Dolly and handrail for dolly

Abstract

To provide, at low costs, a carriage which can be utilized as a suspended carriage by a relatively simple component structure, and which can be also utilized as a flat carriage or a hand-push carriage by changing the combination of components as appropriate.SOLUTION: A carriage 1A includes: a flat carriage body 2 in a substantially rectangular shape as viewed from a plane that has insertion holes 2a opened upwardly and formed in the four corners, respectively; a plurality of casters 3 attached to the lower surface of the carriage body 2; four hand-push bars 4 each having the lower end portion inserted in each insertion hole 2a of the carriage body 2 and fastened to the carriage body 2; front, rear, right and left side panels 5 which are provided between the hand-push bars 4 adjoining to each other at the front, rear, right and left sides, respectively, and fastened thereto; and a carriage suspending and coupling bracket 6 attached to the upper part of each hand-push bar 4. Fitting recessed grooves 4a in which respective fitting convexity parts 5a that are the respective ends of the side panels 5 are fitted are formed across the entire length of the respective hand-push bars 4 at the internal side in the back-and-forth direction and at the internal side in the right-to-left direction, and thus the respective ends of the side panels 5 are fastened to the respective hand-push bars 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a trolley for loading and transporting articles, and a push bar used for the trolley.

Background Art

[0002] There are various forms of trolleys depending on their uses, the articles to be loaded, etc. For example, a flatbed trolley formed by attaching a plurality of casters to the lower surface of a flat trolley body, a hand-pushed trolley formed by erecting a push bar at the corner of a trolley body with casters, and an enclosed trolley (basket trolley) formed by erecting an enclosure made of a mesh panel or the like at the edge of a trolley body with casters are generally known. In addition, a suspended trolley that can be lifted and transported as a whole by a crane or the like with articles placed on the upper surface of the trolley body is also known. As a suspended trolley, for example, corner columns are erected at the four corners of a trolley body with casters, an upper frame member is passed and fixed between the upper end portions of adjacent corner columns in the front, rear, left, and right directions, and side walls made of a mesh panel or the like are attached to the rectangular frame formed by the edge of the trolley body, the corner columns adjacent to each other in the front, rear, left, and right directions, and the upper frame member, and a connecting fitting for lifting the trolley is attached to the upper end portion of each corner column or the upper frame member.

[0003] Each of the above-mentioned various trolleys usually has an individual structure corresponding to its respective form, and the form cannot be changed. Here, Patent Document 1 below discloses a transport trolley including a trolley body having a rectangular placement portion when viewed from a plane, casters attached to the lower surface of the trolley body, four single-pipe push bars vertically erected at the four corners of the trolley body, and a support member having two support portions attached to the length intermediate portion excluding the upper and lower end portions of each push bar and having a groove-shaped cross section that opens inward in the front-rear direction and inward in the left-right direction, and side walls whose both ends are fitted into the opposing support portions of the support members attached to the adjacent push bars in the front-rear or left-right direction. The above-described transport cart can be made into multiple types of carts by changing the combination of its components. Specifically, the transport cart can be made into a flatbed cart by combining the cart body and casters, into a handcart by adding a push bar to the flatbed cart, and into an enclosed cart by adding support members and side walls to the handcart. Therefore, the above-described transport cart allows for the commonization of parts, which reduces costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-94777 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] However, in the case of the transport trolley described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to use support members in order to create a trolley with an enclosure, which has the problem of increasing the number of parts. 。

[0006] This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, In order to create a cart with an enclosure, there is no need to use support members. Furthermore, by appropriately changing the combination of components, the aim is to provide a low-cost trolley that can also be used as a flatbed trolley or a hand truck. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, this invention comprises the following embodiments.

[0008] 1) A trolley having a flat trolley body that is roughly rectangular when viewed from above, and having insertion holes formed at the four corners of the trolley body so as to open upwards, wherein a push bar is erected with its lower end inserted into the insertion holes of the trolley body, It consists of a single vertical profile having the same cross-sectional shape along its entire length, such that when viewed from above, the entire structure fits within the insertion hole. A push bar for a trolley, wherein fitting grooves are formed along the entire length of the push bar, on the inner side in the front-to-back direction and the inner side in the left-to-right direction, into which fitting protrusions formed from the ends of the side panels are fitted to secure horizontal members made of side panels perpendicular to the push bars that are erected at the four corners of the trolley body, respectively.

[0009] 2) A push bar for a trolley as described in 1) above, wherein the raised portion, excluding the lower end that is inserted into the insertion hole of the trolley body, can selectively function as a part to be held by hand or a part to support the end of the side panel at any height position.

[0010] 3) A handrail for a trolley as described in 1) or 2) above, comprising a hollow vertical profile having four side walls on the front, rear, left, and right sides, wherein the fitting grooves are formed on the inner walls in the front-rear direction and the inner walls in the left-right direction of the four side walls.

[0011] 4) A push bar for a trolley as described in 3) above, wherein a chamfered portion is provided at the corner located on the center side of the trolley body.

[0012] 5) A trolley according to 3) or 4) above, wherein a groove-shaped recess is provided at the corner opposite to the center of the trolley body.

[0013] 6) One opening edge of a fitting groove formed on the inner wall in the front-rear direction is formed by the inner edge in the front-rear direction of the outer wall in the left-right direction, and is positioned further outward in the front-rear direction than the other opening edge of the fitting groove. Furthermore, one of the cart push bars described in 3) to 5) above, wherein one of the opening edges of a fitting groove formed in the inner wall in the left-right direction is formed by the inner edge in the left-right direction of the outer wall in the front-rear direction, and is positioned further outward in the left-right direction than the other opening edge of the fitting groove.

[0014] 7) A flat trolley body that is roughly rectangular in shape when viewed from a plane, having insertion holes that open upwards at the four corners, Multiple casters are attached to the underside of the trolley body, It is equipped with four push rods, the lower ends of which are inserted into each insertion hole in the trolley body and erected upright. A trolley in which each push bar consists of one of the trolley push bars described in 1) to 6) above.

[0015] 8) Furthermore, it is equipped with horizontal members on the front, back, left, and right sides that are connected between the rising portions of adjacent push bars, respectively. Each of the horizontal members, front, back, left, and right, consists of vertical side panels. The interlocking protrusions at the ends of the side panels are fitted into the interlocking grooves of the push bar. The trolley described in 7) above, wherein the front, rear, left, and right side walls are formed by a single side panel or multiple side panels arranged vertically.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] This invention According to the hand push bar for the trolley, since it is made of a vertical profile having a fitting recess for connecting the ends of the horizontal members, it is possible to configure an enclosed trolley or a suspended trolley while suppressing costs without using a support member such as the transport trolley described in Patent Document 1 above. Department

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] <00001�5> It is a perspective view of the trolley according to the first embodiment of this invention. [Figure 2] It is a plan view of the trolley. [Figure 3] It is a left side view of the trolley. [Figure 4] It is a front view of the trolley. [Figure 5] It is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view along the line VI-VI in Figure 3. [Figure 7] This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII in Figure 3. [Figure 8] This is a front view showing two of these trolleys stacked on top of each other. [Figure 9] This is a left side view of a trolley according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a front view of the same trolley. [Figure 11] This shows the details of the side panel used in the bogie, where (a) is a plan view with the middle section omitted, (b) is a front view with the middle section omitted, (c) is a cross-sectional view along line c in (a), and (d) is an enlarged plan view of the panel fixing lever housed in the side panel. [Figure 12] This is a close-up of the left side view showing the connection structure between the end of the side panel and the push bar. [Figure 13] This is a partially enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view showing the same connecting structure. [Figure 14] This diagram shows a trolley according to a third embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a left side view. [Figure 15] This is a plan view of a trolley according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] This is a left side view of the same bogie. [Figure 17] This is a front view of the same trolley. [Figure 18] This is a plan view of the cover plate used on the trolley. [Figure 19] This is a left side view of the cover plate. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Next, embodiments of this invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 19. In the following explanation, the right side of Figures 3, 9, 14, and 16 will be referred to as the "front," and the left side as the "rear." "Left and right" will refer to the left and right sides when viewed from the front (left and right in Figures 4, 8, 10, and 17).

[0019] [First Embodiment] Figures 1 to 8 show a trolley according to the first embodiment of this invention. The trolley (1A) according to this embodiment comprises a flat trolley body (2) that is roughly rectangular in shape when viewed from the plane and has insertion holes (2a) that open upward at its four corners, a plurality of casters (3) attached to the lower surface of the trolley body (2), four push rods (4) whose lower ends are inserted into each of the insertion holes (2a) of the trolley body (2) and fixed to the trolley body (2), front and rear horizontal members (5) that are connected across at least the upper parts or the middle parts of the rising portions of adjacent push rods (4) in the front and rear and left and right directions, and trolley lifting connecting fittings (6) attached to the upper part of each push rod (4).

[0020] The trolley body (2) is rectangular in shape, elongated from front to back when viewed from above, and has a frame (21) assembled in a grid pattern of vertical and horizontal beams, multiple top plates (22a) (22b) attached to the upper surface of the frame (21) excluding the four corners, and four caster mounting plates (23) attached to the four corners on the lower surface of the frame (21). At the four corners of the upper surface of the trolley body (2), when multiple trolleys (1C) are stacked vertically in the form of a flatbed trolley as shown in Figure 14, roughly rectangular caster housing recesses (24) are formed as viewed from the plane, which house the casters (3) of the upper trolley (1C). The frame (21) consists of multiple vertical frame members (21a) and horizontal frame members (21b) connected in a grid pattern, and corner connecting members (21c) that connect the vertical frame members (21a) and horizontal frame members (21b) that constitute the outer perimeter at the corners. The vertical frame members (21a) and horizontal frame members (21b), as well as the corner connecting members (21c) and vertical frame members (21a) and horizontal frame members (21b), are connected by bolts and nuts so that they can be assembled and disassembled (see Figures 2, 5, etc.). As shown in Figure 5, the corner connecting member (21c) has a vertical cylindrical section (211) with a roughly hexagonal cross-section, having four side walls on the front, rear, left, and right sides, and with the corners on the outer and inner sides beveled at an angle; a first connecting section (212) consisting of two parallel vertical walls projecting inward in the front-rear direction from the inner wall of the vertical cylindrical section (211); and a second connecting section (213) consisting of two parallel vertical walls projecting inward in the left-right direction from the inner wall of the vertical cylindrical section (211). The interior of the vertical cylindrical section (211) forms through-holes (2a) that open vertically. Therefore, in this embodiment, the insertion holes (2a) at the four corners of the trolley body (2) have a roughly hexagonal cross-section. A bottom portion for receiving the lower end of the push bar (4) may be provided at the lower end of the vertical cylindrical section (211). With this bottom, as described later, when using it in the form of a hand truck, the hand bar (4) can be erected in the corner of the trolley body (2) simply by inserting the lower end of the hand bar (4) into the insertion hole (2a) of the trolley body (2), thus simplifying assembly. The bottom described above can be made up of, for example, a pair of vertical plate-shaped bottom members (214) attached with bolts and nuts to the inner surfaces of the outer and inner corners of the vertical cylindrical section (211), respectively (see Figure 14). The tabletop includes a long tabletop (22a) that is attached across the middle of the left and right outer vertical frame members (21a), and a short tabletop (22b) that is attached across the middle of the front and rear outer horizontal frame members (21b) and the intermediate horizontal frame member (21b) located inside them. Each tabletop (22a) (22b) is fixed to the upper surface of the required frame members (21a) (21b), for example, by rivets. Each caster mounting plate (23) is roughly rectangular when viewed from above and is attached to the frame (2) by bolts and nuts. Each caster mounting plate (23) forms the bottom of the caster housing recess (24). Each of the frame materials (21a)(21b)(21c), top plate (22a)(22b), and caster mounting plate (23) constituting the trolley body (2) is preferably formed from a light metal profile, and more preferably from an aluminum alloy profile that is lightweight, strong, and has excellent workability and corrosion resistance. The configuration of the bogie body is not limited to the above-described configuration and can be modified as appropriate.

[0021] Each caster (3) is attached to the four corners of the underside of the trolley body (2) by fixing a horizontal base plate (31) located on its upper part to the underside of a caster mounting plate (23) with bolts and nuts (see Figures 2-4). In addition, each caster (3) is pivotably fitted with a lever-type stopper (33) that prevents the rotation of the wheel (32) (see Figures 1, 3, etc.). The number, arrangement, structure, and mounting means of the casters are not limited to the above-described configuration and can be modified as appropriate.

[0022] The push bar (4) is made of a vertical profile into which the lower end can be inserted into the insertion holes (2a) at the four corners of the trolley body (2). The material of the push bar (4) is not particularly limited, but is preferably made of a light metal profile, and more preferably made of an aluminum alloy profile. More specifically, the push bar (4), as shown in Figure 5, is hollow and has four side walls (41), (42), (43), and (44) on the front, back, left, and right sides, as well as a groove-shaped recess (45) at the corner on the outside and a convex arc-shaped chamfer (46) at the corner on the inside. The inner wall (41) of the push bar (4) in the front-rear direction has a fitting groove (4a) with a roughly U-shaped cross-section that opens inward in the front-rear direction. The inner wall (43) of the push bar (4) in the left-right direction also has a fitting groove (4a) with a roughly U-shaped cross-section that opens inward in the left-right direction. Inside the push bar (4), there are internal enlarged grooves (47) for accommodating nuts, located between the two fitting grooves (4a) and the groove-shaped recess (45) at the outside corner. Furthermore, screw mounting portions (48) with a roughly C-shaped cross-section are formed on the inside of the chamfered portion (46) and in the groove-shaped recess (45). One opening edge (401) of the fitting groove (4a) formed on the inner wall (41) in the front-rear direction of the push bar (4) is formed by the inner edge (401) in the front-rear direction of the outer wall (44) of the push bar (4) in the left-right direction, and is positioned further outward in the front-rear direction than the other opening edge (402) of the fitting groove (4a) (see Figure 5). Furthermore, one opening edge (403) of the fitting groove (4a) formed on the inner wall (43) in the left-right direction of the push bar (4) is formed by the inner edge (403) in the left-right direction of the outer wall (42) of the push bar (4) in the front-rear direction, and is positioned further outward in the left-right direction than the other opening edge (404) of the fitting groove (4a) (see Figure 5). Generally, push bars are constructed from single pipes or the like, but in the case of the push bar (4) of this embodiment, a fitting groove (4a) is formed for fitting the end (fitting projection) (5a) of the side panel (5) (horizontal member) described later, so there is no need to use a support member like the push bar described in Patent Document 1, which reduces the number of parts and thus the cost. In addition, the push bar (4) of this embodiment does not have any projections that would press against the hand when held, making it easy to hold and easy to handle. The lower end of the push bar (4) is inserted into the insertion holes (2a) at the four corners of the trolley body (2), and together with the spacer plate (7) and corner guide member (7) described later, it is detachably fixed to the vertical cylindrical portion (211) of the corner connecting member (21c) by a total of four sets of bolts and nuts. An end cap (4b), which is roughly hexagonal when viewed from above, is attached to the upper end of the push bar (4) with a tapping screw, thereby closing the upper opening of the push bar (4).

[0023] In this embodiment, the horizontal members are composed of vertical side panels (5). The side panels (5) are made of long hollow profiles, preferably made of light metal, and more preferably made of aluminum alloy. More specifically, the side panel (5) has vertical inner walls (51) and outer walls (52), as well as horizontal upper walls (53) and lower walls (54), and also has two horizontal reinforcing walls (55) and (56) inside it (see Figure 7). The side panels (5) are attached in a vertical arrangement to adjacent push bars (4) in the front, rear, left, and right directions, with multiple panels (five panels in this case) positioned vertically. These side panels (5) constitute the front, rear, left, and right side walls (50). Therefore, even when small items are placed on the trolley body (2), there is no risk of items spilling out, unlike with side walls made of mesh panels. The uppermost side panel (5) can be attached to any height position on the upper or middle part of the rising portion of adjacent push bars (4) in the front, rear, left, or right directions, as long as the strength as the trolley is ensured by firmly connecting the four push bars (4). In this embodiment, it is attached slightly below the upper end of the adjacent push bars (4). The uppermost side panel (5) can also be replaced with, for example, a horizontal cylindrical hollow profile. The side panels (5) below the topmost side panel (5) can be omitted in whole or in part, which makes it possible to transport, for example, long items on the trolley body (2). Furthermore, the side panels (5) below the topmost side panel (5) can be replaced with mesh panels or the like. As shown in detail in Figure 7, a screw is screwed into the lower edge of the side panel (5), more specifically in the middle of the length of the lower wall (54), and the head of the screw forms a fitting projection (5b). On the other hand, a fitting hole (5c) is formed in the upper edge of the side panel (5), more specifically in the middle of the length of the upper wall (53), into which the fitting projection (5b) made up of the screw head can be fitted. This configuration increases the connection strength between the side panels (5) arranged vertically, and consequently increases the rigidity of the side wall (50). The fitting hole (5c) of the uppermost side panel (5) is closed by a cap (5d) fitted into the hole (5c). Note that the fitting projection (5b) and the fitting hole (5c) may be formed on the upper and lower edges of the side panel (5) in the reverse order of the above configuration. In this embodiment, the fitting projection (5a) at the end of the side panel (5) is fitted into the fitting recess (4a) of the opposite push bar (4) and fixed to the push bar (4) by a rivet (R) (see Figure 6). As a result, the parts of the four push bars (4) excluding the upper ends are firmly connected and integrated by multiple side panels (5) on the front, back, left, and right sides, thereby providing the load-bearing strength necessary to lift the trolley (1A) with goods loaded on it.

[0024] The trolley lifting connecting fitting (6) is used to connect one end of a chain (C) or wire rope when lifting the trolley (1A). In this embodiment, the connecting fitting consists of a shackle (6). The pin (62) (or bolt) of the shackle (6) is inserted through a horizontal through-hole (not shown) that extends diagonally across the upper part of the push bar (4), avoiding two fitting grooves (4a) (see Figure 6). Preferably, the through-hole is formed at a height that does not interfere with the push bar (4) when the U-shaped body (61) of the shackle (6) is rotated upward. Furthermore, the connecting fittings for lifting the trolley are not limited to the shackles (6) described above, and can be changed as appropriate.

[0025] Corner guide sections (7) for stacking are provided at the four corners of the trolley body (2). The corner guide section consists of a vertical corner guide member (7) with an L-shaped cross-section. The corner guide member (7) is attached in a hanging manner to the outer corner portion of the corner connecting member (21c) of the trolley body (2) via a vertical spacer plate (25) with an L-shaped cross-section, together with the lower end of the push bar (4) using bolts and nuts. As shown in Figure 8, when multiple trolleys (1A) are stacked vertically, the lower surfaces of the corner connecting members (21c) at the four corners of the trolley body (2) of the upper trolley (1A) rest on the upper ends of the four push bars (4) of the lower trolley (1A). However, if left as is, there is a risk that the upper and lower trolleys (1A) may shift horizontally from each other. Therefore, if stacking corner guides (7) are provided hanging down from the four corners of the trolley body (2) as described above, the corner guides (7) at the four corners of the upper trolley (1A) will come into contact with or be brought close to the upper ends of each push bar (4) of the lower trolley (1A) from the outside, preventing the horizontal relative movement of the stacked trolleys (1A), thus ensuring safety when stacking. In addition to being composed of corner guide members (7) as described above, the corner guide section may also be integrally provided on the corner frame material (21c) of the trolley body (2).

[0026] According to the trolley (1A) of the first embodiment described above, the lower ends of the push bars (4) are fixed to the four corners of the trolley body (2), and the parts of the four push bars (4) that rise up, excluding the upper ends, are connected and integrated by the front, rear, left, and right side panels (5). Therefore, the load-bearing strength necessary to lift the trolley (1A) with goods loaded on the trolley body (2) can be reliably obtained. Then, one end of a chain (C) or wire rope, for example, is connected to the trolley lifting connecting fitting (6) at the top of each push bar (4), and the other end is hooked onto a crane's lifting hook, etc., and in this state, the trolley (1A) can be lifted in a stable manner by a crane or other lifting means. Furthermore, in the case of the trolley (1A) described above, a fitting groove (4a) is formed on each push bar (4) for connecting a fitting projection made from the end (5a) of the side panel (5), and there is no need to use a support member like the transport trolley described in Patent Document 1, so the number of parts is reduced accordingly. Moreover, with the trolley (1A) described above, the fitting structure between the push bar (4) and the side panel (5) is simplified. Therefore, the above-mentioned trolley (1A) can be used without any problems as a suspension trolley, and since manufacturing costs can be kept down, it is possible to provide it at a relatively low price. Furthermore, in the case of the trolley (1A) described above, by making each component out of aluminum alloy, the load-bearing strength required for a suspended trolley is ensured while reducing weight, thereby significantly reducing the burden of movement and improving handling.

[0027] [Second Embodiment] Figures 9 to 13 show a trolley according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The trolley (1B) according to this embodiment is substantially identical to the trolley (1B) of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, except for the following points. In other words, in the trolley (1B) of this embodiment, panel fixing levers (8) are located inside both ends of each side panel (5). The panel fixing lever (8) has a shape that is bent in a roughly crank shape at its midpoint when viewed from a plane, and is swingable horizontally around an inwardly convex pivot point (8a) provided at its midpoint so as to contact the inner surface of the inner wall (51) of the side panel (5). The panel fixing lever (8) has an engaging projection (8b) at one end which is inserted through a through hole (51a) formed in the inner wall (51) of the side panel (5) into an engaging hole (4c) formed on the inner surface of the fitting groove (4a) of the push bar (4), and an operating projection (8c) at the other end which is made to protrude outward from the side panel (5) through a through hole (52a) formed in the outer wall (52) of the side panel (5).

[0028] Furthermore, springs (biasing members) (9) are arranged inside both ends of the side panel (5) to bias the panel fixing lever (8) in a swinging direction such that the engaging projection (8b) is inserted into the engaging hole (4c) and the operating projection (8c) protrudes outward from the side panel (5). The spring (9) is interposed between one end of the panel fixing lever (8) and the outer wall of the side panel (5), with one end fitted onto a spring-retaining projection (8d) provided on one end of the panel fixing lever (8).

[0029] According to the trolley (1B) of the second embodiment described above, the operation of fixing and releasing the push bar (4) and the end of the side panel (5) can be easily performed by the panel fixing lever (8). In other words, for example, the end (5a) of the side panel (5) is fitted into the fitting groove (4a) of adjacent push bars (4) in the front / rear or left / right directions, while pressing the operating projection (8c) of the panel fixing lever (8) with the fingers of one hand from above. When the end (5a) of the side panel (5) reaches a predetermined height position, the fingers are released from the operating projection (8c), and the spring elastic force of the spring (9) causes the panel fixing lever (8) to swing in a predetermined direction, and the engaging projection (8b) of the panel fixing lever (8) is inserted into the engaging hole (4c) of the push bar (4). This fixes the end (5a) of the side panel (5) to the push bar (4). On the other hand, to release the fixing state and remove the side panel (5) from the push bar (4), the reverse operation of the above should be performed. Therefore, the trolley (1B) of this embodiment can be suitably used, for example, when there are relatively frequent opportunities to attach or detach all or part of the side panels (5) depending on the type of goods being loaded or the method of transport.

[0030] [Third Embodiment] Figure 14 shows a trolley according to a third embodiment of this invention. The trolley (1C) according to this embodiment is a modified version of the trolley (1A) of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8 or the trolley (1B) of the second embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 13, used as a flatbed trolley. In other words, the illustrated trolley (1C) is obtained by removing the trolley lifting coupling fitting (6), side panel (5), and push bar (4), as well as the corner guide member (7) and spacer plate (25), from the trolley (1A) (1B) of the first or second embodiment. Furthermore, although not shown in the illustration, it is also possible to remove the trolley lifting coupling fittings (6) and side panels (5) from the trolley (1A) (1B) of the first or second embodiment to create a hand truck with push bars (4) erected at the four corners of the trolley body (2). In this case, some of the four push bars (4) may be removed. Furthermore, by removing the trolley lifting coupling fitting (6) from the trolley (1A) (1B) of the first or second embodiment, it is also possible to use the trolley body (2) as an enclosed trolley in which the outer perimeter is surrounded by front, rear, left, and right side walls (50). In this case, some of the side panels (5) that make up some of the front, rear, left, and right side walls (50) may be removed. As is clear from the above, the trolley of this invention can be suitably used as a suspended trolley (1A) (1B), and can also be easily converted into a flatbed trolley (1C), a hand truck, and even a trolley with an enclosure, making it extremely easy to use.

[0031] [Fourth Embodiment] Figures 15 to 19 show a trolley according to a fourth embodiment of this invention. The trolley (1D) according to this embodiment is substantially identical to the trolley of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, except for the following points. In other words, the trolley (1D) of this embodiment is equipped with a roughly rectangular cover plate (10) that is placed across the uppermost side panels (horizontal members) (5) at the front, rear, left, and right, and is viewed from a plane. The cover plate comprises a cover plate body (10a) made of a plate material such as resin or metal, and a lattice-shaped reinforcing frame (10b) joined to the back surface of the cover plate body (10a). The four corners of the cover plate (10) are cut out in an L-shape when viewed from a plane so as not to interfere with the upper parts of the four push bars (4).

[0032] The upper ends of the cover plate fixing bars (11) are pivotably connected to the front and rear edges of the cover material (10) at positions midway along their lengths. In this embodiment, the cover plate fixing bars (11) are made of a substantially U-shaped profile with an opening outward in the front-rear direction, and their upper ends are hinged to connecting parts (10c) provided on the front and rear edges of the cover material (10). The lower end of each cover plate fixing bar (11) is formed to project inward in the front-rear direction, with hooks (11a) that are hooked onto the front and rear edges of the underside of the trolley body (2). The cover plate fixing bars (11) may be attached to the left and right edges of the cover material (10) instead of the front and rear edges, or in addition to the front and rear edges.

[0033] Furthermore, the trolley (1D) of this embodiment is equipped with a locking mechanism that can prevent the cover plate fixing bar (11) from swinging in a direction that causes the hook portion (11a) to detach from the front and rear edges of the underside of the trolley body (2). The locking mechanism consists of a U-shaped hook (12) attached to the lower part of the connecting portion (10c) at the front and rear edges of the lid plate (10), and a padlock (13) that is hooked onto the U-shaped hook (12). The tip of the U-shaped hook (12) is designed to protrude to the outside of the lid plate fixing bar (11) through a vertically elongated slit (not shown) formed at the upper end of the lid plate fixing bar (11). The locking mechanism is not limited to the above configuration and can be changed as appropriate.

[0034] According to the trolley (1D) of this embodiment, the items loaded on the trolley body (2) can be covered by the lid plate (10), so damage and deterioration of the loaded items are effectively suppressed. Furthermore, according to the trolley (1D), the lid plate (10) can be locked in place by the lid fixing bar (11) and locking means (12)(13), so an excellent theft prevention effect is also obtained. [Industrial applicability]

[0035] This invention relates to a trolley for loading and transporting goods, and is particularly suitable for use as a suspended trolley. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] (1A)(1B)(1C)(1D): Trolley (2): Bogie body (3): Caster (4): Push bar (4a): Fitting groove (fitting recess) (4c):Engagement hole (50):Side wall (5): Side panels (horizontal members) (5a): Fitting projection (end of side panel) (5b): Fitting protrusion (5c): Fitting hole (51): Inner wall (51a):Through hole (52):Outer wall (52a):Through hole (6): Connecting fittings for lifting trolleys (7): Corner guide section for stacking (8): Panel fixing lever (8a):Fulcrum (8b): Engagement protrusion (8c): Operating protrusion (9): Spring (biasing member) (10): Lid plate (11): Lid plate fixing bar (11a):Hook part (12): U-shaped hook (locking mechanism) (13): Padlock (locking mechanism)

Claims

1. A trolley having a flat trolley body that is substantially rectangular when viewed from above, and having insertion holes formed at the four corners of the trolley body so as to open upward, wherein a push bar is erected with its lower end inserted into the insertion holes of the trolley body, It consists of a single vertical profile having the same cross-sectional shape along its entire length, such that when viewed from above, the entire structure fits within the insertion hole. In order to secure horizontal members, which are perpendicular to the push bars located at the four corners of the trolley body, to the push bars located adjacent to each other in the front-rear and left-right directions, fitting grooves are directly formed along the entire length of the push bars, into which fitting protrusions formed from the ends of the side panels can be fitted. It consists of a hollow vertical profile having four side walls on the front, back, left, and right sides, and the fitting grooves are formed on the inner walls in the front-to-back direction and the inner walls in the left-to-right direction of the four side walls. One opening edge of a fitting groove formed on the inner wall in the front-rear direction is formed by the inner edge in the front-rear direction of the outer wall in the left-right direction, and is positioned further outward in the front-rear direction than the other opening edge of the fitting groove. Furthermore, a hand bar for a trolley, wherein one opening edge of a fitting groove formed in the inner wall in the left-right direction is formed by the inner edge in the left-right direction of the outer wall in the front-rear direction, and is positioned further outward in the left-right direction than the other opening edge of the fitting groove.

2. The hand bar for a trolley according to claim 1, wherein the raised portion, excluding the lower end that is inserted into the insertion hole of the trolley body, can selectively function as a portion to be held by hand or a portion to support the end of a side panel at any height position.

3. A hand bar for a trolley according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a chamfered portion is provided at the corner located on the center side of the trolley body.

4. A push bar for a trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a groove-shaped recess is provided at the corner opposite to the center of the trolley body.

5. A flat trolley body that is roughly rectangular in shape when viewed from a plane, having insertion holes that open upwards at the four corners, Multiple casters are attached to the underside of the trolley body, It is equipped with four push rods, the lower ends of which are inserted into each insertion hole in the trolley body and erected upright. A trolley in which each push bar is a push bar for a trolley as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. Furthermore, it is equipped with horizontal members that are placed between the rising sections of adjacent push bars in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. Each of the horizontal members, front, back, left, and right, consists of vertical side panels. The interlocking protrusions at the ends of the side panels are fitted into the interlocking grooves of the push bar. The trolley according to claim 5, wherein the front, rear, left, and right side walls are formed by a single side panel or a plurality of side panels arranged vertically.

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