Cart transport auxiliary vehicle

Abstract

To easily hold two dollies in a parallel conveyance state and easily release the dollies held in the parallel conveyance state therefrom at the time of assisting parallel conveyance of the two dollies.SOLUTION: In a second bar 20 present in a region where two dollies are held, two guides 40 each including a contact portion 41 disposed in parallel with the second bar 20 at a position separated from the second bar 20 by a distance D1 are provided at an end portion at a first bar 10 side, and two guides 50 each including a contact portion 51 separated from the second bar 20 by a distance L1 and disposed in parallel with the second bar 20 are attached to an end portion on the opposite side of the first bar 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cart transport assistant vehicle that assists the parallel transport of two carts. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in retail stores such as supermarkets, logistics centers, or factories, etc., carts with metal pipes standing on a bottom plate have been used to transport and store goods, objects, and parts. As such carts, six-wheel carts are generally used, which have a rectangular bottom plate, and have swivel wheels whose orientation can be changed attached to each of the four corners of the bottom plate, and fixed wheels whose diameter is larger than that of the swivel wheels and whose orientation is fixed with the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate as the traveling direction attached to the approximately center of the long side of the bottom plate. In recent years, it has been considered to improve efficiency by arranging two carts in parallel for transportation, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

[0003] The device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a plurality of connectors that can engage with carts and are movably mounted on a rail member, and each of the plurality of connectors is engaged with a cart that is transported in parallel, thereby transporting two carts in parallel, lined up in parallel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-40510 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, moving a dolly is difficult, especially when the total weight of the loaded goods is large. In particular, as described above, in a six-wheel dolly having a rectangular bottom plate, with swivel wheels whose orientation can be changed attached to each of the four corners of the bottom plate, and fixed wheels whose diameter is larger than that of the swivel wheels and whose orientation does not change with the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate as the travel direction attached to the approximate center of the long side of the bottom plate, the fixed wheels are always in contact with the ground, and the direction is changed by the swivel wheels being in contact with the ground or not, so that the corners of the bottom plate are swung outward relative to the fixed wheels when changing direction.

[0006] This makes it difficult to hold the two carts in a state in which they are being transported in parallel, and to remove the carts from that state, and there is a risk that the goods or items loaded on the two carts will collide with each other, causing an accident.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems associated with the conventional technology as described above, and aims to provide a cart transport auxiliary vehicle that, when assisting the parallel transport of two carts, can easily hold two carts in a state for transporting them in parallel, and can easily remove the carts from that held state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides A cart transport auxiliary vehicle has a rectangular bottom plate, and a swivel wheel whose orientation can be changed is attached to each of the four corners of the bottom plate, and a fixed wheel whose orientation is invariable with the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate as the travel direction is attached to an approximately central portion of the long side of the bottom plate, and the fixed wheel holds two carts that are transported with the fixed wheel always in contact with the ground, thereby assisting in the parallel transport of the two carts, a first bar that is configured to be attached to a moving vehicle for transporting the carts, and against which one of the short sides of the bottom plate abuts when the two carts are arranged side by side; a second bar having one end connected to a central portion of the first bar, extending from the connecting portion in a direction opposite to the moving vehicle by at least the length of the long side of the bottom plate, and having wheels attached to its underside; two first guides provided at or near the connection portion, each having an abutment portion parallel to the second bar at a position spaced a first distance from the second bar in the direction in which the first bar extends; two second guides attached to the second bar at a predetermined interval from the first guide on a side opposite to the connection portion from the first guide, each of which has an abutment portion parallel to the second bar at a position spaced apart by the first distance from the second bar in the direction in which the first bar extends; and two third guides attached to the first bar, each having an abutment portion parallel to the second bar and facing the abutment portion of the first guide at a position spaced apart from the abutment portion of the first guide by the length of the short side of the bottom plate in a direction away from the second bar; The abutment portions of the first, second and third guides and the first bar abut against the bottom plate of the carriage to hold the two carriages.

[0009] In the present invention configured as described above, the trolleys are held on the trolley transport auxiliary vehicle with the bottom plates of the two trolleys abutting the abutment portions of the first, second and third guides, as well as the first bar, respectively, and the parallel transport of the two trolleys is assisted by the trolley transport auxiliary vehicle. However, since there is a second bar between the two trolleys, the goods or items carried on the parallel trolleys will not collide with each other when the two trolleys are held in a state for transporting in parallel, or when the trolleys are removed from the held state. In addition, two first guides are provided at or near the connection between the first bar and the second bar, each having an abutment portion parallel to the second bar at a position a first distance away from the second bar in the direction in which the first bar extends, and two second guides are attached to the second bar on the opposite side of the connection from the first bar, at a predetermined interval from the first guide and abutting portions parallel to the second bar at a first distance away from the second bar. Therefore, when holding the two carts in a state in which they are transported in parallel or when the carts are released from the held state, the corners of the bottom plate can be swung toward the second bar by the first distance between the first guide and the second guide with respect to the holding area of ​​the cart surrounded by the abutment portions of the first, second and third guides and the first bar, as the direction of the cart is changed. This makes it possible to easily hold the two carts in a state in which they are transported in parallel and to easily release the carts from the held state.

[0010] Furthermore, if the second guide is attached in a position where the bottom plate of the trolley does not abut the first guide when the fixed wheels of the trolley are lined up with the second guide in the direction in which the first bar extends, then the corners of the bottom plate can be swung toward the second bar by a first distance between the first guide and the second guide as the direction of the trolley is changed, relative to approximately the central portion of the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate, which is less likely to shift in the short direction of the bottom plate due to the fixed wheels being attached.This makes it easier to hold the two trolleys in a state in which they are being transported in parallel, and to remove the trolleys from that held state.

[0011] Furthermore, if the end of the first guide opposite the first bar to the abutment portion of the first guide is connected to the second bar via an inclined surface that is oblique to the extension direction of the first and second bars, when holding the two carts in a state for transporting in parallel, the corner of the bottom plate can be guided to the abutment portion of the first guide by sliding it over the side of the second bar and this inclined surface.

[0012] Furthermore, if the distance from the first bar of the abutment portion of the third guide to the end opposite the first bar is longer than the distance from the first bar of the abutment portion of the first guide to the end opposite the first bar, the bottom plate will be more likely to fit between the first guide and the third guide.

[0013] In addition, if wheels are attached to the underside of the first bar near both ends, tilting of the first bar can be prevented. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, the second bar is present between the areas where the two carts are held, and two first guides are provided at or near the connection between the first bar and the second bar, each having an abutment portion parallel to the second bar at a position spaced a first distance from the second bar, and two second guides are attached to the second bar on the opposite side of the connection from the first guide, at a predetermined interval from the first guide, and each having an abutment portion parallel to the second bar at a first distance from the second bar. This makes it possible to hold two carts side by side. When holding the trolleys in a state for transporting in a line or when removing the trolleys from the held state, the goods and items carried on the parallel trolleys do not collide with each other, and further, with respect to the abutment portions of the first, second and third guides and the holding area of ​​the trolley surrounded by the first bar, the corners of the bottom plate can be swung toward the second bar by a first distance between the first guide and the second guide as the trolley changes direction, thereby making it possible to easily hold the two trolleys in a state for transporting in parallel and to easily remove the trolleys from the held state.

[0015] In addition, in the case where the second guide is attached in a position where the bottom plate of the trolley does not abut the first guide when the fixed wheel of the trolley is lined up with the second guide in the direction in which the first bar extends, the fixed wheel makes it possible for the corners of the bottom plate to swing toward the second bar by a first distance between the first guide and the second guide as the direction of the trolley is changed, relative to approximately the central portion of the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate which is less likely to shift in the short direction of the bottom plate due to the attachment of the fixed wheel.This makes it possible to more easily hold the two trolleys in a state in which they are being transported in parallel, and to more easily remove the trolleys from that held state.

[0016] In addition, in a case where the end of the first guide opposite the first bar to the abutment portion of the first guide is connected to the second bar via an inclined surface that is oblique to the extension direction of the first and second bars, when holding the two carts in a state for transporting in parallel, the corner of the bottom plate can be guided to the abutment portion of the first guide by sliding it over the side of the second bar and this inclined surface.

[0017] In addition, when the distance from the first bar of the abutment portion of the third guide to the end opposite the first bar is longer than the distance from the first bar of the abutment portion of the first guide to the end opposite the first bar, the bottom plate can be easily inserted between the first guide and the third guide.

[0018] Furthermore, in cases where wheels are attached to the underside of the first bar near both ends, tilting of the first bar can be prevented. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an embodiment of a cart transport auxiliary vehicle of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a diagram seen from above, and FIG. [Diagram 2] 2A and 2B are views of the cart transport auxiliary vehicle shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the direction of movement, where (a) is a view from the first bar side, and (b) is a view from the opposite side. [Diagram 3]2A to 2C are diagrams showing an example of a cart transported using the cart transport auxiliary vehicle shown in FIG. 1, where (a) is a diagram seen from one side, (b) is a diagram seen from the other side, and (c) is a diagram seen from above. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the six-wheeled cart shown in FIG. 3 held by the cart transport auxiliary vehicle shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, where (a) is a diagram seen from above and (b) is a diagram seen from the side. [Diagram 5] 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the six-wheeled cart shown in FIG. 3 is held by the cart transport auxiliary vehicle shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation when the six-wheeled cart held by the cart transport auxiliary vehicle as shown in FIG. 5 is detached. FIG. [Figure 7] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing an embodiment of a connecting bar for connecting the cart transport auxiliary vehicles shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, where (a) is a top view and (b) is a side view. [Figure 8] 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the cart transport auxiliary vehicles shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are connected in series using the connecting bar shown in FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 9] 8 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the length from the connecting groove to the connecting hole of the connecting bar shown in FIG. 7 being equal to or greater than the length of the short side of the bottom plate of the six-wheeled bogie shown in FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows one embodiment of the cart transport auxiliary vehicle of the present invention, where (a) is a view from above and (b) is a view from the side. Fig. 2 shows the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in Fig. 1 as seen from the direction of movement, where (a) is a view from the first bar 10 side and (b) is a view from the opposite side. Note that in Fig. 2, the connection device 30 shown in Fig. 1 is omitted.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cart transport auxiliary vehicle in this embodiment is configured to have a first bar 10 extending in one direction and a second bar 20 extending in a direction perpendicular to the first bar 10.

[0023] The first bar 10 is abutted by the carriages in parallel, which will be described later. A connecting device 30 is attached to the side opposite to the surface where the carriages are in parallel contact, and the first bar 10 is attached to a moving vehicle that transports the carriages by power such as electricity via the connecting device 30. A protector 12 made of rubber or resin is attached to each area where the carriages are in contact on the surface where the carriages are in parallel contact. An H-shaped connecting frame 11, which serves as a first connecting receiving portion, is provided standing up in the center of the first bar 10. In addition, a third guide 60 is attached near each end of the first bar 10. The guide 60 extends from the first bar 10 in the direction in which the carriages come in contact, and on the inner surface of the guide 60, an area of ​​length L2 from the first bar 10 is an abutment portion 61 where the carriages come in contact, and the area beyond that is an inclined surface 62 so that the width in the direction in which the first bar 10 extends becomes narrower as it approaches the tip. A swivel wheel 72 whose orientation is variable is attached to the underside of each of the two ends of the first bar 10.

[0024] One end of the second bar 20 is connected to the center of the first bar 10, and extends from this connection in the direction in which the cart comes into contact with the first bar 10, i.e., in the opposite direction to the moving vehicle to which it is attached via the connection device 30. A first guide 40 is provided at the end of the second bar 20 that is the connection part with the first bar 10, protruding by a distance D1 in the direction in which the first bar 10 extends. The guide 40 has an area of ​​a first length L1, which is shorter than the length L2, from the first bar 10 as an abutment part 41 with which the cart comes into contact, and the end of the abutment part 41 opposite the first bar 10 is connected to the second bar 20 via an inclined surface 42. Since the length L1 of the contact portion 41 of the guide 40 is shorter than the length L2 of the contact portion 61 of the guide 60, the distance from the first bar 10 to the end of the contact portion 61 of the guide 60 on the opposite side to the first bar 10 is longer than the distance from the first bar 10 to the end of the contact portion 41 of the guide 40 on the opposite side to the first bar 10. The contact portion 41 is parallel to the second bar 20 at a position separated by a first distance D1 from the second bar 20 in the direction in which the first bar 10 extends, since the guide 40 protrudes by D1 in the direction in which the first bar 10 extends. A second guide 50 protruding by D1 in the direction in which the first bar 10 extends is provided on the opposite side of the second bar 20 from the guide 40. The protruding tip of the guide 50 serves as the contact portion 51 with which the cart abuts. The abutment portion 51 is parallel to the second bar 20 at a position separated by a first distance D1 from the second bar 20 in the direction in which the first bar 10 extends, because the guide 50 protrudes by D1 in the direction in which the first bar 10 extends. A fixed wheel 71 whose traveling direction is constant as the direction in which the second bar 20 extends is attached to the underside of the central portion of the second bar 20. The fixed wheel 71 has a larger diameter than the two free wheels 72 attached to the first bar 10, so that when the mobile vehicle is attached via the connection device 30, the free wheels 72 are slightly raised. A connecting pole 21 serving as a second connecting receiver is provided upright at the end of the second bar 20 opposite the first bar 10. A pin base 22 is provided near the tip of the connecting pole 21 so that its upper surface is at the same height as the H-shaped horizontal bar of the connecting frame 11, and a connecting pin 23 stands upright on the pin base 22.In addition, second bar 20 is provided with auxiliary bar 24, one end of which is fixed to second bar 20 and the other end of which is fixed to connecting pole 21. A swivel wheel 73, the diameter of which is smaller than that of fixed wheel 71 and whose orientation is variable, is attached to the underside of second bar 20 near the end opposite first bar 10.

[0025] The height of the first bar 10 and the second bar 20 is equal to the height of the floor plate of the bogie, which will be described later.

[0026] A method of using the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 configured as above will be described below.

[0027] First, a cart transported by the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a cart transported using the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1, where (a) is a view from one side, (b) is a view from the other side, and (c) is a view from above.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the cart transported by the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a six-wheel cart 80 configured by two side frames 82 standing on a bottom plate 81. The two side frames 82 are configured by combining metal pipes vertically and horizontally, and are attached to the two short sides of the rectangular bottom plate 81 so as to stand opposite each other. On the lower surface of the bottom plate 81, free wheels 84 whose orientation is variable are attached to each of the four corners of the bottom plate 81, and fixed wheels 83 whose orientation is invariable with the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate 81 as the traveling direction are attached to the approximately central portion of the long side of the bottom plate 81. The fixed wheels 83 have a larger diameter than the four free wheels 84, so that of the two fixed wheels 83 and the four free wheels 84, the two fixed wheels 83 are always in contact with the ground, and the four free wheels 84 are in contact with the ground or not depending on the moving direction of the six-wheel cart 80, making it easy for the basket 80 to move in any direction.

[0030] Figure 4 shows the six-wheeled cart 80 shown in Figure 3 being held by the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2, where (a) is a view from above and (b) is a view from the side.

[0031] 3, in each of the two regions surrounded by the first bar 10, the second bar 20, and the guide 60, the short side of the two adjacent sides of the bottom plate 81 is arranged along the first bar 10 and the long side is arranged along the second bar 20, and one short side of the bottom plate 81 abuts against the first bar 10 via the protector 12, and a part of the long side of the bottom plate 81 abuts against the abutment parts 41, 51, and 61 of the guides 40, 50, and 60, respectively, so that the guides are held in parallel. Therefore, the abutment part 61 of the guide 60 faces the abutment part 41 of the guide 40 at a position spaced apart from the abutment part 41 of the guide 40 by the length of the short side of the bottom plate 81 of the six-wheeled cart 80 in the direction away from the second bar 20, and is parallel to the second bar 20.

[0032] The cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 holding the six-wheeled cart 80 is attached to the moving vehicle 100, which transports the six-wheeled cart 80 by power such as electricity, via the connecting device 30. The six-wheeled cart 80 is then transported together with the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 by the power of the moving vehicle 100. At that time, the two six-wheeled carts 80 held by the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 are each attached with a fastener such as a chain (not shown) to the side frame 82 located on the opposite side to the first bar 10, thereby preventing the carts 80 from coming off the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 during transportation. In addition, the free wheels 72 are attached to the underside near both ends of the first bar 10, thereby preventing the first bar 10 from tilting.

[0033] Next, the operation of holding the six-wheeled cart 80 shown in FIG. 3 by the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the six-wheeled cart 80 shown in FIG. 3 is held by the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is a diagram seen from above.

[0035] As described above, the six-wheeled cart 80 shown in Fig. 3 has two fixed wheels 83 and four swivel wheels 84 whose orientation is invariable with the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate 81 as the travel direction, and the two fixed wheels 83 are always on the ground, while the four swivel wheels 84 move while being in contact with the ground or not depending on the direction of movement of the six-wheeled cart 80. Therefore, even when changing direction, the fixed wheels 83 whose orientation is invariable are always on the ground, so that a large force that tends to move in the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate 81 is applied to the approximately central portion of the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate 81 to which the fixed wheels 83 are attached, and the bottom plate 81 is less likely to deviate in the lateral direction. Therefore, when changing direction, the corners of the bottom plate 81 are swung outward relative to the fixed wheels 83 to change direction.

[0036] Therefore, when the six-wheeled cart 80 shown in Fig. 3 is held by the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the six-wheeled cart 80 is advanced into the area surrounded by the first bar 10 and the second bar 20 as shown in Fig. 5(a), and first, as shown in Fig. 5(b), the front side of the six-wheeled cart 80 in the approach direction is swung toward the second bar 20 when the fixed wheels 83 of the six-wheeled cart 80 are aligned with the guide 50. At that time, since the abutment portion 51 of the guide 50 is separated from the second bar 20 by a distance D1, the front side of the six-wheeled cart 80 in the approach direction can be swung toward the second bar 20 by the distance D1.

[0037] Then, when the six-wheeled cart 80 is further advanced by sliding the side surface of the second bar 20 while the corner portion on the front side in the approach direction of the bottom plate 81 of the six-wheeled cart 80 is in contact with the second bar 20, the corner portion on the front side in the approach direction of the bottom plate 81 of the six-wheeled cart 80 abuts against the guide 40. The guide 40 is provided with an abutment portion 41 that abuts against the bottom plate 81 of the six-wheeled cart 80 it holds, and an inclined surface 42 that connects the abutment portion 41 and the second bar 20. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the six-wheeled cart 80 advances while the corner portion on the front side in the approach direction of the bottom plate 81 of the six-wheeled cart 80 slides on the inclined surface 42, and the corner portion on the front side in the approach direction of the bottom plate 81 of the six-wheeled cart 80 abuts against the abutment portion 41 of the guide 40. In this way, the end of the abutment portion 41 of the guide 40 opposite the first bar 10 is connected to the second bar 20 via the inclined surface 42, so that when the six-wheeled cart 80 is held in a state for transporting in parallel, the corner of the bottom plate 81 can be guided to the abutment portion 41 of the guide 40 by sliding it over the side of the second bar 20 and this inclined surface 42.

[0038] Thereafter, by further advancing the six-wheeled cart 80, as shown in Fig. 5(d), one short side of the bottom plate 81 abuts against the first bar 10 via the protector 12, and parts of the long sides of the bottom plate 81 abut against the abutment parts 41, 51, and 61 of the guides 40, 50, and 60, respectively, so that the six-wheeled cart 80 is held by the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1. At that time, since the length L2 of the abutment part 61 of the guide 60 from the first bar 10 is longer than the length L1 of the abutment part 41 of the guide 40 from the first bar 10, the bottom plate 81 is likely to enter between the guides 40 and 60 even if the front side of the six-wheeled cart 80 in the advancing direction moves away from the second bar 20 and swings left and right.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the six-wheeled cart 80 held by the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 as shown in FIG. 5 is detached, and is a diagram seen from above.

[0040] When the six-wheeled cart 80 held by the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 is removed as shown in FIG. 5, the six-wheeled cart 80 is removed in a direction away from the first bar 10 as shown in FIG. 6(a), and first, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the front side of the six-wheeled cart 80 in the removal direction is swung away from the second bar 20. At that time, as described above, the approximately central portion in the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate 81 to which the fixed wheel 83 is attached is not easily displaced in the short direction of the bottom plate 81, but since the contact portion 41 of the guide 40 is separated from the second bar 20 by a distance D1, it is possible to swing the rear side of the six-wheeled cart 80 in the removal direction toward the second bar 20 by the distance D1, and thus the front side of the six-wheeled cart 80 in the removal direction can be swung away from the second bar 20.

[0041] Then, as shown in Figure 6(c), with the rear corner of the bottom plate 81 of the six-wheeled cart 80 in the removal direction abutting against the second bar 20, the six-wheeled cart 80 is allowed to slide along the side of the second bar 20, and then, when the fixed wheels 83 of the six-wheeled cart 80 are lined up with the guide 50, the front side of the six-wheeled cart 80 in the removal direction is swung further away from the second bar 20, and the six-wheeled cart 80 is removed from the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1, as shown in Figure 6(d).

[0042] In addition, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the six-wheeled cart 80 may be detached from the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 while the front side of the bottom plate 81 of the six-wheeled cart 80 in the detachment direction is swung away from the second bar 20.

[0043] In this way, at the connection between the first bar 10 and the second bar 20, two guides 40 are provided, each having an abutment portion 41 parallel to the second bar 20 at a position spaced a distance D1 from the second bar 20 in the direction in which the first bar 10 extends, and two guides 50 are attached to the second bar 20 on the opposite side of the connection between the first bar 10 and the second bar 20 from the guide 40, at a predetermined interval from the guide 40, and spaced a distance L1 from the second bar 20. When holding two six-wheeled trolleys 80 in a state in which they can be transported in parallel, or when removing the six-wheeled trolley 80 from the held state, the corners of the bottom plate 81 can be swung toward the second bar 20 by a distance D1 between guides 40 and 50 in the holding area of ​​the six-wheeled trolley 80 surrounded by the abutment portions 41, 51, 61 of guides 40, 50, 60 and the first bar 10, as the six-wheeled trolley 80 changes direction, so that two six-wheeled trolleys 80 can be easily held in a state in which they can be transported in parallel, and the six-wheeled trolley 80 can be easily removed from the held state.

[0044] Furthermore, as described above, if the second guide 20 is attached in a position where the bottom plate 81 of the six-wheeled trolley 80 does not abut the guide 40 when the fixed wheel 83 of the six-wheeled trolley 80 is lined up with the guide 50 in the direction in which the first bar 10 extends, then with respect to approximately the central portion of the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate 81 which is less likely to shift in the short direction of the bottom plate 81 due to the fixed wheel 83 being attached, the corner portion of the bottom plate 81 can be swung toward the second bar 20 by a distance D1 between the guides 40 and 50 as the direction of the six-wheeled trolley 80 is changed, thereby making it even easier to hold the two six-wheeled trolleys 80 in a state in which they are transported in parallel and to remove the six-wheeled trolley 80 from this held state. In addition, since a second bar 20 is present between the two six-wheeled carts 80 being held, when the two six-wheeled carts 80 are held in a state for transporting in parallel, or when the six-wheeled carts 80 are removed from the held state, the goods or items loaded on the six-wheeled carts 80 arranged in parallel will not collide with each other.

[0045] Next, a method of connecting the six-wheeled cart 80 shown in FIG. 3 in series by connecting the cart transport auxiliary vehicles 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 will be described.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a connecting bar for connecting the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, where (a) is a top view and (b) is a side view.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 7, the connecting bar in this embodiment is composed of a T-shaped base, and a connecting groove 91 serving as a first engagement portion is provided in the horizontal bar portion of the T-shaped base, and a connecting hole 92 serving as a second engagement portion is provided at the end of the vertical bar portion of the T-shaped base opposite to the horizontal bar. As a result, the connecting bar 90 has a connecting groove 91 at one end and a connecting hole 92 at the other end. The connecting groove 91 is provided on one surface of the base, extending in the direction in which the horizontal bar portion of the T-shaped base extends. In addition, the length L3 from the connecting groove 91 to the connecting hole 92 is equal to or greater than the length of the short side of the bottom plate 81 of the six-wheeled dolly 80 shown in Fig. 3.

[0048] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the cart transport auxiliary vehicles 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are connected in series using the connecting bar 90 shown in FIG. 7, as viewed from the side.

[0049] When the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is connected in series using the connecting bar 90 shown in FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 8, the connecting pin 23 provided on the connecting pole 21 of the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 attached to the moving vehicle using the connecting device 30 is inserted into the connecting hole 92 of the connecting bar 90 to engage it, and the connecting groove 91 of the connecting bar 90 is hooked and engaged with the H-shaped horizontal bar of the connecting frame 11 provided on the first bar 10 of the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 connected to the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 attached to the moving vehicle using the connecting device 30. As a result, the two cart transport auxiliary vehicles 1 are connected in series via the connecting bar 90. At that time, as described above, the upper surface of the pin base 22 on which the connecting pin 23 is provided is at the same height as the H-shaped horizontal bar of the connecting frame 11, so that the connecting bar 90 is in a horizontal state.

[0050] In this way, by using a cart transport auxiliary vehicle unit consisting of a cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 and a connecting bar 90 connected to it, the connecting pin 23 provided on the second bar 20 of one of the two cart transport auxiliary vehicles 1 is inserted into the connecting hole 92 of the connecting bar 90, and the connecting groove 91 of the connecting bar 90 is hooked onto the connecting frame 11 provided on the first bar 10 of the other cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1, thereby connecting multiple cart transport auxiliary vehicles 1 in series, and multiple sets of six-wheeled carts 80 arranged in parallel and held on the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 can be easily connected in series and transported.

[0051] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the effect of the length L3 from the connecting groove 91 to the connecting hole 92 of the connecting bar 90 shown in Figure 7 being greater than or equal to the length of the short side of the bottom plate 81 of the six-wheeled cart 80 shown in Figure 3, as viewed from above.

[0052] Two cart transport auxiliary vehicles 1 connected by a connecting bar 90 are connected by inserting a coupling pin 23 provided on one of the cart transport auxiliary vehicles 1 into a coupling hole 92 of the connecting bar 90, so that the connecting bar 90 can rotate with respect to the second bar 20 of one of the cart transport auxiliary vehicles 1. Therefore, when the two cart transport auxiliary vehicles 1 turn in a connected state, the two cart transport auxiliary vehicles 1 connected by the connecting bar 90 are bent around the coupling pin 23 inserted into the coupling hole 92 of the connecting bar 90.

[0053] At this time, the length L3 from the connecting groove 91 to the connecting hole 92 of the connecting bar 90 is equal to or longer than the length of the short side of the bottom plate 81 of the six-wheeled cart 80 shown in Fig. 3, so that the angle between the six-wheeled carts 80 connected in series can be reduced to 90 degrees when turning to change direction, as shown in Fig. 9, and the turning radius can be prevented from becoming large. In particular, when the six-wheeled cart 80 is not held on the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 attached to the moving vehicle using the connecting device 30, and the six-wheeled cart 80 is held on the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 connected to the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 by the connecting bar 90, the weight applied to the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 attached to the moving vehicle using the connecting device 30 is small, so that there is a risk of a wheelie occurring in which the swivel wheel 72 attached to the first bar 10 rises significantly above the ground. However, by attaching a swivel wheel 73 to the underside of the second bar 20 near the end opposite the first bar 10, wheelies can be prevented.

[0054] Furthermore, if a cushioning material such as a sponge with a certain thickness is attached to the front surface of the first bar 10, even if an item loaded on the six-wheeled cart 80 protrudes from the bottom plate 81, as long as the amount of protrusion is less than the thickness of the cushioning material, it is possible to prevent the protruding item from colliding with the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 whose connecting groove 91 of the connecting bar 90 is hooked onto the connecting frame 11 when the angle between the six-wheeled carts 80 connected in series is reduced to 90 degrees.

[0055] Note that while the example shown in Figure 9 illustrates a state in which two cart transport auxiliary vehicles 1 are connected in series by one connecting bar 90, three or more cart transport auxiliary vehicles 1 can be connected in series by using two or more connecting bars 90.

[0056] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which a guide 40 is provided at the end of the second bar 20 that is connected to the first bar 10, but the guide 40 may be attached to either the first bar 10 or the second bar 20 as long as it has an abutment portion 41 at or near the connection between the first bar 10 and the second bar 20.

[0057] In addition, in this embodiment, the protector 12 is attached to the surface of the first bar 10 against which the six-wheeled carts 80 abut in parallel, and one short side of the bottom plate 81 of the six-wheeled cart 80 abuts against the first bar 10 via the protector 12, but the protector 12 may be attached as necessary. That is, in the present invention, one short side of the bottom plate 81 of the six-wheeled cart 80 abuts against the first bar 10 includes a case where one short side of the bottom plate 81 of the six-wheeled cart 80 abuts against the first bar 10 via the protector 12 and a case where one short side of the bottom plate 81 of the six-wheeled cart 80 abuts against the first bar 10 without the protector 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 Trolley transport auxiliary vehicle 10 First Bar 11 Connecting frame 12 Protector 20 Second Bar 21 Connecting pole 22 pin stand 23 Connecting pin 24 Support bar 30 Connection Equipment 40,50,60 Guide 41,51,61 Contact part 42,62 Slope 71,83 Fixed wheel 72,73,84 Free wheel 80 6-wheeled trolley 81 Bottom plate 82 Side frame 90 Connecting bar 91 Connection groove 92 Connection hole 100 Mobile Car

Claims

1. A cart transport auxiliary vehicle has a rectangular bottom plate, and a swivel wheel whose orientation can be changed is attached to each of the four corners of the bottom plate, and a fixed wheel whose orientation is invariable with the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate as the travel direction is attached to an approximately central portion of a long side of the bottom plate, and the fixed wheel holds two carts that are transported with the fixed wheel always in contact with the ground, thereby assisting in the parallel transport of the two carts, a first bar that is configured to be attachable to a moving vehicle for transporting the carts, and against which one of the short sides of the bottom plate abuts when the two carts are arranged side by side; a second bar having one end connected to a central portion of the first bar, extending from the connecting portion in a direction opposite to the moving vehicle by at least the length of the long side of the bottom plate, and having wheels attached to its underside; two first guides provided at or near the connection portion, each having an abutment portion parallel to the second bar at a position spaced a first distance from the second bar in the direction in which the first bar extends; two second guides attached to the second bar at a predetermined interval from the first guide on a side opposite to the connection portion from the first guide, each of which has an abutment portion parallel to the second bar at a position spaced apart by the first distance from the second bar in the extending direction of the first bar; two third guides attached to the first bar, each having an abutment portion parallel to the second bar and facing the abutment portion of the first guide at a position spaced apart from the abutment portion of the first guide by the length of the short side of the bottom plate in a direction away from the second bar; A cart transport auxiliary vehicle in which the abutment portions of the first, second and third guides and the first bar abut against a bottom plate of the cart to hold the two carts.

2. In the cart transport auxiliary vehicle according to claim 1, The second guide is attached in a position such that the bottom plate of the cart does not abut against the first guide when the fixed wheel of the cart is aligned with the second guide in the direction in which the first bar extends.

3. 3. The cart transport auxiliary vehicle according to claim 1, The first guide has an end portion of its abutment portion opposite the first bar, the end portion being connected to the second bar via an inclined surface that is oblique to the direction in which the first and second bars extend.

4. The cart transport auxiliary vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A cart transport auxiliary vehicle, wherein the distance from the first bar to the end of the abutment portion of the third guide opposite the first bar is longer than the distance from the first bar to the end of the abutment portion of the first guide opposite the first bar.

5. The cart transport auxiliary vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The first bar has wheels attached to the underside near both ends of the first bar.

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