OVERTURN PREVENTING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an overturn preventing device.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional overturn preventing device. The overturn preventing device includes a furniture-pressing lower part, a ceiling-abutting upper part, and an expansion/contraction part. The furniture-pressing lower part is caused to abut against an upper surface of a furniture protecting plate disposed on an upper surface of a piece of furniture. The ceiling-abutting upper part is caused to abut against a ceiling. The expansion/contraction part is disposed between the furniture-pressing lower part and the ceiling-abutting upper part and is expandable/contractible in an up-down direction and fixable at any position. Since a vertical length of the expansion/contract ion part is adjustable according to a height of the furniture in this overturn preventing device, the overturn preventing device can be mounted on pieces of furniture with different heights, thereby preventing the furniture from overturn.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT
Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. JP H08-242954

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problem to be Overcome by the Invention

However, when due to quakes of earthquake or the like, a force directed to tilt the furniture is applied to the furniture on which the overturn preventing device of Patent Document 1 is mounted, the force is concentrated on an abutting surface of the furniture-pressing lower part abutting against the furniture protecting plate and an abutting surface of the ceiling-abutting upper part abutting against the ceiling. Accordingly, a furniture-protecting plate needs to be disposed on the upper surface of the furniture in order that the furniture-pressing lower part may be prevented from breaking through the upper surface of the furniture. Furthermore, the ceiling-abutting upper part needs to be mounted on a part of the ceiling having a higher strength (a part to which a crosspiece and a ceiling cornice are mounted). Thus, troublesome tasks are required in mounting the overturn preventing device, for example, the plate needs to be disposed or a mounting position needs to be selected.

The present invention was made in view of the above-described circumstances in the conventional art and has an object to provide an overturn preventing device which can easily be mounted and can prevent articles from overturn.

Means for Overcoming the Problem

An overturn preventing device of the first invention includes an abutting part and a connecting part. The abutting part abuts against a ceiling or an installation surface. The abutting part is disposed so as to extend in one direction while gradually departing from the ceiling or the installation surface. The connecting part has two ends one of which is connected to an end of the abutting part away from the ceiling or the installation surface and the other of which is disposed on an article installed on the installation surface. The abutting part is elastically deformed with tilt of the article, so that an area of a part of the abutting part abutting against the ceiling or the installation surface is increased.

An overturn preventing device of the second invention also includes an abutting part and a connecting part. The abutting part abuts against an article installed on an installation surface. The abutting part is disposed so as to extend in one direction while gradually departing from the article. The connecting part has two ends one of which is connected to an end of the abutting part away from the article and the other of which is disposed on a ceiling or the installation surface. The abutting part is elastically deformed with tilt of the article, so that an area of a part of the abutting part abutting against the article is increased.

In the overturn preventing device of the first invention, the abutting part may be disposed while gradually departing from the ceiling or the installation surface toward a direction in which a space between the article and the ceiling or the installation surface is narrowed when the article is tilted.

In the overturn preventing device of the second invention, the abutting part may abut against an end of the article. The end may be located at a side which comes close to the ceiling or the installation surface when the article is tilted. The abutting part may be disposed while gradually departing from the article toward a direction in which a space between the article and the ceiling or the installation surface is widened when the article is tilted.

The overturn preventing device of the first or second invention may be mounted between the article and the ceiling or the installation surface using an elastic force of the abutting part. Furthermore, in the overturn preventing device of the first or second invention, the connecting part may have a height adjuster which adjusts a height wise dimension according to a space between the article and the ceiling or the installation surface.

The article includes furniture, a bed having a plurality of beds connected to each other in the up-down direction, large sized televisions, refrigerators, book shelves, showcases and server racks, all of which have a possibility of being overturned by quakes of earthquake or the like. The installation surface includes foundation surfaces which are located outside buildings and on which articles are installed, as well as floor surfaces located inside buildings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the overturn preventing device of a first embodiment, illustrating the overturn preventing device mounted between a top surface of furniture and a ceiling with an abutting part caused to abut against the ceiling;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the overturn preventing device of the first embodiment, illustrating the overturn preventing device mounted between the top surface of furniture and the ceiling with the abutting part caused to abut against the top surface of furniture;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the overturn preventing devices of the first embodiment, illustrating one device with the abutting part caused to abut against the ceiling and the other device with the abutting part caused to abut against the top surface of furniture, the devices being mounted between the top surface of the furniture and the ceiling;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the overturn preventing devices of a second embodiment mounted between the underside of the furniture and the floor surface with the abutting parts caused to abut against the underside of the furniture;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the overturn preventing device of a third embodiment mounted between the top surface of the furniture and the ceiling with the abutting part caused to abut against the ceiling; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the overturn preventing device of a fourth embodiment mounted between the top surface of the furniture and the ceiling.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

First to fourth embodiments of the overturn preventing devices of first and second inventions will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the overturn preventing device 10 of the first embodiment is mounted between a top surface 1U of a piece of furniture 1 installed on a floor surface (not illustrated) with a rear surface 1B being opposed to a wall surface W extending vertically from the floor surface and a ceiling C. The furniture 1 is formed into a cuboid shape and has a door, drawers (neither illustrated), and the like in a front surface 1F, so that clothes, accessories, and the like can be housed in the furniture 1. The furniture 1 is has a rectangle-shaped horizontal section long in a right-left direction (a depth/wise direction in FIG. 1). When the overturn preventing device 10 is not mounted on the furniture 1, the furniture 1 would possibly be tilted forward (rightward in FIG. 1) by quakes of earthquake or the like thereby to be overturned.

The overturn preventing device 10 includes an abutting part 11 and a connecting part 13. The abutting part 11 is a band-shaped flat plate and is elastic. The abutting part 11 is curved into an arc shape. Furthermore, the abutting part 11 has two ends one of which has a side surface on which an antislip member 12 is affixed.

The connecting part 13 is a band-shaped flat plate formed integrally with the abutting part 11 so as to be continuous from the other end of the abutting part 11. The connecting part 13 includes a curved part 14 curved continuously from the curved abutting part 11 and a linear part 15 bent at an end of the curved part 14 and extending in a linear fashion. An antislip member 16 is affixed on one side surface of the linear part 15.

The overturn preventing device 10 having the above-described construction can be mounted between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C by curving the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part. 13 so that the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 are swollen diagonally upwardly backward (toward a corner made by the ceiling C and the wall surface W), as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. When the overturn preventing device 10 is to be mounted between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C in this manner, the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 13 are elastically deformed so that up-down dimensions of the overturn preventing device 10 is reduced. The linear part 15 of the connecting part 13 is then disposed on the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 at the rear surface 1B side, and a distal end of the abutting part 11 is caused to abut against the ceiling C. The abutting part 11 is disposed while gradually departing from the ceiling C toward a direction (toward the rear surface 1B of the furniture 1) in which a space between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C is narrowed when the furniture 1 is tilted forward.

When to be thus mounted between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C, the overturn preventing device 10 can be mounted using an elastic force of the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 13 spreading in an up-down direction. As a result, the overturn preventing device 10 can easily be mounted between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C.

Furthermore, in the case where the overturn preventing device 10 is mounted between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C in this manner, when quakes of earthquake or the like tilts the furniture 1 forward, the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 13 are elastically deformed with the forward tilt of the furniture 1, so that an area of part of the abutting part 11 abutting against the ceiling C is increased. Thus, when the quakes of earthquake or the like tilts the furniture 1 forward, a force tilting the furniture 1 can be relieved by the elastic deformation of the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 13 in this overturn preventing device 10. Furthermore, since the area of the part of the abutting part 11 abutting against the ceiling C is increased when the quakes of earthquake or the like tilts the furniture 1 forward, a force applied to the ceiling C can be dispersed. Thus, since the force applied to the ceiling C is rendered smaller, the freedom in the mounting position of the overturn preventing device 10 can be improved.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the overturn preventing device 10 can be mounted between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C by curving the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 13 so that the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 are swollen diagonally downwardly forward. When the overturn preventing device 10 is to be mounted between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C in this manner, too, the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 13 are elastically deformed so that the up-down dimension of the overturn preventing device 10 is reduced. The linear part 15 of the connecting part 13 is caused to abut against the ceiling C so that the distal end of the abutting part 11 abuts against the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 at the rear surface 1B side. In other words, the abutting part 11 is caused to abut against an end of the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 at the side which comes close to the ceiling C when the furniture 1 is tilted forward (at the rear surface 1B side of the furniture 1). The abutting part 11 is disposed while gradually departing from the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 toward a direction (toward the front surface 1F of the furniture 1) in which a space between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C is widened when the furniture 1 is tilted forward.

When to be thus mounted between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C, the overturn preventing device 10 can be mounted using the elastic force of the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 13 spreading in the up-down direction. As a result, the overturn preventing device 10 can easily be mounted between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C.

Furthermore, in the case where the overturn preventing device 10 is thus mounted between the top surface 1U or the furniture 1 and the ceiling C, too, when quakes of earthquake or the like tilts the furniture 1 forward, the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 13 are elastically deformed with the forward tilt of the furniture 1, so that an area of part of the abutting part 11 abutting against the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 is increased. Thus, when the quakes of earthquake or the like tilts the furniture 1 forward, the force tilting the furniture 1 can be relieved by the elastic deformation of the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 13 in this overturn preventing device 10. Furthermore, since the area of the part of the abutting part 11 abutting against the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 is increased when the quakes of earthquake or the like tilts the furniture 1 forward, the force applied to the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 can be dispersed. Thus, since the force applied to the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 is rendered smaller, the freedom in the mounting position of the overturn preventing device 10 can be improved.

Accordingly, the overturn preventing device 10 of the first embodiment can easily be mounted and can prevent the furniture 1 from overturn.

Furthermore, since the antislip members 12 and 16 are respectively affixed on one side surface of one of the ends of the abutting part 11 and one side surface of the linear part 15 of the connecting part 13, the overturn preventing device 10 can be mounted without displacement of the linear part 15 of the connecting part 13 or the abutting part 11 relative to the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 or the ceiling C even when quakes of earthquake or the like tilts the furniture 1 forward. As a result, even upon occurrence of quakes of earthquake or the like, the overturn preventing device 10 is maintained in the mounted state between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C and can accordingly prevent the furniture 1 from overturn.

Second Embodiment

The overturn preventing device 10 of a second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the overturn preventing device 10 is mounted between an underside 3D of a piece of furniture 2 installed on the floor surface F and the floor surface F, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The configuration of the overturn preventing device of the second embodiment is same as that of the first embodiment, and the identical or similar parts are labeled by the same reference symbols as those in the first embodiment and detailed description of such parts will be eliminated.

The furniture 2 includes a furniture body 3 and a support leg 4 installed on the floor surface F and supporting the furniture body 3. The furniture body 3 is formed into a cuboid shape and has a door, drawers (neither illustrated), and the like in a front surface 3F, so that clothes, accessories, and the like can be housed in the furniture body 3. The furniture body 3 has a rectangle-shaped horizontal section long in a right-left direction (a depthwise direction in FIG. 4). The support leg 4 is also formed into a cuboid shape and has a rectangle-shaped horizontal section which is smaller than that of the furniture body 3 and is long in the right-left direction. The support leg 4 extends downward continuously from a central part of the underside of the furniture body 3 so that a longitudinal direction of the support leg 4 is same as a longitudinal direction of the furniture body 3. As a result, the underside 3D of the furniture body 3 is spread outward from an upper peripheral edge of the support leg 4. The furniture 2 stands with the underside of the support leg 4 abutting against the floor surface F. Since the furniture 2 is formed into the cuboid shape and is long in the right-left direction, the furniture 2 would possibly be tilted in the front-back direction (in the right-left direction in FIG. 4) by quakes of earthquake or the like thereby to be overturned when the overturn preventing device 10 is not mounted on the furniture 2.

At least a pair of the overturn preventing devices 10 can be mounted between the underside 3D of the furniture body 3 and the floor surface F with the support leg 4 being interposed therebetween. The paired overturn preventing devices 10 mounted between the underside 3D of the furniture body 3 and the floor surface F are each curved so as to be swollen diagonally upwardly inward (toward the direction of a corner made by the underside 3D of the furniture body 3 and the support leg 4).

When the overturn preventing device 10 is to be mounted between the front (left as viewed in FIG. 4) underside 3D of the furniture body 3 and the floor surface F in the above-described manner, the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 13 are elastically deformed so that the up-down dimension of the overturn preventing device 10 is reduced. The linear part 15 of the connecting part 13 is then disposed on a part of the floor surface F located near the support leg 4, and the distal end of the abutting part 11 is caused to abut against the underside 3D of the front edge of the furniture body 3. In other words, the abutting part 11 is caused to abut against an end of the underside 3D of the furniture body 3, which end is located at the side (the front surface 3F side of the furniture 2) which comes close to the floor surface F when the furniture 2 is tilted forward (leftward as viewed in FIG. 4). The abutting part 11 is disposed while gradually departing from the underside 3D of the furniture body 3 toward a direction (toward the support leg 4) in which a space between the front underside 3D of the furniture body 3 and the floor surface F is widened when the furniture 2 is tilted forward.

Furthermore, when the overturn preventing device 10 is to be mounted between the rear (rightward as viewed in FIG. 4) underside 3D of the furniture body 3 and the floor surface F, too, the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 13 are elastically deformed so that the up-down dimension of the overturn preventing device 10 is reduced. The linear part 15 of the connecting part 13 is then disposed on a part of the floor surface F located near the support leg 4, and the distal end of the abutting part 11 is caused to abut against the underside 3D of the rear edge of the furniture body 3. In other words, the abutting part 11 is caused to abut against an end of the underside 3D of the furniture body 3, which end is located at the side (the rear surface 3B side of the furniture 2) which comes close to the floor surface F when the furniture 2 is tilted rearward (rightward as viewed in FIG. 4). The abutting part 11 is disposed while gradually departing from the underside 3D of the furniture body 3 toward a direction (toward the support leg 4) in which a space between the rear underside 3D of the furniture body 3 and the floor surface F is widened when the furniture 2 is tilted rearward.

When to be mounted between the front underside 3D of the furniture body 3 and the floor surface F, and between the rear underside 3D of the furniture body 3 and the floor surface F in the above-described manner, the overturn preventing device 10 can be mounted using the elastic force of the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 13 spreading in an up-down direction. As a result, the overturn preventing device 10 can easily be mounted between the underside 3D of the furniture body 3 and the floor surface F.

In the case where the overturn preventing device 10 is thus mounted between the underside 3D of the furniture body 3 and the floor surface F, when quakes of earthquake or the like tilts the furniture 2 in the front-back direction, the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 13 are elastically deformed with the tilt of the furniture 2, so that an area of part of the abutting part 11 abutting against the underside 3D of the furniture body 3 is increased. Thus, when the quakes of earthquake or the like tilts the furniture 2 in the front-back direction, a force tilting the furniture 2 can be relieved by the elastic deformation of the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 13. Furthermore, since the area of the part of the abutting part 11 abutting against the underside 3D of the furniture body 3 is increased when the front-back direction, a force applied to the furniture 2 can be dispersed. Thus, since the force applied to the furniture 2 is rendered smaller, the freedom in the mounting position of the overturn preventing device 10 can be improved.

Accordingly, the overturn preventing device 10 of the embodiment can easily be mounted and prevent the furniture 2 from overturn.

Furthermore, since the antislip members 12 and 16 are respectively affixed on one side surface of the end of the abutting part 11 and one side surface of the linear part 15 of the connecting member 13, the overturn preventing device 10 can be mounted without displacement of the abutting part 11 relative to the underside 3D of the furniture body 3 even when quakes of earthquake or the like tilts the furniture 2 in the front-back direction. The overturn preventing device 10 can be mounted without displacement of the linear part 15 of the connecting part 13 relative to the floor surface F in a similar manner. As a result, even upon occurrence of quakes of earthquake or the like, the overturn preventing device 10 is maintained in the mounted state between the underside 3D of the furniture body 3 and the floor surface F and can accordingly prevent the furniture 2 from overturn.

Third Embodiment

The overturn preventing device 20 of a third embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the connecting part 23 has a height adjuster 25, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In the third embodiment, the identical or similar parts are labeled by the same reference symbols as those in the first embodiment and detailed description of such parts will be eliminated.

The connecting part 23 of the overturn preventing device has an insertion part 24 formed integrally with the abutting part 11 continuously from the other end of the abutting part 11 and extending on a straight line, the height adjuster 25 to adjust a height direction into which the insertion part 24 is inserted, and a support part 26 provided on the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 continuously from a lower end of the height adjuster 25.

The insertion part 24 of the connecting part 23 is also formed into a flat plate shape and has two through holes 24A extending therethrough. The through holes 24A are provided at respective locations away from each other on a central line along a direction in which the insertion part 24 extends. The through holes 24A are circular in shape and have an identical inner diameter.

The height adjuster 25 has a pair of flat plates 27 which extend in the vertical direction with respect to the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 with the support part 26 being placed on the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and are spaced from each other by a distance slightly larger than a thickness of the insertion part 24 of the connecting part 23. The insertion part 24 of the connecting part 23 is inserted between the paired flat plates 27.

The height adjuster 25 has three sets of through holes 27A each extending through the paired flat plates 27. The three sets of through holes 27A are provided on positions spaced from one another at regular intervals on a straight line extending in the vertical direction. Each interval of the three sets of through holes 27A is identical with the interval of two through holes 24A provided through the insertion part 24 of the connecting part 23. The through holes 27A are circular in shape and have an identical inner diameter. The inner diameter of each through hole 27A of the height adjuster 25 is larger than the inner diameter of each through hole 24A provided through the insertion part 24 of the connecting part 23.

The support part 26 is formed into a flat plate shape and has an underside which abuts against the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 when the overturn preventing device 20 is placed on the top surface 1U of the furniture 1, on which underside the antislip member 26A is affixed. Furthermore, the support part 26 has a central upper surface to which the paired flat plates 27 of the height adjuster 25 are continuous.

The overturn preventing device 20 has a pin 50 which is insertable through each of the three sets of through holes 27A of the height adjuster 25. The pin 50 has a head 51 and a shaft part 52 extending continuously with the head 51. The head 51 is formed into a columnar shape and has a larger outer diameter than each through hole 27A of the height adjuster 25. The shaft part 52 is formed into a tip-split shape and has a tip 52A spread outward from a distal end thereof. The tip 52A of the shaft part 52 normally has a largest outer diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of each through hole 27A of the height adjuster 25. The tip 52A of the shaft part 52 is elastically deferrable thereby to reduce the outer diameter, with the result that the shaft part 52 is insertable through each through hole 27A of the height adjuster 25. When the shaft part 52 has been inserted through the through hole 27A, the tip 52A is locked to the through hole 27A thereby to be retained.

In the overturn preventing device 20, the insertion part 24 of the connecting part 23 is inserted between the paired flat plates 27 of the height adjuster 25, and the pin 50 is inserted through the through holes 27A of the height adjuster 25 and the through holes 24A the insertion part 24 thereby to be retained which holes are aligned on the identical straight line, with the result that the height of the overturn preventing device 20 can be adjusted. In other words, the height of the overturn preventing device 20 can be adjusted in three levels. As a result, a space overturn preventing device 20 therein can be rendered broad. In other words, the overturn preventing device 20 can be mounted on various pieces of furniture with different heights.

The height adjuster 25 of the overturn preventing device 20 having the above-described construction is adjusted according to the space between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C before the overturn preventing device 20 is mounted between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C. Subsequently, the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 23 are elastically deformed so that the up-down dimension of the overturn preventing device 20 is reduced. The support part 26 of the connecting part 23 is then disposed on the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 at the rear surface 1B side, and the distal end of the abutting part 11 is caused to abut against the ceiling C. The abutting part 11 is disposed while gradually departing from the ceiling C toward a direction (toward the rear surface 1B of the furniture 1) in which the space between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C is narrowed when the furniture 1 is tilted forward.

When to be thus mounted between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C, the overturn preventing device 20 can be mounted using the elastic force of the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 23 spreading in the up-down direction. As a result, the overturn preventing device 20 can easily be mounted between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C.

Furthermore, in the case where the overturn preventing device 20 is thus mounted between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C, when quakes of earthquake or the like tilts the furniture 1 forward, the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 23 are elastically deformed with the forward tilt of the furniture 1, so that an area of part of the abutting part 11 abutting against the ceiling C is increased. Thus, when the quakes of earthquake or the like tilts the furniture 1 forward, a force tilting the furniture 1 can be relieved by the elastic deformation of the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 23 in this overturn preventing device 20. Furthermore, since the area of the part of the abutting part 11 abutting against the ceiling C is increased when the quakes of earthquake or the like tilts the furniture 1 forward, a force applied to the ceiling C can be dispersed. Thus, since the force applied to the ceiling C is rendered smaller, the freedom in the mounting position of the overturn preventing device 20 can be improved.

Accordingly, the overturn preventing device 20 of the third embodiment can easily be mounted and prevent the furniture 1 from overturn.

Fourth Embodiment

The overturn preventing device 30 of a fourth embodiment includes two overturn preventing devices 10 of the first embodiment coupled with each other so that the abutting parts 11 and the curved parts 14 of the connecting parts 13 are swollen in opposite directions, as illustrated in FIG. 6. In other words, the abutting part 11 of one of the overturn preventing devices 10 is integrated with the linear part 15 of the connecting part 13 of the other overturn preventing device 10, and the linear part 15 of the connecting part 13 of the one overturn preventing device 10 is integrated with the abutting part 11 of the other overturn preventing device 10. In the fourth embodiment, the identical or similar parts are labeled by the same reference symbols as those in the first embodiment and detailed description of such parts will be eliminated.

The overturn preventing device 30 having the above-described structure can be mounted between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C so that one abutting part 11 and one curved part 14 of the connecting part 13 are curved so as to be swollen diagonally upwardly backward and the other abutting part 11 and the other curved part 14 of the connecting part 13 are swollen diagonally downwardly forward. When the overturn preventing device 30 is to be mounted between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C in this manner, the abutting parts 11 and the curved parts 14 of the connecting parts 13 are elastically deformed so that the up-down dimension of the overturn preventing device 30 is reduced. The distal end of the other abutting part 11 is then disposed on the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 at the rear surface 13 side, and the distal end of the one abutting part 11 is caused to abut against the ceiling C. The one abutting part 11 is disposed while gradually departing from the ceiling C toward a direction (toward the rear surface 1B of the furniture 1) in which a space between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C is narrowed when the furniture 1 is tilted forward. Furthermore, the other abutting part 11 is disposed while gradually departing from the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 toward a direction (toward the front surface 1F of the furniture 1) in which a space between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C is widened when the furniture 1 is tilted forward.

When to be thus mounted between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C, the overturn preventing device 30 can be mounted using the elastic force of the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 13 spreading in the up-down direction. As a result, the overturn preventing device 30 can easily be mounted between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C.

Furthermore, in the case where the overturn preventing device 30 is thus mounted between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C, when quakes of earthquake or the like tilts the furniture 1 forward, the abutting part 11 and the curved part 14 of the connecting part 13 are elastically deformed with the forward tilt of the furniture 1, so that an area of part of the one abutting part 11 abutting against the ceiling C and an area of part of the other abutting part 11 abutting against the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 are increased.

Thus, when the quakes of earthquake or the like tilts the furniture 1 forward, a force tilting the furniture 1 can be relieved by the elastic deformation of the abutting parts 11 and the curved parts 14 of the connecting parts 13 in this overturn preventing device 30. Furthermore, since the area of the part of the one abutting part 11 abutting against the ceiling C is increased and the area of the part of the other abutting part 11 abutting against the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 is increased when the quakes of earthquake or the like tilts the furniture 1 forward, a force applied to the ceiling C and the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 can be dispersed. Thus, since the forces applied to the ceiling C and the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 are rendered smaller, the freedom in the mounting position of the overturn preventing device 30 can be improved.

Accordingly, the overturn preventing device 30 of the fourth embodiment can easily be mounted and can prevent the furniture 1 from overturn.

Furthermore, since the antislip member 12 is affixed on one side surface of one end of each abutting part 11, the overturn preventing device 30 can be mounted without displacement of the abutting part 11 with respect to on the top surface IU of the furniture 1 or the ceiling C even when quakes of earthquake or the like tilts the furniture 1 forward. As a result, even upon occurrence of quakes of earthquake or the like, the overturn preventing device 30 is maintained in the mounted state between the top surface 1U of the furniture 1 and the ceiling C and can accordingly prevent the furniture 1 from overturn.

The present invention should not be limited to the first to fourth embodiments described above with reference to the drawings, but the technical scope of the invention encompasses the following embodiments, for example.

(1) In the first embodiment, one of the overturn preventing devices is mounted so that the abutting part and the curved part of the connecting part are curved so as to be swollen diagonally upwardly backward, and the other overturn preventing device is mounted so that the abutting part and the curved part of the connecting part are curved so as to be swollen diagonally downwardly forward. However, only one overturn preventing device may be mounted, or a plurality of overturn preventing devices may be mounted so that the abutting parts and the curved parts of the connecting parts are swollen in the same direction.

(2) In the first to fourth embodiments, one side surface of one end of the abutting part and one side surface of the linear part of the connecting part are affixed with the antislip members and mounted in abutment against the ceiling, the top surface of the furniture, or the underside of the furniture. However, one end of the abutting part or the linear part of the connecting part may be attached to the ceiling, the top surface of the furniture, or the underside of the furniture by adhesive or screw tightening.

(3) In the third embodiment, the height adjuster can adjust the height of the overturn preventing device in three levels. However, the height of the overturn preventing device may be adjusted in two levels, or four or more levels, or in a continuous manner.

(4) In the third embodiment, the overturn preventing device is mounted between the top surface of the furniture and the ceiling. However, the overturn preventing device may be mounted between the underside of the furniture and the floor surface.

(5) In the fourth embodiment, the overturn preventing devices are mounted between the top surface of the furniture and the ceiling. However, the overturn preventing devices may be mounted between the underside of the furniture and the floor surface.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

C . . . ceiling, F . . . floor surface (installation surface), 11 . . . abutting part, 1, 2 . . . furniture (article), 13, 23 . . . connecting part), 25 . . . height adjuster

OVERTURN PREVENTING DEVICE

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