JP2002161685A - Footstool - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a footstool capable of easily and smoothly carrying out folding work and being folded in compact size. SOLUTION: The footstool 10 is constituted of steps 11 capable of being located in an approximately horizontal plane and first and second supporting bodies 12 and 13 symmetrically arranged so as to support both ends of each of the steps 11. One end side of the step 11 is supported by the first supporting body 12 in a relatively rotatable manner and, at the same time, the other end side of the step 11 is provided so that it is capable of being vertically moved to the second supporting body 13. When the first and second supporting bodies 12 and 13 are approached to each other from a state to enable the step 11 to keep in a horizontal posture, the other end side of the step 11 is moved upward, and the first and second bodies 12 and 13 are kept in an approximately parallel state to approach.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a step platform, and more particularly, to a step platform that can be folded by bringing a pair of supports that support steps into close proximity.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally known steps are:
For example, there are those of the type shown in FIGS. The step 100 includes a plurality of steps 101 arranged in a stepwise manner, and first and second steps 101 and 102 for supporting both ends in the longitudinal direction of the steps 101 in the figure so as to be relatively rotatable.
Are provided. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the step 100 can be folded by bringing the second support 103 closer to the first support 102. At this time, each step 101 The second support 103 rotates obliquely upward in a direction along the directions 102 and 103.

[0003]

However, in such a configuration of the step 100, each of the supports 102,
When approaching 103, an external force for raising the second support 103 is required, which causes a disadvantage that the folding operation is extremely difficult and troublesome. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, each support 102,
Since the heights of the steps 103 are not uniform, there is also a disadvantage that when the step 100 is stored, a storage space larger than the height of the step 100 must be secured.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such inconvenience, and an object of the present invention is to minimize the external force at the time of folding work so that the folding work can be easily performed. Another object of the present invention is to provide a platform that can be folded compactly.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides at least one step which can be positioned in a substantially horizontal plane, and first and second steps symmetrically arranged to support both ends of the step. A step having a second support, wherein one end of the step is connected to the first support so as to be relatively rotatable, and the other end of the step is vertically connected to the second support. When the other end side moves relative to the second support from a state where the step is in a horizontal posture, the first and second supports are maintained in a substantially parallel state and are mutually movable. It is configured so that it can be accessed. According to such a configuration, when the second support is brought close to the first support, the step rotates, and the other end of the step rises, and the first support is lifted without lifting the second support. Because it can approach the support side of, compared with the conventional type step
The labor at the time of folding can be remarkably reduced. In addition, the height position of the first and second support members is kept constant between the time of separation and the time of approach, and the height of the folded step can be minimized. It becomes possible.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Each support in the present invention has a closed loop structure using a pipe material, and the step has a size such that the support does not protrude outside the pipe when approaching each support. It is also preferable to adopt a configuration of being provided. According to such a configuration, the weight of the support itself can be reduced, and the steps do not protrude to the outside of the support when each of the supports approaches, whereby the overall size of the step ladder can be reduced. it can. Further, when carrying the step ladder, it is possible to effectively avoid the possibility that the upper surface of the step touches the clothes and gets dirty, and the corners of the steps are caught by the clothes.

[0007] In this specification, "up and down" and "left and right" are used with reference to FIG. 2 unless otherwise specified. Further, "before" is used for the lower part in FIG. 3, and "rear" is used for the upper part in FIG.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a stepping board according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG.
In these figures, a step 10 is located in a substantially horizontal plane and is provided in three steps so as to form a step, and supports both sides in the longitudinal direction (left and right direction) of these steps 11. Symmetrically arranged first
And the second support members 12 and 13, and a link mechanism 14 for connecting rear portions of the first and second support members 12 and 13.

Although each of the steps 11 is not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, an integrally molded product using an appropriate resin material is employed. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each step 11 is a step body 16 provided in a plate shape that is substantially rectangular in the horizontal direction in plan view.
A rising surface portion 17 provided at a position along the rear end of the step body 16 and rising from the upper surface of the step body 16; and a through hole 18 formed along the left end (one end) of the step body 16. A first shaft receiving portion 21 provided with two concave portions 19 provided on the left end side; a first shaft receiving portion 21 provided on the lower surface on the right end side (the other end side) of the step main body 16 and extending in the front-rear direction; It comprises a second shaft receiving portion 22 formed in a cylindrical shape and a height display portion 23 formed on the upper surface of the step main body 16. As shown in FIG. 5, the front end face of each step body 16 is formed by an arc-shaped surface 25 having a semi-circular shape in a side view, and an anti-slip portion 26 is provided on the arc-shaped surface 25 at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction. It is provided for each. The uppermost step 11 includes an extension step 27 located substantially in the same plane as the step body 16 on the rear end side of the step body 16. A surface portion 17 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, each of the height display sections 23 displays the height position of each step 11 from the floor surface. 20 cm "," 40 cm ", and" 60 cm ". Each height display portion 23 is integrally formed by the unevenness formed by resin molding on the upper surface of the step body 16, and the depth of the unevenness is such that when walking on the step 11, any part other than the sole touches. It is set to a depth that will not cause stumbling when walking. Also, the height display section 23 is provided so that the display position is different for each step 11, that is, the height display section of the lowermost step 11 is located at a position closer to the left on the upper surface of the step 11, and the middle step 11 is substantially omitted. At the center position, the uppermost step 11 is provided at a position closer to the right.

Each of the slip preventing portions 26 is provided with the arc-shaped surface 2.
5 is provided integrally by resin molding. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, these anti-slip portions 26 extend upward from the arc-shaped surface 25 and have a substantially semi-arc-like vertical portion 29 in plan view, and an upper end of the vertical portion 29. And a flat portion 30 which is located substantially in the same plane as the upper surface of the step main body 16. Accordingly, the anti-slip portion 26 does not protrude from the front end of the step main body 16, and when climbing up the step 11, the toe is moved to the anti-slip portion 2.
No. 6 is hard to trip.

The first and second supports 12, 13 are
It is configured using a pipe material. These first and second
As shown in FIG. 1, the supports 12 and 13 are composed of a lower support 31 and an upper support 32 located above the lower support 31, and are provided so as to form a closed loop structure as a whole. Have been.

Each of the lower supports 31 includes a lower frame 34 extending in the front-rear direction, a front frame 35 and a rear frame 36 standing upright from both front and rear sides of the lower frame 34 and being substantially parallel to each other. A reinforcing frame 37 for connecting the lower end of the part frame 35 and the upper end of the rear frame 36, cover members 38 provided on the upper ends of the front frame 35 and the rear frame 36, respectively. A fixing member 40 is provided so that the upper support 32 can be fixed through the part frame 35 and the rear frame 36, and two adjusters 41 are provided at lower positions on both front and rear sides of the lower frame 34. The reinforcing frame 37 includes a lower reinforcing frame 42 extending rearward from a lower end of the front frame 35.
And the lower reinforcing frame 42 is attached to the inclined reinforcing frame 43.
And an upper reinforcing frame 44 connected to the upper end side of the rear frame 36. In the present embodiment, the adjuster 41 is provided below the lower frame 34. However, instead of the adjuster 41, a caster with a stopper may be provided. Separated approach movement can be easily performed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lower support 31 of the first support 12 includes a lower support frame 46 and an upper support frame 47 formed in an angle. The supporting frame 46 is connected to a lower position of the inclined reinforcing frame 43 and a lower position of the front frame 35, and an upper supporting frame 47 is connected to an upper position and an intermediate position of the inclined reinforcing frame 43. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the supporting frames 46 and 47 and the upper reinforcing frame 44 has a pair of first bearing portions 4 received in each of the concave portions 19 of the first shaft receiving portion 21.
8 are provided, and as shown in FIG.
Through hole 18 of first shaft receiving portion 21 and first bearing portion 48
By inserting the shaft member 49 into the shaft member 49 and attaching the retaining member 50 to the rear end side of the shaft member 49, the left end side of the step 11 connects the step 11 to be relatively rotatable. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the formation position of each first bearing portion 48 is such that each step 11 is adjacent to step 11.
Are arranged so as to generate a slight gap S in the front-rear direction, so that when the user goes up the step 11, the toe does not easily enter the lower surface side of the step 11.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower support 31 of the second support 13 is a movable support frame provided at a position along the left side of the outer peripheral surface of the front frame 35 and the rear frame 36. 52 are provided. The moving support frame 52 includes a lower moving frame 53 extending rearward from the lower end of the front frame 35, a vertical moving frame 54 extending upward from the rear end of the lower moving frame 53, and a vertical moving frame 54. An upper moving frame 55 connected to the upper end of the lower moving frame 55 and a rear end positioned on the upper end side of the rear frame 36.
3 and an angle-shaped intermediate moving frame 57 connected to the vertical moving frame 54. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower moving frame 53, the intermediate moving frame 57, and the upper moving frame 55 each include a pair of second bearing portions 58 that can be fitted into the divided positions of the second shaft receiving portion 22. A shaft member 59 is inserted into the second shaft receiving portion 22 and the second bearing portion 58, and a retaining member 60 is mounted on the rear end side of the shaft member 59. Thereby, each step 11 is rotatable relative to the movable support frame 52. Also,
As shown in FIG. 4, a receiving member 61 that supports the rear end of the upper moving frame 55 is provided at an upper position of the rear frame 36, while the front end of the front frame 35 and the lower moving frame 53 is provided. As shown in FIG. 6, a slide mechanism 63 is provided for guiding the movable support frame 52 up and down.

The slide mechanism 63 includes a front frame 3
5, a contact hole 65 provided on the front end side of the lower moving frame 53 and having an arc surface along the outer peripheral surface of the front frame 35; The contact surface 65 and the front frame 35 are attached to the contact surface 65 and penetrate through the slit hole 64.
, A nut 68 that interacts with the screw 66 to sandwich the contact surface 65, and a stopper 6 that can be hooked on the distal end of the screw 66.
9 is provided. The stopper 69 has a configuration similar to a clip. The inclined surface 70 has a substantially U-shaped surface, a pressing surface 71 connected to the lower end of the inclined surface 70, and A hinge portion 73 that allows the surface portion 70 to rotate in a direction in which the surface portion 70 separates and approaches the front frame 35;
And a spring 74 which is always provided at the shaft portion of FIG. Thus, when the lower moving frame 53 is lowered from the position shown in FIG. 6, the inclined surface 70 rotates and the notch 70A of the inclined surface 70 is rotated.
The tip of the screw 66 is received in the lower moving frame 53.
Up and down movement is regulated. Also, from this state, the spring 7
By pressing the pressing surface 71 against the force of No. 4, the tip of the screw 66 is disengaged from the notch 70A, and the lower moving frame 53 can be moved up and down.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of the upper supports 32 is provided with a handrail 75 located above both sides of the step 11.
Is configured as The handrail portion 75 includes a front slide frame 76 having a lower end inserted into a pipe constituting the front frame 35 of the lower support 31, and an inclined frame extending obliquely upward and rearward from the upper end of the front slide frame 76. 77, an upper frame 78 that bends an upper end of the inclined frame 77 and extends rearward, and a rear end of the upper frame 78 that bends and extends downward, and a lower end side thereof is inserted into a pipe that forms the rear frame 36. The inserted rear slide frame 79 and the inclined frame 7
7 and a grip portion 80 made of rubber or the like provided so as to cover the outer peripheral side of the upper frame 78. The front slide frame 76 and the rear slide frame 79 are inserted into the front frame 35 and the rear frame 36 and can move up and down. On the other hand, the tightening of the fixing members 40 restricts the up and down movement. Thus, the height of the entire handrail portion 75 can be adjusted. The inclination angle of the inclined frame 77 is
The inclination angle of the virtual straight line connecting the front ends of the respective steps 11 is set to be substantially the same. That is, even when standing on any one of the steps 11, the height position of the inclined frame 77 is set to be constant from each step 11.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the link mechanism 14 is constituted by connecting both ends of a plurality of elongated plate members rotatably using pins 82, respectively. The link mechanism 14 includes a first connection plate 84 that connects the lower end of the rear frame 36 of the first support 12 to the upper end of the rear frame 36 of the second support 13, and a first connection plate 84. A second connecting plate 85 connecting the substantially middle position of the second connecting member and the lower end side of the rear frame 36 in the second support member 13;
And a third connection plate 86 for connecting the rear end surfaces of the first and second plates. The pin 82 provided on the upper end side of the first connection plate 84 passes through a slit 88 formed over the rear frame 36 and the rear slide frame 79 of the second support 13, and the slit 82
8 so that the pin 82
Can move up and down in the slit hole 88 and allow rotation of the first and third connecting plates 84 and 86. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, when the step 11 is in the substantially horizontal posture, the link mechanism 14 is in the first position.
When the first and second supports 12 and 13 are separated from and approach to each other, the parallel state can be stably maintained by preventing the separation of the first and second supports 12 and 13 from each other.
As shown in FIG. 8 and while keeping these parallel states, they are linearly and smoothly moved away and approached.

In the above configuration, when the first and second supports 12 and 13 are approached from the state shown in FIG.
First, after the lock between the stopper 69 and the screw 66 is released, the step 11 is slightly lifted from the lower side, and the step 11 is slightly tilted such that the step 11 becomes upper right in FIG. Next, by applying an external force in a direction in which the first and second supports 12 and 13 approach each other, the upper surface of each step 11 approaches the first support 12 as shown in FIG. The moving support frame 52 and the right end of each step 11 rise. At this time, since the right end of each step 11 rises, the second support 13 moves linearly toward the first support 12 at the same height position while maintaining a substantially parallel state. Become. And finally, the first and second supports 1
2, 13 and each step 11 are folded as shown in FIG. 8, and in this state, each step 11
Are designed not to protrude outside the first and second supports 12 and 13 which form a closed loop.

On the other hand, from the state shown in FIG.
Is set to a use state, the first and second supports 12 and 13 may be pulled in a direction in which they are separated from each other, so that each step 11 may be set to a substantially horizontal posture. As a result, the screw 66 is caught by the stopper 69, the vertical movement of the movable support frame 52 and the rotation of each step 11 are regulated, and the horizontal posture of each step 11 is stably maintained.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, since the gap S is provided between the steps 11, the steps 11 do not overlap each other in the left-right direction as shown in FIG. First and second supports 12, 13
Can be made to approach each other, and the left-right width of the entire stepping board 10 can be made compact.

In the above embodiment, the movable support frame 52 is provided on the second support 13 so that the right end of the step 11 can be moved up and down. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A movable support frame 52 may be provided on the first support 12 so that the left end of the step 11 can be moved up and down, and the right end of the step 11 can be connected to the second support 13 so as to be relatively rotatable. . In short, the present invention suffices if one of the left and right ends of the step 11 can be moved up and down, and the first and second supports 12 and 13 can be separated and approached while maintaining the parallel state. .

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention, one end of the step is connected to the first support so as to be relatively rotatable, and the other end of the step is moved up and down with respect to the second support. Since the first and second supports are approached from the state in which the step is in the horizontal posture, the other end of the step is raised, and the first and second supports are maintained in a substantially parallel state. Thus, it is not necessary to lift the support up, and the work of approaching the support can be performed easily and smoothly.

Further, each support has a closed loop structure using a pipe material, and the steps are provided in such a size that they do not protrude outside the pipe material when the respective supports are brought close to each other. The size of the entire platform in a state where the platform is approached, that is, in a folded state, can be made compact, and when transporting the platform, it is possible to avoid the risk of inadvertently touching the steps and becoming dirty. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a stepping board according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a main part of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a step.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a slide mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a front view similar to FIG. 2, showing an intermediate state in which the respective support members are close to each other.

FIG. 8 is a front view similar to FIG. 2, showing a final state in which the supports have approached each other.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a stepping board according to a conventional example.

FIG. 10 is a front view of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front view similar to FIG. 9, showing a state in which the respective support members have approached each other.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 step 11 step 12 first support 13 second support

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A step having at least one step which can be positioned in a substantially horizontal plane, and first and second supports which are symmetrically arranged to support both ends of the step. One end is connected to the first support so as to be relatively rotatable, and the other end of the step is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the second support. When the other end moves relative to the second support, the first and second
Characterized in that the supporting members are provided so as to be mutually accessible while maintaining a substantially parallel state. 2. Each of the supports has a closed loop structure using a pipe material, and the step is provided in such a size that the supports do not protrude outside the pipe when the supports are approached. The step ladder according to claim 1, wherein: