JPS6411481B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a wheel device that is attached to the underside of a large travel bag, luggage carrier, or the like.

<Prior Art> As is well known, four wheels are attached to the lower surface of a traveling body such as a large travel bag, a luggage carrier, or a variety of wagons on the front, rear, left and right sides. If all four wheels are free to turn in the horizontal direction, the running direction will not be determined, and if all of the wheels are restricted from turning, it will be difficult to run around a curve. For this reason, the two front
It is desired to allow one wheel to swing freely in the horizontal direction, and to restrict the two rear wheels from turning.

The present applicant has already proposed a wheel device in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 156702/1983, which allows the wheels to change between a horizontally rotatable state and a non-swivelable state.

The above-mentioned conventional wheel device includes a support frame having wheels provided on a substrate so as to be rotatable, and a rotatable slider provided on the support frame being brought into contact with a movable stopper provided on the lower surface of the support shaft. The arcuate surface of the operating frame, which rotates together with the slider, faces the small-diameter wheel on the side of the wheel, and the stopper part engages with the support frame to restrict turning, or the stopper part comes off and allows free turning. This is a configuration in which a receiving portion is formed.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in the conventional wheel device described above, the stopper part may not move reliably even when the operating frame rotates, or the stopper part may not be able to reliably engage the support frame. Therefore, it is not possible to reliably convert the wheel from a horizontal turning restrained state to a turning allowed state, resulting in a lack of reliability.

<Means for Solving the Problems> The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and includes a mounting base that is attached to the lower surface of a traveling body, and a mounting base that is pivoted to the mounting base by a pivot shaft and that is mounted horizontally around the pivot shaft. It has an outer frame that can be rotated in a horizontal direction, and legs that extend downward from both sides of the central horizontal part.A running wheel is supported by a horizontal axle between the two legs, and the vehicle runs on a swing shaft provided on the outer frame. The middle frame is supported so that it can swing within a certain range in the running direction of the wheels, and the axle of the running wheels is located behind the turning axis in the running direction. brake pawls facing the outer peripheral surface of the running wheels so as to brake the running wheels by frictional force with the running wheels when the running wheels rotate in the opposite direction to the running state; and directional restraining means capable of restraining the rotation of the outer frame. It is constructed by integrally providing a locking groove that can be fitted together and locking pin guide surfaces on both sides of the locking groove in the inner frame.

<Function> If the direction of the horizontal force applied to the mounting base differs from the direction of the running wheels, the outer frame turns around the pivot axis, and when the outer frame turns, the restraining pin guide surface becomes integrated with the outer frame. When the restraint pin guide surface rotates close to the restraint pin, the end of one restraint pin guide surface begins to press the restraint pin against the bias of the spring. The pin comes off the restraint pin guide surface and engages in the restraint groove. When the restraining pin engages in the restraining groove in this manner, the state is changed to a state in which the engaging pin restrains the rotation of the outer frame.

When the outer frame is restrained from turning as described above, when the mounting base is moved by applying a horizontal force to cause the running wheels to rotate in the opposite direction, the brake pawl brakes the running wheels, so the outer frame moves together with the mounting base. tries to go ahead of the running wheels, which causes the middle frame to swing around the swing axis. When the middle frame swings, the restraint grooves swing and come off the restraint pins as the middle frame swings, so that the outer frame is converted into a state in which it can freely turn. When a turning force is applied to the outer frame in this state, the restraining grooves move away from the restraining pins as the outer frame turns, and when the outer frame turns to a certain angle, the horizontal force applied to the mounting base increases. As a result, the running wheels begin to rotate in the normal rotation direction, the braking by the brake pawl is released, and the running wheels rotate in the normal rotation direction.

<Example> Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

Mounting base 10 attached to the lower surface of the traveling body
has a vertical pivot shaft 11 at its substantially central portion, and this pivot shaft 11 rotatably supports a central horizontal portion 22 of an outer frame 20 having legs 21, 21 on both sides. 12 is an annular groove 13 of the mounting base 10 and an outer frame 2
14 is a ball receiving plate 15 caulked to the lower end of the pivot shaft 11 and the central horizontal portion 2 of the outer frame 20.
Both balls enable smooth rotation of the outer frame 20 with respect to the mounting base 10.

Unlike a normal wheel device, the axle 32 of the running wheel 31 is supported by an intermediate frame 30 that is separately provided inside the outer frame 20. The middle frame 30 has a downward U-shape having legs 33 on both sides and a central horizontal part 34, and the upper part of the legs 33 is connected to the pivot shaft 11.
It is pivotally connected to the outer frame 20 via a horizontal rocking shaft 35 located laterally apart from the outer frame 20, and supports the axle 32 of the traveling wheel 31 below. Therefore, the middle frame 30 and the running wheels 31 can swing around the swing shaft 35, but the end of the axle 32 has a swing range regulating means bored in the legs 21, 21 of the outer frame 20. Since it is inserted into the elongated hole 24, the swinging range is limited by the elongated hole 24.

The mounting base 10 and the middle frame 30 are provided with direction restraining means 40 that can be engaged and disengaged as the middle frame 30 swings. This direction restraint means 40 is attached to the mounting base 1
A restraining pin 42 protruding downwardly and biased by a compression spring 41 is provided at the front or rear of the middle frame 30.
A restraint groove 43 for receiving the restraint pin 42 is formed in the upper L-shaped bent part 36 of the central horizontal part 34, and restraint pin pressing guide surfaces 44 with smooth upper surfaces are formed in the bent parts 36 on both sides of the restraint groove 43. It forms. As is clear from FIG. 1, the restraining groove 43 can engage with the restraining pin 42 when the middle frame 30 is at one swing end, but when the middle frame 30 reaches the other swing end Release the engagement with the restraining pin 42. Further, when the outer frame 20 rotates when the middle frame 30 is at the swing end side where the restraint groove 43 can be engaged with the restraint pin 42, the restraint pin pressing guide surface 44 of the middle frame 30 resists the compression spring 41. and push up the restraining pin 42,
When the outer frame 20 further rotates, the tips of the restraint pins 42 fit into the restraint grooves 43.

The inner frame 30 is biased toward the swinging end side where the restraint groove 43 can engage with the restraint pin 42 by a tension spring 45 stretched between the inner frame 30 and the outer frame 20. Axle 32 as wheel 31 travels
The middle frame 3 resists the force that tries to position the
It is the swing shaft 3 that applies force to the other swing end of the
The brake pawl 46 is provided by winding around the brake pawl 5. This brake pawl 46 is in the shape of a short tongue and has a first
As shown in the figure, between the swing shaft 35 and the rotation shaft 11, the tip is obliquely in contact with the outer periphery of the wheel 31, and in the embodiment shown in the drawing, the winding extension end 48 extends from the winding base end of the brake pawl 46. Due to the weight of the extended portion, the tip is pressed against the outer periphery of the wheel 31 with a slight load. The brake pawl 46 having such a configuration applies the brake when the wheel 31 rotates in the normal direction (rotating in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Claw 46
The tip of the wheel simply slides on the outer periphery of the wheel 31,
Therefore, in this state, rotation of the wheel 31 is not hindered. On the other hand, contrary to this running condition, wheel 3
1 begins to rotate in the opposite direction (rotating in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5A), the tip of the brake pawl 46 is pressed toward the swing shaft 35 by the frictional force with the wheel 31, and the tip of the brake pawl 46 is pressed against the wheel 31. Since it is inclined with respect to the outer periphery, when it is pressed toward the swing shaft 35, the brake pawl 4
A force is generated that causes the tip of the wheel 6 to bite into the outer periphery of the wheel 31.
This brakes the wheels 31. Note that 47 is a retaining ring attached to the winding extension end 48 of the brake pawl 46, and when this retaining ring 47 is hooked to the release pawl 49 provided at the upper end of the outer frame 20, the brake pawl 4
6 is separated from the wheel 31. Therefore, in this state, no braking action occurs even if the wheels 31 rotate in reverse.

The wheel device having the above-mentioned configuration is normally used with the tip of the brake pawl 46 in diagonal contact with the outer periphery of the wheel 31. In the forward running direction of the wheel 32 (direction of arrow A in FIGS. 4A and 4B), rotation of the wheel 31 is not hindered. This is the restraint pin 42 of the direction restraint means 40.
is not engaged in the restraint groove 43 (4th A)
The same applies to both the case of engagement (Fig. 4B) and the case of engagement (Fig. 4B). That is, FIG. 4A shows a state in which turning is free, and FIG. 4B shows a state in which turning is restricted. Therefore, if the wheel device in the state shown in FIG. 4A is attached to the front of the lower surface of the traveling body and the wheel device in the state in FIG. 4B is attached to the rear, then the outer frame of the front wheel device in the state shown in FIG. 4A is 20 can freely turn and change direction, and since the outer frame 20 of the rear wheel device in the state shown in FIG. 4B is restrained, stable running can be achieved.

When the moving direction of the traveling body is reversed from this state to the direction of arrow B in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the brake pawl 4
6 brakes the wheel 31, and as a result, the axle 32 moves toward the pivot shaft 11 within the elongated hole 24 of the outer frame 20. That is, until then, the axle 32 had been positioned at the rear in the running direction due to the force applied to the axle 32 as the wheels 31 traveled and the force of the tension spring 45, but the swing axis 35 due to the braking action described above was The middle frame 30 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow by swinging around
The upper end of the restraint groove 43 moves downward and swings in the direction of disengaging from the restraint pin 42. When the restraint pin 42 is removed from the restraint groove 43, there is no longer anything to restrain the rotation of the outer frame 20. Therefore, the wheel 31 on the side (FIG. 5B) whose traveling direction was restricted is changed to a state in which it can freely turn in the horizontal direction. In addition, outer frame 2
0 swings as described above, the traveling body is theoretically lifted up, but the angle at which the outer frame 20 swings is only a few degrees, and the swing axis 3 due to this swings.
The amount of rise of No. 5 is minute, less than 1 mm, and can be ignored in terms of use.

When a further force is applied to move in the direction of arrow B, the axle 32 is moved toward the pivot axis 11 in FIGS. 5A and 5B.
Since it is located in front of the outer frame 20, the rotation axis 1
A turning force about 1 is applied. As a result, the outer frame 20 turns together with the middle frame 30 and the wheels 31 so that the axle 32 is behind the pivot shaft 11, and as a result of this turning, the axle 32 moves as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The inner frame 30 moves within the elongated hole 24 again and swings back around the swing shaft 35. Middle frame 30
When the wheel swings back, the restraining pin 42 is fitted into the restraining groove 43 in the wheel device located at the rear in the traveling direction shown in FIG. 6A, changing the state in which the traveling direction is restricted, and the traveling direction shown in FIG. 6B is changed. In the wheel device located at the front, the restraint groove 43 is located on the opposite side of the restraint pin 42, so that the wheel device can freely turn.

As mentioned above, in response to the operation of changing the running direction to direction A or direction B, the turning of the wheels located at the rear with respect to the direction of travel is restricted, and the turning of the wheels located at the front of the direction of travel is freed. This switching will be performed automatically.

Note that such switching is performed when the front and rear mounting bases 10 are attached to the lower surface of the traveling body so that the restraining pin 42 side is on the rear side or the front side in the traveling direction, respectively. If the mounting base 10 is mounted facing the same direction, both the front and rear wheels are restricted from turning in one running direction, and are free to turn in the other running direction.

Next, Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B are usage examples in which the turning of both the front and rear wheels is restrained. This is necessary when the body R travels in a direction perpendicular to the slope of the floor surface or when it is stopped on a sloped floor surface. In the state shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the locking ring 48 on the side of FIG. 6A is hooked onto the release pawl 49, the brake pawl 46 is separated from the wheel 31 as shown in FIG. 7A. When the running direction is changed to direction A in this state, the wheel device shown in FIG. 6B turns by the above-described operation, and becomes in a state where turning is restricted as shown in FIG. 4B. At this time, since the brake pawl 46 is separated from the wheel 31 on the side shown in FIG. 7A, the outer frame 20 does not turn. Therefore, the sixth
When the locking ring 48 on the side shown in Figure B is similarly hung on the release pawl 49, since the brake pawl 46 is separated from the wheel 31 as shown in Figure 7B, both the front and rear wheel devices are subject to the braking action by the brake pawl 46. In other words, a state in which both the front and rear wheel devices are restrained from turning can be created regardless of whether the vehicle is traveling in the A or B direction.

For this reason, a traveling body with four wheel devices attached to the bottom surface can only travel in a straight line, so it can run straight across a slope, and even if it is stopped midway through a slope, it can flow in the direction of the slope. do not have. Since it is sufficient to have one wheel device that restricts turning, one each on the front side and the rear side of the traveling body, it is not necessary to provide the locking ring 48 and the release pawl 49 in other wheel devices.

If the locking ring 48 is removed from the release pawl 49 and the brake pawl 46 is brought into contact with the wheel, the front side can be turned freely and the rear side can be turned again in the same manner as described above.

<Effects of the Invention> As explained above, according to the present invention, when the outer frame turns to a predetermined position, the restraint pin guide surface guides the restraint pin to engage with the restraint groove, so that the rotation is restrained. It can be converted reliably, and when the wheels begin to rotate in the opposite direction, the brake pawl acts to brake the wheels, which causes the middle frame to swing and remove the restraint pins from the restraint grooves, allowing for free turning. can be reliably converted to . Therefore, compared to conventional wheel devices, the state change is reliable, the reliability of the function can be significantly improved, and it is safe.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a side view of the wheel device, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the wheel device shown in FIG. A sectional view taken along the line 4A of the wheel device shown in FIG.
Figures, Figure 4B, Figure 5A, Figure 5B, Figure 6A,
Figures 6B, 7A, and 7B are partially sectional side views showing different operating states of the wheel devices shown in Figures 1 to 3, respectively, and Figure 7C is a side view in which the vehicle runs on an inclined floor surface. FIG. In the figure, 10 is the mounting base, 11 is the pivot axis, 20 is the outer frame, 21 is the leg, 24 is the swing range regulating slot, 3
0 is the middle frame, 31 is the running wheel, 32 is the axle, 33 is the leg, 35 is the swing shaft, 40 is the direction restraint means, 42
43 is a restraint pin, 43 is a restraint groove, and 46 is a brake pawl.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Mounting base 10 attached to the lower surface of the traveling body
and an outer frame 2 which is pivotally attached to the mounting base 10 by a pivot shaft and can pivot in the horizontal direction about the pivot shaft 11.
0 and leg portions 33 extending downward from both sides of the central horizontal portion 34, and a swing shaft 35 provided on the outer frame 20 with the running wheels 31 supported by a horizontal axle 32 between the two leg portions 33. The middle frame 30 is supported so as to be able to swing within a certain range in the running direction of the running wheels 31.
When the axle 32 of the running wheel 31 rotates in the forward direction in a normal rotation running state where the axle 32 of the running wheel 31 is located behind the rotation axis 11 in the traveling direction, the running wheel 31 slides and does not interfere with the rotation of the running wheel 31. Conversely, when the running wheel 31 rotates in the opposite direction, a brake pawl 46 facing the outer peripheral surface of the running wheel 31 brakes the running wheel 31 by frictional force with the running wheel 31, and restrains the rotation of the outer frame 20. The direction restraining means 40 is provided with a restraining pin 42 on the lower surface of the mounting base 10, which is biased by a spring 41 so that the leading end thereof protrudes, and is engaged with the leading end of the restraining pin 42. It is configured by integrally providing a possible restraint groove 43 and restraint pin guide surfaces 44 on both sides of the restraint groove 43 in the middle frame 30, and when the outer frame 20 rotates, the restraint pin guide surface 44 guides the restraint pin 42. The rotation of the outer frame 20 is restrained by engaging in the restraining groove 43, and the brake pawl 46 brakes the traveling wheel 31 when the traveling wheel 31 rotates in the opposite direction, so that the middle frame 30 engages with the swing shaft 35. The restraining groove 43 swings around the
The wheel device is characterized in that the state is changed to a state in which the outer frame 20 is allowed to turn when the restraining pin 42 comes off.