JP3967170B2 - Caster equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a caster device used for furniture such as a table and a wagon, or various fixtures such as a stand type blackboard.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, it has been known that the caster device has a height adjustment function (adjuster function) in order to eliminate the backlash of furniture, furniture, etc. ing.
[0003]
For example, in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 59-172604, a swiveling body with wheels that roll on the floor surface is arranged on the inner diameter portion of a substantially cylindrical cover body that is open up and down, and a swiveling shaft fixed to the revolving body is provided. The screw rod is mounted on the lower surface of the adjustment knob screwed into the opening on the upper surface of the cover body so as to be horizontally pivotable. There is disclosed a caster device configured to be screwed onto the caster from below.
[0004]
In this example, the height of the supported body is adjusted by turning an adjustment knob around the longitudinal axis of the threaded rod to adjust the screwing amount of the threaded rod with respect to the supported body.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the prior art, since the adjustment knob, the pivot shaft, and the cover body are configured separately, there is room for improvement in terms of the number of parts and labor during assembly. .
[0006]
Further, the adjustment knob must be exposed below the supported body so that an operator or the like can easily adjust the height. However, in the configuration of the conventional technique, the adjustment knob is formed on the upper surface of the cover body. Therefore, the entire caster device becomes bulky, and the gap between the lower surface of the supported body and the floor surface cannot be made smaller than the height from the upper surface of the adjustment knob to the ground contact surface of the wheel. There was also a problem.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a technical object of the present invention to provide a caster device having a simple and low bulk structure by eliminating the drawbacks of the prior art.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve this technical problem, the invention of claim 1 includes a rotary support that pivotally supports a wheel that contacts the floor, a swivel support that is rotatably mounted on the rotary support, A downwardly open cover body fitted and fixed to the swivel support body from above, and projecting upward at the central portion of the top plate portion of the cover body so as to rotate integrally therewith . The swivel support is configured to be able to move up and down with respect to the supported body by an amount of screwing the screw means to a supported body such as a leg of furniture from below, and the top of the cover body An operating means for adjusting the screwing amount of the screw means is provided projecting radially outward on the outer peripheral portion on the lower end open side which is a part below the plate portion, and a part of the operating means is seen in a plan view. And protruding from the outer surface of the supported body .
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotation support body that rotatably supports a wheel that contacts the floor, and a rotation support body that is mounted so that the rotation support body can be turned horizontally, and the top plate portion of the rotation support body. at the heart of, with a screw means upward to protrude so as to rotate it integrally with, the amount to be screwed from below the screw means onto the support legs such as furniture, the supported The swivel support is configured to be able to move up and down relative to the body, and an outer peripheral portion of the swivel support that is below the top plate portion on the lower end open side is for adjusting the screwing amount of the screw means. The operating means protrudes outward in the radial direction, and a part of the operating means protrudes from the outer surface of the supported body in plan view .
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a caster device 11 according to the present invention is applied to a table 1 that supports a top plate 3 with a pair of legs 2 and 2.
[0012]
FIG. 1A is a partial perspective view of the table 1 to which the caster device 11 of the first embodiment is attached, and FIG. 1B is a partial plan view of the horizontal foot 5 and the caster device 11. 2 is a sectional side view of each part of the caster device 11, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 1 (a), each leg 2 of the table 1 is formed in an inverted T shape in a side view by a vertically extending leg 4 and a horizontal foot 5 as a supported body. Caster devices 11 and 11 are attached to both ends of the lower surface of the foot 5 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the table 1 of the first embodiment is supported by the pair of leg bodies 2 and 2 and a total of four caster devices 11, 11, 11, 11.
[0014]
In the following description, the state viewed from the direction of the arrow A shown in FIG.
[0015]
Each horizontal foot 5 is formed in a U-shaped cross section downward (see FIG. 4), and a boss portion 6 having a screw hole 7 having a downward opening is formed in both front and rear ends of the horizontal foot 5. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 8 extending radially in plan view are integrally connected to the outer peripheral surface of each boss portion 6.
[0016]
Of the lower edge portion of the reinforcing rib 8, a portion near the boss portion 6 includes a horizontal edge 9 a that is positioned substantially in the same plane as the lower surface of the boss portion 6, and a vertical extending upward from the lower edge portion of the reinforcing rib 8. It is formed in a concave edge portion 9 that is substantially L-shaped in side view and that includes the edge 9b.
[0017]
Therefore, the lower periphery of the boss portion 6 is a void 10, and the lower surface of the boss portion 6 and the horizontal edge 8 a of the reinforcing rib 8 are located on substantially the same plane, so that the cover body of the caster device 11 is provided. 12 can be fitted in the void 10 until it contacts the lower surface of the boss 6 and the horizontal edge 9 a of the reinforcing rib 8.
[0018]
Many of the members constituting the leg body 2 and the caster device 11 are made of a synthetic resin such as polyacetal resin or polyamide resin, but may be made of, for example, metal.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the caster device 11 of the first embodiment has a cap-like cover body 12 that opens downward, and a downward-opening cap-like shape that is fixed to the inner diameter portion of the cover body 12 so as not to drop. A swivel support 13, a rotation support 15 mounted on the inner diameter portion of the swivel support 13 so as to be horizontally swivelable and unable to drop, and a pair of wheels 16 and 16 pivotally supported on the rotation support 15. And a ring member 14 having a ring shape in plan view as a sliding member interposed between the supports 13 and 15.
[0020]
The cover body 12 of the first embodiment is made of metal (may be made of synthetic resin), the top plate portion 21 having a substantially circular shape in plan view, and the side plate portion extending downward from the periphery of the top plate portion 21. The swivel support 13 is fitted into the inner peripheral surface with the contact 22.
[0021]
The means for fixing the swivel support 13 to the inner diameter portion of the cover body 12 is not limited to the above-described form, and may be screwed or fixed with an adhesive, for example.
[0022]
A mounting hole 23 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in a substantially central portion of the top plate portion 21 in the cover body 12, and a screw bolt 24 (dimension bolt) as a screw means is provided in the mounting hole 23 from above. It is inserted and fixed by welding. Therefore, the screw bolt 24 rotates integrally with the cover body 12 and is screwed into the screw hole 7 of the boss portion 6 in the horizontal foot 5 from below.
[0023]
On the other hand, the side plate portion 22 of the cover body 12 is in a state where the upper surface of the top plate portion 21 is in contact with the lower surface of the boss portion 6 and the horizontal edge 9 a of the reinforcing rib 8 (the cover body 12 is placed in the space 10 in the horizontal foot 5. The height dimension is set so as to protrude further downward from the lower surface of the horizontal foot 5 in a state of being fitted to the uppermost limit.
[0024]
A flange portion 25 that protrudes outward in the radial direction is formed at the downward projecting portion, that is, the portion near the lower end on the outer peripheral side of the side plate portion 22, and the flange portion 25 is always exposed below the horizontal foot 5. is doing. That is, the flange portion 25 corresponds to an operating means for adjusting the screwing amount of the screw bolt 24.
[0025]
Note that the operating means of the present invention is not limited to the flange portion 25 described above, and may be, for example, a plurality of protrusions formed along the circumferential direction at a portion near the lower end of the outer peripheral surface of the side plate portion 22. Further, the operating means of the present invention may be configured separately from the cover body 12.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 1B and 4, the outer diameter of the cover body 12 including the flange portion 25 is larger than the left-right width dimension W of the horizontal foot 5, and the screw hole 7 of the boss portion 6 In a state where the screw bolt 24 is screwed from below, a part of the flange portion 25 protrudes from the left and right side surfaces of the horizontal foot 5 in plan view.
[0027]
Thereby, when rotating the cover body 12 (adjusting the screwing amount of the screw bolt 24), it is easy to operate by placing a finger on the protruding portion of the flange portion 25. The outer peripheral edge 26 of the flange portion 25 is formed in a substantially waveform in plan view so as to make it easier to put a finger (see FIG. 1B).
[0028]
In addition, by changing the formation position of the boss | hub part 6 in the horizontal leg 5, for example by shifting near the front-end | tip, the flange part 25 of the cover body 12 is made into the right-and-left both sides | surfaces and front (or rear) side surface of a horizontal leg. It may be projected from three sides in plan view, or may be projected from only one side surface in plan view.
[0029]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a pivot shaft 33 for supporting the rotary support body 15 so as to be horizontally pivotable is directed downward at a substantially central portion of the upper plate portion 31 in a substantially circular shape in plan view in the pivot support body 13. Protrusions are formed. In this embodiment, the pivot axis of the pivot shaft 33 is aligned with the longitudinal axis X of the screw bolt 24 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). An annular protrusion 34 that protrudes outward in the radial direction is formed at the lower end of the pivot shaft 33 over the entire circumference.
[0030]
In addition, a guide groove 35 is formed on the lower surface of the upper plate portion 31 for slidably fitting the annular ring body 14 in plan view as a sliding member. A grease groove 36 for storing the lubricant is also formed along the guide groove 35.
[0031]
The rotary support 15 has an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the turning support 13, and a front portion thereof is a recess 41 into which a pair of wheels 16, 16 are inserted. On the left and right side portions of the recess 41, bearing portions 42, 42 that are open downwards at portions that are deviated forward from the pivot axis X of the pivot support 13 (see the one-dot chain line Y in FIGS. 2 and 3). Is formed.
[0032]
The end portions of the axle 43 that penetrates both the wheels 16 and 16 are fitted into the both bearing portions 42 and 42 so as to be rotatable against elasticity, and the both wheels 16 and 16 can be easily detached from the rotary support 15. It does not fall out. The axle 43 supports both wheels 16 and 16 rotatably at the center in the longitudinal direction.
[0033]
A tapered shaft hole 44 corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the swivel shaft 33 in the swivel support 13 is provided at a substantially central portion on the upper surface side of the rotation support 15 so as to penetrate into the recess 41. .
[0034]
By inserting the turning shaft 33 of the turning support 13 into the shaft hole 44 of the turning support 15, the turning support 15 can be turned horizontally, and the pair of wheels 16, 16 in the turning support 15 is a floor. It can roll in any direction on the surface. Thereby, the table 1 is moved to an appropriate place only by a person pushing and pulling.
[0035]
In this case, since the annular projection 34 of the turning shaft 33 is caught around the shaft hole 44 and engaged, the rotating support 15 itself is not easily detached from the turning support 13.
[0036]
In addition, the ring body 14 is disposed in the guide groove 35 in a state where a lubricant is previously applied to the grease groove 36 of the upper plate portion 31 of the turning support body 13, and the lower surface of the upper plate portion 31 of the turning support body 13 ( The inner surface is not in direct contact with the upper surface of the rotary support 15 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).
[0037]
As a result, the frictional force generated between the supports 13 and 15 is remarkably reduced, and the rotary support 15 smoothly turns horizontally at the inner diameter portion of the turning support 13, so that the table 1 can be moved with a light force. . Since both the supports 13 and 15 are less likely to be worn, the caster device 11 can withstand long-term use (the lifetime of the caster device 11 is increased).
[0038]
Next, the aspect of height adjustment by the caster device 11 will be described.
[0039]
When a finger is put on the portion of the flange portion 25 of the cover body 12 that protrudes from the left and right side surfaces of the horizontal foot 5 and the flange portion 25 is rotated clockwise (see the direction of arrow R in FIGS. 3 and 4), As the cover body 12 rotates in the direction of arrow R, the screw bolt 24 is screwed into the screw hole 7 of the boss portion 6, and the entire caster device 11 including the cover body 12, both supports 13, 15, and wheels 16, 16. Rises relative to the horizontal foot 5 so that the cover body 12 enters the space 10 in the horizontal foot 5 and the height of the horizontal foot 5 corresponding to the caster device 11 (from the floor surface). (Height) becomes lower.
[0040]
When the protruding portion of the flange portion 25 is rotated counterclockwise (see the arrow L direction in FIGS. 3 and 4), the screw bolt 24 is loosened along with the rotation of the cover body 12 in the arrow L direction, and the caster device 11 as a whole. Is relatively lowered with respect to the horizontal foot 5, the cover body 12 comes out of the space 10 in the horizontal foot 5, and the height of the position of the horizontal foot 5 corresponding to the caster device 11 is increased.
[0041]
From the above, according to the caster device 11 of the first embodiment, the flange portion 25 of the cover body 12 is rotated to adjust the screwing amount of the screw bolt 24 into the screw hole 7 of the boss portion 6 in the horizontal foot 5. Thus, the height of the table 1 can be easily adjusted.
[0042]
In this case, a screw bolt 24 as a screw means is fixed to the top plate portion 21 of the cover body 12, and a flange portion 25 as an operation means is integrally formed at a portion near the lower end on the outer peripheral side of the side plate portion 22. Therefore, the caster device 11 of the first embodiment is configured by four members, that is, the cover body 12, the turning support body 13, the rotation support body 15, and the wheels 16 and 16. Therefore, the caster device 11 as a whole has a simple structure and a smaller number of parts than the prior art, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0043]
Further, in addition to the small number of parts of the caster device 11, the swivel support 13 can be fixed simply by being fitted to the cover body 12, and the swivel shaft 33 of the swivel support 13 is connected to the shaft hole 44 of the rotation support 15. The rotation support body 15 can be attached to the turning support body 13 so as to be horizontally turnable by simply being inserted into the turning support body 13. Then, both the wheels 16 and 16 can be attached to the rotation support 15 by simply fitting the end of the axle 43 against the bearings 42 and 42 of the rotation support 15 against the elasticity. Therefore, the assembly of the caster device 11 becomes much easier.
[0044]
Further, since the turning support 13 is fitted in the inner diameter portion of the cover body 12 and the rotation support 15 is fitted in the inner diameter portion of the turning support body 13, the bulk (the height in the vertical direction) of the caster device 11 is adopted. )) Can be lowered. Thereby, it becomes possible to make it narrow so that the clearance gap between the lower surface of the horizontal leg 5 and a floor surface may not be made as much as possible.
[0045]
Moreover, a space 10 surrounded by the lower surface of the boss portion 6 and the concave edge portion 9 of each reinforcing rib 8 is formed in the inner periphery of the horizontal foot 5 around the lower portion of the boss portion 6. Since the flange portion 25 of the cover body 12 is disposed near the lower end portion of the side plate portion 22, the flange portion 25 of the cover body 12 is rotated to screw the screw bolt 24 into the screw hole 7 of the boss portion 6. Since most of the cover body 12 enters the space 10 in the horizontal foot 5, the gap between the lower surface of the horizontal foot 5 and the floor surface can be remarkably narrowed compared to that of the prior art.
[0046]
2nd Embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is another example of a structure of a turning support body. The swivel support 13 'in this example is also a cap-like opening that opens downward, and an upper plate portion 31' of the swivel support 13 'and a side plate portion 32' that extends downward from the periphery of the upper plate portion 31 '. The rotation support body 15 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the first and second inner surfaces.
[0047]
A screw bolt 24 'as a screw means protrudes upward at a substantially central portion on the upper surface (outer surface) side of the upper plate portion 31'. A pivot shaft 33 'for supporting the rotary support 15 so as to be horizontally pivotable is formed to protrude downward at a substantially central portion on the lower surface (inner surface) side. In addition, a guide groove 35 ′ is formed on the lower surface of the upper plate portion 31 ′ so that the ring body 14 having an annular shape in plan view can be slidably fitted therein. A grease groove 36 extends along the guide groove 35 ′. 'Is also formed.
[0048]
On the other hand, a flange portion 25 ′ as an operation portion protruding outward in the radial direction is formed over the entire circumference of the side plate portion 32 ′ of the turning support 13 ′ near the lower end on the outer peripheral side. That is, the turning support 13 'of the second embodiment is in a state in which the cover 12 and the turning support 13 of the first embodiment are integrated.
[0049]
Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment are given, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0050]
In this case, since the caster device 11 ′ of the second embodiment can be configured by the three members of the turning support body 13 ′, the rotation support body 15 and the wheels 16, 16, the number of parts is reduced as compared with that of the first embodiment. Thus, the manufacturing cost can be further reduced and the assembly can be simplified.
[0051]
The caster device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the caster device can be widely applied to furniture such as a table and a wagon or various fixtures such as a stand-type blackboard.
[0052]
The screw means of the present invention is not limited to the above-described screw bolts 24, 24 ', and is, for example, a male screw formed on the outer peripheral surface of the side plate portion 22 in the cover body 12 of the first embodiment, or the swivel support of the second embodiment. The external thread formed in the outer peripheral surface of the side-plate part 32 'in the body 13' may be sufficient. In these cases, an internal thread portion into which the external thread on the outer peripheral side of the cover body 12 (the swivel support body 13 ') is screwed may be formed on the lower surface (inner surface) of the horizontal foot in the leg body that supports the table.
[0053]
Further, the side plate portion 32 of the swivel support 13 is set to a height dimension that protrudes further downward from the lower surface of the horizontal foot 5 in a state where the cover body 12 is fitted in the space 10 in the horizontal foot 5 to the uppermost limit. Thus, an operating means instead of the flange portion 25 of the cover body 12 described above may be formed in the downward projecting portion so as to project outward in the radial direction.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the screw means that rotates integrally with the cover body is screwed into a supported body such as a leg of furniture, the cover body is rotated and the supported body is rotated. By adjusting the screwing amount of the screw means with respect to the height, the height of the supported body can be easily adjusted.
[0055]
In this case, since the structure in which the screw means is provided at the center portion of the top plate portion of the cover body is adopted, the structure of the entire caster device is simple and the number of parts is smaller than that of the prior art. The manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0056]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the screw means is provided at the central portion of the top plate portion of the swivel support so as to rotate integrally with the swivel support , the swivel support, the rotation support, and The caster device can be constituted by three members called wheels, and the cover body described in claim 1 becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the number of parts is reduced as compared with that of the first aspect, and the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.
[0057]
In the first aspect of the present invention, an operating means for adjusting the screwing amount of the screw means protrudes radially outward on the outer peripheral portion on the lower end open side, which is a lower part of the top plate portion of the cover body. And a part of the operating means is configured to protrude from the outer surface of the supported body in a plan view. In claim 2, the lower end is opened below the top plate portion of the swivel supporting body. An operation means for adjusting the screwing amount of the screw means is provided on the outer peripheral portion on the side so as to project outward in the radial direction. A part of the operation means is projected from the outer surface of the supported body in a plan view. Since it protrudes, when rotating the said cover body or the said rotation support body, there exists an effect that it is easy to operate by putting a finger on the protrusion part of the said operation means.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A is a partial perspective view of a table to which a caster device according to a first embodiment is attached, and FIG. 1B is a partial plan view of a horizontal foot and a caster device.
FIG. 2 is a separated side sectional view of a caster device.
3 is a sectional side view taken along the line III-III in FIG.
4 is a front sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a caster device according to a second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Table 2 Leg body 5 Horizontal leg 6 as a to-be-supported body Boss part 7 Screw hole 8 Reinforcement rib 11, 11 'Caster apparatus 12 Cover body 13, 13' Turning support body 15 Rotating support body 16 Wheel 21 Top plate part 22 Side plate Portions 24 and 24 'Screw bolts 25 and 25' as screw means Flange portions 31 and 31 'Upper plate portions 32 and 32' Side plate portions 33 and 33 'as operation portions Turning shaft 41 Recess 42 Bearing portion 44 Shaft hole

Claims (2)

A rotating support that pivotally supports a wheel that contacts the floor so that it can rotate, a turning support that is mounted so that the rotating support can be turned horizontally, and a downward open shape that is fitted and fixed to the turning support from above. and a cover member, in the center of the top plate portion of the cover body is provided with screw means upward to protrude so as to rotate it integrally with, the support legs or the like of furniture said screw means The swivel support is configured to be movable up and down with respect to the supported body by the amount screwed into the body from below,
An operating means for adjusting the screwing amount of the screw means is provided radially outwardly on the outer peripheral portion of the cover body below the top plate portion, which is the lower end open side. A part of the caster device protrudes from the outer surface of the supported body in plan view . A rotary support that rotatably supported wheels that contact with the floor, and a pivot support with the rotary support mounted horizontally pivotably to the central portion of the top plate portion of the orbiting support, this Screw means projecting upward so as to rotate integrally with the support body, and by turning the screw means to a support body such as a furniture leg from below, the swivel support with respect to the support body The body can be raised and lowered,
An operating means for adjusting the screwing amount of the screw means protrudes radially outward from an outer peripheral portion on the lower end open side, which is a part below the top plate portion of the swivel support body. A part of the caster device protrudes from the outer surface of the supported body in a plan view .

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