JP2008284979A - Caster and article with caster - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a caster capable of allowing a wheel to easily ride over a projecting stepped part even when a caster traveling passage has the projecting stepped part, and an article having the caster such as a hand truck and a wheel chair capable of easily riding over the projecting stepped part. <P>SOLUTION: The caster CA1 comprises a wheel 1, a wheel supporting frame 2, a projecting step ride-over turnable member 6 supported by the frame 2, and a driving wheel 7. The turnable member 6 is turnable with the turning radius r2 larger than the rotating radius r1 of the wheel 1 in an area above a lower end of the wheel 1. The turnable member 6 has a lower end 62 for riding over the projecting step, and has a driven part (a part including an upper inner circumferential surface 631) to be turned by the rotation of the driving wheel 7. The lower end 62 of the turnable member can be projected outwardly in the advancing direction of the wheel 1 by the rotation of the driving wheel 7 by the traveling rotation of the wheel 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a caster (caster) that is used by being attached to an article in order to move the article with human power or a battery. The present invention also relates to an article with casters to which the casters are attached.

  Children's vehicles such as wheelbarrows, carriages, wheelchairs and other wheelchairs that carry various types of equipment and other loads, children's tricycles and children's toys powered by batteries, etc., usually have casters as wheel devices. (As a wheel for steering in wheelchairs, etc.) Also, for carrying bags, bags, cases, etc. for carrying, bags and cases, electrical appliances such as refrigerators, household and office furniture, organs, pianos, musical instruments, office machines and other machines, Casters may be attached to make it easier to move them manually.

  An example of a conventional caster is shown in FIG. The caster CA ′ of FIG. 8 supports the wheel 1 ′ by the wheel shaft 11 ′ so as to be rotatable at the lower end of the wheel support frame 2 ′, and the arm 3 ′ on the portion of the frame 2 ′ that extends to the upper side of the wheel 1 ′. The arm is provided with an attachment member 5 ′ for an article to be caster attached (for example, a loading platform 91 ′ of the handcart 9 ′ (see FIG. 9)).

The attachment member 5 ′ is rotatable about the vertical rotation axis 4 ′ with respect to the arm 3 ′.
Although not shown, the mounting member 5 ′ has a plurality of bolt holes for bolting the mounting member 5 ′ to the loading platform 91 ′ or the like.
A plane parallel to the vertical rotation axis 4 ′ of the mounting member 5 ′ including the rotation center line C ′ of the wheel 1 ′ is separated from the rolling line 4 ′ by a distance L ′.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the caster CA ′ is fixed to each of the four corners of the bottom surface of the rectangular loading platform 91 ′, which is a part of the handcart 9 ′, by fixing the mounting members 5 ′ with bolts. The wheelbarrow 9 'can be formed by attaching it individually. A hand pushing arm 92 'is provided upright at the rear end of the loading platform 91'.

  According to this wheelbarrow 9 ', the load W is loaded on the loading platform 91', the arm 92 'for pushing is pushed, and the wheel 1' of each caster CA 'rolls on the traveling path F and advances in the direction of arrow A. It can also be retracted in the opposite direction if necessary.

  When pushing the wheelbarrow 9 ′ forward or backward, in each caster CA ′, the wheel 1 ′ and its supporting frame 2 ′ can be rotated around the axis 4 ′ with respect to the mounting member 5 ′, and the axis 4 ′. Is located behind the axis 4 ′ in the direction in which the wheel shaft center line C ′ moves the handcart 9 ′. Thus, the direction of the wheel 1 'is improved, and the wheelbarrow 9' can be easily moved.

  Conventional casters are generally as described above, but there are some types in which the wheel support frame 2 'is directly fixed to the loading platform 91'. Further, the wheel 1 ′ and its support frame 2 ′ are rotatably attached to the loading platform 91 ′, and the center line of rotation of the wheel 1 ′ passes through the center line C ′ of the wheel 1 ′, and the separation distance L as described above. Some don't have a '.

  In the caster CA ′ described above, the wheel 1 ′ is formed integrally as a whole, but the spoke portion between the hub portion and the rim portion is a spring material as a wheel having shock absorption (cushioning property). The wheel having a cushioning property as a whole (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-127201), and the spoke part between the hub part and the rim part having an elastically deformable bending structure, is entirely cushioning. A caster having a wheel (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-29201) or the like provided with a wheel is also known.

JP-A-8-127201 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-29201

  In any case, however, the conventional caster has a convex stepped portion f as shown in FIG. In many cases, it is difficult to get on the convex stepped portion f.

  That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the hand pushing arm 92 ′ is pushed to advance the handcart 9 ′ in the direction A on the normal traveling path F, the wheel 1 ′ is protruded as shown in FIG. Suppose you hit f. At this time, it is assumed that a force P is applied to the wheel shaft 11 ′ of the caster CA ′ that hits the stepped portion f. Then, the wheel 1 'receives a reaction force R' in the direction of the axle 11 'from the contact position β between the convex stepped portion f and the wheel 1'. A force having a magnitude corresponding to the upward component U 'of the reaction force R' acts as a force for causing the wheel 1 'to ride on the convex stepped portion f.

  However, since the angle θ ′ formed by the reaction force R ′ direction and the upward component force U ′ direction is large from the size of a general caster wheel 1 ′, the force U ′ is small according to the large angle θ ′. It is only force, and it becomes difficult for the wheel 1 'to ride on the stepped portion f. In that case, a much larger force must be applied to the wheelbarrow 9 ′ and consequently to the caster CA ′ than to move the wheelbarrow 9 ′ on the normal travel path F, so that the wheel 1 ′ rides on the convex stepped portion f. With difficulty.

  Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a caster that can make the wheel ride on the convex stepped portion more easily than before even when the caster traveling path has a convex stepped portion.

  Further, the present invention is an article having casters attached thereto, and when the article is moved by the casters, even when the caster travel path has a convex step portion, the wheel is more easily connected to the convex step portion. It is a second object to provide a caster-equipped article that can be moved forward to advance the article.

In order to solve the first problem, the present invention provides:
Wheels,
A wheel support frame that supports the wheel rotatably on a wheel shaft and extends upward;
A convex step-up turning member supported by the wheel support frame so as to be turnable by a support shaft parallel to the wheel shaft;
A drive wheel for rotating the rotating member for riding on the convex step, which is rotatable in conjunction with the traveling rotation of the wheel,
The convex step climbing rotation member is supported by the wheel support frame so as to be rotatable in a region above the lower end of the wheel around the support shaft,
The convex step climbing rotation member has a convex step climbing lower end portion and a driven portion that is pivotally driven around the support shaft by rotation of the drive wheel due to traveling rotation of the wheel. ,
The turning radius of the lower end of the convex step climbing of the convex step riding turning member is larger than the turning radius of the wheel,
When the driven portion is driven by the rotation of the driving wheel due to the rotation of the wheel and the turning member for turning on the convex step is rotated, the lower end portion for rising on the convex step of the turning member for riding on the convex step. Provides a caster that can protrude forward in the traveling direction of the wheel.

  The caster according to the present invention is provided with a rotating member for climbing a convex step, and the rotating member is rotated in an upper region from the lower end of the wheel, so that when the traveling path of the caster is flat, Therefore, the rotating member for riding on the convex step does not come into contact with the traveling road surface, and therefore there is no problem in the caster traveling on the flat road surface.

  According to the caster according to the present invention, when the wheel rotates on the traveling path, the driving wheel rotates in conjunction with the traveling rotation of the wheel, and the driven portion is driven by the rotation of the driving wheel, thereby the convex step. The ride-up turning member can be turned, and the raised step ride-up turning member can project the convex step ride-up lower end of the member forward in the traveling direction of the wheel.

  In this way, if the wheel is advanced on the flat traveling road with the lower end for protruding the convex step protruding forward in the traveling direction of the wheel, the convex stepped portion with respect to the flat traveling road appears, and the convex step where the convex stepped portion protrudes. If it is a thing of the magnitude | size which contacts the lower end part for riding, before a wheel contacts this convex step part, this lower end part for convex step climb will contact this convex step part.

  When the caster is continuously advanced in such a state that the lower end portion for raising the convex step is in contact with the convex step portion, the turning radius of the lower end portion for raising the convex step is larger than the turning radius of the wheel. When the wheel rides on the convex stepped portion in the state of starting contact directly with the stepped portion, the convex step climbing rotating member (the convex stepped climbing lower end) can be run on the convex stepped portion with a smaller force. .

  More specifically, when the convex step climbing lower member is in contact with the convex stepped portion, the caster is further advanced so that the convex step climbing turning member (convex step climbing lower end portion) rides on the convex stepped portion. The support shaft supporting the convex step climbing rotation member moves forward while being lifted, while the convex step climbing rotation member is prevented from moving forward by the convex step portion and is relatively centered on the support shaft. Rotate backward.

  Further, by moving forward while the support shaft is lifted, the wheel support frame provided with the support shaft is also lifted and moved forward so that the wheel is also lifted, and finally the lower end portion for riding on the convex step And the wheel both come into contact with the convex stepped portion. From this time, the wheel rides on the convex stepped portion while resuming traveling rotation. At this time, the height that the wheel must climb is only the remaining height obtained by subtracting the height that has already been lifted from the height of the convex stepped portion. It is possible to ride on the convex stepped portion more easily than when it is necessary to ride on the convex stepped portion with the direct contact.

  The support shaft of the turning member for riding on the convex step in the caster according to the present invention can be provided on the wheel support frame, for example, above the wheel. In addition, the form of the convex step climbing rotating member may be any type as long as the lower end portion for the convex step climbing can start climbing on the convex stepped portion prior to the wheel. A lower end surface of the lower end portion may be formed as a curved surface having an arc shape with the center of the support shaft as a center when viewed from the side of the convex step-up riding turning member.

  As a typical example of the drive wheel, a friction drive wheel capable of rotating the driven portion by contacting the driven portion of the rotating member for climbing the convex step can be exemplified. However, the drive wheel is not limited thereto. is not. For example, the driven portion of the rotating member for climbing the convex step may be a member made of a magnetic material, and the driving wheel may be a magnet driving wheel capable of rotating the driven member by applying a magnetic force to the driven member.

  In any case, the driving wheel may be a driving wheel that can rotate in conjunction with the traveling rotation of the wheel by a friction member interposed between the driving wheel and the wheel.

  In order to solve the second problem, the present invention provides an article with a caster (for example, a wheelbarrow, a wheelchair, etc.) provided with the caster according to the present invention.

The caster according to the present invention can be used with its wheel support frame attached to an article to be caster attached.
When the wheel support frame is attached to the article to be attached to the caster, the frame may be directly attached to the article by bolting or the like. For example, the frame is provided with an attachment member that can rotate around the vertical axis, and the attachment member. It may be attached to an object to be caster attached so as to be rotatable around the vertical axis.

  Since the caster-equipped article according to the present invention is provided with the caster according to the present invention as a caster, even when there is a convex step portion on the caster traveling path, the wheel is easily climbed on the convex step portion. The article can then be advanced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a caster that can easily ride the wheel on the convex step portion even when the caster travel path has a convex step portion.

  Further, according to the present invention, when an article is attached to a caster, and the article is moved by the caster, even if the caster travel path has a convex step portion, the wheel is more easily moved than the conventional one. It is possible to provide a caster-equipped article that can be ridden on a section and advanced the article forward.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
The caster example according to the present invention described below can be used by being attached to the article in order to move the article with human power or a battery. Such articles include, for example, bags for shopping and travel, bags and cases, and other welfare articles such as wheelbarrows, prams, and wheelchairs that carry various kinds of equipment and other luggage (the casters of the present invention are wheelchairs, etc.) Can be used as steering wheels, etc.), electrical appliances such as refrigerators, household and office furniture, organs, musical instruments such as pianos, office machines and other machines, etc., which are attached to the present invention. An article with casters according to the above can be provided.

  It can also be used as a wheel in children's vehicles such as children's tricycles, children's automobile toys, etc.

  The caster according to the present invention is suitable for use as a simple small caster in terms of structure and strength as compared with wheels of automobiles and bicycles, and is not limited thereto. Is suitable for use as a small caster of about 70 mm to about 250 mm. However, it may be larger.

First, an example CA1 of a caster according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a side view of the caster CA1, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the caster CA1 taken along line XX in FIG.

  The caster CA1 includes, in addition to a pair of circular wheels 1 having the same outer diameter as the wheels 1 ′ in the conventional caster CA ′ shown in FIG. I have. The outer peripheral portion 10 of each wheel 1 is formed of an elastic material (for example, rubber) having shock absorption.

  The pair of wheels 1 and the rotation member 6 are respectively supported by the wheel support frame 2. The frame 2 includes a pair of frame portions 21 and 21 that extend in the vertical direction and are integrated at the upper end. As can be seen from FIG. 2, one wheel 1 is disposed inside one frame portion 21, and is rotatably supported by the portion 21 by a wheel shaft 11 common to both wheels. Is disposed on the inner side of the frame portion 21 and is rotatably supported by the wheel shaft 11 on the portion 21.

  The wheel shaft 11 is in the form of a bolt, and penetrates from the outside of one frame portion 21 to the outside of the other frame portion 21 of the pair of frame portions, and the head 111 is an outer surface of the one frame portion 21. The nut 112 is screwed and fastened to a portion protruding to the outside of the other frame portion 21. The wheel shaft 11 is fixed to the wheel support frame 2.

  Each wheel 1 has a central portion 12 fitted on a wheel shaft 11 via a cylindrical bearing member 110 and can rotate around the shaft 11.

  The rotating member 6 for climbing the convex step is disposed between the pair of wheels 1, and the upper end 61 is rotated vertically to the frame 2 by the support shaft 60 above the wheel shaft 11 and above the wheel 1. Supported as possible. The support shaft 60 is disposed between the upper ends of the pair of frame portions 21 of the wheel support frame 2, and is fixed to the pair of frame portions 21 with screws S. An upper end portion 61 of the rotating member 6 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 60 via a cylindrical bearing member 600 and is suspended.

  The convex step climbing turning member 6 includes the upper end portion 61, the intermediate portion 63 that follows the upper end portion 61, and the lower end portion 62 that follows the intermediate portion.

  The intermediate portion 63 is formed in a hollow frame shape, and the hollow portion 630 is partitioned by an upper end inner peripheral surface 631 that is endlessly continuous, right and left inner peripheral surfaces 632 and 633, and a lower inner peripheral surface 634. The upper inner peripheral surface 631 is formed as an arc curved surface formed of an arc centered on the center line C <b> 2 of the support shaft 60.

  The bottom end 62 has an inverted T-shape when viewed from the side, and the outermost surface of the bottom end of the inverted T-shaped portion 621 is covered with an impact absorbing member (in this example, but not limited to a rubber impact absorbing member) 622. Has been. The lower end portion 62 is used as a lower end portion for riding on a convex step as will be described later. The lower end surface of the shock absorbing member 622 is formed into an arcuate curved surface that is an arc centered on the center line C <b> 2 of the support shaft 60.

Friction drive wheels 7 are fitted to the pair of wheels 1 over the central portion 12 of the wheels. The friction drive wheel 7 includes a friction member support wheel 71 and a friction member 72 fitted on the outer periphery thereof.
The support wheel 71 is externally fitted to the wheel center 12 through a friction member 73 fitted to the center 12 of the wheel 1. Each friction member 73 is a so-called O-ring made of a material whose main component is rubber, although not limited thereto.
The friction member 72 fitted to the outer periphery of the support wheel 71 is not limited to this, but in this example, the friction member 72 is a so-called O-ring made of a material mainly composed of rubber. It is fitted in a parallel arrangement on the outer peripheral surface.

  Thus, the friction drive wheel 7 supported by the central portion 12 of the pair of wheels 1 is positioned in the hollow portion 630 of the convex step climbing turning member 6, and the O-ring 72 partitions the hollow portion 630. It is in contact with the upper inner peripheral surface 631. As will be understood later, the portion including the upper inner peripheral surface 631 of the rotating member 6 is used as a driven portion that rotates around the support shaft 60 following the rotation of the friction drive wheel 7.

The turning radius r2 of the convex step climbing lower end 62 of the convex step climbing turning member 6 is larger than the turning radius r1 of the wheel 1.
However, the projecting member 6 is supported by the wheel support frame 2 so as to be rotatable in the region above the lower end of the wheel 1 around the support shaft 60.
In the example of FIG. 1, the lower end surface of the rotating member 6 (the lower end surface of the impact absorbing member 622 of the lower end portion 62) is slightly above the lower end of the wheel 1 (the wheel shaft is more than the wheel shaft 11) even when taking the lowest position. A position close to the lower end side, that is, a position close to the lower end of the wheel).

An arm 3 protrudes laterally from the upper end of the wheel support frame 2, and an attachment member 5 for attaching the caster CA 1 to the caster attachment target article is provided on the arm 3. The attachment member 5 can be rotated around a rotation center line 4 in the vertical direction.
The plane parallel to the rotation center line 4 including the rotation center line C1 of the wheel 1 (center line C1 of the wheel shaft 11) is separated from the rotation center line 4 by a distance L.
The attachment member 5 has a plurality of bolt through holes (not shown) for bolting the attachment member 5 to an object to be caster attached.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the caster CA1 is in a neutral state in which the convex step climbing lower end 62 of the convex step climbing rotating member 6 is located within the contour of the wheel 1 when viewed from the side of the caster, or FIG. ) From the state in which the lower end 62 protrudes to the right side of the wheel 1 as shown in FIG. 3A, the wheel 1 is rotated along the traveling path F in the left direction A in the figure. The lower end 62 projects forward in the traveling direction A of the wheel 1. In FIG. 3A, the drive wheel 7 is not shown in the friction member support wheel 71 constituting it, and only the friction member (O-ring) 72 portion is shown. The same applies to FIG. 3B described later.

  More specifically, when the wheel 1 is rotated in the direction A, the central portion 12 of the wheel 1 is rotated in the same direction due to the traveling rotation of the wheel (counterclockwise CCW rotation in the figure), and the rotation of the central portion 12 is It is transmitted to the friction drive wheel 7 by the friction force generated between the central portion 12 and the friction member (O-ring) 73 and the friction force generated between the O-ring 73 and the friction member support wheel 71 of the friction drive wheel 7. The driving wheel 7 also rotates in the same direction as the wheel 1.

  By rotating the drive wheel 7 in such a manner, an upper inner peripheral surface 631 (a hollow portion 630 of the convex step climbing rotation member 6) that is in contact with the friction member (O-ring) 72 on the drive wheel 7 is formed. The upper inner peripheral surface) is driven to be pushed clockwise by the frictional force with the O-ring 72, and the entire rotating member 6 is driven to rotate clockwise about the support shaft 60, thereby being convex. The step climbing lower end 62 starts to protrude forward in the traveling direction A of the wheel 1.

  When the wheel 1 is further rotated in the direction A, the lower end 62 protrudes further. When the right end 72W in the figure of the upper inner peripheral surface 631 comes into contact with the driving wheel O-ring 72, the lower end 62 is further increased. Does not protrude. When the right end 72W of the upper inner peripheral surface comes into contact with the driving wheel O-ring 72, as shown in FIG. 3A, the O-ring 72 and the right inner peripheral surface 632 following the upper inner peripheral surface 631 are disposed. The lower end 62 does not protrude any further.

  As described above, when the wheel 1 is further rotated in the direction A after the right end 73W of the upper inner peripheral surface comes into contact with the drive wheel O-ring 72, the drive wheel O-ring 72 is moved to the right end of the upper inner peripheral surface. The lower end 62 maintains the projecting posture while allowing the wheel 1 to travel while allowing the wheel 1 to travel while applying a rotating member pushing force to the portion 72W.

  If the caster CA1 is rotated from the neutral state or from the state shown in FIG. 3A to the right side B in the figure as shown in FIG. Projects forward in the direction of travel B.

  That is, when the wheel 1 is rotated in the direction B, the central portion 12 of the wheel 1 is rotated in the same direction by the traveling rotation of the wheel (clockwise CW rotation in the figure), and the rotation of the central portion 12 causes the O-ring 73 to rotate. To the friction drive wheel 7, and the drive wheel 7 rotates in the same direction as the wheel 1.

  By rotating the drive wheel 7 in such a manner, the upper inner peripheral surface 631 in contact with the friction member (O-ring) 72 on the drive wheel 7 is pushed out in the counterclockwise direction CCW, and the entire rotation member 6 is driven. The support shaft 60 is pivotally driven in the counterclockwise direction CCW, whereby the convex step climbing lower end 62 starts to protrude forward in the traveling direction B of the wheel 1.

  When the wheel 1 is further rotated in the direction B, the lower end 62 protrudes further. When the left end 72W ′ of the upper inner peripheral surface 631 comes into contact with the driving wheel O-ring 72, the lower end 62 The above does not protrude. When the left end 72W ′ of the upper inner peripheral surface comes into contact with the drive wheel O-ring 72, as shown in FIG. 3B, the O-ring 72 and the left inner peripheral surface 633 following the upper inner peripheral surface 631 are formed. A space is left in between, and the lower end 62 does not protrude any further.

  Further, when the wheel 1 is rotated in the direction B, the driving wheel O-ring 72 slides and rotates while applying a rotating member pushing force to the left end portion 72W ′ of the upper inner peripheral surface. While being allowed, the lower end 62 maintains the protruding posture.

  It is not essential to interpose a friction member (O-ring 73 in this example) between the wheel center portion 12 and the drive wheel 7. The wheel center portion 12 and the drive wheel 7 may be directly fixedly connected. However, by interposing a friction member (O-ring 73 in this example) between the wheel center portion 12 and the drive wheel 7, the pair of wheels 1 are relatively opposite to each other against the frictional force of the friction member. It becomes possible to rotate in a direction, which may be convenient when the pair of wheels 1 are turned.

  When the right end portion 72W (left end portion 72W ′) of the upper inner peripheral surface 631 comes into contact with the drive wheel O-ring 72, the drive wheel O-ring 72 is moved to the right inner peripheral surface 632 (left inner peripheral surface 633). However, such a structure may be adopted as long as the driving wheel O-ring 72 can slide and rotate with respect to the inner peripheral surface.

  Further, when the driving wheel O-ring 72 also comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface 632 (633), even if the frictional resistance becomes so large that the driving wheel 7 cannot rotate, the wheel 1 can slide and rotate with respect to the driving wheel 7. If the O-ring 73 between the drive wheel 7 and the wheel center portion 12 is selectively adopted, the wheel 1 can be rotated even if the drive wheel 7 cannot be rotated in this way.

  However, in any case, when the wheel 1 rotates along the traveling path F, the O-rings 72 and 73 so that the convex step climbing lower end portion 62 of the convex step climbing rotating member 6 protrudes forward in the wheel traveling direction. Select and adopt.

  As described above, the caster CA1 can be used by being attached to various caster-attached articles. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the caster CA1 is attached to each of the four corners of the lower surface of the rectangular loading platform 91 that is a part of the handcart 9. Four wheelbarrows 9 can be formed by attaching four members 5 by fixing them with bolts. A hand pushing arm 92 is erected at the rear end of the loading platform 91.

  According to the handcart 9, the load W can be loaded on the loading platform 91 and the hand pushing arm 92 can be pushed forward. For example, the wheel 1 of each caster CA1 can be pushed forward in the direction of the arrow A while rolling in the CCW direction on the traveling path F by pushing in the horizontal direction of the arrow A, and can be moved backward in the opposite direction as necessary. You can also.

  When pushing the wheelbarrow 9 forward or backward, in each caster CA1, the wheel 1 and its support frame 2 can rotate around the vertical line 4 with respect to the mounting member 5, and the vertical line 4 and the wheel. With the distance L of the rotation center line C1, the rotation center line C1 of the wheel 1 is positioned behind the vertical line 4 in the direction in which the wheelbarrow 9 is moved. Can be moved to.

  The attachment member 5 may not be provided. The caster support frame 2 may be attached to an object to be caster attached directly or via another appropriate member. Even when the mounting member 5 is provided, the distance L between the vertical rotation center line 4 and the wheel rotation center line C1 may be eliminated.

  The caster CA1 is provided with a convex step climbing turning member 6, but the turning member is turned in a region above the lower end of the wheel 1, so that when the caster traveling path is flat, the caster CA1 is turned. The moving member 6 does not come into contact with the traveling road, and therefore there is no hindrance to the caster traveling on the flat road surface. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the handcart 9 to which the caster CA <b> 1 is attached can be advanced in the target direction A on the flat traveling path F, and can be moved backward.

  According to the caster CA1, when the wheel 1 rotates on the travel path F, the driving wheel 7 rotates in conjunction with the traveling rotation of the wheel 1, and the convex wheel climbing rotation member 6 is driven by the rotation of the driving wheel 7. Then, the lower end 62 for riding on the convex step of the rotating member 6 protrudes forward in the traveling direction of the wheel 1. Therefore, when the handcart 9 is moved forward in the target direction A, a convex stepped portion f with respect to the flat traveling path F appears, and the convex stepped portion f has a size that contacts the convex stepped-up lower end portion 62. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower end 62 starts to contact the convex stepped portion f before the wheel 1 contacts the convex stepped portion f.

  When the caster CA1 is continuously advanced in such a state that the convex step climbing lower end portion 62 is in contact with the convex step portion f, the rotation radius r2 of the lower end portion 62 is larger than the rotation radius r1 of the wheel 1, so that the wheel When the wheel starts to ride on the convex stepped portion in a state in which 1 starts to directly contact the convex stepped portion f, the convex stepped climbing rotation member 6 (the convex stepped climbing lower end portion 62) is moved to a convex stepped portion f with a smaller force. You can get on.

  More specifically, when the caster CA1 is further advanced in a state where the lower end 62 of the rotating member 6 is in contact with the convex stepped portion f, the mutual contact between the convex stepped portion f and the lower end 62 of the rotating member 6 is achieved. The reaction force R1 generated from the position α acts in a direction passing through the center C2 of the support shaft 60 of the rotation member 6, and a force corresponding to the upward component force U1 of the reaction force R1 rides the rotation member 6 on the convex step portion f. The angle formed by the reaction force R1 and the upward component force U1 is θ1 (<θ ′ in the conventional example), and the upward component force U1 moves forward on the flat travel path F to the caster CA1. Even when a force P equivalent to the force applied at the time of application is applied (U1> conventional U ′), the rotation member 6 can easily start climbing on the convex step portion f.

  From another point of view, it is as if a large wheel having a radius (r2) from the center C2 of the shaft 60 to the contact position α between the convex stepped portion f and the rotating member 6 is mounted on the convex stepped portion f. However, the rotating member 6 can be easily ridden on the convex stepped portion f.

  The caster CA1 is further advanced in a state where the convex step climbing lower end portion 62 is in contact with the convex step portion f, so that the convex step climbing turning member 6 (convex step climbing lower end portion 62) rides on the convex step portion f. In this case, the support shaft 60 supporting the rotating member 6 moves forward while being lifted, while the rotating member 6 is relatively rearward about the support shaft 60 while being prevented from moving forward by the convex stepped portion f. Revolves. Due to the relative backward rotation of the rotating member 6, the drive wheel 7 and therefore the wheel 1 tends to be reversed. However, as will be described later, the wheel 1 is placed in a state of being lifted from the traveling path F, so that it is reversed. It does not matter.

  Further, when the support shaft 60 moves forward while being lifted, the wheel support frame 2 provided with the support shaft 60 is also lifted and moved forward, whereby the wheel 1 is also lifted and moved forward, finally as shown in FIG. In addition, both the convex step-up riding lower end portion 62 and the wheel 1 come into contact with the convex stepped portion f. From this time, the wheel 1 rides on the convex stepped portion f while resuming traveling rotation.

  At this time, the reaction force R2 generated from the mutual contact position between the wheel 1 and the convex stepped portion f acts in a direction passing through the center C1 of the wheel shaft 11. A force corresponding to the upward component force U2 of the reaction force R2 causes the wheel 1 to ride on the convex stepped portion f. The angle formed by the reaction force R2 and the upward component force U2 is θ2 (<θ ′ in the conventional example) Thus, the upward component force U2 is large even when a force P similar to that applied when the caster CA1 is advanced on the flat traveling path F is applied (U2> conventional U ′). Thus, the wheel 1 can easily ride on the convex stepped portion f.

When the wheel 1 finishes climbing on the convex stepped portion f, the rotating member 6 projects forward again by the traveling rotation of the wheel 1 and is provided at the next convex stepped portion.
When the convex stepped portion f is low, the wheel 1 may start to directly contact the stepped portion and may continue to ride on the stepped portion, but that is not a problem.

FIG. 7 shows another example CA2 of casters according to the present invention.
The caster CA2 in FIG. 7 is obtained by replacing the friction member 72 of the drive wheel 7 with a magnet ring 72M fitted to the support wheel 71 in the caster CA1 shown in FIG. In addition, it is replaced with a convex step climbing rotation member 6 'made of a magnetic material such as iron. The rotating member 6 ′ has a hollow frame-shaped intermediate portion 63 ′, and a magnet ring 72M is brought into contact with the upper inner peripheral surface 631 ′ thereof. The other points are substantially the same as those of the caster CA1, and substantially the same parts and parts as those of the caster CA1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the caster CA1.

  Also in the caster CA2, as the wheel 1 travels and rotates on the travel path F, the lower end portion 62 of the rotating member 6 ′ protrudes forward in the wheel traveling direction, and the wheel 1 rides on the convex stepped portion of the wheel 1 like the caster CA1. Make it easy to go up.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is a caster that is used by being attached to an article or the like that is moved by human power or the like, and can be used to provide a caster that can easily ride a wheel on a convex step portion and an article to which the caster is attached.

It is a side view of one example of the caster concerning the present invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the XX line of FIG. 1 of the caster shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the protrusion principle from the wheel of the rotation member for the convex step climbing of the caster of FIG. It is a side view of the wheelbarrow which attached the caster of FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode when the rotation member for convex step riding of the caster of FIG. 1 hits the convex step part. It is a figure which shows a mode that a caster wheel begins to ride on a convex level | step difference part. It is a side view of the other example of the caster concerning the present invention. It is a side view of the example of a conventional caster. It is a side view of the handcart provided with the caster of FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode when the caster of FIG. 8 hits the convex step part.

Explanation of symbols

CA1, CA2 Caster 1 Wheel 10 Wheel outer peripheral portion 11 Wheel shaft 111 Shaft head 112 Nut C1 Center (line) of wheel shaft 11
12 Wheel center part 110 Bearing member r1 Wheel turning radius 2 Wheel support frame 21 Part 2 extending in the vertical direction of the frame 2 Arm 4 Vertical rotation center line 5 Mounting member 6, 6 'Rotating member 61 for protruding the convex step Section 62 Convex step climbing lower end 621 Inverted T-shaped portion 622 Shock absorbing member 63 Middle portion 630 Hollow portion 631, 631 ′ Upper inner peripheral surface 632, 633 Right and left inner peripheral surface 634 Lower inner peripheral surface 72W, 72W 'End 60 of upper inner peripheral surface 631 Support shaft C2 Center (line) of support shaft 60
S Screw 600 Bearing member r2 Turning radius 7 of the lower end portion 62 for climbing the convex step Friction drive wheel 71 Friction member support wheel 72 Friction member (O-ring in the illustrated example)
73 Friction member (O-ring in the example shown)
72M Magnet ring 9, 9 'Wheelbarrow 91, 91' Carriage 92, 92 'Hand pushing arm W Luggage F Caster traveling path f Convex step

Claims (5)

Wheels,
A wheel support frame that supports the wheel rotatably on a wheel shaft and extends upward;
A convex step-up turning member supported by the wheel support frame so as to be turnable by a support shaft parallel to the wheel shaft;
A drive wheel for rotating the rotating member for riding on the convex step, which is rotatable in conjunction with the traveling rotation of the wheel,
The convex step climbing rotation member is supported by the wheel support frame so as to be rotatable in a region above the lower end of the wheel around the support shaft,
The convex step climbing rotation member has a convex step climbing lower end portion and a driven portion that is driven to rotate about the support shaft by rotation of the drive wheel due to traveling rotation of the wheel. ,
The turning radius of the lower end of the convex step climbing of the convex step riding turning member is larger than the turning radius of the wheel,
When the driven portion is driven by the rotation of the driving wheel by the rotation of the wheel and the turning member for turning on the convex step turns, the lower end portion for riding on the convex step of the turning member for riding on the convex step Is capable of projecting forward in the direction of travel of the wheel.   The caster according to claim 1, wherein the driving wheel is a friction driving wheel that abuts on the driven portion of the rotating member for climbing the convex step and can rotate the driven portion.   2. The driven portion of the turning member for climbing the convex step is a member made of a magnetic material, and the driving wheel is a magnet driving wheel capable of driving the driven member by applying a magnetic force to the driven member. The caster described.   The caster according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the drive wheel is rotatable in conjunction with traveling rotation of the wheel by a friction member interposed between the drive wheel and the wheel.   An article with casters comprising the caster according to any one of claims 1 to 4.