JP7776866B2 - assistive devices - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an auxiliary device that assists in the task of hanging a container bag's lifting belt on a lifting device.

Conventionally, flexible container bags known as flexible container bags have been known. When lifting and transporting this type of container bag, a worker must first attach the container bag's lifting belt to the forks of a forklift.

If the worker is also the forklift driver, i.e., if the worker is transporting the container bag alone, the worker will stop the forklift in a position where it is easy to fasten the lifting belt to the forks, dismount from the forklift, fasten the lifting belt to the forks, then re-enter the forklift and operate the forklift so that the lifting belt is positioned closer to the base of the forks.

However, if the lifting belts cannot be positioned in the designated positions on the forks so that the container bag can be transported in one go, the worker must dismount the forklift and reattach the lifting belts, which requires repeated boarding and dismounting of the forklift, placing a greater burden on the worker and increasing the time required to transport the container bag.

In light of these issues, Patent Document 1 describes an auxiliary device that assists in the transport of container bags. This auxiliary device is installed on the container bag and secures the lifting belt above the top surface of the container bag, creating a space below the lifting belt for use in lifting the lifting belt with a lifting device.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-154368

However, because the auxiliary device in Patent Document 1 is lifted together with the lifting belt, it is difficult to remove from the container bag while the container bag is lifted. As a result, each auxiliary device in Patent Document 1 must be permanently attached to each container bag, which requires one auxiliary device for each container bag, creating a cost issue.

The present invention provides an auxiliary tool that can simplify the task of transporting container bags while keeping costs down.

An assisting device according to one aspect of the present invention is placed on top of a flexible container bag and assists in the task of hanging multiple lifting belts on the container bag from a lifting device. It comprises a pair of side bodies spaced apart in a first width direction intersecting the vertical direction, each extending in a second width direction intersecting the vertical direction and the first width direction, and forming an arrangement space between them in which the lifting device can be placed; and a base body that connects the pair of side bodies, defines the bottom of the arrangement space, and is placed in contact with the top of the container bag. Each of the pair of side bodies is exposed upward and extends in the second width direction to attach one of the multiple lifting belts to a lifting device. The device has a first lower support surface capable of supporting a first suspension belt from below, a second lower support surface that is juxtaposed to the first lower support surface in the second width direction, is exposed upward, and extends in the second width direction to support a second suspension belt of the plurality of suspension belts from below, a first outer support surface that extends upward from an end of the first lower support surface opposite the second lower support surface, faces inward in the second width direction, and is capable of supporting the first suspension belt from the outside in the second width direction, and a second outer support surface that extends upward from an end of the second lower support surface opposite the first lower support surface, faces inward in the second width direction, and is capable of supporting the second suspension belt from the outside in the second width direction.

In the above-mentioned assisting device, the base body may have a spacing adjustment mechanism that can change the spacing between the pair of side bodies in the first width direction.

In the above-mentioned assistive device, each of the pair of side bodies may have a height adjustment mechanism that can change the vertical position of the connection portion between the first lower support surface and the first outer support surface, and the vertical position of the connection portion between the second lower support surface and the second outer support surface.

In the above-mentioned assisting device, the first outer support surface and the second outer support surface may be inclined outward in the second width direction as they extend upward.

In the above-mentioned assisting device, at least one of the pair of side bodies and the base body may be flexible, and the upper ends of the pair of side bodies may be movable toward or away from each other in the first width direction by elastic deformation of at least one of the side bodies.

In the above-mentioned assisting device, each of the pair of side bodies may be supported so as to be tiltable relative to the base body so that the upper ends of the pair of side bodies are close to or farther apart in the first width direction.

In the above-mentioned assisting device, the base body may be a rod-shaped body extending in the first width direction.

In the above-mentioned auxiliary device, the rod-shaped bodies may be provided as a pair spaced apart in the second width direction, and each of the pair of rod-shaped bodies may connect the ends of the pair of side bodies in the second width direction to each other.

In the above-mentioned assisting device, the base body may be a rod-shaped body extending in the first width direction, and the spacing adjustment mechanism may be a mechanism that extends or contracts the rod-shaped body.

In the above-mentioned assistive device, each of the pair of side bodies may be frame-shaped and comprised of a rod-shaped member that forms the outer shape of the side body.

In the above-mentioned assistive device, each of the pair of side bodies is frame-shaped and made up of rod-shaped members that form the outer shape of the side body, and the rod-shaped members have a vertical bar extending in the up-down direction and a horizontal bar extending in the second width direction, and the height adjustment mechanism may be a mechanism that extends or contracts the vertical bar.

In the above-mentioned auxiliary device, the distance in the second width direction between the first outer support surface and the second outer support surface of each of the pair of side bodies may be 150 mm or more.

In the above-mentioned auxiliary device, for each of the pair of side bodies, the distance from the connection between the first outer support surface and the first lower support surface to the upper end of the first outer support surface, and the distance from the connection between the second outer support surface and the second lower support surface to the upper end of the second outer support surface may be 150 mm or more.

In the above-mentioned assisting device, the distance between the pair of side bodies in the first width direction may be greater than 250 mm.

The above-mentioned auxiliary device makes it possible to simplify the task of transporting container bags while keeping costs down.

1 is an overall perspective view of an assisting device according to an embodiment of the present invention installed in a container bag, as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assisting tool as seen obliquely from above. This is a front view of the side body, showing the above-mentioned auxiliary device as viewed from the outside in the second width direction, where (a) shows the state in which the outer vertical bar is contracted, and (b) shows the state in which the outer vertical bar is extended. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the above-mentioned assisting device as viewed from the outside in the first width direction, in which (a) shows the state in which the lower horizontal bar is contracted, and (b) shows the state in which the lower horizontal bar is extended. 10 is a diagram showing the assisting tool as viewed from the outside in the first width direction, illustrating a state in which the base body is elastically deformed. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the assisting tool as viewed from the outside in the second width direction, showing a front view of the side body. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the assisting tool as viewed from the outside in the first width direction, with the side body tilted. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third modified example of the assisting tool as viewed from the outside in the second width direction, showing a front view of the side body. FIG. 10 is a view of a fourth modified example of the assisting tool as seen from the outside in the second width direction, showing a front view of the side body. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another method of using the assisting tool.

An assisting device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
1, the assisting device 100 is placed on top of a flexible container bag CN and assists in the task of hanging the lifting belts B of the container bag CN on a lifting device. Here, the container bag CN is provided with a plurality of lifting belts B.

In this embodiment, two lifting belts B, namely a first lifting belt B1 and a second lifting belt B2, are arranged at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the container bag CN (a direction that corresponds to a second width direction W2 described below), and are provided to extend in a first width direction W1 described below. Furthermore, the lifting device in this embodiment is a forklift, and the auxiliary tool 100 will be described as an example in which it assists in the task of hanging the lifting belts B on the forks F of the forklift.

(Overall structure)
As shown in Figure 2, the auxiliary device 100 comprises a pair of side bodies 1 arranged at a distance from each other in a first width direction W1 that intersects with the vertical direction D1, and a base body 2 that connects the pair of side bodies 1 to each other.

(lateral body)
Each of the pair of side bodies 1 extends in a second width direction W2 that intersects the up-down direction D1 and the first width direction W1. An arrangement space S is formed between the pair of side bodies 1, into which a fork F (see FIG. 1 ) can be inserted and arranged from the second width direction W2. Each side body 1 is frame-shaped and composed of rod-shaped members 10 that define its outer shape. The rod-shaped members 10 include a vertical rod 11 extending in the up-down direction D1 and a horizontal rod 12 extending in the second width direction W2. These vertical rod 11 and horizontal rod 12 are, for example, cylindrical tubes, but may be any rod-shaped member, including solid rods. Each side body 1 has a bilaterally symmetrical shape in the second width direction W2 when viewed from the front outside the first width direction W1.

More specifically, as shown in Figure 3(a), the horizontal bars 12 include a lower horizontal bar 12a located at the lowest position on each side body 1, a pair of upper horizontal bars 12b located at the highest position parallel to the lower horizontal bar 12a and spaced apart in the second width direction W2, and an intermediate horizontal bar 12c located between the pair of upper horizontal bars 12b in the second width direction W2, parallel to the lower horizontal bar 12a and the upper horizontal bar 12b, and located between the lower horizontal bar 12a and the upper horizontal bar 12b in the vertical direction D1.

The vertical bars 11 include a pair of outer vertical bars 11a spaced apart in the second width direction W2, each connecting a lower horizontal bar 12a and a corresponding upper horizontal bar 12b, and a pair of inner vertical bars 11b spaced apart in the second width direction W2 and located more inward in the second width direction W2 than the pair of outer vertical bars 11a, connecting an intermediate horizontal bar 12c and a corresponding upper horizontal bar 12b. Here, "inside in the second width direction W2" refers to the side closer to the center of each side body 1 in the second width direction, and the side opposite the inside, which is the side away from the center, is referred to as "outside in the second width direction W2."

Each outer vertical bar 11a extends upward at a right angle from the outer end of the lower horizontal bar 12a in the second width direction W2 and is connected to the outer end of the corresponding upper horizontal bar 12b in the second width direction W2 at a right angle to the upper horizontal bar 12b. Each inner vertical bar 11b extends downward at a right angle from the inner end of the corresponding upper horizontal bar 12b in the second width direction W2 and is connected to the outer end of the intermediate horizontal bar 12c in the second width direction W2 at a right angle to the intermediate horizontal bar 12c. Therefore, the pair of outer vertical bars 11a, the pair of upper horizontal bars 12b, and the pair of inner vertical bars 11b form convex portions 33 at both outer ends in the second width direction W2 on the upper part of each side body 1.

(Outer support surface)
Of the pair of inner vertical bars 11b, the surface of one inner vertical bar 11b facing inward in the second width direction W2 is a first outer support surface 21, and the surface of the other inner vertical bar 11b facing inward in the second width direction W2 is a second outer support surface 22. The first outer support surface 21 is capable of supporting the first suspension belt B1 from the outside in the second width direction W2. The second outer support surface 22 is capable of supporting the second suspension belt B2 from the outside in the second width direction W2.

(Lower support surface)
Of the upward-facing surfaces of the intermediate cross bar 12c, one region in the second width direction W2, based on the central portion of the side body 1 in the second width direction W2, serves as a first lower support surface 31, and the other region in the second width direction W2 serves as a second lower support surface 32. Thus, the second lower support surface 32 is disposed adjacent to the first lower support surface 31 in the second width direction W2. The first lower support surface 31 is exposed upward and extends in the second width direction W2 so as to be able to support the first suspension belt B1 from below. Similarly, the second lower support surface 32 is exposed upward and extends in the second width direction W2 so as to be able to support the second suspension belt B2 from below.

That is, the first outer support surface 21 extends upward perpendicularly from the end of the first lower support surface 31 opposite the second lower support surface 32 (the outer end in the second width direction W2), and the first lower support surface 31 and the first outer support surface 21 form an L-shape (or an inverted L-shape) when viewed from the front of the side body 1 from one side in the first width direction W1. Similarly, the second outer support surface 22 extends upward perpendicularly from the end of the second lower support surface 32 opposite the first lower support surface 31 (the outer end in the second width direction W2), and the second lower support surface 32 and the second outer support surface 22 form an inverted L-shape (or an L-shape) when viewed from the front of the side body 1 from one side in the first width direction W1. The first lower support surface 31, the second lower support surface 32, the first outer support surface 21, and the second outer support surface 22 form a recess 34 in the upper part of each side body 1, and the first suspension belt B1 and the second suspension belt B2 are arranged between the interiors of the recesses 34 of the pair of side bodies 1.

(Height adjustment mechanism)
As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), each of the pair of side bodies 1 has a height adjustment mechanism 40 that can change the position in the up-down direction D1 of a connection portion P1 between the first lower support surface 31 and the first outer support surface 21, and the position in the up-down direction D1 of a connection portion P2 between the second lower support surface 32 and the second outer support surface 22. The height adjustment mechanism 40 of this embodiment is a mechanism that extends and contracts each outer vertical rod 11a. Specifically, each outer vertical rod 11a has a structure in which an inner rod (hollow or solid rod) 11y is inserted into an outer cylinder 11x, and the insertion amount of the inner rod 11y into the outer cylinder 11x is adjustable. The height adjustment mechanism 40 is composed of an adjustment bolt 11z that passes through the outer tube 11x and can contact the outer peripheral surface of the inner rod 11y.By loosening the adjustment bolt 11z to determine the relative position between the outer tube 11x and the inner rod 11y and then tightening the adjustment bolt 11z, the adjustment bolt 11z comes into contact with the inner rod 11y, thereby regulating the relative movement between the outer tube 11x and the inner rod 11y.

As shown in FIG. 4, the spacing dimension d1 between a pair of side bodies 1 in the first width direction W1, which is the dimension of the arrangement space S in the first width direction W1, is preferably greater than 250 mm, more preferably greater than 280 mm, and even more preferably greater than 400 mm. Furthermore, the spacing dimension d1 is preferably 500 mm or less. In other words, the spacing dimension d1 between the side bodies 1 is preferably greater than the fork opening width of a forklift (rated load 0.9 to 3.5 tons) commonly used to transport container bags CN. The "fork opening width" here refers to the sum of the width dimensions of each of the two forks (the width dimensions of each of the two forks when the forks are attached) plus the spacing dimension between the two forks (the spacing dimension between the forks when the forks are attached). Furthermore, it is preferable that the spacing dimension d1 be a dimension that allows a pair of side bodies 1 to be placed on a commonly used container bag (with a load capacity of 0.5 to 2.0 tons), i.e., a dimension that prevents the auxiliary device 100 from protruding from the container bag in the first width direction W1 and the second width direction W2.

Returning to Figure 3, so that each of the suspension belts B1, B2 on each side body 1 is supported in contact with the first outer support surface 21 or the second outer support surface 22, the distance d2 in the second width direction W2 between the first outer support surface 21 and the second outer support surface 22 is preferably narrower than the distance in the first width direction W2 between the positions where each of the suspension belts is connected to the container bag in a commonly used container bag (with a load capacity of 0.5 to 2.0 tons), and is preferably 150 mm or more.

In addition, so that each suspension belt B on each side body 1 is supported in contact with the first outer support surface 21 or the second outer support surface 22, the distance h1 from the connection between the first lower support surface 31 and the first outer support surface 21 to the upper end of the first outer support surface 21, and the distance h2 from the connection between the second lower support surface 32 and the second outer support surface 22 to the upper end of the second outer support surface 22, are preferably greater than the tape width of each suspension belt of a commonly used container bag (with a load capacity of 0.5 to 2.0 tons), and are preferably 150 mm or greater.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the dimension d3 in the second width direction W2 of each side body 1 is smaller than 1500 mm. In other words, it is preferable that the dimension d3 is smaller than the fork length of a commonly used forklift (rated load 0.9 tons to 3.5 tons).

(base body)
Returning to FIG. 2 , the base body 2 connects the pair of side bodies 1 together, defines the bottom of the arrangement space S, and is placed in contact with the top of the container bag CN. In this embodiment, the base body 2 is a rod-shaped body extending in the first width direction W1. This rod-shaped body is, for example, a cylindrical tube, but it may be any rod-shaped body, including a solid rod. A pair of rod-shaped bodies serving as the base body 2 are provided so as to be spaced apart in the second width direction W2 and are arranged parallel to each other, connecting the outer end of one side body 1 in the second width direction W2 to the outer end of the other side body 1 in the second width direction W2.

(Space adjustment mechanism)
As shown in FIG. 4 , the rod-shaped body serving as the base body 2 includes a gap adjustment mechanism 50 that can change the distance d1 between the pair of side bodies 1 in the first width direction W1. In this embodiment, the gap adjustment mechanism 50 is a mechanism for extending and retracting the rod-shaped body. Specifically, the rod-shaped body has an inner rod (hollow or solid rod) 2y inserted into an outer tube 2x, allowing the insertion amount of the inner rod 2y into the outer tube 2x to be adjusted. In each rod-shaped body, the outer tube 2x is spaced apart in the first width direction W1, and the inner rod 2y is sandwiched between the outer tubes 2x. The gap adjustment mechanism 50 is configured with an adjustment bolt 2z that penetrates each outer tube 2x and can contact the outer peripheral surface of the inner rod 2y. After loosening the adjustment bolt 2z to determine the relative position of the outer tube 2x and the inner rod 2y, the adjustment bolt 2z is tightened to bring the adjustment bolt 2z into contact with the inner rod 2y, restricting the relative movement between the outer tube 2x and the inner rod 2y.

In addition, in this embodiment, the rod-shaped body serving as the base body 2 has flexibility such that at least the inner rod 2y can be elastically bent and deformed by the force of the operator. On the other hand, the outer tube 2x is formed from a material with a higher flexural modulus than the inner rod 2y. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, when an external force O is applied from the outside (or inside) in the first width direction W1 to bend the rod-shaped body serving as the base body 2, the inner rod 2y, which has a lower elastic modulus, elastically deforms, allowing the upper ends of the pair of side bodies 1 to move closer to or farther apart in the first width direction W1.

(Action and effect)
According to the assisting device 100 of the present embodiment described above, the first lower support surface 31 is connected to the first outer support surface 21, and the second lower support surface 32 is connected to the second outer support surface 22, thereby forming a recess 34 in the upper part of the side body 1. Therefore, by arranging the suspending belts B1, B2 inside this recess 34, the suspending belts B1, B2 can be easily arranged on the assisting device 100. At this time, the first suspending belt B1 is supported from the outside in the second width direction W2 by the first outer support surface 21 and from below by the first lower support surface 31, so that the first suspending belt B1 can be held in the upper part of the arrangement space S for arranging the forks F. Similarly, the second suspending belt B2 is supported from the outside in the second width direction W2 by the second outer support surface 22 and from below by the second lower support surface 32, so that the second suspending belt B2 can be held in the upper part of the arrangement space S.

As a result, the lifting belts B1 and B2 can be attached to the forks F simply by lifting the forks F while they are inserted in the arrangement space S below the lifting belts B. Furthermore, once the worker dismounts from the forklift and places the lifting belts B1 and B2 in the recesses 34 of the side body 1, the worker can then easily adjust the position at which the lifting belts B attach to the forks F by adjusting the insertion position of the forks F in the arrangement space S while re-boarding the forklift. In other words, even if there is only one worker, there is no need to repeatedly get on and off the forklift to adjust the position of the lifting belts B1 and B2 and re-attach the lifting belts B1 and B2 to the forks F.

In this way, by using the auxiliary device 100 of this embodiment, the lifting belts B1 and B2 can be easily attached to the forks F in the optimal position for lifting the container bag CN, making it easier to transport the container bag CN.

Furthermore, when the fork F is inserted into the placement space S and lifted above the side body 1, the first suspending belt B1 moves from its position supported by the first outer support surface 21 to above the first outer support surface 21, i.e., above (outside) the recess 34, and is released from support by the auxiliary device 100. Similarly, the second suspending belt B2 is released from support by the auxiliary device 100. When the suspending belts B1 and B2 are lifted by the fork F in this manner, the fork F separates from the auxiliary device 100, and the suspending belts B1 and B2 also separate from the auxiliary device 100. In this state, the auxiliary device 100 alone can be removed from the container bag CN. Therefore, after removing the auxiliary device 100 from one container bag CN, it can be attached (placed) on another container bag CN for use. This allows for the reuse of the auxiliary device 100, eliminating the need to prepare as many auxiliary devices 100 as there are container bags CN to be transported, thereby reducing costs.

Furthermore, because the base body 2 has a spacing adjustment mechanism 50, the spacing between the side bodies 1 can be easily adjusted. This means that the spacing between the side bodies 1 can be changed to match the size of the container bag CN, increasing the versatility of the auxiliary device 100. Furthermore, the spacing adjustment mechanism 50 makes it possible to increase or decrease the dimension of the arrangement space S in the first width direction W1 to match the size of the fork F, making it compatible with various models and sizes of forklifts, further increasing its versatility.

Furthermore, because each side body 1 has a height adjustment mechanism 40, the position of the recess 34 can be adjusted up or down depending on the length of the lifting belts B1, B2 in the first width direction W1, i.e., depending on the size of the container bag CN, thereby reducing the slack of the lifting belts B1, B2. Reducing the slack of the lifting belts B1, B2 makes it easier to insert the fork F into the placement space S below the lifting belts B1, B2.

Furthermore, because the base body 2 is flexible, by bending and deforming the base body 2 to move the upper ends of the side bodies 1 closer to or farther apart, even if the lifting belts B1, B2 remain positioned within the recesses 34 when they are lifted by the forks F, the auxiliary device 100 can be deformed so that the lifting belts B1, B2 move away from the auxiliary device 100, making it easy to remove the auxiliary device 100 from the container bag CN.

Furthermore, because the base body 2 is rod-shaped, the spacing adjustment mechanism 50 can be constructed very easily. That is, the spacing between the side bodies 1 can be adjusted simply by extending or retracting the rod-shaped body. Furthermore, because the base body 2 is rod-shaped, the base body 2 can be made lightweight, which leads to a reduction in the weight of the assisting device 100 and makes it easier to carry the assisting device 100. Furthermore, a pair of rod-shaped bodies serving as the base body 2 are provided to connect the end of one side body 1 to the end of the other side body 1. This ensures sufficient strength for the side body 1 and increases stability when the assisting device 100 is placed in the container bag CN.

Furthermore, because each side body 1 is composed of a rod-shaped member 10, the height adjustment mechanism 40 can be constructed very easily. In other words, the position of the recess 34 can be raised or lowered simply by extending or contracting the outer vertical rod 11a of the rod-shaped member 10. Furthermore, because the side body 1 is composed of rod-shaped members 10, the side body 1 can be made lightweight, which leads to a reduction in the weight of the assistive device 100 and makes it easier to carry.

Furthermore, if the distance d1 between the side bodies 1 in the first width direction W1 is greater than 250 mm, the forks of a commonly used forklift can be securely inserted into the placement space S, allowing the auxiliary device 100 to be used with any forklift model or size, increasing its versatility.

Furthermore, if the distance d2 in the second width direction W2 between the first outer support surface 21 and the second outer support surface 22 is 150 mm or more, the suspension belts of commonly used container bags CN can be reliably positioned within the recesses 34. Therefore, the auxiliary device 100 can be used regardless of the size of the container bag CN, increasing its versatility.

Furthermore, if the distance h1 from the connection point P1 between the first outer support surface 21 and the first lower support surface 31 to the upper end of the first outer support surface 21, and the distance h2 from the connection point P2 between the second outer support surface 22 and the second lower support surface 32 to the upper end of the second outer support surface 22, are 150 mm or greater, the first outer support surface 21 and the second outer support surface 22 can reliably support the suspension belts of commonly used container bags. Therefore, the support device 100 can be used regardless of the size of the container bag CN, increasing its versatility.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
6 , the first outer support surface 61 and the second outer support surface 62 may be inclined outward in the second width direction W2 as they extend upward. In this case, when the fork F is inserted into the arrangement space S and then lifted above the side body 1, the suspending belts B1, B2 are smoothly guided upward by the first outer support surface 21 and the second outer support surface 22 from a state in which they are supported by the first outer support surface 61 and the second outer support surface 62, and are released from support by the assisting device 100. Therefore, the assisting device 100 can be easily removed from the container bag simply by lifting the suspending belts B1, B2 with the fork F.

Also, as shown in FIG. 7, each side body 1 may be supported by a hinge or the like so that it can tilt relative to the base body 2 so that the upper ends of the pair of side bodies 1 move closer to or farther apart in the first width direction W1. In this case, by applying an external force O to tilt the side bodies 1 so that the upper ends of the side bodies 1 move closer to or farther apart, the assisting device 100 can be easily removed from the container bag CN even in situations where the lifting belts B1, B2 remain positioned within the recesses 34 when lifted by the forks F.

Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the first lower support surface 31 and the second lower support surface 32 may be positioned apart in the second width direction W2, and a convex portion 37 protruding upward may be formed between the first lower support surface 31 and the second lower support surface 32. This convex portion 37 can form a recess 38 in which the first suspension belt B1 is disposed and a recess 39 in which the second suspension belt B2 is disposed in the upper part of the side body 1, allowing the first suspension belt B1 to be reliably supported by the first outer support surface 21 and the first lower support surface 31, and the second suspension belt B2 to be reliably supported by the second outer support surface 22 and the second lower support surface 32.

Also, as shown in Figure 9, the intermediate horizontal bar 12c may be directly connected to the outer vertical bar 11a without providing the upper horizontal bar 12b and inner vertical bar 11b. In this case, the first outer support surface 21 and the second outer support surface 22 become surfaces of the outer vertical bar 11a facing inward in the second width direction W2.

Furthermore, at least one of the pair of side bodies 1 and base body 2 does not have to be frame-shaped, and may be, for example, plate-shaped.

Alternatively, the side body 1, rather than the base body 2, may be flexible and capable of moving the upper ends of the pair of side bodies 1 closer to or farther apart by elastic deformation, or both the side body 1 and the base body 2 may be flexible and elastically deformable.

The height adjustment mechanism 40 may also be provided on the inner vertical bar 11b.

The spacing adjustment mechanism 50 may also be a mechanism that moves the pair of side bodies 1 closer to or farther apart by sliding the pair of side bodies 1 relative to the base body 2 in the first width direction W1.

10, the auxiliary device 100 can also be used when four suspender belts B are provided circumferentially spaced apart on the container bag CN. Specifically, the auxiliary device 100 can be positioned so that the first suspender belt B1 of the four suspender belts B is supported by the first outer support surface 21 and the first lower support surface 31 of one side body 1, the second suspender belt B2 is supported by the second outer support surface 22 and the second lower support surface 32 of one side body 1, the third suspender belt B3 is supported by the first outer support surface 21 and the first lower support surface 31 of the other side body 1, and the fourth suspender belt B4 is supported by the second outer support surface 22 and the second lower support surface 32 of the other side body 1. In this case, forks F can be inserted and positioned one by one on the outside of the side body 1 (outside the placement space S and on the outside of the auxiliary device 100 in the first width direction W1) to lift the suspender belts B1 to B4.

Furthermore, the lower horizontal bar 12a and the middle horizontal bar 12c may be made extendable, for example, so that the distance d2 between the first outer support surface 21 and the second outer support surface 22 can be adjusted.

Furthermore, the spacing dimension d1 between the side bodies 1 in the first width direction W1 may be changed by replacing the base body 2 with inner rods 2y of different lengths.

Furthermore, the lifting device is not limited to a forklift, but may be, for example, a crane, or any other device that can lift the object while the lifting belt B is attached.

The assistive device of the present invention makes it possible to simplify the task of transporting container bags while keeping costs down.

1 Side body 2 Base body 10 Rod-shaped member 11 Vertical rod 12 Horizontal rod 21, 61 First outer support surface 22, 62 Second outer support surface 31 First lower support surface 32 Second lower support surface 40 Height adjustment mechanism 50 Spacing adjustment mechanism 100 Auxiliary tool B Lifting belt B1 First lifting belt B2 Second lifting belt CN Container bag F Fork S Arrangement space D1 Up-down direction W1 First width direction W2 Second width direction

Claims (13)

An auxiliary tool that is placed on top of a flexible container bag and assists in the task of hanging a plurality of lifting belts of the container bag on a lifting device,
a pair of side bodies arranged at an interval in a first width direction intersecting the up-down direction, each extending in a second width direction intersecting the up-down direction and the first width direction, and forming an arrangement space between them in which the lifting device can be arranged;
a base body that connects the pair of side bodies to each other, defines a bottom of the arrangement space, and is placed in contact with an upper portion of the container bag;
Equipped with
Each of the pair of side bodies is
a first lower support surface that is exposed upward and extends in the second width direction and is capable of supporting a first suspension belt of the plurality of suspension belts from below;
a second lower support surface that is juxtaposed to the first lower support surface in the second width direction, is exposed upward, and extends in the second width direction to support a second suspension belt of the plurality of suspension belts from below;
a first outer support surface that extends upward from an end of the first lower support surface opposite to the second lower support surface, faces inward in the second width direction, and is capable of supporting the first suspension belt from the outside in the second width direction;
a second outer support surface that extends upward from an end of the second lower support surface opposite to the first lower support surface, faces inward in the second width direction, and is capable of supporting the second suspension belt from the outside in the second width direction;
and
The base body is an auxiliary tool having a spacing adjustment mechanism that can change the spacing in the first width direction between the pair of side bodies . An auxiliary tool that is placed on top of a flexible container bag and assists in the task of hanging a plurality of lifting belts of the container bag on a lifting device,
a pair of side bodies arranged at an interval in a first width direction intersecting the up-down direction, each extending in a second width direction intersecting the up-down direction and the first width direction, and forming an arrangement space between them in which the lifting device can be arranged;
a base body that connects the pair of side bodies to each other, defines a bottom of the arrangement space, and is placed in contact with an upper portion of the container bag;
Equipped with
Each of the pair of side bodies is
a first lower support surface that is exposed upward and extends in the second width direction and is capable of supporting a first suspension belt of the plurality of suspension belts from below;
a second lower support surface that is juxtaposed to the first lower support surface in the second width direction, is exposed upward, and extends in the second width direction to support a second suspension belt of the plurality of suspension belts from below;
a first outer support surface that extends upward from an end of the first lower support surface opposite to the second lower support surface, faces inward in the second width direction, and is capable of supporting the first suspension belt from the outside in the second width direction;
a second outer support surface that extends upward from an end of the second lower support surface opposite to the first lower support surface, faces inward in the second width direction, and is capable of supporting the second suspension belt from the outside in the second width direction;
a height adjustment mechanism that can change the vertical position of a connection portion between the first lower support surface and the first outer support surface and the vertical position of a connection portion between the second lower support surface and the second outer support surface ;
An assistive device having the following. The assisting tool according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the first outer support surface and the second outer support surface are inclined outward in the second width direction as they extend upward. At least one of the pair of side bodies and the base body is flexible;
The assisting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the upper ends of the pair of side bodies can be moved closer to or farther apart in the first width direction by elastic deformation of at least one of the side bodies. An auxiliary device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the pair of side bodies is supported so as to be tiltable relative to the base body so that the upper ends of the pair of side bodies are close to or farther apart in the first width direction. An auxiliary tool that is placed on top of a flexible container bag and assists in the task of hanging a plurality of lifting belts of the container bag on a lifting device,
a pair of side bodies arranged at an interval in a first width direction intersecting the up-down direction, each extending in a second width direction intersecting the up-down direction and the first width direction, and forming an arrangement space between them in which the lifting device can be arranged;
a base body that connects the pair of side bodies to each other, defines a bottom of the arrangement space, and is placed in contact with an upper portion of the container bag;
Equipped with
Each of the pair of side bodies is
a first lower support surface that is exposed upward and extends in the second width direction and is capable of supporting a first suspension belt of the plurality of suspension belts from below;
a second lower support surface that is juxtaposed to the first lower support surface in the second width direction, is exposed upward, and extends in the second width direction to support a second suspension belt of the plurality of suspension belts from below;
a first outer support surface that extends upward from an end of the first lower support surface opposite to the second lower support surface, faces inward in the second width direction, and is capable of supporting the first suspension belt from the outside in the second width direction;
a second outer support surface that extends upward from an end of the second lower support surface opposite to the first lower support surface, faces inward in the second width direction, and is capable of supporting the second suspension belt from the outside in the second width direction;
and
The base body is an auxiliary tool that is a rod-shaped body extending in the first width direction. The auxiliary device described in claim 6 , wherein a pair of the rod-shaped bodies are provided at intervals in the second width direction, and each of the pair of rod-shaped bodies connects the ends of the pair of side bodies in the second width direction. the base body is a rod-shaped body extending in the first width direction,
The assisting tool according to claim 1 , wherein the distance adjusting mechanism is a mechanism for extending and contracting the rod-shaped body. 9. The assisting tool according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of side bodies is frame-shaped and is made up of a rod-shaped member that defines the outer shape of the side body. Each of the pair of side bodies is formed into a frame shape by a rod-shaped member that forms the outer shape of the side body,
The rod-shaped member is
A vertical bar extending in the up-down direction;
A horizontal bar extending in the second width direction;
and
The assisting device according to claim 2 , wherein the height adjusting mechanism is a mechanism for extending and contracting the vertical rod. An auxiliary device described in any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein in each of the pair of side bodies, the distance in the second width direction between the first outer support surface and the second outer support surface is 150 mm or more. An auxiliary device described in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein in each of the pair of side bodies, the distance from the connection portion between the first outer support surface and the first lower support surface to the upper end of the first outer support surface, and the distance from the connection portion between the second outer support surface and the second lower support surface to the upper end of the second outer support surface are 150 mm or more. The assisting tool according to any one of claims 1 to 12 , wherein the distance between the pair of side bodies in the first width direction is greater than 250 mm.