Footstool and footstool device

Abstract

To provide a footstool capable of effectively assisting the movement of a person in a place having a step and easily adjusting the height.SOLUTION: The stool 3 includes a base part 4, a step part 5, and a fixture 6. The two side plates 41,41 of the base portion 4 each include the height adjuster 70. The height adjuster 70 has a slit hole 71 and a plurality of hooking holes 72. The step part 5 includes a hooking pin 8 fixed to each of the two side plates 51,51 and hooked and supported by the hooking hole 72. The fixing tool 6 fixes the step part 5 to the base part 4 even when the hooking pin 8 is hooked and supported by any of the plurality of hooking holes 72.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a platform and a platform device, and more particularly to a platform device including a platform and a base that supports the platform and the platform. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a sliding step stool consisting of a step box and a base frame, with a pair of opposing side surfaces of the step box having slide hole sections consisting of vertical groove holes extending in the vertical direction and horizontal groove holes extending horizontally from the vertical groove holes in a multi-stage comb-like pattern in the direction in which the step box and the front side of the base frame come into contact, and fastening holes provided on a pair of opposing side surfaces of the base frame at height positions corresponding to the horizontal groove holes, and the step box and base frame are fastened together with fasteners inserted into the slide hole sections and fastening holes, making it possible to freely adjust the height position of the step box within the range of each groove hole of the slide hole section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5702995 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a step stool that effectively assists people in moving around in places with steps and that is easy to adjust in height, and a step stool device that includes this step stool. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A step stool according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a base, a step supported by the base, and a fixture that detachably secures the step to the base. The base comprises two side panels that are aligned facing each other at a distance in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Each of the two side panels has a height adjustment unit. Each of the height adjustment units has a vertically long slit hole that penetrates in the direction in which the side panels are aligned and opens upward, and a plurality of hanging holes that are aligned at a distance in the vertical direction and extend diagonally downward from the slit hole. The step comprises two side panels that are arranged along the two side panels of the base, respectively, and a hanging pin that is fixed to each of the side panels of the step and is hung and supported in any one of the plurality of hanging holes. The fixing unit secures the step to the base regardless of which of the plurality of hanging holes the hanging pin is hung and supported in.

[0006] A step stool device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a base, a step stool supported by the base, and a handrail supported by the base, with the handrail and the step stool aligned in the direction in which the two side panels of the base are aligned. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a step stool effectively assists people in moving around on uneven surfaces and the height of the step stool can be easily adjusted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a platform device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the above platform device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the step stool device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the step stool device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the step stool device. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base of the step stool device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the step stool device, with the handrail omitted. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view of the step portion of the first step of the step device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view of the step stool device, with the handrail omitted. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view of the same step stool device, omitting the handrail, showing the operation of adjusting the step stool height. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view of the same step stool device, omitting the handrail, showing the operation of adjusting the step stool height. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side view of the same step stool device with the handrail omitted, showing the state after the adjustment of the step stool height has been completed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1. Overview To assist people who require care to move over steps, for example, step stools are used. As disclosed in Patent Document 1, step stools whose height can be adjusted according to the size of the step are also used.

[0010] The inventors reviewed the structure for adjusting the height of the step stool and conducted research to make it easier to adjust the height. As a result, the inventors have completed the present disclosure.

[0011] The embodiments and modifications will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that the following embodiments and modifications are merely a portion of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the following embodiments and modifications can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Furthermore, the configurations of the modifications can be combined as appropriate. All of the drawings referred to below are schematic diagrams, and the dimensional ratios of the components in the drawings do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 to 5 and 7 to 12, particularly Figures 7 to 9, the step stool 3 of this embodiment comprises a base 4, a step 5 supported by the base 4, and a fastener 6 that detachably fastens the step 5 to the base 4. The base 4 comprises two side plates 41, 41 that are arranged facing each other at a distance in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Each of the two side plates 41, 41 has a height adjustment section 70. Each height adjustment section 70 has a slit hole 71 that is long in the vertical direction and penetrates in the direction in which the side plates 41, 41 are arranged and is open upward, and a plurality of hanging holes 72 that are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction and extend diagonally downward from the slit hole 71. The step portion 5 includes two side plates 51, 51 arranged along the two side plates 41, 41 of the base portion 4, respectively, and a latch pin 8 fixed to each of the side plates 51, 51 of the step portion 5 and hooked into any one of the plurality of latch holes 72. A fixing device 6 fixes the step portion 5 to the base portion 4 regardless of which of the plurality of latch holes 72 the latch pin 8 is hooked into.

[0013] The step stool 3 of the embodiment can be used to assist people in moving over steps.

[0014] Furthermore, when adjusting the height of the step stool 3, first, with the fixing device 6 removed from the step stool 3, the step portion 5 is moved relative to the base portion 4, thereby moving the hook pin 8 from the hook hole 72 of the height adjustment portion 70 to the slit hole 71. Next, the step portion 5 is moved relative to the base portion 4, thereby moving the hook pin 8 to a hook hole 72 different from the hook hole 72 in which the hook pin 8 was originally located. In this state, the step portion 5 is fixed to the base portion 4 with the fixing device 6, thereby completing the height adjustment of the step stool 3. In this case, when removing or attaching the fixing device 6, the hook pin 8 is hooked and supported by one of the hook holes 72, making it easy for the worker to hold the step portion 5 in a position relative to the base portion 4 when removing or attaching the fixing device 6. This makes it easy to adjust the height of the step stool 3.

[0015] Furthermore, even when assembling the step stool 3 after it has been disassembled into the base portion 4, the step portion 5, and the fixture 6, by first hooking and supporting the latch pin 8 in one of the latch holes 72, the worker can easily support the step portion 5 in a state where it is positioned relative to the base portion 4. This makes assembly of the step stool 3 easy.

[0016] The step stool device 10 of this embodiment comprises a base 2, a step stool 3 supported by the base 2, and a handrail 1 supported by the base 2 (see particularly Figures 1 to 5). The handrail 1 and the step stool 3 are aligned in the same direction as the two side panels 51, 51 of the base part 4.

[0017] By placing the step stool device 10 of the embodiment in any location where there is a step, it is possible to effectively assist people in moving around in that location.

[0018] 2.Details The configuration of the handrail 1 and step device 10 of the embodiment will be described in more detail. Unless otherwise specified, the following definitions of up and down are based on the state in which the step stool 3 and step device 10 are in use. Furthermore, based on the state in which the step stool 3 and step device 10 are in use, the side on which the higher surface is located when the step stool 3 and step device 10 are placed on a lower surface (low surface) in a location with a step is defined as the rear, and the side opposite the rear is defined as the front. It can also be said that the side of the handrail 1 facing the second support 12 relative to the first support 11 is defined as the rear, and the side of the handrail 1 facing the first support 11 relative to the second support 12 is defined as the front. Furthermore, the direction in which the two side panels 51, 51 of the base 5 are aligned is defined as the left-right direction, and left and right are defined based on the above-mentioned up-down and front-back. Furthermore, in the following description, a plan view refers to a view from above downward when the step stool 3 and step device 10 are in use, unless otherwise specified.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the step stool device 10 includes a base 2, a handrail 1, and a step stool 3.

[0020] 2.1.Base The base 2 is plate-shaped with a thickness in the vertical direction and has a rectangular shape in a plan view. That is, the vertical direction is also the thickness direction of the base 2. The base 2 includes a plate body 21, a rim body 23, and a cover body 22 (see FIG. 6).

[0021] The plate body 21 is plate-shaped. The plate body 21 is preferably made of metal such as stainless steel. The plate body 21 has a plate portion 211 and a protruding piece 212. The plate portion 211 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, having four sides: a front edge, a left edge, a right edge, and a rear edge. The plate portion 211 is disposed so that its thickness direction is along the up-down direction. The protruding piece 212 extends upward from the rear edge of the plate portion 211.

[0022] The plate body 21 has two gripping holes 213. Each gripping hole 213 penetrates the plate body 21. The two gripping holes 213 are located at the rear end of the plate body 21 and are aligned left and right with a gap between them. Each gripping hole 213 has a shape that is long in the left-right direction. Each gripping hole 213 is formed from the rear end of the plate portion 211 to the protruding piece 212. A person can lift the base 2 by placing their fingers in this gripping hole 213 and applying force to the base 2 with their fingers.

[0023] The edge members 23 are attached to the front edge, left edge, and right edge of the plate portion 211 of the plate body 21. The edge members 23 are made of, for example, rubber, but are not limited to this.

[0024] The cover body 22 is disposed on the upper surface of the plate portion 211 of the plate body 21. The cover body 22 is plate-like with a thickness in the vertical direction and is rectangular in a plan view. The cover body 22 is made of, for example, but not limited to, a synthetic resin. The cover body 22 is disposed on the upper surface of the plate portion 211 of the plate body 21. The cover body 22 has an opening 221 that opens and exposes a portion of the upper surface of the plate body 21 to the outside. The openings 221 correspond one-to-one to the posts 11, 12 of the handrail 1, and in this embodiment, the cover body 22 has four openings 221. The cover body 22 has a notch-shaped portion formed in the portion corresponding to the gripping hole 213, so that the gripping hole 213 is exposed from the cover body 22.

[0025] 2.2.Handrails In this embodiment, the step stool device 10 includes two handrails 1. The two handrails 1 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction with a gap between them. The handrails 1 are made of, for example, resin or metal.

[0026] Each handrail 1 has a first support post 11, a second support post 12, and a handrail portion 13. The handrail portion 13 spans between the upper end of the first support post 11 and the upper end of the second support post 12.

[0027] Each of the first support column 11 and the second support column 12 has a base portion 101 and a column portion 102 .

[0028] The base 101 is tubular and long in the vertical direction. The base 101 has a flange-shaped fixing piece 103 at its lower end. The fixing piece 103 of the base 101 is disposed on a plate portion 211 exposed by an opening 221 in the base 2, and is fixed to the plate portion 211 with a fixing device such as a screw, bolt, or thread. This allows the base 101 to be supported by the base 2, and the first support column 11 and the second support column 12 are each supported by the base 2. The fixing piece 103 is covered with a cover 104. Note that some of the four covers 104 are not shown in the drawings referred to in this specification.

[0029] The pillar 102 is a long pillar in the vertical direction, with the lower end portion of the pillar 102 inserted into the base 101 and the upper end portion protruding upward from the base 101. The pillar 102 is slidable in the vertical direction relative to the base 101, making it possible to adjust the height at which the pillar 102 protrudes upward. Once the height at which the pillar 102 protrudes from the base 101 has been adjusted, the pillar 102 is fixed to the base 101 with a fixing device such as a screw. This makes it possible to adjust the height of the handrail 1.

[0030] The handrail portion 13 is generally a rod-shaped member with no branches. One end of the handrail portion 13 is connected so as to be continuous with the upper end of the first support 11 (i.e., the upper end of the pillar portion 102 of the first support 11). The end of the handrail portion 13 opposite the first support 11 side is connected so as to be continuous with the upper end of the second support 12, i.e., the upper end of the pillar portion 102 of the second support 12.

[0031] The handrail portion 13 has a front handle portion 131, an inclined portion 132, a parallel portion 133, and a rear handle portion 134.

[0032] Front handle 131 is curved and rod-shaped. Front handle 131 is connected to the upper end of first support column 11 and extends upward while curving so as to bulge from the upper end of first support column 11 toward the side opposite second support column 12 (i.e., forward). The end of front handle 131 opposite first support column 11 faces rearward.

[0033] Sloping portion 132 is a straight rod-like member. Sloping portion 132 is connected to the end of the handle portion opposite to first support column 11, and extends obliquely upward toward second support column 12 (i.e., obliquely upward toward the rear) so as to be continuous with the end of front handle portion 131.

[0034] The parallel portion 133 is shaped like a straight rod. The parallel portion 133 is connected to the end of the inclined portion 132 opposite the front handle portion 131 side, and extends from the end of the inclined portion 132 toward the second support column 12 side along the direction in which the first support column 11 and the second support column 12 are aligned (i.e., along the front-to-rear direction). The parallel portion 133 is parallel or approximately parallel to the top surface of the base 2, for example. Approximately parallel refers to a state that can be considered to be substantially parallel. However, the parallel portion 133 may not be parallel to the top surface of the base 2 by adjusting the heights of the first support column 11 and the second support column 12.

[0035] The rear handle 134 is curved and rod-shaped. The rear handle 134 is connected to the end (rear end) of the parallel portion 133 opposite the inclined portion 132 side, and extends downward while curving so as to bulge from the rear end of the parallel portion 133 toward the side opposite the first support column 11 side (i.e., rearward). The end of the rear handle 134 opposite the parallel portion 133 side is connected to the upper end of the second support column 12 (i.e., the upper end of the column portion 102 of the second support column 12) so as to be continuous with the second support column 12.

[0036] The inclined portion 132 and the parallel portion 133 are connected by a joint portion 135. The joint portion 135 includes a first connecting portion 136 connected to an end of the inclined portion 132, a second connecting portion 137 connected to an end of the parallel portion 133, and a hinge 138 connecting the first connecting portion 136 and the second connecting portion 137. The first connecting portion 136 is, for example, cylindrical, and the inclined portion 132 is connected by inserting an end of the inclined portion 132 into the first connecting portion 136. The second connecting portion 137 is, for example, cylindrical, and the parallel portion 133 is connected by inserting an end of the parallel portion 133 into the second connecting portion 137. The hinge 138 can change the angle between the first connecting portion 136 and the second connecting portion 137 around an axis in the left-right direction. Therefore, the hinge 138 can change the angle between the inclined portion 132 and the parallel portion 133 about the axis in the left-right direction.

[0037] Because the angle between inclined portion 132 and parallel portion 133 can be changed by hinge 138, even if handrail 1 is distorted due to the application of force to handrail 1, stress is less likely to concentrate at the connection between inclined portion 132 and parallel portion 133. Furthermore, when step stool device 10 is disassembled for transportation, handrail 1 can be bent by hinge 138 to make it compact so that it can be easily transported.

[0038] Furthermore, the outer diameter of the joint portion 135 , specifically the outer diameter of the first connecting portion 136 and the outer diameter of the second connecting portion 137 , is larger than the outer diameter of the parallel portion 133 .

[0039] In this embodiment, the entire handrail 1 is a rod-like structure without any branches. That is, the first support post 11, front-handle portion 131, inclined portion 132, parallel portion 133, rear-handle portion 134, and second support post 12 are connected in this order to form the rod-like handrail 1 without any branches.

[0040] 2.3. Springboard The step 3 (see particularly Figures 7 to 9) is placed on the upper surface of the base 2 and is supported by the base 2. The handrail 1 and the step 3 are aligned in the direction in which the two side panels 41, 41 of the base part 4 of the step 3 are aligned (i.e., the left-right direction). In this embodiment, the step 3 is located between the two handrails 1. The step 3 is made of, for example, resin or metal.

[0041] In this embodiment, the step stool device 10 includes two steps 3. The two steps 3 are aligned in the front-to-rear direction. Hereinafter, the step 3 located further rearward of the two steps 3 will be referred to as the first step 31, and the step 3 located further forward as the second step 32. The two steps 3 are arranged so as to form an ascending staircase extending from the first support column 11 side toward the second support column 12 side (i.e., toward the rear). In other words, the height of the first step 31 is greater than the height of the second step 32.

[0042] Each step stool 3 comprises a base portion 4, a step portion 5, and a fixing device 6 (see particularly Figure 7). The base portion 4 is supported by the base 2. The step portion 5 is supported by the base portion 4. The step portion 5 includes an upper surface 33 of the step stool 3. The fixing device 6 detachably fixes the step portion 5 to the base portion 4. The base portion 4 has a height adjustment portion 70, which allows the height position of the step portion 5 relative to the base portion 4 to be adjusted, i.e., the height of the step stool 3 to be adjusted.

[0043] The configuration of each step stool 3 will be described in more detail.

[0044] The base 4 has two side plates 41, 41 that are arranged facing each other with a gap in the left-right direction. In other words, the direction in which the side plates 41, 41 are arranged can also be referred to as the left-right direction. The base 4 also has a front plate 42 that spans between the front edges of the two side plates 41, 41 and closes the gap between these front edges. The gap between the rear edges of the two side plates 41, 41 is open.

[0045] The base part 4 is supported by the base 2 by being placed on the upper surface of the base 2 and fixed to the base 2 with fixing devices such as screws, bolts, or screws.

[0046] Each of the two side plates 41, 41 of the base 4 has a height adjustment portion 70. Each height adjustment portion 70 has a slit hole 71 and multiple hooking holes 72. The slit hole 71 is long in the vertical direction, penetrates the side plate 41 in the left-right direction, and is open upward. The multiple hooking holes 72 are lined up at intervals in the vertical direction along the slit hole 71. Each hooking hole 72 is connected to the slit hole 71 and extends diagonally downward from the slit hole 71 (diagonally downward and rearward in this embodiment). In this embodiment, each height adjustment portion 70 of the base 4 of the first step 31 has five hooking holes 72, and each height adjustment portion 70 of the base 4 of the second step 32 has three hooking holes 72.

[0047] In this embodiment, the height adjustment unit 70 is located towards the rear of each side plate 41, 41 of the base unit 4. On each step stool 3, two height adjustment units 70 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction.

[0048] Each side plate 41 of the base 4 has a fixing hole 73. The fixing hole 73 is located toward the front and toward the top of the side plate 41 and passes through the side plate 41.

[0049] The step portion 5 of each step stool 3 has an upper plate 53, a front plate 52, a rear plate 54, two side plates 51, 51, and two latch pins 8, 8.

[0050] The upper plate 53 is a plate having a rectangular shape in a plan view, with a thickness in the vertical direction. A decorative plate 55 having the same shape in a plan view as the upper plate 53 is attached to the upper plate 53. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the decorative plate 55 is the upper surface 33 of the step stool 3.

[0051] The front plate 52 is plate-shaped and has a thickness in the front-rear direction. The front plate 52 is disposed so as to extend downward from the front edge of the upper plate 53. The rear plate 54 is plate-shaped and has a thickness in the front-rear direction, and is disposed so as to extend downward from the rear edge of the upper plate 53. In this embodiment, the vertical dimension of the front plate 52 is larger than the vertical dimension of the rear plate 54. In other words, the front plate 52 protrudes downward more than the rear plate 54.

[0052] The two side plates 51, 51 are lined up facing each other with a gap between them in the left-right direction on the inside of the left and right sides of the top plate 53, on the inside of the left and right sides of the front plate 52, and on the inside of the left and right sides of the rear plate 54. Note that although the two side plates 51, 51 shown in the figures referred to in this specification are transparent, these two side plates 51, 51 do not have to be transparent.

[0053] At least in the lower end portion of the step portion 5, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the direction in which the two side plates 41, 41 of the base portion 4 are arranged (i.e., the front-to-back direction), the width dimension in the direction in which the two side plates 41, 41 of the base portion 4 are arranged (i.e., the left-to-right direction) becomes smaller toward the bottom. In the embodiment, the width dimension does not change in the upper end portion of the step portion 5, but the width dimension becomes smaller toward the bottom in the lower end portion. In the embodiment, in the lower end portion of the step portion 5, when viewed in the front-to-back direction, each of the left and right sides slopes inward toward the bottom, and this lower end portion has an inverted trapezoidal shape. Note that the width dimension in the left-to-right direction may become smaller toward the bottom throughout the entire step portion 5 when viewed in the front-to-back direction.

[0054] In this embodiment, the upper end portions of the front plate 52 and the rear plate 54 of the step section 5 are rectangular with no change in width, and the lower end portions are inverted trapezoidal with the width dimension in the left-right direction decreasing downward when viewed in the front-to-back direction.

[0055] A latching pin 8 is attached to each of the two side plates 51, 51 of the step portion 5 (see FIG. 8 in particular). The latching pin 8 has a pin portion 81 extending inward in the left-right direction from the inner surface of the side plate 51, 51, and a latching portion 82 connected to the tip of the pin portion 81 and having a diameter larger than that of the pin portion 81. In this embodiment, the latching pin 8 is composed of a bolt 83, a cap nut 84, and a cylindrical spacer 85. With the bolt 83 passing through the spacer 85, the tip of the bolt 83 is passed through a hole penetrating the side plate 51 from the inside of the side plate 51, and a cap nut 84 is screwed onto the tip of the bolt 83 from the outside of the side plate 51, thereby forming the latching pin 8. A washer 86 is interposed between the cap nut 84 and the side plate 51, and another washer 86 is interposed between the spacer 85 and the side plate 51. In this case, the leg of the bolt 83 and the spacer 85 form the pin portion 81, and the head of the bolt 83 forms the hook portion 82. The hook pin 8 is attached to each side plate 51 at a position near the lower end and rear end. The two hook pins 8, 8 are aligned in the left-right direction.

[0056] Each of the two side plates 51 has a plurality of adjustment holes 74. Each adjustment hole 74 penetrates the side plate 51 in the left-right direction. The plurality of adjustment holes 74 are lined up vertically at intervals. The adjustment holes 74 are located toward the front of each side plate 51. The number of adjustment holes 74 is the same as the number of hook holes 72 in the height adjustment part 70, and there is a one-to-one correspondence between the adjustment holes 74 and the hook holes 72. Each of the plurality of adjustment holes 74 has an elongated shape that extends diagonally downward toward the rear.

[0057] The fixing device 6 is configured to fix the step portion 5 to the base portion 4 regardless of the state in which the locking pin 8 of the step portion 5 is hung and supported by any of the multiple locking holes 72 in the height adjustment portion 70 of the base portion 4. In this embodiment, each step stool 3 is provided with two fixing devices 6. Each fixing device 6 is composed of a bolt 61 and a nut 62.

[0058] In each step stool 3, when the step portion 5 is attached to the base portion 4 (hereinafter also referred to as the attached state), the two side plates 51, 51 of the step portion 5 are positioned immediately outside the two side plates 41, 41 of the base portion 4. In other words, the right side plate 51 of the step portion 5 is positioned immediately to the right of the right side plate 41 of the base portion 4, and the left side plate 51 of the step portion 5 is positioned immediately to the left of the left side plate 41 of the base portion 4. In the attached state, the front plate 52 of the step portion 5 is positioned immediately in front of the front plate 42 of the base portion 4. In the attached state, the upper plate 53 of the step portion 5 is positioned above the base portion 4. In the attached state, the rear plate 54 of the step portion 5 is positioned rearward and spaced from the rear end of the side plate 41 of the base portion 4.

[0059] In the attached state, the right-side latch pin 8 of the step portion 5 is hung and supported by one of the latch holes 72 in the height adjustment portion 70 on the right side of the base portion 4. The left-side latch pin 8 of the step portion 5 is hung and supported by a latch hole 72 in the left-side height adjustment portion 70 of the base portion 4, which is at the same height as the latch hole 72 that supports the right-side latch pin 8.

[0060] In the attached state, on each of the left and right sides of the step stool 3, the fixing holes 73 in the base 4 are positioned so as to overlap with the adjustment holes 74, among the multiple adjustment holes 74 in the step 5, that correspond to the hanging holes 72 that support the hanging pins 8. In this state, the bolts 61 of the fixing devices 6 are passed through the fixing holes 73 and the adjustment holes 74, and the nuts 62 of the fixing devices 6 are tightened onto the bolts 61. As a result, the step 5 is fixed to the base 4 by the fixing devices 6.

[0061] The positions of the fixing hole 73 in the base portion 4, the positions of the plurality of adjustment holes 74 in the base portion 4, the positions of the plurality of adjustment holes 74 in the step portion 5, and the position of the hook pin 8 in the step portion 5 are set so that, in the attached state, when the hook pin 8 is hung and supported in any of the hook holes 72, the fixing hole 73 overlaps with the adjustment hole 74 corresponding to the hook hole 72 through which the hook pin 8 is hung. That is, in the base portion 4, each of the plurality of adjustment holes 74 is positioned so as to overlap with the fixing hole 73 when the hook pin 8 is hung and supported in the corresponding hook hole 72. The fixing device 6 fixes the step portion 5 to the base portion 4 when passed through the adjustment hole 74 and the fixing hole 73. Therefore, when the hook pin 8 is hung and supported in any of the plurality of hook holes 72, the fixing device 6 can fix the step portion 5 to the base portion 4.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of the multiple adjustment holes 74 has a long shape in the direction in which the adjustment hole 74 extends, that is, the long shape extends diagonally downward toward the rear. Therefore, even if there is a slight misalignment among the positions of the fixing holes 73, the adjustment holes 74, the hooking holes 72, and the hooking pins 8, the positions of the fixing holes 73 relative to the adjustment holes 74 can be adjusted so that, in the attached state, when the hooking pin 8 is hung and supported by any of the hooking holes 72, the fixing holes 73 can be positioned so that they overlap with the corresponding adjustment holes 74 and the hooking holes 72 that hang and support the hooking pin 8. Therefore, problems such as poor installation due to misalignment and the resulting generation of creaking noises can be suppressed.

[0063] As described above, the latch pin 8 is hung and supported by the latch hole 72 and the fixing device 6 fixes the step portion 5 to the base portion 4, so that the step portion 5 is stably attached to the base portion 4.

[0064] In this embodiment, the position in the front-to-rear direction of the hinge 138, which is the point where the inclined portion 132 and the parallel portion 133 of the handrail 1 are connected, is at the center of the top surface 33 of the first step 31 or a position further forward, and at the front end of the top surface 33 of the first step 31 or a position further rearward. Specifically, the hinge 138 is at the front end of the top surface 33 of the first step 31.

[0065] In addition, in the embodiment, the front end of the front handle portion 131 of the handrail 1 is located behind the front end of the base 2 in the front-to-rear direction. Also, the rear end of the rear handle portion 134 of the handrail 1 is located forward of the rear end of the base 2 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0066] 2.4.How to use The step stool device 10 of the embodiment is used, for example, as follows.

[0067] Of two surfaces with a difference in level, the step stool device 10 is placed on the lower surface (hereinafter also referred to as the low surface) closer to the higher surface (hereinafter also referred to as the high surface) so that the high surface is located behind the step stool device 10. For example, the high surface is the floor of a room in a house that opens to the outdoors through a sliding window, and the low surface is the ground outside. In this case, the step stool device 10 is placed on the ground so that the sliding window is located behind the step stool device 10.

[0068] When a person moves from a lower surface to a higher surface, the person first grasps the front handle 131 and stands in front of the step stool device 10 on the lower surface, then grasps the inclined portion 132 and steps onto the second step 32 to climb up, and then grasps the parallel portion 133 and steps onto the first step 31 to climb up. The person then grasps the rear handle 134 and moves to the higher surface. This allows the handrail 1 to effectively assist the person's movement. Furthermore, while holding the handrail 1, the person can move their hand smoothly and sequentially from the front handle 131, the inclined portion 132, the parallel portion 133, and the rear handle 134 without getting caught, and the sleeves of clothing are less likely to get caught on the handrail 1. Therefore, the handrail 1 is less likely to hinder the person's movement.

[0069] Furthermore, the front-to-rear position of hinge 138, which is the point where inclined portion 132 and parallel portion 133 are connected, is at the front end of first step 31 or further behind it, making it easier for a person to grip inclined portion 132 when climbing up the step 3, which makes it easier to assist the person's climbing motion. Furthermore, the front-to-rear position of hinge 138, which is the point where inclined portion 132 and parallel portion 133 are connected, is at the center of the top surface 33 of first step 31 or further behind it, so that a person who has reached the top of the step 3 can easily stabilize their body by gripping parallel portion 133.

[0070] Furthermore, because the outer diameter of joint portion 135 is larger than the outer diameter of parallel portion 133, even if a person's hand gripping parallel portion 133 tries to inadvertently move toward inclined portion 132, the hand is likely to get caught and stopped by joint portion 135. This prevents the person's hand from inadvertently moving from parallel portion 133 to inclined portion 132, and can prevent the person from losing their posture, such as leaning backward, due to inadvertent movement of the hand toward inclined portion 132.

[0071] Furthermore, when a person moves from a higher surface to a lower surface, the person first grasps the rear-handle portion 134 and stands behind the step device 10 on the higher surface, then grasps the parallel portion 133 and moves to the upper surface 33 of the first step 31. Next, the person grasps the inclined portion 132 and descends from the upper surface 33 of the first step 31 to the upper surface 33 of the second step 32, and then grasps the rear-handle portion 134 and moves to the lower surface. This allows the handrail 1 to effectively assist the person's movement. Furthermore, while grasping the handrail 1, the person can move their hand smoothly and sequentially from the rear-handle portion 134 to the parallel portion 133, the inclined portion 132, and the front-handle portion 131 without getting caught, and the sleeves of their clothing are less likely to get caught on the handrail 1. Therefore, the handrail 1 is less likely to impede the person's movement.

[0072] Furthermore, the front-to-rear position of hinge 138, which is the point where inclined portion 132 and parallel portion 133 are connected, is at the front end of first step 31 or further behind it, making it easier for a person to grip inclined portion 132 when descending from the step 3, which makes it easier to assist the person in descending. Furthermore, the front-to-rear position of hinge 138, which is the point where inclined portion 132 and parallel portion 133 are connected, is at the center of top surface 33 of first step 31 or further behind it, making it easier for a person to grasp parallel portion 133 and stabilize their body before descending the step 3.

[0073] Furthermore, because the outer diameter of joint portion 135 is larger than the outer diameter of parallel portion 133, even if a person's hand gripping parallel portion 133 tries to move inadvertently toward inclined portion 132, the hand is likely to get caught and stopped by joint portion 135. This prevents the person's hand from inadvertently moving from parallel portion 133 to inclined portion 132, and can prevent the person from losing their posture, such as falling forward, due to inadvertent movement of the hand toward inclined portion 132.

[0074] Furthermore, because the front end of the front handle portion 131 of the handrail 1 is located behind the front end of the base 2 in the front-to-rear direction, even if a person holding the front handle portion 131 applies a load to the front handle portion 131, this load can be supported by the base 2. Furthermore, because the rear end of the rear handle of the handrail portion 13 is located forward of the rear end of the base 2 in the front-to-rear direction, even if a person holding the rear handle portion 134 applies a load to the rear handle portion 134, this load can be supported by the base 2.

[0075] 2.5.Adjusting the height of the step The height of each step stool 3 in the step stool device 10 of this embodiment can be adjusted. To adjust the height, first remove the fixing device 6 from the step stool 3 in the attached state shown in FIG. 9 . Next, the step portion 5 is moved diagonally upward and forward relative to the base portion 4, and the locking pins 8 are moved from the locking holes 72 of the height adjustment portion 70 to the slit holes 71 accordingly. Next, as shown in FIG. 10 , the step portion 5 is moved vertically relative to the base portion 4, and the locking pins 8 are moved vertically in the slit holes 71 accordingly. Next, as shown in FIG. 11 , the step portion 5 is moved diagonally downward and rearward relative to the base portion 4, and the locking pins 8 are moved from the slit holes 71 to locking holes 72 different from the locking holes 72 in which the locking pins 8 were originally positioned. In this embodiment, the adjustment hole 74 has an elongated shape that extends diagonally downward toward the rear, so that when the hanging pin 8 is hung and supported in the hanging hole 72, the fixing hole 73 can be easily positioned so that it overlaps with the adjustment hole 74 that corresponds to the hanging hole 72 that hangs and supports the hanging pin 8. In this state, the bolt of the fixing device 6 is passed through the adjustment hole 74 that corresponds to the hanging hole 72 in which the new hanging pin 8 is placed and the fixing hole 73, and the nut of the fixing device 6 is tightened onto this bolt, thereby fixing the step unit 5 to the base unit 4, as shown in FIG. 12 . This completes the height adjustment of the step stool 3 by attaching the step unit 5 to the base unit 4.

[0076] By adjusting the height of the step stool 3 in this manner, the height of the step stool 3 can be adjusted in stages. Furthermore, the movement of the step portion 5 relative to the base portion 4 is guided by the hooking holes 72 and the slit holes 71, allowing for smooth height adjustment. Furthermore, since one height adjustment portion 70 is provided on each of the two side plates 41, 41 of the base portion 4, the movement and position adjustment of the hooking pin 8 can be performed at both height adjustment portions 70, making it relatively easy to perform. In this embodiment, the two height adjustment portions 70 are arranged opposite each other in the left-right direction, making it particularly easy for an operator to simultaneously move and adjust the position of the hooking pin 8 at each of the two height adjustment portions 70. Furthermore, since the hooking pin 8 is hooked and supported by one of the hooking holes 72 when removing or attaching the fastener 6, the operator can easily support the step portion 5 in a positioned state relative to the base portion 4 during the removal and installation of the fastener 6.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the width dimension in the left-right direction of at least the lower end portion of the step portion 5 decreases toward the bottom when viewed in the front-to-back direction. This allows space to be secured between the handrail 1 and the step 3 for the worker to insert their arm when adjusting the height of the step 3, etc. Furthermore, even though this space is secured, the width dimension in the left-right direction of the upper surface 33 of the step portion 5 can be increased. In other words, the width dimension in the left-right direction of the upper surface 33 of the step 3 between the two handrails 1, 1 can be made as large as possible, allowing a person to move more stably on the step 3.

[0078] Furthermore, when attaching the step portion 5 to the base portion 4 when the step stool 3 is disassembled into the base portion 4, the step portion 5, and the fastener 6, for example, first, the step portion 5 is positioned above the base portion 4. In this state, the step portion 5 is moved downward toward the base portion 4, and each of the two latching pins 8 is inserted from above into the slit holes 71 of the height adjustment portion 70. In this state, the step portion 5 is moved further downward toward the base portion 4, and the latching pin 8 is accordingly moved downward in the slit hole 71. Next, by moving the step portion 5 diagonally downward and rearward relative to the base portion 4, the latching pin 8 is moved from the slit hole 71 to one of the latching holes 72, and the latching pin 8 is hung and supported by the latching hole 72. In the embodiment, the adjustment hole 74 has an elongated shape extending diagonally downward toward the rear, and therefore, with the hanging pin 8 hung and supported in the hanging hole 72, the fixing hole 73 can be easily positioned so that it overlaps with the adjustment hole 74 that corresponds to the hanging hole 72 that hangs and supports the hanging pin 8. In this state, the bolt of the fixing device 6 is passed through the adjustment hole 74 that corresponds to the hanging hole 72 in which the hanging pin 8 is arranged and the fixing hole 73, and the nut of the fixing device 6 is tightened onto this bolt to fix the step unit 5 to the base unit 4. This completes the attachment of the step unit 5 to the base unit 4.

[0079] 2.6. Variations A modified example of the present disclosure will be described below. Note that detailed descriptions of the same configurations as those of the embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0080] In the embodiment, the step stool device 10 has two handrails 1,1, but the step stool device 10 may have only one handrail 1. Furthermore, the step stool device 10 may further have a handrail other than the handrail 1 in the above embodiment.

[0081] In the embodiment, the inclined portion 132 and the parallel portion 133 are connected by the joint portion 135 having the hinge 138, but the joint portion 135 may not have the hinge 138. In this case, the joint portion 135 has, for example, a bent cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the inclined portion 132 and the parallel portion 133 may not be connected by the joint portion 135, and the inclined portion 132 and the parallel portion 133 may be formed by bending a single rod-shaped member, for example.

[0082] The step stool device 10 in the embodiment includes two step stools 3, but the step stool device 10 may include only one step stool 3, or may include two or more step stools 3.

[0083] When the step stool device 10 is equipped with only one step stool 3, it is preferable that the point where the inclined portion 132 and the parallel portion 133 connect is located in the front-to-rear direction at the center of the top surface 33 of the step stool 3 or a position further forward. It is also preferable that the point where the inclined portion 132 and the parallel portion 133 connect is located in the front-to-rear direction at the front end of the top surface 33 of the step stool 3 or a position further rearward. In this case, when a person ascends or descends the step stool 3 while holding onto the handrail 1, the person can move more stably.

[0084] When the step stool device 10 is equipped with two or more steps 3, it is preferable that the point where the inclined portion 132 and the parallel portion 133 connect in the front-to-rear direction is at the center of the top surface 33 of the tallest step stool 3 among the multiple steps 3, or a position further forward than that. It is also preferable that the point where this inclined portion 132 and the parallel portion 133 connect in the front-to-rear direction is at the front end of the top surface 33 of the tallest step stool 3, or a position further rearward than that. In this case too, when a person ascends or descends the step stool 3 while holding onto the handrail 1, they can move more stably.

[0085] The direction in which the hook holes 72 extend from the slits in the height adjustment part 70 of the step stool 3 does not have to be diagonally downward toward the rear as in the embodiment, as long as they all face the same direction, but may be, for example, diagonally downward toward the front.

[0086] Furthermore, the positions of the height adjustment portion 70, the adjustment hole 74, and the fixing hole 73 on the step stool 3 are not limited to those in the embodiment, and may be in any suitable position.

[0087] However, it is preferable that the attachment position of the fixing device 6 on each side plate 41 (i.e., the position of the fixing hole 73) and the position of the height adjustment part 70 are spaced apart in the front-rear direction. In this case, the step part 5 can be attached to the base part 4 more stably.

[0088] In the embodiment, the two height adjustment units 70 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, but the two height adjustment units 70 may be arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and intersecting the left-right direction. That is, for example, of the two side plates 41, 41 of the base 4, one side plate 41 may have the height adjustment unit 70 located near the rear end and the fixing hole 73 located near the front end, and the other side plate 41 may have the height adjustment unit 70 located near the front end and the fixing hole 73 located near the rear end. In this case, when adjusting the height position of the step portion 5 relative to the base 4 of the step stool 3 or attaching the step portion 5 to the base 4, by engaging the hook pin 8 with the hook hole 72 of each height adjustment unit 70, the step portion 5 can be more stably supported relative to the base 4 even without attaching the fixing device 6. This may make it easier for an operator to adjust the height position of the step portion 5 relative to the base 4 of the step stool 3 and attach the step portion 5 to the base 4.

[0089] [Aspect] As is apparent from the above embodiments, the present disclosure includes the following aspects.

[0090] The step stool (3) of the first embodiment comprises a base (4), a step (5) supported by the base (4), and a fixture (6) that detachably fixes the step (5) to the base (4). The base (4) comprises two side plates (41, 41) that are aligned facing each other at a distance in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Each of the two side plates (41, 41) has a height adjustment portion (70). Each height adjustment portion (70) has a slit hole (71) that is long in the vertical direction and penetrates in the direction in which the side plates (41, 41) are aligned and is open upward, and a plurality of hanging holes (72) that are aligned at intervals in the vertical direction and extend diagonally downward from the slit hole (71). The step portion (5) includes two side plates (51, 51) arranged along the two side plates (41, 41) of the base portion (4), respectively, and a locking pin (8) fixed to each of the side plates (51, 51) of the step portion (5) and hooked into any one of a plurality of locking holes (72). A fixing device (6) fixes the step portion (5) to the base portion (4) regardless of which of the plurality of locking holes (72) the locking pin (8) is hooked into.

[0091] According to this embodiment, the step stool (3) can effectively assist a person in moving around in places where there are steps, and the height of the step stool (3) can be easily adjusted.

[0092] In the second embodiment, the two height adjustment parts (70) in the first embodiment are arranged side by side in the direction in which the two side plates (51) of the base part (5) are arranged side by side.

[0093] According to this embodiment, the height of the step stool (3) can be adjusted more easily.

[0094] In the third aspect, in the first aspect, the two height adjustment parts (70) are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and intersecting the direction in which the two side plates (41, 41) of the base part (4) are arranged.

[0095] According to this embodiment, the height of the step stool (3) can be adjusted more easily.

[0096] In a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the base portion (4) has a fixing hole (73). The step portion (5) has a plurality of adjustment holes (74) corresponding to the plurality of hooking holes (72), respectively. In the base portion (4), each of the plurality of adjustment holes (74) is positioned so as to overlap with the fixing hole (73) when the hooking pin (8) is hooked and supported in the corresponding hooking hole (72). The fixing device (6) fixes the step portion (5) to the base portion (4) when passed through the adjustment hole (74) and the fixing hole (73). Each of the plurality of adjustment holes (74) has a shape that is elongated in the direction in which the hooking hole (72) extends.

[0097] According to this aspect, even if there is a slight misalignment among the positions of the fixing hole (73), the adjustment hole (74), the hook hole (72), and the hook pin (8), poor attachment of the step portion (5) to the base portion (4) due to misalignment can be suppressed.

[0098] In the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, at least the lower end portion of the step portion (5) has a width dimension in the direction in which the two side plates (41, 41) of the base portion (4) are aligned, which is smaller toward the lower side when viewed from a direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the direction in which the two side plates (41, 41) of the base portion (4) are aligned.

[0099] According to this embodiment, it may be easier for the worker to adjust the height position of the step portion (5) relative to the base portion (4) of the step stool (3) and to attach the step portion (5) to the base portion (4).

[0100] The step stool device (10) of the sixth aspect includes a base (2), a step stool (3) of any one of the first to fifth aspects supported by the base (2), and a handrail (1) supported by the base (2). The handrail (1) and the step stool (2) are aligned in the direction in which the two side plates (41, 41) of the base part (4) are aligned.

[0101] According to this embodiment, by placing the step stool device (10) at any location where there is a step, it is possible to effectively assist people in moving around that location. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 10 Stepping device 1. Handrail 2. Bass 3. Stepping Stone 4 Base 41 Side panel 5 Step section 51 Side panel 6 Fixtures 70 Height adjustment unit 71 Slit hole 72 Latch hole 73 Fixing hole 74 Adjustment hole 8 Latching pin

Claims

1. The base and a step portion supported by the base portion; a fixing device that detachably fixes the step portion to the base portion; Equipped with The base portion includes two side plates arranged opposite each other at an interval in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, The two side plates each have a height adjustment portion, Each of the height adjustment units is a vertically long slit hole that penetrates in the direction in which the side plates are arranged and is open upward; a plurality of hook holes arranged at intervals in the vertical direction and extending obliquely downward from the slit hole; The step portion is disposed along each of the two side plates of the base portion; a locking pin fixed to each of the side plates of the step portion and adapted to be hung and supported in any one of the plurality of locking holes, The fixing device fixes the step portion to the base portion regardless of whether the locking pin is locked in any of the locking holes. Step stool.

2. The two height adjustment parts are arranged in the direction in which the two side plates of the base part are arranged. The step stool of claim 1.

3. The two height adjustment units are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and intersecting with the direction in which the two side plates of the base unit are arranged. The step stool of claim 1.

4. The base portion has a fixing hole, the step portion has a plurality of adjustment holes respectively corresponding to the plurality of hook holes, In the base portion, each of the plurality of adjustment holes is positioned to overlap with the fixing hole in a state in which the latch pin is latched in the corresponding latch hole, the fixing tool is inserted through the adjustment hole and the fixing hole to fix the step portion to the base portion; The plurality of adjustment holes have a shape that is elongated in a direction along which the locking holes extend. The step stool of claim 1.

5. At least in the lower end portion of the step portion, a width dimension in the direction in which the two side plates of the base portion are arranged becomes smaller toward the lower side when viewed from a direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the direction in which the two side plates of the base portion are arranged. The step stool of claim 1.

6. With the base, The step stool according to any one of claims 1 to 4, supported by the base; a handrail supported by the base; The handrail and the step are aligned in the direction in which the two side plates of the base are aligned. Stepping device.

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