Vehicle loading aid

Abstract

To provide a loading assist device for a vehicle which can reduce a burden on a worker by generating return assisting force for a tilted movable frame while ensuring an amount of pullout of the movable frame.SOLUTION: A loading assist device 10 includes: a stationary frame 12; and a movable frame 30 sliding along the stationary frame 12. The stationary frame 12 is provided with a slide area 14 provided with a protrusion-side stopper 16 for regulating an amount of protrusion of the movable frame 30. The movable frame 30 is provided with tilt control means 36, and a plurality of movable frames 30 are arranged in parallel and connected by an auxiliary frame 50, and can be tilted by using a stop pin 34 as a base point. The tilt control means 36 is configured to generate a force in a direction that prevents tilting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a loading assist device for a vehicle, and more particularly to a loading assist device in which a loading section can be slid along rails fixed to the roof and pulled down. [Background technology]

[0002] Known examples of vehicle loading assist devices with sliding and tilting functions include those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2. The loading assist device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured so that a movable rail 2, which slides on a fixed rail 1 fixed to the roof of a vehicle 100 as shown in FIG. 9(A), can be pulled downward to the side of the vehicle 100 as shown in FIG. 9(B). Specifically, the fixed rail 1, which has a C-shaped channel member with its closed surface on its upper surface, is fixed to the roof, and a tiltable holder 3 is provided at the end of the fixed rail 1 on the side of the vehicle. A sliding member 3a is disposed on the upper surface of the holder 3, and a regulating member 3b is disposed on the side. The movable rail 2 is disposed with its open surface of the C-shaped channel member facing the fixed rail 1, and a groove 2a along which the regulating member 3b slides is formed on the side. However, with a loading assist device configured in this way, it may be difficult to return the movable frame 2 to the loading position when the load is heavy.

[0003] In contrast, the loading assist device disclosed in Patent Document 2 consists of a base body fixed to the vehicle roof and a sliding frame body that slides along the base body in the vehicle width direction. The base body has two frames with sliding grooves on the side walls, and the sliding frame body is fitted between the frames and has a slider with a guide pin that slides along the sliding groove. Patent Document 2 also describes placing a coil spring or damper device between the base body and the slider to apply a force that moves the sliding frame body in the vehicle width direction and returns it to the center of the vehicle when it is tilted. A loading assist device with these features can obtain the auxiliary force of the coil spring or damper device when returning the sliding frame body to a loaded state, making it possible to load heavy loads with little force. However, in a loading assist device with this configuration, the coil spring or damper device is fixed to the end of the base body, making it difficult to achieve a large sliding distance for the sliding frame body.

[0004] Another known loading device that combines a sliding mechanism and a tilting mechanism is the bicycle parking device disclosed in Patent Document 3. The bicycle parking device disclosed in Patent Document 3 is a device for pushing bicycles up to the height of a horizontal frame supported by a support pole. It is basically composed of three frames: a horizontal frame fixed to the support pole, a pivoting beam that pivots relative to the horizontal frame, and a sliding beam that slides relative to the pivoting beam. A gas cylinder is placed between the horizontal frame and the pivoting beam to assist the force lifting the sliding beam. However, the bicycle parking device disclosed in Patent Document 3 is premised on smooth bicycle loading by simultaneously extending and pivoting the sliding beam. Therefore, it cannot be applied to vehicle loading assistance devices, which require separate extension and rotation of the movable frame (sliding beam). Furthermore, because the bicycle parking device disclosed in Patent Document 3 is an installed device, it does not take into consideration measures against vibrations, such as those found in vehicle-mounted devices. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-62898 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-306087 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-240027 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to propose a loading assistance device for a vehicle that has a relatively simple configuration, ensures the amount of extension of the movable frame, generates a return assist force for a tilted movable frame, and reduces the burden on the worker. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vehicle loading auxiliary device of the present invention is a loading auxiliary device having a plurality of fixed frames fixed to the roof of a vehicle or a carrier fixed to the roof, and a plurality of movable frames provided corresponding to each of the plurality of fixed frames, sliding along the longitudinal direction of the corresponding fixed frame and allowing at least a portion of each to protrude from the fixed frame, wherein each of the fixed frames is provided with a slide area equipped with a protruding side stopper that limits the amount of protrusion of the movable frame, and each of the movable frames is provided with a stop pin that slides along the slide area and abuts against the protruding side stopper, and at least one of the plurality of movable frames is provided with a tilting control means, each of the movable frames is connected by an auxiliary frame provided in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction and is capable of tilting relative to the fixed frame using the stop pin as a base point, and the tilting control means is configured to generate a force in a direction that prevents the tilting.

[0008] Furthermore, it is preferable that the slide area of ​​the vehicle loading assist device having the above-described characteristics be provided with a storage-side stopper that positions the movable frame when it is stored, and a tilt prevention means that prevents the movable frame from tilting when it is stored. With a vehicle loading assist device having such characteristics, when the movable frame is stored, it is possible to prevent the movable frame from flapping due to vehicle vibrations, etc., and ensure the stability of the load.

[0009] In addition, in the vehicle loading assist device having the above-mentioned features, the fixed frame may have a C-shaped cross section with an opening along the longitudinal direction located on the top surface, and the movable frame may have a top plate with a width that covers the opening in a plan view. With such features, it is possible to prevent dust and other particles from getting into the fixed frame that constitutes the sliding area.

[0010] In addition, in the vehicle loading auxiliary device having the above-mentioned features, it is desirable that, among the widthwise ends of the top plate, at least the end disposed in the direction of travel of the vehicle has an inclined surface so that, when the movable frame is stored, the end is positioned lower than the upper end of the fixed frame. By having such a feature, it is possible to suppress the effects of wind and rain while the vehicle is traveling.

[0011] Furthermore, the tilting control means in the vehicle loading assist device having the above-mentioned features may include a swinging member having one end rotatably engaged with the movable frame and the other end slidably and rotatably engaged in the slide area, and a biasing means for generating a reaction force by compression, wherein one end of the swinging member is engaged with the stop pin as a base point toward an end of the side that does not protrude from the fixed frame, and one end of the biasing means is engaged with the stop pin and the other end of the biasing means is engaged with the other end of the swinging member. With these features, it is possible to generate an assist force during return when the movable frame is tilted while ensuring a sufficient extension amount of the movable frame with a simple configuration that essentially combines two frames, i.e., a fixed frame and a movable frame. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the vehicle loading assist device having the above-described features, it is possible to ensure the amount of extension of the movable frame while generating a return assist force for the tilted movable frame, thereby reducing the burden on the worker. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a loading auxiliary device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a fixed frame and a movable frame of the loading auxiliary device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the movement of a movable frame. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the cross-sectional shapes of the fixed frame and the movable frame and the positional relationship of the rollers. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of a tilt prevention means. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the loading assist device is mounted on the roof of the vehicle. [Figure 8]10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the loading and unloading operation of a load using the loading assist device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a conventional loading assist device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a vehicle loading assist device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. [composition] First, the configuration of a vehicle loading assist device according to this embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as loading assist device 10) will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7. In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the loading assist device according to this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a fixed frame and a movable frame in the loading assist device. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the movable frame, and Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the cross-sectional shapes of the fixed frame and the movable frame and the positional relationship of the rollers. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the cross-sectional configuration of the tipping prevention means, and Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a cross-section taken along line AA in Fig. 5. Furthermore, Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the loading assist device mounted on the roof of a vehicle.

[0015] The loading assist device 10 according to this embodiment is basically composed of a fixed frame 12 and a movable frame 30. The fixed frame 12 is an element that is fixed directly to the roof of the vehicle 100 or to a carrier 110 fixed to the roof of the vehicle 100, and serves as the base of the loading assist device 10 according to this embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 7 , the fixed frame 12 is fixed to the carrier 110 fixed to the roof of the vehicle 100.

[0016] The fixed frame 12 is positioned on the roof so that it is parallel to the ground, i.e., horizontal, in order to stably hold the load. The fixed frame 12 is provided with at least a slide area 14, which is equipped with a protrusion-side stopper 16 and a storage-side stopper 18. The fixed frame 12 according to the embodiment is made of a member having a C-shaped cross section (see Figures 4 and 5 for the cross-sectional shape) with an opening provided along the longitudinal direction on its upper surface, and the inner surfaces of the flanges 12a located on both sides of the opening in cross section form the slide area 14. Therefore, like the opening, the slide area 14 is formed along the longitudinal direction of the fixed frame 12.

[0017] The protrusion-side stopper 16 is an element for restricting the amount of protrusion of the movable frame 30, which will be described in detail later, and in this embodiment is constituted by a notch provided in a tilt angle positioning member 20 provided at one end (one end) of the longitudinal ends of the fixed frame 12 on the side from which the movable frame 30 protrudes. On the other hand, the storage-side stopper 18 is constituted by a notch provided in a tilt prevention means 22 provided at the end (the other end) of the fixed frame 12 on the side where the movable frame 30 is stored.

[0018] The movable frame 30 is an element that slides along the longitudinal direction of the fixed frame 12 and is tiltable relative to the fixed frame 12, thereby facilitating the loading and unloading of loads. The movable frame 30 is equipped with at least rollers 32 that roll in the slide area 14 along the longitudinal direction of the fixed frame 12, and a stop pin 34 that is provided closer to the protruding side end than the rollers 32, and the stop pin 34 fits into the protruding side stopper 16, thereby restricting the amount of movement of the movable frame 30 on the protruding side. Meanwhile, with respect to the storage side stopper 18, the support shaft 32a that supports the rollers 32 plays a role similar to that of the stop pin 34.

[0019] The movable frame 30 according to the present embodiment is also equipped with a tilt control means 36. The tilt control means 36 is an element that applies an auxiliary force to return the movable frame 30 to a horizontal position when tilted, and can be equipped with a locking mechanism 42 to maintain the tilted state. In this embodiment, the tilt control means 36 is configured by combining a stop pin 34, a roller 32, a biasing means 38, and a swinging member 40. Specifically, the biasing means 38 is disposed between the stop pin 34 and the roller 32. The biasing means 38 may be any device that generates a repulsive force when a compressive force (a force in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 3 ) is applied, and examples of such a device include a gas spring and a coil spring. The swinging member 40 is rotatably disposed between the roller 32 and the movable frame 30. The engagement point of the swinging member 40 with respect to the movable frame 30 is located toward the end opposite the protruding end, with the engagement point of the stop pin 34 as the base point. In the load assist device 10 having the tilt control means 36 configured as described above, a link mechanism is formed in which the movable frame 30 and the swinging member 40 serve as the movable link, the fixed frame 12 serves as the fixed link, and the roller 32 serves as the slider. When the movable frame 30 tilts in the direction indicated by arrow C in FIG. 3, the roller 32 moves in a direction (indicated by arrow A in FIG. 3) toward the stop pin 34, which serves as the rotation base. This is achieved by connecting the movable frame 30 and the support shaft 32a of the roller 32 with the non-retractable swinging member 40. Specifically, as the movable frame 30 tilts, the swinging member 40 rises in the direction indicated by arrow B in FIG. 3 from the support shaft 32a, thereby reducing the distance between the stop pin 34 and the support shaft 32a, thereby moving the roller 32. Note that the biasing means 38, which receives the compressive force in this manner, generates a reaction force. Therefore, even when an object is placed on the movable frame 30, the movable frame 30 can be easily returned to the horizontal position.

[0020] The locking mechanism 42 is composed of a plate with a hook-shaped groove 42a that shifts the support shaft 32a of the roller 32, which rolls along the slide area 14, away from the direction in which the reaction force of the biasing means 38 is generated. In the loading auxiliary device 10 according to this embodiment, when the roller 32 approaches the stop pin 34 due to tilting of the movable frame 30, the biasing means 38 disposed between them is compressed, generating a reaction force. The reaction force generated by the biasing means 38 acts in a direction that pushes the roller 32 back along the slide area 14. In the locking mechanism 42, the hook-shaped groove 42a changes the pressing direction of the biasing means 38 on the support shaft 32a of the roller 32, and by eliminating an escape route for the reaction force in the changed pressing direction (the direction in which the reaction force is generated), it is possible to maintain the biasing means 38 in a compressed state. By providing such a locking mechanism 42, when loading or unloading a load onto or from the movable frame 30, the tilted state is maintained without the need to hold down the movable frame 30, making it easier to load or unload the load. The locking mechanism 42 can be released by applying a force that returns the support shaft 32a of the roller 32 from the hook-shaped groove 42a toward the slide area 14. In the loading auxiliary device 10 according to this embodiment, it is sufficient to apply a slight force to lift the tip of the protruding side of the movable frame 30.

[0021] The loading assist device 10 according to this embodiment has multiple pairs of fixed frames 12 and movable frames 30 configured as described above arranged in parallel and connected by auxiliary frames 50 arranged in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the movable frames 40. Specifically, for example, two pairs of fixed frames 12 and movable frames 30 may be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the movable frames 30 of both pairs may be connected by auxiliary frames 50. This configuration makes it possible to easily load long loads such as ladders. In addition, twisting caused by misalignment of the movements of the multiple frames is suppressed, preventing loss of balance when loading or unloading loads.

[0022] As described above, the loading auxiliary device 10 according to this embodiment is also provided with a tilt prevention means 22 that prevents the movable frame 30 from tilting and flapping when the movable frame 30 is stored. The tilt prevention means 22 is an element that functions when a hook 40a provided on the swinging member 40 engages with a flange 22a of an engagement base that includes the storage-side stopper 18. The hook 40a is configured to have an engagement surface that fits along the bottom surface of the fixed frame 12 when the swinging member 40 is in a horizontal position. Meanwhile, the flange 22a of the tilt prevention means 22 is configured to have an engagement surface in a position slightly above the bottom surface of the fixed frame 12, and is positioned so that the hook 40a engages with the flange 22a of the tilt prevention means 22 when the support shaft 32a is engaged with the storage-side stopper 18 while the swinging member 40 is maintained horizontal. With this configuration, even if a force is applied in a direction that tilts the movable frame 30, the tilt prevention means 22 prevents the swinging member 40 from rising (rotating), thereby suppressing the tilt of the movable frame 30. With this configuration, it is possible to maintain the stability of the load even in a vehicle 100 that experiences a lot of vibration while traveling.

[0023] Furthermore, in the loading auxiliary device 10 according to this embodiment, a top plate 44 is provided on the upper surface of the movable frame 30 to cover the opening formed in the fixed frame 12. This configuration makes it possible to prevent dust from getting inside the fixed frame 12 that constitutes the slide area 14. The top plate 44 is also provided with an inclined surface 44a at least at the end portion that is disposed in the traveling direction of the vehicle 100. The inclined surface 44a is formed so that its end portion (the leading end in the extending direction) is positioned lower than the upper end of the fixed frame 12 when the movable frame 30 is stored. This configuration makes it possible to reduce the effects of wind and rain when the vehicle is traveling.

[0024] In addition, in the loading auxiliary device 10 according to this embodiment, the movable frame 30 inserted into the opening of the fixed frame 12 has a C-shaped cross section as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The inclination angle positioning member 20 is provided with rolling rollers 24 that roll against the inner periphery of the C-shaped cross section (the underside of the top plate) and that prevent the movable frame 30 from coming off (such as bouncing up) using flanges 40b. This configuration allows the movable frame 30 to slide smoothly when protruding from the fixed frame 12 or when storing the movable frame 30 with a load on it.

[0025] [Effect] Next, the operation of loading and unloading cargo onto the roof of the vehicle 100 using the loading assist device 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to Figure 8. First, when loading cargo onto the loading assist device 10, the movable frame 30 is pulled out from the state shown in Figure 8(A) to the state shown in Figure 8(B) in a direction that protrudes from the vehicle 100, or toward the side of the vehicle 100 in the example shown in Figure 8. At this time, the stop pin 34, roller 32, swinging member 40, and biasing means 38 attached to the movable frame 30 move toward one end of the fixed frame 12 together with the movable frame 30.

[0026] After the movable frame 30 is pulled out until the stop pin 34 engages with the protruding-side stopper 16 provided on the tilt angle positioning member 20, a force is applied to the tip of the protruding side toward the vehicle 100, i.e., downward, causing the frame to rotate (tilt) around the stop pin 34 as shown in FIG. 8(C). When the movable frame 30 is tilted and the tilt angle of the movable frame 30 reaches a predetermined angle, the support shaft 32a of the roller 32 enters the groove 42a constituting the locking mechanism 42, and the tilted state of the movable frame 30 is maintained. This action prevents the biasing means 38 from releasing the tilted state of the movable frame 30 when loading or unloading a load.

[0027] After placing a load on the tilted movable frame 30, applying a force to lift the protruding end of the tilted movable frame 30 causes the support shaft 32a of the roller 32 to move from the groove 42a of the locking mechanism 42 toward the slide area 14, thereby releasing the locked state. When the locked state is released, the biasing means 38 generates a force (reaction force) in a direction that moves the roller 32 away from the stop pin 34. When the roller 32 moves away from the stop pin 34, a force acts on the swinging member 40, which is rotatably engaged with the support shaft 32a of the roller 32, in a direction that causes it to tilt toward the stop pin 34. This tilting action of the swinging member 40 pulls the movable frame 30 toward the fixed frame 12. This acts as a force that returns the movable frame 30 to a horizontal state, making it possible to return the movable frame 30 to a horizontal state with a small force, even when a load is placed on the movable frame 30.

[0028] When the protruding portion of the movable frame 30, which has returned to a horizontal position, is pushed toward the fixed frame 12 for storage, the support shaft 32a of the roller 32 engages with the storage-side stopper 18, and the hook 40a of the swinging member 40 engages with the flange 22a of the tilt prevention means 22, restricting the movement of the movable frame 30. This makes it possible to stably hold the load even when the vehicle 100 is traveling.

[0029] [effect] With the loading auxiliary device 10 described above, when loading cargo onto the roof of the vehicle 100, it is possible to push up the cargo placed on the movable frame 30 with little force, thereby reducing the burden on the worker. Furthermore, by providing the movable frame 30 with a top plate 44 and an inclined surface 44a in the direction of travel, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of debris and the like into the fixed frame 12 and reduce the effects of wind and rain while the vehicle is traveling. Furthermore, by providing the tilt prevention means 22 that functions when the movable frame 30 is stored, it is possible to prevent the movable frame 30 from flapping when stored. Furthermore, by connecting multiple movable frames 30 with the auxiliary frame 50, it is possible to synchronize the movements of adjacent movable frames 30, thereby achieving balance when loading and unloading cargo. [Industrial Applicability]

[0030] In the above embodiment, it has been described that each of the multiple pairs of fixed frame 12 and movable frame 30 is provided with a tilt control means 36. However, it is sufficient that the tilt control means 36 is provided on at least one of the multiple movable frames 30 that form a pair with the fixed frame 12. This is because providing the tilt control means 36 on at least one movable frame 30 provides an auxiliary force when pushing up the load. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the movable frame 30 is drawn out to the side of the vehicle 100, but it may also be drawn out to the rear of the vehicle 100. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 10...Loading auxiliary device, 12...Fixed frame, 12a...Flange, 14...Slide area, 16...Protruding side stopper, 18...Storing side stopper, 20...Tilt angle positioning member, 22...Tilt prevention means, 22a...Flange, 24...Rotating contact roller, 30...Movable frame, 32...Roller, 32a...Support shaft, 34...Stop pin, 36...Tilt control means, 38...Using means, 40...Swinging member, 40a...Hook, 40b...Flange, 42...Locking mechanism, 42a...Groove, 44...Top plate, 44a...Inclined surface, 50...Auxiliary frame, 100...Vehicle, 110...Carrier.

Claims

1. A loading assist device having a plurality of fixed frames fixed to a roof of a vehicle or a carrier fixed to the roof, and a plurality of movable frames provided corresponding to the plurality of fixed frames, each movable frame sliding along the longitudinal direction of the corresponding fixed frame, and allowing at least a portion of each movable frame to protrude from the fixed frame, Each of the fixed frames is provided with a slide area having a protrusion-side stopper that restricts the amount of protrusion of the movable frame, Each of the movable frames is provided with a stop pin that slides along the slide area and abuts against the protruding-side stopper, and at least one of the plurality of movable frames is provided with a tilt control means, Each of the movable frames is connected by an auxiliary frame provided in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, and is capable of tilting relative to the fixed frame with the stop pin as a base point, The tilting control means has a swinging member having one end rotatably engaged with the movable frame and the other end slidably and rotatably engaged in the slide area, and a biasing means that generates a reaction force by compression, wherein one end of the swinging member is engaged toward the end that does not protrude from the fixed frame, with the stop pin as the base point, and one end of the biasing means is engaged with the stop pin and the other end of the biasing means is engaged with the other end of the swinging member, thereby generating a force in a direction that prevents the tilting.

2. The slide area includes a storage-side stopper that determines the position of the movable frame when the frame is stored.

2. The vehicle loading assist device according to claim 1, further comprising: a tilt prevention means for preventing the movable frame from tilting when in the stored state.

3. the fixed frame has a C-shaped cross section with an opening along the longitudinal direction disposed on an upper surface thereof; 3. The vehicle loading assist device according to claim 1, wherein the movable frame has a top plate having a width that covers the opening in a plan view.

4. The vehicle loading assistance device of claim 3, characterized in that at least one of the widthwise ends of the top plate, which is positioned in the direction of travel of the vehicle, has an inclined surface so that when the movable frame is stored, the end is positioned lower than the upper end of the fixed frame.

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