JP7730009B2 - Sheet hanging structure and assembly method - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a hanging structure and assembly method for a seat that includes a pad and a covering material that covers the pad and is provided with a hanging portion.

In seats such as vehicle seats that have a pad and a covering material that covers the pad, a linear recessed section may be provided on the seating surface of the seat cushion and seat back to maintain the outer shape. The covering material is suspended in this section and secured to an engaging member that is fixed to the pad.

The hanging groove may have a curved or bent portion that is laterally curved or bent when viewed from the front side of the seat. Various innovations have been made to adapt hanging structures to hanging grooves with curved portions. Patent Document 1 describes a hanging structure that includes a bag-shaped hanging cloth connected to the hanging edge of the upholstery material and a string that is inserted into the hanging cloth and fixed in the hanging groove, with a notch provided in the hanging cloth where it passes through the curved portion of the hanging groove. By providing a notch in the bag-shaped hanging cloth at a position corresponding to the curved portion, the difference in length between the inside and outside of the bag-shaped hanging cloth is adjusted, preventing wrinkles from forming in the hanging cloth. Patent Document 2 also describes a hanging structure that includes a clip fixed to the bottom of the hanging groove of the pad and a hanging member that includes a first edge that is sewn to the hanging edge of the upholstery material and a second edge that engages with the clip, with a slit provided in the first edge. The slits allow the hanging member to bend to accommodate the curved section.

Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 62-066600 Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2-092800

In the hanging structure described in Patent Document 1, the string is not fixed to the hanging cloth, so during assembly of the hanging structure, the hanging cloth may slide relative to the string in the longitudinal direction (extension direction) of the hanging groove, potentially causing the hanging edge of the covering material to be installed out of position. Furthermore, in the hanging structure described in Patent Document 2, the need to provide a slit reduces work efficiency, and the second edge is rigid enough to engage with the clip, making it difficult to bend, making it difficult to connect the hanging member in a bent state to the hanging edge of the covering material by sewing or other methods.

In light of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a hanging structure and an assembly method for a hanging structure with a curved portion, in which the relative positions of components are stable and the hanging edge of the skin material can be attached to the correct position in the hanging groove. Furthermore, one embodiment of the present invention aims to provide an assembly method for a hanging structure that uses a hanging member that is resistant to bending deformation, in which the hanging member can be easily connected to the hanging edge of the skin material in a bent state.

One embodiment of the present invention is a hanging structure (10) for a seat (1), comprising a pad (5) having a hanging groove (11) extending along the surface to include a curved portion (9) that is bent or curved, and a hanging edge (12) extending along the longitudinal direction of the hanging groove (11) within a section of the hanging groove (11) that includes the curved portion (9), a skin material (6) that covers the surface of the pad (5), a loop member (13) connected to the hanging edge (12), and a loop member (14) at the bottom of the hanging groove (11). The device comprises an engaging member (14) fixed to the pad (5), and a hanging member (15) that is inserted into the loop member (13, 30) and engages with the engaging member (14) to lock the hanging edge portion (12) to the engaging member (14), the hanging member (15) including a cloth-like first edge portion (19) and a second edge portion (20) that engages with the engaging member (14) and has higher bending rigidity than the first edge portion (14), and the first edge portion (14) is connected to the loop member (13, 30).

With this configuration, the loop member is connected to the hanging edge portion, and the hanging member is connected to the loop member, so the position of the hanging member relative to the loop member and hanging edge portion is stable, and the hanging edge portion can be attached to the correct position in the hanging groove.

One embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the loop member (13) includes a bag-shaped cloth extending in the longitudinal direction and having a notch (21) through which the second edge (20) and/or the engaging member (14) is inserted.

With this configuration, the engaging member engages with the second edge directly, without going through the fabric of the loop member, so the loop member does not impair the mutual engagement between the engaging member and the second edge.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in the above configuration, the cutout portion (21) is positioned and sized so as to expose the portion of the engaging member (14) that engages with the second edge portion (20).

With this configuration, the fabric of the loop member does not interfere with the engagement of the second edge with the engagement member, and workability is not impaired even when the loop member is used.

One embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the first edge (19) is connected to the loop member (13) by sewing so as to be continuous along the longitudinal direction.

With this configuration, the continuous stitching strengthens the connection between the first edge and the loop member.

One embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the sewing line (22) connecting the first edge (19) to the loop member (13) crosses the cutout portion.

With this configuration, the stitching line crosses the cutout, making it easy to check the connection between the first edge and the loop member.

In one embodiment of the present invention, instead of the above configuration, the sewing line connecting the first edge to the loop member is provided on the edge of the cutout portion facing the upholstery material, or slightly closer to the upholstery material.

With this configuration, the first edge and the loop member are sewn together continuously, resulting in a strong bond between them.

One embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first configuration described above, the loop member (30) includes a plurality of tape cloths, which are connected to the hanging edge portion (12) by sewing at intervals in the longitudinal direction to define a cutout portion (31) that exposes the second edge portion (20) from the loop member (30).

With this configuration, by aligning the cutout with the portion with the greatest curvature or the center of the longitudinal curvature, sewing between the first edge and the loop member can be avoided, making the connection process easier.

One embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in any of the above configurations, the first edge (19) has a different color than the loop member (13, 30).

With this configuration, the color of the first edge exposed through the cutout is different from the color of the loop member, improving visibility of the first edge and workability.

One embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in any of the above configurations, the section of the hanging groove (11) includes a straight section (8), and the hanging edge section (12) includes a straight section (23) that is hung into the straight section (8), and the hanging structure (10) of the seat (1) further includes a straight section hanging member (24) that engages with the engaging member (14) to lock the straight section (23) to the engaging member (14), the straight section hanging member (24) including a cloth-like straight section first edge (25) and a rigid straight section second edge (26) that can engage with the engaging member (14), and the straight section first edge (25) is directly connected to the straight section (23).

With this configuration, in the straight sections, the straight section hanging member is directly connected to the hanging edge without using a loop member, thereby minimizing the number of parts.

One embodiment of the present invention includes a pad (5) having a hanging groove (11) extending along its surface to include a curved portion (9) that is bent or curved, a hanging edge portion (12) extending along the longitudinal direction of the hanging groove (11) within a section of the hanging groove (11) that includes the curved portion (9), and a skin material (6) that covers the surface of the pad (5), a loop member (13, 30) arranged on the hanging edge portion (12), an engaging member (14) fixed to the pad (5) at the bottom of the hanging groove (11), a cloth-like first edge portion (19), and a bending portion (12) having a rigidity that allows the hanging edge portion (12) to engage with the engaging member (14) and that is higher than the loop member (13, 30) and the first edge portion (19). A method for assembling a hanging structure (10) for a seat (1) comprising a hanging member (15) including a second edge portion (20) having bending stiffness, the method comprising the steps of: connecting the loop member (13, 30) to the hanging edge portion (12) so that the hanging member (15) is annular around the longitudinal direction and has an opening (16) on at least one side of the longitudinal direction; inserting the hanging member (15) into the loop member (13, 30) through the opening (16) so that the second edge portion (20) is positioned on the opposite side of the hanging edge portion (12) with respect to the first edge portion (19); connecting the first edge portion (19) to the loop member (13, 30); and engaging the second edge portion (20) with the engaging member (14).

With this configuration, the loop member is connected to the hanging edge portion, and the hanging member is connected to the loop member, so the position of the hanging member relative to the loop member and hanging edge portion is stable, and the hanging edge portion can be attached to the correct position in the hanging groove. Furthermore, because the hanging member is connected to the loop member after being connected to the hanging edge portion, the hanging member before being connected to the loop member is stable in a bent state within the loop member. This makes it easier to connect the hanging member to the loop member.

With the sheet hanging structure of the present invention, the loop member is connected to the hanging edge portion, and the hanging member is connected to the loop member, so the position of the hanging member relative to the loop member and the hanging edge portion is stable, and the hanging edge portion can be attached to the correct position in the hanging groove.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, by providing a cutout portion, the engagement member engages with the second edge directly, without going through the fabric of the loop member, so the loop member does not impair the mutual engagement between the engagement member and the second edge.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the cutout is sized and positioned so that the fabric of the loop member does not interfere with the engagement of the second edge with the engagement member, so workability is not impaired even when a loop member is used.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the connection between the first edge and the loop member is strengthened by the continuous stitching.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the stitching line crosses the cutout, making it easy to check the connection between the first edge and the loop member.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the first edge and the loop member are sewn together continuously, thereby providing a strong bond between the first edge and the loop member.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the loop member includes multiple pieces of tape fabric with cutouts defined between them. By aligning the cutouts with the largest curved portion or the center of the curve in the longitudinal direction, sewing between the first edge and the loop member can be performed while avoiding that portion, making this connection process easier.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the color of the first edge exposed through the cutout is different from the color of the loop member, thereby increasing the visibility of the first edge and improving workability.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in the straight sections, the straight section hanging member is directly connected to the hanging edge without using a loop member, thereby minimizing the number of parts.

In the method for assembling a sheet hanging structure according to the present invention, the loop member is connected to the hanging edge portion, and the hanging member is connected to the loop member, which stabilizes the position of the hanging member relative to the loop member and hanging edge portion, allowing the hanging edge portion to be attached to the correct position in the hanging groove. Furthermore, because the hanging member is connected to the loop member after being connected to the hanging edge portion, the hanging member before being connected to the loop member is stable in a bent state within the loop member, making it easier to connect the hanging member to the loop member.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle seat according to an embodiment; Cross-sectional view of a hanging structure according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a hanging structure according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an assembly method of the hanging structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an assembly method of the hanging structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a loop member according to a modified example of the embodiment.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat 1 (hereinafter referred to as "seat 1") according to an embodiment. The seat 1 includes a seat cushion 2 supported by the vehicle body, a seat back 3 connected to the seat cushion 2, and a headrest 4 connected to the seat back 3. The seat cushion 2, seat back 3, and headrest 4 each include a pad 5 (see FIG. 2) made of a foamed resin such as urethane foam, and a cover material 6 covering the seating side of the pad 5. The seating side surfaces of the seat cushion 2 and seat back 3 are formed with a plurality of linearly recessed dimples 7, 7a formed by the cover material 6 being dimpled into the pad 5. The dimples 7a of the seat cushion 2 extend laterally along the rear, extend forward from both ends, and curve outward at their front ends. When viewed perpendicular to the seating surface, the dimples 7a have a linear portion 8 that extends substantially linearly and a curved portion 9 that is bent or curved laterally relative to the linear portion 8. In the illustrated example, the hanging portion 7a having the curved portion 9 is provided on the seat cushion 2, but it may also be provided on the seat back 3.

Figure 2 shows a hanging structure 10 for a seat 1 according to an embodiment. The hanging structure 10 includes a pad 5 having a hanging groove 11 extending along its surface to include a bent or curved portion 9 (see Figure 1), a hanging edge 12 extending along the longitudinal direction of the hanging groove 11 within a section of the hanging groove 11 that includes the curved portion 9 (hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, "longitudinal direction" refers to the longitudinal direction of the hanging groove 11 (the extending direction including the curved portion 9)), and covering the surface of the pad 5; a loop member 13 arranged on the hanging edge 12; an engaging member 14 fixed to the pad 5 at the bottom of the hanging groove 11; and a hanging member 15 inserted into the loop member 13 and engaging with the engaging member 14 to lock the hanging edge 12 to the engaging member 14.

The pad 5 is made of foamed resin such as urethane foam. The hanging groove 11 opens toward the seating surface.

The hanging edge 12 of the skin material 6 is formed by abutting the ends of two sheets of skin material 6 so that their surfaces are aligned and then connecting them by sewing or the like. Alternatively, the hanging edge 12 may be formed by folding one sheet of skin material 6 so that the surface side forms a valley and then connecting the abutting parts by sewing or the like.

As shown in Figure 3, the loop member 13 is made of a bag-shaped piece of fabric with openings 16 at both longitudinal ends. The loop member 13 is connected to the hanging edge 12 by sewing or the like along its longitudinal direction (the reference symbol "13a" indicates the sewing line). The opening 16 is sized to allow the hanging member 15 to be inserted into the loop member 13. Both longitudinal ends of the loop member 13 are inclined so that the distance between both longitudinal ends of the loop member 13 becomes shorter from the hanging edge 12 side toward the bottom of the hanging groove 11.

The engaging member 14 is a clip that includes a base plate 17 embedded in the bottom of the hanging groove 11 and a pair of locking claws 18 extending from the base plate 17 into the hanging groove 11. The engaging member 14, which is a clip, is embedded in the pad 5 when the pad 5 is foamed.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the hanging member 15 includes a first edge 19 made of a cloth-like material such as nonwoven fabric, extending longitudinally and connected to the loop member 13 by sewing or the like, and a second edge 20 made of resin or the like, extending longitudinally and connected to the end of the first edge 19 on the hanging groove 11 side. The hanging member 15 extends linearly when no force is applied, but is capable of bending and deformation. The second edge 20 bulges on both sides of the thickness of the first edge 19 relative to the first edge 19 so as to engage with the locking claws 18 of the engaging member 14, and has sufficient rigidity to allow the locking claws 18 to engage. The second edge 20 has higher bending rigidity than the loop member 13 and the first edge 19. The second edge 20 is formed by injection molding, and the first edge 19 is connected to the second edge 20 by being attached to a mold cavity during molding of the second edge 20. If the first edge portion 19 and the second edge portion 20 are made of the same resin, the hanging member 15 may be formed by extrusion molding.

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the loop member 13 has a notch 21 on the side opposite the connection portion with the hanging edge 12 so that the second edge 20 directly engages with the engaging member 14. The engaging member 14 is inserted through the notch 21 to engage with the second edge 20. Note that instead of or in addition to the engaging member 14 being inserted through the notch 21, the second edge 20 may be configured to be partially inserted through the notch 21. The notch 21 is provided at a position corresponding to the curved portion 9.

The cutout 21 is preferably positioned and sized to expose the portion where the engaging member 14 engages with the second edge 20 and to expose the portion of the first edge 19 adjacent to the second edge 20. In this case, the first edge 19 preferably has a color different from that of the loop member 13. The stitching line 22 connecting the first edge 19 to the loop member 13 may extend in the longitudinal direction and cross the cutout 21 (shown by the dashed line in Figures 3 and 5), or may be located on the edge of the cutout 21 on the upholstery material 6 side or slightly closer to it (shown by the two-dot chain line in Figures 3 and 5). The stitching line 22 may be continuous or intermittent along the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the hanging edge portion 12 includes not only the curved portion 9 but also a straight section 23 corresponding to the straight section 8. A straight section hanging member 24 is connected to the straight section 23. The straight section hanging member 24 includes a cloth-like straight section first edge 25 and a straight section second edge 26 that engages with the engaging member 14. The straight section first edge 25 is directly connected to the straight section 23 of the hanging edge portion 12 by sewing or the like. Reference numeral 27 indicates the sewing line. The straight section second edge 26 is connected to the edge of the straight section first edge 25 on the hanging groove 11 side. The straight section second edge 26 bulges out on both sides in the thickness direction of the straight section first edge 25 relative to the straight section first edge 25 so as to engage with the engaging claws 18 of the engaging member 14, and has sufficient rigidity to allow the engaging claws 18 to engage. The second straight edge 26 has higher bending rigidity than the first straight edge 25. The straight edge 24 may be a member having the same configuration as the hanging member 15.

The method for assembling the hanging structure 10 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. First, as shown in Figure 3, a worker connects the straight section hanging member 24 to the straight section 23 of the hanging edge portion 12 by sewing or the like, and then, as shown in Figure 4, directly connects the loop member 13 to the portion of the hanging edge portion 12 corresponding to the curved portion 9 (see Figure 3) by sewing or the like. Next, the worker inserts the hanging member 15 into the loop member 13 through the opening 16. The hanging member 15 is inserted into the loop member 13 so that the second edge portion 20 is located on the opposite side of the first edge portion 19 from the hanging edge portion 12. Next, as shown in Figure 5, the worker connects the first edge portion 19 and the loop member 13 to each other by sewing or the like. Next, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the worker inserts the hanging edge 12 into the hanging groove 11, engaging the second edge 20 with the engaging member 14 of the curved portion 9 and engaging the straight portion second edge 27 with the engaging member 14 of the straight portion 8. Note that in the above procedure, the step of connecting the straight portion hanging member 24 to the hanging edge 12 can be performed at any time before engaging with the engaging member 14.

The effects of the above embodiment will be described.
Because the first edge 19 is connected to the loop member 13 by sewing or the like, the hanging member 15 does not shift relative to the loop member 13 and the hanging edge 12, and the hanging edge 12 can be attached to the correct position in the hanging groove 11. In particular, when the stitching line 22 is continuous in the longitudinal direction, the hanging member 15 is even less likely to shift relative to the loop member 13 in the longitudinal direction.

Since the loop member 13 is connected to the hanging edge portion 12 before the hanging member 15 is connected to the loop member 13, the hanging member 15 remains stable in a bent state within the loop member 13 before being connected to the loop member 13. This makes it easier to connect the hanging member 15 to the loop member.

Because the loop member 13 has a cutout 21, the second edge 20 of the hanging member 15 engages directly with the engaging member 14 via the cutout 21. This engagement is stronger than when the engagement is via the fabric of the loop member 13. The position and size of the cutout 21 are determined so that the portion of the engaging member 14 that engages with the second edge 20 is exposed, making it easy to engage the second edge 20 with the engaging member 14 without being hindered by the fabric of the loop member 13. Because the color of the first edge 19 exposed through the cutout 21 is different from the color of the loop member 13, the visibility of the first edge 19 exposed through the cutout 21 is improved, improving workability.

When the stitching line 22 crosses the cutout 21, it is easy to check the connection between the first edge 19 and the loop member 13. Furthermore, when the stitching line 22 does not cross the cutout 21 but passes through the edge of the cutout 21 or its vicinity, the connection between the first edge 19 and the loop member 13 is strengthened.

In the straight section 23, the straight section hanging member 24 is directly connected to the hanging edge portion 12 without using the loop member 13, thereby minimizing the number of parts.

A loop member 30 according to a modified example of the above embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6. In the description, components common to the above embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and explanations thereof will be omitted.

Two loop members 30 are connected to the hanging edge 12. Each loop member 30 includes a tape fabric. The two longitudinal ends of the tape fabric overlap and are connected to the hanging edge 12 by sewing or the like, forming the loop member 30 in a loop shape and forming openings 16 on both sides in the longitudinal direction (the horizontal direction of the tape fabric). Reference numeral 30a indicates the sewing line connecting the loop member 30 to the hanging edge 12. The longitudinal ends of each loop member 30 are inclined so that the distance between the longitudinal ends of each loop member 30 becomes shorter from the hanging edge 12 side toward the bottom of the hanging groove 11 (see Figure 2).

The two loop members 30 are arranged at a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction, so that a cutout 31 is formed between the two loop members 30, exposing the hanging member 15. The hanging member 15 is received in the loop members 30 at both longitudinal ends and is exposed from the loop member 30 at the longitudinal center.

By aligning the cutout 31 with the portion of greatest curvature or the center of the longitudinal curvature, the first edge 19 and the loop member 30 can be connected to each other by sewing or other means while avoiding that portion, making the connection process easier.

This concludes the description of specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in a wide variety of modifications. The present invention can be applied not only to vehicle seats, but also to seats for other vehicles and seats placed in homes, etc., as long as the seat has a pad and a covering material.

1: Sheet 5: Pad 6: Cover material 8: Straight section 9: Curved section 10: Hanging structure 11: Hanging groove 12: Hanging edge section 13, 30: Loop member 14: Engagement member 15: Hanging member 16: Opening 19: First edge section 20: Second edge section 21, 31: Cutout section 22: Sewing line 23: Straight section 24: Straight section hanging member 25: Straight section first edge section 26: Straight section second edge section

Claims (10)

a pad having a recessed groove extending along its surface to include a curved portion that bends or curves;
a skin material covering the surface of the pad, the skin material including a hanging edge portion extending along the longitudinal direction of the hanging groove within a section of the hanging groove including the curved portion;
a loop member connected to the hanging edge;
an engaging member fixed to the pad at the bottom of the hanging groove;
a hanging member that is inserted into the loop member and engages with the engaging member to lock the hanging edge portion to the engaging member;
the hanging member includes a cloth-like first edge portion and a second edge portion that engages with the engaging member and has higher bending rigidity than the first edge portion;
the first edge is connected to the loop member ;
the loop member has a notch at a position corresponding to the bent portion;
A seat hanging structure, characterized in that the second edge portion engages with the engaging member located at the curved portion via the cutout portion . 2. The seat hanging structure according to claim 1, wherein the loop member includes a bag-shaped piece of fabric extending in the longitudinal direction and having the notch . The seat hanging structure described in claim 2, characterized in that the position and size of the cutout portion are determined so as to expose the portion where the engaging member engages with the second edge portion. The seat hanging structure described in claim 3, characterized in that the first edge is connected to the loop member by sewing so as to be continuous along the longitudinal direction. The seat hanging structure described in claim 4, characterized in that the sewing line connecting the first edge portion to the loop member crosses the cutout portion. The seat hanging structure described in claim 4, characterized in that the sewing line connecting the first edge portion to the loop member is provided on the edge of the cutout portion facing the upholstery material or slightly closer to the upholstery material. The seat hanging structure described in claim 1, characterized in that the loop member includes a plurality of tape cloths, the plurality of tape cloths being connected to the hanging edge by sewing at intervals in the longitudinal direction to define the cutout portion that exposes the second edge portion from the loop member. A sheet hanging structure as described in any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the first edge portion has a different color from the loop member. The section of the hanging groove includes a straight portion,
The hanging edge portion includes a straight section that is hung into the straight section,
The seat hanging structure further includes a straight section hanging member that engages with the engaging member to lock the straight section to the engaging member,
The straight section hanging member includes a cloth-like straight section first edge portion and a straight section second edge portion having rigidity that enables it to engage with the engaging member, and the straight section first edge portion is directly connected to the straight section. A seat hanging structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the straight section hanging member includes a cloth-like straight section first edge portion and a straight section second edge portion having rigidity that enables it to engage with the engaging member, and the straight section first edge portion is directly connected to the straight section. a pad having a recessed groove extending along its surface to include a curved portion that bends or curves;
a skin material covering the surface of the pad, the skin material including a hanging edge portion extending along the longitudinal direction of the hanging groove within a section of the hanging groove including the curved portion;
a loop member disposed on the hanging edge and having a notch ;
an engaging member fixed to the pad at the bottom of the hanging groove;
a first edge portion of a cloth-like material; and a second edge portion having a rigidity that allows the hanging edge portion to be engaged with the engaging member to lock the hanging edge portion to the engaging member, the second edge portion having a bending rigidity higher than that of the loop member and the first edge portion,
a step of connecting the loop member to the hanging edge portion so that the loop member is annular around the longitudinal direction, has an opening on at least one side of the longitudinal direction, and when placed in the hanging groove, the notch is positioned at a position corresponding to the curved portion ;
inserting the suspending member into the loop member through the opening such that the second edge is positioned on the opposite side of the suspending edge relative to the first edge;
connecting the first edge to the loop member;
and engaging the second edge portion with the engaging member located at the curved portion via the notch portion .