furniture

Abstract

The aim is to solve the problem of difficulty in applying a stable force to the brake body of a locking device against the caster wheel in furniture equipped with casters and a locking device. [Solution] The furniture comprises a furniture body 1, a caster 2 provided at the bottom of the furniture body 1 and having a wheel 23 that can roll on the floor F, and a locking device 3 provided on the furniture body 1 that locks the wheel 23 by pressing a brake body 31 against the outer circumference of the wheel 23, wherein the locking device 3 is configured to be able to press the brake body 3 against the outer circumference 23a of the wheel 23 using gravity acting on the furniture body 1. The locking device 3 is configured to press the brake body 31 against the outer circumference 23a of the wheel 23 when the operating lever 32 is operated to the locked position L.

Description

Technical Field

[0007] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to furniture provided with casters that are preferably used in offices and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in offices and the like, various pieces of furniture such as tables equipped with casters have been used.

[0003] As this type of caster, one has been developed that includes a base body attached to a furniture body, a swivel arm supported by the base body so as to be horizontally swiveling, and a wheel axially attached to the swiveling end of the swivel arm so as to be vertically rotatable. And, for such a caster, one in which a locking device for locking the wheel to the base body is assembled is also known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0004] However, such a locking device supports a brake body on the base body of the caster via a screw feed mechanism or the like, and operates this screw feed mechanism to press the brake body against the outer peripheral surface of the wheel.

[0005] Therefore, it is difficult to adjust the pressing force, and the braking force is likely to vary depending on the operator. As a result, problems such as pressing the brake body too strongly against the wheel or the pressing force being too weak are likely to occur.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The present invention aims to solve these problems and provide furniture equipped with a locking device and casters that can press the brake body against the outer circumference of the wheel with a stable force. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The furniture according to claim 1 comprises a furniture body, a caster provided at the lower part of the furniture body and having a wheel capable of rolling on the floor, and a locking device provided on the furniture body that locks the wheel by pressing a brake body against the outer circumference of the wheel, wherein the locking device is configured to press the brake body against the outer surface of the wheel using gravity acting on the furniture body.

[0009] The furniture according to claim 2 is based on the configuration described in claim 1, and the locking device is configured such that the brake body is separated from the wheel in the unlocked position, and the brake body is pressed against the outer surface of the wheel using gravity acting on the furniture body in the locked position.

[0010] The furniture according to claim 3 is based on the configuration described in claim 1, and the locking device is equipped with an operating lever that can be manually operated between an unlocked position and a locked position, and a cam mechanism that lifts the furniture body using a brake body that contacts the wheel as a support base when the operating lever is operated from the unlocked position toward the locked position.

[0011] The furniture according to claim 4 is based on the configuration described in claim 3, wherein the caster comprises a base attached to the furniture body and a wheel supported on the base so as to be able to swivel and rotate, and the wheel is pivotally supported on the base so as to be able to move freely in the vertical direction.

[0012] The furniture according to claim 5 is based on the configuration described in claim 1, wherein the furniture body has a plurality of legs, and casters and locking devices are provided at the lower ends of each of these legs.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide furniture that enables anyone to press the brake body against the wheels of the caster with a force predicted in advance and realize a stable braking state without requiring difficult adjustment work.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] [Figure 1] Perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Perspective view of the furniture of the embodiment observed from diagonally below. [Figure 3] Plan view of the embodiment. [Figure 4] Bottom view of the embodiment. [Figure 5] Front view of the embodiment. [Figure 6] Enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the upper end of the leg of the embodiment from the outside. [Figure 7] Enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the upper end of the leg of the embodiment from the inside. [Figure 8] Perspective view showing the same part of the embodiment disassembled. [Figure 9] Front view showing the leg of the embodiment. [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view taken along line A - A in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view taken along line B - B in FIG. 9. [Figure 12] Cross-sectional view taken along line C - C in FIG. 9. [Figure 13] Enlarged perspective view showing the lower half of the leg of the embodiment from the inside. [Figure 14] Perspective view showing the caster and the locking device of the embodiment disassembled. [Figure 15] Explanatory view showing the cam mechanism of the embodiment disassembled. [Figure 16] Explanatory view for explaining the operation of the cam mechanism of the embodiment. [Figure 17]Cross-sectional view showing the caster and lock mechanism portion of the same embodiment. [Figure 18] Cross-sectional view showing the caster and lock mechanism portion of the same embodiment. [Figure 19] Cross-sectional view showing the caster and lock mechanism portion of the same embodiment. [Figure 20] Perspective explanatory view showing an example of use of the same embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20.

[0016] The furniture T according to this embodiment is a table with a top board that can be used by multiple people simultaneously. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, it includes a top board 15 formed by a portion with a convex curved surface 15b and a portion with a flat surface 15c on the outer peripheral end surface 15a, and legs 11 that support the top board 15 by exposing the upper end portions 12 outside the outer peripheral end surface 15a of the top board 15.

[0017] The upper surface 15g of the top board 15 has two types of areas 15d and 15e with different assumed uses, and the legs 11 are arranged at positions that serve as marks for distinguishing those areas 15d and 15e.

[0018] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the top board 15 has a main area 15d that enables multiple people to use simultaneously and a subordinate area 15e that encourages preparatory or subsequent participation, and the four legs 11 are arranged at positions that substantially surround the main area 15d. This main area 15d is composed of a flat surface without openings or protrusions.

[0019] In other words, as shown in Figure 3, the top plate 15 comprises a main area 15d located in the center and secondary areas 15e adjacent to both sides of the main area 15d. A slit 153 is formed in the boundary area 15f, which is located at the boundary between the main area 15d and the secondary areas 15e, allowing the clamp portion U1 of an optional component U to be attached. In this embodiment, the optional component U is a monitor arm (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "monitor arm U") that holds the monitor V in a position and orientation that can be changed, as shown in Figure 20.

[0020] The following describes the specific configuration of this furniture T. This furniture T comprises a furniture body 1 having a plurality of legs 11 and a tabletop 15 supported by these legs 11 via a tabletop support frame 14, and a caster 2 and a locking device 3 for locking or unlocking the caster 2 are provided at the lower end of the furniture body 1.

[0021] As shown in Figures 5 to 13, the legs 11 of the furniture body 1 are comprised of an upper end portion 12 that is exposed outside the outer peripheral end surface 15a of the top plate 15, and a leg column 13 that supports this upper end portion 12.

[0022] As shown in Figure 6, the upper end portion 12 of the leg 11 is composed of a cylindrical outlet (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "outlet 12"), which has two sets of plug sockets 12b on its upper surface 12a, and wiring r extends from its lower surface. This outlet, the upper end portion 12, is detachably attached to the upper end of the leg column 13, and the upper surface 12a of the upper end portion 12 is positioned at approximately the same height as the upper surface 15g of the top plate 15.

[0023] The leg column 13 of the leg 11 comprises a pair of parallel, opposing side walls 131, a semi-cylindrical end wall 132 that connects the outer ends of these side walls 131, an upper wall 133 installed between the upper parts of the side walls 131, an upright wall 134 erected from the inner edge of the upper wall 133, and a bottom wall 136 fixed between the lower ends of both side walls 131. The upright wall 134 is provided with a female screw hole 134a for screwing the top plate support frame 14, and the bottom wall 136 is fixed with a caster mounting nut 137 for attaching the caster 2, which will be described later.

[0024] In other words, the leg column 13 is integrally formed with a pair of side walls 131 and a semi-cylindrical end wall 132 that connects the outer ends of these side walls 131, and a wiring insertion space 139 is formed inside. The side walls 131 and the end wall 132 are integrally formed using sheet metal material, and the upper wall 133 and bottom wall 136 are rigidly connected to the side walls 131 by welding or the like.

[0025] The side wall 131 of the column 13 has an inwardly extending portion 131a that extends inward while expanding at its upper end, and the upper wall 133 is fixed between the side walls 131, positioned between the lower edges of the inwardly extending portion 131a.

[0026] The end wall 132 of the leg column 13 is a semi-cylindrical body that is continuous with the outer end of the side wall 131, and a vertically continuous wiring insertion space 139 is formed between this end wall 132 and a synthetic resin cover 138 that is detachably attached between the open end 131b of the side wall 131.

[0027] As shown in Figures 7, 8, and 10, the upper wall 133 of the leg column 13 has a wiring groove 133a that is open downwards, and is rigidly connected to the side walls 131 by welding or the like, leaving a wiring insertion space 139 between it and the end wall 132. An upright wall 134 is erected at the inner end of the upper wall 133, which has female screw holes 134a for screwing the top plate support frame 14 to it.

[0028] The upright wall 134 of the leg column 13 is rigidly connected to the side wall 131 at both ends, and each end has the aforementioned female screw holes 134a near both ends. The ends of the tabletop support frame 14, which will be described later, are screwed to the parts corresponding to these female screw holes 134a using leg screws 143.

[0029] The bottom wall 136 of the leg column 13 is fixed to the lower end of the leg column 13, and a caster 2 and an operating lever 32 for switching the caster 2 into a locked or unlocked state are provided in relation to this bottom wall 136.

[0030] Specifically, as shown in Figure 12, the lower end of the leg column 11 is provided with a caster 2 attached to a nut 137 on the bottom wall 136, and an operating lever 32 that switches the caster 2 between a locked and unlocked state. The open ends 131b of both side walls 131 of the leg column 11 function as stoppers to define the operating range of the operating lever 32. In the drawing, the operating lever in the position where the caster 2 is locked is denoted with the symbol "32(L)", and the operating lever in the position where the caster 2 is unlocked is denoted with the symbol "32(M)".

[0031] The tabletop support frame 14 of the furniture body 1 comprises a rectangular prism-shaped vertical frame section 141 and a horizontal frame section 142. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, screw bases 141a and 142a corresponding to the female screw holes 134a provided in the upright wall 134 of the aforementioned leg column 13 are fixed to each end of the vertical frame section 141 and the horizontal frame section 142.

[0032] Specifically, the vertical frame section 141 and the horizontal frame section 142 are connected to the leg column 13 by screwing leg screws 143 through the screw bases 141a and 142a into the female screw holes 134a of the leg column 13. The vertical frame section 141 and the horizontal frame section 142 are then fastened to the underside of the tabletop 15 using tabletop screws 144.

[0033] The top surface 15 of the furniture body 1 has, for example, three different areas 15d, 15e, and 15f on its upper surface, as shown in Figure 3, and the four legs 11 are positioned to serve as markers to distinguish these areas 15d, 15e, and 15f.

[0034] In other words, in this embodiment, the tabletop 15 has an oval shape in plan view, and has a main quadrilateral area 15d in the center that can be used by, for example, four people simultaneously, and secondary areas 15e that are roughly semi-circular in shape on both sides of the main area 15d. A band-shaped boundary area 15f is set at the boundary between the main area 15d and the secondary area 15e.

[0035] To explain in more detail, the tabletop 15 consists of a first tabletop element 151 that encompasses the main area 15d, and a second tabletop element 152 that encompasses a secondary area 15e, which is adjacent to and closely attached to both sides of the first tabletop element 151. The boundary s between these two tabletop elements 151 and 152 is located within the aforementioned boundary area 15f.

[0036] The first top plate element 151 of the top plate 15 is roughly quadrilateral in plan view, with its upper surface forming the main area 15d, and its upper surface is a flat surface without any openings or protrusions. In other words, the main area 15d does not have any wiring outlets or sockets that connect the top and bottom of the top plate 15.

[0037] Furthermore, a wiring duct 154 is attached to the central lower surface of the first tabletop element 151, and an OA tap p can be housed inside this wiring duct 154. When the OA tap p is housed inside the wiring duct 154, as shown in Figure 4, the wiring q rising from the floor F can be guided to the OA tap p through the wiring insertion space 139 and wiring groove 133a formed in the leg column 13. Similarly, the wiring r leading from the outlet that constitutes the upper end 12 of the leg 11 can also be guided to the lower surface of the tabletop 15 through the wiring insertion space 139 and wiring groove 133a in the leg column 13 and connected to the aforementioned OA tap p.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the boundary area 15f is defined as the boundary area 15f between the main area 15d and the secondary area 15e of the top plate 15, and a slit 153 is formed in this boundary area 15f, allowing the clamp portion U1 of the optional monitor arm U to be attached. As shown in Figure 20, the monitor arm U comprises a clamp portion U1 that can be attached to the top plate 15 using the aforementioned slit 153, and a pair of arm portions U2 that are rotatably supported by the clamp portion U1 and can each pivot horizontally. The monitor V is supported at the pivot end U1a of each arm portion U2 so that it can swivel horizontally. The basic configuration of the clamp portion U1 and the mounting structure of the monitor V to each arm portion U2 are standard, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0039] However, since this monitor arm U can hold two monitors V in a way that allows their position and orientation to be changed, the monitors V can be supported in a relatively free manner, providing users with a variety of uses. In the example shown in Figure 20, monitors Va and Vb, supported by the monitor arm U attached to one slit 153, are held in a position suitable for individual use by a user seated facing the main area 15d, while monitors Vc and Vd, supported by the monitor arm U attached to the other slit 153, are held in a position aligned on the boundary area 15f. Such holding positions are just examples, and each monitor Va, Vb, Vc, and Vd can be used by independently changing its position and orientation. Therefore, it is possible for a user seated facing the main area 15d and a user seated facing the secondary area 15e to share a common monitor Va, Vb, Vc, or Vd for a meeting.

[0040] The lower part of the furniture body 1 described above is provided with a caster 2 having a wheel 23 that can roll on the floor F, and a locking device 3 provided on the furniture body 1 that locks the wheel 23 by pressing a brake body 31 against the outer surface 23a of the wheel 23.

[0041] The locking device 3 is configured to press the brake body 31 against the outer surface 23a of the wheel 23 using gravity acting on the furniture body 1. By setting the operating lever 32 to the unlock position M, the brake body 31 is allowed to separate from the wheel 23, and by setting the operating lever 32 to the lock position L, the brake body 31 is pressed against the outer surface 23a of the wheel 23 using gravity acting on the furniture body 1.

[0042] More specifically, as shown in Figure 14, the caster 2 has a base 21 having a mounting screw portion 21a, on which a swivel arm 22 is supported so as to be able to rotate laterally, and a wheel 23 is pivotally supported on the rotating end of the swivel arm 22 via an axle 24 so as to be able to rotate vertically. This caster 2 can be attached to the furniture body 1 by screwing the mounting screw portion 21a of the base 21 onto the caster mounting nut 137 of the leg column 13. The axle hole 22a of the swivel arm 22 that pivotally supports the axle 24 of the wheel 23 is an elongated hole that extends in the vertical direction, and the wheel 23 is mounted so as to be able to move up and down relative to the base 21 which is fixed to the furniture body 1.

[0043] In other words, the caster 2 comprises a base 21 attached to the furniture body 1 and a wheel 23 supported on the base 21 so as to be able to rotate laterally and vertically, with the wheel 23 pivotally supported so as to be able to move freely in the vertical direction relative to the base 21.

[0044] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 14, the locking device 3 is installed inside the leg 11 of the furniture body 1 in close proximity to the caster 2, and comprises a brake body 31 that is supported so as to be able to move up and down on the hexagonal outer circumference of the caster mounting nut 137, an operating lever 32 that is provided so as to be able to move up and down and rotate relative to the brake body 31 and is locked to the bottom wall 136 of the leg column 13 to prevent upward movement, a cam mechanism 33 provided between the operating lever 32 and the brake body 31, and a spring 34 provided between the base 21 of the caster 2 and the brake body 31 to elastically bias the brake body 31 upward relative to the base 21. The axes of the brake body 31 and the operating lever 32 are aligned with the axis of the base 21 of the caster 2, in other words, the axis of the caster mounting nut 137.

[0045] However, this locking device 3 includes an operating lever 32 that can be manually operated between an unlocked position M and a locked position L, and a cam mechanism 33 that lifts the furniture body 1 using the brake body 31 that contacts the wheel 23 as a support base when the operating lever 32 is operated from the unlocked position M to the locked position L.

[0046] The configuration of the locking device 3 can be described in more detail as follows:

[0047] The brake body 31 of the locking device 3 is an inverted cup shape that surrounds the base 21 of the caster 2, with its lower end opening 31a facing the rotational trajectory of the caster 2's wheel 23. In other words, the brake body 31 is equipped with a cylindrical portion 311 that can press its opening 31a against the upper half of the wheel 23 regardless of the rotational position of the wheel 23 of the caster 2. By pressing this cylindrical portion 311 against the outer circumferential surface 23a of the wheel 23, it is possible to suppress not only the vertical rotation of the wheel 23 but also its lateral rotation. The opening 31a of the brake body 31 that is pressed against the outer circumferential surface 23a of the wheel 23 has an inward taper, so that the opening 31a of the brake body 31 and the outer circumferential surface 23a of the wheel 23 can make surface contact. In addition, this can increase the area that contacts the outer surface 23a of the caster 2's wheel.This prevents stress from concentrating on a portion of the outer surface 23a of the wheel 23 when the brake body 31 is pressed against the wheel 23 using gravity acting on the furniture body 1.

[0048] An upper wall portion 312 is provided on the upper end side of the cylindrical portion 311 of the brake body 31, and a cylindrical hub portion 313 is integrally provided in the center of the upper wall portion 312. The hub portion 313 has a hexagonal hole 313a at its axial center that slidably fits onto the outer circumference of the caster mounting nut.

[0049] The operating lever 32 comprises a cylindrical portion 321 surrounding the brake body 31, an upper wall portion 322 positioned on the upper end side of the cylindrical portion 321, and an operating portion 324 protruding from the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion 321. A circular guide hole 323 is formed in the center of the upper wall portion 322 into which the hub portion 313 of the brake body 31 is fitted so as to be able to move up and down and rotate. A cam mechanism 33 is provided between the upper wall portion 322 of the operating lever 32 and the upper wall portion 312 of the brake body 31.

[0050] As shown in Figures 14 to 16, the cam mechanism 33 comprises a cam surface 331 formed on the upper wall portion 312 of the brake body 31 and a cam follower 332 fixed to the upper wall portion 322 of the operating lever 32. The cam surface 331 consists of a first inclined portion 331a, an intermediate click portion 331b, a second inclined portion 331c, and a final click portion 331d, which are continuous. In this embodiment, three sets of cam surfaces 331 are formed on the upward-facing surface of the brake body 31 at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. The cam follower 332 selectively engages with one of the first inclined portion 331a, the intermediate click portion 331b, the second inclined portion 331c, and the final click portion 331d of the cam surface. In this embodiment, three cam followers 332 are projected from the downward-facing surface of the operating lever 32 at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0051] The spring 34 is a compression coil spring installed between the base 21 of the caster 2 and the brake body 31, and its purpose is to allow the brake body 31 to self-return to its initial position away from the wheel 23 of the caster 2 when the operating lever 32 of the locking device 3 is returned to the unlocked position M.

[0052] Next, the operation of the caster 2 and the locking device 3 will be explained with reference to Figures 14 to 19.

[0053] When the operating lever 32 of the locking device 3 is set to the unlocked position M, the cam follower 332 of the cam mechanism 33 is engaged with the deepest first inclined surface 331a (see Figure 16a), and the brake body 31 is held at top dead center, separated from the wheel 23, by the biasing force of the spring 34 (see Figure 17). As a result, the wheel 23 of the caster 2 becomes free to rotate both horizontally and vertically, allowing the furniture body 1 to move freely along the floor F.

[0054] From this state, when the operating lever 32 is rotated toward the locked position L, the cam follower 332 provided on the operating lever 32 is guided by the first inclined surface 331a and rises, and clicks to stop when it engages with the intermediate click portion 331b (see Figure 16b). In this intermediate light-lock position N, as the brake body 31 descends while compressing the spring 34, its open end 31a comes into surface contact with the outer circumferential surface 23a of the wheel 23 of the caster 2 (see Figure 18). In this light-lock position N, the wheel 23 is lightly braked, but because it has clicked to stop, this state is maintained even when the hand is released from the operating portion 324 of the operating lever 32.

[0055] When the operating lever 32 is rotated further from the light lock position N toward the lock position L, the cam follower 332 provided on the operating lever 32 is guided by the second inclined surface 331c and rises further, and stops clicking when it engages with the final click portion 331d (see Figure 16c). When the cam follower 332 of the cam mechanism 33 engages with the final click portion 331d, the open end 31a of the brake body 31 is strongly pressed against the outer circumferential surface 23a of the wheel 23 of the caster 2, thereby preventing both the lateral and vertical rotation of the wheel 23 of the caster 2 (see Figure 19).

[0056] In other words, in this embodiment, the caster 2 is designed so that the wheel 23 can move freely in the vertical direction relative to the swivel arm 22 supported by the base 21. Therefore, when attempting to further separate the brake body 31 and the operating lever 32 in the vertical direction by the action of the cam mechanism 33, from a state in which the open end 31a of the brake body 31 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface 23a of the wheel 23 of the caster 2, the base of the caster 2, the swivel arm 22 and the operating lever 32 will be lifted upward along with the furniture body 1, relative to the wheel 23 and brake body 31 which are stationary on the floor F. The symbol t in Figure 19 indicates the amount of this upward movement.

[0057] As a result, the gravitational force acting on the furniture body 1 acts as a downward force pushing the brake body 31 via the operating lever 32 and the cam mechanism 33, causing the brake body 31 to be pressed against the wheel 23 of the caster 2 with a stable force. In this embodiment, since each of the four legs 11 is equipped with a caster 2 and a locking device 3, the gravitational force acting on the furniture body 1 is distributed and transmitted to the brake bodies 31 of the multiple legs 11, applying braking to the wheel 23 of each of the caster 2.

[0058] The configuration and operation of the furniture T according to this embodiment are as described above. With furniture T having such a configuration, if the operating levers 32 of all the locking devices 3 provided at the lower end of each leg 11 are set to the unlocked position M, the lock state of the casters 2 is released, and the entire piece of furniture T can be moved freely by the action of these casters 2 (see Figure 17).

[0059] When the operating lever 32 of the locking device 3 is moved to the light locking position N, the brake body 31 of the locking device 3 makes light contact with the outer surface 23a of the wheel 23 of the caster 2, and the caster 2 is lightly braked. As a result, the entire piece of furniture T can be temporarily secured (see Figure 18).

[0060] Furthermore, when the operating lever 32 of the locking device 3 is operated to the locked position L, the cam mechanism 33 causes the furniture body 1 to be lifted using the brake body 31 in contact with the wheel 23 as a support base (see Figure 19). Since this operation can be performed sequentially for each leg 11, the furniture body 1 is not lifted all at once, but rather the parts corresponding to each leg 11 are lifted sequentially. Therefore, the operating force applied to the operating lever 32 is relatively small.

[0061] By operating the operating levers 32 of all the locking devices 3 to the locked position L, all the casters 2 are locked, and the furniture T can be braked.

[0062] However, in this furniture T, the locking device 3 is designed to press the brake body 31 against the wheel 23 of the caster 2 using gravity acting on the furniture body 1. Therefore, the brake body 31 can be pressed against the outer surface 23a of the wheel 23 with a predictable and stable force. As a result, problems such as the brake body 31 being pressed too hard, causing distortion on the outer surface of the wheel, and the pressing force being too weak, resulting in insufficient braking, can be eliminated.

[0063] Furthermore, by utilizing gravity acting on the furniture body 1 to press the brake body 31 against the wheel 23, even if the outer surface 23a of the wheel 23 wears down due to abrasion or other reasons, the brake body 31 can always be pressed against the wheel 23 with a constant force. Therefore, problems such as a decrease in the braking force of the locking device 3 due to aging can be prevented or suppressed.

[0064] Furthermore, in order to use gravity to press the brake body 31 against the wheel 23, it is necessary to lift the furniture body 1 upward using the brake body 31 as a support base. Since the lifting force is generated by the cam mechanism 33, it is possible to raise the furniture body with an appropriate operating force.

[0065] In particular, in this embodiment, where the furniture body 1 has multiple legs 11 and casters 2 and locking devices 3 are provided at the lower ends of each leg 11, the gravitational force acting on the furniture body 1 is distributed and transmitted to the locking devices of each leg 11. Therefore, as long as the cam profile of the cam mechanism is set appropriately, it becomes possible to lift the furniture body 1 with particularly light operating force and keep the brake body 31 pressed against the wheels 23.

[0066] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, if a caster 2 and an operating lever 32 for switching the caster 2 to a locked or unlocked state are provided at the lower end of the leg column 13, and the open ends 131b of the side walls 131 of the leg column 13 are configured to function as stoppers for defining the operating range of the operating lever 32, the number of parts of the locking device 3 can be reduced by effectively utilizing the cross-sectional shape of the leg column 11.

[0067] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its spirit.

[0068] For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the furniture body is described as a table type in which the tabletop is supported by multiple legs, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to such a case, and any type of furniture that can be fitted with casters and a locking device on the bottom is acceptable.

[0069] Furthermore, the brake body of the locking device is not limited to one that simultaneously locks the vertical rotation and lateral rotation of the caster wheel; it is sufficient if it can at least apply braking to the vertical rotation of the wheel.

[0070] Furthermore, the force pressing the brake body against the wheels only needs to utilize gravity acting on the furniture itself, and of course, gravity acting on optional accessories attached to the furniture may also be used in addition.

[0071] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, a case was described in which vertical play is provided between the caster wheel and the swivel arm so that the furniture body can be lifted upward by a cam mechanism or the like using the brake body in contact with the wheel as a support base. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and it is also possible to provide vertical play between the caster's swivel arm and the base, or between the caster's base and the furniture body, for example. However, as in the illustrated embodiment, providing vertical play between the wheel and the swivel arm of the caster, in other words, between the wheel and the base that supports the swivel arm, allows for the simplest configuration and is the easiest to implement. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] T...Furniture (table) 1…Furniture body 11...legs 12…Top end (outlet) 13...Pole 15…Tabletop 2… Caster 21...Base 22... Swivel Arm 22a…Shaft hole 23...Wheel 23a...Outer surface 24...axis 3…Locking mechanism 31... Brake body 32...Operating lever 33... Cam mechanism 34... Spring

Claims

1. A piece of furniture comprising a furniture body, casters provided at the bottom of the furniture body having wheels capable of rolling on the floor, and a locking device provided on the furniture body that presses a brake body against the outer circumference of the wheels to lock the wheels, A piece of furniture in which the locking device is configured to press the brake body against the outer surface of the wheel using gravity acting on the furniture body.

2. The furniture according to claim 1, wherein the locking device is configured to allow the brake body to separate from the wheel in the unlocked position, and to press the brake body against the outer surface of the wheel using gravity acting on the furniture body in the locked position.

3. The furniture according to claim 1, wherein the locking device comprises an operating lever that can be manually operated between an unlocked position and a locked position, and a cam mechanism that lifts the furniture body using a brake body that contacts the wheel as a support base when the operating lever is operated from the unlocked position toward the locked position.

4. The furniture according to claim 3, wherein the caster comprises a base attached to the furniture body and a wheel supported on the base so as to be able to swivel and rotate, and the wheel is pivotally supported on the base so as to be able to move freely in the vertical direction.

5. The furniture according to claim 1, wherein the furniture body has a plurality of legs, and casters and locking devices are provided at the lower ends of each of the legs.

Images