Turning device and turning method

Abstract

To provide a direction-changing tool and a direction-changing method to easily change moving directions of a weight body.SOLUTION: A direction-changing tool to change moving directions of a weight body, which allows movement in the fore-and-aft direction by front and rear wheels provided on a body part and has an engagement part protruding either forward or rearward in the fore-and-aft direction in the body part, has wheel parts, extension parts that pivotally support the wheel parts at base ends and extend therefrom, grip parts that are provided at the tips of the extension parts, and hooks that are provided on the extension parts and can be engaged with the engagement part. A distance between the hook on the extension part and the lower end of the wheel part is greater than a distance in the vertical direction between the engagement part and the lower ends of the front and rear wheels.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a direction-changing device and a direction-changing method for changing the direction of movement of a weight body. [Background technology]

[0002] Heavy objects such as tube pumps used at work sites are equipped with wheels (tires) to facilitate their movement. In particular, tube pumps used to transport mud weigh more than 350 kg, and in consideration of the load-bearing capacity of the wheels and the stability of the equipment when in use, wheels that cannot rotate horizontally (hereinafter referred to as "fixed wheels") are provided on the bottom of the heavy object. In addition, to prepare for snakes and swaying when moving a heavy object, at least four wheels are provided on the bottom of the heavy object from the perspective of stability of movement.

[0003] However, fixed wheels cannot change direction like swivel casters, which can swivel horizontally, and movement by wheel is limited to forward and backward. Therefore, when moving a heavy object and there is a constraint on the working space, the worker has no choice but to change direction by dragging the fixed wheels of the heavy object, which is a heavy burden on the worker and causes work inefficiency.

[0004] Here, Patent Document 1 discloses a heavy object lifting device that allows a single worker to drag out a heavy object such as a vending machine or refrigerator that is installed against a wall from one side of the object. Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a heavy object moving device for safely moving heavy objects such as refrigerators. The heavy object moving device disclosed in Patent Document 2 is a heavy object lifting and moving device in which front rollers are journaled on a front roller shaft at the front lower part of the main body, forks that extend forward are fixed to the front upper part of the main body, and rear rollers are journaled on a rear roller shaft at the edge of a handle provided at the rear of the main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-145712 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-37535 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the above-mentioned conventional techniques have the following problems.

[0007] The heavy-duty lifting device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is only capable of pulling out vending machines, refrigerators, etc. that are installed against a wall, and is difficult to apply to changing the direction of a heavy object, which can only move forward and backward due to the presence of fixed wheels. Therefore, although the heavy-duty lifting device disclosed in Patent Document 1 can move a heavy object in one direction, it cannot change the direction of movement of the heavy object when there are constraints on the working space.

[0008] Furthermore, with the heavy object moving device disclosed in Patent Document 2, like the heavy object lifting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, although it is possible to lift both leg frames on the front side of the heavy object, it is difficult to change the direction of movement of the heavy object when there are constraints on the working space.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a direction-changing device and a direction-changing method that make it easy to change the direction of movement of a weight body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] [1] A direction-changing device for changing the direction of movement of a heavy body that allows movement in the fore-and-aft direction using front and rear wheels provided on a main body and has an engaging portion protruding from the main body either forward or backward in the fore-and-aft direction, the direction-changing device having a wheel portion, an extension portion that supports the wheel portion at its base end and extends from it, a grip portion provided at the tip of the extension portion, and a hook that is provided on the extension portion and can engage with the engaging portion, wherein the distance between the hook on the extension portion and the lower end of the wheel portion is greater than the distance in the vertical direction between the engaging portion and the lower ends of the front and rear wheels. [2] The direction-changing device described in [1], wherein the ratio of the distance between the hook in the extension portion and the lower end of the wheel portion to the distance between the grip portion in the extension portion and the lower end of the wheel portion is 0.12 or more and 0.72 or less. [3] A direction-changing device as described in [1] or [2], which has a locking mechanism that connects the extension portion to the weight body. [4] A direction-changing method for changing the direction of movement of a heavy body that allows movement in the fore-and-aft direction using front and rear wheels provided on a main body and has an engaging portion protruding either forward or backward in the fore-and-aft direction from the main body, the direction-changing method comprising the steps of: for a direction-changing device having an extension portion that supports a wheel portion at its base end and extends, and a hook provided on the extension portion and capable of engaging with the engaging portion, positioning the hook in a position opposite the engaging portion and tilting the extension portion in a direction away from the engaging portion; moving the direction-changing device toward the heavy body while maintaining the extension portion in an inclined state and engaging the hook with the engaging portion; uprighting the extension portion while maintaining the hook engaged with the engaging portion; and changing the axle direction of the wheel portion in any horizontal direction while maintaining the extension portion in an upright state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily change the direction of movement of the weight body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an example of a weight body and a direction-changing device. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an example of a direction-changing device. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration as an example of a direction changing method for changing the direction of movement of a weight body; [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an example of a locking mechanism in a direction-changing device. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram as an example of a direction-changing device 10 and a weight body 20. Fig. 1(a) shows a schematic plan view of the weight body 20. Fig. 1(b) shows a schematic side view of the weight body 20. Fig. 1(c) shows a schematic front view of the weight body 20. Fig. 1(d) shows a schematic side view of the direction-changing device 10. In Fig. 1(b), the right side of the drawing is the front of the weight body 20 in the fore-and-aft direction E, and the left side of the drawing is the rear of the weight body 20 in the fore-and-aft direction E.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the weight body 20 has a main body 21, front wheels 22, rear wheels 23, and an engagement portion 24. The main body 21 has a weight portion 21a and an installation base 21b. The front wheels 22 and rear wheels 23 are provided below the main body 21. Also, as shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(c), in this embodiment, the two front wheels 22 and the two rear wheels 23 are provided in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction E of the weight body 20. The front wheels 22 and the rear wheels 23 are wheels (fixed wheels) that cannot turn in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the direction in which the weight body 20 can move is the front-to-rear direction E.

[0015] Weight portion 21a corresponds to equipment such as a pump used at a work site (production site, construction site), etc. Weight portion 21a has a weight of at least 55 kg or more. In the present invention, weight portion 21a having a weight of 55 kg or more is mainly targeted.

[0016] If the weight of weight portion 21a is less than 55 kg, the direction of movement of weight body 20 can be changed manually, and therefore there is little need to apply the direction-changing device and direction-changing method according to the present invention. In this case, swivel wheels such as swivel casters that can turn horizontally can be used as front wheels 22 and rear wheels 23 provided below weight body 20, and the direction of movement of weight body 20 can be easily changed manually.

[0017] On the other hand, the weight of the weight portion 21a is intended to be 1000 kg or less. If the weight of the weight portion 21a is 1000 kg or less, the direction of movement of the weight body 20 can be changed by the direction changing device and direction changing method according to the present invention without using a lifting device such as a lifter or upper, which is pneumatic or hydraulic.

[0018] Weight section 21a may be installed on the upper side of installation base 21b. Front wheels 22 and rear wheels 23 may be provided on the lower side of installation base 21b. Weight section 21a may be fixed on the upper side of installation base 21b.

[0019] Here, swivel wheels such as swivel casters that can turn horizontally have lower load resistance than fixed wheels applied to the front wheels 22 and rear wheels 23, making it difficult to apply them to move the weight body 20 having the weight section 21a. Furthermore, if the device applied to the weight section 21a corresponds to a device such as a pump, vibrations generated by driving the pump or the like are transmitted to the entire weight body 20, making it difficult to maintain the stability of measures such as wheel chocks using swivel wheels.

[0020] For this reason, fixed wheels are provided below the main body 21 of the weight body 20, which allows the weight body 20 to move in the front-to-rear direction E, but makes it difficult to change the direction of movement of the weight body 20.

[0021] Even if fixed wheels are provided below the main body 21, it is possible to gradually change the direction of travel while moving the weight body 20 by gradually turning in the direction of movement of the weight body 20 and ensuring a large turning radius. However, due to limitations on the working space in a factory, construction site, etc., there are significant limitations on changing the direction of movement of the weight body 20.

[0022] The engaging portion 24 is provided to protrude from either the front or rear of the main body 21 in the front-rear direction E. The engaging portion 24 may not be provided on the main body 21 but may be provided to protrude from the installation base 21b.

[0023] Next, a turning device 10 according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1(d) and Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an example of the turning device 10. Fig. 2(a) shows a schematic front view of the turning device 10. Fig. 2(b) shows a schematic side view of the turning device 10.

[0024] The direction-changing device 10 has a wheel unit 1, an extension unit 2, a grip unit 3, and a hook 4. The extension unit 2 is configured to support the wheel unit 1 at a base end S and extend toward a tip end T. The grip unit 3 is provided at the tip end T of the extension unit 2. The hook 4 is provided in the extension unit 2 between the wheel unit 1 located at the base end S and the grip unit 3 located at the tip end T.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2(a), the wheel unit 1 has two wheels. The axles 1a of the two wheels are arranged so that they are coaxial. Therefore, the two wheels of the wheel unit 1 are arranged so that they are oriented parallel to one another. The gripping unit 3 is arranged at the tip T of the extension unit 2, and is made of rod material, pipe material, or square material so that it can be grasped by an operator.

[0026] Next, a direction-changing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows a schematic configuration diagram as an example of a direction-changing method for changing the direction of movement of a weight body 20. Fig. 3(a) shows a schematic side view of the direction-changing device 10 in a tilted state. Fig. 3(b) shows a schematic side view of the direction-changing device 10 in a state where it has been moved toward the weight body 20. Fig. 3(c) shows a schematic side view of the direction-changing device 10 in a state where it has been moved from a tilted state to an upright state in the vertical direction. Fig. 3(d) shows a schematic plan view of the direction-changing device 10 in a state where it has been rotated horizontally.

[0027] First, as shown in Figure 3(a), the hook 4 of the direction-changing device 10 is placed in a position opposite the engagement portion 24 that protrudes either forward or backward in the fore-and-aft direction E of the weight body 20, and the extension portion 2 of the direction-changing device 10 is tilted in a direction away from the engagement portion 24 of the weight body 20.

[0028] Next, as shown in Figure 3(b), while keeping the extension part 2 of the direction-changing device 10 tilted, the direction-changing device 10 is moved toward the weight body 20 so that the hook 4 reaches a position below the engaging part 24 of the weight body 20. Thereafter, the hook 4 of the direction-changing device 10 is engaged with the engaging part 24 from below toward above.

[0029] 3(c), while keeping the hook 4 engaged with the engaging portion 24, the extension portion 2 of the turning device 10 is made to stand upright so that the grip portion 3 of the turning device 10 approaches the weight body 20. This causes the front wheel 22 to be lifted by the turning device 10.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(d), because the front wheel 22 is raised, the hook 4 of the direction-changing device 10 is engaged with the engagement portion 24 and is also capable of swiveling in the horizontal direction (plane direction) relative to the engagement portion 24. In the state shown in Figure 3(d), by tilting the axle direction V of the wheel unit 1 with respect to the direction perpendicular to the fore-and-aft direction E of the weight body 20 (the pre-turning lateral direction K), the axle direction V of the wheel unit 1 can be turned in any direction in the horizontal direction, and the direction of movement of the weight body 20 can be turned in the post-turning direction M.

[0031] In addition, rotating wheels may be applied to the wheel section 1 of the direction-changing device 10, and each wheel section 1 may be rotated at each position without rotating (tilting) the direction-changing device 10 (hook 4), thereby changing the axle direction V of each wheel section 1 to any horizontal direction.

[0032] That is, the worker can change the direction of movement of the weight body 20 by changing the axle direction V of the wheel part 1 of the direction changing device 10 in any horizontal direction while keeping the extension part 2 of the direction changing device 10 in an upright position. Therefore, by performing each of the steps shown in Figures 3(a) to 3(d), the direction of movement of the weight body 20 is changed from the forward / backward direction E to the rearward direction M.

[0033] 3, it is possible to lift the front wheels 22 off the ground G while keeping the rear wheels 23 of the weight body 20 in contact with the ground G. Then, the weight body 20 is supported by four wheels, namely the wheel unit 1 of the direction-changing device 10 and the rear wheels 23 of the weight body 20.

[0034] Furthermore, as mentioned above, when the extension portion 2 of the direction-changing device 10 is in an upright position (when the hook 4 is engaged with the engagement portion 24), the axial direction V of the wheel portion 1 of the direction-changing device 10 can be rotated in either horizontal direction.

[0035] Therefore, when an operator holds the grip portion 3 of the direction-changing device 10 and pulls the weight body 20, the traveling direction of the wheel portion 1 of the direction-changing device 10 can be set to the rear direction M of the direction of travel of the rear wheels 23 of the weight body 20 (front-rear direction E). That is, as shown in FIG. 3(d), the weight body 20 can move along the trajectory N by being pulled by the operator. That is, it becomes possible to easily change the direction of travel of the weight body.

[0036] Here, the engaging portion 24 of the weight body 20 is preferably U-shaped in the planar direction as shown in Fig. 3(d) so that the hook 4 of the direction-changing device 10 can engage with it from below. The engaging portion 24 protrudes from the main body 21 so as to have sufficient strength to support the weight of the weight body 20. The engaging portion 24 has sufficient connection strength with the main body 21 without causing damage to the engaging portion 24, even when the weight body 20 is lifted while the engaging portion 24 is held so that the front wheel 22 or the rear wheel 23 of the weight body 20 is separated from the ground G.

[0037] The extension portion 2 of the direction-changing device 10 preferably has sufficient strength and rigidity to enable the hook 4 to engage with the engagement portion 24 and to lift the weight body 20. To ensure sufficient strength, the extension portion 2 is preferably made of metal or fiber-reinforced resin. To ensure rigidity, the extension portion 2 is preferably configured using two long members with a reinforcing portion 6 connected to the long members, as shown in FIG. 2. The long members may be configured using rods, pipes, square bars, etc. The reinforcing portion 6 may be connected to the long members using plate material in addition to rods, pipes, square bars, etc.

[0038] The wheels in the wheel unit 1 are preferably fixed wheels with sufficient strength to engage the hook 4 with the engagement portion 24 and to lift the weight body 20. Furthermore, in consideration of the weight of the weight body 20, if it is determined that there are no strength issues, swivel wheels may be used as the wheels in the wheel unit 1.

[0039] 2(b), the height HH of the gripping part 3 corresponds to the distance between the gripping part 3 and the lower end of the wheel part 1 in the extension part 2, and is preferably 1400 mm or more and 1700 mm or less. This is because this is a height that makes it easy for an adult of average height to grasp the gripping part 3 and work, and because this is the height of the gripping part 3 from the ground G that makes it easy for the worker to grasp the gripping part 3 and change the direction of movement of the weight body 20 when engaging the hook 4 with the engaging part 24 and lifting the weight body 20.

[0040] The height HF of the hook 4 corresponds to the distance between the hook 4 and the lower end of the wheel unit 1 in the extension unit 2, and is preferably 200 mm or more and 1000 mm or less. If the height HF of the hook 4 is less than 200 mm, it becomes difficult for the hook 4 to engage with the engagement unit 24 of the weight body 20. If the height HF of the hook 4 exceeds 1000 mm, the ratio of the height HF of the hook 4 to the height HH of the grip unit 3 becomes excessively large, and therefore, a large force is required for the worker to hold the grip unit 3 and erect the extension unit 2 of the direction changing device 10.

[0041] The height HF of the hook 4 is preferably configured in relation to the height HH of the gripping portion 3 so that HF / HH is 0.12 or more and 0.72 or less, and more preferably 0.20 or more and 0.50 or less. This is because, taking into account the principle of leverage, the extension portion 2 of the direction-changing device 10 is made upright, and excessive strain is not placed on the operator.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1(c) and 1(d), the distance HF between the hook 4 of the extension part 2 and the lower end of the wheel part 1 is greater than the distance HW in the vertical direction between the engagement part 24 of the weight body 20 and the lower ends of the front wheels 22 and rear wheels 23. The engagement part 24 may be protruded from the weight part 21a or the installation base 21b so that its height from the ground G is 100 mm or more and 500 mm or less. If the height of the engagement part 24 from the ground G is less than 100 mm, the extension part 2 of the direction-changing device 10 needs to be tilted significantly when the hook 4 of the direction-changing device 10 is engaged from below to above the engagement part 24 (Figure 3(b)), which forces the worker to work in an awkward posture and reduces workability. On the other hand, if the height of the engaging portion 24 from the ground G exceeds 500 mm, when the hook 4 of the direction-changing device 10 is engaged with the engaging portion 24 from below toward above (FIG. 3(b)), interference may occur between the extension portion 2 and the lower portion of the main body portion 21. In order to prevent interference between the extension portion 2 and the lower portion of the main body portion 21, it becomes necessary to configure the engaging portion 24 so that it protrudes significantly from the main body portion 21, which may result in the engaging portion 24 not being strong enough.

[0043] Next, the locking mechanism 5 in the direction-changing device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration diagram of one example of the locking mechanism 5 in the direction-changing device 10. FIG. 4(a) shows a schematic side view of the direction-changing device 10 tilted and moved toward the weight body 20. FIG. 4(b) shows an enlarged view of the locking mechanism 5 and the connecting mechanism 25 in FIG. 4(a). FIG. 4(c) shows a schematic side view of the state in which the hook 4 of the direction-changing device 10 is engaged with the engaging portion 24 of the weight body 20, the weight body 20 is lifted, and the connecting mechanism 25 is connected to the locking mechanism 5. FIG. 4(d) shows an enlarged view of the locking mechanism 5 and the connecting mechanism 25 in FIG. 4(c).

[0044] The direction-changing device 10 may have a locking mechanism 5 between the hook 4 and the gripping portion 3 of the extension portion 2, which connects to the weight body 20. The locking mechanism 5 may be a mechanism that connects the direction-changing device 10 to the weight body 20, in addition to the hook 4 and the engaging portion 24 that engage the direction-changing device 10 with the weight body 20. The locking mechanism 5 may be located at any position on the extension portion 2 of the direction-changing device 10.

[0045] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4(a), a locking mechanism 5 which is a locking pin may be provided above the hook 4 of the direction-changing device 10, and a connecting mechanism 25 which is a locking arm may be provided on the weight portion 21a of the weight body 20. The connecting mechanism 25 may be supported rotatably around a rotation axis 25a as the center of rotation.

[0046] The connecting mechanism 25 may be connected to the locking mechanism 5 by rotating the connecting mechanism 25 around the rotation axis 25a as the center of rotation in a state in which the hook 4 is engaged with the engaging portion 24 and the extension portion 2 is upright (see FIG. 3(c)). In other words, the connecting mechanism 25 may be connected to the locking mechanism 5 by rotating the connecting mechanism 25.

[0047] When the direction-changing device 10 is rotated horizontally to tow the weight body 20 with the hook 4 engaged with the engaging portion 24 and the extension portion 2 in an upright position, the range within which the direction-changing device 10 can rotate relative to the weight body 20 is large, making the movement unstable during towing. For this reason, by providing the locking mechanism 5 and the connecting mechanism 25, the range within which the direction-changing device 10 can rotate relative to the weight body 20 can be limited, thereby ensuring stability during movement of the direction-changing device 10 and the weight body 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Wheel section 2 Stretching section 3 Gripping part 4 Hooks 5 Locking mechanism 6 Reinforcement 10. Turning Devices 20 weight body 21 Main body 21a Part by weight 21b Installation stand 22 front wheel 23 rear wheel 24 Engagement part 25 Connection mechanism G ground E Anteroposterior direction K Sideways before turning M After turning N orbital S proximal end T tip V Axle direction Distance between HF hook and bottom of wheel HH Distance between the grip and the bottom of the wheel HW: Vertical distance between the engagement part and the bottom of the front and rear wheels

Claims

1. A direction-changing device for changing the direction of movement of a weight body, which enables movement in a front-to-rear direction by front wheels and rear wheels provided on a main body part, and has an engaging part protruding from the main body part to either the front or rear in the front-to-rear direction, a wheel portion, an extension portion that supports the wheel portion at a base end and extends from the wheel portion, a grip portion provided at a tip end of the extension portion, and a hook that is provided on the extension portion and can engage with the engagement portion, A turning device, wherein the distance between the hook in the extension portion and the lower end of the wheel portion is greater than the distance in the vertical direction between the engagement portion and the lower ends of the front and rear wheels.

2. 2. The direction-changing device of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the distance between the hook in the extension portion and the lower end of the wheel portion to the distance between the grip portion in the extension portion and the lower end of the wheel portion is 0.12 or more and 0.72 or less.

3. The direction-changing device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a locking mechanism for connecting the extension portion to the weight body.

4. A method for changing the direction of movement of a weight body that can move in a front-to-rear direction using front and rear wheels provided on a main body and has an engaging portion protruding from the main body to either the front or rear in the front-to-rear direction, For a direction-changing device having an extension portion that supports a wheel portion at a base end and extends and a hook that is provided on the extension portion and can engage with the engagement portion, a step of arranging the hook at a position facing the engagement portion and tilting the extension portion in a direction away from the engagement portion; a step of moving the direction-changing device toward the weight body while maintaining the extension portion in an inclined state, and engaging the hook with the engagement portion; a step of erecting the extension portion while maintaining the hook engaged with the engagement portion; a step of changing the axle direction of the wheel section to any horizontal direction while maintaining the extension section in an upright state; A method of changing direction.

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