Retractable duct

Abstract

This provides a highly convenient wiring duct that facilitates wiring work to various devices placed on the top surface and avoids concerns about cords getting pinched. [Solution] The openable duct R comprises a base 4 supported on a top plate 1, and a duct body 5 supported on the base 4 via a hinge mechanism 6 so as to be openable and closable, with gaps S1, S2, S3 formed between it and the top plate 1 to allow internal cords C to be guided to the outside. The hinge mechanism 6 is configured to support the duct body 5 from the closed position to the open position while leaving the gaps S1, S2, S3.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an openable and closable duct for wiring provided in furniture with a top plate or the like.

Background Art

[0002] On the top plate of furniture with a top plate (table, desk) used in an office or the like, OA (Office Automation) devices such as personal computers, displays, printers, etc. used by workers, chargers for mobile phone terminals, lighting fixtures, etc. are placed. Generally, it is necessary to connect a power supply cord or a communication cable to them.

[0003] In order to bundle such cords and perform appropriate wiring, for example, as disclosed in the following patent document, a wiring duct (wiring receiver unit, wiring tray) capable of supporting the cords may be fixedly provided in advance on the lower surface of the top plate. This wiring duct has a window (wiring passage opening) opened on the side surface, and devices such as cords, multi-taps connected to the cords, network hubs, etc. can be arranged through the window. However, the work of laying cords and devices in the fixed wiring duct by crawling under the top plate is cumbersome, and it is not easy to visually check the inside of the wiring duct thoroughly, and there is a possibility that the cords and devices may be entangled messily in the wiring duct.

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, it is conceivable to make the wiring duct movable that can be opened and closed or easily detachable. However, if the wiring duct is simply made openable and closable or detachable, there is a concern that the gap between the top plate and the wiring duct may be blocked during the opening and closing operation or the detaching process, and the cords may be strongly pinched.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a highly convenient wiring duct that facilitates wiring work to various devices placed on a tabletop and avoids concerns about cords getting pinched. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In the present invention, the duct comprises a base supported by a top plate, and a duct body supported by the base via a hinge mechanism so as to be openable and closable, with a gap formed between it and the top plate that allows internal cords to be guided to the outside. The hinge mechanism constitutes an openable and closable duct that can support the duct body from the closed position to the open position while maintaining the gap.

[0008] The hinge mechanism mainly consists of a four-bar linkage mechanism, for example, which uses two link members, one of which is pivotally supported at the base body and the other at the tip body of the duct.

[0009] Furthermore, the hinge mechanism comprises, for example, a guide plate portion provided on the base side and a sliding portion provided on the non-rotating end side of the duct body and supported so as to be slidable and tiltable relative to the guide plate portion.

[0010] Furthermore, the hinge mechanism comprises, for example, a suspension shaft provided on either the base side or the non-rotating end side of the duct body, and a guide slit provided on the other side and supported by the suspension shaft so as to be slidable and rotatable.

[0011] The duct body is, for example, a box-shaped structure with a quadrilateral bottom wall and a peripheral wall erected on the periphery. It is even more preferable that a mounting surface is provided on the inner surface of the peripheral wall on the rotating end side of the duct body, on which equipment can be installed that faces upward when the duct is opened and to which multiple cords can be connected.

[0012] In addition, the bottom wall of the duct body may be provided with clips capable of holding cords connected to the equipment.

[0013] The duct body in the closed position can be detachably fixed to the base using bolts (or screws, bolts), and if a loosening suppression mechanism is provided that utilizes vertical vibrations applied to the duct body in the closed position to bias the bolts in the tightening direction, then even if vibrations are applied to the top plate or the open / close duct, the duct body will not easily detach from the closed position to the open position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, a highly convenient wiring duct is realized that facilitates wiring work to various devices placed on a tabletop and avoids concerns about cords getting pinched. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] A perspective view from below showing a piece of furniture with a top panel equipped with an openable / closable duct according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A perspective view from below, showing an enlarged view of the open / close duct in the closed position of the same embodiment. [Figure 3] A perspective view from below, showing an enlarged view of the open / close duct in the open position of the same embodiment. [Figure 4] A plan view of the open / close duct in the closed position of the same embodiment. [Figure 5] A side cross-sectional view of the open / close duct in the closed position of the same embodiment. [Figure 6] A side cross-sectional view of the open / close duct in the open position of the same embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the side of the open / close duct in the closed position of the same embodiment. [Figure 8] An exploded perspective view showing a magnified view of the side of the openable duct of the same embodiment. [Figure 9] A side view with the rear section cut off, showing an enlarged view of the hinge mechanism of the openable duct of the same embodiment when it is in the closed position. [Figure 10] An enlarged side view with the rear part broken away showing the hinge mechanism when the opening and closing duct of the same embodiment is in an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position. [Figure 11] An enlarged side view with the rear part broken away showing the hinge mechanism when the opening and closing duct of the same embodiment is in the open position. [Figure 12] A perspective view from below of the clip attached to the opening and closing duct of the same embodiment. [Figure 13] A side view for explaining the relaxation suppression mechanism in the opening and closing duct of the same embodiment. [Figure 14] A perspective view showing an example of use of the opening and closing duct of the same embodiment. [Figure 15] A perspective view from above showing a furniture with a top plate provided with an opening and closing duct according to a modification of the present invention. [Figure 16] A side cross-sectional view of the opening and closing duct in the closed position of the same modification. [Figure 17] A side cross-sectional view of the opening and closing duct in the open position of the same modification. [Figure 18] A perspective view from above showing a furniture with a top plate provided with an opening and closing duct according to a modification of the present invention. <° [Figure 19] A side cross-sectional view of the opening and closing duct in the closed position of the same modification. [Figure 20] A side cross-sectional view of the opening and closing duct in the open position of the same modification.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The terms "front", "rear", "left", and "right" in the description are merely for convenience of explanation to make the description easier to understand and do not have any further meaning.

[0017] In FIGS. 1 to 14, an opening and closing duct R according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The opening and closing duct R of the present embodiment is arranged under the top plate 1 of a table T which is a furniture with a top plate, and can bundle cords connected to various devices placed on the top plate 1.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the main body Q of the table T has a structure in which the tabletop 1 is supported by left and right legs 3 via a support frame 2. The tabletop support frame 2 comprises a pair of horizontal frames 21 parallel to the front and rear ends of the tabletop 1, and vertical frames 22 that connect the ends of these horizontal frames 21 and are parallel to the side ends of the tabletop. The tabletop support frame 2 is fastened to the underside of the tabletop 1 using bolts or the like.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, multiple openable / closable ducts R are provided between the front and rear horizontal frames 21 on the underside of the top plate 1. In Figure 1, there are two sets of ducts R. The left duct R is closed, and its interior is shielded; in other words, the duct body 5 is in the closed position. The right duct R is open, and its interior is exposed; in other words, the duct body 5 is in the open position. Figure 2 shows a magnified view of the duct R in the closed position, and Figure 3 shows a magnified view of the duct R in the open position. Both ducts R have equivalent configurations.

[0020] The duct R comprises a base (bracket) 4 fixed to and supported by the top plate 1, and a duct body 5 supported by the base 4 via a hinge mechanism 6 so as to be openable and closable. Figures 5, 7, and 9 show the closed position in which the duct body 5 is in a horizontal position parallel or approximately parallel to the top plate 1. Figures 6, 8, and 11 show the closed position in which the front end (rotating end side), i.e., the front side, of the duct body 5 is lowered and in a tilted position not parallel to the top plate 1. The base 4 and hinge mechanism 6 are located on both the left and right sides of the duct body 5. The duct body 5 is pivotably supported on the top plate 1 by a pair of left and right base 4s and hinge mechanisms 6. The left and right base 4s and hinge mechanisms 6 are symmetrical.

[0021] The base 4 comprises a horizontal plate 41 fixed to the underside of the top plate 1, and a first hanging plate 42 and a second hanging plate 43 hanging down from the outer edge of the horizontal plate 41. This base 4 is integrally molded, for example, using sheet metal material.

[0022] The first hanging plate 42 is located on the suspension side, i.e., the rear side, of the second hanging plate 43, yet it extends in a long, narrow shape in the front-to-back direction. As shown in Figures 3, 6, 8 to 11 and 14, a slit 42a is formed on the tip side, i.e., the front side, of the first hanging plate 42, into which cords C can be inserted and held. A stationary vertical plate 61, which is an element of the hinge mechanism 6, is integrally provided on the rear side of the first hanging plate 42.

[0023] The second hanging plate 43 is for locking the duct body 5 in the closed position, and a hole or female screw hole is drilled through the second hanging plate 43 to serve as a nut element 71.

[0024] The duct body 5 comprises a bottom wall 51 that forms a quadrilateral in plan view, a suspension wall (rear wall) 52 erected on the rear edge of the bottom wall 51, a front wall (front wall) 53 erected on the front edge of the bottom wall 51, and side walls 54 and 55 erected on both the left and right edges of the bottom wall 51. The internal space surrounded by the bottom wall 51 and the surrounding walls 52, 53, 54, and 55 can enclose and support cords C and wiring equipment M. This duct body 5 is integrally molded, for example, using sheet metal material.

[0025] Bolt insertion holes 72 are drilled through the side walls 54 and 55 of the duct body 5 at the front side near the tip wall 53, where they overlap with the second hanging plate 43 of the base 4 in a side view. As shown in Figures 3, 6, 8, 9, 13, and 14, the bolt insertion holes 72 are oblong holes that are approximately parallelograms and are inclined in a side view. In particular, as shown in Figures 5, 9, and 13, when the duct body 5 is in a closed position with a horizontal or approximately horizontal posture, when the duct body 5 is viewed from the outside towards the inside, the upper and lower edges of the bolt insertion holes 72 are angled upward to the right, and their angle is greater than 45° with respect to the horizontal (in the illustrated example, an angle of approximately 60° or more). The shape of the bolt insertion hole 72 drilled in the right side wall 54 of the duct body 5 and the bolt insertion hole 72 drilled in the left side wall 55 do not overlap in a side view. For example, if the duct body 5 is observed from the right side, the bolt insertion holes 72 in the right wall 54 will be sloping upwards to the right, and the bolt insertion holes 72 in the left wall 55 will be sloping downwards to the right. The same is true if the duct body 5 is observed from the left side, where the bolt insertion holes 72 in the left wall 55 will be sloping upwards to the right, and the bolt insertion holes 72 in the right wall 54 will be sloping downwards to the right.

[0026] In addition, as shown in Figures 5 to 11, a rotating vertical plate 62, which is an element of the hinge mechanism 6, is fixed to the inner corner of the corner where the suspension wall 52 and the side walls 54 and 55 of the duct body 5 connect (the area drawn with a dashed line in Figure 8). The rotating vertical plate 62 is upright parallel or approximately parallel to the side walls 54 and 55 and is rigidly connected to the bottom wall 51 and the suspension wall 52 by welding or the like.

[0027] The hinge mechanism 6 is interposed between the base body 4 and the base end side (non-rotating end side, rear end side) of the duct body 5, and rotatably supports the duct body 5 with respect to the base body 4 and, consequently, the top plate 1. In this embodiment, the hinge mechanism 6 is formed by connecting the stationary vertical plate 61 of the base body 4 and the rotating vertical plate 52 of the duct body 5 with a four-bar linkage mechanism.

[0028] More specifically, the stationary vertical plate 61 has an upper shaft hole 61a and a lower shaft hole 61b drilled through it, and the rotating vertical plate 62 has an upper shaft hole 62a and a lower shaft hole 62b drilled through it. The base end 63a of the first link member 63 is inserted through the upper shaft hole 61a of the stationary vertical plate 61, and the rotating end 63b of the first link member 63 is inserted through the upper shaft hole 62a of the rotating vertical plate 62. In addition, the base end 64a of the second link member 64 is inserted through the lower shaft hole 61b of the stationary vertical plate 61, and the rotating end 64b of the second link member 64 is inserted through the lower shaft hole 62b of the rotating vertical plate 62. This constructs a four-bar linkage mechanism consisting of the stationary vertical plate 61, the first link member 63, the rotating vertical plate 62, and the second link member 64.

[0029] The length from the base end 63a to the rotating end 63b of the first link member 63 is equal to or approximately equal to the length from the base end 64a to the rotating end 64b of the second link member 64. The length from the base end 63a of the first link member 63 to the base end 64a of the second link member 64, i.e., the length from the upper shaft hole 61a to the lower shaft hole 61b of the stationary vertical plate 61, is shorter than the length from the base end 63a to the rotating end 63b of the first link member 63. The length from the rotating end 63b of the first link member 63 to the rotating end 64b of the second link member 64, i.e., the length from the upper shaft hole 62a to the lower shaft hole 62b of the rotating vertical plate 62, is longer than the length from the base end 63a to the rotating end 63b of the first link member 63.

[0030] As shown in Figures 5, 7, and 9, even when the duct body 5 is in the closed position, a gap S1 is formed between the lower surface of the top plate 1 and the upper edge of the suspension wall 52 of the duct body 5. Gaps S2 and S3 are also formed between the lower surface of the top plate 1 and the upper edge of the end wall 53, and between the lower surface of the top plate 1 and the upper edges of the left and right side walls 54 and 55, respectively. These gaps S1, S2, and S3 allow multiple cords C to pass between the inside and outside of the duct body 5, and are also large enough to prevent the cords C from being tightly pinched between the top plate 1 and the duct body 5 even when the duct body 5 is in the closed position.

[0031] As shown in Figures 6 and 11, even when the duct body 5 is in the open position, a gap S1 exists between the lower surface of the top plate 1 and the upper edge of the suspension wall 52 of the duct body 5. In particular, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 9 to 11, as the duct body 5 descends from the closed position to the open position, the gap S1 between the top plate 1 and the suspension wall 52 of the duct body 5 does not shrink (compared to the vertical width of the gap S1 when the duct body 5 is in the closed position), but rather expands slightly. Of course, in the same process, the gap S2 between the top plate 1 and the front wall 53 of the duct body 5 expands, and the gap S3 between the top plate 1 and the side walls 54 and 55 of the duct body 5 also expands.

[0032] One or more clips 9 capable of gripping and holding cords C are provided on the bottom wall 51 of the duct body 5. The clips 9 may be detachable from the duct body 5, and can be attached to the upward surface of the bottom wall 51, for example, with adhesive tape or bolts (or screws).

[0033] As shown in Figures 5 to 8, 12 and 14, the clip 9 comprises a base plate 91 joined to the bottom wall 51 of the duct body 5, a support portion 92 protruding or bulging upward from the base plate 91, a pair of gripping portions 93 rising from the support portion 92, forming a wave-like shape when viewed from the front, and curving toward the base plate 91 while extending in a direction toward each other at their upper ends, and a restraining piece 94 hanging downward toward the base plate 91 at the upper part of the gripping portions 93 and midway in the front-rear direction. The clip 9 is integrally molded using, for example, an elastically deformable resin material.

[0034] As shown in Figure 14, the pair of gripping portions 93 on the left and right sides of a single clip 9 can hold and secure bent bundles of cords C or multiple cords C between themselves and the substrate 91. As shown in Figures 7 and 12, the restraining piece 94 extending from the downward-facing upper surface of the gripping portion 93 contacts the cords C and prevents them from slipping out of the gripping portion 93.

[0035] The gripping portions 93, which form a pair on the left and right sides of a single clip 9, can be elastically deformed to the left and right so as to move away from each other. As shown in Figure 7, the bases of each left and right gripping portion 93 are not directly connected to the substrate 91, but to cylindrical support portions 92 formed on the substrate 91. Because of this structure, even if the left and right gripping portions 93 are deformed to move away from each other, deformation that causes the substrate 91 to bend is avoided, and the substrate 91 does not easily detach from the bottom wall 51 of the duct body 5.

[0036] As shown in Figures 4 to 6 and Figure 14, the inward-facing surface of the end wall 53 of the duct body 5 is a mounting surface 53a on which a device M capable of connecting multiple cords C can be attached, supported, or positioned. Specific examples of the device M include a multi-tap with multiple outlets into which the plugs at the ends of power cords can be inserted, a switching hub with multiple ports into which the connectors at the ends of communication cables can be inserted, a router, etc. The mounting surface 53a faces backward (facing the internal space of the duct body 5) when the duct body 5 is in the closed position, and faces upward while supporting the device M when the duct body 5 is in the open position, facilitating the work of connecting the cords C to be routed into the internal space of the duct body 5 to the device M.

[0037] To hold the duct body 5 in the closed position, as shown in Figures 2, 5, 7, and 9, the shaft portion of a bolt (or screw) element 73 is inserted through bolt insertion holes 72 formed in the side walls 54 and 55 of the duct body 5 from the outside to the inside, and then screwed into a nut (through hole or female screw hole) element 71 formed in the second hanging plate of the base body 4. It is preferable that the bolt element 73 of the screw fastening mechanism 7 can be operated by hand without using tools such as a screwdriver.

[0038] In this embodiment, the screw fastening mechanism 7 plays the role of a loosening suppression mechanism 8 that suppresses the loosening of the bolt 73 over the medium to long term. As already mentioned, the bolt insertion hole 72 drilled in the side wall of the duct body 5 is an elongated hole that slopes upward to the right when viewed from the outside to the inside of the duct body 5 in a side view. Therefore, as shown in Figure 13(a), when an impact or vibration (represented by a thick white arrow in Figure 13(a)) is applied that displaces the tip side (rotating end side, front end side) of the duct body 5, which is supported in the closed position, upward relative to the base 4, the upper edge of the bolt insertion hole 72 slides upward relative to the shaft of the bolt element 73, and an external force (represented by a thin black arrow in Figure 13(a)) acts on the bolt element 73 that tries to rotate the shaft of the bolt element 73 clockwise in the figure. Generally, when screwing a bolt 73 into a nut 71, the bolt 73 is operated clockwise relative to the nut 71. Therefore, even if vibrations or shocks as described above are applied, the function of the bolt 73 in fastening the duct body 5 to the second hanging plate 43 of the base 4 (and consequently to the top plate 1) is not impaired.

[0039] Immediately after the duct body 5 is displaced upward relative to the base 4 and the upper edge of the bolt insertion hole 72 is separated from the shaft of the bolt element 73, if an impact or vibration (indicated by a thick white arrow in Figure 13(b)) is applied that displaces the tip of the duct body 5 downward relative to the base 4, as shown in Figure 13(b), the lower edge of the bolt insertion hole 73 slides downward relative to the shaft of the bolt element 73, and an external force (indicated by a thin black arrow in Figure 13(b)) acts on the bolt element 73 that attempts to rotate the shaft of the bolt element 73 clockwise in the figure. Therefore, the function of the bolt 73 in fastening the duct body 5 to the second hanging plate 43 of the base 4 is not impaired.

[0040] As shown in Figure 13(c), when the lower edge of the bolt insertion hole 72 is in contact with the shaft of the bolt element 73, the tip of the duct body 5 cannot be displaced any further upward relative to the base 4. Similarly, as shown in Figure 13(d), when the upper edge of the bolt insertion hole 72 is in contact with the shaft of the bolt element 73, the tip of the duct body 5 cannot be displaced any further downward relative to the base 4.

[0041] In this embodiment, the openable duct R comprises a base 4 supported on a top plate 1, and a duct body 5 supported on the base 4 via a hinge mechanism 6 so as to be openable and closable, with gaps S1, S2, and S3 formed between it and the top plate 1 to allow internal cords C to be guided to the outside. The hinge mechanism 6 is configured to support the duct body 5 from the closed position to the open position while leaving the gaps S1, S2, and S3.

[0042] According to this embodiment, by opening the duct body 5 to the open position, the work of wiring the cords C inside the body 5 (including the act of connecting the cords C to the equipment M) becomes easier, and multiple cords C can be neatly bundled inside the duct body 5, preventing problems such as the cords C becoming tangled, messy, and indistinguishable. Furthermore, even when opening and closing the duct body 5 between the open position and the closed position, gaps S1, S2, and S3 are secured on all four sides of the duct body 5, so the cords C are not tightly pinched between the top plate 1 and the duct body 5.

[0043] The hinge mechanism 6 mainly consists of a four-bar linkage mechanism using two link members 63 and 64, the base end (base end) 63a and 64a of which are pivotally supported on the base body 4 and the tip end (rotating end) 63b and 64b of which are pivotally supported on the duct body 5. The four-bar linkage mechanism 6 particularly contributes to ensuring a constant gap S1 between the lower surface of the top plate 1 and the suspension wall 52, which is the peripheral wall on the non-rotating end side of the duct body 5.

[0044] The duct body 5 is a box-shaped structure with peripheral walls 52, 53, 54, and 55 erected on the periphery of a quadrilateral bottom wall 51. On the inner surface of the tip wall 53, which is the peripheral wall on the rotating end side of the duct body 5, there is a mounting surface 53a on which a device M can be installed that faces upward in the opened position and to which multiple cords C can be connected.

[0045] The bottom wall 61 of the duct body 5 may also be provided with a clip 9 capable of holding cords C connected to the equipment M.

[0046] The duct body 5 in the closed position can be detachably fixed to the base 4 using bolts 73, and as shown in Figure 13, it is equipped with a loosening suppression mechanism 8 that utilizes the vertical vibration applied to the duct body 5 in the closed position to bias the bolts 73 in the tightening direction, so that the bolts 73 will not loosen and will continue to stably support the cords C over the medium to long term.

[0047] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in detail above. The modified examples shown in Figures 15 to 17 are simplified versions of the hinge mechanism 6 from the above embodiments. The hinge mechanism 6 in these modified examples consists of a guide plate portion 65 extending forward from the rear of the duct body 5 on a base 4 fixed to the top plate 1, and a slit or slot-shaped sliding portion 66 drilled in the suspension wall 52 of the duct body 5 through which the guide plate portion 65 can be inserted. Figure 16 shows the duct body 5 in the closed position, and Figure 17 shows the duct body 5 in the open position. The duct body 5 (and its suspension wall 52) is slidable back and forth relative to the guide plate portion 65 of the base 4. Furthermore, the duct body 5 (and its suspension wall 52) is supported so as to be tiltable up and down relative to the guide plate portion 65 of the base 4.

[0048] A support 11 is fixed to the front of the duct body 5 on the underside of the top plate 1 to hold the duct body 5 in the closed position. On the other hand, the tip 53 of the duct body 5 is provided with a supported part 53b that extends forward from its upper edge, and by overlapping the part that extends rearward from the support 11 from above, the duct body 5 can be held in the closed position as shown in Figure 16. Furthermore, through holes 12 and 53c are drilled in the support 11 and supported part 53b, respectively, and by attaching fasteners 13 so as to pass through these, it is possible to maintain the duct body 5 in the closed position without displacing it forward or backward.

[0049] The modified examples shown in Figures 18 to 20 also modify the hinge mechanism 6 from the above embodiment, making it simpler. The hinge mechanism 6 in this modified example consists of a suspension shaft 67 fixed to the top plate 1 and protruding from a base 4 on the left and right sides of the non-rotating end of the duct body 5, and a guide slit 68 in the shape of an elongated hole in the side view, which is drilled in the non-rotating end portions of the left and right side walls 54 and 55 of the duct body 5, through which the suspension shaft 67 can be inserted. Figure 19 shows the duct body 5 in the closed position, and Figure 20 shows the duct body 5 in the open position. The duct body 5 (and its side walls 54 and 55) can slide back and forth relative to the suspension shaft 67 of the base 4. Furthermore, the duct body 5 (and its side walls 54 and 55) is supported so as to be able to rotate up and down relative to the suspension shaft 68 of the base 4.

[0050] In the examples shown in Figures 18 to 20, the suspension shaft 67 is provided on the base 4 side and the guide slit 68 is provided on the duct body 5 side, but it is also acceptable to provide the guide slit on the base 4 side and the suspension shaft on the duct body 5 side.

[0051] In the above embodiments and modifications, the base 4 was a bracket that was separate from the top plate 1 and fixed to the underside of the top plate 1, but the base 4 may be integrated with the top plate 1.

[0052] The duct body 5 is not limited to having a quadrilateral shape in plan view. Gaps S1, S2, and S3 are not always formed on all four sides between the underside of the top plate 1 and the duct body 5.

[0053] The opening position of the duct body 5 may be slightly inclined from the vertical position, as in the above embodiment and modified examples, or it may be in a completely vertical position.

[0054] Furthermore, the specific configuration of each part can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] T…Furniture with top plate Q... Table body 1… Tabletop R...Open / close duct 4...Base 41…Horizontal board 42...First hanging plate 42a... Slit for holding cords and cables 43…Second hanging board 5... Duct body 51...Bottom wall 52...Suspension wall (peripheral wall on the opposite end of the rotating mechanism) 53…Tip wall (circumferential wall on the rotating end side) 53a…Mounting surface 53b...Supported body 53c...Through hole 54...Right side wall (perimeter wall) 55... Left side wall (perimeter wall) S1...Gap between the top panel and the wall where it is suspended. S2... Gap between the top panel and the front wall S3... Gap between the top panel and the left and right side walls 6…Hinge mechanism 61... Stationary vertical plate 61a…Upper shaft hole 61b…Lower shaft hole 62...Rotating vertical plate 62a…Upper shaft hole 62b…Lower shaft hole 63…First Link Member 63a...Proximal end 63b…Rotating end 64...Second Link Member 64a...Proximal end 64b…Rotating end 65... Information board section 66...Slide part 67…Hanging shaft 68... Guide slit 7...Screw fastening mechanism 71... Nut element 72... Bolt insertion holes in the side wall 73... Bolt element 8…Mechanism for inhibiting relaxation 9… Clip C... Codes M... A device that can connect multiple cords (multi-tap)

Claims

1. A base supported by the top panel, A duct body is supported on the base via a hinge mechanism so as to be openable and closable, and a gap is formed between it and the top plate so that internal cords can be guided to the outside. It is equipped with, An openable duct configured such that the hinge mechanism can support the duct body from the closed position to the open position while leaving the gap.

2. The hinge mechanism is mainly a four-bar linkage mechanism comprising two link members, the base end of which is pivotally supported on the base and the tip end of which is pivotally supported on the duct body, according to claim 1.

3. The hinge mechanism comprises a guide plate portion provided on the base side and a sliding portion provided on the non-rotating end side of the duct body and supported so as to be slidable and tiltable relative to the guide plate portion, as described in claim 1.

4. The hinge mechanism comprises a suspension shaft provided on either the base side or the non-rotating end side of the duct body, and a guide slit provided on the other side and slidably and rotatably supported by the suspension shaft, according to claim 1.

5. The duct body is a box-shaped structure with a quadrilateral bottom wall and a peripheral wall erected on the periphery of the bottom wall. The open / close duct according to claim 1, wherein a mounting surface is provided on the inner surface of the peripheral wall on the rotating end side of the duct body, on which equipment can be installed that faces upward when the duct is opened and to which multiple cords can be connected.

6. The openable duct according to claim 5, wherein a clip capable of holding cords connected to the equipment is provided on the bottom wall of the duct body.

7. The duct body in the closed position can be detachably fixed to the base using bolts. The open / close duct according to claim 1, further comprising a loosening suppression mechanism that biases the bolt in the tightening direction by utilizing vertical vibrations applied to the duct body in the closed position.

Images