Lightweight tabletop

Abstract

To provide a top plate that is lightweight and has high rigidity.SOLUTION: A top plate member 2B that is a lightweight top plate comprises: a top plate core material 19 comprising a top plate frame body 14 in which four metal top plate frame materials 11, 12, 13, and 13 are arranged in a frame shape, a honeycomb-like core material 16 arranged in the frame of the top plate frame body 14, and a pair of upper and lower metal plates 17 and 18 bonded to upper and lower surfaces of the top plate frame body 14 and upper and lower surfaces of the core material 16; and a pair of upper and lower decorative plates 21 and 22 bonded to upper and lower surfaces of the top plate core material 19.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 22

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lightweight tabletop that can be used for furniture such as tables.

Background Art

[0002] Tabletops made of wood or steel are widely used. However, both wooden and steel tabletops have a relatively large weight per unit area. For example, in the case of a large tabletop with a length of 2 m or more, not only is it extremely laborious to transport and assemble, but there is also a problem that the burden on the operator is large.

[0003] Therefore, it has been proposed to make the tabletop a laminated structure to reduce its weight. As an example, Patent Document 1 discloses providing a reinforcing frame in which four metal corner pipes are arranged in a frame shape between a plate-like surface material and a back material, arranging a paper core material inside the frame of the reinforcing frame, and connecting the metal corner pipes of the reinforcing frame by screwing a connecting member arranged below the four corners of the back material and a screw penetrating the back material into the metal corner pipe.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the laminated structure tabletop of Patent Document 1, since the metal corner pipes of the reinforcing frame are not directly connected but are connected by a connecting member arranged on the back surface of the tabletop, the tabletop can be manufactured by a simple manufacturing process and the manufacturing cost is reduced. However, in such a connecting structure, there is a problem that the force applied to the tabletop penetrates the connecting member and the back material and concentrates on the screw screwed into the metal corner pipe, and sufficient rigidity cannot be ensured.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide a lightweight and highly rigid tabletop. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The lightweight tabletop of the present invention comprises a tabletop frame body having four metal tabletop frame members arranged in a frame shape, a tabletop core material having a honeycomb-shaped core material disposed within the frame of the tabletop frame body, and a pair of upper and lower metal plates bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the tabletop frame body and the upper and lower surfaces of the core material, and decorative panels bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the tabletop core material.

[0008] According to the lightweight tabletop of the present invention, a pair of upper and lower metal plates are bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the tabletop frame material and the upper and lower surfaces of the core material to form the tabletop core material. This ensures a large bonding area, which distributes the force applied to the tabletop, resulting in a tabletop that is lightweight yet highly rigid. Furthermore, since decorative panels are bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the tabletop core material, the aesthetic appearance of the tabletop surface can be ensured, and the rigidity of the tabletop can be further improved.

[0009] In the lightweight tabletop of the present invention, a plurality of grooves extending in the longitudinal direction of the tabletop frame material may be formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the tabletop frame material.

[0010] In this configuration, by providing multiple grooves on the upper and lower surfaces of the tabletop frame material, the bonding area between the tabletop frame material and the metal plate can be increased, improving the bonding strength and thus the rigidity of the tabletop. Furthermore, deep slits may be provided on the outer periphery of the tabletop beyond the grooves. This allows excess adhesive to be contained in the deep slits during bonding between the tabletop frame material and the metal plate, preventing adhesive from overflowing, and the deep slits also contribute to increasing the bonding area between the tabletop frame material and the metal plate.

[0011] In the lightweight tabletop of the present invention, a nut holding member may be provided within the frame of the tabletop frame, and an embedded nut member, whose screw hole is exposed on the underside of the tabletop, may be embedded in the nut holding member.

[0012] According to this configuration, for example, by arranging a nut-holding member (such as a wood material like medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or lumber) into which an embedded nut member for connecting table legs or the like can be placed inside the tabletop, the nut member can be embedded in the tabletop more easily and at a lower cost compared to a configuration in which the nut member is fixed to a metal tabletop frame by welding or the like.

[0013] In the lightweight tabletop of the present invention, a pair of lightweight tabletops can be connected by butting the tabletop frames together, and at least one of the four tabletop frame members is provided with a bolt insertion hole that penetrates between the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface of the frame member, and one end of a connecting bolt member having threaded portions at both ends is configured to be inserted into the bolt insertion hole from the outer wall surface side of the frame member, and the metal plate and decorative plate on the lower side are provided with a nut insertion hole that opens to correspond to the opening position of the bolt insertion hole on the inner wall surface of the frame member, and a connecting nut member that screws into the threaded portion of the connecting bolt member protruding into the frame of the tabletop frame member may be configured to be inserted into the frame of the tabletop frame member from the nut insertion hole.

[0014] In this configuration, when connecting a pair of lightweight tabletops, the connecting bolt members are inserted into the bolt insertion holes of each tabletop frame material, and the outer wall surfaces of the frame materials are butted together. Connecting nuts, inserted into the tabletop through nut insertion holes, are then screwed into the threaded portions of the connecting bolt members protruding into the frame of each tabletop frame, thereby connecting the tabletop frames of the pair of lightweight tabletops. By tightening the connecting nuts with the appropriate tightening force, the pair of lightweight tabletops can be firmly connected. By connecting multiple lightweight tabletops, a large tabletop that can be assembled at the table's installation site can be formed, making it possible to create a tabletop of a size that would be difficult to manufacture and transport as a single piece, and also facilitating transportation. Furthermore, since each lightweight tabletop is lightweight and highly rigid, firmly connecting these lightweight tabletops creates a large tabletop that is lightweight and highly rigid. In addition, since the nut insertion holes are not exposed on the top surface of the tabletops, an aesthetically pleasing connected lightweight tabletop can be formed.

[0015] Furthermore, a peripheral wall forming member may be interposed between the upper and lower metal plates, surrounding the portion of the connecting bolt member that protrudes within the frame of the top plate frame.

[0016] According to this configuration, by providing a peripheral wall forming member, it is possible to prevent the connecting bolt member from slipping out into the inside of the top plate (inside the frame of the top plate frame) or the connecting nut member inserted into the inside of the top plate through the nut insertion hole from rolling to a place that is out of reach of the worker's fingers, before butting the pair of lightweight top plates together and screwing the connecting nut member into both ends of the connecting bolt member, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0017] In the lightweight tabletop of the present invention, the tabletop frames of a pair of lightweight tabletops can be joined together by butting them, and at least one of the four tabletop frame members is provided with an outer wall groove into which a connecting position adjustment member can be inserted, and when joining the pair of lightweight tabletops, the outer wall surfaces of the frame members having the outer wall grooves are butted together, and the connecting position adjustment member can be press-fitted across the opposing outer wall grooves.

[0018] In this configuration, when a pair of lightweight tabletops are joined together, the connecting position adjustment member generates friction between the lightweight tabletops, contributing to the precise alignment of the two lightweight tabletops. This improves the ease and efficiency of the alignment process for the two lightweight tabletops.

[0019] In the lightweight tabletop of the present invention, the tabletop frames of a pair of lightweight tabletops can be joined together by butting them, and at least one of the four tabletop frame members is made of an aluminum extruded material and has a connecting pin holding portion that extends in the longitudinal direction of the tabletop frame member and opens on its end face, and the connecting pin holding portion opens at a portion near the longitudinal end of at least one end face of the tabletop frame member, and when joining the pair of lightweight tabletops, the end faces with openings for the connecting pin holding portion are butted together, and a connecting pin can be inserted across the opposing connecting pin holding portions.

[0020] According to such an aspect, when connecting a pair of lightweight top plates, the connecting pins can be arranged across both lightweight top plates at positions near the longitudinal ends of their joint portions, so that the connecting strength of the lightweight top plates can be improved.

[0021] In the lightweight top plate of the present invention, at least one of the four top plate frame members may be provided with a convex strip portion extending longitudinally on the outer wall surface of the frame member, and an edge member having a concave strip groove into which the convex strip portion fits may be attached to the outer wall surface of the frame member.

[0022] According to such an aspect, since the edge member is supported by the convex strip portion of the top plate frame member fitted into the concave strip groove against the vertical load, while preventing the edge member from falling off, peeling, or being damaged, the thickness of the edge member in the width direction (the thickness in the direction protruding from the outer wall surface of the frame member) can be increased. Also, in the configuration of adhering to the outer wall surface of the frame member, the adhesion area between the edge member and the top plate frame member can be increased, so that the adhesion strength can be improved.

Effects of the Invention

[0023] The lightweight top plate of the present invention can provide a lightweight and highly rigid top plate.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of the table of the first embodiment seen obliquely from above. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the same embodiment seen obliquely from below. [Figure 3] It is a front view of the same embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a side view of the same embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a plan view showing the same embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a plan view showing the legs of the same embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a side view of the same legs. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view of the same legs seen obliquely from above. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view of the cover covering the same legs separated and seen obliquely from above. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view taken from diagonally below, with the cover that encloses the leg separated. [Figure 11] (A) is a cross-sectional view of the vertical support column shown along the line XIA-XIA in Figure 7, and (B) is a cross-sectional view of the vertical support column shown along the line XIB-XIB in Figure 7. [Figure 12] (A) is a cross-sectional view of the vertical support column shown in the line XIIA-XIIA in Figure 7, and (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lower horizontal frame shown in the line XIIB-XIIB in Figure 4. [Figure 13] Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper part of the leg along the front-to-back centerline. [Figure 14] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper part of the leg, taken along the line XVI-XVI in Figure 6. [Figure 15] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper part of the leg, taken along the line XV-XV in Figure 6. [Figure 16] (A) is a perspective view of the table of the second embodiment, seen from diagonally above, and (B) is a perspective view of the same embodiment, seen from diagonally below. [Figure 17] (A) is a front view of the intermediate leg of the same embodiment, and (B) is a side view of the same intermediate leg. [Figure 18] This is a perspective view of the same intermediate leg section, seen from diagonally above. [Figure 19] This is a perspective view of the same intermediate leg section, seen from diagonally below. [Figure 20] This is a bottom view showing the underside of the top plate of the first embodiment. [Figure 21] This is a bottom view of the underside of the tabletop, showing a close-up of the connection points of the tabletop components. [Figure 22] This is an exploded perspective view of the edge top panel component, seen from below. [Figure 23] This is a perspective view showing the connection points between the front and rear edge top plate members, separated from each other. [Figure 24] (A) is a longitudinal section view taken along the line XXIVA-XXIVA in Figure 21, and (B) is a longitudinal section view taken along the line XXIIVB-XXIVB in Figure 21. [Figure 25] This is a perspective view showing the connection point between the edge top plate member and the central top plate member, separated from each other. [Figure 26]This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the line XXVI-XXVI in Figure 21. [Figure 27] This is a perspective view of the connection point between the central top panel and the edge top panel, seen from a diagonal angle below. [Figure 28] This is a perspective view showing the outlet unit that attaches to the edge top panel component. [Figure 29] This is a cross-sectional view showing the outlet unit together with the edge top panel member. [Figure 30] This is a perspective view showing the area around the wiring groove and cable cover. [Figure 31] This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the area around the tip of the cable cover. [Figure 32] This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the wiring structure around the leg cover. [Figure 33] This is a cross-sectional view showing half of the outlet unit attached to the edge top panel member. [Figure 34] Figure 20 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the left and right edges of the top panel, taken along the lines XXXIV-XXVI. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] [Outline configuration of the first embodiment] Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 15, the table 1 has a pair of left and right legs 3 that support the longitudinal edge portion of the tabletop 2. For convenience, in this specification the terms front and back and left and right are used to specify directions. In this front and back and left and right directions, the left and right direction is the longitudinal direction of the tabletop 2 in which the pair of legs 3 are arranged, and the front and back direction is the direction perpendicular to the left and right direction in the horizontal plane. However, the present invention is not limited to the configurations specified in the embodiments described below.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the tabletop 2 is a roughly rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction and is composed of multiple connected tabletop members. The tabletop 2 has two central tabletop members 2A that are connected front to back, and edge tabletop members 2B that are connected to the left and right edges of each central tabletop member 2A, for a total of six connected tabletop members. The edge tabletop members 2B arranged at the front and back are connected to each other. In this embodiment, although the tabletop 2 is a large tabletop, it does not have beam members extending in the longitudinal direction of the tabletop 2 on its underside, resulting in a simple and very clean appearance when viewed from the front.

[0027] An outlet unit 4 is provided on the upper surface of the top plate 2. In this embodiment, three outlet units 4 are arranged at intervals from each other along the longitudinal direction of the top plate 2 in the front-to-back center of the top plate 2. Each outlet unit 4 comprises left and right longitudinal bar members 41 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the top plate 2, a pair of left and right support members 42 that support the left and right edges of the bar members 41, and a pair of left and right outlets 43 installed inside the parts of the bar members 41 near the left and right edges. Each outlet 43 has multiple (four in this embodiment) plug sockets. These plug sockets are arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction of the bar members 41 at intervals from each other and are exposed on the upper surface of the bar members 41.

[0028] As shown in the front view of Figure 3, a pair of left and right legs 3 are connected to the underside of the tabletop 2. Each leg 3 has a base 31 that inclines downwards toward the inside along the longitudinal direction of the tabletop 2, and a reinforcing member 32 that inclines upwards toward the inside along the longitudinal direction of the tabletop 2 from the bottom of the base 31. In other words, the lower end of the base 31 is located further inward along the longitudinal direction of the tabletop 2 than the upper end of the base 31. Similarly, the upper end of the reinforcing member 32 is located further inward along the longitudinal direction of the tabletop 2 than the lower end of the reinforcing member 32. A pair of front and rear screw-in adjusters 5 are provided at the front and rear ends of the underside of the base 31.

[0029] As can be seen from Figure 5, etc., in this embodiment, the leg body 3 is arranged to straddle the lower part of the two edge top plate members 2B that are connected in the front-rear direction. Alternatively, the leg body 3 may be arranged to straddle the lower part of the central top plate member 2A that is connected to the edge top plate members 2B in the front-rear direction.

[0030] [Leg structure] As shown in Figures 4, 6 to 10, the leg body 31 of the leg body 3 comprises a pair of front and rear vertical supports 33 that incline downwards inward along the longitudinal direction of the top plate 2, and a lower horizontal frame 34 that connects the lower parts of the vertical supports 33. The lower end of a reinforcing member 32 is connected to the lower horizontal frame 34 midway in the front-to-back direction. The vertical supports 33 are fitted with leg support covers 39 that form a space between them and the vertical supports 33 through which a wiring cable 100 can be inserted.

[0031] The main body 31 is equipped with an upper horizontal frame 35 that connects the upper parts of the vertical support columns 33. The leg body 3 is equipped with a reinforcing frame 36 that extends from the middle of the upper horizontal frame 35, which extends in the front-to-back direction, toward the center of the top plate 2 in the longitudinal direction. The upper end of the reinforcing member 32 is connected to the reinforcing frame 36.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 to 10, the table 1 is equipped with a leg cover 6 that covers the reinforcing frame 36 of the leg body 3 from below and is screw-fixed to the underside of the tabletop 2, and a locking mechanism 38 that temporarily fastens the leg cover 6 by magnetic force.

[0033] As described above, in this embodiment, since the leg body 31 of the table 1 is tilted inward toward the bottom, the upper part of the leg body 31 is located further out than the lower part of the leg body 31, so the tabletop 2 can be supported outside the ground contact point (the adjuster 5 attached to the bottom of the leg body 31 in this embodiment). This allows the lower part of the leg body 3 to be positioned inward while suppressing the deflection of the tabletop 2. Furthermore, even if the leg body 3 is positioned close to the left and right edges of the tabletop 2, it does not easily get in the way of the table user. This improves the usability of the table 1. Moreover, since the tabletop 2 can be supported outside the ground contact point while overhanging it, the leg body 3 is configured not to get in the way of the table user, while suppressing the deflection of the tabletop 2 under downward load.

[0034] Compared to a vertical leg configuration in this embodiment, where the tabletop is supported by vertical legs, the table 1 in this embodiment can support the tabletop 2 further outward than the vertical leg configuration when the contact point is in the same position, resulting in a table that is more resistant to bending of the tabletop 2. Furthermore, because the leg body 31 is tilted inward downwards, the leg body 31 can be brought closer to a straight line passing through the contact point (the lower part of the leg body 31) and the edge of the tabletop 2, which also has the effect of visually emphasizing that the table 1 has an overhanging tabletop 2.

[0035] Furthermore, since the leg body 3 is equipped with a reinforcing member 32 that tilts inward upward from the bottom of the leg body 31, when a force is applied to the top plate 2 in the direction of lateral sway (longitudinal direction of the top plate), the reinforcing member 32 that tilts inward upward from the bottom of the leg body 31 acts as a brace, which suppresses further tilting of the leg body 31 that tilts inward downward, and reduces lateral sway.

[0036] Furthermore, the table 1 can suppress the front-to-back swaying of the tabletop 2 by increasing the rigidity of the tabletop body 31 and connecting the lower parts of the pair of front and rear vertical support columns 33 of the tabletop body 31 with a lower horizontal frame 34 that extends in the front-to-back direction. In addition, by connecting the lower end of the reinforcing member 32 to the lower horizontal frame 34, the reinforcing member 32 can be positioned below the tabletop 2 closer to the center in the front-to-back direction than the vertical support columns 33. This prevents the reinforcing member 32 from interfering with the legs or other body parts of the table user at the front and rear edges of the tabletop 2, improving usability.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a single reinforcing member 32 can suppress further inward tilting of the two front and rear vertical support columns 33, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and achieving a simple appearance. Note that in the table of the present invention, the number of reinforcing members 32 is not limited to one; there may be two or more.

[0038] Furthermore, the table 1's frame-like structure, comprising a front and rear vertical support column 33 and upper and lower horizontal frames 34 and 35, further enhances the rigidity of the frame 31 and suppresses the front-to-back swaying of the tabletop 2. Additionally, when viewed from the front-to-back direction (the shorter side of the tabletop 2), the frame 31, reinforcing member 32, and reinforcing frame 36 form a triangular structure, thereby increasing the rigidity of the leg body 3. Moreover, the upper horizontal frame 35 and reinforcing frame 36 of the frame 31 can be firmly connected to the underside of the tabletop 2, improving the connection strength between the tabletop 2 and the leg body 3.

[0039] Furthermore, the appearance of the table 1 can be improved by covering the reinforcing frame 36 with the leg cover 6. Also, the table 1 allows the leg cover 6 to be temporarily fastened by the locking mechanism 38, making it easier to tighten and loosen the screws that secure the leg cover. In this embodiment of the table 1, the leg cover 6 can also be used as a wiring tray.

[0040] [Detailed composition of each part of the leg] Next, we will describe the details of each part of the leg body 3. The leg body 3 has a generally symmetrical configuration with respect to the front-to-back center line C (see Figure 6), which extends in the left-to-right direction when viewed from above.

[0041] As shown in Figures 4 and 8-10, the base body 31 of the leg body 3 has a rectangular frame shape in which a pair of front and rear vertical supports 33 and upper and lower horizontal frames 34 and 35 are connected. The vertical supports 33 are positioned so that when viewed from the front-to-back direction (short side direction of the top plate 2), they are tilted downwards and inwards in the left-to-right direction (long side direction of the top plate 2), and when viewed from the left-to-right direction, they are tilted downwards and inwards in the front-to-back direction. In other words, the lower end of the vertical supports 33 is located inwards in the left-to-right and front-to-back directions relative to the upper end of the vertical supports 33.

[0042] The horizontal frames 34 and 35 are arranged extending in the front-to-back direction, with the front and rear ends of the lower horizontal frame 34 fixed to the lower ends of the vertical support columns 33, and the front and rear ends of the upper horizontal frame 35 fixed to the upper ends of the vertical support columns 33. The length of the lower horizontal frame 34 in the front-to-back direction is shorter than that of the upper horizontal frame 35. In other words, the screen body 31 has a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the left-to-right direction, with the lower base being shorter than the upper base.

[0043] Thus, in this embodiment, since the vertical support columns 33 of the table body 31 are inclined downwards inward in the front-to-back direction, even if the front-to-back portions of the upper end of the table body 31 are positioned close to the front-to-back edges of the tabletop 2, it is less likely to interfere with the table user. Furthermore, since the portion of the table body 31 that supports the tabletop 2 can be positioned close to the front-to-back edges of the tabletop 2, the distance between the lower surface portion of the tabletop 2 supported by the upper end of the table body 31 and the front-to-back edges of the tabletop 2 can be reduced, thereby suppressing damage to the tabletop 2 when a downward load is applied to the front-to-back edges of the tabletop 2. Note that the vertical support columns 33 may be positioned in a vertical position when viewed from the left-to-right direction, or they may be positioned in a position that is inclined downwards outward in the front-to-back direction. In other words, the tabletop for a desk of the present invention includes a configuration in which the lower end of the vertical support column is located directly below or outward in the front-to-back direction relative to the upper end.

[0044] As shown in Figures 7 and 11, each vertical support column 33 of the screen body 31 comprises a vertical support pipe 331 made of metal square pipe extending in the vertical direction, and a metal support plate 332 with a U-shaped cross-section fixed inside the vertical support pipe 331. The support plate 332 is fixed inside the vertical support pipe 331 in a position where it opens outward in the front-to-back direction. A screw-in adjuster 5 is provided at the lower end of the vertical support pipe 331.

[0045] As shown in Figure 11, the vertical support pipes 331 that form the exterior of the vertical support 33 have a roughly rectangular cross-section, and the widths of the parallel left-right outward-facing first support surface 33a and the left-right inward-facing second support surface 33b are smaller than the widths of the parallel front-rear outward-facing third support surface 33c and the front-rear inward-facing fourth support surface 33d. Furthermore, the front-rear outward-facing first support surface 33a is positioned offset outward in the front-rear direction relative to the left-right inward-facing second support surface 33b. As a result, the first support surface 33a and the second support surface 33b are inclined in the front-rear direction in a plan view such that their outer edges in the front-rear direction are located inward in the left-right direction relative to their inner edges. Similarly, the third support surface 33c and the fourth support surface 33d are inclined in the left-right direction in a plan view such that their inner edges in the left-right direction are located outward in the front-rear direction relative to their outer edges.

[0046] As shown in Figures 7 to 12, a leg support cover 39 is detachably attached to the vertical support 33, covering the support surface portions 33a, 33b, and 33c. The leg support cover 39 is made of a metal plate formed, for example, by bending to create a roughly C-shaped cross-section. The leg support cover 39 has a third support cover surface portion 39c that extends vertically along the third support surface portion 33c. From both the left and right edges of the third support cover surface portion 39c, a pair of left and right first support cover surface portions 39a and second support cover surface portions 39b, facing the support surface portion 33a or 33b, rise inward and forward. From the tips of the support cover surface portions 39a and 39b, a pair of left and right fourth support cover surface portions 39d rise in a direction toward each other and parallel to the third support cover surface portion 39c. A gap slightly larger than the left-right width of the fourth support surface 33d of the vertical support pipe 331 is provided between the tips of the left and right fourth support cover surfaces 39d. The tip of the fourth support cover surface 39d is provided with a bent portion that is folded toward the third support cover surface 39c.

[0047] As shown in Figure 11, the width of the third support column cover surface 39c in the left-right direction is larger than the width of the third support column surface 33c in the left-right direction. The first support column cover surface 39a and the second support column cover surface 39b, which rise from both the left and right edges of the third support column cover surface 39c, are arranged parallel to each other along the front-rear direction, with a gap between them and the support column surfaces 33a and 33b, when the leg support column cover 39 is attached to the vertical support column 33. A wiring space 201 inside the support column is formed between the second support column cover surface 39b and the second support column surface 33b of the vertical support column pipe 331, through which a wiring cable 100 can be inserted. A space 202 is formed between the first support column cover surface 39a and the first support column surface 33a.

[0048] The front-to-back width of the support column cover surfaces 39a and 39b is such that the pair of left and right fourth support column cover surfaces 39d are approximately flush with the fourth support column surface 33d of the vertical support pipe 331. The tips of the left and right fourth support column cover surfaces 39d are close to the left and right edges of the fourth support column surface 33d. In other words, the spaces 201 and 202 are surrounded by the vertical support column 33 and the leg support column cover 39, and the wiring cable 100 that passes through the internal wiring space 201 of the support column is configured to be invisible from the outside.

[0049] As shown in Figures 9 and 11, a nut retaining member 391 is fixed to the inner wall surface of the third support cover surface 39c of the leg support cover 39, near the upper end, and a locking claw member 392 is fixed to the lower end. The nut retaining member 391 is made of metal and has a pair of upper and lower mounting parts 391a fixed to the inner wall surface of the third support cover surface 39c with a gap between them vertically, a pair of upper and lower upright parts 391b rising from the opposing edges of the upper and lower mounting parts 391a, and a nut retaining part 391c connecting the upper ends of the upper and lower upright parts 391b. A nut member 393, which has a screw hole arranged in a direction perpendicular to the third support cover surface 39c, is held in the nut retaining part 391c. The locking claw member 392 is made of metal and has a plate-shaped mounting portion 392a fixed to the inner wall surface of the third support column cover surface portion 39c, and a pair of upward-facing hook-shaped claw portions 392b rising from the upper parts of both left and right edges of the mounting portion 392a.

[0050] An upper opening 333 is provided near the upper end of the third support surface 33c of the vertical support 33, allowing the upright portion 391b and nut holding portion 391c of the nut holding member 391 and the nut member 393 to be inserted into the vertical support pipe 331. A lower opening 334 is provided near the lower end of the third support surface 33c, allowing the claw portion 392b of the locking claw member 392 to be inserted into the vertical support pipe 331. A screw insertion hole 335 is provided near the upper end of the fourth support surface 33d of the vertical support 33, facing the upper opening 333. The screw insertion hole 335 penetrates the third support surface 33c and the support reinforcement plate 332.

[0051] When attaching the leg support cover 39 to the vertical support 33, the leg support cover 39 is fitted onto the vertical support 33 from the outside in the front-rear direction, and the nut holding member 391 and the locking claw member 392 are inserted into the upper opening 333 and the lower opening 334. Next, the leg support cover 39 is lifted upward so that the tip of the claw portion 392b is positioned above the lower opening 334 to prevent it from coming off, and the screw hole of the nut member 393 held by the nut holding member 391 is aligned with the screw insertion hole 335. In this state, the support cover fixing screw 336 is inserted into the screw insertion hole 335 from the inside in the front-rear direction and screwed into the nut member 393, and tightened until the screw head contacts the fourth support surface portion 33d, thereby fastening the upper part of the leg support cover 39 to the vertical support 33.

[0052] As shown in Figure 4, when viewing the vertical support column 33 to which the leg support cover 39 is attached from the left or right direction, the front and rear inward-facing surfaces of the vertical support column 33 and the leg support cover 39, namely the fourth support surface 33d and the fourth support cover surface 39d, come into view. This makes the vertical support column 33 and the leg support cover 39 appear thicker, creating a robust and substantial-looking leg body 3. The front and rear support surface 33c and 33d of the vertical support column 33 may be arranged parallel to the left and right directions. In other words, the desk tabletop of the present invention includes a configuration in which the front and rear side surfaces of the vertical support column are arranged parallel to the left and right directions. However, in the desk tabletop of the present invention, the vertical support column is not limited to a square pipe, and the cross-sectional shape of the vertical support column is not particularly limited, for example, it may be circular.

[0053] As shown in Figures 9, 10, and 12(B), the lower horizontal frame 34 connecting the lower ends of the front and rear vertical support columns 33 comprises a lower lower frame 341 with a roughly C-shaped cross-section that extends in the front-rear direction with an upward-opening position, and a lower upper frame 342 with a downward-opening position and a roughly C-shaped cross-section that covers and is fixed to the lower lower frame 341.

[0054] The lower frame 341 is made of steel, and its lower surface 34d extends approximately horizontally in the front-to-back direction. A pair of left and right upright surfaces 341a and 341b rise from the left and right edges of the lower surface 34d. The left and right outer upright surface 341a and the left and right inner upright surface 341b are arranged parallel to each other and are angled upward so that the upper ends are positioned further outward when viewed from the front-to-back direction. When viewed from the front-to-back direction, the inclination of the upright surfaces 341a and 341b is approximately the same as the inclination of the vertical support column 33 and the leg support column cover 39.

[0055] A pair of left and right upper surfaces 341c extend substantially horizontally from the upper ends of the upright surfaces 341a and 341b, moving toward each other. The tips of the left and right upper surfaces 341c are spaced apart, and an opening groove is formed on the upper surface of the lower frame 341, extending straight from one front-to-back end to the other.

[0056] As shown in Figures 10 and 12(A), the front and rear ends of the lower frame 341 are fixed to the lower ends of the vertical support pipes 331 of the vertical support 33, and are cut out in a roughly L-shape to follow the front and rear inward-facing fourth support surface 33d and the left and right inward-facing second support surface 33b. The lower surface 34d of the lower frame 341 is joined to the second support surface 33b and the fourth support surface 33d of the vertical support pipe 331, and the left and right inward upright surface 341b and upper surface 341c are joined to the second support surface 33b. The left and right outward upright surface 341a and upper surface 341c are joined to the left and right outward-facing portion of the fourth support surface 33d. In this way, by cutting out the front and rear ends of the lower frame 341 in a roughly L-shape, the area that can be welded to the vertical support pipe 331 can be increased, thereby increasing the joint strength between the vertical support pipe 331 and the lower frame 341.

[0057] As shown in Figures 9 and 12, the lower part of the leg support cover 39 covers the front and rear ends of the upright surface portion 341b and the upper surface portion 341c on the left-right inner side of the lower lower frame 341. A lower notch 394 is formed at the lower part of the fourth support cover surface portion 39d on the left-right inner side of the leg support cover 39 so as not to interfere with the lower lower frame 341. An upper notch 395 is formed at the upper part of the leg support cover 39 for drawing the wiring cable 100 into the leg support cover 39. The upper notch 395 opens at the front-rear inner portion of the upper end of the second support cover surface portion 39b and at the upper end of the fourth support cover surface portion 39d on the left-right inner side.

[0058] As shown in Figure 12(B), the lower upper frame 342 is made of sheet metal and has an upper surface portion 34c that is positioned on the upper side of the lower lower frame 341 and closes the upward opening of the frame 341. A pair of left and right side portions 34a and 34b extend downward from both left and right edges of the upper surface portion 34c. The left and right outer side portion 34a and the left and right inner side portion 34b are arranged parallel to each other and, when viewed from the front and rear, are inclined inward in the left and right direction with approximately the same degree of inclination as the leg support cover 39.

[0059] The left-right outer side portion 34a faces the upright surface portion 341a of the lower frame 341 and is positioned with a small gap between them. A folded portion 342a, which is bent inward and then folded back upward, is continuous with the lower edge of the side portion 34a. The folded portion 342a is fixed to the lower edge of the upright surface portion 341a. The front and rear edges of the side portion 34a are close to the left-right outer fourth support cover surface portion 39d of the leg support cover 39 attached to the vertical support 33.

[0060] The side portion 34b on the left-right inner side faces the upright surface portion 341b of the lower frame 341 with a gap between them. A folded portion 342b, which is bent inward and then folded back diagonally upward, is continuous with the lower edge of the side portion 34b. The tip of the folded portion 342b is fixed to the lower part of the upright surface portion 341b. The front and rear edges of the side portion 34a are close to the left-right inner edge (towards the second support column cover surface portion 39b) of the fourth support column cover surface portion 39d on the left-right inner side of the leg support column cover 39 attached to the vertical support column 33.

[0061] As shown in Figures 8, 9, and 11(B), the front and rear ends of the lower upper frame 342 are cut diagonally in the front-rear and left-right directions so as to be positioned along the fourth support surface 33d and the fourth support cover surface 39d of the vertical support 33 and the leg support cover 39.

[0062] The lower edge of the reinforcing member 32 is connected to the central front-to-back portion of the intersection (upper corner on the inside in the left-to-right direction) between the side portion 34b and the top portion 34c of the lower horizontal frame 34 (lower upper frame 342). The reinforcing member 32 is made of metal pipe and is arranged to extend diagonally upward from the lower horizontal frame 34 in the left-to-right direction.

[0063] As shown in Figures 9, 10, and 14, the upper horizontal frame 35 connecting the upper ends of the front and rear vertical support columns 33 comprises an upper horizontal pipe 351 made of metal square pipe extending in the front-to-back direction, and a metal frame reinforcement plate 352 with a U-shaped cross-section fixed inside the upper horizontal pipe 351. The upper horizontal pipe 351 has a roughly rectangular cross-section that is horizontally elongated, and comprises an upper surface portion 35c that attaches to the underside of the top plate 2, a pair of left and right side portions 35a and 35b that hang down from the left and right edges of the upper surface portion 35c, and a lower surface portion 35d that connects the lower edges of the side portions 35a and 35b. The frame reinforcement plate 352 is fixed inside the upper horizontal pipe 351 in an upward-opening position.

[0064] As shown in Figure 6, the front and rear ends of the upper horizontal frame 35 are cut diagonally in the front-rear and left-right directions so as to be positioned along the upper part of the fourth support surface 33d of the vertical support column 33, and are firmly fixed to the upper part of the fourth support surface 33d by welding.

[0065] The upper horizontal frame 35 is provided with a reinforcing frame 36 extending from the upper horizontal frame 35 toward the center of the top plate 2 in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) at the center of the longitudinal direction (front-back direction). The reinforcing frame 36 is made of metal and has a bottom surface 36a that extends substantially horizontally toward the left-right direction from near the intersection of the left-right inner side surface 35b and the bottom surface 35d of the upper horizontal frame 35 (the lower corner on the left-right side).

[0066] A pair of front and rear side walls 36b rise from the front and rear edges of the bottom surface 36a, and a pair of front and rear mounting surfaces 36c extend substantially horizontally outward in the front-to-back direction from the upper end of each side wall 36b. The mounting surfaces 36c are the parts that attach to the underside of the top plate 2, and the upper surface of the mounting surfaces 36c and the upper surface of the upper surface 35c of the upper horizontal frame 35 are on the same plane. The outer corners in the front-to-back direction of the inner ends in the left-to-right direction of each mounting surface 36c (the ends opposite to the upper horizontal frame 35) are cut out at an angle in plan view. Multiple openings 36f are formed in the mounting surfaces 36c, spaced apart in the left-to-right direction.

[0067] A tongue portion 36d extends downward from the end of the bottom portion 36a on the side of the upper horizontal frame 35 toward the upper horizontal frame 35. The base end (bottom portion 36a side) of the tongue portion 36d has a crank shape, which is bent upward and then further bent in a substantially horizontal direction. The horizontally extending portion of the tongue portion 36d is fixed to the lower surface portion 35d of the upper horizontal frame 35. The ends of the side wall portion 36b and the mounting surface portion 36c on the side of the upper horizontal frame 35 are fixed to the side surface portion 35b on the left-right inner side of the upper horizontal frame 35.

[0068] As shown in Figure 6, etc., the bottom surface 36a has an opening 36g through which a wiring cable 101, which is pulled out from the outlet unit 4 on the top plate 2 to the bottom of the top plate 2, can be inserted and which penetrates in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, two rectangular elongated openings 36g are provided spaced apart in the left-right direction, through which a plug 102 connected to the end of the wiring cable 101 can be inserted.

[0069] While a detailed explanation is omitted here, the left and right outlets 43 of each outlet unit 4 (see Figures 1 to 5) are electrically connected within the bar member 41. The wiring cables 100 of the left and right outlet units 4 are then pulled out to the underside of the top plate 2 via the support members 42 located above the leg bodies 3 and routed into the leg covers 6. The wiring cable 100 of the central outlet unit 4 is pulled out to the underside of the top plate 2 via one of the support members 42 and routed through the wiring groove provided on the underside of the top plate 2 into the leg cover 6 of either the left or right leg body 3.

[0070] A pair of front and rear upper reinforcing plates 37 are provided to connect the midpoint of each mounting surface 36c in the left-right direction to the front-rear edge of the upper horizontal frame 35. The upper reinforcing plates 37 are made of metal, with one end fixed to the midpoint of the front-rear outer edge of the mounting surface 36c in the left-right direction, and the other end fixed to a portion near the upper edge of the side portion 35b of the upper horizontal frame 35. The thickness of the upper reinforcing plates 37 is approximately the same as that of the mounting surface 36c. The upper surface of the upper reinforcing plates 37 is on the same plane as the upper surface of the mounting surface 36c and the upper surface of the upper horizontal frame 35c.

[0071] As shown in Figures 7 and 10, the upper end of the reinforcing member 32 is connected to the bottom of the reinforcing frame 36. The reinforcing member 32 is arranged in an inclined position where the inner side in the left-right direction is higher and the inner and outer sides in the left-right direction are lower when viewed from the front, and is interposed between the reinforcing frame 36 and the lower part of the leg body 3 (lower horizontal frame 34). The upper end of the reinforcing member 32 is fixed to the lower surface of the bottom surface portion 36a of the reinforcing frame 36, specifically to the central part in the front-rear direction of the middle section in the left-right direction of the bottom surface portion 36a.

[0072] As shown in Figures 6 and 15, the upper horizontal frame 35 has numerous screw insertion holes 35e that penetrate vertically. The mounting surface 36c of the reinforcing frame 36 also has screw insertion holes 36e that penetrate vertically. On the underside of the top plate 2, screw holes for embedded nut members 7 are exposed at positions corresponding to the screw insertion holes 35e, 36e.

[0073] The legs 3 are connected to the underside of the tabletop 2 by screwing the leg fixing screws 8 into the embedded nut members 7 of the tabletop 2 via the screw insertion holes 35e, 36e, while the legs 3 are in contact with the underside of the tabletop 2 and the upper surface 35c of the upper horizontal frame 35 and the mounting surface 36c of the reinforcing frame 36. Note that the leg fixing screws 8 are not shown in Figure 13(B). The leg 3 can be attached to the tabletop 2 by, for example, placing the leg 3 on the underside of the tabletop 2, which has been placed upside down, with the upper horizontal frame 35 and reinforcing frame 36 facing downwards.

[0074] Next, the leg cover 6 will be described. As shown in Figures 4 and 6-10, the leg cover 6 has a box-shaped form that is roughly trapezoidal in plan view and has an open top surface, and is attached to the underside of the tabletop 2 so as to cover the upper horizontal frame 35 and reinforcing frame 36 of the leg body 3. The leg cover 6 is made of ferromagnetic sheet metal and has a first leg cover 61 that covers the tip side portion (inner portion in the left-right direction) of the reinforcing frame 36, a second leg cover 62 that covers the base end portion of the reinforcing frame 36 and the upper reinforcing plate 37, and a third leg cover 63 that covers the upper horizontal frame 35. The first, second, and third leg covers 61, 62, and 63 are attached to the underside of the tabletop 2 adjacent to each other in that order from the inside in the left-right direction.

[0075] As can be seen from Figure 6, the first and second leg covers 61 and 62, when adjacent to each other, have a roughly isosceles trapezoidal shape in plan view, with a pair of bases aligned in the front-to-back direction. In this roughly isosceles trapezoid, the base on the outer side in the left-to-right direction (towards the base end of the reinforcing frame 36) is longer than the base on the inner side in the left-to-right direction (towards the tip of the reinforcing frame 36). The planar shapes of the first and second leg covers 61 and 62 (i.e., roughly isosceles trapezoids) are obtained by dividing this isosceles trapezoid roughly along the front-to-back direction. The base on the outer side in the left-to-right direction of the first leg cover 61 (towards the second leg cover 62) and the base on the inner side in the left-to-right direction of the second leg cover 62 (towards the first leg cover 61) are close together.

[0076] As shown in Figures 6 to 10, Figure 13, etc., the first leg cover 61 has a first bottom portion 61a made of ferromagnetic sheet metal, which is disposed below the tip portion of the reinforcing frame 36 at a distance from the bottom portion 36a. The planar shape of the first bottom portion 61a is approximately isosceles trapezoidal. A notched opening 61h for passing the reinforcing member 32 is formed on the side of the first bottom portion 61a that faces the second leg cover 62. A first upright portion 61b rises from the left-right inner bottom edge and the front-rear leg edges of the first bottom portion 61a, surrounding it on three sides, and a first mounting surface portion 61c extends outward from the tip of the first upright portion 61b. A first outer peripheral wall portion 61d hangs down from the outer peripheral end of the first mounting surface portion 61c, and a first folded portion 61f with an approximately L-shaped cross-section is continuous from the lower end of the first outer peripheral wall portion 61d, folded inward.

[0077] On the other hand, the second leg cover 62 has a second bottom portion 62a made of ferromagnetic sheet metal, which is disposed below the central and base end portions of the reinforcing frame 36, at a distance from the bottom surface portion 36a. The second bottom portion 62a has a roughly isosceles trapezoidal planar shape and is disposed in the same plane as the first bottom portion 61a. A longitudinal cutout opening 62h in the left-right direction is formed on the side of the second bottom portion 62a that faces the first leg cover 61 for passing the reinforcing member 32 through. A pair of front and rear second upright portions 62b rise from the front and rear leg edges of the second bottom portion 62a, and a second mounting surface portion 62c extends outward in the front-rear direction from the tip of the second upright portion 62b. A second outer peripheral wall portion 62d hangs down from the outer peripheral end of the second mounting surface portion 62c, and a second folded portion 62f with a roughly L-shaped cross section is continuous from the lower end of the second outer peripheral wall portion 62d, folded inward.

[0078] In the first and second leg covers 61 and 62, multiple screw insertion holes 61e and 62e are formed in the mounting surfaces 61c and 62c, penetrating in the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 15, leg cover nut members 9 are embedded on the underside of the top plate 2 at positions corresponding to the screw insertion holes 61e and 62e.

[0079] A gap 61g, 62g is provided between the upright sections 61b, 62b and the outer peripheral wall sections 61d, 62d. Leg cover fixing screws 64 for attaching the leg covers 61, 62 to the underside of the tabletop 2 are inserted through screw insertion holes 61e, 62e from the gap 61g, 62g side, and the leg cover fixing screws 64 can be tightened and loosened by inserting a tool into the gap 61g, 62g. The leg cover fixing screws 64 screwed into the underside of the tabletop 2 are hidden by the outer peripheral wall sections 61d, 62d when viewed from around the table 1 and are not exposed, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing mounting structure for the leg covers 6.

[0080] The left-right outer edges of the second leg cover 62 are positioned close to the top of the leg body 31. The ends of the second outer peripheral wall 62d and the second folded portion 62f on the leg body 31 side are positioned close to the top of the second support column cover surface 39b of the leg support column cover 39. More specifically, the end of the second outer peripheral wall 62d is positioned along the front-rear outer edge of the top of the second support column cover surface 39b. As a result, the upper cutout 395 for routing the wiring cable 100, which is provided on the top of the second support column cover surface 39b, is not exposed to the surroundings, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing configuration.

[0081] As shown in Figures 7, 10, 13, and 15, a locking mechanism 38 is attached to the underside of the bottom surface 36a of the reinforcing frame 36 to temporarily fasten the first and second leg covers 61 and 62 of the leg cover 6 by magnetic force. The locking mechanism 38 has a permanent magnet and magnetically attaches to the first and second bottoms 61a and 62a, which are made of ferromagnetic material. In this embodiment, four locking mechanisms 38 are provided, spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the reinforcing frame 36. Of these locking mechanisms 38, the one located at the tip of the reinforcing frame 36 magnetically attaches to the first bottom 61a of the first leg cover 61. The second locking mechanism 38 from the tip of the reinforcing frame 36 is located at the boundary between the first and second leg covers 61 and 62 and magnetically attaches to the first and second bottoms 61a and 62a. The remaining two locking mechanisms 38 are located near the base end of the reinforcing frame 36 and magnetically attach to the second bottom portion 62a of the second leg cover 62. Alternatively, the leg cover 6 may be made of a material that does not easily adhere to magnets, such as resin, and a ferromagnetic material may be placed in the location corresponding to the locking mechanism 38 to allow for temporary fastening of the leg cover 6.

[0082] The locking mechanism 38 allows the first and second leg covers 61 and 62 to be temporarily secured to the underside of the tabletop 2 by magnetic force when attaching them to the underside of the tabletop 2. This makes it easier to tighten and loosen the leg cover fixing screws 64 when attaching and detaching the leg covers 61 and 62 to the underside of the tabletop 2.

[0083] Furthermore, the locking mechanism 38 has a height dimension greater than the thickness of the wiring cable 100 and the wiring cable 101, which will be described later. By interposing the locking mechanism 38 between the bottom surface 36a of the reinforcing frame 36 and the bottom surfaces 61a and 62a of the first and second leg covers 61 and 62, the wiring cables 100 and 101 can be positioned between the bottom surface 36a and the bottom surfaces 61a and 62a. This reduces the obstruction to the magnetic attachment of the first and second leg covers 61 and 62 to the locking mechanism 38, even if the wiring cables 100 and 101 placed on the leg covers 61 and 62 overlap with the bottom surface 36a of the reinforcing frame 36 in a plan view. In other words, it is no longer necessary to precisely route the wiring cables 100 and 101 on the leg covers 61 and 62, improving work efficiency.

[0084] As shown in Figures 4, 8 to 10, the third leg cover 63 of the leg cover 6 is provided to cover the upper horizontal frame 35 between the front and rear vertical supports 33 of the leg body 3. More specifically, the third leg cover 63 covers the left and right outer side portions 35a and the bottom portion 35d of the upper horizontal frame 35, the upper part of the front and rear inner side portion (fourth support surface portion 33d) of the vertical support 33, and the upper part of the front and rear inner side portion (fourth support cover surface portion 39d) of the leg support cover 39.

[0085] The third leg cover 63 has a third bottom portion 63a that is positioned below the upper horizontal frame 35 and spaced apart from the bottom portion 35d. The front and rear ends of the third bottom portion 63a are close to the front and rear inner surfaces (fourth support surface 33d and fourth support cover surface 39d) of the vertical support 33 and the leg support cover 39. The third bottom portion 63a is positioned on the same plane as the second bottom portion 62a of the second leg cover 62 and is located below the support cover fixing screws 336 and the upper notch 395 of the leg support cover 39. The left-right width of the third bottom portion 63a is approximately the same as the left-right width of the leg support cover 39, and the third bottom portion 63a is positioned so as to almost overlap with the leg support cover 39 when viewed from the front and rear.

[0086] The third outer wall surface 63b rises diagonally outward from the left-right outer edge of the third bottom portion 63a and faces the side portion 35a of the upper horizontal frame 35. When viewed from the front-rear direction, the third outer wall surface 63b is inclined at approximately the same angle as the inclination of the vertical support column 33 and the leg support column cover 39. Both the front and rear ends of the third outer wall surface 63b are close to the left-right outer fourth support column cover surface 39d of the leg support column cover 39. The third folded portion 63f extends inward (towards the upper horizontal frame 35) from the tip of the third outer wall surface 63b in a nearly horizontal position.

[0087] As shown in Figures 6 and 14, a pair of front and rear third locking claws 63g extend inward in the left-right direction from the tip (inward edge in the left-right direction) of the third folded portion 63f. Each third locking claw 63g has a crank shape that extends slightly inward in the left-right direction from the third folded portion 63f, then bends upward and further extends inward in the left-right direction, with its tip side hooking onto the upper surface 35c of the upper horizontal frame 35. As shown in Figure 14, a recess 200 is formed on the lower surface of the top plate 2 at a position corresponding to the third locking claw 63g, allowing the third locking claw 63g to be inserted between the lower surface of the top plate 2 and the reinforcing frame 36 from the outside in the left-right direction.

[0088] As shown in Figures 6, 9, and 14, a pair of front and rear third upright portions 63d rise from the left-right inner edges of the third bottom portion 63a, and a third mounting surface portion 63c extends substantially horizontally inward from the tips of the third upright portions 63d in the left-right direction. A screw insertion hole 63e is formed in the third mounting surface portion 63c that penetrates vertically. The third mounting surface portion 63c is positioned so as not to interfere with the reinforcing frame 36 and the upper reinforcing plate 37. On the underside of the top plate 2, screw holes for the leg cover nut members 9 are exposed at positions corresponding to the screw insertion holes 63e.

[0089] Next, we will explain the procedure for attaching the leg covers 6 to the tabletop 2, which already has the legs 3 attached. The leg covers 6 are attached to the tabletop 2 after the leg support covers 39 are attached to the vertical supports 33 of the legs 3.

[0090] First, the third leg cover 63 is attached to the underside of the tabletop 2. The front and rear pair of third locking claws 63g of the third leg cover 63 are inserted between the front and rear pair of recesses 200 of the tabletop 2 and the upper horizontal frame 35, and the third locking claws 63g are locked to the upper surface 35c of the upper horizontal frame 35. By inserting the front and rear third locking claws 63g into the front and rear recesses 200, the third leg cover 63 can be roughly aligned to the mounting position on the underside of the tabletop 2. The leg cover fixing screws 64 are screwed into the leg cover nut members 9 embedded in the underside of the tabletop 2 corresponding to the screw insertion holes 63e, through the screw insertion holes 63e, and the third mounting surface 63c is fixed to the underside of the tabletop 2.

[0091] Next, the first and second leg covers 61 and 62 are attached to the underside of the tabletop 2. With the mounting surfaces 61c and 62c of the leg covers 61 and 62 facing upwards, the bottoms 61a and 62a are brought close to the bottom surface 36a of the reinforcing frame 36, and the ferromagnetic leg covers 61 and 62 are temporarily held in place by magnetic attachment using permanent magnets provided on the locking mechanism 38 fixed to the bottom surface 36a. The screw insertion holes 61e and 62e are aligned with the leg cover nut members 9 embedded in the underside of the tabletop 2. At this time, since the leg covers 61 and 62 are magnetically attached to the locking mechanism 38, they can be easily slid, making it easy to align the screw insertion holes 61e and 62e. The leg cover fixing screws 64 are screwed into the leg cover nut members 9 through the screw insertion holes 61e and 62e, fixing the mounting surfaces 61c and 62c to the underside of the tabletop 2. This completes the installation of leg cover 6. The installation order of leg covers 61 and 62 is not particularly important.

[0092] When the first, second, and third leg covers 61, 62, and 63 are attached to the underside of the tabletop 2, the upper horizontal frame 35, reinforcing frame 36, and upper reinforcing plate 37 are covered by the leg covers 6, improving the appearance of the table 1. In addition, the leg fixing screws 8 for securing the leg body 31 to the underside of the tabletop 2, the support cover fixing screws 336 for securing the leg support cover 39 to the vertical support 33, and the upper notch 395 for routing the wiring cable 100 into the leg support cover 39 are also covered by the leg covers 6, resulting in a neat and very aesthetically pleasing appearance around the leg body 3.

[0093] Furthermore, the leg cover fixing screws 64 that secure the third leg cover 63 to the underside of the tabletop 2 are covered by the leg cover 6. Also, the leg cover fixing screws 64 that secure the first and second leg covers 61 and 62 to the underside of the tabletop 2 are hidden by the outer peripheral walls 61d and 62d and cannot be seen unless you look closely from below. As a result, it is possible to construct a leg body 3 that looks good with no mounting screws exposed at all.

[0094] As shown in Figures 6, 14, and 15, the table 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the leg cover 6 can be used as a wiring receiver, and the outlet 103 can be placed on the first and second leg covers 61 and 62. The wiring cable 100 extending from the outlet 103 is pulled into the wiring space 201 inside the support column via the upper notch 395 (see also Figure 9) provided on the upper part of the leg support column cover 39, and is pulled out onto the floor from the lower part of the leg support column cover 39. The plug 102 of the wiring cable 101, which is pulled out from the outlet unit 4 on the upper surface of the tabletop 2 to the tabletop 2 and then pulled into the leg cover 6, is plugged into the outlet 103. This allows power to be supplied to the outlet unit 4 without exposing the wiring cables 100 and 101, the plug 102, or the outlet 103.

[0095] [Tabletop composition] Next, the structure of the top panel 2 will be described. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the top panel 2 has two central top panel members 2A connected front to back, and edge top panel members 2B connected to the left and right edges of each central top panel member 2A, and is composed of a total of six top panel members connected together.

[0096] As shown in Figures 20, the bottom view of Figure 21, and the separated perspective view of Figure 22, the top plate members 2A and 2B comprise a top plate frame 14 in which four metal top plate frame members 11, 12, 13, 13 are arranged in a frame shape, a top plate core material 19 having a honeycomb-shaped core material 16 disposed within the frame of the top plate frame 14, and a pair of upper and lower metal plates 17, 18 bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the top plate frame 14 and the upper and lower surfaces of the core material 16, and decorative panels 21, 22 bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the top plate core material 19. The top plate members 2A and 2B are lightweight top plates with internal cavities.

[0097] As shown in the vertical cross-sectional views of Figures 24 and 26, multiple grooves 23 extending in the longitudinal direction of each of the top and bottom surfaces of the top frame members 11, 12, and 13 that constitute the top and bottom surfaces of the top frame body 14 are formed. In addition, deep slits 24 are formed on the top and bottom surfaces of each of the top frame members 11, 12, and 13, and are formed deeper than the grooves 23 on the outer periphery side of the top plate.

[0098] Wooden members 25, 26, and 27 are provided within the frame of the tabletop frame 14 of the tabletop members 2A and 2B, into which screw-in or drive-in embedded nut members 7, such as threaded inserts, can be embedded. The wooden members 25, 26, and 27 are made of a wood material such as medium-density fiberboard (MDF). On the tabletop member 2B to which the leg body 3 is attached, embedded nut members 7 with screw holes exposed on its underside (underside of the tabletop) are embedded in the wooden members 25 and 26. In this embodiment, the wooden members 25, 26, and 27 embedded in the tabletop member 2B constitute the nut holding member.

[0099] The top plate 2 has a configuration that allows a pair of top plate members 2A and 2A or 2B and 2B to be connected by butting them together. Furthermore, the top plate members 2A and 2B can be connected by butting their respective top plate frame members 13 together.

[0100] As shown in Figures 23 to 26, at least one of the four top plate frame members (top plate frame members 12 and 13 in this embodiment) is provided with bolt insertion holes 12c and 13c that penetrate between the outer wall surfaces 12a and 13a of the frame member and the inner wall surfaces 12b and 13b of the frame member. A connecting bolt member 81, which has threaded portions 81a at both ends, is configured so that one end can be inserted into the bolt insertion holes 12c and 13c from the outer wall surface 12a and 13a side of the frame member.

[0101] The lower metal plate 18 and decorative plate 22 are provided with nut insertion holes 28 that are opened to correspond to the opening positions of the bolt insertion holes 12c and 13c in the inner wall surfaces 12b and 13b of the frame material. The connecting nut member 82, which is screwed onto the threaded portion 81a of the connecting bolt member 81 that protrudes into the frame of the top plate frame 14, is configured to be insertable into the frame of the top plate frame through the nut insertion hole 28.

[0102] Between the upper and lower metal plates 17 and 18, a peripheral wall forming member is interposed to surround the portion where the threaded portion 81a of the connecting bolt member 81, which is inserted into the nut insertion hole 28, protrudes within the frame of the top plate frame 14. In this embodiment, the peripheral wall forming member consists of wooden members 25 and 26, each having a notched recess 29 that surrounds the portion where the threaded portion 81a of the connecting bolt member 81 protrudes.

[0103] In this embodiment, the tabletop members 2A and 2B are formed by bonding a pair of upper and lower metal plates 17 and 18 to the upper and lower surfaces of the tabletop frame materials 11, 12, and 13 and the upper and lower surfaces of the core material 16 to form the tabletop core material 19. This ensures a large bonding area, which distributes the force applied to the tabletop members 2A and 2B, resulting in tabletop members 2A and 2B that are lightweight yet highly rigid. Furthermore, since a pair of upper and lower decorative plates 21 and 22 are bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the tabletop core material 19, the aesthetic appearance of the tabletop surface can be ensured, and the rigidity of the tabletop members 2A and 2B can be further improved. It is also possible to use a tabletop having the same configuration as tabletop members 2A and 2B as a standalone lightweight tabletop.

[0104] Furthermore, by providing multiple grooves 23 on the upper and lower surfaces of the top plate frame materials 11, 12, 13, the bonding area between the top plate frame materials 11, 12, 13 and the metal plates 17, 18 can be increased, improving the bonding strength and thus the rigidity of the top plate members 2A and 2B. In addition, by providing deep slits 24 on the outer periphery side of the top plate beyond the grooves 23, excess adhesive can be contained in the deep slits 24 when bonding the top plate frame materials 11, 12, 13 and the metal plates 17, 18, thus preventing adhesive from overflowing, and the deep slits 24 also contribute to increasing the bonding area between the top plate frame materials 11, 12, 13 and the metal plates 17, 18.

[0105] Since the tabletop members 2A and 2B have embedded nut-holding members (wooden members 25 and 26) into which embedded nut members 7 for connecting the legs 3 of the table 1 can be embedded, the nut members can be embedded in the tabletop members 2A and 2B more easily and at lower cost compared to a configuration in which the nut members are fixed to the metal tabletop frame members 11, 12, and 13 by welding or the like.

[0106] Furthermore, when connecting a pair of top plate members 2A, 2B, 2A, 2A, or 2B, 2B, first, the connecting bolt members 81 are inserted into the bolt insertion holes 12c or 13c of each top plate frame member 12 or 13, while the outer wall surfaces 12a or 13a of the frame members are brought together. Then, the connecting nut members 82, which have been inserted into the inside of the top plate member 2A or 2B through the nut insertion holes 28, are screwed into the threaded portion 81a of the connecting bolt members 81 that protrude into the frame of each top plate frame 14, thereby connecting the top plate frame 14 of the pair of top plate members (lightweight top plates). By tightening the connecting nut members 82 appropriately, the pair of top plate members 2A, 2B, 2A, 2A, or 2B, 2B can be firmly connected.

[0107] In this embodiment, a large tabletop 2 that can be assembled at the installation site of the table 1 can be formed by connecting multiple tabletop members 2A and 2B. This makes it possible to form a tabletop 2 of a size that would be difficult to manufacture and transport as a single piece, and also makes transportation easier. Furthermore, since each tabletop member 2A and 2B (each lightweight tabletop) is lightweight and highly rigid, a large tabletop 2 that is lightweight and highly rigid can be formed by firmly connecting these tabletop members 2A and 2B. In addition, since the nut insertion holes 28 are not exposed on the upper surface side of the tabletop 2 (tabletop members 2A and 2B), an aesthetically pleasing connected lightweight tabletop can be formed.

[0108] Furthermore, by providing wooden members 25, 26 (an example of a peripheral wall forming member) having a notched recess 29 surrounding the portion where the threaded portion 81a of the connecting bolt member 81 protrudes, it is possible to prevent the connecting bolt member 81 from slipping out into the frame of the top plate frame 14 after the pair of top plate members 2A, 2B, etc. are butted together, and before screwing the nut members 82 onto both ends of the connecting bolt member 81, or to prevent the connecting nut member 82 inserted into the inside of the top plate member 2A or 2B through the nut insertion hole 28 from rolling to a place that is out of reach of the worker's fingers, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0109] As shown in Figures 23, 25, etc., at least one of the four top plate frame members 11, 12, 13, 13 (three top plate frame members 12, 13, 13 in this embodiment) is provided with outer wall grooves 12g, 13g into which a connecting position adjustment member 89 can be inserted. When connecting a pair of top plate members 2A, 2B, 2A, 2A to each other, or 2B, 2B to each other, the outer wall surfaces 12a, 12a or 13a, 13a of the frame members having outer wall grooves 12g or 13g are butted together, and the connecting position adjustment member 89 is configured to be press-fitted across the opposing outer wall grooves 12g, 12g or 13g, 13g.

[0110] As a result, when a pair of top plate members 2A, 2B, etc. are brought together, the connecting position adjustment member 89 generates friction between the top plate members 2A, 2B, etc., contributing to the precise alignment of both top plate members 2A, 2B, etc. This improves the ease and efficiency of the alignment work of both top plate members 2A, 2B, etc.

[0111] As shown in Figures 24 and 25, at least one of the four top plate frame members 11, 12, 13, and 13 (four in this embodiment) is made of extruded aluminum. The top plate frame members 11 and 12 are provided with connecting pin holding portions 30 that extend in their longitudinal direction and open at their end faces. The connecting pin holding portion 30 opens at the end portion in the longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction in this embodiment) of at least one end face portion (left-to-right end face portion in this embodiment) of the top plate frame body 14. As shown in Figure 25, when connecting the pair of top plate members 2A and 2B, the end faces with openings for the connecting pin holding portions 30 are abutted together, and the connecting pin 88 is configured to be inserted across the opposing connecting pin holding portions 30.

[0112] As a result, when the top plate members 2A and 2B are connected, the connecting pin 88 can be positioned across the top plate members 2A and 2B near the longitudinal end of the joint, thereby improving the connection strength between the top plate members 2A and 2B.

[0113] As shown in Figures 22, 24(B), etc., in the top plate members 2A, 2B, at least one of the four top plate frame members 11, 12, 13, 13 (the outer top plate frame member 11 in this embodiment) may have a protruding ridge 11g extending in the longitudinal direction on the outer wall surface 11a of the frame member, and an edge member 86 having a recessed groove 86a into which the protruding ridge 11g fits may be attached to the outer wall surface 11a of the frame member.

[0114] As a result, the edge member 86 is supported by the protruding portion 11g of the top plate frame material 11, which is fitted into the recessed groove 86a, against vertical loads. This prevents the edge member 86 from falling off, peeling, or being damaged, while also increasing the widthwise thickness of the edge member 86 (the thickness in the direction protruding from the outer wall surface portion 11a of the frame material). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the edge member 86 is adhesively fixed to the outer wall surface portion 11a of the frame material, which increases the bonding area between the edge member 86 and the top plate frame material 11, thereby improving the adhesive strength.

[0115] [Detailed configuration of each part of the tabletop component] Next, we will describe the details of each part of the top plate member 2B. The basic structure of the top plate member 2A is almost the same as that of the top plate member 2B, except that the intermediate wooden member 27 is not installed inside, so we will mainly describe the configuration of the top plate member 2B.

[0116] As shown in Figures 20 to 22, the edge top plate member 2B has a top plate frame body 14 formed by a pair of front and rear outer top plate frame members 11 and an inner top plate frame member 12 arranged in a frame shape, and a pair of left and right horizontal top plate frame members 13. Each top plate frame member 11, 12, and 13 is made of metal, and in this embodiment, it is formed of an aluminum extruded material with a horizontally elongated and substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0117] The outer top panel frame member 11 is positioned extending left to right along the front-to-back edge of the top panel 2. The inner top panel frame member 12 extends left to right and is positioned parallel to the outer top panel frame member 11, closer to the center of the top panel 2 in the front-to-back direction. The left and right horizontal top panel frame members 13 extend in the front-to-back direction, and both front and rear ends are in contact with or adjacent to the left-to-right edge portions of the inner wall surface portion 11b or 12b of the top panel frame member 11 or 12.

[0118] Within the frame of the top plate frame 14, an inner wooden member 25 extends in the front-rear direction along the inner wall surface 12b of the inner top plate frame material 12. Furthermore, a pair of left and right horizontal wooden members 26 and an intermediate wooden member 27 extend parallel to each other in the front-rear direction between the inner wooden member 25 and the horizontal top plate frame material 13. In this embodiment, the wooden members 25, 26, and 27 are formed from MDF with a substantially rectangular cross-section. Note that the material of the wooden members 25, 26, and 27 is not limited to MDF; any material that allows for the embedding of screw-in or drive-in type embedded nuts 7 is acceptable.

[0119] The left and right ends of the inner wooden member 25 are in contact with or close to the inner wall surface 13b of the horizontal top panel frame member 13. The front and rear ends of the horizontal wooden member 26 are in contact with or close to the left and right end portions of the inner wooden member 25 or the left and right end portions of the inner wall surface 11b of the outer top panel frame member 11. The front and rear ends of the intermediate wooden member 27 are in contact with or close to the left and right mid-section portions of the inner wooden member 25 or the left and right mid-section portions of the inner wall surface 11b of the frame member.

[0120] A honeycomb-shaped core material 16, having numerous openings that penetrate vertically, is arranged in the space enclosed by the wooden members 25, 26, 27 and the outer top frame material 11. The core material 16 is, for example, a paper honeycomb, but it may also be a metal honeycomb such as an aluminum honeycomb. The top frame materials 11, 12, 13, the wooden members 25, 26, 27 and the core material 16 have approximately the same thickness.

[0121] A pair of upper and lower metal plates 17 and 18 are joined with adhesive 85 to the upper and lower surfaces of the frame members 11, 12, and 13 that constitute the upper and lower surfaces of the top plate frame 14, and to the upper and lower surfaces of the core material 16, thereby forming the top plate core material 19. The upper metal plate 17 and the lower metal plate 18 are made of, for example, aluminum plates. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, adhesive 85 is also interposed between the upper and lower surfaces of the wooden members 25, 26, and 27 and the metal plates 17 and 18.

[0122] As shown in Figures 24 and 26, multiple grooves 23 extending in the longitudinal direction of each top plate frame material 11, 12, 13 are formed on the upper surfaces 11d, 12d, 13d and lower surfaces 11e, 12e, 13e of the top plate frame materials 11, 12, 13, respectively. Adhesive 85 accumulates in the grooves 23, increasing the adhesive strength between the top plate frame materials 11, 12, 13 and the metal plates 17, 18. Multiple inner wall grooves 23b extending in the longitudinal direction are formed on the inner wall surfaces 11b, 12b, 13b of the top plate frame materials 11, 12, 13, and adhesive may be interposed between the inner wall surfaces 11b, 12b, 13b and the wood members 25, 26, 27, thereby improving the adhesive strength by the adhesive accumulated in the inner wall grooves 23b.

[0123] As shown in Figure 24, deep slits 24 are formed in the upper surfaces 11d, 12d and lower surfaces 11e, 12e of the outer top plate frame material 11 and the inner top plate frame material 12, respectively, and are deeper than the groove 23 on the outer periphery side (outer side in the front-rear direction) of the top plate members 2A, 2B. On the upper surfaces 11d, 12d and lower surfaces 11e, 12e of the frame material, rib portions 11f, 12f are provided projecting outwards in the vertical direction from the outer periphery side (outer side in the front-rear direction) of the top plate members 2A, 2B, along the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the top plate frame material 11, 12. The projection height of the rib portions 11f, 12f is approximately the same as the thickness of the metal plates 17, 18. The rib portions 11f, 12f are positioned outwards in the front-rear direction from the deep slits 24.

[0124] As shown in Figure 26, deep slits 24a are formed in the upper surface 13d and lower surface 13e of the horizontal top plate frame material 13, closer to the front and rear edges (closer to the wall surfaces 13a and 13b) than the groove 23, and are formed to be deeper than the groove 23.

[0125] When bonding the top plate frame materials 11, 12, 13 to the metal plates 17, 18, excess adhesive 85 can be contained in the deep slits 24, 24a, thus preventing the adhesive 85 from overflowing. Furthermore, the deep slits 24, 24a contribute to increasing the bonding area between the top plate frame materials 11, 12, 13 and the metal plates 17, 18 (i.e., improving the bonding strength).

[0126] A pair of upper and lower decorative panels, an upper decorative panel 21 and a lower decorative panel 22, are bonded (not shown) to the upper and lower surfaces of the top plate core material 19 (the upper surface of the upper metal plate 17 and the lower surface of the lower metal plate 18) with adhesive. In this embodiment, the decorative panels 21 and 22 have first decorative panels 21a, 22a and second decorative panels 21b, 22b, which are laminated in order from the metal plate 17 and 18 side. For example, the first decorative panels 21a, 22a are made of MDF, and the second decorative panels 21b, 22b that form the upper and lower surfaces of the top plate members 2A and 2B are made of veneer of natural wood such as chestnut, which has a wood grain. The adhesive strength is increased by interposing the first decorative panels 21a, 22a made of MDF between the upper metal plate 17 and the lower metal plate 18 made of aluminum and the second decorative panels 21b, 22b made of natural wood veneer.

[0127] As shown in Figures 22 to 24, a protruding ridge 11g extending in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) is provided in the front-rear direction at the vertical center of the outer wall surface 11a of the outer top panel frame material 11. An edge member 86 extending in the left-right direction is bonded to the end faces of the outer wall surface 11a of the frame material and the decorative panels 21 and 22 with adhesive. The edge member 86 is formed from wood cut from the surface of a natural log, has a roughly trapezoidal cross-section, and has a recessed groove 86a in which the protruding ridge 11g fits into the surface that is bonded to the outer wall surface 11a of the frame material. For aesthetic reasons, the material of the edge member 86 is preferably the same type of natural wood as the second decorative panels 21b and 22b. Numerous longitudinally extending grooves 23a are formed on the outer wall surface 11a and the protruding portion 11g of the frame material. The adhesive accumulates in the grooves 23a, thereby increasing the adhesive strength between the outer top plate frame material 11 and the edge member 86.

[0128] As can be seen from Figures 1, 2, 5, and 21, the outer edges in the front-to-back direction of the edge members 86 extending in the left-to-right direction are wavy in the front-to-back direction. For example, if the edge member 86 is lumber cut from the surface of a log, its wavyness is irregular, and the width dimension at the longitudinal end of the edge member 86 will vary depending on the material. Therefore, in this embodiment, the edge members 86 that are adjacent in the left-to-right direction at the front and rear edges of the top plate 2 in a plan view are processed so that their surfaces are continuous (flush) at the joint. Note that in Figures 1, 5, and others, each edge member 86 is shown with the same shape for convenience.

[0129] As shown in Figures 22, 23, and 34, end face members 87 are attached to the left and right outer end faces of the edge top plate member 2B. The end face members 87 are formed from, for example, end grain decorative boards with annual rings taken from logs, and are bonded with adhesive to the outer wall surface portion 13a of the frame material of the horizontal top plate frame material 13 and the left and right outer end faces of the top plate frame materials 11 and 12. For aesthetic reasons, it is preferable that the material of the end face members 87 be the same type of natural wood as the second decorative boards 21b, 22b and the edge members 86.

[0130] As shown in Figure 34, the second decorative panels 21b and 22b, which are made of single-ply wood, have rounded chamfered corners 21c and 22c on their left and right outer edges. The second decorative panel corners 21c and 22c protrude outward in the left and right directions from the frame material outer wall surface 13a and the edges of the first decorative panels 21a and 22a. The lower surface of the second decorative panel corner 21c is bonded to the upper end surface of the end face member 87, and the upper surface of the second decorative panel corner 22c is bonded to the lower end surface of the end face member 87. In this way, by rounding the edges of the second decorative panels 21b and 22b and not exposing the end surface of the end face member 87, the joints between the second decorative panels 21b and 22b, which each have a wood grain, and the end face member 87 can be made less noticeable. As a result, it is possible to achieve a design that is close to that of a single solid wood panel, without presenting an appearance that looks like two panels have been joined together when viewed from any direction.

[0131] Furthermore, in order to increase the adhesive strength between the end face member 87 and the horizontal top panel frame member 13, a longitudinal groove may be provided in the outer wall surface portion 13a of the frame member, a wood-based material such as MDF may be fitted into the groove and fixed in place, and one surface of the wood-based material may be made substantially flush with the outer wall surface portion 13a of the frame member, after which the end face member 87 may be adhesively fixed to the wood-based material and the outer wall surface portion 13a of the frame member. Such an adhesive configuration can also be applied to the adhesive configuration between the edge member 86 and the outer top panel frame member 11. It goes without saying that, in addition to natural wood, resin-based decorative panels such as melamine decorative panels can also be used as the edge members 86 and 87 and the decorative panels 21 and 22.

[0132] As shown in Figures 24 and 25, the outer top panel frame material 11 has two internal rib portions 11h that connect the upper surface portion 11d and the lower surface portion 11e of the frame material, and a substantially C-shaped connecting pin holding portion 30 that extends in the longitudinal direction and is provided on the inner wall of the inner wall portion 11b of the frame material and the inner wall of the protruding portion 11g. Note that the cross-sectional shape of the connecting pin holding portion 30 may be other than substantially C-shaped and can be appropriately changed to match the cross-sectional shape of the connecting pin 88 that is inserted into the connecting pin holding portion 30.

[0133] As shown in Figures 23 to 25, etc., an outer wall groove 12g is formed in the longitudinal direction at the upper and lower central portion of the outer wall surface 12a of the inner top plate frame material 12. Inside the inner top plate frame material 12, a single internal rib portion 12h that connects the upper surface portion 12d and the lower surface portion 12e of the frame material, and approximately C-shaped connecting pin holding portions 30 provided on the inner walls of the outer wall surface portion 12a and the inner wall surface portion 12b of the frame material are formed extending in the longitudinal direction.

[0134] As shown in Figures 23, 24(A), etc., the bolt insertion holes 12c that penetrate between the outer wall surface 12a and the inner wall surface 12b of the frame material also penetrate the internal rib portion 12h. Multiple (eight in this embodiment) bolt insertion holes 12c are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the inner top plate frame material 12. A small recessed step extending in the longitudinal direction is formed in the upper and lower center of the outer surface of the outer wall surface 12a of the frame material.

[0135] As shown in Figures 23 and 25, a wiring notch 44 is formed on the edge of the inner top plate frame material 12 where the top plate members 2B, 2B or 2A, 2A are connected, allowing the support member 42 of the outlet unit 4 to be inserted. The wiring notch 44 has a shape that is cut out in a roughly semicircular shape in plan view, extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the top plate members 2A, 2B, and is configured to be roughly circular when the top plate members 2B, 2B or 2A, 2A are butted together.

[0136] As shown in Figure 23, the outer wall surface 12a of the inner top plate frame material 12 is exposed on the inner end surface of the edge top plate member 2B in the front-rear direction (the end surface where the edge top plate members 2B connect to each other), and the bolt insertion holes 12c, the outer wall grooves 12g, and the wiring notches 44 are also exposed. As can be seen from Figure 21, the outer wall surface 12a of the frame material, the bolt insertion holes 12c, the outer wall grooves 12g, and the wiring notches 44 are exposed on the inner end surface of the central top plate member 2A in the front-rear direction.

[0137] As shown in Figures 25 and 26, an outer wall groove 13g is formed in the longitudinal direction at the upper and lower central portion of the outer wall surface 13a of the horizontal top plate frame member 13. Inside the horizontal top plate frame member 13, a single internal rib portion 13h is formed, extending in the longitudinal direction, connecting the upper surface portion 13d and the lower surface portion 13e of the frame member.

[0138] The bolt insertion holes 13c that penetrate between the outer wall surface 13a and the inner wall surface 13b of the horizontal top plate frame member 13 also penetrate the internal rib portion 13h. Multiple (three in this embodiment) bolt insertion holes 13c are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the horizontal top plate frame member 13. A small recessed step extending in the longitudinal direction is formed at the upper and lower center of the outer surface of the outer wall surface 13a of the frame member.

[0139] As shown in Figure 25, the inner end faces of the edge top plate member 2B in the left-right direction (the end faces that connect to the central top plate member 2A) expose the outer wall surface 13a of the horizontal top plate frame member 13 and the inner end faces of the outer top plate frame member 11 and the inner top plate frame member 12 in the left-right direction, and the bolt insertion holes 13c, the outer wall grooves 13g, and the connecting pin holding parts 30 are also exposed. As can be seen from Figure 21, the outer wall surface 13a, the bolt insertion holes 13c, the outer wall grooves 13g, the longitudinal end faces of the top plate frame members 11 and 12, and the connecting pin holding parts 30 are exposed on both the left and right end faces of the central top plate member 2A.

[0140] Next, as shown in Figures 23, 24(A), etc., when connecting the edge top plate members 2B, 2B together, connecting bolt members 81 are inserted into each bolt insertion hole 12c of one of the edge top plate members 2B. The threaded portion 81a of the connecting bolt member 81 passes through the inner top plate frame material 12 and reaches into the notched recess 29 of the inner wooden member 25. The insertion depth of the connecting bolt member 81 is restricted by the inner wooden member 25. In addition, a plurality of connecting position adjustment members 89 are press-fitted into the outer wall groove 12g. The connecting position adjustment members 89 are, for example, elliptical plate-shaped wooden members that are deformable by pressing and create friction between the abutted edge top plate members 2B, 2B, contributing to precise positioning. This allows the surfaces of the edge top plate members 2B, 2B to be precisely aligned. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a step from occurring at the joint between the top plate members 2B, 2B, thereby solving problems with appearance quality and snagging during use caused by misalignment. The connecting position adjustment member 89 can be press-fitted into the outer wall grooves 12g, 13g and is not particularly limited in shape or material as long as it generates friction between the connecting top plate members.

[0141] When the inner top plate frame members 12 of the edge top plate members 2B, 2B are butted together, the threaded portion 81a of the connecting bolt member 81 protrudes into the notched recess 29 provided in the inner wooden member 25 of each top plate member 2B. A metal washer 83 is inserted into the notched recess 29 through the nut insertion hole 28 and passed through the end of the connecting bolt member 81, and a connecting nut member 82 is inserted into the notched recess 29 and screwed onto the threaded portion 81a of the connecting bolt member 81.

[0142] The two top plate members 2B are firmly connected by tightening a pair of connecting nuts 82, which are screwed onto the threaded portions 81a at both ends of a connecting bolt member 81 that passes through the inner top plate frame members 12 of the front and rear edge top plate members 2B, with an appropriate tightening force. In this way, high connection strength can be obtained by directly pressing the metal washer 83 against the metal inner top plate frame member 12 (an aluminum extruded product in this embodiment). The same applies to the connection structure of the horizontal top plate frame members 13, which will be described later. The front and rear central top plate members 2A can also be connected using the same procedure.

[0143] Next, as shown in Figures 25 and 26, the front and rear connected edge top plate members 2B, 2B and the central top plate members 2A, 2A are connected. First, connecting bolt members 81 are inserted into each bolt insertion hole 13c of the top plate member 2A or 2B, connecting pins 88 are inserted into each connecting pin holding part 30, and multiple connecting position adjustment members 89 are pressed into the outer wall recessed groove 13g. The connecting pins 88 are made of metal and two are inserted into the front and rear edge portions of the top plate members 2A and 2B, contributing to ensuring connection strength at the front and rear edge portions of the top plate members 2A and 2B (the front and rear edge portions of the top plate 2 and the central portion in the front-rear direction).

[0144] When the horizontal top plate frame members 13 of top plate members 2A and 2B are butted together, the threaded portion 81a of the connecting bolt member 81 protrudes into the notched recess 29 provided in the horizontal wooden member 26 of each top plate member 2A and 2B. In the same manner as the above-described operation for connecting the edge top plate members 2B, a washer 83 and a connecting nut member 82 are inserted into the notched recess 29 through the nut insertion hole 28, the washer 83 is inserted through the threaded portion 81a of the connecting bolt member 81, and the connecting nut member 82 is screwed in. Then, the pair of connecting nut members 82 that are screwed into the threaded portions 81a at both ends of the connecting bolt member 81 that passes through the horizontal top plate frame members 13 of top plate members 2A and 2B are tightened with an appropriate tightening force. This firmly connects the left and right top plate members 2A and 2B.

[0145] By connecting front-to-back connected edge top plate members 2B, 2B to the left and right sides of the front-to-back connected central top plate members 2A, 2A, a large yet lightweight and highly rigid top plate 2 can be obtained, as shown in Figures 1 to 4. The top plate 2 has decorative panels 21a, 22a made of single-ply wood, and edge members 86 and end face members 87 taken from raw timber. Although it is an industrial product, it can be enjoyed for its aging process just like solid wood, and it has the natural texture of wood. Note that the procedure for connecting the top plate members 2A, 2B is not limited to the above; for example, the left and right top plate members 2A, 2B can be connected first, and then the left and right connected top plate members 2A, 2B can be connected front to back.

[0146] As shown in Figures 24 and 26, the nut insertion holes 28 that open on the underside of the top plate 2 are covered with a removable cover member 84. The cover member 84 has a pair of elastically deformable claws 84a that are moved inward, and the claws 84a catch on a step 90 (see Figure 24(B)) provided at the boundary between the notched recess 29 and the lower metal plate 18, thereby allowing the cover member 84 to be detachably attached to the underside of the top plate members 2A and 2B.

[0147] [Overview of Wiring Structure] Next, the wiring structure of table 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 27 to 33. Referring also to Figures 1 to 4, as described above, outlet units 4 are arranged on the upper surface of the tabletop 2. Each outlet unit 4 comprises a bar member 41, a pair of left and right support members 42, and a pair of left and right outlets 43. Each outlet 43 has multiple (four in this embodiment) plug sockets 46 exposed on the upper surface of the bar member 41. The left and right ends of the bar member 41, which is made of metal pipes, are closed with cap members 41a.

[0148] As shown in Figures 28 and 29, the left and right outlets 43 are electrically connected within the bar member 41, and a wiring cable 101 extending from one outlet 43 passes through the support member 42 and is pulled out to the underside of the top plate 2. The plug 105 at the end of the wiring cable 104 extending from the other outlet 43 is connected within the bar member 41 to a plug socket (not shown) provided on the end face of the one outlet 43. In other words, when the wiring cable 101 is connected to the power supply, power can be supplied from the plug sockets 46 of each outlet 43.

[0149] Figure 27 is a perspective view taken from diagonally below, showing the connection point between the central top plate member 2A and the edge top plate member 2B of the top plate 2, along with the wiring hole 45. As shown in Figure 27, the front and rear wiring notches 44 meet at the connection point between top plate members 2A, 2A or 2B, 2B to form the wiring hole 45. The wiring hole 45 penetrates the top plate 2 in the vertical direction. A wiring-receiving groove 47 is formed on the underside of the top plate 2, extending from the wiring hole 45 toward the reinforcing frame 36 of the leg body 3.

[0150] As shown in Figures 30 to 32, the table 1 is configured to have a cable cover 48 that can be detachably attached to the underside of the tabletop 2 to close the opening of the wiring groove 47. The underside of the bottom surface 48a of the cable cover 48 (the underside of the cover) is positioned substantially flush with the underside of the tabletop 2 (the underside of the tabletop members 2A and 2B).

[0151] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the leg body 3 is equipped with a leg cover 6 between it and the underside of the tabletop 2, through which a wiring cable 101 can be routed. As shown in Figure 32, the end of the wiring housing groove 47 opposite to the wiring hole 45 is routed to the top of the leg cover 6.

[0152] By routing the wiring cable 101 along the wiring groove 47 provided on the underside of the tabletop 2 to the legs 3, the wiring on the underside of the tabletop 2 can be made less conspicuous. Furthermore, since the wiring groove 47 is exposed on the underside of the tabletop 2, the wiring cable 101 can be easily routed on the underside of the tabletop 2 (the work of routing the wiring cable 101 along the wiring groove 47). In addition, since there is no need to provide wiring support members such as wiring receivers or wiring ducts on the underside of the tabletop 2, the appearance of the table 1 when viewed from the side can be improved. In particular, the appearance can be improved in tables 1 that do not have beam members on the underside of the tabletop 2, as in this embodiment.

[0153] As described above, by covering the wiring groove 47 with the cable cover 48, the exposure of the wiring cable 101 due to sagging can be reliably prevented. Furthermore, by positioning the underside of the cable cover 48 almost flush with the underside of the tabletop 2, the presence of the cable cover 48 can be made less noticeable when viewing the table 1 from the side, and a clean, smooth underside of the tabletop 2 with fewer protrusions can be achieved when viewing the tabletop 2 from a diagonal angle below.

[0154] Furthermore, by forming a wiring groove 47 from the wiring hole 45 to the top of the leg cover 6, the wiring cable 101 can be guided from the wiring groove 47 into the leg cover 6 without being exposed. This makes it possible to achieve a very aesthetically pleasing wiring routing structure in which the presence of the wiring cable 101 on the underside of the tabletop 2 is not noticeable.

[0155] Furthermore, the top plate 2 includes a configuration in which multiple top plate members 2A, 2A are butted together and connected, and the wiring holes 45 and wiring housing grooves 47 are formed in the joint portions (connecting portions) between the top plate members 2A, 2A and are continuous.

[0156] This allows for the formation of wiring holes 45 and wiring-receiving grooves 47 without drilling through holes for wiring holes 45 through the upper and lower flat surfaces of the top plate 2, or without counterboring grooves in the lower flat surface of the top plate 2 (for example, top plate members 2A and 2B). Furthermore, since chips (and cutting oil) do not scatter into the interior of the top plate member when forming the wiring holes 45 and wiring-receiving grooves 47 by cutting, this method is suitable when forming wiring holes 45 and wiring-receiving grooves 47 in top plate members 2A and 2B that have a hollow internal structure. However, the configuration of providing wiring holes and wiring-receiving grooves in the top plate is also applicable to top plate members that do not have a hollow internal structure.

[0157] [Detailed Wiring Structure Configuration] Next, we will explain the details of the wiring structure of Table 1. As can be seen from Figure 1, etc., there are two wiring holes 45 into which the support member 42 of the outlet unit 4 is inserted, at the connection points between the top plate members 2A, 2A and at each of the connection points between the top plate members 2A, 2A.

[0158] As shown in Figures 27 to 32, a donut-shaped hole cover 49 is fitted and fixed to the middle of the support member 42. The lower end of the support member 42, which is inserted into the wiring hole 45 from the upper surface side of the top plate 2, is positioned near the bottom surface within the wiring hole 45 with the hole cover 49 in contact with the upper surface of the top plate member 2A or 2B. A pair of left and right wiring insertion slits 42a are formed at the lower end of the support member 42, cut out upward from the lower end.

[0159] A nut member 50 for fixing the outlet is fixed inside the lower end of the support member 42 at a position shallower than the upward cut depth of the wiring insertion slit 42a (towards the lower end of the slit 42a). The upper part of the wiring insertion slit 42a is open to the inside and outside of the support member 42, allowing the wiring cable 101 to be inserted. The outlet fixing screw 52 is screwed into the outlet fixing nut member 50 via a metal plate-shaped outlet fixing plate 51, and the top plate member 2A or 2B is sandwiched between the hole cover 49 and the plate 51 from above and below, thereby fixing the outlet unit 4 so that it cannot be removed.

[0160] The lower decorative panel 22, which forms the underside of the top plate members 2A and 2B, has a plate-fitting recess 53 that is larger in planar size than the wiring hole 45 and capable of accommodating the outlet fixing plate 51. The plate-fitting recess 53 is connected to the lower part of the wiring hole 45. With the top plate member 2A or 2B sandwiched between the hole cover 49 and the plate 51, the underside of the plate 51 is positioned to be almost flush with the underside of the top plate members 2A and 2B, forming an underside of the table 1 that is smooth and aesthetically pleasing with minimal irregularities.

[0161] A cable guide recess 54 extending in the left-right direction is connected to the lower part of one of the pair of left and right wiring holes 45 into which the left and right support members 42 of one outlet unit 4 are fitted. The cable guide recess 54 also communicates with the plate fitting recess 53 and extends outward in the left-right direction relative to the plate fitting recess 53, and is configured to open to the lower surface of the top plate 2 when the plate 51 is housed in the plate fitting recess 53.

[0162] As shown in Figures 27 and 30-32, a cable guide recess 54 provided in the central top plate member 2A is connected to a wiring housing groove 47 that extends in the left-right direction. The wiring housing groove 47 opens to the underside of the top plate 2, extends outward in the left-right direction relative to the cable guide recess 54, and extends beyond the joint between the top plate members 2A and 2B to the underside of the edge top plate member 2B. The end of the wiring housing groove 47 is located above the leg cover 6 attached to the edge top plate member 2B.

[0163] The wiring storage groove 47, the plate fitting recess 53, and the cable guide recess 54 are formed by abutting recesses that open onto the connecting end faces (end faces on the inner top plate frame material 12 side) of the front and rear top plate members 2A, 2A or 2B, 2B, respectively. The wiring storage groove 47 and the plate fitting recess 53 are formed by cutting out (hollowing out) the lower decorative panel 22. The cable guide recess 54 is formed by cutting out the lower decorative panel 22 and the lower part of the inner top plate frame material 12. The groove 47 and the recesses 53 and 54 are formed symmetrically front to back, straddling the joining surface (front to back center line C shown in Figure 6) of the front and rear top plate members 2A, 2A or 2B, 2B.

[0164] As shown in Figures 27 and 30 to 32, the wiring cable 101 extending from the outlet unit 4 attached to the central top plate member 2A passes through the support column member 42 and is pulled out from the wiring insertion slit 42a through the lower part of the wiring hole 45 and the cable guide recess 54 to the lower surface of the central top plate member 2A.

[0165] The cable cover 48 is configured to be detachable along the wiring groove 47. The cable cover 48 has an upward-facing U-shape in cross-section and includes a cover bottom portion 48a extending in the left-right direction and a pair of front and rear cover sidewall portions 48b rising from the front and rear edges of the cover bottom portion 48a. A downward-facing hook-shaped cover claw portion 48c extends outward in the left-right direction from one end of each cover sidewall portion 48b.

[0166] A locking hole 51a is formed in the outlet fixing plate 51, into which a pair of front and rear cover claws 48c engage. The cover claws 48c are inserted into the cable guide recess 54 from below at an angle, and while the cover claws 48c are hooked onto the plate 51, the other end of the wiring housing groove 47 is rotated upward (lifted) and fitted into the 47. As a result, the cover claws 48c engage with the locking hole 51a from above, and one end of the cable cover 48 is held in place so that it cannot fall off the underside of the top plate 2. The length of the wiring housing groove 47 in the left-right direction is set to allow the wiring cable 101 to be inserted between the end opposite to the cover claws 48c and the end of the wiring housing groove 47 when the cover claws 48c are engaged with the locking hole 51a.

[0167] The plate 51 is approximately square in plan view, and a pair of locking holes 51a are provided on each side of the plate 51. This improves work efficiency because, when fixing the plate 51 to the plate fitting recess 53, the front and rear pair of locking holes 51a are positioned on the wiring housing groove 47 side, regardless of the orientation of the plate 51.

[0168] When fitting the cable cover 48 into the wiring groove 47, the wiring cable 101 extending from the outlet unit 4 attached to the central top plate member 2A is routed along the bottom surface 48a of the cover, so that the wiring cable 101 can be placed in the wiring groove 47 together with the cable cover 48. The wiring cable 101 extending from the outlet unit 4 passes through the wiring groove 47 and is pulled out into the leg cover 6 from the gap between the end of the cable cover 48 and the end of the wiring groove 47 on the underside of the edge top plate member 2B, and extends above the reinforcing frame 36 of the leg body 3.

[0169] The other end of the wiring groove 47 (the end on the leg cover 6 side) is located above the first leg cover 61 of the leg cover 6, which is attached to the underside of the edge top plate member 2B, and is held in place by the first mounting surface portion 61c so that it cannot move downward. In this way, the cable cover 48 is configured to be held on the underside of the top plate 2 without the use of a dedicated fastener.

[0170] As shown in Figures 27 to 29 and Figure 32, a cable guide recess 54 is connected to one of the pair of left and right wiring holes 45 provided in the edge top plate member 2B, which is located above the leg body 3. In the edge top plate member 2B, the cable guide recess 54 is provided on the left and right outward side of the one wiring hole 45 (towards the other wiring hole 45).

[0171] As shown in Figure 32, the wiring cable 101 extending from the outlet unit 4 attached to the edge top plate member 2B passes through the support member 42, is pulled out through the wiring insertion slit 42a, the lower part of the wiring hole 45 and the cable guide recess 54, into the leg cover 6 on the lower surface of the edge top plate member 2B, and extends above the reinforcing frame 36 of the leg body 3.

[0172] As shown in Figure 6, the wiring cable 101 pulled out into the leg cover 6 is guided through an opening 36g provided in the bottom surface 36a of the reinforcing frame 36 onto the bottom surface (bottom 61a, 62a) of the leg cover 6, and the plug 102 connected to the end of the wiring cable 101 is connected to the plug socket of the outlet 103 placed inside the leg cover 6.

[0173] In this embodiment, the wiring cable 101 passes through the support member 42 inserted into the wiring hole 45, but the structure for bringing the wiring cable 101 out from the upper surface side of the top plate 2 through the wiring hole 45 to the lower surface side of the top plate 2 is not particularly limited. For example, the wiring cable 101 may pass directly through the wiring hole 45. In this case, it is preferable to decorate the inner circumferential wall of the wiring hole 45. Also, the opening shape of the wiring hole 45 is not limited to a circle, but can be any opening shape, such as a square.

[0174] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the wiring cable 101 routed within the wiring groove 47 is supported by the cable cover 48, but the wiring cable 101 may also be supported by the shape of the wiring groove 47 itself. For example, bottom walls projecting toward the other bottom wall end may be provided at the lower ends of each of a pair of opposing inner walls of the wiring groove 47, such that a gap is formed, and the wiring cable 101 may be inserted into the wiring groove 47 through the gap and then moved laterally to be supported on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the wiring groove 47. Moreover, the structure for holding the wiring cable 101 within the wiring groove 47 in the present invention is not particularly limited, and for example, a cable fastener such as a hook for attaching the wiring cable 101 may be provided within the wiring groove 47 to support the wiring cable 101.

[0175] Furthermore, the wiring holes 45 and the wiring grooves 47 may be provided at positions different from the joints (connections) between the front and rear central top plate members 2A, 2A. For example, the wiring holes 45 and the wiring grooves 47 may be provided on either one of the top plate members 2A or 2B. Also, although the wiring grooves 47 are formed from the joints between top plate members 2A, 2A through the joints between top plate members 2A, 2B to the joints between top plate members 2B, 2B, they may be formed only on the joints of top plate members 2A, 2A or 2B, 2B or 2A, 2B. For example, in the above embodiment, if the left and right inner edges of the leg cover 6 attached to the top plate member 2B (specifically, the upright portion 61b of the first leg cover 61) are extended to be positioned below the joints between top plate members 2A, 2A, it becomes unnecessary to form the wiring grooves 47 at the joints between top plate members 2B, 2B.

[0176] [Outline configuration of the second embodiment] Next, the table 10 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 19. In this description, the same reference numerals are used for components similar to those described in the above embodiments, and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0177] The table 10 has a pair of left and right legs 3 that support the longitudinal edges of the tabletop 20, and an intermediate leg 3A that supports the longitudinal center of the tabletop 20. The tabletop 20 is a roughly rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction, and has two central tabletop members 2C that are connected front to back, central tabletop members 2A that are connected to the left and right edges of each central tabletop member 2C, and edge tabletop members 2B that are connected to the left and right outer edges of each central tabletop member 2A, for a total of 10 tabletop members connected together. The central tabletop members 2A that are arranged front to back are connected to each other. Also, the edge tabletop members 2B that are arranged front to back are connected to each other. In this embodiment, although the tabletop 20 is a large tabletop, it does not have beam members that extend in the longitudinal direction of the tabletop 20 on its underside, resulting in a simple and very clean and aesthetically pleasing configuration when viewed from the front.

[0178] Five outlet units 4 are arranged on the top surface of the tabletop 20, spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the tabletop 20, in the front-to-back center of the tabletop 20. A detailed explanation is omitted here, but the wiring cables 100 extending from each outlet unit 4 are routed into the leg cover 6 of the leg body 3, or into the leg cover 6A of the intermediate leg body 3A, or through the wiring groove provided on the underside of the tabletop 2, and into the leg cover 6 of either the left or right leg body 3.

[0179] As shown in Figure 16, the intermediate leg 3A and the pair of left and right legs 3 are connected to the underside of the top plate 20. The configuration of each leg 3 is the same as in the first embodiment, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0180] [Intermediate leg structure] As can be seen in Figure 16, the intermediate leg 3A is attached across the lower surface of the front and rear central top plate members 2C, and has a vertically upright leg body 31A and a pair of left and right reinforcing members 32A that incline outward in the longitudinal direction of the top plate 20 from the lower part of the leg body 31 upward. The upper end of the reinforcing member 32A is located further outward in the longitudinal direction of the top plate 20 than the lower end of the reinforcing member 32A. A pair of front and rear screw-in adjusters 5 are provided at the front and rear ends of the lower surface of the leg body 31A.

[0181] As shown in Figures 17 to 19, the intermediate leg 3A has a configuration that is generally symmetrical in the front-to-back direction, with respect to a front-to-back center line that extends in the left-to-right direction in a plan view. The leg body 31A of the intermediate leg 3A comprises a pair of front and rear vertical supports 33A that stand upright in the vertical direction, a lower horizontal frame 34A that connects the lower parts of the vertical supports 33A, and an upper horizontal frame 35A that connects the upper parts of the vertical supports 33A. The vertical supports 33A are fitted with leg support covers 39A that form a space between them and the vertical supports 33 through which wiring cables (not shown) can be inserted.

[0182] The basic structure of the vertical support column 33A, horizontal frames 34A, 35A, and leg support column cover 39A, as well as the mounting structure of the leg support column cover 39A to the vertical support column 33A, are the same as those of the vertical support column 33, horizontal frames 34, 35, and leg support column cover 39 in the first embodiment. The pair of front and rear adjusters 5 are attached to the lower surface of the lower horizontal frame 34A near the front and rear edges.

[0183] The intermediate leg 3A includes left and right reinforcing frames 36A that extend from the middle of the upper horizontal frame 35A, which extends in the front-to-back direction, toward both the left and right sides in the longitudinal direction (left-to-right direction) of the top plate 2. Each reinforcing frame 36A has the same configuration as the reinforcing frame 36 of the first embodiment.

[0184] The left and right reinforcing frames 36A do not have the tongue portion 36d (see Figure 10) of the reinforcing frame 36, and the bottom portions 36a of the left and right reinforcing frames 36A are continuous. In other words, the left and right reinforcing frames 36A of the intermediate leg body 3A are constructed as a single unit. The edges of the left and right side walls 36b and mounting surfaces 36c of the left and right reinforcing frames 36A are fixed to the upper horizontal frame 35A at the center in the left-right direction. In other words, the upper horizontal frame 35A is fitted from above into the cutouts in the left-right center of the series of side walls 36b and mounting surfaces 36c.

[0185] A pair of upper reinforcing plates 37A are arranged on either side of the base end portion of each reinforcing frame 36A, providing a total of four upper reinforcing plates 37A. The upper reinforcing plates 37A are fixed to the base end portion of the mounting surface portion 36c of the reinforcing frame 36A and to the upper end portion of the side portion of the upper horizontal frame 35.

[0186] The left and right reinforcing members 32A have their lower ends connected to the lower horizontal frame 34A, while their upper ends are connected to the reinforcing frame 36. The lower ends of the left and right reinforcing members 32A are connected to the middle of the lower horizontal frame 34A in the front-to-back direction. The upper ends of the reinforcing members 32A are connected to the front-end portion of the bottom of each reinforcing frame 36A.

[0187] As shown in Figures 16(B), 17-19, the table 10 is equipped with a leg cover 6A that covers the upper horizontal frame 35, reinforcing frame 36A, and upper reinforcing plate 37A of the intermediate leg body 3A from below and is screw-fixed to the lower surface of the central tabletop member 2C. The leg cover 6A has a pair of left and right first leg covers 61A that cover the tips of the left and right reinforcing frames 36A, and a pair of left and right second leg covers 62A that cover the upper horizontal frame 35A, the base end of the reinforcing frame 36A, and the upper reinforcing plate 37A. The leg covers 61A and 62A have the same configuration as the leg covers 61 and 62 of the first embodiment. Note that the leg cover 6A does not have the third leg cover 63 of the first embodiment (see Figure 9, etc.), and as can be seen from Figures 16(B) and 19, the left and right leg covers 62A are adjacent below the upper horizontal frame 35A.

[0188] As shown in Figures 17 and 19, multiple locking mechanisms 38 are attached to the underside of the bottom surface 36a of the reinforcing frame 36 to temporarily fasten the leg covers 61A and 62A by magnetic force. The leg covers 61A and 62A are made of ferromagnetic metal, and the locking mechanisms 38 are configured to temporarily hold the leg covers 61A and 62A by magnetically attaching them.

[0189] When a force is applied to the top plate 20 in the direction of lateral movement (longitudinal direction of the top plate), the intermediate leg 3A can prevent the leg body 31A from tilting and reduce lateral movement by bracing a pair of left and right reinforcing members 32A that tilt outward from the bottom of the leg body 31A upward.

[0190] Furthermore, the intermediate leg 3A increases the rigidity of the main body 31A by connecting the lower parts of the front and rear vertical support columns 33A of the main body 31A with a lower horizontal frame 34A that extends in the front-to-back direction. Moreover, by constructing the main body 31A in a frame-like manner with the front and rear vertical support columns 33A and the upper and lower horizontal frames 34A and 35A, the rigidity of the main body 31A is further increased, thereby suppressing the front-to-back swaying of the tabletop 2. In addition, when the intermediate leg 3A is viewed from the front-to-back direction (the short side direction of the tabletop 20), the main body 31A, the left and right reinforcing members 32A and the left and right reinforcing frames 36A form a triangular structure, thus increasing the rigidity of the intermediate leg 3A. Furthermore, since the upper horizontal frame 35A and the left and right reinforcing frames 36A of the main body 31A can be firmly connected to the underside of the tabletop 2, the connection strength between the tabletop 20 and the intermediate leg 3A can be improved.

[0191] Furthermore, the appearance of the table 10 can be improved by covering the upper horizontal frame 35A and the left and right reinforcing frames 36A with leg covers 6A. In addition, the table 10 is configured to allow the leg covers 6A to be temporarily fastened by a locking mechanism 38A, which makes it easier to tighten and loosen the screws that fix the leg covers.

[0192] The leg cover 6A can also be used as a wiring receptacle. For example, a wiring cable can be routed from the outlet unit 4 located above the intermediate leg 3A to below the central top plate member 2C, and then through the inside of the leg cover 6A and the leg support cover 39A to the floor. Needless to say, it is also possible to interpose a plug and outlet housed inside the leg cover 6A in this wiring path.

[0193] Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be embodied in various forms. The configuration of each part is not limited to the illustrated embodiments and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the configurations described in the above embodiments and modifications (see notes, etc.) may be combined, and the configurations can be added, omitted, replaced, or otherwise modified. [Explanation of symbols]

[0194] 1 table 2 Top plate 2A Center top plate member 2B Edge top plate component 2C Central top plate member 11. Outer top panel frame material 12. Inner top panel frame material 13. Top frame material 13 Horizontal top panel frame material 14. Top panel frame 16 Core material 17 Upper metal plate 18 Lower metal plate 19. Core material for tabletop 21 Upper decorative panel 21a First decorative panel 21b Second decorative panel 22 Lower decorative panel 22a Decorative panel 22a First decorative panel 22b Second decorative panel 23 grooves 24 Deep Slit 24a Deep Slit 25. Inner wooden member (example of nut holding member, peripheral wall forming member) 26. Horizontal wooden members (examples of nut-holding members and peripheral wall-forming members) 27. Intermediate wooden component (an example of a nut-holding component) 28 Nut insertion holes 29 Notched recess 30 Connecting pin holding part 81 Connecting bolt member 81a Threaded portion 82 Connecting nut component 83 Washer 84 Cover component 85 Adhesives

Claims

1. A tabletop core material comprising: a tabletop frame body having four metal tabletop frame members arranged in a frame shape; a honeycomb-shaped core material disposed within the frame of the tabletop frame body; and a pair of upper and lower metal plates bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the tabletop frame body and the upper and lower surfaces of the core material, The tabletop core material is equipped with decorative panels bonded to its upper and lower surfaces, Multiple grooves extending in the longitudinal direction of the top plate frame material are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the top plate frame material. Lightweight tabletop.

2. A tabletop core material comprising: a tabletop frame body having four metal tabletop frame members arranged in a frame shape; a honeycomb-shaped core material disposed within the frame of the tabletop frame body; and a pair of upper and lower metal plates bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the tabletop frame body and the upper and lower surfaces of the core material, The tabletop core material is equipped with decorative panels bonded to its upper and lower surfaces, A nut retaining member is placed within the frame of the top plate frame, and an embedded nut member, with a screw hole exposed on the underside of the top plate, is embedded in the nut retaining member. Lightweight tabletop.

3. A tabletop core material comprising: a tabletop frame body having four metal tabletop frame members arranged in a frame shape; a honeycomb-shaped core material disposed within the frame of the tabletop frame body; and a pair of upper and lower metal plates bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the tabletop frame body and the upper and lower surfaces of the core material, A lightweight tabletop comprising decorative panels bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the tabletop core material, The pair of lightweight top plates have a configuration that allows them to be connected by butting the top plate frames together. At least one of the four top plate frame members is provided with a bolt insertion hole that penetrates between the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface of the frame member, and one end of a connecting bolt member having threaded portions at both ends is configured to be inserted into the bolt insertion hole from the outer wall surface side of the frame member. The metal plate and decorative plate on the lower side are provided with nut insertion holes that correspond to the opening positions of the bolt insertion holes on the inner wall surface of the frame material, and the connecting nut member, which is screwed onto the threaded portion of the connecting bolt member that protrudes into the frame of the top plate frame, is configured to be insertable into the frame of the top plate frame through the nut insertion hole. Lightweight tabletop.

4. Between the upper and lower metal plates, a peripheral wall forming member is interposed to surround the portion of the connecting bolt member that protrudes within the frame of the top plate frame. The lightweight tabletop according to claim 3.

5. A tabletop core material comprising: a tabletop frame body having four metal tabletop frame members arranged in a frame shape; a honeycomb-shaped core material disposed within the frame of the tabletop frame body; and a pair of upper and lower metal plates bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the tabletop frame body and the upper and lower surfaces of the core material, A lightweight tabletop comprising decorative panels bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the tabletop core material, The pair of lightweight top plates have a configuration that allows them to be connected by butting the top plate frames together. At least one of the four top plate frame members is provided with an outer wall groove into which a connecting position adjustment member can be inserted on the outer wall surface of the frame member. In connecting the pair of lightweight top plates, the outer wall surfaces of the frame members having the outer wall grooves are butted together, and the connecting position adjustment member is configured to be press-fitted across the opposing outer wall grooves. Lightweight tabletop.

6. A tabletop core material comprising: a tabletop frame body having four metal tabletop frame members arranged in a frame shape; a honeycomb-shaped core material disposed within the frame of the tabletop frame body; and a pair of upper and lower metal plates bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the tabletop frame body and the upper and lower surfaces of the core material, A lightweight tabletop comprising decorative panels bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the tabletop core material, The pair of lightweight top plates have a configuration that allows them to be connected by butting the top plate frames together. At least one of the four top plate frame members is made of an aluminum extruded material and has a connecting pin holding portion that extends in the longitudinal direction of the top plate frame member and opens at the end face, The connecting pin holding portion is open at a portion near the longitudinal end of at least one end face of the top plate frame, In connecting a pair of lightweight top plates, the end faces with openings in the connecting pin holding portions are abutted together, and the connecting pins are configured to be inserted across the opposing connecting pin holding portions. Lightweight tabletop.

7. A tabletop core material comprising: a tabletop frame body having four metal tabletop frame members arranged in a frame shape; a honeycomb-shaped core material disposed within the frame of the tabletop frame body; and a pair of upper and lower metal plates bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the tabletop frame body and the upper and lower surfaces of the core material, The tabletop core material is equipped with decorative panels bonded to its upper and lower surfaces, At least one of the four top plate frame members is provided with a longitudinally extending protrusion on the outer wall surface of the frame member, and an edge member having a recessed groove into which the protrusion fits is attached to the outer wall surface of the frame member. Numerous outer wall grooves extending in the longitudinal direction are formed on the outer wall surface of the frame material and the outer wall surface of the protruding portion. Lightweight tabletop.

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