JP7813693B2 - rack - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to so-called racks, such as tables, shelves, stands, and planter stands, and relates to racks whose tops can be removed from the legs.

So-called racks, such as tables, shelves, stands, and planter stands, generally have legs and a top, and some have a single top, while others have multiple tops. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 (Design Gazette for Design Registration No. 1720756) discloses a table with a top supported on the top ends of four leg supports, and another top below the leg supports.

Design Gazette of Design Registration No. 1720756

However, with most conventional racks, the tabletop is fixed to the legs with screws or other fasteners, making it impossible to remove the tabletop. Even with racks for so-called assembly-ready furniture, it is generally necessary to remove fastening members such as screws in order to remove the tabletop from the legs after the purchaser has assembled the furniture. This makes the disassembly process tedious when storing a table that has not been used for a long time in another location.

Furthermore, the table disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 is not designed to be used upside down, so the upper tabletop functions only for working or eating, while the lower tabletop functions only as a place to temporarily place items.

However, if the tabletop could be easily removed from the legs, storage and other tasks would become easier, and if the rack could be turned upside down, it could be used as a table, a stand, a planter stand, etc., diversifying the rack's uses.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the rack of the present invention is a foldable, collapsible rack with legs and a top plate, wherein the legs have a plurality of leg sets each having a horizontal frame connected to a pair of two opposing leg supports, the horizontal frames of each of the plurality of leg sets are pivotally connected to one another, the top plate has a recess on one side, and when the rack is in use, the recess is engaged with the horizontal frame of the leg to lock the top plate to the leg, thereby locking the top plate to the leg set so that it cannot rotate, and the top plate can be removed from the leg by disengaging it from the horizontal frame, and the legs having the plurality of leg sets are foldable by pivoting.

In one aspect, each of the leg sets has a plurality of horizontal frames, which are connected at different heights that are asymmetrical when viewed in the vertical direction of the leg support when the rack is in use, and one of the horizontal frames is connected to one end of the leg support, so that when the top plate is fitted to the horizontal frame connected to one end of the leg support, the upper end of the leg support is approximately the same height as the surface of the top plate.

In one embodiment, the leg sets are a pair, and a protrusion is provided at the end of the horizontal frame of one of the leg sets. The protrusion is arranged so that when the rack is in use, the upper end surface of the protrusion and the upper surface of the horizontal frame of the other leg set are at the same height in the vertical direction, and when the legs are pivoted and folded, the protrusion and the horizontal frame of the other leg set overlap.

Furthermore, in one aspect, the unit is provided with at least two tabletops that fit into each of the horizontal frames that are connected at different height positions.

According to the present invention, the top plate can be easily removed from the legs, facilitating tasks such as storage. This invention provides an assembly rack that can be folded compactly and easily assembled.

Furthermore, the rack of the present invention can also be designed so that it can be used upside down, allowing a single rack to be used as a table, shelf, stand, or planter stand, thereby diversifying the rack's uses.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a rack according to the present invention, in which FIG. 1(a) shows the state when used as a table, and FIG. 1(b) shows the state when used as a stand or planter stand. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a rack according to the present invention when two tabletops are provided, with Figure 2(a) showing the state when used as a table and Figure 2(b) showing the state when used as a stand or planter stand. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the legs that make up the rack shown in Figures 1 and 2, where Figure 3(a) shows the state of the legs when used as a table as shown in Figures 1(a) and 2(a), Figure 3(b) shows the state of the legs when used as a stand or planter stand as shown in Figures 1(b) and 2(b), and Figure 3(c) shows the state when the legs are folded. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the connection of two horizontal frames (a pair of horizontal frames) to enable the legs to be folded and the top plate to be removably fitted together, with Figure 4(a) showing the state of the two frames before being connected, and Figure 4(b) showing the state of the two frames after being connected. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the top plate that constitutes the rack, with FIG. 5A being a top view of the top plate and FIG. 5B being a bottom view of the top plate. 6A and 6B are side views of the rack according to the present invention when used as a table, and FIGS. 6A and 6B show the state as viewed from angles different by 90 degrees. 7A and 7B are a top view (FIG. 7A) and a bottom view (FIG. 7B) of the rack according to the present invention when used as a table. FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which the leg supports are provided with a plurality of engagement portions for connecting the horizontal frame so that the height position of the top plate when the rack is in use can be adjusted.

The rack according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience, the rack according to the present invention will be described below as a table. However, the term "rack" used in this specification is not limited to tables, but is used in a broader sense to encompass furniture with a top, such as shelves, racks, planter stands, and other so-called stands, frames, and stands. Furthermore, the terms "upper" and "lower" used in this specification are merely used to describe the illustrated embodiments; in actual use, "upper" can mean "lower" and vice versa.

1(a) is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a rack according to the present invention. FIG. 1(a) shows the rack in use as a table, and FIG. 1(b) shows the rack in use when inverted and used as, for example, a stand or planter stand. When using the rack 100 as a table, the top plate 10 is fitted into the horizontal frames indicated by reference numerals 22a and 22c in FIG. 1(b) and engaged with the upper ends of the legs 20. When the rack (table) is inverted and used as, for example, a stand or planter stand, the top plate 10 is refitted into the horizontal frames indicated by reference numerals 22b and 22d in FIG. 1(a). Note that while the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 shows only one top plate 10 on the rack 100, it may also be equipped with two or more top plates 10. In such an embodiment, the rack will have at least two top plates that fit into horizontal frames connected at different heights.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the rack of the present invention when equipped with two tabletops 10 (10a, 10b). Figure 2(a) shows the state when used as a table, and Figure 2(b) shows the state when used as a stand or planter stand. Even in this embodiment, when using the rack 100 as a table, the tabletop 10a is fitted into the horizontal frames indicated by reference numerals 22a and 22c in Figure 1(b) and engaged with the upper ends of the legs 20, and the tabletop 10b is fitted into the horizontal frames indicated by reference numerals 22b and 22d in Figure 1(a) and engaged below the legs 20. Even when this rack (table) is turned upside down and used as, for example, a stand or planter stand, the tabletops 10a and 10b are refitted into the horizontal frames 22a-d.

The rack according to the present invention can be modified in various ways. It is also possible to provide at least three pairs of horizontal frames 22 that are connected at at least three different height positions of the leg supports 21 when the rack 100 is in use, and to provide three or more tabletops that fit onto each of these pairs of horizontal frames. In either case, these tabletops 10 are removably attached to the legs 20, as described below.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the leg 20 constituting the rack 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2, with Figure 3(a) showing the state of the leg 20 when used as a table as shown in Figures 1(a) and 2(a), Figure 3(b) showing the state of the leg 20 when used as a stand or planter stand as shown in Figures 1(b) and 2(b), and Figure 3(c) showing the state in which the leg 20 is folded.

The legs 20 of the rack 100 according to the present invention have a plurality of leg supports 21 and a plurality of horizontal frames 22 that are connected at the same height to two opposing leg supports 21 when the rack 100 is in use. In other words, one leg set is made up of a pair of (two) leg supports and horizontal frames that are connected at the same height to a pair of two opposing leg supports 21 when the rack 100 is in use.

In the embodiment shown in this figure, four leg supports 21 are provided, and when the rack 100 is in use, two opposing leg supports 21 (leg supports 21a and 21b, and leg supports 21c and 21d) are provided with multiple horizontal frames 22 (four in this example) connected at the same height. In other words, this leg section 20 is made up of two sets of legs.

Specifically, horizontal frames 22a and 22b are connected to leg supports 21a and 21b, which make up the first pair of leg supports, at positions where they are at the same height when rack 100 is in use, and horizontal frames 22c and 22d are connected to leg supports 21c and 21d, which make up the second pair of leg supports, at positions where they are at the same height when rack 100 is in use.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, when the rack 100 is used as a table, the upper ends of the leg supports do not protrude from the top surface of the tabletop 10 and get in the way when used as a table. To prevent this, the upper surface of the tabletop 10, when fitted to the horizontal frame 22, is designed to be at approximately the same height as the upper end surfaces of the leg supports 21.

In other words, in one embodiment, each leg set has multiple horizontal frames that are connected at different heights that are asymmetrical when viewed in the vertical direction of the leg support when the rack is in use, and one of the multiple horizontal frames is connected to one end of the leg support, so that when the tabletop is fitted onto the horizontal frame connected to one end of the leg support, the upper end of the leg support is at approximately the same height as the surface of the tabletop.

With this design, the upper ends of the leg supports 21 will not protrude from the top surface of the tabletop 10 when the tabletop is in use. For example, if the tabletop 10 is 2 cm thick, one of the pair of horizontal frames 22 will be connected so that the top surface of the horizontal frame main body is located approximately 2 cm below the top surface of the leg support 21. As will be described later, a protrusion can be provided on the other end of the pair of horizontal frames so that the tabletop 10 can also be engaged with this protrusion. In this case, the tabletop 10 will be connected so that the top surface of the protrusion is located approximately 2 cm below the top surface of the leg support 21. The tabletop 10 may also be designed so that the top surface of the tabletop 10, when fitted to the horizontal frame 22, is higher than the top surface of the leg support 21. Even with this design, the upper ends of the leg supports 21 will not protrude from the top surface of the tabletop 10 when the tabletop is in use.

Such horizontal frames 22 may be fixedly connected to the leg supports 21 by welding or the like, or the leg supports 21 may be provided with multiple engagement portions (e.g., screw holes) for connecting the horizontal frames 22 so that the height position of the tabletop 10 can be adjusted when the rack 100 is in use. The shape of the leg supports 21 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a square pillar or a cylinder. The shape of the horizontal frames 22 is likewise not particularly limited and may be, for example, a square pillar or a cylinder. When the leg supports 21 and the horizontal frames 22 are connected by welding, it is preferable that the leg supports 21 and the horizontal frames 22 be square pillars from the standpoints of ease of welding and durability of the welded joints.

As mentioned above, the rack 100 of the present invention may be provided with only one top plate 10, or with two or more top plates. When only one top plate 10 is provided, the horizontal frames 22b and 22d shown in the figure are not necessarily required, but from the perspective of stable use of the rack 100, it is preferable that these horizontal frames be provided. Furthermore, as mentioned above, when two or more top plates 10 are provided, the number of horizontal frame pairs required to lock these top plates will be provided in accordance with the number of top plates.

When two or more tabletops 10 are provided, the tabletops 10 may be the same size or different sizes. If the tabletops 10 are designed to be the same size, they can be compatible with any pair of horizontal frames, making it easy to install each tabletop 10. On the other hand, if the tabletops 10 are designed to be different sizes, it is sufficient to provide a pair of horizontal frames of a size that corresponds to each tabletop 10.

Figure 4 illustrates the connection of two horizontal frames to allow the legs 20 to be folded and to allow the tabletop 10 to be removably fitted together. Figure 4(a) shows the state of the two frames (a pair of horizontal frames) before they are connected, and Figure 4(b) shows the state of the two frames after they are connected. In the configuration shown in this figure, protrusions 23 are provided on the ends of horizontal frames 22a and 22c to allow the tabletop 10 to be fitted to either of the two horizontal frames.

This protrusion 23 is intended to fit into the end of a recess provided in the tabletop 10. While such a protrusion 23 is not essential, it is preferable to provide it in order to ensure a secure fit between the tabletop 10 and the horizontal frame 22. If such a protrusion 23 were not provided, the recess in the tabletop 10 would fit into only the main body of one of the pair of horizontal frames. It goes without saying that this type of horizontal frame configuration is similar for other pairs of horizontal frames. In other words, in one configuration, the horizontal frame 22 fits into the recess in the tabletop 10 via the protrusion or a main body other than the protrusion. The recess provided in the tabletop 10 will be described later.

As shown in Figure 4(b), the two horizontal frames 22a and 22c are connected at their centers by a fastening member 24, such as a screw. This connection allows the two horizontal frames to rotate (pivot) relative to each other around the fastening member 24 as a central axis. Therefore, when the rack 100 is not in use, the legs 20 can be folded, making it easy to store the rack 100. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the protrusions 23 are provided on both ends of the horizontal frames, but they may also be provided on only one end. However, in order to stably engage the tabletop 10 with the horizontal frame 22, it is preferable to provide protrusions on both ends of the horizontal frame.

In the embodiment illustrated in these figures, there are a pair of leg sets (two sets), and a protrusion is provided at the end of the horizontal frame of one of the leg sets. When the rack is in use, the upper end surface of this protrusion and the upper surface of the horizontal frame of the other leg set are at the same height in the vertical direction, and when the legs are pivoted and folded, the protrusion and the horizontal frame of the other leg set overlap.

Figure 5 illustrates the top plate 10 constituting the rack 100. Figure 5(a) is a top view of the top plate 10, and Figure 5(b) is a bottom view of the top plate 10. Here, the side without the recess for mating with the horizontal frame 22 is referred to as the top surface, and the side with the recess is referred to as the bottom surface. As shown in Figure 5(b), one side (bottom surface) of the top plate 10 is provided with recesses 15a and 15b extending in the diameter direction of the top plate 10. When the rack 100 is in use, these recesses 15a and 15b mate with protrusions provided on the main body and at least one end of the horizontal frame 22, thereby locking the top plate 10 to the legs 20. This engagement is achieved by simply fitting the recess 15 into the main body or protrusion of the horizontal frame, eliminating the need for locking members such as screws. This makes it extremely easy to engage and disengage the top plate 10 from the horizontal frame 22, and facilitating removal of the top plate 10 from the horizontal frame 22, for example, when storing it away.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the shape of the tabletop 10 is circular, but this is not limited to this shape. The shape of the tabletop 10 may be, for example, elliptical, or polygonal, such as rectangular. If the shape of the tabletop 10 is polygonal, it is preferable to chamfer each of the corners.

Figure 6 is a side view of the rack of the present invention when used as a table, with Figures 6(a) and 6(b) showing views from angles 90 degrees apart. Also, Figure 7 is a top view (Figure 7(a)) and a bottom view (Figure 7(b)) of the rack of the present invention when used as a table.

When viewed from the angle shown in Figure 6(a), the recess in the tabletop 10a fits into the main body of the horizontal frame 22a and is locked to the legs. When viewed from the angle shown in Figure 6(b), the recess in the tabletop 10a fits into the protrusion provided on the end of the horizontal frame 22c and is locked to the legs. In other words, the recess in the tabletop 10a fits into the protrusion on the horizontal frame or a main body other than the protrusion, thereby locking the tabletop 10a to the legs 20. This lock prevents the tabletop 10a from rotating relative to the leg set. The same applies to the tabletop 10b provided below the tabletop 10a, so repeated explanation will be omitted.

Figure 8 shows an embodiment in which the leg supports 21 are provided with multiple engagement portions 25 for connecting the horizontal frame 22 so that the height position of the tabletop 10 when the rack 100 is in use can be adjusted. In the example shown in this figure, the engagement portions 25 provided on the leg supports 21 are holes 25 for connecting the horizontal frame 22 using fastening members such as screws. However, this embodiment of height adjustment is not limited to this. For example, hook-shaped fastening portions may be provided to connect the horizontal frame. With this embodiment, when the rack 100 is used as a table and then turned upside down to be used as a stand or planter stand, the height of the tabletop 10, which was on the upper side, can be adjusted, improving convenience.

In this way, the rack of the present invention is a foldable, collapsible rack with legs and a top plate, wherein the legs have multiple leg sets with horizontal frames connected to a pair of two opposing leg supports, the horizontal frames of each of the multiple leg sets are pivotally connected to one another, and the top plate has a recess on one side, and when the rack is in use, the recess is engaged with the horizontal frames of the legs to lock the top plate to the legs, thereby non-rotatably locking the top plate to the leg set, and the top plate can be removed from the legs by disengaging it from the horizontal frames, and the legs having the multiple leg sets can be folded by this pivoting.

In one aspect, each of the leg sets has a plurality of horizontal frames, which are connected at different heights that are asymmetrical when viewed in the vertical direction of the leg support when the rack is in use, and one of the horizontal frames is connected to one end of the leg support, so that when the top plate is fitted to the horizontal frame connected to one end of the leg support, the upper end of the leg support is approximately the same height as the surface of the top plate.

In one embodiment, the leg sets are a pair, and a protrusion is provided at the end of the horizontal frame of one of the leg sets. The protrusion is arranged so that when the rack is in use, the upper end surface of the protrusion and the upper surface of the horizontal frame of the other leg set are at the same height in the vertical direction, and when the legs are pivoted and folded, the protrusion and the horizontal frame of the other leg set overlap.

Furthermore, in one aspect, the unit is provided with at least two tabletops that fit into each of the horizontal frames that are connected at different height positions.

There are many variations in the embodiments of the present invention. For example, the leg supports may be provided with multiple engagement portions for connecting the horizontal frames so that the height position of the top plate when the rack is in use can be adjusted.

As an example, the engagement portion provided on the leg support is a hole portion for connecting the horizontal frame using a fastening member.

This type of rack can be used upside down.

The top plate may be, for example, circular or elliptical. The top plate may also be, for example, polygonal, with each corner chamfered.

As described above, according to the present invention, the top plate can be easily detached from the legs, facilitating tasks such as storage. The present invention provides an assembly rack that can be folded compactly and easily assembled.

Furthermore, the rack of the present invention can also be designed so that it can be used upside down, allowing a single rack to be used as a table, shelf, stand, planter stand, etc., thereby increasing the rack's range of uses.

The present invention provides a rack whose top can be easily removed from its legs, and an assembly rack that can be folded compactly and easily assembled.

10 Top plate 15 Recess 20 Leg 21 Leg support 22 Horizontal frame 23 Protrusion 24 Fastening member 25 Hole 100 Rack

Claims (4)

A foldable, collapsible rack with legs and a top plate,
The leg section includes a plurality of leg sets each having a horizontal frame connected to a pair of two leg supports facing each other,
The horizontal frames of the respective leg sets are pivotally connected to each other,
The top plate has a recess on one side, and when the rack is in use, the recess is fitted into the horizontal frame of the leg to lock the top plate to the leg set, thereby locking the top plate to the leg set so that it cannot rotate, and the top plate can be removed from the leg by disengaging from the horizontal frame,
A rack, characterized in that the legs having the plurality of leg sets are foldable by the pivoting. The rack described in claim 1, wherein each of the leg sets has a plurality of horizontal frames, which are connected at different height positions that are asymmetrical when viewed in the vertical direction of the leg support when the rack is in use, one of the horizontal frames is connected to one end of the leg support, and when the top plate is fitted to the horizontal frame connected to one end of the leg support, the upper end of the leg support is at approximately the same height as the surface of the top plate. The rack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the leg sets are a pair, and a protrusion is provided at the end of the horizontal frame of one of the leg sets, and the protrusion is arranged so that when the rack is in use, the upper end surface of the protrusion and the upper surface of the horizontal frame of the other leg set are at the same height in the vertical direction, and when the legs are pivoted and folded, the protrusion and the horizontal frame of the other leg set overlap. The rack according to claim 2 , further comprising at least two top plates that fit onto the horizontal frames connected at different height positions, respectively.