Container lifting platform and work scaffolding

Abstract

The work platform can be positioned and fixed to the vehicle-mounted container, and it will be possible to ascend and descend onto the vehicle-mounted container. [Solution] The ladder has a main body 5 in which a pair of left and right support columns 3 are connected by multiple steps 4, a top plate 17 with one end connected to the top of the ladder main body 5, and a pocket fastener 18 provided on the free end side of the top plate 17 that can be inserted into the fork pocket Wa of the vehicle-mounted container W and come into contact with the left and right walls of the pocket.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container lift and work platform for an operator to move up and down to a container mounted on a truck bed.

Background Art

[0002] For example, there is a lifting step as a staircase for an operator to move up and down over the bulge on the truck bed.

[0003] The truck lifting step disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a pair of left and right columns as viewed in the lifting direction, a plurality of treads horizontally mounted between the columns, a top plate horizontally mounted at the upper end of the columns, and handrails respectively attached to the columns. One end of the top plate is connected by an angle fixing means that can be fixed at different angles to the upper end of the column, and a locking means for locking the top plate to the bulge of the truck bed is provided below the other end of the top plate. The handrails are pivotally supported by pivot support portions arranged above and below the columns so as to be displaceable between a state of standing perpendicular to the columns and a state of being folded parallel to the columns. The pivot support portions are provided with fixing means for fixing the standing state of the handrails. By connecting the fixing means provided in the pivot support portions with a connecting tool and operating the connecting tool, the fixing of the standing state of the handrails can be released (abstract).

[0004] That is, the step is fixed in its installation position with respect to both the truck and the goods placed on the truck bed by locking the locking means of the top plate to the bulge of the truck bed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The aforementioned conventional technology allows for the placement and securing of the steps by utilizing the side panels of the truck bed when the cargo is located within the side panels. However, when the cargo is a container that holds a large number of goods, the container is placed over almost the entire surface of the truck bed, and the cargo is loaded and unloaded by opening the front entrance of the container. In this case, the truck bed does not have side panels, making it difficult to use the side panel-locking type steps.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a container lifting platform and work platform that can solve the problems of the conventional technology described above.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a container lifting platform and work platform that allows the top plate to be secured to a container on a vehicle bed by providing a pocket fastener at the free end of the top plate that fits into the fork pocket (fork insertion hole) of the container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The specific means for solving the problems in the present invention is characterized by having a ladder body 5 formed by connecting a pair of left and right support columns 3 with multiple steps 4, a top plate 17 with one end connected to the upper part of the ladder body 5, and a pocket fastener 18 provided on the free end side of the top plate 17, which can be inserted into the fork pocket Wa of the vehicle-mounted container W and come into contact with the left and right walls of the pocket. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, by inserting the pocket fastener 18 provided at the free end of the step's top plate 17 into the fork pocket Wa of the vehicle-mounted container W, the step can be positioned and fixed relative to the vehicle-mounted container W, and it becomes possible to move up and down on the vehicle-mounted container W. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a left side view showing an installed state of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] The same plane diagram. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the product installed on the truck bed and onboard container. [Figure 4] This is a front view of the installed state. [Figure 5] This is a close-up front view of the connection point between the ladder body and the top plate. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view along line XX in Figure 2. [Figure 7] This is a magnified view of the free end of the pocket fastener. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the YY line. [Figure 9] This is a left side view of the step in its folded state. [Figure 10] This is a front view of the step in its folded state. [Figure 11] This is a plan view showing a modified example of a pocket fastener. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0013] Figures 1-10 show the container lifting platform / work platform 1, which is attached to and leaned against the cargo bed N and onboard container W of vehicle (B) (truck). Figures 1-8 show the platform in its installed and in-use state, while Figures 9 and 10 show the folded state (state for transport and storage). The left-right direction of the work platform 1 is defined as the front, which is the side visible when lifting or lowering, and in the case of vehicle (B), this corresponds to the direction of movement.

[0014] The work platform 1 has a ladder body 5 formed by connecting a pair of left and right support columns 3 with multiple steps 4 when viewed from the direction of ascent and descent, a top plate 17 connected to the top of the ladder body 5, and a pocket fastener 18 provided on the free end side of the top plate 17 that can be inserted into the fork pocket Wa of the vehicle-mounted container W.

[0015] The ladder body 5 has left and right support columns 3 formed of channel members with a U-shaped cross-section. A pair of them are arranged such that the grooves of the channel members face each other. The upper, middle, and lower three steps 4 are fixed via fixing plates 4a and the like with both ends inserted into the left and right support columns 3.

[0016] In FIGS. 1, 2 to 5, 9 to 11, brackets 23 are fixed to the outer surfaces of the upper parts of the left and right support columns 3. The left and right side parts of the connecting part of the top plate 17 are rotatably connected to these left and right brackets 23 via a horizontal shaft 24, enabling the top plate 17 to be changed between a deployed posture in the shape of a cross when viewed from the front and a folded posture with two folds with respect to the ladder body 5.

[0017] The top plate 17 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view by fixing two front and rear stepping flat plates to a pair of angle members forming the left and right side walls 17a. A posture changing tool 20 is provided on one side of the lower surface of the connecting part, and four cable engaging parts 16 are provided on both the left and right side walls 17a.

[0018] The posture changing tool 20 has a setting pin 27 that penetrates the side wall 17a of the top plate 17 on one side and the bracket 23. The bracket 23 is provided with engaged holes 29a, 29b that engage with the setting pin 27 at two locations.

[0019] The setting pin 27 is movably supported by a mounting member 26 fixed to the lower surface of the stepping flat plate of the top plate 17, and the setting pin 27 is elastically pressed outward in the left and right directions by a spring 28.

[0020] The setting pin 27 is provided with a handle part 27a, and the mounting member 26 is formed with a cam surface 26a that abuts against the handle part 27a. By rotating the setting pin 27 with the handle part 27a, the setting pin 27 is guided by the cam surface 26a and moved in a direction to disengage from the bracket 23.

[0021] When the posture changing tool 20 positions the top plate 17 in a posture (installation posture) protruding from the upper part of the support column 3, the setting pin 27 engages with the first engaged hole 29a to hold the protruding posture, enabling it to be placed on the loading platform N of the truck.

[0022] When removing the work platform 1 from the loading platform N and storing it, the setting pin 27 is released from the first engagement hole 29a, the top plate 17 is rotated downward around the horizontal axis 24 to align with the back of the support column 3 in a folded position, and then the setting pin 27 is engaged with the second engagement hole 29b to maintain the folded position.

[0023] In other words, the tabletop 17 is mounted on the upper part of the left and right support columns 3 so that it can be changed between a position where it protrudes to the rear for use and a folded storage position.

[0024] In Figures 1-3 and 6-8, a pocket fastener 18 is provided on the free end side of the top plate 17 opposite to the connecting side. This pocket fastener 18 has a frame 21 fixed to the free end side of the top plate 17, and contact members 22 that protrude from the left and right sides of the frame 21 and can abut against the left and right walls of the fork pocket Wa of the vehicle-mounted container W.

[0025] The frame 21 is formed in a rectangular frame shape in plan view by connecting one end of a pair of left and right angle members 21a with a fixing plate 21b and the other end with a rectangular tube member 21c, fixing the fixing plate 21b to the free end side of the top plate 17, forming an internal cavity 21d inside the rectangular tube member 21c, and inserting a pair of left and right support members 22 into this internal cavity 21d.

[0026] The support member 22 is formed as a rectangular tube and is inserted into the internal cavity 21d of the rectangular tube material 21c in a non-rotating state. A guide pin 42 is fixed to it, passing through a long groove 41 formed in the upper wall of the rectangular tube material 21c, and its left and right position can be adjusted within the range of the long groove 41.

[0027] A support portion 43 made of a rectangular tube is provided on the free end side of the frame 21, and a lock pin 44 is movable toward the rectangular tube 21c on this support portion 43, and a spring 45 causes it to protrude into the rectangular tube 21c and the contact member 22.

[0028] Multiple through holes 46 are formed in the longitudinal direction on the side wall of the support member 22, into which the tip of the lock pin 44 can enter. When the lock pin 44 enters the through hole 46 at a position protruding from the rectangular tube material 21c, it is fixed in that protruding position.

[0029] The lock pin 44 has an L-shaped bend at its rear end, and a thumb rest 49 is provided on the angle material 21a opposite to the rear end. As shown in Figure 2, the lock pin 44 can be engaged with and disengaged from the contact member 22 by placing the thumb of the user's hand on the thumb rest 49 and the index finger on the L-shaped rear end of the lock pin 44 and pulling. In other words, the lock pin 44 can be released and moved from the upper side of the frame 21.

[0030] The left and right support members 22 each have an elastic body 47, such as rubber, at their tips, and can protrude from the frame 21 and contact the left and right walls of the pocket.

[0031] In other words, when the pocket fastener 18 is inserted into the fork pocket Wa of the vehicle-mounted container W, the contact members 22 protruding from the left and right sides of the frame 21 can come into contact with the left and right walls of the pocket, and this contact prevents slippage.

[0032] Depending on the model, the vehicle-mounted container W has two types of fork pockets: one with a width H1 (distance between the left and right walls of the pocket) of 365 mm, and another with a width H2 of 500 mm.

[0033] By minimizing the distance between the tips of the left and right support members 22 (325 mm), it becomes possible to insert them into the fork pocket Wa with a width of H1. When inserted, the gap between the two is small, and there is no problem even if the pocket fastener 18 shifts from side to side.

[0034] By slightly reducing the distance between the tips of the left and right support members 22 from the maximum (525 mm), it becomes possible to insert them into the fork pocket Wa with a width of H2, and when inserted, the gap between the two is small, so there is no problem even if the pocket fastener 18 shifts from side to side.

[0035] If the fork pockets Wa of the vehicle-mounted container W have widths H different from those described above, the left and right support members 22 are set to have a corresponding distance between their tips.

[0036] A total of four cable engagement parts 16 are provided on the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls 17a of the top plate 17, and a cable 25 is connected to these cable engagement parts 16. The cable 25 is a belt or wire, and is wrapped around the cargo bed N or side guard of the vehicle B that carries the vehicle-mounted container W, preventing the top plate 17 of the work platform 1 installed next to the vehicle-mounted container W from detaching from the vehicle B.

[0037] Upright, rod-shaped handrails T are attached to the upper part of each of the left and right support columns 3 via support members 6, and retractable legs 19 are provided at the lower part of each of the left and right support columns 3 in an extendable manner.

[0038] In Figures 1, 4, 9, and 10, each of the left and right telescopic legs 19 is a cylindrical shape with a roughly square cross-section. Numerous locking holes 19a are formed on the opposing surfaces, a grounding member 31 is fitted to the lower end, and a retaining member 32 is fitted to the upper end. These telescopic legs 19 are inserted into the support column 3 from the lower end so as to be retractable and movable.

[0039] The lower part of the support column 3 is provided with a fixing device 33 that secures the telescopic legs 19 to the support column 3 in the position where they are stored in the support column 3 (retracted position) and in the position where they are extended downward from the retracted position (extended position).

[0040] At the bottom of each of the left and right support columns 3, upper and lower blocks 35 and 36 are provided, flanking the lowest step 4. The lower block 36 reinforces the lower part of the support column 3 and also supports the fastener 33.

[0041] The fixing device 33 has a positioning pin 37 and a biasing means 38 that biases the positioning pin 37 toward the telescopic leg 19. One end 37a of the positioning pin 37 passes through the lower block 36 and locks into the locking hole 19a of the telescopic leg 19. The other end of the positioning pin 37 is crank-shaped and is shaped to be handheld in order to detach the positioning pin 37 from the telescopic leg 19 against the biasing means 38.

[0042] The lowermost step 4 is provided with a finger rest 39 facing the left and right positioning pins 37. By gripping the finger rest 39 and the positioning pins 37 together and reducing the distance between them, the positioning pins 37 can be moved against the biasing means 38 and removed from the locking hole 19a, making it easy to extend and retract the telescopic legs 19.

[0043] The upper block 35 is capable of contacting the retaining member 32 at the upper end of the telescopic leg 19, and the support column As the telescopic leg 19 is extended from position 3, the retaining member 32 comes into contact with the upper block 35 when it reaches its maximum extension, preventing further extension.

[0044] Each of the left and right handrails T is formed from a substantially straight pipe material and is supported by a support member 6 fixed to the upper part of the support column 3. The support member 6 has a holder 11 that holds the handrail T via a support shaft 8, and a locking member 12 that holds the holder 11 in an operational position U and a retracted position F.

[0045] The handrail T can be positioned in two ways: a working position U in which the handrail T is erected vertically from the support column 3, and a storage position (non-working position) F in which the handrail T is tilted along the ladder body 5 and rotated downward from the working position U.

[0046] Figure 11 shows a modified example of the pocket fastener, which has a frame 21 that is detachably fixed to the free end side of the top plate 17 via fasteners such as bolts, and contact members 22 that protrude from the left and right sides of the frame 21 and can abut against the left and right walls of the pocket, and these contact members 22 are made of an elastic material.

[0047] The modified pocket fastener 18B has constant dimensions in the left-right direction and is set to a dimension that corresponds to (is insertable into) the width H1 of the fork pocket Wa, or to a dimension that corresponds to the width H2 of the fork pocket Wa. It is used exclusively for vehicle-mounted containers W with a width H of the fork pocket Wa, and when used for fork pockets Wa with different widths H, pocket fasteners 18B with different left-right dimensions are applied.

[0048] The container lifting work platform 1 of the embodiment described in detail above comprises a ladder body 5 formed by connecting a pair of left and right support columns 3 with multiple steps 4, a top plate 17 with one end attached to the upper part of the ladder body 5, and a pocket fastener 18 provided on the free end side of the top plate 17, which is inserted into the fork pocket Wa of the vehicle-mounted container W and can come into contact with the left and right walls of the pocket.

[0049] With this configuration, the work platform 1 can be positioned and fixed relative to the vehicle-mounted container W simply by inserting the pocket fasteners 18 at the free end of the top plate 17 into the fork pockets Wa of the vehicle-mounted container W, and it becomes possible to ascend and descend onto the vehicle-mounted container W.

[0050] Furthermore, the pocket fastener 18 of the above embodiment includes a frame 21 fixed to the free end side of the top plate 17, and contact members 22 that protrude from the left and right sides of the frame 21 and can abut against the left and right walls of the pocket.

[0051] This configuration allows the pocket fastener 18 to be constructed simply and easily.

[0052] Furthermore, the pocket fastener 18 of the above embodiment includes a rectangular frame 21 fixed to one side of the free end of the top plate 17, and a contact member 22 that is supported on the free end of the frame 21 so as to be able to adjust its left and right position and protrudes from the frame 21 so as to be able to abut against the left and right walls of the pocket.

[0053] This configuration allows the left and right lengths of the pocket fasteners 18 to be adjusted to approximately match the spacing between the left and right walls of the fork pockets Wa of the vehicle-mounted container W, thereby limiting the lateral movement of the pocket fasteners 18.

[0054] Furthermore, the frame 21 of the pocket fastener 18 in the above embodiment has an internal cavity 21d that penetrates from left to right on the free end side, and the contact members 22 are inserted in pairs on the left and right sides of the internal cavity 21d, and are attached so that the amount of protrusion from the internal cavity 21d can be changed on the left and right sides.

[0055] This configuration makes it easy and simple to manufacture a system that allows for changing the left and right protrusion amounts of the contact member 22 of the pocket fastener 18.

[0056] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a cable engagement portion 16 is provided on the side surface of the top plate 17, and a cable 25 is connected to this cable engagement portion 16 to be stretched across the vehicle B on which the vehicle-mounted container W is mounted, preventing the top plate 17 from detaching from the vehicle B.

[0057] This configuration allows the work platform 1 to be isolated from the vehicle-mounted container W, restricting its movement and stabilizing its placement in the correct location.

[0058] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the shape, configuration, and combination of the components can also be changed.

[0059] For example, an angle member with a U-shaped or L-shaped cross-section may be attached to the free end of the frame 21, extending in the left-right direction, to form an internal cavity 21d that is open upwards or to the sides.

[0060] In addition to being transported on the truck bed N, the vehicle-mounted container W can also be transported by rail freight car, and rail freight cars are also included in the truck bed N.

[0061] The vertical dimension of the ladder body 5 can be increased, and the telescopic legs 19 can be omitted, and the handrail T can also be omitted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 1. Container lifting platform and work scaffolding 3 pillars 4 Treadboard 5. Ladder body 6 Supports 8 spindle 12 Locking member 16 Cord engagement part 17 Top plate 17a side wall 18, 18B Pocket fasteners 19 Telescopic legs 20 Posture-Changing Devices 21 frames 21a Angle material 21b Fixed plate 21c square tube material 21d Internal cavity 22 Support member 23 brackets 24 Horizontal axis 25 Chord body 26 Mounting components 26a Cam surface 27 setting pins 27a Handle section 28 Springs 29a 1st engaged hole 29b 2nd engaged hole 41 Long groove 42 Guide pins 43 Support part 44 lock pins 45 Spring 46 Through hole 47 Elastic body 49 Thumb rest Vehicle B H1, H2 width N cargo bed W Vehicle-mounted container Wa Fork Pocket

Claims

1. A container lifting platform and work platform characterized by having a ladder body (5) formed by connecting a pair of left and right support columns (3) with multiple steps (4) arranged vertically, a top plate (17) with one end connected to the upper part of the ladder body (5), and a pocket fastener (18) provided on the free end side of the top plate (17) that can be inserted into the fork pocket (Wa) of a vehicle-mounted container (W) and come into contact with the left and right walls of the pocket.

2. The container lifting platform and work platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the pocket fastener (18) has a frame (21) fixed to the free end side of the top plate (17) and a contact member (22) that protrudes from the left and right sides of the frame (21) and can abut against the left and right walls of the pocket.

3. The container lifting platform and work platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the pocket fastener (18) has a rectangular frame (21) fixed on one side to the free end of the top plate (17), and a contact member (22) that is supported on the free end of the frame (21) so as to be able to adjust its position left and right and protrudes from the frame (21) so as to be able to abut against the left and right walls of the pocket.

4. The container lifting platform and work platform according to claim 3, characterized in that the frame (21) of the pocket fastener (18) has an internal cavity (21d) that penetrates from left to right on the free end side, and a pair of the contact members (22) are inserted into the left and right sides of the internal cavity (21d), and each is attached so as to be able to change the amount of protrusion from left to right relative to the internal cavity (21d).

5. The container lifting platform and work platform according to claim 1, characterized in that a rope engagement portion (17a) is provided on the side of the top plate (17), and a rope (25) is connected to this rope engagement portion (16) to be stretched over a vehicle (B) that carries a container (W) and prevent the top plate (17) from detaching from the vehicle (B).

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