Sockets, support structures and furniture

Abstract

To provide a socket suitable for furniture that can be easily assembled without tools. [Solution] The socket 5 is inserted into the pipe-shaped leg 2b, and the shaft 4 is pushed in, thereby fitting the leg 2b and the shaft 4. The socket 5 is a resin-molded body with an integral structure in which the head 6, rib 7, and flange 8 are continuous, and multiple slits 5c are formed in the same direction as the axis P1 passing through the hole 5a, which serves as the passage for the shaft 4. The slits 5c allow the head 6 and rib 7 to expand or contract in the radial direction, and the rib 7 has protrusions 5b formed inside the hole 5a, and the shaft 4 is pushed into the hole 5a with the head 6 and rib 7 inserted into the leg 2b and the flange 8 fitted into the leg 2b, and is engaged with the protrusions 5b.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a socket, a support structure and furniture. [Background technology]

[0002] Furniture with casters or adjusters is known. For example, casters or adjusters are applied to wagons, chairs, desks, and other known furniture.

[0003] Conventionally, there are known types of knockdown furniture, including an attachment structure in which an axle member is press-fitted into a leg body and the axle member is press-fitted into a caster (Patent Document 1: JP-A-7-246802). Also, there is known an attachment structure in which a cap body is fitted into a leg tube and a mounting screw is screwed into the cap body (Patent Document 2: JP-A-11-346866). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-246802 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-346866 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, conventional technology required a plastic hammer to press or fit the shaft member or cap body into the leg. In other words, the cap body was pressed into the leg by hitting it with a plastic hammer while crushing the ribs on the side of the cap body. Pressing required a considerable amount of force, which placed a heavy burden on the worker. In addition, because the ribs on the side of the cap body had to be crushed while pressing it, it was difficult to reuse the cap body once it had been fitted, and it had to be replaced with a new part, which was an issue from the perspective of the SDGs. An alternative method is to thread a mounting screw into the cap body, but this had similar issues.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a socket suitable for furniture that can be easily assembled without tools, a support structure including the socket, and furniture including the socket. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The socket of the present invention is a socket for furniture that is inserted into a pipe-shaped leg and engages the leg and shaft when the shaft is pushed in, and is a resin-molded body with an integral structure in which the head portion, rib portion, and flange portion are continuous, and multiple slits are formed in the same direction as the axis passing through the hole portion that serves as the passage for the shaft, and the slits allow the head portion and the rib portion to expand or contract radially, and the rib portion has a protrusion formed on the inside of the hole portion, and the shaft, which is pushed into the hole with the head portion and rib portion inserted into the leg and the flange portion fitted into the leg, engages with the protrusion.

[0008] This configuration induces deformation of the entire socket using the head, which is most susceptible to radial deformation. This reduces the increase in frictional resistance caused by the rib, which is inserted after the head. Furthermore, it also reduces damage to the rib, which is inserted after the head is inserted into the leg. Then, after the socket is pressed into the leg, the shaft can be pressed into the socket pressed into the leg, thereby fitting the leg, socket, and shaft together. This allows for easy assembly without the need for tools, and provides the necessary fitting force to connect and secure the leg, socket, and shaft.

[0009] The support structure of the present invention comprises pipe-shaped legs connected to a main body, a socket fitted into the legs, and a shaft pushed into the socket, and the legs, socket, and shaft fit together to support the main body. The socket is an integral resin molded body with a continuous head, rib, and flange, and multiple slits are formed in the same direction as the axis passing through the hole that serves as the passage for the shaft, allowing the head and rib to expand or contract radially. The rib has a protrusion formed on the inside of the hole, and the shaft is pushed into the hole with the head and rib inserted into the leg and the flange fitted into the leg, and the shaft engages with the protrusion, thereby supporting the main body.

[0010] This configuration induces deformation of the entire socket using the head, which is most susceptible to radial deformation, thereby suppressing an increase in frictional resistance caused by the rib, which is inserted after the head. Furthermore, damage to the rib, which is inserted after the head is inserted into the leg, can be suppressed. Furthermore, after the socket is pushed into the leg, the shaft can be pushed into the socket pushed into the leg, thereby fitting the leg, socket, and shaft together. This provides the necessary fitting force to support the main body, and allows for easy assembly without the need for tools.

[0011] For example, the shaft is attached to a caster or adjuster, and a retaining ring is fitted to the tip of the shaft. The retaining ring is engaged with the protrusion when the shaft is pushed in until it exceeds the protrusion. This configuration makes it easy to insert the shaft into the socket, expand the socket, and fit it into the leg. Furthermore, it is easy to adjust the outer diameter of the shaft tip to the desired size to match the inner diameter of the socket hole.

[0012] As an example, the slits divide the head portion and the protrusion portion of the socket into four circumferential portions. With this configuration, when the shaft is pressed into the socket, the head portion and the rib portion expand uniformly in the radial direction, making it easy to bring the head portion and the rib portion into close contact with each other over the entire inner circumference of the leg. As an example, the rib portion has three or more pleats formed at a predetermined pitch in the same direction as the axis. With this configuration, it is easy to bring the head portion and the rib portion into close contact with each other over the entire inner circumference of the leg. This rational slit arrangement makes it easy to manually press the socket into the leg.

[0013] As an example, the rib portion has three or more pleats formed at a predetermined pitch in the same direction as the axis. This configuration can further enhance the adhesion between the socket and the leg when the shaft is pushed into the socket and engaged with the leg. As an example, the pleats are first pleats, second pleats, and third pleats in order of proximity to the head portion, with the outer diameter of the first pleat being smaller than the outer diameter of the head portion, the outer diameter of the second pleat being smaller than the outer diameter of the first pleat, and the outer diameter of the third pleat being smaller than the outer diameter of the second pleat. With this configuration, the pleats in the rib portion have gradually smaller outer diameters with increasing distance from the head portion, thereby reducing frictional resistance caused by the rib portion when inserting the socket into the leg. As an example, the number of pleats is four to six. As an example, the head portion has a tapered shape with the outer diameter at the front end being smaller than the outer diameter at the rear end. This facilitates insertion of the socket into the leg.

[0014] As an example, the protrusion is an undercut portion. That is, the protrusion corresponds to the undercut portion of the molding die and has a buildup shape that can be forcibly removed by the molding die. With this configuration, a protrusion of a size and shape that matches the size and shape of the tip portion can be easily molded from resin using a die with a simple split structure. This provides excellent mass productivity.

[0015] For example, when disassembling or replacing parts, the socket can be pulled out of the leg together with the shaft by pulling out the shaft with a force greater than the force used to push in the shaft. With this configuration, the socket and shaft can be easily replaced with new ones or disposed of separately by expanding the head of the socket in the radial direction after pulling out the socket and shaft from the leg. This is in line with efforts to achieve the SDGs.

[0016] For example, the furniture has a plurality of the sockets. This configuration provides excellent functionality and design. For example, three to five sockets are provided in a wagon, chair, or desk.

[0017] For example, the furniture has a plurality of the support structures. This configuration provides excellent functionality and design. For example, the support structures are arranged in three to five locations on a wagon, chair, or desk. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, the necessary fitting force for supporting the main body can be obtained, and the furniture can be easily assembled without tools, and is excellent in functionality and design. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a socket according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Fig. 2A is a schematic front view of the socket of Fig. 1. Fig. 2B is a schematic plan view of the socket of Fig. 1. Fig. 2C is a side view taken along arrow C in Fig. 2B. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the socket shown in FIG. 2A. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a caster according to this embodiment. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the socket according to this embodiment is inserted into the leg portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a support structure according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a first example of furniture according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a second example of furniture according to this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The socket 5 of this embodiment is a resin-molded body having an integral structure in which a head portion 6, a rib portion 7, and a flange portion 8 are continuous. As shown in Figures 1 and 2A to 2C, the socket 5 has four slits 5c formed in the same direction as an axis P1 passing through a hole 5a that serves as a passage for the shaft 4, and the slits 5c allow the head portion 6 and the rib portion 7 to expand or contract in the radial direction.

[0021] Here, to facilitate explanation of the positional relationship between the socket 5 and each part of the support structure 3, the directions are indicated by arrows X, Y, and Z in the drawing. Note that in all drawings used to explain the embodiments, members having the same functions are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations may be omitted.

[0022] The socket 5 is molded from resin using a mold. For example, the molding resin may be polyamide, polyimide, polycarbonate, amorphous polymer, or other known polymer. The molding resin may also be an elastomer.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the rib portion 7 has a protrusion 5b formed inside the hole 5a. The protrusion 5b corresponds to the undercut portion of the molding die and has a built-up shape that facilitates forcible removal from the molding die, such as a rounded edge. Furthermore, the protrusion 5b is configured to be easily molded in a mold. That is, when the resin-molded core portion constituting the hole 5a is pulled out from the cavity, the presence of multiple vertical slits 5c allows the head portion 6 and rib portion 7 to open outward. As a result, the core portion can be pulled out from the cavity with the head portion 6 and rib portion 7 open outward even at the molded portion of the protrusion 5b. Therefore, compared to a case without slits, the built-up shape of the protrusion 5b is easier to achieve, resulting in a configuration with excellent moldability.

[0024] In the example of FIG. 3, the head portion 6 and the protrusion portion 5b of the socket 5 are divided into four portions in the circumferential direction by a plurality of slits 5c. The rib portion 7 has three or more pleats formed at a predetermined pitch in the same direction as the axis P1. As an example, the first pleat 7a, the second pleat 7b, the third pleat 7c, the fourth pleat 7d, and the fifth pleat 7e are formed in order from closest to the head portion 6. As an example, the slits 5c are formed beyond the fourth pleat 7d to a position just before the fifth pleat 7e.

[0025] The height position of the slit 5c is not limited to the embodiment and is set depending on the ease of insertion of the socket 5 into the leg portion 2b and the fitting strength between the socket 5 and the leg portion 2b. The height position of the slit 5c can be increased to shorten the length of the slit 5c. For example, the slit 5c can be disposed between the third fold 7c and the fourth fold 7d or between the second fold 7b and the third fold 7c. When it is desired to increase the fitting strength between the socket 5 and the leg portion 2b, increasing the height position of the slit 5c in this way can suppress inward elastic deformation of the head portion 6, making it difficult for the socket 5 to come off the leg portion 2b. On the other hand, the height position of the slit 5c can be decreased to increase the length of the slit 5c. For example, the slit 5c can be disposed between the fifth fold 7e and the flange portion 8. When it is desired to facilitate insertion of the socket 5 into the leg portion 2b, decreasing the height position of the slit 5c in this way can facilitate inward elastic deformation of the head portion 6, making it easier to insert the socket 5 into the leg portion 2b.

[0026] In the example of FIG. 3, the outer diameter of each fold in the rib portion 7 gradually decreases with increasing distance from the head portion 6. The head portion 6 is tapered so that the outer diameter at the front end is smaller than the outer diameter at the rear end. This allows for easy insertion of the socket 5 into the leg portion 2b. The upper end of the flange portion 8 fits into the leg portion 2b, and the lower end fits into the caster 9a. This increases the fitting force between the caster 9a and the leg portion 2b.

[0027] Here, each pleat in the rib portion 7 has a so-called horizontal slit structure. This increases the area over which each pleat presses against the inner diameter of the leg portion 2b when the socket 5 and the leg portion 2b are fitted together, making it more difficult for the socket 5 to come off the leg portion 2b than a structure with a vertical slit. Each pleat in the rib portion 7 has a small diameter at the top and a large diameter at the bottom, giving it an umbrella-like shape in side view. This allows the socket 5 to be inserted smoothly into the leg portion 2b without the pleats getting caught on the inner circumference of the leg portion 2b. Furthermore, when the socket 5 is pulled out of the leg portion 2b in the pulling direction, a force acts on the lower part of the umbrella shape, which catches the socket 5 in the pulling direction, making it difficult for the socket 5 to come off.

[0028] 3, the outer diameter C1 of the first pleat 7a is smaller than the outer diameter B1 of the head portion 6, the outer diameter C2 of the second pleat 7b is smaller than the outer diameter C1 of the first pleat 7a, and the outer diameter C3 of the third pleat 7c is smaller than the outer diameter C2 of the second pleat 7b. The outer diameter C4 of the fourth pleat 7d is smaller than the outer diameter C3 of the third pleat 7c, and the outer diameter C5 of the fifth pleat 7e is smaller than the outer diameter C4 of the fourth pleat 7d.

[0029] The leg portion 2b is made of hard aluminum or an iron-based metal and has a pipe shape. For example, the inner diameter A1 of the leg portion 2b is the same as the outer diameter B1 of the head portion 6 or is larger by 0 to 1 mm. For example, the outer diameter B1 of the head portion 6 is the same as the inner diameter A1 of the leg portion 2b or is larger by 0 to 0.5 mm. For example, the head portion is tapered so that the outer diameter at the front end is smaller than the outer diameter at the rear end. This makes it easy to insert the socket into the leg portion. Here, the outer diameter F1 of the flange portion 8 is larger by 1 mm or more than the inner diameter A1 of the leg portion 2b.

[0030] 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a caster 9a. The caster 9a has a shaft 4, and a retaining ring 4b is fitted to the tip end 4a of the shaft 4. As an example, the shaft 4 is made of an iron-based metal such as stainless steel. The rear end of the shaft 4 is embedded in the wheel receiving portion of the caster 9a.

[0031] As an example, the retaining ring 4b is a C-type or E-type retaining ring. Here, the outer diameter of the retaining ring 4b is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft 4. The retaining ring 4b is configured to be elastically deformable in the radial direction. When the shaft 4 is inserted into the hole 5a of the socket 5, the retaining ring 4b is inserted in a radially contracted state. After the shaft 4 is inserted into the hole 5a, the retaining ring 4b maintains a state in which it tends to open outward in the radial direction due to its restoring force. In other words, the retaining ring 4b engages with the protrusion 5b of the socket 5 to prevent the shaft 4 from slipping out in the axial direction. More specifically, when the tip 4a of the shaft 4 is inserted into the hole 5a and passes over the protrusion 5b, the retaining ring 4b passes over the protrusion 5b in a radially contracted state. After the retaining ring 4b passes over the protrusion 5b, it constantly opens outward due to its restoring force. Therefore, by utilizing the restoring force of the retaining ring 4b, the tip 4a of the shaft 4 climbs over the protrusion 5b of the socket 5, realizing a structure that makes it difficult for the tip 4a to come off.

[0032] For example, the outer diameter D1 of the tip 4a of the shaft 4 is the same as or 0 to 1 mm larger than the inner diameter A1 of the leg portion 2b. For example, the outer diameter D1 of the tip 4a of the shaft 4 is 0.5 to 1 mm larger than the inner diameter E1 of the protrusion 5b.

[0033] Next, the support structure 3 according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0034] 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the socket 5 according to this embodiment has been inserted into the leg 2b. With this configuration, the pleats in the rib portion 7 have gradually smaller outer diameters with increasing distance from the head portion 6, thereby reducing the frictional resistance caused by the rib portion 7 when the socket 5 is inserted into the leg 2b. As an example, the first pleat 7a can be in contact with the inner surface of the leg 2b, while the second pleat 7b to the fifth pleat 7e can be prevented from contacting the inner surface of the leg 2b.

[0035] Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the shaft 4 is pushed into the socket 5, following the state in Fig. 5. Fig. 6 shows an example of a support structure 3 according to this embodiment.

[0036] The support structure 3 of this embodiment comprises a pipe-shaped leg 2b connected to the main body 2a, a socket 5 fitted into the leg 2b, and a shaft 4 pressed into the socket 5, and the leg 2b, socket 5, and shaft 4 fit together to support the main body 2a.

[0037] 5, as shown in Fig. 6, by pushing the shaft 4 into the socket 5 that has been pushed into the leg 2b, the head 6 and rib 7 expand radially and the socket 5 fits into the leg 2b. When pushing the shaft 4 into the socket 5, the tip 4a of the shaft 4 is pushed in until the retaining ring 4b exceeds the protrusion 5b, and the retaining ring 4b is locked onto the protrusion 5b.

[0038] Next, the furniture 1 according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0039] [Example 1] The first example of furniture 1 is a wagon with casters 9a. Support structures 3 are arranged at four locations below pipe-shaped legs 2b connected to a main body 2a.

[0040] [Example 2] The second example of furniture 1 is a wagon with an adjuster 9b. Support structures 3 are arranged at four locations below pipe-shaped legs 2b connected to a main body 2a.

[0041] According to the above-described embodiment, the fitting force necessary to support the main body 2a is obtained, and the furniture 1 can be easily assembled without tools, resulting in a piece of furniture 1 that is excellent in functionality and design. The specifications of the socket 5 and the support structure 3 described above may be modified as appropriate to suit the specifications, etc. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 Furniture 2a Main body, 2b Legs 3 Support structure 4 shaft, 4a tip, 4b retaining ring 5 socket, 5a hole, 5b protrusion, 5c slit, 6 Head 7 rib portion, 7a first pleat, 7b second pleat, 7c third pleat, 7d fourth pleat, 7e fifth pleat 8 Flange 9a Caster, 9b Adjuster A1 Inner diameter (inner diameter of leg) B1 Outer diameter (outer diameter of head) C1 Outer diameter of first fold C2 Outer diameter of second fold C3 Outer diameter of the third fold C4 Outer diameter of the fourth fold C5 Outer diameter of the fifth fold D1 Outer diameter (outer diameter of shaft tip) E1 Inner diameter (inner diameter of protrusion) F1 Outer diameter (outer diameter of flange) P1 axis

Claims

1. A socket for furniture that is inserted into a pipe-shaped leg and into which a shaft is pushed to engage the leg and the shaft, A resin molded body having an integral structure in which a head portion, a rib portion, and a flange portion are continuous, and a plurality of slits are formed in the same direction as the axis passing through the hole portion that serves as the passage of the shaft, and the slits allow the head portion and the rib portion to expand or contract in the radial direction, and the rib portion has a protrusion formed on the inside of the hole portion, and the shaft is pushed into the hole with the head portion and the rib portion inserted into the leg portion and the flange portion fitted into the leg portion, and is engaged with the protrusion. A socket characterized by:

2. The shaft is attached to a caster or an adjuster, A retaining ring is fitted to the tip of the shaft, and the shaft is pushed in until the retaining ring exceeds the protrusion, and the retaining ring is engaged with the protrusion.

2. The socket of claim 1 .

3. The rib portion has three or more pleats formed at a predetermined pitch in the same direction as the axis, The pleats are a first pleat, a second pleat, and a third pleat in order from the closest to the head portion, The outer diameter of the first pleat is smaller than the outer diameter of the head portion, the outer diameter of the second pleat is smaller than the outer diameter of the first pleat, and the outer diameter of the third pleat is smaller than the outer diameter of the second pleat.

3. The socket according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The protrusion is an undercut.

3. The socket according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The head portion and the protrusion portion are divided into four parts in the circumferential direction by the slits.

3. The socket according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A support structure including pipe-shaped legs connected to a main body, a socket fitted to the legs, and a shaft pressed into the socket, wherein the legs, the socket, and the shaft are fitted together to support the main body, The socket is a resin molded body having an integral structure in which a head portion, a rib portion, and a flange portion are continuous, and a plurality of slits are formed in the same direction as the axial line passing through the hole portion that serves as a passage for the shaft, and the slits allow the head portion and the rib portion to expand or contract in the radial direction, and the rib portion has a protrusion formed on the inside of the hole portion, and the shaft is pushed into the hole with the head portion and the rib portion inserted into the leg portion and the flange portion fitted into the leg portion, and the shaft is engaged with the protrusion, so that the leg, the socket, and the shaft are fitted together to support the main body. A support structure comprising:

7. The shaft is attached to a caster or an adjuster, A retaining ring is fitted to the tip of the shaft, and the shaft is pushed in until the retaining ring exceeds the protrusion, and the retaining ring is engaged with the protrusion.

7. The support structure of claim 6, wherein:

8. The socket has the head portion and the protrusion portion divided into four parts in the circumferential direction by the slits, and the rib portion has three or more pleats formed at a predetermined pitch in the same direction as the axis.

8. The support structure of claim 7, wherein:

9. A piece of furniture comprising a plurality of support structures according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

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