Extension table

Abstract

To provide an extendable table that can change the shape of the tabletop to circular or oval according to the number of users and the situation, and can arrange chairs freely around the table, while harmonizing with modern living spaces and evoking the refined aesthetic sense and excellent techniques unique to Japanese culture. 【Solution】The tabletop 11, 12 can be deformed from a circular plate to an oval plate without any corners, and a single extendable table 10 can handle the use of a circular table 10A for a small number of people to the use of an oval table 10B for a large number of people. Also, since there are no legs on the outer peripheral part of the tabletop 11, 12, chairs can be freely arranged anywhere around the table according to the number of people and the preferences of the users. Furthermore, since a vertical lattice leg 25 with a truncated cone motif is adopted as the leg, the table can be given a refined design that combines traditional Japanese aesthetic sense and modern design.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an extendable table that can be transformed into a round table or an oval table. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, dining tables are often used not only for eating but also as workspaces, and there are many cases where the area of the tabletop needs to be expanded or contracted depending on the number of people using the table for eating or working. In response to this demand, various extendable tables have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1, etc.).

[0003] The extendable table in Patent Document 1 has a rectangular tabletop with four support legs at the four corners, divided into two equal halves, left and right, and these halves can be moved away from each other, with a heat-resistant plate between the separated halves that can be exposed from below.

[0004] [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 1-161631 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, because this conventional extendable table had legs at the four corners of the rectangular tabletop, when there were multiple users, these legs got in the way and it was not possible to place chairs at the four corners of the table. In addition, the support legs at the four corners of the tabletop were simply thin supports, which lacked design appeal.In recent years, the refined aesthetic sense and outstanding craftsmanship of Japanese culture have been attracting attention around the world, and there has been a growing movement to incorporate this into various types of furniture.

[0007] Therefore, as a result of intensive research, the inventor has adopted a table structure in which the top plate can be deformed from a disk without corners to an oval plate, and there are no legs on the outer peripheral part of the top plate. By doing so, it is possible to handle with a single table from regular use to when guests arrive, and chairs can be placed at free positions around the top plate. If vertical lattice legs inspired by a truncated cone, which gives a sense of the essence of Japanese aesthetics, are adopted as the legs, an extendable table that is in tune with the refined aesthetic sense and excellent techniques of Japanese culture, which has attracted worldwide attention in recent years, can be obtained. Based on this finding, the present invention has been completed.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an extendable table in which the shape of the top plate can be changed to a circular or oval shape according to the number of users and the situation, chairs can be placed at free positions around the table, and while harmonizing with the modern living space, an excellent design that gives a sense of the refined aesthetic sense and excellent techniques peculiar to Japanese culture can also be obtained.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The invention according to claim 1 is an extendable table that can be deformed from a circular table with a truncated cone-shaped vertical lattice leg attached to the lower surface of the center of the circular top plate to an oval table with an oval top plate via a rectangular extension plate and slide-type connecting means. The top plate has a pair of left and right semi-circular plates that become circular by butting their butting side ends against each other, and the rectangular extension plate that becomes oval by being hooked on the butting side ends of these semi-circular plates respectively. The vertical lattice leg has two partial vertical lattice legs obtained by bisecting the vertical lattice leg into left and right parts. The slide-type connecting means has a slide rail structure for moving the semi-circular plates in the left-right direction, and locking parts for locking the semi-circular plates to each other and the adjacent semi-circular plates and the extension plate respectively.

[0010] The "extendable table" as used herein refers to a table in which the top plate becomes circular when the table is reduced and becomes oval when the table is extended. The type of the table is arbitrary. For example, a dining table, a work table, etc. may be used. The vertical grid legs mentioned here are the legs for a table formed by assembling a plurality of vertical bars (vertically long bars) in a frustum of a cone shape.

[0011] The material of the tabletop (including the semi-circular plate and the extension plate) is arbitrary. For example, it may be various woods (natural wood veneer fiberboard (ash veneer), cedar, cypress, pine, etc.), various metals (steel, aluminum alloy, etc.), various ceramics (marble, etc.), various synthetic resins (for example, melamine resin, ABS resin, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene), and the like. The material of the vertical grid legs is arbitrary. For example, it may be various woods (rubber wood, cedar, cypress, pine, etc.), various metals (steel, aluminum alloy, etc.), various ceramics (marble, etc.), various synthetic resins (melamine resin, ABS resin, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene), and the like.

[0012] The structure of the slide-type connecting means is arbitrary as long as it has at least one semi-circular plate, a slide rail structure that moves the semi-circular plates in the left-right direction so that the semi-circular plates approach and separate from each other, and a latching portion that latches each pair of semi-circular plates and between an adjacent semi-circular plate and the extension plate. The configuration of the slide rail structure is arbitrary. For example, it may have a slide rail and a slider. The number of slide rail structures used may be one or two or more. As the latching portion, for example, various locking fittings can be adopted.

[0013] Further, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that in the partial vertical grid legs, a plurality of vertical bars are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of a base in a semi-conical frustum shape obtained by vertically bisecting a frustum of a cone at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of air guide grooves that gradually incline inward upward are arranged at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction between each adjacent pair of the vertical bars, which is the extensible table according to claim 1.

[0014] The materials for the base and the vertical bars are arbitrary. For example, various woods, various metals, various ceramics, various synthetic resins, etc. may be used. The base may be a solid body or a hollow body. The number of vertical bars is arbitrary. Also, since a plurality of vertical bars are protruding on the outer peripheral surface of the base at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction, a large number of air guide grooves that gradually incline inward upward are arranged between each adjacent vertical bar. Each air guide groove is a guide groove for guiding, for example, the air of an air conditioner that hits the corresponding partial vertical lattice leg to the lower surface of the center of the corresponding semi-circular plate.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the extendable table of the present invention, by deforming the top plate from a disk without corners to an oval plate via the sliding connection means, it is possible to handle with a single table from the use of a circular table for a small number of people to the use of an oval table for a large number of people. In addition, since there are no support legs on the outer peripheral part of the top plate, chairs can be freely arranged anywhere around the table according to the number of people and the preferences of the users. Furthermore, since vertical lattice legs with a truncated cone as a motif are adopted as the support legs, refined design properties that combine the traditional Japanese aesthetic sense and modern design can be imparted to the table.

[0016] In particular, in the extendable table according to claim 2, for example, if a personal computer is placed near the center of the top plate of the circular table in summer and work or games are carried out for a long time, the personal computer generates heat and becomes hot, and its function deteriorates. Therefore, if the air conditioner is operated in the cooling mode in this state, a part of the cold air generated from the air conditioner collides with the upper surfaces of the overheated display and the personal computer main body, and cools them from above.

[0017] On one hand, for example, among the cold air of the air conditioner flowing along the floor of the room, there is some that collides with the partial vertical lattice legs, and thus with the vertical lattice legs. A part of this collided cold air rises along each air guide groove that is arranged between each vertical bar and the vertical bar and gradually inclines inward upward. As a result, it collides with the lower surface near the central part of the top plate where the computer is placed, and cools the computer from below. As a result, the cooling efficiency of the computer can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of this invention will be specifically described. Here, an extensible dining table is taken as an example.

Embodiment

[0020] In FIG. 1, the extensible table 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is a dining table that can be deformed from the circular table 10A shown in FIG. 1(a), in which a frustum-shaped vertical lattice leg 25 is attached to the lower surface of the central part of the circular top plate 11, to an oval table 10B with an oval top plate 12 as shown in FIG. 1(b).

[0021] Hereinafter, these will be specifically described. The circular top plate 11 is composed of a pair of left and right semicircular plates 13 and 14 made of natural wood veneered fiberboard, which form a disc by butting their butting side ends against each other. On the other hand, the elliptical top plate 12 is composed of each of the semicircular plates 13 and 14 and a rectangular extension plate 15 that is hooked in series to the butting side ends of these semicircular plates 13 and 14 to form an elliptical plate.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, semicircular ridges 11a are peripherally provided on the back surfaces of the outer peripheral portions of each of the semicircular plates 13 and 14. Further, on the end face on the butting side of one of the semicircular plates 13, a pair of front and rear dowels (not shown) project in a spaced-apart state, and on the end face on the butting side of the other semicircular plate 14, a pair of front and rear dowel holes (not shown) into which the corresponding dowels are inserted are respectively drilled. Also, in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of each of the semicircular plates 13 and 14, a pair of front and rear locking fittings (slide-type connecting means, hooking portions) 33 are respectively disposed at intervals on the back surface of each of the butting side end portions.

[0023] As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the extension plate 15 is a rectangular plate made of natural wood veneered fiberboard that is long in the front-rear direction. On the end face on the butting side with one of the semicircular plates 13, a pair of front and rear dowel holes (not shown) are respectively drilled in a spaced-apart state. Also, on the end face on the butting side with the other semicircular plate 13, a pair of front and rear dowels (not shown) project in a spaced-apart state. Furthermore, on the back surface of each end portion on the short side of the extension plate 15, a pair of short linear ridges 15a that are continuous with the semicircular ridges 11a formed on the back surface of the outer peripheral portion of each of the semicircular plates 13 and 14 are disposed. Also, between the back surface near each end portion on the short side of the extension plate 15 and the back surface of the outer peripheral portion of the opposing semicircular plates 13 and 14, locking fittings 33 for hooking the adjacent semicircular plates 13 and 14 and the extension plate 15 are disposed.

[0024] Furthermore, near the central portion of the back surface of each of the semicircular plates 13 and 14, a pair of front and rear slide rail structures (slide-type connecting means) 30 for moving each of the semicircular plates in the left-right direction are disposed in a parallel state with each other. Each slide rail structure 30 has a pair of left and right sliders 31 disposed in a spaced-apart state parallel to the front and rear portions of the central portion on the back surfaces of the corresponding semi-circular plates 13 and 14, and a pair of long front and rear slide rails 32 extending parallel in the left-right direction on which these sliders 31 are slidably mounted in the left-right direction.

[0025] Further, the vertical grid legs 25 are composed of a pair of left and right partial vertical grid legs 16 and 17 obtained by vertically bisecting the vertical grid legs. A plurality of vertical bars 18 are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of a base 20 in the shape of a frustum of a cone vertically bisected into a semi-frustum of a cone at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of air guide grooves 19 that gradually incline inward upward are disposed between adjacent vertical bars 18 at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction. On the lower surface of the outer peripheral portion of each base 20, three circular anti-scratch sheets 22 are adhered at intervals of about 90° in the circumferential direction. Each of the partial vertical grid legs 16 and 17 is screwed to the vicinity of the center of each of the semi-circular plates 13 and 14 by screws 34 in a state where the respective split surfaces are aligned with the butting side ends of the corresponding semi-circular plates 13 and 14 in a plan view via a pair of left and right rectangular fixing plates 21.

[0026] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, a method of using the extensible table 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 2, when assembling the circular table 10A, first, with the dowels inserted into the corresponding dowel holes along the pair of front and rear slide rails 32, the tips of the corresponding pair of left and right sliders 31 are brought into contact with each other. Then, each locking fitting 33 is hooked. Thereby, a circular table 10A with a top plate 11 formed by butting the semi-circular plates 13 and 14 into a circular shape is obtained.

[0027] On the one hand, as shown in FIGS. 1(b), 3, and 4, when deforming the circular table 10A into the oval table 10B, first, remove each locking fitting 33. Then, pull the semi-circular plate 14 to which the partial vertical lattice leg 17 is fixed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3. As a result, the two pairs of sliders 31 on the left and right separate along the pair of front and rear slide rails 32, and a storage space for the extension plate 15 is formed between the semi-circular plates 13 and 14. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, with the extension plate 15 placed on each slide rail 32, store the extension plate 15 in this storage space. Then, with each dowel inserted into the corresponding dowel hole, abut the end faces on the butting sides of the corresponding semi-circular plates 13 and 14 against the corresponding end faces on the butting side of the extension plate 15, and latch them with the locking fittings 33 respectively. Thereby, an oval table 10B with an oval tabletop 12 is obtained.

[0028] In this way, by deforming the tabletops 11 and 12 from circular plates without corners into oval plates, it is possible to handle with a single extendable table 10 from using the circular table 10A for a small number of people to using the oval table 10B for a large number of people. Also, since there are no support legs on the outer peripheral portions of the tabletops 11 and 12, chairs can be freely arranged anywhere around the table according to the number of people and the preferences of the users. Furthermore, since the vertical lattice leg 25 with a frustum of a cone as a motif is adopted as the support leg, a refined design property that combines the traditional Japanese aesthetic sense and a modern design can be imparted to the extendable table 10.

[0029] Furthermore, in the case of the extendable table 10, for example, if a personal computer is placed near the center of the tabletop 11 of the circular table in summer and work or games are carried out for a long time, the personal computer generates heat and becomes high in temperature, and its function deteriorates. Therefore, if the air conditioner is operated in the cooling mode in this state, a part of the cold air generated from the air conditioner collides with the upper surfaces of the overheated display and the personal computer main body, and cools them from above.

[0030] On one hand, for example, among the cold air of the air conditioner flowing along the floor of the room, there is some that collides with the partial vertical lattice legs 16 and 17, and thus the vertical lattice leg 25. A part of this collided cold air rises along each air guide groove 19 disposed between each vertical bar 18 and the vertical bar 18 and gradually inclines inward upward. As a result, it collides with the lower surface near the central part of the top plates 11 and 12 where the computer is placed, and cools the computer from below. As a result, the cooling efficiency of the computer can be improved.

Industrial Applicability

[0031] The present invention is useful as a technology for an extensible table that can accommodate various numbers of people with a single unit, for example, from regular use to when there are guests.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0032] 10 Extensible table 10A Circular table 10B Oval table 11, 12 Top plates 13, 14 Semicircular plates 15 Extension plate 16, 17 Partial vertical lattice legs 18 Vertical bars 19 Air guide grooves 20 Base stand 25 Vertical lattice leg 30 Slide rail structure (slide - type connecting means) 33 Locking fitting (slide - type connecting means, latching portion)

Claims

1. An extensible table that can be deformed from a circular table with a frustum-shaped vertical lattice leg attached to the lower surface of the center of a circular top plate into an oval table with an oval top plate through a rectangular extension plate and slide-type connecting means, wherein the top plate has a pair of left and right semi-circular plates that form a circle by butting their butting side ends against each other, and the rectangular extension plate that forms an oval by being hooked to the butting side ends of these semi-circular plates respectively, the vertical lattice leg has two partial vertical lattice legs obtained by bisecting the vertical lattice leg into left and right parts, and the slide-type connecting means has a slide rail structure for moving the semi-circular plates in the left-right direction, and locking parts for locking the semi-circular plates to each other and between an adjacent semi-circular plate and the extension plate respectively. The extensible table is characterized by this.

2. The partial vertical lattice leg has a plurality of vertical bars arranged at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of a base of a semi-frustum shape obtained by vertically bisecting a frustum, and a plurality of air guide grooves that gradually incline inward upward are arranged at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction between the adjacent vertical bars. The extensible table according to Claim 1 is characterized by this.

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