JP7780171B2 - Transport cart - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a transport cart.

Transport carts used to transport cargo such as containers are known in the art. Transport carts have a platform and casters fixed to the underside of the platform. The casters are typically fixed to the platform using bolts and nuts (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-105713

The conventional transport carts mentioned above require many bolts and nuts to secure the casters to the loading platform, and the work of securing and removing the casters from the loading platform is time-consuming.

The problem that this disclosure aims to solve is to provide a transport cart whose casters can be easily attached and detached from the loading platform.

A transport cart according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a loading platform having mounting portions for attaching caster bases, a locking member attached to the mounting portions to secure the base to the mounting portions, and a deformation prevention device attached to the loading platform. The mounting portion comprises a cavity into which the base is inserted, a restricting portion that restricts downward movement of the base inserted into the cavity, and a storage portion located adjacent to the cavity and having a locking portion with which the locking member is engaged. The locking member has an elastic piece that is arranged to engage with the locking portion when the locking member is stored in the storage portion. The deformation prevention device is configured to prevent deformation of the elastic piece when attached to the loading platform.

A transport cart according to another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a platform having mounting portions for attaching caster bases, and a locking member attached to the mounting portion to secure the base to the mounting portion. The mounting portion comprises a cavity into which the base is inserted, a restricting portion that restricts downward movement of the base inserted into the cavity, and a storage portion located adjacent to the cavity and having a locking portion with which the locking member is engaged. The locking member has two opposing elastic pieces that are arranged to engage with the locking portion when the locking member is stored in the storage portion.

This disclosure has the advantage of allowing casters to be easily attached and detached from the loading platform.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire transport cart according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a top view showing the main part of the transport cart excluding the handle. FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing the main part of the same. FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross section taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the main part of the same as that shown obliquely from below. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a process of attaching casters to the transport cart. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another step of attaching casters to the transport cart. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a locking member and a deformation prevention device provided on the transporting cart. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a process of attaching another caster to the transport cart.

1. Embodiment 1-1. Overall Structure of the Transport Cart Fig. 1 shows the overall structure of the transport cart of one embodiment. The transport cart of one embodiment includes a flat-shaped loading platform 1, a plurality of casters 4 fixed to the loading platform 1, and a handle 9 fixed to the loading platform 1.

The front-to-back, up-down, and left-to-right directions used in the following explanation and drawings are based on the use state of the transport cart shown in Figure 1.

Specifically, the side of the loading platform 1 to which the handle 9 is fixed is the rear side. The side of the loading platform 1 opposite to the side to which the handle 9 is fixed is the front side. Furthermore, the side of the loading platform 1 to which the casters 4 are fixed is the bottom side. The side of the loading platform 1 on which luggage is placed is the top side. The direction perpendicular to the front-to-back and up-down directions is the left-to-right direction.

The multiple casters 4 include two front casters 4 and two rear casters 4 (see Figures 3, 6, etc.). Each caster 4 has a flat base 41, a support portion 43 that protrudes downward from the base 41, and a wheel 45 that is rotatably supported on the support portion 43. The base 41 and support portion 43 are made of metal, and the wheel 45 is rotatable around a horizontal axis relative to the support portion 43.

The handle 9 is connected to the rear end of the cargo bed 1 via two handle attachment parts 98 (see Figures 2, 3, etc.). The two handle attachment parts 98 are arranged at a distance from each other on the left and right at the rear end of the cargo bed 1. As shown in Figure 1, the handle 9 includes an inverted U-shaped metal pipe 91 and a flat connecting plate 95. The metal pipe 91 includes a pair of left and right vertical pipes 911, 912 and a horizontal pipe 913 connecting the upper ends of these pipes. The connecting plate 95 is connected to the metal pipe 91 so as to connect the middle portions of the pair of left and right vertical pipes 911, 912.

The left and right widths of the inverted U-shaped metal pipe 91 are different between the upper and lower parts of the metal pipe 91. The left and right widths of the lower part of the metal pipe 91 are narrower than the left and right widths of the upper part of the metal pipe 91. In other words, the distance between the lower parts of the pair of left and right vertical pipes 911, 912 is set shorter than the distance between the upper parts of the pair of left and right vertical pipes 911, 912.

The upper part of the inverted U-shaped metal pipe 91 is inclined so that the upper part is positioned further rearward. In other words, the upper parts of the pair of left and right vertical pipes 911, 912 are inclined so that the upper parts are positioned further rearward. The inclination of the upper parts of both vertical pipes 911, 912 is the same.

The lower ends of both vertical pipes 911, 912 are connected to the rear end of the base 41 via the corresponding handle mounting portions 98.

Furthermore, the transport cart of one embodiment includes a plurality of locking members 2 (see Figure 3, etc.) attached to the loading platform 1, and a plurality of anti-slip members 8 (see Figure 2, etc.) also attached to the loading platform 1. The plurality of locking members 2 are four locking members 2 detachably attached to the underside of the loading platform 1. The plurality of anti-slip members 8 are six anti-slip members 8 detachably attached to the upper surface of the loading platform 1. Four of the six anti-slip members 8 constitute four deformation prevention devices 3. The remaining two anti-slip members 8 do not constitute deformation prevention devices.

There is a one-to-one correspondence between the four casters 4 and the four locking members 2. Similarly, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the four casters 4 and the four deformation prevention devices 3.

The cargo bed 1, locking member 2, and deformation prevention device 3 (anti-slip member 8) will be explained in more detail below.

1-2. Cargo Platform The cargo platform 1 is molded from synthetic resin into a flat plate shape overall. As shown in Figures 1, 6, etc., the cargo platform 1 has outer surfaces 13 on both the left and right sides, and a recess 15 recessed inward in the left-right direction is formed in the middle portion of each outer surface 13 in the front-to-rear direction. A plurality of vertical ribs 151 are arranged in parallel in the recess 15 so as to divide the internal space of the recess 15 into front and rear. The cargo platform 1 can be molded using upper and lower molds and a slide mold that can slide horizontally, by molding the recess 15 with the slide mold.

Through-holes 17 are formed in the loading platform 1 at positions a predetermined distance inward in the left-right direction from each recess 15. There is a one-to-one correspondence between the through-holes 17 and the recesses 15, and each has a rectangular shape that is long in the front-to-rear direction.

As a result, a gripping portion 19 with a U-shaped cross section is formed on the cargo bed 1 outside the through-hole 17 in the left-right direction. The gripping portion 19 has protruding pieces 192 that protrude outward in the left-right direction on both the top and bottom sides of the recess 15. The presence of protruding pieces 192 on both the top and bottom of the gripping portion 19 has the advantage that it is easy for users to grip the cargo bed 1.

The cargo bed 1 has four mounting portions 11 for attaching the casters 4 (see Figures 3, 6, etc.). The four mounting portions 11 include two front mounting portions 11 provided for attaching the two front casters 4, and two rear mounting portions 11 provided for attaching the two rear casters 4. The left-right distance between the two front mounting portions 11 is shorter than the left-right distance between the two rear mounting portions 11.

On the underside of the cargo bed 1, a linear reinforcing rib 121 extending longitudinally is provided seamlessly between the left-hand mounting portion 11 of the two front mounting portions 11 (hereinafter referred to as the "front-left mounting portion 11") and the left-hand mounting portion 11 of the two rear mounting portions 11 (hereinafter referred to as the "rear-left mounting portion 11"). Of the multiple ribs provided on the underside of the cargo bed 1, the reinforcing rib 121 is one of the ribs that protrudes downward the most. The reinforcing rib 121 is continuous with both the front-left mounting portion 11 and the rear-left mounting portion 11.

Similarly, on the underside of the cargo bed 1, a linear reinforcing rib 122 extending longitudinally is provided seamlessly between the right-hand mounting portion 11 of the two front mounting portions 11 (hereinafter referred to as the "right front mounting portion 11") and the right-hand mounting portion 11 of the two rear mounting portions 11 (hereinafter referred to as the "right rear mounting portion 11"). Of the multiple ribs provided on the underside of the cargo bed 1, the reinforcing rib 122 is one of the ribs that protrudes downward the most. The reinforcing rib 122 is continuous with both the right front mounting portion 11 and the right rear mounting portion 11.

The provision of the two reinforcing ribs 121, 122 increases the strength of the loading platform 1, effectively preventing deformation of the loading platform 1 due to the load on the casters 4.

In addition, a linear reinforcing rib 141 extending longitudinally is provided seamlessly on the underside of the cargo bed 1 between the left front mounting portion 11 and the portion where the left handle mounting portion 98 is attached. Of the multiple ribs provided on the underside of the cargo bed 1, the reinforcing rib 141 is one of the ribs that protrudes downward the most. The reinforcing rib 141 is continuous with both the left front mounting portion 11 and the portion where the left handle mounting portion 98 is attached.

Similarly, a linear reinforcing rib 142 extending longitudinally is provided seamlessly on the underside of the cargo bed 1 between the right front mounting portion 11 and the portion where the right handle mounting portion 98 is attached. Of the multiple ribs provided on the underside of the cargo bed 1, the reinforcing rib 142 is one of the ribs that protrudes downward the most. The reinforcing rib 142 is continuous with both the right front mounting portion 11 and the portion where the right handle mounting portion 98 is attached.

The provision of the two reinforcing ribs 141, 142 increases the strength of the cargo bed 1, effectively preventing deformation of the cargo bed 1 due to the load applied to the handle 9.

The four reinforcing ribs 121, 122, 141, and 142 are parallel to one another. The four reinforcing ribs 121, 122, 141, and 142 protrude downward by the same amount. Two reinforcing ribs 141 and 142 are located between two other reinforcing ribs 121 and 122.

Next, the structure of the mounting portion 11 will be described. The four mounting portions 11 basically have a common structure. Below, we will first describe the common structure of the mounting portions 11.

The mounting portion 11 is configured to mount the base 41 of the caster 4. As shown in Figure 7 and other figures, the mounting portion 11 includes a cavity 5 into which the base 41 is inserted, a restricting portion 6 located below the cavity 5, and a storage portion 7 located adjacent to the cavity 5 in the left-right direction.

The cavity 5 is open downward and also toward one side in the left-right direction. Hereinafter, the one side in the left-right direction (i.e., the side to which the cavity 5 is open) will be referred to as the "first side," and the opposite side will be referred to as the "second side."

The cavity 5 is separated horizontally from the surrounding area by three walls 111, 112, and 113 provided on the underside of the loading platform 1. Each of the three walls 111, 112, and 113 is a rib-like wall that protrudes downward.

The two walls 111, 112 are wall 111 located on the front side of cavity 5, and wall 112 located on the rear side of cavity 5. The remaining wall 113 is wall 113 located on the second side of cavity 5. Another wall 114 is provided on the first side of cavity 5, but the tip of rib-shaped wall 114 is located higher than the tips of the other three walls 111, 112, 113. Therefore, cavity 5 is open to the first side in the horizontal direction, but not to the other side.

A number of notched holes 118 are provided at the leading edge of the wall portion 114. The holes 118 are arranged in pairs, spaced apart from each other in the front and rear.

In addition, the cavity 5 is provided with multiple wall portions 115 that restrict the upward movement of the base 41 inserted into the cavity 5. The tips of these multiple wall portions 115 are at the same height as the tip of wall portion 114, and are therefore located higher than the tips of the other three wall portions 111, 112, and 113. The base 41 inserted into the cavity 5 hits the tips of these wall portions 115, thereby restricting its upward movement.

The restricting portion 6 is a portion for restricting downward movement of the base 41 inserted into the cavity 5, and includes a front restricting wall portion 61 and a rear restricting wall portion 62. The front restricting wall portion 61 is molded integrally with the front wall portion 111, and the rear restricting wall portion 62 is molded integrally with the rear wall portion 112 (see Figure 5, etc.).

The front restricting wall 61 protrudes rearward from the tip of the front wall 111. The front wall 111 and the front restricting wall 61 are continuous so as to form an overall L-shape. The rear restricting wall 62 protrudes forward from the tip of the rear wall 112. The rear wall 112 and the rear restricting wall 62 are continuous so as to form an overall L-shape.

When the base 41 is inserted into the cavity 5, the front restricting wall portion 61 is positioned below the front end of the base 41, and the rear restricting wall portion 62 is positioned below the rear end of the base 41, thereby restricting downward movement of the base 41.

The accommodation portion 7 is a recessed portion for accommodating the locking member 2, and is located adjacent to the first side of the cavity 5 (i.e., the open side of the cavity 5). The accommodation portion 7 is connected to the cavity 5, and is provided with a locking portion 72 for locking the locking member 2.

The locking portion 72 includes two locking pieces 721 positioned at a distance in the front-to-rear direction (see Figure 4, etc.). Each of the two locking pieces 721 has a vertical piece 7213 that protrudes downward and a horizontal piece 7215 that protrudes horizontally from the vertical piece 7213. The vertical pieces 7213 of the two locking pieces 721 are positioned parallel to each other at a distance in the front-to-rear direction. The horizontal pieces 7215 of the two locking pieces 721 protrude in directions that approach each other.

A through-hole 73 is formed between the two locking pieces 721, penetrating vertically. The through-hole 73 is used to insert the anti-slip member 8. A recess 74 is formed on each of the front and rear sides of the two locking pieces 721 (i.e., the front and rear sides of the locking portion 72). Each of the recesses 74 on both sides is concave upward and open downward.

The recesses 74 on both sides are each provided with a positioning protrusion 75 and a guide protrusion 77 (see Figure 4, etc.). The positioning protrusion 75 is a rectangular rib-like protrusion that is long in the vertical direction and is provided to position the locking member 2 in the left-right direction. The guide protrusion 77 is a triangular rib-like protrusion that is wider at the bottom in order to guide the locking member 2.

In each recess 74, the positioning protrusion 75 and guide protrusion 77 are positioned at a distance in the front-to-rear direction. Each recess 74 has a first corner close to the other recess 74 and a second corner farther away from the other recess 74, with the guide protrusion 77 provided at the first corner and the positioning protrusion 75 provided at the second corner.

The above is the common structure of the mounting portions 11, but the relative positional relationship between the cavity 5 and the storage portion 7 differs between the two front mounting portions 11 and the two rear mounting portions 11 (see Figures 3, 6, etc.).

In other words, for the two front mounting portions 11 lined up side by side, the side on which the mounting portions 11 are located relative to the cavity 5 is on the inside in the left-right direction. Therefore, for the two front mounting portions 11, the locking members 2 are located inside the casters 4 in the left-right direction. The two front mounting portions 11 have the advantage that the casters 4 are located on the outside, preventing the locking members 2 from colliding with any object and causing damage.

For the two rear mounting portions 11 lined up on the left and right, the side on which the mounting portions 11 are located relative to the cavity 5 is the outer side in the left-right direction. Therefore, for the two rear mounting portions 11, the locking member 2 is located on the outer side of the caster 4 in the left-right direction. For the two rear mounting portions 11, two handle mounting portions 98 are located between the two mounting portions 11.

As will be described later with reference to Figure 7 and other figures, the casters 4 are attached and removed from the two rear mounting portions 11 from the outside in the left-right direction. However, because the handle mounting portion 98 is located inside the rear mounting portion 11 in the left-right direction, the handle mounting portion 98 does not get in the way during these operations. In other words, there is an advantage in that the casters 4 can be attached and removed while the handle mounting portion 98 remains fixed to the cargo bed 1.

1-3. Locking Member As shown in Figure 9 etc., the locking member 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped locking body 21, two elastic pieces 22 that protrude in the same direction from the locking body 21, and two convex portions 24 that protrude in the same direction from the locking body 21. The two elastic pieces 22 are formed in an overall V-shape so that the closer they are to their tips, the greater the distance between them. With the locking body 21 as the reference, the protruding direction of the two elastic pieces 22 and the protruding direction of the two convex portions 24 are the same. The locking body 21, the two elastic pieces 22, and the two convex portions 24 are molded integrally using synthetic resin.

The two elastic pieces 22 are positioned at a distance along the longitudinal direction of the lock body 21. The longitudinal direction of the lock body 21 is the same as the longitudinal direction of the lock member 2. When the lock member 2 is attached to the cargo bed 1, the longitudinal direction of the lock member 2 coincides with the front-to-rear direction.

Each of the two elastic pieces 22 has a vertical piece 223 protruding from the locking member 2 and a horizontal piece 225 protruding from a portion of the vertical piece 223. The vertical pieces 223 of the two elastic pieces 22 are positioned at a distance in the longitudinal direction of the locking member 2 and are formed in a V-shape so that the closer they are to the tip, the greater the distance between them. The horizontal pieces 225 of the two elastic pieces 22 protrude in directions that separate them from each other.

The two protrusions 24 are positioned at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the locking member 2. More specifically, they are positioned at a distance from each other on both sides of the two elastic pieces 22 in the longitudinal direction of the locking member 2. The protrusion length of the two protrusions 24 from the locking body 21 is set to be longer than the protrusion length of the elastic pieces 22 from the locking body 21 (i.e., the protrusion length of the vertical piece 223 from the locking body 21). The two protrusions 24 function to protect the two elastic pieces 22 located between them. For example, when the locking member 2 is stored individually, the protrusions 24 positioned on both sides of the two elastic pieces 22 effectively prevent damage to each elastic piece 22. The two protrusions 24 of the locking member 2 also function as guides when fitting the locking member 2 into the storage section 7.

In addition, each of the two protrusions 24 has a recess 245. Each protrusion 24 has a first corner close to the other protrusion 24 and a second corner farther away from the other protrusion 24, and the recess 245 is provided in the second corner.

The deformation prevention device 3 is a member molded using synthetic resin such as rubber. The deformation prevention device 3 is configured to be able to be inserted from above into one of the plurality of through holes 73 of the loading platform 1 (see FIG. 4).

The deformation prevention device 3 integrally comprises a flat anti-slip portion 31 and a deformation prevention portion 33 extending from the anti-slip portion 31. The anti-slip portion 31 has an uneven anti-slip surface 310. The anti-slip surface 310 has multiple protrusions for preventing slipping.

The deformation prevention part 33 is inserted into the through-hole 73 and is shaped like a rectangular tube. The deformation prevention part 33 has two flat outer surfaces 331 facing opposite each other. When the non-slip surface 310 of the deformation prevention device 3 is viewed from the front, the outer shape of the non-slip part 31 is larger than the outer shape of the deformation prevention part 33.

1-5. Caster installation method In one embodiment of the transport cart, the method of installing the caster 4 to the mounting portion 11 of the loading platform 1 includes a first step of inserting the base 41 of the caster 4 into the cavity 5 of the mounting portion 11, a second step of accommodating the locking member 2 in the accommodating portion 7 of the mounting portion 11, and a third step of inserting the deformation prevention device 3 into the through hole 73 of the mounting portion 11.

In the first step, the base 41 of the caster 4 is inserted laterally into the space 5 adjacent to the storage section 7 of the mounting section 11, from the side where the storage section 7 is located. In other words, for the two left and right mounting sections 11 provided on the rear side of the cargo bed 1, the base 41 of the caster 4 is inserted into the space 5 from the outside in the left-right direction (see Figure 7, etc.). The handle mounting section 98 is located on the inside in the left-right direction of each mounting section 11, so the handle mounting section 98 does not get in the way when inserting the caster 4.

At the two left and right mounting portions 11 provided on the front side of the cargo bed 1, the bases 41 of the casters 4 are inserted into the spaces 5 from the inside in the left-right direction (see Figure 10, etc.).

The base 41 inserted into the cavity 5 can move toward the side of the cavity 5 where the storage section 7 is located, but cannot move to any other side. In other words, at the two rear left and right mounting sections 11, the base 41 of the caster 4 can move outward in the left-right direction, but cannot move to any other side. At the two front left and right mounting sections 11, the base 41 of the caster 4 can move inward in the left-right direction, but cannot move to any other side.

The second step is performed after the first step. In the second step, the locking member 2 is inserted into the storage section 7 from the underside of the cargo bed 1, starting with the side where the elastic piece 22 and protrusion 24 are located relative to the lock body 21 (see Figures 8 and 10). With the locking member 2 inserted into the storage section 7, the two protrusions 24 of the locking member 2 fit one-to-one into the two recesses 74 of the storage section 7 (see Figure 4).

When each convex portion 24 of the locking member 2 is fitted into its corresponding recessed portion 74, the convex portion 24 comes into contact with the inclined surface of the triangular rib-shaped protrusion 77, allowing it to be smoothly guided to the correct position. When each convex portion 24 is in the correct position, the corresponding protrusion 75 is inserted into the recess 245 of each convex portion 24. This positions the locking member 2 in the left-right direction, preventing the locking member 2 from shifting left-right within the storage portion 7.

When the locking member 2 is inserted into the storage section 7, the two elastic pieces 22 of the locking member 2 are elastically locked to the locking portions 72 of the storage section 7. The specific procedure is as follows: The two elastic pieces 22 of the locking member 2 are inserted into the space between the two locking pieces 721 of the storage section 7. At this time, the horizontal pieces 225 of the two elastic pieces 22 of the locking member 2 press against the horizontal pieces 7215 of the two locking pieces 721 in a one-to-one relationship, and as the two elastic pieces 22 bend in directions toward each other, the horizontal pieces 225 of the two elastic pieces 22 climb over the horizontal pieces 7215 of the two locking pieces 721. The horizontal pieces 225 of the two elastic pieces 22 then hook one-to-one onto the horizontal pieces 7215 of the two locking pieces 721, preventing the locking member 2 from coming out of the storage section 7.

When the locking member 2 is inserted into the storage section 7, multiple protrusions (not shown) on the locking body 21 of the locking member 2 are inserted one-to-one into multiple holes 118 in the wall section 114. The multiple protrusions are two vertical rib-like protrusions positioned at a distance from each other in the front and rear, and when these come into contact with the base 41 of the caster 4, they prevent the base 41 from shifting left and right.

The third step is performed after the second step. In the third step, the deformation prevention device 3 is inserted into the through-hole 73 from the top side of the cargo bed 1, with the side where the deformation prevention part 33 is located relative to the anti-slip part 31 being the leading edge. With the deformation prevention device 3 inserted into the through-hole 73, the deformation prevention part 33 is fitted into the space between the two elastic pieces 22 of the locking member 2 (in other words, the space between the two vertical pieces 223). One of the two outer surfaces 331 of the deformation prevention part 33 abuts against one of the two elastic pieces 22 of the locking member 2 or faces it with a small clearance between them. The other of the two outer surfaces 331 abuts against the other of the two elastic pieces 22 or faces it with a small clearance between them.

As a result, when the deformation prevention device 3 is attached to the cargo bed 1, the two elastic pieces 22 bend toward each other, and the presence of the deformation prevention portion 33 prevents the two elastic pieces 22 from disengaging from the locking portion 72. In other words, when one of the two elastic pieces 22 attempts to deform, it hits one outer surface 331 of the deformation prevention portion 33, preventing further deformation. Similarly, when the remaining elastic piece 22 attempts to deform, it hits the other outer surface 331 of the deformation prevention portion 33, preventing further deformation. This prevents the locking member 2 from falling off the cargo bed 1.

Furthermore, when the deformation prevention device 3 is inserted into the through-hole 73, the anti-slip surface 310 of the anti-slip portion 31 is positioned slightly above the top surface of the cargo bed 1. This allows the deformation prevention device 3 to fully function as an anti-slip member 8.

In the loading platform 1 to which the caster 4, locking member 2, and deformation prevention device 3 have been attached through the first, second, and third steps described above, the base 41 of the caster 4 is prevented from coming out of the cavity 5 of the loading platform 1 by the base 41 coming into contact with the lock body 21 of the locking member 2. The deformation prevention device 3 prevents the locking member 2 from falling out of the storage section 7 of the loading platform 1.

In this way, in one embodiment of the transport cart, the casters 4 can be easily secured to the mounting portions 11 of the loading platform 1, and once attached, the casters 4 are stably secured to the loading platform 1.

1-6. Caster Removal Method In the transport cart of one embodiment, the caster 4 can also be easily removed from the mounting portion 11 of the loading platform 1. The method for removing the caster 4 from the mounting portion 11 of the loading platform 1 includes a first step of removing the deformation prevention device 3 from the through-hole 73 of the mounting portion 11, a second step of removing the locking member 2 from the accommodating portion 7 of the mounting portion 11, and a third step of removing the base 41 of the caster 4 from the cavity 5 of the loading platform 1.

In the first step, the deformation prevention device 3 is removed from the top side of the cargo bed 1. This removes the deformation prevention part 33 from the space between the two elastic pieces 22 of the locking member 2.

The second step is performed after the first step. In the second step, the two elastic pieces 22 are released from the locking portion 72, and the locking member 2 is then removed from the underside of the cargo bed 1.

To release the locked state of the two elastic pieces 22, for example, insert a finger into the through-hole 17 from the top side of the loading platform 1 and place the finger on the tip end of the two elastic pieces 22, bending the two elastic pieces 22 in a direction toward each other. This causes the vertical pieces 223 of the two elastic pieces 22 to bend toward each other, releasing the locking of each elastic piece 22 with the locking piece 721.

The third step is performed after the second step. In the third step, the base 41 of the caster 4 inserted in the cavity 5 is slid left and right toward the side of the mounting part 11 where the storage part 7 is located. In other words, at the two left and right mounting parts 11 provided on the rear side of the cargo bed 1, the base 41 of the caster 4 is slid outward in the left and right direction. Because the handle mounting parts 98 are located inside the mounting parts 11 in the left and right direction, the handle mounting parts 98 do not get in the way when sliding the caster 4.

At the two left and right mounting portions 11 provided on the front side of the cargo bed 1, the bases 41 of the casters 4 slide inward in the left-right direction. At this time, since there is no locking member 2 in the storage portion 7, the sliding of the bases 41 is not restricted by the locking member 2.

As described above, the direction in which the locking member 2 can be moved to release the elastic piece 22 (downward when in use) is different from the direction in which the base 41 of the caster 4 can move (left and right when in use), specifically by 90 degrees. Therefore, even if the base 41 of the caster 4 hits the locking member 2 and applies an external force, the locking member 2 is prevented from accidentally coming off due to that external force.

2. Modifications Various modifications of the transport cart of the embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same components as those of the transport container of the embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the transport cart of one embodiment described above, the locking member 2 is equipped with two elastic pieces 22, but it is sufficient for the locking member 2 to have at least one elastic piece 22. Furthermore, since the transport cart of one embodiment is equipped with two elastic pieces 22, the load acting on each elastic piece 22 can be distributed. Furthermore, even if one elastic piece 22 comes off the engaging portion 72, the remaining elastic piece 22 can maintain engagement with the engaging portion 72. This has the advantage of more effectively preventing the locking member 2 from accidentally coming off the loading platform 1.

In addition, in the transport cart of the embodiment described above, the locking portion 72 is composed of two locking pieces 721, but the locking portion 72 need only have a structure that allows the elastic piece 22 to be elastically locked, and is not limited to having a piece-like structure.

Furthermore, while the transport cart in the embodiment described above is equipped with a deformation prevention device 3, this is not essential. In other words, in practical terms, as long as deformation of the elastic piece 22 can be suppressed to the extent that the locking member 2 does not come off, the transport cart may not be equipped with a deformation prevention device 3.

In addition, in the transport cart of one embodiment described above, the locking member 2 is provided with a protrusion 24, but this is not essential. In other words, as long as damage to the elastic piece 22 can be prevented to an extent that does not cause practical problems, the locking member 2 may not have a protrusion 24.

The above-described variations are merely examples of variations of the transport container of one embodiment. Naturally, other configurations of the transport container of one embodiment can also be modified as appropriate.

3. Effects As described above based on one embodiment and various modified examples thereof, the transport cart of the present disclosure comprises a loading platform 1, a locking member 2, and a deformation prevention device 3. The loading platform 1 has mounting portions 11 for attaching the bases 41 of the casters 4. The locking members 2 are attached to the mounting portions 11 to secure the bases 41 to the mounting portions 11. The deformation prevention device 3 is attached to the loading platform 1. The mounting portions 11 comprise a cavity 5, a restricting portion 6, and a storage portion 7. The bases 41 are inserted into the cavity 5. The restricting portion 6 restricts downward movement of the bases 41 inserted into the cavity 5. The storage portion 7 is located adjacent to the cavity 5 and has a locking portion 72 for locking the locking member 2. The locking member 2 has an elastic piece 22 provided to engage with the locking portion 72 when the locking member 2 is stored in the storage portion 7. The deformation prevention device 3 is configured to prevent deformation of the elastic piece 22 when attached to the loading platform 1.

Accordingly, with the transport cart disclosed herein, the base 41 is inserted into the cavity 5 in the loading platform 1, and the locking member 2 and deformation prevention device 3 are attached to the loading platform 1, allowing the caster 4 to be easily secured to the loading platform 1 and easily removed.

In addition, in the above-mentioned transport cart, the locking member 2 further has a protrusion 24 for protecting the elastic piece 22. The storage section 7 further has a recess 74 into which the protrusion 24 is inserted.

Therefore, with the transport cart disclosed herein, the protrusion 24 of the locking member 2 can prevent damage to the elastic piece 22.

In addition, in the above-mentioned transport cart, the deformation prevention device 3 is an anti-slip member 8 attached to the top surface of the loading platform 1.

Therefore, with the transport cart disclosed herein, the deformation prevention device 3 can be used to prevent cargo placed on the loading platform 1 from slipping.

As described based on one embodiment and various modified examples thereof, the transport cart of the present disclosure comprises a loading platform 1 and a locking member 2. The loading platform 1 has an attachment portion 11 for attaching the base 41 of the caster 4. The locking member 2 is attached to the attachment portion 11 to secure the base 41 to the attachment portion 11. The attachment portion 11 comprises a cavity 5, a restricting portion 6, and a storage portion 7. The base 41 is inserted into the cavity 5. The restricting portion 6 restricts downward movement of the base 41 inserted into the cavity 5. The storage portion 7 is located adjacent to the cavity 5 and has a locking portion 72 for locking the locking member 2. The locking member 2 has two elastic pieces 22 facing each other. The two elastic pieces 22 are arranged to engage with the locking portion 72 when the locking member 2 is stored in the storage portion 7.

Accordingly, with the transport cart disclosed herein, the casters 4 can be easily secured to the loading platform 1 by inserting the base 41 into the cavity 5 in the loading platform 1 and attaching the locking member 2 to the loading platform 1, and removal is also simple.

The transport cart of the present disclosure has been described above based on one embodiment and various modified examples thereof, but the transport cart of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and modified examples, and appropriate design changes can be made, and the configurations of the various modified examples can be combined and applied as appropriate.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 loading platform 11 mounting portion 2 locking member 22 elastic piece 3 deformation prevention device 4 caster 41 base 5 cavity 6 restricting portion 7 storage portion 72 engaging portion 74 recess 8 anti-slip member

Claims (3)

a loading platform having mounting portions for mounting caster bases;
a locking member attached to the mounting portion to fix the base to the mounting portion;
a deformation prevention device attached to the loading platform;
The mounting portion is
a cavity into which the base is inserted;
a restricting portion that restricts downward movement of the base inserted into the cavity;
a receiving portion located adjacent to the cavity and having a locking portion for locking the locking member;
the locking member has an elastic piece provided to engage with the engaging portion when the locking member is housed in the housing portion,
The deformation prevention tool is configured to prevent deformation of the elastic piece by contacting the elastic piece when attached to the loading platform, and to prevent the locking member from falling off .
Transport cart. the locking member further has a protrusion for protecting the elastic piece,
The accommodating portion further has a recess into which the protrusion is inserted.
The transport cart of claim 1. The deformation prevention tool is an anti-slip member attached to the upper surface of the loading platform.
3. The transport cart according to claim 1 or 2.