JP7680884B2 - Booth Equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a booth device.

In recent years, with the development of communication environments such as the Internet, web conferences using such communication environments have become widespread. Web conferences are often used by small groups of people because they allow conferences with people far away if there is equipment such as an information processing device such as a personal computer. For example, in offices, booth devices are increasingly being set up in which multiple panels are erected to form individual work spaces, and web conferences are being held in these booth devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1, etc.). By using this type of booth device, it is possible to block views and sounds from the surroundings to a certain extent even during a web conference.

Utility Model Registration No. 3009775 JP 2003-74138 A JP 2018-84032 A

However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the entrance to the booth device is behind the user who places the information processing device on the top board and faces the top board while holding a web conference, so there is a risk that others in the office may be able to see the information processing device from behind the user. In addition, the inside of the office is projected behind the user and is completely visible to the other party in the web conference, which is problematic from a security standpoint.

In this regard, by adopting a booth device with a regular hexagonal cylindrical shape as in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the top plate is hidden from the entrance and exit more than in Patent Document 1, and it is possible to alleviate the above problem. However, because the booth device has a regular hexagonal cylindrical shape, the number of parts in the panel body increases, and there is room for improvement in that dead space is easily generated in the office.

The technical objective of the present invention is to provide a booth device that has been improved based on the current situation described above.

The present invention relates to a booth device which comprises three panel bodies which are erected in a U-shape in plan view surrounding the rear side and both left and right sides, and an end panel body extending toward the other left or right panel body is connected to the front end of one of the left or right panel bodies, and an entrance/exit is formed between the front end of the other left or right panel body and the end panel body, the rear panel body and the end panel body are arranged parallel to each other in plan view, and are configured as a rectangle overall in plan view, a top plate is arranged in the area surrounded by the rear panel body, one of the left or right panel bodies , and the end panel body, and a curtain rail for hanging a curtain is suspended across the upper front ends of the left and right panel bodies .

In the booth device of the present invention, the top plate may be substantially within the width of the end panel body when viewed from the front from the entrance/exit side.

In the booth device of the present invention, the edge of the top plate facing the other of the left and right panel bodies may be formed so that the width of the top plate increases as it approaches the center in a plan view.

In the booth device of the present invention, a wiring gap may be formed between the left or right panel body and the top plate.

In the booth device of the present invention, a notch may be formed in the edge of the top plate facing one of the left and right panel bodies, which communicates with the wiring gap and widens the wiring gap.

In the booth device of the present invention, the width dimension of the end panel body may be set shorter than the width dimension of the entrance/exit.

In the booth device of the present invention, both left and right ends of the curtain rail are connected to the corresponding left and right panel bodies via locking fittings, and the downward opening hook portions of the locking fittings may be fitted from above into recessed grooves provided on the upper end sides of the left and right panel bodies.

The booth device of the present invention has a simple structure consisting of a total of four panel bodies, but can prevent others from looking over your shoulder when you hold a web conference inside the booth device. The panel body is the back of the user that is projected to the other side of the web conference, so the view inside your room is not reflected by the other side. This makes it easy to ensure security. The back panel body and the end panel body are arranged parallel to each other in a plan view, and the overall configuration is rectangular in a plan view, so the number of parts can be reduced while making effective use of the space in the office or the like in which the booth device is installed.

In the booth device of the present invention, if the top plate is designed to fit almost entirely within the width of the end panel body when viewed from the front from the entrance/exit side, it is easy to block the view of others from the entrance/exit side of items placed on the top plate (such as information processing equipment, etc.), which is also effective in terms of security. In addition, the wiring under the top plate and brackets supporting the top plate can be concealed by the presence of the end panel body, which improves appearance.

In the booth device of the present invention, if the edge of the tabletop facing the other left or right panel body is formed so that the width of the tabletop increases as it approaches the center in a plan view, the width of the tabletop as a whole can be kept small, while still providing a sufficiently wide working area on the tabletop and improving usability. The design of the tabletop can also be ensured.

In the booth device of the present invention, if a wiring gap is formed between the top plate and one of the left and right panel bodies, the wiring cords extending from the information processing equipment on the top plate can be dropped down through the wiring gap, making the top plate less cluttered and less visible. This contributes to improving workability on the top plate.

In the booth device of the present invention, if a notch that communicates with and widens the wiring gap is formed on the edge of the top plate facing one of the left and right panel bodies, the terminals of the wiring cord can be smoothly inserted into the wiring gap, making wiring work easy.

In the booth apparatus of the present invention, if the width dimension of the end panel body is set shorter than the width dimension of the entrance/exit, access to the inside of the booth apparatus is improved.

In the booth device of the present invention, if a curtain rail for hanging a curtain is placed across the front upper ends of both the left and right panel bodies, the entrance and exit can be closed off with a curtain, making it easy to give the booth device an appropriate level of closedness that makes it difficult for others to interfere.

In the booth apparatus of the present invention, both left and right ends of the curtain rail are connected to the corresponding left and right panel bodies via locking fittings, and the downward opening hook parts of each locking fitting are fitted from above into the recessed grooves provided on the upper end sides of the left and right panel bodies, allowing the curtain rail to be stably attached to the booth apparatus. It is also easy to attach and detach (retrofit, etc.).

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the booth apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the booth device. FIG. 2 is an external plan view of the booth device. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a connection structure of a bracket to a corner post. FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view showing the connection structure of the bracket to the corner post. FIG. FIG. 11 is an external plan view of the booth apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of a booth apparatus according to a third embodiment. FIG. FIG. A cross-sectional view of the left side of the curtain rail. FIG. A cross-sectional view of the right side of the curtain rail. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing the connection structure between the curtain rail and the left panel body. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing the connection structure between the curtain rail and the right panel body. FIG. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the right side of the curtain rail in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a front view of the left and right locking fittings arranged side by side. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing the connection structure between the curtain rail and the right panel body. FIG. FIG. 13 is an external perspective view of a booth apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external plan view of the booth device. FIG. 23 is an external perspective view of a state in which the booth apparatus according to the sixth embodiment is added in series.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the terms "front, back" and "left and right" are used to specify directions. In this case, the entrance side of the booth device is defined as the front (or near side), and the back (or far side) and left and right are defined based on this.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the booth device 1 of the first embodiment has three panel bodies 2, 3, and 4 that are erected in a U-shape in plan view to surround the rear side and both left and right sides. An end panel body 5 that extends toward the other panel body 4 is connected to the front end of one of the left and right panel bodies 3. An entrance/exit E is formed between the front end of the other panel body 4 and the end panel body 5.

In the first embodiment, the end panel body 5 is connected to the front end of the left panel body 3. The entrance/exit E of the booth device 1 is between the front end of the right panel body 4 and the end panel body 5. It goes without saying that the end panel body 5 may be connected to the front end of the right panel body 4, and the entrance/exit E may be between the front end of the left panel body 3 and the end panel body 5. The rear panel body 2 and the left and right panel bodies 3, 4 are of the same size.

Adjacent panel bodies 2, 3 (2, 4 or 3, 5) are connected to each other via vertical corner supports 6 so that they are lined up in an L-shape when viewed from above. The rear panel body 2 and the end panel body 5 are arranged parallel to each other when viewed from above. The booth apparatus 1 as a whole is configured to be rectangular when viewed from above. This allows for the effective use of the space within the office or other space in which the booth apparatus 1 is installed, while limiting the number of panel bodies 2 to 5 used and reducing the number of parts.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the width dimension W5 of the end panel body 5 is set to be shorter than the width dimension WE of the entrance/exit E. This allows for good access to the inside of the booth device 1. Note that, as long as the width dimension WE of the entrance/exit E can be sufficiently secured, there is no problem if the width dimension W5 of the end panel body 5 is the same as or longer than the width dimension WE of the entrance/exit E.

A top plate 8 is disposed in the area surrounded by the rear panel body 2, one of the left and right panel bodies 3, and the end panel body 5. In the first embodiment, the top plate 8 is disposed in the area surrounded by the rear panel body 2, the left panel body 3, and the end panel body 5. When the end panel body 5 is connected to the front end of the right panel body 4, the top plate 8 may be disposed in the area surrounded by the rear panel body 2, the right panel body 4, and the end panel body 5.

The above configuration, while being a simple structure consisting of a total of four panels 2 to 5, can prevent people nearby from looking over your shoulder when holding a web conference inside the booth device 1. The back of the user that is projected to the other side of the web conference is the right panel 4 (or left panel 3), so the view inside the room is not reflected by the other side. This makes it easy to ensure security.

The details of each panel body 2 to 5 and the connection structure with the corner posts are not directly related to the present invention and will not be described in detail, but if necessary, please refer to JP 2020-41338 A and JP 2020-101223 A, etc.

The tabletop 8 in the first embodiment is connected to two corner posts 6, 6 on the left side via a pair of front and rear brackets 9, 9 (see Figures 3 to 6). The connection structure of each bracket 9 to the corner post 6 is the same for the front and rear. Figures 4 and 5 show an example of the connection structure of the bracket 9 to the corner post 6 on the rear left side (between the rear panel body 2 and the left panel body 3).

In this case, the tabletop 8 is attached to the two left-hand corner posts 6, 6 via a pair of front and rear brackets 9, 9 so that the vertical height can be adjusted. The vertical height of the tabletop 8 can be adjusted in stages. A large number of groups of engagement holes 7 are formed at an appropriate vertical pitch in the inward corner portion of each corner post 6 (see Figures 4 and 5). A pair of upper and lower hook-shaped locking claws 10, 10 are formed on the base end side of each bracket 9.

After each hook-shaped locking claw 10 is hooked and engaged with the corresponding engagement hole 7 of the corner post 6, the top plate 8 is placed on the flat end portions 11, 11 of the front and rear brackets 9, 9, and the top plate 8 is screwed from below to these flat end portions 11, 11. As a result, the top plate 8 is attached to the area surrounded by the rear panel body 2, left panel body 3, and end panel body 5.

In addition, a power outlet 12 for a commercial power source or the like is attached to the rear side of the underside of the tabletop 8. The location of the power outlet 12 is not particularly limited as long as it is on the underside of the tabletop 8.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the top plate 8 is almost entirely contained within the width W5 of the end panel body 5 when viewed from the front from the entrance E side. In the first embodiment, the center side of the top plate 8 protrudes slightly from the end panel body 5 when viewed from the front, but this extent is included in the range of "almost entirely contained within the width W5 of the end panel body 5 when viewed from the front" in this specification. As in the second embodiment shown in Figure 7, the right edge 14 of the top plate 8 facing the right panel body 4 may be formed in a straight line so that it fits neatly within the width W5 of the end panel body 5 when viewed from the front.

The above configuration makes it easy to block the view of items placed on the top plate 8 (such as information processing equipment) from the entrance E, which is effective in terms of security. In addition, the wiring under the top plate 8 and the brackets 9 supporting the top plate 8 can be concealed by the presence of the end panel body 5, which improves appearance.

As shown in FIG. 3, the right edge 14 of the top plate 8 facing the right panel body 4 is curved so that the width W8 of the top plate 8 increases as it approaches the center in a plan view. In other words, the front and rear ends of the top plate 8 are shorter than the center and located closer to the left panel body 3, and the right edge 14 of the top plate 8 is formed into a gently curved shape. When the top plate 8 is located on the right panel body 4 side, it goes without saying that the edge faces the left panel body 3. In short, the left and right of the booth apparatus 1 may be reversed in this specification.

When configured as described above, the top plate 8 as a whole can be made compact by not widening the width W8, while still providing a sufficiently wide working area on the top plate 8, improving usability. The design of the top plate 8 can also be ensured. Note that the edge 14 (or 13) of the top plate 8 facing the other left or right panel body 4 (or 3) only needs to be formed so that the width W8 of the top plate 8 increases as it approaches the center in a plan view, and the edge 14 (or 13) of the top plate 8 does not need to have a gently curved shape. In other words, any shape that can provide a sufficiently wide working area on the top plate 8 can be used, and it may be a trapezoidal shape or a polygonal arc shape in a plan view, for example.

As shown in Figures 3 and 7, a wiring gap 15 is formed between one of the left and right panel bodies 3 and the top plate 8. In the first and second embodiments, the wiring gap 15 is located between the left panel body 3 and the top plate 8. By positioning the top plate 8 with an appropriate distance from the left panel body 3, the gap created between the left panel body 3 and the top plate 8 is used as the wiring gap 15.

When configured as described above, the wiring cords extending from the information processing devices on the top plate 8 can be dropped down through the wiring gaps 15, making the top plate 8 less cluttered and less cluttered. This contributes to improving workability on the top plate 8.

As shown in Figures 3 and 7, a notch 16 that communicates with the wiring gap 15 and widens it is formed in the left edge 13 of the top plate 8 that faces the left panel body 3. The notch in the first embodiment is located on the front side of the left edge 13 of the top plate 8, but is not limited thereto and may be formed anywhere on the left edge 13.

When configured as described above, the terminals of the wiring cord can be smoothly inserted into the wiring gap 15, making wiring work easy.

Figures 8 to 15 show a third embodiment of the booth apparatus 1 in which a curtain rail 20 for hanging a curtain (not shown) is stretched across the front upper ends of the left and right panel bodies 3, 4. The curtain rail 20 in the third embodiment is located at the upper end of the entrance E and extends from the front upper end side of the left panel body 3 to the front upper end side of the right panel body 4. As a result, a portion of the curtain rail 20 extends and overlaps the upper end of the end panel body 5.

As shown in Figures 9, 10 and 12, the curtain rail 20 of the third embodiment includes a mounting bracket 21 that is a downward opening gutter-shaped mounting bracket that extends from the left panel body 3 to the right panel body 4, a rail body 22 for running the runner that is attached to the mounting bracket 21, a blocking body 23 that is attached to the mounting bracket 21 at a location that overlaps with the end panel body 5 where the rail body 22 is not present, and a pair of left and right locking metal fittings 24, 24 that connect the left and right ends of the mounting bracket 21 to the corresponding panel bodies 3, 4, respectively. Although not shown in the figures, upholstery is attached to the outer surface of the mounting bracket to unify the texture and improve the appearance. It goes without saying that in all embodiments, upholstery is attached to the outer surface of each panel body 2 to 5 and the corner support 6.

The rail body 22 is formed with a C-shaped cross section with a downward opening so that the runner can run inside. The rail body 22 is screwed in place at multiple points inside the mounting bracket 21. The length of the rail body 22 is set to be approximately the same as or slightly longer than the width WE of the entrance/exit E. Therefore, the rail body 22 is not present in the area of the mounting bracket 21 that overlaps with the end panel body 5. Therefore, a blocking body 23 is attached to fill the recess in the mounting bracket 21 at that location.

The closure body 23 is made of elastically deformable synthetic resin and has a C-shaped cross section with an upward opening. The closure body 23 is fitted by forced engagement into the mounting bracket 21 at a location where it overlaps with the end panel body 5 where the rail body 22 is not present.

The left and right locking fittings 24, 24 are made of metal and are formed with an inverted U-shaped cross section. Each locking fitting 24 has a bracket flange 26 and a panel flange 27 that protrude outward to the left and right from a downward-opening hook portion 25. The bracket flange 26 of each locking fitting 24 is inserted into the longitudinal end of the mounting bracket 21 and screwed in place. As shown in Figure 12, the bracket flange 26 of the right locking fitting 24 is fastened to the mounting bracket 21 together with the right end of the rail body 22.

The panel flange 27 of each fastening fitting 24 is screwed from above to the front upper end side of the corresponding panel body 3, 4. In this case, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, grooves 31, 41 are formed at the upper ends of the left and right panel bodies 3, 4, and capping covers 32, 42 are fitted into the grooves 31, 41. Similarly, a groove 51 is formed at the upper end of the end panel body 5, and a capping cover 52 is fitted into the groove 51.

The hook portion 25 of each fastening fitting 24 is fitted from above into the upper edge portion 33, 43 of the grooves 31, 41 of the left and right panel bodies 3, 4 that are closer to the inside, and the panel flange 27 of each fastening fitting 24 is screwed from above together with the connecting plate 29 that connects the left and right panel bodies 3, 4 to the corner posts 6, etc., to attach the curtain rail 20 to the front upper end side of both the left and right panel bodies 3, 4.

As shown in FIG. 15, the panel flange 27 of the right locking bracket 24 and the panel flange 27 of the left locking bracket 24 are formed out of phase with each other. This is because, when multiple booth devices 1 are connected together as shown in the sixth embodiment in FIG. 21, when the curtain rail 20 is attached to each booth device 1, adjacent locking brackets 24, 24 can be attached without interfering with each other.

As described above, by adopting a configuration in which the curtain rail 20 is suspended across the front upper ends of both the left and right panel bodies 3, 4, the entrance E can be closed off with a curtain, making it easy to give the booth device 1 an appropriate level of closedness that makes it difficult for others to interfere. In addition, by fitting the downward-facing opening hook portions 25 of each locking fitting 24 from above into the recessed grooves 31, 41 provided on the upper ends of the left and right panel bodies 3, 4, the curtain rail 20 can be stably attached to the booth device 1. It is also easy to attach and detach (retrofit, etc.).

Figures 16 to 18 show a fourth embodiment of the booth apparatus 1, which shows another example of the curtain rail 20. In the fourth embodiment of the curtain rail 20, cap bodies 28 that prevent the runner from falling off the rail body are removably fitted to both longitudinal ends (both left and right ends) of the rail body 22. Figure 16 shows the cap body 28 located on the right side of the curtain rail 20, and the cap body 28 on the left side of the curtain rail 20 is not shown.

In the curtain rail 20 of the fourth embodiment, unlike the third embodiment, the left and right locking fittings 24, 24 are formed symmetrically to each other. Therefore, as shown in detail in FIG. 18, when multiple booth devices 1 are connected together, when the curtain rail 20 is attached to each booth device 1, the panel flanges 27, 27 of adjacent locking fittings 24, 24 overlap vertically, and in this state are screwed from above into the recessed groove 41 of the right panel body 4.

When the height positions of the hook portions 25 of the left and right locking fittings 24 are aligned so that the panel flanges 27, 27 of adjacent locking fittings 24, 24 can be smoothly stacked one on top of the other, the length of the hanging piece 25a connected to the panel flange 27 of one of the left and right locking fittings 24 is longer by the thickness of the panel flange 27 than the length of the hanging piece 25a connected to the panel flange 27 of the other of the left and right locking fittings 24 (see Figure 17).

When attaching a curtain rail to a single booth device 1 (without adding additional units), a washer (not shown) will be placed on the underside of the other left or right retaining bracket 24 (the right retaining bracket 24 attached to the right panel body 4 in the fourth embodiment of FIG. 18).

When multiple booth devices 1 are connected in series, this configuration allows adjacent fastening brackets 24, 24 to be screwed together at once to the corresponding left and right panel bodies 3, 4 when attaching the curtain rail 20 to each booth device 1, reducing the effort required for installation. Similarly, the effort required for removal can also be reduced.

Incidentally, in both the third and fourth embodiments, if a cylindrical spacer (collar), for example, is interposed between the panel flange 27 of each fastening fitting 24 and the inner bottom surface of the recessed groove 31, 41 of the left and right panel bodies 3, 4, and the panel flange 27 is screwed to the inner bottom surface of the recessed groove 31, 41, this is preferable because it prevents the screws from loosening.

In addition, if the booth device 1 is reversed (the end panel body 5 is connected to the front end of the right panel body 4), the curtain rail 20 of the third and fourth embodiments can also be installed by flipping it over, or by swapping the rail body 22 and the blocking body 23 inside the mounting bracket 21.

In the third and fourth embodiments, the curtain hung on the curtain rail 20 can be opened and closed from either the left or right side. Of course, the most extreme part of the curtain on either the left or right side (for example, the most extreme runner) can be fixed to the mounting bracket 21 or the rail body 22 to make a single-opening curtain.

In addition, although detailed illustration is omitted, in the curtain rail 20 of the third and fourth embodiments, a magnetic curtain stopper is attached to an appropriate location within the rail body 22. The presence of the curtain stopper prevents the curtain from closing or opening due to the repulsion of the fabric or the like, which causes the curtain to move away from the desired position.

The configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, as shown in the fifth embodiment of Figs. 19 and 20, the width of the rear panel body 2 may be set longer than the width of both the left and right panel bodies 3, 4. Conversely, it is also possible to set the width of both the left and right panel bodies 3, 4 longer than the width of the rear panel body 2. Also, as shown in the sixth embodiment of Fig. 21, it is permissible to provide multiple booth devices 1 in series.

[0033] 1 Booth device 2 Back panel body 3 Left panel body 4 Right panel body 5 End panel body 6 Corner support 7 Engagement hole 8 Top plate 9 Bracket 10 Hook-shaped locking claw 11 Tip flat plate portion 12 Outlet 13 Left edge portion 14 Right edge portion 15 Wiring gap 16 Notch 20 Curtain rail 21 Mounting bracket 22 Rail body 23 Closure body 24 Locking fitting 25 Hook portion 26 Bracket flange 27 Panel flange

Claims (7)

A booth apparatus comprising three panel bodies arranged upright in a U-shape in plan view surrounding the rear side and both the left and right sides, with an end panel body extending toward the other of the left and right panel bodies being connected to a front end of one of the left and right panel bodies, and an entrance and exit being formed between the front end of the other of the left and right panel bodies and the end panel body,
The rear panel body and the end panel body are arranged parallel to each other in a plan view, and are configured to be rectangular in a plan view as a whole. A top plate is arranged in an area surrounded by the rear panel body, one of the left and right panel bodies, and the end panel body.
A curtain rail for hanging curtains is hung across the front upper ends of the left and right panels.
Booth equipment. The top plate is substantially within the width of the end panel body when viewed from the front side from the entrance side.
2. The booth apparatus according to claim 1. The edge portion of the top plate facing the other of the left and right panel bodies is formed so that the width of the top plate becomes longer as it approaches the center in a plan view.
2. The booth apparatus according to claim 1. A wiring gap is formed between the left or right panel body and the top plate.
A booth apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A cutout is formed in an edge of the top plate facing one of the left and right panel bodies, the cutout communicating with the wiring gap and widening the wiring gap.
5. The booth apparatus according to claim 4. The width dimension of the end panel body is set shorter than the width dimension of the entrance.
2. The booth apparatus according to claim 1. The left and right ends of the curtain rail are connected to the corresponding left and right panels via locking fittings, and the downward opening hooks of the locking fittings are fitted from above into grooves provided on the upper ends of the left and right panels.
2. The booth apparatus according to claim 1.

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