Lifting equipment

Abstract

To provide a lifting device capable of suppressing a sudden rise of one end of a string body by releasing the gripping of an object by a gripping part in the state where the object is unloaded in comparison with when the load applied to the other end of the string body by a load applying part is transmitted always to one end of the string body.SOLUTION: A lifting device comprises a hanging part to hang a string body, a gripping part fixed to one end of the string body and to grip an object, a load applying part to apply the load corresponding to the loads of the object and of the gripping part to the other end of the string body, and a switching part to switch between the transmission state in which the load by the load applying part is transmitted to one end of the string body and the non-transmission state the load is not transmitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting device. [Background technology]

[0002] The nursing care mobility assistance device described in Patent Document 1 comprises a body holding means for holding the body of the person being cared for, a sling to hang the body holding means, and an assist device that reduces the apparent mass of the person being cared for simply by applying a constant upward thrust to the sling that is set in advance to a value approximately equal to or less than the downward force caused by the mass of the person being cared for. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-336307 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, lifting devices for lifting objects have included a gripping part for gripping the object, a string with one end fixed to the gripping part and the other end fixed to a load-applying part, and a suspending part for suspending the string. Then, workers can lift the object with little force by balancing the load applied to the string by the load-applying part and the weight of the object gripped by the gripping part.

[0005] However, with this configuration, when the object is lowered and the grip of the object by the gripping portion is released, the load applied to the other end of the string by the load-applying portion causes one end of the string to rise suddenly.

[0006] The object of the present disclosure is to prevent one end of the string from rising suddenly when the grip of the object by the gripping part is released while the object is lowered, compared to when the load applied to the other end of the string by the load-applying part is constantly transmitted to one end of the string. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The lifting device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising a suspending part for suspending a string, a gripping part fixed to one end of the string for gripping an object, a load applying part for applying a load corresponding to the load of the object and the gripping part to the other end of the string, and a switching part for switching between a transmission state in which the load from the load applying part is transmitted to one end of the string and a non-transmission state in which the load is not transmitted.

[0008] A lifting device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the lifting device described in the first aspect, the switching unit comprises another string body having one end fixed to the string body, another hanging unit for hanging the other string body, and a limiting unit provided at the other end of the other string body, which limits the movement of the other end of the other string body in the non-transmitting state and releases the restriction on the movement of the other end of the other string body in the transmitting state.

[0009] The lifting device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the lifting device described in the second aspect, the movement of the other end of the other string body can be restricted by the restricting part simply by the holding part being lowered.

[0010] A lifting device according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the lifting device described in the third aspect, the restricting portion comprises a rod body having an upper end fixed to the other end of the other string body and having a recessed portion; an insertion portion that moves to a restricting position where the tip of the rod body is inserted into the recessed portion from the side as the rod body moves downward, thereby restricting the upward movement of the rod body; and a permissive position where the tip of the rod body inserted into the recessed portion is removed from the recessed portion as the rod body moves further downward, thereby allowing the rod body to move up and down; and an elastic portion that moves the insertion portion from the permissive position to the permissive position by elastic force.

[0011] A lifting device according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the lifting device described in any one of the first to fourth aspects, it is provided with a moving part that enables the hanging part, the load applying part, and the switching part to move together in the horizontal direction.

[0012] A lifting device according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a lifting device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, characterized in that the gripping portion is provided with a pair of holding portions that hold down two sides of a rectangular parallelepiped object from the outside.

[0013] A lifting device according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the lifting device described in the sixth aspect, one of the holding parts holds the top surface of the object from the outside, and the other holding part holds the side surface of the object from the outside. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the lifting device of the first aspect of the present disclosure, when the object is lowered, the grip of the object by the gripping part is released, thereby preventing one end of the string from rising suddenly, compared to when the load applied to the other end of the string by the load-applying part is constantly transmitted to one end of the string.

[0015] According to the lifting device of the second aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to switch between a transmission state in which the load from the load-applying part is transmitted to one end of the string, and a non-transmission state in which the load is not transmitted, without detaching the load-applying part from the string.

[0016] According to the lifting device of the third aspect of the present disclosure, the restriction part can restrict the movement of the other end of the other string only when the grip part grips or releases the grip of the object.

[0017] According to the lifting device of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the insertion section can be moved from the permitted position to the restricted position without using an electric actuator.

[0018] According to the lifting device of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the object can be moved in the horizontal direction while being lifted.

[0019] According to the lifting device of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the posture of the lifted object is more stable than when the gripping portion presses only the lower surface of the object from the outside.

[0020] According to the lifting device of the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the gripping portion can be made smaller than when the upper and lower surfaces of the object are pressed from the outside. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lifting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a gripping portion provided in a lifting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 3] 10A to 10C are operation diagrams illustrating the operation of a gripping unit provided in the lifting device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 10A to 10C are operation diagrams illustrating the operation of a gripping unit provided in the lifting device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 10A to 10C are operation diagrams illustrating the operation of a gripping unit provided in the lifting device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are operational diagrams illustrating the operation of the lifting device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state in which the restricting unit restricts the lifting of an object. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are operational diagrams illustrating the operation of the lifting device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state in which the restricting portion allows the object to be lifted. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the lifting device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state in which an object is lifted. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the lifting device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the state in which the device is moved in the horizontal direction. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the lifting device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state in which the lifted object is lowered. [Figure 11]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the lifting device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state in which the gripper that has detached from the object is lifted up. [Figure 12] 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are operational diagrams showing the operation of a limiting unit provided in a lifting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E are operation diagrams showing the operation of a limiting unit provided in a lifting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a gripping portion provided in a lifting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] An example of a lifting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 14. Note that arrow H shown in the figures indicates the up-down direction (vertical direction) of the device, arrow W indicates the width direction (horizontal direction) of the device, and arrow D indicates the depth direction (horizontal direction) of the device. Note that the width direction and the depth direction of the device are perpendicular to each other. Note that the up-down direction of the device may also be referred to as the up-down direction.

[0023] (Overall composition) As shown in FIG. 1, the lifting device 10 according to this embodiment includes a support unit 12 for supporting each component, a string 20, a pair of suspenders 26 for suspending the string 20, and a gripper 30 fixed to one end of the string 20 for gripping a cardboard box 100 (see FIG. 3). The lifting device 10 further includes a load-applying unit 50 for applying a load corresponding to the weight of the cardboard box 100 gripped by the gripper 30 and the weight of the gripper 30 to the other end of the string 20, and a switching unit 60 for switching between a transmission state in which the load from the load-applying unit 50 is transmitted to the one end of the string 20 and a non-transmission state in which the load is not transmitted. The lifting device 10 also includes a moving rail 80 for enabling horizontal movement of the suspenders 26, the load-applying unit 50, and the switching unit 60. The cardboard box 100 is an example of an object.

[0024] [Support part 12, string body 20, hanging part 26] -Support part 12- 1, the support portion 12 includes a base portion 12a extending in the width direction of the device, a first mounting portion 12b extending downward from one end of the base portion 12a in the width direction of the device, and a second mounting portion 12c extending downward from the other end of the base portion 12a in the width direction of the device. The second mounting portion 12c extends downward compared to the first mounting portion 12b.

[0025] Furthermore, the support portion 12 includes a third mounting portion 12d and a fourth mounting portion 12e that extend downward from the other end of the base portion 12a in the device width direction, and a T-shaped portion 12f that protrudes upward from the center of the base portion 12a in the device width direction and has a T-shaped cross section. The third mounting portion 12d and the fourth mounting portion 12e have the same length as the first mounting portion 12b, and are lined up in this order from the other end to one end in the device width direction.

[0026] -String body 20, hanging part 26- The suspending portion 26 is a fixed pulley, and is provided in pair as shown in Fig. 1. One of the suspending portions 26 is rotatably attached to the lower end of the first mounting portion 12b with its axial direction in the device depth direction. Furthermore, the other suspending portion 26 is rotatably attached to the lower end of the fourth mounting portion 12e with its axial direction in the device depth direction. For convenience of explanation below, one of the suspending portions 26 may be referred to as suspending portion 26a, and the other suspending portion 26 may be referred to as suspending portion 26b.

[0027] The cord body 20 is a wire rope formed by bundling metal wires as elemental wires, and as shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the cord body 20 is wound around the hanging portion 26a and the hanging portion 26b.

[0028] [Gripping part 30] As shown in FIG. 1, the grip portion 30 is attached to one end of the string 20, which is the end of the portion of the string 20 that extends downward from the hanging portion 26a.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the gripping portion 30 includes a rod-shaped main body 32 whose upper end is fixed to one end of the string 20, and a pair of pillars 34 extending from the lower end of the main body 32 in a direction perpendicular to the main body 32. The pair of pillars 34 are aligned vertically, with one pillar 34 extending from the lower end of the main body 32 and the other pillar 34 extending from a portion of the main body 32 separated from the first pillar 34. For ease of explanation, one pillar 34 may be referred to as pillar 34a and the other pillar 34 as pillar 34b. The pillar 34b is longer than the pillar 34a. The pillar 34b is an example of one of the holding portions.

[0030] Furthermore, an auxiliary pillar 36 extending in a direction perpendicular to the pillar 34b is provided at the tip of the pillar 34b. The auxiliary pillar 36 is rotatably supported and can rotate between an initial position (see solid line in the figure) perpendicular to the main body 32 when viewed from the direction in which the pillar 34b extends, and an operating position (see chain double-dashed line in the figure) extending in the same direction as the main body 32. Furthermore, a rectangular auxiliary plate 36a with its plate surface facing the main body 32 is provided at the tip of the auxiliary pillar 36. The auxiliary pillar 36 is an example of the other pressing portion.

[0031] In this configuration, when the gripping unit 30 operated by the worker grips the cardboard box 100, the gripping unit 30 is first operated so as to sandwich one of the inner flaps 102 of the cardboard box 100 between the pillars 34a and 34b, as shown in Figure 3.

[0032] Further (next), as shown in Fig. 4, the gripping unit 30 is operated so that one of the inner flaps 102 sandwiched between the pillars 34a and 34b covers the opening of the cardboard box 100. Also (next), as shown in Fig. 5, the auxiliary pillar 36 arranged in the initial position is rotated so that it faces the side plate 100a connected to one of the inner flaps 102 of the cardboard box 100 in the thickness direction of the side plate 100a, and the auxiliary pillar 36 moves to the operating position. In this way, the top surface of the cardboard box 100 is pressed by the pillar 34b, and the side surface of the cardboard box 100 is pressed by the auxiliary pillar 36, so that the gripping unit 30 grips the cardboard box 100.

[0033] In this embodiment, the load of the gripping portion 30 is set to 20 [N], and the load of the cardboard box 100 is set to 60 [N]. The loads of the gripping portion 30 and the cardboard box 100 are forces generated by mass and gravity.

[0034] [Load applying section 50] As shown in FIG. 1 , the load-applying unit 50 is disposed at the other end of the string 20. Specifically, the load-applying unit 50 includes a housing 50a, a coil spring 50b disposed inside the housing 50a and having the other end attached to the housing 50a, and a shaft 50c to which one end of the coil spring 50b is attached and which is rotatably supported by the housing 50a. The other end of the string 20 is attached to the shaft 50c. Note that the other end of the string 20 and one end of the coil spring 50b are attached at different positions in the axial direction of the shaft 50c to prevent the string 20 and the coil spring 50b from becoming entangled on the shaft 50c. Specifically, the other end of the string 20 is attached to one end of the shaft 50c, and one end of the coil spring 50b is attached to the other end of the shaft 50c. The housing 50a is attached to the second attachment portion 12c of the support unit 12 via a switching unit 60.

[0035] The spring force (elastic force) of the coil spring 50b is applied to the shaft portion 50c. Specifically, the load applying portion 50 applies a load corresponding to the load of the cardboard box 100 gripped by the gripping portion 30 and the load of the gripping portion 30 to the other end of the string 20 by the spring force of the coil spring 50b.

[0036] Here, "the load of the cardboard box 100 gripped by the gripping portion 30 and the load corresponding to the load of the gripping portion 30 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "corresponding load")" is a load of ±20% of the total load of the gripping portion 30 and the cardboard box 100. Specifically, the total load of the gripping portion 30 and the cardboard box 100 is 80 [N]. Therefore, the corresponding load is 64 [N] or more and 96 [N] or less.

[0037] Regarding the load to be handled, a load of ±20% of the total load of the gripping portion 30 and the cardboard box 100 is preferable, a load of ±15% of the total load is even more preferable, and a load of ±10% of the total load is most preferable.

[0038] [Switching unit 60] 1, the switching unit 60 includes a housing 62, a string 64 having one end fixed to the string 20, a suspender 66 for suspending the string 64, and a restricting unit 68 provided at the other end of the string 64 for restricting or releasing the restriction on movement of the other end of the string 64. The string 64 is an example of another string, and the suspender 66 is an example of another suspender.

[0039] -Case 62- The housing 62 extends in the vertical direction, is hollow, and is attached to the second mounting portion 12c of the support portion 12. The housing 50a of the load-applying portion 50 described above is attached to the second mounting portion 12c of the support portion 12 via this housing 62. Furthermore, the housing 62 does not have a bottom plate, and the lower end of the housing 62 is open to the outside.

[0040] -String body 64, hanging part 66- The hanging portion 66 is a fixed pulley, and as shown in FIG. 1, is rotatably attached to the lower end of the third attachment portion 12d with its axial direction aligned in the device depth direction.

[0041] 1, a portion of the string 64 is wound around the suspending portion 66. A fixing member 64a is provided at one end of the string 64. The one end of the string 64 is fixed to a portion of the string 20 between the portion wound around the suspending portion 26b and the other end of the string 20 via the fixing member 64a.

[0042] Furthermore, the portion of string 64 extending from the portion wound around hanging portion 66 to the other end of string 64 is disposed inside housing 62. That is, a through-hole (reference numeral omitted) through which string 64 passes is formed in the top plate of housing 62.

[0043] -Restricted section 68- The restricting portion 68 includes a rod 70 fixed to the other end of the string 64 and having a cylindrical recess 70a formed therein that extends in the circumferential direction, a plate 74 having a plate-like shape with its thickness direction aligned vertically when its tip is inserted into the recess 70a, and an elastic portion 78 that applies a spring force (elastic force) to the plate 74. The plate 74 is an example of an insertion portion.

[0044] The rod body 70 is arranged inside the housing 62 and has a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. Furthermore, a recessed portion 70a extending in the circumferential direction is formed at the lower end portion of the rod body 70.

[0045] The plate portion 74 is disposed outside the housing 62 and is supported rotatably around the shaft portion 74a as a rotation axis. Specifically, a connecting member 72 that is L-shaped when viewed from the depth direction of the device is provided, and one end of the connecting member 72 is attached to the outer surface of the housing 62, and the shaft portion 74a is attached to the other end of the connecting member 72. The axial direction of the shaft portion 74a is the depth direction of the device. A through hole is formed in the plate portion 74, penetrating in a direction intersecting the plate thickness direction of the plate portion 74 (the depth direction of the device), and the shaft portion 74a is inserted into this through hole.

[0046] Plate 74 is rotatable between a restricting position (solid line in FIG. 1) where the tip is inserted into recess 70a from the side, and an allowing position (two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) where the tip moves downward and is removed from recess 70a. When plate 74 is positioned at the restricting position, the upper surface of plate 74 abuts against the lower end of housing 62, thereby restricting the upward movement of rod 70, and when plate 74 is positioned at the allowing position, it allows the vertical movement of rod 70.

[0047] The elastic portion 78 is a tension coil spring that extends in the vertical direction, and the upper end of the elastic portion 78 is attached to the connecting member 72, while the lower end of the elastic portion 78 is attached to a portion of the plate portion 74 between the tip and the through hole into which the shaft portion 74a is inserted. In this way, the elastic portion 78 applies a spring force to the plate portion 74 so that the plate portion 74 is positioned in the restricted position. In other words, the elastic portion 78 is positioned so that the spring force (elastic force) moves the plate portion 74 from the allowed position to the restricted position.

[0048] In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 12(A), when the restriction on the movement of the other end of the string 64 is released by the restricting portion 68, the rod 70 is located above the plate 74. The plate 74 is also placed in the restricted position. In this state, when the gripping portion 30 shown in FIG. 8 is lowered by the operator, the fixing member 64a moves upward. As the fixing member 64a moves upward, the rod 70 moves downward, as shown in FIGS. 12(A) and 12(B), and the lower end of the rod 70 pushes the tip of the plate 74 downward. This causes the plate 74 to rotate about the shaft 74a, and the plate 74 tilts relative to the horizontal direction.

[0049] When the operator pulls one end of the string 20 downward while the plate 74 is tilted, the fixing member 64a moves further upward. As the fixing member 64a moves further upward, the rod 70 moves further downward, as shown in FIGS. 12(B) and 12(C), and the tip of the plate 74 is inserted into the recess 70a. When the operator releases the force that moves the one end of the string 20 downward, the rod 70 moves upward due to the load applied to the other end of the string 20 by the load-applying unit 50. Then, as shown in FIGS. 12(C) and 12(D), the plate 74, whose tip is inserted into the recess 70a, rotates around the shaft 74a due to the load applied by the load-applying unit 50 and the spring force of the elastic unit 78. The top surface of the plate 74 hits the lower end of the housing 62, and the rod 70 moves to the restricted position. This restricts the upward movement of the rod body 70.

[0050] In this way, the movement of the other end of the string 64 can be restricted by the restricting portion 68 simply by the state in which the gripping portion 30 is lowered and gripping or releasing the grip of the cardboard box 100 by the gripping portion 30.

[0051] [Moving rail 80] The movable rail 80 is attached to the ceiling E, and as shown in FIG. 1, has a C-shaped cross section with an open bottom, and extends in the depth direction of the device. The T-shaped portion 12f of the support portion 12 is fitted into the movable rail 80 so as to be movable in the depth direction of the device. In other words, the T-shaped portion 12f is configured to be movable in the depth direction of the device by sliding on the movable rail 80. The movable rail 80 is an example of a movable portion.

[0052] The suspending portion 26, the load applying portion 50, and the switching portion 60, which are supported by the support portion 12, are movable in the direction in which the moving rail 80 extends.

[0053] (action) Next, a description will be given of the operation of the lifting device 10. Specifically, a process of lifting the cardboard box 100 using the lifting device 10 and placing the lifted cardboard box 100 over the image forming device 110 will be described.

[0054] When the lifting device 10 is in an inoperative state, as shown in Fig. 1, the gripping unit 30 is lowered so that it can grip the cardboard box 100, and the auxiliary pillars 36 of the gripping unit 30 are positioned in their initial positions. Furthermore, the switching unit 60 is in a non-transmitting state in which the load from the load-applying unit 50 is not transmitted to one end of the string 20. Specifically, the limiting unit 68 limits the movement of the other end of the string 64. More specifically, the tip of the plate 74 is inserted into the recess 70a of the rod 70, and the plate 74 is positioned in a restricted position.

[0055] From this state, first, the worker places the cardboard box 100 on a work space F1 (see FIG. 1) that is one step higher than the floor surface F. Then, the gripper 30 operated by the worker grips the cardboard box 100. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the gripper 30 is operated so that one inner flap 102 of the cardboard box 100 is sandwiched between the pillars 34a and 34b.

[0056] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the gripping unit 30 is operated so that the inner flap 102 sandwiched between the pillars 34a and 34b covers the opening of the cardboard box 100. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the auxiliary pillars 36 arranged in the initial position are rotated so that they face the side panel 100a of the cardboard box 100. As a result, the auxiliary pillars 36 are arranged in the operating position. In this way, the pillars 34b press the inner flap 102 from the outside, and the auxiliary pillars 36 press the side panel 100a from the outside. In other words, the pillars 34b press the top surface of the cardboard box 100 from the outside, and the auxiliary pillars 36 press the side surface of the cardboard box 100 from the outside. Then, the gripping unit 30 grips the cardboard box 100.

[0057] 6 and 7, the switching unit 60 switches from a non-transmitting state in which the load from the load-applying unit 50 is not transmitted to one end of the string 20 to a transmitting state in which the load from the load-applying unit 50 is transmitted to one end of the string 20. Specifically, by disposing the plate unit 74, which was disposed in the restricting position, in the allowing position, the limiting unit 68 releases the restriction on the movement of the other end of the string 64.

[0058] Hereinafter, a process will be described in which the restricting portion 68 releases the restriction on the movement of the other end of the string 64 by moving the plate portion 74, which was in the restricting position, to the allowing position.

[0059] As shown in Figure 13(A), the tip of plate 74 arranged in the restricting position is inserted into recess 70a of rod 70, and the upper surface of plate 74 abuts against the lower end of housing 62, restricting the upward movement of rod 70. When an operator pulls one end of string 20 shown in Figure 6 downward from this state, fixing member 64a moves upward. As fixing member 64a moves upward, rod 70 moves downward and plate 74 rotates, as shown in Figures 13(A) and 13(B), and the tip of plate 74 is removed from recess 70a.

[0060] Then, the operator presses the other end of the plate portion 74 so that the tip of the plate portion 74 moves away from the rod body 70. Specifically, in the state shown in FIG. 3(B), the operator presses (grabs) the other end (rear end portion) of the plate portion 74, which is located above the through hole (through hole into which the shaft portion 74a is inserted) of the plate portion 74, toward the connecting member 72. Then, as shown in FIG. 13(C), the tip of the plate portion 74 moves away from the rod body 70 in the horizontal direction. As a result, the plate portion 74 is positioned at an allowable position that allows the rod body 70 to move up and down. In this way, by positioning the plate portion 74, which was positioned at the restricting position, at the allowable position, the limiting portion 68 releases the restriction on the movement of the other end of the string body 64.

[0061] With the plate portion 74 in the allowable position, the worker lifts the cardboard box 100 as shown in Figures 7 and 8. With the plate portion 74 in the allowable position, the switching portion 60 is in a transmission state in which the load from the load-applying portion 50 is transmitted to one end of the string body 20. Therefore, the worker can lift the cardboard box 100 with little force.

[0062] As the cardboard box 100 is lifted, the fixing member 64a moves downward, and the rod 70 moves upward. As shown in FIGS. 13(D) and 13(E), after the rod 70 moves upward relative to the plate 74, when the worker releases pressure on the other end of the plate 74, the plate 74, which is positioned in the allowable position, returns to the restricted position due to the spring force of the elastic portion 78. In actual work, the worker lifts the cardboard box 100 from the state shown in FIGS. 7 and 13(C) until the lower end of the rod 70 is higher than the lower end of the housing 62, as shown in FIG. 13(D), and then releases pressure on the other end of the plate 74. This allows the worker to concentrate on lifting the cardboard box 100 without worrying about the position of the plate 74.

[0063] Furthermore, with the cardboard box 100 in the lifted state, the worker moves the hanging part 26, the load applying part 50, and the switching part 60, which are supported by the support part 12, in the direction in which the moving rail 80 extends. As a result, the cardboard box 100 moves above the image forming device 110, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0064] With the cardboard box 100 placed above the image forming apparatus 110, the worker lowers the cardboard box 100 to cover the image forming apparatus 110 as shown in FIGS.

[0065] With the cardboard box 100 placed over the image forming device 110, the switching unit 60 switches to a non-transmitting state in which the load from the load applying unit 50 is not transmitted to one end of the string 20. Specifically, the limiting unit 68 limits the movement of the other end of the string 64. More specifically, the tip of the plate 74, which is positioned in the restricting position, is inserted into the recess 70a of the rod 70.

[0066] Hereinafter, a process of inserting the tip of the plate portion 74 arranged in the regulated position into the recessed portion 70a of the rod body 70 will be described.

[0067] When the lifted cardboard box 100 is lowered, the gripping portion 30 is also lowered as shown in FIGS.

[0068] Furthermore, as the gripping portion 30 is lowered, the fixing member 64a moves upward. As the fixing member 64a moves upward, the rod body 70 moves downward as shown in Figures 12(A) and 12(B), and the weight of the rod body 70 causes the lower end of the rod body 70 to push downward the tip of the plate portion 74. This causes the plate portion 74 to rotate around the shaft portion 74a, and the plate portion 74 is tilted relative to the horizontal direction.

[0069] When the operator pulls one end of the string 20 downward while the plate 74 is tilted, the fixing member 64a moves further upward. As the fixing member 64a moves further upward, the rod 70 moves further downward, as shown in FIGS. 12(B) and 12(C), and the tip of the plate 74 is inserted into the recess 70a. When the operator releases the force that moves one end of the string 20 downward, the rod 70 moves upward due to the load applied to the other end of the string 20 by the load-applying unit 50. Then, as shown in FIGS. 12(C) and 12(D), the plate 74, whose tip is inserted into the recess 70a, rotates around the shaft 74a due to the spring force of the elastic unit 78 and moves to the restricted position. This restricts the upward movement of the rod 70.

[0070] In this way, with the gripping portion 30 in the lowered position, the movement of the other end of the string 64 can be restricted by the restricting portion 68.

[0071] Furthermore, in a non-transmitting state in which the load from the load-applying unit 50 is not transmitted to one end of the string 20, the gripping unit 30 releases the grip of the cardboard box 100. The gripping unit 30 releases the grip of the cardboard box 100 by going through the reverse process of the process in which the gripping unit 30 grips the cardboard box 100.

[0072] With the gripping unit 30 no longer gripping the cardboard box 100, the worker moves the suspending unit 26, the load applying unit 50, and the switching unit 60, which are supported by the support unit 12, in the direction in which the moving rail 80 extends. This returns the lifting device 10 to the non-operating state shown in FIG. 1.

[0073] In the above description, each step is described individually, but each step may be a series of operations.

[0074] (summary) As described above, in the lifting device 10, in a transmission state in which the load from the load-applying unit 50 is transmitted to one end of the string 20, the cardboard box 100 gripped by the gripping unit 30 is lowered, causing the gripping unit 30 to be lowered as well. Therefore, when one end of the string 20 is pulled downward by the worker, the switching unit 60 switches to a non-transmission state in which the load from the load-applying unit 50 is not transmitted to one end of the string 20. This prevents one end of the string 20 from suddenly rising when the gripping unit 30 releases the cardboard box 100 in the lowered state, compared to when the load applied to the other end of the string by the load-applying unit is constantly transmitted to one end of the string.

[0075] Furthermore, in the lifting device 10, the switching unit 60 includes a string 64 having one end fixed to the string 20, a suspending unit 66 for suspending the string 64, and a restricting unit 68 for restricting or releasing the restriction on movement of the other end of the string 64. This allows the load-applying unit 50 to be switched to a non-transmitting state in which the load from the load-applying unit 50 is not transmitted to one end of the string 20, without having to detach the load-applying unit 50 from the device.

[0076] Furthermore, in the lifting device 10, when the worker pulls one end of the string 20 downward while the lowered cardboard box 100 is placed over the image forming device 110, the switching unit 60 switches to a non-transmission state in which the load from the load-applying unit 50 is not transmitted to the one end of the string 20. In other words, when the worker pulls one end of the string 20 downward while the gripping unit 30 is lowered and is gripping or releasing the cardboard box 100, the switching unit 60 switches to a non-transmission state in which the load from the load-applying unit 50 is not transmitted to the one end of the string 20. In this way, the switching unit 60 can restrict the movement of the other end of the string 64 by the limiting unit 68 only when it is necessary for the gripping unit 30 to grip or release the cardboard box 100.

[0077] In addition, in the lifting device 10, the tip of the plate portion 74 is inserted into the recessed portion 70a by the spring force of the elastic portion 78. In this manner, the plate portion 74 is moved from the permitted position to the restricted position without using an electric actuator.

[0078] In addition, in the lifting device 10, while the cardboard box 100 is lifted, the hanging part 26, the load applying part 50, and the switching part 60, which are supported by the support part 12, are moved by the worker in the direction in which the moving rail 80 extends. In this way, while the cardboard box 100 is lifted, the cardboard box 100 is moved horizontally.

[0079] In addition, in the lifting device 10, the pillars 34b press the inner flaps 102 from the outside, and the auxiliary pillars 36 press the side panels 100a from the outside. In this way, by pressing on two sides of the cardboard box 100, the posture of the lifted cardboard box 100 is more stable than when only the bottom surface of the cardboard box is pressed from the outside.

[0080] In addition, in the lifting device 10, the pillars 34b press the inner flaps 102 from the outside, and the auxiliary pillars 36 press the side panels 100a from the outside. In other words, the top and side surfaces of the cardboard box 100 are pressed from the outside. By pressing the top and side surfaces of the cardboard box 100 in this way, the gripping portion 30 can be made smaller than when the top and bottom surfaces of the cardboard box are pressed.

[0081] While the present disclosure has been described in detail with respect to a specific embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to such an embodiment, and that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in the above embodiment, the limiting portion 68 restricts or releases the movement of the other end of the string 20, thereby switching the transmission of the load to one end of the string 20. However, the transmission of the load may also be switched by detaching the load-applying portion from the string. However, in this case, the effect achieved by providing the limiting portion 68 will not be achieved.

[0082] In addition, in the above embodiment, the limiting portion 68 can limit the movement of the other end of the string 64 when the gripping portion 30 is lowered, but the limiting portion 68 may be able to limit the movement of the other end of the string 64 regardless of the height of the gripping portion 30. However, in this case, the effect of being able to limit the movement when the gripping portion 30 is lowered is not achieved.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the plate portion 74 is moved to the restricted position by the spring force of the elastic portion 78, but the plate portion 74 may be moved to the restricted position by an electric actuator. In this case, however, the effect achieved by using the elastic portion 78 is not achieved.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the pillars 34b press the inner flap 102 from the outside, and the auxiliary pillars 36 press the side panels 100a from the outside to lift the cardboard box 100, but the cardboard box may be lifted by gripping one point of the cardboard box with the gripping part 30. However, in this case, the action of pressing two sides of the cardboard box 100 will not be achieved.

[0085] 14, the upper portion 32a of the main body 32 of the gripping unit 30 may be rotatable, and one end of the string 20 may be pulled downward by the operator rotating the upper portion 32a. In other words, the gripping unit 30 may be composed of a lower portion having a pair of pillars 34, and an upper portion 32a rotatably supported at the upper end of the lower portion and having one end of the string 20 fixed to its upper end. With this configuration, in the above embodiment, when the operator pulls one end of the string 20 downward, all that is required is to tilt the upper portion 32a, which is extending in the vertical direction, relative to the vertical direction, thereby improving operability.

[0086] In addition, in the above embodiment, the coil spring 50b of the load-applying section 50 applied a load to the other end of the string body 20, but the load-applying section 50 may also apply a load to the other end of the string body 20 using a weight, a coil spring, or the like.

[0087] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a tension coil spring is used as the elastic portion 78, but a rubber string, a torsion spring, or the like may also be used as the elastic portion 78.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the switching unit 60 uses the restricting unit 68 to restrict the movement of the other end of the string 64, but the movement may also be restricted by clamping the other end of the string 64, or the rotation of the rod may be restricted by wrapping the other end of the string 64 around the rod. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10 Lifting equipment 20 String 26 Hanging part 26a Hanging part 26b Hanging part 30 Gripping part 34b Pillar (an example of one holding part) 36 Auxiliary column (an example of the other holding part) 50 Load application section 60 Switching section 64 String body (an example of another string body) 66 Suspension part (an example of another suspension part) 68 Restricted Section 70 Rod 70a recess 74 Plate section (an example of an insertion section) 78 Elastic part 80 Moving rail (an example of a moving part) 100 Cardboard (example of object)

Claims

1. A hanging part for hanging the string body; a gripping portion fixed to one end of the string body and configured to grip an object; a load applying part that applies a load corresponding to the load of the object and the grip part to the other end of the string; a switching unit that switches between a transmission state in which the load from the load applying unit is transmitted to the one end of the string body and a non-transmission state in which the load is not transmitted; Equipped with The switching unit is Another string body having one end fixed to the string body; Another hanging portion for hanging the other string body; a limiting portion provided at the other end of the other string, the limiting portion limiting movement of the other end of the other string in the non-transmitting state and releasing the limit on movement of the other end of the other string in the transmitting state; A lifting device comprising:

2. The restriction of the movement of the other end of the other string body by the restriction part can be achieved only when the grip part is lowered.

2. The lifting device of claim 1.

3. The limiting portion is a rod body having an upper end fixed to the other end of the other string body and having a recess; an insertion portion that moves to a restricting position where the tip of the rod body is inserted into the recess from the side as the rod body moves downward, restricting the upward movement of the rod body, and a permitting position where the tip of the rod body is removed from the recess as the rod body, with the tip inserted into the recess, moves further downward, allowing the rod body to move up and down; an elastic portion that moves the insertion portion from the permitted position to the restricted position by elastic force, 3. A lifting device according to claim 2.

4. a moving unit that allows the hanging unit, the load applying unit, and the switching unit to move together in a horizontal direction; A lifting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The gripping portion includes a pair of pressing portions that press two surfaces of a rectangular parallelepiped object from the outside. A lifting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. One of the holding portions holds the top surface of the object from the outside, and the other holding portion holds the side surface of the object from the outside.

6. Lifting apparatus according to claim 5.

Images