Coupling mechanism and ramp unit, trolley, and step plate equipped therewith

Abstract

The present invention provides a connecting mechanism that reduces the burden of managing connecting components when connecting multiple structures, and facilitates connecting / disconnecting operations, as well as a ramp unit, trolley, and step plate equipped with this mechanism. [Solution] The connecting mechanism of the present invention is a connecting mechanism that detachably connects a first structure and a second structure when they are placed adjacent to each other at a predetermined position in the x-axis direction, and is configured as follows: A locking portion is provided on the first surface of the first structure that is in contact with the second structure, and on the second surface of the second structure that is in contact with the first structure, respectively, to fix them so that they do not separate in the x-axis direction when they are placed adjacent to each other at a predetermined position. The first structure is equipped with a pin that protrudes from the first surface and a pin protrusion mechanism for adjusting the amount of protrusion, and when they are placed adjacent to each other at a predetermined position, the pin fits into a hole provided on the second surface of the second structure, fixing it so that it does not move in directions other than the x-axis direction. In this way, the first and second structures are connected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connecting mechanism, a slope unit, a carriage, and a step plate provided with the same.

Background Art

[0002] Temporary slopes have been conventionally used to overcome steps formed in buildings and passageways. The height of the steps to be provided with slopes is not constant, and it is necessary for the temporary slopes to be adjustable in the height direction to cope with various steps.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a temporary slope that can be adjusted to heights corresponding to various steps, is easy to install by one person, and has sufficient load-bearing capacity. It is composed of one or more base parts and a plurality of fixed inclination parts. By arranging the base parts and the fixed inclination parts adjacent to each other and stacking them, a continuous inclined surface can be formed to form a slope. When viewed from above, the base parts and the fixed inclination parts can form a slope with a free width and height by arranging the same squares (rectangles) side by side in the front, rear, left, and right directions and stacking them on top. At this time, by arranging and stacking them in a predetermined order, the displacement of the slope in the front-rear direction can be prevented without using other parts by the locking parts or engaging parts provided integrally on each part.

[0004] More specifically, the slope unit described in Patent Document 1 is equipped with locking parts on the surfaces that come into contact with the base part and other base parts or fixed inclined parts when they are arranged in the front-rear direction, preventing them from separating in the front-rear direction. The locking part formed on the rear side surface of the front base part (front locking part) protrudes rearward and then projects downward, while the locking part formed on the front side surface of the base part or fixed inclined part (rear part) positioned behind it (rear locking part) protrudes forward and then projects upward. By sliding the front side surface of the rear part against the rear side surface of the front base part from slightly above and aligning them, the front locking part and the rear locking part engage, and as long as the front base part and the rear part are positioned at the same height, they are fixed together so as not to separate in the front-rear direction.

[0005] The same applies when stacking other base parts or fixed inclined parts on top of a base part. The locking portion (upper locking portion) formed on the upper surface of the lower base part (lower part) protrudes upward and forward, while the locking portion (lower locking portion) formed on the lower surface of the base part or fixed inclined part (upper part) stacked on top of it protrudes downward and backward. By sliding the upper part onto the lower part from slightly forward while aligning its lower surface with the upper surface of the lower part, the upper locking portion and the lower locking portion engage, and as long as the upper and lower parts are positioned in the same position in the front-to-back direction, they are fixed together so as not to separate in the vertical direction. Hereafter in this specification, components corresponding to base parts and fixed inclined parts will be referred to as rectangular blocks and inclined blocks, respectively. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-13019 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The ramp unit described in Patent Document 1 is fixed so that it does not separate in the front-to-back and up-to-down directions when arranged and stacked in a predetermined order, but it is not fixed in the left-to-right direction, and the connection is released by moving it diagonally in the reverse order of installation. The same document discloses a method using slip prevention pins to prevent this (paragraphs 0077-0082, Figure 15). Although this method is effective, it has the burden of preparing and managing slip prevention pins as materials in addition to the base parts and fixed inclined parts. Since the slip prevention pins need to be attached sequentially while arranging the base parts and fixed inclined parts in a predetermined order, there is a possibility of shortages due to loss or damage along the way, and if too many are prepared, there will be surplus and will have to be returned to the management materials, creating a management burden.

[0008] The inventors of the present invention realized that, not limited to the slope unit described above, when connecting multiple structures, there is a need for a connecting mechanism that reduces the burden of managing connecting members and facilitates the connecting / disconnecting operation.

[0009] The objective of the present invention is to provide a connecting mechanism that reduces the burden of managing connecting members when connecting multiple structures, and that facilitates connecting / disconnecting operations, as well as a ramp unit, trolley, and step plate equipped with the same.

[0010] The means for solving these problems are described below, but other problems and novel features will become clear from the description and accompanying drawings in this specification. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The connecting mechanism of the present invention is a connecting mechanism that detachably connects a first structure and a second structure when they are placed adjacent to each other at a predetermined position in a first direction, and is configured as follows.

[0012] The first structure is provided with a locking portion on a first surface adjacent to the second structure, which locks the second surface adjacent to the first structure of the second structure from a second direction different from the first direction, so that the first structure and the second structure do not move apart in the first direction when they are placed adjacent to each other at the predetermined position. The first structure is provided with a pin protruding from the first surface and a pin protrusion mechanism for adjusting the amount the pin protrudes from the first surface, and the second structure is provided with a hole into which the pin is inserted from the first direction when it is placed adjacent to the first structure at the predetermined position, and which restricts the pin from shifting away from the predetermined position in directions other than the first direction.

[0013] The slope unit of the present invention is equipped with the above-mentioned connecting mechanism as a front-to-back connecting mechanism and / or an up-to-down connecting mechanism, and is constructed by combining one or more rectangular parallelepiped blocks and a plurality of inclined blocks, and is configured as follows.

[0014] The rectangular block comprises a rectangular top plate, a front side wall and a rear side wall formed perpendicularly to the front and rear ends of the top plate, a first front and rear locking portion formed on the front surface of the front side wall, a second front and rear locking portion formed on the rear surface of the rear side wall, and a first upper and lower locking portion and a second upper and lower locking portion formed on the upper surface of the top plate.

[0015] The inclined block comprises an inclined top plate that is rectangular in shape when viewed from the vertical, an inclined side wall formed perpendicular to the end of the inclined top plate and at the same height as the front side wall, a third front and rear locking portion formed on the inclined side wall, and a third upper and lower locking portion. In this specification, expressions such as "same height" and "heights are the same" do not mean equality with mathematical precision, but rather allow for errors that do not cause practical problems.

[0016] When rectangular blocks are placed adjacent to each other front to back, the front side wall of the rear rectangular block slides along the rear side wall of the front rectangular block, and when the heights of the top plates of the front and rear rectangular blocks are aligned, the first front-rear locking part and the second front-rear locking part are fixed in the front-rear direction.

[0017] When rectangular blocks are stacked vertically, the second vertical locking portion of the upper rectangular block engages with the first vertical locking portion of the lower rectangular block, thereby fixing them in the vertical direction.

[0018] When an inclined block is positioned adjacent to a rectangular block in front, the front side wall of the inclined block slides along the rear side wall of the rectangular block in front, and when the height of the end of the inclined top plate of the inclined block and the top plate of the rectangular block in front are aligned, the third front-rear locking part and the second front-rear locking part are fixed in the front-rear direction.

[0019] When an inclined block is stacked on top of a rectangular block, the third upper and lower locking portion of the inclined block engages with the first upper and lower locking portion of the lower rectangular block, thereby fixing it in the vertical direction.

[0020] The front-to-rear connecting mechanism is configured such that the front rectangular block, which is arranged adjacent to the front and rear, is the first structure, and the other rectangular block or inclined block, which is arranged adjacent to the rear with its forward direction as the first direction, is the second structure, and the first, second, and third front-to-rear locking parts are configured as locking parts of the connecting mechanism.

[0021] The upper and lower connecting mechanism is configured such that the upper rectangular block or inclined block stacked vertically is the first structure, the other rectangular block positioned adjacent to it on the lower side with its upward direction as the first direction is the second structure, and the first, second and third upper and lower locking parts serve as the locking parts of the connecting mechanism.

[0022] The trolley of the present invention is equipped with the above-described coupling mechanism and has a rectangular loading platform and wheels below it, wherein the coupling mechanism is a coupling mechanism that connects to another trolley that is arranged adjacent to it with the loading platform aligned in the first direction, and the surface of the loading platform in the first direction is designated as the first surface, and the surface of the other trolley that is in contact with the first surface is designated as the second surface.

[0023] The step plate of the present invention is provided with the above-described connection mechanism, and is a plurality of step plates arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction below the step in order to eliminate a step that spreads in the left-right direction. The connection mechanism is configured with the right direction or the left direction as the first direction, each step plate as the first structure, and another step plate adjacent in the right direction or the left direction as the second structure.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] The effects obtained by the present invention are briefly described as follows. That is, when connecting a plurality of structures, it is possible to provide a connection mechanism that reduces the management burden of members for connection and enables easy connection / disconnection work, and a slope unit, a cart, and a step plate equipped with the same.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the connection mechanism of the present invention in cross section. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a slope unit to which the connection mechanism of the present invention is applied in cross section. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a slope unit in perspective. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing in perspective a removal member applicable to the slope unit of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a cart to which the connection mechanism of the present invention is applied. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a step plate to which the connection mechanism of the present invention is applied. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example of a step plate to which the connection mechanism of the present invention is applied. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a connection release mechanism employed in the step plate of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example of the connection mechanism of the present invention in cross section. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] 1. Overview of the Embodiment First, a general overview of the representative embodiments disclosed in this application will be provided. The reference numerals in parentheses in the drawings used to refer to the representative embodiments are merely illustrative examples of components included in the concept of the elements to which they are attached.

[0027] [1] Coupling mechanism (Figures 1, 9) A typical embodiment disclosed in this application is a connecting mechanism (100) that detachably connects a first structure (1) and a second structure (2) when they are placed adjacent to each other at a predetermined position in the first direction (+x direction), and is configured as follows.

[0028] The first structure is provided with a locking portion (3-1, 3-2) that locks the first structure and the second structure so that they do not separate in the first direction when the first structure and the second structure are placed adjacent to each other at the predetermined position by bringing the second surface (9-2) of the second structure, which is adjacent to the first structure, closer together from a second direction (+z direction) different from the first direction. The first structure is provided with a pin (4) protruding from the first surface and a pin protrusion mechanism (5 in Figure 1, 50 in Figure 9) for adjusting the amount the pin protrudes from the first surface, and the second structure is provided with a hole (6) that allows the pin to be inserted from the first direction when placed adjacent to the first structure at the predetermined position and restricts it from shifting away from the predetermined position in directions other than the first direction.

[0029] This reduces the burden of managing connecting components when linking multiple structures, and provides a connecting mechanism that facilitates linking and unlinking operations.

[0030] [2] Specific example of the coupling mechanism configuration (Figure 1) In the connecting mechanism of [1], the locking portion (3-1) provided on the first surface of the first structure protrudes from the first surface in the first direction (+x direction) and rises in the second direction (+z direction), and the locking portion (3-2) provided on the second surface of the second structure protrudes from the second surface in the opposite direction to the first direction (-x direction) and rises in the opposite direction to the second direction (-z direction). When the first structure and the second structure are placed adjacent to each other at the predetermined position, the rises of the locking portion of the first structure and the rises of the locking portion of the second structure fit together and can be locked so that they do not separate in the first direction (+x direction).

[0031] The first structure comprises an inner surface (9-3) of a wall plate constituting the first surface and an opposing surface (9-4) facing the inner surface and positioned away from it in the opposite direction to the first direction, thereby constituting a cavity (8). The pin protrusion mechanism is a spring (5) supported between the pin and the opposing surface, which pushes the pin to protrude from the first surface, with the opposing surface as a fulcrum.

[0032] As a result, the connecting mechanism of the present invention can be implemented with a small number of parts and without requiring special processing, and therefore can be applied to many structures that are convenient to connect.

[0033] [3] Uncoupling mechanism In the coupling mechanism of [2], the coupling mechanism includes an operating piece (7-1) attached to the outer circumference of the pin and protruding outward within the cavity.

[0034] This allows for the implementation of a simple coupling release mechanism.

[0035] [4] Removal parts (Figures 4 and 8) In the coupling mechanism of [3], the coupling mechanism further comprises a release member (15, 44~47) which is inserted between the operating piece and the inner surface to move the operating piece in the opposite direction to the first direction.

[0036] This increases the degree of freedom in the placement of the coupling mechanism. This is because the coupling can be released even if the pins or operating pieces that make up the coupling mechanism are located in a position where they cannot be directly operated by hand.

[0037] [5] Specific example of the coupling mechanism configuration (Figure 2) In the connecting mechanism of [1], the locking portion (3-1) provided on the first surface of the first structure protrudes from the first surface in the first direction (+x direction) and rises in the second direction (+z direction), and the locking portion (3-2) provided on the second surface of the second structure protrudes from the second surface in the opposite direction to the first direction (-x direction) and rises in the opposite direction to the second direction (-z direction). When the first structure and the second structure are placed adjacent to each other at the predetermined position, the rises of the locking portion of the first structure and the rises of the locking portion of the second structure fit together and can be locked so that they do not separate in the first direction (+x direction).

[0038] The first structure comprises an inner surface (9-3) of a wall plate constituting the first surface and an opposing surface (9-4) facing the inner surface and positioned away from it in the opposite direction to the first direction, thereby constituting a cavity (8).

[0039] The pin protrusion mechanism comprises a female screw (52) formed on the inner wall of the pin and a male screw (51) fixed from the opposing surface toward the first direction and engaging with the female screw. The amount of protrusion of the pin from the first surface is adjusted by rotating the pin to adjust the amount of screwing in between the female screw and the male screw.

[0040] This provides an alternative implementation example to [2] in which the connecting mechanism of the present invention can be implemented with a small number of parts and without requiring special processing. Therefore, it can be applied to many more structures that are convenient to connect.

[0041] [6] Slope unit (Figures 2-4) A second embodiment disclosed in this application is a slope unit (200) comprising one or more rectangular blocks (10) and a plurality of inclined blocks (20), wherein the connecting mechanism according to any one of [1] to [4] is provided as a front-to-back connecting mechanism and / or an up-to-down connecting mechanism, and is configured as follows:

[0042] The rectangular block (10) includes a rectangular top plate, a front side wall and a rear side wall formed perpendicularly to the front and rear ends of the top plate, a first front and rear locking portion (11-1) formed on the front surface of the front side wall, a second front and rear locking portion (11-2) formed on the rear surface of the rear side wall, and a first upper and lower locking portion (12-1) and a second upper and lower locking portion (12-2) formed on the upper surface of the top plate.

[0043] The inclined block (20) comprises an inclined top plate that is rectangular in shape when viewed from the vertical, an inclined side wall formed perpendicular to the end of the inclined top plate and at the same height as the front side wall, a third front and rear locking portion (21) formed on the inclined side wall, and a third upper and lower locking portion (22).

[0044] When the rectangular prism blocks (10) are arranged adjacent to each other front to back, the front side wall of the rear rectangular prism block slides along the rear side wall of the front rectangular prism block, and when the heights of the top plates of the front and rear rectangular prism blocks are aligned, the first front-rear locking portion (11-1) of the rear rectangular prism block and the second front-rear locking portion (11-2) of the front rectangular prism block are fixed in the front-rear direction.

[0045] When the rectangular blocks (10) are stacked vertically, the second upper and lower locking portion (12-2) of the upper rectangular block fits into the first upper and lower locking portion (12-1) of the lower rectangular block, thereby fixing them in the vertical direction.

[0046] When the inclined block (20) is positioned adjacent to the front rectangular block (10), the front side wall of the inclined block slides along the rear side wall of the front rectangular block, and when the height of the end of the inclined top plate of the inclined block and the top plate of the front rectangular block are aligned, the third front-rear locking part (21) and the second front-rear locking part (11-2) are fixed in the front-rear direction.

[0047] When an inclined block (20) is stacked on top of a rectangular block (10), the third upper and lower locking portion (22) of the inclined block engages with the first upper and lower locking portion (12-1) of the lower rectangular block, thereby fixing it in the vertical direction.

[0048] The front-to-rear connecting mechanism is configured such that the front rectangular block, which is arranged adjacent to the front and rear, is the first structure (1), and the other rectangular block or inclined block, which is arranged adjacent to the rear with the direction behind it as the first direction, is the second structure (2), and the first, second, and third front-to-rear locking parts (11-1, 11-2, 21) are configured as locking parts (3-1, 3-2) of the connecting mechanism.

[0049] The upper and lower connecting mechanism is configured such that the upper rectangular block or inclined block stacked vertically is the first structure (1), the other rectangular block positioned adjacent to it on the lower side with the downward direction being the first direction is the second structure (2), and the first, second and third upper and lower locking parts (12-1, 12-2, 22) are configured as locking parts (3-1, 3-2) of the connecting mechanism.

[0050] This allows the connection mechanism of the present invention to be applied to either the front-to-back direction or the up-to-down direction, or both, in a slope unit constructed by arranging basic blocks (rectangular blocks and inclined blocks) adjacent to each other not only in the front-to-back direction but also in the up-to-down direction. In particular, by applying the connection mechanism of [4], when the blocks are also arranged adjacently in the left-to-right direction, pins can be placed in two locations on the left and right, making the connection more stable.

[0051] [7] Trolley (Figure 5) A trolley (300) having a coupling mechanism according to any one of items (1) to (4), and comprising a rectangular loading platform (31) and wheels (32) below it, wherein the coupling mechanism is a coupling mechanism that connects to another trolley that is arranged adjacent to it with the loading platform aligned in the first direction, and the surface of the loading platform in the first direction is defined as the first surface, and the surface of the other trolley that is in contact with the first surface is defined as the second surface.

[0052] This allows for easy connection of the trolleys.

[0053] [8] Step plate (Figures 6-8) A plurality of step plates (400) are provided with a connecting mechanism according to any one of items (1) to (4), and are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction below a step that extends in the left-right direction in order to eliminate the step, wherein the connecting mechanism is configured such that the rightward or leftward direction is the first direction, each step plate is the first structure, and other step plates adjacent to each other in the rightward or leftward direction are the second structure.

[0054] This allows the stepped plates to be easily connected.

[0055] 2. Details of the Embodiment The embodiments will be described in more detail.

[0056] [Embodiment 1] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional example of the configuration of the connecting mechanism of the present invention. The connecting mechanism 100 detachably connects the first structure 1 and the second structure 2 when they are placed adjacent to each other at a predetermined position in the first direction (+x direction), with (a) showing the connected state and (b) showing the state during the connecting process. The predetermined position is where the first structure 1 and the second structure 2 are placed adjacent to each other (adjacent arrangement) and their upper surfaces are at the same height. The first direction for adjacent arrangement is the left-right direction on the paper, and the second structure 2 is shown placed adjacent to the first structure 1 on the right side in the first direction (+x direction), which is to the left of the first structure 1.

[0057] When the first structure 1 and the second structure 2 are positioned adjacent to each other in a predetermined location, the locking parts 3-1 and 3-2 engage with each other, preventing them from separating in the first direction. The first structure 1 is equipped with a pin 4 that protrudes from the first surface 9-1 by an elastic body 5, which is exemplified as a spring 5 in Figure 1. The second structure 2 is equipped with a hole 6 into which the pin 4 is inserted from the right, which is the first direction (+x direction), when positioned adjacent to the first structure 1 in a predetermined location, and which restricts the pin 4 from shifting away from the predetermined location in directions other than the first direction.

[0058] As shown in Figure 1(b), the second surface 9-2 of the second structure 2 on the left side is brought slightly above (from the second direction (+z direction)) along the first surface 9-1 of the first structure 1 on the right side. At this time, the pin 4 is pushed out from the first surface 9-1 by the elastic body 5, but its tip is held down by the second surface 9-2 of the second structure 2 on the left side, and it can slide on the second surface 9-2, so this does not hinder the movement of the second structure 2 to the predetermined position. When the second structure 2 reaches the predetermined position, as shown in Figure 1(a), the hole 6 of the second structure 2 is positioned in front of the pin 4 of the first structure 1, and the force of the spring 5, which is an elastic body, inserts the pin 4 into the hole 6.

[0059] Furthermore, the first surface 9-1 and the second surface 9-2 do not need to be planes, nor do they even need to be physical surfaces; they may be virtual surfaces formed at the points where the first structure 1 and the second structure 2 touch when connected.

[0060] [Specific implementation examples] Let's explain some more specific implementation examples. The locking portion 3-1 provided on the first face 9-1 of the first structure 1 protrudes to the left in the first direction (+x direction) and rises upward in the second direction (+z direction). As shown in the figure, it is a convex mountain shape, with the first face 9-1 continuing downward from the apex. Figure 1 shows an example where the lower side of the first face 9-1 is shifted to the left compared to the upper side, but they may be on the same plane. The locking portion 3-2 provided on the second face 9-2 of the second structure 2 protrudes to the right in the opposite direction to the first direction (-x direction) and rises downward in the opposite direction to the second direction (-z direction). As shown in the figure, this is also a convex mountain shape, with the second face 9-2 continuing upward from the apex. Figure 1 shows an example where the upper side of the second face 9-2 is shifted to the right compared to the lower side, but they may be on the same plane. When the first structure 1 and the second structure 2 are placed adjacent to each other in a predetermined position (in Figure 1, the position where the upper surfaces of the two structures are aligned), the protrusion (upward-convex mountain shape) of the locking portion 3-1 of the first structure 1 and the protrusion (downward-convex mountain shape) of the locking portion 3-2 of the second structure 2 fit together, locking them in place so that they do not separate in the first direction (+x direction), which is to the left.

[0061] The locking parts 3-1 and 3-2 can be any structure that prevents them from separating in the left-right direction after they have been fitted together. For example, locking part 3-1 may be U-shaped, protruding to the left from the first surface 9-1 and opening upwards, and locking part 2 may be T-shaped, protruding to the right from the second surface 9-2. When fitted together, the vertical bar in the center of the T-shape fits into the opening of the U-shape, and the upper horizontal parts of the T-shape that extend from the axis on both sides catch on the vertically extending part of the U-shape, preventing it from coming loose to the left.

[0062] The first structure 1 comprises an inner surface 9-3, which is the inner surface of a wall plate constituting the first surface 9-1, and an opposing surface 9-4, which faces the inner surface 9-3 and is positioned away from it in the opposite direction to the first direction (-x direction), thereby constituting a cavity 8. The elastic body 5 is a spring 5 supported between the pin 4 and the opposing surface 9-4, which pushes the pin 4 to protrude from the first surface 9-1, with the opposing surface 9-4 as the fulcrum. The pin 4 is a cylinder with a closed tip, as illustrated in Figure 1, and supports the spring 5 sandwiched between the inner wall of the closed tip and the opposing surface 9-4. An operating piece 7-1 for pulling the pin 4 back from protruding from the first surface 9-1 and a stopper 7-2 for restricting the pin 4 from protruding too far from the first surface 9-1 are attached to the outer circumference of the pin 4. The operating piece 7-1 and the stopper 7-2 may be E-type retaining rings (E-rings) that fit into grooves formed on the outer circumference of the pin 4. It can be easily installed without requiring special processing such as welding. Figure 1 shows an example where the inner surface 9-3 and the opposing surface 9-4 are parallel planes, but it is sufficient that the elastic body 5 can be supported using one end as a fulcrum; it may be inclined, and it does not necessarily have to be a flat plane. Furthermore, it does not have to be a plate as long as it can support the elastic body 5. Alternatively, the spring 5 may be placed over the outer circumference of the pin 4 and supported by being sandwiched between the operating piece 7-1 and the opposing surface 9-4. In this case, the pin 4 does not need to have its tip closed and can be a pipe, thus reducing material costs. On the other hand, the configuration shown in the figure allows for a longer spring 5, making the elastic design easier. Furthermore, any elastic body other than the spring 5 may be used for the elastic body 5. In Figure 1, the hole 6 is shown as a through hole, but it may also be a non-through hole.

[0063] As a result, the connecting mechanism of the present invention can be implemented with a small number of parts and without requiring special processing, and therefore can be applied to many structures that are convenient to connect.

[0064] [Uncoupling mechanism] The operating piece 7-1 is located inside the cavity 8 and is mounted so as to protrude from the outside of the pin 4, functioning as a coupling release mechanism. For example, by inserting a finger or the like between the operating piece 7-1 and the inner surface 9-3 and pushing the pin 4 back towards the opposing surface 9-4, the pin 4 can be removed from the hole 6, moving the second structure 2 in the +z direction (upward) relative to the first structure 1, releasing the locking state of the locking parts 3-1 and 3-2, and thus releasing the coupling.

[0065] It is preferable to provide a removal member 15 as a tool for moving the operating piece 7-1 by inserting it between the operating piece 7-1 and the inner surface 9-3. The removal member 15 is, for example, composed of a member that straddles both sides of the pin 4 and has a slope that increases in thickness in the direction of deeper insertion. A more specific embodiment will be described later with reference to Figure 4.

[0066] This improves the degree of freedom in the placement of the connecting mechanism. Even if the pins 4 and operating pieces 7-1 that constitute the connecting mechanism are located in positions where they cannot be directly operated by hand, the connection can be released from the outside, for example, by making the release member 15 into a long rod shape.

[0067] [A pin protrusion mechanism that allows adjustment of the pin's protrusion amount] The connecting mechanism of the present invention may employ another pin protrusion mechanism 50 that can adjust the amount of protrusion of the pin 4 from the first surface 9-1 instead of the elastic body 5. In order to maintain the connected state of the first structure 1 and the second structure 2, the pin 4 must be inserted deeply into the hole 6 formed in the opposing second surface 9-2 so as not to disengage the locking of the locking parts 3-1 and 3-2. On the other hand, during the connecting process and when disengaging the connection, it is necessary to pull the pin 4 out of the hole 6 to the extent that the locking of the locking parts 3-1 and 3-2 can be released.

[0068] In the above embodiment in which the pin protrusion mechanism 50 is composed of an elastic body 5, the spring 5, as an example, is used to keep the pin 4 sufficiently protruding from the first surface 9-1. During the coupling operation, the protrusion of the pin 4 is pushed back by the opposing second surface 9-2 to reduce the amount of protrusion, and when releasing the coupling, the amount of protrusion is reduced by operating the operating piece 7-1. While an active operation to retract the pin 4 is required, the protrusion is maintained by the elastic body 5 and therefore no active operation is required.

[0069] As long as the above specifications are met, the specific implementation method of the pin protrusion mechanism 50, which adjusts the amount of protrusion of pin 4 from the first surface 9-1, is arbitrary.

[0070] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example of the connecting mechanism of the present invention in cross-section. Similar to Figure 1, it is a connecting mechanism 100 that detachably connects the first structure 1 and the second structure 2 when they are placed adjacent to each other at a predetermined position in the first direction (+x), with (a) showing the connected state and (b) showing the state during the connecting process. The predetermined position is where the first structure 1 and the second structure 2 are placed adjacent to each other (adjacent arrangement) and their upper surfaces are at the same height. The first direction for adjacent arrangement is the left-right direction on the paper, and the second structure 2 is shown placed adjacent to the first structure 1 on the right side in the first direction (+x direction), which is to the left of the first structure 1.

[0071] The inner wall of the pin 4 is tapped to form a female thread 52, which is configured to engage with a male thread 51 that protrudes from and is fixed to the opposing surface 9-4. By rotating the pin 4 to adjust the amount of screwing in the female thread 52 and the male thread 51, the amount of protrusion of the pin 4 from the first surface 9-1 can be adjusted. The male thread 51 may be made of a screw 53 that penetrates the plate forming the opposing surface 9-4, as illustrated in Figure 9, or only the portion of the male thread 51 may be fixed to the opposing surface 9-4 by welding or the like. The other configurations are the same as those described with reference to Figure 1, so their description is omitted.

[0072] In this configuration, before connecting the first structure 1 and the second structure 2, the pin 4 is retracted until it does not protrude from the first surface 9-1. After locking the locking parts 3-1 and 3-2, the pin 4 is rotated to protrude from the first surface 9-1, thereby completing the connection. To release the connection, the pin 4 is rotated in the opposite direction, retracting it from the state where it protrudes from the first surface 9-1, thereby releasing the locking of the locking parts 3-1 and 3-2 and releasing the connection.

[0073] The specific implementation method of the pin protrusion mechanism 50 is arbitrary as long as it satisfies the above specifications. In addition to the examples shown in Figures 1 and 9, the female thread 52 and male thread 51 of the pin 4 may be formed by screw grooves with a lead angle significantly greater than the lead angle of the screw exemplified in Figure 9, so that the amount of protrusion from the first surface 9-1 can be greatly changed by simply rotating the pin 4 by about 90°. Alternatively, the pin 4 may be configured to move freely without cutting threads. Since the amount of protrusion of the pin 4 may easily come loose if it is only maintained by a weak force such as friction, a notch or the like may be provided to loosely fix the pin 4 so that it does not move easily.

[0074] [Embodiment 2] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional example of the configuration of a slope unit 200 to which the connecting mechanism of the present invention is applied, with an inclined block 20 shown in the upper (a) and a rectangular parallelepiped block 10 shown in the lower (b). Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an oblique view of the configuration example of the slope unit 200, schematically illustrating the process of forming a slope by combining the rectangular parallelepiped block 10 and the inclined block 20. For convenience, we will explain this by assuming that the slope in Figure 3 is viewed from the direction of ascending from front to back. In Figure 3, the diagonal downward left direction is referred to as the front side, the diagonal upward right direction as the back side, the upper left to lower right of the paper is referred to as the left-right direction, and the top and bottom of the paper is referred to as the up-down direction. Therefore, Figure 2 is a side view seen from the right side, with the left side of the paper referred to as the front side and the right side as the back side. Furthermore, the inclined block 20 and rectangular block 10 illustrated in Figure 2 are shown as being manufactured by extrusion molding so that, apart from the connecting mechanism excluding the locking portion, they each have the same cross-section in the left-right direction (front-to-back direction of the paper). The locking portions (11-1, 11-2, 12-1, 12-2, 21, 22) are formed by extrusion molding, integrally molded with the main bodies of the inclined block 20 and rectangular block 10, respectively.

[0075] Each rectangular block 10 has front and rear locking parts 11-1 and 11-2 that interlock with each other when placed adjacent to each other in the front-to-back direction (left-to-right direction in the figure) to prevent them from coming apart in the front-to-back direction, and upper and lower locking parts 12-1 and 12-2 that interlock with each other when stacked in the vertical direction to prevent them from coming apart upward. The inclined block 20 has the same width and length as the rectangular block 10. That is, the inclined block 20 fits snugly on top of the rectangular block 10. The inclined block 20 has a front and rear locking part 21 that interlocks with the front and rear locking part 11-2 on the rear side of the rectangular block 10 when placed adjacent to the rear side of the rectangular block 10 to prevent it from coming apart in the front-to-back direction, and an upper and lower locking part 22 that interlocks with the upper and lower locking part 12-1 provided on the top plate of the rectangular block 10 when stacked on top of the rectangular block 10 to prevent it from coming apart upward.

[0076] The front and rear locking parts 11-1, 11-2, and 21 will now be explained. The front and rear locking parts 11-1 and 11-2 of the rectangular block 10 are formed on the front and rear surfaces, respectively. When arranging the rectangular blocks 1 front to back, if the front and rear surfaces are rubbed together and slid from above to the same height, they will interlock and will not come apart in the front-to-back direction. The same applies when arranging the inclined block 20 in front of the rectangular block 10. If the rear surface of the inclined block 20 is rubbed together with the front surface of the rectangular block 10 and slid from above to the same height, the front and rear locking parts 11-2 on the front of the rectangular block 10 and the front and rear locking parts 21 on the rear surface of the inclined block 20 will interlock and will not come apart in the front-to-back direction.

[0077] The upper and lower locking parts 12-1, 12-2, and 22 will now be explained. When stacking rectangular prism blocks 10 one above the other, the upper and lower locking part 12-1 provided on the upper surface of the lower rectangular prism block 10 and the upper and lower locking part 12-2 provided on the lower surface of the upper rectangular prism block 10 interlock, preventing them from coming apart vertically. More specifically, by sliding the upper rectangular prism block 10 slightly from the rear towards the front, the upper and lower locking part 12-2 protruding forward interlocks with the rearward protruding portion of the upper and lower locking part 12-1 provided on the upper surface of the lower rectangular prism block 10, making it difficult for them to come apart vertically. Here, the expressions "does not come apart" and "difficult to come apart" are used interchangeably, but "difficult to come apart" simply means that they will not come apart unless slid in the opposite direction to the direction in which they were slid when interlocked, and there is no substantive difference. The same applies when stacking the inclined block 20 on top of the rectangular prism block 10. The upper and lower locking parts 12-1 provided on the upper surface of the lower rectangular block 10 and the upper and lower locking parts 22 provided on the lower surface of the upper inclined block 20 engage with each other, preventing them from coming apart in the vertical direction.

[0078] Each of the rectangular block 10 and the inclined block 20 is formed by extrusion molding in the left-right direction (towards the front and back of the paper), and has through holes 13 and 23 that penetrate in the left-right direction, as illustrated in Figure 2. The through holes 13 and 23 are spaces enclosed by the top surface and side walls 14 and 24, and the bottom surface may be closed or open, as shown.

[0079] The coupling mechanism of the present invention is preferably implemented using these through holes 13 and 23. In this second embodiment, a front-to-back coupling mechanism for connecting in the front-to-back direction and a vertical coupling mechanism for connecting in the vertical direction are provided.

[0080] As shown in Figure 2(a), the inclined block 20 has a pin 4 and a spring 5, to which an operating piece 7-1 and a stopper 7-2 are attached, located in the second through hole 23 from the rear, and the pin 4 is formed to protrude from the bottom surface, functioning as part of the vertical connecting mechanism. In addition, a hole 6 is formed on the rear surface of the inclined block 20 above the front and rear locking portion 21, and also functions as part of the front and rear connecting mechanism.

[0081] As shown in Figure 2(b), the rectangular block 10 has a pin 4 and spring 5, to which an operating piece 7-1 and a stopper 7-2 are attached, formed in the foremost through hole 13, so that the pin 4 can protrude from the front, and a hole 6 is formed on the rear surface, functioning as part of the front-to-back connecting mechanism. The rectangular block 10 also has a pin 4 and spring 5, to which an operating piece 7-1 and a stopper 7-2 are attached, formed in the second through hole 13 from the rear, so that the pin 4 can protrude from the bottom surface, and a hole 6 is formed on the top surface, functioning as part of the upper-to-lower connecting mechanism.

[0082] When the rectangular prism blocks 10 are placed adjacent to each other front to back, the front side wall of the rear rectangular prism block 10 slides along the rear side wall of the front rectangular prism block 10 until the heights of the top plates of the front and rear rectangular prism blocks 10 are aligned. At this point, the front and rear locking parts 11-2 of the rear rectangular prism block 10 and the front and rear locking parts 11-1 of the front rectangular prism block 10 engage and lock together, preventing them from separating in the front-to-back direction. At this time, the pin 4 protruding from the front of the rear rectangular prism block 10 is inserted into the hole 6 on the rear surface of the front rectangular prism block 10, restricting vertical and horizontal displacement and connecting the adjacent rectangular prism blocks 10.

[0083] When the rectangular blocks 10 are stacked vertically, the upper and lower locking portions 12-2 of the upper rectangular block 10 fit together with the upper and lower locking portions 12-1 of the lower rectangular block 10, locking them together so that they do not separate in the vertical direction. At this time, the pin 4 protruding from the lower surface of the upper rectangular block 10 is inserted into the hole 6 on the upper surface of the lower rectangular block 10, restricting displacement in the front, back, left, and right directions, and connecting the stacked rectangular blocks 10.

[0084] When the inclined block 20 is positioned adjacent to the rear rectangular block 10, the rear side wall of the inclined block 20 slides along the front side wall of the rear rectangular block 10. When the height of the end of the inclined top plate of the inclined block 20 and the top plate of the front rectangular block 10 are aligned, the front and rear locking parts 21 of the inclined block 20 and the front and rear locking parts 11-2 on the front of the front rectangular block 10 engage, locking them together so that they do not separate in the front-to-back direction. At this time, the pin 4 protruding from the rear surface of the front rectangular block 10 is inserted into the hole 6 on the rear surface of the front inclined block 20, restricting vertical and horizontal displacement, and connecting the front and rear adjacent rectangular block 10 and the front inclined block 20.

[0085] When the inclined block 20 is stacked on top of the rectangular block 10, the upper and lower locking portions 22 on the lower surface of the inclined block 20 engage with the upper and lower locking portions 12-1 on the upper surface of the lower rectangular block 10, thereby locking them together so that they do not separate in the vertical direction. At this time, the pin 4 protruding from the lower surface of the upper inclined block 20 is inserted into the hole 6 on the upper surface of the lower rectangular block 10, restricting displacement in the front, back, left, and right directions, and connecting the stacked rectangular block 10 and the inclined block 20.

[0086] Applying this to Embodiment 1, the explanation is as follows.

[0087] The front-to-rear connecting mechanism is configured such that the rear rectangular block 10, which is positioned adjacent to the rear, is the first structure 1, and the other rectangular block 10 or inclined block 20, which is positioned adjacent to the front with its forward direction as the first direction, is the second structure 2, and the front and rear locking parts 11-1, 11-2, 21 are configured as locking parts 3-1, 3-2 of the connecting mechanism.

[0088] The upper and lower connecting mechanism is configured such that the upper rectangular block 10 or inclined block 20, which is stacked vertically, is the first structure 1, the other rectangular block 10, which is positioned adjacent to it on the lower side with the upward direction as the first direction, is the second structure 2, and the upper and lower locking parts 12-1, 12-2, 22 are configured as locking parts 3-1, 3-2 of the connecting mechanism.

[0089] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the process of installing the slope unit 200 of this embodiment 2 in a perspective view. The slope units 200 are arranged in two rows, left and right. At the very front of the left row (back left of the paper), two rectangular blocks 10 are connected by an upper and lower connecting mechanism and stacked in two layers. In front of these (downward left of the paper), a sloping block 20, which is stacked on top of a rectangular block 10 and connected by an upper and lower connecting mechanism, is connected in the front-to-back direction by a front-to-back connecting mechanism, and another sloping block 20 is connected at the very front. In the row to the right of this, two rectangular blocks 10 connected in the front-to-back direction by a front-to-back connecting mechanism are shown, and the sloping block 20 connected in front of them (towards the front) is shown. The installation order is to connect them sequentially from back to front and from bottom to top. The left and right rows may be arranged from left to right, or from right to left.

[0090] When removing the equipment, the procedure for disconnecting the connections is more restrictive than when installing it. In the example shown in Figure 3, the connecting mechanism is positioned to the right. When disconnecting the connections by hand, the equipment is removed by disconnecting the connections sequentially from the rightmost column with the open end to the leftmost column.

[0091] In cases where the units cannot be arranged side-by-side (only one row), and the coupling can be released from both sides, coupling mechanisms can be provided on both the left and right sides. By providing mechanisms in two locations, the coupling becomes more stable. More specifically, even if a strong diagonal force is applied, such as when a heavy vehicle turns on the slope unit 200, the possibility of the blocks shifting or the coupling coming undone can be significantly reduced.

[0092] If the uncoupling operation can be performed from either the left or right side using a tool rather than by hand (fingers), then even if the coupling mechanism is provided in two locations on the left and right, multiple rows can be arranged on both sides. An example of such a tool is described below, specifically the detachment member 15.

[0093] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a perspective view of a release member 15 that can be applied to the slope unit 200 of this embodiment 2. The upper side (a) is an explanatory diagram of the usage, and the lower side (b) is an enlarged view of the main part. In (a), the explanatory diagram of the usage, the rectangular block 10 is shown in perspective as a rectangular dashed line. The rectangular block 10 has a through hole 13 (not shown) in the left-right direction, and an upper-lower connecting mechanism is provided on both the left and right sides thereof. The rod-shaped release member 15 is inserted from the right side of the through hole 13 of the rectangular block 10 and used to release the upper-lower connecting mechanism on the left side. Note that in Figure 4, unlike the example in Figure 3, the upper-lower connecting mechanism is provided on both sides of the rectangular block 10, and the stopper 7-2 has been changed from an E-type retaining ring (E-ring) to a plate piece in the direction in which the opening 16 described later opens.

[0094] The release member 15 has a U-shaped opening 16 at its tip and tapers 17 formed on both sides thereof. When the release member 15 is inserted from the right side of the through hole 13, the opening 16 is positioned to sandwich the pin 4 that constitutes the upper and lower connecting mechanism on the left side, and the tapers 17 are positioned to fit between the floor surface of the through hole 13 and the operating piece 7-1. The tapers 17 are positioned so that their tip is thinner than the gap between the floor surface of the through hole 13 and the operating piece 7-1 when connected, and gradually thicken until the thickest part is thick enough to allow the pin 4 to be pulled out of the hole 6 of the connected structure. Therefore, when the release member 15 is pushed in deeper, sandwiching the pin 4 that constitutes the upper and lower connecting mechanism on the left side, the connection is released. At this time, because the stopper 7-2 has been changed to a plate piece in the direction in which the opening 16 opens, the operating piece 7-1 can be pushed up by the tapers 17 without interfering with the release member 15. Although a plate was used as an example for the stopper 7-2, any shape may be used as long as it does not interfere with the insertion of the taper 17. For example, a cylindrical pin may be used instead of a plate, or the shape of the pin 4 itself may be formed as a two-tiered cylinder with a thin part protruding from the hole in the floor surface of the through hole 13 and a part thicker than the hole, so that it also functions as a stopper.

[0095] It is preferable that the release member 15 further includes an opening 16 on the right side that opens forward (towards the user) and tapers 17 formed on both sides thereof. With the opening 16 and taper 17 at the tip deeply inserted into the left upper-lower connecting mechanism and released, the release member 15 is rotated forward (towards the user) around the upper-lower connecting mechanism, so that the right-side opening 16 sandwiches the pin 4 that constitutes the right upper-lower connecting mechanism, and the taper 17 fits between the floor surface of the through-hole 13 and the operating piece 7-1. The tip of this right-side taper 17 is also thinner than the gap between the floor surface of the through-hole 13 and the operating piece 7-1 when connected, and gradually becomes thicker, so that the thickest part is thick enough to pull the pin 4 out of the hole 6 of the connected structure. Therefore, when the release member 15 is rotated further forward (towards the user) and the taper 17 is pushed in more deeply, sandwiching the pin 4 that constitutes the right upper-lower connecting mechanism, the connection is released.

[0096] As explained above, the release member 15 shown in Figure 4 allows the left and right upper and lower connecting mechanisms to be released sequentially through a series of actions, resulting in good work efficiency. The release member 15 is even more preferably configured to be point-symmetric with respect to the center, as illustrated in Figure 4. That is, the right end may also be provided with an opening 16 and taper 17 that are point-symmetric with respect to the left end, and the side opening 16 and taper 17 may be provided at point-symmetric positions. This allows the left and right upper and lower connecting mechanisms to be released sequentially with the same action regardless of which side of the release member 15 is grasped and operated. It does not necessarily have to be point-symmetric; it may also be line-symmetric.

[0097] Figure 4 shows an example of releasing the upper and lower connecting mechanism, but the front and rear connecting mechanism can also be released using a release member 15 that applies a similar inventive concept. Furthermore, by appropriately designing the position where the connecting mechanism is installed, the same release member 15 can be used to release either the upper and lower or the front and rear connecting mechanism.

[0098] Figure 4 illustrates an example in which the detachable member 15 is applied to a slope unit 200. However, by applying a similar inventive concept, the detachable member 15 can be configured for use in the connecting mechanism of the present invention provided on structures other than slope units.

[0099] [Embodiment 3] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a trolley 300 to which the coupling mechanism of the present invention is applied. The top row (a) is a perspective view of the entire trolley 300, and the second row (b) to the fourth row (d) are schematic enlarged views of the coupling part, with (b) schematically showing the state before coupling, (c) during the coupling operation, and (d) after coupling is completed, in cross-section. As illustrated in Figure 5(a), the trolley 300 is equipped with a rectangular loading platform 31 and wheels 32 below it. The loading platform 31 is rectangular and consists of a loading plate 35, a cavity 36, and a frame 37, and each of its four corners is equipped with a wheel 32, a support hole 33 into which a push bar (not shown) for operating the movement of the trolley 300 can be inserted, and an impact absorbing part 34 that absorbs the impact when the trolley 300 comes into contact with surrounding obstacles. To connect two or more of these trolleys 300 with their short sides facing each other, the left trolley 300 has a connecting mechanism that includes a pin 4, a spring 5, an operating piece 7-1, and a stopper 7-2 inside a cavity 36 on the inside of the right frame 37, and a locking part 3-1 that protrudes to the right in the direction of connection and is convex upwards on the outside of the frame 37. The right trolley 300, which is connected from the right, has a locking part 3-2 that protrudes to the left in the direction of connection and is convex downwards on the outside of the left end frame 37, and a hole 6 into which a pin 4 that protrudes from the left trolley 300 when connected fits.

[0100] The coupling operation is the same as the operation described with reference to Figure 1, where the first structure 1 in Figure 1 corresponds to the left trolley 300 and the second structure 2 corresponds to the right trolley 300. As shown in Figure 5(b), an example of coupling the same trolley 300 by bringing it closer to the left trolley 300 from the right side will be described. As shown in Figure 5(c), the right trolley 300 is brought into contact with the left trolley 300, and from slightly above, the left side of the right trolley 300 (formed as an integral member with the locking part 3-2 in Figure 5) slides while pushing back the pin 4 protruding from the right side of the left trolley 300, thereby fitting the locking part 3-2 into the locking part 3-1. Once the coupling operation is complete, as shown in Figure 5(d), the locking parts 3-1 and 3-2 are locked, and the pin 4 protruding from the right side of the left trolley 300 fits into the hole 6 formed on the left side of the right trolley 300, so that the heights of the loading plates 35 on the left and right trolleys 300 are aligned.

[0101] As described above, the coupling mechanism of the present invention can be applied to the longitudinal coupling of the trolley 300. Multiple identical trolleys 300 can also be coupled in a continuous manner. In the example shown in Figure 5, the coupling is in the longitudinal direction, but it can also be configured to be coupled in the short direction, or to be coupled in both the longitudinal and short directions. The trolley 300 illustrated in Figure 5 has a cavity 36 on the frame 37 side of the loading platform 31, where the coupling mechanism can be housed, but it may also be a cavity with a lid. If it has a lid, it is preferable that the lid be openable and closable so that the operating piece 7-1 can be operated to release the coupling, or a mechanism may be provided to release the coupling while the lid is closed.

[0102] [Embodiment 4] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing one example configuration of a step plate 400 to which the connecting mechanism of the present invention is applied. The top row (a) is a perspective view of the entire step plate 400, and the second row (b) to the fourth row (d) are schematic enlarged views of the connecting portion, with (b) schematically showing the state before connecting, (c) during the connecting operation, and (d) after the connection is completed, in cross-section. The step plate 400 is similar to the inclined block 20 of the slope unit 200 shown in Embodiment 2, but its typical use is to be placed side by side along the curb of a road to absorb the step of the curb, and connections in the front-to-back and up-and-down directions are not required, with only connections in the left-to-right direction being implemented. Here, front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-and-down are terms used following the arrangement of the slope unit 200 in Figure 3.

[0103] As illustrated in Figure 5(a), the stepped plate 400 consists of a top plate 40 that slopes upward from front to back (forward) and side walls 41 that support it at both the left and right ends, and is provided with a connecting mechanism for connecting the left and right plates. The connecting mechanism includes a pin 4, a spring 5, an operating piece 7-1, and a stopper 7-2 in an opening 43 formed on the inside of the right side wall 41, and a locking portion 3-1 that protrudes to the right in the direction of connection and is convex upward on the outside of the right side wall 4. The left side wall 41 also has a locking portion 3-2 that protrudes to the left in the direction of connection and is convex downward, and a hole 6 into which the pin 4 protruding from the stepped plate 400 to be connected fits. The pin 4 is configured to be pushed by an elastic spring 5 from the support wall 42 inside the opening 43 and can protrude through the through hole in the side wall 41, and has a stopper 7-2 that determines the amount of protrusion and an operating piece 7-1 for releasing the connection on its outer surface.

[0104] The connection operation is the same as the operation described with reference to Figure 1, where the first structure 1 in Figure 1 corresponds to the left step plate 400 and the second structure 2 corresponds to the right step plate 400. As shown in Figure 6(b), an example of connecting by bringing the same step plate 400 closer to the step plate 400 from the right side will be described. As shown in Figure 6(c), the right step plate 400 is brought into contact with the left step plate 400, and from slightly above, the left wall 41 of the right step plate 400 (formed as an integral member with the locking part 3-2 in Figure 6) slides while pushing back the pin 4 protruding from the right wall 41 of the left step plate 400, thereby fitting the locking part 3-2 into the locking part 3-1. Once the coupling operation is complete, as shown in Figure 6(d), the locking parts 3-1 and 3-2 are locked together, and the pin 4 protruding from the right side of the left step plate 400 fits into the hole 6 formed on the left side of the right step plate 400, so that the heights of the left and right step plates 400 are aligned.

[0105] As described above, the connecting mechanism of the present invention can be applied to the left-right connection of the stepped plate 400.

[0106] Although the side wall 41 and support wall 42 have been described as "walls," they only need to be able to support or form the locking parts 3-1 and 3-2, the spring 5 and pin 4, and the hole 6, and may be changed to, for example, multiple support columns. Also, although the spring 5 has been described as being supported by the inside of the pin 4 with its closed tip and the support wall 42, it may be configured to be supported by the operating piece 7-1 and the support wall 42 along the outer circumference of the pin 4. The spring may be changed to another elastic body 5. The same applies to the embodiment 5 below.

[0107] [Embodiment 5] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example of the stepped plate 400 to which the connecting mechanism of the present invention is applied. Similar to Figure 6, the top row (a) is a perspective view of the entire stepped plate 400, and the second row (b) to the fourth row (d) are schematic enlarged views of the connecting portion, with (b) schematically showing the state before connecting, (c) during the connecting operation, and (d) after the connection is completed, in cross-section. The stepped plate 400 of Embodiment 5 differs from the stepped plate 400 of Embodiment 4 in that the opening 43 is closed by a lid 44. In addition, the pin 4 is modified so that it does not have a stopper 7-2, but the diameter at the tip is reduced and it is inserted into the through hole in the side wall 41 and protrudes, and the inner diameter is made larger than the through hole to function as a stopper. The other configurations and functions are the same as those of the stepped plate 400 of Embodiment 4 which were described with reference to Figure 6, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0108] The lid 44 should be able to open so that a finger can be inserted to operate the operating piece 7-1 when disengaging the connection. It may be formed in the shape of a door that opens and closes with a hinge to prevent loss. Furthermore, the connection can be disengaged by opening the lid 44.

[0109] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a coupling release mechanism that can be used in the stepped plate 400 of Figure 7. It shows cross-sectional views of the area around the lid 44 as seen from the side wall 41 side, before coupling release (a) and when coupling release (b), and image diagrams (a') and (b') of the main part of the cross section (around the pin 4, indicated by the dashed line in (a) and (b)) as seen from front to back (forward).

[0110] The release mechanism consists of a lid 44, a hinge 45, a support beam 46, and a concentric tapered section 47. The lid 44 and the support beam 46 are integrally connected and fixed to move by the hinge 45. When closed, the lid 44 is continuous with the top plate 40, and can be opened by rotating the lid 44 in a direction away from the top plate 40. The concentric tapered section 47 is supported by the support beam 46 and has bifurcated inclined surfaces that sandwich the pin 4 from both sides along the circumference of a concentric circle (shown as a dashed line in (a) and (b)) centered on the hinge 45. The tip of the inclined surface is thin enough to fit into the gap between the inner wall of the side wall 41 and the operating piece 7-1 even when connected, so as not to interfere with the operating piece 7-1, while the thicker side is thick enough to create a gap between the inner wall of the side wall 41 and the operating piece 7-1 for releasing the connection. With this configuration, the concentric taper 47 can move along a concentric circle centered on the hinge 45, sandwiching the pin 4 from both sides, as the lid 44 is opened and closed.

[0111] The uncoupling operation will now be described. When the lid 44 is closed, the pin 4 is supported by the support wall 42 and springs 5 ​​to protrude to the right of the side wall 41, and is fitted into the hole 6 of the locking part 3-2 attached to the left side wall 41 of the right step plate 400 which is the object to be coupled ((a), (a')). At this time, the tip of the concentric taper 47 is inserted into the gap between the inner wall of the side wall 41 and the operating piece 7-1, but it does not act in the direction of widening the gap. When the lid 44 is opened ((b),(b')), the concentric tapered section 47 rotates in conjunction with the lid 44 around the hinge 45, and the inclined surface is inserted deeper into the gap between the inner wall of the side wall 41 and the operating piece 7-1, sandwiching the pin 4 from both sides and widening the gap. As a result, the pin 4 comes out of the hole 6 in the right-side stepped plate 400, and the right-side stepped plate 400 is lifted, releasing the locking of the locking parts 3-1 and 3-2 and disengaging the connection.

[0112] As described above, the coupling release mechanism was explained in the example of being attached to the step plate 400, but it can also be widely applied to the connection of other structures such as the slope unit 200 and the trolley 300.

[0113] Although the present inventors have described the invention in detail based on embodiments above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto and can be modified in various ways without departing from its essence. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0114] 1 1st structure 2 Second structure 3-1, 3-2 Locking part 4 pins 5. Elastic body, spring 6 holes 7-1 Operation piece 7-2 Stopper 8 hollow 9-1 First page 9-2 2nd page 9-3 Inner Self 9-4 Opposing surface 10 rectangular blocks 20 Inclined Blocks 11-1, 11-2, 21 Front and rear locking parts 12-1, 12-2, 22 Upper and lower locking parts 13,23 Through holes 14,24 Side walls of through holes 15 Removable parts 16 aperture 17 Taper 31 Cargo bed 32 wheels 33 Support hole 34 Shock-absorbing part 35 Loading Plate 36 Cavity 37th slot 40 Top plate 41 Side wall 42 Supporting wall 43 Aperture 44 Lid 45 Hinge 46 Support beam 47 Concentric taper 50-pin protrusion mechanism 51 Male screw 52 Female thread 53 Bis 100 Connection mechanism 200 Slope Units 300 carts 400 Step Plate

Claims

1. A connecting mechanism that detachably connects a first structure and a second structure when they are placed adjacent to each other at a predetermined position in a first direction, The first structure is provided with a locking portion on a first surface adjacent to the second structure, which locks the first structure and the second structure so that they do not separate in the first direction when the second surface adjacent to the first structure of the second structure is brought closer from a second direction different from the first direction and the first structure and the second structure are placed adjacent to each other in the predetermined position. The first structure comprises a pin protruding from the first surface and a pin protrusion mechanism for adjusting the amount the pin protrudes from the first surface. The second structure, when positioned adjacent to the first structure at the predetermined location, includes a hole into which the pin is inserted from the first direction and which restricts displacement from the predetermined location in directions other than the first direction. Connection mechanism.

2. In claim 1, The locking portion provided on the first surface of the first structure protrudes from the first surface in a first direction and rises in a second direction, The locking portion provided on the second surface of the second structure protrudes from the second surface in the direction opposite to the first direction and is raised in the direction opposite to the second direction, When the first structure and the second structure are placed adjacent to each other at the predetermined position, the protrusions of the locking portion of the first structure and the protrusions of the locking portion of the second structure can fit together and lock together so that they do not separate in the first direction. The first structure comprises an inner surface of a wall plate constituting the first surface and an opposing surface that faces the inner surface and is positioned away from it in a direction opposite to the first direction, thereby constituting a cavity. The pin protrusion mechanism is a spring supported between the pin and the opposing surface, which pushes the pin to protrude from the first surface, with the opposing surface acting as a fulcrum. Connection mechanism.

3. In claim 2, The coupling mechanism includes an operating piece attached to the outer circumference of the pin and protruding outward within the cavity. Connection mechanism.

4. In claim 3, The coupling mechanism further includes a release member which, when inserted between the operating piece and the inner surface, moves the operating piece in the direction opposite to the first direction. Connection mechanism.

5. In claim 1, The locking portion provided on the first surface of the first structure protrudes from the first surface in a first direction and rises in a second direction, The locking portion provided on the second surface of the second structure protrudes from the second surface in the direction opposite to the first direction and is raised in the direction opposite to the second direction, When the first structure and the second structure are placed adjacent to each other at the predetermined position, the protrusions of the locking portion of the first structure and the protrusions of the locking portion of the second structure can fit together and lock together so that they do not separate in the first direction. The first structure comprises an inner surface of a wall plate constituting the first surface and an opposing surface that faces the inner surface and is positioned away from it in a direction opposite to the first direction, thereby constituting a cavity. The pin protrusion mechanism comprises a female screw formed on the inner wall of the pin and a male screw fixed from the opposing surface toward the first direction and engaging with the female screw, and the amount of protrusion of the pin from the first surface is adjusted by rotating the pin to adjust the amount of screwing in of the female screw and the male screw. Connection mechanism.

6. A slope unit comprising a connecting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4 as a front-to-back connecting mechanism and / or an up-to-down connecting mechanism, and configured by combining one or more rectangular blocks and a plurality of inclined blocks, The rectangular block comprises a rectangular top plate, a front side wall and a rear side wall formed perpendicularly to the front and rear ends of the top plate, a first front and rear locking portion formed on the front surface of the front side wall, a second front and rear locking portion formed on the rear surface of the rear side wall, a first upper and lower locking portion and a second upper and lower locking portion formed on the upper surface of the top plate, The inclined block comprises an inclined top plate that is rectangular in shape when viewed from the vertical, an inclined side wall formed perpendicular to the end of the inclined top plate and at the same height as the front side wall, a third front and rear locking portion formed on the inclined side wall, and a third upper and lower locking portion. When rectangular blocks are arranged adjacent to each other front to back, the front side wall of the rear rectangular block slides along the rear side wall of the front rectangular block, and when the heights of the top plates of the front and rear rectangular blocks are aligned, the first front-to-back locking portion of the rear rectangular block and the second front-to-back locking portion of the front rectangular block are fixed in the front-to-back direction. When rectangular blocks are stacked vertically, the second upper and lower locking portion of the upper rectangular block engages with the first upper and lower locking portion of the lower rectangular block, thereby fixing it in the vertical direction. When an inclined block is positioned adjacent to a rectangular block in front, the front side wall of the inclined block slides along the rear side wall of the rectangular block in front, and when the height of the end of the inclined top plate of the inclined block and the top plate of the rectangular block in front are aligned, the third front-rear locking part and the second front-rear locking part are fixed in the front-rear direction. When an inclined block is stacked on top of a rectangular block, the third upper and lower locking portion of the inclined block fits into the first upper and lower locking portion of the lower rectangular block, thereby fixing it in the vertical direction. The front-to-rear connecting mechanism is configured such that the front rectangular block, which is arranged adjacent to the front and rear, is the first structure, and the other rectangular block or inclined block, which is arranged adjacent to the rear with its rear direction as the first direction, is the second structure, and the first, second, and third front-to-rear locking parts are configured as locking parts of the connecting mechanism. The upper and lower connecting mechanism is configured such that the upper rectangular block or inclined block stacked vertically is the first structure, the other rectangular block positioned adjacent to it on the lower side with its downward direction as the first direction is the second structure, and the first, second and third upper and lower locking parts are configured as locking parts of the connecting mechanism. Slope unit.

7. A trolley comprising a coupling mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and having a rectangular loading platform and wheels below it, The coupling mechanism is a coupling mechanism that connects to another trolley that is positioned adjacent to it with the loading platform aligned in the first direction, and is configured such that the surface of the loading platform in the first direction is the first surface, and the surface of the other trolley that is in contact with the first surface is the second surface. Dolly.

8. A plurality of step plates, comprising a connecting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction below a step to eliminate a step that extends in the left-right direction, The connecting mechanism is configured such that the rightward or leftward direction is the first direction, each stepped plate is the first structure, and other stepped plates adjacent to the rightward or leftward direction are the second structure. Step plate.

Images