Arm rest

Abstract

To provide an arm rest in which a shape of a cover surface is unlikely to deform.SOLUTION: An arm rest 1 has: an arm rest base material 2 forming a skeleton along an arm rest surface F; an arm rest pad 3 for cushion provided on a base material surface of the arm rest base material 2; and an arm rest cover 4 covering the arm rest pad 3 from a pad surface side. The arm rest base material 2 has: a base material top plate part 2A extending along the arm rest surface F in a back and forth direction of the arm rest; a downward bent part 2B bent downward from a rear end part of the base material top plate part 2A; and a base material swollen part 2C swollen from an end of a bent corner of the downward bent part 2B to the base material surface side. The arm rest pad 3 is provided across the base material top plate part 2A and the downward bent part 2B so as to form a surface shape continuing the base material swollen part 2C. The arm rest cover 4 covers the arm rest pad 3 and the base material swollen part 2C.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an armrest. More specifically, it relates to an armrest having an elbow rest surface.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an armrest provided on the side portion of a vehicle seat. This armrest has a resin-made armrest base material, an armrest pad made of foamed urethane provided on the surface of the armrest base material, and an armrest cover that covers these from the front side.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the armrest pad extends to the trailing edge of the armrest. Therefore, the pressing force associated with the stretching of the armrest cover tends to concentrate on the upper rear edge of the armrest pad, and highlight lines that cause poor appearance on the cover surface are likely to appear. Thus, the present invention provides an armrest in which the shape of the cover surface is not easily distorted.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] As means for solving the above problems, the armrest of the present invention takes the following means.

[0006] That is, the first invention of the present invention is an armrest having an elbow rest surface, including an armrest base material forming a skeleton along the elbow rest surface, an armrest pad for cushioning provided on the base material surface of the armrest base material, and an armrest cover covering the armrest pad from the front side of the pad. The armrest base material has a base material top plate portion extending in the front-rear direction of the armrest along the elbow rest surface, a downwardly bent portion bending downward from the end portion in the front-rear direction of the armrest of the base material top plate portion, and a base material bulging portion bulging toward the front side of the base material from the end portion of the bent tip of the downwardly bent portion. The armrest pad is provided across the base material top plate portion and the downwardly bent portion so as to form a surface shape continuous with the base material bulging portion. The armrest cover is an armrest covering across the armrest pad and the base material bulging portion.

[0007] According to the first invention, the armrest pad is provided so as to be bent across the base material top plate portion and the downwardly bent portion of the armrest base material. Also, the end portions facing the base material bulging portion of the armrest pad are arranged so as to form a surface shape continuous with the base material bulging portion. Thereby, the pressing force accompanying the stretching of the armrest cover is strongly applied to the bent rounded portion of the armrest pad, so that it is difficult to concentrate on the upper edge of the end portion. As a result, it is difficult for highlight lines, which are factors deteriorating the appearance, to appear on the cover surface, and the shape of the cover surface can be made difficult to collapse.

[0008] The second invention of the present invention is the armrest according to the first invention, further including a planar heater base cloth provided with a heating wire and arranged to be sandwiched between the armrest pad and the armrest cover, wherein the heater base cloth has a first sticking portion passed between the base material bulging portion and the armrest cover and stuck to the base material bulging portion.

[0009] According to the second invention, by sticking the heater base cloth to the base material bulging portion, it is possible to prevent the heater base cloth from being pulled out to the front side by the elastic force of the armrest pad.

[0010] The third invention of the present invention is the second invention described above, wherein the downwardly bent portion bends downward from the rear end portion of the base material top plate portion, and the heater base fabric further has a second adhering portion that is passed through the back side of the base material so as to enclose the front end portion of the base material top plate portion and adhered to the armrest base material. An armrest.

[0011] According to the third invention, the front and rear portions of the heater base fabric straddling the armrest pad are adhered to the armrest base material. Thereby, it is possible to more appropriately prevent the heater base fabric from being pulled out to the front side by the elastic force of the armrest pad.

[0012] The fourth invention of the present invention is the armrest according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the base material bulging portion is provided at a position lower than the base material top plate portion.

[0013] According to the fourth invention, even when a load from above due to leaning on the elbow is applied in the vicinity of the downwardly bent portion, the upper corner portion of the end portion facing the armrest pad of the base material bulging portion is less likely to hit the elbow. Therefore, the foreign body sensation during use of the armrest can be reduced. Further, when wiring such as a heating wire is passed through the upper corner portion of the base material bulging portion, the load during use applied to this wiring can be reduced.

[0014] The fifth invention of the present invention is the second or third invention described above, wherein the heating wire has a slack portion that bends so as to form a slack along the surface direction of the heater base fabric in a region straddling the armrest pad and the base material bulging portion. An armrest.

[0015] According to the fifth invention, it is possible to suppress the tension of the heating wire when a load from above due to leaning on the elbow is applied to the elbow rest surface. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an excessive load from being applied to the heating wire so that it is strongly pressed against the upper corner portion of the base material bulging portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] (First Embodiment) <Schematic Configuration of Armrest 1> First, the configuration of the armrest 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. In the following description, when indicating directions such as front, rear, up, down, left, and right, the respective directions shown in each figure shall be referred to. Further, in the following description, when no specific reference figure is shown, or when there is no reference sign corresponding to the reference figure, any one of FIGS. 1 to 10 shall be appropriately referred to.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the armrest 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as a so-called door armrest that is attached to the right door trim of an automobile (not shown). The armrest 1 is configured to include an elbow rest surface F that extends in a long shape in the front-rear direction (armrest front-rear direction) along the door trim. The armrest 1 is configured such that a seated person on a seat (not shown) adjacent to the door trim can preferably use it as an elbow rest for the right elbow.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2, specifically, the armrest 1 has a resin armrest base material 2 attached to a door trim (not shown), and an armrest pad 3 made of foamed urethane provided on the base material surface (upper surface shown in the figure) of the armrest base material 2. Further, the armrest 1 has an armrest cover 4 made of synthetic leather that covers the armrest pad 3 from the front side of the pad, and a planar heater base fabric 5 disposed so as to be sandwiched between the armrest pad 3 and the armrest cover 4.

[0021] As shown in Figs. 3 to 4, the armrest base material 2 has a flat base material top plate portion 2A that extends in the front-rear direction along the elbow rest surface F (see Fig. 1). Further, the armrest base material 2 has a downwardly curved portion 2B that extends so as to curve downward from the rear end portion of the base material top plate portion 2A. Further, the armrest base material 2 has a base material bulging portion 2C that bulges toward the front side of the base material from the end portion of the bent tip of the downwardly curved portion 2B. A felt M is integrally adhered to the base material bulging portion 2C so as to be wound around it from the rear side across its front and back surfaces.

[0022] Further, in the armrest base material 2, a recessed pad accommodation recess 2D that can accommodate the armrest pad 3 so as to be fitted from above is formed in the upper surface region straddling the base material top plate portion 2A and the downwardly curved portion 2B. Accordingly, an edge portion 2E that rises so as to surround the pad accommodation recess 2D is formed at the periphery of the upper surface region straddling the base material top plate portion 2A and the downwardly curved portion 2B.

[0023] The above-mentioned base bulging portion 2C is formed so as to also serve as one side (rear side) of this edge portion 2E. The base bulging portion 2C bulges so that its surface forms a surface shape continuous with the armrest pad 3. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the base bulging portion 2C has an armrest cover 4 covering its surface on the pad surface of the armrest pad 3, and has a configuration that functions to shape the surface shape of the rear end portion of the armrest 1.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, the armrest pad 3 is made of a rectangular plate-shaped slab urethane cut according to the shape of the pad accommodation recess 2D. The armrest pad 3 is fitted into the pad accommodation recess 2D, and has a pad thickness that slightly protrudes higher than the peripheral edge portion 2E around it.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, when the armrest cover 4 is stretched on the pad surface of the armrest pad 3, the armrest pad 3 is pushed and contracted by the tension so as to be substantially at the same height as the edge portion 2E and the base bulging portion 2C of the armrest base material 2. Thereby, a flush internal surface that forms the surface shape of the armrest 1 is formed by the armrest pad 3 and the edge portion 2E including the base bulging portion 2C of the armrest base material 2.

[0026] The armrest cover 4 is covered on the armrest pad 3 from the front side of the pad (upper side in the drawing). Then, the front, rear, left, and right peripheral edge portions of the covered end of the armrest cover 4 are drawn into the back side of the armrest base material 2 and fixed (see FIG. 6). Thereby, the armrest cover 4 is stretched so as to closely adhere widely to the pad surface of the armrest pad 3 and the edge portion 2E (see FIG. 5) including the base bulging portion 2C of the armrest base material 2.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, specifically, since the armrest cover 4 is provided such that the armrest pad 3 is bent across the base plate top portion 2A and the lower bent portion 2B of the armrest base material 2, the pressing force associated with its stretching is less likely to concentrate on the upper edge of the rear end portion of the armrest pad 3. The reason is that as the armrest pad 3 is bent, the portion forming the upper edge shape of the rear end of the armrest 1 is formed by the rounded portion R that is bent rather than the rear end portion of the armrest pad 3.

[0028] As a result, the pressing force associated with the stretching of the armrest cover 4 is applied to the rounded portion R without concentrating on the rear end portion of the armrest pad 3. Therefore, it is less likely for highlight lines, which are factors deteriorating the appearance, to appear on the cover surface of the armrest cover 4, and the shape of the cover surface can be made less likely to collapse.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the heater base fabric 5 is disposed so as to be laid on the pad surface of the armrest pad 3. As shown in FIG. 5, the heater base fabric 5 is disposed so as to be sandwiched in a laminated manner between the armrest pad 3 and the armrest cover 4 when the armrest cover 4 is stretched over the armrest pad 3 from the pad front side.

[0030] The heater base fabric 5 is composed of a sheet-like member made of a stretchable non-woven fabric. As shown in FIG. 7, a heating wire 5A is sewn to the heater base fabric 5 so as to be widely laid along its lower surface. The heating wire 5A is routed so as to extend in the front-rear direction while being repeatedly bent in a wavy shape in the left-right direction (armrest width direction) along the lower surface of the heater base fabric 5. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2, heat is applied over a wide range of the elbow rest surface F of the armrest 1.

[0031] The heating wire 5A is also set in the area covered on the left side surface of the front end of the armrest base material 2 of the heater base fabric 5. Thereby, when the seated person places the right elbow on the elbow rest surface F of the armrest 1 and spreads the hand to grasp the armrest 1 with the right hand, heat is also applied to the left side surface portion where the thumb is placed.

[0032] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the heating wire 5A is also set in the area laid on the surface of the base material bulging portion 2C of the heater base fabric 5. Thereby, in addition to the elbow rest surface F of the armrest 1, heat is also applied to the rear surface facing the rear side of the armrest 1.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the heater base fabric 5 is covered from the front side across the armrest pad 3 and the edge 2E of the armrest base material 2 around it. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the heater base fabric 5 also covers the surface of the base material bulging portion 2C that extends rearward from the armrest pad 3 and forms the rear edge 2E of the armrest base material 2.

[0034] And, the portion of the heater base fabric 5 covered on the surface of the base material bulging portion 2C is adhered to the base material surface of the base material bulging portion 2C (felt M adhered thereto) by the first adhering portion 5D made of double-sided tape (see FIG. 9). Further, the heater base fabric 5 is drawn into the back side of the base material of the armrest base material 2 so as to wind the base material bulging portion 2C together with the felt M, and is adhered to the back surface of the base material by another adhering portion 5F made of double-sided tape.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 10, also, the heater base fabric 5 also covers the front side surface of the front edge 2E of the armrest base material 2 that extends forward from the armrest pad 3. And, the heater base fabric 5 is drawn into the back side of the base material of the armrest base material 2 so as to wind the front edge 2E of the armrest base material 2 from the front side, and is adhered to the back surface of the base material by the second adhering portion 5E made of double-sided tape.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, further, the heater base fabric 5 extends from the front part of the armrest pad 3 to each of the left and right sides and covers the left side surface of the left edge 2E of the armrest base material 2 and the right side surface of the right edge 2E of the armrest base material 2. And, the heater base fabric 5 is adhered to each side surface by other adhering parts 5F (see FIG. 7) made of double-sided tape at the parts covering the left and right side surfaces of the armrest base material 2.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, also, the heater base fabric 5 is adhered to the pad surface by other adhering parts 5F made of double-sided tape at a substantially central part of the area covering the pad surface of the armrest pad 3. By these adhesions, the heater base fabric 5 is provided so as to extend along the surface shapes of the armrest pad 3 and the armrest base material 2.

[0038] Specifically, the heater base fabric 5 is adhered not only to the armrest pad 3 but also to the base material bulging part 2C of the armrest base material 2 and the front edge 2E at positions beyond the armrest pad 3 in the front and rear directions. Because of this, even if the heater base fabric 5 receives an elastic force from the armrest pad 3, it is strongly supported at the base material bulging part 2C of the armrest base material 2 and the front edge 2E and is not pulled out to the front side (upper side in the drawing).

[0039] That is, if the heater base fabric 5 is adhered only to the armrest pad 3, there is a possibility of being pulled out to the front side by the elastic force of the armrest pad 3. However, since the heater base fabric 5 is adhered to the base material bulging part 2C of the armrest base material 2 and the front edge 2E at positions beyond the armrest pad 3 in the front and rear directions, such pulling out by the elastic force is appropriately prevented.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 9, the heating wire 5A sewn to the heater base fabric 5 is shaped such that it has a slack portion A1 that extends in the vertical direction while being bent in a zigzag pattern in the left-right direction, which is the plane direction of the heater base fabric 5, in a region straddling the armrest pad 3 and the base material bulging portion 2C. With such a configuration, the heating wire 5A is configured to be less likely to become taut even when a load is applied from above due to leaning on the elbow on the elbow-rest surface F (see FIG. 8). Note that FIG. 9 is a view with the armrest cover 4 omitted.

[0041] And thereby, the heating wire 5A is configured such that an excessive load that strongly presses against the upper corner portion of the base material bulging portion 2C is less likely to be applied. That is, when a load is applied from above to the elbow-rest surface F (see FIG. 8), the heating wire 5A is configured to bend so as to stretch the slack of the slack portion A1 in the vertical direction along with the deflection accompanied by the stretching of the heater base fabric 5. Therefore, due to such flexibility, the heating wire 5A is less likely to develop a tautness that strongly presses against the upper corner portion of the base material bulging portion 2C.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 8, the base material bulging portion 2C is formed at a position lower than the base material top plate portion 2A. Therefore, even when a load is applied from above due to leaning on the elbow in the vicinity of the downward bending portion 2B, the upper corner portion of the base material bulging portion 2C facing the armrest pad 3 is less likely to hit the elbow. Thus, the foreign object feeling during the use of the armrest 1 can be reduced. Also, the load during use applied to the heating wire 5A (see FIG. 9) passed through the upper corner portion of the base material bulging portion 2C can be reduced.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, the end portion of the heater base fabric 5 drawn in from the rear side on the back side of the base material is adhered to the back surface of the armrest base material 2 by the other adhering portion 5F described above. From the end portion of this heater base fabric 5, a harness portion 5B electrically connected to the heating wire 5A is routed to extend forward. The harness portion 5B is electrically connected to a wiring extending from the vehicle side (not shown) via a connector 5C electrically connected to its tip portion.

[0044] Summarizing the above, the armrest 1 according to the present embodiment has the following configuration. In the following, the reference numerals in parentheses correspond to the respective configurations shown in the above embodiment.

[0045] That is, the armrest (1) includes an armrest base material (2) forming a skeleton along the elbow rest surface (F), an armrest pad (3) for cushion provided on the base material surface of the armrest base material (2), and an armrest cover (4) covering the armrest pad (3) from the front side of the pad. The armrest base material (2) has a base material top plate portion (2A) extending in the front-rear direction of the armrest along the elbow rest surface (F), a downwardly bent portion (2B) that bends downward from the front-rear direction end of the base material top plate portion (2A), and a base material bulging portion (2C) that bulges toward the base material surface side from the end of the bent tip of the downwardly bent portion (2B).

[0046] The armrest pad (3) is provided across the base material top plate portion (2A) and the downwardly bent portion (2B) so as to form a surface shape continuous with the base material bulging portion (2C). The armrest cover (4) is covered across the armrest pad (3) and the base material bulging portion (2C).

[0047] According to the above configuration, the armrest pad (3) is provided so as to be bent across the base material top plate portion (2A) and the downwardly bent portion (2B) of the armrest base material (2). Further, the ends facing the base material bulging portion (2C) of the armrest pad (3) are arranged so as to form a surface shape continuous with the base material bulging portion (2C). Thereby, the pressing force accompanying the stretching of the armrest cover (4) is strongly applied to the bent rounded portion (R) of the armrest pad (3), so that it is difficult to concentrate on the upper edge of the end portion. As a result, it is difficult for a highlight line, which is a factor deteriorating the appearance, to appear on the cover surface, and the shape of the cover surface can be made difficult to collapse.

[0048] Furthermore, the armrest (1) further has a planar heater base fabric (5) provided with a heating wire (5A) disposed so as to be sandwiched between an armrest pad (3) and an armrest cover (4). The heater base fabric (5) has a first adhesion portion (5D) that is passed between the base material bulging portion (2C) and the armrest cover (4) and adhered to the base material bulging portion (2C). In this way, by adhering the heater base fabric (5) to the base material bulging portion (2C), it is possible to prevent the heater base fabric (5) from being pulled out to the front side by the elastic force of the armrest pad (3).

[0049] Also, the downward bending portion (2B) bends downward from the rear end portion of the base material top plate portion (2A). The heater base fabric (5) further has a second adhesion portion (5E) that is passed to the back side of the base material so as to enclose the front end portion of the base material top plate portion (2A) and adhered to the armrest base material (2). According to the above configuration, the front and rear portions of the heater base fabric (5) straddling the armrest pad (3) are adhered to the armrest base material (2). Thereby, it is possible to more appropriately prevent the heater base fabric (5) from being pulled out to the front side by the elastic force of the armrest pad (3).

[0050] Also, the base material bulging portion (2C) is provided at a position lower than the base material top plate portion (2A). According to the above configuration, even when a load from above due to leaning on the elbow is applied in the vicinity of the downward bending portion (2B), the upper corner portion of the end portion of the base material bulging portion (2C) facing the armrest pad (3) is less likely to hit the elbow. Therefore, the foreign body sensation during use of the armrest (1) can be reduced. Also, when wiring such as the heating wire (5A) is passed through the upper corner portion of the base material bulging portion (2C), the load during use applied to this wiring can be reduced.

[0051] Further, the heating wire (5A) has a slack portion (A1) that bends so as to form a slack along the surface direction of the heater base fabric (5) in a region straddling the armrest pad (3) and the base material bulging portion (2C). According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the tension of the heating wire (5A) when a load from above due to elbow resting is applied to the elbow resting surface (F). Thereby, it is possible to prevent an excessive load from being applied to the heating wire (5A) so that it is strongly pressed against the upper corner portion of the base material bulging portion (2C).

[0052] 《Regarding Other Embodiments》 As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described using one embodiment, but the present invention can be implemented in various forms in addition to the above embodiments.

[0053] 1. The armrest of the present invention may be configured as a so-called seat armrest attached to the side portion of a seat, in addition to a door armrest. Further, the armrest may be attached to the top plate portion of a console box or to an interior trim other than a door trim such as a deck side trim.

[0054] Further, the armrest may be applied to vehicles other than automobiles such as railways, airplanes, and ships. Further, the armrest may be applied to non-vehicle seats such as seats and massage seats installed in various facilities such as sports facilities, theaters, concert halls, and event venues, or to interior trims arranged side by side with seats.

[0055] 2. The armrest cover may be made of natural leather or fabric in addition to synthetic leather. The first attachment portion and the second attachment portion for attaching the heater base fabric to the armrest base material may be made of attachment means other than double-sided tape such as a hook-and-loop fastener or an adhesive.

[0056] 3. The attachment of the heating wire to the heater base fabric may be by a method other than sewing such as welding or adhesion. The heating wire may be attached to the front surface of the heater base fabric in addition to the back surface, or may be attached to both the front and back surfaces. Further, the heater base fabric may be composed of two layers on the front and back, and the heating wire may be attached so as to be sandwiched between the two layers of the heater base fabric.

[0057] 4. The downward bending portion of the armrest base material may be formed not only at the rear end portion of the base material top plate portion but also at the front end portion. The downward bending portion may be bent so as to curve downward from the end portion in the front-rear direction of the armrest of the base material top plate portion, or may be bent so as to fold downward.

[0058] 5. In the above embodiment, felt is integrally provided on the surface of the base material of the base material bulging portion, and the first sticking portion of the heater base fabric is indirectly stuck to the base material bulging portion via the felt. However, even if there is no felt and the first sticking portion is directly stuck to the base material bulging portion, it may be acceptable.

[0059] 6. In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the heater base fabric is passed through the back side of the base material so as to entangle the front end portion of the base material top plate portion and is stuck to the armrest base material by the second sticking portion is illustrated. However, the heater base fabric may be configured to be stuck to the front side of the base material rather than the back side of the front end portion of the base material top plate portion. Further, the heater base fabric may be configured to be stuck to both the front side and the back side of the front end portion of the base material top plate portion.

Explanation of Signs

[0060] 1 Armrest 2 Armrest base material 2A Base material top plate portion 2B Downward bending portion 2C Base material bulging portion 2D Pad accommodation recess 2E Edge portion 3 Armrest pad 4 Armrest cover 5 Heater base fabric 5A Heating wire A1 Slack portion 5B harness part 5C connector 5D first attachment part 5E second attachment part 5F other attachment part F armrest surface R rounded part M felt

Claims

1. An armrest having an elbow rest surface, comprising: an armrest base material forming a skeleton along the elbow rest surface; an armrest pad for cushioning provided on the base material surface of the armrest base material; an armrest cover covering the armrest pad from the front side of the pad; the armrest base material has a base material top plate portion extending in the front-rear direction of the armrest along the elbow rest surface, a downwardly bent portion bent downward from the front-rear end portion of the base material top plate portion in the front-rear direction of the armrest, and a base material bulging portion bulging toward the base material surface side from the end portion of the bent tip of the downwardly bent portion; the armrest pad is provided across the base material top plate portion and the downwardly bent portion so as to form a surface shape continuous with the base material bulging portion, and the armrest cover is an armrest covering across the armrest pad and the base material bulging portion.

2. The armrest according to claim 1, further comprising: a planar heater base fabric provided with a heating wire and disposed so as to be sandwiched between the armrest pad and the armrest cover; the armrest, wherein the heater base fabric has a first adhering portion passed between the base material bulging portion and the armrest cover and adhered to the base material bulging portion.

3. The armrest according to claim 2, wherein: the downwardly bent portion is bent downward from the rear end portion of the base material top plate portion; the armrest, wherein the heater base fabric further has a second adhering portion passed to the back side of the base material so as to enclose the front end portion of the base material top plate portion and adhered to the armrest base material.

4. The armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the base material bulging portion is provided at a position lower than the base material top plate portion.

5. The armrest according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein: the heating wire has a slack portion bent so as to form a slack along the surface direction of the heater base fabric in a region straddling the armrest pad and the base material bulging portion.

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