EP2857620A1

EP2857620A1 - Washer position adjusting mechanism, and piece of furnuture having washer position adjusting mechanism installed therein

Info

Publication number: EP2857620A1
Application number: EP13800068.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Manabu Hasegawa; Kazuaki Kashiwaguma; Thomas BOURDAIRE
Original assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co Ltd
Priority date: 2012-06-04
Filing date: 2013-04-16
Publication date: 2015-04-08
Anticipated expiration: 2033-04-16
Also published as: EP2857620A4; EP2857620B1; CN104471168B; JP5913354B2; CN104471168A; WO2013183369A1; JPWO2013183369A1

Abstract

Provided is a washer position adjusting mechanism configured so that the position of a washer plate relative to a door can be appropriately adjusted by closing the door and that can prevent the position of the washer plate relative to the door from changing when the closed door is opened. A washer body (34) has crests (42a) and troughs (42b) alternately arranged in the vertical direction. A position adjusting member (33) has an engagement section (51) facing the crests (42a) and the troughs (42b) of the washer body (34) and also has an elastically deformable support section (46) for supporting the engagement section (51). Moving the position adjusting member (33) in the vertical direction relative to the washer body (34) causes the engagement section (51) to ride up onto the crests (42a), elastically deforming the support section (46). After that the engagement section (51) rides over the crests (42a), allowing the elastically deformed support section (46) to be restored. This causes the engagement section (51) to engage with the trough (42b).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a washer position adjusting mechanism that is pivotably coupled to one end of an arm of a stay provided between a housing and a door adapted to close and open an opening of the housing.

BACKGROUND ART

A stay is sometimes provided between a housing that has an opening in a front face thereof and a door adapted to close and open the front opening of the housing. The stay includes a main body mounted on the housing, and an arm that has a base portion pivotably coupled to the main body and a front end pivotably coupled to the door. When the door is opened to a predetermined angle or more, a common stay exerts biasing force to the door in the opening direction in order to assist the door to open. When the door is being closed, the stay exerts biasing force to the door in the closing direction in order to maintain the closed position of the door.
The door may be foldable. As shown in Fig. 12 of the accompanying drawings, Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Translation of PCT International Application Publication No. 2008-516109 ) discloses a foldable door 1. The door 1 has a first door segment 1a that is coupled to a housing 2 via a hinge 3 such that the first door segment 1a can rotate about a horizontal shaft, and a second door segment 1b that is coupled to a lower end of the first door segment 1a via a hinge 4 such that the second door segment 1b can rotate about the horizontal shaft. A stay 6 may be attached to such a foldable door 1. A main body 7 of the stay 6 is mounted on the housing 2. A base portion of an arm 8 is pivotably coupled to the main body 7, and a front end of the arm 8 is pivotably coupled to the second door segment 1b via a washer plate 9.
As described above, the front end of the arm 8 of the stay 6 is pivotably coupled to the washer plate 9, which is mounted on the second door segment 1b. However, if the mounting position of the washer plate 9 relative to the second door segment 1b is not appropriate, the center portion of the door 1 may protrude forward from the housing 2 in an L shape as shown in Fig. 12(a), or the center portion of the door 1 may retract backward (bend inward) toward the interior of the housing 2 in another L shape as shown in Fig. 12(b). If the washer plate 9 is mounted at the accurate position on the second door segment 1b, this shortcoming is overcome. However, even small positional deviation of the washer plate 9 may cause the phenomenon shown in Fig. 12(a) or Fig. 12(b). Accordingly, mounting the washer plate 9 at the accurate position on the second door 1b is difficult.
To prevent generation of the phenomenon shown in Fig. 12(a) and Fig. 12(b), Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Translation of PCT International Application Publication No. 2008-516109 ) discloses an extensible arm 8 and an arm length adjusting device. Instead of adjusting the position of the washer plate 9, the arm length adjusting device adjusts the length of the arm 8. As shown in Fig. 12(b), the arm 8 has a first arm segment 8a and a second arm segment 8b telescopically inserted in the first arm segment 8a. The length of the arm 8 is adjusted by closing the door 1. The adjusted length of the arm 8 is then maintained by pushing a lever 10 attached to the arm 8 after opening the door 1 as shown in Fig. 12(c).
Patent Literature 1 also teaches a washer position adjusting device that can adjust the position of the washer plate 9 relative to the door 1, as shown in Figs. 13(a) and 13(b) of the accompanying drawings. This washer position adjusting device includes a washer plate 9 pivotably coupled to a front end of an arm 8, and a cover frame 11 coupled to the door 1. The washer plate 9 is slidable upward and downward relative to the cover frame 11 in the vertical direction. As illustrated in Fig. 13(b), the position of the washer plate 9 is adjusted to an optimal position by closing the door 1, and then an operation lever 13 is pushed inward. This maintains the vertical position of the washer plate 9 relative to the cover frame 11.

LISTING OF REFERENCE(S)

PATENT LITERATURE

PATENT LITERATURE 1: Japanese Translation of PCT International Application Publication No. 2008-516109

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

However, the extensible arm 8 of Patent Literature 1 has problems. If the length of the extensible arm 8 is adjusted by closing the door 1 and the door 1 is opened thereafter to operate the lever 10, the length of the arm 8 changes. In addition, because the arm 8 has the first arm segment 8a and the second arm segment 8b telescopically inserted in the first arm segment 8a, the arm 8 has a large diameter. The thick arm 8 deteriorates the appearance.
The washer position adjusting device of Patent Literature 1 also has problems. Since the operation lever 13 protrudes from the lower end of the door 1, the protruding lever 13 deteriorates the appearance. Furthermore, if the door is opened prior to pushing the operation lever 13 inward, the position of the washer plate 9 relative to the cover frame 11 changes.
In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a washer position adjusting mechanism that can optimally adjust the position of the washer plate relative to the door by closing the door, and that can prevent the position of the washer plate relative to the door from changing even when the closed door is opened. Another object of the present invention is to provide a piece of furniture that has such a washer position adjusting mechanism installed therein.

SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a washer position adjusting mechanism that is pivotably coupled to one end of an arm of a stay provided between a housing and a door to close and open an opening of the housing, the washer position adjusting mechanism comprising: a washer body mounted on the door; a position adjusting member pivotably coupled to the one end of the arm, a position of the position adjusting member being adjustable relative to the washer body in one direction parallel to the door; and a fastening member configured to fasten the position adjusting member to the washer body, wherein one of the washer body and the position adjusting member has crests and troughs alternately in the one direction, the other of the washer body and the position adjusting member has an engagement section facing the crests and the troughs and a elastically deformable support section for supporting the engagement section, when the position adjusting member moves in the one direction relative to the washer body, the engagement section rides up onto the crest to elastically deform the support section, and thereafter the engagement section rides over the crest to allow the elastically deformed support section to be restored and the engagement section to engage with the trough.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, the position of the position adjusting member (washer plate) relative to the washer body (door) can be adjusted by closing the door. Because the engagement section engages with the trough by using elastic force of the support section that supports the engagement section, it is possible to prevent the position of the position adjusting member (washer plate) relative to the washer body (door) from changing even when the door is opened to fasten the position adjusting member to the washer body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a piece of furniture that has a washer position adjusting mechanism installed therein according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a pair of vertical cross-sectional views of the piece of furniture. Specifically, Fig. 2(a) shows the vertical cross-sectional view when the door is open, and Fig. 2(b) shows another vertical cross-sectional view when the door is closed.
Fig. 3 is a set of views showing a stay in different conditions. Specifically, Fig. 3(a) shows the stay when the door is open, Fig. 3(b) shows the stay in a dead point, and Fig. 3(c) shows the stay when the door is closed.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the washer position adjusting mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the washer position adjusting mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 6 is a set of views showing the washer position adjusting mechanism assembled according to the embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Fig. 6(a) is a front view of the washer position adjusting mechanism, Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 6(a), and Fig. 6(c) is an enlarged view of Fig. 6(b).
Fig. 7 is a set of views showing the details of the washer body according to the embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Fig. 7(a) is a front view of the washer body, Fig. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 7(a), Fig. 7(c) is a rear view, and Fig. 7(d) is an enlarged view of Fig. 7(b).
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a lock plate according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 9 is a set of views showing the details of the lock plate according to the embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Fig. 9(a) is a plan view of the lock plate, Fig. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 9(a), and Fig. 9(c) is an enlarged view of Fig. 9(b).
Fig. 10 is a pair of views illustrating how the washer position adjusting mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention is used. Specifically, Fig. 10(a) illustrates how the washer plate position is adjusted when the door is closed, and Fig. 10(b) illustrates how the washer plate is fastened to the washer body with a fastening screw when the door is open.
Fig. 11 shows another example of the engagement section and the support section used in the washer position adjusting mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 12 is a set of views showing a foldable door that has a conventional washer position adjusting device installed therein. Specifically, Fig. 11(a) shows when a center portion of the door protrudes, Fig. 11 (b) shows when the center portion of the door retracts, and Fig. 11 (c) shows the adjustment of the arm length.
Fig. 13 is a pair of views showing the foldable door that has the conventional washer position adjusting device installed therein. Specifically, Fig. 13(a) shows when the center portion of the door retracts, and Fig. 13(b) shows the adjustment of the washer plate position upon pushing an operation lever.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A washer position adjusting mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 illustrates a piece of furniture that has the washer position adjusting mechanism installed therein according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the piece of furniture 20 includes a housing 22, and a foldable door 21 that closes and opens a front face of the housing 22. The housing 22 is shaped like a box, and has a top plate 22a, a pair of right and left side plates 22b, a bottom plate 22c, and a back plate 22d. The housing 22 has an opening in its front face. The opening of the housing 22 is closed and opened by a door 21. The door 21 has a first door segment 21a and a second door segment 21b. The first door segment 21a is coupled to the top plate 22a of the housing 22 via hinges 23 such that the first door segment 21a can rotate about horizontal shafts. The second door segment 21b is coupled to a lower edge of the first door segment 21a via another hinges (not shown) such that the second door segment 21b can rotate about horizontal shafts. A type of the hinge is not limited to a particular type. For example, a four-bar linkage hinge may be used. Stays 24 are provided between the second door segment 21b and the housing 22.
Fig. 2(a) depicts when the door 21 is open, and Fig. 2(b) depicts when the door 21 is closed. When the door 21 is open, the door 21 is folded and moved upward. When the door 21 is closed, the first door segment 21a and the second door segment 21b extend in the same plane, and close the opening of the housing 22. Each of the stays 24 has a main body 26 and an arm 25. The main body 26 is mounted on the housing 22, and the arm 25 has a base portion that is pivotably coupled to the main body 26. A front end of the arm 25 is pivotably coupled to the second door segment 21b via a washer position adjusting mechanism 31. The washer position adjusting mechanism 31 has a washer body 34 mounted on the second door segment 21b, and a washer plate 32 pivotably coupled to the front end of the respective arms 25. The vertical position of each of the washer plates 32 can be adjusted relative to the washer body 34. The structure of the washer position adjusting mechanism 31 will be described later.
Fig. 3 shows the movements of each of the stays 24. When the door 21 is opened to a prescribed position, the stays 24 apply biasing force to the door 21 in the opening direction to assist the door 21 to open. On the other hand, when the door 21 is closed, the stays 24 apply biasing force to the door 21 in the closing direction to maintain the closed position of the door. Each of the main bodies 26 of the stays 24 includes a casing 27, coil springs 28 to generate the biasing force, a slider 29 slidably guided by the casing 27 in one direction, and a link 30 pivotably coupled to the slider 29 and the arm 25 therebetween. The slider 29 is biased in one direction by the coil spring 28. Fig. 3(b) shows the dead point of the link 30. When the rotation angle of the arm 25 exceeds the dead point angle shown in Fig. 3(b) in the opening direction, the biasing force of the coil springs 28 forces the arm 25 to automatically rotate in the opening direction (Fig. 3(b) -> Fig. 3(a)). On the other hand, when the rotation angle of the arm 25 exceeds the dead point angle in the closing direction, the biasing force of the coil springs 28 forces the arm 25 to automatically rotate in the closing direction (Fig. 3(b) -> Fig. 3(c)). In order to absorb a shock generated upon closing the door 21, a damper 19 is disposed in the main body 26.
Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the washer position adjusting mechanism 31 of this embodiment. As described above, the washer position adjusting mechanism 31 has the washer body 34 mounted on the door 21, and the washer plate 32 that protrudes from a first slit 37 of the washer body 34. The vertical position of the washer plate 32 is adjustable relative to the washer body 34. The washer plate 32 is coupled to the front end of the arm 25 of the stay 24 such that the washer plate 32 can rotate about a horizontal shaft 35. After the position of the washer plate 32 is adjusted relative to the washer body 34, a fastening screw 36 (i.e., fastening member) is screwed. Thus, the washer plate 32 is secured to the washer body 34. In this embodiment, the washer position adjusting mechanism 31 is a one-way mechanism. That is, the washer plate 32 can move downward relative to the washer body 34 as indicated by the arrow (1), but cannot move upward. A projecting element 39 is provided for cancelling the one-way constraint. The projecting element 39 projects from a second slit 38 of the washer body 34. As the projecting element 39 is depressed, the engagement between the engagement sections and the troughs is released (will be described later), and the washer plate 32 can move upward.
Fig. 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the washer position adjusting mechanism 31. Fig. 6 is a set of views illustrating the details of the washer position adjusting mechanism as assembled. Referring to Fig. 5, the washer body 34 is made of metal, and shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped, elongated in the vertical direction. The back face of the washer body 34 is open such that the washer body 34 can receive the washer plate 32 and the lock plate 41. The side wall 34a of the washer body 34 has the first slit 37 extending in the vertical direction, and the second slit 38 having a width greater than the first slit 37. The washer plate 32 extends through the first slit 37 (see Fig. 4). The projection 39 of the lock plate 41 extends through the second slit 38. A pair of upper and lower through holes 34b are formed in the side wall 34a of the washer body 34 such that the washer body 34 is mounted on the second door segment 21b. Mounting screws (not shown) are inserted through the through holes 34b.
As shown in the detailed view (Fig. 7) of the washer body 34, a number of crests 42a and a number of troughs 42b are alternately and continuously formed around the second slit 38 on the back face of the side wall 34a of the washer body 34 in the vertical direction (one direction). The pitches between the respective adjacent crests 42a are constant, and the pitches between the respective adjacent troughs 42b are constant. Each of the crests 42a extends in the horizontal direction in the fixed cross-sectional shape, and each of the troughs 42b extends in the horizontal direction in the fixed cross-sectional shape. As shown in Fig. 7(d), the crest 42a has a triangular shape when viewed in the cross section along the vertical direction. A first inclined surface 42a1 of the crest 42a is linear, and the interior angle θ1 defined between the first inclined surface 42a1 and the vertical direction (1) is smaller than 90 degrees. As shown in Fig. 9(c), the interior angle θ1 corresponds to the first inclined surface 51a1 of the crest 51a of the engagement section 51 (will be described later), and is equal to an interior angle θ1' defined between the first inclined surface 51a1 of the engagement section 51 and the vertical direction (1). As depicted in Fig. 7(d), a second inclined surface 42a2 of the crest 42a is linear, and an interior angle θ2 defined between the second inclined surface 42a2 and the vertical direction (1) is equal to or greater than 90 degrees.
As illustrated in Fig. 5, the position adjusting member 33 includes the washer plate 32 and the lock plate 41. The washer plate 32 is made of metal because certain strength should be imparted to the washer plate 32. The lock plate 41 is made from a resin because the engagement section 51 needs to be deformed elastically. The washer plate 32 is joined to the lock plate 41 by, for example, two rivets 45a and 45b.
The washer plate 32 is prepared by bending a metallic plate by a pressing machine. The washer plate 32 has an arm connector 32a and a flat section 32b. The arm connector 32a is pivotably coupled to the front end of the arm 25 via a bearing. The flat section 32b is bended from the arm connector 32a at a right angle. The flat section 32b has a first flat section 32b1 and a second flat section 32b2 in different levels where a step is formed therebetween. The first flat section 32b1 has a screw hole 32c in which a fastening screw 36 is screwed. The second flat section 32b2 has two upper and lower through holes 32d and 32e through which the rivets 45a and 45b are inserted respectively. The first flat section 32b1 is parallel to the second flat section 32b2. The size of the step between the first flat section 32b1 and the second flat section 32b2 is equal to the thickness of the lock plate 41.
As shown in Fig. 6, when the washer plate 32 is joined to the washer body 34 by the fastening screw 36, the first flat section 32b1 of the washer plate 32 comes in contact with the washer body 34, and the lock plate 41 is sandwiched between the second flat section 32b2 of the washer plate 32 and the washer body 34. Because the washer plate 32 has the first and second flat sections 32b1 and 32b2, the joint between the washer plate 32 and the washer body 34 is the metal-to-metal contact which has high joint strength. Also, the resin-made lock plate 41 is firmly secured on the washer body 34. It should be noted that the surface of the first flat section 32b1 may be flat, or may undergo machining such as knurling to have crests and troughs alternately in the vertical direction.
Referring to Fig. 8, a perspective view of the lock plate 41 is illustrated. The lock plate 41 has an elongated rectangular body 45, a pair of right and left engagement sections 51 extending from the body 45, a pair of support sections 46 for connecting the engagement sections 51 to the body 45 respectively, and the projection 39 between the right and left engagement sections 51. Each of the engagement sections 51 has a claw shape. The projection 39 is integrated with the right and left engagement sections 51.
As understood from the plan view of Fig. 9, a C-shaped groove 52 is formed in a center area in the vertical direction of the rectangular body 45. The engagement sections 51, the support sections 46 and the projection 39 are situated inside the C-shaped groove 52. The base portion of each of the support sections 46 is connected to the body 45, and the front end of each of the support sections 46 is connected to the associated engagement section 51. Each of the engagement sections 51 is cantilever-supported by the associated support section 46. A pair of through holes 53 is formed in the rectangular body 45 for the two rivets to extend through. The projection 39 is connected to the two engagement sections 51 therebetween. The projection 39 is only connected to the engagement sections 51. The projection 39 stands perpendicular to the body 45. The projection 39 is shaped like an inverted "L" so that the top end portion of the projection 39 has an enlarged area, which is depressed by a finger.
As shown in the cross-sectional views of Figs. 9(b) and 9(c), each of the engagement sections 51 has, for example, three triangular crests 51a, and faces the crests 42a and the troughs 42b formed on the side wall 34a of the washer body 34. Each of the crests 51a of the engagement section 51 has a first inclined surface 51a1 and a second inclined surface 51a2. The first inclined surface 51a1 is linear, and the interior angle θ1' defined between the first inclined surface 51a1 and the vertical direction (1) is smaller than 90 degrees. The second inclined surface 51a2 is linear, and the interior angle defined between the second inclined surface 51a2 and the vertical direction (1) is equal to or greater than 90 degrees.
Fig. 6(c) illustrates the state when the engagement section 51 (more precisely, the crests 51a of the engagement section 51) is engaged with the troughs 42b of the washer body 34. When the lock plate 41 is moved downward relative to the washer body 34 from the position of Fig. 6(c), the engagement section 51 rides up onto the crests 42a of the washer body 42 and the support section 46 gets elastically deformed. After that, the engagement section 51 rides over the crests 42a of the washer body 34 allowing the elastically deformed support section 46 to be restored. As a result, the engagement section 51 engages again with the troughs 42b at the next downstream position. Accordingly, the engagement section 51 can be moved downward, and the positioning of the engagement section 51 is made. Such downward movement of the lock plate 41 is possible because the interior angle θ1 between the first inclined surface 42a1 of the crest 42a of the washer body 34 (see Fig. 7(d)) and the vertical direction (1) and the interior angle θ1' between the first inclined surface 51a1 of the crest 51a of the engagement section 51 (see Fig. 9(d)) and the vertical direction (1) are both smaller than 90 degrees.
On the other hand, if the engagement section 51 is forced to move upward while the engagement section 51 is engaged with the troughs of the washer body 34, the engagement between the engagement section 51 and the troughs 42b of the washer body 34 is maintained and it is not possible to move the lock plate upward. This is because the interior angle θ2' between the second inclined surface 51a2 of the crest 51a of the engagement section 51 (see Fig. 9(c)) and the vertical direction (1) is equal to or greater than 90 degrees.
The lock plate 41 having the engagement sections 51 is also able to move downward relative to the washer body 34, but cannot move upward. This is true to the washer plate 32 that is firmly jointed to the lock plate 41. When the lock plate 41 should be moved upward relative to the washer body 34, the projection 39 is pushed to deform the support section 46. This disengages the engagement section 51 from the troughs 42b of the washer body 34.
Now, how to use the washer position adjusting mechanisms of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 10 shows the situation where the position of the washer plate 32 relative to the door 21 is not appropriate and the door 21 is not closed completely. Firstly, the fastening screw 36 (see Fig. 4) of the washer body 34 is unscrewed to allow the washer plate 32 to move downward relative to the washer body 34. Then, when the door 21 is pushed so that the door 21 is completely closed, the washer plate 32 is moved downward relative to the washer plate 34. As the washer plate 32 is moved downward as indicated by the arrow (1), the distance to the washer plate 32 from the hinge 55 which connects the first door segment 21a to the second door segment 21b changes so that the door 21 is completely closed. As the door 21 is completely closed, the washer plate 32 is adjusted to an optimal position relative to the washer plate 34 in the vertical direction.
It should be noted that the fastening screw 36 is in the unscrewed condition, and the washer plate 32 is not secured to the washer body 34. In order to secure the washer plate 32 to the washer body 34 with the fastening screw 36, the door 21 is once opened as shown in Fig. 10(b). As the door 21 is opened, the arm 25 of the stay 24 generates the biasing force in the direction of opening the door 21. Then, the force is applied to the washer plate 32 to move upward as indicated by the arrow (2) relative to the washer body 34. However, the washer plate 32 is not movable relative to the washer body 34 in the upward direction. Therefore, the washer plate 32 does not move upward relative to the washer body 34, and the positional deviation does not occur. In addition, because the engagement section 51 engages with the troughs 42b of the washer body 34 by using the elastic force of the support section 46 (see Fig. 6(c)), it is possible to prevent the washer plate 32 from moving downward relative to the washer body 34. The washer plate 32 is firmly attached to the washer body 34 with the fastening screw 36 after the door 21 is opened. This completes the position adjustment of the washer plate 32. If the washer plate 32 is excessively moved downward relative to the washer body 34, the projection 39 is pushed. As the projection 39 is pushed, the engagement section 51 of the lock plate 41 gets disengaged from the troughs 42b of the washer body 34. This allows the washer plate 32 to move upward relative to the washer body 34.
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The present invention can be implemented or practiced in various embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
Although the washer position adjusting mechanism is provided on the foldable door in the above-described embodiment, the washer positon adjusting mechanisms may be used for a single door other than the foldable door as long as the position of the washer plates relative to the door should be adjusted.
Although the washer body has the crests and the troughs, and the lock plate (position adjusting member) has the engagement section in the above-described embodiment, the washer body may have the engagement section and the lock plate may have crests and troughs.
Although the lock plate is not movable upward relative to the washer body in the above-described embodiment, the lock plate may be allowed to move upward. In this case, the only requirement is that the lock plate is not movable upward relative to the washer body when the biasing force is applied from the arm of the stay in the direction of opening the door.
The interior angle θ2' between the second inclined surface of the crest of the engagement section and the vertical direction may be equal to or smaller than 90 degrees. In this configuration, the lock plate can move upward relative to the washer body. However, if the retaining force for preventing the lock plate from moving upward relative to the washer body is greater than the biasing force of the stay in the direction of opening the door, there is no risk of positional deviation of the lock plate in the state shown in Fig. 10(b).
Although the engagement section is cantilever-supported by the support section in the above-described embodiment, the engagement section may be supported by the support sections at both ends thereof if the support sections can be deformed.
The engagement section is engaged with the trough by using the elastic force generated when the support section cantilever-supporting the engagement section is deformed in the above-described embodiment. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 11, an engagement section 62 may be engaged with the trough 42b by using the elastic force generated when a coil spring 61 serving as a support section is compressed. In this example, the engagement section 62 is shaped like a cylinder that has a spherical head. The coil spring 61 is received in a cylindrical recess 63 formed in the lock plate 41. A plate spring may be used as a support section instead of the coil spring, and the plate spring may be made integrally with the engagement section 62.
This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-127027 filed on June 4, 2012 , and the entire content thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SIGNS

20: Piece of furniture
21: Door
22: Housing
24: Stay
25: Arm
31: Washer position adjusting mechanism
31b1: First flat section
32: Washer plate
32b2: Second flat section
33: Position adjusting member
34: Washer body
36: Fastening screw (fastening member)
39: Projection
41: Lock plate
42: Washer body
42a: Crests
42b: Troughs
46: Support section
51: Engagement section
51a: Crests
51a1: First inclined surface
51a2: Second inclined surface
θ1': Interior angle between the first inclined surface and the vertical direction (one direction)
θ2': Interior angle between the second inclined surface and the vertical direction (one direction)

Claims

A washer position adjusting mechanism that is pivotably coupled to one end of an arm of a stay provided between a housing and a door to close and open an opening of the housing, the washer position adjusting mechanism comprising:
a washer body mounted on the door;

a position adjusting member pivotably coupled to the one end of the arm, a position of the position adjusting member being adjustable relative to the washer body in one direction parallel to the door; and

a fastening member configured to fasten the position adjusting member to the washer body, wherein

one of the washer body and the position adjusting member has crests and troughs alternately in the one direction,

the other of the washer body and the position adjusting member has an engagement section facing the crests and the troughs and a elastically deformable support section for supporting the engagement section,

when the position adjusting member moves in the one direction relative to the washer body, the engagement section rides up onto the crest to elastically deform the support section, and thereafter the engagement section rides over the crest to allow the elastically deformed support section to be restored and the engagement section to engage with the trough.
The washer position adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the position adjusting member includes a washer plate pivotably coupled to the one end of the arm, and a lock plate having the engagement section and the support section, and
the lock plate is configured to be interposed between the washer body and the washer plate.
The washer position adjusting mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the washer plate includes a first flat section fastened to the fastening member, and a second flat section being in a different level from the first flat section, and
when the washer plate is fastened to the washer body by the fastening member, the first flat section of the washer plate comes in contact with the washer body, and the lock plate is interposed between the second flat section of the washer plate and the washer body.
The washer position adjusting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the position adjusting member is disabled from moving relative to the washer body in a direction opposite to the one direction when the arm of the stay exerts biasing force in a door opening direction.
The washer position adjusting mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the engagement section has a triangular crest when viewed in a cross section along the one direction,
an interior angle defined between a first inclined surface of the triangular crest and the one direction is smaller than 90 degrees, and
an interior angle defined between a second inclined surface of the triangular crest and the one direction is equal to or greater than 90 degrees.
The washer position adjusting mechanism according to claim 4 or 5 further comprising a projection that is integrated with the engagement section and capable of being depressed, wherein the support section is elastically deformed to disengage the engagement section from the trough when the projection is depressed.
A piece of furniture comprising:
a housing;

a door configured to close and open an opening of the housing;

a stay provided between the housing and the door; and

a washer position adjusting mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 6.