Table

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a table which has a holding mechanism for holding leg bodies in an unfolded state and a folded state, has a small number of components, has a simple structure, and is easy to assemble. [Solution] The present invention has: a first plate 40 attached to a lower surface of a top plate 12; and a second plate 42 including an overlapping part 42A overlapping a lower part of the first plate 40 at a vertical interval, the second plate 42 being attached to the lower surface of the top plate. The overlapping part 42A sandwiches a connection bar 38 of a pair of leg bodies 14, and the first plate 40 is provided with a first locking projection 47 on the overlapping part 42A.

Description

Table

[0001] The present invention relates to a table.

[0002] In the case of desks such as long desks for meetings, there is known a desk in which the legs can be folded with respect to the top plate so that the desk can be stored in a small space. In such a desk, a holding mechanism for stably holding the deployed state (use state) in which the legs extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the top plate is incorporated (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-7540 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2020-156701

[0004] However, in the above prior art, the number of parts of the holding mechanism is large, the structure is complicated, and the assembly is not easy.

[0005] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a table in which the holding mechanism for holding the legs in the deployed state and the folded state has a small number of parts, a simple structure, and is easy to assemble.

[0006] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a table (10, 60, 70) having a top plate (12), a pair of legs (14) foldably provided at the lower part of the top plate, and a stay member (16) connecting the top plate and the pair of legs, wherein the stay member has a first plate (40) attached to the lower surface of the top plate, a second plate (42) attached to the lower surface of the top plate (20A, 26A) and at least one of the first plate, including a portion (42A) that overlaps the lower part of the first plate at a vertical distance, and the stay member has a pair of stay bodies (36) each having a leg-side end (36A) and a top plate-side end (36B) that are rotatably connected to the middle part of each leg, and the pair of stay bodies (36) The top plate side ends are connected to each other and a connecting bar (38) is provided which is movable between the overlapping portion of the first plate and the second plate. The first plate is provided with a first spring piece (46) which extends from the center side of the top plate toward the outer edge side. The first spring piece has a first locking projection (47) which locks the connecting bar in the overlapping portion to prevent the connecting bar from moving toward the center side of the top plate when the pair of legs are in an extended state, and a first release piece (49) which is provided on the outer edge side of the top plate than the first locking projection and which displaces the first locking projection toward the lower side of the top plate to a position where the locking of the connecting bar is released when a pressing force is applied toward the lower side of the top plate to cause elastic deformation of the first spring piece.

[0007] According to this embodiment, the holding mechanism for holding the leg in the extended and folded states is composed of a first plate, a second plate, and a connecting bar, so the number of parts is small, the structure is simple, and assembly is easy.

[0008] In the above embodiment, the lower part of the top plate is provided with a groove (28) extending from the center side to the outer edge side of the top plate, the first spring piece is positioned to overlap the groove, and the first release piece may displace the first locking projection into the groove when the pressing force is applied.

[0009] According to this embodiment, the leg's extended state can be released reliably and with ease of operation.

[0010] In the above embodiment, the top plate has two beam members (26) attached to the lower part and extending parallel to each other, and the groove portion may be formed by the two beam members.

[0011] In this embodiment, the groove is reliably formed using two beam members that are reinforcing members of the top plate.

[0012] In the above embodiment, the first plate has a pair of first fixing pieces (54) that extend from the center to the outer edge of the top plate at intervals from both side edges of the first spring piece, and the first plate may be fixed to the lower surface of the top plate at each of the pair of first fixing pieces.

[0013] According to this embodiment, the required springiness of the first spring piece is ensured, and the first plate is attached to the top plate with the required strength.

[0014] In the above embodiment, the first plate includes a second spring piece (50) extending from the outer edge of the top plate toward the center, and the second spring piece may elastically deform in a direction away from the upper surface of the second plate by sandwiching the connecting bar between itself and the upper surface of the second plate when the pair of legs are folded.

[0015] In this embodiment, the spring force of the second spring piece holds the pair of legs in a folded state, and no special operation is required to release them.

[0016] In the above embodiment, the first plate has a connecting piece (48) that connects the first spring piece and the second spring piece to each other, and the lower surface of the second spring piece may be positioned closer to the upper surface of the second plate than the lower surface of the connecting piece.

[0017] According to this embodiment, the second spring section reliably obtains the spring force necessary to hold the pair of legs in a folded state under elastic deformation.

[0018] In the above embodiment, the first plate extends from the outer edge of the top plate toward the center and has a pair of second fixing pieces (58) spaced apart on both side edges of the second spring piece, and the first plate may be fixed to the lower surface of the top plate at each of the pair of second fixing pieces.

[0019] According to this embodiment, the required springiness of the second spring piece is ensured, and the first plate is attached to the top plate with the required strength.

[0020] In the above embodiment, the first plate may include a third spring piece (61) extending from the outer edge side of the top plate toward the center side, the third spring piece having a second locking projection (62) that locks the connecting bar to prevent the connecting bar from moving toward the outer edge side of the top plate when the pair of legs are folded, and a second release piece (64) provided on the center side of the top plate than the second locking projection, which displaces the second locking projection toward the lower side of the top plate to a position where the locking of the connecting bar is released when a pressing force is applied toward the lower side of the top plate in such a way that the third spring piece is elastically deformed.

[0021] According to this embodiment, the legs are reliably held in a folded state.

[0022] In the above embodiment, the second plate is provided only in the portion that overlaps with the first locking projection, and the stay member may be provided with a separation restricting portion (74) that slidably abuts against the upper surface of a flange portion provided at the lower part of the top plate in order to restrict the separation of the connecting bar from the first plate.

[0023] According to this embodiment, the holding mechanism for holding the leg in the extended state is composed of a first plate, a second plate, and a connecting bar, so the number of parts is small, the structure is simple, and assembly is easy.

[0024] In the above embodiment, the tabletop has a flat tabletop body (20) and a frame (24) provided on the lower surface of the tabletop body along the outer edge of the tabletop body and having parallel extending portions that extend parallel to each other, and each leg has a rotating portion (30) that is rotatably attached to the inside of the corresponding parallel extending portion, and may have a height of the parallel extending portion or less so that when folded, the entire leg is housed inside the parallel extending portion.

[0025] According to this embodiment, when multiple tables are stored folded and stacked on top of each other, the storage volume required is reduced.

[0026] In the above embodiment, each leg may have a cushioning sheet (32) attached to the surface that faces outward in the direction of rotation when folded.

[0027] According to this embodiment, when multiple tables are stored folded and stacked on top of each other, the legs of adjacent tables do not come into direct contact with each other.

[0028] According to the above embodiment, it is possible to provide a table with a holding mechanism for holding the legs in an extended and folded state that has a small number of parts, a simple structure, and is easy to assemble.

[0029] Perspective view of the entire table of Embodiment 1 from above Perspective view of the left half of the table of Embodiment 1 from below Bottom view of the table of Embodiment 1 Enlarged bottom view of the main part (left half of the table) of the table of Embodiment 1 with the legs folded Enlarged bottom view of the main part (left half of the table) of the table of Embodiment 1 with the legs extended Cross section along line VI-VI in Figure 4 Cross section along line VII-VII in Figure 5 Cross section along line VIII-VIII in Figure 3 Longitudinal cross section of the main part (left half of the table) of the table of Embodiment 2 with the legs folded Longitudinal cross section of the main part (left half of the table) of the table of Embodiment 2 with the legs extended Longitudinal cross section of the main part (left half of the table) of the table of Embodiment 3 with the legs folded Longitudinal cross section of the main part (left half of the table) of the table of Embodiment 3 with the legs extended Cross section along line XIII-XIII in Figure 11

[0030] The following describes embodiments of the table according to the present invention with reference to the figures. In the following description of embodiments, the front / back, left / right, and up / down directions are defined as the directions shown in each figure.

[0031] <Embodiment 1> The table 10 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the table 10 of Embodiment 1 has a rectangular tabletop 12, rod-shaped legs 14 that are foldable and provided at the bottom of each of the four corners of the tabletop 12, and stay members 16 that connect the bottom of the tabletop 12 to the middle part of each leg 14. In the following description, the front and rear legs 14 will be referred to as a pair of legs 14. Therefore, one table 10 has a pair of legs 14 on each side.

[0032] The tabletop 12, legs 14, and stay members 16 are all bent and press-formed products made from metal plates such as steel plates and aluminum plates.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the top plate 12 has a rectangular (rectangular) flat top plate body 20 and a pair of left and right frame bodies 22 and a pair of front and rear frame bodies 24 provided on the lower surface of the top plate body 20 at each outer edge of the top plate body 20.

[0034] The left and right frame members 22 each extend linearly in the front-to-back direction along the left and right outer edges of the top plate body 20. As shown in Figure 6, each left and right frame member 22 is constructed to have a closed cross-sectional shape by a bent molding portion 22A on the outer edge of the top plate body 20 and a bent molding member 22B joined to the top plate body 20. The bent molding member 22B may be joined to the top plate body 20 by double-sided adhesive tape, adhesive, or welding.

[0035] The front and rear frame members 24 each extend linearly in the left-right direction along the front and rear outer edges of the top plate body 20. As shown in Figure 8, each front and rear frame member 24 is constructed to have a closed cross-sectional shape by a bent-formed portion 24A on the outer edge of the top plate body 20 and a bent-formed member 24B joined to the top plate body 20. The front and rear pair of front and rear frame members 24 form parallel extending portions that extend parallel to each other along their entire length. The bent-formed members 24B may be joined to the top plate body 20 by double-sided adhesive tape, adhesive, or welding.

[0036] The left and right frame members 22 and the front and rear frame members 24 increase the bending rigidity of the top plate 12. This allows the top plate body 20 to be constructed from a thin plate.

[0037] The left and right frame members 22 and the front and rear frame members 24 have the same height. In this embodiment, "height" refers to the vertical direction as seen in Figures 6 to 8, perpendicular to the surface of the top plate body 20.

[0038] The top plate 12 further has two beam members 26 attached to the middle portion of the lower surface 20A of the top plate body 20 in the front-rear direction, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The two beam members 26 extend parallel to each other in the left-right direction between the left and right frame bodies 22, with a predetermined distance between them in the front-rear direction. Each beam member 26 is formed in a cross-sectional shape with a lipped groove, as shown in Figures 2 and 8, and its lip portion is joined to the lower surface 20A of the top plate body 20, and works in cooperation with the top plate body 20 to form a closed cross-sectional shape. The beam members 26 may be joined to the top plate body 20 by double-sided adhesive tape, adhesive, or welding.

[0039] The two beam members 26 are reinforcing members for the top plate 12. Since the top plate 12 is a long rectangle in the left-right direction, the two beam members 26 extend in the long direction of the top plate 12, effectively increasing the bending rigidity of the top plate 12. This allows the top plate body 20 to be constructed from a thin plate.

[0040] The two beam members 26 have a height lower than the heights of the left and right frame bodies 22 and the front and rear frame bodies 24 (see Figure 8), and form a concave groove 28 that extends linearly in the left-right direction between them. The groove 28 opens downwards. The groove 28 is reliably constructed using the two beam members 26, which are reinforcing members of the top plate 12.

[0041] Since the lower surface 26A of the beam member 26 forms part of the lower surface of the top plate 12, the lower surface 26A of the beam member 26 is sometimes referred to as the lower surface of the top plate 12 together with the lower surface 20A of the top plate body 20.

[0042] Each leg body 14 is formed into a hollow body having a rectangular cross-sectional shape by a combination of two groove-shaped cross-sectional members 14A and 14B (see FIG. 8). As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 7, each leg body 14 has a rotating portion 30 formed by a shaft member rotatably attached to the inside of the corresponding front and rear frame body 24 at an end portion 14C that becomes the upper end in a standing state (deployed state) extending in a direction perpendicular to the top plate 12. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, each leg body 14 is rotated approximately 90 degrees about the rotating portion 30 from the deployed state and is housed along the inside of the corresponding front and rear frame body 24.

[0043] A pair of leg bodies 14 are connected to each other by connecting members 15 and 17 near the rotating portion 30 and at an end portion 14D opposite to the rotating portion 30, respectively.

[0044] When each leg body 14 is folded along the inside of the corresponding front and rear frame body 24, it has a height below the height of the front and rear frame body 24 so that the whole of it can be housed inside the front and rear frame body 24. With this height setting, when the leg bodies 14 are in a folded state, the leg bodies 14 do not protrude outward from the front and rear frame body 24. As a result, when a plurality of tables 10 are stored so as to be stacked on top of each other in a folded state, the storage volume can be reduced.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a cushioning buffer sheet 32 is bonded to the outer surface facing the outside in the direction of the leg body 14 when the leg body 14 is in a folded state at the end portion 14C of each leg body 14 and in the vicinity thereof. The buffer sheet 32 avoids direct contact between the leg bodies 14 of adjacent tables 10 when a plurality of tables 10 are stored so as to be stacked on top of each other in a folded state.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the stay members 16 are disposed inside the corresponding leg bodies 14 and form a pair in the front and rear at each of the front and rear of the top plate 12. The pair of front and rear stay members 16 includes a pair of stay bodies 36 provided inside the middle part of the corresponding leg body 14 and rotatably connected by a shaft member 34, the leg-side end portions 36A, and the top plate-side end portions 36B opposite to the leg-side end portions 36A, and a connecting bar 38 attached to the top plate-side end portions 36B of the pair of stay bodies 36 to connect the top plate-side end portions 36B to each other.

[0047] The top plate-side end portions 36B of each stay body 36 are located above the corresponding beam members 26. Thereby, each stay body 36 is inclined so as to be located from the edge side in the front and rear direction of the top plate 12 toward the center side as it goes from the leg-side end portion 36A to the top plate-side end portion 36B. The connecting bar 38 connects the pair of top plate-side end portions 36B having a front and rear interval smaller than the front and rear interval between the pair of leg-side end portions 36A to each other. Thereby, the connecting bar 38 does not interfere with the leg body 14.

[0048] As a holding mechanism for holding the leg body 14 in the deployed state and the folded state, a first plate 40 and a second plate 42 are provided on the lower surface of the top plate 12, specifically, on the lower surface of the beam member 26. The first plate 40 and the second plate 42 are sequentially attached to the lower surface of the beam member 26 by tightening four locations in the front, rear, left, and right with screws 44. The second plate 42 has a plate thickness thicker than that of the first plate 40 and has a bending rigidity higher than that of the first plate 40.

[0049] In the following explanation, the direction "from the center of the top plate 12 toward the outer edge" is to the left for the first plate 40 for the left leg 14 as seen in Figure 3. The direction "from the outer edge of the top plate 12 toward the center" is to the right for the first plate 40 for the left leg 14 as seen in Figure 2. This direction is the opposite for the first plate 40 for the right leg 14 as seen in Figure 2 compared to the first plate 40 for the left leg 14. In other words, the direction "from the center of the top plate 12 toward the outer edge" is to the right for the first plate 40 for the right leg 14 as seen in Figure 2. The direction "from the outer edge of the top plate 12 toward the center" is to the left for the first plate 40 for the left leg 14 as seen in Figure 2.

[0050] The following explanation using Figures 4 to 8 describes the structure attached to the left leg 14 as seen in Figure 2. Note that the structure attached to the right leg 14 as seen in Figure 3 is identical to the structure attached to the left leg 14, but reversed horizontally, so its explanation is omitted.

[0051] The first plate 40 has a first spring piece 46, a connecting piece 48, and a second spring piece 50 in a single integrated structure, arranged in order from the outer edge side of the top plate 12 (corresponding to the left and right frame bodies 22 sides) to the right. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first spring piece 46, the connecting piece 48, and the second spring piece 50 are all positioned so that they overlap the groove 28 from below. The connecting piece 48 is located between the first spring piece 46 and the second spring piece 50 and connects them to each other.

[0052] The first plate 40 further includes a pair of cantilever-shaped first fixing pieces 54 extending from the center to the outer edge of the top plate 12, with gaps provided by slits 52 (see Figure 4) on both the front and rear edges of the first spring piece 46, and a pair of cantilever-shaped second fixing pieces 58 extending from the outer edge to the center of the top plate 12, with gaps provided by slits 56 (see Figure 4) on both the front and rear edges of the second spring piece 50.

[0053] The front and rear pair of first fixing pieces 54 and the front and rear pair of second fixing pieces 58 overlap the corresponding beam member 26 from below, and their respective ends (free ends) are fixed to the beam member 26 by screws 44. This ensures the required springiness of the first spring piece 46 and the second spring piece 50, and the first plate is attached to the top plate with the required strength.

[0054] The second plate 42 includes an overlapping portion 42A that overlaps the lower surfaces of the first spring piece 46, connecting piece 48, and second spring piece 50 of the first plate 40 at a vertical distance from the position where it overlaps the groove 28 from below. The second plate 42 has front and rear side portions 42B on both the front and rear sides of the overlapping portion 42A that overlap the corresponding beam members 26 from below, sandwiching the first fixing piece 54 and the second fixing piece 58. Each front and rear side portion 42B is fixed to the beam member 26 together with the first plate 40 by screws 44, with screw fastening pieces 42C and 42D provided at the left and right ends. The right screw fastening piece 42D is screwed to the lower surface of the beam member 26, while the right screw fastening piece 42D enters the interior of the beam member 26 through an opening 26B (see Figure 4) formed in the beam member 26 and is screwed to the upper surface inside the beam member 26.

[0055] The connecting bar 38 has a portion 38A (see Figures 4 and 5) located between the first plate 40 and the second plate 42 at a position corresponding to below the groove 28, that is, a portion 38A that is sandwiched between the first plate 40 and the second plate 42 from above and below.

[0056] The first spring piece 46 of the first plate 40 is a cantilevered piece extending from the connecting piece 48 towards the outer edge of the top plate 12, and is positioned to overlap the groove 28. The first spring piece 46 has a first locking projection 47.

[0057] The first locking projection 47 is bent into a reverse-locking shape. As a result, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, when the pair of legs 14 are in an extended state at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the top plate 12, the first locking projection 47 engages with the connecting bar 38 to prevent the connecting bar 38 from moving toward the center of the top plate 12 at a position corresponding to the overlapping portion 42A of the second plate 42. In other words, when the pair of legs 14 are in an extended state, the first locking projection 47 locks the connecting bar 38 to prevent it from moving toward the center of the top plate 12.

[0058] The first plate 40 further has a first release piece 49 that extends from the first locking projection 47 toward the outer edge of the top plate 12. The first release piece 49 extends toward the outer edge of the top plate 12 beyond the overlapping portion 42A of the second plate 42 and is exposed to the outside. The first release piece 49 displaces the first locking projection 47 toward the groove portion 28 to a position where it is released from the connecting bar 38 by applying a pressing force from the outside toward the lower surface (20A and 26A) of the top plate 12, so as to elastically deform the first spring piece 46 toward upward.

[0059] The second spring piece 50 of the first plate 40 is a cantilever piece extending from the connecting piece 48 toward the center of the top plate 12. In the initial state shown in Figure 7 (the unfolded state of the legs 14), the second spring piece 50 is bent so that its lower surface 50A is closer to the upper surface 42E of the second plate 42 than the lower surface 48A of the connecting piece 48. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, when the pair of legs 14 are folded along the bottom of the top plate 12, the second spring piece 50 elastically deforms upward and sandwiches the connecting bar 38 between its lower surface 50A and the upper surface 42E of the second plate 42. As a result, the folded state of the pair of legs 14 is maintained by the spring force of the second spring piece 50.

[0060] As the pair of legs 14 are rotated clockwise around the pivot 30 (as seen in Figure 6) from the folded state shown in Figures 4 and 6 to the unfolded state, the connecting bar 38 is released from the elastic clamping between the second spring piece 50 and the second plate 42 of the first plate 40 and moves from the center side to the outer edge side of the top plate 12, that is, to the left side as seen in Figures 4 and 6.

[0061] Since the pair of legs 14 are held in a folded state by elastic clamping between the second spring piece 50 of the first plate 40 and the second plate 42, no special operation is required to release this hold.

[0062] During the clockwise rotation of the pair of legs 14, the connecting bar 38 pushes up the first locking projection 47 under the elastic deformation of the first spring piece 46 and overcomes the first locking projection 47. When the pair of legs 14 are in the deployed position, the first locking projection 47 engages with the first locking projection 47, as shown in Figures 5 and 7. This prevents the connecting bar 38 from moving toward the center of the top plate 12, and locks the pair of legs 14 in the deployed position. This locking securely holds the pair of legs 14 in the deployed state.

[0063] When folding the pair of legs 14 from the deployed state described above, a pressing force is applied to the first engagement release piece 49 from the outside toward the lower surface (20A and 26A) of the top plate 12, causing the first spring piece 46 to elastically deform upward. At this time, the first spring piece 46 enters the groove 28, avoiding interference with the top plate 12.

[0064] The first spring portion 46 is elastically deformed upward by the pressure of the first release portion 49, thereby releasing the locking between the first locking projection 47 and the connecting bar 38. This ensures that the extension of the leg body 14 is released reliably and easily.

[0065] When the extension state is released, the pair of legs 14 can be rotated counterclockwise around the pivot 30, as seen in Figure 7. When the pair of legs 14 are rotated counterclockwise around the pivot 30, as seen in Figure 7, the connecting bar 38 moves between the first plate 40 and the second plate 42 from the outer edge side to the center side of the top plate 12, that is, to the right side as seen in Figures 5 and 7. This movement causes the connecting bar 38 to be sandwiched between the lower surface 50A of the second spring piece 50 and the upper surface 42E of the second plate 42. As shown in Figure 6, when the pair of legs 14 are folded along the bottom of the top plate 12, the pair of legs 14 are held in the folded state by the spring force of the second spring piece 50.

[0066] As described above, in the holding mechanism that holds the pair of legs 14 in an extended and folded state, the only members provided on the top plate 12 side are the first plate 40 and the second plate 42, resulting in a small number of parts. The first plate 40 and the second plate 42 have a simple shape and can be easily manufactured by bending press molding. Moreover, the connecting bar 38 provided on the stay member 16 only needs to be assembled so that it is sandwiched between the first plate 40 and the second plate 42, which are attached to the top plate 12 so that they overlap each other vertically, resulting in a simple structure and easy assembly.

[0067] <Embodiment 2> Next, the table 60 of Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. In Figures 9 and 10, parts corresponding to Figures 1 to 8 are given the same reference numerals as those used in Figures 1 to 8, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0068] In the table 60 of Embodiment 2, the first plate 40 has a third spring portion 61 instead of the second spring portion 50 in Embodiment 1. The third spring portion 61 extends from the outer edge side to the center side of the top plate 12, similar to the second spring portion 50. The third spring portion 61 has a second locking projection 62 and a second disengagement portion 64. The third spring portion 61 is positioned to overlap the groove portion 28, similar to the first spring portion 46.

[0069] The second locking projection 62 is bent into a reverse-locking shape. As a result, as shown in Figure 8, the second locking projection 62 engages with the connecting bar 38 to prevent it from moving toward the outer edge of the top plate 12 at a position corresponding to the overlapping portion 42A of the second plate 42 when the pair of legs 14 are folded. In other words, the second locking projection 62 locks the connecting bar 38 to prevent it from moving toward the outer edge of the top plate 12 when the pair of legs 14 are folded. As a result, the pair of legs 14 are securely held in the folded state, just as they are in the unfolded state.

[0070] The second release piece 64 extends from the second locking projection 62 toward the center of the top plate 12 and is exposed to the outside. The second release piece 64 displaces the second locking projection 62 toward the groove 28 to a position where it is released from the connecting bar 38 by applying a pressing force from the outside toward the lower surface (20A and 26A) of the top plate 12, causing the second spring piece 50 to elastically deform upward. Due to this displacement, the third spring piece 61 enters the groove 28 and does not interfere with the top plate 12.

[0071] In Embodiment 2, when the pair of legs 14 are in the folded state, the connecting bar 38 engages with the second locking projection 62, as shown in Figure 9, thereby locking the pair of legs 14 in the folded state.

[0072] In Embodiment 2, when moving the pair of legs 14 from the folded state to the unfolded state, the second engagement release piece 64 is pressed to release the engagement between the connecting bar 38 and the second locking projection 62.

[0073] Other than this, it is the same as Embodiment 1, and when the pair of legs 14 are in the deployed state, as shown in Figure 9, the connecting bar 38 engages with the first locking projection 47, thereby locking the pair of legs 14 in the deployed position.

[0074] In Embodiment 2, as in Embodiment 1, the holding mechanism for holding the pair of legs 14 in an extended and folded state consists only of a first plate 40 and a second plate 42 on the top plate 12 side, resulting in a small number of parts. The first plate 40 and the second plate 42 have simple shapes and can be easily manufactured by bending press molding. Moreover, in Embodiment 2 as well, the connecting bar 38 provided on the stay member 16 only needs to be assembled so that it is sandwiched between the first plate 40 and the second plate 42, which are attached to the top plate 12 so that they overlap each other vertically, resulting in a simple structure and easy assembly.

[0075] <Embodiment 3> Next, the table 70 of Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 13. In Figures 11 to 13, parts corresponding to Figures 1 to 8 are given the same reference numerals as those used in Figures 1 to 8, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0076] A beam member 27 extending in the left-right direction is attached to the lower surface 20A of the top plate body 20. The beam member 27 has a groove portion 27A that opens downward and flange portions 27B that extend along both lower side edges of the groove portion 27A.

[0077] The first plate 40 and the second plate 42 straddle the groove 27A in the front-rear direction by screws 44, and their front and rear edges are fixed to the lower surface 27C of the flange portion 27B of the beam member 27 by screws 44. The second plate 42 is shorter in width than those of Embodiments 1 and 2, and is provided only in the portion that overlaps vertically with the first locking projection 47 of the first plate 40.

[0078] The first spring portion 46 of the first plate 40 is positioned to overlap with the groove portion 27A and is elastically deformable so that it can enter the groove portion 27A.

[0079] At both ends of the connecting bar 38 of the stay member 16, there are separation restricting portions 74 that protrude axially inward from the connecting bar 38 by support pieces 72. Each separation restricting portion 74 slidably contacts the upper surface 27D of the flange portion 27B of the beam member 27, restricting the connecting bar 38 from moving downward from the first plate 40.

[0080] In Embodiment 3, when the pair of legs 14 are in the deployed state, as shown in Figure 12, the connecting bar 38 engages with the first locking projection 47 in a state where it overlaps with the second plate 42, thereby locking the pair of legs 14 in the deployed position, similar to Embodiments 1 and 2.

[0081] When the pair of legs 14 are rotated from the deployed state to the folded state, the connecting bar 38 disengages from the overlapping portion between the first plate 40 and the second plate 42. When the connecting bar 38 is disengaged from the overlapping portion between the first plate 40 and the second plate 42, the separation restricting portion 74 contacts and slides against the upper surface 27D of the flange portion 27B of the beam member 27, restricting the connecting bar 38 from moving downward away from the first plate 40.

[0082] In the folded state, as shown in Figure 11, the pair of legs 14 have their separation restricting portions 74 pressed against the upper surface of the flange portion 27B of the beam member 27, and the folded state is maintained by the frictional resistance between the separation restricting portions 74 and the flange portion 27B.

[0083] In the holding mechanism that holds a pair of legs 14 in an extended state, the only components provided on the top plate 12 side are the first plate 40 and the second plate 42, resulting in a small number of parts. The first plate 40 and the second plate 42 have simple shapes and can be easily manufactured by bending press molding.

[0084] In assembling the holding mechanism, the spacing restricting portion 74 provided on the connecting bar 38 of the stay member 16 should be engaged with the flange portion 27B of the beam member 27 so that it slidably contacts the upper surface 27D of the flange portion 27B of the beam member 27. This makes assembly easy.

[0085] Although the present invention has been described above in terms of preferred embodiments, as will be easily understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the top plate 12 is not limited to a rectangle, but may be a square, an ellipse, or the like.

[0086] 10: Table 12: Top plate 14: Legs 14A: Grooved cross section member 14B: Grooved cross section member 14C: End part 14D: End part 15: Connecting member 16: Stay member 17: Connecting member 20: Top plate body 20A: Bottom surface 22: Left and right frame bodies 22A: Bent molded part 22B: Bent molded member 24: Front and rear frame bodies 24A: Bent molded part 24B: Bent molded member 26: Beam member 26A: Bottom surface 26B: Opening 27: Beam member 27A: Groove part 27B: Flange part 27C: Bottom surface 27D: Top surface 28: Groove part 30: Rotating part 32: Cushioning sheet 34: Axle member 36: Stay body 36A: Leg body side end 36B: Top plate side end 38: Connecting bar 38A: Clamping part 40: First plate 42: Second plate 42A: Overlapping part 42B: Front and rear side parts 42C: Screw fastening piece 42D: Screw fastening piece 42E: Top surface 44: Screw 46: First spring piece 47: First locking projection 48: Connecting piece 48A: Bottom surface 49: First disengagement piece 50: Second spring piece 50A: Bottom surface 52: Slit 54: First fixing piece 56: Slit 58: Second fixing piece 60: Table 61: Third spring piece 62: Second locking projection 64: Second disengagement piece 70 Table 72: Support piece 74: Separation restricting section

Claims

1. A table having a tabletop, a pair of legs foldably provided at the lower part of the tabletop, and a stay member connecting the tabletop and the pair of legs, the table having a first plate attached to the lower surface of the tabletop, and a second plate attached to at least one of the lower surface of the tabletop and the first plate, including a portion that overlaps the lower part of the first plate at a vertical distance, the stay member comprising a pair of stay bodies each having a leg-side end and a tabletop-side end rotatably connected to the intermediate part of each leg, and a connecting bar that connects the tabletop-side ends of the pair of stay bodies to each other and is movable between the overlapping portion of the first plate and the second plate, the first plate having a first spring piece extending from the center side to the outer edge side of the tabletop, the first spring piece is A table having: a first locking projection that locks the connecting bar to prevent it from moving toward the center of the tabletop at the overlapping portion when the pair of legs are in an extended state; and a first release piece provided on the outer edge side of the tabletop than the first locking projection, which displaces the first locking projection toward the lower side of the tabletop to a position where the locking of the connecting bar is released when a pressing force is applied toward the lower side of the tabletop to cause elastic deformation of the first spring piece.

2. The table according to claim 1, wherein the lower part of the top plate is provided with a groove extending from the center side to the outer edge side of the top plate, the first spring piece is positioned to overlap the groove, and the first release piece displaces the first locking projection into the groove when the pressing force is applied.

3. The table according to claim 2, having two beam members attached to the lower part of the top plate and extending parallel to each other, wherein the groove is formed by the two beam members.

4. The table according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first plate has a pair of first fixing pieces extending from the center to the outer edge of the top plate at intervals from both side edges of the first spring piece, and the first plate is fixed to the lower surface of the top plate at each of the pair of first fixing pieces.

5. The table according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first plate is provided with a second spring piece extending from the outer edge of the top plate toward the center, and the second spring piece elastically deforms in a direction away from the upper surface of the second plate by sandwiching the connecting bar between itself and the upper surface of the second plate when the pair of legs are folded.

6. The table according to claim 5, wherein the first plate has a connecting piece that connects the first spring piece and the second spring piece to each other, and the lower surface of the second spring piece is provided to be closer to the upper surface of the second plate than the lower surface of the connecting piece.

7. The table according to claim 5, wherein the first plate extends from the outer edge side toward the center side of the tabletop and has a pair of second fixing pieces provided at intervals on both side edges of the second spring piece, and the first plate is fixed to the lower surface of the tabletop at each of the pair of second fixing pieces.

8. The table according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first plate comprises a third spring piece extending from the outer edge side of the top plate toward the center side, the third spring piece comprising: a second locking projection that locks the connecting bar to prevent the connecting bar from moving toward the outer edge side of the top plate when the pair of legs are folded; and a second release piece provided on the center side of the top plate than the second locking projection, which displaces the second locking projection toward the lower side of the top plate to a position in which the locking of the connecting bar is released when a pressing force is applied toward the lower side of the top plate in such a manner that the third spring piece is elastically deformed.

9. The table according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second plate is provided only in the portion that overlaps with the first locking projection, and the stay member is provided with a separation restricting portion that slidably abuts against the upper surface of a flange portion provided at the lower part of the top plate in order to restrict the separation of the connecting bar from the first plate.

10. The table according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tabletop comprises a flat tabletop body and a frame body provided on the lower surface of the tabletop body along the outer edge of the tabletop body and having parallel extending portions that extend parallel to each other, and each leg body has a rotating portion that is rotatably attached to the inside of the corresponding parallel extending portion, and has a height of the parallel extending portion or less so that when folded the entire leg body is housed inside the parallel extending portion.

11. The table according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each leg has a cushioning sheet attached to the surface facing outward in the direction of rotation when folded.

Images