Fixture system

Abstract

To provide a furniture system capable of improving workability of an office worker and suppressing interference with the lower extremity of the office worker while reducing a burden on the office worker.SOLUTION: A furniture system includes: furniture with a top plate having a furniture body including a top plate and a travelling part for supporting the furniture body, which can move on a floor surface; and a chair having a seat and a support structure for supporting the seat. A portion positioned below the top plate of the furniture body is formed with a furniture side space that opens at least backward. The chair is configured so as to switch the state between a storage state in which it is supported by the furniture with a top plate inside the furniture side space and can be moved integrally with the furniture with a top plate, and a use state in which it is drawn outside the furniture side space. The support structure is formed with a chair side space that opens at least backward in the storage state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a furniture system.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a cart device including a furniture body having an article placement portion and casters for supporting the furniture body. The cart device can move forward, backward, or turn by being pushed or pulled through a gripping portion provided at the rear of the furniture body. Thus, the cart device can move in a work space (such as an office, a hospital, a public facility, etc.) with necessary articles placed on the article placement portion, and can move to a required location and perform work at any time.

[0003] By the way, in the above-described cart device, it was necessary for the worker to perform work while standing at the moving location. Therefore, for example, Patent Documents 2 to 4 below disclose a configuration in which a chair can be mounted on the cart device. According to this configuration, by taking out the chair from the cart device at the moving location, the worker can perform work while sitting on the chair. Therefore, it is considered that the workability of the worker can be improved and the burden on the worker can be reduced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the conventional technology described above, the chair is mounted at the rear (grip side) of the cart device. Therefore, there was a possibility that the lower limbs of the worker and the chair would interfere with each other when moving the cart device. Furthermore, when working while seated in a chair, the worker's lower limbs protrude forward (towards the cart device), which meant there was a possibility of interference between the worker's lower limbs and the cart device.

[0006] The present invention provides a furniture system that can improve the work efficiency of workers, reduce the burden on workers, and suppress interference with the workers' lower limbs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To address the above issues, this disclosure adopts the following characteristics. (1) A furniture system according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a furniture unit with a top plate that is movable on a floor surface and has a furniture body including a top plate and a running part that supports the furniture body, and a chair having a seat and a support structure that supports the seat, wherein a furniture-side space opening at least to the rear is formed in the portion of the furniture body located below the top plate, the chair is configured to be switchable between a hoarded state in which it is supported by the furniture body inside the furniture-side space and can move integrally with the furniture unit with the top plate, and a usage state in which it is pulled out outside the furniture-side space, and the support structure has a chair-side space that opens at least to the rear in the hoarded state.

[0008] According to this embodiment, after the furniture system (chairs) is moved to the stowed position, the worker can move the entire furniture system forward, backward, or rotate by pushing or pulling the furniture with a tabletop. After moving the furniture system in the stowed position to the required location, the chairs can be moved back to the use position, allowing the worker to work while seated in the chairs at the new location. This improves the worker's work efficiency and reduces the burden on the worker. In particular, according to this embodiment, since a chair-side space that opens at least to the rear is formed in the support structure when the furniture system is stored, the chair-side space is positioned to avoid the worker's lower limbs when the worker moves the furniture system in its stored state. As a result, even when the furniture system is moved with the chair mounted on the cart device, interference between the worker's lower limbs and the chair can be suppressed, and the furniture system can be moved smoothly.

[0009] (2) In the embodiment of (1) above, it is preferable that the fixture with a top plate is provided with a gripping portion that protrudes rearward from the space on the fixture side. According to this embodiment, even when the furniture system is in its stowed state, the gripping part is easy for the worker to grasp. Therefore, the operability of the furniture system can be improved.

[0010] (3) In the embodiment of (1) or (2) above, it is preferable that the furniture-side space is continuously open toward the rear and downward of the furniture body. According to this embodiment, when moving the furniture system from the rear, interference between the worker's lower limbs and the lower end of the furniture body can be suppressed. As a result, the furniture system can be moved smoothly.

[0011] (4) In any of the embodiments of (1) to (3) above, it is preferable that the chair-side space is continuously open toward the rear and downward in the accommodating state. According to this embodiment, interference between the worker's lower limbs and the lower end of the chair (support structure) can be suppressed when moving the furniture system from the rear. As a result, the furniture system can be moved smoothly.

[0012] (5) In any of the embodiments described in (1) to (4) above, it is preferable that the fixture body is provided with left and right closing plates that surround the fixture side space from both sides in the left-right direction. According to this aspect, when in the storage state, the chair is surrounded from both sides in the left - right direction by the left - right closing plates. Thereby, the appearance of the furniture system in the storage state can be made good. Also, when working in a state of sitting on the chair in the use state, it is possible to suppress the lower limbs accommodated in the furniture - side space from being exposed to both sides in the left - right direction. Thereby, the usability can be made good.

[0013] (6) In any of the aspects (1) to (5) above, it is preferable that the chair is detachable from the furniture with a top plate. According to this aspect, compared with a configuration in which the chair is constantly connected to the cart device, the degree of freedom in the relative position between the cart device and the chair in the use state can be increased. Thereby, the convenience of the furniture system can be improved.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to each of the above aspects, the workability of the operator can be improved, the burden on the operator can be reduced, and the interference with the lower limbs of the operator can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a furniture system according to the first embodiment showing when the chair is in the use state. [Figure 2] It is a cross - sectional view of a furniture system according to the first embodiment showing when the chair is in the storage state. [Figure 3] It is a cross - sectional view of a furniture system according to the first embodiment showing when the chair is in the use state. [Figure 4] It is a cross - sectional view corresponding to the line IV - IV in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a plan view of a furniture system according to the first embodiment showing when the chair is in the use state. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view of a furniture system according to a modified example. [Figure 7] It is a cross - sectional view of a furniture system according to the second embodiment showing when the chair is in the storage state.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In the embodiments and modifications described below, corresponding configurations may be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted. In the following description, expressions indicating relative or absolute arrangements such as "parallel", "orthogonal", "center", "coaxial", etc. not only strictly represent such arrangements, but also represent states in which they are relatively displaced with tolerances and angles or distances that can obtain the same function. Further, in the present embodiment, the term "opposite" includes not only the case where the orthogonal directions (normal directions) of two surfaces coincide with each other, but also the case where the orthogonal directions intersect each other.

[0017] (First Embodiment) [Furniture System 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the furniture system 1 showing the chair 3 in a use state. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the furniture system 1 showing the chair 3 in a storage state. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the furniture system 1 showing the chair 3 in a use state. The furniture system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 includes a cart device 2 and a chair 3 that is detachably mounted on the cart device 2. The furniture system 1 can travel on the floor surface F integrally with the cart device 2 and the chair 3 in a state where the chair 3 is mounted on the cart device 2 (storage state P1 in FIG. 2). On the other hand, the furniture system 1 can perform work using the cart device 2 in a state where a person is seated on the chair 3 removed from the cart device 2 (use state P2 shown in FIG. 1).

[0018] In the following explanation, the configuration of the furniture system 1 is described based on the state when chair 3 is in use (P2). In each figure, the orientation (front, back, up, down, left, and right) of the entire furniture system 1 is represented using coordinates. In this case, the direction perpendicular to the floor surface F is defined as the up and down direction (arrow UP is upward), and the directions perpendicular to each other when viewed from the up and down direction are defined as the front and back direction (arrow FR is forward) and the left and right direction (arrow LH is left), respectively. Furthermore, when the orientation of the cart device 2 and the orientation of chair 3 are the same, they are simply described as the front and back direction, the up and down direction, or the left and right direction. On the other hand, when the orientation of the cart device 2 and the orientation of chair 3 are different, the orientation of the cart device 2 may be described as the cart front and back direction or the cart left and right direction, and the orientation of chair 3 may be described as the chair front and back direction or the chair left and right direction. Note that the orientation of the cart device 2 is the direction as seen from the perspective of an office worker standing on the side of the cart device 2 where the gripping part 12 is provided. The orientation of chair 3 refers to the direction it faces from the perspective of the worker while seated in chair 3.

[0019] <Cart device 2> Cart device 2 is used to transport items in the office space. Cart device 2 comprises a furniture body 10, casters (running parts) 11, a gripping part 12, a tray 13, a stopper 14, and a locking part 15. The main body of the fixture 10 constitutes the external appearance of the cart device 2 and is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. In the illustrated example, the plan view of the main body of the fixture 10 is a rectangle with the front-to-back direction as the longitudinal direction and the left-to-right direction as the transverse direction. When the cart device 2 is used in a hospital, the items transported by the cart device 2 include pharmaceuticals such as intravenous drips and medications, medical devices such as blood pressure monitors and thermometers, and portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, personal computers, and tablets.

[0020] The main unit 10 of the fixture comprises a bottom frame 31, vertical walls 32, and a top plate 33. The bottom frame 31 is positioned along the floor surface F. The bottom frame 31 comprises a bottom plate 31a and a side frame 31b. The base plate 31a is located at the front of the fixture body 10. The side frames 31b are provided along the front-to-back direction at both left-to-right edges of the base plate 31a. The rear of the side frames 31b protrudes rearward from the base plate 31a.

[0021] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the line IV-IV in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the vertical wall 32 comprises a front plate 35, a pair of side plates 36, and a partition plate 37. The front panel 35 extends upward from the front edge of the bottom frame 31. The side panels 36 extend upward from the rear of each side frame 31b (the portion protruding from the bottom plate 31a). The side panels 36 face each other in the left-right direction. The partition plate 37 extends upward from the rear edge of the bottom plate 31a. The partition plate 37 connects the front edges of the pair of side plates 36. The partition plate 37 faces the front plate 35 in the front-rear direction. A buffer portion 37a is provided at the bottom of the partition plate 37. The buffer portion 37a is made of an elastically deformable material or the like. The buffer portion 37a is exposed on the rear surface of the partition plate 37 within the lower limb accommodation space 41, which will be described later.

[0022] The top plate 33 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The top plate 33 is connected to the vertical walls 32 (front plate 35, side plates 36 and partition plates 37) and is supported by the vertical walls 32 from below. In this embodiment, the top plate 33 is provided so as to cover the vertical walls 32 from above. The upper surface of the top plate 33 constitutes an article-placing surface on which articles can be placed.

[0023] Of the main body of the furniture 10, the portion enclosed by the bottom frame 31, top plate 33, side plates 36, and partition plate 37 constitutes the lower limb storage space 41. The lower limb storage space 41 is located below the top plate 33 and behind the partition plate 37. In other words, the inside and outside of the lower limb storage space 41 are partitioned vertically by the top plate 33, horizontally by the side plates 36, and front to back by the partition plate 37.

[0024] The lower limb storage space 41 opens continuously to the rear and downward. Specifically, the lower limb storage space 41 opens to the rear through the rear end openings 41a formed at the rear ends of the top plate 33, side plates 36, and side frames 31b. The lower limb storage space 41 is also open downward through the lower end openings 41b formed at the rear edge of the bottom plate 31a and the rear of the side frames 31b. The lower end of the rear end opening 41a and the rear end of the lower end opening 41b are in communication with each other.

[0025] The portion of the furniture body 10 enclosed by the bottom frame 31, top plate 33, front plate 35, and partition plate 37 constitutes the article storage space 42. The article storage space 42 is located below the top plate 33 and in front of the partition plate 37. That is, the article storage space 42 is partitioned vertically by the top plate 33, horizontally by the front plate 35, and separated from the lower limb storage space 41 by the partition plate 37. The article storage space 42 is open to both sides in the left-right direction through openings located on both sides (right-side opening and left-side opening). The article storage space 42 may also be configured to be open only to one side in the left-right direction, or it may be configured to be open to the front.

[0026] Multiple casters 11 are attached to the underside of the fixture body 10 (bottom frame 31). In this embodiment, the casters 11 are provided at both the front and rear ends of each side frame 31b. The casters 11 are configured to be rotatable around an axis along the vertical direction and also around an axis along the floor surface F. As a result, the cart device 2 is configured to be able to travel on the floor surface F via the casters 11.

[0027] Specifically, the caster 11 comprises a mounting base 11a, a swivel section 11b, a stay 11c, and a wheel (rolling section) 11d. The mounting base 11a is attached to the underside of the side frame 31b. The swivel section 11b connects the mounting base 11a and the stay 11c. The swivel section 11b supports the stay 11c so that it can swivel around an axis along the vertical direction relative to the mounting base 11a. The stay 11c extends downward from the swivel section 11b in a bifurcated manner. The wheel 11d is supported inside the stay 11c so as to be rotatable around an axis that is parallel to the floor surface F.

[0028] The gripping portion 12 is the part that the user holds. The gripping portion 12 is formed in a U-shape that opens forward in a plan view. The gripping portion 12 is fixed to the underside of the top plate 33 (lower limb storage space 41) and protrudes rearward from the top plate 33. Note that the gripping portion 12 is not an essential component.

[0029] Multiple trays 13 are provided in the vertical direction within the article storage space 42. Each tray 13 is supported by a pair of slide rails 45 provided on the front plate 35 and partition plate 37, respectively, so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. The trays 13 are configured to be inserted and removed through the right-side or left-side opening of the article storage space 42. In this embodiment, a configuration in which slidable trays 13 are provided in the article storage space 42 has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this. The article storage space 42 only needs to be configured to accommodate articles, and drawers, shelves, etc. may be provided instead of trays 13.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the stoppers 14 are provided at the right and left opening ends of the article storage space 42. Since each stopper 14 has the same configuration, the following explanation will use the stopper 14 on one side (right side) as an example.

[0031] The stopper 14 is located in the article storage space 42, near the partition plate 37. The stopper 14 is rotatable around an axis running vertically between the bottom frame 31 and the top plate 33. Specifically, the stopper 14 rotates between a restricting position where it overlaps a portion of the tray 13 when viewed from the left and right (see solid line in Figure 4) and a retracted position where it is retracted from the tray 13 when viewed from the left and right (see dashed line in Figure 4). When the stopper 14 is in the restricting position, the tray 13 abuts against the stopper 14 from the inside in the left and right directions, preventing the tray 13 from coming out of the article storage space 42. When the stopper 14 is in the retracted position, the tray 13 can be inserted into and removed from the article storage space 42. The stopper 14 is held in the restricting position by a lock or the like (not shown).

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the locking portion 15 is provided inside the lower limb storage space 41. The locking portion 15 is formed in a rod shape that extends in the left-right direction. The locking portion 15 is located in the center of the pair of side plates 36 in the front-rear direction, and is spanned between the upper ends of the pair of side plates 36.

[0033] <Chair 3> As shown in Figures 1 to 3, chair 3 is a so-called high chair equipped with a footrest 62e. Chair 3 comprises a seating area 51 and a support structure 52. The seating area 51 comprises a seat 55 and a backrest 56.

[0034] The seat 55 supports the portion of the worker's body from the buttocks to the thighs when the worker is seated on the seat 51. The seat 55 comprises a seat shell 55a and a cushion 55b. The seat shell 55a is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The cushion 55b is provided so as to cover the upper surface of the seat shell 55a. The cushion 55b is made of a softer material than the seat shell 55a. The seat 55 may also be configured without the cushion 55b.

[0035] The backrest 56 supports the lower back of the worker when the worker is seated on the seat 51. The backrest 56 is integrally formed with the seat shell 55a. The backrest 56 extends upward from the rear end of the seat shell 55a. In this embodiment, the width of the backrest 56 in the left-right direction is shorter than the width of the gripping portion 12 in the left-right direction. A handle 56a is formed on the backrest 56. In this embodiment, the handle 56a is a through hole that penetrates the backrest 56 in the front-rear direction. However, the handle 56a may be formed on the upper edge of the backrest 56, etc. The backrest 56 may also be equipped with a cushion. Furthermore, the seat 51 only needs to be equipped with a seat 55.

[0036] The support structure 52 supports the seating portion 51 from below. The support structure 52 comprises a fixing plate 61 (see Figure 4), a support frame 62, and a projection 63. The fixing plate 61 is fixed to the lower surface of the seat shell 55a, with the vertical direction being the thickness direction.

[0037] The support frame 62 is constructed by bending a single rod made of metal or the like. The support frame 62 is formed in a C-shape that opens forward when viewed from the left or right. The support frame 62 includes a seat support portion 62a, an upright leg 62b, a ground-contact leg 62c, a rising portion 62d, and a footrest 62e. The seat support portions 62a are provided in pairs, left and right, below the fixing plate 61. Each seat support portion 62a extends in the front-rear direction. The front end of each seat support portion 62a is fixed to the fixing plate 61.

[0038] The upright legs 62b extend downward from each of the rear ends of the seat support sections 62a. The grounding legs 62c extend forward from the lower ends of each of the upright legs 62b. Grounding caps 64 made of resin or the like are provided at both the front and rear ends of each grounding leg 62c. The rising portion 62d extends upward from each of the front ends of the ground contact legs 62c. In the illustrated example, the rising portion 62d gradually extends forward as it goes upward. The footrest 62e connects the upper ends of the rising portions 62d. In this embodiment, the footrest 62e is located in front of the seating portion 51. The footrest 62e is provided with a pad 65. The pad 65 is made of a material softer than the support frame 62 (for example, an elastically deformable material such as rubber or resin).

[0039] The projection 63 is made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber. The projection 63 is provided on the fixing plate 61 in the portion located in front of each seat support portion 62a. The projection 63 protrudes downward from the fixing plate 61.

[0040] In the chair 3 of this embodiment, a chair-side space 68 is formed below the seat 55. The chair-side space 68 opens continuously to the rear and downward. That is, the chair-side space 68 is open to the rear through a rear end opening 68a surrounded by the seat 55 and a pair of upright legs 62b. The chair-side space 68 also opens downward through a lower end opening 68b surrounded by a pair of ground-supporting legs 62c. The lower end of the rear end opening 68a and the rear end of the lower end opening 68b are in communication with each other.

[0041] (How to use fixture system 1) Next, we will explain how to use the fixture system 1. In the furniture system 1 of this embodiment, in the usage state P2 shown in Figure 3, the chair 3 is in contact with the floor surface F and faces the cart device 2 in the front-to-back direction. In usage state P2, the worker can perform tasks using the tabletop 33 while seated on the seat 51. At this time, the worker can perform tasks with their lower limbs inserted into the lower limb storage space 41. However, in usage state P2, the chair 3 is not limited to being positioned behind the cart device 2 with the chair's front-to-back direction aligned with the cart's front-to-back direction. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the chair 3 may be positioned on one side (right side) of the cart's left-to-right direction relative to the cart device 2, with the chair's front-to-back direction aligned with the cart's left-to-right direction. In this case, the worker can easily access the item storage space 42 while seated on the seat 51, making it easy to put in and take out items stored in the tray 13.

[0042] On the other hand, when moving the furniture system 1 within the workspace, the chair 3 is moved from the usage state P2 to the storage state P1. Specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the chair 3 is lifted via the handle 56a and moved into the lower limb storage space 41 through the rear end opening 41a. Then, the front end of the seat portion 51 (the portion located between the seat support portion 62a and the projection portion 63) is hooked onto the locking portion 15 from above. As a result, the chair 3 is supported by the cart device 2 while suspended from the locking portion 15. Furthermore, while the chair 3 is suspended from the locking portion 15, it attempts to rotate forward due to its own weight, using the contact point with the locking portion 15 as a pivot point. As a result, the footrest 62e (pad 65) comes into contact with the partition plate 37 (cushion portion 37a) from the rear. As a result, the chair 3 is housed in the lower limb storage space 41 with a distance from the floor surface F and with the seat 51 and footrest 62e in contact with the cart device 2.

[0043] In Figure 2, the chair 3 is positioned above the caster 11. Specifically, the chair 3 is positioned above the lower surface (bottom frame 31) of the furniture body 10. As a result, a space (downward space 75) equal to the height of the caster 11 is formed between the furniture body 10 and the floor surface F. However, in the stored state P1, the chair 3 may protrude below the furniture body 10 as long as it is positioned above at least the swivel part 11b. In the stored state P1, the rear end of the chair 3 protrudes rearward through the rear end opening 41a of the lower limb storage space 41. However, in the stored state P1, the entire chair 3 may be housed in the lower limb storage space 41.

[0044] In the accommodating state P1, the backrest 56 and the gripping part 12 face each other with a gap in the front-to-back direction. In this embodiment, the width of the backrest 56 in the left-to-right direction is shorter than the width of the gripping part 12 in the left-to-right direction. As a result, the worker can grip the gripping part 12 through the gap between the backrest 56 and the gripping part 12, or through the outside of the backrest 56 in the left-to-right direction.

[0045] After moving chair 3 to the stored state P1, the worker can move the entire furniture system 1 forward, backward, or rotate by pushing or pulling the cart device 2 while holding the gripping part 12. Then, after moving the furniture system 1 from the stored state P1 to the required location, the worker can move chair 3 back to the usage state P2, allowing them to work while seated in chair 3 at the new location. This improves the worker's work efficiency and reduces the burden on the worker.

[0046] In this embodiment, the furniture system 1 is configured such that, in the stowed state P1, the chair-side space 68 is open towards the rear. Therefore, when an employee moves the furniture system 1 in the stowed state P1, the chair-side space 68 is positioned to avoid the employee's lower limbs. This suppresses interference between the employee's lower limbs and the chair 3, even when the furniture system 1 is moved with the chair 3 mounted on the cart device 2, enabling smooth movement of the furniture system 1.

[0047] In this embodiment, the cart device 2 is configured to include a gripping portion 12 that protrudes rearward from the lower limb storage space (furniture-side space) 41. With this configuration, even when the furniture system 1 is in the stowed state P1, it is easy for the worker to grasp the gripping part 12. Therefore, the operability of the furniture system 1 can be improved.

[0048] In the furniture system 1 of this embodiment, the lower limb storage space 41 is configured to have a continuous opening toward the rear and downward of the furniture body 10. This configuration makes it possible to suppress interference between the worker's lower limbs and the lower end of the furniture body 10 when moving the furniture system 1 from the rear. As a result, the furniture system 1 can be moved smoothly.

[0049] In the furniture system 1 of this embodiment, the chair-side space 68 is configured to open continuously toward the rear and downward of the support structure 52. This configuration makes it possible to suppress interference between the worker's lower limbs and the lower end of the chair 3 (support structure 52) when moving the furniture system 1 from the rear. As a result, the furniture system 1 can be moved smoothly.

[0050] In the furniture system 1 of this embodiment, the furniture body 10 is configured to include side plates (left and right closing plates) 36 that surround the lower limb storage space 41 from both sides in the left-right direction. With this configuration, when in the storage state P1, the chair 3 is surrounded from both sides in the left-right direction by the side panels 36. This makes the furniture system 1 look good in the storage state P1. In addition, when working while seated in the chair 3 in the usage state P2, the lower limbs stored in the lower limb storage space 41 are prevented from being exposed on both sides in the left-right direction. This makes it easier to use.

[0051] In the furniture system 1 of this embodiment, the chair 3 is configured to be detachable from the cart device 2 between the storage state P1 and the usage state P2. This configuration allows for greater freedom of relative position between the cart device 2 and the chair 3 in the usage state P2 compared to a configuration where the chair 3 is permanently connected to the cart device 2. This improves the convenience of the furniture system 1.

[0052] (First variation) In the embodiment described above, the gripping portion 12 is attached to the lower surface of the top plate 33, but the configuration is not limited to this. As shown in the cart device 2 in Figure 6, the gripping portion 12 may be attached to each side plate 36. Specifically, each gripping portion 12 is C-shaped when viewed from the left-right direction, and its front end is fixed to the rear end surface of the side plate 36. As a result, each gripping portion 12 is attached to the furniture body 10 in a state where it protrudes rearward from the lower limb storage space 41. In this modified example, since the gripping portion 12 is positioned outward in the left-right direction relative to the chair 3, it is easier for the worker to grasp the gripping portion 12 in the storage state P1.

[0053] (Second Embodiment) Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the furniture system 1 according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the chair 3 (support frame 62) differs from that of the first embodiment. In the chair 3 shown in Figure 7, the support frame 62 is formed in a C-shape that opens towards the rear when viewed from the left and right directions. Specifically, the support frame 62 comprises a seat support portion 62a, an upright leg 62b, a ground-contact leg 62c, a connecting portion 62f, and a footrest 62e.

[0054] The seat support portions 62a are provided in pairs, left and right, below the fixing plate 61. Each seat support portion 62a extends in the front-rear direction. The front end of each seat support portion 62a is fixed to the fixing plate 61. The upright legs 62b extend downward from the front end of each seat support portion 62a.

[0055] The contact legs 62c extend rearward from each of the lower ends of the upright legs 62b. The connecting section 62f connects the rear ends of the grounding legs 62c in the left-right direction. The footrest 62e connects the lower ends of the standing legs 62b in the left-right direction.

[0056] In the chair 3 of this embodiment, the portion of the support frame 62 enclosed by the seat support portion 62a, the upright legs 62b, and the ground-contacting legs 62c constitutes a chair-side space 68 that opens to the rear. The chair-side space 68 is open to the rear through a rear end opening 68a enclosed by the seating portion 51 and the connecting portion 62f.

[0057] In the chair 3 of this embodiment, when in the stowed state P1, the front end of the seat 51 is hooked onto the locking part 15 from above, so that the chair 3 is supported in a suspended state from the locking part 15. At this time, as the chair 3 attempts to rotate forward by its own weight, using the contact point with the locking part 15 as a pivot point, the lower end of the standing legs 62b comes into contact with the partition plate 37 from behind. As a result, the chair 3 is spaced apart from the floor surface F and is housed in the lower limb stowed space 41 with the seat 51 and footrest 62e in contact with the cart device 2.

[0058] (Other variations) While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not limited by the above description, but only by the appended claims. In the above-described embodiment, a configuration was explained in which the chair 3 is housed in the cart device 2 facing forward in the chair's front-to-back direction (with the backrest 56 positioned towards the rear) in the housed state P1, but the configuration is not limited to this. The furniture system 1 may also be configured in which the chair 3 is housed in the cart device 2 facing backward in the chair's front-to-back direction (with the backrest 56 positioned towards the front) or sideways (with the chair's left-to-right direction aligned with the cart's front-to-back direction). When the chair 3 is housed sideways, a chair-side space 68 is formed that opens in the left-to-right direction of the chair, so that the chair-side space 68 opens towards the rear in the housed state P1. In the embodiments described above, a cart device 2 was used as an example of a fixture with a tabletop according to the present invention, but the configuration is not limited to this. The fixture with a tabletop may also be a wagon device, a desk device, or the like. In the embodiments described above, the furniture body 10 was described as having a configuration that includes side plates 36, but the configuration is not limited to this. The lower limb storage space 41 may be configured to open to at least one side in the left-right direction.

[0059] In the embodiment described above, a configuration was described in which the lower limb accommodation space 41 and the chair-side space 68 are continuously open toward the rear and downward, but the configuration is not limited to this. The lower limb accommodation space 41 and the chair-side space 68 only need to be open toward at least the rear. In the embodiments described above, a configuration in which the cart device 2 has an article storage space 42 was described, but the configuration is not limited to this. The cart device 2 only needs to have at least a lower limb storage space 41. In the embodiment described above, the cart device 2 was described as having a partition plate 37 that separates the lower limb storage space 41 and the article storage space 42, but the configuration is not limited to this. The lower limb storage space 41 and the article storage space 42 may be in communication with each other. In the embodiment described above, a configuration was described in which the chair 3 is detachable (switchable) from the cart device 2, but the configuration is not limited to this. The furniture system 1 may also be configured to transition (switchable) between a storage state P1 and a usage state P2 while the chair 3 is connected to the cart device 2.

[0060] In the embodiment described above, a configuration was described in which the chair 3 is spaced away from the floor surface F in the stowed state P1 and in contact with the floor surface F in the use state P2, but the configuration is not limited to this. The chair 3 may be spaced away from the floor surface F in both the stowed state P1 and the use state P2. In the above-described embodiment, a configuration was described in which the chair 3 is positioned above the swivel section 11b in the storage state P1, but the configuration is not limited to this. In the storage state P1, the chair 3 may protrude below the swivel section 11b. In the embodiment described above, a configuration was described in which the chair 3 is suspended from the locking part 15. In addition to this, the chair 3 may also be fixed to the cart device 2 by a fall prevention band or the like.

[0061] Furthermore, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the components in the embodiments described above can be replaced with well-known components as appropriate, and the modifications described above can be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1: Fixture System 3: Chair 10: Main unit of fixture 11: Caster (running mechanism) 12: Grip part 33: Top plate 36: Side plate (left and right blocking plate) 41: Lower limb storage space (space on the furniture side) 52: Support structure 55: Za 68: Space next to the chair F: Floor surface P1: Containment State P2: Usage status

Claims

1. A fixture with a top plate, having a fixture body including a top plate, and a running part that supports the fixture body, and being movable on the floor surface, A chair comprising a seat and a support structure that supports the seat, In the portion of the fixture body located below the top plate, a fixture-side space is formed that opens at least to the rear. The chair is configured to be switchable between a stored state in which it is supported by the furniture body within the furniture-side space and can move together with the furniture with a tabletop, and a usage state in which it is pulled out to the outside of the furniture-side space. The support structure has a chair-side space that opens at least to the rear in the accommodated state. The fixture body is equipped with left and right closing plates that surround the fixture-side space from both sides in the left-right direction. The aforementioned left and right closing plates surround the entire space on the furniture side in the vertical direction. The furniture-side space is a furniture system capable of accommodating the lower limbs of an office worker when the chair is in use.

2. The fixture system according to claim 1, wherein the fixture with a top plate is provided with a gripping portion that protrudes rearward relative to the space on the side of the fixture.

3. The fixture system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fixture-side space is continuously open toward the rear and downward of the fixture body.

4. The furniture system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the chair-side space is continuously open to the rear and downward in the accommodating state.

5. The furniture system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the chair is detachable from the furniture with a tabletop.

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