Conveyor path forming member

Abstract

The present invention provides a transport path forming member that reduces the workload of transport operations and also offers good ease of attachment and removal (replacement) from the support frame. [Solution] A plate-shaped resin transport path forming member 10 is detachably attached to a linear support frame 2 and supports an object to be transported in a slidable manner from below. This transport path forming member 10 has a total length obtained by dividing the total length of the support frame 2 into N equal parts (N is a positive integer of 2 or more), and a pair of first mounting claws 12a provided at intervals in the width direction of the support frame 2, and includes a mounting means (first mounting means 12) that allows transitions between an attachable state in which it can be attached to the support frame 2 and a detachable state in which it can be removed from the support frame 2 by elastically deforming in a direction that increases or decreases the above interval.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyance path forming member used for forming a conveyance path for slidably moving an object to be conveyed such as a load or a loading platform.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a roller conveyor device as a conveyance device that can be suitably used for easily conveying an object to be conveyed such as a load or a loading platform placed on a floor surface (reducing the work load of manual conveyance work). This roller conveyor device includes a linear lower frame installed on the floor surface, a linear upper frame provided so as to be movable in the conveyance direction and the vertical direction of the object to be conveyed with respect to the lower frame, a positioning mechanism for positioning the upper frame with respect to the lower frame, and a plurality of rollers provided at intervals in the conveyance direction of the object to be conveyed and supported by the lower frame so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis. The above-described positioning mechanism is configured to be able to position the upper frame with respect to the lower frame at a lift-down position where the plurality of rollers are positioned below the top surface of the upper frame and a lift-up position where a part of the plurality of rollers protrudes above the top surface of the upper frame.

[0003] Due to the presence of the above-described positioning mechanism, the roller conveyor device of Patent Document 1 can easily convey the object to be conveyed when the upper frame is positioned at the lift-down position, while it can enjoy the merit of being able to prevent the object to be conveyed from moving unintentionally, etc., as much as possible when the upper frame is positioned at the lift-up position. However, the presence of the above-described positioning mechanism causes complication and high cost (high price) of the conveyor device. Therefore, there is a conveyance assisting device in which the overall structure is simplified and the price is reduced by omitting the positioning mechanism or the like.

[0004] Specifically, as illustrated in the upper view (perspective view) of Figures 9 and 10, the roller conveyor 100 comprises a linear support frame 101 and a plurality of rollers 102, wherein the support frame 101 supports each roller 102 so that it can rotate around a horizontal axis, with a portion (upper part) of each roller 102 protruding above the top surface (upper surface) of the support frame 101. The support frame 101 is a hollow member having an upper opening 101a that allows the upper parts of the rollers 102 to protrude, and the rollers 102 are inserted into the support frame 101 through the end opening (insertion opening) 101b of the support frame 101 in the form of a roller assembly 103 in which a plurality of rollers (three in the illustrated example) are arranged in a row. In the illustrated example, a total of five roller assemblies 103A to 103E are inserted sequentially into the support frame 101. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-14227 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Let's assume that due to repeated use of the roller conveyor 100 shown in Figures 9 and 10, the second roller assembly 103B (and its constituent rollers 102) inserted into the support frame 101 is damaged, among a total of five roller assemblies 103A to 103E. In this case, to replace roller assembly 103B with a new one, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 10, it is necessary to remove and reinstall not only roller assembly 103B but also the three roller assemblies 103C to 103E that were inserted into the support frame 101 after it. Therefore, there is a problem that the replacement work for the parts is very time-consuming. This problem becomes more pronounced as the overall length of the support frame 101 increases, and as the number of roller assemblies 103 inserted into the support frame 101 increases.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, the main objective of the present invention is to provide a transport path forming member that can reduce the workload of transporting objects (by hand) and that is easy to attach to and detach from a support frame (easy to replace). [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention, devised to achieve the above objectives, A plate-shaped resin conveying path forming member that forms a conveying path for sliding an object to be conveyed while being detachably attached to a linear support frame, The total length obtained by dividing the total length of the support frame into N equal parts (where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2), The mounting means is characterized by having a pair of mounting claws spaced apart in the width direction of the support frame, and at least one of the mounting claws elastically deforms in a direction that increases or decreases the spacing, thereby transitioning between an attachable state in which it can be attached to the support frame and a detachable state in which it can be removed from the support frame.

[0009] First, the conveying path forming member according to the present invention forms a conveying path for sliding an object to be conveyed, and therefore, similar to existing roller conveyors (conveyor devices), it enables the object to be conveyed to be easily transported by hand. Furthermore, the conveying path forming member according to the present invention having the above-mentioned mounting means is a so-called snap-in type member that can be attached to and removed from the support frame by elastically deforming in a direction that increases or decreases the spacing between a pair of mounting claws provided at intervals in the width direction of the support frame. Therefore, for example, even if it becomes necessary to replace the conveying path forming member attached near the center of the support frame in the overall length direction, only that conveying path forming member can be easily and quickly replaced.

[0010] The above-mentioned mounting means may include a first mounting means having a pair of mounting claws, wherein at least one of the first mounting claws elastically deforms in a direction that reduces the distance between them, thereby transitioning from an attachable state to a detachable state. Alternatively, instead of this first mounting means, or in addition to the first mounting means, a second mounting means may be provided having a pair of mounting claws, wherein at least one of the second mounting claws elastically deforms in a direction that increases the distance between them, thereby transitioning from an attachable state to a detachable state. By having both the first and second mounting means, it becomes possible to attach the conveyor path forming member according to the present invention to each of two types of support frames with different support structures for the conveyor path forming member, thereby improving the versatility of the conveyor path forming member.

[0011] When the transport path forming member is provided with both first and second mounting means, it is preferable to provide multiple first and second mounting means. In this case, the first and second mounting means can be provided alternately or randomly along the overall length. In particular, when both mounting means are provided alternately along the overall length, the transport path forming member can be stably attached to each of the two types of support frames. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] Based on the above, the present invention can reduce the workload of (manual) transport operations for transporting objects, and moreover, it can provide a transport path forming member that is easy to attach to and detach from the support frame (easy to replace). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a transport aid equipped with a transport path forming member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a magnified section of Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figures (a) to (c) are perspective views, plan views, and front views, respectively, of the transport path forming member in its standalone state (natural state). [Figure 4]FIG. 3(c) is a view showing a sectional view taken along the line A-A in the direction of the arrow and a cross-sectional view of the support frame, and is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 at a portion where the first attachment means is provided. [Figure 5] FIG. 3(c) is a view showing a modified state of the first attachment means during the attachment (or removal) operation of the conveyance path forming member. [Figure 6] FIG. 3(c) is a perspective view showing an implementation mode of the attachment (or removal) operation of the conveyance path forming member. [Figure 7] FIG. 3(c) is a perspective view showing a state in which the conveyance path forming member according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached to a support frame different from the support frame shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] FIG. 3(c) is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 at a portion where the second attachment means is provided. [Figure 9] FIG. 3(c) is a partially enlarged perspective view of an existing roller conveyor. [Figure 10] FIG. 3(c) is a perspective view and an exploded perspective view of an existing roller conveyor.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. The "entire length direction", "width direction", and "height direction" used in the following description are the directions indicated by the arrow X, arrow Y, and arrow Z in FIG. 1 and the like, respectively.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conveyance assisting tool 1 having a conveyance path forming member 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention as a constituent member, and includes a linear support frame 2 extending in a straight line and a plurality of conveyance path forming members 10 that are removably attached to the support frame 2 and form a conveyance path P for conveying (sliding) a conveyance object such as a luggage or a loading platform (not shown). In the conveyance assisting tool 1 shown in the figure, a total of five conveyance path forming members 10 are provided in a row along the entire length direction of the support frame 2, whereby a conveyance path P extending from one end to the other end in the entire length direction of the support frame 2 (conveyance assisting tool 1) is formed. Therefore, each of the five conveyance path forming members 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a total length that divides the entire length of the support frame 2 into approximately five equal parts.

[0016] The conveying aid 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used to smoothly convey an object to be conveyed to a destination, and enables the object to be conveyed placed on the conveying path forming member 10 (conveying path P) to slide smoothly. In FIG. 1, only one conveying aid 1 is shown, but the conveying aids 1 can be installed in a plurality of straight lines and / or in parallel according to the distance from the conveying start point to the destination, the size of the object to be conveyed, and the like. The installation location of the conveying aid 1 is not particularly limited. It can of course be installed on the floor surface, and it is also possible to install it on a shelf board.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a part of the conveying aid 1 shown in FIG. 1. The support frame 2 of the present embodiment is the same member as the support frame 101 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and is a hollow metal member having an upper surface opening 3 with an opening width W1 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the conveying path forming member 10 of the present embodiment can be replaced from the roller assembly 103 shown in FIG. 9. On both sides in the width direction of the upper surface opening 3 of the support frame 2, retaining portions 4 for preventing the conveying path forming member 10 from coming off are provided.

[0018] FIGS. 3(a) to (c) show a perspective view, a plan view (top view), and a front view of the conveying path forming member 10 in a single state (natural state), respectively. The conveying path forming member 10 is generally plate-shaped and supports the object to be conveyed in a slidable manner by contacting from below. This conveying path forming member 10 is a resin part formed using a resin material based on polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyacetal (POM), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), acrylonitrile-styrene (AS), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or the like as the base resin.

[0019] The transport path forming member 10 integrally comprises a transport path forming section 11 that forms the transport path P and mounting means for detachably attaching the transport path forming member 10 to the support frame 2. In this embodiment, two first mounting means 12 are provided, spaced apart in the overall length direction. The transport path forming section 11 in this embodiment has three rail sections 11a that extend in the overall length direction and are arranged parallel to each other, and each rail section 11a has a pointed shape that allows line contact support for the transport object from below. The number of first mounting means 12 can be appropriately changed according to the overall length of the transport path forming member 10, and it is possible to provide one or three or more. Also, the number of rail sections 11a can be appropriately changed, and it is possible to provide two or four or more.

[0020] Figure 4 is a diagram that shows the mounting state of the transport path forming member 10 to the support frame 2 by the first mounting means 12, and combines the cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 3(c) with a cross-sectional view of the support frame 2. In other words, it is a cross-sectional view of Figure 2 at the location where the first mounting means 12 is provided. As shown in the figure, the first mounting means 12 has a pair of first mounting claws 12a provided at intervals in the width direction, and at least one of the two first mounting claws 12a elastically deforms in a direction that increases or decreases the above interval, thereby transitioning between an attachable state in which it can be attached to the support frame 2 and a removable state in which it can be removed from the support frame 2.

[0021] The first mounting claw 12a has a leg portion 12b that extends in the height direction in its natural state, and a projection portion 12c provided at the lower end of the leg portion 12b that protrudes outward in the width direction. In its natural state, the distance W2 between the outer ends of the pair of projection portions 12c is greater than the opening width W1 of the upper opening 3 provided in the support frame 2. As shown in Figure 5, when a stress is applied to either or both of the first mounting claws 12a in a direction that moves the projection portions 12c relatively closer together, the first mounting claw 12a elastically deforms so as to rotate around its base (see dashed line in the figure), and the distance W2 is reduced. Here, the first mounting claw 12a can elastically deform until the distance W2 becomes smaller than the opening width W1 of the upper opening 3 of the support frame 2, and this state corresponds to the "removable state" as referred to in the present invention.

[0022] Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, when the transport path forming member 10 is moved closer to the support frame 2 and the first mounting claws 12a are inserted into the support frame 2 through the upper opening 3 of the support frame 2, both first mounting claws 12a first elastically deform so that the distance between them decreases (the projections 12c move closer to each other). Then, when the projections 12c of both first mounting claws 12a overcome the retaining portion 4 of the support frame 2, both first mounting claws 12a attempt to return to their natural vertical position (see Figure 4) due to elastic restoring force, and in the process, the projections 12c (the upper part thereof) lock against the retaining portion 4 in the direction of removal of the first mounting claws 12a (see solid lines in Figures 4 and 5). As a result, the transport path forming member 10 is attached to the support frame 2. Therefore, the first mounting claws 12a in the vertical position shown by solid lines in Figures 4 and 5 are in the "attachable state" as defined in this invention. When the transport path forming member 10 is attached to the support frame 2 in this manner, the transport path forming portion 11 of the transport path forming member 10 comes into contact with the upper surface (retaining portion 4) of the support frame 2. This positions the transport path forming member 10 relative to the support frame 2.

[0023] On the other hand, when removing the transport path forming member 10 from the support frame 2 for replacement or other purposes, the transport path forming member 10 is moved away from the support frame 2 so that the distance between the two mounting claws 12a (the above-mentioned separation distance W2) is reduced (so that both mounting claws 12a move from an installable state to a removable state), and the two mounting claws 12a inserted into the support frame 2 are pulled out of the support frame 2. This removes the transport path forming member 10 from the support frame 2. The first mounting means 12 of this embodiment has a pair of claw operating parts 12d located on the widthwise outer side of both mounting claws 1a, and when these claw operating parts 12d are pressed in the widthwise inward side of the transport path forming member 10, the mounting claws 12a move in an inclined position as shown by the dashed line in Figure 5 in conjunction with this. Therefore, the transport path forming member 10 can be easily and quickly removed from the support frame 2.

[0024] To summarize the transport path forming member 10 of this embodiment having the above configuration, this transport path forming member 10 is: • It is detachably attached to a linear support frame 2 and supports the object to be transported from below in a slidable manner. • The support frame 2 has a total length obtained by dividing its total length into N equal parts (where N is a positive integer of 2 or more, and in this embodiment, N=5), and further, The first mounting means 12 has a pair of first mounting claws 12a provided spaced apart in the width direction of the support frame 2, and at least one of the first mounting claws 12a elastically deforms in a direction that increases or decreases the spacing, thereby transitioning between an attachable state in which it can be attached to the support frame 2 and a detachable state in which it can be removed from the support frame.

[0025] As described above, the transport path forming member 10 according to this embodiment contacts and supports the object to be transported from below in a slidable manner, and therefore, similar to the existing roller conveyor device 100 shown in Figures 9 and 10, it is possible to transport the object smoothly. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the workload of (manual) transport operations and contribute to the automation of transport operations for the object to be transported.

[0026] Furthermore, the transport path forming member 10 according to this embodiment, which has the first mounting means 12 described above, is a so-called snap-in type member that can be attached to and removed from the support frame 2 by elastically deforming in a direction that increases or decreases the spacing between at least one of a pair of mounting claws 12a provided at intervals in the width direction of the support frame 2. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, even if it becomes necessary to replace the transport path forming member 10 attached near the center of the support frame 2 in the overall length direction, only the transport path forming member 10 can be easily and quickly replaced.

[0027] The transport path forming member 10 of this embodiment has, in addition to the first mounting means 12 described above, a second mounting means 13 separate from the first mounting means 12. The second mounting means 13 is for detachably attaching the transport path forming member 10 to a support frame 5, which is a support frame separate from the support frame 2 described above, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. The transport path forming member 10 of this embodiment has a total of three second mounting means 13 and a total of two first mounting means 12, which are alternately provided along the entire length. The support frame 5 shown in Figures 7 and 8 is a straight pipe-shaped member, and the transport path forming member 10 can be detachably attached to a fan-shaped mounting portion 6 protruding from its outer circumference.

[0028] Furthermore, when the first mounting means 12 and the second mounting means 13 are installed together on the transport path forming member 10, the number of mounting means 12 and 13 can be appropriately changed according to the total length of the transport path forming member 10, etc. In addition, the mounting means 12 and 13 can be installed randomly, as well as alternately along the total length.

[0029] The second mounting means 13 has a pair of second mounting claws 13a provided spaced apart in the width direction, and at least one of the two second mounting claws 13a elastically deforms in a direction that increases or decreases the spacing between them, thereby transitioning between a mountable state in which it can be attached to the support frame 5 and a removable state in which it can be removed from the support frame 5.

[0030] The second mounting claw 13a has a leg portion 13b that extends in the height direction in its natural state, and a projection portion 13c provided at the lower end of the leg portion 13b that protrudes inward in the width direction. In its natural state, the distance between the inner ends of the pair of projection portions 13c is less than or equal to the width W3 of the base portion 6a of the mounting portion 6 provided on the support frame 5. Although not shown in the figures, when a stress is applied to either or both of the two second mounting claws 13a in a direction that causes them to move apart relative to each other, the second mounting claw 13a elastically deforms so as to rotate around its base portion, and the distance between the pair of projection portions 13c increases. Here, the mounting claw 13a can elastically deform until the distance between the pair of projection portions 13c becomes greater than the width of the widest part of the mounting portion 6, and this state corresponds to the "removable state" as referred to in the present invention.

[0031] Therefore, when the transport path forming member 10 is moved closer to the support frame 5 and the second mounting claws 13a are pressed against the mounting portion 6 of the support frame 5, both second mounting claws 13a elastically deform so that the distance between them increases (the projections 13c move apart relative to each other). Then, when the projections 13c of both second mounting claws 13a overcome the widest part of the mounting portion 6 of the support frame 5, the second mounting claws 13a attempt to return to their natural vertical position due to elastic restoring force, and in the process the projections 13c fit into the base portion 6a of the mounting portion 6. As a result, the transport path forming member 10 is attached to the support frame 5. Thus, the vertical mounting claws 13a shown in Figure 8 are in the "attachable state" as defined in this invention.

[0032] On the other hand, when removing the transport path forming member 10 from the support frame 5 for replacement or other purposes, the transport path forming member 10 is moved away from the support frame 5, for example, so that the distance between the two second mounting claws 13a increases (so that the two second mounting claws 13a move from an installable state to a removable state), thereby releasing the engagement of the two second mounting claws 13a with the mounting portion 6. This allows the transport path forming member 10 to be removed from the support frame 5.

[0033] As described above, the transport path forming member 10 of this embodiment has a first mounting means 12 for detachably attaching it to the support frame 2, as well as a second mounting means 13 for detachably attaching it to a support frame 5 that is different from the support frame 2. In this way, the transport path forming member 10 can be attached to each of the two types of support frames 2 and 5, which have different support structures for the transport path forming member 10, thereby improving the versatility of the transport path forming member 10.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the transport path forming member 10, which has both a first mounting portion 12 and a second mounting portion 13, is designed so that when it is attached to the support frame 2, the second mounting claw 13a constituting the second mounting portion 13 does not interfere with the support frame 2 (see Figure 8), and when it is attached to the support frame 5, the first mounting claw 12a constituting the first mounting portion 12 does not interfere with the support frame 5 (see Figure 4).

[0035] The transport path forming member 10 described above has both a first mounting portion 12 and a second mounting portion 13 for attaching it to the support frames 2 and 5, respectively. However, the transport path forming member 10 can also be configured to have only the first mounting portion 12 or the second mounting portion 13. In this case, the transport path forming member 10 will be a dedicated product for the support frame 2 (or 5), and will be less versatile than the transport path forming member 10 that has both mounting portions 12 and 13. However, the simplified structure will allow for cost reduction.

[0036] The transport aid 1 equipped with the transport path forming member 10 described above can be installed (laid) on the floor. When transporting an object to be transported by hand on the transport aid 1 laid on the floor, there is a possibility that the worker will perform the transport operation on the transport path forming member 10 (the transport path P formed by the transport path forming member 10). Similar transport operations can also be performed using a roller conveyor 100 (see Figure 9-10) laid on the floor, but if a worker steps on the rollers 102, the rollers 102 will rotate and there is a risk of the worker falling. In contrast, with the transport aid 1 (transport path forming member 10) of this embodiment, which does not have a rotating body (rotating mechanism) such as rollers, the possibility of a worker falling can be reduced. Therefore, the transport path forming member 10 according to the present invention can also contribute to improving the safety of manual transport operations of objects. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1. Transport aid 2. Support frame 3 Top opening 4. Retaining part 5. Support frame 6 Mounted part 10 Conveyor path forming member 11 Conveyor path forming section 12 First mounting means 12a 1st mounting claw 13. Second mounting means 13a 2nd mounting claw P transport path

Claims

1. A plate-shaped resin conveying path forming member that forms a conveying path for sliding an object to be conveyed while being detachably attached to a linear support frame, The total length obtained by dividing the total length of the support frame into N equal parts (where N is a positive integer of 2 or more), A transport path forming member is characterized by comprising a pair of mounting claws provided spaced apart in the width direction of the support frame, wherein at least one of the mounting claws elastically deforms in a direction that increases or decreases the spacing between them, thereby transitioning between an attachable state in which it can be attached to the support frame and a removable state in which it can be removed from the support frame.

2. The transport path forming member according to claim 1, wherein the first mounting means includes a first mounting means which transitions from an attachable state to a detachable state by elastically deforming in a direction that reduces the distance between at least one of a pair of first mounting claws provided as the mounting claws.

3. The transport path forming member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mounting means includes a second mounting means which transitions from the mountable state to the detachable state by elastically deforming in a direction that expands the gap between at least one of a pair of second mounting claws provided as the mounting claws.

4. The transport path forming member according to claim 3, having a plurality of first mounting means and second mounting means, wherein the first mounting means and second mounting means are arranged alternately or randomly along the overall length direction.

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