TECHNICAL FIELD
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The present invention relates to a structure of a system
desk which enables selection of a optimum work space position
or a position for concentrating on work or for conversation
(communication) or the like and which also enables easy variation
of the layout.
BACKGROUND ART
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As an example of conventional system desk, JP-A-4-357904
discloses a system desk for realizing effective utilization
of an office space and for enhancing work efficiency by increasing
a workspace. Specifically, the system desk comprises a
combination of desks each having a hexagonal desk top panel
and side desks each having a rectangular auxiliary desk top
panel which is equal in height to the desk. The plurality of
(four) hexagonal top plates are arranged so that one side of
each hexagonal top plate abuts against one side of another top
plate while the auxiliary top plate of each side desk is arranged
along one side of a relevant hexagonal top plate.
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With this structure, when a person seated on a chair arranged
on an inner peripheral side of the hexagonal top plate is set
as the center, an arcuate work space reachable by the person
is included in a region of the hexagonal top plate and the adjacent
auxiliary top plate. Further, when the four auxiliary top
plates are arranged adjacent to each other in a rectangular
layout and the hexagonal top plates are arranged along it so
that the sides of the hexagons abut against each other, the
dead space can be eliminated with the work spaces positioned
close to each other. Further, the independence of work space
can be ensured even in a face-to-face island arrangement.
Moreover, when a chair or a like is placed on an outer peripheral
side of one hexagonal top plate, meeting space can be prepared.
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However, due to recent computerization, the operation
using an electronic apparatus such as a computer is often
necessary, so that it is desirable to collect portions (service
station) for placing such an apparatus or documents to one
location. However, in the prior art system desk, only the
auxiliary desk top panel exists as a service station for placing
such an apparatus or documents and it is difficult to arrange
a plurality of service providing portions of various functions.
Therefore, articles of service providing portions are spread
at various locations, which makes the top of the desk untidy.
Further, in the case of the desk having a hexagonal top plate,
an angular dead space exists outwardly of the arcuate work space
reachable by a person's hand. Therefore, when the auxiliary
top plate is utilized as a service station and the person talks
with (communicates with) another person while sandwiching the
hexagonal top plate therebetween, the distance between the
persons varies depending on the position. Moreover, sitting
at a corner portion on the outer side of the desk top panel
gives uncomfortable feeling to the person.
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Further, it is difficult to quickly change the condition
of the desk from one for concentrating on work using information
equipment to that for another one for talking with another person
and to shift the large space area on the desk top panel to a
position appropriate for the purpose.
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On the other hand, Japanese Design Registration No. 683190
(Registration Date: April 24, 1986) discloses a teacher's desk
which is generally semicircular in plan view and which includes
a desk top panel having a generally arcuate outer periphery
and a leg member in the form of a frame for supporting the desk
top panel. The leg member is disposed under the desk top panel
adjacent to the outer periphery and has a lower end provided
with a plurality of casters. The desk top panel includes an
inner periphery formed with a recess so that a person such as
a teacher standing or sitting in front of the desk can easily
reach the outer periphery of the desk top panel.
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Owing to the provision of the casters, the teacher's desk
is movable horizontally in a desired direction. However, from
the nature of a teacher's desk, arranging of the above-described
service station adjacent to the outer periphery of the desk
is not considered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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A first object of the present invention, which is conceived
in view of the above-described problems of prior art system
desks, is to provide a system desk capable of enabling a person
(worker) sitting in front of the desk top panel to concentrate
on work or to conveniently talk with others, capable of enabling
quick change between a condition for work and a condition for
conversation, and capable of reducing a dead space while
minimizing the territory (area) of the person.
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To achieve the object, a first aspect of the present
invention provides a system desk comprising a desk including
a desk top panel which is semicircular in plan view and has
a generally arcuate outer periphery, and a service station
arranged outwardly of the outer periphery of the desk top panel.
The service station and the desk are movable relative to each
other generally along the arc defined by the outer periphery
of the desk top panel.
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According to a second aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a system desk comprising a desk including
a desk top panel which is semicircular in plan view and has
a generally arcuate outer periphery, and a service station
arranged outwardly of the outer periphery of the desk top panel.
The desk top panel includes a supported portion, whereas the
service station includes a supporting portion for supporting
the supported portion of the desk top panel. The service station
and the desk are movable relative to each other generally along
the arc defined by the outer periphery of the desk top panel.
In this case, the desk top panel includes guide means which
is arcuate in plan view, and the service station includes
supporting means for guiding the guide means.
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According to a third aspect, there is provided a system
desk comprising a desk including a desk top panel which is
semicircular in plan view and has a generally arcuate outer
periphery, and a service station arranged outwardly of the outer
periphery of the desk top panel. The service station and the
desk top panel are connected to each other to be inseparable
in a horizontal direction while being movable relative to each
other generally along the arc defined by the outer periphery
of the desk top panel. In this case, the service station includes
guide means which is arcuate in plan view, and the desk top
panel includes supporting means for guiding the guide means.
The service station and the desk are connected to each other
to be inseparable in a horizontal direction while being movable
relative to each other generally along the arc defined by the
outer periphery of the desk top panel.
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With the above-described structure of the first through
the third aspects, a workers positioned on a rotation center
side of the desk top panel can horizontally pivot the desk top
panel relative to the service station as desired. Therefore,
the worker can face OA equipment or the like disposed on the
service station to concentrate on the work using the equipment
or face a person positioned on the outer peripheral side of
the desk top panel for conversation by shifting the relative
position of the service station to the desk top panel by rotating
the desk top panel. In this way, the worker can greatly change
his or her field of view quickly and easily and can easily remove
a physical or visual obstacle for conversation.
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Further, by setting the radius of the outer periphery of
the desk top panel to an appropriate one, a plurality of system
desks can be arranged while keeping the territory balance
(balance of area) of workers and an optimum work space around
each worker and ensuring the option (freedom) or flexibility
of layout of the plural system desks.
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Since the distance from the person positioned on the inner
peripheral side of the desk top panel to the arcuate outer
periphery is equal, the person's hand can easily reach the service
station arranged along and outwardly of the outer periphery,
which enhances the work efficiency.
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When the desk top panel and the service station are held
connected by guide means, the desk top panel can be pivoted
for horizontal movement relative to the service station so that
the both members neither directly contact nor separate. In
that case, when the guide member is generally arcuate in plan
view, the desk top panel and the service station can be moved
horizontally relative to each other along the generally arcuate
outer periphery of the desk top late.
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According to a fourth aspect of the present invention,
the desk top panel has an inner peripheral portion formed with
a recess for positioning a person close to a hypothetical circle
center of the arcuate outer periphery. With this structure,
the position of a person to be seated is set to a recess on
the inner peripheral side of the desk top panel so that the
entire upper surface of the generally semicircular desk top
panel can be reached by the person, which facilitates the work.
Further, the person can easily pivot the desk top panel as seated.
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A second object of the present invention is to make it
easy to horizontally pivot the desk top panel along the outer
periphery of the desk top panel, i.e. along an arcuate path
in plan view without being hindered by the feet of the person
seated on the chair arranged on the inner peripheral side of
the desk top panel.
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According to a first aspect of the present invention to
achieve the second object, the desk top panel is supported on
a leg which is provided with a caster for making the desk top
panel movable generally along a path of the arc defined by the
outer periphery of the desk top panel.
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According to a second aspect, the desk top panel is provided
with legs adjacent to the outer periphery, and the legs are
provided with horizontal feet extending along the outer
periphery at opposite sides of the desk top panel and separated
suitably from each other to define a space therebetween. In
this way, since the paired legs and the horizontal feet provided
on the legs are arranged close to the outer periphery of the
desk top panel, the desk top panel can be supported stably.
Further, since the horizontal feet extend adjacent to and along
the outer periphery of the desk top panel toward opposite sides,
feet of the person seated on a chair arranged on the inner
peripheral side of the desk top panel do not become an obstacle.
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According to a third aspect, the horizontal feet are
generally arcuate in plan view. With this structure, when the
desk top panel is pivoted generally along the path of the arc
of the outer periphery and the horizontal feet pivot horizontally
together with the desk top panel, the feet of the person seated
on a chair arranged on the inner peripheral side of the desk
top panel do not become an obstacle.
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According to a fourth aspect, an auxiliary horizontal foot
is connected to a lower end of the service station via a connection
member extending radially inward below the desk top panel via
the space. With such a structure, the service station can stand
stably owing to the provision of the auxiliary horizontal foot.
Further, feet of the person sitting on a chair arranged on the
inner peripheral side of the desk top panel can be placed on
the auxiliary horizontal foot to make the auxiliary horizontal
foot serve as a footrest.
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According to a fifth aspect, each of the horizontal feet
is provided with a caster, and the horizontal foot is capable
of moving over the connection member of the service station.
When the orientation of the desk top panel is largely changed
by horizontal pivoting, the horizontal foot can move over the
connection member of the service station. Therefore, the
service station can be located at a position largely deviated
to a side of the desk top panel along the outer periphery.
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According to a sixth aspect, the caster is provided with
lock means. With such a structure, the desk top panel can be
stably held at the position shifted relative to the service
station so as not to move sideways.
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A third object of the present invention is to provide the
service station with various functions useful for various works
for enhancing the work efficiency, or to removably attach a
service providing portion having such functions to the service
station for providing the user with various options selectable
as desired for enhancing the work efficiency.
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According to a first aspect, there is provided a system
desk comprising a desk including a desk top panel which is
semicircular in plan view and has a generally arcuate outer
periphery, and a service station arranged outwardly of the outer
periphery of the desk top panel. The service station includes
a post and a foot for supporting the post on a floor surface.
The post has a wiring function and a function for removably
mounting an article. With this structure, the third object
can be achieved. Further, a large part for wiring need not
be separately provided.
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According to a second aspect, the service station is
removably provided with a service providing portion at an upper
surface side of the desk top panel. Therefore, a worker
positioned across the desk top panel can easily reach the service
station and easily change or add a service providing portion
through preference or in accordance with the kind of work.
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Further, the service providing portion comprises a
horizontally elongate beam member including a hollow portion
capable of accommodating wiring and an additional article
mounting portion for providing office service such as a
supporting unit for a liquid crystal display, a memo board or
a shelf board supporting unit. When a liquid crystal display
is disposed on the beam member, the excess portion of the wiring
cord can be easily accommodated. Further, an additional
article for providing various kinds of office service can be
easily attached or mounted to the beam member so that the worker
positioned across the desk top panel can easily reach the service
providing portion.
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The service providing portion may be an accommodating unit
which includes an accommodation main body having an opening
at a front and a cover member for covering the opening of the
accommodation main body, and the cover member may be capable
of exposing the opening while covering an upper portion and
a rear side of the accommodation main body when the cover member
is pivoted upward. In such a case, documents or the like which
are often used may be accommodated in the accommodation main
body so that such articles can be easily put in or taken out
from the accommodation main body by opening the cover from the
front side of the desk.
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The service providing portion may be a screen unit which
is so suspended as to project laterally of the post. Such a
screen unit serves as a screen between adjacent desks when a
plurality of desks are arranged so that the outer peripheries
adjoin each other.
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According to a third aspect for the third object of the
present invention, the post of the service station has an upper
end provided with a lighting apparatus. With this structure,
illumination effect such as indirect illumination can be
provided for the desk top panel or the service station.
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According to a fourth aspect for the third object of the
present invention, a plurality of service stations are arranged
along the outer periphery of the desk top panel movably on the
floor surface. When a plurality of service stations are
arranged along the outer periphery of a single desk top panel,
various kinds of service providing portions can be provided,
which enhances the convenience for the user. Further, when
a plurality of desks are arranged so that the respective arcuate
outer peripheries face each other while interposing a plurality
of service stations between adjacent desk top panels, the service
providing portions can be shared.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
-
- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a system desk according to a first
embodiment of the present invention.
- Fig. 2 is a right side view of the first embodiment.
- Fig. 3 is a perspective view of system desk viewed
from the front.
- Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a service station according
to a first embodiment as viewed from the front.
- Figs. 5 illustrate a second embodiment of a system desk,
Fig. 5(a) being a plan view, and Fig. 5(b) being a right side
view.
- Fig. 6 is a front view of a system desk according to a
third embodiment.
- Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines VII-VII in
Fig. 6.
- Fig. 8 is a plan view of the third embodiment.
- Fig. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a principal portion
of guide means.
- Fig. 10 is a sectional view illustrating connection between
an upper post and a lower post via an upper beam.
- Fig. 11 is a sectional side view illustrating another
embodiment of the guide means.
- Fig. 12(a) is a plan view illustrating part of an upper
or lower beam, Fig. 12(b) is a sectional view taken along lines
XIIb-XIIb in Fig. 12(a), and Fig. 12(c) is a side view taken
along lines XIIc-XIIc in Fig. 12(a).
- Fig. 13(a) is a plan view of a system desk according to
a fourth embodiment, whereas Fig. 13(b) is a side view of the
desk.
- Fig. 14(a) is a plan view of a system desk according to
a fifth embodiment, whereas Fig. 14(b) is a side view of the
desk.
- Fig. 15(a) is a plan view of a system desk according to
a sixth embodiment, whereas Fig. 15(b) is a side view of the
desk.
- Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment.
- Figs. 17 are plan views illustrating variations of
orientation of the desk top panel, Fig. 17(a) illustrating
orientation which enables the person to face the service station,
Fig. 17(b) illustrating the desk top panel pivoted to the left
relative to the service station, and Fig. 17(c) illustrating
the desk top panel pivoted to the right relative to the service
station.
- Fig. 18(a) is a plan view illustrating three system desks
arranged in a triangle, Fig. 18(b) is a plan view illustrating
four system desks arranged in a rhombus and Fig. 18(c) is a
plan view illustrating a plurality of system desks arranged
in a wave-like pattern.
- Fig. 19 is a plan view illustrating a variation of
arrangement of a plurality of system desks.
- Fig. 20 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment
of service station as viewed from the front.
- Fig. 21 is a perspective view illustrating the embodiment
of service station as viewed from the rear.
- Fig. 22 is a perspective view illustrating another
embodiment of service station as viewed from the front.
- Fig. 23 is a side view illustrating a desk and a service
station.
- Fig. 24 is a plan view illustrating a desk and a service
station.
- Fig. 25 is a side view, which is partially cut away, of
a vertically adjustable leg of a desk top panel.
- Fig. 26 is a sectional view illustrating a guiding and
supporting structure for an upper post and a lower post.
- Fig. 27 is a sectional view taken along lines XXVII-XXVII
in Fig. 26.
- Fig. 28 is a sectional view illustrating a principal portion
of a handle portion and a guide rail of a desk top panel.
- Fig. 29 is a front view of a service station and an article
accommodating unit.
- Fig. 30 is a right side view of the service station and
the article accommodating unit.
- Fig. 31 is a plan side view of the service station and
the article accommodating unit.
- Fig. 32 is an enlarged sectional view of a post and a mounting
member.
- Fig. 33 is a perspective view of a beam member of the article
accommodating unit.
- Figs. 34 illustrate details of the beam member: Fig. 34(a)
being a plan view of the beam member, Fig. 34(b) being a sectional
view taken along lines B-B in Fig. 34(a), Fig. 34(c) being a
sectional view taken along lines C-C in Fig. 34(a), Fig. 34(d)
being a sectional view taken along lines D-D in Fig. 34(a),
Fig. 34(e) being a sectional view taken along lines E-E in Fig.
34(a), and Fig. 34(f) being a sectional view taken along lines
F-F in Fig. 34(a).
- Fig. 35 is a bottom view illustrating a half portion of
a lid.
- Fig. 36 is a perspective view illustrating a mounting member
for a post.
- Fig. 37 is an enlarged view illustrating aprincipal portion
of a support member of a desk top panel.
- Fig. 38 is a left side view of an article accommodating
unit mounted to the upper end of a post.
- Fig. 39(a) is a left side view of an article accommodating
unit, and Fig. 39(b) is a view taken along lines XXXIXb-XXXIXb
in Fig. 39(a).
- Fig. 40(a) is a left side view of an accommodation main
body, and Fig. 40(b) is a view taken along lines XLb-XLb in
Fig. 40(a).
- Fig. 41 is a front view illustrating a principal portion
of a collar member.
- Fig. 42(a) is a sectional side view illustrating a pivot
supporting unit, and Fig. 42(b) is a front view illustrating
the pivot supporting unit with the cap removed.
- Fig. 43 is a sectional side view illustrating a mounting
portion of the article accommodating unit.
- Fig. 44 is an enlarged sectional view taken along lines
XLIV-XLIV in Fig. 43.
- Fig. 45 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a
mounting portion of a lighting apparatus.
- Figs. 46 illustrate a screen unit: Fig. 46 (a) is an exploded
perspective view of the parts whereas Fig. 46(b) illustrates
the sequence of assembling.
- Fig. 47(a) is a sectional view illustrating a post to which
a screen unit is mounted via a mounting member, and Fig. 47(b)
is a sectional side view illustrating the manner of inserting
the mounting member in the post.
- Fig. 48(a) is a sectional view illustrating a protective
cover, and Fig. 48(b) is an enlarged sectional view taken along
lines XLVIIIb-XLVIIIb in Fig. 48(a).
- Fig. 49 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment
of auxiliary top plate unit.
- Fig. 50 is a plan view illustrating a principal portion.
- Fig. 51 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a principal
portion.
- Fig. 52(a) is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the
connection at a lower end of a leg of the auxiliary top plate
unit, and Fig. 52(b) is a plan view illustrating the connection.
- Fig. 53 is a perspective view illustrating another
embodiment of auxiliary top plate unit.
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BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
-
The present invention can be carried out in many modified
or alternative ways, though the drawings only show some
particular (or optimum) embodiments. Hereinafter, the
embodiments of the present invention will be described with
reference to these drawings.
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The system desk 1 according to the present invention
comprises a desk top panel 2 which is generally semicircular
in plan view and a service station 3 arranged adjacent to an
outer periphery of the desk top panel. In the first embodiment
shown in Figs. 1-4, the desk top panel 2 is separable from the
service station 3 and is horizontally pivotable relative to
the service station 3 in that state.
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As shown in Fig. 1, as viewed in plan, the outer periphery
2a of the desk top panel 2 is defined by a circumference of
a generally semicircular shape with a radius R1 from a center
O as a hypothetical rotation center. The desk top panel 2 has
an inner periphery centrally formed with a recess 2b of a
generally semicircular shape with a radius R2. The recess 2b
is formed for avoiding contact with the body of a worker (person
H0) when the worker is positioned adjacent to the center O.
In the embodiment, the radius R1 of the outer periphery 2a of
the desk top panel 2 is about 600-800mm, and preferably 750mm.
The radius R2 of the recess 2b is about 350mm.
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The desk top panel 2 according to the first embodiment
is supported by a pair of legs 4, 4. Each of the legs 4 comprises
a leg pole 4a and a horizontal foot 4b of a generally crescent
shape (generally arcuate) . The horizontal feet 4b are arranged
generally along and inwardly of the outer periphery of the desk
top panel 2. Each of the feet 4b has a lower surface provided
with a plurality of casters 5.
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As shown in Figs. 1-4, the service station 3 arranged on
the outer peripheral side of the desk top panel 2 comprises
a generally arcuate article accommodating/supporting unit 16
provided at an intermediate portion of the height of a post
7, an article accommodating unit 15 provided at an upper end
of the post 7 and so on. As will be described later, various
embodiments may be employed for the structure of the service
station 3.
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Below the desk top panel 2 and outwardly of the outer
periphery of the desk top panel is provided a generally arcuate
horizontal foot member 9 on which the post 7 stands upright.
The horizontal foot member 9 is provided with an auxiliary
horizontal foot 10 connected thereto via a connection member
8 extending radially inwardly from the horizontal foot member
9 below the desk top panel 2.
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The desk top panel 2 is separable from the service station
3 and is horizontally pivotable relative to the service station
3 in that state. For guiding the desk top panel so as not to
hit against the post 7 or the like of the service station when
the desk top panel pivots horizontally about the hypothetical
rotation center O, the post 7 is provided, at an intermediate
portion of the height thereof, with an arm 13. The arm is
provided with a plurality of rotation rollers 14 each standing
on the arm for rotation about a vertical axis. The desk top
panel 2 pivots horizontally about the hypothetical rotation
center O with the outer periphery 2a of the desk top panel 2
brought into engagement with or held close to the circumferential
surfaces of the rotation rollers 14 (See Figs. 1-3). This
structure is the guide means in the present invention. It is
to be noted that a plurality of service stations 3, 3', 3' (three
in this embodiment) may be provided along the outer periphery
of the desk to plate 2, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.
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For facilitating the horizontal pivoting of the desk top
panel 2 about the hypothetical rotation center O, the casters
5 provided at the feet 4b of the paired legs 4 maybe so structured
as to roll on a floor surface 19 only along the generally arcuate
path.
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As another embodiment of the guide means, a spherical member
may be provided, instead of the rollers 14, for revolution about
a vertical axis so that the outer periphery 2a of the desk top
panel 2 engages the spherical surface of the spherical member.
Alternatively, a sliding member with a low coefficient of
friction may be provided.
-
The article accommodating/supporting unit 16 of the
service station 3 in the illustrated first embodiment comprises
a beam member 16a in the form of a hollow box and a lid 17 removably
attached to an upper surface of the beam member (See Fig. 4).
The lid 17 may be utilized for placing a monitor 22 such as
a liquid crystal display of a computer or a non-illustrated
telephone. The lid may be provided with a bucket for
accommodating a non-illustrated cellular phone or writing
implements such as a pencil or a memo board or the like for
attaching memo pads each provided with a pressure sensitive
adhesive.
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The horizontal foot member 9 and the auxiliary horizontal
foot 10 of the service station 3 may be made movable by attaching
casters 12 on the lower surfaces thereof. Preferably, the
connection member 8 for the horizontal foot member 9 and the
auxiliary horizontal foot 10 of the service station 3 is held
flat and low so that the horizontal foot 4b of the leg 4 of
the desk top panel 2 can move along the floor surface 19 over
the auxiliary horizontal foot 10 or the connection member 8
(See Figs. 2 and 3).
-
Figs. 5 (a) and 5 (b) illustrate a second embodiment of system
desk 1, in which a desk top panel 2 is supported by a pair of
legs 4 horizontally pivotally relative to the legs and hence
is horizontally pivotable relative to a post 7 as arranged
separable from the post. The paired legs 4 are connected to
each other at upper portions thereof by a support arm 23 which
is generally T-shaped in plan view. The support arm 23 is
provided, at a generally middle portion thereof, with one or
a plurality of rolling members 24a and 24b comprising a rotation
roller or a spherical member and arranged at locations with
radii R3 and R4, respectively, from the hypothetical rotation
center O. The desk top panel 2 has a lower surface provided
with an inner guide rail 25 and an outer guide rail 26 which
are generally in the form of arcs respectively with radii R3
and R4 from the hypothetical rotation center O and which are
downwardly open. The rolling member 24a is fitted in the inner
guide rail 25, whereas the rolling member 24b is fitted in the
outer guide rail 26, thereby supporting the desk top panel 2
so that the desk top panel 2 is horizontally pivotable.
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On the other hand, the post 7 of the service station 3
is provided with an arm 13 projecting therefrom. The arm is
provided with one or a plurality of rolling members 14 such
as a rotation roller or a spherical member held in engagement
with or close to the outer periphery 2a of the desk top panel
2. A horizontal foot member 9 attached to a lower end of the
post 7 of the service station 3 is provided with a pair of auxiliary
horizontal feet 27 each having a crescent shape (generally
arcuate) extending radially inwardly below the desk top panel
2 for enhancing stability.
-
The post 7 has an outer circumferential surface formed
with a plurality of axially extending grooves for receiving
a power cord of a monitor or wiring of a communication line
and the like, so that the cord or wire are prevented from coming
apart. The grooves may be closed with a vertically elongated
lid formed of a synthetic resin, for example, for better
appearance.
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As shown in Figs. 6-12, a system desk 1 according to a
third embodiment of the present invention comprises a desk top
panel 2 which is generally semicircular in plan view and a service
station 3 arranged adjacent to an outer periphery of the desk
top panel. Since the configuration of the desk top panel 2
in plan view is the same as that of the first embodiment, portions
thereof are designated by the same reference signs and detailed
description thereof is omitted.
-
The desk top panel 2 according to the third embodiment
is supported by a pair of legs 4, 4. Each of the legs 4 comprises
a leg pole 4a and a horizontal foot 4b of a crescent shape
(generally arcuate). The horizontal feet 4b are arranged
generally along and inwardly of the outer periphery of the desk
top panel 2. Each of the feet 4b has a lower surface provided
with a plurality of casters 5.
-
The desk top panel 2 has a lower surface formed, adjacent
the outer periphery thereof, with a guide rail 21 made of a
downwardly open channel which is arcuate in plan view. As will
be described later, the guide rail 21 constitutes part of guide
means for horizontally pivoting the desk top panel 2 as connected
to the service station 3.
-
As shown in Figs. 6-12, a second embodiment of the service
station 3 comprises a plurality of posts 701, a generally arcuate
upper lateral frame 702 connecting upper ends of the posts to
each other, a generally arcuate lower lateral frame 703
connecting lower ends of the posts to each other, horizontal
foot members 705 supporting these members, and an article placing
unit 800 arranged on the outer peripheral side of the desk top
panel 2.
-
The paired horizontal foot members 705 are provided at
the lower lateral frame 703 so as to extend below the desk top
panel 2 toward the inner periphery thereof . Among the plurality
of posts 701 (three posts in this embodiment) extending between
the upper and the lower lateral frames 702 and 703, each of
the leftmost post 701 and the rightmost post 701 is provided
with a projecting arm 13 provided with a horizontally rotatable
roller 14 as guide means (See Figs. 6, 7 and 8). By rotatably
fitting the rollers 14 into the guide rail 21, the desk top
panel 2 can be connected to the service station 3 while enabling
relative movement between the desk top panel 2 and the service
station 3 along an arc without separating from each other.
-
In other words, the generally arcuate guide rail 21 formed
at the outer periphery of the desk top panel 2 as guide means
and one or a plurality of rotation rollers 14 provided at the
service station 3 connect the service station 3 to the desk
top panel 2 while keeping a certain distance from the outer
periphery of the desk top panel 2 so as to allow horizontal
relative movement between the two members.
-
As shown in Fig. 11, as another example of guide means,
a guide rail 21 made of a radially outwardly open channel may
be attached along the outer periphery of the desk top panel
2. By fitting the roller 14 provided at the arm 13 projecting
from the leg 9 into the guide rail 21, the desk top panel 2
can be connected to the service station 3 and can be guided
for movement relative to the service station 3 generally along
an arc without separating from the service station. Instead
of the roller 14, a rolling member such as a spherical member
or a sliding member with a low coefficient of friction may be
provided.
-
In the illustrated embodiment, the upper and the lower
lateral frames 702 and 703 comprise beam materials of the same
configuration (See Figs. 7, 12 (a), 12 (b) and 12 (c)). Each beam
material comprises an inner main beam 706 and an outer main
beam 707 which are generally in the form of an arc having a
center angle of 60 degrees (inner radius of about 760mm, outer
radius of about 840mm and mean radius R0 of about 800mm), an
X-shaped auxiliary rib 708 and cylindrical connecting portions
709 arranged at a predetermined pitch for connecting the inner
main beam to the outer main beam. Each of the inner main beam
706 and the outer main beam 707 is in the form of a ladder.
The beam material has longitudinally opposite ends each formed
with a dovetail groove 710, as shown in Fig. 12 (c). Therefore,
a plurality of beam materials may be removably connected to
each other utilizing a non-illustrated connecting member in
the form of a tenon to provide a longer lateral frame curving
horizontally. For connecting the lower lateral frame 703 to
the post 701 or connecting an upper post 711 to the lower post
701 via the upper lateral frame 702 as shown in Fig. 10, a
connection shaft 712 is inserted in the cylindrical connecting
portion 709 to extend axially within the upper post 711 and
the lower post 701, and an end portion is fixed by engaging
a nut 713.
-
Each of the horizontal foot members 705 of the service
station 3 may be made movable by attaching a caster 12 on the
lower surface thereof. The casters 12 and the casters 5 of
the legs 4 of the desk top panel 2 may be so structured as to
be capable of changing its rolling direction as desired. Each
of the casters 5 may be provided with a locking device of a
conventionally known structure for stopping the direction
change or the rotation. By operating the locking device after
the desk top panel 2 is oriented as desired, the legs 4 and
hence the desk top panel 2 are prevented from unintentionally
moving relative to the floor surface 19.
-
As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the article placing unit 800
of the service station 3, which is supported on the upper ends
of paired upper posts 711, 711, comprises an upper and a lower
shelf boards 801, 802. The peripheries of the upper and the
lower shelf boards 801 and 802 are covered with a bellows
(telescopic) door 803 for opening or closing.
-
Figs. 13(a) and 13(b) illustrate a fourth embodiment of
a system desk, in which a desk top panel 2 which is similar
in configuration to those of the foregoing embodiments is
directly supported on a service station 3 so that the generally
arcuate desk top panel 2 having an outer periphery 2a is
horizontally pivotable. Specifically, a post 701 of the
service station 3 is provided with a support arm 714 as a
supporting portion which projects generally horizontally from
the post and which has a tip end provided with a vertical shaft
715 projecting upward therefrom. The desk top panel 2 has a
lower surface formed, at a portion close to the inner periphery
thereof, with a bearing 716 into which the vertical shaft 715
is fitted, so that the desk top panel 2 is supported horizontally
pivotally. Further, one or a plurality of arms 13 each provided
with a sliding piece 717 projecting upward therefrom is provided
so as to project from an intermediate portion of the support
arm 714 or another post 701 or the like. The sliding piece
717 is slidably fitted in a guide rail 21 having an inverted
U-shape in section and provided on the lower surface of the
desk top panel 2 along the generally arcuate outer periphery
thereof. Thus, the desk top panel 2 is supported at a plurality
of locations to be horizontally pivotable with the vertical
shaft 715 serving as the rotation center O. It is to be noted
that the vertical shaft 715 may be mounted at the desk top panel
2 whereas the bearing 716 may be mounted at the support arm
714. The sliding piece 717 and the guide rail 21 comprise a
low-friction member or a low-friction surface. In the
above-described structure, legs for supporting the desk top
panel 2 relative to the floor surface are unnecessary, which
simplifies the structure.
-
Figs. 14(a) and 14(b) illustrate a fifth embodiment, in
which a desk top panel 2 having a configuration similar to the
above and supported horizontally pivotally relative to the legs
4 is connected to a service station 3 horizontally pivotally
relative to a support 701 of the service station which keeps
a predetermined distance from the outer periphery of the desk
top panel 2. Specifically, the paired legs 4 have respective
upper portions connected to each other by a support arm 718.
The support arm 718 has a generally middle portion provided
with one or a plurality of rolling members 719 comprising a
rotation roller or a spherical member. The desk top panel 2
has a lower surface provided with an inner guide rail 720 which
is generally in the form of an arc with a radius R3 from the
rotation center O and which is downwardly open. The rolling
member 719 is fitted in the inner guide rail 720 for supporting
the desk top panel 2 horizontally pivotally. Further, the post
701 of the service station 3 is provided with an arm 721 projecting
therefrom and provided with one or a plurality of rolling members
722, which are fitted in an outer guide rail 723 provided at
the lower surface of the desk top panel 2 adjacent to the outer
periphery. Thus, the desk top panel 2 is horizontally pivotally
supported also at this portion and connected to the service
station 3 so as not to separate therefrom.
-
Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate a six embodiment of a system
desk, in which a service station 3 is supported by a single
post 7, similarly to the first embodiment. Specifically, the
post 7 stands upright from a horizontal foot member 9 which
is generally shaped like an arc (a crescent) coinciding with
the outer periphery of the desk top panel and is provided below
the desk top panel 2 on the outer peripheral side thereof. The
horizontal foot member 9 is flat and has a small height. For
enhancing the stability, the horizontal foot member 9 is provided
with an auxiliary horizontal foot 10 connected thereto via a
connection member 8 extending below the desk top panel 2 radially
inwardly from the horizontal foot member. Each of the
horizontal foot member 9 and the auxiliary horizontal foot 10
has a lower surface provided with casters 5 at opposite ends
thereof.
-
On the other hand, the desk top panel 2 is supported by
a pair of legs 4 each provided with a horizontal foot 4b provided
with casters 5 having a height larger than those of the horizontal
foot member 9, the auxiliary horizontal foot 10 and the connection
member 8. Therefore, each horizontal foot 4b can move over
the auxiliary horizontal foot 10 and the connection member 8
in overlapping relationship as seen in plan view. Further,
the post 7 is provided with an arm 13 projecting from a
longitudinally intermediate portion of the post and provided
with a rolling member 18 such as a rotation roller. The rolling
member is fitted in a guide rail 21 made of a downwardly open
channel which is generally arcuate in plan view and which is
provided at the lower surface of the desk top panel 2 close
to the outer periphery thereof. Thus, the desk top panel 2
is horizontally pivotally connected to the post 7 of the service
station 3 which keeps a predetermined distance from the outer
periphery of the desk top panel 2. The post 7 has an upper
end provided with an article accommodating unit 15 for
accommodating articles. Further, a generally arcuate article
accommodating/supporting unit 16 for placing or suspending a
liquid crystal display apparatus (monitor) 22 for example is
attached to the post 7 at a position longitudinally intermediate
but higher than the top surface of the desk top panel 2. Although
three service stations 3 are arranged along the outer periphery
of the desk top panel 2 in the illustrated embodiment, only
a single service station may be provided.
-
In the above-described embodiments, the service stations
3 are arranged within an area having a center angle of 60 degrees
in plan view, which is based on a human viewing angle in normal
working.
-
Next, the operation and advantages of the system desk 1
according to the present invention will be described with
reference to the examples of arrangement shown in Figs. 17 (a)-(c)
and 18(a)-(c). As understood from Fig. 15, a person H0 may
be regarded to be located at the center as being seated on a
rotatable chair 24 arranged close to the rotation center of
the desk top panel 2 (the recess 2b on the inner periphery of
the desk top panel 2) which is connected to the service station
3 horizontally pivotally. Fig. 17 (a) shows the state in which
the service station 3 is arranged at a middle position of the
outer periphery of the desk top panel 2. In this state, the
person H0 faces the service station 3 located right in front,
so that the person can concentrate on the inputting operation
with the keyboard 23 or the like while facing various kinds
of service articles (monitor 22 of the liquid crystal display
apparatus or the like) provided at the service station 3.
-
Further, the position of the person H0 seated on the chair
24 is set at the recess 2b on the inner peripheral side of the
desk top panel 2 so that the person can reach any portion on
the upper surface of the generally arcuate table 2, which
facilitates the work. Further, since various service articles
such as the monitor 22 can be collectively disposed at the service
station 3 arranged close to the outer periphery of the desk
top panel 2, the upper surface of the desk top panel 2 is not
occupied by such articles, so that the person can concentrate
on the work utilizing a wide space.
-
As shown in Figs. 17(b) or 17(c), the person H0 can
horizontally pivot the desk top panel to the left or to the
right by about 30-40 degrees while also changing the orientation
of the chair 24 in the pivoting direction toward (or to face)
the desk top panel. This greatly changes the field of view
of the person H0. For example, in the state shown in Fig. 17 (b),
the monitor 22 is deviated to the right relative to the front
of the person H0. That is, the service station 3 is not located
in front of the middle of the desk top panel 2 but located at
a position deviated to the right. Therefore, meeting,
discussion or the like with another person H1 in a face-to-face
relationship can be performed utilizing a wide area extending
from the middle position to the left on the desk top panel 2
while avoiding a physical or visual obstacle of the service
station 3. At that time, the inputting operation can also be
performed by moving the keyboard 23 to the right portion of
the desk top panel 2 and orienting the monitor 22 to the left.
-
When the desk top panel 2 is pivoted to the right by 30
degrees and the person H0 also turns to that direction as shown
in Fig. 17 (c), the position of the service station 3 deviates
to the left relative to the middle of the desk top panel 2.
Therefore, discussion or the like with another person H1 in
a face-to-face relationship can be performed utilizing an area
extending from the middle position to the right on the desk
top panel 2. At that time, the inputting operation can also
be performed by moving the keyboard 23 to the left portion of
the desk top panel 2 and orienting the monitor 22 to the right.
In this way, the work space on the desk top panel can be
appropriately selected depending on the characteristics of the
worker such as a right-hander or a left hander.
-
Further, since the outer periphery of the desk top panel
2 is generally arcuate in plan view, the distance reachable
by the hands of the person H0 positioned on the inner peripheral
side of the desk top panel 2 is generally equal throughout the
entire upper surface of the desk top panel 2. Therefore, the
distance between the service station 3.and the person H0 does
not become excessively short or long, which makes it possible
to perform work smoothly.
-
When a plurality of system desks 1 according to the present
invention are arranged as shown in Fig. 18(a), the outer
peripheries of the plural desk top panels 2 (three in this
embodiment) become adjacent to each other with the service
stations 3 interposed therebetween. The distance from the
rotation center O of the desk top panel 2 to the portion of
the service station 3 which provides the mean radius (the lateral
frame 7), i.e. with the mean value between the inner radius
and the outer radius, is equally R0 with respect to every system
desk. Since each person H0 is positioned on the inner peripheral
side of the relevant desk top panel 2 adjacent to the rotation
center O, the person H0 is surrounded by a circle TR with a
diameter 2xR0. In other words, the distance (territory or area)
of 2xR0 is kept between a person sitting on the inner peripheral
side of each desk top panel 2 and another person H0 sitting
on the inner peripheral side of an adjacent desk top table 2.
-
Considering the territory balance (balance of area) of
the persons and an optimum work space, it is preferable that
the diameter 2×R0 is about 1500-1600mm at the minimum.
-
In arranging a plurality of systems desks 1 according
to the present invention, the layout can be optionally (freely)
and flexibly selected while keeping the territory balance by
the circular region TR and keeping the space for horizontal
pivoting of each system desk 2. In the example shown in Fig.
18(a), three system desks 1 are arranged in a triangle in plan
view. Alternatively, four system desks 1 may be arranged in
a parallelogram (rhombus) in plan view as shown in Fig. 18(b)
or arranged in a wave-like pattern as shown in Fig. 18(c).
-
Among these layouts, in the case where the three system
desks 2 are arranged in a triangle in plan view while interposing
the three service stations 3 at the center, the service stations
serve as physical barriers to help concentration on the work.
In the arrangement shown in Fig. 18(b), two persons H0, H0 facing
each other via plurality of service stations 3 are difficult
to talk with each other due to the presence of the physical
barrier of the service stations 3, and hence can concentrate
on the operation. On the other hand, even at two desk top panels
2, 2 aligned adjacent to each other without interposing the
service stations 3 therebetween, each person can concentrate
on the work without feeling eyes of the other person when the
persons are oriented in the same direction relative to the desk
top panels 2. Further, the two persons H0, H0 can easily talk
with each other by pivoting one or both of the desk top panels
2, 2 so that the persons can face each other.
-
In the case shown in Fig. 18(c), an upper lateral frame
702 as a separate member is connected to an upper lateral frame
702 of an adjacent service station 3 to arrange the service
stations 3 in a wave-like pattern. In this case, when the center
angle of the arc of each upper lateral frame 702 is 60 degrees,
the plurality of service stations 3 can be connected easily
and smoothly utilizing the upper lateral frames 702 having the
same configuration. Further, as shown in Fig. 19, a plurality
of service stations 3 may be aligned, and a plurality of desk
top panels 2 may be arranged in a wave-like pattern so as to
interpose the service stations therebetween. In this case,
when the center angle of the arc of each beam-like article
accommodating/supporting unit 16 is 60 degrees, the plurality
of service stations 3 having the same configuration can be
connected easily and smoothly. Also in these layouts,
condition suitable for conversation can be easily provided by
pivoting adjacent desk top panels 2, 2 through about 20-60 degrees
to change the orientation (See two-dot chain lines) so that
two persons H0, H0 face each other beyond the upper lateral
frame 702 (article accommodating/supporting unit 16). Further,
the orientation of each desk top panel 2 can be easily changed
to that suitable for concentrating on work.
-
Next, various embodiments of the service station 3 will
be described. Figs. 20 and 21 illustrate an example in which
various optional parts are mounted to the service station 3
shown in Figs. 6 and 7 . Fig. 20 illustrates the service station
3 as viewed from the front, whereas Fig. 21 illustrates that
as viewed from the rear. In the service station 3, a monitor
22 such as a liquid crystal display of a computer as a service
providing article may be attached to an arm 730 standing from
the upper lateral frame 702, and a telephone 733 or a printer
734 may be disposed on a table 732 projecting horizontally via
a mounting hole 731 (See Fig. 6) formed at an appropriate height
position of the post 701. Further, the upper lateral frame
702 may be provided with a bucket 735 for containing a cellular
phone or writing implements such as a pencil or a memo board
737 for attaching memo pads 736 with a pressure sensitive adhesive
or the like. These parts may be mounted by utilizing a space
between auxiliary ribs 708 of the upper lateral frame 702, a
space between the ladder portions of the main beams 706, 707,
or a mounting hole formed in the lower post 701 and the upper
post 711. In this way, various service articles for performing
information processing or the like is disposed at a portion
which is higher than the upper surface of the desk top panel
2 and which is easily reached by the operator's hand. Of course,
a keyboard 23 for a computer or documents can be placed on the
desk top panel 2 for performing various works.
-
Preferably, power cords 738 of the monitor 22 such as a
liquid crystal display device, the telephone 733 and the printer
734, and an excess portion of a communication line 739 for example
can be accommodated in a cord duct 740. Further, such cords
and the like may be preferably fixed to the upper and the lower
posts 701 and 711 by wire banding parts 741 when such cords
are arranged along the outer circumferential surface of the
posts. The power cord 738 and the communication line 739 may
be connected from the service station 3 to a connector 742 on
the floor surface 19 directly or via an intermediate connector
743 attached to the post 701, for example.
-
Figs. 22-24 illustrate a variation of the fifth embodiment
of the system desk, in which a generally semicircular desk top
panel 2 is supported by a pair of legs 4, and one or a plurality
of service stations 3 are arranged adjacent to the outer periphery
of the desk top panel 2. As shown in Fig. 24, as viewed in
plan, the outer periphery 2a of the desk top panel 2 is defined
by a circumference of a generally semicircular shape with a
radius R1 from a center O as a rotation center. The desk top
panel 2 has an inner periphery centrally formed with a recess
2b which has a generally semicircular shape with a radius R2.
The recess 2b is so formed as not to contact with the body of
a worker (person H0) when the worker is positioned adjacent
to the center O. In the embodiment, the radius R1 of the outer
periphery 2a of the desk top panel 2 is about 600-800mm, and
preferably 750mm. The radius R2 of the recess 2b is about 350mm.
-
The desk top panel 2 is supported by the pair of
height- adjustable legs 4, 4 as shown in Figs. 25-27. Each leg
4 comprises an upper post 4c attached to a lower surface of
the desk top panel 2, a lower leg pole 4a' capable of vertically
moving relative to the upper post, and a horizontal foot 4b
of a generally crescent shape (generally arcuate). The upper
post 4c is, in advance, inserted slidably in a guide hole formed
in an upper end collar 83b of an upper guide member 83 made
of a synthetic resin.
-
The upper post 4c which is in the form of a generally
rectangular pipe and extending downward from a bracket 84 fixed
to the lower surface of the desk top panel 2 is inserted into
the lower leg pole 4a' which is elliptical in section of each
leg 4 for allowing vertical adjustment. A lower guide member
82 formed of a synthetic resin and fixed to a lower end of the
upper post 4c is slidably fitted in the lower leg pole 4a'.
-
The upper guide member 83 includes a downwardly extending
outer mounting piece 83a fastened to a plate piece 85 fixed
to the outer surface of an upper end portion of the lower leg
pole 4a' with a bolt 86. Further, a plate-like spacer 87 is
interposed between the outer surface of the upper post 4c and
the inner surface of the lower leg pole 4a'. The spacer includes
a horizontal portion 87a at the upper end thereof, which is
held between the lower surface of the upper end collar 83b of
the upper guide member 83 and the upper end surface of the lower
leg pole 4a' so as not to drop . The spacer 87 is pressed against
the upper post 4c by the bolt 86. An engagement pin 89 is
horizontally inserted into one of adjustment holes 88 formed
in the upper post 3c at a predetermined pitch (See Figs. 26
and 27). Front and rear end portions of the engagement pin
89 projecting from the upper post 4c are set onto disposing
portions 90 as a recess formed in the upper end collar 83b of
the upper guide member 83. One of the disposing portions 90
is provided with a projection 90a with which a head portion
89a of the engagement pin 89 engages. Thus, the engagement
pin 89 capable of being inserted or removed is prevented from
dropping.
-
The horizontal feet 4b are arranged along and inwardly
of the outer periphery of the desk top panel 2, as viewed in
plan. Each of the horizontal feet 4b has a lower surface to
which a plurality of casters 5 are attached so as to be capable
of fixing the direction and hence is pivotable about the center
O as viewed in plan.
-
The desk top panel 2 has a lower surface to which a guide
rail 21 made of a downwardly open arcuate channel is fixed by
embedding or the like adjacent to the outer periphery of the
desk top panel. When connected via a support member 45 of the
service station 3 which will be described later, the guide rail
21 constitutes part of guide means for horizontally pivoting
the desk top panel 2. As shown in Figs. 24 and 28, handle portions
29, 29 each of which is generally circular in plan view (having
a diameter of about 110mm) and includes a recess 29a having
a radius of curvature of about 110mm are embedded in the lower
surface of the desk top panel 2 adjacent to opposite sides of
the recess 2b. Therefore, the worker (person H0) seated on
the chair 24 located adjacent to the center O can easily pivot
the desk top panel 2 while holding the paired handle portions
29 with hands. The handle portion 29 may slightly project
downward from the lower surface of the desk top panel 2.
-
The service station 3 in this embodiment can stand
independently by a post 7 formed of a metal such as extruded
aluminum or a synthetic resin and a horizontal foot member 9
engaging the floor surface. The post 7 has a lower end fixedly
connected to a generally middle portion of the length of the
arcuate horizontal foot member 9 with a bolt, for example. A
connection member 8 is connected to the horizontal foot member
9 so as to extend radially inwardly below the desk top panel
2 and generally in parallel with the floor surface. The
connection member 8 has a tip end to which an auxiliary horizontal
foot 10 is attached for enhancing the stability of independent
standing (See Figs. 22-24). The auxiliary horizontal foot 10
has an upper surface located in front of the recess 2b of the
desk top panel 2 for also serving as a footrest for the person
H0 sitting on the chair 24. The connection member 8 differs
in height from the horizontal foot 4b of each leg 4 of the desk
1 so that the horizontal foot can move over the connection member
in pivoting the desk 1 for avoiding interference. There is
also provided a wagon unit 20 which includes an article
accommodating box 20a and which is movable also under the desk
top panel 2 (See Figs. 22 and 24).
-
As shown in Figs. 22, 23 and 29-31, in the service station
3 in this embodiment, service means can be mounted to a first
through a third operational grooves 75, 77, 79 of the post 7
via a mounting member or mounting means such as a bracket 30.
The service means includes an article accommodating/supporting
unit 16 comprising a hollow beam member 16a generally arcuate
in plan view and a lid 17 for covering the upper opening of
the beam member, a plate-like support member 23a held in front
of the unit for placing an article such as a liquid crystal
display apparatus (monitor 22), a flat shelf board 23b generally
arcuate in plan view, an upper cabinet as an example of article
accommodating unit 15 for accommodating articles such as
documents, lighting apparatus 25, a holding base 26 for placing
OA equipment such as a main unit of a computer, a socket box
27, and a modular jack box and the like. Further, a power cord
201 or a communication line 202 can be arranged along the
operational groove.
-
Fig. 32 is a sectional view of the post 7. As shown in
the figure, the post includes a core member 71 located at the
center in the section and formed with a hollow portion 72
generally in the form of an hourglass. The hollow portion 72
has four corners each formed with a generally circular insertion
groove 72a.
-
As shown in Fig. 32, the core member 71 is radially outwardly
provided with a pair of first side walls 73a, 73a facing each
other in the X-axis direction while interposing the center of
the core member 71, and a pair of second side walls 73b, 73b
facing each other in the Y-axis direction while interposing
the center of the core member. The side walls are integrally
connected to each other via connection pieces 74a, connection
pieces 74b and connection pieces 74c. In the embodiment, the
configuration surrounded by the paired first side walls 73a,
73a spaced in the X-axis direction and the paired second side
walls 73b, 73b spaced in the Y-axis direction is generally
elliptical. The first side walls 73a, 73a are positioned on
a major axis side, whereas the second side walls 73b, 73b are
positioned on a minor axis side.
-
Each of the paired side walls 73a, 73a is formed with a
first narrower open groove 76a having a width W1 and extending
longitudinally and in parallel with the center axis of the post
7. The first operational groove 75, which is formed at each
first side wall 73a, is made up of the first open groove 76a
and a first insertion groove 76b which communicates with the
first open groove, which is closer to the core member 71 and
which is wider than the first open groove. Therefore, the first
open grooves 76a, 76a of the pair of first operational grooves
75 open in opposite directions along the X axis. Each of the
first insertion groove 76b has a bottom portion formed with
a pair of rail portions spaced by a distance slightly smaller
than the width of the first open groove 76a and extending
longitudinally and in parallel with the center axis of the post
7.
-
Each second operational groove 77 is made up of a second
narrower open groove 78a having a width W2 and provided at the
second side wall 73b to extend longitudinally of the post 7,
and a second insertion groove 78b which communicates with the
second open groove, which is closer to the core member 71 and
which is wider than the first open groove. Therefore, the second
open grooves 78a, 78a of the pair of second operational grooves
77 open in opposite directions along the Y axis.
-
The third operational groove 79 is provided between the
first side wall 73a and the second side wall 73b. Therefore,
four third operational grooves 79 are formed at locations each
sandwiched between a first operational groove 75 and a second
operational groove 77.
-
Next, with reference to Figs. 32-36, the structure of the
article accommodating/supporting unit 16 and the structure of
the mounting means therefor will be described in detail. As
shown in Figs. 32, 22 and 34(a), for removably mounting the
beam member 16a in the form of an upwardly open box to the post
7, the bracket 30 as mounting means which is U-shaped in section
is fixed, with a screw (not shown), to a rear surface of the
beam member 16a at the middle position between opposite sides.
The bracket 30 is provided, at opposite sides thereof, with
a pair of engagement pawls 31, 31 extending rearward and downward.
Further, in a left and right pair of third operational grooves
79, 79 of the post 7, vertically elongate engagement plates
32, 32 (See Fig. 36) are inserted from the upper end of the
post 7. Each of the engagement plates 32, 32 is formed with
engagement holes 33 spaced vertically at a predetermined pitch.
The downward engagement pawls 31, 31 provided at opposite sides
of an end of the bracket 30 are inserted into the engagement
holes 33 for engagement.
-
To strongly fasten the bracket 30 for preventing horizontal
positional deviation of the bracket relative to the post 7,
the space between the bracket 30 and an engagement block 35,
which can be pivoted by a handle 34 arranged on the obverse
side of the bracket 30, is narrowed to fix the mounted posture
of the bracket 30 (See Fig. 32). It is to be noted that the
shelf board 23b shown in Fig. 22 is mounted to the post 7 in
a similar manner. Specifically, a bracket 30' provided with
engagement pawls 30a' as shown in Fig. 36 is brought into
engagement with engagement plates 32 inserted in the post 7,
and the mounted posture of the bracket 30' is fixed via an
engagement block which can be pivoted by a handle arranged on
the obverse side of the bracket 30'. The shelf board 23b is
fixed via supporting pieces 30b' provided to project from the
bracket 30'.
-
Next, with reference to Figs. 33, 34(a)-34(f) and 36, the
structure of the beam member 16a and the lid 17 of the article
accommodating/supporting unit 16 will be described in detail.
The beam member 16a comprises an upwardly open box which is
elongate horizontally and shaped like a crescent (generally
arcuate) in plan view. The beam member has a bottom plate 16b
provided with a plurality of upwardly standing cylindrical
holders 36 which are arranged longitudinally of the beam member
at a predetermined pitch and each of which is formed with a
vertically extending through-hole. In the cylindrical holders
36, a base end of an arm 43 of a mounting member (post) for
a memo board 28 and the like is inserted (See Fig. 22) so as
to stand therefrom. The bottom plate is further formed with
a pair of cylindrical portions 37, 37 which open downward and
each of which is fastened to an upper end of a vertical support
shaft 110 in the form of a rounded bar of a support member 45
via a bolt 111 projecting downward from a top plate into the
cylindrical portion (See Fig. 37). Each support member 45
comprises the vertical support shaft 110, an outer cylinder
112 arranged around the shaft vertically movably relative to
the shaft, and a bias spring 114. The outer cylinder 112 has
an upper end to which a guide cylinder 113 is attached for
vertically slidably guiding the vertical support shaft 70. The
bias spring 114, which is a coiled spring, has a lower end
supported by a washer 115 fixed to a lower end of the vertical
support shaft 110 and has an upper end biased and pressed against
a lower surface of the guide cylinder 113. A guide pin 117,
which is inserted slidably relative to a vertically extending
guide groove 116 formed at one side of the outer cylinder 112,
is threadingly attached to a side surface of the vertical support
shaft 110 at a lower portion thereof. The outer cylinder 112
has a lower end sealed by a plug 120. The outer cylinder 112
has an outer surface to which a horizontal support member 118
is fixed, which is provided with a first rotation roller 46a
for rotation about a vertical axis and a second rotation roller
46b for rotation about a horizontal axis. The first rotation
roller 46a is fitted in a guide rail 21 generally arcuate in
plan view and provided adjacent to the outer periphery of the
lower surface of the desk top panel 2, whereas the second rotation
roller 46b is rotatably brought into engagement with the lower
surface of the desk top panel 2 (See Fig. 37). As described
before, such an arrangement enables the desk 1 to rotate in
an arc relative to the service station 3. Further, as described
before, since the first rotation roller 46a and the second
rotation roller 46b engaging the lower surface of the desk top
panel 2 are supported by the vertically movable outer cylinder
112 which is constantly urged upward under the biasing force
of the bias spring 114, they can follow the height of the desk
top panel 2 when the height is varied as desired by adjusting
the height of the legs 4, 4.
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As shown in Figs. 34(a)-34(c), the bottom plate 16b of
the beam member 16a includes a pair of flat support portions
38 each having an upper surface communicating with a
corresponding one of a pair of flat thorough-holes 39 formed
at a front surface of the beam member 16a. A pair of support
brackets 40 each having a stepped portion are inserted, at
respective base ends thereof, into the thorough-holes 39 and
screwed to the support portion 38. The paired support brackets
40 have respective tip ends between which a support member 23a
for placing an article such as a liquid crystal display apparatus
(monitor 22) is mounted.
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The bottom plate 16b of the beam member 16a is further
provided with a plurality of mounting portions 41 which are
open upwardly for fixedly mounting electric (electronic)
apparatus such as a connector or a modular jack box (See Figs.
34(a) and 34(f)). Further, through-holes 42 for wiring are
formed at a plurality of locations on a side surface and the
bottom plate 16b of the beam member 16a. Thus, the power cord
201 and the communication cord 202 arranged to extend from the
post 7 can be introduced into the beam member 16a via the
through-holes 42 and excess portions of the cords can be
accommodated in the beam member 16a (wire accommodating space).
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As shown in Figs. 29, 30 and 35, the lid 17 removably covering
the upper surface of the beam member 16a is formed, at the outer
periphery thereof, with a fitting groove 17a for fitting the
upper edge of the outer periphery of the beam member 16a for
preventing positional deviation. The lid 17 is further formed
with a plurality of cutouts 44 for passing the arms 43 for mounting
to the cylindrical holders 36 from above and for guiding the
power cord 201 and the communication cord 202 to the outside.
It is to be noted that the upper edge at the outer periphery
of the beam member 16a may also be formed with cutouts 47 (See
Figs. 29, 33 and 34(a)). In this way, excess portions of the
power cord 201 and the communication cord 202 of electric
apparatus such as a monitor of a liquid crystal display apparatus,
a telephone, a printer and the like can be accommodated in the
internal space of the beam member 16a.
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In the cylindrical holder 36, a base end of the arm 43
for supporting a memo board 28 or a base plate 23c for placing
an article for example may be fitted from above for allowing
pivoting of the arm 43 (See Figs. 22 and 33). Further, as shown
in Fig. 33, a support base 121 for placing a small computer
main body 120 is supported by an arm 122, and a pin 123 projecting
from the lower end of the arm 122 is fitted in the cylindrical
holder 36 for making the support base 121 horizontally pivotable.
In this case, the support base 121 may have opposite sides
provided with protective frames 124, 124 standing thereon which
serve to prevent the computer main body 120 from dropping from
the support base 121 and also serve as handles. Further, the
protective frames 124, 124 or the upper surfaces of the support
base 121 and the computer main body 120 may be bound with a
tightening member such as a belt for reliably preventing the
computer main body 120 from dropping or moving.
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As shown in Figs. 22, 23, 29, 30, 31, 38-43, the upper
cabinet as an example of article accommodating unit 15 removably
arranged at an upper portion of the post 7 comprises an
accommodation main body 91 which is generally triangular in
side view, is generally rectangular and elongated horizontally
in front view and has an opening 93 at the front, and a cover
member 92 pivotally mounted to cover the opening 93. The cover
member 92 has opposite side portions pivotally mounted to side
portions of the accommodation main body 91 via a pair of pivot
shaft unit 126, 126. The cover member 92 is domed (in the form
of a convexly curved shell) so as to project forward when it
covers the opening 93.
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The accommodation main body 91 comprises a horizontal
bottom plate 91a, side plates 91b, 91b which stand from opposite
sides of the bottom plate and which are generally triangular
in side view, and a vertical rear plate 91c connecting the side
plates 91b, 91b and the rear edge of the bottom plate 91a. The
opening 93 has a generally rectangular configuration in front
view defined by a front edge of the bottom plate 91a, front
edges (inclined front edges) of the opposite side plates 91b,
91b and an upper edge of the rear plate 91c. In a state as
mounted to the post 7 via mounting means such as a mounting
bracket 139 which will be described later, the rear plate 91c
extends vertically in parallel with the vertical axis of the
post 7 while the bottom plate 91a extends horizontally.
Therefore, in the mounted state, the opening 93 is oriented
forward as inclined relative to the vertical axis of the post
7.
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Further, a projecting portion in the form of a flat plate
is provided on the front of the accommodation main body 91 so
as to surround the opening 93. As an example of the projecting
portion, a plate-like collar member 125 is provided which is
connected to the front edge of the bottom plate 91a, the front
edges (inclined front edges) of the opposite side plates 91b,
91b and the upper edge of the rear plate 91c so as to surround
the opening 93 and which extends generally in parallel with
a plane including the opening 93. The collar member 125 has
an outer periphery convexly curved so as not to interfere with
an opening of the domed cover member 92 when the cover member
pivots about the paired pivot shaft units 126. Therefore, when
the opening 93 of the accommodation main body 91 is completely
closed with the cover member 92, the contour of the opening
of the cover member 92 generally coincides with that of the
outer periphery of the collar member 125 so as not to define
a large gap.
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The collar member 125 has opposite sides formed with
rectangular mounting holes 127 in each of which an article case
128 which is generally triangular in side view, which is open
at the front, and which is formed of a synthetic resin or the
like is removably mounted (See Figs. 39(a) and 39(b)). The
collar member 125 has a reverse surface which is formed with
an engagement portion 130 at a portion closer to the bottom
plate 91a. Thus, when the cover member 92 is closed, it can
be locked by the engagement of the engagement portion 130 with
a hook piece 129a of a pivoting-type lock 129 provided at the
cover member 92 (See Figs. 39(b) and 41).
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As shown in Figs. 42 (a) and 42 (b), the opposite side plates
91b, 91b of the accommodation main body 91 are provided with
mounting members 131, 131 projecting outward therefrom. Each
of the pivot shaft units 126 includes a pivot shaft member 133
having a base end connected to the mounting member 131 so as
not to pivot. The pivot shaft member 133 has a tip end portion
(which can pivot relative to the base end) through which a
circular base plate 132 is pivotally connected. To the base
plate 132, a relevant side surface of the cover member 92 is
fixed via a generally semicircular reinforcing member 134 with
screws 135 for tightening the three members together. The base
plate 132 has an obverse surface covered with a removable cap
136.
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The article accommodating unit 15 is removably attached
to the post 7 via a mounting member 137. In the embodiment,
as shown in Figs. 22 and 23, the mounting member 137 is L-shaped
for supporting the accommodation main body 91 at the bottom
plate 91a and the rear plate 91c. Specifically, the mounting
member 137 includes a horizontal portion 137a fixed to the bottom
plate 91a with a screw 138 and a vertical portion 137b brought
into engagement with a pair of upward engagement pawls 140 formed
at the mounting bracket 139. The mounting bracket 139 has
opposite sides each provided with downward engagement pawls
141a, 141b arranged vertically at a predetermined pitch. The
downward engagement pawls are inserted into the engagement holes
33 (See Fig. 36) of vertically elongate engagement plates 32
inserted in the paired third operational grooves 79, 79 of the
post 7 from the upper end of the post 7. The space between
the bracket 30 and an engagement block 35, which can be pivoted
by a handle 34 arranged on the obverse side of the mounting
bracket 139, is narrowed to fix the mounted posture of the bracket
139.
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As shown in Figs. 23, 30, 38 and 39(a), the domed cover
member 92 can be pivoted upwardly from the state for completely
covering the opening 93 provided at the front surface of the
accommodation main body 91 to the state for largely exposing
the opening 93. When pivoted upward, the cover member 92 covers
an upper portion of the accommodation main body 91 and the reverse
surface side of the rear plate 91c (See two-dot lines in Fig.
39(a)). In this state, the lighting apparatus 25 attached
upwardly at the upper end of the post 7 on the rear side of
the rear plate 91c of the accommodation main body 91 is positioned
inwardly of the cover member 92 pivoted upward (opened).
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The pivot center of the pivot shaft member 133 is slightly
offset rearward from the intermediate portion between the front
edge and the rear edge of the cover member 92. Therefore, when
the cover member 92 is pivoted rearward or upward largely (through
about 90 degrees), the lighting apparatus 25 is housed in the
cover member 92 and the front edge of the cover member 92 is
located upward of the opening 93 to largely expose the opening
of the accommodation main body 91, which facilitates putting
in and taking out of articles. When the cover member 92 is
formed of a translucent or opaque synthetic resin or the like,
the cover member 92 can serve as a shade of the lighting apparatus
95. Specifically, when the cover member 92 is opened largely
as described above, light from the lighting apparatus 25 is
reflected by an inner surface of the cover member 92 to travel
from the rear side to the upper side of the accommodation main
body 91, which provides indirect illumination effect to brighten
the entire cover member 92. Further, as shown in Fig. 38, when
the lighting apparatus 25 comprises a light source 25a such
as a light bulb and a shade 25b which is open on the upper end
side of the light source, light from the light source 25a strongly
impinges on the top portion of the inner surface of the cover
member 92 and diffused to the entire domed inner surface of
the cover member 92, which further provides indirect
illumination effect. In the case where the cover member 92
is formed of a transparent material, light from the lighting
apparatus 25 is guided upward or sideways to the outside through
the cover member 92 pivoted rearward or upward, so that the
cover member 92 shines with a color in accordance with the color
of the transparent material, which enhances the design.
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As shown in Fig. 45, a mounting base 50 for the lighting
apparatus 25 is attached to the upper end of the post 7.
Specifically, the mounting base 50 is provided with a plurality
of (four in this embodiment) downwardly projecting engagement
pins 51, which are fitted in the insertion grooves 72a formed
at the four corners of the hollow portion 72 of the core member
71 shown in Figs. 34 and 44. It is to be noted that a power
cord 201 may be introduced to the hollow portion 72 or the first
operational groove 75 or the second operational groove 77 for
connection to the lighting apparatus 25.
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Figs. 46(a), 46(b), 47(a) and 47(b) illustrate an
embodiment of screen unit 94 for use as a screen between adjacent
desk top panels 2, 2, as shown in Figs. 49 and 53. The screen
unit 94 comprises an elongated rectangular screen 95 made of
cloth, tension plates 96a, 96b made of a synthetic resin for
linearly holding upper and lower edges of the screen 95, upper
and lower weight bars 97a, 97b for fitting the tension plates
96a, 96b, a mounting member 98 connected to one end of the upper
weight bar 97a and caps 99 removably attached to opposite ends
of the upper and the lower weight bars 97a, 97b. Each of the
upper and the lower weight bars 97a, 97b, which is cylindrical,
includes a connection beam 100 for diametrically connecting
cylinder halves to define grooves 101, 101 extending along the
cylinder axis at an upper and a lower portions of the cylinder.
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The mounting member 98 connected to one end of the upper
weight bar 97a includes a vertical piece 98a. The vertical
piece is provided with vertical guide grooves 102, 102 for
engagement with the first open groove 76a of the post 7, and
a pair of sliding piece 103 , 103 for fitting in the first insertion
groove 76b for sliding engagement with a pair of projections
104, 104 of the connection piece 74b for connection with the
core member 71, the first insertion groove 76b communicating
with the first open groove 76a, being wider and closer to the
center of the post 7. The vertical piece 98 is further provided
with a tab portion 105 formed at an upper end thereof.
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As shown in Fig. 46(a), the tension plates 96a, 96b are
inserted from sides into the upper and the lower weight bars
97a, 97b, respectively, so that the screen 95 extend between
the grooves 101, 101 of the upper and the lower weight bars
97a, 97b, and the caps 99 are fitted to opposite ends of each
of the upper and the lower weight bars 97a, 97b.
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The paired vertical guide grooves 102, 102 of the mounting
member 98 are fitted to the first open groove 76a by sliding
down from the upper end of the post 7 to a predetermined height
position. At this time, when the included angle between a
straight line extending toward the free end of the upper weight
bar 97a and the longitudinal line (vertical line) of the post
7 is 90 degrees plus 1-2 degrees, the vertical guide grooves
102, 102 become parallel with the first open groove 76a while
the paired sliding pieces 103, 103 become parallel with the
projections 104, 104. In such a case, the mounting member 98
can be smoothly slid vertically. When the mounting member 98
is released from the hand, due to the eccentric load of the
upper and the lower weight bars 103, 103 and the screen 95 and
so on, lower ends of the paired sliding pieces 103, 103 come
into engagement with the paired projections 104, 104, thereby
being held at a predetermined height position so as not to drop
while the upper weight bar 97a is held horizontally.
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A protective cover 54 formed of a soft synthetic resin
as shown in Figs. 48(a) and 48(b) covers almost entire length
or part of the connection member 8 extending radially inwardly
from the horizontal foot member 9 below the desk top panel 2
for connection to the auxiliary horizontal foot 10. The
protective cover 54 has opposite sides formed with fin portions
56 which are normally held close to but out of contact with
the floor surface 19. The protective cover 54 includes an upper
plate portion 54a formed with a fitting portion 107 as a recess
for fitting a mounting piece 106 formed of resin for example.
When the mounting piece 106 is fitted to the fitting portion
107, frond and rear ends of the mounting piece 106 engage with
front and rear end surfaces of the protective cover 54 for
preventing positional deviation. The upper plate portion 54a
is fixed to the connection member 8 with a screw 108 so that
the head portion of the screw 108 is received in a retreated
bearing surface of the mounting piece 106 so as not to project
upward.
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In moving the desk top panel 2 horizontally relative to
the service station 3, the horizontal foot 4b can move over
and across the connection member 8. In the above-described
structure, the protective cover 54 is fixed to a position where
parts of the both members may be damaged when the caster 5 at
the lower end of the horizontal foot 4b hits against a side
of the connection member 8. When the caster 5 gets on top of
the fin portion 56 at a side of the protective cover 54, the
fin portion 56 is deformed to bend downward so that a friction
portion 56a provided at a lower surface of the fin portion 56
is pressed against the floor surface 19. Therefore, it is
possible to prevent the connection member 8 and the horizontal
foot member 9 from moving unintentionally and prevent the parts
from being damaged.
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Figs. 49-53 illustrate a layout for arranging a plurality
of desk top panels 2 and service stations 3 adjacent to each
other, and an auxiliary top plate unit 57 disposed at a gap
among the desk top panels 2. The auxiliary top plate unit 57
includes an auxiliary top plate 58 and a plurality (three) legs
59 each supporting the auxiliary top plate via a brackets 60.
Each of the legs 59 has a lower end to which a foot plate 62
is fixed with a screw 63. The foot plate 62 is provided with
an adjuster bolt 61 mounted thereto and a tip end portion provided
with a pair of upward engagement pins 64, 64. Another pair
of engagement pins 65, 65 are provided at a support plate 9a
provided at a tip end portion of the horizontal foot member
9 so as to project upward. Two connection members 66, 66 formed
of e.g. rubber are respectively formed with two engagement holes
67, 67 opening downward. The distance between two adjacent
engagement holes 67 of different connection members 66 is equal
to a distance L1 between the engagement pins 64 and 64 (65 and
65). The engagement pins 64, 65 are fitted in the engagement
holes 67, 67 of the two connection members 66, thereby connecting
the foot plate and the horizontal foot member. When the
auxiliary top plate unit 57 is not used, one of the connection
members 66 may be fitted to the paired engagement pins 64, 64
while the other connection member 66 may be fitted to the paired
engagement pins 65, 65 of the support plate 9a of the horizontal
foot member 9. In this state, each connection member 66 serves
as a bumper for absorbing shock at an end portion.
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In the embodiment shown in Fig. 53, the auxiliary top plate
68 is supported by a plurality of legs 69 (only one shown in
Fig. 53) directly contacting the floor surface.
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The accommodation main body 91 of the article accommodating
unit 15 is not limited to a triangular configuration in side
view but may be barrel-like in front view or spherical or of
any other configuration as desired.
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Since the accommodation main body 91 has the opening 93
at the front and the cover member 92 for covering the opening
93 covers the upward portion and the rear side of the
accommodation main body 91 to expose the opening 93 when the
cover member 92 is pivoted upward, the cover member 92 does
not exist in front of the accommodation main body 91 when the
opening 93 is exposed. Therefore, the cover member 92 does
not hinder putting in and taking out of articles. Moreover,
since the cover member 92 can be viewed from the state in which
it covers the front surface (opening) of the accommodation main
body 91 to the state in which it is pivoted upward for exposing
the opening, the cover member 92 can be emphasized in the design.
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Further, a projecting portion such as a collar member 125
is provided to cover the periphery of the opening 93 surrounded
by the generally horizontal bottom plate 91a, opposite side
plates 91b and the vertical rear plate 91c, and the cover member
92 is provided to cover the outer periphery of the projecting
portion and is pivotally connected to the opposite sides of
the accommodation main body 91. With such a structure, the
cover member 92 can cover the opening 93 of the accommodation
main body so that the projecting portion cannot be seen from
the front or sides. Further, the presence of the projecting
portion can eliminate or narrow the gap between the cover member
and the opening, which prevents dust from entering or articles
in the accommodation main body from being stolen.
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When the cover member 92 is formed of transparent or
translucent material, articles in the accommodation main body
91 can be seen. Further, when the cover member 92 is domed
in section so as to project forward in covering the opening
93 of the accommodation main body 91, articles such as documents
which are generally rectangular in side view can be accommodated
in the accommodation main body 91 so as to be enclosed in the
curved surface of the domed cover member 92, and the design
can also be emphasized.
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When the accommodation main body 91 is mounted to the front
side of the upper end of the post 7 while the lighting apparatus
25 is provided on the reverse side of the accommodation main
body 91 at the upper end of the post 7, the lighting apparatus
25 can be housed in the domed cover member 92 when the cover
member 92 is widely opened. Thus, the cover member can serve
as a shade of the lighting apparatus 25. With this structure
as combined with the making of the cover member 92 from a
transparent or translucent material, light from the light source
on the reverse side of the accommodation main body can be guided
to the front, which provides indirect illumination effect.
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When the projecting portion comprises a collar member 125
which is generally parallel with a plane including the opening,
the collar member 125 does not become an obstacle in the side
view configuration of the accommodation main body. When an
article case 128 which opens generally in the same direction
as the opening is provided at the collar member, the article
case can be used without increasing the volume of the
accommodation main body 91. Further, the article case 128 can
also be covered by the cover member 92.