Quilting element with a hinge to allow the quilting element to be folded.

Abstract

The invention relates to a monolithic, lattice-structured padding element (10) comprising a body lattice (1) and a surface lattice (11) at least partially covering the body lattice. The padding element (10) comprises a first (32) and a second (34) padding sub-elements connected to each other at a hinge (36) connecting a first and a second surface lattice. Said hinge (36) allows rotational movement of said first padding sub-element (32) relative to the second padding sub-element (34) about a longitudinal hinge axis (A) between an unfolded position and a folded position. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Cushioning element comprising a hinge to allow the cushioning element to be folded technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of lattice-structured designs, particularly for forming devices with a flexible interface, for example, a padded one. These lattice-structured designs can be intended to absorb shock and / or provide body support, such as a seat cushion, a cushion, a mattress, an armrest, a headrest, a wrist rest, a grip, or helmet padding. Technological background

[0002] There exists a type of lattice-structured architecture comprising a core truss and a surface truss attached to this core truss. This surface truss forms a skin covering at least part of the core truss. The surface truss increases the contact area of ​​the lattice-structured architecture without significantly influencing its compressive mechanical properties, which are primarily determined by the core truss. This arrangement comprising a core truss and a surface truss is particularly advantageous when the padding element is intended to absorb a shock and / or provide body support.

[0003] In the additive manufacturing process, a part is created by the successive deposition of material within an additive manufacturing chamber. The chamber forms physical limits to the size of the part to be manufactured. The dimensions of this chamber thus constrain the dimensions of the part to be manufactured, making it difficult to produce large parts.

[0004] An existing solution consists of dividing this part into several sub-assemblies and manufacturing these sub-assemblies separately. This can be achieved by manufacturing one or more of the sub-assemblies in a position that is not their final position, for example, by stacking the sub-assemblies in the tray. Alternatively, this separation can be achieved by manufacturing these sub-assemblies independently. The sub-assemblies are then joined together by mechanical means (i.e., adding a part) or by physico-chemical bonding (i.e., applying glue). A major drawback lies in the difference in the mechanical behavior of the part at the junction between the sub-assemblies, both because of the addition of external joining means and because of the physical discontinuity present between them. the sub-assemblies. An additional difficulty lies in ensuring the proper cohesion and alignment of the sub-assemblies. The perception and comfort of a user relying on this part can thus be significantly impaired by this junction.

[0005] There is therefore a need for a monolithic, lattice-structured padding element that overcomes these drawbacks. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention relates to a monolithic, lattice-structured padding element comprising: - a lattice of bodies comprising a plurality of elementary body patterns repeated periodically and in contact with each other, - a surface lattice at least partially covering the body lattice so as to form an external face of the padding element, said surface lattice being in contact with and integrally formed with said body lattice, the surface lattice comprising a plurality of periodically repeated surface elementary patterns, in which the padding element comprises a first and a second padding sub-elements defining respectively a first and a second body lattice and a first and a second surface lattice, the first and second padding sub-elements being connected to each other at a hinge linking the first and second surface lattices, said hinge defining a longitudinal hinge axis and a hinge height axis along which the body and surface lattices overlap,said hinge allowing a rotational movement of said first sub-element of padding relative to the second sub-element of padding around the longitudinal axis of the hinge between an unfolded position and a folded position.

[0007] The addition of a hinge between the first and second surface lattices ensures a secure connection between them during the manufacturing of the padding element. Forming this hinge monolithically with the body and surface lattices guarantees mechanical and visual continuity of the padding element's surface. Furthermore, the hinge ensures the alignment of the two sub-elements when the padding element is unfolded.

[0008] The hinge is formed from the material along with the first and second surface lattices. In other words, the hinge is formed integrally with the first and second surface lattices.

[0009] The longitudinal and height axes of the hinge are orthogonal to each other. The hinge also defines a transverse hinge axis orthogonal to each of the longitudinal and height axes of the hinge.

[0010] The body and surface lattice overlap along the hinge height axis when the padding element is in the unfolded position.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the first and second body lattice are not in contact with each other when the padding element is in the folded position.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the superficial elementary patterns together form a skin, each superficial elementary pattern forming a portion of skin.

[0013] Preferably, each portion of skin has sides between 5 mm and 50 mm.

[0014] Preferably, each portion of skin is square.

[0015] Advantageously, the skin increases the contact surface of the lattice-structured architecture. The skin also prevents contact between the user leaning against the lattice-structured architecture and the body lattice. Furthermore, the skin can enhance the aesthetic appearance of the lattice-structured architecture. In particular, the skin may include a visual marking, for example, a print, imprint, and / or texture.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the first and second surface lattices define a skin thickness when the padding element is observed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of hinge, said hinge having a hinge thickness along the axis of hinge height equal to or less than this skin thickness when the padding element is in the unfolded position.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the first and second surface lattices together define an upper envelope surface and a lower envelope surface between which all the elementary surface patterns are inscribed when the padding element is in the unfolded position, said hinge extending between these upper and lower envelope surfaces.

[0018] The hinge therefore does not protrude from the surface lattice along the hinge height axis. The hinge also preferably extends in continuity with the peripheral surface formed by the surface lattice. Thus, the hinge does not create a raised area along this peripheral surface, i.e., neither a depression nor a bulge. The user therefore has very limited perception of the presence or location of the hinge when touching the padding element. The hinge therefore does not form a singularity on the surface of the padding element.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the padding element, each surface elementary motif of the first and second sub-padding elements is connected in such a way attached to the superficial elementary patterns adjacent to it by at least one elementary connection junction.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the hinge comprises a plurality of elementary hinge junctions, each surface elementary motif of the first sub-padding element being connected to at least one surface elementary motif of the second sub-padding element by at least one elementary hinge junction.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the padding element, each hinge element junction is an elongated element locally connecting an edge of a surface element pattern of the first padding sub-element to an edge of another surface element pattern of the second padding sub-element.

[0022] The basic hinge joint improves the hinge's pull-out resistance. The risk of hinge breakage, particularly during a dust removal phase of the padding element, is reduced.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the padding element, each surface element pattern of the first padding sub-element is connected to a surface element pattern of the second padding sub-element facing it by at least one hinge element junction and at least one connecting element junction.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the hinge comprises only a plurality of elementary connecting junctions. In this case, the connection of each of the surface elementary motifs, including those located on either side of the longitudinal axis of the hinge and connecting the hinge to the first and second padding sub-elements, is identical for the entire surface lattice. The visual continuity of the surface lattice, particularly at the hinge, is thus improved. The hinge becomes very difficult for a user to see.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the padding element, each surface elementary motif of the first padding sub-element is connected to a surface elementary motif of the second padding sub-element facing it by two connecting elementary junctions, each disposed at one end of the surface elementary motif, with a hinge elementary junction disposed between the two connecting elementary junctions.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the padding element, each elementary body pattern includes at least one lateral face intended to be in contact with a lateral face of an adjacent elementary body pattern at the level of contact zones, each of these contact zones of the same lateral face extending in the same contact plane.

[0027] The lateral faces of each elementary field pattern define a voxel in which the elementary field pattern is inscribed.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the elementary body motifs have an identical shape and dimensions.

[0029] Thus, the dimensions of the voxels are preferably of identical shape and dimensions. Alternatively, the voxels may have different dimensions and / or shapes.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the first and second body lattices further comprise a plurality of partial body motifs, each attached to at least one elementary body motif, each partial body motif forming a portion of an elementary body motif.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the first and second body lattice have respectively a first and a second contact faces separated from each other when the padding element is in the folded position and intended to be arranged against each other when the padding element is arranged in the unfolded position.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the hinge defines a median connection plane including the longitudinal axis of the hinge, the first and second contact faces being coincident with the median connection plane when the padding element is in the unfolded position.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the first and second contact faces being formed by lateral faces of elementary body patterns.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the first and second body lattices respectively have at least one first and at least one second connecting reliefs extending respectively from the first and second contact faces and being configured to cooperate together when the padding element is in the unfolded position so as to interlock the first and second body lattices.

[0035] The first and second connecting reliefs allow the first and second body lattices to interlock in such a way as to form a better continuity of the mechanical behavior of the padding element at the hinge. Thus, the user does not perceive any discontinuity by touch or by applying a compressive force along the hinge height axis near the hinge.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the padding element, each first connecting relief cooperates with a second connecting relief facing it when the padding element is in the unfolded position, thus forming a connecting couple.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the first and second connecting reliefs of a connecting pair have a complementary shape with respect to each other.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the first and second connecting reliefs extending along the longitudinal hinge axis, preferably over a distance equal to or greater than 10% of the total distance of the hinge along the longitudinal hinge axis.

[0039] The first 44 and second 46 connecting reliefs extend for example over a distance equal to or greater than 30%, 40%, 50% or 60% of the total distance of the hinge 36 along the longitudinal axis of hinge A.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the padding element, at least one of the first or second connecting reliefs is formed by at least one elementary body motif protruding out of the first or second contact face.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the padding element, each of the first and second body lattice comprises at least three superimposed layers of elementary body patterns, including an upper layer, a lower layer and at least one intermediate layer between the lower and upper layers, the first and second connecting reliefs being formed at the level of said at least one intermediate layer.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the padding element, it comprises at least 2.5, preferably at least 3, elementary body motifs overlapping along the hinge height axis when the padding element is in the unfolded position. Said at least 2.5 or 3 elementary body motifs are arranged along the longitudinal hinge axis and partially form the first or second contact face.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the padding element, it further comprises an intermediate lattice disposed between and integral with the surface lattice and the body lattice, said intermediate lattice having a compression behavior in a direction perpendicular to the surface lattice different from that of the body lattice.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the first and second surface lattices define a folding angle between them, said folding angle having a value of 0° when the padding element is in the unfolded position. The folding angle has a value greater than or equal to 10° in the folded position, preferably greater than or equal to 45°, or even greater than or equal to 90°. The folding angle is, for example, between 90° and 180° when the padding element is in the folded position.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the lattice structure is obtained by additive manufacturing.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the first and second surface lattices define a peripheral surface of the padding element, the hinge defining a transverse hinge dimension along the transverse hinge axis between the first and second surface lattices, this peripheral surface having a variation in distance along the longitudinal hinge axis with respect to a peripheral plane perpendicular to the hinge height axis less than or equal to 50% of the transverse hinge dimension.

[0047] Preferably, the padding element is made of a polymer material, a metal, or a composite material, for example, a thermoplastic, preferably a thermoplastic elastomer, or a polymer filled with glass microbeads. Even more preferably, the padding element is made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

[0048] Preferably, each elementary body motif comprises body strands connected together to form the edges of a polyhedron and connecting strands linking the polyhedron to the vertices of the elementary body cell. The elementary body cell is the smallest rectangular parallelepiped circumscribed about the elementary body motif.

[0049] Preferably, each surface element pattern comprises a support block extending in a median plane, parallel to the face of the structure defined by the surface lattice, and deformable feet each comprising one end fixed to the support block and another end fixed to one of the connecting strands and distant from the median plane.

[0050] The surface lattice is configured so that under the effect of a compressive force normal to a median plane of the padding element, the feet deform to move the support block in translation along an axis parallel to the compressive force.

[0051] An "elementary cell" is the smallest rectangular parallelepiped circumscribed about an elementary motif. The elementary cell is a fictitious geometric construction, that is to say, it is not made of material unlike the strands or beams.

[0052] Advantageously, the surface lattice increases the contact area of ​​the lattice-structured form without significantly affecting its compressive mechanical properties, which are primarily determined by the body lattice. The contact area is formed by the support block and can therefore be free of sharp points. As a result, the contact stress is lower during body support, and the part is therefore more comfortable for the user.

[0053] Furthermore, when a compressive force is applied to the surface truss, it transmits this force homogeneously and uniformly distributed to the body truss. This results in a good distribution of stresses throughout the entire truss structure and therefore improved user comfort.

[0054] Preferably, the superficial elementary motifs are in contact with each other.

[0055] Preferably, the feet are deformable at least elastically.

[0056] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a padding element as described above, comprising the following steps: - manufacturing said padding element in a folded position using an additive manufacturing technique, - positioning said padding element in the unfolded position by means of a rotation of the first sub-element of padding relative to the second sub-element of padding around the longitudinal hinge axis.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the padding element, it may include at least one hinge. The padding element may thus include a plurality of hinges, allowing for the creation of a large padding element. The longitudinal hinge axes of the different hinges may be parallel to each other or angularly offset from each other, in particular by an angle other than 180°.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the first and / or second contact face comprises at least one elementary reinforcement motif to stiffen the interface portion between the first and second padding sub-elements. This elementary reinforcement motif is configured to increase the contact area between the first and second contact faces. For this purpose, the elementary reinforcement motif is preferably a surface element extending along the first or second contact face. The reinforcement surface formed by each elementary reinforcement motif is intended to come into contact with an elementary body motif, a first or second connecting relief, or another elementary reinforcement motif.

[0059] Each elementary reinforcement motif can be arranged at the level of at least one face of a first and / or a second connecting relief.

[0060] Preferably, each face of the first body lattice free from contact with the second body lattice and intended to be in contact with this same second body lattice when the padding element is in the unfolded position is provided with one or more elementary reinforcement patterns.

[0061] The elementary reinforcement motif is preferably an elongated surface element extending at the level of the lateral face of an elementary body motif or of a face of a first and / or a second connecting relief.

[0062] The elementary reinforcement motif can be of any shape, preferably connecting vertices or ends of bonding strands on a lateral face of an elementary body motif. The elementary reinforcement motif is, for example, in the shape of a or several crosses connecting the apexes of the linking strands of the elementary body patterns.

[0063] According to another aspect of the invention, a seat cushion for a seat comprises a cushioning element as described above, said seat cushion defining a seating axis intended to be oriented along an anteroposterior axis of a user seated on said seat cushion, said seat cushion comprising: - a rear portion designed to be in contact with a user's buttocks and forming the first sub-element of padding, and - a front portion of leg support intended to be in contact with the user's thighs and forming the second sub-element of padding, in which the longitudinal hinge axis extends transversely to the seat axis so as to extend between the buttocks and legs of a user sitting on said seat cushion.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the padding element, the front portion has a U-shaped form defining a central recess. Brief description of the figures

[0065] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will clearly explain what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented. In the accompanying figures:

[0066] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of an example of an element of structured lattice padding including a hinge joining the first and second padding sub-assemblies, in an unfolded position;

[0067] [Fig.2] Fig.2 shows a side view of the padding element of the [Fig.l] in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hinge, in a folded position;

[0068] [Fig. 3] [Fig. 3] shows a side view of a lattice-structured architectural structure according to the invention comprising a surface lattice and a body lattice;

[0069] [Fig.4] Fig.4 represents a perspective view of the architecturally structured structure in lattice of [Fig.3];

[0070] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] represents a perspective view of an elementary body motif of the body lattice of [Fig.3];

[0071] [Fig. 6] Fig. 6 shows a side view of another embodiment of a hinge comprising a connecting relief interlocking the first and second body lattices when the padding element is in the unfolded position;

[0072] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] shows a side view of [Fig.6] with the element of padding arranged in the folded or partially folded position;

[0073] [Fig. 8] Fig. 8 represents a side view of another embodiment in which the padding element comprises a plurality of elementary reinforcement patterns at the level of the first and second contact faces;

[0074] [Fig.9] Fig.9 represents a detailed perspective view of an elementary motif cross-shaped reinforcement;

[0075] [Fig. 10] Fig. 10 represents a perspective view of a padding element in a folded position with a plurality of elementary reinforcement motifs arranged on first and second reliefs as well as on first and second contact faces,

[0076] [Fig. 11] The [Fig. 11] represents a perspective view of a seat padding comprising a padding element connected by a hinge. Description of method(s) of implementation

[0077] For the sake of clarity, the same references designating the same elements according to the state of the art and according to the invention are used for all figures.

[0078] The concept of the invention is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the concept of the invention are shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of the elements may be exaggerated for clarity. Similar numbers refer to similar elements in all the drawings. However, this concept of the invention can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are offered so as to make this description complete and to communicate the scope of the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0079] A reference throughout the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in relation to an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrase "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Moreover, the term "including" does not exclude other elements or steps.

[0080] With reference to [Fig.1], a monolithic lattice-structured padding element 10 comprises a body lattice 1 and a surface lattice 11.

[0081] The lattice of body 1 comprises a plurality of elementary motifs of body 2 repeated periodically and in contact with each other.

[0082] The surface lattice 11 at least partially covers the body lattice 1 so as to form an external face of the padding element 10. The surface lattice 11 is in contact with and integrally formed with the body lattice 1. The a surface lattice comprises a plurality of 12 repeating surface elementary patterns.

[0083] The surface elementary motifs 12 together form a skin 17. In particular, each surface elementary motif 12 forms a portion of skin 30.

[0084] The padding element 10 comprises a first 32 and a second 34 sub-elements.

[0085] The portion of the body lattice 1 belonging to the first sub-element of the padding 32 is called the first body lattice. The portion of the surface lattice 11 belonging to the first sub-element of the padding 32 is called the first surface lattice.

[0086] Similarly, the portion of the body lattice 1 belonging to the second padding sub-element 34 is called the second body lattice. The portion of the surface lattice 11 belonging to the second padding sub-element 34 is called the second surface lattice.

[0087] The first 32 and second 34 padding sub-elements are connected to each other at a hinge 36 linking the first and second surface lattices. The hinge 36 defines a longitudinal hinge axis A, a transverse hinge axis B and a hinge height axis C.

[0089] The hinge 36 allows a rotational movement of said first sub-element of padding 32 relative to the second sub-element of padding 34 around the longitudinal axis of hinge A between an unfolded position, visible on [Fig.1], and a folded position, visible on [Fig.2].

[0090] The unfolded position is characterized by the fact that the first and second body lattices are in contact with each other at the level of at least one of the elementary motifs of body 2. Preferably, each of the elementary motifs of body 2 of the first body lattice is in contact with at least one elementary motif of body 2 of the second body lattice.

[0091] The unfolded position can also be characterized by a defined folding angle between the first and second surface lattices. This folding angle preferably has a value of 0° when the padding element is in the unfolded position. Thus, the surface lattice 11 has a continuous outer face in the unfolded position.

[0092] This unfolded position corresponds to the final or operational position of the padding element 10.

[0093] The folded position corresponds to a manufacturing position or an intermediate position of the padding element 10. The folding angle is greater than or equal to 10° in the folded position, preferably greater than or equal to 45°, or even greater than or equal to 90°. The padding element 10 can also be manufactured with the first and second surface lattice layers positioned opposite each other. In this latter case, the folding angle can be 180°.

[0094] In this folded position, the first and second body lattices are not in contact with each other.

[0095] The padding element 10 preferably also comprises a support lattice 41 having a plurality of periodically repeated and interlocking elementary support motifs. This support lattice 41 is arranged between and interlocked with the body lattice 1 and the surface lattice 11.

[0096] Alternatively, the padding element 10 may be without a support lattice 41. In this case, the padding element 10 preferably includes a surface lattice 11 directly in contact with the body lattice 1.

[0097] Preferably, the support or intermediate mesh 41 exhibits a compressive behavior in a direction perpendicular to the surface mesh 11 that differs from that of the body mesh 1. The padding element thus presents a stratification, each layer of which can have a different function or mechanical behavior. The support mesh 41 can therefore exhibit lower compressive strength than the body mesh 1 to increase user comfort while ensuring satisfactory restraint or absorption.

[0098] An example of lattice architecture is illustrated with reference to Figures 3 to 5. The invention is not limited to this specific architecture, particularly at the geometric level.

[0099] The lattice of body 1 is formed of a plurality of elementary motifs of body 2 of the rhombic dodecahedral type, repeated periodically and in contact with each other. The elementary motif of body 2 comprises twenty-four strands 3 linked together so as to form the edges of a rhombic dodecahedron 4. The rhombic dodecahedron 4 comprises six acute-angled vertices 5 and eight obtuse-angled vertices 6. An acute-angled vertex 5 is a vertex where four faces of the rhombic dodecahedron 4 meet at their acute angles. An obtuse-angled vertex 6 is a vertex where three faces of the rhombic dodecahedron 4 meet at their obtuse angles. The elementary motif 2 is inscribed in an elementary cell 8, which corresponds to the rectangular parallelepiped circumscribed around each of the acute-angled vertices 5. The elementary motif 2 also includes eight connecting strands 7, each linking one of the obtuse-angled vertices 6 to the vertex closest to the elementary cell 8.The bonding strands 7 extend along the diagonals of the elementary cell 8.

[0100] The elementary motif of the rhombic dodecahedral type 2 is similar to the motif called "fluorite" in the software "nTopology 3.26.3" developed and marketed by the company nTopology, INC. Indeed, it is similar to a crystal structure of fluorite for which each of the atomic sites would have been linked together by strands.

[0101] The adjacent rhombic dodecahedral 2 type elementary motifs are fixed together by contact between their respective bonding strands 7 and by contact between their respective acute-angled vertices.

[0102] The support truss 41 comprises four legs 13 and a support block 14.

[0103] Each of the feet 13 consists of a single branch comprising an end 13a fixed to the support block 14. The single branch of the foot 13 also includes another end 13b, opposite the end 13a and fixed to one of the connecting strands 7 of the body lattice 1.

[0104] The first and second surface lattices define a skin thickness E when the padding element 10 is observed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of hinge A. This skin thickness E corresponds to the skin thickness 17. The skin thickness E is taken along the height axis of hinge C when the padding element 10 is in the unfolded position.

[0105] The hinge 36 has a hinge thickness along the hinge height axis equal to or less than this skin thickness E when the padding element 10 is in the unfolded position.

[0106] Preferably, the first and second surface lattices together define an upper and a lower envelope surface between which all the elementary surface motifs 12 are inscribed when the padding element 10 is in the unfolded position. The hinge thus preferably extends between these upper and lower envelope surfaces. The hinge 36 thus extends in continuity with the surface lattice 11.

[0107] Each surface element 12 of the first and second sub-elements of padding is connected in a rigid manner to the surface element 12 adjacent to it by at least one element connecting junction 24. With reference to the fifure 4, the element connecting junctions 24 are preferably located near the vertices of the surface element 12.

[0108] As seen in [Fig. 1], the hinge 36 comprises a plurality of elementary hinge junctions 25. Each surface elementary motif 12 of the first sub-element of padding is connected to at least one surface elementary motif 12 of the second sub-element of padding by at least one elementary hinge junction 25.

[0109] The hinge 36 preferably comprises a plurality of elementary connecting junctions 24 linking each of the surface elementary motifs 12 arranged on either side of the hinge 36. Preferably, the elementary connecting junctions 24 are identical at the hinge 36 and in the rest of the surface lattice 11. In other words, the surface elementary motifs 12 are joined identically over the entire surface lattice 11, including at the hinge 36.

[0110] The elementary hinge junction 25 is thus preferably additional to the elementary connection junctions 24.

[0111] The elementary hinge junction 25 preferably connects the central areas of each of the edges of the surface elementary motifs 12.

[0112] Each elementary hinge junction 25 is an elongated element locally connecting an edge of a surface elementary pattern 12 of the first sub-element of the mattress to an edge of another surface elementary pattern 12 of the second sub-element of the mattress.

[0113] Each surface element 12 of the first padding sub-element is connected to a surface element 12 of the second padding sub-element facing it by at least one hinge element junction 25 and at least one connecting element junction 24.

[0114] Preferably, each surface element 12 of the first sub-element of padding is connected to a surface element of the second sub-element of padding facing it by two elementary connection junctions 24. In this case, each elementary connection junction 24 is disposed at one end of the surface element 12, an elementary hinge junction 25 is disposed between the two elementary connection junctions 24.

[0115] As shown in [Fig. 2], each elementary motif of body 2 comprises at least one lateral face 38 intended to be in contact with a lateral face 38 of an adjacent elementary motif of body 2. This contact is made at the contact zones of the elementary motif of body 2. These contact zones are, for example, formed by the tips of the bonding strands 7.

[0116] Each of the contact zones of the same lateral face 38 preferably extends in the same contact plane. Thus, the tips of the bonding strands 7 therefore extend on the same lateral face 38 within this contact plane.

[0117] As seen in [Fig.2], the first and second body lattice have respectively a first 40 and a second 42 contact faces separated from each other when the padding element 10 is in the folded position and intended to be arranged against each other when the padding element 10 is arranged in the unfolded position.

[0118] The hinge 36 defines a median connection plane PML including the longitudinal axis of the hinge A. The first 40 and second 42 contact faces coincide with the median connection plane PML when the padding element 10 is in the unfolded position.

[0119] The first 40 and second 42 contact faces are preferably formed by lateral faces 38 of elementary body motifs 2.

[0120] With reference to figures 6 and 7, the first and second body lattices respectively have at least one first 44 and at least one second 46 connecting reliefs extending respectively from the first 40 and second 42 contact faces.

[0121] Said at least one first 44 and at least one second 46 connecting ridges are configured to cooperate together when the padding element 10 is in the unfolded position so as to interlock the first and second body lattices. One of the connecting ridges is thus inserted inside the other connecting ridge. This interlocking allows for a better distribution of forces within the body lattice 1 when the padding element 10 is in the unfolded position. There is thus better cohesion between the first and second body lattices.

[0122] Each first connecting relief 44 cooperates with a second connecting relief 46 facing it when the padding element 10 is in the unfolded position, thus forming a connecting couple.

[0123] Preferably, the first 44 and second 46 connecting reliefs of a connecting pair have a complementary shape with respect to each other.

[0124] Preferably, at least one of the first 44 or second 46 connecting reliefs is formed by at least one elementary motif of body 2. This elementary motif of body 2 protrudes, for example, from the first 40 or the second 42 contact faces.

[0125] The first 44 and second 46 connecting reliefs can extend along the longitudinal axis of hinge A. The first 44 and second 46 connecting reliefs preferably extend over a distance equal to or greater than 10% of the total distance of the hinge 36 along the longitudinal axis of hinge A. The first 44 and second 46 connecting reliefs extend, for example, over a distance equal to or greater than 30%, 40%, 50% or 60% of the total distance of the hinge 36 along the longitudinal axis of hinge A.

[0126] According to an example illustrated in [Fig.9], the first 44 and second 46 connecting reliefs can extend over the entire total distance of the hinge 36 along the longitudinal axis of hinge A.

[0127] According to a preferred embodiment, each of the first and second body lattices comprises at least three superimposed layers of elementary body motifs: an upper layer, a lower layer, and at least one intermediate layer disposed between the lower and upper layers. The first 44 and second 46 connecting reliefs are preferably formed at the level of said at least one intermediate layer, as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

[0128] With reference to Figures 9 and 10, an elementary reinforcing motif 48 can be arranged on at least one face of a first 44 and / or a second 46 reliefs of connection. This elementary reinforcement pattern 48 is configured to increase the contact area between the first 40 and second 42 contact faces.

[0129] Preferably, each face of the first body lattice free from contact with the second body lattice and intended to be in contact with this same second body lattice when the padding element 10 is in the unfolded position is provided with one or more elementary reinforcement pattern 48.

[0130] The elementary reinforcement motif 48 is preferably an elongated surface element extending at the level of the lateral face 38 of an elementary motif of body 2 or of a face of a first 44 and / or a second 6 connecting reliefs.

[0131] Preferably and illustrated in [Fig.9], the elementary reinforcement motif 48 is in the form of one or more crosses connecting the vertices of the bonding strands 7 of the elementary body motifs 2.

[0132] With reference to [Fig. 11], a seat cushion 50 for a seat comprises a cushioning element as described above.

[0133] The seat padding 50 defining a seat axis D intended to be oriented along an anteroposterior axis of a user sitting on said seat padding 50. The seat padding 50 includes a rear portion 52 intended to be in contact with a user's buttocks and forming the second sub-element of padding 34.

[0134] The seat padding 50 further includes a front portion 54 for leg support intended to be in contact with the thighs of this user and forming the first sub-element of padding 32.

[0135] The longitudinal hinge axis A is chosen to extend transversely to the seat axis D so as to extend between the buttocks and legs of a user sitting on said seat cushion 50.

[0136] The front portion 54 preferably has a U-shaped form defining a central recess 56.

Claims

Demands

1. A monolithic mattress element (10) with a lattice architecture comprising: - a body lattice (1) having a plurality of periodically repeated elementary body motifs (2) in contact with each other, - a surface lattice (11) at least partially covering the body lattice so as to form an external face of the mattress element (10), said surface lattice (11) being in contact with and integrally formed with said body lattice (1), the surface lattice (11) having a plurality of periodically repeated surface elementary motifs (12), in which the mattress element (10) comprises a first (32) and a second (34) mattress sub-elements defining respectively a first and a second body lattice and a first and a second surface lattice,the first (32) and second (34) padding sub-elements being connected to each other at a hinge (36) linking the first and second surface lattices, said hinge (36) defining a longitudinal hinge axis (A) and a hinge height axis (C) along which the body (1) and surface (11) lattices overlap, said hinge (36) allowing a rotational movement of said first padding sub-element (32) relative to the second padding sub-element (34) around the longitudinal hinge axis (A) between an unfolded position and a folded position.

2. Quilting element (10) according to claim 1, wherein the surface elemental patterns (12) together form a skin, each surface elemental pattern (12) forming a portion of skin.

3. Padding element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second surface lattices define a skin thickness (E) when the padding element (10) is viewed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of hinge (A), said hinge (36) having a hinge thickness along the axis of hinge height equal to or less than this skin thickness (E) when the padding element (10) is in the unfolded position.

4. Padding element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second surface lattices together define an upper envelope surface and a lower envelope surface between which the set of surface element patterns (12) are inscribed when the padding element (10) is in the unfolded position, said hinge (36) extending between these upper and lower envelope surfaces.

5. Padding element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each surface elemental pattern (12) of the first (32) and second (34) sub-padding elements is connected in a rigid manner to the adjacent surface elemental patterns (12) by at least one connecting element junction (24).

6. Padding element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hinge (36) comprises a plurality of elementary hinge junctions (25), each surface elementary motif (12) of the first sub-padding element (32) being connected to at least one surface elementary motif (12) of the second sub-padding element (34) by at least one elementary hinge junction (25).

7. Padding element (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein each hinge element junction (25) is an elongated element locally connecting an edge of a surface element pattern (12) of the first padding sub-element (32) to an edge of another surface element pattern (12) of the second padding sub-element (34).

8. Padding element (10) according to claim 6 or 7 in combination with claim 5, wherein each surface element pattern (12) of the first padding sub-element (32) is connected to a surface element pattern (12) of the second padding sub-element (34) facing it by at least one hinge element junction (25) and at least one connecting element junction (24).

9. Padding element (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein each surface element pattern (12) of the first padding sub-element (32) is connected to a surface element pattern (12) of the second padding sub-element (34) facing it by two connecting element junctions (24), each disposed at one end of the superficial elementary pattern (12), an elementary hinge junction (25) disposed between the two elementary connecting junctions (24).

10. Padding element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each elementary body pattern (2) comprises at least one lateral face (38) intended to be in contact with a lateral face (38) of an adjacent elementary body pattern (2) at the level of contact zones, each of these contact zones of the same lateral face extending in the same contact plane.

11. Padding element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second body lattice respectively have a first (40) and a second (42) contact faces separated from each other when the padding element (10) is in the folded position and intended to be arranged against each other when the padding element (10) is arranged in the unfolded position.

12. Padding element (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the hinge (36) defines a median connecting plane (PML) including the longitudinal hinge axis (A), the first (40) and second (42) contact faces being coincident with the median connecting plane (PML) when the padding element (10) is in the unfolded position.

13. Padding element (10) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the first and second body lattices respectively have at least one first (44) and at least one second (46) connecting reliefs extending respectively from the first (40) and second (42) contact faces and being configured to cooperate together when the padding element (10) is in the unfolded position so as to interlock the first and second body lattices.

14. Padding element (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one of the first (44) or second (46) connecting reliefs is formed by at least one elementary body pattern (2) projecting out of the first or second contact faces.

15. Seat padding (50) for a seat comprising a padding element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, said seat padding defining a seat axis D intended to be oriented along an anteroposterior axis of a user seated on said seat padding, said seat padding comprising: - a rear portion (52) intended to be in contact with the buttocks of a user and forming the first sub-element of padding, and - a front portion (54) for leg support intended to be in contact with the thighs of this user and forming the second sub-element of padding, in which the longitudinal hinge axis (A) extends transversely to the seating axis (D) so as to extend between the buttocks and legs of a user sitting on said seat cushion.

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