US20080035031A1 - Desk and office construction system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides desks with which layout can be changed easily and accurately without disturbing the order of a work space and an entire office. The desk includes a base extending in a predetermined direction, a movable supporting member supported so as to be movable along the base, and a top board supported by the movable supporting member so as to be turnable in the horizontal direction.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a desk suitably used in an office or the like and to an office construction system using a plurality of desks.
• 2. Background Art
• Hitherto a desk have been developed with which layout of any of various work spaces, such as a work space in which an individual worker can concentrate in his/her work and a work space suitable for group communication such as a conference or meeting where a plurality of people gather in an office space or the like, can be properly changed as the scale becomes greater or the organization changes, or according to the use or purpose, and an office construction system using a plurality of such desks have been developed.
• An example of such a technique is desks disposed on the floor independently of each other and freely moved by workers, thereby enabling various work spaces to be formed (refer to, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H9-299167).
• Another example is a desk constructed by forming a plurality of screw holes or fitting holes at predetermined pitches in a top board supporting unit provided on the floor, screwing or fitting screws or insertion parts provided directly or indirectly for one end of the top board to the screw holes or fitting holes, and making a leg standing on the floor support the other end of the top board. The attachment position of the top board in the top board supporting unit of the desk can be changed by changing the screw holes or fitting holes to which the screws or insertion parts are screwed or fit.
• In the former case, however, since the desks can freely move on the floor independently of each other, each work space and an entire office tend to look unruly and disorganized upon or after a layout change. There is a problem such that the desk is not suitable as a component of a work space and an office in which layout is frequently changed.
• In the latter case, at the time of changing the attachment position of the top board in the top board supporting unit, the screwed or fit state between the screws or insertion parts provided at one end of the top board and the screw holes or fitting holes has to be cancelled once. After that, the screws or insertion parts have to be screwed or fit in different screw holes or fitting holes. Such a work is troublesome. In some cases, the user has to ask the work for a specialist. There is a problem that the layout cannot be changed easily and accurately.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention has been achieved in view of such problems and an object of the invention is to provide a desk with which layout of a work space and a whole office can be easily and accurately changed without causing disorder and an office construction system using a plurality of such desks.
• A desk of the present invention includes: a base extending in a predetermined direction; a movable supporting member supported so as to be movable along the base; and a top board supported by the movable supporting member.
• With such a desk, the movement range of the top board supported by the movable supporting member is restricted by the base. A work space and an entire office can be prevented from becoming disorganized upon or after a layout change, and the desk is suitable as a component of a work space and an office in which layout is changed frequently. Moreover, since the movable supporting member is movable along the base, it becomes unnecessary to perform the conventional work, which is done each time the layout is changed, of once cancelling the screw state or the fit state between the screws or insertion parts and the screw holes or fitting holes and screwing or fitting again the screws or insertion parts to different screw holes or fitting holes. Therefore, the layout change can be easily and accurately performed by a worker himself/herself without asking the work for a specialist.
• The “top board supported by the movable supporting member” denotes concept including a “top board supported by being put on the movable supporting member”.
• Another desk according to the present invention includes a base extending in a predetermined direction; a movable supporting member supported so as to be movable along the base; and a top board supported by the movable supporting member. The movable supporting member can move along the base together with the top board in a state where the movable supporting member supports the top board.
• With the desk as well, effects similar to those of the above-described desk can be obtained. In addition, at the time of changing the position of the top board relative to the base, the work of detaching the top board from the movable supporting member and attaching the top board again is unnecessary, so that the operability is excellent. The “top board supported by the movable supporting member” similarly denotes concept including a “top board supported by being put on the movable supporting member”.
• In particular, when the top board is supported so as to be turnable in the horizontal direction by the movable supporting member, the angle and posture of the top board with respect to the base can be selected from a posture in which the longitudinal direction of the top board is almost parallel with that of the base, a posture in which the longitudinal direction of the top board is almost orthogonal to that of the base, and the like. Variations of selectable layouts increase.
• When the desk has a leg member for supporting a region different from a region supported by the movable supporting member, in the top board, and a movable body capable of moving on a floor is provided at a lower end of the leg member, by movement (sliding) of the movable body along the floor at the time of changing layout, the top board can be smoothly moved along the base without being lifted.
• To smoothly and reliably move the movable supporting member along the base, it is sufficient to provide the base with a guide for guiding movement of the movable supporting member, and provide the movable supporting member with a guided part which is guided by the guide. In this case, preferred embodiments include a mode in which the guide is a rail formed along an extension direction of the base and a mode in which the guided part has a rolling member capable of rolling along the rail formed in the base.
• Further, when the desk further includes a stationary supporting member supported by the base and not being able to slide, and a stationary top board supported by the stationary supporting member, by supporting the movable supporting member and the stationary supporting member by the base in common and supporting the movable top board and the stationary top board by each of the supporting members, the desk having the movable top board and the stationary top board is achieved. Consequently, an area adapted to the environment in which layout is changed frequently and an area adapted to the environment in which layout is not frequently changed can be formed in a single desk, and the desk can be flexibly used in various layouts.
• It is sufficient that the stationary supporting member is supported so as not to be able to slide along the base. For example, a stationary supporting member fixed to the base by screwing or the like or a stationary supporting member movable in a state where a part of it is in contact with or is pressed against the base may be used. That is, the stationary supporting member which is not positively moved along the base but is movable along the base mainly at the time of attaching/detaching the member to/from the base is preferable.
• To realize a desk adapted to various work styles by setting one of areas adjacent thereto sandwiching the base as a boundary as a work space in which the layout can be changed and setting the other area as a work space in which layout cannot be changed, the desk is provided with a pair of upright faces facing each other along the longitudinal direction. One of the upright faces is provided with a guide for guiding movement of the movable supporting member, and the other upright face is provided with an attachment part for attaching the stationary supporting member. In this case, when the guide and the attachment part are rails of the same shape, the rails can be commonly used. As compared with the mode in which the guide and the supporting member have different shapes, the structure of the base is more simplified.
• In addition, when the stationary top board is cantilevered by the stationary supporting member, the leg member for supporting the stationary top board is unnecessary, and the space below the stationary top board can be assured widely.
• An office construction system of the invention includes a plurality of desks producing the above-described effects, and layout can be changed according to the kind of a work or the like.
• With such an office construction system, by changing the position and posture of the top board with respect to the base, a closed environment in which a worker can concentrate on his/her work or an open environment can be freely created, and a work space and an office adapted to various kinds of works and work forms can be easily created. Moreover, since the layout is based on the bases of the desks, a work space and an entire office can be optimized without becoming disordered as a whole. Improvement in the work efficiency of a worker working in a work space and an office formed by the office construction system can largely contribute to improvement in the productivity of not only workers but also the entire office.
• According to the present invention as described above, since the position/posture of the top board is changed using the base as a reference, without making a work space and an entire office disordered, the layout can be easily and accurately changed by a worker himself/herself without asking the work for a specialist while maintaining the order of the work space and the entire office at a predetermined level.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a general schematic diagram of a desk and an office construction system using the desk according to an embodiment of the invention;
• FIGS. 2A to 2C are plan views showing layout examples which can be made with the desks of the embodiment and the office construction system using the desks;
• FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing other layout examples A-1 to A-3;
• FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing other layout examples A-4 to A-6;
• FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing other layout examples A7 and A8;
• FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing other layout examples B-1 to B-3;
• FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing other layout examples B-4 and B-5;
• FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing other layout examples C-1 to C-3;
• FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing other layout examples C-4 and C-5;
• FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing other layout examples C-6 and C-7;
• FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing other layout examples D-1 to D-3;
• FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing other layout examples E-1 to E-3;
• FIGS. 13A,13B and13C are diagrams showing layout examples using desks each having a stationary top board, and an office construction system using the desks corresponding toFIGS. 2A,2B and2C, respectively;
• FIG. 14 is a general schematic diagram of a desk according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a top board in the second embodiment;
• FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a supporting member in the second embodiment;
• FIG. 17 is a partly-cutaway schematic side view of a desk having a switching mechanism which is in a movement restricted state in the second embodiment;
• FIG. 18 is an enlarged side view of a main part of a desk having the switching mechanism which is in the movement restricted state in the second embodiment;
• FIG. 19 is an enlarged plan view of a supporting member having the switching mechanism which is in the movement restricted state in the second embodiment;
• FIG. 20 is an enlarged bottom view of a main part of the supporting member having the switching mechanism which is in the movement restricted state in the second embodiment;
• FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the cutaway region inFIG. 17;
• FIG. 22 is a partly-cutaway schematic side view of a desk having the switching mechanism in a movement permitted state in the second embodiment;
• FIG. 23 is an enlarged side view of a main part of a desk having the switching mechanism in the movement permitted state in the second embodiment;
• FIG. 24 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of a supporting member having the switching mechanism which is in the movement permitted state in the second embodiment;
• FIG. 25 is an enlarged bottom view of a main part of the supporting member having the switching mechanism which is in the movement permitted state in the second embodiment;
• FIG. 26 is a plan view of a turn stopper rail in the second embodiment;
• FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of a gripping mechanism in the second embodiment;
• FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining action;
• FIG. 29 is an enlarged view of a cutaway region inFIG. 22;
• FIG. 30 is a partly-omitted plan view of a desk according to the second embodiment;
• FIG. 31 is a partly-omitted plan view of a desk according to the second embodiment in which the swivel angle of the top board is changed;
• FIG. 32 is a partly-omitted cross section taken along a line x-x inFIG. 30;
• FIG. 33 is a partly-omitted cross section taken along a line y-y inFIG. 31;
• FIGS. 34A to 34C are diagrams showing layout examples using a movable top board and a stationary top board in the second embodiment; and
• FIG. 35 is an enlarged side view of a main part of a desk for showing an attachment form of a stationary supporting member to a base in the second embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First Embodiment
• Adesk1 according to a first embodiment has, as shown inFIG. 1, abase2 disposed above the floor and extending in a predetermined direction, abase supporting member3 for supporting thebase2, a movable supportingmember4 supported so as to be able to slide along thebase2, atop board5a(or5b) whose one end is supported by the movable supportingmember4, and aleg member6 supporting the other end of thetop board5a(or5b) and standing on the floor.FIG. 1 shows an office construction system formed by linking twodesks1 which have almost the same shapes and configurations except for the shapes of thetop boards5aand5b. The same reference numerals are assigned to corresponding members in the diagram.
• Thebase2 has, for example, an almost quadrangular pillar shape extending almost linearly. Atop board guide2A (corresponding to a “guide” in the invention) for guiding movement of the movable supportingmember4 is provided in a pair of upright faces21 facing each other in the longitudinal direction of thebase2. Thetop board guide2A is constructed byrails2aformed along the longitudinal direction of thebase2. In the embodiment, thetop board guide2A is formed by the pair ofrails2aextending in parallel with each other so as to be apart from each other by a predetermined pitch in the height direction and each obtained by forming a recess in each of the upright faces21. Atop face22 of thebase2 is provided with aguide2B for an optional member. Theguide2B for an optional member is constructed by using arail2bformed along the longitudinal direction of thebase2. In the embodiment, theguide2B for an optional member is constructed by a plurality ofrails2bextending in parallel with each other at a predetermined pitch in the short size direction of thebase2 and each having a recess. By making an optional member slide along theoptional member guide2B, the position of the optional member relative to thebase2 can be changed. In the embodiment, as optional members, a member obtained by integrating a desk top panel DTP and a storage rack ST and a task light TL are applied. Each of theguides2A and2B is formed so as to extend from one end of thebase2 to the other end. Anend cap2C is detachably attached to each of the both ends of thebase2.
• Thebase supporting members3 support both ends of thebase2. Each of thebase supporting members3 has, for example, a pillar shape whose depth is almost equal to the short-side dimension of thebase2. In the office construction system according to the embodiment in which a plurality ofdesks1 are linked so that theirbases2 are continuous in the longitudinal direction, auxiliarybase supporting members3aare integrally assembled to, at least, thebase supporting members3 positioned at both ends of the office construction system among a plurality ofbase supporting members3, thereby realizing excellent self-standing performance and stability of the office construction system.
• The movable supportingmember4 has, as shown inFIG. 1, a topboard receiving part41 for supporting thetop board5a(or5b) and a guidedpart42 guided by thetop board guide2A. The topboard receiving part41 directly or indirectly supports a predetermined region on one end side of thetop board5a(or5b) from below. The guidedpart42 has an insertion part which can be inserted in therail2aand a rolling element (not shown) provided at the tip of the insertion part and being able to roll along the rail.
• Each of thetop boards5aand5bis a board having a gourd shape (ellipse shape whose center portion is narrowed) or a rectangular shape in plan view, and is designed so that the maximum longitudinal dimension is almost equal to or smaller than the longitudinal dimension of thebase2. One end of each of thetop boards5aand5bis supported by the movable supportingmember4 so as to be turnable in the horizontal direction. A concrete mode of supporting turnable thetop board5aor5bto the movable supportingmember4 is, for example, a simple uniaxial structure using a single axis. In the embodiment, the under face of each of thetop boards5aand5bis positioned slightly upper than thetop face22 of thebase2, thereby avoiding interference between thetop board5aor5band thebase2 at the time of horizontal turn of thetop board5aor5b. Although a part of thetop board5aor5band thetop face22 of thebase2 overlap each other with a gap of a predetermined dimension in the height direction, it is designed so that a part of thetop board5aor5bdoes not overlap theoptional member guide2B formed in thetop face22 of thebase2, thereby avoiding interference between a part of the optional member guided by theoptional member guide2B and a part of thetop boards5aand5b.
• Theleg member6 has aleg member body61 directly supporting the other end of thetop board5aor5band acaster62 as a moving member of the invention provided at the lower end of theleg member body61. Obviously, thetop board5aor5bwhose both ends are supported by the movable supportingmember4 and theleg member6 is designed to be parallel to the flat floor face in a normal use state.
• In thedesk1 having such a configuration, by making thetop board5aor5bslide along the longitudinal direction of thebase2, the position of thetop board5aor5brelative to thebase2 can be changed. The turn angle posture of thetop board5aor5brelative to thebase2 such as a posture in which the longitudinal direction of thetop board5aor5bis almost parallel with the longitudinal direction of thebase2, or a posture in which the longitudinal direction of thetop board5aor5bis almost orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of thebase2 can be properly selected.
• In the office construction system according to the embodiment in which twodesks1 are linked, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2A, thetop boards5aand5bare set in a posture that their longitudinal direction is almost orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of thebases2, and are positioned on the sides apart from the other base2 (the sides opposite to the connection end), thereby allowing workers to use thetop boards5aand5bback to back. In such a manner, a first layout forming a work space and an office in which each worker can concentrate on his/her work can be set. InFIGS. 2A to 2C, a pattern is formed in thebase2. As shown inFIG. 2B, thetop boards5aand5bare set in a posture that their longitudinal direction is almost orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of thebases2, and are positioned on the side of connecting thetop boards5aand5bto the other base2 (the connection end side), thereby enabling a second layout in which workers using thetop boards5aand5bface each other to be set. In the second layout, a work space and an office in which workers can work while communicating with each other are formed. Further, as shown inFIG. 2C, thetop boards5aand5bare set in a posture that their longitudinal direction is almost parallel with the longitudinal direction of thebases2, and thetop boards5aand5bare arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction. In such a manner, a third layout in which workers using thetop boards5aand5bsit side by side can be set. The third layout forms a work space and an office in which workers can concentrate on their works while communicating with each other. By moving an optional member along thebase2 by using theoptional member guide2B corresponding to each layout, a work space and an office having excellent workability can be formed. A layout properly selected from at least layouts in three patterns can be set. InFIG. 1 andFIGS. 2A to 2C, a partition P partitioning work spaces of the workers is disposed. In the embodiment, an attachment member Pa for attaching the partition P to thebase2 is provided for a part of the partition P (refer toFIG. 1). According to choice of a worker, a layout using no partition P may be employed. At the time of integrally linking thedesks2, it is sufficient to use not-shown connecting means for integrally connecting onebase2 to anotherbase2. Examples of the connecting means include means using an engagement part provided for each end cap and capable of engaging (fitting or hooking) with (to) a end cap adjacent thereto, means using an engagement part provided at an end of the base and capable of engaging (fitting or hooking) with (to) an end of a base adjacent thereto, and means using a fastening member such as a screw for fastening thebases2.
• In the case of changing any of the layouts to another layout, by giving an operating force for moving thetop board5aor5balong thebase2 or an operating force for making thetop board5aor5bturn in the horizontal direction about thebase2, thetop board5aor5bcan be set in a desired position or posture. In particular, in the embodiment, since thecaster62 is provided for theleg member6 supporting the other end of thetop board5aor5b, thetop board5aor5bcan be slid or horizontally turned about thebase2 with relatively small force.
• Such an office construction system using a plurality ofdesks1 can be set or changed in various layouts corresponding to a business style or the kind of a work on the individual or organization unit basis as shown inFIG. 3 and subsequent figures. In each of the layouts shown in the figures, the position and angle posture of thetop plate5 relative to thebase2 can be easily grasped from the figures. Therefore, detailed description of each of the layouts will not be given.
• Various layouts A-1 to A-8 shown inFIGS. 3 to 5 are suitable for, for example, work spaces and offices for office-based workers (such as managers).
• Various layouts B-1 to B-5 shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 are suitable for, for example, work spaces and offices for call centers performing reception works using telephone lines and network lines.
• Various layouts C-1 to C-7 shown inFIGS. 8 to 10 are suitable for, for example, work spaces and offices for planners and consultants.
• Various layouts D-1 to D-3 shown inFIG. 11 are suitable for, for example, work spaces and offices for sales departments and reception rooms to have a meeting with a customer.
• Various layouts E-1 to E-3 shown inFIG. 12 are suitable for, for example, work spaces and offices performing group communications such as a meeting, a group work and presentation.
• InFIGS. 3 to 12, in addition to the top board having a gourd shape or rectangular shape in plan view as a top board, a top board whose one end has a polygonal shape and whose other end partly has an arc shape in plan view, an L-shaped top board, or a square-shaped top board is applied. Irrespective of the shape, the reference numeral “5” is assigned to all of the top boards.FIGS. 3 to 12 are provided to mainly show the positions and postures of thetop boards5 relative to thebase2. Consequently, the movable supporting members and the leg members are not shown, and the patterns are shown in thebases2 in a manner similar toFIGS. 2A to 2C.
• AlthoughFIGS. 1 and 2A to2C show modes in which a singletop board5a(or5b) is provided for asingle base2,FIGS. 3 to 12 show modes in which a plurality oftop boards5 are provided for asingle base2 in accordance with a business style, the kind of a work, the number of people, and the like. Concretely, the figures illustrate the mode of disposing thetop boards5 via the movable supportingmembers4 to the facing parts (the upright faces21 shown inFIG. 1) in the longitudinal direction in thebases2 and a mode of disposing the plurality oftop boards5 to oneupright face21 via the movable supporting members4 (refer to A-1 inFIG. 3). When the movable supportingmember4 is detachably supported by the base2 (for example, the movable supportingmember4 can be inserted/attached in a state where theend cap2C is detached from the end of the base2), the number oftop boards5 attached to asingle base2 can be properly selected by the user himself/herself. As shown in A-1, A-2 inFIG. 4 and the like, thetop board5 can be set acrossbases2 adjacent thereto. On the other hand, as shown in C-5 and C-6 inFIG. 9 and the like, a layout including thebase2 to which notop board5 is attached may be also employed. As shown in A-3 inFIG. 3, B-2 inFIG. 6, and the like, a layout of disposing thedesks1 so that thebases2 are linked to each other in the short size direction.
• As shown in B-5 inFIG. 7, C-2 inFIG. 8, and the like, a layout in which the turn angle of thetop board5 relative to thebase2 is set to an angle other than 90 degrees (for example, 45 degrees) can be also employed.
• Since thedesk1 according to the embodiment has thebase2 extending in a predetermined direction, the movable supportingmember4 movably supported to thebase2, and the top board5 (5a,5b) supported by the movable supportingmember4 as described above, the top board5 (5a,5b) supported by the movable supportingmember4 can move along thebase2. Thus, the layout can be changed easily. Because the movement range of the top board5 (5a,5b) is restricted by thebase2, the order of a work space and an entire office using thebase2 as a reference can be maintained. Moreover, the movable supportingmember4 is able to slide along thebase2. It is consequently unnecessary to perform the conventional work, which is done each time the layout is changed, of once cancelling the screw state or the fit state between the screws or insertion parts and the screw holes or fitting holes and re-screwing or re-fitting the screws or insertion parts to different screw holes or fitting holes. Therefore, the layout change can be easily and accurately performed by a worker himself/herself without asking the work for a specialist.
• In particular, since the top board5 (5a,5b) is supported so as to be turnable in the horizontal direction by the movable supportingmember4, only by changing the direction of the top board5 (5a,5b) without changing the installation direction of thedesk1 itself, variations of selectable layouts dramatically increase.
• In addition, thecaster62 is provided for theleg member6 supporting the other end of the top board5 (5a,5b). Consequently, by the sliding of thecaster62 on the floor at the time of changing the layout, the top board5 (5a,5b) can smoothly move or turn in the horizontal direction relative to thebase2 without lifting the top board5 (5a,5b).
• Further, since thebase2 is provided with thetop board guide2A for guiding movement of the movable supportingmember4 and the movable supportingmember4 is provided with the guidedpart42 to be guided by thetop board guide2A, the movable supportingmember4 can be accurately moved relative to thebase2. In particular, thetop board guide2A is therail2aformed along the extension direction of thebase2 and the guidedpart42 has a rolling member capable of rolling along therail2a. Consequently, thetop board guide2A and the guidedpart42 can be realized with a simple structure at low cost.
• In the office construction system using a plurality ofdesks1 according to the embodiment, by making the top board5 (5a,5b) move or turn in the horizontal direction relative to thebase2 by the worker at the time of scale enlargement, organization change, or the like, an individual work area or common work area can be properly formed. A closed environment in which a worker can concentrate on his/her work or an open environment can be freely created. Moreover, the layout can be changed without causing disorder, and a work space and an entire office can be optimized. Improvement in the work efficiency of a worker working in a work space and an office formed by the office construction system can largely contribute to improvement in the productivity of not only workers but also the entire office.
• In thedesk1 according to the embodiment and the office construction system using a plurality ofdesks1, as shown inFIGS. 13A to 13C, a stationarytop board5X whose relative position cannot be changed can be attached to thebase2.
• The stationarytop board5X is supported by one or more stationary supportingmembers4X supported to thebase2 so as not to be able to slide. In the embodiment, the stationarytop board5X having an almost rectangular shape in plan view and whose longitudinal dimension is almost the same as that of thebase2 is used. The stationary supportingmembers4X are integrally attached to both ends of the stationarytop board5X and are supported by thebase2, thereby receiving the load applied on the stationarytop board5X by the stationary supportingmembers4X and thebase2. That is, one side of the stationarytop plate5X is supported by thebase2 via the stationary supportingmembers4X.
• The stationary supportingmember4X can be attached to therail2aformed in theupright face21 of thebase2. That is, therail2aplays the role of an “attachment part” for attaching the stationary supportingmember4X. The stationary supportingmember4X is properly fixed in a state where an installation part provided at one end is inserted in therail2a. In the embodiment, suchstationary fixing members4X are provided for both sides of the stationarytop board5X, and the stationarytop board5X is supported only by the stationary supportingmembers4X.
• In such a manner, in the embodiment, the movable supportingmember4 and the stationary supportingmember4X can be attached to thebase2 using therails2ahaving the same shape and the same structure. AlthoughFIGS. 13A to 13C show the mode in which the end on thebase2 side of the stationarytop board5X is positioned close to or in contact with theupright face21 of thebase2, a mode in which the end on the side of thebase2 of the stationarytop board5X is apart from theupright face21 of thebase2 by a predetermined distance may be employed. InFIGS. 13A to 13C, chairs disposed for the stationarytop boards5X are not shown.
• As described above, thedesk1 according to the embodiment can be provided with the stationary supportingmember4X supported by thebase2 so as not to be able to slide and the stationarytop board5X supported by the stationary supportingmember4X. Therefore, as shown inFIGS. 13A to 13C, an area in which the layout can be changed by using thebase2 in common and an area in which the layout cannot be changed can be formed in the area of asingle desk1. The invention can be applied to both of an environment in which the layout is changed frequently and an environment in which the layout is not changed.
• Further, by setting one of areas adjacent thereto using thebase2 as a border as a work space in which the layout can be changed and setting the other area as a work space which is not suitable for a layout change, the invention can be flexibly adapted to various work styles.
• In particular, the movable supportingmembers4 can be moved relative to thebases2 using therails2ahaving the same shape and the stationary supportingmembers4X can be attached to thebases2. Therefore, at the time of selecting or changing a desired mode from a mode using one of areas across thebase2 as a border as a work space in which the layout can be changed and using the other area as a work space in which the layout cannot be changed, a mode of setting both of the areas as areas in each of which the layout can be changed, and a mode of setting both of the areas as areas in each of which the layout cannot be changed, thecommon rails2 can be used without changing therails2.
• In addition, one side of the stationarytop board5X is supported by the stationary supportingmember4X, so that a leg member is unnecessary. Thus, the space below the stationarytop board5X can be assured wide.
Second Embodiment
• Thedesk1 according to a second embodiment is based on the technical idea similar to that of thedesk1 according to the first embodiment, and their parts are further embodied. In the following description, reference numerals of members in the second embodiment and those of the members in the first embodiment are given separately. In some cases, the same reference numeral is given to different members.
• Adesk1 according to the second embodiment has, as shown inFIG. 14, abase2 extending in the horizontal direction, abase supporting member3 for supporting thebase2, a movable supportingmember4 supported so as to be able slide along thebase2, atop board5 whose one end is supported by the movable supportingmember4, aleg member6 supporting the other end of thetop board5 and standing on the floor, a stationary supporting member immovably supported by thebase2, and a stationary top board whose one side is supported by the stationary supporting member.FIG. 14 shows an office construction system formed by linking twosuch desks1.
• Thebase2 has, as shown inFIGS. 14,17,18 and the like, an almost quadrangular pillar shape extending almost linearly.Rail grooves21 and22 functioning as top board guides for guiding movement of the movable supportingmember4 are formed in a pair of upright faces2A facing each other in the longitudinal direction of thebase2. In the embodiment, a pair ofrail grooves21 and22 extending in the longitudinal direction of thebase2 in parallel with each other so as to be apart from each other by a predetermined pitch in the height direction are formed in each of the upright faces2A. In the following description, the rail groove formed relatively upper will be called an “upper rail groove21” and the rail groove formed relatively lower will be called a “lower rail groove22”. The upper andlower rail grooves21 and22 have almost the same shape, and the height of the internal space (internal space height) is set to be larger than that of the opening (opening height). In the following description, with respect to upright walls facing each other in therail grooves21 and22, upright walls on the opening side will be called “opening-side upright walls” (“an opening-sideupright wall21aof theupper rail groove21” and “an opening-sideupright wall22aof thelower rail groove22”), and upright walls on the deeper side will be called “deeper-side upright walls” (“a deeper-sideupright wall21b” of theupper rail groove21” and “a deeper-sideupright wall22bof thelower rail groove22”). The opening-sideupright walls21aand22aextend downward from the upper edge of therail grooves21 and22.
• In atop face2B of thebase2, a rail groove functioning as an optional member guide for guiding movement of an optional member not shown is formed. In the embodiment, in thetop face2B, a plurality of (five in the diagram)rail grooves23 apart from each other in a predetermined pitch in the short size direction of thebase2 and extending parallel with each other are formed. By making an optional member (not shown) slide along the optional member guide, the position of the optional member relative to thebase2 can be changed. As the optional member, a desktop panel and task light are applied.
• Each of therail grooves21,22, and23 is formed so as to extend from one end of thebase2 to the other end. Anend cap2C is detachably attached to each of the both ends of the base2 (refer toFIG. 14) (each ofFIGS. 17 and 18 andFIGS. 22 and 23 to be described later shows thebase2 from which theend cap2C is detached).
• As shown inFIG. 14, thebase supporting members3 support both ends of thebase2. Each of thebase supporting members3 has, for example, a pillar shape or square pipe shape whose depth is almost equal to the short dimension of thebase2. In the office construction system in which a plurality ofdesks1 are linked so that theirbases2 are continuous in the longitudinal direction, first auxiliarybase supporting members31 are integrally assembled to, at least, thebase supporting members3 positioned at both ends of the office construction system among a plurality ofbase supporting members3 by proper means, and second auxiliarybase supporting members32 are integrally assembled to the otherbase supporting members3 by proper means, thereby realizing excellent self-standing performance and stability of the office construction system. InFIGS. 17 and 18 andFIGS. 22 and 23 to be described later, the auxiliarybase supporting members31 and32 are not shown.
• The movable supportingmember4 has, as shown inFIGS. 16 to 19 and the like, a supportingmember body41 for supporting thetop board5 and aslide device42 being able to slide along therail grooves21 and22.
• The supportingmember body41 supports a predetermined region on one end side of thetop board5 from below. The supportingmember body41 according to the second embodiment has aframe body411 and priority supports412 projecting from the top face of theframe body411 and coming into contact with the under face of thetop board5 before theframe body411.
• Theframe body411 is obtained by rigidly integrating, by welding or the like, a pair of facingframes411aalmost orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of thebase2 and facing each other, a front-end frame411bpositioned at the front end side of the facing faces411a, and a pair of connection frames411cconnecting the front end parts of the facing frames411aand the ends of the front-end frame411bin a state where the frames are supported by thebase2. The top faces of theframes411a,411b, and411care almost flush with each other. Areinforcement frame411dis integrally rigidly connected between the inner faces at the base ends of the facing frames411a. The top face of thereinforcement frame411dis set to be lower than the top faces of theother frames411a,411b, and411c. Each of theframes411a,411b,411c, and411dhas an angular cylindrical shape.
• The priority supports412 are constructed as support pins projected from the top face of theframe member411 in the embodiment. In the embodiment, thetop board5 is horizontally turnable about the movable supportingmember4. The mounting positions of the plurality of priority supports412 are set so that thetop board5 can be supported at plural points irrespective of the angle of thetop board5 relative to the movable supportingmember4. Concretely, total four priority supports412 are provided in positions near the front end and the base ends of the facing frames411a(more concretely, positions near the joint parts of thereinforcement frame411d). Each of the priority supports412 is constructed by anut412afixed to the top face of theframe body411 and apin body412bwhich can screw in thenut412a(seeFIG. 18).
• Theslide device42 has, as shown inFIGS. 16 to 20, aslider body421, a pair of switchingunits422, aninterlocking mechanism423 making the switchingunits422 operate so as to interlock, and anoperating part424 for performing a predetermined operation.
• Theslider body421 has abody part4211 extending along the longitudinal direction of thebase2 and areinforcement member4212 disposed so as to have a predetermined gap with thebody part4211 and almost parallel with the body part4211 (seeFIGS. 19 and 20).
• Thebody part4211 has anupright piece4211afacing theupright face2A of thebase2, a pair ofside pieces411bextending forward from both ends of theupright piece4211a, and anupper piece4211cand alower piece4211dextending forward from the upper and lower edges of theupright piece4211a. In the embodiment, by bending a single steel plate, theupright piece4211a,side pieces4211b,upper piece4211c, andlower piece4211dare formed. Areinforcement piece4211efor preventing deformation of thebody part4211 is provided between theupper piece4211cand thelower piece4211dat both ends of the body part4211 (seeFIGS. 16 and 18).
• A pair of first connection stays43 extending in the direction almost orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of thebody part4211 are integrally attached in positions near both ends of thebody part4211 by welding or the like. Between the inner faces of the first connection stays43, thereinforcement member4212 is provided. A second connection stay44 is integrally attached by welding or the like between the top face of the rear end of thefirst connection stay43 and the under face of the front end of the facingframe411aof the frame body411 (seeFIGS. 16 and 18 and the like).
• Thereinforcement member4212 has an almost U shape in cross section and includes anupright piece4212afacing theupright piece4211aof thebody part4211 and anupper piece4212band alower piece4212cextending from the upper and lower edge of theupright piece4212atoward theframe body411 side (the side opposite to the base2). Both ends of thereinforcement member4212 are integrally attached to the inner faces of the first connection stay43 by welding or the like (seeFIGS. 19 and 20).
• Each of the switchingunits422 has, as shown inFIGS. 16 to 20, anupper contact member4A which can come into contact with the opening-sideupright wall21aof theupper rail groove21, alower contact member4B which can come into contact with the deeper-sideupright wall22bof thelower rail groove22, an upper rollingmember4C which can be in contact with the opening-sideupright wall21aof theupper rail groove21, alower rolling member4D which can be in contact with the deeper-sideupright wall22bof thelower rail groove22, and aswitching mechanism4E capable of switching between a movement restriction state of restricting the movement of theslide device42 and a movement permission state of permitting the movement of theslide device42.
• Theupper contact member4A is positioned nearer to the opening-sideupright wall21aside of theupper rail groove21 than the upper rollingmember4C in the movement restriction state. In the embodiment, as theupper contact member4A, an upward-projection piece obtained by bringing up theupper piece4211cof thebody part4211 to thebase2 side (forward) and projecting upward is used. That is, theupper contact member4A is formed integrally with thebody part4211 as a component of theslider body421, is made of the steel plate, and has excellent rigidity.
• Thelower contact member4B is positioned nearer to the deeper-sideupright wall22bside of thelower rail groove22 than the lower rollingmember4D in the movement restriction state. In the embodiment, as thelower contact member4B, a block made of a rigid material is applied. Thelower contact member4B is attached to the tip of a forward/backward movingmember4F which can go out/in thebody part4211 of the slider body421 (seeFIGS. 18 and 20). In the embodiment, a bolt which can go in/out by the screwing action is applied as the forward/backward movingmember4F. The forward/backward movingmember4F can be screwed in anut4211gheld by anut holding piece4211fprovided continuously from thelower piece4211dof thebody part4211 so as not to be rotatable, and its tip has a flange4Fa capable of pressing the rear face of thelower contact member4B. Thelower contact member4B has a guide member4Ba extending rearward from the rear face. By inserting the guide member4Ba into a guide hole (not shown) formed in thenut4211g, forward/backward movement of thelower contact member4B accompanying the forward/backward movement of the forward/backward movingmember4F can be accurately and smoothly performed. In the embodiment, as the guide member4Ba, a pair of pin-shaped members provided in positions parallel with the forward/backward movingmember4F and sandwiching the forward/backward movingmember4F is applied.
• The upper rollingmember4C is positioned apart from the opening-sideupright wall21aof theupper rail groove21 more than the upper rollingmember4C in the movement restriction state. In the embodiment, a pair of rollers rotatable around the vertical axis is applied as theupper rolling members4C. The pair of upperrotating members4C is supported by a common upper roller supporting member4Ca.
• Thelower rolling member4D is positioned apart from the deeper-sideupright wall22bof thelower rail groove22 more than the lower rollingmember4D in the movement restriction state. In the embodiment, a pair of rollers capable of rotating around the vertical axis is applied as thelower contact member4B. The pair oflower rolling members4D is supported by a common lower roller supporting member4Da. The upper rollingmember4C and the lower rollingmember4D function as a “guided part” of the invention.
• Theswitching mechanism4E can switch between the movement restriction state and the movement permission state. In the movement restriction state, thecontact members4A and4B are allowed to come into contact with theupright walls21aand22bof therail grooves21 and22 in priority to the rollingmembers4C and4D. In the movement permission state, the contact state between thecontact members4A and4B and theupright walls21aand22bof therail grooves21 and22 is cancelled by moving the rollingmembers4C and4D relative to thecontact members4A and4B.
• In the embodiment, theslide device42 is provided with asynchronization mechanism4G for making the movement of the upper rollingmember4C and the movement of the lower rollingmember4D synchronized.
• As shown inFIGS. 19 and 20, thesynchronization mechanism4G has an upper link4G1 provided with the upper rollingmember4C at its end, a lower link4G2 provided with the lower rollingmember4D at its end, and a vertical shaft4G3 as a common rotary shaft of the upper and lower links4G1 and4G2. By making the upper and lower links4G1 and4G2 horizontally turn around the vertical shaft4G3 as a center on the basis of an operational force applied to theoperation part424, the movement of the upper rollingmember4C and the movement of the lower rollingmember4D are synchronized.
• The upper link4G1 is provided with the upper roller supporting member4Ca supporting the upper rollingmember4C at its tip4G1a. In the upper link4G1, the tip4G1aand a base4G1bform a relative angle so that they are almost orthogonal to each other, and the tip4G1aand the base4G1bare connected via a long connection part4G1c(seeFIG. 19). An inner swelling part4G1dwhich swells to the inside is provided near the tip4G1aof the upper link4G1, and a vertical shaft insertion hole (not shown) in which the vertical shaft4G3 can be inserted is formed in the inner swelling part4G1d. A long hole4G1eis formed in the base4G1bof the upper link4G1. The region around the tip4G1aof the upper link4G1 can be mounted on theupper piece4211cof thebody part4211 of theslider body421.
• The lower roller supporting member4Da supporting thelower rolling members4D is provided at the tip4G2aof the lower link4G2 via an adjustment link4G21. In the lower link4G2, the tip4G2aand a base4G2bform a relative angle so that they are almost orthogonal to each other, and the tip4G2aand the base4G2bare connected via a long connection part4G2c(seeFIG. 20). The dimension in the longitudinal direction of the connection part4G2cis set to be smaller than that of the connection part4G1cof the upper link4G1. It is set so that, when the lower link4G2 and the upper link4G1 are overlapped, the tip4G2aof the lower link4G2 is positioned on the inner side of the tip4G1aof the upper link4G1 in plan view. An outer swelling part4G2dthat swells outward is provided in a region near the tip4G2aof the lower link4G2. In the outer swelling part4G2d, a vertical shaft hole which is communicated with the vertical shaft insertion hole formed in the upper link4G1 is formed. A long hole4G2eis formed in the base4G2bof the lower link4G2. The region near the tip4G2aof the lower link4G2 is positioned on the under face side of thelower piece4211dof thebody part4211.
• In the embodiment, a reinforcement link4G4 is interposed between the upper link401 and the lower link4G2. The reinforcement link4G4 has a plate shape and interposes in an upright posture between the upper link4G1 and the lower link4G2. More concretely, the reinforcement link4G4 is interposed between the connection parts4G1cand4E21aof the upper and lower links4G1 and4G2 (seeFIGS. 19 and 20). The links4G1 and4G2 and the reinforcement link4G4 can be assembled by fitting a projection4C41 of the reinforcement link4G4 in fitting holes4G1fand4G2fformed in the connection parts4G1cand4G2cof the links4G1 and4G2.
• The vertical shaft4G3 can be inserted in the vertical shaft holes formed in the upper and lower links4G1 and4G2. In the embodiment, communication holes (not shown) communicated with the vertical shaft holes are formed also in the upper andlower pieces4211cand4211dof thebody part4211, and the vertical shaft4G3 is continuously inserted also in the communication holes. The vertical shaft4G3 is retained by having a head part of a large diameter, having a fastener such as an E ring, by caulking, or the like.
• As shown inFIGS. 19 and 20, using an imaginary line L passing the center of the vertical shaft4G3 and almost orthogonal to the slide movement direction as a border, the tip4G1aof the upper link4G1 is positioned in one of the regions (concretely, the outside region), and the tip4G2aof the lower link is positioned in the other region (concretely, the inside region). As a result, when the force of rotation around the vertical shaft4G3 as a center acts on the upper and lower links4G1 and4G2, the upper rollingmember4C provided at the tip of the upper link4G1 moves toward the opening-sideupright wall21aof theupper rail groove21, and the lower rollingmember4D provided at the tip of the lower link4G2 (via the adjustment link4G21) moves toward the deeper-sideupright wall22bof thelower rail groove22. On the other hand, when the force of reverse rotation around the vertical shaft4G3 as a center acts on the upper and lower links4G1 and4G2, the upper rollingmember4C provided at the tip of the upper link4G1 moves so as to be apart from the opening-sideupright wall21aof theupper rail groove21, and the lower rollingmember4D provided at the tip of the lower link4G2 (via the adjustment link4G21) moves so as to be apart from the deeper-sideupright wall22bof thelower rail groove22. With such a configuration, the movement of the upper rollingmember4C and the movement of the lower rollingmember4D accompanying the switching operation can be synchronized.
• Theslide device42 according to the embodiment in which a pair of the switchingunits422 each having such a configuration is provided in positions apart from each other in the sliding direction also has theinterlocking mechanism423 for making the switchingunits422 operate so as to interlock.
• As shown inFIGS. 19 and 20, theinterlocking mechanism423 has a commonlink interlocking member4231 to which the bases4G1band4G2bof the links4G1 and4G2 of the switchingunits422 are connected. Theinterlocking mechanism423 operates thelink interlocking member4231 on the basis of an operational force applied to theoperating part424, thereby moving the links4G1 and4G2 of the switchingunits422 so as to interlock, and (almost) simultaneously moving the rollingmembers4C and4D provided for the tips4G1aand4G2aof the links4G1 and4G2.
• Thelink interlocking member4231 has anupright piece4231ahaving height smaller than the dimension of a gap in the height direction between the upper link4G1 and the lower link4G2, a pair ofside pieces4231bextending forward from both ends of theupright piece4231a, and anupper piece4231cand alower piece4231dextending forward from the upper and lower edges of theupright piece4231a. In the embodiment, by bending a single steel plate, theupright piece4231a,side pieces4231b,upper piece4231c, andlower piece4231dare formed. A pair of link shaft insertion holes (not shown) are formed in the upper andlower pieces4231cand4231dof thelink interlocking member4231. By insertinglink shafts4232 in a state where the link shaft insertion holes and the long holes4G1eand4G2eformed in the links4G1 and4G2 of the switchingunits422 are communicated with each other, thelink interlocking member4231 and the switchingunits422 are associated with each other. Each of thelink shafts4232 is retained by having a head part of a large diameter, having a fastener such as an E ring, by caulking, or the like. Thelink interlocking member4231 having such a configuration is set to be able to move forward or backward by using a space (gap) formed between thebody part4211 of theslider body421 and the retainingmember4212 on the basis of an operating force applied to theoperating part424 to be described next.
• The operatingpart424 has, as shown inFIGS. 19 and 20, a slidingoperation lever4241 for applying an operating force directly from the user, a slidingoperation lever shaft4242 as the rotary shaft of the slidingoperation lever4241, and a sliding operationlever wear plate4243 for restricting the rotational angle of the slidingoperation lever4241.
• The slidingoperation lever4241 has atongue4241aat its tip and has acam face4241bin its base. The height dimension of the slidingoperation lever4241 is set to be smaller than the distance of the gap between theupper piece4212band thelower piece4212cof thereinforcement member4212 so that the slidingoperation lever4241 can be housed in thereinforcement member4212.
• The sliding operationlever wear plate4243 has a pair of right and leftcontact parts4243awith which a part of the slidingoperation lever4241 can come into contact, anupper piece4243bconnecting the upper ends of thecontact parts4243a, a lower piece4243cconnecting the lower ends of thecontact parts4243a, and a pair ofside pieces4243dextending forward from side edges of each of thecontact parts4243a. A space in which rotation within a predetermined angle range of the slidingoperation lever4241 is permitted is formed between thecontact parts4243a. In the embodiment, by bending a single steel plate, thecontact parts4243a, theupper piece4243b, lower piece4243c, andside pieces4243dare formed. The height of the sliding operationlever wear plate4243 is set to be larger than the height of the slidingoperation lever4241 and smaller than the distance of the gap between theupper piece4212band thelower piece4212cof thereinforcement member4212 so that the sliding operationlever wear plate4243 can be housed together with the slidingoperation lever4241 in thereinforcement member4212. The sliding operationlever wear plate4243 is integrally attached to the rear face of theupright piece4212aof thereinforcement member4212 by welding or the like. A sliding operation lever shaft insertion hole (not shown) in which the slidingoperation lever shaft4242 can be inserted is formed in each of the upper andlower pieces4212band4212cof thereinforcement member4212, the upper andlower pieces4243band4243cof the sliding operation ever wearplate4243, and the base of the slidingoperation lever4241. By inserting the slidingoperation lever shaft4242 in a state where the sliding operation lever shaft insertion holes are communicated with each other, thereinforcement member4212, sliding operationlever wear plate4243, and slidingoperation lever4241 are associated with each other, and the slidingoperation lever4241 can rotate around the slidingoperation lever shaft4242. In theupright piece4212aof thereinforcement member4212, a notch for avoiding interference between the base of the slidingoperation lever4241 and thereinforcement member4212 occurring at the time of turning of the slidingoperation lever4241 is formed.
• As shown inFIGS. 15 and 21, thetop board5 connected to such a movable supportingmember4 via a hinge mechanism H has a movabletop board51 which can turn in the horizontal direction relative to the movable supportingmember4 and aturning mechanism52 supporting turnable the movabletop board51 in the horizontal direction and connected to the movable supportingmember4 via a hinge mechanism H. In the following description of thetop board5, thebase2 side will be called a front side, and the opposite side will be called a rear side.
• The movabletop board51 has a movabletop board body511 and a topboard receiving part512 supporting the movabletop board body511.
• The movabletop board51 has, for example, a gourd shape (ellipse shape whose center portion is narrowed) in plan view. In the embodiment, the movabletop board51 having a relatively large size is applied. The maximum longitudinal dimension of the movabletop board51 is set to be almost the same or slightly smaller than the longitudinal dimension of thebase2.
• The topboard receiving part512 has a top board receivingpart body5121 supporting the under face of the movable top board body511 (the under face in the front half region of the movabletop board body511 in the example of the diagram), and aturn stopper rail5122 provided so as to project downward from the top board receivingpart body5121. Theturn stopper rail5122 functions as an “object to be gripped” and its detailed shape and the like will be described later. The top board receivingpart body5121 and theturn stopper rail5122 are integrally attached to the under face side of the movabletop board body511 by screwing or the like.
• Theturning mechanism52 has aturntable521 and aturntable receiving part522 supporting theturntable521.
• Theturntable521 uses, for example, a thrust bearing. The radius of theturntable521 is set to be smaller than the radius of theturn stopper rail5122 so that theturntable521 and theturn stopper rail5122 do not interfere each other. The height of theturntable521 is set to be smaller than that of theturn stopper rail5122.
• As shown inFIGS. 15 and 21, theturntable receiving part522 has a turntable receivingpart body5221 supporting the whole region of the under face of theturntable521 and a hingeshaft supporting body5222 provided on the under face of the turntable receivingpart body5221. In the embodiment, the turntable receivingpart body5221 and the hingeshaft supporting body5222 are integrally assembled with proper means such as a plurality of screws. The details of the hingeshaft supporting body5222 will be described later. In the center of theturntable receiving part522, a turn stopper mechanismfitting hole5223 for providing aturn stopper mechanism4K (seeFIG. 17) is formed. The turn stopper mechanismfitting hole5223 has a rectangular shape. It is set so that theturn stopper mechanism4K cannot turn in the turn stopper mechanismfitting hole5223 in a state where theturn stopper mechanism4K is fit in the turn stopper mechanismfitting hole5223.
• Theleg member6 supporting the other end of thetop board5 has aleg member body61 and a moving body62 (caster in the diagram) provided at the lower end of theleg member body61.
• In thedesk1 of the embodiment, such atop board5 and the movable supportingmember4 are coupled to each other via the hinge mechanism H.
• The hinge mechanism H has, as shown inFIG. 21, a hinge shaft H1, the hingeshaft supporting body5222 of theturntable receiving part522, and a hingeshaft receiving body4111 provided for theframe body411 of the movable supportingmember4.
• The hinge shaft H1 has an almost pin shape integrally including a shaft and a head having a diameter larger than that of the shaft.
• As shown inFIGS. 15 and 21, the hingeshaft supporting body5222 has ahorizontal piece5222aand a pair of trailingpieces5222btrailing from both edges of thehorizontal piece5222a. Afirst insertion hole5222cfor a hinge shaft in which the hinge shaft H1 can be inserted is formed in each of the trailingpieces5222b. Thefirst insertion holes5222cfor the hinge shaft can support the hinge shaft H1 in a state where there is almost no play. The pair of trailingpieces5222bis provided in a region near the rear end of thehorizontal piece5222a. In theturntable522 obtained by integrally assembling the hingeshaft supporting body5222 and the turntable receivingpart body5221, the pair of trailingpieces5222band thefirst insertion holes5222cfor the hinge shaft are positioned near the rear end of theturntable receiving part522.
• As shown inFIGS. 16 and 21, the hingeshaft receiving body4111 is provided on the inner face of thefront end frame411bof theframe body411. The hingeshaft receiving body4111 has anupright piece4111ain contact with the inner face of the front-end frame411b, a pair of facingpieces4111bextending forward from both ends of theupright piece4111aand facing each other, and ahorizontal piece4111cextending forward from the lower end of theupright piece4111a. In each of the facingpieces4111b, asecond insertion hole4111dfor a hinge shaft in which the hinge shaft H1 can be inserted is formed. Each of thesecond insertion holes4111dfor the hinge shaft can support the hinge shaft H1 with play. In the embodiment, a long hole extending in the height direction is applied as thesecond insertion hole4111dfor the hinge shaft. The longitudinal dimension of the pair of facingpieces4111bis set so that the front ends are positioned on the rear side of the connection part of the facing frames411aand theconnection frame411cof the frame body411 (on the side opposite to thebase2, in other words, the side of the front-end frame411b). As a result, thesecond insertion hole4111dfor the hinge shaft formed in each of the facingpieces4111bis also positioned on the rear side of the connection part of the facingframe411aand theconnection frame411c. Accordingly, the hinge shaft H1 supported in thesecond insertion holes4111dfor the hinge shaft is positioned on the rear side (on the side opposite to the base2) of thepriority support412 provided furthest from thebase2 among the plurality of priority supports412 (refer toFIG. 21 in which the pattern is formed in the priority supports412).
• By inserting the hinge shaft H1 in theholes5222cand4111din a state where thefirst insertion hole5222cfor the hinge shaft in the hingeshaft supporting body5222 and thesecond insertion hole4111dfor the hinge shaft in the hingeshaft receiving body4111 are communicated with each other, thetop board5 and the movable supportingmember4 are coupled to each other via the hinge mechanism H. In the coupled state, the hinge shaft H1 of the hinge mechanism H is positioned apart from the support region of thepriority support412. The hinge shaft H1 is retained by having a head part of a large diameter, having a fastener such as an E ring, by caulking, or the like.
• A method of using thedesk1 will be described by paying attention to, particularly, operation and action when thetop board5 and the movable supportingmember4 are allowed to slide along thebase2 or when the slide is restricted.
• First, in the case of switching theswitching mechanism4E of each of the switchingunits422 from the movement restriction state (seeFIGS. 17 to 20) to the movement permission state (seeFIGS. 22 to 25), the user grips thetongue4241aof the slidingoperation lever4241 and performs the operation of turning the slidingoperation lever4241 in the direction of the arrow A inFIGS. 19 and 20 around the slidingoperation lever shaft4242 as a center. Accompanying the turn of the slidingoperation lever4241, thelink interlocking member4231 pressed against thecam face4241bof the slidingoperation lever4241 moves from thereinforcement member4212 toward the body part4211 (seeFIGS. 24 and 25). The links4G1 and4G2 of the switchingunits422, whose bases4G1band4G2bare connected to thelink interlocking member4231, turn around thelink shafts4232 as a center so as to interlock. In each of the switchingunits422, the upper link4G1 and the lower link4G2 facing each other in the height direction turn around thecommon link shaft4232 as a center, so that the upper rollingmember4C provided at the tip4G1aof the upper link4G1 via the upper roller supporting member4Ca moves toward the opening-sideupright wall21aof theupper rail groove21, and the lower rollingmember4D provided for the tip4G2aof the lower link4G2 via the adjustment link4G21 and the lower roller supporting member4Da moves toward the deeper-sideupright wall22bof thelower rail groove22. As a result, as shown inFIG. 23, theswitching mechanism4E of each of the switchingunits422 enters the movement permission state in which the contact state of theupper contact member4A to the opening-sideupright wall21aof theupper rail groove21 is cancelled, the upper rollingmember4C is allowed to come into contact with the opening-sideupright wall21ain theupper rail groove21, the contact state of thelower contact member4B to the deeper-sideupright wall22bin thelower rail groove22 is cancelled, and the lower rollingmember4D is allowed to come into contact with the deeper-sideupright wall22bin thelower rail groove22. In this state, thetop board5 can slide together with the movable supportingmember4 along thebase2. In the embodiment, anauxiliary rolling member4H which can come into contact with a bottom21 of theupper rail groove21 is provided for thebody4211 of the slide device42 (seeFIGS. 18 and 23).
• In the embodiment, the mode of moving the rollingmembers4C and4D relative to thecontact members4A and4B, respectively, is adopted in association with the operation. Consequently, in the case of switching theswitching mechanism4E from the movement restriction state to the movement permission state, the relative angle of the movable supportingmember4 with respect to thebase2 changes, and the movable supportingmember4 is in the angled posture such that the side opposite to thebase2 of the movable supportingmember4 is lifted (see FIGS.22 and23). According to the change in the angle with respect to thebase2 of the movable supportingmember4, thetop board5 coupled to the movable supportingmember4 via the hinge mechanism H and whose other end is supported by theleg member6 turns around the hinge shaft H1 so as to be lifted from the movable supportingmember4 as shown inFIGS. 17,21, and22. Since the angle of thetop board5 relative to the movable supportingmember4 is set to be changeable as described above, at the time of switching theslide device42 from the movement restriction state to the movement permission state by theswitching mechanism4E, only the operating force of changing the angle of the movable supportingmember4 with respect to thebase2 is necessary. The switching operation can be performed with the operating force much lighter than that in the mode requiring the operating force for integrally and simultaneously lifting (changing the angle of) the top board with the supporting member from the base. Further, in the case of switching theswitching mechanism4E from the movement restriction state to the movement permission state, as the relative angle between the movable supportingmember4 and thetop board5 changes, only a part of thepriority support412 closest to the hinge shaft H1 out of a plurality of priority supports412 comes into contact with the under face of the movabletop board body511, and the contact state between the other priority supports412 and thetop board5 is cancelled.
• On the other hand, the operation of switching theswitching mechanism4E of each of the switchingunits422 from the movement permission state to the movement restriction state is performed as follows. The user grips thetongue4241aof the slidingoperation lever4241 exposed from thereinforcement member4212 and turns the slidingoperation lever4241 around the slidingoperation lever shaft4242 as a center in the direction of the arrow B inFIGS. 24 and 25. With the turn of the slidingoperation lever4241, thelink interlocking member4231 moves toward thereinforcement member4212, and the links4G1 and4G2 of the switchingunits422 turn around thelink shaft4232 as a center. By turning the upper and lower links4G1 and4G2 around thecommon link shaft4232 as a center in the direction opposite to that in the case of switching theswitching mechanism4E from the movement restriction state to the movement permission state, the upper rollingmember4C provided at the tip4G1aof the upper link4G1 moves so as to be apart from the opening-sideupright wall21aof theupper rail groove21, and the lower rollingmember4D provided at the tip4G2aof the lower link4G2 moves so as to be apart from the deeper-sideupright wall22bof thelower rail groove22. As a result, the movable supportingmember4 moves downward by the dead load of the movable supportingmember4 itself and the dead load of thetop board5. As shown inFIG. 18, theswitching mechanism4E of each of the switchingunits422 cancels the state where the upper rollingmember4C is in contact with the opening-sideupright wall21aof theupper rail groove21, makes theupper contact member4A come into contact with or press to the opening-sideupright wall21aof theupper rail groove21, cancels the state where the lower rollingmember4D is in contact with the deeper-sideupright wall22bof thelower rail groove22, and makes thelower contact member4B come into contact with or press to the deeper-sideupright wall22bof thelower rail groove22, thereby entering the movement restriction state. Theauxiliary rolling member4H becomes lifted from the bottom21cof theupper rail groove21. It restricts the sliding of the movable supportingmember4 and thetop board5 along thebase2.
• In the embodiment, in the case of switching theswitching mechanism4E from the movement permission state to the movement restriction state, thetop board5 turns toward the movable supportingmember4 around the hinge shaft H1 of the hinge mechanism H according to a change in the angle of the movable supportingmember4 relative to thebase2 and is supported by the priority supports412.
• In the embodiment, to complement the sliding movement/restriction function of theswitching mechanism4E, a side lock lever4I is provided for theslide device42. The side lock lever4I can turn around a side lock lever shaft4Ia as a center, and switch between a state where a press face4Ib provided in the base portion is press or in contact with theupright face2A of thebase2 and a state where the press or contact is cancelled. Further turn of the slidingoperation lever4241 in the switching operation is restricted by contact of a part of the slidingoperation lever4241 with thecontact part4243aof the sliding operationlever wear plate4243.
• In thedesk1 of the embodiment, thetop board5 can turn horizontally by the movable supportingmember4 by the action of theturning mechanism52 as described above, and the movable supportingmember4 is provided with agripping mechanism4J which can be switched between a turn restriction state in which the horizontal turn of thetop board5 is restricted by gripping theturn stopper rail5122 as the “object to be gripped” integrally provided on the under face side of the movabletop board body511 and a turn permission state in which the horizontal turn of thetop board5 is permitted by cancelling the gripping state (seeFIGS. 17 and 21).
• Theturn stopper rail5122 playing the role of the “object to be gripped” will be described in detail.
• As shown inFIGS. 13A to 13C (plan views showing the relation between theturn stopper rail5122 and the top board receivingpart body5121, in which the top board receivingpart body5121 and theturn shaft5aof thetop board5 are shown by imaginary lines), theturn stopper rail5122 has an almost annular shape in plan view and has a center angle equal to or slightly larger than the horizontal turn angle of thetop board5. In the embodiment, since thetop board5 can turn by 180 degrees, theturn stopper rail5122 of a semicircular shape having a central angle of 180 degrees or slightly larger than 180 degrees is applied. Theturn stopper rail5122 has an almost L shape in cross section made by anupright part5122aalmost orthogonal to the face of thetop board5 and ahorizontal part5122bhorizontally extending toward the inside from the lower edge of theupright part5122a. In the embodiment, theupright part5122aand thehorizontal part5122bare integrally formed. Theturn stopper rail5122 is positioned on the under face in the front-half region of the top board receivingpart body5121, and theturn stopper rail5122 and the top board receivingpart body5121 are integrally attached to the under face side of the movabletop board body511 by screwing or the like. The height of theturn stopper rail5122 is set to be larger than that of theturntable521.
• On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 8 andFIGS. 14 to 16, thegripping mechanism4J has: a drag member4J1 capable of turning around the horizontal axis between a position (A) capable of gripping in which the turn stopper rail5122 (more concretely, thehorizontal part5122b) can be gripped and a grip cancellation position (B) in which the gripping state is cancelled; and an operation part4J2 for applying an operating force for switching the drag member4J1 between the position (A) capable of gripping and the grip cancellation position (B).
• The drag member4J1 has a drag member body4J11 extending in the horizontal direction and a pair of trailing pieces4J12 trailed from both ends of the drag member body4J11. In the embodiment, the drag member4J1 is made of a material having high rigidity such as a metal, and integrally has the drag member body4J11 and the pair of trailing pieces4J12. A grip nail4J11awhich can come into direct contact with theturn stopper rail5122 is provided at the tip of the drag member body4J11. The grip nail4J11ais rounded corresponding to rounding of theturn stopper rail5122. The grip nail4J11ais set so that its height is gradually decreased toward the front end. The grip nail4J11ain the drag member body4J11 is projected forward from the trailing pieces4J12 (to thebase2 side). In each of the trailing pieces4J12, a first insertion hole4J12afor the drag member rotary shaft to which a rotary shaft4JX of the drag member4J1 can be inserted and a first guide hole4J12bspecifying the movement rail between the position (A) capable of gripping and the grip cancellation position (B) of the drag member4J1 are formed. In the embodiment, the first insertion hole4J12afor the drag rotary shaft is formed in a position deviated from the center of gravity of the drag member4J1. The first guide hole4J12bis a long hole extending along a direction tilted from the drag member body4J11 by a predetermined angle.
• The operation part4J2 has an almost lever shape and is provided with a tongue4J21 at its tip. In the base portion, a cam face4J22 having a straight part and a curved part and a first insertion hole4J23 in which a rotary shaft4JY of the operation part4J2 can be inserted are formed. The width of the operation part4J2 is set to be smaller than the distance between the outer faces of the trailing pieces4J12 of the drag member4J1.
• In the embodiment, thegripping mechanism4J is provided so as to be associated with thereinforcement frame411din theframe body411 in the supportingmember4. Thegripping mechanism4J has, therefore, an operation part supporting member4j3 whose one end is fixed to thereinforcement frame411dand supporting the operation part4J2, and an operation part wear plate4j4 provided between thereinforcement frame411dand the operation part4J2.
• The operation part supporting member4J3 has a pair of upright pieces4J31 whose tips are fixed to thereinforcement frame411dby welding or the like, and a connection piece4J32 connecting the upper ends of the base portions of the upright pieces4J31. In the embodiment, by bending a single steel plate, the upright pieces4J31 and the connection piece4J32 are formed. A second insertion hole4J31afor the drag member rotary shaft, which is communicated with the first insertion hole4J12afor the drag member rotary shaft formed in the trailing piece4J12 of the drag member4J1 is formed in the front end side of each of the upright pieces4J31. In an almost center portion in the longitudinal direction of each of the upright pieces4J31, a second guide hole4J31bspecifying the movement locus of the operation part4J2 when the operating force is applied to the operation part4J2 is formed. In the embodiment, a long hole extending along the longitudinal direction of the upright pieces4J31 is applied as the second guide hole4J31b. The distance between the inner faces of the upright pieces4J31 is set to be larger than the distance between the outer faces of the trailing pieces4J12 of the drag member4J1.
• The operation part wear plate4J4 has an almost U shape in section, including an upright piece4J41 and an upper piece4J42 and a lower piece4J43 extending forward from the upper and lower edges of the upright piece4J41. In the embodiment, by bending a single steel plate, the upright piece4J41 and the upper and lower pieces4J42 and4J43 are formed. The upper piece4J42 projected forward from the lower piece4J43 is fixed to the top face of theauxiliary frame411dby welding or the like, and the tip of the lower piece4J43 is fixed to the rear face of theauxiliary frame411dby welding or the like. A pair of insertion holes4J41ain which a pair of turn stopper pins4JP can be inserted are formed in the upright piece4J41. Ahole411dacapable of housing the turn stopper pin4JP is formed in thereinforcement frame411d, and a space4J2scapable of housing the turn stopper pin4JP is formed in the base portion of the operation part4J2 (seeFIG. 14).
• The turn stopper pin4JP is inserted continuously in the turnstopper pin hole411dain thereinforcement frame411dand the turn stopper pin hole4J41ain the operation part wear plate4J4, and the front part of each of the turn stopper pins4JP is positioned in the turn stopper pin housing space4J2sin the operation part4J2. In the state, the second guide hole4J31bin the operation part supporting member4J3, the first guide hole4J12bin the drag member4J1, the first insertion hole4J23 for the operation rotary shaft in the operation part4J2, and the second insertion hole4JPa for the operation part rotary shaft formed in the front end part of the turn stopper pin4JP are communicated with each other. The rotary shaft4JY of the operation part4J2 is continuously inserted in the holes4J31a,4J12b,4J23, and4JPa. On the other hand, the second insertion hole4J31afor the drag member rotary shaft in the operation part supporting member4J3 and the first insertion hole4J12afor the drag rotary shaft in the drag member4J1 are communicated with each other, and the rotary shaft4JX of the drag member4J1 is continuously inserted in the holes4J31aand4J12a. By the above operations, thegripping mechanism4J formed by associating thereinforcement frame411d, the drag member4J1, the operation part4J2, the operation part supporting member4J3, and the operation part wear plate4J4 is assembled integrally with the supportingmember4. The attachment position of thereinforcement frame411dis set so as to coincide on an imaginary straight line connecting the pair of priority supports412 provided on thebase2 side out of a plurality of priority supports412 provided for the supportingmember4. Thegripping mechanism4J provided for thereinforcement frame411dis positioned in or near the support area of the priority supports412 (seeFIGS. 17 and 18 which will be described later). The rotary shafts4JX and4JY are retained by each having a head part of a large diameter, having a fastener such as an E ring, by caulking, or the like.
• The operating method and the action of thegripping mechanism4J will now be described.
• When the drag member4J1 is positioned in the position (A) capable of gripping, by gripping thehorizontal part5122bof theturn stopper rail5122 by the grip nail4J11aof the drag member4J1, the turn restriction state in which the horizontal turn of thetop board5 is restricted is set (seeFIG. 8). In this case, the operation part4J2 makes the linear part of the cam face4j22 come into contact with or press to the operation part wear plate4J4. The posture becomes generally horizontal and the maximum height of the operation part4J2 is smaller than that of theframe body411. The rotary shaft4JY of the operation part4J2 is positioned at the lower edge of the first guide hole4J12bformed in the drag member4J1 and also at the rear edge (the side opposite to the base2) of the second guide hole4J31bformed in the operation part supporting member4J3. The rotary shaft4JY of the operation part4J2 is locked in a state where it is positioned at the lower edge of the first guide hole4J12b, thereby restricting turn of the drag member4J1 around the rotary shaft4JX as a center, and locking the drag member4J1 in the position (A) capable of gripping. In the case where thegripping mechanism4J is in the turn restriction state, the under face of the movabletop board body511 is supported by a plurality of priority supports412.
• On the other hand, to switch thegripping mechanism4J from the turn restriction state to the turn permission state, the user grips the tongue4J21 of the operation part4j2 and applies the operating force of turning the operation part4J2 downward. On the basis of the operating force, the operation part4J2 turns downward around the rotary shaft4JY as a center. At the time point when the operation part4J2 is turned by a predetermined angle, an object to come into contact with or to be pressed against the operation part wear plate4J4 is changed from the linear part in the cam face4J22 of the operation part4J2 to the curved part, and the rotary shaft4JY of the operation part4J2 moves forward (to thebase2 side) along the second guide hole4J31b. As the rotary shaft4JY moves, the drag member4J1 turns rearward (to thebase2 side) around the rotary shaft4JX as a center and moves to the grip cancellation position (B) where the grip nail4J11ais apart from thehorizontal part5122bof the turn stopper rail5122 (seeFIG. 15). The turn locus between the position (A) capable of gripping and the grip cancellation position (B) of the drag member4J1 is specified by the first guide hole4112b. That is, when the drag member4J1 moves between the position (A) capable of gripping and the grip cancellation position (B), the height of the rotary shaft4JY of the operation part4J2 is unchanged. When the drag member4J1 is in the position (A) capable of gripping, the rotary shaft4JY of the operation part4J2 is positioned at the lower edge of the first guide hole4J12b. When the drag member4J1 is in the grip cancellation position (B), the rotary shaft4JY of the operation part4J2 is positioned at the upper edge of the first guide hole4J12b. When the drag member4J1 is moved from the position (A) capable of gripping to the grip cancellation position (B), apart of the trailing piece4J12 of the drag member4J1 comes into contact with thereinforcement frame411d, further turn in the same direction of the drag member4J1 is restricted. Since the rotary shaft4JX is provided in a position displaced from the center of gravity of the drag member4J1, the movement from the position (A) capable of gripping to the grip cancellation position (B) of the drag member4J1 can be performed by using the dead load of the drag member4J1. By moving the drag member4J1 from the position (A) capable of gripping to the grip cancellation position (B), thegripping mechanism4J cancels the grip state of theturn stopper rail5122 by the drag member4J1 and thereinforcement frame411d, and a turn permission state in which a horizontal turn of thetop board5 is permitted is obtained. As shown inFIGS. 17 and 18, the posture of thetop board5 at an angle with respect to thebase2 such as a posture in which the longitudinal direction of thetop board5 is almost orthogonal to that of thebase2 or a posture in which the longitudinal direction of thetop board5 is almost parallel with the longitudinal direction of thebase2 can be properly selected.FIGS. 17 and 18 show thegripping mechanism4J in which the drag member4J1 is in the position (A) capable of gripping and a part of thegripping mechanism4J is not shown.
• In the case where thegripping mechanism4J is in the turn permission state, as shown inFIG. 16, thetop board5 can turn so as to be lifted from the supportingmember4 around the hinge shaft H1 of the hinge mechanism H.
• By moving the drag member4J1 from the position (A) capable of gripping to the grip cancellation position (B), thegripping mechanism4J cancels the grip state of theturn stopper rail5122 by the drag member4J1 and enters the turn permission state of permitting the horizontal turn of thetop board5. As shown inFIGS. 17 and 18, the posture of thetop board5 at an angle with respect to thebase2 such as a posture in which the longitudinal direction of thetop board5 is almost orthogonal to that of thebase2 or a posture in which the longitudinal direction of thetop board5 is almost parallel with the longitudinal direction of thebase2 can be properly selected.FIGS. 17 and 18 show thegripping mechanism4J in which the drag member4J1 is in the position (A) capable of gripping and a part of thegripping mechanism4J is not shown.
• On the other hand, the operation of switching thegripping mechanism4J from the turn permission state to the turn restriction state is performed by applying an operating force of returning the operation part4J2 to the original position. Prior to the operation of switching thegripping mechanism4J from the turn permission state to the turn restriction state, thetop board5 has to be reset to the normal use position shown inFIG. 15. When the user grips the tongue4J21 of the operation part4J2 and applies the operating force of turning the operation part4J2 upward, the operation part4J2 turns upward around the rotary shaft4JY as a center. At the time point when the operation part4J2 is turned by a predetermined angle, an object to come into contact with or to be pressed against the operation part wear plate4J4 is changed from the curved part in the cam face4J22 of the operation part4J2 to the linear part, and the rotary shaft4JY of the operation part4J2 moves rearward (to the side opposite to the base2) along the second guide hole4J31b. As the rotary shaft4JY moves, the drag member4J1 turns forward (to thebase2 side) around the rotary shaft4JX as a center and is positioned in the position (A) capable of gripping where thehorizontal part5122bof theturn stopper rail5122 is gripped. By moving the drag member4J1 from the grip cancellation position (B) to the position (A) capable of gripping, thehorizontal part5122bof theturn stopper rail5122 is led downward (to thereinforcement frame411dside) and the horizontal turn of thetop board5 is restricted. In association with the operation of switching thegripping mechanism4J from the turn permission state to the turn restriction state, the drag member4J1 of theswitching mechanism4J pushes thehorizontal part5122bof theturn stopper rail5122 downward. By the operation, the movabletop board body511 is pulled down together with theturn stopper rail5122, and the under face of the movabletop board body511 is pressed against thepriority support412, thereby assuring a state where thetop board5 is excellently supported. The turn locus between the position (A) capable of gripping and the grip cancellation position (B) of the drag member4J1 is specified by the first guide hole4J12bas described above. At the time of performing the operation of moving the drag member4J1 from the grip cancellation position (B) to the position (A) capable of gripping, a part of the operation part4J2 comes into contact with the connection piece4J32 of the operation part supporting member4J3, thereby restricting further turn of the operation part4J2 in the same direction.
• Thegripping mechanism4J is switched by the turn regulation state and the turn permission state by an operation as described above, thereby capable of controlling permission/restriction of the turning operation of thetop board5, and also controlling permission/restriction of a turn to lift thetop board5 using the hinge mechanism H by thegripping mechanism4J.
• In the case where thegripping mechanism4J is in the turn restriction state, as shown inFIG. 8, the hinge mechanism H enters a turn restriction state in which the turn to lift thetop board5 up using the hinge mechanism H is restricted. On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 16, thegripping mechanism4J enters the turn permission state in which the turn to lift thetop board5 using the hinge mechanism H is permitted. That is, thegripping mechanism4J also functions as a top board lifting regulating mechanism of regulating the top board lifting operation.
• The hinge mechanism H according to the embodiment has, as shown inFIGS. 17 and 18, no orientation rotation permitting means of permitting turn to lift thetop board5 in any posture of thetop board5 with respect to the supportingmember4 and thebase2 such as a posture in which the longitudinal direction of thetop board5 is almost orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of thebase2 or a posture in which the longitudinal direction of thetop board5 is almost parallel with the longitudinal direction of thebase2. In the embodiment, by using a long hole as thesecond insertion hole4111dfor the hinge shaft formed in the hingeshaft receiving member4111, turn permission means is realized.
• As shown inFIG. 17, in the case where thetop board5 is set at a turn angle at which the longitudinal direction of thetop board5 is almost orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of thebase2, the longitudinal direction of thetop board5 is almost orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge shaft H1. As shown inFIG. 19, the hinge shaft H1 turns while hardly changing the height position in thesecond insertion hole4111dfor the hinge shaft, and permits a turn to lift thetop board5.
• On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 18, when thetop board5 is set at a turn angle at which the longitudinal direction of thetop board5 is almost parallel with the longitudinal direction of thebase2, the longitudinal direction of thetop board5 and the axial direction of the hinge shaft H1 are almost parallel with each other. As shown inFIG. 20, as thetop board5 turns to lift up, the hinge shaft H1 tilts (lifts) according to the lifting angle (turn angle) of thetop board5 within thesecond insertion hole4111dfor the hinge shaft, thereby assuring smooth turn to lift thetop board5. InFIGS. 19 and 20, thegripping mechanism4J and theturn stopper mechanism4K are not shown.FIG. 18 shows that thegripping mechanism4J is in the turn restriction state (turn restriction state), so that turn to lift thetop board5 is restricted.FIG. 20 as a partly cutaway y-y cross section ofFIG. 18 shows a state where thetop board5 turns to be lifted for convenience of description.
• Thedesk1 of the embodiment has the stationarytop board5X whose position relative to thebase2 cannot be changed.
• For example, the longitudinal dimension of the stationarytop board5X is set to be almost equal to or slightly smaller than that of thebase2. In the embodiment, the stationarytop board5X having an almost rectangular shape in plan view is applied. The stationarytop board5X is supported by the stationary supportingmember4X.
• As shown inFIG. 35, the stationary supportingmember4X has an attachment part4X1 which can be attached to therail grooves21 and22 in thebase2 and an arm4X2 extending from the attachment part4X1 toward the under face of the stationarytop board5X.
• The attachment part4X1 has an upper insertion part4X11 which can be inserted in theupper rail groove21 and a lower insertion part4X12 which can be inserted in thetower rail groove22. In the embodiment, the upper and lower insertion parts4X11 and4X12 are formed by a single steel plate and are connected to each other via a connection part4X13.
• By inserting the upper and lower insertion parts4X11 and4X12 in the upper andlower rail grooves21 and22 so as to be retained, respectively, the upper insertion part4X11 comes into contact with or is pressed against the opening-sideupright wall21aof theupper rail groove21 by the dead load of the stationary supportingmember4X itself, and the lower insertion part4X12 comes into contact with or is pressed against the deeper-sideupright wall22bof thelower rail groove22. As a result, the stationary supportingmember4X can be fixed in a state where the support strength effective to thebase2 is assured. In the embodiment, the upper insertion part4X11 has a contact part4X11awhich directly comes into contact with or is pressed against the opening-sideupright wall21aof theupper rail groove21 and an auxiliary contact part4X11bwhich can come into contact with the bottom21cof theupper rail groove21. The upper and lower insertion parts4X11 and4X12 are allowed to come into face contact with theupright walls21aand22bof therails21 and22, so that effective support strength can be displayed.
• One end of the arm4X2 is attached to the attachment part4X1, and the other end is attached to the under face of the stationarytop board5X. In the embodiment, one end of the arm4X2 is integrally attached to the connection part4X13 of the attachment part4X1 by welding or the like, and the other end of the arm4X2 is integrally attached to the under face of the stationarytop board5X by welding or the like.
• Such stationary supportingmembers4X are provided on both sides of the stationarytop board5X, and the stationarytop board5X is supported only by the stationary supportingmembers4X.
• As described above, thedesk1 according to the second embodiment produces effects similar to those of thedesk1 of the first embodiment. That is, thetop board5 supported by the movable supportingmember4 can be moved along thebase2, the layout can be changed easily, and the order of a work space and an entire office using thebase2 as a reference can be maintained by restricting the movement range of thetop board5 by thebase2. Further, since the movable supportingmember4 can slide along thebase2, it is unnecessary to perform the conventional work of once cancelling a state where screws or insertion parts are screwed or fit in screw holes or fit holes, and screwing or fitting the screws or insertion parts again to different screw holes or fit holes each time the layout is changed. The layout can be easily and accurately changed by the user himself/herself without asking for a specialist.
• Since the stationary supportingmember4X supported along thebase2 so as to be able to slide and the stationarytop board5X supported by the stationary supportingmember4X, as shown inFIG. 34, an area in which the layout can be changed by using thebase2 in common and an area in which the layout cannot be changed can be formed in the single area of thedesk1. The invention can be adapted to both of the environment where the layout is changed frequently and the environment where the layout is not changed.
• The movable supportingmember4 can be moved along thebase2 and the stationary supportingmember4X can be attached to thebase2 by using therails21 and22 having the same shape. Consequently, at the time of selecting/changing a desired mode from a mode of using one of areas sandwiching thebase2 as a boundary as a work space in which layout can be changed and the other area as a work space in which layout cannot be changed, a mode of using both of the areas as work spaces in which layout can be changed, and a mode of using both of the areas as work spaces in which layout cannot be changed, thecommon rails2 can be used without changing therails2.
• In addition, since the stationarytop board5X can be supported at one end or cantilevered by the stationary supportingmember4X, the leg member is unnecessary, so that the space below the stationarytop board5X can be assured wide.
• The invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments described in detail.
• For example, as the top board, a top board supported by being simply put on the movable supporting member, or a top board supported by the movable supporting member so as not to be horizontally turnable may be applied.
• Although the linearly extending base has been described in the embodiments, the invention is not limited to the base. A base extended in a curved shape (circular curve or elliptic curve shape) or a base extending while meandering may be used.
• It is also possible to employ a mode of supporting the top board at a plurality of positions (for example, both ends) by a plurality of (for example, two) movable supporting members supported by the same base, or a mode of supporting a part (for example, one end) of the top board by a movable supporting member supported by a base and supporting another part (for example, the other end) of the top board by a movable supporting member supported by another base.
• Similarly, a mode of supporting a part (for example, one end) of the stationary top board by a stationary supporting member supported by a base and supporting another part (for example, the other end) of the stationary top board by a stationary supporting member supported by another base may be employed.
• On the other hand, in the mode of supporting a part of the top board by a leg member, a leg member which is not provided with the moving body at its lower end may be applied. In this case, it is sufficient to move the top board in a state where the top board is lifted to a position at which the lower end of the leg member floats from the floor. Further, a leg member having an adjuster for correcting unevenness of the leg member or the tilt of the top board may be applied. In the case of applying a leg member having a moving member such as a caster, by providing locking means regulating rolling of the moving member, unexpected movement of the top board after layout is changed can be prevented.
• The stationary top board may be supported together with the stationary supporting member by a leg member.
• It is sufficient to support the movable supporting member so as to be movable along the base. The movable supporting member may be supported movably and continuously, or step by step in predetermined pitches. The movable supporting member may not be slid using the rolling member illustrated in the embodiment but may be moved in a state where a sliding member or contact member provided for the movable supporting member slides or in contact with the guide of the base. A desk having locking means which can be switched between a state where one or both of the movable supporting member and the top board can be moved and a state where one or both of them cannot be moved may be employed.
• Further, an snap action mechanism for snapping and stopping the horizontal turn angle of the top board every predetermined angle may be provided between the top board and the movable supporting member. In the case where the top board is supported by the movable supporting member so as to be turnable in the horizontal direction, by providing turn locking mechanism capable of switching between a horizontal turn permission state in which horizontal turn of the top plate is permitted and a horizontal turn restriction state in which the horizontal turn of the top board is restricted between the top board and the movable supporting member, unexpected turn movement of the top board after layout is changed can be prevented.
• The rail in the guide may have a groove shape or a projected shape, and the number of rails may be properly increased or decreased. Similarly, a projected rail may be applied as the rail in the attachment part, and the number of rails may be properly increased or decreased. As optional members, a socket, a wire housing member, an armed telephone stand, a tray, a display arm, and the like may be applied.
• In the case where a plurality of desks are arranged so that a plurality of bases are continued in the longitudinal direction, preferably, the movable supporting member provided so as to be movable to one base can be moved from the one base to another base adjacent thereto. With such a configuration, the top board which is supported by the movable supporting member can be moved from one base to another base adjacent thereto, and variations of selectable layouts can be increased. In this case, by providing passage permission parts for permitting passage of the movable supporting member for both ends of the base or end caps attached to both ends of the base, excellent movement of the movable supporting member can be assured. Examples of the passage permission parts are the guide itself provided for the base, and a notch or a slit formed in a part corresponding to the guide in the end cap.
• Each of the top board, the stationary top board, and the like may have various shapes such as a circular shape, an ellipse shape, and a polygonal shape in plan view.
• Storage furniture such as a wagon or a front panel may be disposed in a lower space formed below the under face of the base or the under face of the top board. As the base, in place of the base whose both ends are supported by the base supporting member and whose under face is separated (lifted) from the floor, the base whose under face is in contact with the floor and having an upright wall shape also functioning as an end rail may be used.
• FIGS. 2,13, and34 shows the mode of arranging the stationarytop boards5X in parallel in the longitudinal direction, so that workers using thetop boards5X sit side by side. Alternately, layout in which the longitudinal direction of the stationary top boards is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the base may be employed.
• A mode of supporting a single stationary top board by one or three or more stationary supporting members may be employed.
• Fixation of the stationary supporting member to the base and fixation between the stationary supporting member and the stationary top board may be performed by screwing.
• The concrete configurations of the other parts are not limited to those of the foregoing embodiments but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Claims (23)

1. A desk comprising:

a base extending in a predetermined direction;

a movable supporting member supported so as to be movable along the base; and

a top board supported by the movable supporting member.

2. A desk comprising:

a base extending in a predetermined direction;

a movable supporting member supported so as to be movable along the base; and

a top board supported by the movable supporting member,

wherein the movable supporting member can move along the base together with the top board in a state where the movable supporting member supports the top board.

3. The desk according toclaim 1, wherein the top board is supported by the movable supporting member so as to be turnable in the horizontal direction.

4. The desk according toclaim 1, further comprising a leg member supporting a region different from a region supported by the movable supporting member, in the top board,

wherein a movable body capable of moving on a floor is provided at a lower end of the leg member.

5. The desk according toclaim 1, wherein the base is provided with a guide for guiding movement of the movable supporting member, and the movable supporting member is provided with a guided part which is guided by the guide.

6. The desk according toclaim 5, wherein the guide is a rail formed along an extension direction of the base.

7. The desk according toclaim 6, wherein the guided part has a rolling member capable of rolling along the rail formed in the base.

8. The desk according toclaim 1, further comprising:

a stationary supporting member supported by the base and not being able to slide; and

a stationary top board supported by the stationary supporting member.

9. The desk according toclaim 8, wherein the base has a pair of upright faces facing each other along the longitudinal direction,

one of the upright faces is provided with a guide for guiding movement of the movable supporting member, and

the other upright face is provided with an attachment part for attaching the stationary supporting member.

10. The desk according toclaim 9, wherein the guide and the attachment part are rails having the same shape.

11. The desk according toclaim 8, wherein the stationary top board is cantilevered by the stationary supporting member.

12. An office construction system comprising a plurality of desks according toclaim 1,

wherein layout can be changed according to the kind of a work or the like.

13. The desk according toclaim 2, wherein the top board is supported by the movable supporting member so as to be turnable in the horizontal direction.

14. The desk according toclaim 2, further comprising a leg member supporting a region different from a region supported by the movable supporting member, in the top board,

wherein a movable body capable of moving on a floor is provided at a lower end of the leg member.

15. The desk according toclaim 2, wherein the base is provided with a guide for guiding movement of the movable supporting member, and the movable supporting member is provided with a guided part which is guided by the guide.

16. The desk according toclaim 15, wherein the guide is a rail formed along an extension direction of the base.

17. The desk according toclaim 16, wherein the guided part has a rolling member capable of rolling along the rail formed in the base.

18. The desk according toclaim 2, further comprising:

a stationary supporting member supported by the base and not being able to slide; and

a stationary top board supported by the stationary supporting member.

19. The desk according toclaim 18, wherein the base has a pair of upright faces facing each other along the longitudinal direction,

one of the upright faces is provided with a guide for guiding movement of the movable supporting member, and

the other upright face is provided with an attachment part for attaching the stationary supporting member.

20. The desk according toclaim 19, wherein the guide and the attachment part are rails having the same shape.

21. The desk according toclaim 18, wherein the stationary top board is cantilevered by the stationary supporting member.

22. The desk according toclaim 19, wherein the stationary top board is cantilevered by the stationary supporting member.

23. An office construction system comprising a plurality of desks according toclaim 2,

wherein layout can be changed according to the kind of a work or the like.

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