JP7492352B2 - Closet Structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the structure of a closet, and in particular to a closet that is built into a room of a house and has a hanger pole and an upper shelf.

Closets built into living spaces in homes generally have a hanger pole placed at reachable height and an upper shelf (lower shelf) placed at an unreachable height.

Utility Model Registration Publication No. 3205182 (Patent Document 1) proposes an internal closet structure in which a hanger pole is provided in the front half of the closet interior and shelves are provided in the rear half of the closet interior, allowing the lower space inside the closet to be used as storage space for bedding and the like.

Utility Model Registration No. 3205182

In Patent Document 1, the depth of the closet is increased so that futons and the like can be stored in the lower space inside the closet. However, simply storing a folded futon on the floor of the lower space inside the closet makes it difficult to store and remove the futon because the clothes hanging from the hanger pole get in the way. Also, when the closet door is opened to remove clothes and the like, the futon may collapse, causing problems when opening and closing the door.

In addition, because the top shelf of the closet is located high up, storing or retrieving items from the top shelf requires the user to take the trouble to bring a step stool in front of the closet, which is a hassle. As a result, the top shelf is not being used effectively.

The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a closet structure that can effectively utilize the internal space and make it easy to store and remove futons.

A closet structure according to one aspect of the present invention is a closet structure that is built into a living room of a house and has a hanger pole and an upper shelf inside, and the closet is partitioned into an upper storage space located between the upper shelf and the ceiling surface, a central storage space located below the upper shelf and equipped with a hanger pole, and a lower storage space located between the floor surface and the central storage space. The closet structure is characterized by having a storage box with casters that is installed in the lower storage space and can be pulled out forward, and a lid that is installed to be able to open and close the top opening of the storage box.

Preferably, the storage box and the lid have a width equivalent to the overall width of the lower storage space.

Preferably, when the lid is fully closed, it is supported from below by the storage box.

Preferably, the lid is attached so that it can slide forward and backward.

More preferably, the lid is attached so that it moves integrally with the storage box when in the fully closed state.

Preferably, the closet structure further includes a door portion that can open and close the front openings of the upper storage space and the central storage space. In this case, it is desirable that the storage box and the lid portion are located below the lower end of the door portion.

This invention allows for effective use of the internal space and makes it easy to store and remove futons.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a floor plan of a house incorporating a closet according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B are front views showing a schematic structure of a closet according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views showing a schematic structure of a closet according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration of a storage box and a lid according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A to 1C are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of using a storage box and a lid according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of using a storage box and a lid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are given the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of a house 1 that employs a closet 2 according to this embodiment. The house 1 corresponds to, for example, one dwelling unit in an apartment building.

With reference to FIG. 1, house 1 includes a kitchen 12, a living/dining room 13, and multiple private rooms (e.g., Western-style rooms) 14-16, with closet 2 built into private room 15. Closet 2 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and is partitioned by the walls of house 1 itself. Note that the room in which closet 2 is provided is not limited to a private room, and may be a living room, etc.

<Overview of structure>
The schematic structure of closet 2 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2(A) is a front view (viewed from the II direction in Figure 1) with door 44 closed, and Figure 2(B) is a front view with door 44 open (removed). Figures 3(A) and (B) are cross-sectional views with door 44 closed. Arrow A1 in Figure 2 indicates the width direction of closet 2. Arrow A2 in Figure 3 indicates the front (front side) of closet 2.

The closet 2 has a height from the floor surface 91 to the ceiling surface 92 of the private room 15. The height dimension H of the closet 2 is, for example, 2300 mm to 2500 mm. The width dimension W of the closet 2 is, for example, 900 mm to 1600 mm, and typically about 1200 mm to 1400 mm. The depth dimension D of the closet 2 is, for example, 450 mm to 900 mm, and typically about 500 mm to 700 mm.

The floor surface 24 of the closet 2 is flush with the floor surface 91 of the private room 15 and is formed integrally with the floor of the private room 15. The sides 21, 22, back surface 23, and ceiling surface 25 of the closet 2 may be formed by plate-like members fixed to the structural components (walls, ceiling) of the private room 15.

The closet 2 has a hanger pole 41 and an upper shelf 42 inside. The height H2 of the hanger pole 41 from the floor 91 is set so that clothes 93 hung on the hanger pole 41 can be removed or stored while standing on the floor 91, and is typically about 1600 mm to 1800 mm. The upper shelf 42 is installed higher than the hanger pole 41, and its height H1 is, for example, about 1800 mm to 2000 mm.

Such a closet 2 is divided in the height direction into an upper storage space 31 located between the upper shelf 42 and the ceiling surface 25, a central storage space 32 located below the upper shelf 42 and equipped with a hanger pole 41, and a lower storage space 33 located between the floor surface 24 and the central storage space 32. All spaces 31 to 33 have the same width and depth.

The height H5 of the upper storage space 31 is, for example, 400 mm to 600 mm. The height H4 of the central storage space 32 is sufficient if relatively long clothes 93 can be stored on the hanger pole 41, and is, for example, 1200 mm to 1400 mm. In this case, the lower storage space 33, which has a height H3 of about 400 mm to 500 mm, tends to become dead space.

In contrast, in the closet 2 according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a storage box 50 with casters 56 that can be pulled out forward is provided in the lower storage space 33. FIG. 3(A) shows the state in which the storage box 50 is stored in the lower storage space 33, and FIG. 3(B) shows the state in which the storage box 50 has been pulled out from the lower storage space 33. A lower shelf 43 may be provided at the boundary between the central storage space 32 and the lower storage space 33.

The storage box 50 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and when stored, occupies almost the entire lower storage space 33. In other words, the width dimension L1 of the storage box 50 corresponds to the width (total width) of the lower storage space 33, and the depth dimension L2 corresponds to the depth of the lower storage space 33. In this way, since the storage box 50 is large, it is possible to store a futon inside.

It is desirable that the front of the storage box 50 is exposed on the private room 15 side. In other words, it is desirable that the door section 44 is provided only on the front (front) of the upper storage space 31 and the central storage space 32, and the storage box 50 can be taken in and out regardless of whether the door section 44 is open or closed. Although the door section 44 is typically a double-hinged door, the type is not important as long as the front openings of these spaces 31, 32 can be opened and closed.

Here, the closet 2 according to this embodiment is provided with a lid 60 that is capable of opening and closing the top opening of the storage box 50. The lid 60 is disposed above the lower storage space 33.

When the lid 60 is in the fully closed state, it is supported from below by the storage box 50. This allows the lid 60 to be used as a stepping stool when the storage box 50 is pulled out. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is easy to take in and out the storage box 50 containing a bulky futon, and it is also easy to store and take out items in the upper storage space 31, which is located at a high altitude.

The height H3 of the lower storage space 33 in which the storage box 50 and the lid 60 are housed is desirably set to be between 400 mm and 550 mm, taking into consideration the ease of storing the storage box 50 and the ease of getting on to the lid 60.

The structure and function of the storage box 50 and the lid 60 are described in detail below.

<Configuration example of storage box and lid>
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of the configuration of the storage box 50 and the lid portion 60. As shown in FIG.

Referring to Figures 2(B) and 4, the main body of the storage box 50 is composed of a front panel 51, a pair of side panels 52, 53, a back panel 54, and a bottom panel 55, and the entire top surface is open. Each panel 51 to 55 is formed from a wood material such as plywood. The depth L3 of the storage box 50 is, for example, 350 mm or more and 500 mm or less. For example, a pair of casters 56 are provided on the front and rear of the bottom panel 55.

A handle 57 is provided on the front panel 51. The resident can take the storage box 50 in and out by grasping the handle 57 on the front panel 51 and pushing or pulling it forward and backward.

A blocking member 58 may be provided at the front end of the bottom plate 55 of the storage box 50 to block the gap between the floor surface 91 and the bottom plate 55 to prevent toes from getting caught in the gap when the box is pulled out. It is preferable that the blocking member 58 be provided across the entire width of the gap.

The shape and size of the lid 60 in plan view are typically the same as those of the storage box 50. In other words, the width dimension (L1) of the lid 60 corresponds to the width (total width) of the lower storage space 33, and the depth dimension (L2) corresponds to the depth of the lower storage space 33.

The lid 60 is formed from a plate-like member of a certain thickness. The lid 60 is also formed from a wood material such as plywood. The thickness dimension L4 of the lid 60 is, for example, 20 mm to 30 mm. In the fully closed state, the edge (outer periphery) of the lid 60 rests on the upper end surfaces of at least some of the front panel 51, side panels 52 and 53, and back panel 54 of the storage box 50. In this way, the lid 60 is supported from below by the storage box 50.

In this embodiment, the lid 60 is attached so that it can slide forward and backward. This allows the futon to be easily put in and taken out of the storage box 50, as described below. A handle 57 is provided on the front end surface of the lid 60.

It is preferable that the closet 2 is provided with a guide member 72 for guiding the sliding movement of the lid portion 60. The guide member 72 includes, for example, rail hardware 72a provided on the sides 21 and 22 of the closet 2, and engagement portions (not shown) provided on both sides of the lid portion 60 that engage with the rail hardware 72a.

The closet 2 may also be provided with a guide member 71 for the storage box 50. The guide member 71 includes, for example, rail hardware 71a provided on the sides 21, 22 of the closet 2, and an engagement portion (not shown) provided on a pair of side panels 52, 53 that engages with the rail hardware 71a. This can reduce lateral movement of the storage box 50 when the storage box 50 is inserted or removed.

Here, it is desirable that the lid 60 is attached so as to move integrally with the storage box 50 when in the fully closed state. In this case, an optional locking mechanism (not shown) is provided that is locked (relative movement not permitted) when the lid 60 is in the fully closed state, and is unlocked (relative movement permitted) when only the lid 60 is pushed backward. The locking mechanism may be one that can only be released when the storage box 50 is in the fully pulled out state.

It is also preferable that a stopper 62 is provided on the lid 60 to prevent the lid 60 from being pulled out forward of the storage box 50. The stopper 62 is, for example, configured as a protrusion that protrudes downward from the underside of the front end of the lid 60. In this case, the stopper 62 abuts against the rear surface of the upper end of the front plate 51 of the storage box 50 in the fully closed state, and abuts against or is close to the front surface of the upper end of the back plate 54 in the fully open state.

<How to use>
A method of using the storage box 50 and the lid 60 will now be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 5(A), the storage box 50 can be pulled out forward from the lower storage space 33. When the storage box 50 is housed in the lower storage space 33, the lid 60 is in a fully closed state. When the resident grasps the handle 57 of the storage box 50 and pulls it forward, the lid 60 is pulled out at the same time. In other words, the storage box 50 is pulled out forward with the top opening remaining closed by the lid 60.

When the storage box 50 is pulled out into the private room 15, the resident pushes only the lid 60 backward (hardly) to release the lock between the lid 60 and the storage box 50. This causes the lid 60 to slide backward and return to the lower storage space 33, as shown in FIG. 5(B).

As shown in FIG. 5(C), when the lid 60 is completely housed in the lower storage space 33, the top opening of the storage box 50 is fully opened. This allows the inside of the storage box 50 to be seen from above, making it easy for the resident to take the futon in and out of the storage box 50. For example, if the futon was simply placed on the floor of the lower storage space 33 for storage, the resident would have to squat down to pull it out, whereas with this embodiment, the resident only needs to lift the futon out of the storage box 50. Similarly, when putting the futon away, it is only necessary to place the futon into the storage box 50 from above. This allows the resident to work in a comfortable position.

When storing the futon, the opposite of when removing the futon is done: after placing the futon in the storage box 50, the handle 61 is grasped to pull out the lid 60, and the top opening of the storage box 50 is closed again. When the lid 60 closes the top opening of the storage box 50 and is in a fully closed state, the locking mechanism is activated and the lid 60 and the storage box 50 cannot move relative to each other.

Since the storage box 50 has a lid 60, as shown in Figures 5(B) and (C), even when storing a bulky futon inside the storage box 50, the futon can be pushed in by sliding the lid 60. This makes it easy to store the futon inside the storage box 50.

Even when pushing the storage box 50 containing the futon backwards to return it to the lower storage space 33, the top opening of the storage box 50 is closed by the lid 60, so the futon inside the storage box 50 is prevented from getting caught on or rubbing against the lower shelf 43, as shown by the imaginary lines in Figure 5 (A). The same is true when pulling the storage box 50 out of the lower storage space 33. Therefore, even if a bulging futon is stored inside the storage box 50, the storage box 50 can be smoothly taken in and out.

Furthermore, when the lid 60 is in the fully closed state, it is supported from below by the storage box 50, and the load is distributed, so that the lid 60 can also be used as a step stool, as shown in FIG. 6(A). Therefore, items stored on the upper shelf 42 (i.e., in the upper storage space 31) can be easily removed without the need to take the trouble of preparing a step stool.

Specifically, because the lid 60 has the same width as each of the storage spaces 31-33, no matter where an item is located on the upper shelf 42, it can be easily removed without the trouble of moving a step stool. In addition, the depth dimension of the lid 60 is 500 mm or more, and there is enough space to walk without any problems, so items can be safely taken in and out while moving around on the lid 60. Therefore, it is possible to use the upper storage space 31, which tends to be used for storing seasonal items, on a daily basis.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the cover 60 can also be used as a seat when changing clothes. It can also be used as a temporary storage area for luggage.

In order to prevent the casters 56 of the storage box 50 from moving unexpectedly when placed on the lid 60, the blocking member 58 may function as a stopper, for example. Specifically, when a certain load (approximately the weight of a person) is placed on the lid 60, the blocking member 58 may be configured to abut against the floor surface 91 due to the weight.

As described above, the closet 2 is equipped with a storage box 50 and a lid 60 in addition to the hanger pole 41 and upper shelf 42 that are included in a normal closet. As a result, according to this embodiment, the entire internal space of the closet 2 can be effectively utilized, and futons can be easily stored and removed.

<Modification>
In the present embodiment, the lid 60 that covers the top opening of the storage box 50 is attached so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the lid may be attached so as to be rotatable in the up-down direction. Alternatively, a separate lid may be placed on the storage box 50.

In addition, in this embodiment, the storage box 50 and the lid portion 60 are located below the bottom end of the door portion 44, so the storage box 50 (and the lid portion 60) can be pulled out regardless of whether the door portion 44 is open or closed, but this is not limited to an example. The door portion may be positioned so as to cover the entire front of the closet 2. In this case, the storage box 50 (and the lid portion 60) can be pulled out only when the door portion is fully open.

In addition, the lid portion 60 is described as being a plate-like member having a certain thickness, but is not limited to this example and may be composed of, for example, a lattice-like member when viewed in a plan view.

Although a futon is ideal for storing in the storage box 50, various types of items, such as children's toys, can also be stored.

The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

2 closet, 31 upper storage space, 32 central storage space, 33 lower storage space, 41 hanger pole, 42 upper shelf, 43 lower shelf, 44 door section, 50 storage box, 56 casters, 60 lid section.

Claims (4)

A closet structure that is built into a room of a house and has a hanger pole and an upper shelf inside,
The closet is divided into an upper storage space located between the upper shelf and a ceiling surface, a central storage space located below the upper shelf and in which the hanger pole is provided, and a lower storage space located between a floor surface and the central storage space,
a door portion capable of opening and closing a front opening of the upper storage space and the central storage space;
a storage box with casters that is located below a lower end of the door portion, is provided in the lower storage space, and can be pulled out forward;
a lid portion that is provided so as to be capable of opening and closing the top opening of the storage box and is attached so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction ;
A closet structure , wherein the lid portion is arranged to be movable rearward relative to the storage box when at least a portion of the storage box is pulled forward. The closet structure of claim 1, wherein the storage box and the lid have a width equivalent to the overall width of the lower storage space. The closet structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lid is supported from below by the storage box when in a fully closed state. The closet structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the lid portion is attached so as to move integrally with the storage box when in a fully closed state.

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