JP7563128B2 - Furniture Systems - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a furniture system suitable for use in government lobbies, offices, etc.

A conventional furniture system of this type is one in which multiple pieces of furniture with tabletops are arranged next to each other (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In many of these furniture systems, the tabletops or the legs supporting the tabletops are mechanically connected to prevent the furniture from shifting out of place and becoming disorganized.

However, when furniture is mechanically connected via brackets or other devices, it is necessary to dismantle and reassemble the connected parts when rearranging the furniture, making it difficult to respond quickly.

To solve this problem, it is possible to connect furniture pieces together using a magnetically attracted connecting device, but the usual approach is to provide separate connecting devices for connecting furniture pieces left and right and for connecting furniture pieces front to back. Therefore, if this is applied to a furniture system that can connect furniture pieces front to back and left to right, it is expected that the number of connecting devices will increase, the structure will become more complex, and it will become more difficult to reduce the weight.

This problem becomes even more pronounced when connecting devices are attached to the legs of furniture. In other words, when a magnetically attracted connecting device is applied to a furniture system in which a space is formed between the legs when the tabletops are abutted against each other, the connecting device attached to the legs must be designed so that a movable element having a magnet moves in and out toward the opposing leg, which tends to complicate the structure. Therefore, if such connecting devices are provided on the legs in a number corresponding to the connecting direction, the freedom of design of the legs is hindered and the number of parts increases, making it difficult to reduce weight, which is a prominent problem.

JP 2018-075048 A

The present invention aims to solve the problem that, when connecting furniture pieces using a magnetically attracted connecting device, the structure becomes complicated and it becomes difficult to reduce the weight.

The furniture system according to the invention described in claim 1 is a furniture system in which furniture pieces each having a tabletop supported by legs can be connected to each other by a magnetically attracted connecting device provided on the legs, and the connecting device includes a stationary element provided on the furniture piece, and a movable element that has a pair of magnetically attracted surfaces parallel to the two orthogonal end faces of the tabletop, is held by the stationary element, and can move forward and backward in a direction that bisects both end faces of the tabletop.

The furniture system according to the invention described in claim 2 is the one described in claim 1, and the movable element of the connecting device is set so that a pair of perpendicular magnetic attraction surfaces can protrude from a predetermined retracted position to a connecting position that approximately matches the two perpendicular end faces of the tabletop in a plan view.

The furniture system according to the invention described in claim 3 is the one described in claim 1 or 2, in which the movable element of the connecting device is set so that one magnetically attracted surface is a north pole and the other magnetically attracted surface is a south pole.

The furniture system according to the invention described in claim 4 is the one described in claim 1, 2 or 3, and the legs of the furniture have a first outer wall surface that is set back a certain distance inward from one end surface of the tabletop in a plan view, and a second outer wall surface that is set back a certain distance inward from the other end surface of the tabletop, and the stationary element is provided, and the movable element of the connecting device is configured to be able to protrude from a retracted position where a pair of magnetically attracted surfaces that are perpendicular to each other in a plan view approximately coincide with both outer wall surfaces of the legs to a connecting position that approximately coincides with both end surfaces of the tabletop.

The furniture system according to the invention described in claim 5 is the one described in claim 4, in which the leg body has a rectangular cross section with first and second outer wall surfaces that are perpendicular to each other, and the connecting device is provided at the outward corner where the two outer wall surfaces of the leg body intersect.

The furniture system according to the invention described in claim 6 is the one described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, in which the connecting device is provided at the lower end of the leg body.

The furniture system according to the invention described in claim 7 is the one described in claim 4 or 5, and the connecting device is configured so that the two pieces of furniture are connected by magnetic force when the movable element is protruding to the connecting position, and the movable element returns to the retracted position by its own weight when the connection is released.

The present invention solves the problem that, when connecting furniture pieces using a magnetically attracted connecting device, the structure becomes complicated and it becomes difficult to reduce the weight.

1 is an overall perspective view showing a furniture with a tabletop according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the furniture with a tabletop according to the embodiment, seen from the rear side. FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the furniture with a tabletop according to the embodiment, seen from the bottom side. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the furniture with a tabletop according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the furniture with a tabletop according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the furniture with a tabletop according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the furniture with a tabletop according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the furniture with a tabletop according to the embodiment, with casters omitted. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main part in FIG. FIG. 11 is an overall perspective view showing another mode of use of the furniture with a tabletop according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is an overall perspective view showing another mode of use of the furniture with a tabletop according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a front view showing another mode of use of the furniture with a tabletop according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing another mode of use of the furniture with a tabletop according to the embodiment. FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a main part in FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the furniture with a tabletop according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the connecting device according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the connecting device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a manner in which the connecting device according to the embodiment is attached to furniture with a tabletop. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a movable element of the connecting device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a stationary element body of the connecting device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a bottom cover of the connecting device according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a view showing a cover for a movable element of the connecting device according to the embodiment; 4 is a diagram showing a magnet holder of the connecting device according to the embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one of the furniture systems according to the embodiment. FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the connecting device in FIG. 26 . FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the connecting device in FIG. 26 . FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another furniture system according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another furniture system according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another furniture system according to the embodiment.

One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 31.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6, 8, and 11 to 13, the furniture with a top T of this embodiment has a top 2 supported by multiple legs 1, and an optional support 3 that also serves as reinforcement is installed between the upper ends of adjacent legs 1. In other words, this furniture with a top T has multiple legs 1, specifically four legs 1, a top 2 supported by these legs 1, and an optional support 3 installed between the upper ends of adjacent legs 1, and the optional support 3 supports the base end of an optional panel 4. The optional support 3 also reinforces this furniture with a top T.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6 and 11 to 13, the leg body 1 comprises a leg support 11 that stands upright with a caster 12 attached to its lower end, and a tabletop support bracket 13 that is attached to the upper end of the leg support 11 and supports the tabletop 2 from below.

The top plate 2 is a generally rectangular plate whose four corners are supported from below by top plate support brackets 13, and in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 7, 8, 11 and 12, has a notch 2a at one end of the use end surface 2b and the anti-use end surface 2c.

As shown in Figures 1 to 5, 8, 9, and 11 to 14, the optional support 3 is installed between the upper end vicinity of adjacent leg bodies 1, more specifically, between the tabletop support brackets 13 of adjacent leg bodies 1, and reinforces the furniture T with a tabletop by firmly connecting the adjacent leg bodies 1. As shown in Figures 10, 15, and 16, the optional support 3 is a metal pipe-shaped member with an irregular cross-sectional shape, more specifically, a square pipe-shaped member. As shown in Figures 3 to 6, 8, and 13, both ends of the optional support 3 are fitted into recesses 13a provided in the tabletop support bracket 13, and the ends of the optional support 3 are fastened together with the tabletop support bracket 13 to the tabletop 2 by bolts or the like (not shown). As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 13, a spacer 31 is disposed between the top plate 2 and the optional support 3 that extends along the use end surface 2b and the opposite use end surface 2c of the top plate 2, and the optional support 3 and the spacer 31 are fastened together to the top plate 2 via bolts (not shown). The panel 4 is supported by this optional support 3 so that it can rotate freely and be fixed at a predetermined rotation position.

As shown in Figures 1 to 10 and 12 to 16, this panel 4 is equipped with a plate-shaped panel body 5 and a mounting fixture 6 for attaching this panel body 5 to an optional support 3, and can be selectively placed in a desktop position (D) as shown by the solid line in Figure 9, standing up near the edge of the top plate 2, and a back panel position (M) as shown by the imaginary line in the same figure, hanging down below the top plate.

The panel body 5 is a plate-like member made of, for example, resin, having a substantially rectangular shape, and as shown in Figs. 3 to 10 and 12 to 16, its base end is held by the panel holding part 7 of the mounting fixture 6. More specifically, as shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 16, the base end is provided with two sets of a first screw insertion hole and a second screw insertion hole 5b (not shown), and the panel body 5 is connected to the mounting fixture 6 via the first and second bolts B1 and B2 that pass through the first and second screw insertion holes 5b while the base end is sandwiched between the holding part body 71 and the backing plate 72 that constitute the panel holding part 7 of the mounting fixture 6. In addition, a long hole 5c is provided between the first screw insertion hole and the second screw insertion hole 5b.

The mounting fixture 6 has a panel holding portion 7 that holds the panel body 5 and a clamp portion 8 that connects to the optional support body 3.

As shown in Figures 5, 8 to 10 and 14 to 16, the panel holding section 7 comprises a holding section main body 71 which is in contact with one surface of the panel main body 5, and a backing plate 72 which is in contact with the other surface of the panel main body 5, and the panel main body 5 is sandwiched between the holding section main body 71 and the backing plate 72. One end of the panel holding section 7 is provided with a first screw insertion hole (not shown) which penetrates the holding section main body 71 and the backing plate 72, and the other end is provided with second screw insertion holes 71b, 72b which also penetrate the holding section main body 71 and the backing plate 72, and long holes 71c, 72c are provided between the first screw insertion hole and the second screw insertion hole 71b, 72b. These first screw insertion holes 71b, 72b and long holes 71c, 72c are provided at positions corresponding to the first screw insertion hole, the second screw insertion hole 5b and the long hole 5c of the panel main body 5. A first nut member 73 is removably attached to the first screw insertion hole on the holding part main body 71 side, and a first bolt B1 is screwed into the first nut member 73. A hexagonal column-shaped second nut member 74 is removably attached to a position corresponding to the second screw insertion hole 71b on the holding part main body 71 side, and a second bolt B2 is screwed into the second nut member 74.

As shown in Figures 3, 8 to 10, and 14 to 16, the clamp section 8 includes a clamp body 81 that is integral with the holding section body 71 of the panel holding section 7, a hook 82 that can be attached to and detached from the clamp body 81, and a fastening mechanism 83 that fastens the clamp body 81 and the hook 82 together.

As shown in Figures 10, 15 and 16, the clamp body 81 includes a pair of abutment parts 811 that abut against both ends of one side of the optional support 3, a cylindrical recess 812 formed between the abutment parts 811, a first arm 813 that extends in an arc from the vicinity of one abutment part 811 while facing the optional support 3, and a second arm 814 that extends in an arc from the vicinity of the other abutment part 811 while facing the optional support 3. These first and second arms 813 and 814 are provided in pairs spaced apart in the thickness direction, and one end 823 and the other end 824 of the hook 82 are arranged between the pair of first arms 813 and the pair of second arms 814, respectively.

As shown in Figures 10, 15 and 16, the hook 82 has a pair of abutment parts 821 that abut against both ends of one side of the optional support 3, a cylindrical recess 822 formed between the abutment parts 821, one end 823 that is disposed between the first arms 813 of the clamp body 81 and supported by a rotating shaft 84 that passes through the first arms 813, and the other end 824 that is disposed between the second arms 814 of the clamp body 81 and can move between the second arms 814. Here, the other end 824 of the hook 82 has a guide protrusion 824a that can move within a long hole 814a provided in the second arm 814 of the clamp body 81, and the long hole 814a and the guide protrusion 824a regulate the movable range of the hook 82 relative to the clamp body 81.

16, the fastening mechanism 83 includes a nut 831 provided on the hook 82, and a grip bolt 832 that can be screwed into the nut 831 and passes through the long holes 5c, 71c, and 72c of the panel body 5 and the panel holding part 7. The grip bolt 832 includes a head 833 that is a grip-shaped operating part, and when the grip bolt 832 is screwed into the nut 831, the head 833 can be abutted against the backing plate 72 of the panel holding part 7. When the clamp body 81 and the hook 82 are fastened by the fastening mechanism 83, the abutment parts 811 and 821 of the clamp body 81 and the hook 82 are abutted against a total of four points of the optional support 3, and the optional support 3 is clamped in a fixed state. By releasing the fastening state between the clamp body 81 and the hook 82 and rotating the hook 82 relative to the connection part body 81 to expand the space between the hook 82 and the clamp body 81, the mounting fixture 6 and the panel body 5 can be in an unlocked state in which they can rotate around the optional support 3, as shown in FIG. 16(b). When the fastening mechanism 83 is in the unlocked state, the panel 4 can also slide horizontally along the optional support 3. In other words, the base end of the panel 4 is supported so that it can also slide horizontally along the optional support 3.

Here, we will explain the operations and the functions of each part when changing the mounting position of the panel 4 from the desktop position (D) to the back panel position (M).

When the panel 4 is fixed in the desktop position (D), as described above and as shown in FIG. 16(a), the clamp body 81 and the hook 82 are fastened by the fastening mechanism 83, and the abutment parts 811, 821 of the clamp body 81 and the hook 82 are in contact with a total of four points on the optional support 3 to clamp the optional support 3. From this state, the fastening is loosened by rotating the operation part, i.e., the head 833 of the grip bolt 832, and as shown in FIG. 16(b), the abutment parts 811, 821 of the clamp body 81 and the hook 82 move away from the optional support 3, and the space between the hook 82 and the clamp body 81 expands, making it possible to rotate the panel 4 around the optional support 3. Then, as shown in FIG. 16(c), the panel 4 is rotated approximately 180 degrees to place the panel 4 in the back panel position (M) in which it hangs down below the top panel 2, and the clamp body 81 and hook 82 are fastened together by the tightening mechanism 83, i.e., by applying a rotational operation to the operating portion, i.e., the head 833 of the grip bolt 832, to clamp the optional support body 3. When this is done, the abutment portions 811, 821 of the clamp body 81 and hook 82 are again in abutment against a total of four points on the optional support body 3, and the panel 4 is fixed in the back panel position (M). To change the mounting position of the panel 4 from the back panel position (M) to the desktop position (D), the reverse operation is performed.

When the panel 4 is mounted in the desktop position (D), the space between the cutout 2a on the opposite end surface 2c of the top plate 2 and the panel body 5 can be used to guide wiring such as a power cord from below the top plate 2 to above the top plate 2.

1 is an overall perspective view of the furniture with a top plate T according to the present embodiment with the panel 4 in the desktop position (D) as seen from the upper front side, FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the furniture with a top plate T as seen from the upper rear side, and FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view of the furniture with a top plate T as seen from the bottom side. FIG. 4 is a front view of the furniture with a top plate T, FIG. 5 is a left side view of the furniture with a top plate T, and FIG. 6 is a rear view of the furniture with a top plate T. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the furniture with a top plate T, and FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the furniture with a top plate T with the casters 12 omitted. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 4, with the lower end portion partially omitted. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the main part in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is an overall perspective view of the furniture with a top plate T with the panel 4 in the apron position (M) as seen from the upper front side, and FIG. 12 is an overall perspective view of the furniture with a top plate T as seen from the upper rear side. FIG. 13 is a front view of the furniture with a top plate T, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the furniture with a top plate T corresponding to FIG. 9, with the lower end portion partially omitted. Figure 15 is an enlarged view of the main part in Figure 14. Figure 16 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the furniture T with a top plate, where (a) shows the state in which the panel 4 is fixed in the desktop position (D), (b) shows the state in which the panel 4 is in the middle of being rotated, and (c) shows the state in which it is fixed in the back panel position (D).

The furniture with a top T described above (when it is necessary to distinguish this furniture with a top T from other furniture with a top T2, T3, and T4 of the same structure, this furniture with a top T may be referred to as "furniture with a top T1") has magnetically attached connecting devices 9 at the lower ends of the legs 1, and as shown in Figures 26 to 31, these connecting devices 9 allow multiple pieces of furniture with a top T to be detachably connected horizontally (left-right direction) or facing each other (front-back direction). A combination of multiple pieces of furniture with a top T will be referred to as a "furniture system S" below.

The furniture system S is a system in which furniture with tabletops T can be connected to each other by a magnetically attracted connecting device 9. As shown in Figures 17 to 19, the connecting device 9 includes a stationary element 91 provided on the furniture with tabletops T, and a movable element 92 that has a magnet 922 and is held by the stationary element 91 and can protrude while rising from a retracted position (P) to a connecting position (Q). When the movable element 92 protrudes to the connecting position (Q), the furniture with tabletops T1 and T2 are connected by magnetic force, and when the connection is released, the movable element 92 returns to the retracted position (P) by its own weight.

Describing it from a different perspective, this furniture system S is a furniture with a tabletop T, which is configured such that the above-mentioned furniture with a tabletop 2 supported by legs 1 can be connected to each other by a magnetically attracted connecting device 9 provided on the legs 1, and the connecting device 9, as shown in Figs. 17 to 20, is provided with a stationary element 91 provided on the legs 1 and a movable element 92 having a pair of magnetically attracted surfaces 92a, 92b parallel to the two orthogonal end faces (non-use end face 2c, side end face 2d) of the tabletop 2 and held by the stationary element 91, which moves in a direction that bisects both end faces of the tabletop 2. The movable element 92 of the connecting device 9 is set so that it can move in a protruding manner from a predetermined retracted position (P) to a connecting position (Q) where the pair of orthogonal magnetically attracted surfaces 92a, 92b approximately coincide with the two orthogonal end faces of the tabletop 2 in a plan view. The movable element 92 of the connecting device 9 is set so that one magnetically attracted surface 92a is a north pole and the other magnetically attracted surface 92b is a south pole.

The parts related to connecting the furniture with tabletop T and the connecting device 9 are described in detail below.

As shown in Figures 17 to 20, the leg 1 of the furniture with a tabletop T has a first outer wall surface 1a that is set back a certain distance d inward from one end face of the tabletop 2 in a plan view, and a second outer wall surface 1b that is set back a certain distance d inward from the other end face of the tabletop 2, and the movable element 92 of the connecting device 9 is configured so that a pair of magnetically attracted surfaces 92a, 92b that are perpendicular to each other in a plan view can protrude from a retracted position (P) where the pair of magnetically attracted surfaces 92a, 92b approximately coincide with both outer wall surfaces 1a, 1b of the leg 1 to a connecting position (Q) where the pair of magnetically attracted surfaces approximately coincide with both end faces of the tabletop 2.

Specifically, as shown in Figs. 17 and 21, the leg 1 of the furniture with a tabletop T has a rectangular cross section with first and second outer wall surfaces 1a, 1b that are perpendicular to each other, and the connecting device 9 is provided at the outward corner 1e where the outer wall surfaces 1a, 1b intersect at the lower end of the leg 1. More specifically, the leg 1 is a rectangular prism made by extrusion molding or the like, and has an outward wall 14 having a pair of outer wall surfaces 1a, 1b facing outward, and an inward wall 15 having a pair of inner wall surfaces 1c, 1d facing the lower leg space SP. Inside the leg 1, a connecting wall 16 that connects the outward wall 14 and the inward wall 15, a boss portion 17 for forming a nut, and the like are integrally provided. At the lower end 1x of the leg 1, a cutout portion 1k for attaching the connecting device 9 is formed by partially cutting off the corner 1e formed by the pair of outward walls 14. The cutout 1k is open outward and downward.

In addition, in this furniture T with a tabletop, the counter-use end surface 2c side of the tabletop 2 is supported by two legs 1, and the use end surface 2b side of the tabletop is supported by two legs 1, and each of these four legs 1 is provided with one connecting device 9. Therefore, for the legs 1 supporting the counter-use end surface 2c side of the tabletop 2, the first and second outer wall surfaces 1a, 1b are set back a certain distance d inward from the counter-use end surface 2c (one end surface) and side end surface 2d (the other end surface) of the tabletop 2, and for the legs supporting the use end surface 2b side of the tabletop, the first and second outer wall surfaces 1a, 1b are set back a certain distance d inward from the use end surface 2b (one end surface) and side end surface 2d (the other end surface) of the tabletop 2.

The connecting device 9 is configured so that when the movable element 92 is extended to the connecting position (Q), the two pieces of furniture with tabletops T are connected by magnetic force, and when the connection is released, the movable element 92 returns by itself to the retracted position (P) under its own weight. That is, the connecting device 9 is provided with a stationary element 91 provided on the leg body 1, and a movable element 92 that has a magnet 922 and is held by the stationary element 91 and can move upward and protrude from the retracted position (P) shown in FIG. 17(a) and FIG. 18 to the connected position (Q) shown in FIG. 17(b) and FIG. 19. When the movable elements 92 of the connecting devices 9 provided on the leg body 1 of both pieces of furniture with tabletops T protrude to the connected position (Q), both pieces of furniture with tabletops T are connected by magnetic force, and when the connection is released, that is, when both pieces of furniture with tabletops T are separated and the magnetic attraction force is no longer acting on the movable elements 92 of each connecting device 9, both movable elements 92 return to the retracted position 91 by their own weight.

As shown in Figures 18 to 20, the stationary element 91 of the connecting device 9 comprises a stationary element body 93 having a cavity 95 that is open outward and downward and is provided at the lower end 1x of the leg body 1, and a bottom cover 94 that is provided at the lower end of the leg body 1 and closes the downward open end of the cavity 91s. As shown in Figures 18, 21 and 22, the ceiling surface 95a of the cavity 95 formed in the stationary element body 93 and the bottom surface 95b of the cavity 95 formed in the bottom cover 94 are inclined so as to gradually rise outward. The movable member 92 performs a protruding and retracting movement while being guided by the ceiling surface 95a and bottom surface 95b.

Specifically, the stationary element body 93 is made of a non-magnetic material such as synthetic resin, and as shown in Figs. 18 to 20, the bent protrusion 931 at the upper end is engaged with the inside of the outward wall 14 of the leg body 1, and a bottom cover 94 is attached to the lower end of the leg body 1, thereby attaching it to the notch 1k at the lower end 1x of the leg body 1. The outer surface 93a of the stationary element body 93 is set to be flush with the outer wall surfaces 1a and 1b of the leg body 1, and the magnetic attraction surfaces 92a and 92b of the movable element 92 in the retracted position (P) are configured to be flush with the outer surface 93a of the stationary element body 93 and the outer wall surfaces 1a and 1b of the leg body 1. The bottom cover 94 is provided with the casters 12 described above.

As shown in Figures 18, 19 and 21, the movable element 92 of the connecting device 9 comprises a cover 921 arranged between the ceiling surface 95a and the bottom surface 95b of the cavity 95 so as to cover the outward open end of the cavity 95, a magnet 922 held inside the cover 921, and a magnet retainer 920 attached to the cover 921 to prevent the magnet 922 from falling out, and the cover 921 and the magnet retainer 920 are made of a non-magnetic material such as synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 18, 19, 21 and 24, the cover 921 includes an exposed wall portion 923 that forms magnetic attraction surfaces 92a, 92b that are substantially flush with the outer wall surfaces 1a, 1b of the leg body 1 in the retracted position (P), and an insertion wall portion 924 that extends from both side edges of the exposed wall portion 923 toward the cavity 95, and has an upper inclined surface 925 that slides against the ceiling surface 95a of the cavity 95 at its upper end and a lower inclined surface 926 that slides against the bottom surface 95b of the cavity 95 at its lower end. The upper inclined surface 925 and the lower inclined surface 926 are inclined in a direction gradually rising outward so as to always slide against the ceiling surface 95a and the bottom surface 95b of the stationary element main body 93. In addition, a pair of upper and lower ribs 923a protrude inward from the inner surface of the exposed wall portion 923, and the magnet 922 is held between these ribs 923a. 18, 19, 21 and 25, the magnet presser 920 includes a stopper wall 927 that faces the exposed wall 923 of the cover 921, and a connecting wall 928 that extends from both side edges of the stopper wall 927 and abuts against the insertion wall 924 of the cover 921. A resilient claw 929a protrudes from the tip of the connecting wall 928, and the magnet presser 920 is attached to the cover 921 by engaging the resilient claw 929a with an engaging window 929b provided at the base end of the insertion wall 924 of the cover 921 with the magnet 922 held by the cover 921. The movable element 92 has a pair of magnetically attracted surfaces 92a, 92b that are substantially flush with the outer wall surfaces 1a, 1b of the leg 1 at the retracted position (P), and the magnet 922 is magnetized so that one magnetically attracted surface 92a is an N pole and the other magnetically attracted surface 92b is an S pole. Note that Fig. 17 shows the leg 1 on the right side facing the use end surface 2b, and the surface parallel to the use end surface 2b (or the opposite use end surface 2c) is the one magnetically attracted surface 92a that is an N pole, and the surface parallel to the side end surface 2d is the other magnetically attracted surface 92b that is an S pole, but in the leg 1 on the left side facing the use end surface 2b, the surface parallel to the side end surface 2d is the one magnetically attracted surface 92a that is an N pole, and the surface parallel to the use end surface 2b (or the opposite use end surface 2c) is the other magnetically attracted surface 92b that is an S pole. In addition, the movable element 92 is locked at the connection position (Q) by a locking mechanism 96, and is restricted so that it cannot protrude further outward. The locking mechanism 96 includes an opening 96a provided on the inner surface 95c of the cavity 95 of the stationary element 91, and a locking claw 96b provided at the insertion end of the insertion wall portion 928 of the cover 921 of the movable element 92. When the movable element 92 protrudes and retracts between the retracted position (P) and the connection position (Q), the locking claw 96b can freely advance and retreat within the opening 96a of the stationary element body 93, but when the movable element 92 reaches the connection position (Q), the locking claw 96b engages with the outer edge of the opening, preventing the cover 921 of the movable element 92 from being pulled out of the stationary element body 93.

The following is a detailed explanation of how the furniture systems S1 to S4 are constructed using multiple pieces of furniture with tabletops T as described above.

Figures 26 to 28 show a furniture system (hereinafter referred to as furniture system S1) in which two pieces of furniture with tabletops T1 and T2 are connected laterally. In this case, when the two pieces of furniture with tabletops T1 and T2 are brought close to each other in the left-right direction and the side end faces 2d of the tabletops 2 are butted against each other, the connecting devices 9 of the legs 1 located at the adjacent ends (side ends) of the two pieces of furniture with tabletops T1 and T2 are activated, and the two pieces of furniture with tabletops T1 and T2 are connected by magnetic force. That is, the movable elements 92 of the connecting devices 9 of the two legs 1 located at the adjacent ends each protrude from the retracted position (P) to the connecting position (Q) by magnetic force, and meet at the connecting position (Q) to become magnetically attracted, and the furniture with tabletops T1 and T2 are connected to each other. The direction of the magnetic attraction force between the connecting devices 9 of adjacent legs 1 differs by 45° from the direction in which the movable elements 92 of each connecting device 9 protrude, but each movable element 92 is biased in its protruding direction by a component of the magnetic attraction force, and reaches a connecting position (Q) where they can be attracted to each other.

In this embodiment, the movable elements 92 of each connecting device 9 are guided by the ceiling surface 95a and bottom surface 95b of the stationary element 91, and gradually rise from the retracted position (P) while protruding to reach the connecting position (Q). Therefore, when the two pieces of furniture with tabletops T1 and T2 are pulled apart from the connected state against the magnetic attraction force, the outward magnetic force on each movable element 92 is deactivated, and each movable element 92 returns to its original retracted position (P) by its own weight while being guided by the ceiling surface 95a that slides against the upper inclined surface 925 and the bottom surface 95b that slides against the lower inclined surface 926. The magnetic attraction surfaces 92a and 92b of the movable elements 92 of the connecting device 9 that have returned to the retracted position (P) are flush with the outer surface 93a of the stationary element main body 93 and the outer wall surfaces 1a and 1b of the leg body 1, so that the movable elements 92 of the connecting device 9 do not protrude and have a good appearance.

Figure 29 shows a furniture system (hereinafter referred to as furniture system S2) in which two pieces of furniture with tabletops T1 and T3 are connected in the front-rear direction. In this case, when the two pieces of furniture with tabletops T1 and T3 are faced in the front-rear direction and the opposite end faces 2c of the tabletops 2 are butted together, the connecting device 9 of the leg 1 located on the adjacent end side (opposite end face 2c side) of both pieces of furniture with tabletops T1 and T3 is activated, and both pieces of furniture with tabletops T1 and T3 are connected by magnetic force. The operation of the connecting device 9 is similar to that of the horizontal connection, so the explanation is omitted. In this embodiment, the furniture with tabletops T1 and T3 cannot be butted together at the opposite end faces 2c when the panel 4 is in the desktop position (D), so the panel 4 is removed or the panel 4 is moved to the back panel position (M) before connection.

Figure 30 shows a furniture system (hereinafter referred to as furniture system S3) in which a second piece of furniture with a top T2 is connected laterally to a first piece of furniture with a top T1, and a third piece of furniture with a top T3 is connected in the front-to-rear direction. In this case, the movable element 92 of the single connecting device 9 in the first piece of furniture with a top T1 can be magnetically attracted to both the movable element 92 of the connecting device 9 in the second piece of furniture with a top T2 and the movable element 92 of the connecting device 9 in the third piece of furniture with a top T3, thereby forming a furniture system S3 in which three pieces of furniture with tops T1 to T3 are connected.

Furthermore, by sequentially applying the above-described connection methods between each piece of furniture with a tabletop T, it is possible to construct a variety of furniture systems in which four or more pieces of furniture with a tabletop T are connected in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. Figure 31 shows a furniture system S4 in which first and second pieces of furniture with a tabletop T1, T2 are connected horizontally, and third and fourth pieces of furniture with a tabletop T3, T4 are also connected horizontally in the front-to-back direction.

Here, FIG. 17(a) is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the coupling device 9 when the movable element 92 is in the retracted position (P), and FIG. 17(b) is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the coupling device 9 when the movable element 92 is in the connected position (Q). FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 17 showing the coupling device 9 when the movable element 92 is in the retracted position (P), and FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 17 showing the coupling device 9 when the movable element 92 is in the connected position (Q). FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view showing the manner in which the coupling device 9 is attached to the leg 1. FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view showing the movable element 92. FIG. 22(a) to (d) are a plan view, a left side view, a front view, and a rear view of the stationary element main body 93, respectively. FIG. 23(a) to (c) are a plan view, a left side view, and a front view of the bottom cover 94, respectively. (a) to (d) of FIG. 24 are a plan view, a left side view, a front view, and a rear view of the cover 921, respectively. (e) of FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D in (c) of FIG. 24. (a) to (c) of FIG. 25 are a plan view, a left side view, and a front view of the magnet presser 920, respectively. (a) of FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the two pieces of furniture with a tabletop T1 and T2 constituting the furniture system S1, arranged with a space therebetween in the horizontal direction, and (b) of FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the two pieces of furniture with a tabletop T1 and T2, connected in the horizontal direction. FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting device 9 in the state where the two pieces of furniture with a tabletop T1 and T2 are arranged with a space therebetween in the horizontal direction, and FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting device 9 in the state where the two pieces of furniture with a tabletop T1 and T2 are connected in the horizontal direction. FIG. 29(a) is a perspective view of the two pieces of furniture with a top T1 and T3 that make up the furniture system S2, arranged with a space between them in the front-to-rear direction, and FIG. 29(b) is a perspective view of the two pieces of furniture with a top T1 and T3 that are connected in the front-to-rear direction. FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting device 9 when the three pieces of furniture with a top T1 to T3 that make up the furniture system S3 are connected. FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting device 9 when the four pieces of furniture with a top T1 to T4 that make up the furniture system S4 are connected. Note that in FIGS. 27, 28, 30, and 31, the cutout portion 2a of the top 2 is omitted, and the top 2 is shown as being rectangular in plan view.

With this configuration, the furniture with tabletops T1 to T4 can be connected to each other by the connecting device 9, which effectively prevents the furniture with tabletops T1 to T4 from becoming displaced and disorganized. Moreover, because the connecting device 9 is of a magnetic attraction type, even when rearranging the furniture, there is no need to disassemble and reassemble the connecting parts, allowing for a quick response. Moreover, because the connecting device 9 is equipped with a movable element 92 that has a magnet 922 and protrudes from the retracted position (P) to the connecting position (Q), the connecting device 9 can be suitably positioned in places other than the areas where it directly contacts.

The connecting device 9 is configured so that the movable element 92 is extended to the connecting position (Q) to connect the furniture with tabletops T1 to T4 by magnetic force, and the movable element 92 returns to the retracted position (P) by its own weight when the connection is released. This eliminates the need for a spring or other biasing mechanism or operating mechanism to return the movable element 92 to the original retracted position (P) when the connection is released, which also simplifies the configuration and reduces the weight.

In addition, in this embodiment, the connecting device 9 is provided on the leg 1, so that the influence of magnetism on electronic devices, memory, etc. on the tabletop 2 can be suppressed. In particular, if the connecting device 9 is provided on the lower end 1x of the leg 1 as in the illustrated example, the effect becomes more pronounced.

In this embodiment, the legs 1 of each of the furniture with a tabletop T1 to T4 do not need to be provided with a separate connecting device for lateral connection and a connecting device for front-rear connection, and can be used for both lateral and front-rear connection. That is, the connecting device 9 provided on each leg 1 has a pair of magnetically attracted surfaces 92a, 92b parallel to the two orthogonal end faces (use end face 2b and side end face 2d, and anti-use end face 2c and side end face 2d) of the tabletop 2, and is held by a stationary element 91 and has a movable element 92 that protrudes and retracts in a direction that bisects both end faces (use end face 2b and side end face 2d, and anti-use end face 2c and side end face 2d) of the tabletop 2 (the direction in which the straight line L in FIG. 17 extends). Therefore, the movable element 92 of each connecting device 9 is magnetically attracted to the connecting devices 9 of other furniture with a tabletop T1 to T4 that approach from two orthogonal directions. Therefore, it is possible to construct furniture systems S1-S4 in which multiple pieces of furniture with tabletops T1-T4 are connected in a variety of ways using a minimum number of connecting devices 9.

As a result, the number of parts can be significantly reduced compared to when multiple connecting devices are provided on each leg 1, the number of steps required for manufacturing and assembly can be reduced, and the weight of the entire furniture can be reduced, making it possible to provide furniture systems S1 to S4 that can be rearranged easily and quickly.

In addition, as in this embodiment, by setting the movable element 92 of the connecting device 9 so that one magnetically attracted surface 92a is a north pole and the other magnetically attracted surface 92b is a south pole, it is possible to easily achieve a relationship in which the magnetically attracted surfaces 92a, 92b of each connecting device 9 are appropriately attracted to each other, not only for horizontal connections and front-to-rear connections, but also for a furniture system S4 in which the legs 1 of four pieces of furniture with tabletops T1 to T4 are gathered in one place, as shown in Figure 31.

Furthermore, the movable element 92 of the connecting device 9 is adapted to protrude a pair of magnetically attracted surfaces 92a, 92b that are perpendicular to each other in plan view from a retracted position (P) that approximately matches both outer wall surfaces 1a, 1b of the leg 1 to a connecting position (Q) that approximately matches both end surfaces of the tabletop 2 (the usable end surface 2b and the side end surface 2d, and the non-usable end surface 2c and the side end surface 2d). Therefore, when the leg 1 is applied to a piece of furniture T with a tabletop having a first outer wall surface 1a that is set back a certain distance d inward from one end surface 2b, 2c of the tabletop 2 in plan view, and a second outer wall surface 1b that is set back a certain distance d inward from the other end surface 2d of the tabletop 2, the magnetically attracted surfaces 92a, 92b that are perpendicular to each other in plan view will protrude and move to the optimal connecting position, thereby realizing a reliable connecting operation.

In addition, in this embodiment, the leg 1 has a rectangular cross section with first and second outer wall surfaces 1a and 1b that are perpendicular to each other, so the above-described configuration can be realized by providing the connecting device 9 at the outward corner 1e where the outer wall surfaces 1a and 1b of the leg 1 intersect.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the movable element of the coupling device returns automatically from the extended position to the retracted position by its own weight, but the present invention also includes a mechanism for automatically returning the movable element to the retracted position by a spring or the like, or a mechanism for returning the movable element from the extended position to the retracted position by manual operation.

The inventions described in claims 1, 2, and 3 also include those in which the connecting device is provided at a location other than the leg body. Even if the connecting device is provided at the leg body, the leg body does not have to have a rectangular cross section, and the connecting device may be provided at a location other than the lower end of the leg body.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

S1 to S4: Furniture system T (T1 to T4): Furniture (furniture with tabletop)
1: Leg body 1a: First outer wall surface 1b: Second outer wall surface 1e: Outward corner portion 1x: Lower end portion of leg body 2: Top plate 2b: End surface of top plate (used end surface)
2c: End surface of the top plate (opposite the end surface used)
2d: End surface of the top plate (side end surface)
9: coupling device 91: stationary element 92: movable element 92a, 92b: magnetic attraction surface d: fixed distance (P): retracted position (Q): coupling position

Claims (7)

A furniture system in which furniture pieces each having a tabletop supported by legs can be connected to each other by a magnetically attracted connecting device provided on the legs,
The connecting device is a furniture system comprising a stationary element provided on the furniture and a movable element having a pair of magnetically attracted surfaces parallel to the two perpendicular end faces of the tabletop, and held by the stationary element, which performs a protruding and retracting movement in a direction that bisects both end faces of the tabletop. The furniture system according to claim 1, wherein the movable element of the connecting device is configured so that a pair of perpendicular magnetic attraction surfaces can protrude from a predetermined retracted position to a connecting position that approximately matches two perpendicular end faces of the tabletop in a plan view. The furniture system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movable elements of the connecting device are configured so that one magnetically attractive surface is a north pole and the other magnetically attractive surface is a south pole. The leg of the furniture has a first outer wall surface that is set back a certain distance inward from one end surface of the tabletop in a plan view, and a second outer wall surface that is set back a certain distance inward from the other end surface of the tabletop, and the stationary element is provided;
4. A furniture system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the movable element of the connecting device is configured to be capable of protruding from a retracted position where a pair of magnetically attractive surfaces that are perpendicular to each other in a plan view approximately coincide with both outer wall surfaces of the leg body to a connecting position where the magnetically attractive surfaces approximately coincide with both end surfaces of the tabletop . The leg has a rectangular cross section having first and second outer wall surfaces that are perpendicular to each other,
5. The furniture system according to claim 4, wherein the connecting device is provided at an outward corner where the two outer wall surfaces of the leg body intersect. The furniture system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the connecting device is provided at the lower end of the leg body. The furniture system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the connecting device is configured so that the two pieces of furniture are connected by magnetic force when the movable element is extended to the connecting position, and when the connection is released, the movable element returns to the retracted position by its own weight.

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