Transport cart

Abstract

The dolly loaded with containers can be directly loaded onto a transport trolley, and the dolly can be directly unloaded from the transport trolley. [Solution] The present invention provides a transport trolley 100 capable of mounting one or more dollies 40, 50, and is characterized by comprising: a rectangular frame-shaped trolley frame 20 that supports the dollies; a plurality of casters 10, 11 attached to the lower part of the trolley frame 20; a movable frame portion 24 that forms one side of the trolley frame 20 and supports the lower part of the dollies; and an opposing frame portion 22 that forms the other side of the trolley frame at a position opposite to the movable frame portion 24 and supports the lower part of the dollies.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport cart.

Background Art

[0002] Commodities stocked in commercial facilities (stores) such as supermarkets and convenience stores are delivered and stocked in small quantities of many types of commodities according to orders from each store. For this reason, vendors (sellers) of commodities first deliver the commodities to a distribution center, and sort them by destination at the distribution center and then ship them (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] At the time of delivery and stocking, as shown in FIG. 14, the picked stocked commodities are generally packed in a plurality of plastic containers (bins) 60. The plurality of containers 60 are loaded onto a transport cart 200 with casters, which is called a cart or a basket cart (see Patent Document 2). The transport carts 200 are loaded onto a truck with a tailgate as a group and transported to the store by the truck.

[0004] Conventionally, the transport cart 200 transported to the store has been carried into and stored in the backyard of the store for each transport cart 200. However, in recently newly built (renovated) stores, the backyard entrance is often designed to be narrow, and due to the narrow entrance, it may not be possible to directly carry the transport cart 200 into the backyard.

[0005] In this case, unavoidably, the packed containers 60 are transferred from the transport cart 200 to a smaller dolly 40 in front of the backyard entrance, and the dolly 40 is carried into and stored in the backyard through the entrance. Although there is also known a transport tool for a dolly cart that pulls a plurality of dollies in a state surrounded by a frame-like body as in Patent Document 3 (Utility Model Registration No. 3234396), since the dolly is in contact with the ground, it requires force to move, and since the frame-like body is also large, it is not always easy to use.

Prior Art Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-233415 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-189228 [Patent Document 3] Utility Model Registration No. 3234396 Gazette [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Transferring the 60 pre-packaged containers onto the 40 dollies one by one at the entrance is extremely time-consuming and inefficient for transportation. Furthermore, the 60 pre-packaged containers are sometimes stacked onto the 200 transport carts in the order they will be displayed in the store. In this case, transferring them to the 40 dollies causes the stacking order of the 60 pre-packaged containers to become jumbled, which is another problem.

[0008] Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to enable a dolly loaded with containers to be directly mounted onto a transport trolley, and to enable the dolly to be directly unloaded from the transport trolley. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the aforementioned problems, the transport trolley according to the present invention is a transport trolley capable of mounting one or more dollies, and is characterized by comprising: a rectangular frame-shaped trolley frame that supports the dollies; a plurality of casters attached to the lower part of the trolley frame; a movable frame portion that forms one side of the trolley frame and supports the lower part of the dollies; and an opposing frame portion that forms the other side of the trolley frame at a position opposite to the movable frame portion and supports the lower part of the dollies. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a dolly loaded with containers can be directly mounted onto a transport trolley, and the dolly can be directly unloaded from the transport trolley. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1A] This is a perspective view of a transport trolley according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] This is a perspective view of a transport cart equipped with an empty dolly. [Figure 1C] Figure 1B is an enlarged perspective view of the trolley frame. [Figure 2] These are (a) a front view, (b) a left side view, and (c) a right side view of the transport cart. [Figure 3] This is a plan view showing two transport carts placed side by side. [Figure 4] (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a side view showing multiple transport carts disassembled and stacked. [Figure 5A] (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the trolley frame with the movable frame section closed. [Figure 5B] (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the trolley frame with the movable frame section in the open position. [Figure 5C] This is a perspective view showing the trolley frame with the movable frame section fully extended. [Figure 6] (a) Perspective view, (b) Partial perspective view, and (c) Perspective view with the movable frame omitted are shown to illustrate the locking mechanism of the movable frame. [Figure 7] (a) A perspective view of the locking mechanism of the movable frame section from the front, and (b) A perspective view of it from the back. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing the end of the movable frame portion that engages with the locking mechanism. [Figure 9] This is an illustrative diagram showing a state in which a dolly is separated from a transport trolley according to an embodiment of the present invention and transported by hand. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view of a transport trolley according to a modified embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 11]Perspective view during use (a) and perspective view when the dolly is separated (b) of the transport cart according to Modification 2 of the present invention. [Figure 12] Perspective view during use (a), perspective view when the dolly is separated (b), and perspective view during horizontal stacking (c) of the transport cart according to Modification 3 of the present invention. [Figure 13] Perspective view of the transport cart according to Modification 4 of the present invention. [Figure 14] An image diagram showing a method for delivering goods using a conventional transport cart.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same or corresponding parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The long side frame sections 22 and 24 are such that the front long side frame section 24 is a movable frame section 24. This movable frame section 24 is rotatable horizontally outward around a pivot pin 24c at its left end. The right end of the movable frame section 24, that is, the end opposite to the pivot pin 24c, is detachably engaged with a corner of the trolley frame 20 via a locking mechanism (lock lever 25 and lock pin 26).

[0017] A pair of left and right first tapered portions 24a are formed on the inside of the movable frame portion 24. The pair of left and right first tapered portions 24a are formed to be inclined downward toward the inside of the trolley frame 20 and are configured to support the lower end edges of the dollies 40 and 50 shown in Figures 1B and 1C.

[0018] On the other hand, the long side frame portion 22, or opposing frame portion 22, located opposite the movable frame portion 24, has a pair of left and right second tapered portions 22a formed on its inner side. The pair of left and right second tapered portions 22a are formed to be inclined downward toward the inside of the trolley frame 20 and are configured to support the lower end edges of the dollies 40 and 50 shown in Figures 1B and 1C.

[0019] The angles of inclination between the first tapered portion 24a and the second tapered portion 22a can be set arbitrarily. That is, the angles of the tapered portions 24a and 22a can be freely set within a range of, for example, 20° to 70°. The angles of the tapered portions 24a and 22a may be the same, or they may be at different angles.

[0020] Triangular partition members 22b and 24b are fixed between the left and right pairs of first tapered sections 24a and between the second tapered sections 22a. These partition members 22b and 24b are fixed to the inner surfaces of the movable frame section 24 and the opposing frame section 22 by welding or the like. The partition members 22b and 24b restrict the distance between the dollies 40 and 50 and prevent the dollies 40 and 50 from shifting position.

[0021] <Dolly wheel height> As shown in Figures 2(a) to 2(c), with the lower edges of the dollies 40 and 50 supported by the first tapered portion 24a and the second tapered portion 22a, the wheels 41 and 51 attached to the lower part of the dollies 40 and 50 are positioned higher than the casters 10 and 11 of the trolley frame 20. Therefore, the trolley frame 20 can be moved freely without the wheels 41 and 51 of the dollies 40 and 50 coming into contact with the ground.

[0022] <Offset placement of casters> As shown in Figure 3, the casters 10 and 11 of the trolley frame 20 are offset in the front-to-back direction (up-to-down direction in Figure 3). This configuration prevents adjacent casters 10 and 11 from interfering with each other when two trolley frames 20 are placed side by side as shown in Figure 3. Therefore, the loading efficiency when loading the trolley frames 20 onto a truck with a tailgate can be improved.

[0023] <Stacking of transport carts> Figures 4(a) and 4(b) show the transport trolley 100 with its trolley frame 20 and outer frame 30 disassembled and multiple units stacked. The left and right pairs of outer frame frames 30 are arranged so that they can be stacked horizontally within the height range of the support pipes 21a and 23a.

[0024] Furthermore, hemispherical recesses formed on the lower surfaces of the short-side frame portions 21 and 23 of the upper trolley frame 20 are fitted to the upper ends of the support pipes 21a and 23a. Therefore, the trolley frames 20 can be returned to the distribution center in the stacked state shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b) without the need for banding or any other special measures.

[0025] ● Opening the movable frame and unloading the dolly Figures 5A and 5B show containers (packaging boxes) 60 for packing picked goods stacked in two layers on top of dollies 40. It is also possible to stack more than two dollies 40.

[0026] Figure 5A shows the movable frame 24 in the closed position, and Figure 5B shows the movable frame 24 in the open position. In the state shown in Figure 5A, the lower edge of the dolly 40 is supported by the first tapered portion 24a and the second tapered portion 22a, so the wheels 41 of the dolly 40 are lifted off the ground. In contrast, in the state shown in Figure 5B, the movable frame 24 opens, the lower edge of the dolly 40 slides between the first tapered portion 24a and the second tapered portion 22a, the dolly 40 slides in the direction of the arrow, and the wheels 41 of the dolly 40 touch the ground.

[0027] Then, as shown in Figure 5C, when the movable frame section 24 is opened to nearly 90° to a fully open state, the dollies 40 and 50 can be moved horizontally towards the front (unloaded) without having to change the containers (packaging boxes) 60 loaded on them. Therefore, no cargo handling equipment such as hand lifters is required at all.

[0028] ●Details of the locking mechanism Figures 6(a) to 6(c) show the locking mechanism (lock lever 25 and lock pin 26) of the movable frame 24. A double locking structure with the lock lever 25 and lock pin 26 is used to prevent the movable frame 24 from opening unintentionally.

[0029] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a fork member 24d is attached to the end of the movable frame portion 24. The fixing bolt 27 of the end of the movable frame portion 24 is inserted into the fixing hole 24d4 at the end of the fork member 24d.

[0030] Therefore, the fork member 24d is rotatable horizontally with the fixing bolt 27 as the pivot point. The lock lever 25 and the lock pin 26 engage with this fork member 24d.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6(c), a fork member 24d can be inserted into the end opening 21d of the short-side frame portion 21. The fork member 24d has a pair of left and right insertion rods 24d1. These insertion rods 24d1 are inserted into the end opening 21d of the short-side frame portion 21.

[0032] A lock lever 25 and a lock pin 26 are attached to the end of the short-side frame portion 21. As shown in Figure 7, the lock lever 25 has a screw shaft portion 25a, a fastening plate 25b, and a nut 25c. The screw shaft portion 25a is inserted into an axial hole 21b formed in the upper wall of the short-side frame portion 21.

[0033] The fastening plate 25b and the nut 25c are integrated. The fastening plate 25b is housed inside the short-side frame portion 21 and is therefore immobile. The screw shaft portion 25a of the lock lever 25 is designed to be inserted into the groove portion 24d2 between the insertion rods 24d1.

[0034] Therefore, by rotating the lock lever 25 clockwise, the tightening plate 25b rises due to the relative rotation between the screw shaft portion 25a and the nut 25c. As a result, the insertion rod 24d1 of the fork member 24d is pressed between the upper wall of the short side frame portion 21 and the tightening plate 25b.

[0035] The locking pin 26 is removably inserted into the hole 21c in the upper wall of the short-side frame portion 21. This locking pin 26 can be inserted into the locking hole 24d3 of the fork member 24d.

[0036] To open the movable frame section 24, first pull out the lock pin 26 (circled number 1 in Figure 5A). Next, slowly rotate the lock lever 25 counterclockwise (circled number 2 in Figure 5A).

[0037] This counterclockwise rotation loosens the pressure of the tightening plate 25b on the insertion rod 24d1 of the fork member 24d. As a result, the weight of the dollies 40 and 50 and the container (food box) 60 causes the movable frame 24 to rotate naturally to the left around the pivot pin 24c, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 5B (circled number 3 in Figure 5B). Subsequently, the wheels 41 of the dollies 40 and 50 land softly.

[0038] Figure 9 is an illustrative diagram showing the state in which dollies 40 and 50, loaded with multiple pre-packaged containers 60, are separated from the transport cart 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention and transported by hand. Since the dollies 40 and 50 are smaller than the transport cart 100, they can easily pass through even narrow entrances to the back rooms of stores.

[0039] Therefore, unlike conventional methods, there is no need to transfer the pre-packaged containers 60 onto the dollies 40 and 50 at the entrance. The dollies 40 and 50, separated from the transport cart 100, can be passed directly through the entrance and transported to the backyard for storage. This eliminates the time required to transfer the containers to the dollies 40 and 50, significantly improving the efficiency of the transport operation. Furthermore, the pre-packaged containers 60 can be stacked on the dollies 40 and 50 in the order they will be displayed in the store, and the stacking order can be maintained during delivery to the store, significantly improving the efficiency of the store display operation.

[0040] ●Summary Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified in various ways. For example, in the above embodiments, the movable frame portion 24 was configured to be rotatable horizontally outward around the pivot pin 24c, but the movable frame portion 24 may be configured to be detachable horizontally from the trolley frame 20, as shown in the modified embodiment 1 of Figure 10.

[0041] In this case, fork members 24d are provided at both ends of the movable frame portion 24. By making the movable frame portion 24 separable horizontally, the movable frame portion 24 can be quickly and easily removed from the trolley frame 20 and the dollies 40 and 50 separated, even in a narrow space. In addition, in the above embodiment, a first tapered portion 24a and a second tapered portion 22a were formed on the inside of the movable frame portion 24 and the opposing frame portion 22, but either one or both of these tapered portions 24a and 22a may be replaced with horizontal flange portions.

[0042] If both tapered sections 24a and 22a are replaced with horizontal flange sections, the movable frame section 24 cannot be opened naturally by using the weight of the dollies 40 and 50 and the container (food box) 60. However, if relatively lightweight goods are loaded onto the container (food box) 60 for delivery, opening the movable frame section 24 is not that difficult even if the tapered sections are replaced with horizontal flange sections. Furthermore, if the first tapered section 24a is left as is and only the second tapered section 22a is replaced with a horizontal flange section, the movable frame section 24 can be opened naturally by using the weight of the dollies 40 and 50 and the container (food box) 60, as in the above embodiment.

[0043] The locking mechanism (lock lever 25 and lock pin 26) is not limited to the configuration shown in Figures 6 to 8. Furthermore, the locking mechanism does not necessarily need to be a double-lock configuration. The locking mechanism may be a simple bolt-on configuration. A simple one-touch locking mechanism is also possible.

[0044] The number of dollies mounted on the transport trolley 100 is not limited to two, such as dollies 40 and 50. There can be just one dolly, or it can be equipped with two or more dollies; for example, there can be four or six.

[0045] Figure 11 also shows (a) a perspective view of the transport trolley in use and (b) a perspective view of the transport trolley with the dolly separated, according to a modified embodiment 2 of the present invention. In this transport trolley, the trolley frame 20 is composed of a pair of L-shaped frame sections.

[0046] In other words, one L-shaped frame section, composed of a short-side frame section 21 and a long-side frame section 24, is configured to open and close around a pivot pin 24c relative to the other L-shaped frame section, composed of a short-side frame section 23 and a long-side frame section 22. Since the two sides of the short-side frame section 21 and the long-side frame section 24 can be opened wide, there is the advantage that the dollies 40 and 50 can be easily separated.

[0047] Figure 12 also shows (a) a perspective view of the transport trolley in use, (b) a perspective view when the dolly is separated, and (c) a perspective view when horizontally stacked, according to the modified embodiment 3 of the present invention. In this transport trolley, the trolley frame 20 is configured in a U-shape.

[0048] In other words, the U-shaped trolley frame 20 is composed of long side frame sections 22 and 24 and short side frame section 23. The long side frame section 24 is configured to rotate horizontally outward around one end (left end), but the U-shape can be maintained by tightening the lock lever 25 at one end.

[0049] Fixed stopper portions 22e and 24e are formed in pairs on the left and right sides at one end of the long frame portions 22 and 24. These stopper portions 22e and 24e prevent the dollies 40 and 50 from moving outwards.

[0050] As shown in Figure 12(b), rotating the long frame section 24 horizontally outward around the opposite side of the stopper section 24e (the fixing bolt 27 of the fork member 24d) has the advantage of widely opening two sides of one side of the dollies 40 and 50, making separation easier. Also, as shown in Figure 12(c), opening the trolley frame 20 into an L-shape has the advantage of allowing multiple transport trolleys to be stacked horizontally.

[0051] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a transport trolley according to a modified embodiment 4 of the present invention. The container 60 is omitted. In this transport trolley, the U-shaped trolley frame 20 of Figure 12(a) is fixed in shape, and an opening (the part where the short side frame portion 21 has been removed) is formed in a part of the trolley frame 20 (front side) that allows dollies 40 and 50 to move in and out horizontally. This opening may be formed on the long side instead of the short side, as shown in Figure 13.

[0052] Instead of rotating the long side frame portion 24 of the trolley frame 20 in Figure 12(a) outward, the first tapered portion 24a and the second tapered portion 22a, which serve as multiple support members, are configured to slide horizontally outward, and the stopper portions 22e and 24e are configured to rotate outward. By sliding the first tapered portion 24a and the second tapered portion 22a horizontally outward, the dollies 40 and 50 can be unloaded vertically downward.

[0053] Then, after rotating the stopper sections 22e and 24e outward, the dollies 40 and 50 can be separated from the transport trolley by moving them outward through the opening on the front side. As mentioned above, either or both of the first tapered section 24a and the second tapered section 22a can be replaced with a horizontal flange section. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 10, 11: Casters 20: Dolly frame 21, 23: Short side frame section 21a, 23a: Support pipe 21b: Shaft hole 21c: Hole 21d: End opening 22: Long side frame section (opposing frame section) 24: Long side frame section (movable frame section) 22a: Second tapered section 22b, 24b: Partition members 22e, 24e: Stopper parts 24a: First tapered section 24c: Pivot pin 24d: Fork component 24d1: Insertion rod 24d2: Groove 24d3: Lock hole 24d4: Fixing hole 25: Locking lever (locking mechanism) 25a: Shaft 25b: Tightening plate 25c: Nut 26: Locking pin (locking mechanism) 27: Fixing bolts 30: Outer frame 40, 50: Dolly 40, 50: Dolly 41, 51: Wheels 60: Container (food box) 100, 200: Transport cart

Claims

1. A transport trolley capable of mounting one or more dollies, A rectangular frame-shaped trolley frame that supports the dolly, Multiple casters attached to the lower part of the aforementioned trolley frame, A movable frame portion which forms one side of the trolley frame and supports the lower part of the dolly, An opposing frame portion, which forms the other side of the trolley frame at a position opposite to the movable frame portion and supports the lower part of the dolly, A transport trolley characterized by having the following features.

2. The transport trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower end of the wheels of the dolly supported on the trolley frame is positioned higher than the lower end of the caster on the trolley frame.

3. A first tapered portion formed on the inside of the movable frame portion and capable of supporting the lower part of the dolly, wherein the first tapered portion is formed to be inclined downward toward the inside of the trolley frame, A second tapered portion formed on the inside of the opposing frame portion and capable of supporting the lower part of the dolly, the second tapered portion being formed to be inclined downward toward the inside of the trolley frame, A transport trolley according to the second specification, characterized by having the following features.

4. The transport trolley according to claim 3, characterized in that the movable frame portion is rotatable horizontally outward around a pivot pin at a corner of the trolley frame.

5. The transport trolley according to claim 4, characterized in that the end of the movable frame portion opposite to the pivot pin is detachably engaged with the corner of the trolley frame via a locking mechanism.

6. The transport trolley according to claim 3, characterized in that the movable frame portion is detachable horizontally from the trolley frame, and both ends of the movable frame portion are detachably engaged with the corners of the trolley frame via locking means.

7. The transport trolley according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the locking means includes a locking pin that engages the end of the movable frame portion with a corner of the trolley frame, and a locking lever that tightens the end of the movable frame portion with a corner of the trolley frame.

8. A transport trolley capable of mounting one or more dollies, A frame-shaped trolley frame having a plurality of support members capable of supporting the lower part of the dolly, Multiple casters attached to the lower part of the aforementioned trolley frame, The dolly has an opening formed in a part of the trolley frame that allows it to move in and out horizontally, A transport trolley characterized in that the plurality of support members are configured to be movable horizontally outward with respect to the trolley frame, thereby allowing the dolly to be lowered from the trolley frame and moved outward from the opening.

9. The transport trolley of the 8, characterized in that the lower end of the wheels of the dolly supported on the trolley frame is positioned higher than the lower end of the caster on the trolley frame.

10. The transport trolley according to claim 9, characterized in that a stopper portion for preventing the movement of the dolly is provided in the opening portion so as to be openable and closable.

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