Connection structure of sectional fixture, and sectional fixture comprising connection structure

Abstract

To provide a connection structure of an easy-to-assemble sectional fixture, and the sectional fixture comprising the connection structure.SOLUTION: A connection structure of a sectional fixture comprises a square tube-shaped member 2, and a connection member 5 comprising a fitting part 51 fitted into the square tube-shaped member 2. The fitting part 51 comprises elastic means 54 for generating an elastic force in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of contact edges 59 and 59 stretched and brought into contact with opposed inner surfaces 21 and 23 of the square tube-shaped member 2 by the elastic means 54 respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure for prefabricated furniture and prefabricated furniture having the connection structure.

Background Art

[0002] In supermarkets, convenience stores, offices, libraries, warehouses, etc., prefabricated furniture on which articles are displayed, such as shelves, is used.

[0003] For example, the prefabricated furniture shown in Patent Document 1 includes a pair of left and right rectangular tube-shaped columns, a cross beam member, and leg members. A fitting hole for inserting the cross beam member is formed in the lower side of the side wall of the column. Further, an engagement groove into which the leg member is fitted is formed at the lower end of the column. After inserting the cross beam member into the fitting holes of the respective columns and fitting each leg member into the engagement groove of the corresponding column, the prefabricated furniture can be assembled by connecting the cross beam member and each leg member with bolts and nuts.

[0004] In the prefabricated furniture of Patent Document 1, a large number of slit holes arranged in a row in the vertical direction are formed in each column. Each slit hole is formed so that a hook in the bracket can be inserted. By inserting the hook in the bracket into the slit hole and locking it to the column, the bracket is cantilever-supported by the column. By supporting a shelf board on a pair of brackets cantilever-supported by the column, one shelf unit can be configured. Further, by changing the slit hole into which the hook in the bracket is inserted, the height position of the shelf unit can be adjusted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In an assembled furniture such as that in Patent Document 1, since the cross beam member is inserted into each support column, the front-rear and vertical alignment of the support columns is achieved, making the assembly simple.

[0007] On the other hand, nuts are provided on the portion of the cross beam member that is inserted into the support column. Further, through holes through which bolts are inserted are formed in the leg members. That is, in order to connect the cross beam member and the leg members with bolts and nuts, it is necessary to align the nut, which is inserted into the support column and in a state where it is difficult to visually recognize, with the through hole in the leg member.

[0008] The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a connection structure for an assembled furniture with simple assembly and an assembled furniture having the connection structure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the connection structure of the assembled furniture of the present invention includes a square tube-shaped member and a connecting member having a fitting portion fitted into the square tube-shaped member. The fitting portion includes elastic means for generating an elastic force in the horizontal direction, and a plurality of abutting edges that respectively stretch and abut against the opposing inner surfaces of the square tube-shaped member by the elastic means. According to this, since the fitting portion fitted into the square tube-shaped member has a plurality of abutting edges respectively stretching and abutting against the opposing inner surfaces of the square tube-shaped member by the elastic means, the square tube-shaped member and the connecting member can be connected by a simple method of fitting the fitting portion of the connecting member into the square tube-shaped member, while preventing relative detachment between the square tube-shaped member and the connecting member.

[0010] The square tube-shaped member may have insertion holes in at least one of the front and rear surfaces, and the abutting edges may be unevenly distributed on either the left or right side avoiding the insertion holes. According to this, other members inserted from the insertion holes do not come into contact with the fitting portion, and insertion and removal of other members through the insertion holes are possible.

[0011] The fitting portion is composed of a plate-like member erected from the connecting member, and the elastic means may be an elastic bending portion formed by bending the plate-like member. According to this, the material cost can be suppressed, and since the fitting portion has an integral shape, sufficient structural strength can be ensured as a connecting structure.

[0012] The fitting portion may include a base portion fixed to the upper surface of the connecting member at the central portion in the front-rear direction, the elastic bending portions arranged in front and rear of the base portion, and contact pieces extending outward in the front and rear from the elastic bending portions and having the contact edges at the tips. According to this, since the lower end of the contact piece portion and the lower end of the elastic bending portion are not fixed to the upper surface of the connecting member and are easily elastically deformed, the fitting operation of the fitting portion becomes easy.

[0013] The fitting portion has a crank shape with a bilaterally symmetric cross-sectional shape, and the elastic bending portion and the contact piece portion may extend respectively in one direction in the front and rear from one of the left and right ends of the base portion. According to this, the area of contact with the inner surfaces of the right wall and the left wall in the square tubular member is small, and it is easy to insert the fitting portion.

[0014] In order to solve the above problems, a prefabricated furniture having the connecting structure of the present invention includes a square tubular member and a connecting member having a fitting portion fitted into the square tubular member, the fitting portion includes elastic means for generating an elastic force in the horizontal direction, and a plurality of contact edges that respectively abut against the opposing inner peripheral surfaces of the square tubular member by the elastic means. According to this, the fitting portion fitted into the square tubular member has a plurality of contact edges respectively abutting against the opposing inner surfaces of the square tubular member by the elastic means. Therefore, the square tubular member and the connecting member can be connected while preventing relative detachment between the square tubular member and the connecting member in a simple way of making the fitting portion of the connecting member in the square tubular member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] A mode for carrying out a fall prevention device according to the present invention and a prefabricated furniture provided with the fall prevention device will be described below based on examples.

Example

[0017] The connection structure of a prefabricated furniture according to an example of the present invention and a prefabricated furniture having the connection structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. Hereinafter, the direction indicated by the arrow in each figure will be described as the direction of the prefabricated furniture.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the prefabricated furniture 1 with the connection structures 10, 10' of the present embodiment is a product display shelf on which products are displayed in a supermarket, convenience store, or the like. Note that the prefabricated furniture 1 is not limited to a product display shelf and may be used as an article storage shelf for storing articles in a warehouse, office, or the like.

[0019] The prefabricated furniture 1 mainly includes columns 2, 2' which are rectangular tube-shaped members provided in a pair on the left and right, horizontal connecting rods 3, 3 provided in a pair on the top and bottom (see Fig. 1), a lattice-shaped rear panel 4, leg members 5, 5' which are connecting members provided in a pair on the left and right, and three sets of shelf units 6, 6, 7.

[0020] The columns 2 and 2' have a symmetric shape. The column 2 is arranged on the right side. The column 2' is arranged on the left side. Therefore, the right column 2 will be described as an example, and duplicate descriptions for the left column 2' will be simplified or omitted. This also applies to the leg members 5, 5' and the connection structures 10, 10'. The right leg member 5 and the right connection structure 10 will be described as examples, and duplicate descriptions for the left leg member 5' and the left connection structure 10' will be simplified or omitted.

[0021] The side walls of the opposing columns 2 in the columns 2, 2' are connected by the horizontal connecting rods 3, 3. The columns 2, 2' and the horizontal connecting rods 3, 3 together form a rectangular frame. The rear panel 4 is fixed within this rectangular frame. The columns 2, 2', the horizontal connecting rods 3, 3, and the rear panel 4 form one panel body. The panel body is erected by the leg members 5, 5' connected to the columns 2, 2'.

[0022] Note that the method of fixing the horizontal connecting rod 3 to the columns 2, 2' may be screwing, welding, fitting, or may be changed as appropriate. This also applies to the method of fixing the rear panel 4.

[0023] On the front wall of the support column 2, a number of insertion holes 21a, 21a,... arranged in a single row in the vertical direction are provided. Each of the insertion holes 21a, 21a,... is provided slightly to the right of the center in the left-right direction on the front wall (see Fig. 7).

[0024] One shelf unit 6 includes a pair of left and right brackets 60, 60 and a shelf board 61. For the sake of illustration, only the right bracket 60 is shown in the figure, and the left bracket 60 is omitted.

[0025] At the rear end of the bracket 60, a plurality of hooks 60a formed in a downward hook shape (see Fig. 7) are provided. The hook 60a is inserted into the insertion hole 21a in the support column 2, and the bracket 60 is locked to the front wall. That is, the bracket 60 is cantilever-supported by the support column 2.

[0026] Both the left and right ends of the shelf board 61 are supported by the brackets 60, 60.

[0027] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the lowermost shelf unit 7 includes a pair of left and right brackets 70, 70 and a shelf board 71 (see Fig. 1).

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, at the rear end of the bracket 70, one rear piece 70a protruding rearward is provided. Also, at the lower end of the bracket 70, two lower pieces 70b, 70b protruding downward are provided.

[0029] The rear piece 70a is inserted into the insertion hole 21a in the support column 2. The lower pieces 70b, 70b are inserted into the slits 50b, 50b formed in the leg member 5.

[0030] Returning to Fig. 1, both the left and right ends of the shelf board 71 are supported by the brackets 70, 70.

[0031] Note that the shelf boards 61 and 71 have the same structure. Also, the shelf boards used for each shelf unit may have different front-back dimensions, for example, and may be appropriately changed. Further, the members supported by the brackets in each shelf unit are not limited to shelf boards, and may be wire shelves, boxes, or may be appropriately changed as long as they can accommodate articles.

[0032] Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7, a connecting structure 10 for connecting the support column 2 and the leg member 5 will be described.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the leg member 5 includes a leg member base 50 and a fitting portion 51.

[0034] The leg member base 50 is made of metal and is formed in a hollow rectangular tube shape extending in the front-back direction (see FIG. 4(a)). Also, two casters 9, 9 are rotatably fixed to the leg member base 50.

[0035] On the upper wall 50a of the leg member base 50, slits 50b, 50b are formed one each at the center in the front-back direction and the front end.

[0036] The fitting portion 51 is formed by bending a constituent member 52, which is a single metal plate material, into a crank shape in cross section.

[0037] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the fitting portion 51 is a long member having a substantially S-shaped crank shape that is reversed left and right and extends in the up-down direction, so-called rib structure. The fitting portion 51 has a base portion 53 located substantially at the center in the front-back direction, an elastic bending portion (elastic means) 54, and a contact piece portion 55, and has a symmetrical shape in the front-back direction.

[0038] The base portion 53 includes a central portion 56 extending in the left-right direction and rib portions 57 extending perpendicularly forward and backward from the left and right ends of the central portion 56, respectively.

[0039] At the front and rear direction outer ends of the rib portion 57, the component member 52 is folded in a mountain shape in the left - right direction, and a mountain - shaped elastic bending portion (elastic means) 54 is formed. At the front and rear direction outer ends of the elastic bending portion 54, a contact piece portion 55 extends parallel to the rib portion 57.

[0040] The upper end and front end portion of the contact piece portion 55 is chamfered obliquely, and an inclined portion 58 is formed (see FIG. 5).

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 4(a) and (b), the outer surface 57a of the rib portion 57 and the outer surface 55a of the contact piece portion 55 are located on the same plane. Also, the front - rear direction dimensions of the rib portion 57 and the contact piece portion 55 are substantially the same length.

[0042] Also, the elastic bending portion 54 is formed such that the apex 54a of the mountain shape in the natural state is located substantially at the center of the left - right dimension of the central portion 56 of the base portion 53. In other words, the elastic bending portion 54 is formed so as to always fit within the left - right dimension of the central portion 56.

[0043] The fitting portion 51 has the lower end of the base portion 53 welded and fixed to the upper wall 50a of the leg member base 50. In FIG. 4(b), the welding location is shown by a thick black line. That is, only the base portion 53 of the fitting portion 51 is welded to the upper wall 50a, and the lower ends of the elastic bending portion 54 and the contact piece portion 55 are not welded to the upper wall 50a. According to this, the elastic bending portion 54 is easily elastically deformed, and the fitting operation of the fitting portion 51 into the support column 2 described later becomes easy.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 7, for the support column 2 and the leg member 5, the fitting portion 51 is inserted into the support column 2 and connected.

[0045] The fitting portion 51 has its outer dimension L1 in the left - right direction slightly longer or the same as the inner dimension L2 in the left - right direction of the support column 2. The outer dimension L1 of the fitting portion 51 is the dimension from the outer surface 57a of one rib portion 57 to the outer surface 57a of the other rib portion 57 (see FIG. 4(b)). Also, the inner dimension L2 of the support column 2 is the left - right direction dimension from the inner surface 20 of the left wall to the inner surface 22 of the right wall (see FIG. 7).

[0046] Further, the fitting portion 51 has an outer dimension L3 in the front-rear direction in its natural state that is slightly longer than the inner dimension L4 in the front-rear direction of the support column 2. The outer dimension L3 of the fitting portion 51 is the dimension in the front-rear direction from the contact edge 59 below the inclined portion 58 of one contact piece portion 55 to the contact edge 59 of the other contact piece portion 55 (see FIG. 5). Also, the inner dimension L4 of the support column 2 is the dimension in the front-rear direction from the inner surface 21 of the front wall to the inner surface 23 of the rear wall (see FIG. 7).

[0047] Also, the outer dimension L5 of the upper end of the fitting portion 51 in its natural state is slightly shorter than the inner dimension L4 of the support column 2. The outer dimension L5 is the dimension between the upper ends of the inclined portions 58, 58 on both the front and rear sides (see FIG. 6).

[0048] Next, the connection method between the support column 2 and the leg member 5 will be described. In this description, it is assumed that the support columns 2, 2', the horizontal connecting rods 3, 3, and the rear panel 4 are already configured in the panel body.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 6, first, the fitting portion 51 of the leg member 5 is inserted into the support column 2 through the lower opening 2a of the support column 2. As described above, the outer dimension L3 in the front-rear direction of the fitting portion 51 is slightly longer than the inner dimension L4 in the front-rear direction of the support column 2, and the outer dimension L5 of the upper end of the fitting portion 51 is slightly shorter than the inner dimension L4 in the front-rear direction of the support column 2. Therefore, at the initial stage of inserting the fitting portion 51, the inclined portions 58, 58 at the upper ends of the contact piece portions 55 contact the inner surface 21 of the front wall and the inner surface 23 of the rear wall that form the edge of the opening 2a of the support column 2, respectively.

[0050] Then, when the fitting portion 51 is further pushed in with the inclined portions 58, 58 at the upper ends of the contact piece portions 55 in contact with the edge of the opening 2a of the support column 2, an external force is applied to the fitting portion 51 in the front-rear direction, and the elastic bending portions 54, 54 at the front and rear are compressed respectively. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the contact piece portion 55 and the rib portion 57 in the base portion 53 are brought slightly closer in the front-rear direction.

[0051] As a result, the outer dimension of the fitting portion 51 in the front-rear direction becomes smaller until it is equal to the inner dimension L4 of the column 2 in the front-rear direction (outer dimension L3' (see FIG. 7)), and the contact edges 59, 59 are further inserted while slidingly contacting the inner surface 21 of the front wall and the inner surface 23 of the rear wall of the column 2, respectively.

[0052] Then, until the upper wall 50a of the leg member base 50 contacts the lower edge of the column 2, the fitting portion 51 is inserted into the column 2, so that the insertion of the fitting portion 51 into the column 2 is completed, and the leg member 5 and the column 2 are connected.

[0053] In the state where the insertion is completed, due to the elastic restoring force of the elastic bending portions 54, 54, the front and rear contact edges 59, 59 of the fitting portion 51 are constantly pressed against the inner surface 21 of the front wall and the inner surface 23 of the rear wall of the column 2, respectively. Therefore, the leg member 5 and the column 2 can be firmly connected, and relative detachment can be prevented.

[0054] On the other hand, by moving the fitting portion 51 downward with respect to the column 2 against the frictional force due to the elastic restoring force of the elastic bending portions 54, 54, the fitting portion 51 can be pulled out from the column 2.

[0055] Since it is the same as the above-described connection structure 10, the description of the connection structure 10' between the column 2' and the leg member 5' will be simplified.

[0056] As described above, the connection structure 10 of the present embodiment can connect the column 2 and the leg member 5 by a simple method of inserting the fitting portion 51 of the leg member 5 into the column 2.

[0057] In addition, in the fitting portion 51 inserted into the column 2, the front and rear contact edges 59, 59 are respectively pressed against the opposing inner surfaces 21, 23 of the column 2 by the elastic restoring force of the elastic bending portions 54. Therefore, relative detachment between the column 2 and the leg member 5 can be effectively prevented.

[0058] Further, the outer surface 57a of the rib portion 57 and the outer surface 55a of the contact piece portion 55 at the base portion 53 of the fitting portion 51 are respectively in contact with the inner surface of the support column 2. Here, the outer surface 57a of the front rib portion 57 and the outer surface 55a of the contact piece portion 55 are close to and face the inner surface 20 of the left wall, and the outer surface 57a of the rear rib portion 57 and the outer surface 55a of the contact piece portion 55 are close to and face the inner surface 22 of the right wall. Thereby, the relative movement in the left - right direction and the torsional direction between the leg member 5 and the support column 2 is restricted, and rattling is prevented.

[0059] Also, the contact edges 59, 59 of the front and rear contact piece portions 55, 55 extend to the corner portions 2b, 2d which are the inner corner portions of the support column 2 respectively. The corner portion 2b is the portion where the inner surface 23 of the rear wall and the inner surface 22 of the right wall intersect, and the corner portion 2d is the portion where the inner surface 21 of the front wall and the inner surface 20 of the left wall intersect, which is located diagonally to the corner portion 2b. According to this, the surface forming the contact edge 59 contacts the inner surface 23 of the rear wall constituting the corner portion 2b or the inner surface 21 of the front wall constituting the corner portion 2d, and the outer surface 55a of the contact piece portion 55 is close to and faces the inner surface 22 of the right wall constituting the corner portion 2b or the inner surface 20 of the left wall constituting the corner portion 2d, and the relative movement in the torsional direction between the leg member 5 and the support column 2 is effectively restricted.

[0060] Also, since the fitting portion 51 has a structure in which one contact piece portion 55 extends forward and backward from the base portion 53 respectively, the contact area with the inner surface 20 of the left wall and the inner surface 22 of the right wall in the support column 2 is reduced. Thereby, it becomes easier to insert the fitting portion 51 into the support column 2.

[0061] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the support column 2 has an insertion hole 21a in the front wall, and the contact piece portion 55 and the contact edge 59 are unevenly distributed on the left side avoiding the insertion hole 21a. Therefore, in a state where the rear piece 70a of the bracket 70 is inserted into the insertion hole 21a, it is prevented that a part of the rear piece 70a contacts the fitting portion 51.

[0062] Incidentally, it is also possible to replace the lowermost shelf unit 7 with the structure of the shelf unit 6. In this case, in Fig. 7, instead of the brackets 70 and the rear piece 70a, the brackets 60 and the hooks 60a indicated by the parentheses (60), (60a) will be shown.

[0063] Further, the fitting portion 51 is composed of a metal plate-like component 52 erected from the base portion 50 of the leg member, and since the elastic means is the elastic bending portion 54 formed by bending the component 52 left and right, the material cost can be suppressed, and by making the fitting portion 51 into an integral shape, sufficient structural strength can be ensured as a connecting structure.

[0064] The fitting portion 51 includes a base portion 53 fixed to the upper wall 50a of the leg member base portion 50 at the central portion in the front-rear direction, elastic bending portions 54 arranged before and after the base portion 53, and a contact piece portion 55 extending outward from the elastic bending portions 54 and having a contact edge 59 at the tip. That is, since the lower end of the contact piece portion 55 and the lower end of the elastic bending portion 54 are not fixed to the upper wall 50a of the leg member base portion 50 and are easily elastically deformed, the fitting operation of the fitting portion 51 is easy.

[0065] Further, since the elastic bending portion 54 is formed within the left and right dimensions of the central portion 56 of the base portion 53, when the elastic bending portion 54 is compressed, the apex 54a does not protrude outward from within the left and right dimensions of the central portion 56 and does not interfere with the inner surface of the support column 2, so it does not affect the workability of insertion.

[0066] Further, since the fitting portion 51 has a substantially S-shaped crank shape with a bilaterally symmetric cross-sectional shape, it has high structural strength.

[0067] Further, the prefabricated furniture 1 provided with the connecting structure 10 of this embodiment can connect the support column 2 and the leg member 5 by a simple method of inserting the fitting portion 51 of the leg member 5 into the support column 2.

[0068] Further, the prefabricated furniture 1 can be completed by only connecting the leg members 5, 5' to the support columns 2, 2' with the support columns 2, 2', the horizontal connecting rods 3, 3, and the rear panel 4 already forming a panel body at the time of shipment, so the assembly work is simple.

Example

[0069] Next, the connection structure of the assembled furniture according to Example 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. Note that the description of the same configuration as that in Example 1 will be omitted.

[0070] The fitting portion 151 in the connection structure 110 of the present Example 2 is formed in a long shape having a substantially H-shaped cross-section with a shorter right leg extending in the vertical direction, so-called rib shape. More specifically, the fitting portion 151 is formed by welding and fixing two constituent members 152 and 153.

[0071] The constituent member 152 and the constituent member 153 are symmetric in shape about the front and rear. The constituent member 152 is disposed on the front side. The constituent member 153 is disposed on the rear side. Therefore, the front constituent member 152 will be described as an example, and the overlapping description of the rear constituent member 153 will be simplified or omitted.

[0072] The constituent member 152 is formed by bending a single metal plate material. The constituent member 152 is a long member in an upside-down and left-right reversed J shape extending in the vertical direction, so-called rib. The constituent member 152 has a flat connecting wall 164 extending in the left-right direction, a long wall 165 extending in the front-rear direction from the connecting wall 164, and a flat short wall 166 extending in the front-rear direction from the connecting wall 164.

[0073] The front end of the short wall 166 is located behind the front end of the long wall 165. Further, the connecting wall 164, the long wall 165, and the short wall 166 define an open portion 167 that is open toward the front side. Thereby, the rear piece 70a of the bracket 70 inserted into the insertion hole 21a of the support column 2 is disposed within the open portion 167, and the bracket 70 does not interfere with the fitting portion 151.

[0074] The long wall 165 has a rib portion 157, a chevron-shaped elastic bending portion (elastic means) 154, and an abutting piece portion 155. The abutting piece portion 155 extends parallel to the rib portion 157. Also, the front end portion of the abutting piece portion 155 forms a linear abutting edge 159. Further, the upper end portion and the front end portion of the long wall 165 are chamfered obliquely to form an inclined portion (not shown).

[0075] The constituent members 152 and 153 are welded and fixed in a state where the connecting wall 164 in the constituent member 152 and the connecting wall 164' in the constituent member 153 are back-to-back. Back-to-back means a state where the front end face of the connecting wall 164' and the rear end face of the connecting wall 164 are arranged opposite to each other and abutted.

[0076] The base portion 160 of the fitting portion 151 is composed of the connecting walls 164 and 164', the rib portions 157 and 157', and the short walls 166 and 166'.

[0077] The open portion 167 side at the lower end of the constituent member 152 is welded and fixed to the upper wall 50a of the leg base 50. That is, the front side of the connecting wall 164 constituting the base portion 160 of the fitting portion 151 is welded to the upper wall 50a, and similarly, the inner side of the rib portion 157 constituting the base portion 160 is welded to the upper wall 50a. Thereby, the bead generated by welding comes out outside the constituent member 152, and interference with the support 2 is prevented. Also, only the base portion 160 of the fitting portion 151 is welded to the upper wall 50a, and the elastic bending portion 154 and the abutting piece portion 155 are not welded to the upper wall 50a. According to this, since the lower end of the elastic bending portion 154 and the lower end of the abutting piece portion 155 are not fixed to the upper wall 50a of the leg base 50 and are easily elastically deformed, the fitting operation of the fitting portion 151 becomes easy.

[0078] Thus, The fitting portion 151 of Example 2 is composed of a plurality of constituent members 152 and 153. When the fitting portion 151 is further pushed in with the inclined portion of the contact piece portion 155 in contact with the edge of the opening 2a of the support column 2, the elastic bending portion 154 is compressed, and the contact edge 159 is guided and inserted while slidingly contacting the inner surface 21 of the front wall and the inner surface 23 of the rear wall of the support column 2, respectively. According to this, the fitting portion 151 inserted into the support column 2 has a plurality of contact edges 159 respectively pressing against and contacting the opposing inner surfaces 21 and 23 of the support column 2 by the elastic restoring force of the elastic bending portion 154, and the relative separation between the support column 2 and the leg member 5 can be effectively prevented.

Embodiment

[0079] Next, an assembled furniture provided with the connection structure according to Example 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. Note that the description of the same configuration as that of the above-described Example 1 will be omitted.

[0080] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, in the assembled furniture 201 provided with the connection structure 10 of the present Example 3, in addition to the front wall 221 of the support column 202, a plurality of insertion holes 222a, 222a,... are also formed in the rear wall 222. That is, it is possible to attach the shelf units 6, 6, 7 not only to the front side but also to the rear side of the support column 202 (see FIG. 9).

[0081] The leg member 205 connected to the support column 202 has a fitting portion 51 welded and fixed at the center in the front-rear direction of the base portion 250. In this way, the position where the fitting portion is fixed to the base portion may be appropriately changed.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 10, the rear piece 70a of the bracket 70 inserted into the insertion hole 222a in the rear wall 222 is inserted beside the contact piece portion and the contact edge of the fitting portion 51. That is, it is possible to prevent the rear piece 70a from contacting the fitting portion 51.

[0083] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described based on the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and even if there are additions or changes within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention, they are included in the present invention.

[0084] For example, in the above-described Examples 1, 2, and 3, it has been described that the square tube-shaped member is a support column and the connecting member is a leg member. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The square tube-shaped member may be a support column and the connecting member may be a horizontal connecting rod, or the square tube-shaped member may be a leg member and the connecting member may be a kick plate, and these may be appropriately changed. Here, the kick plate refers to a member installed from the front end of the left leg member to the front end of the right leg member.

[0085] In addition, if the square tube-shaped member is a leg member and the connecting member is a kick plate having a fitting portion inserted from the tip of the leg member, the slit provided in the upper wall of the leg member serves as the insertion hole of the present invention.

[0086] Also, in the above-described Examples 1, 2, and 3, it has been described that a hook or a rear piece of a bracket, which is another member, is inserted into the insertion hole. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A configuration in which a part of the cross brace is inserted or a configuration in which a part of the fall prevention member is inserted may be employed, and these may be appropriately changed.

[0087] Also, in the above-described Examples 1, 2, and 3, it has been described that the fitting portion is welded and fixed to the base of the leg member as the connecting member. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The fitting portion may be screwed or fitted, and the fixing method may be appropriately changed. In order to simplify the assembly of the on-site assembled furniture, it is preferable that the fitting portion is fixed to the base at the time of shipment in any fixing method including welding.

[0088] Also, in the above-described Examples 1, 2, and 3, it has been described that the fitting portion has a base portion, an elastic bending portion, and a contact piece portion, and the front end portion of the contact piece portion forms a contact edge that contacts the inner surface of the support column. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A configuration in which the contact piece portion is omitted and the front end portion of the elastic bending portion forms a contact edge that contacts the inner surface of the support column may also be employed.

[0089] In addition, in the above Examples 1, 2, and 3, the base portion of the fitting portion was described as having a rib portion formed flush with the outer surface of the contact piece portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rib portion may be omitted, and the elastic bending portions may be directly extended from both the left and right ends of the central portion of the base portion.

Explanation of Signs

[0090] 1 Assembled furniture 2 Support columns (square tubular members) 2b, 2d Corners 5 Leg members (connecting members) 10 Connection structure 21a Insertion hole 50 Leg member base 51 Fitting portion 52 Component member 53 Base 54 Elastic bending portion (elastic means) 55 Contact piece portion 56 Central portion 57 Rib portion 58 Inclined portion 59 Contact edge 110 Connection structure 151 Fitting portion 152, 153 Component members 154 Elastic bending portion (elastic means) 155 Contact piece portion 157 Rib portion 160 Base 165 Long wall 166 Short wall 167 Open portion 201 Assembled furniture 202 Support columns (square tubular members) 205 Leg members (connecting members) 222a Insertion hole

Claims

1. A connecting structure for an assembled furniture, comprising a square tubular member and a connecting member having a fitting portion fitted into the square tubular member. The fitting portion includes elastic means for generating an elastic force in the horizontal direction, and a plurality of abutting edges that respectively stretch and abut against the opposing inner surfaces of the square tubular member by the elastic means.

2. The connecting structure for an assembled furniture according to Claim 1, wherein the square tubular member has insertion holes in at least one of the front and rear surfaces, and the abutting edges are unevenly distributed on either the left or right side avoiding the insertion holes.

3. The connecting structure for an assembled furniture according to Claim 1, wherein the fitting portion is composed of a plate-like member erected from the connecting member, and the elastic means is an elastic bent portion formed by bending the plate-like member.

4. The connecting structure for an assembled furniture according to Claim 3, wherein the fitting portion includes a base fixed to the upper surface of the connecting member at the central portion in the front-rear direction, the elastic bent portions arranged before and after the base, and abutting piece portions extending outward in the front and rear directions from the elastic bent portions and having the abutting edges at the tips.

5. The connecting structure for an assembled furniture according to Claim 4, wherein the fitting portion has a crank shape with a symmetric cross-section in the front-rear direction, and the elastic bent portion and the abutting piece portion respectively extend in one direction in the front and rear from one of the left and right ends of the base.

6. An assembled furniture, comprising a square tubular member and a connecting member having a fitting portion fitted into the square tubular member. The fitting portion includes elastic means for generating an elastic force in the horizontal direction, and a plurality of abutting edges that respectively stretch and abut against the opposing inner peripheral surfaces of the square tubular member by the elastic means.

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