JP7594807B2 - Bed and bed part connection structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates generally to beds, and more particularly to structures for connecting components of a bed.

Most beds are designed to be disassembled and reassembled for the convenience of transportation, storage, and loading and unloading into homes and buildings. Nursing beds in particular are structurally complex, expensive, and have a short life span compared to regular beds, and are therefore often rented to end users. Rental companies of nursing beds usually frequently disassemble and reassemble nursing beds. In conventional nursing beds, a large number of fasteners, such as fastening bolts, fastening pins, or rivets, that are prepared separately from the interconnected parts are used to connect and secure the parts together.

As one example, Non-Patent Document 1 describes the connection structure of the fixed legs of a conventional nursing bed. According to the description, the bed has a frame called a base frame at its lowest part, which has a roughly rectangular planar shape, with four frame legs extending from each of the four corners of the base frame. When assembling the bed, four fixed legs are attached to each of the four frame legs. Four fasteners called push rivets are used to secure the fixed legs to the frame legs. When disassembling the bed, the push rivets are removed from the fixed legs, and then the fixed legs are removed from the frame legs.

In addition to the fixed legs exemplified above, a bed has many other parts that must be connected to one another, and fasteners such as fastening bolts, fastening pins, or rivets are used at each connection point. These fasteners are separate components that are separate from the interconnected components, such as the fixed legs and frame legs. Before assembling the bed, workers must prepare the correct fasteners in the correct quantities. After disassembling the bed, workers must store the fasteners to avoid losing them.

Rafio Instruction Manual, Platz Co., Ltd., created in December 2016 (URL: http://www.platz-ltd.co.jp/support/manual/torisetsu/rafio/161228_P110_rafio_Manual.pdf)

The assembly and disassembly of a bed, which uses many fasteners, requires a lot of work. In addition, the large number of fasteners increases the possibility of them being insufficient, lost, or mixed up, further reducing work efficiency. This is a particularly serious problem for nursing bed rental companies, which frequently assemble and disassemble beds.

One objective of the present invention is to reduce the amount of work required to disassemble or assemble a bed.

Other objects of the present invention will become clear from the following description.

A bed according to one embodiment comprises a set of a first part and a second part which are connected to each other. The first part has an insertion opening opening on its outer surface, a first connection part having an insertion hole extending from the insertion opening, and an engagement window provided in at least one location of the first connection part. The second part has a second connection part which can be inserted from the insertion opening of the first part into the insertion hole in an insertion direction, and an engagement claw which is elastically supported on the second connection part.

When the second connection part of the second part is inserted from the insertion opening of the first part to a predetermined depth into the insertion hole, the positions of the engagement claw and the engagement window match and the engagement claw automatically engages with the engagement window due to elastic action, thereby establishing an interconnection between the first part and the second part. After the interconnection is established, when an external force is applied to the engagement claw from the worker's fingers, the engagement between the engagement claw and the engagement window is released, thereby making it possible to separate the first part and the second part.

When an operator inserts the second connection part of the second part from the insertion opening of the first part to a predetermined depth into the insertion hole, the first part and the second part automatically engage with each other, and the two parts are connected to each other. When the operator then applies an external force to the engaging claw with his or her fingers, the engagement is released, and the first part and the second part can be separated.

As a result, the work of connecting the first and second parts when assembling the bed, and the work of separating the first and second parts when disassembling the bed, can be done with fewer man-hours than with conventional beds that use fasteners as separate parts, improving work efficiency.

Many nursing beds have multiple sets of interconnected parts. By adopting the above-mentioned connection structure between the first and second parts for each of these multiple sets of parts, the efficiency of the work of assembling and disassembling the bed is clearly improved.

In particular, beds, due to their structure, often have four sets of parts that require similar interconnections in four locations, such as the left and right sides of the head and the left and right sides of the foot. One example is when four fixed legs are attached to the four frame legs of a bed. Some beds may have more than four sets of interconnected parts. In this way, in the case of beds with four or more sets of interconnected parts, applying this connection structure to each set of parts can have a significant effect in improving work efficiency.

One method for releasing the above-mentioned engagement is to simply have the worker insert the tip of his or her finger into the engagement window and press the engagement claw. The worker does not need any special tools other than his or her own hands to connect and disconnect the part sets.

In a bed according to one embodiment, the first and second parts may be configured so that, when the engagement claw is engaged with the engagement window, the outermost end of the engagement claw is located in a position recessed inward from the area of the outer surface of the first part adjacent to the engagement window. By having the outermost end of the engagement claw located in the recessed position, the risk of an external foreign object accidentally touching and pushing the engagement claw, thereby accidentally releasing the engagement between the engagement claw and the engagement window, is reduced.

Furthermore, a guide recess for guiding the operator's fingers into the engagement window may be provided at a specific location in the outer surface area adjacent to the engagement window. By using the guide recess, it becomes easier for the operator to insert his or her fingers into the engagement window to release the engagement.

The specific location (i.e., the location where the guide recess is provided) may be a location other than the location closest to the insertion opening as viewed from the engagement window. A preferred example of such a location is a location located on the opposite side of the insertion opening as viewed from the engagement window.

If a guide recess is present in such a location, it is easier for the worker to separate interconnected parts. For example, when separating an interconnected first part and a second part, since the second part is located on the side of the insertion opening of the first part, it is natural for the worker to grasp the second part with the hand that is closer to the insertion opening of the first part, and at the same time grasp the first part with the hand that is farthest from the insertion opening. In this case, if the guide recess is located in the above-mentioned location, it is easy to insert the fingers of the hand grasping the first part from the guide recess into the engagement window.

In one embodiment of the bed, the front end of the engagement claw may be provided with a front inclined surface that is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the insertion direction, and the engagement claw may be configured so that the front inclined surface retracts the engagement claw when the engagement claw enters the insertion hole. This ensures that the engagement claw does not interfere with the operation of inserting the second part into the insertion hole of the first part.

In a bed according to one embodiment, the rear end of the engagement claw may be provided with a rear inclined surface that is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the withdrawal direction opposite to the insertion direction, and the engagement claw may be configured so that the rear inclined surface prevents the engagement between the engagement claw and the engagement window from being released when a force is applied to pull the second connection part from the first connection part when the interconnection between the second part and the first part is established. This reduces the risk of the interconnection between the first part and the second part coming loose when an unintended external force that pulls the two parts apart is applied to the first part or the second part.

The engagement claw may be provided at the front end of the second connection portion. This allows the position of the engagement window in the first part to be located at a suitable distance from the insertion opening, but not too close. By locating the engagement window and the insertion opening at a suitable distance, it becomes easy for an operator to grasp the second part with one hand and the first part with the other hand to disengage them, and then pull the two parts apart.

The engaging claw may be configured so that an operator can attach and detach it to the second connection part. This makes it easy for an operator to replace or maintain the engaging claw, which may be damaged or deformed due to its structure, function, or material.

The second connection part of the second part may be configured as follows. That is, the second connection part has a cavity therein, and the engaging claw part is attached within the cavity. The engaging claw part is a part including an engaging claw and a support that elastically supports the engaging claw. Then, only the part of the engaging claw part that engages with the engaging window of the engaging claw protrudes outward from the outer surface of the second connection part, and the other part of the engaging claw part exists inside the second connection part (i.e., it does not protrude outward from the outer surface of the second connection part).

Alternatively, the second connection part of the second part may be configured as follows. That is, an engagement claw part including an engagement claw and a support that elastically supports the engagement claw is attached to the second connection part. The second connection part has a protective cover that protects the engagement claw part from the outside. Then, the portion of the engagement claw part that engages with the engagement window of the engagement claw protrudes outward from the protective cover.

The configuration of the second part as described above protects the engaging claw parts, which may be susceptible to damage or deformation due to their structure, function or material, by having only the portion that engages with the engaging window protrude from the outer surface of the second connection part, while the other portion is inside the second connection part, reducing the possibility of damage or unnecessary deformation.

The engaging claw part may be configured so that an operator can install it in the cavity of the second connection part and remove it from the cavity.

A bed according to one embodiment may include a bottom, a main frame that supports and moves the bottom from below, a base frame that supports the main frame from below, and fixed legs that are connected to a plurality of frame legs of the base frame. In this case, the above-described connection structure between the first part and the second part may be applied to, for example, the connection structure between each frame leg and each fixed leg, the connection structure for switching the length or width of the bottom, the connection structure for switching the length or width of the main frame, the connection structure for switching the length or width of the base frame, and/or the connection structure for switching the bending position of the bottom. Similar connection structures may also be applied to other bed parts.

By applying the above-mentioned connection structure throughout such a bed, the work efficiency of assembling and disassembling the bed is significantly improved.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an overall view of a bed according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fixed legs of the bed. 3 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fixed leg taken along the line AA in FIG. 2. 3 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fixed leg taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the fixing leg taken along the line CC in FIG. 2. A bottom view of the fixed leg is shown. FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a connection portion of the frame legs. 13 is a plan view of an engaging claw part attached to a connection portion of a frame leg. FIG. 13 shows the state of insertion when interconnecting the connection part of the frame leg and the fixed leg. In order to show the engagement between the engagement claw and the engagement window when the interconnection between the frame leg and the fixed leg is established, an oblique view is shown in which the fixed leg and the connection portion are cross-sectioned along the CC section line shown in Figure 2. FIG. 13 is an external view of the engagement window as seen from the outside of the fixed leg. In order to show the operation of an operator's fingers when releasing the interconnection between the frame leg and the fixed leg, a plan view is shown in which the fixed leg and the connection part are cross-sectioned along the CC cutting line shown in Figure 2.

One embodiment of the present invention is described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, a bed 1 according to one embodiment is, for example, a bed for nursing care. The bed 1 has a bottom 3 that supports a bed mat (not shown) from below, and the bottom 3 has a number of bottom elements, for example, a back bottom 3A, a waist bottom 3B, a knee bottom 3C, and a leg bottom 3D. The angles between the bottom elements 3A to 3D are variable, which allows the bottom 3 to bend. The bottom 3 is made of, for example, steel or synthetic resin.

The main frame 5 supports the bottom 3 from below. The main frame 5 is equipped with an electric mechanism (not shown) that moves the bottom elements 3A to 3D. The main frame 5 has multiple frame elements 5A to 5C, such as a head frame 5A, a center frame 5B, and a foot frame 5C. The main frame 5 is made of, for example, steel.

The base frame 7 supports the main frame 5 from below. The base frame 7 is, for example, made by joining steel square cylindrical pipes together so that its planar shape is roughly rectangular. The base frame 7 has four frame legs 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D (two of the frame legs 9C and 9D are not visible in Figure 1) that extend outward from its four corners.

Four fixed legs 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D (one fixed leg 11C is not visible in FIG. 1) are attached to the tip portions (hereinafter referred to as the "connections" of the frame legs) of the four frame legs 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D of the base frame 7. These fixed legs 11A to 11D stand on the floor and support the base frame 7 from below.

When transporting or storing the bed 1, the bed 1 is disassembled into multiple parts, such as the bottom elements 3A-3D, frame elements 5A-5C, base frame 7, fixed legs 11A-11D, and other parts (description omitted). When these separated parts are interconnected, the completed bed 1 is assembled as shown in Figure 1.

Each of the fixed legs 11A-11D is configured so that it can be attached (i.e., connected) to the connection portion of each of the frame legs 9A-9D of the base frame 7 with a single touch. Furthermore, each of the fixed legs 11A-11D is configured so that after being attached to the connection portion of each of the frame legs 9A-9D of the base frame 7, it can be easily removed (i.e., separated) therefrom with a single touch. In this specification, being able to connect (or separate) with "one touch" means that a worker can connect (or separate) a set of parts to be connected (or separated) to each other just by using his or her hands, without using fasteners that are separate from the set of parts to be connected (or separated) to each other (for example, each of the fixed legs 11A-11D and each of the sets of the frame legs 9A-9D).

The structure for one-touch connection and separation between the fixed legs 11A-11D and the frame legs 9A-9D of the base frame 7 will be described below. Here, the four fixed legs 11A-11D have the same structure, shape, and size. The connection parts of the four frame legs 9A-9D of the base frame 7 also have the same structure, shape, and size. Therefore, the following description will be given using one fixed leg (hereinafter, designated by the representative reference number 11) and one frame leg (hereinafter, designated by the representative reference number 9) as an example.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the fixed leg 11. Figure 3 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fixed leg 11 taken along the line A-A in Figure 2. Figure 4 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fixed leg 11 taken along the line B-B in Figure 2. Figure 5 shows a transverse cross-sectional view of the fixed leg 11 taken along the line C-C in Figure 2. Figure 6 shows a bottom view of the fixed leg 11.

The fixed leg 11 is placed upright on the floor in the position shown in Figure 1. The fixed leg 11 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, with its length direction L and height direction H dimensions being relatively long, and its width direction W dimension being relatively short. Furthermore, in order to ensure stability when the fixed leg 11 is placed upright on the floor, the width direction W dimension is greater in the parts of the fixed leg 11 closer to the floor (i.e., located lower).

The fixed leg 11 is made of, for example, a highly rigid synthetic resin, and is molded as a single unit. The fixed leg 11 has a roughly rectangular connecting tube 20 above the dashed lines shown in Figures 2 to 4, and the connecting tube 20 is used to connect to the frame leg 9. The fixed leg 11 has a support foot 31 below the connecting tube 20 that is connected to the connecting tube 20. The support foot 31 firmly supports the connecting tube 20 from below, to which the load from the bed 1 is applied.

As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the connecting tube 20 of the fixed leg 11 has a left side wall 23A, a right side wall 23B, a top wall 23C, and a bottom wall 23D that extend in the length direction L and are interconnected, with an insertion hole 25 defined inside. One end of the insertion hole 25 is an insertion port 21 that opens into the outer surface of the rear wall 29A of the fixed leg 11. The other end of the insertion hole 25 is closed by the front wall 23E of the connecting tube 20. In this way, the insertion hole 25 starts from the insertion port 21 that opens into the outer surface of the fixed leg 11, extends in the length direction L of the fixed leg 11, and is closed at its end.

In addition, as a modified example, the connecting tube 20 may be a groove-like structure lacking a portion of its side walls 23A-23D (e.g., all or part of the top wall 23C and/or all or part of the bottom wall 23D), or a simpler structure, and does not necessarily have to constitute a complete tube. In this specification, the term "connecting tube" is used for convenience, including such modified examples that are not complete tubes.

When connecting the fixed leg 11 to the frame leg 9, the worker inserts the frame leg 9 from the insertion opening 21 of the fixed leg 11 into the insertion hole 25 of the connection tube 20 in the direction shown by the arrow 33 in the figure. When the worker inserts the frame leg 9 of the base frame 7 as far as it will go into the insertion hole 25 and abuts its front end against the front wall 23E, the interconnection between the fixed leg 11 and the frame leg 9 is automatically established by the engagement mechanism described below.

As a component of the engagement mechanism, engagement windows 27A and 27B are provided in the left side wall 23A and right side wall 23B of the connecting tube 20 of the fixed leg 11, respectively, as shown in Figures 2 to 5. The engagement windows 27A and 27B penetrate the left side wall 23A and right side wall 23B, respectively, and open to the left and right outer surfaces of the fixed leg 11.

The support leg 31 of the fixed leg 11 has a rear wall 29A, a front wall 29B, a left side wall 29C, and a right side wall 29D that are interconnected, and has a reinforcing structure 35 on the inside thereof as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6. The reinforcing structure 35 has, for example, a lengthwise reinforcing rib 35A that extends in the length direction L and is connected to the rear wall 29A and the front wall 29B, and a plurality of widthwise reinforcing ribs 35B to 35E that extend in the width direction W and are connected to the right side wall 29C and the left side wall 29D. The widthwise reinforcing ribs 35B to 35E are connected to the lengthwise reinforcing rib 35A. The reinforcing structure 35 has the role of supporting the load from the bed 1 that is applied to the connecting tube 20 (particularly its bottom side wall 23D).

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the connection part 39 of the frame leg 9. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the connection part 39 of the frame leg 9 disassembled into a connection part main body 40 and an engaging claw part 42. Figure 9 shows a plan view of the engaging claw part 42 that is attached to the connection part 39 of the frame leg 9.

As shown in FIG. 7, the frame leg 9 is, for example, a steel rectangular pipe, and the connection part 39 at the tip of the pipe has a size and shape that allows it to be inserted into the insertion hole 29 of the connection tube 23 of the fixed leg 11 described above. The connection part 39 of the frame leg 9 has a connection part main body 40 that is a part of the frame leg 9, and an engagement claw part 42 that is attached and fixed to the connection part main body 40.

The connection body 40 has a right side wall 41A, a left side wall 41B, a top wall 41C, and a bottom wall 41D that are interconnected, and a cavity 43 is defined inside. The cavity 43 has an opening at the front end of the connection body 40. The engaging claw part 42 is fitted and fixed in the cavity 43.

The engaging claw part 42 is made of, for example, elastic synthetic resin, and is molded as a single unit. As shown in FIG. 8, the engaging claw part 42 is inserted into the cavity 43 from the opening at the front end of the connection body 40 in the direction indicated by the arrow 59, and is attached and fixed to the connection body 40.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the engagement claw part 42 has two engagement claws 45A and 45B on the left and right, and two fixed claws 51A and 51B on the left and right. The two engagement claws 45A and 45B are elastically supported by left and right support wings 53A and 53B, respectively, of a first support 53 having a substantially U-shaped planar shape. The two fixed claws 51A and 51B are elastically supported by left and right support wings 55A and 55B, respectively, of a second support 55 having a substantially U-shaped planar shape. The base end of the first support 53 is connected to the base end of the second support part 55, whereby the first support 53 is supported by the second support part 55.

In its natural state, when no external force is applied, the engaging claw part 42 has the shape shown in FIG. 9. In this natural state, the support wings 53A and 53B are slightly apart from being parallel to each other, and the support wings 55A and 55B are also slightly apart from being parallel to each other.

When an external pressure is applied to the two engagement claws 45A and 45B inward in the width direction W, the support wings 53A and 53B elastically bend in the pressure direction, and the engagement claws 45A and 45B retreat inward in the width direction W from the position shown in FIG. 9. When the pressure is released, the elastic action of the support wings 53A and 53B causes the engagement claws 45A and 45B to advance outward in the width direction W.

Similarly, when an external pressure is applied to the two fixed claws 51A and 51B inward in the width direction W, the support wings 55A and 55B elastically bend in the pressure direction, and the fixed claws 51A and 51B retreat inward in the width direction W from the position shown in Figure 9. When the pressure is released, the elastic action of the support wings 55A and 55B automatically moves the fixed claws 51A and 51B forward outward in the width direction W.

When an operator inserts the engaging claw part 42 into the cavity 43 of the connection body 40 in the direction of the arrow 59 as shown in Fig. 8, the left and right fixing claws 51A and 41B initially recede inward to allow the engaging claw part 42 to be inserted deeper into the cavity 43. When the engaging claw part 42 is inserted into the cavity 43 to the position shown in Fig. 7 (i.e., when the left and right engaging claws 45A and 45B enter the through holes 47A and 47B formed at the front ends of the left and right side walls 41A and 41B), the positions of the left and right fixing claws 51A and 51B coincide with the positions of the fixing holes 49A and 49B (the left fixing hole 49B is not visible in Fig. 7) that penetrate the left and right side walls 41A and 41B. At this time, the elastic action of the support wings 55A and 55B causes the fixing claws 51A and 51B to automatically move forward outward in the width direction W, thereby fitting into the fixing holes 49A and 49B. This completes the fixation of the engaging claw part 42 to the connection part body 40.

In addition, when it is necessary to separate the engaging claw part 42, which has been fixed to the connection part main body 40, from the connection part 39 for maintenance or replacement, an operator can insert an appropriate object such as the tip of a screwdriver into the left and right fixing holes 49A and 49B and push the fixing claws 51A and 51B inward to retract them, thereby detaching the fixing claws 51A and 51B from the fixing holes 49A and 49B and releasing the fixing. After that, the operator can pull the engaging claw part 42 out of the connection part main body 40. In addition, to prevent an operator from accidentally disengaging the fixing claws 51A and 51B easily, the elastic force of the fixing claws 51A and 51B is set to a strength that does not easily retract when directly pressed with fingers.

In this way, the engaging claw part 42 can be connected and disconnected from the connection part main body 40 with a single touch.

When the engaging claw part 42 shown in FIG. 7 is attached to the connection body 40, the left and right engaging claws 45A and 45B of the engaging claw part 42 pass through the left and right through holes 47A and 47B formed near the front ends of the left and right side walls 41A and 41B of the connection body 40 and protrude a predetermined length outward in the width direction W from the outer surface of the connection body 40. The portions of the engaging claws 45A and 45B protruding outward from the connection body 40 engage with the left and right engaging windows 27A and 27B of the fixed leg 11, respectively, when the connection part 39 and the fixed leg 11 are interconnected, thereby establishing the interconnection between the connection part 39 and the fixed leg 11.

The engaging claw part 42, except for the part that engages with the engaging windows 27A and 27B of the engaging claws 45A and 45B, is housed inside the connection part body 40 and does not protrude beyond the outer surface of the connection part body 40. This allows the engaging claw part 42 (which is relatively fragile, for example, because it is made of elastic synthetic resin) to be protected by the connection part body 40 (which is relatively robust, for example, because it is made of steel), reducing the possibility of damage or unnecessary deformation due to contact with foreign objects, etc.

For example, the front end faces 45AA and 45BA of the engaging claws 45A and 45B are housed inside the connecting body 40. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the front end faces 41CA and 41DA of the top wall 41C and the bottom wall 41D of the connecting body 40 protrude forward slightly longer than the front end faces 45AA and 45BA of the engaging claws 45A and 45B. Therefore, the front end faces 45AA and 45BA of the engaging claws 45A and 45B are located behind the front end faces 41CA and 41DA of the connecting body 40 (i.e., inside the connecting body 40). This reduces the possibility that the engaging claws 45A and 45B will collide with the front wall 23E or other objects in the fixed leg 11 when the worker inserts the connecting part 39 into the fixed leg 11 or when the worker handles the connecting part 39. As a result, the possibility that the engaging claw parts 42 will be damaged or deformed unnecessarily is reduced.

In other words, the connection body 40 has a protective cover 50 formed by a portion of its side walls 41A to 41D (the portion to the left of the dashed line in FIG. 7), and the protective cover 50 protects the other portions of the engagement part 42 from the outside, except for the portions of the engagement claws 45A and 45B that engage with the engagement windows 27A and 27B.

In the mounted state shown in FIG. 7, the forward direction of the support wings 53A and 53B that support the engagement claws 45A and 45B is parallel to the left and right side walls 41A and 42B, that is, in the same direction as the insertion direction of the connection part 39 into the fixed leg 11, as indicated by the arrow 33.

9, the engagement claws 45A and 45B of the engagement claw part 42 have front inclined surfaces 45AB and 45BB, respectively. The front inclined surfaces 45AB and 45BB are inclined so that the amount of outward protrusion in the width direction W decreases the further forward they go. In other words, the front inclined surfaces 45AB and 45BB of the engagement claws 45A and 45B are inclined at an obtuse angle α with respect to the forward direction of the support wings 53A and 53B. As described above, when the engagement claw part 42 is attached to the connection part main body 40, the forward direction of the support wings 53A and 53B is the same direction as the insertion direction 33 of the connection part 39 into the fixed leg 11, so the front inclined surfaces 45AB and 45BB of the engagement claws 45A and 45B are inclined at an obtuse angle α with respect to the insertion direction 33. The inclined front inclined surfaces 45AB and 45BB act to retract the engagement claws 45A and 45B inward when the connection part 39 is inserted into the fixed leg 11. This action makes it easier to insert the connection part 39 into the fixed leg 11.

9, the engaging claws 45A and 45B have rear inclined surfaces 45AC and 45BC, respectively. The rear inclined surfaces 45AC and 45BC of the engaging claws 45A and 45B are inclined at an acute angle β with respect to the rear direction of the support wings 53A and 53B. The inclined rear inclined surfaces 45AC and 45BC act to advance the engaging claws 45A and 45B outward in the width direction W when the engaging claws 45A and 45B engage with the engaging windows 27A and 27B of the fixed leg 11 to interconnect the connecting portion 39 and the fixed leg 11, and the connecting portion 39 is pulled from the fixed leg 11 in the withdrawal direction opposite to the insertion direction 33. This action prevents the interconnection between the connecting portion 39 and the fixed leg 11 from being accidentally released.

Figure 10 shows the insertion process when interconnecting the connection part 39 of the frame leg 9 and the fixed leg 11.

As shown in Figure 10, the connection part 39 of the frame leg 9 is inserted into the insertion hole 25 of the connection tube 20 of the fixed leg 11 from the front end having the engagement claws 45A and 45B (the right engagement claw 45B is hidden and not visible in Figure 10). During this insertion process, the engagement claws 45A and 45B abut against the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls 23A and 23B of the connection tube 20 and retreat inward in the width direction W until the engagement claws 45A and 45B of the connection part 39 reach the positions of the engagement windows 27A and 27B of the fixed leg 11 (the right engagement window 27B is hidden and not visible in Figure 10), thereby allowing the connection part 39 to be inserted deeper into the insertion hole 25. When the connection part 39 is inserted to the deepest part of the insertion hole 25, the front end faces 41CA and 41DA of the connection part 39 abut against the front wall 23E (see Figures 3 to 5) of the connection tube 20, preventing it from being inserted any deeper, and at the same time, the engagement claws 45A and 45B of the connection part 39 reach positions at the engagement windows 27A and 27B and automatically enter and engage within the engagement windows 27A and 27B. This completes the connection of the fixed leg 11 to the frame leg 9.

When the connection part 39 of the frame leg 9 is inserted into the connection tube 20 of the fixed leg 11, the outer surfaces of the side walls 41A-41D of the connection part 39 abut at least partially, and preferably almost entirely, against the inner surfaces of the side walls 23A-23D of the connection tube 20. This prevents rattling between the frame leg 9 and the fixed leg 11, and also allows the load of the bed 1 to be received by the fixed leg 20 via the frame leg 9.

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the fixed leg 11 and the connection portion 39 cut transversely along the line C-C shown in Figure 2 to show the state of engagement between the engagement claws 45A and 45B and the engagement windows 27A and 27B when the interconnection between the frame leg 9 and the fixed leg 11 is established. Figure 12 shows an external view of the engagement window 27A as seen from the outside of the fixed leg 11.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the frame leg 9 and the fixed leg 11 are connected to each other, the engaging claws 45A and 45B are inserted into the engaging windows 27A and 27B, but the outer ends of the engaging claws 45A and 45B in the width direction W are located at a position recessed by a predetermined distance γ inward in the width direction W compared to the areas of the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls 23A and 23B of the fixed leg 11 adjacent to the engaging windows 27A and 27B. In other words, the areas of the outer surface of the fixed leg 11 adjacent to the engaging windows 27A and 27B protrude outward from the outer ends of the engaging claws 45A and 45B. In other words, the engaging claws 45A and 45B do not protrude outward from the outer surface of the fixed leg 11. This reduces the possibility that a foreign object present outside the fixed leg 11 will accidentally touch the engaging claws 45A and 45B and push the engaging claws 45A and 45B inward, thereby releasing the engagement.

Furthermore, the engagement between the frame leg 9 and the fixed leg 11 will not be completely released unless both of the left and right engagement claws 45A and 45B are simultaneously removed from the engagement windows 27A and 27B. This also reduces the possibility of the engagement between the frame leg 9 and the fixed leg 11 being accidentally released.

As shown in Figures 11 and 12, guide recesses 61A and 62B are formed only at specific locations in the area adjacent to engagement windows 27A and 27B on the outer surface of fixed leg 11. Guide recesses 61A and 62B serve to guide the tips of the operator's fingers into engagement windows 27A and 27B, making it easier for the operator to press engagement claws 45A and 45B. The locations on the outer surface of fixed leg 11 where guide recesses 61A and 62B are formed are selected to be, for example, locations other than the location closest to insertion opening 21 as viewed from engagement windows 27A and 27B, particularly locations located on the opposite side of insertion opening 21, in other words, locations closest to front inclined surfaces 45AB and 45BB of engagement claw 45A, so that the operator can easily perform the disengagement operation.

Figure 13 shows a plan view of the fixed leg 11 and the connection part 39 cut transversely along the C-C cutting line shown in Figure 2 to show the operation of the operator's fingers when releasing the interconnection between the frame leg 9 and the fixed leg 11.

As shown in FIG. 13, the operator inserts the tips of two fingers (e.g., index finger 63A and thumb 63B) of one hand into the engagement windows 27A and 27B along the guide recesses 61A and 61B, and then uses the front inclined surfaces 45AB and 45BB of the left and right engagement claws 45A and 45B to simultaneously push the engagement claws 45A and 45B inward in the width direction W. This causes the left and right engagement claws 45A and 45B to retract and come out of the left and right engagement windows 27A and 27B, and the engagement between them can be released.

Once disengaged, the connection portion 39 of the frame leg 9 can be simply pulled out of the fixed leg 11, thereby separating the fixed leg 11 from the frame leg 9.

One embodiment has been described above. The present invention can be embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The present invention can also be applied to connecting sets of components of the bed 1 other than the interconnection between the frame legs 9 and the fixed legs 11. Application examples include changing the length or width of the bottom 3, changing the length or width of the head frame 5A, center frame 5B, or foot frame 5C, changing the length or width of the base frame 7, and changing the bending position of the bottom 3. In these application examples, for example, the connection structure between the connecting tube 20 of the fixed leg 11 and the frame leg 9 described above can be used.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the number of sets of engagement claws and engagement windows is two, and the two sets are arranged in opposing positions so that an operator can easily disengage the two sets simultaneously with one hand. However, it is also possible to adopt an embodiment in which there is only one set of engagement claws and engagement windows, or an embodiment in which there are three or more sets.

In the above embodiment, the frame leg 9 is provided with the engagement claws 45A and 45B, and the fixed leg 11 is provided with the engagement windows 27A and 27B. However, it is also possible to adopt an embodiment in which the frame leg 9 is provided with one or more engagement windows, and the fixed leg 11 is provided with one or more engagement claws.

Reference Signs List 1 Bed 7 Base frame 9 (9A to 9D) Frame leg 11 (11A to 11D) Fixed leg 20 Connection tube 21 Insertion opening 27A, 27B Engagement window 31 Support leg 33 Insertion direction 35 Reinforcement structure 39 Connection part 40 Connection part main body 42 Engagement claw parts 45A, 45B Engagement claws 49A, 49B Fixing hole 50 Protective cover 51A, 51B Fixing claw 53 First support 55 Second support 61A, 61B Guide recess

Claims (12)

A bed having a set of a first part and a second part which are connected to each other,
The first part is
An insertion port that opens to an outer surface of the first component;
a first connection portion having an insertion hole extending from the insertion opening and a front wall closing an end of the insertion hole ;
an engagement window provided at least at one location of the first connection portion;
having
The second part is
a second connection portion that can be inserted into the insertion hole from the insertion opening of the first component in an insertion direction;
an engaging claw elastically supported on the second connection portion;
having
When the second connection portion of the second component is inserted into the insertion hole from the insertion opening of the first component to a predetermined depth, the positions of the engagement claw and the engagement window match, and the engagement claw automatically engages with the engagement window by elastic action, thereby establishing an interconnection between the first component and the second component,
After the interconnection is established, when an external force is applied to the engagement claw from an operator's finger, the engagement claw is disengaged from the engagement window,
The release of the engagement allows the first component and the second component to be separated,
The second connection portion has a cavity therein,
An engaging claw part is fixed in the cavity of the second connection part,
The engaging claw part includes the engaging claw and a support that elastically supports the engaging claw,
Of the engagement claw part, only a portion of the engagement claw that engages with the engagement window protrudes outward from an outer surface of the second connection part, and the other portion is present inside the second connection part, and the other portion includes a front end portion of the engagement claw in the insertion direction,
a front end of the engagement claw is provided with a front inclined surface inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the insertion direction, and when the engagement claw enters the insertion hole, the front inclined surface causes the engagement claw to retract;
When a front end surface of the second connection portion abuts against the front wall of the first connection portion, the engagement claw and the engagement window are engaged with each other.
bed. A bed having a set of a first part and a second part which are connected to each other,
The first part is
An insertion port that opens to an outer surface of the first component;
a first connection portion having an insertion hole extending from the insertion opening and a front wall closing an end of the insertion hole ;
an engagement window provided at least at one location of the first connection portion;
having
The second part is
a second connection portion that can be inserted into the insertion hole from the insertion opening of the first component in an insertion direction;
an engaging claw elastically supported on the second connection portion;
having
When the second connection portion of the second component is inserted into the insertion hole from the insertion opening of the first component to a predetermined depth, the positions of the engagement claw and the engagement window match, and the engagement claw automatically engages with the engagement window by elastic action, thereby establishing an interconnection between the first component and the second component,
After the interconnection is established, when an external force is applied to the engagement claw from an operator's finger, the engagement claw is disengaged from the engagement window,
The release of the engagement allows the first component and the second component to be separated,
An engaging claw part is fixed to the second connection part,
The engaging claw part includes the engaging claw and a support that elastically supports the engaging claw,
The second connection portion has a protective cover that protects the engaging claw part from the outside,
a portion of the engagement claw part that engages with the engagement window of the engagement claw protrudes outward from the protective cover, and another portion is accommodated inside the protective cover, and the other portion includes a front end portion of the engagement claw in the insertion direction,
a front end of the engagement claw is provided with a front inclined surface inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the insertion direction, and when the engagement claw enters the insertion hole, the front inclined surface causes the engagement claw to retract;
When a front end surface of the second connection portion abuts against the front wall of the first connection portion, the engagement claw and the engagement window are engaged with each other.
bed. In the bed according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The engaging claw part has a fixed claw that can elastically advance and retreat,
The second connection portion has a fixing hole,
The fixing claw is fitted into the fixing hole, whereby the engaging claw part is fixed to the second connection portion,
By removing the fixing claw from the fixing hole, the engaging claw part can be separated from the second connection portion.
bed. A bed having a set of a first part and a second part which are connected to each other,
The first part is
An insertion port that opens to an outer surface of the first component;
a first connection portion having an insertion hole extending from the insertion opening;
an engagement window provided at least at one location of the first connection portion;
having
The second part is
a second connection portion that can be inserted into the insertion hole from the insertion opening of the first component in an insertion direction;
an engaging claw elastically supported on the second connection portion;
having
When the second connection portion of the second component is inserted into the insertion hole from the insertion opening of the first component to a predetermined depth, the positions of the engagement claw and the engagement window match, and the engagement claw automatically engages with the engagement window by elastic action, thereby establishing an interconnection between the first component and the second component,
After the interconnection is established, when an external force is applied to the engagement claw from an operator's finger, the engagement claw is disengaged from the engagement window,
The release of the engagement allows the first component and the second component to be separated,
An engaging claw part is fixed to the second connection part,
The engaging claw part includes the engaging claw and a support that elastically supports the engaging claw,
The engaging claw part is attachable to and detachable from the second connecting part ,
The engaging claw part has a fixed claw that can elastically advance and retreat,
The second connection portion has a fixing hole,
The fixing claw is fitted into the fixing hole, whereby the engaging claw part is fixed to the second connection portion,
By removing the fixing claw from the fixing hole, the engaging claw part can be separated from the second connection portion,
When the first component and the second component are connected to each other, the fixing hole of the second connection portion is received in the first connection portion.
bed. A bed according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Bottom and
A main frame that supports and moves the bottom from below;
a base frame supporting the main frame from below;
and a plurality of fixed legs connected to the plurality of frame legs of the base frame,
A bed, wherein the set of the first part and the second part is a set of each frame leg and each fixed leg. A bed according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
It also has a bottom,
A bed, wherein the set of the first part and the second part is provided for switching the length or width of the bottom. A bed according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Bottom and
A main frame supporting the bottom from below is further provided,
A bed, wherein the set of the first part and the second part is provided for switching the length or width of the main frame. A bed according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Bottom and
A main frame that supports the bottom from below;
a base frame supporting the main frame from below;
Further equipped with
A bed, wherein the set of the first part and the second part is provided for switching the length or width of the base frame. A bed according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Further comprising a bendable bottom;
A bed, wherein the set of the first part and the second part is provided for switching the bending position of the bottom. A bed according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
the second part is a rectangular tubular pipe,
The insertion opening has the same shape as the cross section of the pipe.
bed. In the bed according to claim 3 or claim 4,
A bed, wherein a protruding amount of the fixing claw in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction is smaller than a protruding amount of the engaging claw. In the bed according to claim 3 or claim 4,
A bed, wherein a surface area of a portion of the fixed claw that is exposed to the outside of the second connection portion is smaller than a surface area of a portion of the engaging claw that is exposed to the outside of the second connection portion.