Fixtures with tops and fixture systems

Abstract

To provide furniture with a top plate and a furniture system capable of suppressing interference between articles stored in an article storage space and the low extremity of an office worker.SOLUTION: Furniture with a top plate includes a furniture body having a top plate and a travelling part that supports the furniture body and can move on a floor surface. The furniture body is formed with a lower extremity storage space that opens at least backward and an article storage space that opens at least on one side in a right-left direction in front of the lower extremity storage space. The furniture body includes a separation plate for separating the lower extremity storage space and the article storage space in a front-back direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to furniture with a top plate and a furniture system.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a cart device including a furniture body and casters that support the furniture body. The furniture body includes a column extending in the vertical direction, a top plate provided at the upper end of the column, and an article placement portion provided at a portion of the column located below the top plate. The cart device can move forward, backward, or turn by being pushed or pulled through a gripping portion provided at the rear end of the top plate. 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 top plate or the article placement portion, and can move to a required place and perform work at any time.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described conventional technology, spaces located on both the front and rear sides with respect to the column (front space and rear space) communicate with each other through spaces on both sides in the left-right direction with respect to the column (side spaces). In this case, for example, an article placed on the article placement portion may fall through the side space or enter the rear space. Also, when moving the cart device, the space located behind the column may allow the lower limbs of the operator to enter. Therefore, there is a possibility that the lower limbs of the operator and the articles placed on the article placement portion may interfere with each other through the side space.

[0005] The present invention provides a furniture unit with a top plate and a furniture system that can suppress interference between items stored in the item storage space and the lower limbs of the worker. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To address the above issues, this disclosure adopts the following characteristics. (1) A furniture with a top plate according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a furniture body having a top plate and a running part that supports the furniture body and is movable on the floor, wherein the furniture body has a lower limb storage space that opens at least to the rear and an article storage space that opens to at least one side in the left-right direction in front of the lower limb storage space, and the furniture body is provided with a partition plate that separates the lower limb storage space and the article storage space in the front-rear direction.

[0007] According to this embodiment, communication between the lower limb storage space and the article storage space is blocked by a partition plate. Therefore, it is possible to prevent articles from falling or entering the lower limb storage space from the article storage space. Furthermore, when moving the furniture with a top shelf, the leg rest area is positioned to avoid the worker's legs. This minimizes interference between the worker's legs and the furniture body, allowing for smooth movement of the furniture with a top shelf. In this case, since the leg rest area and the item storage area are separated by a partition plate, interference between the worker's legs and the items stored in the item storage area can be minimized when moving the furniture with a top shelf. As a result, we can provide furniture with a tabletop that is highly convenient to use both while working and while on the go.

[0008] (2) In the fixture with a top plate according to the embodiment of (1) above, it is preferable that the fixture body is provided with left and right partitions that divide the inside and outside of the lower limb storage space in the left and right directions. According to this embodiment, the left and right partitions separate the inside and outside of the lower limb storage space in the left-right direction. This makes it possible to improve the appearance of the furniture with a top panel.

[0009] (3) In a fixture with a top plate according to the embodiment of (1) or (2) above, it is preferable that the fixture body is provided with a front partition that separates the inside and outside of the article storage space in the front-to-back direction. According to this embodiment, since the inside and outside of the item storage space are partitioned in the front-to-back direction, the appearance of the furniture with a top panel can be improved. Furthermore, since the item storage space can only be accessed from the left and right directions, it is easier to prevent unauthorized access to the item storage space by persons other than those working there.

[0010] (4) In a furniture with a top plate according to any of the embodiments of (1) to (3) above, it is preferable that the lower limb storage space is continuously open toward the rear and downward of the furniture body. According to this embodiment, when moving the furniture with a tabletop 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 with a tabletop can be moved smoothly.

[0011] (5) The furniture system according to this embodiment comprises a furniture with a top plate according to any of the embodiments (1) to (4) above, and a chair that can switch between a storage state in which the chair is supported by the furniture body inside the lower limb storage space and can move together with the furniture with a top plate, and a usage state in which the chair is pulled out outside the lower limb storage space. According to this embodiment, since the fixture with a top plate according to the above embodiment is provided, a fixture system with excellent usability can be provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to each of the above embodiments, interference between the items stored in the item storage space and the lower limbs of the worker can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the furniture system according to the first embodiment, showing the chair in use. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the furniture system according to the first embodiment, showing the chair in its stowed position. [Figure 3]A cross-sectional view of a furniture system according to a first embodiment showing the chair in a use state. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the line IV-IV in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] A plan view of a furniture system according to a first embodiment showing the chair in a use state. [Figure 6] A perspective view of a furniture system according to a modified example. [Figure 7] A cross-sectional view of a furniture system according to a second embodiment showing the chair in a storage state.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In the embodiments and modified examples described below, corresponding components 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, "facing each other" 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.

[0015] (First Embodiment) [Furniture System 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a 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. In the state where the chair 3 is mounted on the cart device 2 (accommodation state P1 in FIG. 2), the cart device 2 and the chair 3 are integrated and can travel on the floor surface F. On the other hand, in the state where the user is seated on the chair 3 removed from the cart device 2 (use state P2 shown in FIG. 1), work can be performed using the cart device 2.

[0016] In the following description, the configuration of the furniture system 1 will be described based on the case where the chair 3 is in the use state P2. Also, in each figure, the orientation (front-back, up-down, left-right directions) of the entire furniture system 1 is represented using coordinates. In this case, the direction perpendicular to the floor surface F is the up-down direction (arrow UP is upward), and the directions perpendicular to each other when viewed from the up-down direction are the front-back direction (arrow FR is forward) and the left-right direction (arrow LH is leftward), respectively. Furthermore, when the orientation of the cart device 2 and the orientation of the chair 3 are the same, it will be simply described as the front-back direction, up-down direction, or left-right direction. On the other hand, when the orientation of the cart device 2 and the orientation of the chair 3 are different, the orientation of the cart device 2 will be described after defining it as the cart front-back direction or cart left-right direction, and the orientation of the chair 3 may be described after defining it as the chair front-back direction or chair left-right direction. Note that the orientation of the cart device 2 is the orientation as seen from the operator when the operator stands on the side of the cart device 2 where the gripping portion 12 is provided. The orientation of the chair 3 is the orientation as seen from the operator when the operator is seated on the chair 3.

[0017] <Cart device 2> The cart device 2 is used to transport articles in the work space. The cart device 2 includes a furniture main body 10, casters (traveling portions) 11, a gripping portion 12, a tray 13, a stopper 14, and a locking portion 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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).

[0030] 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.

[0031] <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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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).

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] (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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] Thus, in the cart device 2 of this embodiment, the main body of the fixture 10 is configured to include a partition plate 37 that separates the lower limb storage space 41 and the article storage space 42 in the front-to-back direction. With this configuration, communication between the lower limb storage space 41 and the article storage space 42 is blocked by the partition plate 37. Therefore, it is possible to prevent articles from falling or entering the lower limb storage space 41 from the article storage space 42. Furthermore, when moving the furniture system 1, the lower limb storage space 41 is positioned to avoid the lower limbs of the worker. This suppresses interference between the worker's lower limbs and the furniture body 10, enabling smooth movement of the cart device 2. In this case, since the lower limb storage space 41 and the item storage space 42 are shielded by the partition plate 37, interference between the worker's lower limbs and the items stored in the item storage space 42 can be suppressed when moving the furniture system 1. As a result, we can provide a cart device 2 that is highly user-friendly both during work and while on the move.

[0046] In the cart device 2 of this embodiment, the main body of the fixture 10 is configured to include side plates (left and right partitions) 36 that surround the lower limb storage space 41 from both sides in the left-right direction. In this configuration, the lower limb storage space 41 is surrounded from both sides in the left-right direction by the side plates 36. This makes the appearance of the cart device 2 more aesthetically pleasing.

[0047] In the cart device 2 of this embodiment, the main body of the fixture 10 is configured to include a front panel (front partition) 35 that closes off the article storage space 42 from the front. This configuration allows for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance of the cart device 2 because the front of the item storage space 42 is closed off. Furthermore, since the item storage space 42 can only be accessed from the left and right directions, it is easier to prevent unauthorized access to the item storage space 42 by persons other than those working in the office.

[0048] In the cart device 2 of this embodiment, the lower limb storage space 41 is configured to have a continuous opening toward the rear and downward of the main body of the furniture 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 cart device 2 (furniture system 1) from the rear. As a result, the furniture system 1 can be moved smoothly.

[0049] Since the fixture system 1 of this embodiment is equipped with the cart device 2 described above, it can provide a fixture system 1 that is easy to use.

[0050] (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.

[0051] (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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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, the chair 3 attempts to rotate forward by its own weight, using the contact point with the locking part 15 as a pivot point, so that 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.

[0056] (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 65 is formed that opens in the left-to-right direction of the chair, so that in the housed state P1, the chair-side space 65 opens towards the rear. 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.

[0057] 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 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] In the embodiments described above, a furniture system 1 in which a cart device 2 and a chair 3 are combined was used as an example, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. In the present invention, the chair 3 is not an essential component. In the embodiments described above, a configuration in which the chair 3 has a chair-side space 65 was described, but the configuration is not limited to this. The chair 3 may also be configured without a chair-side space 65. In the embodiments described above, a configuration was described in which the article storage space 42 is open only in the left-right direction, but the configuration is not limited to this. The article storage space 42 may be open in the front direction in addition to the left-right direction. In the embodiment described above, a front panel 35 was used as an example of a front partition, and side panels 36 were used as an example of a left and right partition. However, each partition may be, for example, a support column or a screen. 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.

[0060] 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]

[0061] 1: Fixture System 3: Chair 10: Main unit of fixture 11: Casters (running parts) 33: Top plate 35: Front panel (front partition) 36: Side panels (left and right partitions) 37: Partition plate 41: Lower limb accommodation space 42: Storage space for items F: Floor surface P1: Containment State P2: Usage status

Claims

1. A fixture body with a top panel, The fixture body is supported by a plurality of traveling parts that are movable on the floor surface, The aforementioned fixture body includes, A lower limb accommodation space that opens at least to the rear, An article storage space is formed in front of the lower limb storage space, opening to at least one side in the left-right direction, The main body of the fixture is equipped with a partition plate that separates the lower limb storage space and the article storage space in the front-to-back direction, The plurality of traveling parts are arranged below the portion of the fixture body that is rearward from the partition plate and constitutes the lower limb storage space, and below the portion that is in front of the partition plate and constitutes the article storage space.

2. The fixture body is further provided with left and right partitions that separate the inside and outside of the lower limb storage space in the left-right direction, as described in claim 1.

3. The fixture body is provided with a front partition that separates the inside and outside of the article storage space in the front-to-back direction, as described in claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The furniture with a top plate according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the lower limb storage space is continuously open toward the rear and downward of the furniture body.

5. A fixture with a top plate according to claim 1 or claim 2, A furniture system comprising a chair that can switch between a stored state in which the chair is supported by the furniture body within the lower limb storage space and can move integrally with the furniture with a top plate, and a usage state in which the chair is pulled out outside the lower limb storage space.

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