Body support unit for chair and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

This technology uses a three-dimensional mesh made of resin fibers as cushioning material, resulting in a soft feel against the body and easy upholstery retraction. [Solution] The cushioning material 13 has a two-layer structure consisting of a base layer 15 made of a highly elastic three-dimensional mesh and a buffer layer 16 made of fine fibers such as felt. A string 24 is attached to the buffer layer 16, and the upholstery 14 is sewn to the buffer layer 16 at the locations where the string 24 is placed. The string 24 has left and right downward-facing portions 24a that are inserted through the buffer layer 16, the base layer 15, and the inner shell 12, and the downward-facing portions 24a are bound together on the back side of the inner shell 12. The cushioning layer 16 deforms under compression, allowing the upholstery 14 to be pulled tightly. Since the cord material 24 is pre-attached to the cushioning layer 16 and the upholstery 14 is also pre-attached to the cushioning layer 16, the upholstery 14, the cushioning layer 16, and the base layer 15 are attached to the inner shell 12 in a position relative to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention of the present application relates to a body support unit having a structure in which a cushioning material is covered with a covering material like the seat or backrest of a chair. Here, the body support unit includes, as representative examples of the above-mentioned back and seat, a headrest, a shoulder rest, an elbow pad, and the like.

Background Art

[0002] When the seat or back of a chair has a structure in which a cushion is attached to a resin inner shell, the cushion is covered with a covering material (covering material). And, in order to prevent the slack of the covering material, to maintain the overlapping state of the covering material, the cushion, and the back plate, or for design reasons, the covering material is partially drawn in toward the inner shell.

[0003] And, it has been proposed to use a fastener as a means for drawing in the covering material. As an example thereof, Patent Document 1 discloses that a plate-shaped fastener is sewn to the back of the covering material, and a claw portion provided on the fastener is fitted into a middle plate arranged on the back side of the cushion.

[0004] Now, although foamed urethane is frequently used as a cushioning material for the seat or backrest of a chair, foamed urethane has problems such as poor air permeability, not necessarily high elastic force, and a tendency to easily occur a slump in which the elastic recovery force decreases during use.

[0005] On the other hand, there exists a non-woven fabric-like three-dimensional net body in which highly elastic resin fibers that are bent and entangled are combined, and this three-dimensional net body is excellent in air permeability and has a high repulsive force, and is also excellent in durability. Therefore, this three-dimensional net body is used as a cushioning material for the seat or backrest (for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

[0007] Three-dimensional mesh structures made from highly elastic resin fibers are widely used in mattresses and other applications. Because they possess excellent durability, cushioning, and breathability, the applicant has long considered using them as cushioning material for chairs, and as part of this effort, disclosed Patent Document 2. However, the surface has a rough texture, which is problematic as it does not feel good against the human body.

[0008] Furthermore, when pulling the upholstery downwards, in a configuration where the upholstery is directly layered on a three-dimensional mesh structure, pulling the upholstery downwards does not compress or deform the mesh structure, preventing the surface from becoming concave. This presents a problem in that the upholstery cannot be pulled in sufficiently.

[0009] The former problem can be solved by using a three-dimensional mesh as the base layer and layering it with a soft buffer layer that is gentle on the human body. ru.

[0010] The present invention was made against this backdrop, and when the cushioning material is configured in a multi-layered manner... good This is intended to disclose appropriate technology. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention includes various configurations, examples of which are specified in each claim. Of these, the invention of claim 1. teeth, "It has an inner shell through which the weight of the seated person acts via a cushioning material, and upholstery covering the cushioning material." Before The cushioning material is positioned on the side of the inner shell. The base material layer and the loose material placed on the side of the upholstery It has a layered structure with a gap layer.[[ID=0 "Body support unit for chairs" ENDID=1 ENDID=2In this basic configuration,ENDID=3 ENDID=4“ENDID=5 The base layer of the cushioning material is a three-dimensional mesh formed by intertwining a group of curved elastic fibers made of synthetic resin, and the buffer layer of the cushioning material is a nonwoven fabric, felt, or knitted fabric having a group of fibers extending in the thickness direction of the buffer layer. ENDID=6”ENDID=7 ENDID=8It has the feature of “ENDID=9 ENDID=10

[0012] ENDID=11 ENDID=12The invention of claim 2 is a preferred development example of claim 1,ENDID=13 ENDID=14“the base material layer and the buffer layer have air permeability”ENDID=15 ENDID=16It has the feature of “ENDID=17 ENDID=18

[0013] ENDID=19 ENDID=20The invention of claim 3 is the claimENDID=21 This is an example of one or two developments. ENDID=22 ENDID=23“ENDID=24 The inner shell is a seat inner shell, and a group of first slits are formed in the part of the seat inner shell where the seated person's buttocks rest, in order to allow for sinking due to the seated person's weight. ENDID=25”ENDID=26 ENDID=27It has the feature of “ENDID=28 ENDID=29

[0014] ENDID=30 ENDID=31The invention of claim 4ENDID=32 also claim 1 or 2 ENDID=33is a development example ofENDID=34 ENDID=35“ENDID=36 The inner shell is a seat inner shell, and a group of horizontally elongated second slits are formed at the front of the seat inner shell, allowing the front part to be rolled inward and deformed. ENDID=37”ENDID=38 ENDID=39It has the feature of “ENDID=40 ENDID=41

[0015] ENDID=42 ENDID=43The invention of claim 5ENDID=44 too ENDID=45is the claimENDID=46 1 or 2 ENDID=47is a development example ofENDID=48 ENDID=49“ENDID=50 The aforementioned inner shell is a back inner shell. ENDID=51”ENDID=52 ENDID=53It has the feature of “ENDID=54 ENDID=55

[0016] ENDID=56 ENDID=57The invention of claim 6 is the claimENDID=58 3 ENDID=59is a development example ofENDID=60 ENDID=61“ENDID=62 The inner shell, cushioning material, load-bearing plate, and upholstery are recessed downwards in the area where the first group of slits is formed, and a portion of the upholstery that is recessed downwards is pulled toward the inner shell. ENDID=63”ENDID=64 ENDID=65It has the feature of “ENDID=66 ENDID=67

[0017] ENDID=68 ENDID=69 ENDID=70

[0018] ENDID=71 ENDID=72 ENDID=73

[0019] ENDID=74 ENDID=75 ENDID=76

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] ENDID=80 ENDID=81In each of the inventions of the present application, since the surface side of the cushioning material is composed of the buffer layer, the base material layer is a three-dimensional network structureENDID=82 Consists of ENDEven with its highly elastic structure, it feels soft against the user's body, thus providing a high level of comfort while retaining the properties of the base material layer. In addition, The base layer is a three-dimensional network Consists of Because a highly elastic structure makes it difficult to form depressions, When using a cord to pull in the upholstery, There is a concern that the upholstery may not be fully retracted, but in the present invention, the cushioning layer can be precisely recessed, When the upholstery is pulled in as in claim 6, This also ensures that the upholstery is properly pulled in.

[0021] In addition, When upholstery is pulled with a cord or similar material, excessive tension may be applied to specific narrow areas of the upholstery, causing it to twist. However, in the present invention, When the upholstery is pulled in as in claim 6, The buffer layer is pulled to form a recessed groove that becomes the pull-in section. Possible Therefore, excessive pressure is not applied to any part of the upholstery, preventing twisting of the upholstery. That is the case.

[0022]

[0023] As described in claim 2, by providing breathability to both the buffer layer and the base layer, it is possible to prevent the user from becoming stuffy and improve comfort. In the present invention, A three-dimensional mesh made of synthetic resin is used as the base layer. Therefore , ensuring high elasticity and durability can Additionally, nonwoven fabrics or felt materials are used as buffer layers. Therefore Because inexpensive, commercially available products can be used, the benefits of stable quality and cost reduction can be enjoyed.

[0024]

[0025] In the case of claim 6, While resin or metal hooks can be used as the pulling device, using a string as in this embodiment allows for a firm pull on the string, thus ensuring a secure formation of the pull-in section. Furthermore, since tying the string can be done regardless of the structure of the underside of the inner shell, there is no need to perform any special processing on the inner shell or modify the existing structure, making it highly practical.

[0026] Regarding chair seating, the depth is adjusted to accommodate differences in user physique and preferences, As in claim 4, Adjusting the depth by rolling in the front of the seat has advantages such as allowing adjustment without lifting the hips. However, rolling in and unrolling can easily induce slippage between the upholstery and the cushioning layer, and between the cushioning layer and the base layer. However, by using a cord as a tensioning device as in the embodiment, the upholstery is fixed to the pull-in part, and the cord penetrates between the cushioning layer and the base layer, thus preventing the upholstery from shifting relative to the cushioning layer and the cushioning layer from shifting relative to the base layer, and maintaining high quality.

[0027] The thickness of the base layer and the buffer layer can be arbitrarily set according to the characteristics of the unit in question, Embodiment Making the cushioning layer thinner than the base layer (or making the base layer thicker than the cushioning layer) is preferable because it allows the high elasticity function of the base layer to be enjoyed. Specifically, setting the base layer to a thickness of several centimeters (for example, 2 to 4 centimeters) and the cushioning layer to a thickness of several millimeters to over ten millimeters is preferable because it ensures a soft touch while maintaining the necessary cushioning and durability when applied to a seat. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0028] [Figure 1] This is a diagram of a chair with a seat according to the first embodiment, where (A) is a perspective view from the front, (B) is a side view, and (C) is a perspective view from the rear and below. [Figure 2] (A) is a separated perspective view of the chair from the front, (B) is a separated perspective view of the chair from the back, and (B) is a perspective view of the seat from the rear and above. [Figure 3] (A) is a downward perspective view of the seat, and (B) is a bottom view of the seat. [Figure 4] This is a top-down, separated perspective view of the seat. [Figure 5] This is a downward-view, separated perspective of the seat. [Figure 6](A) is a longitudinal front view of the retraction section, a VIA-VIA cross-sectional view of Figure 1(A), (B) is a BB cross-sectional view of (A), (C) and (D) are longitudinal front views showing parts of the manufacturing process, respectively, and (E) is a plan view of (D). [Figure 7] This figure shows another embodiment, where (F) is a cross-sectional view of (E) at FF. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. This embodiment is applied to the seat of a swivel rocking chair, which is commonly used for office work. In this application, terms such as "front and back" and "left and right" are used to specify directions, but these are based on the orientation of a person sitting in a normal posture. A front view is the direction opposite to the person sitting.

[0030] (1) Basic structure of chairs and seats As can be seen from Figure 1, the chair to which this embodiment is applied is a swivel chair commonly used in offices, and the chair comprises a leg assembly 1, a seat 2, and a backrest 3 as its basic elements. The backrest 3 is made of an elastomer-based synthetic resin plate with numerous perforations. The leg assembly 1 has a structure in which a leg support column 4 made of a gas cylinder is erected in the center of a base having five leg wings, and casters are provided at the tip of each leg wing.

[0031] A base 5 is fixed to the upper end of the leg support 4, and a second tilting frame 7 is connected to the base 5 via left and right first tilting frames 6, and a backrest 3 is attached to the second tilting frame 7. A seat support mechanism is attached to the base 5 to move the seat 2 backward and tilt it backward in conjunction with the backward tilting of the backrest 3, and a seat outer shell (seat support shell body) 8 is fixed to the seat support mechanism, and the seat 2 is fixed to the outer shell 8.

[0032] The second tilting frame 7 has a back support 9 located in the middle of the left and right sides and extending vertically, and lower side sections 10 located at the bottom and extending horizontally. The lower side sections 10 become higher and narrower towards the tip, forming an overall crescent shape. Therefore, the second tilting frame 7 as a whole has a shape similar to an anchor. A swing arm 11 is attached to the back support 9, and the upper ends of the backrest 3 are fixed to both the left and right ends of the swing arm 11, and the lower corners of the backrest 3 are fixed to the tips of the lower side sections 10.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, the seat 2 of the first embodiment comprises a synthetic resin inner shell (seat plate) 12, a cushioning material 13 placed on top of it, and upholstery (surface material) 14 covering the cushioning material 13. The cushioning material 13 has a two-layer structure consisting of a base layer 15 and a buffer layer 16 placed on top of it. The total thickness of the cushioning material 13 is approximately 35-40 mm, of which the thickness of the base layer 15 is approximately 30-35 mm and the thickness of the buffer layer 16 is approximately 5-10 mm. Woven or knitted fabrics can be used for the upholstery 14 (artificial or natural leather can also be used if breathability is not required).

[0034] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, in this embodiment, the front part of the inner shell 12 is 、 Numerous horizontal Having a second slit 12c The inner shell 12 has a flexible deformation-allowing section 12a that can be rolled in, but since the cushioning material 13 and upholstery 14 also bend, the front part 2a of the seat 2 also has a flexible deformation-allowing section that can be rolled in downward. When the left and right brackets 17 that protrude downward from the front end of the inner shell 12 are pulled backward, the front part 2a of the seat 2 is rolled in downward. This allows the front-to-back position of the front end of the seat 2 to be adjusted. In other words, the depth of the seat 2 can be adjusted. Behind the flexible deformation-allowing section 12a of the inner shell 12 there are numerous vertically elongated and horizontally curved sections. 1 slit 12d A sinking deformation allowable portion 12b is formed.

[0035] For example, as shown in Figure 3, a pair of downward-facing brackets 17 are integrally formed on the front end of the inner shell 12, while as shown in Figure 2(A), a slider 18 is mounted on the outer shell 8 so as to be able to move back and forth, and the downward-facing brackets 17 of the inner shell 12 are connected to the catch portion 18a at the front end of the slider 18. The slider 18 can be moved back and forth by operating the lever 19 shown in Figure 1(C). Therefore, by adjusting the front-to-back position of the lever 19, the front part 2a of the seat 2 can be rolled in and unrolled to adjust the depth of the seat 2.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the lower surface of the inner shell is provided with protrusions such as bosses 20 and connecting claws 21 that contact the outer shell. Also as shown in Figure 3, a large number of hook-shaped claws 22 for connecting the upholstery 14 are formed on the lower surface of the inner shell 12. The hook-shaped claws 22 are provided along the entire circumference of the outer edge of the inner shell 12 and at the rear of the bending deformation allowable portion 12a.

[0037] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5, the upholstery 14 has a pocket portion 14a that wraps around the bending deformation allowable portion 12a of the inner shell 12 from below, and a holding portion 14b that wraps around the outer circumference of the inner shell 12 at the rear of the pocket portion 14a. A resin tape (not shown) is fixed around the entire circumference of the pocket portion 14a and the entire circumference of the holding portion 14b, and the resin tape has locking holes that engage with the hook-shaped claws 22.

[0038] (2) Upholstery retraction structure of the first embodiment For example, as shown in Figures 2(A) and 2(C), the seat 2 has a shape that is indented upward when viewed from the front and is deeper at the rear when viewed from the side, and the inner shell 12, cushioning material 13 and upholstery 14 also have a similar shape. The rear end has raised corners on both sides, and therefore the rear of the seat 2 is significantly indented upward. Then, at the point where the seat 2 is significantly indented (roughly the front and rear position where the seated person's tailbone makes contact), there are long, retractable sections 23 that extend to the left and right.

[0039] The base layer of the cushioning material 13 is composed of a three-dimensional mesh structure made by intertwining and bonding countless elastic and bendable resin fibers, such as polyester fibers. Therefore, it has a breathable structure. On the other hand, the buffer layer 16 is made of hardened felt material with intertwined thin resin fibers, providing breathability while offering a soft feel to the buttocks and thighs of the person sitting on it.

[0040] As shown in Figure 6(A), the buffer layer 16 is formed to extend outside the outer circumference of the base layer 15. The outer circumference of the base layer 15 is designed to be located at the periphery of the inner shell 12, and the outer circumference 16a of the buffer layer 16 is set to extend beyond the base layer 15 and wrap around to the outside of the inner shell 12. Since the buffer layer 16 deforms under compression against elasticity, the upholstery 14 is held taut when the upholstery 14 is attached to the inner shell 12 while the buffer layer 16 is compressed.

[0041] As shown in Figures 4-6, the buffer layer 16 has a portion corresponding to the indentation portion 23. Pull As an example of a bracing material, a single string 24 is positioned, and the string 24 penetrates the buffer layer 16 at both the left and right ends of the buffer layer 16 and is pulled out downwards. Furthermore, the left and right downward-facing portions 24a of the string 24 penetrate the base material layer 15 and the inner shell 12 and are pulled out below the inner shell 12, and as shown in Figures 3, 5, and 6, the left and right downward-facing portions 24a are tied together at the lower surface of the inner shell 12. As previously described, the seat 2 is recessed downwards in a front view so that its rear end is deeper, and the sinking allowance portion 12b, which consists of the group of first slits 12d, is formed in the area where the seated person's buttocks make contact. As clearly shown in Figure 3(B), the string material 24 is positioned at the location of the sinking allowance portion 12b.

[0042] and, As shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B), by strongly pulling the downward portion 24a of the cord material 24, a groove-shaped retraction portion 23 is formed on the upper surface of the buffer layer 16. The upholstery fabric 14 is then sewn to the upper surface of the buffer layer 16 at the location of the retraction portion 23 by sewing. In Figures 2(C) and 6(E), the threads exposed by the sewing are indicated by the symbol 23a.

[0043] Furthermore, the upholstery 14 can be sewn only to the surface of the cushioning layer 16, or it can be sewn by piercing the cushioning layer 16 with a sewing machine needle and holding the upholstery 14 and the cushioning layer 16 together with sewing thread. Alternatively, a reinforcing strip of fabric can be sewn to the top surface of the cushioning layer 16, and the upholstery 14 can be sewn to this strip. In addition, a cord material 24 can be secured to the top surface of the cushioning layer 16 using a method such as overcast stitching, and the upholstery 14 can be sewn to this cord material 24. be. For example, as shown in Figure 3(B), the inner shell 12 has left and right insertion holes 25 for passing the cord material 24 through.

[0044] It is also possible to attach a plug to the entry hole 25 to press the downward portion 24a of the cord material 24 against it. For example, a push rivet can be used as the plug. Figures 6(C) and 6(D) show holes 26 in the buffer layer 16 through which the cord material 24 passes, but these are for convenience only and the holes 26 are not necessary.

[0045] (3) Summary of the first embodiment The seat 2 is manufactured (assembled) in the following steps: the upholstery 14, the cushioning layer 16, the base layer 15, and the inner shell 12 are manufactured separately, and first the cord material 24 is attached to the cushioning layer 16. In this case, although the drawing shows one cord material 24 being used, if one cord material 24 is used, it is sufficient to simply insert the downward-facing portion 24a into the cushioning layer 16, and it is not necessarily required to fix the cord material 24 to the cushioning layer 16.

[0046] On the other hand, it is also possible to use two strings 24, in which case the upper ends of the left and right strings 24 need to be fixed to the upper surface of the buffer layer 16. In order to form a groove-shaped indentation 23 in the buffer layer 16, it is preferable to use one string 24 and use the string 24 to create a downward recess in the buffer layer 16. The string 24 needs to be inserted through the buffer layer 16, and the string 24 can be inserted by using a needle-shaped jig such as a sewing needle to pierce the buffer layer 16 and pull it out.

[0047] Alternatively, the buffer layer 16 can be spread open with a funnel-shaped jig, and the string material 24 can be passed through the jig. Insertion into the base layer 15 is done similarly. In any case, it is preferable to fix both the buffer layer 16 and the base layer 15 to the jig and use a mask or the like to accurately insert the string material 24 into the predetermined position.

[0048] After attaching the cord material 24 to the cushioning layer 16, the upholstery 14 is placed on top of the cushioning layer 16 in a precisely positioned position, and then, as shown in Figure 6(E), the upholstery 14 is fixed to the cushioning layer 16 by sewing the area of ​​the retraction section 23. Next, with the downward-facing portion 24a of the cord material 24 inserted through the base layer 15 and the inner shell 12, the upholstery 14 is placed over the cushioning layer 16, the base layer 15 and the inner shell 12 and fixed to the inner shell 12. Then, the left and right downward-facing portions 24a of the cord material 24 are pulled to form the retraction section 23, and the left and right downward portions 24a are tied together in that state. This completes the two-layer seat 2 with the retraction section 23 formed.

[0049] Furthermore, since the majority of the cushioning material 13 is composed of the base layer 15, it can maintain high resilience and durability, while the buffer layer 16 is made of a dense and soft-touch material like felt, so it is soft against the seater's buttocks and thighs and provides excellent comfort. Moreover, both the cushioning material 13 and the base layer 15 are made up of countless fibers, and the gaps inside are continuous pores, so they have excellent breathability and do not cause stuffiness. In particular, by using a material in which the fibers are woven in the longitudinal direction (the direction in which the base layer 15 and the buffer layer 16 are stacked) for the buffer layer 16, the cushioning properties of the buffer layer 16 can be improved, and the unevenness of the base layer 15 can be made less noticeable to the seater. Specifically, V-lap (registered trademark) manufactured by Teijin Limited is an example of such a material.

[0050] Furthermore, because it has a retractable section 23, even if the seat 2 has a highly three-dimensional shape with a large recess in the upper surface of the rear, it is possible to prevent the upholstery 14 from floating and ensure a beautiful appearance. If the front part 2a of the seat 2 is of the roll-up type as in the embodiment, the upholstery 14 is pulled forward with the front part 2a of the seat 2 rolled up. Without the retractable section 23, the upholstery 14 may float significantly when not seated, resulting in an unsightly appearance. However, with the retractable section 23, the upholstery 14 is held in a state overlapping the buffer layer 16 even when the front part 2a of the seat 2 is rolled up, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing finish, which is particularly preferable.

[0051] In this embodiment, since the cord material 24 is attached to the buffer layer 16, the buffer layer 16 is attached to the base layer 15 in a precisely positioned state, while the upholstery 14 is fixed to the buffer layer 16 in advance, so the buffer layer 16 is also attached to the base layer 15 in a precisely positioned state. Furthermore, since the upholstery 14 is attached to the buffer layer 16 in advance, the assembly work can be carried out quickly.

[0052] The thickness of the base layer 15 and the buffer layer 16 can be arbitrarily set according to the characteristics of the unit in question. However, when applied to the seat 2 as in the embodiment, setting the base layer to a thickness of several centimeters (for example, 2 to 5 centimeters) and the buffer layer to a thickness of several millimeters to over ten millimeters is preferable because it ensures a soft touch while securing the necessary cushioning and durability for the seat 2.

[0053] As described above, by wrapping the outer periphery 16a of the buffer layer 16 around the outside of the inner shell 12, the elastic deformation of the buffer layer 16 can be used to hold the upholstery 14 in a taut state, thus maintaining a beautiful appearance. Furthermore, the upholstery 14 can be held in a state where it does not come off even when its periphery is fitted into the hook-shaped claws 22 of the inner shell 12.

[0054] In this embodiment, the retraction portion 23 is formed in a groove shape, but the retraction portion 23 does not necessarily have to be formed in a groove shape. Furthermore, it is possible to make the locations where the cord material 24 is attached to the cushioning layer 16 different from the locations where the upholstery 14 is sewn, and it is also possible to attach the upholstery 14 to the cushioning layer 16 at locations on both the front and rear sides of the attachment points for the cord material 24 to the cushioning layer 16.

[0055] In this embodiment, the bending deformation allowable portion 12a at the front of the inner shell 12 has an uneven shape, but it is possible to thin the portion of the base layer 15 that overlaps with the uneven portion of the inner shell 12. Alternatively, it is also possible to form the lower surface of the base layer 15 with an uneven shape that interlocks with the uneven portion of the inner shell 12. Base layer 15 teeth, While it's possible to make this by cutting out commercially available sheet material, making it thinner or creating an uneven surface on the bottom can be achieved by heating and pressing it.

[0056] (4) Other embodiments and others Figure 7 shows other embodiments as modified examples. In the second embodiment shown in (A), long grooves 27 are pre-formed by pressure on the surface of the buffer layer 16. In the third embodiment shown in (B), the retraction portions 23 are formed in a point-like manner, and multiple retraction portions 23 are formed. A string material 24 is attached to the retraction portions 23 via a stopper. What is Although different, it is also possible to form multiple linear retractable sections 23.

[0057] In the fourth embodiment shown in (C), a narrow resin tape 28 is placed on the buffer layer 16, and the resin tape 28 is pulled downward by a string 24. In this case, the upholstery 14 is sewn to the resin tape 28. The fifth embodiment shown in (D) is a modification of the fourth embodiment, in which a long groove 27 is formed in the buffer layer 16 in advance, and the resin tape 28 is placed in the long groove 27. In all embodiments, the resin tape 28 can be pulled downward by three or more strings 24.

[0058] In the sixth embodiment shown in (E)(F), a resin tape with feet 29 is used as the tensioning material. Specifically, the resin tape with feet 29 has a strip portion 30 and a plurality of pairs of feet 31 provided on its longitudinal side edge, and the feet 31 penetrate the buffer layer 16, the base material layer 15, and the inner shell 12. At least the downward-facing exposed portion of the feet 31 is formed as a sawtooth-shaped interlocking portion 31a, and a catch 32 is fitted into the interlocking portion 31a from below to hold the resin tape with feet 29 in a state of being pulled downward.

[0059] The catch 32 has a ratchet structure that engages with the engagement portion 31a, and is designed to be able to be pushed against the engagement portion 31a but not to be able to retract. Therefore, by pulling the engagement portion 31a while the catch 32 is in contact with the lower surface of the inner shell 12, the cushioning layer 16 can be maintained in a compressed and deformed state. The upholstery 14 is sewn to the strip portion 30 of the resin tape 29 with feet.

[0060] Inserting the foot portion 31 into the buffer layer 16 and the base layer 15 can be done using a jig that is inserted into the buffer layer 16 and the base layer 15 from below, or by utilizing the rigidity of the foot portion 31. In the latter case, if pilot holes are made in the buffer layer 16 and the base layer 15 using an awl-shaped piercing tool, insertion can be done easily while maintaining accurate positioning. Instead of using the dedicated footed resin tape 29, it is also possible to use a strip-shaped resin tape 28 in combination with a commercially available resin fastener.

[0061] In the seventh embodiment shown in (G), the upholstery 14 is also sewn to the buffer layer 16 at the location of the auxiliary stitching portion 33, which is different from the retraction portion 23 (the auxiliary stitching portion 33 can be viewed as part of the retraction portion). In this embodiment, the integration between the upholstery 14 and the buffer layer 16 is enhanced, improving the function of preventing the upholstery 14 from shifting.

[0062] Now, when retractable sections are provided in the seat or backrest, care is taken to make these sections as inconspicuous as possible. Therefore, if stitching is used to construct the retractable sections, the stitching will be the same color as the upholstery 14. On the other hand, variations in the upholstery of the seat or backrest are sometimes used as a way to enhance the commercial value of a chair, and a concrete example of this is providing upholstery in multiple colors. However, simply changing the color scheme is unlikely to attract the attention of consumers.

[0063] In this regard, by providing an auxiliary stitching section 33 as in the seventh embodiment, the thread used in the auxiliary stitching section 33 can be made to be a conspicuous color different from the upholstery fabric 14, thereby making the auxiliary stitching section 33 function as a stitch pattern, strongly attracting the consumer's attention and improving the product's value. Therefore, the auxiliary stitching section 33 can adopt various forms by disregarding its retraction function.

[0064] For example, forming various shapes or embroidery. by It can also be used for PR purposes by adding the company name, logo, trademark, or product name. If there are many seats, it is possible to use stitching to display numbers and function as seat numbers. In any case, since it is not printed, there is no problem with color fading with use, and it can maintain a high level of design quality.

[0065] From a design perspective, For example, The cushioning layer 16 is not necessarily required; a structure in which the threads are sewn onto the upholstery 14 in an embroidered state can also be adopted (however, sewing them onto the cushioning layer 16 is preferable in that it can prevent the upholstery 14 from shifting or deforming). Using threads of different colors is preferable because it enhances the function of the pattern.

[0066] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention can be materialized in various other ways. For example, the application is not limited to the seats of swivel chairs, but can also be applied to single-seater or multi-seater sofas, as well as the seats and backrests of fixed chairs such as theater seats.

[0067] The buffer layer is not limited to nonwoven fabric or felt; for example, thickly knitted fabrics such as rib knit can also be used. The base layer may consist of multiple layers. The buffer layer does not need to be placed across the entire surface of the base layer; it may be placed only in the areas where the seated person's body pressure acts. The tensioning device can also be made of metal (for example, sheet metal such as aluminum plate).

[0068] It is also possible to temporarily fix the buffer layer to the base layer by adhesive or other means. In this case, it is possible to temporarily fix the buffer layer to the base layer and then attach the upholstery to the buffer layer, or to attach the upholstery to the buffer layer first and then temporarily fix the buffer layer to the base layer. ru. ma Furthermore, the buffer layer can also be made of nonwoven fabric made from synthetic resin fibers, or compressed cotton material made by intertwining and compressing resin fibers or natural fibers. [Industrial applicability]

[0069] The present invention can be embodied in a body support unit for a chair, such as a seat or backrest. Therefore, it can be used industrially. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] 2nd seat 2a Front section (part that allows for winding deformation) 3 Backrest 6,7 Tilting frame 8 Outer shell 12 Inner Shell 12a Allowable bending deformation section 13 Cushioning material 14 Upholstery 15 Base material layer 16 Buffer layer 17 Downward-facing bracket 18 Slider 18a Catch section 22 Hook-shaped claws for securing upholstery 23. Entrance section 24. A string material as an example of a pulling device. 24a Downward portion 25 Receiving hole

Claims

1. An inner shell on which the weight of the seated person acts through the cushioning material, and the cushioning material It has an upholstery covering, The upholstery has a retractable section that is pulled toward the inner shell, the body of the chair A support unit, The cushioning material comprises a highly elastic base material layer disposed on the side of the inner shell, and the base It has a laminated structure consisting of a material layer and a low-elasticity cushioning layer placed between the upholstery. The upholstery is connected to the buffer layer at the location of the retraction section, and the buffer layer is, At the location of the retraction section, it is pulled toward the inner shell via a tensioning member. ru, A chair's body support unit.

2. The base layer and the buffer layer are breathable. A body support unit for a chair as described in claim 1.

3. The aforementioned base layer is a three-dimensional network formed by intertwining a group of curved, elastic synthetic resin fibers. The body is made of a nonwoven fabric-like material or felt material formed by solidifying a group of fine fibers in an intertwined state. be, A body support unit for a chair as described in claim 2.

4. The upholstery is sewn to the buffer layer, The tensioning material is a cord, and the cord is the surface of the buffer layer that overlaps with the upholstery. One end of the string is fixed to the part, and the other end of the string penetrates the buffer layer and the inner shell. And it is pulled out to the back side of the inner shell, A body support unit for a chair as described in any one of claims 1 to 3. 。

5. The aforementioned inner shell is a seat inner shell. The aforementioned retractable portion is formed in a straight line shape extending horizontally from left to right, towards the rear. The front portion of the inner shell and cushioning material can be rolled down. A body support unit for a chair as described in claim 2 or 3.

6. The aforementioned inner shell is a seat inner shell or a back inner shell. The buffer layer is thinner than the base layer. A body support unit for a chair as described in claim 1 or 2.

7. A cushioning material consisting of a base layer and a buffer layer is held on one side of the inner shell via the upholstery. Furthermore, the upholstery is provided with a retractable section where it fits into the cushioning material. A method for manufacturing a body support unit for a chair, The process involves preparing the inner shell, base material layer, cushioning layer, upholstery, and pull-in cord material. In the aforementioned buffer layer, the cord material is attached to the area of ​​the pull-in section with a large portion exposed on the back side. The process of attaching, The upholstery is sewn to the cushioning layer to which the aforementioned cord material is attached at the location of the pull-in section. The process of doing so, The steps include inserting the string material through the base material layer and the inner shell, The upholstery is held to the inner shell and the cord is held in a taut state. The process includes forming the aforementioned retraction portion, A method for manufacturing a body support unit for a chair.

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