Batch Lock Operation Device for Multiple Casters

Abstract

Provided is a collective locking operation device for a plurality of casters that can easily perform the operations of the lock levers of the plurality of casters collectively, and can regulate the rotation around the rotation axis of the casters to fix the lock levers in a certain direction. 【Solution means】A collective locking operation device 1 for a plurality of casters for collectively operating the lock levers L of a plurality of caster devices C having lock levers L, comprising: an operation handle 1 extending across the plurality of caster devices C; and a fixing device 3 for removably fixing the operation handle 1 to the lock lever L of each caster device C. In a state where the operation handle 2 is fixed to the lock lever L of each caster device C by the fixing device 3, the rotation of each caster device C around the rotation axis along the vertical direction is blocked, and the locking operation and unlocking operation of the lock lever L of each caster device C are allowed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a batch locking operation device for a plurality of casters attached to the bottom surface of a mobile furniture, a cart, or the like.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, furniture such as a cabinet installed as bedside storage in a hospital room has a plurality of casters attached so that it can be moved as needed. Each caster is rotatable around a rotation axis along the vertical direction and has a wheel that rolls on the floor surface.

[0003] In order to prevent the furniture from accidentally moving from a predetermined installation location, each caster is provided with a locking mechanism for locking the rotation of the wheel, and is configured to be able to lock the rotation of the wheel by operating a lock lever up and down.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The casters are attached to the bottom surface of the bottom plate of the furniture or the like, and the gap between the bottom plate and the floor surface is not very wide. Therefore, when trying to move the furniture or the like, it is necessary to insert the operator's finger into the narrow gap and perform the operation of the lock lever for the number of casters.

[0005] In addition, since the caster is rotatable around the rotation axis, the rotational position of the lock lever becomes indefinite for each caster. If the lock lever is located on the back side when viewed from the edge of the bottom plate, the operation of the lock lever becomes very difficult, and when it is desired to move the furniture or the like slightly in the front-rear direction, the casters are not aligned, making it impossible to move smoothly.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a batch locking operation device for a plurality of casters that can easily perform the operations of the lock levers of the plurality of casters collectively and can regulate the rotation around the rotation axis of the casters to fix the lock levers in a certain direction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention is a batch locking operation device for a plurality of casters for collectively operating the lock levers of the plurality of caster devices having lock levers, comprising an operation handle extending across the plurality of caster devices and a fixing device for detachably fixing the operation handle to the lock levers of each caster device. In a state where the operation handle is fixed to the lock levers of each caster device by the fixing device, the rotation of each caster device around a rotation axis along the vertical direction is blocked, and the locking operation and unlocking operation of the lock levers of each caster device are allowed.

[0008] According to such a batch locking operation device for a plurality of casters of the present invention, even if each caster is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis along the vertical direction, by fixing the operation handle to the lock levers of each caster device by the fixing device, the rotation operation around the rotation axis of each caster can be regulated, and the rolling directions of the wheels of the plurality of casters can be aligned in one direction (such as the front-rear direction). Further, by operating a common operation handle, the lock levers of the plurality of caster devices can be operated collectively, and the locking operation and unlocking operation of the lock levers of the plurality of caster devices can be performed easily and quickly. Also, when it is desired to freely move furniture or the like, by removing the fixing device and separating the operation handle from each lock lever, each caster device can be freely rotatable around the rotation axis.

[0009] The operation handle may be a long member having a U-shaped cross section, and the lock levers of the respective caster devices may be held within the U-shaped opening at different positions in the longitudinal direction. According to this, it is possible to achieve excellent attachment workability and lock operability while having a simple structure.

[0010] The operation handle may extend across a pair of left and right caster devices. The operation handle may prevent rotation around the rotation axis of a pair of left and right caster devices. The operation handle may be detachably fixed to the lock levers of a pair of left and right caster devices. According to this, for example, by attaching an operation handle to the two front caster wheels of a mobile furniture, rotation around the rotation axis of the two front caster wheels, which are at a position relatively far from the wall surface of the room, can be restricted, preventing the furniture from accidentally moving during an earthquake or the like.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily perform the operations of the lock levers of a plurality of casters provided on existing mobile furniture, carts, etc. collectively, and to restrict the rotation around the rotation axis of the casters and fix the lock levers in a certain direction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] Figures 1 and 2 show a state in which a total of four pairs of left and right caster devices C are attached to two front and rear positions on the bottom surface of a bottom plate B of furniture or the like, and a batch lock operation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to the two left and right caster devices C on the front side. Each caster device C may be attached to the bottom plate B so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis along the vertical direction, or may be attached so as not to rotate. However, the batch lock device 1 of the present invention is useful when attached to a plurality of caster devices that are rotatable around the rotation axis. Each caster device C includes a wheel W that rolls on the floor surface and a lock mechanism that locks the rolling of the wheel W so that the unlocking operation can be performed. The lock mechanism has a lock lever L. By setting the lock lever L to the lock posture shown by the solid line in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wheel W is locked, and by setting it to the release posture shown by the virtual line in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lock of the wheel W is released and it can roll. The structure of the lock mechanism may be appropriate. Further, the fixing portion of the lock lever L to the batch lock operation device 1 may be moved up and down, or may be moved left and right.

[0015] The batch lock operation device 1 includes an operation handle 2 that extends across the two left and right caster devices C on the front side, and a fixing device 3 that detachably fixes the operation handle 2 to the lock lever L of each caster device C.

[0016] The operation handle 2 is a long member having a U-shaped cross section. The lock lever L of the left caster device C is inserted and held near the left end in the U-shaped opening, and the lock lever L of the right caster device C is inserted and held near the right end in the U-shaped opening.

[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing device 3 is constituted by a tightening bolt screwed to the operation handle 2. By pressing each lock lever L held in the U-shaped opening against the inner surface of the long member having a U-shaped cross section that constitutes the operation handle 2 from either the upper or lower side, the writing lock lever L is fixed to the operation handle 2. By loosening the tightening bolt 3, the operation handle 2 can be easily detached from the lock lever L.

[0018] According to this embodiment, the operation handle 2 extends across a pair of left and right two caster devices C, prevents the rotation of the pair of left and right two caster devices C around the rotation axis along the vertical direction, and is detachably fixed to their lock levers L. In a state where the operation handle 2 is fixed to the lock lever L of each caster device C by the fixing device 3, the rotation of each caster device C around the rotation axis along the vertical direction is prevented, and the locking operation and unlocking operation of the lock lever L of each caster device C are permitted. On the other hand, when the operation handle 2 is detached from the lock lever L, the rotation of each caster device C around the rotation axis along the vertical direction is permitted.

[0019] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be appropriately designed and changed. For example, a second operation handle for interlocking the lock levers of the pair of left and right two caster devices on the rear side is provided, and the front and rear two operation handles are interlockingly connected by an appropriate link mechanism, so that the lock levers of the two caster devices can be configured to be operable in a batch.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0020] 1 Integrated locking operation device 2 Operation handle 3 Fixing device

Claims

1. A collective lock operation device for multiple casters for collectively operating the lock levers of multiple caster devices having lock levers, the device comprising: an operation handle extending across the multiple caster devices; and a fixing device for removably fixing the operation handle to the lock lever of each caster device; A collective locking operation device for multiple casters, configured so that when the operating handle is fixed to the lock lever of each caster device by the fixing device, rotation of each caster device around a rotation axis along the vertical direction is prevented while allowing the locking and unlocking operations of the lock lever of each caster device.

2. The device for operating multiple casters simultaneously as described in claim 1, characterized in that the operating handle is a long member with a U-shaped cross-section, and the lock levers of each caster device are held at different positions in the longitudinal direction within the U-shaped opening.

3. The device for locking multiple casters simultaneously as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the operating handle extends across a pair of two caster devices, a left and a right pair, prevents the pair of two caster devices from rotating about the rotation axis, and is removably fixed to the lock levers of the two caster devices.

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