Furniture and methods of religious rites

Abstract

This invention provides ritual furniture that can be easily integrated into the room's atmosphere by having a structure that allows the object of worship to be concealed when not being used for rituals, and also provides a method of performing rituals using this furniture. [Solution] The ritual furniture 1 comprises a storage section 2 with an open front section in the ground state, forming an internal space capable of accommodating the object of worship; a storage section 3 that can store the storage section 2 inside, with an opening in the top section large enough to allow the storage section 2 to be moved in and out; a lifting device section 4 disposed within the storage section 3 and connected to the storage section 2, which causes the storage section 2 to emerge from the opening of the storage section 3 in the raised state and to store the storage section 2 inside the storage section 3 in the lowered state; an operating section 5 that can operate the lifting device section 4; and a safety device section 6 that is provided to release the connection between the lifting device section 4 and the storage section 2 when an abnormal operating condition occurs due to a load exceeding a set upper limit during the raising or lowering of the storage section 2.

Description

[[TECHNICAL FIELD]]

[0001] The present invention relates to ritual furniture and a ritual method. More specifically, the present invention relates to ritual furniture that can easily harmonize with the indoor atmosphere due to having a structure capable of hiding ritual objects when rituals are not being performed, and to a ritual method using the same. [[BACKGROUND ART]]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been ritual furniture installed in homes for worshiping ritual objects at home, and an example of such ritual furniture is a Buddhist altar. In the past, large, ornate Buddhist altars were preferred in detached houses and other residences. However, in view of recent housing conditions such as the reduction in the scale of ritual objects due to the trend towards nuclear families (for example, the decrease in the number of ancestral memorial tablets to be enshrined), the diversification of ritual objects, and the fact that Western-style rooms are mainstream in apartment buildings and other rental housing with fewer rooms and limited floor plans, ritual furniture (Buddhist altars) such as that shown in Non-Patent Document 1 below have been proposed. The ritual furniture (Buddhist altar) shown in Non-Patent Document 1 is compact and has an appearance that easily harmonizes with Western-style interiors. [[PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS]] [[NON-PATENT LITERATURE]]

[0003] [[Non-Patent Document 1]] Buddhist Altar SB Just Walnut H116cm Buddhist Altar + Lower Stand Set, Hasegawa Official Site for Buddhist Altars and Buddhist Implements Internet<https: / / www.hasegawa.jp / products / 2906022630004set1?srsltid=AfmBOoqGi9qLMzfXRDRSajrWDFP_LA8EhlZFMQpkUsbDsbs1eU5zvKom> [[SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] By the way, although the Buddhist altar in Non-Patent Document 1 has been adapted to modern times, the upper storage section that houses the object of worship still attracts attention, and because it has an appearance different from ordinary furniture, it is difficult to harmonize with the atmosphere of the room.

[0005] Furthermore, according to the Buddhist altar described in Non-Patent Document 1, while it is possible to conceal the objects of worship with the provided doors, it is easy for visitors to open the doors and see inside. However, the objects of worship contain personal information that could reveal one's religion, and there is an explicit or implicit need to keep this information secret from visitors. On the other hand, if the objects of worship are completely hidden, it becomes difficult to perform daily religious rituals.

[0006] This invention was conceived in view of the above points, and aims to provide ritual furniture that can be easily harmonized with the atmosphere of a room by having a structure that can conceal the object of the ritual when not performing the ritual, and a method of performing a ritual using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the ritual furniture of the present invention comprises: a storage compartment having an open front portion when installed and an internal space formed capable of accommodating an object of worship; a storage compartment capable of storing the storage compartment inside, with an opening formed in the top plate portion when installed that is large enough to allow the storage compartment to be moved in and out; a lifting device unit disposed within the storage compartment and connected to the storage compartment, which causes the storage compartment to emerge from the opening of the storage compartment when raised and to store the storage compartment inside the storage compartment when lowered; an operating unit capable of operating the lifting device unit; and a safety device unit provided to release the connection between the lifting device unit and the storage compartment when an abnormal operating condition occurs due to a load exceeding a set upper limit when the storage compartment is raised or lowered.

[0008] The ritual furniture of the present invention, by being equipped with the aforementioned parts, allows the lifting device to be raised by the operating unit, causing a storage unit to appear above the storage unit, enabling worship of the object of worship stored in the storage unit, or work associated with worship (for example, cleaning the object of worship or its vicinity, offering flowers or other offerings, etc.; hereinafter, worship may be included and referred to as "worship, etc."). On the other hand, when the lifting device is lowered by the operating unit, the exposed storage unit is stored back into the storage unit.

[0009] Furthermore, according to the ritual furniture of the present invention, the object of worship can be stored inside, and when worship is to be performed (hereinafter referred to as "when in use"), the storage compartment is made visible for worship, etc., and when worship is not to be performed (hereinafter referred to as "when not in use"), the storage compartment is stored inside the storage compartment, and in this stored state it has the appearance of ordinary furniture and blends well with the scenery of the room in which it is installed, and when not in use it it does not look out of place even when installed in a living room or the like.

[0010] Furthermore, with the ritual furniture of the present invention, if an incident such as foreign matter getting caught when the storage unit is raised or lowered occurs, the safety device unit will activate and disconnect the connection between the lifting device unit and the storage unit, thereby interrupting the raising and lowering of the storage unit and preventing accidents such as damage to the storage unit body or entanglement of foreign matter.

[0011] In other words, the ritual furniture of the present invention, while being a single piece of furniture, allows for the selection of whether to use it or not, as described above, and the switching between use and non-use can be done quickly, easily, and safely. In addition, since the object of worship is hidden when not in use, personal information such as the religion one believes in can be kept secret (especially from others such as visitors).

[0012] In addition, the functions of each component of the ritual furniture of the present invention are as follows:

[0013] The storage compartment, with the configuration described above, can house the object of worship within its internal space, and allows for worship of the object of worship from the front. The "storage compartment" is not particularly limited in shape or structure other than having an open front, but for example, it may be a box-like structure having a top panel, bottom panel, back panel, and both side panels. The "storage compartment" may also be provided with a door or curtain or other covering member to cover the opening formed on the front.

[0014] In general, "objects of worship" include Buddhist statues, Shinto statues, memorial tablets, paintings of deities, scriptures, etc., but are not limited to these. They may also include anime character images, idol bromides, and other goods related to so-called "fan activities," as well as antique objects with historical significance, natural objects such as minerals, and works of art and crafts that are difficult for anyone other than the person involved to understand. In other words, "objects of worship" are not particularly limited as long as they can be considered objects of worship by the user of this invention. For this reason, the furniture for worship (especially the storage section) can be rephrased as equivalent to a Buddhist altar or Buddhist shrine.

[0015] The storage unit, with the configuration described above, can store the storage unit inside, and the stored storage unit can be inserted and removed through an opening formed in the top panel. The "storage unit" may also be configured in a way that utilizes the space excluding the internal space for storing the storage unit to provide shelves, drawers, etc.

[0016] The "storage section" may have a furniture-like exterior applied to at least its top and front surfaces. This configuration would give it a more furniture-like appearance, decorate the room, and create a sense of beauty for the viewer. It would also meet the needs of consumers who have avoided purchasing conventional Buddhist altars, stimulating their desire to buy (creating demand). The aforementioned "at least" refers to the minimum configuration necessary to make it look like ordinary furniture, and the entire structure may have a furniture-like appearance.

[0017] Furthermore, the storage unit may be configured such that, when not in use (when the storage unit is lowered and stored within the storage unit), the top surface of its top plate and the top surface of the storage unit (top plate) are approximately flush. In this configuration, the unit will have a furniture-like appearance, such as a sideboard, and since there will be no significant step on the top plate when not in use, it will be possible to place objects on the top plate when not in use, and the objects placed there will be stable. Here, "approximately flush" is used to include not only the configuration where it is perfectly flush, but also the configuration where there is a slight step of about 0.01 to 10 mm.

[0018] The lifting mechanism, with its configuration described above, allows the storage unit to appear above the storage unit and also to be stored inside the storage unit. Furthermore, because the lifting mechanism is located inside the storage unit, the entire set of ritual furniture has a cohesive appearance and does not get in the way when setting up the ritual furniture.

[0019] The "lifting device" is not limited in shape or structure as long as it can raise and lower the housing section. Examples include a structure that can extend and retract vertically when installed, and a structure that can raise and lower the housing section by combining an electric motor with a belt, wire, gear, pulley, etc.

[0020] The control unit can operate the lifting device. The "control unit" is not particularly limited in shape or structure, but may be, for example, a wireless or wired remote controller connected to the storage unit, a button-type controller located on the surface of the storage unit, a non-contact sensor-type controller, or a smartphone with software installed.

[0021] With the configuration described above, the safety device section releases the connection between the lifting device section and the storage section when an abnormal operating condition occurs (a condition where a load exceeding the set value is generated, which occurs when the rising movement of the storage section is restricted by a foreign object during ascent, or when a foreign object is caught in the storage section and its descending movement is restricted during descent). This can suppress accidents such as damage to the storage body, damage to the caught foreign object, and injury to human bodies such as fingers.

[0022] The "load exceeding the set upper limit" mentioned above means load resistance exceeding the set load value required to raise or lower the storage section, and can be appropriately set according to the accident to be suppressed. However, particularly in consideration of suppressing accidents to the human body, it is preferable that a load resistance within 0.1 to 15 kgf is added to the set load value required to raise or lower the storage section, and it is more preferable that a load resistance within 0.5 to 10 kgf is added. This is because when a load resistance within 0.5 to 10 kgf is added, frequent "release of the connection between the lifting device section and the storage section" caused by the generation of a light load can also be suppressed.

[0023] It should be noted that, in contrast to the "abnormal operating condition" described above, a condition where a load exceeding the set upper limit is not generated can also be referred to as a "normal operating condition", and in the normal operating condition, the safety device section can also be said to be a connecting portion that connects the lifting device section and the storage section.

[0024] Furthermore, in the ceremonial furniture described above, the top plate portion of the storage section may be detachable, and may be provided such that it can be easily detached upward when a load from below is applied to the bottom surface of the top plate portion.

[0025] According to the ceremonial furniture of this embodiment, with the above configuration, when a foreign object is caught between the top plate portion of the accommodating portion and the top plate portion of the storage portion while the accommodating portion is descending, the top plate portion of the accommodating portion can be easily detached, so that damage accidents of the entire ceremonial furniture (or the safety device) can be prevented. Further, when the foreign object caught at the position is a human finger or the like, injury can also be prevented. Furthermore, according to the ceremonial furniture of this embodiment, detachment of the top plate portion of the accommodating portion prevents damage to the above-described safety device portion, so that the labor for repair and generation of repair costs due to damage of the safety device portion can be suppressed.

[0026] Further, in the above-described ceremonial furniture, the lifting device portion may have a structure that can expand and contract in the vertical direction in an installed state, the safety device portion is a plate body disposed on an upper portion of the lifting device portion and provided so as to break or bend when a load exceeding a set value is applied thereto, and the plate body may be disposed on an upper portion of the safety device portion and arranged in a mode of connecting a lower portion of the accommodating portion.

[0027] According to the ceremonial furniture of this embodiment, by including the lifting device portion having the above configuration, compared with a lifting device formed by a combination of a belt, a wire, a gear, a pulley, and the like, the present embodiment has a simple structure with a small number of components, so that manufacturing is easy, manufacturing costs can be suppressed, the possibility of failure is low or maintenance frequency can be reduced, and thus running costs can also be suppressed. Furthermore, compared with a lifting device formed by a combination of a belt and the like, the lifting device portion having the above configuration requires less space in the storage portion, so that it is easy to provide storage spaces such as shelves and drawers in the surplus space generated in the storage portion.

[0028] Furthermore, the safety device section, as described above, has a simple structure, making it less likely to malfunction. It is also highly likely to activate reliably only when an object gets caught during the raising or lowering of the storage section. In addition, if the connection between the lifting mechanism and the storage section is broken due to an object getting caught, repair (re-installing a new safety device section) will be necessary. However, the safety device section has a small number of parts and a simple structure, and because it is located in the aforementioned place, it can be easily replaced without completely disassembling the ceremonial furniture, resulting in good maintainability.

[0029] Furthermore, the aforementioned ritual furniture may have a structure in which the operating unit is wired or wireless and has a main operating device that allows the lifting device to be operated from outside the housing or storage unit, and a secondary operating device that is directly connected to the lifting device and disposed in the housing or storage unit, and allows the lifting device to be operated by manual input.

[0030] The ritual furniture of this embodiment has a main operating device with the configuration described above, which can normally be operated from a distance to raise and lower the storage compartment. Furthermore, the ritual furniture of this embodiment has a secondary operating device with the configuration described above, which can be used as a backup when the main operating device is unusable due to malfunction, battery failure, etc., and can raise and lower the storage compartment even under such circumstances. The secondary operating device may be used selectively even when the main operating device is usable, for example, when the user is very close to the ritual furniture.

[0031] Furthermore, the aforementioned ritual furniture may have a housing section equipped with a lighting device capable of illuminating the internal space, and the lighting device may be structured to automatically turn on as the housing section rises and automatically turn off as the housing section lowers.

[0032] The ritual furniture of this embodiment, having the lighting device configured as described above, can automatically illuminate the interior space when the storage compartment is raised, eliminating the need to manually switch on the lighting fixture itself. This allows the object of worship placed inside the storage compartment to be brightly illuminated, creating a solemn or sacred atmosphere. Furthermore, since the lighting device is designed to automatically turn off when the storage compartment is lowered, there is no need to manually switch off the lighting fixture itself, and there is no risk of forgetting to turn it off.

[0033] Furthermore, the "lighting device" preferably uses light bulbs or LEDs and does not use fire like the candles typically used in Buddhist altars, thus ensuring a safe structure. In addition, the "lighting device" may be installed in multiple locations, and may come in multiple shapes (for example, if used as a Buddhist altar, there may be two types: a candle-shaped light combined with a candle holder and a hanging lantern-shaped light).

[0034] To achieve the above objective, the ritual furniture of the present invention comprises a storage section having an opening formed in the part that becomes the top when installed, and a dwelling section that is provided to be able to move up and down by a lifting device disposed in the storage section, and is stored in the storage section in such a manner that it can appear above the top part when raised through the opening, and has an opening in the part that becomes the front when installed, forming an internal space in which an object of worship can be stored.

[0035] The ritual furniture of the present invention, by being equipped with the aforementioned parts, allows a storage compartment to appear above the storage compartment when the lifting device is raised, enabling worship of the object of worship stored within the storage compartment. On the other hand, when the lifting device is lowered, the exposed storage compartment is stored back into the storage compartment. In other words, with the ritual furniture of the present invention, the storage compartment is made visible for worship when in use, and stored in the storage compartment when not in use. In this stored state, it presents the appearance of ordinary furniture, making it easy to blend in with the scenery of the room in which it is installed, and it does not look out of place even when placed in a living room or the like when not in use.

[0036] According to the ritual furniture of the present invention, while being a single piece of furniture, it is possible to select between use and non-use as described above, and the switching between use and non-use can be done quickly and easily. In addition, since the object of worship is hidden when not in use, personal information such as the religion one believes in can also be kept secret.

[0037] The storage compartment can house the object of worship within its internal space, and worship of the object can be performed from the front. The configuration of the storage compartment and the object of worship are as described above, so no further explanation is provided. The storage compartment can house the storage compartment inside, and the stored storage compartment can be inserted and removed through an opening formed in the top panel. The configuration of the storage compartment is as described above, so no further explanation is provided.

[0038] The lifting device can make the storage unit appear above the storage unit and store the storage unit inside the storage unit. The configuration of the lifting device is as described above, so no further explanation is given. The lifting device may be operated by a remote control located outside the machine, or by using a non-contact sensor located at a predetermined location that activates when a hand is waved over it. The lifting device may be located either inside or outside the storage unit, but it is aesthetically preferable for it to be hidden from view by the storage unit.

[0039] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a ritual method that uses a ritual furniture having a storage compartment for storing an object of worship and a storage compartment capable of storing the storage compartment inside, a first step of using a lifting device to raise the storage compartment stored inside the storage compartment, making the storage compartment appear above the storage compartment through an opening formed in the upper part of the storage compartment, and performing worship of the object of worship or worship-related work through a front opening formed in the storage compartment, and a second step of using the lifting device to lower the storage compartment and storing the storage compartment inside the storage compartment.

[0040] According to the ritual method of the present invention, by comprising the steps described above, when the lifting device rises, a storage unit appears above the storage unit, allowing worship or worship-related work (hereinafter referred to as "worship, etc.") of the object of worship stored in the storage unit to be performed, and when the lifting device lowers, the exposed storage unit is stored inside the storage unit. In other words, according to the ritual method of the present invention, when in use, the storage unit is exposed for worship, etc., and when not in use, the storage unit is stored in the storage unit. In this stored state, it has the appearance of ordinary furniture and easily blends in with the scenery of the room in which it is installed, and when not in use, it does not look out of place even when installed in a living room or the like.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the ritual method of the present invention, although it is a piece of furniture, it is possible to select whether to use it or not, as described above, and the switching between use and non-use can be done quickly and easily. In addition, since the object of worship is hidden when not in use, personal information such as the religion one believes in can be kept secret (especially from others such as visitors). Note that "worship-related work" has the same meaning as the "work associated with worship (for example, cleaning the object of worship or its vicinity, offering flowers or other offerings)" described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0042] The ritual furniture of the present invention has a general appearance that easily blends in with the atmosphere of the room, yet it can house the object of worship, and it can be quickly and easily selected and switched between use and non-use, and personal information such as the religion of the person when not in use can be kept secret. Furthermore, the ritual method of the present invention can house the object of worship while using general furniture that easily blends in with the atmosphere of the room, and it can be quickly and easily selected and switched between use and non-use, and personal information such as the religion of the person when not in use can be kept secret. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0043] [Figure 1] The ritual furniture according to the present invention is shown from an oblique angle above, with (a) showing the storage compartment in a retracted state (storage compartment in a lowered state) and (b) showing the storage compartment exposed and the hidden shelf open (storage compartment in a raised state). [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the ritual furniture, with (a) showing the storage compartment in the lowered position and (b) showing the storage compartment in the raised position. [Figure 3] Figure 1 illustrates the operation of the safety device section of the ritual furniture shown; (a) is an explanatory diagram of the operation when a problem occurs during descent, and (b) is an explanatory diagram of the operation when a problem occurs during ascent. [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows the operation of the top panel of the storage compartment of the ritual furniture shown in Figure 1. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the state immediately after a problem occurs during descent, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the operation after the problem shown in (a) occurs. [Figure 5] This is a modified example (modification 1) of the ritual furniture according to the present invention, where (a) is a side view cross-sectional view of the structure of the lifting device, (b) is an explanatory diagram of the operation when a problem occurs during lowering and when a problem occurs during raising, and (c) is a separated form of the safety device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0044] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The following description will be in the order of [First Embodiment], [Modification 1]. Reference numerals in each figure are used to reduce complexity and facilitate understanding, and in the case of multiple equivalent parts that share the same reference numeral, only some of them may be given a reference numeral. Reference numerals for arrows shown in Figure 1 and other figures indicate explanatory directions, with F meaning "forward direction (front direction in the installed state)", B meaning "rear direction", R meaning "right direction" as viewed from the rear of the furniture in the installed state, L meaning "left direction" as viewed from the rear of the furniture in the installed state, U meaning "upward direction", and D meaning "downward direction".

[0045] [Ritual furniture 1] The ritual furniture 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The ritual furniture 1 comprises a storage section 2, a storage section 3, a lifting device section 4, an operating section 5, and a safety device section 6. Each section will be described in detail below.

[0046] (Detention area) The storage compartment 2 has a top plate 21, left and right side plates 22a and 22b, a back plate 23, a bottom plate 24, a front panel 25, a first shelf 26, a second shelf 27, and a lighting device 28, and in other words, it is a box-like structure with an open front when installed (see Figures 1(b) to 4). Each part of the storage compartment 2 will be described in detail below.

[0047] The top plate 21 is located above the storage section 2 and is connected to the upper ends of the left and right side plates 22a and 22b via connecting members 201 (see Figures 3 and 4). The connecting members 201 utilize magnets (a so-called magnetic catch structure), with one of the combined components (either magnet or steel) provided near the left and right sides of the bottom surface of the top plate 21, and the other of the combined component (either magnet or steel) provided near the upper ends of the side plates 22a and 22b.

[0048] The side panel 22a on the right and the side panel 22b on the left are suspended below the top panel 21. The distance between side panels 22a and 22b is shorter than the width of the top panel 21.

[0049] The back panel 23 is suspended below the top panel 21, with its lower part extending below the bottom panel 24. The back panel 23 is also provided to span the back between the side panels 22a and 22b.

[0050] The bottom plate 24 is positioned opposite the top plate 21 and is attached to the lower part of each of the side plates 22a and 22b.

[0051] The apron 25 is fixed and vertically installed along the front lower edge of the top plate 21. The width of the apron 25 is slightly shorter than the inner spacing between the side plates 22a and 22b.

[0052] The first shelf board 26 is positioned below the top board 21 and between the bottom boards 24, and is attached so as to span between the side boards 22a and 22b. The first shelf board 26 is attached in a removable manner.

[0053] The second shelf 27 is positioned below the first shelf 26 and between the bottom plates 24, with a gap between them, and is attached so as to span between the side plates 22a and 22b. The second shelf 27 is attached in a removable manner.

[0054] The lighting device 28 is a tape-shaped LED light (a so-called LED tape light) positioned on the back side of the fascia board 25. The lighting device 28 is installed facing in a direction that allows it to illuminate the internal space of the housing 2, and is designed to automatically turn on as the housing 2 rises and automatically turn off as the housing 2 lowers.

[0055] Thus, the storage section 2 has the following characteristics: "the front portion in the installed state is open, forming an internal space capable of accommodating the object of worship," "a detachable top plate portion is provided that can be easily removed upward when a load is applied from its bottom (below)," and "a lighting device capable of illuminating the internal space of the storage section is structured to automatically turn on as the storage section rises and automatically turn off as the storage section descends."

[0056] (Storage section) The storage unit 3 is a box-shaped structure having a top plate 31, side plates 32a and 32b, a back frame 33, a first bottom plate 34a, a second bottom plate 34b, and a third bottom plate 34c. The front and rear internal spaces are separated by a front and rear partition plate 301 located at the middle of the front-to-back direction (depth direction). The front and rear spaces within the storage unit 3 are such that the rear side (back side) is a space (rear space 304) where the storage unit 2 can be stored, and the front side (front side) is provided with multiple storage sections consisting of a front storage shelf section 35, a right storage shelf section 36, a left storage shelf section 37, and a drawer section 38 (see Figures 1 to 4). Each part of the storage unit 3 will be described in detail below.

[0057] The top plate 31 is located above the storage compartment 3 and is connected to the upper ends of the left and right side plates 32a and 32b (see Figure 1). The top plate 31 has an upper opening 311 that communicates with the rear space 304 from the depth direction to the back, and the upper opening 311 is sized to fit just the outer edge of the top plate 21 of the storage compartment 2 (see Figures 1(b) and 2).

[0058] The side panel 32a on the right and the side panel 32b on the left are suspended below the top panel 21. The distance between the side panels 32a and 32b is shorter than the width of the top panel 31. The back frame 33 is a rectangular frame suspended below the top panel 21 with an opening in the center.

[0059] The first bottom plate 34a is located at the very bottom of the storage compartment 3 and is attached to the lower part of each of the side plates 32a and 32b (see Figures 1 and 2).

[0060] The second bottom plate 34b is positioned opposite the first bottom plate 34a, with a gap above it, and is shorter in the depth direction than the first bottom plate 34a. The upper surface of the second bottom plate 34b acts as a guide plate for the drawer section 38 (see Figure 2).

[0061] The third bottom plate 34c is positioned opposite the second bottom plate 34b, with a gap above it, and is shorter in the depth direction than the first bottom plate 34a. The space between the second bottom plate 34b and the third bottom plate 34c is the area for housing the drawer section 38 (see Figure 2).

[0062] The front and rear partition plate 301 has its upper edge connected to the lower front edge of the upper opening 311, and its lower edge connected to the upper surface of the third bottom plate 34c (see Figures 2 to 4).

[0063] The front storage section 35 is located at the front of the storage section 3, and the aforementioned front and rear partition plates 301 form the back panel. It is equipped with a double-hinged door 351 and has two removable shelves 352 inside.

[0064] The right storage shelf section 36 is located on the front right side of the storage section 3, and the aforementioned front and rear partition plate 301 forms the back panel. It is provided with a single-opening door 361, and has three removable shelves 362 inside.

[0065] The left storage shelf section 37 is located on the front left side of the storage section 3, and the aforementioned front and rear partition plate 301 forms the back panel. It is provided with a single-opening door 371, and has three removable shelves 372 inside.

[0066] The drawer section 38 is located below the front shelf section 35 and has a front panel 381. Its length in the depth direction is slightly shorter than the length of the third bottom panel 34c in the depth direction.

[0067] An upper panel 302 and a lower panel 303 are provided on the front side of the storage section 3. The upper panel 302 is located below the top plate 31 and in the area above the front storage shelf section 35, the right storage shelf section 36, and the left storage shelf section 37. The lower panel 303 is located below the drawer section 38 and in the area above the first bottom plate 34a. The upper panel 302 and the lower panel 303 form the same surface as the door 351 of the front storage shelf section 35, the door 361 of the right storage shelf section 36, the door 371 of the left storage shelf section 37, and the front panel 381 of the drawer section 38 when closed (see Figure 1(a)).

[0068] In other words, the storage unit 3 is such that the aforementioned storage unit can be stored inside, and an opening of sufficient size to allow the storage unit to be inserted into and removed is formed in the top plate portion when the unit is installed.

[0069] (Lifting mechanism) The lifting device unit 4 is located at the rear of the rear space 304 in the storage unit 3 (see Figures 2 to 4). In the installed state of the ritual furniture 1 shown in Figure 1, etc., the lifting device unit 4 has a telescopic structure with multiple short arm components that can extend and retract in the same axial direction (up and down) (see Figure 2). The lifting device unit 4 is connected to the storage unit 2 via a safety device unit 6 located at the top of the arm 41 (the top of the uppermost arm component when extended) (see Figures 2 to 3).

[0070] The arm 41 is provided to a length that allows the storage unit 2 to be exposed in its most extended state, such that the upper surface of the bottom plate 24 of the storage unit 2 and the upper surface of the top plate 31 of the storage unit 3 are substantially flush. On the other hand, the arm 41 is provided to a length that allows the storage unit 2 to be stored in its most shortened state, such that the upper surface of the top plate 21 of the storage unit 2 and the upper surface of the top plate 31 of the storage unit 3 are substantially flush.

[0071] In other words, the lifting device unit 4 is "displaced within the storage unit, and in the raised state, it causes the storage unit to emerge from the opening of the storage unit, and in the lowered state, it stores the storage unit inside the storage unit."

[0072] (Operation unit) The operating unit 5 has a main operating device 51 and a secondary operating device 52 located in the storage unit 3.

[0073] The main operating device 51 is a wireless remote control that can operate the lifting device 4 (or stop it at an intermediate position). When an operation button is pressed, the main operating device 51 transmits a wireless signal such as infrared, and the receiving unit (not shown) located in the storage unit 3 receives the signal to operate (lift or lower) the lifting device.

[0074] The sub-operation device 52 is a button-type controller located near the upper corner of the storage compartment 3. The sub-operation device 52 is connected to the lifting device unit 4 by a wire and is capable of operating the lifting device unit 4 (or stopping it at an intermediate position).

[0075] (Safety equipment department) The safety device section 6 is located between the housing section 2 and the lifting device section 4, and has a structure that includes a protruding ridge 61 and a locking section 62.

[0076] The protruding portion 61 is a horizontally elongated protrusion located on the back of the housing portion 2, and its lower part is shaped (horizontal in this embodiment) so that it can engage with the locking portion 62. The locking portion 62 is attached to the upper part of the arm 41 of the lifting device portion 4 (the upper part of the arm component that is at the uppermost position when extended).

[0077] The locking portion 62 is made of plywood that can support the weight of the housing portion 2 (10 kg in this embodiment) and has load-bearing capacity (10 kgf in this embodiment) added to the set load value required to raise or lower the housing portion 2 (in this embodiment, the breaking strength is set to 20 kgf). The locking portion 62 has a tongue portion 621 that extends in the direction of the back plate 23 of the housing portion 2 (the front direction of the ritual furniture 1), and the upper surface of the tongue portion 621 is provided flat.

[0078] In other words, the safety device section 6 is structured such that the lower part of the protruding ridge 61 is placed on the upper surface of the locking section 62 (the tongue-shaped portion 621), and the housing section 2 and the lifting device section 4 are connected via this safety device section 6 (see Figures 2 to 3).

[0079] In other words, the safety device section 6 is a plate that is "displaced on the upper part of the lifting device section and is designed to break or bend when a load exceeding a set limit is applied, and the plate is disposed on the upper part of the safety device section and is arranged in a manner that connects to the lower part of the housing section", and is "designed to release the connection between the lifting device section and the housing section when an abnormal operating condition occurs due to a load exceeding the set upper limit when the housing section is raised or lowered".

[0080] Regarding the left and right width of the aforementioned "skirt 25," the statement that it is "provided to be slightly shorter than the inner spacing between the side panels 22a and 22b" is preferable, as it is 0.1 mm to 10 mm shorter than the inner spacing between the side panels 22a and 22b. If it is less than 0.1 mm, the top panel 21 will be difficult to remove in the event of an accident, which is undesirable, and if it exceeds 10 mm, the gap between the left and right ends of the skirt 25 and the side panels 22a and 22 will be wide and noticeable, which is also undesirable.

[0081] Regarding the description of the arm 41, the aforementioned "a configuration in which the upper surface of the bottom plate 24 of the storage section 2 and the upper surface of the top plate 31 of the storage section 3 are substantially flush" is used to include not only the configuration in which the upper surface of the bottom plate 24 of the storage section 2 and the upper surface of the top plate 31 of the storage section 3 are perfectly flush, but also the configuration in which the upper surface of the bottom plate 24 of the storage section 2 and the upper surface of the top plate 31 of the storage section 3 are roughly flush.

[0082] Here, "approximately flush" means that the upper surface of the bottom plate 24 of the storage section 2 is slightly higher or lower than the upper surface of the top plate 31 of the storage section 3. More specifically, it is preferable that the height difference between the top plate 31 of the storage section 3 and the top plate 24 of the storage section 2 is within the range of more than 0 and 10 mm or less. If the height difference exceeds 10 mm, the appearance is somewhat inferior compared to the appearance when it is flush, and it is undesirable in particular when the bottom plate is lower than 10 mm, as it is difficult to clean (it is difficult to scrape out the dust and debris that has accumulated inside). Furthermore, considering the aforementioned appearance and cleaning work, it is even more preferable that the difference is between 0.1 and 5 mm.

[0083] Regarding the description of the arm 41, the aforementioned "a configuration in which the top surface of the top plate 21 of the storage unit 2 and the top surface of the top plate 31 of the storage unit 3 are substantially flush" is used to include not only the configuration in which the top surface of the top plate 21 of the storage unit 2 and the top surface of the top plate 31 of the storage unit 3 are perfectly flush, but also the configuration in which the top surface of the top plate 21 of the storage unit 2 and the top surface of the top plate 31 of the storage unit 3 are roughly flush.

[0084] Here, "approximately flush" means that the top surface of the top plate 21 of the storage section 2 is slightly higher or lower than the top surface of the top plate 31 of the storage section 3. More specifically, it is preferable that the height difference between the top surface of the top plate 21 of the storage section 2 and the top surface of the top plate 31 of the storage section 3 is within the range of 0.01 mm to 10 mm. If the height difference exceeds 10 mm, the resulting step will be large, which is less aesthetically pleasing compared to the appearance when they are flush, and it is undesirable because objects placed on the top surface when not in use will be unstable.

[0085] In this embodiment, the safety device 6 has the configuration described above, but it is not limited to this. For example, the locking part may be made of a wooden veneer, or of a synthetic resin material, metal material, etc., as long as the load-bearing capacity can be set.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the safety device 6 releases the connection between the housing 2 and the lifting device 4 by the breakage of the locking portion 62, but it is not limited to this, and for example, the locking portion may be made of a flexible (elastically deformable) material. According to this embodiment, when an abnormal operating condition occurs, the connection between the housing 2 and the lifting device can be released by the bending of the locking portion (the tongue portion), and in the event of repair, the function can be easily restored without replacing parts by returning the protruding portion to the upper surface of the locking portion (the tongue portion) that has returned to its original shape.

[0087] Examples of "flexible or elastic materials" include known materials such as hard rubber, synthetic resins, metals, wood, or bamboo, or combinations of these materials. In addition to the configuration in which the entire locking portion is formed from the aforementioned materials, an elastic body such as a spring may be applied to a part of the locking portion so that the locking portion returns to its original shape.

[0088] Furthermore, the safety device may be configured such that the locking portion is made of a flexible (plasticly deformable) material, such as a thin metal plate or a resin plate. According to this configuration, when an abnormal operating condition occurs during ascent, the locking portion (the tongue portion) bends, thereby releasing the connection between the housing and the lifting device. On the other hand, during repairs, the locking portion can be removed (replaced) to restore its function, and it is expected that the locking portion as a part can be procured at a relatively low cost.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the load-bearing capacity (breaking strength) of the locking portion of the safety device 6 is set to the aforementioned value (20 kgf) before bending or breaking when an abnormal operating condition occurs during upward movement, but it is not limited to this value. According to the inventor's test results, the value related to the load-bearing capacity (breaking strength) of the locking portion is preferably within the range of 70% to 130% of the load-bearing capacity value added to the weight of the housing portion 2, and more preferably within the range of 80% to 120%.

[0090] For example, assuming the weight of storage section 2 is 10 kg, the load-bearing capacity of the added locking section (70% to 130%) will be 7 kgf to 13 kgf, and the total load-bearing capacity (breaking strength) of the locking section will be 17 kgf to 23 kgf. Also, assuming the weight of storage section 2 is 10 kg, the load-bearing capacity of the added locking section (80% to 120%) will be 8 kgf to 12 kgf, and the total load-bearing capacity (breaking strength) of the locking section will be 18 kgf to 22 kgf.

[0091] In this embodiment, the lighting device 28 has the configuration described above, but is not limited thereto. For example, it may be placed not only on the back side of the back panel but also in other locations within the housing, and the type of lighting device may be something other than an LED strip light (such as an LED bulb or a fluorescent lamp).

[0092] (effect) Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the method of using the ritual furniture 1 will be explained, along with the effects and benefits of the ritual method using it.

[0093] <When not in use> When not in use, the ritual furniture 1 has its storage compartment 2, which houses the object of worship, stored inside the storage compartment 3 (see Figure 1(a)). In this stored state, it has the appearance of ordinary furniture, making it easy to blend in with the scenery of the room in which it is installed, and it does not look out of place even when placed in a Western-style room such as a living room. In addition, since the object of worship is hidden when not in use, personal information such as the religion one believes in can also be kept secret.

[0094] <When used> The lifting device 4 is operated using the main operating device 51 or the sub-operating device 52, which are the operating units 5, to raise the storage unit 3 stored inside the storage unit 3, and the storage unit 2 is brought out above the storage unit 3 through the upper opening 311 formed in the top plate 31 of the storage unit 3 for worship, etc. Worship itself is performed through the front opening formed in the storage unit 2. After use, the lifting device 4 is operated using the main operating device 51 or the sub-operating device 52, and the storage unit 2, excluding the top surface 21, is stored inside the storage unit 3 through the upper opening 311.

[0095] Furthermore, in the ritual furniture 1, if an incident such as foreign object X1 getting caught when the storage section 2 is lowered occurs, the safety device 6 will activate and disconnect the connection between the storage section 2 and the lifting device 4, thereby interrupting the lowering of the storage section 2 and preventing accidents such as foreign object entanglement or damage to the storage section 2 itself (see Figure 3(a)). On the other hand, in the ritual furniture 1, if an incident such as foreign object X2 getting caught on the storage section 2 is raised occurs, the safety device 6 will activate and disconnect the connection between the storage section 2 and the lifting device 4, thereby interrupting the raising of the storage section 2 and preventing accidents such as damage to the storage section 2 itself.

[0096] Thus, with the ritual furniture 1, although it is a single piece of furniture, it is possible to select whether to use it or not, as described above, and the switching between use and non-use can be done quickly, easily, and safely. The detailed functions and effects of each part that constitutes the ritual furniture 1 are as follows.

[0097] The storage compartment 2 can house the object of worship in its internal space, which is enclosed by the top plate 21, side plates 22a and 22b, back plate 23, and bottom plate 24. The storage compartment 2 allows for worship of the object of worship through its open front section.

[0098] The storage section 2 can typically be used to place objects of worship, such as Buddhist statues, on the top surface of the first shelf 26, and to place ritual-related items such as Buddhist implements and sutras on the second shelf 27. Furthermore, since the first shelf 26 and the second shelf 27 are detachable, either one or both can be removed, allowing users to easily change the layout to their liking.

[0099] Due to its configuration, the lighting device 28 automatically illuminates the interior space when the housing section 2 is raised. In other words, the lighting fixture 28 can brightly illuminate the object of worship housed in the housing section 2 without requiring any effort such as turning on its own switch, and can create a solemn or sacred atmosphere. Furthermore, since the lighting device 28 is designed to automatically turn off when the housing section 2 is lowered, there is no need to turn off the switch of the lighting fixture 28 itself, and there is no risk of forgetting to turn it off.

[0100] In addition, because the lighting device 28 is an LED strip light, it contributes to the weight reduction of the housing unit 2, which in turn contributes to the smooth raising and lowering operation of the housing unit 2, and also consumes less power when lit. Furthermore, since the lighting device 28 is hidden on the back side of the fascia board 25, the lighting device itself is not directly visible, resulting in a good appearance.

[0101] Incidentally, when the inventor conducted operational tests of a prototype of the ritual furniture 1, it was discovered that if a foreign object gets caught between the top plate of the storage unit and the top plate of the storage compartment while the storage unit is descending, it can lead to damage to the storage unit or malfunction of the lifting mechanism. Furthermore, if the foreign object caught in that area is a person's finger or the like, it could potentially lead to serious injury.

[0102] Therefore, in order to implement countermeasures when the aforementioned phenomena occur, the inventors further improved the prototype and adopted a magnetic catch connecting member 201 in the connection structure between the top plate 21 and the upper ends of the left and right side plates 22a and 22b (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0103] In the ritual furniture 1, the connection structure between the top plate 21 and the upper ends of the left and right side plates 22a and 22b is as described above. Therefore, when the storage unit 2 descends, if a foreign object X1 gets caught between the top plate 21 or the apron 25 (top plate portion) of the storage unit 2 and the top plate 31 (top plate portion) of the storage unit 3 (see Figure 4(a)), the top plate 21 of the storage unit 2 will easily detach (see Figure 4(b)), preventing damage to the entire ritual furniture 1. Furthermore, if the foreign object X1 caught in the same place is a person's finger or the like, injury can be prevented.

[0104] Furthermore, according to the ritual furniture 1 of this embodiment, since the connecting member 201 has a magnetic catch structure, no replacement parts are required after the top plate 21 detaches from the upper ends of the side plates 22a and 22b, and reconnection is easy, thus reducing the effort and cost of repairs. In other words, the ritual furniture 1 is characterized by the above-mentioned feature that "the top plate portion of the storage section is detachable and is designed to easily detach upward when a load is applied from below to the bottom surface of the top plate portion."

[0105] The storage unit 3 can store the storage compartment 2 in the rear space 304 formed on the rear side (back side) between the front and rear partition plates 301, and the stored storage compartment 2 can be inserted and removed through the upper opening 311 provided in the top plate 31. When not in use, the top plate 31 and the top plate 21 of the storage compartment 2 are almost flush, giving it a furniture-like appearance similar to a sideboard. Furthermore, since there is no large step between the top plates 21 and 31 when not in use, objects can be placed on the top plate when not in use, and the placed objects remain stable.

[0106] The storage section 3 has a front storage shelf section 35, a right storage shelf section 36, a left storage shelf section 37, and a drawer section 38 in the front (front side) area (space) separated by the front and rear partition plate 301, allowing for the storage of items other than objects of worship and related items, making it convenient to use. In addition, the shelves 352, 362, and 372 attached to the front storage shelf section 35, the right storage shelf section 36, and the left storage shelf section 37 are removable, so one or more can be removed, making it easy and convenient for users to change the layout to their liking.

[0107] The storage section 3 has an upper panel 302 and a lower panel 303, which allows it to form the same surface as the door 351 of the front storage shelf section 35, the door 361 of the right storage shelf section 36, the door 371 of the left storage shelf section 37, and the front panel 381 of the drawer section 38 when closed, resulting in a cohesive appearance and contributing to improved aesthetics (see Figure 1(a)).

[0108] Although not shown in the illustration, the storage section 3 has veneer applied to the top panel 31, side panels 32a and 32b, upper panel 302, lower panel, door 351, door 361, door 371, and front panel 381. This gives it a furniture-like appearance, decorating the room and creating a sense of beauty for the viewer. It also meets the needs of consumers who have avoided purchasing conventional Buddhist altars, stimulating their desire to buy (creating demand).

[0109] In this embodiment, veneer is used as the decorative material for the storage section 3, but this is not the only option. For example, various sealing materials, paints, decorative panels, or combinations thereof may be used, and it is not excluded to manufacture the top panel and other parts from solid wood.

[0110] The storage unit 3 is a rectangular frame with an opening in the center of the back frame 33, allowing the storage unit 2, including the safety device unit 6, and the lifting device unit 4 to be seen and touched from the rear side when the storage unit 2 is in its stored state. As a result, after the safety device unit 6 is activated and the storage unit 2 and the lifting device unit 4 are separated, the safety device unit 6 can be replaced or repaired, or the storage unit 2 and the lifting device unit 4 can be reconnected, simply by moving the ceremonial furniture 1, which is installed with its back against a wall, so that the rear side of the storage unit 3 is visible. This eliminates the need to disassemble the entire storage unit 3, making repairs easy and quick.

[0111] The first bottom plate 34a constitutes the base of the storage section 3 and also serves as the mounting base for the lifting device section 4. The upper surface of the second bottom plate 34b serves as the mounting base for the slide rail (not shown), and the slide rail is attached to the lower surface of the bottom plate of the drawer section 38, thereby acting as a guide when extending and retracting the drawer section 38 (see Figure 2). The front edge of the second bottom plate 34b serves as a stopper for the front plate 381.

[0112] The third bottom plate 34c is positioned opposite the second bottom plate 34b, with a gap above it, allowing the drawer section 38 to be housed in the space between them (see Figure 2). The upper surface of the third bottom plate 34c serves as the connection point (mounting base) for the front and rear partition plates 301, supporting the base end of the front and rear partition plates 301. The portion of the upper surface of the third bottom plate 34c that protrudes into the rear space 304 serves as a receiving point when the storage section 2 falls due to the activation (damage) of the safety device 6.

[0113] Incidentally, when the inventor conducted operational tests of a prototype of the ritual furniture in this embodiment, he noticed that if the safety device 6 activated (broke) and the storage unit 2 fell, the main body portion of the storage unit 2 (especially the bottom plate 24) could be damaged.

[0114] Therefore, the inventors conducted further intensive research to suppress such phenomena, and in the ritual furniture 1, as a structure to reduce the distance (height) of the fall, the side panels 22a and 22b are provided with hanging portions that extend below the bottom panel 24.

[0115] Under normal circumstances, the lower end of this hanging portion does not come into contact with the third bottom plate 34c inside the storage section 3. However, when the safety device 6 is activated (damaged) and the storage section 2 falls, the lower ends of the hanging portions of the side plates 22a and 22b are positioned to come into contact with the upper surface of the third bottom plate 34c. In other words, the presence of these hanging portions acts as a stopper, preventing damage to the storage section 2 (especially the bottom plate 24).

[0116] In this embodiment, the stopper structure is provided with a hanging portion, but it is not limited to this, and may be replaced with a cushioning structure such as a spring or foam.

[0117] The lifting device 4 extends its arm 41 upward to bring the storage unit 2 above the storage unit 3, and then retracts the extended arm 41 downward to store the storage unit 2 inside the storage unit 3. Furthermore, because the lifting device 4 is located inside the storage unit 3, the entire ceremonial furniture 1 has a neat appearance and does not get in the way when setting up the ceremonial furniture 1.

[0118] The ritual furniture 1, having the aforementioned lifting device section 4, has a simpler structure with fewer parts compared to lifting devices using belts, etc., making it easier to manufacture and reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the aforementioned lifting device section 4 in the ritual furniture 1 has a low probability of malfunction or requires less maintenance, thus reducing running costs. Moreover, the lifting device section 4 occupies less space within the storage section 3 compared to lifting devices using combinations of belts, etc., and the resulting surplus space within the storage section 3 (front side space) can be used to provide the front storage shelf section 35, the right storage shelf section 36, the left storage shelf section 37, and the drawer section 38.

[0119] The ritual furniture 1 can be operated using the control unit 5 to control the lifting mechanism. The main control unit 51 of the control unit 5 can normally be used to raise and lower the storage unit 2 from a distance. The secondary control unit 52 of the control unit 5 can be used as a backup when the main control unit 51 is unusable due to malfunction, battery failure, etc., and the storage unit 2 can still be raised and lowered in such situations. The secondary control unit 52 may be used selectively even when the main control unit 51 is usable, for example, when the user is very close to the ritual furniture 1.

[0120] Due to the configuration described above, in the normal operating state, the safety device unit 6 is the connection point between the housing unit 2 and the lifting device unit 4, and the lower part of the protruding ridge 61 is placed on the upper surface of the locking part 62 (the tongue part 621) to engage and support the weight of the housing unit 2, allowing the lifting device unit 4 to raise and lower the housing unit 2 (see Figures 2 to 3).

[0121] On the other hand, the safety device unit 6 with the aforementioned configuration disconnects the connection between the housing unit 2 and the lifting device unit 4 when the abnormal operating conditions shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b) occur. This helps to prevent accidents such as damage to the housing unit 2 body, damage to the entangled foreign object X1 or X2, or injury to the human body such as fingers.

[0122] For more details, in the abnormal operating state during descent shown in Figure 3(a) (when a foreign object X1 is caught in the upper opening 311 and the descent of the housing unit 2 is suppressed), the protruding part 61 and the locking part 62 of the safety device unit 6 separate, as shown in the circular frame on the right of Figure 3(a) (enlarged view), and the connection between the housing unit 2 and the lifting device unit 4 is released.

[0123] Then, when the abnormal operating condition during upward movement shown in Figure 3(b) occurs (a foreign object X1 covers the top plate 21, preventing the rise of the storage unit 2 and resulting in a load exceeding 20 kgf), the tongue portion 621 breaks (fractures) as shown in the circular frame (enlarged view) on the right of Figure 3(b), separating the protruding portion 61 and the locking portion 62 of the safety device portion 6, and releasing the connection between the storage unit 2 and the lifting device portion 4.

[0124] The safety device unit 6, as described above, has a simple structure, making it unlikely to malfunction. It activates when a foreign object X gets caught or a foreign object Y covers the housing unit 2 during its raising or lowering. Furthermore, if the connection between the housing unit 2 and the lifting device unit 4 is released due to foreign object X getting caught or foreign object Y covering it, repair (re-installing a new safety device unit) will be necessary. However, the safety device unit 6 has a small number of parts and a simple structure, and because it is located in the aforementioned location, it can be easily replaced without completely disassembling the ceremonial furniture 1, resulting in good maintainability.

[0125] <Ritual method> Furthermore, the ritual method of the present invention, which is performed using the ritual furniture 1, comprises a first step and a second step, based on the reasons and effects described above.

[0126] (1) In the first step, the lifting device 4 is operated using the main operating device 51 or the sub-operating device 52, which is the operating unit 5, to raise the storage unit 3 stored inside the storage unit 3, and the storage unit 2 is made visible above the storage unit 3 through the upper opening 311 formed in the top plate 31 of the storage unit 3. Then, worship of the object of worship or worship-related work is performed through the front opening formed in the now visible storage unit 2. (2) In the second step, the lifting device 4 is operated using the main operating device 51 or the sub-operating device 52 to lower the storage unit 2 and store the storage unit 3 inside the storage unit 3.

[0127] According to this ritual method, by incorporating the aforementioned steps, the storage unit 2 is made visible for worship and other rituals when in use, and the storage unit 2 is stored in the storage unit 3 when not in use. In this stored state, the ritual furniture 1 has the appearance of ordinary furniture and blends easily with the scenery of the room in which it is installed, and even when not in use, it does not look out of place when placed in a living room or other room. Furthermore, according to this ritual method, although it is a single piece of furniture, the aforementioned selection of use or non-use is possible, and the switching between use and non-use can be done quickly and easily. In addition, since the object of worship is hidden when not in use, personal information such as the religion one believes in can also be kept secret.

[0128] [Variation 1] Referring to Figure 5, a modified example (modification 1) of the ritual furniture 1, ritual furniture 1a, will be described. The ritual furniture 1a is equipped with a storage section 2, a storage section 3, a lifting device section 4a, an operating section (not shown), and a safety device section 6a. The storage section 2, storage section 3, and operating section are the same as those of the ritual furniture 1, so their explanation will be omitted. The lifting device section 4a and the safety device section 6a, which differ, will be described below.

[0129] The lifting device section 4a has a structure comprising a power unit 420, a first pulley 421, a second pulley 422, a belt 423, and a connecting section 424. The power unit 420 is disposed on the upper surface of the first bottom plate 34a and has an electric motor, which drives the first pulley 421 connected to the power unit 420.

[0130] The second pulley 422 is positioned above the rear space 304 of the storage unit 3, connected to the first pulley 421 via an annular belt 423, and rotates with power transmitted from the first pulley 421.

[0131] The belt 423 is provided with a connecting portion 424 that connects the belt 423 to the back plate 23. The connecting portion 424 is located between the first pulley 421 and the second pulley 422, at a predetermined location on the back plate 23 side of the housing 2. In addition, a vulnerable portion is provided in a part of the belt 423, and this portion constitutes a safety device portion 6a. The safety device portion 6a is located between the first pulley 421 and the second pulley 422, at a location opposite to the connecting portion 424.

[0132] The safety device section 6a has a load-bearing capacity (breaking strength of 20 kgf) that supports the weight of the housing section 2 and adds a load-bearing capacity of 10 kgf to the set load value required to raise or lower the housing section 2.

[0133] The lifting device unit 4a, with the configuration described above, can raise and lower the housing unit 2 in the same way as the lifting device unit 4. Furthermore, the safety device unit 6a, with the configuration described above, will cause a fragile portion on the belt 423 to break or separate when an abnormal operating condition occurs, thereby releasing the connection between the housing unit 2 and the lifting device unit 4a. This helps to prevent accidents such as damage to the housing unit 2, damage to entangled foreign objects, and injury to the human body, such as fingers.

[0134] The terms and expressions used in this specification and claims are for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting in any way, and there is no intention to exclude terms or expressions equivalent to or including the features described herein and in the claims. Furthermore, it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Also, terms such as "first," "second," etc., do not imply rank or importance, but are used to distinguish one element from others. [Explanation of symbols]

[0135] 1 Ritual furniture 2. Storage area 201 Connecting Member 21 Top plate 22a・22b side plate 23 Back plate 24 Bottom plate 25 Skirt board 26. First shelf 27. Second shelf 28 Lighting equipment 3 Storage compartment, 301 Front and rear partition plate, 302 Upper panel, 303 Lower panel, 304 Rear space 31 Top panel, 311 Upper opening 32a・32b side plate 33 Back frame 34a 1st bottom plate, 34b 2nd bottom plate, 34c 3rd bottom plate 35 Front storage compartment, 351 Door, 352 Shelf 36 Right storage shelf section, 361 Door, 362 Shelf board 37 Left storage shelf section, 371 Door, 372 Shelf board 38 Drawer section, 381 Front panel 4, 4a Lifting device section 41 Arm 420 Power unit, 421 First pulley, 422 Second pulley, 423 Belt, 424 Connection part 5 Operation unit, 51 Main operation device, 52 Sub operation device 6, 6a Safety device part, 61 Convex part, 62 Locking part, 621 Tongue part X1, X2 Foreign matter

Claims

1. The front of the installed unit is open, forming a storage compartment with an internal space capable of housing the object of worship, A storage unit that can house the storage unit internally, and has an opening of a size that allows the storage unit to be inserted into and removed from the top plate portion when installed, A lifting device is provided within the storage section and connected to the housing section, which causes the housing section to emerge from the opening of the storage section when raised and to store the housing section inside the storage section when lowered. An operating unit that can operate the lifting device, When an abnormal operating condition occurs due to a load exceeding a set upper limit during the raising or lowering of the housing, a safety device is provided that can disconnect the connection between the lifting device and the housing. Equipped with Ritual furniture.

2. The top plate portion of the aforementioned storage unit is detachable, and is designed to easily detach upward when a load is applied from below to the bottom surface of the top plate portion. The ritual furniture described in claim 1.

3. The aforementioned lifting device has a structure that allows it to extend and retract vertically when installed. The safety device is a plate positioned above the lifting device and designed to break or bend when a load exceeding a set limit is applied, and the plate is positioned above the safety device and connected to the lower part of the housing. The ritual furniture according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The operating unit has a structure comprising a main operating device that is wired or wireless and can operate the lifting device from outside the housing or storage unit, and a secondary operating device that is disposed in the housing or storage unit in a manner directly connected to the lifting device and can operate the lifting device by manual input. The ritual furniture according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The housing section has a lighting device capable of illuminating the internal space, and the lighting device is structured to automatically turn on as the housing section rises and automatically turn off as the housing section lowers. The ritual furniture according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. A storage compartment with an opening formed in the part that becomes the top panel when installed, A storage unit is provided in the storage unit so as to be able to move up and down by a lifting device disposed in the storage unit, and is stored in the storage unit in such a manner that it can appear above the top plate portion when raised through the opening, and the part that is the front when installed is open to form an internal space in which an object of worship can be stored, Equipped with Ritual furniture.

7. Using a ritual furniture comprising: a storage compartment for housing the object of worship and allowing worship from a front opening; a storage compartment that can house the storage compartment and allows the storage compartment to be moved in and out above or below the top plate through a top plate opening; and a lifting device disposed within the storage compartment that allows the storage compartment to be raised and lowered, The first step involves operating the lifting device to raise the storage unit located within the storage unit, and performing worship or worship-related work on the object of worship through the front opening. A second step involves operating the lifting device to lower the storage unit and store the storage unit within the storage unit, Equipped with Ritual method.

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