furniture

The chair's support structure with detachable edges and adjustable fixing points prevents dust transfer by orienting edges away from user contact, ensuring cleanliness and comfort during posture changes.

JP7877172B2Active Publication Date: 2026-06-22OKAMURA CORP
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
OKAMURA CORP
Filing Date
2022-11-04
Publication Date
2026-06-22

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Chairs with adjustable seat height risk dust accumulation on functional parts when inverted, potentially transferring dust to users.

Method used

A support structure with detachable edges and adjustable fixing points allows the chair to be oriented in two positions, ensuring edges not in contact with the user remain upright, preventing dust adherence during posture changes.

Benefits of technology

Prevents dust from adhering to users by positioning edges away from contact with the user, maintaining cleanliness and user comfort.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide furniture capable of preventing dust and the like adhering to a part arranged along an installation surface before the posture is changed from adhering to a user when a posture is changed in the furniture which can be installed in different postures with respect to the installation surface, and whose height of the functional part can be changed.SOLUTION: A support structure 2 includes a first edge part 41 extending in a predetermined direction, a second edge part 42 extending in a direction intersecting with the direction that the first edge part 41 extends, a first fixed part, and a second fixed part. The furniture can be installed either in a first posture in which the first edge part 41 is arranged along an installation surface 11, and at least a part of the first edge part 41 touches the installation surface 11 or in a second posture in which the second edge part 42 is arranged along the installation surface 11 and at least a part of the second edge part 42 touches the installation surface 11. A height dimension of a functional part 3 fixed to the first fixed part from the installation surface 11 in the first posture, and a height dimension of the functional part 3 fixed to the second fixed part from the installation surface 11 in the second posture are set for different values.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to furniture.

Background Art

[0002] As a chair whose seat height from the installation surface can be changed, for example, a chair is known in which a seat is provided at a position offset from the center in the vertical direction on a support structure that contacts the installation surface and supports the seat, and the seat can be seated even in a state where the chair is turned upside down and contacts the installation surface (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a chair can change the seat height from the installation surface by turning it upside down.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when the chair disclosed in Patent Document 1 is turned upside down, the lower end of the support structure that was in contact with the installation surface before being turned upside down is disposed at the upper end of the support structure. Therefore, if dust or the like adheres to the lower end of the support structure that was in contact with the installation surface before being turned upside down, dust or the like will adhere to the upper end of the support structure after being turned upside down. Since the upper end of the support structure is assumed to be the armrest or backrest of the chair, there is a risk that the user of the chair will contact the upper end of the support structure and dust or the like will adhere to the clothes or hands.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a furniture that can be installed in different postures with respect to an installation surface and can change the height of functional parts such as the seat of the chair, and can prevent dust or the like adhering to a portion arranged along the installation surface before changing the posture from adhering to the user when changing the posture.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the fixture according to the present invention comprises a support structure installed on an installation surface and a functional part detachably fixed to the support structure, wherein the support structure comprises a first edge extending in a predetermined direction, a second edge extending in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first edge extends, a first fixing part to which the functional part can be detachably attached, and a second fixing part provided at a different position from the first fixing part to which the functional part can be detachably attached, wherein the first edge is arranged along the installation surface and at least a part of the first edge is in contact with the installation surface The device can be installed in either a first position or a second position in which the second edge is positioned along the installation surface and at least a portion of the second edge is in contact with the installation surface, and the functional part is fixed to the first fixing part in the first position and to the second fixing part in the second position, and the height dimension of the functional part fixed to the first fixing part in the first position from the installation surface and the height dimension of the functional part fixed to the second fixing part in the second position from the installation surface are set to different values. The support structure comprises a pair of frame-shaped members spaced apart from each other in the width direction, each having a first edge and a second edge; a first connecting member installed between the intermediate portions of the first edges of each of the pair of frame-shaped members in the direction in which the first edge extends; and a second connecting member installed between the intermediate portions of the second edges of each of the pair of frame-shaped members in the direction in which the second edge extends. The first connecting member is provided with the second fixing portion, and the second connecting member is provided with the first fixing portion. . To achieve the above objective, the fixture according to the present invention comprises a support structure installed on an installation surface and a functional part detachably fixed to the support structure, wherein the support structure comprises a first edge extending in a predetermined direction, a second edge extending in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first edge extends, a first fixing part to which the functional part can be detachably attached, and a second fixing part provided at a different position from the first fixing part to which the functional part can be detachably attached, wherein the fixture can be installed in either a first position in which the first edge is arranged along the installation surface and at least a part of the first edge is in contact with the installation surface, and a second position in which the second edge is arranged along the installation surface and at least a part of the second edge is in contact with the installation surface, wherein the functional part is fixed to the first fixing part in the first position and to the second fixing part in the second position, and the mounting surface of the functional part fixed to the first fixing part in the first position The height dimension from the first fixed part and the height dimension from the installation surface of the functional part fixed to the second fixed part in the second posture are set to different values, and at least one of the fixed parts of the first fixed part and the second fixed part has a first support fixed member and a second support fixed member which are each formed in a rod shape and are arranged apart from each other in a direction extending in a predetermined direction, and the functional part has a first fixed member which can be fixed to the first support fixed member and a second fixed member which can be fixed to the second support fixed member, the first fixed member has a first recess which opens in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first support fixed member extends and into which the first support fixed member is fitted, and the direction in which the first recess opens and the direction in which the second recess opens are different directions from each other.

[0007] The height dimension from the mounting surface of the functional part fixed to the first fixing part in the first position and the height dimension from the mounting surface of the functional part fixed to the second fixing part in the second position are set to different values. This allows the height of functional parts such as chair seats to be changed by installing the furniture in different positions relative to the mounting surface. The first and second edges of the support structure extend in directions that intersect each other. As a result, when the first edge is positioned along the installation surface in the first orientation, the second edge extends in a direction that intersects the installation surface, so it is not positioned to face upward along the upper edge of the support structure, and is positioned in a location that is unlikely to be touched by the user. Similarly, when the second edge is positioned along the installation surface in the second orientation, the first edge extends in a direction that intersects the installation surface, so it is not positioned to face upward along the upper edge of the support structure, and is positioned in a location that is unlikely to be touched by the user. Therefore, when changing the orientation of the fixture from the first orientation to the second orientation, even if dust or other debris from the installation surface adheres to the first edge, which was positioned along the installation surface and at least a portion of it was in contact with the installation surface before the change, it is possible to prevent that dust or debris from adhering to the user. Similarly, when changing the orientation of a fixture from the second orientation to the first orientation, even if dust or other debris from the installation surface adheres to the second edge, which was positioned along the installation surface before the change and at least a portion of it was in contact with the installation surface, it is possible to prevent that dust or debris from adhering to the user.

[0008] In the fixture according to the present invention, at least one of the first edge and the second edge has a main body portion extending in the direction in which the edge extends, and a projection portion projecting from the main body portion in a direction intersecting the direction in which the edge extends, and when the edge portion is positioned along the installation surface, the projection portion may be in contact with the installation surface, and the main body portion may be positioned above the installation surface at a distance.

[0009] With this configuration, at least one of the first and second edges has only the protruding portion in contact with the mounting surface. This makes it possible to designate the protruding portion as the main part where dust and other debris tend to accumulate when the fixture is positioned along the mounting surface, while making it difficult for dust and other debris to accumulate on the main body. This further prevents dust and other debris that were attached to the edges when the fixture's position was changed from adhering to the user. It also makes it easier for the user to identify the parts (protruding portions) where dust and other debris may be attached.

[0010] In the fixture according to the present invention, the protruding portion is a separate component from the main body and may be fixed to the main body.

[0011] This configuration eliminates the need to modify the main body to create the protrusions, allowing for easy and inexpensive manufacturing of both the main body and the edge portion with the protrusions. If the protrusions are detachable from the main body, they can be replaced if they become soiled or damaged due to contact with the mounting surface.

[0012] In the fixture according to the present invention, the first edge and the second edge may be connected.

[0013] With this configuration, the edges of the first and second edges that are not aligned with the installation surface become edges that extend upward from the installation surface. As a result, the edges that are not aligned with the installation surface are positioned in a location that is unlikely to be touched by the user. Therefore, when changing the orientation of the fixture from the first orientation to the second orientation, or from the second orientation to the first orientation, even if dust or other debris from the installation surface has accumulated on the edges that were aligned with the installation surface before the change, it is possible to prevent that dust or debris from adhering to the user.

[0014] In the fixture according to the present invention, the functional part has a fixing member that can be fixed to at least one of the first fixing part and the second fixing part, the fixing part is formed in the shape of a rod extending in a predetermined direction, and the fixing member may have a recess into which it is fitted from a direction intersecting the direction in which the fixing part extends.

[0015] With this configuration, the functional part can be easily fixed to the support structure by fitting the fixing member of the functional part into the fixing part of the support structure.

[0016] In the fixture according to the present invention, the support structure comprises a pair of frame-shaped members, each having a first edge and a second edge, spaced apart from each other in the width direction; a first connecting member installed between the intermediate portions of the first edges of each of the pair of frame-shaped members in the direction in which the first edge extends; and a second connecting member installed between the intermediate portions of the second edges of each of the pair of frame-shaped members in the direction in which the second edge extends. The first connecting member may be provided with the second fixing portion, and the second connecting member may be provided with the first fixing portion.

[0017] With this configuration, the functional parts are fixed to the first and second connecting members between the pair of frame-shaped members. Therefore, the fixture can be easily carried by gripping the pair of frame-shaped members from both sides in the width direction. By fixing the functional part at an intermediate position in the direction in which the first edge extends, or at an intermediate position in the direction in which the second edge extends, at least a portion of the frame-shaped member protrudes from the functional part in at least one of the directions in which the first edge extends and the direction in which the second edge extends. This prevents interference with the functional part when gripping the frame-shaped member, making it easier to grip. If the furniture is a chair and the functional part is provided with a seat on which a user can sit, then the portion of the frame-shaped member arranged on both sides in the width direction of the seat (functional part) that protrudes in at least one direction from the functional part, either in the direction in which the first edge extends or the direction in which the second edge extends, can be used as an armrest.

[0018] In the fixture according to the present invention, the support structure has a pair of rectangular frame-shaped members spaced apart from each other in the width direction, and the frame-shaped members have a first edge and a second edge, a third edge that is the same length as the first edge and extends in the same direction as the first edge and is positioned opposite to the first edge and spaced apart in the direction in which the first edge and the second edge extend, and a fourth edge that is the same length as the second edge and extends in the same direction as the second edge and is positioned opposite to the second edge and spaced apart in the direction in which the second edge and the first edge extend, and the third edge may be provided with the first fixing part, and the fourth edge may be provided with the second fixing part.

[0019] By adopting such a configuration, since the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion can be provided on the pair of frame-shaped members together with the first edge portion and the second edge portion, the support structure can be made into a simple structure.

[0020] In the furniture according to the present invention, the direction in which the first edge portion extends and the direction in which the second edge portion extends are orthogonal to each other, and the distance in the direction in which the second edge portion extends between the first edge portion and the third edge portion, and the distance in the direction in which the first edge portion extends between the second edge portion and the fourth edge portion may be set to different values.

[0021] By adopting such a configuration, the height of the functional portion in the first posture and the height of the functional portion in the second posture can be set to different values with a simple configuration.

Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, in furniture that can be installed in different postures with respect to the installation surface, when the posture is changed, it is possible to prevent dust and the like adhering to the portion arranged along the installation surface before changing the posture from adhering to the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of the furniture in the first posture of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a side view of the furniture in the first posture of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view of the furniture in the second posture of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a side view of the furniture in the second posture of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view of the support structure of the furniture in the first posture of the first embodiment with the seat member and the backrest member omitted. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view of the support structure of the furniture in the second posture of the first embodiment with the seat member and the backrest member omitted. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view of the support structure of the furniture in the first posture of the first embodiment. [Figure 8]This is a perspective view of the support structure in the second posture of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the functional part of the first embodiment, seen from a diagonal front angle. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view of the functional part of the first embodiment, seen from diagonally behind. [Figure 11] This is an exploded perspective view of the first fixing member. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view showing the fixing of the support structure and the functional part in the first position. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view of the second fixing member. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view showing the fixing of the support structure and the functional part in the second posture. [Figure 15] This diagram illustrates how to attach the functional part to the support structure in the second position. [Figure 16] This diagram illustrates how to prevent the functional part from detaching from the support structure in the second position. [Figure 17] This is a perspective view of the fixture in the first position of the second embodiment. [Figure 18] This is a side view of the fixture in the first position of the second embodiment. [Figure 19] This is a perspective view of the fixture in the second posture of the second embodiment. [Figure 20] This is a side view of the fixture in the second posture of the second embodiment. [Figure 21] This is a perspective view of the support structure in the first posture of the second embodiment. [Figure 22] This is a perspective view of the support structure in the second posture of the second embodiment. [Figure 23] This is a perspective view of the functional section, seen from a diagonal downward angle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] (First Embodiment) The following describes the fixtures according to embodiments of the present invention with reference to Figures 1 to 16. As shown in Figure 1, the furniture 1A according to the first embodiment is a chair that is placed in contact with a mounting surface 11 such as the floor. Furniture 1A can be installed on the mounting surface 11 in two different orientations. A user can sit on furniture 1A in either orientation. One of the two different orientations will be referred to as the first orientation, and the other as the second orientation. Figures 1 and 2 show furniture 1A in the first orientation. Figures 3 and 4 show furniture 1A in the second orientation. In the following description of furniture 1A, the horizontal direction connecting the front and back of a seated user is referred to as the front-to-back direction, the front of the seated user is referred to as "front," and the back is referred to as "rear." The horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction is referred to as the width direction.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the furniture 1A comprises a support structure 2 and a functional unit 3. The support structure 2 is provided in contact with the installation surface 11. The functional unit 3 has the function of allowing a user to sit on it. The functional unit 3 comprises a seat 38 on which the user sits and a backrest 39 on which the seated user leans their back.

[0026] In Figures 5 and 6, the seat member 381 of the seat 38 and the backrest member 391 of the backrest 39 are omitted. As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the support structure 2 has a pair of frame-shaped members 4, 4, a first connecting member 21, a second connecting member 22, and a third connecting member 23. In both the first and second positions, one of the pair of frame-shaped members 4, 4 is provided at one end in the width direction of the support structure 2, and the other is provided at the other end in the width direction of the support structure 2. The shapes of the pair of frame-shaped members 4, 4 are symmetrical with respect to each other in the width direction. The first connecting member 21, the second connecting member 22, and the third connecting member 23 are each installed between the pair of frame-shaped members 4, 4. The first connecting member 21, the second connecting member 22, and the third connecting member 23 are rod-shaped and extend in the width direction in both the first and second positions. The pair of frame-shaped members 4,4, the first connecting member 21, the second connecting member 22, and the third connecting member 23 in this embodiment are formed by processing steel pipes.

[0027] The frame-shaped member 4 has a rectangular frame shape with an outer shape that is approximately trapezoidal when viewed from the width direction. The parts along the four sides of the approximately trapezoidal frame-shaped member 4 are denoted as the first edge 41, second edge 42, third edge 43, and fourth edge 44, respectively. The first edge 41, second edge 42, third edge 43, and fourth edge 44 are arranged in the order of first edge 41, second edge 42, third edge 43, and fourth edge 44, forming a trapezoid. The first edge 41 and the third edge 43 each extend in a straight line and are arranged parallel to each other with a gap in between. The first edge 41 is longer than the third edge 43. The fourth edge 44 extends in a straight line perpendicular to the first edge 41 and the third edge 43. The ends of the second edge 42 are connected to the first edge 41 at an acute angle and to the third edge 43 at an obtuse angle. The second edge portion 42 is curved such that its central portion in the longitudinal direction protrudes outwards from the outer circumference of the frame-shaped member 4. In this embodiment, the first edge 41 and the second edge 42 intersect at an angle of approximately 80°. In the following, the direction in which each edge extends may be referred to as the longitudinal direction or the long side direction.

[0028] Both ends of the first connecting member 21 are joined to the midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the first edge 41 of each of the pair of frame-shaped members 4. Both ends of the second connecting member 22 are joined to the midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the second edge 42 of each of the pair of frame-shaped members 4. Both ends of the third connecting member 23 are joined to the midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the fourth edge 44 of each of the pair of frame-shaped members 4.

[0029] The first edge portion 41 has a rod-shaped main body portion 411 extending in the longitudinal direction of the first edge portion 41, and a projection portion 412 attached to the outer circumference of the main body portion 411 and projecting radially outward from the outer circumference of the main body portion 411. The main body portion 411 and the projection portion 412 are separate components, with the projection portion 412 attached to the outer circumference of the main body portion 411. The projection portions 412 are attached near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 411 of each of the pair of frame-shaped members 4. The main body 411 is the steel pipe of the first edge portion 41 described above. The protruding portion 412 may be, for example, a cylindrical member surrounding the main body portion 411. The protruding portion 412 is made of, for example, rubber and is elastically deformable, and has a slit on its outer circumference for fitting the main body portion 411 into.

[0030] The third connecting member 23 has a rod-shaped main body portion 231 extending in the longitudinal direction of the third connecting member 23, and a projection portion 232 attached to the outer circumference of the main body portion 231 and projecting radially outward from the outer circumference of the main body portion 231. The main body portion 231 and the projection portion 232 are separate components, with the projection portion 232 attached to the outer circumference of the main body portion 231. Two projection portions 232 are attached to the middle of the main body portion 231 in the longitudinal direction, spaced apart from each other. The main body 231 is a steel pipe, such as the third connecting member 23 mentioned above. The protruding portion 232 may be, for example, a cylindrical member surrounding the main body portion 231. The protruding portion 232 is made of, for example, rubber and is elastically deformable, and has a slit on its outer circumference for fitting the main body portion 231 into.

[0031] As shown in Figure 7, in the first orientation, the support structure 2 has a first edge 41 positioned below the third edge 43 and a fourth edge 44 positioned in front of the second edge 42. The first edge 41 and the third edge 43 extend in the front-rear direction. The second edge 42 extends gradually towards the front from the bottom to the top. The fourth edge 44 extends in the vertical direction. The first edge 41 and the first connecting member 21 are positioned along the installation surface 11. The protruding portion 412 of the first edge 41 is in contact with the installation surface 11. The main body 411 of the first edge 41 and the first connecting member 21 are positioned above the installation surface 11 with a gap between them. The second connecting member 22 and the third connecting member 23 are positioned at the same height. The third connecting member 23 is positioned in front of the second connecting member 22.

[0032] As shown in Figure 8, in the second orientation, the support structure 2 has its second edge 42 positioned below the fourth edge 44 and its first edge 41 positioned in front of the third edge 43. The first edge 41 and the third edge 43 extend diagonally from bottom to top and gradually toward the rear. The second edge 42 extends approximately in the front-to-back direction. The fourth edge 44 extends in a direction that gradually moves downward from front to rear. The second edge 42 is in contact with the mounting surface 11 over a portion of its longitudinal direction (the portion between the front and rear ends in the longitudinal direction). Because the second edge 42 is curved, the support structure 2 in the second orientation is positioned above the mounting surface 11, except for the portion of its longitudinal direction that is in contact with the mounting surface 11. As a result, the support structure 2 in the second orientation can rock in the front-to-back direction on the mounting surface 11. The second connecting member 22 makes contact with the installation surface 11 when the support structure 2 in the second position is rocked. The second connecting member 22 may also be positioned to make contact with the installation surface 11 when the rocking of the support structure 2 is stopped in the second position, or it may be positioned so as not to make contact with the installation surface 11 at any time, either when rocking or when rocking is stopped. The first connecting member 21 is positioned in front of and below the third connecting member 23.

[0033] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the functional unit 3 is detachable from the support structure 2 in the first position and the support structure 2 in the second position, respectively. The functional unit 3 is attached to the support structure 2 in the first position and the support structure 2 in the second position at different positions from each other. As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the functional unit 3 is fixed to the second connecting member 22 and the third connecting member 23 of the support structure 2 in the first position. As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the functional unit 3 is fixed to the first connecting member and the third connecting member of the support structure 2 in the second position. The functional unit 3 attached to the support structure 2 in the first position is in a position where the seat 38 (see Figure 1) is approximately horizontal. The functional unit 3 attached to the support structure 2 in the second position is in a position where the rear side of the seat 38 (see Figure 3) is lower than the front side. In the following description of the functional unit 3, the functional unit 3 is in the position attached to the support structure 2 in the first position.

[0034] As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 9, the functional unit 3 includes a pair of side members 31, 31, a first functional connecting member 32, a second functional connecting member 33, a third functional connecting member 34, a fourth functional connecting member 35, a first fixing member 36, a second fixing member 37, a seat member 381 (see Figures 1 and 3), and a backrest member 391 (see Figures 1 and 3). The pair of side members 31, 31 are positioned such that one is at one end of the functional unit 3 in the width direction, and the other is at the other end of the functional unit 3 in the width direction. The shapes of the pair of side members 31, 31 are symmetrical with respect to each other in the width direction.

[0035] The first functional connecting member 32, the second functional connecting member 33, the third functional connecting member 34, and the fourth functional connecting member 35 are each elongated members extending in the width direction. The first functional connecting member 32, the second functional connecting member 33, the third functional connecting member 34, and the fourth functional connecting member 35 are each installed between a pair of side members 31, 31. The first fixing member 36 is fixed to the first functional connecting member 32 and is detachable from the support structure 2. The second fixing member 37 is fixed to the second functional connecting member 33 and is detachable from the support structure 2. The first fixing member 36 and the second fixing member 37 are members for detachably fixing the functional part 3 to the support structure 2. The seat member 381 is a member that forms the seat 38. The backrest member 391 is a member that forms the backrest 39. The seat member 381 and the backrest member 391 may be separate members or may be provided integrally.

[0036] The pair of side members 31, 31, the second functional connecting member 33, the third functional connecting member 34, and the fourth functional connecting member 35 are formed by processing steel pipes. The pair of side members 31, 31, the third functional connecting member 34, and the fourth functional connecting member 35 are pipes with a circular cross-section. The second functional connecting member 33 is a pipe with an oval cross-section. The first functional connecting member 32 is plate-shaped. Steel plates or the like are used for the first functional connecting member 32.

[0037] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, each of the pair of side members 31, 31 has a seat mounting portion 311 to which the seat member 381 is attached, a backrest mounting portion 312 to which the backrest member 391 is attached, and a connecting portion 313 that connects the seat mounting portion 311 and the backrest mounting portion 312. The seat mounting portion 311 has a straight portion 311a that extends linearly in the front-rear direction, and an inclined portion 311b that extends gradually downward toward the front from the front end of the straight portion 311a. The inclined portion 311b is located at the front end of the seat mounting portion 311. The connecting portion 313 has a lower connecting portion 313a that extends upward from the rear end of the seat mounting portion 311 in a direction that gradually moves backward, and an upper connecting portion 313b that extends upward from the upper end of the lower connecting portion 313a in a direction that gradually moves forward. The lower connecting portion 313a is arc-shaped and protrudes backward when viewed from the width direction. The upper connecting portion 313b is straight. The backrest mounting portion 312 extends linearly from the upper end of the upper connecting portion 313b in a direction that gradually moves backward upward.

[0038] The first functional connecting member 32 connects the vicinity of the front ends of the straight portions 311a of the seat mounting portions 311 of each of the pair of side members 31, 31. The plate surface of one end 321 in the width direction that connects to one side member 31 of the first functional connecting member 32 is inclined gradually downward from one side to the other in the width direction. The plate surface of the other end 322 in the width direction that connects to the other side member 31 of the first functional connecting member 32 is inclined gradually downward from the other side to the one side in the width direction. The plate surface of the intermediate portion 323 between both ends 321, 322 of the first functional connecting member 32 is a horizontal plane.

[0039] The second functional connecting member 33 connects the connection portions 314 between the seat mounting portion 311 and the connecting portion 313 of each of the pair of side members 31, 31. The second functional connecting member 33 extends linearly in the width direction. As described above, the cross-sectional shape of the second functional connecting member 33 is oval. The planar portion of the circumferential surface of the second functional connecting member 33 is positioned in the vertical direction.

[0040] The third functional connecting member 34 connects the upper connecting portions 313b of each of the pair of side members 31, 31 in the vertical direction. The third functional connecting member 34 extends linearly in the width direction. The fourth functional connecting member 35 connects the connection portions 315 between the backrest mounting portion 312 and the connecting portion 313 of each of the pair of side members 31, 31. The fourth functional connecting member 35 extends in the width direction, and its middle portion 351 in the width direction is curved so as to protrude backward. Both ends 352 in the width direction of the fourth functional connecting member 35 are located above and in front of the third functional connecting member 34. The middle portion 351 in the width direction of the fourth functional connecting member 35 is located above and behind the third functional connecting member 34. The third functional connecting member 34 and the fourth functional connecting member 35 partially overlap in the vertical direction.

[0041] As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the first fixing member 36 has an engaging portion 361 that can be attached to and detached from the support structure 2, and a pair of fixing portions 362, 362 that fix the engaging portion 361 to the first functional connecting member 32. The engaging portion 361 is U-shaped and opens to the rear. The engaging portion 361 has a recess 363 that opens to the rear. As shown in Figures 5 and 12, when the support structure 2 is in the first position, the main body 231 of the third connecting member 23 is fitted into the recess 363. As shown in Figure 6, when the support structure 2 is in the second position, the first connecting member 21 is fitted into the recess 363. When the first connecting member 21 or the third connecting member 23 is fitted into the recess 363, the engaging portion 361 (see Figure 11) is fixed to the fitted first connecting member 21 or third connecting member 23.

[0042] As shown in Figures 9 to 11, one of the pair of fixing parts 362 is positioned on one side of the width direction of the engaging part 361, and the other is positioned on the other side of the width direction of the engaging part 361. As shown in Figure 11, the fixing part 362 has a main body fixing piece 364 that is fixed to the engaging part 361 and a connecting member fixing piece 365 that is fixed to the first functional connecting member 32. The main body fixing piece 364 is fixed to the engaging part 361 from the width direction. Recesses 361a are formed on both sides of the width direction of the engaging part 361 into which the main body fixing piece 364 is fitted. The main body fixing piece 364 is fixed to the engaging part 361 by being fitted into the recesses 361a of the engaging part 361.

[0043] The connecting member fixing piece 365 protrudes outward in the width direction from the upper end of the main body fixing piece 364. The connecting member fixing piece 365 is fixed to the lower surface of the first functional connecting member 32 by fasteners such as screws. By fixing the connecting member fixing piece 365 to the first functional connecting member 32, the first fixing member 36 is fixed to the first functional connecting member 32. In this embodiment, two first fixing members 36 are attached to the intermediate portion 323 in the width direction (length direction) of the first functional connecting member 32 with a gap in the width direction. The engaging portion 361 is made of, for example, resin. The fixing portion 362 is made of, for example, steel plate. In this embodiment, the engaging portion 361 is configured to elastically deform when the first connecting member 21 or the third connecting member 23 is fitted into the recess 363.

[0044] Claw portions 363c are formed on the downward-facing upper surface 363a and the upward-facing lower surface 363b of the inner circumferential surface of the recess 363. The claw portion 363c formed on the upper surface 363a of the recess 363 protrudes downward from the upper surface 363a. The claw portion 363c formed on the lower surface 363b of the recess 363 protrudes upward from the lower surface 363b. The two upper and lower claw portions 363c are positioned opposite each other in the vertical direction. The claw portions 363c are configured to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction. The first connecting member 21 and the third connecting member 23 are fitted into the recess 363 in front of the two claw portions 363c, while elastically deforming the claw portions 363c upward. When the first connecting member 21 and the third connecting member 23 reach the deepest part of the recess 363, the claw portions 363c elastically return downward and are positioned behind the first connecting member 21 and the third connecting member 23. When the first connecting member 21 and the third connecting member 23 are positioned in front of the two claw portions 363c in the recess 363, they are prevented from shifting backward by the two claw portions 363c.

[0045] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the second fixing member 37 has an engaging portion 371 that can be attached to and detached from the support structure 2, and a fixing portion 372 that fixes the engaging portion 371 to the second functional connecting member 33. The engaging portion 371 is U-shaped and opens downward. The engaging portion 371 has a recess 373 that opens downward. The second connecting member 22 of the support structure 2 in the first position is fitted into the recess 373. The engaging portion 371 of the second fixing member 37 is not fixed to the support structure 2 in the second position.

[0046] The fixing portion 372 is connected to the engaging portion 371. The fixing portion 372 is flat and is fixed to the lower surface of the second functional connecting member 33 by fasteners such as screws. By fixing the fixing portion 372 to the second functional connecting member 33, the second fixing member 37 is fixed to the second functional connecting member 33. In this embodiment, two second fixing members 37 are attached to the middle portion of the second functional connecting member 33 in the width direction (length direction) with a gap in the width direction. The engaging portion 371 and the fixing portion 372 are made of, for example, resin. In this embodiment, the second connecting member 22 is fitted into the recess 373 while elastically deforming the engaging portion 371 to widen the recess 373, and when it reaches the deepest part of the recess 373, it is configured to be held in place by the restoring force of the elastic deformation of the engaging portion 371.

[0047] The seat member 381 is formed in a bag shape from, for example, upholstery material and is attached to the seat mounting portion 311 of the pair of side members 31. The seat member 381 may be made of, for example, resin, wood, or a metal plate. The backrest member 391 is formed in a bag shape from, for example, upholstery material and is attached to the backrest mounting portion 312 of the pair of side members 31. The backrest member 391 may be made of, for example, resin, wood, or a metal plate.

[0048] As shown in Figure 5, the functional unit 3 is attached to the support structure 2 in the first position as follows. The functional unit 3 is positioned between a pair of frame-shaped members 4, and the seat mounting portion 311 of the side member 31 is positioned on the second connecting member 22 and the third connecting member 23 of the support structure 2. The first fixing member 36 of the functional unit 3 is fixed to the third connecting member 23, and the second fixing member 37 is fixed to the second connecting member 22. In the first position, the third edge 43 of the support structure 2 is positioned above the seat 38 and in front of the backrest 39, and is used as an armrest. The second connecting member 22 and the third connecting member 23 of the support structure 2 correspond to the "first fixing part" in the claims.

[0049] To attach the functional unit 3 to the support structure 2 in the first position, first, tilt the functional unit 3 so that its rear side is higher than its front side, position the first fixing member 36 on the front side of the functional unit 3 in front of the third connecting member 23, move the functional unit 3 backward, and fit the third connecting member 23 into the recess 363 of the first fixing member 36. Next, rotate the functional unit 3 so that its rear side is moved downward around the first fixing member 36, and fit the second connecting member 22 into the recess 373 of the second fixing member 37. In this way, the first fixing member 36 is fixed to the third connecting member 23, and the second fixing member 37 is fixed to the second connecting member 22, thereby fixing the functional unit 3 to the support structure 2 in the first position.

[0050] As shown in Figure 6, the functional unit 3 is attached to the support structure 2 in the second position as follows. The functional unit 3 is positioned between a pair of frame-shaped members 4, with the front end of the seat mounting portion 311 of the side member 31 positioned on the first connecting member 21, and the fourth functional connecting member 35 positioned on the third connecting member 23. The first fixing member 36 is fixed to the first connecting member 21, and the fourth functional connecting member 35 rests on the third connecting member 23. The fourth functional connecting member 35 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the protruding portion 232 of the third connecting member 23, but away from the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 231. The upper connecting portion 313b of the side member 31 contacts the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 231 of the third connecting member 23 from diagonally in front and below. In the second position, the front side of the fourth edge portion 44 of the support structure 2 (the side connected to the first edge portion 41) is positioned above the seat 38 and in front of the backrest 39, and is used as an armrest. The first connecting member 21 and the third connecting member 23 of the support structure 2 correspond to the "second fixing part" in the claims.

[0051] To attach the functional unit 3 to the support structure 2 in the second position, first, tilt the functional unit 3 so that its rear side is higher than its front side, position the first fixing member 36 on the front side of the functional unit 3 in front of the first connecting member 21, move the functional unit 3 backward, and fit the first connecting member 21 into the recess 363 of the first fixing member 36. Next, rotate the functional unit 3 so that its rear side moves downward around the first fixing member 36, and place the fourth functional connecting member 35 on top of the third connecting member 23. As described above, the connecting portion 313 of the side member 31 has an arc shape when viewed from the width direction at the lower connecting portion 313a, and the upper connecting portion 313b extends diagonally from the rear to the front, gradually moving from the bottom to the top. Therefore, as shown in Figure 15, when the functional portion 3 is rotated around the first fixing member 36 as described above, the connecting portion 313 and the third connecting member 23 do not interfere with each other. Alternatively, even if the connecting portion 313 and the third connecting member 23 come into contact with each other, they can move while in contact with each other and do not hinder the above rotation.

[0052] As shown in Figure 16, the third connecting member 23 is sandwiched between the upper connecting portion 313b of the side member 31 and the fourth functional connecting member 35. As a result, when a force is applied that causes the rear side of the functional part 3 attached to the support structure 2 in the second position to move upward compared to the front side, the fourth functional connecting member 35 comes into contact with the third connecting member 23. Therefore, the functional part 3 will not move until a force is applied that allows the fourth functional connecting member 35 to overcome the third connecting member 23, thus preventing the functional part 3 from coming off unintentionally. As shown in Figure 6, a third functional connecting member 34 is positioned below the third connecting member 23 at a distance from it.

[0053] Comparing the first-position furniture 1A with the second-position furniture 1A, the functional part 3 of the first-position furniture 1A is higher from the mounting surface 11 than the functional part 3 of the second-position furniture 1A, and the seat 38 is positioned higher. The seat 38 of the second-position furniture 1A is tilted further back than the seat 38 of the first-position furniture 1A. The second-position furniture 1A rocks in the front-to-back direction, but the first-position furniture 1A does not rock.

[0054] Next, the operation and effects of the fixture 1A according to the first embodiment described above will be explained. In the fixture 1A according to the first embodiment, the height dimension of the functional unit 3 fixed to the support structure 2 from the installation surface 11 in the first orientation is greater than the height dimension of the functional unit 3 fixed to the support structure 2 from the installation surface 11 in the second orientation. This allows the height of the functional unit 3 to be changed by installing the fixture 1A in different orientations with respect to the installation surface 11. In the fixture 1A according to the first embodiment, the first edge 41 and the second edge 42 of the support structure 2 extend in directions that intersect each other. As a result, when the first edge 41 is positioned along the installation surface 11 in the first orientation, the second edge 42 extends in a direction that intersects the installation surface 11, so it is not positioned to face upward along the upper edge of the support structure 2, and is positioned in a location that is unlikely to be touched by the user. Similarly, when the second edge 42 is positioned along the installation surface 11 in the second orientation, the first edge 41 extends in a direction that intersects the installation surface 11, so it is not positioned to face upward along the upper edge of the support structure 2, and is positioned in a location that is unlikely to be touched by the user. Therefore, when changing the orientation of the fixture 1A from the first orientation to the second orientation, even if dust or other debris from the installation surface 11 adheres to the first edge 41, which was positioned along the installation surface 11 before the change and at least a portion of it was in contact with the installation surface 11, it is possible to prevent that dust or other debris from adhering to the user. Similarly, when changing the orientation of the fixture 1A from the second orientation to the first orientation, even if dust or other debris from the installation surface 11 adheres to the second edge 42, which was positioned along the installation surface 11 before the change and at least a portion of it was in contact with the installation surface 11, it is possible to prevent that dust or debris from adhering to the user.

[0055] In the fixture 1A according to the first embodiment, the first edge portion 41 has a main body portion 411 that extends in the direction in which the first edge portion 41 extends, and a projection portion 412 that protrudes from the main body portion 411 in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first edge portion 41 extends. When the fixture 1A is in a first position and the first edge portion 41 is grounded along the installation surface 11, the projection portion 412 makes contact with the installation surface 11, and the main body portion 411 is positioned above the installation surface 11 with a gap in between. With this configuration, only the protruding portion 412 of the first edge 41 makes contact with the installation surface 11. As a result, the part that would normally accumulate dust when positioned along the installation surface 11 is mainly the protruding portion 412, making it difficult for dust to accumulate on the main body portion 411. This further prevents dust that had accumulated on the first edge 41 when it was positioned along the installation surface 11 before the change from the first position to the second position from adhering to the user. It also makes it easier for the user to see which part (protruding portion 412) has accumulated dust.

[0056] In the fixture 1A according to the first embodiment, the protruding portion 412 of the first edge portion 41 is a separate component from the main body portion 411 and may be fixed to the main body portion 411. With this configuration, there is no need to process the main body 411 in order to provide the protrusion 412 on the first edge 41, and the first edge 41 can be manufactured easily and inexpensively. If the protrusion 412 is a removable component from the main body 411, the protrusion 412 can be replaced if it becomes dirty or damaged due to contact with the installation surface 11.

[0057] In the fixture 1A according to the first embodiment, the first edge 41 and the second edge 42 are connected. With this configuration, the edges of the first edge 41 and the second edge 42 that are not positioned along the installation surface 11 become edges that extend upward from the installation surface 11. As a result, the edges that are not positioned along the installation surface 11 are positioned in a location that is unlikely to be touched by the user. Therefore, when changing the orientation of the furniture 1A from the first orientation to the second orientation, or from the second orientation to the first orientation, even if dust or other debris from the installation surface 11 has adhered to the edges that were positioned along the installation surface 11 before the change, it is possible to prevent that dust or debris from adhering to the user.

[0058] In the fixture 1A according to the first embodiment, the functional part 3 has a first fixing member 36 that can be fixed to the rod-shaped first connecting member 21 and third connecting member 23 of the support structure 2. The first fixing member 36 has a recess 363 into which the first connecting member 21 and third connecting member 23 are fitted from a direction intersecting the direction in which the first connecting member 21 and third connecting member 23 extend. The functional part 3 also has a second fixing member 37 that can be fixed to the rod-shaped second connecting member 22 of the support structure 2. The second fixing member 37 has a recess 373 into which the second connecting member 22 is fitted from a direction intersecting the direction in which the second connecting member 22 extends. With this configuration, the functional unit 3 can be easily fixed to the support structure 2 by fitting either the first fixing member 36 or the second fixing member 37 of the functional unit 3 into either the second connecting member 22 or the third connecting member 23 of the support structure 2. As described above, the second connecting member 22 and the third connecting member 23 correspond to the first fixing part in the claims, and the first connecting member 21 corresponds to the second fixing part in the claims.

[0059] In the fixture 1A according to the first embodiment, the support structure 2 includes a pair of frame-shaped members 4, 4 that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction and each having a first edge 41 and a second edge 42, a first connecting member 21 that is installed between the intermediate portions of the first edge 41 of each of the pair of frame-shaped members 4, 4 in the direction in which the first edge 41 extends, and a second connecting member 22 that is installed between the intermediate portions of the second edge 42 of each of the pair of frame-shaped members 4, 4 in the direction in which the second edge 42 extends. The functional part 3 is fixed to the first connecting member 21 in the second position (a second fixing portion is provided), and the functional part 3 is fixed to the second connecting member 22 in the first position (a first fixing portion is provided). With this configuration, the functional unit 3 is fixed to the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 between the pair of frame-shaped members 4, 4. Therefore, the furniture 1A can be easily carried by gripping the pair of frame-shaped members 4, 4 from both sides in the width direction. By fixing the functional part 3 at an intermediate position in the direction in which the first edge 41 extends, or at an intermediate position in the direction in which the second edge 42 extends, at least a portion of each of the pair of frame-shaped members 4, 4 protrudes from the functional part 3 in at least one of the directions in which the first edge 41 extends and the direction in which the second edge 42 extends. As a result, the pair of frame-shaped members 4, 4 do not interfere with the functional part 3 when gripping, making them easy to grip. In this embodiment, when the furniture 1A is a chair, the portion of the frame-shaped member 4, which is arranged on both sides of the seat 38 in the width direction, that protrudes in at least one direction from the functional portion 3, either in the direction in which the first edge 41 extends or the direction in which the second edge 42 extends, can be used as an armrest. As described above, in this embodiment, in the first posture, the third edge 43 of the support structure 2 is positioned above the seat 38 and in front of the backrest 39, and can be used as an armrest. In the second posture, the front side of the fourth edge 44 of the support structure 2 (the side connected to the first edge 41) is positioned above the seat 38 and in front of the backrest 39, and can be used as an armrest.

[0060] (Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment will be described based on the attached drawings. However, the same reference numerals will be used for members and parts that are the same as or similar to those in the first embodiment described above, and their descriptions will be omitted. A description of the configuration that differs from the first embodiment will be provided. As shown in Figure 17, the furniture 1B according to the second embodiment is a table installed on an installation surface 11 such as the floor. Furniture 1B includes a support structure 2B and a functional unit 3B. The support structure 2B is grounded on the installation surface 11. The functional unit 3B has a tabletop 61. Furniture 1B can be installed on the mounting surface 11 in two different orientations. The top plate of furniture 1B can be used in either orientation. One of the two different orientations will be referred to as the first orientation, and the other as the second orientation. Figures 17 and 18 show furniture 1B in the first orientation. Figures 19 and 20 show furniture 1B in the second orientation. The tabletop 61 is flat and has a rectangular surface. In the following description of fixture 1B, the direction in which the longer side of the rectangular surface of the tabletop 61 extends is referred to as the width direction, and the direction in which the shorter side extends is referred to as the front-to-back direction.

[0061] As shown in Figures 21 and 22, the support structure 2B includes a pair of frame-shaped members 5, 5, a first connecting member 24, a second connecting member 25, and a third connecting member 26. The pair of frame-shaped members 5, 5 are provided on both sides in the width direction. The shapes of the pair of frame-shaped members 5, 5 are symmetrical with respect to each other in the width direction. The first connecting member 24, the second connecting member 25, and the third connecting member 26 are installed between the pair of frame-shaped members 5, 5. In this embodiment, the pair of frame-shaped members 4, 4, the first connecting member 24, the second connecting member 25, and the third connecting member 26 are formed by processing steel pipes.

[0062] The frame-shaped member 5 has a rectangular frame shape (rectangular frame shape) in which one of the perpendicular sides is longer than the other side. The edges of the outer edge of the frame-shaped member 5 along the four sides of the rectangle are denoted as the first edge 51, second edge 52, third edge 53, and fourth edge 54, respectively. The edges are arranged in the order of first edge 51, second edge 52, third edge 53, and fourth edge 54 to form a rectangle. The first edge 51 and the third edge 53 are arranged parallel to each other, and the second edge 52 and the fourth edge 54 are arranged parallel to each other. The first edge 51 and the third edge 53 are longer than the second edge 52 and the fourth edge 54. In the second embodiment, the first edge 51, the second edge 52, and the fourth edge 54 are perpendicular to each other. The third edge 53, the second edge 52, and the fourth edge 54 are perpendicular to each other. In the following, the direction in which the edge extends may also be referred to as the length direction.

[0063] The first edge portion 51 has a rod-shaped main body portion 511 extending in the longitudinal direction of the first edge portion 51, and a projection portion 512 attached to the outer circumference of the main body portion 511 and projecting radially outward from the outer circumference of the main body portion 511. The main body portion 511 and the projection portion 512 are separate components, with the projection portion 512 attached to the outer circumference of the main body portion 511. The projection portions 512 are attached near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 511 of each of the pair of frame-shaped members 4. The main body 511 is the steel pipe of the first edge 51 described above. The protruding portion 512 is, for example, a bolt fastened to a nut welded to the main body portion 511.

[0064] The second edge portion 52 has a rod-shaped main body portion 521 extending in the longitudinal direction of the second edge portion 52, and a projection portion 522 attached to the outer circumference of the main body portion 521 and projecting radially outward from the outer circumference of the main body portion 521. The main body portion 521 and the projection portion 522 are separate components, with the projection portion 522 attached to the outer circumference of the main body portion 521. The projection portion 522 is attached near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 521 of each of the pair of frame-shaped members 5, 5. The main body 521 is the steel pipe of the second edge 52 described above. The protruding portion 522 is, for example, a bolt fastened to a nut welded to the main body portion 521.

[0065] The first connecting member 24, the second connecting member 25, and the third connecting member 26 extend in the width direction in both the first and second orientations. Both ends of the first connecting member 24 are joined to the midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the second edge 52 of each of the pair of frame-shaped members 5, 5. Both ends of the second connecting member 25 are joined to the midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the third edge 53 of each of the pair of frame-shaped members 5, 5. Both ends of the third connecting member 26 are joined to the midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the fourth edge 54 of each of the pair of frame-shaped members 5, 5.

[0066] In the first position, the support structure 2B has a first edge 51 and a third edge 53 extending in the front-rear direction, and a second edge 52 and a fourth edge 54 extending in the vertical direction. The first edge 51 is positioned along the installation surface 11. The second edge 42 is positioned at the front end of the support structure 2B. The third edge 53 is positioned at the upper end of the support structure 2B. The fourth edge 54 is positioned at the rear end of the support structure 2B. The first connecting member 24 and the third connecting member 26 are positioned at the same height in the middle of the vertical direction of the support structure 2B. The first connecting member 24 is positioned in front of the third connecting member 26. The second connecting member 25 is positioned at the same height as the third edge 53 in the middle of the front-to-back direction of the support structure 2B.

[0067] In the second orientation, the support structure 2B has a first edge 51 and a third edge 53 extending in the vertical direction, and a second edge 52 and a fourth edge 54 extending in the front-rear direction. The first edge 51 is located at the front end of the support structure 2B. The second edge 52 is located along the installation surface 11. The third edge 53 is located at the rear end of the support structure 2B. The fourth edge 54 is located at the upper end of the support structure 2B. The first connecting member 24 is positioned along the installation surface 11. The second connecting member 25 is positioned in the middle of the rear end of the support structure 2B in the vertical direction. The third connecting member 26 is positioned in the middle of the upper end of the support structure 2B in the front-rear direction.

[0068] The functional unit 3B is detachable from the support structure 2 in the first and second positions, respectively. As shown in Figures 17, 19, and 23, the functional unit 3B includes a top plate 61, a fixing member 62 fixed to the top plate 61 and detachable from the support structure 2B, and a reinforcing member 63 fixed to the top plate 61. The reinforcing member 63 is a long member that extends in the width direction. In this embodiment, two reinforcing members 63 are joined to both the front and rear portions of the underside of the top plate 61. The fixing member 62 is the same as the second fixing member 37 in the first embodiment. The fixing member 62 has a recess 621 similar to the recess 373 of the second fixing member 37. The fixing member 62 is fixed to four locations on both the front and rear portions of both ends in the width direction on the underside of the top plate 61. The recess 621 of the fixing member 62 extends in the front-rear direction and opens downward. In this embodiment, reinforcing members 63 are arranged between the fixing members 62 which are spaced apart in the width direction.

[0069] The functional unit 3B is attached to the support structure 2B in the first position and the support structure 2B in the second position at different positions from each other. The functional unit 3B is attached to both the support structure 2B in the first position and the support structure 2B in the second position in the same position in which the top plate 61 is horizontal. The functional unit 3B is attached to the support structure 2B in the first position as follows: The functional unit 3B is placed on the third edges 53 of each of the pair of frame-shaped members 5, 5 of the support structure 2B in the first position, and the third edges 53 of each of the pair of frame-shaped members 5, 5 are fitted into the recesses 621 of the four fixing members 62 and fixed to the support structure 2B. The third edges 53 correspond to the first fixing part in the claims. The functional unit 3B is fixed to the fourth edges 54 of each of the pair of frame-shaped members 5, 5 of the support structure 2B in the second position.

[0070] The functional unit 3B is attached to the support structure 2B in the second position as follows: The functional unit 3B is placed on the fourth edges 54 of each of the pair of frame-shaped members 5, 5 of the support structure 2B in the second position, and the fourth edges 54 of each of the pair of frame-shaped members 5, 5 are fitted into the recesses 621 of the four fixing members 62 and fixed to the support structure 2B. The fourth edges 54 correspond to the second fixing part in the claims.

[0071] Comparing the first-positioned fixture 1B with the second-positioned fixture 1B, the functional section 3B of the first-positioned fixture 1B is lower in height from the installation surface 11 than the functional section 3B of the second-positioned fixture 1B, and the top plate 61 is positioned lower.

[0072] In the fixture 1B according to the second embodiment, the first edge 51 and the second edge 52 of the support structure 2B extend in directions that intersect each other. As a result, the fixture 1B according to the second embodiment has the same effect as the fixture 1A according to the first embodiment.

[0073] In the fixture 1B according to the second embodiment, the first edge 51 has a main body 511 extending in the direction in which the first edge 51 extends, and a projection 512 projecting from the main body 511 in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first edge 51 extends. When the fixture 1B is in a first position and the first edge 51 is positioned along the installation surface 11, the projection 512 makes contact with the installation surface 11, and the main body 511 is positioned above the installation surface 11 with a gap. The second edge 52 has a main body 521 extending in the direction in which the second edge 52 extends, and a projection 522 projecting from the main body 521 in a direction intersecting the direction in which the second edge 52 extends. When the fixture 1B assumes the second position and the second edge portion 52 is positioned along the installation surface 11, the protruding portion 522 makes contact with the installation surface 11, and the main body portion 521 is positioned above the installation surface 11 with a gap in between. With this configuration, similar to the first embodiment, when changing the orientation of the fixture 1B from the first orientation to the second orientation, it is possible to further prevent dust and other debris that were attached to the first edge 51, which was positioned along the installation surface 11 before the change, from adhering to the user. When changing the orientation of the fixture 1B from the second orientation to the first orientation, it is possible to further prevent dust and other debris that were attached to the second edge 52, which was positioned along the installation surface 11 before the change, from adhering to the user. It is also possible to clearly identify to the user the parts (protruding parts 512, 522) to which dust and other debris have been attached.

[0074] In the fixture 1B according to the second embodiment, the functional part 3 has a fixing member 62 that can be fixed to the rod-shaped third edge 53 and fourth edge 54 of the support structure 2B. The fixing member 62 has a recess 621 into which the third edge 53 and fourth edge 54 are fitted from a direction that intersects the direction in which the third edge 53 and fourth edge 54 extend. With this configuration, the functional unit 3B can be easily fixed to the support structure 2B by fitting the fixing member 62 of the functional unit 3B into either the third edge 53 or the fourth edge 54 of the support structure 2B. As described above, the third edge portion 53 corresponds to the first fixing portion in the claims, and the second edge portion 52 corresponds to the second fixing portion in the claims.

[0075] In the fixture 1B according to the second embodiment, the support structure 2B has a pair of rectangular frame-shaped members 5, 5 that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction. The frame-shaped member 5 has a third edge 53 that is the same length as the first edge 51 and extends in the same direction as the first edge 51, and is positioned opposite to it with a space between them in the direction in which the first edge 51 and the second edge 52 extend, and a fourth edge 54 that is the same length as the second edge 52 and extends in the same direction as the second edge 52, and is positioned opposite to it with a space between them in the direction in which the second edge 52 and the first edge 51 extend. The functional part 3B in the first orientation is fixed to the third edge 53 (a first fixing part is provided), and the functional part 3B in the second orientation is fixed to the fourth edge 54 (a second fixing part is provided).

[0076] With this configuration, the pair of frame-shaped members 4 and 5 can be provided with a first edge 51, a second edge 52, a third edge 53 (first fixing part) for fixing the functional part 3B in the first position, and a fourth edge 54 (second fixing part) for fixing the functional part 3B in the second position, thus allowing the support structure 2B to have a simple structure.

[0077] In the fixture 1B according to the second embodiment, the direction in which the first edge 51 extends and the direction in which the second edge 52 extends are perpendicular, and the distance between the second edge 52 and the fourth edge 54 is set to be greater than the distance between the first edge 51 and the third edge 53. This configuration allows for easy adjustment of the height of the functional unit 3B.

[0078] Although embodiments of the fixture according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the first embodiment described above, furniture 1A is a chair, and the functional part 3 is the seat 38 and backrest 39, and in the second embodiment, 1B is a table, and the functional part 3B is the tabletop 61, but it may also be furniture other than a chair or table, such as a storage shelf. In the first embodiment described above, the first edge 41 and the second edge 42 intersect at an angle of approximately 80°, but they may also intersect at an angle of 90°. The first edge 41 and the second edge 42 only need to intersect at an angle of less than 180°. The furniture 1A may be a chair that does not rock. In the second embodiment described above, the first edge 51 and the second edge 52 intersect at an angle of 90°, but it is sufficient if they intersect at an angle of less than 180°.

[0079] In the first embodiment described above, the functional unit 3 may be attached to the support structure 2 in the first position in a direction opposite to the front-to-back orientation described above. The first fixing member 36 near the front end of the functional unit 3 may be fixed to the second connecting member 22 of the support structure 2 in the first position, and the second fixing member 37 near the rear end of the functional unit 3 may be fixed to the third connecting member 23 of the support structure 2 in the first position.

[0080] In the first embodiment described above, the functional unit 3 is fixed to the first connecting member 21, the second connecting member 22, and the third connecting member 23 of the support structure 2. However, the functional unit 3 may also be fixed to the frame-shaped member 4 of the support structure 2. In the second embodiment described above, the functional part 3B is fixed to the third edge 53 and the fourth edge 54 of the frame-shaped member 5 of the support structure 2B, but it may also be fixed to the first connecting member 24, the second connecting member 25, the third connecting member 26, etc. In the above embodiment, the functional parts 3 and 3B are fixed to the support structures 2 and 2B via fixing members 36, 37, and 62, but the form in which the functional parts 3 and 3B are fixed to the support structures 2 and 2B may be other than that described above. In the first embodiment described above, the fourth functional connecting member 35 of the functional unit 3 is fixed to the third connecting member 23 of the support structure 2 in the second position. However, as mentioned above, the form in which the functional unit 3 is fixed to the support structure 2 may be other than that described above.

[0081] In the first embodiment described above, the first edge portion 41 has a main body portion 411 extending in the direction in which the first edge portion 41 extends, and a projection portion 412 projecting from the main body portion 411 in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first edge portion 41 extends. In the second embodiment described above, the first edge portion 51 has a main body portion 511 extending in the direction in which the first edge portion 51 extends, and a projection portion 512 projecting from the main body portion 511 in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first edge portion 51 extends. The second edge portion 52 has a main body portion 521 extending in the direction in which the second edge portion 52 extends, and a projection portion 522 projecting from the main body portion 521 in a direction intersecting the direction in which the second edge portion 52 extends. In contrast, the first edges 41, 51 and the second edge 52 are composed only of the main body portions 411, 511, and 521, and do not necessarily have the protruding portions 412, 512, and 522. In such cases, the main body portions 411, 511, and 521 make contact with the installation surface 11. The second edge portion 42 of the fixture 1A of the first embodiment, the first connecting member 21, the second connecting member 22, and the second connecting member 25 of the fixture 1B of the second embodiment, which are arranged along the installation surface 11, may have a main body portion and a protruding portion. The main body portions 411, 511, 521 and the protruding portions 412, 512, 522 may be molded as a single unit rather than being separate components. The materials used to form the main body portions 411, 511, 521 and the protruding portions 412, 512, 522 may be other than those described above.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the first edges 41, 51 and the second edges 42, 52 are connected, but members extending in other directions may be provided between the first edges 41, 51 and the second edges 42, 52, or the first edges 41, 51 and the second edges 42, 52 may be spaced apart. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1A, 1B Fixtures 2,2B Support structure 3,3B Functional part 4,5 Frame-shaped member 11 Installation surface 21 1st connection material 22 Second connection material 23 Third connection material 36 First fixing member 37 Second fixing member 41, 51 First edge 42, 52 Second edge 53 Third edge 54. Fourth edge 62 Fixing member 363 recess 373 recess 411, 511, 521 Main body 412,512,522 Projection 621 recess

Claims

1. A support structure installed on the mounting surface, It has a functional part that is detachably fixed to the support structure, The aforementioned support structure is A first edge portion extending in a predetermined direction, A second edge portion extending in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first edge portion extends, The first fixing part, which allows the aforementioned functional part to be attached and detached, It has a second fixing part provided at a different position from the first fixing part, to which the functional part can be attached and detached, The device can be installed in either a first position in which the first edge is positioned along the installation surface and at least a portion of the first edge is in contact with the installation surface, or a second position in which the second edge is positioned along the installation surface and at least a portion of the second edge is in contact with the installation surface. The functional part is fixed to the first fixing part in the first posture and to the second fixing part in the second posture. The height dimension of the functional unit fixed to the first fixed part from the mounting surface in the first posture and the height dimension of the functional unit fixed to the second fixed part from the mounting surface in the second posture are set to different values. The aforementioned support structure is A pair of frame-shaped members are provided spaced apart from each other in the width direction, each having a first edge and a second edge, A first connecting member is installed between the intermediate portions in the direction in which the first edge extends at the first edge of each of the pair of frame-shaped members, The pair of frame-shaped members each have a second connecting member installed between the intermediate portions in the direction in which the second edge extends, The first connecting member is provided with the second fixing portion, The fixture is provided with the first fixing portion on the second connecting member.

2. A support structure installed on the mounting surface, It has a functional part that is detachably fixed to the support structure, The aforementioned support structure is A first edge portion extending in a predetermined direction, A second edge portion extending in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first edge portion extends, The first fixing part, which allows the aforementioned functional part to be attached and detached, It has a second fixing part provided at a different position from the first fixing part, to which the functional part can be attached and detached, The device can be installed in either a first position in which the first edge is positioned along the installation surface and at least a portion of the first edge is in contact with the installation surface, or a second position in which the second edge is positioned along the installation surface and at least a portion of the second edge is in contact with the installation surface. The functional part is fixed to the first fixing part in the first posture and to the second fixing part in the second posture. The height dimension of the functional unit fixed to the first fixed part from the mounting surface in the first posture and the height dimension of the functional unit fixed to the second fixed part from the mounting surface in the second posture are set to different values. At least one of the first and second fixing portions has a first support fixing member and a second support fixing member, each formed in a rod shape and arranged apart from each other in a direction extending in a predetermined direction. The functional unit includes a first fixing member that can be fixed to the first support fixing member, and a second fixing member that can be fixed to the second support fixing member. The first fixing member has an opening in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first support fixing member extends, and has a first recess into which the first support fixing member is fitted. The second fixing member has an opening in a direction intersecting the direction in which the second support fixing member extends, and has a second recess into which the second support fixing member is fitted. A piece of furniture in which the direction in which the first recess opens and the direction in which the second recess opens are in different directions.

3. The support structure is A pair of frame-shaped members are provided spaced apart from each other in the width direction, each having a first edge and a second edge, A first connecting member is installed between the intermediate portions in the direction in which the first edge extends at the first edge of each of the pair of frame-shaped members, The pair of frame-shaped members each have a second connecting member installed between the intermediate portions in the direction in which the second edge extends, The first connecting member is provided with the second fixing portion, The fixture according to claim 2, wherein the second connecting member is provided with the first fixing portion.

4. At least one of the first edge and the second edge is A main body portion extending in the direction in which the aforementioned edge portion extends, It has a projection that extends from the main body in a direction intersecting the direction in which the edge extends, The fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the edge portion is positioned along the installation surface, the protruding portion makes contact with the installation surface, and the main body portion is positioned above the installation surface at a distance.

5. The fixture according to claim 4, wherein the protruding portion is a separate component from the main body and is fixed to the main body.

6. The fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first edge and the second edge are connected.

7. The aforementioned support structure is It has a pair of rectangular frame-shaped members that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction, The aforementioned frame-shaped member is The first edge and the second edge, A third edge portion having the same length as the first edge portion and extending in the same direction as the first edge portion, and positioned opposite to the first edge portion and the second edge portion with a gap between them in the direction in which they extend, It has a fourth edge portion that is the same length as the second edge portion and extends in the same direction as the second edge portion, and is positioned opposite to the second edge portion and spaced apart in the direction in which the second edge portion and the first edge portion extend, The third edge is provided with the first fixing portion, The fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second fixing portion is provided on the fourth edge.

8. The direction in which the first edge extends and the direction in which the second edge extends are perpendicular to each other. The fixture according to claim 7, wherein the distance between the first edge and the third edge in the direction in which the second edge extends, and the distance between the second edge and the fourth edge in the direction in which the first edge extends, are set to different values.

Citation Information

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