Locking device and furniture

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Applications Nos. 2006-135638, 2006-135639, 2006-135640, and 2006-135641 filed May 15, 2006 in the Japanese Patent Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] (i) Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a lock device for fixing a rotating portion in a piece of furniture in which the rotating portion is rotatable between a substantially horizontal in-use position and a substantially vertical storage position, and relates to the piece of furniture including the lock device.

[0004] (ii) Background Art

[0005] A typical conventional piece of furniture includes a rotating portion, such as a top panel of a desk or a seating board of a chair, and a leg portion that supports the rotating portion. In the furniture, the rotating portion is supported by a leg portion so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis between a substantially horizontal in-use position and a substantially vertical storage position. There have been proposals of a piece of furniture including a lock device for fixing the rotating portion at the in-use position or the storage position.

[0006] An example of such a lock device includes a lock member, a receiving member, a biasing element, and an operation lever. The lock member is provided so as to be rotatable relative to the rotating portion. The receiving member having an engaged surface engageable with the lock member is provided to a leg portion. The biasing element biases the lock member in a direction of engaging with the receiving member (an engaging direction). The operation lever operates the lock member in a direction of departing from the receiving member against a biasing force of the biasing element. The receiving member is configured such that the engaged surface slants in a direction of gradually increasing a pressure imposed by the engaging surface of the lock member on the engaged surface of the receiving member as the lock member is rotated in the engaging direction.

[0007] However, the above lock device involves the following problems.

[0008] Specifically, in the lock device, an engagement between the lock member and the receiving member may be strong since the engaged surface slants as described above. However, wear is likely to be caused on the engaged surface since the lock member is constantly biased by the biasing element in the engaging direction while being engaged with the engaged surface.

[0009] Once wear is caused on the engaged surface, the lock member is more deeply engaged with the engaged surface, which results in deviation of an engaging position between the lock member and the receiving member in a direction of more unreleasable engagement. Although an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the engaging position to a predetermined position may be provided, it is troublesome to perform appropriate adjustment by the adjusting mechanism depending on a state of the wear, in order to facilitate release of the engagement.

[0010] Accordingly, in a lock device, in which a rotating portion is fixed to a predetermined position by engaging an engaging portion (e.g., a lock member) including an engaging surface and an engaged portion (e.g., a receiving member) including an engaged surface, it is desirable that the rotating portion may be securely fixed to the predetermined position regardless of a state of wear of the engaged surface. It is also desirable that engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion may easily be released.

[0011] The present invention provides a lock device for preventing rotation of a rotating portion of a piece of furniture. The piece of furniture includes at least one leg portion that rotatably supports the rotating portion between a substantially horizontal in-use position and a substantially vertical storage position.

[0012] The lock device includes a positioning device, an engaged portion, an engaging portion, a biasing element, and an operation lever.

[0013] The positioning device is provided to at least one of the at least one leg portion, and abuts the rotating portion when the rotating portion is in the in-use position or the storage position thereby to position the rotating portion in the in-use position or the storage position.

[0014] The engaged portion is provided to at least one of the at least one leg portion, or the rotating portion.

[0015] The engaging portion is provided to the at least one of the at least one leg portion, or the rotating portion, where the engaged portion is not provided. The engaging portion is rotatable around an axis parallel to a rotating axis of the rotating portion, and is engageable with the engaged portion when the rotating portion is in a position positioned by the positioning device.

[0016] The biasing element biases the engaging portion in a direction of abutting the engaged portion thereby to engage the engaging portion and the engaged portion.

[0017] The operation lever rotates the engaging portion against a biasing force of the biasing element thereby to release an engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion.

[0018] The engaging portion includes at least one engaging surface engageable with the engaged portion. The engaged portion includes at least one engaged surface engageable with the engaging portion. The at least one engaging surface is rotated while being moved in a direction of departing from the engaged surface in accordance with a rotation of the engaging portion by the operation lever.

[0019] According to the lock device of the present invention, as described above, when the operation lever is rotated, the engaging surface is rotated while being moved in a direction of departing from the engaged surface. Accordingly, it may be possible to prevent an engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion from being unable to be released due to a friction between the engaging surface and the engaged surface. Thus, a user may easily release a locked state by operating the operation lever.

[0020] Since the engaging portion is biased by the biasing member in the direction of abutting the engaged portion, the engaging surface approaches the engaged surface along a same moving path as in the case of departing from the engaged surface. Accordingly, even when the engaged surface is shifted due to wear of the engaged portion, the engaging surface and the engaged surface may surely be engaged. It may, therefore, be possible to fix the rotating portion in a position positioned by the positioning device securely without wobbling, regardless of the wear of the engaged portion.

[0058] A movable desk 1 is configured to be immovable relative to a floor surface F when a top panel 2 is in a substantially horizontal in-use position (see FIG. 2A) and movable relative to the floor surface F when the top panel 2 is in a substantially vertical storage position (see FIG. 2B).

[0059] As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the movable desk 1 includes the top panel 2, a pair of top panel support portions 30, a pair of legs 4 and a pair of brake mechanisms 70.

[0060] The top panel 2 is made of a rectangular plate material.

[0061] The top panel support portions 30 are secured to an under surface of the top panel 2 at respective longitudinal end portions of the top panel 2.

[0062] The legs 4 rotatably support the top panel 2 and the top panel support portion 30 between the in-use position and the storage position. Each of the legs 4 is provided with caster portions 10 (first and second caster portions 10a and 10b) at lower ends thereof.

[0063] Each of the brake mechanisms 70 is provided within each of the legs 4 in order to prevent movement of the movable desk when the top panel 2 is in the in-use position.

[0064] Hereinafter, a description will be provided under the following definitions: A right and left direction of the movable desk 1 is a longitudinal direction of the top panel 2. A front and rear direction of the movable desk 1 is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A rear of the movable desk 1 is a side on which a chair is to be placed (i.e., a right side in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B). A front of the movable desk 1 is a side opposite to the side on which the chair is to be placed.

[0065] Each of the legs 4 includes a leg pole 6 and a leg support 7. The leg pole 6 is disposed in an upper and lower direction with an upper end of the leg pole 6 slightly slanting rearward. A front end portion of the leg support 7 is connected to the leg pole 6 at a position slightly lower than a central part of the leg pole 6, and the leg support 7 is disposed in the front and rear direction.

[0066] The leg pole 6 includes a tubular longitudinal member having a rectangular cross section. The first caster portion 10a is provided to a lower end of the longitudinal member. As shown in FIG. 3A, the tubular longitudinal member includes a pair of opposing first side walls 6c having a smaller width and a pair of opposing second side walls 6d having a larger width. The first side walls 6c are disposed in the front and rear direction, while the second side walls 6d are disposed in the right and left direction. One of the second side walls 6d disposed inward of the movable desk 1 is provided with two circular engagement holes 6b. The engagement holes 6b are located slightly lower than a central part of the second side wall 6d and apart from each other along a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the second side wall 6d.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the leg support 7 includes an elongated leg support main body 8, a leg support attachment member 11 for attaching the leg support main body 8 to the leg pole 6, and two attachment bolts 13.

[0068] The leg support main body 8 includes a linear metal rod member having a rectangular cross section. As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, a rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8 partially includes a protruding portion 8k protruding downward. The second caster portion 10b and an adjuster 21 fixed to the second caster portion 10b are provided to the protruding portion 8k. A height of the rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8 from the floor surface F, and thus a height of the leg support 7 from the floor surface F, can be adjusted by manually rotating the adjuster 21 from outside.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, a front end portion 8e of the leg support main body 8 to be connected to the leg pole 6 includes a protruding portion 8j protruding inward of the movable desk 1 and having a substantially elliptical cross section.

[0070] An engagement groove 8a engageable with the leg pole 6 is formed in a central part of the protruding portion 8j so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the leg support main body 8. A width of the engagement groove 8a is slightly larger than the width of the second side wall 6d of the leg pole 6. A depth of the engagement groove 8a is substantially half of the width of the first side wall 6c of the leg pole 6. A bottom surface 8f and a pair of parallel side surfaces 8g of the engagement groove 8a are connected via surfaces 8d as shown in circled areas D, D in FIG. 3B. Each of the surfaces 8d has an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface 8f and an adjacent one of the side surfaces 8g.

[0071] Each of end surfaces of the protruding portion 8j separated by the engagement groove 8a includes a concave portion 8b which is engageable with a part of the leg support attachment member 11. A screw hole 8c is formed in a central part of the concave portion 8b into which the attachment bolt 13 can be screwed.

[0072] The leg support attachment member 11 is a block having a substantially elliptical cross section. The cross section has a configuration substantially the same as a configuration of the protruding portion 8j of the leg support main body 8.

[0073] An engagement groove 11a engageable with the leg pole 6 is formed in a central part of the leg support attachment member 11 so as to extend in a direction along a shorter side of the leg support attachment member 11. The engagement groove 11a has a same width as the width of the engagement groove 8a.

[0074] Each of end surfaces of the leg support attachment member 11 separated by the engagement groove 11a includes a convex portion 11b which is engageable with the concave portion 8b of the leg support main body 8. An insertion hole 11c is formed in a central part of the convex portion 11b through which the attachment bolt 13 can be inserted.

[0075] The convex portion 11b has a height such that a gap is formed between an end surface of the convex portion 11b and a bottom surface of the concave portion 8b when the leg support attachment member 11 is engaged with the leg pole 6 through the engagement groove 11a and the leg support main body 8 is engaged with the leg pole 6 through the engagement groove 8a as opposed to the leg support attachment member 11 with the leg pole 6 located therebetween.

[0076] The leg support attachment member 11 includes an extending portion 11g extending from one end of a bottom surface 11f of the engagement groove 11a. The extending portion 11g includes two circular projections 11d projecting toward an opening direction of the engagement groove 11a. The projections 11d are respectively engageable with the two engagement holes 6b formed in the leg pole 6 when the engagement groove 11a is engaged with the leg pole 6.

[0077] The leg support attachment member 11 also includes, in a face opposite to a face in which the engagement groove 11a is formed, two counterbores 11e formed around the respective insertion holes 11c. Each of the counterbores 11e is receivable of a head of the bolt 13.

[0078] When the leg support attachment member 11 is engaged with the leg pole 6 from an inner side of the leg pole 6 through the engagement groove 11a with the extending portion 11g located in an upper part, the projections 11d of the extending portion 11g are engaged with the engagement holes 6b.

[0079] The leg support main body 8 is engaged with the leg pole 6 from an outer side of the leg pole 6 through the engagement groove 8a with the second caster portion 10b facing downward. In this case, the convex portions 11b of the leg support attachment member 11 are engaged with the concave portions 8b with end surfaces of the convex portions 11b apart from bottom surfaces of the concave portions 8b.

[0080] After the leg pole 6 is sandwiched by the leg support main body 8 and the leg support attachment member 11, the two attachment bolts 13 are respectively inserted through the insertion holes 11c and respectively screwed into the screw holes 8c formed in the support main body 8. Thus, the support main body 8 and the leg support attachment member 11 are fastened with each other.

[0081] When the support main body 8 and the leg support attachment member 11 are fastened, one of the second side wall 6d of the leg pole 6 abuts the bottom surface 8f of the engagement groove 8a and the other second side wall 6d abuts the bottom surface 11f of the engagement groove 11a, and the leg pole 6 is pressed against by the front end portion 8e of the support main body 8 and the leg support attachment member 11 through abutting surfaces. Thus, the support main body 8 and the leg support attachment member 11, and thus the leg support 7, is orthogonally connected to the leg pole 6.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A, a frame pipe 14 is disposed in upper portions of the respective leg poles 6 for coupling the leg poles 6 with each other. A frame plate 16 is welded to each end of the frame pipe 14 so as to be perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the frame pipe 14. The frame plate 16 is fastened to one of the second side walls 6d located on the inner side of the leg pole 6 by a bolt 18. Therefore, the frame pipe 14 is connected to the leg poles 6.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 4A, the frame plate 16 is a metal member including a plate-like frame pipe attachment portion 16f and a bearing portion 16e. The frame pipe 14 is welded to one surface of the frame plate 16, and the other surface of the frame plate 16 abuts and is connected to the second side wall 6d located on the inner side of the leg pole 6. The bearing portion 16e extends upward from the frame pipe attachment portion 16f and has an upwardly opened U-shaped cross section.

[0084] The bearing portion 16e includes a first plate portion 16a located on an outer side, a second plate portion 16b located on an inner side, and a bottom plate portion 16c. The first plate portion 16a and the second plate portion 16b are parallel with each other to form the upwardly opened U-shape. The bottom plate portion 16c is perpendicular to the first plate portion 16a and the second plate portion 16b and connects the first plate portion 16a and the second plate portion 16b. The bearing portion 16e supports a top panel support portion 30. The frame plate 16 is connected to the leg pole 6 such that the bottom plate portion 16c of the bearing portion 16e is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the leg pole 6.

[0085] The top panel support portion 30 includes a top panel connecting portion 37, a shaft portion 39, and a lock device 51.

[0086] The top panel connecting portion 37 includes two square pipes 32 made of metal, a pair of top panel receiving fittings 34, and covers 36 for covering the respective top panel receiving fittings 34. The square pipes 32 are disposed in the right and left direction under the top panel 2. The top panel receiving fittings 34 are disposed at respective both ends of the square pipes 32. The top panel connecting portion 37 is fixed to an undersurface of the top panel 2.

[0087] Each of the top panel receiving fittings 34, which is formed by perpendicularly bending a metal plate, includes a first flat portion 34f and a second flat portion 34g. When the second flat portion 34g is screwed to the undersurface of the top panel 2, the first flat portion 34f is located perpendicular to the top panel 2 and along the front and rear direction of the movable desk 1.

[0088] The first flat portion 34f is elongated along the front and rear direction of the top panel 2 and includes a protruding region 34h having a substantially trapezoidal configuration in a central part of the first flat portion 34f. The protruding region 34h includes an oval catch hole 34a in which a part of the shaft portion 39 is caught. The first flat portion 34f also includes an insertion hole 34b for attachment of the lock device 51. The insertion hole 34b is located closer to the top panel 2 and also closer to a front end of the top panel 2 than the catch hole 34a.

[0089] An insertion hole 34e is formed closer to the top panel 2 than the insertion hole 34b and in a corner connecting the first flat portion 34f and the second flat portion 34g. A part of the lock device 51 is inserted into the insertion hole 34e.

[0090] Respective one ends of the two square pipes 32 are welded to an inner surface of the first flat portion 34f, and thereby the right and left top panel receiving fittings 34 are coupled by the two square pipes 32.

[0091] Each of the covers 36, which is formed of synthetic resin into a configuration so as to cover an outer surface of the first flat portion 34f and side surfaces of the top panel receiving fitting 34, is attached to the top panel receiving fitting 34. The cover 36 includes cutouts in portions overlapping the catch hole 34a, the insertion hole 34b, and the insertion hole 34e so as to allow these holes to be exposed.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 5C, the shaft portion 39 includes a stepped rotary shaft 38, a rotary shaft fixing screw 40, disk springs 44, a disk spring fixing member 46, a cam shaft 48, a cam shaft fixing screw 50, and washers 42. When the shaft portion 39 is joined to the top panel connecting portion 37, the shaft portion 39 is rotatably supported by the leg pole 6 (specifically the bearing portion 16e of the frame plate 16 fixed to the leg pole 6) around a horizontal axis in the right and left direction. The shaft portion 39 is rotated following a rotation of the top panel 2.

[0093] The stepped rotary shaft 38 is a cylindrical rod-like member having different diameters along the stepped rotary shaft 38. Specifically, the stepped rotary shaft 38 includes a smaller cylindrical portion 38b and a larger cylindrical portion 38c having a larger diameter than the smaller cylindrical portion 38b.

[0094] An oval shaft portion 38d having an oval cross section is formed at an open end of the smaller cylindrical portion 38b.

[0095] An end portion of the oval shaft portion 38d includes a screw hole 38e into which the rotary shaft fixing screw 40 is screwable. An end portion of the larger cylindrical portion 38c includes an oval catch hole 38a with which the cam shaft 48 is engageable.

[0096] The cam shaft 48 is a rod-like member having an oval cross section with one end portion 48a having a cylindrical configuration slightly smaller than the remaining part. The end portion 48a includes a screw hole 48b into which the cam shaft fixing screw 50 is screwable.

[0097] The disk spring fixing member 46 having a circular, thin plate configuration includes an opening portion 46a having such a diameter as to be engageable with the disk springs 44 in one plate surface. The disk spring fixing member 46 also includes a counterbore 46b receivable of a head of the rotary shaft fixing screw 40 in the other plate surface.

[0098] In the bearing portion 16e extending upward in the frame plate 16, the first plate portion 16a includes a round insertion hole 16d in which the smaller cylindrical portion 38b of the stepped rotary shaft 38 is slidingly rotatable. The smaller cylindrical portion 38b of the stepped rotary shaft 38 is inserted from an outer side of the first plate portion 16a through the washer 42.

[0099] In an inner side of the first plate portion 16a, a washer 42 is first inserted around the smaller cylindrical portion 38b. Subsequently, the oval shaft portion 38d formed at the end of the smaller cylindrical portion 38b is engaged with the oval catch hole 34a formed in the top panel receiving fitting 34. In addition, the disk spring fixing member 46 having the opening portion 46a engaged with the two disk springs 44 is inserted. Then, the rotary shaft fixing screw 40 is screwed into the screw hole 38e provided at the end surface of the oval shaft portion 38d of the stepped rotary shaft 38. Thus, the stepped rotary shaft 38 is rotatably connected to the first plate portion 16a.

[0100] Since the top panel receiving fitting 34 is engaged with the stepped rotary shaft 38 through the catch hole 34a, the top panel 2 is rotated integrally with the rotation of the stepped rotary shaft 38 through the top panel receiving fitting 34.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 5C, each component attached from an inner side of the first plate portion 16a and the top panel receiving fitting 34 are located between the first plate portion 16a and the second plate portion 16b of the bearing portion 16e.

[0102] When the bottom plate portion 16c abuts a lower end surface 34c of the protruding region 34h of the top panel receiving fitting 34, the top panel 2 is positioned in the substantially horizontal in-use position. When the bottom plate portion 16c abuts a front end surface 34d of the protruding region 34h of the top panel receiving fitting 34, the top panel 2 is positioned in the substantially vertical storage position.

[0103] The cover 36 includes a wall portion 36a which protrudes from a surface of the cover 36 covering the first flat portion 34f on a rear side of the catch hole 34a. The wall portion 36a has a configuration along a rear side surface of the first plate portion 16a and is located in a rear of the first plate portion 16a when the top panel 2 is in the in-use position.

[0104] Since the disk springs 44 are inserted between the stepped rotary shaft 38 and the rotary shaft fixing screw 40, the top panel receiving fitting 34 is constantly biased by a bias force toward the first plate portion 16a by the disk springs 44. Since the bias force causes friction between the first plate portion 16a and the washer 42, a rotating speed of the top panel receiving fitting 34 and thus of the top panel 2 can be suppressed.

[0105] As described above, the disk spring fixing member 46 includes the opening portion 46a engageable with the disk springs 44. Since the disk springs 44 engaged with the opening portion 46a are inserted around the stepped rotary shaft 38, and then the rotary shaft fixing screw 40 is screwed with the disk springs 44, it is possible to suppress the disk springs 44 from coming off while the rotary shaft fixing screw 40 is being connected to the stepped rotary shaft 38. It is also possible to suppress centers of the disk springs 44 from being deviated from a center of the rotary shaft fixing screw 40. Accordingly, the connecting operation of the rotary shaft fixing screw 40 can easily be performed.

[0106] The cam shaft 48 is engaged with the oval catch hole 38a formed in an end portion of the larger cylindrical portion 38c of the stepped rotary shaft 38. Upper portions of the pair of second side walls 6d of the leg pole 6 includes insertion holes 6e, 6a through which the cam shaft 48 is insertable from an inner side to an outer side, and thereby the cam shaft 48 is arranged so as to pass through an inside of the leg pole 6. The cylindrical end portion 48a of the cam shaft 48 is inserted into the insertion hole 6a formed in an outer second side wall 6d of the leg pole 6. When the shaft fixing screw 50, with a screw head having a larger diameter than the insertion hole 6a, is screwed into the end portion 48a through the insertion hole 6a from an outer side of the leg pole 6, the cam shaft 48 is pivotably held by the leg pole 6.

[0107] The frame plate 16 is detachably attached to the second side wall 6d by the bolt 18, and the shaft portion 39 is constituted by the cam shaft 48, to which the cam 72 is fixed, and the stepped rotary shaft 38 to be inserted through the insertion hole 16d of the bearing portion 16e provided in the frame plate 16, connected with each other. Accordingly, it may be possible to assemble the leg 4 including the brake mechanism 70 therewithin and other components (e.g., the top panel 2 and the top panel support portions 30) independently.

[0108] A description of the lock device 51 will now be provided below. As shown in FIG. 4A, FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the lock device 51 including an operation lever 52, a lock member 54, and a coil spring 58 is provided under the top panel 2. A receiving portion 15 is provided in an upper end of the first plate portion 16a of the bearing portion 16e so as to protrude upward. Once the lock member 54 is engaged with the receiving portion 15, the top panel 2 is secured in each of the in-use position and the storage position so as not to be rotated by an external force.

[0109] The lock member 54 includes a plate-like lock main body 54a having an elongated elliptical configuration and a rod-like connecting portion 54b provided at one end of the lock main body 54a so as to be perpendicular to a plate surface of the lock main body 54a. The operation lever 52 is connected to the lock main body 54a by a screw 56.

[0110] The lock member 54, with the coil spring 58 inserted around the connecting portion 54b, is inserted through the insertion hole 34b in one of the pair of top panel receiving fittings 34, e.g., the right top panel receiving fitting 34, from the outer side. The connecting portion 54b is subsequently fixed by a screw to an end portion 60a of an interlock pipe 60 extending in the right and left direction under the top panel 2.

[0111] A connecting portion 54b of another lock member 54 projecting from through the left top panel receiving fitting 34 is fixed to a left end portion (not shown) of the interlock pipe 60. The lock members 54 on both right and left sides are supported by the respective right and left top panel receiving fittings 34 such that the lock members 54 are interlockingly rotatable around the axes of the respective connecting portions 54b.

[0112] In the coil spring 58 inserted around the connecting portion 54b, a first end portion 58a of the coil spring 58 extending in an axial direction of the coir spring 58 is inserted into the insertion hole 34e of the top panel receiving fitting 34. At the same time a second end portion 58b located at an opposite end of the coil spring 58 and having a hook-like configuration is engaged with a dent 54c formed in an upper side surface of the lock main body 54a. Accordingly, the lock member 54 is constantly biased toward the receiving portion 15.

[0113] An engaging portion 55 to be engaged with the receiving portion 15 protrudes from a lower side surface of the lock main body 54a in a vicinity of the connecting portion 54b. The first plate portion 16a of the bearing portion 16e and the lock member 54 (and thus the receiving portion 15 and the engaging portion 55) are located on a same plane perpendicular to the top panel 2. Accordingly, the receiving portion 15 constantly abuts the engaging portion 55 when the operation lever 52 is not operated. In the following description, a rotation axis of the lock member 54 is an A axis.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 6A, when the top panel 2 is in the in-use position, a part of a first engaged surface 15a defining a rear surface of the receiving portion 15 and a part of a first engaging surface 55a defining a surface of the engaging portion 55 on the A axis side engage with each other, thereby preventing rotation of the top panel 2. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the top panel 2 is in the storage position, a part of a second engaged surface 15b defining a front surface of the receiving portion 15 and a part of a second engaging surface 55b defining a surface of the engaging portion 55 on a side facing opposite to the A axis engage with each other, thereby preventing rotation of the top panel 2.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 7A, the first engaged surface 15a and the first engaging surface 55a have respective circular arc configurations with a same diameter around a B axis which is parallel to the A axis, and is located slightly below the A axis. Accordingly, when the top panel 2 is positioned in the in-use position, and thereby the lock member 54 is in an engagement position where the receiving portion 15 and the engaging portion 55 are engaged with each other, the first engaged surface 15a and the first engaging surface 55a mate with each other.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 7B, the second engaged surface 15b and the second engaging surface 55b have respective circular arc configurations with a same diameter around a C axis which is parallel to the A axis, and is located forward of and obliquely above the A axis. Accordingly, when the top panel 2 is positioned in the storage position, and thereby the lock member 54 is in an engagement position where the receiving portion 15 and the engaging portion 55 are engaged with each other, the second engaged surface 15b and the second engaging surface 55b mate with each other.

[0117] A description of the brake mechanisms 70 will now be provided. As shown in FIG. 4B, each of the brake mechanisms 70 includes a cam 72, a synchronization rod 76, a stopper rod 82, a stopper 84, and a hollow shaft member 20.

[0118] The cam 72 is a U-shaped cross-sectional member formed by bending a metal plate. The cam 72 includes a pair of parallel flat portions 72d each having a substantially rectangular configuration. Each of the flat portions 72d has an oval engagement hole 72a engageable with the cam shaft 48 and a pin hole 72b. The oval engagement hole 72a and the pin hole 72b are arranged along a longitudinal direction of each of the flat portions 72d, and penetrate the parallel flat portion 72d. When the cam shaft 48 is inserted through the engagement hole 72a formed in each of the flat portion 72d, the cam 72 is integrally rotatable with the cam shaft 48.

[0119] The oval engagement hole 72a includes a pair of parallel sides 72e which are oriented parallel to a base portion 72c connecting the pair of flat portions 72d. When the top panel 2 is in a substantially horizontal in-use position, a pair of parallel surfaces 48c of the oval cam shaft 48 are located parallel to the first side wall 6c of the leg pole 6 (see FIG. 5A and FIG. 5C).

[0120] The synchronization rod 76, which is a rod-like member having substantially a same length as the leg pole 6, is disposed inside the leg pole 6 in the upper and lower direction. The synchronization rod 76 includes an upper end portion having insertion holes (not shown) formed in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the synchronization rod 76. The synchronization rod 76 includes a lower end portion to which a connection fitting 78 is welded. When the upper end portion of the synchronization rod 76 is disposed between the pair of flat portions 72d of the cam 72 and a pin 74 is inserted through the pin holes 72b and the insertion holes, the synchronization rod 76 is supported by a pin 74 in a swingable manner with respect to the cam 72.

[0121] The connection fitting 78 is a U-shaped cross sectional member formed by bending a metal plate. The connection fitting 78 is welded to the synchronization rod 76 such that three surfaces of the connection fitting 78 fittingly abut the rod-like synchronization rod 76 and a lower end of the connection fitting 78 extends from the lower end portion of the synchronization rod 76. The connection fitting 78 includes a pair of parallel flat portions 78b defining protruding portions of the connection fitting 78. Each of the pair of parallel flat portions 78b includes a pin hole 78a penetrating therethrough.

[0122] The stopper rod 82 is a rod-like member having such a diameter that the stopper rod 82 can pass through the later-described hollow shaft member 20. The stopper rod 82 includes an upper end portion having insertion holes (not shown) formed in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the stopper rod 82. The stopper rod 82 includes a lower end portion 82a having a screw hole (not shown) into which the stopper 84 is screwable. When the insertion holes (not shown) formed in the upper end portion of the stopper rod 82 are disposed between the pair of flat portions 78b of the connection fitting 78 and a pin 80 is inserted through the pin holes 78b and the insertion holes (not shown), the stopper rod 82 is supported by the pin 80 in a swingable manner with respect to the connection fitting 78 and thus to the synchronization rod 76. In this state, the stopper rod 82 projects from a lower end of the leg pole 6.

[0123] The first caster portion 10a including the hollow shaft member 20 will be described below. The first caster portion 10a, including the hollow shaft member 20 and the caster main body 22, is connectable to the lower end of the leg pole 6 through a caster attachment member 12.

[0124] The caster attachment member 12 includes an attachment portion 12a and an engagement portion 12b. The attachment portion 12a includes a screw hole 12c into which the hollow shaft member 20 is screwable. The engagement portion 12b projecting upward above the attachment portion 12a is engageable with a lower end portion of the leg pole 6. The screw hole 12c, into which the hollow shaft member 20 is screwed, is formed so as to be perpendicular to the floor surface F when the caster attachment member 12 is engaged with the leg pole 6.

[0125] The caster main body 22 includes a pair of wheels 22a and a tubular portion 22b provided between the pair of wheels 22a. The tubular portion 22b is configured to receive the hollow shaft member 20.

[0126] The hollow shaft member 20 is a tubular member including a hollow portion 20d through which the stopper rod 82 is insertable and a flange 20a formed in an axially central area of the hollow shaft member 20. A configuration of an upper part of the hollow shaft member 20 above the flange 20a is different from a configuration of a lower part of the hollow shaft member 20 below the flange 20a. The upper part above the flange 20a is a screw portion 20b which is screwable into the screw hole 12c formed in the caster attachment member 12. The lower part below the flange 20a is a rod-like portion 20c which is insertable into the tubular portion 22b of the caster main body 22. The first caster portion 10a is constituted by inserting the rod-like portion 20c into the tubular portion 22b of the caster main body 22, and thereby connecting the caster main body 22 to the hollow shaft member 20 so as to be rotatable around the rod-like portion 20c as a rotation shaft.

[0127] The first caster portion 10a constituted as above, is integrated with the caster attachment member 12 by screwing the screw portion 20b of the hollow shaft member 20 into the screw hole 12c of the caster attachment member 12. While the stopper rod 82 projecting from the lower end of the leg pole 6 is inserted through the hollow portion 20d of the hollow shaft member 20, the engagement portion 12b of the caster attachment member 12 is engaged with the lower end of the leg pole 6. Then, screws 71 are screwed from the rear of the leg pole 6 into screw holes 12d formed in the engagement portion 12b, and thereby the engagement portion 12b is secured to the leg pole 6. Thus, the first caster portion 10a is secured to the lower end of the leg pole 6.

[0128] The stopper 84 is a bolt screwable into a screw hole formed in an end of the stopper rod 82. A screw head of the bolt is a synthetic resin member 84a having a disk-like configuration sized to have a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the rod-like portion 20c of the hollow shaft member 20 and to be upwardly and downwardly movable between the two wheels 22a. The stopper 84 is screwed into the screw hole formed in the end of the stopper rod 82 projecting from under the first caster portion 10a through the hollow shaft member 20. The stopper 84 is configured such that a screwing amount into the screw hole of the stopper rod 82 is adjustable by manually rotating. By adjusting the screwing amount, a height of the lower end of the leg pole 6 from the floor surface F can be appropriately adjusted.

[0129] A description of an operation of the movable desk 1 in use will now be provided. In FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, components constituting the movable desk 1 are shown partially in phantom for explanation purposes.

[0130] In the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment, when the top panel 2 is in the substantially horizontal in-use position, as shown in FIG. 5A, the cam 72 is located such that the base portion 72c is parallel to the first side walls 6c of the leg pole 6. The pin 74 serving as a connecting point with the synchronization rod 76 is located below a rotation center of the cam 72, i.e., the cam shaft 48. In this case, the synchronization rod 76 is located at a lowest position inside the leg pole 6, and the stopper 84 contacts the floor surface F, while the first caster portion 10a is separated from the floor surface F. Accordingly, the movable desk 1 is secured so as not to move when the top panel 2 is in the in-use position.

[0131] To rotate the top panel 2 to the substantially vertical storage position (a position forming an angle of approximately 80 degrees between the top panel 2 and the floor surface F in the present embodiment) as shown in FIG. 5B and FIG. 6B, the operation lever 52 is first rotated toward the top panel 2. When the operation lever 52 is rotated toward the top panel 2, the lock member 54 is rotated from the engagement position toward a release position, and the first engaging surface 55a is rotated to move in a direction of departing from the first engaged surface 15a. Specifically, since the B axis is below the A axis, a central axis of the first engaging surface 55a is shifted rearward from the B axis, in accordance with a rotation of the lock member 54 in a counterclockwise direction around the A axis. That is, the central axis of the first engaging surface 55a is shifted to a B′ axis closer to the first engaged surface 15a than the B axis.

[0132] Accordingly, while the central axis of the first engaged surface 15a remains the B axis, the central axis of the first engaging surface 55a is shifted from the B axis to the B′ axis in accordance with the rotation of the lock member 54. As a result, the first engaging surface 55a is rotated to move in a direction of departing from the first engaged surface 15a to a position of a first engaging surface 55a′. Thus, an engagement between the first engaged surface 15a and the first engaging surface 55a is released.

[0133] When the top panel 2 is pushed upward to be rotated toward the storage position while the engagement between the first engaged surface 15a and the first engaging surface 55a is released, the cam 72 is rotated with the top panel 2 in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 5B. At the same time, the position of the pin 74 as the connecting point with the synchronization rod 76 is also rotated to be located obliquely right below the rotation center of the cam 72, i.e., the cam shaft 48.

[0134] At this time, the synchronization rod 76 is moved from the lowest position to a highest position inside the leg pole 6, and the stopper rod 82 inserted through the hollow portion 20d of the hollow shaft member 20 is moved vertically upward in a sliding manner inside the hollow portion 20d.

[0135] Accordingly, the stopper 84 provided at a lower end of the stopper rod 82 is also moved vertically upward to be separated from the floor surface F, while the first caster portion 10a is brought into contact with the floor surface F. Thus, when the top panel 2 is in the storage position, the movable desk 1 is movable with the first caster portion 10a which has become in contact with the floor surface F and with the rear-located second caster portion 10b which is constantly in contact with the floor surface F.

[0136] The lock member 54 is constantly biased by the coil spring 56 in a direction of abutting the receiving portion 15. Accordingly, when a hand is removed from the operation lever 52 while the top panel 2 is rotated from the in-use position to the storage position, a part of an end surface 55c of the engaging portion 55 abuts an upper end surface 15c of the receiving portion 15, as shown in FIG. 8B. The part of the end surface 55c is slid on the upper end surface 15c in accordance with the rotation of the top panel 2.

[0137] When the top panel 2 is further rotated, the front end surface 34d of the top panel receiving fitting 34 abuts the bottom plate portion 16c of the bearing portion 16e, as shown in FIG. 8C. Then, the top panel 2 is positioned in the storage position, and the engaging portion 55 is moved to a forward of the receiving portion 15 so that the part of the second engaged surface 15b and the part of the second engaging surface 55b engage with each other, as shown in FIG. 7B and FIG. 8C. In this case, the wall portion 36a provided in the cover 36 is moved to be located above the receiving portion 15 in accordance with the rotation of the top panel 2. The wall portion 36a, therefore, remains located above the receiving portion 15 when the top panel 2 is in the storage position.

[0138] To rotate the top panel 2 from the storage position to the in-use position as shown in FIG. 7B and FIG. 8C, the operation lever 52 is first rotated toward the top panel 2. When the operation lever 52 is rotated toward the top panel 2, the lock member 54 is rotated from the engagement position to the release position, and thereby the second engaging surface 55b is rotated to move in a direction of departing from the second engaged surface 15b. Specifically, since the C axis is obliquely above forward of the A axis, a central axis of the second engaging surface 55b is shifted downward from the C axis, that is, shifted to a C′ axis more distant from the second engaged surface 15b than the C axis, in accordance with a rotation of the lock member 54 in a counterclockwise direction around the A axis.

[0139] Accordingly, while the central axis of the second engaged surface 15b remains the C axis, the central axis of the second engaging surface 55b is shifted from the C axis to the C′ axis in accordance with the rotation of the lock member 54. As a result, the second engaging surface 55b is rotated to move in a direction of departing from the second engaged surface 15b to a position of a second engaging surface 55b′. Thus an engagement between the second engaged surface 15b and the second engaging surface 55b is released.

[0140] When the top panel 2 is pushed downward to be rotated toward the in-use position while the engagement between the second engaged surface 15b and the second engaging surface 55b is released, the cam 72 is rotated with the top panel 2 in a clockwise direction. As shown in FIG. 5A, the pin 74 is moved to be located again below the rotation center of the cam 72, i.e., the cam shaft 48.

[0141] At this time, the synchronization rod 76 is moved downward, and the stopper rod 82 inserted through the hollow portion 20d of the hollow shaft member 20 is moved vertically downward in a sliding manner inside the hollow portion 20d. Then, the stopper 84 is brought into contact with the floor surface F. In the movable desk 1, the stopper 84 is brought into contact with the floor surface F in the middle of the rotation of the top panel 2 to the in-use position.

[0142] When the rotation of the top panel 2 proceeds further, the cam 72 is pushed upward through the stopper rod 82 and the synchronization rod 76 due to a repulsive force from the floor surface F on the stopper 84. When the cam 72 is pushed upward, the cam shaft 48 connected to the cam 72 and a shaft portion 39 including the cam shaft 48 are pushed upward. As a result, the leg pole 6 connected to the shaft portion 39 is pushed upward. Thus, the first caster portion 10a is separated from the floor surface F.

[0143] When a hand is removed from the operation lever 52 while the top panel 2 is rotated from the storage position to the in-use position, the part of the end surface 55c is slid on the upper end surface 15c, as shown in FIG. 8B, in a same manner as in the case where the top panel 2 is rotated from the in-use position to the storage position. When the top panel 2 is further rotated, the lower end surface 34c of the top panel receiving fitting 34 abuts the bottom plate portion 16c of the bearing portion 16e. Then, the top panel 2 is positioned in the in-use position, and the engaging portion 55 is moved rearward of the receiving portion 15 so that the part of the first engaged surface 15a and the part of the second engaging surface 55a engage with each other, as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 8A.

[0144] A description of an adjusting mechanism (hereinafter referred to as a “height adjusting device”) provided in the rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8 in order to adjust a height of the rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8 from the floor surface F will now be provided with reference to FIG. 9 and FIGS. 10A to 10C. FIGS. 10A to 10C are cross sectional views of the rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8 taken along a plane, which passes through a center of the adjuster 21 and is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the leg support main body 8.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 9, the height adjusting device includes the second caster portion 10b, an adjuster 21, and a thin plate-like adjuster lock member 31, and a fixing screw 33. The adjuster lock member 31 is provided in order to prevent the second caster portion 10b from being detached from the leg support main body 8. The fixing screw 33 is provided to fix the adjuster lock member 31 to the leg support main body 8.

[0146] The second caster portion 10b includes a caster main body 25 and an attachment portion 27 for attachment to the leg support main body 8. The attachment portion 27 upwardly projects from the caster main body 25 in a pivotable manner with respect to the caster main body 25. The attachment portion 27 includes an attachment bolt 27a for attaching the caster main body 25 to the leg support main body 8 and an adjuster engagement portion 27b. The adjuster engagement portion 27b having a hexagonal flange-like configuration is provided at a base of the attachment bolt 27a in order to fix the adjuster 21.

[0147] The adjuster 21 formed of synthetic resin includes a flange-like operation portion 21a and a brake portion 21b. The operation portion 21a is externally operable. The brake portion 21b upwardly projects from the operation portion 21a in a cylindrical configuration and is inserted into the leg support main body 8.

[0148] The operation portion 21a has a disk-like configuration having a diameter larger than a diameter of the brake portion 21b. The operation portion 21a includes an engagement hole 21c in a central part thereof. The engagement hole 21c is insertable around the attachment bolt 27a and also engageable with the hexagonal adjuster engagement portion 27b.

[0149] The brake portion 21b has a substantially cylindrical configuration such that a side wall gradually becomes thinner from a side of the operation portion 21a toward an open end. A flange-like projection 21e is provided around an outer circumference in a central part in a longitudinal direction of the brake portion 21b.

[0150] The open end side of the brake portion 21b from the projection 21e is divided into four side walls by four slits provided in the longitudinal direction. Each of the four side walls constitutes a swingable portion 21d which includes a protrusion 21f protruding outwardly from an end of the swingable portion 21d. A chamfer 21g is formed in an upper corner of the protrusion 21f.

[0151] When the attachment portion 27 is inserted into the engagement hole 21c in the adjuster 21 so as to engage the adjuster engagement portion 27b with the engagement hole 21c, the adjuster 21 is fixed to the second caster portion 10b. Accordingly, when the adjuster 21 is externally rotated, the adjuster 21 and the attachment bolt 27a are integrally rotated.

[0152] The rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8 partially includes the protruding portion 8k protruding downward. An end surface (hereinafter also referred to as a “caster attachment surface 35”) of the protruding portion 8k is parallel to the floor surface F. The protruding portion 8k of the leg support main body 8 includes a screw hole 41, into which the attachment bolt 27a is screwable, formed in a vertical direction from the caster attachment surface 35.

[0153] A circular groove 43 is provided around the screw hole 41 in a concentric manner with the screw hole 41. When the attachment bolt 27a of the second caster portion 10b is screwed into the screw hole 41, the brake portion 21b of the adjuster 21 is inserted into the circular groove 43. The circular groove 43 has a stepwise configuration such that a groove width becomes smaller in a central part in a depth direction

[0154] An inner wall surface 43a, which is an inner side surface of the circular groove 43, is slightly outwardly oblique from the caster attachment surface 35 toward a bottom surface 43b of the circular groove 43. An outer side surface of the circular groove 43 includes a first outer wall surface 43c on a side of the bottom surface 43b and a second outer wall surface 43d on a side of the caster attachment surface 35. The first outer wall surface 43c has a diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the protrusion 21f protruding outwardly from the end of the swingable portion 21d of the adjuster 21. The second outer wall surface 43d has a diameter substantially the same as an outer diameter of the projection 21e provided in the longitudinally central part of the brake portion 21b.

[0155] The caster attachment surface 35 of the leg support main body 8 includes a recess 45 having a configuration and a depth so as to be capable of housing the adjuster lock member 31. The recess 45 extends from a part of the circular groove 43 along an extending direction of the leg support main body 8. A screw hole 47, into which the fixing screw 33 for fixing the adjuster lock member 31 is screwable, is provided from a bottom surface 45a of the recess 45 in a vertical direction.

[0156] The second caster portion 10b is attached to the protruding portion 8k of the leg support main body 8 when the attachment bolt 27a is screwed into the screw hole 41. As the attachment bolt 27a is screwed into the screw hole 41, the brake portion 21b in the adjuster 21 fixed to the second caster portion 10b becomes inserted into the circular groove 43. As described above, the outer diameter of the protrusion 21f protruding outwardly from the end of the swingable portion 21d, which is included in the brake portion 21b, is larger than the diameter of the first outer wall surface 43c of the circular groove 43. Accordingly, when the brake portion 21b is inserted into the circular groove 43, the protrusion 21f abuts the first outer wall surface 43c thereby to cause an inward deformation of the swingable portion 21d. Due to the inward deformation, the swingable portion 21d outwardly biases the first outer wall surface 43c.

[0157] The chamfer 21g is formed in the upper corner of the protrusion 21f, i.e., in the end of the swingable portion 21d, such that an outer diameter of the swingable portion 21d is smaller than the first outer wall surface 43c. Accordingly, when the second caster portion 10b is attached to the rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8, the adjuster 21 can be inserted smoothly into the circular groove 43 with the swingable portion 21d abutting an edge 43f of the first outer wall surface 43c and being inwardly deformed.

[0158] As shown in FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, while the projection 21e of the adjuster 21 is housed in the circular groove 43 and is located deeper than the bottom surface 45a of the recess 45, the adjuster lock member 31 is fixed to the recess 45 with the fixing screw 33. In this state, an end 31a of the adjuster lock member 31 on a side of the circular groove 43 projects into an opening surface of the circular groove 43.

[0159] The protruding portion 8k of the leg support main body 8 is a circular arc-shaped outer configuration around an axis of the screw hole 41, and the operation portion 21a has a same diameter as a diameter of the circular arc-shape of the protruding portion 8k of the leg support main body 8. Accordingly, the operation portion 21a may be disposed under the leg support main body 8 in good appearance without protruding outwardly from the leg support main body 8.

[0160] A description of an operation of the adjuster 21 in use will now be provided. In the height adjusting device, when the operation portion 21a of the adjuster 21 located under the rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the attachment bolt 27a is rotated along with the adjuster 21. As a result, a screwed amount between the attachment bolt 27a and the screw hole 41 is increased. Accordingly, a distance between the caster attachment surface 35 and the floor surface F is decreased, and the height of the rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8 from the floor surface F is decreased. As shown in FIG. 10B, when an upper surface 21j of the projection 21e provided in the adjuster 21 abuts a surface 43e in a stepwise portion of the circular groove 43, a further rotation of the adjuster 21 in a clockwise direction is prevented.

[0161] When the operation portion 21a is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the attachment bolt 27a is rotated along with the adjuster 21, and the screwed amount between the attachment bolt 27a and the screw hole 41 is decreased. Accordingly, the distance between the caster attachment surface 35 and the floor surface F is increased, and the height of the rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8 from the floor surface F is increased. As shown in FIG. 10A, when a lower surface 21h of the projection 21e provided in the adjuster 21 abuts an upper surface 31b of the end 31a of the adjuster lock member 31 projecting into the opening surface of the circular groove 43, a further rotation of the adjuster 21 in the counterclockwise direction is prevented.

[0162] According to the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, when the top panel 2 is rotated to the in-use position, the synchronization rod 76, the stopper rod 82 and the stopper 84 are moved downward through the rotation of the cam 72. When the stopper rod 82 is moved downward, the stopper rod 82 slides through the hollow portion 20d of the hollow shaft member 20, and therefore, the stopper 84 is brought into contact with a predetermined position of the floor surface F. That is, the movable desk 1 can be securely fixed to the floor surface F by a simple structure.

[0163] When the top panel 2 is rotated, only the synchronization rod 76, the stopper rod 82, and the stopper 84 are upwardly and downwardly moved. Accordingly, a user may easily rotate the top panel 2 upward to the storage position without being required to apply a large force to rotate the top panel 2.

[0164] Since the first caster portion 10a is separated from the floor surface F when the top panel 2 is in the in-use position, the movable desk 1 can be fixed securely by the stopper 84. Since the leg pole 6 and the first caster portion 10a are adapted to be moved upward when the top panel 2 is rotated to the in-use position, i.e., the top panel 2 is pushed downward by the user, the user may efficiently apply a force to the top panel 2. Thus, the top panel 2 may easily be rotated.

[0165] The first caster portion 10a, including the caster main body 22 and the hollow shaft member 20 projecting above the caster main body 22, is screwed to the caster attachment member 12 by a part of the hollow shaft member 20, and is connected to the lower end of the leg pole 6 by the caster attachment member 12. The stopper rod 82 having a rod-like configuration is slid through the hollow portion 20d of the hollow shaft member 20 with a vertical axis, thereby causing the stopper 84 to contact the floor surface F below the first caster portion 10a.

[0166] According to the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment, a good appearance may be achieved since the stopper rod 82 is not exposed outside. Also, since the first caster portion 10a is attached to the leg pole 6, the stopper 84 may be caused to contact the floor surface F below the first caster portion 10a without providing a complicated structure.

[0167] In the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment, the brake mechanism 70 configured as described above may be housed inside the leg pole 6 and the first caster portion 10a. Accordingly, it may be possible to project the stopper 84 from the lower end of the leg pole 6 through the first caster portion 10a so as to contact the floor surface F, thereby to securely fix the movable desk 1 to the floor surface F, regardless of the configuration of the leg support 7.

[0168] The cam 72 is fixed to the cam shaft 48, which is connected to the stepped rotary shaft 38 as a rotation shaft of the top panel 2 in an integrally rotatable manner. Accordingly, the rotation of the top panel 2 may be directly transmitted to the synchronization rod 76 through the rotation of the cam 72, and thus a more simplified configuration of the movable desk 1 may be achieved.

[0169] In the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment, while the leg pole 6 is engaged with the engagement groove 8a and the engagement groove 1a, and sandwiched by the leg support main body 8 and the leg support attachment member 11, the attachment bolts 13 are inserted through the insertion holes 11c formed on respective sides of the engagement groove 11a. When the attachment bolts 13 are inserted through the insertion holes 11c and are screwed into the respective screw holes 8c formed in the leg support main body 8, the leg support main body 8 and the leg support attachment member 11 are fastened with each other.

[0170] According to the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, while the pair of second side walls 6d respectively abut the bottom surface 8f of the engagement groove 8a and the bottom surface 11f of the engagement groove 11a, the leg pole 6 is pressed by the front end portion 8e of the leg support main body 8 and the leg support attachment member 11 by these abutting surfaces. Accordingly, the leg support 7 may be securely connected to the leg pole 6.

[0171] Also, the leg support 7 may be easily detached from the leg pole 6 by removing the attachment bolts 13 and thereby releasing a pressed state by the front end portion 8e of the leg support main body 8 and the leg support attachment member 11. Since the screw holes 8c, into which the attachment bolts 13 are screwed, are formed on both sides of the engagement groove 8a, the leg support 7 may be fixed to the leg pole 6 without providing holes in the leg pole 6 for inserting the attachment bolts 13 therethrough.

[0172] Since the leg support 7 is constituted by the leg support main body 8 and the leg support attachment member 11, a specified part of the leg pole 6 may be easily sandwiched by the front end portion 8e of the leg support main body 8 and the leg support attachment member 11. Accordingly, it may be possible to easily replace the leg support 7 even after assembly of the movable desk 1 is finished.

[0173] In the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment, the projections 11d to be engaged with the leg pole 6 are formed in the leg support attachment member 11, while the engagement holes 6b to be engaged with the projections 11d are formed in the leg pole 6. Accordingly, the leg support attachment member 11 may be properly positioned with respect to the leg pole 6 by engaging the projections 11d and the engagement holes 6b. Thus, it may be possible to connect the leg support 7 to a specified position of the leg pole 6 without using an assembly jig or the like.

[0174] The two projections 11d and the two engagement holes 6b are respectively provided to be spaced each other along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the leg pole 6. Accordingly, the leg support attachment member 11 is perpendicularly engaged with the leg pole 6, and thus the leg support 7 may be perpendicularly connected to the leg pole 6.

[0175] A connection angle between the leg support 7 and the leg pole 6 is determined by engagement between the engagement holes 6b and the projections 11d as described above. An accuracy of the connection angle is not high since there actually is a small gap between each of the engagement holes 6b and each of the projections 11d. The connection angle is also determined to some extent by the engagement between the engagement groove 11a and the leg pole 6. However, since the engagement groove 11a has a width slightly larger than an exterior width of the leg pole 6, there also is a small gap between the leg pole 6 and the engagement groove 11a when engaged with each other. Thus, an accuracy of the connection angle is not high.

[0176] In the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment, the pair of parallel side surfaces 8g and the bottom surface 8f of the engagement groove 8a are connected via the surfaces 8d, each having an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface 8f and the adjacent one of the side surfaces 8g. As the attachment bolts 13 are screwed, and the leg support main body 8 and the leg support attachment member 11 are gradually fastened, corners 6f of the leg pole 6 are pressed against the surfaces 8d. As a result, the connection angle is gradually corrected such that the leg pole 6 and the leg support main body 8 become perpendicular to each other. According to the movable desk 1 configured as above, it may be possible to perpendicularly connect the leg support 7 to the leg pole 6 in an accurate manner without using an assembly jig.

[0177] In the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment, the leg support attachment member 11 is engaged with the leg pole 6 at the position slightly lower than the central part of the leg pole 6 through the engagement groove 11a from the inner side of the leg pole 6. The linear-shaped leg support main body 8 is engaged with the leg pole 6 through the engagement groove 8a and is fastened to leg support attachment member 11 from the outer side of the leg pole 6. The engagement groove 8a is formed in the central part of the protruding portion 8j, which has the substantially elliptical cross section and protrudes toward the inner side of the movable desk 1 in the front end portion 8e of the leg support main body 8.

[0178] As described above, the leg support main body 8 is located outside of the leg pole 6, i.e., in a position not to overlap the leg pole 6 in the front and rear direction. Accordingly, it may be possible to stack in the front and rear direction a plurality of the movable desks 1, each with the top panel 2 in the substantially vertical storage position, without shifting the movable desks in the right and left direction.

[0179] In the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment, the projections 11d of the leg support attachment member 11, which are engageable with the engagement holes 6b in the leg pole 6, are located to be deviated in an upper and lower direction from a linear line connecting the insertion holes 11c, through which the attachment bolts 13 are inserted. In other words, the projections 11d are deviated from respective centers of the bottom surfaces 8f, 11f of the engagement grooves 8a, 11a. Accordingly, heights of the insertion holes 11c may be changed by turning upside down the leg support attachment member 11 and then engaging the projections 11d with the engagement holes 6b in the leg pole 6. That is, an attachment height of the leg support 7 to the leg pole 6 may be changed by turning upside down the leg support attachment member 11.

[0180] By using this feature that the attachment height is changeable, it may be possible to constitute a movable desk 3, including a top panel 5 of a size different from the top panel 2, by replacing only the top panel 2 and the leg support main body 8 of the movable desk 1. A structure of the movable desk 3 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B. Since the movable desk 3 has a same structure as the movable desk 1 except for the top panel 2 and the leg support main body 8, only different points will be described.

[0181] The top panel 5, having a rear portion longer than the top panel 2, is made of a rectangular plate material with a width larger than the top panel 2 in a front and rear direction. The top panel 5 is supported by the top panel support portions 30.

[0182] A leg support main body 17 includes both ends having same configurations as both ends of the leg support main body 8. The leg support main body 17 is longer than the leg support main body 8 so as to support the top panel 5 in a stabilized manner.

[0183] As shown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B, the leg support attachment member 11 with the extending portion 11g located downward is engaged with the leg pole 6 through the engagement groove 11a from an inner side of the leg pole 6, and the projections 11d are engaged with the engagement holes 6b. The leg support main body 17 with the second caster portion 10b located downward is engaged with the leg pole 6 through an engagement groove (not shown) from an outer side of the leg pole 6. The convex portions 11b leg support attachment member 11 are engaged with concave portions (not shown) formed in the leg support main body 17 such that respective end surfaces of the convex portions 11b do not reach respective bottom surfaces of the concave portions.

[0184] While the leg pole 6 is sandwiched by the leg support main body 17 and the leg support attachment member 11, the attachment bolts 13 are inserted through the insertion holes 11c provided on both sides of the engagement groove 11a in the leg support attachment member 11, and screwed into respective screw holes formed in the leg support main body 17. Thus, the leg support main body 17 and the leg support attachment member 11 are fastened with each other.

[0185] At this time, while the second side walls 6d respectively abut the bottom surface of the engagement groove of the leg support main body 17 and the bottom surface 11f of the engagement groove 11a, the leg pole 6 is pressed by the front end portion 17a of the leg support main body 17 and the leg support attachment member 11 by these abutting surfaces. Thus, the leg support main body 17 is perpendicularly connected to the leg pole 6. In this case, the leg support main body 17 has a length such that the second caster portion 10b contacts the floor F when the leg support main body 17 is connected to the leg pole 6.

[0186] As described above, while the leg support attachment member 11 is engaged with the leg pole 6 such that the extending portion 11g is located upward in the movable desk 1, the leg support attachment member 11 is engaged with the leg pole 6 such that the extending portion 11g is located downward in the movable desk 3. Accordingly, a connecting position of a leg support to the leg pole 6 in the movable desk 3 is higher than in the movable desk 1. That is, the leg support main body 17 longer than the leg support main body 8 may be connected to the leg pole 6 at a same connection angle as the leg support main body 8 and also at a higher position than the leg support main body 8.

[0187] Accordingly, components other than the top panel 2 and the leg support main body 8, such as the leg pole 6 and the leg support attachment member 11 and other components, may be commonly used for both the movable desk 1 and the movable desk 3. This may lead to a reduction of the number of the components, and thus a reduction of manufacturing costs.

[0188] In the lock device 51 provided in the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment, the first engaged surface 15a, the first engaging surface 55a, the second engaged surface 15b, and the second engaging surface 55b have respective circular arc configurations. Central axes (the B axis or the C axis) of these surfaces are located at positions shifted from a rotation axis (the A axis) of the lock member 54 such that the engaging surfaces are rotated while moving in directions of departing from the respective engaged surfaces, in accordance with the rotation of the operation lever 52.

[0189] According to the lock device 51 configured as above, when the operation lever 52 is rotated while the top panel 2 is in the in-use position, the first engaging surface 55a is rotated to move in a direction of departing from the first engaged surface 15a. When the operation lever 52 is rotated while the top panel 2 is in the storage position, the second engaging surface 55b is rotated to move in a direction of departing from the second engaged surface 15b. It may, therefore, be possible to avoid inoperable state of the operation lever 52 due to an unreleasable engagement between the engaging portion 55 and the receiving portion 15 caused by friction and undesirable interlock between the engaging surfaces 55a, 55b and the engaged surfaces 15a, 15b. And thus, a user can easily operate the operation lever 52 to release a locked state.

[0190] Since the lock member 54 is biased by the coil spring 58 in a direction of abutting the receiving portion 15, the engaging surfaces 55a, 55b approach the engaged surfaces 15a, 15b along a same moving path as in the case of departing from the engaged surfaces 15a, 15b when the operation lever 52 is operated. Accordingly, even when the engaged surfaces 15a, 15b are shifted due to wear of the receiving portion 15, the engaging surfaces 55a, 55b and the engaged surfaces 15a, 15b may surely be engaged. It may, therefore, be possible to fix the top panel 2 in the in-use position or the storage position securely without wobbling, regardless of wear of the receiving portion 15.

[0191] The first engaged surface 15a and the first engaging surface 55a have circular arc configurations with the same diameter. The second engaged surface 15b and the second engaging surface 55b have respective circular arc configurations with the same diameter. Accordingly, the top panel 2 is fixed by surface abutment between the engaging surfaces 55a, 55b in the engaging portion 55 and the respective engaged surfaces 15a, 15 in the receiving portion 15. When an external force is applied to the top panel 2 (for example, when the user attempts to rotate the top panel 2 in a locked state), the engaged surfaces 15a, 15b are brought into pressing surface contact with the respective engaging surfaces 55a, 55b. It may, therefore, be possible to distribute the force over the engaging surfaces 55a, 55b and the engaged surfaces 15a, 15b through engagement therebetween, and thereby to reduce wear of the surfaces.

[0192] According to the lock device 51 in the present embodiment, when an operation of the operation lever 52 is cancelled (when a hand is removed from the operation lever 52) while the top panel 2 is rotated, the end surface 55c of the engaging portion 55 of the lock member 54, which is biased by the coil spring 58 toward the upper end surface 15c, is slid on the upper end surface 15c of the receiving portion 15. Accordingly, a friction resistance is caused between the engaging portion 55 and the upper end surface 15c. The friction resistance may serve to suppress rapid rotation of the top panel 2 by a self-weight of the top panel 2 when the top panel 2 is rotated to the in-use position or to the storage position.

[0193] In the lock device 51 of the present embodiment, the operation lever 52 and the lock member 54 are provided on the outer side of the top panel receiving fitting 34. An engagement region of the receiving portion 15 and the engaging portion 55, i.e., the thin plate-like lock member 54 and the first plate portion 16a, are sandwiched between the leg pole 6 and the top panel receiving fitting 34. In other words, the second side wall 6d on the inner side of the leg pole 6 is used as part of the lock device 51 (as a component for covering the engagement region). It may, therefore, be possible to constitute the lock device 51 with a reduced number of components.

[0194] In addition, the rotation axis (the A axis) of the lock member 54 is located in an upper vicinity of the rotation axis (i.e., the shaft portion 39), so that the first plate portion 16a may be commonly used as a member for supporting the top panel receiving fitting 34 and as an engagement member with the lock member 54. It may, therefore, be possible to achieve substantial downsizing of the lock device 51.

[0195] The cover 36 covering the top panel receiving fitting 34 includes the wall portion 36a protruding outward from the cover 36. When the top panel 2 is in the in-use position, the engagement region of the receiving portion 15 and the engaging portion 55 is hidden by the wall portion 36a located rearward of the first plate portion 16a. When the top panel 2 is rotated to the storage position, the wall portion 36a is moved to above the receiving portion 15 in accordance with the rotation of the top panel 2. Then, the engagement region of the receiving portion 15 and the engaging portion 55 is hidden by the wall portion 36a. Accordingly, it may be possible to avoid the engagement region of the receiving portion 15 and the engaging portion 55 from being externally exposed by a simple constitution without covering the whole lock device 51 with a cover.

[0196] In the in-use position or the storage position, the part of the engaging surfaces 55a, 55b and the part of the respective engaged surfaces 15a, 15b are engaged with each other, while there is a gap between the end surface 55c of the engaging portion 55 and the receiving portion 15. As described above, the engaging surfaces 55a, 55b approach the engaged surfaces 15a, 15b along the same moving path as in the case of departing from the engaged surfaces 15a, 15b when the operation lever 52 is operated.

[0197] If a positional relationship between the engaging portion 55 and the receiving portion 15 at the time of assembly is slightly deviated from a designed value, abutment regions between the engaging surfaces 55a, 55b and the respective engaged surfaces 15a, 15b may be deviated from designed regions. In this case, however, as the engaging surfaces 55a, 55b approach along the moving path, the engaging surfaces 55a, 55b and the respective engaged surfaces 15a, 15b abut each other in other regions different from the designed regions, and thereby the engaging portion 55 and the receiving portion 15 are securely engaged with each other. According to the lock device 51 in the present embodiment, therefore, it may be possible to allow manufacturing errors in processing and assembly of components of the lock device 51, and relaxation of manufacturing accuracy.

[0198] The lock device 51 is provided under each of right and left end portions of the top panel 2. The pair of lock devices 51 are configured such that the lock members 54 on both right and left sides interlockingly operate through the interlock pipe 60. Accordingly, engagement between the engaging portion 55 and the receiving portion 15 in both lock devices 51 may be released at the same time by operating the operation lever 52 on only one side.

[0199] In the height adjusting device provided in the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment, the adjuster 21 is fixed to the attachment portion 27 for attaching the second caster portion 10b to the leg support main body 8. In the adjuster 21, the brake portion 21b upwardly projects from the operation portion 21a. When inserted into the circular groove 43, the brake portion 21b biases the first outer wall surface 43c, thereby to suppress rotation of the adjuster 21.

[0200] According to the height adjusting device configured as above, a user may adjust the height of the rear end portion 8h of the leg main body 8 from the floor surface simply by rotating the operation portion 21a. When the protrusions 21f provided in the swingable portion 21d abut the first outer wall surface 43c and cause a deformation of the swingable portion 21d, the swingable portions 21d outwardly bias the first outer wall surface 43c. Then, a friction resistance caused between the protrusions 21f and the first outer wall surface 43c may serve to suppress the adjuster 21 from being loosened.

[0201] In other words, a substantially simple structure, in which the screw hole 41 and the circular groove 43 are provided in the lower surface of the leg support main body 8, while the adjuster 21 is provided around the attachment bolt 27a in the second caster portion 10b, may achieve a height adjusting device that allows easy adjustment and secure maintenance of an adjusted state.

[0202] Since the brake portion 21b has a substantially cylindrical configuration, and the protrusions 21f are provided in the swingable portions 21d on a side of the first outer wall surface 43c, the protrusions 21f abut the first outer wall surface 43c over substantially the whole circumference of the circular groove 43. Accordingly, abutment of the protrusions 21f against the first outer wall surface 43c causes a sufficient deformation of the swingable portions 21d, so that the swingable portions 21d securely bias the first outer wall surface 43c. Then, a friction resistance caused between the protrusions 21f and the first outer wall surface 43c may serve to more securely suppress the adjuster 21 from being loosened.

[0203] Since the projection 21e provided in the central part of the brake portion 21b may be engaged with the upper surface 31b of the adjuster lock member 31 projecting into the circular groove 43, it may be possible to avoid the brake portion 21b from being detached from the circular groove 43. For example, it may be possible to avoid the second caster portion 10b from being detached from the leg support main body 8 even if a user excessively loosens the adjuster 21 when rotating the operation portion 21a to adjust the height of the rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8 from the floor surface F. A movable range of the adjuster 21, that is, an adjustable range of the height of a rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8 is determined by a position of the projection 21e.

[0204] Since the projection 21e has substantially the same outer diameter as the second outer wall surface 43d, an end surface 21k of the projection 21e is abutted by the second outer wall surface 43d of the circular groove 43. Accordingly, a friction resistance caused between the projection 21e and the second outer wall surface 43d, in addition to the friction resistance caused between the protrusion 21f and the first outer wall surface 43c, may serve to more securely suppress the adjuster 21 from being loosened.

[0205] In the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment, a front portion of the movable desk 1 is adjustable by changing the screwing amount of the stopper 84 into the stopper rod 82, while a rear portion of the movable desk 1 is adjustable by rotating the adjuster 21 in the second caster portion 10b. In other words, respective heights of four floor contact portions of the movable desk 1 may be individually adjusted. It may, therefore, be possible to place the movable desk 1 in a stabilized manner even when the floor surface F is uneven. It may also be possible to adjust the height of the movable desk 1 to a height of another movable desk 1 and the like.

[0206] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described as above, it is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0207] For example, the leg support 7 in the movable desk 1 of the above embodiment is constituted by the leg support main body 8, the leg support attachment member 11, and two attachment bolts 13. However, as shown in FIG. 13A, the leg support main body 8 and the leg support attachment member 11 may be replaced with an integrally formed component.

[0208] Specifically, a leg support 110 is constituted by integrating the leg support main body 8 and the leg support attachment member 11 into a hook-like configuration. A hook portion 110g having a hook-like shape defines an engagement hole 110a to be engaged with the leg pole 6. The leg pole 6 is inserted through the engagement hole 110a from an upper direction or a lower direction, and the second side walls 6d of the leg pole 6 are abutted by a pair of opposing surfaces 110d of the engagement hole 110a.

[0209] When a distal end 110e of the hook portion hog having an insertion hole 110b and a proximal end 110f of the hook portion hog having a screw hole 110c are fastened with an attachment bolt 112, the leg pole 6 is pressed by the hook portion hog of the leg support 110 through abutment surfaces 110d. Thus, the leg support 110 is connected to the leg pole 6.

[0210] In the above described embodiment, the end portion (the front end portion 8e) of the leg support main body 8 includes a protruding portion 8j protruding inward of the movable desk 1, so that the leg support main body 8 is located outside of the leg pole 6. This allows a plurality of the movable desks 1 to be stacked in the front and rear direction without shifting the movable desks in the right and left direction. However, it may be possible to employ a simpler configuration as, for example, a leg support 115 shown in FIG. 13B when it is unnecessary to stack the movable desks 1 in the front and rear direction.

[0211] As shown in FIG. 13B, the leg support 115 includes a leg support main body 114, a leg support attachment member 116, and attachment bolts 118. The leg support main body 114 includes a cutout leaving an end portion 114b to be connected to the leg pole 6 and a main body 114c. A width W1 of the end portion 114b in the right and left direction is substantially half of a width W2 of the main body 114c. The leg support main body 114 includes a surface 114d to be located on the inner side of the movable desk 1 and an engagement groove 114a formed in the surface 114d so as to be engageable with the leg pole 6.

[0212] The leg support attachment member 116 has a rectangular block-like configuration so as to fill the cutout leaving the end portion 114b of the leg support main body 114. The leg support attachment member 116 includes a surface 116b facing the leg support main body 114 and an engagement groove 116a formed in the surface 116b so as to be engageable with the leg pole 6. The leg support main body 114 and the leg support attachment member 116 are fastened with each other with attachment bolts 118 in a same manner as in the above described embodiment.

[0213] According to the leg support 115 configured as above, when the leg support main body 114 and the leg support attachment member 116 are fastened with each other, the leg pole 6 is sandwichingly held in a central position of the leg support 115 in the right and left direction. In this case, the leg support main body 114 extends rearward in a position overlapping the leg pole 6 in the front and rear direction. Accordingly, a simpler appearance of the movable desk 1 may be achieved.

[0214] In the movable desk 1 of the above described embodiment, the bottom surface 8f of the engagement groove 8a in the leg support main body 8 and the bottom surface 11f of the engagement groove 11a in the leg support attachment member 11 abut the second side walls 6d of the leg pole 6. In other words, the leg pole 6 is adapted to be pinched from the right and left directions. However, as shown in FIG. 13C, the leg pole 6 may be adapted to be pinched from the front and rear directions.

[0215] As shown in FIG. 13C, a leg support 119 includes a leg support main body 120 to be located rearward of the leg pole 6, a leg support attachment member 122 to be located forward of the leg pole 6, and attachment bolts 124. The leg support main body 120 includes a linear rod-like member having a rectangular cross section. The leg support main body 120 includes a front end portion 120b with an end surface 120c. The end surface 120c includes an engagement groove 120a having a width slightly larger than the width of the first side wall 6c of the leg pole 6 and a depth of approximately two-thirds of the width of the second side wall 6d.

[0216] The leg support attachment member 122 is a block-like member having a same cross section as the leg support main body 120. The leg support attachment member 122 includes a rear end portion 122b with an end surface 122c. The end surface 122c includes an engagement groove 122a having a same width as the engagement groove 120a. A depth of the engagement groove 122a is such that the end surface 122c does not abut the end surface 120c of the leg support main body 120 when the leg support main body 120, which is engaged with the leg pole 6 from the rear direction, is engaged with the leg pole 6.

[0217] While the leg support attachment member 122 is engaged with the leg pole 6 from the front direction, the leg support main body 120 is engaged with the leg pole 6 from the rear direction. Then, the leg support main body 120 and the leg support attachment member 122 are fastened with each other with the attachment bolts 124 on both right and left sides of the leg pole 6. Thus, the leg support main body 120 is connected to the leg pole 6.

[0218] In the above described connection method between the leg pole 6 and the leg support 7, the attachment bolts 13 are arranged so as not to penetrate the leg pole 6. However, attachment bolts may be arranged so as to penetrate the leg pole 6. In this case, it may be necessary to previously form insertion holes for insertion of the attachment bolts therethrough in a pair of parallel side walls (e.g., the second side walls 6d) to be abutted by engagement grooves of respective members, such as a leg support main body and a leg support attachment member.

[0219] In the movable desk 1 of the above described embodiment, the leg pole 6 is arranged in the upper and lower direction with the upper end of the leg pole 6 slightly slanting rearward, and the, leg support 7 is perpendicularly connected to the leg pole 6. However, arrangement angles should not be limited to these angles.

[0220] For example, a leg pole vertically arranged with respect to the floor F, or a leg support horizontally arranged may be employed. In a case of arranging the leg support and leg pole perpendicular to each other, it is possible to fasten the leg support and the leg support attachment member with an attachment bolt in a vicinity of the leg pole, thereby to securely connect the leg support to the leg pole. The leg support and the leg pole need not be arranged perpendicular to each other as long as a predetermined connection strength may be secured.

[0221] In the present embodiment, the projections 11d are provided in the leg support attachment member 11 as engagement portions to determine a position of connecting the leg support main body 8 to the leg pole 6. however, the engagement portions may be provided in the leg support main body 8.

[0222] The leg support 7 may have one of a variety of configurations. For example, when there are a plurality of contact portions between the leg pole 6 and the leg support 7, it may be possible to fasten the leg pole 6 by pinching from both sides at each of the contact portions. It may also be possible to fasten the leg pole 6 by pinching from both sides at only one of the contact portions and forming engagement portions for positioning at the remaining contact portions.

[0223] The connection method between the leg pole 6 and the leg support 7 in the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment may be applied to a fixed desk without the caster portions 10.

[0224] The leg support 7 of the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment includes the height adjusting device for adjusting the height of the rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8 from the floor surface F. The height adjusting device may have a configuration other than the configuration in the present embodiment.

[0225] For example, it may be possible to employ an adjuster 61 as shown in FIG. 14A to FIG. 14C and provide a circular groove 65 corresponding to the adjuster 61 in the rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8. FIG. 14A to FIG. 14C are cross sectional views of the rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8 taken along a plane, which passes through a center of the adjuster 61 and is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the leg support main body 8.

[0226] The adjuster 61, formed of synthetic resin as the adjuster 21, includes a flange-like operation portion 61a and a brake portion 61b. The operation portion 61a is externally operable. The brake portion 61b upwardly projects from the operation portion 61a in a cylindrical configuration and is inserted into the leg support main body 8.

[0227] The operation portion 61a has a disk-like configuration having a diameter larger than a diameter of the brake portion 61b. The operation portion 61a includes an engagement hole 61c in a central part thereof. The engagement hole 61c is insertable around the attachment bolt 27a and also engageable with the hexagonal adjuster engagement portion 27b.

[0228] The brake portion 61b has a substantially cylindrical configuration such that a side wall gradually becomes thinner from a side of the operation portion 61a toward an open end. An open end side from a central part in a longitudinal direction of the brake portion 61b is divided into four side walls by four slits provided in the longitudinal direction.

[0229] Each of the four side walls constitutes a swingable portion 61d which includes a protrusion 61e protruding outwardly from an end portion of the swingable portion 61d. A chamfer 61f is formed in an upper corner of the protrusion 61e.

[0230] When the attachment portion 27 is inserted into the engagement hole 61c in the adjuster 61 so as to engage the adjuster engagement portion 27b with the engagement hole 61c, the adjuster 61 is fixed to the second caster portion 10b. Accordingly, when the adjuster 61 is externally rotated, the adjuster 61 and the attachment bolt 27a are integrally rotated.

[0231] In the leg support main body 8, a circular groove 65 is provided around the screw hole 41, into which the attachment bolt 27a is screwable, in a concentric manner with the screw hole 41. When the attachment bolt 27a of the second caster portion 10b is screwed into the screw hole 41, the brake portion 61b of the adjuster 61 is inserted into the circular groove 65.

[0232] The circular groove 65 has a width gradually narrowing toward a bottom surface 65b of the circular groove 65. An inner wall surface 65c, which is an inner side surface of the circular groove 65, is slightly outwardly oblique toward the bottom surface 65b. An outer side surface 65a of the circular groove 65 has a constant diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the protrusion 61e protruding outwardly from the end portion of the swingable portion 61d of the adjuster 61.

[0233] The caster attachment surface 35 of the leg support main body 8 includes a recess 69 having a configuration so as to be capable of housing the adjuster lock member 31. The recess 69 extends from a part of the circular groove 65 along an extending direction of the leg support main body 8. The recess 69 is provided at approximately half the depth of the circular groove 65, so that when the adjuster lock member 31 is fixed to a bottom surface 69a of the recess 69, a part of the adjuster lock member 31 projects into the circular groove 65 in a longitudinal central part of the circular groove 65. A screw hole 67, into which the fixing screw 33 for fixing the adjuster lock member 31 is screwable, is provided from a bottom surface 69a of the recess 69 in a vertical direction.

[0234] The second caster portion 10b is attached to the rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8 when the attachment bolt 27a is screwed into the screw hole 41. As the attachment bolt 27a is screwed, the brake portion 61b becomes inserted into the circular groove 65. As described above, the outer diameter of the protrusion 61e protruding outwardly from the end portion of the swingable portion 61d, which is included in the brake portion 61b, is larger than the diameter of the outer wall surface 65a of the circular groove 65. Accordingly, when the brake portion 61b is inserted into the circular groove 65, the protrusion 61e abuts the outer wall surface 65a thereby to cause an inward deformation of the swingable portion 61d. Due to the inward deformation, the swingable portion 61d outwardly biases the outer wall surface 65a.

[0235] The chamfer 61f is formed in the upper corner of the protrusion 61e such that an outer diameter in the upper end portion of the swingable portion 61d is smaller than the outer wall surface 65a of the circular groove 65. Accordingly, when the second caster portion 10b is attached, the adjuster 61 can be inserted smoothly into the circular groove 65 with the swingable portion 61d abutting an edge 65d of the outer wall surface 65a and being inwardly deformed.

[0236] As shown in FIG. 14A, while the protrusion 61e of the adjuster 61 is located deeper than the bottom surface 69a of the recess 69, the adjuster lock member 31 is fixed to the recess 69 with the fixing screw 33. In this state, an end 31a of the adjuster lock member 31 projects toward the longitudinal central part of the circular groove 65.

[0237] A description of an operation of the adjuster 61 in use will now be provided. When the operation portion 61a of the adjuster 61 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the attachment bolt 27a is rotated along with the adjuster 61. As a result, a screwed amount between the attachment bolt 27a and the screw hole 41 is increased. Accordingly, a distance between the caster attachment surface 35 and the floor surface F is decreased, and the height of the rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8 from the floor surface F is decreased. As shown in FIG. 14B, the operation portion 61a can be rotated in the clockwise direction until an upper surface 61g of the operation portion 61a of the adjuster 61 abuts the caster attachment surface 35.

[0238] When the operation portion 61a is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the attachment bolt 27a is rotated along with the adjuster 61, and the screwed amount between the attachment bolt 27a and the screw hole 41 is decreased. Accordingly, the distance between the caster attachment surface 35 and the floor surface F is increased, and the height of the rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8 from the floor surface F is increased. As shown in FIG. 14A, when a lower surface 61h of the protrusion 61e provided at an upper end of the brake portion 61b of the adjuster 61 abuts an upper surface 31b of the end 31a of the adjuster lock member 31 projecting into the circular groove 65, a further rotation of the adjuster 61 in the counterclockwise direction is prevented.

[0239] According to the height adjusting device configured as above, a user may adjust the height of the leg support 7 from the floor surface simply by rotating the operation portion 61a of the adjuster 61. When the protrusion 61e provided in the swingable portion 61d abuts the outer wall surface 65a and causes a deformation of the swingable portion 61d, the swingable portion 61d outwardly biases the outer wall surface 65a. Then, a friction resistance caused between the protrusion 61e and the outer wall surface 65a may serve to suppress the adjuster 61 from being rotated, and thus being loosened.

[0240] Since the brake portion 61b has a substantially cylindrical configuration, and the protrusions 61e are provided in the swingable portions 61d on a side of the outer wall surface 65a, the protrusions 61e abut the outer wall surface 65a over substantially the whole circumference of the circular groove 65. Accordingly, abutment of the protrusions 61e against the outer wall surface 65a causes a sufficient deformation of the swingable portions 61d, so that the swingable portions 61d securely bias the outer wall surface 65a. Then, a friction resistance caused between the protrusions 61e and the outer wall surface 65a may serve to more securely suppress the adjuster 61 from being loosened.

[0241] Since the protrusion 61e may be engaged with the adjuster lock member 31 projecting into the circular groove 65, it may be possible to avoid the brake portion 61b from being detached from the circular groove 65. For example, it may be possible to avoid the second caster portion 10b from being detached from the leg support main body 8 even if a user excessively loosens the adjuster 61 when rotating the operation portion 61a to adjust the height of the rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8 from the floor surface F. A movable range of the adjuster 61, that is, an adjustable range of the height of a rear end portion 8h of the leg support main body 8 is determined by the depth of the recess 69.

[0242] Alternatively, a height adjusting device may be achieved by using a leg support main body 81 different from the leg support main body 8 in the above described embodiment and the adjuster 21 used in the above described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16A-FIG. 16C. FIG. 16A to FIG. 16C are cross sectional views of a rear end portion 81d of the leg support main body 81 taken along a plane, which passes through the center of the adjuster 21 and is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the leg support main body 81.

[0243] The leg support main body 81, having a rod-like configuration as the leg support main body 8, includes one end which is connected to the leg pole 6. As shown in FIG. 15, the leg support main body 81 is divided into two members, i.e., a first member 81a and a second member 81b, along a longitudinal direction of the leg support main body 81. The first member 81a includes a screw portion for attachment of the second caster portion 10b, while the second member 81b constitutes the remaining portion of the leg support main body 81.

[0244] The rear end portion 81d of the leg support main body 81 protrudes downward, and includes a lower end surface (hereinafter also referred to as a “caster attachment surface 81c”) parallel to the floor surface F. The rear end portion 81d of the leg support main body 81, specifically a rear end portion of the first member 81a, includes a screw hole 83, into which the attachment bolt 27a is screwable, formed in a vertical direction from the caster attachment surface 81c. A circular groove 85 is provided around the screw hole 83 in a concentric manner with the screw hole 83. When the attachment bolt 27a of the second caster portion 10b is screwed into the screw hole 83, the brake portion 21b of the adjuster 21 is inserted into the circular groove 85.

[0245] As shown in FIG. 16C, the circular groove 85 has a width which remains constant from an open end to a longitudinal central part of the circular groove 85 and narrows in a stepwise manner in the longitudinal central part. The circular groove 85 includes a tapered configuration from the longitudinal central part to a bottom surface 85b of the circular groove 85, having a width gradually widened toward the bottom surface 85b.

[0246] The circular groove 85 has an outer side wall, including a first outer wall surface 85a located on a side of the open end and a second outer wall surface 85c located on a side of the bottom surface 85b. In the second outer wall surface 85c, a portion into which the brake portion 21b of the adjuster 21 is inserted has a diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the protrusion 21f protruding outwardly from the end portion of the swingable portion 21d. The first outer wall surface 85a has a diameter substantially the same as an outer diameter of the projection 21e provided in the longitudinal central part of the brake portion 21b of the adjuster 21.

[0247] The caster attachment surface 81c of the leg support main body 81 includes a recess 87 having a configuration and a depth so as to be capable of housing the adjuster lock member 31. The recess 87 extends from a part of the circular groove 85 along an extending direction of the leg support main body 81. A screw hole 89, into which the fixing screw 33 for fixing the adjuster lock member 31 is screwable, is provided from a bottom surface 87a of the recess 87 in a vertical direction.

[0248] The second caster portion 10b is attached to the rear end portion 81d of the leg support main body 81 when the attachment bolt 27a is screwed into the screw hole 83. As the attachment bolt 27a is screwed into the screw hole 83, the brake portion 21b in the adjuster 21 fixed to the second caster portion 10b becomes inserted into the circular groove 85. As described above, the diameter of the second outer wall surface 85c of the circular groove 85 in a region into which the brake portion 21b is inserted is smaller than the outer diameter of the protrusion 21f protruding outwardly from the end portion of the swingable portion 21d. Accordingly, when the brake portion 21b is inserted into the circular groove 85, the protrusion 21f abuts the second outer wall surface 85c thereby to cause an inward deformation of the swingable portion 21d. Due to the inward deformation, the swingable portion 21d outwardly biases the second outer wall surface 85c.

[0249] The outer diameter of the second outer wall surface 85c where a groove width is narrowed is larger than the diameter of the upper end of the swingable portion 21d. Accordingly, when the second caster portion 10b is attached, the adjuster 21 can be inserted smoothly into the circular groove 85 with the swingable portion 21d abutting an edge 85d of the second outer wall surface 85c and being inwardly deformed.

[0250] As shown in FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B, while the projection 21e of the adjuster 21 is housed in the circular groove 85 and is located deeper than the bottom surface 87a of the recess 87, the adjuster lock member 31 is fixed to the recess 87 with the fixing screw 33. In this state, the end 31a of the adjuster lock member 31 projects into an opening surface of the circular groove 85.

[0251] The adjuster 21 functions by an operation of a user in a same manner as the adjuster 21 in the above described embodiment, and results in same effects as the height adjusting device in the above described embodiment.

[0252] Especially in the present height adjusting device, the circular groove 85 has a tapered configuration from the longitudinal central part to the bottom surface 85b of the circular groove 85, having a width gradually widened toward the bottom surface 85b.

[0253] Then, a friction resistance, caused between the protrusions 21f and the second outer wall surface 85c when the adjuster 21 is moved downward, may be larger than in the case of the constant diameter of the outer wall surfaces. This serves to more securely suppress the adjuster 21 from being loosened.

[0254] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 17A to FIG. 17C, a height adjusting device may be constituted by a leg support main body 91 and the above described adjuster 61.

[0255] FIG. 17A to FIG. 17C are cross sectional views of a rear end portion of the leg support main body 91 taken along a plane, which passes through a center of the adjuster 61 and is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the leg support main body 91. An appearance of the leg support main body 91 is a same as the appearance of the leg support main body 81 shown in FIG. 15.

[0256] The leg support main body 91, having a rod-like configuration as the leg support main body 81, includes one end which is connected to the leg pole 6. The leg support main body 91 is divided into two members, i.e., a first member 91a and a second member 91b, along a longitudinal direction of the leg support main body 91. The first member 91a includes a screw portion for attachment of the second caster portion 10b, while the second member (not shown) constitutes the remaining portion of the leg support main body 91.

[0257] The rear end portion of the leg support main body 91 protrudes downward, and includes a lower end surface (hereinafter also referred to as a “caster attachment surface 91b”) parallel to the floor surface F. The rear end portion of the leg support main body 91 includes a screw hole 93, into which the attachment bolt 27a is screwable, formed in a vertical direction from the caster attachment surface 91b. A circular groove 95 is provided around the screw hole 93 in a concentric manner with the screw hole 93. When the attachment bolt 27a of the second caster portion 10b is screwed into the screw hole 93, the brake portion 61b of the adjuster 61 is inserted into the circular groove 95.

[0258] As shown in FIG. 17C, the circular groove 95 has a width which remains constant from an open end to a longitudinal central part of the circular groove 95 and narrows in a stepwise manner in the longitudinal central part. The circular groove 95 includes a tapered configuration from the longitudinal central part to a bottom surface 95b of the circular groove 95, having a width gradually widened toward the bottom surface 95b.

[0259] The circular groove 95 has an outer side wall, including a first outer wall surface 95a located on a side of the open end and a second outer wall surface 95c located on a side of the bottom surface 95b. In the second outer wall surface 95c, a portion into which the brake portion 61b of the adjuster 61 is inserted has a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the protrusion 61e protruding outwardly from the end portion of the swingable portion 61d. The first outer wall surface 95a has a diameter allowing insertion of the swingable portion 61d of the adjuster 61 therethrough in an inwardly deformed state.

[0260] The second caster portion 10b is attached to the rear end portion of the leg support main body 91 when the attachment bolt 27a is screwed into the screw hole 93. As the attachment bolt 27a is screwed into the screw hole 93, the swingable portion 61d of the brake portion 61b in the adjuster 61 fixed to the second caster portion 10b is inwardly deformed and becomes inserted into the circular groove 95. When the swingable portion 61d is inserted to a stepwise portion 95d having a widened width, the protrusion 61e protruding outwardly from the end portion of the swingable portion 61d is brought into engagement with the stepwise portion 95d, as shown in FIG. 17B.

[0261] As described above, the outer diameter of the protrusion 61e is larger than the diameter of the second outer wall surface 95c of the circular groove 95. Accordingly, when the attachment bolt 27a is screwed further and the swingable portion 61d is inserted deeper than the stepwise portion 95d of the circular groove 95, as shown in FIG. 17A, the protrusion 61e abuts the second outer wall surface 95c thereby to cause an inward deformation of the swingable portion 61d. Due to the inward deformation, the swingable portion 61d outwardly biases the second outer wall surface 95c.

[0262] The first outer wall surface 95a of the circular groove 95 is larger than the outer diameter of the upper end of the swingable portion 61d. Accordingly, when the second caster portion 10b is attached, the adjuster 61 can be inserted smoothly into the circular groove 95 with the swingable portion 61d abutting an edge 95e of the first outer wall surface 95a and being inwardly deformed.

[0263] The adjuster 61 in the present height adjusting device functions by an operation of a user in a same manner as the above described adjuster 61. According to the present height adjusting device, same effects as in the above described height adjusting devices may be achieved.

[0264] It is to be noted, however, that in the present height adjusting device, when the lower surface 61h of the protrusion 61e provided to the adjuster 61 is engaged by the stepwise portion 95d of the circular groove 95, as shown in FIG. 17B, a rotation of the adjuster 61 in the counterclockwise direction is prevented. Accordingly, it may be possible to avoid the second caster portion 10b from being detached from the leg support main body 91 without providing a member for preventing detachment of the second caster portion 10b.

[0265] As described above, the circular groove 95 includes a tapered configuration from the longitudinal central part to the bottom surface 95b of the circular groove 95, having the width gradually widened toward the bottom surface 95b. Accordingly, a friction resistance caused between the protrusion 61e and the second outer wall surface 95c when the adjuster 61 is moved downward is larger than in the case where a substantially vertical outer wall surface is provided, serving to more securely suppress the adjuster 61 from being loosened.

[0266] In each of the above described height adjusting devices, the protrusion is provided so as to protrude outwardly from the end portion of the brake portion of the adjuster. However, an additional protrusion protruding inwardly may be provided. Alternatively, only a protrusion protruding inwardly may be provided. As long as a sufficient friction resistance to suppress rotation of the adjuster is caused between the brake portion and the side wall of the circular groove, it is not always necessary to provide any protrusion.

[0267] While the brake portion of the adjuster has a cylindrical configuration in the present embodiment, the brake portion may simply be constituted by a plurality of plate portions projecting upward from the operation portion and capable of causing a friction resistance with the side wall of the circular groove when inserted into the circular groove.

[0268] Each of the above described height adjusting devices may be applied to any kind of furniture, such as a table, a chair, and the like, other than to the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment.

[0269] In the lock device 51 in the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment, the rotation axis of the lock member 54 (i.e., the A axis) when the top panel 2 is in the in-use position is arranged forward of the rotation axis of the top panel 2 (i.e., the shaft portion 39). However, a rotation axis of a lock member when the top panel 2 is in the in-use position may be arranged. rearward of the rotation axis of the top panel 2. A description will now be provided on the lock device 63 including such an arrangement of the rotation axis of the lock member with reference to FIG. 18A-FIG. 18C. The lock device 63 is different from the lock device 51 only in a configuration of a bearing portion and a configuration and position of a lock member. Therefore, description of the same components as those of the lock device 51 will be omitted, and only different components will be described below.

[0270] As shown in FIG. 18A-FIG. 18, the lock device 63 including an operation lever (not shown), a lock member 53, and a coil spring (not shown) is provided under the top panel 2. The bearing portion 16e includes a third plate portion 19 instead of the above-described first plate portion 16a. A receiving portion 57 is provided in an upper end of the third plate portion 19 so as to protrude rearward. Once the lock member 53 is engaged with the receiving portion 57, the top panel 2 is secured in each of the in-use position and the storage position so as not to be rotated by an external force.

[0271] The lock member 53 includes a plate-like lock main body 53a having an L-shaped configuration, an L-shaped corner portion 53b, and a rod-like connecting portion (not shown) provided perpendicularly from the L-shaped corner portion 53b in the lock main body 53a. The connecting portion is inserted through an insertion hole (not shown) formed in the top panel receiving fitting 34, and thereby the lock member 53 is rotatably supported by the top panel receiving fitting 34 around the connecting portion. Hereinafter, a rotation axis of the lock member 53 is referred to as a “J axis”. The insertion hole formed in the top panel receiving fitting 34 is located more rearward than the above described insertion hole 34b.

[0272] The lock main body 53a includes one end (not shown) to be located on the rear end side of the top panel 2. The operation lever is fixed to the one end. The lock main body 53a includes the other end 53c provided with an engaging portion 59, which protrudes opposite to an extending direction of the one end and is engageable with the receiving portion 57.

[0273] The third plate portion 19 of the bearing portion 16e and the lock member 53 (and thus the receiving portion 57 and the engagement portion 59) are arranged in an identical plane perpendicular to the top panel 2. Accordingly, when the operation lever is not operated, the engaging portion 59 is constantly abutted by the receiving portion 57.

[0274] When the top panel 2 is in the in-use position, as shown in FIG. 18A, a part of a first engaged surface 57a defining a lower surface of the receiving portion 57 and a part of a first engaging surface 59a defining a surface of the engaging portion 59 on the J axis side engage with each other, thereby preventing rotation of the top panel 2. When the top panel 2 is in the storage position, as shown in FIG. 18C, a part of a second engaged surface 57b defining a front surface of the receiving portion 57 and a part of a second engaging surface 59b defining a surface of the engaging portion 59 on a side facing opposite to the J axis engage with each other, thereby preventing rotation of the top panel 2.

[0275] The first engaged surface 57a and the first engaging surface 59a have respective circular arc configurations with a same diameter around a G axis which is parallel to the J axis and is located slightly forward of the J axis. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 18A, when the top panel 2 is positioned in the in use position, and thus the lock member 53 is in an engagement position where the receiving portion 57 and the engaging portion 59 are engaged with each other, the first engaged surface 57a and the first engaging surface 59a mate with each other.

[0276] The second engaged surface 57b and the second engaging surface 59b have respective circular arc configurations with a same diameter around an H axis, which is parallel to the J axis and is located forward of and obliquely above the J axis. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 18C, when the top panel 2 is positioned in the storage position, and thus the lock member 53 is in an engagement position where the receiving portion 57 and the engaging portion 59 are engaged with each other, the second engaged surface 57b and the second engaging surface 59b mate with each other.

[0277] To rotate the top panel 2 from the storage position to the in-use position, the operation lever is first rotated toward the top panel 2. Then, the lock member 53 is rotated from the engagement position toward a release position, and the first engaging surface 59a is rotated to move in a direction of departing from the first engaged surface 57a. Specifically, since the G axis is forward of the J axis, a central axis of the first engaging surface 59a is shifted downward from the G axis, in accordance with a rotation of the lock member 53 in a counterclockwise direction around the J axis. That is, the central axis of the first engaging surface 59a is shifted to a G′ axis closer to the first engaged surface 57a than the G axis.

[0278] Accordingly, while the central axis of the first engaged surface 57a remains the G axis, the central axis of the first engaging surface 59a is shifted from the G axis to the G′ axis in accordance with the rotation of the lock member 53. As a result, the first engaging surface 59a is rotated to move in a direction of departing from the first engaged surface 57a. Thus, an engagement between the first engaged surface 57a and the first engaging surface 59a is released.

[0279] When the top panel 2 is pushed upward while the engagement between the first engaged surface 57a and the first engaging surface 59a is released as described above, the top panel 2 is rotated upward. When a hand is removed from the operation lever while the top panel 2 is rotated, the lock member 53 is biased by the coil spring in a direction of abutting the receiving portion 57. A part of an end surface 59c of the engaging portion 59 abuts an upper end surface 57c of the receiving portion 57, as shown in FIG. 18B. The part of the end surface 59c is slid on the upper end surface 57c in accordance with the rotation of the top panel 2.

[0280] When the top panel 2 is further rotated, the front end surface 34d of the top panel receiving fitting 34 abuts the bottom plate portion 16c of the bearing portion 16e. Then, the top panel 2 is positioned in the storage position, and the engaging portion 59 is moved to a forward of the receiving portion 57 so that the part of the second engaged surface 57b and the part of the second engaging surface 59b engage with each other, as shown in FIG. 18C.

[0281] To rotate the top panel 2 from the storage position to the in-use position, the operation lever is first rotated toward the top panel 2. Then, the lock member 53 is rotated from the engagement position to the release position, and thereby the second engaging surface 59b is rotated to move in a direction of departing from the second engaged surface 57b. Specifically, since the H axis is above the J axis, a central axis of the second engaging surface 59b is shifted forward from the H axis, in accordance with a rotation of the lock member 53 in a counterclockwise direction around the J axis. That is, the central axis of the second engaging surface 59b is shifted to an H′ axis more distant from the second engaged surface 57b than the H axis.

[0282] Accordingly, while the central axis of the second engaged surface 57b remains the H axis, the central axis of the second engaging surface 59b is shifted from the H axis to the H′ axis in accordance with the rotation of the lock member 53. As a result, the second engaging surface 59b is rotated to move in a direction of departing from the second engaged surface 57b. Thus an engagement between the second engaged surface 57b and the second engaging surface 59b is released.

[0283] When the top panel 2 is pushed downward while the engagement between the second engaged surface 57b and the second engaging surface 59b is released as described above, the top panel 2 is rotated downward. When a hand is removed from the operation lever while the top panel 2 is rotated, the part of the end surface 59c is slid on the upper end surface 57c in accordance with the rotation of the top panel 2 in a same manner as in the case where the top panel 2 is rotated from the in-use position to the storage position.

[0284] When the top panel 2 is further rotated, the lower end surface 34c of the top panel receiving fitting 34 abuts the bottom plate portion 16c of the bearing portion 16e. Then, the top panel 2 is positioned in the in-use position, and the engaging portion 59 is moved downward of the receiving portion 57 so that the part of the first engaged surface 57a and the part of the first engaging surface 59a engage with each other, as shown in FIG. 18A.

[0285] In the above-described case where the rotation axis of the lock member is arranged rearward of the rotation axis of the top panel 2, same effects as in the lock member in the present embodiment may be achieved. In this case, however, an engagement region of the receiving portion 57 and the engaging portion 59 is externally exposed when the top panel 2 is in the storage position. Accordingly, the engagement region may be covered with a covering or the like.

[0286] In the lock device 51 in the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment, the engaging surface and the engaged surface have respective circular arc configurations with the same diameter. However, the diameter of the engaged surface may be smaller than the diameter of the engaging surface. For example, the first engaged surface 15a may have a circular arc configuration around a central axis which passes through a line (e.g., the arrow K in FIG. 7A) connecting the B axis and an abutting point between the first engaging surface 55a and the engaged surface 15a, so as to be engageable with the first engaging surface 55a.

[0287] Although the lock device 51 is used to fix the top panel 2 in the present embodiment, the lock device 51 may also be used in a piece of furniture having a rotating portion to fix the rotating portion at a predetermined position.

[0288] When partially modified, the brake mechanism 70 in the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment may be applied to a movable desk 90 including a leg support 92 which is different from the leg support 7 in the movable desk 1. A description of the movable desk 90 in Modification 1, to which the brake mechanism 70a which is partially modified is applied, will be provided below with reference to FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B. In FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B, the leg pole 6 and the leg support 92 are shown as partial cross-sectional views taken along a vertical plane and as partial transparent views, in order to show the structure of a brake mechanism 70a.

[0289] The movable desk 90 is configured to be immovable relative to a floor surface F when a top panel 2 is in a substantially horizontal in-use position and movable relative to the floor surface F when the top panel 2 is in a substantially vertical storage position.

[0290] As shown in FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B, the movable desk 90 includes the top panel 2, the pair of top panel support portions 30, a pair of legs 97 and the pair of brake mechanisms 70a.

[0291] The top panel 2 is made of a rectangular plate material. The pair of top panel support portions 30 are secured to an under surface of the top panel 2 at respective longitudinal end portions of the top panel 2. The legs 97 rotatably support the top panel 2 and the top panel support portion 30 between the in-use position and the storage position. The pair of brake mechanisms 70a are provided inside the pair of legs 97, respectively, in order to prevent movement of the movable desk 90 when the top panel 2 is in the in-use position.

[0292] The pair of legs 97 include the leg poles 6 and a pair of leg support 92, respectively. Each of the leg poles 6 is disposed in an upper and lower direction with an upper end of the leg pole 6 slightly slanting rearward.

[0293] Each of the pair of leg supports 92 is provided at a lower end of each of the leg poles 6 so as to horizontally extend in the front and rear direction. Casters 94 are provided under respective front and rear ends of the leg support 92. The leg support 92, including a hollow portion 92a extending in the front and rear direction, is connected to the leg pole 6 at a connecting portion slightly rearward of the front end of the leg support 92. An undersurface of the leg support 92 is a free surface except in regions in which the casters 94 are provided. The hollow portion 92a in the leg support 92 is connected to a hollow portion of an inside of the leg pole 6 in the connecting portion with the leg pole 6.

[0294] Each of the brake mechanisms 70a is provided inside the leg pole 6 and the leg support 92 in order to prevent movement of the movable desk 90 when the top panel 2 is in the in-use position. The brake mechanism 70a includes the cam 72, the synchronization rod 76, the stopper rod 82, the stopper 84, and a guide member 96.

[0295] The cam 72 is connected to a cam shaft 48. The synchronization rod 76 includes one end swingably connected to the cam 72. The stopper rod 82 includes one end swingably connected to a swingable end of the synchronization rod 76 through a connection fitting 78. The stopper 84 is connected to the stopper rod 82 at the other end opposite to the one end connected to the synchronization rod 76. The guide member 96 is provided in the hollow portion 92a of the leg support 92.

[0296] The guide member 96 has a block-like configuration including a hollow portion 96a, through which the stopper rod 82 is insertable. The guide member 96 is fixed to the leg support 92 under the connecting portion with the leg pole 6.

[0297] The stopper rod 82 swingably connected to the synchronization rod 76 is inserted through the hollow portion 96a of the guide member 96, and projects from a lower end of the leg support 92. The stopper 84 is screwed to the lower end of the stopper rod 82.

[0298] In the movable desk 90 configured as above, when the top panel 2 is in the substantially horizontal in-use position, as shown in FIG. 19A, the cam 72 is located such that the base portion 72c is parallel to a first side wall 6c of the leg pole 6. The pin 74 serving as a connecting point with the synchronization rod 76 is located below the rotation center of the cam 72, i.e., the cam shaft 48. In this case, the synchronization rod 76 is located at the lowest position inside the leg pole 6, and the stopper 84 contacts the floor surface F. Accordingly, the movable desk 90 is secured so as not to move when the top panel 2 is in the in-use position due to a friction between the stopper 84 and the floor surface F.

[0299] When the top panel 2 is rotated upward to the substantially vertical storage position (a position forming an angle of approximately 80 degrees between the top panel 2 and the floor surface F in Modification 1) as shown in FIG. 19B, the cam 72 is rotated with the top panel 2 in a counterclockwise direction. At the same time, the position of the pin 74 as the connecting point with the synchronization rod 76 is also rotated to be located obliquely right below the rotation center of the cam 72.

[0300] At this time, the synchronization rod 76 is moved from the lowest position to a highest position inside the leg pole 6, and the stopper rod 82 inserted through the hollow portion 96a of the guide member 96 is moved vertically upward in a sliding manner inside the hollow portion 96a.

[0301] Accordingly, the stopper 84 provided at a lower end of the stopper rod 82 is also moved vertically upward to be separated from the floor surface F. Thus, the movable desk 90 is movable with the casters 94 which constantly contacts the floor surface F.

[0302] When the top panel 2 is pushed downward to be rotated back to the in-use position, the cam 72 is rotated with the top panel 2 in a clockwise direction, and the pin 74 is moved to be located again below the rotation center of the cam 72.

[0303] At this time, the synchronization rod 76 is moved downward, and the stopper rod 82 inserted through the hollow portion 96a of the guide member 96 is moved vertically downward in a sliding manner inside the guide member 96. Then, the stopper 84 is brought into contact with the floor surface F.

[0304] According to the movable desk 90 as described above, when the top panel 2 is rotated to the in-use position, the synchronization rod 76, the stopper rod 82, and the stopper 84 are moved downward through the rotation of the cam 72. When the stopper rod 82 is slid downward inside the hollow portion 96a of the guide member 96, and the stopper 84 is brought into contact with a predetermined position of the floor surface F. That is, the movable desk 90 can be securely fixed to the floor surface F by a simple structure.

[0305] When the top panel 2 is rotated, only the synchronization rod 76, the stopper rod 82, and the stopper 84 are upwardly and downwardly moved. Accordingly, a user may easily rotate the top panel 2 even upward to the storage position without being required to apply a large force to rotate the top panel 2.

[0306] When partially modified, the brake mechanism 70 in the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment may be applied to a movable desk 100 in Modification 2 including a leg support 102 which is different from the leg support 7 in the movable desk 1. A description of the movable desk 100, to which the brake mechanism 70b which is partially modified is applied, will be provided below with reference to FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B. In FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B, a leg pole 6 and the leg support 102 are shown as partial cross-sectional views taken along a vertical plane and as partial transparent views, in order to show the structure of a brake mechanism 70b.

[0307] The movable desk 100 of the present embodiment is configured to be immovable relative to a floor surface F when a top panel 2 is in a substantially horizontal in-use position and movable relative to the floor surface F when the top panel 2 is in a substantially vertical storage position.

[0308] As shown in FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B, the movable desk 100 includes the top panel 2, the pair of top panel support portions 30, a pair of legs 107 and the pair of brake mechanisms 70b.

[0309] The top panel 2 is made of a rectangular plate material. The pair of top panel support portions 30 are secured to an under surface of the top panel 2 at respective longitudinal end portions of the top panel 2. The pair of legs 107 rotatably support the top panel 2 and the top panel support portion 30 between the in-use position and the storage position. The pair of brake mechanisms 70b are provided inside the pair of legs 107, respectively, in order to prevent movement of the movable desk 100 when the top panel 2 is in the in-use position.

[0310] The pair of legs 97 include the leg poles 6 and a pair of leg support 102, respectively. Each of the leg poles 6 is disposed in an upper and lower direction with an upper end of the leg pole 6 slightly slanting rearward.

[0311] Each of the pair of leg supports 102 is provided at a lower end of each of the leg poles 6 so as to horizontally extend in the front and rear direction. The leg support 102, including a hollow portion 102c extending in the front and rear direction, is connected to the leg pole 6 at a connecting portion slightly rearward of the front end of the leg support 102. Abutment portions 102a are provided in respective lower end portions of front and rear ends of the leg support 102. Each of the abutment portions 102a includes an insertion hole 102b through which a part of the brake mechanism 70b is insertable. An undersurface of the leg support 102 is a free surface except in regions in which the abutment portions 102a are provided. The hollow portion 102c in the leg support 102 is connected to a hollow portion of an inside of the leg pole 6 connecting with the leg pole 6.

[0312] Each of the brake mechanisms 70b is provided inside the leg pole 6 and the leg support 102 in order to prevent movement of the movable desk 100 when the top panel 2 is in the in-use position. The brake mechanism 70b includes the cam 72, the synchronization rod 76, the stopper portion 104, the pair of stoppers 84, and a guide member 106.

[0313] The cam 72 is connected to a cam shaft 48. The synchronization rod 76 includes one end swingably connected to the cam 72. The stopper portion 104 includes one end swingably connected to a swingable end of the synchronization rod 76 through a connection fitting 78. The stoppers 84 are connected to an undersurface of the stopper portion 104. The guide member 106 is provided in a lower end portion of the hollow leg pole 6.

[0314] The stopper portion 104 includes a horizontal section 104b, a rod connecting section 104a, and stopper connecting sections 104c.

[0315] The horizontal section 104b extending in the front and rear direction is housed inside the hollow portion 102 of the leg support 102.

[0316] The rod connecting section 104a upwardly extends from the horizontal section 104b in a connecting portion of the leg support 102 with the leg pole 6. The rod connecting section 104a has a rod-like configuration and includes one end connected to the horizontal section 104b and the other end with an insertion hole (not shown) extending in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the rod connecting section 104a.

[0317] The stopper connecting sections 104c downwardly extend from respective front and rear ends of the horizontal section 104b. Each of the stopper connecting sections 104c has a rod-like configuration and includes one end connected to the horizontal section 104b and the other end having a screw hole (not shown) into which the stopper 84 is screwable.

[0318] The guide member 106 has a block-like configuration and includes a hollow portion 106a through which the rod connecting section 104a of the stopper portion 104 is insertable. The guide member 106 is fixed in the lower end portion of the hollow leg pole 6 such that the hollow portion 106a is arranged in a vertical direction.

[0319] In a state where the rod connecting section 104a is inserted through the hollow portion 106a of the guide member 106 such that the end with the insertion hole is disposed between a pair of parallel flat portions 78b of the connection fitting 78 above the guide member 106, a pin 80 is inserted through pin holes 78a formed in the flat portions 78b and the insertion hole. Then, the stopper portion 104 is supported by a pin 80 in a swingable manner with respect to the connection fitting 78, and thus the stopper portion 104 is swingably connected to the synchronization rod 76.

[0320] The stopper connecting sections 104c are inserted through respective insertion holes 102b formed in the abutment portions 102a at the front and rear ends of the leg support 102, and extend downward from the leg support 102. The stopper connecting sections 104c are subsequently inserted through tubular portions 22b of the caster main bodies 22, and thus through the casters main bodies 22. In this state, the stoppers 84 are screwed with respective screw holes at the ends of the stopper connecting sections 104c.

[0321] In the movable desk 100 configured as above, when the top panel 2 is in the substantially horizontal in-use position, as shown in FIG. 20A, the cam 72 is located such that a base portion 72c is parallel to a first side wall 6c of the leg pole 6. A pin 74 serving as a connecting point with the synchronization rod 76 is located below a rotation center of the cam 72, i.e., a center of the cam shaft 48.

[0322] In this case, the synchronization rod 76 is located at a lowest position inside the leg pole 6, and the stoppers 84 contact the floor surface F. Accordingly, the movable desk 100 is secured so as not to move when the top panel 2 is in the in-use position due to friction between the stoppers 84 and the floor surface F. Although the caster main bodies 22, axially pivotable around the respective stopper connecting sections 104, contact the floor surface F, upper end surfaces 22c of the respective tubular portions 22b do not contact the abutment portions 102a, and thus the movable desk 100 is immovable.

[0323] When the top panel 2 is rotated upward to the substantially vertical storage position (a position forming an angle of approximately 80 degrees between the top panel 2 and the floor surface F in Modification 2 embodiment) as shown in FIG. 20B, the cam 72 is rotated with the top panel 2 in a counterclockwise direction. At the same time, the position of the pin 74 as the connecting point with the synchronization rod 76 is also rotated to be located obliquely right below the rotation center of the cam 72.

[0324] At this time, the synchronization rod 76 is moved from the lowest position to a highest position inside the leg pole 6, the rod connecting section 104a inserted through the hollow portion 106a of the guide member 106 is moved vertically upward in a sliding manner inside the hollow portion 106a.

[0325] Accordingly, an entirety of the stopper portion 104 is moved vertically upward, and thereby the stoppers 84 provided to the respective ends of the stopper connecting sections 104c are moved vertically upward to be separated from the floor surface F. In this state, the upper end surfaces 22c of the respective tubular portions 22b of the caster main bodies 22 abut the abutment portions 102a of the leg support 102, and thus, the movable desk 100 becomes movable by the caster main bodies 22.

[0326] When the top panel 2 is pushed downward to be rotated back to the in-use position, the cam 72 is rotated with the top panel 2 in a clockwise direction, and the pin 74 is moved to be located again below the rotation center of the cam 72.

[0327] At this time, the synchronization rod 76 is moved downward, and the rod connecting section 104a inserted through the hollow portion 106a of the guide member 106 is moved vertically downward in a sliding manner inside the hollow portion 106a. Then, the stoppers 84 are brought into contact with the floor surface F. In this case, the stoppers 84 are brought into contact with the floor surface F in the middle of the rotation of the top panel 2 to the in-use position

[0328] When the rotation of the top panel 2 proceeds further, the cam 72 is pushed upward through the stopper portion 104 and the synchronization rod 76 due to a repulsive force from the floor surface F on the stoppers 84. When the cam 72 is pushed upward, the cam shaft 48 connected to the cam 72 and the shaft portion 39 including the cam shaft 48 are pushed upward. As a result, the leg pole 6 connected to the shaft portion 39 is pushed upward. Thus, the upper end surfaces 22c of the respective tubular portions 22b of the caster main bodies 22 are separated from the abutment portions 102a of the leg support 102.

[0329] According to the movable desk 100 as described above, when the top panel 2 is rotated to the in-use position, the synchronization rod 76 and an entirety of the stopper portion 104 are moved downward through the rotation of the cam 72. As a result, the stoppers 84 are brought into contact with predetermined positions of the floor surface F. That is, the movable desk 100 can be securely fixed to the floor surface F by a simple structure.

[0330] When the top panel 2 is rotated, only the synchronization rod 76, the stopper portion 104, and the stoppers 84 are upwardly and downwardly moved. Accordingly, a user may easily rotate the top panel 2 even upward to the storage position without being required to apply a large force to rotate the top panel 2.

[0331] In the movable desk 1 of the present embodiment, the cam shaft 48 of the cam 72 is directly connected to the stepped rotary shaft 38 as the rotation shaft of the top panel 2 such that the cam 72 is rotated in an interlocking manner with the top panel 2. The cam shaft 48, however, may be rotated in an interlocking manner with the top panel 2, for example, by using a linking mechanism which links the cam shaft 48 to the stepped rotary shaft 38.

[0332] The brake mechanism 70 need not necessarily be disposed within the leg 4, but may be disposed, for example, along an outer surface of the side wall of the leg pole 6. Alternatively, the brake mechanism 70 may be provided, for example, separate from the leg 4 under a central portion of the top panel 2.