Load-supporting member for chair, and chair

Abstract

To provide a load-supporting member for a chair, and a chair, which are capable of flexibly deforming a load-receiving surface along a shape of a contact portion of a seated person's body.SOLUTION: A load-supporting member for a chair includes a plurality of load-receiving band portions 42, one surface in a thickness direction of each of which is defined as a load-receiving surface. At least one of the plurality of load-receiving band portions 42 includes a first layer 50, a second layer 51, and a plurality of connecting walls 52. The first layer 50 constitutes the load-receiving surface. The second layer 51 is disposed spaced apart on the other side in the thickness direction of the first layer 50. The connecting walls 52 connect the first layer 50 and the second layer 51 in the thickness direction. The connecting walls 52 form, between the first layer 50 and the second layer 51, a plurality of deformation-allowing spaces 53 that allow deformation of the first layer 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a load support member for a chair that supports the weight of a seated person, and a chair that uses the same. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART A chair having a seat and a backrest is known in which the backrest is formed from a resin plate material and has a plurality of slits extending in the vertical direction in part of the backrest (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The chair described in Patent Document 1 has a backrest made of a resin plate with multiple slits extending in the vertical direction, which form multiple load-receiving bands on the backrest spaced apart in the width direction of the chair. Each of the multiple load-receiving bands extends in the vertical direction, with their upper and lower extending ends connected to an upper chair width extension and a lower chair width extension. Each of the multiple load-receiving bands consists of a resilient portion that linearly connects the upper and lower chair width extensions, and a base portion that curves backward and is connected to the upper and lower chair width extensions, and these are arranged alternately in the width direction of the chair.

[0004] In the chair described in Patent Document 1, the load-receiving belt portion, which is the elastic part, receives a load from the back of the seated person and flexes and deforms backward, and the load-receiving belt portion, which is the base part, has high rigidity so that it can withstand excessive load input from the back of the seated person. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5452996 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the chair described in Patent Document 1, the load-receiving band that constitutes part of the backrest is formed from a thin, band-like plate. Therefore, when the body of a seated person presses against the surface of the load-receiving band, the load-receiving band deforms in the thickness direction so that the longitudinal side curves, but the surface (load-receiving surface) is unlikely to change three-dimensionally to conform to the shape of the contact area of ​​the seated person's body. Therefore, there is a need for a load-supporting member for a chair whose load-receiving surface flexibly deforms to conform to the contact area of ​​the seated person's body, providing a more comfortable sitting experience.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a load support member for a chair, and a chair, in which the load receiving surface can be flexibly deformed to conform to the shape of the contact portion of the body of a seated person. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the load support member for a chair and the chair according to the present invention employ the following configurations. The load support member for a chair according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of load-receiving band portions, one of whose thickness-wise surfaces is a load-receiving surface, and at least one of the plurality of load-receiving band portions comprises a first layer constituting the load-receiving surface, a second layer arranged spaced apart on the other thickness-wise side of the first layer, and a plurality of connecting walls that connect the first layer and the second layer in the thickness direction and form a plurality of deformation-tolerant spaces between the first layer and the second layer to allow deformation of the first layer.

[0009] In the load support member for a chair of this aspect, the connecting wall that connects the first and second layers of the load-receiving band portion in the thickness direction forms multiple deformation-allowing spaces between the first and second layers. Therefore, when the body of a seated person comes into contact with the load-receiving surface of the load-receiving band portion, the load-receiving surface flexibly deforms three-dimensionally along the contact area of ​​the body due to the relative displacement between the first and second layers via the connecting wall and the flexural deformation of the connecting wall.

[0010] The second aspect of the present invention is a load support member for a chair, characterized in that, in the load support member for a chair of the first aspect, the connecting walls are provided at intervals in the extension direction of the load-receiving band portion, and the multiple connecting walls are arranged between the first layer and the second layer in varying numbers per unit length in the extension direction of the load-receiving band portion.

[0011] In this case, in areas on the load-receiving band where there are a large number of connecting walls per unit length, the reaction force when the first layer displaces relative to the second layer is large, and in areas where there are a small number of connecting walls per unit length, the reaction force when the first layer displaces relative to the second layer is small. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, by appropriately setting the number of connecting walls per unit length for each area, it is possible to obtain appropriate shape changes and reaction forces when the seated person's body comes into contact with the first layer.

[0012] The third aspect of the present invention is a load support member for a chair, which is characterized in that, in the load support member for a chair according to the first or second aspect, the load-receiving band portion further comprises a third layer made of a material stronger than the second layer and joined to the other surface in the thickness direction of the second layer.

[0013] In this case, if a large load is applied to the load-receiving band by a seated person, causing the first and second layers of the load-receiving band to stretch significantly, the load will be absorbed by the stronger third layer on the back side. Therefore, even if the first and second layers of the load-receiving band are made of a highly flexible material, it is possible to prevent the first and second layers from being excessively stretched and deformed, resulting in deterioration.

[0014] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a load support member for a chair according to the first or second aspect, characterized in that the second layer is made of a material having a higher strength than the first layer.

[0015] In this case, if a large load is applied to the load-receiving band by a seated person, causing the first layer of the load-receiving band to stretch and deform significantly, the load is absorbed by the relatively stronger second layer. Therefore, even if the first layer of the load-receiving band is made of a highly flexible material, it is possible to prevent the first layer from being excessively stretched and deformed, resulting in deterioration.

[0016] The chair of the first aspect of the present invention comprises the chair load support member of the third aspect and a support structure that is installed on the floor and connected to the chair load support member, and the chair load support member has a seat and back that are formed continuously by a plurality of the load-receiving band portions, and a chair width extension portion is provided at the front of the seat to which the ends of the plurality of load-receiving band portions in the extension direction are connected, the third layer of the load-receiving band portions extends continuously to the underside of the chair width extension portion, and the support structure is connected to the third layer of the chair width extension portion.

[0017] In this case, the chair load-supporting member is connected to the support structure at the third layer portion, which has high strength, on the underside of the chair width extending portion of the seat, thereby increasing the strength of the entire chair.

[0018] A chair according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a chair load support member according to the fourth aspect and a support structure that is installed on the floor and connected to the chair load support member, wherein the chair load support member has a seat and back that are formed continuously by a plurality of the load-receiving band portions, and a chair width extension portion is provided at the front of the seat to which the ends of the plurality of load-receiving band portions in the extension direction are connected, the second layer of the load-receiving band portions extends continuously to the underside of the chair width extension portion, and the support structure is connected to the second layer of the chair width extension portion.

[0019] In this case, the chair load-supporting member is connected to the support structure at the second layer portion, which has a higher strength, on the underside of the chair width extending portion of the seat, thereby increasing the strength of the entire chair. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] In the load support member for a chair and chair according to the present invention, at least one load-receiving band portion includes a first layer, a second layer, and a connecting wall. The connecting wall connects the first and second layers in the thickness direction and forms a plurality of deformation-accepting spaces between the first and second layers that allow deformation of the first layer. This allows for relative misalignment between the first and second layers due to the connecting wall, and allows for displacement of the first layer in various directions relative to the second layer due to flexural deformation of the connecting wall. Therefore, when the load support member for a chair and chair according to the present invention are used, the load-receiving surface can flexibly deform to conform to the shape of the contact area of ​​the seated person's body. This improves seating comfort. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a first usage form of the furniture unit of the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a second usage form of the furniture unit of the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a second usage form of the furniture unit of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a third usage form of the furniture unit of the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the chair of the embodiment seen from another direction. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a load support member according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, a chair 10 according to the embodiment is employed in a furniture unit 1.

[0023] <Furniture unit> 1 to 4 are vertical cross-sectional views of the furniture unit 1. Each of FIGS. 1 to 4 shows a different usage form of the furniture unit 1. The furniture unit 1 of this embodiment comprises a chair 10 on which a user m can sit, a lower booth 11 having a bottom wall 11b on which the soles of the feet of the user m seated on the chair 10 are placed and continuously covering the front and both left and right sides of the lower part of the knees k of the user m, and an upper booth 12 connected to the upper part of the lower booth 11. The chair 10 and the lower booth 11 are supported by a substantially circular base plate 13 fixedly installed on the floor F. A movable mechanism 14 is installed approximately in the center of the upper surface of the base plate 13, which allows the lower booth 11 and chair 10 to tilt (recline) and to rotate the lower booth 11 and chair 10 individually. The lower booth 11 and the upper booth 12 may be collectively referred to as "booth 8."

[0024] The movable mechanism 14 includes a movable block 15 that is tiltable about a tilt center o and rotatable about a vertical axis v passing through the tilt center o, and a leg support base 16 that is rotatably supported on the movable block 15. The base of the bottom wall 11b of the lower booth 11 is connected to the movable block 15, and the legs 30 of the chair 10 are connected to the leg support base 16. A frusto-conical casing 17 of the movable mechanism 14 protrudes from approximately the center of the upper surface of the base plate 13. The casing 17 holds the movable block 15 in a state that allows it to rotate about the vertical axis v and tilt about the tilt center o. The top side of the casing 17 is open upward, and a portion of the movable block 15 is exposed to the outside through the opening in the top surface of the casing 17.

[0025] A conical recess 18 is formed in a portion of the movable block 15 that is exposed upward from the casing 17. A boss 18a protrudes from the bottom surface of the recess 18. The leg support base 16 is rotatably supported on the boss 18a via a support rod 19. A locking mechanism (not shown) is provided between the movable block 15 and the leg support base 16. The locking mechanism restricts the rotation of the leg support base 16 relative to the movable block 15. The locking mechanism releases the lock on the leg support base 16 only when the lower booth 11 connected to the movable block 15 is in a reference position (described later) and locks the rotation of the leg support base 16 in other states. Therefore, the chair 10 supported by the leg support base 16 is rotatable relative to the booth 8 only when the booth 8 is in the reference position.

[0026] The movable mechanism 14 is also provided with a motor 20 for tilting the movable block 15 and a motor (not shown) for rotating the movable block 15 (booth 8) to any position around the vertical axis v when the booth 8 is in the reference position. These motors can be operated by the user m by operating a switch or the like. In this embodiment, the chair 10 is configured to be rotated manually when the booth 8 is in the reference position. However, the chair 10 may also be rotated by an actuator such as a motor. 1 denotes a warning light installed around the casing 17 of the movable mechanism 14. This warning light 22 is for notifying people around of danger when, for example, the booth 8 or the chair 10 is operated by power. The warning light 22 may be turned on to notify people around that a user m is working or performing other tasks facing the booth 8.

[0027] <How the fixture unit is used> The furniture unit 1 of this embodiment can be used in a variety of forms as shown in Figures 1 to 4. The forms of use shown in Figures 1 to 4 are only examples of a variety of forms of use, and the forms of use of the furniture unit 1 are not limited to these. The reference position for the booth 8 refers to a position in which the base of the bottom wall 11b of the lower booth 11 is horizontal. The reference position for the chair 10 refers to a position in which the front of the backrest 32 of the chair 10 faces the booth 8 when the booth 8 is in the reference position.

[0028] 1 shows a first usage mode in which the booth 8 is in the standard posture and the chair 10 is also in the standard posture. In this first usage mode, a user m sitting in the chair 10 in a normal posture can face the booth 8 and perform work, video conference (web conference), etc.

[0029] Fig. 2 shows a second usage mode in which the booth 8 is in the standard position and the chair 10 is rotated 180° from the standard position. Fig. 3 shows two furniture units 1 installed next to each other on floor F being used in the same second usage mode. In this usage mode, for example, users m of adjacent furniture units 1 can reverse the orientation of their chairs 10 to have a direct conversation, etc.

[0030] Figure 3 shows a third usage mode in which the booth 8 and chair 10 are tilted (reclined) backward by a predetermined angle from the standard position. In this third usage mode, a user m seated in the chair 10 can work or hold a video conference (web conference) while facing the booth 8 in a backward-leaning position. The tilt angle of the booth 8 and chair 10 can be adjusted to any angle by the user m operating a switch or the like.

[0031] <Booth> 5 and 6 are perspective views of the furniture unit 1. Fig. 5 is a view of the chair 10 facing the booth 8 as seen from the rear, and Fig. 6 is a view of the chair 10 rotated a predetermined angle relative to the booth 8 as seen from the front. 1, 5, and 6, the lower booth 11 includes a bottom wall 11b that is generally fan-shaped in plan view, an upright wall 11c that is arc-shaped in plan view and rises upward from the arc-shaped edge of the bottom wall 11b, and an upper flange wall 11d that projects from the upper edge of the upright wall 11c to the inside of the arc of the upright wall 11c. An arc-shaped block 11a that is generally arc-shaped in plan view is connected to the inner edge of the upper flange wall 11d. The lower end of the upper booth 12 is connected to the outer arc surface of the arc-shaped block 11a.

[0032] Sensors s1 and s2 are installed on the arc-shaped block 11a to detect the movements of a user m seated on the chair 10. These sensors s1 and s2 detect the movements of the user m and transmit the detection signals to a controller. The controller receives the detection signals and controls the furniture unit 1 and other devices in accordance with the signals.

[0033] Additionally, a table 23 having a substantially arc-shaped plan view is supported on the underside of the arc-shaped block 11a so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction. The table 23 has a shape in plan view that substantially matches the shape of the arc-shaped block 11a. The arc-shaped shape of the table 23 is formed so that a user m seated in the chair 10 facing the table 23 is positioned approximately at the center of the arc of the table 23. Therefore, the user m facing the table 23 can use the upper surfaces of the side edges of the table 23 that protrude in an arc shape from the left and right sides as armrests.

[0034] The sliding direction of the table 23 is a direction facing the user m seated in the chair 10 in the standard position. The table 23 is slidable between a forward position close to the user m and a backward position away from the user m. The table 23 is operated to move forward and backward by a motor (not shown). When the booth 8 is in the standard position, the table 23 moves to a backward position away from the user m when the backrest 32 of the chair 10 rotates from a rotation position facing the booth 8 to another rotation position. When the backrest 32 of the chair 10 is in a position facing the booth 8, the table 23 moves to the forward position close to the user m.

[0035] A sensor (not shown) is installed on the top surface of the table 23 to detect the movement of the fingers of the user m who is close to the top surface. This sensor detects the movement of the fingers of the user m and transmits the detection signal to the controller. The controller, which receives the detection signal, controls the furniture unit 1 and other devices in accordance with the signal.

[0036] A refrigerant circulation passage 24 is installed in the upright wall 11c of the lower booth 11. By flowing a cooled refrigerant or a heated refrigerant through this circulation passage 24, the inner space of the lower booth 11 can be cooled or heated. In addition, reference numeral 25 in the drawing denotes a recessed foot rest portion provided on the bottom wall 11b of the lower booth 11 at the rear side.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the upper booth 12 is provided with an upright wall 26 that is arc-shaped in plan view. The lower end of the upright wall 26 is connected to the arc-shaped block 11a on the lower booth 11 side so as to wrap around the curved outer surface of the arc-shaped block 11a. The arc-shaped block 11a is disposed below and inside the upright wall 26 so as to fit along the inner surface of the arc-shaped upright wall 26. The arc shape of the upright wall 26 has a central angle of approximately 160° centered near the center of the plane of the movable mechanism 14. A display device is incorporated into the curved inner surface 26a of the upright wall 26 facing the chair 10. The display device is capable of projecting computer output and other images.

[0038] <Chair> FIG. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of the chair 10. 1 and 5 to 7, chair 10 includes legs 30 connected to leg support bases 16 of movable mechanism 14, a chair load support member 33 (hereinafter simply referred to as "load support member 33") formed integrally with a seat 31 and a backrest 32, and a shielding member 34 that is substantially U-shaped in plan view and attached to the upper part of backrest 32 of load support member 33. Sound devices 35 such as speakers are built into left and right side walls 34s of shielding member 34. In the following description of the chair 10, the side of the seat 31 connected to the backrest 32 will be referred to as the "rear" side, and the opposite side will be referred to as the "front" side.

[0039] The leg 30 has a semicircular annular shape. The annular shape of the leg 30 has a semicircular arc facing downward. The leg 30 extends from the upper surface of the leg support base 16 of the movable mechanism 14 at an angle toward the front and upward. However, since the leg support base 16 tilts in the same direction and angle as the movable block 15 as the movable block 15 tilts, the angle of inclination of the leg 30 changes as the movable block 15 tilts. Therefore, the seat 31 and backrest 32 of the load support member 33 supported by the leg 30 can be tilted (reclined) by the operation of the movable block 15.

[0040] The load support member 33 is integrally formed with a backrest 32 that supports the waist and back of the user m, connected to the rear of the seat 31 on which the user m sits. The upper ends of the legs 30 are connected to the underside of the front end of the seat 31 of the load support member 33 by bolting or the like.

[0041] The load support member 33 comprises a first chair width extension 40 extending in the chair width direction at the upper end of the backrest 32, a second chair width extension 41 extending in the chair width direction at the front end of the seat 31, and five (plural) load-receiving band portions 42 connecting the first chair width extension 40 and the second chair width extension 41. The five load-receiving band portions 42 are spaced apart from one another in the chair width direction. The first chair width extension 40, the second chair width extension 41, and the load-receiving band portions 42 are integrally formed from resin. The five load-receiving band portions 42 consist of a pair of end load-receiving band portions 42E arranged at both ends of the chair width direction, and three inner load-receiving band portions 42a, 42b, 42c arranged inside the pair of end load-receiving band portions 42E in the chair width direction.

[0042] Each load-receiving band portion 42 has a thickness direction in the front-to-rear direction and includes a vertical extending region 43 that extends downward from the first chair width extending portion 40 and functions as part of the backrest 32, a vertical extending region 44 that has a thickness direction in the front-to-rear direction and extends rearward from the second chair width extending portion 41 and functions as part of the seat 31, and an L-shaped connecting region 45 that connects the vertical extending region 43 and the vertical extending region 44. The L-shaped connecting region 45 is formed in an L shape when viewed from the side in the chair width direction.

[0043] As shown in Figure 7, the length of each load-receiving band portion 42 from the upper end of the vertical extension region 43 via the L-shaped connection region 45 to the front end of the front-to-rear extension region 44 is greater than the shortest distance SD from the first chair width extension portion 40 to the second chair width extension portion 41. Hereinafter, the length from the upper end of the vertical extending region 43 to the front end of the front-rear extending region 44 via the L-shaped connection region 45 will be referred to as the "total length passing through the L-shaped connection region 45." The total length passing through the L-shaped connection region 45 is not the same for all of the load-receiving band portions 42 (end load-receiving band portion 42E, inner load-receiving band portions 42a, 42b, 42c) and is set as follows.

[0044] The left and right end load-receiving band portions 42E are set to have the shortest overall length passing through the L-shaped connection region 45, and the central inner load-receiving band portion 42b in the chair width direction is set to have the longest overall length passing through the L-shaped connection region 45. The overall length passing through the L-shaped connection region 45 of the inner load-receiving band portions 42a, 42c on both the left and right sides in the chair width direction is set to be longer than the overall length passing through the L-shaped connection region 45 of the left and right end load-receiving band portions 42E, but shorter than the overall length passing through the L-shaped connection region 45 of the central inner load-receiving band portion 42b.

[0045] The longitudinal positional relationship between the front and rear surfaces of the vertical wall portions (portions continuing to the upper and lower extending regions 43) of the L-shaped connecting regions 45 of each load-receiving band portion 42 is set as follows. The front and rear surfaces of the vertical wall portions of the L-shaped connection region 45 are positioned so that the left and right end load-receiving band portions 42E are positioned most forward, and the central inner load-receiving band portion 42b in the chair width direction is positioned most rearward. The front and rear surfaces of the vertical wall portions (L-shaped connection regions 45) of the left and right inner load-receiving band portions 42a, 42c are positioned more forward than the front and rear surfaces of the vertical wall portion of the central inner load-receiving band portion 42b and more rearward than the front and rear surfaces of the vertical wall portions of the left and right end load-receiving band portions 42E. In other words, the front and rear surfaces of the L-shaped connection region 45 are positioned as rearward as the load-receiving band portion 42 positioned more centrally in the chair width direction. For the multiple load-receiving band portions 42 arranged in this manner, an imaginary line connecting the front surfaces of each L-shaped connection region 45 in a plan view forms a curved shape concave toward the rear. In the chair of this embodiment, the upper and lower surfaces of the lateral wall portion (the portion continuing from the front-to-back extending region 44) of the L-shaped connecting region 45 connected to the front-to-back extending region 44 are positioned approximately below the load-receiving band portion 42, which is positioned in the center of the chair width direction.

[0046] In this embodiment, the first chair width extension 40 on the upper rear side and the second chair width extension 41 on the lower front side are connected by five load-receiving bands 42, but the number of load-receiving bands 42 connecting the first chair width extension 40 and the second chair width extension 41 is not limited to five. The number of load-receiving bands 42 may be three, four, six or more as long as it is two or more. Furthermore, in the load support member 33 of this embodiment, all of the multiple load-receiving band portions 42 have the L-shaped connection region 45, but it is sufficient if there is at least one load-receiving band portion 42 that has the L-shaped connection region 45.

[0047] In the chair 10 of this embodiment, the load-receiving band portions 42 are provided with L-shaped connection regions 45 that connect the up-down extending region 43 and the front-rear extending region 44. Therefore, when the sitting load of a user seated on the chair 10 acts on the load-receiving band portions 42, the L-shape of the L-shaped connection regions 45 deforms to widen, and the distance between the L-shaped connection regions 45 of adjacent load-receiving band portions 42 also deforms to increase. At this time, the L-shaped connection regions 45 flexibly deform in three dimensions to follow the shape of the area near the buttocks of the user m, and the load near the buttocks of the user m is flexibly received by the multiple load-receiving band portions 42.

[0048] In addition, one surface in the thickness direction of each load-receiving band portion 42 is a load-receiving surface. Specifically, the upper surface of the seat 31 portion is a load-receiving surface, and the front surface of the backrest 32 portion is a load-receiving portion. As shown in Figure 7, each load-receiving band portion 42 includes a first layer 50 constituting a load-receiving surface, a second layer 51 arranged on the other side of the first layer 50 in the thickness direction at a distance, and a plurality of connecting walls 52 connecting the first layer 50 and the second layer 51 in the thickness direction. The connecting walls 52 are arranged at a distance in the extension direction of the load-receiving band portion 42. The connecting walls 52 form a plurality of deformation-allowing spaces 53 between the first layer 50 and the second layer 51 that allow deformation of the first layer 50 (surface layer). Furthermore, by extending between the first layer 50 and the second layer 51 in the thickness direction, the connecting walls 52 provide resistance to displacement in a direction in which the first layer 50 and the second layer 51 approach each other. In this embodiment, the deformation-allowing spaces 53 formed between the first layer 50 and the second layer 51 are formed so that the elliptical spatial cross section continues in the width direction of the chair. In this embodiment, each deformation-allowing space 53 is open to at least one side of the load-receiving band portion 42 in the width direction of the chair. Therefore, the deformation-allowing spaces 53 always communicate with the outside, and deformation of the first layer 50 is not inhibited by pressure within the deformation-allowing spaces 53.

[0049] Here, the reaction force (resistance force when the first layer 50 and the second layer 51 are displaced in a direction toward each other) by the connecting wall 52 when the first layer 50 (load-receiving surface) is pressed by the load of the user m, etc., is set and adjusted by changing the number of load-receiving belt portions 42 installed per unit length in the extension direction, or by changing the thickness (thickness in the direction intersecting the load input direction) and shape of the connecting wall 52. 7, a first layer 50, a second layer 51, and a plurality of connecting walls 52 connecting these layers are integrally formed by injection molding, molding with a 3D printer, etc. In this case, the thickness and shape of the connecting walls 52 can be changed for each portion, and the number of connecting walls 52 installed per unit length in the extension direction of the load-receiving band portion 42 can also be changed as desired.

[0050] In this embodiment, the load-receiving band portion 42 has a third layer 54 made of a material stronger than the second layer 51 joined to the back side of the second layer 51 (the side away from the first layer 50). The third layer 54 can be formed, for example, from a fiber-reinforced resin. When a fiber-reinforced resin or the like is used as the material for the third layer 54, even if the first layer 50 and the second layer 51 are formed from a relatively soft resin material, the third layer 54 can suppress excessive elongation and deformation of the first layer 50 and the second layer 51. The three-phase structure made up of the first layer 50, the second layer 51, and the third layer 54 extends to the first chair width extension 40 and the second chair width extension 41. In this embodiment, the legs 30, which are the support structure of the chair 10, are connected to the third layer 54 of the second chair width extension 41 at the front and below the seat 31 of the load-bearing member 33. In addition, the above-mentioned third layer 54, which constitutes part of each load-receiving band portion 42, can also be said to be a reinforcing layer or strength member that is arranged on the back side of the second layer 51 and connects the first chair width extension portion 40 and the second chair width extension portion 41.

[0051] In the load-receiving band portion 42 of this embodiment, the first layer 50 and the second layer 51 are formed from a relatively soft resin, and a strong third layer 54 is joined to the back side of the second layer 51. However, it is also possible to form the second layer 51 from a material stronger than the first layer 50, such as fiber-reinforced resin, and eliminate the third layer 54. In this case, the legs 30 (support structure) of the chair 10 are connected to the second layer 51 at the front and below the seat 31 of the load-bearing member 33. In addition, in this embodiment, the load-receiving belt portion 42 has the third layer 54 joined to the back side of the second layer 51, but a separate strength member connected to the first chair width extension portion 40 and the second chair width extension portion 41 may also be arranged on the back side of the multiple load-receiving belt portions 42.

[0052] <Other embodiments> FIG. 8 is a vertical cross section of a load support member 133 according to another embodiment. In the load support member 133 of this embodiment, a plurality of connecting walls 152 of a uniform thickness and S-shaped in a side view in the chair width direction are interposed between a first layer 150 and a second layer 151 of the load-receiving band portion 142. The connecting walls 152 are spaced apart in the extension direction of the load-receiving band portion 142. The connecting walls 152 form a plurality of deformation-allowing spaces 153 between the first layer 150 and the second layer 151. In this embodiment, the S-shaped connecting walls 152 of the load-receiving band portion 142 have a constant thickness, and the reaction force of the connecting walls 152 is varied for each location by varying the number of connecting walls 152 provided per unit length in the extension direction of the load-receiving band portion 142. Specifically, in locations where there are many connecting walls 152 provided, the reaction force in the direction in which the first layer 150 and the second layer 151 approach each other is large, making it difficult for the first layer 150 and the second layer 151 to approach each other. In locations where there are few connecting walls 152 provided, the reaction force in the direction in which the first layer 150 and the second layer 151 approach each other is small, making it easier for the first layer 150 and the second layer 151 to approach each other. Furthermore, because the connecting walls 152 are formed in an S-shape with multiple bends, they are easily bent elastically when an external force such as a seating load acts on them.

[0053] <Effects of the Load Support Member of the Embodiment> As described above, in the load support member 33 of this embodiment, the load-receiving band portion 42 includes the first layer 50, the second layer 51, and the connecting wall 52, and the connecting wall 52 connects the first layer 50 and the second layer 51 in the thickness direction, and forms a plurality of deformation-accepting spaces 53 between the first layer 50 and the second layer 51 to allow deformation of the first layer 50. Therefore, in the load support member 33 of this embodiment, it is possible to allow displacement of the first layer 50 in various directions relative to the second layer 51 due to relative shifting between the first layer 50 and the second layer 51 caused by the connecting wall 52 and flexural deformation of the connecting wall 52. Therefore, when the load support member 33 of this embodiment is employed, the load receiving surface (first layer 50) can be flexibly deformed along the shape of the contact portion of the body of the user m (seated person), thereby improving the seating comfort.

[0054] Furthermore, the load support member 33 of this embodiment has a plurality of connecting walls 52 spaced apart in the extension direction of the load-receiving band portion 42, and these connecting walls 52 are arranged between the first layer 50 and the second layer 51 in such a way that the number of connecting walls 52 installed per unit length varies in the extension direction of the load-receiving band portion 42. Therefore, in areas on the load-receiving band portion 42 where there are more connecting walls 52 installed per unit length, the reaction force when the first layer 50 is displaced relative to the second layer 51 is larger, and in areas where there are fewer connecting walls 52 installed per unit length, the reaction force when the first layer 50 is displaced relative to the second layer 51 is smaller. Therefore, when the load support member 33 of this embodiment is adopted, by appropriately setting the number of connecting walls 52 installed per unit length on the load-receiving belt portion 42 for each portion, it becomes possible to obtain appropriate shape changes and reaction forces when the body of the user m (seated person) comes into contact with the first layer 50.

[0055] Furthermore, in the load support member 33 of this embodiment, a third layer 54 made of a material stronger than the second layer 51 is joined to the back side (the side away from the first layer 50) of the second layer 51 of the load-receiving band portion 42. Therefore, when a large seating load acts on the load-receiving band portion 42 and the first layer 50 and second layer 51 attempt to undergo significant elongation and deformation, part of the load acting on the first layer 50 and second layer 51 can be received by the third layer 54, which has high strength. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, even if the first layer 50 and the second layer 51 of the load-receiving band portion 42 are formed from a soft material, it is possible to prevent the first layer 50 and the second layer 51 from being excessively stretched and deformed, resulting in deterioration.

[0056] In addition, in the chair 10 of this embodiment equipped with the load support member 33, the strong third layer 54 of the load-receiving band portion 42 extends continuously to the underside of the second chair width extension 41 at the front of the seat 31. The legs 30, which are the support structure of the chair 10, are connected to the third layer 54 on the underside of the second chair width extension 41. Therefore, when the chair 10 of this embodiment is adopted, it is possible to increase the strength of the entire chair.

[0057] Furthermore, if the third layer 54 of the load-receiving belt portion 42 is eliminated and the second layer 51 is formed from a material such as fiber-reinforced resin that is stronger than the first layer 50, when a large seating load acts on the load-receiving belt portion 42 and the first layer 50 attempts to stretch and deform significantly, part of the load acting on the first layer 50 can be absorbed by the stronger second layer 51. Therefore, in this case, even if the first layer 50 of the load-receiving band portion 42 is made of a soft material, the first layer 50 can be prevented from being excessively stretched and deformed, resulting in deterioration.

[0058] Furthermore, if third layer 54 is eliminated in this way and second layer 51 is formed from a material such as fiber-reinforced resin that is stronger than first layer 50, leg 30, which is the support structure of chair 10, is connected to second layer 51 on the underside of second chair width extension 41. In this case as well, it is possible to increase the strength of the entire chair.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various design modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the chair 10 in the above-described embodiment is a chair equipped with a mechanism for tilting the seat 31 and backrest 32 of the load support member 33, but the chair does not necessarily have to be equipped with a mechanism for tilting the seat and backrest.

[0060] In addition, in the above embodiment, an L-shaped connection region 45 is provided in the end load-receiving belt portion 42E, which is positioned on the outside of the chair width direction, but it is not necessary to provide an L-shaped connection region 45 in the end load-receiving belt portion 42E.

[0061] In the above embodiment, each load-receiving band portion 42 extends continuously across the seat 31 and the backrest 32, but the arrangement of the load-receiving band portions 42 is not limited to this. The load-receiving band portions 42 may be arranged only on the backrest 32 or only on the seat 31. Furthermore, the load-receiving band portions 42 may be formed on the backrest 32 or the seat 31 so as to extend in the width direction of the chair. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10...Chair 30…Legs (support structure) 31…za 32...backrest 33,133...Load support member (load support member for chair) 41...Second chair width extension part (chair width extension part) 42,142...Load bearing band 50,150…1st layer 51,151…Second layer 52,152…Connecting wall 53,153…Deformation allowance space 54…Third layer

Claims

1. a plurality of load-receiving band portions, one surface of which in the thickness direction is a load-receiving surface; At least one of the plurality of load-receiving bands is a first layer constituting the load-bearing surface; a second layer disposed on the other side of the first layer in the thickness direction and spaced apart from the first layer; A load-supporting member for a chair, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of connecting walls that connect the first layer and the second layer in the thickness direction and form a plurality of deformation-tolerant spaces between the first layer and the second layer to allow deformation of the first layer.

2. The connecting walls are provided in a plurality at intervals in the extension direction of the load-receiving band portion, The load support member for a chair as described in claim 1, characterized in that the multiple connecting walls are arranged between the first layer and the second layer in a varying number per unit length in the extension direction of the load-receiving band portion.

3. A load-bearing member for a chair as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the load-bearing band portion further comprises a third layer made of a material stronger than the second layer and joined to the other surface in the thickness direction of the second layer.

4. 3. The load-bearing member for a chair according to claim 1, wherein the second layer is made of a material having a higher strength than the first layer.

5. The load-bearing member for a chair according to claim 3; a support structure that is installed on a floor surface and is connected to the chair load support member; The load-bearing member for a chair has a seat and a backrest that are continuously formed by the plurality of load-receiving band portions, and a chair width extension portion is provided at the front of the seat to which the ends of the plurality of load-receiving band portions in the extension direction are connected, the third layer of the load-receiving band extends continuously to the underside of the chair width extension; The support structure is connected to the third layer of the chair width extension.

6. The load-bearing member for a chair according to claim 4; a support structure that is installed on a floor surface and is connected to the chair load support member; The load-bearing member for a chair has a seat and a backrest that are continuously formed by the plurality of load-receiving band portions, and a chair width extension portion is provided at the front of the seat to which the ends of the plurality of load-receiving band portions in the extension direction are connected, the second layer of the load-receiving band extends continuously to the underside of the chair width extension; The support structure is connected to the second layer of the chair width extension.

Images