Panel body

Abstract

To provide a panel body capable of restricting a peep or sound leakage from an opening of a booth.SOLUTION: A panel body 65 of the invention is self-supportably formed by adding a leg body 67 comprising a rigid material at an intermediate part 66n except for right and left ends of a flexible panel body 66 without a core material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a panel body to be used with booth furniture that can be used in an office, public facility, or the like, suitable for personal office work or tasks. [Background technology]

[0002] In offices, public facilities, etc., booths that include left and right side panels and a back panel that connects one end of these side panels are known as spaces for individual work or tasks (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Inside the booth, a top panel is arranged along the left and right side panels and the back panel, creating a space where users seated facing the top panel can concentrate on their work or tasks without being distracted by their surroundings. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4804939 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, online meetings using computers have become commonplace in booths. Booths often have openings that serve as entrances and exits to the booth interior. Because these openings are completely open, people are often concerned about being seen from behind, and the inside of the booth can be easily observed from the outside. Furthermore, users seated in the booth make various statements while looking at the computer screen placed on the top panel. However, if the left and right side panels and back panel are simply made of flat materials, there is a problem of sound leakage to the surrounding area. This problem also arises when multiple users hold meetings in a relatively large booth. In particular, booths with multiple panels connected in a U-shape to form an opening for users to enter and exit the booth interior are prone to sound leakage from the opening.

[0005] The present invention has been made with attention to these problems in mind, and aims to provide a panel body that makes it possible to suppress peeking and sound leakage through, for example, the opening of a booth. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following measures.

[0007] That is, the panel body of the present invention is formed to be self-supporting by adding legs made of a rigid material to the middle part of the flexible panel body, excluding the left and right ends, which does not have a core material. The leg body has two opposing steel plates, and the flexible panel body is sandwiched between them. The flexible panel body has a fitting portion that is sandwiched between the two steel plates, and the thickness of the fitting portion is thinner than that of the surrounding portion. It is characterized by:

[0008] In this way, for example, by installing the panel body near the opening through which users enter and exit booth furniture made of multiple panel materials connected in a U-shape, it is possible to prevent the state inside the booth from being easily seen from the outside through the opening of the booth furniture, and to prevent sound from leaking to the surroundings through the opening of the booth furniture. Also, since the panel body has a flexible panel body and the periphery of the flexible panel body is soft, users of the booth furniture will not be hurt when they come into contact with it when entering or exiting.

[0010] Also The panel body is constructed by sandwiching a flexible panel body between two steel plates facing each other on the leg body, so when sandwiching the flexible panel body between the two steel plates, the flexible panel body can be sandwiched vertically or horizontally, allowing the panel body to be assembled in any way desired.

[0012] Also The flexible panel can be easily positioned relative to the leg.

[0013] In the panel body of the present invention, it is preferable that a plate placed on the floor surface is connected to the lower ends of the two opposing steel plates of the leg body, and that the upper parts of the steel plates are connectable to each other.

[0014] In this way, by connecting the upper parts of the two opposing steel plates of the leg body, the leg body can be stably erected on the plate.

[0015] In the panel body of the present invention, it is preferable that the flexible panel body has a slit into which the upper portions of two steel plates connected to each other by the leg body are fitted.

[0016] In this way, the panel body can be easily fitted onto the upper parts of the two steel plates. The panel body of the present invention is a panel body that is formed so that it can stand on its own by adding legs made of a rigid material to the middle part of a flexible panel body that does not have a core material, excluding the left and right ends, and the legs have two opposing steel plates that sandwich the flexible panel body between them, and a plate that is placed on the floor is connected to the lower ends of the two opposing steel plates of the legs, and the middle and upper parts of the steel plates in the height direction are connected to each other by two pins, and the flexible panel body has a slit that extends in the vertical direction, and the upper parts of the two steel plates can be fitted into the flexible panel body so that the two pins are positioned within the slit. In this way, for example, by installing the panel body near the opening through which users enter and exit booth furniture made of multiple panel materials connected in a U-shape, it is possible to prevent the state inside the booth from being easily seen from the outside through the opening of the booth furniture, and to prevent sound from leaking to the surroundings through the opening of the booth furniture. Also, since the panel body has a flexible panel body and the periphery of the flexible panel body is soft, users of the booth furniture will not be hurt when they come into contact with it when entering or exiting. In addition, since the panel body is constructed by sandwiching a flexible panel body between two opposing steel plates of the leg body, when sandwiching the flexible panel body between the two steel plates, the flexible panel body can be sandwiched vertically or horizontally, allowing the panel body to be assembled in any way desired. Furthermore, the flexible panel body can be easily positioned relative to the leg body.

[0017] In the panel body of the present invention, it is preferable that the flexible panel body is formed by surface-bonding a plurality of flexible materials.

[0018] In this way, by joining a plurality of flexible materials together, the thickness of the flexible panel body can be made relatively large.

[0019] The panel body of the present invention is preferably arranged near the opening of the U-shaped booth to provide the effect of preventing peeping and sound leakage.

[0020] This prevents the situation inside the booth from being easily seen from the outside through the opening of the U-shaped booth, and also prevents sound from leaking to the surroundings through the opening of the booth furniture.

[0021] The panel body of the present invention is preferably arranged in the vicinity of the opening of the U-shaped booth so as to shield the opening.

[0022] In this way, the opening of the U-shaped booth is completely shielded, effectively preventing peeping and sound leakage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, for example, sound leakage to the surroundings from an opening in booth furniture can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of booth furniture 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the booth furniture 1 of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the booth furniture 1 of FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line a1-a1 in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the booth furniture 1 of FIG. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a method for connecting the side panel 10 and the rear panel 12. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for attaching an upper panel 31 to a side panel 10. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8(a) is a perspective view of the rear panel 12, and FIG. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line a2-a2 in FIG. 8(a). [Figure 9] 9(a) is a front view of the rear panel 12, FIG. 9(b) is a top view of the rear panel 12, and FIG. 9(c) is a side view of the rear panel 12. As shown in FIG. [Figure 10] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a procedure for providing a surface layer material 63 so as to cover an MDF 61 provided on a core material 60. [Figure 11] FIG. 11(a) is a perspective view showing the configuration of the panel body 65, and FIG. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line a3-a3 in FIG. 11(a). [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the panel body 65 of FIG. [Figure 13] 13(a) is a front view of the flexible panel body 66, and FIG. 13(b) is a side view of the flexible panel body 66. FIG. [Figure 14] 14(a) is a front view of the leg body 67, and FIG. 14(b) is a side view of the leg body 67. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15(a) is a cross-sectional view of the flexible panel body 66, and FIG. 15(b) is a diagram illustrating a method for molding the flexible panel body 66. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of booth furniture 101 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a plan view of the booth furniture 101 of FIG. 16. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of booth furniture 201 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] 19(a) is a perspective view of the sound-absorbing panel 80 as seen from below, FIG. 19(b) is a bottom view of the sound-absorbing panel 80, and FIG. 19(c) is a side view of the sound-absorbing panel 80. FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a booth unit 301 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] Figure 21(a) is a perspective view of multiple sound-absorbing panels 380 viewed from below, Figure 21(b) is a perspective view of multiple sound-absorbing panels 380 viewed from below, and Figure 21(c) is a side view of multiple sound-absorbing panels 380. [Figure 22] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a panel body 365 according to a modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of booth furniture 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a front view of the booth furniture 1 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a plan view of the first booth, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the booth furniture 1 of Fig. 1. Note that the cross-sectional view of Fig. 4 omits illustration of two chairs 2. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the booth furniture 1, showing only the main components.

[0027] The booth furniture 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 includes a pair of side panels 10, 11 arranged opposite each other, and a back panel 12 connected between end portions (rear end portions) 10a, 11a of the side panels 10, 11. The entire piece is U-shaped in plan view, making it self-standing and forming an interior booth space S1 that serves as a living space. Two chairs 2 are arranged inside the booth furniture 1. The two chairs 2 are arranged along the inner surfaces of the side panels 10, 11, respectively.

[0028] The side panels 10, 11 and the back panel 12 are each made of panel material of approximately the same shape, forming a horizontally elongated rectangle with a relatively large width. Front panels 13a, 13b are connected to the other ends (front end portions) 10b, 11b of the side panels 10, 11. The front panels 13a, 13b are each made of panel material of approximately the same shape, forming a vertically elongated rectangle with a relatively small width.

[0029] The front panels 13a and 13b are arranged opposite the rear panel 12, and their width is smaller than that of the rear panel 12. Therefore, the space between the front panels 13a and 13b is an opening OP for users to enter and exit the booth space S1. The side panels 10 and 11, the rear panel 12, and the front panels 13a and 13b are set to have the same height.

[0030] 5 and 6, cutouts 10c, 11c, and 12c are formed in the upper ends of both horizontal ends of the side panels 10 and 11 and the back panel 12. Similarly, cutouts 13c, 13c are formed in the upper ends of one horizontal end of the front panels 13a and 13b (the side connected to the side panels 10 and 11).

[0031] The upper ends of the butt corners of the side panels 10, 11 and the back panel 12, the upper ends of the butt corners of the front panel 13a and the side panel 11, and the upper ends of the butt corners of the front panel 13b and the side panel 11 are each connected by fastening bolts 14a using L-shaped connectors 14 in a plan view as a simple connecting means.

[0032] For example, as shown in Fig. 6(a), the upper ends of the butt corners of the side panel 10 and the back panel 12 are connected by fastening bolts 14a with connectors 14 that are L-shaped in plan view placed in cutouts 10c of the side panel 10 and cutouts 12c of the back panel 12. Then, as shown in Fig. 6(b), lids 15 are placed in cutouts 10c of the side panel 10 and cutouts 12c of the back panel 12 to close them.

[0033] Although detailed explanations are omitted, the lower ends of the butt corners of the side panels 10, 11 and the back panel 12, the lower ends of the butt corners of the front panel 13a and the side panel 11, and the lower ends of the butt corners of the front panel 13b and the side panel 11 are also connected by fastening with bolts L-shaped connectors (not shown) in a plan view as a simple connecting means.

[0034] On the sides of the booth furniture 1, covers 16 extending in the vertical direction are attached to the butt corners of the side panels 10, 11 and the back panel 12, the butt corners of the front panel 13a and the side panel 11, and the butt corners of the front panel 13b and the side panel 11.

[0035] Adjusters 3 for adjusting the ground height are attached as grounding members at three equally spaced locations on the lower ends of the side panels 10 and 11, four locations in the center of the back panel, and one location at the end of the opening OP side of the front panels 13a and 13b.

[0036] In the booth furniture 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, an upper panel 31 is provided above the booth interior space S1, extending from near the upper ends of the side panels 10, 11 toward the inside of the booth interior space S1. The upper panel 31 is inclined so as to be positioned upward as it moves away from near the upper ends of the side panels 10, 11. The upper end of the upper panel 31 is positioned at approximately the same height as the upper ends of the side panels 10, 11. Furthermore, the lower end of the upper panel 31 contacts the inner surfaces of the side panels 10, 11 below the upper ends of the side panels 10, 11. Furthermore, as will be described later, a block portion 51 surrounded by two sets of grooves 50 extending approximately parallel to each other is formed on the inner surface of the back panel 12, and the base portion of the upper panel 31 is positioned to correspond to the grooves 50 extending horizontally on the inner surfaces of the side panels 10, 11.

[0037] Additionally, the top panel 31 is attached to the top of the side panels 10, 11, above two chairs 2 arranged along the inner surfaces of the side panels 10, 11 in the booth interior space S1. The top panel 31 at the top of the side panel 10 is positioned opposite the chair 2 arranged at the bottom of the opposing side panel 11, thereby effectively absorbing the voices of the person sitting in the opposing chair. The top panel 31 at the top of the side panel 11 and the chair 2 at the bottom of the side panel 10 are in the same relationship, and as a result, the booth interior space S1 accommodates two sets of top panels 31 and chairs 2 arranged opposite each other. As a result, a sound-absorbing effect is obtained that effectively reduces the voices of people talking while seated in the booth from leaking upwards.

[0038] 7(a), brackets 32 are provided near the upper ends of the front and rear ends of the side panel 10 to attach the top panel 31. The brackets 32 are fastened with bolts 33 to outer peripheral grooves 60a formed in the front and rear ends of the side panel 10, respectively.

[0039] 7(b), both ends of the top panel 31 are held on brackets 32, so that the top panel 31 is held near the upper end of the side panel 10. The top panel 31 held near the upper end of the side panel 11 is also attached in the same manner.

[0040] The following describes the structures of the side panels 10, 11, rear panel 12, front panels 13a, 13b, and top panel 31. In this embodiment, the structure of the rear panel 12 shown in Fig. 8 will be described in detail, but the structures of the side panels 10, 11, front panels 13a, 13b, and top panel 31 are also similar.

[0041] As shown in Figure 8(a), the inner surface of the rear panel 12 (the surface facing the booth interior space S1) is a panel material having a panel structure in which a plurality of block portions 51 surrounded by two sets of grooves 50 extending approximately parallel to each other are arranged vertically and horizontally via the grooves 50. The block portions 51 have a rectangular shape and are arranged over the entire inner surface of the rear panel 12.

[0042] Specifically, as shown in Figure 8(b), the back panel 12 has a lightweight core material 60 such as paper honeycomb, MDF 61 (Medium Density Fiberboard) provided on one side of the core material 60, MDF 62 provided on the other side of the core material 60, a surface material 63 provided to cover the MDF 61, and an upholstery material (upholstery) 64 provided to cover the MDF 62.

[0043] The core material 60 is a member disposed inside the back panel 12. As described above, the back panel 12 has cutouts 12c formed at both ends of its upper surface, and these cutouts 12c are formed at both ends of the upper end surface of the core material 60. As shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), the cutouts 12c have bolt holes 60c formed therein for fastening the connector 14 with bolts 14a.

[0044] A linear circumferential groove 60a is formed on the upper end surface of the core material 60 and is located between two cutout portions 12c. As shown in FIG. 9(b), the peripheral groove 60a is formed in the center of the thickness direction of the core material 60. Similarly, two cutout portions 12c are formed on both ends of the lower end surface of the core material 60, and a peripheral groove 60a is formed between the two cutout portions 12c. Similarly, linear circumferential grooves 60a are formed on the left and right end surfaces of the core material 60 and are located in the center of the thickness direction of the core material 60, as shown in FIG. 9(c).

[0045] 8(b), the surface material 63 is composed of three layers: nonwoven fabric 52 placed on MDF 61, sound-absorbing material (urethane) 53 forming convex stripes, and tension material 54 covering the surface of the sound-absorbing material 53. Therefore, the block portion 51 is composed of the nonwoven fabric 52, sound-absorbing material 53, and tension material 54 in the area surrounded by two sets of grooves 50 extending approximately parallel to each other.

[0046] In this way, the block portion 51 is arranged on only one side of the rear panel 12, and the side on which the block portion 51 is arranged becomes the inner surface of the booth interior space S1. Note that the block portion 51 is also arranged on only one side of the side panels 10, 11 and the front panels 13a, 13b. The block portion 51 is arranged on both sides of the top panel 31.

[0047] 1, the side panels 10, 11, back panel 12 and front panels 13a, 13b are provided with convex sound absorbing materials 53 in the portions facing the booth interior space S1 of the booth furniture 1, and are not provided with convex sound absorbing materials 53 in the portions not facing the booth interior space S1. Note that the top panel 31 is provided with convex sound absorbing materials 53 in the portions facing the booth interior space S1 of the booth furniture 1 and in the portions not facing the booth interior space S1.

[0048] The procedure for providing the surface layer material 63 having the above-described three-layer structure so as to cover the MDF 61 provided on the core material 60 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0049] The surface layer material 63 has a three-layer structure of nonwoven fabric 52, sound-absorbing material 53, and upholstery material 54, and is formed to be longer than the length of the core material 60. Therefore, the surface layer material 63 is cut according to the length of the core material 60, such as the back panel 12, before use.

[0050] First, the surface material 63 is brought close to the MDF 61 provided on the core material 60, and it is confirmed that the groove 50A at the end of the block portion 51 is aligned along the end 60A of the core material 60, as shown in Figure 10(a).

[0051] 10(b), the nonwoven fabric 52 and the sound-absorbing material 53 are cut along the groove 50A at the end of the block portion 51. At this time, the stretching material 54 is not cut along the groove 50A at the end of the block portion 51. As a result, the stretching material 54 covering the surface of the block portion 51 extends outward beyond the end 60A of the core material 60. As will be described later, the stretching material 54 is cut to a length that allows its end to be pushed into the peripheral groove 60a formed in the end face of the core material 60.

[0052] The surface layer material 63, which is made by cutting the nonwoven fabric 52 and sound-absorbing material 53 according to the length of the core material 60, is placed on the surface of the MDF 61 provided on the core material 60 so that the groove 50A at the end of the block portion 51 is aligned with the end 60A of the core material 60. In this state, as shown in Figure 10(c), the end of the upholstery material 54 is pressed into the peripheral groove 60a formed on the end face of the core material 60. This causes the surface layer material 63 to be attached tightly to the surface of the MDF 61 provided on the core material 60.

[0053] The same procedure is followed for providing the upholstery material 64 to cover the MDF 62 provided on the core material 60 on the surface opposite to the surface on which the surface layer material 63 of the core material 60 is provided. That is, the upholstery material 64 is cut to the length of the core material 60, and the upholstery material 64 is placed on the surface of the MDF 62 provided on the core material 60. In this state, the end of the upholstery material 64 is pressed into the peripheral groove 60a formed on the end face of the core material 60. This causes the upholstery material 64 to be attached tightly to the surface of the MDF 62 provided on the core material 60.

[0054] 1 to 3, in the booth furniture 1 of this embodiment, a panel body 65 is installed on the front side of an opening OP through which users enter and exit the booth interior space S1. The panel body 65 is installed at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the opening OP, and users can enter and exit the booth interior space S1 by passing through a gap formed between the panel body 65 and the front end of the front panel 13a or the front end of the front panel 13b.

[0055] As shown in Figure 11, the panel body 65 has a flexible panel body 66 and legs 67. The panel body 65 is formed to be self-supporting by adding legs 67 made of a rigid material to a middle portion 66n of the panel body 66, excluding the left and right ends. The flexible panel body 66 is formed of a material, such as fiber, that is flexible enough to bend by hand. The legs 67 are formed of a hard material that does not bend by hand.

[0056] 12 and 13, the flexible panel body 66 is a flat plate-like member having a vertically elongated, generally elliptical shape. The flexible panel body 66 has a linear fitting portion 66A extending upward from its lower end. The fitting portion 66A is the portion that is sandwiched between the legs 67, and is formed to be thinner than the surrounding portion.

[0057] A linear slit 66T is formed in the center of the fitting portion 66A. The slit 66T extends in the vertical direction so as to cut through the fitting portion 66A. In other words, the fitting portion 66A is the peripheral edge of the slit 66T.

[0058] 12 and 14, the leg body 67 has two opposing steel plates 68 and a plate 67A connected to the lower ends of the two steel plates 68. The plate 67A is the part that is placed on the floor surface.

[0059] The two steel plates 68 are long, plate-like members extending vertically from the plate 67A. The two steel plates 68 are arranged parallel to each other with their inner surfaces spaced a predetermined distance apart. The gap formed between the two steel plates 68 is approximately the same as the thickness of the mating portion 66A of the panel body 66. The two steel plates 68 are connected by pins 68a near their middle and upper portions in the height direction.

[0060] In the panel body 65, the flexible panel body 66 is held by the two steel plates 68 by sandwiching its fitting portion 66A between the two steel plates 68. At this time, the panel body 66 is fitted over the tops of the two steel plates 68 so that pins 68a connecting the middle and upper portions of the two steel plates 68 in the height direction are positioned within the slits 66T.

[0061] The detailed structure of the flexible panel body 66 will be described with reference to FIG. 15(a).

[0062] 15(a), a fiber cushion 66a is disposed in the center in the thickness direction of the flexible panel body 66. A skin 66b is provided on the front surface of the fiber cushion 66a, and a skin 66b is provided on the back surface of the fiber cushion 66a.

[0063] A method for forming the flexible panel body 66 will be described with reference to FIG. 15(b).

[0064] First, two fiber cushions 66a1 and 66a2 are pressed and thermally bonded to form the fiber cushion 66a. Hot melt is placed between the front surface of the fiber cushion 66a and the skin 66b, and hot melt is placed between the back surface of the fiber cushion 66a and the skin 66b, followed by cold pressing to form the skin 66b on the front and back surfaces of the fiber cushion 66a. In this way, the flexible panel body 66 is formed by surface-bonding a plurality of fiber cushions 66a1 and 66a2, which are made of flexible materials.

[0065] In the panel body 65 of this embodiment, the fiber cushion 66a disposed in the center of the thickness direction of the flexible panel body 66 is made of a material that does not have a core material. Note that the material that can be used to form the flexible panel body 66 includes, for example, foam material, fiber material, woven fabric, knitted fabric, etc. In this embodiment, the material that forms the flexible panel body 66 is preferably a sound-absorbing material.

[0066] The steel plate 68 that constitutes the leg 67 can be made of a material such as steel, wood, or hard resin.

[0067] As described above, the panel body 65 of this embodiment is formed to be self-supporting by adding legs 67 made of a rigid material to the middle portion 66n of the flexible panel body 66, excluding the left and right ends, which does not have a core material.

[0068] In this way, for example, by installing the panel body 65 near the opening OP through which users enter and exit booth furniture 1, which is made up of a plurality of panel materials connected in a U-shape, it is possible to prevent the state inside the booth from being easily seen from the outside through the opening OP of the booth furniture 1, and also to prevent sound from leaking to the surroundings through the opening of the booth furniture 1. Furthermore, since the panel body 65 has a flexible panel body 66, and the periphery of the flexible panel body 66 is soft, users of the booth furniture 1 will not be hurt when they come into contact with it when entering or exiting.

[0069] In the panel body 65 of this embodiment, the flexible panel body 66 has a fitting portion 66A that is sandwiched between two steel plates 68.

[0070] In this way, the flexible panel body 66 can be easily positioned relative to the leg body 67.

[0071] In the panel body 65 of this embodiment, a plate 67A placed on the floor surface is connected to the lower ends of two opposing steel plates 68 of the leg body 67, and the upper parts of the steel plates 68 can be connected to each other.

[0072] In this way, by connecting the upper portions of the two opposing steel plates 68 of the leg body 67, the leg body 67 can be stably erected on the plate 67A.

[0073] In the panel body 65 of this embodiment, the flexible panel body 66 has a slit 66T, and the upper parts of two steel plates 68 connected to each other by legs 67 are fitted into the slit 66T.

[0074] In this way, the flexible panel body 66 can be easily fitted onto the top of the two steel plates 68.

[0075] In the panel body 65 of this embodiment, the flexible panel body 66 is formed by surface-bonding a plurality of flexible materials.

[0076] In this way, by joining a plurality of flexible materials together, the thickness of the flexible panel body 66 can be made relatively large.

[0077] The panel body 65 of this embodiment is arranged near the opening OP of the booth furniture 1, and has the effect of preventing peeking and sound leakage.

[0078] This prevents the state inside the booth from being easily seen from the outside through the opening OP of the booth furniture 1, and also prevents sound from leaking out to the surroundings through the opening OP of the booth furniture 1.

[0079] (Second embodiment) The booth furniture 101 of this embodiment differs from the booth furniture 1 of the first embodiment mainly in that, in the booth furniture 1 of the first embodiment, two upper panels 31 are provided near the upper ends of the side panels 10, 11, whereas in the booth furniture 101 of this embodiment, one upper panel 131 is provided near the upper end of the back panel 12. Detailed description of parts of the configuration of the booth furniture 101 of this embodiment that are similar to the configuration of the booth furniture 1 of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0080] 16 and 17 includes a pair of side panels 110, 111 arranged opposite each other, and a rear panel 112 connected between end portions (rear end portions) 110a, 111a of these side panels 110, 111. The entirety is U-shaped in plan view, making it self-standing and forming an interior booth space S101 that serves as a living space. A table 102 is arranged inside the booth furniture 101. A top plate 102a of the table 102 is rectangular and is arranged along the inner surfaces of the side panels 110, 111 and the inner surface of the rear panel 112.

[0081] The widths of the side panels 110, 111 and the rear panel 112 are smaller than the widths of the side panels 10, 11 and the rear panel 12 of the first embodiment. The structures of the side panels 110, 111 and the rear panel 112 are substantially the same as the structures of the side panels 10, 11 and the rear panel 12 of the first embodiment.

[0082] In the booth furniture 101, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, an upper panel 131 is provided above the booth interior space S101, extending from near the upper end of the rear panel 112 toward the inside of the booth interior space S101. The upper panel 131 is inclined so that it is positioned upward as it moves away from the rear panel 112. The upper end of the upper panel 131 is positioned at approximately the same height as the upper end of the rear panel 112. In addition, the lower end of the upper panel 131 is in contact with the inner surface of the rear panel 112 below the upper end of the rear panel 112.

[0083] In the booth furniture 101, an upper panel 131 is disposed near the upper end of the rear panel 112, as shown in Fig. 16. In order to attach the upper panel 131, brackets (not shown) are provided near the upper ends of the left and right ends of the rear panel 112, as in the first embodiment. Both ends of the upper panel 131 are held on the brackets, so that the upper panel 131 is held near the upper end of the rear panel 112.

[0084] The top panel 131 is attached to the top of the back panel 112, which is above the top plate 102a of the table 102 arranged along the inner surface of the back panel 112 of the booth space S110. By being positioned above the top plate 102a, the top panel 131 on the top of the back panel 112 effectively absorbs the voice of the person sitting in the chair in front of the table 102 that is reflected upward by the top plate 102a. This provides a sound absorption effect that effectively reduces the voices of people talking in a web conference or the like while seated in the booth from leaking upward.

[0085] In the booth furniture 101 of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a panel body 65 is installed on the front side of an opening OP through which users enter and exit the booth interior space S101.

[0086] As described above, the booth furniture 101 of this embodiment provides the same effects as the booth furniture 1 of the first embodiment.

[0087] (Third embodiment) The booth furniture 201 of this embodiment differs mainly from the booth furniture 1 of the first embodiment in that the booth furniture 1 of the first embodiment is provided with two top panels 31 and front panels 13a, 13b, whereas the booth furniture 201 of this embodiment is not provided with a top panel or a front panel. Detailed description of parts of the configuration of the booth furniture 201 of this embodiment that are similar to the configuration of the booth furniture 1 of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0088] 18 includes a pair of side panels 10, 11 arranged opposite each other and a rear panel 12 connected between end portions (rear end portions) 10a, 11a of the side panels 10, 11, and is U-shaped in plan view as a whole, making it self-standing and forming an interior booth space S1 that serves as a living space. A table 202 having a top panel 202a is arranged inside the booth furniture 201. The table 202 is arranged in approximately the center of the interior booth space S1.

[0089] In the booth furniture 201 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, two sets of sound-absorbing panels 80A are arranged above the booth interior space S1. Both sets of sound-absorbing panels 80A have substantially the same configuration. Each set of sound-absorbing panels 80A includes three sound-absorbing panels 80a to 80c. The sound-absorbing panels 80a to 80c all have the same configuration and are flat, plate-like members that are substantially circular in plan view. In the following description, each of the sound-absorbing panels 80a to 80c may be simply referred to as the sound-absorbing panel 80.

[0090] The sound-absorbing panels 80a to 80c are each suspended from the ceiling via a suspension member 81 so as to be positioned above the booth interior space S1. The sound-absorbing panels 80a to 80c are positioned at different horizontal positions in a plan view. That is, the three sound-absorbing panels 80a to 80c are positioned so as not to overlap each other in a plan view. The three sound-absorbing panels 80a to 80c are also positioned at different heights. That is, the sound-absorbing panel 80a is positioned at the lowest height, followed by the sound-absorbing panels 80b and 80c at higher heights.

[0091] The structure of the sound-absorbing panel 80 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0092] The sound-absorbing panel 80 is formed in a substantially circular, flat plate shape. The sound-absorbing panel 80 is configured in the same manner as the above-mentioned back panel 12. That is, the lower surface of the sound-absorbing panel 80 (the surface facing the booth interior space S1) is a panel material having a panel structure in which a plurality of block portions 51, each surrounded by two sets of grooves 50 extending substantially parallel to one another, are arranged vertically and horizontally with the grooves 50 interposed therebetween. The block portions 51 are rectangular and are arranged over the entire lower surface of the sound-absorbing panel 80.

[0093] Specifically, similar to the back panel 12 described above, the sound-absorbing panel 80 has a lightweight core material 60 such as paper honeycomb, MDF 61 (Medium Density Fiberboard) provided on one side of the core material 60, MDF 62 provided on the other side of the core material 60, a surface material 63 provided to cover the MDF 61, and an upholstery material (upholstery) 64 provided to cover the MDF 62.

[0094] The surface material 63 is composed of three layers: nonwoven fabric 52 placed on MDF 61, sound-absorbing material (urethane) 53 forming convex stripes, and tension material 54 covering the surface of the sound-absorbing material 53. Therefore, the block portion 51 is composed of the nonwoven fabric 52, sound-absorbing material 53, and tension material 54 in the area surrounded by two sets of grooves 50 extending approximately parallel to each other.

[0095] As described above, in the booth furniture 201 of this embodiment, a plurality of sound-absorbing panels 80 are arranged above the top plate 202a of the table 202 installed in the booth interior space S1. Therefore, the voices of the occupants seated around the table 202 in the booth furniture 201 are reflected upward by the top plate 202a and are effectively absorbed by the sound-absorbing panels 80.

[0096] In the booth furniture 201 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, a folding screen-like panel body 165 is installed on the front side of an opening OP through which users enter and exit the booth interior space S1.

[0097] The panel body 165 has four flexible panel bodies 166. The flexible panel body 166 is a vertically long plate-like member having a substantially rectangular shape. The four flexible panel bodies 166 are connected at their ends and are configured to be bendable at the connected portions. Therefore, the panel body 165 is formed to be self-standing by bending the lower ends of the four flexible panel bodies 166 so that they are not arranged in a straight line.

[0098] As described above, the booth furniture 201 of this embodiment provides the same effects as the booth furniture 1 of the first embodiment.

[0099] (Fourth embodiment) The booth furniture 301 of this embodiment differs mainly from the booth furniture 1 of the first embodiment in that the booth furniture 1 of the first embodiment is provided with two top panels 31 and front panels 13a, 13b, whereas the booth furniture 301 of this embodiment is not provided with a top panel or a front panel. Detailed description of parts of the configuration of the booth furniture 301 of this embodiment that are similar to the configuration of the booth furniture 1 of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0100] The booth furniture 301 shown in Fig. 20 includes a pair of side panels 10, 11 arranged opposite each other and a rear panel 12 connected between one end (rear end) 10a, 11a of these side panels 10, 11, and is U-shaped in plan view, making it self-standing and forming an interior booth space S1 that serves as a living space. A table 302 having a top panel 302a is arranged inside the booth furniture 301. The table 302 is arranged approximately in the center of the interior booth space S1.

[0101] Two mounting members 81a and 81b are arranged approximately in parallel between the vicinity of the center of the upper end of the side panel 10 and the vicinity of the center of the upper end of the side panel 11. The mounting member 81a is arranged on the front side, and the mounting member 81b is arranged on the rear side of the booth furniture 1 relative to the mounting member 81a.

[0102] In the booth furniture 301 of this embodiment, four sound-absorbing panels 380a and four sound-absorbing panels 380b are arranged above the booth interior space S1. The four sound-absorbing panels 380a and the four sound-absorbing panels 380b are all arranged at approximately the same height. As shown in FIG. 16 , the sound-absorbing panels 380a and 380b each have a hole 380c formed in the front end and a hole 380c formed in the rear end. Therefore, the sound-absorbing panels 380a and 380b are supported by inserting the attachment member 81a into the hole 380c at the front end and the attachment member 81b into the hole 380c at the rear end.

[0103] The sound-absorbing panels 380a, 380b are both elongated flat members having a predetermined length. The sound-absorbing panels 380a and 380b are arranged alternately and approximately parallel to each other in a direction from the side panel 10 toward the side panel 11. When the booth furniture 301 is viewed from the front, the sound-absorbing panel 380a is inclined so that its right end is positioned higher than its left end, and the sound-absorbing panel 380b is inclined so that its left end is positioned higher than its right end.

[0104] As described above, in the booth furniture 301 of this embodiment, the sound-absorbing panels 380a, 380b are supported with a gap between them on the mounting members 81a, 81b that are bridged across the upper ends of the opposing side panels 10, 11. As a result, the sound-absorbing panels 380a, 380b are disposed with a gap between them above the top plate 302a of the table 302 installed in the booth interior space S1. Therefore, the voices of the occupants seated around the table 302 in the booth furniture 301 that are reflected upward by the top plate 302a are effectively absorbed by the sound-absorbing panels 380a, 380b.

[0105] In the booth furniture 301 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 20, a folding screen-like panel body 165 is installed in front of an opening OP through which users enter and exit the booth interior space S1. The configuration of the panel body 165 is the same as that of the third embodiment.

[0106] As described above, the booth furniture 301 of this embodiment provides the same effects as the booth furniture 1 of the first embodiment.

[0107] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the configuration of each part is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0108] In the first embodiment, the panel body 66 has a vertically long, approximately elliptical shape, but this is not limiting. The shape and size of the panel body 66 are arbitrary. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0109] In the first embodiment, the panel body 65 has the fiber cushion 66a, but this is not limited thereto. The material of the panel body 65 can be any material, such as foam, fiber, woven or knitted fabric, etc. In the first embodiment, the two fiber cushions 66a1 and 66a2 are thermally bonded by pressing, but this is not limited thereto. The members constituting the flexible panel body 66 can be joined by any method. The flexible panel body 66 may be joined by, for example, an organic solvent-based adhesive, fusion bonding, or adhesive bonding.

[0110] In the first embodiment, the legs 67, which are made of a rigid material, have steel plates 68, but this is not limiting. The rigid material that makes up the legs 67 can be any material, such as steel, wood, or hard resin.

[0111] In the first embodiment, the panel body 65 is installed in front of the opening OP through which users enter and exit the booth space S1, but this is not limited to this. The panel body 65 may be installed in any location. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0112] In the first embodiment, the flexible panel body 66 has the fitting portion 66A that is sandwiched between the two steel plates 68, but this is not limited to this. For example, the flexible panel body 66 may not have the fitting portion 66A that is sandwiched between the two steel plates 68, and any part of the flexible panel body 66 may be sandwiched between the two steel plates 68, thereby holding the flexible panel body 66 to the leg body 67. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0113] 22, the panel body 365 of this modified example has a panel body 366 and legs 367. The panel body 365 is formed to be self-supporting by adding legs 367 made of a rigid material to a middle portion 366n of the panel body 366, excluding the left and right ends.

[0114] The panel body 366 has the same configuration as the flexible panel body 66 of the first embodiment, and a fiber cushion is disposed in the center of its thickness direction. Therefore, the flexible panel body 366 can be deformed to have a partially thinner thickness, and that portion can be sandwiched between two steel plates 368.

[0115] In the panel body 365, the flexible panel body 366 is held by two steel plates 368 by sandwiching its middle portion 366n between the two steel plates 368. In the panel body 365 of this modification, the flexible panel body 366 can be held by the leg bodies 367 in a vertically long state as shown in Fig. 22(b), and can also be held by the leg bodies 367 in a horizontally long state as shown in Fig. 22(c).

[0116] In the panel body 365 of this modified example, the leg body 367 has two steel plates 368 facing each other, and the panel body 366 is sandwiched between them.

[0117] In this way, the panel body 365 is constructed by sandwiching the flexible panel body 366 between two steel plates 368 facing each other on the leg body 367, and therefore when sandwiching the panel body 366 between the two steel plates 368, the panel body 366 can be sandwiched vertically or horizontally, allowing the panel body 365 to be assembled in any way desired.

[0118] In the first embodiment, the panel body 65 is disposed at a distance in front of the opening OP of the booth furniture 1, but this is not limiting. The panel body 65 may be disposed near the opening OP of the booth furniture 1 so as to shield the opening OP. In this case, the opening OP of the booth furniture 1 is completely shielded, effectively preventing peeking and sound leakage. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0119] In the first embodiment, the top panel 31 is provided, extending from near the upper ends of the side panels 10, 11 toward the inside of the booth interior space S1 and having the same panel structure as the side panels 10, 11, but is not limited to this. For example, the top panel 31 may be provided near the upper ends of the side panels 10, 11 and near the upper end of the back panel 12. The top panel 31 may also be provided near the upper ends of the front panels 13a, 13b. In other words, the top panel may be provided near the upper end of at least one of the multiple panel materials of the booth furniture 1. The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

[0120] In the first embodiment, the top panel 31 is provided so as to be inclined upward from near the top ends of the side panels 10, 11 as it moves away from the side panels 10, 11, but this is not limiting. For example, the top panel 31 may be provided along the horizontal direction from near the top ends of the side panels 10, 11. The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

[0121] In the first embodiment, the front panels 13a, 13b facing the back panel 12 are provided, but this is not limiting. The front panels 13a, 13b do not have to be provided. Also, only one of the front panels 13a, 13b facing the back panel 12 may be provided. The booth furniture 1 of the present invention only needs to include at least the side panels 10, 11 and the back panel 12 connecting the back end portions of the side panels 10, 11. The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

[0122] In the first embodiment, the sound absorbing material 53 is made of an elastically deformable material, but this is not limiting. For example, the sound absorbing material 53 may be made of a material that is not elastically deformable. The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

[0123] In the first embodiment, the surface layer material 63 including the sound absorbing material 53 is fixed to the core material 60 by wrapping the end of the upholstery material 54 in the outer peripheral groove 60a formed on the end face of the core material 60, but this is not limitative. Any method can be used to fix the surface layer material 63 including the sound absorbing material 53 to the core material 60. The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

[0124] In the first embodiment, the core material 60 is a paper honeycomb core, but is not limited to this. The material and structure of the core material 60 are arbitrary. The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

[0125] In the first embodiment, MDF 61 is provided on one side of core material 60 and MDF 62 is provided on the other side of core material 60, but this is not limiting. MDF may be provided on only one side of core material 60. Furthermore, MDF does not have to be provided on both sides of core material 60.

[0126] In the first embodiment, the block portions 51 having the convex sound-absorbing material 53 on the side panels 10, 11, the back panel 12, and the front panels 13a, 13b are arranged facing the booth interior space S1, but this is not limited to this. The block portions 51 having the convex sound-absorbing material 53 may be arranged facing the outside of the booth interior space S1. Furthermore, the block portions 51 having the convex sound-absorbing material 53 may be arranged facing both the booth interior space S1 and the booth interior space S1. In other words, the convex sound-absorbing material 53 may be provided on both sides of the multiple panel materials of the booth furniture 1. The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

[0127] In the first embodiment, the block portions 51 having the convex sound-absorbing material 53 are provided on both sides of the panel material of the upper panel 31, but this is not limited thereto. It is sufficient that the block portions 51 having the convex sound-absorbing material 53 are provided on at least the lower surface of the upper panel 31.

[0128] In the first embodiment, the front panels 13a and 13b are connected to the front end portions 10b and 11b of the side panels 10 and 11, respectively. However, this is not limiting. For example, the left end portion of the front panel 13a may be disposed adjacent to the front end portion 10b of the side panel 10, and the right end portion of the front panel 13b may be disposed adjacent to the front end portion 110b of the side panel 11. In other words, a gap may be formed between the left end portion of the front panel 13a and the front end portion 10b of the side panel 10, or a gap may be formed between the right end portion of the front panel 13b and the front end portion 110b of the side panel 11.

[0129] In the first embodiment, the side panels 10, 11 and the rear panel 12 are connected in a U-shape to form an interior space S1 with one side open, but this is not limited to this. The booth furniture of the present invention may be any type in which a plurality of panel materials are connected in a U-shape to form an interior space with at least one side open. For example, the side panels 10, 11 and the rear panel 12 may be connected in a U-shape to open one side and at least a portion of the side panels 10, 11 and the rear panel 12 may be open.

[0130] Other configurations can also be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1. Booth furniture 10 Side panel (panel material) 11 Side panel (panel material) 12 Rear panel (panel material) 31 Top panel 13a, 13b Front panel 50 grooves 51 Block section 52 Nonwoven fabric 53 Sound-absorbing material 54 Upholstery 60 Core material 60a Peripheral groove 65 Panel body 66 Flexible panel body 66a Fiber Cushion 66n Middle section 66A Mating part 66T slit 67 Legs 67A Plate 68 Steel plate 101 Booth Furniture 110 Side panel (panel material) 111 Side panel (panel material) 112 Back panel (panel material) 131 Top panel 201 Booth Furniture 301 Booth Furniture 365 Panel Body 366 Flexible Panel Body 366n middle part 367 Legs 367A Plate 368 Steel plate S1, S101 Booth space (internal space)

Claims

1. A panel body formed to be self-supporting by adding legs made of a rigid material to a middle portion of a flexible panel body having no core material, excluding the left and right ends, The leg body has two opposing steel plates, and the flexible panel body is sandwiched between them. the flexible panel body has a fitting portion that is sandwiched between the two steel plates, The panel body is characterized in that the thickness of the fitting portion is thinner than that of the surrounding portion.

2. The panel body according to claim 1, characterized in that a plate installed on the floor surface is connected to the lower ends of the two opposing steel plates of the leg body, and the upper parts of the steel plates can be connected to each other.

3. The flexible panel body has a slit, 3. The panel body according to claim 1, wherein the upper portions of two steel plates connected to each other by the leg body are fitted into the slits.

4. A panel body formed to be self-supporting by adding legs made of a rigid material to a middle portion of a flexible panel body having no core material, excluding the left and right ends, The leg body has two opposing steel plates, and the flexible panel body is sandwiched between them. A plate installed on the floor surface is connected to the lower ends of the two opposing steel plates of the leg body, and the middle and upper parts of the steel plates in the height direction are connected to each other by two pins, The flexible panel body has a slit extending in the vertical direction, A panel body characterized in that the flexible panel body can be fitted onto the upper parts of two steel plates so that the two pins are positioned within the slits.

5. 5. The panel body according to claim 1, wherein the flexible panel body is formed by surface-bonding a plurality of flexible materials.

6. 6. The panel body according to claim 1, which is arranged near the opening of a U-shaped booth and has the effect of preventing peeping and sound leakage.

7. 6. The panel body according to claim 1, which is disposed near the opening of the U-shaped booth so as to shield the opening.

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