JP2021145850A5 - - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a step stool, and in particular to a foldable step stool.

Conventionally, there is known a step stool that can be made compact when stored by making it foldable (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Patent Literature 1 describes a footstool in which a top plate is divided at the center and folded. Further, Patent Literature 2 describes a footstool having a configuration in which an integrally configured top plate is separated from side plates and folded.

JP 2018-119358 A U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0131138

According to the footstool described in Patent Document 1, since the two top plates are connected at the central portion, the strength of the entire top plate cannot be sufficiently secured, and the user steps on the footstool. In some cases, sufficient stability could not be obtained. Specifically, when a load is applied to the central portion (connecting portion) of the top plate, the top plate is likely to deform, which may cause the step to wobble.

On the other hand, according to the footstool described in Patent Literature 2, since the top plate is integrally formed, it is possible to obtain high stability compared to the structure in which the top plate is divided. However, when folded, the top plate and the side plates are arranged continuously (separated by 180 degrees with the hinge in between), so a lot of space was required for the top plate and the side plates when storing. . In addition, when the footstool is folded, it becomes bulky to carry.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is to ensure high stability during use by increasing the strength of the entire top plate and to fold it compactly. It is to provide a step stool that enables

Means for solving the above problems will be described below.

A footstool according to the present invention includes a first side plate and a second side plate which are provided so as to face each other and can be separated from each other, and which are rotatably connected at opposite sides of the first side plate and the second side plate. a pair of connecting side plates that are bent and foldable at the center in the horizontal direction, and a top plate whose one side end is rotatably connected to the upper end of the first side plate, a use state in which the other side end portion of the top plate is placed on an upper end portion of the second side plate spaced from the first side plate; A footstool configured to be able to transition between a stored state in proximity to the first side plate so as to be parallel to the second side plate in proximity to one side plate, and a storage state in which the top plate is in the vicinity of the A top surface facing upward in use and a back surface facing the back side of the top surface are provided, and the back surface of the top plate and the inner surface of the second side plate are connected by a connecting member. The connecting member is formed by rotatably connecting a top plate side connecting portion located on one end side of the connecting member and a side plate side connecting portion located on the other end side of the connecting member, The end of the top plate side connecting portion on the one end side is rotatably connected to the back surface , and the end portion of the side plate side connecting portion on the other end side is connected to the inner surface of the second side plate. By rotating and displacing the top plate above the second side plate, the connecting member separates the second side plate from the first side plate to enter the use state. , by rotating and displacing the top plate from the second side plate side toward the first side plate side, the connecting member brings the second side plate closer to the first side plate; It is assumed to be in the stored state.

Further, in the footstool according to the present invention, the central portion of the back surface of the top plate and the upper inner surface of the second side plate are connected by the connecting member, and the end of the top plate side connecting portion on the one end side is connected. is rotatably connected to the central portion of the back surface, and the end of the side plate side connecting portion on the other end side is rotatably connected to the upper inner surface of the second side plate. preferable.

Further, in the footstool according to the present invention, it is preferable that the pair of connecting side plates be folded between the first side plate and the second side plate in the stored state.

Further, in the footstool according to the present invention, it is preferable that the pair of connecting side plates are arranged so as to be bent toward each other at the central portion in the horizontal direction in the state of use.

Further, the footstool according to the present invention is configured to be capable of transitioning between the stored state and the used state via an intermediate state, and the intermediate state is achieved when the first side plate and the second side plate are adjacent to each other. In addition, in a state in which the top plate is opened at a predetermined angle from the first side plate, the rotation axis between the top plate and the first side plate is changed from the stored state to the halfway state. and the connecting shaft between the top plate side connecting portion and the side plate side connecting portion are positioned on the same axis line, the top plate side connecting portion is formed with an abutment portion, and the side plate side connecting portion is formed with an abutting portion. A contact portion is formed, and the contact portion and the contact portion are separated from the stored state to immediately before the intermediate state, and in the intermediate state, the contact portion and the contact portion are separated from each other. is preferably in contact with.

Further, in the step stool according to the present invention, in the intermediate state, the one end side rotation shaft that connects the top plate side connection portion and the back surface of the top plate, and the side plate side connection portion and the second side plate are connected to each other. It is preferable that a plane including the other end side rotation shaft that connects the inner surface is positioned closer to the second side plate than the connection shaft.

Further, in the footstool according to the present invention, it is preferable that the side plate-side connecting portion abuts the inner surface of the second side plate in the intermediate state.

Further, in the footstool according to the present invention, it is preferable that the other side end portion of the top plate and the lower end portion of the first side plate engage with each other in the stored state.

Further, in the footstool according to the present invention, it is preferable that at least one of the first side plate and the second side plate is formed with a handle portion at a lower portion thereof.

According to the footstool of the present invention, it is possible to secure high stability during use by increasing the strength of the entire top plate, and it is possible to fold it compactly.

The front side perspective view which shows the footstool in a stored state. FIG. 4 is a rear side perspective view showing the footstool in a stowed state; FIG. 2 is a right side cross-sectional view showing the footstool in the stored state; Right side cross-sectional view showing the footstool in the initial stage of rotation. The front side perspective view which shows the footstool of an intermediate state. Right side cross-sectional view showing the footstool in an intermediate state. The front side perspective view which shows the footstool at the end stage of rotation. FIG. 4 is a right side cross-sectional view showing the footstool at the final stage of rotation; Fig. 3 is a front perspective view showing the step in use; FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view showing the footstool in use. Right side sectional view showing the footstool in use. The front sectional view of a top plate. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the footstool in use.

A footstool 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. FIG. In this embodiment, the direction of the arrow shown in each drawing defines the front-rear direction of the footstool 1 . 1, the upper right side in FIG. 2, and the left side in FIG.

The footstool 1 according to this embodiment can be used in a folded state as shown in FIGS. (this state is hereinafter referred to as a "usage state") and a transition between them. Hereinafter, the step stool 1 in the housed state is referred to as a step 1S, and the step stool 1 in use is referred to as a step 1U.

The step 1 includes two side plates 21 and 22 consisting of a first side plate 21 and a second side plate 22, a pair of connecting side plates 3 and 3 connecting the side plates 21 and 22, and the side plates 21 and 22 and A top plate 4 to be placed on the upper surfaces of the connecting side plates 3 and a connecting member 5 connecting the top plate 4 and the second side plate 22 are provided. In each member constituting the step 1 according to the present embodiment, pin members such as the connecting plate connecting shaft 3a, the rotating shaft 6, and the connecting rotating shaft 7, the end tool provided at the lower end of the connecting rotating shaft 7, , and the connecting member 5, a member made of resin is adopted. In addition, plate-like members made from carbon fiber-containing resin are used for the other members. Further, in the footstool 1 according to this embodiment, the connecting member 5 is colored red, and the other members are colored black. As described above, the footstool 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to visually emphasize the function of the connecting member 5 to the user.

When the footstool 1 is changed from the storage state to the use state, the top plate 4 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the right side. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the top plate 4 is rotated from the rear side (see FIG. 4) upward (see FIGS. 5 and 6), and further forward (see FIGS. 7 and 8). reference). Conversely, when the footstool 1 is changed from the use state to the storage state, the top plate 4 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the right side.

In the process of rotating the top plate 4 in either direction, the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22 of the footboard 1 approach each other as shown in FIGS. It is opened at a predetermined angle (approximately 170 degrees in this embodiment) from the side plate 21 . Hereinafter, the state of the footstool 1 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is referred to as an "intermediate state", and the footstool 1 in the middle state is referred to as a footstool 1H. In this manner, the footstool 1 is configured to be transitionable between the footstool 1S in the stored state and the footstool 1U in the use state via the footstool 1H in the intermediate state. Further, the area of the footstool 1 between the stored state and the halfway state is defined as the "initial stage of rotation (see FIG. 4)", and the area of the footstool 1 between the halfway state and the used state is the "end stage of rotation (see FIGS. 7 and 7)." See FIG. 8)”.

The two side plates 21 and 22 are rectangular plate-like members which are provided facing each other in the front-rear direction so as to be close to each other and separated from each other. A plurality of communication holes are formed in the side plates 21 and 22 to reduce the weight. Specifically, in the footstool 1S, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the side plates 21 and 22 are arranged close to each other. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the side plates 21 and 22 of the step 1U are spaced apart from each other and arranged so that the lower portions of the footstools 21 and 22 are farther from each other than the upper portions (in a side view, the lower portion is widened). That is, the side plates 21 and 22 are configured to gradually move away from the adjacent state as the step stool 1 is shifted from the stored state to the used state.

At the upper end of the first side plate 21, side plate connecting portions 21a, 21a projecting rearward are formed on both left and right sides. The top plate 4 is rotatably connected to the side plate connecting portions 21a. In addition, first side plate connecting portions 21b and 21b are formed at two locations on both left and right end portions of the first side plate 21. As shown in FIG. The connecting side plate 3 is rotatably connected to the first side plate connecting portions 21b, 21b.

A handle portion 21 c is formed at the lower portion of the first side plate 21 by an opening extending through the first side plate 21 . This makes it easier for the user to carry the footstool 1S. It is also possible to form the handle on the second side plate 22 . Moreover, it is also possible to form the handle portion on both of the side plates 21 and 22 . Moreover, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the handle portions are provided at locations other than the lower portions of the side plates 21 and 22 (for example, left and right side portions).

At the lower portion of the first side plate 21, a housing engagement portion 21d is formed as a protrusion projecting rearward. The storage engaging portion 21d engages with the storage engaged portion 4f of the top plate 4 in the step 1S. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 10, a side plate concave portion 21e, which is a notch portion, is formed in the center portion of the upper end of the first side plate 21. As shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the connecting member 5 of the step 1S is inserted through the side plate concave portion 21e.

The upper end portion of the second side plate 22 is formed with use engaging portions 22a, 22a which are projecting portions that protrude forward on both left and right sides. The use engaging portions 22a, 22a are engaged with the use engaged portions 4d, 4d of the top plate 4 in the step 1U. Two second side plate connecting portions 22b are formed at both left and right end portions of the second side plate 22. As shown in FIG. The connecting side plate 3 is rotatably connected to the second side plate connecting portions 22b, 22b.

Each of the pair of connecting side plates 3, 3 can be folded at the central portion in the horizontal direction (front-rear direction). Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the connecting side plate 3 is composed of a first connecting plate 31 forming the rear portion of the connecting side plate 3 and a second connecting plate 32 forming the front portion of the connecting side plate 3. It is made foldable by being rotatably connected by the connecting plate connecting shaft 3a.

The connecting side plate 3 is rotatably connected to the opposing side sides of the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22 . Specifically, the rear end portion of the first connecting plate 31 is formed with three first connecting plate connecting portions 31a. The first connecting plate connecting portion 31 a is rotatably connected to the first side plate connecting portion 21 b of the first side plate 21 via the connecting rotating shaft 7 . Further, the front end portion of the second connecting plate 32 is formed with three second connecting plate connecting portions 32a. The second connecting plate connecting portion 32 a is rotatably connected to the second side plate connecting portion 22 b of the second side plate 22 via the connecting rotating shaft 7 .

The top plate 4 is a plate-like member including a top surface 41 facing upward in the step 1U and a back surface 42 facing the back side of the top surface 41 . A top surface 41 of the top plate 4 is formed with a large number of protrusions, and is shaped so as to prevent slipping when the user gets on. The projections on the top surface 41 are adjusted to a height that prevents dirt from accumulating and facilitates wiping. A plurality of ribs are formed on the rear surface 42 to maintain the strength of the top plate 4 . As shown in FIG. 2, the footstool 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the rear surface 42 is exposed when the footstool 1S is in the stored state. It has a design that does not give a complicated impression.

The top plate 4 has a top plate connecting portion 4a formed at one side end portion (the upper end portion of the step 1S and the rear end portion of the step 1U). By connecting the top plate connecting portion 4a to the side plate connecting portions 21a via the rotating shaft 6, the top plate 4 is rotatably connected to the upper end portion of the first side plate 21. As shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the side of the top plate 4 on which the top plate connecting portion 4a is formed (the center side in the rotation radial direction) is referred to as the "base end side", and the opposite side (the outer side in the rotation radial direction) is referred to as the "tip end side". do.

An opening/closing protrusion 4b is formed in the central portion of the tip end of the top plate 4. As shown in FIG. A user of the footstool 1 rotates the top plate 4 by gripping the opening/closing protrusion 4b. Further, hook portions 4c, 4c are formed on the base end sides of both left and right sides of the top plate 4. As shown in FIG. By engaging both end portions of a belt member such as a strap (not shown) with the hook portions 4c, 4c, the footstool 1S can be easily carried.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 7, on the front end side of the back surface 42 of the top plate 4, there are two use engaged portions 4d formed on the left and right sides. The use engaged portions 4d, 4d are engaged with the use engaging portions 22a, 22a of the second side plate 22 in the step 1U. This enables the step 1U to stably maintain its shape. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, a top plate concave portion 4e, which is a notch portion, is formed in the central portion of the base end side end portion of the top plate 4. As shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the connecting member 5 of the step 1S is inserted through the recessed portion 4e of the top plate.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 9, a housing engaged portion 4f is formed in the central portion of the tip end portion of the top surface 41 of the top plate 4. As shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the storage engaged portion 4f engages with the storage engagement portion 21d formed at the lower end portion of the first side plate 21 of the step 1S. As a result, the top plate 4 of the footstool 1S does not become unstable and can stably maintain its shape.

As shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 12, flanges 4g having a thickness smaller than that of the main body of the top plate 4 are formed on the tip side and the left and right sides of the top plate 4. As shown in FIGS. By forming the flange portion 4g on the top plate 4 in this manner, the footstool 1S is less likely to get caught when it is stored in a bag or the like. In addition, the flange portion 4g can make the top plate 4 look thin when the step 1U is configured.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a rotation support portion 4h is formed in the central portion of the back surface 42 of the top plate 4 so as to protrude to both the left and right sides. The rotation support portion 4h functions as a top plate side rotation shaft 51a that rotatably supports the top plate side connection portion 51 of the connection member 5. As shown in FIG.

In the footstool 1 constructed as described above, when constructing the footstool 1S in the retracted state, the top plate 4 is positioned close to the first side plate 21 and the first side plate 21, as shown in FIGS. It approaches the first side plate 21 so as to be parallel to the second side plate 22 . In other words, in the footstool 1S, the relative angle between the top plate 4 and the first side plate 21 is close to 0 degree. At this time, the housing engaged portion 4 f of the top plate 4 engages with the housing engaging portion 21 d of the first side plate 21 . Also, the pair of connecting side plates 3 and 3 are folded between the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22 .

In the step 1S, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the top surface 41 of the top plate 4 faces the first side plate 21, and the back surface 42 is exposed to the outside. This makes it difficult for dirt such as mud adhering to the top surface 41 to adhere to the surroundings when the footstool 1S is stored or carried. In addition, discoloration of the top surface 41 can be suppressed by making it difficult to expose the top surface 41 to the outside.

On the other hand, when constructing the footstool 1U in the use state of the footstool 1, as shown in FIGS. The relative angle is widened and further rotated beyond 180 degrees. Then, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 , the tip of the top plate 4 is placed on the upper end of the second side plate 22 spaced apart from the first side plate 21 . In other words, in the step 1U, the top plate 4 is placed on the upper surfaces of the side plates 21 and 22 and the connecting side plates 3 and 3 in a state where the relative angle between the top plate 4 and the first side plate 21 is close to 270 degrees. placed. At this time, the use engaged portions 4d, 4d of the top plate 4 are engaged with the use engaging portions 22a, 22a of the second side plate 22. As shown in FIG. Also, the pair of connecting side plates 3, 3 are spread apart so that the first connecting plate 31 and the second connecting plate 32 are separated from each other.

In the step 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the central portion of the back surface 42 of the top plate 4 and the upper inner surface of the second side plate 22 are connected by the connecting member 5. ing. The connecting member 5 is formed by rotatably connecting a top plate side connecting portion 51 and a side plate side connecting portion 52 with a connecting shaft 53 . In this embodiment, by setting the length of the connecting shaft 53 in the axial direction to a predetermined length or longer, the connecting shaft 53 is configured to rotate stably without wobbling.

It should be noted that the configuration of the connection between the top plate-side connecting portion 51 and the side plate-side connecting portion 52 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, an elongated hole may be formed in one of the top plate-side connecting portion 51 and the side plate-side connecting portion 52, and the other end portion may be inserted into the elongated hole. As a result, the top plate-side connecting portion 51 and the side plate-side connecting portion 52 are connected so as to be rotatable while sliding against each other. Thus, it is possible to configure the connecting member 5 differently from that of the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the top plate-side connecting portion 51 is arranged so as to be positioned on one end side (on the top plate 4 side) of the connecting member 5 . One end of the top plate-side connecting portion 51 is rotatably connected to a rotation support portion 4 h formed in the central portion of the back surface 42 of the top plate 4 . At this time, the rotation support portion 4h functions as a top plate side rotation shaft 51a which is one end side rotation shaft. In this embodiment, by setting the axial lengths of the rotation support portion 4h and the tabletop-side rotation shaft 51a to a predetermined length or longer, the tabletop-side rotation shaft 51a can be rotated stably without wobbling. is configured to An end portion (upper end portion in FIG. 3) of the top board side connecting portion 51 on the side of the connecting shaft 53 is formed by bending slightly forward. A contact portion 51 b is formed on the upper surface of the upper end portion of the top plate side connecting portion 51 .

Further, the side plate side connecting portion 52 is arranged so as to be positioned on the other end side (the second side plate 22 side) of the connecting member 5 . The other end of the side plate connecting portion 52 is rotatably connected to the upper inner surface of the second side plate 22 via a side plate rotating shaft 52a that is the other end rotating shaft. In this embodiment, the axial length of the side plate side rotation shaft 52a is set to a predetermined length or longer, so that the side plate side rotation shaft 52a is configured to rotate stably without wobbling. It should be noted that the side-plate-side connecting portion 52 and the side-plate-side rotating shaft 52a may be configured to slide up and down somewhat on the inner surface of the second side plate 22 .

An end portion (upper end portion in FIG. 3) of the side plate side connecting portion 52 on the side of the connecting shaft 53 is bent slightly rearward. A contacted portion 52 b is formed on the end surface of the upper end portion of the side plate side connecting portion 52 . Further, a side plate contact portion 52 c is formed on the front surface of the lower portion of the side plate side connecting portion 52 .

In this way, the connecting member 5 is composed of the top plate side connecting portion 51 and the side plate side connecting portion 52 which are formed by bending. When the footstool 1S is configured in the stowed state, as shown in FIG. 3, the connecting member 5 is inserted into the side plate recess 21e formed in the first side plate 21 and the top plate recess 4e formed in the top plate 4. be done. That is, the footstool 1 is configured so that the connecting member 5 does not interfere with the first side plate 21 and the top plate 4 when it is in the retracted state.

When the footstool 1 is changed from the stored state to the used state, the top plate 4 is pivotally displaced from the position close to the first side plate 21 to the upper side of the second side plate 22 , so that the connecting member 5 is moved to the second side plate 22 . is separated from the first side plate 21 . A specific configuration thereof will be described below.

When the top plate 4 of the footstool 1S is rotated to form the footstool 1U, as shown in FIGS. 1H), the rotation shaft 6 between the top plate 4 and the first side plate 21 and the connecting shaft 53 between the top plate side connecting portion 51 and the side plate side connecting portion 52 in the connecting member 5 are arranged on the same axis. To position.

By configuring the side-plate-side rotation shaft 52a to slide up and down on the inner surface of the second side plate 22 as described above, in the process of rotating the top plate 4 from the footboard 1S to the footboard 1H, it is possible to rotate. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the connecting shaft 53 moves in a position off the same axis as the driving shaft 6 . That is, when the top plate 4 of the footstool 1S is rotated to form the footstool 1U, the rotation shaft 6 and the connecting shaft 53 may not be positioned on the same axis.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, from the stored state to just before the intermediate state (step 1S and step 1 at the beginning of rotation), the contact portion 51b of the top plate side connecting portion 51 and the side plate side connecting portion It is separated from the abutted portion 52b of 52 .

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the contact portion 51b and the contacted portion 52b are in contact with each other in the step 1H in the halfway state. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the top plate side rotation shaft 51a that connects the top plate side connection portion 51 and the back surface of the top plate 4, the side plate side connection portion 52, and the upper inner surface of the second side plate 22 are connected. A plane including the connecting side plate side rotation shaft 52 a is positioned closer to the second side plate 22 than the connecting shaft 53 . Therefore, when the top plate 4 of the footstool 1 is rotated toward the second side plate 22 (front side) from the halfway state, the relative displacement between the top plate side connecting portion 51 and the side plate side connecting portion 52 is restricted. The connecting member 5 is integrally constructed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the side plate contact portion 52c of the side plate side connecting portion 52 contacts the inner surface of the second side plate 22 in the step 1H in the halfway state. Therefore, due to the rotational displacement of the top plate 4 after the halfway state, a forward pressing force is applied from the top plate 4 to the second side plate 22 via the connecting member 5, and the end of the rotation shown in FIGS. , the second side plate 22 is separated from the first side plate 21 .

Then, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, when the top plate 4 is pivotally displaced to a substantially horizontal position, the second side plate 22 is displaced below the leading end of the top plate 4 . At this position, the use engaging portions 4d, 4d of the top plate 4 and the use engaging portions 22a, 22a of the second side plate 22 are engaged to form the step 1U in use.

Conversely, when the step 1 is changed from the use state to the storage state, the top plate 4 is pivotally displaced from the second side plate 22 side toward the first side plate 21 side (clockwise when viewed from the right side). As a result, the connecting member 5 brings the second side plate 22 closer to the first side plate 21 .

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, from the use state to the halfway state, due to the rotational displacement of the top plate 4, the second side plate 22 is pulled rearward from the top plate 4 via the connecting member 5. A force is applied and the second side plate 22 begins to approach the first side plate 21 . Then, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the displacement of the second side plate 22 ends when the second side plate 22 comes close to the first side plate 21 in the footstool 1H in the halfway state.

After that, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the step 1 is in the halfway state to the retracted state (step 1H, step 1 at the initial stage of rotation, and step 1S). The drive shaft 6 and the connecting shaft 53 between the top plate side connecting portion 51 and the side plate side connecting portion 52 of the connecting member 5 are positioned on the same axis. During this time, the top plate 4 is rotated until it comes close to the first side plate 21, and the footstool 1 is brought into the retracted state (footstool 1S).

As described above, according to the footstool 1 according to the present embodiment, the top plate 4 is integrally formed, so the overall strength of the top plate 4 is increased compared to a footstool having a structure in which the top plate is divided. Therefore, when the user steps on the footstool 1, high stability can be obtained. Specifically, even when a load is applied to the central portion of the top plate 4, the top plate 4 is less likely to deform, so that the step 1 can be prevented from wobbling.

Further, according to the step 1 according to the present embodiment, the top plate 4 and the first side plate 21 are close to each other (the relative angle between the top plate 4 and the first side plate 21) when folded and stored. is close to 0 degrees). In this manner, the step 1S can be compactly folded in the stored state, so that the step 1S can be stored only in the space of the side plates 21 and 22. FIG. Also, the step 1S can be carried without being bulky.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the footstool 1 according to the present embodiment has a pair of connecting side plates 3, 3 folded between the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22 in the stored state of the footstool 1S. be As a result, when the footstool 1S is used, the connecting side plates 3 can be folded more compactly than the structure in which the connecting side plates 3 are folded outside the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22.例文帳に追加In addition, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the connecting side plates 3 are folded outside the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22 .

Further, as shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 13, in the footstool 1U in use, the pair of connecting side plates 3, 3 are bent toward each other at the central portion in the horizontal direction. are placed. Specifically, the relative angle between the first connecting plate 31 and the second connecting plate 32 in the connecting side plate 3 is regulated so as not to be larger than the angle when the step 1U is constructed. As a result, when the step 1 is shifted from the use state to the storage state, the connection side plates 3 can be folded between the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22 simply by rotating the top plate 4. can.

Further, in the connection member 5 of the step 1 according to the present embodiment, the contact portion 51b of the top plate side connection portion 51 and the contacted portion 52b of the side plate side connection portion 52 are It is configured such that the abutment portion 51b and the abutted portion 52b are in contact with each other in an intermediate state. As a result, the pressing force to the second side plate 22 due to the rotational displacement of the top plate 4 is not generated until the halfway state, and the pressing force to the second side plate 22 due to the rotational displacement of the top plate 4 is generated after the halfway state. can be effectively generated. That is, it is possible to separate the second side plate 22 from the first side plate 21 after the halfway state.

In addition, the footstool 1 according to the present embodiment has a top plate side rotation shaft 51 a that connects the top plate side connection portion 51 and the back surface 42 of the top plate 4 and a side plate side connection portion 52 in the halfway state footstool 1</b>H. A plane including the side plate side rotation shaft 52 a that connects the upper inner surface of the second side plate 22 is positioned closer to the second side plate 22 than the connection shaft 53 of the connection member 5 . As a result, when the top plate 4 of the footboard 1 is rotated toward the second side plate 22 from the halfway state, the relative displacement between the top plate side connecting portion 51 and the side plate side connecting portion 52 can be restricted. Therefore, the connecting member 5 can be configured integrally. That is, it becomes possible to transmit the rotational force due to the rotational displacement of the top plate 4 to the second side plate 22 via the connecting member 5 .

Further, the footstool 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the side plate contact portion 52c of the side plate side connecting portion 52 contacts the inner surface of the second side plate 22 in the footstool 1H in the halfway state. As a result, it becomes possible to stably apply the pressing force from the connecting member 5 to the second side plate 22 that is generated in the middle state to the second side plate 22 . Specifically, since the pressing force can be applied from the connecting member 5 to the second side plate 22 at two points, the side plate side rotation shaft 52a and the side plate contact portion 52c, the second side plate 22 can be stably operated. The side plate 22 can be displaced.

1 step stool 1S step stool (stored state)
1H footstool (intermediate state) 1U footstool (use state)
3 connecting side plate 3a connecting plate connecting shaft 4 top plate 4a top plate connecting portion
4b open/close projection 4c hook
4d Engaged portion to be used 4e Top plate concave portion
4f housing engaged portion 4g collar portion
4h rotation support portion 5 connecting member
6 rotating shaft 7 connecting rotating shaft
21 first side plate 21a side plate connecting portion
21b first side plate connecting portion 21c handle portion
21d housing engaging portion 21e side plate recessed portion
22 second side plate 22a use engaging portion
22b Second side plate connecting portion 31 First connecting plate
31a first connecting plate connecting portion 32 second connecting plate
32a Second connecting plate connecting portion 41 Top surface
42 back surface 51 top plate side connecting portion 51a top plate side rotation shaft (one end side rotation shaft)
51b contact portion 52 side plate side connecting portion 52a side plate side rotation shaft (other end side rotation shaft)
52b contact portion 52c side plate contact portion
53 connecting shaft

Claims (9)

a first side plate and a second side plate provided facing each other so as to be close to each other and separated;
a pair of connecting side plates that are rotatably connected at opposite side sides of the first side plate and the second side plate and that are foldable by bending at a horizontal center portion;
a top plate whose one side end is rotatably connected to the upper end of the first side plate;
a use state in which the other side end portion of the top plate is placed on an upper end portion of the second side plate spaced from the first side plate; A footstool configured so as to be able to transition between a storage state in proximity to the first side plate and a storage state in proximity to the first side plate so as to be parallel to the second side plate in proximity to one side plate,
The top plate includes a top surface facing upward in the use state and a back surface facing the back side of the top surface,
The back surface of the top plate and the inner surface of the second side plate are connected by a connecting member,
The connecting member is formed by rotatably connecting a top plate side connecting portion located on one end side of the connecting member and a side plate side connecting portion located on the other end side of the connecting member,
an end portion on the one end side of the top plate side connecting portion is rotatably connected to the back surface ;
an end portion on the other end side of the side plate side connecting portion is rotatably connected to the inner surface of the second side plate;
By rotating and displacing the top plate above the second side plate, the connecting member separates the second side plate from the first side plate to the use state,
By rotating and displacing the top plate from the side of the second side plate toward the side of the first side plate, the connecting member brings the second side plate closer to the first side plate and the A step stool that is stored. a center portion of the back surface of the top plate and an upper inner surface of the second side plate are connected by the connecting member;
the end of the top plate side connecting portion on the one end side is rotatably connected to the central portion of the back surface,
2. The footstool according to claim 1, wherein the end portion on the other end side of the side plate side connecting portion is rotatably connected to the upper portion of the inner surface of the second side plate. 3. The footstool according to claim 1 , wherein said pair of connecting side plates are folded between said first side plate and said second side plate in said stored state. 4. The footstool according to claim 3 , wherein in the use state, the pair of connecting side plates are arranged so as to be bent toward each other at the horizontal central portion. configured to be able to transition between the storage state and the use state via an intermediate state,
The halfway state is a state in which the first side plate and the second side plate are close to each other, and the top plate is opened at a predetermined angle from the first side plate,
From the housed state to the halfway state, the rotation axis between the top plate and the first side plate and the connection shaft between the top plate side connecting portion and the side plate side connecting portion are positioned on the same axis. death,
A contact portion is formed in the top plate side connecting portion, and a contacted portion is formed in the side plate side connecting portion,
The contact portion and the contacted portion are separated from the stored state to immediately before the intermediate state,
The footstool according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the contact portion and the contacted portion contact each other in the intermediate state. In the halfway state, one end side rotation shaft that connects the top plate side connecting portion and the back surface of the top plate, and the other end that connects the side plate side connecting portion and the inner surface of the second side plate. 6. The footstool according to claim 5 , wherein a plane including the side rotation shaft is located closer to the second side plate than the connecting shaft. 7. The footstool according to claim 5, wherein, in said halfway state, said side plate side connecting portion contacts an inner surface of said second side plate. The footstool according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the other side end portion of the top plate and the lower end portion of the first side plate engage with each other in the stored state. The footstool according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of said first side plate and said second side plate has a handle portion formed in a lower portion thereof.