Cover opening / closing unit

Abstract

To provide a cover opening and closing unit which facilitates opening and closing operation of a cover by using an arm.SOLUTION: A wiring hole cover unit 10 including a cover 12 for opening and closing a wiring hole 4a and an arm 14 connected to the cover 12 has a first rotating part 21 for rotatably pivoting one end of the arm 14 in the wiring hole 4a and a second rotating part 22 for rotatably pivoting the cover 12 at the other end of the arm 14 and is configured to shift between an opened state in which the cover 12 is open, a closed state in which the cover 12 is closed, and a half-opened state between the opened state and the closed state. In a state between the opened state and the half-opened state, only the first rotating part 21 out of the first rotating part 21 and the second rotating part 22 rotates to shift the state, and in a state between the half-opened state and the closed state, only the second rotating part 22 out of the first rotating part 21 and the second rotating part 22 rotates to shift the state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover opening / closing unit.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a cover opening / closing unit has been proposed which is attached to an opening such as a wiring hole provided in a table or the like used in an office and has a cover for opening and closing the opening. In this type of cover opening / closing unit, one or more arms pivotally supported rotatably in the opening are provided, and a cover pivotally supported rotatably on the arm is provided.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a wiring box as a cover opening / closing unit having a rotary arm pivotally supported rotatably on a side cover in an opening and a lid body pivotally supported rotatably on the rotary arm. When the lid body undergoes a state transition between an open state and a closed state, the rotation axes of the rotary arm and the lid body both rotate, so that the lid body is configured to move up and down while maintaining a substantially vertical state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a configuration where the rotation axes of the rotary arm and the lid body rotate simultaneously as in the above conventional cover opening / closing unit, when the frictional forces associated with rotation are different between the two rotation axes, the operation of the rotation axis with the larger frictional force depends on the opening / closing operation, which may interfere with the opening / closing operation of the cover. Further, since a plurality of rotation axes are rotated simultaneously, the opening / closing operation of the cover may not be easily performed.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a cover opening / closing unit that facilitates the opening / closing operation of a cover while using an arm.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The cover opening / closing unit of the present invention is a wiring hole cover unit having a cover that opens and closes an opening and an arm connected to the cover, and includes a first rotating portion that rotatably supports one end of the arm in the opening, and a second rotating portion that rotatably supports the cover at the other end of the arm. The cover is configured to be movable between an open state in which the cover is open, a closed state in which the cover is closed, and a semi-open state that is a state between the open state and the closed state. Between the open state and the semi-open state, only the first rotating portion of the first rotating portion and the second rotating portion rotates to shift the state, and between the semi-open state and the closed state, only the second rotating portion of the first rotating portion and the second rotating portion rotates to shift the state.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cover opening / closing unit that facilitates the opening / closing operation of a cover while using an arm.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The wiring hole cover unit (cover opening / closing unit) 10 according to the embodiment is attached to the table 2 from the back side as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example. The table 2 is a table arranged in an office or the like, and is composed of a top plate 4 and four legs 6 that support the top plate 4. A substantially rectangular wiring hole (opening) 4a for drawing out wiring (not shown) onto the top plate 4 is provided at a substantially central portion of the top plate 4 of the table 2. The wiring hole cover unit 10 is attached to the top plate 4 so as to close the wiring hole 4a.

[0011] The wiring hole cover unit 10 has a substantially box shape as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, and has a pair of covers 12 that can open and close the wiring hole 4a in a state of being attached to the table 2, and arms 14 respectively connected to the covers 12. Here, FIG. 3 shows a state where the pair of covers 12 are closed (hereinafter referred to as the "closed state"), FIG. 4 shows a state where the pair of covers 12 are open (hereinafter referred to as the "open state"), and FIG. 5 shows a state where one of the covers 12 is substantially half open (a state between the open state and the closed state. Hereinafter referred to as the "half-open state"). In FIG. 5, for the sake of explanation, the front wall portion (the first wall portion 31 described later) is shown as a transparent view.

[0012] Each cover 12 is made of synthetic resin and has a flat rectangular upper surface portion 12a and flat side surface portions (sides) 12b provided on both front and rear side surfaces of the upper surface portion 12a. In the following description, the vertical direction in the wiring hole cover unit 10 coincides with the normal direction of the upper surface portion 12a of each cover 12 in the closed state, the front-rear direction in the wiring hole cover unit 10 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the upper surface portion 12a of each cover 12 in the closed state, and the left-right direction in the wiring hole cover unit 10 coincides with the short-side direction of the upper surface portion 12a of each cover 12 in the closed state.

[0013] On the upper surface portion 12a of one cover 12, a flexible rubber body 13 extending toward the other upper surface portion 12a side is provided at an edge facing the upper surface portion 12a of the other cover 12 in the closed state. By this rubber body 13, the gap between the upper surface portions 12a of the pair of covers 12 is blocked in the closed state. The pair of upper surface portions 12a and the rubber body 13 as a whole have a contour shape and contour size in the closed state that substantially coincide with the shape and size of the opening edge of the wiring hole 4a, and are configured to block the wiring hole 4a. Also, the rubber body 13 enables pulling out wiring, etc. from the inside while preventing intrusion of dust, etc. into the inside of the wiring hole cover unit 10 in the closed state.

[0014] Each arm 14 is a synthetic resin member extending in an arm shape and is connected to both front and rear sides of the cover 12, respectively. That is, two arms 14 are connected to one cover 12, and the wiring hole cover unit 10 has four arms 14. One end of the arm 14 (the end on the side not connected to the cover 12) is pivotally supported by a first rotating portion 21 so as to be rotatable within the wiring hole 4a. Also, both front and rear sides of each cover 12 are pivotally supported at the other end of the arm 14 (the end on the side connected to the cover 12) by a second rotating portion 22 (see FIG. 5) so as to be rotatable.

[0015] In the wiring hole cover unit 10, when each cover 12 moves around the first rotating part 21, the two arms 14 connected to the cover 12 interlock. Further, the wiring hole cover unit 10 is configured to be shiftable between an open state, a closed state, and a semi-open state by the rotation of the first rotating part 21 and the rotation of the second rotating part 22. The configurations of these first rotating part 21 and second rotating part 22 will be described in detail later.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the wiring hole cover unit 10 has a pair of first wall portions (wall portions) 31 as side walls facing in the front-rear direction, a pair of second wall portions 32 as side walls facing in the left-right direction, and a bottom plate portion 34 as a bottom plate. Among these, the pair of first wall portions 31 are made of, for example, synthetic resin, and the pair of second wall portions 32 and the bottom plate portion 34 are integrally formed by bending a plate-shaped sheet metal member into a U shape, for example. The wiring hole cover unit 10 is formed into a substantially box shape by the pair of first wall portions 31, the pair of second wall portions 32, and the bottom plate portion 34, and thereby an internal space S is formed in the wiring hole 4a (see FIG. 7). Wiring, power taps, etc. are stored in this internal space S.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 6, the lower part of the first wall portion 31 is an opening 31a that is mostly rectangularly opened. Wires connected to an external power source or the like are routed from below the table 2 through the opening 31a to the internal space S of the wiring hole cover unit 10, for example. A pair of recesses 31b that are recessed outward (opposite to the internal space S side) are provided on the upper part of the first wall portion 31 on both the left and right sides. Each recess 31b has a first arc-shaped portion 31b1 that curves in an arc shape outward in the left-right direction on the side surface of its lower part, and a second arc-shaped portion 31b2 that curves in an arc shape obliquely downward on the side surface of its upper part.

[0018] A pair of wall-side shaft holes 31c, in which a first shaft member 41 described later is journaled, are provided in parallel on the left and right at approximately the center between the pair of recesses 31b. Each wall-side shaft hole 31c is a circular hole penetrating in the front-rear direction, through which the first shaft member 41 is inserted. A protrusion 31d protruding from the first wall 31 toward the inside (the inner space S side) is provided on the upper side of the pair of wall-side shaft holes 31c. The protrusion 31d has a horizontally elongated shape that covers the upper part of the pair of wall-side shaft holes 31c. The lower left and right ends of the protrusion 31d are chamfered in an inclined shape that inclines upward toward the left and right sides, respectively, to form inclined surfaces 31d1.

[0019] Further, a pair of cover restricting pieces 31e protruding inward (toward the internal space S) from the first wall portion 31 are provided at positions on both left and right sides of the protruding portion 31d and closer to the recessed portion 31b. Note that, although the configuration of one of the first wall portions 31 has been described above, the opposing other first wall portion 31 has the same configuration.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 3 and other figures, the upper ends of the pair of second wall portions 32 are provided with flat protruding portions 32a that protrude outward in parallel. Each of the protruding portions 32a is formed, for example, by bending the upper end side of the second wall portion 32. Each of the protruding portions 32a is provided with three mounting holes 32a1 at equal intervals on both the front and rear sides and in the center. Each of the mounting holes 32a1 is a through hole that opens in an elongated manner from the plate surface of each of the protruding portions 32a to the upper portion of the second wall portion 32.

[0021] A screw or the like is inserted into each mounting hole 32a1 from below. The wiring hole cover unit 10 can be attached to the table 2 by clamping both protruding parts 32a to the opening edge of the wiring hole 4a from the back side of the top plate 4 of the table 2 and fastening them with screws. Note that by forming each protruding part 32a so that the height H (see FIG. 8) from the upper surface of each protruding part 32a to the upper end of the first wall part 31 is approximately equal to the thickness of the top plate 4 of the table 2 to which the wiring hole unit 10 is to be attached, the upper surface part 12a of the cover 12 and the upper surface of the top plate 4 to which the wiring hole cover unit 10 is attached can be made to be approximately uniform.

[0022] Next, the configurations of the first rotating part 21 and the second rotating part 22 will be described with reference to FIG. 7 and the like. As shown in FIG. 7, at one end of each arm 14, an arm-side first shaft hole 14a for pivotally supporting a first shaft member 41 is provided. Each arm-side first shaft hole 14a is a circular hole penetrating in the front-rear direction, and the first shaft member 41 is inserted therethrough. The arm-side first shaft holes 14a of each arm 14 are overlapped with the wall-side shaft holes 31c of the first wall portion 31, and the first shaft member 41, which is a shaft-like member, is inserted through the arm-side first shaft holes 14a and the wall-side shaft holes 31c, and screwed with a screw member or the like (not shown) screwed into the shaft portion of the first shaft member 41 from the opposite side of the first shaft member 41, whereby each arm 14 is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable around the axis of the first shaft member 41. That is, the first rotating part 21 is composed of the wall-side shaft hole 31c, the arm-side first shaft hole 14a, the first shaft member 41, and the like.

[0023] Here, the convex portion 31d provided on the first wall portion 31 described above is located around the axis of the first rotating part 21, and its protruding height is set to be a height that overlaps with the arm 14 pivotally supported by the first wall portion 31 in the vertical direction. For this reason, when the cover 12 is opened and closed, the arm 14 abuts against the inclined surface 31d1 of the convex portion 31d as the first rotating part 21 rotates, and thereby, the further rotation of the first rotating part 21 is restricted.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 7, at substantially the center position of the side surface portion 12b of each cover 12, a pair of cover-side shaft holes 12c for pivotally supporting a second shaft member 42 described later are provided. Each cover-side shaft hole 12c is a circular hole penetrating in the front-rear direction, and the second shaft member 42 is inserted therethrough. Further, at the other end of each arm 14, an arm-side second shaft hole 14b for pivotally supporting the second shaft member 42 is provided. Each arm-side second shaft hole 14b is a circular hole penetrating in the front-rear direction, and the second shaft member 42 is inserted therethrough.

[0025] The cover side shaft holes 12c on the side portions 12b of the respective covers 12 are overlapped with the arm side second shaft holes 14b of the arms 14, and a second shaft member 42, which is a shaft-like member, is inserted through the cover side shaft holes 12c and the arm side second shaft holes 14b, and screwed with a screw member or the like (not shown) screwed into the shaft portion of the second shaft member 42 from the opposite side of the second shaft member 42, whereby each cover 12 is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable around the axis of the second shaft member 42. That is, the second rotating portion 22 is constituted by the arm side second shaft hole 14b, the cover side shaft hole 12c, the second shaft member 42, and the like.

[0026] Here, as shown in FIG. 7, in the vicinity of the cover side shaft hole 12c, a cover regulating rib 12a1 extending in a rib shape along the side portion 12b from the back side of the upper surface portion 12a of the cover 12 is provided. Further, at a position on the opposite side of the cover regulating rib 12a1 with the cover side shaft hole 12c interposed therebetween, a contact wall portion 12a2 extending in a wall shape along the side portion 12b from the back side of the upper surface portion 12a of the cover 12 is provided. When the cover 12 is opened and closed, the second rotating portion 22 is configured such that the arm 14 contacts the contact wall portion 12a2, whereby the rotation is regulated so that the angle θ (see FIG. 8) formed between the arm 14 and the upper surface portion 12a of the cover 12 does not become 90° or more. Thus, in the wiring hole cover unit 10, the cover 12 is configured not to open too much.

[0027] Next, the engagement mode of the side portion 12b of the cover 12 with respect to the first wall portion 31 will be described. As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 7, roller-like roller portions 12d protruding outward (opposite to the inner space S side) are provided at the corners of both side portions 12b of each cover 12. The rotation axis of the roller portion 12d is parallel to the first shaft member 41 in the first rotating portion 21 and the second shaft member 42 in the second rotating portion 22.

[0028] Note that the first arcuate portion 31b1 in the recess 31b of the first wall portion 31 is formed such that its radius of curvature is equal to the distance L1 (see FIG. 8) between the roller portion 12d and the first rotating portion 21. Further, the second arcuate portion 31b2 in the recess 31b of the first wall portion 31 is formed such that its radius of curvature is equal to the distance L2 (see FIG. 8) between the roller portion 12d and the second rotating portion 22.

[0029] When the arm 14 and the cover 12 are attached to the first wall portion 31, the side surface portions 12b of the respective covers 12 are in a shape where the front surface is close to the first wall portion 31. And each roller portion 12d provided on each side surface portion 12b fits into the recess 31b of the first wall portion 31 that faces between the closed state and the open state and is engaged with the recess 31b. Specifically, each roller portion 12d rotates while contacting the first arcuate portion 31b1 in the recess 31b between the open state and the semi-open state. Between the semi-open state and the closed state, it rotates while contacting the second arcuate portion 31b2 in the recess 31b. The roller portion 12d functions as a guide roller that guides the side surface portion 12b of the cover 12 along the side surface of the recess 31b by rotating while contacting the side surface of the recess 31b during the opening and closing operation of the cover 12.

[0030] Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the operation modes of the cover 12 and the arm 14 accompanying the opening and closing operation of the cover 12 will be described. In FIG. 8, four states of the trajectories of one of the cover 12 and the arm 14 that shift between the open state and the closed state are illustrated by broken lines. First, in the open state, the cover 12 is in a state substantially perpendicular to the plate surface of the bottom plate portion 34, and the angle formed between the arm 14 and the upper surface portion 12a of the cover 12 is substantially 90°. In the open state, the roller portion 12d provided on the side surface portion 12b of the cover 12 is in a state of contacting the lower position of the first arcuate portion 31b1 in the recess 31b.

[0031] When the cover 12 is slightly pulled upward from the open state, the arm 14 is pulled upward together with the cover 12 and the first rotating part 21 rotates. At this time, since the distance L1 between the roller part 12d and the first rotating part 21 is equal to the radius of curvature of the first arc-shaped part 31b1, the roller part 12d moves upward while rotating along the first arc-shaped part 31b1 without the distance L1 changing. In other words, only the first rotating part 21 rotates while the angle formed between the arm 14 and the upper surface part 12a of the cover 12 is maintained at approximately 90° without the second rotating part 22 rotating.

[0032] When the cover 12 is further pulled upward, the arm 14 is pulled upward together with the cover 12 and the first rotating part 21 further rotates, and the side surface of the arm 14 interferes with and abuts against the inclined surface 31d1 of the convex part 31d of the first wall part 31. Also at this time, as described above, only the first rotating part 21 among the first rotating part 21 and the second rotating part 22 rotates, and the roller part 12d moves upward while rotating along the first arc-shaped part 31b1. Then, the roller part 12d is in a state of being located at the boundary part between the first arc-shaped part 31b1 and the second arc-shaped part 31b2. At this time, the cover 12 is opened about halfway, and the arm 14 is in a state of abutting against the inclined surface 31d1 of the convex part 31d. This state is defined as the semi-open state.

[0033] Even if an attempt is made to further pull the cover 12 upward from the semi-open state, since the arm 14 is in contact with the inclined surface 31d1 of the convex part 31d, the first rotating part 21 cannot be rotated upward, and the cover 12 cannot be pulled upward any further. Therefore, from the semi-open state, by pushing down the upper part of the cover 12 that has been pulled upward toward the center side of the wiring hole 4a so as to close the wiring hole 4a, only the second rotating part 22 is rotated. Then, as each cover 12 rotates and the tip of the cover regulating rib 12a1 abuts against the cover regulating piece 31e of the first wall part 31, the upper surface part 12a of the cover 12 becomes substantially parallel to the plate surface of the bottom plate part 34, and the rotation of the cover 12 is restricted further. Thereby, the wiring hole cover unit 10 can be set to the closed state.

[0034] When shifting from the semi-open state to the closed state, since the distance L2 between the roller portion 12d and the second rotating portion 22 is made equal to the radius of curvature of the second arc-shaped portion 31b2, the roller portion 12d moves outward in the left-right direction while rotating along the second arc-shaped portion 31b2 without the distance L2 changing. Therefore, even without rotating the first rotating portion 21 while it is in contact with the convex portion 31d (without the distance L2 changing), by rotating only the second rotating portion 22, the state can be shifted from the semi-open state to the closed state. As described above, the roller portion 12d guides the cover 12 along the locus of the side surface portion 12b of the cover 12 that shifts between the open state and the closed state.

[0035] Note that the state transition from the closed state to the open state can be performed by the reverse procedure of the above. That is, in the closed state, by pulling upward the end portions facing each other between the upper surface portions 12a of the pair of covers 12, only the second rotating portion 22 of the first rotating portion 21 and the second rotating portion 22 is rotated. Thereby, the roller portion 12d moves along the second arc-shaped portion 31b2 and shifts to the semi-open state. Thereafter, by pushing down the cover 12 in the semi-open state, only the first rotating portion 21 of the first rotating portion 21 and the second rotating portion 22 is rotated. Thereby, the roller portion 12d moves along the first arc-shaped portion 31b1 and shifts to the closed state.

[0036] As described above, the wiring hole cover unit 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to be shiftable between the open state, the closed state, and the semi-open state. Between the open state and the semi-open state, only the first rotating portion 21 of the first rotating portion 21 and the second rotating portion 22 rotates (in other words, only the arm 14 rotates) to shift the state. Between the semi-open state and the closed state, only the second rotating portion 22 of the first rotating portion 21 and the second rotating portion 22 rotates (in other words, only the cover 12 rotates) to shift the state. Therefore, in the wiring hole cover unit 10, in the opening and closing operation of the cover 12, a plurality of rotating shafts do not rotate simultaneously, and the opening and closing operation of the cover 12 can be smoothly performed while using the arm 14.

[0037] In addition, in the wiring hole cover unit 10, a convex portion 31d that protrudes inward around the axis of the first rotating portion 21 is provided on the first wall portion 31 located within the wiring hole 4a. Between the closed state and the semi-open state, the state transition occurs with the arm 14 in contact with the convex portion 31d. For this reason, between the closed state and the semi-open state, the first rotating portion 21 that serves as the rotation axis of the arm 14 does not rotate, and a specific configuration for rotating only the second rotating portion 22 between the semi-open state and the closed state can be realized.

[0038] Further, in the wiring hole cover unit 10, a first wall portion 31 having a concave portion 31b that is recessed outward is provided within the wiring hole 4a. The cover 12 has a roller-shaped roller portion 12d that protrudes from its side surface and engages with the concave portion 31b. The concave portion 31b guides the cover 12 along the locus of the side surface portion 12b of the cover 12 that undergoes a state transition between the closed state and the open state. In this way, while the roller portion 12d functions as a guide roller that guides the side surface portion 12b of the cover 12 during the opening and closing operation of the cover 12, by moving within the concave portion 31b, the opening and closing operation of the cover 12 can be performed more smoothly.

[0039] Moreover, in the wiring hole cover unit 10, the concave portion 31b has, on its side surface, a first arc-shaped portion 31b1 formed in an arc shape such that the radius of curvature is equal to the distance between the roller portion 12d and the first rotating portion 21, and a second arc-shaped portion 31b2 formed in an arc shape such that the radius of curvature is equal to the distance between the roller portion 12d and the second rotating portion 22. Thereby, at the boundary portion between the first arc-shaped portion 31b1 and the second rotating portion 22, the switching between the rotation of only the first rotating portion 21 during the state transition from the open state to the semi-open state and the rotation of only the second rotating portion 22 during the state transition from the semi-open state to the closed state can be performed smoothly. For this reason, the workability in the opening and closing operation of the cover 12 can be further improved.

[0040] Note that the embodiments described above are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0041] 2 Table 4 Top plate 4a Wiring hole 6 Legs 10 Wiring hole cover unit 12 Cover 12a Upper surface portion 12a1 Cover regulating rib 12a2 Contact wall portion 12b Side surface portion 12c Cover side shaft hole 12d Roller portion 13 Rubber body 14 Arm 14a Arm side first shaft hole 14b Arm side second shaft hole 21 First rotating portion 22 Second rotating portion 31 First wall portion 31a Opening 31b Recess 31b1 First arc-shaped portion 31b2 Second arc-shaped portion 31c Wall side shaft hole 31d Protrusion 31e Cover regulating piece 32 Second wall portion 32a Protruding portion 32a1 Mounting hole 34 Bottom plate portion 41 First shaft member 42 Second shaft member H Height S Internal space L1 Distance L2 Distance θ Angle

Claims

1. A cover opening / closing unit having a cover for opening and closing an opening and an arm connected to the cover, a first rotating portion that rotatably supports one end of the arm in the opening, and a second rotating portion that rotatably supports the cover at the other end of the arm, is configured to be shiftable among an open state in which the cover is open, a closed state in which the cover is closed, and a semi-open state which is a state between the open state and the closed state, between the open state and the semi-open state, only the first rotating portion of the first rotating portion and the second rotating portion rotates and the state shifts, and between the semi-open state and the closed state, only the second rotating portion of the first rotating portion and the second rotating portion rotates and the state shifts. A cover opening / closing unit characterized by the above.

2. A convex portion protruding inward around the axis of the first rotating portion is provided in the opening, The cover opening / closing unit according to claim 1, wherein between the closed state and the semi-open state, the state shifts with the arm in contact with the convex portion.

3. A wall portion having a recess recessed outward is provided in the opening, A roller-shaped roller portion protruding outward and engaged with the recess is provided on the side surface of the cover, The cover opening / closing unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the roller portion guides the cover along a locus of the cover that shifts between the open state and the closed state.

4. The recess has, on its side surface, a first arc-shaped portion formed in an arc shape such that a radius of curvature is equal to a distance between the roller portion and the first rotating portion, and a second arc-shaped portion formed in an arc shape such that a radius of curvature is equal to a distance between the roller portion and the second rotating portion. The cover opening / closing unit according to claim 3, characterized by having the above.

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