Panel booths and furniture

Abstract

To widely use a lower space of a top plate 3 when a height of the top plate 3 is enabled to be changed in a vertical direction in a partition device.SOLUTION: In a partition device, a lower end is erected on an installation surface when an upper end is not supported by other components. The partition device comprises a panel body 2, a support member 4 for supporting an additional top plate, and a lifting mechanism 11 for lifting the support member 4. The lifting mechanism 11 is arranged in the panel body 2. A vertical groove 16 extending along a lifting path of the support member 4 is formed at the panel body 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to Panel booth a partition device and a furniture including the same.

Background Art

[0002] In spaces such as offices, in order to increase the degree of freedom in using the space, it is widely practiced to provide a partition device in which a panel body is erected. By providing a partition device, it is possible to block the line of sight and sound from the surroundings to some extent. There is also already known a piece of furniture in which a desk with a top plate whose height can be changed up and down is combined with this type of partition device. For example, the furniture described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which a desk with a top plate whose height can be changed up and down is arranged in the inner space formed by the partition device. In this case, the desk includes support legs that can expand and contract for raising and lowering the top plate, and a top plate provided on the support legs.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, since the support legs that support the top plate are exposed in the space below the top plate, the support legs may protrude near the user's feet and become obstructive.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention has studied the above-described current situation and made improvements, Panel booth and aims to provide a partition device and furniture as a technical problem.

[0006] The present invention relates to a panel booth that forms an inner space where a user stays, and includes a panel body that surrounds the inner space from a plurality of directions, a support member that supports an attached top plate, and a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the support member. The lifting mechanism is disposed within the panel body, and a groove extending along the lifting path of the support member is formed in the panel body. The lifting mechanism includes a vertically long screw shaft having a male thread formed on the outer periphery thereof and a nut member screwed onto the screw shaft. That's what it is.

[0007] In the present invention Panel booth it may be like this. Including a plurality of panels That's fine too.

[0008] In the present invention Panel booth it may be like this. Further comprising columns connecting the adjacent panels That's fine too.

[0009] In the present invention Panel booth it includes an electric motor that is a drive source of the lifting mechanism, and at least a part of the electric motor is housed within the panel body be able to That's fine too.

[0010] In the present invention Examples of the panel booth include those further provided with a door body and configured to form the inner space into a closed space.

[0011]

[0012]

[0013] The present invention also includes furniture using the above-described Panel booth The furniture according to the present invention includes the above-described Panel booth and a top plate supported by the support member.

[0014] In the furniture of the present invention, a plurality of combinations of the support member, the lifting mechanism, and the drive source of the lifting mechanism may be provided with respect to the top plate, and each drive source is driven synchronously so that each lifting mechanism raises and lowers the corresponding support member to the same height position.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, since the lifting mechanism is hidden inside the panel body, the lifting mechanism does not narrow the space below the top plate, and the descending space of the top plate can be widely used, improving the user experience.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Next, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the terms "front and rear" and "left and right" are used to specify directions, but this is based on the orientation of the user using the panel booth as the partition device according to the present invention. That is, the opening side of the panel booth is regarded as the front, and the rear and left and right are determined based on this. However, these terms are used for convenience of explanation and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Also, when referring to the horizontal direction, it is used as a general term for the left and right direction and the front and rear direction.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the panel booth 1 as a partitioning device includes a plurality of panel bodies 2 that can be continuously arranged in the horizontal direction, and a connecting column (not shown) that connects adjacent panel bodies 2. These groups of panel bodies 2 surround the rear and both left and right sides of the inner space S, and the front is open.

[0019] A top plate 3 is arranged on the back side of the inner space S of the panel booth 1. In the embodiment, the top plate 3 is connected and supported via a connecting arm 4 as a support member that protrudes from each panel body 2 toward the inner space S on the front surface sides of the panel bodies 2 in the center and on both the left and right sides.

[0020] In the embodiment, the panel booth 1 is used as an example of the partitioning device, but the concept of the partitioning device is not limited to this. It also includes a single unit (such as a partition-like panel body 2, etc.) whose lower end is erected on the installation surface with the upper end not supported by other components, or a partitioning device composed of panel bodies 2 arranged in a horizontal row. Also, the top plate 3 does not necessarily have to be included in the partitioning device, and it can be an option (accessory) or a separate member of the partitioning device.

[0021] Note that as the panel booth 1, it is preferably in a form that surrounds at least the rear and both left and right sides of the inner space S with the panel bodies 2. For example, a door body that can be opened and closed may be provided on the front side of the panel booth 1 to form a closed space for the inner space S. Also, the panel booth 1 in the embodiment connects a plurality of panel bodies 2 in a C-shaped configuration in plan view, but it is not limited to this, and it is also possible to connect the plurality of panel bodies 2 in a cross shape, T shape, Y shape, or a combination of these shapes, etc.

[0022] Regarding the support member, it may be one or a plurality for one panel body 2. In the embodiment, one panel body 2 has one connecting arm 4 (support member), but the panel booth 1 as a whole has three connecting arms 4.

[0023] The central and left and right panel bodies 2 having the connecting arm 4 and the lifting mechanism 11 described later all have basically the same structure. Therefore, the central panel body 2 will be described below as a representative example. The panel body 2 has a sandwich-like basic structure in which face members 10 such as cardboard are adhered to both the front and back surfaces of a core material (not shown) made of a honeycomb structure or the like. The peripheral side portions of the core material are surrounded by a rectangular frame 5. With the core material attached inside the frame 5, the face members 10 are adhered to both the front and back surfaces of the frame 5 and the core material. The rectangular frame 5 constitutes the basic framework of the panel body 2. In FIG. 3, the illustration of the core material is omitted, and the face member 10 is shown by a two-dot chain virtual line.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the rectangular frame 5 includes a pair of left and right vertical frames 6, and an upper frame 7 and a lower frame 8 that connect these vertical frames 6 vertically. Between the upper frame 7 and the lower frame 8, they are connected by a reinforcing frame 9 that extends in parallel with each vertical frame 6. The reinforcing frame 9 is formed in a C-shaped cross section that opens toward the surface side (the inner space S of the panel booth 1). In the embodiment, the upper end side of the reinforcing frame 9 is attached downward to the middle part of the long side of the upper frame 7. The lower end side of the reinforcing frame 9 is attached upward to the middle part of the long side of the lower frame 8 via the gear box 15 of the lifting mechanism 11 described later. Due to the presence of the reinforcing frame 9, the frame 5 is reinforced, and as a result, the panel body 2 has a robust structure. The thickness of the reinforcing frame 9 is less than or equal to the thickness of the frame 5 in relation to attaching the face member 10.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the panel body 2 (which may also be referred to as the panel booth 1) includes a lifting mechanism 11 that raises and lowers the connecting arm 4 as a support member. The lifting mechanism 11 includes a reinforcing frame 9 as a casing that constitutes its outer shell, a vertically long screw shaft 12 having a male thread formed on its outer periphery, and a nut member 13 screwed onto the screw shaft 12.

[0026] The elevating mechanism 11 is disposed inside the panel body 2. That is, the reinforcing frame 9 of the frame 5 functions as the casing of the elevating mechanism 11, and a screw shaft 12 is erected inside the reinforcing frame 9 having a C-shaped cross section. It can also be said that the casing of the elevating mechanism 11 functions as the reinforcing frame 9. The upper end side of the screw shaft 12 is rotatably supported by a shaft support block 26 screwed to the upper and lower middle part inside the reinforcing frame 9 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The lower end side of the screw shaft 12 is rotatably supported by a gear box 15 that supports the lower end side of the reinforcing frame 9 (see FIGS. 3 and 5).

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, an electric motor 14, which is a drive source of the elevating mechanism 11, is provided next to the screw shaft 12 on the upper surface of the gear box 15. The electric motor 14 is configured to transmit rotational power to the screw shaft 12 via a gear mechanism (not shown) in the gear box 15. A nut member 13 is screwed onto the screw shaft 12. The nut member 13 is also housed inside the reinforcing frame 9, similar to the screw shaft 12. The surface of the central part of the nut member 13 faces the vertically long opening groove 9a in the reinforcing frame 9. Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a vertical groove 16 facing the opening groove 9a of the reinforcing frame 9 is formed in the face member 10 (only the surface side in the embodiment) of the panel body 2. As can be seen from these, the central part of the surface of the nut member 13 is at a position overlapping the opening groove 9a of the reinforcing frame 9 and the vertical groove 16 of the face member 10, and a connecting arm 4 as a support member is attached to the central part of the surface of the nut member 13. Therefore, the connecting arm 4 protrudes from the vertical groove 16 of the face member 10 toward the inner space S.

[0028] By rotating the screw shaft 12 via the gear mechanism in the gear box 15 from the electric motor 14, the nut member 13 and thus the connecting arm 4 for supporting the top plate 3 move up and down along the screw shaft 12. As a result, the top plate 3 moves up and down and its height position is adjusted.

[0029] With the above configuration, since the lifting mechanism 11 is hidden inside the panel body 2, the lifting mechanism 11 does not narrow the space below the top plate 3, and the descending space of the top plate 3 can be widely used, improving the user experience. When the user uses the top plate 3, there is nothing that protrudes greatly near the user's feet, which does not interfere with the user and also contributes to the improvement of aesthetics.

[0030] The lifting path of the connecting arm 4 is at the opening groove 9a of the reinforcing frame 9 and the vertical groove 16 along the screw shaft 12. Corresponding to the adjustable height range of the top plate 3, the vertical length of the vertical groove 16 is appropriately defined. The vertical groove 16 of the embodiment has a vertical length of about 1 / 3 of the vertical length of the reinforcing frame 9 and is located at the middle part in the vertical direction of the panel body 2 so as to be suitable for adjusting the height of the top plate 3.

[0031] As shown in detail in Fig. 8, openings 17 for exposing them are formed at the locations of the electric motor 14 and the gear box 15 on the lower part of the surface of the panel body 2. The electric motor 14 and the gear box 15 are at least partially accommodated inside the panel body 2 and protrude to the surface side of the panel body 2 in plan view. That is, the dimension in the thickness direction of the electric motor 14 and the gear box 15 is larger than the thickness of the frame frame 5. In the embodiment, the electric motor 14 and the gear box 15 protrude to the surface side of the panel body 2 in plan view. In addition, an opening may be formed at the lower part of the back surface of the panel body 2, and the electric motor 14 and the gear box 15 may protrude from the opening (to the back surface side of the panel body 2).

[0032] The opening 17 at the lower part of the surface of the panel body 2 is detachably covered by a lid cover 18. In the embodiment, standing plates 19 erected on the lower frame 8 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the opening 17 at the lower part of the surface of the panel body 2. Each standing plate 19 faces the surface side (inner space S) of the panel body 2 from the opening 17. On the surface side of each standing plate 19, a plurality of locking pins 20 with large-diameter heads 21 (two by two in the embodiment) protrude at appropriate intervals in the vertical direction.

[0033] On one hand, the cover 18 is formed in a shallow cover shape. On the back side of the cover 18, a connecting plate 22 having a flap portion 23 that overlaps the left and right standing plates 19 in the closed state is fixed by welding or the like. A recessed portion 24 is formed at a location sandwiched between the left and right flap portions 23 in the connecting plate 22. In a state where the opening 17 is closed by the cover 18, the protruding portions of the electric motor 14 and the gearbox 15 are accommodated and hidden in the recessed portion 24 on the back side of the cover 18. That is, the cover 18 is formed in a bulging shape that covers and hides the protruding portion of the electric motor 14.

[0034] Engagement holes 25 corresponding to the locking pins 20 of the standing plates 19 are formed in each flap portion 23 of the cover 18 (two in the vertical direction in the embodiment). Each of these engagement holes 25 has a daruma hole shape composed of a large-diameter portion 25a into which the large-diameter head 21 of the locking pin 20 can be inserted and removed and a small-diameter portion 25b into which only the pin portion of the locking pin 20 can fit. In each engagement hole 25, the large-diameter portion 25a is on the upper side and the small-diameter portion 25b is on the lower side. After fitting the large-diameter portion 25a of the engagement hole 25 provided in each flap portion 23 of the cover 18 onto the large-diameter head 21 of the corresponding locking pin 20, the cover 18 is pushed downward to fit the small-diameter portion 25b of each engagement hole 25 onto the pin portion of the corresponding locking pin 20, whereby the opening 17 at the lower part of the surface of the panel body 2 is closed by the cover 18. In this case, as described above, the protruding portions of the electric motor 14 and the gearbox 15 are accommodated and hidden in the recessed portion 24 on the back side of the cover 18.

[0035] With the above configuration, when the user uses the top plate, there is no risk of the user's foot hitting the electric motor 14 or the gearbox 15 in the space below the top plate 3 or hitting something. Also, since the electric motor 14 and the gearbox 15 are not exposed from the panel body 2, the appearance is also good in terms of design.

[0036] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 9, a configuration for controlling the height adjustment of the top plate 3 will be described. In the embodiment, a main body unit 30 that operates a plurality of elevating mechanisms 11 is provided on the side of the panel booth 1 (panel body 2). Further, an operation unit 35 that issues an operation command to the main body unit 30 side is attached to the front part side of the lower surface of the top plate 3. The main body unit 30 may be arranged, for example, on the back surface side (recessed portion 24) of the central lid cover 18 or the like.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 9(a), the control unit 31 of the main body unit 30 includes, in addition to a CPU that executes various arithmetic processes and controls, an antenna 32 that transmits and receives signals in a frequency band used for short-range wireless communication, a short-range wireless communication module 33 that performs short-range wireless communication, an input / output interface (I / F) unit, storage means such as an EPROM and a flash memory, a RAM that temporarily stores a control program and data, and a timer that measures time. A motor control unit 34 for each electric motor 14 is electrically connected to the control unit 31 of the main body unit 30. Therefore, in the embodiment, three motor control units 34 corresponding to the number of electric motors 14 are electrically connected to the control unit 31 of the main body unit 30. Although not shown, the control unit 31 of the main body unit 30 is connected to a commercial power supply via a power plug.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 9(b), the control unit 36 of the operation unit 35 includes, similarly to the main body unit 30, a CPU, an antenna 37, a short-range wireless communication module 38, an input / output interface (I / F) unit, storage means, a RAM, and a timer. A self-return type ascending switch 39 that drives the electric motor 14 group when pressed to raise the connecting arm 4 (and thus the top plate 3) and a self-return type descending switch 40 that drives the electric motor 14 group when pressed to lower the connecting arm 4 (and thus the top plate 3) are electrically connected to the control unit 36 of the operation unit 35. Although not shown, a button-type small battery or a dry battery can be used as the power supply for the operation unit 35. Note that the short-range wireless communication is preferably, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0039] In the embodiment, when the operation unit 35 transmits a signal based on the pressing operation of the up switch 39 or the down switch 40 and the control unit 31 of the main body unit 30 receives it, the control unit 31 of the main body unit 30 synchronously drives each electric motor 14 via each motor control unit 34, and each elevating mechanism 11 raises and lowers the corresponding nut member 13 and the connecting arm 4 to the same height position.

[0040] With such a configuration, since the top plate 3 is supported by a plurality of connecting arms 4, the top plate 3 can be stably supported without being in a cantilever state. Further, since the group of connecting arms 4 is raised and lowered to the same height position synchronously, the top plate 3 during raising and lowering does not get twisted and can be smoothly raised and lowered.

[0041] Note that the configuration of each part in the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the panel body 2 (face member 10) of the embodiment, the vertical groove 16 is formed only on the front surface side, and the connecting arm which is a support member protrudes only on the front surface side of the panel body. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 10, vertical grooves 16 may be formed on both the front and back sides of the panel body 2, one support member (connecting arm 4) protrudes on the front surface side of the panel body 2, and the other support member (connecting arm 4) protrudes on the back surface side of the panel body 2.

[0042] With such a configuration, for example, when the panel booths 1 are arranged in series in the horizontal direction, support members (connecting arms 4) for supporting the top plate 3 can be easily arranged on both sides sandwiching the panel body 2. In this case, it is also possible to share the elevating mechanism 11, which contributes to reducing the number of parts and cost. However, when the elevating mechanism 11 is shared, the height positions of the top plates 3 on both sides sandwiching the panel body 2 must be the same. Of course, the elevating mechanism 11 and the support member (connecting arm 4) may be in one-to-one correspondence.

[0043] The thickness of the casing (reinforcing frame 9) of the elevating mechanism 11 does not necessarily need to be less than or equal to the thickness of the frame frame 5.

[0044] The casing (reinforcement frame 9) of the lifting mechanism 11 does not necessarily have to function as a reinforcement frame that connects the upper frame 7 and the lower frame 8.

[0045] The shape and arrangement of the electric motor 14 are not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate. All of the electric motors 14 may be housed in the panel body 2. Further, the electric motor 14 does not necessarily have to be housed in the panel body 2, and may be arranged outside the front or back surface of the panel body 2.

[0046] The shape and arrangement of the lid cover 18 are not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the lid cover 18 may be configured in a circular shape or a horizontally long rectangular shape. Further, the lid cover 18 is not necessarily required, and can be omitted as appropriate.

[0047] Also, the drive source for raising and lowering the support member is not necessarily limited to the electric motor 14, and other drive sources may be used. For example, a mechanism that raises and lowers the support member by controlling the air pressure or hydraulic pressure in the cylinder as the drive source may be used. Further, a mechanism that manually raises and lowers the support member or the top plate 3 may be used. For example, the lifting mechanism 11 may be configured such that the support member is raised and lowered in conjunction with manually operating a handle or lifting the top plate 3 by gripping it.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0048] S Inner space 1 Panel booth (partition device) 2 Panel body 3 Top plate 4 Connecting arm (support member) 5 Frame 9 Reinforcement frame (casing) 11 Lifting mechanism 12 Screw shaft 13 Nut member 14 Electric motor (drive source) 16 Vertical groove 17 Opening 18 Lid cover

Claims

1. A panel booth that forms an inner space where a user stays, a panel body that surrounds the inner space from a plurality of directions, a support member that supports an attached top plate, a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the support member, and is provided with, the lifting mechanism is disposed within the panel body, a groove extending along the lifting path of the support member is formed in the panel body, the lifting mechanism includes a vertically long screw shaft having a male thread formed on its outer periphery and a nut member screwed onto the screw shaft, Panel booth.

2. The panel body includes a plurality of panels, The panel booth according to Claim 1.

3. Further provided with a support column that connects the adjacent panels, The panel booth according to Claim 2.

4. Equipped with an electric motor that is a drive source of the lifting mechanism, at least a part of the electric motor is housed within the panel body, The panel booth according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. Further provided with a door body, the inner space can be configured into a closed space, The panel booth according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. A furniture including the panel booth according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 and a top plate supported by the support member. Furniture.

7. A combination of the support member, the lifting mechanism, and a drive source that drives the lifting mechanism is provided in plurality with respect to the top plate, by driving each of the drive sources synchronously, each of the lifting mechanisms raises and lowers the corresponding support member to the same height position, The furniture according to Claim 6. ​

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