Foldable desk

Abstract

To provide a foldable desk having opposite effects that members are easily locked with a simple structure so as to easily perform changeover between a folding state and a developing state and that, on the contrary, the lock state cannot be easily released.SOLUTION: A foldable desk includes: first leg members to which at least two first leg parts are attached in a width direction; second leg members where second leg parts are connected to the first leg members via first hinge parts so as to be rotatable in a right and left direction; a top board connected to the first leg members via second hinge parts so as to be rotatable in a front and rear direction; and a pair of engagement members arranged on the top board so as to be engaged with the pair of second leg members. The engagement member includes: a first abutment surface nearly in parallel with the top board; a second abutment surface nearly orthogonal to the first abutment surface; and projected parts formed nearly in parallel with the top board on the second abutment surface. The second leg member includes: a rotary leg part rotatably and pivotally supported by the first leg member; and a connection part for connecting the rotary leg part to the second leg part. The engagement member holds the rotary leg part between the first abutment surface and the projected part in a folding state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a folding desk and to a technology that enables it to be folded compactly. [Background technology]

[0002] As the workplace environment changes in society, there is a demand for desks that can be folded for storage and easily carried around. In addition, because Japanese homes are small, there is a demand for desks that can be folded and stored in the gap between a dresser and a wall when not in use.

[0003] In order to make it possible to easily fold the desk, a folding structure such as that shown in Patent Document 1 is used (Patent Document 1).

[0004] The folding desk disclosed in Patent Document 1 is composed of a first leg member having at least two legs arranged side by side in the width direction as support parts for the floor surface, a pair of second leg members connected to the first leg member via first hinge parts so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction, and a top plate connected to the first leg member via second hinge parts so as to be rotatable in the front-to-back direction.

[0005] According to Patent Document 1, the tabletop and the second leg member can be folded or unfolded relative to the first leg member to switch between a folded state and an unfolded state. At this time, a locking member is required to maintain the folded or unfolded state.

[0006] As a locking member for a folding structure as described in Patent Document 1, a member that uses magnetic force to fix members together is used.

[0007] However, locking members that use magnetic force to secure components together cannot resist a small force applied in the direction that moves the components apart, causing the locked state to be released, making them inconvenient to use. In particular, for furniture that requires a certain level of load-bearing capacity, such as a desk, each component must be made of a heavy material, and if a locking member that uses magnetic force is used, the locked state may be released due to its own weight. In such cases, the locked state may be released even while the item is being carried, which is undesirable. Furthermore, even during use, the locked state may be released unintentionally when a force is applied from a specific direction, which is undesirable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-177790 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention was made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a folding desk that has a simple structure that allows components to be easily engaged with each other and easily switched between a folded state and an unfolded state, while achieving the contradictory effects of not easily releasing the engaged state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention provides the following solutions.

[0011] A folding desk according to a first aspect includes a first leg member having at least two legs arranged side by side in the width direction to serve as support members for supporting against a floor surface, a pair of second leg members connected to the first leg member via a first hinge portion so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction, a top plate connected to the first leg member via a second hinge portion so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction, and a pair of engagement members disposed on the top plate and engageable with the pair of second leg members, each of which includes a first abutment surface substantially parallel to the top plate, a second abutment surface substantially perpendicular to the first abutment surface, a first convex portion formed on the first abutment surface at a position a first distance away from the second abutment surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the top plate, and a second convex portion formed on the second abutment surface at a position a second distance away from the first abutment surface in a direction substantially parallel to the top plate.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the desk includes a first leg member having at least two legs arranged side by side in the width direction, the first leg member being a support member for supporting the floor, a pair of second leg members connected to the first leg member via a first hinge member so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction, a tabletop connected to the first leg member via a second hinge member so as to be rotatable in the front-back direction, and a pair of engaging members disposed on the tabletop and engageable with the pair of second leg members, respectively. Therefore, the desk can be switched between an unfolded state and a folded state by engaging the second leg members with the engaging members. Since the second leg members can be engaged with the tabletop with a single engaging member in both the unfolded and folded states, a simple and lightweight foldable desk can be provided without a complex mechanism. Furthermore, the engaging members hold the second leg member with first and second abutment surfaces that are substantially perpendicular to each other. The first abutment surface has a first protrusion that protrudes in a direction substantially perpendicular to the tabletop at a position a first distance from the second abutment surface, preventing the second leg member from rotating away from the second abutment surface, thereby maintaining a stable state. Similarly, by providing a second convex portion that protrudes in a direction approximately parallel to the tabletop at a position on the second abutment surface a second distance away from the first abutment surface, it is possible to prevent the tabletop from rotating in a direction away from the second leg member, thereby maintaining a stable state.

[0013] The invention relating to the second feature is the invention relating to the first feature, wherein the second leg member has a pivoting leg portion arranged in a substantially vertical direction and rotatably supported on the first leg member, and a connecting portion arranged in a substantially horizontal direction and connecting the pivoting leg portion to the second leg member, and the engaging member engages with the connecting portion in the unfolded state and engages with the pivoting leg portion in the folded state.

[0014] According to the invention relating to the second feature, the second leg member has a pivoting leg portion arranged in an approximately vertical direction and rotatably supported on the first leg member, and a connecting portion arranged in an approximately horizontal direction and connecting the pivoting leg portion to the second leg member, so that the engaging member can engage with the connecting portion in the unfolded state and with the pivoting leg portion in the folded state.

[0015] The invention relating to the third feature is the invention relating to the second feature, in which the widthwise dimension of the connecting portion when unfolded and the widthwise dimension of the pivoting leg when folded approximately correspond to the first distance, and the heightwise dimension of the connecting portion and the depthwise dimension of the pivoting leg when folded approximately correspond to the second distance.

[0016] According to the third feature of the invention, the widthwise dimension of the connecting portion when unfolded and the widthwise dimension of the pivoting leg when folded approximately correspond to the first distance, and the heightwise dimension of the connecting portion and the depthwise dimension of the pivoting leg when folded approximately correspond to the second distance, so that the pivoting leg can be fitted into the engaging member without rattle when unfolded or folded.

[0017] The invention relating to the fourth feature is the invention relating to the second feature, wherein the engaging member is arranged on the back surface of the tabletop at a position where, in the width direction, the first abutment surface approximately coincides with the location where the pivoting leg portion is located when folded, and at a position where, in the depth direction, the second abutment surface approximately coincides with the location where the connecting portion is located when unfolded.

[0018] According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the engaging member is provided at a position where the first abutment surface substantially coincides with the location of the pivoting leg in the width direction of the underside of the tabletop, so that the engaging member and the pivoting leg can be engaged by simply pivoting the tabletop forward. Also, the second abutment surface is provided at a position where the second abutment surface substantially coincides with the location of the connecting portion in the depth direction of the underside of the tabletop when unfolded, so that the connecting portion can be engaged with the engaging member by simply pivoting the second leg member relative to the first leg member to unfold it.

[0019] The invention relating to the fifth feature is the invention relating to the first feature, wherein the engaging member has a top plate fixing surface that is fixed to the underside of the top plate and is approximately parallel to the first abutment surface, and the first convex portion is provided with an inclined surface portion that is inclined toward the top plate fixing surface while moving away from the second abutment surface.

[0020] According to the invention relating to the fifth feature, the first convex portion is provided with an inclined surface portion that slopes in a direction approaching the tabletop fixing surface while moving away from the second abutment surface, so that the second leg member that abuts against the first convex portion can be guided by the inclined surface portion, thereby allowing the second leg member to smoothly engage with the engaging member.

[0021] The invention relating to the sixth feature is the invention relating to the first feature, wherein the second convex portion is provided with an inclined surface portion that is inclined in a direction away from the second abutment surface and approaching the first abutment surface.

[0022] According to the sixth feature of the invention, the second convex portion is provided with an inclined surface portion that slopes in a direction toward the first abutment surface while moving away from the second abutment surface. Therefore, by guiding the second leg member that abuts against the second convex portion with the inclined surface portion, the second leg member can be smoothly engaged with the engaging member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, a folding desk can be provided that has a simple structure that allows components to be easily engaged with each other and easily switched between a folded state and an unfolded state, while at the same time providing the contradictory effects of not easily releasing the engaged state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a folding desk 1 according to the present invention, and shows a perspective view seen from diagonally above. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the folding desk 1 according to the present invention, and shows a perspective view seen obliquely from below. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the engaging member 40 of the folding desk 1 according to the present invention, where Figure 3(a) is a perspective view seen from diagonally above, Figure 3(b) is a perspective view seen from diagonally below, Figure 3(c) is a front view, and Figure 3(d) is a bottom view. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams showing the engagement state between the engagement member 40 and the second leg member 20, with FIG. 4A showing the engagement state when unfolded and FIG. 4B showing the engagement state when folded. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing the rotational state of the second leg member 20 during folding, where FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional view and FIG. 5B is a perspective view. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the rotating state of the top panel 30 during folding. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the engagement between the engaging member 40 and the second leg member 20 during folding, where Figure 7(a) shows the engaging member 40 approaching the second leg member 20, and Figure 7(b) shows the engaging member 40 engaging with the second leg member 20. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the disengagement of the engaging member 40 and the second leg member 20 during deployment, where Figure 8(a) shows the engaging member 40 moving away from the second leg member 20, and Figure 8(b) shows the top plate 30 rotating during deployment. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are schematic diagrams showing the rotational state of the second leg member 20 during deployment, where FIG. 9A is a perspective view and FIG. 9B is a partially enlarged view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these are merely examples, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0026] The overall configuration of a folding desk 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a folding desk 1 according to the present invention, showing a perspective view seen from diagonally above. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a folding desk 1 according to the present invention, showing a perspective view seen from diagonally below. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an engaging member 40 of a folding desk 1 according to the present invention, where FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view seen from diagonally above, FIG. 3(b) is a perspective view seen from diagonally below, FIG. 3(c) is a front view, and FIG. 3(d) is a bottom view. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the engagement state between the engaging member 40 and the second leg member 20, where FIG. 4(a) shows the engagement state when unfolded, and FIG. 4(b) shows the engagement state when folded.

[0028] In this invention, the width direction refers to the left-right direction when the folding desk 1 is viewed from the front, the front-rear direction refers to the depth direction, the left-right direction refers to the left-right direction when the folding desk 1 is viewed from the front, the folded state refers to the state in which the leg members and top plate are folded down to make the folding desk 1 unusable, and the unfolded state refers to the state in which the leg members and top plate are unfolded to make the folding desk 1 usable.

[0029] 1 and 2, a folding desk 1 according to the present invention is composed of a first leg member 10 having at least two first leg portions 11, 11 arranged side by side in the width direction as support legs for supporting the floor, a pair of second leg members 20, 20 connected to the first leg member 10 via a first hinge portion 13 so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction, a top panel 30 connected to the first leg member 10 via a second hinge portion 14 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction, and a pair of engaging members 40, 40 disposed on the top panel 30 and engageable with the pair of second leg members 20, 20, respectively. The folding desk 1 according to this embodiment can be switched between a folded state and an unfolded state.

[0030] The first leg member 10 is formed by a columnar member that is roughly U-shaped when viewed from the front and has two first leg portions 11 that serve as support legs that stand upright on the floor when unfolded. The two first leg portions 11 are connected by a first connecting portion 12 that is disposed between the upper ends of the two first leg portions 11, and the two first leg portions 11 are arranged side by side in the width direction of the folding desk 1.

[0031] Furthermore, a first hinge portion 13 is provided at an appropriate height position of the two first leg portions 11, 11, and the second leg member 20 is connected to the first leg member 10 by the first hinge portion 13 so that it can rotate left and right in the horizontal direction. As shown in Fig. 2, where the main part is inverted and enlarged, the first hinge portion 13 in this embodiment is composed of protruding pieces 13a, 13a protruding from two positions in the height direction of the first leg member 11, and pins 13b, 13b that are rotatably inserted into the protruding pieces 13a, 13a and are fixed non-rotatably to the rotating leg portion 22 of the second leg member 20, but the first hinge portion 13 is not limited to this type as long as it can connect the second leg member 20 so that it can rotate left and right in the vertical direction.

[0032] Furthermore, two second hinge portions 14, 14 are provided at the first connection portion 12 disposed at a position corresponding to the upper end of the first leg member 10, and the second hinge portions 14, 14 connect the tabletop 30 and the first leg member 10 so that they can rotate vertically relative to each other. The first leg member 10 is disposed near the rear end of the back surface of the tabletop 30 via the second hinge portions 14, so the two first leg portions 11 of the first leg member 10 function as rear legs of the folding desk 1 according to this embodiment. The second hinge portions 14 have a predetermined length in the depth direction, and the folded second leg member 20 fits within this predetermined length so that the second leg member 20 does not interfere with the folding of the tabletop 30.

[0033] The second leg members 20 are arranged as a pair of legs symmetrically when viewed from the front, and are formed by columnar members that are roughly U-shaped when viewed from the side and each have a second leg portion 21 that serves as a support leg that stands upright on the floor when unfolded. Of the roughly U-shaped members, one member forms the second leg portion 21 that serves as a support leg that stands upright on the floor, and the other member forms a pivoting leg portion 22 that is pivotally supported to be rotatable relative to the first leg portion 11 of the first leg member 10. Furthermore, the upper ends of the second leg portion 21 and the pivoting leg portion 22 of each second leg member 20 are connected by a second connecting portion 23.

[0034] The second leg 21 is a columnar member formed in a substantially vertical shape, and has substantially the same length as the first leg 11. When unfolded, the second leg 21 stands upright with its lower end supported on the floor surface and its upper end close to the underside of the tabletop 30. However, since the second leg 21 engages with an engaging member 40 disposed on the underside of the tabletop 30 when unfolded, it does not actually come into contact with the underside of the tabletop 30.

[0035] The pivoting leg 22 is a substantially vertical columnar member that is shorter than the second leg 21, and is disposed adjacent to the first leg 11. The upper and lower ends of the pivoting leg 22 are pivotally supported by first hinge portions 13, 13 provided on the first leg 11, respectively, making the pivoting leg 22 rotatable with respect to the first leg 11. Specifically, two pins 13b, 13b that constitute the first hinge portion 13 are fixed non-rotatably to the upper and lower ends of the pivoting leg 22, and the pins 13b, 13b are rotatably supported by protruding pieces 13a, 13a protruding from the first leg 11, making the pivoting leg 22 rotatable with respect to the first leg 11. The dimension in the depth direction of the columnar member forming the pivot leg 22 when unfolded, in other words, the dimension in the width direction when folded, is set to approximately match a first distance t1 between a second abutment surface 42a of a wall portion 42 of an engaging member 40 described below and a first convex portion 41c of the base 41. The dimension in the width direction of the columnar member forming the pivot leg 22 when unfolded, in other words, the dimension in the depth direction when folded, is set to approximately match a second distance t2 between the first abutment surface 41a of the base 41 of the engaging member 40 and a second convex portion 42b of the wall portion 42.

[0036] Second connecting portion 23 is a member that connects the upper end of second leg portion 21 and the upper end of pivoting leg portion 22 of each second leg member 20. Second connecting portion 23 includes: table top support portion 23a, which is connected to the upper end of second leg 21 and made of a beam-like member that is disposed in a substantially horizontal direction so as to follow the underside of table top 30 when unfolded; and step portion 23b, which is connected to the upper end of pivoting leg 22 and made of a beam-like member that is located a predetermined length below table top support portion 23a. Step portion 23b is intended to prevent interference between second hinge portion 14 and second connecting portion 23 when folding desk 1. Table top support portion 23a functions as the connecting portion in the present invention.

[0037] In addition, the upper surface 23au of the tabletop support portion 23a when unfolded abuts against the first abutment surface 41a of the engaging member 40 when unfolded, and the outer surface 23as of the tabletop support portion 23a when unfolded abuts against the second abutment surface 42a of the engaging member 40 when unfolded.

[0038] The width dimension of the beam-like member forming the table top support portion 23a when unfolded, in other words, the depth dimension when folded, is set to approximately match a first distance t1 between a second abutment surface 42a of a wall portion 42 of an engaging member 40 (described later) and a first convex portion 41c of the base 41. The height dimension of the beam-like member forming the table top support portion 23a is set to approximately match a second distance t2 between the first abutment surface 41a of the base 41 of the engaging member 40 and a second convex portion 42b of the wall portion 42.

[0039] In contrast to first leg 11 which functions as a rear leg, second leg 21 which is disposed at a position spaced a predetermined distance from pivoting leg 22 which is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction by second connecting part 23 serves as a support leg when unfolded, and therefore second leg 21 functions as a front leg of folding desk 1 according to this embodiment. Also, as will be described later, when folding desk 1 is unfolded, top board support part 23a which is a beam-shaped member constituting second leg member 20 engages with engaging member 40, and when folding desk 1 is folded, pivoting leg 22 which is a column-shaped member constituting second leg member 20 engages with engaging member 40.

[0040] The top panel 30 is a plate-like member that is generally rectangular in plan view, and the second hinge portion 14 of the first leg member 10 is fixed near the rear end of the back surface. In addition, a pair of engaging members 40, 40, which will be described later, are fixed near both ends in the width direction of the back surface of the top panel 30. The front surface of the top panel 30 functions as a work surface for the folding desk 1, and the back surface of the top panel 30 functions as a support surface for the first leg member 10 and the second leg member 20 via the engaging members 40, 40.

[0041] Next, the engaging member 40 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0042] The engaging member 40 supports the second leg member 20 in a predetermined state when folded and unfolded, and is formed from a resin member that is approximately L-shaped when viewed from the front and is fixed to the back surface of the top plate 30, as shown in Figure 3(c).

[0043] The engaging member 40 is formed in an approximately L-shape by a substantially flat base 41 fixed to the underside of the top plate 30 and a wall 42 protruding from the end of the base 41 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the base 41, in other words, in a direction away from the underside of the top plate 30.

[0044] The base 41 is a generally flat member having one surface forming a first abutment surface 41a that abuts against the second leg member 20 and the other surface forming a tabletop fixing surface 41b that is fixed to the underside of the tabletop 30. The wall 42 is a generally flat member having a second abutment surface 42a on one surface that abuts against the second leg member 20 and protrudes from an end of the base 41 in a direction perpendicular to the base 41, in other words, in a direction away from the underside of the tabletop 30. The base 41 is provided with a first protrusion 41c that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the first abutment surface 41a at a position on the first abutment surface 41a that is spaced a predetermined first distance t1 from the second abutment surface 42a of the wall 42. In addition, the wall portion 42 has a second protrusion 42b that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the second abutment surface 42a at a position on the second abutment surface 42a that is spaced a predetermined second distance t2 from the first abutment surface 41a of the base 41.

[0045] The first protrusion 41c has a first inclined surface 41d that is inclined toward the tabletop fixing surface 41b while moving away from the second abutment surface 42a. The first inclined surface 41d is formed with its starting point at the end of the first protrusion 41c and its terminal point substantially coincides with the tabletop fixing surface 41b.

[0046] The second protrusion 42b has a second inclined surface 42c that is inclined toward the first contact surface 41a while moving away from the second contact surface 42a. The second inclined surface 42c is formed with its starting end at the end of the second protrusion 42b and its terminal end coinciding with the end of the wall 42.

[0047] The position at which the engaging member 40 is arranged on the back surface of the tabletop 30 is such that, in the width direction, the first abutment surface 41a approximately coincides with the location where the pivoting leg portion 22 of the second leg member 20 is located, and in the depth direction, the second abutment surface 42a approximately coincides with the location where the tabletop support portion 23a of the second leg member 20 is located when unfolded.

[0048] 4(a), when the engaging member 40 formed in this manner is deployed, the upper surface 23au of the tabletop support portion 23a of the second leg member 20 abuts against the first abutment surface 41a, and the outer surface 23as of the tabletop support portion 23a abuts against the second abutment surface 42a, thereby causing the second leg member 20 to support the tabletop 30. At this time, the second abutment surface 42a and the first protrusion 41c sandwich the tabletop support portion 23a from the left and right, preventing the second leg member 20 from rotating left and right and disengaging the tabletop support portion 23a. Similarly, the first abutment surface 41a and the second protrusion 42b sandwich the tabletop support portion 23a from above and below, preventing the tabletop 30 from rotating upward and disengaging the tabletop support portion 23a.

[0049] 4(b), when folding, the outer surface 22s of the rotating leg 22 of the second leg member 20 abuts against the first abutment surface 41a, and the rear surface 22r of the rotating leg 22 abuts against the second abutment surface 42a, so that the second leg member 20 and the table top 30 are in close contact with each other. At this time, the first abutment surface 41a and the second protrusion 42b hold the rotating leg 22 from above and below, so that the table top 30 is prevented from rotating upward and disengaging the rotating leg 22.

[0050] Next, the movement of the folding desk 1 according to this embodiment from the unfolded state to the folded state will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0051] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the rotational state of the second leg member 20 during folding, Fig. 5(a) is a partial cross-sectional view, and Fig. 5(b) is a perspective view. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the rotational state of the tabletop 30 during folding. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the engagement between the engaging member 40 and the second leg member 20 during folding, Fig. 7(a) shows the engaging member 40 approaching the second leg member 20, and Fig. 7(b) shows the engaging member 40 engaged with the second leg member 20.

[0052] 4(a), during deployment, the top-plate supporting portion 23a of the second leg member 20 supports the top plate 30, as the upper surface 23au of the top-plate supporting portion 23a of the second leg member 20 abuts against the first abutment surface 41a of the engaging member 40 and the outer surface 23as of the top-plate supporting portion 23a abuts against the second abutment surface 42a. At this time, the second abutment surface 42a and the first protrusion 41c sandwich the top-plate supporting portion 23a from the left and right, preventing the second leg member 20 from rotating left and right and disengaging the top-plate supporting portion 23a. Similarly, the first abutment surface 41a and the second protrusion 42b sandwich the top-plate supporting portion 23a from above and below, preventing the top plate 30 from rotating upward and disengaging the top-plate supporting portion 23a. As mentioned above, the second leg member 20 is pivotally supported by the rotating leg portion 22 so that it can rotate left and right relative to the first leg member 10. When deployed, the angle between the first leg member 10 and the second leg member 20, in other words, the angle between the horizontal axis of the first connecting portion 12 and the horizontal axis of the second connecting portion 23, is approximately 90 degrees.

[0053] To fold the folding desk 1 according to this embodiment from the unfolded state, as shown in FIGS. 5( a) and 5(b), the second leg member 20 must be rotated inward relative to the first leg member 10, i.e., in the folding direction. However, in the unfolded state, the first protrusion 41c of the engaging member 40, which protrudes perpendicular to the tabletop 30, acts as a barrier to the left-right rotation of the tabletop support portion 23a of the second leg member 20, preventing the second leg member 20 from rotating in this state. Therefore, the engagement of the tabletop support portion 23a with the engaging member 40 must first be released. To do this, the tabletop 30 is slightly lifted upward while rotating the second leg member 20 in the folding direction. By slightly lifting the tabletop 30 while rotating the second leg member 20 in the folding direction, the engagement of the tabletop support portion 23a with the first protrusion 41c is released, and the engagement of the tabletop support portion 23a with the second protrusion 42b is also released. At this time, since the engaging member 40 is made of a resin material that is slippery and elastic, the engaging member 40 undergoes elastic deformation, allowing the engagement to be released smoothly.

[0054] Once the engagement of the tabletop support portion 23a by the engagement member 40 has been released, the second leg member 20 of the two legs is rotated in the folding direction until the two second leg members 20 are positioned on approximately the same plane, as shown in Figure 6. At this time, the horizontal axes of the first leg member 10 and the second leg member 20, in other words, the horizontal axes of the first connecting portion 12 and the second connecting portion 23, become approximately parallel.

[0055] Once the second leg member 20 of the two legs has been folded, the table top 30 is rotated towards you, and as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the engaging member 40 is engaged with the rotating leg portion 22 of the second leg member 20. At this time, the engaging member 40 is provided at a position in the width direction of the back surface of the table top 30 where the first abutment surface 41a substantially coincides with the location where the rotating leg portion 22 of the second leg member 20 is located. Therefore, simply by rotating the table top 30 towards you, the engaging member 40 and the rotating leg portion 22 can be engaged.

[0056] However, just before the pivot leg 22 engages with the engaging member 40, the second protrusion 42b abuts against the pivot leg 22, and the pivot leg 22 cannot be fitted into the engaging member 40 as it is. However, the second protrusion 42b is provided with the second inclined surface 42c that is inclined in a direction approaching the first abutment surface 41a while moving away from the second abutment surface 42a, and the engaging member 40 is formed from a resin material that is slippery and elastic. Therefore, the rear surface 22r of the pivot leg 22 abutting against the second inclined surface 42c is guided by the second inclined surface 42c, and the wall portion 42 is deformed outward, and the pivot leg 22 can be smoothly fitted into the engaging member 40.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(b), the depth dimension of the pivoting leg 22 when unfolded, in other words, the width dimension when folded, is set to be approximately the same as the first distance t1 between the second abutment surface 42a of the wall 42 of the engaging member 40 and the first convex portion 41c of the base 41, and the width dimension of the pivoting leg 22 when unfolded, in other words, the depth dimension when folded, is set to be approximately the same as the second distance t2 between the first abutment surface 41a of the base 41 of the engaging member 40 and the second convex portion 42b of the wall 42, so that the pivoting leg 22 can be fitted smoothly to the engaging member 40 without any rattling.

[0058] In this way, it is possible to transition from unfolding to folding. When folding, the outer surface 22s of the rotating leg 22 of the second leg member 20 abuts against the first abutment surface 41a of the engaging member 40, and the rear surface 22r of the rotating leg 22 abuts against the second abutment surface 42a, thereby fixing the second leg member 20 and the tabletop 30. At this time, the second abutment surface 42a and the first convex portion 41c hold the rotating leg 22 in the width direction, and the first abutment surface 41a and the second convex portion 42b hold the rotating leg 22 in the depth direction, preventing the tabletop 30 from rotating upward and disengaging the rotating leg 22.

[0059] Next, the movement of the folding desk 1 according to this embodiment from the folded state to the unfolded state will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 8 and 9. FIG.

[0060] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing disengagement between the engaging member 40 and the second leg member 20 during deployment, with Figure 8(a) showing the engaging member 40 moving away from the second leg member 20 and Figure 8(b) showing the tabletop 30 rotating during deployment. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the rotating state of the second leg member 20 during deployment, with Figure 9(a) being a perspective view and Figure 9(b) being a partially enlarged view.

[0061] 4(b), when folded, the outer surface 22s of the rotating leg portion 22 of the second leg member 20 abuts against the first abutment surface 41a of the engaging member 40, and the rear surface 22r of the rotating leg portion 22 abuts against the second abutment surface 42a, thereby fixing the second leg member 20 to the tabletop 30. At this time, the second abutment surface 42a and the first convex portion 41c sandwich the rotating leg portion 22 in the width direction, and the first abutment surface 41a and the second convex portion 42b sandwich the rotating leg portion 22 in the depth direction.

[0062] To transition from the folded state to the unfolded state, the tabletop 30 must be rotated upward relative to the pivoting legs 22. However, during folding, the pivoting legs 22 are sandwiched between the first abutment surfaces 41a and the second protrusions 42b that protrude in a direction parallel to the first abutment surfaces 41a, forming a barrier to the rotation of the tabletop 30, preventing the tabletop 30 from rotating in this state. Therefore, the tabletop 30 must first be released from the engagement of the pivoting legs 22 by the engaging members 40. To do this, the tabletop 30 is lifted with some force. By lifting the tabletop 30 with some force, the engagement of the second protrusions 42b with the pivoting legs 22 is released, as shown in FIG. 8(a). At this time, because the engaging members 40 are made of a slippery and elastic resin material, the wall portions 42 of the engaging members 40 elastically deform outward, allowing the engagement to be smoothly released.

[0063] Once the engagement of the pivot leg portion 22 by the engagement member 40 has been released, the top plate 30 is rotated and lifted until the angle between the top plate 30 and the first leg member 10 becomes approximately a right angle, as shown in FIG. 8(b).

[0064] When the angle formed between the tabletop 30 and the first leg member 10 becomes approximately a right angle, while holding the tabletop 30 by hand, one of the two second leg members 20, 20 positioned on approximately the same plane as shown in Figure 9(a) is rotated relative to the first leg member 10 to unfold it. Then, the tabletop support portion 23a of the second leg member 20 is engaged with the engagement member 40.

[0065] Just before the top board support part 23a engages with the engaging member 40 during unfolding, the first convex part 41c abuts against the top board support part 23a, and therefore the top board support part 23a cannot be fitted into the engaging member 40. However, the first convex part 41c is provided with a first inclined surface part 41d that is inclined in a direction approaching the top board fixing surface 41b while moving away from the second abutment surface 42a, and the engaging member 40 is made of a resin material that is slippery and elastic. Therefore, the top board support part 23a can be smoothly fitted into the engaging member 40 by pushing the top board 30 upward while the upper surface 23au of the top board support part 23a abutting against the first inclined surface part 41d is guided by the first inclined surface part 41d.

[0066] Once one second leg member 20 is engaged with one of the engagement members 40, the other second leg member 20 is similarly rotated relative to the first leg member 10 to unfold it, and then engaged with the other engagement member 40 to complete the unfolding operation.

[0067] At this time, as shown in Figure 4(a), the widthwise dimension of the tabletop support portion 23a when unfolded, in other words, the depthwise dimension when folded, is set to be approximately the same as the first distance t1 between the second abutment surface 42a of the wall portion 42 of the engaging member 40 and the first convex portion 41c of the base 41, and the heightwise dimension of the tabletop support portion 23a is set to be approximately the same as the second distance t2 between the first abutment surface 41a of the base 41 of the engaging member 40 and the second convex portion 42b of the wall portion 42, so that the tabletop support portion 23a can be smoothly fitted into the engaging member 40 without any rattling.

[0068] Furthermore, the position at which the engaging member 40 is arranged on the back surface of the tabletop 30 is such that, in the width direction, the first abutment surface 41a approximately coincides with the location where the pivoting leg portion 22 of the second leg member 20 is located, and in the depth direction, the second abutment surface 42a approximately coincides with the location where the tabletop support portion 23a of the second leg member 20 is located when unfolded.Therefore, the tabletop support portion 23a can be engaged with the engaging member 40 simply by rotating the second leg member 20 relative to the first leg member 10 and unfolding it.

[0069] In this way, the chair can transition from a folded state to an unfolded state. As shown in FIG. 4( a), when unfolded, the upper surface 23au of the tabletop support portion 23a of the second leg member 20 abuts against the first abutment surface 41a of the engaging member 40, and the outer surface 23as of the tabletop support portion 23a abuts against the second abutment surface 42a, thereby causing the second leg member 20 to support the tabletop 30. At this time, the second abutment surface 42a and the first protrusion 41c sandwich the tabletop support portion 23a in the width direction, preventing the second leg member 20 from rotating left or right and disengaging the tabletop support portion 23a. Similarly, the first abutment surface 41a and the second protrusion 42b sandwich the tabletop support portion 23a in the up-down direction, preventing the tabletop 30 from rotating upward and disengaging the tabletop support portion 23a.

[0070] In the folding desk 1 according to this embodiment, the first leg member 10 is configured by connecting two first leg portions 11 with the first connecting portion 12, but this is not limited to this. For example, the two first leg portions 11 may be configured as independent parts without providing the first connecting portion 12, and each first leg portion 11 may be provided with a first hinge portion 13 and connected to the tabletop 30 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction.

[0071] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely a list of the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0072] Furthermore, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to an embodiment having all of the configurations described. [Industrial Applicability]

[0073] The folding desk of the present invention is useful as a desk for home or office use. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1 Folding Desk 10 First Leg Member 11 First Leg 12 First Connection Part 13 First Hinge Part 13a Protruding Piece 13b Pin 14 Second Hinge Part 20 Second Leg Member 21 Second Leg 22 Rotating Leg 22r Rear Surface 22s Outer Surface 23 Second Connection Part 23a Tabletop Support Part 23as Outer Surface 23au Upper Surface 23b Step Part 30 Tabletop 40 Engaging Member 41 Base 41a First Contact Surface 41b Tabletop Fixing Surface 41c First Protrusion 41d First Inclined Surface 42 Wall Part 42a Second Contact Surface 42b Second Protrusion 42c Second Inclined Surface

Claims

1. a first leg member having at least two first leg portions arranged in the width direction as support portions for the floor surface; a pair of second leg members having second leg portions as support portions for the floor surface connected to the first leg member via first hinge portions so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction; a top plate connected to the first leg member via second hinge portions so as to be rotatable in the front-back direction; and a pair of engaging members disposed on the top plate and engageable with the pair of second leg members, the engaging member includes a first abutment surface that is substantially parallel to the top plate, a second abutment surface that is substantially perpendicular to the first abutment surface, and a convex portion that is formed on the first abutment surface at a position a first distance away from the second abutment surface in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the top plate, the second leg member includes a pivoting leg portion disposed in a substantially vertical direction and pivotally supported on the first leg member, and a connecting portion disposed in a substantially horizontal direction and connecting the pivoting leg portion to the second leg member; In the deployed state, the engaging member sandwiches the connecting portion between the second contact surface and the convex portion. Folding desk.

2. a first leg member having at least two first leg portions arranged in the width direction as support portions for the floor surface; a pair of second leg members having second leg portions as support portions for the floor surface connected to the first leg member via first hinge portions so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction; a top plate connected to the first leg member via second hinge portions so as to be rotatable in the front-back direction; and a pair of engaging members disposed on the top plate and engageable with the pair of second leg members, the engaging member includes a first abutment surface that is substantially parallel to the top plate, a second abutment surface that is substantially perpendicular to the first abutment surface, and a convex portion that is formed on the second abutment surface at a position a second distance away from the first abutment surface in a direction substantially parallel to the top plate, the second leg member includes a pivoting leg portion disposed in a substantially vertical direction and pivotally supported on the first leg member, and a connecting portion disposed in a substantially horizontal direction and connecting the pivoting leg portion to the second leg member; In the folded state, the engaging member sandwiches the pivot leg portion between the first contact surface and the protrusion. Folding desk.

3. a widthwise dimension of the connecting portion when unfolded and a widthwise dimension of the pivoting leg portion when folded substantially coincide with the first distance; a height dimension of the connecting portion and a depth dimension of the pivoting leg portion when folded substantially equal to the second distance; A folding desk according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The engaging member is disposed on the back surface of the tabletop such that, in the width direction, the first contact surface substantially coincides with the location of the pivot leg portion when folded, and in the depth direction, the second contact surface substantially coincides with the location of the connection portion when unfolded. A folding desk according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the engaging member has a top plate fixing surface that is fixed to the rear surface of the top plate and is substantially parallel to the first abutment surface; The protrusion has an inclined surface portion that is inclined in a direction approaching the top plate fixing surface while being spaced away from the second abutment surface.

2. A folding desk according to claim 1.

6. The protrusion has an inclined surface portion inclined toward the first contact surface while being spaced away from the second contact surface.

3. A folding desk according to claim 2.

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