Support device and support member
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/JP2025/007985
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-03-07
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-05
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing support devices for automated warehouses face inefficiencies in transportation due to the difficulty in stacking and transporting support columns and main load receptacles, which are often welded together, preventing efficient transport and installation.
A support device comprising a column portion, an attachment portion, and a support portion with extendable and interconnected support members that allow for separate transportation and efficient assembly, utilizing stress transmission portions to distribute loads and prevent rotation, enabling efficient stacking and installation.
The solution enhances transportation efficiency by allowing separate handling and assembly of support components, reducing load on individual arms, and preventing deformation, thus improving overall installation efficiency.
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Figure JP2025007985_02102025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Support device and support member
[0001] The present invention relates to a support device and a support member.
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a rack body for an automated warehouse. The rack body includes a pair of support columns, a main load receptacle attached to the support columns, and an auxiliary load receptacle attached to the support columns and extending from the main load receptacle with at least one of the support columns sandwiched therebetween. The support columns are erected perpendicular to the floor, and the main load receptacle is attached parallel to the floor. The main load receptacle has a rectangular frame shape composed of a pair of vertical arms and a pair of horizontal arms. The center portion of each horizontal arm is attached to the corresponding support column by means of welding or the like. Both end portions of each horizontal arm are attached to the end portions of the corresponding vertical arm by means of welding or the like.
[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-203706
[0004] In racks used in automated warehouses and the like, the main load receptacles must be precisely positioned and fixed to the support columns. Therefore, the support columns and the main load receptacle may be immovably fixed in a factory or the like, rather than at the site where the automated warehouse is installed. In the rack described in Patent Document 1, the main load receptacle is welded to a pair of support columns, so the support columns and the main load receptacle can be transported in a welded state when transported from the factory to the site. Because the support columns and the main load receptacle extend in perpendicular directions, it is difficult to stack objects with integrated support columns and main load receptacles on a transport vehicle, which may prevent the objects from being transported efficiently. Therefore, there is a need for a support device and support member that can improve transport efficiency.
[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a support device and a support member that can improve transport efficiency.
[0006] A support device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a column portion extending in the vertical direction, an attachment portion immovably fixed to the column portion, and a support portion having a pair of support members attached to the column portion via the attachment portion and supporting an item, each of the pair of support members having an extension portion extending in a first direction on which an item is placed, an arm portion attached to the attachment portion and extending from the extension portion in a second direction that intersects the vertical direction and the first direction, and a stress transmission portion provided on the arm portion and capable of transmitting a load applied to the extension portion to the arm portion of the other support member, the arm portion of one support member being arranged side by side with the arm portion of the other support member, and the stress transmission portion of one support member not fixed to the arm portion of the other support member but can contact the arm portion of the other support member to transmit the load.
[0007] In this support device, the mounting portion is immovably fixed to the column, and the pair of support members are attached to the column via the mounting portion. A load applied to the extension portion of one support member is transmitted to the arm portion of that support member and then transmitted to the arm portion of the other support member via the stress transmission portion of that support member. Because the arm portion of one support member and the arm portion of the other support member are attached to the column via the mounting portion, the load applied to each arm is transmitted to the column via the mounting portion. Furthermore, because each of the pair of support members is fixed to the column via the mounting portion, rotation of each of the pair of support members is suppressed. Therefore, for example, when the components of the support device are transported from a factory to a site to install the support device at the site, the column portion and the pair of support members, which extend in directions intersecting each other when assembled as a support device, can be transported separately. Therefore, this support device can improve the transportation efficiency of the components related to the support device. Furthermore, the configuration for supporting an item in this support device is not limited to a single frame-shaped member, but can be a pair of support members having an extension portion, an arm portion, and a stress transmission portion. Therefore, each of the pair of support members can be efficiently positioned and loaded in the loading area of the moving body that transports the support device, thereby improving the transport efficiency of the components related to the support device.
[0008] In one embodiment of the support device, the vertical height of the extension portion may be greater than the vertical height of the arm portion. In this case, a stress transmission portion is provided in each of the pair of support members, so that a load applied to one extension portion is transmitted from the arm portion to the arm portion of the other support member. Therefore, the load applied to one support member is distributed to each arm portion of the pair of support members. In other words, in the support device according to one embodiment, the load applied to at least one of the extension portions of the pair of support members can be borne by the two arms, thereby reducing the load borne by each arm. Therefore, the cross-sectional size of each arm can be designed to be smaller than the cross-sectional size of each extension portion. By having the vertical height of the extension portion greater than the vertical height of the arm portion, even if the attachment portion and the arm portion are fixed by another member, the other member can be prevented from protruding in the vertical direction relative to the extension portion or from protruding significantly beyond the extension portion. This prevents the vertical spacing between the extension portions from increasing depending on the manner in which the attachment portion and the arm portion are fixed.
[0009] In one embodiment of the support device, a stress transmission part provided on an arm of one support member may transmit a load by pressing from above or below the arm of the other support member that is aligned with the arm of the first support member. In this case, the stress transmission part of one support member can contact the arm of the other support member to transmit the load even if it is not fixed to the arm of the other support member.
[0010] In one embodiment of the support device, a stress transmission part provided on an arm of one support member transmits a load by pressing from above against the arm of the other support member that is aligned with the arm, and the stress transmission part provided on the arm of one support member may be located closer to the extension part of one support member than to the extension part of the other support member. In this case, at least a portion of the load applied to the extension part supporting the item is transmitted to the stress transmission part through the arm at a position close to the extension part. Since the load applied to a portion of the arm that is distant from the extension part can be reduced, fatigue and damage to the arm can be suppressed.
[0011] In one embodiment of the support device, the mounting portion may have a pair of first holes that open along the vertical direction, and the arms of the pair of support members may have second holes that open along the vertical direction, and the support device may further include a pair of fastening portions that are inserted into the pair of first holes of the mounting portion and the pair of second holes of the pair of support members, respectively, and fasten the mounting portion to at least one pair of arms of the pair of support members. In this case, the pair of support members are fixed to the mounting portion by the fastening portions that are inserted into the first holes and the second holes. Because the mounting portions are immovably fixed to the pillars, the pair of support members can be properly attached to the pillars via the mounting portions at the site where the support device is to be installed.
[0012] In one embodiment of the support device, the column portion includes a pair of column members extending in the vertical direction, the mounting portion includes a pair of mounting members immovably fixed to the pair of column members, and each of the pair of support members may have a pair of arms attached to the pair of mounting members, each of the pair of mounting members protruding in a first direction from the pair of column members. In this case, since each of the pair of mounting members protrudes in the first direction from the pair of column members, the distance between the positions of the pair of mounting members to which the pair of arms are fixed is increased, and the distance between the pair of arms of each of the pair of support members can be increased. This allows the pair of support members to be stably supported by the column portion and the mounting portion.
[0013] A support member according to another aspect of the present invention is a support member that is attached via an attachment part that is immovably fixed to a column part extending in the vertical direction, and that supports an item together with other support members, and is equipped with an extension part that extends in a first direction and supports the item, an arm part that is attached to the attachment part and extends from the extension part in a second direction that intersects the vertical direction and the first direction, and a stress transmission part that is provided on the arm part and can transmit a load applied to the extension part to the arm part of the other support member, and the arm part can be arranged alongside the arm part of the other support member, and the stress transmission part is not fixed to the arm part of the other support member, but can contact the arm part of the other support member to transmit the load.
[0014] This support member can provide the same functions and effects as the support device described above.
[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a support device and a support member that can improve transport efficiency.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a portion of a support device according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a portion of a support device according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a portion of a support device according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a portion of a support device according to a first modified example. FIG. 6 is a front view showing a portion of a support device according to the first modified example. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a portion of a support device according to a second modified example. FIG. 8 is a front view showing a portion of a support device according to the second modified example. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a portion of a support device according to a third modified example. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a portion of a support device according to a fourth modified example. FIG. 11 is a front view showing a portion of a support device according to the fourth modified example. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a portion of a support device according to a fifth modified example. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a portion of a support device according to a sixth modified example. FIG. 14 is a front view showing a portion of a support device according to the sixth modified example.
[0017] [Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that in each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. In the following description, the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction are mutually orthogonal axes in a Cartesian coordinate system in three-dimensional space. The X-axis direction and Y-axis direction are horizontal directions. The X-axis direction is one horizontal direction, and the Y-axis direction is one horizontal direction that intersects with the X-axis direction. The Z-axis direction is the up-down direction (vertical direction).
[0018] A support device according to one embodiment will now be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foundation structure according to one embodiment. The support device 1 is a device that supports an item 2. For example, the support device 1 is a rack installed in an automated warehouse. The support device 1 forms a shelf on which the item 2 is placed. The support device 1 includes a column portion 3, an attachment portion 4, and a support portion 5. The support device 1 may further include a lattice 6 and a fixing portion 7.
[0019] In the support device 1, a support part 5 attached to a column part 3 via an attachment part 4 supports an item 2. The item 2 is transported onto the support part 5 of the support device 1 by, for example, a worker or a transport device, and placed on the support part 5, whereby the support part 5 supports the item 2 from below. The item 2 is stored within the support device 1 by being supported by the support part 5.
[0020] The column section 3 has a pair of column members 30A, 31A and a pair of column members 30B, 31B. The pair of column members 30A, 31A are aligned along the Y direction. The pair of column members 30B, 31B are aligned along the Y direction. The column members 30A, 30B are aligned along the X direction. The column members 31A, 31B are aligned along the X direction. The pair of column members 30A, 31A and the pair of column members 30B, 31B each extend in the Z direction. For example, the pair of column members 30A, 31A and the pair of column members 30B, 31B each extend vertically with respect to the floor surface (ground surface) within the area where the automated warehouse is to be installed.
[0021] For example, the article 2 is conveyed from between the pillar members 30A and 30B in the positive Y direction (toward the pillar members 31A and 31B), whereby the article 2 is supported by the support portion 5. For example, when the article 2 is placed on the support portion 5, at least a portion of the article 2 is located within an area surrounded by the pair of pillar members 30A and 31A and the pair of pillar members 30B and 31B.
[0022] Next, the lattices 6 will be described. The multiple lattices 6 shown in Fig. 1 are members that reinforce the column members 30A, 31A, 30B, and 31B. The multiple lattices 6 are members that extend obliquely upward from the floor surface (ground surface) and toward any one of the column members 30A, 31A, 30B, and 31B.
[0023] Furthermore, at least one of the lattices 6 extends obliquely upward from one of the column members 30A, 31A toward the other of the column members 30A, 31A. As a result, even if stress is applied to the pair of column members 30A, 31A in the Y-axis direction toward the space between the pair of column members 30A, 31A (inward), the pair of column members 30A, 31A are reinforced by the lattice 6, and therefore tilting and deformation are suppressed.
[0024] Furthermore, at least one of the lattices 6 extends obliquely upward from one of the column members 30B, 31B toward the other of the column members 30B, 31B. As a result, even if stress is applied to the pair of column members 30B, 31B in the Y-axis direction toward the space between the pair of column members 30B, 31B (inward), the pair of column members 30B, 31B are reinforced by the lattice 6, and therefore tilting and deformation are suppressed.
[0025] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the mounting portion 4, support portion 5, and fixing portion 7 provided on the pillar members 30A and 31A will be described in detail. The pillar members 30B and 31B are also provided with mounting portions 4 and support portions 5 having the same configuration. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a portion of a support device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a portion of a support device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a portion of a support device according to an embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the mounting portion 4 is immovably fixed to the pillar member 3. The mounting portion 4 has a pair of mounting members 40A and 41A immovably fixed to the pair of pillar members 30A and 31A. The mounting portion 4 of this embodiment has a pair of mounting members 40A and 40B immovably fixed to the pillar member 30A, and a pair of mounting members 41A and 41B immovably fixed to the pillar member 31A.
[0026] The pair of mounting members 40A, 40B are immovably fixed to the side surfaces of the pillar member 30A. "Immovably fixed" refers to being fixed by welding, bolting, riveting, adhesive bonding, fitting, or other methods to prevent misalignment in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions. The pair of mounting members 40A, 40B protrude from the pillar member 30A in the positive direction of the Y-axis. The pair of mounting members 40A, 40B are arranged to sandwich the pillar member 30A between them. The pair of mounting members 40A, 40B are, for example, angle steels (L-angles, L-shaped steels) each having an L-shape in cross section in the Y-axis direction. Note that the material of the pair of mounting members 40A, 40B is not limited to steel, and may be made of various metals, resins, and other materials.
[0027] The mounting member 40A is fixed to the side surface of the pillar member 30A facing the negative direction of the X axis. The mounting member 40A has a first mounting portion 42A immovably fixed to the side surface of the pillar member 30A and a second mounting portion 43A extending from the first mounting portion 42A in the negative direction of the X axis and in the Y axis direction. The first mounting portion 42A extends in the Y axis direction and the Z axis direction. The first mounting portion 42A and the second mounting portion 43A are each plate-shaped and perpendicular to each other. The end of the second mounting portion 43A facing the pillar member 30A is connected to the lower end of the first mounting portion 42A. The second mounting portion 43A has a first hole 40a opening in the vertical direction. The second mounting portion 43A has at least two first holes 40a formed along the Y axis direction.
[0028] The mounting member 40B is fixed to the side surface of the column member 30A facing the positive direction of the X-axis. The mounting member 40B has a first mounting portion 42B and a second mounting portion 43B. The mounting member 40B has a structure symmetrical to the mounting member 40A across a plane that passes through the center of each of the column members 30A and 31A in the X-axis direction and extends in the Y-axis and Z-axis directions. That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the mounting member 40B differs from the mounting member 40A only in the fixed position and fixed direction relative to the column member 30A. Since the mounting member 40B has the same configuration as the mounting member 40A, a description thereof will be omitted. The mounting members 40A and 40B, which differ only in the alphabetical characters of their reference numerals, exhibit the same functions and actions.
[0029] The pair of mounting members 41A, 41B are immovably fixed to the side surfaces of the column member 31A. The pair of mounting members 41A, 41B protrude from the column member 31A in the negative direction of the Y axis. The pair of mounting members 41A, 41B are disposed so as to sandwich the column member 31A between them. The mounting member 41A has a structure symmetrical to the mounting member 40A across a plane that passes through the center of the line segment connecting the column members 30A, 31A in the Y axis direction and extends in the X axis direction and the Z axis direction. The mounting member 41B has a structure symmetrical to the mounting member 40B across a plane that passes through the center of the line segment connecting the column members 30A, 31A in the Y axis direction and extends in the X axis direction and the Z axis direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the pair of mounting members 41A, 41B differ from the pair of mounting members 40A, 40B only in the object to be fixed and the protruding direction, and each of the pair of mounting members 41A, 41B has the same configuration as each of the pair of mounting members 40A, 40B, so explanation will be omitted.
[0030] The support part 5 is attached to the column part 3 via the mounting part 4. The support part 5 is attached to the mounting part 4 by the fixing part 7 described below, and is fixed to the mounting part 4. In this embodiment, the support part 5 is attached to the mounting part 4 from below. The mounting part 4 and the support part 5 are connected and detached appropriately by a worker or by processing using a machine tool. The support part 5 has a pair of support members 50A, 50B that support the article 2. At least a portion of each of the pair of support members 50A, 50B is provided between the pair of column members 30A, 31A.
[0031] First, the support member 50A will be described. The support member 50A has an extension portion 51A, an arm portion, and a stress transmission portion. The extension portion 51A extends in the Y-axis direction (an example of a first direction) and the item 2 is placed on it. The extension portion 51A is, for example, a square steel pipe having a box-like shape in cross section. Note that the material of the extension portion 51A is not limited to steel, and may be made of various metals, resins, and other materials. The extension portion 51A may be, for example, a channel steel. The extension portion 51A is disposed on the negative side of the X-axis of the pair of column members 30A, 31A. The extension portion 51A is disposed spaced apart from the pair of column members 30A, 31A on the negative side of the X-axis. For example, the length of the extension portion 51A in the Y-axis direction is the length connecting the side surface of the column member 30A on the negative side of the Y-axis to the side surface of the column member 31A on the positive side of the Y-axis. The length of the extension portion 51A in the Y-axis direction may be greater or less than the length connecting the pillar members 30A and 31A.
[0032] The arm of the support member 50A is attached to the attachment portion 4 and extends from the extension portion 51A in the X-axis direction (an example of the second direction). In this embodiment, the arm of the support member 50A includes a first arm 52A and a second arm 53A. The first arm 52A and the second arm 53A extend to the extension portion 51B of the support member 50B or to the vicinity of the extension portion 51B of the support member 50B. In this embodiment, the first arm 52A and the second arm 53A extend to a position where they do not contact the extension portion 51B of the support member 50B, and their respective ends in the positive direction of the X-axis are spaced apart from the extension portion 51B. The distance in the X-axis direction between the extension portion and the arm is adjusted appropriately based on the distance in the X-axis direction between the extension portion 51A supporting the article 2 and the extension portion 51B supporting the same article 2 (see FIG. 1 ).
[0033] The first arm 52A is attached to the pair of mounting members 40A, 40B of the mounting unit 4 and extends from a portion of the extension 51A on the negative side of the Y axis toward the positive direction of the X axis (an example of the second direction). The first arm 52A is fixed to the extension 51A by welding or the like. The first arm 52A is, for example, an angle steel (L-angle, L-shaped steel) that has an L-shape when viewed in cross section in the X axis direction. Note that the material of the first arm 52A is not limited to steel and may be made of various metals, resins, or other materials.
[0034] The first arm portion 52A has a first arm portion 56A extending in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and a second arm portion 57A extending in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The first arm portion 56A and the second arm portion 57A are each plate-shaped and perpendicular to each other. The end (inner end) of the first arm portion 56A in the positive direction of the Y-axis is connected to the upper end of the second arm portion 57A. The first arm portion 56A has second holes 52a that open along the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the first arm portion 56A has at least two second holes 52a formed along the X-axis direction.
[0035] In the Z-axis direction, for example, the lower end of the second arm portion 57A, which is the lower end (the end on the negative side of the Z-axis) of the first arm portion 52A, is positioned to coincide with the position of the lower end of the extension portion 51A. The height H1 of the extension portion 51A in the Z-axis direction is higher than the height of the first arm portion 52A in the Z-axis direction. Note that, in the Z-axis direction, for example, the lower end of the second arm portion 57A may be positioned higher than the position of the lower end of the extension portion 51A. In this case, in the Z-axis direction, for example, the first arm portion 56A, which is the upper end (the end on the positive side of the Z-axis) of the first arm portion 52A, is positioned lower than the position of the upper end of the extension portion 51A.
[0036] The second arm 53A is attached to the pair of mounting members 41A, 41B of the mounting unit 4 and extends from a portion of the extension portion 51A on the positive side of the Y axis toward the positive direction of the X axis (an example of a second direction). The second arm 53A has a structure symmetrical to the first arm 52A across a plane that passes through the center of the line segment connecting the pillar members 30A, 31A in the Y axis direction and extends in the X axis direction and the Z axis direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 2 , the second arm 53A differs from the first arm 52A only in the position at which the second arm 53A is fixed on the extension portion 51A and the object to which it is attached on the mounting unit 4. Since the second arm 53A has the same configuration as the first arm 52A, a description thereof will be omitted.
[0037] The stress transmission portion of the support member 50A is provided on the arm portion and is capable of transmitting the load acting on the extension portion 51A to the arm portion of the other support member 50B. The stress transmission portion of the support member 50A of this embodiment has a first transmission portion 54A and a second transmission portion 55A.
[0038] The first transmission part 54A is provided on the first arm 52A and can transmit a load applied to the extension part 51A to a first arm 52B (described later) of the other support member 50B. The first transmission part 54A extends from a portion of the first arm 52A on the negative side of the X axis toward the positive direction of the Y axis (toward the first arm 52B (described later) of the support member 50B). The first transmission part 54A is provided closer to the extension part 51A of one support member 50A than the extension part 51B of the other support member 50B. The first transmission part 54A is provided, for example, near the extension part 51A of the first arm 52A. The first transmission part 54A is provided, for example, on the first arm 52A closer to the extension part 51A than the attachment part 4. The first transmission part 54A is fixed to the first arm 52A by welding or the like.
[0039] For example, the first transmission part 54A has a portion on the negative side (outside) of the Y axis provided at the upper end of the first arm part 56A of the first arm part 52A, and a portion on the positive side (inside) of the Y axis protruding in the positive direction of the Y axis from the first arm part 56A. The first transmission part 54A extends in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, for example, and has a plate shape. In the Z-axis direction, for example, the upper end of the first transmission part 54A (the end on the positive side of the Z axis) is located lower than the upper end of the extension part 51A.
[0040] The second transmission part 55A is provided on the second arm part 53A and is capable of transmitting a load applied to the extension part 51A to a second arm part 53B (described later) of the other support member 50B. The second transmission part 55A extends from a portion of the second arm part 53A on the negative side of the X axis toward the negative direction of the Y axis (toward the second arm part 53B (described later) of the support member 50B). The second transmission part 55A is provided closer to the extension part 51A of the other support member 50A than the extension part 51B of one support member 50B. The second transmission part 55A has a structure symmetrical to the first transmission part 54A across a plane that passes through the center of the line segment connecting the column members 30A and 31A in the Y axis direction and extends in the X axis direction and Z axis direction. That is, as shown in Figure 2, the second transmission part 55A differs from the first transmission part 54A only in the object to which it is fixed and the protruding direction (extending direction), and since the second transmission part 55A has the same configuration as the first transmission part 54A, explanation will be omitted.
[0041] Next, the support member 50B will be described. The support member 50B has a structure that is basically symmetrical to the support member 50A across a plane that passes through the centers of the column members 30A and 31A in the X-axis direction and extends in the Y-axis and Z-axis directions. The configuration of the support member 50B, which has the same function and action as the support member 50A, will not be described here. For example, the configurations of the support members 50A and 50B that differ only in the alphabetical characters of the reference numerals exhibit the same function and action. Other differences between the support members 50A and 50B of this embodiment are the position and protruding direction of the arm portion relative to the extension portion, and the protruding direction of the stress transmission portion.
[0042] The support member 50B has an extension portion 51B, an arm portion, and a stress transmission portion. The extension portion 51B is arranged on the positive side of the pair of pillar members 30A, 31A in the X-axis direction. The extension portion 51B is arranged spaced apart from the pair of pillar members 30A, 31A in the X-axis direction. In the X-axis direction, the distance between the extension portion 51A of the support member 50A and the pair of pillar members 30A, 31A is the same as the distance between the extension portion 51B of the support member 50A and the pair of pillar members 30A, 31A.
[0043] The arms of the support member 50B are attached to the attachment portion 4 and extend from the extension portion 51B in the X-axis direction (an example of the second direction). The arms of the support member 50B in this embodiment have a first arm 52B and a second arm 53B. The first arm 52B and the second arm 53B extend to the extension portion 51A of the support member 50A or to the vicinity of the extension portion 51A of the support member 50A. The first arm 52B and the second arm 53B in this embodiment extend to positions that do not contact the extension portion 51A of the support member 50A, and the ends of each arm in the negative direction of the X-axis are spaced apart from the extension portion 51A.
[0044] The first arm portion 52B is attached to the pair of mounting members 40A, 40B of the mounting unit 4 and extends from the negative Y-axis side of the extension portion 51B toward the negative X-axis direction (an example of a second direction). The first arm portion 52B has a first arm portion 56B extending in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and a second arm portion 57B extending in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The first arm portion 56B and the second arm portion 57B are perpendicular to each other. The end (outer end) of the first arm portion 56B in the negative Y-axis direction is connected to the upper end of the second arm portion 57B. The first arm portion 56B has a second hole (not shown) that opens along the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the first arm portion 56B has at least two second holes formed along the X-axis direction.
[0045] In the Z-axis direction, for example, the lower end of the second arm portion 57B, which is the lower end (end on the negative side of the Z-axis) of the first arm portion 52B, is positioned to coincide with the positions of the lower ends of the extension portions 51A and 51B. The height H1 of the extension portions 51A and 51B in the Z-axis direction is greater than the height of the first arm portion 52B in the Z-axis direction. Note that, in the Z-axis direction, for example, the lower end of the second arm portion 57B may be positioned higher than the lower end of the extension portion 51B. In this case, in the Z-axis direction, for example, the first arm portion 56B, which is the upper end (end on the positive side of the Z-axis) of the first arm portion 52B, is positioned lower than the upper end of the extension portion 51B.
[0046] The first arm 52A of the support member 50A is arranged side by side with the first arm 52B of the support member 50B. The first arm 52A of the support member 50A and the first arm 52B of the support member 50B are positioned close enough to each other in the Y-axis direction so as not to come into contact with each other. The second arm portion 57A of the first arm 52A of the support member 50A and the second arm portion 57B of the first arm 52B of the support member 50B are positioned facing each other. Of the first arm 52A of the support member 50A and the first arm 52B of the support member 50B, the second arm portion 57A and the second arm portion 57B are positioned closest to each other. The first arm portion 56A of the first arm 52A of the support member 50A and the first arm portion 56B of the first arm 52B of the support member 50B are positioned along the same plane. That is, the first arm portion 56A and the first arm portion 56B are provided at the same height relative to the floor surface (ground surface) on which the support device 1 is provided.
[0047] The second arm 53B is attached to the pair of mounting members 41A, 41B of the mounting unit 4 and extends from a portion of the extension portion 51B on the positive side of the Y axis toward the negative direction of the X axis (an example of the second direction). The second arm 53B has a structure symmetrical to the first arm 52B across a plane that passes through the center of the line segment connecting the pillar members 30A, 31A in the Y axis direction and extends in the X axis direction and the Z axis direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 2 , the second arm 53B differs from the first arm 52B only in the position at which it is fixed on the extension portion 51B and the object to which it is attached on the mounting unit 4. Since the second arm 53B has the same configuration as the first arm 52B, a description thereof will be omitted.
[0048] In the Y-axis direction, the first arm 52B and the second arm 53B of the support member 50B are provided between the first arm 52A and the second arm 53A of the support member 50A. Therefore, the distance L1 connecting the first arm 52A and the second arm 53A of the support member 50A is greater than the distance L2 connecting the first arm 52B and the second arm 53B of the support member 50B.
[0049] The stress transmission portion of the support member 50B is provided on the arm portion and is capable of transmitting the load acting on the extension portion 51B to the arm portion of the other support member 50A. The stress transmission portion of the support member 50B of this embodiment has a first transmission portion 54B and a second transmission portion 55B.
[0050] The first transmission part 54B is provided on the first arm part 52B and is capable of transmitting a load applied to the extension part 51B to the first arm part 52A of the other support member 50A. The first transmission part 54B extends from a portion of the first arm part 52B on the positive side of the X axis toward the negative direction of the Y axis (toward the first arm part 52A of the support member 50A). The first transmission part 54B is provided, for example, in the vicinity of the extension part 51B on the first arm part 52B. The first transmission part 54B is provided, for example, on the first arm part 52B, closer to the extension part 51B than the attachment part 4.
[0051] For example, the portion of the first transmission part 54B on the positive side (inner side) of the Y axis is provided at the upper end of the first arm part 56B of the first arm part 52B, and the portion on the negative side (outer side) of the Y axis protrudes in the negative direction of the Y axis from the first arm part 56B. In the Z axis direction, for example, the upper end (the end on the positive side of the Z axis) of the first transmission part 54B is located lower than the upper ends of the extension parts 51A and 51B.
[0052] The second transmission part 55B is provided on the second arm part 53B and can transmit a load applied to the extension part 51B to the second arm part 53A of the other support member 50A. The second transmission part 55B extends from a portion of the second arm part 53B on the positive side of the X axis toward the positive direction of the Y axis (toward the second arm part 53A of the support member 50A). The second transmission part 55B has a structure symmetrical to the first transmission part 54B across a plane that passes through the center of the line segment connecting the column members 30A and 31B in the Y axis direction and extends in the X axis direction and Z axis direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 2 , the second transmission part 55B differs from the first transmission part 54B only in the object to which it is fixed and the protruding direction (extending direction). Therefore, the second transmission part 55B has the same configuration as the first transmission part 54B, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.
[0053] 4, a pair of fixing portions 7 are inserted through the respective first hole portions 40a and second hole portions 52a to fix the mounting portion 4 to the first arm portions 52A, 52B of the pair of support members 50A, 50B. Specifically, the fixing portions 7 are inserted through the first hole portions 40a formed in the mounting members 40A, 40B of the mounting portion 4 and the second hole portion 52a in the first arm region 56A of the first arm portion 52A to fix the mounting portion 4 to the first arm portion 52A of the support member 50A.
[0054] The fixing portion 7 includes a bolt 71 and a nut 72. The bolt 71 is inserted downward through, for example, a first hole 40a formed in the mounting member 40A of the mounting portion 4 and a second hole 52a in the first arm portion 56A of the first arm portion 52A. The bolt 71 may also be inserted upward. The nut 72 is threaded onto the tip of the bolt 71 exposed from the underside of the first arm portion 56A. This sandwiches and fastens (fixes) the second mounting portion 43A of the mounting member 40A and the first arm portion 56A of the first arm portion 52A between the head of the bolt 71 and the nut 72. This brings the second mounting portion 43A of the mounting member 40A and the first arm portion 56A of the first arm portion 52A into contact with each other.
[0055] The fixing portion 7 is inserted through the first hole 40a formed in the mounting members 40A, 40B of the mounting portion 4 and the second hole 52a in the first arm part 56B of the first arm portion 52B, thereby fixing the mounting portion 4 to the first arm portion 52B of the support member 50B. The fixing of the second arm portion 53A of the support member 50A to the mounting members 41A, 41B and the fixing of the second arm portion 53B of the support member 50B to the mounting members 41A, 41B are also performed in the same manner as the fixing method described above.
[0056] When the mounting portion 4 and the support portion 5 are fixed by the fixing portion 7, the upper surface of the extending portion 51A of the support member 50A and the upper surface of the extending portion 51B of the support member 50B are arranged to coincide with each other in the Z-axis direction. This allows the article 2 to be placed horizontally on the support device 1. At this time, the upper end of the first arm portion 56A of the first arm portion 52A of the support member 50A coincides with the upper end of the first arm portion 56B of the first arm portion 52B of the support member 50B in the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, the lower end of the extending portion 51A, the lower end of the second arm portion 57A of the first arm portion 52A, the lower end of the extending portion 51B, and the lower end of the second arm portion 57B of the first arm portion 52B of the support member 50B may coincide with each other, for example. The lower end of the second arm portion 57A of the first arm portion 52A and the lower end of the second arm portion 57B of the first arm portion 52B of the support member 50B may be at the same position as or above the lower ends of the extension portions 51A and 51B.
[0057] When fixed by the fixing portion 7, the head of the bolt 71 protrudes upward from the second mounting portions 43A, 43B of the mounting members 40A, 40B. The first transmission portions 54A, 54B protrude upward from the first arm portions 56A, 56B. The height H1 of the extension portions 51A, 51B in the Z-axis direction is greater than the height of the first arm portions 52A, 52B in the Z-axis direction. The height H1 of the extension portions 51A, 51B in the Z-axis direction is greater than the longest length H2 from the lower end of the first arm portions 52A, 52B (second arm portions 57A, 57B) to the upper end of the bolt 71 or the upper end of the first transmission portions 54A, 54B.
[0058] As a result, in the X-axis direction, there is no portion between the support member 50A and the first mounting region 42A of the mounting member 40A that protrudes above the extending portion 51A. Similarly, in the X-axis direction, there is no portion between the support member 50B and the first mounting region 42B of the mounting member 40B that protrudes above the extending portion 51B. Similarly, in the X-axis direction, there is no portion between the support member 50A and the first mounting region of the mounting member 41A that protrudes above the extending portion 51A. Similarly, in the X-axis direction, there is no portion between the support member 50B and the first mounting region of the mounting member 41B that protrudes above the extending portion 51B.
[0059] Therefore, when the article 2 is placed on the extension portions 51A, 51B, it can be placed without interference from other portions. As shown in Fig. 1 , the article 2 may be placed between the pair of column members 30A, 31A and the pair of column members 30B, 31B in the X-axis direction, up to a position near the column members 30A, 31A, 30B, 31B (a position that does not contact the first mounting portions 42A, 42B of the mounting members 40A, 40B). Furthermore, the width of the article 2 in the X-axis direction can be secured to the length of a line segment connecting a position near the column member 30A (a position that does not contact the first mounting portion 42A of the mounting member 40A) and a position near the column member 30B (a position that does not contact the first mounting portion 42B of the mounting member 40B).
[0060] Here, the function and effect of the stress transmission parts in the support members 50A and 50B will be described. In the first transmission part 54A of the support member 50A, the part that protrudes in the positive direction of the Y axis from the first arm part 56A of the first arm part 52A is located above the first arm part 52B of the support member 50B. This part may be in close proximity to or contact with the first arm part 52B of the support member 50B. In other words, the first transmission part 54A of the support member 50A is not fixed to the first arm part 52B of the other support member 50B. In the first transmission part 54B of the support member 50B, the part that protrudes in the negative direction of the Y axis from the first arm part 56B of the first arm part 52B is located above the first arm part 52A of the support member 50A. This part may be in close proximity to or contact with the first arm part 52A of the support member 50A. That is, the first transmission portion 54B of the support member 50B is not fixed to the first arm portion 52A of the other support member 50A.
[0061] When an article 2 is placed on the extension portion 51A, the extension portion 51A of the support member 50A is pressed downward by the weight of the article 2. At this time, the first transmission portion 54A included in the stress transmission portion of the support member 50A contacts the other first arm portion 52B and is able to transmit the load. Specifically, when the extension portion 51A is pressed downward, the first arm portion 52A fixed to the extension portion 51A moves downward. As the first arm portion 52A moves downward, the first transmission portion 54A provided on the first arm portion 52A moves downward. The first transmission portion 54A that has moved downward contacts the first arm portion 56B of the first arm portion 52B of the other support member 50B and presses the first arm portion 52B downward. In this manner, the first transmission portion 54A provided on the first arm portion 52A of one support member 50A transmits a load by pressing the first arm portion 52B of the other support member 50B from above. This allows the support member 50A to transmit the load applied to the support member 50A to the support member 50B. Because the load applied to the extension portion 51A is divided into components by the first arms 52A and 52B, the first arm portion 52A may be configured to have a smaller cross-section than at least the extension portion 51A. Compared to arms fixed to a pair of extension portions, such as arms in conventional support devices, the presence of the first arm portion 52B allows the cross-section of the first arm 52A to be smaller.
[0062] When the item 2 is placed on the extension portion 51B, the extension portion 51B of the support member 50B is pressed downward by the weight of the item 2. At this time, the first transmission portion 54B included in the stress transmission portion of the support member 50B comes into contact with the other first arm portion 52A and is able to transmit the load. When the item 2 is placed on the extension portion 51B, the action of the first transmission portion 54B is the same as the action of the first transmission portion 54A described above. In other words, if the alphabetical characters of the respective components of the support member 50A described above are interchanged with the alphabetical characters of the respective components of the support member 50B described above, when the item 2 is placed on the extension portion 51B, the action is the same as that of the first transmission portion 54B.
[0063] In the second transmission part 55A of the support member 50A, a portion that protrudes from the second arm part 53A in the negative direction of the Y axis is located above the second arm part 53B of the support member 50B. This portion may be in close proximity to or contact with the second arm part 53B of the support member 50B. In other words, the second transmission part 55A of the support member 50A is not fixed to the second arm part 53B of the other support member 50B. In the second transmission part 55B of the support member 50B, a portion that protrudes from the second arm part 53B in the positive direction of the Y axis is located above the second arm part 53A of the support member 50A. This portion may be in close proximity to or contact with the second arm part 53A of the support member 50A. In other words, the second transmission part 55B of the support member 50B is not fixed to the second arm part 53B of the other support member 50A.
[0064] When the article 2 is placed on the extension portion 51A, the extension portion 51A of the support member 50A is pressed downward by the weight of the article 2. At this time, the second transmission portion 55A included in the stress transmission portion of the support member 50A comes into contact with the other second arm portion 53B and is able to transmit the load. The action of the second transmission portion 55A is similar to the action of the first transmission portion 54A described above. In other words, if the "first" in each configuration of the description related to the action and effect of the first transmission portion 54A described above is replaced with "second," the action becomes the same as that of the second transmission portion 55A.
[0065] Furthermore, when an article 2 is placed on the extension portion 51B, the extension portion 51B of the support member 50B is pressed downward by the weight of the article 2. At this time, the second transmission portion 55B included in the stress transmission portion of the support member 50B comes into contact with the other second arm portion 53A and is able to transmit the load. The action of the second transmission portion 55B is similar to the action of the first transmission portion 54A described above. In other words, among the descriptions related to the action and effect of the first transmission portion 54A described above, if the alphabetical characters of the components of the support member 50A described above are interchanged with the alphabetical characters of the components of the support member 50B described above and if "first" of each component is replaced with "second," the action becomes the same as that of the second transmission portion 55B.
[0066] Next, the problems with conventional support devices will be described, and the effects of the support device 1 of this embodiment will be described.
[0067] In support devices used in automated warehouses and the like, the support portion must be precisely positioned and fixed to the column portion. Therefore, the column portion and the support portion may be immovably fixed in a factory or the like, rather than at the site where the automated warehouse is to be installed. Because the support portion is inseparably fixed to the column portion by welding or the like, the column portion and the support portion can be transported as a single unit when transported from the factory to the site. Because the column portion and the support portion extend in perpendicular directions, it is difficult to stack support devices with integrated column portions and support portions on a transport vehicle. This requires a large space for transportation, and the support device may not be transported efficiently. Therefore, there is a need for a support device and a support member that can improve transport efficiency. Furthermore, even when the column portion and the support portion are fixed to the site where the automated warehouse is to be installed using fastening members, there is a possibility that vertical misalignment may occur between the column portion and the support portion, and that the fastening members may protrude into the space where items can be placed.
[0068] In the support device 1 of this embodiment, the mounting portion 4 is immovably fixed to the column portion 3, and the pair of support members 50A, 50B are attached to the column members 30A, 31A of the column portion 3 via the mounting portion 4. Therefore, for example, when the components of the support device 1 are transported from a factory to a site to install the support device 1 at the site, the column portion 3 and the pair of support members 50A, 50B, which extend in directions intersecting each other when assembled as the support device 1, can be transported separately. Therefore, this support device 1 can improve the transport efficiency of the components related to the support device 1. Furthermore, the configuration for supporting the article 2 in this support device 1 is not limited to a single frame-shaped member, but can be a pair of support members 50A, 50B having at least extension portions 51A, 51B, first arm portions 52A, 52B, and stress transmission portions (first transmission portions 54A, 54B). Therefore, the pair of support members 50A, 50B can be efficiently arranged and loaded in the loading area of the transport vehicle (mobile body) that transports the support device 1, thereby improving the transport efficiency of the components related to the support device 1. Furthermore, the mounting portion 4 is immovably fixed to the column portion 3, but the extension length of the mounting portion 4 may be shorter than the extension length of the support portion 5. Therefore, the column portion 3 and the mounting portion 4 may be mounted on the transport vehicle (mobile body) in an integrated state. The mounting portion 4 is then precisely positioned relative to the column portion 3 and fixed to the column portion 3 in a factory or the like. Therefore, the support portion 5 is precisely attached horizontally to the column portion 3 via the mounting portion 4, and can support an item horizontally.
[0069] Furthermore, the vertical height H1 of the extension portions 51A, 51B may be greater than the vertical heights of the first arm portions 52A, 52B and the second arm portions 53A, 53B. In this case, the support member 50A is provided with a first transmission portion 54A as a stress transmission portion, so that a load associated with one extension portion 51A is transmitted from one first arm portion 52A to the first arm portion 52B of the other support member 50B via the first transmission portion 54A. The support member 50B is provided with a first transmission portion 54B as a stress transmission portion, so that a load associated with one extension portion 51B is transmitted from one first arm portion 52B to the first arm portion 52A of the other support member 50A via the first transmission portion 54B. In the support member 50A, a second transmission part 55A is provided as a stress transmission part, so that a load associated with one extension part 51A is transmitted from one second arm part 53A to the second arm part 53B of the other support member 50B via the second transmission part 55A. In the support member 50B, a second transmission part 55B is provided as a stress transmission part, so that a load associated with one extension part 51B is transmitted from one second arm part 53B to the second arm part 53A of the other support member 50A via the second transmission part 55B. Therefore, the load applied to the support member 50A is distributed to the first arms 52A and 52B of each of the pair of support members 50A and 50B. The load applied to the support member 50B is distributed to the first arms 52A and 52B of each of the pair of support members 50A and 50B. Furthermore, the load applied to the support member 50A is distributed to the second arms 53A and 53B of each of the pair of support members 50A and 50B. The load applied to the support member 50B is distributed to the second arms 53A and 53B of each of the pair of support members 50A and 50B. Therefore, the cross-sectional sizes of the first arms 52A and 52B and the second arms 53A and 53B can be designed to be smaller than the cross-sectional size of each extension portion 51A and 51B. The vertical height H1 of the extension portions 51A, 51B is higher than the vertical height of the first arm portions 52A, 52B and the second arm portions 53A, 53B, so that even when the mounting portion 4 and the first arm portions 52A, 52B and the second arm portions 53A, 53B are fixed by another member (fixing portion 7), the other member can be prevented from protruding in the Z-axis direction relative to the extension portions 51A, 51B or from protruding more than the extension portions 51A, 51B.This makes it possible to prevent the distance between the extension portions 51A, 51B in the Z-axis direction from increasing depending on the manner in which the mounting portion 4 is fixed to the first arm portions 52A, 52B and the second arm portions 53A, 53B. Also, it makes it possible to prevent the distance between the pillar member 30A and the pillar member 30B from increasing in the X-axis direction. This makes it possible to place a large item 2 on the support device 1 while keeping it compact.
[0070] The first transmission part 54A (first transmission part 54B) provided on the first arm part 52A (first arm part 52B) of one support member 50A (50B) may transmit a load by pressing from one side in the vertical direction against the first arm part 52B (first arm part 52A) of the other support member 50B (50A) that is aligned with the first arm part 52A (first arm part 52B). The second transmission part 55A (second transmission part 55B) provided on the second arm part 53A (second arm part 53B) of one support member 50A (50B) may transmit a load by pressing from one side in the vertical direction against the second arm part 53A (second arm part 53B) of the other support member 50B (50A) that is aligned with the second arm part 53A (second arm part 53B). In this case, even if the first transmission portion 54A and the second transmission portion 55A included in the stress transmission portion of one support member 50A are not fixed to the first arm portion 52B and the second arm portion 53B of the other support member 50B, respectively, they can contact the first arm portion 52B and the second arm portion 53B of the other support member 50B, respectively, to transmit a load. Even if the first transmission portion 54B and the second transmission portion 55B included in the stress transmission portion of one support member 50B are not fixed to the first arm portion 52A and the second arm portion 53A of the other support member 50A, respectively, they can contact the first arm portion 52A and the second arm portion 53A of the other support member 50A, respectively, to transmit a load.
[0071] The first transmission part 54A, which is a stress transmission part provided on the first arm 52A of one support member 50A, transmits the load by pressing from above against the first arm 52B of the other support member 50B that is aligned with the first arm 52A, and the first transmission part 54A, which is a stress transmission part provided on the first arm 52A of one support member 50A, may be provided closer to the extension part 51A of one support member 50A than the extension part 51B of the other support member 50B. The first transmission part 54B, which is a stress transmission part provided on the first arm part 52B of one support member 50B, transmits the load by pressing from above against the first arm part 52A of the other support member 50A that is aligned with the first arm part 52B, and the first transmission part 54B, which is a stress transmission part provided on the first arm part 52B of one support member 50B, may be provided on the side of the extension part 51B of one support member 50B rather than the extension part 51A of the other support member 50A. The second transmission part 55A, which is a stress transmission part provided on the second arm 53A of one support member 50A, transmits the load by pressing from above against the second arm 53B of the other support member 50B that is aligned with the second arm 53A, and the second transmission part 55A, which is a stress transmission part provided on the second arm 53A of one support member 50A, may be provided on the side of the extension part 51A of one support member 50A rather than the extension part 51B of the other support member 50B. The second transmission part 55B, which is a stress transmission part provided on the second arm 53B of one support member 50B, transmits the load by pressing from above against the second arm 53A of the other support member 50A that is aligned with the second arm 53B, and the second transmission part 55B, which is a stress transmission part provided on the second arm 53B of one support member 50B, may be provided on the side of the extension part 51B of one support member 50B rather than the extension part 51A of the other support member 50A.
[0072] In this case, at least a portion of the load acting on each of the extensions 51A and 51B supporting the article 2 is transmitted to the first transmission parts 54A and 54B and the second transmission parts 55A and 55B, which are stress transmission parts, via the first arms 52A and 52B and the second arms 53A and 53B, respectively, at positions close to each of the extensions 51A and 51B. This reduces the load acting on portions of each of the first arms 52A and 52B and the second arms 53A and 53B that are distant from the extensions 51A and 51B. For example, the stress can be dispersed in half at the portions distant from the extensions 51A and 51B. This reduces fatigue and damage to each of the first arms 52A and 52B and the second arms 53A and 53B.
[0073] The mounting members 40A, 40B of the mounting portion 4 are each formed with a pair of first holes 40a that open along the vertical direction, and the first arm portions 52A, 52B of the pair of support members 50A, 50B are each formed with second holes 52a that open along the vertical direction, and the mounting portion 4 may further include a pair of fixing portions 7 that are inserted into the pair of first holes 40a of the mounting portion 4 and the second holes 52a of the pair of support members 50A, 50B, respectively, and fix the mounting portion 4 to at least each pair of first arm portions 52A, 52B of the pair of support members 50A, 50B. In this case, the pair of support members 50A, 50B are fixed to the mounting portion 4 by bolts 71 of the fixing portions 7 that are inserted into the first holes 40a and the second holes 52a. Since the mounting portion 4 is fixed immovably to the column portion 3, the pair of support members 50A, 50B can be properly attached to the column portion 3 via the mounting portion 4 at the site where the support device 1 is installed.
[0074] Although various exemplary embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made. For example, the support member 50A may not have either the first arm 52A or the second arm 53A. In this case, the support member 50B may not have an arm that transmits stress with the arm that the support member 50A does not have. The support member 50A may have at least one arm in addition to the first arm 52A and the second arm 53A. In this case, the support member 50B may have an arm that transmits stress with the arm that the support member 50A newly has.
[0075] The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth modifications will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the configurations of the embodiment and the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth modifications, the functions and actions of the configurations that are not described below and that are assigned the same reference numerals have the same configurations, functions, and actions as the configurations of the embodiment, and therefore descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[0076] [First Modification] A support device according to a first modification will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a portion of the support device according to the first modification. FIG. 6 is a front view showing a portion of the support device according to the first modification. In the support device 1C shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the mounting portion 4C has mounting members 40C and 40D, the support member 50C of the support portion 5C has a first arm 52C and a first transmission portion 54C, and the support member 50D has a first arm 52D and a first transmission portion 54D (see FIG. 6). The support device 1C differs from the support device 1 of the embodiment in that the vertical orientations of the mounting members 40C and 40D and the first arms 52C and 52D are opposite to the vertical orientations of the mounting members 40A and 40B and the first arms 52A and 52B. The mounting portion 4C is attached to the support portion 5C from above.
[0077] The mounting member 40C is fixed to the side surface of the pillar member 30A facing the negative direction of the X axis. The mounting member 40C has a first mounting portion 42C that is immovably fixed to the side surface of the pillar member 30A and a second mounting portion 43C that extends from the first mounting portion 42C in the negative direction of the X axis and in the Y axis direction. The end of the second mounting portion 43C on the pillar member 30A side is connected to the upper end of the first mounting portion 42C. The mounting member 40D is fixed to the side surface of the pillar member 30A facing the positive direction of the X axis. The mounting member 40D has a first mounting portion 42D and a second mounting portion 43D. The end of the second mounting portion 43D on the pillar member 30A side is connected to the upper end of the first mounting portion 42D.
[0078] The first arm 52C has a first arm portion 56C extending in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and a second arm portion 57C extending in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The first arm portion 56C and the second arm portion 57C are each plate-shaped and perpendicular to each other. The end (inner end) of the first arm portion 56C facing the positive Y-axis direction is connected to the lower end of the second arm portion 57C.
[0079] The first arm 52D has a first arm portion 56D extending in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and a second arm portion 57D extending in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The first arm portion 56D and the second arm portion 57D are each plate-shaped and perpendicular to each other. The end (outer end) of the first arm portion 56D facing in the negative Y-axis direction is connected to the lower end of the second arm portion 57D.
[0080] The first transmission parts 54C are, for example, angle steels (L-angles, L-shaped steels) each having an L-shape in a cross section in the Y-axis direction. The material of the first transmission parts 54C is not limited to steel, and may be various metals, resins, and other materials. The first transmission part 54C has a first contact part 541C extending in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and a second contact part 542C extending in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The first contact part 541C and the second contact part 542C are each plate-shaped and perpendicular to each other. The end (outer end) of the first contact part 541C facing the negative Y-axis direction is connected to the upper end of the second contact part 542C. The second contact part 542C is fixed to the first arm part 52C. The first contact part 541C extends to cover an upper portion of the first arm part 52D.
[0081] The first transmission parts 54D are, for example, angle steels (L-angles, L-shaped steels) each having an L-shape in a cross section in the Y-axis direction. The material of the first transmission parts 54D is not limited to steel, and may be various metals, resins, and other materials. The first transmission parts 54D have a first contact part 541D extending in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and a second contact part extending in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The first contact part 541D and the second contact part are each plate-shaped and perpendicular to each other. The end (inner end) of the first contact part 541D facing the positive Y-axis direction is connected to the upper end of the second contact part. The second contact part is fixed to the first arm part 52D. The first contact part 541D extends to cover an upper portion of the first arm part 52C.
[0082] The bolt 71 of the fixing portion 7 is inserted from below upward through the first hole 40a formed in the mounting member 40C of the mounting portion 4C and the second hole 52a of the first arm portion 56C of the first arm portion 52C. The nut 72 is threaded onto the tip of the bolt 71 exposed from the top surface of the first arm portion 56C. The bolt 71 of the fixing portion 7 is inserted from below upward through the first hole 40a formed in the mounting member 40D of the mounting portion 4C and the second hole 52a of the first arm portion 56D of the first arm portion 52D. The nut 72 is threaded onto the tip of the bolt 71 exposed from the top surface of the first arm portion 56D.
[0083] The stand device 1C according to the first modification achieves the same effects as the stand device 1 according to the embodiment. Furthermore, the mounting members 40C, 40D of the mounting portion 4C support the support members 50C, 50D from below. Therefore, even if the support members 50C, 50D are pressed from above, the load is not borne only by the fixed portion 7, but rather by a portion of the mounting members 40C, 40D in the positive direction of the Y axis, thereby more appropriately supporting the support members 50C, 50D. Furthermore, in the stand device 1C, the height H3 of the extension portions 51C, 51D in the Z axis direction is longer than the longest length H4 from the lower end of the bolt 71 to the upper end of the first transmission portions 54C, 54D.
[0084] [Second Modification] A support device according to a second modification will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a portion of the support device according to the second modification. FIG. 8 is a front view showing a portion of the support device according to the second modification. The support device 1E shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 includes an attachment portion 4C and a support portion 5E. A support member 50E of the support portion 5E has a first arm portion 52E and a first transmission portion 54E, and a support member 50F has a first arm portion 52F and a first transmission portion 54F (see FIG. 6). The support device 1E differs from the support device 1C according to the first modification in that the orientation of the first arms 52E, 52F in the Y-axis direction is opposite to the orientation of the first arms 52C, 52D according to the first modification in the Y-axis direction, and that the first transmission portions 54E, 54F have the same shape as the first transmission portions 54A, 54B of the embodiment.
[0085] The first arm 52E has a first arm portion 56E extending in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and a second arm portion 57E extending in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The first arm portion 56E and the second arm portion 57E are each plate-shaped and perpendicular to each other. The end (outer end) of the first arm portion 56E facing in the negative Y-axis direction is connected to the lower end of the second arm portion 57E.
[0086] The first arm portion 52F has a first arm portion 56F extending in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction and a second arm portion 57F extending in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The first arm portion 56F and the second arm portion 57F are each plate-shaped and perpendicular to each other. The positive Y-axis end (inner end) of the first arm portion 56F is connected to the lower end of the second arm portion 57F. As a result, the distance in the Y-axis direction between the second arm portion 57E and the second arm portion 57F in the second modification is greater than the distance in the Y-axis direction between the second arm portion 57C and the second arm portion 57D in the first modification. Furthermore, in the support device 1E, the Z-axis height H5 of the extension portions 51A and 51B in the Z-axis direction is longer than the longest length H6 from the lower end of the bolt 71 to the upper ends of the first arm portions 56E and 56F.
[0087] The stand device 1E according to the second modification achieves the same effects as the stand devices 1 and 1C according to the embodiment and the first modification. Furthermore, the first transmission units 54E and 54F are provided at positions sandwiched between the second arm parts 57E and 57F in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the second arm parts 57E and 57F cover the first transmission units 54E and 54F, which are components that transmit loads, in the Y-axis direction, so that the first transmission units 54E and 54F are appropriately protected even if a foreign object or the like attempts to enter from the Y-axis direction.
[0088] [Third Modification] A support device according to a third modification will now be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a plan view showing a portion of the support device according to the third modification. The support device 1G shown in Fig. 9 differs from the support device 1 according to the embodiment in that the position of the second arm 53G of the support member 50G and the position of the second arm 53H of the support member 50H are interchanged in the Y-axis direction.
[0089] In the Y-axis direction, the first arm 52H of the support member 50H is disposed between the first arm 52G and the second arm 53G of the support member 50G. The second arm 53G of the support member 50G is disposed between the first arm 52H and the second arm 53H of the support member 50H. Therefore, the distance L3 connecting the first arm 52G and the second arm 53G of the support member 50G is substantially the same as the distance L4 connecting the first arm 52H and the second arm 53H of the support member 50H. This eliminates the need to manufacture the support members 50G and 50H separately, making it easier to manage the configuration of the stand device 1G. The stand device 1G of the third modification achieves the same effects as the stand devices 1, 1C, and 1E of the embodiment, the first modification, and the second modification.
[0090] [Fourth Modification] A stand device according to a fourth modification will be described below with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a portion of the stand device according to the fourth modification. Fig. 11 is a front view showing a portion of the stand device according to the fourth modification. The stand device 1J shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 differs from the stand device 1C according to the first modification in that the mounting portion 4J has one mounting member 40J.
[0091] The mounting member 40J is fixed to the side surface of the pillar member 30A facing the positive direction of the Y axis (the surface facing the pillar member 31A). The mounting member 40J is, for example, a cut tee steel (CT steel) or a plate machined into a T shape, each of which has a T-shape when viewed in cross section in the Y axis direction. The material of the mounting member 40J is not limited to steel, and may be various metals, resins, or other materials. The mounting member 40J has a first mounting portion 42J and a second mounting portion 43J that are immovably fixed to the side surface of the pillar member 30A. The first mounting portion 42J extends in the Y axis direction and the Z axis direction. The second mounting portion 43J extends in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction. The center of the second mounting portion 43J in the X axis direction is connected to the upper end of the first mounting portion 42J. A first hole 40a is formed in the second mounting portion 43J in the area sandwiched between the pillar members 30A and 31A. Furthermore, in the support device 1J, the height H7 in the Z-axis direction of the extending portions 51A, 51B is longer than the longest length H8 from the upper end of the first abutting portion 541C of the first transmission portion 54C to the lower end of the second mounting portion 43J of the mounting member 40J. Since the fixing portion 7 does not protrude in the X-axis direction from the region sandwiched between the pillar members 30A, 31A, no portions protrude above or below the extending portions 51A, 51B in the X-axis direction between the extending portion 51A and the pillar member 30A and between the extending portion 51B and the pillar member 30A.
[0092] The support device 1J according to the fourth modification achieves the same effects as the support devices 1, 1C, 1E, and 1G according to the embodiment, the first modification, the second modification, and the third modification. Furthermore, a first hole 40a is formed in the second mounting portion 43J in the area sandwiched between the column members 30A and 31A. This prevents the bolt 71 and other components of the fixing portion 7 from being exposed on the positive or negative side of the column member 30A in the X-axis direction. This prevents the spacing between the extension portions 51A and 51B from increasing in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction depending on the manner in which the mounting portion 4 is fixed to the first arm portions 52C and 52D. This allows the support device 1J to be compact while still being able to support a large item 2.
[0093] [Fifth Modification] A support device according to a fifth modification will be described below with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a plan view showing a portion of the support device according to the fifth modification. The support device 1K shown in Fig. 12 differs from the support device 1 according to the third modification in that, in the Y-axis direction, mounting members 40K, 40L of the mounting portion 4K protrude (extend) from the column member 30A in the negative direction of the Y-axis, and support members 50K, 50L have the same configuration as support members 50G, 50H according to the third modification.
[0094] In the Y-axis direction, the first arm 52L of the support member 50L is provided between the first arm 52K and the second arm 53K of the support member 50K. The second arm 53K of the support member 50K is provided between the first arm 52L and the second arm 53L of the support member 50L. Therefore, the distance L5 connecting the first arm 52K and the second arm 53K of the support member 50K is substantially the same as the distance L6 connecting the first arm 52L and the second arm 53L of the support member 50L. Therefore, the support members 50K and 50L do not need to be manufactured separately, which makes it easier to manage the configuration of the support device 1L.
[0095] Furthermore, when the spacing (spacing along the Y-axis) between the pillar members 30A, 31A is the same in the third and fifth modifications, the distance L5 connecting the first arm 52K and the second arm 53K of the support member 50K is longer than the distance L3 connecting the first arm 52G and the second arm 53G of the support member 50G. That is, by having such a configuration of the support member 50K, the length along the Y-axis of the portion (canch) of the extension portion 51K of the support member 50K that is on the negative side of the Y-axis from the first arm 52K and the length along the Y-axis of the portion (canch) of the extension portion 51K of the support member 50K that is on the positive side of the Y-axis from the second arm 53K of the support member 50K can be shortened. Similarly, the distance L6 connecting the first arm 52L and the second arm 53L of the support member 50L is longer than the distance L4 connecting the first arm 52H and the second arm 53H of the support member 50H. That is, by configuring the support member 50L in this manner, the length along the Y axis of the portion (cance) of the extending portion 51L of the support member 50L that is located on the negative side of the Y axis from the first arm 52L and the length along the Y axis of the portion (cance) of the extending portion 51L of the support member 50L that is located on the positive side of the Y axis from the second arm 53L can be shortened. This allows the article 2 to be stably supported while reducing the portion (cance) that cantilevers the article 2 in the area where the article 2 can be placed. Furthermore, the distance between the column members 30A and 31A can be reduced without changing the length along the Y axis between the extending portion 51K of the support member 50K and the extending portion 51L of the support member 50L, which is the area where the article 2 can be placed (the size of the area where the article 2 can be placed). Note that the support device 1K according to the fifth modification achieves the same effects as the support devices 1, 1C, 1E, 1G, and 1J according to the embodiment, the first modification, the second modification, the third modification, and the fourth modification. The mounting member 40J of the fourth modified example may be fixed to the side surface of the pillar member 30A facing the negative direction of the Y axis, and may protrude in the negative direction of the Y axis.
[0096] [Sixth Modification] A support device according to a sixth modification will be described below with reference to Figs. 13 and 14. Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a portion of the support device according to the sixth modification. Fig. 14 is a front view showing a portion of the support device according to the second modification. The support device 1M shown in Figs. 13 and 14 differs from the support device 1M according to the second modification in that first transmission units 54M, 54N (see Fig. 14) are provided at the bottom of the first arms 52E, 52F.
[0097] The first transmission part 54N is provided on the first arm part 52E and can transmit a load applied to the extension part 51B to the first arm part 52E of the other support member 50M. In the X-axis direction, unlike the first transmission part 54A, the first transmission part 54N is provided on the extension part 51B side, not the extension part 51A side. For example, the portion of the first transmission part 54N on the negative side of the Y-axis (outer side) is provided at the lower end of the first arm part 56E of the first arm part 52E, and the portion on the positive side of the Y-axis (inner side) protrudes in the positive direction of the Y-axis from the first arm part 56E. In the Z-axis direction, for example, the portion of the first transmission part 54N on the positive side of the Y-axis (inner side) is located directly below a portion of the lower end of the first arm part 52F. In the Z-axis direction, for example, the lower end (the end on the negative side of the Z-axis) of the first transmission part 54N is located above the lower end of the extending part 51B.
[0098] The first transmission unit 54M is provided on the first arm 52F and can transmit a load applied to the extension unit 51A to the first arm 52F of the other support member 50N. For example, a portion of the first transmission unit 54M on the positive Y-axis side (inner side) is provided at the lower end of the first arm unit 56F of the first arm 52F, and a portion on the negative Y-axis side (outer side) protrudes in the negative Y-axis direction from the first arm unit 56F. In the Z-axis direction, for example, the portion of the first transmission unit 54M on the negative Y-axis side (outer side) is located directly below a part of the lower end of the first arm 52E. In the Z-axis direction, for example, the lower end (the end on the negative Z-axis side) of the first transmission unit 54M is located above the lower end of the extension unit 51A. Furthermore, in the support device 1M, the Z-axis height H9 of the extension portions 51A, 51B in the Z-axis direction is longer than the longest length H10 from the lower end of the bolt 71 (first transmission portion 54M, 54N) to the upper end of the second arm portion 57E, 57F of the first arm portion 52E, 52F.
[0099] When an article 2 is placed on the extension portion 51A, the extension portion 51A of the support member 50M is pressed downward by the weight of the article 2. At this time, the first transmission portion 54M included in the stress transmission portion of the support member 50N can contact the other first arm portion 52E to transmit the load. Specifically, when the extension portion 51A is pressed downward, the first arm portion 52E fixed to the extension portion 51A moves downward. As the first arm portion 52E moves downward, it comes into contact with the first transmission portion 54M provided on the first arm portion 52F and presses the first arm portion 52F downward. In this way, the first transmission portion 54M provided on the first arm portion 52F of one support member 50N transmits the load by being pressed from above by the first arm portion 52E of the other support member 50M. This allows the support member 50M to transmit the load applied to the support member 50M to the support member 50N. Since the load applied to the extension portion 51A is divided into components by the first arms 52E and 52F, the cross section of the first arm 52E can be configured to be smaller than that of the extension portion 51A.
[0100] When the item 2 is placed on the extension portion 51B, the extension portion 51B of the support member 50N is pressed downward by the weight of the item 2. At this time, the first transmission portion 54N included in the stress transmission portion of the support member 50M can contact the other first arm portion 52F and transmit the load. When the item 2 is placed on the extension portion 51B, the action of the first transmission portion 54N is the same as the action of the first transmission portion 54M described above. In other words, if the alphabetical characters of the respective components of the support member 50M described above are interchanged with the alphabetical characters of the respective components of the support member 50N described above, when the item 2 is placed on the extension portion 51B, the action is the same as the action of the first transmission portion 54M.
[0101] The support device 1M according to the sixth modification achieves the same effects as the support devices 1, 1C, 1E, 1G, 1J, and 1K according to the embodiment, the first modification, the second modification, the third modification, the fourth modification, and the fifth modification. The configurations according to the embodiment, the first modification, the second modification, the third modification, the fourth modification, the fifth modification, and the sixth modification may be used in appropriate combination. For example, the configuration of the first arm and the configuration of the second arm may be different from each other. For example, the configuration of the first transmission unit and the configuration of the second transmission unit may be different from each other.
[0102] [Note] The support device and the support member include the following configuration.
[0103] [Mode 1] A support device comprising: a pillar portion extending in a vertical direction; an attachment portion immovably fixed to the pillar portion; and a support portion attached to the pillar portion via the attachment portion, the support portion having a pair of support members for supporting an article, wherein each of the pair of support members has: an extension portion extending in a first direction on which the article is placed; an arm portion attached to the attachment portion and extending from the extension portion in a second direction intersecting the vertical direction and the first direction; and a stress transmission portion provided on the arm portion and capable of transmitting a load applied to the extension portion to the arm portion of the other support member, wherein the arm portion of one support member is arranged side by side with the arm portion of the other support member, and the stress transmission portion of one support member is not fixed to the arm portion of the other support member, but is in contact with the arm portion of the other support member and is capable of transmitting the load.
[0104] [Mode 2] The support device according to [Mode 1], wherein the extension portion has a height in the vertical direction that is greater than the height of the arm portion in the vertical direction.
[0105] [Form 3] The support device according to any one of [Forms 1] to [Form 3], wherein the stress transmission portion provided on the arm portion of one of the support members transmits the load by pressing the arm portion of the other support member aligned with the stress transmission portion from one of the upward and downward directions, and the stress transmission portion provided on the arm portion of one of the support members is provided closer to the extension portion of one of the support members than the extension portion of the other support member.
[0106] [Mode 4] The support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the arm portion of one of the support members transmits the load by pressing from above against the stress transmission portion provided on the arm portion of the other of the support members that is aligned with the arm portion of the one of the support members, and the stress transmission portion provided on the arm portion of one of the support members is provided closer to the extension portion of the other of the support members than the extension portion of one of the support members.
[0107] [Mode 5] The support device according to any one of [Mode 1] to [Mode 4], wherein the mounting portion has a pair of first holes that open along the vertical direction, and the arm portions of the pair of support members have second holes that open along the vertical direction, and the support device further includes a pair of fixing portions that are inserted into the pair of first holes of the mounting portion and the second holes of the pair of support members, respectively, and fix the mounting portion to the arm portions of the pair of support members.
[0108] [Mode 6] A support device according to any one of [Mode 1] to [Mode 5], wherein the pillar portion has a pair of pillar members extending in the vertical direction, the attachment portion has a pair of attachment members immovably fixed to the pair of pillar members, the pair of support members has a pair of the arms attached to each of the pair of attachment members, and each of the pair of attachment members protrudes in the first direction from each of the pair of pillar members.
[0109] [Mode 7] A support member that is attached via an attachment part that is immovably fixed to a column part extending in the vertical direction, and that supports an article together with another support member, comprising: an extension part that extends in a first direction and supports the article; an arm part that is attached to the attachment part and extends from the extension part in a second direction that intersects the vertical direction and the first direction, and a stress transmission part that is provided on the arm part and can transmit a load applied to the extension part to the arm part of the other support member, wherein the arm part can be arranged alongside the arm part of the other support member, and the stress transmission part is not fixed to the arm part of the other support member, but can contact the arm part of the other support member to transmit the load.
[0110] 1, 1C, 1E, 1G, 1J, 1K, 1L, 1M…support device, 2…article, 3…pillar, 4, 4C, 4J, 4K…accessory, 5, 5C, 5E…support, 7…fixing portion, 30A, 30B, 31A, 31B…pillar material, 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40J, 40K, 40L, 41A, 41B…accessory material, 40a…first hole, 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, 50E, 50F, 50G, 50H, 50K, 50L, 50M, 50N…support material, 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D, 51K, 51L…extension portion, 52a…second hole.
Claims
1. A support device comprising: a pillar portion extending in the vertical direction; an attachment portion immovably fixed to the pillar portion; and a support portion attached to the pillar portion via the attachment portion and having a pair of support members for supporting an article, wherein each of the pair of support members has: an extension portion extending in a first direction on which the article is placed; an arm portion attached to the attachment portion and extending from the extension portion in a second direction intersecting the vertical direction and the first direction; and a stress transmission portion provided on the arm portion and capable of transmitting a load applied to the extension portion to the arm portion of the other support member, wherein the arm portion of one support member is arranged side by side with the arm portion of the other support member, and the stress transmission portion of one support member is not fixed to the arm portion of the other support member, but is in contact with the arm portion of the other support member and is capable of transmitting the load.
2. A support device according to claim 1, wherein the vertical height of the extension portion is greater than the vertical height of the arm portion.
3. A support device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the stress transmission portion provided on the arm portion of one of the support members transmits the load by pressing from above against the arm portion of the other support member that is aligned with the stress transmission portion, and the stress transmission portion provided on the arm portion of one of the support members is provided closer to the extension portion of one of the support members than to the extension portion of the other support member.
4. A support device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the arm portion of one of the support members transmits the load by pressing from above against the stress transmission portion provided on the arm portion of the other support member that is aligned with the arm portion of the one support member, and the stress transmission portion provided on the arm portion of one of the support members is provided on the side of the extension portion of the other support member relative to the extension portion of one of the support members.
5. A support device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the mounting portion has a pair of first hole portions that open along the vertical direction, and the arm portions of the pair of support members have second hole portions that open along the vertical direction, and the support device further comprises a pair of fixing portions that are inserted into the pair of first hole portions of the mounting portion and the second hole portions of the pair of support members, respectively, and fix the mounting portion to each of the arm portions of the pair of support members.
6. A support device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the pillar portion has a pair of pillar members extending in the vertical direction, the mounting portion has a pair of mounting members immovably fixed to the pair of pillar members, the pair of support members has a pair of the arm portions attached to each of the pair of mounting members, and each of the pair of mounting members protrudes in the first direction from each of the pair of pillar members.
7. A support member that is attached via an attachment part that is immovably fixed to a column part extending in the vertical direction, and that supports an article together with another support member, comprising: an extension part that extends in a first direction and supports the article; an arm part that is attached to the attachment part and extends from the extension part in a second direction that intersects the vertical direction and the first direction; and a stress transmission part that is provided on the arm part and can transmit a load applied to the extension part to the arm part of the other support member, wherein the arm part can be arranged alongside the arm part of the other support member, and the stress transmission part is not fixed to the arm part of the other support member, but can contact the arm part of the other support member to transmit the load.