Cart transport auxiliary vehicle

Abstract

To provide a wagon transport support vehicle configured to support transport of a wagon provided at one end portion of a bottom surface with a hook projecting downward and to stably transport the wagon while preventing the wagon from falling off.SOLUTION: A wagon transport support vehicle includes: two long load-carrying platforms 20 disposed in parallel with each other and configured to be inserted below a bottom surface of a wagon so as to load the wagon thereon; a power assist vehicle 10 connected via a connection portion 40 to one end portions of the two load-carrying platforms 20 in the longitudinal direction to move the load-carrying platforms 20; and a stopper 30 disposed between the two load-carrying platforms 20 at the connection portion 40 side to form a gap 60 at the connection portion 40 side, configured to be switchable between a first state where the stopper is located on the same level as upper surfaces of the load-carrying platforms 20 and a second state where the stopper is retracted downward, and configured to hold a hook in the gap 60 in the first state. The load-carrying platforms 20 are inserted below the bottom surface of the wagon such that the hook moves between the two load-carrying platforms 20 from the opposite side of the connection portion 40 side of the load-carrying platforms 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cart transport auxiliary vehicle that assists the transport of a cart. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in retail stores such as supermarkets, logistics centers, factories, etc., dollies consisting of metal pipes standing on the floor have been used to transport and store goods, items, and parts. Such dollies are selected appropriately depending on the size of the items to be loaded and the size of the cargo compartment of the transport truck, and are often moved manually. However, moving a dolly manually, especially when the total weight of the items to be loaded is heavy, not only is it difficult to handle, but it also poses the risk of accidents.

[0003] In recent years, various auxiliary transport vehicles have been devised to assist the transport of such carts, and are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, for example.

[0004] The devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are designed to connect to the cart by inserting an upwardly protruding hook under the floor of the cart and lifting it upward to hook onto a part of the cart, thereby assisting the transport of the cart. At that time, the cart is lifted by the hook, and the transport of the cart is assisted in a tilted state.

[0005] The device disclosed in Patent Document 3 has arm restraint members that intersect vertically and horizontally and protrude downward from the floor of the cart, and an open-topped U-shaped traction arm is raised from an automated guided vehicle that has been placed below the floor of the cart, and this traction arm clamps the arm restraint members from the front and back, connecting the automated guided vehicle and the cart and assisting the transport of the cart.

[0006] By using such auxiliary transport vehicles, it is possible to assist the transport of the cart.

[0007] However, in the devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the hook is hooked onto a part of the dolly to connect with the dolly and assist in the transportation of the dolly, so when the total weight of the items loaded on the dolly is large, a large load is placed on the hook, which may cause the transportation to become unstable. In addition, holding the dolly in an inclined position also places a large load on the hook.

[0008] Furthermore, in the device disclosed in Patent Document 3, arm restraint members that protrude below the floor of the cart are clamped from the front and rear by towing arms that rise upward from the automatic guided vehicle, connecting the automatic guided vehicle and the cart and assisting in the transport of the cart. Therefore, particularly when the total weight of the items loaded on the cart is large, a large load is placed on the arm restraint members and towing arms, which may cause unstable transport.

[0009] Here, if a carrier is provided on the transport vehicle that assists the transport of the dolly, and the dolly is placed on this carrier to assist the transport of the dolly, the dolly can be transported stably without placing a large load on the members that connect to the dolly as described above. In this case, it is preferable to prevent the dolly placed on the carrier from sliding off the carrier as the transport vehicle moves. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-44459 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-43733 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-185659 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] Some of the above-mentioned dollies have a towing hook that protrudes downward from one end of the bottom surface. However, with such dollies, the hook protruding downward from the bottom surface has the problem that the dolly cannot be stably placed on the loading platform. Furthermore, when sliding a dolly with such a hook onto the loading platform, the hook gets caught on the loading platform, making it impossible to place the dolly on the loading platform.

[0012] Furthermore, if a member protruding from the top surface of the loading platform is installed to prevent the trolley from sliding off the platform, the presence of such a member can cause the problem that the trolley cannot be placed stably on the platform.

[0013] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems associated with the conventional technology as described above, and aims to provide a trolley transport auxiliary vehicle that assists in the transport of trolleys and has a hook that protrudes downward from one end of the bottom surface, and that can transport the trolley stably while preventing the trolley from falling off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides: A cart transport auxiliary vehicle that assists the transport of a cart and has a hook that protrudes downward at one end of the bottom surface, Two elongated loading platform sections arranged parallel to each other, each having a wheel protruding from its underside, and inserted from the one end side below the bottom surface on which the dolly is placed; a moving vehicle that is connected to one end of the two loading platform sections in the longitudinal direction and moves the loading platform sections; a stopper that is disposed on the connecting side with the mobile vehicle between the two loading platform sections, forms a gap on the connecting side with the mobile vehicle, and is configured to be displaceable between a first state in which the loading platform section is flush with the upper surface of the loading platform section and a second state in which the loading platform section is retracted downward from the first state, and holds the hook in the gap in the first state; This is a trolley transport auxiliary vehicle in which the loading platform is inserted below the bottom surface by the hook moving between the two loading platform sections from the side opposite to the side where the loading platform section is connected to the mobile vehicle.

[0015] In the present invention configured as described above, a dolly is placed on a loading platform with wheels protruding from the underside, and the loading platform is moved by a mobile vehicle connected to the loading platform, thereby assisting in the transportation of the dolly. In this case, the dolly has a hook protruding downward from one end of its bottom surface, and the loading platform is configured with two long loading platforms arranged parallel to each other, and the loading platform is inserted below the bottom surface of the dolly with the hook moving between the two loading platforms from the side opposite to the side where the loading platform is connected to the mobile vehicle. Therefore, even a dolly with a hook protruding downward from one end of its bottom surface can be stably placed on the loading platform. In addition, on the connecting side between the two platform sections and the mobile vehicle, a gap is formed on the connecting side with the mobile vehicle, and the platform section is configured to be displaceable between a first state in which it is at the same height as the top surface of the platform section, and a second state in which it is retracted downward from the first state, and a stopper is provided to hold the hook in the gap in the first state.Therefore, if the platform section is inserted below the bottom surface of the platform section from the end side where the hook of the trolley is provided, and the stopper reaches the area where the hook is held in the gap in the second state, and then the stopper is displaced to the first state, the hook will be held in the gap, preventing the platform section placed on the platform section from falling off.

[0016] Furthermore, if the stopper is biased from the second state to the first state and has an operating unit that displaces the stopper from the first state to the second state, the stopper can be placed in the second state by operating the operating unit, and once the hook reaches the area where it is held by the gap, the stopper can automatically return from the second state to the first state by releasing the operating unit. Furthermore, when the stopper is in the first state and the hook is held in the gap, when the dolly is to be lowered from the loading platform, the stopper can be displaced from the first state to the second state by operating the operating unit, and once the hook leaves the area where it is held by the gap, the stopper can automatically return from the second state to the first state by releasing the operating unit. In this way, the hook can be held in the gap with a simple operation that requires little effort.

[0017] Furthermore, if the stopper has an inclined portion whose height decreases in the direction opposite to the mobile vehicle, when the loading platform portion is inserted below the bottom of the trolley, the inclined portion of the stopper will abut against the hook of the trolley, and as the loading platform portion is inserted below the bottom of the trolley, the stopper will change from the first state to the second state without having to operate the operating portion, making it even easier to operate when placing the trolley on the loading platform portion.

[0018] Furthermore, if the stopper is configured to be rotatable around an axis located on the opposite side of the gap from the mobile vehicle and at a height near the top surface of the loading platform, when the hook is held in the gap and abuts against the part of the stopper that abuts against the gap, displacing the stopper from the first state to the second state will cause the part of the stopper abutting against the hook to move away from the hook, thereby avoiding the situation where the stopper cannot be displaced from the first state to the second state in order to lower the trolley from the loading platform, even when the hook is held in the gap and abuts against the part of the stopper that abuts against the gap.

[0019] Furthermore, if the stopper has a shape that surrounds the gap from three directions, the shape of the stopper can be set to match the shape and size of the hook, thereby preventing the hook from moving significantly within the gap when held in the gap, causing the trolley to shift on the loading platform and fall off. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, the loading platform on which the trolley is placed is configured as two long loading platform sections arranged parallel to each other, and the loading platform section is inserted below the bottom surface of the trolley from the side opposite the side where the loading platform section is connected to the mobile vehicle, with the hook moving between the two loading platform sections.Therefore, even a trolley with a hook protruding downward from one end of its bottom surface can be stably placed on the loading platform section and transported. In addition, on the connecting side between the two platform sections and the mobile vehicle, a gap is formed on the connecting side with the mobile vehicle, and the platform section is configured to be displaceable between a first state in which it is at the same height as the top surface of the platform section, and a second state in which it is retracted downward from the first state, and a stopper is provided to hold the hook in the gap in the first state.Therefore, by inserting the platform section from the end side where the hook of the trolley is provided below the bottom surface of the trolley, and after the stopper reaches the area where the hook is held in the gap in the second state, and then displacing the stopper to the first state, the hook will be held in the gap, and the trolley placed on the platform section can be prevented from falling off.

[0021] Furthermore, in a case where the stopper is biased from the second state to the first state and has an operating part that displaces the stopper from the first state to the second state, by operating the operating part to put the stopper in the second state and then releasing the operation of the operating part, the stopper will automatically return from the second state to the first state, so the hook can be held in the gap with a simple operation without any hassle.

[0022] In addition, when the stopper has an inclined portion whose height decreases in the direction opposite to the mobile vehicle, when the loading platform portion is inserted below the bottom of the trolley, the inclined portion of the stopper abuts against the hook of the trolley, and as the loading platform portion is inserted below the bottom of the trolley, the stopper changes from the first state to the second state without the need to operate the operating portion, making it even easier to operate when placing the trolley on the loading platform portion.

[0023] In addition, when the stopper is configured to be rotatable around an axis located on the opposite side of the gap from the mobile vehicle and at a height near the top surface of the loading platform, even if the hook is held in the gap and abuts the part of the stopper that contacts the gap, it is possible to avoid the stopper being unable to be displaced from the first state to the second state in order to lower the cart from the loading platform.

[0024] Furthermore, in cases where the stopper has a shape that surrounds the gap from three directions, the shape of the stopper can be set to match the shape and size of the hook, thereby preventing the hook from moving significantly within the gap when held in the gap, causing the trolley to shift on the loading platform and fall off. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an auxiliary carriage transport vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2A and 2B are diagrams showing the detailed configuration of the cart transport auxiliary vehicle shown in FIG. 1, where (a) is a diagram seen from the side, (b) is a diagram seen from above, and (c) is a diagram showing the configuration with the metal plate shown in (b) removed. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are perspective views of the appearance of the stopper shown in Figures 1 and 2, where (a) is a perspective view seen from the opposite side to the side connected to the power-assisted vehicle via the connecting part of the loading platform, and (b) is a perspective view seen from the side connected to the power-assisted vehicle via the connecting part of the loading platform. [Figure 4]3A and 3B are diagrams showing the state in which the stopper shown in FIG. 3 is arranged between two loading platform sections as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, where (a) is a diagram viewed from above and (b) is a diagram of the area between the two loading platform sections as viewed from the side. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the operation of a stopper in the configuration shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing an example of a cart transported by the cart transport auxiliary vehicle shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. [Figure 7] 1 to 5. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the cart shown in FIG. 6 is placed on the loading platform of the cart transport auxiliary vehicle shown in FIGS. [Figure 8] 1 to 5. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the cart shown in FIG. 6 is placed on the loading platform of the cart transport auxiliary vehicle shown in FIGS. [Figure 9] 1 to 5. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the cart shown in FIG. 6 is placed on the loading platform of the cart transport auxiliary vehicle shown in FIGS. [Figure 10] 1 to 5. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the cart shown in FIG. 6 is placed on the loading platform of the cart transport auxiliary vehicle shown in FIGS. [Figure 11] 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the cart transported by the cart transport auxiliary vehicle shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is lowered from the loading platform. FIG. [Figure 12] 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the cart transported by the cart transport auxiliary vehicle shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is lowered from the loading platform. FIG. [Figure 13] 6 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the position of the fixed shaft that rotatably holds the stopper in the dolly transport assist vehicle shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. [Figure 14] 6 is a diagram for explaining the effect of providing a bent portion in the stopper of the dolly transport assist vehicle shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a view showing another embodiment of the cart transport auxiliary vehicle of the present invention, as viewed from above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0027] Fig. 1 is an external perspective view showing one embodiment of the cart transport auxiliary vehicle of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the detailed configuration of the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in Fig. 1, where (a) is a diagram seen from the side, (b) is a diagram seen from above, and (c) is a diagram showing the configuration with the metal plate 23 shown in (b) removed.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this embodiment is a trolley transport auxiliary vehicle 1 configured by connecting two long-shaped loading platform sections 20 to a power-assisted vehicle 10 via connecting sections 40.

[0029] Each of the two loading platform sections 20 has forks 21, fixed frames 22a to 22c, and a metal plate .

[0030] Each of the two forks 21 has an elongated shape, and one end in the longitudinal direction is integrated with the connecting part 40, so that the forks are connected to the power-assisted vehicle 10. Each of the two forks 21 has a wheel 50 attached to the end opposite the side connected to the power-assisted vehicle 10 via the connecting part 40, so that the wheel 50 protrudes from the underside. The direction of the wheel 50 is fixed in the longitudinal direction of the fork 21.

[0031] Each of the fixing frames 22a to 22c is made of, for example, aluminum and has a hollow rod shape. The fixing frame 22a is mounted with a certain width on the upper surfaces of the two forks 21 in an area along the edge of the fork 21 that is farthest from each other, and its length is the same as the length of the fork 21. The fixing frame 22b is mounted with a certain width on the upper surfaces of the two forks 21 in an area along the edge of the fork 21 that is closest to each other. The length of the fixing frame 22b is shorter than the length of the forks 21, and is not mounted near the end of the fork 21 on the side opposite to the side connected to the power-assisted vehicle 10 via the connecting portion 40. The fixing frame 22c is attached across the opposing surfaces of the two fixing frames 22b and the opposing surfaces of the two forks 21.

[0032] The metal plate 23 is attached to the surface on which the fixing frames 22a, 22b of the two forks 21 are mounted, so as to cover the forks 21 and the fixing frames 22a to 22c. In addition, the end of the metal plate 23 on the connecting portion 40 side may be bent upward, so that when a cart is placed on the loading platform 20 as described below, the cart can be prevented from hitting the connecting portion 40.

[0033] The power-assisted vehicle 10 is a mobile vehicle in the present invention. The power-assisted vehicle 10 has a drive unit 13 with a built-in motor and the like, wheels 14 that rotate when driven by the drive unit 13, and a handle 11 for towing or pushing the loading platform 20. The drive unit 13 rotates the wheels 14 to assist the movement of the loading platform 20 when a stick or button attached to the handle 11 is operated or when a sensor attached to the wheels 14 detects the rotation of the wheels 14. The orientation of the wheels 14 is fixed relative to the handle 11, but the handle 11 is configured to be able to change its orientation relative to the loading platform 20, so that the orientation of the wheels 14 can be changed relative to the loading platform 20. A lever 12, which serves as an operating unit, is attached to the handle 11. One end of a wire 15, the other end of which is connected to a movable plate 37 (see FIG. 4 ), which will be described later, is fixed to the lever 12. Wire 15 is coated, and one end of the coating is fixed to an area on the underside of fork 21 away from stopper 30, and the other end is fixed to lever 12. In this way, one end of the coating that coats wire 15 is fixed to an area on the underside of fork 21 away from stopper 30, and the other end is fixed to lever 12, but it is preferable to position it so that it does not pass over platform 20 so as not to come into contact with a cart when the cart is placed on platform 20.

[0034] A stopper 30 is attached between the two loading platform sections 20. The stopper 30 is arranged on the connecting side with the power-assisted vehicle 10 via the connecting section 40 between the two loading platform sections 20, and forms a gap 60 on the connecting side with the power-assisted vehicle 10 via the connecting section 40.

[0035] Here, the detailed structure of the stopper 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described.

[0036] First, the shape of the stopper 30 will be described.

[0037] Figure 3 is an external oblique view of the stopper 30 shown in Figures 1 and 2, where (a) is an oblique view seen from the opposite side to the connection side with the power-assisted vehicle 10 via the connection part 40 of the loading platform part 20, and (b) is an oblique view seen from the connection side with the power-assisted vehicle 10 via the connection part 40 of the loading platform part 20.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, the stopper 30 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 has a flat portion 31, an inclined portion 32, an attachment portion 34, and a bent portion 35, which are formed by bending a single plate.

[0039] The flat portion 31 has a trapezoidal notch 33 cut out on one side, and the inclined portion 32 is connected to the side opposite the notch 33. The remaining two sides of the flat portion 31 are connected to mounting portions 34, respectively.

[0040] The flat portion 31 and the inclined portion 32 are bent at an obtuse angle around the connecting edge, so that the surface of the inclined portion 32 is inclined obliquely relative to the flat portion 31. The inclined portion 32 has a shape in which the width in the direction perpendicular to the connecting direction in the half region opposite to the side connecting to the flat portion 31 in the connecting direction with the flat portion 31 gradually narrows as it moves away from the flat portion 31, but the shape is not limited to this.

[0041] The flat portion 31 and the two mounting portions 34 are bent at right angles around the connecting edges, so that the stopper 30 can be mounted at the mounting portions 34 opposite the opposing surfaces of the two fixed frames 22c, as described below.

[0042] The bent portion 35 is connected to a part of the flat portion 31 at the upper base of the trapezoid of the cutout 33. The flat portion 31 and the bent portion 35 are bent at a right angle around the connecting side. In other words, the cutout 33 is not formed simply by cutting out the flat portion 31 into a trapezoid shape, but is also formed into a trapezoid shape by bending the bent portion 35 connected to the flat portion 31.

[0043] Next, a configuration in which the stopper 30 configured as described above is disposed between two loading platform portions 20 will be described.

[0044] Figure 4 shows the stopper 30 shown in Figure 3 positioned between two loading platform sections 20 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, where (a) is a view from above and (b) is a view of the area between the two loading platform sections 20 from the side.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, the stopper 30 shown in FIG. 3 is attached to the two loading platform portions 20 by attaching the attachment portions 34 to the fixed frame 22c via attachment plates 36.

[0046] The mounting plate 36 has an L-shape and is attached to the opposing surfaces of each of the two fixed frames 22c by fixed shafts 38. The mounting plate 36 is attached to the fixed frames 22c by the fixed shafts 38 so that the end of the long side of the L-shape opposite the short side overlaps the end of the fixed frame 22c on the connecting portion 40 side, the long side of the L-shape is along the top surface of the fixed frame 22c and does not protrude beyond the top surface of the fixed frame 22c, and the short side of the L-shape faces downward. The fixed shaft 38 is provided at the intersection of the long side and short side of the L-shape, and the mounting plate 36 is rotatable about the fixed shaft 38 relative to the fixed frames 22c.

[0047] The stopper 30 is attached to the mounting plate 36 configured in this manner by the mounting portion 34 at the end of the long side of the L-shape facing the connecting portion 40, with the side of the flat portion 31 where the notch 33 is provided facing the connecting portion 40. This results in the stopper 30 having an inclined portion 32 on the opposite side of the flat portion 31 from the connecting portion 40, where the height of the stopper 30 decreases toward the opposite side of the connecting portion 40. The stopper 30 also forms a gap 60 due to the notch 33 on the connecting portion 40 side, and is configured to be movable between a first state in which the stopper 30 is flush with the top surface of the loading platform 20 and a second state in which the stopper 30 is retracted downward from the first state. The stopper 30 is also configured to be rotatable about a fixed shaft 38 provided on the opposite side of the gap 60 from the connecting portion 40 and at a height near the top surface of the loading platform 20.

[0048] A movable plate 37 is provided at the end of the L-shaped short side of the mounting plate 36 opposite the long side, straddling the two mounting plates 36. As described above, one end of the wire 15, the other end of which is fixed to the lever 12, is connected to the movable plate 37, and one end of the spring 25, which is fixed to the fixed plate 24 provided straddling the two fixed frames 22c, is attached to the movable plate 37 on the side opposite to the direction in which the wire 15 is pulled. Also, as described above, the wire 15 is covered by a covering material that is fixed to the lever 12 and to an area on the underside of the fork 21 away from the stopper 30, and is movable within the covering material.

[0049] Next, the operation of the stopper 30 in the configuration shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the stopper 30 in the configuration shown in FIG. 4, and is a diagram showing the area between the two loading platform sections 20 as viewed from the side.

[0051] In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, when the wire 15 is not tensioned, the restoring force of the spring 25 causes the mounting plate 36 to be in a state where the long side of the L-shape is aligned with the upper surface of the fixed frame 22c, as shown in FIG. 5(a), and the flat surface 31 of the stopper 30 is at the same height as the upper surface of the fixed frame 22c. In this case, the upper surface of the loading platform 20 is the surface of the metal plate 23 mounted on the fixed frame 22c. However, since the metal plate 23 is plate-shaped, the flat surface 31 is at approximately the same height as the upper surface of the loading platform 20. In this case, the flat surface 31 is also defined as being at the same height as the upper surface of the loading platform 20. Note that the stopper 30 may be attached to the mounting plate 36 so that the mounting portion 34 slightly protrudes from the upper surface of the fixed frame 22c, so that the flat surface 31 is at the same height as the upper surface of the metal plate 23 when the wire 15 is not tensioned.

[0052] On the other hand, when the wire 15 is in a pulled state, the wire 15 moves within the covering material, and as shown in Fig. 5(b), the spring 25 expands, the mounting plate 36 rotates about the fixed shaft 38, and the flat portion 31 of the stopper 30 is retracted downward from the upper surface of the fixed frame 22c. The wire 15 is pulled by operating the lever 12 attached to the handlebar 11 of the power-assisted vehicle 10, and because one end of the spring 25 is fixed to the movable plate 37 to which one end of the wire 15 is connected, the restoring force of the spring 25 urges the mounting plate 36 from a state in which the flat portion 31 of the stopper 30 is retracted downward from the upper surface of the fixed frame 22c to a state in which it is flush with the upper surface of the fixed frame 22c. Therefore, when the wire 15 is no longer pulled in a state in which the flat surface 31 of the stopper 30 is retracted downward from the upper surface of the fixed frame 22c, the flat surface 31 of the stopper 30 returns to a state where it is flush with the upper surface of the fixed frame 22c. Furthermore, the stopper 30 has an attachment plate 36, to which the attachment portion 34 is attached, attached to the fixed frame 22c so as to be rotatable about the fixed shaft 38, and the restoring force of the spring 25 urges the flat surface 31 of the stopper 30 from a state in which it is retracted downward from the upper surface of the fixed frame 22c toward a state where it is flush with the upper surface of the fixed frame 22c. Therefore, even if an external force is applied from above downward when the flat surface 31 of the stopper 30 is flush with the upper surface of the fixed frame 22c, the attachment plate 36 rotates about the fixed shaft 38, and the flat surface 31 of the stopper 30 returns to a state in which it is retracted downward from the upper surface of the fixed frame 22c.

[0053] The following describes how to use the cart transport assist vehicle 1 configured as described above.

[0054] First, a description will be given of a cart that is transported using the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in FIGS.

[0055] FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing an example of a cart that is transported using the cart transport assist vehicle 1 shown in FIGS.

[0056] An example of a cart transported by the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is a cart 2 configured with three side surfaces 4 extending from a bottom surface 3, as shown in FIG. 6. The three side surfaces 4 are configured by combining metal pipes vertically and horizontally, and are attached so as to extend from the three edges of the rectangular bottom surface 3. A towing hook 6 protruding downward is provided at one end of the bottom surface 3. Furthermore, variable-direction casters 5 are attached to each of the four corners of the underside of the bottom surface 3. The height of the loading platform 20 of the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is set lower than the height of the underside of the bottom surface 3. Note that the cart is not limited to having variable-direction casters 5 attached to each of the four corners of the bottom surface 3. For example, a configuration in which two swivel wheels with variable travel directions are attached to one end where the hook 6 is provided, and two fixed wheels with fixed travel directions are attached to the end opposite the end where the hook 6 is provided, may also be used.

[0057] Next, an operation when the cart 2 shown in FIG. 6 is transported using the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described.

[0058] First, an operation when the cart 2 shown in FIG. 6 is placed on the loading platform 20 of the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described.

[0059] Figures 7 to 10 are diagrams for explaining the operation when the cart 2 shown in Figure 6 is placed on the loading platform 20 of the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in Figures 1 to 5. Note that in Figures 7 to 10, the stopper 30 and the hook 6 are actually hidden by the loading platform 20 when they overlap with the loading platform 20, but are shown for ease of explanation.

[0060] As described above, the cart 2 shown in Fig. 6 has a hook 6 protruding downward from the bottom surface 3. Therefore, the bottom surface 3 cannot be brought into contact with the upper surface of the platform to stably place the cart 2 on the platform. However, the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 5 has two long platform sections 20 arranged parallel to each other, so if the platform section 20 is inserted below the bottom surface 3 of the cart 2 so that the hook 6 moves between the two platform sections 20, the bottom surface 3 can be brought into contact with the upper surface of the platform section 20, and the cart 2 can be stably placed on the platform section 20.

[0061] At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the loading platform part 20 is inserted below the bottom surface 3 of the dolly 2 from the one end side where the hook 6 of the bottom surface 3 is provided.

[0062] A stopper 30 is provided on the connecting portion 40 side between the two loading platform portions 20, and when the lever 12 is not operated, the stopper 30 is in a first state in which the flat portion 31 is at the same height as the upper surface of the loading platform portion 20 due to the restoring force of the spring 25, as shown in Figure 8. The stopper 30 is also arranged so that it has an inclined portion 32 on the opposite side of the flat portion 31 from the connecting portion 40, where the height of the stopper 30 decreases toward the opposite side from the connecting portion 40. Therefore, when the loading platform portion 20 is inserted below the bottom surface 3, the hook 6 first comes into contact with the inclined portion 32 of the stopper 30.

[0063] Then, as the loading platform portion 20 is further inserted below the bottom surface 3, the hook 6 slides along the inclined portion 32 and the mounting plate 36 rotates around the fixed axis 38, resulting in a second state in which the flat portion 31 is retracted downward from the top surface of the loading platform portion 20, as shown in Figure 9.

[0064] As a result, the hook 6 passes over the inclined portion 32 and reaches the flat portion 31. In order for this effect to occur, the height from the ground to the end of the hook 6 opposite the bottom surface 3 must be equal to or less than the height of the flat portion 31 in the first state of the stopper 30, and equal to or greater than the height of the connecting edge between the flat portion 31 and the inclined portion 32 in the state in which the flat portion 31 of the stopper 30 is retracted downward to the lowest position.

[0065] After that, the loading platform portion 20 is further inserted below the bottom surface 3, and when the hook 6 enters the gap 60 formed between the flat portion 31 of the stopper 30 and the connecting portion 40, the stopper 30 is urged by the restoring force of the spring 25 attached to the movable plate 37 of the mounting plate 36 from a state in which the flat portion 31 is retracted downward toward a state in which it is at the same height as the upper surface of the loading platform portion 20, and as a result, the mounting plate 36 rotates around the fixed axis 38, and the stopper 30 returns to a state in which the flat portion 31 is at the same height as the upper surface of the loading platform portion 20, as shown in Figure 10.

[0066] As a result, the hook 6 of the cart 2 is held in the gap 60 formed between the flat surface portion 31 and the connecting portion 40 of the stopper 30, preventing the cart 2 placed on the loading platform portion 20 from sliding off the loading platform portion 20 as the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 moves. In this case, since the gap 60 is surrounded on three sides by a trapezoidal notch 33 cut out in one side of the flat surface portion 31, by setting the shape of the stopper 30 according to the shape and size of the hook 6, it is possible to prevent the hook 6 from moving significantly within the gap 60 while held in the gap 60, causing the cart 2 to shift on the loading platform portion 20 and fall off.

[0067] When inserting the loading platform 20 below the bottom surface 3, instead of sliding the hook 6 on the inclined portion 32 to rotate the mounting plate 36 and retract the flat portion 31 downward from the top surface of the loading platform 20, the lever 12 of the power-assisted vehicle 10 may be operated to rotate the mounting plate 36 and retract the flat portion 31 downward from the top surface of the loading platform 20. Even in this case, the restoring force of the spring 25 attached to the movable plate 37 of the mounting plate 36 biases the stopper 30 from the state in which the flat portion 31 is retracted downward toward a state where the flat portion 31 is flush with the top surface of the loading platform 20. Therefore, when the operation of the lever 12 is released, the stopper 30 returns to the state in which the flat portion 31 is flush with the top surface of the loading platform 20, so that the hook 6 can be held in the gap 60 with a simple operation without much effort. However, since the stopper 30 is arranged to have an inclined portion 32 on the opposite side of the connecting portion 40 of the flat portion 31, which has a height that decreases toward the opposite side of the connecting portion 40, when inserting the loading platform portion 20 below the bottom surface 3 of the trolley 2, there is no need to operate the lever 12 of the power-assisted vehicle 10 to pull the wire 15; as the loading platform portion 20 is inserted below the bottom surface 3 of the trolley 2, the mounting plate 36 rotates to move the flat portion 31 downward from the top surface of the loading platform portion 20, thereby simplifying the operation when placing the trolley 2 on the loading platform portion 20.

[0068] With the dolly 2 placed on the loading platform 20 in this manner, the dolly 2 is transported using the dolly transport auxiliary vehicle 1. In this case, the dolly transport auxiliary vehicle 1 is configured to have a loading platform lifting means for raising and lowering the loading platform 20 using hydraulics or the like, and after placing the dolly 2 on the loading platform 20, if the height of the loading platform 20 is raised by the loading platform lifting means, for example, by operating the handle 11 up or down, the wheels of the casters 5 of the dolly 2 will be slightly lifted or the load on the casters 5 will be released, causing the dolly 2 to move along a trajectory formed by the wheels 14 of the power-assisted vehicle 10 and the wheels 50 of the loading platform 20, which serve as fixed wheels. This stabilizes the handling of the dolly 2, and prevents the dolly 2 from shifting laterally on the loading platform 20 even if a force is applied to the dolly 2 in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel, such as on a curve, while the dolly 2 is being moved on the loading platform 20. In this case, by attaching fixed frames 22a to 22c onto the forks 21 of the loading platform 20 and placing the dolly 2 on the metal plate 23 above them, it is possible to reduce the amount of operation required to raise the height of the loading platform 20 compared to when the dolly 2 is placed directly on the forks 21. Furthermore, as described above, if fixed wheels with a fixed traveling direction are attached to the dolly 2, when the dolly 2 is placed on the loading platform 20 and transported, it is preferable to raise the height of the loading platform 20 by, for example, operating the handle 11 up and down to lift the fixed wheels.

[0069] When the cart 2 is being transported using the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1, the power assisted vehicle 10 can transport the cart 2 with little force by rotating the wheels 14 in accordance with the movement of the loading platform 20 using the drive unit 13.

[0070] Next, an operation when the cart 2 transported using the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 5 is lowered from the loading platform portion 20 will be described.

[0071] 11 and 12 are diagrams for explaining the operation when the cart 2 transported using the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 shown in Figures 1 to 5 is lowered from the loading platform 20. Note that in Figures 11 and 12, the stopper 30 and the hook 6 are actually hidden by the loading platform 20 when they overlap with the loading platform 20, but are shown for ease of explanation.

[0072] The cart 2 transported using the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 1 as described above cannot be removed from the loading platform 20 in this state because the flat surface 31 of the stopper 30 is at the same height as the top surface of the loading platform 20, and the hook 6 is held in the gap 60.

[0073] Therefore, when the dolly 2 is to be lowered from the loading platform 20, the lever 12 attached to the handle 11 of the power-assisted vehicle 10 is operated to pull the wire 15. Then, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the spring 25 expands and the mounting plate 36 rotates around the fixed shaft 38, and the flat surface 31 of the stopper 30 is retracted downward from the top surface of the loading platform 20 as shown in FIG. 11. As described above, if the height of the loading platform 20 has been increased, the height of the loading platform 20 must be returned to its original height before operating the lever 12.

[0074] When the flat surface 31 of the stopper 30 is retracted downward from the upper surface of the loading platform 20, the hook 6 does not come into contact with the stopper 30 even when the power-assisted vehicle 10 moves the trolley transport auxiliary vehicle 1 in a direction away from the trolley 2, and as a result, as shown in Fig. 12, when the power-assisted vehicle 10 moves the trolley transport auxiliary vehicle 1 in a direction away from the trolley 2, the trolley 2 is lowered from the loading platform 20. At that time, even if the operation of the lever 12 is released after the hook 6 has passed over the connecting edge between the flat surface 31 and the inclined portion 32, the hook 6 slides on the inclined portion 32, and the state in which an external force is applied to the stopper 30 from above is maintained, and the flat surface 31 is maintained retracted downward from the upper surface of the loading platform 20, and the trolley 2 can be lowered from the loading platform 20.

[0075] Thereafter, the stopper 30 is biased by the restoring force of the spring 25 attached to the movable plate 37 of the mounting plate 36 from a state in which the flat surface 31 is retracted downward toward a state in which the flat surface 31 is at the same height as the upper surface of the loading platform 20, so that when the operation of the lever 12 is released, the stopper 30 returns to a state in which the flat surface 31 is at the same height as the upper surface of the loading platform 20.

[0076] In this manner, in this embodiment, the loading platform on which the trolley 2 is placed is configured with two long loading platform sections 20 arranged parallel to each other, and the loading platform section 20 is inserted below the bottom surface 3 of the trolley 2 so that the hook 6 moves between the two loading platform sections 20 from the side opposite the connection section 40 between the loading platform section 20 and the power-assisted vehicle 10.Therefore, even if the loading platform section 20 has the hook 6 protruding downward at one end of the bottom surface 3, it can be stably placed on the loading platform section 20 and transported. In addition, a gap 60 is formed on the connecting section 40 side between the two loading platform sections 20 and the power-assisted vehicle 10, and the loading platform section 20 is configured to be displaceable between a first state in which it is at the same height as the top surface of the loading platform section 20, and a second state in which it is retracted downward from the first state, and a stopper 30 is provided to hold the hook 6 in the gap 60 in the first state.Therefore, by inserting the loading platform section 20 from the end side where the hook 6 of the trolley 2 is provided below the bottom surface 3 of the trolley, and after the stopper 30 has caused the hook 6 to reach the area where it is held in the gap in the second state, and then displacing the stopper 30 to the first state, the hook 6 will be held in the gap 60, and the trolley 2 placed on the loading platform section 20 can be prevented from falling off. In addition, the stopper 30 is positioned on the connecting portion 40 side between the two loading platform portions 20, and the hook 6 moves from one end side of the trolley 2 on which the hook 6 is provided between the two loading platform portions 20, and the loading platform portion 20 is inserted below the bottom surface 3 of the trolley 2, so that the trolley 2 is placed on the loading platform portion 20.As a result, even trolleys with loading platform portions 20 of different longitudinal lengths can be placed on the trolley.

[0077] The following describes the effect of the position of the fixed shaft 38 that rotatably holds the stopper 30 in the above-described cart transport assist vehicle 1.

[0078] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the position of the fixed shaft 38 that rotatably holds the stopper 30 in the auxiliary cart transport vehicle 1 shown in FIGS.

[0079] 1 to 5, stopper 30 is configured to be rotatable about fixed shaft 38, which is provided on the opposite side of gap 60 from connecting portion 40 and at a height near the top surface of platform 20. Therefore, when stopper 30 is moved from a first state in which flat surface 31 is at the same height as the top surface of platform 20 to a second state in which flat surface 31 is retracted downward by operating lever 12 or the like, flat surface 31 of stopper 30 acts to move away from connecting portion 40 diagonally downward.

[0080] As a result, as shown in Figure 13(a), when the hook 6 is held in the gap 60 and abuts against the bent portion 35 of the stopper 30, if the stopper 30 is rotated by operating the lever 12, for example, to move the flat portion 31 downward, the bent portion 35 abutting against the hook 6 of the stopper 30 acts to move away from the hook 6, as shown in Figure 13(b), and when the flat portion 31 is retracted to the lowest position, the bent portion 35 moves to a position away from the connecting portion 40 by X1. Therefore, even when the hook 6 is held in the gap 60 and abuts the bent portion 35 of the stopper 30, when an attempt is made to rotate the stopper 30 from the first state in which the flat portion 31 is at the same height as the upper surface of the loading platform portion 20 to move the stopper 30 downward to move the flat portion 31 downward to the second state in order to lower the trolley 2 from the loading platform portion 20, the bent portion 35 does not get caught on the hook 6, making it impossible to rotate the stopper 30.

[0081] The effect of providing the bent portion 35 on the stopper 30 will be described below.

[0082] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the effect of providing the bent portion 35 on the stopper 30 in the cart transport assist vehicle 1 shown in FIGS.

[0083] 1 to 5, the cart transport assist vehicle 1 is configured so that the hook 6 of the cart 2 is held in the gap 60 defined by the notch 33 formed in the flat surface 31 of the stopper 30. In order to lower the cart 2 from the loading platform 20 while the hook 6 is held in the gap 60, the stopper 30 is rotated to retract the flat surface 31 downward. Therefore, if the hook 6 held in the gap 60 strongly abuts against the end surface that constitutes the notch 33 of the flat surface 31, pressure from the abutment may be concentrated on that end surface, making it impossible to rotate the stopper 30.

[0084] In the stopper 30 of this embodiment, the bent portion 35 is connected to a part of the portion of the flat portion 31 that forms the notch 33, and the flat portion 31 and the bent portion 35 are bent at a right angle around the connecting edge. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 14, even if the hook 6 held in the gap 60 abuts against the flat portion 31 at the end of the gap 60 opposite the connecting portion 40, the portion with which the hook 6 abuts is the bent portion 35, and the pressure caused by the abutment is dispersed by the flat surface of the bent portion 35, preventing the stopper 30 from being unable to rotate.

[0085] (Other embodiments) FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the auxiliary cart transport vehicle of the present invention, as viewed from above.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 15, the auxiliary cart transport vehicle of this embodiment is an auxiliary cart transport vehicle 101 having a different configuration of the loading platform 120 from those shown in FIGS.

[0087] In this embodiment, the distance between the inner sides 123a of the loading platform 120, which are the sides closest to each other, gradually narrows as it approaches the connecting part 40, and the loading platform 120 has a notch 126 at the end opposite the connecting part 40.

[0088] The cutout portions 126 are formed by cutting out triangular shapes at the end of the inner side 123 a of the loading platform portion 120 opposite the connecting portion 40 .

[0089] In the cart transport auxiliary vehicle 101 configured in this manner, when the cart 2 is placed on the loading platform 120, the notch 126 is provided at the end of the loading platform 120 opposite the connecting portion 40, making it easier to insert the hook 6 of the cart 2 between the loading platform 120. In addition, the spacing of the inner side 123a of the loading platform 120 gradually narrows as it approaches the connecting portion 40, making it easier to guide the hook 6 into the gap 60 thereafter.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, a power-assisted vehicle 10 in which wheels 14 rotate due to driving by a drive unit 13 incorporating a motor or the like has been used as an example of a mobile vehicle, but the mobile vehicle may also be one that can be moved manually without having a driving force. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1,101 Cart transport auxiliary vehicles 2 carts 3 Bottom 4 Sides 5 Caster 6 Hooks 10 Power assisted vehicle 11 Handle 12 Lever 13 Drive unit 14,50 wheels 15 wire 20,120 Cargo area 21 Fork 22a~22c Fixed frame 23,123 metal plate 24 Fixed plate 25 Spring 30 Stopper 31 Plane part 32 Slope 33 Cutout 34 Mounting part 35 Bending section 36 Mounting plate 37 Movable plate 38 Fixed axis 40 Connection part 60 void 123a Inside side 126 Notch

Claims

1. A cart transport auxiliary vehicle that assists the transport of a cart and has a hook that protrudes downward at one end of the bottom surface, two elongated loading platform sections arranged parallel to each other, each having a wheel protruding from its underside, and inserted below the bottom surface from the one end side to place the dolly; a moving vehicle that is connected to one end of the two loading platform sections in the longitudinal direction and moves the loading platform sections; a stopper that is disposed on the connecting side with the mobile vehicle between the two loading platform sections, forms a gap on the connecting side with the mobile vehicle, and is configured to be displaceable between a first state in which the loading platform section is flush with the upper surface of the loading platform section and a second state in which the loading platform section is retracted downward from the first state, and that holds the hook in the gap in the first state; The cart transport auxiliary vehicle has the loading platform section inserted below the bottom surface so that the hook moves between the two loading platform sections from the side opposite to the side where the loading platform section is connected to the moving vehicle.

2. 2. The cart transport auxiliary vehicle according to claim 1, the stopper is biased from the second state to the first state, The cart transport auxiliary vehicle has an operating portion that displaces the stopper from the first state to the second state.

3. 3. The cart transport auxiliary vehicle according to claim 2, The stopper has an inclined portion in which the height of the stopper decreases in the direction opposite to the carriage.

4. 2. The cart transport auxiliary vehicle according to claim 1, The stopper is configured to be rotatable about an axis provided on the opposite side of the gap from the movable vehicle and at a height near the top surface of the loading platform portion.

5. The auxiliary cart transport vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The stopper has a shape that surrounds the gap from three directions.

Images