JP6836611B2 - Castor braking mechanism - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a braking mechanism for casters.

Generally, in a braking device for casters attached to an attached body such as furniture, bedding, or a dolly body, a braking device is provided for each caster attached to a corner. A braking device is an operating device that performs a mechanical operation such as a brake. In the conventional braking device for casters, the operating lever of the braking device is pushed and turned for each caster or for each pair of front and rear casters while rotating the mounted body or by the operator moving around the mounted body. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-231606

However, in the caster shown in Patent Document 1, the caster operating lever is operated by turning the attached body to guide the caster operating lever in front of the operator, or the operator moves around the attached body to operate the caster operating lever. There is a problem that it is difficult for a weak worker such as a woman or an elderly person to operate a large attached body such as a bed because it must be operated in front of the bed. Further, it is necessary to operate the operation lever for each caster to operate the braking device, which causes a problem that it takes time and effort.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a braking mechanism for casters capable of braking casters from anywhere around the attached body.

The braking mechanism of the caster of the present invention has an operating portion provided in the front-rear direction of the mounted body and a shaft provided in the front-rear direction of the mounted body and rotating in response to a pressing operation on the operating portion. Be prepared.

In addition, a braking device that is provided before and after the traveling direction of the attached body and can lock the wheels of the caster according to the shaft rotation in one direction of the connecting shaft, and the shaft rotational force of one shaft generated by the pressing operation. , A braking operation transmission mechanism for transmitting to the other shaft is provided.

Then, in the braking operation transmission mechanism, the braking operation transmission mechanism transmits the axial rotational force in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of one shaft to the other shaft.

The braking mechanism of the caster can be attached to the attached body.

The braking operation transmission mechanism can be configured to switch the rotational direction of the axial rotational force of one of the shafts in the opposite direction between the shafts provided before and after the traveling direction of the mounted body.

For example, the braking operation transmission mechanism includes a reverse movement device composed of gears.

The operation transmission mechanism includes, for example, a swing lever connected to the shaft and a connecting rod connecting the swing lever and the reverse movement device.

The braking mechanism of the caster of another aspect of the present invention is a caster in which the turning shafts are rotatably mounted and the wheels are rotatably supported on the main body by arranging them in pairs on the front and rear sides in the traveling direction of the mounted body. A braking mechanism provided on at least one of the pair of casters on the front and rear sides, which displaces the engaging member and engages the locking portion of the wheel in a disengaged manner to lock the wheel. And, the shaft having the operation part on the attached body is rotatably supported, the positions of the shaft and the engaging member in the front-rear direction are reversed on the front-rear side, and one end of the operating member is attached to the shaft. It is provided with a braking operation mechanism that is arranged so that it can come into contact with the engaging member and that operates the operating portion to displace the engaging member, and when a force is received in one direction between the braking device between the front caster and the rear caster. It is characterized by providing a braking operation transmission means that outputs this force in the opposite direction and reverses the rotation of one of the shafts to the other shaft to transmit the force.

At least one of the casters, which are arranged in pairs on the front-rear side in the traveling direction of the mounted body, the swivel shafts are rotatably attached, and the wheels are rotatably supported on the main body, and the casters of each pair on the front-rear side. A braking device provided on the caster of the wheel, which displaces the engaging member and engages with the locking portion of the wheel to lock the wheel, and a shaft having an operating portion on the mounted body are rotatably supported. Then, the positions of the shaft and the engaging member in the front-rear direction are reversed on the front-rear side, the operating member whose one end is attached to the shaft is arranged so as to be in contact with the engaging member, and the operation unit is operated to engage. It is equipped with a braking operation mechanism that displaces the members, and when a force in one direction is received between the braking devices between the front caster and the rear caster, this force is output in the opposite direction and the rotation of one of the shafts is performed by the other. By providing the braking operation transmission means for transmitting by reversing the axis of the above, a plurality of casters can be locked at the same time simply by operating the operation unit, and the operation is simplified.

The braking operation transmission means is provided between the front and rear shafts with a reverse movement device that outputs this force in the opposite direction when a force in one direction is received from the outside, and the reverse movement device and the shaft are connected so as to be able to transmit the output. It may be configured by a braking operation transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of one of the shafts to the other shaft via a reverse movement device.

The reverse movement device is rotatably supported by two rotating shafts on a support frame provided on the attached body, and gears that mesh with each other are fitted to these rotating shafts to mount the rotating shafts from the support frame. The braking operation transmission mechanism is configured to be projected, and one end of the swing lever is connected to each of the front and rear shafts and the protruding end of the rotating shaft facing these shafts, and the other end of the swing lever is connected. The rods may be rotatably pivotally supported and connected to each other.

One of the rotating shafts of the reverse movement device is configured to have the same axis as one of the front and rear shafts, and the other shaft and the protruding end of the rotating shaft facing this shaft are rotated around the swing lever and this swing lever. It may be connected by a connecting rod that is movably connected.

Braking operation transmission means are provided on the front and rear shafts with handle portions in different vertical directions, and the connecting rod is rotatably pivoted on each front and rear shaft portion by crossing the surface formed between the front and rear shafts. It may be configured by a crank mechanism that is supported and connected.

The handle portion may be formed at the shaft side end portion of the operation portion.

The operation part is formed by bending it in a U shape, and the handle part is formed by extending each axis side end of the operation part by reversing the vertical direction, and the operation part faces the front and rear axes, respectively. The handle portions facing each other may be attached in different directions, and the handle portions having different orientations in the front and rear may be connected by a continuous rod.

The engaging member may be arranged and disengaged from the locking portion of the swivel shaft according to the displacement of the engaging member, and the swivel of the swivel shaft may be locked at the same time when the wheel is locked.

The shaft is configured by elastically urging in one direction around the axis, and when the operating unit overcomes the elastically urging force by an external force and is pressed, the shaft is rotated and locked at a predetermined rotation angle. When the operation unit is pressed again by an external force, the shaft may be unlocked and returned to the original position.

A support member that is attached to the mounted body side and through which the shaft penetrates, a swing member that faces the support member and has one end connected to the shaft and rotates integrally with the shaft, and is locked to the swing end side of the swing member. An advancing / retreating means for inserting and retreating the member in parallel with the shaft so as to project toward the support member, and a swingably provided support member, which is driven by the locking member when an external force is applied to the operating portion. The locking member is locked at a predetermined swing angle to prevent the return, and when an external force is applied to the operation unit again, the engagement with the locking member is released and the locking member is swung. An operation switching mechanism may be provided with an engagement / disengagement means for displacement to the member side and return to the original position.

The following configuration can also be obtained.

In the braking mechanism of the caster according to another aspect of the present invention, the caster is arranged in pairs on the front and rear sides in the traveling direction of the mounted body via mounting members, and the wheels are rotatably supported on the main body. A braking device provided on at least one of the casters on each pair on the side, which moves the engaging member forward and backward to engage with the locking portion of the wheel in a disengaged manner to lock the wheel, and an operating shaft on the mounting member. The shaft is rotatably supported and one end is projected from the mounting member, the working member whose one end is connected to the working shaft is arranged so as to be in contact with the engaging member, and the shaft having the main operating portion on the mounted body is provided. It is provided with a braking operation transmission mechanism that rotatably supports the shaft, connects the shaft and the operating shaft so that motion can be transmitted, and transmits the rotation of the shaft to the operating shaft, and at least one of both ends of the shaft is provided. By extending to the outside of the attached body and providing the auxiliary operation part at the extending end, the main operation part and the sub-operation part are provided around the attached body, so even if the orientation of the attached body is provided. Even if the wheel is constantly changing, the operator can easily approach the operation unit, and the work efficiency is improved.

A braking device is provided for each caster, and a braking operation transmission mechanism is provided so that both ends of the operating shaft project from the mounting members, and the protruding other ends of the operating shafts of the front and rear mounting members are connected so as to be able to transmit motion to rotate the shaft. It may be configured to transmit to the working shaft.

The shaft and the one end of the operating shaft protrusion and the other ends of the front and rear operating shaft protrusions may be connected to each other by a swing lever and a connecting rod rotatably connected to the swing lever.

The attached body may be composed of left and right underframes and horizontal frames connecting these underframes, casters may be provided at both front and rear ends of the left and right underframes, and shafts may be pivotally supported on the horizontal frames.

The shaft is configured by elastically urging the shaft in one direction around the axis, and when any one of the main operation unit and the sub-operation unit is pressed by an external force to overcome the elastic force, the shaft is operated. Is rotated and locked at a predetermined rotation angle, and when any one of the main operation unit and the sub operation unit is pressed again by an external force, the shaft is unlocked and returned to the original position. It may be restored.

A support member that is attached to the horizontal frame and through which the shaft penetrates, a swing member that faces the support member and has one end connected to the shaft and rotates integrally with the shaft, and a locking member on the swing end side of the swing member. An advancing / retreating means for inserting and retreating in parallel with the shaft so as to project toward the support member, and an operation unit that is swingably provided on the support member and is one of a main operation unit and a sub operation unit. When an external force is applied to, the locking member swings in accordance with the locking member, the locking member is locked at a predetermined swing angle to prevent the return, and one of the main operation unit and the sub operation unit When an external force is applied to the operation unit again, an operation switching mechanism provided with an engagement / disengagement means for disengaging the locking member, displaces the locking member toward the swinging member, and returns the locking member to the original position is provided. You may.

In the present invention, for example, bedding, a trolley, and the like can be configured as an attached body.

Further, in the present invention, it is possible to provide a braking device that brakes and releases the brake only by repeating the pressing member.

Further, in the present invention, the main operation unit and the sub operation unit may be provided.

According to the present invention, the caster can be braked from anywhere around the attached body.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an example in which the operation switching mechanism of the operating device according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the braking switching mechanism of the braking device of the caster. (Example 1) FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of the braking switching mechanism of FIG. (A) to (C) of FIG. 3 are explanatory views showing the braking device of the caster of FIG. 1, respectively. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the braking switching mechanism of FIG. 1 as viewed from above. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the advancing / retreating mechanism and the engaging / disengaging mechanism of the braking switching mechanism of FIG. 6 (A) to 6 (C) are a right side view, a front view and a left side view showing the action plate, respectively. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of the action plate shown in FIG. 6 (C). FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of the action plate shown in FIG. 6 (C). 9 (A) and 9 (B) are enlarged perspective views of the main part of the action plate of FIG. 6 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 10A is a plan view showing the braking switching mechanism of FIG. 5, and FIGS. 10B to 10E are explanatory views showing the operation of the swing member, the pin, and the action plate, respectively. FIG. 11 is an overall perspective view showing the braking mechanism of the caster according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (Example 2) 12A to 12C are explanatory views showing a modified example of the braking mechanism of the caster of FIG. 11, respectively. (Example 3) FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the braking mechanism of the caster according to the second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. (Example 4) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the braking mechanism of the caster of FIG. 13 as viewed from below. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the braking mechanism of the caster according to the third embodiment of the present invention. (Example 5) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the braking mechanism of the caster of FIG. 15 as viewed from below. FIG. 17 is an overall perspective view showing the braking mechanism of the caster according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. (Example 6) FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the braking mechanism of the caster of FIG. 17 as viewed from below. FIG. 19 is a front view of the braking mechanism of the caster of FIG. FIG. 20 is a side view of the braking mechanism of the caster of FIG.

For the purpose of improving the operability of braking operation and braking release operation, a part of the switching member that switches braking on / off is projected to the outside from the braking device of the caster, and this switching member is moved forward and backward to move the braking device. It is an operation switching mechanism of the operation device that switches the operation on and off of the above, and it is an operation member that rotatably supports a shaft having an operation unit on the fixed side and elastically urges it, and one end is attached to the shaft. Is arranged so as to be in contact with the switching member, and when the operating unit overcomes the elastic urging force by an external force and is pressed, the shaft is rotated and locked at a predetermined rotation angle, and the operating unit is locked. This was achieved by unlocking the shaft and returning it to its original position when the brake was pressed again by an external force.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the examples shown in the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation switching mechanism 2 of the actuating device according to the embodiment of the present invention has the actuating device that performs mechanical operation as the braking device 20 of the caster 5, and the actuating switching mechanism as described above. It is applied to the braking switching mechanism 60 of the braking device, respectively. In this embodiment, the actuating device will be used as the braking device of the caster 5, and the actuating switching mechanism will be replaced with the braking switching mechanism 60. The actuating device is not limited to the braking device, and may be any actuating device that performs mechanical operation. A part of the switching member for switching the operation is projected from the actuating device to the outside, and the switching member is used. Needless to say, any operation switching mechanism may be used as long as it moves forward and backward to turn on / off the operation of the operating device to switch the operation.

First, the caster 5 and the braking device 20 thereof will be described with respect to the braking switching mechanism 60 of the braking device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The caster 5 is provided on the bottom 4 of furniture (attached body) 3 such as a trolley and a floor head stand (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Casters 5 (5A to 5D) are retracted inward and attached to the four corners of the bottom 4 of the furniture 3 via mounting members 6 (6FR, 6FL, 6RR, 6RL, see FIG. 1). The caster 5 can be rotatably attached to the attachment member 6. Two mounting members 6 are mounted in pairs on the front and rear sides of the bottom portion 4 in the traveling direction. The mounting members 6FR, 6FL, 6RR, and 6RL arranged in pairs in the front and rear are arranged so as to face each other in the front and rear (front left mounting member 6FL and rear left mounting member 6RL, respectively. See front right mounting member 6FR and rear right mounting member 6RR).

The caster 5 is a twin-wheel type caster, and as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a pair of wheels 11 are rotatably supported on both left and right sides of the caster body 10 via an axle 12. It is composed. The caster main body 10 is formed with a through hole 14 penetrating vertically at a position eccentric from the axle 12 to the front side in the traveling direction, and the swivel shaft 13 is rotatably fitted in the through hole 14. A screw portion 13A is formed on the upper portion of the swivel shaft 13, and a flange portion 15 for rotating the swivel shaft 13 is provided on the lower side thereof. The lower end of the swivel shaft 13 protrudes from the lower opening of the through hole 14 of the caster body 10, and the pin 18 is press-fitted into the small diameter portion 13B of the swivel shaft 13 to prevent it from coming off from the caster body 10. The left and right wheels 11 and 11 are formed by recessing the inner surface in an annular shape, and a concave-convex portion (locking portion) 17 is formed along the outer peripheral surface of the annular recessed portion.

The swivel shaft 13 is attached to the attachment member 6. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mounting member 6 has a U-shaped cross-section main body having a bottom portion 6A and left and right side walls 6B and 6C rising from the left and right sides of the bottom portion 6A, and each of them. It is configured to include a bent portion 6E formed by bending the upper ends of the walls 6B and 6C outward and having a mounting hole 6D formed in the bottom 4 of the furniture 3. In the mounting member 6, the bent portion 6E is attached to the bottom portion 4 of the furniture 3 by a screw. The bottom portion 6A of the mounting member 6 has a circular hole 6H that is loosely inserted into the screw portion 13A of the swivel shaft 13, and the left and right walls 6B and 6C have through holes 6G and 6G that are penetrated from the circular hole 6H so as to face each other. It is formed on the rear side in the traveling direction. The threaded portion 13A of the swivel shaft 13 is screwed into the circular hole 6H into the mounting member 6 so that the caster 5 can be mounted. Therefore, when the mounting member 6 is mounted on the bottom 4 of the furniture 3, the caster 5 swivels with respect to the mounting member 6. In this way, the casters 5 are attached to the four corners of the bottom 4 of the furniture 3 via the attachment members 6FR, 6FL, 6RR, and 6RL.

The caster 5 is provided with a braking device (actuating device) 20 that locks the rotation of the wheel 11. In the braking device 20, a vertical hole having a circular cross section is formed on the swivel shaft 13 so as to be vertically penetrated on the same shaft core, and the braking rod (switching member) 22 is inserted into the vertical hole so as to be vertically movable. It has become. The outer surface of the braking rod 22 is formed so as to substantially match the shape of the vertical hole, and has a structure capable of moving up and down. The upper portion of the braking rod 22 protrudes from the upper end opening of the vertical hole and is exposed, and a disc-shaped first holding member 23 is attached in the vicinity of the upper end surface 21, and the first holding member 23 and the swivel shaft are attached. A spring (braking rod urging spring) 24 is interposed between the upper end surface of the 13 and the braking rod 22 is always urged upward.

The lower part of the braking rod 22 protrudes from the lower end opening of the vertical hole of the swivel shaft 13, and the wheel lock member 30 is provided at the protruding end. The wheel lock member 30 has a cylindrical main body 25 which is prevented from coming off at the lower end of the braking rod 22 and is inserted vertically and vertically to form a recess 25A on the upper surface, and is continuously extended downward to the cylindrical main body 25. It is configured to include a engaging / disengaging portion 26 having a recessed portion 26A formed on the upper surface and a concave-convex portion 27 provided on the lower surface. The recessed portion 26A is slidably fitted into the cylindrical protruding portion 10A formed below the shaft hole of the caster body 10.

A second holding member 28 is attached to the lower part of the braking rod 22 above the wheel lock member 30, and a spring (wheel lock) is provided between the second holding member 28 and the upper surface recess 25A of the cylindrical main body 25. When the member urging spring) 29 is interposed and the braking rod 22 is pushed downward against the elastic urging force of the spring 24, the wheel lock member 30 is urged toward the uneven portion 17 of the wheels 11 and 11. It has become like. As described above, the braking device 20 includes the braking rod 22 and the wheel lock member 30, and when the braking rod 22 is pushed downward against the elastic urging force of the spring 24 by an external force, the spring 29 The wheel lock member 30 is pushed downward, and the uneven portion 27 is engaged with the uneven portion 17 of the wheels 11 and 11 to lock the wheels 11 and 11. Then, when the external force on the braking rod 22 is lost, the braking rod 22 is elastically returned upward by the spring 24, and the uneven portion 27 of the wheel lock member 30 is separated from the uneven portion 17 of the wheels 11 and 11, and the wheel 11 The rotation lock of 11 is released, and the rotation of the wheels 11 and 11 is allowed.

Of the four corners of the bottom 4 of the furniture 3, the left and right mounting members 6FL and 6FR attached to the front side in the traveling direction are connected between the two mounting members 6FL and 6FR, and through holes are provided via the sliding member 43. A front side shaft 40 having a polygonal cross section (in this embodiment, a hexagonal square shaft) that is rotatably supported by 6G is provided, and both the left and right mounting members 6RL and 6RR on the rear side in the traveling direction are forward. Similar to the side, the rear side shaft 41 having a polygonal cross section is provided, which connects the two mounting members 6RL and 6RR and is rotatably supported by the through hole 6G via the sliding member 43. Both axes 40 and 41 are arranged in parallel. The through holes 6G of the mounting members 6FL, 6FR, 6RL, and 6RR are formed on the rear side in the traveling direction from the circular holes 6H. That is, the braking rod 22 protruding upward from the swivel shaft 13 of the caster main body 10 is arranged on the front side in the traveling direction with respect to the respective shafts 40 and 41. The shafts 40 and 41 may have a round bar shape having a circular cross section as long as a predetermined strength can be secured.

The operation tool (operation unit) 50 has an operation end 51 having a U-shaped cross section, one end of which is connected to the front shaft 40 and both left and right sides bent upward, so that the operation tool (operation unit) 50 can be easily operated by hand or foot. ing. The operating end 51 projects outward from the bottom 4 and is exposed.

Between the shafts 40 and 41, a transmission link (braking operation transmission means) 54 for connecting the shafts 40 and 41 so as to be able to transmit motion is provided. The transmission link 54 has swing arms 55 and 56 whose one ends are integrally movably connected to the shafts 40 and 41, and connecting rods 57 whose both ends are rotatably connected to these swing arms 55 and 56 with pins. It is configured with and. The transmission link 54 transmits the rotational power of the front side shaft 40 applied by the operation of the operating tool 50 to the rear side shaft 41 in the same direction (see FIG. 4).

Each of the shafts 40 and 41 is provided with an operating member (braking operation transmitting means) 42 (42A to 42D) that operates the braking rod 22 downward in response to the rotation of the shafts 40 and 41, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the operating member 42 is arranged such that one end of the tubular portion 44 is inserted into each of the shafts 40 and 41 and is arranged inside the mounting member 6. The rocking end 45 at the other end of the operating member 42 comes into contact with the upper end surface 21 of the braking rod 22 and swings integrally with the shafts 40 and 41 to push down the braking rod 22. Therefore, when the operating end 51 of the operating tool 50 is pushed down by an external force, the swinging end portion 45 of the operating member 42 in which the front side shaft 40 moves integrally is brought into contact with the upper end surface 21 and pushed down (FIG. 3 (A). ), (Refer to the counterclockwise direction of the shaft 40 in (B)), and this rotational power is transmitted to the rear shaft 41 via the transmission link 54. The swinging end portion 45 of the operating member 42, which also moves integrally with the rear side shaft 41 to which the rotational power is transmitted, is brought into contact with the upper end surface 21 and is rotated in the direction of pushing down.

In this way, when the operating end 51 of the operating tool 50 is pushed down, the shafts 40 and 41 rotate at the same time, and the oscillating end 45 of the operating member 42 that moves integrally with the shafts 40 and 41 is pressed by the braking rod 22. When the brake rod 22 is pressed downward against the elastic force of the spring 24, the braking rod 22 is pushed downward, and the uneven portion 27 of the wheel lock member 30 has the uneven portion 27 of the wheels 11 and 11. The wheels 11 and 11 of the caster 5 are locked by engaging with the portion 17. When the pushing force is lost from the operating end 51 of the operating tool 50, the braking rod 22 is displaced upward by the elastic force of the spring 24 to push up the operating member 42, and the shafts 40 and 41 are rotated in the opposite directions (FIG. 3 (A), (B), see the clockwise direction of the shaft 40), the operation end 51 is returned to the original position. Then, when the braking rod 22 returns to the upper end position, the rotation locks of the wheels 11 and 11 of the caster 5 are released. As described above, in this embodiment, the braking rod 22 is arranged on the front side with respect to the shaft cores of the shafts 40 and 41, and the operating tool 50 is arranged on the front side from the shaft core. Therefore, a lever having a shaft core as a fulcrum, an operation end 51 as a force point, and a braking rod 22 as an action point is formed, and the braking rod 22 is arranged between the fulcrum (axis core) and the force point (operation end 51). Therefore, when the operation end 51 is locked (during the push-down operation), the push force is received from the swing end 45 of the operating member 42 in the same direction as the operation direction.

By the way, as described above, the operation switching mechanism 2 of the operation device according to the present embodiment has a front side shaft (shaft, braking operation transmission means) having an operation tool (operation unit) 50 on the bottom (fixed side) 4 of the furniture 3. ) 40 is rotatably supported, and the swinging end portion 45 of the operating member 42 whose one end is attached to the front side shaft 40 is arranged so as to be in contact with the upper end surface 21 of the braking rod (switching member) 22. In addition to the above configuration, the front shaft 40 is elastically urged in one direction around the shaft, that is, in the direction against the external force (counterclockwise direction of the shaft 40 in FIG. 3A), and the operating tool. When the 50 overcomes the elastic force by the external force and is pressed, the front shaft 40 is rotated to lock the front shaft 40 at a predetermined rotation angle, and the operating tool 50 is pressed again by the external force. Then, the brake switching mechanism 60 is configured to release the lock of the front side shaft 40 and return the front side shaft 40 to the original position.

That is, the braking switching mechanism 60 is attached to the bottom portion 4 and has a support member 61 through which the front side shaft 40 penetrates, and one end facing the support member 61 is connected to the front side shaft 40 and rotates integrally with the front side shaft 40. A cylindrical pin (locking member) 63 is inserted into the swinging member 62 and a cylindrical pin (locking member) 63 on the swinging end side of the swinging member 62 so as to be able to move forward and backward in parallel with the front shaft 40, and protrudes toward the support member 61. The advancing / retreating mechanism (advancing / retreating means) 70 and the support member 61 are swingably provided, and when an external force is applied to the operating end 51, the pin 63 swings in accordance with the pin 63 at a predetermined swing angle. Is locked to prevent the return, and when an external force is applied to the operation end 51 again, the engagement with the pin 63 is released, the pin 63 is displaced toward the swing member 62, and the pin 63 is returned to the original position. It is configured to include a mechanism (engagement means) 80.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10A, the support member 61 is composed of a bent plate having an L-shaped cross section, and is attached to the bottom 4 of the furniture 3 via a screw, and the attachment portion 61A and the attachment portion 61A. It is configured to include a wall portion 61B extending vertically downward from one left and right side edge portion. In the swing member 62, one end of the tubular portion 62A is inserted into the front side shaft 40 and connected to the shaft 40. A spring 46 is interposed between the swing member 62 and the support member 61, and the front side shaft 40 is oriented in one direction around the axis, that is, in the clockwise direction of the shaft 40 shown in FIG. 3A. It is urging the bullets. A protrusion 62C is formed on the upper surface of the swing end 62B of the swing member 62, and when the front side shaft 40 is urged, the protrusion 62C abuts on the lower surface of the mounting portion 61A of the support member 61, and the front side shaft The 40 is designed to prevent further rotation in the axial direction.

A through hole 64 is formed in parallel with the front shaft 40 on the swing end 62B side of the swing member 62 extending forward in the traveling direction. A pin 63, which is longer than the length of the through hole 64, is mounted in the through hole 64 so as to prevent it from falling off and move forward and backward. A spring receiver 65 is provided on the wall portion 61B side protrusion 63A of the pin 63, and a spring (first spring, pin urging spring) 66 is interposed between the spring receiver 65 and the swing member 62. The pin 63 is always urged toward the wall portion 61B, and the end surface 63C on the wall portion side is projected toward the wall portion 61B. In this way, the advancing / retreating mechanism 70 includes a pin 63 that is mounted on the swinging end 62B side of the swinging member 62 on the swinging end 62B side in a through hole 64 formed in parallel with the front side shaft 40 to prevent the swinging member 62 from falling off. It is configured to include a spring 66 interposed between the pin 63 and the swing member 62 to urge the pin 63 to project toward the wall portion 61B side of the support member 61.

On the wall portion 61B of the support member 61, an action plate 71 is oscillated by a pivot pin 72 so as to face the oscillating end 62B of the oscillating member 62. A spring (second spring, action plate urging spring) 73 is interposed between the action plate 71 and the support member 61, and the upper surface side one side edge portion 71A of the action plate 71 is formed by the protruding portion 63A of the pin 63. Of these, the action plate 71 is brought into contact with the end (protruding end) 63B on the wall 61B side of the spring receiver 65, and the stopper 74 provided on the wall 61B is brought into contact with the stopper 74, and the working plate 71 is brought into contact with the stopper 74. It is designed to prevent the displacement of the spring and regulate the upward swing position. The spring 46 interposed between the swing member 62 and the support member 61 has a larger elastic urging force than the spring (action plate urging spring) 73. When a force that overcomes the spring 73 is applied to the upper surface side one side edge portion 71A by the pin 63 and the action plate 71 is pressed, the action plate 71 swings and slides the pin 63 to the upper surface side one side edge portion 71A to be recessed. It is designed to lead to part 75. When the action plate 71 is pressed by the pin 63 and pushed down clockwise around the pivot pin 72 shown in FIG. 10B, the pin 63 is locked at a predetermined rotation angle, and the pin 63 moves upward. Displacement is restricted, and when it is pressed again by the pin 63 in the locked position and pushed down in the same clockwise direction, the lock of the pin 63 is released and the pin 63 is returned to the original position. As described above, the engagement / disengagement mechanism 80 includes a pin 63 movably held by the swing member 62 and an action plate 71 that swings in accordance with the pin 63.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the working plate 71 is formed to have a substantially right-angled triangular shape and a thick wall, and a recessed portion 75 for receiving the pin 63 is formed at the terminal edge of the upper surface side one side edge portion 71A. (See FIGS. 6 and 9). The recessed portion 75 is formed by cutting the end of the one side edge portion 71A on the upper surface side, and among the protruding portions 63A of the pin 63, the end portion 63B on the wall portion 61B side of the spring receiver 65 is received, and the pin 63 is received at the receiving position. The notched portion 76 (see (D) in FIG. 10) for locking the end portion 63B and the receiving end 77 are formed so as to face the end of the upper surface side one side edge portion 71A and project outward, and are formed on the upper surface side one side. When the end portion 63B of the pin 63 that slides along the edge portion 71A separates from the end of the upper surface side one side edge portion 71A, the delivery portion 78 that is recessed in a dogleg shape to receive the end portion 63B ((C) in FIG. 10). ) And). When the end 63B of the pin 63 separates from the end of the one side edge 71A on the upper surface side and hits the receiving end 77, the delivery portion 78 once guides this end 63B into the inner surface of the receiving end 77, and the pin 63 moves. When the pin 63 returns to the return direction and begins to separate, the end portion 63B of the pin 63 is guided to the notched portion 76. The delivery portion 78 is formed between the concave recessed portion 78A continuous from the inner surface of the receiving end 77 and the notched portion 76 from the end of the one side edge portion 71A on the upper surface side, and is received by the concave concave portion 78A. When the pin 63 tries to return in the return direction along the return locus T in the recessed portion 75, the pin 63 has a direction changing portion 78B that changes the direction and guides the pin 63 to the notched portion 76.

Further, on the surface of the action plate 71 facing the swing member 62, a pin 63 formed continuously on the notch portion 76 and locked to the notch portion 76 is oriented in the urging direction of the front side shaft 40 by an external force. When the notched portion 76 is displaced in the opposite direction, the end portion 63B of the pin 63 is guided to push the pin 63 back toward the swinging member 62, and the detachment guide path 81 disengages the pin 63 to the outside of the action plate 71. (See (E) in FIG. 10) is formed. When the end portion 63B of the pin 63 is displaced from the notched portion 76 in the direction opposite to the urging direction of the front side shaft 40 by an external force and the detachment guide path 81 is detached, the end surface 63C of the end portion 63B of the pin 63 is lowered. An introduction guide portion 82-85 that is placed on the floor surface 82 and guides the end portion 63B of the pin 63 from the inclined surface 84 to the step portion 85 along the wall surface 83, and a locus T in the return direction of the pin 63 that is continuous with the step portion 85. It is formed to conform to (see (E) of FIG. 10) and is configured to have a guide inclined portion 86-87 that guides the pin 63 to the outside. The guide inclined portion 86-87 is connected to the step portion 85, and connects the step portion 85 and the portion 71Aa of the upper surface side one side edge portion 71A facing the pin 63 with a gentle inclined surface and the guide inclined portion 86. It is configured to have a wall surface 87 formed along the pivot pin 72 side of the guide inclined surface 86.

Since the working plate 71 is configured as shown above, as shown in FIG. 10B, the front shaft 40 is elastically urged by the spring 46, and nothing is attached to the operating end 51 of the operating tool 50. In a state where no external force is applied, the protruding portion 62C on the upper surface of the swing member 62 abuts on the lower surface of the mounting portion 61A of the support member 61, the swing member 62 is held substantially horizontally, and the pin 63 is held on one side edge on the upper surface side. It is in a state of being mounted on the part 71A. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3A, the braking device 20 is in a non-braking state in which the braking rod 22 is urged upward.

When an external force is applied to the operating end 51 to overcome the elastic force of the spring 46 and the front shaft 40 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 10B, the end 63B of the pin 63 is on the upper surface side. It slides in contact with the one side edge portion 71A and pushes down the action plate 71 clockwise around the pivot pin 72. When the pin 63 is further pushed down and the end 63B of the pin 63 is separated from the end of the one side edge 71A on the upper surface side, the action plate 71 is once returned in the counterclockwise direction by the spring 73, and the end of the pin 63. 63B is introduced into the doglegged recess 78A from the inner surface of the receiving end 77 (see (C) in FIG. 10). When the pin 63 is introduced into the concave recess 78A, the working plate 71 is further displaced downward by the compressed spring 73, and even if an external force is applied to the operating end 51, the displacement is further increased. Is regulated. Therefore, when the operator stops applying an external force to the operating end 51, the pin 63 tries to return in the returning direction by the spring 46. At this time, since the upper side of the recessed portion 75 is open, the pin 63 is displaced by drawing an arc upward along the locus T in the return direction. The end 63B of the pin 63 is guided to the notch 76 by the direction changing portion 78B, the upward displacement is restricted, and the pin 63 is locked in that state (see (D) in FIG. 10). .. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3B, the braking device 20 is held in a state where the upper end surface 21 of the braking rod 22 is pressed by the swinging end portion 45 of the operating member 42, and the wheel lock member 30 is held. The uneven portion 27 engages with the uneven portion 17 of the wheel 11 to lock the wheel 11. Then, when the pin 63 is introduced into the doglegged recess 78A, the operating tool 50 reaches a push-down regulation position where the pin 63 cannot be pushed down any further, and the pin 63 returns from the doglegged recess 78A to the notched portion 76 in the return direction. By the amount of displacement, the operating tool 50 returns upward from the push-down regulation position.

When the pin 63 is locked to the notch 76, an external force is applied to the operating end 51 to overcome the elastic force of the spring 46, and when a force to reach the push-down regulation position is applied again, the front shaft 40 is moved. When the pin 63 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 10 (D), the end surface 63C of the pin 63 is placed on the lower floor surface 82 and guided from the inclined surface 84 to the step portion 85. At this time, since the end portion 63B of the pin 63 is in contact with the wall surface 83, the displacement further downward is regulated, and even if an external force is applied to the operating end 51, the further displacement is regulated. Therefore, when the operator stops applying an external force to the operating end 51, the pin 63 tries to return in the returning direction by the spring 46. Then, the end surface 63C slides the guide inclined surface 86 from the step portion 85 and the end portion 63B slides on the wall surface 87 along the return locus T and is pushed out of the action plate 71 to return to the original position. (See (B) in FIG. 10). Therefore, the operator simply repeats the pressing operation of the operation end 51 to lock the pin 63 to the lower lock position to operate the braking device (actuator) 20 to lock the wheel 11 or lock the pin 63. It is possible to release the operation of the braking device 20 to release the lock of the wheel 11.

Next, the operation of the operation switching mechanism 2 of the operating device according to the above embodiment is applied to the operation of the braking switching mechanism 60 of the braking device 20 of the caster 5, and will be described based on the operation of the braking switching mechanism 60 of the braking device 20. To do. The braking switching mechanism 60 of the braking device 20 projects the braking rod 22 of the braking device 20 that performs the braking and releasing operations of the caster 5 upward from the turning shaft 13, and moves the braking rod 22 up and down to brake. The braking of the device 20 is turned on and off to switch. When the operator presses the operating end 51 of the operating tool 50 provided on the front side of the furniture 3 with his or her foot or hand, the front shaft 40 rotates against the elastic force of the spring 46 and is a swinging member. The pin 63 that moves integrally with the 62 presses the upper surface side one side edge portion 71A of the action plate 71 to swing the action plate 71 downward, and the pin 63 separates from the end of the upper surface side one side edge portion 71A and is delivered. When the portion 78 is reached, the pin 63 returns in the return direction in the recessed portion 75, hits the direction change portion 78A, is guided to the notch portion 76, is locked by the notch portion 76, and the displacement in the return direction is restricted. To. At this time, the rotation of the front side shaft 40 is also transmitted to the rear side shaft 41 through the connecting rod 57, and the swing end portion 45 of the operating member 42 that moves integrally with the respective shafts 40 and 41 is the upper end surface 21 of the braking rod 22. Is pushed down to hold the braking devices 20 of the casters 5A to 5D in the activated state at the same time. Therefore, the wheels 11 and 11 of all casters 5A to 5D are locked. In this way, when the braking device 20 is activated and the wheels 11 and 11 are locked, the operating tool 50 returns upward by the amount that the pin 63 returns in the return direction from the push-down regulation position where it cannot be pushed down any further. That position is retained.

When an external force that overcomes the elastic force of the spring 46 is applied to the operating end 51 of the operating tool 50 again and is pushed down to the push-down regulation position, the front side shaft 40 rotates, and this turning power is passed to the rear side through the connecting rod 57. It is also transmitted to the shaft 41. The pin 63 moves integrally with the swing member 62 as the shafts 40 and 41 rotate, and when the pin 63 is pushed downward from the locked state locked to the notched portion 76 of the action plate 71, the end portion 63B is released. Guided to road 81. When the end portion 63B of the pin 63 is guided to the detachment guide path 81, the end surface 63C of the pin 63 passes through the introduction guide portion 82-85 in the order of the lower floor surface 82, the inclined surface 84, and the step portion 85 of the action plate 71. When the end portion 63B of the pin 63 hits the wall surface 83, the operation end 51 of the operating tool 50 reaches the push-down restricted position, and further push-down is prevented. At this time, the end surface 63C of the end portion 63B of the pin 63 is pressed against the step portion 85 on the locus T in the return direction, and the pin 63 receives the elastic force of the spring 46 together with the front side shaft 40 to guide the pin 63. It is pushed out to the swing member 62 side while passing through the guide inclined surface 86 and the wall surface 87 along the inclined portion 86-87, is separated from the action plate 71, returns to the original position, and the shafts 40 and 41 are also operated by the operating tool 50. The operation end 51 of the above also returns to the original upper position. In this way, the swinging end portion 45 of the operating member 42 also returns to the original position, the braking device 20 is released from braking, and the wheels 11 and 11 are unlocked. As described above, in the braking switching mechanism 60 of the braking device 20 according to the present embodiment, the operator can repeatedly lock and unlock the wheels 11 and 11 simply by repeating the pressing operation of the operating end 51 of the operating tool 50. It can be done and operability is improved.

Next, the caster braking mechanism 102 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the braking mechanism 102 of the caster according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the braking switching mechanism 60 of the braking device according to the above embodiment has the turning shaft 13 on the front side in the traveling direction with respect to the mounting member 6, and the braking rod 22. While the shafts 40 and 41 of the operating member 42 to be operated are provided on the rear side in the traveling direction, the positions of the swivel shaft 13 and the shafts 140 and 141 of the operating member 42 are different between the front side and the rear side in the traveling direction. When a force is received in one direction between the front and rear axes 140 and 141, this force is output in the opposite direction and the rotation of one of the axes 140 or 141 is reversed to the other axis 141 or 140. Except for the difference in that the braking operation transmission mechanism (braking operation transmission means) 157 for transmission is provided, and the operation units 150 are provided on the front and rear shafts 140 and 141 so that they can be operated from either the front or rear side. It has almost the same configuration. The same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

As shown in FIG. 11, the caster braking mechanism 102 according to the present embodiment has casters 105 (105A to 105D) at the four corners of the bottom 4 of the furniture 3 via mounting members 106 (106FR, 106FL, 106RR, 106RL). ) Is retracted inward and attached. The mounting members 106 are mounted in pairs on the front side of the bottom 4 (see mounting members 106FR and 106FL) and in pairs on the rear side (see mounting members 106RR and 106RL). The mounting members 106FR, 106FL and 106RR, 106RL arranged in different pairs in the front and rear are arranged so as to face each other in the front and rear, respectively.

The swivel shafts 13 and 13 of the casters 105A and 105B are mounted on the front mounting members 106FR and 106FL on the front side in the traveling direction F, respectively, and the front shaft 140 is rotatable on the rear side of one of the front mounting members 106FL. The actuating member 42, which is pivotally supported and connected to the front shaft 140, presses the braking rod 22 protruding from the swivel shaft 13 so as to be able to move forward and backward. Further, the rear mounting members 106RR and 106RL are mounted with the swivel shafts 13 and 13 of the casters 105C and 105D on the side in the backward direction R with respect to the traveling direction F, respectively, and are rearward to the front side of one of the rear mounting members 106RR. The side shaft 141 is rotatably supported, and the operating member 42 connected to the rear side shaft 141 presses the braking rod 22 protruding from the swivel shaft 13 so as to be able to move forward and backward.

The front side shaft 140 and the rear side shaft 141 project from the mounting members 106FL and 106RR, respectively, and extend to the center side. One ends of the operating portions 150 and 151 formed by bending the pipe into a U-shaped cross section are connected to the protruding sides of the shafts 140 and 141, respectively. The positions of both vertical swing ends of the operation units 150 and 151 are set at the portion where one of the branch ends 152 of the operation units 150 and 151 and the respective shafts 140 and 141 are connected and the portion of the other branch end 153. An operation tool lock mechanism 160 is provided which regulates the operation units 150 and 151 and holds the operation units 150 and 151 at each swing end position. The operation tool lock mechanism 160 is attached to the bottom portion 4, and includes a support tool 161 in which the shafts 140 and 141 penetrate the inside and accommodate the connecting side ends 152 and 152 of the operation unit 150.

By the way, in the braking mechanism 102 of the caster according to the present embodiment, one of the shafts 140 and 141 is provided between the protruding ends 140A and 141A in which the shafts 140 and 141 protrude through the supports 161 and 161. When the rotational power is received from the shaft 140 or 141 by the operation unit 150 or 151, the braking operation transmission mechanism (braking operation transmission means) 157 that outputs this rotational power in the opposite direction and reverses it to the other shaft 141 or 140 is transmitted. It is provided and configured. The braking operation transmission mechanism 157 is configured by providing a reverse movement device 171 between the protruding ends 140A and 141A of the shafts 140 and 141, and connecting the reverse movement device 171 and the shafts 140 and 141 so as to be able to transmit output. Will be done.

The reverse movement device 171 rotatably supports two rotating shafts 173A and 173B on the support frame 172, and gears 174A and 174B that mesh with each other are fitted on the rotating shafts 173A and 173B to rotate them. The shafts 173A and 173B are projected from the support frame 172, and the support frame 172 is attached to the bottom 4 of the furniture 3. One end of the swing lever 176 and 177 is connected to the protruding end 140A of the front side shaft 140 and the protruding end 175 of the one rotating shaft 173A facing the protruding end 140A, respectively, and these swing levers 176 A connecting rod 178 is rotatably pivotally connected to the other end of the 177. Further, one ends of the swing levers 180 and 181 are also connected to the protruding end portion 141A of the rear side shaft 141 and the protruding end portion 179 of the one rotating shaft 173B facing the protruding end portion 141A, respectively, and swing these. A connecting rod 182 is rotatably pivotally supported and connected to the other ends of the levers 180 and 181.

Since the braking mechanism 102 of the caster according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, when any of the front and rear operating units 150 (151) is pressed, one of the shafts 140 (141) is rotated. The operating member 42 presses the braking rod 22 protruding from the swivel shaft 13 to lock the wheels 11 and 11, and the operating unit 150 (151) is held at the lower swinging end position by the operating tool locking mechanism 160. Therefore, the wheels 11 and 11 of the caster 105A remain in the locked state. On the other hand, when the operation unit 150 (151) is pressed, the swing lever 176 (180) swings along with the rotation of one shaft 140 (141), and the rotational power of the shaft 140 (141) is connected. It is transmitted to the rotating shaft 173A (173B) of the reverse movement device 171 through the rod 178 (182), and the rotating shaft 173A (173B) rotates in the same direction as the shaft 140 (141). Then, the rotation of the rotating shaft 173A (173B) is output in the opposite direction to the other rotating shaft 173B (173A) through the gears 174A and 174B, and the other shaft 141 (140) is output through the other connecting rod 182 (178). It is supposed to be transmitted to. As described above, the braking mechanism 102 of the caster according to the present embodiment can lock the plurality of casters 105A and 105D at the same time only by operating one of the operating units 150, which simplifies the operation.

In the braking mechanism 102 of the caster according to the above embodiment, the reverse movement device 171 and the shafts 140 and 141 are connected by two connecting rods 178 and 182, but the present invention is not limited to this. , One of the two rotating shafts 173A and 173B of the reverse movement device 171 is connected to one of the shafts 140 and 141 in the same axis as the shaft core, and the connecting rod is configured by one. (See (A) and (B) of FIG. 12). Further, in the braking mechanism 102 of the casters according to the above embodiment, only the front and rear casters 105A and 105D are braked, but the braking operation is not limited to this, and the front and rear axes are extended. , The front side shaft 140X is rotatably supported by both front side mounting members 106FR and 106FL, and the rear side shaft 141X is rotatably supported by both rear side mounting members 106RR and 106RL, and braking operation is transmitted between these both shafts 140X and 141X. A mechanism 157 may be provided to simultaneously brake the front casters 105A and 105B and the rear casters 105C and 105D (see (C) in FIG. 12). Further, in this embodiment, the operating tool lock mechanism 160 regulates both the vertical swing end positions of the operation units 150 and 151, and the operation units 150 and 151 are held at the respective swing end positions, and the wheels 11 and 11 are held. However, it is not limited to this, and instead of the operation tool lock mechanism 160, a part of the operation switching mechanism 2 of the operation device according to the first embodiment is configured. Needless to say, the braking switching mechanism 60 may be used. In this case, the wheel can be operated from either the front or rear side, and the wheels can be braked and released by simply repeating the pressing operation.

Next, the braking mechanism 202 of the caster according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The caster braking mechanism 202 according to the present embodiment outputs this force in the opposite direction when the caster braking mechanism 102 according to the second embodiment receives a force in one direction between the front and rear shafts 140 and 141. A braking operation transmission mechanism 157 that reverses the rotation of either one of the shafts 140 or 141 to the other shaft 141 or 140 and transmits the braking operation transmission mechanism 157 is provided, and the braking operation transmission mechanism 157 is transmitted to the protruding ends of the respective shafts 140 and 141. A reverse movement device 171 is provided between 140A and 141A, and the reverse movement device 171 and each of the shafts 140 and 141 are connected to each other so as to be able to transmit output. When a force in one direction is received between the shafts 240 and 241, this force is output in the opposite direction, and the rotation of one of the shafts 240 or 241 is reversed and transmitted to the other shaft 241 or 240. The difference is that 257 is provided.

That is, the braking mechanism 202 of the caster according to the second embodiment of the present invention has casters 5 (5A to 5D) at the four corners of the bottom portion 204 of the furniture via mounting members 206 (206FR, 206FL, 206RR, 206RL). Is retracted inward and can be mounted freely. Two mounting members 206 are mounted in pairs on the front-rear side of the bottom portion 204 in the traveling direction, and are arranged in pairs in the front-rear direction. Similar to the first embodiment, the front side shaft 240 connecting the two mounting members 206FL and 206FR is attached to the front side mounting members 206FL and 206FR in the traveling direction, and the front side shafts 240 are connected to the traveling direction rear side both mounting members 206RL and 206RR. The rear side shafts 241 connecting the two mounting members 206RL and 206RR are rotatably provided, respectively, and the two shafts 240 and 241 are arranged in parallel. The front side shaft 240 is arranged on the rear side in the traveling direction with respect to the braking rod 22 protruding upward from the turning shaft 13 of the caster body 10, and the rear side shaft 241 is arranged on the front side in the traveling direction with respect to the braking rod 22. Will be done.

Operating tools (operating units) 250F and 250R are attached to the front and rear shafts 240 and 241 between the front side mounting members 206FL and 206FR and between the rear side mounting members 206RL and 206RR, respectively. The operating tools 250F and 250R are formed by bending an elongated metal plate into a U shape, respectively, and an extended open end is attached to the shafts 240 and 241. The bent operating end 251 projects outward from the bottom 204 and is exposed.

The upper handle portion (handle portion) 253 and the lower handle portion (handle portion) 254 are formed at the open ends (shaft side end portions) 252A and 252B of the operating tools 250F and 250R, respectively, in different vertical directions. .. The upper handle portion 253 projects upward from the slots 204A and 204B formed in the bottom portion 204. Both operating tools 250F and 250R are arranged so that the left and right positions of the operating tools 250F and 250R are aligned with each of the axes 240 and 241 and the handle portions 253-254 and 254-253 having different orientations on the front and rear operating tools 250F and 250R face each other. ..

At the upper end of the upper handle portion 253 of the front side operating tool 250F and the lower end of the lower handle part 254 of the rear side operating tool 250R, both ends of the right side link (linkage) 255 are located at the lower end of the lower handle portion 254 of the front side operating tool 250F. And the upper end of the upper handle portion 253 of the rear side operating tool 250R, both ends of the left side link (continuous rod) 256 are rotatably connected via pins, respectively, to connect both operating tools 250F and 250R. ing. The links 255 and 256 are inclined and connected through slots 204A and 204B. That is, both operating tools 250F and 250R are connected across the surface formed between the front and rear shafts 240 and 241. In this way, the upper handle portion 253, the lower handle portion 254, and the left and right links 255 and 256 exert this force from the handle portions 253 and 254 to the links 255 when the shaft 240 receives rotational power in one direction by one of the operating tools 250F. The crank mechanism is configured to transmit to 256 and output to the other shaft 241 as rotational power in the opposite direction. That is, the braking operation transmission mechanism 257 is adapted to transmit by reversing the rotation of one of the shafts to the other shaft by the crank mechanism.

Braking switching mechanisms 60 are provided on the front and rear shafts 240 and 241 respectively, and the operator can lock the wheels 11 and 11 simply by repeating the pressing operation of the operation end 251 of the front side operating tool 250F or the rear side operating tool 250R. And unlocking can be repeated.

In the above embodiment, the operating tools 250F and 250R are formed in a U shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the operating tool is oscillated in a single plate shape in which one end is connected to the shafts 240 and 241. It is composed of an arm part and a pedal part formed at the outer end part of the arm part, and each of the shaft side ends of the swing arm part on the front and rear side is provided with a handle part in a different vertical direction, and these handles are provided. The portions may be connected by a single link to form a crank mechanism. Further, the handle portion may be separated from the operating tool, and may be independently attached to the shafts 240 and 241 in different vertical directions, and may be rotatably connected by a link.

Next, the caster braking mechanism 302 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The caster braking mechanism 302 according to the present embodiment has an operation portion in which the caster braking mechanisms 102 and 202 according to the first and second embodiments brake the wheels of the caster in the front-rear direction of the bottom 4 of the furniture 3. The difference is that they are provided not only in at least one of the front-rear directions but also around the attached body such as furniture so that the operation unit can be easily approached from any position.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the caster braking mechanism 302 according to this embodiment has a horizontal frame 304C that connects the furniture 303 as an attached body to the left and right underframes 304A and 304B and these underframes 304A and 304B. , 304D. Casters 305A to 305D are provided on the front and rear ends of the left and right underframes 304A and 304B, respectively, via mounting members 306FL, 306FR, 306RL, and 306RR. The braking devices 320 of the casters 305A to 305D have substantially the same structure as the braking devices 20 of the casters 5A to 5D according to the above embodiment, and the upper end of the braking rod 22 protrudes on the turning shaft 13 to urge the brakes to move up and down. And placed.

Acting shafts 307 and 308 are rotatably supported on the rear side mounting members 306RL and 306RR, respectively, on the rear side of the swivel shaft 13 of the casters 305C and 305D in the traveling direction F. One end of the operating member 342 is connected to each of the operating shafts 307 and 308 (see (A) and (B) of FIG. 3), and one ends of the operating shafts 307 and 308 307A and 308A are attached members 306RL. It is designed to protrude inward from the 306RR. The rocking end 345 of the operating member 342 comes into contact with the upper end surface 21 of the braking rod 22 and swings integrally with the operating shafts 307 and 308 to push down the braking rod 22.

In the rear side horizontal frame 304D, the main operation unit 350 and the branch ends 352 and 353 of the main operation unit 350 are connected to the rear left and right shafts 340A and 340B in the support 361, respectively, and the upper and lower parts of the main operation unit 350 are vertically connected. An operating tool lock mechanism 360 is provided that regulates both directional swing end positions and holds the main operating portion 350 at each swing end position. The left and right shafts 340A and 340B are rotatably supported by the supports 361 and 361, and one end thereof penetrates the underframes 304A and 304B and extends outward. Sub-operation units 351A and 351B are provided on the external extension ends 341A and 341B of the shafts 340A and 340B, respectively. The swing levers 309, 309, 310, 310 are located between the underframes 304A and 304B of the shafts 340A and 340B and the supports 361 and 361, and the protruding ends 307A and 308A of the operating shafts 307 and 308, respectively. The connecting rods 311 and 312 are rotatably pivotally connected to the other ends of the swing levers 309-310 and 309-310.

As described above, the braking operation transmission mechanism 357 of the braking mechanism 302 of the caster rotatably supports the operating shafts 307 and 308 on the mounting members 306RL and 306RR, and the protruding ends 307A and 308A are supported from the mounting members 306RL and 306RR. The actuating members 342, which are projected and one end connected to the actuating shafts 307 and 308, are arranged so as to be in contact with the braking rod (engagement member) 22 and are arranged on the underframe (attached body) 304A and 304B. The shafts 340A and 340B having the main operation unit 350 are rotatably supported, and these shafts 340A and 340B are connected to the operating shafts 307 and 308 so as to be able to transmit motion, and the rotation of the shafts 340A and 340B is rotated by the operating shaft 307. , 308 is designed to be transmitted.

Since the braking operation transmission mechanism 357 of the braking mechanism 302 of the caster according to this embodiment is configured as described above, a pressing force is applied to any one of the main operation unit 350 and the sub operation units 351A and 351B. Then, the braking device 320 and the operating tool locking mechanism 360 hold the wheels in the braking state, and when an external force is applied to any one of the main operating unit 350 and the sub operating units 351A and 351B to return to the original position. , The braking of the wheels is released. In this way, since the main operation unit 350 and the sub operation units 351A and 351B are provided around the furniture 303, even if the orientation of the furniture 303 is constantly changed, the operator can move to the operation units 350, 351A and 351B. It becomes easier to approach and work efficiency is improved. Further, since the operating shafts 307 and 308 of the braking device 320 and the braking operation transmission shafts 340A and 340B connected to the operating units 350, 351A and 351B are composed of two shafts having different shaft cores, the operating unit 350 , 351A and 351B can be provided at a location away from the casters 305C and 305D, and the degree of freedom in design can be increased.

In the caster braking mechanism 302 according to the above embodiment, the operation of braking and releasing the braking by the main operation unit 350 and the sub operation units 351A and 351B is performed by the operation tool lock mechanism 360, but the operation is limited to this. Needless to say, instead of the operation tool lock mechanism 360, a braking switching mechanism 60 constituting a part of the operation switching mechanism 2 of the operating device according to the first embodiment may be used. .. In this case, the wheel can be operated from either the front or rear side, and the wheels can be braked and released by simply repeating the pressing operation. Further, the operating shafts 307 and 308 of the braking device 320 and the shafts 340A and 340B for transmitting the braking operation connected to the operating units 350, 351A and 351B are composed of two shafts having different shaft cores, but the present invention is limited to this. Depending on the shape of the furniture (attached body) 303, it may be arranged on the same axis or may be configured on the same axis. Further, in this embodiment, the rear casters 305C and 305D are braked, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the front and rear casters 305A and 305B and 305C and 305D are connected by a rod to connect the operation unit 350. , 351A, 351B may be transmitted to the braking device 320 of the caster on the other side in the front-rear direction. Further, as in the above embodiment, the braking operation transmission mechanism 157 provided with the reverse movement device 171 may be provided to output and transmit the transmission of the braking operation in the opposite direction.

Next, the caster braking mechanism 402 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the caster braking mechanism 402 according to the present embodiment, the caster braking mechanism 302 according to the above embodiment is formed by connecting the horizontal frames 304C and 304D to both ends of the underframes 304A and 304B of the furniture 303 in the front-rear direction to form a rectangular carriage. On the other hand, the attached body 403 is different in that it is an H-shaped trolley used in facilities such as hospitals and beauty salons.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, the braking mechanism 402 of the caster according to the present embodiment is connected by retreating inward between the left and right underframes 404A and 404B and these underframes 404A and 404B. The horizontal frame 404C forms an H-shaped attached body. Casters 405A to 405D are provided on the front and rear ends of the left and right underframes 404A and 404B, respectively, via mounting members 406FL, 406FR, 406RL, and 406RR. The braking devices 420 of the casters 405A to 405D have substantially the same structure as the braking devices 20 of the casters 5A to 5D according to the above embodiment, and the upper end of the braking rod 22 protrudes on the turning shaft 13 to urge the brakes to move up and down. And placed.

The operating shafts 407 and 408 are rotatably supported on the front mounting members 406FL and 406FR, respectively, on the rear side of the swivel shaft 13 of the casters 405A and 405B in the traveling direction F. One end of the operating member 442 is connected to each of the operating shafts 407 and 408 (see FIG. 17), and both ends 407A, 407B, 408A and 408A of the operating shafts 407 and 408 are attached to both left and right sides of the mounting members 406RL and 406RR. It is designed to be projected to. The swing end of the actuating member 442 abuts on the upper end surface 21 of the braking rod 22 and swings integrally with the actuating shafts 407 and 408 to push down the braking rod 22.

In the horizontal frame 404C, the main operation unit 450 and the branch ends 452 and 453 of the main operation unit 450 are connected to the shaft 440 in the support 461, respectively, and the positions of both vertical swing ends of the main operation unit 450 are set respectively. An operation tool lock mechanism 460 that regulates and holds the main operation unit 450 at each swing end position is provided. The shaft 440 is rotatably supported by the supports 461 and 461, and both ends of the shaft 440 project to the outside of the underframes 404A and 404B, respectively. Sub-operation units 451A and 451B are provided on the outer extension ends 440A and 440B of the shaft 440, respectively. One ends of swing levers 409 and 409 are connected to the shaft 440 between the left side auxiliary operation portion 451A and the left side support 461 and between the right side auxiliary operation portion 451B and the right side support 461, respectively. Further, one ends of the swing levers 410 and 410 are connected to the outward protruding ends 407A and 408A of the operating shafts 407 and 408, respectively, and the other ends of the swing levers 409 and 409 on the shaft 440 side and the operating shafts 407 and 408, respectively. Connecting rods 412 and 413 are rotatably pivotally supported and connected to the other ends of the swing levers 410 and 410 on the side, respectively. Therefore, when the operating units 450, 451A, and 451B are operated, the operating force becomes the rotational power of the shaft 440 and is transmitted to the operating shafts 407 and 408 through the connecting rods 412 and 413 to brake the casters 405A and 405B. The device 420 is designed to operate. The shaft 440, the swing levers 409, 409, 410, 410, and the connecting rods 412 and 413 constitute the first braking operation transmission mechanism (braking operation transmission means).

Further, in the braking mechanism 402 of the caster according to the present embodiment, the left side operating shafts are between the operating shafts 407 and 417 and 408 and 418 pivotally supported by the left and right front and rear mounting members 406FL and 406RL, 406FR and 406RR, respectively. A transmission link 454 that connects the 407 and 417 and the right operating shafts 417 and 418 so as to be able to transmit motion is provided. The transmission link 454 includes a swing arm 455, 456, one end of which is integrally movably connected to the inwardly projecting ends 407B and 408B of the front operating shafts 407 and 408, and the rearward operating shafts 417 and 418. The swing arms 457 and 458, one end of which is integrally movably connected to the ends 417B and 418B, and the left swing arms 455 and 457 and the right swing arms 456 and 458, both ends of which are rotatable with pins, respectively. It is configured with connecting rods 459 and 460 connected to. The transmission link 454 transmits the rotational power of the shaft 440 applied by the operation of the operation units 450, 451A, 451B from the front operating shafts 407 and 408 to the rear operating shafts 417 and 418 through the connecting rods 459 and 460. It has become like. The transmission link 454 constitutes a second braking operation transmission mechanism (braking operation transmission means). As described above, in the caster braking mechanism 402 according to the present embodiment, the operations of the operating units 450, 451A, and 451B are transmitted to the braking devices 420 of all the casters 405A to 405D through the first and second braking operation transmission mechanisms. It has become so.

As described above, in the caster braking mechanism 402 according to the present embodiment, the main operation unit 450 can be arranged at a position retracted to the rear side from the front side casters 405A and 405B, so that the compactness can be achieved. Further, since the sub-operation units 451A and 451B are provided on the left and right sides of the furniture 403, the operator can use the main operation unit 450 and the sub-operation unit 451A even if the orientation of the furniture 403 is constantly changed, as in the above embodiment. , 451B becomes easier to approach, and work efficiency is improved.

In the caster braking mechanism 402 according to the above embodiment, the operation of braking and releasing the braking by the main operation unit 450 and the sub operation units 451A and 451B is performed by the operation tool lock mechanism 460, but the operation is limited to this. Instead of the operation tool lock mechanism 460, a braking switching mechanism 60 which constitutes a part of the operation switching mechanism 2 of the operating device according to the first embodiment may be used. In this case, the wheel can be operated from either the front or rear side, and the wheels can be braked and released by simply repeating the pressing operation. Further, the operating shafts 407 and 408 of the braking device 420 and the shaft 440 for transmitting the braking operation connected to the operating units 450, 451A and 451B are composed of two shafts having different shaft cores, but the present invention is not limited to this. , Depending on the shape of the furniture (attached body) 403, it may be arranged on the same axis, or it may be configured on the same axis. Further, in this embodiment, the rear casters 405C and 405D are also braked at the same time as the front casters 405A and 405B, but the present invention is not limited to this, except for the second braking operation transmission mechanism. , Only the first braking operation transmission mechanism may be used to brake only the front casters 405A and 405B. Further, as in the above embodiment, the braking operation transmission mechanism 157 provided with the reverse movement device 171 may be provided to output and transmit the transmission of the braking operation in the reverse direction.

2 Braking switching mechanism of braking device (operation switching mechanism of operating device)
3 Furniture (fixed side)
5 Caster 20 Braking device (actuator)
22 Brake rod (switching member)
40 axis 42 operating member 50 operation unit

Claims (4)

Operation units provided before and after the direction of travel of the attached body, and
A shaft that is provided in front of and behind the traveling direction of the mounted body and rotates in response to a pressing operation on the operation unit,
A braking device that is provided in front of and behind the traveling direction of the attached body and can lock the wheels of the caster according to the rotation of the axis to be connected in one direction.
It has a reverse movement device composed of gears arranged between shafts provided before and after the traveling direction of the mounted body, and by a pressing operation on an operating member provided on one shaft or the other shaft. The generated shaft rotational force is transmitted to the reverse motion device, and the axial rotational force that is output by the reverse motion device in response to the input axial rotational force is obtained by switching the rotational direction of the axial rotational force in the opposite direction. caster braking mechanism, characterized in that example Bei an operation transmitting mechanism for transmitting to the other axis or one axis. The first aspect of claim 1 is that the braking devices provided before and after the traveling direction of the attached body lock one of the wheels of the two casters provided before and after the traveling direction on the diagonal line. The described caster braking mechanism. The braking mechanism for casters according to claim 1 , wherein the operation transmission mechanism includes a swing lever connected to a shaft and a connecting rod connecting the swing lever and a reverse movement device. An attached body comprising the braking mechanism of the caster according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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