partition

Abstract

To provide a partition having a shelf plate for loading an article.SOLUTION: A partition 20 has a lower horizontal member 34 as a shelf plate horizontally provided between laterally erected vertical frame parts 20a, 20a, and fixed by overhanging in a front-to-back direction of the vertical frame parts 20a, 20a. Lateral both end parts in a longitudinal direction of the lower horizontal member 34 are formed in an inclined state in an overhanging direction, therefore, the vertical frame parts 20a, 20a can be made to approach with each other by preventing interference by the lower horizontal member 34, when the adjacent partitions 20, 20 are continued with each other with an angle, to thereby perform continuity of the partitions 20, 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a partition for partitioning a space. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] As this type of partition, there is a movable partition comprising: a panel plate having a predetermined thickness formed by attaching decorative plates to the front and back surfaces of a rectangular intermediate plate via spacers; and a rectangular frame-shaped frame composed of upper and lower frames attached along the respective upper and lower sides of the panel plate and vertical frames attached along the respective left and right side edges of the panel plate (see, for example, Patent Document 1). PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0003] Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent No. 4570816 (Fig. 1, page 3) Patent Document 2 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-186762 (Fig. 3, page 4) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] By the way, many partitions of this type partition a space with a panel plate, but in recent years, a usage method in which a shelf board is supported and various articles are placed on this shelf board has also been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 2, a shelf board is attached to the partition that partitions a space so as to project from one of the front and back sides, and since this partition is movable by wheels, the shelf board can be installed at a desired position.

[0005] In the case of a partition with shelves as described in Patent Document 2, the degree of freedom in spatial design can be increased by moving the installation position within the room. However, in places where the left and right ends of adjacent partitions intersect perpendicularly, such as corners, it is necessary to separate the ends of adjacent partitions in order to prevent interference between the shelves, which has the problem of impairing the aesthetic continuity between adjacent partitions.

[0006] This invention was made in view of these problems, and aims to provide a partition having a shelf on which articles can be placed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the aforementioned problems, the partition of the present invention is It is equipped with a shelf board that is installed horizontally between vertical frames erected on the left and right sides, and is fixed to extend outwards from at least one side in the front-to-back direction of the vertical frames, The shelf board is characterized by having a shape that slopes in the direction of overhang at its longitudinal end. This feature allows for the connection of vertical frames to prevent interference between shelves when adjacent partitions are joined at an angle, thereby creating a sense of continuity between partitions.

[0008] The shelf board is characterized in that the central part in the width direction of both ends in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the vertical frame, and both ends are tapered in the front and rear overhang directions. This feature allows for the vertical frames to be brought close together, preventing interference between shelves when adjacent partitions are connected at an angle, regardless of whether they are in front of or behind the partition.

[0009] The shelf is characterized in that it is fixed between the opposing surfaces of the left and right vertical frames. This feature allows adjacent vertical frames to be placed closer together.

[0010] The aforementioned shelf board is characterized in that its tapered shape tapers at a 45-degree angle. This feature allows for a sense of continuity when adjacent partitions are oriented perpendicularly to each other, as the slanted sections of the shelves are parallel and close together.

[0011] The shelf board comprises a mounting surface and a raised piece surrounding the periphery of the mounting surface, The aforementioned vertical piece is characterized by being fixed to the left and right vertical frames at multiple points in the vertical direction. This feature allows for greater attachment strength of shelves with larger front-to-back dimensions to the vertical frames, and increases the torsional rigidity of the frame.

[0012] The shelf board is characterized by having a groove formed therein, and a hole that penetrates vertically through the longitudinal end of the groove. This feature allows debris guided to the longitudinal end of the groove to efficiently fall through the hole to the bottom of the shelf, preventing debris from accumulating on the shelf. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a spatial structure with partitions according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view AA of Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged bottom view of section A in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged bottom view of section B in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This is a front view showing the partition in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of BB. [Figure 7] (a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the Y1 portion of Figure 5, and (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the Y2 portion of Figure 5. [Figure 8] This is an enlarged perspective view of the main parts showing the upper horizontal member and the hook member. [Figure 9] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of CC. [Figure 10]It is an enlarged plan view showing one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the lower horizontal member. [Figure 11] It is a schematic plan view showing a state where adjacent partitions are connected at an angle to each other. [Figure 12] It is a schematic plan view showing a state where partitions as Modification 1 of the present invention are connected at an angle to each other. [Figure 13] It is a schematic plan view showing a state where partitions as Modification 2 of the present invention are connected at an angle to each other. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0014] A mode for carrying out the partition of the present invention will be described below based on examples. EXAMPLE

[0015] Hereinafter, the partition according to the present example will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. In the following description, the diagonally lower right side of the paper surface of FIG. 1 is defined as front, the diagonally upper left side as rear, the diagonally upper right side as right, and the diagonally lower left side as left.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the spatial structure 1 of the present example is installed on a floor surface in a self-standing manner to partition a large indoor space such as an office or an exhibition hall into a rectangular shape, and is used for meeting spaces, work spaces, and the like.

[0017] The spatial structure 1 includes a frame body 2 that is installed on a floor surface in a self-standing manner. The frame body 2 includes six support columns 3 that have vertical dimensions lower than a ceiling surface and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear and left-right directions, and seven front, rear, left and right beams 4 that connect the upper end portions of each support column 3 at right angles so as to form a "sun" shape in plan view. The support columns 3 and the beams 4 are manufactured, for example, by extrusion molding of an aluminum material or the like.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, guide rails 5, which have a downward U-shaped cross-section with their lower ends bent inward and facing each other, are fixed to the downward concave lower surface formed at the lower end of each beam 4 by multiple screws 6. The guide rails 5 are manufactured, for example, by extrusion molding of aluminum material, and the lengths of the two guide rails 5 extending in the left-right direction and the three guide rails 5 extending in the front-rear direction are formed to be shorter than the total length of the beam 4 in order to connect the bridge rails 13 which will be described later (see Figures 3 and 4). Although both sides of each beam 4 in the longitudinal direction are covered by cover members 7, 7 along with both sides of the guide rails 5, such cover members 7 can be omitted.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the partition 20 is movably supported on two guide rails 5, 5 that extend in the left-right direction in front of and opposite each other, with the support column 3 in between. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the lower ends of a pair of left and right support shafts 21a that face vertically are fixed to the upper surface of the frame 21 of the partition 20, and guide rollers 10 that are horizontally rotatable attached to the upper ends of both support shafts 21a are rotatably fitted into the guide rails 5 so as to roll, thereby supporting the partition 20 so as to be movable along the guide rails 5.

[0020] Furthermore, wheels 12 that rotate in contact with the floor surface when moving are attached to the center of the width direction of the lower surface of the frame 21 of the partition 20. Alternatively, casters that can rotate horizontally may be attached instead of the wheels 12. Thus, the partition 20 extends from the floor surface to the upper guide rail 5, with the guide rollers 10 of the two support shafts 21a located at the top being guided by the guide rail 5, and the wheels 12 located at the bottom being able to roll on the floor surface. Although only two partitions 20 are shown in Figure 1, three or more partitions 20 may be provided.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, at the left front corner of the frame body 2 (section A in Figure 1), the bridge rails 5, 5, which are attached to two beams 4, 4 connected at right angles in an L-shape to the support column 3 from two directions, have their ends mounted so as to form a 45-degree angle in both plan and bottom views, and so as to be continuous with the guide rails 5, 5. The upper surfaces of both ends of the bridge rail 13 are fixed to the lower surface of the beam 4 with screws 14. The lower ends of adjacent cover members 7, 7 are notched so as to allow the bridge rail 13 to pass through. A similar bridge rail 13 is also mounted on the guide rail 5 at the L-shaped intersection on the right.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the same bridge rails 13, 13 are installed at the ends of the three guide rails 5 at the T-shaped intersection (section B in Figure 1) in the front center of the frame body 2, that is, at the ends of the three adjacent guide rails 5 attached to each beam 4 connected perpendicularly to the support column 3 from three directions, so that both ends form a 45-degree angle in plan view and bottom view, and are continuous with the three guide rails 5. In this way, by installing the bridge rails 13 on the guide rails 5 at the L-shaped and T-shaped intersections of the beam 4, the partition 20 can be moved in the direction of the arrows in Figures 3 and 4.

[0023] Next, we will explain partition 20 based on Figures 5 to 11.

[0024] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the partition 20 mainly consists of a frame 21 formed in a square shape when viewed from the front, and felt screens 11A and 11B that are roughly rectangular when viewed from the front and installed inside the frame 21. It is installed so as to be movable along the guide rail 5, and is positioned to partition the internal space of the spatial structure 1 from the external space outside it.

[0025] The felt screens 11A and 11B are formed in the same shape from felt material having a predetermined thickness and are used as plate-shaped functional parts that have the function of allowing push pins or the like to be inserted into their surfaces. Circular locking holes 11c are formed at the top, bottom, left, and right corners of the felt screens 11A and 11B, allowing the locking holes 11c to be engaged with and disengaged from the hook members 28a and 28b, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the locking holes 11c are formed at the top, bottom, left, and right corners so that the felt screens 11A and 11B can be used even when inverted vertically; however, it is sufficient for the locking holes to be formed at least at the top, left, and right corners.

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, felt screens 11A and 11B were used as examples of plate-shaped functional components provided within the frame 21. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and can be changed to other plate-shaped functional components with various functions, such as fence boards that can fasten various items, whiteboards on which text can be written, pin-up boards on which documents can be attached, grid-shaped mesh boards, panel boards, and transparent or translucent resin glass panels that allow visibility of the back side of the partition 20.

[0027] The frame 21 is composed of a base frame 22 which is formed in a roughly upward-facing U-shape when viewed from the front by vertical frame sections 22a, 22a that are erected on the left and right sides and facing upward, and horizontal frame sections 22b that connect the lower parts of the vertical frame sections 22a, 22a, and an upper frame 23 that connects the upper parts of the vertical frame sections 22a, 22a of the base frame 22, and is formed in a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front by a metal tubular member which has a square cylindrical shape in cross-section.

[0028] The frame 21 is formed from a metal tubular member having a rectangular cross-section, but it may also be formed from a tubular member having a cylindrical cross-section, or from a columnar member. Furthermore, the material is not limited to metal, but may also be a synthetic resin material.

[0029] Furthermore, an upper horizontal member 24 is spanned between the upper parts of the left and right vertical frame sections 22a, 22a, and a lower horizontal member 34, serving as a shelf, is spanned below the upper horizontal member 24 in the left and right vertical frame sections 22a, 22a. In this way, the strength of the frame 21 is ensured by providing multiple upper horizontal members 24 and lower horizontal members 34 between the vertical frame sections 22a, 22a. Moreover, as will be described in more detail later, since the lower horizontal member 34 has a wide front-to-back length dimension (front-to-back width), the frame 21 has high strength, especially torsional strength. Note that although the upper horizontal member 24 and lower horizontal member 34 are made of metal, they may also be made of synthetic resin.

[0030] As shown in Figures 6, 7(a), and 8, the upper horizontal member 24 is formed in a roughly H-shape in its vertical cross-section from a base plate 24a that extends horizontally in the left-right direction and front and rear plates 24b, 24b that are vertically fixed to the front and rear edges of the base plate 24a by welding or the like and extend vertically.

[0031] The left and right ends of the upper horizontal member 24 are fixed to the vertical frame sections 22a, 22a by connecting fittings 25. For details, refer to Figure 7(a). In a front view, the horizontal piece 25a of the L-shaped connecting fitting 25 is fixed to the left and right ends of the upper surface of the base plate 24a by multiple screws 26, and the upright piece 25b of the connecting fitting 25 is fixed to the inner surface of the vertical frame section 22a by multiple screws 27, thereby fixing the left and right ends of the upper horizontal member 24 to the vertical frame sections 22a, 22a by the connecting fittings 25.

[0032] Furthermore, an insertion hole 30 is formed on the outer surface of the vertical frame portion 22a at the location corresponding to the lower screw 27, allowing a screwdriver (not shown) to be inserted into the head of the screw 27. This allows the lower screw 27 to be installed from the outer surface of the vertical frame portion 22a without interfering with the screw 26. The insertion hole 30 is closed by a protective cap 30a after use.

[0033] As shown in Figure 8, the front and rear plates 24b, 24b are positioned spaced apart front to back with the base plate 24a in between, and hook members 28a, 28b capable of securing felt screens 11A, 11B are attached to the upper ends of the front and rear plates 24b, 24b so as to be slidable in the left-right direction.

[0034] Each hook member 28a and 28b consists of a base plate 29a extending vertically, an upper hook portion 29b formed by folding downwards on the upper part of the base plate 29a, and a lower hook portion 29c formed by folding upwards on the lower part of the base plate 29a. By locking the upper hook portion 29b onto the upper end of the front and rear plates 24b from above, the hook members 28a and 28b are locked in a manner that allows them to slide horizontally. The lower hook portion 29c is also designed to engage with the locking holes 11c, 11c at the upper left and right corners of the felt screens 11A and 11B.

[0035] Furthermore, a restricting piece 29d extending in the left-right direction is erected at the bottom of the lower hook portion 29c, restricting the front-to-back movement of the front and rear felt screens 11A and 11B that are locked to the lower hook portion 29c. Thus, while the front-to-back width dimension (opening) of the lower hook portion 29c is widened to facilitate locking, the movement of the locked felt screens 11A and 11B in the front-to-back direction is restricted to prevent rattling (see Figure 6).

[0036] As shown in Figures 6, 7(b), 9, and 10, the lower horizontal member 34 is formed in a roughly H-shape in vertical cross-section (see Figure 6) from a base plate 35a extending horizontally in the left-right direction, a hanging piece 35b hanging down from the periphery of the base plate 35a, a rising piece 35c fixed to the outer surface of the hanging piece 35b by welding or the like so as to surround the periphery of the base plate 35a and extending from above to below the base plate 35a, and an upper plate 35d laid on the upper surface of the base plate 35a.

[0037] The left and right ends of the lower horizontal member 34 in the longitudinal direction are fixed between the opposing surfaces (inner surfaces) of the vertical frame portions 22a, 22a. Specifically, referring to FIG. 7(b), positions below the base plate 35a on the left and right sides of the hanging piece 35b and the rising piece 35c are fixed to the vertical frame portions 22a, 22a by upper and lower screws 36a, 36b. The upper screw 36a is inserted through an insertion hole 38 formed on the outer surface of the vertical frame portion 22a into mounting holes formed in the vertical frame portion 22a, the hanging piece 35b, and the rising piece 35c respectively, and is screwed into a nut 37a fixed to the inner surface of the hanging piece 35b. Note that after use, the insertion hole 38 is closed by a protective cap 38a. On the other hand, the lower screw 36b is mounted from the inside into mounting holes formed in the hanging piece 35b, the rising piece 35c, and the vertical frame portion 22a, and is screwed into a nut 37b fixed to the inner surface of the vertical frame portion 22a.

[0038] That is, for the left and right ends of the lower horizontal member 34, two upper and lower positions are respectively fixed to the vertical frame portions 22a, 22a by the screws 36a, 36b, so the mounting strength of the lower horizontal member 34 to the vertical frame portions 22a, 22a is high, and the torsional rigidity of the frame 21 is improved.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the front-rear dimension L21 of the upper horizontal member 24 is substantially the same as the front-rear dimension L20 of the vertical frame portion 22a, and the front-rear dimension L22 of the lower horizontal member 34 is larger than the front-rear dimension L20 of the vertical frame portion 22a and the front-rear dimension L21 of the upper horizontal member 24 (L20≒L21<L22). In this way, since the front-rear dimension L22 of the lower lower horizontal member 34 is larger than the front-rear dimension L21 of the upper upper horizontal member 24, and is sufficiently larger than the front-rear dimension L20 of the frame 21, deformation of the frame 21 is prevented.

[0040] As shown in Figure 9, the lower horizontal member 34 is installed horizontally between the opposing surfaces of the vertical frame sections 22a, 22a that are erected on the left and right sides, and is fixed to the vertical frame sections 22a, 22a by extending in the front-rear direction. The left and right ends in the longitudinal direction are shaped to be inclined toward the center in the left-right direction, that is, toward the front and rear, respectively, in the direction of extension from the vertical frame sections 22a, 22a.

[0041] In other words, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the left and right ends of the lower horizontal member 34 are formed in a tapered shape that narrows towards the left and right sides, and the lower horizontal member 34 is formed in a roughly horizontally elongated octagonal shape in plan view. More specifically, the left and right ends of the lower horizontal member 34 are composed of inclined edges 34a, 34a arranged in a roughly V-shape in plan view, and left and right edges 34b arranged between the front and rear inclined edges 34a, 34a. The inclined edges 34a, 34a are inclined at a predetermined angle θ (for example, 45 degrees) with respect to a virtual line T that points in the front-rear direction, so that the left and right ends of the lower horizontal member 34 have a tapered shape that extends forward and backward, in other words, the left and right ends of the lower horizontal member 34 have a tapered shape that narrows towards the left and right ends. The left and right edges 34b are in surface contact with the inner surfaces of the vertical frame sections 22a, 22a.

[0042] Therefore, as shown in Figure 11, when two adjacent partitions 20, 20 are connected at a predetermined angle, and in Figure 11 they are connected at a 90-degree angle in a roughly L-shape in plan view, or when three or more adjacent partitions 20, 20... are connected at a predetermined angle in a roughly T-shape or cross shape in plan view (not specifically shown), the left and right ends of the lower horizontal members 34 of each partition 20, 20... do not come into contact with each other, so the vertical frame portions 22a, 22a can be brought close together or even touching each other, creating a sense of continuity between the partitions 20, 20.

[0043] Furthermore, on the upper surface 35f of the top plate 35d (see Figure 6), elongated holes 35e, 35e extending linearly in the left-right direction are arranged spaced apart front to back. Specifically, these elongated holes 35e, 35e are formed along the upper horizontal member 24, extending to near the left and right ends of the top plate 35d, and their front-to-back dimensions are such that the lower ends of the felt screens 11A, 11B are inserted to restrict movement in the front-to-back direction while allowing movement in the left-to-right direction (see enlarged view of Figure 6).

[0044] Furthermore, the lower ends of the felt screens 11A and 11B inserted into the elongated holes 35e, 35e are close to or in contact with the upper surface of the base plate 35a below the top plate 35d. In this way, the elongated holes 35e, 35e of the top plate 35d and the base plate 35a below them form a bottomed groove.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, notches 45a, 45a are formed front to back at the left and right ends of the base plate 35a, and openings 45, 45 (areas shown by halftone dots in Figure 10) are formed between them and the rising pieces 35c. Although hanging pieces 35b are formed on the front and rear edges and the left and right end edges of the base plate 35a, they are not formed on the inclined edges corresponding to the notches 45a, 45a.

[0046] On the other hand, notches 46a, 46a are formed along the front and rear inclined edges at the left and right ends of the top plate 35d, and slit holes 46, 46 are formed between these notches and the rising pieces 35c to discharge powder, dust, etc. that have fallen onto the top plate 35d. Since these slit holes 46, 46 are formed in positions corresponding to the lower openings 45, 45, powder and dust that fall from the slit holes 46, 46 will fall downward through the openings 45, 45.

[0047] The lower horizontal member 34 has upright pieces 35c erected around the periphery of the upper surface 35f of the upper plate 35d, and is surrounded by these upright pieces 35c, which prevents items related to plate-shaped functional components such as pens and push pins placed on the upper plate 35d from falling, while also guiding powder, dust, etc. that falls onto the upper surface 35f of the upper plate 35d to the left and right ends and discharged through the slit holes 46, 46.

[0048] Furthermore, since the slit holes 46, 46 are formed along the front and rear inclined edges, powder, dust, etc. can be guided along the upright pieces 35c, 35c and then easily discharged from the slit holes 46, 46 while being guided towards the center in the front-to-back direction.

[0049] Furthermore, in the base plate 35a, slit holes 47, 47 are formed at locations corresponding to the left and right ends of the elongated holes 35e, 35e in the upper plate 35d above the base plate 35a, for the purpose of discharging powder, dust, etc. that has fallen into the elongated holes 35e, 35e. The left and right edges of the elongated holes 35e, 35e are formed in a semicircular shape, and the slit holes 47, 47 are formed in a semicircular arc shape along the left and right edges of the elongated holes 35e, 35e. More specifically, in a plan view, half of the slit holes 47, 47 can be seen through the elongated holes 35e, 35e, while the other half is formed in such a way that it is difficult to see through the elongated holes 35e, 35e.

[0050] Powder and dust that falls from the upper surface 35f of the top plate 35d into the elongated holes 35e, 35e accumulate on the base plate 35a. However, by moving the felt screens 11A, 11B in the left-right direction, the powder and dust on the base plate 35a are pushed out to the left and right ends of the elongated holes 35e, 35e by the lower ends of the felt screens 11A, 11B, and discharged through the slit holes 47, 47 formed at the left and right ends. Therefore, the slit holes 47, 47 do not affect the sliding movement of the felt screens 11A, 11B, and the powder and dust on the base plate 35a can be collected and discharged to the left and right ends using the sliding movement of the felt screens 11A, 11B.

[0051] Furthermore, the lower horizontal member 34 is provided substantially horizontally so as to extend forward and backward from the vertical frame sections 22a, 22a, and functions as a shelf board consisting of a top plate 35d on which items can be placed on the top surface 35f. Since it is formed symmetrically front to back with respect to the vertical frame sections 22a, 22a, the lower horizontal member 34 can be accessed and used from either the front or rear side of the partition 20.

[0052] In this manner, felt screens 11A and 11B, which are an example of plate-shaped functional components, can be attached to the front and rear sides of the upper horizontal member 24 and the lower horizontal member 34 that are horizontally bridged vertically between the left and right vertical frame portions 22a, 22a.

[0053] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, with the locking holes 11c, 11c at the upper left and right corners of the felt screens 11A, 11B inserted into the lower hook portions 29c of the left and right hook members 28a, 28b provided on the front and rear of the upper horizontal member 24, the lower portions of the felt screens 11A, 11B are inserted into the long holes 35e, 35e. Accordingly, the upper portions of the felt screens 11A, 11B are locked to the left and right hook members 28a, 28b, while the lower portions are inserted into the long holes 35e, 35e such that movement in the front-rear direction is restricted and guided to move in the left-right direction, and the felt screens 11A, 11B are detachably attached to the front and rear sides of the upper horizontal member 24 and the lower horizontal member 34.

[0054] Furthermore, since the locking holes 11c are formed in a size that allows the felt screens 11A, 11B to move up and down even when inserted into the lower hook portions 29c, after inserting the locking holes 11c into the lower hook portions 29c, the lower end portions of the felt screens 11A, 11B can be inserted into the long holes 35e, 35e, or the lower end portions of the felt screens 11A, 11B can be pulled out from the long holes 35e, 35e. Therefore, by releasing the locked state to the lower hook portions 29c, the felt screens 11A, 11B can be removed from the upper horizontal member 24 and the lower horizontal member 34.

[0055] Further, as shown in Fig. 5, the left-right dimension L11 of the felt screens 11A, 11B is shorter than the left-right dimension L10 between the vertical frame portions 22a, 22a of the frame 21 (L11<L10). More specifically, the left-right dimension L11 of the felt screens 11A, 11B is not less than 1 / 2 of the left-right dimension L10 between the vertical frame portions 22a, 22a of the frame 21 (L11≧L10×1 / 2).

[0056] As described above, the left-right dimension L11 of the felt screens 11A and 11B is shorter than the left-right dimension L10 between the vertical frame portions 22a and 22a of the frame 21. Accordingly, by sliding the felt screens 11A and 11B together with the hook members 28a and 28b in the left-right direction between the left and right vertical frame portions 22a and 22a, the felt screens 11A and 11B can be attached such that their left-right positions can be changed.

[0057] Further, since the hook members 28a and 28b are provided on the upper horizontal member 24 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction, the felt screens 11A and 11B can be slid in the left-right direction in a state where the felt screens 11A and 11B are locked to the left and right hook members 28a and 28b. Therefore, even if no locking portion or the like is provided on the felt screens 11A and 11B, the felt screens can be locked to the upper horizontal member 24 so as to be slidable.

[0058] Further, after changing the left-right positions of the hook members 28a and 28b, by locking the felt screens 11A and 11B, the felt screens 11A and 11B can be attached such that their left-right positions can be changed. Note that the left-right dimension L11 of the felt screens 11A and 11B is shorter than the up-down dimension L12 of the felt screens 11A and 11B (L11 < L12). Further, the up-down dimension L12 of the felt screens 11A and 11B is substantially the same as the separation dimension between the upper horizontal member 24 and the lower horizontal member 34.

[0059] Further, although not particularly illustrated, by shifting the front felt screen 11A to the left side and shifting the rear felt screen 11B to the right side, when the partition 20 is viewed from the front, an opening (gap) surrounded by the right side edge of the front felt screen 11A, the right vertical frame portion 22a, the upper horizontal member 24, and the lower horizontal member 34 is closed by the rear felt screen 11B. Conversely, when the partition 20 is viewed from the back, an opening (gap) surrounded by the left side edge of the rear felt screen 11B, the left vertical frame portion 22a, the upper horizontal member 24, and the lower horizontal member 34 is closed by the front felt screen 11A.

[0060] In this way, by attaching the felt screens 11A and 11B within the frame 21 so that their positions in the left-right direction can be changed, the variations in spatial design can be increased by combining the colors of the felt screens 11A and 11B with the background color visible on the back of the partition 20.

[0061] Furthermore, within the area enclosed by the frame 21, openings (gaps) are formed in the areas above and below the felt screens 11A and 11B. These openings (gaps) are connected through the openings (gaps) enclosed by the felt screens 11A and 11B, the vertical frame section 22a, the upper horizontal member 24, and the lower horizontal member 34, thereby further enhancing the sense of openness.

[0062] As described above, in the partition 20 as an embodiment of the present invention, a lower horizontal member 34 is provided as a shelf, which is installed horizontally between the vertical frame sections 22a, 22a erected on the left and right sides, and is fixed to extend in the front-rear direction of the vertical frame sections 22a, 22a. The left and right ends of the lower horizontal member 34 in the longitudinal direction are shaped to be inclined in the direction of extension, so that when adjacent partitions 20, 20 are connected at an angle, interference of the lower horizontal member 34 is prevented and the vertical frame sections 22a, 22a can be brought close together, and a sense of continuity between the partitions 20, 20 can be created.

[0063] More specifically, the top plate 35d of the lower horizontal member 34 is formed to protrude in the front-to-back direction between the left and right vertical frame sections 22a, 22a, allowing various items to be placed on the top surface 35f. At the same time, when adjacent partitions 20, 20 are connected at an angle, interference between the front-to-back protruding top plates 35d, 35d at the same height position of each partition 20, 20 can be avoided, thus allowing the partitions 20, 20 to be placed close together. In particular, because the vertical frame sections 22a, 22a of adjacent partitions 20, 20 can be placed close together, it is possible to prevent the formation of a large opening (gap) between the felt screens 11A, 11B of adjacent partitions 20, 20.

[0064] Furthermore, the lower horizontal member 34 has its central portion in the front-to-back width direction at both the left and right ends fixed to the vertical frame portions 22a, 22a, and is tapered in the front-to-back overhanging direction. This prevents interference with the lower horizontal member 34 when adjacent partitions 20, 20 are connected at an angle, regardless of whether they are in the front or back of the partitions 20, 20, allowing the vertical frame portions 22a, 22a to be brought close together.

[0065] Furthermore, since the lower horizontal member 34 is fixed between the opposing surfaces of the left and right vertical frame sections 22a, 22a, adjacent vertical frame sections 22a, 22a can be brought closer together, thus avoiding the impression that the partitions 20, 20 are far apart.

[0066] Furthermore, the lower horizontal member 34 has a tapered shape in the overhanging direction at a 45-degree angle. In other words, because the tapered shape is tapered at a 45-degree angle, when adjacent partitions 20, 20 are placed perpendicular to each other, the inclined portions of the lower horizontal member 34 are parallel and close together, creating a sense of continuity.

[0067] Furthermore, the lower horizontal member 34 comprises a mounting surface and a rising piece 35c surrounding the periphery of the mounting surface. The rising piece 35c is fixed to the left and right vertical frame sections 22a, 22a at multiple points in the vertical direction with screws 36a, 36b. This increases the attachment strength of the lower horizontal member 34, which has a large front-to-back dimension, to the vertical frame sections 22a, 22a, thereby increasing the torsional rigidity of the frame.

[0068] Furthermore, the left and right ends of the lower horizontal member 34 may be connected by three or more screws arranged in a row in the vertical direction, or by three or more screws arranged in a row in the horizontal direction. Alternatively, they may be connected by a single screw, or they may be connected and fixed by methods other than screws, such as welding.

[0069] The lower horizontal member 34 has a groove formed therein, consisting of an elongated hole 35e and a base plate 35a. Slit holes 47, 47 that penetrate vertically are formed at both ends of the groove in the longitudinal direction. This allows debris guided to both ends of the groove in the longitudinal direction to efficiently fall through the slit holes 47, 47 to the lower horizontal member 34, preventing debris from accumulating on the lower horizontal member 34.

[0070] Furthermore, the frame frame 21 is rectangular in shape, having vertical frame sections 22a, 22a erected on the left and right sides, and further comprises a plurality of horizontal members (for example, an upper horizontal member 24 and a lower horizontal member 34) installed horizontally between the left and right vertical frame sections 22a, 22a, wherein the front-to-back dimension L22 of at least one of the upper horizontal member 24 and the lower horizontal member 34 (for example, the lower horizontal member 34) is greater than the front-to-back dimension L21 of the other horizontal member (for example, the upper horizontal member 24) (L22 > L21).

[0071] According to this, the presence of multiple horizontal members not only ensures the strength of the frame 21, but the wide lower horizontal member 34 also prevents deformation of the frame 21, thus maintaining the shape of the frame 21. This makes it possible to attach various plate-shaped functional components such as felt screens 11A and 11B to the upper horizontal member 24 and the lower horizontal member 34.

[0072] Furthermore, since the lower horizontal member 34, which has a large front-to-back dimension, is formed symmetrically with respect to the vertical frame portion 22a, the lower horizontal member 34, which has a large front-to-back dimension, can be used from either the front or rear side of the partition 20.

[0073] Furthermore, the presence of a flat surface between the felt screens 11A and 11B on the top panel 35d and the rising piece 35c, on which items related to plate-shaped functional components such as pens and pushpins can be placed, further improves usability.

[0074] Furthermore, the upper horizontal member 24, which is above the lower horizontal member 34 which has a larger front-to-back dimension, is provided with hook members 28a and 28b having lower hook portions 29c (locking portions) capable of locking the felt screens 11A and 11B, and the lower horizontal member 34 is provided with elongated holes 35e and 35e (mounting portions) on which the felt screens 11A and 11B can be placed. As a result, the upper part of the felt screens 11A and 11B can be locked to the lower hook portion 29c and the lower part can be placed on the elongated holes 35e and 35e, allowing for stable installation and making it easy to change to various plate-shaped functional parts.

[0075] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and additions and modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included.

[0076] For example, in the above embodiment, the lower horizontal member 34 as a shelf is shown to be fixed between the opposing surfaces of the left and right vertical frame portions 22a, 22a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in the partition 120 of Modification 1 of the present invention in Figure 12, the left and right vertical frame portions 22a, 22a may be erected so as to penetrate the upper plate 35d, longitudinally inward from both ends of the lower horizontal member 134 in the longitudinal direction.

[0077] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the lower horizontal member 34 as a shelf was shown to be formed to protrude forward and backward from the left and right vertical frame portions 22a, 22a, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As shown in the partition 220 of Modification 2 of the present invention in Figure 13, the lower horizontal member 234 may be formed to protrude only backward from the left and right vertical frame portions 22a, 22a, or, although not shown, it may be formed to protrude only forward from the left and right vertical frame portions 22a, 22a. In addition, although not shown, the lengths of the protrusions from the front and back of the shelf may be different.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the left and right ends of the lower horizontal member 34, which serves as a shelf, are shown to have a tapered shape that extends forward and backward at an angle θ (for example, 45 degrees) with respect to a virtual line T that faces the front-to-back direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the angle θ can be changed in various ways. For example, the angle θ may be any angle within the range of 10 to 80 degrees.

[0079] Furthermore, while the left and right ends of the lower horizontal member 34, which serves as a shelf, are described as having a tapered shape that extends forward and backward, in the above embodiment, the left and right ends of the lower horizontal member 34 were tapered in a straight line toward the left and right sides so as to form a roughly mountain shape in plan view. However, for example, the left and right ends of the lower horizontal member 34, which serves as a shelf, may be tapered in a curved shape toward the left and right sides so as to form a roughly semi-elliptical or semi-circular shape in plan view.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the inclined edges 34a, 34a at both the left and right ends of the lower horizontal member 34, which serves as a shelf, are shown to be tapered, protruding forward and backward at an angle θ (for example, 45 degrees) with respect to a virtual line T that points in the front-to-back direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the left or right end of the lower horizontal member 34 may be inclined at an angle θ with respect to the virtual line T that points in the front-to-back direction. Moreover, the lower horizontal member 34 may be formed in a substantially elongated elliptical shape in plan view.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the lower horizontal member 34 as a shelf was exemplified as being formed in a substantially H-shape in vertical cross-section (see Figure 6) from a base plate 35a, a hanging piece 35b, a rising piece 35c, and an upper plate 35d. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. As long as it has a mounting plate on which articles can be placed on its upper surface, and the mounting plate extends out and is fixed to at least a part of the left and right vertical frame portions 22a, 22a in the front-rear direction, it does not necessarily have to be composed of a base plate 35a, a hanging piece 35b, a rising piece 35c, and an upper plate 35d, and may be composed of only the upper plate 35d or the base plate 35a.

[0082] Furthermore, while the above embodiment illustrates a configuration in which an upper horizontal member 24 and a lower horizontal member 34 are horizontally installed between the left and right vertical frame sections 22a, 22a, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, three or more horizontal members may be horizontally installed. More specifically, if the front-to-back dimension of at least one of the multiple horizontal members is longer than the front-to-back dimension of the other horizontal members, then two or more upper horizontal members 24 and lower horizontal members 34 may be horizontally installed, or three horizontal members with different front-to-back dimensions may be horizontally installed.

[0083] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the partition 20 is exemplified as having felt screens 11A and 11B, which are plate-shaped functional components, provided within the frame 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the partition 20 does not necessarily have to include plate-shaped functional components and may consist only of the frame 21. Moreover, it may be possible to change to other plate-shaped functional components other than the felt screens 11A and 11B.

[0084] Furthermore, although the partition 20 was provided to be movable along the guide rail 5, it does not necessarily have to be movable along the guide rail 5, as long as the upper part is supported by the guide rail 5 and the lower part rests on the floor surface.

[0085] Specifically, although not shown in the figures, an upper support shaft without a guide roller 10 at its upper end may be provided protruding upward from the upper surface of the frame 21, and a lower support shaft without a guide roller 10 at its lower end may be provided protruding downward from the lower surface of the frame 21. The upper support shaft may be inserted into a guide part such as a guide rail 5 or a hole to support the partition so that it does not tip over, and the lower support shaft may be placed on the floor surface. In other words, the partition of the present invention may be movable or immovable on the floor surface, as long as the lower part is placed on the floor surface and the upper part is supported by an upper guide part so that it does not tip over. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 1 Spatial structure 2 Frame Body 11A, 11B Felt Screen 20 partitions 20a Vertical frame section (vertical frame) 21 Frame 22 Base Frame 23 Upper frame 24 Upper horizontal member 34 Lower horizontal members (shelf boards) 34a Slope side 34b Left and right sides 35a Base plate (recessed groove) 35b hanging piece 35c standing piece 35d top plate 35e Long hole (concave groove) 35f Top surface (mounting surface) 36a, 36b screws 37a, 37b nuts 45 Aperture 45a Notch 46 Slit holes 46a Notch 47 Slit holes (holes) 120, 220 partition 134, 234 Lower horizontal members (shelf boards)

Claims

1. A movable partition, It is equipped with shelves that are installed horizontally between vertical frames erected on the left and right sides, and that extend outwards and are fixed in both the front and rear directions of the vertical frames, The partition is characterized in that both ends of the shelf board in the longitudinal direction are tapered.

2. The partition according to claim 1, characterized in that the shelf board has its widthwise central portions at both ends in the longitudinal direction fixed to the vertical frame.

3. The partition according to claim 1, characterized in that the shelf board is fixed between the opposing surfaces of the left and right vertical frames.

4. The partition according to claim 1, characterized in that the shelf board has a tapered shape that tapers at a 45-degree angle.

5. The shelf board comprises a mounting surface and a raised piece surrounding the periphery of the mounting surface, The partition according to claim 1, characterized in that the rising piece is fixed to the left and right vertical frames at multiple points in the vertical direction.

6. The partition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the shelf board has a recessed groove formed therein, and a hole that penetrates vertically is formed at the longitudinal end of the recessed groove.

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