Table

A table includes three legs and a disk-shaped top plate having at least one folding line. The three legs are provided to stand on a circumference of a circle having the same center as that of the circle formed by the outer periphery of the top plate on a back surface in a region including the center of the top plate, the region being among regions of the top plate divided by the folding line. The three legs are arranged so that a triangle formed by connection points en the top plate with the three legs is a non-equilateral triangle.

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Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2009-247980 and 2010-049343 filed Oct. 28, 2009 and Mar. 5, 2010, respectively, in the Japan Patent Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a table.

Tables with a foldable top plate have been conventionally known. As tables for three, round tables with three legs connected to a disk-shaped top plate have been known.

In order to stabilize a three-legged round table, the three legs are connected to a back surface of the top plate so that a triangle formed by connection points with the three legs on the back surface of the top plate is an equilateral triangle having a centroid that matches a center of the top plate.

SUMMARY

In the conventional method for stabilizing a table by arranging three legs so that a triangle Tr (see FIG. 19) formed by connection points P1, P2 and P3 with the three legs on the back surface of the top plate is an equilateral triangle having the centroid that matches the center O of the top plate, a problem arises in producing a foldable top plate as described below.

Specifically, configuring a foldable part of the top plate to have a large area in order to achieve a compact table when folded results in reduction of the area of the rest of the top plate to which the legs are connected, as shown in the lower drawing in FIG. 19, which in turn reduces distances between the three legs. The problem, therefore, is that even if the three legs are arranged so that the triangle Tr is an equilateral triangle having the centroid that matches the center O of the top plate, it would be difficult to stabilize the table.

In one aspect of the present invention, when a table including a disk-shaped top plate and three legs is configured to have a large foldable part of the top plate, the table can be desirably stabilized.

A table according to one aspect of the present invention includes three legs that are provided to stand on a back surface of a disk-shaped top plate and support the top plate from below. The table has a feature in arrangement of the three legs. The top plate is configured to be partially foldable. The table has at least one folding line that is a linear fold.

The top plate has the folding line in a position away from a center of a circle formed by an outer periphery of the top plate. The three legs are provided to stand on a back surface in a region including the center of the circle formed by the outer periphery of the top plate, the region being among regions of the top plate divided by the folding line as a boundary.

Particularly, in the table of the present invention, the three legs are provided to stand on a circumference of a concentric circle having the same center as that of the circle formed by the outer periphery of the top plate, and arranged so that a triangle formed by connection points on the back surface of the top plate with the three legs is a non-equilateral triangle.

As such, in the present invention, the triangle formed by the connection points on the back surface of the top plate with the three legs is not an equilateral triangle, but the three legs are provided to stand on the circumference of the concentric circle having the same center as that of the circle formed by the outer periphery of the top plate, thereby stabilizing the table. Thus, as compared to the case where a triangle formed by connection points on a hack surface of a top plate with three legs is an equilateral triangle, the legs can be suitably arranged in alignment with a position of the folding line, and a distance between the adjacent legs can be increased.

Thus, according to the present invention, the table can be kept from being unstable due to too short distances between the legs. When the table including the disk-shaped top plate and the three legs is configured to have a large foldable part of the top plate, the table can be stabilized as compared to a conventional method of arranging three legs in an equilateral triangle.

The three legs are provided to stand on the circumference of the concentric circle having the same center as that of the circle formed by the outer periphery of the top plate, which equalizes distances between an edge of the top plate and any of the three legs. Thus a problem of inconvenience such that a user's leg easily touches the leg of the table depending on the position of the user can be inhibited.

The three legs are preferably arranged so that one side of the triangle formed by the connection points on the back surface of the top plate with the three legs is parallel to one of the at least one folding line. The legs are thus arranged to ensure an appropriate distance between the adjacent legs and stabilize the table with the legs arranged on the concentric circle.

The three legs are preferably arranged so that the triangle formed by the connection points on the back surface of the top plate with the three legs is a non-equilateral triangle and an isosceles triangle. In addition, the three legs are preferably arranged so that a base of the isosceles triangle having a different length from the other sides is parallel to one of the at least one folding line.

The three legs are arranged so that the triangle formed by the connection points on the back surface of the top plate with the three legs is the isosceles triangle, and the base of the isosceles triangle having a different length from the other sides is parallel to one of the at least one folding line. This is convenient for the user when the user partially folds the top plate to change the table for three to a table for two, because the distances between the legs of the table can be the same at two seats.

Due to recent diffusion of a personal computer, a table is increasingly provided with a monitor. In consideration of convenience in the case of providing a monitor on a table, the table is preferably configured as follows. Specifically, for the purpose of improving convenience upon providing a monitor, the table preferably includes an arm that holds a monitor on a front surface of the top plate. The arm has a rotating shaft at an end opposite to a connection end to the monitor, and can be rotated upward with respect to the top plate.

Specifically, the arm is preferably provided to be rotatable upward with respect to the top plate, in a region including the center of the circle formed by the outer periphery of the top plate to which the three legs are connected, the region being among regions of the top plate divided by the folding line as a boundary. Further, the table is preferably configured so that rotation of the arm can arrange the monitor connected to the arm (hereinafter, referred to as a “particular monitor”) above the foldable part of the top plate and can raise the monitor above the region in the top plate to which the three legs are connected.

According to the table, the monitor can be used in a position where the top plate is folded. Further, the monitor can be moved by rotation of the arm. Thus, the monitor can be raised upon folding the table so as not to protrude from the table. According to the present invention, a problem, for example, of the monitor being caught by a narrow passage through a door upon conveying the table with the folded top plate, can be avoided. The table with high convenience can be achieved.

In the table, the monitor can be provided in a position on the front surface of the top plate corresponding to each side of the triangle formed by the connection points on the back surface of the top plate with the three legs. In the case of providing three monitors corresponding to the sides of the triangle as such, the above-configured arm is preferably connected to the monitor arranged in a position corresponding to the side parallel to the folding line of the triangle. Specifically, the table is preferably configured to be able to arrange the monitor (particular monitor) above the foldable part of the top plate and to be able to raise the particular monitor above the region in the top plate to which the three legs are connected.

With the table configured as such, the user can use the monitor at each of the seats for three when the top plate is not folded. When the top plate is folded, the particular monitor can be raised so as not to protrude from the folding line of the top plate. Specifically, according to the present invention, even if a monitor is provided, the table can be compact when folded, which increases convenience of the table.

When the monitor is provided on the table, there may be a case where a place to set an information processing device for displaying various information via the monitor is required on the table. Accordingly, the top plate may be provided with a box that can house an information processing device (information processing device connected to the monitor) in the region including the center of the circle formed by the outer periphery of the top plate to which the three legs are connected, the region being among regions of the top plate divided by the folding line as a boundary. For example, the box can be provided in an inner part of the triangle formed by the connection points on the back surface of the top plate with the three legs.

In the case of providing the box on the top plate, the arm can be mounted by connecting the end opposite to the connecting end to the monitor of the arm to the box. Further, the box preferably includes a box through hole as a through hole that guides a cable extending from the monitor into the box, in a part adjacent to a region to which the end opposite to the connection end to the monitor of the arm is connected. In other words, the cable extending from the monitor is preferably wired into the box through the box through hole to be connected to the information processing device.

As such, if the through hole is provided around the rotating shaft, of the arm and the cable is passed through the through hole, large movement of the cable due to rotation of the arm can be restricted. Accordingly, the cable can be kept from entwining the arm. Also, contact failure between the monitor or the information processing device and the cable which may be caused by the large movement of the cable can be inhibited.

The box is preferably constituted by a first box component secured to a top plate body, and a second box component which can be attached to or detached from the first box component. The box through hole is preferably created by a gap formed in a boundary between the first box component and the second box component when the first box component is attached to the second box component.

With the box constituted as such, the cable can be set in the box through hole by merely detaching the second box component from the first box component and then attaching the second box component to the first box component in such a manner as to sandwich the cable to be connected to the information processing device between the first box component and the second box component.

The box can be provided to the top plate in such a manner as to protrude upward from the top plate. The arm can be connected to the top of the box. Further, the arm, in a state where rotated to a maximum in a direction approaching an upper surface of the box, can be configured to be supported by the box and hold the particular monitor in a predetermined position above the foldable part of the top plate. According to this configuration, the heavy monitor can be stably arranged in the predetermined position (position at use).

In the case of providing the arm as such, the table is preferably configured to form a gap between the arm and the upper surface of the box, in a state where the arm is supported by the box. Specifically, at least one of the arm and the box is preferably provided with a “gap forming body that forms a gap that houses the cable wired between the particular monitor and the box through hole”, between a surface facing the upper surface of the box of the arm and the upper surface of the box, in a state where the arm is supported by the box. If the gap is provided as such, the cable can be housed inconspicuously between the arm and the upper surface of the box. The cable can be also kept from being damaged due to application of a strong force on the cable.

The gap forming body can be provided in at least one of the arm and the upper surface of the box by providing a groove in the arm or providing a projection which contacts the arm in the box. Further, the gap forming body is preferably formed by an elastic projection provided on the upper surface of the box.

If provided with the elastic projection as such, large sound and vibration can be kept from occurring due to contact between the arm and the gap forming body when the arm is rotated in the direction approaching the upper surface of the box to arrange the monitor in the position at use. Specifically, use of an elastic body can restrict impact upon contact.

The arm preferably includes an arm through hole around the connection end to the monitor connected to the arm. The arm through hole guides the cable extending from the monitor to the gap formed by the gap forming body. Specifically, the cable extending from the monitor is preferably wired through the arm through hole.

With the arm through hole, wiring can be tidily installed. Also, the movement of the cable can be restricted by passing the cable through the arm through hole. Thus, the user can be refrained from being disturbed by free movement of the cable. Contact failure of the cable can be also avoided.

Particularly, if the arm is provided with an adjustment mechanism that can adjust an angle of a display surface of the monitor, the arm through hole can restrict large movement of the cable which may accompany angle adjustment of the monitor. In this regard, the arm through hole may be configured to restrict the movement of the cable extending from the monitor, regardless of presence/absence of the gap forming body, and provided around the connection end to the monitor.

The box preferably includes a dent that houses the arm on the upper surface of the box. More specifically, the dent is preferably configured such that a surface opposite to the surface facing the upper surface of the box of the arm is arranged on the same plane as the upper surface of the box around the dent, in a state where the arm is rotated to a maximum in the direction approaching the upper surface of the box. With the dent as such, the top of the box is level. It is convenient that things can be put on the top of the box.

In the state where the arm is rotated to a maximum in the direction approaching the upper surface of the box, the arm is preferably supported by the box and holds the particular monitor in a position at a predetermined height from the front surface of the top plate around the box. If a gap of more than a certain volume is ensured between the monitor and the front surface of the top plate around the box as such, the top plate can be effectively used, for example, by placing a keyboard in the gap.

Further, in the case of providing three monitors as described in the above, the table is preferably configured such that the monitors, other than the particular monitor connected to the arm, are connected to side surfaces of the box and held in positions at a predetermined height from the front surface of the top plate around the box. According to such constitution, the gap of more than a predetermined volume is ensured between the respective monitors and the front surface of the top plate around the box. Thus, keyboards or others can be placed in the gap around the respective monitors. The top plate can be effectively utilized.

In the above-described table, it may be conceivable that the top plate has a single folding line and is configured to be foldable at a single spot provided with the folding line, or the top plate has a plurality of folding lines and is configured to be foldable at a plurality of spots provided with the folding lines. If the top plate is foldable at the plurality of spots, the table can be folded to be compact and stored when not in use, which allows an office space to be effectively used. Further, upon conveyance of the table, the table can be advantageously passed through a narrow space such as a door with ease.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a table according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a top view of the table according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the table according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the table according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the table according to the first embodiment with a top plate partially folded;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views of the table according to the first embodiment with the top plate partially folded;

FIG. 6 illustrates a positional relationship of three legs at the table according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a table according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a top view of the table according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a side view of the table according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates a raising mechanism included in the table according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the table according to the second embodiment with a top plate partially folded;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are side views of the table according to the second embodiment with the top plate partially folded;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a table according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 12B is a top view of the table according to the third embodiment;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of a monitor securing base of the table according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the table according to the third embodiment with an arm being raised;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view around the arm included in the table according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view around the arm with the arm in contact with a gap forming body at the table according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the arm included in the table according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a schematic bottom view showing a configuration of a table according to a fourth embodiment; and

FIG. 19 illustrates a conventional technique.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 3, a table 1 of the present embodiment includes a top plate 11, a housing box 12 provided on a back surface of the top plate 11, three legs 13, 14 and 15 that are provided to stand on the back surface of the top plate 11 and support the top plate 11 from below, a monitor securing base 16 provided on a front surface of the top plate 11, and three monitors 17, 18 and 19 mounted to the monitor securing base 16.

The top plate 11 is formed of a disk-shaped plate material and is foldable. The top plate 11 has a folding line L that is a linear fold in a position away from a center of a circle formed by an outer periphery of the top plate 11. In other words, the top plate 11 is divided by the folding line L as a boundary. Specifically, the top plate 11 is constituted by a first top plate component 111 and a second top plate component 112 into a disk shape. The first top plate component 111 and the second top plate component 112 are connected by hinges 113 on the back surface of the top plate 11.

With this configuration, the top plate 11 is configured so that the second top plate component 112 is foldable downward with respect to the first top plate component 111. Herein, among regions of the top plate 11 divided by the folding line L as a boundary, a region including the center of the circle formed by the outer periphery of the top plate 11 is referred to as the first top plate component 111, and a region outside the center of the circle is referred to as the second top plate component 112.

The housing box 12 is provided on the back surface of the first top plate component 111 that constitutes the top plate 11. The housing box 12 is formed into a hollow triangular prism shape. The housing box 12 has a hole 123 through which a power cord is drawn out in a bottom surface 121.

The housing box 12, together with the monitor securing base 16 provided in a position corresponding to the housing box 12 on the front surface of the top plate 11, forms an inner space for housing a personal computer (not shown) connected to the monitors 17, 18 and 19. Power cords (not shown) extending from a not shown receptacle provided in the inner space and a receptacle 161 provided in the monitor securing base 16 are drawn out through the hole 123. Power is supplied to the monitors 17, 18 and 19 and the personal computer through the power cords.

The inner space for housing the personal computer can be formed by combining, for example, the monitor securing base 16 without a bottom, the housing box 12 without a ceiling, and the first top plate component 111 with a hole in a region to which the housing box 12 and the monitor securing base 16 are mounted.

If a partition is provided which corresponds to a shape of the hole provided in the first top plate component 111, and the table 1 is configured so that the partition can be attached to the hole, the inner space can be configured as a multilayer space, thereby allowing plurality of personal computers to be efficiently housed in the inner space. In the case of providing such partition, a hole (not shown) communicating with the housing box 12 from the monitor securing base 16 is provided in the partition. Cables for inputting image signals to the monitors 17, 18 and 19 (hereinafter, referred to as “signal input cables”) are wired from the personal computer housed in the housing box 12 to the monitors 17, 18 and 19 through the hole.

A support member 127 is provided on a side surface 125 parallel to the folding line L of the housing box 12. The support member 127 is rotatably provided on the side surface 125 of the housing box 12 via a hinge 128. Specifically, the support member 127 is mounted rotatably in an arrow direction shown in FIG. 1B along the back surface of the top plate 11 around a rotating shaft extending along the side surface 125 of the housing box 12.

The support member 127 is rotated manually by a user to a position in contact with the side surface 125 of the housing box 12 when the top plate 11 is folded, and rotated from the side surface 125 of the housing box 12 to a position to support the second top plate component 112 from below when the top plate 11 is not folded. Specifically, the support member 127 is used to support the second top plate component 112 from below. The support member 127 is moved to the position in contact with the side surface 125 of the housing box 12 and housed below the first top plate component 111 when the top plate 11 is folded. Specifically, the support member 127 is housed in a gap between the folding line L and the side surface 125.

The housing box 12 can be provided with a cover for housing the personal computer therein and for managing power to the personal computer, on a side surface without the support member 127.

The three legs 13, 14 and 15 are arranged to vertically stand on the back surface of the top plate 11 in positions corresponding to vertexes of a triangle forming a boundary between the housing box 12 and the back surface of the top plate 11. Casters 131, 141 and 151 are mounted to ends on the side opposite to connection ends of the legs 13, 14 and 15 to the back surface of the top plate 11 so that the user can easily carry the table 1 with the casters 131, 141 and 151. The legs 13, 14 and 15 have the same length so as to obtain a horizontal front surface of the top plate 11.

Further, the monitor securing base 16 is mounted to a position corresponding to the housing box 12 on a front surface of the first top plate component 111 according to the shape of the housing box 12 (sides of the triangle). The relationship between the monitor securing base 16 and the housing box 12 is as noted above. The monitor securing base 16 is mounted in an inner part of a triangle formed by connection points on the back surface of the top plate 11 with the three legs 13, 14 and 15, which is a position corresponding to the housing box 12.

The monitor securing base 16 is formed into a hollow triangular prism shape, fastened to the first top plate component 111, for example, by a screw, and detachably mounted to the top plate 11.

The monitors 17, 18 and 19 are secured to side surfaces of the above-configured monitor securing base 16 via securing tools 167, 168 and 169. As shown in FIG. 2B, the securing tools 167, 168 and 169 include adjustment mechanisms for adjusting angles of display surfaces of the monitors 17, 18 and 19. The display surfaces of the monitors 17, 18 and 19 are adjusted by the adjustment mechanisms to angles preferred by the user. The securing tools 167, 168 and 169 are detachably secured to the side surfaces of the monitor securing base 16 by, for example, screwing.

Specifically, the monitors 17, 18 and 19 are provided on the monitor securing base 16 in such a manner as to be detachable from the monitor securing base 16 together with the securing tools 167, 168 and 169. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the second top plate component 112 being folded. FIGS. 5A and 5B show a state where the monitor 17 placed along the folding line L is detached from the monitor securing base 16 together with the securing tool 167 as the second top plate component 112 is folded.

Further, the receptacle 161 is provided at a corner of the monitor securing base 16. Power plugs of the monitors 17, 18 and 19 are connected, for example, to the receptacle 161. The monitor securing base 16 has some holes. The cords or the like extending from the monitors 17, 18 and 19 to the personal computer are wired through the holes in the housing box 12.

Next, arrangement of the legs 13, 14 and 15 characteristic of the table 1 will be described. The table 1 of the present embodiment is configured so that the three legs 13, 14 and 15 that support the top plate 11 from below are provided to stand on the back surface of the first top plate component 111. As shown in FIG. 6, the three legs 13, 14 and 15 are provided to stand on the circumference of a concentric circle C2 having the center identical to the center O of a circle C1 formed by the outer periphery of the top plate 11 on the hack surface of the first top plate component 111. The three legs 13, 14 and 15 are arranged so that a triangle Tr formed by connection points P13, P14 and P15 on the back surface of the top plate 11 with the legs 13, 14 and 15 is a non-equilateral triangle.

Specifically, the legs 13 and 14 are arranged in a positional relationship parallel to the folding line L on the back surface of the first top plate component 111. Thus the three legs 13, 14 and 15 are arranged so that one side of the triangle Tr is parallel to the folding line L. FIG. 6 shows, with x marks, arrangement points A13, A14 and A15 of the legs 13, 14 and 15 when the legs 13, 14 and 15 are arranged in an equilateral triangle.

In the present embodiment, the legs 13, 14 and 15 are arranged on the concentric circle C2 in a non-equilateral triangle as above. Thus, distances between the legs 13, 14 and 15 are increased even in ensuring a long length D0 from the outer periphery of the top plate 11 to the folding line L, thereby stabilizing the table 1. Further, the legs 13, 14 and 15 are arranged so that one side of the triangle Tr is parallel to the folding line L, thereby more suitably ensuring the distances between the legs 13, 14 and 15 and further stabilizing the table 1.

While setting the long length D0 to increase a folding amount of the top plate 11 increases convenience of the table 1, arranging the legs 13, 14 and 15 in an equilateral triangle reduces the distances between the legs 13, 14 and 15 and makes the table 1 unstable (easily fall) (see x marks in FIG. 6). In the present embodiment, to avoid such an unstable table configuration, the legs 13, 14 and 15 are arranged on the concentric circle C2 in the non-equilateral triangle.

This can be easily understood from the fact that the distances between the legs 13, 14 and 15 in the present embodiment are longer than the distances between the legs 13, 14 and 15 when arranged in an equilateral triangle as shown by the x marks in FIG. 6.

Further, in the present embodiment, the legs 13, 14 and 15 are arranged so that the triangle Tr is an isosceles triangle, thereby ensuring the distances between the legs 13, 14 and 15 with good balance. The inventors have confirmed by experiment that arranging the legs 13, 14 and 15 under such a condition can stabilize the table 1.

Particularly, in the present embodiment, the legs 13, 14 and 15 are arranged so that the triangle Tr is an isosceles triangle having “a base longer than the other two sides”. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, a distance D1 between the legs 13 and 15 is set to be equal to a distance D2 between the legs 14 and 15 (D1=D2), and a distance D3 between the legs 13 and 14 is set to be longer than the distances D1 and D2 (D3>D1=D2). The legs 13, 14 and 15 are thus arranged to suitably ensure the distances between the legs 13, 14 and 15.

As in the present embodiment, if the length D1 of a space between the legs 13 and 15 and the length D2 of a space between the legs 14 and 15 are set to be equal, a difference in comfort can be avoided with respect to two seats usable when the second top plate component 112 is folded, regardless of a sitting position of the user, thereby increasing convenience of the table 1.

In the present embodiment, the legs 13, 14 and 15 are arranged on the concentric circle C2, which can equalize distances between an outer edge of the top plate 11 and the legs 13, 14 and 15. Thus, a problem of inconvenience can be restricted that a user's leg easily touches the leg of the table depending on the position of the user.

As such, according to an arrangement method of the legs 13, 14 and 15 in the present embodiment, the table 1 can be stabilized even when the long length D0 between the outer periphery of the top plate 11 and the folding line L is ensured to increase the folding amount of the top plate 11. Further, the arrangement of the legs 13, 14 and 15 for stabilization can restrict easy interference of the user's leg. Thus, the table 1 superior to both stability and convenience can be configured.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8A, 8B, 9, 10, 11A and 11B. These figures show a configuration of a table 2 of the second embodiment. FIG. 11A is a side view of the table 2 with a top plate 11 partially folded, seen from the direction of the normal to a folded second top plate component 112. FIG. 11B is a side view seen from the direction parallel to a front surface of the folded second top plate component 112. In FIG. 9, a monitor 29 and a securing tool 231 are not shown for clearly showing a raising mechanism.

The table 2 of the second embodiment has a feature in a connecting section of the monitor. A configuration below the top plate 11 is the same as that of the table 1 of the first embodiment. Thus, for the table 2 of the second embodiment, the same components as in the table 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment and descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

The table 2 of the present embodiment includes a top plate 11, a housing box 12 provided on a back surface of the top plate 11, three legs 13, 14 and 15 provided to stand on the back surface of the top plate 11 as in the first embodiment, monitor securing bases 21, 22 and 23 provided on a front surface of the top plate 11, a monitor 27 mounted to the monitor securing base 21, a monitor 28 mounted to the monitor securing base 22, and a monitor 29 mounted to the monitor securing base 23.

The monitor securing base 21 is formed into a hollow triangular prism shape like the monitor securing base 16 in the first embodiment, and forms the inner space for housing a personal computer together with the housing box 12. Specifically, the monitor securing base 21 is fastened to the front surface of the first top plate component 111 in a position corresponding to the housing box 12. The monitor securing base 21 is secured to the first top plate component 111, for example, by a screw, and detachably mounted to the top plate 11.

Meanwhile, the monitor securing bases 22 and 23 are provided radially outward of the monitor securing base 21 on the top plate 11 (see FIGS. 10, 11A and 11B and others). Specifically, the monitor securing base 22 is provided in a position on the front surface of the first top plate component 111 corresponding to a middle point of a line segment connecting the point P14 (see FIG. 6) to which the leg 14 is connected on the back surface of the top plate 11 and the point P15 (see FIG. 6) to which the leg 15 is connected on the back surface of the top plate 11. To the monitor securing base 22, the monitor 28 is mounted via a securing tool 221 having an angle adjustment mechanism of adjusting an angle of a display surface. More specifically, the monitor 28 is mounted to the securing tool 221 along a line segment (side) connecting the legs 14 and 15 of a triangle Tr connecting the legs 13, 14 and 15 so that an angle of the display surface is adjustable.

Similarly, the monitor securing base 23 is provided in a position on the front surface of the first top plate component 111 corresponding to a middle point of a line connecting the point P13 to which the leg 13 is connected on the back surface of the top plate 11 and the point P15 to which the leg 15 is connected on the back surface of the top plate 11. To the monitor securing base 23, the monitor 29 is mounted via a securing tool 231 (see FIG. 11A) having an angle adjustment mechanism of adjusting an angle of a display surface. More specifically, the monitor 29 is mounted to the securing tool 231 along a line connecting the legs 13 and 15 of the triangle Tr connecting the legs 13, 14 and 15 so that an angle of the display surface is adjustable.

Meanwhile, the monitor 27 placed along the folding line L is mounted to the monitor securing base 21 via an arm 211 mounted rotatably upward with respect to the monitor securing base 21. The arm 211 has, at a front end of an arm body 211a, a securing tool 211b to which the monitor 27 is mounted. The securing tool 211b has an angle adjustment mechanism of adjusting an angle of a display surface of the monitor 27. Specifically, the monitor 27 is mounted so that the angle thereof is adjustable with respect to the arm body 211a by the securing tool 211b (see FIG. 8B).

The arm body 211a is configured so that an end opposite to the front end provided with the securing tool 211b is rotatably mounted to an upper surface of the monitor securing base 21 by a fitting. Specifically, the arm body 211a is mounted to the upper surface of the monitor securing base 21 parallel to the front surface of the top plate 11 rotatably around a rotating shaft parallel to a folding line L (see FIG. 9). The fitting includes, for example, a hinge, but a method for connecting the arm body 211a to the monitor securing base 21 is not limited to this method.

The arm body 211a is raised upward manually by a user when the top plate 11 is folded as shown in FIG. 9. At this time, a force by the weight of the monitor 27 is applied to the arm body 211a in a direction increasing an angle between the arm body 211a and the monitor securing base 21. However, since the fitting restricts the increase in the angle, the arm body 211a is maintained substantially vertically to the top plate 11. For the arm body 211a, a stopper for inhibiting movement of the vertically maintained arm body 211a can be provided.

In the present embodiment, when the arm body 211a is raised upward to the limit and maintained substantially vertically to the top plate 11, the arm 211 and the monitor 27 are located above the first top plate component 111 so as not to enter a space above the second top plate component 112. With such a positional relationship, the table 2 of the present embodiment is designed to be compact when the top plate 11 is folded.

Meanwhile, when the top plate 11 is not folded, the arm body 211a is placed in contact with the upper surface of the monitor securing base 21 (so that an angle between the upper surface of the monitor securing base 21 and the arm body 211a is substantially zero), and supported by the monitor securing base 21 to maintain the monitor 27 at a predetermined distance above the top plate 11 like the monitors 28 and 29.

The configuration of the table 2 has been described above. With the table 2, the user can raise the arm 211 upward and simply carry away the monitor 27 (corresponding to the monitor 17 in the first embodiment) from above the second top plate component 112 without detaching the securing tool 167 from the monitor securing base 16 when folding the second top plate component 112. Thus, the table 2 of the present embodiment increases convenience in folding.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B, 14, 15, 16 and 17. These figures show a configuration of a table 3 of the third embodiment.

The table 3 of the third embodiment has a feature in arrangement of the monitors 37, 38 and 39 provided in positions on the front surface of the top plate 11 corresponding to the sides of a triangle formed by connection points on the back surface of the top plate 11 with the three legs 13, 14 and 15. A configuration below the top plate 11 is the same as that of the table 1 of the first embodiment. Thus, for the table 3 of the third embodiment, the same components as in the table 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment and descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

The table 3 of the present embodiment includes a top plate 11, a housing box 12 provided on a back surface of the top plate 11, three legs 13, 14 and 15 provided to stand on the back surface of the top plate 11 as in the first and the second embodiments, a monitor securing base 30 provided on a front surface of the top plate 11, arms 35 and 36, and monitors 37, 38 and 39 mounted to the monitor securing base 30 via the arms 35 and 36.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the monitor securing base 30 is configured to include a first securing base component 31 secured to the first top plate component 111 and a second securing component 32 detachable from the first securing base component 31. In FIGS. 13A and 138, however, the arms 35 and 36 and the monitors 37, 38 and 39 are not shown for clearly showing a configuration of the monitor securing base 32. FIG. 13A is a top view of the table 3 without the arms 35 and 36 and the monitors 37, 38 and 39. FIG. 13B is a diagram showing how to attach the second securing base component 32 to the first securing base component 31.

The monitor securing base 30 is completed by attaching the second securing base component 32 to the first securing base component 31. The monitor securing base 30 is formed into a hollow triangular prism shape substantially without corners like the monitor securing bases 16 and 21 in the first and the second embodiment, and forms the inner space for housing a personal computer together with the housing box 12.

The first securing base component 31 has an opening 311 on the side along the folding line L (see FIGS. 13B and 14). Further, the first securing base component 31 has a rectangular opening 312 for housing the later-described arm 35 at the upper surface. The opening 312 is formed parallel to a direction vertical to the folding line L. The first securing base component 31 is configured without a bottom as in the first and the second embodiments (not shown).

The open bottom in the first securing base component 31 communicates with the housing box 12 through the hole provided in the first top plate component 111 as in the first and the second embodiments.

As shown in FIGS. 13A and 14, the openings 311 and 312 are closed by attaching the second securing base component 32 to the first securing base component 31.

The second securing base component 32 includes a side closing body 321 for closing the opening 311 of the first, securing base component 31 and an upper closing body 322 for closing the opening 312 of the first securing base component 31.

Specifically, the second securing base component 32 is configured so that the upper closing body 322 is vertically combined with the side closing body 321 having a shape corresponding to the opening 311. As shown in FIG. 13B, the upper closing body 322 is formed into a rectangular shape partially missing a front end in an insertion direction of the second securing base component 32 to the first securing base component 31, i.e., a substantially U-shape.

The user fits the side closing body 321 into the opening 311 in a state where the upper closing body 322 is directed in the insertion direction to the first securing base component 31, thereby attaching the second securing base component 32 to the first securing base component 31. As a result of this attachment, the openings 311 and 312 are closed by the second securing base component 32.

Since the upper closing body 322 of the second securing base component 32 is formed into a U-shape as noted above, the opening 312 is not totally closed but partially left unclosed, even when the second securing base component 32 is attached to the first securing base component 31. An unclosed region of the opening 312 which is located on a boundary between the first securing base component 31 and the second securing base component 32 is used as a through hole 301 which guides cables CB from outside to inside of the monitor securing base 30.

Specifically, the user can draw the cables CB into the through hole 301 in the following manner. As shown in FIG. 13B, the user arranges a personal computer in the inner space of the first securing base component 31, in a state where the second securing base component 32 is detached from the first securing base component 31. Then, the user connects the cables CB such as the signal input cable and the power cord extending from the monitor 37 mounted to the arm 35 to the personal computer and a receptacle provided inside the monitor securing base 30. In the present embodiment as well, the receptacle is provided in the inner space for housing a personal computer, which is formed by the monitor securing base 30 and the housing box 12.

In this state, the cables CB are arranged in a region where the through hole 301 is formed when the second securing base component 32 is attached to the first securing base component 31. Thereafter, the second securing base component 32 is attached to the first securing base component 31 so that the cables CB are wired through the through hole 301. In the present embodiment, with the first and the second securing base components 31 and 32 configured as above, the cables CB can be easily wired inside the monitor securing base 30.

Further specifically, the side closing body 321 of the second securing base component 32 has a through hole 321a for passing a cable which connects operation devices such as a keyboard, a pointing device and others to a personal computer, as shown in FIG. 14. Similarly, in two sides of the first securing base component 31 to which the monitors 38 and 39 are connected via the arm 36, a through hole 315 (see FIG. 15) for passing a cable connecting the personal computer and the operation devices is provided in a lower region of the sides. The personal computer that controls the monitors 38 and 39 is operated by the user via these operation devices. FIG. 15 is a view showing the enlarged arm 36 and through hole 315. In FIG. 15, the monitors 37, 38 and 39 and the operation devices are not shown.

In the sides provided with the through hole 315, a through hole 316 which guides cables extending from the monitors 38 and 39 to the inner space is also provided adjacent to a secured position of the arm 36.

With such configuration, the cables extending from the monitors 38 and 39 as well can be wired in the inner space through the through holes 316 in the present embodiment. Further, the cables connecting the operation devices and the personal computer can be wired through the through holes 315.

In an upper surface of the upper closing body 322 of the second securing base component 32, protruding gap forming bodies 322a and 322b for forming a gap between the upper surface and the arm 35 are provided so that the arm 35 is not in contact with the upper surface.

As noted above, in a state where the second securing base component 32 is attached to the first securing base component 31, the opening 312 is substantially closed by the upper closing body 322. The upper surface of the monitor securing base 30 is formed into a dent in a position corresponding to the opening 312. Hereinafter, a region surrounding the through hole 301 dented in the upper surface of the monitoring securing base 30 is referred to as a dent 303. The arm 35 is rotatably mounted to the dent 303 adjacent to the through hole 301. When the monitor 37 is used, the arm 35 is rotated manually by the user to a position to be housed in the dent 303.

The gap forming bodies 322a and 322b are provided so that, in this state, the arm 35 is not in contact with the upper surface of the upper closing body 322 constituting a bottom of the dent 303. The gap forming bodies 322a and 322b are specifically formed of a rubber material that is elastic. As shown in FIG. 16, with the rubber material, the table 3 is configured such that the arm 35 is not in contact with the upper surface of the upper closing body 322. In the present embodiment, this configuration inhibits large sound and impact due to contact between the arm 35 and the upper surface of the upper closing body 322 when the arm 35 is housed in the dent 303.

Next, the arms 36 shown in FIG. 15 will be described. Two arms 36 are provided. Specifically, the arms 36 are secured to the sides of the monitor securing base 30 on which the corresponding monitors 38 and 39 are to be arranged. As shown in FIG. 15, the arm 36 includes an arm body 361 and a securing tool 363.

The arm body 861 includes a first region 361a secured to the side of the monitor securing base 30, and a second region 361b provided to extend at a right angle from a lower end of the first region 361a. The arm body 361 is formed into a substantially L-shape. A portion of the first region 361a facing the through hole 316 is opened. Specifically, the first region 361a is secured to the side of the monitor securing base 30 so that the through hole 316 is opened through the first region 361a.

The first region 361a is configured to be of size so that, in a state where the arm 36 is secured to the monitor securing base 30, the second region 361b is arranged in a position (at a height) having a predetermined distance away from the front surface of the top plate 11. The securing tool 363 is secured to a front end of the second region 361b.

With the arm 36 constituted as such, the monitors 38 and 39 attached to the securing tool 363 of the arm 36 is arranged at the table 3 with a predetermined distance away in a height direction from the front surface of the top plate 11.

To each of the two arms 36, one of the monitors 38 and 39 corresponding to the set position is mounted. The securing tool includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting an angle of a display surface of a monitor. The angles of the display surfaces of the monitors 38 and 39 connected to the arms 36 are adjusted to angles preferred by the user by the adjustment mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 17, the arm 35 includes a securing tool 351 for connecting the monitor 37, an arm body 353 and a hinge 355. The hinge 355 is connected to an upper part of the monitor securing base 30 protruding from the top plate 11.

More specifically, the securing tool 351 is mounted to one end of the arm 353. The hinge 355 is mounted to the other end of the arm body 353 to which the securing tool 351 is mounted.

The hinge 355 is connected to a side wall of an engagement 319 provided adjacent to the opening 312 of the first securing base component 31. The engagement 319 is provided in a position lower than a top surface of the first securing base component 31. When the second securing base component 32 is attached to the first securing base component 31, the engagement 319 serves to support a front end of the second securing base component 3 upward from below.

More specifically, the hinge 355 is secured to the side wall of the engagement 319 so as to have a rotating shaft parallel to the folding line L. With such function of the hinge 355, the arm 35 is configured to have a rotating shaft parallel to the folding line L, and to be rotatable with respect to the upper surface of the monitor securing base 30 and the top plate 11 along a virtual plane orthogonal to the folding line L. The arm 35, when rotated to a maximum in a direction approaching the upper surface of the monitor securing base 30, is arranged such that the arm body 353 is housed in the dent 303, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B.

Specifically, the arm 35, in a state where rotated to a maximum in the direction approaching the upper surface of the monitor securing base 30, is supported by the monitor securing base 30 via the gap forming bodies 322a and 322b, as described in the above (see FIG. 16). In this state, the arm body 353 (specifically, the first region 353a) is arranged so that the upper surface has the same height as the upper surface of the monitor securing base 30 around the dent 303 (see FIG. 12A). Specifically, the dent 303 and the arm body 353 are configured such that, in a state where the arm 35 is rotated to a maximum in the direction approaching the upper surface of the monitor securing base 30, the upper surface of the first region 353a is arranged on the same plane with the upper surface of the monitor securing base 30 around the dent 303. The reason for the above arrangement is to increase convenience of the table 3 by allowing the user to place baggage or the like on the monitor securing base 30 while using the monitor 37.

The securing tool 351 is for holding the monitor 37, and is configured to be able to adjust an angle of the display surface of the monitor 37. The arm body 353 includes a first region 353a to which the hinge 355 is secured, a second region 353b extending in a vertical direction from the first region 353a, and a third region 353c extend in a direction symmetrical to the first region 353a from the second region 353b.

The first region 353a is configured such that a length in a direction vertical to a rotating shaft of the hinge 355 is longer than a distance from a secured region of the hinge 355 to the monitor securing base 30 to an outer periphery of the monitor securing base 30. As a result, the arm 35 is configured so that, when the arm 35 is rotated to a maximum in the direction approaching the upper surface of the monitor securing base 30, the second region 353b is arranged to face the side of the monitor securing base 30 with a slight gap therebetween, as shown in FIG. 16.

The second region 353b is configured to be of size so that a lower end of the second region 353b is arranged at predetermined distance higher than the top plate 11, as in the second embodiment (see FIG. 8B), when the arm 35 is rotated to a maximum in the direction approaching the upper surface of the monitor securing base 30. Further, the third region 353c is provided to extend in a radial direction of the top plate 11 from the lower end of the second region 353b when the arm 35 is rotated to a maximum in the direction approaching the upper surface of the monitor securing base 30. The securing tool 351 is secured to an upper surface of a front end of the third region 353c.

With such configurations of the second region 353b and the third region 353c, the arm 35 is arranged to hold the monitor 37 at a predetermined distance away from the front surface of the top plate 11, when the arm 35 is rotated to a maximum in the direction approaching the upper surface of the monitor securing base 30.

Specifically, when the arm 35 is rotated to a maximum in the direction approaching the upper surface of the monitor securing base 30, the monitor 37 is arranged at a predetermined distance away from the front surface of the top plate 11 above the second top plate component 112 which is a foldable part of the top plate 11. Also, the arm 35, when rotated in a direction opposite to the above-described direction (i.e., direction moving away from the dent 303), stops in a state raised above the first top plate component 111. At this time, the arm 35 and the monitor 37 mounted to the arm 35 are fitted in a space created by projecting the first top plate component 111 upward. In other words, the arm 35 and the monitor 37 are arranged so as not to protrude from the upper space of the first top plate component 111.

The arm 35 can be configured to stop in the raised state, as described in the above, for example, by the hinge 355 which does not open more than a predetermined angle. Alternatively, the arm 35 can be configured so that the movement of the arm 35 is restricted by being in contact with the first securing base component 31, and stops in the above-described raised state.

The gap between the top plate 11 and the monitor 37 when the arm 35 is rotated to a maximum in the direction approaching the upper surface of the monitor securing base 30 is preferably set to be of size to which the operation device can be inserted. With formation of such gap, the user can arrange the operation device such as a keyboard below the monitor 37, thereby allowing the table 3 to be effectively used.

The arm body 353 includes a through hole 353d in H region near the securing tool 351. A group of the cables CB extending from the monitor 37 are inserted through the through hole 358d to be wired into the through hole 301. Regarding this point, explanation will be given referring to FIG. 16. The through hole 353d is provided in the second region 353b so as to communicate with a gap formed between the upper surface of the monitor securing base 30 (i.e., upper surface of the upper closing body 322) and the lower surface of the first region 353a facing thereto, when the arm 35 is rotated to a maximum in the direction approaching the upper surface of the monitor securing base 30 and the first region 353a is in contact with the gap forming bodies 322a and 322b to be supported.

The gap forming bodies 322a and 322b are configured to form a gap of a size sufficiently larger than a diameter of the cables CB between the upper surface of the monitor securing base 30 (i.e., upper surface of the upper closing body 322) and the lower surface of the first region 353a. The group of the cables CB wired in the gap through the through hole 353d are wired into the through hole 301 located ahead of the hinge 355, passing below the arm body 353, without application of pressure from the arm 35.

In the present embodiment, a wiring passage of the cables CB is ensured by providing the through hole 353d and the gap as noted above. Thereby, during use of the monitor 37, while the cables CB can be wired without drawing attention from outside, the cables CB is kept from being damaged by pressure from the arm 35.

When the cables CB are wired as such, movement of the cables CB is restricted by the through hole 301 provided adjacent to the rotating shaft of the arm 35. Thus, for example, the cable can be kept from being largely moved by the rotation of the arm 35 and entwining the arm 35. Contact failure, for example, between the signal input cables and the personal computer which may be caused by large movement of the cables CB can be also inhibited.

According to the present embodiment, the monitor 37 is connected to the arm 35 so that angle adjustment is available. Since the above-described through hole 353d is provided near the adjustment mechanism, movement of the cables CB accompanying angle adjustment of the display surface can be restricted by the through hole 353d. Accordingly, with the through hole 353d as well, contact failure which may be caused by large movement of the cables CB can be inhibited. Further, the user is kept from being disturbed by the large movement of the cables CB.

The table 3 of the third embodiment has been described hereinabove. The table 3 is superior than the table 2 of the second embodiment, in that trouble due to wiring of the cables CB can be restricted. Also, according to the table 3, although the same can be said with respect to the table 2 of the second embodiment, the monitor 37 can be arranged so as not to protrude from the upper space of the top plate component 111 by raising the arm 35, without, detaching the monitor 37 arranged above the foldable second top plate component 112. Thus, an office space can be effectively used. Further, when the table 3 is moved between rooms, a problem such that the monitor 37 is caught by the door and unable to pass unless the monitor 37 is removed can be inhibited. Specifically, the table 3 of the present embodiment improves convenience of conveyance.

In the present embodiment, a combination of the monitor securing base 30 and the housing box 12 which form the inner space for housing a personal computer corresponds to one example of the box of the present invention. The first securing base component 31 corresponds to one example of the first box component, and the second securing base component 32 corresponds to one example of the second box component. The through hole 301 corresponds to one example of the box through hole, and the through hole 353d corresponds to one example of the arm through hole.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a configuration of a table 4 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 18. The table 4 of the fourth embodiment is different from the table 1 of the first embodiment in that three legs 43, 44 and 45 are provided to stand on a back surface of a disk-shaped top plate 41 in a positional relationship as shown in FIG. 18.

The top plate 41 is formed of a disk-shaped plate material. The top plate 41 has a plurality of folding lines L1 and L2 in positions outside the center of a circle formed by an outer periphery of the top plate 11, and is divided by the folding lines L1 and L2 as boundaries. Specifically, the top plate 41 is constituted by a first top plate component 411, a second top plate component 412, and a third top plate component 413 into a disk shape. The first top plate component 411, the second top plate component 412, and the third top plate component 413 are connected by hinges 414 on a back surface of the top plate 41. With this configuration, the top plate 41 is configured so that the second top plate component 412 and the third top plate component 413 are foldable downward with respect to the first top plate component 411.

More specifically, a support member 422 for supporting the second top plate component 412 from below is provided in a position adjacent to the folding line L1 on a back surface of the first top plate component 411. In a position adjacent to the folding line L2, a support member 423 for supporting the third top plate component 413 from below is provided. The support members 422 and 423 are provided rotatably with respect to the top plate 41 in a circumferential direction of the top plate 41. The support member 422 is rotated manually by a user to a space below the first top plate component 411 when the second top plate component 412 is folded. The support member 423 is rotated to a space below the first top plate component 411 when the third top plate component 413 is folded.

The three legs 43, 44 and 45 are arranged to vertically stand on the back surface of the top plate 41. Casters 431, 441 and 451 are mounted to ends on the side opposite to connection ends of the legs 43, 44 and 45 to the back surface of the top plate 41 so that the user can easily carry the table 4. The legs 43, 44 and 45 have the same length so as to obtain a horizontal front surface of the top plate 41.

Arrangement of the legs 43, 44 and 45 will be further described. The legs 43, 44 and 45 are provided to stand on the circumference of a concentric circle having the center identical to the center O of a circle formed by an outer periphery of the top plate 41 on the back surface of the first top plate component 411. The legs 43, 44 and 45 are arranged so that a triangle Tr formed by connection points P43, P44 and P45 on the back surface of the top plate 41 with the legs 43, 44 and 45 is a non-equilateral triangle and an isosceles triangle having a side parallel to the folding line L1 among the plurality of folding lines L1 and L2.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the legs 43 and 44 are arranged parallel to the folding line L1 on the back surface of the first top plate component 411. The leg 45 is arranged near the folding line L2. Further, in the present embodiment, since the first top plate component 411 has an elongated shape, the legs 43, 44 and 45 are arranged so that the triangle Tr is an elongated isosceles triangle extending in a longitudinal direction of the first top plate component 411, with a base of the isosceles triangle not being a side parallel to the folding line L1.

Specifically, a distance D4 between the legs 43 and 44 is set to be equal to a distance D5 between the legs 44 and 45 (D4=D5), and a distance D6 between the legs 43 and 45 is set to be shorter than the distances D4 and D5 (D6<D4=D5). In the present embodiment, the legs 43, 44 and 45 are thus arranged to match the shape of the first top plate component 411, thereby stabilizing the table 4.

According to the present embodiment, the top plate 41 can be folded at a plurality of positions. Thus, the table 4 can be folded to be compact and stored when not in use, which allows an office space to be effectively used. Also, according to the present embodiment, the table 4 can be designed to be compact and can be stabilized, thereby providing a convenient table 4 to consumers.

The configurations of the tables 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the first to fourth embodiments have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but various modes may be adopted. For example, the legs 13, 14 and 15 and the legs 43, 44 and 45 need not always be arranged so that the triangle Tr is the isosceles triangle. For example, the leg 45 may be arranged in a position closer to the folding line L2 than the position shown in FIG. 18 on the concentric circle.

Claims

1. A table comprising:

a disk-shaped top plate; and
three legs that are provided to stand on a back surface of the top plate and support the top plate from below,
wherein the top plate is configured to be partially foldable, and has at least one folding line in a position away from a center of a circle formed by an outer periphery of the top plate, and
the three legs are provided to stand on a circumference of a concentric circle having the same center as that of the circle formed by the outer periphery of the top plate on a back surface in a region including the center of the circle formed by the outer periphery of the top plate, the region being among regions of the top plate divided by the folding line as a boundary, and arranged so that a triangle formed by connection points on the back surface of the top plate with the three legs is a non-equilateral triangle.

2. The table according to claim 1, wherein the three legs are arranged so that one side of the triangle formed by the connection points on the back surface of the top plate with the three legs is parallel to one of the at least one folding line.

3. The table according to claim 1, wherein the three legs are arranged so that the triangle formed by the connection points on the back surface of the top plate with the three legs is a non-equilateral triangle and an isosceles triangle.

4. The table according to claim 1, wherein the three legs are arranged so that the triangle formed by the connection points on the back surface of the top plate with the three legs is a non-equilateral triangle and an isosceles triangle, and one side of the triangle formed by the connection points on the back surface of the top plate with the three legs is parallel to one of the at least one folding line.

5. The table according to claim 1, wherein the three legs are arranged so that the triangle formed by the connection points on the back surface of the top plate with the three legs is a non-equilateral triangle and an isosceles triangle, and a base of the isosceles triangle having a different length from the other sides is parallel to one of the at least one folding line.

6. The table according to claim 1, further comprising:

an arm that holds a monitor on a front surface of the top plate, the arm having a rotating shaft at an end opposite to a connection end to the monitor, and being rotatable upward with respect to the top plate in a region including the center of the circle formed by the outer periphery of the top plate to which the three legs are connected, the region being among regions of the top plate divided by the folding line as a boundary,
wherein the table is configured so that rotation of the arm can arrange a particular monitor as the monitor connected to the arm above a foldable part of the top plate and can raise the particular monitor above the region in the top plate to which the three legs are connected.

7. The table according to claim 2, further comprising:

on a front surface of the top plate,
three monitors provided in positions corresponding to sides of the triangle formed by the connection points on the back surface of the top plate with the three legs; and
an arm that is connected to a particular monitor provided in a position corresponding to the side of the triangle parallel to the folding line among the three monitors, has a rotating shaft at an end opposite to a connection end to the particular monitor, and is rotatable upward with respect to the top plate in the region including the center of the circle formed by the outer periphery of the top plate to which the three legs are connected, the region being among regions of the top plate divided by the folding line as a boundary
wherein the table is configured so that rotation of the arm can arrange the particular monitor above a foldable part of the top plate and can raise the particular monitor above the region in the top plate to which the three legs are connected.

8. The table according to claim 6, wherein the top plate has a box that houses an information processing device connected to the particular monitor in the region including the center of the circle formed by the outer periphery of the top plate to which the three legs are connected, the region being among regions of the top plate divided by the folding line as a boundary,

the arm is connected to the box at an end opposite to the connection end to the particular monitor,
the box has a box through hole as a through hole that guides a cable extending from the particular monitor into the box in a part adjacent to a region to which the end opposite to the connection end to the monitor of the arm is connected,
the cable extending from the particular monitor is wired into the box through the box through hole to be connected to the information processing device.

9. The table according to claim 8, wherein the box is constituted by a first box component secured to a top plate body, and a second box component which can be attached to or detached from the first box component, and

the box through hole is created by a gap formed in a boundary between the first box component and the second box component when the first box component is attached to the second box component.

10. The table according to claim 8, wherein the arm is connected to a top of the box protruding upward from the top plate, and, in a state where rotated to a maximum in a direction approaching an upper surface of the box, the arm is supported by the box and holds the particular monitor in a predetermined position above a foldable part of the top plate,

at least one of the arm and the box is provided with a gap forming body that forms a gap that houses the cable wired between the particular monitor and the box through hole, between a surface facing the upper surface of the box of the arm and the upper surface of the box, in a state where the arm is supported by the box.

11. The table according to claim 10, wherein the gap forming body is formed by an elastic projection provided on the upper surface of the box.

12. The table according to claim 10, wherein the arm includes an arm through hole around the connection end to the particular monitor as a through hole that guides the cable extending from the particular monitor to the gap formed by the gap forming body, and

the cable extending from the particular monitor is wired through the arm through hole.

13. The table according to claim 6, wherein the arm includes an arm through hole around the connection end to the particular monitor as a through hole that restricts movement of the cable extending from the particular monitor,

the cable extending from the particular monitor is wired through the arm through hole.

14. The table according to claim 13, wherein the arm is provided with an adjustment mechanism that can adjust an angle of a display surface of the particular monitor at the connection end to the particular monitor.

15. The table according to claim 6, wherein the top plate has a box that protrudes upward from the top plate and houses an information processing device connected to the particular monitor in the region including the center of the circle formed by the outer periphery of the top plate to which the three legs are connected, the region being among regions of the top plate divided by the folding line as a boundary,

the arm is connected to a top of the box at an end opposite to the connection end to the particular monitor, and, in a state where rotated to a maximum in a direction approaching an upper surface of the box, the arm is supported by the box and holds the particular monitor in a predetermined position above the foldable part of the top plate,
the box includes a dent that houses the arm on the upper surface of the box, and
the dent is configured such that a surface opposite to the surface facing the upper surface of the box of the arm is arranged on the same plane as the upper surface of the box around the dent, in a state where the arm is rotated to a maximum in the direction approaching the upper surface of the box.

16. The table according to claim 6, wherein the top plate has a box that protrudes upward from the top plate and houses an information processing device connected to the particular monitor in the region including the center of the circle formed by the outer periphery of the top plate to which the three legs are connected, the region being among regions of the top plate divided by the folding line as a boundary,

the arm is connected to a top of the box at an end opposite to the connection end to the particular monitor, and, in a state where rotated to a maximum in a direction approaching an upper surface of the box, the arm is supported by the box and holds the particular monitor in a position at a predetermined height from the front surface of the top plate corresponding to the foldable part around the box, and such holding ensures a gap of more than a certain volume between the monitor and the front surface of the top plate around the box.

17. The table according to claim 7, wherein the top plate has a box that protrudes upward from the top plate and houses an information processing device connected to the particular monitor in the region including the center of the circle formed by the outer periphery of the top plate to which the three legs are connected, the region being among regions of the top plate divided by the folding line as a boundary,

the arm is connected to a top of the box at an end opposite to the connection end to the particular monitor, and, in a state where rotated to a maximum in a direction approaching an upper surface of the box, the arm is supported by the box and holds the particular monitor in a position at a predetermined height from the front surface of the top plate corresponding to the foldable part around the box,
the monitors other than the particular monitor are connected to side surfaces of the box and held in positions at a predetermined height from the front surface of the top plate around the box, and
such holdings ensure a gap of more than a predetermined volume between the respective monitors and the front surface of the top plate around the box.

18. The table according to claim 1, wherein the top plate has a single folding line and is configured to be foldable at a single spot corresponding to the folding line.

19. The table according to claim 1, wherein the top plate has a plurality of folding lines and is configured to be foldable at a plurality of spots corresponding to the folding lines.

Patent History
Publication number: 20110094422
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 28, 2010
Publication Date: Apr 28, 2011
Applicant: THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD. (Tokyo)
Inventors: Motonari CHINUKI (Inzai-shi), Gen MINAGI (Tokyo), Maiko KAWARAI (Tokyo)
Application Number: 12/914,363
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Having Means For Supporting An Electrical Component (e.g., Wire, Output Jack, Etc.) (108/50.02); Surface Separably Supported By Means Spaced From Fixed Pivot (108/124)
International Classification: A47B 37/00 (20060101); A47B 3/00 (20060101);