Panel devices and fixtures

Abstract

To provide a panel device that allows for the inexpensive attachment of optional components without increasing the number of parts. [Solution] The panel device 4 comprises a panel 41 and a support portion 42 that supports the panel. The support portion is provided with an engaged portion 47 that engages with an optional member 5. The support portion is arranged on both sides of the panel in the thickness direction of the panel and has a first upright portion 44 and a second upright portion 45 that support the panel from the thickness direction. The engaged portion is the upper edge 44A of the first upright portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a panel device and furniture.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there are known panel devices arranged on the floor to partition the space above the floor, and panel devices attached to the top plate of furniture such as desks to partition the space above the top plate or to partition the space above the top plate from other spaces. Patent Document 1 discloses a panel device having an acrylic panel and a support portion that supports the panel by sandwiching it in the thickness direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, there is a desire to stably attach option members such as bookends, bookends, and shelves to this type of panel device. However, in a conventional panel device as disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to newly manufacture an attachment portion for attaching the option member to the panel device. In this case, there is a problem that the number of parts of the panel device increases and the manufacturing cost of the panel device becomes high.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a panel device capable of attaching an option member at a low cost without increasing the number of parts, and furniture including the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) Embodiment 1 of the panel device according to the present invention comprises a panel and a support portion for supporting the panel, wherein the support portion is provided with an engaged portion for engaging with an optional member.

[0007] In the panel device according to Embodiment 1, the support portion also serves the function of attaching optional components. This allows optional components to be attached to the panel device inexpensively without increasing the number of parts.

[0008] (2) Embodiment 2 of the panel apparatus according to the present invention is, in Embodiment 1, the support portion has a first upright portion and a second upright portion that are arranged on both sides of the panel in the thickness direction of the panel and support the panel from the thickness direction, At least one of the first upright portion and the second upright portion may include the engaged portion.

[0009] In this panel device configuration, the first and / or second upright sections that constitute the support also serve the function of attaching optional components. This allows optional components to be attached to the panel device inexpensively without increasing the number of components in the support.

[0010] (3) Embodiment 3 of the panel device according to the present invention is that in Embodiment 2, the engaged portion may be the upper edge of at least one of the first upright portion and the second upright portion.

[0011] In a panel device configured in this way, optional components can be stably attached to the panel device by hooking them onto the upper edges of the first and / or second upright sections.

[0012] (4) Embodiment 4 of the panel apparatus according to the present invention is that, in Embodiment 3, the panel may be elastically compressible and deformable in the thickness direction.

[0013] In a panel device configured in this way, the hook of an optional member, which is engaged with the upper edge of the first or second upright portion (the engaged portion), can be sandwiched between the first or second upright portion and the panel by the elastic force of the panel, which is compressed and deformed in the thickness direction. Therefore, the optional member can be attached to the panel device more stably.

[0014] (5) In embodiment 5 of the panel device according to the present invention, the first upright portion and the second upright portion may be formed separately in any of embodiments 2 to 4.

[0015] In a panel device configured in this way, the shapes of the support components (first and second upright sections) can be made simpler and smaller compared to a case where the first and second upright sections are made from a single component. Furthermore, the molds used to form the support components can be miniaturized. Furthermore, if there are various types of first and second upright sections (for example, various shapes of the first and second upright sections due to differences in the nature of the engaged parts included in the first and second upright sections), it becomes possible to manufacture multiple types of support sections at low cost by combining various types of first and second upright sections.

[0016] (6) Embodiment 6 of the panel device according to the present invention is, in any embodiment from Embodiment 2 to Embodiment 5, in which at least one of the first upright portion and the second upright portion is in the shape of a plate with the direction in which the first upright portion and the second upright portion are aligned as the thickness direction, and the dimension in the width direction intersecting the thickness direction of the one upright portion is formed to be wider than the dimension in the vertical direction of the one upright portion.

[0017] In a panel device configured in this way, the dimensions of the upright sections in the direction in which the two upright sections (first upright section and second upright section) are aligned, as well as the dimensions of the upright sections in the vertical direction, can be kept low, thereby reducing the volume occupied by the support portion in the space where the panel device is installed. Furthermore, because the upright sections are formed in a plate-like and wide shape, optional members can be easily engaged with the engaged portion of the upright section.

[0018] (7) In aspect 7 of the panel device according to the present invention, in any one of aspects 1 to 6, the support portion may have an upwardly facing opening, and the panel may be supported by the support portion by being inserted into the opening.

[0019] In the panel device configured as described above, the panel can be easily attached to the support portion simply by inserting the panel into the opening of the support portion.

[0020] (8) Aspect 8 of the furniture according to the present invention is characterized by including the panel device according to any one of aspects 1 to 7 and the option member.

[0021] In the furniture according to aspect 8, the support portion of the panel device also serves as a function for attaching the option member. Thereby, the option member can be attached to the panel device at a low cost without increasing the number of parts.

[0022] (9) In aspect 9 of the furniture according to the present invention, in aspect 6, when the option member is engaged with the engaged portion of the support portion, the movement of the option member away from the support portion and downward with respect to the support portion is restricted, and the movement of the option member in the width direction intersecting the direction in which the support portion and the panel are aligned may be allowed with respect to the support portion.

[0023] In the furniture configured as described above, the option member can be moved in the width direction with respect to the support portion while the option member is engaged with the engaged portion of the support portion, that is, the position of the option member with respect to the support portion can be changed. Thereby, the usability of the furniture can be improved.

[0024] (10)Aspect 10 of the furniture according to the present invention, in Aspect 6, includes a top plate having an upper surface and a lower surface facing the opposite side of the upper surface, and a support structure that supports the top plate from below. The support portion is fixed to the top plate, and the optional member engaged with the engaged portion of the support portion may contact the upper surface of the top plate.

[0025] In the furniture configured as described above, by engaging the optional member placed on the upper surface of the top plate with the engaged portion of the support portion, it is possible to prevent the optional member from moving away from the support portion (panel device).

[0026] (11)Aspect 11 of the furniture according to the present invention, in Aspect 6, includes a top plate having an upper surface and a lower surface facing the opposite side of the upper surface, and a support structure that supports the top plate from below. The support portion is fixed to the top plate, and the optional member engaged with the engaged portion of the support portion may be located away from the upper surface of the top plate upward.

[0027] In the furniture configured as described above, by engaging the optional member with the engaged portion of the support portion, it is possible to suppress or prevent the optional member from falling toward the upper surface of the top plate.

Effect of the Invention

[0028] According to the present invention, an optional member can be attached to the panel device at a low cost without increasing the number of parts.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the furniture according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view of the above furniture. [Figure 3] It is an exploded perspective view showing a state where a panel is removed from a support portion in a panel device provided in the above furniture. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a pen holder, which is a first example of an optional member, is engaged with a support portion in the above furniture. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view showing the shelf, which is a second example of an optional component, engaged with the support part in the above-mentioned fixture. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the furniture 1 is a desk, which is an example of furniture with a tabletop, and is placed on the floor surface F. Furniture 1 comprises a tabletop 2, a support structure 3, a panel device 4, and optional members 5.

[0031] In the following explanation, the direction perpendicular to the floor surface F is defined as the vertical direction Dv, the direction in which the panel device 4 extends within the plane perpendicular to the vertical direction Dv is defined as the width direction Dw, and the direction intersecting the vertical direction Dv and the width direction Dw is defined as the front-to-back direction Da.

[0032] The top plate 2 is plate-shaped and provided along a surface that intersects the vertical direction Dv. The top plate 2 has an upper surface 2a that faces upward in the vertical direction Dv, and a lower surface 2b that faces downward in the vertical direction Dv (facing the opposite side of the upper surface 2a). The upper surface 2a of the top plate 2 functions as a work surface for the user of the furniture 1. In this embodiment, the top plate 2, when viewed from above, is formed in a rectangular shape, for example, with the width direction Dw as the long sides 21A and 21B, and the front-to-back direction Da as the short side 22.

[0033] The support structure 3 supports the top plate 2 from below. The support structure 3 is placed on the floor surface F where the furniture 1 is installed. The support structure 3 in this embodiment has a pair of support legs 31 and a connecting rod 32.

[0034] A pair of support legs 31 are spaced apart in the width direction Dw. Each support leg 31 is formed in a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the width direction Dw and has a pair of leg members 34, 35, a lower connecting member 36, and an upper connecting member 37.

[0035] The pair of leg members 34 and 35 are spaced apart in the front-rear direction Da. Each leg member 34 and 35 extends in the vertical direction Dv. In this embodiment, the leg member 34 positioned in the front-rear direction Da of the pair of leg members 34 and 35 is located below the tabletop 2. The leg member 35 positioned in the rear of the pair of leg members 34 and 35 is located behind the tabletop 2 and is longer in the vertical direction Dv than the leg member 34 positioned in front.

[0036] The lower connecting member 36 extends in the front-rear direction Da and connects the lower ends of the pair of leg members 34 and 35. Both ends of the lower connecting member 36 in the front-rear direction Da are fixed to each of the pair of leg members 34 and 35 by means of welding, screwing, or other means. The upper connecting member 37 extends in the front-rear direction Da and connects the upper ends of the pair of leg members 34 and 35. Both ends of the upper connecting member 37 in the front-rear direction Da are fixed to each of the pair of leg members 34 and 35 by means of welding, screwing, or other means.

[0037] The connecting rod 32 extends in the width direction Dw and connects the pair of support legs 31. In Figure 1, the connecting rod 32 connects the intermediate parts in the vertical direction Dv of the rearward-positioned leg member 35 of the pair of support legs 31. Each end of the connecting rod 32 in the width direction Dw is fixed to the leg member 35 of the pair of support legs 31 by means of welding, screwing, or other means. Although not shown, the connecting rod 32 may also connect the intermediate parts in the front-rear direction Da of the upper connecting member 37 of the pair of support legs 31. In this case, each end of the connecting rod 32 in the width direction Dw may be fixed to the upper connecting member 37 of the pair of support legs 31 by means of welding, screwing, or other means.

[0038] The aforementioned top plate 2 is connected to the support structure 3 described above with bolts (not shown) or the like. The top plate 2 may also be connected with bolts or the like to, for example, the two upper connecting members 37 of the support structure 3 or the connecting rods that connect them.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1, the panel device 4 is attached to the top plate 2. The panel device 4 extends upward from the edge of the top plate 2 as viewed from the vertical direction Dv, thereby separating the workspace on the upper surface 2a of the top plate 2 from other spaces. The edge of the top plate 2 includes the edge of the top plate 2 or the area near it.

[0040] In this embodiment, the panel device 4 is located on or near the rearmost long side 21B of the top plate 2, as viewed from the vertical direction Dv. Furthermore, the panel device 4 extends across the entire long side 21B of the top plate 2 in the width direction Dw. That is, the width dimension Dw of the panel device 4 is equivalent to (or slightly different from) the width dimension Dw of the top plate 2. However, the width dimension Dw of the panel device 4 may differ significantly from the width dimension Dw of the top plate 2.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the panel device 4 includes a panel 41 and a support portion 42. Panel 41 separates the workspace on the upper surface 2a of the top plate 2 from other spaces, and only needs to be formed in a plate shape. In this embodiment, panel 41 is formed in a flat plate shape with the front-to-back direction Da as the thickness direction, and extending in the width direction Dw and the up-to-down direction Dv. In addition, in this embodiment, panel 41 extends over almost the entire length of the long side 21B of the top plate 2 in the width direction Dw.

[0042] Panel 41 is elastically compressible and deformable in its thickness direction. The specific materials and components of panel 41 are arbitrary. Panel 41 may be, for example, a resin plate with its surface covered with a nonwoven fabric, or it may be composed solely of nonwoven fabric. Panel 41 containing nonwoven fabric becomes elastically compressible and deformable due to the elastic compressive deformation of the nonwoven fabric. In the panel 41 illustrated in Figure 3, recesses 411 are formed at both ends in the width direction Dw of the lower end of the panel 41, which is supported by a support portion 42 described later. Each recess 411 is shaped to be recessed upward relative to the lower edge of the panel 41 when viewed from the front-rear direction Da.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the support portion 42 supports the panel 41. Specifically, the support portion 42 supports the lower end of the panel 41 and holds the panel 41 upright in the vertical direction Dv on the top plate 2. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the support portion 42 supports the panel 41 in a detachable manner. The support portion 42 also has an upward-facing opening 42A. The panel 41 is supported by the support portion 42 by being inserted into this opening 42A of the support portion 42.

[0044] The support portion 42 of this embodiment includes a first upright portion 44, a second upright portion 45, and a bracket 46. The first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 are positioned on both sides of the panel 41 in the front-rear direction Da (thickness direction of the panel 41), and support the lower end of the panel 41 from the front-rear direction Da. The first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 are arranged sequentially towards the rear. The first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 are formed separately and connected to each other via a bracket 46, which will be described later. The opening 42A of the support portion 42 described above is formed between the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45.

[0045] In this embodiment, the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 are formed in a flat plate shape with the front-to-back direction Da as the thickness direction, and extending in the width direction Dw and the vertical direction Dv. However, the vertical dimension Dv of the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 is sufficiently smaller than the vertical dimension Dv of the panel 41. Furthermore, the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 are formed in a wide strip shape with the width direction Dw sufficiently larger than the vertical dimension Dv. Also, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 extend over almost the entire length of the long sides 21A and 21B of the top plate 2 in the width direction Dw, respectively.

[0046] The specific materials and components of the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 may be arbitrary. In this embodiment, the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 are metal plates. At least one of the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 may be elastically compressible and deformable in their thickness direction, for example. In this case, the first upright portion 44 and / or the second upright portion 45 may be made of nonwoven fabric, for example, similar to the panel 41 described above.

[0047] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the bracket 46 is a component formed integrally with a connecting plate portion 461 and a mounting plate portion 462. The connecting plate portion 461 is formed in the shape of a strip plate with the front-to-back direction Da as the thickness direction and extending in the up-to-down direction Dv. The mounting plate portion 462 is formed in the shape of a strip plate with the up-to-down direction Dv as the thickness direction and extending in the front-to-back direction Da. The mounting plate portion 462 extends forward from the lower end of the connecting plate portion 461. Therefore, the bracket 46 is formed in an L-shape when viewed from the width direction Dw. In this embodiment, the bracket 46 is constructed by bending a metal strip plate into an L-shape.

[0048] The connecting plate portion 461 is positioned between the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 in the front-rear direction Da described above. The connecting plate portion 461 is interposed between the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 and functions as a spacer that defines the distance between the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 in the front-rear direction Da. The connecting plate portion 461 connects the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45. Specifically, the connecting plate portion 461 is fixed to the first upright portion 44 by rivets 49. The connecting plate portion 461 is also fixed to the second upright portion 45 by welding. Note that the method of fixing the connecting plate portion 461 to the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 is not limited to these and may be arbitrary.

[0049] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the mounting plate portion 462 is positioned overlapping the lower surface 2b of the top plate 2 in the vertical direction Dv and is fixed to the top plate 2 by screws or the like. This fixes the support portion 42 to the top plate 2. Alternatively, the mounting plate portion 462 may be positioned overlapping the upper surface 2a of the top plate 2 in the vertical direction Dv and fixed to the top plate 2 by screws or the like. Furthermore, the method of fixing the support portion 42 to the top plate 2 is not limited to using the mounting plate portion 462.

[0050] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the brackets 46 are positioned one at each end of the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 in the width direction Dw. The positions of the two brackets 46 (especially the connecting plate portion 461) in the width direction Dw correspond to the positions of the two recessed portions 411 of the panel (see Figure 3) in the width direction Dw. Therefore, when the lower end of the panel 41 is inserted between the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45, at least the upper end of the connecting plate portion 461 of the bracket 46 is inserted into the recessed portion 411. Also, the top of the recessed portion 411 abuts against the upper edge of the connecting plate portion 461. In other words, the panel 41 is supported from below by the connecting plate portion 461 of the bracket 46. This determines the position of the panel 41 in the vertical direction Dv relative to the support portion 42. The brackets 46 may be arranged in a row of three or more, spaced apart in the width direction Dw. Furthermore, the brackets 46 (especially the mounting plate portion 462) may extend for a long distance in the width direction Dw, for example. In this case, the number of brackets 46 may be, for example, just one.

[0051] As shown in Figures 1, 4, and 5, the support portion 42 is provided with an engaging portion 47 that engages with the optional member 5, which will be described later. The engaging portion 47 only needs to be capable of detachably attaching the optional member 5 to the support portion 42. Furthermore, the engaging portion 47 only needs to restrict the movement of the optional member 5 relative to the support portion 42 when the optional member 5 is attached to the support portion 42.

[0052] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the engaged portion 47 in this embodiment is provided on the first upright portion 44. Specifically, the engaged portion 47 is the upper edge 44A of the first upright portion 44 located in front of the panel 41. Therefore, the entire upper edge 44A of the first upright portion 44, which extends over a long distance in the width direction Dw, functions as the engaged portion 47.

[0053] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the optional member 5 has a main body portion 51 and an engaging portion 52 provided on the main body portion 51 that engages with the engaged portion 47 of the support portion 42. In this embodiment, the engaging portion 52 of the optional member 5 is a hook 53 that engages with the upper edge 44A of the first upright portion 44 at the rear of the front-rear direction Da. The front of the hook 53 in the front-rear direction Da is connected to the main body portion 51 of the optional member 5. The hook 53 has an extension portion 531 that extends downward at a distance from the side surface of the main body portion 51 facing the first upright portion 44. The extension portion 531 is connected to the main body portion 51 at its upper end.

[0054] The optional member 5, which has a hook 53, is engaged with the engaged portion 47 of the support portion 42 by inserting the upper edge 44A of the first upright portion 44 between the side surface of the main body portion 51 and the extension portion 531 of the hook 53. In this state, it is possible to restrict the optional member 5 from moving forward (away from the support portion 42) relative to the first upright portion 44. It is also possible to prevent the optional member 5 from falling downward relative to the first upright portion 44. In other words, it is also possible to restrict the optional member 5 from moving downward.

[0055] Since the upper edge 44A of the first upright portion 44 that constitutes the engaged portion 47 extends long in the width direction Dw, even when the hook 53 is hooked onto the upper edge 44A of the first upright portion 44, the optional member 5 is allowed to move in the width direction Dw relative to the first upright portion 44. Furthermore, if a panel 41 is inserted between the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45, the extension portion 531 of the hook 53 can be sandwiched between the first upright portion 44 and the panel 41 to restrict the movement of the optional member 5 in the width direction Dw relative to the first upright portion 44.

[0056] The fixture 1 of this embodiment includes a pen holder 5C as a first example of the optional component 5, and a shelf 5D as a second example of the optional component 5.

[0057] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the pen holder 5C has a cylindrical body 54C and an overhanging plate portion 55C that constitute the main body portion 51 of the optional member 5. The cylindrical body 54C is a bottomed cylinder that opens upward. The cylindrical body 54C also has a flat bottom surface 54Cb that faces downward. The hook 53 in the pen holder 5C is positioned on the side of the cylindrical body 54C that faces the first upright portion 44 in the front-rear direction Da. The overhanging plate portion 55C extends from the lower end of the cylindrical body 54C to one side in the width direction Dw. The overhanging plate portion 55C forms the same plane with the bottom surface 54Cb of the cylindrical body 54C.

[0058] As shown in Figure 4, the pen holder 5C contacts the upper surface 2a of the top plate 2 while engaged with the engaged portion 47 of the support portion 42 by hooking its hook 53 onto the upper edge 44A of the first upright portion 44. Specifically, the lower surfaces 54Cb of the cylindrical body 54C and the protruding plate portion 55C that constitute the pen holder 5C make surface contact with the upper surface 2a of the top plate 2. In this state, the pen holder 5C is restricted from moving forward relative to the support portion 42. Also in this state, the panel 41 is compressed and deformed in its thickness direction, and the hook 53 of the pen holder 5C (especially the extended portion 531) is sandwiched between the first upright portion 44 and the panel 41.

[0059] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pen holder 5C has an overhanging plate portion 55C, which restricts the movement of the pen holder 5C in the width direction Dw relative to the support portion 42 when the hook 53 of the pen holder 5C is engaged with the engaged portion 47 of the support portion 42. To explain this point, when an item such as a book is placed on the overhanging plate portion 55C, a downward load is applied to the pen holder 5C. Therefore, this load provides resistance to the movement of the pen holder 5C in the width direction Dw.

[0060] Furthermore, the pen holder 5C also functions as a bookend, supporting a book (not shown) from below with its protruding plate portion 55C and from the side with the side of its cylindrical body 54C. The fixture 1 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is equipped with two pen holders 5C. The protruding plate portions 55C on the two pen holders 5C protrude in opposite directions from the cylindrical body 54C in the width direction Dw. Therefore, by arranging the two pen holders 5C so that their protruding plate portions 55C extend toward the opposing pen holder 5C, a book can be stably held between these two pen holders 5C. Furthermore, the pen holder 5C does not necessarily have to have, for example, an overhanging plate portion 55C.

[0061] As shown in Figure 5, the shelf 5D has a shelf plate portion 54D and a support plate portion 55D that constitute the main body portion 51 of the optional member 5. The shelf plate portion 54D is formed in a plate shape with the vertical direction Dv as the thickness direction and has an upward-facing mounting surface 54Da. Various items can be placed on the mounting surface 54Da of the shelf plate portion 54D. The support plate portion 55D is formed in a plate shape with the front-rear direction Da as the thickness direction. The support plate portion 55D is located adjacent to the rear of the shelf plate portion 54D and supports the rear end of the shelf plate portion 54D. In other words, the shelf plate portion 54D extends forward from the support plate portion 55D.

[0062] The shelf 5D has two shelf sections 54D as described above. The two shelf sections 54D are spaced apart in the vertical direction Dv. The lower of the two shelf sections 54D, the first shelf section 54D-1, is located at the lower end of the support plate section 55D. The upper of the two shelf sections 54D, the second shelf section 54D-2, is located at the upper end of the support plate section 55D. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the width dimension of the first shelf section 54D-1 in the width direction Dw is greater than the width dimension of the second shelf section 54D-2. However, the width dimension of the first shelf section 54D-1 in the width direction Dw may be less than or equal to, for example, the width dimension of the second shelf section 54D-2.

[0063] As shown in Figure 5, an upward-projecting rib 56D is formed at the tip of the first shelf portion 54D-1 located at the front. The upward-projecting rib 56D is formed over the entire width Dw of the first shelf portion 54D-1. The length of the upward-projecting rib 56D is sufficiently small compared to the distance between the two shelf portions 54D. The upward-projecting rib 56D extends upward without being inclined with respect to the vertical direction Dv.

[0064] A downward-projecting rib 57D is formed at the tip of the second shelf section 54D-2, which is located at the front. The downward-projecting rib 57D is formed over the entire width Dw of the second shelf section 54D-2. The length of the downward-projecting rib 57D is sufficiently small compared to the distance between the two shelf sections 54D. The downward-projecting rib 57D is inclined with respect to the vertical direction Dv so as to extend from the tip of the second shelf section 54D-2 to the tip of the first shelf section 54D-1. In this embodiment, the portion of the shelf 5D excluding the hook 53 is formed by bending a sheet material such as metal.

[0065] The hook 53 on shelf 5D is positioned on the side of the support plate portion 55D facing the first upright portion 44 in the front-rear direction Da. In Figure 5, the hook 53 on shelf 5D is formed separately from the support plate portion 55D and fixed to the support plate portion 55D by welding or the like. However, the hook 53 on shelf 5D may also be formed integrally with the support plate portion 55D, for example.

[0066] The shelf 5D described above is positioned above the upper surface 2a of the top plate 2, with its hook 53 hooked onto the upper edge 44A of the first upright portion 44, thereby engaging with the engaged portion 47 of the support portion 42. In this state, the shelf 5D is restricted from moving forward relative to the support portion 42 and is also prevented from falling toward the upper surface 2a of the top plate 2. In this state, the panel 41 is compressed and deformed in its thickness direction, causing the hook 53 of the shelf 5D (especially the extended portion 531) to be sandwiched between the first upright portion 44 and the panel 41.

[0067] For example, a tablet device (not shown) formed in a flat shape can be placed on the shelf 5D described above. For example, the lower end of the tablet device can be placed on the mounting surface 54Da of the first shelf portion 54D-1 and in contact with the upward rib 56D of the first shelf portion 54D-1, and a part of the back of the tablet device can be supported by the tip of the second shelf portion 54D-2. Here, the tip of the second shelf portion 54D-2 is provided with a downward rib 57D that is inclined from the tip of the second shelf portion 54D-2 toward the tip of the first shelf portion 54D-1, so the back of the tablet device can be made to make surface contact with the downward rib 57D. This allows the tablet device to be stably placed on the shelf 5D. Note that the shelf 5D is not limited to tablet devices; other flat items such as smartphones may also be placed on it.

[0068] The number of shelf sections 54D provided by the shelf 5D described above may be one or three or more. Furthermore, the multiple shelf sections 54D provided by the shelf 5D may be arranged in the vertical direction Dv, for example, but are not limited to this.

[0069] As described above, in the panel device 4 and fixture 1 of this embodiment, the support portion 42 that supports the panel 41 is provided with an engaging portion 47 that engages with the optional member 5. Therefore, the support portion 42 serves both the function of supporting the panel 41 and the function of attaching the optional member 5 to the panel device 4. This makes it possible to attach the optional member 5 to the panel device 4 inexpensively without increasing the number of parts.

[0070] Furthermore, in the panel device 4 and fixture 1 of this embodiment, the first upright portion 44 of the support portion 42 includes the engaged portion 47. Therefore, the first upright portion 44 also serves the function of attaching the optional member 5. This makes it possible to attach the optional member 5 to the panel device 4 inexpensively without increasing the number of components of the support portion 42.

[0071] Furthermore, in the panel device 4 and fixture 1 of this embodiment, the engaged portion 47 is the upper edge 44A of the first upright portion 44. This allows the optional member 5 to be stably attached to the panel device 4 by hooking it onto the upper edge 44A of the first upright portion 44.

[0072] Furthermore, in the panel device 4 and fixture 1 of this embodiment, the panel 41 supported by the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 of the support portion 42 is compressible in the thickness direction. Therefore, the hook 53 (especially the extended portion 531) of the optional member 5 that engages with the upper edge 44A of the first upright portion 44 can be sandwiched between the first upright portion 44 and the panel 41 by the elastic force of the panel 41 which is compressed in the thickness direction. Thus, the optional member 5 can be attached to the panel device 4 more stably. Furthermore, even if at least one of the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 is elastically compressible, the same effect as described above will be achieved.

[0073] Furthermore, in the panel device 4 and fixture 1 of this embodiment, the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 that constitute the support portion 42 are formed separately. This makes it possible to form the components of the support portion 42 (first upright portion 44, second upright portion 45) in a simpler and smaller shape compared to the case where the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 are made from a single member. In addition, it is possible to miniaturize the mold used to form the components of the support portion 42.

[0074] Furthermore, in the panel device 4 and fixture 1 of this embodiment, the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 are plate-shaped with the front-to-back direction Da, where the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 are aligned, as the thickness direction, and the width Dw dimension of each upright portion 44, 45 is larger than the height Dv dimension of each upright portion 44, 45. Therefore, the dimensions of the upright portions 44, 45 in the front-to-back direction Da and the height Dv dimension of the upright portions 44, 45 can be kept low, thereby reducing the volume occupied by the support portion 42 in the space where the panel device 4 is installed. In addition, because the first upright portion 44 is plate-shaped and wide, the optional member 5 can be easily engaged with the engaged portion 47 of the first upright portion 44.

[0075] Furthermore, in the panel device 4 and fixture 1 of this embodiment, the panel 41 is supported by the support part 42 by being inserted into the opening 42A of the support part 42 which faces upward. As a result, the panel 41 can be easily attached to the support part 42 simply by inserting the panel 41 into the opening 42A of the support part 42.

[0076] Furthermore, in the fixture 1 of this embodiment, when the optional member 5 is engaged with the engaged portion 47 of the support portion 42, the movement of the optional member 5 relative to the support portion 42 in the forward direction (away from the support portion 42) and downward direction is restricted, while the movement of the optional member 5 relative to the support portion 42 in the width direction Dw is permitted. Therefore, while the optional member 5 remains engaged with the engaged portion 47 of the support portion 42, the optional member 5 can be moved in the width direction Dw relative to the support portion 42, that is, the position of the optional member 5 relative to the support portion 42 can be changed. This improves the usability of the fixture 1.

[0077] Furthermore, in the fixture 1 of this embodiment, the pen holder 5C, which is an example of an optional member 5 engaged with the engaged portion 47 of the support portion 42, comes into contact with the upper surface 2a of the top plate 2. Therefore, the pen holder 5C placed on the upper surface 2a of the top plate 2 engages with the engaged portion 47 of the support portion 42, preventing the pen holder 5C from moving away from the support portion 42 (panel device 4).

[0078] Furthermore, in the fixture 1 of this embodiment, the shelf 5D, which is an example of an optional member 5 engaged with the engaged portion 47 of the support portion 42, is positioned above the upper surface 2a of the top plate 2. Therefore, by engaging the shelf 5D with the engaged portion 47 of the support portion 42, it is possible to suppress or prevent the shelf 5D from falling toward the upper surface 2a of the top plate 2.

[0079] Furthermore, in the panel device 4 and fixture 1 of this embodiment, the panel 41 is detachable from the support portion 42. Therefore, when the panel 41 is removed from the support portion 42 (between the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45), the optional member 5 can be easily moved in the width direction Dw relative to the first upright portion 44 while the optional member 5 remains hooked onto the upper edge 44A of the first upright portion 44.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the engaged portion 47 included in the first upright portion 44 is not limited to the upper edge 44A of the first upright portion 44. The engaged portion 47 included in the first upright portion 44 may be, for example, a hook provided on the outer surface of the first upright portion 44 facing outward from the support portion 42 in the front-rear direction Da. The outer surface of the first upright portion 44 is, for example, the surface of the first upright portion 44 facing forward. In this case, the optional member 5 only needs to have an engaged portion shaped to engage with the hook of the first upright portion 44.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the engaged portion 47 provided on the support portion 42 is not limited to being included in the first upright portion 44, but may also be included in the second upright portion 45, or may be included in both the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45. The engaged portion 47 included in the second upright portion 45 may be the upper edge 45A of the second upright portion 45, or it may be a hook provided on the outer surface of the second upright portion 45. The outer surface of the second upright portion 45 is the surface of the second upright portion 45 facing rearward.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the specific form of the engaged portion 47 included in the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45, the presence or absence of the engaged portion 47 in the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45, etc. Therefore, if there are various types of first upright portion 44 and second upright portion 45, it is effective to form the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 separately. By combining various types of first upright portion 44 and second upright portion 45, it becomes possible to manufacture multiple types of support portion 42 at low cost.

[0083] In the above embodiment, for example, the position of the panel 41 in the vertical direction Dv may be maintained by sandwiching the panel 41 between the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45, that is, the position of the panel 41 in the vertical direction Dv relative to the support portion 42 may be determined. In this case, the panel 41 may be supported from below by the connecting plate portion 461 of the bracket 46, as in the above embodiment, but it may not be supported from below, for example.

[0084] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0085] In the present invention, the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 of the support portion 42 may be integrally formed from, for example, a single member. In this case, the support portion 42 does not need to include a connecting plate portion 461 that functions as a spacer.

[0086] In the present invention, for example, only one of the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 may be plate-shaped with the thickness direction being the direction in which the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 are aligned (front-to-back direction Da), and the width dimension Dw of the one upright portion may be wider than the height dimension Dv of the other upright portion. Furthermore, in the present invention, the specific shapes of the first upright portion 44 and the second upright portion 45 may be arbitrary.

[0087] In the present invention, the opening 42A of the support portion 42 is not limited to facing upward, for example, but may also face one side in the width direction Dw or one side in the front-rear direction Da. Furthermore, the specific structure of the support portion 42 is not limited to having an opening 42A, but is sufficient as long as it is configured to support the panel 41 and has an engaging portion 47.

[0088] In the present invention, the panel 41 does not need to be compressed and deformed in the thickness direction, for example.

[0089] In the present invention, the panel device 4 may be located on or near the longer side 21A of the top plate 2, which is rectangular in plan view, or on or near the shorter side 22 of the top plate 2. Furthermore, the plan view shape of the top plate 2 is not limited to a rectangle, but may be any shape such as a circle.

[0090] The furniture to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the desk of the above embodiment, but may also be, for example, a box or wagon in which the support structure 3 that supports the tabletop 2 has a storage section for storing articles.

[0091] The present invention is not limited to panel devices attached to furniture, but may also be applied to panel devices placed directly on a floor surface F, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1. Fixtures 2 Top plate 2a Top side 2b Bottom side 3 Support structure 4 Panel Device 5 Optional parts 41 panels 42 Support part 42A opening 44 First standing section 44A Upper edge of the first upright portion 44 45 Second standing part 45A Upper edge of the second upright section 45 47 Engaged portion

Claims

1. It comprises a panel and a support portion that supports the panel, A panel device in which the support portion is provided with an engaging portion that engages with an optional member.

2. The support portion has a first upright portion and a second upright portion that are arranged on both sides of the panel in the thickness direction of the panel and support the panel from the thickness direction. The panel device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first upright portion and the second upright portion includes the engaged portion.

3. The panel device according to claim 2, wherein the engaged portion is the upper edge of at least one of the first upright portion and the second upright portion.

4. The panel apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the panel is elastically compressible and deformable in the thickness direction.

5. The panel device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first upright portion and the second upright portion are formed separately.

6. The panel device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein at least one of the first and second upright portions is plate-shaped with the direction in which the first and second upright portions are aligned being the thickness direction, and the width dimension of the one upright portion intersecting the thickness direction is wider than the vertical dimension of the one upright portion.

7. The support portion has an opening facing upward, The panel device according to claim 1, wherein the panel is supported by the support portion by being inserted into the opening.

8. A fixture comprising the panel device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and the optional member.

9. The fixture according to claim 8, wherein, when the optional member is engaged with the engaged portion of the support, the movement of the optional member relative to the support in the direction away from the support and downward is restricted, and the movement of the optional member relative to the support in the width direction intersecting the direction in which the support and the panel are aligned is permitted.

10. A top plate having an upper surface and a lower surface facing the opposite side of the upper surface, The system comprises a support structure that supports the top plate from below, The support part is fixed to the top plate, The fixture according to claim 8, wherein the optional member engaged with the engaged portion of the support portion contacts the upper surface of the top plate.

11. A top plate having an upper surface and a lower surface facing the opposite side of the upper surface, The system comprises a support structure that supports the top plate from below, The support part is fixed to the top plate, The fixture according to claim 8, wherein the optional member engaged with the engaged portion of the support portion is located away from the upper surface of the top plate.

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