JPH09154651A - Adjuster device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely fix equipment at any arbitrarily selected elevation by a simple operation. SOLUTION: A sliding shaft 12 as a support leg is fitted, in vertically movable manner, into the corner part of a pedestal 4 forming a table. In addition, a compression spring 15 is arranged between the lower face of the cap part 14 of the sliding shaft 12 and the upper face of a lock part metal fitting 9, and always energizes the sliding shaft 12 upward. Further, a hole 17 of slightly larger diameter than the that of the sliding shaft 12 is opened in a shaped hook plate 16, and the sliding shaft 12 is engaged with the corner part 21 of the hole 17. Besides, a pedal shaft 24 is inserted, as a rotary shaft, into a pedal bearing 23 protruded in the pedestal 4, and a shaped pedal plate 25 is connected to the pedal shaft 24. This, the table 1 can be easily lifted up, using a contact point between the pedal plate 25 and the cap part 14 of the sliding shaft 12 as a fulcrum of force, the position of a pedal 26 as a point of force and the position of the pedal shaft 24 as a working point of force.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an adjuster device which is attached to equipment such as a movable table and a carrier to which casters are attached to prevent the equipment from moving.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some equipment such as a conference table, office equipment, and workbench are equipped with casters for convenience of transportation. Further, in these equipments with casters, the adjuster device is attached because it is necessary to securely fix the equipments to the floor surface when the equipment is used. As such an adjuster device, there is known one in which screw shafts extending in the vertical direction are respectively screwed to the corners of footrests of equipment, etc., a grounding body is provided at the lower end of each screw shaft, and a knob is fixed to the upper end. Has been. Then, by grasping the knob and rotating the screw shaft with a fingertip, or rotating the screw shaft with a tool, the adjuster length is adjusted to securely fix the equipment or the like to the floor surface. It is designed to be unlocked.

A pedal-type locking device is known as a device for switching between a fixed position and a movable position of a carrying device having casters attached to a footrest.

[0004]

However, in the former adjuster device using the screw shaft, the screw must be operated with a tool or the like bent every time the equipment is fixed. However, not only is it troublesome, but in order to fix a heavy table, it is necessary to lift the table and adjust the adjuster length.

In the latter pedal type locking device,
You can easily switch between two positions, a fixed position and a movable position, by pressing the pedal.However, since the adjuster function is not available, the position that can be fixed is fixed, and it cannot be fixed at any position. I couldn't adjust the height. Therefore, there is a problem that it cannot be securely fixed on a floor surface having irregularities.

The present invention is intended to solve each of the above problems, and an object thereof is to perform a switching operation between a fixed position and a movable position by a simple operation, and to adjust an arbitrary adjuster length. Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjuster device that can be securely fixed to a floor surface to securely fix equipment and the like.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention of claim 1, a support leg movably provided in a vertical direction with respect to the equipment and the support leg are urged upward. An elastic member, a lever member that is rotatably supported by the equipment to push down the support leg downward against the elastic force of the elastic member, and allows the support leg to move downward. The gist of the present invention is to include locking means for preventing the support leg from moving upward.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the locking means is a locking member capable of laterally abuttingly locking the supporting leg, and the locking member is provided on the supporting leg. The gist of the present invention is that it comprises an urging means for urging the locking member so as to be constantly pressed against it.

A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, locking release means is provided for releasing the locked state of the support means to the support leg based on an external force.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the gist is that the locking releasing means is provided integrally with the lever member. Therefore, in the invention of claim 1, when the support leg is pushed down by the lever member against the elastic force of the elastic member, the support leg is grounded to the floor surface or the like. Then, with the contact point between the lever member and the support leg as a fulcrum, all the pressing force by the lever member is converted into a force for lifting the equipment, and the equipment can be easily lifted. After the equipment has been lifted, the equipment is fixed at an arbitrary position by locking the support legs by the locking means at an arbitrary height position. At this time, the locking means prevents the support leg from moving upward.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the operation of the invention of claim 1, the supporting leg is locked by the locking member when moving upward. According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the operation of the invention of claim 1 or 2, when an external force is applied, the locking releasing means releases the locking state of the locking means with respect to the support leg.

According to the invention of claim 4, in addition to the operation of the invention of claim 3, locking and unlocking of the locking means with respect to the support leg is performed only by operating the lever member.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a table with casters will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the table 1 is a top plate 2.
And a pillar 3 projecting downward from the top plate 2, and a pedestal 4 provided at the lower end of the pillar 3.
A caster 5 and an adjuster device 6 are attached to the corners of the pedestal 4, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, the casters 5 are attached to a slightly lower inner surface of the corners of the pedestal 4. A roller 7 is rotatably supported by the caster 5, and the foot 4 is supported on the floor 8 by the roller 7.

The inside of the corner portion of the footrest 4 has a hollow structure, and a lock member 9 having a U-shaped cross section is attached to the lower surface thereof. Holes 10 and 11 are coaxially provided in the footrest 4 and the lock fitting 9, and a slide shaft 12 as a supporting leg is provided through the holes 10 and 11 so as to be vertically movable. There is.

The slide shaft 12 has a cylindrical shape, and an elastic grounding body 13 is attached to the lower end thereof, and a cap portion 14 is formed on the upper end thereof. A compression spring 15 is provided between the lower surface of the cap portion 14 and the upper surface of the lock fitting 9.
Is provided, and always urges the slide shaft 12 upward.

In the internal space of the lock member 9, two hook plates 16 having a V-shaped cross section are provided as locking means and locking members. A hole 17 having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the slide shaft 12 is provided through the key plate 16, and the slide shaft 12 is loosely fitted in the hole 17. A key board receiver 19 having a groove 18 is provided on the inner side surface of the lock fitting 9, and the base end of the key board 16 is inserted into the groove 18. A compression spring 20 is provided on the peripheral surface of the slide shaft 12 and between the lower surface of the key plate 16 and the inner surface of the lock part fitting 9 to constantly bias the key plate 16 upward. Here, the key board 16 has a groove 1 of the key board receiver 19 at the base end thereof.
Since the tip end side is biased obliquely upward by the compression spring 20 in the state of being inserted in the slide shaft 8, the slide shaft 12 is locked by the corner portion 21 of the hole 17 formed through the key plate 16. There is. That is, in this configuration, the slide shaft 1
When the key 2 is pushed down, the key plate 16 is also pushed downward at the same time, so that the engagement between the peripheral surface of the slide shaft 12 and the corner 21 is easily released, but when the slide shaft 12 moves upward, the corner Since 21 is always in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the slide shaft 12, the upward movement of the slide shaft 12 is prevented by the frictional force associated with the pressure contact. In this way, the downward movement of the slide shaft 12 is permitted and the upward movement is blocked.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a pedal bearing 23 is provided so as to project slightly inside the slide shaft 12 in the hollow portion 22 of the leg base 4, and the bearing 23 serves as a lever member. A pedal shaft 24 is inserted into the pedal shaft 24, and a pedal plate 25, which is a V-shaped lever member, is integrally rotatably connected to the pedal shaft 24. As a result, the pedal plate 25 is vertically reciprocally rotatable about the pedal shaft 24.

At the outer end of the pedal plate 25, the pedal plate 25
A pedal 26 for rotating is provided, and the pedal 26 can be operated by stepping on or kicking it up. A lock release pin 27 is provided on the inner end of the pedal plate 25. This pin 27
When the pedal 26 is kicked up and the pedal plate 25 rotates counterclockwise around the pedal shaft 24, the tip of the key plate 16 passes through a U-shaped groove 35 provided in the lock fitting 9. It comes in contact with the upper surface of the part. That is, when the pedal plate 25 is kicked up, the key plate 16 is pushed down against the spring force of the compression spring 20 via the pin 27, and the slide shaft 12 and the corner portion 21 of the hole 17 of the key plate 16 are engaged. Is to be released. The disengaged slide shaft 12 is moved upward by the compression spring 15. In this way, the table 1 locked at the fixed position is moved downward by its own weight, and when the casters 5 come in contact with the floor surface 8, the table 1 becomes movable.

The pedal plate 25 and the lock fitting 9
A compression spring 28 is disposed between the lock release pin 27 and the lock release pin 27 so that the lock release pin 27 does not move downward due to a slight fluctuation of the table 1 or the like and does not act on the key plate 16. There is.

Next, the operation of the adjuster device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. FIG.
As shown in, when the table 1 is moved, the slide shaft 12 is retracted to the upper position. In this state, the roller 7 of the caster 5 is rotated to move the table 1 to a desired position.

After the table 1 is moved to a desired position and fixed immovably, the pedal 26 is depressed with the foot on the pedal 26 as shown in FIG. 5, and the slide shaft is pushed against the spring force of the compression spring 15. Push 12 down. At this time, a large amount of force is not required until the grounding body 13 contacts the floor surface 8, but some force is required to lift the table 1 upward after the grounding body 13 contacts the floor surface 8. . However, in the present embodiment, since the lever principle is used, the table 1 can be easily lifted by simply depressing the pedal 26. That is, the principle of the lever operates from the time when the slide shaft 12 is pushed downward and the grounding body 13 is grounded on the floor surface 8, and the position of the pedal 26 is determined by using the contact point between the pedal plate 25 and the cap portion 14 of the slide shaft 12 as a fulcrum. This is the force point, and the positions of the pedal shaft 24 and the pedal bearing 23 are the points of action of the force, so the force of stepping on the pedal 26 is converted into the force of lifting the table 1 upward.

After the table 1 is lifted in this manner, the table 1 is fixed at a desired height by the depression amount of the pedal 26. The fixing of the table 1 is realized by frictional engagement between the peripheral surface of the slide shaft 12 and the corner portion 21 of the hole 17 of the key plate 16. In this way, the table 1 is fixed immovably.

When the table 1 is released from the fixed state, the pedal 6 is kicked up to rotate the pedal plate 25 counterclockwise about the pedal shaft 24, as shown in FIG. Then, the lock release pin 27 provided at the inner end portion of the pedal plate 25 is pushed downward against the spring force of the compression spring 28. At this time, the tip of the lock release pin 27 comes into contact with the upper surface of the tip of the key plate 16, and the key plate 16 is pushed downward against the spring force of the compression spring 20. The locked state between the corner portion 21 and the slide shaft 12 is released. As a result, since the slide shaft 12 moves upward due to the action of the compression spring 15, the table 1 is moved downward by its own weight, the caster 5 is in contact with the floor surface 8 and the table 1 moves as shown in FIG. Return to a possible state.

With this construction, in the present embodiment, the pedal 26 can be depressed and the lever principle can be applied to lift the table 1 with a small force to immovably fix it, and the pedal 26 can be kicked up. Since the fixing can be released and the table 1 can be moved only by itself, the operation becomes extremely simple as compared with the conventional screw type adjuster device. In order to avoid the risk of unintentionally placing the foot on the pedal 26 and releasing the fixed state of the table 1, in the present embodiment, the pedal 26 is kicked up to lift the table 1.
We adopted a configuration to release the fixing.

Further, since the pedal plate 25 is integrally provided with the lock release pin 27 as the lock release means, the structure can be made compact. further,
A hole 17 is provided in the key plate 16 on the peripheral surface of the slide shaft 12.
Since it is configured to be frictionally locked at the corners 21 of the slide shaft 12, the slide shaft 12 can be fixed at an arbitrary position, that is, the adjuster length by the slide shaft 12 can be arbitrarily adjusted and fixed. Table 1 above
Can be securely fixed to any height.

In addition, since the compression spring 28 is arranged between the lock release pin 27 and the lock fitting 19, the lock release pin 27 is moved relative to the key plate 16 due to some fluctuation of the table 1. Does not work. Therefore, there is little risk that the fixed state is inadvertently released. (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

Here, the same members as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be redundantly described. In this embodiment, the caster 5 and the adjuster device 6 are integrated.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the casters 5
Is a substantially cylindrical mounting portion 29 mounted and fixed to the lower surface of the lock fitting 9, a roller mounting portion 30 inserted through and supported by the mounting portion 29, and the roller mounting portion 30 is the mounting portion 2
9 so as not to fall off from the lower end of the mounting portion 29, and a shaft 32 attached to the roller mounting portion 30.
And two rollers 33 that are rotatably attached to each other. The mounting portion 29 is provided with a hole 34 for vertically moving the penetrating slide shaft 12. In this caster 5, the slide shaft 12 is arranged between the rollers 33 as shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment as well, the table 1 can be fixed at an arbitrary height or made movable by stepping on or kicking up the pedal 26 as in the operation of the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the caster 5 and the adjuster device 6 are integrated, so that the structure can be made compact. The present invention may be embodied as follows. (1) In the first and second embodiments, the slide shaft 12
To increase the friction coefficient of the peripheral surface by roughening the peripheral surface or providing a lot of knurled grooves on the peripheral surface.

With this structure, the hole 1 of the key plate 16
The locked state between the corner portion 21 of No. 7 and the slide shaft 12 becomes more reliable. (2) In the first and second embodiments, the slide shaft 12
A large number of triangular grooves that engage with the corners 21 of the holes 17 of the key plate 16 are provided in the circumferential surface of the shaft in the axial direction.

With this structure, the slide shaft 12 is allowed to move downward, while the slide shaft 12 is allowed to move upward to the corner portion 2.
The engagement between 1 and the triangular groove is surely prevented. (3) In the first and second embodiments, the slide shaft 12
Other means, such as a tightening member that allows downward movement and prevents upward movement, is used as the locking means of the.

With this structure, the slide shaft 12 is locked by the tightening action of the tightening member. (4) In the first and second embodiments, changing the number of key plates 16 to another number. (5) In the first and second embodiments, the casters 5 are omitted, and the adjuster device 6 is used only to prevent the table 1 from rattling due to the unevenness of the floor surface 8.

With this structure, the structure of the table 1 can be simplified. (6) In the first and second embodiments, the adjuster device 6 may be embodied as a device other than the table 1, for example, a device to which a caster is attached such as office equipment or a workbench.

Next, technical ideas other than the claims understood from the above embodiment will be described below together with their effects. (1) In the adjuster device according to claim 1, the lever member is a pedal plate for pushing down the support leg,
An adjuster device comprising a rotation shaft that rotatably supports a pedal plate.

With this arrangement, the equipment or the like can be easily lifted with a small force by using the lever force by a simple operation of pushing down the pedal plate. (2) In the above (1), a pedal for rotating the pedal plate is provided at an outer end portion of the pedal plate, and a locking release means is provided at an inner end portion of the pedal plate with the rotation shaft interposed therebetween. An adjuster device provided with an unlocking member.

According to this structure, the equipment can be lifted and the supporting leg can be locked by pushing down the pedal plate about the rotation axis, and the supporting leg can be engaged by rotating the pedal plate upward. You can release the stop. (3) The adjuster device according to claim 2, wherein the locking member is a member having a corner portion, and the corner portion is capable of abuttingly locking the side portion of the support leg.

In this way, the support leg is securely locked by the corner portion. (4) The adjuster device according to claim 3, wherein the unlocking means comprises an unlocking member and a biasing means for biasing the unlocking member in a direction opposite to the unlocking direction. .

According to this structure, since the unlocking member is biased in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction by the biasing force of the biasing means, the unlocking member acts due to the vibration of the equipment. The fixed state of the equipment will not be released carelessly.

[0042]

According to the invention described in claim 1, since the equipment can be easily lifted by using the lever member, the troublesome work is not required as compared with the conventional adjuster device using the screw shaft. The operation becomes extremely easy.

Further, after the equipment is lifted, the supporting leg can be locked by the locking means at an arbitrary height position to fix the equipment at an arbitrary position, so that the equipment can be fixed on an uneven floor surface or the like. But the equipment can be fixed securely.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
In addition to the effect of the invention described in (1), since the locking member is constantly pressed against the support leg from the side by the biasing means, the support leg is laterally pressed by the biasing force of the biasing means. It is possible to lock and reliably prevent upward movement.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first aspect
Alternatively, in addition to the effect of the invention described in 2, since the locking state of the supporting means by the locking means is released based on the external force, the locking state is not released unless the external force acts.

According to the invention of claim 4, claim 3
In addition to the effect of the invention described in (1), since the support leg can be locked and unlocked only by operating the lever member,
Its structure and operation are simple.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a table with casters embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part of the adjuster device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the adjuster device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the adjuster device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state where the pedal is depressed and the slide shaft is pushed down in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing how the slide shaft is released from the locked state by kicking up the pedal in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part of an adjuster device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the adjuster device according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

6 ... Adjuster device, 12 ... Slide shaft as support leg, 15 ... Compression spring as elastic member, 16 ... Key plate as locking member, 20 ... Compression spring as biasing means, 2
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Corner part, 24 ... Pedal shaft as a lever member, 25 ... Pedal plate as a lever member, 27 ... Lock release pin as an unlocking means.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A support leg movably provided in a vertical direction with respect to an equipment, and an elastic member for urging the support leg upward.
A lever member that is pivotally supported with respect to the equipment and that pushes the support leg downward against the elastic force of an elastic member, and a downward movement of the support leg while allowing the support leg to move downward. And an engaging device for preventing the upward movement of the adjuster. 2. The locking member is a locking member capable of laterally abuttingly locking the supporting leg, and the locking member so that the locking member is constantly in pressure contact with the supporting leg. The adjuster device according to claim 1, comprising an urging unit that urges the. 3. The adjuster device according to claim 1, further comprising a lock releasing means for releasing a locked state of the supporting leg by the locking means based on an external force. 4. The adjuster device according to claim 3, wherein the unlocking means is provided integrally with the lever member.