Loading platform lifting device

Abstract

The objective is to provide a loading platform lifting device that can suppress damage to the slider. [Solution] The loading platform lifting device 10 comprises an outer column 11 fixed to a loading platform 2 mounted on a vehicle body 2 and extending in the vertical direction, a slider 12 that can move up and down relative to the outer column 11, a loading platform 13 whose base end is supported by the slider 12, a lifting mechanism 16 that moves the slider 12 up and down to raise and lower the loading platform 13 between a raised position and a lowered position, and a cushioning member 17 provided on the lower surface 12a of the slider 12 and which makes contact with the ground when the loading platform 13 is in the lowered position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a load receiving platform lifting device.

Background Art

[0002] As a load receiving platform lifting device that is mounted on a freight vehicle or the like and used for loading and unloading cargo, for example, a vertical lifting type load receiving platform lifting device described in Patent Document 1 is known. The load receiving platform lifting device of Patent Document 1 includes a pair of outer columns fixed to a cargo bed of a freight vehicle, a pair of inner columns movable vertically within each outer column, a pair of sliders movable vertically within each inner column, and a load receiving platform whose base end is supported by these sliders. As the inner columns and the sliders move vertically relative to the outer columns, the load receiving platform can be lifted and lowered between a lowered position where it contacts the ground and a raised position where it is at the same height as the floor surface of the cargo bed.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Literature 1

Summary of Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described load receiving platform lifting device, when the load receiving platform is lowered to the lowered position, the lower surface of the slider may also contact the ground. In this case, repeated contact of the slider with the ground may cause damage to the slider.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a load receiving platform lifting device capable of suppressing damage to the slider.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] (1) The loading platform lifting device of the present disclosure comprises: an outer column fixed to a loading platform mounted on a vehicle body and extending in the vertical direction; a slider that is movable up and down with respect to the outer column; a loading platform whose base end is supported by the slider; a lifting mechanism that moves the slider up and down to raise and lower the loading platform between a raised position and a lowered position; and a cushioning member provided on the lower surface of the slider and which makes contact with the ground when the loading platform is in the lowered position.

[0007] According to the loading platform lifting device of this disclosure, when the loading platform is lowered to the lowered position, the cushioning member provided on the lower surface of the slider makes contact with the ground. This prevents the lower surface of the slider from making contact with the ground, thereby preventing damage to the slider.

[0008] (2) In the loading platform lifting device of (1) above, it is preferable that the slider is directly provided on the outer column. Generally, in load-receiving platform lifting devices where the slider is directly mounted on the outer column, the lower surface of the slider is more often in contact with the ground to lower the load-receiving platform than in load-receiving platform lifting devices where the slider is mounted on the outer column via an inner column. Therefore, by providing a cushioning member on the lower surface of the slider directly mounted on the outer column, damage to the slider can be effectively suppressed.

[0009] (3) In the loading platform lifting device of (1) or (2) above, the slider has a main body that moves up and down guided by the outer column, and a support part provided on the main body that supports the base end of the loading platform, and the cushioning member is preferably provided on at least the lower surface of the support part of the slider. In this case, a cushioning member is provided below the support point of the load-receiving platform at the slider's support section. This allows the impact generated at the support point when the load-receiving platform is lowered to its lowest position to be mitigated by the cushioning member. Therefore, damage to the slider can be suppressed while protecting the support point of the load-receiving platform at the support section.

[0010] (4) In the loading platform lifting device described in (3) above, it is preferable that the buffer member has a first buffer portion provided on the lower surface of the main body and a second buffer portion provided on the lower surface of the support portion. In this case, the first buffer can prevent damage to the main body of the slider, and the second buffer can prevent damage to the support part of the slider. Furthermore, the second buffer can protect the support point of the load-receiving platform at the support part of the slider. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The loading platform lifting device of this disclosure can prevent damage to the slider. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a side view of a freight vehicle equipped with a loading platform lifting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the rear of a cargo truck. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the operating status of the loading platform lifting device. [Figure 4] This is a side view of the loading platform lifting device. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part. [Figure 6] This is a bottom view of the slider. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. [Overall structure] Figure 1 is a side view of a truck 1 equipped with a loading platform lifting device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the rear of the truck 1 in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the loading platform lifting device 10 in use. In Figures 1 to 3, the truck 1 comprises a vehicle body 2 and a loading platform 3 mounted on the vehicle body 2. The loading platform 3 is formed in the shape of a box, for example, with an opening at the rear. The loading platform 3 has left and right side walls 3a, a top wall 3b, a floor surface 3c, and left and right opening and closing doors 3d.

[0014] Above the floor surface 3c, a loading space for cargo is formed by the left and right side walls 3a and the top wall 3b. The left and right opening doors 3d are rotatably mounted on each of the outer columns 11, which will be described later, and are capable of opening and closing the rear opening of the loading platform 3. By opening both opening doors 3d, workers can load and unload cargo from the rear opening of the loading platform 3. The loading platform 3 may be formed in the shape of a box with an opening at the top, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1 above.

[0015] A so-called vertical lifting type loading platform lifting device 10 is provided at the rear of the loading platform 3. The loading platform lifting device 10 is used when loading and unloading cargo from the rear of the loading platform 3 to the floor surface 3c of the loading platform 3. Figure 4 is a side view of the loading platform lifting device 10. In Figures 2 to 4, the loading platform lifting device 10 of this embodiment comprises a pair of outer columns 11, a pair of sliders 12, a loading platform 13, a luffing mechanism 14, a cross member 15, a lifting mechanism 16, and a pair of cushioning members 17.

[0016] Each of the pair of outer columns 11 is fixed to the rear end of each of the left and right side walls 3a of the cargo bed 3. Each outer column 11 is made of a hollow rectangular tube and extends vertically along the side wall 3a. The lower part of each outer column 11 protrudes below the cargo bed 3. A vertically extending slit 11b is formed in the lower part of the rear wall 11a of each outer column 11 (see also Figure 5).

[0017] Each of the pair of sliders 12 is provided directly on each outer column 11. Each slider 12 is vertically movable relative to the corresponding outer column 11. Each slider 12 includes a main body portion 21 provided on the outer column 11, and a support portion 25 provided on the main body portion 21 that supports a base end portion of the load receiver 13.

[0018] Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of Figure 2. In Figure 5, illustrations of the load receiver 13 and the undulation mechanism 14 are omitted. Figure 6 is a bottom view of the slider 12. In Figures 4 to 6, the main body portion 21 of the slider 12 includes a rear plate 22, a front plate 23, and a guide plate 24. The rear plate 22 and the front plate 23 are formed of metal plates extending in the vertical direction. The guide plate 24 is formed of a metal plate shorter in the vertical direction than the rear plate 22 and the front plate 23.

[0019] The rear plate 22 is disposed parallel to a rear wall 11a of the outer column 11. The front plate 23 is disposed perpendicular to the rear plate 22 and parallel to a side wall 11c of the outer column 11. The front plate 23 is fixed by welding or the like to a center portion in the left-right direction on a front surface of the rear plate 22. The guide plate 24 is fixed by welding or the like to a center portion in the left-right direction at a lower portion of a rear surface of the rear plate 22.

[0020] When the slider 12 moves vertically, the rear plate 22 and the front plate 23 move vertically within the outer column 11, and the guide plate 24 passes through a slit 11b of the outer column 11. A roller (not shown) that rolls against an inner surface of the outer column 11 is rotatably provided on the front plate 23. Accordingly, the main body portion 21 of the slider 12 moves vertically while being guided by the outer column 11.

[0021] The configuration of the main body portion 21 is not limited to the present embodiment. For example, instead of the rear plate 22 and the front plate 23, the main body portion 21 may be formed into a rectangular cylinder by a pair of front and rear metal plates and a pair of left and right metal plates. In that case, the guide plate 24 may be fixed to a rear surface of the rectangular cylinder.

[0022] When the guide plate 24 passes through the slit 11b of the outer column 11, the rear of the guide plate 24 protrudes behind the outer column 11. A support portion 25 is fixed to the rear of the guide plate 24. The support portion 25 has a pair of support plates 26, a connecting plate 27, and a support shaft 28.

[0023] Each support plate 26 and connecting plate 27 is made of metal. A pair of support plates 26 are arranged with a gap between them on the left and right. The connecting plate 27 is positioned between the front ends of the pair of support plates 26 and is fixed to each support plate 26 by welding or the like. In this way, the pair of support plates 26 are connected via the connecting plate 27.

[0024] One of the support plates 26 (the upper one in Figure 6) is fixed to the guide plate 24 of the main body 21. In this embodiment, the front side of the outer surface 26b of the one support plate 26 is fixed to the rear side 24b of the guide plate 24 by welding or the like. Therefore, the support portion 25 moves up and down together with the main body 21. The support shaft 28 extends in the left-right direction between the pair of support plates 26. Both the left and right ends of the support shaft 28 are fixed to the upper rear side of each support plate 26.

[0025] In Figures 2 to 4, the left and right ends of the base of the loading platform 13 are supported on the support shafts 28 of the support portions 25 of the pair of sliders 12 so as to be able to rise and fall. The loading platform 13 in this embodiment has brackets 13b at each of the left and right ends of its base. Each bracket 13b is supported on the support shaft 28 of each slider 12. The loading platform 13 further has a loading surface 13a on which loads are placed. A luffing mechanism 14 for luffing and falling is provided on the back side of the loading platform 13. The luffing mechanism 14 has a pair of left and right luffing cylinders 14a. The rod tips 14b of the luffing cylinders 14a are connected to the rear lower side of a pair of support plates 26. When the luffing cylinders 14a are extended or retracted, the loading platform 13 rises and falls.

[0026] When the lifting cylinder 14a is extended while the opening / closing door 3d of the loading platform 3 is closed, the loading platform 13 rotates upright around the support shaft 28 and is stored in an upright position behind the loading platform 3 (Figure 2). When the lifting cylinder 14a is retracted from this position, the loading platform 13 rotates down around the support shaft 28 and is placed in the downed position shown by the dashed line in Figure 4. When the loading platform 13 is in the downed position, the loading surface 13a of the loading platform 13 is horizontal and at approximately the same height as the floor surface 3c of the loading platform 3.

[0027] The cross member 15 is positioned between a pair of outer columns 11 and extends in the left-right direction. Both left and right ends of the cross member 15 are fixed to the lower part of each outer column 11, connecting the lower parts of both outer columns 11. The cross member 15 is formed in a hollow box shape. The upper surface 15a of the cross member 15 is flush with the floor surface 3c of the cargo bed 3. The internal space of the cross member 15 is in communication with the internal space of each outer column 11.

[0028] A lifting mechanism 16 is provided in the internal space of the outer column 11 and the cross member 15. The lifting mechanism 16 moves a slider 12 up and down relative to the outer column 11 in order to raise and lower the loading platform 13. The lifting mechanism 16 has a lifting cylinder 16a located inside the cross member 15, and a fixed sheave, a movable sheave, and a wire (not shown in the figure). The fixed sheave, movable sheave, and wire are a common configuration in vertical lifting mechanisms, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0029] When the lifting cylinder 16a is extended or retracted, each of the pair of sliders 12 moves up and down along each outer column 11 via wires wrapped around the fixed sheave and the movable sheave. This allows the load-receiving platform 13, which is in a collapsed position, to be raised and lowered between a raised position (indicated by the dashed line in Figure 4) and a lowered position (indicated by the solid line in Figure 4). When the load-receiving platform 13 is in the raised position, the load-receiving surface 13a of the load-receiving platform 13 is at the same height as the floor surface 3c of the loading platform 3 (the upper surface 15a of the cross member 15). When the load-receiving platform 13 is in the lowered position, the load-receiving platform 13 is in contact with the ground.

[0030] The configuration of the lifting mechanism 16 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the lifting mechanism 16 may be configured to have a lifting cylinder 16a inside each outer column 11, and the slider 12 may be moved up and down directly by the lifting cylinder 16a.

[0031] [Cushioning material] In Figures 4 and 6, the cushioning member 17 is provided on the lower surface 12a of each slider 12 and makes contact with the ground when the load receiving platform 13 is in the lowered position. The lower surface 12a of the slider 12 consists of the lower surface 21a of the main body 21 and the lower surface 25a of the support part 25. The cushioning member 17 of this embodiment has a first cushioning part 18 provided on the lower surface 21a of the main body 21 and a second cushioning part 19 provided on the lower surface 25a of the support part 25. The first cushioning part 18 and the second cushioning part 19 are made of an elastic material such as rubber.

[0032] The first buffer portion 18 is fixed to the entire lower surface 21a of the main body portion 21. The lower surface 21a of the main body portion 21 consists of the lower surface 22a of the rear plate 22, the lower surface 23a of the front plate 23, and the lower surface 24a of the guide plate 24. In this embodiment, the first buffer portion 18 is formed in a cross shape in a bottom view (Figure 6) to match the shape of the lower surface 21a of the main body portion 21. The first buffer portion 18 is fixed to the lower surfaces 22a, 23a, and 24a of the rear plate 22, the front plate 23, and the guide plate 24, respectively.

[0033] The configuration of the first buffer portion 18 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the first buffer portion 18 may be divided and fixed to the lower surfaces 22a, 23a, and 24a of the rear plate 22, the front plate 23, and the guide plate 24, respectively. Alternatively, the first buffer portion 18 may be fixed to at least one lower surface of the rear plate 22, the front plate 23, and the guide plate 24.

[0034] The second buffer portion 19 is fixed to the entire lower surface 25a of the support portion 25. The lower surface 25a of the support portion 25 consists of the lower surfaces 26a of the pair of support plates 26 and the lower surface 27a of the connecting plate 27. In this embodiment, the second buffer portion 19 is formed in a U-shape in a bottom view (Figure 6) to match the shape of the lower surface 25a of the support portion 25. The second buffer portion 19 is fixed to the lower surfaces 26a, 26a, 27a of the pair of support plates 26 and connecting plate 27, respectively.

[0035] The configuration of the second buffer portion 19 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the second buffer portion 19 may be divided and fixed to the lower surfaces 26a, 26a, 27a of the pair of support plates 26 and connecting plates 27, respectively. Alternatively, the second buffer portion 19 may be fixed to at least one lower surface of the pair of support plates 26 and connecting plates 27. Furthermore, the second buffer portion 19 may be integrated with the first buffer portion 18.

[0036] [Effects and Effects] According to the load-receiving platform lifting device 10 of this embodiment, when the slider 12 is lowered relative to the outer column 11 and the load-receiving platform 13 is lowered to the lowered position, the cushioning member 17 provided on the lower surface 12a of the slider 12 comes into contact with the ground. This prevents the lower surface 12a of the slider 12 from coming into contact with the ground, thereby preventing damage to the slider 12.

[0037] In particular, in a loading platform lifting device 10 in which the slider 12 is directly mounted on the outer column 11, as in this embodiment, there are more cases where the lower surface 12a of the slider 12 is brought to the ground to lower the loading platform 13 to the lower position, compared to a loading platform lifting device in which the slider is mounted on the outer column via an inner column, as in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1. Therefore, by providing a cushioning member 17 on the lower surface 12a of the slider 12 directly mounted on the outer column 11, damage to the slider 12 can be effectively suppressed.

[0038] The cushioning member 17 includes a first cushioning portion 18 provided on the lower surface 21a of the main body portion 21 of the slider 12, and a second cushioning portion 19 provided on the lower surface 25a of the support portion 25 of the slider 12. This allows the first cushioning portion 18 to prevent damage to the main body portion 21 of the slider 12, and the second cushioning portion 19 to prevent damage to the support portion 25 of the slider 12. Furthermore, when the load receiving platform 13 is lowered to the lowered position, the impact generated at the support point (support shaft 28) of the load receiving platform 13 on the support portion 25 can be mitigated by the second cushioning portion 19. This protects the support point of the support portion 25 from the second cushioning portion 19. In addition, when the load receiving platform 13 is lowered to the lowered position, the impact generated at the base end portion (bracket 13b) of the load receiving platform 13 and the rod tip portion 14b of the luffing cylinder 14a can also be mitigated by the second cushioning portion 19. This allows the base end of the loading platform 13 and the luffing mechanism 14 (luffing cylinder 14a) to be protected by the second buffer portion 19.

[0039] When the loading platform 13 is lowered to the lowered position, if the guide plate 24 of the slider 12 is bent due to the impact of contact with the ground, there is a risk that the guide plate 24 may not be able to pass through the slit 11b of the outer column 11 when raising the loading platform 13 from the lowered position, making it impossible to raise the loading platform 13. In contrast, in this embodiment, the bending deformation of the guide plate 24 when the loading platform 13 is lowered to the lowered position can be suppressed by the first buffer portion 18. This effectively prevents the loading platform 13 from being unable to be raised due to the bending deformation of the guide plate 24.

[0040] [others] In the above embodiment, the load-receiving platform lifting device 10 has the slider 12 directly attached to the outer column 11. However, similar to the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the slider 12 may be attached to the outer column 11 via an inner column.

[0041] The configuration of the cushioning member 17 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in this embodiment, the cushioning member 17 is provided on the lower surfaces 21a and 25a of the main body 21 and support portion 25 of the slider 12, but it is sufficient if it is provided on at least the lower surface 25a of the support portion 25.

[0042] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims, not in the sense described above, and is intended to include all modifications in the sense and scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 2 car bodies 3. Cargo bed 10 Loading platform lifting device 11 Outer Column 12 sliders 12a Bottom side 13 Loading platform 16 Lifting mechanism 17. Cushioning material 18 1st buffer section 19 Second buffer section 21 Main body 21a Bottom side 25 Support part 25a Bottom side

Claims

1. An outer column is fixed to the cargo bed mounted on the vehicle body and extends vertically, A slider that can move up and down relative to the outer column, A loading platform whose base end is supported by the slider, A lifting mechanism that moves the slider up and down to raise and lower the loading platform between a raised position and a lowered position, A loading platform lifting device comprising: a buffer member provided on the lower surface of the slider, which makes contact with the ground when the loading platform is in the lowered position.

2. The loading platform lifting device according to claim 1, wherein the slider is directly provided on the outer column.

3. The aforementioned slider is The main body is guided up and down by the outer column, The main body is provided with a support portion that supports the base end of the loading platform, The loading platform lifting device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the buffer member is provided on at least the lower surface of the support portion of the slider.

4. The loading platform lifting device according to claim 3, wherein the buffer member comprises a first buffer portion provided on the lower surface of the main body portion and a second buffer portion provided on the lower surface of the support portion.

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