seat

Abstract

A seat comprises a cushion, a cover, and a plastic clamp. The plastic clamp has a base, a cover fastening part, a curved part, a first hook part, a second hook part, and a third hook part. The curved part is flexible and sits in a grooved section of the cushion along with the base. Each of the base and curved part within the grooved section is pressed with a compressive force such that the other end, which is a free end of the curved part, is closer to the base. Within the grooved section, the first hook part has a leading end that is pushed into the cushion by a first side wall. Each of the second and third hook parts has a leading end that is pushed into the cushion by a second side wall with a reaction force opposing the compressive force.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat, and more particularly relates to a structure of fixing a cover to a cushion. State of the art

[0002] A seat, such as a vehicle seat, adopts a structure including a seat cushion for supporting the buttocks of an occupant, a backrest for supporting the back of the occupant, a cushion made of a resin or plastic material or other material in each of the seat cushion and the backrest, and a cover made of leather, vinyl leather, or other material that covers the cushion. The cover is fixed to the cushion on a rear surface of the cushion (i.e., a surface opposite to the surface with which the buttocks or back come into contact).

[0003] Patent Literature 1 discloses a structure of fixing a cover by preparing a plurality of fixing groove portions on a back surface of a cushion pad and inserting a plurality of resin clips into the groove portions, respectively. Each resin clip in the structure of Patent Literature 1 includes: a cover fixing part that holds one end of the cover; a base having a plate shape and located in the corresponding groove portion of the cushion pad; and a pressing part having flexibility and extending from a lower end (an end inserted into the groove portion).The base extends to an opening of the groove portion, wherein the cover fixing member, the base, and the pressing member are integrally formed. In the state where the base and the pressing member of the plastic clamp are located in the groove portion, the pressing member exerts a pressing force outward (outward in a cross-sectional direction of the groove portion) on a side wall of the groove portion. The structure disclosed in Patent Literature 1 enables attachment and detachment of the cover to and from the cushion pad with high workability.

[0004] In the structure disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the plastic clamp in the groove portion of the cushion pad is always under tension in a fixing direction of the cover (a cross-sectional direction of the groove portion) to the cover fixing member. Furthermore, the plastic clamp may experience heat under some circumstances. For example, the plastic clamp may experience heat in a case where a corresponding seat is arranged indoors and receives direct sunlight, or the plastic clamp may experience heat in a case where the seat is arranged in a vehicle and a temperature in the vehicle rises.

[0005] When the plastic clamp is exposed to the heat mentioned above, the plastic clamp, which is made of a resin or plastic material, tends to plastically deform due to the heat. From this perspective, the plastic clamp may come loose from the grooved portion of the cushion pad. If the plastic clamp comes loose from the grooved portion of the cushion pad, a portion of the upholstery will come loose from the cushion pad along with the plastic clamp's release. Literature listPatent literature

[0006] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2022-26060 Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention has been completed in view of the above-mentioned disadvantages and has an object to provide a seat which allows a trim cover to maintain a state of being stably fixed to a cushion pad while preventing a plastic clip from coming off the cushion pad even when the plastic clip undergoes heat.

[0008] A seat according to one aspect of the present invention includes a cushion pad, a trim, and a resin clamp. The cushion pad has a supporting region for supporting an occupant and another region excluding the supporting region and having a groove portion in a thickness direction. The trim has a covering region covering the supporting region of the cushion pad and an end adjacent to the groove portion. The resin clamp is made of a resin material, holds the end of the trim, and is configured to fix the trim and the cushion pad to each other through the groove portion.

[0009] In the seat according to the aspect, the plastic clamp includes a base, a cover fixing part, a curving part, a first hook part, a second hook part, and a third hook part. The base is located in the groove portion of the cushion pad. The cover fixing part is adjacent to an upper end of the base, extends from the continuous portion along a surface of the cushion pad in a first direction, which is in a width direction of the groove portion, and fixes the end of the cover thereto. The curving part has one end connected to the base, and the other end, which is a free end, has a curving shape so as to be farther away from the base in the first direction upon advancing from one end toward the other end.is located in the groove portion together with the base while extending along the base and has flexibility.

[0010] The first hook part is adjacent to a portion of the curved part between one end and the other end, extends from the continuous or connecting portion in the first direction, and has a front end that is tapered. The second hook part is adjacent to a portion of the base, extends from the continuous portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction, which is in the width direction of the groove portion, and has a front end that is tapered. The third hook part is adjacent to a portion of the base between the continuous or connecting portion of the second hook part and the continuous or connecting portion of the cover fastening part, extends from the portion in the second direction, and has a front end that is tapered.

[0011] In the seat according to the aspect, each of the base and the curving part of the plastic clamp is pressed with a pressing force in such a manner that the other end is closer to the base in a state where the base and the curving part are located in the groove portion than in a free state where the base and the curving part are located outside the groove portion.

[0012] In the seat according to the aspect, in the groove portion of the cushion pad, the front end of the first hook part is pushed into the cushion pad from a first side wall, which is a side wall of the groove portion in the first direction, with a reaction force against the pressing force. The front end of the second hook part and the front end of the third hook part are pushed into the cushion pad from a second side wall, which is a side wall of the groove portion in the second direction, with a reaction force against the pressing force. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a configuration of a seat according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a configuration concerning a lower surface of a cushion pad. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a groove portion in the cushion pad. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a configuration of the cushion pad and a structure of fixing a cover to the cushion pad. Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a section A in Fig. 4, which is illustrated or represented in an enlarged manner. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a resin clamp configuration. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the plastic clamp attached to the groove portion of the cushion pad. Fig. 8 is an illustration for explaining a role of a flat portion of a hook part of the plastic clamp in a cross section. Fig. 9 is an illustration for explaining an operation of detaching or removing the plastic clamp from the groove portion of the cushion pad in cross section. Description of embodiments

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiment illustrates an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment except for its essential configuration. Embodiment 1. Brief configuration of a seat 1

[0014] The seat 1 according to the embodiment represents an exemplary vehicle seat for a motor vehicle as a rear seat.

[0015] A configuration or structure of the seat 1 will be briefly described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Each drawing accompanying the present description illustrates only a seat cushion 10 in the configuration of the seat 1 without an illustration of a backrest.

[0016] As this is Fig. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the seat cushion 10 of the seat 1 includes a cushion pad 11 and a cover 12. The cushion pad 11 is configured to support the buttocks of an occupant on an upper surface 11a thereof. The upper surface 11a of the cushion pad 11 corresponds to the "support region," and the remaining region corresponds to an "other region."

[0017] As this is Fig. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the cushion pad 11 includes a hard pad 111 and a soft pad 112 stacked on top of each other. The hard pad 111 is relatively harder than the soft pad 112. The soft pad 112 is stacked on the hard pad 111 to extend over one surface thereof on the upper surface 11a and a front surface 11d of the cushion pad 11. The hard pad 111 is exposed to the outside on a lower surface 11b of the cushion pad 11.

[0018] In the embodiment, the hard cushion 111 is made of bead foam, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), and exhibits shape retention. The soft cushion 112 is made of a urethane foam plastic and exhibits resilience.

[0019] As this is Fig. As illustrated in Figure 1, the trim cover 12 is configured to cover at least the top surface 11a and the front surface 11d of the cushion pad 11. In the embodiment, a region of the trim cover 12 that covers the top surface 11a and the front surface 11d of the cushion pad 11 corresponds to the "covering region." For example, the trim cover 12 is made of a sheet material, such as leather or vinyl leather.

[0020] As this is Fig. As illustrated in FIG. 2, in a plan view of the cushion pad 11 from the bottom surface 11b, the hard pad 111 is exposed to the outside on the bottom surface 11b of the cushion pad 11 except for an edge portion. A plurality of groove portions 11c are provided along an outer edge of the hard pad 111. Each of the groove portions 11c has an elongated rectangular opening.

[0021] 2. Configuration of each groove portion 11c and a periphery or edge of the groove portion 11c

[0022] The configuration of each groove portion 11c and the periphery of the groove portion 11c will be described with reference to Fig. 3 are described. Fig. Fig. 3 illustrates one of the groove portions 11c on the lower surface 11b of the cushion pad 11. The remaining groove portions 11c have the same configuration. A directional relationship among an X direction, a Y direction, and a direction of the groove portion 11c in Fig. 3 changes depending on a position of the groove section 11c.

[0023] As this is Fig. 3, the groove portion 11c has an opening in a rectangular shape which is long in the Y direction and is recessed in a Z direction (toward the upper surface 11a) from the lower surface 11b of the cushion pad 11.

[0024] The cushion pad 11 has two communicating passages 11e connected to the groove portion 11c in a longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 11c. Each communicating passage 11e is arranged opposite the edge portion of the bottom surface 11b of the cushion pad 11 and has an opening in a semicircular shape.

[0025] The two communicating passages 11e are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 11c. Each communicating passage 11e has substantially the same depth as the groove portion 11c to communicate with the groove portion 11c in an entire region thereof in the depth direction.

[0026] The purpose of the connecting passages 11e will be described later.

[0027] 3. Structure of fixing the cover 12 to the cushion 11

[0028] The structure of fixing the cover 12 to the cushion 11 in the seat cushion 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are described. Fig. Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of section A in Fig. 4, which is illustrated or represented in an enlarged manner.

[0029] As this is Fig. 4 and Fig. As illustrated in Fig. 5, on the lower surface 11b of the cushion pad 11, the hard cushion 111 is exposed to the outside at the edge portion of the lower surface 11b. The cover 12 is arranged to cover a region from the upper surface 11a to the edge portion of the lower surface 11b of the cushion pad 11. The cover 12 has one end 12a disposed on the lower surface 11b of the cushion pad 11 and held by a resin clip 13. The seat 1 is provided with the same number of resin clips 13 as the number of groove portions 11c in the cushion pad 11.

[0030] As this is Fig. As illustrated in Figure 5, each plastic clamp 13 is made of, for example, polypropylene and includes a cover-fixing part 13a, a base 13b, and a curved part 13d, which are integrally formed and continuous. The cover-fixing part 13a holds the end 12a of the cover 12 and extends along the lower surface 11b of the cushion pad 11 toward an edge of the cushion pad 11.

[0031] The base 13b has an upper end located in the Z direction and leading to a right end of the cover fixing part 13a in the X direction, extends in the Z direction, and is located in the groove portion 11c. The base 13b has a length in the Z direction such that a bottom end 13c is adjacent to a bottom of the groove portion 11c.

[0032] The curved part 13d is adjacent to the bottom end 13c of the base 13b and has a cross-sectional shape that curves in an arc toward the opening of the groove portion 11c. The curved part 13d is spaced to the left of the base 13b in the X direction except for a continuous portion to the base 13b. The curved part 13d is provided flexibly based on the continuous portion with the base part 13b.

[0033] In Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, a left in the X direction corresponds to the "first direction", a right in the X direction corresponds to the "second direction", the Z direction corresponds to the "third direction", and a direction (a longitudinal direction of the groove portion 11c) which normally intersects or crosses each paper corresponds to the "fourth direction".

[0034] 4. Details of the structure of the plastic clamp 13 The structure of the plastic clamp 13 is described in detail with reference to Fig. 6 are described. Fig. 6 illustrates one of the plastic clamps or clips 13. A directional relationship between the X direction, the Y direction and the direction of the plastic clamp or clip 13 in Fig. 6 changes depending on the position of the plastic clamp 13.

[0035] As this is Fig. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the plastic clamp 13 has such a long shape that a dimension in the Y direction is longer than a dimension in each of the X direction and the Z direction in association with the dimension of the groove portion 11c for insertion therein. The dimension of the plastic clamp 13 in the Y direction is set to, for example, 50 mm to 150 mm. The dimension of the plastic clamp 13 in the X direction is set to, for example, 15 mm to 25 mm. The dimension of the plastic clamp 13 in the Z direction is set to, for example, 15 mm to 25 mm.

[0036] As described above, the curved part 13d is continuous with or adjacent to the base 13b from a portion at the bottom end 13c of the base 13b, extending from the continuous portion to a front end 13i arranged upward in the Z direction while curving in an arc. The continuous portion of the curved part 13d adjacent to the base 13b corresponds to the "one end," and the front end 13i corresponds to the "other end."

[0037] The continuous portion between the curved part 13d and the base 13b has a recess 13j. The recess 13j is recessed toward the bottom end 13c from a meeting point between a left outer surface of the base 13b in the X direction and a right outer surface of the curved part 13d in the X direction. The recess 13j in this shape aims to allow the curved part 13d to be flexible at the connecting portion between the base 13b and the curved part 13d as a reference.

[0038] The front end 13i of the curving part 13d is a free end at a gap G1 from a left outer surface of the cover fixing part 13a in the Z direction and at a gap G2 from a left outer surface of the base 13b in the X direction.

[0039] The curved part 13d has a thickness smaller than the thickness of the base 13b. The smaller thickness of the curved part 13d than the thickness of the base 13b allows the curved part 13d to bend with a reaction force from a side wall of the groove portion 11c, while preventing the base 13b from bending upon insertion of the base 13b and the curved part 13d into the groove portion 11c. In the embodiment, the thickness of the base 13b ranges from 1.0 mm to 4.0 mm, and the thickness of the curved part 13d ranges from 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm, so as to be smaller than the thickness of the base 13b.

[0040] The plastic clamp 13 further includes a recess 13e, a hook portion (or a third hook portion) 13f, a hook portion (or a second hook portion) 13g, and a hook portion (or a first hook portion) 13h. The recess 13e is recessed upward in the Z direction from the lower outer surface of the cover fixing portion 13a to fix the cover 12.

[0041] The hook part 13h is adjacent to a portion of the curved part 13d between the continuous portion of the base 13b and the continuous portion of the front end 13i, and extends in the upper left direction. The connecting portion between the curved part 13d and the hook part 13h is located at a leftmost position in the X direction in the curved part 13d and substantially midway between the continuous portion of the base 13b and the front end 13i in the Z direction. The hook part 13h has a front end 13h1 that tapers to face the upper left (toward the lower surface 11b of the cushion pad 11).

[0042] The hook part 13g extends rightward in the X direction (opposite to the direction in which the curved part 13d extends) from the portion of the base part 13b adjacent to the bottom end 13c thereof, and upward in the Z direction. The hook part 13g has a front end 13g1 tapered to face upward to the right (toward the lower surface 11b of the cushion pad 11). In the Z direction, the front end 13h1 of the hook part 13h and the front end 13g1 of the hook part 13g are located at substantially the same height position.

[0043] The hook part 13f is adjacent to the base 13b slightly below the continuous portion of the base 13b and the cover fastening part 13a. The hook part 13f extends rightward in the X direction (opposite the direction in which the curved part 13d extends) and upward in the Z direction in the same manner as the hook part 13g. The hook part 13f has a front end 13f1 that tapers to face upwardly rightward (toward the lower surface 11b of the cushion pad 11). The hook part 13f has a flat section 13f2 that is adjacent to the front end 13f1 and extends in a direction that normally intersects the Z direction. The flat portion 13f2 extends in a direction substantially normally intersecting or crossing a right outer surface of the base 13b in the X direction.

[0044] 5. Configuration of fixing the plastic clamp 13 to the groove portion 11c of the cushion pad 11

[0045] The configuration of fixing the plastic clamp 13 to the groove portion 11c of the cushion pad 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 are described. Fig. 7 illustrates one of the combinations of the groove portions 11c and the plastic clamps 13. A directional relationship between the X direction, the Y direction, and the direction of each of the groove portion 11c and the plastic clamp 13 changes depending on the locations thereof.

[0046] As this is Fig. As illustrated in Fig. 7, in the cushion pad 10, the base 13b and the curved part 13d of the plastic clamp 13 are located in the groove portion 11c of the cushion pad 11 in the state where the trim panel fixing part 13a holds the end 12a of the trim panel 12. The lower surface 11b of the cushion pad 11 has a recess 11f leading to the left side of the groove portion 11c in the X direction. The recess 11f has a depth in the Z direction substantially corresponding to a thickness of the trim panel fixing part 13a of the plastic clamp 13. Thus, the cover fixing part 13a is defined to fit into the recess 11f in the state where the base 13b and the curved part 13d of the plastic clamp 13 are located in the groove portion 11c.

[0047] The bottom end 13c of the base 13b, which is located in the groove portion 11c, is adjacent to a groove bottom of the groove portion 11c. The base 13b is in a position such that the two outer surfaces thereof are away from opposite side walls 11c1, 11c2 of the groove portion 11c in the X direction, respectively.

[0048] Here, each of the base 13b and the curved part 13d is pressed with a pressing force in such a manner that the front end 13i of the curved part 13d is closer to the base 13b in a width direction (X direction) of the groove portion in the state where the base 13b and the curved part 13d are located in the groove portion 11c than in a free state where the plastic clip 13 is located outside the groove portion 11c. Moreover, in the groove portion 11c, each of the base 13b and the curved part 13d always exerts a reaction force in the X direction against the pressing force.

[0049] The curved part 13d is located at a distance from the left side wall 11c2 of the groove portion 11c in the X direction at a cavity 11c3 around the center of the side wall 11c2 in the Z direction and below the cavity 11c3. The curved part 13d has the front end 13i facing the side wall 11c2 (facing in the first direction) and tapers from a vicinity of the front end 13i toward the front end 13i. The front end 13i of the curved part 13d is slightly pushed (stuck) into the hard pad 111 above the cavity 11c3 of the side wall 11c2 (arrow B6).

[0050] The hook part 13h is in a state where the front end 13h1 is pushed or pressed (stuck) into the hard cushion 111 from the cavity 11c3 of the side wall 11c2 (arrow B5). The front end 13h1 of the hook part 13h is pushed or pressed to the left in the X direction with the reaction force and maintains the state of being firmly inserted into the hard cushion 111.

[0051] The hook part 13g is in a state where the front end 13g1 is pushed or pressed (stuck) into the hard cushion 111 from the side wall 11c1 (arrow B4). The front end 13g1 of the hook part 13g is pushed or pressed to the right in the X direction with the reaction force and maintains the state of being firmly inserted into the hard cushion 111.

[0052] The hook part 13f is in a state where the front end 13f1 is pushed (stuck) into the hard pad 111 from the side wall 11c1 (arrow B3). In this regard, the front end 13f1 of the hook part 13f is inserted into the hard pad 111, while a part of the flat portion 13f2 remains in the groove portion 11c without being pushed into the hard pad 111.

[0053] Here, the cover 12 is fixed to the cushion pad 11 under tension without a wrinkle on the upper surface 11a or the front surface 11d of the cushion pad 11. Thus, the plastic clamp 13 holding the cover 12 is always under tension, as indicated by arrow B1. The plastic clamp 13, which is always under tension indicated by arrow B1, receives a rotational moment tending to move the bottom end 13c of the base 13b toward the right side wall 11c1 in the X direction (arrow B2).

[0054] A plastic clamp without a hook part would plastically deform due to heat applied thereto in the rotational moment and then come out of the groove portion 11c.

[0055] In contrast, in the seat 1 according to the embodiment, the plastic clamp 13 has the three hook parts 13f to 13h at the above-mentioned positions, and the respective front ends 13f1, 13g1, 13h1 of the hook parts 13f to 13h are inserted into the hard cushion 111. This prevents the plastic clamp 13, which has experienced the heat, from coming out of the groove portion 11c.

[0056] 6. Roll of the flat section 13f2 of the hook part 13f in the plastic clamp 13

[0057] The hook part 13f of the plastic clamp 13 has the flat portion 13f2. The role of the flat portion 13f2 will be explained with reference to Fig. 8 are described.

[0058] As this is Fig. As illustrated in Fig. 8, a part of the flat portion 13f2 of the hook part 13f is exposed to the inside of the groove portion 11c relative to the side wall 11c1 of the groove portion 11c, while the base 13b and other components of the plastic clamp 13 are located in the groove portion 11c. The flat portion 13f2 faces the opening of the groove portion 11c, without any member obstructing the flat portion 13f2. Thus, an operator can visually recognize the flat portion 13f2 when viewing the inside of the groove portion 11c with their eyes through the opening of the groove portion 11c. The operator can visually confirm with his eyes whether the plastic clamp 13 is located at a proper position in the groove portion 11c by checking a distance D from the opening of the groove portion 11c to the flat portion 13f2.

[0059] 7. Removal of the Plastic Clamp 13 Regarding the seat 1, an end user can replace the cover 12 with another one. Such a replacement of the cover 12 requires the plastic clamp 13 to be removed from the cushion 11. One way of removing the plastic clamp 13 from the cushion 11 is described with reference to Fig. 9 are described.

[0060] As stated with reference to Fig. 3, the cushion pad 11 has the communicating passage 11e, which communicates with the groove portion 11c. As shown in Fig. 9, a rod-shaped tool (e.g., a flat-head screwdriver) is inserted into the communicating passage 11e from a front end 500a thereof to detach the plastic clamp 13 from the cushion pad 11 (arrow C1).

[0061] When the front end 500a of the tool 500 reaches a position around the bottom of the communicating passage 11e, the tool 500 is moved around an opening edge 11e1 of the communicating passage 11e as a pivot point, as indicated by an arrow C2, so that the front end 500a moves toward the side wall 11c2 (arrow C3).

[0062] The tool 500, which has been moved around in the above-mentioned manner, results in the respective front ends 13f1, 13g1 of the hook parts 13f, 13g, which are inserted into the hard pad 111, being pulled out of the hard pad 111 from the side wall 11c1 (arrows C4, C5). The plastic clamp 13 is then removed from the groove portion 11c together with the tool 500 by sliding the base 13b of the plastic clamp 13 to the right in the X direction while keeping the hook parts 13f, 13g of the plastic clamp 13 elastically deformed.

[0063] Accordingly, the release or removal of the plastic clamp is completed. 8. Effects

[0064] The structure of fixing the cover 12 to the cushion pad 11 with the plastic clamp 13 through the groove portion 11c of the cushion pad 11 always keeps the cover fixing part 13a of the plastic clamp 13 under tension, which is oriented to the left in the X direction in Fig. 7 and other drawings. The plastic clamp 13 under tension receives a directed rotational moment, which aims to move the bottom end 13c of the base 13b to the right in the X direction in Fig. 7 and other drawings. When the plastic clamp 13 receives heat while receiving the moment, the plastic clamp 13 is likely to soften and plastically deform, and may come out of the groove portion 11c.

[0065] In this regard, in the seat 1 according to the embodiment, the plastic clamp 13 has the three hook parts 13f to 13h, and the respective front ends 13f1, 13g1, 13h1 of the hook parts 13f to 13h are inserted into the hard cushion 111 of the cushion pad 11. Thus, even if the plastic clamp 13 receives heat, the hook parts 13f to 13h prevent the plastic clamp 13 from coming off.

[0066] When the plastic clamp 13 receives the rotational moment indicated by the arrow B2 in Fig. 7, the respective front ends 13f1, 13g1 of the hook parts 13f, 13g are inserted further deeply into the hard cushion 111 of the cushion pad 11. This is advantageous for effectively preventing the plastic clamp 13 from coming out.

[0067] The plastic clamp 13 has the hook part 13h adjacent to an intermediate portion of the curved part 13d in a longitudinal direction thereof, and thus maintains the state where the force acts such that the front end 13h1 of the hook part 13h is further inserted deeply into the hard pad 111 of the cushion pad 11 to the left in the X direction with the reaction force. Accordingly, the base 13b of the plastic clamp 13 maintains a stable posture in the groove portion 11c of the cushion pad 11, and the base 13b and the curved part 13d are unlikely to rattle in the groove portion 11c.

[0068] In the seat 1 according to the embodiment, the front end 13g1 of the hook part 13g and the front end 13h1 of the hook part 13h are defined in the plastic clamp 13 to be located at the same height position in a depth direction of the groove portion 11c. This is advantageous for maintaining the posture of the base 13b, that is, for maintaining a proper posture of the plastic clamp 13 in the groove portion 11c.

[0069] In the seat 1 according to the embodiment, the respective front ends 13f1, 13g1, 13h1 of the hook parts 13f to 13h in the plastic clip 13 are directed toward the bottom surface 11b formed with the opening of the groove portion 11c in the cushion pad 11. When the plastic clip 13 receives a force tending to cause the plastic clip to exit from the groove portion 11c, the respective front ends 13f1, 13g1, 13h1 of the hook parts 13f to 13h are inserted further deeply into the cushion pad 11. This is further advantageous in the seat 1 to prevent the plastic clip 13 from exiting the groove portion 11c of the cushion pad 11.

[0070] In the seat 1 according to the embodiment, the cushion pad 11 further includes the communicating passage 11e. This allows the tool (e.g., a rod-shaped tool such as a flat-head screwdriver) 500 to be inserted into the communicating passage 11e to release the state in which the respective front ends 13f1, 13g1 of the hook pieces 13f, 13g are stuck in the cushion pad 11, and thereby detach the plastic clip 13 from the groove portion 11c. For example, in a case where an end user replaces the cover 12 with another one, the configuration prevents a periphery of the groove portion 11c of the cushion pad 11 from peeling off.

[0071] Here, in the seat 1 according to the embodiment, each of the respective front ends 13f1, 13g1, 13h1 of the hook parts 13f to 13h tapers in the plastic clamp 13. As shown in Fig. 7 and other drawings, each of the front ends 13f1, 13g1, 13h1 has a round tip (with a curved surface). This configuration thus ensures easy pulling action of detaching or removing the plastic clamp 13 from the groove portion 11c with the tool 500. Upon removal of the plastic clamp 13 from the groove portion 11c, the configuration prevents the side walls 11c, 11c2 at the periphery of the groove portion 11c from peeling off and achieves replacement of the cover 12 with another to extend over the cushion pad 11 while ensuring high durability.

[0072] In a configuration where each of the respective front ends 13f1, 13g1, 13h1 of the hook parts 13f to 13h in the plastic clamp 13 is sharp, it is unlikely for the plastic clamp 13 to come out of the groove portion 11c even if the plastic clamp 13 withstands the rotational moment generated in Fig. 7, under the tension from the cover 12.

[0073] In the seat 1 according to the embodiment, at least the groove portion 11c and a periphery of the groove portion 11c in the cushion pad 11 include the hard pad 111 made of pearl foam. Thus, the respective front ends 13f1, 13g1, 13h1 of the hook parts 13f to 13h of the plastic clip 13 are reliably inserted into the cushion pad 11.

[0074] The seat 1 according to the embodiment employs the hard cushion 111 made of a pearl foam having low elasticity. This allows each of the front ends 13f1, 13g1, 13h1 of the hook parts 13f to 13h to be reliably inserted into the hard cushion 111 itself with a round tip, as shown in FIG. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 is illustrated.

[0075] In the seat 1 according to the embodiment, the hook part 13f has the flat portion 13f2 adjacent to the front end 13f1. This allows an operator to insert the plastic clip 13 into the groove portion 11c and confirm that the plastic clip 13 reaches an appropriate depth depending on the position of the flat portion 13f2 in the depth direction of the groove portion 11c. The seat 1 thus avoids inserting the plastic clip 13 into the groove portion 11c in an unstable state, and further effectively prevents the plastic clip 13 from coming out of the groove portion 11c.

[0076] In the seat 1 according to the embodiment, the curved part 13d of the plastic clamp 13 has the front end 13i facing the side wall 11c2 and tapers from the vicinity of the front end 13i toward the front end 13i, so that the front end 13i is slightly pushed into the hard cushion 111 of the cushion pad 11 from the side wall 11c2. This prevents the plastic clamp 13 from shaking in the groove portion 11c and maintains a stable posture of the plastic clamp 13.

[0077] Crucially, the seat 1 according to the embodiment prevents the plastic clip 13 from coming out of the cushion pad 11 even when the plastic clip 13 receives heat and softens, and allows the cover 12 to maintain a state of being stably fixed to the cushion pad 11. Modifications

[0078] The front end 13i of the curved portion 13d of the plastic clamp 13 is pushed into the cushion pad 11 in the embodiment as an example. However, the present invention does not necessarily require that a front end of a curved portion be pushed into a cushion pad. For example, the front end of the curved portion may be remote from a side wall of a groove portion.

[0079] The cushion pad 11 further includes the communicating passage 11e in addition to the groove portion 11c in the embodiment. However, the present invention does not necessarily require a communicating passage.

[0080] The cushion pad 11 includes the hard pad 111 made of pearl foam in the embodiment. However, the present invention does not necessarily require a hard pad made of pearl foam. Moreover, it is not essential for a cushion pad to have a layered structure including a soft pad and a hard pad in a stacked manner. For example, such a cushion pad having a single-layer structure or a cushion pad having a three- or more-layer structure can be employed.

[0081] The hook part 13f of the plastic clamp 13 has the flat portion 13f2 in the embodiment. However, in the present invention, the hook part 13f does not necessarily have the flat portion 13f2. A mark for confirming a degree of insertion depth may be provided at a base instead of the flat portion 13f2 of the hook part 13f.

[0082] Although the plastic clamp 13 has the three hook parts 13f to 13h in the embodiment, the plastic clamp 13 may have four or more hook parts in the present invention. conclusion

[0083] A seat according to one aspect of the present invention includes a cushion pad, a trim, and a resin clamp. The cushion pad has a supporting region for supporting an occupant and another region excluding the supporting region and having a groove portion in a thickness direction. The trim has a covering region covering the supporting region of the cushion pad and an end adjacent to the groove portion. The resin clamp is made of a resin material, holds the end of the trim, and is configured to fix the trim and the cushion pad to each other through the groove portion.

[0084] In the seat according to the aspect, the plastic clamp includes a base, a cover fixing part, a curving part, a first hook part, a second hook part, and a third hook part. The base is located in the groove portion of the cushion pad. The cover fixing part is adjacent to an upper end of the base, extends from the continuous portion along a surface of the cushion pad in a first direction that is in a width direction of the groove portion, and fixes the end of the cover thereto. The curving part has one end that is continuous with the base, and the other end, which is a free end, has a curving shape to be moved further away from the base in the first direction.Proceeding from one end toward the other end, is located in the groove portion together with the base or is inserted therein while extending along the base, and has flexibility.

[0085] The first hook part is adjacent to a portion of the curved part between one end and the other end, extends from the continuous or connecting portion in the first direction, and has a front end that is tapered. The second hook part is adjacent to a portion of the base, extends from the continuous portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction, which is in the width direction of the groove portion, and has a front end that is tapered. The third hook part is adjacent to a portion of the base between the continuous or connecting portion of the second hook part and the continuous or connecting portion of the cover fastening part, extends from the portion in the second direction, and has a front end that is tapered.

[0086] In the seat according to the aspect, each of the base and the curving part of the plastic clamp is pressed with a pressing force in such a manner that the other end is closer to the base in a state where the base and the curving part are located in the groove portion than in a free state where the base and the curving part are located outside the groove portion.

[0087] In the seat according to the aspect, in the groove portion of the cushion pad, the front end of the first hook part is pushed into the cushion pad from a first side wall, which is a side wall of the groove portion in the first direction, with a reaction force against the pressing force. The front end of the second hook part and the front end of the third hook part are pushed into the cushion pad from a second side wall, which is a side wall of the groove portion in the second direction, with a reaction force against the pressing force.

[0088] As described above, a structure of fixing a cover to a cushion pad with a plastic clamp through a groove portion always holds a cover fastening part under tension applied in the first direction. The plastic clamp under tension receives a directional rotational moment intended to move a bottom end (or an end to be inserted into the depth of the groove portion) of a base in the second direction. When the plastic clamp receives heat associated with the rotational moment, the plastic clamp may leak from the groove portion.

[0089] In contrast, in the seat in the aspect, the plastic clamp has the first to third hook parts, and the respective front ends of the hook parts are inserted (pushed or pressed) into the cushion pad. Thus, even when the plastic clamp receives heat, the hook parts prevent the plastic clamp from leaking.

[0090] When the plastic clamp receives the rotational torque, the respective front ends of the second and third hook parts are inserted further into the cushion pad. This is beneficial for effectively preventing the plastic clamp from protruding.

[0091] The plastic clamp has the first hook part adjacent to a portion of the curved part between one end and the other end, and maintains the state where the force continuously acts such that the front end of the first hook part is further inserted deep into the cushion pad in the first direction with the reaction force against the pressing force. Accordingly, the base maintains a stable posture in the groove portion, and the base and the curved part are unlikely to shake in the groove portion.

[0092] In the seat according to the aspect, the front end of the first hook part and the front end of the second hook part may be located at a same height position in a depth direction of the groove portion.

[0093] In the seat in the aspect, the front end of the first hook part and the front end of the second hook part in the plastic clamp are defined to be located at the same height position in the depth direction of the groove portion. This is advantageous for maintaining the posture of the base, that is, for maintaining a suitable posture of the plastic clamp in the groove portion.

[0094] In the seat according to the aspect, the front end of each of the first hook part, the second hook part, and the third hook part may be directed toward the surface of the cushion pad provided with an opening of the groove portion.

[0095] In the seat in the aspect, the respective front ends of the first to third hook parts in the plastic clamp are directed toward the surface formed with the opening of the groove portion in the cushion pad. When the plastic clamp receives a force intended to cause the plastic clamp to exit from the groove portion, the respective front ends of the hook parts are inserted further deeply into the cushion pad. This is further advantageous in the seat to prevent the plastic clamp from exiting the groove portion of the cushion pad.

[0096] In the seat according to the aspect, each of the groove portion of the cushion pad and the plastic clip may extend in a fourth direction that normally intersects the first direction and a third direction that is an insertion direction of the base. The cushion pad may further include a communicating passage recessed inward from the second side wall to communicate with the groove portion in a region ranging from a part of the groove portion in the fourth direction to a location of the second hook portion in the third direction.

[0097] In the seat in the aspect, the cushion pad further includes the communicating passage. This allows a tool (e.g., a rod-shaped tool such as a flat-head screwdriver) to be inserted into the communicating passage to release the state of the second hook part and the third hook part inserted into the cushion pad, thereby detaching the plastic clip from the groove portion. For example, in a case where an end user replaces the cover with another one, this configuration prevents the periphery of the groove portion of the cushion pad from peeling off.

[0098] In the seat according to the aspect, the cushion pad may include a portion made of pearl foam. The groove portion and a periphery of the groove portion may be arranged on the portion made of pearl foam.

[0099] In the seat in the aspect, at least the groove portion and the periphery of the groove portion in the cushion pad include the portion made of a pearl foam. Thus, the respective front ends of the hook parts of the plastic clamp are reliably inserted into the cushion pad.

[0100] In the seat according to the aspect, the third hook member may have a flat portion which is adjacent to the front end in a direction which normally intersects the depth direction of the groove portion and which is directed toward the opening of the groove portion.

[0101] In the seat in the aspect, the third hook part has the flat portion adjacent to the front end of the third hook part. This allows an operator to insert the plastic clip into the groove portion and confirm that the plastic clip reaches an appropriate depth depending on the position of the flat portion in the depth direction of the groove portion. The seat having this configuration thus avoids inserting the plastic clip into the groove portion in an unstable state and further effectively prevents the plastic clip from coming out of the groove portion.

[0102] In the seat according to the aspect, the other end of the curved part may be directed in the first direction, and the curved part may taper from near the other end toward the other end. The other end of the curved part may be pushed into the cushion from the first side wall.

[0103] In the seat in the aspect, the curved part of the plastic clamp tapers from the vicinity of the other end toward the other end in such a way that the other end is pushed into the cushion pad by the first side wall. This prevents the plastic clamp from rattling in the groove portion and maintains a stable posture of the plastic clamp.

[0104] Crucially, the seat in every respect prevents the plastic clamp from escaping from the cushion and allows the cover or trim to maintain a state of being or becoming stably fixed to the cushion even when the plastic clamp is exposed to or receiving heat. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2022-26060

[0006]

Claims

[1] Seat, comprising: a cushion pad having a support region for supporting an occupant and another region excluding the support region and having a groove portion in a thickness direction; a cover having a covering region covering the support region of the cushion pad and an end adjacent to the groove portion; and a plastic clamp made of a plastic material, which holds the end of the cover and is configured to fix the cover and the cushion pad to each other through the groove portion, wherein the plastic clamp has: a base located in the groove portion of the cushion pad; a cover fixing member that is continuous with a portion at an upper end of the base, extends from the continuous portion along a surface of the cushion pad in a first direction that is in a width direction of the groove portion, and fixes the end of the cover thereto; a curving member having one end connected to the base and another end which is a free end, having a curvature shape to be farther away from the base in the first direction when moving from the one end toward the other end, located in the groove portion together with the base while extending along the base, and having flexibility; a first hook part which is connected to a portion of the curved part between the one end and the other end, extends from the continuous portion in the first direction and has a front end which is tapered; a second hook part which is connected to a portion of the base, extends from the continuous portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction which is in the width direction of the groove portion, and has a front end which is tapered; and a third hook part connected to a portion of the base between the continuous portion of the second hook part and the continuous portion of the cover fastening part, extending from the portion in the second direction and having a front end that is tapered; each of the base and the curved part of the plastic clamp is pressed with a pressing force in such a manner that the other end is closer to the base in a state where the base and the curved part are located in the groove portion than in a free state where the base and the curved part are located outside the groove portion, and in the grooved section of the cushion, the front end of the first hook part is pushed into the cushion pad from a first side wall, which is a side wall of the groove portion in the first direction, with a reaction force against the pressing force, and the front end of the second hook part and the front end of the third hook part are pushed into the cushion pad from a second side wall, which is a side wall of the groove portion in the second direction, with a reaction force against the pressing force. [2] The seat according to claim 1, wherein the front end of the first hook part and the front end of the second hook part are located at a same height position in a depth direction of the groove portion. [3] The seat according to claim 1, wherein the front end of each of the first hook part, the second hook part and the third hook part is directed toward the surface of the cushion pad provided with an opening of the groove portion. [4] A seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the groove portion of the cushion pad and the plastic clamp extends in a fourth direction which normally intersects the first direction and a third direction which is an insertion direction of the base, and the cushion pad further has a communicating passage recessed inwardly from the second side wall to communicate with the groove portion in a region ranging from a part of the groove portion in the fourth direction to a position of the second hook portion in the third direction. [5] Seat according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cushion pad has a portion made of pearl foam, and the groove portion and a periphery of the groove portion are arranged on the portion made of pearl foam. [6] A seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the third hook member has a flat portion which is adjacent to the front end in a direction which normally intersects the depth direction of the groove portion and which is directed toward the opening of the groove portion. [7] A seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the other end of the curving part is directed in the first direction, and the curving part tapers from a vicinity of the other end towards the other end, and the other end of the curved part is pushed into the cushion of the first side wall.

Images