Apron device for a vehicle seat

Abstract

Skirting device (100) for a vehicle seat, which extends downwards from a seat back (1) to surround both a rear section of a seat cushion and a lower section of the seat, wherein the skirting device (100) comprises: an apron (110) which is connected to a lower end of a back panel (2) of the seat back (1) to surround the rear section of the seat cushion, and a skirt cover (120) which is positioned below the skirt (110) and is fixed to the lower section of the seat in order to always surround a lower section of the skirt (110), where the apron (110) has: an inner plate (111), and an outer material (112) which is connected to the inner panel (111) in a state of overlapping the inner panel (111) and is exposed to a passenger in a rear seat, wherein an upper end of the apron (110) has a connecting section which has a predetermined width, to which the inner plate (111) is not attached and which is provided by folding an upper end of the outer material (112) and bonding the folded upper end to the outer material (112), and wherein the connecting section is attached to an inner surface of the lower end of the back plate, thereby connecting the apron (110) to the lower end of the back plate (2).

Description

BACKGROUND(a) Technical field

[0001] The present invention / disclosure relates to a skirt device for a vehicle seat (e.g., a motor vehicle seat), and more particularly, to a skirt device for a vehicle seat that is mounted on the seat to surround the rear surface (e.g., back) of the lower portion of the seat, thereby shielding (e.g., protecting, e.g., covering) components (e.g., parts) or devices on the lower portion of the seat and improving the appearance of the seat. (b) State of the art

[0002] In general, a vehicle seat includes: a seat cushion for supporting a lower body of a passenger (e.g., a vehicle occupant), a seat back (e.g., a backrest) for supporting an upper body of the passenger, and a headrest mounted on the upper end of the seat back for supporting the head and neck of the passenger.

[0003] Of these (e.g., of the aforementioned components), the seat back includes: a seat back frame (e.g., backrest frame) connected at the lower end thereof to the seat cushion to form the frame of the seat back and maintain the shape of the seat back, and a seat back cushion (e.g., backrest cushion) surrounding the front surface (e.g., front surface) of the seat back frame.

[0004] Furthermore, the seat back may include a plate-shaped element (e.g., component), i.e., a back plate (e.g., a back panel), which covers (e.g., covers) the rear surface (e.g., back) of the seat back frame. The back plate-type seat, which has the back plate mounted thereon, is mainly used for a driver's seat and a passenger seat of a minivan.

[0005] Following the recent trend toward increased luxury (e.g., more luxurious equipment) of vehicles, a seat (e.g., a vehicle seat) is equipped with various functions and devices. For example, known in the art are: an electric headrest (e.g., an electrically operated headrest) capable of controlling the vertical and anterior-posterior (e.g., forward-backward) positions of a headrest in a motorized manner; an electrically operated device for controlling the position and height of a seat, the angle of a seatback, and the like; a cushion control device; a heating wire for a seat (e.g., a seat heater); a seat air conditioner; a multimedia device; and the like.

[0006] Since components (e.g., parts) and devices such as wiring (e.g., wiring) are extensively mounted in the seat (e.g., inside the seat), there is a need to provide technology for preventing the components and devices from being visually exposed (e.g., visible from the outside) in order to improve the appearance (e.g., appearance) of the seat.

[0007] Accordingly, in the case of a luxury sedan, the rear portion of the seat back is surrounded by a back plate, and the lower portion of the seat back is surrounded by a skirt, with the result that the rear portions (e.g., rear portions) of the seat back and the seat cushion are surrounded by the back plate and the skirt, and the components and devices at the lower portion of the seat are shielded (e.g., protected, e.g., covered) by the skirt to prevent exposure (e.g., being exposed) to the outside.

[0008] The apron is mounted on the lower end of the seatback of a front seat, such as a driver's seat or a front passenger seat, to prevent the lower portion of the seat from being exposed during folding. Since the apron must be positioned below the seatback and absorb the movement of the seatback as well as define the appearance of the seatback, the apron is generally made of a flexible material, such as a textile mat, which is capable of absorbing the movement of the seatback.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a view showing a conventional apron. The conventional apron 9 can be manufactured, for example, by sewing nylon BCF (bulked continuous filament) as an outer material and nonwoven fabric (e.g., nonwoven fabric) as an inner material (treatment (e.g., treatment process) for finishing the peripheral portions (e.g., finishing treatment process of the edge portions)).

[0010] However, since the conventional apron made of a flexible material such as a fabric (e.g., textile) and used as a shielding barrier may be subject to wrinkling, sagging, crumpling (e.g., wrinkling), and the like depending on the material properties as well as the shape thereof or the movement of the seat back, there is a problem in ensuring a satisfactory appearance.

[0011] Fig. 2 is a view illustrating problems caused by a conventional apron. As can be seen from the drawing, the conventional apron may have problems in which: a) the right side and left side of the lower portion of the apron 9 are asymmetrical; and b) the interior of the apron 9 is largely exposed through a gap in the lateral side end thereof when the seat back 1 is folded forward.

[0012] Furthermore, the conventional apron may have problems in which: c) the apron 9 is easily crumpled (eg creased) because the apron 9 is made of fabric (eg textile product) and d) the inner panel 7 of the front seat is exposed (eg uncovered) and visible to the outside or the light from a foot lamp (eg floor lamp) on the front seat is visible to a passenger on a rear seat.

[0013] Other conventional apron devices are known from KR 10 1 418 722 B1 and JP H11- 334 432 A.

[0014] Although various types of aprons have been proposed to solve these problems, there are still needs to solve various problems such as the pinching of a passenger's foot, the difficulty of ensuring space for accommodating feet, pollution, and various limitations related to material properties.

[0015] Therefore, the present invention / disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention / disclosure to provide a skirt device for a vehicle seat (e.g., motor vehicle seat) capable of smoothly absorbing the movement of a seat back and elegantly and luxuriously finishing the lower portion of the seat, thereby improving the marketability of the seat.

[0016] Another object of the present invention / disclosure is to provide a skirt device for a vehicle seat capable of solving or alleviating various problems with a conventional skirt (e.g., problems encountered with a conventional skirt), i.e., an asymmetric structure (e.g., an asymmetric configuration) of the lower portion of the skirt, exposure (e.g., exposure) or crumpling (e.g., wrinkling) of the inside of a seat back upon forward folding (e.g., forward folding) of the seat back, exposure of components at the lower portion of the seat such as an inner cover, pinching of the foot of a rear passenger (e.g., rear seat passenger), leakage of illumination (e.g., light), and soiling. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION / DISCLOSURE

[0017] In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention / disclosure, the above and other objects can be achieved by providing a skirt device for a vehicle seat which extends downward from a seat back to surround both a rear portion of a seat cushion and a lower portion of the seat, the skirt device comprising: a skirt connected (e.g., coupled) to a lower end of a back panel of the seat back (e.g., the backrest) to surround the rear portion of the seat cushion, and a skirt cover positioned under (e.g., beneath) the skirt and fixed to the lower portion of the seat to always surround a lower portion of the skirt, the skirt comprising an inner panel and an outer material connected (e.g.,coupled) and is exposed (e.g., exposed) to a passenger on a rear seat, wherein an upper end of the apron has a connecting portion (e.g., dome portion) which has a predetermined width, to which no inner panel is applied (e.g., attached), and which is provided (e.g., manufactured) by folding an upper end of the outer material and bonding (e.g., gluing) the folded upper end to the outer material, wherein the connecting portion can be attached to an inner surface of the lower end of the back panel, whereby the apron is connected (e.g., coupled) to the lower end of the back panel.

[0018] In one aspect (e.g., in one embodiment), the inner plate is made of synthetic resin by injection molding.

[0019] In one embodiment, the outer material may be silicone leather, which is a silicone-based artificial leather (e.g., synthetic leather).

[0020] In yet another embodiment, the inner panel and the outer material are bonded (e.g., glued) together in an overlapping region (e.g., overlap region) thereof.

[0021] In another aspect (e.g., in another embodiment), the inner plate may be provided (e.g., manufactured) by bonding (e.g., adhering) non-woven fabric (e.g., nonwoven fabric) to a plate made of synthetic resin by injection molding.

[0022] In yet another embodiment, the apron cover may be attached and fixed to inner portions of the rear ends of the right and left shield covers (e.g., to the inner portion of the rear end of the right shield cover and the inner portion of the rear end of the left shield cover) positioned at the lower portion of the seat.

[0023] In yet another embodiment, the apron cover may be provided on an inner surface thereof with a screw retainer and a hook for connecting (e.g., coupling) to the lower portion of the seat, wherein the screw retainer is fixed to the lower portion of the seat by means of a screw and the hook is engaged in (e.g., with) a hook installation hole.

[0024] In yet another embodiment, the apron cover may be provided on an inner surface thereof with guide devices (e.g., guides) which guide two lateral side ends of the apron therethrough.

[0025] In yet another embodiment, the skirt cover may be provided (e.g., manufactured) by coating a surface (e.g., surface) of an inner panel injection-molded from synthetic resin by (e.g., during) a surface treatment process (e.g., surface treatment process), and the skirt cover may be formed (e.g., composed of): the inner panel and an outer layer, which is the coating layer, formed on (e.g., on) the surface of the inner panel by means of the surface treatment process.

[0026] In yet another embodiment, the surface treatment process (e.g., surface treatment process) may be a suede fusion process (e.g., a suede bonding process) of applying (e.g., coating) an elastic adhesive composition to the surface (e.g., surface) of the inner panel and then applying (e.g., coating) pile to the composition.

[0027] Accordingly, since the apron device for a vehicle seat according to the present invention / disclosure is constituted (e.g., assembled) of the apron and the apron cover assembled (e.g., connected) with the apron, there are effects of preventing pollution, improving the luxury (e.g., luxurious impression) of the appearance, protecting the lower portion of the seat, and preventing the lower portion of the seat from being exposed, and it is possible to solve problems of pinching the foot of a rear passenger and leakage of illumination (e.g., light).

[0028] In yet another embodiment, the apron device for a vehicle seat according to the present invention / disclosure, which is formed of the apron and the apron cover assembled (e.g., connected) with the apron, illustrates various effects of: maintaining (e.g., maintaining) the homogeneous appearance, improving operation of the apron with movement of the seat back, reducing costs, improving the color and appearance uniformity, and improving the marketability of the seat. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a front view showing a conventional apron, Fig. 2 is a view showing problems caused by a conventional apron, Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a seat to which the apron device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure is assembled (e.g., connected), Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the apron device according to the exemplary embodiment mounted on a lower portion of a seat, Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the structure (e.g., construction) of the apron device according to an exemplary embodiment, Fig. 6 is a front view illustrating the apron of the apron device according to the exemplary embodiment, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 are views illustrating the state in which the skirt of the skirt device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure is connected to a back plate, Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the apron cover of the apron device according to the exemplary embodiment, Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the skirt cover according to the exemplary embodiment is assembled (e.g., connected) with the shield cover, and Fig. 11 is a view illustrating the advantages of the apron device according to the exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention / disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings to enable the embodiments to be easily processed (e.g., applied) by those skilled in the art to which the present invention / disclosure belongs. However, the present invention / disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be embodied (e.g., implemented) in various ways.

[0030] When a part or section is referred to throughout the specification as "comprising" an element (e.g., component), unless otherwise defined, the term "comprising" is used to indicate that another element is not excluded but may also be comprised.

[0031] Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a seat to which the apron device according to an embodiment of the present invention / disclosure is assembled (e.g., connected).

[0032] Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the apron device according to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure mounted on a lower portion of a seat.

[0033] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the structure (e.g., construction) of the apron device according to an embodiment of the present invention / disclosure. Fig. 6 is a front view illustrating the skirt of the skirt device according to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure.

[0034] Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 are views illustrating the state in which the skirt of the skirt device according to an embodiment of the present invention / disclosure is connected to a back plate, wherein Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 6 is recorded.

[0035] As described in the drawings, the apron device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention / disclosure extends downwardly (e.g., downwardly) from a back panel 2 of a seat back 1 to surround the lower portion of a seat having a seat cushion (not shown).

[0036] The apron device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure includes: a apron 110 connected (e.g., coupled) to the lower end of the back plate 2 of the seat back 1 to surround the rear portion (e.g., rear portion) of the seat cushion and, in conjunction with the seat cushion, to accommodate the anterior-posterior rotation (e.g., forward-backward rotational movement; e.g., forward-backward tilting movement) of the seat back and the back plate; and a apron cover 120 positioned below (e.g., below; e.g., further below) the apron 110 and fixed to the lower portion of the seat to always surround the lower portion of the apron.

[0037] According to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, the apron 110 is formed (e.g., composed) of: an inner plate 111 made of a material having a rigidity of a certain level or higher, and an outer material 112 bonded to the outer surface (the rear surface) of the inner plate 111 to overlap the inner plate 111 (see Fig. 8).

[0038] According to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, the apron 110 is constructed such that the inner panel 111 and the outer material 112 are connected (e.g., coupled) to each other in the state of overlapping each other. The outer material 112 is an outer member of the apron, which is exposed (e.g., exposed) to the outside of the apron 100 and is exposed (e.g., visible to a rear seat passenger) when the apron 110 is mounted below (e.g., beneath) a front seat.

[0039] In contrast, the inner panel 111 is a member which, when viewed from a passenger in the rear seat, is positioned on the inside (the inner side of the apron facing the space under (e.g., beneath) the seat) and in front of the outer material 112.

[0040] As described above, the apron 110 according to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure may be manufactured by bonding (e.g., gluing) an inner panel 111 (e.g., a single inner panel 111) and an outer material 112 (e.g., a single outer material 112) together.

[0041] According to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, the inner panel 111 of the apron 110 may be manufactured by attaching non-woven fabric (e.g., nonwoven fabric) to a panel provided (e.g., manufactured) by injection molding of polypropylene (PP), and may serve to reliably maintain the shape of the apron 110.

[0042] Although the drawings do not depict the apron 110 to the extent that the panel and the nonwoven fabric (e.g., nonwoven fabric) are depicted separately, the outer material 112 may be attached to a surface (e.g., surface) of the inner panel 111 provided (e.g., manufactured) by injection molding. Here (e.g., in this case), the nonwoven fabric may be attached to the surface of the inner panel 111 opposite the surface to which the outer material 112 is attached.

[0043] The outer material 112 of the skirt 110 may be bonded to the inner panel 111 in the state of overlapping the inner panel 111 and may serve to improve the contamination-blocking ability of the skirt 110. As the outer material 112, a layer made of artificial leather (e.g., synthetic leather) made of a silicone-based material, ie, silicone leather, is preferably used.

[0044] The outer material 112 may be connected to the surface (e.g., surface) of the inner plate 111 by bonding (e.g., adhering) the outer material 112 to the inner plate 111 by means of an adhesive, thermal adhesion, or the like.

[0045] According to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, the upper peripheral portion (e.g., the upper edge portion) of the skirt 110, that is, the upper end (e.g., the upper end portion) of the skirt, which has a predetermined width, is not provided with the inner plate 111.

[0046] The upper end of the skirt 110, which is not provided with the inner plate 111, has a connecting portion (e.g., dome portion) which has a predetermined width and is formed by folding the upper end of the outer material 112 and then bonding (e.g., gluing) the folded portion to the outer material.

[0047] In other words, the connecting portion of the skirt 110 is formed by folding the portion of the outer material 112 which is not provided with the inner plate 111, and then bonding (e.g., gluing) the folded portion to the outer material 112.

[0048] Specifically, the upper portion of the outer material 112 is cut to have a larger size than the inner panel 111, and the upper portion of the outer material 112 is folded without the inner panel 111. Subsequently, only the folded upper end (e.g., the folded upper end portion) is bonded (e.g., glued) to the outer material 112.

[0049] In this case, an additional insert (e.g. base or contact layer; e.g. pad) 113 can be attached to the upper end of the outer material 112 of the apron 110.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, the two lateral side ends of the skirt 110 may be constructed such that the two lateral side ends of the outer material 112 are folded to surround the lateral sides of the inner panel 111, and the folded end portions of the outer material 112 are bonded (e.g., glued) to the two lateral side ends of the inner panel 111.

[0051] Subsequently, the lower end of the outer material 112, which is unequal from the upper end and the lateral side ends thereof, is finally cut (e.g., trimmed) to fit (e.g., be congruent) with the lower end of the inner plate 111.

[0052] When the apron is manufactured in this way, a sewing process for finishing the peripheral portion (e.g., the edge portion) of the apron 110 can be omitted, and there is no need to provide a tape (e.g., a textile strip) required to finish the peripheral portion of the apron 110.

[0053] Accordingly, there are advantages of simplifying processing and reducing manufacturing costs. Specifically, since the plate provided by resin molding is applied to the inner panel 111, it is possible to improve the ability to maintain the shape of the apron, and it is possible to completely solve the problem in which the illumination of a foot lamp on a front seat is exposed to a passenger on a rear seat.

[0054] Referring to the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, reference numeral “2” denotes the back plate, reference numeral “3” denotes the inner plate 111 of the back plate, and reference numeral “4” denotes the outer material (the skin material (e.g., outer layer material or surface material)) 112 of the back plate.

[0055] As described above, the upper end (e.g., the upper end portion) of the skirt, which is not provided with the inner panel 111, has the connecting portion, which is provided (e.g., manufactured) by folding silicone leather and then attaching the folded portion to the silicone leather, and which is connected to the lower end (e.g., the lower end portion) of the back panel 2. Since the connecting portion overlaps the inner surface of the lower end of the back panel 2, the connecting portion is not exposed (e.g., exposed) to the outside through (e.g., due to) the back panel.

[0056] The upper end of the apron 110, which is the portion connected to the back plate 2, may have formed therein (e.g., have) a plurality of pin holes 114 into which fastening pins 5 are / are inserted.

[0057] When the apron 110 is assembled, the upper end of the apron is connected to the inner surface of the lower end of the back plate 2, which is not exposed to the outside (e.g., not exposed to the outside). For connection, the majority of the fastening pins 5 protrude from the inner surface of the lower end of the back plate.

[0058] Therefore, the fixing pins 5 formed on the inner surface of the lower end of the back plate 2 are inserted into the corresponding pin holes 114 in the upper end of the skirt 110, and press-fit counterparts (e.g., press-fit nuts) 6 (see Fig. 7) are engaged with the fixing pins 5 to prevent the upper end of the skirt from being separated from the back plate, thereby fixing the skirt 110 to the back plate 2.

[0059] As described above, the outer material 112 of the upper end of the apron 110, which is the portion connected to the back plate 2, is folded, and the upper end of the apron 110, which is formed only of the outer material 112, is connected to the lower end of the back plate 2 due to the engagement of the fixing pins 5 with the press-fit counterparts 6. As a result, there is an advantage of being able to design the shape of the apron 110 more freely during the anterior-posterior reclining movement (e.g., forward-backward reclining movement; e.g., forward-backward reclining movement) of the seat.

[0060] Then, the apron 110 is fixed to the back plate 2 mounted on the seat back 1, and the apron cover 120, which is separately provided (e.g., manufactured), is connected to the apron to surround the lower portion of the apron 110.

[0061] In the apron device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, the apron cover 120 is fixedly connected to the inner portion of the rear ends of the shield covers 8, which are positioned on the right and left sides of the lower portion of the seat.

[0062] The apron cover 120 maintains its position to serve as an apron even when the seatback is folded (e.g., folded). The apron cover 120 is designed to cover the lower portion of the apron 110 without a gap therebetween in the entire operating range of the seatback 1, including the position in which the seatback 1 is folded (e.g., folded) to the maximum forward.

[0063] In particular, considering that the apron 110 is moved (e.g., co-moved) with the movement of the seat back 1, whereas the apron cover 120 is held in the state of being connected to the right and left shield covers 8, the shapes of the apron 110 and the apron cover 120 are designed such that the apron cover 120 always surrounds and covers the lower portion of the apron 110, which is moved with the movement of the seat back, regardless of the position of the seat back 1.

[0064] Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the skirt cover of the skirt device according to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure. Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the skirt cover according to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure is assembled (e.g., connected) with the shield cover. The skirt cover 120 is a component (e.g., a member) newly introduced by the present invention / disclosure and is capable of being mounted to the shield covers 8 by means of fastening elements such as screws (not shown) or hooks 123.

[0065] For this purpose, screw holes (e.g., threaded holes) 122 or hooks 123 may be formed on the inner surface of the apron cover 120. Alternatively, both the screw holes 122 and the hooks 123 may be formed on the inner surface of the apron cover 120, as shown in the drawing.

[0066] Fig. 9 shows the skirt cover 120 connected to the shield covers 8 using both the screw holes 122 and the hooks 123. As shown in the drawing (e.g. in Fig. 9), screw holders 121 are formed in a respective manner on the upper right and upper left sides of the inner surface of the skirt cover 120, and the screw holes 122 are formed in a respective manner through the screw holders 121.

[0067] In addition, the hooks 123 are formed on the lower right and lower left sides of the inner surface of the apron cover 120 to protrude therefrom.

[0068] In an assembling process (e.g., mounting process), the skirt cover 120 is first positioned in the predetermined normal position (e.g., home position) to surround the lower portion of the skirt 110, and the hooks 123 of the skirt cover 120 are then fitted (e.g., inserted) into hook holes (e.g., holes corresponding to the hooks) (not shown) formed in the shield covers 8 at corresponding positions.

[0069] Subsequently, the screw holes 122 formed in the screw holders 121 of the skirt cover 120 are aligned with the screw holes (not shown) formed in corresponding portions of the shield covers 8, and the screws are engaged with the screw holes.

[0070] According to a preferred embodiment, the inner surface of the apron cover 120 is provided with guide devices 124 projecting therefrom to guide a sliding movement of the apron 110 while the apron 110 is moved together with the seat back during folding (e.g., folding; e.g., tilting) of the seat back 1.

[0071] The guide devices 124 may be formed on the right and left sides of the inner surface of the apron cover 120 and may be arranged at a predetermined distance from the inner surface of the apron cover 120 such that the right and left side ends (e.g., the right end and the left end) of the apron 110 are inserted (e.g., arranged) between the guide devices and the inner surface of the apron cover 120 and are guided therebetween.

[0072] According to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, each of the guide devices 124 may be configured to define a U-shaped cross-section in conjunction with the inner surface of the skirt cover 120. Accordingly, the lateral side ends of the skirt 110 are inserted into the U-shaped cross-section and guided thereby (e.g., in this manner).

[0073] Referring to Fig. 9, it should be noted that the screw holding devices 121 protrude upward from the respective guide devices 124 (e.g., from the respective associated guide devices 124) positioned on the upper right and upper left sides of the skirt cover 120, and the hooks 123 for connecting to the shield covers 8 protrude forward from two guide devices positioned on the lower right and lower left sides of the skirt cover 120.

[0074] According to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, since the skirt cover 120 is a structure connected to the skirt 110 to surround the lower portion of the skirt 110, the overall structure of the skirt cover 120 may have the plate shape (e.g., plate shape) shown in Fig. 9 is shown.

[0075] According to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, although the inner portion of the apron cover 120 may be made of synthetic resin (e.g., synthetic resin), it is preferable that a separate outer layer is formed on a surface of an inner panel made of synthetic resin by a treatment such as coating in order to improve the appearance and luxury (e.g., luxury impression) and prevent soiling.

[0076] Although the inner plate and the outer layer formed on the surface of the inner plate are Fig. 9 are not shown individually, the inner plate can have the same shape as the apron cover 120, which in Fig. 9, and the outer layer may be formed on the surface of the inner plate having the same shape as the skirt cover 120.

[0077] For the purpose of manufacturing the apron cover 120 according to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, the inner panel having a desired overall shape that is the same (e.g., the same shape) as the apron cover is first provided (e.g., manufactured) from synthetic resin such as polypropylene (PP) by injection molding, and the surface (e.g., surface) of the inner panel is then subjected to a suede fusion process (e.g., suede bonding process), thereby forming the outer layer on the surface of the inner panel.

[0078] The inner plate, which serves to maintain the frame (e.g., the skeleton) of the apron cover (e.g., maintain the dimensional stability of the apron cover) and increase the rigidity of the apron cover, is molded from synthetic resin (e.g., molded by molding; e.g., injection molded) which has a rigidity of a target level (e.g., target value) or higher to maintain the shape of the apron cover.

[0079] The suede fusion process is a known surface treatment process (e.g., surface treatment process) for molded (e.g., injection-molded) plastic interior products for vehicles. For example, a suede fusion process in which an elastic adhesive composition, e.g., a highly elastic water-based adhesive composition, is applied (e.g., applied; e.g., applied to the surface) to the surface (e.g., surface) of an interior panel and nap is applied (e.g., applied) to the composition can be used in the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure.

[0080] The suede fusion process is for illustrative purposes only, and the present invention / disclosure is not limited thereto. A surface treatment (e.g., a surface treatment; e.g., a surface treatment method; e.g., a surface treatment method) for molded (e.g., molded by molding; e.g., injection-molded) plastic products or a suede fusion process (e.g., suede bonding method) known in the art may be applied as long as the process (e.g., the method) is capable of achieving the objective of improving the appearance, luxury (e.g., the luxurious impression), and the ability to prevent soiling of the surface (e.g., surface) of the inner panel constituting the apron cover. Since various surface treatment processes are known in the art (e.g., in the prior art; e.g.,in the technical field), a detailed description of the processes is omitted.

[0081] As described above, since the apron device according to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure is additionally provided with the separate apron cover 120 for surrounding the lower portion of the apron 110, it is possible to improve the appearance and reliably prevent exposure (e.g., exposure) of the lower portion of the seat due to the shielding structure of the lower end of the seat back.

[0082] Furthermore, it is possible to protect not only the lower portion of the seat but also components and devices positioned or mounted under (e.g., below) the lower portion of the seat, and it is possible to reliably prevent pinching of the foot of a passenger on a rear seat and leakage of illumination (e.g., light) of a foot lamp (e.g., footwell lamp).

[0083] Accordingly, when the skirt device according to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure is applied to a vehicle, there are advantages of improving the appearance, luxury (e.g., luxury impression), appearance homogeneity, and operation performance of the skirt.

[0084] Furthermore, since the apron is manufactured in such a manner that an anti-pollution material (e.g., dirt-repellent material), such as silicone leather, is applied to the molded (e.g., formed by molding; e.g., injection-molded) plate to surround the molded plate, it is possible to prevent or minimize soiling of the apron by a passenger on a rear seat and to improve the luxury (e.g., the luxury impression) of the appearance.

[0085] Furthermore, unlike a conventional apron which requires a process of finishing the peripheral portions (e.g., edge portions) made of nylon BCF (bulked continuous filament) and nonwoven fabric (e.g., nonwoven fabric), there is an advantage of simplifying processing and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0086] Furthermore, although a conventional apron must necessarily be manufactured to be of black or gray color, which is completely different from the color of a seat cover (e.g., unlike a conventional apron which is necessarily black or gray, and thus completely different from a color of the seat cover), because the apron device according to the embodiment of the present invention / disclosure uses silicone leather as the finishing material (e.g., "finishing" material) (the outer material) which can be provided (e.g., manufactured) from material having a desired color among various colors, it is possible to manufacture an apron having a beautiful appearance.

[0087] Furthermore, it is possible to produce an apron that has the same color as a seat cover. Accordingly, there are effects of improving the impression of unity in terms of appearance (e.g., uniform appearance), luxury (e.g., the impression of luxury), and marketability.

[0088] As from Fig. 11, a) the present invention / disclosure is able to solve a problem of exposure (e.g., being exposed) of the apron 110, since the exposure of the inside of the apron 110 is minimized by the gap between the apron 110 and the shield covers 8 during forward folding (e.g., forward folding) of the seat back 1.

[0089] Although the conventional apron has an asymmetric structure on the right and left sides of the lower section of the apron (see Fig.1), b), the present invention / disclosure is able to maintain the symmetrical structure in the lower portion of the apron 110 independent of the structure of the seat back 1.

[0090] Furthermore, a conventional apron has a problem in that the apron may be crumpled (e.g., creased) depending on the state of the backrest (e.g., when folding the backrest backward), whereas c) the present invention / disclosure is capable of preventing crumpling (e.g., wrinkling) of the apron.

[0091] Furthermore, although a conventional apron may have problems in which components (e.g., components) at the lower portion of a seat, such as an inner cover (e.g., inside cover), are exposed (e.g., exposed) to an outside and illumination (e.g., a light) of a foot lamp (e.g., floor lamp) at a front seat is exposed (e.g., visible to a passenger at a rear seat), d) the present invention / disclosure is capable of reliably preventing the lower portion of the seat from being exposed (e.g., exposed) and the illumination of a foot lamp from leaking.

[0092] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention / disclosure have been described in detail, the scope of the invention / disclosure is not limited thereto, but is defined by the following claims.

Claims

[1] A skirt device (100) for a vehicle seat, which extends downwardly from a seat back (1) to surround both a rear portion of a seat cushion and a lower portion of the seat, the skirt device (100) comprising: an apron (110) connected to a lower end of a back plate (2) of the seat back (1) to surround the rear portion of the seat cushion, and a skirt cover (120) positioned below the skirt (110) and fixed to the lower portion of the seat to always surround a lower portion of the skirt (110), wherein the apron (110) comprises: an inner plate (111), and an outer material (112) which is connected to the inner panel (111) in a state of overlapping the inner panel (111) and is exposed to a passenger on a rear seat, wherein an upper end of the skirt (110) has a connecting portion having a predetermined width to which the inner plate (111) is not attached and which is provided by folding an upper end of the outer material (112) and bonding the folded upper end to the outer material (112), and wherein the connecting portion is fixed to an inner surface of the lower end of the back plate, whereby the apron (110) is connected to the lower end of the back plate (2). [2] The apron device (100) for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the inner plate (111) is made of synthetic resin by injection molding. [3] The apron device (100) for a vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the inner plate (111) and the outer material (112) are bonded to each other in an overlapping portion thereof. [4] The apron device (100) for a vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the inner plate (111) is provided by bonding non-woven fabric to a plate made of synthetic resin by injection molding. [5] The apron device (100) for a vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the apron cover (120) is attached and fixed to inner portions of rear ends of right and left shield covers (8) positioned at the lower portion of the seat. [6] The apron device (100) for a vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the apron cover (120) is provided on an inner surface thereof with: a screw holding device (121) and a hook (123) for connecting to the lower portion of the seat, the screw holding device (121) being fixed to the lower portion of the seat by means of a screw, and the hook (123) being engaged with a hook installation hole. [7] The apron device (100) for a vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the apron cover (120) is provided on an inner surface thereof with guide devices (124) which guide two lateral side ends of the apron (110) therethrough. [8] The apron device (100) for a vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the apron cover (120) is provided by coating a surface of an inner plate (111) injection-molded from synthetic resin by a surface treatment process, and wherein the apron cover (120) is formed of: the inner plate (111) and an outer layer which is the coating layer formed on the surface of the inner plate (111) by the surface treatment process.

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