Magnet Joint Set and Magnet Joint

Abstract

A magnet joint set that combines ease of installation, ease of connection, connection performance, and operability. 【Solution means】The magnet joint set includes a pair of magnet joints for connecting a pair of furniture. The magnet joint includes a half disk fixed to a plane perpendicular to the connecting end of the furniture and having a flat side surface along the connecting end, a magnet embedded in the flat side surface of the half disk, and a rotating frame that engages around the curved side surface of the half disk and is slidable along the curved side surface. When the magnets are brought into contact with each other to connect a pair of furniture, the whole of the pair of half disks becomes a disk, and the whole of the pair of rotating frames becomes a closed frame that can rotate around the disk. By rotating the closed frame by the user, it is possible to lock the connected state of the pair of furniture and to release the lock.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a magnet joint set and a magnet joint for connecting furniture such as desks and tables to each other.

Background Art

[0002] Various table joints for connecting the tops of two tables have been proposed in order to expand the working space on the tabletop or increase the number of people who can use it simultaneously (see Patent Documents 1 to 3, Non-Patent Document 1, etc.).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the conventional table joints have at least one of the problems of poor ease of installation, poor ease of connection, poor connection performance, and poor operability, and there is room for improvement.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a magnet joint set and a magnet joint that have both ease of installation, ease of connection and separation, connection performance, and operability.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] One magnet joint set according to the present invention includes a first magnet joint and a second magnet joint, and is a magnet joint set that enables connection / separation between a first piece of furniture and a second piece of furniture. The first magnet joint is fixed to a plane perpendicular to the connecting end of the first piece of furniture and has a flat side surface along the connecting end. It includes a first half disk, a first magnet embedded in the flat side surface of the first half disk, and a first rotating frame engaged around the curved side surface of the first half disk and slidable along the curved side surface. The second magnet joint is fixed to a plane perpendicular to the connecting end of the second piece of furniture and has a flat side surface along the connecting end. It includes a second half disk, a second magnet embedded in the flat side surface of the second half disk and capable of being attracted to the first magnet, and a second rotating frame engaged around the curved side surface of the second half disk and slidable along the curved side surface. When the first magnet and the second magnet are brought into contact to connect the first piece of furniture and the second piece of furniture, the entire first half disk and the second half disk become a disk, and the entire first rotating frame and the second rotating frame become a closed frame rotatable around the disk. By rotating the closed frame, when the rotation position of the contact end of the closed frame is moved away from the rotation position of the connecting ends of the first piece of furniture and the second piece of furniture, the connection state of the first piece of furniture and the second piece of furniture is locked. By rotating the closed frame and aligning the rotation position of the contact end of the closed frame with the rotation position of the connecting ends of the first piece of furniture and the second piece of furniture, the lock of the connection state is released.

[0008] In any magnet joint set according to the present invention, at least one of the first magnet joint or the second magnet joint may be provided with a positioning mechanism for positioning the rotation position of the closed frame with respect to the disk at 90°.

[0009] In any of the magnet joint sets according to the present invention, slopes for smoothing the rotation operation may be provided at each of the locations where the first half disk first slides on the second rotating frame, the location where the second half disk first slides on the first rotating frame, the location where the first rotating frame first slides on the second half disk, and the location where the second rotating frame first slides on the first half disk.

[0010] In any of the magnet joint sets according to the present invention, the planar shape of the outer edge of the closed frame is substantially square, and the planar size of the outer edge of the closed frame may be a size that can be rotated by a user with one hand.

[0011] In any of the magnet joint sets according to the present invention, the first magnet is a pair of magnets embedded side by side on the flat side surface of the first half disk with their magnetic poles facing in opposite directions, and the second magnet is a pair of magnets embedded side by side on the flat side surface of the second half disk with their magnetic poles facing in opposite directions. The structures of the first magnet joint and the second magnet joint may be common.

[0012] Any magnet joint according to the present invention is a magnet joint used in any of the magnet joint sets according to the present invention, and is characterized in that it can be used as both the first magnet joint and the second magnet joint.

Effects of the Invention

[0013] The magnet joint set according to the present invention is highly easy to install because the installation is completed simply by individually fixing the first half disk and the second half disk to the first furniture and the second furniture. In addition, since the magnetic force of the magnet is used for connecting the first furniture and the second furniture, the ease of connection and separation is high. Further, since the connection state can be locked by rotating the closed frame, the connection performance is high. Moreover, since the connection state can be locked and released simply by rotating the closed frame, the operability of locking and releasing is also high. Therefore, the magnet joint set according to the present invention has the advantages of easy installation, easy connection and separation, high connection performance, and high operability.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] 1. Overview of the Embodiment Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the magnet joint set according to the present invention (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "this embodiment") will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, a magnet joint set that horizontally aligns and connects the top plates of a pair of tables will be taken as an example. However, the magnet joint set of this embodiment can also be used for connecting furniture other than tables, and in addition to connecting plate-like parts that are horizontally flush, it can also be used for connecting plate-like parts that are vertically flush. For example, connecting the seat surfaces of a pair of chairs, connecting the seat surfaces of a pair of benches, connecting a pair of partitions, connecting a pair of shelf boards, connecting the footboard of an upper bed and the headboard of a lower bed, connecting the curtain boards of an upper shelf and the curtain boards of a lower shelf, etc. Also, by increasing the number of magnet joint sets, it is possible to connect three or more pieces of furniture. Therefore, the "furniture" in this specification shall include utensils used in stores, offices, commercial facilities, event venues, etc. Also, the "furniture" in this specification shall include various articles having plate-like parts to be connected.

[0016] 2. Overview of the Magnet Joint Set Hereinafter, the outline of the magnet joint set according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1(A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pair of tables connected by the magnet joint set according to this embodiment, and FIG. 1(B) is a schematic bottom view of a pair of tables connected by the magnet joint set according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the magnet joint set 1 according to this embodiment is a device that enables connection / separation between the top plate 101T of one table 101 (an example of the first furniture) and the top plate 101T of the other table 101 (an example of the second furniture). This magnet joint set 1 includes a magnet joint 10 (an example of the first magnet joint) attached to the back surface 101T' perpendicular to the connection end E of one top plate 101T to be connected, and a magnet joint 10 (an example of the second magnet joint) attached to the back surface 101T' perpendicular to the connection end E of the other top plate 101T. Here, it is assumed that the structure of one magnet joint 10 and the structure of the other magnet joint 10 are common. By making the structures common, since one type of magnet joint 10 can be used as both the first magnet joint and the second magnet joint, the manufacturing cost of each magnet joint 10 can be suppressed, and there is an advantage that the mistake of misplacing the pair of magnet joints 10, 10 cannot occur.

[0017] 3. Schematic Configuration of the Magnet Joint The following describes the schematic configuration of the magnetic joint 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2(A) is an exploded perspective view of the magnetic joint, and FIG. 2(B) is a perspective view of a pair of connected magnetic joints as viewed from the bottom side. As shown in FIG. 2(A), the magnetic joint 10 according to the present embodiment includes a half disk 10D having a flat side surface 10SF along the connection end E (see FIG. 1) of the top plate 101T, bolt holes H, H provided in the half disk 10D, two magnets 10MN, 10MS embedded in the flat side surface 10SF, and a rotation frame 10F that engages around the curved side surface 10SC of the half disk 10D and is substantially C-shaped in plan view and slidable along the curved side surface 10SC. The two magnets 10MN, 10MS are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the flat side surface 10SF and have their magnetic poles facing in opposite directions. For example, the magnet 10MN has its N pole facing outward of the flat side surface 10SF, and the magnet 10MS has its S pole facing outward of the flat side surface 10SF.

[0018] And as shown in FIG. 2(B), the magnetic joint set 1 of the present embodiment includes a pair (two) of magnetic joints 10 having the above configuration. The half disk 10D of one magnetic joint 10 is an example of the first half disk, the half disk 10D of the other magnetic joint is an example of the second half disk, the magnets 10MN, 10MS of one magnetic joint 10 are examples of the first magnet, the magnets 10MS, 10MN of the other magnetic joint 10 are examples of the second magnet that can be attracted to the first magnet, the rotation frame 10F of one magnetic joint 10 is an example of the first rotation frame, and the rotation frame 10F of the other magnetic joint 10 is an example of the second rotation frame.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2(B), when the flat side surfaces 10SF of the pair of magnet joints 10, 10 are opposed and brought close to each other, the magnets 10MN, 10MS of one magnet joint 10 and the magnets 10MS, 10MN of the other magnet joint 10 are attracted by magnetic force. Thus, the pair of half disks 10D, 10D are connected, and the entire magnet joint set 1 becomes a single unit.

[0020] 4. Mounting Method of the Magnet Set, etc. Hereinafter, the procedures for attaching, connecting, and locking the magnet joint set 1 to the pair of top plates 101T, 101T will be described. Fig. 3(A) is a schematic bottom view of a pair of tables when attaching the magnet joint set, Fig. 3(B) is a schematic bottom view of a pair of tables connected by the magnet joint set, and Fig. 3(C) is a schematic bottom view of a pair of tables with the connection locked. Note that the size ratios of the magnet joint 10 and the table 101 depicted in these Figs. 3(A), (B), (C) or other figures are for explaining the structure of the magnet joint 10, and the actual size ratios are not necessarily the same as those shown.

[0021] First, as shown in Fig. 3(A), the half disk 10D of one magnet joint 10 is fixed to the back surface 101T' of the top plate 101T such that the flat side surface 10SF of the half disk 10D is flush with the connection end E of the one top plate 101T. At this time, the rotation position of the rotation frame 10F with respect to the half disk 10D is set to 0°, and the contact end 21E of the rotation frame 10F is flush with the connection surface E.

[0022] Similarly, the half disk 10D of the other magnet joint 10 is fixed to the back surface 101T' of the top plate 101T such that the flat side surface 10SF of the half disk 10D is flush with the connection end E of the other top plate 101T. At this time, the rotation position of the rotation frame 10F with respect to the half disk 10D is set to 0°, and the contact end 21E of the rotation frame 10F is flush with the connection surface E.

[0023] For fixing the half disk 10D to the back surface 101T’, for example, a combination of two bolt holes H, H provided in advance in the half disk 10D and bolts B, B (for example, wood screws) that can be screwed into the back surface 101T’ is used. However, the method of fixing the half disk 10D to the back surface 101T’ is not limited to such screwing, and sticking with an adhesive may be used, or a separate fixing fitting such as an L-shaped metal fitting may be used.

[0024] Next, as shown in FIG. 3(B), when the connecting end E of one top plate 101T and the connecting end E of the other top plate 101T are brought into contact, the half disks 10D of one magnet joint 10 and the half disks 10D of the other magnet joint 10 are connected by the magnetic force of the magnets, so the entire half disks 10D, 10D of both become the disk 20. Also, the entire rotating frames 10F of one magnet joint 10 and the rotating frames 10F of the other magnet joint 10 become the closed frame 21. This closed frame 21 can rotate around the disk 20, and the planar shape of its outer edge is substantially square. Also, the planar size of the outer edge of the closed frame 21 is a size that can be rotated by the user with one hand, for example, 80 mm in length, 80 mm in width, and 12 mm in thickness. Also, appropriate chamfers or rounds are provided at the four corners of the closed frame 21. According to such a shape and size, it becomes easy for the user to grip the closed frame 21 with one hand and perform a rotating operation. Note that the planar shape of the outer edge of the closed frame 21 is not limited to a substantially square shape, and it is also possible to make it into other shapes (such as a substantially regular hexagon) that are easy for the user to grip with one hand and perform a rotating operation.

[0025] Next, as shown in FIG. 3(C), by rotating the closed frame 21 in the first direction (for example, clockwise) so that the rotation position (direction) of the contact end 21E of the closed frame 21 is shifted by 90° from the rotation position (direction) of the connecting end E of the top plate 101T, the connection state of the pair of top plates 101T, 101T is locked.

[0026] On one hand, from the locked state shown in Fig. 3(C), by rotating the closed frame 21 in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) opposite to the first direction, when the rotation position (orientation) of the contact end 21E of the closed frame 21 is adjusted to match the rotation position (orientation) of the connection end E of the top plate 101T (Fig. 3(B)), the lock on the connection state of the pair of top plates 101T, 101T is released.

[0027] Note that even in the released state shown in Fig. 3(B), since one magnetic joint 10 and the other magnetic joint 10 are attracted by magnetic force, the pair of top plates 101T, 101T remains in a connected state. However, by simply pulling the pair of top plates 101T, 101T against the magnetic force, the connection of the pair of top plates 101T, 101T can be easily released. Conversely, by simply bringing the pair of top plates 101T, 101T closer to each other, the pair of top plates 101T, 101T can be easily put into a connected state.

[0028] 5. Positioning Mechanism Hereinafter, the positioning mechanism will be described. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the magnetic joint. As shown in Fig. 4, the magnetic joint 10 is provided with a positioning mechanism 12 that gives the user a clicking feeling during the above-described rotation operation. This positioning mechanism 12 includes a convex portion 12B protruding from a predetermined position on the curved side surface 10SC of the half disk 10D, a pair of support columns 12D, 12D protruding from the lower case 10FB of the rotating frame 10F, an arcuate spring member 12A (an example of an elastic member) housed in a space formed between the upper case 10FU and the lower case 10FB of the rotating frame 10F, a pair of ring belt portions 12E, 12E provided at both ends of the spring member 12A and individually locked to the pair of support columns 12D, 12D, and concave portions 12C, 12C provided at different positions in the middle of the spring member 12A and lockable to the convex portion 12B. The spring member 12A is biased and has the function of pressing the rotating frame 10F against the curved side surface 10SC of the half disk 10D.

[0029] When the rotational position of the closed frame 21 with respect to the disk 20 is 0° (FIG. 3(B)), the convex portion 12B is engaged with one of the concave portions 12C, and when the rotational position of the closed frame 21 with respect to the disk 20 is 90° (FIG. 3(C)), the convex portion 12B is engaged with the other concave portion 12C. Therefore, according to the positioning mechanism 12 of the present embodiment, since a clicking feeling can be given to the user when the rotational position of the closed frame 21 with respect to the disk 20 is 0° and 90°, respectively, it becomes easy to position the rotational position of the closed frame 21 when locking and unlocking the connection. The positioning mechanism 12 having the above configuration can also be referred to as a "rotating ratchet mechanism".

[0030] 6. Slope As shown in FIG. 4, on the half disk 10D of the magnet joint 10, at the locations A1, A1 where the rotating frame 10F of the magnet joint 10 on the connection partner side first slides, slopes S, S that gently hang downward toward the outside are provided to smooth the rotation operation. On the other hand, on the rotating frame 10F of the magnet joint 10, at the locations B1, B1 where the half disk 10D on the connection partner side first slides, slopes S, S that gently expand toward the outside are provided to smooth the rotation operation. According to the slopes S, S, S, S at these locations A1, A1, B1, B1, the requirements for the mounting accuracy of the magnet joints 10, 10 with respect to the tables 101, 101 can be relaxed, so the ease of mounting is increased.

[0031] 7. Regarding Materials Note that the materials of the members constituting the magnet joint 10 are as follows, for example. Half disk 10D PA6-GF15% Lower case 10FB of the rotating frame 10F PA6-GF15% Spring member 12 POM (polyacetal) Upper case 10FU of the rotating frame 10F PA6-GF15% Magnet 10MS Neodymium magnet Magnet 10MN Neodymium magnet However, the material of the members constituting the magnetic joint 10 is not limited to this, and various changes can be made within the range where the functions of the respective members are exhibited.

[0032] 8. Effects of the Embodiment As described above, for the magnetic joint set 1 according to the present embodiment, since the attachment is completed only by individually fixing the half disks 10D, 10D to the back surfaces 101T', 101T' of the top plates 101T, 101T, the ease of attachment is high. Also, since the magnetic forces of the magnets 10MS, 10MN are utilized for connecting the top plates 101T, 101T, the ease of connection and separation is also high. Further, since the connection state of the top plates 101T, 101T can be locked by rotating the closed frame 21, the connection performance is high. Also, since the connection state of the top plates 101T, 101T can be locked and released only by rotating the closed frame 21, the operability of locking and releasing is also high. Therefore, the magnetic joint set 1 according to the present embodiment has the ease of attachment to the top plates 101T, 101T, the ease of connection and separation of the top plates 101T, 101T, the connection performance, and the operability.

[0033] 9. Modifications, etc. Note that the single magnetic joint 10 attached to the top plate 101 can also be used, for example, as a hanger for suspending articles such as a bag. FIG. 5 is a schematic bottom view of the magnetic joint and the top plate used as a bag hanger. As shown in FIG. 5, when the rotating frame 10F is rotated 90° in a state where the top plates 101T, 101T are not connected, half of the rotating frame 10F protrudes outside the top plate 101T, so a bag, an umbrella, clothing, a hat, gloves, etc. can be hung on the protruding portion. However, when the weight may exceed a certain level, it is necessary to ensure the strength of the magnetic joint 10, so at least one of a material change or reinforcement may be added.

[0034] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments or modifications, and components can be appropriately modified and embodied without departing from the gist thereof. Also, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiments or modifications. For example, it is possible to use two or more pieces of furniture as the objects to be connected, and it is also possible to interchange the positions of the convex portion 12B and the concave portion 12C of the positioning mechanism 12 described above. Additionally, it is possible to realize a magnet joint set that omits some features of the magnet joint set 1 of the above-described embodiment. For example, it is possible to omit at least one of the features of the outer edge shape of the closed frame, the outer edge size of the closed frame, the features of the positioning mechanism, and the features of the slope.

Explanation of Signs

[0035] 1 Magnet joint set 10 Magnet joint 101 Table 101L Leg 101T Top plate 101T’ Back surface 10D Half disk 10F Rotating frame 10MN Magnet 10MS Magnet 10SC Curved side surface 10SF Flat side surface 12 Positioning mechanism 12A Spring member 12B Convex portion 12C Concave portion 12D Support column 12E Belt portion 20 Disk 21 Closed frame 21E Contact end B Bolt E Connection end H Bolt hole S Slope

Claims

1. A magnet joint set including a first magnet joint and a second magnet joint, which allows a first piece of furniture to be connected / separated from a second piece of furniture, The first magnet joint is a first half disk fixed to a surface perpendicular to the connecting end of the first piece of furniture and having a flat side along the connecting end; a first magnet embedded in the flat side of the first half-disc; a first rotating frame that engages with the periphery of the curved side surface of the first half disk and is slidable along the curved side surface; The second magnet joint is a second half disk fixed to a surface perpendicular to the connecting end of the second piece of furniture and having a flat side along the connecting end; a second magnet embedded in the flat side surface of the second half disk and capable of being attracted to the first magnet; a second rotating frame that engages with the periphery of the curved side surface of the second half disk and is slidable along the curved side surface; When the first furniture and the second furniture are connected by bringing the first magnet and the second magnet into contact with each other, the first half disk and the second half disk as a whole become a disk, and the first rotating frame and the second rotating frame as a whole become a closed frame that can rotate around the disk, When the closed frame is rotated to move the rotational position of the abutting end of the closed frame away from the rotational position of the connecting end of the first furniture and the second furniture, the connected state of the first furniture and the second furniture is locked; When the closing frame is rotated to match the rotation positions of the abutting ends of the closing frame with the rotation positions of the connecting ends of the first furniture and the second furniture, the lock of the connected state is released. A magnetic joint set characterized by:

2. 2. The magnet joint set according to claim 1, At least one of the first magnet joint and the second magnet joint is provided with a positioning mechanism for positioning the rotational position of the closed frame at 90° relative to the disk. A magnetic joint set characterized by:

3. 2. The magnet joint set according to claim 1, a portion of the first half disk that first slides against the second rotating frame; a portion of the second half disk that first slides against the first rotating frame; a portion of the first rotating frame that first slides against the second half disk; a portion of the second rotating frame that first slides against the first half disk; Each of the above is provided with a slope to facilitate the rotation. A magnetic joint set characterized by:

4. 2. The magnet joint set according to claim 1, The outer edge of the closed frame has a substantially square shape in a plan view, The size of the outer edge of the closed frame in a plan view is a size that allows a user to rotate it with one hand. A magnetic joint set characterized by:

5. 2. The magnet joint set according to claim 1, the first magnet is a pair of magnets embedded side by side in the flat side surface of the first half disk, with magnetic poles facing in opposite directions; the second magnet is a pair of magnets embedded side by side on the flat side surface of the second half disk, with magnetic poles facing in opposite directions; The first magnet joint and the second magnet joint have a common structure. A magnetic joint set characterized by:

6. 6. A magnet joint for use in the magnet joint set according to claim 5, characterized in that the magnet joint can be used as both the first magnet joint and the second magnet joint.

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