JPH0440525Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a portable chair that can be easily installed or moved depending on the purpose of use in a hall, venue, etc.

[Prior Art] This type of portable chair is provided with a base that extends forward and backward at both ends of a leg frame that supports multiple seats, and a pair of front and rear casters on the base are connected between the use position and the retracted position. It is set up so that it can be operated. When the portable chair is used, the front and rear casters are moved up to the retracted position and the base is placed on the floor. On the other hand, when the portable chair is moved and housed, the casters are lowered to the use position and brought into contact with the floor surface.

As a specific conventional example of this type of portable chair, for example, Utility Application No. 59-196542
No. 113647). That is, in this device, the left and right bases are each shaped like a narrow hollow chevron-shaped box that widens in the front-rear direction, and each base includes a front rotating arm whose base end is pivoted to the front end of the base. A rear rotating arm whose proximal end is pivotally connected to the rear end of the base is housed therein. The tips of these rotating arms are slidably and rotatably joined via a connecting pin, so that both rotating arms can rotate between a substantially horizontal state and an inclined state where they stand up in a chevron shape. It's getting old. A caster is attached to the lower surface of both rotating arms, and the caster projects downward from the base when both rotating arms are in a horizontal state. In the position where the caster protrudes, a connecting pin connecting the ends of both rotary arms is engaged with an engaging claw and locked, and both casters can support the load of the entire chair. It's becoming like that. Further, in this device, the connecting pin can be released by rotating the operating lever and retracting the engaging pawl. Therefore, when you perform that operation,
Due to the weight of the chair, both rotating arms are forcibly rotated to an inclined state, causing the base to fall to the floor and the caster to sink into the base.

[Problem that the invention aims to solve] However, the narrow, hollow, chevron-shaped box-shaped base that needs to accommodate the pair of rotating arms that move up and down is made by drawing a single sheet metal material. difficult to manufacture. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is difficult to easily manufacture a material with high strength.

Furthermore, this type of chair used in theaters and the like is a product that requires a variety of grades to be available depending on the atmosphere and characteristics of the chair. For example, the larger the seat surface and the heavier the seat, the lower the seat height and the larger the longitudinal dimension of the base. In this way, it is necessary to prepare bases with various dimensions, but in the conventional system described above, when the front-rear dimension of the base is changed, not only the length of both rotating arms but also the pivot of the rotating arms is changed. It becomes necessary to change the dimensions of all parts, such as the mounting position and the distance between the engaging claw and the operating lever.

Furthermore, in the configuration described above, when the casters are in a protruding state, the total weight of the chair is
It is adapted to be received by an engaging pawl via a caster, both rotating arms, and a connecting pin. Therefore, immediately before the engaging pawl is retracted and the connecting pin is released, a very large force is applied to the tip of the engaging pawl, which causes the problem that the tip of the engaging pawl is easily worn out due to galling. . Moreover, with such a configuration, the caster is stored in such a way that the base drops to the floor the moment the connecting pin is released from the engaging claw, which can cause damage to the floor or make loud noises. This is both problematic and dangerous.

The object of the invention described in claim 1 is to provide a portable chair that can eliminate such problems.

The object of the present invention is to provide a portable chair which not only solves the above-mentioned problems, but also allows the guide rollers to be moved in and out easily during storage.

[Means for Solving the Problem] In order to achieve the above object, the portable chair of the present invention includes a leg frame that supports a plurality of seats, and an elongated base at the front and back of a downward opening provided at the lower end of the leg frame. , one main shaft is rotatably arranged in each base with the axis facing forward and backward, and the main shaft is attached to the front and rear ends of each main shaft so that it can be brought into contact with the floor surface as the main shaft rotates. A pair of front and rear casters that rotate between a protruding position for use and a retracted position within the base, and an operating lever fixed to each of the main shafts and having an operating end thereof extending outwardly through the base; It is characterized by comprising a locking mechanism that locks the main shaft at each position corresponding to a protruding position for use and a retracted position of the caster.

In addition, in order to facilitate the movement of the guide rollers in and out during storage, the guide rollers are supported on the main shaft, and as the main shaft rotates, the guide rollers can be rotated into contact with the guide rails on the floor. It is characterized by being configured so that it can be moved from a use position to a retracted position where rotation is not possible.

[Function] According to the portable chair configured as above,
The operating lever that rotates the main shaft within the base will be operated in the lateral direction. When the operating lever is operated to rotate the main shaft, a pair of casters attached to the main shaft simultaneously rotate between a protruding position for use where they can roll against the floor and a retracted position within the base.

Since the operating lever and the caster are connected via the main shaft, a link mechanism with a complicated structure is not required. Moreover, the main shaft is locked by a locking mechanism at a position corresponding to the protruding position for use and the retracted position of the caster. Therefore, when using the portable chair, the casters do not come into contact with the floor surface, and the base etc. can also be prevented from coming into contact with the floor surface during movement.

Furthermore, the base of the present invention accommodates a single main shaft that rotates around its axis, facing forward and backward, and has an elongated downward opening in the front and back, so it requires deep drawing from the sheet metal material. It is also possible to manufacture Therefore, the base can be made to have high strength and a simple structure.

In addition, the device of the present invention can be used even if it is necessary to have bases with various longitudinal dimensions.
This can be dealt with simply by preparing multiple types of spindles that correspond to the longitudinal dimensions of the base. That is, since the operating lever and the lock mechanism are parts related to the rotation of the main shaft, they can easily be used in common for all specifications.

Moreover, according to the configuration of the present invention, the weight of the portable chair acts as a bending force on the main shaft via the casters, and when the casters are held in the protruding position, the entire load is applied to the main shaft. It cannot be converted into rotation. Therefore, no large force is applied to the lock mechanism for preventing the rotation of the main shaft, and the galling phenomenon of the engaging claws, etc., which is the case with conventional devices, is less likely to occur. In addition to this locking mechanism, an operating lever is fixed to the main shaft, so in the process of releasing the lock and rotating the caster to the retracted position, applying force to this operating lever will cause the main shaft to move. It is possible to brake the rotation as appropriate. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the base from falling all at once onto the floor.

Furthermore, when storing or pulling out the portable chair, the guide roller supported by the main shaft is guided by rolling contact with the guide rail on the floor.
The portable chair will move along the guide rail. However, this guide roller
Since the guide roller moves in and out according to the rotation of the main shaft, a mechanism for moving the guide roller in and out is not required.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The portable chair 1 shown in the drawing has a plurality of seats 2.
A base 4 is provided at the lower end of the leg frame 3 that supports the main shaft 5, and a pair of front and rear casters 6 are respectively attached to the main shaft 5, one of which is disposed inside each base 4.

The seats 2 are foldable and are arranged in rows on the horizontal member 8 of the leg frame 3, with armrests 6 on both sides.
has been established. The leg frame 3 is a gate-shaped one in which a horizontal member 8 is installed between the upper ends of the left and right legs 9.
The base 4 is provided at the lower ends of the legs 9 in the front-rear direction. The base 4 has a downward opening shape and is elongated in the front and back direction as clearly shown in the drawings, and has adjusters 10 provided inside the front and rear ends, respectively. A pair of front and rear brackets 11 are fixed to the lower surface of the upper wall 4a within the base 4, and these brackets 11 hold the main shaft 5 so as to be rotatable in the front and rear directions. At the front and rear ends of the main shaft 5, base end attachment portions 6a of the caster 6 are fixed. caster 6
As the main shaft 5 rotates, it moves from the protruding position A (see the solid line in FIGS. 1 and 3) to the retracted position B (see the imaginary line in FIG. 3) in the base 4, which can contact the floor surface 12. ) is set to rotate between.

Further, an operating lever 13 for rotating the main shaft 5 is provided on the main shaft 5 via a locking member 14, and its operating end 13a is passed through the upper wall 4a of the base 4. It protrudes from the front end of the. That is, on the upper wall 4a of the base 4,
A guide hole 15 is provided in the lateral direction perpendicular to the main shaft 5. The operating lever 13 can be operated laterally along this guide hole 15.

Further, the main shaft 5 and the base 4 are provided with a locking mechanism 16 for locking the main shaft 5 at each position corresponding to the protruding position A and the retracted position B of the caster 6. The lock mechanism 16 is a fourth
As shown in the figure, the locking pin 17 can be engaged with and removed from the locking member 14 fixed to the main shaft 5, and includes a cylinder 18 for holding the locking pin 17. On the outer periphery of the locking member 14, locking grooves 19 ₁ and 19 ₂ are provided at locations corresponding to the protruding position A and the retracted position B of the caster 6, respectively. The cylinder 18 is fixed to the side wall 4b of the base 4, and has a coil spring 20 inside.
are arranged. Then, the coil spring 20 urges the locking pin 17 toward the inside of the base 4, and the tip of the locking pin 17 is inserted into the locking grooves 19 ₁ , 19 _{2 .}
It is made to selectively engage with one of the two.

Further, a guide roller 21 is supported at the intermediate portion of the main shaft 5, which is used when the portable chair 1 is stored in a storage provided under the stage or the like and when pulled out from the storage. When the main shaft 5 is rotated by the operating lever 13, the guide roller 21 is in a use position C (fourth (see solid line in the figure) to a retracted position D (see imaginary line in FIG. 4) where it cannot roll into contact with the guide rail 22.

According to the portable chair 1 configured as described above, the operating lever 13 for rotating the main shaft 5 is connected to the seat 2.
It protrudes from below and can be operated laterally.
When the portable chair 1 is moved, when the operating lever 13 is operated to rotate the main shaft 5, the casters 6 protrude from the lower opening edge of the base 4 and rotate to the use protruding position A. That is,
When the caster 6 rotates to the use protruding position A, the locking pin 17 engages with the locking groove 19 ₁ of the locking member 14 fixed to the main shaft 5, and the main shaft 5 is moved to the use protruding position A of the caster 6. It is locked by a locking mechanism 16.

On the other hand, when installing the portable chair 1 at a predetermined position, the locking pin 17 is temporarily pulled to release the lock state of the main shaft 5, and the operating lever 13 is operated to rotate the main shaft 5. When the caster 6 rotates to the retracted position B, the locking pin 1
7 engages with the locking groove 19 ₂ by spring force,
The main shaft 5 is locked again. As a result, the caster 6 is housed inside the base 4, so the adjuster 1 at the front end and rear end of the base 4
0 comes into contact with the floor 12, and the movement of the portable chair 1 is restricted.

Further, when the main shaft 5 is held at a position corresponding to the protruding position A of the caster 6, the guide roller 21 provided on the main shaft 5 is
It is in use position C where it can be connected to 2. Therefore, when the portable chair 1 is put in and taken out during storage, the casters 6 roll on the floor, and the guide rollers 21 appropriately roll into contact with the inner surfaces of the guide rails 22.

Each base 4 of this portable chair 1 accommodates one main shaft 5 that rotates around its axis facing forward and backward, and has an elongated downward opening shape in the front and back, so it is made of sheet metal. It is also possible to manufacture the material by drawing it. Therefore,
The base 4 can be made to have high strength and a simple structure.

Furthermore, even if it is necessary to prepare bases 5 with various dimensions in the longitudinal direction, the present invention can cope with this problem by simply preparing multiple types of spindles 5 that correspond to the dimensions in the longitudinal direction of the bases 5. can do. That is, since the operating lever 13 and the lock mechanism 16 are parts related to the rotation of the main shaft 5, they can easily be used in common for all specifications.

Moreover, the weight of the portable chair 1 acts as a bending force on the main shaft 5 via the casters 6, and when the casters 6 are held at the protruding position A, the entire load is converted into rotation of the main shaft 5. It's impossible for that to happen. Therefore, no large force is applied to the lock mechanism 16 for preventing rotation of the main shaft 5. Therefore,
The problem that the tip of the locking pin 17 of the locking mechanism 16 is worn out due to galling is unlikely to occur.
Also, apart from this lock mechanism 16, an operating lever 13 is fixed to the main shaft 5, so in the process of releasing the lock and rotating the caster 6 to the retracted position B, force is applied to this operating lever 13. By adding this, it is possible to appropriately brake the rotation of the main shaft 5. Therefore, the base 4 can be landed on the floor 12 at a slow speed.

When the portable chair 1 is taken in and out of a storage or the like, the casters 6 and the guide rollers 21 are at the protruding use position A and the use position C, respectively. Therefore, when one end of the portable chair 1 is biased or pulled in the row direction, the guide roller 21
Since the portable chair 1 is guided along the guide rail 22, the work at the time of loading and unloading becomes easy.

It goes without saying that the mounting position of the operating lever, the lock mechanism, etc. are not limited to the positions and shapes shown in the drawings.

[Effects of the invention] Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, the following effects can be obtained.

First, since the caster and the elements for operating the caster are housed in the base, the appearance is good and the user's feet are not soiled or damaged by the caster.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the base has a shape and structure that can be integrally formed by drawing, so that it is possible to easily manufacture a base that can support a large load.

Furthermore, since it is possible to accommodate differences in the dimensions of the base in the longitudinal direction simply by changing the length of the main shaft, it becomes easy to standardize parts between different specifications. This is a great advantage for portable chairs of this type, which require a variety of grades to match the atmosphere of a theater or the like.

In addition, the locking mechanism is designed to prevent large loads based on the portable chair's own weight from acting on the entire surface of the locking mechanism, so that when the lock is released, the load will concentrate on the parts of the locking mechanism, causing galling. The problem can be resolved and the lock function can be maintained normally for a long period of time.

Moreover, since the operating lever is fixed to the main shaft separately from the lock mechanism, in the process of releasing the lock and rotating the caster to the retracted position,
By applying force to this operating lever, it is possible to appropriately brake the rotation of the main shaft. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the base from falling all at once onto the floor. Therefore, problems such as generation of loud noise and scratches on the floor surface can be effectively solved.

Furthermore, if the guide roller is attached to the main shaft, the guide roller will perform the necessary operations in conjunction with the caster. Therefore, there is no need for a special mechanism to operate the guide rollers, and from this point of view,
The configuration can be simplified.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view to clearly show the inside of the base, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the entire portable chair, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the inside of the base near the lock mechanism. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Portable chair, 2... Seat, 3... Leg frame, 4... Base, 5... Main shaft, 6... Caster, 13... Operating lever, 13a... Operating end, 16... Lock mechanism, 21...Guide roller,
22...Guidance rail.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] 1. A leg frame that supports a plurality of seats, a slender base at the front and back of a downward opening provided at the lower end of the leg frame, and one each in each base with the axis facing the front and back. The main shaft is arranged so that it can rotate at a time,
A pair of front and rear casters that are attached to the front and rear ends of each main shaft and rotate between a protruding position for use and a retracted position in the base, which can roll into contact with the floor as the main shaft rotates; An operating lever is fixed to each main shaft and has an operating end that extends outward through the base, and a lock mechanism that locks the main shaft at each position corresponding to the protruding use position and the retracted position of the caster. A portable chair that is characterized by: 2. In the portable chair according to claim 1, the guide roller is supported by the main shaft, and as the main shaft rotates, the guide roller is moved from a use position where it can roll into contact with the guide rail on the floor to a retracted position where it cannot roll into contact with the guide rail. A portable chair characterized by being configured so that it can be moved up to