step stool

Abstract

To provide a footstool capable of being easily moved by a user.SOLUTION: A first pair of legs 20a and 20b are mounted to a first end side of a footboard part 10. A second pair of legs 20c and 20d are mounted to a second end side of the footboard part 10. A handle 32 is provided at the first pair of legs 20a and 20b side and rotates in a prescribed angle range. A pair of wheels 302a and 302b are provided at the second pair of legs 20c and 20d side. When a linkage mechanism 31 rotates the handle 32, the pair of wheels 302a and 302b are made to project more downward than a lower end of the second pair of legs 20c and 20d, to lift the second pair of legs 20c and 20d.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a step stool. [Background technology]

[0002] Step stools are sometimes used when retrieving or storing items stored in high storage locations. Users move the step stool depending on the location of the storage location. Unlike household step stools such as those described in Patent Document 1, step stools used in factories and other workplaces are made of sturdy metal such as iron and are quite heavy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-2718 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is not easy for a user to move a heavy step stool by himself, and it is generally necessary for two or more people to move it. If users can move the step stool with fewer people, work efficiency can be improved.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a step stool that can be easily moved by a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The step stool of the present invention is equipped with a link mechanism that, when a handle provided on the side of the first pair of legs is rotated, causes a pair of wheels provided on the side of the second pair of legs to protrude below the lower ends of the second pair of legs, thereby lifting the second pair of legs. The pair of wheels is attached to a rotatable connecting bar that connects the second pair of legs, and the link mechanism connects the handle and the connecting bar, and when the handle is rotated, the connecting bar is rotated, causing the pair of wheels to protrude below the lower ends of the second pair of legs. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The step stool of the present invention allows the user to move easily. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a stationary state of a step stool according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing a step stool according to one embodiment, with the step portion in FIG. 1 shown by imaginary lines. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a stationary state of the step stool according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a state in which a user is moving a step stool according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a step stool according to one embodiment in a movable state, with the step portion shown in virtual lines. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a movable state of the step stool according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a top view showing a movable state of the step stool according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A step stool according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, a step stool 100 according to one embodiment comprises a step board 10, a first pair of legs 20a and 20b, and a second pair of legs 20c and 20d. Legs 20a and 20b are attached to a first end of the step board 10, which is one end in the longitudinal direction. Legs 20c and 20d are attached to a second end of the step board 10, which is the other end in the longitudinal direction, opposite the first end.

[0010] In detail, the footboard 10 has a structure in which a top plate 106 is fixed onto a frame made up of columnar members 101 and 102 in the longitudinal direction and columnar members 103 to 105 in the lateral direction. The columnar members 101 to 105 are rectangular columnar. The columnar members 101 to 105 and the top plate 106 are made of, for example, iron. The columnar members 101 to 105 and the top plate 106 are welded together to form a single unit. Note that the thickness of the top plate 106 is omitted in FIG. 1. The footboard 10 may also be made of a flat metal plate having a predetermined thickness.

[0011] The rectangular pillar-shaped legs 20a to 20d are welded to the four corners of the frame. The legs 20a to 20d are made of, for example, iron. Protective caps 20a1, 20b1, and 20c1 made of rubber or resin are attached to the lower ends of the legs 20a, 20b, and 20c, respectively, to prevent scratches on the floor on which the step stool 100 is placed. A protective cap (not shown) is also attached to the lower end of the leg 20d.

[0012] The step stool 100 is robust and is configured to withstand the weight of a substantial weight object placed on the step portion 10. The strength of the step stool 100 may be improved by welding triangular reinforcing plates between the legs 20a to 20d and the frame.

[0013] Furthermore, the step stool 100 is equipped with a lifting mechanism 30 that, when attempting to move the step stool 100, projects wheels below the lower ends of legs 20c and 20d to lift legs 20c and 20d and lift legs 20a and 20b. Figure 2 shows the step stool 100 with the footboard portion 10 in Figure 1 indicated by imaginary lines. Figure 3 is a side view of the step stool 100 as seen from the side of legs 20b and 20d. Figures 1 to 3 show the step stool 100 in a steady state. The specific configuration of the lifting mechanism 30 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a rotatable connecting bar 301 is attached to legs 20c and 20d, connecting them. Connecting bar 301 is formed, for example, from iron in a cylindrical or columnar shape. A pair of wheels 302a and 302b are attached to connecting bar 301 via wheel mounting portions 302a1 and 302b1. Wheels 302a and 302b are disposed near legs 20c and 20d. When connecting bar 301 rotates within a predetermined angular range, wheels 302a and 302b and wheel mounting portions 302a1 and 302b1 rotate integrally with connecting bar 301 within the predetermined angular range.

[0015] A first link 303 is welded to the center of the connecting bar 301 in the longitudinal direction. A second link 305 is connected to the first link 303 via a first joint 304. A third link 307 is connected to the second link 305 via a second joint 306. The first link 303, the first joint 304, the second link 305, the second joint 306, and the third link 307 are made of, for example, iron. The first link 303, the first joint 304, the second link 305, the second joint 306, and the third link 307 constitute the link mechanism 31.

[0016] 1 and 2, the second link 305 has a length adjustment mechanism 308 made up of a bolt and a nut. The length adjustment mechanism 308 can adjust the length of the second link 305. However, providing the length adjustment mechanism 308 is not essential.

[0017] The third link 307 is welded to the swing bar 312 and connected to the swing bar 312. The swing bar 312 rotates within a predetermined angle range around a fulcrum 311 provided in the storage section 310. The fulcrum 311 is provided on the underside of the footboard section 10 on the first end side. The storage section 310 is made of, for example, iron. The storage section 310 is welded to the underside of the columnar member 103.

[0018] A gripping bar 313, which is perpendicular to the swing bar 312, is welded to the end of the swing bar 312 opposite the fulcrum 311. The third link 307 is connected to the swing bar 312 at a position closer to the fulcrum 311 than to the center of the swing bar 312 in the longitudinal direction. The swing bar 312 is connected to the gripping bar 313 at the center of the gripping bar 313 in the longitudinal direction. The swing bar 312 and the gripping bar 313 are made of, for example, iron. The fulcrum 311, swing bar 312, and gripping bar 313 form a "lever."

[0019] Covers 314a and 314b made of rubber, resin, or the like are attached to both outer portions of the gripping bar 313 relative to the swing bar 312. Stoppers 315a and 315b, which have a larger diameter than the covers 314a and 314b, are attached to both ends of the gripping bar 313. It is not essential to provide the covers 314a and 314b and the stoppers 315a and 315b on the gripping bar 313. Attaching the covers 314a and 314b to the gripping bar 313 can improve the feel when gripping the gripping bar 313. At least the swing bar 312 and the gripping bar 313 form a handle 32 for operating the lifting mechanism 30. The handle 32 is located between the legs 20a and 20b. The shape of the handle 32 is not limited to a T-shape.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3 , in a steady state where the user is not touching the handle 32 (grip bar 313), the wheels 302a and 302b are in contact with the floor 50, tilted toward the inside of the platform 100. The entire link mechanism 31 including the first link 303 and the first joint 304, the wheels 302a and 302b, and the wheel mounting portions 302a1 and 302b1 are located inside the outer surfaces of the legs 20c and 20d. The handle 32 is located inside the outer surfaces of the legs 20a and 20b. In other words, in a steady state, the link mechanism 31, the wheels 302a and 302b, the wheel mounting portions 302a1 and 302b1, and the handle 32 are located between the outer surfaces of the legs 20a and 20b and the outer surfaces of the legs 20c and 20d.

[0021] Therefore, when a user uses the step stool 100 in a steady state, the user will not come into contact with any of the link mechanism 31, wheels 302a and 302b, wheel mounting portions 302a1 and 302b1, or handle 32. The lifting mechanism 30 does not interfere with the user getting on or off the step plate 10, nor does it interfere with the user getting on the step plate 10 to take out or put away stored items.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, when a user 60 grasps covers 314a and 314b and pulls grip bar 313, which is the point of application of force, swing bar 312 rotates around fulcrum 311. Handle 32 rotates from the inside between legs 20a and 20b and legs 20c and 20d to the outside (first outside) outside legs 20a and 20b. The point where third link 307 of swing bar 312 is connected is the point of application, and acts to pull third link 307 as swing bar 312 rotates. Then, third link 307 pulls second link 305 via second joint 306, and second link 305 pulls first link 303 via first joint 304.

[0023] As a result, the first link 303 rotates the connecting bar 301 counterclockwise in Figures 3 and 4. Then, the wheels 302a and 302b shown in Figure 3, which are in contact with the floor 50, and the wheel mounting portions 302a1 and 302b1, rotate counterclockwise as the connecting bar 301 rotates, and lift the legs 20c and 20d as shown in Figure 4. In this way, the wheels 302a and 302b, which are located inside between the legs 20a and 20b and the legs 20c and 20d, rotate from the inside to the outside (second outside) that is outside the legs 20c and 20d as the connecting bar 301 rotates.

[0024] In FIG. 4, when the end of the swing bar 312 near the fulcrum 311 comes into contact with the storage section 310, the rotation of the handle 32 is restricted. The swing bar 312 becomes approximately parallel to the tabletop 106. The handle 32 rotates within an angular range from its normal angular position to an angular position approximately parallel to the tabletop 106. When the position of the swing bar 312 is fixed by the storage section 310, the link mechanism 31 maintains the state shown in FIG. 4. If the user 60 further pulls up the handle 32, the legs 20a and 20b of the step stool 100 rise, and the step stool 100 assumes the state shown in FIG. 4. Therefore, the lower ends of the legs 20a and 20b of the step stool 100 are far away from the floor 50, and the lower ends of the legs 20c and 20d are slightly away from the floor 50, with the wheels 302a and 302b in contact with the floor 50 near the legs 20c and 20d.

[0025] As described above, the lifting mechanism 30, by utilizing the lever of the handle 32 in cooperation with the link mechanism 31, can lift the legs 20c and 20d with little force using the wheels 302a and 302b, and further lift the legs 20a and 20b. FIG. 4 shows the step stool 100 in a movable state, allowing the user 60 to move it by himself. FIGS. 5 to 7 are perspective, side, and top views, respectively, of the step stool 100 in a movable state, with the user 60 omitted. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the step stool 100 is actually in a position where the first end side is lifted, as in FIG. 4. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, portions of the wheels 302a and 302b protrude outward beyond the legs 20c and 20d.

[0026] 4 to 7, when user 60 pushes step stool 100 while holding handle 32, wheels 302a and 302b rotate, allowing step stool 100 to be easily moved to any desired location. User 60 can successively lift legs 20c and 20d by rotating handle 32, lift legs 20a and 20b by pulling up handle 32 after the rotation of handle 32 is restricted, and move step stool 100 by pushing handle 32.

[0027] As shown in Figure 6, when the handle 32 is pulled to cause the wheels 302a and 302b to protrude beyond the lower ends of the legs 20c and 20d, the wheels 302a and 302b are inclined at an inclination angle θ relative to the legs 20c and 20d. The inclination angle θ is the angle formed by the line segment connecting the center of the connecting bar 301 and the center of the wheels 302a and 302b, and the legs 20c and 20d. The inclination angle θ is preferably about 20 degrees. The inclination angle θ of the wheels 302a and 302b can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the second link 305 using the length adjustment mechanism 308.

[0028] The tilt angle θ may be any angle within a range from a minimum angle to a maximum angle at which the wheels 302a and 302b can lift the legs 20c and 20d and separate the lower ends of the legs 20c and 20d from the floor 50.

[0029] After moving the platform 100, if the user 60 pushes in the handle 32 or releases the grip bar 313, the handle 32 rotates from the outside to the inside around the fulcrum 311. Accordingly, the wheels 302a and 302b also rotate from the outside to the inside, returning to their normal state.

[0030] According to the step stool 100 described above, in a steady state, the user 60 can stand on the step portion 10 and retrieve items stored in a high storage location or store items in that storage location.

[0031] The step stool 100 includes a handle 32, wheels 302a and 302b, and a link mechanism 31. The handle 32 is provided on the side of the legs 20a and 20b, and rotates from the inside between the legs 20a and 20b and the legs 20c and 20d to a first outside position outside the legs 20a and 20b. The wheels 302a and 302b are provided on the side of the legs 20c and 20d. When the handle 32 is rotated from the inside to the first outside position, the link mechanism 31 causes the wheels 302a and 302b to protrude below the lower ends of the legs 20c and 20d, lifting the legs 20c and 20d.

[0032] Therefore, with the step stool 100, the user can easily place the step stool 100 in a movable state by lifting the legs 20a and 20b, and move the step stool 100. The user can move the step stool 100 by himself.

[0033] Wheels 302a and 302b are preferably attached to a rotatable connecting bar 301 that connects legs 20c and 20d. Link mechanism 31 preferably connects handle 32 and connecting bar 301, and rotating handle 32 rotates connecting bar 301 to cause wheels 302a and 302b to protrude below the lower ends of legs 20c and 20d. In this manner, link mechanism 31 can easily separate the lower ends of legs 20c and 20d from the support surface using wheels 302a and 302b, and bring wheels 302a and 302b into contact with the support surface.

[0034] Handle 32 is disposed between legs 20a and 20b. Handle 32 is preferably configured as follows: Handle 32 rotates within a predetermined angular range from the inside to a first outside, and from the first outside to the inside, around fulcrum 311 provided on the underside of footboard 10 at the first end side. Wheels 302a and 302b are preferably configured as follows: Wheels 302a and 302b rotate within a predetermined angular range from the inside to a second outside, which is outside legs 20c and 20d, and from the second outside to the inside, as connecting bar 301 rotates.

[0035] The link mechanism 31 is preferably configured as follows: When a user pulls the handle 32 located inside the link mechanism 31 to rotate it to the first outward direction, the link mechanism 31 rotates the connecting bar 301 to rotate the wheels 302a and 302b located inside the link mechanism 31 to the second outward direction, thereby causing the wheels 302a and 302b to lift the legs 20c and 20d.

[0036] With the handle 32, wheels 302a and 302b, and link mechanism 31 configured in this manner, in the stationary state, the handle 32, wheels 302a and 302b, and link mechanism 31 can be positioned inside between legs 20a and 20b and legs 20c and 20d. Furthermore, in the movable state, the handle 32 and wheels 302a and 302b can be protruded to the first exterior and the second exterior, respectively. In the movable state, the handle 32 protrudes to the first exterior, allowing the user to push the handle 32 to move the platform 100. Furthermore, the handle 32 utilizes the principle of a lever to pull the link mechanism 31, lifting up legs 20c and 20d, so the movable state can be achieved with little force.

[0037] When the user is not pulling the handle 32 and the handle 32 is positioned inside, it is preferable that all of the handle 32, wheels 302a and 302b, and link mechanism 31 are located between the outer surfaces of legs 20a and 20b and the outer surfaces of legs 20c and 20d. In other words, it is preferable that none of the parts protrude beyond the first exterior or the second exterior. By configuring the step stool 100 in this way, the lifting mechanism 30 does not interfere with the use of the step stool 100 in a steady state.

[0038] The link mechanism 31 simply rotates the wheels 302a and 302b at a predetermined angle within a range from a minimum angle to a maximum angle that can lift the legs 20c and 20d with the wheels 302a and 302b and separate the lower ends of the legs 20c and 20d from the support surface. When the link mechanism 31 rotates the wheels 302a and 302b at such an angle, the lower ends of the legs 20c and 20d separate from the support surface, making the step stool 100 movable.

[0039] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The components of the step stool 100 are not limited to being made of iron, but may be made of other metals or materials other than metal. Even if the step stool 100 is not particularly heavy, if the step stool 100 is large or long, it may be difficult for a user to move the step stool 100 by themselves. Even in such cases, if the step stool 100 is equipped with a lifting mechanism 30, the step stool 100 can be easily moved. Therefore, a configuration equipped with a lifting mechanism 30 is effective in facilitating movement regardless of the weight of the step stool 100. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 10 Tread 20a,20b,20c,20d Legs 30 Lifting mechanism 31 Link mechanism 32 Handle 301 Connecting bar 302a,302b wheels 311 Fulcrum

Claims

1. A step portion on which a user stands; a first pair of legs attached to a first end side of the footboard portion; a second pair of legs attached to a second end side of the footboard portion opposite to the first end side; a handle provided on the side of the first pair of legs and rotatable from an inside between the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs to a first outside outside the first pair of legs; a pair of wheels provided on the second pair of legs; a link mechanism that, when the handle is rotated from the inside to the first outside, causes the pair of wheels to protrude below lower ends of the second pair of legs, thereby lifting the second pair of legs; Equipped with the pair of wheels are attached to a rotatable connecting bar that connects the second pair of legs, The link mechanism connects the handle and the connecting bar, and when the handle is rotated, the connecting bar is rotated to cause the pair of wheels to protrude downward beyond the lower ends of the second pair of legs. Step stool.

2. the handle is disposed between the first pair of legs and rotates within a predetermined angle range from the inside to the first outside and from the first outside to the inside about a fulcrum provided on the underside of the footboard portion on the first end side; the pair of wheels rotate within a predetermined angle range from the inner side to a second outer side that is outside the second pair of legs, and from the second outer side to the inner side, in accordance with the rotation of the connecting bar; When the user pulls the handle located inside to rotate it toward the first outside, the link mechanism rotates the connecting bar to rotate the pair of wheels located inside to the second outside, thereby lifting the second pair of legs with the pair of wheels. The step stool of claim 1.

3. The step stool of claim 2, wherein when the user is not pulling the handle and the handle is positioned inside, none of the handle, the pair of wheels, and the link mechanism protrude into the first outside or the second outside, and are positioned between the outer surfaces of the first pair of legs and the outer surfaces of the second pair of legs.

4. A step stool described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the link mechanism rotates the pair of wheels at a predetermined angle within a range from a minimum angle to a maximum angle that can lift the second pair of legs using the pair of wheels and move the lower ends of the second pair of legs away from the supporting surface.

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