Stackable racks

Abstract

The present invention provides a stacking rack that simplifies the process of transitioning between the in-use and non-use states compared to conventional methods. [Solution] This stacking rack comprises a top surface, cylindrical body legs connected to the top surface at four corners and including a first hollow section, cylindrical support legs including a second hollow section that can be inserted into the main body legs, a support member connected to the main body legs, a first through hole penetrating the outer wall surface of the main body legs and connecting to the first hollow section, and a second through hole penetrating the outer wall surface of the support legs and connecting to the second hollow section. The support member includes a movable shaft that can slide in a direction parallel to the outer edge of the main surface of the top surface, and the movable shaft is configured to slide when the support legs are inserted into the first hollow section, penetrating the main body legs and support legs and exposing its tip to the outside of the main body legs. The four support legs are not connected to each other on the side furthest from the top surface with respect to the main body legs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a stacking rack, and particularly to a stacking rack installed in a cargo compartment of a transport vehicle for separating the cargo compartment into a plurality of levels in the height direction.

Background Art

[0002] When storing and transporting goods in the cargo compartment of a transport vehicle, if the height of the goods is lower than the height of the cargo compartment, the loading efficiency can be increased by arranging the goods in multiple levels in the cargo compartment.

[0003] As a member for arranging goods in multiple levels, for example, a stacking rack as described in Patent Document 1 below is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The stacking rack is selected to be used or not used according to the height of the goods. When the stacking rack is not in use, there is a need to minimize the space required for storing the stacking rack as much as possible. In addition, the operation when shifting the stacking rack from the used state to the unused state is preferably as simple as possible.

[0006] The stacking rack in Patent Document 1 has legs composed of three members, namely, a first member, a second member, and a third member. One end side of the second member is inserted into the first member, and the other end side of the second member is inserted into the third member to form the legs. The second member is connected to both the first member and the third member. By changing the exposed length of the second member, the height of the stacking rack can be adjusted.

[0007] During use, the third component is on the side closest to the installation surface. More specifically, adjacent third components are connected by connecting components, and during use, the third components and connecting components come into contact with the installation surface.

[0008] When not in use, the second component folds up. The third component and connecting component also fold up as the second component folds. The folded rack is configured for stacking and storage.

[0009] In the case of the stacking rack described in Patent Document 1, when not in use, the legs must be folded, and conversely, when in use, the folded legs must be rotated to transition to an upright position. In stacking racks intended to carry heavy loads, each leg typically weighs around 5kg to 10kg. In the case of the stacking rack described in Patent Document 1, since the pair of legs and connecting members are folded together, the weight of the object being folded may exceed 20kg in some cases. Rotating and moving such heavy objects is a relatively burdensome task.

[0010] Furthermore, when the leg is rotated, the connection between the first and second members is loosened, and the area near that point acts as a pivot point for rotation. Subsequently, the connection between the two is strengthened. In other words, as the leg is repeatedly switched between use and non-use, the connection points between the members constituting the leg are subjected to concentrated forces more frequently. As a result, if the leg is used continuously, it is expected that the shape of the connecting holes may change, or scratches may appear on the metal parts, making it difficult to adjust the strength of the connection between the first and second members.

[0011] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a stacking rack that is installed in the cargo compartment of a transport vehicle and separates the cargo compartment into multiple levels in the height direction, and that can simplify the work involved in transitioning between a state of use and a state of non-use compared to conventional methods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The stacking rack according to the present invention is a stacking rack installed in the cargo compartment of a transport vehicle, for separating the cargo compartment into multiple levels in the height direction, The top surface has a rectangular shape, Each of the four corners of the top surface is connected to the top surface, and the four main body legs are cylindrical in shape, including a first hollow section, and extend in a first direction perpendicular to the main surface of the top surface. It consists of a cylindrical body including a second hollow section, which is longer in the longitudinal direction than the main body legs, and has four support legs that can be inserted in the first direction from the opposite side of the top surface into the first hollow section of each of the four main body legs installed therein. Four sets of support members are connected to each of the four legs of the main body, A first through-hole is formed in each of the four main body legs, penetrates the outer wall surface of the main body leg, and connects to the first hollow portion, Each of the four support legs is formed, and a second through-hole is formed, which penetrates the outer wall surface of the support leg and connects to the second hollow portion, The support member includes a cylindrical first fixing portion and a movable shaft portion that is inserted inside the first fixing portion and is slidable in a direction parallel to the outer edge of the main surface of the top surface portion. The movable shaft portion is configured to slide while the support leg portion is inserted into the first hollow portion, thereby penetrating the main body leg portion and the support leg portion through the first through hole and the second through hole, and exposing the tip of the movable shaft portion to the outside of the main body leg portion. The four support legs are characterized in that they are not connected to each other on the side furthest from the top surface in the first direction, with reference to the main body legs.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the support column can be used by inserting the support leg into the first hollow part of the main body leg and fixing it through the support member. The connection between the support column leg and the main body leg is achieved by inserting the movable shaft so that it passes through both.

[0014] When switching from the in-use state to the non-use state, all that is required is to slide the movable shaft to eliminate the state in which it penetrates both the support leg and the main body leg, and then remove the support leg from the main body leg. In other words, since rotation of the leg is unnecessary, the workload is reduced compared to conventional configurations.

[0015] Furthermore, since the support legs are not connected to each other, they can be handled individually when not in use. This provides greater flexibility in storage.

[0016] When the support legs are removed, the stacking rack consists only of a top surface and the main legs, resulting in a lighter weight than conventional designs. Furthermore, by stacking another stacking rack with the support legs removed on top of this top surface, storage space can be significantly reduced.

[0017] The support member may have a cylindrical second fixing portion installed at a position spaced apart from the first fixing portion in the second direction in which the movable shaft portion slides, and the movable shaft portion may be inserted through both the inside of the first fixing portion and the inside of the second fixing portion. In this case, the second fixing portion may be connected to a part of the top surface portion.

[0018] In the above stacking rack, Both the main body leg and the support leg are rectangular cylindrical bodies. The first through-hole is formed in a first region, which is a part of the outer wall surface of the main body leg on the side to which the first fixing portion is connected, and in a second region, which is opposite to the first region via the first hollow portion. The second through-hole is formed in a third region, which is a part of the outer wall surface in the longitudinal direction of the column base, and in a fourth region, which is opposite to the third region via the second hollow portion. The support leg portion is inserted into the first hollow portion such that, with respect to the second direction in which the movable shaft portion slides, the third region and the first region of the main leg portion overlap, and the fourth region and the second region of the main leg portion overlap. The movable shaft portion of the support member may be such that its tip is exposed outside from the second region side of the main body leg portion with all of the first through hole formed in the first region, the second through hole formed in the third region, the second through hole formed in the fourth region, and the first through hole formed in the second region being inserted therethrough.

[0019] In this case, the first region may be a region within the plane of the side of the outer wall surface of the main body leg portion that faces the other adjacent main body leg portion.

[0020] According to the above configuration, almost all elements of the support member are positioned between adjacent main body leg portions, and during use, only the ends of the slide-type movable shaft portions constituting the support member are exposed outside. Thereby, the risk that an operator installing goods in the cargo compartment contacts a member protruding outward from the leg portion is suppressed. Also, since only the ends of the movable shaft portions are exposed outside, the stacked rack in the use state has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape at its outer edge portion. Therefore, in the cargo compartment of a transport vehicle, the stacked racks can be arranged in close contact with each other.

[0021] The support leg portion may have an identification member for direction identification attached to at least one of the four outer wall surfaces in the longitudinal direction.

[0022] According to the above configuration, the operator can overlap the second through hole of the support leg portion with the first through hole of the main body leg portion by inserting the support leg portion into the first hollow portion of the main body leg portion with the surface to which the identification member is attached in a predetermined orientation. At this time, more specifically, when the support leg portion is inserted and its tip abuts against the upper surface (specifically, the top surface) and cannot proceed further in the insertion direction, the second through hole of the support leg portion may be overlapped with the first through hole of the main body leg portion. Thereby, the operator can intuitively perform the attachment work of the support leg portion.

[0023] As a more detailed example, the support column base is attached to the same outer wall surface as the outer wall surface where the third region exists, among the four outer wall surfaces in the longitudinal direction, and has a gripping portion for a worker to grasp the support column base. The gripping portion may also serve as the identification member.

[0024] In this case, for example, using the main leg as a reference, the second through-hole of the support leg can be aligned with the first through-hole of the main leg by inserting the support leg into the first hollow part of the main leg while gripping it, so that the side where the movable shaft of the support member attached to the main leg is installed and the side where the gripping part attached to the support leg is installed are facing the same direction.

[0025] The above stacking rack has a third through-hole formed in each of the four main body legs at a location different from the first through-hole, which penetrates the outer wall surface of the main body leg and connects to the first hollow section, The system further comprises a restricting member that can be inserted into the third through-hole from the outside of the outer wall surface of the main body leg, While the support leg is inserted into the first hollow portion, the tip of the regulating member may be in contact with the outer wall surface of the support leg.

[0026] With this configuration, the outer wall of the support column base is pressed against the regulating member, so that even if the driving acceleration changes while the transport vehicle is moving with the support column base installed inside the cargo compartment, vibration of the support column base is suppressed.

[0027] As the regulating member, a general-purpose bolt member can be used, and typically a wing bolt can be used.

[0028] In the above configuration, the third through-hole is formed on the outer wall surface of the main body leg that faces the adjacent main body leg. The regulating member may be inserted into the third through-hole from the side of the adjacent main body leg toward the outside.

[0029] According to the above configuration, the side where the end of the restricting member is exposed can be set on the inner surface of the main body's legs. This reduces the risk of workers placing cargo inside the cargo compartment coming into contact with the member protruding outward from the legs.

[0030] Two of the regulating members are attached to each of the four legs of the main body. The two restricting members may be inserted in directions that are mutually orthogonal.

[0031] According to this design, the outer wall of the support column base is pressed against the regulating member in two directions parallel to the outer edge of the main surface of the top section. This further enhances the effect of suppressing vibrations of the support column base while the vehicle is moving with the unit installed inside the cargo compartment.

[0032] The above stacking rack has protrusions formed on the main surface of the top surface at four corners of the top surface, which protrude in the first direction from the surrounding area. The outer diameter of the protrusion when viewed in the first direction may be smaller than the inner diameter of the first hollow portion.

[0033] According to the above configuration, stacking racks can be stacked by positioning the legs of an unused stacking rack (hereinafter referred to as "stacking rack A" for convenience) so as to surround the protrusions formed on the main surface of the top surface of another unused stacking rack (hereinafter referred to as "stacking rack B" for convenience), and then placing it on top of stacking rack B. Since the protrusions of stacking rack B are located inside the first hollow portion of the legs of stacking rack A, misalignment is prevented when stacking rack A is placed on top of stacking rack B, enabling stable stacked storage.

[0034] The main surface of the top section is made of expanded metal as specified by JIS. The expanded metal may be installed inside the cargo compartment such that its longitudinal direction is in the direction of the cargo width.

[0035] Expanded metal can typically be those standardized according to JIS G 3351.

[0036] By constructing the main surface of the top section with expanded metal, it is possible to achieve high load capacity while reducing the weight of the stacking rack. Here, the expanded metal is installed so that its longitudinal direction is in the direction of the cargo width, and its short direction corresponds to the front-to-back direction of the transport vehicle, i.e., the direction of travel. On the main surface of the top section, the friction in the short direction of the expanded metal is relatively stronger than in the longitudinal direction of the expanded metal. Therefore, even if the driving acceleration changes while the transport vehicle is moving with the rack installed inside the cargo compartment, the movement of cargo placed on the main surface of the top section in the front-to-back direction of the transport vehicle is suppressed.

[0037] Furthermore, it is preferable that the length of the stacking rack in the depth direction, that is, the length parallel to the longitudinal direction of the expanded metal on the main surface of the top surface, be substantially the same as the width of the transport vehicle, or substantially the same as 1 / n (where n is a natural number of 2 or more) of the width of the transport vehicle. This allows the stacking rack to be installed in the cargo compartment of the transport vehicle with virtually no gaps in the width direction. "Substantially the same" here means that the difference between the sum of the width directions of the stacking racks installed in the cargo compartment of the transport vehicle (or the width direction of a single stacking rack if there is one row of stacking racks) and the width of the cargo compartment is 10% or less of the width of the cargo compartment.

[0038] The aforementioned support column base is, At the end portion in the longitudinal direction, a bottom plate closes the second hollow portion, It has a fourth through-hole formed in a part of the bottom plate, which penetrates the bottom plate and connects to the second hollow portion, The bottom plate of the support column base may be in contact with the floor surface of the cargo compartment.

[0039] With the above configuration, when the stacking rack is in use, the bottom plate of the support column base comes into contact with the floor surface of the cargo compartment, thus ensuring a sufficient contact area with the floor and distributing the weight of the cargo placed on the main surface of the top of the stacking rack. Furthermore, when the stacking rack is not in use and the support column base is removed, for example, if it is temporarily placed outdoors in rainy weather, rainwater may seep into the second hollow part of the support column base. However, with the above configuration, since a fourth through-hole is formed in the bottom plate, if the support column base is left upright and elevated above the ground for a predetermined period of time, even if water has seeped inside, the water can be drained through the fourth through-hole.

[0040] The aforementioned stacking rack is A first group of support legs, consisting of four support legs of the same length in the longitudinal direction, It comprises a second support leg group consisting of four support legs, each having the same length in the longitudinal direction and having a different length in the longitudinal direction from the support legs that constitute the first support leg group, The height of the top surface may be adjusted by switching the support leg inserted into the first hollow portion of the main body leg from a support leg belonging to the first support leg group to a support leg belonging to the second support leg group.

[0041] With the above configuration, the height of the top surface of the stacking rack can be adjusted by switching between the first group of support legs and the second group of support legs attached to the main body legs. The number of different lengths of support legs may be three or more. [Effects of the Invention]

[0042] According to the present invention, a stacking rack can be installed in the cargo compartment of a transport vehicle to separate the cargo compartment into multiple levels in the height direction, and the work required to transition between the in-use state and the non-use state can be simplified compared to conventional methods. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0043] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of one embodiment of the stacking rack according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a partially enlarged view of Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the main body legs 20 and the support column legs 30 extracted from Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the main body leg portion 20 and the support column leg portion 30 separated. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the main body leg portion 20 and the support column leg portion 30 separated. [Figure 6] This is a partially enlarged view of Figure 2. [Figure 7] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the stacking rack 1 as seen in the Y direction. [Figure 8] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the stacking rack 1 as seen in the X direction. [Figure 9] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the stacking rack 1 as seen in the Z direction. [Figure 10] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of how the stacking rack 1 can be used. [Figure 11] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the stacking rack 1 with the support column legs 30 separated. [Figure 12] This is a schematic plan view of multiple stacking racks 1 with the support column bases 30 removed. [Figure 13] This is a schematic perspective view showing only a portion of two stacked racks 1 with the support column bases 30 removed. [Figure 14] This is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the column base 30. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0044] Embodiments of the stacking rack according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that the following drawings are schematic representations, and the dimensional ratios and number of elements shown in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to the actual dimensional ratios and number of elements. Stacking racks are sometimes also called decks or deck racks, but hereinafter, these will all be referred to as "stacking racks."

[0045] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the stacking rack of this embodiment. The stacking rack 1 shown in Figure 1 is installed in the cargo compartment of a transport vehicle and is used to separate the cargo compartment into multiple levels in the height direction.

[0046] As shown in Figure 1, the stacking rack 1 has a top surface 11 with a rectangular main surface 11a, and legs (20A-20D, 30A-30D) installed at four corners of the top surface 11.

[0047] More specifically, the stacking rack 1 comprises four main body legs 20A to 20D connected to the top surface 11, and four support legs 30A to 30D attached to each of the main body legs 20A to 20D, corresponding to each of the main body legs 20A to 20D.

[0048] In the following description, an XYZ coordinate system will be referred to as appropriate, where the plane parallel to the main surface 11a of the top surface 11 is the XY plane, and the direction perpendicular to the XY plane is the Z axis. In this embodiment, the main surface 11a of the top surface 11 of the stacking rack 1 is rectangular, and in the following figures, the longitudinal direction is the X direction and the transverse direction is the Y direction. However, the present invention does not exclude the case in which the main surface 11a of the top surface 11 of the stacking rack 1 is square.

[0049] In the following descriptions, when expressing direction, positive and negative directions are distinguished, and these are indicated with a sign, such as "+X direction" and "-X direction". When expressing direction without distinguishing between positive and negative directions, it is simply written as "X direction". In other words, in this specification, when simply written as "X direction", both "+X direction" and "-X direction" are included. The same applies to the Y direction and Z direction.

[0050] In the following explanation, the symbols of elements may be suffixed with one of the following letters: A, B, C, or D. These suffixes are assigned according to the following rules. When viewed in the Z direction, the corners corresponding to both the -X and -Y sides are prefixed with "A". When viewed in the Z direction, the corners corresponding to the +X and -Y sides are marked with a "B" at the end. When viewed in the Z direction, the corners corresponding to both the +X and +Y sides are prefixed with "C". When viewed in the Z direction, the corners corresponding to both the -X and +Y sides are prefixed with "D".

[0051] When describing the main leg sections 20A to 20D, if there is no need to distinguish between them, the suffix may be omitted and they may be referred to simply as "main leg section 20". Similarly, when describing the support column leg sections 30A to 30D, if there is no need to distinguish between them, the suffix may be omitted and they may be referred to simply as "support column leg section 30".

[0052] The main body legs 20 and the support column legs 30 are made of steel materials specified in, for example, JIS G 3101 or GB700-88. Preferably, the main body legs 20 and the support column legs 30 are treated with rust-preventive coating.

[0053] The length of the stacking rack 1 in the Y direction is preferably set to a length corresponding to the width of the cargo compartment of the transport vehicle in which the stacking rack 1 is housed. As a typical example, the length of the stacking rack 1 in the Y direction is substantially the same as the width of the cargo compartment of the transport vehicle. As another typical example, the length of the stacking rack 1 in the Y direction is substantially the same as half the width of the cargo compartment of the transport vehicle. In this case, the Y direction corresponds to the direction of the cargo width of the cargo compartment of the transport vehicle, and the X direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the transport vehicle. The Z direction is the vertical direction and corresponds to the "first direction".

[0054] When the stacking rack 1 is in use, the bottom surfaces of the support legs 30A to 30D (bottom plate 34 shown in Figure 14, described later) come into contact with the installation surface (more specifically, the floor surface 3a of the cargo compartment 3 of the transport vehicle 2 shown in Figure 10, described later). As shown in Figure 1, the support legs 30A to 30D of the stacking rack 1 are not connected to each other on the -Z side of the main body legs 20A to 20D.

[0055] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of region P1 in Figure 1. As described above, the main body legs 20 are connected to the top surface 11, and the support column legs 30 are connected to the main body legs 20. The support column legs 30 are detachably attached to the main body legs 20 in the Z direction. Figure 3 is a perspective view extracted from Figure 2 showing the main body legs 20 and the support column legs 30. Figure 4 is a perspective view separated from Figure 3 showing the main body legs 20 and the support column legs 30.

[0056] As shown in Figure 4, the main body leg portion 20 extends in the Z direction and has a cylindrical shape including a first hollow portion 26. Typically, the main body leg portion 20 has a rectangular cylindrical shape.

[0057] As shown in Figure 4, the column leg portion 30 extends in the Z direction and has a cylindrical shape including a second hollow portion 36. Typically, the column leg portion 30 has a rectangular cylindrical shape. The column leg portion 30 has a longer length in the Z direction compared to the main leg portion 20.

[0058] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the support leg portion 30 has a structure in which the +Z side end can be inserted into the first hollow portion 26 of the main leg portion 20. That is, the outer diameter of the support leg portion 30 is smaller than the inner diameter of the main leg portion 20. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the stacking rack 1 shown in Figure 1, with the main leg portion 20 and the support leg portion 30 shown separately.

[0059] As shown in Figure 4, the main body leg portion 20 is provided with a first through-hole 21 that penetrates the outer wall surface and connects to the first hollow portion 26. In the example shown in Figure 4, the first through-hole 21 is formed on both the outer wall surface on the +X side and the outer wall surface on the -X side of the main body leg portion 20, and the two are positioned opposite each other in the X direction. However, in the present invention, the first through-hole 21 may be formed on both the outer wall surface on the +Y side and the outer wall surface on the -Y side of the main body leg portion 20, and the two are positioned opposite each other in the Y direction. Furthermore, the first through-hole 21 may be formed on all four surfaces of the main body leg portion 20: the outer wall surface on the +X side, the outer wall surface on the -X side, the outer wall surface on the +Y side, and the outer wall surface on the -Y side. In this case, the pair of first through holes 21 formed in the outer wall surface on the +X side and the outer wall surface on the -X side of the main body leg portion 20 may face each other in the X direction, and the pair of first through holes 21 formed in the outer wall surface on the +Y side and the outer wall surface on the -Y side of the main body leg portion 20 may face each other in the Y direction.

[0060] As shown in Figure 4, the column base 30 is provided with a second through-hole 31 that penetrates the outer wall surface and connects to the second hollow portion 36. In the example shown in Figure 4, the second through-hole 31 is formed on both the outer wall surface on the +X side and the outer wall surface on the -X side of the column base 30, and the two are positioned opposite each other in the X direction. However, in the present invention, the second through-hole 31 may be formed on both the outer wall surface on the +Y side and the outer wall surface on the -Y side of the column base 30, and the two are positioned opposite each other in the Y direction. Furthermore, the second through-hole 31 may be formed on all four surfaces of the column base 30: the outer wall surface on the +X side, the outer wall surface on the -X side, the outer wall surface on the +Y side, and the outer wall surface on the -Y side. In this case, the pair of second through holes 31 formed in the outer wall surface on the +X side and the outer wall surface on the -X side of the column base 30 may face each other in the X direction, and the pair of second through holes 31 formed in the outer wall surface on the +Y side and the outer wall surface on the -Y side of the column base 30 may face each other in the Y direction.

[0061] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a support member 40 is connected to the main body leg 20. Although Figures 2 and 3 show a support member 40 attached to one main body leg 20, it is also acceptable to assume that a support member 40 is attached to each of the four main body legs 20A to 20D located at the corners.

[0062] Figure 6 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 2. As shown in Figure 6, the support member 40 has a cylindrical first fixing part 41, a cylindrical second fixing part 42, a movable shaft part 43 that is inserted inside the first fixing part 41 and the second fixing part 42 and is slidable, a shaft operating part 44 for a worker to slide the movable shaft part 43, a shaft holder 45 for preventing the movable shaft part 43 from falling out, and a third fixing part 46. Note that in Figure 3, for ease of understanding, only the movable shaft part 43 and the shaft operating part 44 of the support member 40 are shown.

[0063] The first fixing portion 41 of the support member 40 is connected to the outer wall surface of the main body leg 20 that faces the adjacent main body leg 20. For example, in Figure 6, main body leg 20A is shown as a representative example. In this case, the first fixing portion 41 of the support member 40 is fixed to the outer wall on the +X side of main body leg 20A. This +X side outer wall corresponds to the outer wall on the side where the adjacent main body leg 20B is located. In other words, in main body leg 20B, the first fixing portion 41 of the support member 40 is fixed to the outer wall on the -X side of main body leg 20B, that is, the outer wall on the side where the adjacent main body leg 20A is located (see Figure 5). The same applies to main body leg 20C and main body leg 20D.

[0064] In the examples shown in Figures 4 and 6, the first through-hole 21 is formed in the first region 22α, which is a part of the outer wall surface of the main leg portion 20 on the side to which the first fixing portion 41 is connected, and in the second region 22β, which is opposite to the first region 22α via the first hollow portion 26. Similarly, in the examples shown in Figures 4 and 6, the second through-hole 31 is formed in the third region 32α, which is a part of the outer wall surface of the support leg portion 30, and in the fourth region 32β, which is opposite to the third region 32α via the second hollow portion 36.

[0065] The third fixing part 46 is formed for the purpose of connecting and fixing the first fixing part 41, the second fixing part 42, and the shaft holder 45 to the top surface part 11. The third fixing part 46 may also be connected to the outer wall of the main body leg part 20.

[0066] As shown in Figure 3, the support leg portion 30 is inserted into the first hollow portion 26 of the main leg portion 20 such that, with respect to the sliding direction of the movable shaft portion 43 (the X direction in the example of Figure 3), the third region 32α of the outer wall surface of the support leg portion 30 and the first region 22α of the outer wall surface of the main leg portion 20 overlap, and the fourth region 32β of the outer wall surface of the support leg portion 30 and the second region 22β of the outer wall surface of the main leg portion 20 overlap. More specifically, the first through hole 21 formed in the main leg portion 20 and the second through hole 31 formed in the support leg portion 30 overlap in the X direction.

[0067] Typically, when the support leg portion 30 is inserted in the +Z direction into the first hollow portion 26 of the main leg portion 20 until its tip abuts against the top surface portion 11, the first through hole 21 formed in the main leg portion 20 and the second through hole 31 formed in the support leg portion 30 may be assumed to have been formed in advance at a position where they overlap in the X direction. Although the illustration here shows the case where the first through hole 21 and the second through hole 31 overlap in the X direction, they may also overlap in the Y direction.

[0068] More specifically, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, the support leg portion 30 is provided with a gripping portion 33, allowing a worker to insert the support leg portion 30 into the first hollow portion 26 of the main leg portion 20 until it contacts the top surface portion 11 while holding the gripping portion 33. In this case, by placing the gripping portion 33 on a specific outer wall surface of the support leg portion 30, the worker can be made aware of the correct orientation of the support leg portion 30.

[0069] As a specific example, in the support leg portion 30, the outer wall surface on which the gripping portion 33 is formed is the same side as the third region 32α on which the second through hole 31 is formed in the support leg portion 30. Then, with the outer wall surface on which the gripping portion 33 is formed facing another adjacent corner (another main leg portion 20) in the X direction, the support leg portion 30 can be inserted in the +Z direction. In this case, the gripping portion 33 also functions as an identification member to determine the direction of insertion.

[0070] In particular, when viewing the stacking rack 1 in the Z direction, it is preferable that the gripping portion 33 be provided on the outer wall surface of the support column leg portion 30 that corresponds to the inner side. This prevents the gripping portion 33 from protruding to the outside of the stacking rack 1, thereby preventing the risk of contact with workers who are setting up cargo inside the cargo compartment, and also makes it possible to arrange multiple stacking racks more closely together inside the cargo compartment.

[0071] Furthermore, if, for example, the second through-holes 31 are formed on the four outer wall surfaces of the support leg portion 30, there is no need to worry about the orientation of the support leg portion 30 when inserting it into the first hollow portion 26. In this case, the gripping portion 33 simply functions as a handle for the worker.

[0072] The support leg portion 30 is inserted into the first hollow portion 26 of the main leg portion 20, and with the first through hole 21 and the second through hole 31 overlapping in the sliding direction of the movable shaft portion 43, the shaft operation portion 44 is operated by a worker, and the movable shaft portion 43 is slid in the X direction. In this embodiment, the X direction corresponds to the "second direction".

[0073] As a result, as shown in Figure 3, the movable shaft portion 43 penetrates the main body leg portion 20 and the support leg portion 30 through the first through hole 21 and the second through hole 31, and the tip 43p of the movable shaft portion 43 is exposed to the outside of the main body leg portion 20. As a result, the movement of the support leg portion 30 in the Z direction is restrained by the movable shaft portion 43, so the support leg portion 30 does not fall off in the -Z direction.

[0074] In this configuration, almost the entire support member 40 is located between adjacent main body legs 20, and only the tip 43p of the movable shaft 43 is exposed to the outside. This reduces the risk of workers setting up cargo inside the cargo compartment coming into contact with members protruding outward from the legs (20, 30).

[0075] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the main body leg portion 20 further includes a third through-hole 24 formed in a location different from the first through-hole 21. This third through-hole 24 penetrates the outer wall surface of the main body leg portion 20 and connects to the first hollow portion 26.

[0076] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 6, the third through-hole 24 is provided for the purpose of inserting a regulating member 23. The regulating member 23 can be a general-purpose bolt member, typically a wing bolt. When a bolt member is used as the regulating member 23, the third through-hole 24 is configured, for example, as a threaded hole that can be screwed into the regulating member 23.

[0077] The restricting member 23 is provided for the purpose of restricting the vibration of the support leg 30 inserted into the first hollow portion 26 of the main leg 20. As described above, after the support leg 30 is inserted into the first hollow portion 26 of the main leg 20, the movement of the support leg 30 in the Z direction is restricted by the fact that the two are passed through by the movable shaft portion 43 of the support member 40. However, depending on the magnitude of the difference between the inner diameter of the first hollow portion 26 of the main leg 20 and the outer diameter of the support leg 30, there is room for the support leg 30 to vibrate in a direction parallel to the XY plane within the first hollow portion 26 of the main leg 20. In particular, the direction parallel to the XY plane corresponds to the direction of movement of the transport vehicle when the stacking rack 1 is installed in the cargo compartment of the transport vehicle. Therefore, if the driving acceleration changes while the transport vehicle is in motion, it is possible that the support leg 30 may wobble.

[0078] However, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 6, the regulating member 23 is provided so as to contact the outer wall surface of the inner support leg 30 through the third through hole 24 from the outside of the outer wall surface of the main leg 20, thereby restricting vibrations of the support leg 30 in the direction of extension of the regulating member 23.

[0079] From the viewpoint of significantly suppressing vibration of the support column base 30, it is preferable that the restricting member 23 be provided with both a member that penetrates the outer wall surface of the main leg 20 in the X direction and a member that penetrates the outer wall surface of the main leg 20 in the Y direction (see Figures 7 and 8). Figure 7 is a schematic plan view (front view) of the stacking rack 1 shown in Figure 1 when viewed in the Y direction, and Figure 8 is a schematic plan view (side view) of the same stacking rack 1 when viewed in the X direction. In the example shown in Figures 7 and 8, the main leg 20A is fitted with a restricting member 23 inserted in the X direction and a restricting member 23 inserted in the Y direction, and both are in contact with the outer wall surface of the support column base 30A.

[0080] Figure 9 is a schematic plan view (top view) of the stacking rack 1 shown in Figure 1, viewed in the -Z direction. In the example shown in Figure 9, expanded metal 13 is attached to the main surface of the top surface 11 of the stacking rack 1. The expanded metal 13 is typically a product conforming to JIS G 3351, and here it is formed so that the longitudinal direction 13α of the expanded metal 13 is in the X direction and the short direction 13β is in the Y direction. As a detailed example, the top surface 11 has a grid-like frame 14 and expanded metal 13 fixed to the +Z side of this frame 14. The frame 14 is preferably made of steel material specified in JIS G 3101 or GB700-88, and is treated with rust prevention.

[0081] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of how the stacking rack 1 can be used. By installing the stacking rack 1 in the cargo compartment 3 of the transport vehicle 2, the cargo compartment 3 can be separated in the Z direction, and the cargo 4 can be arranged in multiple layers in the Z direction.

[0082] In this case, it is preferable to install the stacking rack 1 such that the longitudinal direction D2 of the transport vehicle 2 is the short-side direction 13β of the expanded metal 13. On the main surface 11a of the top surface 11, the friction in the short-side direction 13β of the expanded metal 13 is relatively stronger than in the longitudinal direction 13α of the expanded metal 13. Therefore, even if the driving acceleration changes while the transport vehicle 2 is traveling with the rack installed in the cargo compartment 3, the movement of the cargo 4 in the longitudinal direction D2 of the transport vehicle 2 is suppressed.

[0083] However, in the present invention, when installing the stacking rack 1 in the cargo compartment 3 of the transport vehicle 2, the stacking rack 1 may be installed so that the shorter side of the top surface 11 of the stacking rack 1 is in the cargo width direction of the cargo compartment 3, or conversely, the stacking rack 1 may be installed so that the longer side of the top surface 11 of the stacking rack 1 is in the cargo width direction of the cargo compartment 3.

[0084] For example, the length of the stacking rack 1 in the X direction is 2,800 mm, the length in the Y direction is 2,200 mm, the length of the main body leg 20 in the Z direction is 350 mm, the length of the support column leg 30 in the Z direction is 1,300 mm, and the load capacity is 800 kg. The weight of each support column leg 30 is approximately 5 kg to 10 kg, which is a weight that can be grasped by a worker alone.

[0085] As described above, the stacking rack 1 allows the support legs 30 to be separated from the main body legs 20. Therefore, when the stacking rack 1 is not in use, it can be stored with the support legs 30 separated. Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of the stacking rack 1 with the support legs 30 separated.

[0086] As shown in Figure 11, the top surface 11 has four corners with protrusions 12 formed on the main surface 11a of the top surface 11. These protrusions 12 protrude in the +Z direction more than the surrounding area. In the Z direction, the outer diameter of the protrusions 12 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first hollow portion 26 of the main leg portion 20.

[0087] The protrusion 12 functions as a positional displacement regulating member when stacking multiple stacking racks 1 with the support legs 30 removed when the stacking rack 1 is not in use. Figure 12 is a schematic plan view of multiple stacking racks 1 stacked with the support legs 30 removed. Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view showing only a portion of two stacking racks 1 stacked with the support legs 30 removed.

[0088] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the upper stacking rack 1 is installed so as to cover the protrusion 12 of the lower stacking rack 1 in a direction parallel to the XY plane. More specifically, the upper stacking rack 1 is stacked so that the protrusion 12 of the lower stacking rack 1 is located within the first hollow portion 26 of the main leg portion 20 of the upper stacking rack 1. As a result, the upper stacking rack 1 is restricted from moving in the XY plane direction by the protrusion 12 of the lower stacking rack 1, thus preventing misalignment and enabling stable stacked storage.

[0089] Preferably, the protrusion 12 has a curved side surface. This allows for intuitive positioning by sliding the stacking rack 1 along the side surface of the protrusion 12 when stacking it from above. However, in this invention, the shape of the protrusion 12 is arbitrary.

[0090] Figure 14 is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the support leg portion 30. In the example shown in Figure 14, the support leg portion 30 is provided with a fourth through-hole 35 in a part of the bottom plate 34, which penetrates the bottom plate 34 in the Z direction and connects to the second hollow portion 36. The bottom plate 34 is the part that comes into contact with the floor surface of the cargo compartment 3 when it is installed in the cargo compartment 3 of the transport vehicle 2.

[0091] When the stacking rack 1 is not in use, the four support legs 30, which have been removed from the main body legs 20, are stored separately from the main body legs 20 and the top surface 11. When the stacking rack 1 is not in use, it is conceivable that the support legs 30 may be removed and the rack may be temporarily placed outdoors in rainy weather. In this case, rainwater may enter the second hollow section 36 of the support legs 30. As shown in Figure 14, since a fourth through-hole 35 is formed in the bottom plate 34, if water has entered the second hollow section 36, it can be drained through the fourth through-hole 35 by leaving the support legs 30 upright and raised above the ground for a predetermined period of time.

[0092] As described above, the stacking rack 1 is used by attaching the support legs 30 to the main body legs 20. For this reason, by preparing two or more support legs 30 of different lengths in the longitudinal direction in advance and switching the support legs 30 attached to the main body legs 20, the height of the top surface 11 of the stacking rack 1 can be adjusted.

[0093] [Alternative Embodiment] The following describes another embodiment.

[0094] (1) In the above embodiment, the main body leg portion 20 and the support column leg portion 30 were described as both having a rectangular cylindrical shape. However, the present invention does not exclude cases in which the main body leg portion 20 and the support column leg portion 30 have a cylindrical shape or a polygonal cylindrical shape.

[0095] <2> Referring to Figure 6, the structure of the support member 40 described above is merely an example. The support member 40 only needs to have a movable shaft portion 43 that can pass through the main body leg portion 20 and the support column leg portion 30, and to that extent, the structure is arbitrary.

[0096] <3> In the example shown in Figure 9, the top surface 11 is provided with a grid-like frame 14, but it may also be provided with a plate-like member. However, from the viewpoint of weight reduction, it is preferable to provide a grid-like frame 14.

[0097] (4) The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes various modifications. For example, the embodiments described above are described in detail for a better understanding of the present invention and are not necessarily limited to all configurations described. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0098] 1-tier rack 2. Transport vehicles 3. Luggage compartment 4 Cargo 11 Top section 12 Convex part 13 Expanded Metal 13α Longitudinal direction of expanded metal Short direction of 13β expanded metal 14 frames 20 Main body legs 21 First through hole 22α First area 22β second region 23 Regulating members 24 Third through hole 26 First hollow part 30 Strut leg 31 Second through hole 32α Third area 32β Fourth area 33. Gripping part (identification member) 34 Bottom plate 35 Fourth through hole 36 Second hollow part 40 Support member 41 First fixed part 42 Second fixed part 43 Movable shaft part 43p Tip of the movable shaft 44 axis operation unit 45 Shaft holder 46 Third fixed part

Claims

1. A stacking rack installed in the cargo compartment of a transport vehicle, for separating the cargo compartment into multiple levels in the height direction, The top surface has a rectangular shape, Each of the four corners of the top surface is connected to the top surface, and four main body legs are provided, each having a cylindrical shape including a first hollow section, extending in a first direction perpendicular to the main surface of the top surface. It consists of a cylindrical body including a second hollow section, which is longer in the longitudinal direction than the main body legs, and has four support legs that can be inserted in the first direction from the opposite side of the top surface into the first hollow section of each of the four main body legs installed therein. Four sets of support members are connected to each of the four legs of the main body, A first through-hole is formed in each of the four main body legs, penetrates the outer wall surface of the main body leg, and connects to the first hollow portion, Each of the four support legs is formed, and a second through-hole is formed, which penetrates the outer wall surface of the support leg and connects to the second hollow portion, The support member includes a cylindrical first fixing portion and a movable shaft portion that is inserted inside the first fixing portion and is slidable in a direction parallel to the outer edge of the main surface of the top surface portion. The movable shaft portion is configured to slide while the support leg portion is inserted into the first hollow portion, thereby penetrating the main body leg portion and the support leg portion through the first through hole and the second through hole, and exposing the tip of the movable shaft portion to the outside of the main body leg portion. A stacking rack characterized in that the four support legs are not connected to each other on the side furthest from the top surface in the first direction relative to the main body legs.

2. Both the main body leg and the support leg are rectangular cylindrical bodies. The first through-hole is formed in a first region, which is a part of the outer wall surface of the main body leg on the side to which the first fixing portion is connected, and in a second region, which is opposite to the first region via the first hollow portion. The second through-hole is formed in a third region, which is a part of the outer wall surface in the longitudinal direction of the column base, and in a fourth region, which is opposite to the third region via the second hollow portion. The support leg portion is inserted into the first hollow portion such that, with respect to the second direction in which the movable shaft portion slides, the third region and the first region of the main leg portion overlap, and the fourth region and the second region of the main leg portion overlap. The stacking rack according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable shaft portion of the support member has its tip exposed to the outside from the second region side of the main body leg when inserted through the first through hole formed in the first region, the second through hole formed in the third region, the second through hole formed in the fourth region, and the first through hole formed in the second region.

3. The stacking rack according to claim 2, characterized in that the first region is a region within the outer wall surface of the main body leg that faces an adjacent main body leg.

4. The stacking rack according to claim 3, characterized in that the support column base has an identification member for direction determination attached to at least one of the four outer wall surfaces in the longitudinal direction.

5. The support column base is attached to the same outer wall surface as the outer wall surface on which the third region exists, among the four outer wall surfaces in the longitudinal direction, and has a gripping portion for a worker to grasp the support column base. The stacking rack according to claim 4, characterized in that the gripping portion also serves as the identification member.

6. A third through-hole is formed in each of the four main body legs at a location different from the first through-hole, and penetrates the outer wall surface of the main body leg, connecting to the first hollow portion. The system includes a restricting member that can be inserted into the third through-hole from the outside of the outer wall surface of the main body leg, The stacking rack according to claim 1, characterized in that, while the support leg is inserted into the first hollow portion, the tip of the restricting member is in contact with the outer wall surface of the support leg.

7. The third through-hole is formed on the outer wall surface of the main body leg that faces the adjacent main body leg. The stacking rack according to claim 6, characterized in that the restricting member is inserted outward from the side of the adjacent main body leg into the third through hole.

8. Two of the restricting members are attached to each of the four legs of the main body. The stacking rack according to claim 7, characterized in that the two restricting members are inserted in directions perpendicular to each other.

9. At the four corners of the top surface, there are protrusions formed on the main surface of the top surface that project outward in the first direction from the surrounding area, The stacking rack according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer diameter of the protrusion when viewed in the first direction is smaller than the inner diameter of the first hollow portion.

10. The main surface of the top section is made of expanded metal as specified by JIS. The stacking rack according to claim 1, characterized in that the expanded metal is installed inside the cargo compartment such that its longitudinal direction is in the cargo width direction.

11. The aforementioned support column base is, At the end portion in the longitudinal direction, a bottom plate closes the second hollow portion, It has a fourth through-hole formed in a part of the bottom plate, which penetrates the bottom plate and connects to the second hollow portion, The stacking rack according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom plate of the support column leg is in contact with the floor surface of the cargo compartment.

12. A first group of support legs, consisting of four support legs of the same length in the longitudinal direction, It comprises a second support leg group consisting of four support legs, each having the same length in the longitudinal direction and having a different length in the longitudinal direction from the support legs that constitute the first support leg group, The stacking rack according to claim 1, characterized in that the height of the top surface is adjusted by switching the support leg inserted into the first hollow portion of the main body leg from a support leg belonging to the first support leg group to a support leg belonging to the second support leg group.

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