chair

Abstract

The present invention provides a chair that clearly identifies the electrical connection unit available to each user seated in multiple seats. [Solution] The seat comprises a plurality of seat sections 2 arranged in the left-right direction, each having a seat section 21 and a backrest section 22; a support structure 3 that supports the plurality of seat sections 2; an armrest section 4 provided between adjacent seat sections 2 in the left-right direction; and an electrical connection unit 5 provided between the armrest section 4 and the seat section 2, which is a separate component from the armrest section 4.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a chair.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a chair installed in a public space such as an airport, a station, or an office, in which a plurality of seats are arranged in the left - right direction, and an electrical connection unit is provided between the seats and includes a power outlet or the like that can be used by a user sitting on the seat. (See, for example, Patent Document 1). The electrical connection unit provided between the seats can be used by the users sitting on the seats on both sides thereof.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when a user sitting on one of the seats on both sides of the electrical connection unit uses it, the user sitting on the other seat cannot use it. Therefore, the users sitting on the seats on both sides may fight over the use of the electrical connection unit, or may hesitate to use the electrical connection unit.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a chair that can clearly provide an electrical connection unit that can be used by each of the users sitting on a plurality of seats.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the chair according to the present invention comprises a plurality of seat portions arranged in the left-right direction, each having a seat portion and a backrest portion; a support structure for supporting the plurality of seat portions; an armrest portion provided between adjacent seat portions in the left-right direction; and an electrical connection unit provided between the armrest portion and the seat portion, which is a separate component from the armrest portion.

[0007] In this invention, an armrest is provided between adjacent seats in the left-right direction, and an electrical connection unit is provided between the armrest and the seat. Therefore, a user seated in a seat can recognize that the electrical connection unit closer to them than the armrest is the electrical connection unit they can use. Because the electrical connection unit is a separate component from the armrest, the user can clearly recognize which side of the armrest the electrical connection unit is located on, compared to the case where the electrical connection unit is integrated with the armrest.

[0008] Furthermore, in the chair according to the present invention, the electrical connection unit may be positioned behind the front end of the front-to-back direction that intersects the left-to-right direction in the armrest portion.

[0009] If there is an armrest between the seat and the electrical connection unit, and the electrical connection unit is located behind the front end of the armrest, the user will have difficulty accessing the electrical connection unit. Therefore, the user may recognize that this electrical connection unit is for use by the user seated in the adjacent seat. This allows the user to recognize that there is an electrical connection unit available to them on the opposite side or elsewhere.

[0010] Furthermore, in the chair according to the present invention, the armrest portion has a support column portion extending upward from the support structure and an armrest body portion extending forward from the support column portion, the electrical connection unit has an insertion port into which a cable is inserted, and the insertion port mounting surface on which the insertion port is provided may be located between the front and rear surfaces of the support column portion when viewed from the left and right directions.

[0011] If the user has an armrest between the seat and the electrical connection unit, and the electrical connection unit's socket is located between the front and rear of the support column when viewed from the left and right, the electrical connection unit is difficult to see and access. Therefore, the user can recognize that this electrical connection unit is for use by the user seated in the adjacent seat. This allows the user to recognize that there is an electrical connection unit available for their use on the opposite side or elsewhere. Furthermore, because the socket mounting surface is positioned between the front and rear of the support column when viewed from the left and right, dust and debris can be prevented from entering the gap between the electrical connection unit and the support column when the socket mounting surface and the front of the support column are in close proximity.

[0012] Furthermore, in the chair according to the present invention, the insertion opening mounting surface and the front surface of the support column may be inclined surfaces that gradually slope forward from the bottom to the top.

[0013] With this configuration, the surface on which the socket is installed and the front of the support column face diagonally downwards, which helps to prevent drinks from entering the socket if they are spilled on the electrical connection unit or armrest.

[0014] Furthermore, in the chair according to the present invention, the electrical connection unit has an outlet into which a cable is inserted, and the outlet may be located below the upper end of the armrest.

[0015] If there is an armrest between the seat and the electrical connection unit, and the electrical connection unit's socket is located below the top edge of the armrest, the user will find it difficult to see and access the electrical connection unit. Therefore, the user will recognize that this electrical connection unit is for use by the user seated in the adjacent seat. This allows the user to recognize that there is an electrical connection unit available for their use on the opposite side or elsewhere.

[0016] Furthermore, the chair according to the present invention may have a sealing material that closes the gap between adjacent seat portions in the left-right direction.

[0017] Even if the spacing between adjacent seats in the left-right direction is increased due to the placement of armrests and electrical connection units between seats, the presence of a sealing material prevents items from falling into this gap or getting stuck.

[0018] Furthermore, in the chair according to the present invention, the left-right dimension of the backrest is set to be smaller than the left-right dimension of the seat, and the armrest and the electrical connection unit may be provided between the backrests of adjacent seat portions in the left-right direction.

[0019] By setting the left-right dimension of the backrest to be smaller than the left-right dimension of the seat, the distance between the backrests of adjacent seats in the left-right direction becomes greater than the distance between the seats of adjacent seats in the left-right direction. This makes it easier to secure space for the armrest and electrical connection unit in the distance between the backrests of adjacent seats in the left-right direction, and also allows for a smaller distance between the seats of adjacent seats in the left-right direction, enabling the use of smaller sealing materials.

[0020] Furthermore, in the chair according to the present invention, the support structure includes a support rod extending in the left-right direction and supporting a plurality of the seat portions, armrest portions and electrical connection units, and support legs installed on the floor surface and supporting the support rod, and the plurality of the seat portions, armrest portions and electrical connection units may each be detachable from any position in the left-right direction of the support rod.

[0021] This configuration allows multiple seat units, armrests, and electrical connection units to be placed in any position or arrangement.

[0022] In addition, the chair according to the present invention has three or more of the seat portions, the support structure extends in the left-right direction, and includes a support rod that supports three or more of the seat portions, the armrests, and the electrical connection unit, and support legs that are installed on the floor surface and support the support rod. The three or more seat portions are fixed in position with respect to the support rod in a state of being arranged at equal intervals in the left-right direction, and the armrests and the electrical connection unit may be detachable at any position of the interval between the seat portions adjacent to each other in the left-right direction.

[0023] With such a configuration, the armrests and the electrical connection unit can be arranged at any position between the seat portions adjacent to each other on the left and right. The combination of the armrests and the electrical connection unit provided between the seat portions adjacent to each other on the left and right can be arbitrarily set, or removed when not needed.

Effects of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to clarify the electrical connection units that can be used by the users sitting on the plurality of seats respectively.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of the chair of the embodiment as seen from above. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the chair of the embodiment as seen from below. [Figure 3] It is a front view of the chair of the embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a plan view of the chair of the embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 3. [Figure 7] It is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] It is a side view of the chair of the embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 3. [Figure 10] It is a plan view of the electrical connection unit in a state where a plugging material is attached. [Figure 11] This is a front view of the electrical connection unit with the sealing material installed. [Figure 12] This is a plan view of a chair according to a modified embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a side view of a chair according to a modified embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] The following description of a chair according to an embodiment of the present invention will be based on Figures 1-11. The chair 1 according to this embodiment shown in Figure 1 is installed on the floor 11 of a public space such as an airport, train station, or office, and has multiple seat sections 2 on which users sit. The multiple seat sections 2 are arranged in the same direction. In the following description of the chair 1, the front-to-back direction of a user seated in a seat section 2 will be referred to as the front-to-back direction. The horizontal direction intersecting the front-to-back direction will be referred to as the left-to-right direction. In this embodiment, the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction are perpendicular. Looking from the front to the rear, the left side will be referred to as one side of the left-to-right direction, and the right side will be referred to as the other side of the left-to-right direction. The multiple seats are arranged in the left-to-right direction. In this embodiment, three seat sections 2 are arranged in the left-to-right direction.

[0027] The chair 1 comprises a seat portion 2, a support structure 3, an armrest portion 4, an electrical connection unit 5, and a sealing material 6. The support structure 3 supports the seat 2, the armrest 4, and the electrical connection unit 5. The support structure 3 has a support rod 31 and support legs 32. The support rod 31 extends in the left-right direction. The cross-sectional shape of the support rod 31 is rectangular. The seat 2, the armrest 4, and the electrical connection unit 5 are attached to the support rod 31. The support legs 32 are installed on the floor surface 11 and support the support rod 31. In this embodiment, the support structure 3 has two support legs 32 that support both ends of the support rod 31. The armrest 4 is the part that serves as an armrest for the user seated in the seat 2. The electrical connection unit 5 is where the cables of electronic devices are connected. The electrical connection unit 5 is provided with outlets 52 such as power outlets and LAN ports to which the cables of electronic devices are connected. Power supply cables and communication cables are connected to the electrical connection unit 5. These cables are not shown. The armrest 4 and the electrical connection unit 5 are separate components. The sealing material 6 is a component that seals the gap between adjacent seat sections 2 in the left-right direction.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the three seat sections 2 are arranged in the left-right direction with a gap between them. The three seat sections 2 are sometimes referred to as the first seat section 201, the second seat section 202, and the third seat section 203. The first seat section 201, the second seat section 202, and the third seat section 203 are arranged in this order from one side to the other in the left-right direction.

[0029] The armrests 4 are positioned at both ends of the three seat sections 2 and between adjacent seat sections 2, 2. Four armrests 4 are provided for each chair 1. The four armrests 4 are sometimes referred to as the first armrest 401, the second armrest 402, the third armrest 403, and the fourth armrest 404. The first armrest 401, the second armrest 402, the third armrest 403, and the fourth armrest 404 are arranged in this order from one side to the other in the left-right direction. The first armrest 401 is positioned on one side in the left-right direction of the first seat section 201. The second armrest 402 is positioned between the first seat section 201 and the second seat section 202. The third armrest 403 is positioned between the second seat section 202 and the third seat section 203. The fourth armrest 404 is located on the other side of the third seat 203 in the left-right direction.

[0030] The electrical connection unit 5 is positioned between each of the three seat sections 2 and the armrest section 4 located on one side of the seat section 2 in the left-right direction. Three electrical connection units 5 are provided for each chair. The three electrical connection units 5 are sometimes referred to as the first electrical connection unit 501, the second electrical connection unit 502, and the third electrical connection unit 503. The first electrical connection unit 501, the second electrical connection unit 502, and the third electrical connection unit 503 are arranged in this order from one side to the other in the left-right direction. The first electrical connection unit 501 is positioned between the first armrest section 401 and the first seat section 201. The second electrical connection unit 502 is positioned between the second armrest section 402 and the second seat section 202. The third electrical connection unit 503 is positioned between the third armrest section 403 and the third electrical connection unit 503.

[0031] The sealing material 6 is attached to each of the three electrical connection units 5. The sealing material 6 attached to the first electrical connection unit 501, the second electrical connection unit 502, and the third electrical connection unit 503 may be referred to as the first sealing material 601, the second sealing material 602, and the third sealing material 603.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the seat portion 2 has a seat portion 21, a backrest portion 22, and a mounting portion 23. The seat portion 21 is the part on which the user sits. The backrest portion 22 extends upward from the rear edge of the seat portion 21. The left-right dimension of the backrest portion 22 is smaller than the left-right dimension of the seat portion 21. The left-right edges of the backrest portion 22 are positioned further inward in the left-right direction than the left-right edges of the seat portion 21. The mounting portion 23 is attached to the underside of each of the left and right ends of the seat portion 21. The mounting portion 23 is detachably attached to the support rod 31. When the mounting portion 23 is attached to the support rod 31, the seat portion 21 is positioned above the support rod 31. The front edge portion 21d of the seat portion 21 is positioned in front of the support rod 31. The rear edge portion of the seat portion 21 is positioned behind the support rod 31.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, the mounting portion 23 is connected to the seat portion 21. The mounting portion 23 may be formed integrally with the seat portion 21. A lower connecting member 7 is detachably connected to the lower side of the mounting portion 23. The lower connecting member 7 is a member for attaching the mounting portion 23 to the support rod 31. The mounting portion 23 and the lower connecting member 7 are connected with the support rod 31 sandwiched between them. That is, the support rod 31 is sandwiched between the mounting portion 23 and the lower connecting member 7 from above and below. When the mounting portion 23 and the lower connecting member 7 are connected with the support rod 31 in between, the mounting portion 23 and the lower connecting member 7 are fixed to the support rod 31, and the seat portion 2 is fixed to the support rod 31.

[0034] The mounting portion 23 has a seat connection portion 231 and a support rod connection portion 232. The seat connection portion 231 is elongated in the front-rear direction. The seat connection portion 231 is connected to the lower surface of the seat 21. The support rod connection portion 232 protrudes downward from the middle portion of the seat connection portion 231 in the front-rear direction. The support rod connection portion 232 has an upper recess 232a that opens downwards over its entire length in the left-right direction. The upper recess 232a corresponds to the shape of the upper side of the support rod 31. The upper recess 232a can be fitted into the upper side of the support rod 31.

[0035] The lower connecting member 7 is positioned below the support rod connection portion 232. The lower connecting member 7 has a lower recess 7a that opens upwards over its entire length in the left-right direction. The lower recess 7a corresponds to the shape of the lower side of the support rod 31. The lower recess 7a can be fitted into the lower side of the support rod 31.

[0036] When the upper recess 232a of the support rod connector 232 is fitted into the upper side of the support rod 31, and the lower recess 7a of the lower connecting member 7 is fitted into the lower side of the support rod 31, the lower end surface 232b of the support rod connector 232 and the upper end surface 7b of the lower connecting member 7 come into surface contact. Screw holes 232c and 7c are formed in the support rod connector 232 and the lower connecting member 7, respectively, at positions that overlap in the vertical direction. By fastening bolts 71 to the screw holes 232c of the support rod connector 232 and the screw holes 7c of the lower connecting member 7, which overlap in the vertical direction, the support rod connector 232, i.e., the mounting part 23, and the lower connecting member 7 are connected. As a result, the seat part 2 is attached to the support rod 31. The mounting portion 23 and the lower connecting member 7 can be separated by removing the bolts 71 from the screw holes 232c of the support rod connection portion 232 and the screw holes 7c of the lower connecting member 7. This allows the seat portion 2 to be removed from the support rod 31.

[0037] As shown in Figure 6, the armrest 4 has a support column 41, an armrest body 42, and a mounting portion 43. The mounting portion 43 is attached to the support rod 31. The support column 41 extends upward from the rear end of the mounting portion 43. When the mounting portion 43 is attached to the support rod 31, the support column 41 is positioned behind the support rod 31. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the front surface 41a and rear surface 41b of the support column 41 are inclined surfaces that gradually slope forward from the bottom to the top. The armrest body 42 extends forward from the upper end of the support column 41. The armrest body 42 is positioned above the support rod 31 and the seat 21. In a plan view from the top and bottom, the front end 42a of the armrest body 42 is positioned in front of the support rod 31. In a plan view from above, the rear end portion 42b of the armrest body 42 is positioned behind the support rod 31.

[0038] The mounting portion 43 is connected to the support column portion 41. The mounting portion 43 may be formed integrally with the support column portion 41. A lower connecting member 7 is detachably connected to the lower side of the mounting portion 43. The mounting portion 43 and the lower connecting member 7 are connected with the support rod 31 sandwiched between them. That is, the support rod 31 is sandwiched between the mounting portion 43 and the lower connecting member 7 from above and below. When the mounting portion 43 and the lower connecting member 7 are connected with the support rod 31 in between, the mounting portion 43 and the lower connecting member 7 are fixed to the support rod 31, and the armrest portion 4 is fixed to the support rod 31.

[0039] The mounting portion 43 has an armrest body connection portion 431 and a support rod connection portion 432. The support rod connection portion 432 has the same shape as the support rod connection portion 232 of the mounting portion 23 of the seat portion 2. The support rod connection portion 432 has an upper recess 432a and a screw hole 432c, similar to the upper recess 232a and screw hole 7c of the support rod connection portion 232 of the mounting portion 23 of the seat portion 2. The armrest body connection portion 431 has an elongated shape that extends diagonally from the upper surface of the support rod connection portion 432 upwards and gradually toward the rear. The support column portion 41 is connected to the rear end portion 431b of the armrest body connection portion 431. The rear end portion 431b of the armrest body connection portion 431 is positioned at approximately the same height as the seat portion 21.

[0040] When the upper recess 432a of the support rod connector 432 is fitted into the upper side of the support rod 31, and the lower recess 7a of the lower connecting member 7 is fitted into the lower side of the support rod 31, the lower end surface 432b of the support rod connector 432 and the upper end surface 7b of the lower connecting member 7 come into surface contact. The screw hole 432c of the support rod connector 432 and the screw hole 7c of the lower connecting member 7 overlap in the vertical direction. By fastening the bolt 71 to the screw hole 432c of the support rod connector 432 and the screw hole 7c of the lower connecting member 7, which overlap in the vertical direction, the support rod connector 432, i.e., the mounting part 43, and the lower connecting member 7 are connected. As a result, the armrest 4 is attached to the support rod 31. The mounting portion 43 and the lower connecting member 7 can be separated by removing the bolt 71 from the screw hole 432c of the support rod connection portion 432 and the screw hole 7c of the lower connecting member 7. This allows the armrest portion 4 to be removed from the support rod 31.

[0041] As shown in Figure 8, the mounting portions 43 of the armrests 4 provided at both ends of the chair 1 in the left-right direction, namely the mounting portions 43 of the first armrest 401 and the fourth armrest 404 (see Figure 1), are connected to the support legs 32 instead of the lower connecting member 7. A support rod 31 is sandwiched between the mounting portion 43 and the support legs 32.

[0042] The support leg 32 has a front leg portion 321, a rear leg portion 322, and a support leg connecting portion 323. The front leg portion 321 and the rear leg portion 322 are in contact with the floor surface 11. The front leg portion 321 is provided in front of the rear leg portion 322. The front leg portion 321 extends diagonally from the bottom to the top and towards the rear. The rear leg portion 322 extends diagonally from the bottom to the top and towards the front. The upper end of the front leg portion 321 and the upper end of the rear leg portion 322 are connected. The support leg connecting portion 323 is provided at the connection point between the front leg portion 321 and the rear leg portion 322. The support leg connecting portion 323 has a lower recess 323a and a screw hole 323c, similar to the lower recess 7a and screw hole 7c of the lower connecting member 7.

[0043] When the upper recess 432a of the support rod connector 432 is fitted into the upper side of the support rod 31, and the lower recess 323a of the support leg connector 323 is fitted into the lower side of the support rod 31, the lower end surface 432b of the support rod connector 432 and the upper end surface 323b of the support leg connector 323 come into surface contact. The screw hole 432c of the support rod connector 432 and the screw hole 323c of the support leg connector 323 overlap in the vertical direction. By fastening bolts 71 to the screw hole 432c of the support rod connector 432 and the screw hole 323c of the support leg connector 323, which overlap in the vertical direction, the support rod connector 432, i.e., the mounting part 43, and the support leg connector 323 are connected. As a result, the armrest 4 is connected to the support leg 32 and attached to the support rod 31. The mounting portion 43 and the support leg connecting portion 323 can be disassembled by removing the bolts 71 from the screw holes 432c of the support rod connecting portion 432 and the screw holes 323c of the support leg connecting portion 323. This allows the armrest portion 4 to be removed from the support rod 31 and the support leg 32.

[0044] As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the electrical connection unit 5 has an electrical connection unit body 51 and a mounting portion 53. The mounting portion 53 is attached to the support rod 31. The electrical connection unit body 51 protrudes diagonally from the rear end portion 531b of the mounting portion 53, gradually moving forward from the upward. In a plan view from the top and bottom, the electrical connection unit body 51 is positioned behind the support rod 31. The front surface 51a of the electrical connection unit body 51 is the socket installation surface where the socket 52 is provided. The front surface 51a of the electrical connection unit body 51 is an inclined surface that gradually moves forward from the bottom to the top. As shown in Figure 7, the inclination angle of the front surface 41a of the support column 41 and the inclination angle of the front surface 51a of the electrical connection unit body 51 are approximately the same. The socket 52 faces diagonally downward. The front surface 51a of the main body 51 of the electrical connection unit is positioned between the front surface 41a and the rear surface 41b (see Figure 6) of the support column 41 when viewed from the left and right directions.

[0045] As shown in Figures 9 and 11, the mounting portion 53 is connected to the main body portion 51 of the electrical connection unit. The mounting portion 53 may be formed integrally with the main body portion 51 of the electrical connection unit. A lower connecting member 7 is detachably connected to the lower side of the mounting portion 53. The mounting portion 53 and the lower connecting member 7 are connected with a support rod 31 sandwiched between them. That is, the support rod 31 is sandwiched between the mounting portion 53 and the lower connecting member 7 from above and below. When the mounting portion 53 and the lower connecting member 7 are connected with the support rod 31 in between, the mounting portion 53 and the lower connecting member 7 are fixed to the support rod 31, and the electrical connection unit 5 is fixed to the support rod 31.

[0046] The mounting portion 53 has an electrical connection unit connection portion 531 and a support rod connection portion 532. The electrical connection unit connection portion 531 is elongated in the front-rear direction. The electrical connection unit connection portion 531 extends forward from the lower end of the electrical connection unit 5. The support rod connection portion 532 protrudes downward from the middle portion of the electrical connection unit connection portion 531 in the front-rear direction. The support rod connection portion 532 has the same shape as the support rod connection portion 232 of the mounting portion 23 of the seat portion 2. The support rod connection portion 532 has an upper recess 532a and a screw hole 532c, similar to the upper recess 232a and screw hole 232c of the support rod connection portion 232 of the mounting portion 23 of the seat portion 2.

[0047] When the upper recess 532a of the support rod connector 532 is fitted into the upper side of the support rod 31, and the lower recess 7a of the lower connecting member 7 is fitted into the lower side of the support rod 31, the lower end surface 532b of the support rod connector 532 and the upper end surface 7b of the lower connecting member 7 come into surface contact. The screw hole 532c of the support rod connector 532 and the screw hole 7c of the lower connecting member 7 overlap in the vertical direction. By fastening the bolt 71 to the screw hole 532c of the support rod connector 532 and the screw hole 7c of the lower connecting member 7, which overlap in the vertical direction, the support rod connector 532, i.e., the mounting part 53, and the lower connecting member 7 are connected. As a result, the electrical connection unit 5 is attached to the support rod 31. The mounting portion 53 and the lower connecting member 7 can be separated by removing the bolts 71 from the screw holes 532c of the support rod connection portion 532 and the screw holes 7c of the lower connecting member 7. This allows the electrical connection unit 5 to be removed from the support rod 31.

[0048] As shown in Figure 7, the support columns 41 of adjacent armrests 4 and the main body 51 of the electrical connection unit 5 are in contact with or close to each other in the left-right direction. The socket 52 of the electrical connection unit 5 is located behind the front end 42a of the armrest main body 42 of the armrest 4. The socket 52 of the electrical connection unit 5 is located below the upper end 42c of the armrest main body 42 of the armrest 4.

[0049] As shown in Figure 2, the mounting portion 43 of the armrest 4 and the mounting portion 53 of the electrical connection unit 5 are positioned below the seat 21. As shown in Figure 3, the left-right edges 42d and 43d of the armrest body 42 and the mounting portion 43 of the armrest 4, respectively, and the left-right edge 21c of the seat 21 adjacent to them on one side are positioned to overlap in the vertical direction. The left-right edge 42d of the armrest body 42 of the armrest 4 is in contact with or close to the left-right edge 22c of the backrest 22.

[0050] The sealing material 6 seals the gap between adjacent seat portions 21 in the left-right direction. As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the sealing material 6 is plate-shaped. The plate surface of the sealing material 6 is approximately horizontal. The sealing material 6 is attached to the mounting portion 53 of the electrical connection unit 5 by fasteners such as screws or by adhesive. When the sealing material 6 is fixed to the mounting portion 53 of the electrical connection unit 5 with screws, it is fixed from the underside of the mounting portion 53 of the electrical connection unit 5 so that the screw heads are hidden. The sealing material 6 may be fixed to the electrical connection unit 5 so that it can be detached or so that it cannot be removed.

[0051] As shown in Figures 3 and 7, the upper surface 6a of the sealing material 6 is positioned slightly below the upper surface 21a of the seat portion 21. As shown in Figure 11, one side edge 6b of the sealing material 6 in the left-right direction is in contact with or close to the other side edge 21c of the seat portion 21, which is positioned on one side in the left-right direction. One side edge 6b of the sealing material 6 in the left-right direction protrudes to one side in the left-right direction beyond one side edge 53b of the mounting portion 53 of the electrical connection unit 5. One side of the sealing material 6 in the left-right direction is positioned above the mounting portion 43 of the armrest portion 4. The other edge 6c of the sealing material 6 in the left-right direction overlaps vertically with the other edge 53c of the mounting portion 53 of the electrical connection unit 5 in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the second and third sealing members 602 and 603 of the three sealing members 6 are provided with a seat portion 2 on one side in the left-right direction, but the first sealing member 601 is not provided with a seat portion 2 on one side in the left-right direction, and the edge of the first sealing member 601 on one side in the left-right direction is exposed.

[0052] As described above, the seat section 2, armrest section 4, and electrical connection unit 5 are detachable from the support rod 31 of the support structure 3. The seat section 2, armrest section 4, and electrical connection unit 5 can be attached to any position on the support rod 31. This makes it possible to change the arrangement of the seat section 2, armrest section 4, and electrical connection unit 5 to an arrangement other than that described above. The mounting section 23 of the seat section 2 and the mounting section 53 of the electrical connection unit 5 can be connected to the support leg connecting section 323 of the support leg 32 and the support rod 31 in place of the lower connecting member 7. The seat section 2 and the support structure 3 can also be installed on the support leg 32.

[0053] Next, the operation and effects of the chair according to this embodiment will be described. In the chair 1 according to this embodiment, an armrest 4 is provided between adjacent seat sections 2 in the left-right direction, and an electrical connection unit 5 is provided between the armrest 4 and the seat section 2. Therefore, a user seated in a seat section 2 can recognize the electrical connection unit 5 closer to them than the armrest 4 as the electrical connection unit 5 that they can use. Because the electrical connection unit 5 is a separate component from the armrest 4, the user can clearly recognize which side of the armrest 4 the electrical connection unit 5 is on, compared to the case where the electrical connection unit 5 is integrated with the armrest 4.

[0054] In the chair 1 according to this embodiment, the electrical connection unit 5 is positioned behind the front end portion 42a of the armrest body portion 42 of the armrest portion 4. If the user has an armrest 4 between the seat 2 and the electrical connection unit, and the electrical connection unit 5 is located behind the front end 42a of the armrest body 42 of the armrest 4, it will be difficult for the user to access the electrical connection unit 5. Therefore, the user will recognize that this electrical connection unit 5 is the one used by the user seated in the adjacent seat 2. This will allow the user to recognize that there is an electrical connection unit 5 available for their use on the opposite side or elsewhere.

[0055] In the chair 1 according to this embodiment, the front surface 51a (insertion port installation surface) on which the insertion port 52 of the main body portion 51 of the electrical connection unit 5 is provided is located between the front surface 41a and the rear surface 41b of the support column portion 41 when viewed from the left and right directions. If the user has an armrest 4 between the seat 2 and the electrical connection unit 5, and the front surface 51a (insertion mounting surface) of the electrical connection unit body 51 is located between the front surface 41a and the rear surface 41b of the support column 41, then the electrical connection unit 5 is difficult to see and difficult to access. Therefore, the user can recognize that this electrical connection unit 5 is the electrical connection unit 5 used by the user seated in the adjacent seat 2. This allows the user to recognize that there is an electrical connection unit 5 available for their use on the opposite side or elsewhere. Furthermore, if the front surface 51a (insertion port mounting surface) of the electrical connection unit body 51 is positioned between the front surface 41a and the rear surface 41b of the support column 41 when viewed from the left and right directions, dust and debris can be prevented from entering the gap between the electrical connection unit body 51 and the support column 41 when they are in close proximity.

[0056] In the chair 1 according to this embodiment, the insertion opening mounting surface and the front surface 41a of the support column 41 are inclined surfaces that gradually slope forward from the bottom to the top. With this configuration, the surface on which the socket is installed and the front surface 41a of the support column 41 face diagonally downwards, so that if a drink or other liquid is spilled on the electrical connection unit 5 or the armrest 4, it is possible to prevent the drink or liquid from entering the socket 52.

[0057] In the chair 1 according to this embodiment, the socket 52 of the electrical connection unit 5 is located below the upper end portion 42c of the armrest body portion 42 of the armrest portion 4. If the user has an armrest 4 between the seat 2 and the electrical connection unit 5, and the socket 52 of the electrical connection unit 5 is located below the upper end 42c of the armrest body 42 of the armrest 4, the electrical connection unit 5 is difficult to see and difficult to access. Therefore, the user can recognize that this electrical connection unit 5 is the one used by the user seated in the adjacent seat 2. This allows the user to recognize that there is an electrical connection unit 5 available for their use on the opposite side or elsewhere.

[0058] In this embodiment, the chair 1 has a sealing material 6 that closes the gap between the seat portions 21 of adjacent seat portions 2 in the left-right direction. Even when the distance between the seat portions 21 of adjacent seat portions 2 in the left-right direction is increased due to the provision of armrests 4 and electrical connection units 5 between the seat portions 2, the provision of a sealing material 6 prevents items from falling into this gap or getting caught in it.

[0059] In the chair 1 according to this embodiment, the left-right dimension of the backrest 22 is set to be smaller than the left-right dimension of the seat 21, and the armrest 4 and electrical connection unit 5 are provided between the backrests 22 of adjacent seat sections 2 in the left-right direction. By setting the left-right dimension of the backrest portion 22 to be smaller than the left-right dimension of the seat portion 21, the distance between the backrest portions 22 of adjacent seats 2 in the left-right direction becomes greater than the distance between the seat portions 21 of adjacent seats 2 in the left-right direction. As a result, it is easier to secure installation space for the armrest portion 4 and the electrical connection unit 5 in the distance between the backrest portions 22 of adjacent seats 2 in the left-right direction, and the distance between the seat portions 21, 21 of adjacent seats 2 in the left-right direction can be reduced, allowing for a miniaturization of the sealing material 6.

[0060] In the chair 1 according to this embodiment, the seat portion 2, the armrest portion 4, and the electrical connection unit 5 can each be attached to and detached from any position in the left-right direction of the support rod 31. This configuration allows the seat section 2, armrest section 4, and electrical connection unit 5 to be placed in any position or arrangement.

[0061] Although embodiments of the chair according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the above embodiment, one armrest 4 is provided between adjacent seat sections 2 in the left-right direction, but as shown in chair 1B in Figure 12, an armrest 4 may be provided for each of the adjacent seat sections 2 in the left-right direction. Two armrests 402 and 403 may be provided side by side in the left-right direction between the first seat section 201 and the second seat section 202, and an electrical connection unit 5 may be provided between the armrest 403 on the other side in the left-right direction and the second seat section 202 on the other side in the left-right direction. The sealing material 6 may be set appropriately to match the dimensions between adjacent seat sections 21 in the left-right direction.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the mounting portion 43 of the armrest portion 4 has an armrest body connection portion 431 and a support rod connection portion 432. The support column portion 41 of the armrest portion 4 extends diagonally from the rear end of the armrest body connection portion 431 in a direction from below to above and then to the front. The armrest body portion 42 of the armrest portion 4 extends forward from the support column portion 41. In contrast, as shown in the chair 1C in Figure 13, the mounting portion 43C does not have an armrest body connection portion 431, the support column portion 41C extends vertically upward from the mounting portion 43C, and the armrest body portion 42C may extend from the support column portion 41C on both sides in the front-rear direction.

[0063] The front-to-back positional relationship between the electrical connection unit 5 and the armrest 4 may be set as appropriate. The positional relationship between the front surface 51a (insertion port installation surface) of the electrical connection unit body 51 of the electrical connection unit 5 and the front surface 41a and rear surface 41b of the support column 41 of the armrest 4 may be set as appropriate. For example, the insertion port installation surface may be on the same plane as the front surface 41a of the support column 41. If the armrest 4 is between the seated seat 2 and the electrical connection unit 5, and the insertion port installation surface of the electrical connection unit body 51 is on the same plane as the front surface 41a of the support column 41, the electrical connection unit 5 will be difficult to see and difficult to access. For this reason, the user will recognize that this electrical connection unit 5 is the electrical connection unit 5 used by the user seated in the adjacent seat 2. This will allow the user to recognize that there is an electrical connection unit 5 available for their use on the opposite side or elsewhere. Furthermore, if the socket mounting surface and the front surface 41a of the support column 41 are arranged on the same plane, dust and debris can be prevented from entering the gap between the electrical connection unit main body 51 and the support column 41 when they are in close proximity.

[0064] The angles of the front 51a of the main body 51 of the electrical connection unit 5, and the front 41a and rear 41b of the support column 41 of the armrest 4 may be set as appropriate. The positional relationship between the socket 52 of the electrical connection unit 5 and the armrest 4 may be set as appropriate. A sealing material 6 does not have to be provided between the seat portions 21 of adjacent seat portions 2 in the left-right direction. The shape of the sealing material 6 may be set as appropriate. The positions of the armrest 4 and the electrical connection unit 5 relative to the seat portion 2 may be set as appropriate, as long as the electrical connection unit 5 is installed between the seat portion 2 and the armrest 4 and a user seated in the seat portion 2 can recognize the usable electrical connection unit 5.

[0065] The left-right dimensions of the backrest 22 and the left-right dimensions of the seat 21 may be set as appropriate. The armrest 4 and the electrical connection unit 5 may be provided between the seat 21s of adjacent seat 2s in the left-right direction, instead of between the backrests 22s of adjacent seat 2s in the left-right direction.

[0066] The seat portion 2 provided on the chair 1 may be two or four or more. The armrest portion 4 and the electrical connection unit 5 may be provided between at least one seat portion 2 and an armrest portion 4 adjacent to that seat portion 2 in either the left or right direction.

[0067] In the chair 1 according to this embodiment, the seat portion 2, the armrest portion 4, and the electrical connection unit 5 can each be attached to and detached from any position in the left-right direction of the support rod 31, but they may also be fixed to the support structure 3 in a way that prevents them from being removed. The form of the support structure 3 may be other than that described above, as long as it is capable of supporting the seat portion 2, the armrest portion 4, and the electrical connection unit 5.

[0068] In a chair 1 having three or more seat sections 2, the three or more seat sections 2 are fixed together with respect to a support rod 31, spaced apart in the left-right direction, and the armrests 4 and electrical connection units 5 may be detachably attached to any position between adjacent seat sections 2 in the left-right direction. This configuration allows the armrest 4 and electrical connection unit 5 to be positioned at any location between adjacent seats 2. The combination of the armrest 4 and electrical connection unit 5 provided between adjacent seats 2 can be arbitrarily set, or removed if unnecessary. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 1,1B,1C Chair 2 seating area 3 Support structure 4. Armrest 5. Electrical connection unit 6. Sealing material 7 Lower connecting member 11 Floor surface 21 Seat area 22 Backrest 31 Support rod 32 Support legs 41,41C Support section 41a front 41b Rear 42,42C Armrest main body 42a Front end 42c Upper end 51 Electrical connection unit main body 51a Front 52 outlets

Claims

1. Multiple seating units, each having a seat and a backrest, are arranged in a left-right direction. A support structure that supports the plurality of seat sections, An armrest is provided between adjacent seats in the left-right direction, A chair having an electrical connection unit provided between the armrest and the seat, and which is a separate component from the armrest.

2. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection unit is positioned behind the front end of the front-to-back direction that intersects the left-to-right direction in the armrest.

3. The aforementioned armrest portion is, A support column extending upward from the aforementioned support structure, It has an armrest body portion extending forward from the aforementioned support portion, The electrical connection unit has an outlet into which a cable is inserted, The chair according to claim 2, wherein the insertion opening mounting surface, when viewed from the left and right directions, is positioned between the front and rear surfaces of the support column.

4. The chair according to claim 3, wherein the insertion opening mounting surface and the front surface of the support column are inclined surfaces that gradually slope forward from the bottom to the top.

5. The electrical connection unit has an outlet into which a cable is inserted, The chair according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the insertion opening is located below the upper end of the armrest.

6. A chair according to any one of claims 1 to 4, having a sealing material that seals the gap between adjacent seat portions in the left-right direction.

7. The left-right dimension of the backrest is set to be smaller than the left-right dimension of the seat. The chair according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the armrest and the electrical connection unit are provided between the backrests of adjacent seat portions in the left-right direction.

8. The aforementioned support structure is A support rod extending in the left-right direction, supporting multiple seat portions, armrest portions and electrical connection units, It has support legs that are installed on the floor surface and support the support rod, The chair according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the multiple seat portions, armrest portions, and electrical connection units is detachable from any position in the left-right direction of the support rod.

9. Having three or more of the aforementioned seat sections, The aforementioned support structure is A support rod extending in the left-right direction, supporting three or more of the aforementioned seat portions, armrest portions, and electrical connection units, It has support legs that are installed on the floor surface and support the support rod, The three or more seat sections are arranged at equal intervals in the left-right direction and are fixed in position relative to the support rod. The chair according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the armrest and the electrical connection unit are each detachably attached to any position in the space between adjacent seat portions in the left-right direction.

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