furniture

Abstract

To provide a store fixture capable of solving problems in which a height of a store fixture body in a use posture is unintendedly changed sometimes, and facilitating operation for changing the posture of a leg body.SOLUTION: A store fixture which is a desk D can be changed in a posture, between a use posture and a reversed posture (R) flipped vertically from the use posture. The store fixture comprises: a top plate which is a store fixture body; leg bodies 2 whose postures can be changed for supporting the top plate and changing a height position of the top plate; a posture change restriction mechanism 4X which positions postures of the leg bodies 2 in normal time, and allows change of the postures of the leg bodies only when an operation part receives a positioning release operation; and an incorrect operation prevention mechanism 46 having a lock member 461 for inhibiting the posture change of the leg bodies 2 regardless of a state of the posture change restriction mechanism 4X. The lock member 461 is actuated using an operation for changing the posture of the store fixture from the reversed posture (R) to the use posture, and actuation of the lock member is released using an operation for changing the posture of the store fixture from the use posture to the reversed posture (R).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to furniture such as desks and chairs suitable for use in schools and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various configurations have been considered for furniture such as desks and chairs used in schools, etc., which include a furniture body and legs that support the furniture body and can change their posture to change the height position of the furniture body (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Here, it is desirable that the operation for changing the position of the legs be simple. However, there is a problem that when the operating part for performing the operation to change the position of the legs in the use position is touched, the position of the legs, i.e., the height position of the fixture body, may be unintentionally changed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-242912 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made with the above in mind, and aims to simplify the operation for changing the position of the legs while solving the problem of the height position of the fixture body being unintentionally changed when in the usage position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The fixture of the invention described in claim 1 is a fixture that can assume a usage position and an inverted position that is inverted upside down from the usage position, and is comprised of a fixture body, legs that support the fixture body and can be changed in position to change the height position of the fixture body, a position change limiting mechanism that normally positions the position of the legs and allows the position of the legs to be changed only when the operating unit receives a position release operation, and an erroneous operation prevention mechanism that has a locking member for prohibiting the position of the legs from being changed regardless of the state of the position change limiting mechanism, and the locking member is activated by using the action of changing from the inverted position to the usage position, and is deactivated by using the action of changing in the opposite direction.

[0007] The fixture according to the invention described in claim 2 is the fixture described in claim 1, in which the locking member is configured to activate and deactivate by its own weight.

[0008] The fixture of the invention described in claim 3 is the fixture described in claim 1, in which the locking member protrudes from the leg body in the inverted position, becoming deactivated, and retracts into the leg body in the use position, becoming activated.

[0009] The fixture of the invention described in claim 4 is one in which the leg column constituting the leg body comprises an outer tube, an inner tube that is fitted into the outer tube so as to be able to move relative to the outer tube, and a positioning member that is arranged within the inner tube and has a protrusion that engages with an insertion hole provided in one of the outer tube and an fixing hole provided in the other to perform positioning in a moderate manner, and that constitutes the posture change restriction mechanism, and the locking member takes a locked position that prohibits the positioning member from protruding and retracting in the use posture, and takes an unlocked position that allows the positioning member to protrude and retract in the inverted posture as described in claim 1.

[0010] The fixture of the invention described in claim 5 is the same as that described in claim 4, further comprising a fixing member that restricts or releases the movement of the positioning member to maintain or release the positioning state, and by pressing an operating portion provided on this fixing member, the engagement state between the insertion hole and fixing hole and the protrusion can be temporarily released. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to solve the problem of the height position of the fixture body being unintentionally changed when in the usage position, while simplifying the operation for changing the position of the legs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a desk, which is a piece of furniture according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 3] An enlarged view of the area around B in Figure 1. [Figure 4] An enlarged view of the area C in Figure 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a pedestal and a fixing member according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 5A to 5C are explanatory views of the operation of the pedestal and the fixing member according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 5A to 5C are explanatory views of the operation of the pedestal and the fixing member according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the landing gear according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the landing gear according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the landing gear according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the landing gear according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the landing gear according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the landing gear according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] A cross-sectional plan view showing the main parts of the legs of a fixture according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] A front cross-sectional view showing the main parts of the legs of the fixture according to the same embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the base and fixing member of the fixture according to the embodiment. [Figure 19] A cross-sectional plan view showing the main parts of the legs of a fixture according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] A front cross-sectional view showing the main parts of the legs of the fixture according to the same embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the base and fixing member of the fixture according to the embodiment. [Figure 22] A front cross-sectional view showing the main parts of the legs of the fixture according to the same embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0014] Desk D, which is a piece of furniture including the fixing member 44 of this embodiment, has a tabletop 1 which is the furniture body, and legs 2 which support the tabletop 1, and has a bilaterally symmetrical shape, as shown in Figures 1 to 4.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the leg body 2 has a leg base 3, a pair of left and right leg pillars 4 standing up from the leg base 3, and a tabletop support 5 provided above the leg pillars 4 to support the tabletop 1 from below.

[0016] The leg base 3 is made of components such as metal pipes, and as shown in Figures 1 to 4, it integrally comprises a rear frame 31 extending to the left and right and side frames 32 extending forward from both ends of the rear frame 31.

[0017] 1, 3, and 4, the pedestal 4 stands upright from the middle of the side frame 32 of the leg base 3, and its upper end is connected to the tabletop support 5. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the pedestal 4 is equipped with an outer tube 41, an inner tube 42 fitted into the outer tube 41 so as to be relatively movable, a positioning member 43 disposed within the inner tube 42 and gently positioning the outer tube 41 and the inner tube 42, a fixing member 44 of the present invention that limits or releases the movement of the positioning member 43 to maintain or release the positioned state, and a spacer 47 disposed between the outer tube 41 and the inner tube 42.

[0018] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the outer cylinder 41 has a lower end fixed to the side frame 32 of the leg base 3 and is formed using a metal pipe member having an oval cross section. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the outer cylinder 41 has a front wall 411, an inner wall 412, an outer wall 413, and a rear wall 414, and the front wall 411 and the rear wall 414 are semi-cylindrical. The inner wall 412 of the outer cylinder 41 is provided with two elongated rectangular fixing holes 41a extending in the depth direction and spaced apart in the vertical direction. A circular fixing member insertion hole 41b is provided between the fixing holes 41a, through which the fixing member 44 is inserted. As described above, the inner cylinder 42 is fitted into the outer cylinder 41 so as to be movable relative to the outer cylinder 41.

[0019] 5 to 7, the inner cylinder 42 has a front wall 421, an inner wall 422, an outer wall 423, and a rear wall 424, the front wall 421 and the rear wall 424 being semi-cylindrical. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the inner wall 422 of the inner cylinder 42 is provided with a plurality of insertion holes 42a to 42i, numbered first to ninth in this embodiment from bottom to top, at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction, and a slit 42s extending in the longitudinal direction and connecting these insertion holes 42a to 42i is provided, and the fixing member 44 is adapted to be inserted through the slit 42s. Here, the second to eighth insertion holes 42b to 42h are each provided so that rectangular positioning portions 42b1 to 42h1 engageable with a protrusion 436 (described later) of the positioning member 43 communicate with circular fixing portions 42b2 to 42h2 through which the fixing member 44 is inserted. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 11, a positioning member 43 is disposed inside the inner tube 42, and when any of the insertion holes 42b to 42h is positioned so as to match the fixing hole 41a of the outer tube 41, the positioning member 43 determines the relative position of the inner tube 42 with the outer tube 41 in a moderate manner. That is, in this embodiment, seven positions can be taken, from a state in which the first and third insertion holes 42a, 42c and the fixing hole 41a of the outer tube 41 are aligned to a state in which the seventh and ninth insertion holes 42g, 42i and the fixing hole 41a of the outer tube 41 are aligned, and the height position of the tabletop 1 can be adjusted in seven steps.

[0020] 5 to 11, the positioning member 43 has a protrusion 436 that is biased by a compression coil spring 433, which is an elastic member, and engages with the insertion holes 42a to 42i and the fixing hole 41a. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 11, the positioning member 43 includes a latch plate 431 that is U-shaped in plan view and has the protrusion 436, a back plate 432 that is U-shaped in plan view and opens toward the latch plate 431, and a compression coil spring 433 that is disposed between the latch plate 431 and the back plate 432. The latch plate 431 includes a face plate portion 434 that can be brought into contact with the inner wall 422 of the inner cylinder 42, and side plate portions 435 that extend laterally from both the front and rear ends of the face plate portion 434. Furthermore, rectangular protrusions 436 protruding toward the outer tube 41 and inner tube 42 are formed on the upper and lower ends of the face plate 434 by, for example, sheet metal processing. These protrusions 436 are adapted to engage with the fixing hole 41a of the outer tube and the positioning portions 42a1-42i1 of the insertion holes 42a-42i of the inner tube 42. A retainer 439 for holding the free end of the compression coil spring 43 is provided on the surface of the face plate 434 opposite the surface on which the protrusions 436 are provided. The side plate 435 is provided only at the center in the height direction. The back plate 432 includes a face plate 437 that abuts against the outer wall 423 of the inner tube 42 and side plate portions 438 that extend laterally from the front and rear ends of the face plate 437. A retainer 430 for holding the fixed end of the compression coil spring 43 is provided on the surface of the face plate 437 facing the latch plate 431. Guide plates 438a extend from the front and rear ends of the side plate portion 438 so as to be spaced apart from each other, and a guide recess 43a is provided in the center of the height direction of this guide plate 438a to engage with the side plate portion 435 of the latch plate 431 movably in the left-right direction and to guide the direction of relative movement with the latch plate 431. In addition, this positioning member 43 has a temporary release function that can forcibly and temporarily release the engaged state.Specifically, when an operating force acting in a direction from the fixed member 44 toward the back plate 432 is transmitted to the latch plate 431, the latch plate 431 moves toward the back plate 432 against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 43, causing the protrusions 436 to come out of the insertion holes 42a to 42i and the fixed hole 41a, thereby permitting relative movement between the outer tube 41 and the inner tube 42. The fixed member 44 is formed by utilizing a female screw 442 formed between both protrusions 436 on the latch plate 431 of this positioning member 43.

[0021] 4 to 11, the fixing member 44 of this embodiment fixes the members, i.e., the outer tube 41 and the inner tube 42, by utilizing a fastening force between the female screw 442 and the head of the male screw member 441. The fixing member 44 includes the female screw 442 provided on the latch plate 431 and the male screw member 441 that threads into the female screw 442 and passes through the fixing member insertion hole 41b of the outer tube 41. The female screw 442 of the fixing member 44 is provided at the center of a truncated cone-shaped protrusion 440. The shape of the protrusion on which the female screw 442 of the fixing member 44 is provided may be set arbitrarily as long as it can be engaged with the fixing member insertion hole 41b of the outer tube 41. The head of the male screw member 441 serves as a knob 443 that receives an operating force for threading the male screw member 441 into the female screw 442 or for releasing the threaded state. Furthermore, the fixing member 44, more specifically the knob 443 of the fixing member 44, receives a pressing force for forcibly and temporarily releasing the engagement between the protrusion 436 and the insertion holes 42a to 42i and the fixing hole 41a.

[0022] Here, in this embodiment, the positioning member 43 and the fixing member 44 work together to function as a posture change restriction mechanism 4X that normally positions the posture of the leg 2 and allows the posture of the leg 2 to be changed only when the knob 443 of the fixing member 44, which serves as the operating part, is subjected to a positioning release operation.

[0023] Furthermore, this embodiment further includes an erroneous operation prevention mechanism 46 having a locking member 461 for prohibiting a change in the position of the leg 2 regardless of the state of the position change restriction mechanism 4X, i.e., the positioning member 43 and the fixing member 44. This erroneous operation prevention mechanism 46 is activated by utilizing the action of changing the locking member 461 from the inverted position (R) to the use position (N), and is deactivated by utilizing the action of changing it in the opposite direction.

[0024] Specifically, the locking member 461 includes a rotating shaft 462 journaled on bearings 43x provided on a back plate 432 of the positioning member 43, and a plate-shaped locking member main body 463 extending in one direction from the rotating shaft 462. The locking member main body 463 includes side plates 464 extending from both side edges in the thickness direction of the locking member main body 463. When the desk D is in the use position (N), the locking member 461 takes a lock position (L) in which the locking member main body 463 extends from the rotating shaft 461 toward the latch plate 431 and is substantially horizontal, and the rotation end of the locking member main body 463 reaches the vicinity of the latch plate 431. At this time, the side plates 464 face the back plate 432, restricting the rotation of the locking member main body 463. In this state, even if the knob 443 of the fixing member 44 receives a pressing force, the latch plate 431 and the locking member 461 interfere with each other, prohibiting the latch plate 431 from moving toward the back plate 432, and therefore the engagement between the protrusion 436 and the insertion holes 42a-42i and the fixing hole 41a is not released. On the other hand, when the desk D is in the inverted position (R), the locking member main body 463 is in an unlocked position (U) hanging down approximately vertically from the pivot shaft 461. When the knob 443 of the fixing member 44 receives a pressing force in this state, the latch plate 431 and the locking member 461 do not interfere with each other, allowing the latch plate 431 to move toward the back plate 432, and therefore the engagement between the protrusion 436 and the insertion holes 42a-42i and the fixing hole 41a is released. Furthermore, when the desk D is moved between the use position (N) and the inverted position (R), the locking member body 463 of the locking member 461 rotates around the pivot axis 462 due to its own weight, and moves between the locked position (L) and the unlocked position (U).

[0025] 5 to 15, the present embodiment includes a forget-to-tighten prevention device 45, part or all of which is visible from the outside when the male screw member 441 is not completely fastened to the female screw 442. In the present embodiment, the forget-to-tighten prevention device 45 is provided near the fixing member insertion hole 41b of the outer tube 41, i.e., near the female screw 442. More specifically, the fixing member insertion hole 41b is provided in the center of a boss 415 protruding from the inner wall 412, and the boss 415 functions as the forget-to-tighten prevention device 45. In addition, the knob 443 of the fixing member 44 has a gap 44s into which the forget-to-tighten prevention device 45 fits when the male screw member 441 is threaded onto the female screw 442. The outer peripheral surface 415a of the boss 415 is colored a different color from the knob 443 of the fixing member 44. In Figs. 7 to 9, a pattern is applied to the outer peripheral surface 415a of the boss 415 to make it easier to see that the outer peripheral surface 415a is colored.

[0026] A top plate support 5 is connected to the upper end of the leg pillar 4.

[0027] The tabletop support 5 is attached to the underside of the tabletop 1 and supports the tabletop 1 from below. More specifically, the tabletop support 5 is made of a metal pipe member and integrally comprises a rear tabletop support portion 51 that extends left and right and supports the vicinity of the opposite end of the tabletop 1 from below, and side tabletop support portions 52 that extend forward from both left and right ends of the rear tabletop support portion 51 and support both side ends of the tabletop 1 from below. The middle portions of the side tabletop support portions 52 are connected to the upper ends of the pedestals 4.

[0028] Next, the operation of each part when the leg column 4 is extended or retracted to change the height position of the tabletop 1 of this desk D will be described.

[0029] In the state shown in FIG. 6, the first and third insertion holes 42a, 42c are aligned with the fixing hole 41a of the outer tube 41, the protrusion 436 is engaged with these insertion holes 42a, 42c and the fixing hole 41a, and the male thread member 441 of the fixing member 44 is fastened to the female thread 442, preventing relative movement between the outer tube 41 and the inner tube 42. When the desk D is in the inverted position (R), the locking member 461 moves from the locked position (L) to the unlocked position (U) due to its own weight, as shown in FIG. 10, and the operation of the misoperation prevention mechanism 46 is released. From this state, the knob 443 of the fixing member 44 is rotated to release the fastened state and move the knob 443 away from the outer tube 41, as shown in FIG. 11. Next, the knob 443 is pressed toward the outer tube 41 against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 433, as shown in FIG. 12. At this time, the latch plate 431, which has the protrusion 436 of the positioning member 43, is pushed toward the back plate 432, and the protrusion 436 is removed from the insertion holes 42a, 42c and the fixing hole 41a. At this time, the latch plate 431 does not interfere with the locking member 461. The inner tube 42 is then moved relative to the outer tube 41, thereby raising or lowering the tabletop 1 to a desired height. Figure 13 shows the tabletop 1 being moved. When the tabletop 1 reaches the next height, as shown in Figure 14, the second and fourth insertion holes 42a, 42c align with the fixing hole 41a of the outer tube 41. The biasing force of the compression coil spring 433 causes the protrusion 436 to pass through and engage with the insertion holes 42b, 42d and the fixing hole 41a, thereby positioning the outer tube 41 and the inner tube 42 relative to each other. By repeating this process, the tabletop 1 can be set to a desired height. Then, when the height position of the tabletop 1 reaches the desired height position, the male screw 441 of the fixing member 44 is tightened into the female screw 442 so that the knob 443 is in close contact with the outer cylinder 41, again prohibiting relative movement between the inner cylinder 42 and the outer cylinder 41. Thereafter, the desk D is returned to the use position (N), and the locking member 461 is set to the lock position (L) as shown in Figure 6, thereby activating the erroneous operation prevention mechanism 46 again.

[0030] On the other hand, even if the knob 443 of the fixing member 44 is rotated away from the outer tube 41 as shown in Figure 15 while the desk D is in the use position (N) and the knob 443 is pressed toward the outer tube 41, the locking member 461 restricts the movement of the latch plate 431 toward the back plate 432, so the protrusion 436 cannot be removed from the insertion holes 42a, 42c and the fixing hole 41a, and therefore the leg column 4 cannot be extended or retracted.

[0031] In this embodiment, when the male screw member 441 of the fixing member 44 is fastened to the female screw 442, the male screw member 441 is partially threaded onto the female screw 442 from the state shown in Fig. 8 to the state shown in Fig. 9, and then the male screw member 441 is further tightened to the state shown in Fig. 3. Here, when the male screw member 441 is not completely fastened to the female screw 442, part or all of the outer peripheral surface of the fastening prevention device 45, i.e., the outer peripheral surface 415a of the boss 415, is visible from the outside. This, together with the fact that the outer peripheral surface 415a of the boss 415 is colored a different color from the knob 443, makes it easy for the user to recognize when the male screw member 441 is not completely fastened to the female screw 442.

[0032] Furthermore, when changing the relative positions of outer tube 41 and inner tube 42, male screw member 441 is loosened so as to change from the state shown in Fig. 10 to the state shown in Fig. 11, and after performing the operation described above, male screw member 441 is retightened to the state shown in Fig. 3. In this case as well, when male screw member 441 is not completely fastened to female screw 442, part or all of outer peripheral surface 415a of boss 415 is visible from the outside, so this can be easily recognized by the user.

[0033] Here, FIG. 1 is a front view showing desk D according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of part B in FIG. 1, i.e., the vicinity of fixing member 44. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of part C in FIG. 2, i.e., the vicinity of fixing member 44. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of leg column 4 of desk D. FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which male screw member 441 (and knob 443) of fixing member 44 has been completely removed, and FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which male screw member 441 (and knob 443) of fixing member 44 has only partly been screwed into female screw 442. FIGS. 10 to 15 are explanatory views showing the operation of positioning member 43, fixing member 44, and erroneous operation prevention mechanism 46 according to this embodiment. In particular, Fig. 10 shows the state in which the desk D has been rotated 180 degrees around the horizontal axis from the state shown in Fig. 6 to the inverted position (R), Fig. 11 shows the state in which the knob 443 of the fixing member 44 has been loosened, Fig. 12 shows the state in which the fixing member 44 and the latch plate 431 are pressed, Fig. 13 shows the state in which the inner tube 42 has been moved relative to the outer tube 41 from the state shown in Fig. 12, and Fig. 14 shows the state in which the inner tube 42 has been further moved relative to the outer tube 41 from the state shown in Fig. 13 to engage the protrusion 436 with the insertion holes 42b, 42d, and the fixing hole 41a. Fig. 15 shows the state in which the knob 443 of the fixing member 44 has been loosened while the desk D is in the use position (N). Also, in Figs. 6 and 10 to 15, patterns are applied to the slits 42s of the inner tube 42 in the portions that do not overlap with the insertion holes 42a to 42i.

[0034] As described above, the configuration of this embodiment includes the position change restriction mechanism 4X, i.e., the erroneous operation prevention mechanism 46 equipped with the locking member 461 for prohibiting a change in the position of the leg 2 regardless of the state of the positioning member 43 and the fixing member 44. The locking member 461 is activated by changing the position from the inverted position (R) to the use position (N), and deactivated by changing the position in the opposite direction. Therefore, without any special operation by the user, when the desk D is in the use position (N), changing the position of the leg 2 is prohibited to prevent an unintentional change in the height position of the tabletop 1, and by setting the desk D to the inverted position (R), the position of the leg 2 can be changed, i.e., the height position of the tabletop 1 can be changed, by loosening and pressing the knob 443 of the fixing member 44, without any further operation by the user.

[0035] Furthermore, since the locking member 461 is designed to be activated and deactivated by its own weight, the structure can be simplified and the number of parts can be reduced compared to those that use biasing means such as a spring.

[0036] Furthermore, the locking member 461 takes a locked position (L) that prohibits the positioning member 43 from extending and retracting in the use position (N), and takes an unlocked position (U) that allows the positioning member 43 to extend and retract in the inverted position (R). This allows for smaller components and a simpler structure compared to a system that directly restricts the relative movement between the outer tube 41 and inner tube 42 of the leg 4.

[0037] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0038] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a desk, but the present invention may also be applied to chairs and other furniture in general other than desks.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, one locking member is provided for each leg pillar to constitute the misoperation prevention mechanism, but as will be described below with reference to Figures 16 to 18, it is also possible to form the misoperation prevention mechanism by providing two locking members for each leg pillar. In the following description, parts corresponding to those in the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0040] What is shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 is a leg post A4 that can be used in place of the leg post 4 of the desk D according to the embodiment described above, and differs from that of the embodiment described above in the following respects.

[0041] Like the aforementioned leg pillars, this leg pillar A4 comprises an outer tube 41, an inner tube 42 that is fitted into the outer tube 41 so as to be able to move relative to it, a positioning member 43 that is arranged inside the inner tube 42 and gently positions the outer tube 41 and the inner tube 42, and a fixing member 44 that restricts or releases the movement of the positioning member 43 to maintain or release the positioned state, but the outer tube 41 and the inner tube 42 are formed using metal pipe members that are approximately rectangular in cross section.

[0042] In addition, a guide protrusion 43a is provided at the height center of the side plate portion 435 of the latch plate 431 of the positioning member 43 to guide the direction of relative movement with the back plate 432, and a guide recess 43b is provided at the height center of the side plate portion 438 of the back plate 432 to engage with the guide protrusion 43a of the latch plate 431 movably in the left-right direction and to guide the direction of relative movement with the latch plate 431.

[0043] Additionally, the leg pillar A4 of this embodiment is further equipped with an anti-misoperation mechanism 46 having two locking members 461 as shown below. This locking member 461 includes a rotating shaft 462 journaled on a bearing 43x provided on the back plate 432 of the positioning member 43, a plate-shaped locking member main body 463 that assumes a locked position (L) in which its tip reaches the latch plate 431 inside the leg pillar A4 when the desk D assumes the use position (N), and a connecting portion 465 that connects the rotating shaft 462 and the locking member main body 463. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bearings 43x are provided at two locations on the back plate 432 of the positioning member 43, spaced apart in the height direction.

[0044] In this embodiment, when the desk D is inverted from the use position (N) to the inverted position (R), the locking member 461 also rotates around the rotation axis 462 under its own weight and moves to the unlocked position (U), although this is not shown in the figure.When the desk D is inverted from the inverted position (R) to the use position (N), the locking member 461 rotates around the rotation axis 462 under its own weight and moves to the locked position (L).

[0045] Here, Figures 16 and 17 are cross-sectional views showing the main part of the leg body A4 in this embodiment, with Figure 16 corresponding to Figure 5 and Figure 17 corresponding to Figure 6. Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of this leg pillar A4.

[0046] In this embodiment, the locking member 461 is activated by changing it from the inverted position (R) to the use position (N), and is deactivated by changing it in the opposite direction, so that the same effects as in the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained.

[0047] Furthermore, a configuration may be adopted in which two locking members as described above are provided for each leg B4 as shown in Figures 19 to 21 to form an anti-misoperation mechanism. In the following description, parts corresponding to those in the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0048] The pedestal B4 shown in FIGS. 19 to 21 differs from that of the above-described embodiment in the following respects.

[0049] Like the aforementioned leg pillars, this leg pillar B4 also comprises an outer tube 41, an inner tube 42 that is fitted into the outer tube 41 so that it can move relative to the outer tube 41, a positioning member 43 that is arranged inside the inner tube 42 and gently positions the outer tube 41 and the inner tube 42, and a fixing member 44 that restricts or releases the movement of the positioning member 43 to maintain or release the positioned state, but the outer tube 41 and the inner tube 42 are formed using metal pipe members that are approximately rectangular in cross section.

[0050] Furthermore, the side plate portion 435 of the latch plate 431 of the positioning member 43 is provided only at the center in the height direction of the positioning member 43, and a guide recess 43b is provided at the center in the height direction of the side plate portion 438 of the back plate 432 to engage with this side plate portion 435 and guide the direction of relative movement with the back plate 432. More specifically, a pair of guide plates 438a protruding in the front-rear direction are provided on both the upper and lower ends of the side plate portion 438, and the guide recess 43b is formed between these guide plates 438a. Furthermore, recesses 438a are provided at the center in the height direction of the front and rear side plates 438 so that the front and rear side plates 438 are close to each other.

[0051] Additionally, the pedestal B4 of this embodiment is further equipped with an erroneous operation prevention mechanism 46 having two locking members 461 as shown below. This locking member 461 has the same configuration as the one provided in the pedestal 4 described above. That is, this locking member 461 has a rotating shaft 462 journaled on a bearing 43x provided on the back plate 432 of the positioning member 43, and a plate-shaped locking member main body 463 extending in one direction from the rotating shaft 462. The locking member main body 463 has side plates 464 extending from both side edges in the thickness direction of the locking member main body 463. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bearings 43x are provided in two locations on the back plate 432 of the positioning member 43, spaced apart in the height direction.

[0052] In this embodiment, when the desk D is inverted from the use position (N) to the inverted position (R), the locking member 461 also rotates around the rotation axis 462 under its own weight and moves to the unlocked position (U), although this is not shown in the figure.When the desk D is inverted from the inverted position (R) to the use position (N), the locking member 461 rotates around the rotation axis 462 under its own weight and moves to the locked position (L).

[0053] Here, Figures 19 and 20 are cross-sectional views showing the main part of the leg body B4 in this embodiment, with Figure 19 corresponding to Figure 5 and Figure 20 corresponding to Figure 6. Figure 21 is an exploded perspective view of this leg pillar B4.

[0054] In this embodiment, the locking member 461 is activated by changing it from the inverted position (R) to the use position (N), and is deactivated by changing it in the opposite direction, so that the same effects as in the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained.

[0055] Any number of locking members that activate and deactivate by their own weight may be provided for each leg (each malfunction prevention mechanism). That is, a leg may be provided with only one such locking member, or two, three, or more locking members. Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide the same number of locking members for each leg.

[0056] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the locking member is configured to activate and deactivate by its own weight. However, for example, the locking member may be configured so that it protrudes from the leg body in the inverted position to be in a deactivated state and retracts into the leg body in the use position to be in an activated state. As a specific example of such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 22 , there is an erroneous operation prevention mechanism C46 that uses a locking member C461 including a ground contact detection element C463, a restricting element C462, and a connecting element C464 that connects the ground contact detection element C463 and the restricting element C462. The ground contact detection element C463 is a plate-like member that protrudes from the leg body 4 in the inverted position (R) and retracts into the leg body 4 in the use position (N). The restricting element C462 is connected to the ground contact detection element C463 via the connecting element C464 and is interposed between the latch plate 431 and the back plate 432 of the positioning member 43 in the use position (N) to restrict the operation of the operating unit 44 for changing the position of the leg body 4. Here, the ground detection element C463 is biased by a biasing means C465 in a direction in which it protrudes from the leg 4. The biasing means C465 is a coil spring whose fixed end is connected to a retainer C419 provided in the outer cylinder 41 of the leg 4 and whose free end is connected to the ground detection element C463, and which biases the ground detection element C463 in a direction in which it protrudes from the leg 4. In the use position (N), the restricting element C462 is pressed toward the retainer C419 against the biasing force of the biasing means C465 and is in close contact with the installation floor surface F. Note that (a) of Figure 22 is a front cross-sectional view of the main part of the leg 4 in the inverted position (R), and (b) of the same figure is a front cross-sectional view of the main part of the leg 4 in the use position (N).

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, the posture of the legs can be changed in a moderate manner, but the present invention may of course be applied to fixtures in which the posture of the legs can be changed continuously, and even if the posture of the legs can be changed in a moderate manner, any configuration of positioning members for positioning each component that makes up the legs may be adopted.

[0058] In addition, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] D…Furnishings (desk) 1...Fixture body (top) 2…Leg body 4...Pole 41...Outer cylinder 42…Inner cylinder 43... Positioning member 44...Fixing member 4X... Posture change limiting mechanism 46…Misoperation prevention mechanism 461...locking member (N)…Using posture (R)...Inverted posture (L)...Lock position (U)...Unlock position

Claims

1. A fixture that can be placed in a use position and an inverted position that is inverted upside down from the use position, The fixture itself, A leg body that supports the fixture body and can change its posture to change the height position of the fixture body; a position change limiting mechanism that normally positions the position of the leg body and allows the position of the leg body to be changed only when the operating unit receives a positioning release operation; an erroneous operation prevention mechanism including a locking member for prohibiting a change in the position of the leg body regardless of the state of the position change restriction mechanism; and The fixture is activated by utilizing the action of changing the locking member from the inverted position to the use position, and is deactivated by utilizing the action of changing it in the opposite direction.

2. 2. The fixture according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is adapted to be activated and deactivated by its own weight.

3. 2. The fixture according to claim 1, wherein the locking member projects from the leg body in the inverted position to be in a deactivated state, and retracts into the leg body in the use position to be in an activated state.

4. The leg pillars constituting the leg body include an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder fitted into the outer cylinder so as to be relatively movable, and a positioning member constituting the posture change limiting mechanism, the positioning member having a protrusion disposed within the inner cylinder and engaging with an insertion hole provided in one of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder and a fixing hole provided in the other to perform positioning in a moderate manner, 2. The fixture according to claim 1, wherein the locking member takes a locked position in the use position to prohibit the positioning member from being protruded and retracted, and takes an unlocked position in the inverted position to permit the positioning member to be protruded and retracted.

5. The fixture described in claim 4 further comprises a fixing member that limits or releases the movement of the positioning member to maintain or release the positioning state, and the engagement state between the insertion hole and fixing hole and the protrusion can be temporarily released by pressing an operating portion provided on this fixing member.

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