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 support leg bodies 23 disposed on a floor surface which can be expanded and contracted in a vertical direction; a control device 50 for controlling the expansion and contraction movement of the support leg bodies 23; a switch 60 for outputting an order to move the support leg bodies 23 to the control device 50; a top plate 10 having an undersurface supported by the support structure 20; and a cable 70 connected to the support leg bodies 23, the control device 50, and the switch 60. The control device 50 and the switch 60 are installed in the support structure 20.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 liftable tabletop fixture comprising a support structure arranged on a floor surface and having support legs that can be extended and retracted in the vertical direction, a control device that controls the extension and retraction movement of the support legs, a switch that outputs commands to the control device to operate the support legs, a tabletop having an underside supported by the support structure, and cables connected to the support legs, the control device, and the switch, wherein the control device and the switch are provided on the support structure.

[0008] According to the first aspect, the cable wiring work can be completed without the tabletop being placed on the support structure, thereby providing a tabletop lifting fixture that is easy to assemble.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention is a lifting tabletop fixture in accordance with the first aspect, wherein the support structure has an upper structure arranged along the underside of the tabletop, and the control device may be provided on the upper structure.

[0010] According to the second aspect, the control device is disposed at a high position on the support structure, which improves the workability of disposing the control device and wiring cables around the control device.

[0011] A third aspect of the present invention is a lifting tabletop fixture in the second aspect, wherein the upper structure has an upper support member connected to the upper end of the support leg, extending in the front-to-rear direction, and supporting the underside of the tabletop, and the switch may be attached to the upper support member.

[0012] According to the third aspect, the switch can be positioned close to the user of the liftable tabletop fixture, making the fixture easy to use.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a lifting table display fixture in which, in the lifting table display fixture in the second or third aspect described above, the cable has a switch connection portion that connects the control device and the switch, and the switch connection portion may be provided only on the upper structure.

[0014] According to the fourth aspect, the switch connection portion of the cable is disposed at a high position on the support structure, which improves the workability of wiring the switch connection portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] 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]

[0016] [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. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the periphery of the switch of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the liftable tabletop fixture of the second embodiment, seen from above. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view from above of the second embodiment of the liftable tabletop fixture. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] 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.

[0018] [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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] The lower structure 21 is disposed along the floor surface and includes a pair of lower arms 30.

[0022] The pair of lower arms 30 are disposed at a distance 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 ground contact member such as a screw-in type adjuster may be attached to the lower arms 30.

[0023] 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 middle parts of the lower arms 30 in the front-to-rear direction. Each support leg 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 inner cylinder moves up and down integrally with the tabletop 10.

[0024] 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.

[0025] The upper arms 40 are arranged in pairs 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-to-rear direction. The middle portion of the upper arm 40 in the front-to-rear direction is connected to the upper end of the support leg 23. The upper arm 40 is arranged along the underside of the tabletop 10. The upper arm 40 is fixed to the underside of the tabletop 10 by fastening members or the like. The pair of upper arms 40 are arranged at both ends of the tabletop 10 in the left-to-right direction. The length of the upper arm 40 in the front-to-rear direction is shorter than the length of the tabletop 10 in the front-to-rear direction. The tabletop 10 overlaps the entire upper arm 40 when viewed from above.

[0026] The upper arm 40 is formed from a hollow material with an open cross section. The upper arm 40 is open downward over substantially its entire length. The upper arm 40 has a substantially U-shaped cross section. The upper arm 40 has a top wall 41 and a pair of side walls 42. The top wall 41 extends substantially parallel to the underside of the tabletop 10. The top wall 41 extends over the entire length of the upper arm 40. The pair of side walls 42 extend downward from both left and right side edges of the top wall 41 extending in the front-to-rear direction. The space defined by the top wall 41 and the pair of side walls 42 is open outward in the front-to-rear direction at both front and rear end portions of the upper arm 40.

[0027] The upper connecting portion 45 extends 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 the middle portion of the upper arm 40 in the front-rear direction, which is the connection portion with the support leg 23. The upper connecting portion 45 is formed from a hollow material with a closed cross section.

[0028] The liftable tabletop fixture 1 further includes a control device 50, a switch 60, and a cable 70.

[0029] 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 upper connecting portion 45. More specifically, the control device 50 is supported by the upper connecting portion 45 and is not directly connected to the tabletop 10. The control device 50 is fixed to the upper connecting portion 45 inside the upper connecting portion 45. The control device 50 is disposed in approximately the middle of the upper connecting portion 45 in the left-right direction.

[0030] 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 connected to the support structure 20. The switch 60 is directly attached to the support structure 20. The switch 60 is not directly connected to the tabletop 10. The switch 60 is fixed to one of the upper arms 40 (the right side in the illustrated example). The switch 60 is fastened to the front end of the upper arm 40.

[0031] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the periphery of the switch of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3 , the switch 60 integrally includes a switch body 61 and a fastening portion 62 that is fastened to the support structure 20. The fastening portion 62 extends rearward from the switch body 61 and is inserted into the inside of the upper arm 40 from the front through the front-end opening of the upper arm 40. The fastening portion 62 overlaps the top wall 41 of the upper arm 40 from below and is fastened to the top wall 41 by a fastening member 65. The fastening member 65 is inserted from above into a fastening hole formed in the top wall 41. The fastening member 65 is covered from above by the top plate 10. Since the fastening member 65 is covered from above by the top plate 10, the switch 60 is essentially unremovable when the top plate 10 is fixed to the upper structure 25. In other words, the switch 60 can be attached to and detached from the support structure 20 when the top plate 10 is not placed on the upper structure 25.

[0032] 2, cable 70 is connected to support legs 23 and control device 50, as well as to an external power source such as a power outlet installed on a wall or floor. Cable 70 is not directly connected to tabletop 10, but is supported by support structure 20. Cable 70 includes a drive source connection section 71 that electrically connects the drive source of support legs 23 and the control device, a power source connection section 72 that electrically connects the external power source and the control device, and a switch connection section 73 that electrically connects switch 60 and the control device.

[0033] 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 support structure 20. 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 upper coupling part 45 and the internal space of the upper arm 40. The drive source connectors 71 pass through the left and right ends of the upper coupling part 45. The drive source connectors 71 are disposed across the internal space of the upper arm 40 and the internal space of the support legs 23. The drive source connectors 71 pass through the upper 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.

[0034] The power supply connection portion 72 extends to either the left or right from the control device 50. In the illustrated example, the power supply connection portion 72 extends to the left from the control device 50. The power supply connection portion 72 is arranged across the internal space of the upper coupling portion 45 and the internal space of the upper arm 40. The power supply connection portion 72 passes through the left and right ends of the upper coupling portion 45 (the left end in the illustrated example). The power supply connection portion 72 drops downward from the internal space of the upper arm 40 and extends outside the support structure 20. The power supply connection portion 72 is connected to an external power supply outside the support structure 20.

[0035] The switch connection portion 73 extends from the control device 50 to either the left or right. In the illustrated example, the switch connection portion 73 extends from the control device 50 to the opposite side of the power connection portion 72. The switch connection portion 73 is arranged across the internal space of the upper coupling portion 45 and the internal space of the upper arm 40. The switch connection portion 73 passes through the left and right ends of the upper coupling portion 45 (the right end in the illustrated example). The switch connection portion 73 extends through the internal space of the upper arm 40 towards the switch 60. The switch connection portion 73 is connected to the switch 60 in the internal space of the upper arm 40.

[0036] As described above, in this embodiment, the control device 50 and the switch 60 are provided on the support structure 20. With this configuration, the wiring work of the cable 70 can be completed with the tabletop 10 not placed on the support structure 20. Therefore, a tabletop lifting fixture 1 with good assembly workability can be obtained.

[0037] The support structure 20 has an upper structure 25 arranged along the underside of the top plate 10. The control device 50 is provided on the upper structure 25. With this configuration, the control device 50 is arranged at a high position on the support structure 20, which improves the workability of arranging the control device 50 and wiring the cables 70 around the control device 50.

[0038] The upper structure 25 has an upper arm 40 that is connected to the upper ends of the support legs 23, extends in the front-to-rear direction, and supports the underside of the tabletop 10. The switch 60 is attached to the upper arm 40. With this configuration, the switch 60 can be positioned close to the user of the tabletop lifting fixture 1, improving usability as a fixture.

[0039] 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 provided only on the upper structure 25. With this configuration, the switch connection portion 73 of the cable 70 is disposed at a high position on the support structure 20, which improves the workability of the wiring work for the switch connection portion 73.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the upper connecting portion 45 is formed from a hollow material with a closed cross section, but the cross-sectional shape of the upper connecting portion is not particularly limited. For example, the upper connecting portion may be formed from a hollow material with an open cross section that opens upward. In this case, it is desirable that the control device arranged inside the upper connecting portion be covered from above by a top plate. Furthermore, the upper connecting portion may be formed from a hollow material with an open cross section that opens downward. In this case, the control device arranged inside the upper connecting portion may be exposed downward.

[0041] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the control device 50 is provided in the lower structure 121. Note that the configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the liftable tabletop furniture of the second embodiment, seen from above. As shown in FIG. 4, the liftable tabletop furniture 101 includes a support structure 120 in place of the support structure 120 of the first embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the liftable tabletop furniture of the second embodiment, seen from above. As shown in FIG. 5, the support structure 120 includes a lower structure 121, support legs 23, and an upper structure 125.

[0044] The lower structure 121 includes a pair of lower arms 30 and a lower connecting portion 135 that connects the pair of lower arms 30. The lower arms 30 have leg connecting portions 31 that are connected to the support legs 23. The leg connecting portions 31 are provided in the middle of the lower arms 30 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0045] The lower connecting portion 135 extends in the left-right direction along the floor surface. Both ends of the lower connecting portion 135 are connected to the pair of lower arms 30 so as not to be displaceable relative to each other. The lower connecting portion 135 is connected to the leg connecting portions 31 of the lower arms 30. The lower connecting portion 135 is formed from a hollow material with an open cross section. The lower connecting portion 135 is open downward over substantially its entire length, and the internal space is closed from below by the floor surface. The lower connecting portion 135 has a substantially U-shaped cross section. The lower connecting portion 135 has a top wall 136 and a pair of side walls 137. The top wall 136 extends substantially parallel to the floor surface and has a vertical gap between it and the floor surface. The top wall 136 extends over the entire length of the lower connecting portion 135. The pair of side walls 137 extend downward from both front and rear side edges of the top wall 136 extending in the left-right direction. The pair of side walls 137 extend downward so as to move away from each other in the front-rear direction.

[0046] The support legs 23 are connected to the leg connection parts 31 of the lower arm 30. Each of the support legs 23 has a telescopic structure and is capable of extending and contracting in the vertical direction. The support legs 23 have a telescopic structure and are arranged so that the outer cylinder moves up and down integrally with the top plate 10.

[0047] The upper structure 125 includes a pair of upper arms 40 and an upper connecting portion 145 that connects the pair of upper arms 40. The upper arms 40 are formed from a hollow material with a closed or open cross section. However, the cross-sectional shape of the member that forms the upper arms 40 is not particularly limited.

[0048] The upper connecting portions 145 are arranged in pairs at a distance in the front-rear direction. The upper connecting portions 145 extend in the left-right direction. Both ends of the upper connecting portion 145 are connected to the pair of upper arms 40 so as not to be displaceable relative to each other. The upper connecting portion 145 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.

[0049] The liftable tabletop fixture 101 further includes a control device 50, a switch 60, and a cable 70, as in the first embodiment.

[0050] The control device 50 is provided on the support structure 120. The control device 50 is disposed in the internal space of the lower connecting portion 135 and is covered from the outside by the lower connecting portion 135. As a result, the control device 50 is not directly connected to the tabletop 10. The control device 50 is not fixed to the lower connecting portion 135 but is disposed on the floor surface. The control device 50 may be fixed to the lower connecting portion 135. The control device 50 is disposed in approximately the middle of the lower connecting portion 135 in the left-right direction.

[0051] The switch 60 is provided on the support structure 120 and is not directly connected to the tabletop 10. The switch 60 is disposed outside the support structure 120 and is connected to the lower structure 121 via a switch connection portion 73 of the cable 70. The position of the switch 60 relative to the support structure 120 can be changed within the movable range of the switch connection portion 73 of the cable 70. The switch 60 may also be attached to the support structure 120.

[0052] The entire drive source connection portion 71 of the cable 70 extends from the control device 50 to the drive source arranged inside the support leg 23 without passing outside the lower structure 121. The pair of drive source connection portions 71 extend in opposite directions from the control device 50 toward the support leg 23. The drive source connection portions 71 are arranged straddling the internal space of the lower coupling portion 135 and the internal space of the drive source connection portion 71 of the lower arm 30. The drive source connection portions 71 pass through the left and right ends of the lower coupling portion 135. The leg connection portions 31 are arranged straddling the internal space of the leg connection portion 31 of the lower arm 30 and the internal space of the support leg 23. The drive source connection portions 71 pass through the lower end opening of the support leg 23. The drive source connection portions 71 are connected to the drive source in the internal space of the support leg 23.

[0053] The power supply connection portion 72 of the cable 70 extends to either the left or right from the control device 50. In the example shown, the power supply connection portion 72 extends to the left from the control device 50. The power supply connection portion 72 is disposed in the internal space of the lower coupling portion 135. The power supply connection portion 72 is drawn out to the outside of the lower structure 121 at a position midway in the left-right direction of the lower coupling portion 135. The power supply connection portion 72 is connected to an external power source outside the lower structure 121.

[0054] The switch connection portion 73 of the cable 70 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 connection portion 72. The switch connection portion 73 is disposed in the internal space of the lower coupling portion 135. The switch connection portion 73 is drawn out to the outside of the lower structure 121 at a midpoint in the left-right direction of the lower coupling portion 135. The switch connection portion 73 is connected to the switch 60 outside the lower structure 121.

[0055] This embodiment provides the same effects as those of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the switch 60 is connected to the support structure 20 via the cable 70, but the switch 60 may be connected directly to the support structure 20. Even in this case, the switch 60 is not directly connected to the tabletop 10, and therefore provides the same operational effects as those of the above embodiment.

[0056] 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, in the above embodiment, the support structure has a pair of support legs, but is not limited to this configuration, and may have a single support leg.

[0057] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, both the control device 50 and the switch 60 are provided on the upper structure or the lower structure, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, one of the control device and the switch may be provided on the upper structure, and the other of the control device and the switch may be provided on the lower structure.

[0058] In addition, within the scope of the spirit of the present invention, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1,101...Top plate lifting fixture 10...Top plate 20,120...Support structure 23...Support leg body 25...Upper structure 40...Upper arm (upper support member) 50...Control device 60...Switch 70...Cable 73...Switch connection part

Claims

1. a support structure having support legs arranged on a floor surface and extendable in the vertical direction; a control device for controlling the extension and contraction movement of the support legs; a switch that outputs a command to operate the support leg to the control device; a top plate having a lower surface supported by the support structure; a cable connected to the support legs, the control device, and the switch; Equipped with the control device and the switch are mounted on the support structure; Display unit with a liftable top.

2. the support structure includes an upper structure disposed along the lower surface of the top plate, The control device is provided on the upper structure. The tabletop lifting fixture according to claim 1.

3. the upper structure has an upper support member connected to an upper end of the support leg, extending in the front-rear direction, and supporting the lower surface of the top plate; The switch is attached to the upper support member. The tabletop lifting fixture according to claim 2.

4. the cable has a switch connection portion that connects the control device and the switch; The switch connection portion is provided only on the upper structure. A display unit with a liftable top according to claim 2 or claim 3.

Images