Cart device and cart system

Abstract

To provide a cart device and a cart system capable of stably supporting an article.SOLUTION: A cart device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a cart main body having a top plate and a support structure that supports the top plate from below, and casters that support the cart main body and are capable of traveling on a floor surface. The support structure includes a leg to which the caster is attached, and a column that extends upward from the leg and supports the top plate. An article support member that is attached so as to straddle between the leg portion and the support column and supports an article.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cart device and a cart system. [Background technology]

[0002] A cart device is known that includes a cart body with a tabletop and casters that support the cart body. The cart device can move forward, backward, or turn by being pushed or pulled via a grip provided at the rear of the cart body. This allows the cart device to be moved around a work space (such as an office, hospital, or public facility) with necessary items placed on the tabletop, and can be moved to a location as needed to perform work using the tabletop.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a configuration in which an optional member such as a tray is attached to a support column of the cart body. The optional member protrudes cantilevered from the support column in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. The cart device described in Patent Document 1 below is capable of traveling on a floor surface with an item loaded on the optional member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-18386 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the optional member protrudes in a cantilevered manner while being supported only by the support column, so there is still room for improvement in terms of stably supporting the item mounted on the optional member.

[0006] The present invention provides a cart device and a cart system that can stably support an article. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following aspects. (1) A cart device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a cart body having a tabletop and a support structure supporting the tabletop from below, and casters that support the cart body and can run on a floor surface, the support structure comprising legs to which the casters are attached and posts extending upward from the legs and supporting the tabletop, and an item support member attached to straddle the legs and the posts and supporting an item.

[0008] According to this aspect, the item support member is attached so as to straddle the legs and the support column, allowing the item support member to be firmly attached to the cart body, thereby enabling the item to be stably supported by the item support member even when a heavy object such as a chair is being loaded, when the item support member supports an item at a position distant from the cart body, when the item support member is being used to overcome a step on the floor, etc.

[0009] (2) A cart device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a cart body having a top plate and a support structure supporting the top plate from below, and casters that support the cart body and can run on a floor surface, the support structure comprising legs to which the casters are attached and pillars extending upward from the legs and supporting the top plate, an item support member attached to at least one of the legs and the pillars and supporting an item, a leg body extending downward from the item support member, and a stabilizing leg provided at the lower end of the leg body and having sub-casters that can run on the floor surface.

[0010] According to this aspect, the weight of the article placed on the article support section is distributed to the floor surface via the sub-casters, thereby enabling the article to be stably supported on the article support member.

[0011] (3) In the cart device according to the aspect (2) above, it is preferable that the sub-casters are capable of contacting the floor surface in an area outside the support structure in a plan view. According to this aspect, when an article is loaded on the article support member and the cart device tilts due to the weight of the article, the stabilizing legs come into contact with the floor surface. This prevents the cart device from tipping over. Furthermore, even when the stabilizing legs are in contact with the floor surface while the cart device is traveling, the sub-casters roll as the cart device travels, preventing the cart device from being hindered from traveling. Therefore, the stabilizing legs can be extended downward, making it easier to prevent the cart device from tipping over.

[0012] (4) In the cart device according to any one of the above aspects (1) to (3), it is preferable that the item support member faces a first side in a first direction that intersects the support column in an up-down direction, and that the cart body has a weight portion on a second side in the first direction relative to the support column. According to this aspect, by providing the weight portion on the side opposite the article support member, the weight of the article can be easily balanced by the weight portion, which makes it easier to prevent the cart device from tipping over.

[0013] (5) In the cart device according to any one of the above aspects (1) to (4), it is preferable that the support structure supports the top plate so that it can be raised and lowered, and that the item support member is capable of supporting items on the outside of the top plate when viewed in a plane. According to this aspect, interference between the tabletop and the items can be suppressed, so the tabletop can be adjusted to the desired height even when items are loaded. Also, in this aspect, the item support member is firmly attached to the cart body, so items can be stably supported even outside the tabletop.

[0014] (6) In a cart device according to any one of the above aspects (1) to (5), it is preferable that the item support member faces a first side of a first direction that intersects the support column in an up-down direction, and the cart body has a gripping portion in a portion that is located on a first side of a second direction that intersects the first direction when viewed from the up-down direction. According to this aspect, the item support member and the gripping portion are arranged facing in directions that intersect with each other in the vertical direction, thereby preventing interference between the user's feet and the item when the user grips the gripping portion and moves the cart device.

[0015] (7) A cart system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a cart device according to any one of aspects (1) to (6) above, and an item removably supported on the item support member. According to this aspect, since the cart device according to the above aspect is provided, articles can be stably supported. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to each of the above aspects, the article can be stably supported. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a cart system according to a first embodiment, showing a chair in use. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the cart system according to the first embodiment, showing the state in which a chair is loaded. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the cart system according to the first embodiment, showing the state in which a chair is loaded. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cart system according to the first embodiment, showing the chair in a loaded state. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the cart system showing another configuration of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cart system according to the second embodiment, showing the chair in use. [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is a rear view of the cart system according to the second embodiment, showing the state in which a chair is loaded. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view of the cart system according to the second embodiment, showing the state in which a chair is loaded. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the cart system according to the second embodiment, showing the chair in a loaded state. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cart device showing another configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments and modifications described below, corresponding components may be designated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof may be omitted. In the following description, expressions indicating relative or absolute arrangements, such as "parallel," "orthogonal," "center," and "coaxial," not only strictly refer to such arrangements, but also refer to a state in which there is a relative displacement with an angle or distance to the extent that tolerances or the same function are obtained. In this embodiment, "facing" does not only refer to a case in which the orthogonal directions (normal directions) of two surfaces are aligned with each other, but also includes a case in which the orthogonal directions intersect with each other.

[0019] (First embodiment) [Cart System 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cart system 1 showing the chair 3 in the use state P2. FIG. 2 is a side view of the cart system 1 showing the chair 3 in the loading state P1. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the cart system 1 showing the chair 3 in the loading state P1. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the cart system 1 showing the chair 3 in the loading state P1. The cart system 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 includes a cart device 2 and a chair (item) 3 that is detachably supported on the cart device 2. When the chair 3 is loaded on the cart device 2 (loaded state P1 in Figure 2), the cart system 1 can move on a floor surface F with the cart device 2 and chair 3 together. On the other hand, when the cart system 1 is in a state where a person is seated on the chair 3 that has been removed from the cart device 2 (used state (unfolded state) P2 shown in Figure 1), work can be performed using the cart device 2.

[0020] In the following description, the configuration of the cart system 1 will be described based on the chair 3 being in the use state P2. In each figure, the orientation (front-rear, up-down, left-right directions) of the entire cart system 1 is expressed using coordinates. In this case, the direction perpendicular to the floor surface F is defined as the up-down direction (arrow UP indicates upward), and the directions perpendicular to the up-down direction as viewed from the up-down direction are defined as the front-rear direction (arrow FR indicates forward) and the left-right direction (arrow LH indicates leftward), respectively. If the orientation of the cart device 2 and the orientation of the chair 3 are the same, the orientation will be described simply as the front-rear direction, up-down direction, or left-right direction. On the other hand, if the orientation of the cart device 2 and the orientation of the chair 3 are different, the orientation of the cart device 2 will be described as the cart front-rear direction or the cart left-right direction, and the orientation of the chair 3 will be described as the chair front-rear direction or the chair left-right direction. The orientation of the cart device 2 refers to the orientation as seen from a user when the user is standing on the side of the cart device 2 where the gripping unit 12 is provided. The orientation of the chair 3 refers to the orientation as seen from a user when the user is seated in the chair 3.

[0021] <Cart Device 2> The cart device 2 is used to transport items in an office space. The cart device 2 includes a cart body 10, a gripping unit 12, a lifting operation unit 13, and a chair support member (item support member) 190. The cart body 10 constitutes the exterior of the cart device 2. The cart body 10 includes a support structure 20 and a top plate 23 supported by the support structure 20 from below.

[0022] The support structure 20 includes legs 21 and posts 22 . The legs 21 function as strength members that support the support columns 22 and the top plate 23 of the cart device 2. The legs 21 are formed in an H-shape in a plan view. The legs 21 are disposed facing the floor surface F. The legs 21 include a base 31, a pair of front cart legs 32, and a pair of rear cart legs 33. In the illustrated example, the base 31, the front cart legs 32, and the rear cart legs 33 are integrally molded.

[0023] The base portion 31 extends in the left-right direction. The cart front legs 32 extend forward from both left and right ends of the base portion 31. The cart front legs 32 extend in directions that move away from each other (outward in the left and right direction) as they extend forward. The cart rear legs 33 extend rearward from both left-right end portions of the base 31. The cart rear legs 33 extend in directions that move away from each other (outward in the left-right direction) as they extend rearward. The length of the cart front legs 32 in the front-rear direction is longer than the length of the cart rear legs 33 in the front-rear direction. Casters 17 are attached to the tip ends of the cart front legs 32 and the cart rear legs 33. The casters 17 roll, allowing the cart device 2 to run on the floor surface F. The planar shape of the legs 21 is not limited to an H-shape but can be modified as appropriate to be ring-shaped, rectangular, radial (multi-legged), etc.

[0024] 2 and 3, the support column 22 is configured to be extendable in the vertical direction. Specifically, the support column 22 includes an outer cylinder 35 and an inner cylinder 36. The outer cylinder 35 is formed in an elliptical shape with its major axis extending in the left-right direction in a plan view. The outer cylinder 35 extends upward from the base portion 31. A lifting mechanism such as a gas spring is provided inside the outer cylinder 35.

[0025] The outer tube 35 is formed with a front groove 35a and a rear groove 35b. The front groove 35a extends vertically at both left and right ends of the outer tube 35, with an open front. The rear groove 35b extends vertically at both left and right ends of the outer tube 35, with an open rear. A mounting rail (not shown) is fitted into each of the grooves 35a, 35b. The mounting rail has a plurality of locking holes (not shown) formed at intervals in the vertical direction. The locking holes are exposed to the outside of the corresponding grooves 35a, 35b through the corresponding grooves 35a, 35b.

[0026] The inner cylinder 36 is inserted into the outer cylinder 35 with its upper portion protruding from the outer cylinder 35. The inner cylinder 36 is connected to an elevation mechanism inside the outer cylinder 35. This allows the inner cylinder 36 to move up and down relative to the outer cylinder 35. Note that the support column 22 may not be configured to extend or contract in the up and down direction.

[0027] The top plate 23 is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, with the longitudinal direction being the front-to-rear direction and the transverse direction being the left-to-right direction. The upper surface of the top plate 23 functions as a load-bearing surface when a user performs work or when an object is placed on it. The lower surface of the top plate 23 is fixed to the upper end of the inner cylinder 36. Therefore, the height of the top plate 23 from the floor surface F can be adjusted in accordance with the extension and contraction of the support columns 22. Note that the shape of the top plate 23 in a plan view is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may be any other polygonal shape such as a square, or a circle.

[0028] The grip portion 12 is a portion that is held by the user. The grip portion 12 is formed in a U-shape that opens forward in a plan view. The grip portion 12 is fixed to the underside of the tabletop 23, protruding rearward from the tabletop 23. In the illustrated example, the grip portion 12 extends along the rear edge of the tabletop 23, straddling the center of the tabletop 23 in the left-right direction. However, the grip portion 12 can be modified as appropriate as long as it is used to move the cart device 2.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lifting / lowering operation unit 13 controls the extension and retraction operation of the lifting mechanism. The lifting / lowering operation unit 13 is provided on the underside of the tabletop 23 at a portion located on one side (the second side in the first direction) of the center in the left-right direction. The lifting / lowering operation unit 13 is disposed below the grip unit 12. The lifting / lowering operation unit 13 is, for example, a lever type that can rotate up and down. The lifting / lowering operation unit 13 can be operated while grasping the tabletop 23 or the grip unit 12. The lifting / lowering mechanism is unlocked by operating the lifting / lowering operation unit 13. In other words, the tabletop 23 can be adjusted to any height by operating the lifting / lowering operation unit 13.

[0030] <Chair 3> 1, the chair 3 is provided, for example, behind the cart device 2, facing the cart device 2. The chair 3 is a so-called folding chair. The chair 3 includes support legs 100, a seat 101, and a backrest 102. The support leg 100 includes a front chair leg 110 and a rear chair leg 111 .

[0031] The chair front legs 110 are formed by joining a plurality of rod members together, and are formed in an H shape when viewed from the front-to-back direction of the chair. The chair front legs 110 include a pair of front vertical rods 112 and a front horizontal rod 113. The front vertical rods 112 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction of the chair. Each front vertical rod 112 extends obliquely toward the upper part of the chair and toward the rear part of the chair. The front horizontal rod 113 connects the lower ends of the front vertical rods 112. The front horizontal rod 113 also functions as a footrest when the user is seated on the chair 3.

[0032] The rear chair leg 111 is formed by joining a plurality of rod members together to form an H-shape when viewed from the front-to-rear direction of the chair. The rear chair leg 111 includes a pair of rear vertical rods 115 and a rear horizontal rod 116. The rear vertical rods 115 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction of the chair. Each rear vertical rod 115 extends at an angle toward the front of the chair toward the top of the chair. Each rear vertical rod 115 is formed in a double-tube shape with an outer rod 115a and an inner rod 115b. Each rear vertical rod 115 is configured to be extendable by inserting the inner rod 115b inside the outer rod 115a. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper end of the inner rod 115b is rotatably connected to the middle portion of the corresponding front vertical rod 112 in the chair's up-down direction. When the chair 3 is in use, the support leg 100 is in contact with the floor surface F with the front chair leg 110 and the rear chair leg 111 forming a predetermined angle. The rear horizontal rod 116 connects the lower ends of the rear vertical rods 115 (outer rods 115a) together.

[0033] The seat 101 is disposed between a pair of front vertical rods 112 and a pair of rear vertical rods 115, and is rotatably supported by the chair front legs 110 and the chair rear legs 111, respectively. Specifically, the seat 101 is rotatably connected to the front vertical rods 112 at a portion of the seat that is located lower on the chair than the connection portion between the front vertical rods 112 and the inner rod 115b. The seat 101 is rotatably connected to the upper end of the chair rear legs 111 (outer rod 115a). In the use state P2 of the chair 3, the seat 101 is supported by the support legs 100 with the seating surface 101a facing upward of the chair.

[0034] The backrest 102 spans the upper ends of the front vertical rods 112. When the chair 3 is in the use state P2, the backrest 102 is disposed at a position overlapping the rear end of the seating surface 101a when viewed from the up-down direction of the chair.

[0035] The chair 3 can be switched between the use state P2 and the folded state (see FIG. 2) by rotating the front vertical rod 112 and the rear vertical rod 115, which face each other in the chair front-to-back direction, so that they move closer to or farther apart. Specifically, the chair 3 rotates to a position where the seating surface 101a faces the rear of the chair by moving the front vertical rod 112 and the rear vertical rod 115, which face each other in the chair front-to-back direction, closer to each other until they overlap. That is, in the folded state, the seating surface 101a is arranged along the front vertical rod 112 and the rear vertical rod 115. The chair 3 can be modified as needed as long as it has a foldable configuration.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, when the chair 3 is folded, the front cross rod 113 and the rear cross rod 116 are arranged at the same height in the vertical direction. "Same height" means that at least the lower edges of the front cross rod 113 and the rear cross rod 116 are preferably arranged at the same position in the vertical direction. In other words, as long as at least the lower edges of the front cross rod 113 and the rear cross rod 116 are arranged at the same position in the vertical direction, the outer diameters of the front cross rod 113 and the rear cross rod 116 and the positions of the upper edges of the front cross rod 113 and the rear cross rod 116 can be changed as appropriate. In this embodiment, the front cross rod 113 and the rear cross rod 116 have the same shape and size, and the lower edges and upper edges are arranged at the same position in the vertical direction.

[0037] Elastically deformable pads 140 are provided on at least the lower surfaces of the front horizontal rod 113 and the rear horizontal rod 116. In the illustrated example, a plurality of pads 140 are provided on each of the front horizontal rod 113 and the rear horizontal rod 116 at intervals in the left-right direction of the chair.

[0038] <Chair support member 190> 1, the chair support member 190 is a member for mounting the chair 3 in a folded state on the cart device 2. The chair support member 190 includes a lower member 191 and an upper member 192.

[0039] 2, the lower member 191 is detachably attached to the leg 21 and supports the lower part of the chair 3. The lower member 191 includes a lower attachment portion 210, a connection piece 211, an upright piece 212, a pressing piece 213, and a lower support portion 214. The lower mounting portion 210 is formed by bending a plate material. The lower mounting portion 210 is formed in a U-shape that opens downward. The lower mounting portion 210 is attached to the cart rear leg 33a, which is located on the other side in the left-right direction of the pair of cart rear legs 33, so as to cover it from above. A slit 210a is formed in a wall portion located on one side in the left-right direction of the lower mounting portion 210, in a portion that protrudes downward beyond the cart rear leg 33a.

[0040] The connection piece 211 extends toward the other side in the left-right direction from the lower attachment portion 210. In a plan view, the other end of the connection piece 211 in the left-right direction is located outside the top panel 23. The upright piece 212 extends upward from the tip end of the connecting piece 211 (the other end in the left-right direction).

[0041] 2 and 4, the pressing piece 213 sandwiches the cart rear leg 33a between itself and the lower mounting part 210. Specifically, the pressing piece 213 is disposed below the cart rear leg 33a so as to cross the lower end opening of the lower mounting part 210. One left-right end of the pressing piece 213 is hooked onto the lower mounting part 210 through the slit 210a. The other left-right end of the pressing piece 213 is fixed to the connecting piece 211 with a screw.

[0042] 1 to 3, the lower support portion 214 is configured by bending a plate material into an L-shape when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. In the example shown, the lower support portion 214 protrudes to the other side in the left-right direction relative to the top plate 23 in a plan view. The lower support portion 214 includes a lower extending portion 214a and a lower restricting portion 214b. The lower extension 214a extends to the other side in the left-right direction from the upper end edge of the standing piece 212. The lower extension 214a can support the chair 3 on the outside of the top board 23 in a plan view. The lower restricting portion 214b extends upward from the other left-right edge of the lower extending portion 214a. A notch 214c is formed in the lower support portion 214. The notch 214c is formed so as to straddle the lower extending portion 214a and the lower restricting portion 214b.

[0043] The upper member 192 is detachably attached to the support column 22 (outer cylinder 35) and supports the upper part of the chair 3. The upper member 192 includes an upper attachment portion 230, a connection portion 231, a base frame 232, and an upper support portion 233. The upper attachment portion 230 has a locking claw (not shown) that protrudes rearward. The upper attachment portion 230 is attached to the outer tube 35 facing forward by selectively hooking the locking claw into one of a plurality of locking holes provided in each front groove portion 35a.

[0044] The connecting portion 231 is formed by bending a metal pipe material. The connecting portion 231 is formed in an L-shape in a plan view. Specifically, the connecting portion 231 includes left and right arms 231a and front and rear arms 231b. The left and right arms 231a extend in the left-right direction in front of the upper attachment portion 230. One end of each of the left and right arms 231a in the left-right direction is fixed to the upper attachment portion 230. The front-rear arm 231b extends rearward from the other end of the left-right arm 231a.

[0045] The base frame 232 is formed by bending a metal pipe material. The base frame 232 is formed in a U-shape that opens downward in a side view. A front-rear arm 231b is fixed to the vertical middle portion of the base frame 232. The lower end of the base frame 232 is fixed to the lower restricting portion 214b. That is, in this embodiment, the chair support member 190 is formed by connecting a lower member 191 connected to the leg portion 21 and an upper member 192 connected to the support column 22 via the base frame 232. As a result, the chair support member 190 is connected to the cart body 10 while straddling both the support column 22 and the leg portion 21. Note that in the illustrated example, the base frame 232 protrudes to the other left-right side relative to the tabletop 23 in a plan view.

[0046] The upper support part 233 is fixed to the upper end part of the base frame 232 (a part that protrudes above the front-rear arm 231b). The upper support part 233 is formed by bending a metal pipe material. The upper support part 233 is L-shaped when viewed from the front-rear direction, and is formed into a downward U-shape when viewed from the left-right direction. The upper support part 233 overlaps with the lower support part 214 in a plan view.

[0047] The upper support portion 233 includes an upper extension portion 233a and an upper restriction portion 233b. The upper extension 233a extends to the other side in the left-right direction from the base frame 232. The upper extension 233a can support the chair 3 on the outer side of the top board 23 in a plan view. The upper restricting portion 233b extends upward from the other end of the upper extending portion 233a in the left-right direction.

[0048] Here, the chair support member 190 is provided with a stabilizing leg 250. The stabilizing leg 250 prevents the cart device 2 from tipping over due to the weight of the chair 3 in the mounted state P1. The stabilizing leg 250 includes a fixed portion 250a and a protruding portion 250b. The fixing portion 250 a passes through the connecting piece 211 in the vertical direction and is fixed to the upright piece 212 .

[0049] The protrusion 250b extends downward from the fixed portion 250a. Specifically, the protrusion 250b extends downward toward the other side in the left-right direction. The lower end of the protrusion 250b is close to the floor F when the floor F is flat and all the casters 17 are in contact with the floor F. On the other hand, when the cart apparatus 2 tilts around an axis (roll axis) along the front-rear direction, the lower end of the protrusion 250b comes into contact with the floor F, thereby restricting the rotation of the cart apparatus 2 around the roll axis. In a plan view, at least the lower end (the portion in contact with the floor F) of the protrusion 250b is located outside the cart body 10. Therefore, in a plan view, the lower end of the stabilizing leg 250 can contact the floor F in an area outside the cart body 10. In the illustrated example, the lower end of the protrusion 250b is located inside the other left-right end of the chair support member 190. However, the lower end of the protrusion 250b may be positioned further outward than the chair support member 190 in the left-right direction.

[0050] (How to use Cart System 1) Next, how to use the cart system 1 will be described. In the cart system 1 of this embodiment, in the usage state P2 shown in FIG. 1 , the chair 3 is in contact with the floor F and faces the cart device 2 in the front-to-rear direction. In the usage state P2, a user can perform work using the table top 23 while seated on the seat 101. However, in the usage state P2, the chair 3 is not limited to being placed rearward relative to the cart device 2 with the front-to-rear direction of the chair aligned with the front-to-rear direction of the cart. For example, the chair 3 may be placed on one side (right side) of the cart device 2 in the left-to-right direction of the cart with the front-to-rear direction of the chair aligned with the left-to-right direction of the cart.

[0051] In addition, the cart device 2 of this embodiment can also be used by lowering the top plate 23, for example, to the lowest position, so that part of the top plate 23 can be hidden below the top plate 201 of another fixture 200 (for example, a fixture with a top plate).

[0052] On the other hand, when the cart system 1 is moved within an office space, the chair 3 is transitioned from the in-use state P2 to the loaded state P1. Specifically, the chair 3 is first placed in a folded state. Next, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, with the left-right direction of the cart and the front-rear direction of the chair aligned, the upper member 192 supports the seat 101, and the lower member 191 supports the cross bars 113, 116. Specifically, the seat 101 is inserted from above into the portion of the upper member 192 surrounded by the upper support portion 233 and the base frame 232. As a result, the seat 101 is supported from below by the upper extension portion 233a of the upper member 192, and is supported from both left and right by the base frame 232 and the upper restricting portion 233b. On the other hand, the horizontal rods 113, 116 are inserted from above into the area surrounded by the base frame 232 and the lower support portion 214. As a result, the horizontal rods 113, 116 are supported from below by the lower extension portion 214a, and are supported from both the left and right sides by the base frame 232 and the lower restriction portion 214b. As a result, the chair 3 is loaded onto the cart device 2 with the support legs 100 spaced above the floor F. Note that it is sufficient for the seat 101 and the horizontal rods 113, 116 of the chair 3 to be housed inside the corresponding support portions 214, 233, and it is sufficient for either the seat 101 or the horizontal rods 113, 116 to abut against the corresponding extension portion 214a, 233a.

[0053] In the cart system 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, in the mounted state P1, the chair 3 is supported by the chair support member 190 so that the center of the chair in the left-right direction is located rearward of the center of the tabletop 23 in the front-rear direction of the cart. That is, in the mounted state P1, the cart device 2 is in a state in which it protrudes forward relative to the chair 3. As a result, when the cart device 2 is moved closer to another piece of furniture 200 in the mounted state P1, at least the front end of the tabletop 23 (the portion of the tabletop 23 located forward of the chair 3) can be placed under the tabletop 201.

[0054] After transitioning the chair 3 to the loaded state P1, the user can move the entire cart system 1 forward, backward, or rotate by pushing or pulling the cart device 2 while gripping the gripping portion 12. Then, after moving the cart system 1 from the loaded state P1 to a desired location, the chair 3 is transitioned back to the use state P2. That is, by pulling up the chair 3, the seat 101 and the cross bars 113, 116 are detached from the corresponding support portions 214, 233. This removes the chair 3 from the cart device 2. Then, by unfolding the chair 3 to the use state P2, the user can work while seated in the chair 3 at the destination. As a result, the user's work efficiency can be improved and the burden on the user can be reduced.

[0055] Here, the cart device 2 of this embodiment comprises a cart body 10 and casters 17 that can run on a floor surface F, and the support structure 20 comprises legs 21 to which the casters 17 are attached and pillars 22 that extend upward from the legs 21 and support a tabletop 23, and a chair support member (article support member) 190 that is attached so as to straddle between the legs 21 and the pillars 22 and supports a chair (article) 3. According to this configuration, the chair support member 190 is attached so as to straddle the leg 21 and the support column 22, and therefore the chair support member 190 can be firmly attached to the cart body 10. As a result, even when a heavy object such as a chair 3 is loaded, when the chair support member 190 supports an article such as the chair 3 at a position away from the cart body 10, or when climbing over a step on the floor surface F, the chair support member 190 can stably support the article such as the chair 3.

[0056] In this embodiment, the chair support member 190 is configured to have a stabilizing leg 250 that extends downward from the chair support member 190 and can come into contact with the floor surface F in an area outside the support structure 20 in a plan view. According to this configuration, when the cart apparatus 2 tilts around the roll axis due to the weight of the chair 3 while the chair 3 is mounted on the chair support member 190, the stabilizing leg 250 comes into contact with the floor surface F. This makes it possible to prevent the cart apparatus 2 from tipping over. Note that the region outside the support structure 20 may be a region outside the contact position of each caster 17 of the support structure 20 with the floor surface F in a plan view. That is, in a configuration in which the chair 3 is mounted on the left side of the support column 22, it is preferable that the stabilizing leg 250 can come into contact with the floor surface F in a region outside the contact position of the caster 17 located on the left side of the support column 22 when the caster 17 is facing farthest to the right (inward in the left-right direction).

[0057] In the cart device 2 of this embodiment, the support structure 20 supports the tabletop 23 so that it can be raised and lowered, and the chair support member 190 can support the chair 3 outside the tabletop 23 in a plan view. This configuration can prevent interference between the table top 23 and the chair 3, so that the table top 23 can be adjusted to a desired height even when the chair 3 is in the mounted state P1. In addition, in this embodiment, the chair support member 190 is firmly attached to the cart body 10, so that the chair 3 can be stably supported even outside the table top 23.

[0058] In the cart device 2 of this embodiment, the cart body 10 is provided with a grip portion 12 at a portion located at the rear end (first side in the second direction) in the front-rear direction intersecting the left-right direction when viewed from the top-bottom direction. According to this configuration, the chair support member 190 and the gripping portion 12 are arranged in directions that intersect with each other in the vertical direction, thereby preventing interference between the user's feet and the chair 3 when the user grips the gripping portion 12 and moves the cart device 2.

[0059] The cart system 1 of this embodiment includes the cart device 2 described above, and therefore can support the chair 3 stably.

[0060] (Variation) 5, the weight portion 251 may be provided on the side of the cart body 10 opposite to the side where the chair support member 190 is attached (one side in the left-right direction). In the example shown, the weight portion 251 is provided on the underside of the leg portion 21, at a portion located on one side in the left-right direction of the support column 22.

[0061] In the cart device 2 of this embodiment, the chair support member 190 is arranged facing the other side in the left-right direction (first side in the first direction) relative to the support pillar 22, and a weight portion 251 is provided on one side in the left-right direction (second side in the first direction) of the cart body 10 relative to the support pillar 22. According to this configuration, the weight portion 251 is provided on the side opposite to the chair support member 190, and therefore it is easy to balance the weight of the chair 3 with the weight portion 251. This makes it easy to prevent the cart device 2 from tipping over.

[0062] (Second embodiment) Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the cart system 1. Fig. 7 is a view of the cart system 1 as seen from the rear. Fig. 8 is a side view of the cart system 1. Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the cart system 1. In the cart system 1 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the chair support member 190 includes a lower member 191 and an upper member 192.

[0063] The lower member 191 is connected to the upper member 192 via a base frame 232. That is, the chair support member 190 of this embodiment is connected to the cart body 10 only by the support posts 22. The lower member 191 includes a lower support portion 214. The lower support portion 214 is formed in a U-shape that opens upward. The lower support portion 214 includes a connection piece 260, a lower extension portion 261, and a lower restriction portion 262.

[0064] The connecting piece 260 extends in the front-rear direction with the thickness direction being the left-right direction. The lower end of the base frame 232 is fixed to the middle part of the connecting piece 260 in the front-rear direction. The lower extension 261 extends from the lower end of the connection piece 260 to the other side in the left-right direction. The lower restricting portion 262 extends upward from the other end in the left-right direction of the lower extending portion 261. The lower supporting portion 214 is formed with a notch 214c so as to straddle the lower extending portion 261 and the lower restricting portion 262.

[0065] The stabilizing leg 270 includes a leg body 270a and a sub-caster 270b. Leg body 270a is formed integrally with base frame 232. Leg body 270a extends downward from base frame 232 through cutout portion 214c. In the illustrated example, leg body 270a extends downward toward the other side in the left-right direction, and then continues to extend downward in a straight line. The sub-caster 270b is provided at the lower end of the leg body 270a. In this embodiment, the lower end of the sub-caster 270b is disposed at the same height as the lower end of the caster 17 provided on the leg 21. That is, the sub-caster 270b comes into contact with the floor surface F together with the caster 17 and is provided so as to be able to roll due to friction with the floor surface F. In a plan view, the sub-caster 270b is disposed outside the cart body 10 in a position overlapping with the lower support part 214. Therefore, in a plan view, the sub-caster 270b comes into contact with the floor surface F in an area outside the cart body 10. The lower end of the sub-caster 270b may be located higher than the lower end of the caster 17.

[0066] In this embodiment, the chair support member 190 is supported only by the support column 22, and the stabilizing leg 270 contacts the floor surface F via the sub-caster 270b. With this configuration, the load of the chair 3 is distributed to the floor surface F via the sub-casters 270b. This allows the chair support member 190 to stably support an item such as the chair 3. Furthermore, since the number of connection points of the chair support member 190 to the cart body 10 can be reduced, the work of attaching the chair support member 190 to the cart body 10 can be simplified.

[0067] In this embodiment, the stabilizing leg 270 comprises a leg body 270a extending downward from the chair support member 190 and a sub-caster 270b provided at the lower end of the leg body 270a, and the sub-caster 270b is configured to contact the floor surface F in an area outside the support structure 20 when viewed in a plane. According to this configuration, when the cart apparatus 2 tilts around the roll axis due to the weight of the chair 3 while the chair 3 is mounted on the chair support member 190, the stabilizing leg 250 comes into contact with the floor surface F. This makes it possible to prevent the cart apparatus 2 from tipping over. Furthermore, even when the stabilizing leg 270 is in contact with the floor surface F while the cart apparatus 2 is traveling, the sub-caster 270b rolls as the cart apparatus 2 travels, preventing the travel of the cart apparatus 2 from being impeded. Therefore, the stabilizing leg 270 can be extended downward, making it easy to prevent the cart apparatus 2 from tipping over.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which the chair support member 190 is connected only to the support column 22 has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this. The chair support member 190 may be connected only to the leg portion 21. Even in this case, the chair support member 190 touches the floor surface F via the sub-caster 270b, so that the chair support member 190 (chair 3) can be supported by the leg portion 21 and the floor surface F.

[0069] (Other variations) 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. In the above-described embodiment, the chair 3 is supported only on the other side in the left-right direction, but this is not limiting. The chair 3 may be supported on both the left and right sides of the cart body 10. Furthermore, the chair 3 may be supported on either the front or rear side of the cart body 10. In the above-described embodiment, the chair support member 190 is detachably attached to the cart body 10, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The chair support member 190 may be fixed to the cart body 10 in an undetachable manner.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the chair 3 is supported near the rear of the cart body 10 in the loaded state P1, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. In the above-described embodiment, the chair 3 is supported by the cart device 2 with the front-to-rear direction of the chair aligned with the left-to-right direction of the cart, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The chair 3 may be supported by the cart device 2 with the left-to-right direction of the chair aligned with the left-to-right direction of the cart, as long as the chair 3 is supported on the other left-to-right side of the cart device 2. In the above-described embodiment, the chair 3 is supported on the outside of the table top 23 in a plan view, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The chair 3 may be supported at a position where it overlaps with the table top 23 (below or above the table top 23) in a plan view.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the chair support member 190 has been described as an example of an article support member according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The article support member may support an article other than the chair 3 (for example, a tissue box, a garbage bag, a document binder, an electrical cord, a towel, etc.). In the above-described embodiment, the horizontal rods 113, 116 of the chair 3 are arranged at the same height in the up-down direction of the chair in the folded state, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, the support structure 20 is configured to include only one support column 22, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. As shown in Fig. 10, the support structure 20 may be configured to include two support columns 22. In this case, a chair support member 190 is connected to at least one of the two support columns 22. In the above-described embodiment, the stabilizing legs are configured to always extend downward, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The stabilizing legs may be configured to be foldable. In the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which one stabilizing leg extends from the chair support member 190 has been described, but this configuration is not limiting. A plurality of stabilizing legs may be provided on the chair support member 190. Furthermore, the stabilizing leg is not an essential component.

[0073] 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]

[0074] 1: Cart system 2: Cart device 3: Chair (article) 10: Cart body 12: Grip part 17: Caster 20: Support structure 21: Legs 22: Post 23: Top plate 190: Chair support member (item support member) 201: Top plate 214,233: Support part 214: Support part 233: Support part 250: Stable leg 251: Weight 270: Stable leg 270a:Script 270b: Sub-caster F: Floor surface

Claims

1. a cart body having a top plate and a support structure that supports the top plate from below; casters that support the cart body and are capable of running on a floor surface; The support structure includes: a leg portion to which the caster is attached; a support extending upward from the leg portion and supporting the top plate; The cart device includes an article support member attached to straddle the legs and the support column and configured to support an article.

2. a cart body having a top plate and a support structure that supports the top plate from below; casters that support the cart body and are capable of running on a floor surface; The support structure includes: a leg portion to which the caster is attached; a support extending upward from the leg portion and supporting the top plate; an article support member attached to at least one of the legs and the support column to support an article; A cart device comprising: a leg body extending downward from the item support member; and a stabilizing leg provided at the lower end of the leg body and having sub-casters capable of running on the floor surface.

3. The cart device according to claim 2 , wherein the sub-caster is capable of contacting the floor surface in an area outside the support structure in a plan view.

4. the article support member is provided facing a first side in a first direction that intersects with the up-down direction relative to the support column, The cart device according to claim 1 , wherein the cart body is provided with a weight portion on a second side in the first direction relative to the support column.

5. the support structure supports the top plate so that it can be raised and lowered; The cart device according to claim 1 , wherein the article support member is capable of supporting an article on an outer side of the top plate in a plan view.

6. the article support member is provided facing a first side in a first direction that intersects with the up-down direction relative to the support column, The cart device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cart body is provided with a grip portion at a portion located on a first side in a second direction intersecting the first direction when viewed from the top-bottom direction.

7. The cart device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; and an item removably supported on the item support member.

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