JP2004332504A

JP2004332504A - Latch device

Info

Publication number: JP2004332504A
Application number: JP2003161378A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Masaaki Hattori; 雅昭服部; Yojiro Kinoshita; 洋二郎木下; Hiroaki Imataka; 広晃今高; Kazuo Oku; 一夫奥
Original assignee: Kokuyo Co Ltd
Current assignee: Kokuyo Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-04-30
Filing date: 2003-04-30
Publication date: 2004-11-25

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a latch device for fixing an openable/closable door, etc., to a case body or the like to more easily execute the unlocking operation of the latch and the opening operation of the dopor or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The latch device has an operation shaft 61 rotating around the axial center and an operation lever 62 fitted to a specified position of the operation shaft 61 and is provided with an operational body 6 turnably operatable from the start position to both directions, the latch 43 displacing with interlocking motion with the rotation of the operational body 6, and a drive mechanism interposed between the operational body 6 and the latch 43. A finger insertion space 312 to operate the operation lever 62 by the inserted finger is provided in the both sides of the operation lever body 6 is formed. The drive mechanism converts the operation force transmitted from the operation body 6 to a driving force displacing the latch 43 to the same direction and transmitting it to the latch 43, in each case in which the operation body 6 rotates from the starting position to the opposite direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、特に家具等に適用できるラッチ装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
例えば、物品を収納可能な空間を内在させる筐体に観音開き式の扉を取り付けてなる収納家具では、下記特許文献にも記載されているように、筐体の頂壁及び底壁の前面に開口を形成したラッチ受けを設け、かつ扉の内面側に鎌状のラッチを取り付けて、ラッチ受けの開口にラッチを掛け止めることで筐体に扉を係留することが一般的である。通常、このようなラッチは、扉内に設けた回転軸を中心に回動可能である。また、ラッチには、ばね等の付勢手段により、予め開口に掛け止められる方向の力（付勢力）が加えられている。
【０００３】
扉が閉じているとき、扉の外面に配置された操作レバーを引くと、該操作レバーに加えられた操作力がラッチに伝達され、ラッチが付勢力に抗してラッチ受けの開口縁より外れようとする方向に回動する。結果、ラッチ受けとラッチとの係合が解除され、扉の開放が許容される。
【０００４】
【特許文献１】特開平０９−０１３７７５号公報
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところが、既存の収納家具において、操作レバーの操作方向は一方向である。具体例を挙げて述べると、通常の観音開き式の扉を有する収納家具では、操作レバーの右方より手指をかけてこれを手前に引くように操作することで、言い換えるならば、操作レバーを平面視時計回り方向に回転操作することで扉を開けることが可能であるが、逆に操作レバーを平面視反時計回り方向に回転操作して扉を開けることは不可能である。従って、左利きのユーザや、右手にハンディキャップを負っているユーザ等にとっては、必ずしも使い勝手のよいものではない。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上述した課題を解決すべく、本発明では、軸心周りに回転する操作軸及び該操作軸の所定部位に取り付けた操作レバーを有してなり、起動位置より両方向に回転操作可能な操作体と、前記操作体の回転に連動して変位するラッチと、これら操作体及びラッチの間に介在する駆動機構とを具備するラッチ装置において、前記操作レバーの回転軸心を挟む両側に、手指を差し入れて操作レバーを操作するための手指挿入空間を設け、さらに、前記駆動機構が、前記起動位置より相反する方向に回転するそれぞれの場合において操作体より伝達される操作力を、前記ラッチを一方向に変位させる駆動力に変換してラッチに伝達するように構成した。
【０００７】
このようなものであれば、操作レバーの回転操作方向が正方向であるか逆方向であるかによらず、ラッチを所要の方向に変位させることができる。即ち、何れの方向に操作レバーを回転させても扉等を開ける操作が可能となり、右利きのユーザであっても左利きのユーザであっても簡便に操作し得る。また、ハンディキャップを有するユーザにとっても、より使い勝手のよいものとなる。加えて、操作レバーの両側に手指挿入空間を設けてあるため、何れの側より操作レバーに手指をかけることも容易である。
【０００８】
より具体的には、前記駆動機構が、前記操作体に対して固定され前記操作軸を中心に回転する伝達部材と、前記伝達部材より操作力の伝達を受ける受力部と、前記受力部が受けた操作力により運動して前記ラッチを駆動する駆動部とを内包するものとし、前記操作体が前記起動位置より相反する方向に回転するそれぞれの場合において、前記受力部に前記伝達部材の両端部の何れかを選択的に作用させて、前記駆動部を同方向に運動させることで前記ラッチを同方向に変位させる。
【０００９】
前記受力部は、前記操作体が前記起動位置より相反する方向に回転するそれぞれの場合において、所定の回転中心周りに同方向に回転するものとすることが簡便である。加えて、前記受力部を前記駆動部に対して固定し、受力部と駆動部とを一体とすることにより、駆動機構の構成の簡略化を図り得る。
【００１０】
また、前記ラッチの変位を、前記操作軸に対して略平行な軸周りの回転を含む運動とするならば、駆動機構が必要とする空間領域を節約することが可能である。
【００１１】
そして、一の部材に前記ラッチを設け、他の部材に前記ラッチと係合するラッチ受けを設けて、ラッチとラッチ受けとの係合により一の部材を他の部材に係留させ得るようにし、かつ、前記一の部材と前記他の部材とのうち何れかの部材に操作体を回転操作可能に設けてあって、前記操作軸を前記何れかの部材に回転可能に支持させるとともに、前記何れかの部材の外面に凹陥を形成し、該凹陥に前記操作レバーの少なくとも一部を収容することで、操作レバーと何れかの部材との間に手指を差し入れて操作レバーを操作するための手指挿入空間を操作レバーの両側に設けるならば、それぞれの側より容易に操作レバーを操作することができる。しかも、操作レバーを操作しないとき、即ち扉等を閉めてあるときに操作レバーが邪魔とならない。本発明に係るラッチ装置は、とりわけ、種々の物品を収納可能な空間を内在させている家具本体（他の部材）と、前記空間を開成あるいは閉止する蓋体（一の部材）とを少なくとも具備する収納家具にあって、前記家具本体に前記部材を係脱自在に係留するために適用することが効果的である。この場合には、これら家具本体及び部材のうち一方に前記ラッチ受けを設け、他方に前記ラッチ装置を設ける。ここに言う蓋体の典型例として、収納家具本体が有する収納空間を開成あるいは閉止する扉が挙げられる。または、収納家具がキャビネット若しくはワゴン等である場合には、引き出しを出し入れ可能に収納し得る筐体が家具本体に、該筐体より引き出される引き出しの鏡板が蓋体に、それぞれ該当する。
【００１２】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の一実施形態を、図面を参照して説明する。図１、図２に、本発明に係るラッチ装置を適用した収納家具１を示す。該収納家具１は、その前面側に開口する収納空間２１を内在させている筐体状の家具本体２と、収納空間２１を開閉する位置にヒンジを介して取り付けた観音開き式の蓋体たる扉３１、３２とを具備する。ラッチ装置は、例えば、左右の扉３１、３２のうちの右側の扉３１に適用する。本実施形態における左側の扉３２は、閉止した状態において、その上から右側の扉３１の縁部をオーバーラップさせることにより開閉動作が禁止される。右側の扉３１は、本発明に係るラッチ装置の働きにより家具本体２に係留される。そして、右側の扉３１に実装した操作体６をユーザが操作することで、ラッチ装置による右側の扉３１の係留の解消を行い得るようにしている。
【００１３】
より具体的には、ラッチ受け５を家具本体２に設けるとともに、該ラッチ受け５に掛け止められるラッチ手段４１（後述する）を右側の扉３１に設ける。ラッチ受け５は、家具本体２の収納空間２１を包囲する周壁（図２に示す例では、家具本体２の底壁）の近傍に成形した前向きの鉛直面２２に設けてある。本実施形態におけるラッチ受け５は、周縁が閉じた開口５１を有する。そして、ラッチ手段４１を掛け止めるための係留部５２を、その周縁部に設定している。なお、ラッチ受け５とは、少なくともラッチ手段４１が係合してラッチ手段４１を掛け止めるための部材一般を言う。ラッチ受け５は、ラッチ４３と係わり合う縁部を有し、該縁部が係留部５２となる。ラッチ受け５の形状は特に限定されないが、通常、ラッチ受け５は開口５１を有し、その周縁部に係留部５２が設定される（但し、ラッチ受け５に開口５１が形成されているとは限られない）。このとき、前記ラッチ手段４１を前記開口５１に挿入することで該ラッチ手段４１を前記係留部５２に臨ませ、掛け止めることができる。
【００１４】
ラッチ手段４１は、ラッチ支持体４２及びラッチ４３を主要な構成要素とするもので、扉３１の内面側における、ラッチ受け５に対応する位置より突出させて設けてある。扉３１を閉じると、このラッチ支持体４２が家具本体２に設けたラッチ受け５の開口５１に挿入される。ラッチ４３は、操作体６に対する操作に連動して変位する。そして、ラッチ受け５の開口５１にラッチ支持体４２を挿入した状態でラッチ４３を変位させて、ラッチ受け５とラッチ４３との係合あるいはその解除を行うものとなる。結果、扉３１を閉めた状態での扉３１の遊びを小さくすることが可能となるとともに、ラッチ４３の比較的小さな動作で精度の良い扉３１の係留が可能となる。また、既存の鎌状のラッチを用いる場合のように、ラッチ受け５に（鎌状のラッチが回転できるための）広大な開口５１を形成する必要がない。但し、ラッチ受け５の開口５１は、その開口縁が閉じているものであってもよく、あるいは開口縁が閉じていない切り欠きであってもよい。なお、ラッチ受け５並びにラッチ手段４１は複数、とりわけ一対に設けておくことができる。例えば、家具本体２の底壁及び頂壁（図示せず）の近傍にそれぞれラッチ受け５を設けておき、かつこれらラッチ受け５に対して挿脱可能なラッチ手段４１を扉３１の内面側に上下一対に設けておくことができる。
【００１５】
ラッチ４３を駆動するべく操作される操作体６は、図３、図４に示すように、操作軸６１と、該操作軸６１の所要の部位に取り付けた操作レバー６２とを有してなる。操作軸６１は、蓋体たる扉３１の外面に対して略平行に、例えば上下方向に延伸するもので、軸心周りに回動可能であるように扉３１に支持させてある。操作レバー６２は、ユーザの手指により直接に操作される部材であり、操作軸６１の所定位置に取り付けられ、通常、扉３１の外面に露出している。操作レバー６２は、略部分円筒状をなし前記操作軸６１に固定される基体６２１の前部を、前方に向かうにつれて徐々に拡幅する形状に成形してあるもので、その後向面６２２に手指をかけられるようにしてある。他方、扉３１の外面には凹陥３１１を形成してあり、この凹陥３１１の略中央部に操作レバー６２を配置することで、操作レバー６２の両側より手指を差し入れて操作レバー６２を操作可能とする手指挿入空間３１２を確保してある。操作レバー６２の右方を前方に引き出すように操作するとき、即ち、図５、図６に示す起動位置にある操作体６を、操作軸６１を中心として平面視時計回り方向に回転操作するときには、操作レバー６２より右側にある手指挿入空間３１２に手指を挿入し、操作レバー６２の右側の後向面６２２に手指をかけることで、該操作レバー６２を回転操作することができる。逆に、操作レバー６２の左方を前方に引き出すように操作するとき、即ち、起動位置にある操作体６を、操作軸６１を中心として平面視反時計回り方向に回転操作するときには、操作レバー６２より左側にある手指挿入空間３１２に手指を挿入し、操作レバー６２の左側の後向面６２２に手指をかけて回転操作すればよい。このように、操作体６は操作レバー６２を介して起動位置より両方向に回転操作可能である。因みに、操作体６を起動位置としたとき、操作レバー６２の前面が扉３１の前面よりも前方に飛び出さないようにしている。特に本実施形態では、操作体６が起動位置にあるとき、操作レバー６２の前面が扉３１の前面と略面一となり、家具としての外観を高めている。
【００１６】
駆動機構は、伝達部材４４と、駆動部材４５とから構成される。
【００１７】
伝達部材４４は、操作軸６１の所定部位、ラッチ手段４１及びラッチ受け５に対応する高さ位置に固定されている操作軸６１より左右に拡張する天秤状の部材である。操作体６が起動位置にあるとき、伝達部材４４の後向面は略真後ろを向いている。伝達部材４４は、操作レバー６２が操作されることに伴い、操作軸６１を中心に略水平面上で回転する。操作軸６１が回転したとき、伝達部材４４の両端部４４１、４４２の何れかが選択的に駆動部材４５の受力部４５２に作用する。
【００１８】
駆動部材４５は、所定の回転中心４５１周りに回転可能に扉３１に支持させてある。本実施形態における駆動部材４５は、前記回転中心４５１より幅方向に延伸する受力部４５２と、該回転中心より奥行き方向に延伸する駆動部４５３とを一体に設けたものである。図示例では、受力部４５２及び駆動部４５３が平面視略Ｌ字型をなし、双方が交わる位置に軸受穴４５４を形成してある。この軸受穴４５４には、扉３１に対して固定されている（例えば、扉３１の底壁より上方に突出する）、上下方向に延伸する軸４５１を挿入する。即ち、駆動部材４５は、軸受穴４５４に挿入された軸４５１を中心に、略水平面上を回転可能となる。
【００１９】
駆動部材４５の受力部４５２の前向面は、前記伝達部材４４の後向面と近接する。操作体６が起動位置にあるとき、既に述べたように伝達部材４４の後向面が略真後ろを向いているが、受力部４５２の前向面もまた略真正面を向いており、これらは対向している。しかして、図７、図８に示すように、操作体６を起動位置より平面視時計回り方向に回転させたとき、伝達部材４４の左端部４４１が後方へ移動し、受力部４５２の前向面に作用して、受力部４５２に操作力を伝達する。そして、伝達された操作力により、駆動部材４５の受力部４５２及び駆動部４５３が、前記回転中心４５１周りに右回転する。逆に、図９、図１０に示すように、操作体６を起動位置より平面視反時計回り方向に回転させたとき、伝達部材４４の右端部４４２が後方へ移動し、受力部４５２の前向面に作用して、受力部４５２に操作力を伝達する。そして、伝達された操作力により、駆動部材４５の受力部４５２及び駆動部４５３は、前記回転中心４５１周りにやはり右回転する。即ち、操作体６が左右何れの方向に回転操作されたとしても、受力部４５２及び駆動部４５３は同じ方向に回転運動する。なお、扉を閉止する際にラッチ４３が開口５１縁に接触して没入しラッチ４３の動作によって駆動部材４５は回転軸心４５１回りに回転することとなるが、伝達部材４４と駆動部材４５は対向して離れている為、伝達部材４４にその動作は伝達されない。すなわち、操作体６と扉等の一部が接触することがなく扉を閉止する際において騒音を発生することが少なくなる。
さらに、伝達部材４４において、駆動部材４５の受力部４５２に作用する右端部４４２から操作軸６１までの距離と、同じく受力部４５２に作用する左端部４４１から操作軸６１までの距離とは一致しない。これは、操作体６の回転操作方向を問わず、起動位置より略同じ角度だけ回転させたときに、駆動部材４５の受力部４５２、ひいては駆動部４５３が略同程度変位（即ち、略同じ角度だけ回転運動する）ようにするためである。即ち、受力部４５２、駆動部４５３の回転中心４５１に遠い作用点で受力部４５２に作用する左端部４４１から操作軸６１までの距離は比較的長く、受力部４５２、駆動部４５３の回転中心４５１に近い作用点で受力部４５２に作用する右端部４４２から操作軸６１までの距離は比較的短く設定してある。
【００２０】
駆動部４５３の先端部分はラッチ支持体４２内に配置され、ラッチ４３と係合する。図示例では、駆動部４５３の先端部分より上下方向に延伸するピン４５５を設けてあり、このピン４５５がラッチ４３の平面若しくは下面に形成された長穴４３ｂと係合している。操作体６が回転操作されたとき、駆動部材４５の駆動部４５３は回転中心４５１周りに右回転運動し、その先端部分がピン４５５及び長穴４３ｂを介して係合しているラッチ４３に駆動力を伝達する。
【００２１】
続いて、ラッチ手段４１に関して詳述する。ラッチ支持体４２は、例えば扁平な板状をなすもので、ラッチ受け５に設定した係留部５２に係合するラッチ４３を変位可能に支持している。ラッチ支持体４２とラッチ４３とは、別個の部材であってもよく、あるいは単一の部材であってもよいが、本実施形態におけるラッチ４３はラッチ支持体４２とは別体をなす。通常、ラッチ支持体４２は変形せず、該ラッチ支持体４２を設けている部材即ち扉３１に対し固定されている。つまり、ラッチ支持体４２は、扉３１とともに家具本体２ひいてはラッチ受け５に対して相対移動し、扉３１が閉じられるときにはラッチ受け５の開口５１に挿入されて、ラッチ受け５に設定した係留部５２に臨むように位置づけられる。
【００２２】
なお、ラッチ支持体４２を係留部５２に臨むように位置づけたときにラッチ支持体４２の外面の少なくとも一部がラッチ受け５と係わり合うように構成してあれば、ラッチ支持体４２及びラッチ受け５を利用して閉じた扉３１の家具本体２に対する位置決めを行うことができる。さらに、図示例では、扉３１を閉じた状態でラッチ受け５の開口５１縁と係わり合うラッチ支持体４２の基部より先端側の部位が、該基部と比較して先細り形状となっている。よって、扉３１を閉止する際、ラッチ支持体４２が開口５１に対して必ずしも適切な位置になくとも、先細り形状の先端部位がまず開口５１に挿入され、しかる後ラッチ支持体４２が開口５１縁によって適切な位置に誘導されながらその基部まで挿入される。このように、ラッチ支持体４２がラッチ受け５に対して適切に位置決めされるため、比較的小さなラッチ４３であっても好適にラッチ支持体４２をラッチ受け５に係留できる。
【００２３】
ラッチ４３は、ラッチ受け５の係留部５２に当接する当接面４３ａを有し、ラッチ支持体４２の相対移動方向に対して非平行な方向に突没する。図示例では、ラッチ支持体４２より側方に突没するものとなっている。但し、ラッチ４３を、ラッチ支持体４２より上方に若しくは下方に突没させることを妨げない。本実施形態では、ラッチ支持体４２の内に空洞が存在しており、その空洞にラッチ４３を配置している。かつ、ラッチ支持体４２の端面（図示例では、側端面）に、ラッチ支持体４２内の空洞に連通するスロット（溝穴）４２ａを形成してある。ラッチ４３がラッチ支持体４２に対して変位する際には、ラッチ４３の一部がスロット４２ａより突没する。よって、ラッチ４３は、少なくともその一部をラッチ支持体４２内の空洞に収容可能な程度の厚み寸法を有する板状体とする。ラッチ４３は、同じくラッチ支持体４２内の空洞に配置した回転軸４２ｂを介してラッチ支持体４２に支持させてあり、該回転軸４２ｂを中心にラッチ支持体４２に対して相対的に回動させることができる。回転軸４２ｂは、ラッチ支持体４２の比較的先端寄りの位置に配置してある。図５ないし図１０に示すように、ラッチ支持体４２をラッチ受け５の開口５１に挿入したとき、回転軸４２ｂがラッチ受け５の開口５１縁よりも内奥に位置づけられる。即ち、回転軸４２ｂが、係留部５２（または、後述する作用点Ｐ）と比較して、ラッチ支持体４２がラッチ受け５に対して進入する方向（図５ないし図１０上では、上方向）に向かって先方に、言い換えるならばラッチ支持体４２の先端側に位置づけられる。
【００２４】
しかして、ラッチ４３は、ラッチ支持体４２を係留部５２に臨ませた状態で、即ち、ラッチ支持体４２をラッチ受け５の開口５１に挿入した状態で該係留部５２に係合して前記ラッチ受け５にラッチ支持体４２を掛け止める展開位置Ｓ（図５、図６に示す）と前記係留部５２に係合せず前記ラッチ受け５よりラッチ支持体４２が脱離することを許容する退避位置Ｅ（図８または図１０に示す）との間で変位可能である。ラッチ４３のラッチ支持体４２に対する相対的な変位は、回転を含む運動となっており、その回転の中心は回転軸４２ｂである。但し、ラッチ４３の運動の軌跡は特に限定されない。ラッチ４３の運動の軌跡としては、直線運動、回転運動若しくはこれらの組み合わせ、その他が考えられる。
【００２５】
その上で、ラッチ４３を係留部５２に係合させた状態でラッチ手段４１（若しくは、扉３１）を脱離させるようにラッチ受け５に対して相対移動させる方向の力が作用した場合にラッチ４３に作用する反作用力Ｆが、展開位置Ｓより退避位置Ｅへ変位する際のラッチ４３の運動の方向、即ち展開位置Ｓにあるラッチ４３が退避位置Ｅに向けて回動する方向に沿った方向成分の分力を持ち得ないように構成する。そのために、ラッチ受け５の係留部５２よりラッチ４３の当接面４３ａに作用する反作用力Ｆがラッチ４３と係留部５２との係合を解除する方向とは逆の方向に作用するように、当接面４３ａの角度を設定している。並びに、係留部５２にラッチ４３を係合させた状態にあって、ラッチ４３のラッチ支持体４２に対する回転の中心が、係留部５２がラッチ４３に作用する作用点Ｐよりもラッチ支持体４２の相対移動方向に沿って内奥にあるようにしている。即ち、ラッチ４３の回転の中心たる回転軸４２ｂが、作用点Ｐと比較して、ラッチ支持体４２がラッチ受け５に対して進入する方向に向かって先方に位置する（言い換えるならば、ラッチ４３の回転の中心が、作用点Ｐから見て、該作用点Ｐにおいてラッチ受け５よりラッチ４３に作用する力Ｆの方向に沿って先方にある）。この作用点Ｐが当接面４３ａ上に存在していることは言うまでもない。
【００２６】
上記の反作用力Ｆは、図５に示すように、作用点Ｐより回転の中心に向かう成分Ｆ１と、作用点Ｐより当接面４３ａに平行な方向に向かう成分Ｆ２との合力と見なすことができる。そして、作用点Ｐより当接面４３ａに平行な方向に向かう成分Ｆ２は、ラッチ４３を退避位置Ｅより展開位置Ｓに向かわせるような方向に作用する力である。よって、ラッチ４３と係留部５２との間の摩擦が十分に大きくラッチ４３が係留部５２に対して滑らなければ、ラッチ４３を係留部５２に係合させたままラッチ手段４１をラッチ受け５より脱離させようとする場合にあって、ラッチ４３がラッチ支持体４２よりさらに突き出ようとする。即ち、ラッチ４３が展開位置Ｓを越えてさらに回動しようとするが、ラッチ４３の所定の部位がラッチ支持体４２の内壁面等に当接することで、あるいはラッチ４３と係わり合う駆動部材４５がラッチ４３を制止することで、それ以上の変位が抑止される。結果として、ラッチ４３と係留部５２との係合がより強まるため、不用意にラッチ手段４１がラッチ受け５より脱離するようなことがない。
【００２７】
さらに本実施形態では、作用点Ｐ近傍におけるラッチ４３の外縁、言い換えるならば当接面４３ａの面形状を、ラッチ支持体４２に対する回転の軌跡に略対応する略部分円弧状（部分円筒曲面状）としており、展開位置Ｓと退避位置Ｅとの間でラッチ４３をスムーズに変位させることが可能でありながら、しかもラッチ４３を係留部５２に係合させたときのラッチ手段４１とラッチ受け５との間の遊び、がたつきを極小にすることが可能となっている。また、当接面４３ａが回転の中心たる回転軸４２ｂと作用点Ｐとを結ぶ線分を径とした円筒曲面であるということは、上記の反作用力Ｆの分力のうち作用点Ｐより回転の中心に向かう成分Ｆ１がラッチ４３を回転させるようには作用しないということを意味する。従って、ラッチ４３と係留部５２との間の摩擦が小さくラッチ４３が係留部５２に対する滑りの発生が想定されるとしても、ラッチ４３が展開位置Ｓより退避位置Ｅに向けて回転してしまうようなことは起こりにくい。即ち、ラッチ４３と係留部５２との間の静止摩擦係数に特段の配慮をする必要がない。
【００２８】
総じて言えば、扉３１を閉じている状態で、ユーザが操作レバー６２を引くと、操作軸６１が軸心周りに回転し、伝達部材４４が操作軸６１に連動して該操作軸６１を中心に回転する。そして、操作軸６１に固定された伝達部材４４が、その両端部４４１、４４２の何れかを選択的に駆動部材４５の受力部４５２に作用させ、操作体６に加えられた操作力を駆動部材４５に伝達する。受力部４５２を介して操作力の伝達を受けた駆動部材４５は、操作体６の回転方向によらず同方向に回転運動する。駆動部材４５の駆動部４５３はラッチ４３に係合し、操作レバー６２に加えられた操作力を、ラッチ４３を同方向に変位させる駆動力として伝達する。その結果、ラッチ４３が展開位置Ｓより退避位置Ｅに向けて変位する。
【００２９】
つまり、本実施形態では、伝達部材４４及び駆動部材４５がラッチ４３を駆動する駆動機構を構成しており、操作体６に対する操作に連動してラッチ４３を変位させ、これを退避位置Ｅまで退避させる。ユーザは、操作体６を駆動操作することを通じて、ラッチ４３と係留部５２との係合を解除して扉３１を開くことができる。
【００３０】
因みに、ラッチ４３が退避位置Ｅより展開位置Ｓへと向かう方向の付勢力を、該ラッチ４３に直接に若しくは間接に加えておくことが好ましい。ラッチ４３に付勢力を加えるための付勢手段４６は、典型的には、ねじりコイルばねや板ばね等のばねに代表される弾性付勢手段である。本実施形態にあって、付勢手段４６は、駆動部材４５（の駆動部４５３）に付勢力を加えるものとして設けてある。操作体６に操作力が付与されていないとき、即ち駆動部材４５に操作力が伝達されていないとき、駆動部材４５が図６に示す初期位置に復帰し、ラッチ４３が展開位置Ｓまで変位する。しかもこのとき、駆動部材４５の受力部４５２の前向面が付勢手段４６による付勢力を伝達部材４４に伝達して、伝達部材４４、操作軸６１及び操作レバー６２を起動位置に復帰させる。操作レバー６２の起動位置への位置づけは、該操作レバー６２と扉３１の凹陥３１１の内面との接触にはよらない。従って、扉３１を閉じたとき、またはユーザが操作レバー６２より手指を離したときに起動位置に復帰した操作レバー６２と凹陥３１１の内面とが衝突して騒音を発したりすることがない。但し、付勢手段４６は、ラッチ支持体４２の内に配置してもよく、ラッチ支持体４２の外に配置してもよい。また、操作体６または駆動機構４４を構成する部材に対して付勢力を加えることで、間接的にラッチ４３を付勢することとしても構わない。
【００３１】
本実施形態によれば、軸心周りに回転する操作軸６１及び該操作軸６１の所定部位に取り付けた操作レバー６２を有してなり、起動位置より正逆方向に回転操作可能な操作体６と、前記操作体６の回転に連動して変位するラッチ４３と、これら操作体６及びラッチ４３の間に介在する駆動機構とを具備するラッチ装置において、前記操作レバー６２の両側に、手指を差し入れて操作レバー６２を操作するための手指挿入空間３１２を設け、さらに、前記駆動機構が、前記起動位置より相反する方向に回転するそれぞれの場合において操作体６より伝達される操作力を、前記ラッチ４３を同方向に変位させる駆動力に変換してラッチ４３に伝達するように構成したため、操作レバー６２の回転操作方向が正方向であるか逆方向であるかによらず、ラッチ４３を所要の方向に変位させることができる。即ち、何れの方向に操作レバー６２を回転させても扉３１を開ける操作が可能となり、右利きのユーザであっても左利きのユーザであっても簡便に操作し得る。また、ハンディキャップを有するユーザにとっても、より使い勝手のよいものとなる。加えて、操作レバー６２の両側に手指挿入空間３１２を設けてあるため、何れの側より操作レバー６２に手指をかけることも容易である。
【００３２】
前記駆動機構が、前記操作体６に対して固定され前記操作軸６１を中心に回転する伝達部材４４と、前記伝達部材４４より操作力の伝達を受ける受力部４５２と、前記受力部４５２が受けた操作力により運動して前記ラッチを駆動する駆動部４５３とを内包するものとし、前記操作体６が前記起動位置より相反する方向に回転するそれぞれの場合において、前記受力部４５２に前記伝達部材４４の両端部４４１、４４２の何れかを選択的に作用させて、前記駆動部４５３を同方向に運動させることで前記ラッチを同方向に変位させるものであるため、簡潔な構成で操作レバー６２の両方向の操作を可能とすることができる。
【００３３】
前記受力部４５２は、前記操作体６が前記起動位置より相反する方向に回転するそれぞれの場合において、所定の回転中心４５１周りに同方向に回転するものとしているため、簡便である。加えて、前記受力部４５２を前記駆動部４５３に対して固定し、受力部４５２と駆動部４５３とを一体としたため、駆動機構の構成の一層の簡略化が図られる。
【００３４】
また、前記ラッチ４３の変位を、前記操作軸６１に対して略平行な軸４２ｂ周りの回転を含む運動としたため、駆動機構が必要とする空間領域を節約することが可能となっている。
【００３５】
そして、一の部材３１に前記ラッチ４３を設け、他の部材２に前記ラッチ４３と係合するラッチ受け５を設けて、ラッチ４３とラッチ受け５との係合により一の部材３１を他の部材２に係留させ得るようにし、かつ、前記一の部材３１と前記他の部材２とのうち何れかの部材３１に操作体６を回転操作可能に設けてあって、前記操作軸６１を前記何れかの部材３１に回転可能に支持させるとともに、前記何れかの部材３１の外面に凹陥３１１を形成し、該凹陥３１１に前記操作レバー６２の少なくとも一部を収容することで、操作レバー６２と何れかの部材３１との間に手指を差し入れて操作レバー６２を操作するための手指挿入空間３１２を操作レバー６２の両側に設けたため、それぞれの側より容易に操作レバー６２を操作することができる。しかも、操作レバー６２を操作しないとき、即ち一の部材である扉３１を閉めてあるときに操作レバー６２が邪魔とならない。本実施形態におけるラッチ装置は、種々の物品を収納可能な空間２２を内在させている家具本体２（他の部材）と、前記空間２２を開成あるいは閉止する蓋体３１（一の部材）とを少なくとも具備する収納家具１に適用され、前記家具本体２に前記蓋体３１を係脱自在に係留するために機能するものとなっている。
【００３６】
また、本実施形態によれば、ラッチ受け５に対して相対移動するラッチ支持体４２と、前記ラッチ受け５に前記ラッチ支持体４２を掛け止める展開位置Ｓとラッチ受け５よりラッチ支持体４２が脱離することを許容する退避位置Ｅとの間で変位可能なラッチ４３と、所定の操作体６に対する操作に連動して前記可動４３子を変位させる駆動機構４４とを具備するラッチ装置を構成したため、前記ラッチ４３を介して前記ラッチ受け５に前記ラッチ支持体４２を掛け止めることができる。より具体的には、ラッチ受け５に対して相対移動し、ラッチ受け５に設定された係留部５２に臨むように位置づけることができるラッチ支持体４２と、前記ラッチ支持体４２に支持され、前記係留部５２にラッチ支持体４２を臨ませた状態で該係留部５２に係合して前記ラッチ受け５にラッチ支持体４２を掛け止める展開位置Ｓと前記係留部５２に係合せず前記ラッチ受け５よりラッチ支持体４２が脱離することを許容する退避位置Ｅとの間で変位可能なラッチ４３と、所定の操作体６に対する操作に連動して前記ラッチ４３を変位させる駆動機構４４とを具備するラッチ装置としたため、ラッチ受け５への係合とその解除との切り替えの役割と、ラッチ受け５に対する位置づけの役割とを分担させることができる。そして、ラッチ受け５にラッチ手段４１を掛け止める際には、ラッチ４３のみを変位させてラッチ受け５に係合させることができる。従って、小さい動作でラッチ手段４１を掛け止めることが可能となり、その際に発生する騒音が小さくなる。また、ラッチ受け５、ラッチ手段４１、その他各種の部材や機構に与えるダメージを小さくすることができる。さらに、ラッチ４３とラッチ支持体４２とに機能を分けたことにより、扉３１を閉じた状態での扉３１の遊び、がたつきの量が、ラッチ受け５、ラッチ支持体４２及びラッチ４３の加工精度により決まることととなり、扉３１や家具本体２の加工精度による影響は小さくなる。よって、ラッチ受け５に対するラッチ支持体４２の位置づけの誤差や、ラッチ支持体４２に対するラッチ４３の位置、回転の中心の位置の誤差を小さくするようにこれらにの加工精度を高めることで、ラッチ支持体４２をラッチ受け５に精度よく掛け止めることが可能となり、扉３１を閉じた状態での遊び、がたつきを低減することができる。扉３１や家具本体２全体の設計寸法に対する誤差を小さくすることと比較して、ラッチ受け５、ラッチ支持体４２、ラッチ４３の加工精度を向上させることは容易である。特に、ラッチ受け５、ラッチ支持体４２、ラッチ４３を例えば樹脂製のものとすれば、板金材に対する曲げ加工よりも高精度に仕上げることができる。上記より、ラッチ受け５にラッチ手段４１を掛け止めたときの遊び、がたつきを極小にするような設計が可能となる。
【００３７】
前記ラッチ４３が、前記ラッチ支持体４２より突没するものであるならば、ラッチ手段４１とラッチ受け５との相対的な位置関係の制御、ひいては扉３１と家具本体２との位置関係の制御を主にラッチ支持体４２に担わせて、ラッチ４３やラッチ４３を駆動する駆動機構４４への負担を小さくすることができる。加えて、ラッチ支持体４２とラッチ受け５との係わり合いを利用して、閉止時における扉３１の家具本体２に対する位置決めを行うようなことも可能となる。
【００３８】
前記ラッチ受け５に前記ラッチ支持体４２を掛け止めるとき、ラッチ支持体４２の外面がラッチ受け５の開口５１縁に当接又は近接して、ラッチ支持体４２のラッチ受け５に対する相対的な位置決めがなされるように構成してあれば、閉じた扉３１を家具本体２に対して好適に位置決めすることができるものとなり、閉じた扉３１の家具本体２に対するがたつきをさらに低減できる。
【００３９】
さらに、前記退避位置Ｅにある前記ラッチ４３が前記ラッチ支持体４２の内に略収容されるように構成されていれば、ラッチ４３がラッチ支持体４２により保護されるため、ラッチ手段４１の係脱の際にラッチ４３と他の部材とが干渉し合って妨げとなることを避けることができる。また、ラッチをラッチ支持体に強固に取り付けることができ、強度の向上につながる。
【００４０】
前記駆動機構４４の構成要素の少なくとも一部が前記ラッチ支持体４２の内に収容されることは、故障の防止、外観の向上や空間の有効利用等に資する。
【００４１】
本発明に係るラッチ装置は、一の部材に他の部材を係留するためのものとして好適に用いることができる。即ち、一の部材と他の部材とのうち一方に前記ラッチ受け５を設け、他方に前記ラッチ装置を設けて、ラッチ受け５及びラッチ装置を介して両者を係脱自在に結合することができる。とりわけ、種々の物品を収納可能な空間２１を内在させている家具本体２と、前記空間２１を開放または閉止する蓋体３１とを少なくとも具備する収納家具１にあって、これら家具本体２及び部材のうち一方に前記ラッチ受け５を設け、他方に前記ラッチ装置を設けることで、前記家具本体２に前記蓋体３１を係脱自在に係留するために適用することが効果的である。
【００４２】
並びに、本実施形態によれば、ラッチ受け５に設定された係留部５２に係合する展開位置Ｓと前記係留部５２に係合しない退避位置Ｅとの間で変位可能なラッチ４３を内包しラッチ受け５に掛け止めることができるラッチ手段４１と、所定の操作体６に対する操作に連動して前記ラッチ４３を変位させる駆動機構４４とを具備するラッチ装置において、前記係留部５２に前記ラッチ４３を係合させた状態で前記ラッチ受け５より前記ラッチ手段４１を脱離させるように相対移動させる方向の力が作用した場合にラッチ４３に作用する反作用力Ｆが、前記展開位置Ｓより前記退避位置Ｅへ変位する際のラッチ４３の運動の方向に沿った方向成分の分力を持ち得ないように構成したため、より具体的には、前記係留部５２に前記ラッチ４３を係合させた状態で係留部５２に当接しているラッチ４３の当接面４３ａに作用する反作用力Ｆが、ラッチ４３の係留部５２への係合を解除する方向とは逆の方向に作用するように、前記当接面４３ａの角度を設定するものとしたため、ラッチ受け５に掛け止めたラッチ手段４１をそのまま脱離させようとした場合に、係留部５２とラッチ４３との係合が解除される方向にラッチ４３が変位することを抑止でき、ラッチ受け５にラッチ手段４１を掛け止めた状態における構造的な安定性を担保し得る。このことは、ラッチ受け５にラッチ手段４１を掛け止めたときの遊び、がたつきを極小にするような設計を行うために有効となる。
【００４３】
前記ラッチ４３の変位が回転を含む運動であって、その回転の中心が、前記係留部５２に前記ラッチ４３を係合させた状態で、係留部５２がラッチ４３に作用する作用点Ｐよりも前記ラッチ手段４１の相対移動方向に沿って内奥にあるように構成するならば、幾何的に見て、ラッチ４３が変位するときにその外縁が描く軌跡をラッチ受け５に設定した係留部５２に近接させることができる。のみならず、ラッチ４３の外縁がラッチ受け５の係留部５２に摺動しながら該係留部５２に大きな力を及ぼすトグル作用を営ませて、ラッチ４３とラッチ受け５との係合、ひいては家具本体２に対する扉３１の係留を強固なものとすることも可能となる。よって、ラッチ受け５にラッチ手段４１を掛け止めたときの遊び、がたつきを極小とすることが可能となる。
【００４４】
前記作用点Ｐ近傍における前記ラッチ４３の外縁、言い換えるならば当接面４３ａの面形状が、前記回転の軌跡に略対応する略部分円弧状（部分円筒曲面状）をなすものであるならば、ラッチ４３を変位させてスムーズにラッチ受け５の係留部５２に係合させることができ、かつ係留部５２に係合しているラッチ４３を変位させてスムーズにその係合を解除することができる。しかもこのとき、遊び、がたつきを極小にする好適な設計を具現できる。
【００４５】
なお、本発明は以上に詳述した実施形態に限られるものではない。特に、ラッチを変位させるための駆動機構の構成は、上記実施形態におけるもの以外にも種々のものが考えられる。
【００４６】
ラッチは、ラッチ支持体の内に配置されるとは限られない。例えば、ラッチをラッチ支持体の外面に回転軸を介して回動可能に支持させることで、本発明に係るラッチ装置を構成することが可能である。
【００４７】
上記実施形態において、ラッチ受けの係留部は、開口の裏面側の周縁部、厳密には開口縁の裏面側と開口の内面とが交わる縁端部近傍に設定されていた。しかしながら、ラッチ受けの係留部の設定位置は上記の態様には限られず、例えば、開口の内面に係留部が設定される（特に、開口の内面に形成された凹陥等にラッチが係合する）ようなことも考えられる。さらに、ラッチ受けに開口が形成されるとは限られない。例えば、既存のキャビネット若しくはワゴン等の如く、その筐体の内面より内向きに突出する突出体をラッチ受けとし、筐体に出し入れされる引き出しに設けたラッチをこのラッチ受けに掛け止めるような構成とすることもできる。
【００４８】
本発明に係るラッチ装置は、キャビネット若しくはワゴン等の筐体に、出し入れ可能な引き出しを係留するためにも用いることができる。例えば、図に示すように、家具本体たる筐体７にラッチ受け５を、引き出し８にラッチ装置をそれぞれ設けるようにして、本発明に係るラッチ装置を適用することが可能である。このときの駆動機構は、上述した扉３１に設けた駆動機構を応用して構成できるため、ここでは説明を省略する。
【００４９】
また、本発明に係るラッチ装置を、収納家具以外のものに適用することを妨げない。
【００５０】
その他各部の具体的構成は上記実施形態には限られず、本発明の趣旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々変形が可能である。
【００５１】
【発明の効果】
以上に詳述した本発明によれば、ラッチを解除して扉等を開ける操作をより簡便に行い得るものとなる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態における収納家具の斜視図。
【図２】同部分斜視図。
【図３】操作体及び手指挿入空間を示す部分斜視図。
【図４】操作体、駆動機構及びラッチを示す部分分解斜視図。
【図５】本実施形態におけるラッチ装置を示す平断面図。
【図６】本実施形態におけるラッチ装置の動作を示す平面図。
【図７】本実施形態におけるラッチ装置を示す平断面図。
【図８】本実施形態におけるラッチ装置の動作を示す平面図。
【図９】本実施形態におけるラッチ装置を示す平断面図。
【図１０】本実施形態におけるラッチ装置の動作を示す平面図。
【図１１】本発明の変形例の一を示す部分側面図。
【符号の説明】
４３…ラッチ
６…操作体
６１…操作軸
６２…操作レバー
３１２…手指挿入空間[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a latch device particularly applicable to furniture and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in a storage furniture in which a double door is attached to a housing in which a space in which articles can be stored is provided, as described in the following Patent Documents, an opening is provided on the front surfaces of the top wall and the bottom wall of the housing. It is common to provide a latch receiver formed with a sword, attach a sickle-shaped latch to the inner surface side of the door, and hook the latch to the opening of the latch receiver to anchor the door to the housing. Usually, such a latch is rotatable about a rotation axis provided in the door. In addition, a force (biasing force) in a direction in which the latch is hooked on the opening is applied to the latch in advance by a biasing means such as a spring.
[0003]
When the door is closed, when the operating lever arranged on the outer surface of the door is pulled, the operating force applied to the operating lever is transmitted to the latch, and the latch comes off the opening edge of the latch receiver against the urging force. It rotates in the direction in which it is intended. As a result, the engagement between the latch receiver and the latch is released, and the opening of the door is allowed.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-013775
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the existing storage furniture, the operation direction of the operation lever is one direction. To give a specific example, in a storage furniture having a normal double door, a user puts his / her finger on the right side of the operation lever and pulls the operation lever toward the front, in other words, the operation lever is flat. Although it is possible to open the door by rotating it clockwise, it is impossible to rotate the operation lever counterclockwise in plan view to open the door. Therefore, it is not always convenient for a left-handed user, a user who has a handicap on the right hand, and the like.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention has an operation shaft that rotates around an axis and an operation lever that is attached to a predetermined portion of the operation shaft, and an operation body that can rotate in both directions from a start position. In a latch device including a latch that is displaced in conjunction with the rotation of the operation body and a drive mechanism interposed between the operation body and the latch, fingers are inserted into both sides of the rotation axis of the operation lever. A finger insertion space for operating the operation lever by operating the operating mechanism transmitted from the operating body in each case where the driving mechanism rotates in a direction opposite to the activation position, and the latch is moved in one direction. The driving force is converted into a driving force and transmitted to the latch.
[0007]
With such a configuration, the latch can be displaced in a required direction regardless of whether the rotational operation direction of the operation lever is the forward direction or the reverse direction. That is, the operation of opening the door or the like can be performed by rotating the operation lever in any direction, and the operation can be easily performed by a right-handed user or a left-handed user. In addition, it is more convenient for a user having a handicap. In addition, since the finger insertion spaces are provided on both sides of the operation lever, it is easy to put a finger on the operation lever from either side.
[0008]
More specifically, the driving mechanism is fixed to the operating body, and is a transmission member that rotates about the operation shaft; a force receiving unit that receives an operation force transmitted from the transmission member; And a drive unit that drives the latch by moving with the received operating force, and in each case where the operating body rotates in a direction opposite to the activation position, the transmission member is attached to the force receiving unit. The latch is displaced in the same direction by selectively operating any one of the two ends to move the drive unit in the same direction.
[0009]
It is convenient that the force receiving portion rotates in the same direction around a predetermined rotation center in each case where the operating body rotates in a direction opposite to the activation position. In addition, by fixing the force receiving portion to the driving portion and integrating the force receiving portion and the driving portion, the configuration of the driving mechanism can be simplified.
[0010]
Further, if the displacement of the latch is a movement including rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the operation axis, it is possible to save a space area required by the drive mechanism.
[0011]
And one member is provided with the latch, and another member is provided with a latch receiver that engages with the latch, so that one member can be anchored to another member by engagement of the latch and the latch receiver, An operating body is rotatably provided on one of the one member and the other member, and the operating shaft is rotatably supported by the one of the members. A finger for operating the operation lever by inserting a finger between the operation lever and any member by forming a recess in the outer surface of the member and accommodating at least a part of the operation lever in the recess; If the insertion space is provided on both sides of the operation lever, the operation lever can be easily operated from each side. Moreover, when the operation lever is not operated, that is, when the door or the like is closed, the operation lever does not interfere. The latch device according to the present invention includes at least a furniture main body (another member) having a space capable of storing various articles therein, and a lid (a member) for opening or closing the space. It is effective to apply the above-mentioned storage furniture to the furniture main body so that the member can be detachably moored. In this case, the latch receiver is provided on one of the furniture main body and the member, and the latch device is provided on the other. A door that opens or closes a storage space of the storage furniture main body is a typical example of the lid described herein. Alternatively, when the storage furniture is a cabinet or a wagon or the like, a housing capable of storing drawers so that the drawer can be taken in and out corresponds to the furniture main body, and a mirror plate of the drawer drawn out of the housing corresponds to the lid.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a storage furniture 1 to which a latch device according to the present invention is applied. The storage furniture 1 has a housing-like furniture main body 2 in which a storage space 21 opening on the front side is provided, and a double door-type door which is attached via a hinge at a position where the storage space 21 is opened and closed. 31 and 32. The latch device is applied to, for example, the right door 31 of the left and right doors 31 and 32. When the left door 32 in the present embodiment is closed, the opening and closing operation is prohibited by overlapping the edges of the right door 31 from above. The right door 31 is moored to the furniture body 2 by the function of the latch device according to the present invention. When the user operates the operation body 6 mounted on the right door 31, the mooring of the right door 31 by the latch device can be canceled.
[0013]
More specifically, the latch receiver 5 is provided on the furniture body 2, and a latch means 41 (described later) to be hooked on the latch receiver 5 is provided on the right door 31. The latch receiver 5 is provided on a front vertical surface 22 formed near a peripheral wall (in the example shown in FIG. 2, the bottom wall of the furniture main body 2) surrounding the storage space 21 of the furniture main body 2. The latch receiver 5 in the present embodiment has an opening 51 whose peripheral edge is closed. And, the mooring portion 52 for latching the latch means 41 is set at the periphery thereof. The latch receiver 5 generally means a member for engaging at least the latch means 41 and latching the latch means 41. The latch receiver 5 has an edge that engages with the latch 43, and the edge serves as the anchoring portion 52. Although the shape of the latch receiver 5 is not particularly limited, usually, the latch receiver 5 has an opening 51, and a mooring portion 52 is set at a peripheral portion thereof (however, it does not mean that the opening 51 is formed in the latch receiver 5). Not limited). At this time, by inserting the latch means 41 into the opening 51, the latch means 41 can face the mooring portion 52 and can be latched.
[0014]
The latch means 41 includes a latch support 42 and a latch 43 as main components, and is provided so as to protrude from a position corresponding to the latch receiver 5 on the inner surface side of the door 31. When the door 31 is closed, the latch support 42 is inserted into the opening 51 of the latch receiver 5 provided on the furniture body 2. The latch 43 is displaced in conjunction with an operation on the operation body 6. Then, the latch 43 is displaced in a state where the latch support 42 is inserted into the opening 51 of the latch receiver 5 to engage or release the latch receiver 5 with the latch 43. As a result, it is possible to reduce the play of the door 31 when the door 31 is closed, and it is possible to moor the door 31 with a relatively small operation of the latch 43 and with high accuracy. Further, unlike the case of using an existing sickle-shaped latch, it is not necessary to form a large opening 51 (for rotating the sickle-shaped latch) in the latch receiver 5. However, the opening 51 of the latch receiver 5 may be one whose opening edge is closed or a notch whose opening edge is not closed. It should be noted that a plurality of latch receivers 5 and a plurality of latch means 41, in particular, a pair can be provided. For example, a latch receiver 5 is provided in the vicinity of a bottom wall and a top wall (not shown) of the furniture body 2, and a latch means 41 that can be inserted into and removed from the latch receiver 5 is provided on the inner surface side of the door 31. Upper and lower pairs can be provided.
[0015]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the operating body 6 operated to drive the latch 43 has an operating shaft 61 and an operating lever 62 attached to a required portion of the operating shaft 61. The operating shaft 61 extends substantially in parallel to the outer surface of the door 31 serving as a lid, for example, in the vertical direction, and is supported by the door 31 so as to be rotatable around the axis. The operation lever 62 is a member that is directly operated by the user's finger, is attached to a predetermined position of the operation shaft 61, and is usually exposed on the outer surface of the door 31. The operation lever 62 is formed in such a manner that the front part of a base 621 fixed to the operation shaft 61 is formed in a shape that gradually widens toward the front. It is designed to be used. On the other hand, a recess 311 is formed on the outer surface of the door 31, and by arranging the operation lever 62 at a substantially central portion of the recess 311, the operation lever 62 can be operated by inserting fingers from both sides of the operation lever 62. A finger insertion space 312 is secured. When operating so that the right side of the operating lever 62 is pulled forward, that is, when rotating the operating body 6 in the activation position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 around the operating shaft 61 in the clockwise direction in plan view. By inserting a finger into the finger insertion space 312 on the right side of the operation lever 62 and putting a finger on the rearward face 622 on the right side of the operation lever 62, the operation lever 62 can be rotated. Conversely, when operating to pull the left side of the operation lever 62 forward, that is, when rotating the operation body 6 at the start position in the counterclockwise direction in plan view about the operation shaft 61, the operation lever A finger may be inserted into the finger insertion space 312 on the left side of the finger 62 and the finger may be placed on the rearward face 622 of the operation lever 62 to perform the rotation operation. As described above, the operating body 6 can be rotated in both directions from the start position via the operating lever 62. Incidentally, when the operating body 6 is set to the start position, the front surface of the operation lever 62 is prevented from protruding forward from the front surface of the door 31. In particular, in the present embodiment, when the operating body 6 is at the activation position, the front surface of the operation lever 62 is substantially flush with the front surface of the door 31 to enhance the appearance as furniture.
[0016]
The drive mechanism includes a transmission member 44 and a drive member 45.
[0017]
The transmission member 44 is a balance-like member extending left and right from the operation shaft 61 fixed at a predetermined position of the operation shaft 61, a height position corresponding to the latch means 41 and the latch receiver 5. When the operating body 6 is in the starting position, the rear surface of the transmission member 44 faces substantially directly behind. The transmission member 44 rotates on a substantially horizontal plane about the operation shaft 61 as the operation lever 62 is operated. When the operation shaft 61 rotates, one of the both ends 441 and 442 of the transmission member 44 selectively acts on the force receiving portion 452 of the driving member 45.
[0018]
The driving member 45 is supported by the door 31 so as to be rotatable around a predetermined center of rotation 451. The driving member 45 in the present embodiment is provided integrally with a force receiving portion 452 extending in the width direction from the rotation center 451 and a driving portion 453 extending in the depth direction from the rotation center. In the illustrated example, the force receiving portion 452 and the driving portion 453 have a substantially L-shape in plan view, and a bearing hole 454 is formed at a position where the two intersect. A shaft 451 fixed to the door 31 (for example, protruding above the bottom wall of the door 31) and extending in the up-down direction is inserted into the bearing hole 454. That is, the drive member 45 is rotatable on a substantially horizontal plane about the shaft 451 inserted into the bearing hole 454.
[0019]
The front surface of the force receiving portion 452 of the driving member 45 is close to the rear surface of the transmission member 44. When the operating body 6 is in the start position, the rearward surface of the transmission member 44 faces substantially right behind as described above, but the frontward surface of the force receiving portion 452 also faces substantially right front. They are facing each other. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the operating body 6 is rotated clockwise in a plan view from the start position, the left end 441 of the transmission member 44 moves rearward, and Acts on the opposite surface to transmit the operating force to the force receiving portion 452. Then, the received operation force causes the force receiving portion 452 and the driving portion 453 of the driving member 45 to rotate clockwise around the rotation center 451. Conversely, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the operating body 6 is rotated counterclockwise in plan view from the start position, the right end 442 of the transmission member 44 moves rearward, and the force receiving portion 452 Acts on the front surface to transmit the operating force to the force receiving portion 452. Then, by the transmitted operating force, the force receiving portion 452 and the driving portion 453 of the driving member 45 also rotate clockwise around the rotation center 451. That is, even if the operation body 6 is rotated in either direction, the force receiving portion 452 and the driving portion 453 rotate in the same direction. When the door is closed, the latch 43 comes into contact with the edge of the opening 51 so as to be immersed, and the operation of the latch 43 causes the driving member 45 to rotate around the rotation axis 451. The movement is not transmitted to the transmission member 44 because they are separated from each other. That is, the operation body 6 does not come into contact with a part of the door or the like, and noise is less generated when the door is closed.
Further, in the transmission member 44, the distance from the right end 442 acting on the force receiving portion 452 of the driving member 45 to the operation shaft 61 and the distance from the left end 441 acting on the force receiving portion 452 to the operation shaft 61 are as follows. It does not match. This is because the force receiving portion 452 of the driving member 45 and thus the driving portion 453 are substantially displaced (ie, substantially the same) when the operating body 6 is rotated by the substantially same angle from the start position regardless of the rotational operation direction. (It rotates by an angle). That is, the distance from the left end 441 acting on the force receiving portion 452 to the operation shaft 61 at a point of action far from the rotation center 451 of the force receiving portion 452 and the driving portion 453 is relatively long. The distance from the right end 442 acting on the force receiving portion 452 at the point of action close to the rotation center 451 to the operation shaft 61 is set relatively short.
[0020]
The distal end portion of the driving section 453 is disposed in the latch support 42 and engages with the latch 43. In the illustrated example, a pin 455 extending in the vertical direction from the distal end portion of the driving section 453 is provided, and this pin 455 is engaged with a long hole 43 b formed on the plane or lower surface of the latch 43. When the operating body 6 is rotated, the driving portion 453 of the driving member 45 rotates clockwise around the center of rotation 451, and the tip end of the driving portion 453 drives the latch 43 engaged with the pin 455 and the elongated hole 43b. Transmit power.
[0021]
Next, the latch means 41 will be described in detail. The latch support 42 has a flat plate shape, for example, and displaceably supports a latch 43 that engages with the anchoring portion 52 set on the latch receiver 5. The latch support 42 and the latch 43 may be separate members or may be a single member. However, the latch 43 in this embodiment is separate from the latch support 42. Normally, the latch support 42 does not deform and is fixed to the member on which the latch support 42 is provided, that is, the door 31. That is, the latch support 42 moves relative to the furniture main body 2 and thus the latch receiver 5 together with the door 31, and is inserted into the opening 51 of the latch receiver 5 when the door 31 is closed, and the mooring portion set on the latch receiver 5. 52 is positioned.
[0022]
If at least a part of the outer surface of the latch support 42 is configured to engage with the latch receiver 5 when the latch support 42 is positioned so as to face the mooring portion 52, the latch support 42 and the latch support 5 can be used to position the closed door 31 with respect to the furniture body 2. Further, in the illustrated example, a portion on the distal end side of the base of the latch support 42 that engages with the edge of the opening 51 of the latch receiver 5 with the door 31 closed has a tapered shape as compared with the base. Therefore, when closing the door 31, even if the latch support 42 is not always at an appropriate position with respect to the opening 51, the tapered tip portion is first inserted into the opening 51, and then the latch support 42 is moved to the edge of the opening 51. Is inserted to the base while being guided to an appropriate position. As described above, since the latch support 42 is appropriately positioned with respect to the latch receiver 5, even if the latch 43 is relatively small, the latch support 42 can be suitably moored to the latch receiver 5.
[0023]
The latch 43 has an abutment surface 43a that abuts on the mooring portion 52 of the latch receiver 5, and protrudes and retracts in a direction non-parallel to the relative movement direction of the latch support. In the illustrated example, it protrudes and sinks laterally from the latch support 42. However, this does not prevent the latch 43 from protruding or retracting above or below the latch support 42. In the present embodiment, a cavity exists in the latch support 42, and the latch 43 is disposed in the cavity. Further, a slot (slot) 42 a communicating with a cavity in the latch support 42 is formed on an end face (side end face in the illustrated example) of the latch support 42. When the latch 43 is displaced with respect to the latch support 42, a part of the latch 43 protrudes and retracts from the slot 42a. Therefore, the latch 43 is a plate-shaped body having such a thickness that at least a part thereof can be accommodated in the cavity in the latch support 42. The latch 43 is supported by the latch support 42 via a rotation shaft 42b which is also disposed in a cavity in the latch support 42, and rotates relatively to the latch support 42 about the rotation shaft 42b. Can be done. The rotation shaft 42b is arranged at a position relatively near the front end of the latch support 42. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 10, when the latch support 42 is inserted into the opening 51 of the latch receiver 5, the rotation shaft 42 b is positioned deeper than the edge of the opening 51 of the latch receiver 5. That is, as compared with the mooring portion 52 (or an action point P described later), the direction in which the rotating shaft 42b enters the latch support 5 into the latch receiver 5 (upward in FIGS. 5 to 10). , In other words, on the distal end side of the latch support 42.
[0024]
The latch 43 engages with the mooring portion 52 with the latch supporting member 42 facing the mooring portion 52, that is, with the latch supporting member 42 inserted into the opening 51 of the latch receiver 5. An unfolded position S (shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) where the latch support 42 is hooked and latched on the latch receiver 5, and a retreat allowing the latch support 42 to be detached from the latch receiver 5 without engaging with the mooring portion 52. It is displaceable between position E (shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 10). The relative displacement of the latch 43 with respect to the latch support 42 is a movement including rotation, and the center of the rotation is the rotation axis 42b. However, the trajectory of the movement of the latch 43 is not particularly limited. The trajectory of the movement of the latch 43 may be a linear movement, a rotational movement, a combination thereof, or the like.
[0025]
Then, when a force is applied in a direction to move the latch means 41 (or the door 31) relative to the latch receiver 5 in a state where the latch 43 is engaged with the mooring portion 52, the latch means 41 is released. The reaction force F acting on the lever 43 moves in the direction of movement of the latch 43 when displacing from the deployed position S to the retracted position E, that is, along the direction in which the latch 43 at the deployed position S rotates toward the retracted position E. It is configured such that it cannot have the component force of the directional component. Therefore, the reaction force F acting on the contact surface 43a of the latch 43 from the anchoring portion 52 of the latch receiver 5 acts in a direction opposite to the direction in which the engagement between the latch 43 and the anchoring portion 52 is released. The angle of the contact surface 43a is set. Further, in a state where the latch 43 is engaged with the mooring portion 52, the center of rotation of the latch 43 with respect to the latch support 42 is more than the operating point P at which the mooring portion 52 acts on the latch 43. It is located at the inner side along the relative movement direction. In other words, the rotation shaft 42b, which is the center of rotation of the latch 43, is located ahead of the action point P in the direction in which the latch support 42 enters the latch receiver 5 (in other words, the latch 43). The center of rotation is located forward of the action point P along the direction of the force F acting on the latch 43 from the latch receiver 5 at the action point P). Needless to say, this action point P exists on the contact surface 43a.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 5, the reaction force F can be regarded as a resultant force of a component F1 directed from the point of action P toward the center of rotation and a component F2 directed from the point of action P in a direction parallel to the contact surface 43a. it can. A component F2 that is directed from the point of action P in a direction parallel to the contact surface 43a is a force that acts in a direction that causes the latch 43 to move from the retracted position E to the deployed position S. Therefore, if the friction between the latch 43 and the mooring portion 52 is sufficiently large and the latch 43 does not slide with respect to the mooring portion 52, the latch means 41 is moved from the latch receiver 5 while the latch 43 is engaged with the mooring portion 52. In a case where the latch 43 is to be detached, the latch 43 tends to protrude further than the latch support 42. That is, the latch 43 attempts to rotate further beyond the deployed position S, but when a predetermined portion of the latch 43 comes into contact with the inner wall surface or the like of the latch support member 42, or the driving member 45 engaged with the latch 43 By stopping the latch 43, further displacement is suppressed. As a result, since the engagement between the latch 43 and the mooring portion 52 is further strengthened, the latch means 41 is not accidentally detached from the latch receiver 5.
[0027]
Further, in the present embodiment, the outer edge of the latch 43 near the action point P, in other words, the surface shape of the contact surface 43a is changed to a substantially partial arc shape (partially cylindrical curved surface shape) substantially corresponding to the locus of rotation with respect to the latch support 42. The latch 43 can be smoothly displaced between the deployed position S and the retracted position E, and when the latch 43 is engaged with the mooring portion 52, It is possible to minimize play and rattling during the game. Further, the fact that the contact surface 43a is a cylindrical curved surface having the diameter of a line segment connecting the rotation shaft 42b, which is the center of rotation, and the action point P means that the rotation force from the action point P out of the component force of the reaction force F described above. Is not acting to rotate the latch 43. Therefore, even if the friction between the latch 43 and the mooring portion 52 is small and the latch 43 may slip with respect to the mooring portion 52, the latch 43 may rotate from the deployed position S toward the retracted position E. Things are unlikely to happen. That is, it is not necessary to pay special attention to the coefficient of static friction between the latch 43 and the mooring portion 52.
[0028]
Generally speaking, when the user pulls the operation lever 62 while the door 31 is closed, the operation shaft 61 rotates around the axis, and the transmission member 44 interlocks with the operation shaft 61 to move the operation shaft 61 to the center. To rotate. Then, the transmission member 44 fixed to the operation shaft 61 selectively causes one of the both ends 441 and 442 to act on the force receiving portion 452 of the drive member 45 to drive the operation force applied to the operation body 6. It is transmitted to the member 45. The drive member 45 that receives the transmission of the operation force via the force receiving portion 452 rotates in the same direction regardless of the rotation direction of the operation body 6. The drive section 453 of the drive member 45 is engaged with the latch 43 and transmits the operation force applied to the operation lever 62 as a drive force for displacing the latch 43 in the same direction. As a result, the latch 43 is displaced from the deployed position S toward the retracted position E.
[0029]
That is, in the present embodiment, the transmission member 44 and the driving member 45 constitute a driving mechanism for driving the latch 43, and displace the latch 43 in conjunction with the operation on the operating body 6, and retract the latch 43 to the retreat position E. Let it. The user can release the engagement between the latch 43 and the mooring section 52 and open the door 31 by driving the operation body 6.
[0030]
Incidentally, it is preferable that the urging force in the direction in which the latch 43 moves from the retreat position E to the deployed position S be applied directly or indirectly to the latch 43. The urging means 46 for applying an urging force to the latch 43 is typically an elastic urging means represented by a spring such as a torsion coil spring or a leaf spring. In the present embodiment, the urging means 46 is provided to apply an urging force to (the driving unit 453 of) the driving member 45. When the operating force is not applied to the operating body 6, that is, when the operating force is not transmitted to the driving member 45, the driving member 45 returns to the initial position shown in FIG. . Moreover, at this time, the front surface of the force receiving portion 452 of the driving member 45 transmits the urging force of the urging means 46 to the transmission member 44, and returns the transmission member 44, the operation shaft 61, and the operation lever 62 to the start position. . Positioning of the operating lever 62 to the start position does not depend on contact between the operating lever 62 and the inner surface of the recess 311 of the door 31. Therefore, when the door 31 is closed or when the user releases his / her finger from the operation lever 62, the operation lever 62 that has returned to the start position and the inner surface of the recess 311 do not collide with each other and generate noise. However, the urging means 46 may be disposed inside the latch support 42 or may be disposed outside the latch support 42. Further, the latch 43 may be indirectly biased by applying a biasing force to the operation body 6 or a member constituting the drive mechanism 44.
[0031]
According to the present embodiment, the operating body 6 includes the operating shaft 61 that rotates around the axis and the operating lever 62 that is attached to a predetermined portion of the operating shaft 61, and that can be operated to rotate forward and backward from the start position. And a latch 43 having a latch 43 displaced in conjunction with the rotation of the operating body 6 and a drive mechanism interposed between the operating body 6 and the latch 43, wherein fingers are provided on both sides of the operating lever 62. A finger insertion space 312 for inserting and operating the operation lever 62 is provided, and furthermore, the operation force transmitted from the operation body 6 in each case where the drive mechanism rotates in a direction opposite to the start position is used. Since the driving force is converted to a driving force for displacing the latch 43 in the same direction and transmitted to the latch 43, regardless of whether the rotational operation direction of the operation lever 62 is the forward direction or the reverse direction. It can be displaced latch 43 in the required direction. That is, the operation of opening the door 31 can be performed by rotating the operation lever 62 in any direction, and the operation can be easily performed by a right-handed user or a left-handed user. In addition, it is more convenient for a user having a handicap. In addition, since the finger insertion spaces 312 are provided on both sides of the operation lever 62, it is easy to put a finger on the operation lever 62 from either side.
[0032]
A transmission member 44 fixed to the operation body 6 and rotated about the operation shaft 61; a force receiving portion 452 for receiving an operation force transmitted from the transmission member 44; And a driving unit 453 that drives the latch by moving due to the received operating force. In each case where the operating body 6 rotates in a direction opposite to the starting position, the driving unit 453 The latch is displaced in the same direction by selectively operating one of the two ends 441 and 442 of the transmission member 44 and moving the drive unit 453 in the same direction. The operation of the operation lever 62 in both directions can be enabled.
[0033]
The force receiving portion 452 is simple because it rotates in the same direction around a predetermined rotation center 451 in each case where the operating body 6 rotates in a direction opposite to the start position. In addition, since the receiving portion 452 is fixed to the driving portion 453 and the receiving portion 452 and the driving portion 453 are integrated, the configuration of the driving mechanism can be further simplified.
[0034]
Further, since the displacement of the latch 43 is a movement including a rotation about an axis 42b substantially parallel to the operation shaft 61, it is possible to save a space area required by the drive mechanism.
[0035]
The latch 43 is provided on one member 31, and the latch receiver 5 that engages with the latch 43 is provided on the other member 2, and the engagement between the latch 43 and the latch receiver 5 causes one member 31 to be connected to the other member 31. The operation body 6 is provided so as to be able to be moored to the member 2 and the operation body 6 is rotatably operated on one of the one member 31 and the other member 2. While allowing any one of the members 31 to be rotatably supported, a recess 311 is formed on the outer surface of the one of the members 31, and at least a part of the operation lever 62 is accommodated in the recess 311, so that the operation lever 62 is formed. Since the finger insertion spaces 312 for inserting the finger between any of the members 31 and operating the operation lever 62 are provided on both sides of the operation lever 62, the operation lever 62 can be easily operated from each side. That. Moreover, when the operation lever 62 is not operated, that is, when the door 31 as one member is closed, the operation lever 62 does not interfere. The latch device according to the present embodiment includes a furniture main body 2 (another member) having a space 22 capable of storing various articles therein, and a lid 31 (a member) for opening or closing the space 22. It is applied to at least the furnishing furniture 1 provided, and functions to moor the lid 31 to the furniture main body 2 in a detachable manner.
[0036]
Further, according to the present embodiment, the latch support 42 moves relative to the latch receiver 5, the unfolded position S at which the latch support 42 is hooked on the latch receiver 5, and the latch support 42. A latch device includes a latch 43 that can be displaced between a retracted position E that allows detachment and a driving mechanism 44 that displaces the movable element 43 in conjunction with an operation on a predetermined operation body 6. Therefore, the latch support 42 can be hooked on the latch receiver 5 via the latch 43. More specifically, a latch support 42 that moves relative to the latch receiver 5 and can be positioned so as to face the anchoring portion 52 set on the latch receiver 5, and is supported by the latch support 42, With the latch support 42 facing the mooring portion 52, the latch position is engaged with the mooring portion 52 to latch the latch support 42 on the latch receiver 5, and the latch receiver is not engaged with the mooring portion 52. 5, a latch 43 that can be displaced between a retracted position E where the latch support 42 is allowed to be detached and a drive mechanism 44 that displaces the latch 43 in conjunction with an operation on a predetermined operation body 6. Since the latch device is provided, the role of switching between engagement with the latch receiver 5 and its release and the role of positioning with respect to the latch receiver 5 can be shared. When latching the latch means 41 on the latch receiver 5, only the latch 43 can be displaced and engaged with the latch receiver 5. Therefore, the latch means 41 can be latched with a small operation, and the noise generated at that time is reduced. Further, damage to the latch receiver 5, the latch means 41, and other various members and mechanisms can be reduced. Further, by separating the functions into the latch 43 and the latch support 42, the play and the amount of play of the door 31 in the state where the door 31 is closed can be reduced by the machining of the latch receiver 5, the latch support 42 and the latch 43. It is determined by the precision, and the influence of the processing precision of the door 31 and the furniture body 2 is reduced. Therefore, by increasing the processing accuracy of the latch support 42 with respect to the latch receiver 5, the position of the latch 43 with respect to the latch support 42, and the position of the center of rotation to reduce the error, the latch support is improved. The body 42 can be hooked on the latch receiver 5 with high precision, and play and rattling in a state where the door 31 is closed can be reduced. It is easier to improve the processing accuracy of the latch receiver 5, the latch support 42, and the latch 43 as compared with reducing the error with respect to the design dimensions of the door 31 and the entire furniture body 2. In particular, if the latch receiver 5, the latch support 42, and the latch 43 are made of, for example, resin, it can be finished with higher precision than the bending process for a sheet metal material. From the above, it is possible to design such that play and rattling when the latch means 41 is hung on the latch receiver 5 are minimized.
[0037]
If the latch 43 protrudes and retracts from the latch support 42, control of the relative positional relationship between the latch means 41 and the latch receiver 5, and thus control of the positional relationship between the door 31 and the furniture body 2 Is mainly carried by the latch support member 42, and the load on the latch 43 and the driving mechanism 44 for driving the latch 43 can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to position the door 31 with respect to the furniture main body 2 when the door 31 is closed by utilizing the engagement between the latch support 42 and the latch receiver 5.
[0038]
When the latch support 42 is hung on the latch receiver 5, the outer surface of the latch support 42 comes into contact with or close to the edge of the opening 51 of the latch receiver 5, and the relative position of the latch support 42 with respect to the latch receiver 5 is determined. In such a configuration, the closed door 31 can be suitably positioned with respect to the furniture main body 2, and the rattling of the closed door 31 with respect to the furniture main body 2 can be further reduced.
[0039]
Furthermore, if the latch 43 at the retracted position E is configured to be substantially accommodated in the latch support 42, the latch 43 is protected by the latch support 42, so that the latch means 41 At the time of removal, it is possible to prevent the latch 43 from interfering with other members and hindering. Further, the latch can be firmly attached to the latch support, which leads to improvement in strength.
[0040]
The fact that at least a part of the components of the drive mechanism 44 is accommodated in the latch support body 42 contributes to prevention of failure, improvement of appearance, effective use of space, and the like.
[0041]
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The latch device according to the present invention can be suitably used for mooring one member to another member. That is, the latch receiver 5 is provided on one of the one member and the other member, and the latch device is provided on the other, and the two can be detachably connected via the latch receiver 5 and the latch device. . In particular, the storage furniture 1 includes at least a furniture main body 2 in which a space 21 capable of storing various articles is provided, and a lid 31 that opens or closes the space 21, and includes the furniture main body 2 and members. By providing the latch receiver 5 on one side and the latch device on the other, it is effective to apply the lid 31 to the furniture main body 2 so as to be able to be freely engaged and disengaged.
[0042]
Further, according to the present embodiment, the latch 43 that can be displaced between the deployed position S engaged with the mooring portion 52 set on the latch receiver 5 and the retracted position E not engaged with the mooring portion 52 is included. In a latch device comprising a latch means 41 which can be hooked on a latch receiver 5 and a drive mechanism 44 for displacing the latch 43 in response to an operation on a predetermined operation body 6, the mooring portion 52 includes the latch 43 When a force in the direction of relative movement is applied from the latch receiver 5 to detach the latch means 41 from the latch receiver 5 in the state of engagement, the reaction force F acting on the latch 43 is retracted from the developed position S. Since it is configured not to have a component force of a directional component along the direction of movement of the latch 43 when displaced to the position E, more specifically, the latch 43 is engaged with the mooring portion 52. The reaction force F acting on the contact surface 43a of the latch 43 which is in contact with the mooring portion 52 in a state in which the latch 43 is engaged acts in a direction opposite to the direction in which the latch 43 disengages from the mooring portion 52. In addition, since the angle of the contact surface 43a is set, the engagement between the mooring portion 52 and the latch 43 is released when the latch means 41 hooked on the latch receiver 5 is to be detached as it is. The latch 43 can be prevented from being displaced in any direction, and the structural stability in a state where the latch means 41 is hung on the latch receiver 5 can be secured. This is effective for designing to minimize play and rattling when the latch means 41 is hooked on the latch receiver 5.
[0043]
The displacement of the latch 43 is a movement including rotation, and the center of the rotation is higher than the action point P where the mooring portion 52 acts on the latch 43 in a state where the latch 43 is engaged with the mooring portion 52. If the latch 43 is configured to be located at the inner side along the relative movement direction, geometrically, when the latch 43 is displaced, the trajectory drawn by the outer edge of the latch 43 is set on the latch receiver 52. Can be approached. Not only that, the outer edge of the latch 43 slides on the mooring portion 52 of the latch receiver 5 to perform a toggle action that exerts a large force on the mooring portion 52, thereby engaging the latch 43 with the latch receiver 5, and thus furniture. It is also possible to make the mooring of the door 31 to the main body 2 strong. Therefore, it is possible to minimize play and rattling when the latch means 41 is hooked on the latch receiver 5.
[0044]
If the outer edge of the latch 43 in the vicinity of the action point P, in other words, the surface shape of the contact surface 43a is a substantially partial arc (partially cylindrical curved surface) substantially corresponding to the rotation trajectory, By displacing the latch 43, the latch 43 can be smoothly engaged with the mooring portion 52 of the latch receiver 5, and the latch 43 engaged with the mooring portion 52 can be smoothly disengaged by displacing the latch 43. . Moreover, at this time, a suitable design that minimizes play and rattling can be realized.
[0045]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in detail above. In particular, various configurations of the drive mechanism for displacing the latch can be considered in addition to the configuration in the above embodiment.
[0046]
The latch is not necessarily located within the latch support. For example, the latch device according to the present invention can be configured by rotatably supporting the latch on the outer surface of the latch support via a rotation shaft.
[0047]
In the above embodiment, the mooring portion of the latch receiver is set near the peripheral portion on the back surface side of the opening, more precisely, near the edge where the back surface side of the opening edge and the inner surface of the opening intersect. However, the setting position of the mooring portion of the latch receiver is not limited to the above-described mode. For example, the mooring portion is set on the inner surface of the opening (particularly, the latch engages with a recess formed on the inner surface of the opening). Something like that is also possible. Further, an opening is not necessarily formed in the latch receiver. For example, a configuration in which a protruding body projecting inward from the inner surface of the housing, such as an existing cabinet or wagon, is used as a latch receiver, and a latch provided on a drawer that is put in and taken out of the housing is hooked on the latch receiver. It can also be.
[0048]
The latch device according to the present invention can also be used for mooring a drawer that can be taken in and out of a housing such as a cabinet or a wagon. For example, as shown in the figure, it is possible to apply the latch device according to the present invention by providing a latch receiver 5 on a cabinet 7 as a furniture body and a latch device on a drawer 8, respectively. The driving mechanism at this time can be configured by applying the driving mechanism provided to the door 31 described above, and thus the description is omitted here.
[0049]
Moreover, it does not prevent applying the latch device according to the present invention to something other than the storage furniture.
[0050]
In addition, the specific configuration of each unit is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention described in detail above, the operation of releasing the latch and opening the door or the like can be performed more easily.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of storage furniture according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the same.
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing an operation body and a finger insertion space.
FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view showing an operating body, a driving mechanism, and a latch.
FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view showing the latch device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the operation of the latch device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view showing the latch device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the operation of the latch device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a plan sectional view showing the latch device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the operation of the latch device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a partial side view showing a modification of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
43 ... Latch
6 ... Operation body
61 ... Operation axis
62 ... Operation lever
312 ... finger insertion space

Claims

An operating body that has an operating shaft that rotates around the axis and an operating lever attached to a predetermined portion of the operating shaft, and that is rotatable in both directions from a start position;
A latch that is displaced in conjunction with the rotation of the operating body,
A drive mechanism interposed between the operating body and the latch,
A latch device provided with a finger insertion space for inserting a finger and operating the operation lever on both sides of the operation lever,
The driving mechanism converts an operating force transmitted from the operating body to a driving force for displacing the latch in the same direction and transmits the operating force to the latch in each case where the operating body rotates in a direction opposite to the start position. Latching device.

The drive mechanism includes a transmission member fixed to the operation body and rotating around the operation shaft, a force receiving portion receiving transmission of an operation force from the transmission member, and an operation force received by the force reception portion. In each case, when the operating body rotates in a direction opposite to the start position, any one of both ends of the transmission member is selected as the force receiving portion. The latch device according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit moves in the same direction.

An operating body that has an operating shaft that rotates around the axis and an operating lever attached to a predetermined portion of the operating shaft, and that is rotatable in both directions from a start position;
A latch that is displaced in conjunction with the rotation of the operating body,
A latch device including a drive mechanism interposed between the operation body and the latch,
The drive mechanism is configured such that a transmission member fixed to the operation body and rotated about the operation shaft, a force receiving portion receiving an operation force transmitted from the transmission member, and an operation force received by the force reception portion A drive unit that moves to drive the latch,
In each case where the operating body rotates in a direction opposite to the start position, one of the two ends of the transmission member selectively acts on the force receiving portion, and the driving unit moves in the same direction. apparatus.

In each case where the operating body rotates in a direction opposite to the activation position, the force receiving portion rotates in the same direction around a predetermined center of rotation, and the driving portion moves in the same direction. 4. The latch device according to 3.

The latch device according to claim 2, wherein the force receiving portion is fixed to the driving portion.

6. The latch device according to claim 1, wherein the displacement of the latch is a movement including rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the operation axis.

One member is provided with the latch, another member is provided with a latch receiver that engages with the latch, so that one member can be anchored to another member by engagement of the latch with the latch receiver, and An operating body is rotatably provided on any one of the one member and the other member,
While allowing the operation shaft to be rotatably supported by any of the members,
A recess is formed in the outer surface of any of the members, and at least a part of the operation lever is accommodated in the recess, whereby a finger is inserted between the operation lever and any of the members to operate the operation lever. 7. The latch device according to claim 1, wherein the finger insertion space is provided on both sides of the operation lever.