JP7492740B2 - Storage device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a storage device that allows items to be put in and taken out by pulling the storage section forward from a storage base such as a wall cupboard or display shelf.

For example, in kitchen wall cabinets and display shelves, various storage devices equipped with lifting devices have been proposed, such as those that allow the shelf to be pulled down from the bottom opening to make it easier to take in and out items by removing or placing items on it and then lifting it back up, and those that allow the shelf to be pulled out forward to make it easier to take in and out items.

On the other hand, the applicant has also developed a storage device in which a lifting device that raises and lowers a storage section such as a shelf section or a box-shaped section is provided with a biasing mechanism that biases the storage section upwards so that it can be lowered slowly and safely when lowering it and can be raised lightly by the amount of biasing force when raising it back up, and further in which this biasing mechanism is provided with a force boosting switching mechanism that can boost or boost the biasing force depending on the total weight of the items placed in the storage section (see Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2016-83096 A

However, the structure of Patent Document 1 is complex and difficult to mass-produce, and it is not easy to improve it for application to various types. Further improvements are needed, and the practicality of the device is insufficient.

The present invention aims to provide a storage device equipped with a lifting device that is easy to use and allows easy loading and unloading of stored items even if the storage section is located at a high position, and that provides good operational assistance by allowing the return rotation upward biasing force to be switched according to the total weight of the stored items, and that can be realized with a simple configuration, is easy to manufacture, and has excellent mass production properties, making it extremely practical.

The gist of the present invention will be explained with reference to the attached drawings.

A storage section 2 for placing or hanging items to be stored is provided on the storage base 1, and the storage section 2 is configured to be freely slidably protruded forward relative to the storage base 1,
A lifting device 3 is provided to lift up and down the storage section 2 that has been slid forward relative to the storage base 1,
The lifting device 3 includes a rotary lifting mechanism 5 having a rotary support arm 4 that supports the storage unit 2 with respect to the storage base 1 or a fixed part other than the storage base 1 and rotates downward toward the front at the bottom and rotates upward toward the rear at the top, and a lifting biasing mechanism 6 that biases the rotary support arm 4 to rotate upward in a return manner.
The upward biasing mechanism 6 relates to a storage device, characterized in that it comprises a constant biasing unit 7 which always biases the rotating support arm 4 to rotate upward, a boosting biasing unit 8 which, by switching, applies additional force to bias the rotating support arm 4 to rotate upward when necessary, and a biasing state switching mechanism 9 which, when the rotating support arm 4 of the lifting device 3 is rotated downward and forward, can switch from the constant upward biasing state by the constant biasing unit 7 to an boosted upward biasing state by the boosting biasing unit 8 by connecting the rotating support arm 4 and the boosting biasing unit 8 by switching operation of a switching operation unit 10.

The storage device according to claim 1 is characterized in that the storage section 2 is a box-shaped section or a shelf section having a shelf section, or a part of a plurality of shelf sections located above and below.

The rotating and lifting mechanism 5 is configured such that the base end of the rotating support arm 4 is pivotally attached to the storage base 1 or a fixed portion other than the storage base 1, and an intermediate attachment portion 12 on the tip side of the rotating support arm 4 is attached to the storage section 2, so that the storage section 2 is rotated downward and returned upward relative to the storage base 1 by rotational movement with the base end pivotal attachment portion 11 of the rotating support arm 4 as a fulcrum.
This storage device relates to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that a connection receiving portion 14 to which the force boosting portion 8 is connected is provided on the tip side of the intermediate mounting portion 12 of the rotating support arm 4, and the force boosting portion 8 is configured to be connected to this connection receiving portion 14 by switching operation of a switching operation portion 10 of the biasing state switching mechanism 9, and the force boosting portion 8 is additionally boosted by connection thereof, and the rotating support arm 4 is switched to the force boosting upward biasing state.

The rotating support arm 4 is also configured such that a spiral spring 8A is provided as the boosting biasing part 8 at the intermediate attachment part 12, and a connecting part 13 for transmitting the biasing force provided on this spiral spring 8A is connected to the connecting part 14 of the rotating support arm 4 by switching operation of the switching operation part 10 of the biasing state switching mechanism 9, and the rotating support arm 4 is switched to the boosted upward biasing state by additionally boosting the force by connecting the connecting part 13 of this spiral spring 8A. This relates to the storage device described in claim 3.

The storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is characterized in that the switching operation unit 10 is axially attached to the storage unit 2 and its operation tip is arranged toward the front of the storage unit 2.

Since the present invention is configured as described above, when the storage section provided in the storage base is located high and difficult to take in and out of, or when the storage section is stored in, the storage section can be pulled out forward from the storage base, and if it is still difficult to take in and out even after pulling the storage section forward, the storage section can be further pulled out to a rotational lowering position relative to the storage base by the lifting device to facilitate taking in and out of the stored items. Furthermore, at the rotational lowering position where the stored items are taken in and out of the storage section, the rotational upward biasing force for the storage section can be switched between a constant upward biasing state by the constant biasing section and an increased upward biasing state in which the biasing force by the increased biasing section is added to the constant biasing state by operating the switching operation section of the biasing state switching mechanism. Therefore, when the storage section is subsequently rotated upward, the pushing force can be reduced or adjusted according to the total weight of the load, and the upward biasing speed can be optimized. The configuration is simple, easy to manufacture, and excellent in mass production, making this a highly practical storage device.

The invention described in claim 2 provides a storage device with a more practical configuration that allows for easy design and realization of a simple storage section that makes it easy to insert and remove items.

In addition, the invention described in claims 3 and 4 provides a storage device with a more practical configuration that can be easily designed and realized by simply configuring the energizing state switching mechanism that can switch between a constant upward energizing state and an increased upward energizing state by switching the switching operation unit.

The invention described in claim 5 provides a storage device with a more practical configuration that makes it easier to operate the switching operation unit when the storage unit is rotated down.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory perspective view showing a state in which a storage section is stored in a storage base according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory side view of FIG. 1 . 2 is an explanatory partially enlarged side view showing a lifting stop mechanism of the rotary lifting mechanism and an explanatory perspective view showing a lifting device in the state shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory partial enlarged rear view showing the lift stop mechanism of the rotary lift mechanism in the state shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is an explanatory partial enlarged perspective view showing the relationship between a force boosting portion and a biasing state switching mechanism in the state shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 13 is a schematic explanatory side view showing the first embodiment, illustrating a state in which the storage section has been slid forward (pulled out) from the storage base. 7 is an explanatory partially enlarged side view showing the lifting stop mechanism of the rotary lifting mechanism (lifting stop release state) in the state of FIG. 6, and an explanatory perspective view showing the lifting device. FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory partial enlarged side view showing the relationship between the force boosting portion and the biasing state switching mechanism in the state shown in FIG. 6 . 7 is a schematic explanatory side view showing a state in which the storage section has been rotated and lowered to a lower limit position via the rotation and lifting mechanism, subsequent to FIG. 6; FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory perspective view of FIG. 9 . FIG. 10 is an explanatory partial enlarged side view showing the relationship between the force boosting portion and the biasing state switching mechanism in the state shown in FIG. 9 . FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory side view showing a state in which the switching operation unit has been switched (switched to the boosted upward biasing state) subsequent to FIG. 9 . FIG. 13 is an explanatory partial enlarged side view showing the relationship between the force boosting portion and the biasing state switching mechanism in the state shown in FIG. 12 . 13 is a schematic explanatory side view subsequent to FIG. 12, showing a state in which the storage section has been rotated and raised to an upper limit position via the rotation and lifting mechanism. FIG. 15 is an explanatory side view subsequent to FIG. 14, showing the state in which the storage section has been slid backward and stored within the storage base. FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory side view showing the second embodiment, showing a state in which the storage section is stored in the storage base. FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory side view showing the second embodiment, illustrating a state in which the storage section has been slid forward (pulled out) from the storage base. 18 is a schematic explanatory side view showing a state in which the storage section has been rotated and lowered to a lower limit position via the rotation and lifting mechanism, subsequent to FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a schematic explanatory side view showing a state in which the switching operation unit has been switched (switched to the boosted upward biasing state) following FIG. 18 . 19 , is a schematic explanatory side view showing a state in which the storage section has been rotated and raised to an upper limit position via the rotation and lifting mechanism. FIG. 20, is an explanatory side view showing the state in which the storage section has been slid backward and stored within the storage base. FIG.

The optimal embodiment of the present invention will be briefly explained below, showing its function based on the drawings.

When taking out or placing or hanging items from the storage section 2 provided in the storage base 1, if the storage section 2 is located high and difficult to take in and out, the storage section 2 can be pulled out forward from the storage base 1. If it is still difficult to take in and out even after pulling the storage section 2 forward, the storage section 2 can be further supported by the lifting device 3, specifically the rotating support arm 4 of the rotating lifting mechanism 5, to the storage base 1, and the storage section 2 can be rotated and lowered to the lower front, and the items can be loaded and unloaded at this low forward position. Once loading and unloading is complete, the storage section 2 can be rotated back to the upper rear and raised, and then slid back to the rear to return to its original position.

At this time, the rotating lift mechanism 5 equipped with the rotating support arm 4 is equipped with an upward biasing mechanism 6 that biases the rotating support arm 4 to rotate upward. The upward biasing mechanism 6 is equipped with a constant biasing section 7 that always biases the rotating support arm 4 to rotate upward, a boosting biasing section 8 that, when necessary, is switched to provide additional boost and bias for rotating upward, and a biasing state switching mechanism 9 that can switch from the constant upward biasing state by the constant biasing section 7 to the boosted upward biasing state by the boosting biasing section 8 by switching the switching operation section 10 when the rotating support arm 4 of the rotating lift mechanism 5 is rotated downward and forward, by connecting the rotating support arm 4 and the boosting biasing section 8.

In other words, when the storage section 2 is rotated downward toward the front after loading and unloading the stored items, and then rotated upward toward the rear, the rotating support arm 4 (storage section 2) is in a constant biased state by the constant biasing section 7, so that a reduction in the operating force can be achieved. However, if the total weight of the stored items is considered to be large and heavy, the switching operation section 10 can be operated to connect the rotating support arm 4 and the boosting biasing section 8 to switch to the boosting biased state, thereby obtaining a biasing force (reducing the operating force) corresponding to a large total weight.

On the other hand, if many items have been removed from the storage section 2 that has been rotated downward toward the front and the total weight is considered to be small and light, the switching operation section 10 can be operated to release the connection between the rotation support arm section 4 and the boosting force section 8, and the storage section 2 will return to a constant biasing state provided only by the constant biasing section 7, so there is no inconvenience of the storage section 2 being forcefully rotated upward by a strong rotation upward biasing force.

In addition, the lifting force mechanism 6 of the rotation lifting mechanism 5, which can switch the rotation lifting force, can be realized with a simple configuration, making it easy to manufacture and suitable for mass production.

A specific embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 15.

The storage base 1 of this embodiment employs a front-opening shelf (hanging cupboard) that is rectangular when viewed from the front as shown in Figures 1 and 10, and within this storage base 1 is provided a storage section 2 for placing or hanging items to be stored. Although not shown, the front opening of the storage base 1 may be provided with an opening and closing door.

The storage section 2 is configured as a rectangular box-shaped section with an open front and top and a shelf section in the middle as shown in Figures 1 and 10, and a pull-out handle 15 is provided on the lower front side of this box-shaped storage section 2. The shape of this storage section 2 is not limited to this embodiment, and may be, for example, a box-shaped section without a shelf section, a shelf section that is not box-shaped, a shelf section with multiple upper and lower levels, or other storage shapes may be used.

The storage section 2 is configured to be freely slidably protruded forward relative to the storage base 1, and a lifting device 3 is provided to raise and lower the storage section 2 that has been slidably protruded forward relative to the storage base 1.

Specifically, the lifting device 3 is equipped with a rotating lifting mechanism 5 having a rotating support arm 4 that supports the storage section 2 relative to the storage base 1 and rotates downward toward the lower front and returns and raises the storage section 2 relative to the upper rear, and a lifting biasing mechanism 6 that biases the rotating support arm 4 to return and rotate upward. Note that the lifting device 3 may be configured to support the storage section 2 relative to a fixed part other than the storage base 1.

The rotating and lifting mechanism 5 of this embodiment will be described. The rotating support arms 4, two on each side, are pivotally attached to the left and right side of the storage section 2, and the base ends of each of these rotating support arms 4 are pivotally attached to base side fixtures 16 provided on the left and right sides of the bottom surface of the storage base 1. The tip ends (other ends) of the front and rear rotating support arms 4 are pivotally attached to the front and rear positions of storage section side fixtures 17 provided on the left and right side walls of the storage section 2, respectively, so that the storage section 2 rotates downward and upward with parallel movement relative to the storage base 1 by rotating around the base end pivot parts 11 of each rotating support arm 4 as a fulcrum, forming a parallel link mechanism 5. This parallel link mechanism 5 is configured as the rotary lift mechanism 5, and the storage section 2 can be pulled out from within the storage base 1 to a position lower than the bottom surface of the storage base 1 without changing the angle via this rotary lift mechanism 5, and can be returned and raised from this pull-out rotary lowered position to be pushed up into the storage base 1 (see Figures 6, 9, 12, and 14).

Now, to explain the storage unit side mounting fixture 17 in more detail, it is composed of a storage mounting plate 18 that is fixed to the left and right side walls of the storage unit 2, an arm support plate 19 to which the tip end of the rotating support arm 4 is pivotally attached, and a slide rail 20 that is interposed between the storage mounting plate 18 and the arm support plate 19, and the storage mounting plate 18 is configured to be able to slide forward relative to the arm support plate 19 via the slide rail 20.

That is, the storage section 2 (the storage mounting plate 18), which is fixed to the storage base 1 via the arm support plate 19, the rotating support arm 4, and the base side mounting fixture 16, is provided so as to be freely slidable in and out of the front opening of the storage base 1 via the slide rail 20 (see Figures 2, 6, 14, and 15).

In addition, this embodiment is provided with a lifting stop mechanism 23 that stops the function of the pivoting and lifting mechanism 4 when the storage section 2 slides back and is completely contained within the storage base 1 (the state shown in Figures 1 and 2). This lifting stop mechanism 23 is released when the storage section 2 is slid forward relative to the storage base 1, so that the storage section 2 that slides forward can be pivoted and raised/lowered via the pivoting and lifting mechanism 4.

Specifically, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the upper end of the rear pivot support arm 4 is bent at a right angle, and this bent upper end is configured as a stopper piece 24, while the lower end of the storage mounting plate 18 is bent at a right angle, and this bent lower end is configured as a receiving piece 25, and the stopper piece 24 and receiving piece 25 are arranged in close proximity.

When the storage section 2 is completely contained within the storage base 1, the stopper piece 24 and the receiving piece 25 are in a state of close proximity (see FIG. 3). In this state, even if the rotating support arm 4 tries to rotate, the stopper piece 24 comes into contact with the receiving piece 25, preventing the rotation. When the storage section 2 is pulled out and slid forward from the storage base 1 as shown in FIG. 6, the storage mounting plate 18 and the arm support plate 19 are misaligned via the slide rail 20. When the storage section 2 is pulled out as far forward as possible from the storage base 1, the receiving piece 25 retreats from above the stopper piece 24 as shown in FIG. 7, allowing the rotating support arm 4 to rotate (so that the storage section 2, which has been slid forward relative to the storage base 1, can be rotated downward toward the lower front and rotated upward toward the upper rear). The lifting stop mechanism 23 is configured as follows.

The upward biasing mechanism 6 in this embodiment includes a constant biasing unit 7 that always biases the rotating support arm 4 upward in a rotating manner, a boosting biasing unit 8 that, when necessary, applies additional boost by switching to bias the rotating support arm 4 upward in a rotating manner, and a biasing state switching mechanism 9 that can switch from the constant upward biasing state by the constant biasing unit 7 to the boosted upward biasing state by the boosting biasing unit 8 by switching the switching operation unit 10 to connect the rotating support arm 4 and the boosting biasing unit 8 when the rotating support arm 4 of the rotating lift mechanism 5 is rotated downward and forward.

The constant biasing portion 7 of this embodiment is not shown in detail, but is composed of a torsion spring 7 interposed between the base end of the rotating support arm 4 (base end pivoting portion 11 to the base side mounting fixture 16) and the base side mounting fixture 16. The rotating support arm 4 is always biased upward by this torsion spring 7 (in the constantly upward biased state), and when returning the storage unit 2 from the lowered rotating position to the upper position, the operating force is reduced, and conversely, when the storage unit 2 is pulled out from the storage base 1, resistance is applied to the rotational movement of the rotating support arm 4, preventing the storage unit 2 from jumping out with force. Note that a damper device or the like that applies resistance to the rotational movement of the rotating support arm 4 when the storage unit 2 is pulled out may be used in combination.

Now, to explain in more detail the pivot structure between each rotating support 4 and the storage section 2, the front and rear rotating support arms 4 are pivotally attached such that the tip (other end) of the rear rotating support arm 4 is pivotally attached to the rear position of the storage section side mounting fixture 17, while the tip (other end) of the front rotating support arm 4 is pivotally attached at its midpoint (midpoint mounting portion 12) to the front position of the storage section side mounting fixture 17. The front pivot support arm 4 is formed into a hook shape from the intermediate attachment portion 12 toward the tip end, and a protrusion 14A is formed at the hook tip end, protruding toward the storage portion 2 (see FIG. 5). This protrusion 14A is configured as a connection receiver 14 to which the booster biasing portion 8 is connected so as to be freely connected and disconnected. When the booster biasing portion 8 is connected to this connection receiver 14 by the switching operation of the switching operation portion 10 (10A) of the biasing state switching mechanism 9, the connection of the booster biasing portion 8 provides additional boost, and the pivot support arm 4 is configured to switch to the boosted upward biasing state.

The booster biasing unit 8 in this embodiment is composed of a non-contact spiral spring 8A provided at the mid-mounting portion 12 of the pivot support arm 4.

Specifically, the spiral spring 8A is wound around the pivot shaft of the intermediate attachment portion 12 of the rotating support arm 4, and its central end is fixed to the pivot shaft of the intermediate attachment portion 12, while its outer peripheral end is bent into a hook shape, and this hook portion 13A is configured as a connecting portion 13 that can be hooked and releasably connected to the connecting receiving portion 14 of the rotating support arm 4 (see Figures 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, and 13). When the connecting portion 13 is hooked and connected to the connecting receiving portion 14, the biasing force of this spiral spring 8A is applied to the rotating support arm 4 (additionally boosted to the biasing force of the constant biasing portion 7), and the rotating support arm 4 is configured to switch to the boosted upward biasing state (see Figures 12 to 15).

The switching operation unit 10A, which is a short strip-like plate, is disposed at the front end of the arm support plate 19 of the storage unit side attachment 17 so that its length is aligned with the front-to-rear direction and is slidably mounted in the front-to-rear direction relative to the arm support plate 19. The reference numeral 26 in the figure denotes a slide guide that supports the switching operation unit 10A so that it can slide back and forth.

To explain this switching operation unit 10A in more detail, as shown in Figure 5, the front end is bent at a substantially right angle toward the storage unit 2, and this bent front end piece is configured as an operation piece 21 that can be operated with a finger, and this operation piece 21 is disposed so as to be located forward of the front end of the arm support plate 19. In other words, the switching operation unit 10A is provided with its operation piece 21 facing the front side of the storage unit 2, and is configured so that an operator on the near side of the storage unit 2 can easily place his or her finger on this operation piece 21 to perform a sliding operation back and forth.

The lower part of the switching operation part 10A is bent substantially horizontally, and the rear end of the horizontal lower plate is bent downward at a substantially right angle, and this rear end bent piece is configured as a hook piece 22 that can be detachably hooked to the connecting part 13 (hook part 13A) of the spiral spring 8A (see Figs. 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, and 13). When the switching operation part 10A is pushed backward and slid by operating the operation piece 21 in a state where the storage part 2 is rotated down from the storage base 1, the hook part 13A is hooked to the hook piece 22 when the storage part 2 returns and rotates up. Conversely, when the switching operation part 10A is pulled out and slid forward relative to the arm support plate 19 by operating the operation piece 21 in a state where the storage part 2 is rotated down from the storage base 1, the hook part 13A is not hooked to the hook piece 22 when the storage part 2 returns and rotates up.

That is, when the operation piece 21 of the switching operation unit 10A is pushed backward and slid while the storage unit 2 is in the rotational lower limit position, the hook portion 13A of the spiral spring 8A is hooked to the hook piece 22 when the storage unit 2 is rotated upward (see Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6), and the hook portion 13A is disengaged from the connecting receiving portion 14 (projection piece 14A) of the rotation support arm 4 to enter the constantly upward biased state. Conversely, when the operation piece 21 of the switching operation unit 10A is pulled forward and slid while the storage unit 2 is in the rotational lower limit position, the hook portion 13A of the spiral spring 8A is hooked and connected to the projection piece 14A of the rotation support arm 4 (the boosting biasing unit 8 is connected to the rotation support arm 4) (see Figs. 12 to 15), and the biasing state switching mechanism 9 is configured to enter the boosting upward biased state.

In addition, when the switching operation unit 10A is pushed and slid backward and the hook portion 13A of the spiral spring 8A is hooked to the hanging piece 22 (the constantly upward biased state), it cannot be pulled out and slid forward. However, when the storage unit 2 contained within the storage base 1 is rotated downward toward the front side, the protrusion 14A is connected to the hook portion 13A during the rotation and descent, and when the storage unit 2 is further rotated and descent thereafter, the hook portion 13A is connected to the protrusion 14A (rotating support arm portion 4) as it rotates. 3A is disengaged from the hook piece 22, and as shown in FIG. 11, at the lowest rotational position of the storage section 2 (the position at which the storage section 2 is rotated downward to the front), the hook portion 13A is disengaged from the hook piece 22 and remains connected to the protruding piece 14A, and at this time the switching operation section 10A can be pulled out forward and slid (the positions of the switching operation section 10A, the rotational support arm 4, and the hook portion 13A of the spiral spring 8A are set and configured to achieve this effect).

When the switching operation unit 10A is pulled out and slid forward while the storage unit 2 is rotated down, and then the storage unit 2 is rotated up towards the storage base 1, the connecting portion 13 of the spiral spring 8A is not hooked on the hook piece 22, and is configured to enter the boosted biased state in which it continues to apply a biasing force to the rotation support arm 4. When the total weight of the stored items is large and heavy, the storage unit 2 can be rotated up and back to the upper rear in this boosted biased state (see Figure 14), and then slid back to the rear to return it to its original state (stored in the storage base 1) (see Figure 15).

A specific example of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 21.

In this embodiment, the configuration of the boosting biasing unit 8 and the configuration of the biasing state switching mechanism 9 are different from those in the first embodiment.

Specifically, the force boosting section 8 in this embodiment is composed of a biasing member 8B in which three coil springs 27 having tensile elasticity are suspended between a pair of connection bases 28 (28A, 28B) as shown in the figure, and one side connection base 28A of this biasing member 8B is pivotally attached to the arm support plate 19 at a position rearward of the tip pivot attachment part of the rear pivot support arm 4, while the other side connection base 28B is configured so that it can be freely connected and disconnected to the connection receiving part 14 provided at the tip of the front pivot support arm 4.

The other side connection base 28B is provided with a connecting pin 13B that protrudes outward from the other side connection base 28B to both the left and right, and this connecting pin 13B is configured as a connecting part 13 that can be hooked and connected to the connecting receiving part 14 of the rotating support arm part 4 in a manner that allows it to be connected and disconnected.

On the other hand, a recessed portion 14B that can be freely fitted and connected to the connecting pin 13B is formed at the tip of the front rotating support arm 4, and this recessed portion 14B is configured as the connecting receiving portion 14.

In this embodiment, the biasing state switching mechanism 9 is configured so that the portion of the connecting pin 13B that is located on the outside of the other side connection base 28B is connected to the recessed portion 14B and biased to boost (the boosted upward biasing state) unless the connection is released by the switching operation unit 10 (10B) described later.

The switching operation unit 10B of this embodiment is made of an L-shaped strip of plate material as shown in Figures 18 to 21, and is pivotally attached to the arm support plate 19 of the storage unit side attachment 17. Furthermore, this switching operation unit 10B has a straight operation end 29 on one side that protrudes forward from the arm support plate 19 (so that an operator at the front side of the storage unit 2 can easily hook this operation end 29 with their fingers to perform vertical rotation switching operation), and a hook-shaped portion 30 on the opposite side (rear side) is adjacently disposed on the other side connection base 28B of the biasing member 8B, and this hook-shaped portion 30 is configured to be hooked onto a portion of the connecting pin 13B (the biasing member 8B) that protrudes inward from the other side connection base 28B.

The switching operation unit 10B is pivotally attached to the front end of the arm support plate 19, and is configured so that when the operation end 29 of the switching operation unit 10B, which protrudes forward of the arm support plate 19, is rotated downward with this pivot 31 as a fulcrum, the hook-shaped portion 30 on the opposite side is rotated upward, and conversely, when the operation end 29 of the switching operation unit 10B is rotated upward, the hook-shaped portion 30 on the opposite side is rotated downward.

As shown in FIG. 18, when the operation end 29 of the switching operation part 10B is rotated downward while the storage part 2 is rotated downward from the storage base 1, the hook-shaped part 30 of the switching operation part 10B moving upward is hooked on the connecting pin 13B of the biasing member 8B. In this state, the movement of the coil spring 27 of the other side connection base 28B in the direction of contraction is prevented, and when the storage part 2 is rotated upward, the connecting pin 13B remains in place, and the part of the connecting pin 13B protruding outward from the other side connection base 28B is connected to the concave part 14B of the rotating support arm 4 that rotates. The biasing state switching mechanism 9 is configured so that when the storage unit 2 is rotated up, the connection state of the connecting pin 13B is released and the constant upward biasing state is established (see FIG. 17). Conversely, when the operation end 29 of the switching operation unit 10B is rotated upward with the storage unit 2 rotated down, the hook-shaped portion 30 that moves downward is released from the connecting pin 13B (see FIG. 19). In this state, the movement of the other side connection base 28B in the direction in which the coil spring 27 contracts (the direction in which the return biasing force of the coil spring 27 is exerted) is not prevented, and when the storage unit 2 is rotated up, the connection state of the connecting pin 13B to the concave portion 14B is maintained and the increased upward biasing state is established (see FIG. 20).

The rest of the configuration is the same as in Example 1 (detailed explanations will be omitted and the same reference numerals as in Example 1 will be used in the drawings).

The present invention is not limited to Examples 1 and 2, and the specific configuration of each component can be designed as appropriate.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Storage base 2 Storage section 3 Lifting device 4 Rotating support arm section 5 Rotating lifting mechanism 6 Lifting biasing mechanism 7 Constant biasing section 8 Boosting biasing section 8A Spiral spring 9 Biasing state switching mechanism
10 Switching operation section
11 Base end pivot part
12 Midway attachment section
13 Connection
14 Connection receiving part

Claims (5)

The storage base is provided with a storage section for placing or hanging items to be stored, and the storage section is configured to be freely slidably protruded forward relative to the storage base,
a lifting device is provided to lift the storage unit which is slid forward relative to the storage base,
The lifting device includes a rotary lifting mechanism having a rotary support arm that supports the storage unit with respect to the storage base or a fixed unit other than the storage base and rotates downward toward the front at the bottom and rotates upward toward the rear at the top, and an upward biasing mechanism that biases the rotary support arm to rotate upward in a return manner,
The upward biasing mechanism comprises a constant biasing section which always biases the rotating support arm in an upward rotational direction, a boosting biasing section which, when necessary, is switched to provide additional boost to bias the rotating support arm in an upward rotational direction, and a biasing state switching mechanism which, when the rotating support arm of the lifting device is rotated downward and forward, can switch from the constant upward biasing state by the constant biasing section to an boosted upward biasing state by the boosting biasing section by switching the switching operation of a switching operation section to connect the rotating support arm and the boosting biasing section. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage section is a box-shaped section or a shelf section having a shelf section, or a part of a plurality of shelf sections arranged vertically. The rotating and lifting mechanism is configured such that a base end of the rotating support arm is pivotally attached to the storage base or a fixed portion other than the storage base, and an intermediate attachment portion on the tip side of the rotating support arm is attached to the storage unit, and the storage unit is rotated downward and returned upward relative to the storage base by rotational movement about the base end pivot portion of the rotating support arm,
A storage device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that a connection receiving portion to which the force boosting portion is connected is provided on the tip side of the intermediate attachment portion of the rotating support arm, and the force boosting portion is configured to be connected to this connection receiving portion by switching operation of a switching operation portion of the biasing state switching mechanism, so that the rotating support arm is configured to be switched to the force boosting upward biasing state by additionally boosting the force by connecting this force boosting portion. The storage device according to claim 3, characterized in that the rotating support arm is provided with a spiral spring as the boosting biasing part at the intermediate attachment part, and a connecting part for transmitting the biasing force provided on the spiral spring is configured to be connected to the connecting receiver part of the rotating support arm by switching operation of a switching operation part of the biasing state switching mechanism, and the rotating support arm is configured to be switched to the boosted upward biasing state by additionally boosting the force by connecting the connecting part of the spiral spring. The storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the switching operation unit is axially attached to the storage unit and its operation tip is arranged facing the front of the storage unit.

Images