sofa

Abstract

To enable easy changes in arrangement and moving of a sofa 10 that is heavy and difficult to be carried due to increase in size according to demands for high-class feeling and profound feeling.SOLUTION: A sofa 10 includes: a seat body 11; a backrest 12; a base body 13 supporting the seat body 11 and / or the backrest 12; a caster 21 supporting the base body 13; switching means 22 that switches between a free state in which the base body 13 is movable by rolling of the caster 21 and a lock state in which the base body 13 is not movable by disabling the rolling of the caster 21; and an operation part 23 that operates the switching means 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to sofas that are often installed in offices, hospitals, school facilities, stores, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, meeting booths with sofas arranged face-to-face, like those found in family restaurants and fast food restaurants, have been increasing in offices and other settings (see, for example, the reference diagram showing a usage state in Patent Document 1). Furthermore, there has also been an increase in the provision of multipurpose spaces in offices, where the layout can be changed depending on the purpose, such as creating meeting spaces for small or large groups, or holding seminars. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Design Registration No. 1626094 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Now, when rearranging or moving a sofa such as that described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary for multiple people to carry it due to the weight, size, etc. of the sofa. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is difficult to easily rearrange this type of sofa to suit the usage situation, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention has as its technical object the provision of a sofa that has been improved by considering the current situation as described above.

[0006] The sofa of the present invention is a sofa configured so that it can be placed with its back facing another sofa, and is equipped with a seat, a backrest, a base body supporting the seat and / or the backrest, casters supporting the base body, a switching means for switching between a free state in which the base body can move by rolling of the casters, and a locked state in which the casters do not roll and the base body cannot move, and an operating unit for operating the switching means.

[0007] In the sofa of the present invention, the operating portion may be arranged in a predetermined area of ​​the sofa excluding the back side thereof.

[0008] The sofa of the present invention also includes a sofa on which people can sit back to back, comprising a seat body arranged facing each other at the front and rear, a backrest arranged facing each other at the front and rear, a base body supporting the seat body and / or the backrest, casters supporting the base body, a switching means for switching between a free state in which the base body can move by rolling of the casters, and a locked state in which the casters do not roll and the base body cannot move, and an operating unit for operating the switching means.

[0009] In the sofa of the present invention, the operating portion may be arranged below the upper surface of the seat body and on the front side of the base body.

[0010] In the sofa of the present invention, the operating portion may be arranged rearward of the front surface of the seat body.

[0011] In the sofa of the present invention, the operating portion may be arranged on the upper surface of the backrest.

[0012] In the sofa of the present invention, the operating portion may be arranged so as to be exposed on a side surface of the sofa but not to protrude laterally.

[0013] In the sofa of the present invention, the operating part may be configured to be exposed on the front surface of the backrest but not protrude forward, or to be exposed on the upper surface of the seat body but not protrude upward.

[0014] In the sofa of the present invention, the operating unit has an operating base and an operating member that is operated by a person, and the operating member is arranged so as to be exposed through an opening provided in the base body, and the operating member may be extendable and retractable relative to the operating base or fixable at multiple positions.

[0015] In the sofa of the present invention, at least an upper half of the caster may be covered by the base body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, the sofa is provided with a switching means for switching between a free state in which the base body can move by the rolling of the casters and a locked state in which the casters do not roll and the base body cannot move, and an operating unit for operating the switching means. Therefore, when the operating member is operated to the free state, the casters become rollable (the base body becomes free). In this state, the casters can be rolled by pushing the sofa in the desired direction, for example, and the sofa can be easily moved without having to be lifted. The rolling of the casters allows the sofa to be moved smoothly with little force. When the operating member is operated to the locked state, the casters do not roll (the base body becomes locked). As a result, the sofa can be placed stably. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a multi-seater sofa according to a first embodiment, seen from one side of the front. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-seater sofa as seen from the rear side. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the seat body separated. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a side view of a multi-seater sofa. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-seater sofa viewed from one side of the front to illustrate the arrangement of the operating unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a multi-seater sofa as seen from the front and other side to illustrate the arrangement of the operating unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a multi-seater sofa according to a second embodiment, seen from one side of the front. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a case where sofas according to the first or second embodiment are placed back to back. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sofa according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a one-seater sofa in a fourth embodiment, as viewed from the front side (near side). [Figure 13] This is a perspective view of a one-seater sofa seen from the back side (rear side). [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a side view of a one-seater sofa. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a one-seater sofa as seen from the front side (near side) to illustrate the arrangement of the operating unit. [Figure 16] This is a perspective view of a layout in which sets of sofas and tables are arranged facing each other. [Figure 17] This is a perspective view of a layout in which sofas are arranged side by side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, terms such as front, back, left, and right are used to specify directions, but these terms are based on the orientation of a person normally seated (sitting) on ​​the sofa. A front view is a view from the direction facing the seated person.

[0019] 1 and 2, the sofa 10 of the first embodiment is configured to seat multiple people (two to three people) and includes a seat body 11 on which people sit, a backrest 12 that supports the person's back and waist, and a base body 13 that supports the seat body 11 and / or the backrest 12. The base body 13 of the first embodiment is configured to support both the seat body 11 and the backrest 12.

[0020] The base body 13 is configured as a rectangular frame in a plan view. A box-frame-shaped back support 15, which is a component of the backrest 12, is erected on the upper rear surface of the base body 13. The seat body 11 has a structure in which, for example, a seat plate and cushioning material are covered with a covering material, and is detachably placed on the base body 13 (see FIGS. 1 to 3). The backrest 12 has a structure in which, for example, a back plate and cushioning material are covered with a covering material, and is attached to the front side of the back support 15. The back side of the sofa 10 (the back of the base body 13 and the back of the back support 15), like the front and left and right side surfaces of the base body 13 and the left and right side surfaces of the back support 15 that are visible to the eye, has an excellent design finish that is aesthetically pleasing.

[0021] In particular, the back surfaces of the back support 15 and the base body 13 are formed as vertical planes without any protrusions. This makes it possible to arrange the backs of the sofa 10 facing each other (arranging the sofa 10 back-to-back). In the first embodiment, the wooden back support 15 forms the design surface, but the backrest 12 may be fixed to the seat body 11 or the base body 13 without the back support 15. In this case, the back of the backrest 12 becomes the design surface. Also, as in the aforementioned patent document, it is possible to attach a separate panel to the back of the backrest and use the panel as the design surface. The base body 13 and the back support 15 may be formed as a single unit.

[0022] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a reinforcing plate 16 is attached to the interior of the base body 13, dividing the interior into two halves. The interior of the base body 13 is divided into two compartments by the reinforcing plate 16. On both sides of the reinforcing plate 16, inboard plates 17 are attached to separate the left and right compartments into upper and lower sections. Therefore, the interior of the base body 13 is divided into four compartments, top, bottom, left, and right, by the reinforcing plate 16 and the two inboard plates 17. The seat body 11 detachably covers the upper two compartments. In other words, the upper two compartments become storage spaces that can be opened upward by removing the seat body 11, and the seat body 11 functions as a lid for the upper two compartments (two storage spaces). The storage spaces can be used to store disaster preparedness supplies such as drinking water, emergency food, and helmets.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 4, caster devices 20, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 5215983, are disposed in each of the two lower left and right compartments of the base body 13. The left and right caster devices 20 are intended to allow the sofa 10 to be moved easily (smoothly) without having to be lifted, and are attached to the underside of the midsole plate 17.

[0024] The caster device 20 includes a plurality of casters 21 (braking casters) that support the base body 13, switching means 22 (connecting member and brake operating member) that switches between a free state in which the casters 21 roll and a locked state in which the casters 21 cannot roll, and an operating unit 23 (operating piece) that operates the switching means 22. In the first embodiment, one caster device 20 has four casters 21. Each of these casters 21 is configured so that the rolling direction can be changed as desired.

[0025] The operating unit 23 of each caster device 20 is a lever-type unit and includes an operating base 23a and an operating member 24 that is operated by a person. Each operating unit 23 is configured to be horizontally rotatable around a vertical pivot shaft 25 supported on the underside of the corresponding mid-sole plate 17. Left and right horizontally elongated guide slots 26 are formed in areas on the front side of the base body 13 that correspond to the left and right lower compartments. The operating member 24 (grip portion) provided at the tip of each operating unit 23 penetrates the corresponding guide slot 26 on the front side of the base body 13 and protrudes (is exposed) forward of the base body 13 (sofa 10). In other words, the operating member 24 is positioned so as to be exposed through the guide slot 26 (opening) formed in the base body 13.

[0026] Each operating unit 23 can be rotated left and right along a guide slot 26 on the front side of the base body 13. The presence of each guide slot 26 limits the left and right rotation range of the corresponding operating unit 23. As shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 4, the operating member 24 can be extended or retracted relative to the operating base 23a or can be fixed at multiple positions. In other words, the amount of protrusion of the operating member 24 from the guide slot 26 (opening) can be adjusted along the length of the operating base 23a. Therefore, the operating member 24 can be set so that it is exposed to the front of the base body 13 but does not protrude, preventing erroneous operation due to the seated person unintentionally touching the operating member 24. This also prevents adverse effects on seat comfort.

[0027] In particular, in the first embodiment, each operating unit 23 (operating member 24) is positioned below the upper surface of the seat body 11 and on the front side of the base body 13, which prevents the operating unit 23 (operating member 24) from accidentally touching the body of a seated person or from being accidentally operated by a passerby or other person other than the seated person, and because it is located on the front side of the base body 13, the sofas 10 can be unlocked and moved individually even when connected side by side, making it easy to move the sofas 10. Furthermore, because each operating unit 23 (operating member 24) is positioned behind the front side of the seat body 11, it is less likely for the operating unit 23 (operating member 24) to get caught on the feet of a seated person, which also has the advantage of preventing unintentional operation by mistake.

[0028] The mode of arranging each operating unit 23 (operating member 24) below the upper surface of the seat body 11 and on the front side of the base body 13 also includes exposing the operating unit 23 (operating member 24) from below the base body 13, that is, from the gap between the floor surface and the base body 13. Even with this configuration, unintentional erroneous operation can be prevented without sacrificing operability.

[0029] In each caster device 20 of the first embodiment, when the operating unit 23 is rotated in one direction (leftward) (free operation), the switching means 22 is activated and the group of casters 21 is switched to a free state in which they can roll together. When the operating unit 23 is rotated in the other direction (rightward) (lock operation), the switching means 22 is activated and the group of casters 21 is switched to a locked state in which they cannot roll together.

[0030] Therefore, by operating the operating parts 23 of both the left and right caster devices 20 to free, all of the casters 21 become rollable (the base body 13 is in a free state). In this state, by pushing the sofa 10 in the desired direction, the casters 21 roll, allowing the sofa 10 to be moved easily without having to be lifted. The rolling of the casters 21 allows the sofa 10 to be moved smoothly with little force. By operating the operating parts 23 to lock, all of the casters 21 become unable to roll (the base body 13 is in a locked state). As a result, the sofa 10 is placed stably.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 5, at least the upper half of the casters 21 of each caster device 20 is covered by the base body 13 when viewed horizontally. That is, at least the upper half of each of these casters 21 is hidden by the base body 13. Only a portion of the lower side of each caster 21 is exposed (protruding) below the base body 13.

[0032] With this configuration, the underside of the base body 13 does not touch the floor, and the casters 21 roll, making it easy to move the sofa 10 with little effort. This also makes the casters 21 almost invisible from the bottom of the sofa 10, which requires a luxurious and stately appearance, resulting in a very attractive appearance. It is desirable that the range in which each caster 21 is hidden is more than half in the vertical direction. For example, it is preferable that the rotation center (wheel axle) of each caster 21 is hidden by the base body 13.

[0033] The detailed structure of the caster device 20 itself will not be described in further detail, but if necessary, please refer to the aforementioned Patent Publication No. 5215983. The structure of the caster device 20 is not limited to that of the first embodiment shown in the drawings, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention as long as at least a portion of it has a locking mechanism.

[0034] As shown by phantom lines in Figures 6 and 7, the operating member 24 of the operating unit 23 of each caster device 20 is not limited to being disposed (protruding) from the front of the base body 13 as in the first embodiment, but can be disposed in any predetermined area of ​​the sofa 10 other than the rear side. For example, the operating member 24 of the operating unit 23 may be disposed on the left or right side of the base body 13, or on the left or right side of the back support 15. The operating member 24 may also be disposed on the front, left or right side, or top surface (seating surface) of the seat body 11, or on the front, left or right side, or top surface of the backrest 12. When the operating member is disposed on the front of the seat body 11, a through-hole communicating with a guide slot 26 (opening) provided on the front side of the base body 13 may be provided in the seat body 11, and the operating member may be exposed through the guide slot 26 (opening) and the through-hole. In addition, by positioning the tip of the operating member 24 behind the front of the seat body 11, the operating member 24 is less likely to get caught on the feet of the seated person, which has the advantage of preventing unintentional operation by mistake.

[0035] For example, if the operating unit 23 (operating member 24) is located on the upper surface of the backrest 12, the sofas 10 can be unlocked and moved individually even when connected side by side, making rearrangement (layout change) easy. In addition, the operating unit 23 (operating member 24) can be easily operated while standing, allowing the sofa 10 to be moved with little effort.

[0036] The operating unit 23 (operating member 24) can also be arranged so that it is exposed on the side surface of the sofa 10 but does not protrude to the side. In this case, even if the sofas 10 are connected back to back, they can be unlocked and moved individually, and even if the sofas 10 are connected side by side, the operating units 23 (operating members 24) of adjacent sofas 10 do not interfere with each other, preventing damage to the operating units 23 (operating members 24).

[0037] The operating unit 23 (operating member 24) may be positioned so that it is exposed from the front of the backrest 12 but does not protrude forward, or so that it is exposed from the top surface of the seat body 11 but does not protrude upward. With this configuration, even if the sofas 10 are connected back to back, they can be unlocked and moved individually. Furthermore, this prevents malfunctions caused by the seat occupant accidentally touching the operating unit 23, and does not adversely affect the comfort of the seat.

[0038] The position of the imaginary line of the operating member 24 shown in Figures 6 and 7 is an example in the case of a sofa 10 for two adults, and is merely illustrative. The predetermined area of ​​the sofa 10 excluding the back side is an area that is unlikely to come into contact with the back, waist, back of the thighs, calves, etc. of a seated person, in other words, an area that does not get in the way of a seated person. Therefore, any area other than the back side of the sofa 10 (the back of the backrest 12, base body 13, and back support body 15) can be the predetermined area for arranging the operating member 24. It goes without saying that, regardless of the arrangement mode, the operating member 24 arranged in the predetermined area excluding the back side of the sofa 10 can be set so that it is exposed but does not protrude from the opening.

[0039] When arranging the operating member 24 in various predetermined areas, the operating unit 23 is not limited to being configured as a lever as in the first embodiment, but may be configured as a wire type and mechanically linked to the switching means 22, or may be configured as a switch type and electrically operate the switching means 22 by operation of an electric motor linked to operation of the operating unit 23. These selections can be made arbitrarily. For example, it is sufficient to make the selection based on the positional relationship between the operating unit 23 and the switching means 22, etc.

[0040] If operation unit 23 were provided on the back side of sofa 10, there would be a problem that, for example, when sofa 10 is configured as a family restaurant booth or placed against a wall, operation unit 23 on the back side would be hidden by other sofas 10 or the wall and would become inoperable. However, as described above, by adopting a configuration in which operation member 24 of operation unit 23 is located in a predetermined area of ​​sofa 10 excluding the back side, even when sofa 10 is configured as a family restaurant booth or placed against a wall, that is, even if the back side of sofa 10 is hidden, operation unit 23 (operation member 24) will appear in a location visible to people nearby, allowing operation of operation unit 23 (operation member 24) reliably and facilitating rearrangement (layout change) by moving sofa 10. Furthermore, operation member 24 does not get in the way of a person sitting on sofa 10, improving convenience of operation.

[0041] 8 and 9 show a second embodiment, which is another example of the arrangement of the caster device 20. Here, in the second and subsequent embodiments, parts that have the same configuration and function as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0042] In the second embodiment, the arrangement of the caster devices 20 is different from that of the first embodiment, and reinforcing plates 16 longitudinal from front to back are attached side by side inside the base body 13. That is, a pair of reinforcing plates 16 is arranged on the left and right sides inside the base body 13, and the inside of the base body 13 is divided into three compartments, left, center, and right, by the pair of left and right reinforcing plates 16. A mid-sole plate 17 is attached inside each of the left, center, and right compartments. Therefore, the inside of the base body 13 is divided into six compartments, top, bottom, left, center, and right, by the pair of left and right reinforcing plates 16 and the three mid-sole plates 17.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 9, a caster device 20 similar to that of the first embodiment is disposed in a central chamber on the lower side of the base body 13. A guide groove hole 26 elongated from side to side is formed in an area corresponding to the central chamber on the front side of the base body 13. An operating member 24 (grip portion) provided at the tip end of each operating unit 23 penetrates the corresponding guide groove hole 26 on the front side of the base body 13 and protrudes (is exposed) forward of the base body 13 (sofa 10).

[0044] In each of the left and right compartments on the lower side of the base body 13, non-locking casters 27 without a locking mechanism (switching means 22 and operating unit 23) are arranged in two locations near the corners of the base body 13. Each non-locking caster 27 is attached to the underside of the corresponding midsole plate 17. The non-locking casters 27 are arranged at the four corners of the base body 13 in order to stably support the base body 13 (base body 13) and ultimately the sofa 10.

[0045] Although detailed illustration is omitted, in the second embodiment, at least the upper half of not only the casters 21 of each caster device 20 but also the non-locking casters 27 is covered by the base body 13 when viewed from the horizontal direction. In other words, at least the upper half of the casters 21 and non-locking casters 27 is hidden by the base body 13. Only a portion of the lower side of the casters 21 and non-locking casters 27 is exposed (protruding) below the base body 13.

[0046] In the second embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9, as shown by the imaginary lines, the operating member 24 of the operating unit 23 in each caster device 20 is not limited to being disposed (protruding) from the front of the base body 13, but can be disposed in a predetermined area of ​​the sofa 10 excluding the rear side. The position of the operating member 24 shown by the imaginary lines in Figure 8 is an example for a sofa 10 for two adults, and is, of course, merely illustrative. Although not shown, the operating member 24 can also be disposed below the front or side of the base body (in the gap between the base body and the floor). In the second embodiment, the operating member 24 disposed in a predetermined area of ​​the sofa 10 excluding the rear side can be configured to be exposed from the opening but not protrude.

[0047] When arranging the operating member 24 in various predetermined areas, the operating unit 23 is not limited to being configured as a lever, but may be configured as a wire type and mechanically linked to the switching means 22, or the operating unit 23 may be configured as a switch type and the switching means 22 may be electrically operated by the operation of an electric motor linked to the operation of the operating unit 23.

[0048] Even when the configuration of the second embodiment is adopted, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved.

[0049] 10 shows a case where two sofas 10 of the first or second embodiment are placed back to back. In this case, the back sides of the sofas 10 are hidden when they are placed back to back, but the operating member 24 is not provided in such an area and is exposed in a predetermined area of ​​the sofa 10 excluding the back sides. This means that the operating unit 23 (operating member 24) appears in a location visible to people nearby, and the operating unit 23 (operating member 24) can be reliably operated.

[0050] FIG. 11 shows a third embodiment of a sofa 1 on which people can sit back-to-back. The sofa 1 of the third embodiment includes a seat body 11 arranged facing each other from the front to the back, a backrest 12 arranged facing each other from the front to the back, and a base body 13 that supports the seat body 11 and / or the backrest 12. The base body 13 of the third embodiment is also configured to support both the seat body 11 and the backrest 12. The base body 13 is configured as a rectangular frame in a plan view, and a back support 15 that constitutes the backrest 12 is erected midway between the front and rear of the upper surface of the base body 13. In the third embodiment, the base body 13 and the back support 15 are configured integrally. Of course, the base body 13 and the back support 15 may be configured separately. The caster device 20 of the third embodiment may be one or more. Needless to say, at least the upper half of the caster 21 (or 27) group of the third embodiment is covered by the base body 13 when viewed horizontally.

[0051] In the third embodiment shown in Figure 11, as shown by the virtual line, the operating member 24 of the operating section 23 in each caster device 20 can be positioned not only on (protruding from) the front of the base body 13, but also in a predetermined area excluding the back side of each sofa 10.

[0052] In the third embodiment, when the operating unit 23 (operating member 24) is arranged on the side of the sofa 1, it is desirable to arrange the operating unit 23 (operating member 24) so ​​that it is exposed on the side of the sofa 1 but does not protrude to the side. In this way, even if the sofas 1 are connected side by side, the operating units 23 (operating members 24) of adjacent sofas 1 do not interfere with each other, preventing damage to the operating units 23 (operating members 24).

[0053] The position of the virtual line of the operating member 24 shown in Figure 10 is merely an example. When arranging the operating member 24 in various predetermined areas, the operating unit 23 may be configured as a lever, or may be configured as a wire and mechanically linked to the switching means 22, or may be configured as a switch and the switching means 22 may be electrically operated by the operation of an electric motor linked to the operation of the operating unit 23.

[0054] Even when the configuration of the third embodiment is adopted, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments are achieved.

[0055] 12 to 15 show a fourth embodiment of a one-seater sofa 30. The sofa 30 of the fourth embodiment has a backrest 32 and a back support 35 configured to be L-shaped in plan view so that it can be used as an end or corner sofa 30 placed on the side of the sofa 10 of the first or second embodiment, for example.

[0056] Although detailed illustration is omitted, there is no reinforcing plate 16 inside the base body 13, but a mid-sole plate 17 is attached to separate the interior into upper and lower sections. A seat body 11 detachably covers the upper chamber of the base body 13. The seat body 11 functions as a lid for the upper chamber (storage space) of the base body 13.

[0057] In addition, a caster device 20 similar to those in the first to third embodiments is arranged on the underside of the midsole plate 17 (not shown). A guide groove hole 26 elongated in the left-right direction is formed on one side surface of the base body 13 on the front side facing the backrest 32 and the back support body 35. An operating member 24 (grip portion) provided on the tip side of each operating portion 23 penetrates the guide groove hole 26 of the base body 13 and protrudes (is exposed) to the outside of the base body 13 (sofa 10).

[0058] The operating unit 23 (operating member 24) is exposed on the front side surface of the sofa 30 but is positioned so as not to protrude to the side of the front side. This is to prevent the operating unit 23 (operating member 24) of the end-type or corner-type sofa 30 from interfering with the base body 13 of the adjacent sofa 10 when end-type or corner-type sofas 30 are arranged next to the sofa 10 of the first or second embodiment. By adopting this configuration, damage to the operating unit 23 (operating member 24) of the end-type or corner-type sofa 30 can be prevented. Furthermore, there are advantages in that malfunction due to an occupant unintentionally touching the operating unit 23 can be prevented and that seating comfort is not adversely affected. It goes without saying that at least the upper half of the casters 21 of the fourth embodiment is covered by the base body 33 (base body 13) when viewed horizontally.

[0059] 12 to 15, as shown by the imaginary lines, the operating member 24 of the operating unit 23 in the caster device 20 can also be disposed in a predetermined area excluding the back side of the sofa 30. In the fourth embodiment, the two back surfaces corresponding to the two backrest surfaces respectively correspond to the back side of the sofa 30.

[0060] The position of the virtual line of the operating member 24 shown in Fig. 15 is merely an example. When arranging the operating member 24 in various predetermined areas, as in the first to third embodiments, the operating unit 23 may be configured as a lever, or may be configured as a wire and mechanically linked to the switching means 22, or may be configured as a switch and the switching means 22 may be electrically operated by the operation of an electric motor linked to the operation of the operating unit 23.

[0061] Even when the configuration of the fourth embodiment is adopted, the same effects as those of the first to third embodiments are achieved.

[0062] The sofas 1, 10, and 30 of the first to fourth embodiments can be combined with each other to create various layouts. Fig. 16 shows an example of a layout for a meeting space that is often seen in offices, hospitals, school facilities, stores, etc.

[0063] In this layout example, two sofas 10 of the second embodiment are arranged facing each other with a table 28 in between, and the pair of facing sofas 10 and table 28 are arranged side by side. The two sofas 10 arranged back to back may be connected to each other or simply arranged side by side. Furthermore, the two sofas 10 arranged back to back may be replaced with the sofa 1 of the third embodiment.

[0064] In these sofas 1, 10, and 30, it goes without saying that the operating member 24 of the operating unit 23 of the caster device 20 may be arranged in a predetermined area other than the back side of the sofa 1, 10, and 30. In Fig. 16, shelves 29 on which plants or the like can be placed are arranged upright and stacked on top of each other on the back side of the frontmost sofa 10 and the back side of the farthest sofa 10.

[0065] FIG. 17 shows an example of a layout rearranged from the layout of FIG. 16. In this rearranged layout example, four sofas 10 of the second embodiment are arranged side by side. In this case, the adjacent sofas 10 may be connected to each other, or may simply be arranged side by side. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the operating members 24 of the operating units 23 of the caster devices 20 of each of these sofas 10 can be arranged in a predetermined area excluding the back side of each sofa 10. In FIG. 17, shelves 29 on which plants, etc., can be placed are arranged upright on the left and right outer sides of the frontmost sofa 10 and the backmost sofa 10.

[0066] For example, it is an object of the present invention to easily and quickly change the layout from Fig. 16 to Fig. 17 or vice versa. In the sofas 1, 10, and 30 of the present invention, the operating unit 23 for operating the switching means 22, which switches between a free state in which the base body 13 can move by rolling casters 21 and a locked state in which the base body 13 cannot move without rolling casters 21, is located in a predetermined area of ​​the sofa 1, 10, and 30, excluding the rear side. This reliably avoids the problem of the operating unit 23 being hidden by, for example, another sofa 1, 10, or a wall, making it impossible to operate. Even if the rear side of the sofa 1, 10, and 30 is hidden, the operating unit 23 (operating member 24) appears in a location visible to people nearby, allowing the operating unit 23 (operating member 24) to be reliably operated. As a result, rearrangement (layout change) by moving the sofas 1, 10, and 30 can be easily and smoothly performed.

[0067] The configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the caster device 20 is not limited to the one in which the caster 21 is locked so as to be unable to roll, as shown in the first to sixth embodiments and disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5215983, but various other types can be used, such as a so-called lift lock type in which the caster 21 is suspended in the air and made immovable by pressing some kind of ground contact member against the floor or by lifting the caster 21.

[0068] Furthermore, in the sofas 1, 10, 30 of the present invention, the periphery of the base body 13, 33 and the back support body 15, 35 may be entirely covered with the covering material of the seat body or backrest. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the operating unit 23 (operating member 24) rotates horizontally, but various types can be adopted, such as those that slide horizontally or vertically, those that rotate up and down, and those that are push-button type. In this case, it goes without saying that the operating unit 23 can be not only lever-type, but also wire-type or electrically operated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1,10,30 sofa 11 Seat 12,32 Backrest 13,33 base body 15,35 Back support 20 Caster device 21 Caster 22 Switching means 23 Control section 24 Operating member 26 Guide slot (opening)

Claims

1. A sofa configured so that the backs of the sofas can face each other, The seat body and The backrest and A base body supporting the seat body and / or the backrest; A caster supporting the base body; A switching means for switching between a free state in which the base body can move by rolling of the casters and a locked state in which the casters do not roll and the base body cannot move; an operation unit for operating the switching means; Equipped with The operating unit is disposed below the upper surface of the seat body and on the front side of the base body. Sofa.

2. A sofa on which people can sit back to back, Seats arranged facing each other in the front and back, The backrests are arranged facing each other at the front and back, A base body supporting the seat body and / or the backrest; A caster supporting the base body; A switching means for switching between a free state in which the base body can move by rolling of the casters and a locked state in which the casters do not roll and the base body cannot move; an operation unit for operating the switching means; Equipped with The operating unit is disposed below the upper surface of the seat body and on the front side of the base body. Sofa.

3. The operating unit is disposed behind the front surface of the seat body.

3. The sofa according to claim 1 or 2.

4. At least an upper half of the caster is covered by the base body. A sofa according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A guide groove hole elongated horizontally is provided on the front side of the base body, The operating portion is provided so as to be rotatable left and right along the guide groove. A sofa according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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