cart

Abstract

To provide a cart capable of minimizing the space of a storage place.SOLUTION: A pair of cart units 2, 2, left and right, each of which has casters 4 and a plurality of stages of division placement portions 6 are connected by connecting members 3 so as to be relatively movable in forward and backward directions and separable a predetermined distance from each other in leftward and rightward directions; and a plurality of stages of article placement portions 7 are composed by the pairs of division placement portions 6, left and right.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a foldable and nestable cart.

[0002] In stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, carts such as those described in Patent Document 1 are used to transport and stock products stored in the back yard into the store. The carts described in Patent Document 1 cannot be folded or nested, so a large amount of storage space is required to store multiple carts. For this reason, in cases where a large back yard cannot be secured, such as in small urban stores, it is not possible to increase the amount of products in stock and the storage space cannot be used effectively.

[0003] As a solution to such problems, for example, Patent Document 2 describes a nestable cart that has multiple support shelves attached facing each other to four pillars attached to the four corners of a lower frame and an upper frame that are formed in an approximately Z-shape when viewed from above. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-33581 (page 2, figure 1) [Patent Document 2] CD-ROM (page 6, Figure 12) of Japanese Utility Model Application No. 3-33436 (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 6-51049) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the cart described in Patent Document 2, multiple carts can be nested for storage, making it possible to reduce the storage space required compared to the cart described in Patent Document 1. However, this not only increases the lateral width of the cart itself, but also increases the lateral dimension when nested, resulting in a problem that storage space cannot be used effectively in small urban stores that cannot secure a large back yard.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a cart that can minimize the space required for storage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the cart of the present invention comprises: A pair of left and right cart units each having casters and a plurality of divided loading sections are connected to each other by a connecting member so that they can move relatively in the front-rear direction and can be separated from each other by a predetermined distance to the left and right, and the plurality of article loading sections are formed by the pair of left and right divided loading sections. In the cart, The divided placement section has a narrow portion in the center in the front-rear direction, and a protruding piece is formed in the narrow portion so as to protrude in the direction opposite the other divided placement section, and when the cart units are folded together, the protruding piece abuts against the front and rear end portions which protrude more in the opposite direction than the narrow portion. It is characterized by the following. According to this feature, the left and right cart units connected by the connecting member are moved relatively in the front-rear direction to approach or abut against each other, so that the left-right width of the cart can be made smaller than the predetermined dimension when in use when not in use and folded. Therefore, the storage space for the cart can be reduced and the storage space can be used effectively. In addition, since the left and right cart units are folded with a shift between them in the front-rear direction, multiple carts can be effectively nested with a small distance between them in the front-rear direction.

[0008] The left and right cart units each have a pair of front and rear pillars supporting the item loading section, and the ends of the connecting member are rotatably connected to the front and rear pillars of the left and right cart units. According to this feature, the ends of the connecting member are connected to a pair of front and rear support columns of the left and right cart units, so that the connecting strength between the left and right cart units is increased.

[0009] The connecting member is characterized in that it is connected to at least the upper and lower portions of the support column. According to this feature, the strength of the connection between the left and right cart units is increased.

[0010] The support is a tubular support, and a pipe material to which an end of the connecting member is fixed is rotatably fitted into the tubular support located between the divided mounting sections facing each other above and below. According to this feature, the connecting member can be easily connected to the front and rear columns in a rotatable manner by simply fitting the tubular members with the ends of the connecting member fixed to the left and right tubular columns. Also, because the tubular members that are integral with the connecting member are fitted to the tubular columns, the strength of the connection between the left and right cart units is further increased, and wobbling of the cart is prevented.

[0011] The divided loading section has a narrow portion in the center in the fore-and-aft direction, and a protruding piece is formed in the narrow portion that protrudes in the opposite direction to the other divided loading section, and when the cart units are folded together, the protruding piece abuts against the fore-and-aft end portions which protrude more in the opposite direction than the narrow portion. According to this feature, when not in use, the cart can be folded with its left-right width made smaller than the specified dimension when in use, while still ensuring a sufficient distance between the cart units so that they can stand stably and independently.

[0012] The cart unit is characterized by including a locking means for preventing relative movement of the cart units and for holding the cart in a usable state. This feature prevents accidental folding of the cart when in use.

[0013] The locking means is constituted by rods, one end of which is journalled to the cart unit and each having an engagement portion formed at its free end, and the engagement portions of these rods engage with each other in a straight line that intersects obliquely with the cart unit. According to this feature, when the cart is in use, the rods function like diagonal braces, reinforcing the structural strength of the cart which is formed by connecting separate cart units.

[0014] The locking means comprises a linear member attached to the divided support portion so as to be rotatable up and down, and the linear member is characterized in that a recess is formed in the linear member into which the connecting member can be fitted from above when the linear member is rotated downward. According to this feature, the cart can be easily locked in a usable state by simply rotating the linear member downward and fitting the recess into the connecting member from above.

[0015] The linear member has an inclined portion that comes into contact with the connecting member and is flipped up when the cart unit is moved relatively to the usage state, and when the cart unit is put into the usage state, the flipped up linear member rotates downward and the recess engages with the connecting member from above. According to this feature, the cart can be automatically locked in the usage state simply by moving the cart unit relatively, thereby improving usability.

[0016] The pair of left and right divided loading sections that constitute the article loading section are characterized in that they are formed with regulating sections that regulate the movement of the tray member loaded thereon in at least one of the left-right and front-rear directions. According to this feature, by placing the tray member on the pair of left and right divided mounting sections, the tray member restricts the relative movement between the pair of left and right cart units, thereby increasing the structural strength of the cart when unfolded and in use. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cart according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a used state. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the cart in the middle of being folded. [Diagram 3] 11 is a perspective view showing a part of the upper side of the left and right cart units. FIG. [Figure 4] 11 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a connecting portion between the left and right cart units. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a perspective view of the main parts when the left and right cart units are locked in a use state by the locking means. FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is a perspective view of the main parts in a state where the locking means is unlocked and the left and right cart units are folded. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a locking means attachment portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 shows the operating state of the locking means when the cart unit is automatically locked, where (a) is the state before the connecting member comes into contact with the locking means, (b) is the state when the locking means comes into contact with the connecting member and is flipped up, and (c) is a perspective view of the main parts showing the state when the recess of the locking means fits into the connecting member from above and is automatically locked. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cart in a folded state. [Figure 10] This is a plan view of four carts nested in the front-to-rear direction. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a connecting portion between a connecting member and a support column of a cart according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the cart according to the third embodiment in a folded state. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the cart according to the third embodiment in a used state. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the cart according to the third embodiment in an intermediate state. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a modified example of the cart according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A cart according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. EXAMPLES

[0019] A cart according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 8. The cart 1 according to the first embodiment is configured by connecting the upper and lower parts of a pair of left and right cart units 2, 2 with four connecting members 3 so that they can move relatively in the front-rear direction and are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance to the left and right.

[0020] The left and right cart units 2, 2 each include a pair of front and rear metal tubular supports 5, 5 with casters 4 attached to the lower ends thereof, and a synthetic resin divided loading section 6 with multiple upper and lower stages (eight stages in this embodiment) supported by the front and rear tubular supports 5, 5. The left and right opposing divided loading sections 6, 6 of the cart units 2, 2 form a multiple-stage article loading section 7 on which, for example, tray members T can be placed (see Figs. 3 and 4).

[0021] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, at the opposing portions of the left and right divided placement sections 6, 6, stepped portions 6a, 6a that are recessed downward are formed inwardly, except at the front and rear ends. The front and rear ends of the stepped portions 6a, 6a have a large inward protruding dimension in order to increase the support area of ​​the tray member T. The upward side wall portions 6b, 6b formed at the base of the stepped portions 6a, 6a serve as left-right direction restricting portions that restrict the left-right movement of the tray member T placed on the article placement section 7, and the upward front-rear wall portions 6c, 6c formed at the front and rear ends of the stepped portions 6a, 6a serve as front-rear direction restricting portions that restrict the front-rear movement of the tray member T.

[0022] Cylindrical portions 6d, 6d that are fitted to the tubular support 5 are integrally formed on the outer surfaces of both front and rear ends of the left and right divided mounting portions 6, 6. A synthetic resin spacing tube 8 is fitted to the tubular support 5 between the divided mounting portions 6, 6 that face each other vertically, except for the mounting portion of the connecting member 3, so that the spacing between the upper and lower divided mounting portions 6, 6 is maintained. Pipe members 9, 9 made of metal pipes fixed to both ends of the connecting member 3 are rotatably fitted to the tubular support 5 between the divided mounting portions 6, 6 that face each other vertically at the mounting portion of the connecting member 3. These pipe members 9, 9 also function as spacing tubes that maintain the spacing between the upper and lower divided mounting portions 6, 6. Both ends of the connecting member 3 made of metal pipes are fixed to the opposing surfaces of the upper ends of the left and right pipe members 9, 9 by welding, so that the pipe members 9, 9 and the connecting member 3 are substantially integral (see FIG. 4).

[0023] As shown in Fig. 3, rubber elastic tubular cushioning materials 10 are slightly compressed and fitted to the tubular support 5 between the cylindrical parts 6d, 6d of the left and right divided mounting parts 6 in the top stage and the spacing tubes 8, 8. The tubular cushioning materials 10 are intended to absorb the expansion and contraction differences that occur between the synthetic resin cylindrical parts 6d and the spacing tubes 8 due to temperature differences, thereby preventing rattling. A flanged cap 11 is fitted to the upper end of the uppermost cylindrical part 6d, and this cap 11 is fixed by a bolt 12 that is screwed from above into a female screw member (not shown) that is press-fitted into the upper end of the tubular support 5. This cap 11 prevents all the spacing tubes 8 and tubular materials 9 and all the divided mounting parts 6, 6 from coming off the tubular support 5.

[0024] The tubular material 9 integral with the connecting member 3 is rotatably fitted to the upper and lower parts of the four tubular struts 5 on the front, rear, left and right sides, i.e., in this embodiment, the tubular struts 5 between the bottommost divided mounting portion 6 and the second divided mounting portion 6, and the tubular struts 5 between the sixth divided mounting portion 6 and the seventh divided mounting portion 6 (see Fig. 1). As shown in detail in Fig. 4, the tubular material 9 is fitted to the tubular struts 5 in a state in which it can rotate smoothly via sliding bearings 20, which are flanged cylinders with a low coefficient of friction attached to the top and bottom ends.

[0025] 5 to 8, a metal wire linear member 13 serving as a locking means is attached to the inner surface (left side surface) of the rear end of the divided mounting portion 6, which is fitted into the right tubular support 5 on the rear side immediately above the upper and lower connecting members 3. As shown enlarged in Fig. 7, this linear member 13 has a pair of front and rear mounting portions 13a, 13a connected outwardly in the front-rear direction to the upper free end, an upward recess 13b formed in the center in the front-rear direction and capable of fitting into the connecting member 3 from above when the cart 1 is in the usable state, and an inclined portion 13c that slopes obliquely up and down from the front mounting portion 13a toward the front lower end of the recess 13b.

[0026] A pair of front and rear L-shaped mounting brackets 14, 14 for mounting the linear member 13 are screwed to the inner surface of the divided mounting portion 6. The linear member 13 is supported so as to rotate vertically about the mounting portions 13a, 13a by loosely fitting the mounting portions 13a, 13a into the inward pieces 14a, 14a of the mounting brackets 14, 14 while elastically deforming the linear member 13 inward. The linear member 13 is always supported in a state of hanging downward due to its own weight. The mounting portion 13a protruding from the inward piece 14a of the mounting bracket 14 has an annular groove (not shown), and a snap ring 15 is fitted into this annular groove to prevent the mounting portion 13a from coming off.

[0027] 5, when the upper and lower linear members 13 (only the upper parts are shown) are rotated downward with the cart 1 deployed to the usage state and the recessed parts 13b are fitted into the connecting member 3 from above, the horizontal rotation of the upper and lower connecting members 3 is prevented and the relative movement in the front-rear direction of the left and right cart units 2, 2 is locked. Also, when the linear members 13 are rotated upward and the recessed parts 13b are disengaged from the connecting member 3, the relative movement in the front-rear direction of the left and right cart units 2, 2 is permitted and the cart 1 can be folded with the left and right divided mounting parts 6, 6 close to or in contact with each other.

[0028] When the folded cart 1 is unfolded to the usage state, it can be automatically locked by the linear member 13. That is, when the cart units 2, 2 are moved relatively forward and backward from the folded state shown in Fig. 8(a), the horizontal rotational movement of the connecting member 3 causes the connecting member 3 to come into contact with the inclined portion 13c of the linear member 13, and the linear member 13 is flipped up, as shown in Fig. 8(b). When the cart units 2, 2 are further moved relatively to a position where the connecting member 3 faces the recessed portion 13b of the linear member 13, the linear member 13 rotates downward due to its own weight, and the recessed portion 13b fits into the connecting member 3 from above, as shown in Fig. 8(c). As a result, the cart 1 is automatically locked in the usage state.

[0029] As described above, in the cart 1 according to the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, the pair of left and right cart units 2, 2 are moved relatively in the front-rear direction to bring the divided placement sections 6, 6 close to or into contact with each other, so that the left-right width of the cart 1 can be made smaller than a predetermined dimension when in use and folded when not in use. Therefore, the storage space for the cart 1 can be reduced, and the storage space can be used effectively. In addition, since the cart units 2, 2 are folded with a shift between each other in the front-rear direction, multiple carts 1 can be effectively nested with a small distance between them in the front-rear direction, as shown in Fig. 10.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, when multiple carts 1 are nested, the front and rear end portions 6f of adjacent carts 1, sandwiching the narrow portions 6e therebetween, are inserted inside the narrow portions 6e formed in the opposing portions of the left and right divided loading portions 6, 6, thereby suppressing relative movement in the front and rear directions between adjacent carts 1 during nesting.

[0031] Both ends of the connecting member 3 are connected to the upper and lower parts of the front and rear tubular posts 5 of the cart units 2, 2, and a tubular material 9 of a predetermined length that is substantially integral with the connecting member 3 is fitted into the tubular post 5, which increases the connection strength between the left and right cart units 2, 2 and prevents the cart 1 from wobbling during use. In addition, simply by fitting the tubular material 9 into the tubular post 5, the connecting member 3 can be easily connected to the front and rear tubular posts 5, 5 in a rotatable manner.

[0032] The linear member 13 (locking means) prevents the left and right cart units 2, 2 from moving relative to each other and locks the cart 1 in the usage state, so the cart 1 will not be folded up accidentally when in use. Also, the cart 1 can be automatically locked in the usage state by simply unfolding the cart unit 2 into the usage state, improving usability.

[0033] The pair of left and right divided loading sections 6, 6 that make up the article loading section 7 are formed with regulating sections, namely side wall sections 6b and front and rear wall sections 6c, that regulate the left-right and front-rear movement of the tray member T placed on the article loading section 7. Therefore, the relative movement of the left and right cart units 2, 2 is also regulated by the tray member T placed on the article loading section 7, thereby increasing the structural strength of the cart 1 when in use when unfolded.

[0034] Although an example has been described in which the connecting member 3 is fixed to the left and right pipe materials 9, 9 by welding, the connecting member may also be rotatably attached to the left and right pipe materials, in which case the left and right pipe materials may be fixed non-rotatably to the tubular support 5. EXAMPLES

[0035] A cart according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, a long and thin flat connecting member 16 is used instead of the connecting member 3 in the first embodiment, and the through holes 16b drilled in the circular parts 16a at both ends of the connecting member 16 are fitted into the tubular supports 5. The circular parts 16a fitted into the tubular supports 5 are sandwiched between two spacer tubes 8, 8, one above the other, so that both ends of the connecting member 16 can be directly connected to the left and right tubular supports 5. When such a connecting member 16 is used, there is no need to fix the pipe material 9 to the ends of the connecting member 3 as in the first embodiment, and therefore the welding process and the number of parts can be reduced, leading to cost reduction. EXAMPLES

[0036] A cart according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 12 to 14. The same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again. In this embodiment, a stopper mechanism 21 is used instead of the locking means (linear member 13, mounting brackets 14, 14) in the first embodiment. The stopper mechanism 21 is composed of two rods 22A, 22B, and shaft holes 23, 23 are formed in one end of the rods 22A, 22B, penetrating in the vertical direction, and is rotatably supported by a tubular support 5 between the second-highest divided placement sections 6, 6 and the tubes 9, 9. More specifically, the stopper mechanism 21 is disposed above a sliding bearing 20 (see Fig. 4) attached to the upper end of the tube 9 (not shown).

[0037] As shown in Fig. 12, the other free ends of the rods 22A and 22B are provided with engaging portions 24 and 25 that can engage with each other. The engaging portion 24 at the other end of the rod 22A is pin-shaped extending upward, and the engaging portion 25 at the other end of the rod 22B is hook-shaped so that the pin-shaped engaging portion 24 fits into a recess and engages with it. Although not shown here, the pin-shaped engaging portion 24 is generally T-shaped when viewed from the front, and has a head portion at the upper end that is wider than the recess of the engaging portion 25, so that the engaging portion 24 and the engaging portion 25 are configured so that their engagement state cannot be released in the vertical direction.

[0038] One of the rods 22A is pivotally supported by one of the left and right tubular struts 5 (here, the lower left side of the paper in FIG. 12) of one of the divided mounting sections 6, and the other rod 22B is pivotally supported by one of the left and right tubular struts 5 (here, the upper right side of the paper in FIG. 12) of the other divided mounting section 60. As shown in FIG. 13, when the cart 1 is deployed in the usage state, the rods 22A, 22B cross the cart units 2, 2 at an angle to form a straight line, and the engaging sections 24, 25 engage with each other. In other words, when the cart 1 is in the usage state, the rods 22A, 22B function like diagonal braces, reinforcing the structural strength of the cart 1 formed by connecting the separate cart units 2, 2.

[0039] Additionally, pins 26, 27 protruding upward are formed on the central sides of the rods 22A, 22B. The pins 26 are disposed so as to abut against the inside of the narrow portion 60e of the divided mounting portion 60, and define the range of outward rotation of the rods 22A, 22B in the folded state shown in Fig. 12 and in the intermediate state shown in Fig. 14, which will be described later.

[0040] 13, in a use state where the engaging portions 24, 25 of the rods 22A, 22B are engaged with each other, the pin portion 27 is inserted into a recess 30 that is formed opening on the underside of the divided mounting portion 60 and extends forward and backward, and its movement is restricted within this recess 30. In this state, the pin portion 27 is in contact with the inner surface 30a of the recess 30, and the rotation of the rods 22A, 22B in the upright direction relative to the divided mounting portions 60, 60 is restricted. In other words, to engage the engaging portions 24, 25 of the rods 22A, 22B with each other, the pin portion 27 is pressed against the inner surface 30a, and the elastic deformation of the inner surface 30a of the recess 30 causes the rods 22A, 22B to temporarily rotate in an upright direction relative to the divided mounting portions 60, 60 from the in-use state, and then the rods 22A, 22B are engaged in a lying direction relative to the divided mounting portions 60, 60. In this way, the engagement state of the engaging portions 24, 25 is such that the pin portion 27 is regulated by the plate portion having the inner surface 30a of the recess 30, maintaining the positions of the rods 22A, 22B, and the shape of the cart 1 in its in-use state can be maintained.

[0041] The narrow portions 60e of the divided mounting portions 60, 60 are each formed with a protruding piece 60h, 60h that protrudes in the opposing direction, and these protruding pieces 60h, 60h are formed with a dimension that allows them to be spaced apart from the narrow portions 60e of the opposing divided mounting portions 60 when the cart 1 is in use, and when the cart 1 is in the folded state as shown in Figure 12, they abut against the narrow portions 60e of the divided mounting portions 60, allowing the cart units 2, 2 to be positioned relative to each other in the folded state.

[0042] 14, when the cart units 2, 2 are moved from the folded state of the cart 1 to the opposite side from the use state, the protruding pieces 60h, 60h come into contact with the front and rear ends 60f, 60f that protrude more in the opposing direction than the narrow width part 60e at the front and rear ends of the divided loading section 60, and the distance between the cart units 2, 2 is longer than in the folded state, and the cart 1 itself can be made more stable in its own self-supporting state than in the folded state. In this way, an intermediate state between the use state and the folded state can be achieved, and the left and right width of the cart 1 can be simply reduced while still being able to stably stand on its own.

[0043] As described above, since the shape of the cart 1 in use can be maintained by engaging the engaging portions 24, 25 of the rods 22A, 22B with each other, the linear member 13 and the connecting member 3 as the locking means may be omitted. In addition, in the third embodiment, the connecting member 3 is bridged between the pipes 9, 9 pivotally supported by the tubular supports 5, 5 at positions opposing each other on the left and right when the cart 1 is in use, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured such that the connecting member 33 is bridged between a pair of pipes 9, 9 pivotally supported by the tubular supports 5, 5 at positions opposing each other diagonally when the cart 1 is in use, as in a modified example shown in Fig. 15.

[0044] 15, both ends of the connecting member 33 are pivotally supported by a pair of tubular posts 5, 5 different from those on which the rods 22A, 22B are pivotally supported, and when the cart 1 is in use, the stopper mechanism 21 and the connecting member 33 intersect. This makes it difficult for the connecting member 33 to impede the insertion and removal of the tray member T from the front and rear when the cart 1 is in use, and ensures the durability of the shape in use.

[0045] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention also includes modifications and additions that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0046] For example, in the above embodiment, the connecting member 3 is connected to the tubular support 5 of the cart unit 2, but in cases where structural strength is not required as much, such as in the case of a low-height cart or a cart for transporting lightweight objects, the front and rear ends of the left and right divided loading sections 6, 6 may be connected to each other by the connecting member 3.

[0047] In addition, in the above embodiment, both ends of the connecting member 3 are cylindrical or annular and fitted onto the tubular support 5 so that the connecting member 3 cannot come off from the tubular support 5. However, for example, the ends of the connecting member 3 may be made approximately C-shaped so that the connecting member 3 can be made detachable from the tubular support 5.

[0048] In addition, in the above embodiment, the connecting member 3 is connected to the upper and lower parts of the tubular support 5, but the connecting member 3 may also be connected to the middle part of the tubular support 5.

[0049] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the linear member 13 as a locking means is attached only to the inner surface of the rear end of the right divided loading section 6, but linear members 13 may also be attached to the front end of the right divided loading section 6 and to both the front and rear ends of the left divided loading section 6, thereby simultaneously preventing horizontal rotation of the front and rear connecting members 3 and enabling the cart 1 to be securely locked in the usage state.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the left and right divided placement portions 6 are provided with the side walls 6b and the front and rear walls 6c for restricting the movement of the tray member T in the front, rear, left and right directions, but either one of them may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1 Cart 2 Cart Unit 3 Connecting members 4 Caster 5 Tubular struts 6 Separate placement section 6a Step 6b Side wall part (regulating part) 6c Front and rear walls (regulating part) 6d Cylindrical section 6e Narrow part 6f Front and rear ends 7. Item placement section 8 Spacing tube 9 Tube material 10 Tubular cushioning material 11 Cap 12 Volts 13 Linear members 13a Mounting part 13b Recess 13c Slope 14 Mounting bracket 14a Inward piece 15 Snap ring 16 Connecting members 16a Circular section 16b Through hole 20 Plain bearing 21 Stopper mechanism 22A, 22B Rod material 23, 23 shaft hole 24, 25 Engagement part Pins 26 and 27 30 Recess 30a Inside surface 33 Connecting members 60 Divided placement section 60e narrow section 60h protruding piece 60f front and rear ends T Tray material

Claims

1. A pair of left and right cart units each having casters and a plurality of divided loading sections are connected by a connecting member so as to be movable relative to each other in the front-rear direction and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance to the left and right, and a plurality of article loading sections are formed by the pair of left and right divided loading sections, A cart characterized in that the divided loading portion has a narrow portion in the center in the front-to-rear direction, and a protruding piece is formed in the narrow portion that protrudes in the opposite direction to the other divided loading portion, and when the cart units are folded together, the protruding piece abuts against the front and rear end portions that protrude in the opposite direction more than the narrow portion.

2. The cart described in claim 1, characterized in that the left and right cart units have a pair of front and rear pillars supporting the item loading section, and ends of the connecting member are rotatably connected to the front and rear pillars of the left and right cart units.

3. 3. The cart of claim 2, wherein the connecting member is connected to at least the upper and lower portions of the support columns.

4. A cart as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the support pillar is a tubular support pillar, and a pipe material to which an end of the connecting member is fixed is rotatably fitted into the tubular support pillar located between the divided mounting sections facing each other above and below.

5. 5. A cart according to claim 1, further comprising a locking means for preventing relative movement of the cart units and for holding the cart in a usable state.

6. A cart as described in claim 5, characterized in that the locking means is constituted by rods each having one end journalled to the cart unit and each having an engagement portion formed at its free end, and the engagement portions of these rods engage with each other in a straight line that intersects obliquely with the cart unit.

7. The cart described in claim 5, characterized in that the locking means comprises a linear member attached to the divided loading portion so as to be rotatable up and down, and the linear member has a recess formed therein that can engage with the connecting member from above when rotated downward.

8. The cart described in claim 7, characterized in that the linear member has an inclined portion that comes into contact with the connecting member and is flipped up when the cart unit is moved relatively to the usage state, and when the cart unit is placed in the usage state, the flipped up linear member rotates downward and the recess engages with the connecting member from above.

9. A cart as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the pair of left and right divided loading sections that constitute the article loading section are formed with a regulating portion that regulates movement of the tray member loaded thereon in at least one of the left-right and front-to-rear directions.

Images