Patent Abstract:
The objective of the present invention is to provide a device that accurately communicates a subtle variation of an operation side to an action side. Specifically, in the present invention, an operating device is provided to perform a lock release operation of an extension device. The operating device feeds oil to a valve chamber by pressing a piston. When the flow rate of the fed oil is excessive, the valve is pressed to an opening resisting a biasing force of a compressed spring, thereby a rapid increase in the oil supplied to the action section is suppressed. Further, the supplied oil is suppressed to a very small amount by the throttle section, thereby an increase in the operation amount on the action section side is suppressed while maintaining the supply of the oil.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an operating device, more specifically, an operating device in which an operating pressure is communicated through a pressure communicating medium. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventionally, a device, which communicates a pressure by a fluid, such as oil, to communicate an operating amount at an action side from an operating side, has been used. In such a device, it is common to have a configuration, for example, such that oil in a cylinder is pushed out by pressing a piston on the operating side, and move the piston on the action side through an oil conducting tube, thereby the operating amount is communicated to a predetermined device. Such device is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. H5-4570. 
     However, when the conventional operating device is applied to communicating an operating amount of fluid by using a foot brake operated by a foot, there has been an issue of difficulty in accurately communicating a subtle move of an operating side to an action side. Further, in a case when communicating an operating amount of fluid from the operating side to a plurality of pistons on the action side, the amount of movement for each piston on the action side may result in difference movements, thus there has been a problem of further difficulty in accurately communicating a subtle move to the action side. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been made considering the above facts, and the objective is to provide a device capable of accurately communicating a slight movement of an operating side to an action side. Further, the present invention provides a device capable of equally communicating an operating amount of fluid from the operating side to a plurality of action sides. 
     One aspect of the present invention is an operating device that includes a pressurizing operation unit for pressurizing a pressure communicating medium in a fluid form by the displacement of an operating member by an external operation, a plurality of action units for operating the pressure applied from the pressurizing operation unit by converting a switching operation of a position fixed state and a released state of a positioning unit, a conducting channel for leading out the pressure communicating medium from the pressurizing operation unit, a bifurcating section for distributing the pressure communicating medium to the plurality of the action units from the conducting channel, a branch channel for guiding the pressure communicating medium to each action unit from the bifurcating section, wherein each of the branch channels further includes a flow rate regulating unit for regulating the flow rate of the pressure communicating medium and each of the flow rate regulating units equalizes the flow rate of the pressure communicating medium circulating each of the branch channels. 
     The positioning unit is a positioning unit of an extension device provided with a cylinder and a piston inserted into the cylinder. And the positioning unit may further be provided with an on-off valve to open and shut the flow of a fluid flowing in the cylinder chambers formed on both sides of the piston. 
     The flow rate regulating unit has a valve chamber provided with an inlet and an outlet for the pressure communicating medium, and an inside of the valve chamber may be provided with a throttle section for regulating the amount of the pressure communicating medium outflowing from the outlet and a valve for operating the throttle section. 
     Each of the throttle sections and the valve has a channel capable of circulating the pressure communicating medium, and the traverse area of the channel of the throttle may be smaller than the traverse area of the channel of the valve. 
     A bias member may be provided at a position which contacts the valve. The bias member may be a compressed spring. 
     The flow rate regulating unit includes a bias member for operating the position of the valve, and a valve and a valve seat for adjusting the traverse area of the circulating channel. And the flow rate of the pressure communicating medium may be regulated by adjusting the space formed between the valve and the valve seat. The present invention may be a nursing care bed characterized by having the operating device. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is an operating device that includes a pressurizing operation unit for applying a pressure to the pressure communicating medium in a fluid form by a displacement of the operating member from an external operation, an action unit for operating the pressure applied from the pressurizing unit by converting the pressure to a switching operation of a fixed state and a released state of a positioning unit, a flow rate regulating unit for regulating the flow rate of the pressure communicating medium leading out from the pressurizing operation unit, and a conducting channel for leading out the pressure communicating medium from the pressurizing operation unit, wherein the flow rate regulating unit further includes a valve chamber having an inlet for inflowing the pressure communicating medium fed from the pressurizing operation unit and an outlet for outflowing the same, a valve that is pressed to the inlet by a bias member for closing the outlet in a case when the flow rate of the pressure communicating medium exceeds a predetermined amount, and a throttle for regulating the flow rate passing through the outlet when the valve closes the outlet. 
     The conducting channel is provided with a plurality of branch channels leading out of the pressure communicating medium, and the flow rate regulating unit may be provided to each of the bifurcating channels. 
     The flow rate of the pressure communicating medium leading out to the action unit from each bifurcating channel may be equal. 
     The throttle section and the valve each has a channel capable of outflowing the pressure communicating medium, and the traverse area of the channel of the throttle section may be smaller than the traverse area of the channel of the valve. 
     The bias member may be a compressed spring. 
     The flow rate regulating unit further includes a bias member for operating the position of the valve, and a valve and a valve seat for adjusting the traverse area of the circulating channel. And the flow rate of the pressure communicating medium may be regulated by adjusting the width of the space formed between the valve and the valve seat. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is an operating device that includes a pressurizing unit for pressurizing the pressure communicating medium, an action unit for feeding the pressure applied by the pressurizing unit to a plurality of positioning units, a plurality of branch channels for distributing the pressurized pressure communicating medium to the plurality of positioning units, a flow rate regulating unit provided to each of the plurality of branch channels for regulating the flow rate of the pressure communicating medium, wherein the flow rate regulating unit equalizes the flow rate of the pressure communicating medium circulating in each of the branch channels. 
     The flow rate regulating unit further includes a valve chamber having an inlet for inflowing the pressure communicating medium and an outlet for outflowing the same, and in the valve chamber, provided are a valve and valve seat for adjusting the flow rate of the pressure communicating medium, and a bias member for operating the position of the valve. And the flow rate of the pressure communicating medium may be regulated by adjusting the width of the space formed between a valve and the valve seat. 
     The bias member may be a compressed spring. The width of the space formed between the valve and the valve seat may be adjusted in a case when the outflow rate of the pressure communicating medium exceeds a predetermined amount. The conducting channel and the branch channel may be formed with a flexible material. And the flexible material may be a synthetic resin. 
     According to the present invention, because each of the branch channels is provided with the flow rate regulating unit, an equal operating amount can be communicated to the plurality of action units. According to the present invention, the operation of the positioning unit of the plurality of the extension devices can be simultaneously performed by one pressurizing operation unit on the operating side, and the timing of the operation of the positioning unit can be the same. 
     According to the present invention, because the valve closes the outlet and the throttle operates when the operating amount of the pressurizing operation unit by an operator exceeds a predetermined value, a rapid change in the operating amount communicated to the action unit can be regulated. For this reason, for example, trouble during positioning by an extension device equipped with an air spring, such as sudden expansion of the extension device due to the sudden opening of the valve of the positioning device may be suppressed. Further, the pressure communicating medium is supplied in a very small amount through the throttle, thus the communication of the operating amount is continued and an interruption of the operation does not occur. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an overall perspective view of a nursing care bed as a first embodiment using an operating device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an overall perspective view of a nursing care bed using an operating device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an operating section of an operating device. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an operating section of an operating device. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an operating section of an operating device. 
         FIG. 6  is an overall perspective view showing a mounting state of an action section of an operating device. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of an acting section. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a bifurcating section. 
         FIG. 9  is an overall cross-sectional view of an extension mechanism. 
         FIG. 10  is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of an operating device showing another configuration. 
         FIG. 11  is an overall perspective view of a desk with an operating device of the present invention mounted as a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a plane view showing a height adjustment mechanism. 
         FIG. 13  is an overall perspective view of a desk with the operating device according to the present invention mounted as a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is an overall perspective view of a table with an operating device of the present invention mounted as a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional perspective view of a configuration of leg section in the third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter explained in detail with reference to drawings.  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an overall perspective view showing a configuration of the operating device  1  of the present invention used in a nursing care bed  2  as a first embodiment. In the nursing care bed  2 , a frame body  21  formed in a rectangular form is horizontally arranged, and four legs protruding downward at the four corners of the frame body  21  and top panels  24  and  25  covering the upper side of the frame body  21  are provided. The top panel  24  is fixed to the upper side of the frame body  21 , and the top panels  24  and  25  are arranged in a way that are reciprocally facing at a center of the bed  2 . And the top panel  25  is connected to the top panel  24  with hinges  26 A and  26 B, and the top panel  25  is configured to oscillate upward against the top panel  24 . 
     Onto legs  22 B and  22 C on the top panel  25  side, a supporting bar  23  is provided, and the rear ends of two extension devices  5 A and  5 B are connected oscillatably to the supporting bar  23 . On the lower side of the top panel  25 , a pair of supporting projections  251 A and  251 B, and a supporting bar  252  is installed between the supporting projections  251  A and  251 B. On the supporting bar  252 , the front ends of the extension devices  5 A and  5 B, which are connected to the supporting bar  23  at the rear end, are oscillatably connected. By such configuration, the inclination angle of the top panel  25  is configured to be adjusted by the extension and contraction of the extension devices  5 A and  5 B. 
     Onto the extension devices  5 A and  5 B, an operating device is connected for the operation of positioning these lengths. An operating device  4  is provided with an operation section  41 A as a pressurizing operation unit, an action section  41 C as an action unit, and branch channels  42 B and  43 B as conducting channels for guiding oil, which is a pressure conducting medium, between the operating section  41 A and the action section  41 C. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the operating section  41 A is provided for a user to operate lock release of the extension mechanism. The operating section  41 A is fixed to the side face of the frame body  21  of the nursing care bed  2 , and is provided adjacent to the top panel  25 , thus the release operation can be performed simultaneously when performing an oscillating operation on the top panel  25 .  FIGS. 3 to 5  are cross-sectional views of the operating section  41 A of the operating device  4 . On to the operating section  41 A, which is a pressurizing operating unit, provided are, an operating section main body  410 A, a mounting section  411  to fix the operating section main body  410 A to the frame body  21 , an operating member  412 A, and a piston  44 A, which has a piston rod  45 A. 
     The operating section main body  410 A and the mounting section  411  are formed as a unit. A cylinder  43 A is formed inside the operating section main body  410 A and a piston  44 A is stored in the cylinder  43 A. The cylinder  43 A communicates to a valve chamber  47 A through a communicating channel  431 A, and a lid body  48 A is inserted into the rear end portion of the valve chamber  47 A. The lid body  48 A is communicated with a lead-out channel  473 A. And one end of the lead-out channel  473 A has an opening  472 A inside the valve chamber  47 A, and the other end has an opening at a connecting portion of the connecting tube  411 B. The front end of the cylinder  43 A is blocked by the lid body  42 A. The piston rod  45 A connected to the piston  44 A is inserted through the lid body  42 A, and protrudes outside of the operating portion main body  41 A, and its front end contacts the operating member  412 A. 
     Onto the opening  471 A, where the valve chamber  47 A and communicating channel  431 A are connected, a taper is formed and the front end of the valve body  46 A is caught in this opening  471 A. The valve body  46 A is stored inside the valve chamber  47 A and is provided reciprocatably in the axis direction of the valve chamber  47 A. Onto the front end of the valve body  46 A, a seal member  463 A is installed and this contacts to the taper face of the opening  471 A. Also, onto the rear end of the valve body  46 A, a taper face  464 A is formed. This taper face  464 A contacts the opening  472 A when the valve body  46 A moves to the rear end side. 
     Also, the valve body  46 A has a circulation opening  461 A on the front end, and this circulation opening  461 A is communicating to the external side face of the valve body  46  though a channel  462 A. The cylinder  43 A and the valve chamber  47 A are maintained in a state that the oil can be circulated under a predetermined amount even when the valve body  46 A is blocking the opening  471 A by the circulation channel  461 A and the channel  462 A. Further, a throttle section  466 A, which communicates with the channel  462 A and the rear end, is formed. The throttle section  466 A functions as a throttle to regulate the flow rate when the valve body  46 A contacts the opening  472 A. The throttle section  466 A is a channel with a smaller traverse area compared to the circulation opening  461 A. 
     Between the valve body  46 A and the lid body  48 A of the rear end side, a compressed spring  465 A as a bias member are provided, thereby the valve body  46 A is constantly biased towards the opening  471 A. A spring  451 A is externally mounted to bias in a direction to which the piston rod  45 A is pulled out. This is also to restore the piston rod  45  after a release operation. 
     Next, the action section  41 C is explained. The action section  41 C is provided to each of the piston rods  52 A and  53 B on each of the extension mechanisms  5 A and  5 B. The action section  41 C provided to the piston rod  52 A of the extension mechanism  5 A is hereinafter explained.  FIG. 6  is an overall perspective view of an attaching state of the action section  41 C.  FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the action section  41 C. The action section  41 C is provided with an action section main body  410 C, a connecting section  42 C to connect and fixed the front end of the piston rod  52  of the extension mechanism  5 , and a piston  44 C. 
     A cylinder  43 C is formed inside the action section main body  410 C, and a piston  44 C is stored in the cylinder  43 C. Also, inside the cylinder  43 C, an operating button  53 A of the piston rod  52 A connected though the connecting section  42 C is inserted and contacts a face on one side of the piston  44 C. On the face on the opposite side of the piston  44 C, an oil chamber filled with oil by the cylinder  43 C and the piston  44 C is formed ( FIG. 7  illustrates a condition where the oil is pressed out). Onto the cylinder  43 C, the communicating channel  45 C is connected, and the communicating channel  45 C is connected to the branch channel  43 B though the connecting section  432 B. 
     Onto the action section main body  410 C, a looped section  47 C is formed as a connecting section, and a supporting bar  252  is inserted into a insertion hole  471 C, which is formed in a center of the looped section  47 C. The action section main body  410 C is rotatably connected against the supporting bar  252  at the looped section  47 C. The operating section  41 A and the action section  41 C are connected through an oil feeding pipe, and the oil, that is a pressure communicating medium, is circulated between the cylinder  43 A of the operating section  41 A and the cylinder  43 C of the action section  41 C through the oil feeding pipe. 
     The oil feeding pipe is provided with a conducting channel  41 B, a bifurcating section  6 , and two branch channels  42 B and  43 B. The conducting channel  41 B and the branch channels  42 B and  43 B are loop bodies configured from a flexible material, and for example, it may be configured from a synthetic resin. By configuring the conducting channel  41 B and branch channels  42 B and  43 B from a soft material, the resistance against deformation is decreased, thereby the resistance applied to the up and down of the top panel  25  can be decreased. 
     The conducting channel  41 B and the two branch channels  42 B and  43 B are connected through the bifurcating section  6 . The configuration of the bifurcating section  6  is explained with reference to a cross-section diagram of  FIG. 8 . The bifurcating section  6  is provided with a housing  61 , storing sections  63 A and  63  B to store flow rate regulating sections  60 A and  60 B, a flow dividing chamber  62 , and bifurcating channels  67 A and  67 B. The flow-dividing chamber  62  is provided with a connecting opening  621  to be connected to the conducting channel  41 B, and further, each one end of the storing sections  63 A and  63 B are opened. The flow rate regulating sections  60 A and  60 B are stored in each of storing sections  63 A and  63 B. Each of connecting ends  421 B and  431 B of the branch channels  42 B and  43 B are connected to each bifurcating channel  67 A and  67 B. Each of the flow-rate regulating sections  60 A and  60 B have the same configuration, thus one of the flow-rate regulating sections  60 A is explained here, and the explanation for the configuration of the other flow rate regulating section  60 B is omitted. 
     On an opening  632 A on the flow-dividing chamber  62  side of the storing section  63 A, a loop-form stopper  633 A is buried in the inner wall. A tube-form valve  64 A contacts the stopper  633 A. The valve  64  has a tube section  641 A and a plate-form valve section  642 A, which is provided to the stopper  633 A side of the tube section  641 A. The tube section  641 A is movably fitted to the inside of a projection section  631 A that protrudes into the storing section  63 A. The plate-form valve section  642 A has a circular-form valve opening  644 A at a center. The valve  64 A is biased towards the stopper  633 A by a compressed spring  65 A inserted between the circumferential end of the valve section  642 A and the projection section  631 A. A valve seat  66 A is arranged inside of the valve  64 A. The valve  66 A has a conical form, and its front end reaches inside the valve opening  644 A formed in the center of the valve  64 A. The oil circulates between the flow-dividing chamber  62  and an inner space  643 A of the valve  64 A though a gap formed between the valve opening  644 A and the front end portion of the valve seat  66 A. On the front end portion of the valve seat  66 A, a taper  661 A is formed. Thus, when the oil flows into the flow rate regulating sections  60 A from the flow dividing chamber  62 , the gap gradually decreases as the valve body  64 A moves towards the rear end of the valve seat  66 A by the hydraulic pressure, and ultimately blocks the valve opening  644 A of the valve  64 A. The rear end  662 A of the valve seat  66 A is screwed to fix to a supporting section  671 A provided inside the storing section  63 A. At a rear end opening of the storing section  63 A, a tube-form connecting member  68 A is threaded in and the connecting end  421 B of the branch channel  42 B is connected. The oil flowing into the rear end direction of the valve seat  66 A from the valve opening  644  flows into the branch channel  42 B though a space formed around the supporting section  671 A. 
     By the balance of the spring  65 A and the pressure from the oil flowing into the valve opening  644 A of the valve  64 A, the spacing formed between the valve opening  644 A and the valve seat  66 A is adequately adjusted and regulated to constantly flow in a certain flow rate. Because the flow rate regulating section  60 B, which has the same configuration as such flow rate regulating section  60 A, is proximately provided, the amount of the oil, that is a pressure communicating medium, supplied to each of branch channels  42 B and  43 B can be virtually equal, and the amount of the positioning operation of the extension mechanisms  5 A and  5 B (namely, the distance of the piston  44 C) can be virtually equal. In this way, the extension operation for the extension mechanisms  5 A and  5 B can be performed at the same time. 
     Next, the configuration of the extension mechanisms  5 A and  5 B is hereinafter explained.  FIG. 9  is a cross sectional side view of the extension mechanism  5 A. The extension mechanism  5 B has the same configuration as the extension mechanism  5 A, therefore the explanation is omitted. The extension mechanism  5 A is provided with a cylinder main body  51 A, a piston  54 A, a piston rod  52 A, a gas  55 RA, a piston  551 RA for a gas spring, and a positioning mechanism  56 A. 
     One end of the cylinder main body  51 A is provided with a looped section  511 A as a connecting section, and the supporting bar  23  is rotatably inserted into a hole of the looped section  511 A. The cylinder main body  51 A is formed in a tube form, and a cylinder  55 A is formed inside the cylinder main body  51 A. Inside of the cylinder  55 A, a piston  54 A is stored and divides the cylinder  55 A into a first chamber  55 AA and a second chamber  55 BA. A fluid  55 WA, such as oil, is filled in each of the first chamber  55 AA and the second chamber  55 BA. 
     In the piston  54 A, a mounting section  542 A of the piston rod  52 A on the second chamber  55 BA side, and one end of the piston rod  52 A is connected to the mounting section  542 A. The other end of the piston rod  52 A protrudes outside of the cylinder  55 A, and an operating button  53 A protrudes from the front end of the piston rod. As the piston  54 A moves inside the cylinder  554 A, the piston rod  52 A advances and retracts against the cylinder  55 A, thereby the total length of the extension mechanism  5 A extends and retracts. 
     On the center of the piston rod  52 A, an operating rod  541 A is inserted in the axis direction, one end of the operating rod  541 A is connected to a valve  561 A, with the other end configuring the operating button  53 A described above. The valve  561 A is stored in the piston  54 A. A circulation channel  562 A is formed in the piston  54 A. One end of the circulation channel  562 A is open to the first chamber  55 AA, and the other end is open to the second chamber  55 BA. In this way, the fluid  55 WA filled in the cylinder  55 A can move between the first chamber  55 AA and the second chamber  55 BA through this circulation channel  562 A, thereby the piston  54 A is enabled to move while the fluid is in a movable state. 
     On the opening on the first chamber  55 AA side of the circulation channel  562 A, a valve  561 A is provided. When the operating button  53 A is pressed in, the valve  561 A protrudes to the first chamber  55 A side and opens the circulation channel  562 A, thereby the piston  54 A is in a movable state, that is, an expandable state. Also, when the valve  561 A blocks the opening on the first chamber  55 AA side of the circulation channel  562 A, the extension mechanism  5 A is in a non-expandable state, and in a state that is positioned at a predetermined length. In this way, the positioning mechanism  56 A is provided with an operating rod  541 A, a valve  561 A, and a circulation channel  562 A. 
     In the first chamber  55 AA, a gas  55 RA and a piston  551 RA for gas spring is provided. The piston  551 RA segregates the gas  55 RA and the oil  55 WA and acts as a buffering mechanism when a load is applied in the compressing direction of the extension mechanism  5 A and the gas  55 RA is compressed and increased in volume. 
     In the configuration described above, when operating the operating lever  471 A and a large operating amount is taken, a rapid increase in the operating amount of the pressure communicating medium can be suppressed by the effect of the valve  46 A of the operating section  41 A. Further, the operating amount communicated to the positioning mechanism of each of the extension mechanisms  5 A and  5 B is adjusted to be equal by the bifurcating section  6 . Namely, because the rapid increase in the operating amount of the pressure communicating medium is suppressed, a fine adjustment of the distance of the valve  561 A of the positioning mechanism  56 A can easily performed, thus the top panel  25  can easily be operated such that up and down speed of the top panel  25  is gradual. Further, by the bifurcating section  6 , the operating amount communicated to the positioning mechanism of each of the extension mechanisms  5 A and  5 B is adjusted to be equal, thereby the contraction amount of two of the extension mechanisms  5 A and  5 B can be equal. 
     Another example of a configuration is hereinafter explained. In  FIG. 10 , a groove  474 A is formed in a diameter direction at the taper face of the opening  472 A, instead of the throttle section  466 A formed on the valve  46 A. Both ends of the groove  474 A reach to the outer circumference edge and the inner circumference edge of the opening  472 A. The oil circulates in the groove  474 A and acts as a throttle section while the valve  46 A blocks the opening  472 A. As another configuration of the throttle, other than forming a groove on the opening  472 A, a circulation channel  475 A, which communicates the valve chamber  47 A and the lead out channel  473 A, may be formed separately and the circulation channel  475 A functions as a throttle. 
       FIGS. 11 and 13  illustrate overall perspective views of a desk  3  with the operating device of the present invention mounted as a second embodiment. The desk  3  is configured to be able to adjust heights.  FIG. 11  shows the desk set to the highest position, and  FIG. 13  shows the desk  3  set to the lowest position.  FIG. 12  is a plane view of a height adjustment mechanism. 
     The desk  3  has a top panel  31 , two elevation supporting devices  32 A and  32 B, height adjusting mechanisms  33 A and  33 B, which adjust the height of the top panel  31  through the elevation supporting devices  32 A and  32 B, and an operating device  4 . The top panel  31  is formed in a rectangular form and on the lower face side of the top panel  31 , the height adjusting mechanisms  33 A and  33 B are arranged along the edges facing each other. On each height adjusting mechanism  33 A and  33 B, the elevation supporting devices  32 A and  32 B are connected respectively. Each of the height adjusting mechanisms  33 A and  33 B and the elevation supporting devices  32 A and  32 B have the same configuration, thus the configuration of the height adjusting mechanism  33 B and the elevation supporting device  32 B is explained and the explanation of the height adjusting mechanism  33 A and the elevation supporting device  32 A is omitted. 
     The height adjusting mechanism  33 A is connected to the elevation supporting device  32 A and the height adjusting mechanism  33 B is connected to the elevation supporting device  32 B. The elevation supporting device  32 B is provided with two leg members  321 B and  322 B, and a fulcrum axis  323 B rotatably connects the leg members  321 B and  322 B at the center. The fulcrum axis  323 B is inserted into an elongate hole  312 B formed on a side panel  311 B fixed to the lower face of the top panel  31 . The elongate hole  312 B is formed in a vertical direction and the fulcrum axis  323 B moves up and down in the elongated hole  312 B corresponding to the change in the height of the top panel  31 . 
     On the lower end of each of the leg members  321 B and  322 B, a roller is provided, and slide pins  321 P and  322 P are inserted into the upper ends. The height adjusting mechanism  33 B is arranged parallel on the lower face of the top panel  31 , and provided with guiding members  331  and  332 , and an extension mechanism  5 CB. In a guiding space  333  between the guiding members  331  and  332 , upper end portions of the leg members  321 B and  322 B are stored. Slide pins  321 P and  322 P inserted into the upper end portion of the each leg members  321 B and  322 B are further inserted into slits  331 S and  332 S formed on the guiding members  331  and  332 . 
     Between the slide pins  321 P and  322 P protruding outside of the guiding space  333 , an extension mechanism  5 CB is installed. The configuration of the extension mechanism  5 CB is the same as the extension mechanisms  5 A and  5 B, thus the explanation is omitted. Further, in the configuration of the extension mechanisms  5 A and  5 B, the gas  55 RA and the piston  551 RA for gas spring in the first chamber  55 AA may be omitted. Alternatively, a gas  55 RA and a piston  551 RA for gas spring on the second chamber  55 BA side may be provided to the configuration. 
     The height adjusting mechanisms  33 A positioned on the facing side are also provided with an extension mechanism  5 CA, and the elevation supporting device  32 A is also provided with leg members  321 A and  322 A, and a furculum axis  323 A. In a case when the extension mechanism  5 CB changes to the direction of compressing, the crossing angle α of the leg members  321 B and  322 B decreases, thereby the height of the top panel  31  elevates as shown in  FIG. 11 . Further, in a case when the extension mechanism  5 CB changes to the direction of extension, the crossing angle α of the leg members  321 B and  322 B increases, thereby the height of the top panel  31  descends as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     The extension mechanisms  5 CA and  5 CB are operated by the operating device  4 . The configuration and effects are the same as the configuration described above based on  FIGS. 1 to 8 , and the same reference numbers are used, thus the explanation is omitted. Onto the slide pins located diagonally on the top panel  31 , connecting pins  345 A and  345 B are provided, and the connecting pins  345 A and  345 B are connected with a link mechanism  34 . The link mechanism  34  has an oscillating member  341  rotatably supported by a rotation axis  342  on the center of the lower face of the top panel  31 , and connecting members  343 A and  343 B are oscillatably connected on the both ends of the oscillating member  341 . One end of each of the connecting members  343 A and  343 B are connected to the oscillating member  341  through the furculums  344 A and  344 A, and the other ends are oscillatably connected to each of connecting pin  345 A and  345 B. Such a link mechanism  34  equalizes the distance of the leg members at the height adjusting mechanisms  33 A and  33 B on the both ends. 
       FIG. 14  is an overall perspective view of a table  7 , which is another example of use of the operating device  4 . The table  7  has a circular shaped top panel  71 , and three leg sections  72 A,  72 B and  72 C. Each of the leg section  72 A,  72 B and  72 C has the same configuration, thus the configuration of the leg section  72 A is explained and the explanations for the other leg sections are omitted.  FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the leg section  72 A. The leg section  72 A has a cylindrical form inner storing section  74 A and an armor body  73 A. The armor body  73 A is fixed to the lower face of the top panel  71 , and the lower end has an opening. In this opening, the inner storing section  74 A is inserted. Inside the inner storing section  74 A, the extension mechanism  5 DA is stored, the cylinder main body  51 A is located on the lower side, and the piston rod  52 A protrudes upward. The action section  41 C connected to the front end of the piston rod  52 A is fixed to the top panel  71  side. Onto the action section  41 C, the branch channel  422 B is connected and extends outward from the armor body  73 A. 
     Similarly, the other leg sections  72 B and  72 C have the inner storing sections  74 B and  74 C, and the armor bodies  73 B and  74 C, and each of the armor body stores the extension mechanisms. In these three extension mechanisms, the operating device  4  locks and releases the extending position, and the extension of the extension mechanisms adjusts the height of the top panel  71 . That is, the height of the top panel  71  increases as the extension mechanism extends, and the height of the top panel  71  decreases as the extension mechanism contracts. 
     The bifurcating section  6  of the operating device  4  operates the extension mechanism and has three flow rate regulating sections, and three bifurcating channels communicating to each of the flow rate regulating sections. Each bifurcating channel is connected to one end of the branch channels  421 B,  422 B and  423 B, and the other ends are connected to the action section  41 C of the extension mechanism integrated into each leg section  72 A,  72 B, and  72 C. By configuring in this way, the flow rate of the pressure communicating medium supplied from the operating section  41 A is distributed equally to each of the leg sections  72 A,  72 B and  72 C. And the leg sections  72 A,  72 B, and  72 C start or stop extending and contracting at the same time. 
     The present invention is explained with reference to examples, however, the present invention is not limited to these. For example, the operating device of the present invention may be applied to anything that adjusts the operating amount by communicating the pressure, and not limited to the nursing care bed, desk, or table. For example, the operating device of the present invention may be applied to a foot pedal for an automobile (such as a foot brake or a gas pedal). Also, various members are explained above, however, all of the members explained above may not be necessary to function each unit. For example, in the flow rate regulating unit, the compressed spring is used as a bias member, however, the bias member other than the compressed spring may be used and the function to regulate the flow rate of the pressure communicating medium can be fulfilled. 
     The conducing channel and the branch channel may be configured with a thermoplastic resin. As an effect, the thermoplastic resin softens and is capable of expanding outward in a case when the pressure communicating medium expands due to an increase in an ambient temperature, thereby the increase in volume from the rise in the temperature of the pressure communicating medium can be absorbed in the expansion. Specially, in a system in which the pressure communicated though the pressure communicating medium is operated by converting the pressure by the pressure operating unit into the switching operation of the position fix state and the released state of the positioning unit, the thermal expansion of the pressure communicating medium can suppress the pressure from reaching the release state from the position fix state.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5