Shed installation

Abstract

The present invention provides a shelving device that can stably place various items, including heavy items, on the limited space on the shelf members, while suppressing an increase in the overall size and weight of the device. [Solution] The shelf device comprises a support structure, a base shelf member 31, a plurality of upright members, and upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, 33SL. The support structure has a ground contact portion. The base shelf member is supported by the support structure, and its upper surface is the first article placement surface. The plurality of upright members are fixed to the base shelf member and stand upright from the base shelf member. The upper shelf member is supported by the plurality of upright members at a position higher than the first article placement surface of the base shelf member, and its upper surface is the second article placement surface. The base shelf member is made of a plate material with higher rigidity than the upper shelf member. The area of ​​the base shelf member above the first article placement surface where the upper shelf member is not positioned is designated as a heavy load article placement area A on which heavy load articles can be placed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shelf device capable of placing various articles.

Background Art

[0002] As a shelf device for placing articles, a device having a plurality of article placement surfaces is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The shelf device described in Patent Document 1 includes a lower shelf board member supported by a leg column, a middle shelf board member supported on the upper part of the lower shelf board member via a support column, and an upper shelf board member supported on the upper part of the middle shelf board member via another support column. The lower shelf board member and the middle shelf board member are formed in the same shape in plan view, and the upper shelf board member is formed in half the shape of the middle shelf board member. The upper shelf board member is located above the half region of the middle shelf board member, and the upper part of the remaining half region of the middle shelf board member is open. Each of the upper, middle, and lower shelf board members is formed of a plate material of the same material and the same thickness. In addition, each support column is formed with the same outer diameter and the same length, and a connecting portion capable of being connected to the shelf board member is provided at the longitudinal end portion.

[0004] Since this shelf device is configured by combining a plurality of support columns and shelf board members of common specifications, it is possible to flexibly change the number of stages of the shelf boards (shelf board members), the presence or absence of a step between the provided shelf boards, and the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The shelving device described in Patent Document 1 allows the upper shelf member to be installed only above half of the area of ​​the middle shelf member, thereby making the upper surface of the remaining area of ​​the middle shelf member a free space for placing items (an installation space where the height of the items to be placed is not restricted). However, since all the shelf members of the shelving device described in Patent Document 1 are made of the same material and thickness, it is difficult to stably place various items, including heavy items, and the types of items that can be placed on the shelf members are limited.

[0007] In other words, while tall, relatively large items can be placed on the upper surface of the remaining area of ​​the middle shelf member, if the item is a heavy load item, the support of the item by the middle shelf member becomes unstable. On the other hand, if all the shelf members (lower shelf member, middle shelf member, upper shelf member) are made of a more rigid plate material, heavy load items can be supported stably, but the rigidity specification for the parts where other lighter items are placed becomes excessive, making the entire shelf system larger and heavier.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a shelf device that can stably place various items, including heavy items, on a limited space on a shelf member, while suppressing an increase in the overall size and weight of the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A shelf device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a support structure having a ground contact portion, a base shelf plate member supported by the support structure and having an upper surface which serves as a first article placement surface, a plurality of upright members fixed to the base shelf plate member and standing upright from the base shelf plate member, and an upper layer shelf plate member supported by the plurality of upright members at a position higher than the first article placement surface of the base shelf plate member and having an upper surface which serves as a second article placement surface, wherein the base shelf plate member is made of a plate material with higher rigidity than the upper layer shelf plate member, and the area above the first article placement surface where the upper layer shelf plate member is not positioned is designated as a heavy-load article placement area on which heavy-load articles can be placed.

[0010] In this embodiment of the shelving system, the rigidity of the base shelf member is set higher than that of the upper shelf member, so that the load of the upper shelf member on which the articles are placed can be stably supported by the base shelf member via multiple upright members. Furthermore, because the rigidity of the base shelf member is set higher than that of the upper shelf member, heavy articles can be stably supported in the heavy article placement area of ​​the base shelf member. In this embodiment, the area of ​​the base shelf member in plan view is set to be larger than that of the upper shelf member, but because the base shelf member is set to be more rigid than that of the upper shelf member, heavy loads acting from above can be stably supported across the entire area. In this embodiment of the shelving system, since the rigidity of all shelf members is not set to be equally high, it is possible to stably place various items, including heavy items, on the limited space on the shelf members while suppressing an increase in the overall size and weight of the system. Furthermore, in this embodiment of the shelving system, the upper shelf member is not positioned above the heavy load item placement area of ​​the base shelf member. Therefore, even when the height of a heavy load item is greater than that of the upper shelf member, the heavy load item can be placed in the heavy load item placement area without interfering with the upper shelf member.

[0011] The support structure may be composed of a plurality of leg columns that protrude downward from the outer peripheral edge of the base shelf member, with their lower ends serving as the ground contact points.

[0012] In this case, since the support structure is composed of multiple leg columns that protrude downward from the outer edge of the base shelf member, space can be secured between the base shelf member and the floor surface below it. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the floor surface below the shelf device becomes easier to clean.

[0013] At least one of the plurality of legs may be positioned below the heavy load item placement area of ​​the base shelf member, and at least a portion of the remaining legs may be positioned below the upright member fixed to the base shelf member, so as to overlap with the upright member in a plan view.

[0014] In this case, the load of the heavy load placed on the heavy load area can be stably supported by the support columns positioned below it and the remaining support columns. In particular, since at least one upright member is positioned below the heavy load area, the load of the heavy load can be efficiently received by the upright member directly below it. Furthermore, at least a portion of the remaining support columns is positioned below the upright member that supports the load of the upper shelf member and the articles placed on the upper shelf member, so as to overlap with the upright member in a plan view. This allows the support columns below the upright member to efficiently support the load of the upper shelf member and the articles. Therefore, by adopting this configuration, the load of the upper shelf members and various items placed on the base shelf members can be efficiently supported by multiple support columns.

[0015] The upright member is preferably a rod-shaped support.

[0016] In this case, since the upright members that rise above the base shelf are rod-shaped supports, a space can be secured to facilitate the visibility of items placed below the upper shelf. Therefore, by adopting this configuration, it is possible to easily put items in and take them out of the lower part of the upper shelf.

[0017] The support column comprises a seating portion having a contact surface that abuts against the lower surface of the base shelf member, and a support column body portion that protrudes from the seating portion in a direction intersecting the contact surface and supports the upper shelf member. The base shelf member has an insertion hole that penetrates vertically and through which the support column body portion is inserted. The support column may be fixed to the base shelf member with the support column body portion inserted through the insertion hole from below and the seating portion in contact with the lower surface of the base shelf member.

[0018] In this case, since the support column is fixed to the underside of the base shelf member by a seating portion, the fixing portion of the support column to the base shelf member no longer occupies the upper side of the base shelf member. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, it becomes possible to secure sufficient space for heavy items and other items placed on the base shelf member, and to make effective use of the limited space on the base shelf member.

[0019] The outer edge of the upper shelf member may be provided with an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the inward direction when viewed in plan.

[0020] In this case, when loading or unloading items from the space below the upper shelf, the items being loaded or unloaded, or the user's hands, are less likely to interfere with the outer edge of the upper shelf. Therefore, adopting this configuration improves convenience for users loading and unloading items, and makes it easier to place items in the limited space on the shelf.

[0021] The upper shelf member includes a first upper shelf member positioned above the base shelf member via a plurality of support columns, and a second upper shelf member positioned above the base shelf member and overlapping vertically with a portion of the first upper shelf member via a plurality of support columns, wherein the portions that overlap vertically with each other are supported at different height positions on the common support columns.

[0022] In this case, by supporting the first upper shelf member and the second upper shelf member on a common support column such that a portion of them overlaps vertically, it becomes possible to install multiple upper shelf members with different top heights within a limited area on the base shelf member. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, it becomes possible to place a variety of items with different heights, etc., within a limited area on the base shelf member. Also, in this case, since a part of the first upper shelf board member and the second upper shelf board member is supported by a common support column, the number of support columns to be used can be reduced. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, it is possible to reduce the product cost by reducing the number of parts, and at the same time, reduce the space occupied by the support columns on the upper side of the base shelf board member, and accordingly, it is possible to increase the installation space for articles.

Effect of the Invention

[0023] The shelf device according to one aspect of the present invention can stably place various articles including heavy articles on the limited space on the shelf board member while suppressing the increase in size and weight of the entire device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] Perspective view of the furniture unit including the shelf device of the embodiment. [Figure 2] Plan view of the shelf device of the embodiment. [Figure 3] Perspective view of the shelf device of the embodiment seen from the upper side. [Figure 4] Perspective view of the shelf device of the embodiment seen from the lower side. [Figure 5] Exploded perspective view of a part of the shelf device of the embodiment. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of the shelf device of the embodiment taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 4. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view of the shelf device of the embodiment taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 4. [Figure 8] Perspective view of a part of the shelf device of the embodiment seen from below. [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view of the shelf device of the embodiment taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] Perspective view of the fixture of the shelf device of the embodiment. [Figure 11] Plan view of the fixing part of the shelf board member and the support column of the embodiment. [Figure 12] Bottom view of the fixing part of the shelf board member and the support column of the embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0026] <Fixture Unit> Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fixture unit 1 including the shelving device 100 of this embodiment. The furniture unit 1 comprises a first chair block 11 in which three seating sections 10 are arranged in a row side by side, and a shelf device 100 positioned on the outside of one side in the direction in which the three seating sections 10 of the first chair block 11 are arranged. Each seating section 10 of the first chair block 11 comprises a seat member 20 which is rectangular in plan view, and a backrest 21 which stands vertically upward at a position along one side of the seat member 20. The three seating sections 10 are arranged so that each backrest 21 is in a row side by side, and the upper surface of each seat member 20 is designed so that a user can sit down from the side without a backrest 21. Hereinafter, with respect to the first chair block 11, the direction in which the three seating sections 10 are arranged will be referred to as the "seating width direction".

[0027] In Figure 1, reference numeral 14 is a planter block that is quadrant-shaped in plan view and is located on the other side of the first chair block 11 in the seating width direction, and reference numeral 15 is a second chair block that is rectangular in plan view and is located on the rear side of the planter block 14 (the rear side in the depth direction of the first chair block 11). Also in Figure 1, reference numerals 16 and 17 are a third chair block and a fourth chair block that are quadrant-shaped in plan view and are located on the rear side of the seating portion 10 closer to one side in the seating width direction of the first chair block 11, and on the rear side of the seating portion 10 closer to the other side in the seating width direction, respectively. The furniture unit 1 is composed of the first chair block 11, the shelf device 100, the planter block 14, the second chair block 15, the third chair block 16, the fourth chair block 17, etc.

[0028] <Shelf device> Figure 2 is a plan view of the shelving unit 100, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the shelving unit 100 from above. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the shelving unit 100 from below. The shelf device 100 comprises a plurality (four) of leg columns 30 that make contact with the floor surface F, a base shelf plate member 31 fixed to the upper part of the plurality of leg columns 30, and a first shelf block 32F and a second shelf block 32S installed on the upper part of the base shelf plate member 31. Each leg column 30 has a lower end that makes contact with the floor surface F, and stands upright vertically upward from the contact end 30a. The leg columns 30 protrude downward from the outer peripheral edge of the base shelf plate member 31 and make contact with the floor surface F at the contact end 30a of their lower ends. In this embodiment, multiple leg columns 30 constitute the support structure.

[0029] The plan view shape of the base shelf member 31 is a composite shape of a square and a quarter circle with the same radius as one side of the square. The square portion of the base shelf member 31 is formed to be approximately the same size as the square of the seating portion 10 of the first chair block 11 in plan view. The base shelf member 31 is arranged so that the long, straight edge, which is the square portion plus the quarter circle portion, runs along the depth direction of the first chair block 11 (see Figure 1). The quarter circle portion of the base shelf member 31 is arranged so that its curved edge faces the side that is separated from the first chair block 11. The long, straight edge, which is the square portion plus the quarter circle portion of the base shelf member 31, is adjacent to one side of the first chair block 11 in the seating width direction and to the third chair block 16.

[0030] In the following explanation, for convenience, with respect to the shelf device 100, the direction along the seating width direction of the first chair block 11 will be referred to as the "device width direction," and the direction along the depth direction of the first chair block 11 will be referred to as the "depth direction." Furthermore, the side of the device width direction adjacent to the first chair block 11 will be referred to as the "inside of the device width direction," and the opposite side as the "outside of the device width direction." The side of the depth direction with the part corresponding to a four-sided circle will be referred to as the "rear side of the depth direction," and the opposite side as the "front side of the depth direction." In the appropriate places on the drawing, arrows W point outwards in the width direction of the device, arrow D pointes towards the back in the depth direction, and arrow UP points vertically upwards.

[0031] The first shelf block 32F comprises two upper shelf members 33FH and 33FL, which have a roughly arc-shaped top view. The two upper shelf members 33FH and 33FL are formed to the same size and are spaced apart vertically, each supported by five (or more) support columns 35. The lower end of each support column 35 is fixed to the base shelf member 31 and rises vertically upward from the upper surface 31a of the base shelf member 31. The upper shelf members 33FH and 33FL are arranged in two tiers, upper and lower, such that their respective upper surfaces 33Fa are roughly horizontal. Each upper shelf member 33FH and 33FL is supported by the support columns 35 at a position higher than the upper surface 31a of the base shelf member 31.

[0032] The upper shelf members 33FH and 33FL of the first shelf block 32F are positioned so that their outer edges follow the approximately arc shape of the outer surface of the base shelf member 31. The upper shelf members 33FH and 33FL have a constant width in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction (the direction in which they extend in an approximately arc shape). This width of the upper shelf members 33FH and 33FL is half the length of the base shelf member 31 in the device width direction.

[0033] The upper shelf members 33FH and 33FL are supported by support columns 35 near the left and right corners on one end (rear side in the depth direction) and the other end (front side in the depth direction) in the extension direction, and approximately at the center of the roughly arc-shaped outer edge. Of these five support columns 35, the two support columns 35 that support the left and right corners on the front side in the depth direction of the upper shelf members 33FH and 33FL have a longer vertical extension length compared to the remaining three support columns. When distinguishing between the two types of support columns 35 with different extension lengths, the support column with the longer extension length is called the "long support column 35H," and the support column with the shorter extension length is called the "short support column 35L." The left and right corners on the front side in the depth direction of the upper shelf members 33FH and 33FL are supported by the long support columns 35H. The upper shelf member 33FL of the lower section is supported at the midpoint of the extension direction of the short support column 35L and the long support column 35H. The upper shelf member 33FH of the upper section is supported at the upper end of the short support column 35L and at the midpoint of the long support column 35H.

[0034] In this way, various items such as catalogs, magazines, books, small items, and equipment can be placed on the upper surfaces 33Fa (second item placement surfaces) of the upper shelf members 33FL and 33FH, which are supported by the support columns 35. In addition, various items can also be placed on the upper surface 31a (first item placement surface) of the base shelf member 31, specifically below the lower upper shelf member 33FL.

[0035] The second shelf block 32S comprises two upper shelf members 33SH and 33SL, which are rectangular in plan view. The two upper shelf members 33SH and 33SL are formed to the same size and are spaced apart in the vertical direction, and are supported by four (or more) long support columns 35H (columns 35) respectively. The upper shelf members 33SH and 33SL are arranged in two tiers, upper and lower, such that their respective upper surfaces 33Fa are approximately horizontal. Each upper shelf member 33SH and 33SL is supported by the long support columns 35H at a position higher than the upper surface 31a of the base shelf member 31. The lower upper shelf member 33SL is supported at the middle of the extension direction of each long support column 35H, and the upper shelf member 33SH is supported at the upper end of each long support column 35H.

[0036] The upper shelf members 33SH and 33SL of the second shelf block 32S are positioned so that their longer sides in the width direction align with the outer straight section of the base shelf member 31 in the width direction of the device. The length of the shorter sides of the upper shelf members 33SH and 33SL is half the length of the base shelf member 31 in the width direction of the device. The length of the longer sides of the upper shelf members 33SH and 33SL is approximately the same as the length in the depth direction of the square-equivalent portion of the base shelf member 31. The rear portion of the upper shelf members 33SH and 33S in the depth direction overlaps vertically with a portion of the front portion in the depth direction of the first shelf block 32F. The upper shelf members 33SH and 33SL of the second shelf block 32S and the upper shelf members 33FH and 33FL of the first shelf block 32F overlap vertically and are supported at different height positions on two common long support columns 35H.

[0037] The heights of the two upper shelf members 33SH and 33SL on the second shelf block 32S side are higher than the heights of the corresponding upper shelf members 33FH and 33FL on the first shelf block 32F side. Specifically, the upper shelf member 33SL on the lower side of the second shelf block 32S is positioned at a predetermined height higher than the upper shelf member 33FL on the lower side of the first shelf block 32F, and the upper shelf member 33SH on the upper side of the second shelf block 32S is positioned at a predetermined height higher than the upper shelf member 33FH on the upper side of the first shelf block 32F. Furthermore, the upper shelf member 33FH on the upper side of the first shelf block 32F is positioned at a higher position than the upper shelf member 33SL on the lower side of the second shelf block 32S.

[0038] The upper surfaces 33Sa (second item placement surfaces) of the upper shelf members 33SL and 33SH of the second shelf block 32S, which is supported by the long support column 35H, allow for the placement of various items such as catalogs, magazines, books, small items, and equipment, similar to the first shelf block 32F. In addition, various items can also be placed on the upper surface 31a (first item placement surface) of the base shelf member 31, specifically below the lower upper shelf member 33SL.

[0039] In this embodiment, a rod-shaped support column 35 that rises upward from the base shelf member 31 constitutes the upright member. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper shelf members 33FH and 33FL of the first shelf block 32F constitute the first upper shelf member, and the upper shelf members 33SH and 33SL of the second shelf block 32S constitute the second upper shelf member. In addition, the upper surface 31a of the base shelf member 31 constitutes the first article placement surface, and the upper surfaces 33Fa and 33Sa of the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33S of the first shelf block 32F and the second shelf block 32S constitute the second article placement surface.

[0040] Incidentally, the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL of the first shelf block 32F and the second shelf block 32S are all made of plate members with the same thickness and rigidity. In contrast, the base shelf member 31 is made of a plate member that is thicker and more rigid than these upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL. Furthermore, the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL of the first shelf block 32F and the second shelf block 32S may be formed from a material that has relatively less rigidity than the base shelf member 31 when given the same thickness. For example, the base shelf member 31 may be made of particleboard, and the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL may be made of so-called MDF (medium-density fiberboard). Alternatively, the base shelf member 31 may be made of a highly rigid material such as iron or aluminum, and the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL may be made of synthetic resin. In addition, the base shelf member 31 and the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL may be made of the same synthetic resin, and reinforcing ribs may be added to the lower surface of the base shelf member 31 to increase the rigidity of the base shelf member 31.

[0041] The upper surface 31a (first article placement surface) of the base shelf member 31 is provided with a flat area above which the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL are not placed. This area is designated as the heavy-load article placement area A (see Figure 2), on which heavy-load articles can be placed. A planter 40 for planting plants 45 (see Figure 1) together with soil is fixedly installed in the heavy-load article placement area A. The plan view shape of the planter 40 is substantially the same as the heavy-load article placement area A on the base shelf member 31. The planter 40 and plants 45 placed in the heavy-load article placement area A are surrounded on the back side in the depth direction and on the outside in the width direction of the device by the first shelf block 32F and the second shelf block 32S. In this embodiment, the planter 40 and the plants 45 and soil planted in the planter 40 constitute the heavy load item. However, the heavy load item placed in the heavy load item placement area A is not limited to the planter 40 and plants 45. The heavy load item may be any item that is heavier than the small items placed on the first shelf block 32F or the second shelf block 32S, such as large pieces of equipment or exhibits.

[0042] The four leg columns 30 that protrude from the lower surface of the base shelf member 31 are positioned as follows: As shown in Figure 4, one of the support columns 30 (30A) is positioned at the front side in the depth direction of the base shelf member 31 and at the inner corner in the width direction of the device. This corner is located below the heavy load item placement area A. Therefore, this support column 30 (30A) can support the large loads of planters 40 and plants 45 placed on the heavy load item placement area A at a position directly below them. Another leg column 30 (30B) is positioned at the front side in the depth direction of the base shelf member 31 and at the outer corner in the width direction of the device. A support column 35 of one corner of the second shelf block 32S is standing upright at this corner. This leg column 30 (30B) is positioned coaxially with the support column 35 of the second shelf block 32S, directly below the said support column 35. Another leg column 30(30C) is positioned at the rear of the base shelf member 31 in the depth direction and at the inner corner in the width direction of the device. A support column 35 of one corner of the first shelf block 32F is standing upright at this corner. This leg column 30(30C) is positioned coaxially with the support column 35 of the first shelf block 32F, directly below the said support column 35. The remaining leg column 30 (30D) is positioned approximately in the center of the roughly arc-shaped outer edge on the rear side in the depth direction of the base shelf member 31. A support column 35 of the outer edge of the first shelf block 32F stands upright at approximately the center of this outer edge. This leg column 30 (30D) is positioned coaxially with the support column 35 of the first shelf block 32F, directly below the support column 35.

[0043] <Fixing structure for support posts> Next, we will explain the fixing structure of the support columns 35 to the base shelf member 31 and each of the upper shelf members 33FL, 33FH, 33SL, and 33SH.

[0044] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the base shelf member 31 and the support column 35 viewed from below, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along the line VI-VI in Figure 4. The support column 35 shown in Figures 5 and 6 is one long support column 35H fixed to the base shelf member 31, but the other support columns 35 (the remaining one long support column 35H and two short support columns 35L) have a similar basic structure.

[0045] The support column 35 has a rectangular plate-shaped seating portion 50 having a contact surface 50a that abuts against the lower surface of the base shelf member 31, and a cylindrical support column body portion 51 that protrudes from one surface of the seating portion 50 in a direction perpendicular to (intersecting) the seating portion 50. In this embodiment, the seating portion 50 is integrally fixed to one end of the support column body portion 51 by welding or the like. Multiple screw insertion holes 53 are formed in the seating portion 50. Screws 52 for fixing the seating portion 50 to the base shelf member 31 are inserted through each screw insertion hole 53.

[0046] On the other hand, the base shelf member 31 has an insertion hole 54 that penetrates the base shelf member 31 in the vertical direction. The main body portion 51 of the support column 35 is inserted into this insertion hole 54 from below. In addition, a rectangular recess 55 is formed in the area of ​​the lower surface of the base shelf member 31 that includes the opening of the insertion hole 54 when viewed from below. The seating portion 50 of the support column 35 is housed in this recess 55. At this time, the contact surface 50a of the seating portion 50 abuts against the bottom surface (lower surface) of the recess 55. As the seating portion 50 is housed in the recess 55, the lower surface of the seating portion 50 becomes substantially flush with the lower surface of the base shelf member 31. Furthermore, a metal embedded nut 56 is embedded in the bottom portion of the recess 55 of the base shelf member 31. The shaft portion of a screw 52 inserted through the screw insertion hole 53 of the seating portion 50 is tightened into this embedded nut 56. The lower end of the support column 35 is fixed to the base shelf member 31 by fastening the seating portion 50 to the lower surface of the base shelf member 31 with a screw 52.

[0047] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII in Figure 4. The structure of the lower part of the mounting area for the support column 35 on the lower surface of the base shelf member 31, where the leg column 30 is positioned, is as shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 7, the upper end of each leg column 30 is provided with a rectangular plate-shaped seating portion 57 that is slightly larger than the seating portion 50 of the support column 35. The seating portion 57 of the leg column 30 is superimposed on the seating portion 50 of the support column 35 and its surrounding lower surface, and in this state, it is fastened and fixed to the lower surface of the base shelf member 31 by screws 58. Embedded nuts 59 are embedded at the tightening position of the screws 58 on the lower surface of the base shelf member 31. The leg column 30, fixed to the lower surface of the base shelf member 31 by screws 58, has the upper surface of the seating portion 57 in contact with the lower surface of the seating portion 50 of the support column 35, and in this state, it is coaxial with the main body portion 51 of the support column 35. In this embodiment, the seat support portion 57 of the leg column 30 is superimposed on the lower surface of the base shelf member 31, and in this state, the seat support portion 57 is simply fixed to the lower surface of the base shelf member 31 by screws 58. However, a recess capable of receiving the seat support portion 57 may be formed on the lower surface of the base shelf member 31, and the seat support portion 57 may be housed in the recess and then fixed to the base shelf member 31. In this case, the seat support portion 57 will not protrude downward from the lower surface of the base shelf member 31, resulting in a better appearance of the shelf device 100.

[0048] As shown in Figure 4, the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL of the first and second shelf blocks 32F and 32S are all fixed to the corresponding number of support columns 35 via fasteners 60.

[0049] <Fixing structure for upper shelf board members> Figure 8 is a perspective view from below of the fixing portion of the support column 35 in the upper shelf member 33SL of the lower section of the second shelf block 32S. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along the line IX-IX in Figure 8, and Figure 10 is a perspective view of the fastener 60. Figure 11 is a plan view of the upper shelf member 33SL of the lower section, with the support column 35 portion in cross-section. Figure 12 is a bottom view of the upper shelf member 33SL of the lower section, with the support column 35 portion in cross-section. Figures 8, 9 and 11, 12 show the fixing portion of the support column 35 to the upper shelf board member 33SL of the lower section of the second shelf block 32S, and the fixing portion of the support column 35 to the upper shelf board member 33FL of the lower section of the first shelf block 32F has a similar structure.

[0050] A fixing device 60, as shown in Figure 10, is attached to the outer surface of the main body 51 of each support column 35 at a predetermined height. As shown in Figure 10, the fastener 60 includes a first extension piece 60f that extends in one direction and has one surface fixed to the outer surface (outer peripheral surface) of the support column, and a second extension piece 60s that extends in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the first extension piece 60f and has one surface fixed to the lower surface of the upper shelf board member 33SL. The first extension piece 60f is made of a plate-shaped piece whose thickness direction is oriented vertically (or vertically when attached to the shelf device 100), and the second extension piece 60s is made of a plate-shaped piece whose thickness direction is oriented horizontally (or horizontally when attached to the shelf device 100). In this embodiment, the fastener 60 is formed by bending a metal plate into an L-shape. In other words, the fastener 60 in this embodiment is composed of an L-shaped metal fitting that is L-shaped when viewed from the side. However, the fastener 60 may be formed from a material other than metal, as long as it has sufficient strength.

[0051] The first extension piece 60f of the fastener 60 is set to have a shorter length in the extension direction compared to the second extension piece 60s. The first extension piece 60f has one screw insertion hole 42 that penetrates in the plate thickness direction, and the second extension piece 60s has two screw insertion holes 62 that penetrate in the plate thickness direction. As shown in Figure 9, the shaft of a screw 61 is inserted into the screw insertion hole 42 of the first extension piece 60f, and the screw 61 is tightened into a screw hole 43 provided at a predetermined height position on the support column 35. The first extension piece 60f of the fastener 60 is fixed to the support column 35 by the screw 61 when it is in contact with the outer surface (circumferential surface) of the support column 35.

[0052] The first extension piece 60f is positioned with its tip facing vertically upward when the fastener 60 is fixed to the main body 51 of the support column. The other extension piece 60s of the fastener 60, the second extension piece 60s, is positioned approximately horizontally when the fastener 60 is fixed to the main body 51 of the support column. The upper surface of the second extension piece 60s abuts against the lower surface of the upper shelf member 33SL. A screw 63 is inserted from below into the screw insertion hole 62 of the second extension piece 60s to fix the second extension piece 60s to the lower surface of the upper shelf member 33SL. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the fixing device 60 is fixed to the main support column 51 such that the extension direction of the second extension piece 60s from the base of the first extension piece 60f faces the center direction (center direction in a plan view) of the upper shelf board member 33SL.

[0053] A support column mounting opening 64 is formed in the fixing portion of the support column 35 of the upper shelf board member 33SL. The support column mounting opening 64 has a through hole 65 (base opening) that is substantially the same shape (circular) as the outer surface of the support column 35, and a recessed portion 66 that is recessed upward from the lower surface of the upper shelf board member 33SL and opens to a part of the circumferential direction of the through hole 65. In addition, as shown in Figure 9, an embedded nut 67 is embedded near the support column mounting opening 64 on the lower surface side of the upper shelf board member 33SL. A screw 63 for fixing the second extension piece 60s of the fastener 60 is tightened into the embedded nut 67. The second extension piece 60s of the fastener 60 is fixed to the lower surface of the upper shelf board member 33SL by tightening the screw 63 when its upper surface is in contact with the lower surface of the upper shelf board member 33SL.

[0054] The upper shelf member 33SL is assembled to the support column 35 with the first extension piece 60f of the fixing device 60 fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the support column body 51. Specifically, the support column body 51 is inserted into the through hole 65 of the upper shelf member 33SL from the upper end side, and the first extension piece 60f of the fixing device 60 is inserted into the recessed portion 66 of the upper shelf member 33SL. In this way, the fixing device 60 is positioned approximately in the vicinity of the support column 35 by the recessed portion 66. As shown in Figure 12, the recessed portion 66 is equipped with a pair of rotation-restricting walls 66w that face the widthwise end faces of the inserted first extension piece 60f. The pair of rotation-restricting walls 66w are mutually parallel, inward-facing walls spaced approximately the same distance as the diameter of the through hole 65. The upper surface of the second extension piece 60s of the fixing device 60 abuts against the lower surface of the upper shelf member 33SL. Finally, the shaft of the screw 63 is inserted into the screw insertion hole 62 of the second extension piece 60s of the fastener 60, and the screw 63 is tightened into the embedded nut 67 on the upper shelf member 33SL side. As a result, the upper shelf member 33SL is fixed to the predetermined height position of the support column 35.

[0055] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8, 9, and 12, the outer edge of the upper shelf member 33SL (33SL) is provided with an inclined surface 70 that slopes downward toward the center in a plan view of the upper shelf member 33SL (33SL). Therefore, there are no approximately right-angle corners on the lower side of the outer edge of the upper shelf member 33SL (33SL). Furthermore, a similar inclined surface 70 is also provided on the lower side of the outer edge of each upper shelf plate member 33SH (33SH) on the upper side of the first and second shelf blocks 32F and 32L.

[0056] Furthermore, the upper shelf members 33FH and 33SH of the upper sections of the first shelf block 32F and the second shelf block 32S are fixed to the upper part of the corresponding support column 35 using fasteners 60, similar to the upper shelf members 33FL and 33SL of the lower sections described above. However, while the upper shelf members 33FL and 33SL of the lower sections have through holes 65 through which the support column 35 is inserted, the upper shelf members 33FH and 33SH of the upper sections do not have through holes 65. Instead of through holes 65, the upper shelf members 33FH and 33SH of the upper sections have circular holes that open only downwards. In addition to contact with the fasteners 60, the upper shelf members 33FH and 33SH of the upper sections are positioned vertically relative to the support column 35 by contact between the upper end surface of the support column 35 and the bottom surface of this circular hole.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the first shelf block 32F and the second shelf block 32S share some of the support columns 35 that support the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL. Therefore, the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL are fixed to each support column 35 in the order described below. Multiple support columns 35 are pre-fixed to the base shelf member 31 before fixing the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL.

[0058] First, the upper shelf plate member 33FL of the lower section of the first shelf block 32F, which is positioned at the lowest position, is fixed to the corresponding support column 35 using a fastener 60. Next, the upper shelf board member 33SL of the lower section of the second shelf block 32S is fixed to the corresponding support column 35 using a fastener 60. At this time, the fastener 60 that fixes the upper shelf board member 33SL of the lower section is fixed to the corresponding support column 35 after the upper shelf board member 33FL of the lower section of the first shelf block 32F is fixed to the support column 35. Next, the upper shelf board member 33FH of the upper section of the first shelf block 32F is fixed to the corresponding support column 35 using a fastener 60. At this time, the fastener 60 that fixes the upper shelf board member 33FH of the upper section is fixed to the corresponding support column 35 after the upper shelf board member 33SL of the lower section of the second shelf block 32S is fixed to the support column 35. Finally, the upper shelf board member 33SH of the upper section of the second shelf block 32S is fixed to the corresponding support column 35 using a fastener 60. At this time, the fastener 60 that fixes the upper shelf board member 33SH of the upper section is fixed to the corresponding support column 35 after the upper shelf board member 33FH of the upper section of the first shelf block 32F is fixed to the support column 35.

[0059] <Mechanism and Effects> As described above, in the shelf device 100 of this embodiment, the base shelf plate member 31 supported by the support structure (leg column 30) is made of a plate material with higher rigidity than the upper shelf plate members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL of the first and second shelf blocks 32F and 32S. Furthermore, the area above the upper surface 31a (first article placement surface) of the base shelf plate member 31 where the upper shelf plate members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL are not placed is designated as the heavy load article placement area A. For this reason, in the shelf device 100 of this embodiment, the load of the upper shelf plate members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL on which articles are placed, and the load of heavy load articles placed in the heavy load article placement area A can be stably supported by the highly rigid base shelf plate member 31. In the case of the shelf device 100 of this embodiment, the base shelf member 31 has a larger area in plan view compared to the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL. However, since the base shelf member 31 has higher rigidity than the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL, it can stably support large loads acting from above across its entire surface. In this embodiment, the shelf device 100 does not set the rigidity of all shelf members to be equally high. Therefore, it is possible to stably place various items, including heavy items, on the limited space on the shelf members while suppressing an increase in the overall size and weight of the device.

[0060] In this embodiment of the shelf device 100, the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL are not positioned above the heavy load item placement area A of the base shelf member 31. Therefore, even when the height of a heavy load item is greater than that of the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL, such as the planter 40 in which the plants 45 are planted, the heavy load item can be placed in the heavy load item placement area A without interfering with the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL.

[0061] Furthermore, in the shelf device 100 of this embodiment, a rod-shaped support column 35 is used as an upright member that rises upward from the base shelf board member 31. This makes it possible to secure a space that facilitates the visibility of items placed on the lower side of the upper shelf board members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL. Therefore, by adopting this configuration, it is possible to easily put items in and take them out of the lower part of the upper shelf board members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the support structure of the shelf device 100 is composed of a plurality of leg columns 30 that protrude downward from the outer peripheral edge of the base shelf member 31, with their lower ends forming a ground contact portion 30a. This ensures sufficient space between the base shelf member 31 and the floor surface F below it. Consequently, when this configuration is adopted, the floor surface F below the shelf device 100 becomes easier to clean. In particular, in this embodiment, the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL are positioned above the base shelf member 31, which is thicker than the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL. This makes it difficult to move the base shelf member 31 across the floor surface F by hand, but in this embodiment, the support structure of the shelf device 100 is composed of a plurality of leg columns 30, which greatly contributes to maintaining good cleanability.

[0063] Furthermore, in the shelf device 100 of this embodiment, one of the multiple leg columns 30 is positioned below the heavy load item placement area A of the base shelf plate member 31, and the remaining leg columns 30 are positioned below the support column 35 fixed to the base shelf plate member 31, and are positioned coaxially with the support column 35. Therefore, the load of heavy load items placed in the heavy load item placement area A can be stably supported by the leg column 30 positioned below it and the remaining leg columns 30. In particular, since one leg column 30 is positioned below the heavy load item placement area A, the load of heavy load items can be efficiently received by the leg column 30 directly below it. Furthermore, since the remaining leg columns 30 are coaxially positioned below the support columns 35 that support the load of the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL on which the items are placed, they can efficiently support the load of the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL on which the items are placed. In this embodiment, the remaining leg columns 30 are positioned below the support column 35 fixed to the base shelf member 31 and are arranged coaxially with the support column 35. However, the remaining leg columns 30 only need to be positioned below the support column 35 and overlap it with the support column 35 in a plan view. Therefore, when the shelf device 100 of this embodiment is adopted, the loads of the first and second shelf blocks 32F, 32S and various items installed on the base shelf plate member 31 can be efficiently supported by the multiple leg columns 30.

[0064] In this embodiment, only one leg column 30 is positioned below the heavy load item placement area A of the base shelf member 31, but two or more leg columns 30 may be positioned below the heavy load item placement area A. Also, in this embodiment, support columns 35 are positioned below some of the support columns 35 of the first and second shelf blocks 32F and 32S, but support columns 35 may be positioned below all of the support columns 35.

[0065] Furthermore, in the shelf device 100 of this embodiment, the support column 35 comprises a seating portion 50 and a support column body portion 51, and the base shelf member 31 has an insertion hole 54 that penetrates vertically and through which the support column body portion 51 is inserted. The support column 35 is fixed to the base shelf member 31 with the support column body portion 51 inserted from below into the insertion hole 54 and the seating portion 50 in contact with the lower surface of the base shelf member 31. As a result, the fixing portion of the support column 35 to the base shelf member 31 does not occupy the upper surface of the base shelf member 31. Therefore, when the shelf device 100 of this embodiment is adopted, it becomes possible to secure sufficient space for heavy items and other items placed on the base shelf member 31, and to make effective use of the limited space on the base shelf member 31.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shelf device 100 is provided with an inclined surface 70 on the outer periphery of the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL that slopes downward toward the inward direction when viewed from above. Therefore, when loading or unloading items into the space below the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL, the items being loaded or unloaded, or the user's hands, are less likely to interfere with the outer periphery of the upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL. Therefore, when the shelf device 100 of this embodiment is adopted, the convenience for users when putting items in and taking them out is increased, and it becomes possible to easily place items in the limited space on the shelf members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shelving device 100 has upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL (first upper shelf members) of the first shelf block 32F and upper shelf members 33SH, 33SL (second upper shelf members) of the second shelf block 32S that overlap each other vertically, and these overlapping portions are supported at different height positions on a common support column 35. Therefore, it becomes possible to install multiple upper shelf members 33FH, 33FL, and 33SH, 33SL with different upper surface heights within a limited area on the base shelf member 31. Therefore, when the shelf device 100 of this embodiment is adopted, the base shelf plate member 31 This makes it possible to place a variety of items with different heights and other characteristics within the limited area below the upper shelf members 33FL and 33SL.

[0068] Furthermore, in the case of the shelf device 100 of this embodiment, since some of the upper shelf plate members 33FH, 33FL, 33SH, and 33SL of the first shelf block 32F and the second shelf block 32S are supported by a common support column 35, the number of support columns 35 used can be reduced. Therefore, by adopting the shelf device 100 of this embodiment, it becomes possible to reduce product costs by reducing the number of parts, and it becomes possible to reduce the space occupied by the support column 35 on the upper side of the base shelf plate member 31, thereby increasing the space available for placing items.

[0069] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various design modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the embodiments described above, the number of shelves in each of the first and second shelf blocks 32F and 32S is two, but the number of shelves may be one or three or more.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a rod-shaped support column 35 is used as an upright member that rises upward from the base shelf member 31, but the configuration of the upright member is not limited to this. The upright member may be, for example, a plate-shaped member or the like.

[0071] In the above embodiment, a seating portion 50 is provided at the lower end of each support column 35, and the support column body portion 51 of the support column 35 is inserted through the insertion hole 54 from below the base shelf member 31, with the seating portion 50 fixed to the lower surface of the base shelf member 31. However, the method of fixing the support columns 35 to the base shelf member 31 is not limited to this. The support columns 35 may also be fixed from the upper side of the base shelf member 31, for example.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a first shelf block 32F and a second shelf block 32S are installed on the upper part of the base shelf member 31. However, the number of shelf blocks installed on the upper part of the base shelf member 31 is not limited to two. The number of shelf blocks installed on the upper part of the base shelf member 31 may be one, three or more.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a plurality of leg columns 30 protruding downward from the outer peripheral edge of the base shelf member 31 are used as the support structure for supporting the base shelf member 31, but the configuration of the support structure is not limited to this. The support structure may be of any other form as long as it has a ground contact portion that is installed on the floor surface F and is capable of supporting the base shelf member 31 from below. The support structure may be, for example, a block-shaped leg or a leg made up of multiple frames. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 30...Pillar (support structure) 30a...Grounding part 31…Base shelf board component 31a...Top surface (first surface for placing the article) 33FH, 33FL... Upper shelf board members (first upper shelf board members) 33SH, 33SL... Upper shelf board component (second upper shelf board component) 33Fa, 33Sa… Top surface (second surface for placing articles) 35…Support column (upright member) 40... Planter (heavy load item) 45…Planting (large load items) 50... Seat support 50a…Abutment surface 51...Main body of the support column 70…Slope surface 100…shelf device A... Area for placing heavy loads

Claims

1. A support structure having a ground contact portion, A base shelf member supported by the aforementioned support structure, the upper surface of which serves as the first article placement surface, A plurality of upright members are fixed to the base shelf member and stand upright from the base shelf member, The system comprises an upper shelf member supported by a plurality of upright members at a position higher than the first article placement surface of the base shelf member, with the upper surface serving as a second article placement surface, The shelf device is characterized in that the base shelf member is made of a plate material with higher rigidity than the upper shelf member, and the area above the first article placement surface where the upper shelf member is not placed is designated as a heavy-load article placement area capable of placing heavy-load articles.

2. The shelf device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support structure is composed of a plurality of leg columns that protrude downward from the outer peripheral edge of the base shelf member, with their lower ends serving as the ground contact portion.

3. At least one of the multiple leg columns is positioned below the heavy load item placement area of ​​the base shelf member, The shelf device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least a portion of the remaining leg columns among the plurality of leg columns is positioned below the upright member fixed to the base shelf member, so as to overlap with the upright member in a plan view.

4. The shelf device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the upright member is a rod-shaped support column.

5. The aforementioned support column is A seat support portion having a contact surface that contacts the lower surface of the base shelf member, The system comprises a support column body that protrudes from the seating portion in a direction intersecting the contact surface and supports the upper shelf board member, The base shelf member has an insertion hole that penetrates vertically and through which the main support column is inserted. The shelf device according to claim 4, characterized in that the support column is fixed to the base shelf member with the main body of the support column inserted through the insertion hole from below and the seating portion in contact with the lower surface of the base shelf member.

6. The shelf device according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer peripheral edge of the upper shelf member is provided with an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the inward direction when viewed in plan with respect to the upper shelf member.

7. The upper shelf plate member is, A first upper shelf member is positioned above the base shelf member via a plurality of support columns, It includes a second upper shelf member positioned above the base shelf member, overlapping vertically with a portion of the first upper shelf member, via a plurality of support columns, The shelf device according to claim 4, characterized in that the first upper shelf member and the second upper shelf member are supported at different height positions of the common support column at portions that overlap each other in the vertical direction.

Images