Transfer cart

Abstract

Provided is a transfer cart that that has a simple structure, facilitates operation in front and back spaces of a moving direction, and does not take up a redundant transfer space in a locations where operation is not performed. The transfer cart includes a running frame, a main carrier capable of carrying thereon an object to be transferred, and moving-direction operation decks disposed at front and back of the moving direction on the main carrier and running frame. The moving-direction operation decks are configured to change angle with the main carrier in accordance with the radius of curvature of a track, and configured to have a variable height mechanism to be able to change height thereof in the up and down direction.

Claims

1. A transfer cart movable along a predetermined track, the transfer cart comprising: a running frame; a main carrier capable of carrying thereon an object to be transferred; and at least one operation deck, the at least one operation deck including a moving-direction operation deck connected in series to the main carrier on the running frame at either one of or both of a front side and a rear side in a moving direction, the moving-direction operation deck being configured to change angle between the moving-direction operation deck and the main carrier in accordance with a radius of curvature of a track, the moving-direction operation deck having a variable height mechanism to be able to change height thereof in an up and down direction.

2. The transfer cart according to claim 1, wherein the variable height mechanism is configured to be operated with a guide rail provided along the track.

3. The transfer cart according to claim 1, wherein the running frame includes at least one bendable part that bends in accordance with the radius of curvature of the track, and the at least one bendable part is interposed between the main carrier and the moving-direction operation deck.

4. The transfer cart according to claim 3, wherein the running frame includes a plurality of running parts having running wheels, and a coupling part coupled via the bendable part to the running parts.

5. The transfer cart according to claim 4, wherein the main carrier is supported on the coupling part at a center position or two running parts at middle positions, and the moving-direction operation decks are supported by coupling parts at both ends.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an illustrative plan view of a transfer cart 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is an illustrative side view of the transfer cart 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 3 is an illustrative front view of the transfer cart 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

(4) FIG. 4 is a diagram for reference of operation decks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(5) A transfer cart 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a running frame 101, a main carrier 102 capable of carrying a body W of an automobile that is the object to be transferred placed thereon, and moving-direction operation decks 103 as illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3.

(6) The moving-direction operation decks 103 are connected in series to the main carrier 102 on running frame 101. The moving-direction operation decks 103 are positioned both on the front and the back of the main carrier 102 in the moving direction.

(7) The running frame 101 includes four running parts 112 having running wheels 113, and three coupling parts 114 each coupled between adjacent ones of the four running parts via bendable parts 111.

(8) The main carrier 102 is supported on two middle running parts 112, while the front and back moving-direction operation decks 103 are each supported on the coupling parts 114 on both ends.

(9) A plurality of the transfer carts 100, which are configured to be movable by running wheels 113 along a travel rail 200 arranged along a transfer track, are moved continuously at a predetermined rate by a known method (not shown).

(10) The travel rail 200 includes curved parts and inclined parts both in the horizontal and vertical directions as required, and as the running wheels 113 roll on the travel rail 200, the entire transfer cart 100 moves along the travel rail 200, with the bendable parts 111 bending.

(11) A guide rail may optionally be provided for facilitating the travel along the horizontal direction, in which case the running parts 112 may be provided with guide wheels.

(12) A variable height mechanism is configured for the moving-direction operation decks 103 by height varying wheels 131 provided on the lower side of the operation decks and guide rails 210 installed parallel to the travel rail 200.

(13) For a track where the moving direction operation decks 103 are not used, the guide rails 210 are not installed, and the moving-direction operation decks 103 are set in the lowest position.

(14) For a track where the moving-direction operation decks 103 are used, the guide rails 210 are installed at a required height, so that the moving-direction operation decks 103 are kept at predetermined height in accordance with the movement of the transfer cart 100 without using another drive power source.

(15) The height variable mechanism may optionally have a drive power source and may be activated by a suitable signal, or may allow the operator to adjust the height manually.

(16) When the transfer track includes a curved part in the vertical direction between a horizontal part and an inclined part, the bendable parts 111 allow the angle between the moving direction operation decks 103 and the main carrier 102 to vary in accordance with the radius of curvature of the track. This configuration thus allows the transfer cart to pass by stationary components such as the travel rail 200 without interfering with them.

(17) Moreover, the moving-direction operation decks 103 can be lowered by the height variable mechanism, so that the transfer cart can run on a track having a small radius of curvature without interfering with the body W.

(18) While one embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. Various design changes may be made without departing from the scope of the claims set forth in the claims.

(19) For example, instead of providing the moving-direction operation decks 103 both in the front and the back as in the embodiment described above, the operation deck may be provided only on either one of the front and the back.

(20) The variable height mechanism for the moving-direction operation decks 103 in the front and the back may be configured to be adjustable separately to different heights. For example, the moving-direction operation decks 103 in the front and the back may each have height varying wheels 131 installed at different positions as viewed from the front, with corresponding guide rails 210 set at different heights.

(21) Although operation decks provided on one or both lateral sides of the moving direction have not been mentioned, it is also possible to fixedly provide a deck to one or both sides of the transfer cart 100 as long as it is configured to not interfere with the moving-direction operation decks 103. For example, a movement path of an operation deck may be set on one or both sides of the track of the transfer cart as illustrated in FIG. 4, and the operation deck may be moved in sync with the transfer cart.