Table device for seats

Abstract

To provide a seat table device that can appropriately increase the support strength of the table. [Solution] The seat table device 1, used in combination with the seat 10, comprises a seat-side support portion 3 provided on the back of the seat back 11, a trim-side support portion 4 provided on the door trim T inside the vehicle, and a table 2 that engages with the trim-side support portion 4 and the seat-side support portion 3 to be supported from below. With this configuration, the table 2 can be installed and supported so as to straddle the seat back 11 and the door trim T.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a table device for a seat. More specifically, it relates to a table device for a seat that is used in combination with a seat.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a table device for a seat in which a foldable table is attached to the back surface of a seat back. The table is connected so that it can be deployed or folded around an axis extending in the seat width direction on the back surface of the seat back.

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 table is connected so as to be supported in a cantilever manner on the back surface of the seat back. Therefore, it is difficult to sufficiently secure the support strength of the table, and there is a problem that it is difficult to increase the size of the table. Thus, the present invention provides a table device for a seat that can appropriately increase the support strength of the table.

Means for Solving the Problems

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

[0006] In other words, the first invention of the present invention is a seat table device used in combination with a seat, comprising: a seat-side support portion provided on the back of the seat back portion, which consists of a seat back or a headrest attached to the upper part of the seat back; a trim-side support portion provided on a side trim, which consists of a door trim or body side trim in the interior of a vehicle; and a table that engages with the trim-side support portion and the seat-side support portion so as to be supported from below.

[0007] According to the first invention, the table can be installed and supported so as to straddle the seat back and the side trim. This allows for a more appropriate increase in the support strength of the table compared to a configuration in which the table is cantilevered and supported only by the seat back. Note that "under-support" refers to a configuration in which the table is supported by contact from below, and includes cases where a portion within the thickness of the table is supported by contact from below.

[0008] The second invention of the present invention is a seat table device in which, in the first invention described above, the seat-side support portion and the trim-side support portion are detachably engaged with the table.

[0009] According to the second invention, when the table is not in use, it can be disengaged from its engagement with the seat back and side trim. Therefore, even if the table is large, it can be kept out of the way when not in use.

[0010] The third invention of the present invention is a seat table device in which, in the first or second invention described above, the seat back is reclinable, and the seat-side support portion is provided in multiple locations in the seat height direction so as to be able to select a position for engaging the table according to the reclining angle of the seat back.

[0011] According to the third invention, even when the seat back is reclined, the support angle of the table can be adjusted to be closer to horizontal by selecting the position in which the table is engaged.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a seat table device in which, in the first or second invention described above, the seat is adjustable in the front-rear position of the seat relative to the floor, and the trim-side support portion has a slide rail mechanism that allows adjustment of the position in the front-rear direction of the seat for engaging with the table.

[0013] According to the fourth invention, even if the front-to-back position of the seat relative to the floor is adjusted, the table can be properly positioned and supported so as to straddle the seat back and the side trim by adjusting the engagement position of the table with the trim-side support.

[0014] The fifth invention of the present invention is a seat table device in which, in the fourth invention described above, the slide rail mechanism comprises a rail extending in the seat front-rear direction and fixed to the side trim, and a slider fitted to the rail so as to be slidable in the seat front-rear direction, wherein the slider comprises a table fixing portion fixed to the table, a rail hooking portion hooked onto the rail from above the seat, and a widthwise contact portion that comes into contact with the rail from the inside in the seat width direction by rotation with the rail hooking portion as a pivot point.

[0015] According to the fifth invention, the slider can be easily assembled to a rail extending in the front-to-back direction of the seat, even in a narrow space. Furthermore, by disengaging the slider from the rail, the table can be easily removed from its engagement with the side trim.

[0016] The sixth invention of the present invention is a seat table device in which, in the first or second invention described above, the seat-side support portion is a recess that engages with a projection that protrudes forward from the table to the seat by insertion from the rear of the seat.

[0017] According to the sixth invention, the seat-side support portion can be configured without protrusion from the back of the seat back portion. The protrusion may be attached to the table or constitute a part of the table.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a table device for a seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a plan view of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2. <C [Figure 4] It is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing a state where the table is slid forward of the seat. [Figure 6] It is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing a state where the table is removed from the rail.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] 《First Embodiment》 (Schematic Configuration of the Seat Table Device 1) First, the configuration of the seat table device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. In the following description, when indicating directions such as front, rear, left, right, up, and down, the respective directions shown in each figure shall be referred to. The directions shown in each figure are the directions as seen from the occupant sitting on the seat 10. Also, when indicating each direction with "seat" attached, such as "seat width direction", it shall refer to the respective directions based on the seat 10.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the seat table device 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as a table device used in combination with the seat 10. The seat 10 is configured as a single-person right seat mounted on an automobile. Specifically, the seat 10 has a seat back 11 that serves as the backrest portion of the seated occupant, a seat cushion 12 that serves as the seating portion, and a headrest 13 that serves as the headrest portion.

[0022] The seat back 11 is connected to the rear ends of the left and right sides of the seat cushion 12 via recliners 11A at its lower ends on both sides. This allows the seat back 11 to adjust its backrest angle relative to the seat cushion 12 in the front-to-back direction of the seat by rotating each recliner 11A around its central axis.

[0023] Each recliner 11A is normally held in a fixed position relative to the seatback 11. By operating a lever (not shown), the fixed position of each recliner 11A is released, and the seatback angle of each recliner 11 is switched to a state where it can be changed. When the lever is released, each recliner 11A returns to the fixed position relative to the seatback 11.

[0024] The headrest 13 is attached to the top of the seat back 11. As a result, when the seat back 11 is reclined, the headrest 13 reclines together with the seat back 11. The seat 10 is also connected to the floor via a slide rail (not shown). As a result, the seat 10 can be adjusted in the front-to-back direction relative to the floor. Here, the seat back 11 corresponds to the "seat backrest portion" of the present invention.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the seat table device 1 is configured such that the flat table 2 forming its table surface straddles the back of the seat back 11 and the right-side door trim T. As a result, the seat table device 1 is configured such that the table 2 is supported from below by the seat back 11 and the door trim T at its front edge and right-side edge.

[0026] Table 2 is configured to have a wide table surface suitable for desk work. Specifically, Table 2 is shaped to have a table width wider than the width of the seat back 11. Here, the door trim T corresponds to the "side trim" of the present invention.

[0027] The seat table device 1 includes a seat-side support portion 3 provided on the back of the seat back 11 to support the table 2 from below, and a trim-side support portion 4 provided on the right-side door trim T to support the table 2 from below. As shown in Figure 3, the seat-side support portion 3 is formed as a recess 11B into which an engagement pin 2A provided on the lower front edge of the table 2 can be detachably engaged. Here, the engagement pin 2A corresponds to the "projection" of the present invention.

[0028] The engagement pin 2A is mounted on the lower front edge of the table 2 in a orientation that protrudes forward of the seat. More specifically, the engagement pin 2A is mounted in a manner that guides it to slide manually in the seat-forward direction relative to the bottom of the table 2. This allows the user to operate the engagement pin 2A to extend its front end forward of the seat from the table 2 or retract it under the table 2.

[0029] The recesses 11B are formed by plate-shaped resin members provided along the back of the seat back 11. Multiple recesses 11B are arranged along the back of the seat back 11 at regular intervals in the seat height direction. Each recess 11B is designed to hold the engaging pin 2A in a supported position by inserting the engaging pin 2A from the rear of the seat.

[0030] As described above, the presence of multiple recesses 11B in the seat height direction allows the engaging pin 2A to be selectively inserted into a recess 11B at a position corresponding to the support height of the table 2, even when the seat back 11 is reclined. This ensures that the table 2 can always be supported horizontally by inserting the engaging pin 2A into the corresponding recess 11B, even when the seat back 11 is reclined.

[0031] More precisely, each recess 11B is tilted up and down in accordance with the reclining of the seat back 11. Therefore, each recess 11B is formed with its angle shifted up and down according to the reclining angle of the seat back 11, so that the part into which the engaging pin 2A is inserted opens straight toward the rear of the seat.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the engagement pin 2A is positioned near the left edge of the table 2, to the left of the center in the seat width direction. This allows the user to easily reach the engagement pin 2A by reaching in from the left side, rather than having to reach in from the front of the table 2.

[0033] The trim-side support portion 4 has a slide rail mechanism 20 that allows the right edge of the table 2 to be slidably and detachably engaged with the door trim T in the seat-front-rear direction. Specifically, the slide rail mechanism 20 includes a rail 21 that extends along the door trim T in the seat-front-rear direction, and a pair of front and rear sliders 22 that are fitted to the rail 21 so as to be slidable in the seat-front-rear direction.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4, the rail 21 is formed from a plate-shaped extruded material that extends in the front-rear direction of the seat with a constant cross-section. The rail 21 is positioned so that the right side of its plate portion aligns with the left side of the door trim T, and it is integrally fastened to the door trim T at various points with screws (not shown).

[0035] The rail 21 has a protruding portion 21A formed on its upper edge, which bends to the left of the door trim T and extends upward with a rounded head like a bead. The rail 21 also has a concave recess 21B formed on the left side of the plate portion that is joined to the door trim T.

[0036] Furthermore, the rail 21 is configured such that a circular locking hole 21C is formed in the lower edge of its recess 21B, penetrating in the plate thickness direction (left-right direction in the illustration). Multiple locking holes 21C are formed along the lower edge of the recess 21B of the rail 21, spaced at regular intervals in the front-rear direction of the sheet.

[0037] The front and rear pair of sliders 22 each have a table fixing portion 22A that is fixed against the bottom surface of the right edge of the table 2, a rail hooking portion 22B that is hooked onto the protruding portion 21A of the rail 21 from above the seat, and a widthwise contact portion 22C that is fixed against the left side of the plate portion of the rail 21. The table fixing portion 22A is fixed against the bottom surface of the table 2 and is integrally fastened to the table 2 at various points by screws (not shown).

[0038] The rail hook portion 22B is formed to rise from the right edge of the table fixing portion 22A and extend in a hook-like shape towards the lower right side as shown in the figure. The rail hook portion 22B is loosely fitted into the upper semicircular portion of the protruding portion 21A of the rail 21 by hooking its hook-shaped bent portion onto the protruding portion 21A of the rail 21 from above the seat.

[0039] The widthwise contact portion 22C is formed to extend to the right from the right edge of the table fixing portion 22A. After the rail hooking portion 22B is hooked onto the protruding portion 21A, the widthwise contact portion 22C is rotated counterclockwise in the figure by the gravitational force acting from the table 2, with the hooked contact point as the pivot point, and comes into contact with the left side surface of the plate portion of the rail 21.

[0040] As a result, each slider 22 is held in a state where it is hooked onto the rail 21 so as not to fall off. Specifically, since the rail 21 has a shape in which it extends with a constant cross-section in the front-rear direction of the seat, each slider 22 is hooked onto the rail 21 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction of the seat.

[0041] Each slider 22 is equipped with a locking pin 22D that can lock its sliding relative to the rail 21. The locking pin 22D is incorporated into the bottom of each slider 22 so as to protrude to the right. These locking pins 22D are always biased by a spring D1 so as to protrude to the right relative to each slider 22.

[0042] As a result, the lock pins 22D are aligned with the lock holes 21C drilled in the rail 21 by the sliding of each slider 22, and are forced into the lock holes 21C. The entry of these lock pins 22D locks the sliding of each slider 22 relative to the rail 21.

[0043] The locking pin 22D is released from the locking hole 21C by the user sliding the knob D2 attached to its lower part to the left. This releases the lock of each slider 22 from sliding relative to the rail 21.

[0044] Each slider 22 is configured such that a locking pin 22D fits into a locking hole 21C in the rail 21. This allows the downward load applied to the table 2 to be transmitted to and distributed to the rail 21 not only from the rail hooking portion 22B and the widthwise contact portion 22C, but also from the locking pin 22D. As a result, the load applied to the table 2 can be supported more strongly by the door trim T via the slide rail mechanism 20.

[0045] As described above, the seat table device 1 allows the table 2 to slide forward of the seat together with the front seat 10, as shown in Figure 5, because the table 2 is engaged with the door trim T in a slidable manner in the seat-front direction. Each lock hole 21C provided in the rail 21 is formed to match the pitch at which the sliding of the seat 10 is locked.

[0046] The lock pin 22D may be provided only on the rear slider 22. This allows for easy access to the lock pin 22D on the slider 22, which is located near the front of the table 2, when removing the lock pin 22D from the lock hole 21C. On the other hand, as in this embodiment, when the lock pin 22D is provided on both sliders 22, both sliders 22 can support the large table 2 more strongly.

[0047] When not in use, the table 2 can be easily removed from its engagement with the seat back 11 and door trim T. Specifically, first, the locks of each slider 22 to the rail 21 are released. Next, the table 2 is pulled towards the front, and the engagement pin 2A is pulled out from the recess 11B on the back side of the seat back 11. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the table 2 is pushed up to the right, pivoting on the engagement points between each slider 22 and the rail 21.

[0048] As a result, each slider 22, which is integrated with the table 2, is flipped up so as to rotate clockwise relative to the rail 21, using the engagement point between their rail hook portion 22B and the protruding portion 21A of the rail 21 as a pivot point. Consequently, the rail hook portion 22B of each slider 22 is disengaged from the protruding portion 21A of the rail 21. In this way, the seat table device 1 allows the table 2 to be easily attached to and detached from the seat back 11 and the door trim T.

[0049] In summary, the sheet table device 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. The reference numerals in parentheses below correspond to the respective configurations shown in the above embodiment.

[0050] In other words, the seat table device (1) used in combination with the seat (10) includes a seat-side support portion (3) provided on the back of the seat back portion (11), which consists of a seat back (11) or a headrest (13) attached to the upper part of the seat back (11); a trim-side support portion (4) provided on the side trim (T), which consists of a door trim (T) or a body side trim in the passenger compartment; and a table (2) that is engaged with the trim-side support portion (4) and the seat-side support portion (3) so as to be supported from below.

[0051] According to the above configuration, the table (2) can be installed and supported so as to straddle the seat back (11) and the side trim (T). This allows for an appropriate increase in the support strength of the table (2) compared to a configuration in which the table (2) is cantilevered and supported only by the seat back (11).

[0052] Furthermore, the seat-side support portion (3) and the trim-side support portion (4) are designed to detachably engage with the table (2). With this configuration, when the table (2) is not in use, it can be disengaged from the seat back portion (11) and the side trim (T). Therefore, even if the table (2) is large, it can be kept out of the way when not in use.

[0053] Furthermore, the seat back (11) is designed to recline. Multiple seat-side support parts (3) are provided in the seat height direction, allowing the user to select a position for engaging the table (2) according to the reclining angle of the seat back (11). With this configuration, even when the seat back (11) is reclined, the support angle of the table (2) can be adjusted to be closer to horizontal by selecting a position for engaging the table (2).

[0054] Furthermore, the seat (10) is designed to allow adjustment of its position relative to the floor in the front-rear direction. The trim-side support (4) has a slide rail mechanism (20) that allows adjustment of the position in the front-rear direction of the seat where it engages with the table (2).

[0055] According to the above configuration, even if the front-to-back position of the seat (10) with respect to the floor is adjusted, the table (2) can be properly positioned and supported so as to straddle the seat back (11) and the side trim (T) by adjusting the engagement position of the table (2) with respect to the trim side support (4).

[0056] Furthermore, the slide rail mechanism (20) includes a rail (21) extending in the seat front-rear direction and fixed to the side trim (T), and a slider (22) fitted to the rail (21) so as to be slidable in the seat front-rear direction. The slider (22) includes a table fixing part (22A) fixed to the table (2), a rail hooking part (22B) that hooks onto the rail (21) from above the seat, and a widthwise contact part (22C) that comes into contact with the rail (21) from the inside in the seat width direction by rotation with the rail hooking part (22B) as a pivot point.

[0057] According to the above configuration, the slider (22) can be easily assembled to the rail (21) extending in the front-rear direction of the seat, even in a narrow space. Furthermore, by disengaging the slider (22) from the rail (21), the table (2) can be easily removed from its engagement with the side trim (T).

[0058] Furthermore, the seat-side support portion (3) is a recess (11B) into which a projection (2A) protruding forward from the table (2) is inserted from the rear of the seat to engage. With the above configuration, the seat-side support portion (3) can be configured without protrusion from the back of the seat lean portion (11).

[0059] Regarding other embodiments: Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above using one embodiment, the present invention can be implemented in various forms other than those described above.

[0060] 1. The seat table device of the present invention is also applicable to seats used in vehicles other than automobiles, such as trains, aircraft, and ships. The side trim on which the trim-side support portion is provided may be a door trim or a body side trim.

[0061] For example, in the case of a second row of seats in a car, where a door trim is provided on the outside, the table can be installed so as to span the back of the front seat and the door trim. Also, even in configurations where there is no door trim on the outside, such as with a third row of seats, the table can be installed so as to span the back of the second row seat and the outer body side trim.

[0062] The side trim (door trim or body side trim) on which this trim-side support is provided does not necessarily have to be the right-side trim when the seat on which the seat-side support is provided is the right-hand seat; it may also be the left-side trim. In other words, if the table is large and wide, the table may be installed and supported so as to straddle the back of the seat back of the right-hand seat and the left-side trim.

[0063] Similarly, the table may be installed and supported so as to straddle the back of the left seat backrest and the right side trim. Alternatively, the table may be installed and supported so as to straddle the back of the seat backrest of either the left or right seat and the side trims on both sides. Alternatively, the table may be installed and supported so as to straddle the back of the seat backrests and the side trims on both sides of the left and right seats.

[0064] 2. The seat-side support portion may be provided not only on the seat back, but also on the back of the headrest that reclines together with the seat back. The seat-side support portion may consist of a recess formed on the back of the seat back, or a protrusion that extends from the back of the seat back to support the table from below. Similarly, the trim-side support portion may consist of a mechanism that allows the table to be attached to and detached from the side trim, or it may form a support structure with protrusions and recesses between the table and the side trim that can support the table from below.

[0065] Furthermore, the seat-side support portion may be configured as a slide rail mechanism that slidably engages the table with the back of the seat back portion in the seat width direction, as shown in the trim-side support portion of the above embodiment. In this case, the relationship between the rail extending in the seat width direction and the slider fitted to the rail so as to be slidable in the seat width direction may be such that one is attached to the table and the other to the back of the seat back portion. The slider may consist of one or three or more.

[0066] Similarly, when the trim-side support is composed of a slide rail mechanism, the relationship between the rail and the slider can be such that one is attached to the table and the other to the side trim. When the seat-side support is composed of a slide rail mechanism, it is preferable that the rail or slider attached to the back of the seat back can be selectively adjusted in relation to the back of the seat back according to the reclining angle of the seat back.

[0067] 3. The table's installation angle is not limited to horizontal; it may also be at an angle that rises or falls backward from the back of the seat back. The table may be deployed by horizontal sliding or rotation from the base of the seat back where it is stored, and fitted into the side trim so as to be supported from below.

[0068] 4. In the above embodiment, the protrusion of the table is shown as an engaging pin that can slide back and forth relative to the table, but the protrusion may also be configured to protrude integrally from the table. Even with such a configuration, if the trim-side support is made up of a slide rail mechanism, the protrusion can be inserted into or removed from the recess of the seat back by sliding it. Alternatively, the protrusion of the table can also be inserted into or removed from the recess by sliding the seat in the front-to-back direction relative to the floor.

[0069] The protrusion may be attached to the table, or it may form part of the table. That is, the part of the table that forms the protrusion may be inserted into or removed from a recess in the seat back or side trim. The protrusion is not limited to being located on the underside of the table, but may also be located within the width of the table's thickness. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] 1. Table device for 1 sheet 2 tables 2A Engagement pin (projection) 3. Seat-side support section 4. Trim-side support section 10 sheets 11. Seat back (seat rest area) 11A Reclining Seat 11B Recess (seat-side support part) 12 seat cushions 13 Headrest 20 Slide rail mechanism 21 rails 21A Projection part 21B Recess 21C Lock hole 22 Sliders 22A Table fixing part 22B Rail hook section 22C Width direction contact part 22D lock pin D1 spring D2 Snack T Door trim (side trim)

Claims

1. A table device for a seat, used in combination with a seat, A seat-side support portion provided on the back of the seat back portion, which consists of a seat back or a headrest attached to the upper part of the seat back, A trim-side support portion provided on the side trim, which consists of a door trim or body side trim inside the passenger compartment, A table device for a seat, comprising a table that engages with the trim-side support portion and the seat-side support portion so as to be supported from below.

2. A table device for a sheet according to claim 1, A seat table device wherein the seat-side support portion and the trim-side support portion are configured to detachably engage with the table.

3. A table device for a sheet according to claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned seatback is designed to be reclinable. A seat table device in which the seat-side support portion is provided in multiple locations in the seat height direction so that a position for engaging the table can be selected according to the reclining angle of the seat back.

4. A table device for a sheet according to claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned seat is designed to allow adjustment of its position in the front-to-back direction relative to the floor. A seat table device having a slide rail mechanism that allows the trim-side support portion to adjust the position in the seat-front-rear direction for engaging with the table.

5. A table device for a sheet according to claim 4, The slide rail mechanism comprises a rail extending in the seat front-rear direction and fixed to the side trim, and a slider fitted to the rail so as to be slidable in the seat front-rear direction. A table device for a seat, the slider having a table fixing portion fixed to the table, a rail hooking portion hooked onto the rail from above the seat, and a widthwise contact portion that comes into contact with the rail from the inside in the width direction of the seat by rotation with the rail hooking portion as a pivot point.

6. A table device for a sheet according to claim 1 or claim 2, A seat table device in which the seat-side support portion is a recess that engages with a projection that protrudes forward from the table by being inserted from the rear of the seat.

Images