Mobile fixtures

Abstract

Providing mobile fixtures that enhance driving stability while effectively utilizing limited storage space. [Solution] The mobile fixture 1 comprises a pair of support parts 10, a connecting part 20 connecting the pair of support parts 10, an article storage section 30 mounted between the pair of support parts 10 below the connecting part 20, an article mounting section 40 provided in the space directly above the article storage section 30, legs 50 extending from the lower ends of each of the pair of support parts 10 in a front-rear direction that intersects the left-right direction in which the pair of support parts 10 face each other, and wheels 60 attached to the legs 50. The article storage section 30 is formed in the shape of a box with an opening, and the article storage section 30 and the article mounting section 40 are housed within the outer contour of the pair of support parts 10 when viewed from the left-right direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile furniture.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a furniture system including a device storage unit capable of storing an electronic device and a monitor support unit capable of attaching a monitor above the device storage unit. The monitor support unit has a column connected to the monitor and extending in the vertical direction, and a grounding unit that supports the column from below, grounds on the floor surface, and is disposed between the bottom of the device storage unit and the floor surface. Casters that can travel on the floor surface are provided at the front end and the rear end of the grounding unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the furniture system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the monitor and the device storage unit are arranged on the front side of the column, and the front grounding unit that extends forward from the lower end of the column in the grounding unit is formed longer than the rear grounding unit that extends rearward from the lower end of the column in the grounding unit. Thereby, it is possible to suitably resist the forward tipping moment acting on the column due to the load of the monitor. However, in the above configuration, since the monitor and the device storage unit are arranged to protrude forward with respect to the column, the configuration is asymmetrical in the front and rear with respect to the column, and it is difficult to maintain balance when gripping and moving the column and moving it. Therefore, there was room for improvement in running stability.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a mobile fixture that can effectively utilize limited storage space while improving driving stability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following embodiments. (1) A movable fixture according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a pair of support parts, a connecting part connecting the pair of support parts, an article storage section erected between the pair of support parts below the connecting part, an article mounting section provided in the space directly above the article storage section, legs extending from the lower ends of each of the pair of support parts in a front-rear direction intersecting the left-right direction in which the pair of support parts face each other, and wheels attached to the legs, wherein the article storage section is formed in the shape of a box with an opening, and the article storage section and the article mounting section are housed within the outer contour of the pair of support parts when viewed from the left-right direction.

[0007] According to this embodiment, since the article storage section is positioned below the connecting section that links the pair of support sections, when an article is stored in the article storage section, the center of gravity of the mobile fixture is lowered, and its running stability is increased. Furthermore, the article storage section is formed in the shape of a box with an opening, has a high second moment of area, and also functions as a strength member that connects the pair of support sections. In addition, since the article mounting section is positioned in the space directly above the article storage section, the limited storage space between the pair of support sections can be effectively utilized. Moreover, since the article storage section and the article mounting section are contained within the outer contour of the pair of support sections when viewed from the left and right directions where the pair of support sections face each other, the center of gravity of the mobile fixture is not positioned in front of or behind the pair of support sections, and it is possible to move the mobile fixture while maintaining balance when gripping at least one of the pair of support sections.

[0008] (2) In the mobile furniture according to the embodiment of (1) above, the opening of the article storage section may open toward the front. According to this embodiment, it becomes easier to put items in and take them out through the opening of the item storage section.

[0009] (3) In the mobile furniture according to the embodiment of (1) or (2) above, the article storage section may be provided with a top plate, a bottom plate, a pair of side plates, and a back plate. According to this embodiment, an article storage compartment can be formed that is open at the front and closed at the top, bottom, left, right, and back.

[0010] (4) In a mobile fixture according to any of the embodiments described in (1) to (3) above, each of the pair of support parts may be provided with a support column. According to this embodiment, since each of the pair of support parts is equipped with a support column, the mobile fixture can be moved by gripping the support column without having to attach a separate handle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to each of the above embodiments, it is possible to provide a mobile fixture that can effectively utilize limited storage space while improving driving stability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the mobile fixture according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the mobile fixture according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the mounting structure of the inclined shelf according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the mounting structure of the article storage section according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] This is an exploded perspective view of the article storage section according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a front view showing an example of the use of the mobile fixture according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the direction indicated by the arrow FR in the front view of the movable furniture is referred to as "front", and the opposite direction is referred to as "rear".

[0014] Also, regarding "up", "down", "left", and "right", the direction indicated by the arrow UP in the upper view of the movable furniture is referred to as "up", the opposite direction is referred to as "down", the direction indicated by the arrow LH in the left hand side when facing the front of the movable furniture is referred to as "left", and the opposite direction is referred to as "right".

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the movable furniture 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the movable furniture 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow III-III shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the movable furniture 1 includes a pair of support portions 10, a connecting portion 20 that connects between the pair of support portions 10, an article storage portion 30 installed between the pair of support portions 10 below the connecting portion 20, an article mounting portion 40 provided in the space directly above the article storage portion 30, legs 50 extending in the front-rear direction from the lower ends of the pair of support portions 10, and a wheel portion 60 attached to the legs 50.

[0016] The pair of support portions 10 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. Each of the pair of support portions 10 includes a pair of columns 11 arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the columns 11 are formed in an L shape in plan view and extend in the vertical direction. The upper ends of the pair of columns 11 are connected to each other by a front-rear connecting member 12 extending in the front-rear direction. Note that the support portion 10 is not limited to a portal configuration including a pair of columns 11 and a front-rear connecting member 12, and for example, a single plate material may be used.

[0017] The connecting portion 20 includes a pair of left-right connecting members 21 extending parallel to each other in the left-right direction. The left-right connecting members 21 connect the upper ends of the columns 11 facing each other in the left-right direction. Note that the connecting portion 20 is not limited to a beam configuration including a pair of left-right connecting members 21, and for example, a single plate material may be used.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, the pair of support portions 10 and the connecting portion 20 are combined in a rectangular frame shape that is short in the front-rear direction and long in the left-right direction in plan view. The leg portions 50 extend from the lower ends of the support portions 10 to both sides in the front-rear direction that intersects the left-right direction in which the pair of support portions 10 face each other. Among the leg portions 50, the front leg portion extending forward from the lower end of the support portion 10 has the same or substantially the same length as the rear leg portion extending rearward from the lower end of the support portion 10 among the leg portions 50.

[0019] The wheel portions 60 are provided at the front end portions and the rear end portions of the leg portions 50 respectively. The wheel portions 60 are rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction. By the user gripping one or both of the left and right support columns 11 on either the left or right side, or one or two people gripping the left and right support columns 11 on both sides and pushing and pulling, the movable furniture 1 can be moved along the floor surface.

[0020] Returning to Fig. 1, the article storage portion 30 is installed at the lower end portions of the pair of support portions 10. The article storage portion 30 is formed in a box shape having an opening. In the present embodiment, the opening of the article storage portion 30 opens forward. Note that the opening of the article storage portion 30 is not limited to the configuration of opening forward, and for example, it may be configured to open upward.

[0021] The article storage portion 30 includes a top plate 31, a bottom plate 32, a pair of side plates 33, and a back plate 34. The top plate 31 serves as a partition that separates the internal space of the article storage portion 30 and the space directly above the article storage portion 30. The bottom plate 32 is capable of placing articles stored in the internal space of the article storage portion 30. Note that articles can also be placed on the upper surface of the top plate 31.

[0022] The pair of side plates 33 serve as partitions that separate the internal space of the article storage portion 30 and the external space of the movable furniture 1. Note that when a plurality of movable furniture 1 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction (for example, refer to Fig. 7 described later), at least one of the pair of side plates 33 may be omitted. The back plate 34 prevents articles stored in the internal space of the article storage portion 30 from falling backward.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, the article mounting section 40 is located in the space directly above the article storage section 30. The article mounting section 40 includes an inclined shelf 41. In this embodiment, the inclined shelf 41 is mounted diagonally to the support column 11 in two tiers, upper and lower. The inclined shelf 41 is inclined such that its front end is located lower than its rear end.

[0024] Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the mounting structure of the inclined shelf 41 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the support column 11 has multiple through holes 11a formed at intervals in the vertical direction. The through holes 11a are rectangular in shape. The through holes 11a are formed in both the front-to-back and left-to-right directions relative to the L-shaped support column 11 in plan view. The rear edge and both left and right edges of the inclined shelf 41 are bent so as to wrap around to the underside of the inclined shelf 41.

[0025] A rear end support member 42 is installed horizontally on the support column 11 located behind the inclined shelf 41. The rear end support member 42 is formed in an L-shape when viewed from the left-right direction and forms a receiving surface that receives the rear edge of the inclined shelf 41. Locking pieces 43 are provided at both ends of the rear end support member 42 in the left-right direction, and are used to lock onto the support column 11. The locking piece 43 has a hook (not shown) that can be locked into a through hole 11a that opens in the front-rear direction, and is further fixed by screws 44 so as to be in contact with the front surface of the support column 11.

[0026] A mounting piece 45 is attached to the front edge of the inclined shelf 41 by welding or other means, standing perpendicular to the inclined surface of the inclined shelf 41. After standing perpendicular to the inclined surface of the inclined shelf 41, the mounting piece 45 is bent vertically downward and fixed so as to be in contact with the rear surface of the support column 11 located in front of the inclined shelf 41. Specifically, the mounting piece 45 is fixed by screws 46 through a through hole 11a that opens in the front-rear direction of the support column 11. A hook (not shown) that engages with the through hole 11a may also be provided on the mounting piece 45.

[0027] Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the mounting structure of the article storage section 30 according to this embodiment. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the article storage section 30 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the side plate 33 of the article storage section 30 is fixed to the support column 11 by screws 36. The side plate 33 is equipped with a nut 37 into which the screw 36 is screwed. However, the side plate 33 may also be fixed directly by the screw 36 without the nut 37.

[0028] The top plate 31, bottom plate 32, and back plate 34 are assembled in a U-shape in cross-section. A storage box 35 is positioned below the bottom plate 32. The storage box 35 can accommodate wiring and other components connected to electronic equipment (for example, the battery 104 shown in Figure 7, which will be described later) when such equipment is placed on the bottom plate 32. The storage box 35 is fixed to the support column 11 by screws 36.

[0029] As shown in Figure 6, the top plate 31 and the bottom plate 32 are each formed by bending the outer edge of a rectangular plate material downwards at a right angle and then folding it horizontally inwards toward the bottom surface. In other words, the top plate 31 and the bottom plate 32 are formed in a flat, box-like or lid-like shape with an opening at the bottom. Through holes are formed in the portions of the top plate 31 and the bottom plate 32 that are bent downwards at a right angle, allowing them to be fixed with screws 36 or the like.

[0030] The side plate 33 is formed in a plate shape with its longitudinal side in the vertical direction and its short side in the front-to-back direction. The side edges of the side plate 33 are bent in a crank shape, and nuts 37 are attached at key points. The upper edge of the side plate 33 is folded vertically downward toward the inside of the article storage section 30. The lower edge 33a of the side plate 33 is bent horizontally toward the inside of the article storage section 30. The lower edge 33a of the side plate 33 has through holes formed therein that allow for fastening with screws 36 or the like.

[0031] The back panel 34 is formed in a plate shape with its shorter side in the vertical direction and its longer side in the horizontal direction. The side edges of the back panel 34 are bent in a crank shape, and nuts 37 are attached at key points. The upper edge of the back panel 34 is folded vertically downward toward the inside of the article storage section 30. The lower edge of the back panel 34 extends vertically downward. Near the lower edge of the back panel 34, an engaging member 34a that engages with the storage box 35 is fixed by welding or the like.

[0032] The storage box 35 comprises a horizontally extending bottom wall 35A and a pair of side walls 35B that rise perpendicularly from the front and rear edges of the bottom wall 35A. An opening 35a is formed in the center of the bottom wall 35A, which can accommodate wiring and the like inside. Fixing parts are provided at both ends of the bottom wall 35A in the left-right direction for fixing the lower edges 33a of the pair of side plates 33 with screws 36 or the like.

[0033] The upper edges of the pair of side walls 35B are bent horizontally toward the inside of the storage box 35 and then folded vertically downward toward the bottom wall 35A. Of the pair of side walls 35B, the front side wall 35B receives the front edge of the bottom plate 32. The rear side wall 35B engages with the engaging member 34a of the back plate 34 and also receives the rear edge of the bottom plate 32 via the engaging member 34a. In other words, the engaging member 34a is sandwiched between the storage box 35 and the bottom plate 32, as shown in Figure 5.

[0034] Returning to Figure 3, the article storage section 30 and the article mounting section 40 are contained within the outer contour of the pair of support sections 10 when viewed from the left and right directions where the pair of support sections 10 face each other. In other words, the article storage section 30 and the article mounting section 40 are not positioned to protrude in the front-rear direction from the pair of support sections 10. Note that the "outer contour of the pair of support sections 10" refers to the outer contour closed by the front surface of the front support section 11 and the rear surface of the rear support section 11 of the pair of support sections 11 that are spaced apart in the front-rear direction, the upper surface of the front-rear connecting member 12, and the upper surface of the leg section 50.

[0035] As described above, with the mobile fixture 1 according to this embodiment, the article storage section 30 is positioned below the connecting section 20 that connects the pair of support sections 10. Therefore, when an article is stored in the article storage section 30, the center of gravity of the mobile fixture 1 is lowered, increasing its running stability. Furthermore, the article storage section 30 is formed in a box shape with an opening, has a high second moment of area, and also functions as a strength member connecting the pair of support sections 10. In addition, since the article mounting section 40 is positioned in the space directly above the article storage section 30, the limited storage space between the pair of support sections 10 can be effectively utilized. Moreover, since the article storage section 30 and the article mounting section 40 are contained within the outer contour of the pair of support sections 10 when viewed from the left and right directions where the pair of support sections 10 face each other, the center of gravity of the mobile fixture 1 is not positioned in front of or behind the pair of support sections 10. This makes it possible to move the mobile fixture 1 while maintaining balance when gripping at least one of the pair of support sections 10.

[0036] As described above, the mobile fixture 1 according to this embodiment comprises a pair of support parts 10, a connecting part 20 connecting the pair of support parts 10, an article storage section 30 mounted between the pair of support parts 10 below the connecting part 20, an article mounting section 40 provided in the space directly above the article storage section 30, legs 50 extending from the lower ends of each of the pair of support parts 10 in a front-rear direction that intersects the left-right direction in which the pair of support parts 10 face each other, and wheels 60 attached to the legs 50. The article storage section 30 is formed in the shape of a box with an opening, and the article storage section 30 and the article mounting section 40 are housed within the outer contour of the pair of support parts 10 when viewed from the left-right direction. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a mobile fixture 1 that can effectively utilize limited storage space while improving running stability.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the opening of the article storage section 30 faces forward. This configuration makes it easier to put articles in and take them out through the opening of the article storage section 30.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the article storage section 30 comprises a top plate 31, a bottom plate 32, a pair of side plates 33, and a back plate 34. With this configuration, an article storage section 30 can be formed that is open at the front and closed at the top, bottom, left, right, and back.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of the pair of support parts 10 is provided with a support column 11. With this configuration, since each of the pair of support parts 10 is provided with a support column 11, the mobile fixture 1 can be moved by gripping the support column 11 without having to attach a separate handle.

[0040] Figure 7 is a front view showing examples of use of the mobile fixtures 1A to 1D according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the movable furniture units 1A to 1D may be arranged horizontally and used as partitions to divide the workspace.

[0041] The article mounting section 40 of the mobile furniture 1A is equipped with the inclined shelf 41 described above. With this configuration, the space directly above the article storage section 30 can be effectively utilized as a space for arranging, for example, books 100. The article storage section 30 of the mobile furniture 1A can accommodate, for example, large books 101.

[0042] The item mounting section 40 of the mobile furniture 1B is equipped with a rear panel 41B. With this configuration, the upper surface of the item storage section 30 can be effectively utilized as a space for placing, for example, files 102. Although the item storage section 30 of the mobile furniture 1B does not currently contain any items, it may be used to store items.

[0043] The item mounting section 40 of the mobile fixture 1C is equipped with a monitor mounting section 41C. The monitor mounting section 41C is mounted on a pair of support sections 10. With this configuration, the space directly above the item storage section 30 can be effectively utilized as a space for placing the monitor 103. The item storage section 30 of the mobile fixture 1C can also house, for example, a battery 104 (mobile battery) that supplies power to the monitor 103.

[0044] The item mounting section 40 of the mobile fixture 1D is equipped with a back board 41D. With this configuration, the upper surface of the item storage section 30 can be effectively utilized as a space for placing, for example, a box 105. The item storage section 30 of the mobile fixture 1D can also accommodate a box 105.

[0045] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The shapes and combinations of the components shown in the above embodiments are examples, and can be modified in various ways based on design requirements, etc., without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 1 (1A~1D) Mobile fixtures 10 Support part 11 Posts 11a Through hole 12 Front and rear connecting materials 20 Connection part 21 Left and right connecting material 30. Item storage section 31 Top plate 32 Bottom plate 33 Side panel 33a Lower edge 34 Back plate 34a Engagement material 35 storage boxes 35a opening 35A bottom wall 35B side wall 36 screws 37 Nuts 40 Article mounting section 41 Slanted shelves 41B Rear Panel 41C Monitor mounting section 41D Rear Panel 42 Rear end support material 43 Locking piece 44 screws 45 Mounting piece 46 screws 50 Legs 60 Wheel section 100 books 101 Large-format books 102 files 103 Monitors 104 Battery 105 boxes

Claims

1. A pair of support parts, A connecting portion that connects the pair of support portions, Below the aforementioned connecting portion, an article storage section is installed between the pair of support portions, An article mounting section is provided in the space directly above the article storage section, From the lower ends of each of the pair of support parts, a leg portion extends in a front-to-back direction that intersects with the left-to-right direction in which the pair of support parts face each other, The leg portion is equipped with a wheel portion, The article storage section is formed in the shape of a box with an opening, The article storage section and the article mounting section are housed within the outer contour of the pair of support sections when viewed from the left-right direction. Mobile fixtures.

2. The opening of the article storage section opens towards the front. The mobile fixture according to claim 1.

3. The article storage section comprises a top plate, a bottom plate, a pair of side plates, and a back plate. The mobile fixture according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Each of the pair of support sections is provided with a support column. The mobile fixture according to claim 1 or 2.

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