JP7485908B2 - Stepping stool - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a platform, and more particularly to a foldable platform.

Conventionally, there are known steps that can be folded to make them compact when stored (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Patent Document 1 describes a step that has a top plate that can be divided in the middle and folded. Patent Document 2 describes a step that has an integrally constructed top plate that can be folded away from the side plates.

JP 2018-119358 A US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0131138

The step stool described in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which two tabletops are connected in the center, so the strength of the entire tabletop cannot be ensured sufficiently, and there are cases in which the user cannot obtain sufficient stability when standing on the step stool. Specifically, when a load is applied to the center of the tabletop (the connecting portion), the tabletop is prone to deformation, which can cause the step stool to wobble.

On the other hand, the step stool described in Patent Document 2 has a one-piece top plate, which provides greater stability than a structure with a separate top plate. However, when folded, the top plate and side plates are arranged continuously (180 degrees apart across the hinge), so a large amount of space is required for the top plate and side plates combined when stored. This also causes the step stool to be bulky when carried in the folded state.

The present invention was made in light of the above circumstances, and the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a platform that ensures high stability during use by increasing the strength of the entire platform, and can be folded up compactly.

Below, we explain the means to solve the above problems.

The platform according to the present invention comprises a first side panel and a second side panel that are opposed to each other and can be moved close to or apart from each other, a pair of connecting side panels that are rotatably connected to both opposing sides of the first side panel and the second side panel and that can be folded by bending at a horizontal center portion, and a top panel, one side end of which is rotatably connected to an upper end of the first side panel, and the platform is configured to be transitionable between a usage state in which the other side end of the top panel is placed on the upper end of the second side panel spaced from the first side panel, and a storage state in which the top panel is adjacent to the first side panel so as to be parallel to the first side panel and the second side panel adjacent to the first side panel, and the top panel comprises a top surface that faces upward in the usage state, and a back surface that faces the back side of the top surface, and the back surface of the top panel and and the inner surface of the second side panel are connected by a connecting member, and the connecting member is formed by rotatably connecting a top panel side connecting portion located on one end side of the connecting member to a side panel side connecting portion located on the other end side of the connecting member, and the one end side of the top panel side connecting portion is rotatably connected to the back surface, and the other end side of the side panel side connecting portion is rotatably connected to the inner surface of the second side panel, and by rotating and displacing the top panel from the stored state to the upper side of the second side panel, the connecting member moves the second side panel away from the first side panel to the usage state, and by rotating and displacing the top panel from the side of the second side panel in the usage state toward the side of the first side panel, the connecting member moves the second side panel closer to the first side panel to the stored state.

In addition, it is preferable that the step stool of the present invention is connected by the connecting member to the central portion of the back surface of the tabletop and the upper portion of the inner surface of the second side panel, and that the end portion on one end of the tabletop side connecting portion is rotatably connected to the central portion of the back surface, and the end portion on the other end of the side panel side connecting portion is rotatably connected to the upper portion of the inner surface of the second side panel .

In addition, in the step stool according to the present invention, it is preferable that, in the stored state, the pair of connecting side plates are folded between the first side plate and the second side plate.

In addition, in the step stool according to the present invention, it is preferable that, in the use state, the pair of connecting side plates are bent in a direction approaching each other at the horizontal center portion.

The step stool according to the present invention is configured to be able to transition between the stored state and the use state via an intermediate state, and the intermediate state is a state in which the first side panel and the second side panel are close to each other and the top panel is open at a predetermined angle from the first side panel, and from the stored state to the intermediate state, the rotation axis between the top panel and the first side panel and the connecting axis between the top panel side connecting part and the side panel side connecting part are located on the same axis, an abutting part is formed on the top panel side connecting part and an abutted part is formed on the side panel side connecting part, and from the stored state to just before the intermediate state, the abutting part and the abutted part are separated, and it is preferable that in the intermediate state, the abutting part and the abutted part abut.

In addition, in the step stool of the present invention, in the intermediate state, it is preferable that a plane including one end side pivot axis connecting the top plate side connecting portion and the back surface of the top plate and the other end side pivot axis connecting the side plate side connecting portion and the inner surface of the second side plate is located on the side of the second side plate rather than the connecting axis.

In addition, in the step stool according to the present invention, it is preferable that in the mid-way state, the side panel side connecting portion abuts against the inner surface of the second side panel.

In addition, in the step stool according to the present invention, it is preferable that, in the stored state, the other side end of the tabletop engages with the lower end of the first side panel.

In addition, it is preferable that the step stool according to the present invention has a handle portion formed on the lower part of at least one of the first side plate and the second side plate.

The step stool of the present invention has the advantage that it is highly stable during use by increasing the strength of the entire tabletop, and can be folded up compactly.

FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. A right side cross-sectional view showing the stepping board in the middle position. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. Front cross-sectional view of the top plate. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the step stool in use.

The following describes a platform 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention with reference to Figures 1 to 13. In this embodiment, the front-to-rear direction of the platform 1 is defined by the direction of the arrows shown in each figure. That is, the lower left side in Figure 1, the upper right side in Figure 2, and the left side in Figure 3 are the front of the platform 1.

The platform 1 according to this embodiment is configured to be able to transition between a folded state as shown in Figures 1 to 3 (hereinafter, this state will be referred to as the "storage state") and an assembled and ready-to-use state as shown in Figures 9 to 11 (hereinafter, this state will be referred to as the "use state"). In the following, the platform 1 in the stored state will be referred to as platform 1S, and the platform 1 in the use state will be referred to as platform 1U, as appropriate.

The step 1 comprises two side panels 21 and 22, a pair of connecting side panels 3 and 3 that connect the side panels 21 and 22, a top panel 4 that is placed on the top surfaces of the side panels 21 and 22 and the connecting side panels 3 and 3 in the step 1U, and a connecting member 5 that connects the top panel 4 and the second side panel 22. In each of the components that make up the step 1 according to this embodiment, resin components are used for the pin members such as the connecting plate connecting shaft 3a, the rotating shaft 6, and the connecting rotating shaft 7, the end fittings provided at the lower end of the connecting rotating shaft 7, and the connecting member 5. In addition, each component other than these is made of a plate-shaped component made of a resin containing carbon fiber. In addition, in the step 1 according to this embodiment, the connecting member 5 is colored red, and the other components are colored black. In this way, the step 1 according to this embodiment is configured to visually emphasize the function of the connecting member 5 to the user.

When the platform 1 is changed from a stored state to a used state, the top plate 4 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the right side. Specifically, as shown in Figures 4 to 8, the top plate 4 is rotated from the rear side (see Figure 4) to the upper side (see Figures 5 and 6), and then rotated forward (see Figures 7 and 8). Conversely, when the platform 1 is changed from a used state to a stored state, the top plate 4 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the right side.

In the process of rotating the top plate 4 in any direction, the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22 of the platform 1 approach each other, and the platform 4 opens at a predetermined angle (about 170 degrees in this embodiment) from the first side plate 21, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. In the following, the state of the platform 1 shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is referred to as the "halfway state", and the platform 1 in the halfway state is referred to as platform 1H. In this way, the platform 1 is configured to be able to transition between platform 1S, which is the stored state, and platform 1U, which is the used state, via platform 1H, which is the halfway state. In addition, the region of the platform 1 between the stored state and the halfway state is referred to as the "initial stage of rotation (see Fig. 4)", and the region of the platform 1 between the halfway state and the used state is referred to as the "final stage of rotation (see Figs. 7 and 8)".

The two side plates 21, 22 are rectangular plate-like members that are arranged facing each other in the front-rear direction and can be moved close to each other. The side plates 21, 22 are lighter in weight due to the opening of multiple communication holes. Specifically, in the step 1S, the side plates 21, 22 are arranged close to each other as shown in Figs. 1 to 3. In addition, in the step 1U, the side plates 21, 22 are arranged so that they are spaced apart and that their lower parts are farther apart than their upper parts (so that they have a shape that widens downward in side view) as shown in Figs. 9 to 11. In other words, the side plates 21, 22 are configured to gradually move away from each other as the step 1 transitions from the stored state to the used state.

The upper end of the first side plate 21 is formed with side plate connecting parts 21a, 21a that protrude rearward on both the left and right sides. The top plate 4 is rotatably connected to the side plate connecting parts 21a, 21a. In addition, first side plate connecting parts 21b, 21b are formed in two locations on both the left and right ends of the first side plate 21. The connecting side plate 3 is rotatably connected to the first side plate connecting parts 21b, 21b.

A handle 21c is formed at the bottom of the first side plate 21 by an opening that penetrates the first side plate 21. This makes it easier for the user to carry the platform 1S. The handle can also be formed on the second side plate 22. It is also possible to form handles on both side plates 21 and 22. It is also possible to provide the handles at locations other than the bottom of the side plates 21 and 22 (such as the left and right sides).

A storage engaging portion 21d, which is a protrusion that protrudes rearward, is formed on the lower part of the first side plate 21. The storage engaging portion 21d engages with the storage engaged portion 4f of the top plate 4 in the platform 1S. In addition, as shown in Figures 3, 7, and 10, a side plate recess 21e, which is a cutout portion, is formed in the center of the upper end of the first side plate 21. As shown in Figure 3, the connecting member 5 is inserted into the side plate recess 21e in the platform 1S.

The upper end of the second side plate 22 is formed with use engaging portions 22a, 22a which are protrusions that protrude forward on both the left and right sides. The use engaging portions 22a, 22a engage with use engaged portions 4d, 4d of the top plate 4 in the step 1U. In addition, second side plate connecting portions 22b, 22b are formed in two locations on both the left and right ends of the second side plate 22. The connecting side plate 3 is rotatably connected to the second side plate connecting portions 22b, 22b.

The pair of connecting side plates 3, 3 can be folded by bending the center part in the horizontal direction (front-rear direction). Specifically, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the connecting side plate 3 can be folded by connecting a first connecting plate 31 that forms the rear part of the connecting side plate 3 and a second connecting plate 32 that forms the front part of the connecting side plate 3 to each other so that they can rotate around the connecting plate connecting shaft 3a.

The connecting side plate 3 is rotatably connected to both opposing sides of the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22. Specifically, first connecting plate connecting parts 31a are formed at three locations on the rear end of the first connecting plate 31. The first connecting plate connecting parts 31a are rotatably connected to the first side plate connecting parts 21b of the first side plate 21 via the connecting pivot shaft 7. In addition, second connecting plate connecting parts 32a are formed at three locations on the front end of the second connecting plate 32. The second connecting plate connecting parts 32a are rotatably connected to the second side plate connecting parts 22b of the second side plate 22 via the connecting pivot shaft 7.

The top plate 4 is a plate-like member having a top surface 41 that faces upward in the step stool 1U, and a back surface 42 that faces the back side of the top surface 41. Numerous protrusions are formed on the top surface 41 of the top plate 4, making it shaped to prevent slipping when a user stands on it. The protrusions on the top surface 41 are adjusted to a height that makes it difficult for dirt to accumulate and easy to wipe. In addition, multiple ribs are formed on the back surface 42 to maintain the strength of the top plate 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the step stool 1 according to this embodiment is configured so that the back surface 42 is exposed when it is stored as the step stool 1S, so the back surface 42 is designed with ribs to prevent it from giving a cluttered impression when viewed by the user.

A top plate connecting part 4a is formed at one side end of the top plate 4 (the upper end in the platform 1S, and the rear end in the platform 1U). The top plate connecting part 4a is connected to the side plate connecting parts 21a, 21a via the pivot shaft 6, so that the top plate 4 is rotatably connected to the upper end of the first side plate 21. Hereinafter, the side of the top plate 4 where the top plate connecting part 4a is formed (the center side in the direction of the pivot radius) will be referred to as the "base side", and the opposite side (the outside in the direction of the pivot radius) will be referred to as the "tip side".

The top plate 4 has an opening/closing protrusion 4b formed in the center of the tip end. The user of the platform 1 rotates the top plate 4 by grasping the opening/closing protrusion 4b. In addition, hook portions 4c, 4c are formed on the base end side of both left and right ends of the top plate 4. The platform 1S can be made easier to carry by engaging both ends of a belt member such as a strap (not shown) with the hook portions 4c, 4c.

As shown in Figures 2, 5, and 7, the top plate 4 has two use-engaged portions 4d formed on the left and right at the tip side of the back surface 42. The use-engaged portions 4d engage with the use-engaged portions 22a of the second side plate 22 of the platform 1U. This allows the platform 1U to stably maintain its shape. Also, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6, a top plate recess 4e, which is a cutout portion, is formed in the center of the side end portion on the base end side of the top plate 4. As shown in Figure 3, the connecting member 5 is inserted into the top plate recess 4e on the platform 1S.

As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 9, a storage engaged portion 4f is formed in the center of the tip end of the top surface 41 of the tabletop 4. As shown in Figure 3, the storage engaged portion 4f engages with a storage engaging portion 21d formed on the lower end of the first side plate 21 of the platform 1S. This prevents the tabletop 4 from becoming unstable on the platform 1S, and allows it to stably maintain its shape.

As shown in Figures 9, 10, and 12, flanges 4g that are thinner than the main body of the tabletop 4 are formed on the tip and both left and right sides of the tabletop 4. By forming flanges 4g on the tabletop 4 in this way, the platform 1S is less likely to get caught when stored in a bag or the like. In addition, the flanges 4g make the tabletop 4 appear thinner when the platform 1U is constructed.

As shown in Figures 12 and 13, a pivot support part 4h that protrudes to both the left and right sides is formed in the center of the back surface 42 of the tabletop 4. The pivot support part 4h functions as a tabletop side pivot shaft 51a that rotatably supports the tabletop side connecting part 51 of the connecting member 5.

When configuring the platform 1S in the stored state in the platform 1 configured as described above, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the top plate 4 approaches the first side plate 21 so as to be parallel to the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22 adjacent to the first side plate 21. In other words, in the platform 1S, the relative angle between the top plate 4 and the first side plate 21 approaches 0 degrees. At this time, the storage engaged portion 4f of the top plate 4 engages with the storage engaging portion 21d of the first side plate 21. In addition, the pair of connecting side plates 3, 3 are folded between the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, in the step stool 1S, the top surface 41 of the tabletop 4 faces the first side panel 21, and the back surface 42 is exposed to the outside. This makes it difficult for dirt such as mud that adheres to the top surface 41 when storing or carrying the step stool 1S to get on the surrounding area. Also, by making it difficult for the top surface 41 to be exposed to the outside, fading of the top surface 41 can be suppressed.

On the other hand, when constructing the platform 1U in the use state, as shown in Figs. 4 to 8, the top plate 4 is rotated counterclockwise in the right side view to widen the relative angle with the first side plate 21, and is further rotated beyond 180 degrees. Then, as shown in Figs. 9 to 11, the tip of the top plate 4 is placed on the upper end of the second side plate 22 separated from the first side plate 21. In other words, in the platform 1U, the top plate 4 is placed on the upper surfaces of the side plates 21 and 22 and the connecting side plates 3 and 3 when the relative angle between the top plate 4 and the first side plate 21 is close to 270 degrees. At this time, the use engaged portions 4d and 4d of the top plate 4 engage with the use engaged portions 22a and 22a of the second side plate 22. In addition, the pair of connecting side plates 3 and 3 are widened so that the first connecting plate 31 and the second connecting plate 32 are separated.

As shown in Figs. 2, 3, etc., in the step stool 1 according to this embodiment, the center of the back surface 42 of the top plate 4 and the upper part of the inner surface of the second side plate 22 are connected by a connecting member 5. The connecting member 5 is formed by rotatably connecting a top plate side connecting part 51 and a side plate side connecting part 52 by a connecting shaft 53. In this embodiment, the axial length of the connecting shaft 53 is set to a predetermined length or longer, so that the connecting shaft 53 is configured to rotate stably without wobbling.

The configuration of the connection between the top panel side connecting part 51 and the side panel side connecting part 52 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, a long hole can be formed in either the top panel side connecting part 51 or the side panel side connecting part 52, and the other end can be inserted into the long hole. This allows the top panel side connecting part 51 and the side panel side connecting part 52 to be connected so that they can rotate while sliding relative to each other. In this way, the connecting member 5 can also be configured differently from this embodiment.

In this embodiment, the tabletop side connecting part 51 is arranged to be located at one end side (tabletop 4 side) of the connecting member 5. One end side of the tabletop side connecting part 51 is rotatably connected to a rotation support part 4h formed in the center of the back surface 42 of the tabletop 4. At this time, the rotation support part 4h functions as a tabletop side rotation axis 51a, which is a one end side rotation axis. In this embodiment, the axial length of the rotation support part 4h and the tabletop side rotation axis 51a is set to a predetermined length or more, so that the tabletop side rotation axis 51a rotates stably without wobbling. The end part (upper end part in FIG. 3) of the tabletop side connecting part 51 on the connecting axis 53 side is formed by bending slightly forward. And, an abutment part 51b is formed on the upper surface of the upper end part of the tabletop side connecting part 51.

The side plate side connecting part 52 is arranged to be located at the other end side (the side of the second side plate 22) of the connecting member 5. The other end side end of the side plate side connecting part 52 is rotatably connected to the upper part of the inner surface of the second side plate 22 via the side plate side pivot shaft 52a, which is the other end side pivot shaft. In this embodiment, the axial length of the side plate side pivot shaft 52a is set to a predetermined length or longer, so that the side plate side pivot shaft 52a is configured to rotate stably without wobbling. Note that the side plate side connecting part 52 and the side plate side pivot shaft 52a can also be configured to slide slightly up and down on the inner surface of the second side plate 22.

The end of the side plate side connecting part 52 on the connecting shaft 53 side (the upper end in FIG. 3) is bent slightly backward. An abutment part 52b is formed on the end face of the upper end of the side plate side connecting part 52. Furthermore, a side plate abutment part 52c is formed on the front face of the lower part of the side plate side connecting part 52.

In this way, the connecting member 5 is composed of a top board side connecting portion 51 and a side board side connecting portion 52 that are each formed by bending. When the platform 1S is constructed in a stored state, as shown in FIG. 3, the connecting member 5 is inserted into the side board recess 21e formed in the first side board 21 and the top board recess 4e formed in the top board 4. In other words, the platform 1 is constructed so that the connecting member 5 does not interfere with the first side board 21 and the top board 4 when in the stored state.

When the step stool 1 is changed from the stored state to the used state, the top plate 4 is rotated from a position close to the first side plate 21 to the upper side of the second side plate 22, and the connecting member 5 separates the second side plate 22 from the first side plate 21. The specific configuration is described below.

When the top plate 4 of the step stool 1S is rotated to form the step stool 1U, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, from the stored state to the intermediate state of the step stool 1 (step stool 1S, step stool 1 at the beginning of rotation, and step stool 1H), the rotation axis 6 between the top plate 4 and the first side plate 21 and the connecting axis 53 between the top plate side connecting part 51 and the side plate side connecting part 52 of the connecting member 5 are located on the same axis.

In addition, by configuring the side panel side pivot shaft 52a to slide up and down on the inner surface of the second side panel 22 as described above, it is possible to configure the connecting shaft 53 to move at a location that is not on the same axis as the pivot shaft 6 during the process of rotating the top panel 4 between the platform 1S and the platform 1H. In other words, it is also possible to configure the pivot shaft 6 and the connecting shaft 53 not to be located on the same axis when rotating the top panel 4 on the platform 1S to form the platform 1U.

On the other hand, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, when the platform 1 moves from the stored state to just before the intermediate state (the platform 1S and the platform 1 at the beginning of rotation), the contact portion 51b of the top panel side connecting portion 51 and the contacted portion 52b of the side panel side connecting portion 52 are separated.

When the platform 1H is in the midway position, the abutting portion 51b and the abutted portion 52b abut against each other, as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. At this time, as shown in Fig. 6, the plane including the platform side pivot shaft 51a that connects the platform side connecting portion 51 to the back surface of the platform 4, and the side panel side pivot shaft 52a that connects the side panel side connecting portion 52 to the upper part of the inner surface of the second side panel 22, is located closer to the second side panel 22 than the connecting shaft 53. Therefore, when the platform 4 of the platform 1 is rotated toward the second side panel 22 (front side) from the midway position, the relative displacement of the platform side connecting portion 51 and the side panel side connecting portion 52 is restricted, and the connecting member 5 is integrally formed.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the platform 1H is in the mid-position, the side plate abutment portion 52c of the side plate side connecting portion 52 abuts against the inner surface of the second side plate 22. As a result, as the top plate 4 rotates and displaces after the mid-position, a forward pressing force is applied from the top plate 4 to the second side plate 22 via the connecting member 5, and at the end of the rotation as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the second side plate 22 moves away from the first side plate 21.

As shown in Figures 9 to 11, when the top plate 4 is rotated to a position where it is in a substantially horizontal state, the second side plate 22 is displaced to a position below the tip of the top plate 4. At this position, the use engaged portions 4d, 4d of the top plate 4 and the use engaging portions 22a, 22a of the second side plate 22 engage with each other, forming a step stool 1U in a use state.

Conversely, when the step stool 1 is changed from the use state to the storage state, the top plate 4 is rotated from the second side plate 22 side toward the first side plate 21 side (clockwise when viewed from the right side), and the connecting member 5 brings the second side plate 22 closer to the first side plate 21.

Specifically, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, when the platform 1H is in the halfway position from the in-use position, a rearward pulling force is applied from the platform 4 to the second side plate 22 via the connecting member 5 due to the rotational displacement of the platform 4, and the second side plate 22 begins to approach the first side plate 21. Then, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the platform 1H is in the halfway position, the second side plate 22 approaches the first side plate 21, and the displacement of the second side plate 22 ends.

After that, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, when the platform 1 moves from the midway position to the stored position (platform 1H, platform 1 at the beginning of rotation, and platform 1S), the rotation axis 6 between the top plate 4 and the first side plate 21 and the connecting axis 53 between the top plate side connecting part 51 and the side plate side connecting part 52 of the connecting member 5 are positioned on the same axis. During this time, the top plate 4 is rotated until it is close to the first side plate 21, and the platform 1 is placed in the stored position (platform 1S).

As described above, according to the step stool 1 of this embodiment, the top plate 4 is constructed as a single piece, so compared to a step stool constructed with a divided top plate, the overall strength of the top plate 4 is improved, and high stability can be obtained when a user stands on the step stool 1. Specifically, even when a load is applied to the center of the top plate 4, the top plate 4 is not easily deformed, so the step stool 1 can be prevented from wobbling.

In addition, according to the step stool 1 of this embodiment, when folded into a stored state, the top plate 4 and the first side plate 21 are positioned close to each other (at a position where the relative angle between the top plate 4 and the first side plate 21 is close to 0 degrees). In this way, the step stool 1S can be folded compactly in the stored state, so that the step stool 1S can be stored using only the space of the side plates 21 and 22. In addition, the step stool 1S can be carried around without taking up too much space.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the step stool 1 according to this embodiment, when the step stool 1S is in a stored state, the pair of connecting side plates 3, 3 are folded between the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22. This allows the step stool 1S to be folded more compactly than when the connecting side plates 3, 3 are folded outside the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22. It is also possible to fold the connecting side plates 3, 3 outside the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22.

As shown in Figures 9, 10, and 13, in the platform 1 according to this embodiment, when the platform 1U is in use, the pair of connecting side plates 3, 3 are bent toward each other at the horizontal center. Specifically, the relative angle between the first connecting plate 31 and the second connecting plate 32 in the connecting side plate 3 is regulated so as not to be larger than the angle when the platform 1U is constructed. As a result, when transitioning the platform 1 from the use state to the storage state, the connecting side plates 3, 3 can be folded between the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22 simply by rotating the top plate 4.

In addition, in the connecting member 5 of the step stool 1 according to this embodiment, the abutting portion 51b of the top panel side connecting portion 51 and the abutted portion 52b of the side panel side connecting portion 52 are separated from each other from the stored state until just before the halfway state, and the abutting portion 51b and the abutted portion 52b are in contact with each other in the halfway state. This prevents the rotational displacement of the top panel 4 from generating a pressing force on the second side panel 22 until the halfway state, and effectively generates a pressing force on the second side panel 22 due to the rotational displacement of the top panel 4 after the halfway state. In other words, it is possible to separate the second side panel 22 from the first side panel 21 after the halfway state.

In addition, in the step 1 according to this embodiment, in the step 1H in the halfway state, the plane including the top board side pivot shaft 51a that connects the top board side connecting part 51 to the back surface 42 of the top board 4, and the side board side pivot shaft 52a that connects the side board side connecting part 52 to the upper part of the inner surface of the second side board 22 is configured to be located closer to the second side board 22 than the connecting shaft 53 of the connecting member 5. As a result, when the top board 4 in the step 1 is rotated closer to the second side board 22 than the halfway state, the relative displacement between the top board side connecting part 51 and the side board side connecting part 52 can be restricted, so that the connecting member 5 can be configured as an integral unit. In other words, it is possible to transmit the rotational force caused by the rotational displacement of the top board 4 to the second side board 22 via the connecting member 5.

The platform 1 according to this embodiment is also configured such that, when the platform 1H is in the mid-stage position, the side panel abutment portion 52c of the side panel side connecting portion 52 abuts against the inner surface of the second side panel 22. This allows the pressing force from the connecting member 5 to the second side panel 22, which occurs in the mid-stage position, to be applied stably to the second side panel 22. Specifically, pressing force can be applied from the connecting member 5 to the second side panel 22 at two points, the side panel side pivot shaft 52a and the side panel abutment portion 52c, so that the second side panel 22 can be displaced stably.

1 Step stool 1S Step stool (stored)
1H Stepping stool (halfway through) 1U Stepping stool (in use)
3 Connecting side plate 3a Connecting plate connecting shaft 4 Top plate 4a Top plate connecting portion
4b Opening and closing protrusion 4c Hook portion
4d Used engaged portion 4e Top plate recess
4f: Storage engaged portion 4g: Flange portion
4h Rotation support part 5 Connection member
6 Rotating shaft 7 Connecting rotating shaft
21 First side plate 21a Side plate connecting portion
21b First side plate connecting portion 21c Handle portion
21d Storage engagement portion 21e Side plate recess
22 Second side plate 22a Used engagement portion
22b Second side plate connecting portion 31 First connecting plate
31a First connecting plate connecting portion 32 Second connecting plate
32a Second connecting plate connecting portion 41 Top surface
42 Back surface 51 Top plate side connection portion 51a Top plate side rotation shaft (one end side rotation shaft)
51b Contact portion 52 Side plate side connecting portion 52a Side plate side rotating shaft (other end side rotating shaft)
52b: abutted portion 52c: side plate abutting portion
53 Connecting shaft

Claims (9)

a first side plate and a second side plate that are opposed to each other and can be moved toward or away from each other;
A pair of connecting side plates that are rotatably connected to each other at opposing sides of the first side plate and the second side plate and can be folded by bending a horizontal center portion;
a top plate having one side end rotatably connected to an upper end of the first side plate,
A step stool that can be transitioned between a use state in which the other side end of the tabletop is placed on an upper end of the second side plate spaced apart from the first side plate, and a storage state in which the tabletop is adjacent to the first side plate so as to be parallel to the first side plate and the second side plate adjacent to the first side plate,
The top plate includes a top surface facing upward in the usage state and a back surface facing the back side of the top surface,
The back surface of the top plate and the inner surface of the second side plate are connected by a connecting member,
The connecting member is formed by rotatably connecting a top plate side connecting portion located at one end side of the connecting member and a side plate side connecting portion located at the other end side of the connecting member,
The one end of the top board side connecting portion is rotatably connected to the back surface,
The other end of the side plate side connecting portion is rotatably connected to the inner surface of the second side plate,
By rotating and displacing the top plate from the stored state to the upper side of the second side plate, the connecting member separates the second side plate from the first side plate to the used state,
A step stool in which the top plate is pivoted from the side of the second side plate toward the side of the first side plate in the usage state , so that the connecting member brings the second side plate closer to the first side plate to enter the stored state. The central portion of the back surface of the top plate and the upper portion of the inner surface of the second side plate are connected by the connecting member,
The end portion on the one end side of the top plate side connecting portion is rotatably connected to the center portion of the back surface,
The step stool according to claim 1 , wherein the other end of the side panel side connecting portion is rotatably connected to the upper inner surface of the second side panel. The platform according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the stored state, the pair of connecting side panels are folded between the first side panel and the second side panel. The step stool according to claim 3, in which, in the use state, the pair of connecting side plates are bent toward each other at the horizontal center portion. The storage state and the use state are configured to be transitionable via an intermediate state,
The intermediate state is a state in which the first side panel and the second side panel are close to each other and the top panel is opened at a predetermined angle from the first side panel,
From the stored state to the intermediate state, a rotation axis between the top plate and the first side plate and a connecting axis between the top plate side connecting portion and the side plate side connecting portion are located on the same axis line,
The top panel side connecting portion is formed with an abutting portion, and the side panel side connecting portion is formed with an abutted portion,
The contact portion and the contacted portion are spaced apart from each other from the stored state to just before the intermediate state,
The step stool according to claim 1 , wherein the contact portion and the contacted portion contact each other in the intermediate state. The step stool of claim 5, wherein in the intermediate state, a plane including a one-end pivot shaft that connects the top board side connecting portion to the underside of the top board and a second-end pivot shaft that connects the side board side connecting portion to the inner surface of the second side board is located closer to the second side board than the connecting shaft. The platform according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein in the intermediate position, the side panel side connector abuts against the inner surface of the second side panel. The step stool according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the other side end of the top plate and the lower end of the first side plate engage in the stored state. The step stool according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the first side panel and the second side panel has a handle formed at a lower portion thereof.

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