furniture

Abstract

There is a need for fixtures that can guide relatively low-bulk cords with a simple configuration, but conventional fixtures have not been able to meet this need. [Solution] The fixture Z of the present invention comprises a base 1 from which cords 14 extend, and a leg body 3 that supports the base 1. The leg body 3 consists of at least two leg supports 31a and 31b having a substantially circular cross-section arranged in parallel, and a wiring guide groove 34 for housing and guiding the cords 14 is formed between the leg supports 31a and 31b. The leg body 3 consists of a pair of linear leg supports 31a and 31b arranged parallel to each other, close together or tangent to each other, and these leg supports 31a and 31b are made of circular pipe material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to furniture such as a table having a wiring guiding function.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in furniture provided with a power outlet or the like on a tabletop, it has been widely practiced to hold cords extending from the power outlet or the like with a cord holder and guide them on the floor surface (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] However, such a cord holder is extremely convenient when bundling and guiding a large number of cords, but it has excessive quality when guiding a small number of cords.

[0004] Therefore, the emergence of furniture that can guide relatively low-bulk cords with a simple configuration has been desired.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Conventional furniture has a problem that it cannot meet the above-described demands regarding the guidance of cords, and the present invention aims to solve this problem.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The fixture according to claim 1 comprises a base from which cords extend and legs that support the base, wherein the legs consist of at least two leg supports having a substantially circular cross-section arranged in parallel, and a wiring guide groove for housing and guiding the cords is formed between the leg supports.

[0008] The fixture according to claim 2 is based on the configuration described in claim 1, and the legs are made of a pair of parallel, linear leg supports that are close together or tangent to each other.

[0009] The fixture according to claim 3 is based on the configuration described in claim 1 or 2, The aforementioned leg supports are made of circular pipe material.

[0010] The fixture according to claim 4 is based on the configuration described in claim 1, and the leg body is provided with a locking band that partially covers the wiring guide groove between the two leg supports in a detachable manner.

[0011] The furniture according to claim 5 is based on the configuration described in claim 1, wherein the base is a top plate equipped with a power outlet from which cords extend, and the legs are comprised of a leg support, a top plate support for fastening the upper end of the leg support to the top plate, and a base portion for supporting the lower end of the leg support on the floor.

[0012] The fixture according to claim 6 is based on the configuration described in claim 2, wherein the leg body is provided with two pairs of leg supports, and the wiring guide groove formed between one pair of leg supports and the wiring guide groove formed between the other pair of leg supports are arranged facing each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fixture that can guide cords extending from a base onto the floor surface with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Perspective view from the bottom side of the embodiment. [Figure 3] Front view of the embodiment. [Figure 4] Left side view of the embodiment. [Figure 5] Plan view of the embodiment. [Figure 6] Bottom view of the embodiment. [Figure 7] End view taken along line A-A in FIG. 3. [Figure 8] Operation explanatory view corresponding to FIG. 7. [Figure 9] End view taken along line B-B in FIG. 3. [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in FIG. 5. [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view taken along line W-W in FIG. 5. [Figure 12] Perspective view for explaining the operation of this embodiment. [Figure 13] Operation explanatory view of the embodiment. [Figure 14] Operation explanatory view of the embodiment. [Figure 15] Operation explanatory view of the embodiment. [Figure 16] Exploded perspective view of the embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16.

[0016] The furniture Z according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "table Z") has a recess 12 on the upper surface 11 which is a flat exterior surface, and a top plate 1 which is a base body accommodating a power outlet 13 in the recess 12, a lid body 2 which is openably and closably attached to the recess 12 of the top plate 1, and a leg body 3 for supporting the top plate 1, and cords 14 are extended downward from the power outlet 13. Thus, the outlet device Y is constituted by the top plate 1 and the lid body 2.

[0017] The following describes the structure of the table Z, which is a piece of furniture, and then details the electrical outlet device Y.

[0018] This table Z comprises a base tabletop 1, a lid 2 fitted onto a recessed portion 12 of the tabletop 1, and legs 3 that support the tabletop 1.

[0019] The tabletop 1 is a circular disc in plan view, with a smooth upper surface 11 that serves as the exterior surface. A recess 12 is provided on the upper center of the tabletop 1, and a power outlet 13 is installed within this recess 12. In other words, the tabletop 1 is equipped with a power outlet 13 with cords 14 extending downwards, and is supported by the legs 3.

[0020] The leg body 3 comprises multiple leg supports 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d, a tabletop support 32 for fastening the upper ends of the leg supports 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d to the tabletop 1, and a base portion 33 for supporting the lower ends of the leg supports 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d on the floor.

[0021] To explain in more detail, in this embodiment, the leg body 3 is equipped with four leg supports 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d, each having a substantially circular cross-section. Two specific leg supports 31a and 31b are arranged in parallel and in close proximity to each other, and the other two leg supports 31c and 31d are also arranged in parallel and in close proximity to each other.

[0022] Furthermore, a wiring guide groove 34 is formed between the two parallel-arranged leg supports 31a and 31b to accommodate and guide the aforementioned cords 14 (see Figures 7 and 8). That is, when a pair of linear leg supports 31a and 31b, each having a substantially circular cross-section, are arranged in parallel, close together or tangent to each other, a pair of vertically continuous spaces 3s that gradually widen laterally are formed between the leg supports 31a and 31b, and these spaces 3s are used as the wiring guide groove 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner space 3s, which is difficult to see from the outer surface, is used as the wiring guide groove 34, and in Figure 8, a pattern is applied to this wiring guide groove 34.

[0023] However, the two leg supports 31a and 31b are detachably provided with locking straps 35 that partially cover the wiring guide groove 34. The locking strap 35 comprises a strap body 351 that covers the open end of the wiring guide groove 34 and prevents the cords 14 inside the wiring guide groove 34 from protruding to the outside, and engaging parts 352 provided at both ends of the strap body 351 that tightly engage with the outer surfaces of the leg supports 31a and 31b. It is integrally constructed from, for example, synthetic resin (see Figure 8). In this embodiment, the upper and lower pair of locking straps 35 can be detachably attached to the leg supports 31a and 31b using elastic deformation, and their attachment position can be changed as appropriate in the vertical direction.

[0024] Similar spaces 3s are formed between the other two leg supports 31c and 31d, but in the illustrated embodiment, these spaces 3s are not used as wiring guide grooves 34. However, it is of course possible to use the spaces 3s formed between these leg supports 31c and 31d as wiring guide grooves 34.

[0025] In other words, although the illustrated embodiment shows the leg supports 31c and 31d without the locking straps 35 attached (see Figures 7 to 9), the locking straps 35 can also be attached to these leg supports 31c and 31d, and the space s between them can be used as a wiring guide groove 34. In this case, if the wiring guide groove 34 formed between one pair of leg supports 31a and 31b is positioned to face the wiring guide groove 34 formed between the other pair of leg supports 31c and 31d, the effect is obtained that it becomes difficult to see inside the wiring guide groove 34 from the outside. Note that 36 is a connecting member for connecting the lower ends of the leg supports 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d to each other, and is rigidly connected to the leg supports 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d by welding or the like.

[0026] The leg supports 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d described above are each made of circular pipe material, and their upper ends are rigidly connected by welding or other means to a metal plate tabletop support 32 which is screwed to the tabletop 1. The lower ends of the leg supports 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d are each integrally connected to a base portion 33 made of circular pipe material.

[0027] Here, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the entire table Z, and Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the entire underside of the table Z. Figure 3 is a front view of the table Z, Figure 4 is a left side view, Figure 5 is a top view of the table Z, and Figure 6 is a bottom view of the table Z. Figure 7 is a plan cross-sectional view showing the portion near the upper end of the leg body 3, Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an exploded view of the portion corresponding to Figure 7, and Figure 9 is a plan cross-sectional view showing the portion at the intermediate height of the leg body 3. These drawings disclose that spaces 3s that can be used as wiring guide grooves 34 are formed between the parallel-arranged leg supports 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d.

[0028] Next, the outlet device Y applied to the table Z described above will be explained with reference to Figures 10 to 16.

[0029] This outlet device Y comprises a top plate 1, which is a base body having a recessed portion 12 on its flat outer surface top 11, and a power outlet 13 housed within the recessed portion 12, and a cover 2 that is movable along the top surface 11 of the top plate 1.

[0030] The top panel 1 has a smooth, disc-shaped upper surface 11, which is the exterior surface. A circular recess 12 is formed in the center of the upper surface 11, recessed by a certain dimension L. A power outlet mounting hole 122 is provided on the bottom surface 121 of the recess 12, which is smaller in area than the recess 12 when viewed from above. A power outlet 13 is fixed through this mounting hole 122. The mounting hole 122 is shaped to match the shape of the power outlet 13 when viewed from above and penetrates to the bottom surface 15 of the top panel 1. A cord insertion hole 321 is provided in the center of the top panel support 32 that supports the top panel 1, and the cords 14 that are led out from the bottom surface of the power outlet 13 downwards are guided through this cord insertion hole 321 into the space below the top panel 1.

[0031] The power outlet 13 is a standard type with multiple plug insertion holes 132 on its upper surface 131 for inserting plugs (not shown), and is fitted into and fixed in the outlet mounting hole 122. In this fixed state, the upper surface 131, which is the outer end face of the power outlet 13, is located above the bottom surface 121 of the recessed portion 12, and a surrounding space 133 is formed around the power outlet 13 to facilitate the attachment of plugs connected to bulky AC adapters, etc. In other words, the recessed portion 12 has a bottom surface 121 that is located further back than the upper surface 131, which is the outer end face of the power outlet 13.

[0032] Note that power outlet 13 may be replaced with one equipped with a USB port such as USB Type-A or USB Type-C instead of a standard outlet. In other words, this power outlet concept also includes "output ports" commonly used in mobile batteries.

[0033] The lid 2 is positioned at the open end 123 of the recessed portion 12 and is movable between a closed position M in which the upper surface 22 is fitted into the open end 123 of the recessed portion 12 and is substantially flush with the upper surface 11 of the top plate 1, and an open position N in which the recessed portion 12 is opened and the lower surface 21 slides against the upper surface 11 of the top plate 1.

[0034] An upward-facing, annular inclined surface p is formed at the open end 123 of the recessed portion 12, with the diameter gradually increasing upwards. A downward-facing, annular inclined surface q is formed at the peripheral edge 23 of the lid 2, with the diameter gradually decreasing downwards. The inclination angles of these inclined surfaces p and q with respect to the horizontal plane are set to the same value. When the lid 2 is fitted into the open end 123 of the recessed portion 12, the upper surface 22 of the lid 2 and the upper surface 11 of the top plate 1 are substantially flush and continuous, and these inclined surfaces p and q are in close contact with each other (see Figure 13).

[0035] The recessed portion 12 of the top plate 1 and the lid 2 are approximately circular in shape, and the lid 2 is pivotally supported at an eccentric position in the recessed portion 12 via an eccentric pivot mounting portion 24. As shown in Figures 10 and 15, the eccentric pivot mounting portion 24 is formed by creating a shaft hole 241 at an eccentric position on the bottom surface 121 of the recessed portion 12, and fitting a hollow shaft 242, which protrudes at an eccentric position on the lower surface 21 of the lid 2, into this shaft hole 241 so that it can rotate and move up and down. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a small-diameter fixed shaft 243 is fixed to the bottom of the shaft hole 241 of the top plate 1, with its axis aligned with the shaft hole 241, and smooth rotation of the lid 2 is ensured by fitting this fixed shaft 243 into the hollow portion of the axial center of the hollow shaft 242 of the lid 2.

[0036] However, the recessed portion 12 is provided with a biasing force conversion mechanism 4 that utilizes the biasing force applied to the lid 2 along the upper surface 11 of the top plate 1 to lift the lid 2 upward. The biasing force conversion mechanism 4 comprises an upward-facing annular inclined surface p formed on the open end 123 of the recessed portion 12 of the top plate 1, a downward-facing annular inclined surface q formed on the peripheral edge 23 of the lid 2, and the aforementioned eccentric pivot portion 24 (see Figure 15).

[0037] Now, let's explain the operation of the outlet device Y.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1, 10, and 13, in the closed position M where the cover 2 is fitted into the open end 123 of the recess 12, the recess 12 is closed by the cover 2, and the power outlet 13 housed within the recess 12 is protected from being exposed to the outside. In this closed position M, the lower surface 21 of the cover 2 is in contact with or close to the upper surface 131 of the power outlet 13, and the upward-facing annular inclined surface p formed on the open end 123 of the recess 12 and the downward-facing annular inclined surface q formed on the peripheral edge 23 of the cover 2 are in close contact.

[0039] When a finger r is placed on the finger rest 25 of the lid 2 in this closed position M and biased horizontally (see Figure 14), the lid 2 begins to rotate horizontally around the eccentric pivot 24. At this time, the downward-facing annular inclined surface q of the lid 2 is guided to ride up onto the upward-facing annular inclined surface p of the recess 12 (see Figure 14), and finally the entire lid 2 is guided onto the upper surface 11 of the top plate 1 (see Figure 15). In this state, the lid 2 becomes slidable on the upper surface 11 of the top plate 1, and the degree to which the recess 12 is opened can be freely changed by rotating the lid 2 horizontally with one finger (see Figures 12 and 15).

[0040] As explained above, this outlet device Y does not have the cover 2 protruding significantly away from the top surface 11 of the tabletop 1, regardless of whether the cover 2 is in the closed position M or the open position N. Therefore, the problem of the cover 2 being easily obstructive to the user of the table Z is eliminated. In particular, in the closed position M, the top surface 22 of the cover 2 is almost flush with the top surface 11 of the tabletop 1, so the entire top surface 11 of the tabletop 1 can be used without being aware that the outlet device Y is installed there.

[0041] In this embodiment, the table Z comprises a tabletop 1 which is a base from which the cords 14 of the power outlet 13 extend downward, and legs 3 which support the tabletop 1. The legs 3 consist of at least two leg supports 31a and 31b with a substantially circular cross-section arranged in parallel, and a wiring guide groove 34 is formed between these leg supports 31a and 31b for housing and guiding the cords 14.

[0042] Therefore, the cords 14 extending from the top plate 1 can be guided downward while housed in the wiring insertion groove 34 and led to the floor surface. Since this wiring insertion groove 34 is formed between the leg supports 31a and 31b, which have a roughly circular cross-section, it has a depth comparable to the radius of the leg supports 31a and 31b and gradually widens outward (see pattern in Figure 8).

[0043] Therefore, a wiring guide groove 34 is formed that can easily and reliably accommodate the cords 14 without employing a complex groove formation structure, and the cords 14 can be guided onto the floor surface without being conspicuous.

[0044] Furthermore, if the cords 14 are made of a highly elastic material, a locking strap 35 that partially covers the wiring guide groove 34 can be detachably provided between the two leg supports 31a and 31b to prevent the cords 14 from protruding from the wiring guide groove 34.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the leg body 3 consists of a pair of linear leg supports 31a and 31b that are parallel to each other, close together, or tangent to each other, the wiring guide groove 34 is also a linear shape that extends vertically, making it easy to insert and remove cords 14.

[0046] Furthermore, since the leg supports 31a and 31b are made of circular pipe material, they are lightweight and easy to manufacture.

[0047] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the leg body 3 is equipped with two pairs of leg supports 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d, so that four recessed spaces 3s are formed between the outer surfaces of the leg supports 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d, and these spaces 3s can be used as wiring guide grooves 34 as appropriate. With such a configuration, the lower ends of the four leg supports 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d can be connected by a single connecting member 36, thereby simplifying the structure.

[0048] 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.

[0049] For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the base is described as being the tabletop of a table, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. That is, the base may be something other than a tabletop, as long as it is supported by a leg body consisting of at least two leg supports with a substantially circular cross-section arranged in parallel.

[0050] Furthermore, the invention described in claim 1 is not limited to a leg body in which a pair of straight leg supports are arranged parallel to each other, close together or tangent to each other. For example, the leg body may be constructed by arranging curved leg supports adjacent to each other. Various modifications are possible, such as arranging spiral leg supports tangent to each other and forming a spiral wiring guide groove between them.

[0051] Furthermore, the leg supports are not limited to those made of circular pipe material, but may also be solid rod-shaped or the like.

[0052] Furthermore, the means of partially blocking the wiring guide groove is not necessarily required; for example, the cords may be held in place within the wiring guide groove using double-sided tape or the like. Also, even when a locking band is provided, it is not necessarily limited to the embodiment shown in the diagram; various modifications are possible, such as making it a band that wraps around the entire outer circumference of the two leg supports.

[0053] Furthermore, the leg structure is not limited to those equipped with two pairs of leg supports, but such a configuration would allow for the placement of pairs of wiring guide grooves facing each other.

[0054] Furthermore, various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] Z... Fixtures 1…Base (top panel) 11…Exterior surface (top surface) 12…Depressed area 121...Bottom 123...Open end 13…Power outlet 131…Outer end surface (top surface) 133... Surrounding space 14… Codes 2... Lid 22...Outer surface (top surface) 24...Eccentric shaft attachment part 25...Finger rest part 3…Leg body 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d...Leg support 34…Wiring guide groove 35… Mooring band 4. Force Conversion Mechanism

Claims

1. A fixture comprising a base from which cords extend, and legs that support the base. The aforementioned leg body consists of at least two leg supports, each having a substantially circular cross-section, arranged in parallel. A piece of furniture having wiring guide grooves formed between its leg supports for housing and guiding the aforementioned cords.

2. The fixture according to claim 1, wherein the leg body consists of a pair of parallel, linear leg supports positioned close together or tangent to each other.

3. The fixture according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the leg support is made of a circular pipe material.

4. The fixture according to claim 1, wherein the leg body is provided with a locking band that partially covers the wiring guide groove between the two leg supports, which can be attached and detached.

5. The aforementioned base is a top panel equipped with a power outlet from which cords extend, The fixture according to claim 1, wherein the leg body comprises the leg support column, a top plate support for fastening the upper end of the leg support column to the top plate, and a base portion for supporting the lower end of the leg support column on the floor.

6. The aforementioned leg body is equipped with two pairs of leg supports, The fixture according to claim 2, wherein a wiring guide groove formed between one pair of leg supports and a wiring guide groove formed between the other pair of leg supports are arranged facing each other.

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