Folding stage

Abstract

To provide a foldable stage capable of being in a use state by smoothly releasing a lock mechanism.SOLUTION: An embodiment of the invention includes: a top panel 2 that is in a horizontal use state when in use, and in a stowed state with its one end erected upward when not in use; a locking mechanism 3 that prevents the top panel 2 from falling from the stowed state to the use state; a handle 5 installed on the top panel 2 that is grasped when the top panel 2 is opened or closed and that can swing around a swing axis 4 provided on the top panel 2; and a release mechanism 6 that unlocks the locking mechanism 3 when the handle 5 is swung.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a folding stage. [Background technology]

[0002] Folding stages are used in places such as hotel banquet halls, school gymnasiums, and conference halls where a platform higher than the surrounding area is required. As shown in Patent Document 1 below, for example, this folding stage is in use with two floor panels 24 spread out horizontally, and when not in use, is in a stored state with both ends of the two floor panels 24 folded upward. The two folded floor panels 24 are inclined slightly more than vertically with respect to the central axis, preventing the stage 20 from accidentally opening in this stored state (see Patent Document 1, page 12, lines 2 to 4, Figures 1 and 7, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 10-510016 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the folding stage disclosed in Patent Document 1, the floor panel 24 is simply tilted when in its stored state, so there is a risk that the floor panel 24 may tip over if accidentally touched in the folded state. To prevent this, it is preferable to provide a locking mechanism for preventing the floor panel 24 from opening when folded, but when releasing the mechanism, for example, one hand must be used to release the locking mechanism while the other hand must be used to support the floor panel 24 as it is opening. These floor panels 24 are often quite heavy, and there is concern that this may interfere with the operation.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to smoothly release the locking mechanism of a folding stage to enable it to be in a usable state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides: A top plate that is in a horizontal state when in use and in a storage state with one end thereof standing up when not in use; a locking mechanism that prevents the top plate from falling from the storage state to the use state; a handle provided on the top plate, which is gripped when opening or closing the top plate and is swingable around a swing shaft provided on the top plate; a release mechanism that releases the locking state of the locking mechanism in response to the swinging of the handle; A folding stage having the following structure was constructed.

[0007] In this way, the operation of releasing the locking mechanism and then opening the floor panel can be carried out in succession by simply operating the handle, so that the folding stage in the stored state can be easily put into the usable state.

[0008] In the above configuration, The locking mechanism has a locking rod whose lower end is pivotally supported and leans against the back surface of the top plate in the storage state, and a butting portion that is provided on the upper side of the locking rod and comes into contact with the upper part of the locking rod when the top plate moves from the storage state to the use state while the locking rod is leaning against it, The release mechanism has a link rod that is pulled up in accordance with the swinging of the handle in the stored state, and a cam portion that rotates in accordance with the pulling up of the link rod, It is preferable that the upper portion of the locking rod is configured to protrude to a position where it does not abut against the abutment portion as the cam portion rotates.

[0009] In this way, the abutment between the upper part of the locking rod that constitutes the locking mechanism and the stop part prevents the top plate from accidentally opening from the storage state to the use state, and the lock can be released smoothly by extending the locking rod through cooperation between the link rod and cam part that constitutes the release mechanism.

[0010] In the above configuration, It is preferable that the device further includes a biasing member that biases the locking rod toward the back surface side of the top plate.

[0011] In this way, the locking rod, which is provided so as to lean against the underside of the top plate, can be prevented from accidentally falling forward and releasing the locking mechanism. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The folding stage of the present invention allows the locking mechanism to be released and the floor panel to be opened in succession by simply operating the handle, so that the locking mechanism of a folding stage in a stored state can be smoothly released and placed in a usable state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing one embodiment (in use) of a folding stage according to the present invention; [Figure 2] A front view showing the foldable stage shown in Figure 1 in a stored state. [Figure 3] A side view showing the foldable stage shown in Figure 1 in its retracted state (legs and other parts omitted). [Figure 4] The stopper for the folding stage shown in Figure 1 is shown in (a) when the stopper is engaged and (b) when the stopper is released. [Figure 5] Front view of the main part of the folding stage shown in Figure 1 [Figure 6] Side view of the main part of the folding stage shown in Figure 1 [Figure 7]6A and 6B are front views showing further essential parts of FIG. 5, in which (a) is in a locked state and (b) is in an unlocked state. [Figure 8] 6A and 6B are perspective views showing further essential parts of FIG. 5, in which (a) is in a locked state and (b) is in an unlocked state. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the folding stage shown in FIG. 1 with one top plate open. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An embodiment of a foldable stage 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as stage 1) according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, this stage 1 has a top plate 2 that is in a horizontal use state (see Figure 1) when in use and in a storage state with one end facing upward when not in use (see Figures 2 and 3), a locking mechanism 3 that prevents the top plate 2 from tipping over from the storage state toward the use state, a handle 5 that is provided on the top plate 2 and is gripped when opening or closing the top plate 2, and is swingable about a swing shaft 4 provided on the top plate 2, and a release mechanism 6 that releases the locked state of the locking mechanism 3 as the handle 5 swings.

[0015] In the following description of stage 1, the right side in Figures 1 and 2 will be referred to as the "right" and the left side as the "left", the right side in Figure 3 will be referred to as the "front" and the left side as the "rear", and the upper side in Figures 1 to 3 will be referred to as the "upper" and the lower side will be referred to as the "lower".

[0016] The top boards 2 are rectangular plate-like members for a person to stand on, and in this embodiment, when the stage 1 is in use, the two top boards 2 are arranged side by side with almost no gap between them.

[0017] As shown in Figure 4(a), an opening prevention fitting 7 is provided above the two table tops 2 in the stored state, spanning both table tops 2, to prevent the two table tops 2 from opening accidentally. The opening prevention fitting 7 has an inverted U-shaped bent portion 8 formed for the user to insert a finger, making it easier for the user to operate the opening prevention fitting 7. The opening prevention is released when the opening prevention fitting 7 is pulled up once and then rotated 90 degrees as shown in Figure 4(b).

[0018] The tabletops 2 are fixed to a rectangular frame 9 that is assembled to have approximately the same size as each tabletop 2 in a plan view. Retractable legs 10 are provided at the four corners of each tabletop 2. These legs 10 are L-shaped in a front view.

[0019] A hinge is provided at the tip of the short side 10a of this L-shape, and this hinge allows the leg 10 to rotate relative to the frame 9. In addition, an adjuster 11 for adjusting the height of the leg 10 is provided at the tip of the long side 10b of the L-shape. The left and right legs 10 provided on each tabletop 2 are connected by a connecting member 12, and both legs 10 rotate synchronously. One end of the connecting member 12 is rotatably connected to a base part 14 provided on the underside of the tabletop 12 via a sub-connecting member 13.

[0020] By making the legs 10 L-shaped, the height of the tabletop corresponding to the length of the long side 10b can be ensured in the use state, and in the stored state, the legs 10 can be folded compactly so that the long side 10b is parallel to the tabletop 2 while being spaced apart from the tabletop 2 by the length of the short side 10a.

[0021] The base portion 14 is provided with two L-shaped hinges 15 at the front and back of each of the left and right tabletops 2. These two L-shaped hinges 15 allow the ends of adjacent tabletops 2 on the left and right to rotate in an arc without interfering with each other when the tabletops 2 are moved between the stored state and the use state. Casters 16 for movement are provided at the bottom of the base portion 14. In the stored state, the casters 16 are in contact with the ground, allowing the stage 1 to be moved freely.

[0022] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the locking mechanism 3 has a locking rod 17 whose lower end is pivotally supported and leans against the back side of the top plate 2 when it is in the stored state, and a stop portion 18 which is provided on the upper side of the locking rod 17 and comes into contact with the upper part of the locking rod 17 when the top plate 2 moves from the stored state to the use state while the locking rod 17 remains leaned against it.

[0023] The locking rod 17 is a rod-shaped member with a length approximately half the width of the tabletop 2. In the stored state, the lower end of the locking rod 17 is rotatably attached to the base portion 14 via a hinge 19. The locking rod 17 is provided with a restricting member 20 that is U-shaped in plan view, which prevents the locking rod 17 from tilting more than a predetermined angle relative to the tabletop 2. The abutment portion 18 also serves as a beam that is provided in the center of the frame 9 in the width direction, spanning the front-to-rear direction.

[0024] The gap between the upper end of locking rod 17 and abutment 18 is small (for example, a few millimeters), just enough to allow locking rod 17 to be rotated toward you in the stored state. Therefore, if you try to tilt top plate 2 while locking rod 17 is leaning against the back side of top plate 2, the upper end of locking rod 17 will abut against abutment 18, preventing further tilting of top plate 2.

[0025] The release mechanism 6 has a link rod 21 that is pulled upward as the handle 5 swings upward in the stored state, and a cam portion 22 that rotates toward the user as the link rod 21 is pulled up.

[0026] The link rod 21 is a rod-shaped member that is partially bent. In the stored state, the upper end of the link rod 21 is engaged with the handle 5. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7(a) and 8(a), the lower end of the link rod 21 is in contact with the side of the cam portion 22 that faces the underside of the tabletop 2. An annular guide portion 23 fixed to the frame 9 (cross beam) is provided near the lower end of the link rod 21, and the link rod 21 moves up and down while inserted into the guide portion 23. The cam portion 22 is provided to embrace the locking rod 17. The release mechanism 6 is provided with a biasing member 24 that biases the locking rod 17 toward the underside of the tabletop 2. A kick spring (not shown) is built into the biasing member 24.

[0027] The material of the main components such as the frame 9 and legs 10 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use aluminum or an aluminum alloy which is relatively light and has a predetermined strength.

[0028] The operations of changing the stage 1 from the stored state to the used state and from the used state to the stored state will be described below.

[0029] When changing from the stored state to the usage state, first, the opening stopper 7, which is provided to straddle both top panels 2, is lifted and rotated about its rotation axis to release the lock provided by this opening stopper 7 (see FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b)). Next, the handle 5 is swung upward as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 5. Then, as the handle 5 sways upward, the link rod 21 is pulled upward, and as shown in FIGS. 7(b) and 8(b), the contact position between the cam portion 22 and the link rod 21 gradually changes, causing the cam portion 22 to be raised.

[0030] In this way, by raising the cam portion 22, the upper portion of the locking rod 17 held by this cam portion 22 is pushed forward against the biasing force of the biasing member 24 to a position where it does not come into contact with the abutment portion 18. When the handle 5 is pulled further forward in the state where the locking rod 17 is pushed out, the upper end of the locking rod 17 does not come into contact with the abutment portion 18, and the table top 2 can be placed in a horizontal usable state as shown in FIG. 9. When both table tops 2 are in the usable state, the legs 10 are in contact with the ground while the casters 16 are raised, as shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, there is no risk of the stage 1 being moved inadvertently by the casters 16.

[0031] Furthermore, when changing from the use state to the storage state, first, the handle 5 is grasped and one end of the tabletop 2 (the end in the left-right direction) is lifted upward. When it has been lifted to a certain extent, the force of the biasing member 24 causes the locking rod 17 to enter under the abutment portion 18. If the tabletop 2 is lifted further, it will surpass the vertical state and enter a storage state in which it is tilted toward the other tabletop 2 adjacent to it on the left and right. After the other tabletop 2 has been similarly placed in the storage state, the opening stopper 7 is lifted once and rotated around the rotation axis so that it straddles both tabletops 2 (see Figures 4(a) and (b)), completing the storage operation.

[0032] With the stage 1 described above, the operation of releasing the locking mechanism 3 and then opening the top plate 2 can be performed consecutively by simply operating the handle 5. This eliminates the need to release the locking mechanism 3 with one hand while supporting the top plate 2, which is a heavy object, as it is being opened with the other hand, and the stage 1 in the stored state can be easily and safely put into the usable state.

[0033] The stage 1 described above employs L-shaped legs 10 that rotate relative to the frame 9, and in the stored state, the long sides 10b are folded so as to be parallel to the top plate 2. This not only saves space when stored, but also makes it easier to take the stage 1 in and out of tight spaces.

[0034] The stage 1 has an inverted U-shaped bent portion 8 formed for inserting a finger into the opening stopper 7 that stops both top panels 2 from opening. This allows the opening stopper 7 to be operated smoothly.

[0035] In the above embodiment, a stage 1 having two top plates 2 has been described as an example, but the same locking mechanism 3 and release mechanism 6 as above can also be used for a stage 1 having only one top plate 2.

[0036] The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include the meaning equivalent to the claims and all modifications thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 Folding stage (stage) 2. Top plate 3 Locking mechanism 4 Oscillating shaft 5 Handle 6 Release mechanism 7 Stopper 8 Bend 9 frames 10 legs 10a Short side 10b Long side 11 Adjuster 12 Connecting member 13 Secondary connecting member 14 Base 15 Hinge 16 Caster 17 Locking rod 18 Stop part 19 Hinge 20 Regulatory components 21 Link rod 22 Cam section 23 Guide section 24 biasing member

Claims

1. A top plate (2) that is in a horizontal state when in use and in a storage state with one end side facing upward when not in use; a locking mechanism (3) that prevents the top plate (2) from falling from the storage state to the use state; a handle (5) provided on the top plate (2) and gripped when opening or closing the top plate (2), the handle (5) being swingable around a swing shaft (4) provided on the top plate (2); a release mechanism (6) that releases the locking state of the locking mechanism (3) in response to the swinging of the handle (5); and The locking mechanism (3) has a locking rod (17) whose lower end is pivotally supported and leans against the back surface of the top plate (2) in the storage state, and an abutment portion (18) that is provided on the upper side of the locking rod (17) and abuts against the upper portion of the locking rod (17) when the top plate (2) moves from the storage state to the use state while the locking rod (17) is leaning against it, The release mechanism (6) has a link rod (21) that is pulled up in accordance with the swing of the handle (5) in the stored state, and a cam portion (22) that rotates in accordance with the pulling up of the link rod (21), The folding stage is configured so that as the cam portion (22) rotates, the upper portion of the locking rod (17) protrudes to a position where it does not abut against the abutment portion (18).

2. 2. The folding stage according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing member (24) that biases the locking rod (17) toward the back side of the top plate (2).

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