Lifting shelf device

Abstract

To provide a lifting shelf device for preventing a shelf member from unexpectedly performing rapid lowering from a high place when an earthquake occurs.SOLUTION: A lifting shelf device includes a parallel link mechanism for elevating / lowering a shelf member 1 on which a storage article is placed. The shelf member 1 includes a latch receptor 6. A lock actuation device 8 is attached onto a rear fixed wall surface 10. When an earthquake occurs, a latch of the lock actuation device 8 is locked to the receptor 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting shelf device. [Background technology]

[0002] The applicant has previously proposed various liftable shelf (storage) devices. For example, the invention in Patent Document 1 below adds a "damper" to the lifting shelf to control the speed of descent when it is manually pulled out, making it an excellent lifting shelf that can be operated safely and slowly without generating impact noise. Furthermore, the invention of Patent Document 2 below is an excellent liftable shelf that can smoothly move back and forth and swing up and down. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6872247 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6326090 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] BACKGROUND ART In recent years, there has been a strong demand for safety measures to prevent accidents resulting in personal injury due to the collapse of shelves, dressers, etc., and the falling of objects in high places, etc., in the event of an earthquake or the like. However, the reality is that almost no safety measures have been implemented for the lifting shelves (storage) devices installed in various stores and their back yards in the event of an earthquake.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to prevent the danger of a cabinet containing stored items in a lift-up shelf device located at a high place suddenly moving downward when vibrations such as an earthquake occur, and to reliably prevent the cabinet from moving downward suddenly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a lifting shelf device in which shelf members on which stored items are placed are raised and lowered via a parallel link mechanism; a latch receiver is attached near the lower rear corner formed by the back and bottom of the shelf member; and a locking device is attached directly to the rear fixed wall or indirectly via a mounting base, which detects vibrations in the event of an earthquake, swings the latch, and locks it into an engaged state relative to the latch receiver.

[0007] In addition, in a lifting shelf device in which a shelf member on which stored items are placed is configured to rise and fall via a parallel link mechanism, a latch receiver is attached near the rear upper corner formed by the back surface and top end surface of the shelf member, and a locking operating device is attached to the rear fixed wall surface which detects vibrations in the event of an earthquake, swings the latch, and locks it into an engaged state with respect to the latch receiver.

[0008] The mounting base is a member that pivotally supports the lower ends of the first link and second link that constitute the parallel link mechanism so that they can swing freely, and is fixed to the rear fixed wall surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the shelf member (itself) that can be raised and lowered is configured to be locked, so that in the event of an earthquake, the shelf member on which stored items are placed can be securely and firmly fixed and held in place. Therefore, the risk of the shelf member suddenly descending (from a high place) in the event of an earthquake can be prevented. Furthermore, in the event of an earthquake in a store or backyard, it is possible to prevent the lowered shelf members from blocking the evacuation route and hindering people's evacuation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view illustrating an operation of an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2]1 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a rear view of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 10 is a side view of the main part showing that the latch receiver is capable of being detached from the locking device in a normal state. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 10 is a side view of the main part showing that the locking device is locked with respect to the latch receiver when an earthquake occurs. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a rear view of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a side view of the main part showing that the latch receiver is capable of being detached from the locking device in a normal state. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is a side view of the main part showing that the locking device is locked with respect to the latch receiver when an earthquake occurs. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 16. [Figure 18] 10 is an enlarged view of a main part illustrating the relative positions of the locking device, the latch receiver, etc., and the respective operations under normal circumstances. FIG. [Figure 19] 10 is an enlarged view of a main part illustrating that the latch receiver can be released from the latch of the locking device under normal circumstances. FIG. [Figure 20] 10 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a state in which an earthquake has occurred, in which the locking device has been activated and the latch can be locked to the latch receiver. FIG. [Figure 21]21 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a state in which the shelf member has moved forward from the state shown in FIG. 20 in the event of an earthquake, and showing a locked state in which the latch is engaged with the latch receiver. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention will be described in detail below based on the illustrated embodiments. 1, the lifting shelf device according to the present invention comprises a substantially rectangular box-shaped shelf member 1 for placing stored items, a pair of left and right mounting bases 3, 3 fixed to a rear fixed wall surface 10 or the like, and a parallel link mechanism 5 whose tip is pivotally attached to each of the left and right side wall panel portions 11 of the shelf member 1 and whose base end is pivotally attached to the mounting bases 3. It is particularly desirable to apply this to a lifting shelf device that does not have a cabinet (outer box).

[0012] The shelf member 1 can be moved up and down by a parallel link mechanism 5 between a stored state shown by imaginary lines in FIG. 1 and a state in which it has been lowered downward and forward, shown by solid lines. The parallel link mechanism 5 includes a front first link 21 and a rear second link 22, and the lower ends of both links 21, 22 are pivotally attached to the mounting base 3 by pivot shafts 13, 14.

[0013] In a lifting shelf device in which a shelf member 1 on which stored items are placed is configured to move up and down via a parallel link mechanism 5 (as described above), a locking means R is provided to fix and hold the shelf member 1 and prevent it from moving (forward and downward) in the event of an earthquake. The locking means R is configured as follows. That is, the latch receiver 6 is attached to the shelf member 1 in the vicinity of the rear lower corner 20 formed by the back surface 16 and the bottom surface 17 thereof in a horizontal manner and in a rearward protruding manner.

[0014] 1 to 9, a latch receiver 6 is fixed to protrude rearward via a mounting metal piece 7 that protrudes downward from the bottom surface 17 of the shelf member 1. Moreover, the latch receiver 6 is composed of a mounting piece portion 6A fixed to the metal piece 7 and a closed annular portion 6B that protrudes horizontally rearward, and a latch 8A of a lock operating device 8 can be engaged and disengaged at the rear end portion of this closed annular portion 6B.

[0015] Incidentally, the lock operating device 8 is preferably attached "directly" to the rear fixed wall surface 10, but it is also desirable to attach it "indirectly" via a mounting base 3, as shown in Figures 1 to 9.

[0016] Next, FIGS. 10 to 17 show other embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 17, a latch receiver 6 is attached to the shelf member 1 in the vicinity of a rear upper corner 23 formed by the rear surface 16 and the top end surface 18 thereof. Specifically, the latch receiver 6 is attached via a bent attachment piece 24 in a horizontal and rearward protruding manner.

[0017] The latch receiver 6 has the same shape as that explained in FIGS. 1 to 9, and includes a closed annular portion 6B that protrudes rearward. The latch 8A of the lock operating device 8 can be engaged and disengaged with the rear end portion of the closed annular portion 6B. The lock operating device 8 is shown as being directly fixed to the rear fixed wall surface 10. However, it is also possible to attach it to the rear fixed wall surface 10 indirectly via a mounting base 3 (not shown).

[0018] Here, the lock operating device 8 that detects vibrations when an earthquake occurs, swings the latch 8A, and locks it in an engaged state with respect to the latch receiver 6 will be described. The lock operating device 8 is configured, for example, as shown in Figures 18 to 21. When no earthquake has occurred (normal), it operates (states) as shown in Figures 18 and 19, and when an earthquake has occurred, it operates (states) as shown in Figures 20 and 21.

[0019] The specific structure will be described below. The lock operating device 8 has a fixed casing 27, and this fixed casing 27 forms a main functional component storage chamber 28 by a ceiling wall portion 27A and a storage chamber forming wall portion 27B. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 21, the vertical inner dimensions of the seismic sensor housing chamber 28A in the left half of the housing chamber 28 are set to be sufficiently larger than the vertical inner dimensions of the latch arrangement chamber 28B in the right half. Therefore, the storage chamber forming wall portion 27B is formed with a lower wall portion 31 and an upper wall portion 32 via an inclined step portion 29.

[0020] A seismic sensor (sensor) 30 is installed inside the main functional component storage room 28. This seismic sensor 30 is a member that detects earthquakes, and has a recessed portion 30A on its upper surface, and is shaped like a flat inverted pyramid with a small pin portion 30P protruding from its lower end. The small pin portion 30P of the seismic sensor 30 is loosely inserted into the upwardly enlarged tapered hole 33 formed in the lower wall portion 31, and when an earthquake occurs, the seismic sensor 30 oscillates as shown in Figure 18 (Figure 19) to Figure 20 (Figure 21).

[0021] Incidentally, (as shown in FIGS. 18 to 21) a lock arm 35 is provided in the vicinity of the seismic sensor 30, which is pivotally attached to a pivot shaft 34 so as to be able to vibrate freely by a small angle. This lock arm 35 integrally comprises a first arm 41 which extends rearward from the pivot shaft 34 (to the left in Figures 18 to 21) and has a small protrusion 35A at its rear end (tip), and a second arm 42 which extends forward from the pivot shaft 34 (to the right in Figures 15 to 21) and has a locking edge 37A at its front end (tip).

[0022] The latch 8A is pivotally mounted on the fixed casing 27 via a pivot shaft 38 so as to be able to swing freely. Moreover, the latch 8A has a curved hook portion 8B, which can be engaged from above with the closed annular portion 6B of the latch receiver 6. In other words, the hook portion 8B can be said to be a claw-shaped hook that extends curvedly rearward and downward. The hook portion 8B of the latch 8A can be hooked (engaged) freely to the rear side 6C of the closed annular portion 6B of the latch receiver 6 (see FIG. 21).

[0023] Furthermore, a hook piece 40 having a V-shaped locking recess 39 is provided to protrude (upward from the pivot shaft 38), and this hook piece 40 is molded integrally with the latch 8A. Furthermore, a contact piece 43 is provided integrally with the latch 8A and protrudes downward and rearward. This contact piece 43 is able to come into contact with the stepped portion 29 of the fixed casing 27, and as shown in Figures 18, 20 and 21, when the latch 8A swings clockwise and the hook portion 8B enters the closed annular portion 6B of the latch receiver 6, the contact piece 43 comes into contact with the stepped portion 29.

[0024] In the normal state shown in Figures 4 and 5 and Figures 12 and 13 - a state in which no earthquake has occurred - the lock operating device 8 (details thereof) is in the state shown in Figure 18. From this state, if a force is applied manually to pull the shelf member 1 forward, as shown in Figure 18, the lock arm 35 does not engage (block) the hook piece 40 and the latch 8A, so that the shelf member 1 can be simply and easily lowered forward to the state shown in Figure 19.

[0025] However, in the event of an earthquake as shown in Figures 8 and 9, and Figures 16 and 17, the lock operating device 8 (details thereof) assumes the state shown in Figures 20 and 21, and the lock arm 35 prevents the hook piece 40 and the latch 8A from swinging. Therefore, the latch 8A is locked to the rear edge 6C of the latch receiver 6, reliably preventing the shelf member 1 from moving forward. The lock operating device 8 is not limited to the seismic sensor 30 shown in Figures 18 to 21, but can also be in the shape of an inverted cone or an inverted hexagonal pyramid, or it can also be in the shape of a rugby ball or a barbell, etc.

[0026] As described above in detail, the present invention provides a lifting shelf device in which a shelf member 1 on which stored items are placed is raised and lowered via a parallel link mechanism 5; a latch receiver 6 is attached to the rear lower corner 20 formed by the back surface 16 and bottom surface 17 of the shelf member 1; and a lock operating device 8 that detects vibrations during an earthquake, swings a latch 8A, and locks it in an engaged state with respect to the latch receiver 6, and is attached directly to the rear fixed wall 10 or indirectly via the mounting base 3. Therefore, the latch receiver 6 is attached to the rear lower corner 20 of the shelf member 1, which has the greatest strength and rigidity, and the lock operating device 8 is attached to the rear fixed wall 10 or the mounting base 3, which also have high strength and rigidity. In the event of an earthquake, the latch 8A of the lock operating device 8 remains accurately engaged with the latch receiver 6, thereby most reliably suppressing shaking and vibration of the shelf member 1. Furthermore, the lock operating device 8 and the latch receiver 6 are not damaged by earthquake vibrations.

[0027] In addition, in the event of an earthquake in various stores or their back yards, the danger of the shelf member 1 (loaded with tableware, etc.) suddenly descending from a high place can be prevented. Furthermore, in the event of an earthquake in stores or back yards, it can be prevented that the shelf member 1 descends and blocks the evacuation route, hindering people's evacuation. Moreover, it is possible to modify conventional lift-up shelves inexpensively and easily.

[0028] Furthermore, the present invention provides a lifting shelf device in which shelf member 1 on which stored items are placed is configured to rise and fall via a parallel link mechanism 5; a latch receiver 6 is attached to the rear fixed wall surface 10 near the rear upper corner 23 formed by the back surface 16 and top end surface 18 of shelf member 1; and a lock operating device 8 is attached to the rear fixed wall surface 10, which detects vibrations in the event of an earthquake, swings latch 8A, and locks it in an engaged state with respect to the latch receiver 6. Therefore, in the event of an earthquake, the rear upper corner 23, which would be pulled out forward and downward, can be most effectively and reliably prevented (from being pulled out forward and downward) by the latch receiver 6 (near said rear upper corner 23) and the lock operating device 8. In other words, when an earthquake occurs, the shelf component 1 tends to fall forward and downward, but the latch receiver 6 and lock operating device 8 are located in the vicinity of the rear upper corner, where they are most effective in exerting a blocking moment in the opposite direction, thereby preventing this forward and downward fall. Moreover, even though the lock operating device 8 and latch receiver 6 are small, they will not be damaged because the external force caused by earthquake vibrations is small.

[0029] In addition, in the event of an earthquake in various stores or their back yards, the danger of the shelf member 1 (loaded with tableware, etc.) suddenly descending from a high place can be prevented. Furthermore, in the event of an earthquake in stores or back yards, it can be prevented that the shelf member 1 descends and blocks the evacuation route, hindering people's evacuation. Moreover, it is possible to modify conventional lift-up shelves inexpensively and easily.

[0030] Furthermore, the mounting base 3 is a member that pivotally supports the lower ends of the first link 21 and the second link 22 that make up the parallel link mechanism 5 so that they can swing freely, and is also configured to be fixed to the rear fixed wall surface 10, so the overall structure of the mounting base 3 is simple and has excellent strength. That is, the mounting base 3 is a member with sufficient strength and rigidity to support the entire weight of the shelf member 1 and its stored items via the first link 21 and the second link 22, so it is extremely desirable from the standpoint of strength to attach the lock operating device 8 (indirectly) to the rear fixed wall surface 10 via such a mounting base 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1 Shelf component 3 Mounting base 5 Parallel link mechanism 6 Latch receiver 8 Locking device 8A Latch 10 Rear fixed wall surface 16 Back 17 Bottom 18 Upper end surface 20 Near the rear lower corner 21 Link 1 22 Second Link 23 Near the upper rear corner

Claims

1. In a lifting shelf device, a shelf member (1) on which stored items are placed is configured to move up and down via a parallel link mechanism (5), A latch receiver (6) is attached to the shelf member (1) near a rear lower corner (20) formed by the back surface (16) and the bottom surface (17), Furthermore, a lock operating device (8) that detects vibrations in the event of an earthquake, swings the latch (8A), and locks the latch (8A) in a locked state relative to the latch receiver (6) is attached to the rear fixed wall surface (10) directly or indirectly via a mounting base (3). A lifting shelf device.

2. In a lifting shelf device, a shelf member (1) on which stored items are placed is configured to move up and down via a parallel link mechanism (5), A latch receiver (6) is attached to the shelf member (1) near the upper rear corner (23) formed by the back surface (16) and the upper end surface (18), Furthermore, a lock operating device (8) that detects vibrations in the event of an earthquake, swings the latch (8A), and locks the latch receiver (6) in an engaged state is attached to the rear fixed wall surface (10). A lifting shelf device.

3. 2. The lifting shelf device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting base (3) is a member that pivotally supports the lower ends of the first link (21) and the second link (22) that constitute the parallel link mechanism (5) so that they can swing freely, and is fixed to the rear fixed wall surface (10).

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