U.S. patent application number 13/337583 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-28 for storage rack.
This patent application is currently assigned to MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.. Invention is credited to Yoichiro Kondo, Akira Takeyama, Masataka Uchida.
Application Number | 20120160793 13/337583 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46315411 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120160793 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kondo; Yoichiro ; et
al. |
June 28, 2012 |
STORAGE RACK
Abstract
A storage rack includes a shelf board on which an object to be
stored is placed and which is installed so as to slidably move in a
horizontal direction from a depth direction of a rack main body to
a front direction, which is outside the rack main body, and a
supporting structure, a movement of which is coupled with the
sliding movement of the shelf board to support the shelf board
which has been pulled out by the sliding movement.
Inventors: |
Kondo; Yoichiro; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Uchida; Masataka; (Tokyo, JP) ;
Takeyama; Akira; (Tokyo, JP) |
Assignee: |
MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES,
LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
46315411 |
Appl. No.: |
13/337583 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/134 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 46/00 20130101;
A47B 47/00 20130101; B65G 1/026 20130101; A47F 5/01 20130101; A47F
5/0093 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/134 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/02 20060101
A47B096/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 28, 2010 |
JP |
2010-293245 |
Claims
1. A storage rack for setting object to be stored comprising: a
shelf board where the object is placed and which is able to slide
in a horizontal direction from a rear side of a rack main body to
an outside of the rack main body toward a front side of the rack
main body; a supporting structure supporting the shelf board by
moving together with the shelf board when the shelf board is
slid.
2. A storage rack according to claim 1, wherein the supporting
structure comprises: a guide part arranged on a part of the rack
main body where is a side end of the shelf board; a supporting part
supporting the shelf board, by moving together with the shelf board
when the shelf board is slid; and an operation part for operating
the supporting part, wherein, the guide part comprises a guide
groove, which has a gradual upward inclination from the rear side
to the front side and of which a surface facing upward has a
fitting recessed site dented downward; the supporting part has an
end which is located upward and is connected to side end of the
shelf board, and has a fitting body at the other end of the
supporting part, which moves along with the guide groove and fits
into the fitting recessed site.
3. A storage rack according to claim 1, wherein the supporting
structure comprises: a guide part arranged on a part of the rack
main body where is a side end of the shelf board; a supporting part
supporting the shelf board, by moving together with the shelf board
when the shelf board is slid; and a linking part for linking the
guide part and the supporting part, wherein, the guide part is
fixed to a side end of the rack main body with a gradual upward
inclination from the rear side to the front side of the rack main
body; the supporting part has an end which is connected to a side
of the shelf board and has another and located downward which is
connected to the linking part; and the linking part moves together
with the supporting part when the supporting part moves
pivotably.
4. A storage rack according to claim 1, wherein the supporting
structure comprises: a guide part arranged on a part of the rack
main body where is a side end of the shelf board; a supporting part
having rod shape and supporting the shelf board by moving together
with the shelf board when the shelf board is slid; and an operation
part for operating the supporting part, wherein, the guide part
comprises a guide groove, which has a gradual upward inclination
from the rear side to the front side and of which an surface facing
upward has a fitting recessed site dented downward; the supporting
part has an end which is located upward and is pivotably connected
to the side end of the shelf board and has a fitting body at the
other end of the supporting part, which moves along with the guide
groove and fits into the fitting recessed site; the operation part
comprises a lever member and a pressing member, both of which are
provided on the side end of the shelf board and able to pivot and;
the pressing member for pressing the supporting part to pivot
during being pressed by the lever member when the lever member is
made to pivot.
5. A storage rack according to claim 1, wherein the supporting
structure comprises: a guide part arranged on a part of the rack
main body where is a side end of the shelf board; a supporting part
having a rod shape and supporting the shelf board by moving
together with the shelf board when the shelf board is slid; and a
linking part for linking the guide part and the supporting part,
wherein, the guide part is fixed to a side end of the rack main
body with a gradual upward inclination from the rear side to the
front side of the rack main body; the supporting part has an end
which is pivotably connected to a side of the shelf board and has
another and located downward which is connected to the linking
part; and the linking part moves together with the supporting part
forward or backward when the supporting part moves pivotably.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a storage rack for storing
objects. Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No.
2010-293245, filed Dec. 28, 2010, the content of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Generally, when a power source is made up secondary
batteries, a plurality of secondary battery is used to form a
assembly battery. When secondary batteries are used as a power
source for wind power stations and various types of stationary
appliances, the power source might be made up the assembly battery
that is made up of dozens of batteries. In this case, the plurality
of secondary batteries are stored by being arrayed on storage racks
and connected to each other by bus-bars or electric cables, for
forming thereby constituting the assembly battery Then, when it is
necessary to maintenance or replacement, an operator takes out the
secondary batteries from the front of the storage rack in which the
secondary batteries have been stored, and the operator put back the
secondary batteries to the storage rack in which the secondary
batteries have been stored.
[0005] As a storage rack for storing an object to be stored such as
the above-described secondary battery, a storage rack has a sliding
device which supports the object to slide itself freely has been
proposed (e.g., refer to Japanese Unexamined Utility Model
Application, First Application No. S60-167550). As a sliding
device, a slidable bar is provided to the storage rack in Japanese
Unexamined Utility Model Application, First Application No.
S60-167550 inside the storage rack. And then, the object to be
stored is placed on the sliding bar. Therefore, the object on the
bar can be pulled out from the inside of the storage rack, when the
bar is slid from the inside. Then, an operator is able to take in
and out the object in a storage rack.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0006] However, regarding the storage rack disclosed in Japanese
Unexamined Utility Model Application, First Application No.
S60-167550, when the object is slid with the sliding device, all
weight of the object (i.e., a load of the object to be stored) is
applied to the sliding device. Therefore, when a heavy object such
as a secondary battery is stored, it has been difficult to stably
support the object by the sliding device. For supporting the object
stably, it is necessary to increase the rigidity of the sliding
device. However, this is results in an increase in weight of the
storage rack and a difficulty in maintenance. They are problem.
[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above
problems, an object of which is to provide a storage rack which is
simple in constitution and able to take out a heavy object such as
a secondary battery placed on a shelf board.
[Structure]
[0008] An aspect of the present invention is a storage rack for
setting an object to be stored (hereinafter referred as "the
storage rack of the present invention") comprising: a shelf board
where the object is placed and which is able to slide in a
horizontal direction from a rear side of a rack main body to an
outside of the rack main body toward a front side of the rack main
body; a supporting structure supporting the shelf board by moving
together with the shelf board when the shelf board is slid.
[0009] With the storage rack of the present invention, a heavy
object can be moved out from the storage rack (i.e., a rack main
body) easily by pulling out and sliding the shelf board even if an
object, which is a heavy object such as a secondary battery, is
placed on the shelf board. Generally, when a shelf board on which
an object to be stored has been placed is pulled out, the
pulled-out shelf board is held like a cantilever. It means that the
shelf board is supported only at the base end in the pulled-out
direction. As a result, supporting of the pulled-out shelf board
becomes unstable.
[0010] Because the storage rack of the present invention has a
supporting structure, a movement of which is coupled with the
sliding movement of the shelf board, the supporting structure is
able to support the shelf board which has been pulled out from the
storage rack. Thereby, even when a heavy object is placed on the
shelf board, it is possible to stably support the pulled-out shelf
board. Further, as described above, because the shelf board can be
stably supported by the supporting structure, supporting the shelf
board by moving together with the shelf board, it is possible to
simplify a structure of a slide guide, which slidably supports the
shelf board at side ends of the shelf board and a structure of the
shelf board, which directly supports the object to be stored.
Effect of the Invention
[0011] With the storage rack of the present invention, the object
to be stored can be pulled out in a state where the object is
stably supported on a shelf board even if the object is a heavy
object such as a secondary battery.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a storage rack of a first
embodiment or a second embodiment of the present invention, which
is installed inside a container and which stores batteries.
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates front view with taken along the line X1
to X1 in FIG. 1 of the storage rack of the first embodiment or the
second embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of a shelf board which is
pulled-out from the storage rack of the first embodiment or the
second embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates of shows a supporting structure of the
storage rack of the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates front view with taken along the line X1
to X1 in FIG. 4 of the supporting structure of the storage rack of
the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a shelf board is pulled out from the
storage rack of the first embodiment of the present invention and
that a fitting body is fitted into a second fitting recessed
site.
[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a state that the shelf board is pulled
out from the storage rack of the first embodiment of the present
invention and that the fitting body which has been fitted into the
second fitting recessed site is drawn out from the second fitting
recessed site by operating an operation part.
[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates a state that the shelf board is pulled
out from the storage rack of the first embodiment of the present
invention and that the fitting body is fitted into a third fitting
recessed site.
[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a modified example of the supporting
structure of the storage rack of the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates the modified example of the supporting
structure of the storage rack of the first embodiment of the
present invention and that the supporting structure constituted in
order that a handle and a lever member work together.
[0022] FIG. 11 illustrates an arrow view taken along the line X1 to
X1 in FIG. 10.
[0023] FIG. 12 illustrates a supporting structure of a storage rack
of the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 13 illustrates a front view with taken along the line
X1 to X1 in FIG. 12 and that the supporting structure of the
storage rack of the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 14 illustrates that a state that a shelf board is
pulled out from the storage rack of the second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0026] FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B are a view of a linking part of the
supporting structure of the storage rack of the second embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the Invention
[0027] Hereinafter, a description will be Liven of the storage rack
of the first embodiment of the present invention with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 8.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a movable battery unit 100 including a
plurality of batteries.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the battery unit 100 includes box-shaped
container 2, a pair of storage racks 10, 11 arranged inside the
container 2, and a plurality of batteries 1 on the storage racks
10, 11. The batteries 1 are examples as objects to be stored. The
battery 1 is not limited to any particular type. For example, if
may be a secondary battery or a fuel cell. Here, directional axes
used in the following description will be defined as follows. An X
axis direction, a Y axis direction and a Z axis direction are there
is enough space respectively given as a width direction T2 of the
storage rack, a depth direction T3 of the storage rack, and a
vertical direction T1 of the storage rack.
[0030] In the present embodiment, the pair of storage racks 10, 11
inside the container 2 are installed together along the
longitudinal direction of the container 2, there is enough space
between the storage racks. The space between the pair of storage
racks 10, 11 forms an aisle 3 which is wide enough for an operator
to pass through.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the storage racks 10, 11
includes the a frame (i.e., rack main body) 4 fixed on the floor
surface of the container 2, a plurality of shelf boards 5 attached
to the frame 4 in a multiple stage at predetermined intervals in a
vertical direction T1, and a slide guide 6 for supporting the shelf
board 5 and for being slidable with respect to the frame 4. The
plurality of shelf boards 5 are installed at each of the stages
along a horizontal direction T2 which is the width direction of the
storage racks 10, 11 (i.e., rack main bodies). A side wall 7
attached to the frame 4 is also installed on both side end sides of
each of the shelf boards 5.
[0032] Further, the slide guides 6 are extended in a horizontal
direction T3 which is the depth direction of each of the storage
racks 10, 11 and installed to make a pair corresponding to each of
the shelf boards 5. Then, each of the shelf boards 5 is supported
at the both side ends thereof by the corresponding pair of slide
guides 6 in order to slidably move in the horizontal direction
T3.
[0033] Then, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the shelf boards 5 is
installed that is guided by the slide guides 6 and slidably move
from a corresponding storage rack between the storage racks 10, 11
to the aisle 3 side that can be pulled outward in the horizontal
direction T3 from the storage racks 10, 11.
[0034] In the storage racks 10, 11 of the present embodiment
configured as explained above, two of the batteries 1 are arrange
and placed on the shelf boards 5 along the horizontal direction T3
as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Further, the pair of batteries 1 placed
on the same shelf board 5 are electrically connected by a
plate-shaped bus bar which is Figures. Still further, the pairs of
batteries 1 placed on different shelf boards 5 are electrically
connected. For example, they are connected by a freely extendable
cable formed in a helical shape which is Figures. Thus, the
plurality of batteries 1 is connected in series or in parallel, to
form assemble batteries.
[0035] Then, as shown in FIG. 3, in the storage racks 10, 11 of the
present embodiment, the shelf boards 5 is guided by the the pair of
slide guides 6 and is able to be pulled out to the aisle 3 side.
The batteries 1 placed on the shelf boards 5 can be taken out from
the corresponding storage rack at position where is on the aisle
3.
[0036] At this time, because the cable is formed to be freely
extendable, irrespective of a change in the relative position of
the batteries 1 belonging to two different shelf boards 5, the
batteries 1 placed on each of the shelf boards 5 can be taken out
from the storage racks 10, 11 without removing the cable.
[0037] Here, the plurality of batteries 1 placed on a shelf board 5
is heavy objects. Therefore, when the shelf board 5 is simply slid
and be pulled out the aisle 3, the shelf board 5 become like
cantilever and is unstable. As a result, it is difficult to replace
the batteries 1, and to do scheduled maintenance or the like.
[0038] On the other hand, in the storage racks 10, 11 of the
present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a supporting
structure 8 move with the shelf board sliding along with the slid
guide 6. The supporting structure 8 is installed on each of the
shelf boards 5. A handle 9 is fixed on the shelf board 5. Therefore
an operator can grip the handle 9, and control to make the shelf
board 5 slidably moved along the aisle 3.
[0039] The supporting structure 8 of the storage rack of the
present embodiment include a guide part 15 formed at one side end
of the rack main body 4, a rod-shaped supporting part 16 for
supporting the shelf board 5 that is able to slidably move along
the slide guides 6, and an operation part 17 for operating the
supporting part 16.
[0040] The guide part 15 includes a guide groove which is recessed
to an outer surface side from an inner surface of one of the side
walls 7. The guide groove 15 is formed from a rear end 7a side in
the depth direction T3 of one of the side walls 7 (i.e.,
approximately at the middle on the rear side of the rack main body)
to a front end 7b (i.e., to the front side of the rack main body).
The guide groove ascends gradually from the rear end 7a side in the
depth direction T3 to the front end 7b. Further, the fitting
recessed sites 18, 19, 20 are formed on an upward facing surface
15a of the guide groove. The upward facing surface 15a is a side of
guide groove with faces upward. These fitting recessed sites 18,
19, 20 are formed downward along the inclined surface (i.e., guide
surface) 15a.
[0041] Then, the guide groove (i.e., a guide part) 15 of the
storage shelf of the present embodiment includes a first fitting
recessed site 18 at the lowest end and, a second lowest fitting
recessed site 19, and a third lowest fitting recessed site 20
between the lower end and the upper end, with a predetermined
interval.
[0042] The supporting part 16 includes a supporting rod 16a, the
upper end side of which is pivotably connected to one side end of
the shelf board 5, and a fitting body 16b which is a connect shape,
formed installed integrally at the lower end side of the supporting
rod 16a, and which is able to be fitted into or caught by the
fitting recessed sites 18, 19, 20 according to being guided by the
guide groove 15.
[0043] The upper end side of the supporting rod 16a is pivotably
connected to one side end of the shelf board 5 with a first hinge
21. Therefore, the supporting rod 16a is allowed to turn along the
inner surface of one of the side walls 7 with respect to the shelf
board 5. Further, the position of the first hinge 21 is placed
between the guide groove 15 and the front end of the storage rack
10 horizontally in T3 direction in FIG. 4, when the shelf board 5
is pushed in (i.e., when the shelf board 5 is completely housed in
the rack main body, and the fitting body 16b is caught by the first
fitting recessed site 18).
[0044] The fitting body 16b is formed to project outside in a
direction perpendicular to the axis of the supporting rod 16a
(i.e., approximately the inner surface side of one of the side
walls 7). Further, the fitting body 16b is formed in a cylindrical
shape. One end the fitting body 16b is a inserted and engaged into
the guide groove.
[0045] The operation part 17 includes a lever member 23, which is
pivotably connected to the front part of one side end of the shelf
board 5 in the depth direction T3 with a second hinge 22, and a
pressing member 25 which is pivotably connected to the front part
of one side end of the shelf board 5 in the depth direction T3 with
a third hinge 24.
[0046] The lever member 23 is formed substantially in a rod shape
and extends to both sides horizontally from the second hinge
22.
[0047] The lever member 23 has two portions. A portion closer to
the front end of the rack main body 4 is a lever part 23a. The
lever part 23a is able to be turned by an operator's hand. Another
portion closer to the rear end of the rack main body 4 is a
pressing part 23b.
[0048] The pressing member 25 is formed substantially in an
L-shaped and pivotably connected to one side end of the shelf board
5 with the third hinge 24. The third hinge 24 is arranged between
the first hinge 21 and the second hinge 22 in the depth direction
13. Similar to the lever member 23, the pressing member 25 has two
portions. Instead of the location of the second hinge 22, the third
hinge 24 defines the boundary of the two portions. Another portion
closer to the front end of the rack main body 4 is a lever pressing
part 25a. A portion closer to the rear end of the rack main body 4
is a supporting rod pressing part 25b. The lever pressing part 25a
is placed below to and near the pressing part 23b of the lever
member 23. The supporting rod pressing part 25b is placed close to
the supporting rod 16a and on the front side of the supporting rod
16a.
[0049] In the storage racks 10, 11 of the present embodiment, there
are included the above-constituted supporting structure 8 as shown
in FIG. 4. When the batteries 1 are placed on the shelf board 5
which is arranged inside the frame 4, the fitting body 16b is
fitted into the first fitting recessed site 18 of the guide groove
15. As shown in FIG. 6, when the batteries 1 are tried to be
replaced, during the maintenance, the shelf board 5 on which the
batteries 1 are placed is pulled out from the frame 4. When the
shelf boards is being pulled out the supporting rod 16a is moved
together according to the movement of the shelf board 5, by
pivoting at the first hinge 21, and the fitting body 16b comes out
or escapes from the first fitting recessed site 18. When the shelf
board 5 is pulled out further from the frame 4, the fitting body
16b moves toward the front end of the storage racks 10, 11 along
the guide groove 15.
[0050] Then, when the fitting body 16b reaches to the second
fitting recessed site 19, the supporting rod 16a and the fitting
body 16b pivot at the first hinge 21 due to their own weight, and
the fitting body 16b is trapped and caught by the second fitting
recessed site 19. Thereby, the shelf board 5 is supported by the
supporting rod 16a, because the upper end of the supporting rod 16
is connected to the shelf board 5 and the lower-end side fitting
body 16b is fitted into and caught by the second fitting recessed
site 19. Thus, even when the heavy batteries (i.e., objects to be
stored) 1 are placed on the shelf board 5, the loads are received
by the supporting rod 16a and transferred through the fitting body
16b and the guide groove 15 to the side wall 7 and the frame 4. It
is, thereby, possible to support the batteries 1 in a stable
state.
[0051] Then, when the shelf board 5 is further instead to be pulled
out from the frame 4, as shown in FIG. 7, an operator manually
raises the lever part 23a of the lever member 23 at the operation
part 17. This action allows the lever member 23 to turn on the
second hinge 22. Because the lever member 23 is operated as
described above, the pressing part 23b of the lever member 23
presses the lever pressing part 25a of the pressing member 25
downward. Therefore, the pressing member 25 turns on direction by
the third hinge 24, the supporting rod pressing part 25b of the
pressing member 25 presses the supporting rod 16a upward,
consequently the supporting rod 16a turns on the first hinge 21 and
the fitting body 16b comes out or escapes from the second fitting
recessed site 19. Therefore, an operator is able to pull the shelf
board 5 out by using the handle 9. In addition, the fitting body
16b is guided by the guide groove 15 and moves further forward and
upward.
[0052] Then, as shown in FIG. 8, when the shelf board 5 is further
pulled out the aisle 3, the fitting body 16b is trapped and caught
by the third fitting recessed site 20. Therefore, the shelf board 5
is supported by the supporting rod 16a, because the upper end side
of the supporting rod 16a is connected to the shelf board 5 and the
lower-end side fitting body 16b is fitted into the third fitting
recessed site 20. In addition, even when the heavy batteries 1 are
placed on the shelf board 5, the loads are received by the
supporting rod 16a and transferred through the fitting body 16b and
the guide groove 15 to the side wall 7 and the frame 4. Therefore,
it is possible to support the batteries 1 stably. Thereby, the
replacement of the batteries 1 and its maintenance can be suitably
carried out.
[0053] After that, when an operator intend to insert the shelf
board 5 inside the frame 4, the operator manually raises the lever
member 23 of the operation part 17, and presses the shelf board 5
inside. Therefore, the fitting body 16b is guided by the guide
groove 15 and moves backward and downward. In the meantime, the
shelf board 5 slidably moves inside the storage racks 10, 11 and is
duly stored.
[0054] Therefore, according to the storage racks 10, 11 of the
present embodiment, the object to be stored 1 can be easily moved
out from the storage racks 10, 11 by pulling out the shelf board 5,
even if the object is a heavy object such as a secondary
battery.
[0055] Furthermore, the object to be stored 1 can be pulled out in
a state where the object is stably supported on a shelf board 5
even if the object is a heavy object such as a secondary battery,
since the shelf board 5 is provided with the supporting structure
8, a movement of which is coupled with the sliding movement of the
shelf board 5 to support the shelf board 5. Still further, since
the shelf board 5 can be stably supported by the supporting
structure 8, a movement of which is coupled with the movement of
the shelf board 5, it is possible to simplify a structure of a
slide guide 6, which slidably supports the shelf board at side
edges of the shelf board and a structure of the shelf board 5,
which directly supports the object to be stored 1.
[0056] Further, when the shelf board 5 is allowed to slidably move,
the supporting part 16, the upper end of which is pivotably
connected to the side edge of the shelf board 5, pivots. Then, the
fitting body 16b at the lower end side of the supporting part 16
moves inside the guide groove 15 and is trapped in the fitting
recessed sites 18, 19, 20. Thereby, loads of the pulled-out shelf
board 5 can be received and supported by the supporting part 16.
Even when the heavy objects to be stored 1 are placed on the shelf
board 5, it is possible to stably support (retain) the pulled-out
shelf board 5.
[0057] Furthermore, by turning the lever member 23 of the operation
part 15, the supporting part 16 can be pressed to be pivoted. Thus,
the fitting body 16b can be easily released from the entrapped
state in the fitting recessed sites 19, 20 by turning the lever
member 23 to pull out the fitting body 16b from the fitting
recessed sites 19, 20. As a result, the shelf board 5 can make a
sliding movement by letting the fitting body 16b moving along the
guide groove 15.
[0058] Thus, by using the storage racks 10, 11 of the present
invention, fast and flexible response can be made in replacement
and maintenance operations of the batteries 1, since the pulled-out
shelf board 5 is stably supported and each of the batteries 1 can
be easily accessed with an operator in a case where a large number
of the batteries 1 are set inside the container 2 and used by being
placed on the shelf board 5.
[0059] The first embodiment of the storage rack of the present
invention is explained above. However, the storage rack of the
present invention shall not be limited to the above-described first
embodiment. The storage rack of the present invention may be
changed whenever necessary within a scope not departing from the
gist of the present invention.
[0060] For example, in the present embodiment, the three fitting
recessed sites 18, 19, 20 are provided on the upward facing surface
of the guide groove 15. However, the fitting recessed sites are not
in particular limited to the number and the position thereof.
[0061] Further, as shown in FIG. 9, an intersecting angle .theta.
formed between a surface of the fitting recessed sites 19, 20
facing to the back of each of the storage racks 10, 11 and the
guide surface may be made obtuse. At this time, when the shelf
board 5 is pulled out from the storage racks 10, 11, it is possible
to reduce force necessary for releasing the fitting body 16b from
the fitting recessed sites 19, 20 and increase the usability.
[0062] Further, in the present embodiment, as to the supporting
structure 8 of storage racks 10, 11, an operator manually raises
the lever part 23a of the lever member 23 at the operation part 17,
and the supporting rod 16a of supporting part 16 to pivot and then
the operator separately pulls and pushes the handle 9 to take in
and out the shelf board 5.
[0063] However, the supporting structure 8 of storage racks 10, 11
it is possible to form a structure to make, the lever member 23 to
work together with the supporting rod 16a when an operator grips
the handle 9. More specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 10
and 11, the handle 9 is extended along the width direction T2 and
connected to lever part 23a of the lever member 23 and a turning
shaft 26 of the shelf board 5. According to this structure, when an
operator grips and raises the handle 9, the handle 9 pivots the
turning shaft 26 and the second hinge 22. At this time the lever
member 23 work together. Therefore, it is possible to move, the
supporting rod 16a upward. Further, an operator is able to pull and
push the handle 9 while gripping and raising the handle 9, for
taking in and out the shelf board 5. It is possible to take in and
out the shelf board 5 more easily than the present embodiment and
also increase the usability.
[0064] In the present embodiment, a description has been given on
the assumption that the storage racks 10, 11 are installed inside
the container 2 and used for storing the batteries 1 such as
secondary batteries. However, the storage rack of the present
invention shall not be limited to the use of storing the batteries
1 and is, of course, applicable to any and all places for storing
(placing) any objects to be stored.
[0065] Next, a description will be given of the storage rack of the
second embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG.
12 to FIG. 15B. The present embodiment is different from the first
embodiment only about the supporting structure. Therefore, in the
present embodiment, the same reference numerals will be given to
the same structures as those of the first embodiment, and a
detailed description omitted.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, a supporting structure 30
of the present embodiment includes guide part 31 which is a
substantially cylindrical rod-shaped, a substantially tubular
linking part 32, and a rod-shaped supporting part 34. Both end of
the guide part 31 are fixed to one of side walls 7 or the frame 4
of each of the storage racks 10. 11. The guide part 31 is inserted
into the linking part 32, and the linking part 32 is guided by the
guide part 31 and allowed to move forward and backward along the
guide part 31. Further, the linking part 32 is fixable to the guide
part 31. One end of the supporting part 34 is connected to one side
end of the shelf board 5 in order to pivot on a first hinge 33.
Another end of the supporting part 4 is pivotably connected to the
linking part 32. Therefore the shelf board 5 is able to slidably
move along slide guides 6.
[0067] One end of guide part 31 of the present embodiment is fixed
in front of the other end itself and the one end is in the depth
direction T3.
[0068] The linking part 32 is formed into a substantially tubular
tube shape. The linking part 32 has two portions has that are
formed by cutting the tubular tube to blocks along the axis line.
The two blocks (i.e., the block 32a and the block 32b) are coupled
with an elastic member 32c to form a substantially tubular shape.
Then, the linking part 32 is attached in such a manner that the
guide part 31 is inserted through an inner hole formed by the block
32a and the block 32b. As a result, the guide part 31 is retained
by the block 32a and the block 32b on the guide part 31.
[0069] In the linking part 32, the lower end of the supporting part
34 is connected to the block 32a in order to pivot on a second
hinge 35. When an operator lifts a shelf board 5, the linking part
32 can be released and become to move as shown in FIGS. 15A and
15B. When the operator stops lifting the shelf board 5, a force is
generated for one divided block 32a to move closer to the other
divided block 32b due to the loads transferred from the supporting
part 34. Therefore, the guide part 31 is clamped and retained by
both of the blocks 32a and 32b.
[0070] In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
15A, a cross section of an inner surface 32d of the block 32a in
the plane parallel to the directions T1 and T2 is formed in L-shape
or bended-shape. When the linking part 32 is locked on the guide
part 31 as shown in FIG. 15A, the upper half portion of the inner
surface 32d aligns parallel to the outer surface of the guide part
31 and is pressed and contacted to the surface that is parallel to
the outer surface 32e of the block 32a. On the other hand, the
lower half portion of the inner surface 32d is formed with a
gradual inclination toward the outer surface 32e, increasing the
diameter of the inner hole of the linking part 32 downward. In
addition, the upper end portion of the block 32a, and the lower end
part of the supporting part 34 is pivotably connected to the upper
part end portion of the block 32a with the second hinge 35.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 15A, as to the linking part 32, the guide
part 31 is clamped and retained by both the upper end of the block
32a and the inner surface 32d of the other block 32b. On the other
hand, as shown in FIG. 15B, when the supporting part 34 is allowed
to pivot on the first hinge 33, the upper end side of the block 32a
is detached from the guide part 3 the upper-end side inner surface
32d of the block 32 is able to move from the outer surface of the
guide part 31. Therefore, the linking part 32 is released from the
guide part 31. At this time, the lower-end side inner surface 32d
of the block 32a moves closer to the outer surface of the guide
part 31.
[0072] In the storage racks 10, 11 of the present embodiment, as
shown in FIG. 14, when an operator lifts the shelf board 5 and
pulls the handle 9, the shelf board 5, on which the batteries 1 are
placed, is able to be pulled out from the storage racks 10, 11.
When the shelf board 5 is pulled out from the storage racks 10, 11,
the upper end side of the supporting part 34 is pulled together
with the shelf board 5. As described above, when the supporting
part 34 is pulled, the block 32a of the linking part 32 moves to
increase the diameter of the inner hole of the linking part 32.
Thereby, state of the linking part 32 is released and the linking
part 32 is guided by the guide part 31 and is able to move
upward.
[0073] Then, when an operator pulls out the shelf board 5 to a
desired position and stops the sliding movement of the shelf board
5, the supporting part 34 and the block 32a of the linking part 32
are no longer pulled. As a result, the diameter of the inner hole
of the linking part 32 is reduced, and the linking part 32 is
locked on the guide part 31. Consequently, loads of the shelf board
5 are received by the supporting part 34 and guide part 31, even if
the shelf board 5, on which the heavy batteries 1 are placed, is
pulled out in an intended distance and the shelf board 5 is stably
supported.
[0074] On the other hand, when the shelf board 5 is stored and
inserted in the storage racks 10, 11, an operator lifts the shelf
board 5 and presses t the shelf board 5 slidably to the storage
racks 10, 11. Thereby, while turning by the first hinge 33, the
upper end side of the supporting part 34 is pressed inside together
with the shelf board 5. Then, as described above, the upper end
side of the supporting part 34 is pressed inside, by which the
lower end side of the supporting part 34 is pressed downward while
being turned by the second hinge 35.
[0075] Further, when an operator stores the shelf board 5 into the
storage racks 10,11 and inside to stop the sliding movement, one
divided block 32a undergoes displacement so as to move closer to
the other divided block 32b due to the restoring force of the
elastic member 32c and due to the loads derived from the supporting
part 34. Therefore, the inner hole of the linking part 32 is
reduced in diameter. Thereby, the linking part 32 is locked and
fixed to the guide part 31. The loads of the shelf board 5 are
received by the supporting part 34 and the guide part 31, by which
the shelf board 5 is supported in a stable state and stored in the
storage racks 10, 11.
[0076] Therefore, even when heavy objects such as secondary
batteries are placed on the shelf board 5, by pulling out the shelf
board 5, the objects can be taken out easily from the storage racks
10, 11.
[0077] Further, each of the storage racks 10, 11 of the present
embodiment includes the supporting structure 30, a movement of
which is coupled with the sliding movement of the shelf board 5 to
support the shelf board 5. Therefore, even when the heavy objects
are placed on the shelf board 5, it is possible to stably support
the pulled-out shelf board 5. Still further, because the shelf
board 5 can be stably supported by the supporting structure 30, it
is possible to simplify a structure of the slide guide 6 which
supports at the base end the shelf board 5 or a structure of the
shelf board 5 which directly supports the objects to be stored
1.
[0078] In addition, in the storage racks 10, 11 of the present
embodiment, when the shelf board 5 is allowed to slidably move, the
supporting part 34 turns, the upper end side of which is connected
to one side end of the shelf board 5 so as to turn. Thereby, the
linking part 32 connected to the lower end side of the supporting
part 34 is allowed to move forward and backward along the guide
part 31. Then, upon stop of the sliding movement of the shelf board
5, the linking part 32 is fixed to the guide part 31. Thereby,
loads of the pulled-out shelf board 5 can be received and supported
from the supporting part 34 to the linking part 32 and from the
linking part 32 to the guide part 31. Thus, even when the heavy
objects are placed on the shelf board 5, it is possible to stably
support the pulled-out shelf board 5.
[0079] Further, the supporting structure 30 is able to support and
retain the shelf board 5 which has been pulled out to a desired
position, without any restriction on a pulled-out amount of the
shelf board 5. Still further, the supporting rod of the second
embodiment is smoother in motion and better in operating
performance than that of the first embodiment.
[0080] Thus, when a large number of the batteries 1 are set inside
the container 2 and used by being placed on the shelf board 5, and
when the batteries 1 have deteriorated or are damaged or regular
maintenance is to be carried out, an operator is able to retain the
pulled-out shelf board 5 in a stable state and gain access to the
batteries 1 easily. It is thus, possible to replace the batteries 1
or perform maintenance work quickly and flexibly.
[0081] A description has been so far given of the second embodiment
of the storage rack of the present invention, however, the present
invention shall not be limited to the above-described second
embodiment. The present invention may be changed whenever necessary
within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as being limited
by the foregoing description, and is only limited by the scope of
the appended claims.
* * * * *