JPH10113240A - Object supporting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily change-over the movement/restraint states of a supported object by providing temporary holding mechanism which temporarily holds a movement support body to a movement position against the weight of the supported object such as furniture, etc., and moves the movement support body to a saving position where a restraint support body is functioned when more weight is loaded. SOLUTION: When the support end 7a of a caster 7 is in a project position B, it is projected to a floor surface F side from the support end 6a of an adjuster 6 so that the support end 7a is abutted on a floor surface F and the caster 7 is held to the project position B by temporary holding mechanism 8. That is, a foldable table is kept in a movement possible state. In the meantime, when a hand is put on the top plate of the foldable table, etc., and loading on the foldable table is increased, a ball 81 is separated from the recessed part 82 of a shaft part 61 and the temporary holding state is released. That is, the ball 81 is moved to ball containing space S, the caster 7 is set in a saving position direction and the support end 6a of the adjuster 6 is abutted on the floor surface F so that the restraint state is established.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel operation for selectively supporting a supported object such as office furniture between a movable state and a stopped state and supporting the object without any lever operation. It relates to a useful object support device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A device supporting a conference table or the like is known as one of such object supporting devices. This supporting device is provided with a lock mechanism on a moving support such as a caster or a slider, and is selectively provided in a movable state in which the rotating operation of the wheels of the caster and the sliding operation of the slider are permitted and a stopped state in which the operation is locked. To support the conference table as the supported object.

[0003] In another aspect, a supporting member such as an adjuster or the like and a moving supporting member such as the above-mentioned caster or slider are arranged in parallel, and one of them can be moved up and down with respect to the other by a switching mechanism. There is also known a movable state in which only the lower end of the caster is in contact with the ground, and a retractable position in which at least the lower end of the caster can be in contact with the floor at the same time as the lower end of the adjuster.

[0004]

However, since such a lock mechanism is provided on the caster or the slider itself, it must be bent and operated near the base of the conference table, which is a supported object, resulting in extremely operability. Is low. Further, when configuring the switching mechanism, it is necessary to configure the switching mechanism to interlock with an operation lever provided at an appropriate position. Since a complicated transmission mechanism is indispensable, there is a problem that the number of manufacturing steps and costs are increased.

In order to solve such a problem, if there is another switching mechanism for selectively switching between a used state and a non-used state, such as a flap mechanism attached to a folding table, for example, such a mechanism is required. There is also considered a device in which the switching operation is not required by operating the switching mechanism in conjunction with. However, in this way, when the top plate is held in use, the entire table is already fixed,
In order to move it, it is necessary to return the top plate to the non-use position again, so when many tables are to be arranged with the top plate surfaces facing each other, positioning work can not be performed while holding the top plate in use state, There is a disadvantage that work efficiency is extremely poor. In addition, the table must always be kept in use in order to fix the entire table when it is stored, so it is difficult to stably store the table in a non-use state with the table standing up and tightly polymerizing. It has become.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention employs a completely new temporary holding mechanism, and the temporary holding mechanism allows the moving support to function effectively at the projecting position. , The moving support is temporarily held in its position against the gravity of the supported object without using a strong spring, etc., and when a load exceeding that is applied, the temporary holding state is released and the moving support is released. The support is moved to a retreat position where the restraining support functions effectively.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The object support device of the present invention is for selectively supporting a supported object in either a stopped state or a movable state, and is provided on the supported object. A supporting member for supporting the supported object in a restrained state by bringing the supporting end into contact with the supporting surface; and a supporting surface supported by the supported object and having a supporting end at least at the same time as the supporting end of the stopping support. A movable support that can move between a retracted position where it can contact with the protruding position and a projecting position that protrudes in the direction of the support surface from the support end of the restraining support, and a movable support that has moved from the retracted position to the projected position. Even if the gravitational reaction force acting on the object to be supported acts on the moving support from the support surface by being pulled into the temporary holding state, the temporary holding state is positively biased toward the supporting surface by the moving support. Maintenance without adding A temporary holding mechanism that releases the temporary holding state and allows the moving support to move toward the retreat position only when a reaction force of a load greater than the gravity acting on the supported object acts on the body from the support surface; It consists of. In this case, the “reaction force of gravity acting on the supported object” does not mean, of course, the reaction force corresponding to the total weight of the supported object, but the moving support constituting the object supporting device shares it. Refers to the reaction force in charge. Further, "without applying an aggressive urging force" means that a strong urging force by a spring or the like that overcomes the reaction force from the support surface is not applied.

In such a configuration, if the moving support is moved by its own weight or the like and the supporting end is positioned at the protruding position, this position is closer to the supporting surface than the supporting end of the stopping support. The supporting end of the moving support comes into contact with the supporting surface, and the supporting end of the stopping support moves away from the supporting surface, so that the supported object can be movably supported through the moving support. At this position, the moving support is pulled into the temporary holding state by the temporary holding mechanism, and the force required to release this state is set to be greater than the gravitational force acting on the supported object. Even when receiving a reaction force from the support surface corresponding to the gravity, the operation of immersing in the retreat position is prohibited, and the movable state is stably maintained.

On the other hand, if an external force is artificially applied from this position to make the load acting on the supported object larger than its own weight, the moving support receives a reaction force from the support surface commensurate with the load. The temporary holding state by the holding mechanism is released, and the moving support causes a retracting operation toward the retreat position. When the support end of the moving support is moved to the retreat position by this immersion operation, the support end contacts the support surface at the same time as the support end of the stopping support at this position, so that the supporting state by the stopping support is dominant. Thus, the supported object is supported in a stopped state. Moreover, in this position, the gravity acting on the moving support is offset by the reaction force from the supporting surface, and cannot be a force for moving the moving support to the projecting position. The body keeps its restrained state stable.

Further, if a reaction force from the support surface acting on the moving support is removed or reduced by applying an artificial external force from this position, the moving support causes a protruding operation due to its own weight or the like. When the supporting end of the moving support is moved to the protruding position by this protruding operation, the moving support is pulled back into the temporary holding state by the temporary holding mechanism again, so that the supported object is stably maintained in the movable state.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to extremely easily switch from the movable state to the restricted state or from the restricted state to the movable state only by applying an external force to the supported object itself. As a specific embodiment of the temporary holding mechanism, a floating body provided between the moving support and the stopping support and movable with the moving support, and provided on the stopping support, A concave portion for guiding the floating body when the moving support reaches the projecting position, and is set at a position within the concave portion to receive a reaction force from the support surface acting on the moving support. One that is configured so as to be able to restrain the movable body between the engagement surface and the opposing surface that is set at a position facing the engagement surface on the side of the moving support body so as to be restrained by a constant holding force. Can be

[0012] In this case, in order to smoothly pull in and release the temporary holding state, the engaging surface of the restraining support and the opposing surface of the moving support should move the floating body away from the recess. It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which the urethane ball is used as the floating body. Particularly preferable application examples of the present invention include those in which the moving support is a caster supported on the supported object, one in which the stopping support is an adjuster that supports the supported object in a height-adjustable manner, The object may be a folding table having a top plate capable of flap operation.

[0013]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, applied to a table support device 5 for supporting a folding table 1 as a supported object on a floor F as a support surface. The folding table 1 includes left and right main legs 2, a top plate 3, and a shelf plate 4, and supports the top plate 3 near the upper ends of the left and right main legs 2 so as to be capable of flap operation.

The main leg 2 includes left and right bases 21 supported substantially horizontally with respect to the floor F by the table support device 5,
Left and right leg posts 22 protruding substantially at the center of the base 21;
And a horizontal member 23 for rigidly connecting the left and right leg posts 22. The top plate 3 has a frame fixed to the lower surface of a substantially rectangular top plate main body, and is located between an upright non-use position 3A shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 2 and a horizontal use position 3B shown by a solid line in FIG. Are supported by the vicinity of the upper end of the leg support 22 of the main leg 2 so that the flap can be operated. The top plate 3 is locked at the unused position 3A or the use position 3B by a not-shown top plate lock mechanism having a known configuration. This lock is provided by a top plate lock disposed on the side surface of the leg support 22 of the leg 2. It is released by the rotation of the release lever 31.

The shelf plate 4 is placed on the side of the main leg 2 so as to be able to flap between an upright non-use position 4A shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 2 and a horizontal use position 4B shown by a solid line in FIG. The left and right sides of the frame 23 are supported by the leg posts 22. The shelf plate 4 and the top plate 3 are connected by a connection link 41, and are configured to perform a flap operation in parallel. The table support device 5 to which the present invention is applied includes a front end 21 of a base 21.
a, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 8,
An adjuster 6 serving as a support member for stopping, a caster 7 serving as a support member for movement, and a temporary holding mechanism 8 for temporarily holding the caster 7 are provided, and any one of a movable state shown in FIG. 2 and a stopped state shown in FIG. To selectively support the folding table 1.

The adjuster 6 is attached to the front end 21a of the base 21. The upper end 61a of the shaft portion 61 is fixed to the lower surface of the upper wall of the base 21 and the support end 6a provided at the lower end. The position of the folding table 1 can be adjusted by an appropriate means, and the supporting end 6a is brought into contact with the floor surface F as a supporting surface to support the folding table 1 in a stopped state.

The caster 7 has a wheel 71 and an axle holder 72.
The axle holding portion 7
2, a hole 70a penetrating in the vertical direction is formed.
a is disposed at a position where the shaft 61 of the adjuster 6 is fitted to the outside, and the caster 7 is formed by the shaft 61 and the hole 70a.
70 that guides the robot so that it can move toward and away from the floor surface F
Is composed. Then, the caster 7 is moved along the shaft portion 61 of the adjuster 6 to the retreat position A where the support end 7a can contact the floor surface F at least simultaneously with the support end 6a of the adjuster 6.
(See FIGS. 3 and 6) and a protruding position B (see FIGS. 2 and 5) that protrudes from the support end 6a of the adjuster 6 in the direction of the floor surface F.

The temporary holding mechanism 8 includes a ball 81 which is a movable body movable with the caster 7 and a concave portion 82 for introducing the ball 81. In mounting the ball 81, a recess 72a is provided in the axle holding portion 72 of the caster 7, and a cylindrical stopper metal fitting 84 is provided in the recess 72a via a disk-shaped rotating spacer 83 having a slidability. I am wearing it. The stopper fitting 84 is formed with a ball storage space S having a tapered surface 84a whose bottom surface is reduced in diameter downward and having an open upper portion. After arranging a plurality of (for example, about 6 to 8) urethane balls 81 in the storage space S, the cap 85 is covered on the upper surface of the stopper fitting 84 and the ball 81 is confined in the ball storage space S. Screw 8 to the appropriate position of cap 85
It is fixed to the stopper fitting 84 by 5a. A circumferential groove 84b is provided around the outer periphery of the stopper fitting 84, and the tip of a retaining screw 84c that has passed through the axle holding portion 72 from the outside is projected into the circumferential groove 84b, so that the stopper fitting 84 is formed. Pulling out of the axle holder 72 is prohibited. In this state, the stopper fitting 84 and the axle holding portion 72 can freely rotate relative to each other while sliding.
The swing function of the caster 7 is ensured.

On the other hand, the concave portion 82 is formed at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the shaft portion 61. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, an arbitrary longitudinal section substantially matches the curvature of the ball 81. It has a curved surface so that a part of the ball 81 can be closely guided into the recess 82. In other words, the ball 81 can move up and down with respect to the adjuster 6 together with the caster 7, and the caster 7
When the caster 7 moves to the protruding position B shown in FIG. 5 when the caster 7 moves to the protruding position B shown in FIG. It rolls down to a position where it fits into the concave portion 82 along with it. In this state, the reaction force acting on the caster 7 from the floor surface F is applied to the downward engaging surface 82 set in the concave portion 82 via the ball 81.
a (see FIG. 9) and the ball 81 is engaged with the engaging surface 82a.
And the tapered surface 84a at the opposing position thereof, so as to be held at that position with a constant force. In this embodiment, the tangential direction X of the engaging surface 82a and the tangential direction Y of the tapered surface 84a are
1 is set so as to gradually expand in the direction away from the concave portion 82, a load exceeding a certain level exceeding the gravity acts on the folding table 1, and the caster 7
Only when a reaction force commensurate with it acts on the ball 81 from the two surfaces 82a, 84a which expand to each other, the force for detaching the ball 81 from the concave portion 82 is applied to the ball 81 and each surface 82a, 84a. It is set to exceed the frictional force between the two.

A caster 9 having a normal structure is attached to a position where the rear end 21b of the base 21 can be supported. The support end 9a of the caster 9 is set so as to horizontally support the base 21 when it is grounded on the floor F at the same time as the support end 6a of the adjuster 6. next,
The operation of this embodiment will be described. When the support end 7a of the caster 7 is at the protruding position B shown in FIG. 5, the support end 7a of the caster 7 protrudes to the floor surface F side from the support end 6a of the adjuster 6, so that the support end 7a of the caster 7 contacts the floor surface F. The support end 6a of the adjuster 6 is separated from the floor surface F and supports the folding table 1 through casters 7 and 9 so as to be movable in a slightly inclined state as shown in FIG. In this position, the caster 7 is held at the protruding position B by the temporary holding mechanism 8 and its holding force exceeds the gravity acting on the folding table 1, so that the caster 7 reacts with the floor F to match the gravity. Even when the folding table 1 is received, the operation of the support end 7a to be retracted in the retreat position A direction is prohibited, and the folding table 1 is stably maintained in a movable state.

On the other hand, from this position, a force U such as manually touching the top plate 3 of the folding table 1 to make the load applied to the folding table 1 larger than its own gravity.
2 (see FIG. 2), the casters 7 receive a reaction force from the floor surface F corresponding to the load, and the balls 81 that constitute the temporary holding mechanism 8 as shown by imaginary lines in FIG. 8
2 and the temporary holding state is released. This releasing operation can be performed smoothly without causing the ball 81 to bite because the surfaces 82a and 84a are expanded in the outer diameter direction. As a result, the ball 81 moves to the ball storage space S, and the caster 7 causes an immersion operation in the retreat position A direction shown in FIG. By this immersion operation, the support end 7 of the caster 7 is
When a moves to the retreat position A, the support end 7a at this position abuts on the floor F at least simultaneously with the support end 6a of the adjuster 6, so that the support state of the adjuster 6 becomes dominant and the folding table 1 is stopped. Support in the state. Moreover, at this position, the gravity acting on the casters 7 is
The folding table 1 is stably maintained in the stopped state by the adjuster 6 because the force for positively moving the caster 7 to the protruding position B does not act on the caster 7. In this case, a relatively weak spring may be interposed between the caster 7 and the base 21 to assist the projecting operation of the caster 7.

Further, from this position, the reaction force from the floor surface F acting on the caster 7 is removed by manually raising the top plate 3 of the folding table 1 with a hand, or the like. When a force V (see FIG. 2) is applied, the caster 7 causes a protruding operation by its own weight while sliding the ball 81 along the shaft portion 61. When the supporting end 7a of the caster 7 moves to the projecting position B shown in FIG.
Is pulled into the temporary holding state, and the folding table 1 stably maintains the movable state.

As described above, the table support device 5 of the present embodiment can be moved from the movable state only by performing an operation of applying weight to the top plate 3 and the base 21 of the folding table 1. The state can be switched to the stopped state, and the operation can be switched from the stopped state to the movable state only by slightly lifting the top plate 3 and the like of the folding table 1. Therefore, no lever operation is required, and
Since such a switching operation can be performed by an operation that is continuous with the flap operation of the top plate 3, the usability can be remarkably improved as compared with a conventional lock mechanism or the like.
Moreover, the table support device 5 is mechanically configured completely independently of the mechanism for flap-operating the top plate 3, and furthermore, the weight of parts acting on each part is effectively used to minimize the number of parts. Because of the configuration, the structure is significantly simplified as compared with the conventional one in which the mechanisms are linked, which leads to a reduction in the number of manufacturing steps and costs. In addition, in such a case, the top plate 3 is moved to the use position 3B.
When the table support device 5 can be made movable in a state where the table 3 is held, the positioning operation is performed with the table 3 held at the use position 3B when it is necessary to arrange a large number of the tables 3 against each other. It is possible to obtain an advantage that the folding table 1 can be locked even when the top plate 3 is raised when the folding table 1 is stored, so that a compact and stable storage state can be realized.

In particular, in this embodiment, the provisional holding mechanism 8 is realized by a structure in which the ball 81 is engaged with and disengaged from the concave portion 82, so that the structure can be simplified to the utmost and a smooth operation can be ensured. Can be. In addition, since the ball 81 is made of urethane, even when used repeatedly, there is no abrasion that occurs when metals are in contact with the shaft portion 61 that is usually made of metal. The expected performance can be maintained throughout. In addition, since the surfaces 82a and 84a are expanded in the direction in which the ball 81 separates, the operation of engaging and disengaging the ball 81 can be performed more smoothly.

The specific configuration of each section is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0026]

The present invention is embodied in the form described above and has the following effects. That is, the object support device of the present invention, when the moving support is at the protruding position where it functions effectively, resists the moving support through the temporary holding mechanism against the reaction force from the support surface corresponding to the gravity of the supported object. And the holding is performed without using a strong spring or the like. When a load reaction force exceeding the gravity acting on the supported object is applied to the moving support, the temporary holding mechanism Release the holding state and move the moving support to the retreat position where the restraining support functions effectively, so that it does not return to the protruding position by itself, and further from the support surface acting on the moving support. When the reaction force is removed, the moving support is moved to the projecting position again by its own weight or the like, and can be pulled into the temporary holding state.

Therefore, when switching the supported object between the restrained state and the movable state, no troublesome lever operation is required at all, and the usability can be remarkably improved as compared with the related art. In addition, since the object support device is configured independently of itself, the structure is much simpler than that of a conventional mechanism that functions in conjunction with, for example, a top plate capable of flap operation. When it is necessary to align the top plates of a large number of tables, for example, it is possible to perform positioning work while holding the top plate in the use position, and then apply weight to lock the table. When storing or storing the whole unit, it is possible to operate or handle objects such as a folding table, etc. It is possible to dramatically improve compared to the related art.

In particular, when the temporary holding mechanism is realized by a structure in which a floating body such as a ball is engaged with and disengaged from the concave portion, the structure can be extremely simplified, and the behavior can be smoothly performed. When the floating body is a urethane ball, even when a metal material is used to increase the rigidity of the concave side, ie, the supporting member for restraint, which is in a fitting relationship with the ball, even if the metal is used in the fitting portion, the metal is not fitted. It is possible to avoid the occurrence of abrasion as in the case of contact, and it is possible to properly maintain the intended temporary holding function even when repeatedly used. In addition, by expanding the engagement surface and the opposing surface in the direction in which the movable body is separated from the concave portion, it becomes possible to more smoothly engage and disengage the movable body with respect to the concave portion.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a folding table to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the folding table in a movable state.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the folding table in a stopped state.

FIG. 4 is a partially omitted perspective view showing the table support device of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view with the same part broken.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view corresponding to FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front sectional view of the same.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a temporary holding mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A: Evacuation position B: Projection position F: Support surface (floor surface) 1: Supported object (folding table) 5: Object support device (table support device) 6: Stopping support (adjuster) 6a: Support end 7 ... Movement support (caster) 7a ... Support end 8 ... Temporary holding mechanism 81 ... Ball 82 ... Recess 82a ... Engaging surface 84a ... Opposing surface (taper surface)

Claims (7)

[Claims] An object support device for selectively switching and supporting a supported object between a restrained state and a movable state, wherein the supporting end provided on the supported object is brought into contact with a supporting surface. A supporting member for supporting the object to be supported in a stopped state, and a supporting member supported from the supported object from a retreat position where its supporting end can contact at least the supporting end of the supporting member at the same time as the supporting surface. A transfer support movable between a protruding position protruding in the support surface direction from the support end of the body,
The moving support moved from the evacuation position to the projecting position is pulled into the temporary holding state, and even if a reaction force of gravity acting on the supported object acts on the moving support from the support surface, the temporary holding state is changed to the temporary holding state. Maintains the support without applying a positive biasing force toward the support surface, and temporarily holds the transfer support only when a reaction force of a load greater than the gravity acting on the supported object from the support surface acts on the support. An object support device, comprising: a temporary holding mechanism that releases the state and allows the movement support to move toward the retreat position. A temporary holding mechanism provided between the moving support and the restraining support, the floating body being movable with the moving support; and a moving support provided on the restraining support. A recess for guiding the floating body when the body reaches the protruding position, and an engagement surface set in a position in the recess for receiving a reaction force from the support surface acting on the moving support. And a movable member sandwiched between the movable member and an opposing surface set at a position opposing the engaging surface on the side of the moving support so as to be restrained by a constant holding force. Item 1. The object support device according to Item 1. 3. The object support according to claim 2, wherein the engagement surface of the stopping support and the opposing surface of the moving support are widened in a direction in which the floating body is separated from the concave portion. apparatus. 4. The object support device according to claim 2, wherein the floating body is a urethane ball. 5. The object supporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving support is a caster supported by a supported object. 6. The object supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the stopping support is an adjuster that supports the supported object so that the height can be adjusted. 7. The object to be supported is a folding table having a top plate capable of flap operation.
The object support device according to 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.