JP7779605B1 - Folding stools and folding stool storage systems - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a folding stool that can be easily constructed.
[Solution] The folding stool disclosed herein comprises a seat portion formed in a flat plate shape, a pair of first legs formed in a flat plate shape with their upper parts fixed to the underside of the seat portion and having recesses on the upper side surfaces, and a second leg portion formed in a flat plate shape with protrusions on both sides of the upper part, which protrusions fit into the recesses of the pair of first legs respectively to form fulcrums and are supported rotatably relative to the pair of first legs.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

This disclosure relates to a folding stool and a folding stool storage system.

Patent Document 1 discloses a folding chair. This folding chair can be both safe and stylish.

JP 2025-119687 A

However, the folding chair described in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a link mechanism, which makes the structure complex.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a folding stool and a folding stool storage system that can be simplified in structure.

The folding stool of the present disclosure comprises a seat portion formed in a flat plate shape, a pair of first legs formed in a flat plate shape and positioned below the seat portion, with their upper parts fixed to the underside of the seat portion and having recesses on their upper side surfaces, and second legs formed in a flat plate shape and positioned below the seat portion, with protrusions on both sides of their upper parts, which protrusions fit into the recesses of the pair of first legs respectively to form fulcrums, and which are supported rotatably with respect to the pair of first legs without changing the relative positions of the seat portion and the pair of first legs.

The folding stool storage system disclosed herein comprises a storage box with an opening that opens upward and has a space for two or more folding stools to be placed horizontally side by side in a folded state, and a top plate that is detachably attached to the opening of the storage box.

This disclosure allows for a simplified structure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a usage scene of the folding stool and folding stool storage system in embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the folding stool in the first embodiment when in use. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the folding stool in the first embodiment when folded. 1 is a diagram illustrating the main parts of a folding stool in embodiment 1. FIG. 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining a manufacturing method for each part of the folding stool in embodiment 1. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a folding stool is stored in the folding stool storage system in embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a situation in which a folding stool is removed from the folding stool storage system in embodiment 1. FIG. 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining a manufacturing method for each part of the folding stool storage system in embodiment 1.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a usage scene of a folding stool and a folding stool storage system according to the first embodiment.

In Figure 1, the multiple folding stools 1 are constructed without any metal fasteners such as nails, screws, hinges, or hinges. Each component can be assembled and folded simply by precise recess and protrusion fittings based on geometric shapes and a rotating mechanism between the plates.

This allows for a significant reduction in the number of parts and avoids the deterioration that occurs over time with metal fittings, such as corrosion and loosening. Furthermore, because the product is made entirely from wood-based materials, it also contributes to reducing the environmental impact when it comes to sorting and recycling the product.

The main material is cypress plywood, which is lightweight yet has high mechanical strength. This material is made by laminating and gluing multiple thin boards with the grain direction alternating, making it more resistant to warping and cracking than single boards and providing excellent dimensional stability.

This means that even with repeated folding and unfolding, the structure is less likely to become misaligned, enabling it to be used for a long period of time. Furthermore, laminated materials are easy to process, and the concave-convex mating sections are formed with high precision using laser cutting and CNC processing, resulting in a stable mechanism with minimal rattle.

The surface is coated with a transparent urethane clear coating. This enhances water resistance, stain resistance, and abrasion resistance while retaining the natural texture and warmth of the wood. As a result, it can be used safely in a variety of situations, such as outdoor camping, backyard leisure activities, and temporary use in public spaces.

Storage system 2 comprises a storage box 11 and a tabletop 13. The storage box 11 not only functions as a simple storage container, but can also be used as a table by placing the tabletop 13 on it. Furthermore, the tabletop 13 has a hole 14 that penetrates vertically. By inserting the pole of a parasol P into this hole 14, it functions as a sunshade and a marker. In this way, storage system 2 not only increases the convenience of portability and storage, but also provides comfort when using it.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the folding stool in embodiment 1 when in use.

As shown in Figure 2, the folding stool 31 comprises a seat portion 5, a pair of first and second legs 3 and 4, and a reinforcing portion S.

The seating surface portion 5 is formed in a flat plate shape. Although not shown in Figure 2, the seating surface portion 5 has a pair of recesses on its underside. The seating surface portion 5 has a hole H that penetrates vertically. The shape of the hole H is arbitrary. For example, the hole H may be formed in a rectangular or elliptical shape.

The pair of first legs 3 are formed in a flat plate shape. The upper portions of the pair of first legs 3 are fixed by fitting into a pair of recesses in the seat portion 5. Although not shown in Figure 2, the pair of first legs 3 have a first recess on the side surface of the upper portion. The pair of first legs 3 have a second recess on the side surface of the center portion.

The second leg 4 is formed in a flat plate shape. The center of the second leg 4 is hollowed out. The hollowed-out portion is used to form the seat 5. Although not shown in Figure 2, the second leg 4 has protrusions on both sides of the upper part. These protrusions fit into the first recesses of the pair of first legs 3, respectively, to serve as fulcrums, and are rotatably supported relative to the pair of first legs 3.

The reinforcing portion S is formed in a flat plate shape. The reinforcing portion S is positioned so as to straddle the center of the pair of first legs 3. Both ends of the reinforcing portion S are fixed by fitting into the second recesses of the pair of first legs 3, respectively.

When in use, the dimensions of the folding stool 1 are suitable for an adult to sit on. For example, the dimensions of the folding stool 1 are approximately 430 mm in height, 300 mm in width, and 230 mm in depth. This makes it more than just a simple chair; it also provides stability that can withstand long periods of use.

The pair of first and second legs 3 and 4 have a simple structure with concave and convex surfaces, but when they fit together they create a strong support mechanism. The seat 5 is designed to distribute the seating load evenly across the entire chair. As no metal fittings are used, not only is the manufacturing process simplified, but the design also achieves a unified look using only wood.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the folding stool in embodiment 1 when folded.

As shown in Figure 3, when folded, the second leg 4 rotates relative to the first leg 3. The dimensions of the folding stool 1 are approximately 455 mm in height, 300 mm in width, and 160 mm in depth. These dimensions are not only suitable for efficiently storing multiple units in the storage box 11, but also provide space-saving benefits in the trunk of a vehicle or in storage spaces in the home.

Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the main parts of the folding stool in embodiment 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first leg 3 has a first recess 6. The first recess 6 is a storage section formed at the upper end of the first leg 3. The first recess 6 has an arcuate surface 6l, an arcuate surface 6u, an upper left side wall 6d, a lower right side wall 6e, a left inclined wall 6pL, a right inclined wall 6pR, and a locking section 6r.

The arc surface 6l is formed at the lower end of the first recess 6. The arc surface 6l constitutes a curved surface that extends in an arc shape relative to the center. The arc surface 6u is formed at the upper end of the first recess 6. The arc surface 6u is positioned opposite the arc surface 6l.

The upper left wall 6d extends vertically on the upper left side of the first recess 6. The lower right wall 6e extends vertically on the lower right side. The left sloping wall 6pL extends diagonally from below to above on the left side of the first recess 6. The right sloping wall 6pR extends diagonally from below to above on the right side of the first recess 6.

The locking portion 6r is formed in the upper right corner of the first recess 6. The locking portion 6r has a recessed shape. The locking portion 6r has a receiving surface 6ra and a back stop surface 6rb.

In the stored state shown in Figure 4A, the protrusion 7 of the second leg 4 is housed inside the first recess 6.

The upper end of the protrusion 7 abuts against the upper left wall 6d of the first recess 6. As a result, the upper end of the protrusion 7 is restricted from moving upward and to the left. The lower end of the protrusion 7 abuts against the lower right wall 6e of the first recess 6. As a result, the lower end of the protrusion 7 is restricted from moving downward and to the right.

This allows the protrusion 7 to be stably housed within the first recess 6. As a result, the second leg 4 is maintained in a folded state along the first leg 3.

In the use state shown in Figure 4B, the protrusion 7 rotates clockwise. As a result of this rotation, the lower end of the protrusion 7 becomes movable along the left inclined wall 6pL of the first recess 6. At the same time, the upper end of the protrusion 7 becomes movable along the right inclined wall 6pR.

In this state, when the second leg 4 is pulled up, the protrusion 7 also moves upward. Eventually, the upper end of the protrusion 7 is accommodated in the locking portion 6r. At this time, the protrusion 7 is engaged with the receiving surface 6ra and back stop surface 6rb of the locking portion 6r.

As a result, the second leg 4 is held stably relative to the first leg 3. As a result, vertical loads acting through the seat 5 are reliably received, maintaining the rigidity of the entire stool.

Note that while Figure 4 illustrates one side of the pair of first legs 3, the other side of the pair of first legs 3 is realized in a symmetrical relationship with respect to Figure 4.

Figure 5 is a diagram explaining the manufacturing method for each part of the folding stool in embodiment 1.

As shown in Figure 5, the main components of the folding stool 1, including the pair of first and second legs 3, 4, seat 5, and reinforcing section S, are all cut out from a single piece of cypress plywood. In other words, by processing a single piece of board using laser cutting or CNC machining, the necessary first recess 6, protrusion 7, recess 9 on the underside of seat 5, and hole H in seat 5 can be integrally formed.

This configuration eliminates the need to glue multiple plates together or join them using metal fittings, allowing for the production of high-precision parts with an extremely small number of steps. Furthermore, because each component is made from plates of the same material and thickness, the dimensional precision of the mating parts is stable, and rattles and unevenness are less likely to occur after assembly.

Furthermore, because each component is cut from a single piece of wood, it can be handled together in its board form during transportation and storage. Users can assemble the stool simply by fitting the cut components together. This means that the stool can be completed easily and quickly without the need for specialized tools or skills.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the folding stool stored in the folding stool storage system in embodiment 1.

As shown in Figure 6, the dimensions of the folding stool 1 are designed to fit within the interior space of the storage box 11. This allows multiple folding stools 1 to be stored efficiently. In this way, when stored, the folding stool 1 is protected and is easy to carry and transport.

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the situation when removing a folding stool from the folding stool storage system in embodiment 1.

As shown in Figure 7, the storage box 11 has an opening that opens upward. The internal space of the storage box 11 has a capacity that can accommodate multiple folding stools 1. In Figure 7, the internal space of the storage box 11 has a capacity that can accommodate four folding stools 1.

The top plate 13 is detachably attached to the opening of the storage box 11. The top plate 13 can also be used as a table when combined with the storage box 11.

The top plate 13 has a hole 14 that penetrates vertically. It may be positioned so that it communicates with the hole in the storage box 11. If a parasol pole or similar is inserted into the hole 14, it functions as a sunshade or marker when used outdoors. The top plate 13 is positioned stably on the top surface of the storage box 11, preventing it from shifting during use.

Furthermore, four foldable extension bodies 15 can be added to the tabletop 13. For example, the extension bodies 15 are connected to the tabletop 13 via hinges. When folded, the extension bodies 15 are stored stacked on top of the tabletop 13, and when unfolded, they extend outward to expand the effective table area. The four extension bodies 15 are shaped to form an oval shape together with the tabletop 13 when unfolded. By including such extension bodies 15, the storage system 2 can be flexibly unfolded according to the number of users and purpose, further improving convenience.

Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the manufacturing method for each part of the folding stool storage system in embodiment 1.

As shown in Figure 8, in storage system 2, the main components of the storage box 11, top plate 13, and expansion body 15 are cut out from a single sheet of metal. In other words, the side plates, bottom plate, top plate 13, and other components are cut out as a single unit using laser cutting or CNC machining, and then storage system 2 can be constructed by assembling these components with metal fittings such as screws and bolts.

This configuration eliminates the need to prepare multiple materials separately, and components can be efficiently obtained from a single sheet of material. Furthermore, because the assembly is performed using metal fittings, it can be easily disassembled and reassembled as needed, making transportation and storage more convenient.

Furthermore, the components are made from plates of the same material and thickness. This ensures consistent dimensional accuracy after cutting, and gaps and rattles are less likely to occur when joining using metal fittings. As a result, the storage box 11 has high rigidity and durability, allowing for stable use over long periods of time.

Note that members D and E are used to divide the interior space of the storage box 11 into spaces corresponding to each folding stool 1.

According to the first embodiment described above, the folding stool 1 can form a fulcrum without using any nails or metal fittings. As a result, a reliable rotation mechanism can be realized while maintaining a simple structure, making assembly and disassembly easier and avoiding problems caused by deterioration of the metal fittings.

In addition, by providing a hole H that penetrates vertically through the seat portion 5, the user can insert their fingers to make the stool easier to carry. Furthermore, hole H can also be used as an operating hole for inserting a hand to pull up the second leg portion 4 during the folding operation. This significantly improves operability and portability.

Furthermore, by forming the holes 14 into a rectangular or oval shape, it is possible to achieve a shape that is easy for the user to grip and less likely to break even when a load is applied. This makes it possible to provide a practical stool that can withstand long-term use.

Furthermore, by providing a pair of recesses on the underside of the seat 5 and fitting them into the upper end of the first leg 3, the seat 5 can be prevented from shifting horizontally or rotationally. This maintains stability even when subjected to seated loads, and increases the rigidity of the entire stool.

In the configuration of the present disclosure, the storage system 2 includes a storage box 11 that can store multiple folding stools 1 and a top panel 13 that can be detachably attached to the opening of the box, allowing it to be used as a table while being carried and stored. This makes it possible to provide a highly convenient system that combines storage and a place to rest for outdoor leisure activities and events.

In addition, by providing a foldable extension body 15 on the tabletop, it can be stored compactly and the surface area of the tabletop 13 can be expanded when in use. This allows the table size to be flexibly adjusted according to the number of users and purpose, dramatically increasing convenience.

In addition, by providing vertical holes 14 in the top plate 13, it is possible to easily insert a parasol pole or similar. This allows it to be used as a sunshade or marker outdoors, further improving comfort and functionality for leisure use.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Folding stool, 2 Storage system, 3 First leg, 4 Second leg, 5 Seat, 6 First recess (top end of first leg), 7 Convex portions (both sides of second leg), 8 Locking shoulder, 11 Storage box, 13 Top plate, 14 Hole, 15 Extension body

Claims (7)

a seat portion formed in a flat plate shape;
a pair of first legs formed in a flat plate shape, arranged below the seating surface, with upper portions fixed to the lower surface of the seating surface and with recesses on upper side surfaces;
a second leg portion formed in a flat plate shape, disposed below the seat portion, having convex portions on both sides of an upper portion, the convex portions fitting into the concave portions of the pair of first legs respectively to serve as fulcrums, and supported rotatably with respect to the pair of first legs without changing the relative positions of the seat portion and the pair of first legs;
Folding stool with. A folding stool as described in claim 1, wherein the seat portion has a hole that penetrates vertically. A folding stool as described in claim 2, wherein the holes are rectangular or elliptical. A folding stool as described in claim 1, wherein the seat portion has a pair of recesses on the underside that fit into the upper ends of the pair of first legs, respectively. A storage box having an opening that opens upward and a space in which two or more folding stools according to claim 1 can be placed side by side horizontally in a folded state;
a top plate detachably attached to the opening of the storage box;
Folding stool storage system with. an extension body that is foldably provided with respect to the tabletop, overlaps the tabletop when folded, and extends outward from the tabletop when unfolded to expand the tabletop area;
6. The folding stool storage system of claim 5, comprising: A folding stool storage system as described in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the top plate has a hole that penetrates vertically.