Tray Module

Abstract

A tray module is provided. [Solution] A tray module comprising a bottom plate, a ring member, a position limiting member, an elastic member, and a tray, wherein the ring member is installed above the bottom plate and includes a plurality of rolling portions facing the bottom plate. The position limiting member is installed around the ring member and above the ring member, and limits the ring member to movement only within the area limited by the position limiting member. The elastic member is directly or indirectly connected between the inner peripheral surface of the ring member and the upper surface of the bottom plate. The tray is installed above the position limiting member and is installed to connect the ring member.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tray module, and more particularly to a shock-absorbing tray module. [Background technology]

[0002] When transporting containers containing items (e.g., food, drinks, soup, or liquids) on trays, if vibrations occur during transportation, especially if the vibrations are caused by a sudden impact, the items (especially liquids) may fly out of the containers, causing various problems.

[0003] Therefore, the present inventors believed that the above drawbacks could be improved, and as a result of extensive research, they came up with the proposal of the present invention, which effectively improves the above problems through rational design.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tray module that solves the above problems. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a tray module comprising a bottom plate, a ring member, a position limiting member, an elastic member, and a tray. The ring member is installed above the bottom plate and includes a plurality of rolling members facing the bottom plate. The position limiting member is installed around the outer periphery of the ring member and above the ring member, and limits the ring member to movement only within the area limited by the position limiting member. The elastic member is connected directly or indirectly between the inner circumferential surface of the ring member and the upper surface of the bottom plate. The tray is installed above the position limiting member and is installed so as to connect the ring member.

[0006] In the tray module according to the present invention, the rolling parts are a plurality of universal rolling members.

[0007] In addition, in the tray module of the present invention, the bottom plate has a first connection portion extending upward from the central area of ​​the top surface of the bottom plate, and one end of the elastic member is connected to the top surface of the bottom plate via the first connection portion.

[0008] In addition, in the tray module of the present invention, the ring member further includes a second connection portion extending radially from the inner surface of the ring member, and the other end of the elastic member is connected to the inner surface of the ring member via the second connection portion.

[0009] In the tray module according to the present invention, the length of the second connecting portion is adjustable.

[0010] In addition, in the tray module of the present invention, the position limiting member comprises a plurality of position limiting columns distributed above the outer surrounding area other than the area where the ring member of the bottom plate is located, and a position limiting plate connected to these position limiting columns and spanning the upper surface of the ring member.

[0011] In the tray module according to the present invention, the position limiting plate has a geometric pattern.

[0012] In addition, in the tray module according to the present invention, the tray is installed so as to be removably connected to the ring member.

[0013] In addition, in the tray module of the present invention, the ring member further has at least one engaging portion extending upward, and the tray has at least one through hole configured to accommodate the engaging portion.

[0014] In the tray module according to the present invention, the periphery of the tray is inclined downward.

[0015] At least the following points will become clear from the description and drawings to be described later. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] In practice, the shape of each feature is appropriately adjusted to facilitate understanding, and the size of each feature can be changed arbitrarily. [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view showing a tray module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a tray module (excluding anti-slip pads) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view showing the tray module shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic top view showing the bottom plate, ring members, position limiting posts, and elastic members shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a schematic bottom view showing the ring member shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a schematic top view showing the bottom plate shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the description. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0018] Spatial terms used herein, such as "below" and "above," are used to describe the relative relationship of an element or feature in a drawing to other elements or features. The actual meaning of these spatial terms also includes other orientations. For example, if a drawing is turned 180 degrees upside down, the relationship of one element to another changes from "below" to "above." Spatial descriptions used herein should be interpreted similarly.

[0019] As described in the prior art, when transporting containers filled with items (e.g., food, drink, soup, or liquid), vibrations, especially those caused by sudden impacts, can cause the items (e.g., liquids) to fly out of the container, causing various problems. To address this issue, the tray module of the present invention includes a bottom plate, a ring member, a positioning member, an elastic member, and a tray. The elastic member is connected between the ring member and the bottom plate, and the tray is installed so as to connect to the ring member. Due to the arrangement of the above-described members, even if the tray experiences a sudden impact, causing vibrations and movement, the ring member also moves in conjunction with the tray, stretching the elastic member, which then elastically recovers due to the elastic recovery force of the elastic member, restoring the tray to its original position. This configuration allows the tray module of the present invention to have an extremely favorable shock-absorbing and seismic isolation effect and is applicable to various equipment for transporting items (e.g., pushcarts, rails, or robots), making it usable for transporting food or liquid samples, for example. In addition, the tray module according to the present invention has other features such as an adjustable stretchable distance of the elastic member, being quickly removable for washing, and being less likely to leave liquid residue. Various embodiments of the tray module according to the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0020] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a tray module according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a tray module according to one embodiment of the present invention (excluding anti-slip pads). FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view showing the tray module shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic top view showing the bottom plate, ring member, position limiting posts, and elastic members shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a schematic bottom view showing the ring member shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a schematic top view showing the bottom plate shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the tray module is composed of a bottom plate 110, a ring member 120, a position limiting member 130, an elastic member 140, and a tray 150.

[0021] In some embodiments, the tray module further comprises anti-slip pads 160 mounted above the tray 150 to prevent slipping when moving a container (not shown) on the tray module, as in the example of Figure 1. In some embodiments, the tray module further comprises anti-vibration pads 170 mounted below the base plate 110 to reduce the effect of vibrations on structures above the anti-vibration pads 170, as in the example of Figure 3.

[0022] In some embodiments, in the examples of FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the bottom plate 110 is a flat plate. In some embodiments, the bottom plate has a board shape or another suitable shape. In some embodiments, in the examples of FIGS. 4 and 6, the bottom plate 110 has a first connecting portion 112 extending upward from a central area of ​​the top surface of the bottom plate 110, and one end of the elastic member 140 is connected to the top surface of the bottom plate 110 via the first connecting portion 112. In some embodiments, the hook portion of the elastic member 140 is engaged with the first connecting portion 112. In some embodiments, in the example of FIG. 6, the first connecting portion 112 is a part of a fixing member (e.g., a bolt) or another suitable member. In some embodiments, in the example of FIG. 6, the bottom plate 110 has a recess (not shown) recessed inward from the central area of ​​the bottom plate 110, and the bolt is inserted into the recess, exposing a portion of the bolt, and the exposed portion of the bolt is the first connecting portion 112.

[0023] 3 to 5, the ring member 120 is installed above the bottom plate 110 and has a plurality of (e.g., three or more) rolling members 122 facing the bottom plate 110. The rolling members 122 may be any member, such as a rollable universal rolling member, a roller, etc. In some embodiments, the rolling members 122 are a plurality of universal rolling members, allowing the ring member 120 to move in all directions above the bottom plate 110.

[0024] 4 and 5, the ring member 120 further includes a second connecting portion 124 extending radially from the inner circumferential surface of the ring member 120, and the other end of the elastic member 140 is connected to the inner circumferential surface of the ring member 120 via the second connecting portion 124. In some embodiments, the other hook portion of the elastic member 140 passes through a hole in the second connecting portion 124. In some embodiments, the second connecting portion 124 is a part of a fixing member (e.g., a screw) or another suitable member. In some embodiments, the ring member 120 has a recess (not shown) recessed radially inward, and the screw is inserted into the recess, exposing a portion of the screw, and the exposed portion of the screw is the second connecting portion 124.

[0025] 4 and 5, the length of the second connecting portion 124 is adjustable, allowing the user to adjust the initial tension and the stretchable distance by adjusting the initial stretch position of the elastic member 140. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the bottom plate 110 is provided with a scale pattern (not shown) to facilitate the user in adjusting the upper end of the second connecting portion 124 to a specific position.

[0026] 3 and 4, the position limiting member 130 is installed around the ring member 120 and above the ring member 120, and allows the ring member 120 to move only within the area limited by the position limiting member 130 (for example, within the set seismic isolation specifications). The seismic isolation specifications, for example, are the effective extension length of the elastic member 140, and allow the elastic member 140 to operate normally within its service life and prevent the service life from being shortened due to inappropriate extension or contraction of the elastic member 140. In some embodiments, the position limiting member 130 is installed above an outer area of ​​the bottom plate 110 other than the area where the ring member 120 is located, and straddles the upper surface of the ring member 120.

[0027] 3 and 4, the position limiting member 130 includes a plurality of position limiting posts 132 and a position limiting plate 134. The position limiting posts 132 are distributed above the surrounding area of ​​the bottom plate 110 other than the area where the ring member 120 is located, and the position limiting plate 134 is connected to the position limiting posts 132 and spans the upper surface of the ring member 120.

[0028] In some embodiments, as in the example of FIG. 4, the position-limiting posts 132 enclose and define an area, and the ring member 120 is only allowed to move planarly within this area. When the ring member 120 moves and comes into contact with the position-limiting posts 132, it is blocked and stopped by the position-limiting posts 132. In some embodiments, as in the examples of FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the position-limiting posts 132 include a receiving portion 132a and a post 132c, where the receiving portion 132a protrudes from the upper surface of the bottom plate 110 and the post 132c penetrates an opening in the position-limiting plate 134 and is inserted into the receiving portion 132a, thereby fixing the position-limiting plate 134 to the receiving portion 132a. In some embodiments, as in the example of FIG. 4, the post 132c is a screw and the receiving portion 132a is a screw hole. In some embodiments, as in the examples of FIGS. 4 and 6, the receiving portion 132a and the bottom plate 110 are integrally molded.

[0029] In some embodiments, the position limiting plate 134 has a geometric pattern, such as a linear pattern, a cross pattern, a mesh pattern, a polygonal pattern (e.g., a triangular pattern, a rectangular pattern), a circular pattern, or any other suitable pattern. In some embodiments, in the example of Figure 3, the position limiting plate 134 has a cross pattern. In some embodiments, the position limiting plate 134 is configured with a cross pattern and a circular pattern.

[0030] However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and in actual applications, the position limiting member 130 may have other shapes or may be composed of other members, as long as it allows the ring member 120 to move in a plane only within a limited area.

[0031] 3 and 4, the elastic member 140 is directly or indirectly connected between the inner circumferential surface of the ring member 120 and the upper surface of the bottom plate 110. In some embodiments, both ends of the elastic member 140 are connected to the inner circumferential surface of the ring member 120 and the upper surface of the bottom plate 110 via the second connecting portion 124 and the first connecting portion 112, respectively. In some embodiments, in the example of FIG. 3, the tray module includes multiple elastic members 140, the number of which may be three, four, five, six or more, to provide uniform and suitable shock-absorbing and isolation effects in each direction. In some embodiments, the elastic member 140 is a tension spring or other suitable member.

[0032] In some embodiments, in the example of Figure 3, the vertical projection of the position limiting plate 134 and the vertical projection of the elastic member 140 overlap and are even approximately aligned, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the vertical projection of the position limiting plate 134 and the vertical projection of the elastic member 140 may be separated from each other.

[0033] 1 to 3, the tray 150 is used to place containers containing articles thereon, and is installed above the position limiting member 130 and connected to the ring member 120. When the tray 150 is pulled and moved, the ring member 120 moves accordingly. When the ring member 120 returns to its original position, the tray 150 also moves accordingly and returns to its original position. When the tray 150 is moved due to a sudden impact or vibration, the ring member 120 is also moved in conjunction with the movement, and one or more of these elastic members 140 are stretched. Then, the ring member 120 elastically recovers due to the elastic recovery force of the stretched elastic member 140, and the tray 150 is moved in conjunction with the movement to return to its original position.

[0034] 2 and 3, the tray 150 is configured to removably connect to the ring member 120, allowing a user to easily remove the tray 150 and clean the components below the tray 150 (i.e., the position limiting member 130, the ring member 120, and the elastic member 140). In some embodiments, the ring member 120 further includes at least one engaging portion 126 extending upward, and the tray 150 has at least one through-hole 150t configured to receive the engaging portion 126, allowing the tray module of the present invention to be quickly removed and cleaned. In some embodiments, the periphery of the tray 150 is sloped downward to prevent water from accumulating in the tray module and causing dirt buildup, and to facilitate wiping and cleaning.

[0035] 3, a portion of the position limiting member 130 (e.g., the position limiting plate 134) is disposed between the ring member 120 and the tray 150 to prevent the ring member 120 from moving upward. This prevents the ring member 120 and the elastic member 140 from moving upward when the user directly removes the tray 150 from the ring member 120, effectively preventing the elastic member 140 from being damaged by inappropriate tension.

[0036] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 110 Bottom plate 112 First connection part 120 Ring member 122 Rolling part 124 Second connection part 126 Engagement part 130 Position-limited components 132 Position limited pillar 132a Storage section 132c pillar 134 Position limited board 140 Elastic member 150 trays 150t through hole 160 Anti-slip pad 170 Anti-vibration pad

Claims

1. The bottom plate and a ring member disposed above the bottom plate and including a plurality of rolling portions facing the bottom plate; a position limiting member disposed around the ring member and above the ring member, the position limiting member allowing the ring member to move only within an area defined by the position limiting member; an elastic member connected directly or indirectly between an inner circumferential surface of the ring member and an upper surface of the bottom plate; a tray disposed above the position limiting member and connected to the ring member.

2. 2. The tray module according to claim 1, wherein the rolling parts are a plurality of universal rolling members.

3. The tray module of claim 1, characterized in that the bottom plate has a first connection portion extending upward from a central area of ​​the top surface of the bottom plate, and one end of the elastic member is connected to the top surface of the bottom plate via the first connection portion.

4. The tray module described in claim 3, characterized in that the ring member further has a second connection portion extending radially from the inner surface of the ring member, and the other end of the elastic member is connected to the inner surface of the ring member via the second connection portion.

5. 5. The tray module according to claim 4, wherein the length of the second connecting portion is adjustable.

6. The position limiting member is a plurality of position limiting columns distributed above an outer peripheral area of ​​the bottom plate other than the area where the ring member is located; 2. The tray module according to claim 1, further comprising: a position limiting plate connected to the position limiting posts and spanning the upper surface of the ring member.

7. 7. The tray module according to claim 6, wherein the position limiting plate has a geometric pattern.

8. 2. The tray module of claim 1, wherein the tray is configured to removably connect to the ring member.

9. 2. The tray module of claim 1, wherein the ring member further comprises at least one engaging portion extending upward, and the tray has at least one through hole configured to receive the engaging portion.

10. 2. The tray module according to claim 1, wherein the periphery of the tray is sloped downward.

Images