member
The modular furniture system addresses the complexity of conventional modular furniture by using a detachable member with locking protrusions and openings, allowing for tool-free assembly and reassembly with common parts, enhancing user accessibility and simplicity.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023181304
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-02
AI Technical Summary
Conventional modular furniture requires tools for assembly, specific part assignment, and specialized maintenance, making it difficult for users to easily assemble or reassemble furniture without high expertise.
The design includes a detachable member with a polyhedral unit and a rod-shaped unit, featuring protrusions and openings that lock relative to each other by rotation, allowing for tool-free assembly and reassembly using common parts.
This solution enables users to easily assemble and reassemble furniture without tools, using common parts, thereby simplifying the process and increasing user accessibility.
Smart Images

Figure 2025070771000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a component. [Background technology]
[0002] In today's diverse society, where rapid change and hybrid lifestyles have become widespread, there is modular furniture that can be realized in a variety of forms using common parts, with the aim of being able to flexibly respond to changes in lifestyles and working styles (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-155731 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, conventional modular furniture has not become widespread because it requires a high level of expertise to assemble, such as the need for tools, a specified order in which the parts must be assembled, and the need for specialized maintenance personnel. As a result, the furniture does not meet the market demand for easy and flexible adaptation to changes in lifestyle.
[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to enable users to easily assemble or rearrange furniture using common parts without the need for tools. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a member according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: A member in which a first unit which is a polyhedron having three or more first faces and a rod-shaped second unit which has second faces at both ends are detachably configured, a protrusion is disposed on one of the first surface of the first unit and the second surface of the second unit, and an opening into which the protrusion is inserted is formed on the other surface; With the opening inserted into the protrusion, the opening is configured to be locked to the protrusion by relatively rotating about a first axis in the insertion direction. Effect of the Invention
[0007] According to the present invention, a user can easily assemble or rearrange furniture using common parts without using tools. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of furniture constructed by combining members according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a divided perspective view showing how some members of the furniture in FIG. 1 are connected to each other. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the members in FIG. 2 are brought into contact with each other. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 shows a variation of the cube of FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the component according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a third embodiment (first example of a double-side lock type) of the member according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment (a second example of a double-side lock type) of the member according to the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment (third example of a double-side lock type) of the member according to the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a sixth embodiment (first example of a protrusion-separated type) of the member according to the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a seventh embodiment (a second example of a protrusion-separated type) of the member according to the present invention. [Figure 11]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an eighth embodiment (an example of a screw-fixing type) of the member according to the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a ninth embodiment (a slide-in type example) of the member according to the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a tenth embodiment (an example of a coupler-type fastening structure) of the member according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a member according to a first embodiment of the present invention (a first example of an in-lock system) and furniture using the member, that is, an example of furniture that can be constructed using common parts, will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. 1(A) and 1(B) are exploded perspective views showing an example of furniture constructed by combining members according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(B) is a diagram showing the furniture in the disassembled state of FIG. 1(A) after being assembled. FIG. 2(A) is a divided perspective view showing how some members of the furniture in FIG. 1 are connected to each other. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a state in which the components in the disassembled state of FIG. 2A are fastened to each other. FIG. 3(A) is a side view showing the members of FIG. 2 in contact with each other. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a state in which one of the members is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 3A to fasten the two members together.
[0010] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, there are multiple types of common parts such as a joint cube CB (hereinafter referred to as "cube CB"), a frame FR, and a panel PA. At least two or more types of common parts are combined to form a predetermined type of furniture such as a box D1. The box D1 shown here is just one example, and various other furniture such as desks, cabinets, and partitions can also be configured.
[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a substantially hexahedral cube CB having six faces and a frame FR having faces at both ends are configured so that they can be detached from each other by mating their faces with each other. A protrusion 12 is disposed on one face of the cube CB. An opening 2 into which the protrusion 12 is inserted is formed on the face of the frame FR corresponding to the one face of the cube CB.
[0012] In the case of the component of the first embodiment, when the protrusion 12 of the cube CB is inserted into the opening 2 of the frame FR, the components are rotated relative to each other with the insertion direction as the rotation axis, whereby the opening 2 of the frame FR and the protrusion 12 of the cube CB are engaged with each other.
[0013] 2 and 3, the cube CB has a hexahedral shape with the top missing, with a groove provided in the center of each face, to which a protrusion 12 is attached as necessary. The cube CB can be fastened by positioning the frame FR in a direction perpendicular to each face using the protrusion 12.
[0014] The cube CB is a relay part for connecting cylindrical frames FR and changing the orientation of the frames FR. A protrusion 12 is disposed in the center of each face of the cube CB, which is inserted into an opening 2 disposed in the end face of the frame FR. The protrusion 12 is fixed to the center of each face of the cube CB with a screw 11. The head of the protrusion 12 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape (diamond shape), and the neck portion below the head is made thinner than the head. By inserting the head into the opening 2 in the end face of the frame FR and rotating the frame FR, the two are engaged with each other and the frame FR and the cube CB are fastened together.
[0015] The frame FR is a rod-like support part (framework member) of a predetermined length (e.g., 36 cm) in the shape of a square pipe with recessed corners, with openings 2 formed on both longitudinal end faces. A reinforcing part 23 and a joint part JP are fixed to each longitudinal end face with screws 21. The reinforcing part 23 is provided with a hole 23a of a shape (approximately diamond-shaped, for example) into which the head of the protrusion 12 of the cube CB can be inserted. The joint part JP is also provided with a similar hole 22. The joint part JP has protrusions (not shown) at the four corners of the surface (back surface) that comes into contact with the frame FR, which can absorb any shaking in the longitudinal direction of the frame FR.
[0016] The panel PA is formed by combining the frame FR and the cube CB, and is a part (exterior component) that fits into the skeleton (framework) to form the outer shape of the furniture.
[0017] When fastening components such as the cube CB and the frame FR, for example, as shown in Figure 3(A), by inserting the protrusion 12 of the cube CB into the opening 2 of the frame FR and rotating the frame FR in the direction of arrow P, as shown in Figure 3(B), the corner 12a of the protrusion 12 of the cube CB rides up and engages with the back surface part other than the hole 23a on the frame FR, and the cube CB and the frame FR are fastened together with their outer shapes overlapping. In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which a protrusion 12 is provided on the cube CB and an opening 2 is provided on the frame FR, but examples other than those shown here may also be used, for example, an opening 2 may be provided on the cube CB and a protrusion 12 on the frame FR. That is, it is sufficient that the protrusion 12 and the opening 2 are provided in either the cube CB or the frame FR.
[0018] Now, with reference to FIG. 4, variations of the cube CB will be described. FIG. 4 shows variations of the cube. The cube CB, which is a hexahedron with the top missing, can be of any of several types, such as one with protrusions 12 arranged on only one face as shown in FIG. 4(A), one with protrusions 12 arranged on two faces as shown in FIG. 4(B), one with protrusions 12 arranged on three faces as shown in FIG. 4(C), one with protrusions 12 arranged on four faces as shown in FIG. 4(D), one with protrusions 12 arranged on five faces as shown in FIG. 4(E), and one with protrusions 12 arranged on six faces as shown in FIG. 4(F), and can be used as needed.
[0019] In this way, by having multiple combinations (variations) of the cube CB and the protrusions 12, it is possible to have variations in the number and direction of connecting the frames FR. Also, when the frame FR is assembled to the cube CB, the fit of the appearance can be adjusted (so that unnecessary protrusions 12 do not protrude from the surface of the furniture).
[0020] Next, a second embodiment of the member according to the present invention (a second example of the in-lock system) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the component according to the invention.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 5(A), in the member of the second embodiment, the cube CB and the frame FR are detachably attached by engaging the openings 32 and the protrusions 41 with each other and rotating them.
[0022] The frame FR has an opening 32 formed in an end surface 31. The opening 32 is formed in a shape that allows a cross section including the protrusion 41 and the spring pin 42 to pass through. In other words, the opening 32 has a hole whose cross section has a shape that allows insertion.
[0023] The cube CB is provided with a protrusion 41 that protrudes in an insertion direction X (first axis) into the frame FR, and a spring pin 42 that is arranged to protrude from the protrusion 41 in a direction Y (second axis) that is approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction X. The cross section of the protrusion 41 in the direction Y is approximately elliptical, and the elliptical shape is arranged in the direction Z that penetrates the narrow side of the elliptical shape. The spring pin 42 is a radially flexible pin with a vertical slit. In other words, the cross section of the protrusion 41 of the cube CB in a direction approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction X has a cross section formed by a direction Y approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction X and a direction Z approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction X and the direction Y, and the difference in distance between the directions Y and Z creates a locking action when the protrusion 41 is inserted into the opening 32 and rotated.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 5(B), a space 33 is provided within the opening 32 of the frame FR, in which the protrusion 41 and the spring pin 42 can rotate up to a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees).
[0025] In the case of the member of the second embodiment, the protrusion 41 of the cube CB is inserted into the opening 32 of the frame FR, and one of the members is rotated relatively, whereby the spring pin 42 enters and catches on the back surface of the frame FR that is displaced from the opening 32 with a radial load applied, and the two members are locked together. Since the spring pin 42 has the property of bending in the radial direction, it can absorb deviations in dimensional accuracy and can stably maintain the locked state even if force is applied to each other during or after assembly.
[0026] Thus, according to the second embodiment of the component (see FIG. 5), a protrusion 41 and a spring pin 42 are provided on the cube CB and are made part of the locking structure with the frame FR. This allows the cube CB to flex radially to absorb any variations in dimensional accuracy while providing a sense of fastening due to the spring force when fastened, thereby enabling the cube CB and frame FR to be stably maintained in a fastened state.
[0027] Furthermore, it is possible to assemble a variety of furniture (boxes, shelves, desks, etc.) by combining components such as the cubes CB, frames FR, and panels PA. The assembled furniture can be disassembled and transformed into a different piece of furniture, and the existing components can be reused to assemble the next piece of furniture.
[0028] Next, a third embodiment of the member according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a third embodiment (a first example of a double-side lock type) of a member according to the present invention.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 6, the component of the third embodiment has a joint part JP interposed between the cube CB and the frame FR, and the openings 32 and protrusions 41 of each cube CB and frame FR are engaged with each other via the joint part JP and rotated, thereby making the components detachable.
[0030] In other words, in the third embodiment, the protrusions 22a, 22c are configured as part of a joint part JP that is separate from the cube CB and the frame FR, and the joint part JP is attached by engaging with one of the faces (first face) of the cube CB and the face (second face) of the frame FR, and is configured to be released from the attachment by disengaging the engaging portion.
[0031] A projection 22a and a locking portion 22b are provided on the surface of the joint part JP facing the cube CB. The locking portion 22b protrudes in a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction X of the projection 22a (the longitudinal direction of the frame FR). A protrusion 22c and a locking portion 22d are provided on the surface of the joint part JP facing the frame FR. The locking portion 22d protrudes in a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction X of the protrusion 22c.
[0032] The frame end 51 is attached to the end of the frame FR as a separate piece so that it can be stretched and contracted, allowing the longitudinal dimension to be adjusted. A reinforcing part 23 is fixed to the end face of the frame end 51. An opening 23b is formed in the reinforcing part 23. The opening 23b is formed in a shape that allows a cross section including the projection 22c and the locking part 22d to be engaged to pass through. In other words, the opening 23b has a hole with a cross section that is shaped to allow insertion. By fixing the reinforcing part 23 to the frame FR in advance, the opening 23b can be said to be the same as that provided on the end face of the frame FR.
[0033] The cube CB has an opening 61 formed on each face. The opening 61 is formed in a shape that allows a cross section including the projection 22a and the locking portion 22b to be engaged to pass through.
[0034] In the case of the member of the third embodiment, the reinforcing part 23 is attached to the frame FR side in advance. When assembling the furniture, the joint part JP is attached to one of the components, either the frame FR or the cube CB, and then the protrusion (e.g., protrusion 22c) of the joint part JP is inserted into the opening (e.g., opening 23b) of the remaining component and rotated 90 degrees to lock the parts together and fasten the components together. It should be noted that the rotation angle of 90 degrees shown in this example is just an example, and the rotation angle can also be changed by changing the inclination or shape of the opening.
[0035] Thus, according to the member of the third embodiment (see FIG. 6), the joint part JP can be attached to the cube CB in advance, and the protrusion 22c and the locking part 22d of the joint part JP can be inserted into the opening 23b of the frame FR and rotated to fasten them together. Also, the joint part JP can be attached to the frame FR in advance, and the protrusion 22a and the locking part 22b of the joint part JP can be inserted into the opening 61 of the cube CB and rotated to fasten them together. That is, according to the third embodiment, the joint part JP is sandwiched between the cube CB frame FR and is locked on both sides of the joint part JP. This makes the shape easy to see and assemble, so that the parts can be connected together and the furniture can be assembled without any special knowledge or instructions.
[0036] Next, a fourth embodiment of the member according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment (a second example of a double-side lock type) of the member according to the present invention. The fourth embodiment is a modified example of the third embodiment, and the same components as those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.
[0037] The fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in the locking structure (engagement structure) between the joint parts JP and the cubes CB. As shown in FIG. 7, the male screw portion 71 (projection portion) of the joint part JP on the cube CB side has a structure (for example, the screw structure shown in the figure) that screws into the female screw portion 81 of the cube CB. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, a male thread portion 71 is provided on the surface of the joint part JP facing the surface of the cube CB, and a female thread portion 81 into which the male thread portion 71 is screwed is provided on the surface of the cube CB facing the surface of the joint part JP.
[0038] In the case of this fourth embodiment, when attaching the joint part JP to the cube CB, it is necessary to align the male threaded portion 71 of the joint part JP with the female threaded portion 81 of the cube CB and rotate either the cube CB or the joint part JP several times until the screw is tightened; however, it is only necessary to form a screw hole in the center of the cube CB, and the cube CB itself can be made smaller.
[0039] According to the member of the fourth embodiment (see FIG. 7), the same effects as those of the third embodiment can be obtained, and the member on the side where the screw holes are formed, in this example, the cube CB, can be made smaller. Furthermore, by using a structure in which the cube CB side (one side) of the two-sided lock is fixed with a screw, the joint part JP becomes difficult to rotate after being attached to the cube CB and integrated, and the joint part JP can be fastened by simply inserting the protrusion 22c of the joint part JP into the opening 23b of the frame FR and rotating it while maintaining a certain fixing strength.
[0040] Next, a fifth embodiment of the member according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment (third example of a double-side lock type) of the member according to the present invention. The fifth embodiment is a modified example of the fourth embodiment, and the same components are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.
[0041] The fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in the lock structure (retaining structure) between the joint parts JP and the frame FR. 8, the male thread portion 71 (projection portion) of the joint part JP on the cube CB side is structured to screw into the female thread portion 81 of the cube CB. Also, the male thread portion 72 (projection portion) of the joint part JP on the frame FR side is structured to screw into the female thread portion 101 (opening portion) of the frame FR. Specifically, a male thread portion 72 is provided on the surface of the joint part JP facing the surface of the frame FR, and a female thread portion 101 into which the male thread portion 72 is screwed is provided on the surface of the frame FR facing the surface of the joint part JP.
[0042] In the case of the fifth embodiment, when attaching the joint part JP to the frame FR, it is necessary to align the male threaded portion 72 of the joint part JP with the female threaded portion 101 of the frame FR and rotate either the frame FR or the joint part JP several times until it is tightened; however, it is only necessary to form a screw hole in the center of the frame FR, and the frame FR can be made smaller.
[0043] The male threaded portions 71 and 72 have threads cut in opposite directions (right-hand and left-hand threads). By matching the male threaded portions 71, 72 of the shaft with the corresponding female threaded portions 81, 101 and rotating the joint part JP in a specified direction, both are tightened, and by rotating it in the opposite direction to the specified direction, both are loosened. In the fifth embodiment, the male threads 71, 72 of the shaft have threads cut in opposite directions, but the female threads 81, 101 of the cube CB and frame FR may have thread grooves cut in opposite directions.
[0044] In the fifth embodiment, when members are fastened together, the joint part JP is sandwiched between the cube CB and the frame FR, and the male threads 71, 72 at both ends of the shaft of the joint part JP are fitted to the corresponding female threads 81, 101, respectively. Then, by rotating the joint part JP in a certain direction, the male threaded portions 71, 72 at both ends of the shaft screw into the female threaded portion 81 of the cube CB and the female threaded portion 101 of the frame FR, and after several rotations, the cube CB and frame FR are fastened together with the joint part JP sandwiched in between.
[0045] According to the components of this fifth embodiment (see FIG. 8), the effect of improving the fixing strength between the components can be obtained, similar to the fourth embodiment, and the components that form the screw holes, in this example the frame FR and the cube CB, can be made smaller. Furthermore, since the screws are directly fastened to the frame FR, the reinforcing parts 23 shown in the fourth embodiment (example of FIG. 7) are not necessary, and the cost can be reduced accordingly.
[0046] Next, a sixth embodiment of the member according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a sixth embodiment (a first example of a protrusion-separated type) of a member according to the present invention.
[0047] In the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a joint part JP is interposed between a cube CB and a frame FR, and the components are engaged with each other via the joint part JP and rotated to be detachable.
[0048] In other words, in the member of the sixth embodiment, the protrusion 121 and the opening 22e are configured as members (the protrusion 121 alone and the joint part JP) separate from the cube CB and the frame FR.
[0049] Specifically, the protrusion 121 is provided separately from the cube CB. The protrusion 121 is provided with a locking portion 122 and a male screw portion 123. A female screw portion 131 is formed on each surface of the cube CB. A male screw portion 123 provided on the protrusion portion 121 is screwed into the female screw portion 131. A plurality of openings 111 are provided at the end of the frame FR, and the rail parts 22f of the joint parts JP are inserted into these openings 111 so as to be freely insertable and removable. The rail portion 22f has holes for fixing a separate member such as a hinge to the frame FR, and the separate member is fixed by fastening screws through the holes.
[0050] The joint part JP is provided with a rail portion 22f extending toward the frame FR. The joint part JP is also provided with an opening 22e.
[0051] In the sixth embodiment, as a preliminary step, the joint part JP is fixed to the frame FR to form a frame unit FRU. Also, the male screw part 123 of the protrusion 121 is screwed into the female screw part 131 of the cube CB to form a cube unit CBU. Then, by inserting the protrusion 121 of the cube CBU into the opening 22e and rotating it, the protrusion 121 is locked in the opening 22e, and the frame unit FRU and the cube unit CBU are fastened together.
[0052] Thus, according to the member of the sixth embodiment (see FIG. 9), while maintaining the structure in which the protrusion 121 is inserted into the opening 22e and rotated to engage as in the above-described embodiment, the cube CB and the protrusion 121 are separate entities, and as necessary, the male threaded portion 123 of the protrusion 121 is screwed into the female threaded portion 131 of the cube CB to fix them, so that the surface on which the protrusion 121 is provided can be selected during assembly.
[0053] Next, a seventh embodiment of the member according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a seventh embodiment (a second example of the protrusion-separated type) of the member according to the present invention.
[0054] The seventh embodiment is a modified version of the sixth embodiment, but like the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, a joint part JP is interposed between the cube CB and the frame FR, and the components are engaged with each other via the joint part JP and rotated to enable them to be attached and detached.
[0055] The member of the seventh embodiment is separate from the cube CB and includes a screw 141, a protrusion 161, and a cap 153. The screw 141 is passed through a hole provided so as to penetrate the center of the protrusion 161, and is screwed into the female screw part 151 of the cube CB. The cap 153 is a part for concealing the female screw part 151 of the cube CB that is not used, and for making the appearance of the cube CB look neat.
[0056] A female screw portion 151 is formed on each surface of the cube CB, and a rectangular groove portion 152 is provided so as to surround each female screw portion 151. A screw 141 is screwed into the female screw portion 151. The protrusion 161 is provided with a locking portion 162 and a base portion 163 . The locking portion 162 is inserted into the opening 22h of the joint part JP and the protrusion 161 is rotated, thereby locking the protrusion 161 to the joint part JP. The base portion 163 is fitted into the rectangular groove portion 152 of the cube CB when the cube is attached to the cube CB, and serves to prevent the protrusion portion 161 from rotating when the screw is tightened.
[0057] The joint part JP is provided with a rail portion 22g extending toward the frame FR. The rail portion 22g has holes for fixing a separate member such as a hinge to the frame FR, and the separate member is fixed by screwing through the holes. In addition, the joint part JP is provided with an opening 22h. A plurality of openings 111 are provided at the end of the frame FR, and the rail parts 22g of the joint parts JP are inserted into these openings 111 so as to be freely insertable and removable.
[0058] In the seventh embodiment, as a preliminary step, the joint parts JP are fixed to the frame FR to form a frame unit FRU. The base parts 163 of the protrusions 161 are fitted into the grooves 152 of the cubes CB, and the cubes are fastened and fixed with the screws 141 to form a cube unit CBU. Then, by inserting the protrusion 161 of the cube CBU into the opening 22h and rotating it, the protrusion 161 is locked in the opening 22h, and the frame unit FRU and the cube unit CBU are fastened together.
[0059] Thus, according to the member of the seventh embodiment (see FIG. 10), while maintaining the structure in which the protrusion 161 is inserted into the opening 22h and rotated to lock as in the above-mentioned embodiment, the cube CB and the protrusion 161 are separate, and the protrusion 161 is fitted into the groove 152 of the cube CB as necessary, and then fixed by screwing the screw 141 into the female screw portion 151, so that the surface on which the protrusion 161 is provided can be selected during assembly. Also, by fitting a cap 153 into the groove 152 of a cube CB that is not used, the appearance of the cube CB can be made neat.
[0060] Next, an eighth embodiment of the member according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an eighth embodiment (an example of a screw-fixing type) of a member according to the present invention.
[0061] The eighth embodiment is a modified example of the sixth embodiment, and the same components as those in the sixth embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 11, the components of the eighth embodiment are configured such that a joint part JP is interposed between a cube CB and a frame FR, and the components engage with each other via the joint part JP and rotate, thereby making them freely attachable and detachable.
[0062] The member of the eighth embodiment includes a joint part JP, a frame end part 51, and a cap 181, which are separate from the cube CB and the frame FR. A female screw portion 131 is formed in the center of each face of the cube CB. The cap 181 has a male screw portion 182 at its center. The male screw portion 182 is adapted to be screwed into the female screw portion 52 of the frame end portion 51 or the female screw portion 131 of the cube CB. This cap 181 is used as a cover when the female screw portions 52, 131 are not used for fastening by screwing the male screw portion 182 into the female screw portions 52, 131 and attaching the cap 181.
[0063] A shaft is fixed to the joint part JP so as to penetrate through its center. An external thread 172 is formed on one end of the shaft protruding from the joint part JP. The external thread 172 is screwed into the internal thread 131 to be fastened, among the internal threads 131 formed on each face of the cube CB. The other end of the shaft is formed with a male thread portion 171. This male thread portion 171 is screwed into a female thread portion 52 formed on the frame end portion 51.
[0064] The male threaded portions 171 and 172 have threads cut in opposite directions (right-hand and left-hand threads). By matching the male threaded portions 171, 172 of the shaft with the corresponding female threaded portions 52, 131 and rotating the joint part JP in a specified direction, both are tightened, and by rotating it in the opposite direction to the specified direction, both are loosened. In the eighth embodiment, the threads of the male screw portions 171, 172 of the shaft are cut in the opposite directions, but the thread grooves of the female screw portions 52, 131 of the cube CB and frame FR may be cut in the opposite directions.
[0065] The joint part JP has an outer surface with the same cross-sectional shape as the frame FR, and is provided extending a predetermined length in the direction of the frame FR. A through hole is provided in the center of the joint part JP.
[0066] In the eighth embodiment, as a preliminary step, a frame end portion 51 is attached to a frame FR. When fastening the members together, the joint part JP is sandwiched between the cube CB and the frame end 51, and the male threads 171, 172 on both ends of the shaft are fitted to the corresponding female threads 52, 131, respectively. Then, by rotating the joint part JP in the direction P, the male threaded portions 171, 172 at both ends of the shaft screw into the female threaded portion 131 of the cube CB and the female threaded portion 52 of the frame end portion 51, and after several rotations, the cube CB and frame FR are fastened together with the joint part JP sandwiched in between.
[0067] In this way, according to the component of the eighth embodiment (see FIG. 11), a longer joint part JP is prepared, and male threaded portions 171, 172 are provided on both ends of a shaft fixed to the joint part JP. The user can then hold the joint part JP between the cube CB and the frame end 51 in his or her hands and rotate the joint part JP in a predetermined direction, thereby simultaneously fastening the cube CB and the frame FR. The joint part JP, which is placed between the cube CB and the frame FR, is rotated and fastened by screwing together, so components with a simple shape and strong fastening strength can be produced (mass-produced) at low cost.
[0068] Next, a ninth embodiment of the member according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a ninth embodiment (a slide-in type example) of the member according to the present invention.
[0069] As shown in Figure 12, the components of the ninth embodiment are configured such that a joint part JP is interposed between a cube CB and a frame FR, and the components engage with each other via the joint part JP and rotate, making them freely attachable and detachable.
[0070] A joint part JP is attached to the frame FR. A protrusion 191 is disposed in the center of the face of the joint part JP. The protrusion 191 has a circular cross-section with a head cut off in parallel from the left and right, and has parallel side surfaces 191a facing each other on the left and right. The distance between the left and right side surfaces 191a is set to a width that allows it to be slidably inserted into the parallel grooves 201 of the cube CB.
[0071] Each face of the cube CB is formed with a parallel groove 201. The parallel grooves 201 are arranged so as to be perpendicular to those on the other faces. An opening 202 is formed in the center of the parallel groove 201.
[0072] In the case of the component of this ninth embodiment, the protrusion 191 on the frame FR side is inserted into the parallel groove 201 of the cube CB by sliding it in the direction of arrow Q (up and down or left and right), and when the protrusion 191 reaches near the center, the cube CB is rotated relative to the frame FR around the longitudinal axis of the frame FR, whereby the protrusion 191 rotates within the opening 202 and the head of the protrusion 191 catches and engages with the back surface of the cube CB side.
[0073] Thus, according to the component of the ninth embodiment (see FIG. 12), when the protrusion 191 of the frame FR is inserted into the parallel groove 201, it can be inserted and fixed from the front of the component being assembled. Therefore, when removing only one protrusion 191 on the frame FR side and rearranging it, there is no need to adjust other components, and the components can be easily assembled.
[0074] Next, a tenth embodiment of the member according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a tenth embodiment (an example of a coupler-type fastening structure) of a member according to the present invention.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 13, the member of the tenth embodiment is provided with a protrusion 231 having a head with a circular cross section at the center of each face of the cube CB. A locking hole 211 is provided on the side surface of the frame FR. Between the frame FR and the cube CB, a coupler part KA1 and a coupler part KA2 are disposed facing each other so as to sandwich a protruding portion 231 of the cube CB between the two coupler parts KA1 and KA2. The coupler parts KA1 and KA2 are provided with slit-shaped grooves 222 into which the protrusions 231 of the cube CB are fitted. Locking claws 221 are arranged on the side surfaces of the coupler parts KA1 and KA2.
[0076] In the case of the member of the tenth embodiment, the protrusion 231 of the cube CB is sandwiched from the left and right by the grooves 222 of the two coupler parts KA1 and KA2 in the direction of arrow R, and the protrusion 231 is fitted into the grooves 222. Then, the integrated coupler parts KA1 and KA2 are moved in the direction of arrow T and inserted into (the inside of) the opening of the frame FR, and the locking claws 221 provided on the sides of the coupler parts KA1 and KA2 are engaged with the locking holes 211 of the frame FR, thereby fastening these components together.
[0077] Thus, according to the component of the tenth embodiment (see FIG. 13), it can be constructed only from parts of a simple shape (a cube CB provided with a protrusion 231 having a head with a circular cross section, two coupler parts KA1 and KA2 of symmetrical shapes, and a frame FR), and the fastening component can be produced at low cost.
[0078] Although several embodiments of the components according to the present invention have been described above as examples, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.
[0079] In other words, it is sufficient for the member to which the present invention is applied to have the following configuration, and various embodiments can be adopted. That is, the members to which the present invention is applied (such as the cube CB and frame FR in FIG. 2) are as follows: (1) A member in which a first unit (e.g., a cube CB in FIG. 2) which is a polyhedron (e.g., a hexahedron or a cube) consisting of three or more first faces and a rod-shaped second unit (e.g., a frame FR in FIG. 2) having second faces at both ends are detachably configured, a protrusion (e.g., protrusion 12 of cube CB in FIG. 2) is disposed on one of the first surface of the first unit (e.g., cube CB in FIG. 2) or the second surface of the second unit (e.g., frame FR in FIG. 1), and an opening (e.g., opening 2 of frame FR in FIG. 2 or hole 23a of reinforcing part 23) into which the protrusion (e.g., protrusion 12 of cube CB in FIG. 2) is inserted is formed on the other surface; When the protrusion (e.g., protrusion 12 of cube CB in Figure 2) is inserted into the opening (e.g., opening 2 of frame FR in Figure 1), the insertion direction is set as a first axis (X-axis), and the opening (e.g., opening 2 of frame FR in Figure 2) and the protrusion (e.g., protrusion 12 of cube CB in Figure 2) are rotated relative to each other around the first axis (X-axis) to engage with each other. In this way, by engaging common parts (for example, relay members such as the cube CB and skeletal members such as the frame FR) and rotating them relative to one another, users can easily assemble and dismantle furniture without the need for tools, or change the configuration by reassembling it into different furniture.
[0080] (2) In the above components, The protrusion (e.g., protrusion 41 of cube CB in FIG. 5) has a locking portion (e.g., spring pin 42 in FIG. 5) protruding in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first axis (X-axis), Rotation around the first axis (X-axis) causes the locking portion (e.g., spring pin 42 in FIG. 5) to enter the back surface of the second unit (e.g., frame FR in FIG. 5) through an opening (e.g., opening 32 in FIG. 5) and be locked. This allows the locking force (spring force in the case of the spring pin 42) of the locking portion (for example, the spring pin 42 in FIG. 5) to absorb dimensional errors, and allows the components (cube CB and frame FR) to be firmly fastened together.
[0081] (3) In the above-mentioned components, the protrusions (e.g., protrusions 22a and 22c in FIG. 6 ) are configured as a part of a third unit (e.g., joint part JP in FIG. 6 ) separate from the first unit (e.g., cube CB in FIG. 6 ) and the second unit (e.g., frame FR in FIG. 6 ); The third unit (e.g., joint part JP in FIG. 6) is engaged by inserting the protrusion (e.g., protrusion 22a or 22c in FIG. 6) into an opening (e.g., opening 61 or hole 23b in FIG. 6) formed on at least one of the first face of the first unit (e.g., cube CB in FIG. 6) or the second face of the second unit (e.g., frame FR in FIG. 6) and rotating it. The locked state can be released by rotating the protrusions (for example, protrusions 22a and 22d in FIG. 6) in the opposite direction. In this way, a third unit (for example, joint part JP in FIG. 6) is sandwiched between a first unit (for example, cube CB in FIG. 6) and a second unit (for example, frame FR in FIG. 6) and locked on both sides of the third unit (for example, joint part JP in FIG. 6). This configuration makes the shape easy to see and assemble, so that the parts can be connected and the furniture can be assembled without any special knowledge or instructions.
[0082] (4) In the above components, At least one of the protrusion (for example, the male thread portion 71 of the joint part JP in FIG. 7) and the opening (for example, the female thread portion 81 of the cube CB in FIG. 8) has a screw-fitting structure (for example, the structure in FIG. 7 to FIG. 11). For example, in the double-locking type shown in FIG. 7, by screwing and fixing the protrusion of the third unit (for example, the male threaded portion 71 of the joint part JP in FIG. 7) into one side (the opening of the first unit (for example, the female threaded portion 81 of the cube CB in FIG. 7)), it becomes difficult to rotate, and while maintaining a certain fixing strength, the protrusion of the third unit (for example, the protrusion 22c and the locking portion 22d of the joint part JP in FIG. 7) is inserted into the other side (the opening of the second unit (for example, the opening 23b on the frame FR side in FIG. 7) and the whole unit can be fastened by simply rotating it.
[0083] (5) In the above components, The protrusion (e.g., protrusion 191 on the frame FR side in FIG. 12) is disposed on the second surface (the surface of the joint part JP) of the second unit (e.g., the frame FR in FIG. 12), The opening (e.g., the opening 202 of the cube CB in FIG. 12) is formed on the first surface of the first unit (e.g., the cube CB in FIG. 12), With the protrusion (e.g., protrusion 191 in FIG. 12) slid and inserted into the parallel groove (e.g., parallel groove 201 in FIG. 12) of the opening (e.g., opening 202 in FIG. 12), the opening (e.g., opening 202 in FIG. 12) and the protrusion (e.g., protrusion 191 in FIG. 12) are engaged by rotating them relative to each other around the first axis (X-axis). As a result, when the second unit (for example, protrusion 191 of frame FR in FIG. 12) is inserted into a parallel groove (for example, parallel groove 201 in FIG. 12), it can be inserted from the front of the part being assembled and fixed in place, so that when removing and reassembling only one second unit (for example, protrusion 191 of frame FR in FIG. 12) at one location, there is no need to adjust other parts, making assembly simple. [Explanation of symbols]
[0084] D1···Box, PA···Panel, CB···Joint cube (cube), CBU···Cube unit, FR···Frame, FRU···Frame unit, JP···Joint part, KA1, KA2···Coupler part, 2, 22e, 22h, 23a, 23b, 32, 61···Opening, 11···Screw, 12, 22a, 22c, 41, 121, 161, 231···Protrusion, 21···, 22d, 122, 162.... Locking portion, 22f, 22g... Rail portion, 23... Reinforcement part, 42... Spring pin, 51... Frame end portion, 52, 72, 81, 101, 131... Female thread portion, 71, 123, 151, 171, 172, 182... Male thread portion, 141... Screw, 152, 222... Groove portion, 163... Base portion, 153, 181... Cap, 211... Locking hole, 221... Locking claw
Claims
1. A member including a first unit which is a polyhedron having three or more first faces and a rod-shaped second unit which has second faces at both ends, the member being detachably configured as follows: a protrusion is disposed on one of the first surface of the first unit and the second surface of the second unit, and an opening into which the protrusion is inserted is formed on the other surface; The opening is configured to be engaged with the protrusion by rotating the protrusion relatively with the insertion direction being a first axis in a state where the opening is inserted into the protrusion. Parts.
2. a cross section of the protrusion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction is a surface formed by a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis and a third axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis; The opening has a hole into which the cross section can be inserted. The member according to claim 1 .
3. the protrusion portion is configured as a third unit separate from the first unit and the second unit, the third unit is configured to be attached by engaging with one of the first surface of the first unit or the second surface of the second unit, and to be released from the attachment by disengaging the engaging. The member according to claim 1 .
4. At least one of the protrusion and the opening has a screw structure. The member according to claim 1 .
5. the protrusion is disposed on the second surface of the second unit, the opening is formed in the first surface of the first unit, The protrusion is slidably inserted into the groove of the opening, and the opening is rotated relative to the first shaft to engage with the protrusion. The member according to claim 1 .
6. Used as a unit to compose furniture, The member according to claim 1 .
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Connector and joint structure of frame member using it
JP2005155731A