Patent Description:
A roller conveyor is used in a wide range of industrial fields such as distribution centers, clean rooms, food lines, general production lines, mail centers, and distribution centers.

One roller conveyor drive scheme is a scheme to rotate a roller by a motor built in the roller (hereinafter referred to as a motor roller scheme). A roller conveyor of this scheme is disclosed in Non Patent Literature <NUM>, for example. In the roller conveyor disclosed in this literature, three rollers arranged at a predetermined pitch constitute one group. Each group includes one motor roller and two free rollers. A belt is wound between one end of a central roller (free roller) and one end of a left roller (motor roller), and a belt is wound between one end of the central roller (free roller) and one end of a right roller (free roller). When the motor roller itself rotates, the motor roller can transmit rotational force to the two free rollers to cause the two free rollers to rotate.

Due to carelessness of an operator, there is a possibility that a finger may be caught between the one end of the roller and the belt.

<CIT> discloses a finger guard according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

An object of the present invention is to provide a finger guard member that prevents a finger from being caught between one end of a roller and a belt wound around the one end in a roller conveyor, and a finger guard member coupling structure using the same.

A finger guard member according to the present invention is a finger guard member as defined in claim <NUM>.

The above as well as additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In each of the drawings, a component with the same reference sign indicates the same component, and descriptions of the component already described will be omitted. In this specification, when a component is generically called, the component is denoted with a reference sign with a hyphen omitted (for example, roller <NUM>), whereas when an individual component is referred to, the component is denoted with a reference sign with a hyphen attached (for example, rollers <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>).

<FIG> is a front perspective view of a finger guard member <NUM> according to the embodiment. <FIG> is a rear perspective view of the finger guard member <NUM>. <FIG> is a front view of the finger guard member <NUM>. <FIG> is a front view of the finger guard member <NUM> with a positioning part <NUM> removed in <FIG>.

<FIG> are six views of the finger guard member <NUM>. <FIG> is a front view of the finger guard member <NUM>. <FIG> is a top view of the finger guard member <NUM>. <FIG> is a bottom view of the finger guard member <NUM>. <FIG> is a left side view of the finger guard member <NUM>. <FIG> is a right side view of the finger guard member <NUM>. <FIG> is a rear view of the finger guard member <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic view near one ends <NUM> of three rollers <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> of rollers <NUM> provided in a roller conveyor <NUM>. <FIG> is a plan view near the one ends <NUM> of the three rollers <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> with the finger guard members <NUM> not installed in the roller conveyor <NUM>. <FIG> is a plan view near the one ends <NUM> of the three rollers <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> with the finger guard members <NUM> installed in the roller conveyor <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the roller <NUM> is either a motor roller or a free roller. The roller <NUM>-<NUM> and the roller <NUM>-<NUM> are disposed adjacently to both sides of the roller <NUM>-<NUM>. A belt <NUM> is wound around the one end <NUM> of the roller <NUM> in a longitudinal direction D1. In more detail, a belt <NUM>-<NUM> is wound between the one end <NUM> of the roller <NUM>-<NUM> and the one end <NUM> of the roller <NUM>-<NUM>. A belt <NUM>-<NUM> is wound between the one end <NUM> of the roller <NUM>-<NUM> and the one end <NUM> of the roller <NUM>-<NUM>.

The roller <NUM> includes a fixed shaft <NUM> positioned outside the one end <NUM> in the longitudinal direction D1. The roller <NUM> including the one end <NUM> can rotate about the fixed shaft <NUM>. A frame <NUM>-<NUM> of the roller conveyor <NUM> is disposed outside the fixed shaft <NUM> in the longitudinal direction D1. The roller <NUM> is rotatably supported by the frame <NUM>-<NUM> disposed on the one end <NUM> side and a frame (not shown) disposed on the other end side. A detailed description will be provided. A method of the support differs depending on whether a shaft diameter of the fixed shaft <NUM> is a first shaft diameter (for example, <NUM>) or a second shaft diameter (for example, <NUM>) that is larger than the first shaft diameter. For the first shaft diameter, the fixed shaft <NUM> is passed through a through hole (not shown) formed in the frame <NUM>-<NUM>, and a tip portion of the fixed shaft <NUM> protrudes from the through hole. The fixed shaft <NUM> is supported by an edge of the through hole and is not fixed to the frame <NUM>-<NUM>. A fixed shaft (not shown) on the other end side of the roller <NUM> is fixed to the frame disposed on the other end side. <FIG> shows a case of the first shaft diameter. In contrast, for the second shaft diameter, since the second shaft diameter is larger than the through hole formed in the frame <NUM>-<NUM>, the fixed shaft <NUM> cannot be passed through the through hole. Therefore, the fixed shaft <NUM> cannot be supported by the edge of the through hole. Therefore, the fixed shaft <NUM> is supported by tightening a bolt (not shown) passed through the through hole to a tap (not shown) formed on the fixed shaft <NUM>.

Each of the finger guard members <NUM> is installed in the roller conveyor <NUM>. In more detail, at the fixed shaft <NUM>, the finger guard member <NUM> is installed at a position between the one end <NUM> and the frame <NUM>-<NUM>.

The finger guard member <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. Note that in order to facilitate understanding of <FIG>, reference is made to <FIG> as necessary. The finger guard member <NUM> includes a first surface <NUM>, a second surface <NUM>, a third surface <NUM>, a positioning part <NUM>, and fitting parts <NUM>. The finger guard member <NUM> is produced by metal molding or a three-dimensional printer. These components of the finger guard member <NUM> are integrally formed.

When the second surface <NUM> is defined as a front surface of the finger guard member <NUM>, the third surface <NUM> is a side surface of the finger guard member <NUM>. There is no surface on a rear side of the finger guard member <NUM>. An opening <NUM> is formed on an upper surface side of the finger guard member <NUM> with both side parts of the upper surface remained. The both side parts are first surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. An opening <NUM> is formed on a lower surface side of the finger guard member <NUM> with both side parts of the lower surface remained. The both side parts are first surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. The first surface <NUM>, the second surface <NUM>, and the third surface <NUM> form a space <NUM> in which the one end <NUM> of the roller <NUM> is housed.

A fitting part <NUM>-<NUM> (first fitting part) is formed on a third surface <NUM>-<NUM>. A fitting part <NUM>-<NUM> (second fitting part) is formed on a third surface <NUM>-<NUM>. The fitting part <NUM> is used for coupling the adjacent finger guard members <NUM>.

A notch <NUM> is formed in the center of the second surface <NUM>. In more detail, the notch <NUM> has an arch shape. A shape of a tip portion of the notch <NUM> (tip end of the arch) is an are shape. A width of the notch <NUM> is larger than the shaft diameter of the fixed shaft <NUM>.

When the finger guard member <NUM> is installed at the one end <NUM> (in other words, when the finger guard member <NUM> is installed in the roller conveyor <NUM>), the finger guard member <NUM> is positioned using the fixed shaft <NUM>. Here, the finger guard member <NUM> is positioned in two directions (in other words, a direction in which the rollers <NUM> are arranged and a vertical direction of the finger guard member <NUM>) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction D1 of the roller <NUM> (in other words, axial direction of the fixed shaft <NUM>). A method of the positioning differs depending on whether the shaft diameter of the fixed shaft <NUM> is the first shaft diameter or the second shaft diameter larger than the first shaft diameter. For the first shaft diameter, the positioning part <NUM> is used.

The positioning part <NUM> is formed integrally with the second surface <NUM> and is disposed inside the notch <NUM>. When the fixed shaft <NUM> has the first shaft diameter, the finger guard member <NUM> is positioned by the positioning part <NUM> being supported by a peripheral surface of the fixed shaft <NUM>. A detailed description will be provided. <FIG> is a front view of the finger guard member <NUM> installed at the one end <NUM> when the fixed shaft <NUM> has the first shaft diameter. With reference to <FIG> as well, the positioning part <NUM> (<FIG>) includes an arc-shaped part <NUM>, guide parts <NUM> and <NUM>, and rib parts <NUM> to <NUM>. An arc indicated by the arc-shaped part <NUM> is larger than a semicircle. When the fixed shaft <NUM> has the first shaft diameter, the finger guard member <NUM> is positioned by the arc-shaped part <NUM> being supported by the peripheral surface of the fixed shaft <NUM>.

A double radius of the arc-shaped part <NUM> is almost the same as the first shaft diameter. Accordingly, for the first shaft diameter, the finger guard member <NUM> is positioned with the fixed shaft <NUM> being fitted into the arc-shaped part <NUM>. A distance between both ends of the arc-shaped part <NUM> is smaller than the first shaft diameter. This makes it possible to prevent the finger guard member <NUM> from easily coming off the fixed shaft <NUM> with the finger guard member <NUM> being positioned.

A tip end of the guide part <NUM> (first guide part) is connected to one of the both ends of the arc-shaped part <NUM>, and the guide part <NUM> guides the fixed shaft <NUM> to the arc-shaped part <NUM>. A tip end of the guide part <NUM> (second guide part) is connected to the other of the both ends of the arc-shaped part <NUM>, and the guide part <NUM> guides the fixed shaft <NUM> to the arc-shaped part <NUM>. A proximal end of the guide part <NUM> is connected to one side part of the arch (edge of the notch <NUM>) at a lower portion of the notch <NUM> having an arch shape. A proximal end of the guide part <NUM> is connected to the other side part of the arch (edge of the notch <NUM>) at a lower portion of the notch <NUM> having an arch shape.

The fixed shaft <NUM> is guided by the guide part <NUM> and the guide part <NUM>, and fitted into the arc-shaped part <NUM>. Since an interval between the guide part <NUM> and the guide part <NUM> is shortened toward the arc-shaped part <NUM>, even if the distance between the both ends of the arc-shaped part <NUM> is smaller than the first shaft diameter, the fixed shaft <NUM> can be easily fitted into the arc-shaped part <NUM>.

When the second surface <NUM> is viewed from the front, the rib parts <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed between a left side of the notch <NUM> and the arc-shaped part <NUM>, and the rib parts <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed between a right side of the notch <NUM> and the arc-shaped part <NUM>. The rib part <NUM> connects one of the both ends of the arc-shaped part <NUM> to the edge of the notch <NUM>. The rib part <NUM> connects the other of the both ends of the arc-shaped part <NUM> to the edge of the notch <NUM>. The rib parts <NUM> and <NUM> are positioned between the rib part <NUM> and the rib part <NUM>. The rib part <NUM> connects the arc-shaped part <NUM> to the edge of the notch <NUM> on the left side of the notch <NUM>. The rib part <NUM> connects the arc-shaped part <NUM> to the edge of the notch <NUM> on the right side of the notch <NUM>.

The arc-shaped part <NUM> is applicable to any shape of an end surface of the fixed shaft <NUM>, a hexagonal shape, a D shape, an oval coin shape, and a round shape. <FIG> is a front view of the finger guard member <NUM> installed at the one end <NUM> when the hexagonal fixed shaft <NUM> has the first shaft diameter. <FIG> is a front view of the finger guard member <NUM> installed at the one end <NUM> when the D-shaped fixed shaft <NUM> has the first shaft diameter. <FIG> is a front view of the finger guard member <NUM> installed at the one end <NUM> when the oval coin-shaped fixed shaft <NUM> has the first shaft diameter. <FIG> is a front view of the finger guard member <NUM> installed at the one end <NUM> when the round fixed shaft <NUM> has the first shaft diameter. The oval coin shape is a shape defined by two opposing arc parts and two opposing straight parts. For the oval coin shape, the arc-shaped part <NUM> is supported by the upper arc part of the two are parts. The arc-shaped part <NUM> is not supported by the two straight parts.

When the fixed shaft <NUM> has the second shaft diameter, the fixed shaft <NUM> cannot fit into the arc-shaped part <NUM> of the positioning part <NUM> because the size of the shaft diameter is too large. Therefore, by cutting the proximal ends of the rib parts <NUM> to <NUM> and the guide parts <NUM> and <NUM>, the positioning part <NUM> can be removed from the second surface <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. That is, it is possible to make the positioning part <NUM> not present on the second surface <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view of the finger guard member <NUM> installed at the one end <NUM> when the fixed shaft <NUM> has the second shaft diameter. With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the finger guard member <NUM> is positioned by the edge of the notch <NUM> (edge of the tip portion of the notch <NUM>) being supported by the peripheral surface of the fixed shaft <NUM>.

In this way, in the finger guard member <NUM> according to the embodiment, the finger guard member <NUM> can be standardized between the roller <NUM> including the fixed shaft <NUM> having the first shaft diameter and the roller <NUM> including the fixed shaft <NUM> having the second shaft diameter. Therefore, according to the embodiment, costs of the finger guard member <NUM> can be reduced.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a part of the roller conveyor <NUM> in which the finger guard members <NUM> are installed. <FIG> is a plan view of the part. <FIG> is a side view of the part. <FIG> is a plan view near the one end <NUM> of the roller <NUM>. The finger guard member <NUM> is installed at the one end <NUM> of the roller <NUM>. <FIG> is a front view of the finger guard member <NUM> installed at the one end <NUM> of the roller <NUM>. The second surface <NUM>, the notch <NUM>, and the frame <NUM>-<NUM> are omitted.

With reference to <FIG>, a plurality of rollers <NUM> (five rollers <NUM>) arranged in parallel is rotatably supported by the frame <NUM>-<NUM> disposed on the one end <NUM> side and a frame <NUM>-<NUM> disposed on the other end side. The belt <NUM> is wound between one end <NUM> of each of the plurality of rollers <NUM> and one end <NUM> of the adjacent roller <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first surface <NUM> is disposed in a space formed by the one end <NUM> and the belt <NUM>. In other words, the first surface <NUM> is disposed between the one end <NUM> and the belt <NUM>. The belt <NUM>-<NUM> passes above the first surface <NUM>-<NUM> and below the first surface <NUM>-<NUM>. The belt <NUM>-<NUM> passes above the first surface <NUM>-<NUM> and below the first surface <NUM>-<NUM>.

The first surface <NUM> is disposed between the one end <NUM> and the belt <NUM>, and the first surface <NUM> is disposed near the belt <NUM>. This allows a gap between the first surface <NUM> and the belt <NUM> to be reduced to a size that does not allow a finger to pass. Therefore, even if a finger touches the belt <NUM> and the finger is pulled in the same direction as the belt <NUM>, the finger stops before the gap between the first surface <NUM> and the belt <NUM>. This makes it possible to prevent the finger from being caught between the one end <NUM> of the roller <NUM> and the belt <NUM>.

A description will be provided using another expression. It is assumed that the one end <NUM> is divided into a central portion and both end portions along the direction in which the rollers <NUM> (<FIG>) are arranged. One of both ends of the one end <NUM> is surrounded by a surrounding portion formed by the first surface <NUM>-<NUM>, the third surface <NUM>-<NUM>, and the first surface <NUM>-<NUM>. The other of both ends of the one end <NUM> is surrounded by a surrounding portion formed by the first surface <NUM>-<NUM>, the third surface <NUM>-<NUM>, and the first surface <NUM>-<NUM>. Therefore, even if a finger touches the belt <NUM> and the finger is pulled in the same direction as the belt <NUM>, the finger touches the surrounding portion and stops. This makes it possible to prevent the finger from being caught between the one end <NUM> and the belt <NUM>.

The adjacent finger guard members <NUM> are coupled by a coupling member <NUM>. <FIG> is a plan view showing a relationship between the coupling member <NUM> and a vicinity of the fitting parts <NUM> of the adjacent finger guard members <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view of the coupling member <NUM>. <FIG> is a top view of the coupling member <NUM>. <FIG> is a side view of the coupling member <NUM>. The left side view and the right side view of the coupling member <NUM> are the same. <FIG> is a bottom view of the coupling member <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the coupling member <NUM> includes a snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> (first snap fit part), a snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> (second snap fit part), and a supporting part <NUM>. The coupling member <NUM> is produced by metal molding or a three-dimensional printer. These components of the coupling member <NUM> are integrally formed. The supporting part <NUM> has a rectangular shape, the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> is formed at one end of the supporting part <NUM>, and the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> is formed at the other end of the supporting part <NUM>. When the coupling member <NUM> is viewed in plan view, the snap fit parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the supporting part <NUM>.

The snap fit parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> have the same structure. A detailed description will be provided. The snap fit parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are each a cantilever type, and include hook parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> at tip ends, respectively. When an upper surface of the coupling member <NUM> is a top side, the hook parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> face the top side (<FIG>). When the upper surface of the coupling member <NUM> is a ground side, the hook parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> face the ground side (<FIG>).

When a direction in which the snap fit parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> extend is a horizontal direction, vertical sizes of proximal ends of the snap fit parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are greater than a vertical size of a part other than the proximal ends. A block part <NUM>-<NUM> is formed on a side surface facing the proximal end of the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> among side surfaces of the proximal end of the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM>. Similarly, a block part <NUM>-<NUM> is formed on a side surface facing the proximal end of the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> among the side surfaces of the proximal end of the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view of the fitting part <NUM>. The fitting parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> have the same structure and will be described as the fitting part <NUM>. The fitting part <NUM> includes an upper side part <NUM> and a lower side part <NUM>. The upper side part <NUM> and the lower side part <NUM> form a through hole <NUM> of the fitting part <NUM>. When viewed from the front of the finger guard member <NUM> (<FIG>), the upper side part <NUM> extends in a lateral direction and is bent downward at a right angle. When viewed from the front of the finger guard member <NUM>, the lower side part <NUM> extends in a lateral direction and is bent upward at a right angle.

The upper side part <NUM> includes a side surface including a side surface part <NUM> and a side surface part <NUM>. The side surface part <NUM> is positioned on a rear side of the finger guard member <NUM>. The side surface part <NUM> is positioned on a front side of the finger guard member <NUM>. The size of the side surface part <NUM> in a vertical direction is smaller than the size of the side surface part <NUM> in a vertical direction. This forms a step between the side surface part <NUM> and the side surface part <NUM>.

The lower side part <NUM> includes a side surface including a side surface part <NUM> and a side surface part <NUM>. The side surface part <NUM> is positioned on a rear side of the finger guard member <NUM>. The side surface part <NUM> is positioned on a front side of the finger guard member <NUM>. The size of the side surface part <NUM> in a vertical direction is smaller than the size of the side surface part <NUM> in a vertical direction. This forms a step between the side surface part <NUM> and the side surface part <NUM>.

The side surface part <NUM> and the side surface part <NUM> face each other. The side surface part <NUM> and the side surface part <NUM> face each other. An interval between the side surface part <NUM> and the side surface part <NUM> is larger than an interval between the side surface part <NUM> and the side surface part <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, one of the adjacent finger guard members <NUM> is called a finger guard member <NUM>-<NUM>, and the other is called a finger guard member <NUM>-<NUM>. When the upper surface of the coupling member <NUM> is the top side (<FIG>), the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> (first snap fit part) corresponds to the fitting part <NUM>-<NUM> (first fitting part), and the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> (second snap fit part) corresponds to the fitting part <NUM>-<NUM> (second fitting part). When the upper surface of the coupling member <NUM> is the ground side (<FIG>), the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> (first snap fit part) corresponds to the fitting part <NUM>-<NUM> (second fitting part), and the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> (second snap fit part) corresponds to the fitting part <NUM>-<NUM> (first fitting part).

The snap fit part <NUM> is fitted into the through hole <NUM> of the fitting part <NUM> from the rear side of the finger guard member <NUM> with the upper surface of the coupling member <NUM> as the top side. A detailed description will be provided. The snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> is fitted into the through hole <NUM> of the fitting part <NUM>-<NUM> provided in the finger guard member <NUM>-<NUM>, with the hook part <NUM>-<NUM> of the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> at the head. Similarly, the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> is fitted into the through hole <NUM> of the fitting part <NUM>-<NUM> provided in the finger guard member <NUM>-<NUM>, with the hook part <NUM>-<NUM> of the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> at the head.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing that fitting of the snap fit part <NUM> into the fitting part <NUM> is completed. The hook part <NUM> is caught at an upper end of an exit of the through hole <NUM>. With this configuration, even when the coupling member <NUM> is pulled, the snap fit part <NUM> cannot be pulled out from the fitting part <NUM>. When the coupling member <NUM> is pulled with the hook part <NUM> pushed from above, the snap fit part <NUM> can be pulled out from the fitting part <NUM>.

The block part <NUM> is fitted into a space (gap) defined by the side surface part <NUM> and the side surface part <NUM>. Functions of the block part <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is an explanatory view describing that the snap fit part <NUM> is about to be fitted into the fitting part <NUM> with the upper surface of the coupling member <NUM> on the top side. <FIG> is an explanatory view describing that the snap fit part <NUM> is about to be fitted into the fitting part <NUM> with the upper surface of the coupling member <NUM> on the ground side.

With reference to <FIG>, when the upper surface of the coupling member <NUM> is the top side, the block part <NUM> can enter the space formed by the side surface part <NUM> and the side surface part <NUM>, and the snap fit part can be fitted into the fitting part <NUM>. However, with reference to <FIG>, when the upper surface of the coupling member <NUM> is the ground side, since the block part <NUM> abuts on an entrance of the fitting part <NUM> (through hole <NUM>), the block part <NUM> cannot enter the space formed by the side surface part <NUM> and the side surface part <NUM>. This prevents the snap fit part <NUM> from being fitted into the fitting part <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> is designed such that the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> can be fitted into the fitting part <NUM>-<NUM>, and the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> is designed such that the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> can be fitted into the fitting part <NUM>-<NUM>. When the coupling member <NUM> is upside down, the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> is fitted into the fitting part <NUM>-<NUM>, and the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> is fitted into the fitting part <NUM>-<NUM>, then the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> and the snap fit part <NUM>-<NUM> may not be able to be smoothly removed or may not be able to be removed from the fitting part <NUM>-<NUM> and the fitting part <NUM>-<NUM>, respectively. As described above, this can be prevented according to the embodiment.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a size of the supporting part <NUM> in the longitudinal direction differs according to a pitch in which the rollers <NUM> are arranged. Therefore, a plurality of types of coupling member <NUM> is prepared according to the pitch. For example, it is assumed that there are two types of pitch, large pitch and small pitch. The coupling member <NUM> shown in <FIG> is used when the pitch is large. When the pitch is small, the coupling member <NUM> shown in <FIG> is used. <FIG> is a perspective view of the coupling member <NUM>. <FIG> is a top view of the coupling member <NUM>. <FIG> is a side view of the coupling member <NUM>. The left side view and the right side view of the coupling member <NUM> are the same. <FIG> is a bottom view of the coupling member <NUM>. A difference between the coupling member <NUM> shown in <FIG> and the coupling member <NUM> shown in <FIG> is the size of the supporting part <NUM> in the longitudinal direction. The coupling member <NUM> shown in <FIG>, which is used when the pitch is small, is smaller than the coupling member <NUM> shown in <FIG> in the size of the supporting part <NUM> in the longitudinal direction.

<FIG> is a front view of a finger guard member coupling structure <NUM> according to the embodiment. The roller conveyor <NUM> includes a large number of rollers <NUM>. In <FIG>, three rollers <NUM> are shown. The finger guard member coupling structure <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. In <FIG>, the frame <NUM>-<NUM> to which the fixed shaft <NUM> (<FIG>) is fixed is omitted. Three (a plurality of) finger guard members <NUM> are arranged in a line. Each finger guard member <NUM> is installed at the one end <NUM> (<FIG>) of each roller <NUM>. The adjacent finger guard members <NUM> are coupled by the coupling member <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by a circle B in <FIG>. The portion indicated by the circle B shows a vicinity of the belt <NUM>-<NUM> and the first surface <NUM>-<NUM> (<FIG>). <FIG> is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by a circle C in <FIG>. The portion indicated by the circle C shows a vicinity of the belt <NUM>-<NUM> and the first surface <NUM>-<NUM> (<FIG>). The gap between the belt <NUM>-<NUM> and the first surface <NUM>-<NUM> and the gap between the belt <NUM>-<NUM> and the first surface <NUM>-<NUM> are small. This makes it possible to prevent a finger from being caught between the one end <NUM> of the roller <NUM>-<NUM> (<FIG>) and the belt <NUM>-<NUM>.

If the finger guard member <NUM> is only supported by the peripheral surface of the fixed shaft <NUM>, the finger guard member <NUM> is supported at one point, and the finger guard member <NUM> cannot be stably installed. According to the finger guard member coupling structure <NUM> according to the embodiment, the finger guard member coupling structure <NUM> is supported at multiple points by coupling the adjacent finger guard members <NUM>. This allows each finger guard member <NUM> to be installed stably.

The finger guard member <NUM> can be stably installed by forming two hooks (not shown) at intervals at upper ends of the second surface <NUM>, and hooking these hooks at upper edges of the frame <NUM>-<NUM> (<FIG>) (in other words, hanging the finger guard member <NUM> on the frame <NUM>-<NUM>). In this case, a distance between the hooks and the tip portion of the notch <NUM> needs be designed appropriately such that the fixed shaft <NUM> is disposed within the notch <NUM> with the hooks hooked at the upper edges of the frame <NUM>-<NUM> (if this distance is too large, when the arc-shaped part <NUM> (<FIG>) is supported by the peripheral surface of the fixed shaft <NUM>, the hooks float from the upper edges of the frame <NUM>-<NUM>). This distance is determined according to a height of the frame <NUM>-<NUM> (in other words, a vertical size of the frame <NUM>-<NUM>). Therefore, when there are several types of frame <NUM>-<NUM> having different heights, it is necessary to manufacture the finger guard member <NUM> for each type of frame <NUM>-<NUM>, and the finger guard member <NUM> cannot be standardized. According to the finger guard member coupling structure <NUM> according to the embodiment, each finger guard member <NUM> is stably installed by coupling the adjacent finger guard members <NUM>, and such a problem does not occur.

A modified example not according to the invention of the positioning part <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a front view of a finger guard member 1a including a positioning part 14a according to the modified example. <FIG> is a front view with the positioning part 14a removed from the finger guard member 1a in <FIG>. A difference between the finger guard member 1a and the finger guard member <NUM> according to the embodiment is the positioning part 14a.

<FIG> is a front view of the positioning part 14a according to the modified example not according to the invention. <FIG> is a top view of the positioning part 14a according to the modified example. <FIG> is a bottom view of the positioning part 14a according to the modified example. <FIG> is a side view of the positioning part 14a according to the modified example. The positioning part 14a has an arc shape. A groove <NUM> is formed along a side part of the positioning part 14a. The groove <NUM> is fitted into the tip portion of the notch <NUM>, whereby the positioning part 14a is attached to the finger guard member 1a. When the fixed shaft <NUM> has the first shaft diameter, the positioning part 14a is attached to the finger guard member 1a (<FIG>). When the fixed shaft <NUM> has the second shaft diameter, the positioning part 14a is removed from the finger guard member 1a (<FIG>).

A modified example of the coupling member <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a front view showing a relationship between a coupling member 2a according to the modified example and a vicinity of insertion parts <NUM> of adjacent finger guard members 1b. <FIG> is a front view showing that the adjacent finger guard members 1b in <FIG> are coupled by the coupling member 2a according to the modified example. A difference between the finger guard member 1b and the finger guard member <NUM> according to the embodiment is that insertion parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are provided instead of the fitting part <NUM>.

The coupling member 2a includes cantilever parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and a supporting part <NUM>. The coupling member 2a is produced by metal molding or a three-dimensional printer. These components of the coupling member 2a are integrally formed. The supporting part <NUM> has a rectangular shape, the cantilever part <NUM>-<NUM> is formed at one end of the supporting part <NUM>, and the cantilever part <NUM>-<NUM> is formed at the other end of the supporting part <NUM>. When the coupling member 2a is viewed in plan view, the cantilever parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the supporting part <NUM>.

The insertion parts <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> have the same structure, and through holes <NUM> are formed. The insertion part <NUM>-<NUM> is formed on the third surface <NUM>-<NUM>. The insertion part <NUM>-<NUM> is formed on the third surface <NUM>-<NUM>. The cantilever part <NUM>-<NUM> is inserted into the through hole <NUM> of the insertion part <NUM>-<NUM>, and the cantilever part <NUM>-<NUM> is inserted into the through hole <NUM> of the insertion part <NUM>-<NUM>, whereby the adjacent finger guard members 1b are coupled by the coupling member 2a.

A finger guard member according to an embodiment is a finger guard member for a roller conveyor, the finger guard member including: a first surface disposed between one end of a roller provided in the roller conveyor and a belt wound around the one end; a second surface in which a notch having a width larger than a shaft diameter of a fixed shaft of the roller is formed with respect to the fixed shaft positioned outside the one end in a longitudinal direction of the roller; and a positioning part disposed inside the notch. When the fixed shaft has a first shaft diameter, the finger guard member is positioned by the positioning part being supported by a peripheral surface of the fixed shaft. When the fixed shaft has a second shaft diameter greater than the first shaft diameter, the finger guard member is positioned by an edge of the notch being supported by the peripheral surface of the fixed shaft with the positioning part being not present on the second surface.

The first surface is disposed between the one end of the roller and the belt, and the first surface is disposed near the belt. This allows a gap between the first surface and the belt to be reduced to a size that does not allow a finger to pass. Therefore, even if the finger touches the belt and the finger is pulled in the same direction as the belt, the finger stops before the gap between the first surface and the belt. This makes it possible to prevent the finger from being caught between the one end of the roller and the belt.

The finger guard member is positioned using the fixed shaft of the roller. Here, the finger guard member is positioned in two directions (in other words, a direction in which the rollers are arranged and a vertical direction of the finger guard member) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the roller (in other words, axial direction of the fixed shaft).

When the fixed shaft has the first shaft diameter, the finger guard member is positioned by the positioning part disposed inside the notch being supported by the peripheral surface of the fixed shaft. In contrast, when the fixed shaft has the second shaft diameter greater than the first shaft diameter, the finger guard member is positioned by the edge of the notch being supported by the peripheral surface of the fixed shaft with the positioning part being not present on the second surface.

A description will be provided specifically. According to the invention, the notch has an arch shape and the positioning part includes an arc-shaped part. For the first shaft diameter, the finger guard member is positioned by the arc-shaped part being supported by the peripheral surface of the fixed shaft. In contrast, for the second shaft diameter, the finger guard member is positioned by an edge of a tip portion of the notch having the arch shape being supported by the peripheral surface of the fixed shaft.

In this way, in the finger guard member according to the embodiment, the finger guard member can be standardized between the roller including the fixed shaft having the first shaft diameter and the roller including the fixed shaft having the second shaft diameter. Therefore, with the finger guard member according to the embodiment, costs of the finger guard member can be reduced.

In the above-described configuration, for the first shaft diameter, the finger guard member is positioned with the fixed shaft being fitted into the arc-shaped part, and a distance between both ends of the arc-shaped part is smaller than the first shaft diameter.

For the first shaft diameter, the finger guard member is positioned with the fixed shaft being fitted into the arc-shaped part. The distance between both ends of the arc-shaped part is smaller than the first shaft diameter, making it possible to prevent the finger guard member from easily coming off the fixed shaft with the finger guard member being positioned.

In the above-described configuration, the positioning part further includes: a first guide part connected to one of the both ends to guide the fixed shaft to the arc-shaped part; and a second guide part connected to another of the both ends to guide the fixed shaft to the arc-shaped part, and an interval between the first guide part and the second guide part is shortened toward the arc-shaped part.

The fixed shaft is guided by the first guide part and the second guide part to be fitted into the arc-shaped part. Since the interval between the first guide part and the second guide part is shortened toward the arc-shaped part, even if the distance between the both ends of the arc-shaped part is smaller than the first shaft diameter, the fixed shaft can be easily fitted into the arc-shaped part.

According to the invention the positioning part further includes a rib part connected to the edge of the notch.

For the second shaft diameter, it is necessary to make the positioning part not present on the second surface. With this configuration, the positioning part can be removed from the second surface by cutting the rib part (that is, it is possible to make the positioning part not present on the second surface).

A finger guard member coupling structure according to the embodiment includes: a plurality of the finger guard members according to the embodiment arranged in a row; and a plurality of coupling members each coupling the adjacent finger guard members.

If the finger guard member is only supported by the peripheral surface of the fixed shaft, the finger guard member is supported at one point, and the finger guard member cannot be stably installed. According to the finger guard member coupling structure according to the present invention, the finger guard member coupling structure is supported at multiple points by coupling the adjacent finger guard members. This allows each finger guard member to be installed stably.

In the above-described configuration, one of the adjacent finger guard members includes a first fitting part, another of the adjacent finger guard members includes a second fitting part, each of the coupling members includes: a first snap fit part of a cantilever type including a first hook part and configured to fit into the first fitting part; and a second snap fit part of a cantilever type including a second hook part and configured to fit into the second fitting part, the first snap fit part allows removal from the first fitting part by the first hook part being pushed from above with the first snap fit part being fitted into the first fitting part, and the second snap fit part allows removal from the second fitting part by the second hook part being pushed from above with the second snap fit part being fitted into the second fitting part.

This configuration is a specific example of each coupling member. The first snap fit part of the coupling member is fitted into the first fitting part of one finger guard member, whereby the coupling member and the one finger guard member are fixed. The second snap fit part of the coupling member is fitted into the second fitting part of the other finger guard member, whereby the coupling member and the other finger guard member are fixed. With this configuration, the adjacent finger guard members are coupled.

In the above-described configuration, when an upper surface of each of the coupling members is a top side, the first snap fit part corresponds to the first fitting part, and the second snap fit part corresponds to the second fitting part, when the upper surface of each of the coupling members is a ground side, the first snap fit part corresponds to the second fitting part, and the second snap fit part corresponds to the first fitting part, the first snap fit part includes a first block part at a proximal end of the first snap fit part, the second snap fit part includes a second block part at a proximal end of the second snap fit part, and when the upper surface of each of the coupling members is the ground side, the first block part abuts on an entrance of the second fitting part and prevents the first snap fit part from fitting into the second fitting part, and the second block part abuts on an entrance of the first fitting part and prevents the second snap fit part from fitting into the first fitting part.

The first snap fit part is designed such that the first snap fit part can be fitted into the first fitting part, and the second snap fit part is designed such that the second snap fit part can be fitted into the second fitting part. When the coupling member is upside down, the first snap fit part is fitted into the second fitting part, and the second snap fit part is fitted into the first fitting part, then the first snap fit part and the second snap fit part may not be able to be smoothly removed or may not be able to be removed from the second fitting part and the first fitting part, respectively.

With this configuration, when the coupling member is upside down, the first block part prevents the first snap fit part from being fitted into the second fitting part, and the second block part prevents the second snap fit part from being fitted into the first fitting part.

In order to describe the present invention, the present invention has been appropriately and fully described above by means of the embodiment with reference to the drawings, but it should be appreciated that one skilled in the art should be able to modify and/or improve the embodiment described above easily.

Claim 1:
A finger guard member (<NUM>) for a roller conveyor (<NUM>), the finger guard member comprising
a first wall (<NUM>) disposed between one end of a roller (<NUM>) provided in the roller conveyor (<NUM>) and a belt (<NUM>) wound around the one end, and
a second wall (<NUM>) positioned outside the one end in a longitudinal direction of the roller (<NUM>),
whereas the finger guard member (<NUM>) comprises a notch (<NUM>) formed in the second wall (<NUM>), and having a width larger than a shaft diameter of a fixed shaft (<NUM>) of the roller (<NUM>);
whereas the notch (<NUM>) has the shape of an arc in a top thereof;
characterized in that
the finger guard member (<NUM>) comprises a positioning part (<NUM>) that is disposed inside the notch (<NUM>),
wherein
the positioning part (<NUM>) includes an arc-shaped part (<NUM>),
for the fixed shaft (<NUM>) having a first shaft diameter, the finger guard member (<NUM>) is positioned by supporting the arc-shaped part (<NUM>) of the positioning part (<NUM>) on a peripheral surface of the fixed shaft (<NUM>),
for the fixed shaft (<NUM>) having a second shaft diameter greater than the first shaft diameter, the finger guard member (<NUM>) is positioned by supporting the edge of the notch (<NUM>) on the peripheral surface of the fixed shaft (<NUM>) without the positioning part (<NUM>) on the second wall (<NUM>), and
the positioning part (<NUM>) further includes a rib part (<NUM> to <NUM>) connected to the edge of the notch (<NUM>) for removing the positioning part (<NUM>).