Fixture, and fixture system

Abstract

To provide a fixture that can enhance usability, and a fixture system.SOLUTION: A fixture 1 comprises: a base part 2 placed on a floor surface F; a chair part 3 provided on the base part 2, and comprising a seat 32 on which a user can be seated; and a wall part 4 extending upward from the base part 2, and surrounding at least a portion around the chair part 3. The wall part 4 is provided so as to be capable of switching between a first work form P1 in which the user can work while it is arranged in front of the chair part 3, and a second work form in which the user can work while at least a portion in front of the chair part 3 is opened.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to fixtures and fixture systems. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a booth that includes a booth body with multiple panels erected on the floor and a top panel provided inside the booth body, the top surface of which serves as a work surface. In such a booth, a user can sit on a chair placed inside the booth body and work on the work surface. This allows the user to work in a good environment within the space enclosed by the booth body while preventing others from looking in. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6868076 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, for example, if a user wants to communicate with other users around them, the user must stand up from their chair and go from inside the booth to the outside, which is time-consuming. For this reason, there is a demand for greater convenience. An object of the present invention is to provide fixtures and fixture systems that can increase convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following aspects. (1) A fixture according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a base portion placed on a floor surface, a chair portion provided on the base portion and having a seat on which a user can sit, and a wall portion extending upward from the base portion and surrounding at least a portion of the periphery of the chair portion, the wall portion being switchable between a first working configuration in which the user can work when positioned forward relative to the chair portion, and a second working configuration in which the user can work when at least a portion of the front of the chair portion is open. According to this aspect, in the first working configuration, the wall is positioned forward relative to the chair, allowing the user to sit on the seat of the chair and work while being surrounded by the wall in front, preventing others from looking in from the front. In the second working configuration, the wall opens at least a portion of the front relative to the chair, allowing the user to communicate with other users while remaining seated in the chair. This increases convenience for the user.

[0006] (2) In the fixture according to the aspect (1) above, it is preferable that the base is provided with a running mechanism that can move on its own on the floor surface. According to this aspect, the base is equipped with a traveling mechanism, allowing users to move around the office space while remaining seated in the chair. This reduces the need for users to walk, even if the location where they work in the first working mode is different from the location where they communicate with other users in the second working mode. Furthermore, by leaving the unit in the first usage mode while the furniture is being moved, users can continue working. This further enhances convenience.

[0007] (3) In the fixture according to the aspect (2) above, it is preferable that the wall portion has a functional portion that can be used by the user in the first working mode. According to this aspect, the wall portion not only blocks the view from the surroundings, but also has a functional portion that is useful to the user, thereby further increasing convenience for the user.

[0008] (4) In the fixture according to any one of the above aspects (1) to (3), it is preferable that the wall portion is provided so as to be slidable on a circumference centered on an axis extending in the vertical direction. According to this aspect, since the wall portion can slide circumferentially, when switching the wall portion between the first usage form and the second usage form, there is less need to secure space around the wall portion to move it.

[0009] (5) In the fixture according to the aspect (4) above, it is preferable that the wall portion has an arc shape when viewed from above. According to this aspect, the wall portion is arc-shaped with the user seated on the chair portion at the center, thereby preventing the fixture from becoming too large.

[0010] (6) In the fixture according to the above aspect (4) or (5), it is preferable that the upper part of the wall portion has a larger diameter in a direction away from the seat portion than the lower part of the wall portion. According to this aspect, since the upper part of the wall portion has a larger diameter than the lower part of the wall portion, a wide work space surrounded by the wall portion can be secured within the range of the user's field of vision. In addition, since the lower part of the wall portion is smaller than the upper part of the wall portion, the base can be made smaller.

[0011] (7) In the fixture according to any one of the above aspects (4) to (6), it is preferable that the circumferential length of the upper part of the wall portion, centered on the axis, is greater than the circumferential length of the lower part of the wall portion. According to this aspect, by making the circumferential length of the upper part of the wall portion greater than the circumferential length of the lower part of the wall portion, a wide range of the user's field of vision can be surrounded by the wall portion, and in the first usage mode, it is possible to more effectively prevent people from looking in from the surroundings. Also, because the circumferential length of the lower part of the wall portion is smaller than the circumferential length of the upper part of the wall portion, it is possible to prevent the feet of users from interfering with the wall portion when they enter or exit the fixture.

[0012] (8) In the fixture relating to any of the above aspects (1) to (7), it is preferable that the chair portion further includes a backrest capable of supporting the user from the back, and that the wall portion is positioned rearward of the backrest in the second working form. According to this aspect, in the second working configuration, the wall portion is positioned behind the backrest of the chair portion, which prevents the wall portion from blocking the user's line of sight and increases the sense of openness for the user.

[0013] (9) In the fixture according to any one of the above aspects (1) to (8), it is preferable that the upper surface of the base is movable up and down. According to this aspect, it becomes easier for users to get on and off the base when entering or exiting the fixture.

[0014] (10) A fixture system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of fixtures according to any one of aspects (1) to (9) above. According to this aspect, by providing multiple pieces of furniture in the office space, multiple users can work in a good environment while preventing others from looking in on them in the first work mode, and can communicate well with each other in the second work mode. In this way, convenience for multiple users can be increased.

[0015] (11) In the fixture system according to the aspect (10) above, in the second operating mode, it is preferable that the fixtures are arranged with the front ends of the seating portions facing each other. According to this aspect, in the second working mode, the front ends of the seating sections of the fixtures can be aligned to face each other, so that the open sides of the walls face each other as seen by the users of the fixtures. This allows the users to communicate well with each other while remaining seated in the seating sections. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, convenience can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base and seat of the furniture, seen from a direction different from that of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing the state in which the wall part of the furniture is placed behind the seat part. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the state in which the wall part of the furniture is placed behind the chair part. [Figure 7] This is a side view showing the state in which the wall part of the furniture is placed behind the seat part. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of multiple fixtures in the fixture system according to this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the fixture and fixture system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a fixture 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a side view of the fixture 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the furniture 1 includes a base 2, a seat portion 3, a wall portion 4, and a functional portion 5. In the following description, the front as seen from the user sitting on the chair portion 3 is referred to as the front Df, the opposite direction from the user as the rear Dr, the direction connecting the front Df and the rear Dr is referred to as the front-to-back direction FR, the direction intersecting the front-to-back direction FR in the horizontal plane as the left-to-right direction LR, and the direction perpendicular to the floor surface F as the up-to-down direction V.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the base 2 and seat portion 3 of the fixture 1, seen from a different direction than in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the fixture 1. In Fig. 3, the wall portion 4 and the functional portion 5 are omitted. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the fixture 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the base 2 is placed on a floor surface F. The base 2 is, for example, circular when viewed from above. The planar shape of the base 2 is not limited to a circle, but may be an ellipse, a polygon, or the like. The base 2 includes a base main body 21 and an annular portion 28.

[0021] The base body 21 is provided in the center of the base 2 when viewed from above. The base body 21 is circular when viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 2, the base body 21 includes a bottom plate 22, an upper plate 23, a traveling mechanism 24, and a lifting mechanism (not shown). The bottom plate 22 is provided parallel to the floor surface F. The upper plate 23 is provided spaced above the bottom plate 22. The upper plate 23 is supported from below on the bottom plate 22 via a support member (not shown). The upper plate 23 forms the upper surface of the base body 21. The upper plate 23 is covered with an appropriate carpet material or the like.

[0022] The traveling mechanism 24 includes a plurality of wheels 24r, a motor (not shown) that rotates the wheels 24r, and the like, so that the base 2 can move on the floor surface F. At least a portion of the lower part of the plurality of wheels 24r protrudes downward from the bottom plate 22. The lifting mechanism raises and lowers the top plate 23 in the vertical direction relative to the bottom plate 22. There is no particular restriction on the specific configuration of the lifting mechanism, and any configuration may be used.

[0023] Between the bottom plate 22 and the top plate 23 of the base 2, various electrical components provided on the fixture 1, a battery for powering electronic devices used by users, a controller 25 for controlling the operation of the wall section 4 and functional section 5 described below, etc. may be housed.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the annular portion 28 is provided on the radially outer side of the base body 21. The annular portion 28 is formed in a circular ring shape when viewed from above. The annular portion 28 is provided on the radially outer side of the base body 21 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction about an axis C that passes through the center of the base body 21 and extends in the up-down direction V. Therefore, the annular portion 28 is supported on the base body 21 so as to be rotatable about the axis C via, for example, an appropriate bearing or the like. Furthermore, the annular portion 28 is driven to rotate about the axis C by a motor or the like built into the base body 21. 1 and 3, in this embodiment, the annular portion 28 has a wall-like portion 28w that protrudes upward along a portion of the circumference. The wall-like portion 28w is formed so as to be located in front of the seat portion 3 when the seat is in a first working configuration P1, which will be described later. The annular portion 28 may be covered with an appropriate cushioning material and a covering material.

[0025] The seat part 3 is provided on the base body 21 of the base 2. The seat part 3 includes legs 31, a seat 32, and a backrest 33. The legs 31 are provided, for example, in pairs spaced apart in the left-right direction LR. There is no limitation on the number of legs 31, and the base body 21 may include only one, or three or more. The lower end of each leg 31 is joined to the upper plate 23 of the base body 21 by a bolt or the like. Each leg 31 extends upward from the upper plate 23. Each leg 31 may have an extension / contraction mechanism that allows it to extend and contract in the up-down direction V.

[0026] The seat 32 is supported by a pair of legs 31. The seat 32 has a seat surface 32f (see FIG. 3) on which a user can sit. The seat surface length of the seat 32 in the front-rear direction FR may be made extendable by an appropriate mechanism. The backrest 33 is provided rearward (Dr) relative to the seat 32. The backrest 33 is provided so as to rise upward from the rear end of the seat 32. The backrest 33 can support the back of a user sitting on the seat 32. The configuration and shape of the seat 3 are not limited to those shown in Fig. 1 and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the seat 3 may be provided so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the wall portion 4 extends upward from the base portion 2. When viewed from above, the wall portion 4 is formed so as to surround at least a portion of the periphery of the seat portion 3. The wall portion 4 is provided on the annular portion 28. The wall portion 4 is slidable in the circumferential direction about the axis C as the annular portion 28 rotates. As a result, the wall portion 4 is provided so as to be slidable on the circumference about the axis C that extends in the vertical direction.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, the wall 4 has an arc shape when viewed from above. In this embodiment, the wall 4 is formed in the shape of a semi-cylinder arranged coaxially with the axis C. That is, the wall 4 is partially open in the upper and horizontal directions. The wall 4 is formed so that the angle θ (the central angle of the wall 4) about the axis C when viewed from above is, for example, about 180°. The angle θ of the wall 4 may be less than 180° or may be equal to or greater than 180°. A smaller angle θ provides a greater sense of openness to a user seated on the chair 3, while a larger angle θ provides a greater sense of privacy to the user.

[0029] In this embodiment, the upper portion 4a of the wall portion 4 has a larger diameter in a direction away from the seat portion 3 than the lower portion 4b of the wall portion 4. As shown in Fig. 2, the diameter Ra of the upper portion 4a of the wall portion 4, which is centered on the axis C, is larger than the diameter Rb of the lower portion 4b of the wall portion 4, which is centered on the axis C. 4, the circumferential length La of the upper portion 4a of the wall portion 4 about the axis C is greater than the circumferential length Lb of the lower portion 4b of the wall portion 4. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, both circumferential ends 4w of the upper portion 4a of the wall portion 4 protrude outward in the circumferential direction relative to both circumferential ends 4s of the lower portion 4b. Furthermore, both circumferential ends 4s of the lower portion 4b of the wall portion 4 are formed to be recessed inward in the circumferential direction (in the direction in which the circumferential length of the wall portion 4 is reduced) relative to both circumferential ends 4w of the upper portion 4a. Additionally, the upper end 4t of the wall portion 4 is curved upward from both circumferential sides toward the inside in the circumferential direction.

[0030] The wall 4 is formed by curving a plate made of a resin material such as acrylic or polycarbonate into an arc shape when viewed from above. The material forming the wall 4 may be, for example, metal, wood, glass, or the like. The wall 4 may be made of a light-transmitting material. The wall 4 may have a function of varying the light transmittance. The wall 4 may be made of a porous plate or a mesh plate having a plurality of through-holes.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the state in which the wall portion 4 of the fixture 1 is arranged behind the seat portion 3. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the state in which the wall portion 4 of the fixture 1 is arranged behind the seat portion 3. Fig. 7 is a side view showing the state in which the wall portion 4 of the fixture 1 is arranged behind the seat portion 3. Such wall portion 4, together with the annular portion 28, can be slid along the circumference around the axis C to switch between a first working configuration P1 in which the wall portion 4 is positioned forward relative to the seat portion 3, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, and a second working configuration P2 in which at least a portion of the front of the wall portion 4 is open relative to the seat portion 3, as shown in Figures 5 to 7.

[0032] Switching between the first working form P1 and the second working form P2 is performed by a user performing a predetermined operation using an appropriate switch provided on the fixture 1 or a smartphone, tablet device, laptop, or the like that can communicate with the controller 25 provided on the fixture 1. Upon receiving the predetermined operation from the user, the controller 25 drives a motor or the like to rotate the wall portion 4 together with the annular portion 28, thereby switching the position of the wall portion 4 between the first working form P1 and the second working form P2. The controller 25 may also be configured to switch between the first working form P1 and the second working form P2 based on a preset timer or schedule information.

[0033] 1 and 4, the functional unit 5 is provided on the wall 4. The functional unit 5 has functions that can be used when the user performs work in the first working mode P1. In this embodiment, the functional unit 5 includes, for example, a display unit 51, a camera 52, and a speaker 53.

[0034] The display unit 51 is provided on the wall 4, on the inner wall surface 4f facing the inside of the fixture 1. The display unit 51 only needs to be provided on at least a part of the inner wall surface 4f. The display unit 51 may be provided on the entire inner wall surface 4f, or may be provided only on a portion of the inner wall surface 4f located at the upper part 4a of the wall 4. The display unit 51 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal monitor, an organic EL monitor, or the like, and displays video information output from the controller 25. The display unit 51 may also display video information output from a user's smartphone, tablet terminal, notebook PC, or the like via wireless communication such as wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0035] The camera 52 is provided, for example, at the circumferential center of the upper end of the wall 4. The camera 52 captures an image of a user seated on the chair 3 and outputs the captured image to the controller 25. The controller 25 transmits the image captured by the camera 52 to the outside via a wireless LAN, the Internet, a wireless public communication network, or the like.

[0036] The speakers 53 are provided, for example, at both circumferential ends 4w of the upper portion 4a of the wall portion 4. The speakers 53 output sounds and the like output from the controller 25, or the user's smartphone, tablet terminal, notebook PC, etc. The speakers 53 may be controlled by the controller to output special sounds that make it difficult for the user to hear ambient noise, sounds for noise cancellation that cancel out ambient noise, and the like.

[0037] In addition to the above, the functional unit 5 may also include, for example, a lighting device, a motion sensor that accepts various operational inputs through gesture operations by the user, a touch sensor that accepts touch input operations by the user's fingers, etc. Furthermore, as the functional unit 5, a work top plate (not shown) having an upward-facing work surface may be provided on the inner wall surface 4f of the wall 4 so that the user can perform various tasks.

[0038] In the first working configuration P1, such fixture 1 is positioned such that the wall portion 4 is positioned forward of the chair portion 3, and the user can sit on the chair portion 3 and work while facing the wall portion 4. In the second working configuration P2, the wall 4 opens at least a portion of its front side relative to the seat 3. In this embodiment, in the second working configuration P2, the wall 4 opens its entire front side relative to the seat 3. In the second working configuration P2, the user can perform work with the wall 4 positioned behind the backrest 33. In the second working configuration P2, the user can enter and exit the seat 3 in the forward direction Df and the left-right direction LR. In this case, in the second working configuration P2, the annular portion 28 rotates around the axis C together with the wall 4, and the upwardly rising wall-like portion 28w is positioned behind the seat 3. This allows the user to easily get on and off the seat from the base 2 to the forward direction Df without the wall-like portion 28w blocking their feet. Furthermore, when getting on and off the base 2, the ease of getting on and off can be further improved by lowering the upper plate 23 using a lifting mechanism (not shown).

[0039] Here, the work performed by a user in the first work configuration P1 may be different from the work performed by a user in the second work configuration P2. For example, in the first work configuration P1, the user can perform tasks such as computer work or web meetings while viewing information displayed on the display unit 51, while the wall unit 4 prevents people from looking in from the front. Furthermore, in the first work configuration P1, computer work using a smartphone, tablet device, laptop, keyboard, mouse, motion sensor, and various other tasks can be performed. In other words, because the front of the user is surrounded by the wall unit 4, the first work configuration P1 is suitable for tasks that utilize the internal environment of the fixture 1, such as concentrated work by the user alone or virtual work via a network (internal environment work mode (single-work mode)). In the second work configuration P2, the user can communicate with other users using the fixture 1 or users walking on the floor F while the front is open. In the second work configuration P2, the user can look around the office space while the front is open, and refresh themselves by feeling the sense of openness. In other words, the second work configuration P2 allows the user to work by utilizing the external environment of the fixture 1 (external environment work mode) by opening up the front of the user. In the second work configuration P2, the user can perform the same work as in the first work configuration P1 while feeling the sense of openness while the front is open.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of a plurality of fixtures 1 in the fixture system 100 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8 , the furniture system 100 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of the furniture 1 described above. The furniture system 100 is installed in a work space, such as an office. Each of the furniture 1 is operated by a user of the furniture 1 to move on the floor F of the work space, switch between a first work mode P1 and a second work mode P2, and so on. The furniture 1 may also be controlled by a controller 25 to operate in coordination with a schedule management system, such as a conference reservation system. For example, the furniture 1 may be moved within the work space or switched between the first work mode P1 and the second work mode P2, based on schedule information registered in the schedule management system. For example, if the schedule information includes the time, location, and participating members of a meeting, the furniture 1 used by the registered participating members may be automatically moved within the work space to the meeting location at the meeting time.

[0041] When users of multiple fixtures 1 communicate during a meeting or the like, each fixture 1 is placed in the second working configuration P2. In this case, the multiple fixtures 1 are arranged with the front ends 3f of the seating portions 3 facing each other. In this case, when three or more fixtures 1 are grouped together, the front ends 3f of the seating portions 3 of each fixture 1 are oriented toward the area A surrounded by the three or more fixtures 1 when viewed from above. In this way, the three or more fixtures 1 are arranged with the front ends 3f of the seating portions 3 facing each other. The multiple fixtures 1 are arranged with the wall portions 4 positioned behind the backrests 33, leaving the front open, allowing users of the multiple fixtures 1 to communicate well with each other.

[0042] Thus, in this embodiment, the fixture 1 comprises a base 2 placed on the floor surface F, a chair portion 3 provided on the base 2 and having a seat 32 on which a user can sit, and a wall portion 4 extending upward from the base 2 and surrounding at least a portion of the periphery of the chair portion 3, and the wall portion 4 is configured to be switchable between a first working form P1 in which the user can work when positioned forward relative to the chair portion 3, and a second working form P2 in which the user can work when at least a portion of the front of the chair portion 3 is open. According to this configuration, in the first working configuration P1, the wall 4 is disposed forward relative to the chair 3, so the user can sit on the seat 32 of the chair 3 and work while being surrounded by the wall 4 from the front, preventing others from looking into the user from the front. In addition, in the second working configuration P2, the wall 4 opens forward relative to the chair 3, so the user can communicate with other users while remaining seated in the chair. This increases convenience for users.

[0043] In this embodiment, the base 2 is configured to include a traveling mechanism 24 that is capable of traveling on the floor F by itself. According to this configuration, the base 2 is equipped with a traveling mechanism 24, allowing users to move around the office space while remaining seated in the chair 3. This reduces the need for users to walk, even if the location where they work in the first working configuration P1 is different from the location where they communicate with other users in the second working configuration P2. Furthermore, by leaving the wall 4 in the first working configuration P1 while the fixture 1 is being moved, users can continue working. In this way, convenience for users is further increased.

[0044] In this embodiment, the wall portion 4 is configured to include a functional portion 5 that can be used by the user in the first working mode P1. According to this configuration, the wall portion 4 not only blocks the view from the surroundings, but also has a functional portion 5 that is useful to the user, thereby further increasing convenience for the user.

[0045] In this embodiment, the wall portion 4 is configured to be slidable on a circumference centered on an axis C extending in the vertical direction. According to this configuration, the wall portion 4 can slide around the circumference, so when switching the position of the wall portion 4 between the first working form P1 and the second working form P2, there is less need to secure space around the wall portion 4 to move it.

[0046] In this embodiment, the wall portion 4 has an arc shape when viewed from above. According to this configuration, the wall portion 4 forms an arc shape centered around the user seated on the chair portion 3, thereby preventing the furniture 1 from becoming too large.

[0047] In this embodiment, the upper portion 4a of the wall portion 4 is configured to have a larger diameter in a direction away from the seat portion 3 than the lower portion 4b of the wall portion 4. According to this configuration, the upper part 4a of the wall part 4 has a larger diameter than the lower part 4b of the wall part 4, so that a wide working space surrounded by the wall part 4 can be secured within the range of the user's field of vision. In addition, the lower part 4b of the wall part 4 is smaller than the upper part 4a of the wall part 4, so that the base part 2 can be made smaller.

[0048] In this embodiment, the length La of the upper portion 4a of the wall portion 4 in the circumferential direction about the axis C is greater than the length Lb of the lower portion 4b of the wall portion 4 in the circumferential direction. According to this configuration, by making the circumferential length La of the upper part 4a of the wall part 4 greater than the circumferential length Lb of the lower part 4b of the wall part 4, the wall part 4 can surround a wide range that the user's field of vision extends, and it is possible to more effectively prevent people from looking in from the surroundings in the first working form P1. Also, because the circumferential length Lb of the lower part 4b of the wall part 4 is smaller than the circumferential length La of the upper part 4a of the wall part 4, it is possible to prevent the user's feet from interfering with the wall part 4 when the user enters or exits the fixture 1.

[0049] In this embodiment, the chair portion 3 further includes a backrest 33 capable of supporting the user from the back, and the wall portion 4 is configured to be disposed behind the backrest 33 in the second working configuration P2. According to this configuration, in the second working form P2, the wall portion 4 is positioned behind the backrest 33 of the chair portion 3, which prevents the wall portion 4 from blocking the user's line of sight and increases the sense of openness for the user.

[0050] In this embodiment, the upper surface of the base 2 is configured to be movable up and down. This configuration makes it easier for users to get on and off the base 2 when entering or exiting the fixture 1.

[0051] In this embodiment, the furniture system 100 includes a plurality of furniture 1 as described above. According to this configuration, by providing multiple pieces of furniture 1 in the office space, multiple users can work in a good environment in the first work mode P1 while preventing others from looking in on them, and in the second work mode P2, they can communicate well with each other. In this way, convenience for multiple users can be improved.

[0052] In this embodiment, in the second working configuration P2, the plurality of furniture 1 are arranged with the front ends 3f of the seat portions 3 facing each other. According to this configuration, in the second working configuration P2, by arranging the front ends 3f of the chairs 3 of the multiple fixtures 1 facing each other, the open sides of the wall sections 4 can be faced to each other as seen by the users of the multiple fixtures 1. This allows multiple users to communicate well with each other while remaining seated in the chairs 3.

[0053] (Other embodiments) Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Addition, omission, substitution, and other modifications of the configuration are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not limited by the above description, but is limited only by the appended claims. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the wall portion 4 is slidable together with the annular portion 28 in the circumferential direction around the axis C, but this is not limited to this. The annular portion 28 may be provided integrally with the base body 21 without rotating around the axis C, and the wall portion 4 may be slidable in the circumferential direction around the axis C through a gap between the annular portion 28 and the base body 21.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the wall portion 4 is configured to rotate, but the seat portion 3 may be configured to be rotatable in addition to the wall portion 4. In this case, the seat portion 3 is configured to be rotatable relative to the wall portion 4.

[0055] In the above-described embodiment, the movement of the wall 4 when switching between the first working configuration P1 and the second working configuration P2 is not limited to sliding along a circumference. The wall 4 may be switched between the first working configuration P1 and the second working configuration P2 by a linear sliding movement, an opening and closing movement using a hinge, or the like.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the wall portion 4 has an arc shape when viewed from above, but this is not limiting and the wall portion 4 may have any shape, such as a flat plate shape or an accordion shape.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, in the second working configuration P2, the entire wall 4 slides to open the entire front side relative to the seat 3, but this is not limited to this. For example, in the second working configuration P2, only the upper part of the wall 4 may be moved to open a part of the front side relative to the seat 3.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, the wall portion 4 is provided at a portion of the periphery of the fixture 1, but this is not limited to this. For example, a fixed wall may be provided behind the seat portion 3, and in the first usage mode P1, the fixed wall and the wall portion 4 may surround the entire periphery of the seat portion 3. In this case, the wall portion 4 opens and closes like a door.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment, the fixture 1 and the fixture system 100 are used in a work space such as an office, but the place of use is not limited to a work space. For example, when the fixture system 100 is used in a school, a convention hall, or the like, the fixture 1 may be in the second working configuration P2 when a user is attending a class, seminar, or conference, and may be in the first working configuration P1 at other times to study or perform various tasks on their own.

[0060] In the above-described embodiment, the type of work that the user performs on the fixture 1 is not limited to office work or meetings, but may also be, for example, studying, reading, watching videos or listening to music, etc. Other than this, there are no limitations on the location or manner in which the fixture 1 and fixture system 100 are used. In addition, within the scope of the spirit of the present invention, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described modified examples may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. Fixtures 2...Base 3...Chair 3f...front end 4...Wall part 4a...Upper 4b...lower part 5...Functional part 24...Travel mechanism 32…za 33...backrest 100...Fixture system F…Floor surface P1…First work form P2…Second work form

Claims

1. a base portion placed on a floor surface; a chair portion provided on the base and having a seat on which a user can sit; a wall portion extending upward from the base portion and surrounding at least a portion of the periphery of the seat portion; The wall portion is a first working configuration in which the user can work while being positioned forward relative to the chair portion; a second working configuration in which the user can work with at least a portion of the front of the chair open; furniture.

2. The base portion includes a traveling mechanism that is self-propelled on the floor surface. The fixture according to claim 1.

3. The wall portion includes a functional portion that can be used by the user in the first working mode. The fixture according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The wall portion is provided so as to be slidable on a circumference centered on an axis extending in the vertical direction. The fixture according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The wall portion has an arc shape when viewed from above. The fixture according to claim 4.

6. The upper portion of the wall portion has a larger diameter than the lower portion of the wall portion in a direction away from the seat portion. The fixture according to claim 5.

7. The length of the upper portion of the wall portion in the circumferential direction about the axis is greater than the length of the lower portion of the wall portion in the circumferential direction. The fixture according to claim 5.

8. The chair portion further includes a backrest capable of supporting a user from the back, The wall portion is disposed rearward relative to the backrest in the second working configuration. The fixture according to claim 4.

9. The upper surface of the base is movable up and down. The fixture according to claim 1 or 2.

10. A plurality of fixtures according to claim 1 or 2 are provided. Fixture system.

11. In the second working configuration, the plurality of furniture are arranged with the front ends of the seating portions facing each other. The fixture system of claim 10.

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