JPH0350174Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a folding mechanism of a folding ladder unit mainly used for storing things in an attic.

[Conventional technology]

Generally, when a dead space under the attic is used as a storage space, a folding ladder is usually installed, but most of this type of folding ladder is pre-assembled as a unit in the factory, and this pre-assembled ladder is In many cases, the ladder unit is installed at the construction site by attaching it to an opening formed in the ceiling surface.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the specific structure, in which a rectangular frame b is formed to surround the periphery of a ceiling opening a, and the opening a can be shielded from the frame b. One end of the lid plate c to be formed is pivotally connected via a hinge d so that it can be opened and closed freely, and the upper part of the folding ladder e is fixed to the upper surface of the lid plate c, while a notched claw is provided at the other end of the lid plate c. Attach the locking fitting f with
A hook g is attached to the frame b side facing the lock fitting f.

Then, fold the ladder e from the unfolded state shown in FIG. 4, push up the cover plate c, and engage the locking metal fitting f with the hook g to bring the folding ladder e into the stored state (i.e., the state in which the cover plate c is closed). ).

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

However, in the method of connecting the cover plate c to the frame body b via the hinge d as described above, when the cover plate c is closed, the head of the hinge d is exposed on the lower surface of the ceiling, so that the room There is a problem that it spoils the aesthetic appearance, and
Since the above-mentioned rectangular frame b is formed with both upper and lower surfaces open, the frame b is easily distorted, especially deformed into a parallelogram shape. If this occurs, it will not only be difficult to open and close the cover plate c smoothly, but also the proper mounting positions of the locking metal fittings f and hooks G will be misaligned, making it impossible to obtain a reliable locking action. The problem is that the locking fitting f and the hook g must be aligned, and the adjustment work is troublesome.

The present invention is an attempt to improve the conventional problems as described above, and allows the lid plate to be opened and closed smoothly without causing distortion or deformation of the frame. The problem to be solved lies in making it possible to lock the device.

That is, the present invention is characterized in that the lid plate is opened and closed via a link mechanism instead of the conventional hinge, and its specific means and operation are as follows.

[Means for solving problems]

A lid plate that can be opened and closed to cover the opening is provided at the bottom of a rectangular frame that can surround the ceiling opening, and the upper part of the folding ladder is fixed to the top of the lid plate. In the ladder unit, a pair of left and right brackets and support arms are installed on the upper surface of the lid plate near its front end, while
A pair of left and right support metal fittings are respectively attached to the left and right side plates of the frame body with an interval in the front-rear direction, and the support metal fittings and the above bracket are connected via link rods, and the support metal fittings located at the rear and the above-mentioned A gas spring is installed between the support arms,
The gas spring is stretched so that its elastic force can be applied both upward and downward through the dead center.

[Effect]

A link mechanism consisting of a bracket, front and rear support fittings, and link rods, and a gas spring provide smooth opening and closing of the lid plate, that is, folding and unfolding of the folding ladder, and prevent distortion of the frame. is obtained.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, 1 is a folding ladder unit according to the present invention, and 2 is a frame (storage box) constituting the unit 1, and the frame 2 can surround the periphery of an opening 4 formed in a ceiling surface 3. It is formed into a rectangular shape with an appropriate rising width. A footboard 5 is disposed horizontally on the upper edge of the frame 2 so as to be biased toward one end. Further, a cover plate 6 is provided at the bottom of the frame body 2 so as to be able to be opened and closed via a link mechanism 7, and forms a lid plate 6 that can cover the opening 4. More specifically, the lid plate 6
A pair of left and right brackets 8, 8, which are located below the step board 5 and constitute the link mechanism 7, are fixed to the upper surface, while the upper edge portions of the left and right side plates 9, 9 of the frame body 2 are the same. Front support fittings 10, 10 are fixed to the upper portions of the brackets 8, 8. And the support fittings 10, 10 and the bracket 8,
A pair of left and right link rods 11 are located near the front end of 8.
The upper and lower ends of 11 are support shafts 11a and 11b, respectively.
It is rotatably connected via the. Further, the brackets 8, 8 are provided with stoppers 14, 14 for regulating the rotation range of the link rods 11, 11.
It is provided so as to be able to come into contact with the rear side surface of 11.
Further, rear support fittings 12, 12 are fixed to the left and right side plates 9, 9 of the frame body 2 with an appropriate distance between them and the front support fittings 10, 10.
Both upper and lower ends of a pair of left and right link rods 13, 13 are rotatably connected to positions near the rear ends of the brackets 2, 12 and the brackets 8, 8 via support shafts 13a, 13b, respectively. A pair of left and right support arms 15, 15 are protruded from inside the brackets 8, 8, and gas springs 16, 16 are provided between the support arms 15, 15 and the rear support fittings 12, 12.
is set up. However, the same gas spring 1
6 and 16 are the cylinder 16a and the same cylinder 16
It consists of a piston rod 16b that is always urged in the extrusion direction and protrudes from the tip of the support arm 15.
The cylinder 16a is pivotally connected to the upper end via a pin 17, and the rear end of the cylinder 16a is connected to the rear support fitting 12 so as to be adjustable in forward and backward directions. That is, the rear support fitting 12
A slit 18 is formed extending in the front-rear direction, and is slidably engaged with the slit 18 via a pin 19 that pivotally supports the rear end of the cylinder 16a. An adjustment bolt 20 is provided at the rear of the pin 19 with its tip in contact with the pin 19, and by rotating the adjustment bolt 20, the pin 19 is slid in the front-rear direction. The elastic force of the gas spring 16 can be adjusted. Furthermore, during the process of opening and closing the lid plate 6, the gas spring 16 generates its elasticity in both the vertical and downward directions, at the dead point of its elastic force, that is, the line that connects the support shafts 13a and 13b that pivotally connect the upper and lower ends of the link rod 13. A support arm 15 to which the tip of the piston rod 16b is pivotally connected so as to be able to apply force is provided at an appropriate height, and the mounting position of the pin 17 is a support shaft which pivotally couples the lower end of the link rod 13. It is provided so as to be arranged rearward than 13b. Further, a lock fitting 21 is attached to the upper surface of the rear end portion of the cover plate 6. The lock fitting 21 consists of a slide bar 21a that is formed so as to be movable forward and backward, and an operation lever 21b that is formed to protrude from the lower surface of the cover plate 6. The head of the slide bar 21a is fixed to the frame 2. Hook 22
The hook 22 is always urged toward the hook 22 so that it can be engaged with the hook 22, and it is also provided so that it can be moved backward in conjunction with the rotating operation of the operating lever 21b. Further, the upper part 23a of the folding ladder 23 is attached to the upper surface of the frame 2. The folding ladder 23 has an upper part 23a, a middle part 23b,
It is formed by being divided into lower step portions 23c, and each step portion 23
By connecting the parts a, 23b and 23c via hinges 24, it is provided so that it can be folded into a trifold shape as shown in FIG. and,
In the lower part 23c of the folding ladder 23, grooves 26, 26 are formed in the left and right side bars 25, 25 along the longitudinal direction, and in the grooves 26, 26, the auxiliary legs 2
7 and 27 are fitted so that they can move forward and backward, and the bolts 28 and 2
It is provided so that its length can be arbitrarily adjusted through the tightening action of 8. Also, folding ladder 2
The upper part 23a of 3 has left and right side rods 25, 25.
Handrails 29, 29 are attached to the handrails 29, 29, and the upper ends of the handrails 29, 29 have appropriate length dimensions so that the folding ladder 23 can be raised substantially vertically when it is unfolded. It is provided so as to extend diagonally upward.

Next, its usage and effect will be explained.

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the stored state of the folding ladder 23, that is, the state in which the folding ladder 23 is folded into a trifold shape, the slide bar 21a of the lock fitting 21 is engaged with the hook 22, and the cover plate 6 is closed. but,
In this state, the gas spring 16 is located above the line connecting the support shafts 13a and 13b of the link rod 13, so the elastic force of the gas spring 16 is in the direction of lifting the cover plate 6 upward. in a state of action. In this state, by rotating the operating lever 21b of the lock fitting 21 using a separately formed dedicated pole, the slide bar 21a moves back and its locking action is released.
The lid plate 6 can be opened to one side via the link mechanism 7, but at this time, the lid plate 6 suddenly falls due to the elastic force of the gas spring 16 acting in the above direction. The lid plate 6 can be opened gently with a small force without causing any trouble. When the cover plate 6 is opened in this manner, the link rods 11, 11 come into contact with the upper surface of the cover plate 6 and restrict further inclination of the cover plate 6, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, in this state, the gas spring 1
6, that is, the pin 17 is the support shaft 1 of the link rod 13.
Since it moves to a position below the line connecting 3a and 13b, the elastic force of the gas springs 16 and 16 will now act in a direction to push down the cover plate 6, and through that elastic force, the above-mentioned effect will occur. This makes it possible to maintain the tilted lid plate 6 at a constant angle. In this state, folding ladder 2
By unfolding each of the steps 23a, 23b, 23c of the folding ladder 2, as shown in FIG.
3 is installed diagonally between the opening 4 in the ceiling and the floor.

In addition, when storing the folding ladder 23 from this unfolded state, each step portion 23a, 23b, 23
If you fold the lid plate 6 into a tri-fold shape and push the lid plate 6 upward, the lid plate 6 will easily rise due to the elastic force of the gas spring 16, and the slide bar 21a of the locking fitting 21 will be hooked. 22, so that the stored state as shown in FIG. 2 can be obtained.

[Effect of idea]

The present invention is constructed as described above.
By connecting the lid plate and the frame via the link mechanism as described above, the elastic force of the gas spring is made to act in both directions up and down from the dead point that occurs during the opening and closing process of the lid plate. Together with this, it has become possible to fold and unfold the folding ladder extremely smoothly with little force.

In addition, in the present invention, as described above, the link mechanism is formed so that the bracket of the link mechanism attached to the cover plate side can be attached to the top surface of the cover plate, and when the cover plate is shielded, it is attached to the cover plate. Therefore, by making it possible to cover up the mounting part and the entire link mechanism, the disadvantage of the conventional hinge type is avoided, namely, when the cover plate is covered, the head of the hinge is exposed to the ceiling surface, spoiling the aesthetics of the room. We have now been able to overcome this drawback.

Furthermore, in the present invention, both the front and rear support metal fittings that make up the link mechanism are provided, and each support metal fitting is fixed to four locations on the frame body, so that the frame body is reinforced by the link mechanism. It has now become possible to obtain functions at the same time. As a result, it is no longer necessary to adjust the misalignment between the lock fitting and the hook caused by distortion of the frame body during construction, unlike in the past, and it has become possible to improve work efficiency when installing the ladder unit.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of the ladder unit according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a side sectional view showing the unit in the stowed state, Fig. 3 is a side sectional view showing the unit in the unfolded state, and Fig. 4 is the conventional ladder unit. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an example. 1...Folding ladder unit, 2...Frame, 3
...Ceiling surface, 4...Opening, 5...Treadboard, 6...
...Lid plate, 7...Link mechanism, 8...Bracket,
9... Side plate, 10... Front support fitting, 11... Link rod, 11a, 11b... Support shaft, 12... Rear support fitting, 13... Link rod, 13a, 13b...
...Spindle, 14...Stopper, 15...Support arm, 16...Gas spring, 16a...Cylinder, 16b...Piston rod, 17...
Pin, 18...Slit, 19...Pin, 20...
...Adjustment bolt, 21...Lock fitting, 21a...
Slide bar, 21b...operation lever, 22...
Hook, 23... Folding ladder, 23a... Upper tier, 23b... Middle tier, 23c... Lower tier, 24
... Hinge, 25 ... Side rod, 26 ... Concave groove, 27
...Reinforcement legs, 28...bolts, 29...handrails.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] At the bottom of a frame formed in a rectangular shape so as to be able to surround a ceiling opening, a cover plate is provided which can be opened and closed to cover the opening, and a ladder can be folded and unfolded on the top surface of the cover plate. In a fixed ladder unit, a pair of left and right brackets and a support arm are respectively attached to the upper surface of the lid plate near its front end, while a pair of left and right brackets and support arms are attached to the left and right side plates of the frame body at intervals in the front and back direction. The supporting metal fittings are attached to the above-mentioned brackets, and the supporting metal fittings and the above-mentioned bracket are connected via link rods, and a gas spring is stretched between the supporting metal fittings located at the rear and the above-mentioned support arm. A folding mechanism for a folding ladder unit that is stretched so that the power can be applied both upward and downward through the dead center.