Conveyor

Abstract

To provide a transportation tool allowing easy locking operation with one hand.SOLUTION: A container 10A of the present disclosure allows locking operation by bringing a locking operation face S1 close to a locking finger hooking face T1 by putting the thumb and other fingers of one hand. On the locking operation face S1 and the locking finger hooking face T1, center recessed parts 45C, 60C and end recessed parts 45E, 60E are formed as "finger rest recessed parts" curved to approach each other, therefore, finger tips are set therein to prevent finger slip. Thus, the container 10A allows easy locking and unlocking operations with one hand.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a conveying device having a locking mechanism for a movable part.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of conveying device, there is known one in which a locking member is slid to be changed between a locked state and an unlocked state (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is a demand for the development of a conveying device that can be easily locked with one hand with respect to the conventional conveying device described above.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] Made to solve the above problems The first aspect of the inventionA conveying device in which a locking member is slidably supported by the second instrument component among the first and second instrument components constituting part or all of the conveying device, and when the locking member is moved to a locking position on one end side of the slidable range, relative movement or relative rotation of the first and second instrument components is restricted, and when the locking member is moved to an unlocking position on the other end side of the slidable range, the restriction is released. The conveying device is provided with a locking operation surface provided on the locking member and facing the unlocking position side, and a locking finger-hooking surface provided on the first or second instrument component, arranged on the locking position side of the locking operation surface and facing the opposite side of the locking operation surface. By applying the thumb and other fingers of one hand to the locking operation surface and the locking finger-hooking surface and bringing them closer, it is possible to perform a sliding operation of the locking member to the locking position. At the same time, on the locking operation surface and the locking finger-hooking surface, there are formed finger-abutting concave portions that are curved so as to approach each other and can accommodate fingertips.

[0006] The second aspect of the invention A conveying device is provided with an unlocking operation surface provided on the locking member and facing the locking position side, and an unlocking finger-hooking surface provided on the first or second instrument component, arranged on the unlocking position side of the unlocking operation surface and facing the opposite side of the unlocking operation surface. By applying the thumb and other fingers of one hand to the unlocking operation surface and the unlocking finger-hooking surface and bringing them closer, it is possible to perform a sliding operation of the locking member to the unlocking position. At the same time, on the unlocking operation surface and the unlocking finger-hooking surface, there are formed finger-abutting concave portions that are curved so as to approach each other and can accommodate fingertips. The first aspect The conveying device according to the above.

[0007] The third aspect of the invention A finger insertion recess into which a fingertip can be inserted is formed in the locking member, and a pair of opposing inner surfaces of the finger insertion recess serve as the locking operation surface and the unlocking operation surface. The second aspect The conveying device according to the above.

[0008] The fourth aspect of the invention The finger placement recess on the lock operation surface and the finger placement recess on the unlock operation surface are arranged side by side in the sliding direction of the lock member. The third aspect It is the conveying device described in

[0009] The fifth aspect of the invention The lock operation surface and the unlock operation surface are arranged opposite to each other, and an engaging protrusion that projects in a cantilever shape in the sliding direction of the lock member from the wall portion having the lock operation surface of the lock member to the side opposite to the lock operation surface, and the first provided on the instrument component, an engaging hole into which the engaging protrusion engages when the lock member is disposed at the lock position, and the lock member projects in a cantilever shape in the sliding direction from the wall portion having the unlock operation surface of the lock member to the side opposite to the unlock operation surface An elastic engaging piece, and an engaging portion provided on the second instrument component that interferes with the elastic engaging piece and deflects the elastic engaging piece when the lock member is at a position other than the lock position and the unlock position. The second aspect From The fourth aspect Any one of Aspect It is the conveying device described in

[0010] The sixth aspect of the invention The lock operation surface, the unlock operation surface, the lock finger hook surface, or the unlock finger hook surface has a wavy shape in which ridges and valleys are alternately arranged in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the lock member and parallel to the outer surfaces of the first and second instrument components, and a plurality of valleys included in the wavy shape are the finger placement recesses. The second aspect From The fifth aspect Any one of Aspect It is the conveying device described in

[0011] The seventh aspect of the invention A part of the side wall forms a movable wall that can rotate or slide, and the movable wall and the adjacent side wall are provided as one and the other of the first and second instrument components, and the movable wall is locked or unlocked by the lock member. The first aspect From The sixth aspect Any one of Aspect It is the conveying device described in

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] The first aspect In the transport device of, by applying the thumb and the other fingers of one hand to the lock operation surface of the lock member and the finger-hooking surface for locking of the first or second device component parts and bringing them closer, the slide operation of the lock member to the locked position can be performed. Further, since the finger-contact concave portions that are curved so as to approach each other are formed on the lock operation surface and the finger-hooking surface for locking, the fingertips are received in those finger-contact concave portions and the slipping of the fingers is prevented. That is, in the transport device of the present invention, the lock operation can be easily performed with one hand.

[0013] The second aspect In the transport device of, by applying the thumb and the other fingers of one hand to the unlock operation surface of the lock member and the finger-hooking surface for unlocking of the first or second device component parts and bringing them closer, the slide operation of the lock member to the unlocked position can be performed. Further, since the finger-contact concave portions that are curved so as to approach each other are also formed on the unlock operation surface and the finger-hooking surface for unlocking, the fingertips are received in those finger-contact concave portions and the slipping of the fingers is prevented. That is, in the transport device of the present invention, the unlock operation can also be easily performed with one hand.

[0014] Here, the lock operation surface and the unlock operation surface may be arranged back to back on the protruding wall provided on the lock member, but The third aspect if they are arranged to face each other within the finger-insertion concave portion provided on the lock member as in, both the lock operation and the unlock operation can be performed by inserting the finger into the common space of the space within the finger-insertion concave portion, so that the effective use of the space can be achieved.

[0015] The fourth aspect In the transport device of, since the finger-contact concave portion of the lock operation surface and the finger-contact concave portion of the unlock operation surface are arranged side by side in the sliding direction, the switching operation between the lock operation and the unlock operation can be easily performed.

[0016] The fifth aspectIn the conveying device, among the locking members, the elastic engagement piece and the engagement protrusion project from the operation portion having the lock operation surface and the unlock operation surface to the opposite sides in the sliding direction. Therefore, the inclination due to receiving the operating force of the locking member is suppressed, and the sliding operation of the locking member is stabilized.

[0017] The sixth aspect In the conveying device, since the lock operation surface, the unlock operation surface, the lock finger-hooking surface, or the unlock finger-hooking surface has a wave shape, the plurality of valleys of the wave shape can be used as a plurality of finger-contact recesses to perform the lock operation and the unlock operation.

[0018] The seventh aspect According to the container which is the conveying device, the lock and unlock of the movable wall can be easily performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a container 10A as an example of a conveying device of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15. The container 10A shown in FIG. 1 is made of resin, has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open upper surface, and each wall portion has a lattice structure. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the side walls 20 and 30 of the container 10A can be laid down on the bottom wall 11 to be in a folded state. Note that gusset portions 12 are provided at the four corners of the lower surface of the container 10A so that the bottom wall 11 floats from the floor surface, ground, etc.

[0021] Hereinafter, a pair of side walls 20 facing each other in the first horizontal direction H1 of the container 10A will be referred to as "a pair of first side walls 20", and a pair of side walls 30 facing each other in the second horizontal direction H2 orthogonal to the first horizontal direction H1 will be referred to as "a pair of second side walls 30". In addition, in the description of each part, the vertical direction of each part means the vertical direction in the state where the container 10A is not folded, that is, the assembled state (see FIG. 1), unless otherwise specified.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the first side wall 20 is divided into a first upper side wall 21 and a first lower side wall 22 at an intermediate portion in the vertical direction. The first lower side wall 22 is integrally formed with the bottom wall 11 and fixed in an upright state. Further, on the inner surface of the first lower side wall 22, a pair of inner surface grooves 22A (only one inner surface groove 22A is shown in FIG. 1) extending from the upper end to the intermediate portion in the vertical direction are formed, and a pair of hinge legs 21A hanging down from the first upper side wall 21 are received in the pair of inner surface grooves 22A. Then, the first upper side wall 21 rotates about a hinge protrusion (not shown) extending laterally from the lower end portions of the pair of hinge legs 21A, and the first upper side wall 21 changes between an upright state standing on the first lower side wall 22 and a folded state rotated inward by approximately 90 degrees therefrom (see FIG. 2). Further, as shown in FIG. 3, from both lateral ends of each first upper side wall 21, a pair of upper side protruding walls 23 protrude toward the second side wall 30 side, and from both lateral ends of each first lower side wall 22, a pair of lower side protruding walls 24 protrude toward the second side wall 30 side.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, each second side wall 30 is divided into a second upper side wall 31 and a second lower side wall 32 at an intermediate portion in the vertical direction. The second lower side wall 32 is hingedly connected to the outer edge portion of the upper surface of the bottom wall 11 and changes between an upright state standing from the upper surface of the bottom wall 11 and a folded state overlapping the upper surface of the bottom wall 11. Further, from the upper end portions of both lateral sides of the second lower side wall 32, a pair of side protrusions 32A (only one side protrusion 32A is shown in FIG. 1) protrude, and these side protrusions 32A are received in recesses 23A formed in the aforementioned upper side protruding walls 23 and opening inward. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, when the side protrusions 32A abut against the back surface 23Z of the recesses 23A, the rotation of the second lower side wall 32 outward from the upright state is restricted.

[0024] Further, the second lower side wall 32 is movable slightly upward from the standing state. As shown in FIG. 4, when the second lower side wall 32 is located at the lower end of the vertical movement range in the standing state, the rotation of the second lower side wall 32 inward from the standing state is restricted by the engagement between the rotation restricting projection 32B on the lower surface of the side projection 32A and the rotation restricting projection 23B on the lower surface in the concave portion 23A. When the second lower side wall 32 is located at the upper end of the vertical movement range in the standing state, as shown in FIG. 6, the engagement between the rotation restricting projections 23B and 32B is released, and the second lower side wall 32 can be rotated inward as shown in FIG. 7.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the lower end portion of the second upper side wall 31 is hinged to the upper end portion of the second lower side wall 32 via a plurality of connecting members 33, and can be changed between a standing state standing on the second lower side wall 32 and a forward falling state overlapping the outer surface of the second lower side wall 32 as shown in FIG. 3. Further, a pair of side projections 31A project from the upper ends of both lateral sides of the second upper side wall 31, and the side projections 31A are received in the notch portions 23D formed on the inner surface of the upper side side wall 23.

[0026] Further, the second upper side wall 31 is movable slightly upward from the standing state with respect to the second lower side wall 32. As shown in FIG. 4, when the second upper side wall 31 is located at the lower end of the vertical movement range with respect to the second lower side wall 32 in the standing state, the rotation of the second upper side wall 31 outward from the standing state on the second lower side wall 32 is restricted by the engagement between the rotation restricting projection 31B on the lower surface of the side projection 31A and the rotation restricting projection 23E in the notch portion 23D. At the same time, the inward rotation of the second upper side wall 31 is also restricted by the engagement between the rotation restricting projection 31C on the lower surface of the side projection 31A shown in FIG. 10 and the rotation restricting projection 23F of the upper side side wall 23 shown in FIG. 14.

[0027] When the second upper side wall 31 is located at the upper end of the vertical movement range with respect to the second lower side wall 32, as shown in FIG. 5, the engagement between the rotation restricting projections 23E and 31B is released, and the engagement between the rotation restricting projections 23F and 31C is also released. Then, by moving the second upper side wall 31 upward and rotating it outward, the container 10A can be brought into a side half-open state as shown in FIG. 3.

[0028] In addition, even when the second lower side wall 32 is pulled upward from the standing state via the second upper side wall 31 (see Fig. 6), the engagement between the rotation restricting protrusions 23E and 31B and the engagement between the rotation restricting protrusions 23F and 31C are released, and by rotating the second upper side wall 31 outward, the container 10A can be brought into a state of being half-opened on the side.

[0029] Also, as shown in Fig. 6, when the second lower side wall 32 is pulled upward from the standing state via the second upper side wall 31, as shown in Fig. 7, the entire second side wall 30 can be tilted inward and placed on the bottom wall 11 as shown in Fig. 2 to be in a folded state. Also, the pair of second side walls 30 do not overlap each other vertically even when both are in the folded state, but are arranged on the bottom wall 11. Then, the pair of first upper side walls 21 are stacked on the pair of second side walls 30 in the folded state, and the entire container 10A is in the folded state.

[0030] As described above, the container 10A of the present embodiment is composed of a plurality of instrument components including the bottom wall 11, the first upper side wall 21, the second upper side wall 31, the second lower side wall 32, etc. And, in order to lock the pair of second upper side walls 31 as the "second instrument components" to the pair of first upper side walls 21 as the "first instrument components" and restrict rotation and vertical movement, a pair of locking members 40 are assembled to each second upper side wall 31.

[0031] In addition, since the pair of second upper side walls 31 and the pair of second lower side walls 32 are located within the rotation regions at both ends in the lateral direction of the pair of first upper side walls 21, when the pair of second side walls 30 are locked in the standing state, the entire container 10A is locked in the assembled state.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 8, each locking member 40 is housed in a housing portion 35 provided at the upper part of the lateral end of the second upper side wall 31 and is supported so as to be slidable in the lateral direction. Further, a through hole 35A communicating with the housing portion 35 is opened in the lateral end surface (hereinafter referred to as the "side end surface") of the second upper side wall 31. When the locking member 40 is disposed at a locking position at one end within the slidable range, the engaging protrusion 41 of the locking member 40 penetrates through the through hole 35A and protrudes from the side end surface of the second upper side wall 31, and engages with an engaging hole 23K formed in the upper side protrusion wall 23 as shown in FIG. 9(A). Thereby, the second upper side wall 31 is locked so as not to rotate or move in the vertical direction with respect to the upper side protrusion wall 23.

[0033] On the other hand, when the locking member 40 is disposed at an unlocking position at the other end within the slidable range, as shown in FIG. 9(B), the engaging protrusion 41 of the locking member 40 retracts to the side of the through hole 35A from the side end surface of the second upper side wall 31, thereby releasing the lock of the second upper side wall 31.

[0034] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the housing portion 35 is surrounded by first to fourth protruding walls 39A, 39B, 39C, and 39D protruding from the outer surfaces of the second upper side wall 31 in the up, down, left, and right directions, and the inside is closed by the main board portion 39E of the second upper side wall 31, and the outside is open. Hereinafter, in the description of the housing portion 35 and the locking member 40, the lateral direction of the second upper side wall 31 is simply referred to as the "lateral direction", the side facing the locking position in the lateral direction is referred to as the "locking side", and the opposite side is referred to as the "unlocking side". Further, the direction orthogonal to the main board portion 39E in the housing portion 35 is referred to as the "front-rear direction", the side closer to the main board portion 39E of the second upper side wall 31 in the housing portion 35 is referred to as the "rear side", and the side away from the main board portion 39E to the outside is referred to as the "front side".

[0035] The aforementioned through hole 35A penetrates the third protruding wall 39C on the lock side of the storage section 35. The through hole 35A is located at the center of the storage section 35 in the vertical direction and has a rectangular shape that is elongated vertically. A guide wall 35B protrudes from the opening edge of the through hole 35A on the inner surface of the storage section 35, and its tip becomes the through hole 35A. A rectangular protrusion 35C is provided at the center of the vertical direction on the rear inner surface inside the through hole 35A. A curved portion 39G is provided on the fourth protruding wall 39D on the unlock side of the storage section 35, with the vertical middle portion bulging into the storage section 35.

[0036] A step portion 35D is formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the storage section 35 at a horizontal midpoint, so that the locking side of the storage section 35 from the step portion 35D forms a wide portion 35X whose vertical width is stepped, while the unlocking side forms a narrow portion 35Y whose vertical width is stepped.

[0037] A first slide engagement portion 36 protrudes from approximately the center in the front-rear direction at the center in the horizontal direction of the upper and lower inner surfaces of the wide portion 35X. The first slide engagement portion 36 is elongated and extends in the horizontal direction, and has a flat rear surface.

[0038] A second slide engagement portion 37 protrudes from the unlock side end of the upper and lower inner surfaces of the narrow width portion 35Y. The second slide engagement portion 37 extends laterally shorter than the first slide engagement portion 36 and has a flat rear surface. A wedge-shaped guide 37A extends forward from the front surface of each second slide engagement portion 37.

[0039] At positions near the upper end and the lower end of the narrow portion 35Y, a pair of guide ribs 38A that project forward from the main board portion 39E are provided. The pair of guide ribs 38A extend in the lateral direction, one ends of them are arranged at the same position as the step portion 35D in the lateral direction of the accommodating portion 35, and the other ends are connected to the fourth protruding wall 39D. Also, from the locking-side ends at the front ends of the pair of guide ribs 38A, a pair of engaging portions 38B project toward each other. The pair of engaging portions 38B have a shape in which a strip plate extending in the lateral direction is bent into a mountain shape toward the rear side. Note that the locking-side ends of each engaging portion 38B project forward from the main board portion 39E and are connected to a pair of reinforcing ribs 38C that are orthogonal to the guide rib 38A.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 11(A), the locking member 40 has a vertically symmetric structure and includes a housing portion 42 at an intermediate portion in the lateral direction. The housing portion 42 has a pair of vertically opposing walls 44 that oppose each other in the vertical direction, a pair of laterally opposing walls 45, 46 that oppose each other in the lateral direction, and a flat rear wall 43 that covers the space surrounded by them from the rear, and the front is open.

[0041] The pair of laterally opposing walls 45, 46 are curved in a waveform that is symmetric with respect to each other left and right. And, at the central portion in the vertical direction of the opposing surfaces of the pair of laterally opposing walls 45, 46, central concave portions 45C, 46C that are curved so as to be separated from each other are provided, and on both the upper and lower sides of each of these central concave portions 45C, 46C, mountain portions 45D, 46D that are curved toward each other are provided, and further, end concave portions 45E, 46E are provided at both the upper and lower ends.

[0042] A pair of upper and lower opposing walls 44 are horizontally flat plate-shaped and extend from the housing portion 42 toward the unlock side. In these extended portions, a bent portion 44D that is bent in a crank shape so that the ends on the unlock side approach each other is formed. Further, a strip-shaped horizontal end wall 47 that faces the horizontal opposing wall 46 is provided between the ends on the unlock side of the pair of upper and lower opposing walls 44. A curved portion 47G that bulges toward the housing portion 42 is formed in the middle portion in the vertical direction of the horizontal end wall 47. The front side of the horizontal end wall 47 on the housing portion 42 side (lock side) is inclined so as to face the unlock side as it goes toward the front end. Further, as shown in FIG. 11(B), the rear surfaces of the pair of upper and lower opposing walls 44 form a plane flush with the rear surface of the rear wall 43 over the entire pair of upper and lower opposing walls 44. Note that the rear surface of the horizontal end wall 47 is located in front of the rear surface of the upper and lower opposing walls 44.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 11(A), an elastic engagement piece 49 and a front wall 48 are provided in a portion surrounded by the pair of upper and lower opposing walls 44, the horizontal end wall 47, and the horizontal opposing wall 46 in the four directions of up, down, left, and right. As shown in FIG. 11(B), the elastic engagement piece 49 includes an engagement piece main body 49A that extends from a position near the front end in the vertical center of the horizontal opposing wall 46 toward the unlock side with a constant width, a rear protrusion 49B that protrudes rearward from the tip of the engagement piece main body 49A, a pair of reinforcing ribs 49C that connect between the upper and lower end portions of the rear protrusion 49B and the engagement piece main body 49A, and a pair of engagement protrusions 50 that protrude upward and downward from the pair of reinforcing ribs 49C. Further, a reinforcing ridge 49D is provided at the center in the width direction on the rear surface of the engagement piece main body 49A.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 11(A), the front wall 48 is plate-shaped and covers the gap between the pair of upper and lower opposing walls 44, the horizontal end wall 47, the horizontal opposing wall 46, and the elastic engagement piece 49. A step portion 48D is formed at a position near the housing portion 42 in the horizontal direction of the front wall 48. The front surface of the front wall 48 on the unlock side of the step portion 48D is arranged flush with the front surface of the elastic engagement piece 49, and the front surface on the opposite side is arranged flush with the front surface of the housing portion 42.

[0045] From the outer surfaces of the pair of upper and lower opposing walls 44, first and second slide engaging portions 51, 54 that engage with the first and second slide engaging portions 36, 37 of the accommodating portion 35 protrude. The pair of first slide engaging portions 51 are arranged at positions closer to the rear end in the front-rear direction on both the upper and lower ends of the housing portion 42 in the lateral direction, and extend slenderly in the lateral direction. Also, the pair of first slide engaging portions 51 have flat front surfaces. Furthermore, on the rear side of the pair of first slide engaging portions 51, a pair of wedge-shaped guides 53 extend from the first slide engaging portions 51 to the rear ends of the upper and lower opposing walls 44. Note that, on the front side of the pair of first slide engaging portions 51, a pair of ridges 52 that protrude less than the first slide engaging portions 51 from the outer surfaces of the upper and lower opposing walls 44 and extend in the lateral direction are provided. On the other hand, the pair of second slide engaging portions 54 are arranged at the unlocking-side ends of the pair of upper and lower opposing walls 44 and extend slenderly in the lateral direction. Also, the pair of second slide engaging portions 54 also have flat front surfaces.

[0046] An engaging protrusion 41 is provided on the locking side of the housing portion 42. The engaging protrusion 41 projects in a cantilever shape from a position closer to the rear end in the front-rear direction among the centers in the vertical direction of the lateral opposing wall 45 of the housing portion 42. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11(B), a pair of angular groove portions 41A extending in the lateral direction are provided at both end portions in the width direction of the engaging protrusion 41, and the groove openings of the pair of angular groove portions 41A face the rear side. Also, the intermediate portions in the front-rear direction on the opposing surfaces of the pair of angular groove portions 41A are connected by a strip-shaped central wall 41B. And a central groove surrounded by the pair of angular groove portions 41A and the central wall 41B is formed in front of and behind the central wall 41B. As shown in FIG. 11(A), the tip of the front central groove is closed by a connecting wall 41C that connects between the tips of the pair of angular groove portions 41A. Furthermore, the tip of the entire engaging protrusion 41 tapers in both the front-rear direction and the vertical direction.

[0047] The locking member 40 is tilted in the front-rear direction, and the engaging protrusion 41 is inserted into the through hole 35A. The lateral end wall 47 is overlapped with the inner surface of the fourth protruding wall 39D and is pushed into the accommodating portion 35. Then, due to the sliding contact between the first slide engaging portion 36 (Fig. 10) and the wedge guide 53 (see Fig. 11(B)), and the sliding contact between the second slide engaging portion 54 (see Fig. 11(B)) and the wedge guide 37A (Fig. 10), the accommodating portion 35 elastically deforms so as to expand in the vertical direction. When the first and second slide engaging portions 51, 54 of the locking member 40 reach behind the first and second slide engaging portions 36, 37 of the accommodating portion 35, the accommodating portion 35 elastically returns. As a result, the flat front surfaces of the first and second slide engaging portions 51, 54 of the locking member 40 overlap with the flat rear surfaces of the first and second slide engaging portions 36, 37 of the accommodating portion 35 to prevent removal, and the locking member 40 is supported so as to be slidable in the lateral direction. And as described above, when the locking member 40 is moved to the locking position at one end side within the slidable range, the engaging protrusion 41 protrudes from the side end surface of the second upper side wall 31, and when it is moved to the unlocking position at the other end side, the engaging protrusion 41 retracts toward the accommodating portion 35 side and no longer protrudes from the lateral side surface of the second upper side wall 31.

[0048] Also, as shown in Fig. 12, the engaging hole 23K of the upper side protruding wall 23 forms a vertically long rectangle that can just accommodate the engaging protrusion 41 protruding from the side end surface of the second upper side wall 31. And as shown in Fig. 9(A), when both the second upper side wall 31 and the second lower side wall 32 of the second side wall 30 are in an upright state and are arranged at the lower end side of the vertical movable range, the engaging protrusion 41 can be engaged with the engaging hole 23K of the upper side protruding wall 23 in a concave-convex manner. When the engaging protrusion 41 is engaged with the engaging hole 23K in a concave-convex manner, the second upper side wall 31 is in a locked state where both vertical movement and rotation are restricted, and when the engaging protrusion 41 disengages from the engaging hole 23K, it is in an unlocked state.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B), while the lock member 40 is moving between the lock position and the unlock position, the engaging protrusion 50 of the lock member 40 abuts against the engaging portion 38B of the accommodating portion 35, causing the elastic engaging piece 49 (see FIG. 11(A)) to elastically deform downward. When the lock member 40 reaches the lock position or the unlock position, the elastic engaging piece 49 elastically returns. As a result, the lock member 40 is held at the lock position or the unlock position.

[0050] The locking operation for moving the lock member 40 from the unlock position to the lock position can be performed by bringing the thumb and the other fingers of one hand close to the locking operation surface S1, which is the inner surface of the horizontal opposing wall 45 facing the unlock position side on the inner surface of the housing portion 42, and the locking finger-hooking surface T1, which is a wall surface located on the lock position side of the locking operation surface S1 and facing the opposite side of the locking operation surface S1. There are a plurality of wall surfaces that can serve as such a locking finger-hooking surface T1 in the container 10A, and the locking finger-hooking surface T1 is provided while ensuring a space where it is easy for a general adult to place their fingers at a position where it is easy to exert force.

[0051] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, in the container 10A, as a wall portion having a wall surface facing the opposite side of the locking operation surface S1 on the lock position side of the locking operation surface S1, there are provided a first vertical rib 90A that extends in the vertical direction and protrudes in the second horizontal direction H2 from the tip of the upper side protruding wall 23, and a second vertical rib 90B that faces the first vertical rib 90A from the side away from the locking operation surface S1. And the surface of the second vertical rib 90B that faces the opposite side of the locking operation surface S1 serves as the locking finger-hooking surface T1.

[0052] Also, in order to ensure a space where it is easy to insert a finger beside the locking finger-hooking surface T1, a space is formed between the second vertical rib 90B and a third vertical rib 90C on the side away from the locking operation surface S1, which has a vertical width substantially the same as the wide portion 35X of the accommodating portion 35 and no horizontal rib. The third vertical rib 90C protrudes in the diagonal direction of the container 10A from the corner between the first upper wall 21 and the upper side protruding wall 23.

[0053] Furthermore, considering that a finger is placed on the locking finger - resting surface T1, the second vertical rib 90B having the locking finger - resting surface T1 is curved in a wave shape similar to the horizontal opposing wall 45 having the locking operation surface S1. And, the locking finger - resting surface T1 is also provided with a central concave portion 60C and a pair of end concave portions 60E, similar to the locking operation surface S1. Note that the central concave portion 60C of the locking finger - resting surface T1 is located at the same height in the vertical direction as the central concave portion 45C of the locking operation surface S1 and is wider vertically than the central concave portion 45C of the locking operation surface S1.

[0054] Also, the unlocking operation for moving the locking member 40 from the locked position to the unlocked position can be performed by bringing the thumb and the other fingers of one hand into contact with and approaching the unlocking operation surface S2, which is the inner surface of the horizontal opposing wall 46 facing the locked - position side of the inner surface of the housing portion 42, and the unlocking finger - resting surface T2, which is a wall surface located on the unlocked - position side of the unlocking operation surface S2 and facing the opposite side of the unlocking operation surface S2. And, since the wall surface of the fourth protruding wall 39D of the accommodating portion 35 is located at a position where an average adult can easily exert force with respect to the unlocking operation surface S2, the surface of the fourth protruding wall 39D facing the opposite side of the unlocking operation surface S2 serves as the unlocking finger - resting surface T2.

[0055] Also, in order to secure a space where a finger can be easily inserted laterally to the unlocking finger - resting surface T2, between the fourth protruding wall 39D and the vertical rib 90D of the second upper wall 31 facing it from the opposite side of the unlocking operation surface S2, a horizontal rib is lowered in a range with substantially the same vertical width as the narrow portion 35Y of the accommodating portion 35, forming a space where a finger can be easily inserted. Furthermore, as described above, the fourth protruding wall 39D is provided with a curved portion 39G at the center in the vertical direction, and the concave portion in the unlocking finger - resting surface T2 due to the curved portion 39G is the central concave portion 39H. Note that the central concave portion 39H is located at the same height in the vertical direction as the central concave portion 46C of the unlocking operation surface S2 and has substantially the same vertical width.

[0056] The description of the configuration of the container 10A of this embodiment is as above. As described above, in the container 10A of this embodiment, a locking operation can be performed by bringing the thumb and the other fingers of one hand close to the locking operation surface S1 and the locking finger - hanging surface T1. Similarly, for the unlocking operation, it can be performed by bringing the thumb and the other fingers of one hand close to the unlocking operation surface S2 and the unlocking finger - hanging surface T2. Here, on the locking operation surface S1 and the locking finger - hanging surface T1, central recesses 45C, 60C and end recesses 45E, 60E as "finger - resting recesses" that are curved so as to approach each other are formed. Thus, the fingertips fit into them, preventing the fingers from slipping. Also, on the unlocking operation surface S2 and the unlocking finger - hanging surface T2, central recesses 46C, 39H and end recess 46E as "finger - resting recesses" are formed, preventing the fingers from slipping in the vertical direction. As a result, in the container 10A of the present disclosure, it becomes possible to easily perform the locking operation and the unlocking operation with one hand. Further, since the locking operation surface S1, the unlocking operation surface S2, and the locking finger - hanging surface T1 are wavy, a plurality of finger - resting recesses, which are a plurality of valleys of these wave shapes, are formed, and the locking operation and the unlocking operation can be performed by applying a plurality of fingers to the finger - resting recesses, and these operations are stabilized. Furthermore, since the elastic engagement piece 49 and the engagement protrusion 41 project from the operation portion (housing portion 42) having the locking operation surface S1 and the unlocking operation surface S2 among the locking members 40 to the opposite sides in the sliding direction, the inclination due to receiving the operating force of the locking member 40 is suppressed, and the sliding operation of the locking member 40 is stabilized.

[0057] Here, the locking operation surface S1 and the unlocking operation surface S2 may be provided back - to - back with respect to the protruding wall provided in the locking member 40. However, if they are arranged to face the inside of the housing portion 42 (corresponding to the "finger - insertion recess" of the present disclosure) provided in the locking member 40 as in the container 10A of this embodiment, both the locking operation and the unlocking operation can be performed by inserting the finger into the common space of the space inside the housing portion 42. Thus, effective use of the space can be achieved.

[0058] In addition, since the fovea regions 39H, 45C, 46C, and 60C are arranged on a common straight line parallel to the sliding direction of the locking member 40, it is possible to easily perform the switching operation between the locking operation and the unlocking operation.

[0059] [Other Embodiments] (1) In the above embodiment, the container 10A is exemplified as an example of the conveying device according to the present disclosure. However, the conveying device according to the present disclosure is not limited to a container, and may be, for example, a trolley or a pallet that is disassembled into a plurality of device components.

[0060] (2) In the above embodiment, the locking member 40 is configured to fix the second device component (the second upper side wall 31) so as not to rotate with respect to the first device component (the first upper side wall 21). However, the locking member may be configured to fix the second device component so as not to slide with respect to the first device component, or to fix the second device component so as not to separate. Specifically, for example, the container body and the lid body detachably attached to the container body may be used as the first and second device components, and a locking member may be provided for locking between them. Alternatively, the trolley body and the fixing member that slides with respect to the trolley body to fix the caster may be used as the first and second device components, and a locking member may be provided for locking between them.

[0061] (3) In the above embodiment, the locking finger-hooking surface T1 is provided on the first upper side wall 21, which is a device component different from the second upper side wall 31 to which the locking member 40 is attached. However, the second upper side wall 31 may be provided with the locking finger-hooking surface T1.

[0062] (4) In the above embodiment, the locking operation surface S1 and the unlocking operation surface S2 are provided so as to face each other. However, for example, two surfaces of the protruding wall provided on the locking member 40 that have a front-back positional relationship in the lateral direction may be used as the locking operation surface S1 and the unlocking operation surface S2, and one or more finger-touching recesses may be provided therein.

[0063] (5) Also, in the above embodiment, the central concave portions 39H, 45C, 46C, 60C (finger contact concave portions) and the end concave portions 45E, 46E, 60E (finger contact concave portions) are arranged on a common straight line parallel to the sliding direction of the lock member 40, but one or both of them may be arranged with a vertical shift.

[0064] (6) The finger contact concave portions such as the central concave portions 39H, 45C, 46C, 60C and the end concave portions 45E, 46E, 60E in the above embodiment are recessed in a groove shape, but may be recessed in a crater shape. With such a shape, the anti-slip effect is enhanced.

[0065] (7) In the above embodiment, finger contact concave portions are provided on the lock operation surface S1 and the lock finger hook surface T1, and on the unlock operation surface S2 and the unlock finger hook surface T2, respectively. However, finger contact concave portions may be provided only on the lock operation surface S1 and the lock finger hook surface T1, or only on the unlock operation surface S2 and the unlock finger hook surface T2. Furthermore, finger contact concave portions may be provided only on the lock operation surface S1 and the unlock operation surface S2, or only on the lock finger hook surface T1 and the unlock finger hook surface T2.

[0066] Note that although specific examples of the technology included in the claims are disclosed in this specification and the drawings, the technology described in the claims is not limited to these specific examples, and includes those obtained by variously modifying and changing the specific examples, as well as those obtained by extracting a part from the specific examples alone.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0067] 10A Container 21 First Upper Wall (First Instrument Component, Side Wall) 31 Second Upper Wall (First Instrument Component, Side Wall, Movable Wall) 39H, 45C, 46C, 60C Central Concave Portions (Finger Contact Concave Portions) 40 Lock Member 42 Housing Portion (Finger Insertion Concave Portion) 45E, 46E, 60E End Concave Portions (Finger Contact Concave Portions) S1 Lock Operation Surface S2 Unlock operation surface T1 Locking finger hook surface T2 Unlocking finger hook surface

Claims

1. A conveying device in which a locking member is slidably supported by the second instrument component among the first and second instrument components constituting part or all of the conveying device, and when the locking member is moved to a locking position on one end side within the slidable range, relative movement or relative rotation of the first and second instrument components is restricted, and when the locking member is moved to an unlocking position on the other end side within the slidable range, the restriction is released, the locking member is formed with a finger insertion recess into which a fingertip can be inserted between a pair of inner surfaces facing each other in the sliding direction, and a locking operation surface facing the unlocking position side among the pair of inner surfaces, an unlocking operation surface facing the locking position side, and an unlocking side outer wall disposed on the unlocking position side of the finger insertion recess are provided, a locking finger hook surface provided on the first or second instrument component, disposed on the locking position side of the locking operation surface, and facing the opposite side of the locking operation surface, a unlocking finger hook surface provided on the first or second instrument component, disposed on the unlocking position side of the unlocking operation surface, and facing the opposite side of the unlocking operation surface, by applying the thumb and other fingers of one hand to the locking operation surface and the locking finger hook surface and bringing them closer, it is possible to perform a sliding operation of the locking member to the locking position, and finger abutment recesses that are curved so as to approach each other and can accommodate fingertips are formed on the locking operation surface and the locking finger hook surface, and by applying the thumb and other fingers of one hand to the unlocking operation surface and the unlocking finger hook surface and bringing them closer, it is possible to perform a sliding operation of the locking member to the unlocking position, and finger abutment recesses that are curved so as to approach each other and can accommodate fingertips are formed on the unlocking operation surface and the unlocking finger hook surface, and the finger abutment recess of the unlocking finger hook surface is received in a recess formed in the unlocking side outer wall at the unlocking position, the finger abutment recess of the locking operation surface and the finger abutment recess of the unlocking operation surface face each other in the sliding direction of the locking member so as to expand a part of the finger insertion recess. A conveying device. **Claim 2**: A conveying device in which a locking member is slidably supported by the second of the first and second device components that make up part or all of the conveying device, and when the locking member is moved to a locking position on one end side of the slidable range, relative movement or relative rotation of the first and second device components is restricted, and when the locking member is moved to an unlocking position on the other end side of the slidable range, the restriction is released. The locking member is formed with a finger insertion recess into which a fingertip can be inserted between a pair of first opposing walls facing each other in the sliding direction, and includes a lock operation surface facing the unlocking position side among the opposing surfaces of the pair of first opposing walls, an unlocking operation surface facing the locking position side, and an unlocking side outer wall disposed on the unlocking position side of the pair of first opposing walls. A lock finger hook surface provided on the first or second device component, disposed on the locking position side of the lock operation surface, and facing the opposite side of the lock operation surface. An unlocking finger hook surface provided on the first or second device component, disposed on the unlocking position side of the unlocking operation surface, and facing the opposite side of the unlocking operation surface. By applying and bringing closer the thumb and the other fingers of one hand to the lock operation surface and the lock finger hook surface, it is possible to slide the locking member to the locking position. The lock operation surface and the lock finger hook surface are formed with finger rest recesses that are curved so as to approach each other and can accommodate fingertips. By applying and bringing closer the thumb and the other fingers of one hand to the unlocking operation surface and the unlocking finger hook surface, it is possible to slide the locking member to the unlocking position. The unlocking operation surface and the unlocking finger hook surface are formed with finger rest recesses that are curved so as to approach each other and can accommodate fingertips. The finger rest recess on the lock operation surface and the finger rest recess on the unlocking operation surface face each other in the sliding direction of the locking member so as to expand a part of the finger insertion recess. An engaging protrusion that projects in a cantilever shape in the sliding direction of the locking member from the first opposing wall having the lock operation surface of the locking member to the side opposite to the lock operation surface. An engagement hole provided in the first instrument component and engaged by the engagement protrusion when the lock member is disposed at the lock position; An elastic engagement piece that projects in a cantilever shape from the first opposing wall having the unlock operation surface of the lock member toward the unlock side outer wall; A conveying instrument comprising an engagement portion provided in the second instrument component, which interferes with the elastic engagement piece and deflects the elastic engagement piece when the lock member is at a position other than the lock position and the unlock position.

3. The lock operation surface, the unlock operation surface, the lock finger hook surface, or the unlock finger hook surface has a corrugated shape in which ridges and valleys are alternately arranged in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the lock member and parallel to the outer surfaces of the first and second instrument components, and a plurality of valleys included in the corrugated shape form the finger contact recesses. The conveying instrument according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A container having a movable wall in which a part of the side wall is rotatable or slidable, the movable wall and the adjacent side wall being provided as one and the other of the first and second instrument components, and the movable wall being locked or unlocked by the lock member. The conveying instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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