Reel transport device and reel transport method

Abstract

The present invention provides a reel transport device that allows for easy transport and installation of reels without having to place them on a device. [Solution] The device 1 for transporting the reel 100 comprises a travel unit 2 equipped with a handle 3 and two hands 13. The travel unit 2 comprises two front-rear frames 4, wheels 6 and 7 that can roll on the ground surface F together with the reel 100, and a pressing unit 12 that can press the reel 100 forward and rotate the reel 100 forward relative to the ground surface F. The hands 13 are equipped with a bent portion 13a that can hook onto the front portion of a cylindrical portion 103 provided on the outside of the width direction of the reel 100, thereby allowing the reel 100 to roll between itself and the pressing unit 12. Furthermore, the device 1 is equipped with a locking mechanism 17 that can switch between a locked state in which the front portion 13a is hooked onto the cylindrical portion 103 and an unlocked state in which the locked state is released and the reel 100 can be removed from the front portion 13a.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a reel conveying device and a reel conveying method.

Background Art

[0002] For example, when a long member such as a belt used in the manufacture of tires is wound around a reel for storage and the reel is transported to tire manufacturing equipment as needed, as a device for transporting the reel, it is common to place it on a cart (transport vehicle) and transport it.

[0003] However, such reels are generally heavy even if they are empty reels without a long member wound around them. For this reason, variously devised conventional reel conveying devices are known for easily placing the reel on a cart (transport vehicle) (see, for example, Patent Documents 1-3).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in such a reel conveying device, it is still necessary to place the reel on the device. For this reason, there is room for improvement in the conventional reel conveying device and its conveying method in terms of easily conveying the reel to a desired position.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a reel transporting device and a reel transporting method that can easily transport and install a reel to a desired location without having to place the reel on a device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The reel transport device according to the present invention is a reel transport device for transporting a reel, the reel transport device comprising a traveling section equipped with an operating handle, and two hands extending in the front-rear direction and spaced apart in the width direction, the traveling section comprising two front-rear frames extending in the front-rear direction and spaced apart in the width direction, wheels capable of rolling on the ground surface together with the reel, and a pressing section capable of pressing the reel forward and causing the reel to roll forward relative to the ground surface, the hands having a front portion that inclins upward as it faces forward and catches on the front portion of a cylindrical part provided on the outside of the reel in the width direction, thereby enabling the reel to be rotatably sandwiched between the pressing section and the hands, Furthermore, the reel transport device is equipped with a locking mechanism that can switch between a locked state in which the front portion of the hand is hooked onto the cylindrical portion of the reel, and an unlocked state in which the locked state is released and the reel can be removed from the front portion of the hand. According to the reel transport device of the present invention, the reel can be easily transported and installed to a desired location without having to place the reel on the device.

[0008] (2) In the reel transport device described in (1) above, the hand is preferably supported so as to be able to swing vertically relative to the running section, and the locking means is a locking means that prevents the swinging of the hand when locked, and allows the swinging of the hand when unlocked. In this case, the transport of reels and the removal of reels can be easily performed with a simple configuration that only prevents or allows the swinging of the hand relative to the running section.

[0009] (3) In the reel transport device described in (2) above, the locking means preferably comprises a recess provided in either the hand or the running section, and a shaft provided in the other of the hand or the running section, wherein the locked state is maintained by the engagement of the recess and the shaft, and the unlocked state is made possible by the release of the engagement between the recess and the shaft. In this case, the transport of the reel and the removal of the reel can be easily performed with a simple configuration that only involves engaging and releasing the engagement between the recess and the shaft.

[0010] (4) In the reel transport device described in (3) above, it is preferable that the hand swings so that the front portion of the hand catches on the lower side of the cylindrical portion of the reel. In this case, the swinging of the hand can be performed efficiently, and the transport and removal of the reel can be easily carried out.

[0011] (5) In the reel transport device described in (1) to (4) above, it is preferable that the front portion of the hand is equipped with a roller that can rotate on the front portion of the cylindrical part of the reel. In this case, the roller facilitates the hooking and release of the hooking of the front portion of the hand.

[0012] (6) In the reel transport device described in (1) to (5) above, it is preferable to provide a connecting part that connects the two hands in the width direction. In this case, the movement of the two hands can be easily controlled by synchronizing the movement of the two hands.

[0013] (7) In the reel transport device described in (1) to (6) above, it is preferable to provide a buffer portion on the inside in the width direction of the hand to suppress contact with the reel. In this case, the durability of the reel and the hand can be improved.

[0014] (8) In the reel transport device described in (1) to (7) above, it is preferable that the tip of the front portion of the hand is further bent upward as it moves towards the front. In this case, the front portion of the hand is more likely to catch on the cylindrical portion of the reel, making it easier to transport the reel.

[0015] (9) The reel transport method of the present invention involves transporting the reel by rolling it on the ground surface using the reel transport device described in (1) to (7) above, while locking the locking means, and removing the reel by unlocking the locking means. According to the reel transport method of the present invention, the reel can be easily transported and installed to a desired location without having to place the reel on the device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a reel transporting device and a reel transporting method that can easily transport and install a reel to a desired location without having to place the reel on a device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a schematic plan view showing a reel transport device, one embodiment of the present invention, from above. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a front view showing the reel transport device from the front. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a side view illustrating an example of a reel transport method using the reel transport device. This figure schematically shows the state before the reel is attached to the reel transport device or the state after the reel has been removed from the reel transport device. [Figure 4]It is another side view for explaining an example of a reel conveying method using the reel conveying device of FIG. 1. In this figure, a state until the bent portion of the hand catches on the cylindrical portion of the reel when attaching the reel to the reel conveying device or a state until the catch of the bent portion of the hand on the cylindrical portion of the reel is released when removing the reel from the reel conveying device is schematically shown. [Figure 5] It is a side view showing an enlarged view of the locking means provided in the reel conveying device of FIG. 1. In this figure, a state in which the hand is locked to the traveling portion using the locking means is schematically shown. [Figure 6] It is a side view showing an enlarged view of the locking means provided in the reel conveying device of FIG. 1. In this figure, a state in which the locking state by the locking means is released and the hand is swingable with respect to the traveling portion is schematically shown.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, a reel conveying device and a reel conveying method, which are an embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] Here, the front-rear direction refers to the front-rear direction of the reel conveying device. Specifically, the direction in which the reel conveying device advances (forward direction) is referred to as the front direction (front side), and the direction in which the reel conveying device retreats (backward direction) is referred to as the rear direction (rear side). Also, here, unless otherwise specified, the width direction refers to a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. In this case, the width direction can be replaced with the left-right direction. Specifically, the left direction (left side) and the right direction (right side) are directions when viewed from the rear side with the front direction (front side) as a reference.

[0020] (Reel Conveying Device) Figure 1 shows a reel transport device 1, which is one embodiment of the present invention, from above. The reel transport device 1 is a transport device for transporting reels 100 (see Figures 3 and 4). Figure 2 shows the reel transport device 1 from the front. Figure 3 shows the reel transport device 1 just before transporting the reel 100. In Figure 4, the handle 13 of the reel transport device 1 capable of transporting the reel 100 is shown by a solid line, and the handle 13 of the reel transport device 1 from which the reel 100 can be removed is hypothetically shown by a dashed line.

[0021] Furthermore, in Figures 3 and 4, the reel 100 is virtually represented by a dashed line. Referring to Figure 3, for example, the reel 100 comprises two flanges 101 (only one side is shown in the drawing) spaced apart in the width direction (axis direction of the reel 100), and a drum 102.

[0022] The two flanges 101 are disc-shaped flanges. The drum 102 has a smaller diameter than the flanges 101 and is positioned between the two flanges 101. This allows the reel 100 to rotate (roll) on the ground surface F. Here, the ground surface F refers to, for example, the floor of a factory or the road surface outdoors.

[0023] The drum 102 is a cylindrical drum. A long member M (for example, tread rubber or a belt for tire manufacturing) can be wound onto the drum 102 between two flanges 101. Figure 3 shows the long member M virtually wound onto the drum 102. However, the long member M is not limited to those used in tire manufacturing, such as tread rubber or a belt. Other long members include, for example, hoses and cables. In other words, the long member M can be made of at least one of resin (including rubber) and metal.

[0024] In this embodiment, the widthwise end (axial end) of the drum 102 protrudes outward in the widthwise direction from the widthwise outer surface of the flange 101. In this embodiment, the protruding portion of the drum 102 that protrudes from the widthwise outer surface of the flange 101 constitutes a cylindrical portion 103 provided on the widthwise outer side of the reel 100.

[0025] Referring to Figure 1, the reel transport device 1 comprises a travel section 2 equipped with an operating handle 3, and two hands 13 that extend in the front-rear direction and are spaced apart in the width direction.

[0026] In this embodiment, the travel unit 2 comprises two longitudinal frames 4 extending in the longitudinal direction and spaced apart in the width direction, and a drive unit 5 that facilitates the forward and backward movement of the reel transport device 1. The two longitudinal frames 4 are positioned to form the front portion of the reel transport device 1, and the drive unit 5 is positioned to form the rear portion of the reel transport device 1. In this embodiment, the rear ends of the longitudinal frames 4 are connected to the front portion of the drive unit 5. As a result, a space S is formed between the two longitudinal frames 4, with the rear end closed by the drive unit 5. In this space S, the reel 100 can be moved forward and backward through openings A formed on the front sides of the two longitudinal frames 4 while the reel 100 remains in contact with the ground surface F. In this embodiment, the two longitudinal frames 4 are each positioned wider than the hand 13. Therefore, in this embodiment, the substantial space S is formed between the two hands 13.

[0027] Furthermore, the running section 2 is provided with wheels that can roll on the ground surface F together with the reel 100 (omitted in Figure 1). Referring to Figure 2, each of the two longitudinal frames 4 is provided with wheels 6 that can roll on the ground surface F together with the reel 100 (omitted in Figure 2) positioned between the two longitudinal frames 4. In this embodiment, the wheels 6 can rotate around an axis that extends in the width direction relative to the longitudinal frame 4. Also in this embodiment, the drive unit 5 is provided with wheels 7 that can roll on the ground surface F together with the reel 100 positioned between the two longitudinal frames 4. The wheels 7 can rotate around an axis that extends in the width direction relative to the drive unit 5. That is, in this embodiment, the wheels 6 function as the front wheels of the running section 2, and the wheels 7 function as the rear wheels of the running section 2. As a result, the reel transport device 1 can easily move on the ground surface F. Note that in this embodiment, the drive unit 5 is equipped with one wheel 7. However, the drive unit 5 may be equipped with multiple wheels 7.

[0028] In addition, in this embodiment, an operating handle 3 is attached to the drive unit 5 via a handle shaft 8. In this embodiment, the handle shaft 8 is connected to the wheel 7. This allows the reel transport device 1 to be rotated to the left and to the right by switching the operating handle 3. As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the drive unit 5 is provided with an electric motor 9 for driving the wheel 7 (not shown). The electric motor 9 can assist the rotation (rolling) of the wheel 7. This allows the user to easily move the reel transport device 1. In this embodiment, the drive unit 5 is provided with two balance weights 11 to allow the wheels 6 and 7 to generate greater grip force against the ground surface F. In this embodiment, the balance weights 11 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the drive unit 5. The electric motor 9 can function as an assist for the operator to move the reel transport device 1, or it can function as a power source to automatically move the reel transport device 1 without the operator having to move it. Furthermore, the drive unit 5 can be moved manually by omitting the electric motor 9. Additionally, a brake can be added to the operating handle 3 to decelerate the wheels 7 (or wheels 6).

[0029] In addition, the travel unit 2 is equipped with a pressing unit 12 that can press the reel 100 forward and rotate the reel 100 forward relative to the ground surface F. In this embodiment, the drive unit 5 is provided with two pressing units 12. The two pressing units 12 are spaced apart in the width direction. In this embodiment, the pressing unit 12 is a roller that can rotate around an axis extending in the width direction. This allows the pressing unit 12 to easily rotate the reel 100 forward relative to the ground surface F while pressing the reel 100 forward when the reel transport device 1 is moved forward, for example. The pressing unit 12 can also be rotated backward together with the reel 100. The pressing unit 12 can be formed from at least one of resin (including rubber) and metal.

[0030] In this embodiment, the hand 13 comprises a front portion 13a and a rear portion 13b. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front portion 13a comprises a tip portion 13a1 located at the foremost position and an intermediate portion 13a2 connecting the tip portion 13a1 and the rear portion 13b. In this embodiment, the front portion 13a of the hand 13 is provided with a roller 14 that is rotatable relative to the front portion 13a. The roller 14 can rotate around an axis that extends in the width direction relative to the front portion 13a of the hand 13. The roller 14 can be formed from at least one of resin (including rubber) and metal. In this embodiment, the roller 14 is provided on the tip portion 13a1. More specifically, the roller 14 is provided at the very tip (front end) of the tip portion 13a1.

[0031] Referring to Figure 3, in this embodiment, the roller 14 is provided with roller shafts 14a (only one side is shown in the drawing) on ​​both sides in the width direction of the roller 14. The two roller shafts 14a are rotatably fitted into elongated holes 13d formed in the tip portion 13a1 of the hand 13. The elongated holes 13d extend in the direction in which the tip portion 13a1 of the hand 13 extends. The extending length of the elongated holes 13d is longer than the diameter of the roller shafts 14a. This allows the roller 14 to rotate forward and backward relative to the tip portion 13a1 of the hand 13, and to move in the direction in which the tip portion 13a1 of the hand 13 extends. Note that the roller shafts 14a can be shafts that penetrate the roller 14 in the width direction.

[0032] The hand 13 has a front portion 13a that extends upward as it moves forward and catches on the front portion of the cylindrical part 103 of the reel 100, thereby allowing the reel 100 to be rotatably sandwiched between it and the pressing portion 12.

[0033] In this embodiment, the tip portion 13a1 of the front portion 13a of the hand 13 is further bent upward as it moves towards the front with respect to the portion connected to the front portion 13a.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the intermediate portion 13a2 of the hand 13 is inclined upward as it moves towards the front when the rear portion 13b of the hand 13 is positioned parallel to the front-rear frame 4 (and thus to the ground surface F), that is, when the rear portion 13b of the hand 13 is positioned horizontally.

[0035] In addition, the tip portion 13a1 of the hand 13 is bent upward as it moves towards the front, relative to the intermediate portion 13a2 connected to the tip portion 13a1. That is, in this embodiment, the tip portion 13a1 of the hand 13 is a bent portion provided on the front portion 13a. With respect to the front portion 13a of the hand 13, because the tip portion 13a1 is bent, when the reel transport device 1 is pushed against the reel 100 from the front, the front portion 13a of the hand 13 passes over the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100, and then, as shown in Figure 4, catches on the front portion of the cylindrical portion 103, making it possible to rotatably clamp the reel 100 between the hand and the pressing portion 12.

[0036] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the hand 13 is supported so as to be able to swing vertically relative to the running section 2. In this embodiment, the running section 2 includes a support column 15 that extends upward from the front-rear frame 4. In this embodiment, the hand 13 is connected so as to be able to swing vertically around a swinging part 16 provided on the support column 15. As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the swinging part 16 includes a support shaft 16a. The support shaft 16a passes through the middle section 13a2 of the hand 13 in the width direction together with the upper end of the support column 15. This allows the hand 13 to swing vertically relative to the support column 15 with the swinging part 16 located in the middle section 13a2 of the hand 13 as the pivot point.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, the hand 13 swings so that its front portion 13a catches on the lower side of the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100. In this embodiment, the swinging portion 16 of the hand 13 is positioned lower than the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100 that is in contact with the ground surface F, so that the hand 13 swings vertically so that its front portion 13a catches on the lower side of the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100. Specifically, the tip portion 13a1 of the hand 13 swings so that it catches on the lower side of the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100.

[0038] In this embodiment, the hand 13 is initially in a state where its front portion 13a is lifted upward with the pivot portion 16 as the pivot point, as shown by the solid line in Figure 4. That is, in this embodiment, the hand 13 is initially in the position shown by the solid line in Figure 4, and from this state, it can be swung to the position shown by the dashed line in Figure 4 by pushing down the front portion 13a of the hand 13 with the pivot portion 16 as the pivot point. For example, the hand 13 can be initially in a state where its front portion 13a is lifted upward with the pivot portion 16 as the pivot point, depending on the relationship between the position of the center of gravity of the hand 13 and the position of the pivot portion 16 (support column 15). In this embodiment, the hand 13 is initially in a state where its front portion 13a is lifted upward by making the weight of the rear portion 13b of the hand 13 heavier than the weight of the front portion 13a of the hand 13. As a result, in this embodiment, the hand 13 can be initially in a state where the front portion 13a of the hand 13 is lifted upward with the pivot portion 16 as the pivot point.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the hand 13 is further provided with a reinforcing frame 13e. The reinforcing frame 13e is an L-shaped frame connected to the rear portion 13b and the intermediate portion 13a2 of the hand 13. As a result, in this embodiment, the rigidity of the hand 13 is increased between the rear portion 13b and the intermediate portion 13a2. However, the reinforcing frame 13e can be omitted. Note that the reinforcing frame 13e is not shown in Figure 1.

[0040] Furthermore, the reel transport device 1 is equipped with a locking mechanism 17 that can switch between a locked state in which the front portion 13a of the hand 13 is hooked onto the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100, as shown by the solid line in Figure 4, and an unlocked state in which the locked state is released and the reel 100 can be removed from the front portion 13a of the hand 13, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4.

[0041] In this embodiment, the locking means 17 is a locking means that prevents the swinging of the hand 13 by locking it, while allowing the swinging of the hand 13 by changing the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0042] Figure 5 shows a magnified view of the locking mechanism 17 provided on the reel transport device 1. Figure 5 schematically shows the state in which the hand 13 is locked to the travel unit 2 using the locking mechanism 17. Figure 6 schematically shows the state in which the locking mechanism 17 is released and the hand 13 is swinging relative to the travel unit 2.

[0043] The locking mechanism 17 includes a recess 18a provided in the hand 13 and a shaft 19a provided in the travel section 2. The locked state is maintained by the engagement of the recess 18a and the shaft 19a, as shown in Figure 5. As a result, in this embodiment, the hand 13 is maintained in a state in which the front portion 13a of the hand 13 is raised, as shown by the solid line in Figure 4. On the other hand, the unlocked state is made possible by releasing the engagement of the recess 18a and the shaft 19a, as shown in Figure 6. As a result, in this embodiment, the hand 13 can be swung from a state in which the front portion 13a of the hand 13 is raised upward with the pivot portion 16 as the pivot point, as shown by the solid line in Figure 4, to a state in which the front portion 13a of the hand 13 is lowered with the pivot portion 16 as the pivot point, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4. In this embodiment, since the weight of the rear portion 13b of the hand 13 is heavier than the weight of the front portion 13a of the hand 13, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4, when the front portion 13a of the hand 13 is pressed down and then released, the front portion 13a of the hand 13 can be automatically returned to the raised position as shown by the solid line in Figure 4.

[0044] Referring to Figure 1, in this embodiment, a plate member 18 is provided on the rear portion 13b of the hand 13. The plate member 18 is fixed to the outer surface in the width direction of the rear portion 13b of the hand 13. In this embodiment, the recess 18a is formed at the rear end of the plate member 18. The recess 18a is a recess cut out from the rear end of the plate member 18 toward the front.

[0045] In this embodiment, the running section 2 is provided with a flange shaft 19. The flange shaft 19 is arranged to extend in the width direction. In this embodiment, the flange shaft 19 is held so as to be movable in the front-rear direction relative to the drive section 5. In this embodiment, the flange shaft 19 comprises a shaft 19a extending in the width direction and two flanges 19b. The two flanges 19b are each integrally provided at the extending end (width direction end) of the shaft 19a. The diameters of the two flanges 19b are larger than those of the shaft 19a. The diameter of the shaft 19a is also sized to fit into the recess 18a.

[0046] In this embodiment, the reel transport device 1 is equipped with a connecting portion 13f that connects the two hands 13 in the width direction. The connecting portion 13f is a connecting frame that extends in the width direction and is connected to the two rear portions 13b. This allows the two hands 13 to swing synchronously and integrally with each other. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 13f connects the rear portions 13b of the two hands 13. This makes it possible to secure a longer dimension in the front-to-back direction of the space S.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flange shaft 19 can be moved in the front-rear direction relative to the drive unit 5 by operation by an operator, as described later.

[0048] In this embodiment, the locking means 17 is electrically controlled by using an electrically controlled actuator. For example, referring to Figure 5, in this embodiment, the locking means 17 is provided with a locking means operating mechanism 20 for operating the locking means 17. In this embodiment, the locking means operating mechanism 20 is composed of a solenoid actuator 21 and a link mechanism 22 that connects the solenoid actuator 21 and the locking means 17.

[0049] The solenoid actuator 21 is fixed to the drive unit 5. The solenoid actuator 21 includes an actuator shaft 21a that moves vertically in response to an electrical signal generated by the operator's operation. For example, referring to Figure 1, in this embodiment, an operation panel 8a is positioned between the upper end of the handle shaft 8 and the operation handle 3. The solenoid actuator 21 can be controlled by electrical signals corresponding to the operation of the operation panel 8a by the operator.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the link mechanism 22 includes a link shaft 23 connected to the actuator shaft 21a and movable vertically relative to the travel unit 2 in accordance with the vertical movement of the actuator shaft 21a, a swing link member 24 fixed to the travel unit 2 and swinging vertically relative to the travel unit 2, and an operating link member 25 that connects the swing link member 24 to the flange shaft 19 and can operate the flange shaft 19. The operating link member 25 connects the swing link member 24 to the flange shaft 19.

[0051] In this embodiment, the link shaft 23 is movable vertically relative to the drive unit 5. In this embodiment, the link shaft 23 can be housed inside the shaft housing 51 provided in the drive unit 5 so as to be slid vertically within the shaft housing 51. In this embodiment, the link shaft 23 has a small diameter portion 23a and a large diameter portion 23b. The link shaft 23 can be moved vertically relative to the drive unit 5 by moving the small diameter portion 23a in and out of the shaft housing 51 in the vertical direction.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the link shaft 23 and the actuator shaft 21a are connected by a connecting plate 26. This allows the link shaft 23 to move vertically in synchronization with the vertical movement of the actuator shaft 21a. In this embodiment, the connecting plate 26 connects the large-diameter portion 23b of the link shaft 23 to the actuator shaft 21a. The link shaft 23 can be a straight shaft along the direction in which it extends, without providing a small-diameter portion 23a and a large-diameter portion 23b.

[0053] The oscillating link member 24 connects the link shaft 23 and the operating link member 25. The operating link member 25 can move the flange shaft 19 in the front-rear direction relative to the drive unit 5 by the vertical oscillation of the oscillating link member 24. In this embodiment, the operating link member 25 extends in the front-rear direction. The front end 25a of the operating link member 25 is connected to the shaft 19a.

[0054] In this embodiment, the swing link member 24 is an L-shaped swing link member. In this embodiment, the swing link member 24 is connected to the drive unit 5 so as to be able to swing in the vertical direction by a swing pin 27. The swing link member 24 comprises a short portion 24a and a long portion 24b. The swing link member 24 is connected to the drive unit 5 so as to be able to swing by a swing pin 27 located at the connection point between the short portion 24a and the long portion 24b.

[0055] In this embodiment, the short portion 24a of the oscillating link member 24 is rotatably connected to the link shaft 23 around an axis extending in the width direction. In this embodiment, the link shaft 23 is provided with a support shaft 23c extending in the width direction. The support shaft 23c is rotatably fitted into an elongated hole 24c formed in the short portion 24a. The elongated hole 24c extends in the direction of extension of the short portion 24a. The extending length of the elongated hole 24c is longer than the diameter of the support shaft 23c. As a result, the short portion 24a of the oscillating link member 24 can convert the vertical movement of the link shaft 23 into the oscillation of the oscillating link member 24.

[0056] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the longitudinal portion 24b of the swing link member 24 is rotatably connected to the operating link member 25 around an axis extending in the width direction. In this embodiment, the operating link member 25 is provided with a bolt pin 28 extending in the width direction. The bolt pin 28 is rotatably fitted into an elongated hole 24d formed in the longitudinal portion 24b. The elongated hole 24d extends in the direction of extension of the longitudinal portion 24b. The extending length of the elongated hole 24d is longer than the diameter of the bolt pin 28. As a result, the longitudinal portion 24b of the swing link member 24 can convert the swing of the swing link member 24 into movement of the operating link member 25 in the front-rear direction.

[0057] The oscillating link member 24 moves the operating link member 25 forward by converting the upward motion of the link shaft 23 into oscillating motion (rotational motion). In this embodiment, Figure 5 shows the state when the operating link member 25 has been moved forward, which corresponds to the state when the actuator shaft 21a has risen to its maximum height, i.e., when the link shaft 23 has risen to its maximum height. As a result, as shown in Figure 5, when the actuator shaft 21a has risen to its maximum height, the shaft 19a of the flange shaft 19 fits into the recess 18a provided in the plate member 18, thereby locking the hand 13 to the travel unit 2 (drive unit 5).

[0058] On the other hand, the oscillating link member 24 moves the operating link member 25 to the rear by converting the downward movement of the link shaft 23 into oscillating motion (rotational motion). In this embodiment, Figure 6 shows the state when the operating link member 25 has been moved to the rear, which corresponds to the state when the actuator shaft 21a has been lowered to its maximum extent, that is, when the link shaft 23 has been lowered to its maximum extent. As a result, as shown in Figure 6, when the actuator shaft 21a has been lowered to its maximum extent, the engagement between the shaft 19a of the flange shaft 19 and the recess 18a provided in the plate member 18 is released, and the hand 13 moves from a state where it is locked to the running unit 2 (drive unit 5) to a state where the lock is released.

[0059] As described above, in this embodiment, the locking means 17 can automatically switch between the locked state and the unlocked state of the hand 13 by electrical operation.

[0060] However, the locking mechanism 17 can also be switched between the locked and unlocked states by manual operation. For example, in the locking mechanism operating mechanism 20, the link mechanism 22 can be operated by manual operation without using the solenoid actuator 21. For example, the link shaft 23 can be moved up and down by the operator manually. Also, in this embodiment, the rear end 25b of the operating link member 25 extends behind the drive unit 5. In this case, the operator can also move the operating link member 25 in the front-rear direction using the rear end 25b of the operating link member 25.

[0061] That is, at least as shown in Figure 5, by moving the flange shaft 19 to the front, the shaft 19a of the flange shaft 19 can be fitted into the recess 18a formed in the plate member 18. This allows the locking means 17 to fix the hand 13 to the running part 2. As a result, in this embodiment, as shown by the solid line in Figure 4, the front portion 13a of the hand 13 can be maintained in an upward position with the swinging part 16 as the pivot point.

[0062] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6, the flange shaft 19 can be moved to the rear, thereby releasing the engagement between the shaft 19a of the flange shaft 19 and the recess 18a formed in the plate member 18. This allows the locking means 17 to swing the front portion 13a of the hand 13 downward from a raised position, as shown by the solid line in Figure 4, using the swinging part 16 as the pivot point, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4. As a result, in this embodiment, when the front portion 13a of the hand 13 is pushed downward from the position shown by the solid line in Figure 4, the front portion 13a of the hand 13 can swing downward using the swinging part 16 as the pivot point, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the rear portion 13b of the hand 13 is heavier than the front portion 13a, when the downward pressure on the front portion 13a of the hand 13 is released, the front portion 13a of the hand 13 automatically returns to a state where it is lifted upward, as shown by the solid line in Figure 4.

[0063] (Method for transporting a reel 100 using a reel transport device 1) Next, an example of a method for transporting the reel 100 using the reel transport device 1 will be described.

[0064] As shown in Figure 3, the reel transport device 1 starts with the front portion 13a of the hand 13 lifted upward with the pivot portion 16 as the pivot point. In this embodiment, the hand 13 is locked in the state where the front portion 13a of the hand 13 is lifted upward by the locking means 17. This allows the reel transport device 1 to move on the ground surface F without the hand 13 being able to move freely. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the locking means 17 locks the hand 13 to the travel portion 2 by raising the actuator shaft 21a of the solenoid actuator 21.

[0065] Referring again to Figure 3, the worker who intends to transport the reel 100 grasps the operating handle 3 and moves the reel transport device 1 forward toward the reel 100. In this embodiment, the rotation (rolling) of the wheels 7 located in the drive unit 5 is assisted by the electric motor 9.

[0066] In this embodiment, by bringing the reel transport device 1 closer to the reel 100, the rollers 14 provided on the front portions 13a of the two hands 13 can each be brought into contact with the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100, as shown in Figure 3.

[0067] In this embodiment, the operator releases the lock by the locking mechanism 17 by operating the operation panel 8a. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 17 releases the lock by lowering the actuator shaft 21a of the solenoid actuator 21, as shown in Figure 6. As a result, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4, the front portion 13a of the hand 13 can swing downward with the pivot portion 16 as the pivot point. This allows the tips 13a1 of the two hands 13 to pass under the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100 without getting caught on the cylindrical portion 103. However, the lock can be released before the roller 14 contacts the reel 100. Note that in Figure 4, the recess 18a of the locking mechanism 17 and the shaft 19a are shown in a fitted state, but in reality, as shown in Figure 6, the fit between the recess 18a of the locking mechanism 17 and the shaft 19a is released.

[0068] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, when the lock by the locking means 17 is released and the reel transport device 1 is moved forward, the front portion 13a of the hand 13 can move downward from the pivoting part 16 as the tip portion 13a1 contacts the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100 via the roller 14, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4. This allows the front portion 13a of the hand 13 to pass below the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100. In addition, a space S is formed between the two hands 13 (two front-rear oriented frames 4) that can accommodate the reel 100 in contact with the ground surface F. As a result, the reel transport device 1 can move forward while accommodating the reel 100 in space S until the tip portion 13a1 of the hand 13 reaches the front portion of the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4.

[0069] More specifically, when the tip 13a1 of the hand 13 contacts the rear portion of the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100 via the roller 14, the front portion 13a of the hand 13 can move downward along the shape of the rear portion of the cylindrical portion 103 (the contour shape of the rear portion of the cylindrical portion 103 in the side view in Figure 4). Then, when the tip 13a1 of the hand 13 (in this embodiment, the roller 14) goes over the lower end of the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100, the front portion 13a of the hand 13 will automatically lift upward along the shape of the front portion of the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100 (the contour shape of the front portion of the cylindrical portion 103 in the side view in Figure 4). As a result, the front portion 13a of the hand 13 has its tip 13a1 pass over the lower end of the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100, causing the tip 13a1 to catch on the front portion of the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100, as shown by the solid line in Figure 4. In addition, the reel transport device 1 can be advanced until the pressing portion 12 provided on the reel transport device 1 comes into contact with the reel 100, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4.

[0070] In this embodiment, after the pressing portion 12 provided on the reel transport device 1 comes into contact with the reel 100, the operator switches the locking means 17 from the unlocked state to the locked state by operating the operation panel 8a. That is, the operator locks the hand 13 against the travel unit 2 by operating the operation panel 8a. As shown in Figures 6 to 5, the locking means 17 raises the actuator shaft 21a of the solenoid actuator 21, thereby locking the hand 13 against the travel unit 2 again, as shown in Figure 5. As a result, the front portion 13a of the hand 13 is maintained in an elevated position with the swinging portion 16 as the pivot point, as shown by the solid line in Figure 4. As a result, the reel transport device 1 can move the reel 100 while rolling it on the ground surface F, while holding the reel 100 in the front-rear direction with the front portion 13a (tip portion 13a1 in this embodiment) and the pressing portion 12 inside the space S of the reel transport device 1.

[0071] In other words, the reel transport device 1 hooks the front portion 13a of the hand 13, specifically the tip portion 13a1, onto the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100, thereby keeping the reel 100 sandwiched between the pressing portion 12 of the traveling portion 2 and the front portion 13a of the hand 13, while housing the reel 100 within space S and rolling the reel 100 on the ground surface F. As a result, the reel transport device 1 can transport the reel 100 to a desired position while rolling the reel 100 on the ground surface F.

[0072] After the reel 100 has been moved to the desired position, the lock by the locking mechanism 17 is released by operating the operation panel 8a. This allows the front portions 13a of the two hands 13 to swing downward again, pivoting on the swinging part 16, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4. Therefore, after releasing the lock by the locking mechanism 17, the reel transport device 1 can be moved backward to allow the front portions 13a of the hands 13 to pass below the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100. This allows the reel transport device 1 to move until the front portions 13a of the hands 13 are behind the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100, thereby removing the reel 100 from the reel transport device 1. In this way, the reel transport device 1 can be set to the desired position by releasing the lock by the locking mechanism 17.

[0073] After the reel transport device 1 is removed from the reel 100, the front portion 13a of the hand 13 automatically lifts upward with the pivot portion 16 as the pivot point. Therefore, by locking the hand 13 again using the locking means 17, the hand 13 can be maintained in a state where the front portion 13a of the hand 13 is lifted upward with the pivot portion 16 as the pivot point.

[0074] As described above, the reel transport device 1 comprises a travel unit 2 equipped with an operating handle 3 and two hands 13. The travel unit 2 forms a space S between two front-rear frames 4 capable of housing a reel 100 in contact with the ground surface F, and the pressing unit 12 allows the reel 100 to be pressed forward and rotated forward relative to the ground surface F when the reel transport device 1 is moved forward. The front portion 13a of the hand 13 is inclined upward as it moves forward and catches on the front portion 13a of the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100, thereby allowing the reel 100 to be rotatably sandwiched between the pressing unit 12 and the hand 13. Furthermore, the locking mechanism 17 allows switching between a locked state in which the front portion 13a of the hand 13 is hooked onto the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100, and an unlocked state in which the locked state is released and the reel 100 can be removed from the front portion 13a of the hand 13. Therefore, with the reel transport device 1, the reel 100 can be easily transported to a desired location and installed in that desired location without having to place the reel 100 on the reel transport device 1. In addition, with the reel transport device 1, since the reel 100 is not placed on the device 1, the worker can transport the reel 100 safely and without burden.

[0075] In particular, in this embodiment, the hand 13 is supported so as to be able to swing vertically with respect to the running section 2, with the swinging section 16 as the pivot point. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the locking means 17 is a locking means that prevents the swinging of the hand 13 when locked, and allows the swinging of the hand 13 when unlocked. In this case, the swinging of the hand 13 makes it easier to grasp the reel 100 by smoothly catching on the cylindrical section 103 of the reel 100. Also, in this case, the transport of the reel 100 and the removal (installation) of the reel 100 can be easily performed with a simple configuration that only prevents or allows the swinging of the hand 13 with respect to the running section 2.

[0076] Furthermore, referring to Figures 5 and 6, in this embodiment, the locking mechanism 17 comprises a recess 18a provided in the hand 13 and a shaft 19a provided in the running section 2. As shown in Figure 5, the locked state is maintained by the engagement of the recess 18a and the shaft 19a, while as shown in Figure 6, the unlocked state is achieved by releasing the engagement between the recess 18a and the shaft 19a. In this case, the reel 100 can be easily transported and removed (installed) with a simple configuration that only involves engaging and releasing the recess 18a and the shaft 19a. Note that the locking mechanism 17 can be provided with a recess corresponding to the recess 18a in the running section 2, and a shaft corresponding to the shaft 19a in the hand 13.

[0077] Incidentally, the hand 13 can also swing so that its front portion 13a catches on the upper side of the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100. In contrast, in this embodiment, the hand 13 swings so that its front portion 13a catches on the lower side of the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100. In this case, compared to the case where the front portion 13a of the hand 13 swings so that it catches on the upper side of the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100, the swinging of the hand 13 can be performed efficiently while making it easier to transport and remove the reel 100.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front portion 13a of the hand 13 is equipped with a roller 14 that can rotate on the front portion of the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100. In this case, the roller 14 facilitates the engagement and release of the front portion 13a of the hand 13.

[0079] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the reel transport device 1 according to this embodiment includes a connecting portion 13f that connects two hands 13 in the width direction. In this case, the movement of the two hands 13 can be easily controlled by synchronizing the movement of the two hands 13.

[0080] Furthermore, it is preferable that the reel transport device 1 is equipped with a buffer portion 29 on the inside in the width direction of the hand 13 to suppress contact with the reel 100. The buffer portion 29 can be made of metal or resin. In this case, the durability of the reel 100 and the hand 13 can be improved. In this embodiment, the buffer portion 29 is provided on the inside in the width direction of the intermediate portion 13a2 of the hand 13, as shown in Figure 1. However, the buffer portion 29 can also be provided at the tip portion 13a1 of the hand 13. In this embodiment, the buffer portion 29 is a cylindrical or semi-cylindrical member that extends in the extending direction of the hand 13. However, the buffer portion 29 can be a pipe-shaped buffer portion or a semi-pipe-shaped buffer portion.

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tip portion 13a1 of the front portion 13a of the hand 13 is a bent portion that is bent upward as it approaches the front portion, i.e., the middle portion 13a2 of the hand 13. In this case, the front portion 13a of the hand 13 is more likely to catch on the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100, making it easier to transport the reel 100.

[0082] In this embodiment of the reel transport method, the reel 100 is transported by rolling it on the ground surface F by locking the locking means 17 using the reel transport device 1, while the reel 100 is removed by unlocking the locking means 17. According to this embodiment of the reel transport method, the reel 100 can be easily transported to a desired location and installed at that desired location without having to place the reel 100 on the device 1.

[0083] The above-described embodiments are exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims. For example, in the reel transport device 1, the initial state is with the front portion 13a of the hand 13 raised upward, but the initial state can be with the front portion 13a of the hand 13 lowered downward. Also, as in this embodiment, the front portion 13a of the hand 13 may extend parallel to the intermediate portion 13a2 without bending the tip portion 13a1. For example, depending on the diameter of the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100, the length of the tip portion 13a1 or the intermediate portion 13a2, the upward tilt angle of the tip portion 13a1 or the intermediate portion 13a2, the position of the swinging portion 16, etc., the hand 13 can be releasably hooked onto the cylindrical portion 103 of the reel 100 even without bending the tip portion 13a1. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 1: Reel transport device, 2: Running section, 3: Operating handle, 4: Front-rear frame, 5: Drive unit, 6: Wheel (front wheel), 7: Wheel (rear wheel), 8: Handle shaft, 8a: Operation panel, 9: Electric motor, 11: Balance weight, 12: Pressing section, 13: Hand, 13a: Front section, 13a1: Tip section, 13a2: Middle section, 13b: Rear section, 13d: Slotted hole, 13e: Reinforcement frame, 13f: Connecting section, 14: Roller, 14a: Roller shaft, 15: Support column, 16: Swiveling section, 16a: Support shaft, 17: Locking mechanism, 18: Plate member, 18a: Recess (locking mechanism), 19: Flange shaft, 19a: Shaft (locking mechanism), 19b: Flange, 20: Locking mechanism operating mechanism 21: Solenoid actuator, 21a: Actuator shaft, 22: Link mechanism, 23: Link shaft, 23a: Small diameter section, 23b: Large diameter section, 23c: Support shaft, 24: Swivel link member, 24a: Short section, 24b: Long section, 24c: Slotted hole, 24d: Slotted hole, 25: Operating link member, 25a: Front end, 25b: Rear end, 26: Connecting plate, 27: Swivel pin, 28: Bolt pin, 29: Cushioning section, 100: Reel, 101: Flange, 102: Drum, 103: Cylindrical section, S: Space

Claims

1. A reel transport device for transporting reels, The reel transport device comprises a traveling section equipped with an operating handle, and two hands that extend in the front-to-back direction and are spaced apart in the width direction. The aforementioned running section comprises two longitudinal frames extending in the longitudinal direction and spaced apart in the width direction, wheels that can roll on the ground surface together with the reel, and a pressing section that can press the reel forward and rotate the reel forward relative to the ground surface. The hand has a front portion that is inclined upward as it moves forward and that can grip the front portion of a cylindrical part provided on the outside of the width direction of the reel, thereby allowing the reel to roll between itself and the pressing portion. Furthermore, the reel transport device is equipped with a locking mechanism that can switch between a locked state in which the front portion of the hand is hooked onto the cylindrical portion of the reel, and an unlocked state in which the locked state is released and the reel can be removed from the front portion of the hand.

2. The hand is supported so as to be able to swing vertically relative to the running section. The reel transport device according to claim 1, wherein the locking means prevents the swinging of the hand when it is in the locked state, and allows the swinging of the hand when it is released from the locked state.

3. The locking mechanism comprises a recess provided in either the hand or the running section, and a shaft provided in the other of the hand or the running section. The reel transport device according to claim 2, wherein the locked state is maintained by the engagement of the recess and the shaft, and the unlocked state is made possible by the disengagement of the engagement between the recess and the shaft.

4. The reel transport device according to claim 2, wherein the hand swings so that the front portion of the hand catches on the lower side of the cylindrical portion of the reel.

5. The reel transport device according to claim 1, wherein the front portion of the hand is equipped with a roller that can rotate on the front portion of the cylindrical part of the reel.

6. The reel transport device according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting portion that connects the two hands in the width direction.

7. The reel transport device according to claim 1, further comprising a buffer portion on the inside of the hand in the width direction to suppress contact with the reel.

8. The reel transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tip of the front portion of the hand is further bent upward as it moves forward.

9. A method for transporting a reel, comprising using the reel transport device described in claim 1, transporting the reel by locking the locking means to allow it to roll on the ground surface, and removing the reel by unlocking the locking means.

Images