furniture

Abstract

This prevents the caster from becoming overly complex and avoids an increase in the number of parts. [Solution] This furniture T is equipped with a caster 2 attached to a nut 137 on the bottom wall at the lower end of the leg column 13, as shown in Figure 12, and an operating lever 32 that switches the caster 2 into a locked or unlocked state. The open ends 131b of the side walls 131 of the leg column 13 function as stoppers to define the operating range of the operating lever 32.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to furniture such as a table that can be used simultaneously by multiple people.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in offices and the like, various tables that can be jointly used by multiple people simultaneously have been developed. However, in general, the conventional ones arrange the entire legs under the tabletop and consider making the legs as inconspicuous as possible (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] Therefore, it may be difficult to immediately recognize the assumed use area, optional attachment position, etc. of the conventional ones. Also, the position where to sit and use on the tabletop is often left to the user. Therefore, beginners often feel confused (Problem 1).

[0004] In addition, in conventional tables and the like that can be used by multiple people, since wiring inlets, outlets, power outlets, or slits for attaching options are arranged in the central area of the tabletop, it may be difficult to place documents, samples, etc. in the central part for shared use (Problem 2). Note that many pieces of furniture such as tables are provided with casters including a base fixed to the furniture body, a swivel arm supported by the base so as to be horizontally swiveling, and wheels pivotally supported at the pivoting end of the swivel arm so as to be vertically rotatable. And there may also be provided a locking device having an operation lever for switching the wheels of the caster to a locked state or an unlocked state. However, in order to define the operating range of such an operation lever, there is a concern that the structure of the caster becomes complicated and the number of parts increases, and some countermeasures are desired (Problem 3).

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0005]

Non-Patent Document 1

[0006] The present invention primarily aims to resolve the aforementioned problem 3. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The furniture according to claim 1 has a leg column comprising a pair of side walls and an end wall that connects the outer ends of these side walls, and a caster and an operating lever that switches the caster to a locked or unlocked state are provided at the lower end of the leg column, and the open ends of both side walls of the leg column function as stoppers to define the operating range of the operating lever.

[0008] The furniture according to claim 2 is based on the configuration described in claim 1, wherein a bottom wall is fixed to the lower end of the leg column, and the caster and the operating lever are provided in relation to this bottom wall.

[0009] The furniture according to claim 3 is based on the configuration described in claim 2, wherein the caster is supported by a swivel arm on a base having a mounting screw portion so as to be able to rotate laterally, and a wheel is pivotally supported on the rotating end of the swivel arm so as to be able to rotate vertically, the mounting screw portion of the base is screwed to a caster mounting nut provided on the bottom wall, and the axis of the operating lever is aligned with the axis of the caster mounting nut.

[0010] The furniture according to claim 4 is based on the configuration described in claim 2, wherein the side wall and end wall are integrally formed using sheet metal material, and the bottom wall is rigidly connected to the side wall by welding. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide furniture capable of solving the above-described problem 3.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] [Figure 1] Perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Perspective view of the furniture of the embodiment observed from diagonally below. [Figure 3] Plan view of the embodiment. [Figure 4] Bottom view of the embodiment. [Figure 5] Front view of the embodiment. [Figure 6] Enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the upper end of the leg of the embodiment from the outside. [Figure 7] Enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the upper end of the leg of the embodiment from the inside. [Figure 8] Perspective view showing the same part of the embodiment disassembled. [Figure 9] Front view showing the leg of the embodiment. [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 9. [Figure 12] Cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 9. [Figure 13] Enlarged perspective view showing the lower half of the leg of the embodiment from the inside. [Figure 14] Perspective view showing the caster and lock device of the embodiment disassembled. [Figure 15] Explanatory view showing the cam mechanism of the embodiment disassembled. [Figure 16] Explanatory view for explaining the operation of the cam mechanism of the embodiment. [Figure 17] Cross-sectional view showing the caster and lock mechanism portion of the embodiment. [Figure 18] Cross-sectional view showing the caster and lock mechanism portion of the embodiment. [Figure 19] Cross-sectional view showing the caster and lock mechanism portion of the embodiment. [Figure 20] Perspective explanatory view showing an example of use of the same embodiment. [Figure 21] Perspective view showing the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] Perspective view of the second embodiment observed from diagonally below. [Figure 23] Plan view showing the second embodiment. [Figure 24] Bottom view showing the second embodiment. [Figure 25] Plan view showing the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] Plan view showing the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> (Figs. 1 to 20) The furniture T according to this embodiment is a table with a top plate that can be used by multiple people simultaneously. As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, it includes a top plate 15 formed by a portion where the outer peripheral end face 15a forms a convex curved surface 15b and a portion where it forms a flat surface 15c, and legs 11 that support the top plate 15 by exposing the upper end portions 12 outside the outer peripheral end face 15a of the top plate 15.

[0014] The upper surface 15g of the top plate 15 has two types of areas 15d and 15e with different assumed uses, and the legs 11 are arranged at positions that serve as marks for distinguishing those areas 15d and 15e.

[0015] In this first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the top plate 15 has a main area 15d that enables multiple people to use simultaneously and a subordinate area 15e that promotes preliminary or subsequent participation, and the four legs 11 are arranged at positions that substantially surround the main area 15d. This main area 15d is composed of a flat surface without openings or protrusions.

[0016] In other words, as shown in Figure 3, the top plate 15 comprises a main area 15d located in the center and secondary areas 15e adjacent to both sides of the main area 15d. A slit 153 is formed in the boundary area 15f, which is located at the boundary between the main area 15d and the secondary areas 15e, allowing the clamp portion U1 of an optional component U to be attached. In this embodiment, the optional component U is a monitor arm (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "monitor arm U") that holds the monitor V in a position and orientation that can be changed, as shown in Figure 20.

[0017] The following describes the specific configuration of this furniture T. This furniture T comprises a furniture body 1 having a plurality of legs 11 and a tabletop 15 supported by these legs 11 via a tabletop support frame 14, and a caster 2 and a locking device 3 for locking or unlocking the caster 2 are provided at the lower end of the furniture body 1.

[0018] As shown in Figures 5 to 13, the legs 11 of the furniture body 1 are comprised of an upper end portion 12 that is exposed outside the outer peripheral end surface 15a of the top plate 15, and a leg column 13 that supports this upper end portion 12.

[0019] As shown in Figure 6, the upper end portion 12 of the leg 11 is composed of a cylindrical outlet (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "outlet 12"), which has two sets of plug sockets 12b on its upper surface 12a, and wiring r extends from its lower surface. This outlet, the upper end portion 12, is detachably attached to the upper end of the leg column 13, and the upper surface 12a of the upper end portion 12 is positioned at approximately the same height as the upper surface 15g of the top plate 15.

[0020] The leg column 13 of the leg 11 comprises a pair of parallel, opposing side walls 131, a semi-cylindrical end wall 132 that connects the outer ends of these side walls 131, an upper wall 133 installed between the upper parts of the side walls 131, an upright wall 134 erected from the inner edge of the upper wall 133, and a bottom wall 136 fixed between the lower ends of both side walls 131. The upright wall 134 is provided with a female screw hole 134a for screwing the top plate support frame 14, and the bottom wall 136 is fixed with a caster mounting nut 137 for attaching the caster 2, which will be described later.

[0021] In other words, the leg column 13 is integrally formed with a pair of side walls 131 and a semi-cylindrical end wall 132 that connects the outer ends of these side walls 131, and a wiring insertion space 139 is formed inside. The side walls 131 and the end wall 132 are integrally formed using sheet metal material, and the upper wall 133 and bottom wall 136 are rigidly connected to the side walls 131 by welding or the like.

[0022] The side wall 131 of the column 13 has an inwardly extending portion 131a that extends inward while expanding at its upper end, and the upper wall 133 is fixed between the side walls 131, positioned between the lower edges of the inwardly extending portion 131a.

[0023] The end wall 132 of the leg column 13 is a semi-cylindrical body that is continuous with the outer end of the side wall 131, and a vertically continuous wiring insertion space 139 is formed between this end wall 132 and a synthetic resin cover 138 that is detachably attached between the open end 131b of the side wall 131.

[0024] As shown in Figures 7, 8, and 10, the upper wall 133 of the leg column 13 has a wiring groove 133a that is open downwards, and is rigidly connected to the side walls 131 by welding or the like, leaving a wiring insertion space 139 between it and the end wall 132. An upright wall 134 is erected at the inner end of the upper wall 133, which has a female screw hole 134a for screwing the top plate support frame 14 to it.

[0025] The upright wall 134 of the leg column 13 is rigidly connected to the side wall 131 at both ends, and each end has the aforementioned female screw holes 134a near both ends. The ends of the tabletop support frame 14, which will be described later, are screwed to the parts corresponding to these female screw holes 134a using leg screws 143.

[0026] The bottom wall 136 of the leg column 13 is fixed to the lower end of the leg column 13, and a caster 2 and an operating lever 32 for switching the caster 2 into a locked or unlocked state are provided in relation to this bottom wall 136.

[0027] Specifically, as shown in Figure 12, the lower end of the leg column 11 is provided with a caster 2 attached to a nut 137 on the bottom wall 136, and an operating lever 32 that switches the caster 2 between a locked and unlocked state. The open ends 131b of both side walls 131 of the leg column 11 function as stoppers to define the operating range of the operating lever 32. In the drawing, the operating lever in the position where the caster 2 is locked is denoted with the symbol "32(L)", and the operating lever in the position where the caster 2 is unlocked is denoted with the symbol "32(M)".

[0028] The tabletop support frame 14 of the furniture body 1 comprises a rectangular prism-shaped vertical frame section 141 and a horizontal frame section 142. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, screw bases 141a and 142a corresponding to the female screw holes 134a provided in the upright wall 134 of the aforementioned leg column 13 are fixed to each end of the vertical frame section 141 and the horizontal frame section 142.

[0029] Specifically, the vertical frame section 141 and the horizontal frame section 142 are connected to the leg column 13 by screwing leg screws 143 through the screw bases 141a and 142a into the female screw holes 134a of the leg column 13. The vertical frame section 141 and the horizontal frame section 142 are then fastened to the underside of the tabletop 15 using tabletop screws 144.

[0030] The top surface 15 of the furniture body 1 has, for example, three different areas 15d, 15e, and 15f on its upper surface, as shown in Figure 3, and the four legs 11 are positioned to serve as markers to distinguish these areas 15d, 15e, and 15f.

[0031] In other words, in this embodiment, the tabletop 15 has an oval shape in plan view, and has a main quadrilateral area 15d in the center that can be used by, for example, four people simultaneously, and secondary areas 15e that are roughly semi-circular in shape on both sides of the main area 15d. A band-shaped boundary area 15f is set at the boundary between the main area 15d and the secondary area 15e.

[0032] To explain in more detail, the tabletop 15 consists of a first tabletop element 151 that encompasses the main area 15d, and a second tabletop element 152 that encompasses a secondary area 15e, which is adjacent to and closely attached to both sides of the first tabletop element 151. The boundary s between these two tabletop elements 151 and 152 is located within the aforementioned boundary area 15f.

[0033] The first top plate element 151 of the top plate 15 is roughly quadrilateral in plan view, with its upper surface forming the main area 15d, and its upper surface is a flat surface without any openings or protrusions. In other words, the main area 15d does not have any wiring outlets or sockets that connect the top and bottom of the top plate 15.

[0034] Furthermore, a wiring duct 154 is attached to the central lower surface of the first tabletop element 151, and an OA tap p can be housed inside this wiring duct 154. When the OA tap p is housed inside the wiring duct 154, as shown in Figure 4, the wiring q rising from the floor F can be guided to the OA tap p through the wiring insertion space 139 and wiring groove 133a formed in the leg column 13. Similarly, the wiring r leading from the outlet that constitutes the upper end 12 of the leg 11 can also be guided to the lower surface of the tabletop 15 through the wiring insertion space 139 and wiring groove 133a in the leg column 13 and connected to the aforementioned OA tap p.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the boundary area 15f is defined as the boundary area 15f between the main area 15d and the secondary area 15e of the top plate 15, and a slit 153 is formed in this boundary area 15f, allowing the clamp portion U1 of the optional monitor arm U to be attached. As shown in Figure 20, the monitor arm U comprises a clamp portion U1 that can be attached to the top plate 15 using the aforementioned slit 153, and a pair of arm portions U2 that are rotatably supported by the clamp portion U1 and can each pivot horizontally. The monitor V is supported at the pivot end U1a of each arm portion U2 so that it can swivel horizontally. The basic configuration of the clamp portion U1 and the mounting structure of the monitor V to each arm portion U2 are standard, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0036] However, since this monitor arm U can hold two monitors V in a way that allows their position and orientation to be changed, the monitors V can be supported in a relatively free manner, providing users with a variety of uses. In the example shown in Figure 20, monitors Va and Vb, supported by the monitor arm U attached to one slit 153, are held in a position suitable for individual use by a user seated facing the main area 15d, while monitors Vc and Vd, supported by the monitor arm U attached to the other slit 153, are held in a position aligned on the boundary area 15f. Such holding positions are just examples, and each monitor Va, Vb, Vc, and Vd can be used by independently changing its position and orientation. Therefore, it is possible for a user seated facing the main area 15d and a user seated facing the secondary area 15e to share a common monitor Va, Vb, Vc, or Vd for a meeting.

[0037] The lower part of the furniture body 1 described above is provided with a caster 2 having a wheel 23 that can roll on the floor F, and a locking device 3 provided on the furniture body 1 that locks the wheel 23 by pressing a brake body 31 against the outer surface 23a of the wheel 23.

[0038] The locking device 3 is configured to press the brake body 31 against the outer surface 23a of the wheel 23 using gravity acting on the furniture body 1. By setting the operating lever 32 to the unlock position M, the brake body 31 is allowed to separate from the wheel 23, and by setting the operating lever 32 to the lock position L, the brake body 31 is pressed against the outer surface 23a of the wheel 23 using gravity acting on the furniture body 1.

[0039] More specifically, as shown in Figure 14, the caster 2 has a base 21 having a mounting screw portion 21a, on which a swivel arm 22 is supported so as to be able to rotate laterally, and a wheel 23 is pivotally supported on the rotating end of the swivel arm 22 via an axle 24 so as to be able to rotate vertically. This caster 2 can be attached to the furniture body 1 by screwing the mounting screw portion 21a of the base 21 onto the caster mounting nut 137 of the leg column 13. The axle hole 22a of the swivel arm 22 that pivotally supports the axle 24 of the wheel 23 is an elongated hole that extends in the vertical direction, and the wheel 23 is mounted so as to be able to move up and down relative to the base 21 which is fixed to the furniture body 1.

[0040] In other words, the caster 2 comprises a base 21 attached to the furniture body 1 and a wheel 23 supported on the base 21 so as to be able to rotate laterally and vertically, with the wheel 23 pivotally supported so as to be able to move freely in the vertical direction relative to the base 21.

[0041] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 14, the locking device 3 is installed inside the leg 11 of the furniture body 1 in close proximity to the caster 2, and comprises a brake body 31 that is supported so as to be able to move up and down on the hexagonal outer circumference of the caster mounting nut 137, an operating lever 32 that is provided so as to be able to move up and down and rotate relative to the brake body 31 and is locked to the bottom wall 136 of the leg column 13 to prevent upward movement, a cam mechanism 33 provided between the operating lever 32 and the brake body 31, and a spring 34 provided between the base 21 of the caster 2 and the brake body 31 to elastically bias the brake body 31 upward relative to the base 21. The axes of the brake body 31 and the operating lever 32 are aligned with the axis of the base 21 of the caster 2, in other words, the axis of the caster mounting nut 137.

[0042] However, this locking device 3 includes an operating lever 32 that can be manually operated between an unlocked position M and a locked position L, and a cam mechanism 33 that lifts the furniture body 1 using the brake body 31 that contacts the wheel 23 as a support base when the operating lever 32 is operated from the unlocked position M to the locked position L.

[0043] The configuration of the locking device 3 can be described in more detail as follows:

[0044] The brake body 31 of the locking device 3 is an inverted cup shape that surrounds the base 21 of the caster 2, with its lower end opening 31a facing the rotational trajectory of the caster 2's wheel 23. In other words, the brake body 31 is equipped with a cylindrical portion 311 that can press its opening 31a against the upper half of the wheel 23 regardless of the rotational position of the wheel 23 of the caster 2. By pressing this cylindrical portion 311 against the outer circumferential surface 23a of the wheel 23, it is possible to suppress not only the vertical rotation of the wheel 23 but also its lateral rotation. An upper wall portion 312 is provided on the upper end side of the cylindrical portion 311 of the brake body 31, and a cylindrical hub portion 313 is integrally provided in the center of the upper wall portion 312. The hub portion 313 has a hexagonal hole 313a at its axial center that slidably fits onto the outer circumference of the caster mounting nut.

[0045] The operating lever 32 comprises a cylindrical portion 321 surrounding the brake body 31, an upper wall portion 322 positioned on the upper end side of the cylindrical portion 321, and an operating portion 324 protruding from the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion 321. A circular guide hole 323 is formed in the center of the upper wall portion 322 into which the hub portion 313 of the brake body 31 is fitted so as to be able to move up and down and rotate. A cam mechanism 33 is provided between the upper wall portion 322 of the operating lever 32 and the upper wall portion 312 of the brake body 31.

[0046] As shown in Figures 14 to 16, the cam mechanism 33 comprises a cam surface 331 formed on the upper wall portion 312 of the brake body 31 and a cam follower 332 fixed to the upper wall portion 322 of the operating lever 32. The cam surface 331 consists of a first inclined portion 331a, an intermediate click portion 331b, a second inclined portion 331c, and a final click portion 331d, which are continuous. In this embodiment, three sets of cam surfaces 331 are formed on the upward-facing surface of the brake body 31 at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. The cam follower 332 selectively engages with one of the first inclined portion 331a, the intermediate click portion 331b, the second inclined portion 331c, and the final click portion 331d of the cam surface. In this embodiment, three cam followers 332 are projected from the downward-facing surface of the operating lever 32 at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0047] The spring 34 is a compression coil spring installed between the base 21 of the caster 2 and the brake body 31, and its purpose is to allow the brake body 31 to self-return to its initial position away from the wheel 23 of the caster 2 when the operating lever 32 of the locking device 3 is returned to the unlocked position M.

[0048] Next, the operation of the caster 2 and the locking device 3 will be explained with reference to Figures 14 to 19.

[0049] When the operating lever 32 of the locking device 3 is set to the unlocked position M, the cam follower 332 of the cam mechanism 33 is engaged with the deepest first inclined surface 331a (see Figure 16a), and the brake body 31 is held at top dead center, separated from the wheel 23, by the biasing force of the spring 34 (see Figure 17). As a result, the wheel 23 of the caster 2 becomes free to rotate both horizontally and vertically, allowing the furniture body 1 to move freely along the floor F.

[0050] From this state, when the operating lever 32 is rotated toward the locked position L, the cam follower 332 provided on the operating lever 32 is guided by the first inclined surface 331a and rises, and clicks to stop when it engages with the intermediate click portion 331b (see Figure 16b). In this intermediate light-lock position N, as the brake body 31 descends while compressing the spring 34, its open end 31a comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface 23a of the wheel 23 of the caster 2 (see Figure 18). In this light-lock position N, the wheel 23 is lightly braked, but because it has clicked to stop, this state is maintained even when the hand is released from the operating portion 324 of the operating lever 32.

[0051] When the operating lever 32 is rotated further from the light lock position N toward the lock position L, the cam follower 332 provided on the operating lever 32 is guided by the second inclined surface 331c and rises further, and stops clicking when it engages with the final click portion 331d (see Figure 16c). When the cam follower 332 of the cam mechanism 33 engages with the final click portion 331d, the open end 31a of the brake body 31 is strongly pressed against the outer circumferential surface 23a of the wheel 23 of the caster 2, thereby preventing both the lateral and vertical rotation of the wheel 23 of the caster 2 (see Figure 19).

[0052] In other words, in this embodiment, the caster 2 is designed so that the wheel 23 can move freely in the vertical direction relative to the swivel arm 22 supported by the base 21. Therefore, when attempting to further separate the brake body 31 and the operating lever 32 in the vertical direction by the action of the cam mechanism 33, from a state in which the open end 31a of the brake body 31 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface 23a of the wheel 23 of the caster 2, the base of the caster 2, the swivel arm 22 and the operating lever 32 will be lifted upward along with the furniture body 1, relative to the wheel 23 and brake body 31 which are stationary on the floor F. The symbol t in Figure 19 indicates the amount of this upward movement.

[0053] As a result, the gravitational force acting on the furniture body 1 acts as a downward force pushing the brake body 31 via the operating lever 32 and the cam mechanism 33, causing the brake body 31 to be pressed against the wheel 23 of the caster 2 with a stable force. In this embodiment, since each of the four legs 11 is equipped with a caster 2 and a locking device 3, the gravitational force acting on the furniture body 1 is distributed and transmitted to the brake bodies 31 of the multiple legs 11, applying braking to the wheel 23 of each of the caster 2.

[0054] The configuration and operation of the furniture T of the first embodiment are as described above. With furniture T of this configuration, the position of the legs 11 supporting the tabletop 15 is immediately obvious. That is, the outer peripheral end surface 15a of the tabletop 15 of this furniture T consists only of a convex curved surface 15b and a flat surface 15c, and there are no recessed surfaces for inserting the legs. Therefore, the legs 11 of this furniture T are more clearly visible and have a stronger presence than, for example, legs placed in recessed parts of the tabletop or legs connected to the underside of the tabletop.

[0055] Therefore, by simply looking at the tabletop 15 surrounded by the upper ends 12 of the legs 11, the positions of the main area 15d and the secondary area 15e of the tabletop 15 become clear, and each user can sit in the appropriate position without hesitation.

[0056] However, this furniture T has a tabletop 15 that has multiple areas with different intended uses, namely a main area 15d, a secondary area 15e, and a boundary area 15f, and multiple legs 11 are positioned to serve as markers to distinguish these areas 15d, 15e, and 15f. In this embodiment, four legs 11 are positioned to roughly surround the main area 15d and the boundary area 15f, and it is possible to recognize that the area not surrounded by these four legs 11 is the secondary area 15e. Therefore, the user can be guided by the upper ends 12 of the legs 11 and move towards the main area 15d or the secondary area 15e at their own discretion.

[0057] In this embodiment, a main area 15d is set in the central part of the tabletop 15, and secondary areas 15e are provided on both sides of the main area 15d via boundary areas 15f. Therefore, for example, multiple primary users can use the main area 15d surrounded by the four legs 11, and other users can use the secondary areas 15e as needed.

[0058] The main area 15d of the tabletop 15 is composed of a flat surface without openings or protrusions, allowing multiple people to freely use the entire main area 15d when holding meetings or discussions. Therefore, it offers significantly improved usability compared to conventional designs where wiring holes and outlets are located in the central area.

[0059] Furthermore, since electrical outlets and slots for optional accessories, which were traditionally located in the center of the tabletop, can now be installed in other parts of the furniture body 1, users will not experience any inconvenience.

[0060] In other words, the upper end 12 of the leg 11 is equipped with an electrical outlet, and both those using the main area 15d and those using the secondary area 15e can use the outlet 12. The outlet 12 on the leg 11 may be fixed to the upper end of the leg column 13 using appropriate means, but as shown in Figure 6, it may also be made removable from the leg column 13. In this case, the outlet 12, along with the wiring r, can be pulled out onto the tabletop 15 and used.

[0061] Furthermore, a slit 153 is formed in the boundary area 15f of the top plate 15, and a clamp portion U1 of an optional monitor arm U can be attached to the slit 153, for example. Therefore, even if the entire main area 15d is flat, there is no difficulty in attaching optional parts. If monitors V are positioned on the top plate 15 using the slit 153 so that their position and orientation can be changed, then, as described above, these monitors V can be used individually or shared by users. Moreover, as in this embodiment, by providing a slit 153 in the boundary area 15f, not only do the upper ends 12 of the legs 11 serve as a visual landmark on the outside of the top plate 15, but the slit 153 also serves as a visual landmark on the inside of the top plate 15, making it possible to distinguish each area 15d, 15e, and 15f more clearly.

[0062] Furthermore, the leg column 13 constituting the leg 11 of this embodiment has a U-shaped cross-section, integrally comprising a pair of side walls 131 and a semi-cylindrical end wall 132 that connects the outer ends of these side walls 131, with a wiring insertion space 139 formed inside. Therefore, wiring q from the floor F to the OA tap p supported on the top plate 15, and wiring r from the OA tap p to the outlet at the upper end 12 can be guided in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

[0063] In this embodiment, since covers 138 are detachably provided on the open ends of both side walls 131 of the leg column 13, it is possible to achieve both aesthetically pleasing concealment of the wiring r and q and ease of wiring work. Furthermore, since the side walls 131 and the end wall 132 are integrally formed using sheet metal material, high-strength leg columns 13 can be mass-produced relatively easily.

[0064] Furthermore, if a caster 2 and an operating lever 32 for switching the caster 2 into a locked or unlocked state are provided at the lower end of the leg column 13, and the open ends 131b of the side walls 131 of the leg column 13 are configured to function as stoppers for defining the operating range of the operating lever 32, the number of parts in the locking device 3 can be reduced by effectively utilizing the cross-sectional shape of the leg column 11. <Second Embodiment> (Figures 21-24) The furniture T of the second embodiment is equipped with a top plate X15 that is quadrilateral in plan view, but the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as or corresponding to those of the first embodiment, and their description is omitted.

[0065] The outer periphery end surface 15a of the top plate X15 also consists of a flat surface 15c and a convex curved surface 15b, and multiple legs 11 are arranged so that their upper ends 12 are exposed outside the outer periphery end surface 15a of the top plate X15. In Figure 22, 155 is a tunnel-shaped wiring cover fixed to the underside of the top plate X15. This wiring cover 155 is made of synthetic resin, for example, with one side wall that can be opened and closed, and plays the role of guiding the aforementioned wiring q, r, etc. It is also possible to provide a wiring cover similar to this wiring cover 155 on the underside of the top plate 15 in the first embodiment.

[0066] In the second embodiment, substantially the entire area of ​​the top plate X15 can be used as the main area 15d. <Third Embodiment> (Figure 25) The furniture T of the third embodiment is equipped with a top plate Y15 which is formed by removing one side of the top plate element 152 from the top plate 15 of the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as or corresponding to those of the first embodiment, and their description is omitted.

[0067] The outer peripheral end surface 15a of the tabletop Y15 in the third embodiment also consists of a flat surface 15c and a convex curved surface 5b, and multiple legs 11 are arranged so that their upper ends 12 are exposed outside the outer peripheral end surface 15a of the tabletop Y15. <Fourth Embodiment> (Figure 26) The furniture T of the fourth embodiment is equipped with a circular top plate Z15 in plan view, but the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as or corresponding to those of the first embodiment, and their description is omitted.

[0068] The outer periphery end surface 15a of this tabletop Z15 consists only of a convex curved surface 15b, and multiple legs 11 are arranged so that their upper ends 12 are exposed outside the outer periphery end surface 15a of this tabletop X15.

[0069] In the fourth embodiment, substantially the entire area of ​​the top plate Z15 can be used as the main area 15d.

[0070] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its spirit.

[0071] For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a main area consisting of a flat surface without wiring holes or outlets is provided in the central part of the top plate. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and various openings or protrusions may be provided in the central part of the top plate.

[0072] Furthermore, the shape of the top plate is not limited to the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments described above; for example, it may be an ellipse in plan view, a triangle, or other polygon.

[0073] Furthermore, the upper end of the legs is not necessarily limited to an electrical outlet. And the leg columns are not limited to steel; they may be made of aluminum alloy, wood, or other materials. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] T...Furniture (table) 1…Furniture body 11...legs 12…Top end (outlet) 13...Pole 15…Tabletop 15a…Outer peripheral end face 15b...Convex curved surface 15c…Plane 15d... Main area 15e... Subordinate area 2… Caster 3…Locking mechanism

Claims

1. It has a base column comprising a pair of side walls and an end wall that connects the outer ends of these side walls, A piece of furniture in which a caster and an operating lever for switching the caster between a locked and unlocked state are provided at the lower end of the leg column, and the open ends of the side walls of the leg column function as stoppers to define the operating range of the operating lever.

2. The furniture according to claim 1, wherein a bottom wall is fixed to the lower end of the leg column, and the caster and the operating lever are provided in relation to this bottom wall.

3. The aforementioned caster has a base having a mounting screw portion, a swivel arm supported so as to be able to rotate laterally, and a wheel pivotally supported at the rotating end of the swivel arm so as to be able to rotate vertically, and the mounting screw portion of the base is screwed into a caster mounting nut provided on the bottom wall. The furniture according to claim 2, wherein the axis of the operating lever is aligned with the axis of the caster mounting nut.

4. The furniture according to claim 2, wherein the side wall and end wall are integrally formed using sheet metal material, and the bottom wall is rigidly connected to the side wall by welding.

Images