CN107334236B

CN107334236B - Case with folding chair and base frame for forming the case

Info

Publication number: CN107334236B
Application number: CN201611235032.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 板野司
Original assignee: Swany Corp
Current assignee: Swany Corp
Priority date: 2016-04-28
Filing date: 2016-12-28
Publication date: 2020-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-28
Also published as: JP6770728B2; JP2017196335A; CN107334236A

Abstract

The luggage comprises a luggage body (2) and a base frame (1), wherein the base frame (1) comprises a horizontal table (3) connected with a pair of supporting columns (5) and a folding chair (7) connected with the supporting columns (5). The folding chair (7) comprises: a seat surface (8) which can be folded from a horizontal posture to a vertical posture, a folding leg (9) the upper end of which is connected to a first end portion (8A) of the seat surface (8), a first link (31) which is connected to a second end portion (8B) of the seat surface (8) and the folding leg (9), and a second link (32) which is connected to the middle of the folding leg (9) and the lower end portion of the support column (5). In the base frame (1), the folding legs (9) and the seat surface (8) are opened in the horizontal direction, the connection part between the seat surface (8) and the support column (5) is lowered and stopped by the seat surface stopper (34), the movable end (31A) of the first link (31) is lowered and stopped by the intermediate stopper (35), and the folding legs (9) are unfolded in a state where the opening degree of the folding legs (9) is limited by the second link (32), and the seat surface (8) is held in the horizontal posture by the first link (31), the folding legs (9) and the second link (32).

Description

Case with folding chair and base frame for forming the case

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a case provided with a foldable chair and a base frame constituting the case, and more particularly to: a case and a base frame constituting the case, which can easily set a chair in a use state and can be conveniently used in a foldable manner.

Background

Conventionally, a bag having a foldable chair has been developed (see Japanese patent laid-open No. 2004-344355. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, since the bag can be connected to the back of the bag and the seat surface 191 can be opened to be used as a chair 190, the bag can be conveniently used as a chair at rest, but the chair 190 has a disadvantage that it takes time and labor to use or fold the bag because the seat surface 191 is horizontally opened at the time of use, the folding legs 192 are opened to horizontally support the seat surface 191 to lock the seat surface, and when the bag is to be folded, the folding legs 192 are closed to fold the seat surface 191 into a posture horizontal to the support column 195.

In order to solve the above problems, the present applicant applied for a bag having a foldable chair shown in fig. 19 and 20 (see japanese patent application laid-open No. 2009-297177). This case and bag includes: a pair of support columns 205 having lower ends connected to the horizontal base 201, a seating surface 231 connected to the support columns 205 in a foldable manner, a seating surface stopper 237 for regulating a lowering position of the seating surface 231, a folding leg 232 having an upper end connected to the seating surface 231 in a tiltable manner, a first link 233 having one end connected to the middle of the folding leg 232 and the other end connected to the lower surface of the seating surface 231 in a movable manner in a direction approaching or separating from the support columns 205, and a second link 234 having one end connected to the middle of the folding leg 232 and the other end connected to the horizontal base 201 for regulating an opening degree of the folding leg 232.

In this luggage, the connection portion 240 between the seat face 231 and the support column 205 is raised, the seat face 231, the folded leg 232, the first link 233, and the second link 234 are folded in a posture parallel to the support column 205, the seat face 231 is opened in the horizontal direction from the vertical posture, the connection portion 240 between the seat face 231 and the support column 205 is lowered to be stopped at the seat face stopper 237, the folded leg 232 is opened, the first link 233 is moved in a direction away from the support column 205, and the seat face 231 is held in the horizontal posture by the first link 233 and the folded leg 232 in a state where the opening degree of the folded leg 232 is restricted by the second link 234. In addition, the bag has the first link 233 and the second link 234 connected by the elastic rod 239 to which no elastic force is applied in the folded position, and the elastic force of the elastic rod 239 allows the first link 233 to move along the seat surface 231 by the second link 234 moving obliquely with respect to the support column 205.

In the case described above, the elastic rod moves the first link to the support position of the seat surface when the seat surface is opened for use as a chair, and moves the first link to the folded position when the seat surface is closed for use as a folding chair.

Therefore, the first link and the second link can be connected by the elastic rod with an extremely simple structure, and the folding chair can be used simply, easily and quickly, and can be used conveniently by being folded quickly.

Disclosure of Invention

However, the above luggage has the following problems: when the seat surface is opened to become a chair, if the direction in which the distal end of the first link is intended to move to the support position of the seat surface and the horizontal angle of the seat surface are deviated from each other, the distal end of the first link cannot be quickly moved to the support position of the seat surface, and thus the seat surface cannot be quickly placed in a horizontal posture and placed at a predetermined position. In addition, when the seat surface is folded, the tip of the first link needs to be moved in a direction approaching the pillar.

In addition, there are the following problems: since the first link and the second link are connected by the elastic rod and the first link is biased in a predetermined direction by the elastic rod, the elastic rod is required, which increases the manufacturing cost. In addition, there are also the following problems: since the elastic rod is molded from an elastically deformable hard plastic, it is difficult to maintain a predetermined elastic force for a long time due to deterioration with time.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks. An object of the present invention is to provide a case having a simple structure and a foldable chair that can be unfolded easily to be used and that has a foldable chair and a base frame constituting the case.

In order to achieve the above object, a bag with a folding chair according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: case and bag main part 2 and the case and bag that is used for carrying case and bag main part 2 and bed frame 1 that can walk, wherein, bed frame 1 includes: a horizontal table 3 on which casters 4 for traveling are fixed on the lower surface of the horizontal table 3, and on which a bag main body 2 is disposed; a pair of support columns 5, the lower ends of the support columns 5 being connected to the horizontal table 3; and a folding chair 7, the folding chair 7 being connected to the column 5 in a freely foldable manner. The folding chair 7 includes: a seat surface 8, the seat surface 8 being connected to the column 5 so as to be capable of being folded from a horizontal posture to a vertical posture and being capable of moving up and down; a seat stopper 34, the seat stopper 34 restricting a lowering position of the seat surface 8; a folding leg 9 having an upper end of the folding leg 9 connected to a first column-side end portion 8A of the seat face 8 so as to be capable of tilting movement; a first link 31, one end of which is a fixed end 31B connected to a second end 8B of the seat surface 8, the second end being opposite to the first end 8A, so as to be able to tilt and move, and the other end of which is a movable end 31A connected to the folding leg 9 so as to be able to move up and down along the folding leg 9; an intermediate stopper 35 fixed to an intermediate portion of the folding leg 9 to restrict a lowering position of the movable end 31A of the first link 31; and a second link 32 having one end connected to the middle of the folding leg 9 and the other end connected to the lower end of the column 5 or the horizontal table 3 in a tiltable manner to restrict the opening of the folding leg 9. The base frame 1 is constituted: the seat surface 8, the folding legs 9, the first link 31, and the second link 32 are tilted so as to be in a vertical posture parallel to the column 5, and the connection portion between the seat surface 8 and the column 5 is raised to fold the folding chair 7. In the base frame 1, the folding legs 9 are unfolded, the seat face 8 is unfolded from the vertical posture to the horizontal direction, the connecting portion between the seat face 8 and the column 5 is lowered, but the connecting portion is stopped by the seat face stopper 34, the movable end 31A of the first link 31 is lowered, but the connecting portion is stopped by the intermediate stopper 35, the folding chair 7 is unfolded in a state where the opening degree of the folding legs 9 is regulated by the second link 32, and the seat face 8 is held in the horizontal posture by the first link 31, the folding legs 9, and the second link 32.

According to the above configuration, the foldable chair 7 provided on the base frame lowers the connecting portion between the seat surface and the support when the seat surface folded in the vertical posture is opened in the horizontal direction, but stops at the stop position due to the seat surface stopper, lowers the movable end of the first link along the opened foldable leg in the state where the opening degree is limited by the second link, and stops at the stop position due to the intermediate stopper, so that the foldable chair can be easily and smoothly unfolded. Further, the seat surface opened in the horizontal posture can be stably held in the horizontal posture by the first link, the folding leg, and the second link.

Fig. 7 shows a state where the folding chair of the luggage is unfolded, and fig. 8 shows a state where the folding chair of the luggage is folded. As shown in fig. 7A, in the folded chair 7 in the folded state, if the folding legs 9 are unfolded as shown in fig. 7B and the seat surface 8 is unfolded in the horizontal direction, the second link 32 is tilted away from the stay 5 to restrict the opening degree of the folding legs 9 as shown in fig. 7C, and the movable end 31A of the first link 31 is lowered along the unfolded folding legs 9 and stopped at the stop position by the intermediate stopper 35. The first link 31, in which the active end 31A descends and is held at the stop position by the intermediate stopper 35, is held by: the seat surface 8 is supported from below. Therefore, the connection side between the seat surface 8 opened in the horizontal posture and the column 5 is supported by the seat surface stopper 34, and the end portion side distant from the seat surface 8 of the column 5 is supported by the first link 31 and the folding leg 9, thereby maintaining the horizontal posture. In addition, when the foldable chair 7 is folded, as shown in fig. 8A, if the second end 8B of the seat surface 8 is lowered by its own weight in a state where the first link 31 is tilted toward the seat surface 8 and the movable end 31A is raised, the movable end 31A of the first link 31 is raised along the folding leg 9, and the seat surface 8 and the first link 31 are brought into a parallel posture. In this state, the folding leg 9 is folded toward the support column 5, and the upper end of the folding leg 9 connected to the seat surface 8 is pushed up and is tilted in a vertical posture parallel to the support column 5. In this state, the seat surface 8, the folding leg 9, the second link 32, and the first link 31 are in a posture parallel to the column 5, and the folding chair 7 is folded along the column 5.

The first link 31 of the bag with a folding chair of the present invention comprises: a slide cylinder 51, the slide cylinder 51 sliding up and down along the folding leg 9; and a link body 50, one end of the link body 50 being connected to the second end portion 8B of the seat surface 8, and the other end being connected to the slide tube 51 so as to be able to freely turn, and when the folding chair 7 is unfolded, the slide tube 51 can be made to be the movable end 31A of the first link 31, and can be lowered along the folding leg 9 by its own weight.

According to the above configuration, the slide tube can be lowered along the folding leg by its own weight and can be arranged at a predetermined position by the intermediate stopper, and therefore, the first link can be quickly arranged at a predetermined posture to unfold the folding chair, and the seat surface can be stably supported.

The seat surface 8 of the luggage with the folding chair of the present invention is provided with the seat panel 40 which becomes the seat surface in the horizontal posture, the seat panel 40 is made substantially rectangular, and the lateral width (W) of the seat panel 40 can be made larger than the interval (D) between the pair of support columns 5.

According to the above configuration, the seat surface can be enlarged by enlarging the lateral width of the seat surface plate having a rectangular shape, and the user can sit comfortably and stably.

The seat surface 8 of the luggage with the folding chair of the present invention is provided with the peripheral wall 41 protruding downward in the horizontal posture along the periphery of the seat panel 40, and the peripheral wall 41 formed along the first end 8A and the second end 8B of the seat surface 8 can be formed with: and a cut-out portion 42 for guiding the strut 5. In the seating surface 8 of the luggage, when in the vertical posture, the peripheral walls 41 on both sides of the seating surface 8 are disposed outside the pair of support columns 5, and the support columns 5 are guided by the notches 42, so that a part of the pair of support columns 5 can be accommodated inside the seating surface 8.

According to the above configuration, by providing the peripheral wall protruding downward along the periphery of the seat panel, the strength of the seat surface can be improved, and the riding comfort can be improved. Further, by providing the cutout portions for guiding the support columns in the peripheral walls located in the front and rear positions of the seating surface, the peripheral walls on both sides of the seating surface can be arranged outside the pair of support columns in a state where the seating surface is in the vertical posture, and the support columns can be guided into the cutout portions, so that the seat can be folded in a space-saving manner: a pair of support columns and a seat surface which are folded to be parallel to each other. Specifically, the pair of support columns can be folded in a space-saving manner with a part of the support columns being accommodated inside the seat surface.

The case with the folding chair of the present invention may include a third link 33, and the third link 33 connects the seat surface 8 and the pillar 5 together. The third link 33 may be configured to: one end is connected to the first end portion 8A of the seat surface 8, and the other end is connected to the intermediate portion of the pillar 5, so as to be rotatable in a vertical plane. When the luggage is set in a vertical posture with the seat surface 8 in a horizontal posture, the third link 33 is tilted so as to be set in a vertical posture, and the first end portion 8A is pushed up to raise the connection portion between the seat surface 8 and the support column 5.

According to the above configuration, when the seat face in the horizontal posture is folded into the vertical posture, the third link that moves obliquely in the vertical plane pushes up the first end portion of the seat face, so that the connecting portion between the seat face and the support column is raised and the seat face can be smoothly folded into the vertical posture.

The bag with the foldable chair of the present invention may include the elastic body 65 at the connection portion between the seat surface 8 and the first link 31, and the elastic body 65 can urge the first link 31 in the direction away from the seat surface 8 even if the movable end 31A of the first link 31 is urged in the direction away from the seat surface 8.

According to the above configuration, when the seat face is expanded to the horizontal posture, the first link in the vertical posture in parallel with the seat face is smoothly tilted in the direction in which the first link is expanded from the seat face, and the seat face can be rapidly expanded.

The elastic body 65 of the bag with the foldable chair of the present invention is a coil spring inserted through the pivot shaft 54 connecting the fixed end 31B of the first link 31 to the seat surface 8, and one end of the coil spring may be connected to the seat surface 8 by extending in a tangential direction and the other end may be connected to the first link 31 by extending in a tangential direction.

According to the above configuration, the first link can be biased in the predetermined direction by using an elastic body having a simple structure and low cost.

The bag with a foldable chair according to the present invention may include a lock mechanism 60, wherein the lock mechanism 60 locks the seat surface 8 in the vertical posture, and the lock mechanism 60 includes a lock release button 61 on the front end side of the seat surface 8, and the lock release button 61 releases the locked state when the bag is tilted from the vertical posture to the horizontal posture.

The locking mechanism 60 of the luggage with the folding chair of the present invention may include: a locking part 62, wherein the locking part 62 is arranged on the second connecting rod 32; an elastic protrusion 63, the elastic protrusion 63 being disposed inside the seat surface 8 and elastically protruding toward the locking position of the locking portion 62; and a drive mechanism 64 for connecting the elastic protrusion 63 to the lock release button 61 by the drive mechanism 64 to move the elastic protrusion 63 from the locking position to the locking release position.

The luggage has the following characteristics: the seat surface can be placed in a chair use state by operating the lock release button, and the seat surface can be locked at the folded position by the lock mechanism.

The case with the foldable chair of the present invention can be connected to the upper and lower stages 30 which can be moved up and down on the support column 5, and the seat surface 8 and the folding legs 9 can be connected to the upper and lower stages 30 in a foldable manner.

The luggage has a simple structure, and the seat surface can be connected to the support column in a vertically movable and tilt movable manner, so that the folding leg can be connected to the seat surface in a tilt movable manner.

One end of the second link 32 of the case with the folding chair of the present invention may be connected to the middle stopper 35 provided to the folding leg 9.

According to the above configuration, the connection position between the foldable leg and the first link and the connection position between the second link and the foldable leg can be made close to each other, and the seat surface that is unfolded in the horizontal posture can be supported more stably and reliably by the first link, the foldable leg, and the second link.

In the case with the folding chair of the present invention, the horizontal base 3 is substantially quadrangular in a bottom view, and 4 casters 4 which are freely rotatable in the horizontal plane and freely steerable are fixed to four corners of the bottom surface, so that the base frame 1 can be set upright by the 4 casters 4, and the base frame 1 can be moved by setting the casters 4 rotatable in the horizontal plane. Further, a stopper mechanism capable of stopping the horizontal direction orientation of the 4 casters 4 in a stop direction in which the movement of the horizontal table 3 is stopped may be included, thereby stopping the movement of the base frame 1. The stopper mechanism is held in a state in which the horizontal direction of the 4 small casters 4 is stopped in the stop direction, and the movement of the base frame 1 can be stopped.

According to the above configuration, the base frame is set in the upright posture by providing the 4 casters freely rotatable in the horizontal plane at the four corners of the bottom surface of the horizontal base, and the horizontal direction of the 4 casters is stopped by the stop mechanism in the stop direction in which the movement of the horizontal base is stopped, and the horizontal direction of the 4 casters is held in the stop direction by the stopper mechanism, so that the movement of the base frame is stopped. In this configuration, since the stopper mechanism stops the horizontal direction of the 4 casters in the stop direction to stop the movement of the base frame, the foldable chair can be stably seated without moving the base frame in the unfolded state.

The base frame of the present invention is a base frame capable of carrying a luggage body 2 and traveling, and includes: a horizontal base 3 on the lower surface of which casters 4 for traveling are fixed and on which the luggage body 2 can be mounted; a pair of support columns 5, the lower ends of the support columns 5 being connected to the horizontal table 3; and a folding chair 7, the folding chair 7 being connected to the column 5 in a freely foldable manner. The folding chair 7 includes: a seat surface 8, the seat surface 8 being connected to the column 5 so as to be capable of being folded from a horizontal posture to a vertical posture and being capable of moving up and down; a seat stopper 34, the seat stopper 34 restricting a lowering position of the seat surface 8; a folding leg 9 having an upper end of the folding leg 9 connected to a first column-side end portion 8A of the seat face 8 so as to be capable of tilting movement; a first link 31, one end of which is a fixed end 31B connected to a second end 8B of the seat surface 8, the second end being opposite to the first end 8A, so as to be able to tilt and move, and the other end of which is a movable end 31A connected to the folding leg 9 so as to be able to move up and down along the folding leg 9; an intermediate stopper 35 fixed to an intermediate portion of the folding leg 9 to restrict a lowering position of the movable end 31A of the first link 31; and a second link 32 having one end connected to the middle of the folding leg 9 and the other end connected to the lower end of the column 5 or the horizontal table 3 in a tiltable manner to restrict the opening of the folding leg 9. The base frame 1 is constituted: the seat surface 8, the collapsible legs 9, the first link 31, and the second link 32 are tilted so as to be in a vertical posture parallel to the support column 5, and the connecting portion between the seat surface 8 and the support column is raised to collapse the collapsible chair 7, the collapsible legs 9 are unfolded, and the seat surface 8 is unfolded from the vertical posture to the horizontal direction, and the connecting portion between the seat surface 8 and the support column 5 is lowered, but the seat surface stopper 34 stops the connection, and the movable end 31A of the first link 31 is lowered but the intermediate stopper 35 stops the connection, and the collapsible chair 7 is unfolded in a state where the opening degree of the collapsible legs 9 is restricted by the second link 32, and the seat surface 8 can be held in the horizontal posture by the first link 31, the collapsible legs 9, and the second link 32.

According to the above configuration, when the base frame is opened in the horizontal direction with the seat face folded in the vertical posture, the connection portion between the seat face and the support column is lowered, but the seat face stopper stops at the stop position, and the movable end of the first link is lowered along the open folding leg in the state where the opening degree is limited by the second link, and the intermediate stopper stops at the stop position, so that the folding chair can be easily and smoothly unfolded. Further, the seat surface opened in the horizontal posture can be stably held in the horizontal posture by the first link, the folding leg, and the second link.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a bag with a folding chair according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a use state of the folding chair for bags shown in fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a side view of the luggage shown in figure 2.

Figure 4 is a rear view of the base frame of the luggage of figure 1.

Fig. 5 is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along line V-V of the base frame shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of the base frame shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a side view showing a state where the folding chair of the base frame shown in fig. 5 is unfolded.

Fig. 8 is a side view showing a state where the folding chair of the base frame shown in fig. 5 is folded.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of line IX-IX of the base frame shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view showing a structure of a strut stopper provided to a strut.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view showing a state where the strut stopper of the strut shown in fig. 10 is released.

FIG. 12 is a bottom sectional view of the horizontal table.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view showing a portion where a caster is connected to a horizontal table.

Fig. 14 is a schematic bottom view showing an example of the stopping direction of 4 casters.

Fig. 15 is a schematic bottom view showing another example of the stopping direction of 4 casters.

Fig. 16 is a schematic bottom view showing another example of the stopping direction of 4 casters.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a conventional bag with a folding chair.

Fig. 18 is a bottom perspective view showing a use state of the folding chair for bags shown in fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a bottom perspective view showing a use state of the bag with the folding chair previously filed by the applicant.

FIG. 20 is a view showing a process of unfolding the foldable chair of the luggage shown in FIG. 19.

Description of the symbols:

1 … base frame, 2 … luggage body, 2a … connecting part, 3 … horizontal table, 4 … casters, 5 … support, 5a … drawing rod, 5B … guide cylinder, 6 … handle, 7 … folding chair, 8 … seat surface, 8a … first end, 8B … second end, 9 … folding leg, 11 … support table, 12 … protrusion, 13 … connecting rod, 14 … insertion gap, 15 … support block, 16 … protrusion pin, 16a … protrusion, 17 … locking part, 18 … releasing mechanism, 3619 elastic component, 20 … button, 21 … driving rod, 21a … horizontal rod, 21B … vertical rod, 22 … rotating piece, 22a … pin, 23 … elastic body, 24 … insertion cap, 25 … guide cap, 26a … connecting cylinder part, 26a … inserting hole, 3627 rotating shaft, … reinforcing rib …, … upper connecting rod, … reinforcing rib …, … first connecting rod 3631, … end and …, 31B … fixed end, 32 … second link, 32a … movable end, 32B … fixed end, 33 … third link, 33a … movable end, 33B … fixed end, 34 … seat surface stopper, 35 … intermediate stopper, 36 … tilting shaft, 37 … metal tube, 38 … connecting part, 38a … leg, 38B … non-contact recess, 39 … fixing part, 40 … seat panel, 40a … through hole, 41 … peripheral wall, 42 … notch, 42a … first notch, 42B … second notch, 3643 seat cover, 44 43 … bearing part, 45 … fixing rib, 46 … bearing rib, 47 … receiving part, 48 … rib, 49 … guide protrusion, 50 … link body, 51 … sliding cylinder, … peripheral wall, 3653 bearing rib, 54 rotating shaft …, 3655, 3656, … elastic body connecting part, … locking connecting part, … button … releasing mechanism …, … locking mechanism, 61a … convex portion, 61a … inclined surface, 61B … flange portion, 62 … locking portion, 62a … locking hole, 63 … elastic protrusion, 63a … slit, 63a … inclined surface, 63B … concave portion, 64 … driving mechanism, 65 … elastic body, 66 … locking convex portion, 66a … inclined surface, 67 … cover member, 68 … elastic body, 69 … stop screw, 70 … fixing member, 71 … connecting hook, 72 … locking piece, 80 … stopper mechanism, 81 … protruding pin, 82 … locking concave portion, 83 … operating portion, 84 … wire, 84a … wire hose, 85 …, 90 … fixing portion, 90a … embedding concave portion, 90X … through hole, 91 … base, 91a … connecting opening, 91X … opening, 92 vertical shaft …, 92a …, 92B 3693, 3693 a 3693, 3693B 3693, 3693 outer ring …, 3693C …, 3693, and … C, 94 … bracket, 94a … insert, 95 … wheel, 95a … wheel, 95b … wheel, 95c … wheel, 95d … wheel, 96 … rotating shaft, 190 … chair, 191 … seat surface, 192 … folding leg, 195 … strut, 201 … horizontal table, 205 … strut, 231 … seat surface, 232 … folding leg, 233 … first link, 234 … second link, 237 … seat surface stopper, 239 … elastic rod, 240 … connecting part.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the following embodiments show cases with foldable chairs and base frames constituting the cases for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the present invention does not particularly designate the cases and the base frames as the following embodiments. Furthermore, the description does not particularly designate elements shown in the claims as components of the embodiments.

Fig. 1 to 3 show a bag with a folding chair according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "bag"). Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bag with a folding chair, fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a use state of the folding chair of the bag shown in fig. 1, and fig. 3 is a side view of the bag shown in fig. 2. The luggage shown in fig. 1 to 3 includes a luggage body 2 and a base frame 1 on which the luggage body 2 is mounted and which can be moved.

(case main body 2)

The bag main body 2 can be made by sewing a flexible sheet material, for example. The bag body 2 can be opened by a zipper or the like, and an article is stored in an internal space. Further, a member such as a handle or a lifting rope for holding or hanging on a shoulder during carrying can be provided as necessary. The bottom surface of the luggage body 2 is formed in a flat shape so as to be able to be placed and erected on the base frame 1. Preferably, the outer shape is box-shaped as shown in fig. 1 to 3. The bag main body 2 may have a shape and a size that can be mounted on the base frame 1. The luggage of fig. 1 to 3 has a luggage body 2 detachably attached to a base frame 1. The bag has an advantage that the bag main body 2 can be easily replaced. However, the luggage body may be fixed to the base frame 1 in a manner that it cannot be attached and detached. The structure of the luggage body 2 detachably attached to the base frame 1 will be described in detail later.

(base frame 1)

The base frame 1 includes: the horizontal base 3 of the luggage body 2 is disposed above the casters 4 for movement fixed to the lower surface thereof, a pair of support columns 5 connected at the lower ends thereof to the horizontal base 3, and a folding chair 7 connected to the support columns 5 so as to be foldable.

(horizontal stand 3)

The horizontal table 3 is made by molding plastic. The bottom surface of the horizontal base 3 is substantially rectangular in bottom view, and 4 small casters 4 capable of freely rotating in the horizontal plane and changing direction are fixed to four corners of the bottom surface. The horizontal table 3 can move the base frame 1 by setting the base frame 1 to a self-standing state by means of the 4 casters 4 and setting the casters 4 to a rotatable state in a horizontal plane.

A pair of support columns 5 are fixed to one side of the horizontal table 3 so as to extend upward. The entire bottom surface of the horizontal table 3 is formed in a quadrangular shape, in the figure, a rectangular shape. The horizontal table 3 fixes 2 supports 5 in a vertical posture on one side of the long side of the rectangle and in parallel with each other. The horizontal table 3 is provided with support tables 11 at both ends of one side of the long side so as to support the column 5 in a vertical posture. The support base 11 is in the shape of a square tube through which the lower end of the support column 5 is inserted, and is formed so as to stand in a vertical posture with respect to the horizontal base 3. The support column 5 is supported such that the lower end portion of the support column 5 is inserted through the support base 11.

The horizontal table 3 and the support table 11 are integrally molded from plastic. The base frame 1 in which the horizontal table 3 and the support base 11 are integrally molded with plastic can enhance the connection strength between the horizontal table 3 and the support base 11. However, in the base frame 1, the horizontal base 3 and the support base 11 may be fixed by plastic molding, such as adhesion or screw fastening. The support base 11 is provided with a vertical hole (not shown) into which the connection post 5 is inserted, and the post 5 is inserted into the vertical hole and connected. In the base frame 1 shown in the figure, the support posts 5 are formed in a prism shape, and therefore, the vertical holes are formed in a prism shape. The column 5 inserted into the vertical hole is fixed by a set screw which penetrates the support base 11 and presses the tip end against the column 5. However, the pillars 5 may be fixed to the vertical holes by bonding or may be connected by a fitting structure that does not come off. The structure in which the support 5 is connected to the horizontal base 3 with this structure enables the support 5 to be fixed to the horizontal base 3 with an extremely strong structure.

The horizontal table 3 is arranged as follows: the upper surface is made flat, and reinforcing beads 28 (see fig. 12) intersecting in a direction inclined to the longitudinal and lateral directions are integrally molded on the lower surface. The entire horizontal base 3 can be made thin and lightweight, and the reinforcing beads 28 can be made strong. Further, the horizontal stand 3 is provided with through holes 29 vertically penetrating the horizontal stand 3 between the reinforcing beads 28 arranged to intersect, thereby making the entire weight lighter.

The horizontal table 3 of fig. 1 to 3 is provided on the left side in the drawing, which is a side portion of the fixed column 5: and a protrusion 12 protruding in a direction in which the width of the horizontal base 3 increases. A support base 11 is provided on the projection 12 to fix the column 5, and the caster 4 is fixed to the lower surface. The horizontal table 3 provided with the protruding portion 12 can increase and stabilize the interval between the casters 4 fixed to both sides thereof. Although the horizontal width (H) of the rectangular horizontal base 3 is made narrower, the horizontal base is likely to fall sideways, the lateral stability can be improved by providing the projecting portion 12 to increase the interval between the casters 4 in the horizontal width direction of the horizontal base 3. Since the casters 4 are fixed to the four corners of the horizontal base 3, the protruding portions 12 are provided at both ends of the connecting column 5 on one side. The width of the horizontal table 3 provided with the protruding part 12 is 14-16 cm, and the length is 20-35 cm. However, the width may be 12 to 35 cm.

(pillar 5)

The support 5 is a telescopic rod which can be freely drawn upward, and a handle 6 is provided at an upper end thereof. The support 5, which is an extendable rod, is described in detail below, and includes a support stopper 15 (see fig. 10 and 11) for stopping the support at an extended position and a retracted position. As for the stay 5, as shown by the broken line in fig. 3, if the handle 6 is lifted by the elongation, the stay 5 is bent so that the handle 6 moves toward the center from the side fixed to the horizontal table 3. The column 5 can move the lifted handle 6 from the side of the horizontal table 3 in a direction close to the center. However, the column does not necessarily need to have the handle positioned at the center of the horizontal table 3 in a state where the handle is lifted.

Although not shown, if the handle is lifted by extending the support column, the support column may be fixed to the horizontal table so as to be inclined so that the handle moves from the side fixed to the horizontal table toward the center. For example, a column fixed to the left side of the horizontal table is tilted so that the handle moves from the left side to the right side of the horizontal table if the handle is lifted. The inclined support is also the same as the curved support, and the handle does not necessarily need to be positioned at the center of the horizontal table in a state where the handle is lifted.

Although not shown, the case may have a curved support column fixed obliquely to one side of the horizontal table, and the handle may be lifted up to move from one side of the horizontal table toward the center. The case comprises the following components: the radius of curvature of the bend is increased and the angle of inclination is made close to a right angle, so that the handle can be lifted close to the center of the horizontal table. This is because: so that both tilting and bending it enable the lifted handle to move from the side of the horizontal table towards the centre.

The structure of the above pillar 5 is: when the column 5 is extended to lift the handle 6, the handle 6 is moved from the side fixed to the horizontal table 3 toward the center. However, the structure of the strut may also be: the handle is not necessarily arranged to move from one side of the horizontal table toward the center, but is vertically fixed to one side of the horizontal table, and if the handle is extended and lifted, the handle is moved directly above one side of the horizontal table.

In the contracted state of the stay 5, that is, in the state where the handle 6 is pressed to the lowest position, the handle 6 is positioned at the upper portion or the upper portion of the luggage body 2 but is stopped by the stay stopper. In the position where the stay 5 is retracted to lower the handle 6, the distance from the bottom surface of the caster 4 to the upper surface of the handle 6 is about 50 cm. However, in the position where the pillar 5 is contracted to make the handle 6 the lowest, the distance from the bottom surface of the caster 4 to the upper surface of the handle 6 may be preferably 30 to 80cm, and more preferably 35 to 70 cm. In a state where the pillar 5 is contracted to make the handle 6 the lowest, the bag main body 2 is made lower than the handle 6 so that the handle 6 can be easily gripped. The column 5 is stopped by the column stopper 15 in an extended state, that is, in a state where the handle 6 is lifted to the highest position, at a position where the height from the bottom surface of the caster 4 to the center of the handle 6 is 60 to 100cm, preferably 65 to 85 cm.

The strut 5 includes: a guide cylinder 5B fixed to the horizontal table 3 so as to extend in the vertical direction, and a pull rod 5A inserted into the guide cylinder 5B so as to be accessible, and a handle 6 is fixed to an upper end of the pull rod 5A. The guide cylinder 5B and the drawing rod 5A may be metal cylinders having different thicknesses. However, the guide cylinder and the pull rod can also be made by molding plastic into a square cylinder.

In the base frame 1 of fig. 1 and 2, 2 columns 5 are fixed to one side of a horizontal table 3, and a handle 6 is connected to the upper ends of the 2 columns 5. In the base frame 1 shown in the figure, 2 support columns 5 are fixed so as to be positioned at both end portions on one side of the horizontal table 3. That is, the interval between the 2 pillars 5 is substantially equal to the length of the long side of the rectangular horizontal table 3. The structure in which the 2 support columns 5 are fixed to both end portions of the horizontal table 3 as described above has the following advantages: the pillars 5 can be securely erected in a more solid structure. This is because: the rectangular frame consisting of the 2 support columns 5, the horizontal table 3, and the handle 6 can be enlarged. According to this structure, can reduce by a wide margin: in a state where the strut 5 is extended to cause the luggage to travel, a force that presses the handle 6 in the traveling direction of the luggage acts in a direction in which the strut 5 falls down. Therefore, even when walking by holding the handle 6 or pushing and moving the stick, the extended pole 5 can be prevented from falling down and stable walking can be achieved. In addition, the following advantages are provided: since the load applied to the connecting portion between the stay 5 and the horizontal table 3 can be greatly reduced, damage to this portion can be effectively prevented.

Further, according to the configuration in which 2 support columns 5 are fixed to both ends of the long side of the horizontal table 3, the support columns 5 are fixed to the end portion on the front end side and the end portion on the rear end side with respect to the advancing direction of the base frame 1 when the luggage is moved by the casters 4. Therefore, the force is applied to the direction of pulling the horizontal base 3 by the front side support 5, and the force is applied to the direction of pushing the horizontal base 3 by the rear side support 5, so that the horizontal base 3 can be smoothly moved by a light force. In particular, according to this configuration, the horizontal base 3 can be steered and run with excellent directivity. Therefore, the following advantages can be achieved: the horizontal table 3 having casters 4 movable in any direction at four corners of the bottom surface can be stably moved with excellent directivity.

Further, the 2 pillars 5 are connected to the upper end of the guide cylinder 5B by a connecting rod 13. The lower end of the guide cylinder 5B is fixed to the horizontal table 3, and the upper end portions are connected by a connecting rod 13. The structure in which the upper ends of the guide cylinders 5B are connected by the connecting rods 13 as described above can strengthen the 2 columns 5 to stand more stably. As shown in fig. 1, an insertion gap 14 into which a hand is inserted is provided between the handle 6 and the connecting rod 13 that are lowered to the lowermost side. This is to facilitate grasping of the descending handle 6. The handle 6 is integrally formed in コ shape by plastic to connect the bent portions at both ends to the drawer rod 5A, thereby providing the insertion gap 14.

(folding chair 7)

The bag shown in fig. 1 to 3 is formed by connecting a foldable chair 7 to a pair of support posts 5 so as to be foldable. The bag provided with the folding chair 7 can be opened to sit down for comfortable rest, for example, during waiting or fatigue. In particular, since the case that can travel with the casters 4 provided at the four corners in the standing state can be moved as a cane in a state where the handle 6 is lifted, there are advantages as follows: by providing the folding chair 7, it is possible to make the movement and the non-movement very comfortable.

As shown in fig. 1 to 6, the folding chair 7 includes: a seat surface stopper 34 connected to the seat surface 8 of the column 5 so as to be capable of being folded from a horizontal posture to a vertical posture and being capable of moving up and down, a seat surface stopper 34 for regulating a lowered position of the seat surface 8, a folding leg 9 having an upper end connected to a first end portion 8A of the seat surface 8 on the column side so as to be capable of tilting, a first link 31 having one end serving as a fixed end 31B and connected to a second end 8B of the seat surface 8 facing the first end 8A so as to be able to tilt and move and the other end serving as a movable end 31A and connected to the collapsible leg 9 so as to be able to move up and down along the collapsible leg 9, an intermediate stopper 35 fixed to an intermediate portion of the collapsible leg 9 and regulating a lowering position of the movable end 31A of the first link 31, and a second link 32 having one end connected to an intermediate portion of the collapsible leg 9 and the other end connected to a lower end portion of the support column 5 so as to be able to tilt and regulate an opening degree of the collapsible leg 9.

(seating surface 8)

The seat surface 8 is connected to the column 5 so as to be vertically movable while being capable of tilting between a horizontal posture (see fig. 2) and a vertical posture (see fig. 1) with the first end 8A on the column side serving as a center of the tilting. The base frame 1 shown in fig. 1 to 5 is configured such that the upper and lower stages 30 are connected to an upper portion of the support column 5 such that the upper and lower stages 30 can move up and down along the support column 5, and the first end portion 8A of the seat surface 8 is connected to the upper and lower stages 30 so as to be capable of tilting movement. Both ends of the upper and lower tables 30 are slidably connected to the guide cylinders 5B of the support columns 5. Since the guide tube 5B is a rectangular tube, rectangular through holes are provided at both ends of the upper and lower stages 30, and the guide tube 5B is slidably inserted through the through holes. The upper and lower stages 30 are configured to: can move up and down between the seat stopper 34 and the link rod 13 at the upper end of the guide cylinder 5B. The upper and lower stages 30 move up and down along the guide tubes 5B of the support columns 5 in a horizontal posture when opening and closing the folding chair 7. The upper and lower stages 30 come into contact with a seat stopper 34 fixed to the support column 5 and stop descending. The seat stopper 34 is a tubular shape into which the support column 5 can be inserted, and is fixed to the support column 5 so as not to move up and down.

As shown in fig. 6, the seat surface 8 is connected to the upper and lower stages 30 via a tilt shaft 36 fixed in a horizontal posture inside the first end portion 8A so as to be capable of tilting movement. The tilt shaft 36 shown in the drawing is a metal rotary shaft, and is disposed in a state of being inserted through a plurality of bearing ribs 46 provided at the first end portion 8A of the seat face 8, and both end portions of the tilt shaft 36 as the metal rotary shaft are connected to the upper and lower stages 30.

The seat surface 8 shown in the figure includes a seat panel 40 serving as a seat surface in a state of being opened in a horizontal posture. The seat panel 40 of the seat face 8 is substantially rectangular. The seating surface 8 shown in fig. 4 has a lateral width (W) of the substantially rectangular seating panel 40 larger than the distance (D) between the pair of pillars 5. In this configuration, the seat panel 40 of the seat face 8 is rectangular, and the lateral width (W) thereof can be increased to increase the seat face, so that the user can sit comfortably and stably.

The seat surface 8 is made of plastic, and a peripheral wall 41 projecting downward in a horizontal posture is integrally molded along the periphery of the seat panel 40. By providing the peripheral wall 41 along the periphery of the seat panel 40 in this manner, the strength of the seat face 8 can be increased, and a comfortable seat can be obtained. The seat surface 8 shown in fig. 2 and 4 is configured to: a plurality of notches 42 for guiding the support columns 5 in the folded state are formed in the peripheral wall 41 formed along the first end portion 8A and the second end portion 8B so as to accommodate the seat surfaces 8 wider than the intervals between the support columns 5 along the support columns 5. The seat surface 8 shown in fig. 4 is provided at both ends of the peripheral wall 41 on the first end 8A side: the first cutout 42A for guiding the guide tube 5B of the strut 5 is provided at both ends of the peripheral wall 41 on the second end side: and a second cutout 42B for accommodating the guide tube 5B of the strut 5, the folding leg 9, and the second link 32.

As shown in fig. 1 and 4, in the state where the seating surface 8 is folded in the vertical posture, the peripheral walls 41 on both sides of the seating surface 8 are disposed outside the pair of support columns 5, and the support columns 5 are guided to the cutout portions 42, so that the intermediate portions of the pair of support columns 5 are accommodated inside the seating surface 8. In the state where the seating surface 8 shown in fig. 4 is folded from the horizontal posture to the vertical posture, the support column 5 is guided to the first cutout 42A, and the support column 5, the folding leg 9, and the second link 32 are guided to the second cutout 42B, so that these components are stored at the fixed positions on the inner side of the seating surface 8. In other words, the seat surface 8 is folded in a posture parallel to the support column 5 in a state where the support column 5 is housed in the first cutout 42A and the support column 5, the folding leg 9, and the second link 32 are housed in the second cutout 42B. The seat panel 40 is set in a posture parallel to the pair of support columns 5, and the pair of support columns 5 are accommodated inside the peripheral walls 41 provided at both side edges, whereby the folding seat surface 8 is set in a vertical posture. In the state where the foldable chair 7 is folded, the seat face 8 tilted to the vertical position is stored along the column 5.

The seat face 8 shown in fig. 1, 2, and 5 is provided with a seat cover 43 detachably attached to the surface of the seat panel 40 in the central region thereof. The seat cover 43 is made of a seat cushion material such as soft plastic or polyurethane. The seat surface 8 having the seat cover 43, which is a cushion material, on the surface can be comfortably seated. Further, the seat surface cover 43 can be attached and detached, and thus can be replaced easily.

(folding leg 9)

As shown in fig. 1 to 5, the folding leg 9 has an overall コ -shape in which the lower ends of the pair of metal pipes 37 are connected by the connecting member 38, and has an upper end connected to the first end 8A of the seat surface 8 on the column side so as to be able to tilt. The upper end of the folding leg 9 is connected to the upper and lower tables 30 via a tilting shaft 36 disposed at the first end 8A of the seat surface 8 so as to be able to tilt. The folding leg 9 opens and closes in a direction inclined with respect to the stay 5. The lower end of the opened folding leg 9 is distant from the stay 5, and therefore, the seating surface 8 can be stably supported by the opened folding leg 9 and the stay 5. The folding leg 9 is supported so that the seat surface 8 is substantially horizontal in the opened state. Here, as shown in fig. 1, the total length of the folding leg 9 is set as: in the folded state of the folding chair 7, the distance from the upper and lower base 30 in the raised position to the lower surface of the caster 4 is shorter. This is to store the collapsible leg 9 in a posture parallel to the column 5 and to prevent the lower end of the collapsible leg 9 from contacting the ground. As shown in fig. 2, the folding legs 9 are inclined from the upper and lower stages 30 at the lowered position in a direction in which the lower ends of the folding legs 9 are separated from the support columns 5 in a state in which the folding chair 7 is unfolded, and support the seat surface 8 which is opened in a horizontal posture by bringing the lower ends into contact with the ground.

The connecting part 38 of the folding leg 9 is made of, for example, plastic. The connecting member 38 shown in fig. 2 and 4 connects the lower ends of the 2 metal pipes 37, and leg portions 38A projecting downward are provided at both ends. The structure of the folding leg 9 is: the leg portion 38A is brought into contact with the ground, thereby supporting the load applied to the folding leg 9. The leg portion 38A of the folding leg 9 is made of plastic, whereby the contact resistance with the ground can be increased to stably support the folding leg 9. The connecting member 38 shown in fig. 4 has non-contact recessed portions 38B formed at both end portions so as not to interfere with both end surfaces of the connecting member 38 when the adjacent casters 4 rotate in a horizontal plane. As shown by the broken line in fig. 4, the folding leg 9 is constituted by: since the caster 4 rotating in the horizontal plane can be passed through the non-contact recess 38B of the connection member 38, the caster 4 can be steered stably without restricting the free steering movement in the horizontal plane.

The base frame 1 of fig. 1 accommodates the folding legs 9 between the protruding portions 12 of the horizontal table 3, and accommodates the folding legs 9 inside the peripheral wall 41 of the seat surface 8 folded in the vertical posture. Seat surface 8 shown in fig. 4 accommodates folding leg 9 in second cutout 42B of peripheral wall 41 provided on second end 8B side. Thus, in the state where the leg 9 and the seating surface 8 are folded in the vertical posture, the leg 9 and the seating surface 8 do not protrude outward from the pair of support columns 5 to a large extent, in other words, the base frame 1 can be folded compactly without increasing the outer shape thereof. The base frame 1 accommodates the folding legs 9 of the folding chair 7 between the protruding portions 12, and the folding chair 7 is arranged without increasing the overall lateral width. The case has the following advantages: the stability in the lateral width direction is improved by the protruding portion 12, and the folding leg 9 can be accommodated in the space by the protruding portion 12.

(first link 31)

One end of the first link 31 is connected to the second end portion 8B of the seat face 8, and the other end is connected to the folding leg 9 so as to be movable up and down along the folding leg 9. The first link 31 shown in fig. 3 to 5 includes: a slide tube 51 vertically sliding along the folding leg 9, and a link body 50 having one end connected to the second end 8B of the seat surface 8 and the other end rotatably connected to the slide tube 51. The slide tube 51 is a tube body through which the metal tube 37 of the folding leg 9 is inserted, and is molded from plastic so as to be movable up and down along the metal tube 37. In the first link 31 of fig. 4, 2 metal pipes 37 are inserted into the slide cylinder 51.

The link body 50 is molded from plastic, and as shown in fig. 4, has a plate shape with both side edges bent in a depressed center shape in a rear view, and as shown in fig. 5, a peripheral wall 52 is provided around one surface (a surface facing the seat surface 8 in fig. 5), and a plurality of ribs 53 are formed in a central portion to reinforce the link body. One end of the link body 50 is connected to the inside of the second end portion 8B of the seat surface 8 via a pivot shaft 54. The pivot shaft 54 shown in fig. 5 is a metal pivot shaft, and penetrates one end of the link body 50 in the horizontal direction, and both ends of the pivot shaft 54 are connected to bearings 44 provided to protrude from the inner surface of the seat surface 8, and the link body 50 is connected so as to be rotatable in the vertical plane. Further, the other end of the link main body 50 is connected to the slide cylinder 51 via a pivot shaft 55. The rotation shaft 55 shown in fig. 5 is a metal rotation shaft, penetrates the other end of the link body 50 in the horizontal direction, and is connected to the opposing slide cylinders 51 so that both ends can rotate freely in the vertical plane. The first link 31 in which the slide tube 51 and the link main body 50 are formed of plastic as described above has a feature that it can be manufactured at low cost and with light weight. However, the first link may also be made of metal.

The first link 31 is connected to the seat surface 8 with the rotation shaft 54 side, which is one end of the link body 50, as a fixed end 31B, and is movable up and down along the folding legs 9 with the slide tube 51 as a movable end 31A, when opening and closing the folding chair 7. In particular, when the foldable chair 7 is unfolded, the movable end 31A of the first link 31 that pivots about the pivot 54 on the fixed end 31B side descends along the folding leg 9 by its own weight. Therefore, the first link 31 can be quickly arranged in a predetermined posture to unfold and fold the chair 7, and the seat surface 8 can be stably supported. The slide tube 51 descending along the folding leg 9 abuts against the intermediate stopper 35 fixed to the intermediate portion of the folding leg 9 and stops descending. The intermediate stopper 35 is a tube through which the metal tube 37 of the folding leg 9 can be inserted, and is fixed to the folding leg 9 so as not to move up and down. The first link 31, which determines the lowered position of the movable end 31A by the intermediate stopper 35, is provided so as to straddle between the second end portion 8B of the seat surface 8 and the intermediate portion of the folding leg 9, and supports the seat surface 8 in a horizontal posture.

(elastomer 56)

In addition, the foldable chair 7 shown in fig. 5 includes an elastic body 56 at a connection portion between the seat surface 8 and the first link 31. The elastic body 56 biases the first link 31 in a direction to expand relative to the seat surface 8, that is, biases the movable end 31A of the first link 31 in a direction to separate from the seat surface 8. This structure allows the first link 31 to be smoothly tilted in a direction in which the movable end 31A is separated from the seat surface 8 when the seat surface 8 is expanded to the horizontal position, and allows the seat surface 8 to be rapidly expanded. The elastic body 56 shown in fig. 5 is inserted through: and a coil spring for connecting the fixed end 31B of the first link 31 to the pivot shaft 54 of the seat surface 8. One end of the elastic body 56 as a coil spring is extended and connected to the seat surface 8 in the tangential direction, and the other end is extended and connected to the link main body 50 of the first link 31 in the tangential direction. This structure can bias the first link 31 in a predetermined direction using the elastic body 56 having a simple structure and low cost. However, the folding chair 7 does not necessarily need to be provided with an elastic member, and may be omitted.

(second link 32)

The second link 32 is a connecting member connecting the intermediate portion of the folding leg 9 and the lower end portion of the stay 5, and restricts: opening of the folding leg 9 which is inclined in a direction away from the pillar 5. The second link 32 shown in fig. 4 and 5 is a metal rod having a prescribed thickness and length. One end of the second link 32 as a metal rod is rotatably connected to: the outer side of the intermediate stop 35 fixed to the middle of the folding leg 9. The other end of the second link 32 is pivotably connected to: the lower end of the support column 5 is an inner surface of the fixing member 39 fixed above the support base 11. The connecting members 57 fixed to the intermediate stopper 35 and the fixing member 39 are parallel to each other with the central axes in the horizontal direction, and can tilt the second link 32 in the vertical plane.

The second link 32 shown in fig. 4 connects the folding leg 9 and the support 5 disposed at a distance from each other, and bends both end portions connected to the folding leg 9 and the support 5 so as to be capable of tilting movement in a vertical plane in opposite directions to be parallel to each other. That is, as shown in fig. 4, the second link 32 has a structure of: the middle part is inclined, and both end parts connected to both ends are connected to the folding leg 9 and the stay 5 in parallel with each other. The folding chair 7 shown in fig. 4 is provided with 2 second links 32 on both sides of the folding legs 9. The 2 second links are disposed in a bilaterally symmetrical posture, and connect the lower ends of the pair of support columns 5 and both side surfaces of the folding leg 9 so as to be rotatable in a vertical plane.

The second link 32 described above has the end on the side of the column 5 as the fixed end 32B and the end on the side of the folding leg 9 as the movable end 32A, and the movable end 32A is inclined in a direction away from or toward the column 5. The second link 32 is moved obliquely in a direction away from the stay 5 toward the movable end 32A when the folding chair 7 is unfolded, thereby moving the lower portion of the folding leg 9 obliquely in a direction away from the stay 5. The folding legs 9 lower and open the upper and lower stages 30 to which the upper ends thereof are connected, and the opening angle of the folding legs 9 increases as the upper and lower stages 30 are lowered. The upper and lower stages 30 come into contact with the seat stopper 34 and stop descending. In this state, the second link 32 stops the folding leg 9 from being unfolded. The folding leg 9 is positioned at the lowered position by the upper and lower stages 30 abutting against the seat stopper 34, and the tilt movement of the lower portion is restricted by the second link 32 and held in a predetermined unfolded posture.

Further, although the other end of the second link is fixed to the lower end of the pillar as described above, the other end of the second link may be fixed to the horizontal table. According to this configuration, for example, the other end of the second link is connected to the side surface or the protruding portion of the horizontal table so as to be rotatable, and the second link is disposed so as to be capable of tilting in the vertical plane.

(third link 33)

The foldable chair 7 shown in fig. 5 includes a third link 33 connecting the seat surface 8 and the support column 5. The folding chair 7 of fig. 5 is connected between the first end portion 8A side of the seat surface 8, that is, a position retreated from the tilt shaft 36 toward the center side, and the intermediate portion of the column 5 via the third link 33. The third link 33 shown in fig. 4 and 5 is a metal rod having a prescribed thickness and length. One end of the third link 33, which is a metal rod, is rotatably connected to a fixing rib 45 protruding from the lower surface of the seat face 8 via a connecting member 58, and the other end is rotatably connected to the seat face stopper 34 of the pillar 5, so that the third link can be tilted in the vertical plane.

The third link 33 described above is inclined in a direction in which the end on the pillar 5 side serves as the fixed end 33B and the end on the seat surface 8 side serves as the movable end 33A, and moves away from or toward the pillar 5 toward the movable end 33A. When the foldable chair 7 is unfolded, the third link 33 is tilted in a direction in which the movable end 33A moves away from the column 5, and the first end 8A of the seat surface 8 is lowered. The seating surface 8 is opened in a horizontal posture as the upper and lower stages 30 are lowered, and the upper and lower stages 30 come into contact with the seating surface stopper 34 and stop. When the seat surface 8 in the horizontal posture is folded, the third link 33 pushes up the first end 8A of the seat surface 8 with the movable end 33A as a fulcrum, and raises the upper and lower stages 30. Therefore, the folding chair 7 including the third link 33 can raise the upper and lower stages 30 in conjunction with the seat surface 8 folded from the horizontal posture, and can tilt and move the seat surface 8 smoothly to the vertical posture. However, the folding chair does not necessarily need to have the third link, and the third link may be omitted.

The folding chair 7 having the above structure is configured such that: when the seat face 8 in the vertical posture is unfolded to the horizontal posture, the seat face 8 is opened in conjunction with the folding leg 9 which is inclined and moved in a direction away from the pillar 5. This structure is illustrated in detail in the schematic diagram of fig. 7. Fig. 7A shows a state in which the seat surface 8, the folding leg 9, the first link 31, the second link 32, and the third link 33 are folded in a posture parallel to the column 5. As shown by arrow a in fig. 7B, if the folding leg 9 is to be tilted in a direction away from the support column 5 from this state, the seat surface 8 connected by the first link 31 is tilted in the unfolding direction in conjunction with the tilting of the folding leg 9 as shown by arrow B. Further, the upper and lower tables 30 to which the upper ends of the folding legs 9 are connected are lowered along the pillars 5 as indicated by arrows C. In this state, the seat surface 8 is further expanded into a horizontal posture. As indicated by an arrow D in fig. 7C, the second end 8B, which is the front end of the seat surface 8 in the nearly horizontal posture, is raised. In this state, as shown in fig. 7D, the upper and lower stages 30 connected to the first end portion 8A of the seat surface 8 stop descending by abutting against the seat surface stopper 34, and the second link 32 determines the leg opening position of the folding leg 9 in a state where the opening degree of the folding leg 9 is limited. Further, as shown by an arrow E in fig. 7D, the slide tube 51 as the movable end 31A of the first link 31 descends by its own weight along the folding leg 9. The descending slide tube 51 stops descending by coming into contact with the intermediate stopper 35 fixed to the middle of the folding leg 9. In this state, as shown in fig. 5, the foldable chair 7 is unfolded, and the seat surface 8 is held in a horizontal posture by the first link 31, the foldable leg 9, and the second link 32.

The folding chair 7 is configured to: when the seat surface 8 in the horizontal posture is folded, the folding leg 9 is folded in conjunction with the seat surface 8 which is inclined toward the vertical posture. This structure is illustrated in detail in the schematic diagram of fig. 8. As shown by an arrow a in fig. 8A, the link main body 50 of the first link 31 is tilted toward the inside of the seat surface 8. In this state, the slide cylinder 51 of the first link 31 is raised along the folding leg 9 as indicated by the arrow B. As shown by an arrow C in fig. 8B, the second end 8B of the seat surface 8 is lowered and tilted toward the pillar 5. At this time, the seat surface 8 is tilted about the movable end 33A of the third link 33 as a fulcrum, and the upper and lower stages 30 to which the first end 8A is connected are raised as indicated by an arrow D. The raised upper and lower stages 30 raise the upper ends of the folding legs 9, and therefore, the folding legs 9 are raised in conjunction with this, and the folding legs 9 are folded toward the support column 5 side as indicated by the arrow E. Further, as shown by an arrow F in fig. 8C, the seat surface 8 is tilted, and thereby the upper and lower stages 30 are raised, and the folding leg 9 is folded in a direction approaching the pillar 5 as shown by an arrow G. As shown in fig. 8D, the seat surface 8, the folding leg 9, the first link 31, the second link 32, and the third link 33 are folded in a posture parallel to the column 5.

In the foldable chair 7 having the above-described configuration, when the seat surface 8 is opened, the seat surface 8 can be opened in conjunction with the opening of the folding legs 9 by hand, and the slide tube 51 serving as the movable end 31A of the first link 31 is lowered along the folding legs 9 by its own weight, whereby the first link 31 can be easily and quickly brought into an inclined posture to support the seat surface 8. Further, in the foldable chair 7, when the seat face 8 is folded into the vertical posture, the seat face 8 which is tilted about the movable end 33A of the third link 33 as a fulcrum raises the upper and lower stages 30, and therefore, the upper and lower stages 30 and the seat face 8 do not need to be lifted upward by hand, and the seat face 8 is tilted, whereby the upper and lower stages 30 can be raised in conjunction with this, and the seat face 8 and the folding legs 9 can be folded into the posture parallel to the support columns 5 easily and quickly.

(locking mechanism 60)

The base frame 1 shown in fig. 4 and 9 further includes a lock mechanism 60 for locking the seat surface 8 in the vertical position. As shown in fig. 9, the lock mechanism 60 includes: a lock release button 61 for releasing the locked state when the seating surface 8 is tilted from the vertical posture to the horizontal posture, an engaging portion 62 formed on the second link 32, an elastic protrusion 63 connected to the inside of the seating surface 8 and elastically protruding to an engaging position of the engaging portion 62, and a drive mechanism 64 for moving the elastic protrusion 63 from the engaging position to the engaging release position by operating the lock release button 61.

(Lock release button 61)

The lock release button 61 is provided at the second end 8B of the seat surface 8. In the foldable chair 7 of fig. 9, a through hole 40A is provided in the center of the second end 8B of the seat surface 8, and a lock release button 61 is disposed therein. The lock release button 61 is provided: so as not to protrude significantly from the upper surface of the seating surface 8, the seat cushion is positioned at a position that protrudes slightly from the same surface as the upper surface of the seating surface 8 or from the seating surface 8, and the seat cushion is in a state where the seat cushion 8 is seated without a sense of discomfort. The lock release button 61 is pressed so as to elastically protrude toward the surface of the seat face 8 by the elastic body 65. The lock release button 61 shown in fig. 9 is: the seat surface 8 has a substantially elliptical pillar shape in plan view, and convex portions 61A extending inward of the seat surface 8 are integrally formed at both ends of the inner surface side of the seat surface 8. The convex portion 61A shown in the figure is shaped: the inclined surface 61a is provided on the inner surface side facing each other in a shape in which the cross-sectional area gradually decreases toward the tip. In the lock release button 61 of fig. 9, a flange portion 61b is provided so that a pair of convex portions 61A protrude from both ends, and the raised position of the lock release button 61 with respect to the seat surface 8 is determined by bringing the flange portion 61b into contact with the opening edge portion of the through hole 40A of the seat surface 8. In other words, the configuration is: the elastic body 65 pushes up the lock release button 61 without protruding upward from the seating surface 8.

(engaging part 62)

The locking portion 62 guides the distal end of the elastic protrusion 63 driven by operating the lock release button 61 to lock the elastic protrusion 63. The locking portion shown in fig. 9 is a locking hole 62A opened so as to penetrate the second link 32. That is, in the state where the second link 32 is folded in a posture parallel to the pillar 5, the locking hole 62A is opened at a position facing the front end of the elastic protrusion 63 to form the locking portion 62. The locking hole 62A shown in the figure has a slit shape and is shaped to guide the tip end portion of the elastic protrusion 63 in a state where the foldable chair 7 is folded. With the configuration in which the locking portion is provided in the second link 32, the distance from the lock release button 61 to the locking portion 62 can be shortened, and the seat face 8 can be locked in the vertical posture. The elastic protrusion 63 is inserted into the locking hole 62A provided in the second link 32, and the seat face 8 is locked in the vertical posture.

(elastic protrusion 63)

The elastic protrusion 63 is connected to the lower surface of the seat surface 8 so as to be capable of reciprocating in a direction in which the both sides move away from each other or vice versa. The seat surface 8 in fig. 4 has: the housing 47 in which the pair of elastic protruding portions 63 are disposed is provided with, protruding from the housing 47 to both sides: a pair of elastic protrusions 63 disposed in the housing portion 47. The seat face 8 is provided with a pair of ribs 48 (see fig. 5) extending in the reciprocating direction so that the pair of elastic protrusions 63 are disposed to be capable of reciprocating along the back face of the seat face 8. Elastic protrusions 63 are disposed between the ribs 48, and the elastic protrusions 63 can be reciprocated. A cover member 67 is fixed to the front end edges of the pair of beads 48 to prevent the pair of elastic protruding portions 63 disposed between the beads 48 from coming off.

The elastic protrusion 63 shown in fig. 9 is formed by molding plastic into a columnar shape, and has a locking protrusion 66 inserted into the locking hole 62A at its tip end. Further, the elastic protruding portion 63 is formed at a position retreated from the locking convex portion 66: the recess 63B of the metal tube 37 guiding the folding leg 9. The concave portion 63B is: the reciprocating elastic protrusion 63 has a shape that does not interfere with the metal pipe 37. Further, the elastic protruding portion 63 has a slit 63A extending in the reciprocating direction at the rear end portion, and the following are guided inside the slit 63A: a guide projection 49 projecting on the rear surface side of the seat surface 8. The guide projection 49 guided into the slit 63A also serves as a boss of a stopper screw 69 screwed into the fixed cover member 67.

As shown in fig. 9, the elastic protrusion 63 has a structure of: the locking protrusion 66 is elastically pushed out to both sides by an elastic body 68 of a pressure spring disposed between the guide protrusion 49 of the seat surface 8. The elastic body 68 as a pressure spring is guided into the slit 63A formed in the elastic protrusion 63, that is, between the guide protrusion 49 provided on the seat surface 8 and the inner surface of the slit 63A in an integrally molded manner, and elastically presses out the locking protrusion 66 of the elastic protrusion 63. The pair of elastic protruding portions 63 are biased by the elastic body 68 and moved in directions away from each other in a state where the lock release button 61 is not operated. In the state where the elastic protrusion 63 is pushed outward by the elastic body 68, the locking protrusion 66 provided at the tip end is guided into the locking portion 62 to be locked.

The locking protrusion 66 elastically pushed out and guided into the locking portion 62 has the facing surface guided into the distal end of the locking portion 62 as the inclined surface 66A in a state where the seat surface 8 is in the vertical posture. The locking protrusion 66 shown in fig. 9 is configured to: the side facing the inner surface of the seat surface 8 is made planar, and the opposite side, i.e., the exposed surface, is made to be an inclined surface 66A inclined toward the tip. When the seat face 8 is folded from the horizontal posture to the vertical posture, the inclined face 66A slides along the surface of the second link 32 and smoothly enters the locking hole 62A, and the locking protrusion 66 is elastically pushed out by the elastic body 68 when guided into the locking hole 62A. Therefore, the seat face 8 can be folded into the vertical posture without pressing the lock release button 61, and the locking protrusion 66 can be smoothly guided into the locking portion 62 to lock the seat face 8 at the folded position. However, the locking projection is not necessarily an inclined surface, and the seat face 8 may be folded into a vertical posture by pressing the lock release button to release the lock.

(drive mechanism 64)

The drive mechanism 64 moves the pair of elastic protruding portions 63 from the locking position to the locking release position by operating the lock release button 61. The drive mechanism 64 is constituted by: a convex portion 61A protruding toward the lower surface of the lock release button 61, and a slit 63A provided in the elastic protrusion 63. Precisely, the drive mechanism 64 is composed of: the inclined surface 61A formed on the projection 61A and the inclined surface 63A formed on the inner surface of the slit 63A so as to face the inclined surface 61A. The structure of the elastic projection 63 is: a projection 61A projecting toward the lower surface of the lock release button 61 is guided into the slit 63A so that the locked state is released by operating the lock release button 61. The slit 63A has an inclined surface 63A on an inner surface facing the inclined surface 61A of the projection 61A provided on the lock release button 61, and when the lock release button 61 is pressed, the slit is slid along the inclined surface 61A of the projection 61A to be moved on the inclined surface 63A of the slit 63A, so that the pair of elastic protrusions 63 can be moved in a direction to approach each other. The pair of elastic protruding portions 63 move in a direction approaching each other to the locking release position in a state where the lock release button 61 is pressed, and the locking convex portions 66 at the distal ends are pulled out from the locking holes 62A to release the locking state. When the lock release button 61 is released, the pair of elastic protrusions 63 are pushed up by the elastic body 65 and pushed outward by the elastic body 68, and the locking protrusion 66 moves to the locking position.

The folding chair 7 configured as above is opened and closed by the following operations.

[ folded state of seat surface 8 ]

As shown in fig. 1 and 7A, the upper and lower stages 30 are in the raised position, and the seat surface 8, the folding leg 9, the first link 31, the second link 32, and the third link 33 are folded in a posture parallel to the column 5. As shown in fig. 4, the stay 5, the folding leg 9, and the second link 32 are guided into the cutout 42 of the peripheral wall 41. The first link 31 is also folded parallel to the pillar 5. In this state, the folding chair 7 is kept in a folded state. When the base frame 1 is moved by the casters 4 or when the folding chair 7 is not used, the folding chair 7 is set in a posture parallel to the column 5 in this state.

[ opening the seat face 8 for use as a chair ]

The lock release button 61 is pressed to release the locked state of the lock mechanism 60. When the lock release button 61 is pressed, as shown in fig. 9, the inclined surface 61A of the projection 61A slides on the inclined surface 63A formed on the inner surface of the slit 63A of the elastic protrusion 63, and the pair of elastic protrusions 63 move in the direction of approaching each other. The locking convex portions 66 of the elastic protruding portions 63 which are close to each other are pulled out from the locking holes 62A of the second link 32, and the locking state with the locking portions 62 is released.

When the lock release button 61 is pressed to release the locked state, the folding leg 9 is tilted from the vertical posture to the horizontal posture as indicated by an arrow a in fig. 7B. If the folding leg 9 is to be tilted away from the support column 5, the seat surface 8 connected via the first link 31 is tilted in the unfolding direction in conjunction with the tilting of the folding leg 9 as indicated by the arrow B. Further, the upper and lower tables 30 to which the upper ends of the folding legs 9 are attached are lowered along the pillars 5 as indicated by arrows C. As shown by an arrow D in fig. 7C, the second end 8B, which is the front end of the seat surface 8, is raised, and the upper and lower stages 30 are lowered to abut against the seat surface stopper 34 and stopped. In this state, the second link 32 restricts the opening degree of the folding leg 9 to determine the leg opening position of the folding leg 9. As shown by an arrow E in fig. 7D, the slide tube 51 of the first link 31 is lowered along the folding leg 9 by its own weight, and is lowered to abut against the intermediate stopper 35 and stopped. In this state, the seat surface 8 is supported by the first link 31, the folding leg 9, and the second link 32, and is disposed in a horizontal or substantially horizontal posture.

[ when the seat face 8 is closed and stored in the folded state ]

As shown by arrow a in fig. 8A, the link main body 50 of the first link 31 is tilted toward the inside of the seat face 8, and the slide tube 51 is raised along the folding leg 9 as shown by arrow B. Then, as shown by an arrow C in fig. 8B, the second end portion 8B of the seat surface 8 is lowered to tilt the seat surface 8. The seating surface 8 is tilted about the movable end 33A of the third link 33 as a fulcrum, and the vertical stage 30 is raised as indicated by an arrow D. The raised upper and lower stages 30 raise the upper ends of the folding legs 9, and the folding legs 9 are folded toward the support column 5 as indicated by arrows E in conjunction with this. Further, the seat surface 8 is tilted as shown by an arrow F in fig. 8C, whereby the upper and lower stages 30 are raised, and the leg 9 is folded in a direction approaching the pillar 5 as shown by an arrow G. As shown in fig. 8D, the seat surface 8, the folding leg 9, the first link 31, the second link 32, and the third link 33 are folded in a posture parallel to the column 5.

In this state, the seating surface 8 is folded in a vertical posture, and as shown in fig. 4 and 9, the pair of support columns 5 are housed between the peripheral walls 41 on both sides, and the folding leg 9, the first link 31, the second link 32, and the third link 33 are housed between the support columns 5. In this state, the locking protrusion 66 of the elastic protrusion 63 protruding toward both sides of the seating surface 8 is locked to the locking portion 62 of the second link 32, and the seating surface 8 is held in the vertical posture by the lock mechanism 60.

(pillar stopper 15)

The strut stopper 15 may be any mechanism capable of stopping the extension and contraction of the strut 5. Fig. 10 and 11 show an example of the strut stopper 15. The strut stopper 15 in these figures comprises: a projecting pin 16 disposed at the lower end of the drawer rod 5A and elastically projecting toward the guide cylinder 5B, a locking portion 17 provided in the guide cylinder 5B and into which the projecting pin 16 is inserted, and a release mechanism 18 for forcibly releasing the projecting pin 16 from the locking portion 17.

The projecting pin 16 is attached to the lower end portion of the drawer rod 5A via an elastic member 19 so as to elastically project toward the guide cylinder 5B. The projecting pin 16 is pressed by the elastic member 19 and elastically projects from the drawer rod 5A. The locking portion 17 is a through hole or a recess into which the protruding pin 16 is inserted. The opening of the guide tube 5B shown in the figure is provided with a through hole into which the projecting pin 16 is inserted as the locking portion 17. The structure in which the locking portion 17 is a through hole has the following advantages: the projecting pin 16 projects outward of the guide cylinder 5B from this position, and the stay 5 can be reliably stopped. This can be used very safely, particularly when the stay 5 is used in place of a walking stick, in other words, when supporting the body in a posture in which the weight of the body is applied to the grip 6. This is because it is possible to effectively prevent: the protruding pin 16 is unintentionally disengaged from the locking portion 17, and the stay 5 is pressed in. In addition, the following advantages are provided: when the entire bag is lifted by holding the handle 6, the support post 5 can be prevented from being accidentally pulled out. The abutment block 15 capable of reliably fixing the position of the drawer rod 5A as described above has the following advantages: the handle 6 can be used very safely both in the case of being in the raised position and in the case of being in the lowered position. However, the engaging portion may be: a recess into which the tip of the protruding pin is inserted.

Although not shown, the locking portion 17 provided in the guide tube 5B is provided at a position where the protruding pin 16 is inserted in a state where the drawer rod 5A is pulled up to the highest position, a state where the drawer rod is pulled up to the middle position, and a state where the drawer rod is lowered to the lowest position. In a state where the pull-out lever 5A is pulled up to the highest position, the projecting pin 16 is inserted into the uppermost locking portion 17, in a state where the pull-out lever 5A is lowered to the lowest position, the projecting pin 16 is inserted into the lowermost locking portion 17, and in a state where the pull-out lever 5A is pulled up to the middle position, the projecting pin 16 is inserted into the middle locking portion 17 to stop the expansion and contraction of the stay 5. The support 5 having the locking portion 17 provided in the middle of the guide tube 5B has an advantage that the drawing rod 5A can be extended and contracted in a plurality of stages. However, the support column does not necessarily need to be configured to be able to stop at an intermediate position, and may be stopped at a raised position and a lowered position. The support column 5 is provided with a plurality of locking portions 17 in the middle of the guide tube 5B, so that the pull-out rod 5A pulled up to the middle can be stopped at a plurality of pulled-out positions. The support 5 can select an optimal position by slightly moving the handle 6 up and down.

The release mechanism 18 includes: a push button 20 provided on the handle 6, a drive lever 21 connected to the push button 20 and moved up and down by the push button 20, and a rotary piece 22 pressed by the lower end of the drive lever 21 and rotated in a direction in which the protruding pin 16 is forcibly inserted.

The button 20 is disposed in a central portion of the upper surface of the handle 6 so as to be movable up and down. The push button 20 is connected to the lower surface of the handle 6 by an elastic body 23, and is elastically pressed out by the elastic body 23. A drive lever 21 is connected to a lower surface of the push button 20, and if the push button 20 is moved up and down by a finger, the drive lever 21 is driven up and down.

The drive lever 21 is disposed inside the handle 6 and the pull-out lever 5A, and rotates the rotary piece 22 by driving the push button 20 up and down. The drive lever 21 shown in the drawings includes: a horizontal rod 21A connected to the lower surface of the handle 6, and a vertical rod 21B inserted through the pull rod 5A. Both ends of the horizontal bar 21A are positioned above the upper end of the vertical bar 21B, and if the horizontal bar 21A is pressed downward, the vertical bar 21B is pressed downward. The upper end of the vertical rod 21B is inserted into the insertion cap 24 that moves vertically in the drawer rod 5A, and the vertical rod 21B can be moved vertically in the drawer rod 5A accurately. However, both ends of the horizontal bar may be connected to the upper ends of the vertical bars. For example, the driving rod may be 1 rod bent in コ -shape. The lower end of the drive rod 21 extends to the lower end of the pull rod 5A.

The rotating piece 22 is connected to the lower end of the pull-out rod 5A, and is pressed by the lower end of the drive lever 21 to rotate in a direction in which the projecting pin 16 forcibly enters. A guide cap 25 is connected to a lower end of the drawing rod 5A shown in the drawing, and a rotary piece 22 is rotatably attached to the inside of the guide cap 25 in a vertical plane. The guide cap 25 has an insertion hole 26A through which the drive rod 21 is inserted, which is opened in a connecting cylindrical portion 26 inserted into the pull rod 5A, so that the lower end portion of the drive rod 21 can accurately move up and down. One end of the rotary piece 22 is connected to the guide cap 25 via a rotary shaft 27, and pins 22A protruding toward the protruding pins 16 are provided on both sides of the other end. When the rotary piece 22 is pressed and rotated by the drive lever 21, the tip of the pin 22A is brought into contact with the protruding portions 16A provided on both sides of the protruding pin 16, and the rotating pin 22A presses the protruding pin 16 to forcibly retreat. When the pushing of the drive lever 21 is released, the protruding pin 16 is not pushed by the pin 22A of the rotary piece 22, but is elastically pushed out by the elastic member 19, and the rotary piece 22 is rotated to the original posture.

In the above-described release mechanism 18, if the push button 20 is pushed, the drive lever 21 is pushed, and the rotary piece 22 disposed at the lower end of the drive lever 21 rotates. The rotating piece 22 moves the protruding pin 16 in the direction of removal by the tip of the pin 22A, and removes the protruding pin 16 from the locking portion 17. In this state, the strut stopper 15 is released to become: the drawing rod 5A is allowed to move vertically inside the guide cylinder 5B. When the push button 20 is released, the projecting pin 16 can be pressed by the elastic member 19 and projected toward the guide cylinder 5B.

The column stopper 15 is released by forcibly inserting the projecting pin 16 by pressing a button 20 of a release mechanism 18 provided in the handle 6. The leg stopper 15 is released to pull up or lower the drawer rod 5A. The drawing rod 5A into which the protrusion pin 16 has entered moves up and down inside the guide cylinder 5B. When the knob 20 is released and the handle 6 is adjusted to a predetermined height, the projecting pin 16 is guided into the locking portion 17, and the extension and contraction of the column 5 are stopped to stop the raising and lowering of the handle 6.

The above-structured strut stopper 15 is simple in structure, and can stop the strut 5 at a predetermined position. However, the strut stopper is not particularly specified as the above structure. The post stopper may be any mechanism capable of stopping the post at a predetermined position.

(case main body 2 detachable structure)

Hereinafter, a method of attaching the luggage body 2 to the base frame 1 will be described. Fig. 1 to 3 show that the luggage body 2 is mounted on the upper surface of the horizontal base 3 so as to be adjacent to the support column 5. The bag main body 2 shown in the figure has a structure in which: the bag body 2 is attached to a coupling hook 71 provided on the base frame 1 so as to be attachable and detachable. Therefore, the luggage body 2 shown in fig. 1 to 3 is provided with the connection portions 2A into which the connection hooks 71 are inserted at four corner portions, i.e., the upper, lower, left, and right corners, of the side surface facing the pillar of the base frame 1. The connection portion 2A shown in the figure is provided: both ends of the band-shaped connecting belt are sewn to the bag main body 2. However, the connecting portion may also adopt any other structure capable of guiding the connecting hook of the base frame.

The coupling hook 71 is coupled to the stay 5. In the base frame 1 of fig. 3, the connection hooks 71 are provided at both ends of the connection rod 13 provided at the upper end of the guide cylinder 5B, and the connection hooks 71 are provided at the pair of fixing members 70 provided slidably along the lower portion of the support column 5. The connecting rod 13 is arranged to: the coupling hook 71 is integrally molded therewith by plastic. The coupling hook 71 provided on the coupling link 13 extends upward and is inserted into the coupling portion 2A provided on the upper portion of the bag main body 2.

A coupling hook 71 projecting downward is provided on the front side of the fixing member 70, and a rotary locking piece 72 is provided on the rear side thereof. The lock piece 72 can be rotated up and down about the rotation shaft, and if the lock piece 72 is rotated upward, the locked state is released and the fixing member 70 can be slid up and down along the column 5. Further, if the lock piece 72 is rotated downward, the following operations are performed: in this position, the fixing member 70 is in a locked state fixed to the stay 5.

When the base frame 1 described above is used to fix the luggage body 2, the lock piece 72 of the fixing member 70 is rotated upward to be in a sliding state and moved upward, as shown by the broken line in fig. 3. In this state, the coupling hooks 71 provided on the coupling links 13 are inserted through the coupling portions 2A on the upper side of the luggage body 2, and the bottom surface of the luggage body 2 is mounted on the horizontal base 3. As shown by the solid line in fig. 3, the fixing member 70 is slid downward, and the coupling hook 71 is inserted through the lower coupling portion 2A of the bag main body 2. Finally, the locking piece 72 is rotated downward to lock the fixing member 70, thereby fixing the luggage body 2 to the base frame 1. When the bag main body 2 is separated from the base frame 1, the procedure is reversed. However, the connection structure of the bag main body 2 is not limited to the above structure. The base frame 1 may have any other structure to which the bag main body 2 is detachably connected.

(stopper mechanism 80)

The base frame 1 shown in fig. 12 is provided with a stopper mechanism 80, and the stopper mechanism 80 stops the horizontal direction orientation of the 4 small casters 4, which are fixed to the four corners of the bottom surface of the horizontal table 3, are rotatable in the horizontal plane and are steerable, in the stop direction in which the movement of the base frame 1 is stopped, thereby stopping the movement of the base frame 1.

(Caster 4)

Casters 4 capable of freely changing directions are fixed to four corners of the horizontal table 3. Fig. 13 is a sectional view showing a portion where the caster 4 is attached to the horizontal table 3. The horizontal table 3 in the figure fixes the fixing portions 90 to which the casters 4 are connected to four corners. The fixing portion 90 is provided: a cylindrical fitting recess 90A into which the caster 4 is inserted and fixed is provided at the lower opening. The fixing portion 90 is provided with a through hole 90X through which a projecting pin 81 of a stopper mechanism 80 described later is inserted and withdrawn.

The caster 4 which can be freely steered includes a cylindrical base 91 having the same diameter as the fitting recess 90A so as to be fixed to the horizontal table 3, and the base 91 is inserted into the fitting recess 90A and fixed to the fixing portion 90, that is, the horizontal table 3 with an adhesive or the like. The base 91 is provided with an opening hole 91X through which the protruding pin 81 inserted into the through hole 90X of the fixing portion 90 is inserted. A projecting pin 81 of a stopper mechanism 80, which will be described later, is inserted into the through hole 90X of the fixing portion 90 and the opening hole 91X of the base 91 so as to be able to go in and out, thereby stopping the caster 4 in the stopping direction.

The base 91 of the caster 4 is connected to a bracket 94 via a vertical shaft 92 and a bearing 93, and the bracket 94 can rotate in a horizontal plane but does not fall off. The bearing 93 is filled with a plurality of steel balls 93C between an inner ring 93A and an outer ring 93B. A vertical shaft 92 is fixed to the center of the base 91, and an inner race 93A of a bearing 93 is fixed to a lower portion of the vertical shaft 92. The vertical shaft 92 sandwiches the base 91 and the inner ring 93A of the bearing 93 with

flange portions

92A and 92B at upper and lower ends, and fixes the inner ring 93A to the base 91. The outer race 93B of the bearing 93 is fixed to the bracket 94, the bracket 94 is fixed to the horizontal base 3 via the base 91 and the fixing portion 90, and the bracket 94 is rotatable in the horizontal plane via the bearing 93. The base table 91 is provided with a connection opening 91A into which an upper portion of the bracket 94 is inserted in a freely rotatable manner so that the bracket 94 can rotate in a horizontal plane. The bracket 94 is rotatably connected to the base table 91, but is not in contact with the connection opening 91A. The holder 94 has a cylindrical insertion portion 94A facing the connection opening 91A, and the connection opening 91A is: the cylindrical insertion portion 94A has a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter larger than the outer shape thereof.

A rotatable wheel 95 is connected to a lower end portion of the bracket 94 via a horizontally oriented rotation shaft 96. The outer periphery of the wheel 95 is made of a rubber-like elastic material so that it can smoothly move on a road surface having irregularities. The wheel 95 is molded with polyurethane that is elastically deformable as a whole, or polyurethane that is elastically deformable along the outer peripheral edge is fixed, so that the outer peripheral edge is made of a rubber-like elastic body. The wheel 95 may be connected to the rotating shaft 96 via a bearing (not shown) and can rotate more smoothly.

The above base frame 1 is in a standing state by 4 casters 4, and is moved by pushing a handle 6 in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the following states are also possible: the stopper mechanism 80 stops the horizontal direction of the caster 4 which can be freely steered in the stop direction, and the movement of the base frame 1 is stopped.

The stopper mechanism 80 stops the horizontal direction of the caster 4 in the direction shown in fig. 14 to 16 to bring the base frame 1 into a stopped state, and brings the caster 4 into a movable state, i.e., a moving state, in a state of being freely rotatable in the horizontal plane.

The stopper mechanism 80 stops the 4 casters 4 in the stop direction in conjunction with the horizontal direction, and switches between the moving state and the stop state. As shown in fig. 1, 2 and 12, the stopper mechanism 80 includes: an operation portion 83 of the connecting rod 13 provided in the strut 5 and a lock portion 85 connected to the operation portion 83 by a wire 84. When the user operates the operation unit 83, the locking unit 85 stops the direction of the caster 4 in the stop direction to be in a stop state. Further, the operation unit 83 is operated to switch to the moving state.

The operation unit 83 stops the direction of the caster 4 in the stop direction by pulling the wire 84, and sets the caster 4 in a moving state in a state where the wire 84 is not pulled. The wire 84 is inserted through the interior of the wire hose 84A, and one end thereof is connected to the operation portion 83 and the other end thereof is connected to a slider (not shown) of the lock portion 85. The wire hose 84A extends from the connecting rod 13 to the horizontal table 3, and allows the wire 84 inside to smoothly reciprocate. If the operating portion 83 is slid in the pulling direction, the wire 84 transmits the pulling force to the slider. On the other hand, if the operation portion 83 slides in the return direction, the wire 84 returns the slider, or the slider is biased in the return direction, thereby returning the operation portion 83.

As shown in fig. 12, the lock portion 85 includes: a slider (not shown) disposed on the lower surface of the horizontal base 3 and reciprocated by the wire 84, and a projecting pin 81 which is moved in and out toward the holder 94 of the caster 4 by the reciprocating movement of the slider.

The slider reciprocates on the lower surface of the horizontal base 3, and the projecting pins 81 disposed on both sides of the slider are moved in and out toward the holder 94 of the caster 4. The slider is connected to one end of a wire 84 and is driven by the wire 84 to move in a reciprocating direction. The slider slides in a direction to project the projecting pin 81 if pulled by the wire, and on the other hand, slides in a direction to retract the projecting pin 81 if pressed by the wire 84 or via an elastic body that urges the slider in the opposite direction.

The projecting pin 81 enters and exits toward the stand 94 of the caster 4, more precisely, toward the vertical axis 92 as the stand center, and comes to a stop state in which the stand 94 of the caster 4 is stopped in a stop direction or a moving state in which the stand 94 is not stopped. The protruding pin 81 presses the rod portion penetrating the fixing portion 90 and the base 91 toward the bracket 94 of the caster 4, and stops the bracket 94 in the stop direction in a state where the tip end portion of the protruding pin 81 is inserted into the locking recess 82 provided in the bracket 94. In a state where the rod portion is retracted and the distal end portion is pulled out from the locking recess 82 of the bracket 94, the bracket 94 of the caster 4 is not stopped but is in a freely rotatable state.

The bracket 94 of the caster 4 is provided with a locking recess 82 on the outer peripheral surface thereof into which the tip end of the protruding pin 81 is inserted. The latching recess 82 is provided with: a depth and a shape capable of guiding the tip end portion of the rod portion at a position facing the tip end of the rod portion to prevent the rotation of the holder 94. In the 4-corner caster 4, the bracket 94 of each caster 4 is provided with the locking recess 82 so that the bracket 94 can be stopped in the stop direction shown in fig. 14 to 16. The holder 94 in the figure is provided with two latching recesses 82 at both ends of the diameter of the holder 94 so as to be able to stop in two stop directions different in direction by 180 degrees. The bracket 94 can guide the tip of the projecting pin 81 to any one of the locking recesses 82 in a state where the caster 4 is half-rotated, and therefore, the rotation of the caster 4 can be quickly stopped. However, the caster 4 does not necessarily need to be provided with two locking recesses, and may be configured to be stopped in one stopping direction by providing one locking recess.

The stopper mechanism 80 stops the movement of the base frame 1 in the direction (a) or (B) below the stop direction of the 4 casters 4 that can freely change direction.

(A)4 direction of stopping of the casters 4: the horizontal directions of the casters 4 disposed adjacent to each other are in directions orthogonal to each other, and the horizontal directions of the pair of casters 4 located diagonally to each other are in directions parallel to each other.

The schematic bottom view of fig. 14 shows the above state. In this stopped state, the casters 4 adjacent to each other among the 4 casters 4 are oriented in directions orthogonal to each other, and therefore, when the base frame 1 attempts to move in the direction indicated by the arrow a, the

wheels

95a and 95c orthogonal to the moving direction stop moving. When the vehicle is to move in the direction indicated by the arrow B, the wheels 95B and 95d orthogonal to the moving direction stop moving. In addition, when the base frame 1 is intended to rotate, all the wheels 95 stop rotating.

(B)4 direction of stopping of the casters 4: substantially parallel to any side of a quadrangle having the connecting positions of the 4 casters 4 as the four corners, and the pair of casters 4 located diagonally to each other are oriented in directions orthogonal to each other.

The above state is shown in the schematic bottom views of fig. 15 and 16. In this stopped state, the casters 4 located diagonally to each other out of the 4 casters 4 face in directions orthogonal to each other. Therefore, in the base frame 1 of fig. 15, when the movement is intended in the direction indicated by the arrow a, the

wheels

95c and 95d orthogonal to the movement direction stop moving, and when the movement is intended in the direction indicated by the arrow B, the wheels 95a and 95B orthogonal to the movement direction stop moving. In addition, when the base frame 1 intends to rotate, the

wheels

95a and 95b stop rotating. In the base frame 1 of fig. 16, when the movement is intended in the direction indicated by the arrow a, the wheels 95B and 95c orthogonal to the movement direction stop moving, and when the movement is intended in the direction indicated by the arrow B, the

wheels

95a and 95d orthogonal to the movement direction stop moving. In addition, when the base frame 1 is intended to rotate, the

wheels

95b and 95c stop rotating.

The stop direction of the caster 4 shown in fig. 14 to 16 is parallel to any one side of a quadrangle having four corners at the connecting position of the 4 casters 4. However, the base frame 1 may be configured such that the stopping direction of the 4 casters 4 is slightly angled with respect to any one side of the quadrangle. The base frame 1 can set the angle formed by the stopping direction of the caster 4 and any one side of the quadrangle within 30 degrees, preferably within 15 degrees.

The luggage with the folding chair and the base frame constituting the luggage of the present invention can be used as a suitcase for traveling, business, shopping, etc., and can be preferably used as a cart for transporting articles, etc.

Claims

1. A case with a folding chair, which comprises a case main body and a base frame, wherein the base frame can carry the case main body and can walk,

the base frame includes:

a horizontal table on the lower surface of which casters for traveling are fixed, and above which a bag main body is disposed;

a pair of pillars, the lower ends of which are connected to the horizontal table; and

a folding chair connected to the post in a freely foldable manner,

the folding chair comprises:

a seat surface connected to the support column so as to be capable of being folded from a horizontal posture to a vertical posture and being capable of moving up and down;

a seat surface stopper that restricts a lowering position of the seat surface;

a folding leg having an upper end connected to a first end of the seat surface on a pillar side in a manner capable of tilting movement;

a first link having one end as a fixed end connected to a second end portion of the seat surface, the second end portion being opposite to the first end portion, the one end being capable of tilting movement, and the other end as a movable end connected to the folding leg so as to be capable of moving up and down along the folding leg;

an intermediate stopper fixed to an intermediate portion of the folding leg to restrict a descending position of the movable end of the first link; and

a second link having one end connected to the middle of the folding leg and the other end connected to a lower end of the pillar or the horizontal platform in a tiltable manner to restrict the opening of the folding leg;

the seat surface, the folding legs, the first link, and the second link are tilted so as to be in a vertical posture parallel to the support column, and a connecting portion between the seat surface and the support column is raised to fold the folding chair,

the folding legs are unfolded, the seat face is unfolded from a vertical posture to a horizontal direction, the connecting portion between the seat face and the support column is lowered, but the connecting portion is stopped by the seat face stopper, the movable end of the first link is lowered, but the connecting portion is stopped by the intermediate stopper, the folding chair is unfolded in a state where the opening degree of the folding legs is limited by the second link, and the seat face is maintained in a horizontal posture by the first link, the folding legs, and the second link.

2. Case with folding chair according to claim 1,

the first link includes:

a sliding cylinder which slides up and down along the folding leg; and

a link main body having one end connected to the second end of the seat surface and the other end rotatably connected to the slide cylinder,

when the folding chair is unfolded, the sliding cylinder is used as the movable end of the first connecting rod, so that the sliding cylinder descends along the folding legs by the dead weight.

3. Case with folding chair according to claim 1,

the seat surface is provided with a seat panel which becomes the seat surface in a horizontal posture, the seat panel is made rectangular, and the lateral width of the seat panel is made larger than the interval between the pair of support columns.

4. Case with folding chair according to claim 3,

the seat surface includes a peripheral wall protruding downward in a horizontal posture along a periphery of the seat panel, and the peripheral wall formed along the first end and the second end of the seat surface is formed with: a missing portion of the pillar is guided,

in the vertical posture of the seat surface, peripheral walls on both sides of the seat surface are disposed outside the pair of support columns, and the support columns are guided to the cutout portions, so that a part of the pair of support columns is accommodated inside the seat surface.

5. Case with folding chair according to claim 1,

comprises a third connecting rod which connects the seat surface and the support column together,

the third link is configured to: one end of the first end portion is connected to the seat surface, and the other end of the first end portion is connected to the intermediate portion of the pillar so as to be rotatable in a vertical plane,

when the seat surface in the horizontal posture is in the vertical posture, the third link is tilted so as to be in the vertical posture, and the first end portion is pushed up to raise the connection portion between the seat surface and the support.

6. Case with folding chair according to claim 1,

the elastic body is provided at a connection portion between the seat surface and the first link, and the elastic body biases the first link in a direction away from the seat surface even if the movable end of the first link is biased in a direction away from the seat surface.

7. Case with folding chair according to claim 6,

the elastic body is a coil spring inserted through a pivot connecting the fixed end of the first link to the seat surface, and one end of the coil spring is extended in a tangential direction to be connected to the seat surface, and the other end of the coil spring is extended in the tangential direction to be connected to the first link.

8. Case with folding chair according to claim 1,

the seat surface is locked in a vertical posture by a lock mechanism, and a lock release button is provided on the front end side of the seat surface, the lock release button releasing a locked state when the seat surface is tilted from the vertical posture to a horizontal posture.

9. Case with folding chair according to claim 8,

the locking mechanism includes:

a locking portion provided to the second link;

an elastic protrusion disposed inside the seat surface and elastically protruding toward a locking position of the locking portion; and

and a drive mechanism that connects the elastic protruding portion to the lock release button and moves the elastic protruding portion from the locking position to the locking release position.

10. Case with folding chair according to claim 1,

the pillar is connected to an upper and lower base so as to be movable up and down, and the seat surface and the folding legs are connected to the upper and lower base so as to be foldable.

11. Case with folding chair according to claim 1,

one end of the second connecting rod is connected to the middle stop block arranged on the folding leg.

12. Case with folding chair according to claim 1,

in a bottom view, the bottom surface of the horizontal table is a quadrangle, and 4 casters capable of freely rotating in the horizontal plane and changing direction are fixed to four corners of the bottom surface, so that the base frame can be moved by setting the 4 casters to a vertical state and setting the casters to a rotatable state in the horizontal plane,

further, the base frame includes a stopper mechanism for stopping the movement of the base frame by stopping the horizontal direction orientation of the 4 casters in a stop direction in which the movement of the horizontal table is stopped,

the stopper mechanism is held in a state in which the horizontal direction of the 4 casters is stopped in a stop direction, and the movement of the base frame is stopped.

13. A base frame capable of carrying a luggage body and moving, comprising:

a horizontal table on the lower surface of which casters for traveling are fixed so that a luggage body can be mounted thereon;

a folding chair connected to the post in a freely foldable manner,

the folding chair comprises:

a seat surface stopper that restricts a lowering position of the seat surface;

a second link having one end connected to the middle of the folding leg and the other end connected to a lower end of the horizontal stand or the pillar in a tiltable manner to restrict the opening of the folding leg;