JP2003285605A - Caster device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a caster device which has a simple and compact configuration. <P>SOLUTION: A caster device 11 is provided with a rotary support 15 to pivotably support wheels 16, 16 which contact with a floor, a swibel support 13 adapted to mount the rotary support 15 horizontally and revolvingly, and a downwardly opened cover 12 to cover the swibel support 13. A screw bolt 24 is fixed to the upper surface of the cover 12, and the whole caster device 11 is adjusted to be freely liftable relative to a horizontal foot 5 by screwing the screw bolt 24 into the horizontal foot 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a caster device used for furniture such as a table and a wagon, or various fixtures such as a stand-type blackboard.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a caster device has a height adjusting function (adjuster function) in order to eliminate the rattling of furniture and furniture and to keep the furniture horizontal and to align the heights of adjacent furniture. It is known to make.

For example, in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 59-172604, a revolving structure with wheels that rolls on the floor is arranged in the inner diameter of a substantially cylindrical cover body that is vertically open and fixed to the revolving structure. The swivel shaft is attached to the lower surface of the adjusting knob that is screwed into the opening on the upper surface of the cover body so that it can be horizontally swiveled.Furthermore, a screw rod protruding upward on the upper surface of the adjusting knob is attached to a leg of furniture, etc. A caster device configured to be screwed onto a supported body from below is disclosed.

In this example, the height of the supported body is adjusted by turning the adjusting knob around the longitudinal axis of the threaded rod to adjust the amount of screwing of the threaded rod with respect to the supported body. .

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, since the adjusting knob, the turning shaft and the cover body are constructed separately, the number of parts and the labor at the time of assembling are reduced. From a point of view, there was room for improvement.

Further, the adjusting knob must be exposed below the supported body so that an operator or the like can easily perform the height adjusting operation. However, in the structure of the prior art, the adjusting knob is provided on the upper surface of the cover body. Since the adjustment knob is arranged, not only the caster device as a whole becomes bulky, but also the gap between the lower surface of the supported body and the floor surface is made narrower than the height dimension from the upper surface of the adjustment knob to the ground contact surface of the wheel. There was also the problem of not being able to do it.

Therefore, it is a technical object of the present invention to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art and provide a caster device having a simple and low bulk structure.

[0008]

In order to solve this technical problem, the invention of claim 1 provides a rotary support body in which a wheel grounded on the floor is rotatably supported, and the rotary support body can be horizontally swiveled. A swivel support attached to the swivel support, and a downwardly open cover body fitted to the swivel support from above, the cover body being provided with a screw means that rotates integrally with the swivel support body. It is screwed to a supported body such as a leg.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotating support body which rotatably supports a wheel grounded on the floor, and a rotating support body in which the rotating support body is horizontally swingably mounted. The integrally rotating screw means is screwed from below onto a supported object such as a leg of furniture.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the caster device according to the first or second aspect, the operating means for adjusting the screwing amount of the screw means is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cover body or the swivel support body. Are projected outward in the radial direction, and a part of the operating means is projected from the outer side surface of the supported body in a plan view.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is
The caster device 11 according to the present invention is applied to a table 1 in which a top plate 3 is supported by a pair of legs 2 and 2.

FIG. 1A is a partial perspective view of the table 1 to which the caster device 11 of the first embodiment is attached, and FIG. 1B is a partial plan view of the horizontal foot 5 and the caster device 11. 2 is a sectional view taken along the side of the caster device 11 on the side of separation, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1 (a), each leg 2 of the table 1 is formed in an inverted T-shape in a side view by a vertically long pedestal 4 and a horizontal foot 5 as a supported body. , The caster device 11 is provided at both longitudinal end portions of the lower surface of the horizontal foot 5,
11 is attached. Therefore, the table 1 of the first embodiment is supported by the pair of legs 2 and 2 and a total of four caster devices 11, 11, 11, and 11.

In the following description, the front view is viewed from the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 1A, and front, rear, left and right are expressed with reference to this.

Each horizontal leg 5 is formed in a U-shape in a downward cross section (see FIG. 4), and a boss portion 6 having a downward opening screw hole 7 is formed in both front and rear ends of the horizontal leg 5. ing. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 8 that extend radially in a plan view are integrally connected to the outer peripheral surface of each boss portion 6.

The portion of the lower edge of the reinforcing rib 8 closer to the boss 6 is a horizontal edge 9a which is located substantially flush with the lower surface of the boss 6 in a side view, and upward from the lower edge of the reinforcing rib 8. Is formed in a concave edge portion 9 having a vertical edge 9b extending in a substantially L shape in a side view.

Accordingly, the space around the lower portion of the boss portion 6 is a space 1.
Since the lower surface of the boss portion 6 and the horizontal edge 8a of the reinforcing rib 8 are located on substantially the same plane, the cover body 12 of the caster device 11 is the lower surface of the boss portion 6 and the reinforcing rib. It can be fitted into the void 10 until it comes into contact with the horizontal edge 9a of 8.

Most of the members constituting the leg 2 and the caster device 11 are made of synthetic resin such as polyacetal resin or polyamide resin, but they may be made of metal, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the caster device 11 of the first embodiment has a cap-shaped cover body 12 that opens downward and a downward opening that is fixed to the inner diameter of the cover body 12 so as not to fall. A cap-shaped swivel support 13, a rotary support 15 that is horizontally swivelable inside the swivel support 13 so as not to fall, and a pair of wheels 16 rotatably supported on the rotary support 15. , 16 and a ring body 14, which is an annular member in a plan view and is interposed between the support bodies 13 and 15 as a sliding member.

The cover body 12 of the first embodiment is made of metal (may be made of synthetic resin), and the top plate portion 21 of the cover body 12 is substantially circular in plan view, and the top plate portion 21 extends downward from the periphery thereof. The swivel support 13 is fitted in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the extending side plate portion 22.

The means for fixing the swivel support body 13 to the inner diameter of the cover body 12 is not limited to the above-mentioned form, but may be, for example, screwed or fixed with an adhesive.

A mounting hole 23 penetrating in the up-down direction is formed in a substantially central portion of the top plate portion 21 of the cover body 12. The mounting hole 23 has a screw bolt 24 (cutting bolt) as screw means. Is inserted from above and fixed by welding or the like. Therefore, the screw bolt 24 rotates integrally with the cover body 12 and is screwed into the screw hole 7 of the boss portion 6 of the horizontal foot 5 from below.

On the other hand, in the side plate portion 22 of the cover body 12, the upper surface of the top plate portion 21 is in contact with the lower surface of the boss portion 6 and the horizontal edge 9a of the reinforcing rib 8 (the cover body 12 is vacant in the horizontal foot 5). The height dimension is set such that the lower end of the horizontal foot 5 projects further downward in the place 10 that is fitted to the maximum upper limit.

This downward projecting portion, that is, the side plate portion 22
A flange portion 25 projecting outward in the radial direction is formed over the entire circumference at a portion near the lower end on the outer peripheral side, and the flange portion 25 is always exposed below the horizontal foot 5. That is, the flange portion 25 corresponds to an operating means for adjusting the screwing amount of the screw bolt 24.

The operation means of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned flange portion 25, but may be a plurality of protrusions formed along the circumferential direction, for example, at a portion near the lower end of the outer peripheral surface of the side plate portion 22. . Further, the operating means of the present invention may be configured separately from the cover body 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1B and 4, the outer diameter of the cover body 12 including the flange portion 25 is larger than the lateral width W of the horizontal foot 5, and the screw of the boss portion 6 is In a state where the screw bolt 24 is screwed into the hole 7 from below, a part of the flange portion 25 is projected from both left and right side surfaces of the horizontal foot 5 in a plan view.

As a result, when the cover body 12 is rotated (the screw-in amount of the screw bolt 24 is adjusted),
It is easy to operate by putting a finger on the protruding portion of the flange portion 25. An outer peripheral edge 26 of the flange portion 25 is formed in a substantially corrugated shape in a plan view so that a finger can be easily hooked (FIG. 1).
(See (b)).

By changing the formation position of the boss portion 6 on the horizontal foot 5 by, for example, shifting it toward the tip, the flange portion 25 of the cover body 12 is moved to the left and right side surfaces of the horizontal foot and the front (or rear) side. ) It may be projected from three sides of the side surface in a plan view, or may be projected from only one of the side surfaces in a plan view.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the swivel support 13
In a substantially central portion of the upper plate portion 31 having a substantially circular shape in plan view,
A turning shaft 33 for supporting the rotary support 15 so as to be horizontally turnable is formed so as to project downward. In this embodiment, the turning axis of the turning shaft 33 is aligned with the longitudinal axis X of the screw bolt 24 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Swivel axis 33
At the lower end of the ring-shaped protrusion 34, which protrudes radially outward.
Are formed all around.

Further, a guide groove 35 for slidably fitting the annular ring member 14 in plan view as a sliding member is formed on the lower surface of the upper plate portion 31. Along the inside of the guide groove 35, the grease groove 3 for storing the lubricant is formed.
6 is also formed.

The rotary support 15 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the swivel support 13, and its front portion is a recess 41 into which the pair of wheels 16 and 16 are inserted. On both left and right sides of the recess 41, downwardly open bearing portions 42, 42 are provided at a portion (see the alternate long and short dash line Y of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) eccentric to the front side from the swing axis X of the swing support 13. Are formed.

Both bearings 42, 42 include two wheels 16, 1
The ends of the axles 43 passing through 6 are fitted rotatably against the elasticity so that the wheels 16, 16 do not easily fall off the rotary support 15. The axle 43 rotatably supports the wheels 16 at the central portion in the longitudinal direction.

A shaft hole 44 having a tapered shape corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the swivel shaft 33 of the swivel support 13 is provided at a substantially central portion on the upper surface side of the rotary support 15 so as to penetrate into the recess 41. Has been.

By inserting the rotary shaft 33 of the rotary support 13 into the shaft hole 44 of the rotary support 15, the rotary support 1
5 is capable of turning horizontally, and the pair of wheels 16, 16 on the rotary support 15 can roll in all directions on the floor surface. As a result, the table 1 is moved to an appropriate place only by pushing and pulling by a person.

In this case, since the annular projection 34 of the turning shaft 33 is caught around the shaft hole 44 and engaged, the rotary support 1
5 itself does not easily fall off the swivel support 13.

The upper plate portion 31 of the swivel support 13
With the lubricant applied in advance to the grease groove 36, the ring body 14 is arranged in the guide groove 35 so that the lower surface (inner surface) of the upper plate portion 31 and the upper surface of the rotary support body 15 of the swivel support body 13 are separated from each other. The pressure is not directly applied (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

As a result, the frictional force generated between the two supports 13 and 15 is significantly reduced, and the rotary support 15 smoothly swivels horizontally in the inner diameter of the swivel support 13, so that the table 1 is lightly moved. It can be done by force. Both supports 13, 15
Since the caster device 11 is less likely to wear, the caster device 11 can withstand long-term use (the caster device 11 has a longer life).

Next, a mode of height adjustment by the caster device 11 will be described.

A portion of the flange portion 25 of the cover body 12 protruding from the left and right side surfaces of the horizontal foot 5 is hooked with a finger, and the flange portion 25 is rotated clockwise (see the arrow R direction in FIGS. 3 and 4). When operated, the screw bolt 24 is screwed into the screw hole 7 of the boss portion 6 in accordance with the rotation of the cover body 12 in the direction of the arrow R, and the caster including the cover body 12, both supports 13, 15 and the wheels 16, 16. Since the device 11 as a whole rises relative to the horizontal foot 5, there is no space 1 in the horizontal foot 5.
When the cover body 12 is inserted into the 0, the caster device 11
The height (height from the floor) of the horizontal foot 5 corresponding to is decreased.

When the protruding portion of the flange portion 25 is rotated counterclockwise (see the arrow L direction in FIGS. 3 and 4),
With the rotation of the cover body 12 in the direction of the arrow L, the screw bolts 24 are loosened, and the caster device 11 as a whole descends relative to the horizontal foot 5, so that the cover body 12 is removed from the space 10 in the horizontal foot 5. And the height of the portion of the horizontal foot 5 corresponding to the caster device 11 becomes high.

From the above, according to the caster device 11 of the first embodiment, the flange portion 25 of the cover body 12 is rotated and the screw bolt 24 is screwed into the screw hole 7 of the boss portion 6 of the horizontal foot 5. The height of the table 1 can be easily adjusted by adjusting the height.

In this case, in the top plate portion 21 of the cover body 12,
While fixing the screw bolt 24 as a screw means,
Since the flange portion 25 as the operating means is integrally formed at a portion of the side plate portion 22 near the lower end on the outer peripheral side, the caster device 11 of the first embodiment includes the cover body 12 and the swivel support body 1.
3, the rotary support 15 and the wheels 16 and 16 are included. Therefore, as compared with the prior art, the structure of the caster device 11 as a whole is simple and the number of parts is small, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In addition to the small number of parts of the caster device 11, the swivel support 13 can be fixed simply by fitting it in the cover body 12, and the swivel shaft 33 of the swivel support 13 can be fixed to the rotary support 15. The rotary support 15 can be attached to the swivel support 13 so as to be horizontally swivelable simply by inserting the rotary support 15 into the shaft hole 44. Then, the bearing portion 4 of the rotary support 15
Both wheels 16 and 16 can be attached to the rotation support body 15 only by fitting the end portions of the axle shafts 43 and 42 against the elasticity. Therefore, the assembly of the caster device 11 is significantly facilitated.

Further, the swivel support 13 is provided inside the cover 12, and the rotary support 1 is provided inside the swivel support 13.
Since the configuration in which 5 is fitted is adopted, the bulk (height in the vertical direction) of the caster device 11 can be reduced. This makes it possible to make the gap between the lower surface of the horizontal foot 5 and the floor surface as narrow as possible so that it is as small as possible.

Moreover, the boss portion 6 of the inner diameter portion of the horizontal foot 5 is
A space 10 surrounded by the lower surface of the boss portion 6 and the concave edge portions 9 of the reinforcing ribs 8 is formed in the lower periphery of the boss portion 6, while a flange portion 25 as an operating means is provided on the side plate portion 22 of the cover body 12. Since it is placed near the lower end of the cover body 1,
When the flange portion 25 of 2 is rotated and the screw bolt 24 is screwed into the screw hole 7 of the boss portion 6, most of the cover body 12 enters the space 10 in the horizontal foot 5, so that the lower surface of the horizontal foot 5 is The gap with the floor surface can be markedly narrower than that of the prior art.

The second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is another example of the structure of the swivel support. The swivel support body 13 'of this example is also a cap-shaped member that opens downward, and includes an upper plate portion 31' of the swivel support body 13 'and a side plate portion 32' extending downward from the peripheral edge of the upper plate portion 31 '. The rotary support 15 is fitted in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the.

A screw bolt 24 'as a screw means is provided so as to project upward at a substantially central portion on the upper surface (outer surface) side of the upper plate portion 31'. A swivel shaft 3 for horizontally swiveling the rotary support 15 at a substantially central portion on the lower surface (inner surface) side.
3'is formed so as to project downward. Also, the upper plate 3
A guide groove 35 'for slidably fitting the annular ring body 14 in plan view is formed on the lower surface of 1'.
A grease groove 36 'is also formed along the inside of the guide groove 35'.

On the other hand, in the side plate portion 32 'of the swivel support 13', a flange portion 25 'as an operating portion projecting outward in the radial direction is formed over the entire circumference at a portion near the lower end on the outer peripheral side. That is, the swivel support body 13 'of the second embodiment is in a state in which the cover body 12 and the swivel support body 13 of the first embodiment are integrated.

Since the other structures are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used and the detailed description is omitted.

In this case, the caster device 11 'of the second embodiment can be constituted by the three members of the swivel support 13', the rotation support 15 and the wheels 16 and 16, so that the caster device 11 'of the second embodiment can be constructed more easily. The number of points can be reduced, the manufacturing cost can be further reduced, and the assembling can be simplified.

The caster device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be used for furniture such as a table and a wagon or various fixtures such as a stand-type blackboard.
It goes without saying that it can be widely applied.

The screw means of the present invention is not limited to the above-described screw bolts 24, 24 ', but may be, for example, a male screw formed on the outer peripheral surface of the side plate portion 22 of the cover body 12 of the first embodiment, or the second embodiment. It may be a male screw formed on the outer peripheral surface of the side plate portion 32 'of the swivel support 13'.
In these cases, the cover body 12 (the swivel support body 1 is provided on the lower surface (inner surface) of the horizontal foot of the leg body supporting the table.
It is sufficient to form a female screw portion with which the male screw on the outer peripheral side of 3 ') is screwed.

The height dimension of the side plate portion 32 of the swivel support 13 is further downwardly projected from the lower surface of the horizontal foot 5 in a state where the cover body 12 is fitted to the uppermost space 10 in the horizontal foot 5. In this case, the operation means instead of the above-mentioned flange portion 25 of the cover body 12 may be formed so as to protrude outward in the radial direction at this downward protruding portion.

[0054]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the screw means that rotates integrally with the cover body is screwed into the supported body such as the leg of furniture, the cover body can be rotated. ,
By adjusting the screwing amount of the screw means with respect to the supported body, the height of the supported body can be easily adjusted.

In this case, since the structure in which the screw means is provided on the cover body is adopted, the structure of the entire caster device is simple and the number of parts is small as compared with the prior art, and the manufacturing cost is low. The effect that can reduce.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the screw means is configured to rotate integrally with the swivel support, the caster device is constituted by the three members of the swivel support, the rotary support and the wheels. Since it can be configured, the cover body described in claim 1 becomes unnecessary. Therefore, claim 1
The number of components is smaller than that of the above, and the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a part of the operating means formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cover body or the swivel support body is protruded from the outer side surface of the supported body in plan view. Alternatively, when rotating the swivel support, there is an effect that it is easy to operate by putting a finger on the protruding portion of the operation means.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A is a partial perspective view of a table to which a caster device of the first embodiment is attached, and FIG. 1B is a partial plan view of a horizontal foot and a caster device.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a caster device on a separation side.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a front sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a caster device according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 table 2 legs 5 Horizontal foot as supported object 6 Boss 7 screw holes 8 Reinforcing rib 11,11 'Castor device 12 cover body 13,13 'swivel support 15 Rotating support 16 wheels 21 Top plate 22 Side plate 24, 24 'Screw bolt as screw means 25,25 'Flange part as operation part 31, 31 'Upper plate part 32, 32 'side plate 33,33 'swivel axis 41 recess 42 Bearing 44 shaft hole

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A rotary support body that rotatably supports a wheel that is grounded on the floor, a swing support body that is horizontally swingably mounted on the rotary support body, and a downward opening that is fitted to the swing support body from above. A caster device comprising: a cover body having a shape; and a screw means that rotates integrally with the cover body, and the screw means is screwed to a supported body such as a leg of furniture. 2. A rotation support body that rotatably supports a wheel that is grounded on the floor, and a rotation support body that is horizontally rotatably mounted on the rotation support body. The rotation support body rotates integrally with the rotation support body. A caster device characterized in that screw means is screwed onto a supported body such as a leg of furniture from below. 3. An outer peripheral surface of the cover body or the swivel support body is provided with operation means for adjusting an amount of screwing of the screw means in a radially outward direction, and a part of the operation means is provided. The caster device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the caster device protrudes from an outer side surface of the supported body in a plan view.