rack

Abstract

To provide a rack in which a top plate can be easily removed from the leg part.SOLUTION: A rack of the present invention is foldable with leg parts and a top plate provided, and is a knockdown rack. The leg parts have a plurality of leg sets having transverse frames which is connected to a mutually opposing pair of two leg posts. In the plurality of leg sets, the transverse frames of the respective leg sets are freely pivotally connected with each other. The top plate is provided with a recess in one direction, and by making the recess engaged with the transverse frames of the leg parts during the use of the rack, the top plate is restrained to the leg parts. The top plate is thereby restrained in an unrotating manner to the leg sets, and is removable from the leg parts by releasing the engagement with the transverse frames. The leg parts having a plurality of leg sets are foldable by pivot. By this invention, the knockdown rack that facilitates compact folding and assembly is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a so-called rack such as a table, shelf, stand, or planter stand, and relates to a rack whose top plate can be detached from the legs. [Background technology]

[0002] Tables, shelves, stands, planter stands, and other so-called racks generally have legs and a top plate, and some have one top plate, while others have multiple top plates. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 (Design Gazette of Design Registration No. 1720756) discloses a table that has a top plate supported on the top ends of four leg supports, and another top plate below the leg supports. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] Design Gazette for Design Registration No. 1720756 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in most conventional racks, the tabletop is fixed to the legs with screws or the like, and the tabletop cannot be removed. Even in the case of so-called assembly furniture racks, after the purchaser has assembled the furniture, it is generally necessary to remove fastening members such as screws in order to remove the tabletop from the legs, so if you want to store a table that has not been used for a long time in another location, the disassembly work is troublesome.

[0005] Furthermore, the table disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 is not designed to be used upside down, so the upper tabletop functions only for working or eating, and the lower tabletop functions only for temporarily placing items.

[0006] However, if the top could be easily removed from the legs, storage and other tasks would become easier, and if the rack could be used upside down, it could be used as a table, a stand, a planter stand, etc., thereby diversifying the uses of the rack. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the rack of the present invention is a foldable, collapsible rack having legs and a top plate, wherein the legs have a plurality of leg sets each having a horizontal frame connected to a pair of two opposing leg supports, the horizontal frames of each of the plurality of leg sets are connected to each other so that they can pivot freely, the top plate has a recess on one side, and when the rack is in use, the recess is engaged with the horizontal frame of the leg to engage the top plate with the leg, thereby engaging the top plate with the leg set so that it cannot rotate, and the top plate can be removed from the leg by disengaging it from the horizontal frame, and the leg having the plurality of leg sets can be foldable by the pivoting.

[0008] In one aspect, each of the leg sets has a plurality of horizontal frames, which are connected at different height positions that are asymmetrical when viewed in the vertical direction of the leg support when the rack is in use, and one of the plurality of horizontal frames is connected to one end of the leg support, so that when the top plate is fitted to the horizontal frame connected to one end of the leg support, the upper end of the leg support is at approximately the same height as the surface of the top plate.

[0009] In one embodiment, the leg sets are a pair, and a protrusion is provided at the end of the horizontal frame of one of the leg sets, and the protrusion is configured so that when the rack is in use, the upper end surface of the protrusion and the upper surface of the horizontal frame of the other leg set are at the same height in the vertical direction, and when the legs are pivoted and folded, the protrusion and the horizontal frame of the other leg set overlap.

[0010] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the table includes at least two tabletops that fit into the horizontal frames that are connected at different height positions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the top plate can be easily detached from the legs, facilitating storage, etc. The present invention provides an assembly rack that can be folded compactly and easily assembled.

[0012] Furthermore, the rack of the present invention can be configured so that it can be used upside down, meaning that a single rack can be used as a table, shelf, stand, or planter stand, thereby diversifying the uses of the rack. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a rack according to the present invention, in which FIG. 1(a) shows the state when used as a table, and FIG. 1(b) shows the state when used as a stand or planter stand, etc. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an oblique view showing one embodiment of a rack according to the present invention when two tabletops are provided, with Figure 2(a) showing the state when used as a table and Figure 2(b) showing the state when used as a stand or planter stand. [Figure 3]Figure 3 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the legs that make up the rack shown in Figures 1 and 2, where Figure 3(a) shows the state of the legs when used as a table as shown in Figures 1(a) and 2(a), Figure 3(b) shows the state of the legs when used as a stand or planter stand as shown in Figures 1(b) and 2(b), and Figure 3(c) shows the state when the legs are folded. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the connection of two horizontal frames (a pair of horizontal frames) to allow the legs to be folded and the top plate to be fitted in a removable manner, with Figure 4(a) showing the state of the two frames before they are connected and Figure 4(b) showing the state of the two frames after they are connected. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a top plate that constitutes a rack, where FIG. 5(a) is a top view of the top plate and FIG. 5(b) is a bottom view of the top plate. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of the rack according to the present invention when used as a table, and FIG. 6(a) and FIG. 6(b) show the state as seen from angles different by 90 degrees. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a top view (FIG. 7(a)) and a bottom view (FIG. 7(b)) of the rack according to the present invention when used as a table. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which a plurality of engagement portions for connecting a horizontal frame are provided on the leg supports so that the height position of the top plate when the rack is in use can be adjusted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The rack according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the rack according to the present invention will be described as a table for convenience. However, the term "rack" used in this specification is not limited to tables, but is used in a broader sense to include furniture with a top, such as shelves, racks, planter stands, and other so-called stands, frames, and stands. The terms "upper" and "lower" used in this specification are merely used to describe the illustrated embodiments. In actual use, "upper" can mean "lower" and vice versa.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a rack according to the present invention. FIG. 1(a) shows the rack in use as a table, and FIG. 1(b) shows the rack in use when inverted and used as, for example, a stand or planter stand. When using the rack 100 as a table, the top plate 10 is fitted into the horizontal frames indicated by reference numerals 22a and 22c in FIG. 1(b) and engaged with the upper ends of the legs 20. When using the rack (table) inverted and used as, for example, a stand or planter stand, the top plate 10 is refitted into the horizontal frames indicated by reference numerals 22b and 22d in FIG. 1(a) and used. Note that, although the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes only one top plate 10, the rack 100 may also include two or more top plates 10. In such an embodiment, the rack will have at least two top plates that fit into horizontal frames connected at different heights.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a rack according to the present invention when two tabletops 10 (10a, 10b) are provided, with FIG. 2(a) showing the state when used as a table and FIG. 2(b) showing the state when used as a stand, planter stand, or the like. Even in this embodiment, when using rack 100 as a table, tabletop 10a is fitted into horizontal frames indicated by reference numerals 22a and 22c in FIG. 1(b) and engaged with the upper ends of legs 20, and tabletop 10b is fitted into horizontal frames indicated by reference numerals 22b and 22d in FIG. 1(a) and engaged below legs 20. Even when this rack (table) is turned upside down to be used as, for example, a stand or planter stand, tabletops 10a and 10b are refitted into horizontal frames 22a-d.

[0017] The rack according to the present invention can be modified in various ways. At least three pairs of horizontal frames 22 may be provided so that they are connected at three or more different height positions of the leg supports 21 when the rack 100 is in use, and three or more tabletops may be provided to fit onto each of these pairs of horizontal frames. In any of the embodiments, the tabletops 10 are removably fastened to the legs 20, as described below.

[0018] Figure 3 is an oblique view showing one embodiment of the leg 20 constituting the rack 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2, where Figure 3(a) shows the state of the leg 20 when used as a table as shown in Figures 1(a) and 2(a), Figure 3(b) shows the state of the leg 20 when used as a stand or planter stand as shown in Figures 1(b) and 2(b), and Figure 3(c) shows the state in which the leg 20 is folded.

[0019] The leg 20 of the rack 100 according to the present invention has a plurality of leg supports 21 and a plurality of horizontal frames 22 that are connected at the same height to two opposing leg supports 21 when the rack 100 is in use. In other words, one leg set is made up of a pair of (two) leg supports and horizontal frames that are connected at the same height to a pair of two opposing leg supports when the rack 100 is in use.

[0020] In the embodiment shown in this figure, four leg supports 21 are provided, and a plurality of horizontal frames 22 (four in this example) are provided that are connected at the same height to two leg supports 21 (leg supports 21a and 21b, and leg supports 21c and 21d) that face each other when the rack 100 is in use. In other words, this leg section 20 is made up of two leg sets.

[0021] Specifically, horizontal frames 22a and 22b are connected to the first pair of leg supports, leg supports 21a and 21b, at positions where they are at the same height when rack 100 is in use, and horizontal frames 22c and 22d are connected to the second pair of leg supports, leg supports 21c and 21d, at positions where they are at the same height when rack 100 is in use.

[0022] 1 and 2, upper horizontal frames 22a and 22c are connected to one end of leg supports 21a and 21b and leg supports 21c and 21d so that when rack 100 is used as a table, the upper ends of the leg supports do not protrude from the top surface of tabletop 10 and get in the way when used as a table. In a preferred embodiment, the top surface of tabletop 10 fitted into horizontal frame 22 is designed to be at approximately the same height as the upper end surfaces of leg supports 21.

[0023] In other words, in one aspect, each leg set has multiple horizontal frames, which are connected at different height positions that are asymmetrical when viewed in the vertical direction of the leg support when the rack is in use, and one of the multiple horizontal frames is connected to one end of the leg support, so that when the top plate is fitted to the horizontal frame connected to one end of the leg support, the upper end of the leg support is at approximately the same height as the surface of the top plate.

[0024] With this design, the upper ends of the leg supports 21 do not protrude from the top surface of the tabletop 10 when the tabletop 10 is used as a table. For example, if the thickness of the tabletop 10 is 2 cm, one of the pair of horizontal frames 22 is connected so that the top surface of the horizontal frame main body is located approximately 2 cm below the top surface of the leg support 21. As will be described later, a protrusion can be provided on the other end of the pair of horizontal frames so that the tabletop 10 can also be engaged with this protrusion. In this case, the tabletop 10 is connected so that the top surface of the protrusion is located approximately 2 cm below the top surface of the leg support 21. The tabletop 10 may be designed so that the top surface of the tabletop 10, when fitted to the horizontal frame 22, is higher than the top surface of the leg support 21. Even with this design, the upper ends of the leg supports 21 do not protrude from the top surface of the tabletop 10 when the tabletop 10 is used as a table.

[0025] Such horizontal frame 22 may be fixedly connected to leg support 21 by welding or the like, or leg support 21 may be provided with a plurality of engagement portions (e.g., screw holes) for connecting horizontal frame 22 so that the height position of tabletop 10 can be adjusted when rack 100 is in use. The shape of leg support 21 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a square pillar or a cylinder. The shape of horizontal frame 22 is likewise not particularly limited and may be, for example, a square pillar or a cylinder. When leg support 21 and horizontal frame 22 are connected by welding, it is preferable that leg support 21 and horizontal frame 22 be square pillars from the viewpoints of ease of welding and durability of the welded joints.

[0026] As described above, the rack 100 of the present invention may be provided with only one top plate 10, or may be provided with two or more top plates. When only one top plate 10 is provided, the horizontal frames 22b and 22d shown in the figure are not necessarily required, but it is preferable to provide these horizontal frames from the perspective of stable use of the rack 100. Furthermore, as described above, when two or more top plates 10 are provided, the number of horizontal frame pairs required to lock these top plates will be provided in accordance with the number of top plates.

[0027] When two or more tabletops 10 are provided, the tabletops 10 may be the same size or different sizes. If the tabletops 10 are designed to be the same size, they can be compatible with any pair of horizontal frames, making it easy to attach each tabletop 10. On the other hand, if the tabletops 10 are designed to be different sizes, it is sufficient to provide a pair of horizontal frames of a size that corresponds to each tabletop 10.

[0028] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the connection of two horizontal frames to make the legs 20 foldable and to removably fit the tabletop 10, with Fig. 4(a) showing the state of the two frames (a pair of horizontal frames) before connection, and Fig. 4(b) showing the state of the two frames after connection. In the embodiment shown in this figure, protrusions 23 are provided on the ends of horizontal frames 22a and 22c to allow the tabletop 10 to fit into either of the two horizontal frames.

[0029] This protrusion 23 is intended to fit into the end of a recess provided in the tabletop 10. Such a protrusion 23 is not essential, but is preferably provided from the viewpoint of ensuring a secure fit between the tabletop 10 and the horizontal frame 22. If such a protrusion 23 were not provided, the recess in the tabletop 10 would fit into only the main body of one of the pair of horizontal frames. It goes without saying that this aspect of the horizontal frame is similar for other pairs of horizontal frames. In other words, in one aspect, the horizontal frame 22 fits into the recess in the tabletop 10 with the above-mentioned protrusion or a main body other than the protrusion. The recess provided in the tabletop 10 will be described later.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4(b), the two horizontal frames 22a and 22c are connected at their centers by a fastening member 24 such as a screw. This connection allows the two horizontal frames to rotate (pivot) relative to each other around the fastening member 24 as a central axis. Therefore, when the rack 100 is not in use, the legs 20 can be folded, making it easy to store the rack 100. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the protrusions 23 are provided on both ends of the horizontal frames, but they may also be provided on only one end. However, in order to stably engage the tabletop 10 with the horizontal frame 22, it is preferable to provide protrusions on both ends of the horizontal frame.

[0031] In the embodiment illustrated in these figures, there are a pair of leg sets (two sets), and a protrusion is provided at the end of the horizontal frame of one of the leg sets, and this protrusion is arranged so that when the rack is in use, the upper end surface of the protrusion and the upper surface of the horizontal frame of the other leg set are at the same height in the vertical direction, and when the legs are pivoted and folded, the protrusion and the horizontal frame of the other leg set overlap.

[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates the top plate 10 constituting the rack 100. FIG. 5(a) is a top view of the top plate 10, and FIG. 5(b) is a bottom view of the top plate 10. Here, the surface without the recesses for fitting into the horizontal frame 22 is referred to as the top surface, and the surface with the recesses is referred to as the bottom surface. As shown in FIG. 5(b), one side (the bottom surface) of the top plate 10 is provided with recesses 15a and 15b extending in the diameter direction of the top plate 10. When the rack 100 is in use, these recesses 15a and 15b fit into the main body and protrusions on at least one end of the horizontal frame 22, thereby locking the top plate 10 to the legs 20. This engagement is achieved by simply fitting the recesses 15 into the main body or protrusions of the horizontal frame, eliminating the need for locking members such as screws. This significantly simplifies the engagement and disengagement of the top plate 10 and horizontal frame 22, and facilitates the removal of the top plate 10 from the horizontal frame 22 for storage, etc.

[0033] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the shape of the tabletop 10 is circular, but is not limited to this shape. The shape of the tabletop 10 may be, for example, an ellipse, or a polygon such as a rectangle. If the shape of the tabletop 10 is polygonal, it is preferable to chamfer each of the corners.

[0034] Fig. 6 is a side view of the rack according to the present invention when used as a table, with Fig. 6(a) and Fig. 6(b) showing the state when viewed from angles different by 90 degrees. Also, Fig. 7 is a top view (Fig. 7(a)) and a bottom view (Fig. 7(b)) of the rack according to the present invention when used as a table.

[0035] When viewed from the angle shown in FIG. 6(a), the recess in the tabletop 10a fits into the main body of the horizontal frame 22a and is locked to the legs. When viewed from the angle shown in FIG. 6(b), the recess in the tabletop 10a fits into the protrusion provided at the end of the horizontal frame 22c and is locked to the legs. In other words, the recess in the tabletop 10a fits into the protrusion of the horizontal frame or the main body other than the protrusion, thereby locking the tabletop 10a to the legs 20. This locking prevents the tabletop 10a from rotating relative to the leg set. The same applies to the tabletop 10b provided below the tabletop 10a, so repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0036] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which the leg supports 21 are provided with a plurality of engagement portions 25 for connecting the horizontal frame 22 so that the height position of the tabletop 10 when the rack 100 is in use can be adjusted. In the example shown in this figure, the engagement portions 25 provided on the leg supports 21 are holes 25 for connecting the horizontal frame 22 using fastening members such as screws. However, this embodiment of height adjustment is not limited to this. For example, the horizontal frame may be connected using hook-shaped fastening portions. With this embodiment, when the rack 100 is used as a table and then turned upside down to be used as a stand or planter stand, the height of the tabletop 10, which was on the upper side, can be adjusted, improving convenience.

[0037] Thus, the rack of the present invention is a foldable, collapsible rack having legs and a top plate, wherein the legs have a plurality of leg sets each having a horizontal frame connected to a pair of two opposing leg supports, the horizontal frames of each of the plurality of leg sets are connected to each other so that they can pivot freely, the top plate has a recess on one side, and when the rack is in use, the recess is engaged with the horizontal frame of the leg to engage the top plate with the leg, thereby engaging the top plate with the leg set so that it cannot rotate, and the top plate can be removed from the leg by disengaging it from the horizontal frame, and the leg having the plurality of leg sets can be folded by the pivoting.

[0038] In one aspect, each of the leg sets has a plurality of horizontal frames, which are connected at different height positions that are asymmetrical when viewed in the vertical direction of the leg support when the rack is in use, and one of the plurality of horizontal frames is connected to one end of the leg support, so that when the top plate is fitted to the horizontal frame connected to one end of the leg support, the upper end of the leg support is at approximately the same height as the surface of the top plate.

[0039] In one embodiment, the leg sets are a pair, and a protrusion is provided at the end of the horizontal frame of one of the leg sets, and the protrusion is configured so that when the rack is in use, the upper end surface of the protrusion and the upper surface of the horizontal frame of the other leg set are at the same height in the vertical direction, and when the legs are pivoted and folded, the protrusion and the horizontal frame of the other leg set overlap.

[0040] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the table includes at least two tabletops that fit into the horizontal frames that are connected at different height positions.

[0041] The present invention can be implemented in various ways. For example, the leg supports may be provided with a plurality of engagement portions for connecting the horizontal frames so that the height position of the top plate when the rack is in use can be adjusted.

[0042] As an example, the engagement portion provided on the leg support is a hole portion for connecting the horizontal frame using a fastening member.

[0043] Such a rack can be used upside down.

[0044] The top plate may be, for example, circular or elliptical, or may be, for example, polygonal, with each corner chamfered.

[0045] As described above, according to the present invention, the top plate can be easily detached from the legs, facilitating storage and other operations. The present invention provides an assembly rack that can be folded compactly and easily assembled.

[0046] Furthermore, the rack of the present invention can be configured so that it can be used upside down, so that a single rack can be used as a table, shelf, stand, planter stand, etc., thereby increasing the number of uses for the rack. [Industrial Applicability]

[0047] According to the present invention, a rack is provided in which the top plate can be easily detached from the legs, and an assembly rack is provided which can be folded compactly and easily assembled. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10. Top plate 15 recess 20 Legs 21 Leg post 22 Horizontal frame 23 Protrusion 24 Fastening members 25 Hole 100 racks

Claims

1. A foldable, collapsible rack with legs and a top plate, The leg section includes a plurality of leg sets each having a horizontal frame connected to a pair of two leg supports facing each other, The horizontal frames of the plurality of leg sets are pivotally connected to each other, The top plate has a recess on one side, and when the rack is in use, the recess is fitted into the horizontal frame of the leg to lock the top plate to the leg set, thereby locking the top plate to the leg set so that it cannot rotate, and the top plate can be removed from the leg by disengaging from the horizontal frame, A rack, characterized in that the legs having the plurality of leg sets are foldable by the pivoting.

2. The rack of claim 1, wherein each of the leg sets has a plurality of horizontal frames, which are connected at different height positions that are asymmetrical when viewed in the vertical direction of the leg support when the rack is in use, one of the plurality of horizontal frames is connected to one end of the leg support, and when the top plate is fitted to the horizontal frame connected to one end of the leg support, the upper end of the leg support is at approximately the same height as the surface of the top plate.

3. A rack as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the leg sets are a pair, and a protrusion is provided at the end of the horizontal frame of one of the leg sets, and the protrusion is configured so that when the rack is in use, the upper end surface of the protrusion and the upper surface of the horizontal frame of the other leg set are at the same height in the vertical direction, and when the legs are pivoted and folded, the protrusion and the horizontal frame of the other leg set overlap.

4. The rack according to claim 2 , further comprising at least two top plates that fit onto the horizontal frames connected at different height positions.

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