Measuring instrument support device

Abstract

To provide a measuring instrument support device that is easy to handle and ensures the safety of workers during installation. [Solution] The measuring instrument support device 1 comprises a main body 3 having a measuring instrument holding part 14 for holding a measuring instrument 13 in a predetermined position, an extension part 4 that extends coaxially with the main body, the extension part having an auxiliary extension part 10 that extends from its end, and an operating lever 18 that faces the circumferential surface 4a of the extension part 4 and displaces the auxiliary extension part 10 as it rotates around a support axis perpendicular to the axis of the extension part 4 from a first position protruding radially from the circumferential surface to a second position along the circumferential surface, the measuring instrument support device 1 comprising a plurality of handles 20 provided circumferentially spaced apart on the circumferential surface 4a of the extension part 4, the axial position of which overlaps at least a part with the axial position of the operating lever 18 in the second position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an instrument support device.

Background Art

[0002] Various jigs and devices have been proposed for installing an instrument for measuring a physical quantity at a location suitable for the purpose of measurement.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for mounting an instrument that highly accurately detects the three-dimensional positions of the axial centers of both a driving motor and a pump driven by this motor in a fluid machine on the fluid machine itself in order to align the axial centers of both.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] On the other hand, in measuring the inertia related to the behavior of a vehicle, etc., an instrument support device for installing an instrument at the center of gravity position of a test vehicle is used. As this type of instrument support device, there are some that are devised for ease of handling, but there is still room for further consideration in ensuring the safety of the operator during installation work.

[0006] The technology of the present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an instrument support device that is easy to handle and ensures the safety of the operator during installation work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One measuring instrument support device of the present disclosure comprises a telescopic strut having a cylindrical main body having one end as a base that contacts a fixed object and the other end as an open end, and an extension portion having a portion that is partially fitted inside the main body and the other portion extending coaxially from the open end to the main body; an operating lever provided facing the circumferential surface of the extension portion that displaces the extension portion so that it extends out from the main body as it tilts around an axis perpendicular to the axis of the extension portion from a first position projecting radially from the circumferential surface to a second position along the circumferential surface, and fixes the extended and retracted position of the extension portion relative to the main body in the fully tilted position; and a plurality of handles provided on the circumferential surface at axial positions that at least partially overlap with the axial position of the operating lever in the second position on the circumferential surface, but are separate from the circumferential position of the operating lever. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The measuring instrument support device of this disclosure is easy to handle and ensures the safety of workers during installation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows the measuring instrument support device of this disclosure installed on a vehicle. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the various steps involved in installing the measuring instrument support device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the operation to transition from state (B) to state (C) in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the handle in the measuring instrument support device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This figure shows the mounting position of the handle in the measuring instrument support device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates the operation to shorten the overall length of the measuring instrument support device shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] A measuring instrument support device according to one aspect of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same parts or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0011] Figure 1 shows the measuring instrument support device 1 of this disclosure installed on a vehicle 2. Part (A) of Figure 1 shows the view from the front of the vehicle 2, and part (B) of Figure 1 shows the view from the left side, with the front of the vehicle 2 on the left.

[0012] The measuring instrument support device 1 is mainly composed of a telescopic strut 5 having a cylindrical main body 3 and an extension 4 that extends coaxially from the main body 3. One end of the main body 3 is a base 7 that abuts against the floor 6 of the vehicle 2, which is a fixed object, and the other end is an open end 8. The base 7 has a pedestal 7a. The extension 4 is partially fitted inside the main body 3, with the other part extending coaxially from the open end 8.

[0013] The extension portion 4 has an auxiliary extension portion 10 that extends coaxially and expandably from its end face 9, which is the end in the extension direction. The auxiliary extension portion 10 is, for example, a metal rod and has a disc-shaped pad 11 on its extension end side. By pulling the extension portion 4 upward in the extension direction as shown in the figure, the pad 11 of the auxiliary extension portion 10 can be brought into contact with the underside of the roof 12 of the vehicle 2.

[0014] The measuring instrument support device 1 includes a measuring instrument holding portion 14 that holds the measuring instrument 13 at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 3 of the strut 5. The measuring instrument 13 includes, for example, an inertial sensor for measuring the motion behavior of the vehicle 2. The measuring instrument holding portion 14 is a part for holding the housing of the measuring instrument 13 with, for example, an appropriate bracket 15.

[0015] The main body 3 has a relatively thick and short reinforcing cylinder 16 fitted to the open end 8 side. The reinforcing cylinder 16 is provided with a lock lever 17 that locks the movement of the extension portion 4 which extends and retracts from the main body 3. The lock lever 17 itself is common in this type of strut 5.

[0016] An operating lever 18 for displacing an auxiliary extension part 10 so as to further protrude from an extension part 4 is provided on the extension part 4 of the strut 5. The operating lever 18 is swingable around a support shaft (not shown) orthogonal to the axis of the extension part 4. As the operating lever 18 falls from a first posture protruding radially from the circumferential surface 4a of the extension part 4 to a second posture along the circumferential surface 4a of the extension part 4, the auxiliary extension part 10 is displaced so as to protrude from the extension part 4, and the expansion and contraction position of the auxiliary extension part 10 in the extension part 4 with respect to the main body part 3 is fixed in the fallen posture. Further, when the operating lever 18 is lifted from the second posture and returned to the first posture, the protruding auxiliary extension part 10 retracts into the extension part 4 and returns to its original position. The lever main body 18a of the operating lever 18 and the mechanism itself for expanding and contracting the auxiliary extension part 10 are common in this type of strut 5.

[0017] The measuring instrument support device 1 of the present disclosure includes a handle 19 provided on the lever main body 18a of the operating lever 18 at a part closer to the main body part 3 in the above-described second posture and on the side opposite to the part facing the circumferential surface 4a. The handle 19 may be made of, for example, resin and may have a shape similar to a kind of doorknob that is easy for an operator to grip.

[0018] A plurality of handles 20 are provided at an axial position that at least partially overlaps with the axial position of the operating lever 18 in the above-described second posture on the circumferential surface 4a and at a position on the circumferential surface 4a that is separated from the circumferential direction position of the operating lever 18.

[0019] Next, the operations for installing the measuring instrument support device 1 of FIG. 1 will be sequentially described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a view of the vehicle 2 of FIG. 1 from the rear side to the front side. In the (A) part of FIG. 2, a state where the measuring instrument support device 1 is brought into the vehicle 2 and placed upright on the floor 6 is shown. In this state, the lock by the lock lever 17 is released, and the extension part 4 of the strut 5 has entered the main body part 3. Also, the operation lever 18 is in a first posture protruding radially from the peripheral surface 4a of the extension part 4, and the auxiliary extension part 10 has entered the extension part 4. Therefore, the strut 5 is in a state where its entire length is contracted, and the pad 11 of the auxiliary extension part 10 does not reach the roof 12.

[0020] Next, from the state shown in the (A) part of FIG. 2, an operator manually pulls out the extension part 4 of the strut 5 from the main body part 3 and extends it until the pad 11 of the auxiliary extension part 10 abuts against the lower surface of the roof 12 as shown in the (B) part of FIG. 2. The operator locks the extension part 4 by lowering the lock lever 17 downward as shown in the figure with one hand while maintaining the state where the extension part 4 has extended thus far with the other hand.

[0021] By locking the movement of the extension part 4 that expands and contracts from the main body part 3, the strut 5 reaches a state where the pedestal 7a of the main body part 3, which is one end, contacts the floor 6, and the pad 11 of the auxiliary extension part 10, which is the other end, contacts the roof 12, and can temporarily maintain a posture in which the longitudinal direction is in the vertical direction inside the vehicle 2 in a self-supporting manner. In the state shown in the (B) part of FIG. 2, it is difficult to stably maintain the relative position and posture of the strut 5 with respect to the vehicle 2 against the acceleration acting due to the behavior of the vehicle 2. That is, it is difficult to maintain the position and posture of the measuring instrument support device 1 at positions and postures suitable for the purpose of measurement.

[0022] Next, the operation lever 18 is tilted around a support shaft (not shown) orthogonal to the axis of the extension part 4 from the first posture protruding radially from the peripheral surface 4a shown in the (B) part of FIG. 2 to the second posture along the peripheral surface 4a shown in the (C) part of FIG. 2.

[0023] As the operating lever 18 moves downward, the auxiliary extension part 10 extends from the extension part 4. When the auxiliary extension part 10 extends, the pad 11 of the auxiliary extension part 10 creates a recess 12a on the underside of the roof 12 due to elastic deformation. A reaction force acts on the pad 11 from the part of the roof 12 where the recess 12a is created. As a result of this reaction force continuously applying an axial compressive force to the strut 5, the position and orientation of the strut 5 are maintained against the acceleration caused by the movement of the vehicle 2. Therefore, the position of the measuring instrument 13 held in the main body 3 is maintained at the normal position for measurement, for example, near the center of gravity of the vehicle 2.

[0024] When the operating lever 18 reaches the second fully reclined position, it maintains this position through the action of a mechanism (not shown). This maintains the auxiliary extension part 10 in the extended state from the extension part 4. The action of the mechanism described above is not unique to the strut 5 in the measuring instrument support device 1 of this disclosure, but is common to this type of general strut.

[0025] Incidentally, operating the operating lever 18 can be dangerous if measures such as those in the measuring instrument support device 1 of this disclosure are not taken. In the process of transitioning from the first position shown in part (B) of Figure 2 to the second position shown in part (C) of Figure 2, once the operating lever 18 has passed a position rotated by a certain angle from the first position, it approaches the second position elastically on its own due to the characteristics of the mechanism described above.

[0026] When the operating lever 18 reaches the second position, the space between the vicinity of the center of rotational movement of the operating lever 18 and the circumferential surface 4a of the extension part 4 becomes extremely narrow. That is, a region z is created in which the gap between the operating lever 18 and the circumferential surface 4a narrows elastically. If the operator is gripping the extension part 4 with their fingers within this region z, there is a risk of their fingers getting caught between the operating lever 18 and the circumferential surface 4a.

[0027] Therefore, the measuring instrument support device 1 of this disclosure is provided with a handle 20 on the circumferential surface 4a of the extension portion 4. The handle 20 prevents the operator from gripping the extension portion 4 while their fingers are within the area z. This prevents the operator from having their fingers caught.

[0028] Furthermore, the measuring instrument support device 1 is equipped with a handle 19 on the lever body 18a. As previously described, the handle 19 has a shape and dimensions similar to, for example, a doorknob, making it easy to grip. Therefore, compared to operating the operating lever 18 without the handle 19, it is easier for the operator to control the amount of force applied. By gripping the handle 19 and adjusting the operating force, the operator can easily control the movement of the operating lever 18 as it approaches the circumferential surface 4a of the extension portion 4, thereby preventing fingers from getting caught.

[0029] Referring to Figures 3, 4, and 5, it is easily understood that the measuring instrument support device 1 of this disclosure offers high safety during handling. Figure 3 shows how an operator operates the operating lever 18 according to the standard work procedure. This corresponds to the stage in operating the measuring instrument support device 1 when transitioning from state (B) to state (C) in Figure 2. That is, the operator holds one of the handles 20a with their left hand to maintain the position and posture of the extension part 4, while rotating the operating lever 18 with their right hand.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, when the operator attempts to tilt the operating lever 18 downwards with their right hand, their left hand maintains a grip on the handle 20a. Therefore, when the operator tilts the operating lever 18 to move it to the second position, their right hand is inevitably positioned away from the area z where there is a risk of their fingers being caught. Thus, the operator's safety is essentially ensured.

[0031] Figure 4 shows details of the handles 20 (20a, 20b). The handles 20a and 20b are attached to the extension portion 4 by support stays 21 which have portions that project radially from the circumferential surface 4a.

[0032] The handles 20a and 20b each have a gripping member 22, which is a gripping portion, for example, an annular or U-shaped gripping member, and a support member 23, which is a support portion positioned closer to the circumferential surface 4a than the gripping member 22 and supports the gripping member 22. The support member 23 is provided on the circumferential surface 4a such that its outer edge 25, opposite to the inner edge 24 facing the circumferential surface 4a, is separated from the circumferential surface 4a by a certain distance w or more. The gripping member 22 and the support member 23 together form a shape that surrounds the opening 26. The support member 23, which is the support portion of the handles 20a and 20b, has a closing portion 27 that extends from the inner edge 24 to the outer edge 25. The closing portion 27 is a plate-shaped member that extends from the inner edge 24 to the outer edge 25 of the support member 23, narrowing the opening 26. The support member 23 may also take a form in which its outer edge 25 extends to the gripping member 22 and completely fills the opening 26.

[0033] Here, the opening 26 in Figure 4 is the space through which the worker's fingers pass when gripping the gripping member 22, as shown in Figure 3. If the outer edge 25 of the support member 23 is too close to the circumferential surface 4a, the worker may spread their hand and grip the extension part 4 with their fingers passed through the openings 26 of both handles 20a and 20b. In other words, there is a risk that the worker may be able to grip the extension part 4 with their fingers within the region z described above.

[0034] Therefore, in the measuring instrument support device 1 of this disclosure, the outer edge 25 of the support member 23 that defines the opening 26 is separated from the circumferential surface 4a by a certain distance w or more. The distance w is set to such a distance that even if the operator fully extends their hand with their fingers through the openings 26 of both handles 20a and 20b, they will not be able to grasp the extension portion 4. For this reason, the operator cannot grasp the extension portion 4 with their fingers through the openings 26 of both handles 20a and 20b. As mentioned above, the support member 23 may take a form in which the outer edge 25 reaches the gripping member 22 and completely fills the opening 26.

[0035] In other words, the operator cannot grip the extension part 4 with their fingers within the aforementioned area z. To put it simply, the operator cannot grip the area z where there is a risk of pinching their fingers due to the presence of the handle 20, and their fingers will not be caught between the circumferential surface 4a and the operating lever 18. In this way, safety is ensured when handling the measuring instrument support device 1.

[0036] Figure 5 shows a plan view of the mounting position of the handle 20 in one embodiment of the measuring instrument support device 1. Figure 5 also shows the case where the operating lever 18 is in the first position described above. The multiple handles 20 are arranged such that one handle 20a and the other handle 20b form a pair and are positioned symmetrically with respect to the axis of the circumferential surface 4a of the extension portion 4. In the case of Figure 5, one handle 20a and the other handle 20b are positioned 180 degrees apart from each other with respect to the axis of the circumferential surface 4a and are aligned in a straight line.

[0037] Therefore, the diameter of the extension portion 4 is interposed between the position where one handle 20a and the other handle 20b are aligned. Consequently, even if the radial dimension of the closing portion 27 in the support member 23, as explained with reference to Figure 4, is relatively short, the distance between the outer edges 25 of one handle 20a and the other handle 20b becomes wider.

[0038] If the distance between the outer edges 25 of one handle 20a and the other handle 20b is wide, even a worker with relatively large hands will find it extremely difficult to wrap their fingers around the openings 26 of both handles 20a and 20b and grasp the extension part 4. In other words, with the handles 20 arranged as shown in Figure 5, the worker cannot grip the area z where there is a risk of pinching fingers, and their fingers will not be caught between the circumferential surface 4a and the operating lever 18. In this way, safety is ensured when handling the measuring instrument support device 1.

[0039] Figure 6 shows the instrument support device 1 of the present disclosure in a shortened state for transporting purposes. In one embodiment of the instrument support device 1 of the present disclosure, one handle 20a and the other handle 20b are provided such that a gap g is created between the handles 20a, 20b and the circumferential surface 4a, so as to avoid interference between the inner edge 24 of the support member 23 and the main body 3 when the extension portion 4 is inserted into the main body 3.

[0040] The operation to retract the extension portion 4 into the main body portion 3 is performed by releasing the lock by the lock lever 17, as shown in part (A) of Figure 2. The size of the gap g can be adjusted by selecting the radial overhang dimension of the support stay 21 or the relative position of the support member 23 with respect to the support stay 21.

[0041] Because the gap g prevents interference between the reinforcing cylinder 16 of the main body 3 and the support member 23 of the gripping member 22, the extension portion 4 can be retracted into the main body 3 until the lower end of one handle 20a and the other handle 20b is located at a distance d below the upper end of the reinforcing cylinder 16 in the illustration. Therefore, the overall length of the measuring instrument support device 1 can be sufficiently shortened when transporting it, making it easier to handle.

[0042] The configuration and effects of each embodiment of the measuring instrument support device 1 of this disclosure are summarized below.

[0043] (1) In one embodiment, the measuring instrument support device 1 of the present disclosure includes a plurality of handles 20 provided on the circumferential surface 4a at positions on the circumferential surface 4a that overlap at least a portion with the axial position of the operating lever 18 in a second posture, and are separate from the circumferential position of the operating lever 18.

[0044] In the measuring instrument support device 1 described in (1) above, the presence of the handle 20 makes it difficult to grip the extension part 4 while the fingers are within the area z where there is a risk of fingers being caught between the operating lever 18 and the surrounding surface 4a. As a result, when the operator extends the extension part 4 (the auxiliary extension part 10 of the extension part 4) by tilting the operating lever 18 while gripping and supporting the extension part 4 to perform the work of fixing the strut 5, the operator is naturally able to avoid the accident of having their fingers caught.

[0045] (2) In one embodiment, the measuring instrument support device 1 of the present disclosure has a handle 19 on the part of the operating lever 18 that is closer to the main body 3 in the second posture and is on the opposite side from the part facing the circumferential surface 4a.

[0046] In the measuring instrument support device 1 described in (2) above, the operator can easily control the movement of the operating lever 18 as it rapidly approaches the circumferential surface 4a of the extension section 4 by gripping the easy-to-grip handle 19 and adjusting the operating force. This prevents the operator's fingers from being caught between the operating lever 18 and the circumferential surface 4a.

[0047] (3) In one embodiment, the measuring instrument support device 1 of the present disclosure has a handle 20 which has a gripping portion (gripping member 22) and a support portion (support member 23) which is positioned closer to the circumferential surface 4a than the gripping portion and supports the gripping portion, and the support portion is provided on the circumferential surface 4a such that the outer edge 25 opposite to the inner edge 24 on the side facing the circumferential surface 4a is separated from the circumferential surface 4a by a certain distance w or more, or the outer edge 25 reaches the gripping member 22.

[0048] In the measuring instrument support device 1 described in (3) above, the edge 22a of the support member 23 on the gripping member 22 is separated from the circumferential surface 4a by a certain distance w or more, or the outer edge 25 reaches the gripping member 22 and fills the opening 26, so the operator cannot grip the support member 23 and the extension part 4 together. In other words, the operator cannot grip the extension part 4 with their fingers through the opening 26 surrounded by the gripping member 22 of the handle 20. That is, the operator cannot grip the extension part 4 in the area z where there is a risk of pinching their fingers, and their fingers will not be pinched between the circumferential surface 4a and the operating lever 18.

[0049] (4) In one embodiment, the measuring instrument support device 1 of the present disclosure includes a pair of handles 20a, 20b provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the axis of the circumferential surface 4a.

[0050] In the measuring instrument support device 1 described in (4) above, one handle 20a and the other handle 20b are positioned at 180-degree intervals from each other with respect to the axis of the circumferential surface 4a and are aligned in a straight line. As a result, the diameter of the extension portion 4 is interposed between the aligned handles 20a and 20b. Consequently, the distance between the outer edges 25 of the paired handles 20a and 20b becomes wider. With a wide distance between the outer edges 25, it is extremely difficult to reach the openings 26 of both the handle 20a and the other handle 20b with fingers and grasp the extension portion 4. In other words, because the handles 20 are arranged as shown in Figure 5, the operator cannot grasp the extension portion 4 in the area z where there is a risk of pinching fingers, and their fingers will not be pinched between the circumferential surface 4a and the operating lever 18.

[0051] (5) In one embodiment, the measuring instrument support device 1 of the present disclosure is provided such that a gap g is created between the handle 20 and the circumferential surface 4a, so as to avoid interference between the inner edge 24 of the support portion (support member 23) and the main body 3 when the extension portion 4 is inserted into the main body 3.

[0052] In the measuring instrument support device 1 described in (5) above, the gap g prevents interference between the reinforcing cylinder 16 and the support member 23 of the gripping member 22. Therefore, the extension portion 4 can be retracted into the main body portion 3 until the lower end of one handle 20a and the other handle 20b are located at a distance d below the upper end of the reinforcing cylinder 16 in Figure 6. This allows the overall length of the measuring instrument support device 1 to be sufficiently shortened when transporting it, making it easier to handle.

[0053] (6) In one embodiment, the measuring instrument support device 1 of the present disclosure has a support portion (support member 23) which has a closed portion 27 that extends from the inner edge 24 to the outer edge 25.

[0054] As described in (6) above, in the measuring instrument support device 1 of this disclosure, the operator cannot pass their hand through the opening 26 surrounded by the annular gripping member 22 and grasp the circumferential surface 4a of the extension part 4 because it is blocked by the closing part 27. As a result, the operator cannot grasp the extension part 4 in the area z where there is a risk of pinching fingers, and their fingers will not be pinched between the circumferential surface 4a and the operating lever 18. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] z…area 1… Measuring instrument support device 2…Vehicles 3…Main body 4...Extension part 4a...peripheral surface 5... Strut 6... Floor 7...Base 7a... Pedestal 8...Open end 9…End face 10... Auxiliary extension part 11…Pad 12...Roof 12a...dent 13… Measuring instruments 14… Measuring instrument holder 15…Bracket 16…Reinforcement tube 17... Lock lever 18...Operating lever 18a...Lever body 19...Handle 20, 20a, 20b... handles 21...Support Stay 22...Gripping member (part that grips) 23…Support member (support part) 24... Common-law marriage 25…Outer edge 26…Aperture 27…Occluded part

Claims

1. A telescopic strut having a cylindrical main body having one end as a base that contacts a fixed object and the other end as an open end, and an extension part having a portion that is fitted inside the main body and the other portion that extends coaxially from the open end to the main body, An operating lever is provided facing the circumferential surface of the extension portion and displaces the extension portion so that it extends outwards from the main body as it tilts around an axis perpendicular to the axis of the extension portion, from a first position where it protrudes radially from the circumferential surface to a second position where it lies along the circumferential surface, and fixes the extension position of the extension portion relative to the main body in the fully tilted position. A plurality of handles are provided on the circumferential surface at positions on the circumferential surface that overlap at least a portion with the axial position of the operating lever in the second posture, and that are separate from the circumferential position of the operating lever. A measuring instrument support device comprising the above.

2. The measuring instrument support device according to claim 1, wherein the operating lever has a handle on the part closer to the main body in the second posture and on the side opposite to the part facing the circumferential surface.

3. The handle has a gripping portion and a support portion positioned closer to the circumferential surface than the gripping portion and supporting the gripping portion. The measuring instrument support device according to claim 1, wherein the support portion is provided on the circumferential surface in such a manner that the outer edge opposite to the inner edge facing the circumferential surface is separated from the circumferential surface by a certain distance or more, or the outer edge reaches the gripping portion.

4. The measuring instrument support device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of handles include a pair of handles provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the axis of the circumferential surface.

5. The measuring instrument support device according to claim 3, wherein the handle is provided such that a gap is created between the handle and the circumferential surface to avoid interference between the inner edge of the support portion and the main body when the extension portion moves toward the main body.

6. The measuring instrument support device according to claim 3, wherein the support portion has a closed portion that extends from the inner edge to the outer edge.

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