U.S. patent application number 11/099837 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-25 for folding structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mass-Set Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Suzuki, Toshio.
Application Number | 20050183641 11/099837 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27792042 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050183641 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Suzuki, Toshio |
August 25, 2005 |
Folding structure
Abstract
The invention relates to a folding structure provided with a
lock structure for the folding leg stud, which is capable of
releasing the respective locked state by pressing the lock lever
being in almost the same standby position even when the leg stud is
deployed or folded. In this folding structure, even when the lock
device as described above is used, the leg stud is allowed for
compact storage without taking much space and thus a highly
reliable folding structure can be provided.
Inventors: |
Suzuki, Toshio; (Adachi-ku,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY P.C.
P. O. BOX 5257
NEW YORK
NY
10150-5257
US
|
Assignee: |
Mass-Set Kabushiki Kaisha
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
27792042 |
Appl. No.: |
11/099837 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11099837 |
Apr 5, 2005 |
|
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10373407 |
Feb 24, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
108/129 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 4/20 20130101; A47B
3/0815 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/129 |
International
Class: |
A47B 003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 5, 2002 |
JP |
2002-059595 |
Apr 23, 2002 |
JP |
2002-121238 |
Jul 9, 2002 |
JP |
2002-200673 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A folding structure comprising: a supporting bracket fixed on
the basal plate such as a top board or a seat board, and provided
with a leg stud rotatably mounted at one end thereon; a lock lever
rotatably supported at the other end of the supporting bracket,
provided with a locking portion formed of a lock pin at one end and
an operating strip at the other end, and urged in the locking
direction; and a locking cam strip fixed to the leg stud so that
the locking portion is always in contact therewith; the locking cam
strip further comprising: a fold lock receiving portion formed in
the position where the locking portion engages in a standby
position in which the operating strip is disposed between the
folded leg stud and the basal plate when the leg stud is folded,
and a deployment lock receiving portion provided in the position
away from the fold lock receiving portion by the angle
corresponding to the angle between the deployed position and the
folded position of the leg stud about a fulcrum at which the leg
stud is rotatably attached, and formed in the position where the
locking portion engages when the leg stud is deployed with the
operating strip taking almost the same position as the standby
position which is taken when the leg stud is being folded; wherein
the respective locking state is released by pressing the lock lever
in the standby position toward the basal plate when the leg stud is
in the deployed position and in the folded position.
2. A folding structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the locking
cam strip is formed on a side plate of the cam bracket secured to
the leg stud, and wherein the cam strip comprises a passage section
to which the locking portion comes into the space between the
locking cam strip and the leg stud when folding the leg stud, and a
fold lock receiving portion recessed in the passage section for
engaging the locking portion.
3. A folding structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
supporting bracket is formed at the end thereof with a recessed
locking portion stopper that comes in alignment with the fold lock
receiving portion displaced when the leg stud is folded for
rotatably supporting the locking portion.
4. A folding structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
supporting bracket is formed with a deployment stopper at one end
thereof for determining the deployed position of the leg stud by
being brought into contact with the leg stud when the leg stud is
deployed.
5. A folding structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
supporting bracket is formed with a fold stopper at the lowest edge
thereof for determining the folded position of the leg stud by
being brought into contact with the leg stud when the leg stud is
folded.
6. A folding structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pair of
leg studs provided on both end portions of the folding structure
comprises a pair of supporting leg portions and a horizontal member
for connecting the supporting leg portions, and wherein each
horizontal member is formed in such a manner that the sides to
which the supporting portions are connected move closer to the
basal plate when the leg stud is folded, so that the supporting leg
portions are disposed in the positions closer to the basal plate
with respect to the horizontal member when the let stud is
folded.
7. A folding structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pair of
leg studs provided in the both end portions of the folding
structure each comprises a pair of supporting leg portions and the
horizontal member for connecting the supporting leg portions, and
are adapted to be folded in such a manner that the supporting leg
portions of the opposed leg studs are placed one on another, and
wherein only one of the horizontal members is formed in such a
manner that the sides to which the supporting leg portions are
connected move closer to the basal plate when the leg stud is
folded so that the supporting leg portions are disposed closer to
the basal plate with respect to the horizontal member when the leg
stud is folded, and wherein the supporting leg portions on the side
of the other horizontal member are disposed so as to be
superimposed on the supporting leg portions on one side.
8. A folding structure as set forth in claim 6, wherein the
horizontal member is obliquely inclined at both ends thereof and
the supporting leg portions are secured at the ends thereof.
9. A folding structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pair of
leg studs provided on both end portions of the folding structure
comprises a pair of supporting leg portions and a horizontal member
for connecting the supporting leg portions, and wherein the
horizontal member is formed with a stand stopper which is brought
into contact with a basal plate portion of the supporting bracket
fixed on the basal plate when the let stud is deployed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/373,407, filed Feb. 24, 2003, which claims
priority of Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2002-059595, filed
Mar. 5, 2002, 2002-121238, filed Apr. 23, 2002 and 2002-200673,
filed Jul. 9, 2002, which are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a folding structure having
a lock device for locking a leg stud foldably mounted on a basal
plate such as a top board or a seat board in a deployed position
and a folded position respectively.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the related art, as a folding structure such as a desk in
which a foldable leg stud is locked, a lock device disclosed in
Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication No. 61-32507 is known.
In this structure, since the leg stud is locked when it is in the
deployed state but not in the folded state, there arise problems
such that it may unexpectedly move in the deploying direction when
the folded leg stud is lifted up for transportation.
[0006] Therefore, it is desired that the leg stud be locked not
only in the deployed state, but also in the folded state.
[0007] Since the locking positions of the leg stud between the
deployed state and the folded state are away from each other by the
extent corresponding to the rotational angle of the leg stud, a
locking structure including separate locking members is
conceivable. However, there is a drawback that the structure is
increased in size and in complexity.
[0008] Therefore, deployment of a lock device in which locking and
unlocking operations of the leg stud can be performed by means of
an identical lock lever both in the deployed position and a the
folded position analogously has been expected.
[0009] On the other hand, in the folding structure provided with
this type of lock device, since the leg stud is folded over the
lock device, the height in the folded state increases
correspondingly.
[0010] Therefore, there are recognized problems in that an extra
space for storage is required and in that they take up much space
when it is stacked one on another.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] With such problems in view, it is a first subject of the
invention to provide a reliable locking structure of the folding
leg stud in which the respective locked states may be released by
pressing a lock lever in the standby position toward the basal
board both for deploying and folding the leg stud.
[0012] It is a second subject of the invention to provide a locking
structure of the folding leg stud provided with a stopper on a
supporting bracket for rotatably attaching the leg stud for
limiting the deployed position and the folded position of the leg
stud so that the overall structure is simplified and thus the costs
are saved.
[0013] With the drawbacks described above in view, it is a third
subject of the invention mainly to provide a novel folding
structure in which the leg stud can be folded without taking much
space even with the lock device as described above.
[0014] It is a fourth subject of the invention to provide a
reliable folding structure that allows for compact storage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lock device in
accordance with a first embodiment of the invention in the mounted
state;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a table in accordance
with the first embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lock device showing a
state in which the leg stud is in the folded position;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a side view of the same;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lock device showing a
state in which the leg stud is in the deployed position;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a side view of the same;
[0021] FIG. 7A is a partial side view of the lock device showing a
state in which the leg stud is in the deployed position;
[0022] FIG. 7B is a partial side view of the lock device showing a
state in which the leg stud is in the folded position;
[0023] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounted
state of the lock device for a table in accordance with a second
embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a side view of the lock device in a state in which
the leg stud is in the folded position;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a table in accordance with
a third embodiment of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a front view of the leg stud in a folded
position;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a table in accordance with
the fourth embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a front view of the same;
[0029] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a principal
portion of the third embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the principal portion in a
state in which the leg stud is in the deployed position;
[0031] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the principal portion in a
state in which the leg stud is in the folded position;
[0032] FIG. 17 is a side view of the principal portion in a state
in which the leg stud is in the deployed position;
[0033] FIG. 18 is a side view of the principal portion in a state
in which the leg stud is on route between the folded position and
the deployed position;
[0034] FIG. 19 is a side view of the principal portion in a state
in which the leg stud is in the folded position;
[0035] FIG. 20A is a partial side view showing the locking state of
the lock device in a state in which the leg stud is in the deployed
position;
[0036] FIG. 20B is a partial side view showing the locking state of
the lock device in a state in which the leg stud is in the folded
position;
[0037] FIG. 21 is a partial perspective view showing a leg stud in
accordance with another embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the lock device showing a
state in which the leg stud is in the deployed position in
accordance with a fifth embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the lock device showing a
state in which the leg stud is in the folding position in
accordance with a fifth embodiment; and
[0040] FIG. 24 is a side view of the lock device showing a state in
which the leg stud is in the deployed position in accordance with a
fifth embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0041] Referring now to the drawings, an embodiment in which a
folding structure is applied to a table will be described.
[0042] A table T1 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 comprises
a top board A, a pair of leg studs 5 mounted on the top board A so
as to be rotatable between the deployed position and the folded
position, and a lock device 1 for locking the leg stud 5 in the
deployed position and in the folded position.
[0043] In the figure, the reference sign C designates a proximal
cap of the leg stud, D designates a height adjustment screw of the
leg stud, E designates a caster, F designates a side end cap of the
leg stud, and G designates a horizontal adjustment screw.
[0044] The leg stud 5 in the figure comprises a supporting leg
portion 5a and a leg base portion 5b extending in the fore-and-aft
direction at the lower end thereof.
[0045] The leg stud 5 is rotatably attached to the supporting
bracket 2 fixed on the backside of the top board A with a first pin
P1 via a cam bracket 3 of the lock device 1 provided at the upper
end of the supporting leg portion 5a so as to be rotatable between
the deployed position and the folded position.
[0046] The lock device 1 comprises, as shown in FIG. 1 through FIG.
6, the supporting bracket 2 including a lock lever 4 rotatably
attached thereto with a second pin P2 and the cam bracket 3 to be
rotatably attached to the supporting bracket 2 with the first pin
P1 in combination.
[0047] In other words, the supporting bracket 2 comprises a basal
plate portion 20 integrally therewith, and is secured integrally on
the backside of the top board A with a tap screw 12.
[0048] The supporting bracket 2 includes a side plate 2a, whereof
the end on the leg stud side forms a deployment stopper 21 defining
a prescribed angle (angle of deployment of the leg stud; 90 degrees
in the example shown in the figure) with respect to the top board
A.
[0049] Therefore, the angle of deployment of the leg stud 5 may be
determined to a desired angle by adjusting the angle of that end,
that is, the deployment stopper 21, with respect to the top board
A.
[0050] The lower edge of the side plate 2a of the supporting
bracket 2 is provided with a recess serving as a lock pin stopper
22, which will be described later, and a fold stopper 23 formed at
the lowest edge thereof for supporting the leg stud 5 (the
supporting leg portion 5a in this embodiment) in a folded
position.
[0051] The lock lever 4 is rotatably attached to the side plate 2a
of the supporting bracket 2 with the second pin P2 in the position
away from the position in which the first pin P1 is passed through,
so that it is capable of tilting.
[0052] A coil spring 8 is routed between the lock lever 4 and the
supporting bracket 2 via the hooks 9 fixedly provided thereon
respectively for urging the lock lever 4 in the locking direction
(the direction in which a lock pin 7 moves toward the top board
A).
[0053] The lock lever 4 has a pair of left and right side plates 4a
each formed with a hole for passing the second pin P2 at the midway
thereof, and is provided with the lock pin 7 that serves as a
locking portion fixedly at the front end, and a lever handle 41
that serves as an operating strip molded at the rear end integrally
therewith with a bent portion interposed therebetween.
[0054] The lever handle 41 may be covered with resin or rubber to
improve a tactile impression.
[0055] The cam bracket 3 fixed on the leg stud 5 has a channel
shape in cross section, and the left and right side plates 3a
thereof serve as locking cam strips 30. The bottom of the channel
extends outward to form a fold receiving surface 36 for receiving
the fold stopper 23, which will be described late, when it is
brought into contact therewith.
[0056] The locking cam strip 30 comprises a deployment lock
receiving portion 32 and a fold lock receiving portion 35, and a
trace cam 34 formed between the receiving portions 32, 35, so that
the lock pin 7 of the lock lever 4 is always kept in contact
therewith by the urging force.
[0057] The locking cam strip 30 is formed with the fold lock
receiving portion 35 in the position where the lock pin 7 engages
so that the lever handle 41 is disposed between the folded
supporting leg portion 5a and the top board A in the standby
position, that is, in almost parallel therewith, when the leg stud
5 is folded (See FIG. 3, FIG. 4).
[0058] In the case of the example shown in the figure, the locking
cam strip 30 is formed with a notch to form a passage section 33 on
the proximal side along the supporting leg portion 5a in such a
manner that the lock pin 7 is fitted into the space between the
locking cam strip 30 and the supporting leg portion 5a when the leg
stud 5 is folded, and is formed with the fold lock receiving
portion 35 recessed in the passage section 33 in the position
orthogonal thereto.
[0059] The fold lock receiving portion 35 is adapted to be in
alignment with the lock pin stopper 22 in a position in which the
leg stud is folded as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.
[0060] The opened side of the passage section 33 continuing into
the fold lock receiving portion 35 projects as a lock claw portion
31 and constrains the lock pin 7 even when a force of the leg stud
5 in the deploying direction is exerted thereon.
[0061] The locking cam strip 30 is formed with a deployment lock
receiving portion 32 in the position away from the fold lock
receiving portion 35 to the extent corresponding to the angle
between the deployed position and the folded position of the leg
stud 5 about a fulcrum to which the leg stud 5 is rotatably
attached (P1).
[0062] When the leg stud 5 is deployed as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.
6, the lock pin 7 engages the deployment lock receiving portion 32,
and in that position, the lever handle 41 takes almost the same
position as the standby position that is taken when the leg stud 5
is folded.
[0063] In such arrangement, when the leg stud 5 is deployed, the
supporting leg portion 5a is brought into contact with the
deployment stopper 21 of the supporting bracket 2, which defines a
locking surface R1, for preventing further rotation as shown in
FIG. 7A, and the lock pin 7 of the lock lever 4 engages the
deployment lock receiving portion 32 that forms a deployment
locking point R2 for locking the leg stud 5 in the deployed
position.
[0064] At this moment, the lever handle 41 takes the standby
position away from the backside of the top board A in substantially
parallel therewith as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.
[0065] When the lever handle 41 is pressed toward the top board
(the direction a in the figure) and the lock lever 4 is rotated
about the second pin P2, the lock pin 7 comes out from the
deployment lock receiving portion 32 and thus is released
therefrom. Then the leg stud 5 is rotated in the folding direction
(the direction b) about the first pin P1, and is displaced to the
locking surface R5 on which the leg stud 5 is brought into contact
with the fold stopper 23 (See FIG. 6, FIG. 7B).
[0066] In order to rotate the leg stud 5 in the folding direction,
by moving the hand away from the lever handle 41, the lock pin 7 is
tilted against the trace cam 34 formed on the edge of the locking
cam strip 30 by a urging force, and in the folding position shown
in FIG. 4, it is moved from the passage section 33 over the
deployment lock claw portion 31 and then is automatically fitted
into and engaged with the fold lock receiving portion 35, and thus
is constrained by the fold locking point R3 and the bottom dead
center of the lock lever R4, so that the reverse rotation of the
leg stud 5 in the deploying direction (the direction c) is
constrained (See FIG. 7b).
[0067] In this embodiment, the first pin P1 is set slightly below
the second pin P2, and the locking points R2, R3 between the lock
pin 7 and the respective receiving portions 32, 35 are positioned
lower (higher in FIG. 7) than a line segment between the P1 and P2
so as to constrain the reverse rotation of the leg stud 5.
[0068] As described above, the lever handle 41 is disposed between
the leg stud 5 and the top board A in almost parallel therewith
when the leg stud 5 is folded, and moves back to the position
almost the same as the standby position which is taken when the leg
stud 5 is deployed (See FIG. 3, FIG. 4).
[0069] In order to deploy the leg stud 5 again from the folded
position, the lever handle 41 is pressed toward the top board A in
the direction a analogously, the leg stud 5 is tilted in the
deploying direction about the first pin P1 while tilting the lock
lever 4 about the second pin P2, then the lock pin 7 is freed from
the fold lock receiving portion 35 and is allowed to move over the
lock claw portion 31 and get out from the passage section 33.
[0070] Since the lock pin 7 gives a force to the leg stud 5 in the
deploying direction within the range of its rotational trajectory
when the leg stud 5 is kept in a stationary state, the leg stud 5
is urged in the deploying direction and thus it can easily be
deployed.
[0071] Subsequently, the leg stud 5 is gripped and rotated in the
deploying direction (direction c), and is displaced to the position
where it comes into contact with the deployment stopper 21 shown in
FIG. 6.
[0072] In this case, the locking pin 7 that is not subjected to a
pressing force now is brought into contact with and moved along the
trace cam 34 of the locking cam strip 30 by a resilient force, and
then is automatically fitted into the deployment lock receiving
portion 32 in the position where the leg stud 5 is brought into
contact with the deployment stopper 21.
[0073] As described above, the standby position of the lever handle
41 at this moment is almost the same position as the standby
position that is taken when the leg stud 5 is folded.
[0074] In this embodiment, an angle formed by the deployment
stopper 21 defined by the edge of the side plate 3a of the
supporting bracket 3 and the top board A is the angle at which the
leg stud 5 is held. Therefore, the angle of the leg stud 5 when
being deployed is not limited to perpendicular, but it may be set
to a desired angle, such as tapered legs that are broaden toward
the floor.
[0075] Likewise, the angle formed between the leg stud 5 and the
top board A in the folded position is determined by the distance
from the top board (height) of the fold stopper 23. Therefore, the
leg stud 5 in the folded state is not necessarily in parallel with
the top board A as the example shown in the figure, but the folded
position may be set at any desired angle by varying the height of
the fold stopper 23.
[0076] Since this embodiment comprises the supporting bracket 2
having the lock lever 4 rotatably attached thereon and the cam
bracket 3 as described above, it may be mounted freely irrespective
of the types or the configurations of the leg stud 5.
[0077] In other words, while the case where the leg stud 5 is
T-shape in plan view is shown in the embodiment, it may be any
other configuration.
[0078] For example, as a table T2 in the second embodiment shown in
FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, when the leg stud 5 is U-shape in plan view or
inverted angular U and comprises a pair of supporting legs 5a' and
an upper horizontal member 5c connecting the upper ends thereof,
the supporting bracket 2 of the lock device 1 and the cam bracket 3
are increased in width and set to have a height not more than the
height of the upper horizontal member 5a.
[0079] The fold stopper 23 is disposed between the deployment
stopper 21 and the lock pin stopper 22, so as to be able to come
into contact with the fold receiving surface 36 of the upper
horizontal member 5a in the folded state.
[0080] The spring 8 is fitted on the second pin P2, and engaged
with the lock lever 4 at one end and with the bottom of the channel
of the supporting bracket 2 at the other end, so as to urge the
lock lever 4 in the locking direction.
[0081] Since other constructions are the same as those of the lock
device 1 of the table T1 described in the first embodiment, the
identical parts are designated by the identical numerals and will
not be described again.
[0082] A table T3 in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 10 and FIG.
11 comprises the top board A, the leg stud 5 rotatably attached to
the top board A so as to be capable of being deployed and folded
freely, and a lock device 1 for locking the leg stud 5 in the
deployed position and in the folded position.
[0083] The leg stud 5 of this embodiment is substantially inverted
U-shape comprising a pair of supporting leg portions 51, and a
horizontal member 52 connecting the upper ends of the supporting
leg portions 51.
[0084] The leg stud 5 is rotatably attached to the supporting
bracket 2 fixed on the backside of the top board A with the first
pin P1 via the cam bracket 3 of the lock device 1 provided at the
center of the horizontal member 52 so as to be rotatably between
the deployed position and the folded position.
[0085] The horizontal member 52 has a center portion 52a formed
into the horizontal surface, and both of the left and right ends
52b incline gradually inwardly or toward the inside of the leg
studs in the deployed position, that is, toward the top board A
when the leg stud is folded.
[0086] In the example shown in the figure, as is clear from FIG.
14, the horizontal member 52 is provided with a cylindrical portion
53 integrally attached to the end thereof, a leg stud body 54 is
fitted into the cylindrical portion 53 from above in the figure,
and a protective cap 55 formed of synthetic resin or rubber is
engaged from the lower side of the figure, so that both of them are
secured to form the supporting leg portion 51.
[0087] Though the protective cap 55 and the leg stud body 54 are
fixed together with a screw to form a single unit in the example
shown in the figure, the way to fix them together as a single unit
is not specifically limited and the leg stud body 54 may be fixed
directly to the cylindrical portion 53.
[0088] In such an arrangement, as shown in FIG. 11, the horizontal
member 52 of the leg stud 5 is positioned away from the backside of
the top board A due to the existence of the lock device 1 when the
leg stud 5 is folded.
[0089] On the other hand, since the supporting leg portion 51 is
positioned close to the top board A due to the inclination of the
horizontal member on both ends, it never project over the
horizontal member 52.
[0090] FIG. 21 shows a supporting leg portion 51' according to
another embodiment.
[0091] In this case, a plate bracket 56 is integrally attached to
the end of the horizontal member 52, and the bracket 56 is formed
with a screw hole.
[0092] On the other hand, a leg stud body 54' is formed of a wooden
column, and formed with a recess 54a' on the upper inner side. The
bottom wall of the recess 54a' is formed with a pair of upper and
lower holes.
[0093] The bracket 56 is fitted into the recess 54a' and retained,
and then a receiving portion 57 having cylindrical nuts integrally
formed thereon is positioned from the outside, and each nut is
fitted into the hole.
[0094] Then, a screw that is not shown in the figure is screwed
through the screw hole on the bracket 56 and the hole on the bottom
wall that is aligned thereto into the nut of the receiving portion
57, so that the bracket 56 and the receiving portion 57 are
secured.
[0095] Accordingly, the leg stud 5 having a supporting leg portion
51' formed of pure wood can be used in the above described
embodiment.
[0096] As a matter of course, the connecting structure between the
supporting leg portion 51 and the horizontal member 52 is not
limited to the embodiment described above.
[0097] When stacking the tables A in accordance with this
embodiment, the thickness of the table A is not more than the
thickness up to the horizontal member 52, and thus it allows for a
compact storage. In this arrangement, it is possible to decrease
the thickness of the table, but it is necessary to set the top
board A to the length at least twice the length of the leg stud
5.
[0098] Therefore, dephasing the left and right leg studs 5 in the
lateral direction so that they are positioned alternately is
contemplated to reduce the length of top board A to some extent,
but it also has a limit. In addition to it, it is required to
increase the width of the top board A.
[0099] Accordingly, a table T4 in accordance with the fourth
embodiment shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 has a construction in which
the leg studs 5 are folded one on another.
[0100] In this case, only the horizontal member 52 of one of the
leg studs 5 is inclined so that the sides to which the supporting
leg portions 51 are connected come closer to the top board A when
being folded. Therefore, the supporting leg portions 51 are
disposed closer to the top board A with respect to the center
portion 52a of the horizontal member 52 when being folded.
[0101] Then, the supporting leg portions 51 of the opposite leg
stud (5' for the convenience of explanation) are disposed so as to
be overlaid thereon.
[0102] In this arrangement, the length of the top board A can be
reduced as much as possible as shown in the figure, and the width
can be determined corresponding to the width of the leg stud 5,
thereby realizing further size reduction.
[0103] In this embodiment, the supporting leg portions 51 are
formed in plate shape but not in column shape, and the dimensions
thereof are determined so that the height of the overlapped
supporting leg portions 51 of the opposed separate leg studs 5 does
not exceed the height of the center portion 52a of the horizontal
member 52.
[0104] Here, in the tables T3, T4 according to the third and fourth
embodiment, the same lock device 1 that is shown in FIG. 17 through
FIG. 20 is used.
[0105] The lock device 1 of FIG. 17 through FIG. 19 is the same as
the lock device 1 of the tables T2 in the second embodiment, and
the lock device 1 of FIG. 20 is different from the lock device 1 of
the tables T1 and T2 in the first and the second embodiment in that
the fold stopper 23 is not provided, and other constructions are
the same.
[0106] In other words, the lock device 1 comprises a supporting
bracket 2 including the lock lever 4 rotatably attached thereto
with the second pin P2, and the cam bracket 3 to be rotatably
attached to the supporting bracket 2 with the first pin P1 in
combination.
[0107] The side plate 2a of the supporting bracket 2 is formed with
a recess at the lower edge thereof, which serves as the lock pin
stopper 22, and the fold stopper 23 is not formed as described
above. Since other constructions are the same as the lock device of
the preceding embodiments, the same parts are designated by the
same reference numerals and are not described again.
[0108] FIG. 17 shows a state in which the leg stud is deployed,
which corresponds to FIG. 6 illustrating the first embodiment.
[0109] FIG. 19 shows a state in which the leg stud is folded, which
corresponds to FIG. 4 illustrating the first embodiment.
[0110] FIG. 18 shows a state in which the leg stud is in the course
of moving from the folded position to the deployed position.
[0111] FIG. 20A shows a locked state when the leg stud is deployed,
FIG. 20B is an explanatory drawing showing a locked state with the
leg stud folded, which correspond to FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrating
the first embodiment respectively.
[0112] Since the fold stopper 23 is not provided on the supporting
bracket 2, the leg stud 5 does not come into contact with the
supporting bracket 2 when being folded.
[0113] Other constructions are the same.
[0114] In this embodiment, since the lock device 1 comprises the
supporting bracket 2 including the lock lever 4 rotatably attached
thereto and the cam bracket 3, it can be mounted freely
irrespective of the types or configurations of the leg stud 5.
[0115] In other words, while the horizontal member 52 of the leg
stud 5 was inclined at both ends in the preceding embodiment, it
may be any arbitrary configurations such as a construction in which
the horizontal member 52 is bent at a right angle or a construction
in which the horizontal member 52 is bent with a shoulder.
[0116] The spring 8 may be fitted on the second pin P2, and engaged
with the lock lever 4 at one end and with the bottom of the channel
of the supporting bracket 2 at the other end, so as to urge the
lock lever 4 in the locking direction.
[0117] The supporting bracket 2 may be formed with a side as a fold
stopper that comes into contact with the center portion 52a of the
horizontal member 52 when being folded.
[0118] Material of the top board A or of the leg stud 5 may be
metal, wood, and resin. What is essential is that the supporting
bracket 2 or the cam bracket 3 can be secured. The configuration is
not limited to pipe, and may be pure material, round material, or
square material.
[0119] The target object to which the lock device 1 is attached is
not limited to the table, but may be a desk, a chair, or other
furniture or structures as far as the leg stud can be folded and
deployed.
[0120] The dimensions of the supporting bracket or the cam bracket
are arbitrary, and especially the length along the axis of rotation
may be very long. Though a single lock device is provided for each
leg stud, it is also possible to provide a plurality of lock
devices in the center portion of a single horizontal member.
[0121] The deployment lock receiving portion 32, the fold lock
receiving portion 35 and the intermediate cam surface on the cam
bracket 3 are not limited to the examples shown in the figures, but
the cam surface may be provided in a plurality of positions
separately.
[0122] Though the example in which the cam bracket 3 includes a
pair of locking cam strips 30 is shown, it is also possible to
provide in a single position.
[0123] FIG. 22 to FIG. 24 show a fifth embodiment of this
invention.
[0124] In this embodiment, a horizontal member 52 provided of a
stand stopper 80 which projects toward a top board.
[0125] The stand stopper 80 is box-shape or block-shape, and
integrally attached to the center portion 52a of the horizontal
member 52.
[0126] In this case, the stand stopper 80 comprises a rear plate
portion 81, a top plate portion 82, and the left and right side
plate portions 83.
[0127] The end of the rear plate portion 81 is welded to the
horizontal member 52, and the end of the left and right side plate
portions 83 are welded to the projected portion 36', which is
prolonged from the fold receiving surface 36 of the cam bracket 3
and projected from the horizontal member 52.
[0128] The basal plate portion 20 of the supporting bracket 2 is
set up widely, so as to be able to come into contact with the top
of the plate portion 82 of the stand stopper 80 when the leg stud 5
is deployed.
[0129] The stand stopper 80 is not limited to the configuration
shown in the figures, and may be any arbitrary configurations to
have enough intency.
[0130] When the leg stud 5 is deployed, the deployment stopper 21
contacts with the projected portion 36' and constrains the fold
receiving surface 36.
[0131] Furthermore, the stand stopper 80 contacts with the basal
plate portion 20 and constrains the supporting bracket 2.
[0132] And the space between the horizontal member 52 and the
supporting bracket 2 is filled up with the stand stopper 80.
[0133] Accordingly, the leg stud 5, it is deployed and stood up,
can be kept strong and stable in the above described
embodiment.
[0134] In addition, when the leg stud 5 developed or is folded up,
the tip of the cylindrical portion 53 is formed hemispherical, and
which is projected to the top board A side (below in FIG. 22)
rather than the horizontal member 52.
[0135] Therefore the position of the cylindrical portion 53 (the
projected position from the horizontal member 52) is defined by the
rotation locus at the tip of the cylindrical portion 53 as a
relative relation with the position of the 1st pin P1 so that there
may always be untouched the top board A when the leg stud 5 is
moving during developed to be folded up.
[0136] In this embodiment, the stand stopper 80 showed the case
where it formed apart from the horizontal member 52, however the
stand stopper 80 may be formed in the horizontal member 52 as a
part of it.
[0137] In short, it is possible to vary in design without modifying
the scope of the invention as a matter of course.
[0138] As is described thus far, in the folding structure in
accordance with the present invention, the supporting bracket
including a lock lever thereon is secured on the basal plate, a cam
bracket is fixed on the leg stud, and both of them are rotatably
mounted, so that the leg stud can be rotatably mounted to the basal
plate.
[0139] The present invention provides a reliable lock structure of
the folding leg stud in which locking state may be released by
pressing the lock lever in the standby position toward the basal
plate, even when the leg stud is deployed, or folded.
[0140] In addition, the overall structure is simplified and thus
the costs may be reduced by providing a stopper that constrains the
deployed position and the folded position of the leg stud on the
supporting bracket to which the leg stud is rotatably mounted.
[0141] Further, in the folding structure in this invention, by
inclining both end of the horizontal member of the leg stud toward
the basal plate, the supporting leg portions at both ends of the
horizontal member can be disposed in contact with the top board
while the horizontal member of the leg stud is positioned away
therefrom when being folded via a lock device.
[0142] Consequently, the size of the basal plate of the folding
structure such as the top board is not constrained significantly by
the leg stud, and thus the basal plate can be downsized. When
stacking them one on another, since it can be reduced in thickness
as much as possible, it is superior in space saving.
* * * * *