Back cushion

Abstract

This back cushion provides a support that fits the user's lower back and spine, stands independently, reliably supports the user's weight, and maintains a comfortable seated posture. [Solution] A back cushion 1 is used by being placed on a seat surface 10, and comprises a cushion body 11 and a base portion 13 that supports the cushion body 11 from the back side 12, wherein the cushion body 11 has a lower cushion 15 that is inclined so as to be lower at the front and higher at the rear relative to the seat surface 10 and contacts the user's lower back, and an upper cushion 16 that is angle-adjustable and connected to the upper end of the lower cushion 15 and contacts the user's back.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a back cushion that is placed and used with the surface (upper surface) of a floor, sofa, bed, etc. as a seating surface.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional cushions are used by being laid on the floor like a zabuton or installed along the backrest of a chair such as a sofa, and mainly serve as a cushioning material to protect the user's waist and / or back from directly contacting the floor or the backrest. However, since a general cushion is only installed at a certain angle along a horizontal floor surface or the surface of a backrest inclined at a predetermined angle, it lacks adhesion to the user's waist and / or back, is prone to displacement during use, and has a problem that it is difficult to stably support the user's weight. In contrast, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a seating cushion configured to be bendable in a "V" shape at an arbitrary angle from a horizontal state when viewed from the side, using a reclining gear for a seat chair.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a method of use in which a user (seater) sits on the inclined seating surface of the front part that slopes downward forward in a state where the seating cushion is bent in a "V" shape, and a method of use in which the user sits on the horizontal seating surface of the front part by reversing the front and back from the state where the seating cushion is folded in a "V" shape. In the former case, the user's seating posture becomes a forward-leaning posture, tilted towards the low table. At this time, the seat cushion does not support the user's lower back or upper back, and the user must continue to sit in a forward-leaning posture, which increases the burden on the lower back. Furthermore, when the user's weight is applied to the inclined seat surface while it is bent in a "V" shape, a force acts to spread the seat cushion horizontally, which increases the load on the pair of reclining gears for the chair that rotatably connect the front and rear parts, resulting in a lack of durability. In the latter case, the small rear section only functions as a lumbar support and cannot support the user's back, forcing the user to sit with their spine straight, which is a problem as it lacks comfort. Also, because there is nothing to support the rear section relative to the floor, if the user leans back and their weight is placed on the rear section, they may lose their balance and tip over or fall backward along with the seat cushion.

[0005] The objective of this invention is to provide a back cushion that fits the user's lower back and upper back, stands independently, reliably supports the user's weight, and maintains a comfortable seated posture. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a result of diligent research to solve the above problems, the inventor of this invention has found that by constructing the cushion body with an angle-adjustable lower cushion and an upper cushion, and by providing a base that supports the cushion body from the back, the position and posture of the cushion body can be fixed, providing stable support to the user's lower back and back, and thus providing the user with a comfortable sitting experience.

[0007] In other words, the present invention is as follows: [1] A back cushion that is placed on a seat and used, It has a cushion body and a base part that supports the cushion body from the back side, The back cushion is characterized in that the cushion body has a lower cushion that is inclined with respect to the seat surface such that the front side is lower and the rear side is higher and contacts the user's lower back, and an upper cushion that is angle-adjustable and connected to the upper end of the lower cushion and contacts the user's back. [2] The back cushion according to [1] above, characterized in that the base portion has a contact surface that makes contact with the seat surface and an inclined surface that makes contact with the back of the lower cushion. [3] The back cushion according to [2] above, characterized in that when the upper cushion is tilted to its maximum backward position, at least a portion of the back surface of the upper cushion is in contact with and supported by the inclined surface of the base portion. [4] The back cushion according to any one of [1] to [3] above, characterized in that the cushion body comprises a lower structure built into the lower cushion as a core material, an upper structure built into the upper cushion as a core material, and an angle adjustment mechanism that rotatably connects the lower structure and the upper structure. [5] The back cushion according to [4] above, characterized in that the lower structure and the base portion are connected and fixed together. [6] The back cushion according to [2] or [3] above, characterized in that the angle α between the contact surface and the inclined surface of the base portion is 20 to 40 degrees. [7] The back cushion according to any one of [1] to [3] above, characterized in that the minimum angle β1 between the lower cushion and the upper cushion when in use is 120 to 150 degrees and the maximum angle β2 is 160 to 180 degrees. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The back cushion of this invention comprises a cushion body and a base portion that supports the cushion body from the rear side. The cushion body has a lower cushion that is inclined so as to be lower at the front and higher at the rear relative to the seat surface and contacts the user's lower back, and an upper cushion that is angle-adjustable and connected to the upper end of the lower cushion and contacts the user's back. By optimally adjusting the angle between the lower cushion and the upper cushion, the user's lower back and back can be stably supported. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A side view showing a back cushion according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a front view showing a back cushion according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a rear view showing a back cushion according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] (A) and (B) are side views showing the operation of the internal structure of a back cushion according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The back cushion of this invention is a back cushion used by being placed on a seat surface, and comprises a cushion body and a base portion that supports the cushion body from the rear side, characterized in that the cushion body has a lower cushion that is inclined so as to be lower on the front side and higher on the rear side relative to the seat surface and contacts the user's lower back, and an upper cushion that is angle-adjustable and connected to the upper end of the lower cushion and contacts the user's back.

[0011] The back cushion of this invention allows for flexible adaptation to the user's body shape or posture by adjusting the angle between the lower and upper cushions of the cushion body. In particular, by adjusting the angle of the upper cushion to the lower cushion, which is inclined so that the front is lower and the back is higher relative to the seat, the lower and upper cushions can be fitted to the user's lower back and back when seated, resulting in a comfortable sitting experience. Furthermore, by supporting the back of the cushion body with the base, the position and posture of the cushion body can be stabilized, reliably supporting the user's weight and preventing them from falling backward.

[0012] The configuration of the back cushion of this invention will be described in detail below. As described above, the back cushion of the present invention is a back cushion that is placed on a seat surface and used, and has a cushion body and a base portion that supports the cushion body from the back side. Further, the cushion body has a lower cushion that is inclined so that the front side is lower and the rear side is higher with respect to the seat surface and abuts on the user's waist, and an upper cushion that is continuously provided on the upper end side of the lower cushion so as to be angle-adjustable and abuts on the user's back. As a more specific configuration of the cushion body, a lower structure body built in the lower cushion as a core material, an upper structure body built in the upper cushion as a core material, and an angle adjustment mechanism for rotatably connecting the lower structure body and the upper structure body are preferably used.

[0013] As the cushion body, the outer surface is covered with a cover material, and it has a lower structure body that becomes the core material of the lower cushion and an upper structure body that becomes the core material of the upper cushion inside, and cushion material is filled on at least the upper surface side (the side that contacts the user's body) of each of the lower structure body and the upper structure body. As the cover material, materials such as cotton, hemp, polyester, leather (genuine leather and synthetic leather) are preferably used in the same manner as conventionally known cushions. As the material of the lower structure body and the upper structure body, wood is preferably used, but metals such as stainless steel or aluminum may be used in combination.

[0014] As the cushion material, the same as conventionally known cushions, urethane, feathers, low-rebound materials, high-rebound materials, bead materials, gel materials, etc. are used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. Note that the structures and the materials (materials) of the constituent members of the cushion body (lower cushion and upper cushion) may be the same or different.

[0015] As the angle adjustment mechanism, a conventionally known gear-type ratchet mechanism is preferably used. Specifically, a mechanism for connecting both side portions in the width direction on the upper end side of the lower structure body and both side portions in the width direction on the lower end side of the upper structure body with a pair of ratchet fittings (also called reclining gears, ratchet hinges, sofa hinges, etc.) is preferably used.

[0016] As the base part, it is preferable to use a structure in which the outer surface of the base part structure serving as the core material is covered with a covering material. As the material of the base part structure, wood is preferably used, but metals such as stainless steel or aluminum may be used in combination. Note that the base part (core material) only needs to have a rigidity such that it can support the cushion body at a predetermined position without being deformed or crushed even when the user's weight is applied to the cushion body, and its structure and material are appropriately selected.

[0017] The base part has a ground contact surface that contacts the seating surface and an inclined surface that contacts the back surface of the lower cushion, and a structure formed in a triangular shape or a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the side is preferably used. The width of the base part may be the same as or different from the width of the cushion body (lower cushion and upper cushion).

[0018] When the upper cushion is at its maximum backward tilt, it is preferable that at least a part (lower end side) of the back surface of the upper cushion contacts and is supported by the inclined surface of the base part.

[0019] The lower structure and the base part are connected and fixed. As the fixing method, screwing is preferably used. By screwing the lower structure and the core material of the base part with fixing means such as bolts, the two can be firmly fixed and integrated. Note that the number and arrangement of the fixing means used for fixing the lower structure and the base part are appropriately selected.

[0020] The angle α formed between the ground contact surface and the inclined surface of the base part is preferably 20 to 40 degrees. Also, when in use, the minimum angle β1 formed between the lower cushion and the upper cushion is preferably 120 to 150 degrees, and the maximum angle β2 is preferably 160 to 180 degrees. It is particularly preferable that the maximum angle β2 is 180 degrees.

[0021] A back cushion according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0022] Here, Figure 1 is a side view showing a back cushion according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a front view showing a back cushion according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a rear view showing a back cushion according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figures 4(A) and 4(B) are side views showing the operation of the internal structure of the back cushion according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The back cushion 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, shown in Figures 1 to 3, is used by being placed on a seat surface 10 such as a sofa when the user sits on the floor or sofa. This back cushion 1 has a cushion body 11 and a base portion 13 that supports the cushion body 11 from the back side 12. The cushion body 11 has a lower cushion 15 that is inclined to contact the user's lower back, with the front side lower and the rear side higher relative to the seat surface 10, and an upper cushion 16 that is angle-adjustable and attached to the upper end of the lower cushion 15, and contacts the user's back.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the base portion 13 has a contact surface 17 that contacts the seat surface 10 and an inclined surface 18 that contacts the back surface 12a of the lower cushion 15. The angle α between the contact surface 17 and the inclined surface 18 is about 30 degrees. As the back surface 12a of the lower cushion 15 is supported by contacting the inclined surface 18 of the base portion 13, the angle between the contact surface 17 and the lower cushion 15 becomes about the same as the angle α between the contact surface 17 and the inclined surface 18. The inclined surface 18 may be flat, or it may be partially or entirely curved in an upward-convex shape.

[0025] Next, we will describe the internal structure of back cushion 1. As shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), the cushion body 11 includes a lower structure 20 built into the lower cushion 15 as a core material, an upper structure 21 built into the upper cushion 16 as a core material, and an angle adjustment mechanism 22 that rotatably connects the lower structure 20 and the upper structure 21. The lower structure 20 and the upper structure 21 are each formed from wood in a flat (rectangular) shape.

[0026] The angle adjustment mechanism 22 has a pair of ratchet fittings 23 that connect the widthwise sides of the upper end of the lower structure 20 and the widthwise sides of the lower end of the upper structure 21. As a result, as shown in Figure 1, the angle between the lower cushion 15 and the upper cushion 16 during use can be adjusted within the range of a minimum angle β1 to a maximum angle β2. The minimum angle β1 is approximately 130 degrees, and the maximum angle β2 is 180 degrees. The cushion body 11 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is obtained by filling the area around the lower structure 20 and the upper structure 21 with cushioning material (not shown) and covering its outer surface with cover material 24.

[0027] As shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), the base portion 13 has a core base structure 25. By covering the outer surface of this base structure 25 with a cover material 26, the base portion 13 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is obtained. The lower structure 20, the upper structure 21, and the base structure 25 are made of wood and are formed into a hollow structure by laminating boards together to reduce weight. Key points inside the hollow structure may be reinforced with reinforcing materials as needed.

[0028] As shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), the lower structure 20 and the base structure 25 are connected and fixed together by screwing them together at key points (four points in this case) with connecting bolts 27. The number and arrangement of the connecting bolts 27 are appropriately selected according to the size of the lower structure 20 and the base structure 25.

[0029] The cushion body 11 is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The width of the cushion body 11 is approximately 620 mm, and the maximum height (the height from the bottom end of the lower cushion 15 to the top end of the upper cushion 16 when the angle between the lower cushion 15 and the upper cushion 16 is the minimum angle β1 = 130 degrees) is approximately 450 mm.

[0030] The lower cushion 15 and upper cushion 16 are also formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and their respective widths are approximately 620 mm, the same as the width of the cushion body 11. When viewed from the front, the vertical width of the lower cushion 15 is approximately 210 mm, and the vertical width of the upper cushion 16 is approximately 330 mm. When the angle between the lower cushion 15 and the upper cushion 16 reaches its maximum angle β2 = 180 degrees, the vertical width of the cushion body 11 is approximately 540 mm.

[0031] The maximum thickness of the cushion body 11 (lower cushion 15 and upper cushion 16) is approximately 120-130 mm. The base section 13 has a maximum height of approximately 120 mm, a width of approximately 540 mm, and a vertical dimension of approximately 280 mm when viewed from above. The shape and size (dimensions of each part) of the cushion body 11 (lower cushion 15 and upper cushion 16) and the base part 13 are not limited to this embodiment and can be selected as appropriate.

[0032] With the above configuration, the back cushion 1 can adjust the angle between the lower cushion 15 and the upper cushion 16 as appropriate, and can flexibly accommodate various postures (positions) of the user using the back cushion 1. In particular, the lower cushion 15, supported by the base portion 13 in a tilted position such that the front is lower and the rear is higher relative to the seat surface 10, fits the lower back of the user sitting on the seat surface 10, so that the user's lower back and back are securely and stably supported without gaps by the lower cushion 15 and the upper cushion 16, resulting in a comfortable sitting experience. Furthermore, the base portion 13 that supports the lower cushion 15 is sandwiched between the seat surface 10 and the lower cushion 15 and acts as a wedge, effectively preventing the back cushion 1 from shifting position or tilting during use, resulting in excellent stability of the sitting posture.

[0033] Furthermore, when the upper cushion 16 is tilted to its maximum backward position (when the angle between the lower cushion 15 and the upper cushion 16 reaches its maximum angle β2 = 180 degrees), at least a portion of the back surface 12b of the upper cushion 16 (the lower end side) comes into contact with the inclined surface 18 of the base portion 13, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1, thereby allowing the entire cushion body 11 to be supported by the base portion 13. In this state, the user can also use the back cushion 1 as a pillow or armrest, offering excellent versatility. [Industrial applicability]

[0034] The back cushion of this invention is industrially useful because it stably supports the user's lower back and back, and allows for the maintenance of a comfortable sitting posture. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0035] 1 Back cushion 10 Seat 11 Cushion body 12 Back 12a back 12b Back 13 Base section 15 Lower cushion 16. Upper cushion 17 Ground plane 18 Slope 18a Horizontal member 18b Connecting material 20 Substructure 21 Superstructure 22 Angle adjustment mechanism 23 Ratchet fittings 24 Cover material 25 Base structure 26 Cover material 27 Connecting bolts

Claims

1. A back cushion that is placed on the seat and used, It has a cushion body and a base part that supports the cushion body from the back side, The back cushion is characterized in that the cushion body has a lower cushion that is inclined with respect to the seat surface such that the front side is lower and the rear side is higher and contacts the user's lower back, and an upper cushion that is angle-adjustable and connected to the upper end of the lower cushion and contacts the user's back.

2. The back cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the base portion has a contact surface that contacts the seat surface and an inclined surface that contacts the back of the lower cushion.

3. The back cushion according to claim 2, characterized in that when the upper cushion is tilted to its maximum backward position, at least a portion of the back surface of the upper cushion contacts and is supported by the inclined surface of the base portion.

4. The back cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cushion body comprises a lower structure built into the lower cushion as a core material, an upper structure built into the upper cushion as a core material, and an angle adjustment mechanism that rotatably connects the lower structure and the upper structure.

5. The back cushion according to claim 4, characterized in that the lower structure and the base portion are connected and fixed together.

6. The back cushion according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the angle α between the contact surface and the inclined surface of the base portion is 20 to 40 degrees.

7. The back cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the minimum angle β1 between the lower cushion and the upper cushion during use is 120 to 150 degrees, and the maximum angle β2 is 160 to 180 degrees.

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