft holes 37 Intermediate support shaft 38 Intermediate support shaft hole 40 Slide frame 41. Sliding top surface 42. Side plate of slide 43. Opposite front oblique elongated hole 43f Front end position 43r Rear end position 44 Opposite posterior oblique elongated hole 44f Front end position 44r Rear end position 45 Slide tip plate 46 nuts 47 Intermediate support shaft movable elongated hole 50 Housing 51 Bottom mounting section 52 Side plate for mounting 53 Front vertical elongated hole 53t Upper end position 53b Bottom position 54 Rear vertical elongated holes 54t Upper end position 54b Bottom position 56 Front connection plate 56h bolt holes 57 Shaft-shaped bolt 58 mounting holes 100 Mobile Units 110 Base 120 floor surface DL length direction

Claims

1. A retractable caster for a mobile body, located on the side of the bottom surface of a mobile body placed on the floor, which protrudes outward from the bottom surface when the mobile body is moved and retracts inward from the bottom surface when the mobile body is fixed, A front caster located at the front in the longitudinal direction has a first rotating body that rotates on the floor surface to move the mobile body, A front caster and a rear caster, positioned at the rear in the longitudinal direction, have a first rotating body and a second rotating body that rotate on the floor surface to move the movable body, A front caster fixing part having a front mounting part for attaching and fixing the front caster downward, front side plate parts located on both sides along the longitudinal direction below the front mounting part, and front support shaft holes for holding front support shafts that support the front caster in pairs at two paired locations at both the front and rear ends of each of the front side plate parts intersecting the longitudinal direction, A rear caster fixing part having, in conjunction with the front caster fixing part, a rear mounting part to which the rear caster is attached and fixed downward, rear side plate parts located on both sides along the longitudinal direction below the rear mounting part, and rear support shaft holes for holding rear support shafts that support the rear caster in pairs at two paired locations at both the front and rear ends of each of the rear side plate parts intersecting the longitudinal direction, A slide frame having a top slide surface that covers the entire front caster fixing portion and the rear caster fixing portion, side slide plates located on both sides of the top slide surface in the longitudinal direction and along the front side plate portion and the rear side plate portion, and a slide end plate that connects the side slide plates to each other at the front in the longitudinal direction, The housing comprises the front caster fixing part, the rear caster fixing part, and the slide frame body, and includes bottom mounting parts attached to the bottom surface on both sides along the longitudinal direction, side mounting plates positioned perpendicularly from each of the bottom mounting parts, and a front connecting plate that connects the side mounting plates to each other in front of the side mounting plates. The mounting side plate includes a vertically elongated hole for the front that defines the upper and lower end positions of the vertical movement of the front support shaft at a position along the front caster fixing portion, and a rear vertically elongated hole that is paired with the front vertically elongated hole, defining the upper and lower end positions of the vertical movement of the rear support shaft at a position opposite to the front support shaft at a position along the rear caster fixing portion. The aforementioned sliding side plate is provided with a forward-sloping oblique hole that connects the front end position relative to the upper end position and the rear end position relative to the lower end position, as the front support shaft moves obliquely at a position along the front caster fixing portion, and a rear oblique hole that is a pair of the front oblique hole that connects the front end position and the rear end position, as the rear support shaft moves obliquely at a position opposite to the front support shaft at a position along the rear caster fixing portion, The front connecting plate is connected to a nut located on the opposite slide tip plate and is equipped with a shaft-shaped bolt that moves the slide frame closer or further away by an external rotational operation, and determines the protrusion or retraction of the front caster and the rear caster from the bottom surface. A storage caster for mobile vehicles, characterized by the following features.

2. A storage caster for a mobile body according to claim 1, The first and second rotating bodies are disc-shaped. A storage caster for mobile vehicles featuring the following characteristics.

3. A storage caster for a mobile body according to claim 1, The first and second bodies of revolution are spherical in shape. A storage caster for mobile vehicles featuring the following characteristics.

4. A storage caster for a mobile body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The mounting side plate is provided with an intermediate support shaft hole that supports an intermediate support shaft connecting the mounting side plates to each other between the front support shaft and the rear support shaft. A storage caster for mobile vehicles featuring the following characteristics.

5. A mobile body that is placed on the floor and has storage casters for moving on the bottom side, The aforementioned storage caster for the mobile body is the storage caster for the mobile body described in any one of claims 1 to 3. A mobile vehicle characterized by the following:

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