Footrest unit and height adjustable desk

Abstract

To provide a footrest unit which includes a footrest member on which feet of a user can be placed in a posture of the high sitting position or standing position in order to guarantee the comfort of the user, which secures the foot passage property in the low sitting position and which can retreat the footrest member in order to push and store a chair to a space under a top plate in non-use in a vertically elevated / lowered desk.SOLUTION: In a footrest unit which is attached to a vertically elevated / lowered desk, a footrest member 4 is arranged in a space under a top plate 2, the unit includes a switching mechanism 5 which switches the state of the footrest member from one to the other of the first state and the second state. The first state S1 is the state in which the footrest member has a support face 9 that functions as a footrest supporting the feet of the user at a position overlapped with any portion from the center to the front end in the depth direction of the top plate in the plan view. The second state is the state in which at least a portion of the support face is located on the depth side, upper side or lower side compared to the first state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a footrest unit and a height adjustable desk. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various types of up-and-down lift-up desks have been provided, in which a tabletop is supported by legs with built-in lifting mechanisms on both the left and right sides, the legs being composed of base legs that contact the floor surface and extendable legs standing on the base legs, and the height of the tabletop attached to the upper end of the legs is adjustable.Here, up-and-down lift-up desks include a single type in which one lift-up tabletop is attached to the base leg (see Patent Document 1), and a twin type in which independent legs are set up on the front and rear of a common base leg, and two tabletops are supported at the front and rear by each leg (see Patent Document 2).

[0003] Such a height-adjustable desk is used by adjusting the top plate to a suitable height for low sitting, high sitting, or standing. In the low sitting position, the top plate is at a standard height, and the user's feet are on the floor when seated on the chair, so the position of the feet can be freely changed just like with a normal desk. In recent years, it has been said that raising the line of sight increases concentration and improves productivity from a human science perspective, and people often work in a high sitting or standing position. In the high sitting position, the height of the top plate is higher than the standard, and the user sits on a chair with a high seat. In this case, the user's feet do not reach the floor, so the user usually places the feet on a step provided on the chair. However, maintaining this position for a long time is not comfortable. In the standing position, it is also not comfortable to maintain a position with both feet standing on the floor for a long time, and sometimes one feels like lifting one foot. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-079889 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2018-068943 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, conventional height-adjustable desks do not give special consideration to the comfort of the user when sitting or standing at a high desk. On the other hand, when sitting at a low desk, the user must be able to easily reach the space under the desk.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a footrest unit and a height-adjustable desk as described below.

[0008] (1) A footrest unit to be attached to a height-adjustable desk having a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the height of the tabletop, The top plate supports a vertically extending fascia in a manner that the fascia rises and falls with the rise and fall of the top plate, A footrest member is placed in the space under the top board, a switching mechanism for switching a state of the footrest member from one of a first state and a second state to the other, The first state is a state in which the footrest member has a support surface that functions as a footrest that supports the feet of a user at a position where the footrest member overlaps any part between the center and the front end of the tabletop in a depth direction in a plan view, The second state is a state in which at least a part of the support surface is located further back, higher, or lower than the first state, The switching mechanism is The panel supported by a linkage mechanism for moving the support surface in conjunction with the elevation of the tabletop, thereby switching the state of the footrest member, using a linkage means including a gear that drives in conjunction with the elevation of the tabletop.

[0009] (2) A footrest unit to be attached to a height-adjustable desk having a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the height of the tabletop, A footrest member is placed in the space under the top board, a switching mechanism for switching a state of the footrest member from one of a first state and a second state to the other, The first state is a state in which the footrest member has a support surface that functions as a footrest that supports the feet of a user at a position where the footrest member overlaps any part between the center and the front end of the tabletop in a depth direction in a plan view, In the second state, at least a part of the support surface is located on a deeper side than in the first state. or In a state where it is located above or below the law of nature, The switching mechanism includes an interlocking mechanism that moves the support surface in conjunction with the elevation of the tabletop using an interlocking means including a panel member that rises and falls in conjunction with the elevation of the tabletop to switch the state of the footrest member. Footrest unit.

[0010] (3) A footrest unit to be attached to a height-adjustable desk having a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the height of the tabletop, The top plate supports a vertically extending fascia in a manner that the fascia rises and falls with the rise and fall of the top plate, A footrest member is placed in the space under the top board, a switching mechanism for switching a state of the footrest member from one of a first state and a second state to the other, The first state is a state in which the footrest member has a support surface that functions as a footrest that supports the feet of a user at a position where the footrest member overlaps any part between the center and the front end of the tabletop in a depth direction in a plan view, The second state is a state in which at least a part of the support surface is located further back, higher, or lower than the first state, The switching mechanism is The panel supported by a linkage mechanism for moving the support surface in conjunction with the elevation of the tabletop using a linkage means including a pulley that is driven in conjunction with the elevation of the tabletop, thereby switching the state of the footrest member.

[0011] (4) The switching mechanism is disposed on a base member located between a leg supporting the tabletop and an installation surface. Any one of (1) to (3) The footrest unit described in

[0012] (5) The top plate and The lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the top plate; Any one of (1) to (4) The footrest unit according to claim 1, Equipped with a height adjustable desk. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating the principle of an embodiment in which the switching mechanism is a flip-up type, where (a) shows the low sitting position, (b) shows the high sitting position, and (c) shows the standing position. [Diagram 2] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating the principle of an embodiment in which the switching mechanism is of a folding type, where (a) shows the low sitting position, (b) shows the high sitting position, and (c) shows the standing position. [Diagram 3] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating the principle of an embodiment in which the switching mechanism is of the reverse flip-up type, where (a) shows the low sitting position, (b) shows the high sitting position, and (c) shows the standing position. [Figure 4] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing the principle of an embodiment in which the switching mechanism is a reverse flip-up and sliding type, in which (a) shows the low sitting position, (b) shows the high sitting position, and (c) shows the standing position. [Diagram 5] This is a perspective view of a low-sitting mode illustrating an embodiment in which a footrest unit with a flip-up type switching mechanism is incorporated into a single-type up-down adjustable desk. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of a high-seating mode showing an embodiment in which a footrest unit with a flip-up type switching mechanism is incorporated into a single-type up-and-down adjustable desk. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional side view showing a modified example of the height adjustable desk of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a vertical cross-sectional side view of a height-adjustable desk showing variant 1, in which the switching mechanism is of a reverse flip-up type and the movement of the footrest member is linked to the rising and falling of the tabletop, in which the footrest member is in the second state in a low sitting position. [Figure 11]This is a vertical cross-sectional side view of a first variant of the type in which the switching mechanism is of a reverse flip-up type and the movement of the footrest member is linked to the rising and lowering of the tabletop, showing the desk in a high seating position with the footrest member in the first state. [Figure 12] This shows variant 2, in which the switching mechanism is of the reverse flip-up type and the movement of the footrest member is linked to the rising and falling of the tabletop, and is a vertical cross-sectional side view of the up and down adjustable desk in a low sitting position with the footrest member in the second state. [Figure 13] This is a vertical cross-sectional side view of a height-adjustable desk in a high seating position with the footrest in the first state, showing variant 2, which also has a reverse flip-up type switching mechanism in which the movement of the footrest is linked to the rising and lowering of the tabletop. [Figure 14] This shows variant 3, in which the switching mechanism is of the reverse flip-up type and the movement of the footrest member is linked to the rising and falling of the tabletop, and is a vertical cross-sectional side view of the up and down adjustable desk in a low sitting position with the footrest member in the second state. [Figure 15] This is a vertical cross-sectional side view of a third variant of the type in which the switching mechanism is of the reverse flip-up type, in which the movement of the footrest member is linked to the rising and falling of the tabletop, in a high seating position with the footrest member in the first state. [Figure 16] This is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which a footrest unit with a flip-up type switching mechanism is incorporated into a twin-type up-down lifting desk. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a front view of an example of a single-type height-adjustable desk having a footrest unit of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Next, the present invention will be described in more detail based on the embodiment shown in the attached drawings. Figures 1 to 4 show the basic operation of a height adjustable desk incorporating a footrest unit according to the present invention, in which reference numerals 1 indicate legs, 2 indicate a tabletop, 3 indicate a back panel, 4 indicate a footrest member, and 5 indicate a switching mechanism. In each of Figures 1 to 4, (a) indicates a low sitting position, (b) indicates a high sitting position, and (c) indicates a standing position. In this specification, "front", "rear", "left", "right" and "rear" are used relative to the position of the user. It states that:

[0015] The up-down lifting desk according to the present invention is arranged on both the left and right sides, and supports a top plate 2 with legs 1, 1 incorporating a lifting mechanism. A back panel 3 is fixed to the rear end of the top plate 2, and the height of the top plate 2 can be adjusted by the lifting mechanism to a height suitable for low sitting, high sitting, or standing. Note that the back panel 3 is not essential in the present invention, and the structure of the lifting mechanism is also optional. In addition, the up-down lifting desk is classified into a single type having one top plate 2 and a twin type having two top plates 2, 2 arranged at the front and rear, each of which can be adjusted in height by an independent lifting mechanism. This embodiment mainly describes the single type up-down lifting desk.

[0016] Here, the low sitting position is a state in which the height of the top board 2 is a standard height H, and the seat surface 7 is suitable for use while sitting on a chair 6 with a standard height, as shown in FIG. 1(a). Here, the standard height H is not particularly limited and is a value that is appropriately selected according to the situation, but is set to, for example, 72 cm. In this state, the lower end of the skirting board 3 is located close to the floor surface F, so that the space under the top board 2 cannot be seen from the opposite direction. The high sitting position is a state in which the height of the top board 2 is intermediate between the low sitting position and the standing position, as shown in FIG. 1(b), and when using the chair 6 with a high seat surface 7, the height of the user's line of sight is close to that of the standing position. It is said that raising the line of sight increases the degree of concentration and improves productivity. In this high sitting position, the feet were conventionally placed on the step 8 provided on the chair 6. The standing position is a state in which the height of the top board 2 is higher than that of the high sitting position, as shown in FIG. 1(c), and is suitable for use while the user stands without using the chair 6.

[0017] The footrest unit of the present invention has a footrest member 4 arranged in the space under the top board 2, and a switching mechanism 5 for switching the state of the footrest member 4 from one of a first state S1 and a second state S2 to the other. The first state S1 is a state in which the footrest member 4 has a support surface 9 that functions as a footrest for supporting the user's feet at a position where it overlaps any part between the center and the front end of the top board 2 in the depth direction in a plan view (see Figs. 1(b) and (c)). The second state S2 is a state in which at least a part of the support surface 9 is located further back, above, or below the first state S1 (see Fig. 1(a)). Conventional up-down lift desks have not given special consideration to the comfort of the user in a high sitting or standing position, but when the top board 2 is in a high sitting or standing position, by setting the footrest member 4 to the first state S1, the user can place his / her feet on the support surface 9 of the footrest member 4, and the user can work comfortably.

[0018] On the other hand, in the low sitting position, the space under the tabletop must be secured for the feet to pass through. Also, when an unused chair is pushed under the tabletop for storage, there must be no obstacles in the space under the tabletop that interfere with the chair. Here, in the footrest unit of the present invention, in the second state S2, the footrest member 4 is in a retreated position, so that the user's feet can be secured and the unused chair can be pushed under the tabletop 2 for storage. That is, when the tabletop 2 is in the low sitting position, the footrest member 4 is moved to the second state S2, so that the footrest member 4 is retracted, so that the feet can be secured in the low sitting position and the footrest member does not get in the way when the chair is pushed under the tabletop for storage when not in use.

[0019] In this embodiment, the first state S1 is a usage state in which the support surface 9 of the footrest member 4 faces approximately horizontally, and the second state S2 is a storage state in which the support surface 9 of the footrest member 4 faces approximately vertically, but is not limited to what is shown in the figures. Note that "approximately horizontal" here refers to a state in which the support surface 9 is at an angle of 30 degrees or less with respect to the horizontal line, including a state in which the support surface 9 is completely horizontal. Also, "approximately vertical" here refers to a state in which the support surface 9 is at an angle of 30 degrees or less with respect to the vertical line, including a state in which the support surface 9 is completely parallel to the vertical direction.

[0020] In the low-sitting state shown in FIG. 1(a), the footrest member 4 is in the second state S2, the height of the top board 2 is the standard height H, and the feet of the user sitting on the chair 6 are on the floor surface F. In the high-sitting state shown in FIG. 1(b), the footrest member 4 is in the first state S1, and the height from the support surface 9 of the footrest member 4 to the upper surface of the top board 2 is set to H. In this state, the feet of a user sitting on the chair 6 with the seat surface 7 raised can be placed on the support surface 9 of the footrest member 4 in the same way as they are placed on the floor surface F in the low-sitting state. In the standing state shown in FIG. 1(c), the footrest member 4 is in the first state S1, and one foot of a user standing can be placed on the support surface 9 of the footrest member 4. The basic configuration has been described based on FIG. 1, but the above is also common to FIGS. 2 to 4.

[0021] The basic structure of the vertically adjustable desk according to this embodiment will be described below. The leg 1 is composed of an extendable leg column 11 erected on a base member 10 that is in contact with the floor surface F. The leg column 11 has a telescopic rod structure in which a fixed leg 12 fixed to the base member 10 and a movable leg 13 are connected to the fixed leg 12 so that they can move up and down. The top plate 2 is supported on the upper end of the movable leg 13 of the leg column 11. The leg column 11 has a built-in lifting mechanism and is unitized. For example, the lifting mechanism is composed of a feed screw mechanism arranged inside the leg column 11, a drive motor such as a servo motor or stepping motor that can control the rotation speed that drives the feed screw mechanism, and a separately provided control device.

[0022] More specifically, the switching mechanism 5 may be exemplified as follows: (A) a switching mechanism including a shaft that rotates the support surface 9 and a bearing that rotatably receives the shaft; (B) a switching mechanism including a guide portion that guides the movement of the shaft in the vertical and / or horizontal directions; (C) a switching mechanism including a slide mechanism for sliding the support surface 9; (D) a switching mechanism including a folding mechanism that folds the support surface 9; (E) A switching mechanism including an interlocking mechanism that moves the support surface 9 in conjunction with the elevation of the tabletop 2 to switch the state of the footrest member 4. (F) a switching mechanism disposed on a base member 10 located between a leg 11 supporting the tabletop 2 and an installation surface (floor surface F); And so on.

[0023] Next, a number of embodiments in which the switching mechanism 5 of the footrest member 4 is different will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. Fig. 1 shows an embodiment in which the footrest member 4 is a flip-up type, and the switching mechanism 5 is the above-mentioned (A) mechanism. In this embodiment, the rear end of the footrest member 4 in the first state S1 of Fig. 1(b) is supported by a shaft (not shown) and a bearing that rotatably receives the shaft so as to be vertically rotatable (shaft support portion 14). In order to maintain the first state S1, for example, the lower sides of both sides of the footrest member 4 are placed on a support portion (not shown in Fig. 1, see, for example, "support portion 20" in Fig. 5 described later) provided on the fixed leg 12 of the base member 10 or the leg column 11. Here, the support portion may be provided integrally with the base member 10 or the fixed leg 12 of the leg column 11, or may be provided by attaching a separate member. The shaft and bearing-based shaft support portion 14 is also provided on the base member 10 or the fixed leg 12 of the leg column 11. It is preferable to provide an attachment means for the footrest member 4 in the second state S2 of Figure 1(a) that can be detachably supported on the fixed part using a magnetic catch or the like to maintain that state, but it is also possible to rotate the footrest member 4 beyond the vertical line, i.e., at a rotation angle of more than 90 degrees, so that it does not fall forward under its own weight.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which the footrest member 4 is a folding type, and the switching mechanism 5 is the above-mentioned (D) mechanism, but the (A) mechanism and the (B) mechanism are also used in combination. The footrest member 4 has a structure in which two plate members 4A and 4B are arranged in front and behind and pivotally attached. In the first state S1 of FIG. 2(b), the rear end of the rear plate member 4A is supported by the pivot support 14 on the fixed part of the base member 10 or the fixed leg 12 of the leg column 11, as described above, and the sliders 15 provided on both sides of the front end of the front plate member 4B are guided to move in the horizontal direction along guide parts (not shown in FIG. 2, see, for example, "guide part 24" in FIG. 10, which will be described later) provided on the fixed part. The sliders 15 can be replaced with rollers or the like. Here, in order to maintain the first state S1, it is preferable to place the lower surfaces of both sides of the footrest member 4 on support parts (not shown in FIG. 2, see, for example, "support part 20" in FIG. 5, which will be described later) as described above. In addition, it is preferable to provide an engagement means for maintaining the footrest member 4 in the folded state in the second state S2 of FIG. 2(a).

[0025] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the footrest member 4 is of the reverse flip-up type, and the switching mechanism 5 is the above-mentioned (B) mechanism. In this embodiment, the rear end of the footrest member 4 in the first state S1 of FIG. 3(b) is guided upward by a vertical guide portion (not shown in FIG. 3, see, for example, "guide portion 25" in FIG. 10 described later), and the front end of the footrest member 4 is guided backward by a horizontal guide portion (not shown in FIG. 3, see, for example, "guide portion 24" in FIG. 10 described later), to reach the second state S2 of FIG. 3(a). Here, the above-mentioned vertical guide portion and horizontal guide portion are provided on the fixed portion of the fixed leg 12 of the base member 10 or the leg pillar 11, but they may be provided integrally with the fixed portion, or may be provided as separate members attached to the fixed portion. In the first state S1, rear sliders 16 guided by vertical guides are provided on both sides of the rear end of the footrest member 4, and front sliders 17 guided by horizontal guides are provided on both sides of the front end, and the first state S1 is maintained by both sliders 16, 17, but a support may also be provided separately on the fixed portion. The configuration for maintaining the second state S2 is the same as above.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the reverse flip-up and sliding methods, in which the switching mechanism is a combination of the above-mentioned (B) and (C) mechanisms. In this embodiment, the footrest member 4 in the first state S1 in FIG. 4(b) can be slid forward while maintaining the state, and as shown in FIG. 4(c), the configuration makes it easier for a user in a standing position to place their feet on it. In this case, the guide stroke of the horizontal guide portion (not shown in FIG. 4, see, for example, "guide portion 24" in FIG. 10, which will be described later) is made longer, and the footrest member 4 can be slid and guided further forward than in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. In this case, the vertical guide portion (not shown in FIG. 4, see, for example, "guide portion 25" in FIG. 10, which will be described later) and the horizontal guide portion are continuous, and the rear slider 16 of the footrest member 4 moves from the vertical guide portion to the horizontal guide portion. Since the other configurations are the same as those in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the same configurations are given the same symbols and their explanations are omitted. As a modification of this embodiment, the footrest member 4 may simply slide forward and backward. In other words, the footrest member 4 may be located in front of the horizontal guide in the first state S1 and located in the rear of the horizontal guide in the second state S2.

[0027] Next, the embodiment of the flip-up method shown in FIG. 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5 to FIG. 8. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show the second state S2, and FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show the first state S1. The base member 10 of the leg 1 of this embodiment has a structure in which a rising portion 19 extending vertically upward is provided at the rear end of a main body portion 18 that is shaped like a square when viewed from the side. Here, the main body portion 18 and the rising portion 19 may be integral or separate. In this embodiment, a pivot support portion 14 for the footrest member 4 is provided at the rear upper portion of the main body portion 18, and the footrest member 4 is supported so as to be rotatable up and down around a horizontal axis. Furthermore, a support portion 20 that supports the lower surfaces of both ends of the footrest member 4 in the first state S1 is protrudingly provided at the inner upper portion of the main body portion 18, and abutment portions 21 that abut and stop the back surfaces (support surfaces 9) of both ends of the footrest member 4 in the second state S2 are protrudingly provided at the inner rear portion of the rising portion 19. Incidentally, instead of providing the abutment portion 21, it is also preferable to provide an engagement means such as a ball catch between the inner surface of the rising portion 19 and the outer surface of the footrest member 4. Of course, the abutment portion 21 and an engagement means such as a magnet catch or a ball catch may be used in combination.

[0028] The leg 1 is erected at the front-rear center of the main body 18 of the base member 10. However, due to the dimensions of the unitized leg 1, the fixed leg 12 of the leg 1 may be arranged to penetrate the main body 18 of the base member 10 as shown in FIG. 9. That is, the fixed leg 12 of the leg 1 may be made to penetrate the upper rod 22 of the main body 18 and fixed to the upper surface of the lower rod 23 of the main body 18. Alternatively, a cylindrical part may be provided that penetrates the upper rod 22 of the main body 18 and is fixed to the upper surface of the lower rod 23, and the fixed leg 12 of the leg 1 may be fitted into the cylindrical part, and the lower end of the fixed leg 12 may be screwed to the lower rod 23 from below. In this case, the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical part may be circular or rectangular depending on the cross-sectional shape of the leg 1 to be used. The support portion 20 is formed to extend horizontally along the inner surface of the upper rod 22 , and the abutment portion 21 is also formed to extend vertically along the inner surface of the rising portion 19 .

[0029] It is also preferable that the switching mechanism 5 switches the footrest member 4 between the first state S1 and the second state S2 in conjunction with the ascending and descending movement of the tabletop 2. Figures 10 to 15 show an embodiment employing a reverse flip-up type interlocking type switching mechanism 5. Examples of the interlocking type switching mechanism 5 include a gear interlocking mechanism shown in Figures 10 and 11, an intermediate panel interlocking mechanism shown in Figures 12 and 13, and a pulley interlocking mechanism shown in Figures 14 and 15.

[0030] First, a common configuration for each interlocking mechanism will be described. A groove-shaped horizontal guide portion 24 is provided along the upper edge of the support portion 20 on the inner surface side of the main body portion 18 of the base member 10, and a groove-shaped vertical guide portion 25 is provided along the inner surface of the rising portion 19. Here, when a contact stop portion 21 is provided on the rising portion 19, the guide portion 25 is provided along the front edge of the corresponding stop portion 21. The guide portions 24 and 25 are continuous at a corner portion 26.

[0031] First, the gear interlocking mechanism will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. The footrest member 4 has a shutter structure in which a plurality of narrow plate members 4C, ... are rotatably connected, and both ends are engaged with the guide parts 24, 25 so that it can move along the guide parts 24, 25. A gear 27 that can rotate on a horizontal axis is attached to the lower inner surface of the rising part 19 of the base member 10, a rack 28 that meshes with the gear 27 is provided at the lower part of the front surface of the skirting board 3, and a rack 29 that meshes with the gear 27 is provided on the back surface of the footrest member 4 of the shutter structure.

[0032] As the top plate 2 and the back plate 3 are displaced upward, the gear 27 meshed with the rack 28 rotates counterclockwise, pushing down the rack 29 meshed with the gear 27, and the footrest member 4 moves from the vertical guide portion 25 to the horizontal guide portion 24 by the driving force, and switches from the second state S2 shown in Fig. 10 to the first state S1 shown in Fig. 11. Conversely, as the top plate 2 and the back plate 3 are displaced downward, the gear 27 meshed with the rack 28 rotates clockwise, pushing up the rack 29 meshed with the gear 27, and the footrest member 4 moves from the horizontal guide portion 24 to the vertical guide portion 25 by the driving force, and switches from the first state S1 shown in Fig. 11 to the second state S2 shown in Fig. 10. During this series of operations, the gear 27 is always meshed with the rack 29.

[0033] 3, when the footrest member 4 is composed of a single plate member, the rear slider 16 is guided by the vertical guide portion 25 and the front slider 17 is guided by the horizontal guide portion 24, and the footrest member 4 moves away from the gear 27 provided near the corner portion 26 in a state between the first state S1 and the second state S2, so that the footrest member 4 may be engaged with a rack 29 provided on the back surface of the footrest member 4 via a plurality of other position-changeable gears engaged with the gear 27. The number of plate members 4C constituting the footrest member 4 can be changed as appropriate, and may be a single plate member if smooth rotation is possible depending on the number of gears and the structure of the guide portions 24 / 25.

[0034] Next, the intermediate panel interlocking mechanism will be described with reference to Figs. 12 and 13. The intermediate panel 30 arranged on the front side of the front panel 3 is interlocked to perform the reverse movement of the up and down movement of the front panel 3. The footrest member 4 is composed of a single plate member, and the rear slider 16 is guided by a vertical guide portion 25, and the front slider 17 is guided by a horizontal guide portion 24, as in Fig. 3. The rear end of the footrest member 4 is pivotally connected to an arm 31 provided on the front side of the intermediate panel 30 by a horizontal shaft at the position of the rear slider 16 to be interlocked. In the second state S2 shown in Fig. 12, the upper end of the intermediate panel 30 is raised close to the top panel 2, and in the first state S1 shown in Fig. 13, the lower end of the intermediate panel 30 is lowered close to the floor surface F.

[0035] By the upward displacement of the top plate 2 and the back plate 3, the intermediate panel 30 descends and pushes down the footrest member 4 pivotally attached to the arm 31, and the driving force of the rear slider 16 moves downward along the vertical guide portion 25 and the front slider 17 moves forward along the horizontal guide portion 24, switching from the second state S2 shown in Fig. 12 to the first state S1 shown in Fig. 13. Conversely, by the downward displacement of the top plate 2 and the back plate 3, the intermediate panel 30 rises and pulls up the footrest member 4 pivotally attached to the arm 31, and the driving force of the rear slider 16 moves upward along the vertical guide portion 25 and the front slider 17 moves backward along the horizontal guide portion 24, switching from the first state S1 shown in Fig. 13 to the second state S2 shown in Fig. 12. In order to enable smooth turning depending on the structure of the guide parts 24 / 25, the footrest member 4 may be configured to be made up of multiple plate members and to be somewhat deformable. Also, instead of the arm 31, a link mechanism may be appropriately arranged.

[0036] Finally, the pulley interlocking mechanism will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. This modification also includes the footrest member 4 and guide parts 24, 25 similar to those of the modification shown in Figures 12 and 13. A pulley 32 is attached to the outer side of the corner part 26 at the upper rear end of the main body part 18 of the base member 10, a pulley 33 is attached to the inner side of the upper rod 22 of the main body part 18 at a slightly forward position of the guide part 24, and a pulley 34 is attached to the inner side of the rising part 19 slightly above the guide part 25. Then, in the first state S1 of Figure 15, a wire 35 having one end fixed to the rear end of the footrest member 4 is wound around the pulley 34 above, and the other end is fixed to the lower part of the skirting board 3, and a wire 36 having one end fixed to the front end of the footrest member 4 is wound around the pulley 33 in the front, and the other end is fixed to the lower part of the skirting board 3. The other ends of the wires 35, 36 may be fixed to the front panel 3 at the same position or at different positions above and below.

[0037] By the upward displacement of the top plate 2 and the back plate 3, the wire 35 is pulled, the front slider 17 of the footrest member 4 moves forward along the horizontal guide portion 24, the wire 35 is loosened, and the rear slider 16 moves downward along the vertical guide portion 25, switching from the second state S2 shown in Fig. 14 to the first state S1 shown in Fig. 15. Conversely, by the downward displacement of the top plate 2 and the back plate 3, the wire 36 is pulled, the rear slider 16 of the footrest member 4 moves upward along the vertical guide portion 25, the wire 36 is loosened, and the front slider 17 moves backward along the horizontal guide portion 24, switching from the first state S1 shown in Fig. 15 to the second state S2 shown in Fig. 14.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 16, the twin-type height-adjustable desk has a structure in which two tabletops 2, 2 arranged at the front and rear are supported by a pair of legs 1, 1 arranged on the left and right sides, so that the height of each can be adjusted independently. The legs 1 are a base member 10 arranged on the floor surface, and the lower parts of the fixed legs 12 of the legs 1, 1 are fixed in an upright state to the front and rear ends of the base member 10, and the tabletop 2 is supported on the upper ends of the movable legs 13. The base member 10 is a member that is shaped like a square in a side view and extends in the front-rear direction, and is arranged on both the left and right sides. A beam 37 is installed between the center parts of both base members 10, 10, and a panel plate 38 is supported in an upright state on the upper surface of the beam 37. The tabletop 2 moves up and down without being interfered with by the panel plate 38, so that the height can be adjusted.

[0039] The footrest member 4 is attached to the space below each tabletop 2 by a flip-up mechanism (above (A)). Specifically, the footrest member 4 has a structure in which a shaft 40 protruding from both sides of the end of the footrest member 4 (the rear end in the first state S1) is rotatably supported by a bearing 39 provided on the base member 10 at a position close to the panel board 38. In the first state S1, the lower surfaces of both sides of the footrest member 4 abut against the upper surface of the base member 10 as shown in the figure, or abut against support members protruding from the inside of the footrest member 4, and the state is maintained. In the second state S2 shown by imaginary lines, the footrest member 4 is raised along the panel board and engaged with the panel board 38 by an appropriate means. Other configurations are the same as those in Figs. 5 to 8, so the same components are given the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted.

[0040] In the present invention, the footrest unit includes the footrest member 4 and its support structure, and can be attached to the fixed leg 12 of the leg body 1 of an existing up and down adjustable desk or the base member 10. The minimum structural unit of the footrest unit is the footrest member 4 and the pivot member (pivot support portion 14) and the support member (support portion 20), or the footrest member 4 and the guide member (guide portions 24, 25), but the base member 10 with the pivot support portion 14 and the support portion 20, or the base member 10 with the guide portions 24, 25 may be included in the unit. Also, the footrest unit may include the back panel 3.

[0041] The following modifications can be applied to each of the above-described embodiments. Note that the modifications may be appropriately combined and applied as long as no contradiction occurs.

[0042] The dimension in the depth direction of the support surface 9 of the footrest member 4 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the support surface 9 may be long enough to overlap the front end of the tabletop 2 in a plan view in the first state S1.

[0043] Furthermore, the footrest member 4 does not necessarily have to be plate-shaped. For example, as long as the footrest member 4 has the support surface 9, it may be configured as a rod-like or cylindrical plate or bar extending in the left-right direction.

[0044] The switching mechanism 5 may be configured to lower the support surface 9 of the footrest member 4 in the second state S2 below the first state S1. For example, by arranging a link, arm, or the like as the switching mechanism 5 on the base member 10, in the second state S2, the support surface 9 may be lowered to such an extent that the bottom surface of the footrest member 4 abuts against the installation surface.

[0045] Also, for example, the footrest member 4 may be configured by connecting a plurality of members so that the support surface 9 can be separated into front and rear and / or left and right in the second state S2.

[0046] Also, for example, the support surface 9 may be configured to be located on one or both of the left and right sides in the second state S2, rather than on the far side. That is, in the second state S2, the support surface 9 may be located on one or both of the right and left ends of the up-down adjustable desk in a substantially vertical position.

[0047] The main body 18 of the base member 10 does not necessarily have to be configured to have a square or O shape in side view. For example, the main body 18 may be configured to have a panel shape that is not open in the left and right directions in side view. In addition, the main body 18 may be configured to have a trapezoid or hexagonal shape, an H shape, or a half-inverted U shape or E shape in side view.

[0048] The footrest unit may be applied to an existing up-down lift-up desk that has already been installed, etc. For example, the footrest unit may be applied to an existing up-down lift-up desk by attaching the base member 10 to the leg 1 of the existing up-down lift-up desk and fixing the back panel 3 to the top panel 2.

[0049] The footrest member 4 may further include a support pillar that supports the support surface 9. In this case, the support pillar may be provided so as to be deployable such that the lower end of the support pillar is in contact with the ground in the first state S1.

[0050] The tabletop 2 may be raised and lowered by means other than the legs (extendable legs). For example, a lifting mechanism may be built into the partition panels surrounding the left and right sides or rear end of the height-adjustable desk, and the tabletop 2 may be raised and lowered using the lifting mechanism. The movable range of the height of the tabletop 2 may be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1 leg body 2. Tabletop 3. Skirting Board 4 Footrest material 4A,4B,4C Plate members 5 Switching mechanism 6 Chairs 7 Seat 8 Steps 9 Support surface 10 Base material 11 Pillar 12 Fixed legs 13 Movable legs 14 axis branches 15 Slider 16 Rear slider 17 Front slider 18 Main body 19 Rising section 20 Support part 21 Stop part 22 Upper rod 23 Lower rod 24 Guide section 25 Guide section 26 Corner section 27 Gears 28 LACK 29 LACK 30 Middle Panel 31 Arm 32 Pulley 33 Pulley 34 Pulley 35 Wire 36 Wire 37 Beam 38 Panel Board 39 Bearings 40 Axis F Floor S1 First state S2 Second state

Claims

1. A footrest unit to be attached to a height-adjustable desk having a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the height of the tabletop, The top plate supports a vertically extending fascia in a manner that the fascia rises and falls with the rise and fall of the top plate, A footrest member is placed in the space under the top board, a switching mechanism for switching the state of the footrest member from one of a first state and a second state to the other, The first state is a state in which the footrest member has a support surface that functions as a footrest that supports the feet of a user at a position where the footrest member overlaps any part between the center and the front end of the tabletop in a depth direction in a plan view, The second state is a state in which at least a part of the support surface is located further back, higher, or lower than the first state, The footrest unit includes a linkage mechanism, the switching mechanism of which moves the support surface in conjunction with the raising and lowering of the tabletop using a linkage means including a gear that drives in conjunction with the raising and lowering of the valance supported on the tabletop, thereby switching the state of the footrest member.

2. A footrest unit to be attached to a height-adjustable desk having a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the height of the tabletop, A footrest member is placed in the space under the top board, a switching mechanism for switching the state of the footrest member from one of a first state and a second state to the other, The first state is a state in which the footrest member has a support surface that functions as a footrest that supports the feet of a user at a position where the footrest member overlaps any part between the center and the front end of the tabletop in a depth direction in a plan view, The second state is a state in which at least a part of the support surface is located further back, higher, or lower than the first state, The footrest unit includes a linkage mechanism, the switching mechanism including a linkage means including a panel member that rises and falls in conjunction with the rise and fall of the tabletop, thereby moving the support surface in conjunction with the rise and fall of the tabletop to switch the state of the footrest member.

3. A footrest unit to be attached to a height-adjustable desk having a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the height of the tabletop, The top plate supports a vertically extending fascia in a manner that the fascia rises and falls with the rise and fall of the top plate, A footrest member is placed in the space under the top board, a switching mechanism for switching the state of the footrest member from one of a first state and a second state to the other, The first state is a state in which the footrest member has a support surface that functions as a footrest that supports the feet of a user at a position where the footrest member overlaps any part between the center and the front end of the tabletop in a depth direction in a plan view, The second state is a state in which at least a part of the support surface is located further back, higher, or lower than the first state, The footrest unit includes a linkage mechanism, the switching mechanism of which moves the support surface in conjunction with the raising and lowering of the tabletop using a linkage means including a pulley that drives in conjunction with the raising and lowering of the valance supported on the tabletop, thereby switching the state of the footrest member.

4. 4. The footrest unit according to claim 1, wherein the switching mechanism is disposed on a base member located between a leg supporting the tabletop and a placement surface.

5. The top plate and The lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the top plate; The footrest unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Equipped with a height adjustable desk.

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