wagon

Abstract

To provide a wagon that can be further compactly stored while suppressing a decrease in rigidity.SOLUTION: A wagon A1 includes: a pair of side portions 1 having a shape along a front-rear direction Y and an up-down direction Z and disposed separated from each other in a right-left direction; a plurality of casters 2 disposed to project from the pair of side portions 1 to a lower side Z2; and a rear portion 3 connecting rear portions of the pair of side portions 1. The wagon further includes a connection portion 5 connecting the side portions 1. The connection portion 5 is a portion with which an object entering from a space between front ends of the pair of side portions 1 toward a rear side Y2 is brought into contact and which includes a contact portion 51 with a distance D1 in the front-rear direction Y from the front end of the side portion 1 being 0.4 times or more as large as a distance D0 in the front-rear direction Y of the side portion 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Wagons are widely used as soup containers for transporting objects. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional wagon. The wagon disclosed in this document comprises a wagon body, a plurality of casters provided below the wagon body, and a plurality of trays. The plurality of trays are storage sections used to store the objects. The plurality of trays are supported in a detachable stacked state on a frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-165645 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The wagon body has a frame structure and is formed in a rectangular ring shape when viewed from above, which means that when storing multiple wagons when not in use, it is necessary to secure a reasonable amount of space.

[0005] The present invention was conceived in light of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wagon that can be stored more compactly while suppressing a decrease in rigidity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The wagon provided by the present invention is a wagon having a shape that follows the front-to-back and up-to-down directions, and comprising a pair of side sections that are arranged at a distance from each other in the left-to-right direction, a plurality of casters that protrude downward from the pair of side sections, a rear section that connects the rear portions of the pair of side sections, and a plurality of support sections that are fixed to the pair of side sections and are used to detachably support a storage section that is used to store objects to be transported, and further comprising a connecting section that connects the pair of side sections, the connecting section having an abutment section that is a portion that abuts when an object enters rearward from between the front ends of the pair of side sections, and whose distance from the front ends of the side sections in the front-to-back direction is 0.4 times or more the front-to-back size of the side sections.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two connecting portions are provided spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0008] The wagon provided by the present invention is a wagon having a shape that follows the front-to-back and up-to-down directions, and comprising a pair of side sections that are arranged at a distance from each other in the left-to-right direction, a rear section that connects the rear portions of the pair of side sections, and a plurality of casters that are arranged to protrude downward from the pair of side sections, and further comprising a connecting section that connects the pair of side sections, wherein the connecting section has an abutment section that is a location where an object that enters rearward from between the front ends of the pair of side sections abuts, and the distance from the front ends of the side sections in the front-to-back direction is 0.4 times or more the front-to-back size of the side sections.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transport device further comprises a plurality of support parts fixed to the pair of side parts for detachably supporting storage parts for storing objects to be transported.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rear portion is located between the two connecting portions in the up-down direction.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fixing portions of the connecting portions to the pair of side portions are located forward of the abutting portions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wagon that can be stored more compactly while suppressing a decrease in rigidity.

[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing a wagon according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a rear view showing a wagon according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a side view showing a wagon according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a plan view showing a storage state of a plurality of wagons according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a rear view showing a modified example of the wagon according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a wagon according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a modified example of the wagon according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] First Embodiment 1 to 4 show a wagon according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The wagon A1 of this embodiment includes a pair of side sections 1, a rear section 2, a plurality of casters 3, a plurality of support sections 4, and two connecting sections 5. The wagon A1 detachably supports a plurality of storage sections 81, 82, and is used to transport an object stored in at least one of the storage sections 81, 82.

[0017] The uses of the Wagon A1 are not limited in any way. Examples of uses of the Wagon A1 include transporting cleaning tools, equipment, food and beverages in hotels, serving food in restaurants, and medical uses such as transporting medicines and medical supplies.

[0018] In the figure, a left-right direction X, a front-rear direction Y, and an up-down direction Z are defined. In the left-right direction X, a left X1 and a right X2 are distinguished as necessary. In the front-rear direction Y, a forward Y1 and a backward Y2 are distinguished as necessary. In the up-down direction Z, an upward Z1 and a downward Z2 are distinguished as necessary. Note that the left-right direction X, the front-rear direction Y, and the up-down direction Z are defined for the convenience of specifying the configuration of the wagon A1, and do not specify a strict relationship with, for example, the direction of gravity (vertical direction). For example, the up-down direction Z may be slightly inclined with respect to the direction of gravity (vertical direction).

[0019] [Side part 1] 1 to 3, the pair of side portions 1 each have a shape that follows the front-rear direction Y and the up-down direction Z, and are arranged spaced apart in the left-right direction X. The shape of the side portions 1 is not limited to a flat shape that follows the front-rear direction Y and the up-down direction Z, but may have various shaped portions such as curved portions, bent portions, and inclined portions, as long as the shape as a whole allows for a front Y1 end and a rear Y2 end in the front-rear direction Y to be conceived, and an upper Z1 end and a lower Z2 end in the up-down direction Z to be conceived.

[0020] There are no particular limitations on the specific structure of the side section 1, and it may be made up of multiple rod-shaped members or plate-shaped members. In this embodiment, the side section 1 has a structure including a frame 11, an upper bar 12, and a lower bar 13, and is made of a metal pipe material such as iron.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 11 has a front end bar 111, a rear end bar 112, and an upper end bar 113. The front end bar 111 is a part that forms the front Y1 end of the frame 11 and is a rod-shaped member that extends along the up-down direction Z. The rear end bar 112 is a part that forms the rear Y2 end of the frame 11 and is a rod-shaped member that extends along the up-down direction Z. The front end bar 111 and the rear end bar 112 are parallel to each other and are spaced apart in the front-to-back direction Y. The upper end bar 113 is a part that connects the upper end of the front end bar 111 and the upper end of the rear end bar 112 and extends in the front-to-back direction Y. With this configuration, the frame 11 is U-shaped when viewed in the left-to-right direction X.

[0022] 3, the upper bar 12 connects the front end bar 111 and the rear end bar 112. The upper bar 12 is connected to the upper Z1 portions of the front end bar 111 and the rear end bar 112 (portions located slightly below the upper Z1 ends of the front end bar 111 and the rear end bar 112 in a position Z2 slightly below) by welding, for example. The upper bar 12 extends in the front-to-rear direction Y.

[0023] 3, the lower bar 13 connects the front end bar 111 and the rear end bar 112. The lower bar 13 is connected to the lower Z2 portions of the front end bar 111 and the rear end bar 112 (portions near the lower Z2 ends of the front end bar 111 and the rear end bar 112) by, for example, welding. The lower bar 13 extends in the front-to-rear direction Y. The upper bar 12 and the lower bar 13 are arranged spaced apart in the up-down direction Z.

[0024] [Rear part 2] 1 and 2, the rear section 2 connects rear end bars 112, which are rear portions of a pair of side sections 1. The specific structure of the rear section 2 is not limited in any way, and it may be made up of a plurality of rod-shaped members or plate-shaped members. In this embodiment, the rear section 2 has a structure including an upper bar 21 and a lower bar 22, and is made of a metal pipe material such as iron.

[0025] The upper bar 21 connects the rear end bars 112 of the pair of side parts 1 to each other. The upper bar 21 is connected to the upper Z1 portion of the rear end bars 112 of the pair of side parts 1 (a portion located slightly below Z2 the end of the rear end bar 112 at the upper Z1) by, for example, a bolt. In the example shown in the figure, the upper bar 21 is located slightly below Z2 the upper bar 12. The upper bar 21 extends in the left-right direction X.

[0026] The lower bar 22 connects the rear end bars 112 of the pair of side sections 1 to each other. The lower bar 22 is connected to the lower Z2 portion of the rear end bars 112 of the pair of side sections 1 (a portion located slightly above Z1 the end of the rear end bar 112 at the lower Z2) by, for example, a bolt. In the example shown, the lower bar 22 is located slightly above Z1 the lower bar 13. The lower bar 22 extends in the left-right direction X. The upper bar 21 and the lower bar 22 are arranged spaced apart in the up-down direction Z.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, when viewed in the vertical direction Z, the pair of side portions 1 and rear portion 2 form a U-shape.

[0028] [Caster 3] The casters 3 are provided so as to protrude downward Z2 from the pair of side portions 1. Each of the casters 3 has a rolling member such as a tire or a ball, and is used to smoothly move the wagon A1 on a floor surface or the like. The mounting locations and mounting manner of the casters 3 are not limited in any way. In the illustrated example, four casters 3 are attached to the lower ends of the front end bar 111 and the rear end bar 112.

[0029] Furthermore, the wagon A1 has multiple bumpers 31. The multiple bumpers 31 are arranged close to the upper Z1 of the multiple casters 3, and are intended to prevent damage to walls and the like when the wagon A1 is moved. The bumpers 31 are circular when viewed in the vertical direction Z, and are made of a material that is softer than metal, such as rubber or resin. The bumpers 31 are located below the lower bar 13 Z2.

[0030] [Support part 4] The plurality of support parts 4 are used directly or indirectly to support the object to be transported, and in this embodiment, are used to support the plurality of storage parts 81 and storage parts 82. The specific configuration of the support parts 4 is not limited in any way as long as they can detachably support the storage parts 81 and storage parts 82, etc. In this embodiment, the plurality of support parts 4 include a plurality of strip parts 41 and a plurality of rail parts 42, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 .

[0031] The multiple band plate portions 41 are strip-shaped members extending long in the front-rear direction Y, and are made of, for example, metal plates. In this embodiment, the multiple band plate portions 41 are arranged on one side portion 1 at a distance in the up-down direction Z. These band plate portions 41 are attached to the inside of the side portion 1 in the left-right direction X. The multiple band plate portions 41 attached to each of a pair of side portions 1 are set so that their positions in the up-down direction Z are the same. The multiple band plate portions 41 are provided, for example, to support a storage portion 81 shown in the figure. An example of the storage portion 81 is a box-shaped part called a container.

[0032] The multiple rail portions 42 are members that extend elongated in the front-rear direction Y, and are made of, for example, metal plates with an L-shaped cross section. In this embodiment, the multiple rail portions 42 are arranged at intervals in the up-down direction Z on one side portion 1. The rail portions 42 are also provided relatively close to the lower portion Z2 of the band plate portion 41. These rail portions 42 are attached to the inside of the side portion 1 in the left-right direction X. The multiple rail portions 42 attached to each of the pair of side portions 1 are set so that their positions in the up-down direction Z are the same. The multiple rail portions 42 are provided, for example, to support the illustrated storage portion 82. Examples of the storage portion 82 include a thin part called a tray and a lid for the storage portion 81.

[0033] [Connection part 5] The connecting portion 5 connects a pair of side portions 1 together. There is no limitation on the number of connecting portions 5, and in the illustrated example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, two connecting portions 5 are provided that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction Z. However, the number of connecting portions 5 may be one, or may be three or more. Furthermore, when multiple connecting portions 5 are provided, all connecting portions 5 may have the same configuration (shape, size, etc.), or the individual connecting portions 5 may have different configurations.

[0034] The connecting portion 5 has an abutting portion 51 and a pair of fixing portions 52. The pair of fixing portions 52 are portions fixed to the pair of side portions 1. The abutting portion 51 is located between the pair of fixing portions 52 in the left-right direction X. The attachment locations of the connecting portion 5 (the pair of fixing portions 52) to the side portions 1 are not limited in any way. In the illustrated example, the connecting portion 5 located at the upper Z1 in the vertical direction Z is attached to the upper bar 12 of the pair of side portions 1 by, for example, a bolt. The connecting portion 5 located at the lower Z2 in the vertical direction Z is attached to the lower bar 13 of the pair of side portions 1 by, for example, a bolt. In the illustrated example, the connecting portion 5 at the upper Z1 is located above the upper bar 21 at Z1. The connecting portion 5 at the lower Z2 is located below the lower bar 22 at Z2. In other words, the upper bar 12 and the lower bar 13 are located between the two connecting portions 5 in the vertical direction Z. The bumper 31 is located at a position Z2 lower than the connecting portion 5 at the lower Z2.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1 , the abutment portion 51 is a portion that abuts against an object that enters rearward (Y2) from between the front ends (front end bars 111 in this embodiment) of the pair of side portions 1. In the illustrated example, no member is provided to connect the front end bars 111 of the pair of side portions 1 to each other. Therefore, a large opening is formed forward (Y1) between the front end bars 111 of the pair of side portions 1. The distance D1 in the front-rear direction Y from the front end of the side portion 1 (the front end of the front end bar 111) to the abutment portion 51 is 0.4 times or more the size D0 of the side portion 1 in the front-rear direction Y. In the illustrated example, the distance D1 is approximately 0.5 times the size D0. Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the connecting portion 5 extends linearly in the left-right direction X and is made of a metal pipe material such as iron. Therefore, the abutment portion 51 and the pair of fixing portions 52 are located at the same position in the front-rear direction Y.

[0036] Next, the operation of the wagon A1 will be described.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a storage state of multiple wagons A1. In the storage state, the storage section 81 and the storage section 82 are removed from each wagon A1. Three wagons A1 are shown in the figure. Two of the wagons A1 have the same orientation in the front-to-back direction Y and are lined up in the left-to-right direction X. The other wagon A1 has an opposite orientation in the front-to-back direction Y. The three wagons A1 are arranged in a so-called staggered pattern. To achieve this storage state, two wagons A1 with opposite orientations in the front-to-back direction Y are moved toward each other from positions separated in the front-to-back direction Y. At this time, the front end bar 111 of one wagon A1 passes between the front end bars 111 of the other pair of side parts 1 and advances toward the connecting part 5. Then, when the front end bar 111 abuts or approaches the abutment part 51 of the connecting part 5, the approach is stopped. This achieves the storage state of multiple wagons A1 shown in the figure. The number of wagons A1 in the storage state is not limited in any way, and two wagons A1 may be in the storage state, or four or more wagons A1 may be in the storage state.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, by making the distance D1 0.4 times or more the size D0, in the storage state shown in FIG. 4, approximately 40% or more of the side portion 1 in the fore-and-aft direction Y can be positioned between a pair of side portions 1 of the wagon A1 facing each other in the fore-and-aft direction Y. This makes it possible to reduce the length in the fore-and-aft direction Y of multiple wagons A1 in the stored state, thereby reducing the storage space. Furthermore, if the distance D1 is 0.4 times or more the size D0 and is not an extremely large dimension, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the rigidity of the wagon A1. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the wagon A1 can be stored more compactly while suppressing a decrease in its rigidity.

[0039] The wagon A1 has two connecting portions 5 spaced apart in the vertical direction Z. This makes it possible to ensure rigidity in the upper Z1 portion and the lower Z2 portion of the wagon A1, which is preferable for improving the rigidity of the entire wagon A1. Furthermore, the rear portion 2 is located between the two connecting portions 5 in the vertical direction Z. In other words, the two connecting portions 5 are located above Z1 or below Z2 the rear portion 2. This configuration can further enhance the effect of improving rigidity provided by the two connecting portions 5.

[0040] The connecting portion 5 of this embodiment is in the shape of a rod extending in the left-right direction X. Such a connecting portion 5 is preferable for simplifying the structure and reducing costs.

[0041] The bumper 31 is provided at a position Z2 below the connecting portion 5. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the multiple wagons A1 are stored, the bumper 31 can be prevented from coming into contact with the connecting portion 5. This allows the bumper 31 to be made large enough to sufficiently prevent damage to walls, etc., while still maintaining an appropriate size for the multiple wagons A1 in their stored state.

[0042] 5 to 7 show other embodiments of the present invention. In these figures, elements that are the same as or similar to those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the configurations of the various parts in each of the modified examples and each of the embodiments can be combined with each other as appropriate within the scope of not causing technical contradictions.

[0043] <Modification of the first embodiment> 5 shows a modified example of the wagon A1. The wagon A11 of this modified example has one coupling part 5. The coupling part 5 of the wagon A11 corresponds to the coupling part 5 provided on the lower part Z2 of the wagon A1, for example.

[0044] This modification also allows the wagon A11 to be stored more compactly while suppressing a decrease in rigidity. As can be seen from this modification, the wagon A11 may be configured to have only one connecting portion 5.

[0045] Second Embodiment 6 shows a wagon according to a second embodiment of the present invention. A wagon A2 of this embodiment has a connecting portion 5 having a different shape from the connecting portion 5 of the above-described embodiment.

[0046] The connecting portion 5 of this embodiment is composed of a long, straight pipe material extending in the left-right direction X and two short pipe materials provided near both ends in the left-right direction X. The two short pipe materials are inclined so that they are positioned further forward Y1 in the front-to-back direction Y as they move outward in the left-to-right direction X. In the connecting portion 5 of this embodiment, the abutting portion 51 is composed of a portion of the long pipe material located between the two short pipe materials. As in the above-mentioned embodiment, the distance D1 of the abutting portion 51 is 0.4 times or more the size D0 of the side portion 1 in the front-to-back direction Y. Furthermore, the two fixing portions 52 are composed of the ends of the two short pipe materials. In other words, the two fixing portions 52 are positioned further forward Y1 than the abutting portion 51.

[0047] This embodiment also allows the wagon A2 to be stored more compactly while suppressing a decrease in rigidity. In addition, since the two fixing parts 52 are located forward Y1 of the abutting part 51, the rigidity of the wagon A2 can be further increased.

[0048] <Modification of the second embodiment> 7 shows a modified version of the wagon A21. In the modified wagon A21, the coupling portion 5 is formed from a plate material.

[0049] The connecting portion 5 of this modified example is formed, for example, by a plate-like member attached to the upper bar 12 or the lower bar 13 of the pair of side portions 1. The connecting portion 5 has a recess formed near the center in the left-right direction X that recesses from the front Y1 to the rear Y2. The bottom of this recess forms the abutment portion 51. In this modified example, the pair of fixing portions 52 include the front Y1 end of the connecting portion 5 and are long in the front-rear direction Y.

[0050] This embodiment also allows the wagon A21 to be stored more compactly while suppressing a decrease in rigidity. As can be seen from this modification, the connecting portion 5 can be made of various materials, including pipe material and plate material.

[0051] The wagon according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the specific configuration of each part of the wagon according to the present invention can be freely designed and modified in various ways.

[0052] The wagon according to the present invention is not limited to a configuration including the support portion 4 of the above-described embodiment. For example, bag-shaped members may be placed in front of and behind the connecting portion 51, and these may be wrapped around the upper end bar 113 of the frame 11. Such bag-shaped members may be used, for example, to collect bedding. In this case, the upper end bar 113 functions as a support portion used to support the object to be transported. Similarly, the connecting portion 51, etc. may also be configured to function as a support portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] A1, A11, A2, A21: Wagon 1: Lateral part 2: Rear part 3: Caster 4: Support part 5:Connection part 11: Frame 12: Upper bar 13: Lower bar 21: Upper bar 22: Lower bar 31: Bumper 41: Band part 42: Rail section 51: Contact part 52:Fixed part 81, 82: Storage section 111: Front end bar 112: Rear end bar 113: Top bar D1: Distance L: Cross section X: Left / right direction X1: Left X2: Right Y: Forward and backward direction Y1: front Y2: Rear Z: Up / Down direction Z1: Above Z2: Below

Claims

1. a pair of side portions each having a shape along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction and disposed apart from each other in the left-right direction; a rear portion connecting rear portions of the pair of side portions; A plurality of casters provided so as to protrude downward from the pair of side portions; A wagon comprising: Further provided is a connecting portion that connects the pair of side portions to each other, the connecting portion has an abutment portion that is a portion with which an object that has entered rearward from between the front ends of the pair of side portions abuts, and the distance from the front ends of the side portions in the front-to-rear direction is 0.4 times or more the size of the side portions in the front-to-rear direction, two connecting portions spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction; The wagon has a rear portion located between the two connecting portions in the vertical direction.

2. 2. The wagon according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of support portions fixed to the pair of side portions and for detachably supporting storage portions for storing objects to be transported.

3. The wagon according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting portion is a rod-like member extending in the left-right direction.

4. The wagon according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the portions of the connecting portion that are fixed to the pair of side portions are located forward of the abutting portions.

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