JPH10179261A - Folding device for leg - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prevent the hands of a user from being pinched by applying external force directly to a leg, and retreating a coupling member to release the temporarily held state of the leg located at an intermediate position. SOLUTION: The lock pin 21 of a lock plate 14 is retreated from the first coupled section 23 of a shaft plate 7, it is excited by a torsion coil spring 22 and coupled with the second coupled section 24, and a leg 2 is temporarily held at an intermediate position R in a slightly inclined state from a using position. A user himself holds the leg 2 from the rear and prostrates it forward with fixed force to rotate the leg 2 to a storage position. The lock pin 21 is excited by the second coupled section 24, is retreated from the second coupled section 24, and is slid on the inclined face 7c of the shaft plate 7. When the leg 2 reaches the storage position, the lock pin 21 is excited by the torsion coil spring 22 and is coupled with the third coupled section 25, the partial circular arc section 7b of the shaft plate 7 approaches the erect wall 6c of a receiving frame, and the leg 2 is drawn into a lock state at the storage position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a leg folding device suitably applied to a table or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a conference table used in a hall or the like, legs are attached to a table body so as to be rotatable between a use position and a storage position, and are usually stored compactly so as not to obstruct the legs. In many cases, they can be taken out and used when needed. At this time, the lock mechanism for fixing the legs in the use position includes a thin plate-like stay installed between the vicinity of the upper end of the legs and the table body, and the legs are disposed in the use position. There is a type in which a leg is fixed by stretching a stay between the leg and the table body.

[0003]

However, with such a structure, when the legs are rotated from the use position to the storage position, the stay that is stretched between the legs and the table body is folded. At the same time, the legs fall sharply, so that the user frequently pinches his hands between the folded stays, which poses a problem. In addition, there are things that prevent sudden folding of the legs with caulking stay pins, but the caulking part is easily deteriorated by repeated operations,
Often it is not a permanent safety measure. The above-mentioned inconveniences can often be said in other supported members whose legs are foldable.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has a folding device interposed between a leg and a supported member. It is configured so that it can be temporarily held at the intermediate position and then folded to the storage position.

[0005]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS That is, the leg folding apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a rotatable leg that supports a supported member in a use position and is folded in a storage position. An engagement member which is engaged with at least the leg rotated to the use position and retracts into the locked state, and engages with the leg pivoted between the use position and the storage position to retract into the temporary holding state; An operating portion capable of releasing the locked state of the leg at the use position by operating the joining member, and releasing the temporary holding state of the leg at the intermediate position by applying a direct external force to the leg. This can be performed by retracting the engaging member.

In such a configuration, when the legs are folded from the use position to the storage position, first, the operating member is operated to retract the engaging member by a certain distance, and the leg is engaged and supported by the engaging member at the using position. The locked leg is released from the locked state and pivots, and is again engaged with the engaging member at a position intermediate between the use position and the storage position, and is pulled into the temporary holding state. Next, when a direct external force is applied to the leg to further retreat the engaging member, the leg at the intermediate position is released from the temporary holding state, rotated and folded to the storage position.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform the folding operation of the legs in two steps, and it is possible to prevent the legs from suddenly falling down as in the related art, and to prevent the user from pinching. As a preferred form of the engaging member, there is a member configured to be able to engage with the leg turned to the storage position and to be pulled into the locked state.

In order to improve the operability with a simple structure of the engaging member and the operating portion, the operating portion is suspended on a supported member and the base end of the engaging member is pivotally supported rotatably. A rotating shaft, an operating lever for rotating the rotating shaft, and a rotating plate having a proximal end fixed to the rotating shaft and a distal end disposed at a position where the engaging member can be rotationally biased. What should be done. As a specific embodiment, in a configuration in which an engaging member is attached to each of a pair of left and right legs, each engaging member is pivotally supported on a common rotating shaft, and each engaging member is One in which a pair of rotary plates for rotating and urging the portion are fixedly provided.

[0009]

1 to 8 show an embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the leg 2 to which the folding device 1 of the present invention is applied is foldably disposed at a position where the table body 3 as a supported member is supported in a pair. .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the table body 3 has a rectangular top plate 4 and a beam fixed to the lower surface thereof along the long side edge 4a of the top plate 4. The leg 2 having a rectangular pipe shape is rotatably supported at the end 5 a of the beam 5 via a receiving frame 6. Frame 6
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pair of side plates 6a hanging down along the edge 4a, a top plate 6b connecting between the side plates 6a, and hanging from the rear end of the top plate 6b to between the side plates. The leg 2 is formed integrally with the upright wall 6c, and the leg 2 is provided with the shaft plate 7 attached to the upper end 2a.
Is inserted between the side plates 6a of the receiving frame 6 and attached.
The shaft plate 7 has a hole 10 pivotally supported by a pin 9 provided between the side plate 6a and a hole 8 provided in the side plate 6a of the receiving frame 6, and the leg 2 has a use position P shown in FIG. It is rotatable between a storage position Q shown in FIG. In this case, the end portion 7a of the shaft plate 7 abuts against the upright wall 6c of the receiving frame 6 at the use position P, and the partial arc portion 7b of the shaft plate 7 approaches the upright wall 6c of the receiving frame 6 at the storage position Q. I have. Note that the leg 2 is attached to the receiving frame 6 such that a gap is formed between the leg 2 and the beam 5 to prevent hand-jam when the leg 2 is folded to the storage position Q.

On the other hand, the leg folding device 1 provided along with the leg 2 includes first, second, and third engaged portions 23, 24, and 25 formed on the shaft plate 7; A lock plate 14 serving as an engagement member that can be selectively engaged with the engaged portions 23, 24, and 25;
A rotary shaft 15 that is arranged in the short side direction of the table body 3 in a state of being inserted and supported in the hole 17 provided in the base member 3 and rotatably pivotally supports a pair of lock plates 14 near both ends thereof; An operation unit 16 for rotating the lock plate 14 is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lock plate 14 is composed of a pair of flat plates 30. The lock plate 14 is formed by inserting a hole 18 provided in a base end 30a of the rotation shaft 15 into the rotation shaft 15. Is rotatably mounted on the
0b is a free end, a partly arc-shaped long hole 19 provided in the rotating portion 29, and a hole 20 provided in the upper portion of the rotating portion 29 between the two flat plates 30. And a lock pin 21 erected on the vehicle. The lock plate 14 is elastically urged counterclockwise by a torsion coil spring 22 wound around the rotating shaft 15 with one end 22a abutting on the lock pin 21.

The operating portion 16 has an operating lever 26 fixedly provided at the center of the rotating shaft 15 and a proximal end 27b fixed near the end of the rotating shaft 15 facing the side plate 6a inside the receiving frame 6. A rotating plate 27 that can rotate integrally with the rotating shaft 15
And an engaging pin 28 protruding from the rotating end 27 a of the rotating plate 27 toward the inside of the receiving frame 6. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the engaging pin 28 is inserted into the receiving frame 6 through a partially arcuate long hole 32 provided in the side plate 6 a of the receiving frame 6, and is provided on the lock plate 14. It is configured to engage with the arc-shaped long hole 19.

The first engaged portion 23 is provided on the shaft plate 7
The L-shaped groove is provided at a position facing the lock pin 21 of the lock plate 14 when the leg 2 is at the use position P shown in FIG.
The lock pin 21 elastically urged by the lock member 2 is set to be able to be engaged with the first engaged portion 23. When the leg 2 is at the intermediate position R shown in FIG. 6, the second engaged portion 24
L-shaped groove provided at a position opposing to the lock pin 2, the lock pin 2 being elastically urged by a torsion coil spring 22.
1 is configured to be able to engage with the second engaged portion 24. The third engaged portion 25 is an L-shaped groove provided at a position facing the lock pin 21 of the lock plate 14 when the leg 2 is at the storage position Q shown in FIG. The lock pin 21 elastically urged by the lock member 22 is set to be able to engage with the third engaged portion 25.

In such a configuration, the operation lever 26
Is operated to rotate the rotary plate 27 via the rotary shaft 15, the engagement pins 2 projecting from the rotary plate 27
8 engages with the long hole 19 of the lock plate 14 and urges the lock plate 14 in the rotation direction while guiding the lock plate 14. The lock plate 14 rotates by a certain angle from the position where the leg 2 is held at the use position P, and accordingly, the leg 2 also rotates by being unlocked, and is slightly inclined from the use position P. At the intermediate position R of the lock pin 2
1 and temporarily pulled into the temporary holding state. Next, for example, when the user himself / herself applies a certain force by gripping the leg and falling down forward, the lock pin 21
The leg 2 is locked at the storage position Q by sliding on the inclined surface 7c of the second member 3 and engaging with the third engaged portion 25. At this time, since the lock plate 14 is rotatably supported on the rotation shaft 15, even if the operation lever 26 is at the operating end and the rotation plate 27 cannot move any more, this rotation is performed. The lock plate 1 is not affected by the rotating plate 27 while allowing the engaging pin 28 protruding from the plate 27 to move into the elongated hole 19 provided in the lock plate 14.
4 can rotate around the rotation shaft 15 to allow the rotation operation from the intermediate position R of the leg 2 toward the storage position Q.

Next, the handling method of this embodiment will be described. FIG.
Indicates a state where the leg 2 is at the use position P. At this time, the first engaged portion 23 of the shaft plate 7 is
1 and the one end 7a of the shaft plate 7 contacts the upper surface of the upright wall 6c of the receiving frame 6, whereby the leg 2 is in a locked state. When the operating lever 26 is operated from this state to rotate the rotating plate 27 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 5, the engaging pins 28 projecting from the rotating plate 27 19a, the lock plate 14 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. At this time, the lock pin 21 of the lock plate 14 retreats from the first engaged portion 23 of the shaft plate 7, and is urged by the torsion coil spring 22 to engage with the second engaged portion 24. As shown in FIG. 6, the leg 2 is at an intermediate position R slightly inclined from the use position P.
Is temporarily held.

Next, in order to rotate the leg 2 from the intermediate position R to the storage position Q, the user himself / herself grasps the leg 2 from behind and falls down forward with a certain force. At this time, the lock pin 21 is moved to the second engaged portion 24 as shown in FIG.
By being urged from the second engaging portion 24, it retreats from the second engaged portion 24 and slides on the inclined surface 7 c of the shaft plate 7. FIG.
When the leg 2 reaches the storage position Q, the lock pin 21 is urged by the torsion coil spring 22 and engages with the third engaged portion 25 as shown in FIG. 7b approaches the standing wall 6c of the receiving frame 6, and the leg 2 is pulled into the locked state at the storage position Q.

On the other hand, when raising the leg 2 held in the storage position Q to the use position P, first, the operating lever 26 is operated to slightly retract the lock plate 14 from the shaft plate 7, and the leg 2 in the storage position Q After releasing the locked state, the user himself grasps and turns the leg 2 to stand up. That is, when the leg 2 is erected from the storage position Q toward the use position P, the lock pin 21
At the time when the leg 2 reaches the use position P after passing through the second engaged portion 24 on the inclined surface 7c provided on the upper surface, the one end 7a of the shaft plate 7 is At the same time, the lock pin 21 is urged by the torsion coil spring 22 to engage with the first engaged portion 23, and the leg 2 is pulled into the locked state at the use position P.

With such a configuration, when the leg 2 is folded from the use position P to the storage position Q, it can be temporarily held at the intermediate position R, and the user's hand can be reliably prevented. Can be. Also, the lock plate 14
It is configured to engage with the pivoted leg 2 at the use position P, the intermediate position R, and the storage position Q so as to be able to be pulled into the locked state, so that the locking function at each position is also performed, thereby reducing the number of parts. Can be measured.

Further, the operation unit 16 is connected to the lock plate 1.
A rotary shaft 15 for rotatably supporting the rotary shaft 4, and the rotary shaft 15
An operating lever 26 for rotating the lock plate 14; a base end 27b fixed to the rotating shaft 15;
Rotating plate 27 disposed at a position where the plate can be rotationally biased.
Therefore, even when the operation range of the operation lever 26 is restricted to prevent the leg 2 from rotating from the use position P to the storage position Q at a time, the operation is performed from the leg 2 side. In this case, it is possible to prevent the lock plate 14 located at the intermediate position R from performing an effective retreat operation, thereby providing good and appropriate operability.

Further, a lock plate 14 is attached to each of the pair of left and right legs 2 so as to be attached thereto, and both the lock plates 14 are pivotally supported by a common rotation shaft 15.
Rotating plate 2 for urging each lock plate 14 to rotate
7 is fixed, it is not necessary to provide the rotating shafts 15 in pairs, so that the number of parts can be reduced, and the lock plates 14 are synchronized to improve the operation accuracy. It becomes possible.

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.

[0023]

The present invention is embodied in the form described above and has the following effects. The leg folding device according to the present invention is applied to a rotatable leg that supports a supported member at a use position and is folded at a storage position, and is provided on the supported member and pivots at least to the use position. An engaging member that is engaged with the retracted leg and pulled into the locked state, and is engaged with the leg that has been rotated to the intermediate position between the use position and the storage position and retracted into the temporary holding state; and And an operating portion capable of releasing the locked state of the leg at the position, and releasing the temporary holding state of the leg at the intermediate position by applying a direct external force to the leg to retract the engaging member. It can be done by doing.

With such a configuration, when the legs are folded from the use position to the storage position, it is possible to temporarily hold the legs at the intermediate position, thereby reliably preventing the user from pinching the hand. If the engaging member is configured so as to be engaged with the leg rotated to the storage position and can be pulled into the locked state, the lock member at each position is also used to perform the conventional function using the stay. It is possible to reduce the number of parts as compared with.

[0025] The operating portion is provided with a rotating shaft which is transversely supported by the supported member and rotatably supports the proximal end of the engaging member, an operating lever which rotates the rotating shaft, and a proximal end fixed to the rotating shaft. If the tip is constituted by a rotating plate whose position is capable of urging the engaging member to rotate, good and appropriate operability can be imparted with a simple structure. In a configuration in which the engaging members are attached to the pair of left and right legs, respectively, the pair of engaging members are pivotally supported on a common rotating shaft, and the engaging portions are rotationally biased on the rotating shaft. When the rotating plate is fixed, while reducing the number of parts,
The two engaging members can be properly synchronized to perform more accurate operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a leg is in a use position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the same state.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a main part of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the same.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the operation.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the operation.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the operation.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Folding apparatus 2 ... Leg 3 ... Supported body (table main body) 14 ... Engagement member (lock plate) 15 ... Rotating shaft 16 ... Operating part 26 ... Operating lever 27 ... Rotating plate P ... Usage position Q ... Storage position R … Intermediate position

Claims (4)

[Claims] The present invention is applied to a rotatable leg that supports a supported member at a use position and is folded at a storage position, and engages with the leg provided at the supported member and rotated at least to the use position. An engaging member that is retracted into the locked state and engages with the leg rotated to the intermediate position between the use position and the storage position and retracts to the temporary holding state; and a leg that is in the use position by operating the engaging member. An operating portion capable of releasing the locked state, wherein the temporary holding state of the leg at the intermediate position can be released by applying a direct external force to the leg to retract the engaging member. A leg folding device, characterized in that: 2. The leg folding device according to claim 1, wherein the engaging member is configured to be engaged with the leg turned to the storage position and to be pulled into a locked state. 3. A rotating shaft which is traversed by a supported member and rotatably supports a proximal end of an engaging member, an operating lever which rotates the rotating shaft, and a proximal end which is connected to the rotating shaft. 3. The leg folding device according to claim 1, further comprising a rotating plate fixedly disposed and having a distal end disposed at a position where the engaging member can be rotationally biased. 4. An engagement member provided with a pair of left and right legs attached to each other, wherein each engagement member is pivotally supported by a common rotation shaft, and each engagement portion is rotated by the rotation shaft. 4. The leg folding device according to claim 3, wherein a pair of biasing rotating plates are fixed.