CN215532996U - Step stool - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides a compact folding footstool which can ensure high stability when in use by improving the strength of the whole top plate. In the footstool, the top plate and the second side plate are connected by a connecting member, the connecting member is formed by connecting the top plate side connecting part and the side plate side connecting part in a rotatable manner, one end side end part of the top plate side connecting part is connected with the top plate in a rotatable manner, the other end side end part of the side plate side connecting part is connected with the upper part of the inner surface of the second side plate in a rotatable manner, the connecting member separates the second side plate from the first side plate by rotating and displacing the top plate to the upper side of the second side plate, the footstool is in a use state, and the connecting member enables the second side plate to approach the first side plate by rotating and displacing the top plate from the second side plate side to the first side plate, so that the footstool is in a storage state.

Description

Step stool

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a footstool, and more particularly, to a foldable footstool.

Background

Conventionally, there is known a footstool which can be folded and can be made compact when stored (for example, see patent documents 1 and 2). Patent document 1 discloses a footstool having a structure in which a top plate is cut at a central portion and folded. Patent document 2 discloses a footstool having a structure in which a top plate and a side plate, which are integrally formed, are separated from each other and folded.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2018-119358

Patent document 2: U.S. patent application publication No. 2014/0131138 specification

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

Problem to be solved by utility model

According to the footstool described in patent document 1, since the two top boards are connected by the central portion, the strength of the entire top board cannot be sufficiently secured, and the user may not be able to sufficiently obtain stability when stepping on the footstool. Specifically, when a load is applied to the center portion (connecting portion) of the top board, the top board is likely to be deformed, and thus the footstool may be shaken.

On the other hand, according to the footstool described in patent document 2, since the top plate is integrally formed, higher stability can be obtained as compared with a structure in which the top plate is divided. However, since the top panel and the side panel are arranged continuously (180 degrees apart with the hinge portion therebetween) during folding, a large space is required for adding the top panel and the side panel together during storage. In addition, the bench may be bulky when being transported in a state where the bench is folded.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a footstool which can be compactly folded while securing high stability in use by improving the strength of the entire top panel.

Means for solving the problems

The following describes a solution to the above problem.

The step stool of the present invention comprises: a first side plate and a second side plate which are provided so as to be opposed to each other and separable from each other; a pair of connecting side plates which are rotatably connected to opposite sides of the first side plate and the second side plate and which can be folded by being bent at a horizontal center portion; and a top plate having one side end portion rotatably coupled to an upper end portion of the first side plate, wherein the step stool is configured to be capable of shifting between a use state in which the other side end portion of the top plate is placed on an upper end portion of the second side plate separated from the first side plate and a storage state in which the top plate approaches the first side plate so as to be parallel to the first side plate and the second side plate approaching the first side plate, wherein the top plate includes a top surface facing upward in the use state and a back surface facing a back surface side of the top surface, a central portion of the back surface of the top plate is coupled to an upper portion of an inner surface of the second side plate by a coupling member formed by rotatably coupling a top plate side coupling portion located on one end side of the coupling member and a side plate side coupling portion located on the other end side of the coupling member, the step stool is in the use state, and the top plate is rotationally displaced from the second side plate toward the first side plate, so that the connecting member brings the second side plate close to the first side plate, and the step stool is in the storage state.

In the step stool according to the present invention, it is preferable that the pair of coupling side plates be folded between the first side plate and the second side plate in the storage state.

In the step stool according to the present invention, it is preferable that the pair of coupling side plates be arranged so as to be bent in a direction in which the horizontal center portions are close to each other in the use state.

In addition, with the footstool of the present invention, it is preferable that the footstool is configured to be able to transit between the storage state and the use state through a midway state, the halfway state is a state in which the first side plate and the second side plate are close to each other and the top plate is opened at a predetermined angle from the first side plate, the rotation axes of the top plate and the first side plate and the connection axes of the top plate side connection portion and the side plate side connection portion are positioned on the same axis until the state is in the midway state from the storage state, a contact portion is formed on the top plate side connecting portion, a contacted portion is formed on the side plate side connecting portion, the abutting portion and the abutted portion are separated from each other from the housed state to immediately before the intermediate state in which the abutting portion abuts against the abutted portion is achieved.

In the step stool according to the present invention, it is preferable that a plane including one end side pivot shaft connecting the top plate side connecting portion and the back surface of the top plate and the other end side pivot shaft connecting the side plate side connecting portion and the upper portion of the inner surface of the second side plate is located closer to the second side plate than the connecting shaft in the halfway state.

In the step stool according to the present invention, it is preferable that the side panel side connecting portion abuts against an inner surface of the second side panel in the halfway state.

In the step stool according to the present invention, it is preferable that the other side end portion of the top plate is engaged with the lower end portion of the first side plate in the stored state.

In the step stool according to the present invention, it is preferable that a handle portion is formed at a lower portion of at least one of the first side plate and the second side plate.

Effect of the utility model

According to the footstool of the present invention, the strength of the entire top plate can be increased, and the footstool can be compactly folded while securing high stability in use.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front side perspective view of the footstool showing the storage state.

Fig. 2 is a rear side perspective view of the footstool showing the storage state.

Fig. 3 is a right side sectional view of the ottoman showing the storage state.

Fig. 4 is a right side sectional view showing the footstool at the initial stage of rotation.

Fig. 5 is a front side perspective view of the footstool showing a midway state.

Fig. 6 is a right side sectional view of the ottoman showing a midway state.

Fig. 7 is a front perspective view showing the footstool at the end of the rotation.

Fig. 8 is a right side sectional view of the ottoman showing the end of rotation.

Fig. 9 is a front side perspective view of the footstool showing a use state.

Fig. 10 is a rear side perspective view of the footstool showing a use state.

Fig. 11 is a right side sectional view of the ottoman showing a use state.

Fig. 12 is a front sectional view of the top plate.

Fig. 13 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the footstool in a use state.

Description of the reference numerals

1 step stool

1S step stool (storage state)

1H footstool (midway state)

1U footstool (service state)

3 connecting side plate

3a connecting plate connecting shaft

4 Top board

4a roof connection

4b opening/closing protrusion

4c hook part

4d use of engaged parts

4e roof recess

4f accommodating engaged part

4g flange

4h rotary support part

5 connecting member

6 rotating shaft

7 connecting rotating shaft

21 first side plate

21a side plate connecting part

21b first side plate connecting part

21c handle part

21d storage engaging part

21e side plate recess

22 second side plate

22a use an engaging part

22b second side plate connecting part

31 first connecting plate

31a first connecting plate coupling portion

32 second web

32a second web connection

41 top surface

42 back side

51 top plate side connection part

51a roof side rotating shaft (one end side rotating shaft)

51b contact part

52 side plate side connecting part

52a side plate side rotating shaft (the other end side rotating shaft)

52b abutted part

52c side plate abutting portion

53 are connected to the shaft.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a footstool 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 13. In the present embodiment, the front-rear direction of the footstool 1 is defined by the direction of the arrow shown in each figure. That is, the lower left side in fig. 1, the upper right side in fig. 2, and the left side in fig. 3 are set as the front of the footstool 1.

The step 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to shift between a folded state shown in fig. 1 to 3 (hereinafter, this state is referred to as a "storage state") and an assembled usable state shown in fig. 9 to 11 (hereinafter, this state is referred to as a "use state"). Hereinafter, the step 1 in the stored state will be referred to as a step 1S, and the step 1 in the used state will be referred to as a step 1U.

The footstool 1 includes two side plates 21 and 22 each including a first side plate 21 and a second side plate 22, a pair of connecting side plates 3 and 3 for connecting the side plates 21 and 22, a top plate 4 placed on the upper surfaces of the side plates 21 and 22 and the connecting side plates 3 and 3 in the footstool 1U, and a connecting member 5 for connecting the top plate 4 and the second side plate 22. Of the members constituting the footstool 1 of the present embodiment, pivotal members such as the connecting plate connecting shaft 3a, the rotating shaft 6, and the connecting rotating shaft 7, end members provided at the lower end of the connecting rotating shaft 7, and the connecting member 5 are made of resin. In addition, a plate-shaped member made of a carbon fiber-containing resin is used as each member other than these members. In addition, in the footstool 1 of the present embodiment, the connecting member 5 is colored red, and the other members are colored black. As described above, the footstool 1 of the present embodiment is configured to visually emphasize the function of the connecting member 5 to the user.

When the footstool 1 is put into the use state from the storage state, the top plate 4 is rotated counterclockwise in a right side view. Specifically, as shown in fig. 4 to 8, the top plate 4 is rotated upward (see fig. 5 and 6) from the rear side (see fig. 4), and further rotated forward (see fig. 7 and 8). Conversely, when the step 1 is changed from the use state to the storage state, the top panel 4 is rotated clockwise in a right side view.

In the process of rotating the top panel 4 in either direction, as shown in fig. 5 and 6, the step 1 is in a state in which the first side panel 21 and the second side panel 22 are close to each other and the top panel 4 is opened from the first side panel 21 so as to have a predetermined angle (about 170 degrees in the present embodiment). Hereinafter, the state of the footstool 1 shown in fig. 5 and 6 is referred to as "middle state", and the footstool 1 in the middle state is referred to as a footstool 1H. Thus, the footstool 1 is configured to be able to transit between the footstool 1S in the storage state and the footstool 1U in the use state via the footstool 1H in the midway state. The region of the footstool 1 between the stored state and the intermediate state is referred to as "initial turning period (see fig. 4)", and the region of the footstool 1 between the intermediate state and the used state is referred to as "final turning period (see fig. 7 and 8)".

The two side plates 21 and 22 are rectangular plate-shaped members that are disposed so as to be opposed to and closely spaced from each other in the front-rear direction. The side plates 21 and 22 are provided with a plurality of communication holes, thereby achieving weight reduction. Specifically, as shown in fig. 1 to 3, in the footstool 1S, the side plates 21 and 22 are disposed close to each other. As shown in fig. 9 to 11, in the footstool 1U, the side plates 21 and 22 are disposed so as to be separated from each other and so that lower portions thereof are spaced apart from upper portions thereof (so as to have a downwardly-spreading shape in side view). That is, the side plates 21 and 22 are configured to be gradually separated from the state of being close to each other as the footstool 1 is shifted from the storage state to the use state.

Side plate coupling portions 21a and 21a protruding rearward are formed on both left and right sides of the upper end portion of the first side plate 21. The top plate 4 is rotatably connected to the side plate connection portions 21a and 21 a. Further, first side plate coupling portions 21b and 21b are formed at two positions at both left and right end portions of the first side plate 21. The connecting side plate 3 is rotatably connected to the first side plate connecting portions 21b and 21 b.

A grip portion 21c is formed at a lower portion of the first side plate 21 by passing through an opening of the first side plate 21. Thus, the user easily carries the footstool 1S. The handle portion may be formed on the second side plate 22. The handle portions may be formed on both the side plates 21 and 22. The handle portion may be provided at a position other than the lower portion of the side plates 21 and 22 (e.g., the left and right side portions).

A storage engagement portion 21d, which is a protrusion protruding rearward, is formed at a lower portion of the first side plate 21. The storage engaging portion 21d engages with the storage engaged portion 4f of the top panel 4 in the step 1S. As shown in fig. 3, 7, and 10, a side plate recess 21e, which is a cutout, is formed in the upper end center portion of the first side plate 21. As shown in fig. 3, in the footstool 1S, the coupling member 5 passes through the side plate recess 21 e.

On both left and right sides of the upper end portion of the second side plate 22, there are formed protrusion portions, i.e., engaging portions 22a and 22a, which protrude forward. The use engagement portions 22a and 22a are engaged with the use engaged portions 4d and 4d of the top panel 4 in the footstool 1U. Second side plate coupling portions 22b and 22b are formed at two positions at both left and right end portions of the second side plate 22. The coupling side plate 3 is rotatably coupled to the second side plate coupling portions 22b and 22 b.

The pair of connecting side plates 3 and 3 can be folded by being bent at the center in the horizontal direction (front-rear direction). Specifically, as shown in fig. 7 and 8, the connecting side plate 3 is connected to be rotatable by a first connecting plate 31 constituting a rear portion of the connecting side plate 3 and a second connecting plate 32 constituting a front portion of the connecting side plate 3 via a connecting plate connecting shaft 3a, and is foldable.

The connecting side plates 3 are rotatably connected to opposite sides of the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22. Specifically, the first connecting plate connecting portions 31a are formed at three positions at the rear end portion of the first connecting plate 31. The first connecting plate connecting portion 31a is rotatably connected to the first side plate connecting portion 21b of the first side plate 21 via the connecting rotation shaft 7. Further, second web coupling portions 32a are formed at three positions at the distal end portions of the second webs 32. The second connecting plate connecting portion 32a is rotatably connected to the second side plate connecting portion 22b of the second side plate 22 via the connecting rotation shaft 7.

The top plate 4 is a plate-like member including a top surface 41 facing upward in the footstool 1U and a back surface 42 facing the back surface side of the top surface 41. A plurality of projections are formed on the top surface 41 of the top plate 4, so that the user is not likely to slip when stepping on the top plate. The protrusions of the top surface 41 are adjusted to a height at which dirt is not easily accumulated and is easily wiped off. Further, a plurality of ribs for maintaining the strength of the top plate 4 are formed on the back surface 42. As shown in fig. 2, in the step 1 of the present embodiment, the back surface 42 is exposed when the step 1S in the storage state is set, and therefore, the rib is provided on the back surface 42 to provide an appearance design for visual confirmation by the user without giving a complicated impression.

The top plate 4 has a top plate connecting portion 4a formed at one side end portion (an upper end portion in the footstool 1S and a rear end portion in the footstool 1U). The top plate connecting portion 4a is connected to the side plate connecting portions 21a and 21a via the pivot shaft 6, and the top plate 4 is rotatably connected to the upper end portion of the first side plate 21. Hereinafter, the side of the top panel 4 on which the top panel coupling portion 4a is formed (the center side in the turning radius direction) is referred to as a "base end side", and the opposite side thereof (the outer side in the turning radius direction) is referred to as a "tip end side".

An opening/closing protrusion 4b is formed in the center of the distal end of the top plate 4. The user of the footstool 1 rotates the top plate 4 by gripping the opening/closing protrusion 4 b. Further, hooks 4c and 4c are formed on the proximal end sides of the left and right ends of the top plate 4. The footstool 1S can be easily carried by engaging both ends of a belt member such as a strap, not shown, with the hooks 4c and 4 c.

As shown in fig. 2, 5, and 7, the top plate 4 has engaging sections 4d formed at two positions on the left and right sides of the front end of the back surface 42. The use engaged portions 4d and 4d are engaged with the use engaging portions 22a and 22a of the second side panel 22 in the footstool 1U. Thereby, the footstool 1U can stably maintain the shape. As shown in fig. 3, 4, and 6, a top plate recess 4e, which is a cutout, is formed in the center of the proximal end side end of the top plate 4. As shown in fig. 3, in the footstool 1S, the linking member 5 passes through the ceiling concave 4 e.

As shown in fig. 3, 4, and 9, a storage engagement receiving portion 4f is formed in the center of the tip end of the top surface 41 of the top plate 4. As shown in fig. 3, the storage engaged portion 4f is engaged with a storage engaging portion 21d formed at the lower end portion of the first side plate 21 in the step 1S. Thus, in the footstool 1S, the top plate 4 does not become unstable, and the shape can be stably maintained.

As shown in fig. 9, 10, and 12, flange portions 4g having a smaller thickness than the main portion of the top plate 4 are formed on the front end side and the left and right side edges of the top plate 4. By forming the flange portion 4g in the top plate 4 in this manner, the step 1S is less likely to be caught when stored in a bag or the like. In addition, the flange portion 4g makes the top panel 4 look thin when the footstool 1U is configured.

As shown in fig. 12 and 13, a pivot support portion 4h projecting to the left and right sides is formed in the center portion of the back surface 42 of the top plate 4. The pivot support portion 4h functions as a top plate-side pivot shaft 51a that rotatably supports the top plate-side coupling portion 51 of the coupling member 5.

In the footstool 1 configured as described above, when the footstool 1S in the storage state is configured, as shown in fig. 1 to 3, the top panel 4 approaches the first side panel 21 so as to be parallel to the first side panel 21 and the second side panel 22 approaching the first side panel 21. In other words, in the footstool 1S, the relative angle of the top panel 4 and the first side panel 21 approaches 0 degree. At this time, the storage engagement portion 4f of the top plate 4 engages with the storage engagement portion 21d of the first side plate 21. In addition, the pair of connecting side plates 3, 3 is folded between the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22.

As shown in fig. 1 and 3, in the footstool 1S, the top surface 41 of the top plate 4 faces the first side plate 21 side, and the back surface 42 is exposed outward. Therefore, when the footstool 1S is stored or transported, dirt such as mud attached to the top surface 41 is less likely to adhere to the surroundings. Further, the top surface 41 is less likely to be exposed to the outside, and thus discoloration of the top surface 41 can be suppressed.

On the other hand, in the footstool 1, when the footstool 1U in the use state is configured, as shown in fig. 4 to 8, the top panel 4 is rotated counterclockwise in a right side view, so that the relative angle with the first side panel 21 is widened, and the relative angle is made to exceed 180 degrees to further rotate the top panel 4. Then, as shown in fig. 9 to 11, the tip end portion of the top plate 4 is placed on the upper end portion of the second side plate 22 separated from the first side plate 21. In other words, in the footstool 1U, the top panel 4 is placed on the upper surfaces of the side panels 21 and 22 and the connecting side panels 3 and 3 in a state where the relative angle between the top panel 4 and the first side panel 21 is close to 270 degrees. At this time, the use engaged portions 4d and 4d of the top plate 4 are engaged with the use engaging portions 22a and 22a of the second side plate 22. The pair of connecting side plates 3 and 3 are unfolded so that the first connecting plate 31 and the second connecting plate 32 are separated from each other.

As shown in fig. 2, 3 and the like, in the footstool 1 of the present embodiment, the center portion of the back surface 42 of the top plate 4 and the upper portion of the inner surface of the second side plate 22 are coupled by the coupling member 5. The coupling member 5 is formed by rotatably coupling the top plate-side coupling portion 51 and the side plate-side coupling portion 52 by a coupling shaft 53. In the present embodiment, the axial length of the coupling shaft 53 is set to a length equal to or greater than a predetermined length, so that the coupling shaft 53 is configured to rotate stably without rattling.

The structure for connecting the top plate-side connecting portion 51 and the side plate-side connecting portion 52 is not limited to the present embodiment. For example, a long hole may be formed in one of the top plate side connecting portion 51 and the side plate side connecting portion 52, and the other end portion may be inserted into the long hole. Thereby, the top plate-side coupling portion 51 and the side plate-side coupling portion 52 are coupled to each other so as to be slidable and rotatable. In this way, the coupling member 5 may have a structure different from that of the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the top plate-side connecting portion 51 is disposed so as to be located on one end side (top plate 4 side) of the connecting member 5. One end of the top plate side connecting portion 51 is rotatably connected to a rotation support portion 4h formed at the center of the back surface 42 of the top plate 4. At this time, the pivot support portion 4h functions as the top plate-side pivot shaft 51a which is one end-side pivot shaft. In the present embodiment, the pivot support portion 4h and the roof-side pivot shaft 51a are configured to be pivoted stably without rattling on the roof-side pivot shaft 51a by setting the axial lengths thereof to be equal to or greater than a predetermined length. An end portion (an upper end portion in fig. 3) of the top plate-side coupling portion 51 on the coupling shaft 53 side is formed to be slightly bent forward. Further, a contact portion 51b is formed on the upper surface of the upper end of the top plate side coupling portion 51.

The side plate side coupling portion 52 is disposed so as to be located on the other end side (second side plate 22 side) of the coupling member 5. The end portion on the other end side of the side plate side connecting portion 52 is rotatably connected to the upper inner surface portion of the second side plate 22 via a side plate side rotating shaft 52a serving as a rotating shaft on the other end side. In the present embodiment, the side plate side rotating shaft 52a is configured to rotate stably without rattling by setting the axial length of the side plate side rotating shaft 52a to a length equal to or greater than a predetermined length. The side plate side coupling portion 52 and the side plate side rotation shaft 52a may be configured to slightly slide up and down on the inner surface of the second side plate 22.

An end portion (an upper end portion in fig. 3) of the side plate side connecting portion 52 on the connecting shaft 53 side is formed so as to be bent slightly rearward. An abutting portion 52b is formed on an end surface of an upper end portion of the side plate side coupling portion 52. A side plate contact portion 52c is formed on the front surface of the lower portion of the side plate side coupling portion 52.

In this way, the coupling member 5 is constituted by the top plate-side coupling portion 51 and the side plate-side coupling portion 52 which are formed to be bent, respectively. As shown in fig. 3, when the step 1S in the storage state is configured, the coupling member 5 is inserted through the side plate recess 21e formed in the first side plate 21 and the top plate recess 4e formed in the top plate 4. That is, the footstool 1 is configured such that the coupling member 5 does not interfere with the first side plate 21 and the top plate 4 when in the storage state.

In the footstool 1, when the usage state is changed from the storage state, the top plate 4 is pivotally displaced from the approach position of the first side plate 21 to the upper side of the second side plate 22, and the connecting member 5 separates the first side plate 21 from the second side plate 22. Hereinafter, a specific structure thereof will be described.

In the footstool 1S, when the top panel 4 is turned to form the footstool 1U, as shown in fig. 1 to 6, the footstool 1 is positioned on the same axis line from the storage state to the halfway state (the footstool 1S, the footstool 1 at the initial stage of turning, and the footstool 1H), the turning shaft 6 of the top panel 4 and the first side panel 21, and the connecting shaft 53 of the top panel side connecting portion 51 and the side panel side connecting portion 52 of the connecting member 5.

As described above, the side-plate-side rotating shaft 52a is configured to slide vertically on the inner surface of the second side plate 22, and thus the coupling shaft 53 can be configured to move at a position offset from the same axis as the rotating shaft 6 in the process of rotating the top plate 4 from the footstool 1S to the footstool 1H. That is, when the top plate 4 is rotated in the footstool 1S to form the footstool 1U, the rotating shaft 6 and the connecting shaft 53 may not be positioned on the same axis.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 1 to 4, in the footstool 1, the abutting portion 51b of the top plate side coupling portion 51 is separated from the abutted portion 52b of the side plate side coupling portion 52 from the stored state to immediately before the state of halfway (the footstool 1S and the footstool 1 at the initial stage of rotation).

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, in the footstool 1H in the intermediate state, the abutting portion 51b abuts against the abutted portion 52 b. At this time, as shown in fig. 6, a plane including a top plate side rotating shaft 51a connecting the top plate side connecting portion 51 and the back surface of the top plate 4 and a side plate side rotating shaft 52a connecting the side plate side connecting portion 52 and the upper portion of the inner surface of the second side plate 22 is positioned closer to the second side plate 22 than the connecting shaft 53. Therefore, when the top panel 4 is pivoted toward the second side panel 22 (front side) from the halfway state in the step stool 1, the relative displacement between the top panel side connecting portion 51 and the side panel side connecting portion 52 is regulated, and the connecting member 5 is integrally configured.

As shown in fig. 6, in the footstool 1H in the intermediate state, the side plate abutting portion 52c of the side plate side coupling portion 52 abuts against the inner surface of the second side plate 22. Therefore, due to the pivotal displacement of the top plate 4 after the intermediate state, a forward pressing force is applied to the second side plate 22 from the top plate 4 via the coupling member 5, and the second side plate 22 is separated from the first side plate 21 at the end of the pivotal movement shown in fig. 7 and 8.

As shown in fig. 9 to 11, when the top plate 4 is pivotally displaced to a position where it is substantially horizontal, the second side plate 22 is displaced to a position below the distal end portion of the top plate 4. At this position, the use engaged portions 4d and 4d of the top panel 4 are engaged with the use engaging portions 22a and 22a of the second side panel 22, thereby constituting the step 1U in the use state.

On the contrary, when the step 1 is changed from the use state to the storage state, the top panel 4 is rotationally displaced from the second side panel 22 side toward the first side panel 21 side (clockwise in a right side view), and the connecting member 5 brings the second side panel 22 close to the first side panel 21.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 7 and 8, when the top plate 4 is displaced by rotation from the use state to the halfway state, a pulling force is applied to the second side plate 22 in the rearward direction from the top plate 4 via the coupling member 5, and the second side plate 22 starts to approach the first side plate 21. Then, as shown in fig. 5 and 6, in the footstool 1H in the halfway state, the second side plate 22 approaches the first side plate 21, and the displacement of the second side plate 22 is ended.

Subsequently, as shown in fig. 1 to 6, in the footstool 1, the pivot shaft 6 between the top panel 4 and the first side panel 21 and the connecting shaft 53 between the top panel side connecting portion 51 and the side panel side connecting portion 52 in the connecting member 5 are positioned on the same axis from the halfway state to the storage state (the footstool 1H, the footstool 1 at the initial pivot stage, and the footstool 1S). During this time, the top panel 4 rotates until it approaches the first side panel 21, and the footstool 1 is placed in the storage state (footstool 1S).

As described above, according to the footstool 1 of the present embodiment, since the top plate 4 is integrally formed, the strength of the entire top plate 4 is improved as compared with a footstool having a structure in which the top plate is divided, and thus, high stability can be obtained when the user steps on the footstool 1. Specifically, even when a load is applied to the center portion of the top panel 4, the top panel 4 is not easily deformed, and thus the footstool 1 can be prevented from being shaken.

Further, according to the step stool 1 of the present embodiment, when the folded state is set to the storage state, the top panel 4 and the first side panel 21 are disposed close to each other (at a position where the relative angle between the top panel 4 and the first side panel 21 is close to 0 degrees). Thus, the stools 1S in the stored state can be compactly folded, and therefore, the stools 1S can be stored using only the space of the side plates 21 and 22. In addition, the footstool 1S can be transported without increasing the volume.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, in the step 1S in the storage state, the pair of connecting side plates 3 and 3 is folded between the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22 in the step 1 of the present embodiment. This allows the connecting side plates 3 and 3 to be folded more compactly than a structure in which the connecting side plates 3 and 3 are folded outside the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22 when the step stool 1S is used. The connecting side plates 3 and 3 may be folded outside the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22.

As shown in fig. 9, 10, and 13, in the step 1U in the use state of the step 1 according to the present embodiment, the pair of coupling side plates 3 and 3 are arranged so as to be bent in the direction in which the center portions in the horizontal direction approach each other. Specifically, the relative angle of the first linking plate 31 and the second linking plate 32 in the linking side plate 3 is limited to be not larger than the angle when the ottoman 1U is constructed. Thus, when the footstool 1 is changed from the use state to the storage state, the connecting side plates 3 and 3 can be folded between the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22 only by rotating the top plate 4.

In the connecting member 5 of the footstool 1 of the present embodiment, the abutting portion 51b of the top plate side connecting portion 51 and the abutted portion 52b of the side plate side connecting portion 52 are separated from each other until immediately before the connecting member is brought into the intermediate state from the stored state, and the abutting portion 51b and the abutted portion 52b are abutted with each other in the intermediate state. Thus, the pressing force applied to the second side plate 22 by the rotational displacement of the top plate 4 is not generated until the intermediate state, and the pressing force applied to the second side plate 22 by the rotational displacement of the top plate 4 can be effectively generated after the intermediate state. That is, after the intermediate state, the second side plate 22 can be separated from the first side plate 21.

In the footstool 1H in the intermediate state, the footstool 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the plane including the top plate side rotating shaft 51a connecting the top plate side connecting portion 51 and the back surface 42 of the top plate 4 and the side plate side rotating shaft 52a connecting the side plate side connecting portion 52 and the upper portion of the inner surface of the second side plate 22 is positioned closer to the second side plate 22 than the connecting shaft 53 of the connecting member 5. Accordingly, in the footstool 1, when the top panel 4 is rotated toward the second side panel 22 side from the halfway state, the relative displacement between the top panel side connecting portion 51 and the side panel side connecting portion 52 can be regulated, and therefore the connecting member 5 can be integrally configured. That is, the rotational force generated by the rotational displacement of the top plate 4 can be transmitted to the second side plate 22 via the coupling member 5.

In the footstool 1H in the halfway state, the side panel abutting portion 52c of the side panel side coupling portion 52 abuts against the inner surface of the second side panel 22. This allows the pressing force applied from the connecting member 5 to the second side plate 22, which is generated in the midway state, to be stably applied to the second side plate 22. Specifically, since pressing forces can be applied to the second side plate 22 from the connecting member 5 at both the side-plate-side rotating shaft 52a and the side-plate contact portion 52c, the second side plate 22 can be displaced stably.

Claims (8)

1. A footstool is provided with:

a first side plate and a second side plate which are provided so as to be opposed to each other and separable from each other;

a pair of connecting side plates which are rotatably connected to opposite sides of the first side plate and the second side plate and which can be folded by being bent at a horizontal center portion; and

a top plate having one side end portion rotatably connected to an upper end portion of the first side plate,

the footstool is configured to be capable of being changed between a use state in which the other side end of the top plate is placed on the upper end of the second side plate separated from the first side plate and a storage state in which the top plate approaches the first side plate in parallel with the first side plate and the second side plate approaching the first side plate,

the top plate has a top surface facing upward in the use state and a back surface facing the back surface side of the top surface,

a central portion of the back surface of the top plate and an upper portion of an inner surface of the second side plate are coupled by a coupling member,

the connecting member is formed by rotatably connecting a top plate side connecting portion located on one end side of the connecting member and a side plate side connecting portion located on the other end side of the connecting member,

an end portion of the one end side of the top plate side coupling portion is rotatably coupled to a central portion of the rear surface,

an end portion of the other end side of the side plate-side coupling portion is rotatably coupled to the inner surface upper portion of the second side plate,

the coupling member separates the second side plate from the first side plate by rotationally displacing the top plate upward of the second side plate, and the step stool is brought into the use state,

the step stool is brought into the storage state by rotationally displacing the top panel from the second side panel side toward the first side panel side so that the coupling member brings the second side panel close to the first side panel.

2. The ottoman according to claim 1,

in the storage state, the pair of joint side panels is folded between the first side panel and the second side panel.

3. The ottoman according to claim 2,

in the use state, the pair of coupling side plates are arranged so as to be bent in a direction in which the center portions in the horizontal direction are close to each other.

4. The ottoman according to claim 1,

the step stool is configured to be capable of passing through a midway state to be shifted between the storage state and the use state,

the halfway state is a state in which the first side plate and the second side plate are close to each other and the top plate is opened at a predetermined angle from the first side plate,

the rotation axes of the top plate and the first side plate and the connection axes of the top plate side connection portion and the side plate side connection portion are positioned on the same axis until the state is in the midway state from the storage state,

a contact portion is formed on the top plate side connecting portion, a contacted portion is formed on the side plate side connecting portion,

the abutting portion is separated from the abutted portion until immediately before the accommodated state is brought into the halfway state,

in the halfway state, the abutting portion abuts against the abutted portion.

5. A footstool according to claim 4,

in the intermediate state, a plane including one end side rotation axis connecting the top plate side connection portion and the back surface of the top plate and the other end side rotation axis connecting the side plate side connection portion and the upper portion of the inner surface of the second side plate is located closer to the second side plate than the connection axis.

6. A footstool according to claim 4 or 5,

in the intermediate state, the side plate-side coupling portion abuts against an inner surface of the second side plate.

7. A footstool according to any of claims 1 to 5,

in the stored state, the other side end of the top plate is engaged with the lower end of the first side plate.

8. A footstool according to any of claims 1 to 5,

a handle portion is formed at a lower portion of at least one of the first side plate and the second side plate.

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