Furniture with a foldable tabletop

Abstract

To provide furniture equipped with a foldable tabletop that can minimize a decrease in user comfort. [Solution] A piece of furniture comprising a foldable tabletop and legs that support the tabletop from below, wherein the tabletop has a first tabletop and a second tabletop, and is foldable in a direction in which the upper surface of the first tabletop and the upper surface of the second tabletop are in contact, and the legs have a first leg that supports the first tabletop from below, a second leg that supports the second tabletop from below, and a connecting part that connects the first leg and the second leg, and the first leg is inside the first leg The sides support the first top plate so that it can pivot around a first axis extending along the top surface, the second legs support the second top plate so that it can pivot around a second axis extending along the top surface inside the second legs, the connecting parts connect the first legs and the second legs so that the distance between the first axis and the second axis can be changed, and the base end of the folded top plate is stored in a preset distance between the first legs and the second legs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to furniture having a foldable top plate and legs for supporting the top plate, and more particularly to a kneeling chair used by a user in a kneeling position.

Background Art

[0002] FIG. 11(a) is a front view showing a conventional kneeling chair with the legs extended, and FIG. 11(b) is a front view showing a conventional kneeling chair with the legs folded. As shown in FIG. 11(a) or FIG. 11(b), a conventional kneeling chair 100 includes a substantially plate-shaped seat surface portion 110 on which a user places their buttocks, and legs 120 that support the seat surface portion 110 from below. The legs 120 have a pair of substantially rectangular frame bodies 121, 121, a pivot portion 122 that pivotally supports the frame bodies 121, 121 so as to intersect, and a base portion 123 that supports the frame bodies 121, 121 in a folded state or an extended state from below. Such a kneeling chair 100 is used, for example, when a user uses it, with the frame body 121 extended and the legs 120 extended as shown in FIG. 11(a), and is carried, for example, when a user carries it, with the frame body 121 folded and the legs 120 folded as shown in FIG. 11(b).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in conventional furniture such as the kneeling chair 100, although the legs 120 can be folded to reduce the overall height, the outer diameter of the seat 110 in plan view cannot be reduced. Therefore, if the outer diameter of the seat 110 in plan view is increased to improve the user experience, including comfort and stability, it may become difficult to carry the kneeling chair 100. In addition, since the seat 110 is exposed to the outside, it may get dirty during transport, reducing the user experience, including cleanliness. Furthermore, conventional kneeling chairs 100 are often used in Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats, and the legs 120, which are made of metal pipes, do not blend in with the atmosphere of a Japanese-style room, potentially reducing the user's aesthetic sense and overall user experience.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide furniture equipped with a foldable tabletop that can suppress a decline in the user's comfort. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The following are effective solutions for achieving the above-mentioned objectives. Explanations of their operation and other aspects will be provided as needed. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, corresponding configurations and other aspects in the embodiments of the invention will be shown as appropriate, but these are not limiting in any way.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned objective, according to the invention of claim 1 of the present invention, A piece of furniture comprising a foldable tabletop and legs that support the tabletop from below, The top plate comprises a first top plate and a second top plate arranged side by side with the first top plate, and is foldable in a direction such that the upper surface of the first top plate and the upper surface of the second top plate are in contact with each other. The leg portion includes a first leg portion that supports the first tabletop from below, a second leg portion that supports the second tabletop from below, and a connecting portion that connects the first leg portion and the second leg portion so as to provide a predetermined distance between them. The first leg portion supports the first top plate so that it can pivot around a first axis that extends along the upper surface of the inside of the first leg portion, The second leg portion supports the second top plate so that it can pivot around a second axis that extends along the upper surface of the inside of the second leg portion, The connecting portion connects the first leg portion and the second leg portion so that the distance between the first axis and the second axis can be changed. At least a portion of the folded tabletop is stored in the predetermined space between the first leg and the second leg. It is characterized by the following:

[0008] According to the furniture with a foldable tabletop according to claim 1 of the present invention, the tabletop has a first tabletop and a second tabletop arranged side by side with the first tabletop, and is foldable in a direction in which the upper surface of the first tabletop and the upper surface of the second tabletop are in contact, and the connecting part connects the first leg and the second leg so that the distance between the first axis and the second axis can be changed, and the base end of the folded tabletop is stored in a predetermined interval between the first leg and the second leg. For example, even if the outer shape of the tabletop in a plan view is made larger in order to improve the user experience, including seating comfort and stability, it is possible to suppress the difficulty of carrying the furniture, and in addition, when the tabletop is folded, it is possible to suppress the soiling of the upper surface of the tabletop by dust or external impacts, and it is also possible to suppress the deterioration of the user experience, including cleanliness due to soiling. Furthermore, the first and second legs only need to support the first or second tabletop from below, and wood can be used for the first and second legs. Even when used in a Japanese-style room with tatami mats, the legs can be made to blend in with the atmosphere of the room, and a decline in the user's aesthetic sense and overall user experience can be suppressed.

[0009] According to the invention of claim 2 of the present invention, The tabletop further includes a locking mechanism that prevents the tabletop from being folded from its extended state. It is characterized by the following:

[0010] According to the furniture equipped with a foldable tabletop as described in claim 2 of the present invention, since it further has a locking mechanism that restricts the tabletop from being folded from an extended state, it is possible to suppress the tabletop from being folded against the user's intention when the furniture is being used with the tabletop extended, thereby suppressing a decrease in usability, including stability.

[0011] According to the invention of claim 3 of the present invention, The connecting portion has a hinge that can be opened at the top, connecting the lower part of the first leg and the lower part of the second leg. It is characterized by the following:

[0012] According to the furniture with a foldable tabletop of the invention described in claim 3 of the present invention, the connecting part has a hinge that opens at the top and connects the lower part of the first leg and the lower part of the second leg. As the tabletop is folded by the first tabletop rotating around the first axis and the second tabletop rotating around the second axis, the top of the hinge opens, and the upper parts of the first leg and the second leg open outward so that the distance between the first axis and the second axis increases. This prevents excessive load from being placed on the first leg and the second leg with a simple configuration, and allows the folded tabletop to be stored in a preset distance between the first leg and the second leg, thereby preventing a decrease in usability, including the feel of the operation when folding the tabletop.

[0013] According to the invention of claim 4 of the present invention, The connecting portion further includes a biasing means that biases the hinge in the closing direction. It is characterized by the following:

[0014] According to the furniture with a foldable tabletop as described in claim 4 of the present invention, the connecting part further has a biasing means that biases the hinge in the closing direction, so that the connecting part can bias the upper part of the first leg and the upper part of the second leg in the closing direction, thereby preventing the tabletop from unintentionally transitioning from a folded state to an unfolded state by the user, and preventing a decrease in the user experience, including the feel of the tabletop's movement.

[0015] According to the invention of claim 5 of the present invention, the connecting portion has an elastic member that connects the lower portion of the first leg portion and the lower portion of the second leg portion. This is the gist.

[0016] According to the furniture provided with the foldable top plate of the invention according to claim 5 of the present invention, since the connecting portion has an elastic member that connects the lower portion of the first leg portion and the lower portion of the second leg portion, when the first top plate is pivoted around the first axis and the second top plate is pivoted around the second axis and the top plate is folded, the elastic member is deformed so that the upper portions of the first leg portion and the second leg portion are opened outward so that the distance between the first axis and the second axis increases, and with a simple configuration, an excessive load is prevented from being applied to the first leg portion and the second leg portion, and the folded top plate can be stored at a preset interval between the first leg portion and the second leg portion, and a decrease in the usability including the operating feeling when folding the top plate can be suppressed. Further, since the connecting portion biases the upper portions of the first leg portion and the second leg portion in the closing direction, it is possible to suppress the user from unintentionally changing from the folded state of the top plate to the expanded state, and it is also possible to suppress a decrease in the usability including the operating feeling of the top plate.

Effect of the Invention

[0017] Thus, in the furniture provided with the foldable top plate of the present invention, a decrease in the usability of the user can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a schematic perspective view showing a state where the top plate of the kneeling chair, which is one embodiment, is expanded. [Figure 2] It is a schematic perspective view showing a state where the top plate of the kneeling chair of FIG. 1 is folded. [Figure 3] It is a schematic front view showing the kneeling chair with the top plate expanded. [Figure 4] It is a schematic front view showing the kneeling chair during the transition from the state where the top plate is expanded to the state where it is folded. [Figure 5] This is a schematic front view showing a kneeling chair with the top panel folded down. [Figure 6] (a) is a schematic front view showing the top of a kneeling chair equipped with a connecting part of another embodiment in an extended state, and (b) is a schematic front view showing the state in the process of transitioning to the folded state of the top of a kneeling chair equipped with a connecting part of another embodiment. [Figure 7] (a) is a schematic bottom view showing the tabletop in its unfolded state, and (b) is a schematic top view showing the tabletop in its folded state. [Figure 8] This is a schematic front view showing the transition state of a folding table, one embodiment of the folding table, from an unfolded state to a folded state. [Figure 9] This is a schematic front view showing the tabletop of a folding table in its folded state. [Figure 10] This is a schematic perspective view showing a folding table of another embodiment. [Figure 11] (a) is a front view showing a conventional kneeling chair with foldable legs in an unfolded state, and (b) is a front view showing a conventional kneeling chair with foldable legs in a folded state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] A kneeling chair 1, which is one embodiment of furniture equipped with a foldable top plate 2, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the kneeling chair 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the kneeling chair of one embodiment in an unfolded state, and Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the kneeling chair of Figure 1 in a folded state. Figure 3 is a schematic front view showing the kneeling chair in an unfolded state, Figure 4 is a schematic front view showing the kneeling chair in the transition from an unfolded state to a folded state, and Figure 5 is a schematic front view showing the kneeling chair in a folded state.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the kneeling chair 1 of this embodiment comprises a foldable top plate 2 and legs 3 that support the top plate 2 from below.

[0021] The tabletop 2 is formed in a roughly hexagonal shape in plan view, and when the kneeling chair 1 is placed on a surface such as the floor or tatami mat, it has a central part 2a that is almost parallel to the surface and an edge part 2b that slopes downward from the central part 2a outwards. With a tabletop 2 of this shape, when a user sits on the tabletop 2, the external force acting on the tabletop 2 can be distributed along the upper surface of the tabletop 2, reducing discomfort caused to the user by concentrated weight and suppressing a decrease in the overall user experience, including seating comfort.

[0022] Conventional kneeling chairs 100, as shown in Figure 11(a) or Figure 11(b), are equipped with a roughly plate-shaped seat portion 110 on which the user rests their buttocks, and legs 120 that support the seat portion 110 from below. The legs 120 consist of a pair of roughly rectangular frames 121, 121, a pivot portion 122 that pivotally supports the frames 121, 121 so that they intersect, and a base portion 123 that supports the frames 121, 121 from below in a folded or unfolded state. Such a kneeling chair 100 can be used, for example, when a user is using it, as shown in Figure 11(a), by rotating the frame 121 around the pivot 122 so that it spreads out and the legs 120 are extended. When a user is carrying it, for example, as shown in Figure 11(b), the frame 121 can be folded around the pivot 122 so that it is folded and the legs 120 are folded for transport.

[0023] However, in conventional kneeling chairs 100, although the height of the kneeling chair 100 is reduced by folding the legs 120, the outer diameter of the seat 110 in plan view cannot be reduced. Therefore, if the outer diameter of the seat 110 in plan view is increased to improve the user experience, including comfort and stability, it may become difficult to carry the kneeling chair 100. In addition, in conventional kneeling chairs 100, the seat 110 is always exposed to the outside, so for example, the seat 110 may get dirty when carried, which may reduce the user experience, including cleanliness. Furthermore, conventional kneeling chairs 100 are often used in so-called Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats, and the legs 120, which use metal pipe members, do not blend in with the atmosphere of a Japanese-style room, which may reduce the user experience, including aesthetics.

[0024] The following describes the kneeling chair 1, with the aim of resolving these problems. Note that a detailed explanation of the configuration similar to the kneeling chair 1 described above will be omitted.

[0025] The top plate 2 of this embodiment has a first top plate 21 and a second top plate 22 arranged side by side with the first top plate 21, and is foldable in a direction in which the upper surface 21a of the first top plate 21 and the upper surface 22a of the second top plate are in contact. The first top plate 21 and the second top plate 22 of this embodiment are formed as a pair on the left and right sides and are connected by a top plate hinge 23 provided along the front-to-back direction. The top plate hinge 23 may be provided across the width of the top plate 2 in the front-to-back direction, or it may be provided on at least a part of the width of the top plate 2 in the front-to-back direction.

[0026] The first top plate 21 and the second top plate 22 of this embodiment are substantially trapezoidal plate-like members extending horizontally, and are formed using, for example, wood. The first top plate 21 and the second top plate 22 are preferably paired in their external shapes, and the width in the front-to-back direction, the width in the left-to-right direction, and the height in the up-to-down direction when the top plate 2 is open are predetermined according to the user, such as for children or adults. Specifically, for adults, they are formed in the shape of a plate with a width of 25.0 cm in the front-to-back direction, a width of 15.0 cm in the left-to-right direction, and a height of 2.1 cm in the up-to-down direction.

[0027] The hinge 23 for the tabletop has a first plate-like portion 23a attached to the inner side of the first tabletop 21, a second plate-like portion 23b attached to the inner side of the second tabletop 22, and a pivot portion 23c that pivotally supports the upper end (base end) of the first plate-like portion 23a and the upper end (base end) of the second plate-like portion 23b. The pivot portion 23c allows the first plate-like portion 23a or the second plate-like portion 23b to pivot around an axis 23d extending in the front-rear direction, and the tabletop 2 can be folded in a direction in which the upper surface 21a of the first tabletop 21 and the upper surface 22a of the second tabletop are in contact.

[0028] In this embodiment, the pivot support portion 23c is located above the upper end of the central portion 2a of the unfolded tabletop 2, from the viewpoint of reducing the gap between the first tabletop 21 and the second tabletop 22 of the unfolded tabletop 2. However, it may also be located below the upper end of the central portion 2a of the unfolded tabletop 2, from the viewpoint of reducing the gap between the first tabletop 21 and the second tabletop 22 of the folded tabletop 2. Furthermore, in order to reduce these gaps and prevent the tabletop hinge 23 from protruding from the central portion 2a of the tabletop 2, recesses may be formed on the inner side surfaces of the first tabletop 21 and the second tabletop 22, and the tabletop hinge 23 may be assembled into these recesses. In this embodiment, although a gap is shown between the first tabletop 21 and the second tabletop 22 in Figure 5 and other figures showing the tabletop 2 in a folded state, this is done to facilitate the explanation of the tabletop hinge 23. In this embodiment, when the tabletop 2 is folded, the upper surface 21a of the first tabletop 21 and the upper surface 22a of the second tabletop 22 are in close contact.

[0029] The leg portion 3 includes a first leg portion 31 that supports the first top plate 21 from below, a second leg portion 32 that supports the second top plate 22 from below, a first hinge 33 that straddles the bottom surface of the first top plate 21 and the inner side surface of the first leg portion 31, a second hinge 34 that straddles the bottom surface of the second top plate 22 and the inner side surface of the second leg portion 32, and a connecting portion 35 that connects the first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion 32 so as to provide a predetermined gap X1 between the first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion 32.

[0030] The first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion 32 of this embodiment are rectangular plate-like members extending vertically, and are formed using, for example, wood. The first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion 32 are preferably paired in their external shapes, and the width in the front-to-back direction, the width in the left-to-right direction, and the height in the up-to-down direction are predetermined according to the user, such as for children or adults. Specifically, for adults, they are formed in a plate shape with a width of 26.5 cm in the front-to-back direction, a width of 2.5 cm in the left-to-right direction, and a height of 13.0 cm in the up-to-down direction.

[0031] The first hinge 33 has a first plate-like portion 33a attached to the inner bottom surface of the first top plate 21, a second plate-like portion 33b attached to the upper end of the upper side surface of the first leg portion 31, and a pivot portion 33c that pivotally supports the left end (base end) of the first plate-like portion 33a and the upper end (base end) of the second plate-like portion 33b. The pivot portion 33c allows the first plate-like portion 33a or the second plate-like portion 33b to pivot around a first axis 33d that extends along the front-rear direction, and the first leg portion 31 supports the first top plate 21 so that it can pivot around the first axis 33d that extends along the upper surface inside the first leg portion 31.

[0032] The second hinge 34, like the first hinge 33, has a first plate-like portion 34a attached to the inner bottom surface of the second top plate 22, a second plate-like portion 34b attached to the upper end of the upper side surface of the second leg portion 32, and a pivot portion 34c that pivotally supports the left end (base end) of the first plate-like portion 34a and the upper end (base end) of the second plate-like portion 34b. The pivot portion 34c allows the first plate-like portion 34a or the second plate-like portion 34b to pivot around a second axis 34d that extends along the front-rear direction, and the second leg portion 32 supports the second top plate 22 so that it can pivot around a second axis 34d that extends along the upper surface inside the second leg portion 32.

[0033] Furthermore, the first hinge 33 and the second hinge 34 may be configured in such a way that, from the viewpoint of reducing the distance X1 between the first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion when the tabletop 2 is folded, a recess is formed on the bottom surface of the first tabletop 21, the side surface of the first leg portion 31, the bottom surface of the second tabletop 22, or the side surface of the second leg portion, and the first hinge 33 or the second hinge 34 is assembled into the recess.

[0034] The connecting portion 35 includes a first connecting portion 35a extending from the lower inner side of the first leg portion 31 toward the second leg portion 32, a second connecting portion 35b extending from the lower inner side of the second leg portion 32 toward the first leg portion 31, and a third hinge 36 provided between the first connecting portion 35a and the second connecting portion 35b.

[0035] The first connecting portion 35a and the second connecting portion 35b are, for example, rectangular plate materials extending in the front-rear direction, and are formed to abut each other with the third hinge 36, which is folded in the center of the first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion 32, in between. The first connecting portion 35a and the second connecting portion 35b may be fitted into recesses formed in the lower part of the first leg portion 31 or the lower part of the second leg portion 32, or they may be assembled to the lower part of the first leg portion 31 or the lower part of the second leg portion 32 via assembly members such as screws or adhesives.

[0036] The third hinge 36 connects the lower part of the first leg portion 31 and the lower part of the second leg portion 32, and is open at the top. It has a first plate-shaped portion 36a attached to the inner side surface of the first connecting portion 35a, a second plate-shaped portion 36b attached to the inner side surface of the second connecting portion 35b, and a pivot portion 36c that pivotally supports the lower end (base end) of the first plate-shaped portion 36a and the lower end (base end) of the second plate-shaped portion 36b. The pivot portion 36c allows the first plate-shaped portion 36a or the second plate-shaped portion 36b to pivot around a third axis 36d extending in the front-rear direction, and the connecting portion 35 connects the lower part of the first leg portion 31 and the lower part of the second leg portion 32 so that the distance between the first axis 33d and the second axis 34d can be changed, specifically so that the distance between the upper end of the first leg portion 31 and the upper end of the second leg portion 32 can be changed between interval X1 and interval X2.

[0037] Furthermore, the pre-set spacing X1 between the first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion 32, which are provided by the connecting portion 35, is set to be approximately the same as the combined length of the vertical height (thickness) of the first top plate 21 and the vertical height (thickness) of the second top plate 22 (more specifically, the spacing X1 is approximately the same as the thickness of the first top plate 21 and the second top plate 22, as well as the thickness of the first plate portion 33a and the second plate portion 33b of the first hinge 33 and the thickness of the first plate portion 34a and the second plate portion 34b of the second hinge 34). Furthermore, the length from the inner end face of the first top plate 21 to the first axis 33d of the first hinge 33 is set to be approximately the same as the vertical height (thickness) of the first top plate 21 (more specifically, approximately the same as the thickness of the first top plate 21 plus the thickness of the first plate-like portion 33a and the second plate-like portion 33b of the first hinge 33), and the length from the inner end face of the second top plate 22 to the second axis 34d of the second hinge 34 is set to be approximately the same as the vertical height (thickness) of the second top plate 22 (more specifically, approximately the same as the thickness of the second top plate 22 plus the thickness of the first plate-like portion 34a and the second plate-like portion 34b of the second hinge 34).

[0038] The folding mechanism of the aforementioned kneeling chair 1 will be explained in detail below.

[0039] In the kneeling chair 1 with the top plate 2 extended, as shown in the front view of Figure 3, the top plate 2 extends horizontally so that the upper surfaces 21a of the first top plate 21 and 22a of the second top plate 22 face upward, and the first top plate 21 and the second top plate 22 are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, and the first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion 32 are standing at a predetermined distance X1. Here, the predetermined distance X1 in this embodiment is set to be approximately the same size as the left-right width of the first top plate 21 and the second top plate 22 and the first hinge 33 and the second hinge 34 when folded. When the user kneels in the kneeling position, the kneeling chair 1 with the top plate 2 extended is used so that the user's buttocks are in contact with the top plate 2, and the user's left and right feet are positioned below the top plate 2 and outside the leg portion 3.

[0040] As shown in the front view of Figure 4, when the kneeling chair 1 transitions to a state in which the top plate 2 is folded, the outer edges of the first top plate 21 and the second top plate 22 are lifted so that the top surface 21a of the first top plate 21 and the top surface 22a of the second top plate 22 face each other, so that the top plate 2 is in a roughly V shape. Consequently, the upper ends of the first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion 32 are pressed outward by the bottom surface of the first top plate 21 or the bottom surface of the second top plate 22, so that the leg portion 3 is also in a roughly V shape. The top plate 2 is in a roughly V shape as the first top plate 21 and the second top plate 22 rotate around the axis 23d of the top plate hinge 23, and the leg portion 3 is in a roughly V shape as the first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion 32 rotate around the third axis 36d of the third hinge 36. Furthermore, the distance between the upper end of the first leg portion 31 and the upper end of the second leg portion 32 is increased from distance X1 to distance X2.

[0041] As shown in the front view of Figure 5, when the top plate 2 of the kneeling chair 1 is folded, the inner edges (base ends) of the first top plate 21 and the inner edges (base ends) of the second top plate 22 pass through the gap X2, and then the first top plate 21 and the second top plate 22 stand upright side by side so that the upper surfaces 21a of the first top plate 21 and 22a of the second top plate 22 face each other, and the first leg 31 and the second leg 32 stand upright at a predetermined gap X1. The lower end (base end) of the folded top plate 2 is stored in the predetermined gap X1 between the first leg 31 and the second leg 32 of the leg 3. The kneeling chair 1 in this folded state can be stored, for example, by leaning it against a wall, or carried in a bag.

[0042] According to the kneeling chair 1 of this embodiment, the top plate 2 has a first top plate 21 and a second top plate 22 arranged parallel to the first top plate 21, and is foldable so that the upper surface 21a of the first top plate 21 and the upper surface 22a of the second top plate 22 are in contact with each other, and the connecting part 35 connects the first leg part 31 and the second leg part 32 so that the distance between the first axis 33d and the second axis 34d can be changed, and the base end of the folded top plate 2 is stored in a preset distance X1 between the first leg part 31 and the second leg part 32, so that even if the outer shape of the top plate 2 in a plan view is made larger from the viewpoint of improving the user experience, including sitting comfort and stability, it is possible to suppress the difficulty of carrying the kneeling chair 1. In addition, when the tabletop 2 is folded, the upper surface 21a of the first tabletop 21 and the upper surface 22a of the second tabletop 22 are in contact with each other, thus preventing the upper surface 21a of the first tabletop 21 and the upper surface 22a of the second tabletop 22 from being soiled by dust or external impacts, and thus preventing a decrease in the user experience, including cleanliness, due to soiling. Furthermore, the first leg 31 and the second leg 32 only need to support the first tabletop 21 or the second tabletop 22 from below, and wood can be used for the first leg 31 and the second leg 32. Even when used in a Japanese-style room with tatami mats, the legs 3 can be made to blend in with the atmosphere of the Japanese-style room, thus preventing a decrease in the user experience, including aesthetics.

[0043] Furthermore, in the kneeling chair 1 of this embodiment, the connecting part 35 has a third hinge 36 that can be opened at the top and connects the lower part of the first leg part 31 and the lower part of the second leg part 32. As a result, when the first tabletop 21 rotates around the first axis 33d and the second tabletop 22 rotates around the second axis 34d to fold the tabletop 2, the top of the third hinge 36 opens, and the upper parts of the first leg part 31 and the second leg part 32 open outwards so that the distance between the first axis 33d and the second axis 34d increases. This prevents excessive load from being placed on the first leg part 31 and the second leg part 32 with a simple configuration, and allows the folded tabletop 2 to be stored in a preset distance X1 between the first leg part 31 and the second leg part 32, thereby suppressing a decrease in usability, including the feel of operation when folding the tabletop 2.

[0044] The connecting portion 35 of this embodiment may further have a biasing means that biases the third hinge 36 in the closing direction. The biasing means may be, for example, a spring body wound around the third axis 36d with one end fixed to the first plate-shaped portion 36a and the other end fixed to the second plate-shaped portion 36b, or an elastic body such as a rubber band wound around a recess that forms along the outer circumference of the upper part of the first leg portion 31 and the upper part of the second leg portion 32. With such a biasing means, the upper part of the first leg portion 31 and the upper part of the second leg portion 32 can be biased in the closing direction, thereby suppressing the transition of the tabletop 2 from a folded state to an unfolded state unintentionally by the user, and suppressing a decrease in the usability, including the feel of the movement of the tabletop 2.

[0045] In the above-described embodiment, a connecting portion 35 having a first connecting portion 35a extending from the lower inner side of the first leg portion 31 toward the second leg portion 32, a second connecting portion 35b extending from the lower inner side of the second leg portion 32 toward the first leg portion 31, and a third hinge 36 provided between the first connecting portion 35a and the second connecting portion 35b has been described in detail. However, the connecting portion 35 may also have an elastic member 35D connecting the lower part of the first leg portion 31 and the lower part of the second leg portion 32. Figure 6(a) is a schematic front view showing the top plate of a kneeling chair equipped with another embodiment of the connecting portion in an extended state, and Figure 6(b) is a schematic front view showing the state in the transition to the folded state of the top plate of a kneeling chair equipped with another embodiment of the connecting portion.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6(a) or Figure 6(b), the elastic member 35D can be any elastic material, such as rubber or bamboo, formed in a prismatic or cylindrical shape. One end may be fitted into a recess formed on the inner side of the first leg portion 31 and the other end into a recess formed on the inner side of the second leg portion 32. Alternatively, one end located on the inner side of the first leg portion 31 may be screwed in from the outside of the first leg portion 31 and the other end located on the inner side of the second leg portion 32 may be screwed in from the outside of the second leg portion 32. Another configuration may be one end bonded to the inner side of the first leg portion 31 using an adhesive, and the other end bonded to the inner side of the second leg portion 32 using an adhesive. It is more preferable that the elastic member 35D be made of bamboo, as this allows the leg portion 3 to blend in with the atmosphere of a Japanese-style room, even when used in a Japanese-style room with tatami mats, and further suppresses any decline in the user's aesthetic sense and overall user experience.

[0047] From the viewpoint of simplifying the configuration of the connecting portion 35, the connecting portion 35 may have a single elastic member 35D provided in the center of the front-rear direction of the leg portion 3, or from the viewpoint of increasing the strength of the connecting portion 35, it may have a plurality of elastic members 35D arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction of the leg portion 3.

[0048] As shown in the front view of Figure 6(b), when the kneeling chair 1 transitions to a state in which the top plate 2 is folded, the outer edges of the first top plate 21 and the second top plate 22 are lifted so that the top surface 21a of the first top plate 21 and the top surface 22a of the second top plate 22 face each other, so that the top plate 2 becomes roughly V-shaped. Consequently, the upper ends of the first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion 32 are pressed outward by the bottom surface of the first top plate 21 or the bottom surface of the second top plate 22, so that the leg portion 3 also becomes roughly V-shaped. In this embodiment, the leg portion 3 is such that the elastic member 35D of the connecting portion 35 bends in an arc shape so that the central part in the left-right direction becomes the top part facing upward, causing the first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion 32 to pivot and form a roughly V shape, and the distance between the upper end of the first leg portion 31 and the upper end of the second leg portion 32 is increased from distance X1 to distance X2.

[0049] Even in the kneeling chair having a connecting part 35 with an elastic member 35D as described above, the connecting part 35 connects the first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion 32 in the same way as the kneeling chair 1 described above, so that the distance between the first axis 33d and the second axis 34d can be changed, and the base end of the folded top plate 2 is stored in a preset distance X1 between the first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion 32. For example, even if the outer shape of the top plate 2 in a plan view is made larger from the viewpoint of improving the user experience, including sitting comfort and stability, it is possible to suppress the difficulty of carrying the kneeling chair 1. In addition, when the top plate 2 is folded, the upper surface 21a of the first top plate 21 and the upper surface 22a of the second top plate 22 face each other so that they are in contact, so it is possible to suppress the soiling of the upper surface 21a of the first top plate 21 and the upper surface 22a of the second top plate 22 by dust or external impacts, and it is also possible to suppress the deterioration of the user experience, including cleanliness due to soiling. Furthermore, wood can be used for the first tabletop 21, the second tabletop 22, the first leg 31, the second leg 32, and the connecting part 35. Even when used in a Japanese-style room with tatami mats, the legs 3 can be made to blend in with the atmosphere of the Japanese-style room, thereby suppressing a decline in the user's aesthetic sense and overall user experience.

[0050] Furthermore, the connecting portion 35 having the elastic member 35D biases the distance between the upper end of the first leg portion 31 and the upper end of the second leg portion 32 to transition from distance X2 to distance X1, that is, it can bias the upper parts of the first leg portion 31 and the upper parts of the second leg portion 32 in a closing direction, thereby suppressing the transition of the tabletop 2 from a folded state to an unfolded state unintentionally by the user, and suppressing a decrease in the usability, including the feel of the movement of the tabletop 2.

[0051] Furthermore, the connecting portion 35 may be made of a metal member formed in the shape of a plate from a metal such as steel or stainless steel (a so-called leaf spring) or a metal member formed in the shape of a coil (a so-called coil spring) instead of the elastic member 35D, and the flexibility of the metal member can produce the same effects as the elastic member 35D described above.

[0052] Figure 7(a) is a schematic bottom view showing the top plate 2 in an unfolded state, and Figure 7(b) is a schematic top view showing the top plate 2 in a folded state. As shown in Figure 7(a), the top plate 2 described above may further have a first locking mechanism 24 that restricts the opening and closing of the top plate hinge 23 when the top plate 2 is unfolded. The first locking mechanism 24 has an engaging member 24a provided on the inner edge of the bottom surface of the first top plate 21, and an engaged member 24b provided on the inner edge of the bottom surface of the second top plate 22, which the engaging member 24a can engage with. Specifically, the engaging member 24a is a hook member that can pivot along the bottom surface of the first top plate 21 at the inner edge of the bottom surface of the first top plate 21, and the engaged member 24b is a pin member that the hook member pivoted along the bottom surface of the second top plate 22 can engage with.

[0053] According to the first locking mechanism 24, when the engaging member 24a is engaged with the engaged member 24b, when the unfolded top plate 2 is folded, the inner end of the bottom surface of the second top plate 22 comes into contact with the engaging member 24a, preventing the top plate hinge 23 from opening when the top plate 2 is unfolded, and consequently preventing the top plate 2 from transitioning from the unfolded state to the folded state. As a result, the top plate 2 of the kneeling chair 1, which is installed on a floor or tatami mat, is prevented from transitioning from the unfolded state to the folded state against the user's intention, further suppressing a decrease in the user experience, including the feel of the top plate 2's movement.

[0054] As shown in Figure 7(b), the top plate 2 described above may further have a second locking mechanism 25 that restricts the opening and closing of the top plate hinge 23 when the top plate 2 is folded. The second locking mechanism 25 has an engaging member 25a provided on the outer side surface of the first top plate 21, and an engaged member 25b provided on the outer side surface of the second top plate 22, which the engaging member 25a can engage with. Specifically, the engaging member 25a is a hook member that can pivot along the side surface of the first top plate 21 on the outer side surface of the first top plate 21, and the engaged member 25b is a pin member that the hook member, which has pivoted along the outer side surface of the second top plate 22, can engage with.

[0055] The second locking mechanism 25 restricts the closing of the hinge 23 for the tabletop 2 when the engaging member 25a is engaged with the engaged member 25b, thereby restricting the transition of the tabletop 2 from the folded state to the unfolded state. As a result, the transition of the tabletop 2 of the kneeling chair 1 from the folded state to the unfolded state against the user's intention is suppressed when it is carried, and the deterioration of the user experience, including the feel of the movement of the tabletop 2, can be further suppressed.

[0056] Furthermore, the bottom surfaces of the first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion 32 may be formed in an arc shape such that the central part in the front-to-back direction becomes the apex downwards. With this configuration of the leg portion 3, when the user sits on the kneeling chair 1, the top plate 2 swings in the front-to-back direction, making it easier for the user to position themselves when sitting, and also allowing them to easily change their kneeling posture after sitting, thereby contributing to an improvement in usability, including sitting comfort.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, the first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion 32 were in the form of a substantially rectangular plate with the front-to-back direction as the longer side and the up-to-down direction as the shorter side. However, they may also be in the form of a substantially rectangular frame with the front-to-back direction as the longer side and the up-to-down direction as the shorter side. Specifically, the first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion 32 are formed in the form of a frame with an opening provided to avoid the mounting position of the connecting portion 35. Such first leg portion 31 and second leg portion 32 can reduce the weight of the kneeling chair 1, and can contribute to ease of carrying and improved usability.

[0058] Furthermore, when the first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion 32 are formed in a frame shape, decorative members such as transoms may be fitted into the openings of the first leg portion 31 and the second leg portion 32. Such decorative members can enhance the design of the kneeling chair 1, and especially when used in a Japanese-style room with tatami mats, they can make the kneeling chair 1 more in harmony with the atmosphere of the Japanese-style room, contributing to an improved user experience, including the aesthetic sense of the user.

[0059] Below, a folding table 5, which is another embodiment of furniture equipped with a foldable tabletop 6, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that detailed explanations of configurations similar to those of the kneeling chair 1 described above may be omitted. Figure 8 is a schematic front view showing the transition state of the tabletop of one embodiment of the folding table from an unfolded state to a folded state, and Figure 9 is a schematic front view showing the tabletop of the folding table in a folded state.

[0060] As shown in Figure 8 or Figure 9, the folding table 5 of this embodiment comprises a foldable tabletop 6 and legs 7 that support the tabletop 6 from below. The folding table 5 may be configured such that the height of the legs 7 is relatively small, for example, when used in a Japanese-style room, or it may be configured such that the height of the legs 7 is relatively large, when used in a Western-style room. The tabletop 6 may be formed in a rectangular, polygonal, circular, or elliptical shape in plan view, but if the tabletop 6 is elongated, it is preferable that the tabletop 6 is supported by the legs 7 such that the long side of the tabletop 6 and the long side of the legs 7 extend in the same direction, thereby suppressing a decrease in usability, including the installation stability of the folding table 5. The folding table 5 of this embodiment has a circular tabletop 6 in plan view when the tabletop 6 is unfolded.

[0061] Conventional folding tables consist of a tabletop on which the user places dishes and other items, and legs that support the tabletop from below, and at least a portion of the tabletop can be folded downwards. However, with conventional folding tables, the top surface of the tabletop is always exposed to the outside, so the top surface of the tabletop may become soiled by external influences, potentially reducing the sense of cleanliness and overall usability. The folding table 5 is described below with the aim of solving these problems.

[0062] The top plate 6, like the top plate 2 described above, has a first top plate 61, a second top plate 62 arranged side by side with the first top plate 61, and a top plate hinge 63 connecting the first top plate 61 and the second top plate 62, and is foldable in a direction in which the upper surface 61a of the first top plate 61 and the upper surface 62a of the second top plate are in contact. The first top plate 61 and the second top plate 62 in this embodiment are formed as a pair on the left and right sides and are connected by a top plate hinge 63 provided along the front and rear direction. Note that the first top plate 61 and the second top plate 62 differ from the first top plate 21 and the second top plate 22 described above in that they are semicircular plate-shaped members. The first tabletop 61 and the second tabletop 62 have their width in the front-to-back direction, width in the left-to-right direction, and height in the up-to-down direction predetermined according to their intended use, such as a dining table or work table. Specifically, for use as a dining table, they are formed into a board shape with a width of 90.0 cm in the front-to-back direction, a width of 45.0 cm in the left-to-right direction, and a height of 2.0 cm in the up-to-down direction.

[0063] The hinge 63 for the tabletop allows the first tabletop 61 and the second tabletop 62 to pivot around the axis 63d of the pivot support 63c that extends along the front-to-back direction, and the tabletop 6 can be folded so that the upper surface 61a of the first tabletop 61 and the upper surface 62a of the second tabletop 62 are in contact. In this embodiment, although a gap is shown between the first tabletop 61 and the second tabletop 62 in Figure 9 and other figures showing the tabletop 6 in its folded state, this is done to facilitate the explanation of the hinge 63 for the tabletop, and in the folding table 5 of this embodiment, the upper surface 61a of the first tabletop 61 and the upper surface 62a of the second tabletop 62 are in close contact when the tabletop 6 is folded.

[0064] The leg portion 7, similar to the leg portion 3 described above, includes a first leg portion 71 that supports the first top plate 61 from below, a second leg portion 72 that supports the second top plate 62 from below, a first hinge 73 that spans the bottom surface of the first top plate 61 and the inner side surface of the first leg portion 71, a second hinge 74 that spans the bottom surface of the second top plate 62 and the inner side surface of the second leg portion 72, and a pre-installed hinge between the first leg portion 71 and the second leg portion 72. It has a connecting portion 75 that connects the first leg portion 71 and the second leg portion 72 so as to provide a set interval X1, and in addition to these, it further has auxiliary leg portions 77 provided on the outer side surfaces of the first leg portion 71 and the outer side surfaces of the second leg portion 72, and auxiliary hinges 78 provided that straddle the base end surface of the auxiliary leg portion 77 and the outer side surface of the first leg portion 71 or the outer side surface of the second leg portion 72.

[0065] The first leg portion 71 and the second leg portion 72 are preferably paired in their external shape. For example, the width in the front-to-back direction, the width in the left-to-right direction, and the height in the up-to-down direction are predetermined according to the intended use, such as a dining table or a work table. Specifically, for a dining table, they are formed in a plate shape with a width of 88.0 cm in the front-to-back direction, a width of 6.0 cm in the left-to-right direction, and a height of 40.0 cm in the up-to-down direction.

[0066] The first hinge 73 allows the first top plate 61 to pivot around the first axis 73d of the pivot support 73c that extends along the front-rear direction, and consequently the first leg 71 supports the first top plate 61 so that it can pivot around the first axis 73d. Similarly, the second hinge 74 allows the second top plate 62 to pivot around the second axis 34d of the pivot support 74c that extends along the front-rear direction, and consequently the second leg 72 supports the second top plate 62 so that it can pivot around the second axis 74d.

[0067] The connecting portion 75, like the connecting portion 35, has a first connecting portion extending from the lower inner side of the first leg portion 71 toward the second leg portion 72, a second connecting portion extending from the lower inner side of the second leg portion 72 toward the first leg portion 71, and a third hinge 76 provided between the first and second connecting portions. The third hinge 76 allows the first leg portion 71 or the second leg portion 72 to pivot around the third axis 76d of the pivot support portion 76c extending in the front-rear direction. The connecting portion 75 connects the lower part of the first leg portion 71 and the lower part of the second leg portion 72 so that the distance between the first axis 73d and the second axis 74d can be changed, specifically so that the distance between the upper end of the first leg portion 71 and the upper end of the second leg portion 72 can be changed between interval X1 and interval X2.

[0068] The auxiliary legs 77 are formed in a plate shape extending in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, two auxiliary legs 77 are provided on the outside of the first leg 71 at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction, and two auxiliary legs 77 are provided on the outside of the second leg 72 at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction. These auxiliary legs 77 can suppress the tilting of the leg 7 in the left-right direction, and can contribute to improving the user experience, including stability. The auxiliary legs 77 are each attached to the first leg 71 or the second leg 72 via auxiliary hinges 78. Depending on the viewpoint of stability and weight reduction of the folding table 5, the auxiliary legs 77 may be formed in the form of a long plate or frame in the front-rear direction, or one or more may be provided on the first leg 71 or the second leg 72, or they may be formed from wood or metal material.

[0069] The auxiliary hinge 78 connects the base end face of the auxiliary leg 77 to the lower part of the outer side of the first leg 71 or the lower part of the outer side of the second leg 72, allowing the lower part to be opened and enabling the auxiliary leg 77 to pivot around an axis extending along the front-rear direction. Specifically, the auxiliary leg 77 can pivot between a folded state where it is along the outer side of the first leg 71 or the outer side of the second leg 72 and an extended state where it abuts the mounting surface approximately perpendicular to the outer side of the first leg 71 or the outer side of the second leg 72.

[0070] Furthermore, the leg portion 7 has a locking mechanism (not shown) that restricts the rotation of the auxiliary leg portion 77 in the folded and extended states. The locking mechanism may be configured, for example, as described above, with an engaging member made of a hook member or the like and an engaged member made of a pin member or the like, thereby preventing the auxiliary leg portion 77 from transitioning from the folded state to the extended state against the user's intention, and preventing the auxiliary leg portion 77 from transitioning from the extended state to the folded state, thereby preventing the leg portion 7 from tilting.

[0071] According to the folding table 5 of this embodiment, the tabletop 6 has a first tabletop 61 and a second tabletop 62 arranged side by side on the first tabletop 61, and is foldable so that the upper surface 61a of the first tabletop 61 and the upper surface 62a of the second tabletop 62 are in contact with each other. The connecting part 75 connects the first leg part 71 and the second leg part 72 so that the distance between the first axis 73d and the second axis 74d can be changed, and the base end of the folded tabletop 6 is stored in a preset distance X1 between the first leg part 71 and the second leg part 72. Therefore, even if the outer shape of the tabletop 6 in a plan view is made larger, for example, from the viewpoint of improving the user experience including stability, it is possible to suppress the difficulty of carrying the folding table 5. In addition, when the tabletop 6 is folded, the upper surface 61a of the first tabletop 61 and the upper surface 62a of the second tabletop 62 face each other so as to be in contact, which helps to prevent the upper surface 61a of the first tabletop 61 and the upper surface 62a of the second tabletop 62 from being soiled by dust or external impacts, thus preventing a decrease in the user experience, including cleanliness, due to soiling. Furthermore, the first leg portion 71 and the second leg portion 72 only need to support the first tabletop 61 or the second tabletop 62 from below, and wood can be used for the first leg portion 71 and the second leg portion 72. Even when used in a Japanese-style room with tatami mats, the leg portion 7 can be made to blend in with the atmosphere of the Japanese-style room, thus preventing a decrease in the user experience, including aesthetics.

[0072] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a folding table of another embodiment. The folding table 5 described above has a first tabletop 61 and a second tabletop 62 that are symmetrical to each other. However, as shown by dashed lines in Figure 10, the first tabletop 61 and the second tabletop 62 may be of different configurations. For example, in a plan view with the tabletop 6 unfolded, the length in the front-to-back direction, the length in the left-to-right direction, and the planar shape may be of different configurations.

[0073] Furthermore, although the folding table 5 described above has a foldable auxiliary leg 77 provided at the lower end of the leg 7, it may also have a pair of foldable auxiliary legs 77a provided at the front and rear ends of the first leg 71 or the second leg 72, as shown in Figure 10. The auxiliary legs 77a can be attached, for example, to the side of the first leg 71, allowing them to be opened like double doors relative to the side, and can support the first tabletop 61 at their upper end, thereby improving the usability, including the stability of the tabletop 6.

[0074] Furthermore, the folding table 5 may have a foldable auxiliary leg 77b provided in the center of the first leg 71 or second leg 72, instead of a pair of auxiliary legs 77a provided at the front and rear ends of the first leg 71 or second leg 72. The auxiliary leg 77b can be attached to the side of the second leg 72, for example, and can be opened and closed relative to the side, and can support the second tabletop 62 at its upper end, thereby improving the user experience, including the stability of the tabletop 6. In addition, multiple wheels that can rotate around a vertical axis may be provided at the lower ends of the first leg 71 or second leg 72, for example, to facilitate the transport of the folding table 5 when the tabletop 6 is folded.

[0075] While embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above, the embodiments described above can be modified as appropriate without departing from the technical concept. In other words, the technical concept can be applied even if some of the above embodiments are modified or multiple embodiments are combined.

[0076] For example, in the above embodiment, the application to a kneeling chair 1 and a folding table 5 was shown as furniture with a foldable top, but it is not limited to these, and it may also be applied to folding chairs, folding chairs, folding low tables, etc., and in this case as well, the same effects and advantages as described above can be achieved. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 1. A chair for sitting in the seiza position. 2 Top plate 21 First top plate 22 Second top plate 23 Hinges for tabletops 23d axis center 3 legs 31 1st leg 32 Second leg 33. First Block 33d 1st axis center 34. Second Block 34d 2nd axis center 35 Connecting part 36. Third Block 36d 3rd axis center 5 Folding Table 6. Top plate 61 First top plate 62 Second top plate 63 Hinges for tabletops 63d axis center 7 Legs 71 1st leg 72 Second leg 73. First Block 73d 1st axis center 74 2nd Block 74d 2nd axis center 75 Connecting part 76. Third Block 76d 3rd axis center

Claims

1. A piece of furniture comprising a foldable tabletop and legs that support the tabletop from below, The top plate comprises a first top plate and a second top plate arranged side by side with the first top plate, and is foldable in a direction such that the upper surface of the first top plate and the upper surface of the second top plate are in contact with each other. The leg portion includes a first leg portion that supports the first tabletop from below, a second leg portion that supports the second tabletop from below, and a connecting portion that connects the first leg portion and the second leg portion so as to provide a predetermined distance between them. The first leg portion supports the first top plate so that it can pivot around a first axis that extends along the upper surface of the inside of the first leg portion, The second leg portion supports the second top plate so that it can pivot around a second axis that extends along the upper surface of the inside of the second leg portion, The connecting portion connects the first leg portion and the second leg portion so that the distance between the first axis and the second axis can be changed. At least a portion of the folded tabletop is stored in the predetermined space between the first leg and the second leg. A piece of furniture featuring a foldable tabletop.

2. The tabletop further includes a locking mechanism that prevents the tabletop from being folded from its extended state. Furniture equipped with a foldable tabletop as described in feature 1.

3. The connecting portion has a hinge that connects the lower part of the first leg and the lower part of the second leg, with the upper part being openable. Furniture equipped with a foldable tabletop as described in either claim 1 or 2.

4. The connecting portion further includes a biasing means that biases the hinge in the closing direction. Furniture equipped with a foldable tabletop as described in claim 3.

5. The connecting portion has an elastic member that connects the lower part of the first leg and the lower part of the second leg. Furniture equipped with a foldable tabletop as described in either claim 1 or 2.

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