Folding desk

Abstract

To provide a folding desk which is configured to rotatably displace a top board from a use state downward for storing the top board, and can decelerate the top board in a final stage of downward rotation displacement for relaxing impact and collision sound.SOLUTION: A folding desk 1 comprises: a fitting plate 2 fitted to a wall surface W of a building; a top board 3 which can rotate between a use state in which the top board is substantially horizontal and becomes in a substantially vertical state to the fitting plate 2 and a storage state in which the top board becomes substantially parallel to the fitting plate 2 at a position lower than a position in the use state; and first and second dampers 4, 5 for decelerating the top board 3 in rotation of the top board 3. The top board 3 rotates from the use state to the storage state through a first rotation region R1 in which the top board 3 is in a halfway state being a halfway of rotation, and a second rotation region R2 from the halfway state to the storage state. The first damper 4 decelerates the top board 3 in at least the first rotation region R1 and the second damper 5 decelerates the top board 3 in the second rotation region R2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a folding desk in which a top plate can be displaced between a use state and a storage state.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a folding desk has been used that can be changed between a use state in which a top plate is held horizontally and a storage state in which the top plate is held upright. In such a folding desk, a deceleration member (damper) for decelerating the top plate may be provided when storing the top plate (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The configuration according to the above prior art decelerates the top plate when it descends from a state where it has been once rotationally displaced upward. Such a configuration has been difficult to apply to a folding desk configured to rotationally displace the top plate downward from the use state to the storage state.

[0005] On the other hand, in a folding desk configured to rotationally displace the top plate downward from the use state to the storage state, it is also possible to insert a damper between the top plate and the wall surface. However, as the top plate approaches the wall surface, the effectiveness of the damper weakens, and there are cases where the top plate cannot be decelerated at the end of the downward rotational displacement. In this case, the impact and collision sound are caused by the collision between the top plate and the wall surface.

[0006] The present invention provides a folding desk in which the tabletop is rotated downward from the usage state to the storage state, and in which the tabletop is decelerated at the end of the downward rotation to mitigate impact and collision noise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The folding desk according to the present invention comprises a mounting plate attached to the wall surface of a building, a tabletop attached to the mounting plate and rotatable between a usage state in which it is substantially horizontal and substantially perpendicular to the mounting plate, and a storage state in which it is positioned lower than the usage state and substantially parallel to the mounting plate, and a first deceleration member and a second deceleration member that decelerate the tabletop when it rotates, wherein the tabletop in the usage state rotates to the storage state via a first rotation region from the usage state to an intermediate state in the middle of rotation, and a second rotation region from the intermediate state to the storage state, the first deceleration member decelerates the tabletop in at least the first rotation region, and the second deceleration member decelerates the tabletop in the second rotation region. The first deceleration member further comprises a support that includes a plate-side support member interposed between the mounting plate and the top plate and attached to the mounting plate, a top plate-side support member attached to the top plate, and a connecting member connecting the plate-side support member and the top plate-side support member, wherein one of the plate-side support member and the top plate-side support member is configured as a fixing member to which one end of the connecting member is rotatably fixed, and the other of the plate-side support member and the top plate-side support member is configured as a sliding member to which the other end of the connecting member is slidably provided, the sliding member has a tip portion that faces the other end when the top plate is in a stored state, and the second deceleration member is interposed between the other end and the tip portion .

[0008] With this configuration, the top plate in the second rotation region can be decelerated by the second deceleration member, making it possible to decelerate the top plate in the final stages of its downward rotational displacement, thereby mitigating impact and collision noise. Furthermore, this configuration makes it possible to easily construct a folding desk. In addition, with this configuration, in the second rotation region, which is the final stage when the tabletop rotates downward, the tabletop can be decelerated by a second deceleration member.

[0009] Furthermore, it is preferable that the plate-side support member is configured as the fixing member, the top plate-side support member is configured as the sliding member, and the sliding member is provided with a locking mechanism that restricts the sliding of the other end.

[0010] With this configuration, the locking mechanism restricts the sliding of the other end, making it possible to maintain the top plate in the usable position. Furthermore, since the locking mechanism is located on the top plate side, the top plate can be easily moved from the usable position to the stored position.

[0011] Furthermore, it is preferable that the plate-side support member and the top plate-side support member are rotatably connected.

[0012] This configuration allows for stabilization of the rotational displacement behavior of the tabletop.

[0013] Furthermore, it is preferable that two of the support members be installed between the mounting plate and the top plate.

[0014] With this configuration, the locking mechanisms provided on each support cannot be released with one hand, thus preventing the top panel from unexpectedly shifting from the usage state to the storage state.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferable to further provide a decorative panel that covers at least a portion of the other side of one side of the mounting plate that is in contact with the wall surface and is provided above the top plate.

[0016] This configuration allows the mounting plate, which is exposed when the tabletop is in use, to be covered with a decorative panel, thereby improving the aesthetic appeal of the folding desk. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] From the above, the folding desk according to the present invention makes it possible to decelerate the tabletop in the final stages of its downward rotational displacement. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a folding desk with the tabletop in use. [Figure 2] This is a lower perspective view showing a folding desk with the tabletop in use. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing a folding desk with the tabletop in its folded-down position. [Figure 4] (a) and (b) are side cross-sectional views showing the first damper and support of a folding desk with the tabletop in use, respectively. [Figure 5](a) and (b) are respectively side sectional views showing the first damper and the support of the folding desk in the unlocked state. [Figure 6] (a) and (b) are respectively side sectional views showing the first damper and the support of the folding desk with the top plate in the process of rotation. [Figure 7] (a) and (b) are respectively side sectional views showing the first damper and the support of the folding desk with the top plate in an intermediate state. [Figure 8] (a) and (b) are respectively side sectional views showing the first damper and the support of the folding desk with the top plate in the stored state.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, a folding desk (hereinafter simply referred to as "desk") 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. The desk 1 according to this embodiment includes a mounting plate 2, a top plate 3, a first damper 4 which is a first deceleration member, a second damper 5 which is a second deceleration member, two supports 6·6, and a decorative panel 7. In this embodiment, the desk 1 is composed of appropriately combining metal members such as steel alloys or aluminum alloys, resin members, wood, etc.

[0020] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are respectively perspective views showing the desk 1 with the top plate 3 in the use state. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the desk 1 with the top plate 3 in the stored state. The desk 1 is fixed to the wall surface W of the building as shown in FIGS. 4 to 8. As described above, since the desk 1 can be set in a stored state with the top plate 3 hanging downward, the indoor space can be effectively utilized by installing it in a room with a relatively small indoor space such as a living room in a one-room apartment.

[0021] The mounting plate 2 is attached to the wall W. Specifically, the mounting plate 2 is attached to the wall W by inserting fasteners such as screws into the wall W through multiple mounting holes opened in the mounting plate 2. However, the method of attaching the mounting plate 2 to the wall W is not limited to the above, as long as the mounting plate 2 can be fixed to the wall W. If a base such as a steel frame is provided behind the wall W, it is preferable to fix the mounting plate 2 to the base in order to stably hold the desk 1.

[0022] The top plate 3 is attached to the outer surface of the mounting plate 2 (the surface not facing the wall W). The top plate 3 is configured to rotate between a usage state in which it is approximately horizontal and approximately perpendicular to the mounting plate 2 (see Figures 1 and 2) and a storage state in which it is approximately parallel to the mounting plate 2 and located lower than the usage state (see Figure 3).

[0023] The first damper 4 is a deceleration member that slows down the top plate 3 when it rotates from the operating state to the stored state, and is composed of a gas spring. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first damper 4 consists of a plate-side fixing part 41, a top plate-side fixing part 42, a first cylinder 43, and a first rod 44.

[0024] In the first damper 4, the plate-side fixing portion 41 is fixed to the center of the mounting plate 2. On the other hand, the top plate-side fixing portion 42 is fixed to the underside of the top plate 3. The first cylinder 43 and the first rod 44 are assembled to be extendable and retractable while receiving sliding resistance from each other. The base end of the first cylinder 43 is rotatably connected to the plate-side fixing portion 41. The tip of the first rod 44 is rotatably connected to the top plate-side fixing portion 42.

[0025] Thus, the first damper 4 is rotatably mounted between the mounting plate 2 and the tabletop 3. When the tabletop 3 rotates relative to the mounting plate 2, the first rod 44 is pushed into the first cylinder 43, thereby decelerating the tabletop 3. In this way, by interposing the first damper 4 between the mounting plate 2 and the tabletop 3 in the desk 1, the desk 1 can be constructed simply.

[0026] The second damper 5 is a deceleration member that slows down the top plate 3 at the end of its rotation from the use state to the storage state, and is made of resin damper. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second damper 5 is attached to the support 6 on the right side as viewed from the user, via a fixing member (not shown). The method of attaching the second damper 5 to the support 6 is not limited. For example, it is possible to form a fixing part on the support 6 to fix the second damper 5, and to attach the second damper 5 directly to the fixing part of the support 6. It is also possible to provide a second damper 5 on each of the two support 6s.

[0027] As shown in Figures 4 to 8, the second damper 5 consists of a contact portion 51, a second cylinder 52, and a second rod 53. The second cylinder 52 and the second rod 53 are assembled to be extendable and retractable while receiving sliding resistance from each other.

[0028] Two support members 6-6 are provided between the mounting plate 2 and the top plate 3. Each support member 6 is composed of a plate-side support member 61, a top plate-side support member 62, a connecting member 63, a locking mechanism consisting of a locking member 64 and a spring 66.

[0029] The plate-side support member 61 is fixed to the mounting plate 2 by fasteners such as screws. The plate-side support member 61 is configured as a fixed member to which the base end of the connecting member 63 is rotatably fixed. The top plate-side support member 62 is fixed to the top plate 3 by fasteners such as screws. The top plate-side support member 62 is configured as a sliding member to which the tip of the connecting member 63 is slidably provided. It is also possible to configure the top plate-side support member 62 as a fixed member to which the base end of the connecting member 63 is rotatably fixed, and the plate-side support member 61 as a sliding member to which the tip of the connecting member 63 is slidably provided.

[0030] The top plate side support member 62 has an insertion slot 62a opening along its longitudinal direction. Additionally, the top plate side support member 62 has a notch 62b that opens downwards. The fixing shaft 6b is inserted into the notch 62b when the top plate 3 is in the stored position (see Figure 8(b)).

[0031] The base end (the end on the mounting plate 2 side) of the top plate-side support member 62 and the upper end of the plate-side support member 61 are rotatably connected by a pivot shaft 6a. This allows the top plate 3 to be rotatably assembled to the mounting plate 2 and stabilizes the rotational displacement behavior of the top plate 3 relative to the mounting plate 2. It is also possible to connect the mounting plate 2 and the top plate 3 directly with hinges or the like without using the support member 6.

[0032] The base end of the connecting member 63 is rotatably supported by a fixed shaft 6b at the middle of the plate-side support member 61. The tip of the connecting member 63 is formed as a sliding end 65. The sliding end 65 is inserted into the insertion slot 62a of the top plate-side support member 62, thereby allowing it to slide along the longitudinal direction of the top plate-side support member 62. As shown in Figure 8, when the top plate 3 is in the stored position, the sliding end 65 of the connecting member 63 faces the tip of the top plate-side support member 62.

[0033] As shown in Figures 4 to 8, the second damper 5 is interposed between the sliding end 65 and the tip of the top plate support member 62 by being fixed to the tip of the top plate support member 62 with a fastener (not shown). The second damper 5 is provided so that when the sliding end 65 reaches a predetermined position (the position when the top plate is in an intermediate state as shown in Figure 7), the sliding end 65 comes into contact with the contact portion 51 of the second damper 5.

[0034] The locking mechanism, consisting of a locking member 64 and a spring 66, is provided on the top plate side support member 62. As shown in Figure 4, the locking member 64 is rotatably mounted to the top plate side support member 62 by a shaft portion 64a while biased by the spring 66. When the locking member 64 is biased by the spring 66, the operating end 64b of the locking member 64 is positioned downwards and the retaining end 64c is positioned upwards.

[0035] The upper retaining end 64c abuts against the sliding end 65, thereby restricting the sliding of the sliding end 65 toward the tip of the top plate support member 62 by the locking member 64. In other words, the displacement of the sliding end 65 toward the tip of the top plate support member 62 beyond the retaining end 64c is restricted, thus maintaining the usable state of the top plate 3.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5, when the user pushes the operating end 64b upward against the biasing force of the spring 66 and rotates the locking member 64, the holding end 64c is displaced downward, and the restriction on the sliding end 65 toward the tip of the top plate support member 62 is released. As a result, the sliding end 65 can be displaced toward the tip of the top plate support member 62 beyond the locking member 64, and the top plate 3 can be rotated from the usage state to the stored state. Note that the configuration of the locking mechanism is not limited as long as the switching between restricting and releasing the sliding of the sliding end 65 is simple.

[0037] Furthermore, when the user lifts the top plate 3 from its stored position and rotates it to the position of use, the sliding end 65 rotates the locking member 64 against the biasing force of the spring 66 and is displaced toward the tip side of the retaining end 64c. As a result, the retaining end 64c comes into contact with the sliding end 65, restricting the displacement of the sliding end 65, and thus maintaining the position of use of the top plate 3 again.

[0038] As described above, the desk 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a locking mechanism that restricts the sliding of the sliding end portion 65 of the connecting member 63. With this configuration, the sliding of the sliding end portion 65 can be restricted by the locking mechanism, making it possible to maintain the tabletop 3 in the usable state. Furthermore, since the locking mechanism is provided on the side of the tabletop 3, it is easy for the user to operate the locking mechanism, and the tabletop 3 can be easily moved from the usable state to the stored state.

[0039] In this embodiment, the desk 1 is provided with two spaced-apart support members 6, 6 between the mounting plate 2 and the tabletop 3. As a result, when rotating the tabletop 3 from the usage position to the storage position, the tabletop 3 cannot be rotated unless both locking mechanisms provided on the two support members 6, 6 are released. In other words, since it is not possible to release the locking mechanisms provided on each support member 6 simultaneously with one hand, it is possible to prevent the tabletop 3 from being unexpectedly displaced from the usage position to the storage position.

[0040] The decorative panel 7 covers the mounting plate 2 that is exposed from the top surface of the tabletop 3 when it is in use, and is installed above the tabletop 3. This improves the aesthetic appearance of the desk 1. The decorative panel 7 can be used as a bulletin board regardless of whether it is in use or stored. The decorative panel 7 is made of a steel plate that can be used as a bulletin board that magnets can be used on, but it could also be a hanger board that can be used for wall storage. In other words, the configuration of the decorative panel 7 is not limited as long as it can cover the mounting plate 2 that is exposed from the top surface of the tabletop 3 when it is in use.

[0041] Next, the operation of the top plate 3 when it rotates from the use state to the storage state will be explained using Figures 4 to 8. As shown in Figure 4(b), when the top plate 3 is in the use state, the sliding end 65 toward the tip of the top plate side support member 62 is restricted by the holding end 64c of the locking member 64.

[0042] To release the sliding restriction on the sliding end 65, the user of the desk 1 pushes up the operating end 64b against the biasing force of the spring 66, as shown in Figure 5(b), thereby rotating the locking member 64. This displaces the holding end 64c, allowing the sliding end 65 to be displaced toward the tip of the tabletop support member 62, and the tabletop 3 rotates downward toward the mounting plate 2 due to its own weight, as shown in Figures 6(a) and (b). When the tabletop 3 rotates, the first damper 4 decelerates the tabletop 3.

[0043] When the top plate 3 reaches an intermediate rotational state from the operating state, the sliding end 65 of the connecting member 63 comes into contact with the contact portion 51 of the second damper 5, as shown in Figure 7(b). At this time, the sliding end 65 is decelerated by the second damper 5 as the second rod 53 is pushed into the second cylinder 52. In other words, the second damper 5 decelerates the top plate 3 during rotational displacement from the intermediate state onward. Subsequently, the top plate 3 rotates further due to its own weight and displaces to a stored state that is approximately parallel to the mounting plate 2, as shown in Figures 8(a) and (b).

[0044] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7(b), the region from the state in use to the intermediate state where the top plate 3 is in the process of rotating is defined as the first rotation region R1. The region from the intermediate state to the stored state of the top plate 3 is defined as the second rotation region R2. As described above, the first damper 4 decelerates the top plate 3 at least in the first rotation region R1. The second damper 5 decelerates the top plate 3 in the second rotation region R2.

[0045] In the desk 1 according to this embodiment, when the tabletop 3 is rotated downward from the usage state to the storage state, the sliding stroke between the first cylinder 43 and the first rod 44 of the first damper 4 decreases as the tabletop 3 approaches the mounting plate 2 (see Figures 6(a) to 8(a)). Therefore, the effectiveness of the first damper 4 (the force that decelerates the tabletop 3) weakens towards the end of the rotation of the tabletop 3.

[0046] On the other hand, the second damper 5 can decelerate the displacement of the sliding end portion 65 of the top plate 3 from the intermediate state onward, as described above. Therefore, the top plate 3 can be decelerated in the final stages of rotation (second rotation region R2) from the intermediate state to the stored state. In other words, it is possible to mitigate the impact and collision noise that occurs when the top plate 3 and the mounting plate 2 come into close proximity when the top plate 3 is displaced to the stored state.

[0047] As described above, in this embodiment, the desk 1 gradually decelerates the tabletop 3 using the first damper 4 and the second damper 5 as the tabletop 3 rotates from the use state to the storage state. That is, the tabletop 3 can be decelerated by the second damper 5 in the second rotation region R2, which is the final stage of the downward rotational displacement of the tabletop 3. This makes it possible to decelerate the tabletop 3 in the final stage of the rotational displacement of the tabletop 3 and mitigate impact and collision noise. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 1. Desk (folding desk) 2. Mounting plate 3. Top plate 4. First damper (first deceleration member) 5. Second damper (second deceleration member) 6 Support 6a Rotating shaft 6b Fixed shaft 7 Decorative panel 41 Plate-side fixing part 42 Top plate-side fixing part 43 First cylinder 44 First rod 51 Contact part 52 Second cylinder 53 Second rod 61 Plate-side support member (fixing member) 62 Top plate side support member (sliding member) 62a Through slot 62b Notch 63 Connecting member 64 Locking member (locking mechanism) 64a Shaft 64b Operating end 64c Retaining end 65 Sliding end (other end) 66 Spring (locking mechanism) W Wall surface R1 First rotation region R2 Second rotation region

Claims

1. A mounting plate that can be attached to the wall of a building, A top plate is attached to the aforementioned mounting plate and is rotatable between a usage state in which it is substantially horizontal and substantially perpendicular to the mounting plate, and a storage state in which it is positioned lower than the usage state and substantially parallel to the mounting plate. The system comprises a first deceleration member and a second deceleration member that decelerate the top plate when the top plate rotates, The top plate in the aforementioned usage state rotates to the storage state via a first rotation region from the usage state to an intermediate state during rotation, and a second rotation region from the intermediate state to the storage state. The first deceleration member decelerates the top plate at least in the first rotation region, The second deceleration member decelerates the top plate in the second rotation region, The first reduction member is interposed between the mounting plate and the top plate, The support further includes a plate-side support member attached to the mounting plate, a top-plate-side support member attached to the top plate, and a connecting member connecting the plate-side support member and the top-plate-side support member, Either the plate-side support member or the top plate-side support member is configured as a fixing member to which one end of the connecting member is rotatably fixed. Either the plate-side support member or the top plate-side support member is configured as a sliding member, with the other end of the connecting member being slidably provided. The sliding member has a tip portion that faces the other end when the top plate is in the stored position. The second reduction member is a folding desk interposed between the other end and the tip.

2. The plate-side support member is configured as the fixing member, The top plate side support member is configured as the sliding member, The folding desk according to claim 1, wherein the sliding member is provided with a locking mechanism that restricts the sliding of the other end.

3. The folding desk according to claim 2, wherein the plate-side support member and the top-plate-side support member are rotatably connected.

4. The folding desk according to claim 2, wherein two of the support members are attached between the mounting plate and the tabletop.

5. A folding desk according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a decorative panel that covers at least a portion of the other side of one side of the mounting plate that is in contact with the wall surface and is provided above the top plate.

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