Bench seat parts and benches

Abstract

To provide a component for a seat surface of a bench that can adjust a mounting position of a leg member in a lateral direction of a seat surface part, has excellent appearance when viewed from an upper side, and can reduce a manufacturing cost, and to provide a bench using the same.SOLUTION: The component for a seat surface of a bench B is composed of: a seat portion 1 comprising a plurality of pier members 11 arranged in a depth direction; and a flat first metal fitting 3 for receiving the leg member 2, which is attached to a lower surface of the left and right sides of the seat portion 1 with the pier members 11; wherein notches 31 corresponding to the positions of the respective gaps in the pier members 11 are formed in a comb-like shape on either side of the first metal fitting 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat component for a bench to be used indoors or outdoors, and a bench using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] A widely known type of bench with legs for use indoors and outdoors has a seat made up of multiple crosspieces (horizontal members) to which leg members are attached on both sides (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Furthermore, this type of bench generally has a structure in which the left and right sides of the seat and the leg members are connected via L-shaped metal fittings (see Figure 7 of Patent Document 1).

[0003] However, conventional benches using the above-mentioned L-shaped metal fittings require members to connect the multiple crosspieces that make up the seat (see Figure 4 of Patent Document 1), and the need to use L-shaped metal fittings with complex shapes tends to increase the cost of the bench. Furthermore, conventional benches using L-shaped metal fittings have the disadvantage that it is difficult to adjust the left and right positions of the leg members.

[0004] On the other hand, when flat connecting fittings are attached to the bottom of the seat of the bench to connect the crosspieces, and then leg members are attached to the connecting fittings, the connecting fittings are exposed between the crosspieces when the bench is viewed from above, so if the area of ​​the connecting fittings is increased to allow the attachment position of the leg members to be adjusted, the appearance of the bench is marred. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5173198 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the problems of the above-mentioned conventional technology, and in summary, to provide a bench seat component that allows the attachment position of the leg members in the left-right direction of the seat portion to be adjusted, has an excellent appearance when viewed from above, and can be manufactured at low cost, and a bench using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As a means for solving the above problem, the inventor constructed a seat component for bench B including a seat portion 1 formed by arranging a plurality of crosspieces 11 in the depth direction, and a flat first metal fitting 3 which is a metal fitting for receiving leg members 2 and is attached to the underside of both the left and right sides of the seat portion 1 with the crosspieces 11 draped across it, and formed comb-like cutout portions 31 on either the left or right side of the first metal fitting 3 so as to correspond to the positions of each gap in the crosspieces 11.

[0008] Furthermore, leg members 2 are attached to the seat components, and flat first metal fittings 3, which are wider than leg members 2, are attached to the underside of both the left and right sides of seat portion 1 with multiple crosspieces 11 spanning them, while flat second metal fittings 4, which are wider than leg members 2 and protrude from one side of leg member 2, are attached to the top surfaces of leg members 2, and protruding portions 41 of second metal fittings 4 are fastened to first metal fitting 3 and second metal fitting 4 to form bench B. This makes it easy to change the attachment position of leg member 2 using second metal fitting 4. Furthermore, even if crosspieces 11 are bent due to the load on the seat portion of bench B, the elastic deformation of flat second metal fitting 4 can absorb the load on the screw-fastening portion.

[0009] In addition, by attaching the second metal fitting 4 across a plurality of leg members 2 arranged in a row, the second metal fitting 4 can also be used as a connecting member for the leg members 2.

[0010] The leg member 2 can also be composed of a leg body 21 having a vertical hollow portion and a core material 22 inserted into the hollow portion of the leg body 21, with the second metal fitting 4 attached to the upper end of the core material 22. In this way, even if the leg body 21 is made of plastic, the second metal fitting 4 is attached to the core material 22, making it difficult for a load to be applied from the second metal fitting 4 to the leg body 21.

[0011] Furthermore, by making the vertical length of the core material 22 of the leg member 2 greater than that of the leg body 21, the load from the second metal fitting 4 is applied to the core material 22, thereby preventing deformation or damage to the leg body 21.

[0012] Furthermore, in the present invention, a flat first metal fitting 3 having a width greater than that of the leg members 2 is attached to the underside of both the left and right sides of the seat portion 1 with a plurality of crosspieces 11 suspended across it, and C-shaped leg members 2 with an open top are fastened to both ends of the non-tooth portion 33 of the first metal fitting 3. The C-shaped leg members 2 have a base portion 24 formed parallel to the seat surface, rising portions 25 rising upward on both sides of the base portion 24, and folded portions 26 where the upper ends of the rising portions 25 are bent inward, thereby forming a bench B. In this way, the crosspieces 11 can be connected by the first metal fitting 3, eliminating the need to use ring-shaped leg members 2, and using C-shaped leg members allows the bench to be made lighter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The seat components of the bench of the present invention not only allow the flat first metal fittings to connect and integrate the multiple crosspieces that make up the seat portion, but also allow the leg members to be connected to this first metal fitting, making it easy to adjust the attachment position of the leg members in the left-right direction of the seat within the range of the first metal fittings.

[0014] Furthermore, in the present invention, multiple cutout portions are provided on either the left or right side of the first fitting to form a comb-tooth shape, which eliminates the problem of the first fitting being exposed through the gaps in the crosspiece when a leg member is attached below the non-comb-tooth portion of the first fitting, and therefore the appearance of the bench when viewed from above is not impaired. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall perspective view showing a bench according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1A is a top view, FIG. 1B is a front view, and FIG. 1C is a bottom view showing a bench according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1A is a bottom view showing a seat component of a bench in a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a top view showing a mounting bracket. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are an enlarged front view and a side view showing a mounting structure for a leg member of a bench according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an overall perspective view showing a bench according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 5A, 5B, and 5C are a top view, a front view, and a bottom view, respectively, showing a bench according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10A and 10C are a top view and a side view showing a leg member of a bench according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the mounting structure of the leg members of the bench in the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] "First embodiment" A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In the figures, the reference symbol B indicates a bench, the reference symbol 1 indicates a seat portion, the reference symbol 2 indicates a leg member, the reference symbol 3 indicates a first metal fitting, the reference symbol 4 indicates a second metal fitting, and the reference symbol 5 indicates a third metal fitting.

[0017] "Bench configuration" [1] Basic configuration The basic configuration of the bench B of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1 and Figs. 2(a) to (c), the bench B is composed of a seat portion 1 formed by arranging a plurality of crosspieces 11 in the depth direction, and a pair of leg members 2 attached to both sides of the seat portion 1. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 3(a), a flat first metal fitting 3 for receiving the leg members 2 is attached to the underside of the seat portion 1 on both the left and right sides, with the crosspieces 11 spanning across the underside, thereby forming a seat component. As shown in Figs. 3(a) and (b), the first metal fitting 3 has comb-like notches 31 formed on either the left or right side thereof, corresponding to the positions of the gaps in the crosspieces 11.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2(c) and 4(a), first fittings 3 having a width wider than that of the leg members 2 are attached to the underside of both the left and right sides of the seat portion 1, and flat second fittings 4 having a width wider than that of the leg members 2 are attached to the upper surfaces of the leg members 2 in a state where they protrude to the left or right of the leg members 2. The leg members 2 are attached by fastening the first fittings 3 and the second fittings 4 together at the protruding portions 41 of the second fittings 4. Note that in this specification, Figure 2(b) is a front view of bench B, and the left-right, depth, and height directions of bench B and its components are specified as shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b) based on the directions in this front view.

[0019] [2] Seat parts [2-1] Materials for the crosspiece of the seat Next, we will explain each component of the bench B. First, regarding the material of the crosspiece 11 of the seat portion 1, in this embodiment, a plastic plate material is used, but any common material used for the seat of an indoor or outdoor bench can be used, such as various plastic materials (for example, polypropylene, ABS resin, vinyl chloride resin, etc., either alone or in combination), wood or metal materials (for example, aluminum, stainless steel, etc.), composite materials, etc.

[0020] [2-2] Shape and arrangement of crosspieces in the seat In this embodiment, the crosspieces 11 are formed of four hollow plates with longitudinal hollows. However, solid plates, square bars, round bars, square pipes, round pipes, etc. can also be used. The dimensions (width, length, and thickness) of the crosspieces 11 can be varied as needed, and the number of crosspieces 11 forming the seat portion 1 can be varied as needed depending on the depth of the bench B and the dimensions of each crosspiece 11, as long as the number is two or more. In this embodiment, the seat portion 1 is formed of crosspieces 11 of the same dimensions, but the seat portion 1 can also be formed of crosspieces 11 of different dimensions and materials. The spacing between the crosspieces 11 can also be adjusted as needed depending on the type of crosspiece 11. In this embodiment, drainage holes 12 are formed in the bottom surface of each crosspiece 11 made of hollow plates, and cap members 11a are attached to both ends of each crosspiece 11 to close the hollow portion.

[0021] [2-3] First metal fitting 3(a) and 3(b), the first metal fitting 3 attached to the seat 1 has a rectangular flat plate with multiple (three in this embodiment) notches 31 formed in the short-side direction on one long side of the plate, forming comb-tooth portions 32. The spacing (groove width) and number of the notches 31 are adjusted to match the spacing and number of the crosspieces 11 forming the seat 1, and the length of the notches 31 is approximately half the length of the short side of the flat plate. The length of the long side of the flat plate is preferably the same as or slightly smaller than the depth of the seat, and the spacing (groove width) of the notches 31 is preferably the same as or slightly larger than the spacing between the crosspieces 11. The length of the short side of the flat plate can be adjusted depending on the range of adjustment required for the left-right mounting position of the leg member 2, and can also be designed to be the same length as or longer than the long side.

[0022] Meanwhile, in the non-tooth portion 33 on the other long side where the notch 31 is not formed, a plurality of screw holes H1 for connecting the first fitting 3 and the seat portion 1 are provided at predetermined intervals along the long side of the plate. Furthermore, in this embodiment, two screw holes H2 used for connecting to the second fitting 4 are formed side by side, one near the tooth portion 32 of the non-tooth portion 33 and the other at the base end of the tooth portion 32, but they can also be formed on only one side. The arrangement of these screw holes H1 and H2 corresponds to the position of each crosspiece 11, and further, the screw hole H2 used for connecting to the second fitting 4 is formed to match the position of the screw hole in the second fitting 4. The thickness of the plate can be changed as long as it remains within a range that provides the desired rigidity.

[0023] In this embodiment, a stainless steel flat plate is used for the first fitting 3, but other metal materials such as steel, aluminum, copper, and zinc alloys can also be used for the fitting material. The attachment structure between the first fitting 3 and the crosspiece 11 of the seating portion 1 can be a screw-fastening structure using bolts, nuts, or screws, and can be modified as needed as long as the screw members N1 and N2 are inserted into screw holes H1 and H2 formed to match the positions of the crosspiece 11 to secure the first fitting 3 to the seating portion 1. The comb-tooth shape of the first fitting 3 can be modified as needed by changing the number and shape of the notches 31 to match the number and size of the gaps between the crosspieces 11. The notches 31 of the first fitting 3 can be formed by punching, cutting, welding, or other processes.

[0024] [2-4] Connecting the crosspieces of the seat The crosspieces 11 that make up the seating surface 1 are connected by first fittings 3 as shown in Figures 3(a) and (b), but if the crosspieces 11 are long (the left-right width of the seating surface 1 is large), it is also possible to use a third fitting 5 for connecting the crosspieces, which has a screw hole H1 at the left-right middle position of the seating surface 1, as shown in Figures 3(a) and (c). For the third fitting 5, a flat metal fitting can be suitably used, but it is also possible to use a metal square pipe or channel material with excellent rigidity, and it is also possible to connect the left-right middle position of the seating surface 1 by screwing.

[0025] [2-5] Inserting the core material into the crosspiece In this embodiment, a rod-shaped core material 13 is inserted into the crosspiece 11, which has a hollow portion in the longitudinal direction, to increase the rigidity of the bearing surface portion 1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the crosspiece 11 has multiple hollow portions separated by partitions at intermediate positions, and the core material 13 is inserted into one of these hollow portions (in this embodiment, the inner hollow portion in the depth direction). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the screw members N1 and N2 shown in FIG. 4(a) are respectively attached to the screw holes H1 and H2 of the first fitting 3 shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), and the tip of each screw member penetrates another hollow portion (in this embodiment, the outer hollow portion in the depth direction) into which the core material 13 is not inserted, as shown in FIG. 4(b). This prevents the screw members N1 and N2, such as bolts and screws, from interfering with the core material 13 inserted into the hollow portion of the crosspiece 11. Although stainless steel is used for the core material 13, any material with higher rigidity than the crosspiece 11, such as a metal material or a composite material, can be used.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3(a), the first fitting 3 is attached to the seat 1 so that the comb-tooth portion where the cutouts 31 are formed faces outward on the left and right. If the seat 1 has a large width on the left and right, the first fitting 3 can be attached to the middle position on the left and right of the seat 1, and in that case, it is also preferable to attach the first fitting 3 so that the comb-tooth portion faces outward on the left and right of the seat 1. In this embodiment, the first fitting 3 is attached so that the ends of the comb-tooth portion are located at both left and right ends of the seat 1. This allows the leg members 2 to be attached below both left and right ends of the seat 1.

[0027] [3] Leg components [3-1] Leg structure Next, with regard to the leg member 2, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4(b), it is composed of a plastic leg body 21 having a vertically hollow portion, and a core material 22 inserted into this hollow portion of the leg body 21. A second metal fitting 4 is attached to the upper end of the core material 22 so that the load from the second metal fitting 4 is applied to the core material 22 rather than the leg body 21. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vertical length of the core material 22 is greater than that of the leg body 21 so that the load from the second metal fitting 4 is applied to the core material 22. Note that with regard to the structure of the leg member 2, a structure without a core material 22 can be adopted if a highly rigid and durable material is used for the leg body 21.

[0028] [3-2] Material and shape of leg components The material for the leg body 21 may be any material having a predetermined rigidity, such as various plastic materials (e.g., polypropylene, ABS resin, vinyl chloride resin, etc., either alone or in combination), metal materials (e.g., stainless steel, iron, etc.), and composite materials (fiber-reinforced plastic, etc.). The shape of the leg body 21 can be not only prismatic, but also cylindrical, pyramidal, conical, or metal frame (see the second embodiment for details), and a solid shape can also be used if the core 22 is not used. While stainless steel is used for the core 22, any suitable metal or composite material can be used as long as it is more rigid than the leg body 21.

[0029] [3-3] Second metal fitting In this embodiment, the second metal fitting 4 attached to the leg member 2 is formed from a stainless steel flat plate with a length corresponding to the depth of the seating surface 1, as shown in Figures 2(c) and 4(a) and (b). Other metal materials can be used for the second metal fitting 4 as long as they are capable of elastically deforming in response to deformation of the seating surface 1. The second metal fitting 4 also has insertion holes for threaded members N2 such as bolts and screws that are formed in accordance with the attachment positions of the multiple leg members 2 and the first metal fitting 3. In this embodiment, the second metal fitting 4 is attached by inserting a threaded member into the core material 22 of the leg member 2 from above the second metal fitting 4 (not shown).

[0030] [3-4] Bottom structure of leg member In this embodiment, the bottom of the leg member 2 is configured by attaching a flat stainless steel mounting bracket 23 to the bottom side of the leg member 2, as shown in Figures 2(b) and 2(c). The bench B can be fixed to the installation location by fixing this mounting bracket 23 to the ground G or floor with anchor bolts or stakes. In addition, by fixing the mounting bracket 23 to the core member 22, the mounting bracket 23 can bear the load from the core member 22. The leg members 2 can also be connected by attaching the mounting bracket 23 so that it spans multiple leg members 2. Casters or the like can be attached to this mounting bracket 23 to make the bench B movable.

[0031] [3-5] Number and arrangement of leg components The number and arrangement of the leg members 2 can be changed as appropriate depending on the material and shape of the leg members 2, and it is sufficient that the leg members 2 are attached to at least both the left and right sides (preferably the four corners) of the seat portion 1, or positions in the vicinity thereof. Furthermore, if the width of the seat portion 1 is large, the leg members 2 can also be attached in the middle position between the left and right sides.

[0032] The second fittings 4 are attached to the respective leg members 2 in a state in which they protrude to the left and right inside of the seat portion 1. If the left and right width of the seat portion 1 is large, the leg members 2 and second fittings 4 can be attached to a middle position on the left and right of the seat portion 1, and in this case, it is also preferable to attach the second fittings 4 so that the protruding portions 41 of the second fittings 4 face the left and right inside of the seat portion 1. In this embodiment, the second fittings 4 are attached by screwing the protruding portions 41 of the second fittings 4 to the first fitting 3 (and the seat portion 1) at positions on the left and right outside of the screw fastening portions of the seat portion 1 and the first fitting 3, as shown in Figure 4(a).

[0033] [4] Functions of the first and second fittings By adopting the above configuration, the first fitting 3 can connect and integrate each crosspiece 11 of the seat portion 1, and further, the leg members 2 can be selectively attached to the underside of the comb-tooth portion 32 (the portion on one side with the cutout portion 31) and the non-comb-tooth portion 33 (the other portion on the other side without the cutout portion 31) of the first fitting 3, making it possible to adjust the attachment position of the leg members 2 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, by using second fittings 4 with different left-right widths, the attachment position of the leg members 2 in the left-right direction can also be adjusted. Even if the crosspieces 11 are deflected by the load on the seat portion 1 of bench B, the elastic deformation of the second fitting 4 can absorb the load on the screw-fastened portions, making it less likely that the screw-fastened portions of the leg members 2 will break.

[0034] Second Embodiment [1] Basic configuration Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6(a), 6(b), 6(c), and 7(a) and 7(b), a bench B of this embodiment uses a C-shaped leg member 2 that is open at the top and has a base portion 24 formed parallel to the seat surface, rising portions 25 rising upward on both sides of the base portion 24, and a folded portion 26 where the upper end of the rising portion 25 is bent inward. As shown in FIG. 8, a screw member N4 is inserted through the folded portion 26 of the leg member 2 and the screw holes H4 and H2 formed in the first fitting 3, thereby fastening the leg member 2 to both ends of the non-tooth-shaped portion 33 of the first fitting 3 (both ends in the depth direction of the seat surface portion 1). This allows the bench to be lighter than when a ring-shaped leg member 2 is used. Other configurational features are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0035] Even when the leg member 2 is attached below the non-tooth portion 33 of the first fitting 3 as described above, the presence of the tooth-like portions 32 of the first fitting on the left and right outer sides of the seat portion 1 as shown in Figures 6(a), (b), and (c) prevents the first fitting 3 from being exposed through the gaps between the crosspieces 11 of the seat portion 1, and therefore does not impair the appearance of the bench B when viewed from above. In this embodiment, the first fitting 3 and the seat portion 1 are fastened separately from the leg member 2 and the seat portion 1, but it is also possible to fasten the folded portion 26 of the leg member 2 and the first fitting 3 to the seat portion 1 together. Furthermore, the bench B can be fixed in place by fixing the bottom portion 24 of the leg member 2 to the ground G or floor with anchor bolts or stakes.

[0036] [2] Leg components In this embodiment, the leg member 2 is made by bending a stainless steel plate into a trapezoidal shape as shown in Figures 5 and 7(a) and (b), but other metal materials, plastic materials, and composite materials can be appropriately selected and used as long as they have the required rigidity. Furthermore, the shape of the leg member 2 does not have to be trapezoidal as long as it is C-shaped; it can also be a U-shape in which the base portion 24 and the rising portion 25 form a right angle, or a shape in which the rising portion 25 is curved. The thickness and left-right width of the leg member 2 can be changed as appropriate depending on the required strength, but the left-right width can be formed to match the non-tooth-shaped portion 33 of the first fitting 3.

[0037] The C-shaped leg member 2 is preferably made of a bent metal plate or a single-piece molded plastic, but it can also be made of multiple plates or rods connected to a C shape by welding or screwing. Similar to the first embodiment, this embodiment uses a crosspiece 11 having multiple hollows in the depth direction, and as shown in FIG. 8, a core member 13 is inserted into the inner hollows in the depth direction to prevent the screw member N4 connecting the leg member 2 and the seat portion 1 from interfering with the core member 13. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7(a), a recess 26a is formed at the end of the folded portion 26 of the leg member 2 to prevent the folded portion 26 from interfering with the screw member N1 fastening the first fitting 3 and the seat portion 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 Seat part 11 Crosspiece 11a Cap member 12 Drainage holes 13 Core material 2 Leg members 21 Script body part 22 Core material 23 Mounting bracket 24 Bottom 25 Rising section 26 Turned part 26a Recess 3 First metal fitting 31 Notch 32 Comb teeth 33 Non-comb part 4 Second metal fitting 5 Third fitting B Bench

Claims

1. The seat includes a seat portion configured by arranging a plurality of crosspieces in the depth direction, and a flat-plate-shaped first metal fitting for receiving a leg member, the crosspieces being attached to the underside of both the left and right sides of the seat portion in a state where they are stretched across each other. A bench seat component, wherein comb-shaped notches corresponding to the positions of the gaps of the crosspieces are formed on one of the left and right sides of the first metal fitting.

2. A bench having leg members attached to the seat component of the bench according to claim 1, A bench in which a flat first metal fitting having a width greater than that of the leg members is attached to the underside of both the left and right sides of the seat portion, with multiple crosspieces spanning across it, and a flat second metal fitting having a width greater than that of the leg members is attached to the upper surface of the leg members, protruding from one side of the leg members, and the first metal fitting and second metal fitting are fastened together at the protruding portion of the second metal fitting.

3. 3. The bench according to claim 2, wherein the second metal fitting is attached across a plurality of leg members arranged in a row.

4. A bench as described in claim 2, wherein the leg member is composed of a leg body portion having a hollow portion in the vertical direction and a core material inserted into the hollow portion of the leg body portion, and the second metal fitting is attached to the upper end of the core material.

5. 5. The bench according to claim 4, wherein the vertical length of the core material of the leg member is greater than the vertical length of the leg body portion.

6. A bench having leg members attached to the seat component of the bench according to claim 1, A first metal fitting having a flat plate shape whose left-right width is larger than that of the leg members is attached to the underside of the left and right sides of the seat portion in a state in which a plurality of crosspieces are suspended across it, The bench has C-shaped leg members attached to both ends of the non-tooth portion of the first metal fitting, the leg members having a base portion formed parallel to the seat surface, rising portions rising upward on both sides of the base portion, and folded portions where the upper ends of the rising portions are bent inward.

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