Top plate lifting type furniture

Abstract

To provide top plate lifting type furniture excellent in assembly workability.SOLUTION: Top plate lifting type furniture 1 includes: a support structure 20 having a lower structure 21 arranged along a floor surface and a pair of support leg bodies 23 erected from the position with an interval in a right-left direction in the lower structure 21, which can be expanded and contracted in a vertical direction; a control device 50 for controlling the expansion and contraction movement of the pair of the support leg bodies 23; a top plate 10 having an undersurface supported by the support structure 20; and a cable 70 connected to the support leg bodies 23 and the control device 50. The cable 70 includes a driving source connection part 71 for connecting a driving source of the support leg bodies 23 and the control device 50. The control device 50 and the driving source connection part 71 are arranged inside the lower structure 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a furniture fixture with a liftable top. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, office furniture, such as desks and tables with tops that can be used to perform various tasks, have been used in offices and public facilities. The height of the top of such furniture varies from person to person depending on the user's posture, physique, gender, preferences, etc. Furniture with a fixed height top cannot accommodate such situations, so furniture with a liftable top that can adjust the height of the top in the vertical direction has become widely used (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

[0003] One example of such a liftable tabletop fixture is an electrically operated liftable tabletop fixture that includes a support structure that supports the tabletop from below and is extendable in the vertical direction, a control device that controls the extension and contraction movement of the support structure, a switch that inputs information to operate the extension and contraction movement of the support structure, and cables electrically connected to these electrical components. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-113505 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5718503 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with conventional electric-type lift-top fixtures, wiring work must be performed after the fixture is assembled by placing the tabletop on a support structure. In particular, if an electrical component such as a switch is attached to the tabletop, the cable must be connected to the switch while the tabletop is placed on the support structure. This requires workers to crawl under the tabletop during assembly, which reduces workability.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides a tabletop lifting fixture that is easy to assemble. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention provides a lifting tabletop fixture comprising a lower structure arranged along the floor surface, a support structure having a pair of support legs that are erected from positions spaced apart in the left-right direction on the lower structure and are extendable and retractable in the up-down direction, a control device that controls the extension and retraction movement of the pair of support legs, a tabletop having an underside supported by the support structure, and a cable connected to the support legs and the control device, the cable having a drive source connection portion that connects the drive source of the support legs and the control device, and the control device and the drive source connection portion are arranged inside the lower structure.

[0008] According to the first aspect, the control device and the drive source connector are disposed in a location on the support structure close to the floor. This allows for easy placement of the control device and wiring of the drive source connector, even when the tabletop is placed on the support structure. This results in a tabletop lifting fixture with good assembly workability. Furthermore, the maintenance work for the control device and the drive source connector can be performed with ease.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention is a lifting tabletop fixture in which, in the lifting tabletop fixture of the first aspect described above, the support structure has a pair of base members connected to the lower ends of each of the support legs and extending in the front-to-rear direction, and a connecting member connecting the pair of base members, and the control device and the drive source connection part may be arranged inside the connecting member.

[0010] According to the second aspect, since the connecting member is provided separately from the base member connected to the support leg, no load is directly applied to the connecting member from the support leg. This makes it possible to detach the connecting member from the base member when installing the control device and the drive source connection part, thereby improving the workability of installing the control device and wiring the drive source connection part.

[0011] A third aspect of the present invention is a tabletop lifting fixture according to the second aspect, wherein the base member has a leg connection portion connected to the support leg, and the connecting member may connect the leg connection portions of the pair of base members together.

[0012] According to the third aspect, the length of the drive source connector that extends from the connecting member through the base member to the drive source of the support leg can be shortened, thereby simplifying the configuration of the lift-top fixture and improving the workability of wiring the drive source connector.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a tabletop lifting fixture according to the second aspect, wherein the connecting member connects the rear ends of the pair of base members to each other.

[0014] According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to ensure ample leg space for an office worker who uses the liftable tabletop furniture at the front.

[0015] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a lifting tabletop fixture that is a lifting tabletop fixture of any of the first to fourth aspects above, further comprising a switch that is operated by a user and outputs a command to the control device to operate the support legs, and the cable has a switch connection portion that connects the control device and the switch, and the switch connection portion may be located inside the lower structure.

[0016] According to the fifth aspect, the switch connection part is located in a position on the support structure close to the floor surface. This allows for easy wiring of the switch connection part even when the tabletop is placed on the support structure. This results in a tabletop lifting fixture that is easy to assemble. Furthermore, the ease of maintenance of the switch connection part can also be improved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a furniture unit with a liftable top that is easy to assemble. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liftable tabletop fixture according to a first embodiment, viewed from above. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the liftable tabletop fixture of the first embodiment, viewed from above. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view from above of a liftable tabletop fixture according to a modified example of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, a liftable tabletop fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be assigned the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of those components may be omitted.

[0020] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liftable tabletop fixture according to a first embodiment, seen from above. As shown in FIG. 1, the lifting tabletop fixture 1 is a lifting tabletop desk. The lifting tabletop fixture 1 includes a tabletop 10 and a support structure 20. In this application, the Z, X, and Y directions of the Cartesian coordinate system are defined as follows: The Z direction is the up-down direction of the lifting tabletop fixture 1. The +Z direction is upward, and the -Z direction is downward. The X direction is the front-to-back direction of the lifting tabletop fixture 1. The +X direction is backward, and the -X direction is forward. The Y direction is the left-to-right direction of the lifting tabletop fixture 1.

[0021] The tabletop 10 is a flat plate parallel to the XY plane. The tabletop 10 is rectangular in plan view. The length direction of the short sides of the tabletop 10 is the front-to-back direction, and the length direction of the long sides is the left-to-right direction. The upper surface of the tabletop 10 is a work surface.

[0022] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the liftable tabletop furniture of the first embodiment, seen from above. As shown in Fig. 2, the support structure 20 is placed on the floor surface. The support structure 20 supports the underside of the tabletop 10. The support structure 20 includes a lower structure 21 placed along the floor surface, support legs 23 erected on the lower structure 21, and an upper structure 25 connected to the upper ends of the support legs 23 and supporting the tabletop 10 from below.

[0023] The lower structure 21 is disposed along the floor surface. The lower structure 21 includes a pair of lower arms 30 (base members) and a lower connecting portion 35 (connecting member) that connects the pair of lower arms 30 together.

[0024] The pair of lower arms 30 are arranged with a gap between them in the left-right direction. The lower arms 30 extend in the front-rear direction along the floor surface. The lower arms 30 are in contact with the floor surface. However, a grounding member such as a screw-in adjuster may be attached to the lower arms 30. The lower arms 30 have leg connection parts 31 connected to the support legs 23. The leg connection parts 31 are provided in the middle of the lower arms 30 in the front-rear direction.

[0025] The lower connecting portion 35 extends in the left-right direction along the floor surface. Both ends of the lower connecting portion 35 are connected to the pair of lower arms 30 so as not to move relative to each other. The lower connecting portion 35 is connected to the leg connection portions 31 of the lower arms 30. In other words, the lower connecting portion 35 and the support legs 23 are connected to the same locations on the lower arms 30 in the front-to-rear direction. The lower connecting portion 35 is formed from a hollow material with an open cross section. The lower connecting portion 35 opens downward along substantially its entire length, and the interior space is closed from below by the floor surface. The lower connecting portion 35 has a substantially U-shaped cross section. The lower connecting portion 35 has a top wall 36 and a pair of side walls 37. The top wall 36 extends substantially parallel to the floor surface and has a vertical gap between it and the floor surface. The top wall 36 extends along the entire length of the lower connecting portion 35. The pair of side walls 37 extend downward from both front and rear side edges of the top wall 36 extending in the left-to-right direction. The pair of side walls 37 extend downward so as to move away from each other in the front-rear direction.

[0026] The support legs 23 are arranged in pairs at a distance in the left-right direction, corresponding to the pair of lower arms 30. One support leg 23 is erected on each lower arm 30. The support legs 23 have a length in the up-down direction. The lower ends of the support legs 23 are connected to the lower arms 30 so as not to be displaceable relative to each other. The lower ends of the support legs 23 are connected to the leg connection parts 31 of the lower arms 30. Each of the support legs 23 is extendable and contractable in the up-down direction. The support legs 23 incorporate a drive source for the extension and contraction movement. The extension and contraction of the support legs 23 allows the tabletop 10 to rise and fall in the up-down direction. The support legs 23 have a telescopic structure, and are arranged so that the outer cylinder moves up and down integrally with the tabletop 10.

[0027] The upper structure 25 is disposed along the underside of the tabletop 10. The upper structure 25 is provided separately from the tabletop 10 and is assembled to the tabletop 10. The upper structure 25 includes a pair of upper arms 40 and an upper connector 45 that connects the pair of upper arms 40. The upper arms 40 and the upper connector 45 are joined together to form an integrated unit.

[0028] A pair of upper arms 40 are arranged at a distance in the left-right direction, corresponding to the pair of support legs 23. Each upper arm 40 is connected to a support leg 23 so as not to be displaceable relative to the other. The upper arms 40 extend in the front-rear direction. The middle portions of the upper arms 40 in the front-rear direction are connected to the upper ends of the support legs 23. The upper arms 40 are arranged along the underside of the tabletop 10. The upper arms 40 are fixed to the underside of the tabletop 10 by fastening members or the like. A pair of upper arms 40 are arranged at both ends of the tabletop 10 in the left-right direction. The length of the upper arms 40 in the front-rear direction is shorter than the length of the tabletop 10 in the front-rear direction. The tabletop 10 overlaps the entire upper arm 40 when viewed from above. The upper arms 40 are formed from a hollow material with a closed or open cross section. However, the cross-sectional shape of the material forming the upper arms 40 is not particularly limited.

[0029] The upper connecting portions 45 are arranged in pairs at a distance in the front-rear direction. The upper connecting portions 45 extend in the left-right direction. Both ends of the upper connecting portion 45 are connected to the pair of upper arms 40 so as not to be displaceable relative to each other. The upper connecting portion 45 is connected to a position forward or rearward of the front-rear direction intermediate portion of the upper arm 40, which is the connection portion with the support leg 23. The connecting portion is formed from a hollow material with a closed or open cross section.

[0030] The liftable tabletop fixture 1 further includes a control device 50, a switch 60, and a cable 70.

[0031] The control device 50 includes a control unit and a housing that houses the control unit. The control unit controls the extension and retraction movement of the pair of support legs 23 by sending electrical signals to the drive sources of each support leg 23 to control the operation of the drive sources. The control device 50 is provided on the support structure 20. The control device 50 is provided on the lower structure 21. The control device 50 is disposed in the internal space of the lower connecting part 35 and is covered from the outside by the lower connecting part 35. The control device 50 is not fixed to the lower connecting part 35 but is disposed on the floor surface. The control device 50 may be fixed to the lower connecting part 35. The control device 50 is disposed in approximately the middle of the lower connecting part 35 in the left-right direction.

[0032] The switch 60 is an operating unit that is operated by the user when raising or lowering the tabletop 10. The switch 60 outputs a command to the control device to operate the drive source of the support leg 23. The switch 60 is arranged on the outside of the support structure 20. The position of the switch 60 relative to the support structure 20 can be changed within the movable range of a switch connection portion 73 of a cable 70, which will be described later.

[0033] The cable 70 is connected to the support legs 23 and the control device 50, as well as to an external power source such as a power outlet installed on a wall or floor. The cable 70 is provided on the support structure 20 and is not directly connected to the tabletop 10. The cable 70 includes a drive source connection part 71 that electrically connects the drive source of the support legs 23 and the control device to each other, a power source connection part 72 that electrically connects the external power source and the control device to each other, and a switch connection part 73 that electrically connects the switch 60 and the control device to each other.

[0034] A pair of drive source connectors 71 are provided corresponding to the pair of support legs 23. The entire drive source connector 71 extends from the control device 50 to the drive source disposed inside the support legs 23 without passing outside the lower structure 21. The pair of drive source connectors 71 extend in opposite directions from the control device 50 toward the support legs 23. The drive source connectors 71 are disposed across the internal space of the lower coupling portion 35 and the internal space of the drive source connector 71 of the lower arm 30. The drive source connectors 71 pass through the left and right ends of the lower coupling portion 35. The leg connectors 31 are disposed across the internal space of the leg connector 31 of the lower arm 30 and the internal space of the support legs 23. The drive source connectors 71 pass through the lower end openings of the support legs 23. The drive source connectors 71 are connected to the drive source in the internal space of the support legs 23.

[0035] The power supply connection part 72 extends to either the left or right from the control device 50. In the illustrated example, the power supply connection part 72 extends to the left from the control device 50. The power supply connection part 72 is disposed in the internal space of the lower coupling part 35. The power supply connection part 72 is drawn out to the outside of the lower structure 21 at a midpoint in the left-right direction of the lower coupling part 35. The power supply connection part 72 is connected to an external power supply outside the lower structure 21.

[0036] The switch connection portion 73 extends to either the left or right from the control device 50. In the illustrated example, the switch connection portion 73 extends from the control device 50 in the same direction as the power supply connection portion 72. The switch connection portion 73 is disposed in the internal space of the lower coupling portion 35. The switch connection portion 73 is drawn out to the outside of the lower structure 21 at a midpoint in the left-right direction of the lower coupling portion 35. The switch connection portion 73 is connected to the switch 60 outside the lower structure 21.

[0037] As described above, in this embodiment, the cable 70 has a drive source connection portion 71 that connects the drive source of the support leg 23 and the control device 50. The control device 50 and the drive source connection portion 71 are disposed inside the lower structure 21. With this configuration, the control device 50 and the drive source connection portion 71 are disposed in a location on the support structure 20 close to the floor surface. This improves the workability of placing the control device 50 and wiring the drive source connection portion 71, even when the tabletop 10 is placed on the support structure 20. Therefore, a tabletop lifting fixture 1 with good assembly workability can be obtained. Furthermore, the workability of maintenance work on the control device 50 and the drive source connection portion 71 can also be improved.

[0038] The support structure 20 has a pair of lower arms 30 that connect to the lower ends of the support legs 23 and extend in the front-to-rear direction, and a lower connector 35 that connects the pair of lower arms 30 to each other. The control device 50 and the drive source connector 71 are disposed inside the lower connector 35. With this configuration, the lower connector 35 is provided separately from the lower arms 30 that connect to the support legs 23, so that a load is not directly applied to the lower connector 35 from the support legs 23. Therefore, when installing the control device 50 and the drive source connector 71, the lower connector 35 can be removed from the lower arms 30, which improves the workability of installing the control device 50 and wiring the drive source connector 71.

[0039] The lower arm 30 has a leg connection portion 31 that is connected to the support leg 23. The lower connector 35 connects the leg connection portions 31 of the pair of lower arms 30 together. With this configuration, the length of the portion of the drive source connection portion 71 that passes through the lower arm 30, which extends from the lower connector 35 through the lower arm 30 to the drive source of the support leg 23, can be shortened. This simplifies the configuration of the lift-top furniture fixture 1 and improves the workability of wiring the drive source connection portion 71. Moreover, in this embodiment, because the drive source connection portion 71 is provided in the middle of the lower arm 30 in the front-to-rear direction, ample leg space can be secured for both an office worker who uses the lift-top furniture fixture 1 from the front and an office worker who uses the lift-top furniture fixture 1 from the rear.

[0040] The cable 70 has a switch connection portion 73 that connects the control device 50 and the switch 60. The switch connection portion 73 is arranged inside the lower structure 21. With this configuration, the switch connection portion 73 is arranged in a position on the support structure 20 close to the floor surface. This makes it possible to improve the workability of wiring the switch connection portion 73 even when the tabletop 10 is placed on the support structure 20. Therefore, a lift-table furniture unit 1 with good assembly workability can be obtained. In addition, the workability of maintenance work on the switch connection portion 73 can also be improved.

[0041] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment explained with reference to the drawings, and various modifications are possible within the technical scope of the present invention. For example, the position of the lower connecting part that houses the control device 50 can be changed as needed. As shown in Fig. 3, the lower connecting part 35A may be connected to the rear end of the lower arm 30. This configuration ensures ample leg space for an office worker using the liftable tabletop furniture 1A at the front.

[0042] In addition, in the above embodiment, the lower structure 21 has a pair of lower arms 30 corresponding to the pair of support legs 23, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the lower structure may be a member that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions so as to collectively support the pair of support legs 23.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the control device 50 is disposed inside the lower connectors 35, 35A, but this configuration is not limiting. For example, the control device 50 may be disposed inside the lower arm 30. In this case, one of the pair of drive source connection portions 71 of the cable 70 extends from the inside of one of the left and right lower arms 30 where the control device 50 is disposed, through the inside of the lower connectors 35, 35A and the inside of the other of the left and right lower arms 30, to the inside of the other of the left and right support legs 23.

[0044] In addition, the components in the above-described embodiments can be replaced with well-known components as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1, 1A... Liftable tabletop fixture 10... Tabletop 20... Support structure 21... Lower structure 23... Support leg 30... Lower arm (base member) 31... Leg connection part 35... Lower connection part (connection member) 50... Control device 60... Switch 70... Cable 71... Drive source connection part 73... Switch connection part

Claims

1. a lower structure disposed along a floor surface, and a support structure having a pair of support legs erected at positions spaced apart in the left-right direction on the lower structure and extendable in the up-down direction; a control device for controlling the extension and contraction of the pair of support legs; a top plate having a lower surface supported by the support structure; a cable connected to the support legs and the control device; Equipped with the cable has a drive source connection portion that connects the drive source of the support leg and the control device, The control device and the drive source connection portion are disposed inside the lower structure. Display unit with a liftable top.

2. The support structure includes: a pair of base members connected to the lower ends of the support legs and extending in the front-rear direction; a connecting member that connects the pair of base members together; and the control device and the drive source connection portion are disposed inside the connecting member; The tabletop lifting fixture according to claim 1.

3. the base member has a leg connection portion connected to the support leg, The connecting member connects the leg body connection portions of the pair of base members to each other. The tabletop lifting fixture according to claim 2.

4. The connecting member connects rear end portions of the pair of base members to each other. The tabletop lifting fixture according to claim 2.

5. a switch that is operated by a user and outputs a command to the control device to operate the support legs; the cable has a switch connection portion that connects the control device and the switch; The switch connection portion is disposed inside the lower structure. A display unit with a liftable top according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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