Entrance / exit structure, transport device, and method for transporting items

Abstract

To provide an improved novel doorway structure allowing for easier or faster transportation of articles between a movable body and the doorway structure, by using, for example, a transport device switchable between a protruded state and a recessed state, a transport device and an article transfer method.SOLUTION: A guide part of a movable body roughly positions an end part of a transport device in a second direction, in a third direction in a state of the transport device supported on a first face of a doorway structure, and when the transport device moves in the second direction toward a second face of the movable body from the first face, the guide part guides the end part in the second direction. The width of the first face in the third direction is wider than the width of the second face in the third direction, which is the bottom face of a groove provided at the movable body and guiding the transport device. The transport device supports an article at a position higher than the support position of the article by the doorway structure and the movable body, and moves from the first face onto the second face, thereby transferring the article from the doorway structure to the movable body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gateway structure, a transport device, and a method for transporting items. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a transport device is known that can switch between a state in which it protrudes from a groove to support an object and transport the object, and a state in which it is retracted into the groove and can move within the groove without transporting an object (e.g., Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4647818 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6124457 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It would be beneficial, for example, if transport devices such as those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 could be used to more easily or quickly transport items between an entrance / exit structure through which items are loaded or unloaded and a mobile object such as a truck.

[0005] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved and novel entrance / exit structure, transport device, and method for transporting items that enables items to be transported more easily or quickly between the entrance / exit structure and a moving body, for example, by using a transport device that can be switched between a protruding state and a retracted state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The entrance structure of the present invention is, for example, an entrance structure including a first support mechanism that supports an article at a first position in a first direction that is substantially vertically upward, and a first surface that is located below the first position and extends in a second direction that intersects with the first direction, and a second support mechanism that supports the article at a second position that is substantially aligned with the first position in the second direction, and a second surface that is located below the second position and substantially aligned with the first surface in the second direction and extends in the second direction, and an article is transported using a transport device to a movable body whose position relative to the entrance structure in the first direction and a third direction that intersects with the second direction is changeable, and the transport device is configured to be movable in the second direction on the first surface and the second surface, and has a placement surface on which the article is placed, and is configured to be switchable between a first state in which the position of the placement surface in the first direction is lower than the first position and the second position, and a second state in which the position of the placement surface in the first direction is higher than the first position and the second position, and in the second state is configured such that the placement surface, while supporting the item above the first position and the second position, moves from the first surface to the second surface, thereby transporting the item with a gap between it and the first support mechanism and the second support mechanism; the movable body is provided with a guide portion that approximately positions the second direction end of the transport device in the third direction when the transport device is supported on the first surface, and guides the end in the second direction when the transport device moves in the second direction; the width of the first surface in the third direction is wider than the width of the second surface in the third direction; and the transport device is configured such that, when supported on the first surface and with the second direction end approximately positioned by the guide portion, the transport device is in the first state, and the item is supported by the first support mechanism above the transport device, it is switched to the second state to support the item and moves from the first surface to the second surface, thereby enabling the item to be transported from the entrance / exit structure to the movable body.

[0007] Furthermore, the transport device of the present invention is, for example, a transport device that transports an article between a gateway structure including a first support mechanism that supports an article at a first position in a first direction that is substantially vertically upward, and a first surface that is located below the first position and extends in a second direction that intersects with the first direction, and a movable body that includes a second support mechanism that supports the article at a second position that is substantially aligned with the first position and the second direction, and a second surface that is located below the second position and substantially aligned with the first surface and extends in the second direction, and whose position relative to the gateway structure in the first direction and a third direction that intersects with the second direction is changeable, the transport device being configured to be movable in the second direction on the first surface and the second surface and having a placement surface on which the article is placed, and that can switch between a first state in which the position of the placement surface in the first direction is lower than the first position and the second position, and a second state in which the position of the placement surface in the first direction is higher than the first position and the second position. In the second state, the placement surface is configured to be able to support the item above the first position and the second position, and by moving from the first surface to the second surface while supporting the item, the item can be transported with a gap between the first support mechanism and the second support mechanism; when the transport device is supported on the first surface, it is approximately positioned in the third direction by a guide portion provided on the movable body, and has an end portion in the second direction that is guided in the second direction by the guide portion when the transport device moves in the second direction; the transport device is supported on the first surface, and the end portion is approximately positioned on the guide portion; and when the transport device is in the first state and the item is supported by the first support mechanism above the transport device, it is switched to the second state to support the item and move from the first surface to the second surface, thereby making it possible to transport the item from the entrance / exit structure to the movable body.

[0008] Furthermore, the transport device of the present invention may, for example, comprise a plurality of rollers arranged at intervals in a second direction intersecting the first direction and rolling on a surface intersecting the first direction, a lower member rotatably supporting the plurality of rollers and extending in the second direction, an upper member supported movably relative to the lower member and having a loading surface that extends intersecting the first direction and on which an item is placed, extending in the second direction, and an extension member attached to an end of the upper member or the lower member in the second direction and extending from the end in the second direction, and is configured to be switchable between a first state in which the height from the surface to the loading surface is a first height, and a second state in which the height from the surface to the loading surface is a second height higher than the first height.

[0009] Furthermore, the method for transferring an article of the present invention is, for example, a method for transferring an article using a transport device between a gateway structure including a first support mechanism that supports an article at a first position in a first direction substantially aligned vertically upward, and a first surface that is located below the first position and extends in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, and a second support mechanism that supports the article at a second position substantially aligned with the first position in the second direction, and a movable body that is located below the second position and includes a second surface that is substantially aligned with the first surface in the second direction and extends in the second direction, and whose position relative to the gateway structure in the first direction and in a third direction intersecting with the second direction is changeable, wherein the transport device is configured to be movable in the second direction on the first surface and the second surface, has a placement surface on which the article is placed, and is configured to be switchable between a first state in which the position of the placement surface in the first direction is lower than the first position and the second position, and a second state in which the position of the placement surface in the first direction is higher than the first position and the second position. and in the second state, the placement surface is configured to support the item at a position higher than the first position and the second position and move from the first surface to the second surface, thereby transporting the item with a gap between the first support mechanism and the second support mechanism; the movable body is configured to approximately position the second direction end of the transport device in the third direction when the transport device is supported on the first surface, and to include a guide portion that guides the end in the second direction when the transport device moves in the second direction, the width of the first surface in the third direction being wider than the width of the second surface in the third direction; and the transport device is switched from a state in which it is supported on the first surface and its second direction end is approximately positioned at the guide portion, and is in the first state, and the item is supported by the first support mechanism above the transport device, to the second state to support the item and move from the first surface to the second surface, thereby transporting the item from the entrance / exit structure to the movable body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic side view showing the entrance structure and the moving body of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic plan view showing the entrance structure, the moving body, and the transportation device of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exemplary schematic plan view of the transportation device of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exemplary schematic side view showing the first state of the transportation device of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic side view showing a second state of the transportation device of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exemplary schematic side view of an attachment attached to the transportation device of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exemplary schematic side view of an attachment attached to the transportation device of the first embodiment, viewed in the opposite direction to that of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exemplary schematic top view of an attachment attached to the transportation device of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exemplary schematic bottom view of an attachment attached to the transportation device of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exemplary schematic rear view of an attachment attached to the transportation device of the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exemplary schematic front view of an attachment that is attached to the transportation device of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is an exemplary and schematic plan view showing the method of transporting items in the first embodiment, illustrating the stages of a moving body approaching an entrance / exit structure, a transport device placed in the entrance / exit structure approaching the moving body, and an item being moved from the opposite side of the moving body toward the transport device placed in a predetermined position. [Figure 13]Figure 13 is an exemplary and schematic plan view showing the method of transporting items in the first embodiment, illustrating the stage where an item moves onto a transport device, the transport device switches from a first state to a second state, and the transport device supports the item, the stage where the transport device supporting the item moves from the entrance / exit structure to a moving body, and the stage where the transport device supporting the item moves on the moving body. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an exemplary schematic side view of the attachment of the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an exemplary schematic plan view of the transportation device of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are disclosed below. The configurations of the embodiments described below, as well as the actions and results (effects) obtained from the configurations, are merely examples. The present invention can also be realized by configurations other than those disclosed in the following embodiments. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain at least one of the various effects (including derivative effects) obtained by the following configurations.

[0012] The following exemplary embodiments include similar configurations, and each embodiment provides similar effects based on those similar configurations. Note that, in the following, similar components are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted.

[0013] Furthermore, in this specification, ordinal numbers are used for convenience to distinguish between directions, positions, states, mechanisms, components, parts, etc., and do not indicate priority or order, nor do they limit the number.

[0014] In addition, arrows indicating directions are drawn in each figure. The X and Y directions are approximately horizontal, and the Z direction is approximately vertically upward. The X, Y, and Z directions are perpendicular to each other. The Z direction is referred to as the height direction. In each figure, the transportation device is drawn in a position where it transports items in the entrance / exit structure and the moving body. In the transportation device, the X direction is referred to as the longitudinal direction, and the Y direction is referred to as the lateral direction or width direction.

[0015] [First embodiment] [Overall structure] 1 is a side view of an entrance / exit structure 10 and a mobile body 20 according to a first embodiment. The entrance / exit structure 10 is provided at an entrance / exit point for an article 30 in a facility or building such as a factory or warehouse. The mobile body 20 transports the article 30 and is, for example, a transport vehicle that travels on ground G, such as a truck or trailer, but is not limited to this.

[0016] The article 30 includes, for example, a pallet 31 and a plurality of product packages 32 placed on the pallet 31. The article 30 is transported between the entrance / exit structure 10 and the moving body 20 by a transport device 40 (see FIG. 2).

[0017] The entrance / exit structure 10 has a transport mechanism 11 and a lifting mechanism 12.

[0018] The conveying mechanism 11 conveys the article 30 between the interior of the building or facility and the entrance / exit structure 10. The conveying mechanism 11 can convey the article 30 in the X direction and in the direction opposite to the X direction.

[0019] The lifting mechanism 12 can move the upper part of the entrance / exit structure 10, which includes at least a part of the conveying mechanism 11, in the Z direction and in the direction opposite to the Z direction, and can stop at a plurality of positions in the Z direction. The lifting mechanism 12 can set the upper part of the entrance / exit structure 10 to a position suitable for carrying the article 30 out of the moving body 20 and for carrying the article 30 in from the moving body 20.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the entrance structure 10, the moving body 20, and the transportation device 40 of this embodiment.

[0021] The movable body 20 is provided with a placement surface 21 on which the item 30 is placed. The placement surface 21 is, for example, the floor (top surface) of the luggage compartment of a transport vehicle. The placement surface 21 is an example of a second support mechanism. The position of the placement surface 21 in the Z direction, in other words, the support position of the item 30 by the placement surface 21, i.e., the position of the bottom surface of the pallet 31, is an example of a second position. The Z direction is an example of a first direction.

[0022] A plurality of grooves 22 and 23 are provided on the placing surface 21. The grooves 22 and 23 each open in the Z direction and extend in the X direction with a substantially constant width in the Y direction and a substantially constant depth in the Z direction. The grooves 23 are provided, for example, to improve the rigidity of the floor.

[0023] On the other hand, the groove 22 functions as a rail that guides the transport device 40 in the X direction and the direction opposite to the X direction. The groove 22 is formed by a bottom surface 22a and two side surfaces 22b.

[0024] The bottom surface 22a is shifted in the opposite direction of the Z direction relative to the position of the placement surface 21, in other words, is located lower than the placement surface 21. The bottom surface 22a faces the Z direction, intersects the Z direction, and extends in the X and Y directions. The bottom surface 22a extends in a strip shape in the X direction with a substantially constant width in the Y direction. The bottom surface 22a supports the transport device 40 so that it can move in the X direction and the direction opposite to the X direction. In other words, the transport device 40 is configured to be movable in the X direction and the direction opposite to the X direction on the bottom surface 22a.

[0025] The two side surfaces 22b intersect with the X direction, face each other, and extend in a strip shape in the X direction with a substantially constant width in the Z direction. The width W2 of the bottom surface 22a in the Y direction is substantially the same as the width of the groove 22 and is also substantially the same as the distance between the two side surfaces 22b. Here, the width W4 in the short side direction of the transport device 40 in an attitude capable of transporting the article 30 is slightly narrower than the width W2. Therefore, the two side surfaces 22b can guide the transport device 40 in the X direction and the direction opposite to the X direction while substantially positioning it in the Y direction (and the direction opposite to the Y direction). The bottom surface 22a is an example of a second surface. The side surfaces 22b are an example of a guide portion. The X direction is an example of a second direction, and the Y direction is an example of a third direction.

[0026] The entrance / exit structure 10 includes multiple conveying mechanisms 11. Each conveying mechanism 11 includes a body 11a and multiple rollers 11b spaced apart in the X direction. The rollers 11b are supported by the body 11a so as to be rotatable around a central axis extending in the Y direction. The upper portions of the rollers 11b partially protrude above the upper surface of the body 11a. The multiple rollers 11b are arranged so that their upper ends are substantially aligned in the X direction. The rollers 11b are electrically operated drive rollers or driven rollers. In this configuration, the bottom surface of the article 30 supported by the multiple rollers 11b, i.e., the bottom surface of the pallet 31, can move in the X direction or in the opposite direction to the X direction as the multiple rollers 11b rotate, while its position in the Z direction remains substantially unchanged. The position where the article 30 is supported by the multiple rollers 11b, i.e., the position of the bottom surface of the pallet 31 in the Z direction in this embodiment, is an example of a first position. In other words, the conveying mechanism 11 can support the article 30 at a first position. The conveying mechanism 11 is an example of a first support mechanism. The first position and the support position of the article 30 by the placement surface 21, i.e., the second position, are substantially aligned in the X direction.

[0027] The entrance / exit structure 10 also has a bottom surface 10a that is lower than the conveying mechanism 11 and supports the transport device 40 movably in the X direction and the direction opposite to the X direction. The bottom surface 10a faces the Z direction, intersects the Z direction, and extends in the X and Y directions. The bottom surface 10a extends in a strip shape in the X direction with a substantially constant width in the Y direction. The bottom surface 10a is positioned below the support position (first position) of the article 30 by the conveying mechanism 11, i.e., shifted in the opposite direction to the Z direction. The bottom surface 10a is an example of a first surface. The bottom surface 10a and the bottom surface 22a of the groove 22 are substantially aligned in the X direction.

[0028] The width W1 of the bottom surface 10a in the Y direction is wider than the width W2 of the bottom surface 22a in the Y direction and the width W4 of the transport device 40. Furthermore, the length of the bottom surface 10a in the X direction is longer than the length of the transport device 40. Therefore, the transport device 40 can be placed on the bottom surface 10a with its longitudinal direction aligned with the X direction. Note that, if a groove is formed by the bottom surface 10a and the side surfaces located in the Y direction and the opposite direction to the bottom surface 10a, the width W1 may be the width of the groove.

[0029] The multiple transport mechanisms 11 are provided from a position on the opposite side of the bottom surface 10a from the movable body 20 in the X direction to a position aligned with the bottom surface 10a in the Y direction. That is, the multiple transport mechanisms 11 are at least partially aligned with the transport device 40 positioned on the bottom surface 10a in the Y direction. Therefore, the multiple transport mechanisms 11 can transport the articles 30 between a position on the opposite side of the movable body 20 and a position Pc on the transport device 40 placed on the bottom surface 10a.

[0030] Furthermore, the multiple conveying mechanisms 11 include multiple conveying mechanisms 11 arranged on both sides of the center C in the Y direction of the article 30 located at position Pc, away from the center C. Therefore, the conveying mechanisms 11 on both sides of the center C can stably support the article 30. Furthermore, since two bottom surfaces 10a as the bottom surface 10a are arranged on both sides of the center C, away from the center C, two conveying devices 40 located on the bottom surfaces 10a and spaced apart in the Y direction can stably support the article 30. Note that it is not necessary to provide two bottom surfaces 10a; two conveying devices 40 may be placed on one bottom surface 10a that is wider in the Y direction. In this case, the entrance / exit structure 10 does not have a conveying mechanism 11 located in the center in the Y direction in FIG. 2.

[0031] 2 is a set position (initial position) of the transport device 40 when the transport device 40 transports the article 30 from the entrance / exit structure 10 to the moving body 20. At position Ps, the transport device 40 is stably supported by the bottom surface 10a while extending in the X direction. In this state, at least a portion of the attachment 45 provided at the end in the X direction is positioned between the two side surfaces 22b. Note that the state in which the transport device 40 is stably supported by the bottom surface 10a refers to a state in which at least two rollers 43 of the transport device 40 are positioned on the bottom surface 10a and can maintain a posture supporting the article 30.

[0032] Furthermore, the lifting mechanism 12 (see FIG. 1) can adjust the position of the bottom surface 10a so that the bottom surface 10a and the bottom surface 22a have an appropriate positional relationship in the Z direction. Specifically, when the transport device 40 transports the article 30 from the entrance / exit structure 10 to the moving body 20, the lifting mechanism 12 sets the bottom surface 10a to be the same as or slightly higher than the bottom surface 22a in the Z direction. On the other hand, when the transport device 40 transports the article 30 from the moving body 20 to the entrance / exit structure 10, the lifting mechanism 12 sets the bottom surface 10a to be the same as or slightly lower than the bottom surface 22a in the Z direction. The lifting mechanism 12 may operate in response to an operator's operation, or may operate automatically based on a detection signal from a sensor or the like.

[0033] [Transport device] 3 is a plan view of the transport device 40 of this embodiment. The transport device 40 has a lower member 41, an upper member 42, a plurality of rollers 43, a movable portion 44, and an attachment 45.

[0034] The lower member 41 and the upper member 42 each have a substantially constant width in the short-side direction (Y direction) and a substantially constant height in the height direction (Z direction), and extend in the longitudinal direction (X direction). The lower member 41 is an example of a first member, and the upper member 42 is an example of a second member.

[0035] A plurality of rollers 43 are supported on the lower member 41 so as to be rotatable around a central axis extending in the Y direction. The lower portions of the rollers 43 protrude below the lower end of the lower member 41. The rollers 43 are arranged so that their lower ends are substantially aligned in the X direction. The rollers 43 are driven rollers. The rollers 43 can roll on the bottom surfaces 10a and 22a, and as described above, the bottom surfaces 10a and 22a are substantially aligned in the X direction. Therefore, in this configuration, the transport device 40 can move in the X direction or the direction opposite to the X direction, with the rotation of the rollers 43 on the bottom surfaces 10a and 22a, while the position in the Z direction remains substantially unchanged.

[0036] The upper member 42 has a mounting surface 42a and two side surfaces 42s.

[0037] The placement surface 42a faces the Z direction and intersects with the Z direction. The placement surface 42a extends in a strip shape in the X direction with a substantially constant width in the Y direction. However, the placement surface 42a has openings 42b and 42c. The opening 42b is provided to prevent interference between the upper member 42 and the rollers 43. The configuration with the opening 42b allows the diameter of the rollers 43 to be larger than in the absence of the opening 42b. The opening 42c is also provided to prevent interference between the upper member 42 and the movable part 44. The placement surface 42a places the article 30 thereon. As shown in FIG. 2, the article 30 is placed on the placement surfaces 42a of two transport devices 40 aligned in the Y direction. The rollers 43 do not protrude above the placement surface 42a, and the movable part 44 is offset in the opposite direction of the X direction from the placement position of the article 30. Therefore, the rollers 43 and the movable portion 44 do not interfere with the article 30 placed on the placement surface 42a.

[0038] The side surface 42s faces the Y direction or the direction opposite to the Y direction and intersects with the Y direction. The side surface 42s extends in a strip shape in the X direction at a substantially constant height in the Z direction. When the transport device 40 is positioned in the groove 22 of the movable body 20, the side surface 42s is guided by the side surface 22b of the groove 22. Specifically, the side surface 42s is guided in the X direction or the direction opposite to the X direction along the side surface 22b while being positioned in the Y direction and the direction opposite to the Y direction, in other words, with its movement in the Y direction and the Y direction restricted by the side surface 22b.

[0039] The movable unit 44 changes the position of the placement surface 42a in the Z direction by moving the upper member 42 relative to the lower member 41, thereby switching between a first state in which the height of the transport device 40 is low and a second state in which the height of the transport device 40 is higher than that in the first state. The first state is also called a immersed state, and the second state is also called a protruding state.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a side view showing a first state S1 of the transportation device 40, and FIG. 5 is a side view showing a second state S2 of the transportation device 40. The movable part 44 is supported by the lower member 41 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis Ax extending in the Y direction. The movable part 44 is provided with an insertion opening 44a into which the lever 50 can be inserted, and an elongated hole 44b that slidably guides a slider 42d provided on the upper member 42. The slider 42d is formed, for example, by a protrusion or a shaft extending in the Y direction from the side wall of the lower member 41. The movable part 44 is configured to be rotatable between a first position A1 shown in FIG. 4 and a second position A2 shown in FIG. 5. As the movable part 44 rotates about the rotation axis Ax, the elongated hole 44b also rotates about the rotation axis Ax, and accordingly, the slider 42d slides along the elongated hole 44b, causing the upper member 42 to move, for example, in the direction opposite to the X direction and in the Z direction relative to the lower member 41. The transport device 40 also has a relative movement mechanism (not shown) separate from the movable part 44 that guides the upper member 42 along a predetermined path relative to the lower member 41. The relative movement mechanism is, for example, a link mechanism or a cam mechanism, and is configured to move the upper member 42 relative to the lower member 41 while maintaining a substantially constant angle of the placement surface 42a with respect to the Z direction. With this configuration, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , as the movable part 44 rotates about the rotation axis Ax, the transport device 40 can switch between a first state S1 in which the upper member 42 is positioned further downward and a second state S2 in which the upper member 42 is positioned further upward. Therefore, an operator can switch the transport device 40 between a first state S1 at a height H1 and a second state S2 at a height H2 (>H1) by inserting the lever 50 into the insertion opening 44a and raising (FIG. 4) or tilting (FIG. 5) the lever 50. Between the first state S1 and the second state S2, the placement surface 42a is maintained in a substantially horizontal position intersecting the Z direction.

[0041] Here, as shown in FIG. 4, in the first state S1, the placement surface 42a is lower than the first position P1 where the conveying mechanism 11 supports the article 30, and the placement surface 21 is lower than the second position P2 where the article 30 is supported. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, in the second state S2, the placement surface 42a is higher than the first position P1 and higher than the second position P2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, in the first state S1, the transport device 40 can move in the X direction or the opposite direction to the X direction on the bottom surfaces 10a and 22a below the article 30 located at the first position P1 or the second position P2. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, in the second state S2, the transport device 40 can support the article 30 above the first position P1 or the second position P2, and move in the X direction or the opposite direction to the X direction on the bottom surfaces 10a and 22a with a gap g between the article 30 and the conveying mechanism 11 and the placement surface 21. That is, the transport device 40 can transfer the item 30 from the entrance / exit structure 10 to the movable body 20 by moving in the X direction from above the bottom surface 10a to above the bottom surface 22a in the second state S2 in which the item 30 is placed, and can transfer the item 30 from the movable body 20 to the entrance / exit structure 10 by moving in the opposite X direction from above the bottom surface 22a to above the bottom surface 10a in the second state S2 in which the item 30 is placed.

[0042] [attachment] As shown in FIG. 3 , an attachment 45 is attached to the X-direction end of the upper member 42. As is clear from FIG. 2 , when the transportation device 40 moves from the entrance / exit structure 10 to the moving body 20, the body 45c of the attachment 45 first comes into contact with the moving body 20. Here, the body 45c is made of a synthetic resin material, such as engineering plastic. In contrast, the lower member 41 and the upper member 42 are made of a metal material, such as an iron-based material or an aluminum-based material. That is, the body 45c is made of a material with a lower elastic modulus than the lower member 41 and the upper member 42. If the attachment 45 were not present, when the transportation device 40 moves from the entrance / exit structure 10 to the moving body 20, contact between the transportation device 40 and the moving body 20, both of which are hard, could result in damage to one or both of them. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the attachment 45 having a body 45c that is softer and more elastically deformable is attached to the transport device 40, thereby preventing the occurrence of the above-described damage. Furthermore, when the side surface 45s of the body 45c is made of a synthetic resin material, the coefficient of friction between the side surface 45s and the side surface 22b can be reduced compared to when the side surface 45s is made of a metal material, allowing the operator to move the transport device 40 more easily or quickly with less force. The attachment 45 may be provided on the lower member 41 instead of the upper member 42. Furthermore, the entire body 45c (see FIG. 3) may be made of a synthetic resin material, or a portion of the body 45c, including the side surface 45s, may be made of a synthetic resin material.

[0043] Furthermore, the attachment 45 extends in the X direction. Therefore, the length of the transport device 40 can be increased compared to when the attachment 45 is not attached. With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, when the rollers 43 of the transport device 40 (as an example, all of the rollers 43 in this embodiment) are positioned on the bottom surface 10a, at least the tip portion of the attachment 45 located at the end of the transport device 40 in the X direction can be positioned between the two side surfaces 22b of the groove 22. The attachment 45 may also be referred to as an extension or an extending member.

[0044] 6 to 11 are six-view diagrams of the attachment 45 of this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a side view of the attachment 45 when viewed in the Y direction. FIG. 7 is a side view of the attachment 45 when viewed in the opposite direction to the Y direction, i.e., when viewed in the opposite direction from FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a top view of the attachment 45. FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the attachment 45. FIG. 10 is a rear view of the attachment 45. Also, FIG. 11 is a front view of the attachment 45.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the attachment 45 is attached to an end surface 42e of the upper member 42 in the X direction by a screw 45e. The attachment 45 extends in the X direction from the end surface 42e. The end surface 42e is provided with a female threaded hole 42f extending in the opposite direction from the end surface 42e in the X direction, and an end wall 45a2 located at the end of the attachment 45 in the opposite direction in the X direction is provided with a through hole 45a4 extending in the X direction. The female threaded hole 42f and the through hole 45a4 are aligned in the X direction. The screw 45e passes through the through hole 45a4 and is attached to the female threaded hole 42f, thereby connecting the end wall 45a2 and the attachment 45 to the upper member 42. The screw 45e may also be referred to as a fastener or a fastener.

[0046] The attachment 45 has a base 45a, a lower wall 45b, a body 45c, and a screw 45d.

[0047] The base 45a has an upper wall 45a1 and an end wall 45a2. The upper wall 45a1 extends in a direction intersecting the Z direction and in the Y direction with a substantially constant thickness in the Z direction and a substantially constant width in the X direction. The end wall 45a2 extends in a direction intersecting the X direction and in the Y direction with a substantially constant thickness in the X direction and a substantially constant width in the Z direction.

[0048] The lower wall 45b extends in the Y direction, intersecting the Z direction, with a substantially constant thickness in the Z direction and a substantially constant width in the X direction. The upper wall 45a1 and the lower wall 45b are parallel to each other and spaced apart in the Z direction.

[0049] An end of the bottom wall 45b opposite in the X direction and an end of the end wall 45a2 in the Z direction are integrated together by, for example, welding. In this embodiment, the base 45a and the bottom wall 45b have a substantially U-shape when viewed in the Y direction as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and constitute a mounting member that mounts the body 45c to the upper member 42 or the lower member 41. Note that this configuration is just one example, and for example, the base 45a and the bottom wall 45b may be formed by bending a single plate-like member into a U-shape, or the attachment 45 may have a mounting member with a configuration different from that of the base 45a and the bottom wall 45b.

[0050] The body 45c has a plate-like shape and extends in the X direction with a substantially constant thickness in the Z direction. The upper wall 45a1 and the body 45c are provided with through-holes 45a3 and 45c3 extending in the Z direction. The lower wall 45b is provided with a female-threaded hole 45b1 that penetrates in the Z direction. The through-holes 45a3 and 45c3 and the female-threaded hole 45b1 are aligned in the Z direction. A screw 45d passes through the through-holes 45a3 and 45c3 and is attached to the female-threaded hole 45b1 to connect the base 45a, the lower wall 45b, and the body 45c. Note that this configuration is merely an example. For example, a female-threaded hole may be provided in the upper wall 45a1 and a through-hole may be provided in the lower wall 45b, and a screw may pass through the lower wall 45b and the body 45c and be attached to the female-threaded hole in the upper wall 45a1.

[0051] The above-described joining structure using the screws 45d and 45e allows at least the body 45c of the attachment 45 to be detachably attached to the upper member 42. This structure has the advantage that if the body 45c deteriorates or is damaged, it can be replaced with a new body 45c. Note that the structure that allows the body 45c to be detachably attached to the upper member 42 is not limited to the joining structure using the screws 45d and 45e. Furthermore, at least the body 45c of the attachment 45 may be detachably attached to the lower member 41.

[0052] 8 and 9, the structures for connecting the attachment 45 and the upper member 42 with the screws 45e are provided at two locations spaced apart in the Y direction. In addition, the structures for connecting the base 45a, the lower wall 45b, and the body 45c with the screws 45d are also provided at two locations spaced apart in the Y direction.

[0053] 8 and 9, the body 45c has a band-shaped portion 45c1 and a tapered portion 45c2. The band-shaped portion 45c1 extends in the X direction with a substantially constant width Wa1 in the Y direction. The width Wa2 of the tapered portion 45c2 is equal to or smaller than the width Wa1 of the band-shaped portion 45c1 and gradually narrows toward the X direction, i.e., toward the tip 45t.

[0054] Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the side surfaces 45s provided on both sides of the body 45c in the Y direction are positioned between the two side surfaces 22b of the groove 22 of the movable body 20 when the transport device 40 is located at position Ps (set position). Therefore, the body 45c is approximately positioned in the Y direction by the side surfaces 22b. Furthermore, the two side surfaces 45s of the tapered portion 45c2 approach the center of the body 45c in the Y direction (width direction) as they approach the tip 45t. Therefore, when the transport device 40 moves in the X direction from the bottom surface 10a to the bottom surface 22a, the side surfaces 22b guide the body 45c and the transport device 40 in the X direction while correcting the position of the side surfaces 45s of the tapered portion 45c2 in the Y direction, and thus the positions of the body 45c and the transport device 40 in the Y direction. The body 45c is an example of a guided portion.

[0055] [Transfer method] 12 and 13 are plan views showing stages Ph1 to Ph6 of the method for transferring article 30 from entrance / exit structure 10 to moving body 20 in the first embodiment.

[0056] First, in stage Ph1 shown in FIG. 12, the moving body 20 traveling on the ground G in the opposite direction to the X direction approaches the entrance structure 10 and stops at a predetermined position.

[0057] Next, in stage Ph2 shown in Fig. 12, the worker places transport device 40 on bottom surface 10a. At this time, the worker places transport device 40 so that transport device 40 extends in the X direction, transport device 40 and groove 22 are aligned in the Y direction, and attachment 45 faces groove 22 with a gap in the opposite direction to the X direction. In this stage Ph2, transport device 40 is set to first state S1 (see Fig. 4) at height H1.

[0058] Next, in stage Ph3 shown in FIG. 12, the worker moves the transport device 40 in the X direction to position Ps so that the X-direction end of the attachment 45, i.e., the transport device 40, is positioned between the two side surfaces 22b of the groove 22, as shown in FIG. 2. As described above, the transport device 40 is configured so that, at this position Ps, the plurality of rollers 43 (in this embodiment, as an example, all of the rollers 43) are placed on the bottom surface 10a and stably supported on the bottom surface 10a. Furthermore, the worker uses the conveying mechanism 11 to move the article 30 in the X direction from the side opposite the movable body 20. Also in stage Ph3, the transport device 40 is set to the first state S1 (see FIG. 4) at height H1.

[0059] Next, in stage Ph4 shown in FIG. 13, the worker uses the transport mechanism 11 to move the article 30 to position Pc, which is a predetermined support position by the two transport devices 40. In this state, the transport device 40 is in the first state S1, and the article 30 is supported by the transport mechanism 11 at a first position P1 (see FIG. 4). Next, the worker uses the lever 50 (see FIG. 4) to change the position of the movable part 44 from the first position A1 (see FIG. 4) to a second position A2 (see FIG. 5), thereby switching the transport device 40 from the first state (see FIG. 4) at height H1 to the second state (see FIG. 5) at height H2. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the placement surface 42a of the transport device 40 rises, and the article 30 supported by the transport mechanism 11 at the first position P1 moves away from the transport mechanism 11 in the Z direction and onto the placement surface 42a.

[0060] Next, in stages Ph4 and Ph5 shown in Figure 13, the worker moves the transport device 40 in the X direction while the transport device 40 is in the second state S2, i.e., when the transport device 40 is supporting the item 30 and there is a gap between the item 30 and the conveying mechanism 11 and the loading surface 21, to transfer the item 30 from the entrance / exit structure 10 to the mobile body 20.

[0061] 13, the worker moves the transport device 40 along the groove 22 inside the movable body 20, stops it at a predetermined position, and switches the transport device 40 from the second state S2 to the first state S1 to lower the item 30 onto the placement surface 21. This places the placement surface 21 in a state in which it supports the item 30, in other words, the item 30 is placed in a predetermined position on the placement surface 21. Then, while maintaining the first state S1, the worker moves the transport device 40 in the opposite direction of the X direction without contacting the item 30, and returns it from above the bottom surface 22a to above the bottom surface 10a of the entrance / exit structure 10.

[0062] 12, the position Pm1 at which the movable body 20 moves in the opposite direction to the X direction and approaches the entrance / exit structure 10 and stops can change in the Y direction with each movement of the movable body 20. If the width W1 of the bottom surface 10a is narrow, it becomes necessary to accurately position the movable body 20 in the Y direction relative to the entrance / exit structure 10. For example, if the movable body 20 is a transport vehicle, it may be necessary to turn around several times, and positioning the movable body 20 in the Y direction relative to the entrance / exit structure 10 takes time and effort. 2 and 12, in this embodiment, the width W1 of the bottom surface 10a in the Y direction is greater than the width W2 of the bottom surface 22a in the Y direction, so that even if the position Pm1 is slightly shifted in the Y direction, the bottom surfaces 10a and 22a are aligned in the X direction, and the transport device 40 can be moved between the bottom surfaces 10a and 22a, and thus the transport device 40 can be used to transport the article 30 between the entrance structure 10 and the movable body 20. Therefore, this embodiment has the advantage of reducing the effort and time required to position the movable body 20 in the Y direction, for example.

[0063] 2 and 12, transport device 40 is configured so that, with multiple rollers 43 supported on bottom surface 10a, at least the tip portion of attachment 45 located at the end in the X direction is approximately positioned in the Y direction by side surface 22b (see FIG. 2) of groove 22. Therefore, even if width W1 of bottom surface 10a is wide and it is difficult to position transport device 40 in the Y direction using entrance / exit structure 10 alone, by placing transport device 40 so that the tip portion of attachment 45 is located between side surfaces 22b of moving body 20, transport device 40 can be approximately positioned at a position where it is more smoothly guided into groove 22. 13, the worker can more easily, more quickly, or more reliably move the transport device 40 from above the bottom surface 10a to above the bottom surface 22a, i.e., into the groove 22, and more easily, more quickly, or more reliably transport the article 30 from the entrance / exit structure 10 to the moving body 20. In other words, according to this embodiment, for example, an advantage is obtained in that the effort and time required to transport the article 30 using the transport device 40 can be reduced.

[0064] In addition, the transport device 40 can transfer the item 30 from the mobile body 20 to the entrance / exit structure 10 by an operator moving the transport device 40, which is supporting the item 30 in the second state S2, from the mobile body 20 to the entrance / exit structure 10.

[0065] [Second embodiment] Fig. 14 is a side view of an attachment 45A of the second embodiment when viewed in the same direction as in Fig. 6 of the first embodiment. The attachment 45A can be provided in place of the attachment 45 of the first embodiment.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 14, the body 45c of the attachment 45A has an inclined surface 45c4 and an orthogonal surface 45c5 on its upper surface, which is the end in the Z direction. The inclined surface 45c4 is located at the end in the X direction of the upper surface of the body 45c and is inclined with respect to the X direction so as to extend in the opposite direction to the Z direction toward the tip 45t. The inclined surface 45c4 extends in the Y direction. The orthogonal surface 45c5 is adjacent to the inclined surface 45c4 in the opposite direction to the X direction and is approximately orthogonal to the Z direction. The upper surface does not necessarily have to have the orthogonal surface 45c5. In other words, the upper surface may have only the inclined surface 45c4.

[0067] Further, the body 45c of the attachment 45A is made of a material with a relatively small modulus of elasticity, such as a synthetic resin material, in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0068] As described above, a transport device 40 equipped with the attachment 45A is longer than a transport device 40 not equipped with the attachment 45A. Therefore, when the transport device 40 supports an article 30 and moves in the X direction within the groove 22 of the movable body 20 to transport the article 30, the attachment 45A may interfere with another article 30 (hereinafter simply referred to as the other article 30) that has been transported earlier and placed on the placement surface 21 (see FIG. 13 ). In this regard, according to the present embodiment, the attachment 45A has an inclined surface 45c4, so that the attachment 45A moving in the X direction can easily escape into the groove 22 below the other article 30. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, damage to at least one of the attachment 45A and the other article 30 due to interference between the attachment 45A and the other article 30 can be suppressed.

[0069] As described above, the attachment 45A is made of a material with a relatively small elastic modulus, such as a synthetic resin material. Therefore, even if the attachment 45A interferes with another article 30, the attachment 45A is likely to be elastically deformed. Therefore, according to this embodiment, damage to at least one of the attachment 45A and the other article 30 due to interference between the attachment 45A and the other article 30 can be suppressed.

[0070] [Third embodiment] 15 is a plan view of a transportation device 40B according to the third embodiment. The transportation device 40B can be used in place of the transportation device 40 according to the first embodiment.

[0071] 15, markers 40m1 to 40m4 are provided on the mounting surface 42a of the upper member 42 to indicate the position of the end of the article 30 (pallet 31) on the opposite side in the X direction when the article 30 (pallet 31) has a predetermined size (length L) placed on the mounting surface 42a. The markers 40m1 to 40m4 are provided as elements that allow visual recognition of the position in the X direction, such as lines extending in the Y direction, boundaries of colored areas, or structures. Specifically, the markers 40m1 to 40m4 are, for example, paint, stickers, markings, ridges, grooves, etc.

[0072] 15, marker 40m1 indicates the position of the end of item 30 on the opposite side in the X direction when item 30 having length L in the X direction is placed entirely on placement surface 42a, in other words, when position Pt1 of the X direction end of item 30 is on placement surface 42a. Marker 40m2 indicates the position of the end of item 30 on the opposite side in the X direction when the X direction end of item 30 is near tip 45t of attachment 45 but at position Pt2 displaced in the opposite direction in the X direction from tip 45t. Marker 40m3 indicates the position of the end of item 30 on the opposite side in the X direction when the X direction end of item 30 is exactly on tip 45t of attachment 45. In addition, marker 40m4 indicates the position of the end of the item 30 in the opposite X direction when the end of the item 30 in the X direction is near the tip 45t of the attachment 45 and is at position Pt3 shifted in the X direction from the tip 45t.

[0073] With this configuration, the worker can visually check the relative positional relationship between the markers 40m1 to 40m4 and the end of the item 30 on the opposite side of the X-direction, and can more easily grasp the X-direction position of the item 30 on the placement surface 42a without visually checking the X-direction end of the item 30.

[0074] Furthermore, the worker can change the position of the article 30 on the transport device 40B in the X direction within the moving body 20, for example, by the following procedure. That is, the worker first stops the transport device 40B within the moving body 20, just before the final placement position (planned placement position) on the placement surface 21. Next, the worker switches from the second state S2 to the first state S1 and places the article 30 on the placement surface 21. Next, while visually checking the relative positional relationship between the markers 40m1 to 40m4 and the article 30, the worker moves the transport device 40B in the opposite direction in the X direction, and while aligning the end of the article 30 on the opposite side in the X direction with one of the markers 40m2 to 40m4, switches from the first state S1 to the second state S2 and places the article 30 on the transport device 40B. This allows the worker to place the article 30 at a position closer to the tip 45t on the transport device 40B. By adding such a step, the length by which the attachment 45 protrudes in the X direction from the X direction end of the item 30 on the transport device 40B can be made shorter, thereby further preventing damage to at least one of the attachment 45A and the other item 30 due to interference between the attachment 45 and the other item 30.

[0075] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, they are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the specifications of each configuration, shape, and the like (structure, type, direction, model, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement, position, material, etc.) can be appropriately modified and implemented.

[0076] For example, the first support mechanism is not limited to a transport mechanism, and the second support mechanism is not limited to a placement surface.

[0077] The body of the extension member may be made of multiple members. In this case, the side surfaces and inclined surfaces of the extension member may be made of a synthetic resin material, and the other portions may be made of a different material. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10…Entrance / exit structure 10a...Bottom surface (first surface) 11...Transport mechanism (first support mechanism) 11a...Body 11b…Laura 12...Lifting mechanism 20...Mobile 21...Placement surface (second support mechanism, second surface) 22...Groove 22a…Bottom surface 22b...Side (guide part) 23…Groove 30...Goods 31...Palette 32...Product packaging 40,40B…Transportation equipment 40m1~40m4...Marker 41... Lower member (first member) 42...Upper member (second member) 42a...Placement surface 42b…Aperture 42c…Aperture 42d...Slider 42e...End face (end) 42f...Internal thread hole 42s…side 43...Laura 44...Movable part 44a...insertion port 44b…Slot hole 45, 45A...Attachment (end, extension part) 45a...bass 45a1...Upper wall 45a2…end wall 45a3…Through hole 45a4...Through hole 45b…Lower wall 45b1...Internal thread hole 45c...Body (guided part) 45c1...belt 45c2...tapered part 45c3...Through hole 45c4…Slanted surface 45c5...orthogonal plane 45d...Screw 45e...Screw 45s...side 45t...tip 50...Lever A1…first posture A2…Second posture Ax...rotation axis C…center g...gap G...ground H1...Height (first height) H2...Height (second height) L...length P1…first position P2…Second position Pc…Position Ph1~Ph6...stages Pm1…Position Ps…Position Pt1~Pt3…Position S1...First state S2: Second state W1…width W2…Width W4…Width Wa1: Width Wa2…width X…direction (second direction) Y…direction (third direction) Z…direction (first direction)

Claims

1. a first support mechanism supporting an article at a first position in a first direction substantially aligned vertically upward; and a first surface positioned below the first position and extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction; wherein the first support mechanism supports the article at a second position substantially aligned with the first position in the second direction; and a second surface positioned below the second position and substantially aligned with the first surface in the second direction, extending in the second direction; and wherein an article is conveyed by a transport device to a movable body whose position relative to the doorway structure in the first direction and a third direction intersecting with the second direction is variable; the transport device is configured to be movable in the second direction on the first surface and the second surface, has a placement surface on which the item is placed, and is configured to be switchable between a first state in which the position of the placement surface in the first direction is lower than the first position and the second position, and a second state in which the position of the placement surface in the first direction is higher than the first position and the second position, and in the second state, the placement surface is configured to move from the first surface to the second surface while supporting the item above the first position and the second position, thereby transporting the item with a gap between it and the first support mechanism and the second support mechanism; the movable body includes a guide portion that approximately positions an end portion of the transportation device in the second direction in the third direction when the transportation device is supported on the first surface, and that guides the end portion in the second direction when the transportation device moves in the second direction; a width of the first surface in the third direction is wider than a width of the second surface in the third direction; An entrance / exit structure configured so that the transport device is supported on the first surface, the end in the second direction is approximately positioned on the guide portion, and is in the first state, and the item is supported by the first support mechanism above the transport device, and is switched to the second state to support the item and move from the first surface to the second surface, thereby enabling the item to be transported from the entrance / exit structure to the movable body.

2. 2. The entrance / exit structure of claim 1, further comprising a conveying mechanism above the transport device, which is supported on the first surface and has its end in the second direction approximately positioned on the guide portion and is in the first state, and which is capable of transporting the item from the opposite side to the movable body.

3. The doorway structure of claim 2 , wherein the transport mechanism is at least partially aligned in the third direction with the transport device located on the first surface.

4. 2. The entrance / exit structure of claim 1, wherein the transport device is configured to be movable on the first surface and the second surface in a direction opposite to the second direction, and is configured to support the item in the second state and move from the second surface to the first surface, thereby transferring the item from the movable body to the entrance / exit structure.

5. The entrance / exit structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a lifting mechanism that can change the position of the first surface in the first direction.

6. A transport device used in the entrance / exit structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, configured to be movable in the second direction on the first surface and the second surface; a placement surface on which the article is placed, The device is configured to be switchable between a first state in which the position of the placement surface in the first direction is lower than the first position and the second position, and a second state in which the position of the placement surface in the first direction is higher than the first position and the second position, and in the second state, the placement surface is configured to move from the first surface to the second surface while supporting the item above the first position and the second position, so that the item can be transported with a gap between the first support mechanism and the second support mechanism, the transport device is supported on the first surface and is positioned approximately in the third direction by a guide portion provided on the moving body, and the transport device has an end portion in the second direction that is guided in the second direction by the guide portion when the transport device moves in the second direction; A transport device that is supported on the first surface, with the end portion approximately positioned on the guide portion, and that is configured to switch from the first state, in which the item is supported by the first support mechanism above the transport device, to the second state to support the item and move it from the first surface to the second surface, thereby enabling the item to be transported from the entrance / exit structure to the movable body.

7. 7. The transportation device of claim 6, wherein the transportation device is configured to be movable on the first surface and the second surface in a direction opposite to the second direction, and is configured to support the article in the second state and move from the second surface to the first surface, thereby transferring the article from the moving body to the entrance / exit structure.

8. a plurality of rollers provided so as to be able to roll on the first surface and the second surface; a guided portion provided at an end portion in the second direction and guided by the guide portion in a state in which the plurality of rollers are positioned on the first surface; 7. The transport device of claim 6, comprising:

9. The transport device according to claim 8 , wherein the guided portion has a tapered portion whose width in the third direction narrows as it approaches a tip end in the second direction.

10. a first member that supports the plurality of rollers so that they can roll; a second member supported by the first member such that its height relative to the first member in the first direction can be changed, and on which the article is placed; Equipped with The transport device according to claim 8 , wherein the guided portion is provided on one of the first member and the second member.

11. The transport device according to claim 10 , wherein the guided portion is detachably provided on one of the first member and the second member.

12. The transport device of claim 10 , wherein the guided portion is made of a material having a lower elastic modulus than the first member or the second member.

13. 9. The transport device of claim 8, wherein the guided portion is made of a synthetic resin material.

14. The transportation device according to claim 8 , wherein the guided portion has an inclined surface at an end in the first direction that faces in a direction opposite to the first direction as it approaches the second direction and is inclined with respect to the second direction.

15. 9. The transportation device according to claim 8, wherein the placement surface is provided with a marker indicating that the distance from a predetermined position near the end of the transportation device in the second direction in the opposite direction to the second direction is a predetermined distance.

16. a plurality of rollers arranged at intervals in a second direction intersecting the first direction and rolling on a plane intersecting the first direction; a lower member that rotatably supports the plurality of rollers and extends in the second direction; an upper member that is supported so as to be movable relative to the lower member, has a placement surface that extends intersecting the first direction and on which an article is placed, and extends in the second direction; an extension member attached to an end portion of the upper member or the lower member in the second direction and extending from the end portion in the second direction; 7. The transport device of claim 6, comprising:

17. 17. The transport device of claim 16, wherein the extension member has a tapered portion whose width in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions narrows as it approaches a tip in the second direction.

18. 17. The transport device of claim 16, wherein the extension member has sides made of a synthetic resin material.

19. A method for transporting an article using a transport device between a gateway structure including a first support mechanism that supports an article at a first position in a first direction that is substantially vertically upward, and a first surface that is located below the first position and extends in a second direction that intersects with the first direction, and a movable body that includes a second support mechanism that supports the article at a second position that is substantially aligned with the first position in the second direction, and a second surface that is located below the second position and substantially aligned with the first surface in the second direction, and extends in the second direction, and whose position relative to the gateway structure in the first direction and in a third direction that intersects with the second direction, the transport device is configured to be movable in the second direction on the first surface and the second surface, has a placement surface on which the item is placed, and is configured to be switchable between a first state in which the position of the placement surface in the first direction is lower than the first position and the second position, and a second state in which the position of the placement surface in the first direction is higher than the first position and the second position, and in the second state, the placement surface is configured to move from the first surface to the second surface while supporting the item above the first position and the second position, thereby transporting the item with a gap between it and the first support mechanism and the second support mechanism; the movable body includes a guide portion that approximately positions an end portion of the transportation device in the second direction in the third direction when the transportation device is supported on the first surface, and that guides the end portion in the second direction when the transportation device moves in the second direction; a width of the first surface in the third direction is wider than a width of the second surface in the third direction; A method for transporting an article, comprising switching the transport device from a state in which the transport device is supported on the first surface, with the end in the second direction approximately positioned on the guide portion, and in which the article is supported by the first support mechanism above the transport device, to a second state to support the article and move the article from the first surface to the second surface, thereby transporting the article from the entrance / exit structure to the movable body.

Images