Ram detachable structure and transport device

Abstract

To attach / detach a ram to / from a lift bracket using a new method.SOLUTION: A ram attachment / detachment structure for a transporter comprises a lift bracket 3, a locking member 5, and a receiving member 6. The lift bracket 3 has a front surface 30 and a fitting hole 31 formed in the front surface 30 into which a root portion 41 of a ram 4 is fitted in order to attach the ram 4 to the lift bracket 3. The receiving member 6 is fixed to the front surface 30 of the lift bracket 3 so as not to interfere with the attachment of the ram 4 to the lift bracket 3, and is configured so that the locking member 5 is inserted from above. When the locking member 5 is inserted into the receiving member 6 from above with the root portion 41 fitted in the fitting hole 31, it is configured to restrict the root portion 41 from coming off the fitting hole 31 and to protect the R portion 42 of the ram 4 from the object 7 being transported.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a ram attaching / detaching structure for attaching and detaching a ram, and to a transporter including the ram attaching / detaching structure.

Background Art

[0002] A forklift generally supports and transports an object with forks. Depending on the shape of the object and other factors, a different attachment, instead of the forks, is attached to a lift bracket. For example, when the object is a coil, the forks are replaced with a ram. The ram is inserted through the hollow portion of the coil, and the coil is supported by the ram.

[0003] As a structure for attaching and detaching a ram to / from a lift bracket, a simple hook-on type attaching / detaching structure is employed (e.g., Patent Document 1). This structure is designed on the assumption that forks are used, which results in a long overhang, that is, the forward protrusion length from the front wheel axle. From the perspective of stability (balance) in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the allowable load has to be set to a lower value.

[0004] As disclosed in Patent Document 2, there is a dedicated coil transporter in which a ram is integrated with a lift bracket (ram base) by welding or the like. Since this transporter is not designed for use with forks, the lift bracket and the mast device for lifting and lowering the ram are arranged closer to the front wheel axle to shorten the overhang. This makes it possible to avoid the reduction in the allowable load mentioned above.

[0005] However, such a dedicated transporter has a mast-integrated structure, so only the ram cannot be attached or detached. Since characteristics such as the shape and length of the ram are fixed, the use of the transporter is limited. When the ram is damaged or worn, only the ram cannot be replaced. If it is attempted to replace the ram with another ram, very extensive work is required, such as removing the lift bracket integrated with the ram from the mast. This work cannot be performed by the user of the transporter, and must be handled by the manufacturer.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 55-101896 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Public Gazette No. 54-39809 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-178693 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] This application provides a ram attachment / detachment structure for attaching and detaching a ram in a novel manner. Furthermore, this application provides a transport machine having the ram attachment / detachment structure for transporting hollow objects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This invention provides a ram attachment / detachment structure for a conveying machine for transporting hollow objects, for attaching and detaching a ram. The ram comprises a main body, a base, and a concave R-shaped portion connecting the main body and the base, the R-shaped portion having a diameter that gradually increases toward the base. The ram attachment / detachment structure comprises a lift bracket, a locking member, and a receiving member. The lift bracket has a front surface and a fitting hole formed on the front surface into which the base portion of the ram is fitted for mounting the ram to the lift bracket. The receiving member is fixed to the front surface of the lift bracket so as not to interfere with the mounting of the ram to the lift bracket, and is configured so that the locking member is inserted from above. The locking member is configured such that when the base portion is fitted into the fitting hole and inserted into the receiving member from above, the base portion prevents the base portion from disengaging from the fitting hole and protects the R portion from the object.

[0009] The locking member is It has a central portion having an insertion notch through which the ram, which is attached to the lift bracket and protrudes forward from the lift bracket, passes, When the locking member is inserted into the receiving member from above with its base portion fitted into the fitting hole, the rear surface of the central portion faces the base portion and restricts the base portion from detaching from the fitting hole, and the front surface of the central portion is positioned in front of the R portion to protect the R portion from the object.

[0010] The locking member further, The central portion is provided with a first side portion and a second side portion on both sides, The receiving member is, It comprises a first part and a second part that are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction of the conveyor, with a distance greater than the diameter of the fitting hole between them. The first part is configured such that the first side is inserted from above. The second portion may be configured such that the second side portion is inserted from above.

[0011] For example, the receiving member is welded to the front surface of the lift bracket.

[0012] The locking member may be provided with a hook attachment portion on its upper surface for attaching a hanging hook.

[0013] Furthermore, this application provides a transporter equipped with the above-described ram attachment / detachment structure. The aforementioned transport device is A vehicle body configured to be drivable, The vehicle body is provided with a mast device for raising and lowering the lift bracket.

[0014] For example, the object is a coil, and the transporter is a transporter specifically for coils. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of an example transport machine. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a partial side view of the conveying machine of Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3A and Figure 3B illustrate how a ram supports an object to be conveyed. [Figure 4] Figures 4A to 4D illustrate a ram mounted to a lift bracket. [Figure 5] Figure 5A is a front view of an exemplary locking member, Figure 5B is a side view of Figure 5A, and Figure 5C is a plan view of Figure 5A. [Figure 6] Figure 6A is a front view of a lift bracket and a receiving member, Figure 6B is a central longitudinal sectional view of the lift bracket of Figure 6A, Figure 6C is a partially enlarged plan view of Figure 6A, Figure 6D is a partially enlarged side view of Figure 6A, and Figure 6E is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of Figure 6A. [Figure 7] Figure 7A and Figure 7B illustrate the mounting of a ram to a lift bracket. [Figure 8] Figure 8A and Figure 8B illustrate locking of a ram to a lift bracket, Figure 8C is a partially enlarged plan view of Figure 8A, and Figure 8D is a partially enlarged longitudinal sectional view of Figure 8A. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the components shown in the drawings do not necessarily have accurate dimensions or ratios, and merely represent their functions or operations.

[0017] Figure 1 and Figure 2 show a conveying machine provided with a ram attaching / detaching structure according to an example. This exemplary conveying machine is a dedicated conveying machine for conveying a hollow object 7 such as a coil (see Figure 3A and Figure 3B), and is not intended for use with forks. Reference sign X indicates the longitudinal direction of the conveying machine, and reference sign Y indicates the lateral direction of the conveying machine.

[0018] The conveying machine comprises a vehicle body 1 configured to be capable of traveling, and a mast device 2 provided in front of the vehicle body 1.

[0019] The vehicle body 1 includes the front wheels 10, the rear wheels, and the driver's seat 11 where the operator sits to operate the transport vehicle. Although the rear of the vehicle body 1 is not shown in Figure 2, the vehicle body 1 is substantially the same as that described in, for example, Patent Document 3, so its description is omitted. A well-known vehicle body 1 is used.

[0020] The mast device 2 is used to raise and lower the lift bracket 3. The mast device 2 is a well-known type that includes a mast 20, a chain 21 stretched across the mast 20 and connected to the lift bracket 3, and an actuator 22 (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder) (Figure 2).

[0021] The mast device 2 operates the actuator 22 in response to the operator's movements in the driver's seat 11, causing the lift bracket 3 to rise and fall along the mast 20. Therefore, as described later, when the ram 4 is attached to the lift bracket 3, the lift bracket 3 and the ram 4 are raised and lowered together by the mast device 2.

[0022] Furthermore, the transporter is equipped with a ram attachment / detachment structure for attaching and detaching the ram 4. The ram attachment / detachment structure consists of a lift bracket 3, a locking member 5, and a receiving member 6.

[0023] In a transport machine equipped with a ram 4 specifically designed for hollow objects 7, and not intended for use with forks, the mast device 2 is positioned closer to the front wheels 10, as shown in Figure 2. This shortens the overhang and avoids a reduction in the allowable load, as explained in the background technology section.

[0024] As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the transporter carries the object 7 by inserting the ram 4 into the hollow object 7, supporting the object 7 with the ram 4, and then moving in that state. The hollow object 7 being transported is typically a coil, and the transporter is a transporter specifically for coils. The coils are, for example, rolled coils and wire coils.

[0025] Figures 4A to 4D illustrate rams 4 configured to fit a ram detachment structure. Note that the rams 4 are not limited to the examples shown in Figures 4A to 4D.

[0026] Each ram 4 has the following common configuration. The ram 4 comprises a cylindrical body portion 40 and a base portion 41 having a larger diameter than the body portion 40. The body portion 40 is the part that is actually inserted into the object and supports the object 7 (see Figures 3A and 3B). The base portion 41 is the part that is actually attached to the lift bracket 3, as will be described later. To facilitate attachment to and alignment with the lift bracket 3, the base portion 41 has a roughly frustoconical shape with a diameter that gradually decreases towards its base end (towards the right end of Figure 4). Furthermore, the ram 4 has a concave R portion 42 that connects the body portion 40 and the base portion 41, with a diameter that gradually increases from the body portion 40 to the base portion 41. This R portion 42 has the same role as that described in Patent Document 2 and is for stress concentration relief.

[0027] The ram 4 in Figure 4A has a relatively short main body 40, making it suitable for use when the transporter is working in a narrow area. The ram 4 in Figure 4B has a relatively long main body 40, making it suitable for supporting multiple objects 7 at once. The ram 4 in Figure 4C has a mounting portion 43 for attaching a hook at the tip of the main body 40. The ram 4 in Figure 4D has a roller 44 for pushing and rolling objects 7 such as coils at the tip of the main body 40.

[0028] Rams 4, each having different characteristics (shape, function, etc.) as shown in Figures 4A to 4D, can be easily replaced according to the work environment and application using the following ram attachment / detachment structure.

[0029] The configuration of the exemplary locking member 5 will be explained with reference to Figures 5A to 5C. The locking member 5 is plate-shaped. The locking member 5 comprises a central portion 50 and first side portions 51a and second side portions 51b that protrude in the left-right direction Y from both sides of the central portion 50. The central portion 50 has an inverted U-shaped insertion notch 52 through which a ram 4, which is mounted on the lift bracket 3 and protrudes forward from the lift bracket 3, passes.

[0030] Furthermore, the locking member 5 is provided with hook attachments 53 on its upper surface. In this example, two hook attachments 53 are provided spaced apart in the left-right direction Y. By inserting a suspension hook (not shown) into the hole in the hook attachment 53 and hooking it onto the hook attachment 53, the locking member 5 can be suspended and inserted into the receiving member 6 from above, or removed from the receiving member 6 upwards. Since the locking member 5 is very heavy, the hook attachments 53 are useful for inserting and removing the locking member 5 from the receiving member 6.

[0031] Figure 6A is a front view of the lift bracket 3 and the receiving member 6. The lift bracket 3 has a fitting hole 31 formed on its front surface 30. The fitting hole 31 is formed so that the base portion 41 of the ram 4 fits into it for mounting the ram 4 to the lift bracket 3. Therefore, the fitting hole 31 has a shape complementary to the shape of the base portion 41, as shown in the cross-sectional view in Figure 6B.

[0032] The receiving member 6 is for receiving the locking member 5. The receiving member 6 is fixed to the front surface 30 of the lift bracket 3. Specifically, the receiving member 6 is welded to the front surface 30 of the lift bracket 3.

[0033] The receiving member 6 is configured so as not to interfere with the attachment of the ram 4 to the lift bracket 3, that is, with fitting into the fitting hole 31 of the base portion 41.

[0034] Specifically, as shown in Figures 6A and 6C, the example receiving member 6 consists of two parts, a first part 60a and a second part 60b, each welded to the front surface 30. The first part 60a and the second part 60b are spaced apart in the left-right direction Y, with a gap between them that is larger than the diameter (maximum diameter) of the fitting hole 31, and therefore larger than the diameter (maximum diameter) of the base part 41. This prevents the receiving member 6 from interfering with the ram 4 when attaching or detaching the ram 4 from the lift bracket 3 in the front-rear direction X.

[0035] The receiving member 6 is further configured to receive the locking member 5 so that it can be inserted from above, and so that the inserted locking member 5 does not move in the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y. In this example, the first part 60a is configured so that the first side portion 51a of the locking member 5 can be inserted from above, and the second part 60b is configured so that the second side portion 51b of the locking member 5 can be inserted from above.

[0036] More specifically, as shown in Figures 6C to 6E, the first portion 60a has a receiving notch 61a. As shown in Figures 6D and 6E, the receiving notch 61a is defined by an inner rear surface 62a that faces the front surface of the first side portion 51a when the locking member 5 is inserted, an inner surface 63a that faces the side surface of the first side portion 51a, and an inner bottom surface 64a that faces the bottom surface of the first side portion 51a. The first portion 60a receives the first side portion 51a by these surfaces 62a to 64a and the front surface 30 of the lift bracket 3.

[0037] Similarly, the second portion 60b has a receiving notch 61b. The second portion 60b is symmetrical to the first portion 60a, and its receiving notch 61b is defined by an inner rear surface 62b, an inner side surface 63b, and an inner bottom surface 64b, as shown in Figure 6E. The second portion 60b receives the second side portion 51b by these surfaces 62b-64b and the front surface 30 of the lift bracket 3.

[0038] The mounting and locking of the Ram 4 to the lift bracket 3 is described.

[0039] As shown in Figures 7A and 7B, first, the ram 4 is attached to the lift bracket 3. Specifically, the base portion 41 is fitted into the fitting hole 31, causing the main body portion 40 to protrude forward from the lift bracket 3.

[0040] The ram 4 is very heavy. Therefore, it is preferable to hold the ram 4 horizontally and stationary using a jig (not shown), and then move the transporter toward the ram 4 by driving to engage the base portion 41 with the fitting hole 31.

[0041] Next, as shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the locking member 5 is inserted into the receiving member 6 from above with the base portion 41 fitted into the fitting hole 31. That is, as shown in Figure 8C, the first and second side portions 51a and 51b are inserted into the first and second portions 60a and 60b (first and second receiving notches 61a and 61b), respectively, and the portion of the central portion 50 that protrudes forward from the side portions 51a and 51b is inserted between the first portion 60a and the second portion 60b. As a result, the locking member 5 is received by the receiving member 6 between the receiving member 6 and the front surface 30, and is held in place so as not to move in the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y.

[0042] The locking member 5 is also very heavy. Therefore, it is preferable to insert the locking member 5 into the receiving member 6 by, for example, attaching a suspension hook to the hook attachment part 53 and lowering the locking member 5 in a suspended state using a crane or the like.

[0043] As shown in Figure 8D, when the locking member 5 is inserted into the receiving member 6 from above with its base portion 41 fitted into the fitting hole 31, a portion of the rear surface of the central portion 50 of the locking member 5 (around the insertion notch 52 (Figure 5A)) faces a portion of the front surface of the base portion 41, as shown in Figures 8A and 8D. This prevents the base portion 41 from detaching from the fitting hole 31, as the central portion 50 restricts this. In other words, the ram 4 is locked by the locking member 5 so that it does not come off the lift bracket 3. In this state, the conveyor can support the object 7 with the ram 4 without any problems.

[0044] Furthermore, the front surface of the central portion 50 of the locking member 5 is positioned in front of the R portion 42 of the mounted ram 4, protecting the R portion 42 from contact with the object 7. The R portion 42 is provided to relieve stress concentration. If the object 7 comes into contact with the R portion 42 and the R portion 42 is worn or damaged, the stress concentration relief function cannot be performed, which could lead to problems such as cracks forming in the ram 4. The locking member 5 not only locks the ram 4 as described above, but also protects the R portion 42, thereby avoiding such problems.

[0045] Unlocking and removing the ram 4 can be done by reversing the procedure for installing and locking the ram 4. That is, first, the locking member 5 is pulled upward from the receiving member 6. This is preferably done using the suspension hook and hook attachment part 53. Next, the ram 4 (base part 41) is pulled out from the lift bracket 3 (fitting hole 31). This is preferably done by moving the transporter away from the ram 4 while holding the ram 4 with a jig.

[0046] With the above ram attachment / detachment structure, the ram 4 can be detachably attached to and locked to the lift bracket 3 using a novel method employing a locking member 5, rather than a hook-on type. At the same time, the R-shaped section 42, which is used to relieve stress concentration, can be protected.

[0047] Even with a coil-specific transport machine like the one shown in Figure 1, the ram 4 can be easily replaced with an appropriate one depending on the application and working environment. Furthermore, if the ram 4 becomes worn or damaged, it can be easily replaced with a new one.

[0048] Unlike rams integrated with lift brackets, ram 4 can be detached from lift bracket 3, allowing for space-saving storage as only ram 4 needs to be stored. Ram 4 can be applied to other conveyors with the same ram detachment structure. This eliminates the need to prepare a conveyor for each conveying operation, contributing to a reduction in equipment investment costs.

[0049] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The shapes of the locking member 5 and receiving member 6 described above are merely examples, and it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art who have read the specification of this application that various shapes may be adopted as long as the above effects are achieved. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 1. Vehicle body 2. Mast Equipment 3 Lift Brackets 30 front 31 Fitting hole 4 Ram 40 Main body 41 Root part 42 R section 5 Locking member 50 central part 51a First side 51b Second side 52 Through notch 53 Hook attachment part 6 Receiving member 60 Part 1 61 Part 2 7. Object

Claims

1. A ram attachment / detachment structure for a ram, which is provided in a transport machine for transporting hollow objects, The ram comprises a main body, a base, and a concave R-shaped portion connecting the main body and the base, the R-shaped portion having a diameter that gradually increases toward the base. The ram attachment / detachment structure comprises a lift bracket, a locking member, and a receiving member. The lift bracket has a front surface and a fitting hole formed on the front surface into which the base portion of the ram is fitted for mounting the ram to the lift bracket. The receiving member is fixed to the front surface of the lift bracket so as not to interfere with the mounting of the ram to the lift bracket, and the locking member is configured to be inserted from above. The locking member is configured such that when the base portion is fitted into the fitting hole and inserted into the receiving member from above, the base portion prevents the base portion from disengaging from the fitting hole and protects the R portion from the object. Ram detachable structure.

2. The locking member is It has a central portion having an insertion notch through which the ram, which is attached to the lift bracket and protrudes forward from the lift bracket, passes, When the locking member is inserted into the receiving member from above with its base portion fitted into the fitting hole, the rear surface of the central portion faces the base portion and restricts its disengagement from the fitting hole, and the front surface of the central portion is positioned in front of the R portion and protects the R portion from the object. Ram detachment structure according to claim 1.

3. The locking member further, The central portion is provided with a first side portion and a second side portion on both sides, The receiving member is, It comprises a first part and a second part, which are provided with a distance greater than the diameter of the fitting hole between them in the left-right direction of the conveyor, The first part is configured such that the first side is inserted from above. The second part is configured such that the second side is inserted from above. The ram detachment structure according to claim 2.

4. The receiving member is welded to the front surface of the lift bracket. Ram detachment structure according to claim 1.

5. The locking member is provided with a hook attachment portion on its upper surface for attaching a hanging hook. Ram detachment structure according to claim 1.

6. A conveyor comprising a ram attachment / detachment structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A vehicle body configured to be drivable, The vehicle body is provided with a mast device that raises and lowers the lift bracket, Transport machine.

7. The object in question is a coil, and the transporter is a transporter specifically designed for coils. The conveying machine according to claim 6.

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