Pallet connector and cargo transport method

Abstract

This reduces the burden of connecting and disconnecting pallets, reduces the manufacturing costs of pallet connectors, and enables the strength and weight of pallet connectors to be improved. [Solution] The pallet connector 10 is a pallet connector used to connect adjacent pallets 20 to each other when towing multiple loading pallets together at the same time, and has a long base portion 12, a pair of arm portions 14 extending perpendicularly to the base portion 12 and in the same direction from both ends of the base portion 12, with their inner surfaces facing each other, and a stiffening portion 18B protruding outward from the corner of the bend portion 16 formed by the base portion 12 and the arm portions 14.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pallet connector and a method for transporting cargo. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a pallet connector such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In Patent Document 1, unit pallets having a plurality of tubular members (legs) around the periphery of the plates that support a pair of upper and lower plates at a fixed distance are arranged adjacent to each other, and the adjacent legs arranged around the periphery of adjacent unit pallets are connected by two connecting fittings that are arranged to embrace half the circumference of each adjacent leg. The two connecting fittings are integrated by being fixed with a single bolt between each adjacent leg, strengthening the connection. By connecting any number of unit pallets, a connected pallet made of synthetic resin with a required loading area is formed and used for transporting goods. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-166940 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, two connecting fittings must be fastened with one bolt, which increases the workload of connecting pallets. The same workload is required when disconnecting the pallets, making the system unsuitable for applications where pallets must be connected and disconnected as needed. Furthermore, because one pallet connector requires three components—two connecting fittings and one bolt—the pallet connector's configuration is complex. This increases the manufacturing costs of the pallet connector. There is also room for improvement in terms of improving the strength and reducing the weight of the pallet connector.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a technology that can reduce the burden of connecting and disconnecting pallets, reduce the manufacturing costs of pallet connectors, and improve the strength and weight of pallet connectors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the pallet connector of the present invention is a pallet connector used to connect adjacent pallets to each other when towing multiple loading pallets together at the same time, and has a long base portion, a pair of arm portions extending perpendicular to the base portion and in the same direction from both ends of the base portion, with their inner surfaces facing each other, and a stiffening portion protruding outward from the corner of the bend formed by the base portion and the arm portions.

[0007] In addition, another aspect of the cargo transport method of the present invention includes the steps of using the pallet connector described in the above aspect to connect adjacent pallets by clamping the pair of arm portions of the pallet connector against the side surfaces of each leg of adjacent pallets between which cargo is loaded, the side surfaces opposite the side surfaces to which each leg abuts, and at least one of loading the connected adjacent pallets onto the loading platform of a means of transportation and unloading them from the loading platform. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the burden of connecting and disconnecting pallets can be reduced, the manufacturing costs of pallet connectors can be reduced, and the strength and weight of the pallet connectors can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the pallet connector according to the present embodiment is attached to a pallet. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a pallet connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the pallet connector of this embodiment, cut at the position of the stiffening part by a plane perpendicular to both the plate surface of the base part and the plate surface of the arm part. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a pallet connector according to a first modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a pallet connector according to a first modified example, cut at the position of the stiffening part along a plane perpendicular to both the plate surface of the base part and the plate surface of the arm part. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a pallet connector according to a second modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a pallet connector according to a second modified example, cut at the position of the stiffening part along a plane perpendicular to both the plate surface of the base part and the plate surface of the arm part. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating two pallets connected together by a pallet connector according to this embodiment, cut parallel to the loading surface of the pallets at the height of the legs of the pallets. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating eight pallets connected together by pallet connectors according to this embodiment, cut parallel to the loading surface of the pallets at the height of the legs of the pallets. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view showing four pallets that are connected together by placing the pallet connectors of this embodiment on the legs located at the back of adjacent pallets, cut horizontally at the height of the pallet legs. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view showing four pallets that are connected together by placing pallet connectors of this embodiment on the legs located on the left and right outer peripheries of adjacent pallets, cut horizontally at the height of the legs of the pallets. [Figure 12] Figure 12(A) is a plan view illustrating another example of a pallet connector, and Figure 12(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12B-12B in Figure 12(A). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. The drawings used in the following description are all schematic, and the dimensional relationships and ratios of elements shown in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones. Furthermore, the dimensional relationships and ratios of elements between the drawings do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified in the specification, each element is not limited to one, and multiple elements may be present. Furthermore, substantially identical elements are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and redundant explanations in the specification will be omitted. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified in the specification, the front and rear of a pallet (front-to-back direction) refer to the side closer to the forklift or towing means transporting the pallet as the rear (the direction toward the rear) and the side farther from the forklift or towing means transporting the pallet as the front (the direction away from the front).

[0011] <Pallet connector> First, a pallet connector 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. Hereinafter, for ease of description, the pallet connector will also be referred to simply as the "connector." The connector 10 is used to connect adjacent pallets 20 when a plurality of cargo handling pallets 20 are towed together at the same time. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the pallets 20 are arranged so that the legs 26 located on the periphery of the pallets 20 to be connected are adjacent to each other on the connecting edge, and the adjacent legs 26 are clamped together by the connector 10 to connect the adjacent pallets 20. First, a description will be given of the pallet 20 to be connected by the connector 10 according to this embodiment.

[0012] (palette) As shown in Figure 1, the pallet 20 of this embodiment is a forklift pallet having a top plate (upper plate) 22 that is the cargo loading surface, a bottom plate (lower plate) 24 that is the ground contact surface, legs 26 that support the top plate 22 and bottom plate 24 at a predetermined distance from each other, and insertion openings 20A for the forklift's forks. In the present invention, the pallet is not limited to a forklift pallet. The pallet of the present invention can have any shape and use as long as it has members such as legs to which connectors 10 can be attached on adjacent pallets. Figure 1 illustrates the adjacent portions of two adjacent pallets 20 placed on floor G.

[0013] The dimensions of the pallet 20 in this embodiment are 1100 mm x 1100 mm x 144 mm, which is the JIS standard, but the structure and dimensions of the pallet according to the present invention are not limited to this and are arbitrary as long as it can be loaded onto a transportation means such as a truck and can be pulled sideways on the loading platform. Transportation means not only transportation vehicles such as trucks, but also ships, freight cars, containers, etc., and refers to any device used for transportation that has a loading platform on which cargo can be placed and on which loading and unloading operations can be performed.

[0014] Furthermore, the width along the width direction of the loading platform of the transportation means in this embodiment is such that two rows of JIS standard size pallets 20 can be lined up side by side with ample space to spare, but the width of the transportation means that loads and unloads cargo using the pallet connector 10 of the present invention is not limited to this, and is left to the specifications of the transportation means as long as the transportation means has a loading platform.

[0015] Next, the pallet connector 10 of this embodiment will be described in detail. As shown in Figure 2, the pallet connector 10 has an elongated base portion 12, a pair of arm portions 14, and a stiffening portion 18B. The pair of arm portions 14 extend from both ends of the base portion 12 in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in Figure 3) perpendicular to the base portion 12 and in the same direction (upward in Figure 3), with the inner surfaces of both arms facing each other. In other words, the inner surfaces of the pair of arm portions 14 face each other with a space between them. In the present disclosure, "perpendicular" means that the angle between the base portion and the arm portion is approximately 90 degrees.

[0016] In this embodiment, the connector 10 is made of metal, but the present invention is not limited to this material and any suitable material may be used, such as pottery, ceramic, or wood. The strength of the connector 10 may also be increased by blending it with a material such as basalt fiber. Basalt fiber is a fiber made by melting basalt, a natural material, and then extruding and spinning the melted basalt.

[0017] In this embodiment, the connector 10 uses a plate-like member made of a steel plate having a thickness of 4.5 mm and a width of 50 mm, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the connector member may be formed, for example, from a solid rod-like member, a hollow tubular member, or a shaped steel such as a channel steel. Furthermore, by forming the connector from a hollow member, weight reduction can be achieved.

[0018] In the present invention, the material, dimensions and shape of the connector are arbitrary as long as it has a long base and a pair of arms and can be attached to the adjacent legs of adjacent pallets to connect the pallets; however, taking into consideration that a worker may need to grasp the connector with one hand, insert it through the fork insertion opening of the pallet and attach it to the rear leg, etc., it is preferable that the connector be made of a material and have dimensions and a shape that allow the total weight to be easily handled with one hand; however, if an assist robot or the like is used for the attachment work, for example, this does not preclude the connector being made of a material and have dimensions and a shape that result in a relatively heavy total weight.

[0019] (base and arm) The base portion 12 and the pair of arm portions 14 constitute the main body of the connector 10. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the base portion 12 and the arm portions 14 are formed by bending both end portions of a plate-shaped metal plate having a longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 3). In the present invention, it is not essential that the base portion 12 and the arm portions 14 are formed by bending both end portions of a plate-shaped metal plate. For example, the base portion 12 and the arm portions 14 may be separate members and joined to each other by welding or the like. A bent portion 16 is formed by the intersection of the base portion 12 and the arm portions 14.

[0020] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the clearance between the arm portions 14 on both sides, which is determined by the length of the base portion 12 and the thickness of the arm portions 14, is the total dimension of the widths of the adjacent legs 26 that are clamped. However, this is not limited to this in the present invention, and the clearance between the arm portions on both sides may be such that a certain margin is added to the total dimension of the widths of both legs that are clamped, in order to make it easier to attach the connector to the adjacent legs. However, from the viewpoint of attachment stability, etc., it is preferable that the margin be within 5 mm.

[0021] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the length of the arm portion 14 is the same as the width of the leg portion 26 that it clamps, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the length of the arm portion is arbitrary as long as the connector attached by clamping the leg portion of the pallet with the arm portion does not easily fall off the leg portion.For example, the length may be shorter than the width of the leg portion, but from the standpoint of mounting stability, etc., it is preferable that the length be at least half the width of the leg portion.

[0022] (Bend) 1 and 2, the bent portions 16 form a space, i.e., an internal distance, between the base portion 12 and the pair of arm portions 14, and maintain that shape. As described above, in the present invention, the bent portions of the connector can be formed by bending a single rod-shaped member. In this case, to facilitate the bending process, a notch can be formed in a position corresponding to either an inside corner (inner corner) or an outside corner (outer corner) of the bent portion, and the cut edge can be fixed by welding or the like after bending. However, forming a notch in a position corresponding to the inside corner is preferable in terms of ensuring the bending strength of the bent portion.

[0023] (Installation guide) In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the distal end of each arm 14 is provided with an attachment guide 14A, in which the thickness of the distal end of each arm 14 gradually decreases toward the distal end and the inner surface is inclined so that the distance (inner dimension distance) between the opposing inner surfaces of the pair of arms 14 increases toward the distal end, in order to facilitate attachment of the connector 10 to adjacent legs 26 of adjacent pallets 20. Note that the provision of an attachment guide 14A is not essential to the present invention. Furthermore, even when an attachment guide 14 is provided, it is not essential that the attachment guide 14A be formed in a wedge shape, in which the thickness of the distal end of the arm 14 gradually decreases to zero, as shown in FIG. 1 . The attachment guide 14A may be formed in a trapezoidal shape, in which the thickness of the distal end of the arm 14 gradually decreases while a certain thickness remains at the distal end of the arm 14. Alternatively, the attachment guide 14A may be formed by bending the distal end of the arm 14 outward without changing the thickness.

[0024] (stiffening part) 1 and 2, in this embodiment, stiffening portion 18B is a protrusion formed by hammering outward from the inside of a portion of base portion 12 and the entire length of arm portion 14, including the inside corner of bent portion 16, in order to reinforce the bending strength of bent portion 16. Note that in the present invention, it is not essential that the stiffening portion be a protrusion formed by hammering outward the portion including the inside corner of bent portion 16. For example, when a pallet connected by a connector is towed, a force acts on the bent portion to stretch the bent portion. However, as long as the stiffening portion has the required bending strength to resist this force, it may be joined to the base portion as a separate member from the base portion, as in a modified example described later, or may be omitted in applications such as transporting lightweight cargo. FIG. 2 shows an example of recesses 18A formed by stamping on the inner surfaces of the base portion 12 and the arm portions 14 of this embodiment, corresponding to the stiffening portions 18B.

[0025] The stiffening portions 18B are provided to protrude outward from the corners of the bent portions 16 formed by the base portion 12 and the arm portions 14. Figure 3 shows an example of a stiffening portion 18B that protrudes outward to the left from the corner of the left bent portion 16, and a stiffening portion 18B that protrudes outward to the right from the corner of the right bent portion 16.

[0026] In this embodiment, two protrusions are provided with a space between them as stiffening portion 18B. However, in the present invention, it is not essential that two protrusions are provided with a space between them as stiffening portion as in this embodiment, that is, the number of stiffening portions may be 0, 1, or 3 or more as long as the bending strength of the bent portion according to the application can be ensured.

[0027] As described above, in the present invention, the number of stiffening portions is arbitrary. However, when stiffening portions are provided, it is preferable to provide multiple stiffening portions at appropriate intervals along the bent portion within a range that allows the bent portion to obtain the required bending strength as a whole, in order to distribute the load on each stiffening portion, minimize the height of the stiffening portions, and compact the shape of the connector. That is, by increasing or decreasing the number of stiffening portions, the height and width of the stiffening portions, for example, the folding height shown in FIG. 2, can also be appropriately adjusted. Note that, for example, when the stiffening portions are formed by folding a plate material as shown in FIG. 2, the higher the folding height, the higher the bending strength in the direction perpendicular to the folding. Furthermore, in the present invention, the material of the stiffening portions can be any material, such as metal, pottery, ceramic, or wood, as long as the bending portion can obtain the required bending strength.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, stiffening portion 18B is a protrusion formed by outwardly hammering outward the inside corner of bent portion 16 that has been bent through bending, but the present invention is not limited to this. The stiffening portion may also be formed by joining, as a reinforcing member, an L-shaped plate-like or rod-like member that extends along the bending direction so as to cover the bent portion to a surface other than the inside corner side of the bent portion (i.e., the back or side surface of the bent portion), and the bending strength of the bent portion can be improved as desired by appropriately selecting the rigidity and shape of the reinforcing member. In this case, for example, welding, bolting, etc. can be used as the joining method.

[0029] (Pallet connection points and connector attachment points) As shown in FIG. 1, the portion of a pallet 20 to which connector 10 is attached to connect pallets 20 (hereinafter also referred to as the "connecting portion") is the leg portion 26 that supports the top plate (upper plate) 22 and the bottom plate (lower plate) 24 of the pallet 20 at a predetermined distance from each other. A pair of arms 14 of connector 10 clamps the side surfaces of the legs 26 of each of adjacent pallets 20, opposite the side surfaces that the legs 26 of each pallet 20 abut against. In the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the position of the leg on the pallet to which connector 10 is attached, the side of the leg to which connector 10 is attached, and the number of leg positions to which connector 10 is attached can be determined arbitrarily depending on the application, as long as the connected pallets do not lose balance when towed.

[0030] (First Modification) Next, a pallet connector 10A according to a first modified example of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Pallet connector 10A according to the first modified example differs from stiffener 18B according to this embodiment in the configuration of stiffener 18C. The configuration of the first modified example, except for stiffener 18C, is the same as that of the same components in connector 10 according to this embodiment, and therefore redundant description will be omitted. Connector 10A according to the first modified example has the same effects as this embodiment.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 4, in the first modified example, stiffening portion 18C is a rib formed by extending in the longitudinal direction from the corner of bent portion 16 along the back surface of base portion 12 and arm portion 14. As shown in Fig. 5, the rib of stiffening portion 18C does not extend all the way from bent portion 16 to the tip of arm portion 14, but extends to the center position in the longitudinal direction of arm portion 14. Note that in the present invention, the extending length, width, and height of the stiffening portion can be set arbitrarily within a range that ensures the required bending strength at the bent portion, regardless of whether the stiffening portion is a protrusion as shown in this embodiment or a rib as shown in the first modified example.

[0032] That is, in the present invention, the ribs of the stiffening portion of the first modified example may be formed by extending from the corners of the bent portion to any position in the longitudinal direction along the back surface of the base portion and the arm portion, similar to the protrusions formed by stamping in this embodiment. In the first modified example, by forming ribs from the bent portion 16 to the outer surfaces of the base portion 12 and the arm portion 14, the bending strength of the bent portion 16 required when towing the connected pallet 20 is increased, and the tensile strength of the base portion 12 itself and the bending strength of the arm portion 14 themselves are also increased.

[0033] (Second Modification) Next, a pallet connector 10B according to a second modified example of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Pallet connector 10B according to the second modified example differs from the base section 12 and arm section 14 of this embodiment in terms of their configuration. Other components of the second modified example, excluding base section 12 and arm section 14, are the same as the components with the same names in connector 10A according to the first modified example, and therefore will not be described again. Connector 10B according to the second modified example has the same effects as this embodiment and the first modified example.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6 , in the second modified example, the base portion 12 and the arm portion 14 have arc-shaped outer edges. In other words, the base portion 12 and the arm portion 14 have recesses (openings) formed by removing an area defined by a portion of a side wall and a pair of bottom portions continuous with the side wall in a cylindrical or elliptical cylindrical member. Adjacent legs 26 are disposed inside the recesses and connected to each other. Because the outer edges of the connector 10B are arc-shaped, the bent portion 16 of the stiffening portion 18B has clearly defined inside corners but not clearly defined outside corners. That is, on the inside of the connector 10B, the bent portion 16 can be clearly identified by the position of the inside corner, but on the outside of the connector 10B, the bent portion 16 is bent over a wide area, and there is no clear boundary that distinguishes the bent portion 16 from the base portion 12 or the arm portion 14.

[0035] 7, the rib of stiffening portion 18C is formed by extending from a region of base portion 12 inside bent portion 16 along the back surface of arm portion 14 to the tip of arm portion 14. As in the second modified example, in the present invention, the shapes of the base portion, arm portion, bent portion, and stiffening portion can be changed as appropriate.

[0036] (Luggage transport method) Next, a cargo transport method using the pallet connector 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 11. Note that while the legs 26 of the pallet 20 in Figures 3, 5, and 7 are hollow, Figures 8 to 11 below illustrate a case where the legs of the pallet 20 are solid. The cargo transport method according to this embodiment includes the step of connecting adjacent pallets 20 in the front and rear directions by clamping the pair of arms 14 of the pallet connector 10 between the adjacent pallets 20 each carrying cargo, against the side surfaces of the legs 26 of the adjacent pallets 20 opposite the side surfaces against which the legs 26 abut.

[0037] The method for transporting cargo according to this embodiment includes both a step of loading adjacent connected pallets 20 onto the loading platform of a transport means and a step of unloading them from the loading platform. The present invention only requires that at least one of the steps of loading the pallets onto the loading platform and unloading the pallets from the loading platform be included.

[0038] Specifically, in the cargo transport method according to this embodiment, the following steps (1) to (8) are carried out as a method for loading the pallet 20 onto the loading platform, and the following steps (9) to (15) are carried out as a method for unloading the pallet 20 from the loading platform.

[0039] [How to load pallets onto a loading platform] (1) The first pallet 20 is carried by a forklift and placed on the end of the loading platform. (2) The second pallet 20 is transported by forklift, and the front end surface of the second pallet 20 is butted against the rear end surface of the first pallet 20 so that the rear surface of the leg 26 at the center of the rear end of the first pallet 20 is in close contact with the front surface of the leg 26 at the center of the front end of the second pallet 20. (3) The worker holds the first pallet connector 10 in his / her hand and inserts it through the side opening (one of the fork insertion ports of the forklift; the same applies below) closest to the boundary between the first pallet 20 and the second pallet 20, which are closely spaced from front to back, and positions the first pallet connector 10 so that the pair of arms 14 of the first pallet connector 10 clamps the leg 26 at the center of the rear end of the first pallet 20 and the leg 26 at the center of the front end of the second pallet 20, which are closely spaced, from the front and back. (4) In this state, the forklift is moved forward, and the front end of the second pallet 20 pushes the rear end of the first pallet 20 toward the back of the loading platform, and the second pallet 20 is placed on the end of the loading platform. (5) The third pallet 20 is transported by forklift, and the front end surface of the third pallet 20 is butted against the rear end surface of the second pallet 20 so that the rear surface of the leg 26 at the center of the rear end of the second pallet 20 is in close contact with the front surface of the leg 26 at the center of the front end of the third pallet 20. (6) The worker holds the second pallet connector 10 in his / her hand and inserts it through the side opening closest to the boundary between the second pallet 20 and the third pallet 20, which are closely spaced from front to back, and positions the second pallet connector 10 so that the pair of arms 14 of the second pallet connector 10 clamps the leg 26 at the center of the rear end of the second pallet 20 and the leg 26 at the center of the front end of the third pallet 20, which are closely spaced, from the front and back. (7) In this state, the forklift is moved forward, and the front end of the third pallet 20 pushes the rear end of the second pallet 20, moving it together with the first pallet 20 to the back of the loading platform, and the third pallet 20 is placed on the end of the loading platform. (8) The same steps are repeated to load the required number of pallets 20 onto the loading platform in one or more rows. Figure 10 shows one row of pallets 20 that have been connected by attaching the pallet connectors 10 in this manner and loaded onto a loading platform. In the present invention, as shown in Figures 8 and 11, multiple pallet connectors may be attached to multiple leg sections to connect adjacent pallets depending on the weight of the cargo to be towed, as long as the installation work is possible.

[0040] [How to unload a pallet from the loading platform] (9) First, the first pallet 20 at the end of the row of pallets 20 placed on a loading platform and connected front to back by pallet connectors 10 is towed by a towing means, and the first pallet 20 is towed together with the subsequent pallets 20 in the same row by the towing means until the forks of the forklift placed adjacent to the end of the loading platform are fully inserted into the fork insertion openings of the first pallet 20. (10) An operator reaches into the side opening closest to the boundary between the first pallet 20 and the second pallet 20 located closely in front of it, and removes the pallet connector 10 connecting the first pallet 20 and the second pallet 20. (11) The forklift is reversed and the first pallet 20 is moved to a predetermined location. (12) When the first pallet 20 is towed, the second pallet 20, which has been pulled out to the end of the loading platform, is towed by the towing means, and the second pallet 20 is towed together with the following pallets 20 in the same row by the towing means until the forks of the forklift placed adjacent to the end of the loading platform are fully inserted into the fork insertion openings of the second pallet 20. (13) An operator reaches into the side opening closest to the boundary between the second pallet 20 and the third pallet 20 located closely in front of it, and removes the pallet connector 10 connecting the second pallet 20 and the third pallet 20. (14) The forklift is reversed and the second pallet 20 is moved to a predetermined location. (15) The same steps are repeated to unload the required number of pallets 20 from the loading platform. In addition, in the present invention, the method of transporting luggage using connectors is not limited to the work of loading or unloading pallets onto or from the loading platform of a means of transport as shown in the luggage transport method of this embodiment described above, but may also be used for work such as connecting pallets loaded with luggage using connectors in a loading yard, warehouse, etc., and transporting, moving, or pulling them all together.

[0041] (traction aid) As shown in Figure 8 or 9, adjacent connected pallets 20 are moved together in the conveying direction (left-right direction in Figure 8) by a traction aid 30. Figure 8 shows an example of a traction aid 30 having a hook that is U-shaped in plan view. Note that in the present invention, the configuration of the traction aid is arbitrary, and for example, as an example of a traction aid having a hook, the configuration of the "Pallet Connector" disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 7287695 may be adopted, or it may be a string-like member that can be tied to the leg at the center of the rear end of the last pallet.

[0042] (Overlapping of two connectors) In the center of the left-right direction in Figure 8, three adjacent legs 26 are illustrated lined up one above the other between adjacent pallets 20 on the left and right. Of the three adjacent legs 26, two connectors 10 are attached to the adjacent central leg 26 from both sides in the up-down direction, with the arms 14 attached in an overlapping manner in the height direction of the leg 26 (the direction penetrating the paper surface of Figure 8). In this way, the adjacent central leg 26 is connected by two connectors 10, thereby enhancing the integrity of the connected pallets 20.

[0043] In the present invention, when connectors are attached so that they are stacked in the height direction of the legs, the number of connectors to be stacked can be any number greater than two, depending on factors such as the size of the towing load. The orientation of each of the multiple connectors attached to the legs can be either vertical or horizontal in the figure, but from the perspective of connection stability, it is preferable to have an equal number of connectors in the vertical direction. The adjacent legs to which the multiple connectors are attached so that they are stacked in the height direction of the legs are not limited to adjacent legs 26 formed between adjacent pallets in the center, and can be any number selected.

[0044] (Connection status of other pallets: internally fitted) Figure 9 illustrates another application example of this embodiment, in which eight pallets 20 are lined up adjacent to each other with no gaps between them, and at the outer edge of the overall arrangement, each of eight pairs of adjacent legs 26 are connected by a connector 10. In Figure 9, the connector 10 is inserted into the legs 26 of the pallets 20 from the inside. Therefore, the connector 10 does not protrude outside the pallet 20, and does not interfere with the transportation of the pallet 20.

[0045] In the present invention, the connection state of pallets is not limited to the connection state of two pallets as shown in Figures 1 and 8 described in this embodiment. For example, as shown in Figure 9, eight pallets may be arranged in two adjacent rows (two columns) in the width direction (the vertical direction in Figure 9) and four adjacent rows in the conveying direction (the horizontal direction in Figure 9), and adjacent pallets may be connected to each other to the extent that connectors can be attached to integrate all of the pallets. In other words, the number of connected pallets may be any number of columns or more in the width direction and two or more in the conveying direction. As long as the integrated pallets do not fall off or lose balance during towing and transport, all of the pallets may be integrated by selecting any adjacent pallets from the adjacently arranged pallets and attaching connectors to connect them.

[0046] (Connection status of other pallets: central connection) 10 illustrates another application example of this embodiment, in which four pallets 20 are lined up without any gaps, and of the three adjacent legs 26 lined up vertically between the left and right adjacent pallets 20, the adjacent central legs 26 in the vertical direction are connected by a connector 10. In FIG. 10, the connectors 10 do not protrude outside the pallets 20, so they do not interfere with the transportation of the pallets 20, and the number of connectors 10 is kept to a minimum, which is economical and easy to work with.

[0047] (Connection status of other pallets: external fitting) 11 also illustrates another application example of this embodiment, in which four pallets 20 are lined up without gaps in the conveying direction (left-right direction in FIG. 11), and each combination of six adjacent legs 26 is connected by a connector 10 along the entire outer edge of the pallets. In FIG. 11, the connectors 10 are inserted into the legs 26 of the pallets 20 from the outside. The pallets 20 are connected by inserting the connectors 10 from the outside of the pallets 20, and there is no need to insert the connectors 10 inside the pallets 20, making the connection process easy.

[0048] (Action and effect) The pallet connector 10 of this embodiment has a long base portion 12, a pair of arm portions 14 extending perpendicularly to the base portion 12 and in the same direction from both ends of the base portion 12, with their inner surfaces facing each other, and a stiffening portion 18B protruding outward from the corner of a bend 16 formed by the base portion 12 and the arm portions 14.

[0049] With the pallet connector 10 of this embodiment, when connecting pallets 20, for example, there is no need to fasten two connector fittings with a single bolt. In other words, there is no need to modify existing pallets. Simply insert one pallet connector 10 between the legs 26 of adjacent pallets 20. This reduces the initial investment required to manufacture pallets equipped with connector fittings or to modify existing pallets with connector fittings, and also reduces the burden of connecting pallets. Furthermore, because one pallet connector 10 can be formed from a single plate-shaped member, the pallet connector has a simple structure. This reduces the manufacturing cost of pallet connectors compared to when multiple components are required to be combined.

[0050] Furthermore, by forming stiffening portions 18B that protrude outward from the corners of the bent portions 16, the strength of the bent portions 16 on both sides, where the tractive force received by the inner surfaces of both the rear arm portion 14 and the front arm portion 14 during towing is concentrated through the lever action, is increased. It also becomes possible to make the cross-sectional shape, such as the thickness, of portions other than the bent portions 16 where force concentration does not occur relatively small. This contributes to reducing the weight of the pallet connector 10.

[0051] Furthermore, by forming stiffening portions 18B that protrude outward from the corners of the bending portions 16, it becomes possible, for example, to tow both pallets 20 with the rear legs 26 of the front pallet 20 abutting against the front legs 26 of the rear pallet 20 and sandwiching the outer surfaces of the abutting legs 26 between the inner surfaces of the pair of arms 14, the front arm portion 14 and the rear arm portion 14. In this case, compared to the prior art where stiffening portions 18B are provided at the corners of the bending portions 16, the stiffening portions 18B do not interfere with the corners of the legs 26, and it becomes possible to bring the corners of the legs 26 of the pallet 20 into close contact with the corners formed by the base portion 12 and the arms 14. This makes it possible to minimize the force that tends to stretch the bending portions 16, which is determined in proportion to the product of the distance from the force point on the arm portion 14 where the pulling force acts to the bending portions 16. Therefore, compared to the prior art where stiffening portions 18B are provided at the inside corners of the bent portions 16, it is possible to withstand a greater traction force.

[0052] In the pallet connector 10 of this embodiment, the base portion 12 and the arm portions 14 are formed by bending both ends of a metal plate. The stiffening portion 18B is a protrusion formed by outwardly hammering outward the corner of the bent portion 16, which has been bent by bending. The stiffening portion 18B comprises two protrusions spaced apart from each other. Hammering the protrusions of the stiffening portion 18B eliminates the need for additional welding work to form the protrusions. It is generally known that the bending strength of a plate material made of the same material that is corrugated and then bent perpendicular to the wave direction is higher than that of a flat plate material due to the shape effect. The protrusions formed by hammering on the bent portion 16 have a cross-sectional shape along the bend line that is not linear but is generally wavy. Therefore, as described in the general rule above, the strength of the bent portion 16 in the direction of extension is higher than that of a flat plate material simply bent to form the bent portion 16.

[0053] In this embodiment, the stiffening portion 18B is a protrusion formed by extending from the corner of the bending portion 16 in the longitudinal direction along the back surface of the base portion 12 and the arm portion 14. As shown in the first modified example, the stiffening portion may be a rib formed by extending from the corner of the bending portion 16 in the longitudinal direction along the back surface of the base portion 12 and the arm portion 14. By forming a protrusion or rib from the bending portion 16 to the outer surfaces of the base portion 12 and the arm portion 14, the bending strength of the bending portion 16, as well as the tensile strength of the base portion 12 itself and the bending strength of the arm portion 14 itself are increased.

[0054] In the pallet connector 10 of this embodiment, an attachment guide portion 14A is provided at the tip of the arm portion 14, where the inner surface of each arm portion 14 is inclined so that the distance (inner dimension distance) between the opposing inner surfaces of the pair of arm portions 14 increases toward the tip. Because the attachment guide portion 14A opens the tip of the arm portion 14 in a V-shape, it is easy to attach the connector 10 to the leg portion 26 of the pallet 20.

[0055] In the pallet connector 10 of this embodiment, the connecting portions of the pallets 20 are the legs 26 that mutually support the top and bottom plates 22 and 24 of the pallets 20, and the pair of arms 14 clamp each of the side surfaces of the legs 26 of each of the adjacent pallets 20, opposite the side surfaces where the legs 26 of the pallets 20 are joined. As a result, when connecting adjacent pallets 20 to each other, the pallet connector 10 of the present invention is inserted into openings (insertion ports 20A) provided on the side surfaces of the legs 26, and the legs 26 of the adjacent pallets 20 can be clamped and connected with the arms 14. Therefore, compared to a method of connecting two pallets 20 by inserting the arms of a U-shaped clip from above into an opening formed in the top plates 22 of the pallets 20, for example, the operation of connecting the pallets 20 can be performed at any time even when cargo is loaded on the pallets 20, significantly improving work efficiency. Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which two pallets 20 are connected by inserting the arm portion of a U-shaped clip from above into an opening formed in the top plate 22 of the pallet 20, adjacent pallets 20 can be connected by inserting the arm portion 14 into the side of the leg portion 26 while the pallets 20 are loaded with cargo. This means that the work of connecting pallets 20 can be carried out at any time.

[0056] (Another example of a pallet connector) Figure 12(A) illustrates another example of a pallet connector in which stiffening portions 18B, which are plate-shaped reinforcing members, are welded to both side surfaces of a bent portion 16 formed by a cylindrical base portion 12 and arm portions 14. In a pallet connector 10C in Figure 12(A), the plate width of stiffening portion 18B (the length measured along the direction showing the outer diameters of the base portion 12 and arm portions 14 in Figure 12(A)) is greater than the outer diameters of the base portion 12 and arm portions 14, and the inner edge (inner corner side contour line) of stiffening portion 18B and the inner edges (inner corner side contour lines) of the base portion 12 and arm portions 14 are approximately aligned. In other words, the pallet connector 10C has stiffening portions 18B that protrude outward from the outer corners of the bent portion 16 formed by the base portion 12 and arm portions 14.

[0057] In the pallet connector 10C, the stiffeners 18B, which are plate-shaped reinforcing members welded to each of the side surfaces, are illustrated as being a single continuous plate. However, in the present disclosure, the plate-shaped stiffeners are not limited to being a single continuous plate and may be composed of multiple plates. For example, a separate plate-shaped stiffener may be disposed on each of the left and right bending portions 16 shown in FIG. 12(A). Also, a separate stiffener may be disposed on each of the other side surfaces of the left and right bending portions 16. In other words, for example, the stiffeners may be configured with two separate side plates on each side, for a total of four side plates on both sides.

[0058] In addition, in the present disclosure, it is possible to screw the plate-shaped reinforcing member to the main body (base portion and arm portion) of the pallet connector, or to integrally mold the main body and side plates by molding or cutting. Furthermore, the method of stiffening the bent portion with the plate-shaped reinforcing member is applicable not only to cases where the shape of the main body of the pallet connector is a hollow round bar, but also to cases where the shape of the main body is a solid round bar, hollow square bar, solid square bar, flat plate, etc. In other words, in the present disclosure, the shape of the main body of the pallet connector is arbitrary.

[0059] 12(B), in pallet connector 10C, through holes 19 are formed in the plate surface of stiffening portion 18B, and welds 32A are provided inside the formed through holes 19 using a welding auxiliary material such as a welding rod to weld stiffening portion 18B to base portion 12 and arm portion 14. As shown in FIG. 12(B), welds 32B are also formed at positions other than through holes 19 between the outer circumferential surfaces of base portion 12 and arm portion 14 and the plate surface of stiffening portion 18B.

[0060] 12(B), the portions of the outer peripheral surfaces of the base portion 12 and the arm portion 14 that come into contact with the plate surface of the stiffener 18B are formed flat. The through holes 19 in the plate surfaces of the stiffener 18B are arranged opposite the flat portions of the outer peripheral surfaces of the base portion 12 and the arm portion 14. This further improves the integration of the stiffener 18B with the base portion 12 and the arm portion 14. The bending strength of the bending portion 16 of the pallet connector can be adjusted by selecting the width and thickness of the stiffener 18B that protrudes outward (toward the back side). The other configurations of the pallet connector 10C are the same as those of the pallet connector 10 according to this embodiment, and therefore a repeated description will be omitted.

[0061] (Action and effect) Like the pallet connector 10 of this embodiment, the pallet connector 10C can reduce the initial investment required to manufacture a pallet equipped with connecting fittings or to machine connecting fittings onto existing pallets, and can also reduce the burden of connecting pallets. Furthermore, in the pallet connector 10C, the plate width of the stiffening portion 18B is larger than the outer diameters of the base portion 12 and the arm portions 14, which further improves the bending strength of the bending portion 16.

[0062] Furthermore, pallet connector 10C is provided with stiffening portion 18B and welded portion 32A formed inside through hole 19, thereby further improving the unity between base portion 12 and arm portion 14 and stiffening portion 18B. Other effects of pallet connector 10C are the same as those of pallet connector 10 according to this embodiment, so redundant explanation will be omitted.

[0063] <Other embodiments> The present invention has been described using the above disclosed embodiments, but the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. It is believed that various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. For example, the present invention can also be configured by partially combining the configurations illustrated in the attached drawings. As described above, the present invention includes various embodiments not described above, and the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the inventive features of the claims that are appropriate from the above description. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10, 10A, 10B, 10C Pallet connector 12 Base 14 Arm section 14A Mounting guide 16 Bend 18A dent 18B, 18C Stiffening section 19 Through hole 20 palettes 20A outlet 22 Top plate 24 Bottom plate 26 Legs 30 Traction aids 32A, 32B welded section G Floor surface

Claims

1. A pallet connector used to connect adjacent pallets to each other when towing multiple cargo handling pallets together at the same time, an elongated base portion; a pair of arm portions extending perpendicularly to the base portion and in the same direction from both ends of the base portion, with the inner surfaces of both arm portions facing each other; a stiffening portion provided so as to protrude outward from a corner portion of a bent portion formed by the base portion and the arm portion; A pallet connector having:

2. The base portion and the arm portion are formed by bending both end portions of a metal plate, The stiffening portion is a protrusion formed by outwardly hammering outward an inside corner of a bent portion that has been bent by bending. The pallet connector of claim 1.

3. The stiffening portion is a rib formed by extending in the longitudinal direction from a corner of the bent portion along the back surface of the base portion and the arm portion. The pallet connector of claim 1.

4. A mounting guide portion is provided at the tip end of each arm portion, and the inner surface of each arm portion is inclined so that the distance between the inner surfaces of the pair of arms facing each other increases toward the tip end. A pallet connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The connecting portions of the pallet are legs that support the top plate and the bottom plate of the pallet together, The pair of arm portions clamp each of the side surfaces of the legs of the adjacent pallets, the side surfaces being opposite to the side surfaces of the legs of the adjacent pallets that are in contact with each other. A pallet connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. a step of connecting adjacent pallets by using the pallet connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and clamping the pair of arms of the pallet connector to side surfaces of the legs of adjacent pallets each carrying a load, the side surfaces being opposite to the side surfaces to which the legs abut; and at least one of loading and unloading the adjacent connected pallets onto and from a loading platform of a vehicle. Luggage transport method.

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