Long desk

Abstract

To provide a long desk that can suppress propagation of vibration via a top board.SOLUTION: A long desk 1A capable of being used by two or more users side by side includes: a top board 2; and a leg part 3 placed on a floor surface and supporting the whole top board 2 from below. The top board 2 is divided into a plurality of divided regions 6 in a direction along a long side 4 by slits 5 that are opened at the long side 4 along which users are positioned side by side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a long desk that can be used by two or more users side by side. [Background technology]

[0002] Office working styles are becoming more diverse, including the so-called "free address" style, where employees work at any seat in the office without having a fixed desk. To accommodate such working styles, the use of long tables that can be used by two or more people side by side is also increasing. Long tables can be used by users using only one of the two parallel long sides of the tabletop, or by users using each of the two long sides (face-to-face style). Patent Document 1 (Figure 6) below discloses a long table that is not in a face-to-face style. Patent Document 2 (Figure 1) below discloses a face-to-face style long table that uses a single tabletop.

[0003] The tabletop of a long table is generally connected from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction, and even if the tabletop is divided in the longitudinal direction, the joints are butted together so as not to leave any gaps. In the face-to-face configuration described above, a single tabletop may be used, or the tabletop may be made up of two long plates. Even if the tabletop is made up of two long plates, each tabletop is generally connected from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction, and even if the tabletop is divided in the longitudinal direction, the joints are butted together so as not to leave any gaps. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-076590 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-165844 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] A long table is often used by two or more people sitting side by side, and the tabletop is shared. For example, vibrations from a cell phone's vibration function can be transmitted through the tabletop to the shared user's area, causing inconvenience to the other users. Furthermore, as the number of people sitting side by side increases, the tabletop's aspect ratio increases, resulting in a tabletop length of several meters. In such cases, vibrations due to resonance in the tabletop are more likely to occur. Vibrations from the air conditioning system for the floor below can be transmitted to the tabletop through the floor slab and the table's legs, causing the long tabletop to vibrate and making it uncomfortable for users. Furthermore, if a printer is placed on the tabletop, the printer's movement during printing can induce vibrations in the tabletop.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a long desk capable of suppressing the transmission of vibrations through the tabletop. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The long desk according to the present invention can be used by two or more users sitting side by side and includes a tabletop and legs that rest on the floor and support the entire tabletop from below. The tabletop is divided into a plurality of sections along the long side by slits that open along the long side along which the users sit side by side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the long table of the present invention, the transmission of vibrations through the table top can be effectively suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a long table according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a long table according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a slit in a long table according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The term "long table" as used herein refers to a table that can be used by two or more users side by side. In the case of a long table that is not in a face-to-face configuration, the overall aspect ratio (long side / short side) of the tabletop is 2 or greater. In the case of a long table that is in a face-to-face configuration, when the tabletop is divided into two parts according to the face-to-face configuration, the aspect ratio of one of the divided parts is 2 or greater. Here, the long side of the tabletop along which users side by side, i.e., the side that users face when using the tabletop, is referred to as the "front side." Furthermore, the term "long table" as used herein refers to a table whose front side is approximately 1.5 meters or longer in length in addition to the aspect ratio requirement of the tabletop described above. Furthermore, the term "long table" as used herein refers to a table whose front side is supported from below by legs only at both ends. In other words, in a long table, the front side is not supported from below by legs except at both ends. Below, a long table according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] A face-to-face long table 1A according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in the figures, the long table 1A is configured to face each other, and is designed to accommodate three users seated along each long side 4 of the long table 1A. The long table 1A includes a tabletop 2 and legs 3 that support the entire tabletop 2 from below. The tabletop 2 of this embodiment has a uniform thickness. The tabletop 2 is divided into multiple divided areas 6 along the long side 4, i.e., the front side 4, along which users sit side by side, by slits 5. Here, the side opposite the front side 4 of the tabletop 2 will be referred to as the rear side 7. Because the long table 1A of this embodiment is configured to face each other, it has two parallel front sides 4, and for convenience, the center between these two front sides 4 will be referred to as the rear side 7.

[0012] In this embodiment, six divided regions 6 are formed in the tabletop 2 by slits 5. The tabletop 2 is also made up of three plate materials. Each slit 5 is open at the front edge 4, and in this embodiment, it is formed to reach the rear edge 7. However, each slit 5 does not have to reach the rear edge 7, as long as it is formed at least to the center (about 50%) between the front edge 4 and the rear edge 7. For example, in a configuration in which each slit 5 is formed to reach 80% between the front edge 4 and the rear edge 7, the single tabletop 2 that is connected at the rear edge 7 is divided into multiple divided regions 6 by the slits 5.

[0013] Note that opposing inner surfaces within the slit 5 do not contact each other. In other words, the slit 5 is formed when opposing inner surfaces are not in contact with each other, and a slit 5 is defined as a slit 5 when the distance between the inner surfaces is about 1 mm or more. In the drawings, the slits 5 are depicted with a wide distance between them to make them easier to understand. In this embodiment, the slits 5 are formed vertically when viewed from the front edge 4, but they may also be formed in a crank shape or a diagonal linear shape. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slits 5 are formed linearly and perpendicular to the front edge 4 when viewed from above, but they may also be formed in a curved shape or a diagonal linear shape relative to the front edge 4. The slits 5 may also be formed in a zigzag or serpentine shape when viewed from above.

[0014] The leg 3 has an H-shape in plan view and is formed by a pair of side panels 30 and a beam 31 connecting these side panels 30. The lower edge of each side panel 30 contacts the floor surface, and the upper edge contacts the underside of the tabletop 2. The upper edge of each side panel 30 supports the tabletop 2 from below. The beam 31 is located at a position corresponding to the rear side edge 7 and connects the upper centers of the pair of side panels 30. The upper edge of the beam 31 contacts the underside of the tabletop 2. The tabletop 2 is also supported from below by the beam 31 connected to the side panels 30. In this embodiment, the lower edge of the beam 31 does not reach the floor surface, but it may reach the floor surface. The tabletop 2 is fixed to the leg 3, i.e., the side panels 30 and the beam 31, by a bracket (not shown) or the like having an L-shaped cross section.

[0015] In this embodiment, the legs 3 are formed of three plate members, and the load applied to the tabletop 2 is transmitted to the floor by a pair of side plates 30. However, the legs 3 may of course be formed in the form of rod-like "legs" rather than plate-like. For example, legs in the form of rod-like members located at the four corners of the tabletop 2 connected by H-shaped members may be used. In this case, the central member of the H-shape corresponds to the beam plate 31 shown in Figure 2. The slit 5 portion is not supported from below by the legs 3.

[0016] The advantages of the long table 1A of the above embodiment will be described.

[0017] The long table 1A of the above embodiment can be used by two or more users sitting side by side, and includes a tabletop 2 and legs 3 that rest on the floor and support the entire tabletop 2 from below. The tabletop 2 is divided into multiple divided areas 6 in the direction along the long side 4 (front side) by slits 5 that open at the long side 4 along which the users sit side by side. Therefore, the slits 5 suppress the transmission of vibrations between adjacent divided areas 6, eliminating problems caused by vibrations caused by multiple users sharing the long table 1A.

[0018] Generally, the longer and larger a component is, the lower its resonant frequency. The resonant frequency of a short, individual desk that is not shared is relatively high. However, a long table with a single long tabletop has a low resonant frequency. This can cause the tabletop to resonate with vibrations from the air conditioning equipment for the floor below, impairing livability. However, with the long table 1A of this embodiment, the tabletop 2 is divided into multiple divided areas 6 by slits 5, which prevents the resonant frequency from decreasing. Therefore, with the long table 1A of this embodiment, the problem of vibration due to resonance can be solved.

[0019] Next, a face-to-face long table 1B according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The long table 1B of this embodiment has the same basic configuration as the long table 1A of the first embodiment described above. Therefore, the same or equivalent components are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Below, only components that are different from the long table 1A described above will be described.

[0020] The tabletop 2 of this embodiment is also composed of three plates separated by slits 5. In this case, only the central plate constituting the tabletop 2 is supported from below by the beam plate 31 only at its rear edge 7, forming a cantilevered support structure. The plate members on both sides of the tabletop 2 are supported from below by the beam plate 31, and their side edges are also supported from below by the side plates 30. Therefore, the load-bearing capacity of the central plate (divided region 6), which forms a cantilevered support structure, is lower than that of the plate members on both sides (divided regions 6). To ensure the load-bearing capacity, the central plate may be formed to have a cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 3 rather than a uniform thickness. Specifically, in the central plate (divided region 6), the thickness of the tabletop 2 increases from the front edge 4 toward the rear edge 7. This improves the strength and rigidity of the central plate (divided region 6), thereby improving the load-bearing capacity and vibration resistance. In this embodiment, the beam plate 31 is reduced in height only at its center.

[0021] In this embodiment, the top plate 2 gradually becomes thicker from the front edge 4 to the rear edge 7, but the thickness may also be increased in a stepped manner. Also, in this embodiment, the thickness increases linearly, but the top plate 2 may be formed so that the thickness increases in a curved manner, for example, so that the thickness increases sharply as it approaches the rear edge 7. Furthermore, in this embodiment, only the central plate member (division region 6) has the cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 3, and the plate members on both sides (division regions 6) have a uniform thickness. However, all of the plate members may have the cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 3. In this case, it is sufficient to use side plates 30 with a notch cut out in the center of the upper edge.

[0022] The advantages provided by the long table 1A of the first embodiment described above are also provided by the long table 1B of this embodiment. Furthermore, with the long table 1B of this embodiment, the load-bearing capacity and vibration resistance characteristics of the table top 2 can be reliably ensured (particularly with respect to the divided area 6 located in the center).

[0023] Next, a modification of the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In the above-described embodiment, the slits 5 were exposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the table top 2. Although the gap between the slits 5 was 1 mm or more, it was conceivable that the slits 5 would be a hindrance in terms of usability as a desk. Therefore, in this modification, the interior of the slits 5 is filled with a vibration transmission reducing material 8. The vibration transmission reducing material 8 fills the physical recess of the slits 5, making the upper surface of the table top 2 flat and improving usability. Note that in cases where the transmission of vibrations is reduced more when the slits 5 are formed and filled with a filler than when the slits 5 are not formed, this filler is referred to as the vibration transmission reducing material 8.

[0024] An example of the vibration transmission reducing material 8 is Elastite (registered trademark) manufactured by Aoi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., which is sold as a joint filler. A urethane material or a sponge material may also be used as the vibration transmission reducing material 8. For example, after the slits 5 are formed, urethane may be foamed in the slits 5, thereby filling the slits 5 with the vibration transmission reducing material 8. In this modification, a finishing material 10 is attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the table top 2, spanning the slits 5, so that the slits 5 and the vibration transmission reducing material 8 are not visible from the outside.

[0025] If the slits 5 were visible, in this embodiment, three users would likely line up side by side along the front edge 4, limiting the ways in which it could be used. If the slits 5 were not visible, it would be easier for four users to line up side by side along the front edge 4. In other words, the ways in which it could be used would be more diverse. Known materials can be used as the finishing material 10, and for example, a resin sheet or the like can be used as the finishing material 10.

[0026] Furthermore, in this modified example, a vibration-absorbing sheet member 9 is further provided, spanning the slit 5 and covering the upper or lower surface of the tabletop 2. In this modified example, the vibration-absorbing sheet member 9 is provided on both the upper and lower surfaces, but it may be provided on only one of them. The vibration-absorbing sheet member 9 functions as a damper and has the effect of quickly damping vibrations. An example of the vibration-absorbing sheet member 9 is Sorbothane (registered trademark) manufactured by Sanshin Kosan Co., Ltd.

[0027] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and their modifications, and can be implemented in various forms. Furthermore, the scope of rights encompassed by the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and their modifications. For example, while the above-described embodiments and their modifications are long tables with a face-to-face configuration, a long table that is not a face-to-face configuration may also be used. In the case of a long table that is not a face-to-face configuration, the rear side opposite the front side may be supported from below by legs. In this case, for example, a board that covers the gap between the top board and the floor board may be provided along the entire length of the rear side to provide a screen, and this board is part of the legs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 1A, 1B long desk 2. Top plate 3 legs 4 Front side (long side where users stand side by side) 5 Slits 6 divided area 8. Vibration transmission reduction material 9. Vibration absorbing sheet material

Claims

1. A long desk that can be used by two or more users side by side, The table has a top plate and legs that are placed on a floor surface and support the entire table from below, The tabletop is divided into a plurality of divided areas along the long side by slits that are open along the long side along which users sit side by side.

2. The long desk according to claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the tabletop increases from the long side toward the back of the tabletop.

3. 3. The long desk according to claim 1, further comprising a vibration-absorbing sheet member that straddles the slit and covers the upper or lower surface of the tabletop.

4. 3. The elongated desk according to claim 1, wherein the interior of the slit is filled with a vibration transmission reducing material.

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