JP2013052164A - Caster and leg base - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a caster and a leg base capable of suppressing forcible moving operation in a locked state, and further, smoothly performing operation of an operation member.SOLUTION: A caster 6 includes: a caster body 62; wheels 63 pivotally fixed to the caster body 62; and a brake mechanism 64 configured to lock the wheels 63 to the caster body 62 when operating an operation member 7 to a lower position and release the locked state when operating the operation member 7 to an upper position. The operation member 7 includes an upper operation piece 73 and a lower operation piece 74 arranged in a vertical direction at intervals. The lower operation piece 74 is close to a floor surface in an attitude standing with respect thereto in a lower position at which the wheels 63 are locked to the caster body 62.

Description

  The present invention relates to a caster suitably used for moving furniture and the like, and a leg base provided with the caster.

  Conventionally, as this type of caster, a caster main body capable of turning with respect to a mounting shaft, a wheel pivotally attached to the caster main body, and an arm-like operation member when the operation member is operated to a predetermined lock position, the wheel And a brake mechanism configured to release the locked state when the operating member is operated to a predetermined unlocking position. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

  However, in such a configuration, since the position of the operation member is slightly changed to lock or unlock, it can be determined at a glance whether the caster is locked or unlocked. It is difficult to distinguish. For this reason, there is a possibility that the caster is damaged or the floor surface is damaged by forcibly moving the caster even though the caster is locked.

  As one measure for solving such a problem, for example, the operation member is set so as to be close to the floor surface when the caster is locked, and the caster cannot be moved in that state. It is conceivable that the user can visually recognize the user. However, since the conventional operation member has a single arm shape as described above, if the operation member is brought close to the floor surface in the locked position, the operation member is operated in the unlocked position. This leads to a problem that it is difficult to do.

JP 2005-34334 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a caster and a leg base that can suppress a forcible moving operation in a locked state and can smoothly operate an operation member.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above-described problems. That is, the caster according to the present invention includes a caster main body that is capable of turning with respect to the mounting shaft, a wheel that is pivotally attached to the caster main body, and the wheel when the operating member is operated to a lower position. And a brake mechanism configured to release the locked state when the operation member is operated to an upper position, and the operation member is spaced vertically. The upper operation piece and the lower operation piece are arranged with a gap, and the lower operation piece stands on the floor surface at the lower position where the wheel is locked to the caster body. It is comprised so that it may adjoin.

  Here, the “locked state” in which the wheel is locked with respect to the caster body is not only the case where the wheel does not move at all with respect to the caster body, but also the braking that moves when the wheel is forcibly moved with respect to the caster body. It is a concept that includes the case of calling.

  In such a case, since the lower operation piece is close to the floor surface in the locked position at the lower position, the locked state can be visually recognized. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the movement operation from being forcibly performed. In addition, since the operation of releasing the locked state can be performed using the upper operation piece provided above the lower operation piece, the operation member can be operated smoothly.

  The upper operation piece is preferably configured so as to have a substantially horizontal posture at a lower position where the wheel is locked with respect to the caster body.

  If the upper operation piece has a notation indicating that it is in a locked state on the surface facing upward in the lower position, in combination with the operation member taking the posture described above in the locked state, The user can recognize the lock state.

  As a preferable aspect of the leg base provided with the casters described above, the leg base is provided with a base main body and the caster according to claim 1, 2 or 3 attached to the base main body. A caster mounting portion having a shape in which a lower edge is cut out so as to form a caster accommodating space is provided, and the caster is rotatably mounted on the caster mounting portion. Can be mentioned.

  It is preferable that the caster housing space has a size that allows the operation member to be always operated.

  A preferred embodiment is one in which the base body is mainly composed of a sheet metal material, and at least the caster mounting portion includes a resin cover that covers the material end surface.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, a caster and a leg base that can suppress the forcible movement operation in the locked state and can smoothly operate the operation member are provided. Can be provided.

The external view which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The front view. The external view of the principal part. The right side view. The other right view. XX sectional drawing of the principal part concerning FIG. Operation | movement explanatory drawing which concerns on FIG. The disassembled perspective view of the principal part which concerns on the same embodiment. The right view of the principal part which concerns on the same embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram of a main part according to FIG. Structure explanatory drawing of the principal part which concerns on the same embodiment. Structure explanatory drawing of the principal part which concerns on the same embodiment. The YY sectional view taken on the line which concerns on FIG. FIG. The external view of the principal part which concerns on the same embodiment. Operation | movement explanatory drawing which concerns on FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the table T can flap the top plate 2 between the use position (P) and the stowed storage position (Q), and at least the use position (P The top plate 2 can be locked so that the flap operation is impossible. That is, the table T has a movable leg 1 that forms a pair of left and right and a mounting frame 21 that has an opening 211 on the leg 1 and pivots the mounting frame 21 to the use position (P) and the stowed storage position (Q ), A locking mechanism 22 provided in the mounting frame 21 of the top plate 2 for locking the top plate 2 at least in the use position (P), This is mainly composed of the handle 23 provided so as to block a part of the opening 211.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each leg 1 includes a leg base 3, a support column 4 erected at an intermediate position of the leg base 3, and a support fixed to the upper end portion 4 a of the support column 4 via screws. And a member 9. The left and right legs 1 are rigidly connected by a horizontal member S laid between the support members 9. The leg base 3 includes a base body 5, a first caster 6 attached to the use end 2a side of the base body 5, and a second caster 8 attached to the counter-use end 2b side of the base body 5. It is equipped with.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, and 10, the base body 5 has a shape in which a lower edge is cut out to form caster housing spaces 55 and 56. The caster mounting portion 51 and the caster mounting portion 52 on the counter-use end side are provided, and the first caster 6 is pivotably mounted on the caster mounting portion 51 on the use end side. The second caster 8 is pivotably attached to the caster attachment portion 52 on the use end side. More specifically, the base body 5 is mainly composed of a sheet metal material, and at least the caster mounting portions 51 and 52 are provided with resin covers 57 and 58 covering the material end surfaces. Specifically, the base body 5 is formed by forming a sheet metal material into a channel shape that opens downward, and caster mounting seats 51a and 52a having nuts 51b and 52b are welded to the caster mounting portions 51 and 52, respectively. Further, a column reinforcing plate 53 a for reinforcing the column 4 is attached to the intermediate portion 53. The top wall 54 of the base body 5 has a curved shape that bulges upward. Further, the caster accommodating space 55 on the use end side has a size that allows the operation member 7 to be operated at all times. The caster accommodating space 56 on the counter-use end side is set to a size necessary and sufficient to allow the second caster 8 to turn. The first cover 57 facing the caster housing space 55 on the use end 2a side includes a cover main body 57a that includes the material end face and covers the entire lower surface of the caster mounting portion 51 on the use end side of the base body 5, and the cover main body 57a. A tip cap 57b that is provided integrally and covers an end surface of the base body 5 on the use end 2a side is provided. The second cover 58 facing the caster housing space 56 on the counter-use end 2b side includes a cover main body 58a including the material end face and covering the entire lower surface of the caster mounting portion 52 on the counter-use end 2b side of the base body 5, and this cover. A tip cap 58b that is provided integrally with the main body 58a and covers the end surface of the base body 5 on the side opposite to the use end 2b.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 to 16, the first caster 6 includes a caster main body 62 capable of turning with respect to the mounting shaft 61, a wheel 63 pivotally attached to the caster main body 62, and a solid line in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, when the operating member 7 is operated to the lower position (D), the wheel 63 is locked with respect to the caster body 62, and the operating member 7 is moved upward as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. And a brake mechanism 64 configured to release the locked state when operated to the position (U). The caster body 62 is configured to be able to turn in the horizontal direction with respect to the mounting shaft 61 mounted on the caster mounting seat 51 a of the base body 5, and includes a support shaft 62 a for supporting the wheel 63. A pair of wheels 63 are rotatably provided at both ends of the support shaft 62a. The brake mechanism 64 is supported on the caster body 62 via the horizontal shaft 75b so as to be pivotable in the vertical direction, and on the inner periphery of the rim 63a of the wheel 63 as the manipulation member 7 rotates. A pin-shaped locking member 66 that comes in contact with and separates from, an internal gear 65 provided on the inner periphery of the rim 63a to be engaged with the locking member 66, and the operating member 7 are moved to the upper position (U). Or the moderation member 67 for hold | maintaining stably in the lower position (D) is comprised. The operation member 7 includes an upper operation piece 73 and a lower operation piece 74 that are spaced apart in the vertical direction, and in the lower position (D) where the wheel 63 is locked to the caster body 62. The lower operation piece 74 is configured to come close to the floor surface in an upright posture. More specifically, the operating member 7 includes an arm portion 71 having a base end portion 75 supported by the caster main body 62 via a shaft 75b, and a plate-like intermediate portion provided at the rotating end of the arm portion 71. Part 72, an upper operation piece 73 provided on the upper side of the intermediate part 72, and a lower operation piece 74 provided on the lower side of the intermediate part 72, and formed integrally with a synthetic resin. Has been. The upper operation piece 73 is operated with the surface facing downward at the lower position (D) as the main operation surface 76, and the lower operation piece 74 is operated mainly with the surface facing upward at the upper position (U). The surface 78 is operated. The main operation surface 78 of the lower operation piece 74 is set so as to be substantially upright with respect to the floor surface at the lower position (D). The main operation surface 78 is provided with a concavo-convex portion 78a for prompting the operation and suppressing slipping during the operation. On the other hand, the upper operation piece 73 is configured to have a substantially horizontal posture at a lower position (D) where the wheel 63 is locked with respect to the caster body 62. That is, the main operation surface 76 of the upper operation piece 73 is set to face downward at the lower position (D). Further, a notation 77a indicating that the upper operation piece 73 is in a locked state is provided on a surface facing upward at the lower position (D), that is, a surface 77 on the back side with respect to the main operation surface 76. Specifically, the characters “LOCK” are described. In addition, the width dimension of the upper operation piece 73, the lower operation piece 74, and the intermediate part 72 is set to a value close to the full width dimension of the first caster 6. The locking member 66 is a pin-shaped member penetrating at a position eccentric from the shaft in the base end portion 75 of the operation member 7, and both end portions thereof face the inner periphery of the rim 63 a of both wheels 63. Yes. When the operating member 7 is operated to the lower position (D), the locking member 66 moves in the direction of the rim 63a of the wheel 63 and engages with the internal gear 65. The wheel 63 is locked with respect to the caster main body 62. On the other hand, when the operating member 7 is operated to the upper position (U), the locking member 66 moves in a direction away from the rim 63a of the wheel 63, and the locked state is released. The moderation member 67 is a leaf spring formed integrally with the caster main body 62 and elastically contacts a cam surface 75a formed on the outer periphery of the base end portion 75 of the arm portion 71 of the operation member 7 to exhibit a moderation function. It ’s what you get. 11 and 12 show a state in which one wheel 63 is removed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 9, the second caster 8 includes a caster main body 82 that can rotate with respect to the mounting shaft 81, and a wheel 83 that is pivotally attached to the caster main body 82. The above-mentioned brake mechanism is not provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1-8, the support | pillar 4 is the metal thing which makes a pipe shape, for example, and is attached to the ceiling wall 54 and the support | pillar reinforcement board 53a of the leg base 3 by welding etc. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the support member 9 is made of, for example, a thick sheet metal, and includes a first locking portion 91 for locking the top plate 2 to the use position (P), And a second locking portion 92 for holding the plate 2 in the storage position (Q).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the top plate 2 is obtained by fixing attachment frames 21 to lower surfaces of both left and right end portions of a rectangular top plate main body 20, for example.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the mounting frame 21 includes a base wall 212 fixed to the lower surface of the top plate 2 with screws (not shown), and inner walls suspended from the left and right side edges of the base wall 212. 213 and an outer wall 214, and an opening 211 opened downward is formed between the lower edge of the inner wall 213 and the lower edge of the outer wall 214. The outer wall 214 of the mounting frame 21 is pivotally attached to the support member 9 of the leg 1 via a main shaft 215 so as to be rotatable.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the lock mechanism 22 is selectively engaged with either the first locking portion 91 or the second locking portion 92 provided on the support member 9 of the leg 1. The combination 222, the spring 225 that urges the engagement element 222 toward the support member 9, the lever 223 for operating the engagement element 222 against the urging force of the spring 225, and the movement of the lever 223 And a transmission mechanism 224 for transmitting to the engagement element 222. The engaging element 222 is supported by the outer wall 214 of the mounting frame 21 via the shaft 221, and rotates so that the distal end portion is in contact with and away from the supporting member 9. In the present embodiment, a lock mechanism 22 is provided in each of the right mounting frame 21 and the left mounting frame 21, and an engaging element 222 in the right mounting frame 21 and an engaging element in the left mounting frame 21. 222 is coupled via an interlocking member R so as to be interlocked. The lever 223 is for unlocking provided at a position near the use end 2 a on the lower surface of the top plate 2, and is rotated in a direction in which the lever 223 comes into contact with or separates from the top plate 2. Specifically, the lever 223 is provided in the vicinity of the corner portion 2c where the use end 2a and the side edge 2d of the top plate 2 intersect, and rotates on the inner wall 213 and the outer wall 214 of the mounting frame 21. The rotary shaft 227 is supported so as to be supported. The lever 223 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin, and has a shape in which the tip side is gradually curved away from the top plate 2, and can be rotated by pressing upward not only with fingers but also with the back of the hand. ing. The transmission mechanism 224 includes the rotating shaft 227 that rotates integrally with the lever 223, a rotating arm 228 having a base end fixed to the rotating shaft 227, one end pivotally attached to the rotating arm 228, and the other end. A link member 229 pivotally attached to an intermediate portion of the engaging element 222, and the lever 223 is rotated in a direction approaching the top plate 2 to move the rotating arm 228 to the rotating shaft. By rotating with the link member 229 and pulling the engagement element 222 by the link member 229, the engagement element 222 is rotated in a direction away from the support member 9 against the urging force of the spring 225. Yes. The transmission mechanism 224 is arranged in the left and right mounting frames 21 similarly to the engagement element 222. Correspondingly, the lever 223 has a use end 2a of the top plate 2 and one side edge 2d. It is provided in the vicinity of the intersecting corner portion 2c and in the vicinity of the corner portion 2c where the use end 2a of the top plate 2 and the other side edge 2d intersect. The opening 211 of the mounting frame 21 configured as described above is closed by the handle 23 and the cover 24.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the handle 23 is made of a synthetic resin having a loop shape provided so as to block a part of the opening 211, that is, the front half. Specifically, the handle 23 includes a handle body 231, a closing portion 232 that is provided integrally with the handle body 231 and closes the opening 211, and extends from one side edge of the closing portion 232 along the outer surface of the inner wall 213. An extension portion 233 extending in the direction of the top plate 2, and a mounting portion 234 that is integrally provided at the tip edge of the extension portion 233 and is attached to the lower surface of the top plate 2. 234 is fixed to the top plate 2 by being fixed to the top plate 2 with screws or the like. A cover positioning portion 235 for preventing the use end of the cover 24 from being lifted is provided on the side of the handle body 231 opposite to the use end 2b. Specifically, the cover positioning portion 235 is formed of a recessed portion having a polygonal opening shape, for example. The handle 23 is provided adjacent to the lever 223 at a position close to the use end 2a of the top plate 2, and specifically, a corner portion where the use end 2a of the top plate 2 and the side edge 2d intersect. It is provided in the vicinity of 2c. That is, the handle 23 that can be put on the hand is disposed closer to the center in the left-right direction than the adjacent lever 223, and is closer to the lever 223 than the lever 223 at the use position (P). It has a dimension that protrudes downward. In other words, the handle 23 serves as a protective projection for preventing the lever 223 from being erroneously operated by a user's leg or the like. The handle 23 is provided in the vicinity of each of the left and right levers 223. Specifically, the left and right handles 23 intersect the use end 2a of the top plate 2 and one side edge 2d. It is provided in the vicinity of the corner portion 2c and in the vicinity of the corner portion 2c where the use end 2a of the top plate 2 and the other side edge 2d intersect.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the cover 24 is made of a synthetic resin provided so as to block a part of the opening 211, that is, the latter half. Specifically, the cover 24 includes a lower closing portion 241 that closes the downward opening portion 211 in the mounting frame 21, a side closing portion 242 that extends from the inner edge of the lower closing portion 241 in the direction of the top plate 2, The side closing portion 242 is provided with an attachment portion 243 that is integrally provided on the side opposite to the use end 2b at the leading edge of the side closing portion 242, and is attached to the lower surface of the top plate 2. It is fixed to the top plate 2 by being fastened to the plate 2. The lower closing part 241 has a hollow box shape, and its outer surface is formed so as to be continuous with the outer surface of the handle 23. The end surface on the side of the use end 2a is connected to the cover positioning part 235 of the handle 23. Engaging engaging portions 244 are provided. Specifically, the engaging portion 244 is a polygonal columnar protrusion that fits into the cover positioning portion 235. The lower closing portion 241 is provided with a slit 245 for avoiding interference with the support member 9. Further, the side blocking portion 242 includes a first cutout portion 246 for avoiding interference with the horizontal member S, and a second cutout portion 247 for avoiding interference with the interlocking member R. Is provided.

  In the present embodiment, a curtain plate M is provided in the vicinity of the counter-use end 2b of the top plate 2. The curtain plate M is a flat plate, and the upper end edge M1 is pivotally supported at the tip of the bracket 26 provided on the top plate 2 and the lower end edge M2 is supported by the support column 4 via the link member 41. Since the movement of the curtain plate M is the same as that of a normal one, the description thereof is omitted. Further, a luggage receiver 25 is provided on the lower surface side of the top plate 2 by attaching a curved pipe.

  In the table T configured as described above, the operation member 7 and the lever 223 of the first caster 6 are provided with a color tone different from the color tone applied to the table T. Specifically, the color of the table T is mainly designed based on silver and gray, but the operation member 7 and the lever 223 are colored yellow.

  As described above, the first caster 6 according to the present embodiment includes a caster body 62 that can be swiveled with respect to the mounting shaft 61, a pair of wheels 63 that are pivotally attached to the caster body 62, and When the operation member 7 is operated to the lower position (D), the wheel 63 is locked with respect to the caster main body 62, and when the operation member 7 is operated to the upper position (U), the locked state is released. The operation member 7 includes an upper operation piece 73 and a lower operation piece 74 that are spaced apart in the vertical direction. In the locked position, the lower operation piece 74 is configured to approach the floor surface in the lower position (D) where the wheel 63 is locked to the caster body 62. Forced move On can be suppressed that would perform work, it is possible to smoothly perform the operation of the operation member 7.

  More specifically, in the lower position (D) where the wheel 63 is locked with respect to the caster main body 62, the posture in which the lower operation piece 74 of the operation member 7 stands up with respect to the floor surface, in other words, approximately Since they are approaching in an upright posture, the user can visually recognize that the first caster 6 is not movable relative to the floor surface. Therefore, an excessive force acts on the wheel 63 and the brake mechanism 64 of the first caster 6 in order to force the table T to move in the locked state, or the wheel 63 slides on the floor and It is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems such as damaging the floor surface. In addition, when the operation member 7 is operated from the lower position (D) where the lower operation piece 74 is close to the floor surface to the upper position (U), the upper operation is located above the lower operation piece 74. Using the piece 73, the operation member 7 can be operated to the upper position (U), that is, the position where the lock is released. Therefore, it becomes possible to smoothly lock and unlock the first caster 6 using the upper operation piece 73 and the lower operation piece 74 as appropriate. Therefore, the utility as a universal design is also high.

  Since the upper operation piece 73 is configured to be in a substantially horizontal posture at the lower position (D) where the wheel 63 is locked to the caster body 62, the upper operation piece 73 is in the lower position (D). It is easy to perform an operation of rotating the piece 73 upward.

  Further, in this embodiment, the upper operating piece 73 is provided with a notation 77a indicating that it is in a locked state on the surface facing upward in the lower position (D), that is, the back surface 77. Even if the first caster 6 is in the locked state, it is possible to more reliably eliminate the trouble that the first caster 6 is forcibly moved to damage the first caster 6 or the floor surface. That is, when the operation member 7 is operated to the lower position (D) and the wheel 63 is locked, the upper operation piece 73 is substantially horizontal. In addition to the visual recognition given from the above-mentioned overall posture of the operation member 7, the user can accidentally move the table T in the locked state by the visual recognition given from this display. Can be prevented more reliably. In particular, in the present embodiment, the back side surface 77 of the upper operation piece 73 is colored in red so that visual recognition is promoted not only with the characters but also with the color.

  Furthermore, the table T of the present embodiment includes a leg base 3 including a base body 5 and first and second casters 6 and 8 attached to the base body 5. 5 includes caster mounting portions 51 and 52 on the use end side and the counter-use end side in a shape in which the lower edge is notched so as to form caster housing spaces 55 and 56 on the use end side and the counter-use end side. The first and second casters 6 and 8 are pivotally attached to the caster attachment portions 51 and 52 on the use end side and the counter-use end side. That is, since the first and second casters 6 and 8 are attached to the recessed portion on the lower side of the base body 5, the height from the floor surface of the top wall 54 constituting the upper surface of the base body 5 can be adjusted. It can be made as small as possible. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a problem that the user catches the leg on the leg base 3. In particular, in this embodiment, since the top wall 54 of the base body 5 is curved so as to bulge upward, the catch can be reduced.

  Further, since the caster accommodation space 55 on the use end side has a size that allows the operation member 7 to be operated at all times, the first caster 6 completely enters the caster accommodation space 55 on the use end side. Even in the case of turning to the position, the operation member 7 can be operated by placing a finger on the upper operation piece 73 or the lower operation piece 74. That is, the leg base 3 of this embodiment uses the caster housing space 55 on the use end side that houses the first caster 6 provided with the brake mechanism 64 and the second use that accommodates the second caster 8 that does not include the brake mechanism. It is set to be larger in the front-rear direction than the caster accommodating space 56 on the end side, and is configured so that the operation member 7 of the first caster 6 can be easily operated.

  The base body 5 is mainly composed of a sheet metal material. Resin cover bodies 57a and 58a covering the material end surfaces are provided on the caster mounting portions 51 and 52 on the use end side and the counter-use end side, respectively. Therefore, safety can be ensured even if a hand or a foot is put under the caster mounting portion 51 on the use end side of the base body 5 or the caster mounting portion 52 on the non-use end side. Therefore, the user can operate the operation member 7 with peace of mind particularly with respect to the caster mounting portion 51 on the use end side. Further, in the present embodiment, since the front end side caps 57b and 58b provided integrally with the cover main bodies 57a and 58a that cover the openings are provided, the openings on the front end and the rear end side of the leg base 3 can also be closed. .

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

  The caster and the leg base are not limited to those used for the table, and can be applied to various movable furniture and the like. The wheels of the casters are not limited to the twin wheels as described above, and can be applied to various types of casters.

  The operation member is not limited to a wide one as illustrated, but can be variously changed. However, as long as the operation member is wide as described in the embodiment, the operation member can be easily operated by any method such as a finger, a hand, or a foot.

  As the caster mounting portion, a shape that is notched when the leg base is molded as in this embodiment, a shape that is notched after the leg base is molded, and the like are conceivable.

  In addition, various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Leg base 5 ... Base main body 51 ... Caster mounting part 55 ... Caster accommodation space 57 ... Cover (1st cover)
6 ... Caster (first caster)
61 ... Mounting shaft 62 ... Caster body 63 ... Wheel 64 ... Brake mechanism 7 ... Operating member (D) ... Lower position (U) ... Upper position 73 ... Upper operating piece 74 ... Lower operating piece 77a ... Notation

Claims (6)

A caster body capable of turning with respect to the mounting shaft, a wheel pivotally attached to the caster body, and when the operation member is operated to a lower position, the wheel is locked to the caster body, and the operation member A caster comprising a brake mechanism configured to release the locked state when operated to an upper position,
The operation member is provided with an upper operation piece and a lower operation piece arranged at intervals in the vertical direction, and the lower operation piece is a floor surface at a lower position where the wheel is locked with respect to the caster body. A caster characterized in that the caster is configured to be close to each other in an upright posture.   The caster according to claim 1, wherein the upper operation piece is configured to have a substantially horizontal posture at a lower position where the wheel is locked with respect to the caster body.   The caster according to claim 2, wherein a notation indicating that the upper operation piece is in a locked state is provided on a surface facing upward in the lower position. A leg base comprising a base body and the caster according to claim 1, 2 or 3 attached to the base body,
The base body includes a caster mounting portion having a shape in which a lower edge is cut away so as to form a caster accommodating space, and the caster is rotatably mounted on the caster mounting portion. And leg base.   The leg base according to claim 4, wherein the caster housing space has a size that allows the operation member to be always operated.   The leg base according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the base body is mainly composed of a sheet metal material, and at least the caster mounting portion includes a resin cover that covers an end surface of the material.

Images