Hand protection member and trolley

Abstract

Protects the hands of the user operating the hand truck. [Solution] The trolley 10 has a fitting part 3 that enters through an opening at one end of the pipe material 20 which serves as the operating rod of the trolley 10 and fits detachably into the hollow part 20a of the pipe material 20, and a protective part 6 that protects the hand that grasps the pipe material 20, wherein, in a side view, a portion of the protective part 6 overlaps with the fitting part 3 and the remaining portion does not overlap with the fitting part 3.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hand protection member and a cart provided with the hand protection member.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional cart used when loading and transporting articles and luggage, it includes a cart frame having front wheels and rear wheels, a loading platform provided on the cart frame on which luggage can be placed, an operating member for an operator to operate and transport, and a plurality of operating member attachment parts installed on the cart frame outside the loading platform and to which the operating member is detachably attached (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when operating the cart by grasping the operating member with the hand, the hand grasping the operating member may hit the surrounding wall or object, and the hand may be injured.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of protecting the hand of a user operating a handcart on one side.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the hand protection member according to the present invention has a fitting part that fits into the hollow part of the operating rod of the cart, and a protection part that protects the hand holding the operating rod, and in a side view, a part of the protection part may overlap the fitting part and the remaining part may not overlap the fitting part.

[0007] The hand protection member according to the present invention may have a grip portion that is connected to the protective portion and contacts the outer circumferential surface of the operating rod.

[0008] The hand protection member according to the present invention may be such that the grip portion is semi-tubular with an open portion.

[0009] In the hand protection member according to the present invention, the grip portion may be configured so that it does not overlap with the fitting portion when viewed from the side.

[0010] The hand protection member according to the present invention may have an engaging portion that connects to the protective portion and allows the operating rod to pass through.

[0011] The hand protection member according to the present invention may be configured such that the engaging portion has an open portion and is C-shaped in plan view.

[0012] The hand protection member according to the present invention may be configured such that at least the protective portion is colored.

[0013] The hand protection member according to the present invention may be configured such that the operating rod is detachably attached to the trolley.

[0014] The hand protection member according to the present invention may be configured such that an annular member is attached to the fitting portion.

[0015] Furthermore, the trolley according to the present invention may be equipped with any of the hand protection members described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, in one respect, it is possible to protect the hands of the user operating the hand truck. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a side view of a hand protection member and a trolley according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2]It is a rear view of the hand protection member and the cart in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a plan view of the hand protection member and the cart in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view of the hand protection member in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a side view of the hand protection member in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is a rear view of the hand protection member in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] It is a plan view of the hand protection member in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] It is a bottom view of the hand protection member in FIG. 4. [Figure 9] It is a partially enlarged rear view centering on the fitting part of the hand protection member in FIG. 4. [Figure 10] It is a rear view of the state where the hand protection member in FIG. 1 is attached to the pipe material of the cart. [Figure 11] It is a side view of the hand protection member according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a rear view of the hand protection member in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] It is a plan view of the hand protection member in FIG. 11. [Figure 14] It is a bottom view of the hand protection member in FIG. 11. [Figure 15] It is a bottom view of a form in which a part of the hand protection member in FIG. 11 is changed. [Figure 16] It is a plan view showing an example of another form of the hand protection member in FIG. 4. [Figure 17] It is a bottom view showing an example of another form of the hand protection member in FIG. 4. [Figure 18] It is a plan view showing an example of another form of the hand protection member in FIG. 13. [Figure 19] It is a bottom view showing an example of another form of the hand protection member in FIG. 13. [Figure 20] It is a rear view showing an example in which an annular rubber member is attached to the fitting part of the hand protection member in FIG. 4. [Figure 21] It is a plan view showing an example in which an annular rubber member is attached to the fitting part of the hand protection member in FIG. 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Structures and parts that are not relevant to the essential points of the present invention will be omitted from the illustration and description as appropriate, and even if they are not illustrated or described, it will be assumed that the structures and parts necessary for a trolley (including a hand truck) are appropriately provided.

[0019] In this description of the present invention, the vertical direction is defined along each mutually orthogonal axis shown in each figure (specifically, each axis of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system), and upward and downward directions are defined according to the direction of the arrows. Furthermore, the front-to-back direction is defined along each mutually orthogonal axis (specifically, each axis of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system), and forward and backward directions are defined according to the direction of the arrows. In addition, the left-to-right direction is defined along each mutually orthogonal axis shown in each figure, and left and right directions are defined according to the direction of the arrows. The vertical direction follows the vertical plane, and the front-to-back and left-to-right directions follow the horizontal plane.

[0020] A line of sight from above, along the vertical direction, is a plan view, and a line of sight from below is a bottom view. Similarly, a line of sight from the front, along the front-to-back direction, is a front view, and a line of sight from the rear is a rear view. Furthermore, a line of sight along the left-to-right direction is a side view. For each component, the surface visible in the plan view is the front surface, the surface visible in the bottom view is the back surface, and the surface visible in the side view is the side surface.

[0021] However, the terms top (front) and bottom (back), front (front) and back (back), and left and right (side) are merely distinctions used to explain the present invention and do not define the direction or orientation from a specific viewpoint when the hand protection member or trolley is in use according to the present invention.

[0022] (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 describes an example in which the hand protection member 1A according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to the pipe material 20 of the trolley 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] (Overall configuration of the trolley) Figures 1 to 3 show a trolley 10 according to an embodiment, which is an example of a specific configuration of a trolley according to the present invention, and which is equipped with a hand protection member 1A according to Embodiment 1, which is an example of a specific configuration of a trolley according to the present invention.

[0024] Each of the following components constituting the trolley 10 is assembled by joining them together, for example, by welding, or by fastening members such as screws and bolts or joining members such as rivets, in places where they are not slidable, rotatable, or pivotable. In other words, in the present invention, the method of connecting, joining, and attaching the members is not limited to a specific method, and an appropriate method is appropriately selected based on the characteristics of each member.

[0025] The trolley 10 has a frame body 11 made up of multiple frame members, a load receiving plate 12 attached to the upper side of the frame body 11, and casters 13 attached to the lower side of the frame body 11. The frame body 11 and the load receiving plate 12 correspond to the loading platform of the trolley 10.

[0026] The frame body 11 of the trolley 10 has a frame frame 111 which is formed by combining and joining tubular (in other words, cylindrical, rod-shaped) frame members in a frame-like (in other words, picture frame-like) structure, and an inner frame 112 which is formed by tubular (in other words, cylindrical, rod-shaped) frame members which are arranged and joined inside the frame frame 111.

[0027] The frame 111 is constructed by assembling and connecting four frame members, which are positioned front, back, left, and right, to form a rectangular frame (picture frame) in a plan view.

[0028] The inner frame 112 is constructed by arranging and assembling a plurality of frame members inside a frame frame 111, which forms a rectangular frame in plan view, with the longitudinal direction of each member aligned with the front-to-back or left-to-right direction.

[0029] Corner members 14 are provided at each of the four corners of the frame frame 111, which forms a rectangular frame in plan view, for connecting and joining the frame members that make up the frame frame 111.

[0030] The corner member 14 has insertion holes 141 provided along the vertical direction at positions and portions corresponding to the four corners in a plan view of the frame 111.

[0031] The insertion hole portion 141 of the corner member 14 is formed as a hollow portion into which a pipe material 20 (specifically, a single pipe, a steel pipe, etc.) can be freely inserted and removed along the vertical direction. Specifically, the insertion hole portion 141 may be made up of a hollow cylindrical member.

[0032] A flat receiving member 142 is attached to the lower end of the insertion hole portion 141, and the lower end of the pipe material 20, which is inserted vertically from the upper end opening of the insertion hole portion 141, is supported by abutting against the receiving member 142.

[0033] The pipe material 20, which is inserted into and supported by the insertion hole 141, is used as an operating rod that can be grasped by an operator and function like a handle when moving the trolley 10. Specifically, the pipe material 20 may be, for example, a single pipe or a steel pipe, that is, a hollow cylindrical member having open ends in the longitudinal direction and a hollow portion 20a that penetrates through in the longitudinal direction.

[0034] As the pipe material 20, for example, single-pipe scaffolding or steel pipes used when assembling scaffolding at construction sites may be used (in other words, they may be repurposed).

[0035] The load-receiving plate 12 of the trolley 10 is for placing goods or luggage on, and is formed in a plate shape and attached to the upper side of the frame body 11.

[0036] In the example shown in the figure, the load-receiving plate 12 is formed in a shape where the four corners of a rectangle are cut off in a plan view (i.e., the four corners of the upper surface of the rectangular frame body 11 are not covered by the load-receiving plate 12 in a plan view). However, the shape of the load-receiving plate 12 in a plan view is not limited to the shape shown in the example.

[0037] The casters 13 of the trolley 10 are attached to the lower surface of the frame body 11, which is rectangular in plan view, near each of the four corners, via caster receiving members 15.

[0038] The caster 13 may be a swivel caster / free-rotating caster that can rotate around an axis in the vertical direction, or it may be a fixed caster in which the direction of rotation of the wheel (in other words, the direction of travel) is fixed in the front-to-back direction.

[0039] (Hand protection component) Figures 4 to 9 show a hand protection member 1A according to Embodiment 1, which is an example of a specific configuration of the hand protection member according to the present invention. Figures 4 to 9 show a hand protection member 1A that is attached to a pipe material 20 which is inserted into an insertion hole 141 of a corner member 14 located on the right rear side of the trolley 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3. Note that the grip portion 2 is not shown in Figure 7, and the fixing portion 4 is not shown in Figure 8.

[0040] In Figures 1 to 3, the hand protection member 1A is attached only to two pipe members 20 (specifically, the pipe members 20 inserted into each of the insertion holes 141 of the two corner members 14 located on the rear side of the trolley 10), but the hand protection member 1A may be attached to three or more pipe members 20.

[0041] The hand protection member 1A according to Embodiment 1 has a fitting portion 3 that is inserted (in other words, enters) from an opening at one end of the pipe material 20 which serves as the operating rod of the trolley 10 and detachably fitted into the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20, and a protective portion 6 that protects the hand that grasps the pipe material 20, wherein, in a side view, a portion of the protective portion 6 overlaps with the fitting portion 3 and the remaining portion does not overlap with the fitting portion 3.

[0042] The hand protection member 1A according to Embodiment 1 also has a grip portion 2 that is connected to the protection portion 6 and contacts the outer surface of the pipe material 20, and the grip portion 2 is semi-tubular with an open portion 21.

[0043] The hand protection member 1A includes a grip portion 2 that engages with the pipe material 20, a fitting portion 3 that fits with the pipe material 20, a fixing portion 4 connected to the fitting portion 3, and a protective portion 6 connected to the grip portion 2 and the fixing portion 4.

[0044] The hand protection member 1A is formed using an elastic material, for example, a resin may be used to form an elastic structure.

[0045] The size of the hand protection member 1A is not limited to specific dimensions, but for example, it may be formed with an outer dimension of approximately 120 to 160 mm in the vertical direction and an outer dimension of approximately 80 to 120 mm in the horizontal direction.

[0046] The grip portion 2 is formed in a C-shaped semi-tubular form (in other words, a rain gutter shape) when viewed from above. The upper and lower ends of the grip portion 2 are open in the vertical direction.

[0047] The height of the grip portion 2 may be adjusted to be any ratio within the range of 5 / 10 to 9 / 10 of the overall height of the hand protection member 1A. Furthermore, the grip portion 2 may be provided in such a manner that it does not overlap with the fitting portion 3 in side and rear views (see, for example, Figures 5 and 6). That is, in side and rear views, the upper end of the grip portion 2 may be adjusted to be at the same height as the lower end of the fitting portion 3, or to be located below the lower end of the fitting portion 3.

[0048] By adjusting the position and height dimensions of the grip portion 2 so that it does not overlap with the fitting portion 3 in a side view and a rear view, it becomes possible to confirm from any angle whether the fitting portion 3 is inserted (in other words, enters) through the opening at one end of the pipe material 20 which serves as the operating rod of the trolley 10 and properly fitted into the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20.

[0049] The grip portion 2 has a slit-shaped opening on the side opposite to the protective portion 6 (specifically, in the case of the hand protection member 1A attached to the pipe material 20 located on the rear right side of the trolley 10 as shown in Figures 4 to 9, the left side). The portion of the grip portion 2 that is open to the side is referred to as the "open portion 21".

[0050] The ratio of the open portion 21 of the grip portion 2 to the entire circumference of the grip portion 2, when viewed from above and assuming the grip portion 2 is a closed annular ring, may be adjusted to a ratio within the range of approximately 1 / 10 to 4 / 10. That is, it is preferable that the ratio of the open portion 21 of the grip portion 2 to the entire circumference of the virtual annular ring of the grip portion 2, when viewed from above, is less than 1 / 2.

[0051] When the hand protection member 1A is in use, the fitting portion 3 is inserted (in other words, enters) into the hollow portion 20a of the hollow cylindrical pipe material 20 through an opening at one end in the longitudinal direction of the pipe material 20 and engages with it. The fitting portion 3 is fitted into the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20 so as to be slidable against the inner circumferential surface of the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20, and consequently detachable from the pipe material 20.

[0052] Preferably, the fitting portion 3 is formed such that, once inserted into and fitted into the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20, it exhibits a fitting force that allows it to slide and fit freely, but does not easily come off the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20 (for example, to the extent that it does not come off unintentionally).

[0053] In the example shown in the figure, the fitting portion 3 is formed such that it can be pressed into the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20 while sliding against the inner circumferential surface of the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20 when inserted into the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20 from the opening at one end in the longitudinal direction of the pipe material 20, and that it cannot be easily pulled out of the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20 after being inserted into and fitted into the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20, by having fins 31 (in other words, flanges). In the example shown in the figure, multiple fins 31 (specifically 31a, 31b, 31c) are formed, but there may be only one fin.

[0054] In the example shown in the figure, each fin 31 is formed in an annular shape in plan view, and its peripheral edge is tapered, sloping inward from the upper end to the lower end. This makes it easier for the fitting portion 3 to slide against the inner surface of the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20 when it is inserted into the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20 from the opening at one end in the longitudinal direction of the pipe material 20, while making it difficult to pull out of the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20 after it has been inserted into and fitted into the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20.

[0055] The structure of the fitting portion 3 is not limited to a form having fins, and any suitable structure can be appropriately selected as long as it can be inserted into and fitted into the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20 and cannot be easily removed after fitting.

[0056] In the example shown in the figure, three fins 31 (specifically, 31a, 31b, and 31c from top to bottom) are formed, spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (see Figure 9). Intermediate sections 32 (specifically, 32a and 32b from top to bottom) are formed between adjacent fins 31 in the vertical direction.

[0057] An upper end portion 33 is formed above the upper end of the uppermost fin 31a, and a lower end portion 34 is formed by connecting with the lower end of the lowest fin 31c.

[0058] In the example shown in the figure, the fitting portion 3 is formed as a single unit by connecting, from top to bottom, the upper end portion 33, the uppermost fin 31a, the upper middle portion 32a, the middle fin 31b, the lower middle portion 32b, the lowermost fin 31c, and the lower end portion 34.

[0059] The fitting portion 3 is formed as a generally cylindrical part having a hollow portion 35 that penetrates the fitting portion 3 in the vertical direction and fins 31 that protrude from the outer circumferential surface.

[0060] The fixing portion 4 is generally formed in a plate shape and is located above the fitting portion 3. A connecting portion 41 is formed in connection with the lower surface of the fixing portion 4, and the lower surface of the connecting portion 41 is connected to the upper surface of the upper end portion 33 of the fitting portion 3. In Figure 7, reference numeral 3 indicates the upper end portion 33, the intermediate portion 32, and the lower end portion 34 of the fitting portion 3, as well as the connecting portion 41 of the fixing portion 4.

[0061] The connecting portion 41, which is connected to the lower surface of the fixing portion 4, has a hollow portion 411 that penetrates the connecting portion 41 in the vertical direction, and is formed as an annular portion in a plan view.

[0062] The inner circumferential surface of the hollow portion 35 of the fitting portion 3 and the inner circumferential surface of the hollow portion 411 of the connecting portion 41 that connects to the lower surface of the fixing portion 4 are formed to be flush with each other, and the outer diameter dimension of the upper end portion 33 of the fitting portion 3 and the maximum outer diameter dimension of the connecting portion 41 that connects to the lower surface of the fixing portion 4 are formed to be the same.

[0063] The protective portion 6 is provided so as to straddle the space between the lower end of the grip portion 2 and the fixing portion 4. The protective portion 6 is formed in a U-shape when viewed from the rear, and has a lower horizontal portion 61 connected to the lower end of the grip portion 2, an upper horizontal portion 62 connected to the fixing portion 4, and a vertical portion 63 connected to these lower horizontal portion 61 and upper horizontal portion 62.

[0064] The lower horizontal portion 61 is formed by extending from the lower end of the grip portion 2 on the side facing the open portion 21 in the left-right direction, toward the side opposite to the open portion 21 in the horizontal direction (that is, in the hand protection member 1A attached to the pipe material 20 located on the right rear side of the trolley 10 as shown in Figures 4 to 9, it extends horizontally to the right from the lower right end of the grip portion 2), connecting with the lower end of the grip portion 2.

[0065] The upper horizontal portion 62 is formed by extending horizontally from the fixing portion 4 in the same direction as the lower horizontal portion 61 extends in a plan view (that is, in the hand protection member 1A attached to the pipe material 20 located on the right rear side of the trolley 10 as shown in Figures 4 to 9, it extends horizontally to the right from the right end of the fixing portion 4), and is connected to the fixing portion 4.

[0066] The vertical portion 63 is provided spanning the end of the lower horizontal portion 61 opposite to the grip portion 2 and the end of the upper horizontal portion 62 opposite to the fixing portion 4. The vertical portion 63 is formed such that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the vertical direction and it is spaced apart from the grip portion 2. The space between the grip portion 2 and the vertical portion 63 is referred to as the "protective space 64".

[0067] The protective portion 6 (especially the vertical portion 63) may be provided in such a manner that, in a side view and a rear view, a portion of it overlaps with the fitting portion 3 and the remaining portion does not overlap with the fitting portion 3 (see, for example, Figures 5 and 6). The protective portion 6 (especially the vertical portion 63) may also be provided in such a manner that, in a side view and a rear view, a portion of it overlaps with the grip portion 2 and the remaining portion does not overlap with the grip portion 2 (see, for example, Figures 5 and 6).

[0068] In other words, the fitting portion 3 may overlap only a portion of the protective portion 6 (especially the vertical portion 63) in a side view and a rear view, and the grip portion 2 may also overlap only a portion of the protective portion 6 (especially the vertical portion 63). This makes it possible to configure the fitting portion 3 and the grip portion 2 so that they do not overlap each other in a side view and a rear view, and it becomes possible to check from any angle whether the fitting portion 3 is inserted (in other words, enters) through the opening at one end of the pipe material 20 which serves as the operating rod of the trolley 10 and properly fitted into the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20.

[0069] The shape of the protective part 6 is not limited to a U-shape when viewed from the rear; for example, it may be curved (i.e., a curved shape without corners) when viewed from the rear.

[0070] Furthermore, a code for identifying the owner / user of the hand protection member 1A and the owner / user of the trolley 10 may be attached (in other words, inscribed) on the outer surface of the vertical portion 63 of the protective portion 6. The code may be, for example, the name (letters) of a company or business, or an abbreviation (initials) representing the company or business name.

[0071] (Method of use) The hand protection member 1A is used by being attached to a pipe material 20 that is inserted into the insertion hole 141 of the corner member 14 of the trolley 10 (see Figures 1 to 3).

[0072] First, the grip portion 2 of the hand protection member 1A is fitted onto one end of the pipe material 20 in the longitudinal direction. Next, the hand protection member 1A is moved along the longitudinal direction of the pipe material 20 to adjust its position, and the fitting portion 3 is inserted into the hollow portion 20a from the opening at one end of the pipe material 20 in the longitudinal direction (see Figure 10). In this state, the inner circumferential surface of the semi-tubular grip portion 2 is in surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the pipe material 20.

[0073] The pipe material 20, which is inserted into the insertion hole 141 of the corner member 14 of the trolley 10 and has the hand protection member 1A attached, is inserted into the protective space 64 of the hand protection member 1A. The pipe material 20 is then grasped by the hand of the user operating the trolley 10 and used as an operating rod that functions like a handle to operate the trolley 10.

[0074] At this time, the pipe material 20 is rotated on its axis, so that the protective portion 6 of the hand protection member 1A (especially the vertical portion 63) is positioned outward in the left-right direction when viewed from the frame body 11 and load receiving plate 12 of the trolley 10.

[0075] The user of the trolley 10 inserts their hand into the protective space 64, which is the space between the grip portion 2 and the protective portion 6 (especially the vertical portion 63) of the hand protection member 1A, and uses the hand inserted into the protective space 64 to grasp the pipe material 20 together with the grip portion 2 and operate the trolley 10 to move it. At this time, the protective portion 6 (especially the vertical portion 63) is located on the outside of the back of the user's hand that is grasping the pipe material 20 together with the grip portion 2.

[0076] While the user is operating the trolley 10 by grasping the pipe material 20 together with the grip portion 2 and moving it, if the user's hand approaches a wall or object nearby, the protective portion 6 will hit the wall or object, preventing the user's hand from directly touching the wall or object. This protects the user's hand while operating the trolley 10 and improves safety.

[0077] If the hand protection member 1A attached to the pipe material 20 can be easily removed from the pipe material 20, then, for example, when transporting the pipe material 20 to which the hand protection member 1A is attached, or when loading or unloading goods or luggage onto or from the trolley 10, the hand protection member 1A may easily and unintentionally detach from the pipe material 20. In this case, extra work may be required and safety may be reduced. In contrast, the fitting part 3 fitted into the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20 exhibits a fitting force (specifically, for example, a fitting force that makes it difficult for the fitting part 3 to slide against the pipe material 20) that prevents it from easily coming off the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20. Therefore, the hand protection member 1A will not unintentionally detach from the pipe material 20 during transport or work, thus avoiding extra work and reduced safety.

[0078] Each of the multiple hand protection members 1A may be colored a different color to distinguish them from one another (in other words, grouped by color). In this case, for example, a color may be assigned to each of the multiple contractors who frequent a certain construction site, and hand protection members 1A of different colors may be attached to each contractor's trolley, so that the trolleys of one company and those of other companies can be distinguished by the difference in the color of the hand protection members 1A.

[0079] If the hand protection member 1A is colored, it is preferable that it be colored in a color different from the color of the outer surface of the pipe material 20. The hand protection member 1A may be colored, for example, by painting at least the protective part 6 after it has been molded and formed as an object having a grip part 2, a fitting part 3, a fixing part 4, and a protective part 6, or by coloring the material that forms the hand protection member 1A (specifically, the grip part 2, the fitting part 3, the fixing part 4, and the protective part 6).

[0080] (Embodiment 2) Figures 11 to 14 show a hand protection member 1B according to Embodiment 2, which is an example of a specific configuration of the hand protection member according to the present invention. Figures 11 to 14 show a hand protection member 1B that is attached to a pipe material 20 which is inserted into an insertion hole 141 of a corner member 14 located on the right rear side of the trolley 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3. Note that the engagement portion 7 is not shown in Figure 13, and the fixing portion 4 is not shown in Figure 14.

[0081] The hand protection member 1B according to Embodiment 2 may be attached only to two pipe members 20 of the trolley 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3 (specifically, the pipe members 20 inserted into each of the insertion holes 141 of the two corner members 14 located on the rear side of the trolley 10), or it may be attached to three or more pipe members 20.

[0082] This embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in that it has an engaging portion 7 instead of a grip portion 2. However, other components are the same as those in Embodiment 1, and components equivalent to those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, thus omitting their explanation.

[0083] The hand protection member 1B according to Embodiment 2 has a fitting portion 3 that is inserted (in other words, enters) from an opening at one end of the pipe material 20 which serves as the operating rod of the trolley 10 and detachably fitted into the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20, and a protective portion 6 that protects the hand that grasps the pipe material 20, wherein in a side view, a portion of the protective portion 6 overlaps with the fitting portion 3 and the remaining portion does not overlap with the fitting portion 3. In Figure 13, reference numeral 3 indicates the upper end portion 33, the middle portion 32, and the lower end portion 34 of the fitting portion 3, and the portion corresponding to the connecting portion 41 of the fixing portion 4.

[0084] The hand protection member 1B according to Embodiment 2 also has an engaging portion 7 that connects to the protective portion 6 and penetrates the pipe material 20, and the engaging portion 7 has an open portion 72 and is C-shaped in plan view.

[0085] The hand protection member 1B has an engaging portion 7 that engages with the pipe material 20, a fitting portion 3 that fits with the pipe material 20, a fixing portion 4 that connects to the fitting portion 3, and a protective portion 6 that connects to the engaging portion 7 and the fixing portion 4.

[0086] The hand protection member 1B is formed using an elastic material, for example, a resin may be used to form an elastic structure.

[0087] The size of the hand protection member 1B is not limited to specific dimensions, but for example, it may be formed with an outer dimension of approximately 130 to 170 mm in the vertical direction and an outer dimension of approximately 90 to 140 mm in the horizontal direction.

[0088] The engaging portion 7 has a through hole 71 that penetrates the engaging portion 7 in the vertical direction, and is formed in an annular shape in a plan view.

[0089] The engaging portion 7 may be provided in such a manner that it does not overlap with the fitting portion 3 in a side view and a rear view (see, for example, Figures 11 and 12). That is, in a side view and a rear view, the upper end of the engaging portion 7 may be adjusted to be at the same height as the lower end of the fitting portion 3, or to be located below the lower end of the fitting portion 3.

[0090] By adjusting the position and height dimensions of the engaging portion 7 so that it does not overlap with the fitting portion 3 in a side view and a rear view, it becomes possible to confirm from any angle whether the fitting portion 3 is inserted (in other words, enters) through the opening at one end of the pipe material 20 which serves as the operating rod of the trolley 10 and properly fitted into the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20.

[0091] The fitting portion 3 and fixing portion 4 of the hand protection member 1B according to Embodiment 2 are equivalent to the fitting portion 3 and fixing portion 4 of the hand protection member 1A according to Embodiment 1, so they are given the same reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 and their description is omitted.

[0092] The protective portion 6 is provided so as to straddle the space between the side end of the engaging portion 7 and the fixing portion 4. The protective portion 6 is formed in a U-shape when viewed from the rear, and has a lower horizontal portion 61 that connects to the side end of the engaging portion 7, an upper horizontal portion 62 that connects to the fixing portion 4, and a vertical portion 63 that connects to the lower horizontal portion 61 and the upper horizontal portion 62.

[0093] The lower horizontal portion 61 is formed by extending outward horizontally from the side end of the engaging portion 7 (specifically, in the hand protection member 1B attached to the pipe material 20 located on the right rear side of the trolley 10 as shown in Figures 11 to 14, it extends to the right horizontally from the right end of the engaging portion 7), connecting with the side end of the engaging portion 7.

[0094] The upper horizontal portion 62 is formed by extending horizontally from the fixing portion 4 in the same direction as the lower horizontal portion 61 extends in a plan view (that is, in the hand protection member 1B attached to the pipe material 20 located on the right rear side of the trolley 10 as shown in Figures 11 to 14, it extends horizontally to the right from the right end of the fixing portion 4), and is connected to the fixing portion 4.

[0095] The vertical portion 63 is provided spanning the end of the lower horizontal portion 61 opposite to the engaging portion 7 and the end of the upper horizontal portion 62 opposite to the fixing portion 4. The vertical portion 63 is formed such that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the vertical direction and it is spaced horizontally apart from the fixing portion 4 and the engaging portion 7. The space between the space connecting the fixing portion 4 and the engaging portion 7 in the vertical direction and the vertical portion 63 is referred to as the "protective space 65".

[0096] The protective portion 6 (in particular, the vertical portion 63) may be provided in such a manner that, in a side view and a rear view, a portion of it overlaps with the fitting portion 3 and the remaining portion does not overlap with the fitting portion 3 (see, for example, Figures 11 and 12). The protective portion 6 may also be provided in such a manner that, in a side view and a rear view, a portion of it overlaps with the engaging portion 7 and the remaining portion does not overlap with the engaging portion 7 (see, for example, Figures 11 and 12).

[0097] In other words, the fitting portion 3 may overlap only a portion of the protective portion 6 (especially the vertical portion 63) in a side view and a rear view, and the engaging portion 7 may also overlap only a portion of the protective portion 6 (especially the vertical portion 63). This makes it possible to configure the fitting portion 3 and the engaging portion 7 so that they do not overlap each other in a side view and a rear view, and it becomes possible to confirm from any angle whether the fitting portion 3 is inserted (in other words, enters) through the opening at one end of the pipe material 20 which serves as the operating rod of the trolley 10 and properly fitted into the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20.

[0098] The shape of the protective part 6 is not limited to a U-shape when viewed from the rear; for example, it may be curved (i.e., a curved shape without corners) when viewed from the rear.

[0099] (Method of use) The hand protection member 1B is used by being attached to a pipe material 20 that is inserted into the insertion hole 141 of the corner member 14 of the trolley 10.

[0100] First, one end of the pipe material 20 in the longitudinal direction is passed through the through hole 71 of the engaging portion 7 of the hand protection member 1B, and the engaging portion 7 is fitted onto one end of the pipe material 20 in the longitudinal direction. Next, the hand protection member 1B is moved along the longitudinal direction of the pipe material 20 to adjust its position, and the fitting portion 3 is inserted from the opening at one end of the pipe material 20 in the longitudinal direction into the hollow portion 20a.

[0101] The pipe material 20, which is inserted into the insertion hole 141 of the corner member 14 of the trolley 10 and has the hand protection member 1B attached, is inserted into the protective space 64 of the hand protection member 1B. The pipe material 20 is then used as an operating rod that functions like a handle, grasped by the hand of the user operating the trolley 10, and the trolley 10 is operated using the pipe material 20.

[0102] At this time, the pipe material 20 is rotated on its axis, so that the protective portion 6 of the hand protection member 1B (especially the vertical portion 63) is positioned outward in the left-right direction when viewed from the frame body 11 and load receiving plate 12 of the trolley 10.

[0103] The user of the trolley 10 inserts their hand into the protective space 65, which is the space between the pipe material 20 that penetrates the engaging portion 7 of the hand protection member 1A vertically and reaches the fixing portion 4, and the protective portion 6 (especially the vertical portion 63). With the hand inserted into the protective space 65, the user grasps the pipe material 20 between the fixing portion 4 and the engaging portion 7 and operates the trolley 10 to move it. At this time, the protective portion 6 (especially the vertical portion 63) is located on the outside of the back of the user's hand that is grasping the pipe material 20.

[0104] If the user's hand approaches a wall or object while the user is moving the trolley 10 by grasping the pipe material 20, the protective part 6 will hit the wall or object, preventing the user's hand from directly touching the wall or object. This protects the user's hand while operating the trolley 10, improving safety.

[0105] Here, the engaging portion 7 may be partially cut off and open on the side opposite to the protective portion 6 (specifically, in the case of the hand protection member 1B attached to the pipe material 20 located on the rear right side of the trolley 10 as shown in Figures 11 to 14, the left side) (see Figure 15). In this case, the engaging portion 7 becomes C-shaped in plan view. The portion of the engaging portion 7 that is open to the side is referred to as the "open portion 72".

[0106] The ratio of the open portion 72 of the engaging portion 7 to the entire circumference of the engaging portion 7, when viewed from above and assuming the engaging portion 7 is a closed annular ring, may be adjusted to a ratio within the range of approximately 1 / 10 to 4 / 10. That is, it is preferable that the ratio of the open portion 72 of the engaging portion 7 to the entire circumference of the virtual annular ring of the engaging portion 7, when viewed from above, is less than 1 / 2.

[0107] (Other embodiments) In the hand protection member 1A according to Embodiment 1, the shape of the upper horizontal portion 62 of the protective portion 6 may be tapered overall in a plan view, as shown in Figure 16, for example, and the shape of the lower horizontal portion 61 may be tapered overall in a bottom view, as shown in Figure 17, for example. The shapes of the upper horizontal portion 62 and the lower horizontal portion 61 of the protective portion 6 may be the same, or they may be different from each other.

[0108] Furthermore, the shape of the upper horizontal portion 62 of the protective portion 6 of the hand protection member 1B according to Embodiment 2 may be tapered overall in a plan view, as shown in Figure 18, for example, and the shape of the lower horizontal portion 61 may be tapered overall in a bottom view, as shown in Figure 19, for example. Note that the shape of the upper horizontal portion 62 and the shape of the lower horizontal portion 61 of the protective portion 6 may be the same, or they may be different from each other.

[0109] In the hand protection members 1A and 1B according to the embodiment, an annular member 8 may be attached to the fitting portion 3 so that when the fitting portion 3 is inserted into and fitted into the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20, it exerts a fitting force (for example, a fitting force that prevents it from coming off unintentionally) that is sufficient to prevent it from easily coming off the hollow portion 20a of the pipe material 20.

[0110] The annular member 8 may be formed from a material such as rubber (including natural rubber), resin (including silicone resin and urethane resin), or soft metal in order to provide elasticity and deformation properties.

[0111] For example, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, a rubber annular member 8, specifically a rubber O-ring 8, may be attached to the lower intermediate portion 32b of the fitting portion 3, and the fitting portion 3 may be inserted into the hollow portion 20a from the opening at one end of the pipe material 20 in the longitudinal direction.

[0112] The dimensions of the rubber annular member 8, particularly the wire diameter (in other words, the thickness and cross-sectional diameter of the O-ring 8), may be appropriately adjusted to suitable dimensions so as to provide a fitting force that prevents it from easily coming off the hollow portion 20a of the fitting portion 3 pipe material 20 (for example, a fitting force that prevents it from coming off unintentionally), depending on the inner diameter and slipperiness of the pipe material 20.

[0113] In the examples shown in Figures 20 and 21, the annular member 8 is attached to the fitting portion 3 of the hand protection member 1A according to Embodiment 1. However, the annular member 8 may also be attached to the fitting portion 3 of the hand protection member 1B according to Embodiment 2, or it may be attached to the fitting portion of a hand protection member of any other form or shape.

[0114] (Effects and Benefits) According to the hand protection members 1A and 1B and the trolley 10 of the embodiment, the trolley 10 has a protective part 6 that is attached to the pipe material 20 and protects the hand that grasps the pipe material 20, so it is possible to protect the hand of the user operating the trolley 10, and consequently improve the safety of using the trolley 10.

[0115] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the specific configurations of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above. The present invention also includes forms in which modifications and changes are made to the above embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0116] For example, in the above embodiment, the pipe material 20 to which the hand protection members 1A and 1B are attached is designed to be removable (in other words, detachable) from the corner member 14 of the trolley 10. However, the fact that the pipe material 20 is detachable from the trolley 10 is not an essential configuration of the present invention, and the hand protection members 1A and 1B may be attached to a pipe material 20 that is not detachable from the trolley 10. Furthermore, the form of the trolley to which the hand protection members according to the present invention are attached is not limited to the trolley 10 in the above embodiment, and any form of trolley including an operating rod that is grasped by the user of the trolley and functions like a handle, corresponding to the pipe material 20 in the above embodiment, is acceptable. And the form of the pipe material of the trolley to which the hand protection members according to the present invention are attached is not limited to the pipe material 20 in the above embodiment, and any form of operating rod that is grasped by the user of the trolley and functions like a handle is acceptable. [Industrial applicability]

[0117] The hand protection members 1A and 1B and the trolley 10 according to the present invention can protect the hands of the user operating the trolley 10 and improve safety, and are therefore useful, for example, in the technical field relating to hand trucks for loading and transporting goods and luggage. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0118] 1A Hand protection member (Embodiment 1) 1B Hand protection member (Embodiment 2) 2. Grip section (Embodiment 1) 21 Open area 3. Fitting part 31 fins 31a Top fin 31b Middle fin 31c Bottom fin 32 Middle section 32a Upper middle section 32b Lower middle section 33 Upper end 34 Lower end 35 Hollow part 4 Fixed part 41 Joint 411 Hollow part 6 Protective part 61 Bottom horizontal part 62 Upper horizontal part 63 Vertical section 64 Protective space (Embodiment 1) 65 Protective space (Embodiment 2) 7. Engaging portion (Embodiment 2) 71 Through hole 72 Open area 8. Annular component (O-ring) 10 carts 11 Frame Body 111 Frame 112 Inner frame 12 Load-receiving plate 13 Caster 14 Corner members 141 Insertion hole 142 Receiving member 15 Caster support member 20 pipe materials 20a Hollow part

Claims

1. A fitting part that fits into the hollow part of the trolley's operating rod, It has a protective part that protects the hand that grasps the operating rod, In a side view, the protective portion is such that a portion of it overlaps with the fitting portion, and the remaining portion does not overlap with the fitting portion. A hand protection member characterized by the following features.

2. It has a grip portion that is connected to the protective portion and contacts the outer surface of the operating rod, The hand protection member according to feature 1.

3. The grip portion is semi-tubular with an open portion. The hand protection member according to feature 2.

4. The grip portion, in a side view, does not overlap with the fitting portion. The hand protection member according to feature 2.

5. It has an engaging portion that connects to the protective portion and through which the operating rod passes, The hand protection member according to feature 1.

6. The aforementioned engaging portion has an open portion and is C-shaped in plan view. The hand protection member according to feature 5.

7. At least the protective part is colored. The hand protection member according to feature 1.

8. The operating rod is detachably attached to the trolley. The hand protection member according to feature 1.

9. An annular member is attached to the fitting portion. The hand protection member according to feature 1.

10. A hand protection member comprising the hand protection member described in any one of claims 1 to 9, A trolley characterized by the following features.

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