JP3551811B2

JP3551811B2 - Stopper device for movable furniture

Info

Publication number: JP3551811B2
Application number: JP04397099A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 健加賀山
Original assignee: 株式会社イトーキクレビオ
Priority date: 1999-02-22
Filing date: 1999-02-22
Publication date: 2004-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 2019-02-22
Also published as: JP2000236973A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、可動什器のストッパー装置に係わり、更に詳しくはキャスターによって移動可能となした什器を使用中に不意に移動しないように規制する可動什器のストッパー装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、什器本体の下端に複数のキャスターを備えて移動であるとともに、使用中に不意に移動しないように移動規制を行う可動什器のストッパー装置は、什器本体の下端部で何れかのキャスターの近傍に、上下スライド可能に接地杆を垂設するとともに、該接地杆を上方へ弾性付勢し、該接地杆を弾性付勢力に抗して下方へ押圧し、該接地杆が床面に接してキャスターを浮かせた状態を維持する保持機構を備えた操作部材を有するものは各種提供されている。
【０００３】
例えば、操作部材と保持機構の例としては、前記接地杆の上端と傾動可能な操作部材との間に回転カムを備え、操作部材を足で踏んで押し下げてカムを回転させながら接地杆を可動させ、カムの下死点で該接地杆の上動を規制し、ストッパーを解除する場合には前記操作部材を逆向きに傾動させてカムを回転させ、接地杆をその弾性付勢力で上動させる構造が提供されている。
【０００４】
他の構造の例としては、前記接地杆の途中に係止部材の係合孔を遊挿し、傾動可能な操作部材を足で踏んで押し下げることによって、前記接地杆を弾性付勢力に抗して下方へ押圧し、該係止部材の傾斜によって係合孔の対向縁部が接地杆に圧接し、係止部材を什器本体の適所にその状態を保持することによって接地杆が床面に接した状態を維持し、ストッパーを解除する場合には前記操作部材を逆向きに傾動させて前記係合部材の傾斜角度を小さくして接地杆が係合孔に対して自由に移動可能となし、接地杆をその弾性付勢力で上動させる構造が提供されている。
【０００５】
しかし、何れの構造も構造が複雑であるとともに、精度の高い加工、成形が必要であり、コスト高となるのである。また、接地杆を床面に圧接した後、キャスターを浮き上がらせる原理は、前記操作部材の回動軸と足踏み部との間に前記接地杆を下方へ押圧する接触点があり、該押圧杆が床面に当接した後はこの接触点が支点となって、操作部材の足踏み部に加わる下方への力が、他方の回動軸で上方への力に変換され、テコの原理で什器を持ち上げるのである。従って、重量の重い什器を持ち上げるには、前記操作部材の足踏み部と回動軸までの距離が十分に長く、しかも接地杆との接触部が回動軸に十分に近くなければならないが、何れにしても操作部材に大きな曲げ応力が作用することになって強度の高い材料及び構造にしなければならない。
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
そこで、本発明が前述の状況に鑑み、解決しようとするところは、操作部材に大きな力が加わらないような構造となすとともに、構造を簡単にしてコスト低減化を図り、しかも接地部材を床面に圧接した状態を確実に維持することが可能な可動什器のストッパー装置を提供する点にある。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、前述の課題解決のために、什器本体の下端に複数のキャスターを備えて移動可能であるとともに、使用中に不意に移動しないように移動規制を行う可動什器のストッパー装置であって、什器本体の下端部に水平な支軸にて中間部を回動可能に支持された傾動部材を有し、該傾動部材の一端部に下方へ突出した接地部材を設けるとともに、該接地部材が上方へ上がる方向に傾動部材を弾性付勢し、前記傾動部材の上位に中央部を水平な回動軸にて傾動可能に支持した操作部材を設け、該操作部材には係止ピンを設ける一方、前記傾動部材の上縁部には前記接地部材が床面に接地した状態で前記係止ピンを受け入れてその状態を維持する係合段部を設けてなる可動什器のストッパー装置を構成した。
【０００８】
更に具体的には、前記傾動部材に対して前記接地部材を上下動可能となすとともに、該接地部材を下方突出方向へ弾性付勢してなるのである。また、前記什器本体に床面に沿った接地脚を備え、該接地脚の両端部に設けたキャスター間に前記傾動部材と操作部材を内蔵するとともに、該傾動部材にその回動軸を中心とした両端部に円弧状の押ボタン部を形成し、前記接地部材が床面に接触した状態で一方の押ボタン部が接地脚の上面から突出し、前記接地部材が床面から離れた状態で他方の押ボタン部が接地脚の上面から突出するように設定し、両押ボタン部に異なる配色又は表示を施してなるのである。
【０００９】
【発明の実施の形態】
次に本発明の実施形態を添付図面に基づき更に詳細に説明する。図１は、本発明の可動什器のストッパー装置を適用した折畳み式テーブルを示し、図２〜図４は本発明の詳細を示している。図中符号１は天板、２は接地脚、３は支脚杆、４はキャスター、５はストッパー装置をそれぞれ示している。
【００１０】
本実施形態に係る折畳み式テーブルは、天板１の両側部の前後中間部を、両側前後方向に配した一対の接地脚２，２の後部に立設した支脚杆３，３で支持し、そして移動可能となすべく前記接地脚２の両端部下面にキャスター４，４を設けるとともに、両キャスター４，４の中間位置に、該折畳み式テーブルを使用中に不意に移動しないように移動規制するストッパー装置５を設けたものである。
【００１１】
更に詳しくは、前記天板１を前記支脚杆３，３に上下回動可能に枢着し、前記接地脚２と支脚杆３との間に垂直な回転軸芯を有する回転連結手段６を介在させるとともに、前記天板１と該回転連結手段６とを天板１の上下回動運動に伴って接地脚２，２の前部が内向き及び外向きに回転変位するように連動手段７にて連動させ、更に前記天板１を水平状態と立起状態とに維持するためのロック手段８を天板１と支脚杆３との連結部分に設けたものである。
【００１２】
本発明に係るストッパー装置５は、前記折畳み式テーブルの床面に沿った接地脚２に設けている。該接地脚２は、下向き開放した断面略コ字形の金属製長尺部材からなるビーム部材９を有し、該ビーム部材９の前後端部内に前記キャスター４，４を内蔵するとともに、前後中間部に上向き開放した断面略コ字形の金属製部材からなる補強部材１０を内部に固着している。そして、前記補強部材１０の底面部にストッパー装置５の装着用開口１１を形成し、該装着用開口１１内にストッパー装置５を組み込むのである。
【００１３】
前記ストッパー装置５は、前記補強部材１０に取付ける取付部材１２と、該取付部材１２に装着する傾動部材１３と、該傾動部材１３に取付けた接地部材１４と、前記取付部材１２に装着する操作部材１５とから構成されている。つまり、本発明のストッパー装置５は、前記取付部材１２に傾動部材１３の中間部を水平な支軸１６にて回動可能に支持し、該傾動部材１３の一端部に下方へ突出した接地部材１４を設けるとともに、該接地部材１４が床面から離れる方向に傾動部材１３をキックばね１７等の適宜な手段で弾性付勢し、前記傾動部材１３の上位に操作部材１５の中央部を水平な回動軸１８にて傾動可能に支持して設け、該操作部材１５には係止ピン１９を設ける一方、前記傾動部材１３の上縁部には前記接地部材１４が床面Ｆに接地した状態で前記係止ピン１９を受け入れてその状態を維持する係合段部２０を設けて構成している。また、前記接地部材１４は、前記傾動部材１３に対して上下動可能となすとともに、下方突出方向へ圧縮コイルばね２１等の適宜な手段で弾性付勢している。
【００１４】
更に詳しくは、前記取付部材１２は、両側に一定間隔を隔てて配した垂直な支持板２２，２２の両端上部間を連結板２３，２３で一体連結するとともに、両支持板２２，２２の下端縁に外向きにそれぞれ取付板２４，２４を一体形成したものであり、本実施形態ではスチール板をプレス、折曲加工した一体物である。そして、前記取付板２４の両支持板２２，２２を前記補強部材１０の装着用開口１１内に下方より挿入し、両取付板２４，２４を補強部材１０の下面に当接し、各取付板２４の両端部に形成した取付孔２５，２５と補強部材１０の対応位置に形成したバーリング孔２６，…を利用してタッピングネジ２７，…で固定している。そして、前記傾動部材１３は、中間部に形成した軸孔２８に前記支軸１６を挿通し、該支軸１６を前記取付部材１２の両支持板２２，２２に形成した軸孔２９，２９に抜止め装着して上下傾動可能に装着している。また、前記操作部材１５は、中央部に形成した軸孔３０に前記回動軸１８を挿通し、該回動軸１８を前記支持板２２，２２で前記軸孔２９よりも上位に形成した軸孔３１，３１に抜止め装着して上下傾動可能に装着している。
【００１５】
また、前記傾動部材１３は、前記支持板２２，２２間に位置する支軸１６にキックばね１７のコイル部１７Ａを巻回し、一方の脚部１７Ｂを前記接地部材１４を取付ける側とは反対側の端部に係止するとともに、他方の脚部１７Ｃを一方の前記連結板２３の下面に当接し、前記接地部材１４が床面Ｆから離れる方向に弾性付勢している。また、前記接地部材１４は、上下に長い杆体であり、前記傾動部材１３の一端部に形成した円筒部３２に上下動可能に取付けるとともに、傾動部材１３に対して下方へ突出する方向へ圧縮コイルばね２１にて弾性付勢している。具体的には、前記円筒部３２の上端部に直径が小さい縮径縁又は当止縁３３を形成し、該円筒部３２内に装着し上端を当止縁３３で当止されたブッシュ３４に前記接地部材１４の小径部１４Ａをスライド可能に挿入し、該ブッシュ３４と接地部材１４の下端部の大径部１４Ｂとの間に前記圧縮コイルばね２１を介装し、更に前記小径部１４Ａの上端には平ワッシャとＥリングとからなる抜止め具３５を装着し、更に接地部材１４の大径部１４Ｂには床面Ｆに直接接触するゴム製のキャップ３６を装着して構成している。ここで、前記円筒部３２は、本実施形態では二枚のスチール板を接合して構成した前記傾動部材１３の一部を側方へ湾曲させて形成しているが、円筒体を傾動部材１３に溶接して形成しても良い。
【００１６】
前記操作部材１５は、合成樹脂製で成形したものであり、前記回動軸１８を中心とした両端部に円弧状の押ボタン部３７，３８を形成し、前記接地部材１４が床面Ｆに接触した状態で一方の押ボタン部３８が接地脚２を構成するビーム部材９の上面開口３９から突出し、前記接地部材１４が床面から離れた状態で他方の押ボタン部３７が接地脚２の上面から突出するように設定し、両押ボタン部３７，３８に異なる配色又は表示を施し、現在の状態を視覚によって確認できるようにしている。つまり、本実施形態では、前記操作部材１５の両押ボタン部３７，３８は、側面視において前記回動軸１８を中心とした扇形形状であり、その円弧面に異なる色の表示シール４０，４１を貼着している。しかし、表示シール４０，４１の代わりに又は表示シール４０，４１と併用して文字を各押ボタン部３７，３８に表示しても良い。また、前記操作部材１５は、内部が中空で下方開放した形状であり、前記傾動部材１３の上縁部の一部で、少なくとも前記係合段部２０を設けた部分を内部に受け入れることが可能であり、当該操作部材１５の内部に前記係止ピン１９を横設している。更に、前記傾動部材１３の係止ピン１９を設けた側の端部に前記ビーム部材９の開口３９の下面縁に当止可能な突片４２を一体形成している。
【００１７】
前記傾動部材１３の係合段部２０は、前記接地部材１４を装着した円筒部３２と支軸１６との中間部上縁に形成されており、また該係合段部２０よりも先端側の上縁は摺動縁４３となっている。そして、前記操作部材１５の押ボタン部３７を下方へ押し下げた際に、前記係止ピン１９が摺動縁４３を押圧し、もって傾動部材１３が支軸１６を中心に傾動させ、前記接地部材１４が床面Ｆに接触した後は、圧縮コイルばね２１を押し縮めながら接地部材１４を床面Ｆに圧接するのである。それから、前記操作部材１５の押ボタン部３７を更に下方へ押し下げると、前記係止ピン１９は摺動縁４３を通過して係合段部２０に至り、前記接地部材１４が床面Ｆに圧接した状態を維持するのである。そして、前記操作部材１５に加えた押し下げ力を除くと、前記接地部材１４はその圧縮コイルばね２１の弾性力によって床面Ｆに圧接され続けるのである。ここで、前記キックばね１７による弾性付勢力及び圧縮コイルばね２１の弾性付勢力に抗して前記傾動部材１３を傾動させ、前記係止ピン１９が係合段部２０に係合した状態を維持できるように、前記支軸１６の中心、前記回動軸１８の中心及び傾動部材１３の位置並びに係合段部２０の形状は設定されている。
【００１８】
本実施形態では、後部のキャスター４は床面Ｆに接触し、それよりも前方で前部のキャスター４よりも後方位置で接地部材１４は床面Ｆに接触するので、折畳み式テーブルの荷重は後部のキャスター４と前部のキャスター４及び接地部材１４に分割されて加わる。ここで、前記接地部材１４の位置が折畳み式テーブルの前後方向の重心線よりも前方であれば、前記接地部材１４が床面Ｆに接触した状態での下方弾性付勢力、即ち圧縮コイルばね２１の圧縮弾性力が、後方のキャスター４を中心とした該接地部材１４の位置での折畳み式テーブルの回転モーメントよりも大きければ、両者の力が釣り合うまで圧縮コイルばね２１が延び、即ち接地部材１４が下方へ突出して前部のキャスター４が浮き上がり、小さければ前部のキャスター４は接地したまま接地部材１４がその弾性付勢力に等しい力で床面Ｆに圧接されるのである。何れの場合も、接地部材１４は圧縮コイルばね２１による弾性付勢力で床面Ｆに圧接されるので、折畳み式テーブルは不意に移動することがないのである。図示した本実施形態では、前記接地部材１４を床面Ｆに圧縮コイルばね２１の弾性付勢力で圧接した使用状態では前部のキャスター４が床面Ｆから浮き上がる例を示している（図３（ｂ）参照）。
【００１９】
また、前記接地部材１４が床面Ｆに圧接した状態を解除して移動可能な状態にするには、前記操作部材１５の反対側の押ボタン部３８を下方へ押し下げれば、前記係止ピン１９が係合段部２０から外れ、前記傾動部材１３はそのキックばね１７の弾性付勢力と、初期には接地部材１４の圧縮コイルばね２１の弾性付勢力あるいは折畳み式テーブルの荷重によって支軸１６を中心として接地部材１４を持ち上げる方向へ傾動し、接地部材１４が床面Ｆから離れた後にはキックばね１７の弾性付勢力によって傾動し、前記ビーム部材９の下面に傾動部材１３又は接地部材１４の上端部が当接するまで、あるいは前記操作部材１５の突片４２がビーム部材９の開口３９の下面縁に当接するまで回転し、接地部材１４が床面Ｆから離れた状態となる（図３（ａ）参照）。
【００２０】
更に本実施形態について説明すれば、前記操作部材１５の押ボタン部３７の位置は、その回動軸１８と接地部材１４との間に位置するので、該押ボタン部３７に加えた下方への押し下げ力は、前記接地部材１４が床面Ｆに接触する前は、回動軸１８と、係止ピン１９を介在して支軸１６を介して接地脚２に作用し、前部のキャスター４を床面Ｆに圧接する方向に作用し、そして前記接地部材１４が床面Ｆに接触した後は、接地部材１４と前部のキャスター４に分配されて作用する。この場合、前記傾動部材１３には、圧縮コイルばね２１の圧縮に伴って前端部を持ち上げる反力が生じ、その反力は支軸１６と、係合段部２０を介して回動軸１８と押ボタン部３７へ作用して持ち上げ力となるが、殆どは前記押ボタン部３７に作用する押し下げ力と相殺されるので、前記押ボタン部３７を押し続けている状態では、前記キャスター４は浮き上がることはなく、前記圧縮コイルばね２１が圧縮されるのである。そして、操作部材１５の押ボタン部３７に加える押し下げ力を除いた後に、前部のキャスター４が床面Ｆから浮き上がるのである。
【００２１】
ここで、本実施形態の折畳み式テーブルに用いた前記キャスター４について図３及び図５に基づいて簡単に説明する。前記キャスター４の特徴は、上下寸法が最小となるように工夫した点にある。つまり、前記キャスター４は、下方開放した偏平な円筒状ケース４４の内部に回転体４５を水平回転可能に内蔵するとともに、該回転体４５の回転中心に対して偏心した位置に車輪４６を回転可能に設けたものである。具体的には、前記キャスター４は、前記円筒状ケース４４の内部であって、その上面板４７の下面中心に回転軸４８を突設するとともに、該上面板４７の周囲にベアリング溝４９を形成し、前記回転体４５の中心に形成した軸孔５０に前記回転軸４８を回転可能且つ抜止め状態で嵌合するとともに、該回転軸４８の上部外周に形成したベアリング溝５１と前記ベアリング溝４９との間に複数のボール５２，…を介在させて、円筒状ケース４４に対して回転体４５を垂直な回転軸４８を中心に回転可能となし、更に該回転体４５の偏心位置に前記車輪４６の両側に突設した水平な軸部５３，５３又は車輪４６に貫通した軸ピンを装着した構造である。そして、前記接地脚２を構成するビーム部材９の前後部に、前記円筒状ケース４４を嵌合する下方開放した凹部５４を形成し、該凹部５４にキャスター４の円筒状ケース４４を嵌合し、接着等の適宜な固定手段で固定している。
【００２２】
次に、本実施形態に係る折畳み式テーブルを、図１、図６〜図９に基づいて簡単に説明する。当該折畳み式テーブルは、前記天板１の下面両側であって前後中間部に、前後方向に向けて取付体５５，５５を固定し、該取付体５５，５５を前記支脚杆３の上端部内側面に固着した連結板５６の後方延長部５６Ａに支軸５７にて上下回動可能に連結している。また、前記接地脚２は、通常使用態様では両側前後方向に略平行となして一対配した長尺部材であり、前後端部に方向転換可能なキャスター４，４を設け、後部に前記支脚杆３を前記回転連結手段６を介して前傾状態で支持している。そして、前記支脚杆３は、本実施形態では四角筒状の杆体であり、内部に前記連動手段７を構成する連動杆５８を挿通している。尚、前記連動杆５８は、前記天板１の立起、倒伏動作に伴って上下動するもので、長尺の第１連動杆５８Ａとその下端に枢着した短尺の第２連動杆５８Ｂとで構成している。
【００２３】
また、前記回転連結手段６は、図１及び図６に示すように、前記支脚杆３の下端に垂直に固定した固定筒体５９と接地脚２の後部に垂直に固定した回転筒体６０とを定位置で回動可能に連結し且つ前記固定筒体５９に沿って上下動する駆動ピン６１を回転筒体６０に形成した傾斜溝６２，６２にスライド係合したものである。更に詳しくは、前記固定筒体５９の直径方向に対向した面に形成した縦長のガイド孔６３，６３に、前記駆動ピン６１を貫挿するとともに、該駆動ピン６１の両端部を回転筒体６０に形成した前記傾斜溝６２，６２に挿通し、該駆動ピン６１の中央部を前記支脚杆３の内部から固定筒体５９の内部に延びた前記連動杆５８の第２連動杆５８Ａに固定又は回動可能に取付けている。また、前記駆動ピン６１は適宜抜け止めされているとともに、前記傾斜溝６２とガイド孔６３に接する部分にはスライダー及びローラ等を適宜介在させている。ここで、前記傾斜溝６２の傾斜の向きは、前記駆動ピン６１が固定筒体５９のガイド孔６３に沿って上動した際に、前記接地脚２の前部が内向きに回転変位し、下動した際に左右の接地脚２，２が平行になるように回転変位する方向に設定されており、左右の回転連結手段６では逆の向きになっている。ここで、前記固定筒体５９と回転筒体６０とは、同軸状に定位置回転可能に連結されている。前記固定筒体５９に対する回転筒体６０の回転を容易にするため本実施形態ではベアリングによる連結構造を採用している。
【００２４】
更に、前記傾斜溝６２の下端には回転筒体６０の軸方向へ延びた垂直溝６４を延設するとともに、傾斜溝６２の上端には回転筒体６０の円周方向へ延びた水平溝６５を延設している。前記連動杆５８が下動して駆動ピン６１が前記垂直溝６４に係合すると、前記接地脚２を強制的に横方向に回転させようとしても、その外力の方向と垂直溝６４の方向とが直交するので、もはや回転することがなく、左右の接地脚２，２を平行状態で安定に維持した使用態様とすることができる。また、前記連動杆５８が上動して駆動ピン６１が前記傾斜溝６２の上端近傍に位置すると、前述のように左右の接地脚２，２は平面視ハ字状に内向きに向いてスタッキング態様となる。
【００２５】
一方、前記取付体５５は、下方開放した断面略コ字形の部材であり、上面板６６を前記天板１の下面に固定し、該上面板６６の両側縁から垂下した側板６７，６７に軸受孔６８，６８を形成し、該軸受孔６８に支軸５７を抜止め貫挿するとともに、前記連結板５６の後方延長部５６Ａを枢支している。
【００２６】
そして、前記連動手段７は、前記支軸５７よりも前方位置であって、前記取付体５５の上面板６６から下方へ突出固定した一対の回動アーム６９，６９の下端部に前記連動杆５８の上端部を枢着し、該連動杆５８と前記回動アーム６９とで前記天板１と前記駆動ピン６１とをリンク連結して構成している。即ち、前記天板１の前部を持ち上げて上方回動させることによって、回動アーム６９を介して連動杆５８が支脚杆３の内部で上方へ移動し、それに伴って前記駆動ピン６１が固定筒体５９のガイド孔６３に沿って上動するとともに、回転筒体６０の傾斜溝６２内を摺動して、該回転筒体６０が回転し、もって前記接地脚２，２の前部が約３０°だけ内向きに回転するのである。そして、前記天板１を支脚杆３に略平行になるまで回動させれば、当該折畳み式テーブルを前後方向にスタッキングすることができるのである。また、前記天板１の前部を押し下げて、水平になるまで回動させれば、前述の動作とは逆に、両接地脚２，２の前部が平行になるまで外向きに回転するのである。
【００２７】
また、前記ロック手段８は、前記天板１が水平な通常使用態様（図１参照）と、前部を上方に回動させて支脚杆３と略平行に折り畳まれたスタッキング態様（図６参照）とを維持するためのものであり、図１及び図６に示すように、前記取付体５５の側板６７の前部に通孔７０，７０を形成し、該側板６７，６７間に操作ハンドル７１を配し、該操作ハンドル７１の中央部に直角に側設した回転軸７２を前記通孔７０に回転可能に挿通し、また図示しないが左右の操作ハンドル７１，７１の各回転軸７２，７２をシャフトの両端に固定して連動させ、そして操作ハンドル７１の回転軸７２より後方下方へ延びた係合アーム７１Ａの先端部に側設した係合ピン７３を、前記連結板５６の前縁の円弧部５６Ｂに形成した下方係合凹部７４と上方係合凹部７５とに選択的に係合可能となした構造である。また、前記操作ハンドル７１の回転軸７２より前方へ延設したハンドル部７１Ｂには合成樹脂製の引手７６を取付けている。更に、前記操作ハンドル７１は、回転軸７２に装着したキックばね７７によって、前記係合ピン７３が連結板５６の円弧部５６Ｂに常に接近する方向に弾性付勢し、天板１が通常使用状態において下方係合凹部７４に係合ピン７３が係合し、天板１が立起した折畳み状態において上方係合凹部７５に係合ピン７３が係合するようになっている。つまり、前記操作ハンドル７１のハンドル部７１Ｂに取付けた引手７６を持ち上げることにより、前記キックばね７７の弾性付勢力に抗して係合ピン７３が連結板５６の円弧部５６Ｂから離れる方向に係合アーム７１Ａが回転するように設定している。尚、前記下方係合凹部７４は、天板１が略水平な使用態様となっている状態で、前記操作ハンドル７１の回転軸７２を中心とした円弧に沿った向きに深く切り欠いて形成している。また、前記ロック手段８は、左右両側に設けられており、前記シャフトによって両側のロック手段８，８が同調して操作できるようになっている。また、前記取付体５５及びロック手段８の引手７６を除く部分は、カバー７８によって覆われている。
【００２８】
また、前記天板１を略水平となした使用態様において、前記係合ピン７３と下方係合凹部７４との係合がガタつきなく確実に行え、不意に天板１が上下回動しないように、前記支脚杆３の上端に弾性部材からなる緩衝体７９を固定し、前記取付体５５の上面板６６に圧接しながら前記係合ピン７３を下方係合凹部７４に係合するようにしている。
【００２９】
前述のように、前記折畳み式テーブルは、前記天板１が略水平且つ両接地脚２，２が略平行な使用態様と、前記天板１が立起し且つ両接地脚２，２が平面視ハ字状のスタッキング態様とにロックすることが可能なロック手段８を備え、前記天板１が立起状態でロック手段８による回転規制状態で前記駆動ピン６１が傾斜溝６２の上端より下方に位置するように設定し、前記接地脚２の自由な回動を規制しているが、折畳み式テーブルの保管や搬送中の梱包において、両接地脚２，２をハ字状にしたスタッキング状態では、接地脚２が支脚杆３，３より突出するため梱包容積を最小にすることができない。そのため、本実施形態の折畳み式テーブルは、スタッキング態様からロック手段を解除して両接地脚２，２が略直線状に両支脚杆３，３の間に格納された格納態様に変更可能としている。
【００３０】
ここで、スタッキング態様からロック手段８によるロック状態、つまり前記係合ピン７３が上方係合凹部７５に係合した状態を解除でき、またスタッキング態様から不意にロック状態が解除されないようにするために、以下のような構造を採用している。つまり、前記操作ハンドル７１のハンドル部７１Ｂの前端には、略水平な取付板部８０を形成し、該取付板部８０には取付開口が形成され、該開口内に引手７６に一体形成した嵌合部８１を嵌め殺し的に嵌合できるようになっている。前記引手７６は、図８に詳しく示してあり、前記嵌合部８１の側面には、前記ハンドル部７１Ｂの取付板部８０の開口に嵌入した後、該開口縁に抜止め係合する係合爪８２を突設している。一方、前記連結板５６には、前記係合ピン７３が上方係合凹部７５に係合したスタッキング態様において、前記回転軸７２を中心とした円弧縁８３又は直線縁が前記上方係合凹部７５に連続して形成されている。そして、前記引手７６を操作ハンドル７１のハンドル部７１Ｂの取付板部８０に嵌着した状態では、図６に示すように、引手７６を取付体５５内に押し込むと、前記嵌合部８１の端部が前記取付体５５の上面板６６に当接するまで操作ハンドル７１を傾動させることができるが、その状態でも前記係合ピン７３が円弧縁８３の途中に位置するので、前記天板１をそれ以上立起させることは不可能であるが、逆に水平になる方向への回動は可能である。つまり、引手７６を最も押し込んだ状態では、スタッキング態様から使用態様への変更のためにロック状態を解除できるが、スタッキング態様から格納態様への変更は不可能となっている。
【００３１】
即ち、前記引手７６は、ユーザーに折畳み式テーブルを納入した後に、その場で操作ハンドル７１に取付けるようにしており、この引手７６を取付けてない工場出荷状態では、図７に示すように操作ハンドル７１のハンドル部７１Ｂは、その取付板部８０が取付体５５の上面板６６に当接するまで傾動させることが可能であり、この状態で前記係合ピン７３が円弧縁８３から離れるので、前記天板１をスタッキング態様から更に回転立起させることが可能となり、前記駆動ピン６１は水平溝６５に受け入れ可能な状態まで上動するのである。この状態で前記接地脚２を強制的に内向きに回転させると、前記駆動ピン６１が前記水平溝６５に沿って移動し、駆動ピン６１が水平溝６５の終端に位置して接地脚２が横向きの状態、即ち使用態様における前後方向に配向した状態から９０°回転した状態になる。この格納態様が折畳み式テーブルを最も容積を小さくして梱包できる状態である。この左右の接地脚２，２が直線状になった状態では、前記支脚杆３，３から前後方向に接地脚２，２が突出しないので、梱包時或いは保管時における接地脚２の嵩張りの問題が解消するのである。
【００３２】
次に、前記天板１の下方に設けた折畳み式の収納棚８４について図９に基づいて簡単に説明する。この収納棚８４は、天板１の下面両側に固定した前記取付体５５，５５間に設ける。具体的には、前記収納棚８４は、左右一対の支持アーム８５，８５の前方直線部８５Ａ，８５Ａ間に複数の支持棒８６，…又は支持板（図示せず）を渡設し、各支持アーム８５の後方湾曲部８５Ｂの端部を前記取付体５５の側板６７に軸ピン８７で回動可能に取付けるとともに、該軸ピン８７よりも前方位置で一端を枢支ピン８８で枢支された保持杆８９の他端を、該他端に側設した係止ピン９０を前記前方直線部８５Ａに形成した支持孔９１に前後位置変更可能に係着することによって支持アーム８５を支持している。ここで、前記係止ピン９０は、前記枢支ピン８８よりも常に前方位置になるように保持杆８９は傾斜させている。
【００３３】
前記支持孔９１は、前後方向に延びた長孔であり、孔の上縁側には前記係止ピン９０を前後両端で保持できるように山形突起９１Ａ，９１Ｂを形成している。前記天板１が水平状態で、前記係止ピン９０を後方の山形突起９１Ａに係止すれば、支持アーム８５は略水平状態となり（実線参照）、一方前記係止ピン９０を前方の山形突起９１Ｂに係止すれば、支持アーム８５は前上がり状態となる（想像線参照）。また、前記支持アーム８５の後方湾曲部８５Ｂの端部には、外側に開放した筒部８５Ｃを形成し、該筒部８５Ｃの中心に回動可能に挿通した前記軸ピン８７と該筒部８５Ｃとの間には、キックばね９２のコイル部を介装し、該キックばね９２の一方の弾片の端部を筒部８５Ｃの切欠から導出して支持アーム８５の適所に係止するとともに、他方の弾片の端部を前記取付体５５の側板６７に係止し、前記支持アーム８５を常に前上がり状態になるように弾性付勢している。しかし、この弾性付勢力は、前記係止ピン９０が後方の山形突起９１Ａを乗り越える程には強くは無いが、収納棚８４の前部を持ち上げる際に、係止ピン９０が後方の山形突起９１Ａを容易に乗り越えることができるようにしている。また、収納棚８４を前上がり状態にした際には、前記係止ピン９０が前方の山形突起９１Ｂに係止されている係止状態を弾性付勢力によって確実に保持するのである。尚、前記収納棚８４は、略水平状態ではカバンや書類を載置することができ、前上がり状態では使用態様において折畳み式テーブルの前面側に着座した使用者の膝に該収納棚８４が当たらないようにすることができるとともに、スタッキング態様においてスタッキングピッチを小さくすることができるのである。
【００３４】
最後に、図１０に基づいて本実施形態に係る折畳み式テーブルの他の例を説明する。図１０に示した折畳み式テーブルは、天板１を略水平な使用態様と立起したスタッキング態様とに変更できるものであるが、前記接地脚２，２はそれぞれ支脚杆３，３の下端に固定したものであり、天板１の回動と接地脚２が連動しないタイプである。そして、前記天板１の回動立起動作を軽くするために、前記支脚杆３の内部にガススプリング９３の一端を枢支するとともに、他端を前記回動アーム６９に枢支したものである。尚、本実施形態のガススプリング９３を前述の天板１と接地脚２が連動するタイプの折畳み式テーブルに組み込むことも可能である。
【００３５】
【発明の効果】
以上にしてなる本発明の可動什器のストッパー装置は、以下に示すような顕著な効果を奏するものである。
【００３６】
請求項１によれば、操作部材に大きな力が加わらないような構造となすとともに、構造を簡単にしてコスト低減化を図ることができ、しかも接地部材を床面に接触した状態を操作部材の係合ピンと傾動部材の係合段部との係合によって確実に維持することができる。
【００３７】
請求項２によれば、操作部材を回動操作して傾動部材の端部に設けた接地部材を床面に接触した後、更に操作部材を押圧部材の弾性付勢力に抗して押し込んで操作部材の係合ピンと傾動部材の係合段部とを係合することができ、しかも床面に多少の凹凸があっても確実に接地部材を床面に圧接して、可動什器の不意の移動を制限できるのである。
【００３８】
請求項３によれば、接地部材が床面に圧接しているのか、あるいは床面から離れているのかを、接地脚の上面に出現した操作部材の押ボタン部の配色又は表示で確認することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明のストッパー装置を採用した折畳み式テーブルの簡略全体断面図である。
【図２】本発明のストッパー装置の要部の分解斜視図である。
【図３】同じく要部の断面図であり、（ａ）は接地部材が床面から離れた状態、（ｂ）は接地部材が床面に接触した状態をそれぞれ示している。
【図４】同じく要部の省略平面図である。
【図５】キャスターの断面図である。
【図６】折畳み式テーブルのスタッキング態様を示す部分断面図である。
【図７】スタッキング態様からロック状態を解除し、接地脚を格納態様に変更する前の状態を示す部分断面図である。
【図８】操作ハンドルに取付ける引手を示し、（ａ）は側面図、（ｂ）は他の側面図、（ｃ）は斜視図をそれぞれ示している。
【図９】天板の下方に設けた収納棚を示す部分断面図である。
【図１０】折畳み式テーブルの他の例を示す部分断面図である。
【符号の説明】
Ｆ床面
１天板２接地脚
３支脚杆４キャスター
５ストッパー装置６回転連結手段
７連動手段８ロック手段
９ビーム部材１０補強部材
１１装着用開口１２取付部材
１３傾動部材１４接地部材
１５操作部材１６支軸
１７キックばね１８回動軸
１９係止ピン２０係合段部
２１圧縮コイルばね２２支持板
２３連結板２４取付板
２５取付孔２６バーリング孔
２７タッピングネジ２８軸孔
２９軸孔３０軸孔
３１軸孔３２円筒部
３３当止縁３４ブッシュ
３５抜止め具３６キャップ
３７押ボタン部３８押ボタン部
３９開口４０表示シール
４１表示シール４２突片
４３摺動縁４４円筒状ケース
４５回転体４６車輪
４７上面板４８回転軸
４９ベアリング溝５０軸孔
５１ベアリング溝５２ボール
５３軸部５４凹部
５５取付体５６連結板
５７支軸５８連動杆
５９固定筒体６０回転筒体
６１駆動ピン６２傾斜溝
６３ガイド孔６４垂直溝
６５水平溝６６上面板
６７側板６８軸受孔
６９回動アーム７０通孔
７１操作ハンドル７２回転軸
７３係合ピン７４下方係合凹部
７５上方係合凹部７６引手
７７キックばね７８カバー
７９緩衝体８０取付板部
８１嵌合部８２係合爪
８３円弧縁８４収納棚
８５支持アーム８６支持棒
８７軸ピン８８枢支ピン
８９保持杆９０係止ピン
９１支持孔９２キックばね
９３ガススプリング[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a stopper device for a movable furniture, and more particularly to a stopper device for a movable furniture that restricts a furniture that can be moved by a caster from being unexpectedly moved during use.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a movable furniture stopper device that is provided with a plurality of casters at a lower end of a fixture main body and controls movement so as not to unexpectedly move during use is provided near a caster at a lower end of the fixture main body. The grounding rod is vertically suspended so as to be vertically slidable, and the grounding rod is elastically urged upward, and the grounding rod is pressed downward against the elastic urging force, so that the grounding rod comes into contact with the floor surface. Various types have been provided which include an operation member provided with a holding mechanism for maintaining the caster in a floating state.
[0003]
For example, as an example of the operating member and the holding mechanism, a rotating cam is provided between the upper end of the grounding rod and the tiltable operating member, and the operating member is stepped down and pushed down to move the grounding rod while rotating the cam. When the cam is rotated at the bottom dead center of the cam and the stopper is released, the operation member is tilted in the opposite direction to rotate the cam, and the grounding rod is moved upward by the elastic urging force. There is provided a structure for causing this to occur.
[0004]
As an example of another structure, the engaging hole of the locking member is loosely inserted in the middle of the grounding rod, and the tiltable operation member is depressed by stepping on the foot, thereby pressing the grounding rod against the elastic urging force. By pressing down, the inclined edge of the locking member presses the opposite edge of the engaging hole against the grounding rod, and the grounding rod comes into contact with the floor by holding the locking member in place in the furniture body. When the state is maintained and the stopper is released, the operating member is tilted in the opposite direction to reduce the inclination angle of the engaging member, and the grounding rod can be freely moved with respect to the engaging hole. A structure is provided in which the rod is moved upward by its elastic biasing force.
[0005]
However, each of these structures has a complicated structure, requires high-precision processing and molding, and increases costs. Further, the principle of lifting the caster after pressing the grounding rod against the floor surface is that there is a contact point between the rotating shaft of the operating member and the stepping portion for pressing the grounding rod downward, and the pressing rod is After contacting the floor surface, this contact point becomes a fulcrum, and the downward force applied to the stepping portion of the operating member is converted into an upward force by the other rotation axis, and the furniture is used according to the principle of leverage. I lift it. Therefore, in order to lift a heavy fixture, the distance between the stepping portion of the operation member and the rotation axis must be sufficiently long, and the contact portion with the grounding rod must be sufficiently close to the rotation axis. Even so, a large bending stress acts on the operation member, and the material and the structure must be high in strength.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of the above situation, the present invention seeks to solve the problem by providing a structure in which a large force is not applied to the operation member, simplifying the structure and reducing the cost, and furthermore, connecting the ground member to the floor surface. Another object of the present invention is to provide a movable furniture stopper device capable of surely maintaining a state of being pressed against a movable fixture.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is directed to a stopper device of a movable furniture which is movable with a plurality of casters provided at a lower end of a furniture main body and which controls movement so as not to be abruptly moved during use. A tilting member rotatably supported at an intermediate portion by a horizontal support shaft at a lower end portion of the furniture body, and a grounding member protruding downward is provided at one end of the tilting member, and the grounding member is An operating member that elastically urges the tilting member in the upward direction and a central portion is supported on the upper portion of the tilting member so as to be tiltable with a horizontal rotation axis, and the operating member is provided with a locking pin A stopper device for a movable furniture is provided with an engaging step provided at an upper edge portion of the tilting member for receiving the locking pin and maintaining the state in a state where the grounding member is in contact with the floor surface.
[0008]
More specifically, the grounding member can be moved up and down with respect to the tilting member, and the grounding member is elastically urged in a downward projecting direction. Further, the fixture body includes a grounding leg along a floor surface, and the tilting member and the operating member are built in between casters provided at both ends of the grounding leg, and the tilting member is provided around a rotation axis thereof. Arcuate pushbuttons are formed at both ends, and one of the pushbuttons protrudes from the upper surface of the grounding leg in a state in which the grounding member is in contact with the floor, and the other is in a state in which the grounding member is separated from the floor. Are set so as to protrude from the upper surface of the grounding leg, and different coloration or display is applied to both the push button portions.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a folding table to which a stopper device of a movable furniture of the present invention is applied, and FIGS. 2 to 4 show details of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a top plate, 2 denotes a grounding leg, 3 denotes a supporting rod, 4 denotes a caster, and 5 denotes a stopper device.
[0010]
In the folding table according to the present embodiment, the front and rear intermediate portions on both sides of the top plate 1 are supported by supporting rods 3 and 3 erected at the rear of a pair of grounding legs 2 and 2 arranged in both front and rear directions. Casters 4 and 4 are provided on the lower surfaces of both ends of the grounding leg 2 so as to be movable, and the movement of the folding table is restricted to an intermediate position between the casters 4 and 4 so that the folding table is not accidentally moved during use. A stopper device 5 is provided.
[0011]
More specifically, the top plate 1 is pivotally attached to the support legs 3 and 3 so as to be vertically rotatable, and a rotation connecting means 6 having a vertical rotation axis is interposed between the grounding leg 2 and the support rod 3. At the same time, the top plate 1 and the rotary connecting means 6 are connected to the interlocking means 7 so that the front portions of the grounding legs 2 and 2 are rotationally displaced inward and outward as the top plate 1 rotates vertically. Lock means 8 for maintaining the top plate 1 in a horizontal state and an upright state is provided at a connection portion between the top plate 1 and the supporting rod 3.
[0012]
The stopper device 5 according to the present invention is provided on the grounding leg 2 along the floor of the folding table. The grounding leg 2 has a beam member 9 made of a long metal member having a substantially U-shaped cross section and opened downward. The casters 4 and 4 are built in front and rear ends of the beam member 9, and a front and rear middle portion is provided. A reinforcing member 10 made of a metal member having a substantially U-shaped cross section and opened upward is fixed inside. Then, a mounting opening 11 for the stopper device 5 is formed on the bottom surface of the reinforcing member 10, and the stopper device 5 is incorporated in the mounting opening 11.
[0013]
The stopper device 5 includes a mounting member 12 mounted on the reinforcing member 10, a tilting member 13 mounted on the mounting member 12, a grounding member 14 mounted on the tilting member 13, and an operating member mounted on the mounting member 12. 15. In other words, the stopper device 5 of the present invention is configured such that the intermediate portion of the tilting member 13 is rotatably supported on the mounting member 12 by the horizontal support shaft 16, and one end of the tilting member 13 projects downward to the ground member. 14 and the grounding member 14 elastically urges the tilting member 13 in a direction away from the floor surface by a suitable means such as a kick spring 17 so that the central portion of the operating member 15 is leveled above the tilting member 13. A state in which the operating member 15 is provided so as to be tiltable and supported by a rotating shaft 18, and a locking pin 19 is provided on the operating member 15, while the grounding member 14 is grounded on the floor F at the upper edge of the tilting member 13 And an engagement step portion 20 for receiving the locking pin 19 and maintaining the state is provided. The grounding member 14 is vertically movable with respect to the tilting member 13 and is elastically urged in a downward projecting direction by a suitable means such as a compression coil spring 21.
[0014]
More specifically, the mounting member 12 integrally connects the upper ends of both ends of vertical support plates 22 arranged at a predetermined interval on both sides by connecting plates 23 and the lower ends of the support plates 22. The mounting plates 24, 24 are integrally formed outward on the edges, respectively. In the present embodiment, the mounting plates 24, 24 are formed by pressing and bending a steel plate. Then, both support plates 22, 22 of the mounting plate 24 are inserted into the mounting opening 11 of the reinforcing member 10 from below, and the mounting plates 24, 24 abut against the lower surface of the reinforcing member 10, and each mounting plate 24 Are fixed by tapping screws 27 using the burring holes 26 formed at the corresponding positions of the reinforcing member 10 and the mounting holes 25 formed at both ends of the reinforcing member 10. The tilting member 13 inserts the support shaft 16 into a shaft hole 28 formed in an intermediate portion, and inserts the support shaft 16 into shaft holes 29, 29 formed in both support plates 22, 22 of the mounting member 12. It is mounted so that it can be tilted up and down with a stopper. The operating member 15 is formed by inserting the rotating shaft 18 into a shaft hole 30 formed in a central portion, and forming the rotating shaft 18 above the shaft hole 29 by the support plates 22 and 22. It is attached to the holes 31, 31 so as to be able to be tilted up and down.
[0015]
Further, the tilting member 13 winds the coil portion 17A of the kick spring 17 around the support shaft 16 located between the support plates 22 and 22, and has one leg 17B on the side opposite to the side where the grounding member 14 is mounted. And the other leg portion 17C is in contact with the lower surface of one of the connecting plates 23, and the grounding member 14 is elastically urged away from the floor surface F. The grounding member 14 is a vertically long rod. The grounding member 14 is attached to a cylindrical portion 32 formed at one end of the tilting member 13 so as to be vertically movable, and has a compression coil that protrudes downward with respect to the tilting member 13. The spring 21 is elastically biased. Specifically, a reduced-diameter edge or a stop edge 33 having a small diameter is formed at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 32, and the bush 34 is mounted in the cylindrical portion 32 and the upper end is stopped by the stop edge 33. The small-diameter portion 14A of the grounding member 14 is slidably inserted, the compression coil spring 21 is interposed between the bush 34 and the large-diameter portion 14B at the lower end of the grounding member 14, and the small-diameter portion 14A The upper end is provided with a retaining member 35 composed of a flat washer and an E-ring, and a large diameter portion 14B of the grounding member 14 is further provided with a rubber cap 36 which is in direct contact with the floor surface F. . Here, in the present embodiment, the cylindrical portion 32 is formed by bending a part of the tilting member 13 formed by joining two steel plates to the side. May be formed by welding.
[0016]
The operation member 15 is made of a synthetic resin, and has arc-shaped push buttons 37 and 38 formed at both ends around the rotation shaft 18. In the contact state, one of the push button portions 38 protrudes from the upper surface opening 39 of the beam member 9 constituting the grounding leg 2, and the other push button portion 37 is connected to the ground leg 2 while the grounding member 14 is separated from the floor surface. It is set so as to protrude from the upper surface, and different coloration or display is given to both the push button sections 37 and 38 so that the current state can be visually confirmed. That is, in the present embodiment, both the push button portions 37 and 38 of the operation member 15 have a sector shape with the rotation shaft 18 as a center in a side view, and display seals 40 and 41 of different colors are formed on the arc surface thereof. Is affixed. However, characters may be displayed on each of the push button sections 37 and 38 instead of the display seals 40 and 41 or in combination with the display seals 40 and 41. The operating member 15 has a hollow interior and is open downward, and is capable of receiving at least a portion provided with the engagement step portion 20 at a part of an upper edge portion of the tilting member 13. The locking pin 19 is provided horizontally inside the operation member 15. Further, a protruding piece 42 is integrally formed at the end of the tilting member 13 on the side where the locking pin 19 is provided, and can be abutted against the lower surface edge of the opening 39 of the beam member 9.
[0017]
The engaging step portion 20 of the tilting member 13 is formed at the upper edge of the intermediate portion between the cylindrical portion 32 on which the grounding member 14 is mounted and the support shaft 16, and is located on the distal end side with respect to the engaging step portion 20. The upper edge is a sliding edge 43. When the push button portion 37 of the operation member 15 is pressed down, the locking pin 19 presses the sliding edge 43, whereby the tilting member 13 is tilted about the support shaft 16, and the grounding member is tilted. After the contact of the ground member 14 with the floor surface F, the compression coil spring 21 is pressed and contracted. Then, when the push button portion 37 of the operation member 15 is further pressed down, the locking pin 19 passes through the sliding edge 43 to reach the engagement step portion 20, and the ground member 14 is pressed against the floor surface F. It keeps that state. When the pressing force applied to the operation member 15 is removed, the grounding member 14 is kept pressed against the floor F by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 21. Here, the tilting member 13 is tilted against the elastic urging force of the kick spring 17 and the elastic urging force of the compression coil spring 21, and the state in which the locking pin 19 is engaged with the engagement step portion 20 is maintained. The center of the support shaft 16, the center of the rotation shaft 18, the position of the tilting member 13, and the shape of the engagement step 20 are set so as to be possible.
[0018]
In the present embodiment, the rear casters 4 come into contact with the floor surface F, and the ground member 14 comes into contact with the floor surface F at a position ahead of and behind the front casters 4, so that the load of the folding table is reduced. The rear casters 4, the front casters 4, and the grounding member 14 are divided and added. Here, if the position of the grounding member 14 is ahead of the center of gravity of the folding table in the front-rear direction, the downward elastic urging force in a state where the grounding member 14 is in contact with the floor F, that is, the compression coil spring 21 Is greater than the rotational moment of the foldable table at the position of the grounding member 14 centered on the rear caster 4, the compression coil spring 21 extends until both forces are balanced, that is, the grounding member 14 Is projected downward, and the front casters 4 are lifted. If the casters 4 are small, the front casters 4 are kept in contact with the ground, and the grounding member 14 is pressed against the floor F with a force equal to the elastic biasing force. In any case, since the grounding member 14 is pressed against the floor F by the elastic biasing force of the compression coil spring 21, the folding table does not move unexpectedly. In the illustrated embodiment, an example is shown in which the casters 4 at the front part float up from the floor F in a use state in which the grounding member 14 is pressed against the floor F by the elastic biasing force of the compression coil spring 21 (FIG. b)).
[0019]
Further, in order to release the state in which the grounding member 14 is pressed against the floor surface F and to make it movable, the push button 38 on the opposite side of the operation member 15 is pushed down, and 19 is disengaged from the engaging step 20, and the tilting member 13 is moved by the elastic biasing force of the kick spring 17 and initially the elastic biasing force of the compression coil spring 21 of the grounding member 14 or the load of the folding table. Is tilted in the direction in which the grounding member 14 is lifted, and after the grounding member 14 is separated from the floor surface F, it is tilted by the elastic biasing force of the kick spring 17, and the tilting member 13 or the grounding member 14 Rotate until the upper end of the contact member abuts or the protruding piece 42 of the operation member 15 contacts the lower surface edge of the opening 39 of the beam member 9, and the ground member 14 is separated from the floor surface F ( 3 (a) see).
[0020]
Further describing the present embodiment, the position of the push button portion 37 of the operation member 15 is located between the rotation shaft 18 and the grounding member 14, so that the downward Before the grounding member 14 comes into contact with the floor surface F, the pressing force acts on the grounding leg 2 via the pivot shaft 18 and the support shaft 16 with the locking pin 19 interposed therebetween. Acts in the direction of pressing against the floor F, and after the grounding member 14 comes into contact with the floor F, it is distributed to the grounding member 14 and the front casters 4 to operate. In this case, a reaction force is generated in the tilting member 13 to lift the front end in accordance with the compression of the compression coil spring 21, and the reaction force is generated by the rotation shaft 18 via the support shaft 16 and the engagement step 20. The caster 4 is lifted by acting on the push button portion 37, but is mostly offset by the depressing force acting on the push button portion 37. Therefore, the caster 4 is lifted while the push button portion 37 is kept pressed. That is, the compression coil spring 21 is compressed. Then, after removing the pressing force applied to the push button portion 37 of the operation member 15, the front casters 4 float up from the floor surface F.
[0021]
Here, the casters 4 used in the folding table of the present embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. The feature of the caster 4 is that it is devised so that the vertical dimension is minimized. That is, the caster 4 has the rotating body 45 built therein so as to be horizontally rotatable inside a flat cylindrical case 44 opened downward, and the wheels 46 can rotate at a position eccentric with respect to the rotation center of the rotating body 45. It is provided in. Specifically, the caster 4 has a rotating shaft 48 protruding from the center of the lower surface of the upper surface plate 47 inside the cylindrical case 44 and has a bearing groove 49 formed around the upper surface plate 47. The rotating shaft 48 is rotatably and non-removably fitted into a shaft hole 50 formed at the center of the rotating body 45, and a bearing groove 51 and a bearing groove 49 formed on an upper outer periphery of the rotating shaft 48. Are rotatable about a rotating shaft 48 perpendicular to the cylindrical case 44, and the wheel is placed at an eccentric position of the rotating body 45. This is a structure in which horizontal shaft portions 53, 53 protruding from both sides of 46 or a shaft pin penetrating through the wheel 46 are mounted. A concave portion 54 is formed at the front and rear portions of the beam member 9 constituting the grounding leg 2 and is open downward to be fitted with the cylindrical case 44. The cylindrical case 44 of the caster 4 is fitted into the concave portion 54. It is fixed by appropriate fixing means such as bonding.
[0022]
Next, the folding table according to the present embodiment will be briefly described based on FIGS. 1 and 6 to 9. The foldable table fixes the attachment bodies 55, 55 in the front-rear direction on both lower sides of the top plate 1 and in the front-rear intermediate portion, and attaches the attachment bodies 55, 55 to the inner surface of the upper end of the support rod 3. Is connected to a rear extension 56A of a connecting plate 56 fixedly attached thereto by a support shaft 57 so as to be vertically rotatable. In addition, the grounding leg 2 is a pair of long members which are arranged substantially in parallel in the front and rear directions on both sides in a normal use mode. 3 is supported by the rotation connecting means 6 in a forwardly inclined state. In the present embodiment, the support rod 3 is a rectangular cylindrical rod, and has an interlocking rod 58 constituting the interlocking means 7 inserted therein. The interlocking rod 58 moves up and down as the top plate 1 rises and falls, and includes a long first interlocking rod 58A and a short second interlocking rod 58B pivotally connected to the lower end thereof. It consists of.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the rotation connection means 6 includes a fixed cylinder 59 fixed vertically to the lower end of the support rod 3 and a rotation cylinder 60 fixed vertically to the rear part of the ground leg 2. Are rotatably connected at a fixed position, and a driving pin 61 that moves up and down along the fixed cylinder 59 is slidably engaged with inclined grooves 62 formed in the rotating cylinder 60. More specifically, the drive pin 61 is inserted into vertically long guide holes 63 formed on the diametrically opposed surfaces of the fixed cylinder 59, and both ends of the drive pin 61 are connected to the rotary cylinder 60. And the central portion of the drive pin 61 is fixed to the second interlocking rod 58A of the interlocking rod 58 extending from the inside of the support rod 3 to the inside of the fixed cylinder 59. It is mounted rotatably. The drive pin 61 is appropriately prevented from coming off, and a slider, a roller, and the like are appropriately interposed in a portion in contact with the inclined groove 62 and the guide hole 63. Here, the inclination direction of the inclined groove 62 is such that when the drive pin 61 moves upward along the guide hole 63 of the fixed cylindrical body 59, the front portion of the grounding leg 2 is rotationally displaced inward, The left and right grounding legs 2, 2 are set to be rotated and displaced so as to be parallel when moved downward, and are turned in the opposite directions in the left and right rotary connecting means 6. Here, the fixed cylinder 59 and the rotating cylinder 60 are coaxially connected so as to be rotatable at a fixed position. In order to facilitate rotation of the rotary cylinder 60 with respect to the fixed cylinder 59, the present embodiment employs a connection structure using bearings.
[0024]
Further, a vertical groove 64 extending in the axial direction of the rotary cylinder 60 extends at the lower end of the inclined groove 62, and a horizontal groove 65 extending in the circumferential direction of the rotary cylinder 60 is provided at the upper end of the inclined groove 62. Has been extended. When the interlocking rod 58 moves down and the drive pin 61 engages with the vertical groove 64, the direction of the external force and the direction of the vertical groove 64 are changed even if the grounding leg 2 is forcibly rotated in the lateral direction. Are orthogonal to each other, so that the left and right grounding legs 2, 2 can be stably maintained in a parallel state. When the interlocking rod 58 moves upward and the drive pin 61 is positioned near the upper end of the inclined groove 62, the left and right grounding legs 2, 2 face inward in a plan view C-shape as described above, and are stacked. It becomes an aspect.
[0025]
On the other hand, the mounting body 55 is a member having a substantially U-shaped cross section that is open downward, fixes the upper surface plate 66 to the lower surface of the top plate 1, and bears on side plates 67, 67 hanging from both side edges of the upper surface plate 66. Holes 68, 68 are formed, and a support shaft 57 is inserted into the bearing hole 68 so as to prevent the shaft 57 from being pulled out, and the rear extension 56 </ b> A of the connecting plate 56 is pivotally supported.
[0026]
The interlocking means 7 is provided at a position forward of the support shaft 57 and at a lower end portion of a pair of rotating arms 69, 69 protruding downward from the upper surface plate 66 of the mounting body 55. And the top plate 1 and the drive pin 61 are linked by the interlocking rod 58 and the rotating arm 69. That is, by lifting the front portion of the top plate 1 and rotating it upward, the interlocking rod 58 moves upward inside the supporting leg rod 3 via the rotating arm 69, and the driving pin 61 is fixed accordingly. As the cylinder moves upward along the guide hole 63 of the cylinder 59 and slides in the inclined groove 62 of the cylinder 60, the cylinder 60 rotates, and the front portions of the grounding legs 2 are moved forward. It rotates inward by about 30 °. Then, if the top plate 1 is rotated until it is substantially parallel to the supporting rod 3, the folding table can be stacked in the front-rear direction. Also, if the front part of the top plate 1 is pushed down and turned until it becomes horizontal, contrary to the above-described operation, the two legs rotate outward until the front parts become parallel. It is.
[0027]
The locking means 8 includes a normal use mode in which the top plate 1 is horizontal (see FIG. 1) and a stacking mode in which the front portion is turned upward to be folded substantially parallel to the support rod 3 (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, through holes 70, 70 are formed in the front part of the side plate 67 of the mounting body 55, and an operation handle is provided between the side plates 67, 67. A rotation shaft 72 provided at a right angle to the center of the operation handle 71 is rotatably inserted into the through hole 70. Although not shown, the rotation shafts 72 of the left and right operation handles 71, 71 are provided. The engaging pin 72 is fixed to both ends of the shaft so as to be interlocked with each other, and an engaging pin 73 provided at a tip end of an engaging arm 71A extending rearward and downward from the rotating shaft 72 of the operating handle 71 is connected to a front edge of the connecting plate 56. And a lower engaging recess 74 formed in the circular arc portion 56B. A structure in which no and selectively engageable with the recess 75. A handle 76 made of synthetic resin is attached to a handle portion 71B extending forward from the rotation shaft 72 of the operation handle 71. Further, the operating handle 71 is elastically urged by a kick spring 77 mounted on the rotating shaft 72 in a direction in which the engaging pin 73 always approaches the arc portion 56B of the connecting plate 56, and the top plate 1 is in a normal use state. The engaging pin 73 engages with the lower engaging concave portion 74, and the engaging pin 73 engages with the upper engaging concave portion 75 in the folded state in which the top plate 1 stands upright. That is, by lifting the handle 76 attached to the handle portion 71B of the operation handle 71, the engagement pin 73 engages in a direction away from the arc portion 56B of the connecting plate 56 against the elastic urging force of the kick spring 77. The arm 71A is set to rotate. The lower engaging concave portion 74 is formed by notching deeply in a direction along an arc centered on the rotation shaft 72 of the operation handle 71 in a state where the top plate 1 is in a substantially horizontal use mode. ing. The locking means 8 are provided on both left and right sides, and the locking means 8 on both sides can be operated in synchronization by the shaft. A portion of the mounting body 55 and the lock means 8 other than the tab 76 is covered with a cover 78.
[0028]
Further, in the usage mode in which the top plate 1 is substantially horizontal, the engagement between the engagement pin 73 and the lower engagement concave portion 74 can be securely performed without rattling, so that the top plate 1 does not unexpectedly rotate up and down. Then, a buffer 79 made of an elastic member is fixed to the upper end of the supporting rod 3, and the engaging pin 73 is engaged with the lower engaging recess 74 while being pressed against the upper surface plate 66 of the mounting body 55. I have.
[0029]
As described above, the folding table has a use mode in which the top plate 1 is substantially horizontal and both grounding legs 2 and 2 are substantially parallel, and a configuration in which the top plate 1 stands up and both grounding legs 2 and 2 are flat. A lock means 8 is provided which can be locked in a stacking manner in a C-shape. When the top plate 1 is upright and the rotation is restricted by the lock means 8, the drive pin 61 is located below the upper end of the inclined groove 62. Is set so as to restrict the free rotation of the grounding leg 2. However, in the storage of the foldable table and the packing during transportation, the stacking state in which both the grounding legs 2 and 2 are in a C-shape. In this case, since the grounding leg 2 protrudes from the support rods 3, the packing volume cannot be minimized. For this reason, in the folding table of the present embodiment, the locking means is released from the stacking mode and the grounding legs 2 can be changed to a storage mode in which the grounding legs 2 are stored substantially linearly between the support legs 3. .
[0030]
Here, in order to prevent the locked state by the lock means 8 from the stacking mode, that is, the state in which the engaging pin 73 is engaged with the upper engaging recess 75, and to prevent the locked state from being accidentally released from the stacking mode. The following structure is adopted. That is, a substantially horizontal mounting plate portion 80 is formed at the front end of the handle portion 71B of the operation handle 71, and a mounting opening is formed in the mounting plate portion 80, and a fitting integrally formed with the pull 76 in the opening. The mating portion 81 can be fitted and fitted. The pull tab 76 is shown in detail in FIG. 8, and a side surface of the fitting section 81 is engaged with an opening of the mounting plate section 80 of the handle section 71B, and then is engaged with the opening edge to prevent the handle section 71B from coming off. Claws 82 are protrudingly provided. On the other hand, in the stacking mode in which the engagement pin 73 is engaged with the upper engagement recess 75, the connecting plate 56 has an arc edge 83 or a straight edge centered on the rotation shaft 72 in the upper engagement recess 75. It is formed continuously. In a state in which the tab 76 is fitted to the mounting plate portion 80 of the handle portion 71B of the operation handle 71, when the tab 76 is pushed into the mounting body 55, as shown in FIG. The operation handle 71 can be tilted until the portion comes into contact with the upper surface plate 66 of the mounting body 55. However, even in this state, since the engagement pin 73 is located in the middle of the circular arc 83, the top plate 1 is removed. It is impossible to raise the above, but it is possible to rotate in the direction in which it becomes horizontal. In other words, in the state where the tab 76 is pushed down most, the locked state can be released to change from the stacking mode to the use mode, but the change from the stacking mode to the storage mode is impossible.
[0031]
That is, the handle 76 is attached to the operation handle 71 immediately after the foldable table is delivered to the user. In a factory shipment state where the handle 76 is not attached, as shown in FIG. The handle portion 71B can be tilted until the mounting plate portion 80 comes into contact with the upper surface plate 66 of the mounting body 55. In this state, the engaging pin 73 is separated from the arc edge 83, and The plate 1 can be further rotated upright from the stacking mode, and the drive pins 61 move upward until they can be received in the horizontal grooves 65. When the grounding leg 2 is forcibly rotated inward in this state, the driving pin 61 moves along the horizontal groove 65, and the driving pin 61 is located at the end of the horizontal groove 65, and the grounding leg 2 is moved. The state is a 90 ° rotation from the sideways state, that is, the state of being oriented in the front-back direction in the usage mode. In this storage mode, the folding table can be packed with the smallest volume. In a state where the right and left grounding legs 2 and 2 are straight, the grounding legs 2 and 2 do not protrude in the front-rear direction from the support legs 3 and 3. The problem goes away.
[0032]
Next, the foldable storage shelf 84 provided below the top plate 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. The storage shelves 84 are provided between the mounting members 55 fixed to both sides of the lower surface of the top plate 1. Specifically, in the storage shelf 84, a plurality of support rods 86,... Or a support plate (not shown) is provided between the front straight portions 85A, 85A of the pair of left and right support arms 85, 85 to support each support arm. The end of the rear curved portion 85B of the arm 85 is rotatably attached to the side plate 67 of the attachment body 55 with a shaft pin 87, and one end is pivotally supported by a pivot pin 88 at a position forward of the shaft pin 87. The other end of the holding rod 89 is supported on the support arm 85 by engaging a locking pin 90 provided on the other end with a support hole 91 formed in the front linear portion 85A so that the front and rear positions can be changed. . Here, the holding rod 89 is inclined so that the locking pin 90 is always at a position forward of the pivot pin 88.
[0033]
The support hole 91 is a long hole extending in the front-rear direction, and is formed with mountain-shaped projections 91A and 91B on the upper edge side of the hole so as to hold the locking pin 90 at both front and rear ends. When the locking pin 90 is locked to the rear chevron 91A in the horizontal state of the top plate 1, the support arm 85 is substantially horizontal (see the solid line), while the locking pin 90 is moved to the front chevron. When it is locked to 91B, the support arm 85 is in the forward raised state (see the imaginary line). Further, at the end of the rear curved portion 85B of the support arm 85, a cylindrical portion 85C opened to the outside is formed, and the shaft pin 87 and the cylindrical portion 85C rotatably inserted through the center of the cylindrical portion 85C. A coil portion of the kick spring 92 is interposed therebetween, and the end of one of the resilient pieces of the kick spring 92 is led out of the notch of the cylindrical portion 85C and locked in place on the support arm 85. The end of the other bullet is engaged with the side plate 67 of the mounting body 55, and the support arm 85 is elastically urged so as to always be in a forward raised state. However, this elastic urging force is not strong enough for the locking pin 90 to climb over the rear chevron projection 91A, but when the front part of the storage shelf 84 is lifted, the locking pin 90 moves to the rear chevron projection 91A. So that you can get over it easily. In addition, when the storage shelf 84 is in the forward raised state, the locking state in which the locking pin 90 is locked to the front chevron 91B is securely held by the elastic urging force. In the storage shelf 84, a bag or a document can be placed when the storage shelf 84 is in a substantially horizontal state, and when the storage shelf 84 is in the forward raised state, the storage shelf 84 hits the knee of a user sitting on the front side of the folding table in the use mode. In addition, the stacking pitch can be reduced in the stacking mode.
[0034]
Finally, another example of the folding table according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the folding table shown in FIG. 10, the top plate 1 can be changed between a substantially horizontal use mode and an upright stacking mode, and the grounding legs 2, 2 are provided at the lower ends of the supporting rods 3, 3, respectively. This is a fixed type, in which the rotation of the top plate 1 and the grounding leg 2 are not linked. In order to lighten the operation of raising and lowering the top plate 1, one end of a gas spring 93 is pivotally supported inside the support rod 3, and the other end is pivotally supported by the rotation arm 69. is there. It should be noted that the gas spring 93 of the present embodiment can be incorporated in a folding table of the type in which the top plate 1 and the grounding leg 2 are linked.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
The movable furniture stopper device of the present invention as described above has the following remarkable effects.
[0036]
According to the first aspect, the structure is such that a large force is not applied to the operation member, the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced, and the state in which the grounding member is in contact with the floor surface is determined by the operation member. The engagement can be reliably maintained by the engagement between the engagement pin and the engagement step portion of the tilting member.
[0037]
According to the second aspect, after the operating member is rotated to contact the ground member provided at the end of the tilting member with the floor surface, the operating member is further pushed in against the elastic biasing force of the pressing member. The engaging pin of the member and the engaging step of the tilting member can be engaged, and even if there is some unevenness on the floor surface, the grounding member is securely pressed against the floor surface, and unexpected movement of the movable furniture Can be restricted.
[0038]
According to the third aspect, whether the grounding member is in pressure contact with the floor surface or is separated from the floor surface is confirmed by the color scheme or display of the push button portion of the operation member that has appeared on the upper surface of the grounding leg. Can be.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a simplified overall sectional view of a folding table employing a stopper device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the stopper device of the present invention.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of main parts, in which FIG. 3A shows a state in which the grounding member is separated from the floor surface, and FIG. 3B shows a state in which the grounding member is in contact with the floor surface.
FIG. 4 is an abbreviated plan view of a main part of the same.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a caster.
FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view showing a stacking mode of the folding table.
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state before the locked state is released from the stacking mode and the grounding leg is changed to the storage mode.
8A and 8B show a handle attached to the operation handle, wherein FIG. 8A is a side view, FIG. 8B is another side view, and FIG. 8C is a perspective view.
FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a storage shelf provided below the top plate.
FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view showing another example of the folding table.
[Explanation of symbols]
F floor
1 Top plate 2 Grounding leg
3 support rod 4 caster
5 Stopper device 6 Rotating connection means
7 Interlocking means 8 Locking means
9 Beam member 10 Reinforcement member
11 opening for mounting 12 mounting member
13 tilting member 14 grounding member
15 Operation member 16 Support shaft
17 Kick spring 18 Rotation axis
19 locking pin 20 engaging step
21 Compression coil spring 22 Support plate
23 Connecting plate 24 Mounting plate
25 Mounting hole 26 Burring hole
27 Tapping screw 28 Shaft hole
29 Shaft hole 30 Shaft hole
31 Shaft hole 32 Cylindrical part
33 Retaining edge 34 Bush
35 Stopper 36 Cap
37 push button part 38 push button part
39 Opening 40 Display seal
41 display seal 42 protruding piece
43 sliding edge 44 cylindrical case
45 rotating body 46 wheels
47 Top plate 48 Rotation axis
49 Bearing groove 50 Shaft hole
51 Bearing groove 52 Ball
53 Shaft 54 Recess
55 Mounting body 56 Connecting plate
57 Support shaft 58 Interlocking rod
59 Fixed cylinder 60 Rotating cylinder
61 Drive pin 62 Slant groove
63 Guide hole 64 Vertical groove
65 Horizontal groove 66 Top plate
67 Side plate 68 Bearing hole
69 Rotating arm 70 Through hole
71 Operation handle 72 Rotation axis
73 engagement pin 74 lower engagement recess
75 Upper engaging recess 76 Pull
77 Kick spring 78 Cover
79 buffer 80 mounting plate
81 Fitting part 82 Engagement claw
83 arc edge 84 storage shelf
85 Support arm 86 Support rod
87 shaft pin 88 pivot pin
89 Holding rod 90 Locking pin
91 Support hole 92 Kick spring
93 gas spring

Claims

A movable furniture stopper device that is movable with a plurality of casters at the lower end of the furniture main body and that controls movement so that it does not unexpectedly move during use. A tilting member rotatably supported at the intermediate portion, a grounding member protruding downward at one end of the tilting member, and the grounding member elastically biases the tilting member in a direction away from the floor surface. An operating member is provided on the upper side of the tilting member, the center of which is supported so as to be tiltable with a horizontal rotation axis, and the operating member is provided with a locking pin, while the upper edge of the tilting member is provided with the locking member. A stopper device for a movable furniture, comprising an engaging step for receiving the locking pin and maintaining the state when the grounding member is in contact with the floor.

2. The movable furniture stopper device according to claim 1, wherein the grounding member is vertically movable with respect to the tilting member, and the grounding member is elastically biased in a downward projecting direction.

The furniture main body is provided with a grounding leg along a floor surface, and the tilting member and the operating member are built in between casters provided at both ends of the grounding leg, and both ends of the tilting member around the rotation axis thereof are provided. An arc-shaped push button portion is formed in the portion, and one of the push button portions protrudes from the upper surface of the ground leg in a state where the ground member is in contact with the floor surface, and the other is pressed in a state where the ground member is separated from the floor surface. The movable furniture stopper device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the button portion is set so as to protrude from the upper surface of the grounding leg, and different coloration or display is applied to both push button portions.