Nesting rack

Abstract

To provide a nesting rack whose width dimension can be changed.SOLUTION: A widthwise interval of a pair of left and right rear columns is formed narrower than a widthwise interval of a pair of left and right front columns erected on a base body. There is provided a nesting rack for a plurality of racks, in which one rack can be nested into a cargo chamber of another rack from the front to the rear, a base body (1) includes: a left base part (1L) on which a front column (2L) and a rear column (3L) on the left side are erected, by dividing into left and right; and a right base part (1R) on which a front column (2R) and a rear column (3R) on the right side are erected, wherein the left and right base parts are connected to each other via connecting means (14). The connecting means is provided with selective fixing means (16) that connects and fixes the left and right base parts (1L, 1R) in a state where the interval in the left and right width direction is selected from a plurality of intervals.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a nesting rack, and particularly to a nesting rack whose width dimension can be changed. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, nesting racks (also referred to as nestainers) have been used in warehouses and the like. Nesting racks can improve storage efficiency by stacking loads (articles) that cannot be directly stacked, and changing the arrangement in a warehouse can be achieved by lifting and moving the entire rack with a forklift or the like. When not in use, a plurality of racks can be nested (fitted) in a nested configuration to be stored in a space-saving manner. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-99359 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-62132 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-170934 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] Incidentally, the nesting rack is configured such that a cargo compartment is formed above a base body, so that when storing cargo, a loaded pallet can be placed on the base body to efficiently perform storage work.

[0005] Incidentally, since pallets come in multiple sizes, nesting racks are also provided in multiple sizes accordingly. For example, for a pallet with a width of 1100mm, a nesting rack with a cargo compartment opening width of 1350mm is provided. For a pallet with a width of 1200mm, a nesting rack with a cargo compartment opening width of 1450mm is provided. Furthermore, for a pallet with a width of 1400mm, a nesting rack with a cargo compartment opening width of 1650mm is provided.

[0006] However, for users such as logistics companies, there is a problem of high costs because they need to keep nesting racks of various sizes on standby at all times to accommodate pallets of different sizes.

[0007] The objective of this invention is to provide a nesting rack that solves the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Therefore, the present invention provides a means comprising a substantially rectangular base body defining the front-rear direction and the left-right width direction, a pair of front support columns positioned at the front of the base body and erected on the left and right sides, and a pair of rear support columns positioned at the rear of the base body and erected on the left and right sides, forming a cargo compartment with the space enclosed by the support columns, wherein the distance between the pair of rear support columns in the left-right width direction is made narrower than the distance between the pair of front support columns in the left-right width direction, so that for multiple racks, one rack can be nested into the cargo compartment of one rack from front to rear, the base body is divided into left and right sections, comprising a left base section on which the left front support column and rear support column are erected, and a right base section on which the right front support column and rear support column are erected, and the left and right base sections are connected to each other via connecting means, the connecting means comprising a selection fixing means that connects and fixes the left and right base sections with the distance between them in the left-right width direction selected from a plurality of intervals.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the left and right base portions each have opposing pipe frames facing each other, and an extension frame is provided projecting from one opposing frame of the left and right base portions toward the other opposing frame, and the connecting means is configured by slidably inserting the extension frame into the other opposing frame, and the selective fixing means is configured by providing a locking means for fixing the extension frame to the other opposing frame at a location selected from a plurality of locations in the sliding direction.

[0010] Furthermore, the left and right base portions each have parallel frames that extend in the front-rear direction and are arranged parallel to each other from left to right. A central fixing member is placed between the parallel frames of the left and right base portions, and the connecting means is configured by fixing the central fixing member to the parallel frames. The selectable fixing means is configured by providing fixing parts that allow the parallel frames and the central fixing member to be fixed to each other at a location selected from a plurality of locations in the left-right width direction.

[0011] Preferably, the pair of rear supports are connected by a pair of braces that intersect in a cross shape, in which case, one end of the pair of braces is pivotally connected to the pivot points of the left and right rear supports, and the other end is fixed to the rear supports on the opposite side, and preferably, the rear supports on the opposite side have a plurality of fixing pieces arranged in rows at intervals in the vertical direction of the support to fix the other end of the brace. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, with respect to a nesting rack, a base body 1 with a desired predetermined width BW can be formed by connecting and fixing the left and right base parts 1L and 1R with a distance in the left-right width direction selected from multiple distances. For example, when storing a pallet in a loaded state by placing it on the base body 1, it is possible to form a base body 1 with a predetermined width BW that fits the size of the pallet while maintaining the function of the nesting rack. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a nesting rack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing a state where two nesting racks are nested. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing a state where two nesting racks are stacked. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing a base body. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing an exploded state of the base body. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing an exploded state of the base body in an upside-down state. [Figure 7] It is a plan view showing an exploded state of the base body. [Figure 8] It is a plan view showing an assembled state of the base body. [Figure 9] It shows a cross-section of the base body, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Figure 8. [Figure 10] It shows a cross-section of the base body, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of Figure 8. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view showing a state where support columns and braces are positioned opposite the base body. [Figure 12] Regarding the relationship between a pair of rear support columns and a brace, (A) is a perspective view showing the state when the spacing between the left and right base portions is minimized, and (B) is a perspective view showing the state when the spacing between the left and right base portions is maximized. [Figure 13] It is a perspective view showing a state where a beam member is positioned opposite a support column assembled to the base body. [Figure 14] Regarding a joint means, it shows a state before connecting a connection cylinder part to a support cylinder part, (A) being a perspective view, and (B) being a cross-sectional view. [Figure 15] Regarding a joint means, it shows a state before driving a wedge material in a state where the connection cylinder part is connected to the support cylinder part, (A) being a perspective view, and (B) being a cross-sectional view. [Figure 16]Regarding the joint means, this figure shows a state where a wedge member is driven in with the connecting cylinder portion connected to the support cylinder portion, wherein (A) is a perspective view and (B) is a cross-sectional view. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0014] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0015] (Overall Configuration) As shown in Fig. 1, a nesting rack (hereinafter simply referred to as "rack") comprises: a substantially rectangular base body 1 that defines the front-rear direction and the left-right width direction; a pair of front support columns 2L and 2R positioned at the front part of the base body 1 and erected on the left and right sides; and a pair of rear support columns 3L and 3R positioned at the rear part of the base body 1 and erected on the left and right sides. A cargo compartment is formed by a space surrounded by the support columns above the base body 1. These support columns are formed of metal square pipes.

[0016] The pair of rear support columns 3L and 3R are connected by a pair of braces 4L and 4R that cross each other in a cross shape. A left beam member 5L is bridged between the upper ends of the left front support column 2L and the left rear support column 3L, and a right beam member 5R is bridged between the upper ends of the right front support column 2R and the right rear support column 3R. As will be described later, the beam members are formed of metal angle members (long members having an L-shaped cross section).

[0017] The base body 1 is constituted by a frame structure having a predetermined width BW, and a pair of left and right seat frames 7L and 7R extending in the front-rear direction are respectively provided below a pair of left and right side frames 6L and 6R that define the width BW. The seat frames are formed of metal square pipes. With this configuration, when the seat frames 7L and 7R are grounded on the floor, the base body 1 forms a space between the floor and the frame structure, and the base body 1 can be lifted by inserting forks of a forklift into the space from the front.

[0018] (Nesting) Said pair of front struts 2L and 2R are erected at the left and right outer sides of said predetermined width BW with a predetermined interval FW in the left-right width direction. In contrast, said pair of rear struts 3L and 3R are erected at the left and right inner sides of said predetermined width BW with a predetermined interval RW in the left-right width direction. Therefore, the intervals are set as RW < BW < FW.

[0019] Thereby, as shown in Figure 2, a plurality of racks R1 and R2 can nest (fit) another rack R2 into the cargo compartment of one rack R1 in a nested manner from front to rear. That is, as shown in the figure, by causing the base body 1 and rear struts 3L, 3R of the front rack R2 indicated by the chain line to enter rearward from between the front struts 2L, 2R of the rear rack R1 indicated by the solid line, the fitting is completed, and the base body 1 of the front rack R2 can be placed on the base body 1 of the rear rack R1. In other words, nesting is enabled, which contributes to space saving when storing racks when not in use.

[0020] (Stacking) Said pair of beam members 5L and 5R are located directly above said seat frames 7L and 7R and arranged in parallel, whereby as shown in Figure 3, a plurality of racks R1 and R2 can be stacked vertically. That is, as shown in the figure, the seat frames 6L and 6R of the upper rack R2 indicated by the chain line can be placed on the beam members 5L and 5R of the lower rack R1 indicated by the solid line, so stacking multiple racks loaded with goods contributes to improving the storage efficiency of goods in a warehouse or the like.

[0021] (Base body) In a rack that enables nesting and stacking as described above, Figures 4 to 9 show a preferred embodiment of the characteristic configuration of said base body 1.

[0022] As described above, the base body 1, which is formed by a frame structure that is almost rectangular in shape, is divided into left and right sections, forming a left base section 1L on which the left front support column 2L and rear support column 3L are erected, and a right base section 1R on which the right front support column 2R and rear support column 3R are erected. As shown in the figure, the left base section 1L is formed including the left side frame 6L and seat frame 7L, and the right base section 1R is formed including the right side frame 6R and seat frame 7R.

[0023] The left and right base sections 1L and 1R are framed by opposing front frames 8L and 8R and opposing rear frames 9L and 9R, which are made of metal square pipes facing each other, and parallel frames 10L and 10R, which extend in the front-to-back direction and are arranged parallel to each other from left to right. The parallel frames are made of metal angle material (long material with an L-shaped cross-section).

[0024] The left base section 1L extends opposing frames 8L and 9L, which are fixed to the front and rear ends of the side frame 6L, toward the right base section 1R, and the extended ends of the opposing frames 8L and 9L are connected to each other from below by a parallel frame 10L. In this case, the front opposing frame 8L has an extension 8a that protrudes outward from the side frame 6L, and a support cylinder 11a for supporting the left front support column 2L is fixed on the extension 8a, and a joint means 12 is provided on the support cylinder. Also, on the rear opposing frame 9L, a support cylinder 11 is fixed to be located inside the side frame 6L for supporting the left rear support column 3L, and a joint means 12 is provided. It is preferable that the frame assembly formed by the side frame 6L, opposing frames 8L and 9L, and parallel frame 10L that constitute the left base section 1L be made into a rigid structure by providing a reinforcing frame on the inside, as shown in the figure.

[0025] Similarly, the right base section 1R extends the opposing frames 8R and 9R, which are fixed to the front and rear ends of the side frame 6R, toward the left base section 1L, and connects the extended ends of the opposing frames 8R and 9R from below with a parallel frame 10R. In this case, the front opposing frame 8R has an extension 8a that protrudes outward from the side frame 6R, and a support cylinder 11a for supporting the right front support column 2R is fixed on the extension 8a, and a joint means 12 is provided on the support cylinder. Also, on the rear opposing frame 9R, a support cylinder 11 is fixed to support the right rear support column 3R, located inside the side frame 6R, and a joint means 12 is provided. It is preferable that the frame assembly formed by the side frame 6R, opposing frames 8R and 9R, and parallel frame 10R that constitute the right base section 1R be made into a rigid structure by providing a reinforcing frame on the inside, as shown in the figure.

[0026] (First connecting means and first selectable fixing) The opposing frames 8L and 8R of the left base section 1L have extension frames 13, 13 projecting toward the right base section 1R. By slidably inserting and fixing these extension frames into the opposing frames 8R and 9R of the right base section 1R, a first connecting means 14A is formed that connects the left and right base sections 1L and 1R to each other.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the extension frame 13 is formed from a long metal material with a downward-opening groove cross-section. Its tail end is inserted into the opposing frames 8L and 9L of the left base portion 1L and fixed with bolts 15, while the extension portion leading to the tip is inserted into the opposing frames 8R and 9R of the right base portion 1R and fixed so as not to slide. As a result, the left and right base portions 1L and 1R are connected and fixed, forming a base body 1 with a predetermined width BW.

[0028] In this case, the first connecting means 14A is provided with a first selection fixing means 16A that connects and fixes the left and right base portions 1L and 1R with a spacing in the left-right width direction selected from multiple spacings.

[0029] The first selection fixing means 16A consists of a locking means 17 which is a bolt 17a that, as shown in Figure 9, fixes the extension frames 13, 13 so that they cannot slide by sliding them with the extension frames 13, 13 inserted into the opposing frames 8R, 9R of the right base portion 1R and adjusting the distance between the side frames 6L, 6R to set a desired predetermined width BW.

[0030] The bolt 17a is screwed into a nut 17b fixed to the lower surface of the opposing frames 8R and 9R. The extension frame 13 is fixed by screwing the bolt 17a forward from a position where its tip faces the bottom of the groove in the extension frame 13, which has a groove-shaped cross-section, and then pressing it into contact with the groove.

[0031] Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the first selection fixing means 16A is configured to allow stepless selection of the left-right widthwise spacing between the left and right base portions 1L and 1R by pressing a bolt 17a against it. However, it is not limited to this configuration, and for example, the spacing between the left and right widthwise spacing between the left and right base portions 1L and 1R may be selected in steps by selecting locking holes provided at intervals in the extension frame 13 and inserting a bolt 17a into them.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the extension frames 13, 13 constituting the first connecting means 14A are provided on the opposing frames 8L, 9L of the left base portion 1L, and the locking means 17 constituting the first selective fixing means 16A are provided on the opposing frames 8R, 9R of the right base portion 1R. However, they may be provided on the opposite sides. In other words, the extension frames 13, 13 may be provided on the opposing frames 8R, 9R of the right base portion 1R, and the locking means 17 may be provided on the opposing frames 8L, 9L of the left base portion 1L.

[0033] (Second connecting means and second selectable fixing) In addition to the first connecting means 14A and the first selective fixing means 16A, a second connecting means 14B and a second selective fixing means 16B are provided.

[0034] A central fixing member 18 is positioned between the parallel frames 10L and 10R, which are arranged in a parallel state to the left and right base sections 1L and 1R. By fixing the central fixing member 18 to the parallel frames 10L and 10R, a second connecting means 14B is formed that connects the left and right base sections 1L and 1R to each other.

[0035] The central fixing member 18 is formed by bending a metal plate, and has a main frame portion 19 in the center with a trapezoidal cross-section extending in the front-rear direction. A pair of left and right front wing portions 20L and 20R extending from the front of the main frame portion 19 and a pair of left and right rear wing portions 21L and 21R extending from the rear are integrally formed. In this case, it is preferable to fix branch frames 22 made of metal square pipes extending in the left-right direction to the upper surface of each wing portion and the side surface of the main frame portion 19 by welding or the like, thereby ensuring the rigidity of the central fixing member 18.

[0036] The left front wing section 20L and rear wing section 21L are mounted on the parallel frame 10L of the left base section 1L and secured by fixing means 23 consisting of bolts 23a and nuts 23b. Similarly, the right front wing section 20R and rear wing section 21R are mounted on the parallel frame 10R of the right base section 1R and secured by fixing means 23 consisting of bolts 23a and nuts 23b. In this way, the central fixing member 18 constitutes a second connecting means 14B that connects and fixes the left and right base sections 1L and 1R, thereby forming a base body 1 with a predetermined width BW.

[0037] In this case, the second connecting means 14B is provided with a second selection fixing means 16B that connects and fixes the left and right base portions 1L and 1R in a manner in which the spacing in the left-right width direction is selected from a plurality of intervals.

[0038] Regarding the configuration of the bolts 23a and nuts 23b that fix the wing portions 20 and 21 to the parallel frame 10, in the illustrated embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, the bolt 23a is provided projecting upward by screwing a retaining nut 24 fixed to the lower surface of the parallel frame 10 into it. In the illustrated example, the nut 23b is made up of a ring-shaped thumb nut (eye nut) that is screwed onto the bolt 23a from above the parallel frame 10.

[0039] The fixing portion 25 of the wing portions 20 and 21, which are fixed by bolts 23a and nuts 23b, is made up of through holes 25a provided in the wing portions 20 and 21. When the wing portions 20 and 21 are placed on the parallel frame 10, the bolts 23a are inserted through the through holes 25a and the nuts 23b are fastened to the bolts' exit portions to secure them.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing portion 25 is provided at the front and rear locations on each wing portion 20, 21, sandwiching the branch rib 22, and therefore, a total of eight locations are provided, located in front of and behind the four branch ribs 22. Accordingly, a total of eight bolts 23a are provided on the parallel frames 10L and 10R.

[0041] In this case, each fixing part 25 has insertion holes 25a arranged in a row with spacing in the left-right width direction, thereby constituting a selectable fixing means 16B. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the eight fixing parts 25 has four insertion holes 25a arranged in a row. As shown in Figure 7, when corresponding insertion holes (insertion holes in symmetrical positions on either side of the main frame 19) are selected between the insertion holes 25a arranged in the left wing parts 20L and 21L and the insertion holes 25a arranged in the right wing parts 20R and 21R, the spacing between them changes in stages from the narrowest spacing W1 to the widest spacing W4. Therefore, in the illustrated example, it is possible to select spacings with four different distances.

[0042] Therefore, when the left and right base sections 1L and 1R are connected by the central fixing member 18, and the bolts 23a of the parallel frames 10L and 10R are inserted through the insertion holes 25a located at the interval W1 and the nuts 23b are fastened, a base body 1 with the shortest predetermined width BW is formed. Then, when the bolts 23a of the parallel frames 10L and 10R are inserted through the insertion holes 25a located at the interval W4 and the nuts 23b are fastened, a base body 1 with the longest predetermined width BW is formed.

[0043] (Erection of support posts) As described above, the base body 1 can be formed with a desired predetermined width BW by connecting and fixing the left and right base parts 1L and 1R at intervals selected from multiple intervals in the left-right width direction. Therefore, for example, when storing goods in a rack, it is possible to form a base body 1 with a predetermined width BW that matches the size of the pallet when storing the pallet by placing the loaded pallet on the base body 1.

[0044] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, front support columns 2L and 2R and rear support columns 3L and 3R are erected on the base body 1 formed in this manner, and braces 4L and 4R are stretched between the left and right pair of rear support columns 3L and 3R.

[0045] The front support columns 2L, 2R and the rear support columns 3L, 3R are formed from metal square pipes and are erected by inserting and fixing the connecting cylindrical portions 2b, 3b at their lower ends into the respective joint means 12 on the base body 1. The configuration and operation of the joint means 12 will be described later based on Figures 14 to 16. The front support columns 2L, 2R and the rear support columns 3L, 3R have support cylindrical portions 2a, 3a at their upper ends and are also provided with the joint means 12.

[0046] A pair of braces 4L and 4R, which are crossed in a cross shape, are configured such that one end of each of their upper and lower ends (upper end 4a in the illustrated example) is pivotally connected to the pivot portion 26 of the left and right rear supports 3L and 3R, and the other end (lower end 4b in the illustrated example) is fixed to the opposite rear supports 3R and 3L. The opposite rear supports 3R and 3L have a plurality of fixing pieces 27 arranged in rows at intervals in the vertical direction of the support to fix the other end (lower end 4b).

[0047] Preferably, the pair of braces 4L and 4R are pivotally connected at their intersection by a pin 4c, but regardless of whether they are pivotally connected or not, as shown in Figure 12, when the distance RW between the rear supports 3L and 3R differs in length, the braces are spanned across both supports 3L and 3R by changing the intersection angle θ.

[0048] Regarding the intervals W1 to W4 selected by the second selection and fixing means 16B described above to determine the predetermined width BW of the base body 1, Figure 12(A) shows the case where the minimum width interval W1 is selected, and Figure 12(B) shows the case where the maximum width interval W4 is selected, indicating that in this case the intervals RW of the rear support columns 3L and 3R are different.

[0049] Therefore, for example, in the case of the minimum width shown in Figure 12(A), the lower ends 4b of the braces 4L and 4R that intersect at a small intersection angle θ1 are fixed to the fixing piece 27 provided at the lowest position. In contrast, in the case of the maximum width shown in Figure 12(B), the lower ends 4b of the braces 4L and 4R that intersect at a large intersection angle θ4 are fixed to the fixing piece 27 provided at the highest position. In the illustrated embodiment, four fixing pieces 27 are arranged in a row in the vertical direction, so by selecting the fixing piece 27 corresponding to the four stages W1 to W4 described above, the braces 4L and 4R can always be spanned across the rear supports 3L and 3R.

[0050] Furthermore, the upper end portion 4a and the lower end portion 4b are equipped with a folding pin type locking device 4d, which consists of a fixed insertion pin intersected with a rotating pin, as shown by arrow E in Figure 11, and are configured to be detachably locked into the holes of the pivot portion 26 and the fixing piece 27.

[0051] (Installation of beam members) Figure 13 shows the state when the left beam member 5L is erected on the upper ends of the left front support column 2L and rear support column 3L, and the right beam member 5R is erected on the upper ends of the right front support column 2R and rear support column 3R.

[0052] The beam members 5L and 5R are formed from metal angle members (long members with an L-shaped cross-section) that extend in the front-rear direction, and are equipped with a flat plate portion 28a and an upright portion 28b, with an end plate 28c at the rear end that closes the space between the flat plate portion and the upright portion. The flat plate portion 28a is positioned parallel to the seat frames 7L and 7R of the base body 1, and the upright portion 28b is positioned outside the flat plate portion 28a when the beam members are erected.

[0053] Therefore, a horizontal member 29a, formed from a metal square pipe, is fixed to the underside of the front end of the beam members 5L and 5R, facing outwards, and a connecting cylindrical portion 29b facing the front support columns 2L and 2R is attached perpendicularly to the tip of the horizontal member 29a. In addition, a horizontal member 30a, formed from a metal square pipe, is fixed to the underside of the rear end of the beam members 5L and 5R, facing inwards, and a connecting cylindrical portion 30b facing the rear support columns 3L and 3R is attached perpendicularly to the tip of the horizontal member 30a.

[0054] Therefore, the beam members 5L and 5R are installed between the front supports 2L and 2R and the rear supports 3L and 3R by inserting and fixing their front connecting cylinder portion 29b into the joint means 12 of the front supports 2L and 2R, and by inserting and fixing their rear connecting cylinder portion 30b into the joint means 12 of the rear supports 3L and 3R. The configuration and operation of the joint means 12 will be described later based on Figures 14 to 16.

[0055] (Connection and fixing by joint means) Figures 14 to 16 show the configuration and operation in two cases: when the connecting cylinders 2b and 3b of the front support columns 2L, 2R and the rear support columns 3L, 3R are connected and fixed to the support cylinder portion 11a provided on the base body 1 via the joint means 12; and when the connecting cylinder portions 29b and 30b of the beam members 5L, 5R are connected and fixed to the support cylinder portions 2a and 3a at the upper ends of the front support columns 2L, 2R and the rear support columns 3L, 3R via the joint means 12. In both cases, the configuration and operation are the same, so in the drawings, the support cylinder portions 11a, 2a, and 3a are indicated by the symbol "a," and the connecting cylinder portions 2b, 3b, 29b, and 30b are indicated by the symbol "b," and will be explained comprehensively below.

[0056] The support cylinder a and the connecting cylinder b are formed from metal square pipes with approximately the same shape and size and rectangular cross-section. The support cylinder a has a reference wall 31 formed by one of the four sides that make up the rectangular cross-section.

[0057] The joint means 12 is provided in the support cylinder portion a and consists of a plug material 32, a wedge member 33, and a retaining fitting 34 for holding the wedge member.

[0058] The plug material 32 is inserted into the support cylinder portion a and fixed by welding or the like, forming a support wall 35 that protrudes upward in a flush manner from the inner surface of the reference wall 31. The plug material 32 is formed by bending a metal plate, and guide portions 36 that are tapered and inclined are formed at the upper ends of the bent side walls on both sides of the support wall 32.

[0059] The retaining fitting 34 comprises a fitting body portion 34a formed by bending a metal plate into a substantially U-shape, and bracket portions 34b, 34b protruding from both ends of the fitting body portion, and is configured to hold the wedge member 33 by a shaft portion 37 installed between the pair of bracket portions 34b, 34b. In this case, the fitting body portion 34a is fixed to the support cylinder portion a by welding or the like, and in this state, the shaft portion 37 faces the upper end of the reference wall 31, and an insertion space S for the connecting cylinder portion b is formed inside the fitting body portion 34a.

[0060] The wedge member 33 is formed by creating a groove-shaped cross-section from a metal plate, providing bent operating parts 33b on both sides of the pressing part 33a, and opening a slot 38 in the operating part 33b through which the shaft part 37 is slidably inserted. In this case, the wedge member 33 is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable around the axis of the shaft part 37, and when the pressing part 33a is in a rotated position facing the support wall 35, the slot 38 is formed to be inclined so as it goes downwards, as shown by angle V in Figure 15(B), so as it goes downwards it approaches the support wall 35.

[0061] Therefore, when connecting the connecting cylinder b to the support cylinder a, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the lower end of the connecting cylinder b is abutted against the upper end of the support cylinder a with the plug material 33 inserted. At this time, the connecting wall 39 of the connecting cylinder b, which is connected to the reference wall 31, is superimposed on the support wall 32.

[0062] Next, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the wedge member 33 is rotated to bring the pressing portion 33a toward the connecting wall 39. In this state, when the wedge member 33 is moved downward, such as by driving it in with a tool, the slot 38 slides in an inclined direction relative to the shaft portion 37, causing the pressing portion 33a to press against the connecting wall 39. At this time, as shown in Figure 15, it is preferable that the pressing portion 33a applies pressure while straddling both the reference wall 31 and the connecting wall 39.

[0063] As a result, the pressing portion 33a, the connecting wall 39, and the support wall 35 are tightly connected in a sandwich-like manner, and the connecting cylinder portion b is connected and fixed to the support cylinder portion a.

[0064] The structure and assembly method of the nesting rack have been described above. After assembly, by pulling back the wedge member 33, the connecting cylinder b can be easily separated from the support cylinder a, and the beam members 5L and 5R, the front support columns 2L and 2R, and the rear support columns 3L and 3R can be disassembled from the base body 1. Furthermore, the base body 1 can also be disassembled into the left and right base sections 1L and 1R.

[0065] In this invention, the connecting means 14 for connecting the left and right base portions 1L and 1R, which are provided to form a base body 1 of a predetermined width BW, and the selective fixing means 16 for connecting and fixing them with a spacing in the left-right width direction selected from multiple spacings, are shown in the illustrated embodiment as having two types of configurations: a combination of the first connecting means 14A and the first selective fixing means 16A, and a combination of the second connecting means 14B and the second selective fixing means 16B. However, it is of course possible to use only one of these configurations, and furthermore, these means are not limited to the specific configurations shown, and it should be understood that various different configurations can be adopted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 1 Base 1L Left base section 1R Right base section 2L, 2R front strut 2a Support cylinder part 2b Connecting tube section 3L, 3R rear strut 3a Support cylinder part 3b Connection tube 4L, 4R braces 4a Upper end 4b Bottom end 4c pin 4d fasteners 5L, 5R beam members 6L, 6R side frame 7L, 7R seat frame 8L, 8R Front opposing frame 8a extension 9L, 9R Rear opposing frame 10L, 10R parallel frame 11a Support cylinder part 12 Joint means 13 Extension Frame 14A First connecting means 14B Second connecting means 15 volts 16A First Selective Fixing Means 16B Second Selective Fixing Means 17 Locking mechanism 17a Bolt 17b Nut 18 Central fixing member 19 Main bone 20L, 20R front wing 21L, 21R rear wing 22 branches 23 Fixing means 23a Bolt 23b Nut 24 Retaining nuts 25 Fixed part 25a Through hole 26 Pivotal connection 27 Fixed piece 28a Flat plate part 28b Standing part 28c end plate 29a, 30a Horizontal timber 29b, 30b Connecting tube section 31 Reference wall 32 Plug material 33 Wedge member 33a Pressing part 33b Operating part 34 Retaining hardware 34a Metal fitting body 34b Bracket section 35 Supporting wall 36 Guide section 37 Shaft 38 slots 39 Connecting Walls

Claims

1. A nesting rack comprising a substantially rectangular base body defining the front-to-back and left-to-right width directions, a pair of front support columns positioned at the front of the base body and erected on the left and right sides, and a pair of rear support columns positioned at the rear of the base body and erected on the left and right sides, wherein the space enclosed by the pair of front support columns and the pair of rear support columns forms a cargo compartment, and the distance between the pair of rear support columns in the left-to-right width direction is made narrower than the distance between the pair of front support columns in the left-to-right width direction, so that for multiple racks, one rack can be nested into the cargo compartment of the other rack from front to rear, The base body (1) is divided into left and right sections, comprising a left base section (1L) on which the left front support column (2L) and rear support column (3L) are erected, and a right base section (1R) on which the right front support column (2R) and rear support column (3R) are erected. Opposing pipe frames (9) are provided on each of the left base portion (1L) and the right base portion (1R) facing each other in the left-right width direction, and a first connecting means (14A) is formed by slidably inserting an extension frame (13) protruding from one of the opposing frames into the other opposing frame, and a first selective fixing means (16A) is formed by providing a locking means (17) for fixing the extension frame to the other opposing frame at a location selected from a plurality of locations in the sliding direction. Furthermore, the nesting rack is characterized by the provision of parallel frames (10) extending in the front-rear direction on the opposing frames (9) of the left base portion (1L) and the right base portion (1R), and when the left base portion (1L) and the right base portion (1R) are connected and fixed by the first connecting means and the first selective fixing means, the parallel frames (10) are configured to be arranged in a parallel state with a predetermined distance between them to the left and right, a central fixing member (18) is provided between the left and right parallel frames and fixed to the parallel frames (10) to constitute a second connecting means (14B), and a fixing part (25) is provided that allows the parallel frames and the central fixing member to be fixed to each other at a location selected from a plurality of locations in the left-right width direction to constitute a second selective fixing means (16B).

2. A nesting rack comprising a substantially rectangular base body defining the front-to-back and left-to-right width directions, a pair of front support columns positioned at the front of the base body and erected on the left and right sides, and a pair of rear support columns positioned at the rear of the base body and erected on the left and right sides, wherein the space enclosed by the pair of front support columns and the pair of rear support columns forms a cargo compartment, and the distance between the pair of rear support columns in the left-to-right width direction is made narrower than the distance between the pair of front support columns in the left-to-right width direction, so that for multiple racks, one rack can be nested into the cargo compartment of the other rack from front to rear, The base body (1) is divided into left and right sections, comprising a left base section (1L) on which the left front support column (2L) and rear support column (3L) are erected, and a right base section (1R) on which the right front support column (2R) and rear support column (3R) are erected. The left base portion (1L) and the right base portion (1R) are connected to each other via a connecting means (14). The connecting means includes a selection fixing means (16) for connecting and fixing the left base portion (1L) and the right base portion (1R) with a distance in the left-right width direction selected from a plurality of intervals. The pair of rear supports (3L)(3R) are connected by a pair of braces (4L)(4R) that cross in a cross shape. The pair of braces are configured such that one end of each of their upper and lower ends is pivotally connected to the pivot portion (26) of the left and right rear support columns, and the other end is fixed to the rear support column on the opposite side. The nesting rack is characterized in that the rear support columns on opposite sides are made up of a plurality of fixing pieces (27) that fix the other end of the brace, arranged in rows at intervals in the vertical direction of the rear support columns on opposite sides.

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