Sheet canopy apparatus

Abstract

To provide a seat canopy device capable of enhancing the degree of freedom of movement for deployment and storage.SOLUTION: A seat-canopy device 1 includes a base frame 3 attached to a pair of right and left stays HS supporting a headrest HR, and a hood 4 connected between respective extension arms 3A extending downward from both right and left sides of the base frame 3 so as to be developed and stored around a first rotation axis L1 extending in a seat-width direction. The hinge connecting portion 2 connects the base frame 3 to each stay HS such that a rear region of each stay HS is rotatable about a second rotation axis L2 extending in the seat-width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat canopy device, and more particularly to a seat canopy device having a base frame attached to a seat. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a seat canopy device that can cover the head and face of a seated occupant is attached to the top of the seat. The seat canopy device has a base frame that is attached to the seat frame from the rear. The seat canopy device has a hood that can be deployed and retracted to cover the head and face of the seated occupant attached to the base frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-104118 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the hood can only be deployed and stored around the connecting shaft with the base frame, which limits the degree of freedom of movement. Therefore, the present invention provides a seat canopy device that can increase the degree of freedom of movement when deployed and stored. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] As a means for solving the above problems, the seat canopy device of the present invention takes the following measures.

[0006] That is, the first invention of the present invention is a seat canopy device having a base frame attached to a pair of left and right stays that support a headrest, a hood connected between each extension arm extending downward from both the left and right sides of the base frame so that it can be deployed and stored around a first rotation axis extending in the seat width direction, and a hinge connection portion that connects the base frame to each stay so that the rear region of each stay can rotate around a second rotation axis extending in the seat width direction.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the height of the canopy when it is deployed and stored around the first axis of rotation can be changed by raising and lowering the base frame around the second axis of rotation, thereby increasing the degree of freedom of movement when the canopy is deployed and stored.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is the seat canopy device according to the first aspect, wherein the second axis of rotation is located immediately behind a connection point between the hinge connection portion and each of the stays.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the present invention, a long turning radius can be ensured when raising and lowering the base frame about the second axis of rotation. As a result, a small amount of rotational movement of the base frame can effectively adjust the height and front-rear position of the hood when it is deployed and stored about the first axis of rotation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a seat canopy device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an attachment portion of the seat canopy device to each stay. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the seat canopy device in a stored state. [Figure 4] 4 is a side view of the base frame rotated forward around a second rotation axis from FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the hood unfolded from FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 6 is a side view showing the base frame moved backward around the second rotation axis from FIG. 5. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] First Embodiment (Schematic configuration of seat canopy device 1) First, the configuration of a seat canopy device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In the following description, when directions such as front, back, up, down, left, and right are indicated, they refer to the directions shown in each figure.

[0013] Furthermore, when a direction such as the "sheet width direction" is indicated with the word "sheet," it refers to the respective direction based on the sheet S described below. Furthermore, in the following description, when a specific reference drawing is not shown or when there is no reference symbol corresponding to the reference drawing, any of Figures 1 to 6 will be referred to as appropriate.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the seat canopy device 1 according to this embodiment is configured as a canopy device mounted on an automobile seat S. The seat S has a seat back SB that serves as a backrest for a seated person, a seat cushion (not shown) that serves as a seating portion, and a headrest HR that serves as a headrest portion.

[0015] The headrest HR is fixed by inserting a pair of left and right stays HS, which hang down from the bottom of the headrest HR, into the upper part of the seat back SB. The seat canopy device 1 is detachably attached to the exposed part of the pair of left and right stays HS between the headrest HR and the seat back SB.

[0016] Specifically, the seat canopy device 1 has a base frame 3 attached to each stay HS via hinge connection parts 2, and a hood 4 attached to the base frame 3. The hood 4 is connected to the base frame 3 so as to be able to be deployed and stored around a first rotation axis L1 extending in the seat width direction.

[0017] The hinge connection portion 2 connects the base frame 3 to each stay HS so that the base frame 3 can be deployed and stored around a second rotation axis L2 that extends in the seat width direction. The second rotation axis L2 is located directly behind the connection point of the hinge connection portion 2 with each stay HS.

[0018] The base frame 3 is attached to each stay HS via hinge connectors 2 so as to extend in the seat width direction in the rear region of each stay HS. The base frame 3 is formed in a symmetrical shape with extension arms 3A that extend to both sides in the seat width direction from the connector with the hinge connectors 2 and then extend obliquely downward and forward so as to pass outside each side of the seat back SB.

[0019] The canopy 4 is rotatably connected to the tip of each extension arm 3A of the base frame 3 via each first rotating shaft member 5 which forms a first rotation axis L1. This connection makes it possible for the canopy 4 to be stored in relation to the base frame 3 by folding the canopy cloth 4C around each first rotating shaft member 5 in the area above the headrest HR, or to be unfolded by spreading the canopy cloth 4C forward.

[0020] The hood 4 has a pair of left and right hood frames 4A that form the framework along its peripheral edge, and multiple sub-frames 4B that span in an arch shape between the hood frames 4A. The base end of each hood frame 4A of the hood 4 is connected to the tip end of each extension arm 3A of the base frame 3 by each first rotating shaft member 5.

[0021] The hood 4 also has a hood cloth 4C that is placed between each hood frame 4A and supported by each sub-frame 4B in an arched shape. The left and right hood frames 4A are bent in an inverted L shape when viewed from the side. The sub-frames 4B are provided separately from the left and right hood frames 4A in the direction in which they extend.

[0022] Each sub-frame 4B is connected to the left and right hood frames 4A at its respective ends so that it can rotate around a rotation axis extending in the seat width direction relative to each hood frame 4A. The hood cloth 4C has its peripheral edge and inner surface joined to each hood frame 4A and each sub-frame 4B.

[0023] As a result, when the canopy frames 4A are rotated rearward (clockwise in the drawing) about the first rotation axis L1, the canopy cloth 4C is stored so as to be folded in the area above the headrest HR, accompanied by the folding of the sub-frames 4B (see FIG. 3). When the canopy frames 4A are rotated forward (counterclockwise in the drawing) about the first rotation axis L1, the canopy cloth 4C is unfolded so as to cover the head and face of the seated occupant, accompanied by the unfolding of the sub-frames 4B (see FIG. 5).

[0024] 2, the hinge connection part 2 has a horizontally elongated contact member 2A that contacts each stay HS from the rear side, and a pair of left and right holding brackets 2B that contact each stay HS individually from the front side and are fastened to the contact member 2A. The hinge connection part 2 also has a fixed bracket 2C that is fastened to the center of the contact member 2A and protrudes to the rear, and a movable bracket 2D that is fastened to the center of the base frame 3 and protrudes to the front.

[0025] The hinge connection portion 2 also has a pair of left and right second rotation shaft members 2E that connect the fixed bracket 2C and the movable bracket 2D so that they can rotate relative to each other about a second rotation axis L2. The pair of left and right holding brackets 2B described above each have a hat-shaped plate shape in a plan view, with the center portion of each bracket curved forward relative to both side portions.

[0026] Each retaining bracket 2B is set so that its central recess fits into each stay HS from the front, and the flanges on both sides are bolted to the front surface of the backing member 2A, whereby each retaining bracket 2B and backing member 2A are fixed integrally with each stay HS so that each stay HS is sandwiched between them.

[0027] The fixed bracket 2C is made of a plate material bent into a U-shape when viewed from behind. The fixed bracket 2C has a bottom plate portion that extends further forward than the side plate portions that are bent upward on both sides. The fixed bracket 2C is set so that the portion of the bottom plate portion that extends further forward is in contact with the bottom surface of the backing member 2A, and the side plate portions on both sides are in contact with the rear surface of the backing member 2A.

[0028] The fixed brackets 2C are fixed integrally to the backing member 2A by welding their contact portions with the backing member 2A. The movable bracket 2D is made of a plate material bent into an inverted U shape when viewed from behind. The movable bracket 2D is set so that its downward bent side plate portions overlap the side plate portions on both sides of the fixed bracket 2C in the seat width direction.

[0029] The movable bracket 2D and the fixed bracket 2C are connected so as to be rotatable relative to each other by inserting the second rotating shaft members 2E between the side plate portions on both sides that overlap each other. The rear edges of the side plate portions on both sides of the movable bracket 2D are fitted along the outer peripheral surface of the base frame 3 and welded, so that the movable bracket 2D is fixed integrally with the base frame 3.

[0030] 1 can rotate about the first rotation axis L1 relative to the base frame 3, and the base frame 3 can rotate about the second rotation axis L2 relative to each stay HS, so that the seat canopy device 1 is configured to be rotatable about two axes. The rotation of the canopy 4 about the first rotation axis L1 and the rotation of the base frame 3 about the second rotation axis L2 can be stopped at an appropriate position moved in the rotation direction by the sliding frictional resistance force acting between each connecting portion.

[0031] With this configuration, the seat canopy device 1 can be rotated from the folded state in the storage position shown in Fig. 3 to the clockwise direction around the second rotation axis L2 so that the extension arms 3A are brought forward as shown in Fig. 4. This allows the hood 4 connected to the base frame 3 to change its position from the state shown in Fig. 3 to an angled upward position.

[0032] The reason for this is that in the initial state shown in Figure 3, the first rotation axis L1, which is the rotation axis of the canopy 4, is located diagonally downward and forward of the second rotation axis L2, which is the rotation axis of the base frame 3. Therefore, by changing the orientation of the canopy 4 as shown in Figure 4 and then deploying the canopy 4 forward about the first rotation axis L1 as shown in Figure 5, the canopy 4 can be deployed so that it passes through an upper area where it is less likely to hit the head of a seated occupant. In other words, the deployment trajectory of the canopy 4 can be raised.

[0033] Furthermore, after the canopy 4 has been deployed to the maximum deployed position shown in Fig. 5, the seated person can further push the canopy 4 downward in the deployment direction as shown in Fig. 6, thereby rotating the canopy 4 together with the base frame 3 around the second rotation axis L2 so that the extension arms 3A return to their rear positions. This allows the canopy 4 to be deployed to a position where it can be deeply fitted over the seated person's head.

[0034] Furthermore, by applying a force pushing the canopy 4 forward from the unfolded position shown in Fig. 6, the base frame 3 can again be rotated clockwise around the second rotation axis L2 so that the extension arms 3A move forward, as shown in Fig. 5. Therefore, by pushing the canopy 4 up so as to fold it rearward from the unfolded position shown in Fig. 5, the canopy 4 can be stored so that it passes through an upper area where it is less likely to hit the head of a seated occupant, as shown in Fig. 4. In other words, the storage path of the canopy 4 can be raised.

[0035] By storing the canopy 4 to the maximum storage position shown in Fig. 4, the canopy 4 can be folded further rearward compared to when it is in the initial state shown in Fig. 3. In this way, the seat canopy device 1 can change the height of the canopy 4 when it is deployed and stored around the first rotation axis L1 by rotating the base frame 3 around the second rotation axis L2.

[0036] This increases the degree of freedom of movement when the canopy 4 is deployed and stored. As a result, the canopy 4 is less likely to hit the head of a seated occupant when deployed and stored, and the canopy 4 can be deployed to a deep position or retracted (stored) to a deep position.

[0037] More specifically, the second rotation axis L2 is set at a relatively high position directly behind the connection points of the hinge connection portion 2 with each stay HS. This ensures a long rotation radius when raising and lowering the base frame 3 about the second rotation axis L2. Therefore, by making a small rotational movement of the base frame 3, the height and front-to-rear position of the hood 4 when it is deployed and stored about the first rotation axis L1 can be effectively adjusted.

[0038] To summarize the above, the seat canopy device 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration: Note that the reference numerals in parentheses below correspond to the respective components shown in the above embodiment.

[0039] That is, the seat canopy device (1) has a base frame (3) attached to a pair of left and right stays (HS) that support a headrest (HR), and a hood (4) connected between extension arms (3A) extending downward from both left and right sides of the base frame (3) so as to be deployable and storable around a first rotation axis (L1) extending in the seat width direction. The seat canopy device (1) also has hinge connections (2) that connect the base frame (3) to the stays (HS) so that the rear regions of the stays (HS) can rotate around a second rotation axis (L2) extending in the seat width direction.

[0040] According to the above configuration, by raising and lowering the base frame (3) about the second rotation axis (L2), the height of the hood (4) when it is deployed and stored about the first rotation axis (L1) can be changed, thereby increasing the degree of freedom of movement of the hood (4) when it is deployed and stored.

[0041] In addition, the second rotation axis (L2) is located directly behind the connection points of the hinge connection parts (2) with the stays (HS). With the above configuration, a long rotation radius can be ensured when raising and lowering the base frame (3) around the second rotation axis (L2). As a result, a small amount of rotational movement of the base frame (3) can effectively adjust the height and fore-and-aft position of the hood (4) when it is deployed and stored around the first rotation axis (L1).

[0042] Other Embodiments Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be embodied in various forms other than the above embodiment.

[0043] 1. The seat canopy device of the present invention may be attached to a seat mounted on a vehicle other than an automobile, such as a train, an airplane, or a ship.

[0044] 2. The hinge connection portion may be configured to connect the base frame to each stay so that the rear region of the base frame can rotate about the second rotation axis extending in the seat width direction. Therefore, the hinge connection portion may be configured to connect to the base frame at a position lower or higher than the connection point to each stay.

[0045] 3. A spring member may be attached to the hinge connection portion to bias the base frame in a direction that moves each extension arm forward around the second axis of rotation (clockwise in Figure 3: direction to move the top back). By setting the spring member in this way, when storing the top around the first axis of rotation, the gravitational moment acting on the top becomes lighter as it approaches directly above the first axis of rotation, and this can assist in bouncing the base frame up around the second axis of rotation near the top's stored position. As a result, the top can be kept stored in an upper area where it is less likely to hit the head of a seated occupant, as shown in Figure 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 Seat canopy device 2 Hinge connection 2A Backing material 2B Retaining bracket 2C Fixed Bracket 2D movable bracket 2E Second rotating shaft member 3 Base Frame 3A Extension arm 4. Hood 4A Canopy frame 4B subframe 4C hood cloth 5. First rotating shaft member L1 First rotation axis L2 Second rotation axis S seat SB seat back HR headrest HS Stay

Claims

1. A seat canopy device having a base frame attached to a pair of left and right stays that support a headrest, a hood connected between extension arms extending downward from both left and right sides of the base frame so as to be deployable and storable around a first rotation axis extending in the seat width direction; a hinge connection portion that connects the base frame to each of the stays so that a rear region of each of the stays can rotate about a second rotation axis that extends in the seat width direction.

2. The seat canopy device according to claim 1, A seat canopy device in which the second rotation axis is located directly behind the connection point of the hinge connection portion with each of the stays.

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