Foldable Stocker

Abstract

To provide a folding-type stocker which can be easily folded compact during nonuse and freely changed in size according to an installation place.SOLUTION: This folding-type stocker has an elongatable link mechanism 12 in each of the front 10a, back 10b, and bottom surface 10c, and a storage space 11 is formed in the inside surrounded by the front 10a, back 10b, and bottom surface 10c.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a foldable storage unit capable of storing folded cardboard boxes and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cardboard box storage unit that can store folded cardboard boxes stacked in the thickness direction. This cardboard box storage unit can be disassembled and stored compactly when not in use. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3225403 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the cardboard box stocker described in Patent Document 1 above has the problem that it must be disassembled when not in use, which requires disassembly work. Also, since the size cannot be freely changed depending on the installation location, there is a problem that the installation space is limited.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a foldable stocker that can be easily folded into a compact size when not in use and whose size can be freely changed depending on the installation location. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides extendable link mechanisms on the front, back, and bottom surfaces, and forms a storage space inside the space surrounded by the front, back, and bottom surfaces. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] As described above, the present invention has a storage space formed inside the front, back, and bottom surfaces equipped with a link mechanism. Therefore, when not in use, the storage space can be easily made compact by folding the link mechanism. Furthermore, by adjusting the degree to which the link mechanism is opened, the size of the storage space can be freely changed depending on the installation location. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an external view of the folding stocker. [Figure 2] FIG. 2A is a front view of the folding stocker, and FIG. 2B is a bottom view thereof. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the folding stocker. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an external view of the folding stocker in a folded state. [Figure 5] FIG. 1A is a front view of the folding stocker in a folded state, and FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the vertical direction when the foldable storage unit 10 is installed is referred to as the up-down direction, the extension / contraction direction is referred to as the left-right direction, and the horizontal direction perpendicular to the left-right direction is referred to as the front-to-rear direction. The surface of the foldable storage unit 10 facing forward is referred to as the front surface 10a, the surface facing backward is referred to as the back surface 10b, the surface facing downward is referred to as the bottom surface 10c, the surface facing right is referred to as the right side surface 10d, and the surface facing left is referred to as the left side surface 10e.

[0010] The foldable storage unit 10 according to this embodiment can accommodate any type of item, such as folded cardboard boxes. As shown in FIG. 1 , the foldable storage unit 10 includes four vertical columns (first vertical column 20, second vertical column 21, third vertical column 22, and fourth vertical column 23) and two horizontal columns (first horizontal column 24 and second horizontal column 25) connected to the lower ends of the four vertical columns. Expandable link mechanisms 12 are provided on at least three surfaces: the front surface 10a, the back surface 10b, and the bottom surface 10c. The space enclosed by these link mechanisms 12 is open at the top, allowing items to be placed from above. In other words, a storage space 11 is defined within the space enclosed by the front surface 10a, the back surface 10b, and the bottom surface 10c. Items placed in the storage space 11 are placed directly on the link mechanisms 12 provided on the bottom surface 10c.

[0011] The first vertical column 20 and the second vertical column 21 are arranged on the front surface 10a side as shown in Fig. 1, and are detachably connected to each other by a link mechanism 12 provided on the front surface 10a. The third vertical column 22 and the fourth vertical column 23 are arranged on the rear surface 10b side as shown in Fig. 1, and are detachably connected to each other by a link mechanism 12 provided on the rear surface 10b. The first horizontal column 24 and the second horizontal column 25 are arranged on the bottom surface 10c side as shown in Fig. 1, and are detachably connected to each other by a link mechanism 12 provided on the bottom surface 10c.

[0012] The link mechanisms 12 on the front surface 10a, back surface 10b, and bottom surface 10c partition the storage space 11 to prevent items stored in the storage space 11 from falling out. Each link mechanism 12 is also extendable in the left-right direction. Therefore, by extending and contracting these link mechanisms 12, the left-right width of the storage space 11 can be changed. In this way, the link mechanisms 12 according to this embodiment simultaneously function to partition the storage space 11 and to adjust the size of the storage space 11. Furthermore, when the foldable stocker 10 is not in use, the link mechanisms 12 can be contracted to fold it into a small size, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0013] The left and right side surfaces of the folding stocker 10 according to this embodiment are not extendable. Specifically, the right side surface 10d is formed by assembling a first vertical column 20, a third vertical column 22, and a first horizontal column 24 in a generally U-shape. The left side surface 10e is formed by assembling a second vertical column 21, a fourth vertical column 23, and a second horizontal column 25 in a generally U-shape. The first horizontal column 24 and the second horizontal column 25 form the base of each side surface and can be placed on the ground and used as legs.

[0014] In addition, side reinforcements 28 are attached to the sides assembled in this approximately U-shape to increase rigidity. The side reinforcements 28 are horizontally extending members with cylindrical mounting portions 28a at both ends. Vertical posts are inserted into the mounting portions 28a, and the mounting portions 28a and the vertical posts are fixed with fixing members such as screws. One side reinforcement 28 is provided on each side. The side reinforcement 28 on the right side 10d is arranged parallel to the first horizontal post 24 and is bridged between the first vertical post 20 and the third vertical post 22. The side reinforcement 28 on the left side 10e is arranged parallel to the second horizontal post 25 and is bridged between the second vertical post 21 and the fourth vertical post 23.

[0015] The foldable storage unit 10 according to this embodiment is configured so that the left and right side surfaces are not expandable (do not expand in the front-to-rear direction), but this is not limiting, and link mechanisms 12 may be arranged on both the left and right sides so that the storage unit is expandable in the front-to-rear direction.

[0016] Next, the link mechanism 12 according to this embodiment will be described in detail. As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the link mechanism 12 according to this embodiment is a pantograph mechanism that expands and contracts horizontally, using a plurality of link bars 13 that are rotatably connected to one another. The plurality of link bars 13 are members that form links of the same length, and are rotatably connected to one another at joints 14. Specifically, the link bars 13 that intersect in an X-shape are connected continuously in the horizontal direction, and joints 14 are provided at the intersections of the X-shape and at the ends thereof. This link mechanism 12 can expand and contract by changing the angle of the link bars 13.

[0017] In addition, both side ends of the link mechanism 12 on the front 10a and back 10b are fixed to vertical pillars (either the first vertical pillar 20, the second vertical pillar 21, the third vertical pillar 22, or the fourth vertical pillar 23) by upper side connecting fittings 30 and lower side connecting fittings 31.

[0018] The upper side connecting fitting 30 is used to rotatably and slidably hold the upper ends of the link bars 13 that intersect in an X-shape. As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 5(a), the upper side connecting fitting 30 comprises a tubular portion 30a through which a vertical pillar can be inserted and a plate-like connecting piece 30b that protrudes laterally from the tubular portion 30a. The tubular portion 30a branches into two, one above the other, and the mounting portion 28a of the side reinforcement member 28 is disposed between the two tubular portions 30a. This arrangement allows the lateral reinforcement member 28 to limit the vertical movement of the upper side connecting fitting 30, thereby reducing rattle in the link mechanism 12. Furthermore, the connecting piece 30b has an elongated hole 30c that extends vertically. The joint portion 14 at the tip of the link bar 13 is rotatably and slidably connected to this elongated hole 30c. This allows the joint portion 14 at the tip of the link bar 13 to move and rotate along the elongated hole 30c when the link mechanism 12 expands or contracts.

[0019] The lower side surface connecting fitting 31 is used to rotatably hold the lower ends of the link bars 13 that intersect in an X-shape. As shown in Figures 2(a) and 5(a), this lower side surface connecting fitting 31 has a tubular portion 31a through which a vertical pillar can be inserted, and a plate-like connecting piece 31b that protrudes laterally from this tubular portion 31a. A hole is formed in the connecting piece 31b to rotatably support the joint portion 14 at the tip of the link bar 13.

[0020] In addition, both side ends of the link mechanism 12 on the bottom surface 10c are fixed to a horizontal pillar (either the first horizontal pillar 24 or the second horizontal pillar 25) by a bottom front connecting fitting 32 and a bottom rear connecting fitting 33.

[0021] The bottom front connecting fitting 32 is used to rotatably hold the front ends of the link bars 13 that intersect in an X-shape. As shown in Figures 2(b) and 5(b), this bottom front connecting fitting 32 has a tubular portion 32a through which a horizontal pillar can be inserted, and a plate-like connecting piece 32b that protrudes laterally from this tubular portion 32a. A hole is formed in the connecting piece 32b to rotatably support the joint portion 14 at the tip of the link bar 13.

[0022] The bottom rear connecting fitting 33 is used to rotatably and slidably hold the rear ends of the X-shaped intersecting link bars 13. As shown in FIGS. 2(b) and 5(b), the bottom rear connecting fitting 33 includes a tubular portion 33a through which a horizontal post can be inserted and a plate-like connecting piece 33b protruding laterally from the tubular portion 33a. The tubular portion 33a branches into two, one at the front and one at the back, and between the two tubular portions 33a, a vertical post (either the third vertical post 22 or the fourth vertical post 23) is connected to a horizontal post (either the first horizontal post 24 or the second horizontal post 25). This arrangement limits the forward and backward movement of the bottom rear connecting fitting 33 by the vertical posts, thereby reducing rattle in the link mechanism 12. Furthermore, an elongated hole 33c extending forward and backward is drilled in the connecting piece 33b. The joint portion 14 at the tip of the link bar 13 is rotatably and slidably connected to this elongated hole 33c. As a result, when the link mechanism 12 extends or contracts, the joint portion 14 at the tip of the link bar 13 can rotate while moving along the elongated hole 33c.

[0023] The link mechanisms 12 provided on the front surface 10a and the rear surface 10b are designed to have a low height so as not to get in the way when removing stored items (such as folded cardboard boxes). Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2(a), the height H2 of the link mechanisms 12 provided on the front surface 10a and the rear surface 10b is set to be equal to or less than half the overall height H1 of the foldable stocker 10. This allows a user to insert their hand into the open space above when removing stored items from the front surface 10a or the rear surface 10b, improving workability.

[0024] However, because there is no link mechanism 12 in the upper half of the foldable stocker 10, there is a risk that stored items may fall out. In this regard, in this embodiment, an extension member 17 that extends above the link mechanism 12 is provided at the midpoint of the link mechanism 12 provided on the front face 10a and the back face 10b. This extension member 17 is a vertical rod-shaped member, and is attached to the link mechanism 12 by utilizing two joint parts 14 lined up one above the other.

[0025] The extension member 17 according to this embodiment has a vertically extending elongated hole 17a that rotatably and slidably supports the joint portion 14. In addition, a hole is provided below the elongated hole 17a that rotatably supports the joint portion 14. The extension member 17 is attached to the link mechanism 12 by these two holes, and moves left and right while maintaining its verticality in accordance with the extension and contraction of the link mechanism 12.

[0026] The stored items can be prevented from falling out by providing such an extension member 17. The extension member 17 may be configured to extend downward beyond the link mechanism 12.

[0027] Furthermore, the extension members 17 are installed so as to connect the multiple joints 14 in the link mechanisms 12 provided on the front surface 10a and the back surface 10b, and therefore also function as reinforcing members 17 for the link mechanisms 12. In other words, when the link mechanisms 12 extend or retract, the extension members 17 correct the multiple link bars 13 so that they are inclined at the same angle, allowing the link mechanisms 12 to extend or retract smoothly.

[0028] As described above, the foldable stocker 10 according to this embodiment is provided with the extendable link mechanism 12 on the front surface 10a, the back surface 10b, and the bottom surface 10c, and the storage space 11 is formed inside the space surrounded by the front surface 10a, the back surface 10b, and the bottom surface 10c. Therefore, when not in use, the storage space 11 can be easily made compact by folding the link mechanism 12. Furthermore, by adjusting the degree to which the link mechanism 12 is opened, the size of the storage space 11 can be freely changed depending on the installation location. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 10 Folding Stocker 10a front 10b back 10c bottom 10d Right side 10e left side 11 Storage space 12 Link mechanism 13 Link Bar 14 Joint 17 Extension member (reinforcement member) 17a long hole 20 First vertical pillar 21 Second vertical pillar 22 Third Vertical Pillar 23 Fourth Vertical Pillar 24 First horizontal pillar 25 Second horizontal pillar 28 Side reinforcement 28a Mounting part 30 Upper side connection fitting 30a Cylindrical part 30b Connection piece 30c long hole 31 Lower side connection fitting 31a Cylindrical part 31b Connection piece 32 Bottom front fitting 32a Cylindrical part 32b Connection piece 33 Bottom rear connector 33a Cylindrical part 33b Connection piece 33c long hole

Claims

1. A foldable stocker for storing folded cardboard boxes, Equipped with a link mechanism that can be extended and retracted on the front, back, and bottom, A storage space is formed inside the space surrounded by the front surface, the back surface, and the bottom surface, a first vertical pillar and a second vertical pillar that are detachably connected by the link mechanism provided on the front surface; a third vertical pillar and a fourth vertical pillar detachably connected by the link mechanism provided on the rear surface; a first horizontal pillar and a second horizontal pillar that are detachably connected by the link mechanism provided on the bottom surface; Equipped with The plurality of link bars constituting the link mechanism provided on the bottom surface are connected to be rotatable in a horizontal direction, an extension member is provided at a midpoint of the link mechanism provided on the front and rear surfaces, the extension member always extending above the link mechanism to prevent the contents from falling out; The height of the link mechanisms provided on the front and rear surfaces is set to 1 / 2 or less of the total height of the foldable stocker, so that the stored items can be removed by inserting a hand into the open space above the link mechanisms on the front or rear surface. Foldable storage.

2. the first vertical pillar, the third vertical pillar, and the first horizontal pillar are immovably assembled in a substantially U-shape to form one side surface; the second vertical pillar, the fourth vertical pillar, and the second horizontal pillar are immovably assembled in a substantially U-shape to form the other side surface; The foldable storage unit according to claim 1.

3. The first horizontal pole and the second horizontal pole can be placed on the ground and used as legs. The foldable stocker according to claim 2.

4. In the link mechanisms provided on the front and rear surfaces, reinforcing members are installed so as to connect a plurality of joint portions. The foldable stocker according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The height of the extension member is 1.5 times or more the height of the link mechanisms provided on the front and rear surfaces. The foldable stocker according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images