Seat and chair with seat

Abstract

To provide a seat that can improve the resilience of an extension part, and a chair having the seat.SOLUTION: A seat 17 comprises a seat receiver 20, a seat plate 40, and an extension part 30. The extension part 30 comprises a fixing part 32, a movable part 33 and a bent part 31. The extension part 30 comprises a deformation part 34 constituting the bent part 31. The deformation part 34 comprises a first width in an extension-bending direction from the fixing part 32 through the bent part 31 to the movable part 33, and a second width in a second direction. The second width is shorter than the first width. The deformation part 34 is bent in extension-bending direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat and a chair comprising a seat. [Background technology]

[0002] Chairs that are adjustable in the front-to-rear direction have been known for use in offices and the like (for example, Patent Document 1). The seat of the chair described in Patent Document 1 includes an outer shell, a support plate disposed above the outer shell, an inner shell disposed above the support plate, and a cylindrical body disposed between the outer shell and the support plate.

[0003] The inner shell has an extension extending forward from the support plate. The inner shell is covered with upholstery material. The cylinder is a rotatable drive unit and has a structure that winds up the end of the upholstery material covering the inner shell. When the cylinder rotates in one rotation direction, the upholstery material is pulled in a direction toward the cylinder, causing the extension of the inner shell to bend downward and be pulled backward. When the cylinder rotates in the other rotation direction, the upholstery material moves in a direction away from the cylinder, causing the extension of the inner shell to extend forward. This changes the width of the seat in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, a groove extending in the left-to-right direction is formed in the extension of the inner shell. With such a groove formed in the inner shell, the inner shell can easily bend downward. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-153740 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the chair described in Patent Document 1, although the inner shell is configured to bend easily downward, there is a problem in that when the grooves extending in the left-right direction are widened, the inner shell has difficulty returning to its original shape.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a seat that can improve the restoring force of the extension part, and a chair equipped with this seat. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A seat according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a seat support member having an edge portion located at one end in a first direction intersecting with the up-down direction, a seat plate supported by the seat support member above the seat support member, a fixed portion fixed to the seat plate, a movable portion below the fixed portion, and a bending portion located between the fixed portion and the movable portion, and an extending portion that extends so as to overhang the edge portion in the first direction and is elastically bendable. The extending portion has a deforming portion that constitutes the bending portion. The deforming portion has a first width in an extending bending direction from the fixed portion through the bending portion to the movable portion, and a second width in a second direction intersecting with the up-down direction and the first direction. The second width is shorter than the first width. The deforming portion bends in the extending bending direction.

[0008] According to the seat of the above aspect, the deformed portion of the extending portion has a first width in the extending / bending direction and a second width in the second direction that is shorter than the first width, so that the extending portion is easily bent in the extending / bending direction and can easily return to its initial state, thereby improving the restoring force of the extending portion.

[0009] In one embodiment of the seat of the present invention, the deformation portion has a plurality of band-shaped portions arranged in the second direction, each of the plurality of band-shaped portions extending along the extension bending direction, and an opening that penetrates the extension portion may be formed between two adjacent band-shaped portions of the plurality of band-shaped portions.

[0010] In the seat according to the above aspect, the deformation portion has a plurality of band-shaped portions and an opening formed between two adjacent band-shaped portions of the plurality of band-shaped portions, so that the extension portion can be easily bent in the extension bending direction and can easily return to its initial state, thereby improving the restoring force of the extension portion.

[0011] In the seat according to one aspect of the present invention, the thickness of the extension portion in the up-down direction may be thinner than the thickness of the seat plate.

[0012] In the seat according to the above aspect, the thickness of the extension portion is thinner than the thickness of the seat plate, so the extension portion is easily bent in the extension bending direction and can easily return to its initial state, which means that the restoring force of the extension portion can be improved.

[0013] In the seat according to one aspect of the present invention, the extension portion may be a member separate from the seat plate.

[0014] Here, it is preferable that the material constituting the extension portion is more flexible than the material constituting the seat plate. In this case, the extension portion is more easily bent in the extension bending direction and can easily return to its initial state. In other words, the restoring force of the extension portion can be improved.

[0015] A chair according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a seat according to the above aspect and a support structure that supports the seat.

[0016] In the chair according to the above aspect, since the deformation portion has a plurality of band-shaped portions and an opening formed between two adjacent band-shaped portions among the plurality of band-shaped portions, the extension portion is easily bent in the extension bending direction and can easily return to its initial state, which means that the restoring force of the extension portion can be improved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the seat and chair of this aspect of the present invention, the restoring force of the extension portion can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a chair according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen obliquely from the front. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the main parts of a seat that constitutes a chair according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing the seat support member, the extension portion, the seat plate, and the deformation-inducing portion. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the main parts of a seat constituting a chair according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing the seat plate and the deformation inducing portion. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the deformation-inducing portion of a seat constituting a chair according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A] FIG. 2 is an exploded plan view showing the main parts of the seat that constitutes the chair according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing the extension part. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the main part of the seat constituting the chair according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is an exploded plan view showing a second modified example of the extension part. [Figure 5C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the main parts of the seat that constitutes the chair according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is an exploded plan view showing a third modified example of the extension part. [Figure 5D] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the main parts of the seat that constitutes the chair according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is an exploded plan view showing a fourth modified example of the extension part. [Figure 5E] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the main parts of the seat that constitutes the chair according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is an exploded plan view showing a fifth modified example of the extension part. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a deformation-inducing portion, illustrating the main part of a seat that constitutes a chair according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a deformation-inducing portion, illustrating the main part of a seat that constitutes a chair according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts of the seat that constitutes the chair according to one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the operation of the deformation inducing part. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts of the seat that constitutes the chair according to one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the operation of the deformation inducing part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] A chair according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of those components may be omitted. The drawings are schematic or conceptual, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each part, the size ratio between parts, etc., may not necessarily be the same as the actual ones.

[0020] In the following explanation, for the sake of convenience, the direction in which an occupant seated in a normal posture on seat 17 faces forward will be referred to as "forward," and the opposite direction will be referred to as "rear." Furthermore, the terms "up, down," and "left, and right" in the following explanation refer to directions that correspond to the direction centered on the occupant when seated in a normal posture on seat 17. The drawings also show an arrow FR pointing forward, an arrow BR pointing backward, an arrow UP pointing upward, an arrow DW pointing downward, an arrow RH pointing rightward, and an arrow LH pointing leftward.

[0021] The upward direction UP and the downward direction DW correspond to the vertical direction (the direction of gravity). The forward direction FR and the backward direction BR each correspond to a first direction that intersects with the vertical direction. The forward direction FR and the backward direction BR each may be a horizontal direction or an inclined direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The forward direction FR and the backward direction BR may also be referred to as the fore-aft direction FR, BR.

[0022] The right direction RH and the left direction LH each correspond to a second direction that intersects with the up-down direction and the first direction. That is, the right direction RH and the left direction LH are directions that intersect with the up-down direction and the front-rear directions FR and BR. The right direction RH or the left direction LH may simply be referred to as a "side view." The downward direction DW may simply be referred to as a "plan view." The right direction RH and the left direction LH may also be referred to as a left-right direction.

[0023] <Overall chair configuration> As shown in Figure 1, the chair 100 of this embodiment comprises legs 10 placed on the floor surface F, a box-shaped support base 15 placed on top of the legs 10, a seat 17 attached to the top of the support base 15, a backrest 2 attached to the rear of the support base 15 to support the back of the seated person, and armrests 19 extending from both sides of the lower side of the seat 17 to the upper side of the seat 17 on which the seated person's elbows and arms can be rested.

[0024] The leg section 10 has a multi-leg 11 with casters 11a, and a base 12 that stands up from the center of the multi-leg 11 and has a built-in gas spring (not shown) that serves as a lifting mechanism. The base 12 has an outer tube 13 and an inner tube 14. The outer tube 13 is fitted and supported on the multi-leg 11 so as not to rotate. The lower part of the inner tube 14 is supported on the outer tube 13 so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction. The upper part of the inner tube 14 is fixed to a support base 15. The support base 15 has a built-in lift adjustment mechanism for the base 12 and a reclining mechanism for the backrest 2.

[0025] The above-mentioned legs 10, multi-pronged legs 11, casters 11a, pedestals 12, outer cylinder 13, inner cylinder 14, and support base 15 constitute a support structure that supports seat 17.

[0026] <Seat configuration> As shown in FIG. 1, the seat 17 elastically supports the buttocks and thighs of a seated person. As shown in Figures 1 to 5A, seat 17 includes upholstery 17A, seat receiving member 20, extension 30, seat plate 40, deformation inducing member 50, and operating device 70. Note that upholstery 17A is omitted in Figure 2. Of the components that make up seat 17, Figure 2 shows only seat receiving member 20, extension 30, seat plate 40, and deformation inducing member 50.

[0027] <Tension material> As shown in Fig. 1, the upholstery material 17A covers the upper surface of the seat 17. In other words, the upholstery material 17A covers the upper surface 40T of the seat plate 40 and the upper surface 30T and front surface 30F of the extension portion 30. The upholstery material 17A is made of cloth such as mesh. Elastic members such as cushions may be placed between the upholstery material 17A and the seat plate 40 and between the upholstery material 17A and the extension portion 30.

[0028] <Seat support member> 2, the seat receiving member 20 is fixed to the underside 40L of the seat plate 40. As a fixing structure for fixing the seat receiving member 20 to the seat plate 40, for example, a known fixing structure using screws is adopted. However, the fixing structure is not limited to screw fixing. There are no particular limitations on the material from which the seat receiving member 20 is made, as long as the seat receiving member 20 is made of a strength member that is strong enough to form the seat 17. For example, the seat receiving member 20 can be made of a material such as metal or resin. The seat receiving member 20 has an edge portion 20E located at one end 20T in the forward direction FR.

[0029] <Extension part> The extension portion 30 has a bending portion 31, a fixed portion 32, and a movable portion 33. Furthermore, the extension portion 30 has a deforming portion 34. The deforming portion 34 constitutes the bending portion 31. In the vertical direction, the thickness of the extension portion 30 is thinner than the thickness of the seat plate 40. Furthermore, the extension portion 30 is a separate member from the seat plate 40. It is preferable that the material constituting the extension portion 30 is more flexible than the material constituting the seat plate 40.

[0030] The extending portion 30 extends and bends along an extending and bending direction DR. The extending and bending direction DR corresponds to the direction from the fixed portion 32 through the bending portion 31 to the movable portion 33. In other words, the extending bending direction DR is a direction indicated by a combination of a direction extending substantially linearly from the fixed portion 32 toward the bending portion 31 and a direction bending from the bending portion 31 toward the movable portion 33. The deformable portion 34 is bendable in the extending bending direction DR.

[0031] The bent portion 31 is formed in a U-shape when viewed in the right-hand direction RH. The fixed portion 32 is a portion that is fixed to the seat panel 40. The movable portion 33 is located on the opposite side to the position where the fixed portion 32 is fixed. In other words, the fixed portion 32 is located on one end side of the extending portion 30. The movable portion 33 is located on the other end side of the extending portion 30. In the up-down direction, the movable portion 33 is located below the fixed portion 32. In other words, in the downward direction DW, the movable portion 33 is located at a position away from the fixed portion 32.

[0032] The bent portion 31 is formed in a U-shape when viewed in the right direction RH. The bent portion 31 is located between the fixed portion 32 and the movable portion 33. The extending portion 30 extends so as to overhang the edge portion 20E of the seat receiving member 20 in the forward direction FR.

[0033] The extension portion 30 has an opening 30K that penetrates the extension portion 30 in a direction perpendicular to the extension portion 30. Furthermore, the extension portion 30 has a plurality of strip portions 30B. Each of the plurality of strip portions 30B extends along the forward direction FR. The plurality of strip portions 30B are aligned in the rightward direction RH and the leftward direction LH. An opening 30K that opens in the vertical direction is formed between two adjacent strip portions 30B among the plurality of strip portions 30B.

[0034] The movable portion 33 has an extending end surface 33E and an intermediate portion 33M. The extending end surface 33E is located at one end 33T of the movable portion 33 in the forward direction FR. The intermediate portion 33M is located between the extending end surface 33E and the bent portion 31. The intermediate portion 33M is a surface located on the inside of the extending portion 30 that is deformed into a U-shape. In this embodiment, the deformation inducing portion 50 is connected to the intermediate portion 33M. As a modified example of the deformation inducing portion 50, the deformation inducing portion 50 may be connected to the extending end surface 33E of the movable portion 33.

[0035] The extension portion 30 is made of an elastically bendable material. As long as the extension portion 30 is elastically bendable, the material from which the extension portion 30 is made is not particularly limited. For example, the extension portion 30 can be made of a material such as resin.

[0036] <Deformed part> Next, the deformation portion 34 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5A. Fig. 5A is an exploded plan view showing the extension part 30 obtained by removing it from the seat 17 by disassembling the seat 17 shown in Fig. 2. In other words, Fig. 5A is a plan view of the extension part 30 removed from the seat 17, viewed in the downward direction DW. Since the extension 30 is an elastically bendable member, when the seat 17 is disassembled, the bent state (bent state) is released and the extension 30 assumes a shape that extends substantially linearly as shown in FIG. 5A.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 5A, the extension portion 30 removed from the seat 17 extends in an extension direction ER from the fixed portion 32 toward the movable portion 33. This extension direction ER corresponds to the extension bending direction DR in Fig. 2. In other words, when the extension portion 30 is incorporated into the seat 17 as shown in Fig. 2, the extension direction ER corresponds to the extension bending direction DR.

[0038] 5A does not show the bent portion 31 shown in FIG. 2 because the extending portion 30 is not in a bent state, but shows a bent portion 31A corresponding to the position of the bent portion 31. In other words, when the extending portion 30 is incorporated into the seat 17 as shown in FIG. 2, the bent portion 31A is the portion that becomes the bent portion 31.

[0039] The deformation portion 34 has a plurality of strip portions 30B aligned in the left-right direction (right direction RH and left direction LH). Each of the plurality of strip portions 30B extends along an extension direction ER (extension bending direction DR). An opening 30K penetrating the extension portion 30 is formed between two adjacent strip portions 30B among the plurality of strip portions 30B.

[0040] In the extending direction ER, both ends of each of the plurality of band-like portions 30B are connected to the fixed portion 32 and the movable portion 33. In other words, when the extending portion 30 is fixed to the seat plate 40 and the deformation inducing portion 50, one end (first end) of each of the plurality of band-like portions 30B in the extending direction ER is connected to the fixed portion 32 and fixed to the seat plate 40 via the fixed portion 32. Furthermore, the other end (second end) of each of the plurality of band-like portions 30B in the extending direction ER is connected to the movable portion 33 and fixed to the movable body 51 of the deformation inducing portion 50 via the movable portion 33.

[0041] 5A, the bend occurring portion 31A is located between the fixed portion 32 and the movable portion 33. On the other hand, for example, when the extension portion 30 is fixed to the seat plate 40 and the deformation inducing portion 50 as shown in FIG. 2, the bend occurring portion 31A of each of the plurality of band-like portions 30B is bent, and the bend portion 31 is formed. The position of the flexion occurring portion 31A in the band-shaped portion 30B extending in the extension direction ER is not limited. For example, the flexion occurring portion 31A may be located in the middle between the fixed portion 32 and the movable portion 33. The flexion occurring portion 31A may be located closer to the movable portion 33 than the fixed portion 32. The flexion occurring portion 31A may be located closer to the fixed portion 32 than the movable portion 33. The position of the flexion occurring portion 31A, i.e., the position of the bending portion 31, is moved on the band-shaped portion 30B by operating the operating device 70, which will be described later.

[0042] In this embodiment, the deformation part 34 has six rectangular openings 30KR having a substantially rectangular shape and two triangular openings 30KT having a substantially triangular shape. The two triangular openings 30KT are located outside the six rectangular openings 30KR. In other words, one triangular opening 30KT is arranged next to the rectangular opening 30KR that is located most outward in the leftward direction LH among the six rectangular openings 30KR. The other triangular opening 30KT is arranged next to the rectangular opening 30KR that is located most outward in the rightward direction RH among the six rectangular openings 30KR. The present invention does not limit the number of the openings 30K, and the number of the openings 30K may be six or more or six or less.

[0043] Each of the plurality of strip portions 30B constituting the deformation part 34 has a first width W1 in the extending direction ER (extending bending direction DR) and a second width W2 in the left-right direction. The second width W2 is shorter than the first width W1. That is, in the extending part 30, the deformation part 34 is formed so as to satisfy the relationship of W2 < W1. By having such a structure in the extending part 30, it is possible to realize both the structural feature of being easily bent in the extending direction ER and the structural feature of being easily restored to the original shape.

[0044] <Modified Example 1 of Deformation Part> If the relationship of W2 < W1 is satisfied, various shapes can be adopted as the shape of the deformation part 34. In FIG. 5A, the value of the first width W1 may be changed in the left-right direction. For example, the first width W1 of the strip portion 30B located in the central region in the left-right direction may be made smaller, and the first width W1 may be gradually increased from the central region toward the rightward direction RH and from the central region toward the leftward direction LH. Conversely, the first width W1 of the strip portion 30B located in the central region in the left-right direction may be made larger, and the first width W1 may be gradually decreased from the central region toward the rightward direction RH and from the central region toward the leftward direction LH.

[0045] <Modified Examples 2 to 5 of Deformation Part> The shape of the deformation part 34 is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. 5A. For example, the shapes shown in FIGS. 5B to 5E may be adopted for the deformation part 34. In FIGS. 5B to 5E, the rectangular opening 30KR and the strip portion 30B of the deformation part 34 are shown, and other parts forming the extending portion 30 are omitted. In FIGS. 5B to 5E, the rectangular opening 30KR may be simply referred to as the opening 30K.

[0046] <Modified Example 2> In the modified example 2 of the deformation part shown in FIG. 5B, the deformation part 34 includes the shape shown in FIG. 5A and the rib 30L. The rib 30L extends in the left - right direction and is provided between two adjacent strip portions 30B. In other words, the rib 30L connects two adjacent strip portions 30B.

[0047] The positions of the plurality of ribs 30L are shifted from each other in the left - right direction. In other words, among two ribs 30L adjacent to each other in the left - right direction, the position of one rib 30L in the extending direction ER is different from the position of the other rib 30L in the extending direction ER. By providing such ribs 30L, the deformation part 34 has an opening 30K with a small opening area and an opening 30K with a large opening area. In the modified example 2 of such a deformation part, the relationship of W2 < W1 described above is also satisfied. Note that the arrangement and number of the plurality of ribs 30L are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 5B.

[0048] <Modified Examples 3 and 4> In the modified example 3 of the deformation part shown in FIG. 5C, the opening area S1 of the opening 30K1 located at the center in the left - right direction in the deformation part 34 is the largest, and the opening areas S2 of the plurality of openings 30K located in the right - hand direction RH from the center in the left - right direction are smaller than the opening area S1. Also, the opening areas S3 of the plurality of openings 30K located in the left - hand direction LH from the center in the left - right direction are smaller than the opening area S1. In the modified example 3 of such a deformation part, the relationship of W2 < W1 described above is also satisfied.

[0049] In modification example 4 of the modified portion shown in FIG. 5D, the opening area S2 of the right opening 30K2 located most outward in the right direction RH and the opening area S3 of the left opening 30K3 located most outward in the left direction LH are the largest. The opening area S1 of each of the plurality of openings 30K1 located between the right opening 30K2 and the left opening 30K3 is smaller than each of the opening areas S2 and S3. Even in modification example 4 of such a modified portion, the relationship of W2 < W1 described above is satisfied.

[0050] Also, if the relationship of W2 < W1 described above is satisfied, the opening pattern of the plurality of openings 30K included in the modified portion 34, the pattern of the ribs 30L, and the pattern of the plurality of belt-like portions 30B can be freely set.

[0051] <Modification Example 5> In modification example 5 of the modified portion shown in FIG. 5E, the modified portion 34 is formed so as to have a lattice pattern composed of a plurality of openings 30K. In this lattice pattern, the plurality of openings 30K are arranged along the extending direction ER and the left-right direction. The portion located between two adjacent openings 30K in the left-right direction is one belt-like portion 30B. The plurality of belt-like portions 30B extend along the extending direction ER. The width of the belt-like portion 30B in the extending direction ER is the first width W1. Between two adjacent openings 30K, the width of the belt-like portion 30B in the left-right direction is the second width W2. Even in modification example 5 of such a modified portion, the relationship of W2 < W1 described above is satisfied.

[0052] In modification example 5, the case where a lattice pattern is formed by a plurality of openings 30K has been described. The pattern formed by the plurality of openings 30K is not limited to the lattice pattern. In the extending direction ER and the left-right direction, the number of openings 30K per unit area of the modified portion 34 may be changed, or the total opening area of the plurality of openings 30K per unit area of the modified portion 34 may be changed.

[0053] <Seat board> The seat panel 40 is connected to the fixed portion 32 of the extension portion 30. The seat panel 40 is supported by the seat receiving member 20 above the seat receiving member 20. The seat panel 40 has, on the plate lower surface 40L, a right region 41 (right edge) in the right direction RH and a left region 42 (left edge) in the left direction LH. In other words, the seat panel 40 has a right edge and a left edge in the left-right direction. The material from which the seat plate 40 is made is not particularly limited as long as the seat plate 40 has sufficient strength to constitute the seat 17. For example, the seat plate 40 can be made of a material such as metal or resin. In addition, the extension portion 30 and the seat plate 40 may be integrated at the fixing portion 32.

[0054] <Deformation-inducing part> 3 and 4, the deformation inducing unit 50 is composed of a movable body 51, two positioning rails 60 (60R, 60L), and two operating devices 70 (70R, 70L). In this embodiment, the deformation inducing unit 50 is supported by the seat plate 40. Specifically, the deformation inducing unit 50 is fixed to the underside 40L of the seat plate 40.

[0055] The seat receiving member 20 is disposed between the two positioning rails 60 (60R, 60L) on the underside 40L of the seat plate 40. This prevents the deformation inducing portion 50 from interfering with the seat receiving member 20 in the structure in which the seat plate 40 and the seat receiving member 20 are connected and fixed. As a modified example of the deformation inducing portion 50, the deformation inducing portion 50 may be supported by the seat receiving member 20. In the following description, the two positioning rails 60 (60R, 60L) may be simply referred to as positioning rails 60.

[0056] <Movable body> The movable body 51 is composed of a rod portion 52 and two rod support portions 55R and 55L. In the structure of the movable body 51, the rod portion 52 and the two rod support portions 55R and 55L may be integrated. In the structure of the movable body 51, the rod portion 52 and the two rod support portions 55R and 55L may be composed of separate members that can be separated from each other.

[0057] The rod portion 52 is a member that extends in the rightward direction RH and the leftward direction LH. 2, the rod portion 52 is connected to and fixed to the movable portion 33 of the extension portion 30. As a fixing structure for fixing the rod portion 52 to the movable portion 33, for example, a known fixing structure using a screw is adopted. However, the fixing structure is not limited to screw fixing.

[0058] The two rod support portions 55R, 55L correspond to the right rod support portion 55R (first rod support portion) and the left rod support portion 55L (second rod support portion). The right rod support portion 55R is provided at the right end of the rod portion 52 in the right direction RH. The left rod support portion 55L is provided at the left end of the rod portion 52 in the left direction LH.

[0059] 4, the position of the rod portion 52 in the vertical direction is different from the positions of the two rod support portions 55R, 55L. Specifically, in the downward direction DW, the position of the rod portion 52 is located lower than the positions of the two rod support portions 55R, 55L.

[0060] In other words, rod portion 52 is provided so as to protrude in the downward direction DW from two rod support portions 55R, 55L. The distance in the downward direction DW between rod portion 52 and two rod support portions 55R, 55L, i.e., the distance between the center of rod portion 52 and the centers of rod support portions 55R, 55L, is determined appropriately taking into consideration the curvature of bent portion 31 in extension portion 30, the thickness of seat 17, and the design of chair 100.

[0061] The right rod support portion 55R and the left rod support portion 55L each have an attachment protrusion 56 that is attached to the housing 71 of the operating device 70. The attachment protrusion 56 of the right rod support portion 55R protrudes from the right rod support portion 55R in the rightward direction RH. The attachment protrusion 56 of the left rod support portion 55L protrudes from the left rod support portion 55L in the leftward direction LH.

[0062] <Positioning rail> As shown in FIG. 3, each of the two positioning rails 60 (60R, 60L) is fixed to the lower surface 40L of the seat plate 40. The two positioning rails 60 (60R, 60L) correspond to a right positioning rail 60R (first positioning rail) and a left positioning rail 60L (second positioning rail). On the plate underside 40L, the right positioning rail 60R is fixed to the right region 41 in the right direction RH, and the left positioning rail 60L is fixed to the left region 42 in the left direction LH. Note that the two positioning rails 60 may be formed integrally with the plate underside 40L of the seat panel 40 or with the right region 41 and left region 42 in the left-right direction of the seat panel 40.

[0063] Each of the right positioning rail 60R and the left positioning rail 60L has an elongated hole 61 extending in the front-rear directions FR, BR, and a plurality of positioning grooves 62 formed inside the elongated hole 61. The plurality of positioning grooves 62 are formed at equal intervals in the front-rear directions FR, BR.

[0064] As will be described later, the multiple positioning grooves 62 are grooves that engage with protrusions 72P of an engaging member 72 of an operating device 70, which will be described later. The distance between adjacent positioning grooves 62 is determined taking into consideration the range of position adjustment of the bending portion 31 in the front-rear directions FR and BR.

[0065] The right rod support portion 55R is inserted into the elongated hole 61 of the right positioning rail 60R in the rightward direction RH. The left rod support portion 55L is inserted into the elongated hole 61 of the left positioning rail 60L in the leftward direction LH.

[0066] <Operating device> The seat 17 is provided with two operating devices 70 (70R, 70L). The two operating devices 70 (70R, 70L) correspond to a right operating device 70R (first operating device) and a left operating device 70L (second operating device). Each of the right operating device 70R and the left operating device 70L is made up of five members: a housing 71, an engaging member 72, a link member 73, a push button 74, and a spring 75. In the following description, the two operating devices 70 (70R, 70L) may be simply referred to as operating devices 70.

[0067] As long as the operating device 70 can be operated stably even if the number of operations of the operating device 70 increases, there is no particular limitation on the materials for forming the housing 71, the engaging member 72, the link member 73, and the push button 74. For example, the four components of the operating device 70 can be formed from materials such as metal or resin.

[0068] The connection structure of the left operating device 70L, the left positioning rail 60L, and the left rod support portion 55L will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, 6, and 7. 6 and 7 show a cross section of the left operating device 70L. Specifically, FIG. 6 shows the positional relationship between the engagement member 72 and the push button 74. FIG. 6 also shows a state in which the engagement member 72 is fitted into the positioning groove 62. FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the left operating device 70L different from the cross section shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 shows a connected state between the engagement member 72, link member 73, and push button 74.

[0069] Since the structure of the left operating device 70L is the same as the structure of the right operating device 70R, the right operating device 70R may be omitted in the description with reference to Figures 4, 6, and 7. Similarly, since the structure of the left positioning rail 60L is the same as the structure of the right positioning rail 60R, the right positioning rail 60R may be omitted in the description with reference to Figures 4, 6, and 7.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 4, the housing 71 has a connecting protrusion 76 that is connected to the left rod support portion 55L. The connecting protrusion 76 protrudes from the housing 71 in the rightward direction RH. In the structure shown in Fig. 4, the connecting protrusion 76 is shown spaced apart from the left rod support portion 55L, but in a state in which the left operating device 70L is attached to the left rod support portion 55L as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the connecting protrusion 76 passes through the elongated hole 61 of the left positioning rail 60L and is connected to the left rod support portion 55L.

[0071] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, in the housing 71 of the left operating device 70L, the engagement member 72 extends in the front-to-rear direction. The link member 73 extends in the approximately vertical direction. The push button 74 is movable in the front-to-rear direction. The engagement member 72, link member 73, and push button 74 are connected to one another. The housing 71 maintains the connected state of the engagement member 72, link member 73, and push button 74. The housing 71 has a recess 75R that accommodates the spring 75. The spring 75 biases the engaging member 72 in the downward direction DW. The housing 71 has an arcuate surface 71F that follows the outline of the push button 74. The push button 74 is movable along the arcuate surface 71F.

[0072] The link member 73 and the push button 74 are connected via a first shaft 77 (axial center) extending in the leftward direction LH. When a seated person presses the push button 74, as long as the pressing force can be transmitted to the link member 73, the push button 74 may be fixed to the link member 73, or the push button 74 may be rotatable around the first shaft 77 relative to the link member 73. In this embodiment, a structure is adopted in which the push button 74 is rotatable around the first shaft 77 relative to the link member 73. In a structure in which the push button 74 is fixed to the link member 73, the link member 73 and the push button 74 may be configured as an integrated member.

[0073] The engaging member 72 and the link member 73 are connected and fixed via a second shaft 78 (axial center) extending in the leftward direction LH. Therefore, when a seat occupant presses the push button 74, the pressing force can be transmitted to the engaging member 72 via the link member 73. In this embodiment, the engagement member 72 and the link member 73 are separate components. However, the engagement member 72 and the link member 73 may be configured as an integrated member as long as the pressing force of the seated occupant can be transmitted to the engagement member 72.

[0074] The engaging member 72 has a protrusion 72P that protrudes in the downward direction DW from the engaging member 72. The protrusion 72P can selectively engage with a plurality of positioning grooves 62 formed in the bottom surface 61B of the elongated hole 61 of the left positioning rail 60L.

[0075] The left operating device 70L described above is operated by the seat occupant pressing the push button 74 and sliding the left operating device 70L on the left positioning rail 60L. The left operating device 70L is also operated by the right operating device 70R. By simultaneously operating the left operating device 70L and the right operating device 70R, the position of the deformation inducing part 50 is adjusted and the position of the deformation inducing part 50 is determined.

[0076] As described above, the deformation inducing unit 50 has a structure in which the rod portion 52 constituting the deformation inducing unit 50 is connected to the movable portion 33 of the extension portion 30. The deformation inducing unit 50 can slide (move) the operating device 70 constituting the deformation inducing unit 50 relative to the positioning rail 60 by operating the operating device 70.

[0077] Moreover, the deformation inducing portion 50 has a structure that elastically deforms the extension portion 30 so that the movable portion 33 approaches the seat receiving member 20 or moves away from the seat receiving member 20 as the deformation inducing portion 50 moves along the front-rear directions FR, BR. Moreover, the deformation inducing portion 50 having the above structure has a structure that slides on the positioning rail 60.

[0078] <How to adjust the position of the extension part> Next, a method for adjusting the position of the extension portion 30 will be specifically described with reference to Figures 6 to 9. In Figures 8 and 9, of the components constituting the chair 100 described above, only the seat 17 is shown, and other components are omitted.

[0079] The method for adjusting the position of the extension portion is carried out in the following steps. Step 1: The push buttons 74 of the left operating device 70L and the right operating device 70R are pressed to release the engagement state of the engagement members 72. Step 2: The left operating device 70L and the right operating device 70R slide into the elongated holes 61 of the left positioning rail 60L and the right positioning rail 60R. Step 3: End of pressing of the push buttons 74 of the left operating device 70L and the right operating device 70R Next, steps 1 to 3 above will be explained in order.

[0080] <Step 1> In chair 100, a seated person presses push buttons 74 of left operating device 70L and right operating device 70R with their fingers. When push button 74 is pressed, the pushing force of the seated person is transmitted from push button 74 to link member 73, and then from link member 73 to engaging member 72. When the pushing force of the seated person is greater than the force (restoring force) with which spring 75 urges engaging member 72, protrusion 72P of engaging member 72 moves away from positioning groove 62. On the other hand, when the pushing force of the seated person is smaller than the force with which spring 75 urges engaging member 72, the positioning state by protrusion 72P of engaging member 72 is maintained. Step 2 describes the state in which protrusion 72P moves away from positioning groove 62.

[0081] <Step 2> When the protrusion 72P is separated from the positioning groove 62, that is, when the engagement between the protrusion 72P and the positioning groove 62 is released, the left operating device 70L is slidable relative to the elongated hole 61 of the left positioning rail 60L. Also, the right operating device 70R is slidable relative to the elongated hole 61 of the right positioning rail 60R. In this state, the seated person slides each of the left operating device 70L and the right operating device 70R relative to the elongated hole 61. This allows the seated person to adjust the position of the left operating device 70L relative to the left positioning rail 60L, and similarly, the seated person can adjust the position of the left operating device 70L relative to the right positioning rail 60R.

[0082] That is, the seated person can adjust the position of the deformation inducing portion 50 on the seat 17 in the front-rear directions FR and BR. This makes it possible to adjust the position of the movable portion 33 of the extension portion 30 connected to the deformation inducing portion 50 in the front-rear directions FR and BR. That is, it becomes possible to adjust the position of the bent portion 31 of the extension portion 30 in the front-rear directions FR and BR.

[0083] 9 to the position shown in Fig. 8, the deformation inducing portion 50 moves in the forward direction FR so as to approach the bent portion 31. At this time, the movable portion 33 of the extending portion 30 moves away from the seat receiving member 20. 8 to the position shown in Fig. 9, the deformation inducing portion 50 moves in the rear direction BR so as to move away from the bent portion 31. At this time, the movable portion 33 of the extending portion 30 approaches the seat receiving member 20.

[0084] <Step 3> The seated occupant also removes their fingers from the push buttons 74 of the left operating device 70L and the right operating device 70R. In this state, the engaging member 72 is urged in the downward direction DW by the action of the restoring force of the spring 75. When the protrusion 72P reaches a position corresponding to one of the plurality of positioning grooves 62 while the engaging member 72 is urged in the downward direction DW, the engaging member 72 engages with the positioning groove 62 by the action of the restoring force of the spring 75. This determines the position of the left operating device 70L relative to the left positioning rail 60L, and also determines the position of the right operating device 70R relative to the right positioning rail 60R.

[0085] That is, the seated person can determine the position of the deformation inducing portion 50 on the seat 17. This makes it possible to determine the position of the movable portion 33 of the extension portion 30 connected to the deformation inducing portion 50. That is, it becomes possible to determine the position of the bent portion 31 of the extension portion 30.

[0086] <Modification of Steps 2 and 3> In steps 2 and 3 described above, the seated person does not need to keep pressing the push button 74 to move the deformation inducing portion 50. After the engagement between the protrusion 72P and the positioning groove 62 is released, the seated person may release his or her finger from the push button 74 and bring the protrusion 72P into contact with the bottom surface 61B of the elongated hole 61. In other words, the protrusion 72P of the engaging member 72 may be removed from the positioning groove 62 and slid on the bottom surface 61B of the elongated hole 61. In other words, the position of the bent portion 31 of the extension portion 30 can be adjusted while sliding the protrusion 72P on the bottom surface 61B.

[0087] According to the seat of the above-described embodiment, the deformed portion 34 of the extending portion 30 has a first width W1 in the extending bending direction DR and a second width W2 in the left-right direction that is shorter than the first width W1, so that the extending portion 30 is easily bent in the extending bending direction DR and can easily be restored to the initial state of the extending portion 30. In other words, the restoring force of the extending portion 30 can be improved.

[0088] The deformation portion 34 has a plurality of band-shaped portions 30B aligned in the left-right direction, and each of the plurality of band-shaped portions 30B extends along the extending bending direction DR. Furthermore, an opening 30K penetrating the extending portion 30 is formed between two adjacent band-shaped portions 30B among the plurality of band-shaped portions 30B. With this configuration, the deformation portion 34 has a plurality of band-shaped portions 30B and an opening 30K formed between two adjacent band-shaped portions 30B among the plurality of band-shaped portions 30B. This makes it easier for the extending portion 30 to bend in the extending bending direction DR and to return to its initial state. In other words, the restoring force of the extending portion 30 can be improved.

[0089] In the up-down direction, the thickness of the extension portion 30 is thinner than the thickness of the seat plate 40. With this configuration, the extension portion 30 is easily bent in the extension bending direction DR and can easily return to its initial state. In other words, the restoring force of the extension portion 30 can be improved.

[0090] The extension portion 30 is a separate member from the seat plate 40, and is more flexible than the seat plate 40. Therefore, the extension portion 30 is easily bent in the extension bending direction DR, and can easily return to its initial state. In other words, the restoring force of the extension portion 30 can be improved.

[0091] Furthermore, the chair 100 provided with the seat 17 provides the same effects as those provided by the seat 17.

[0092] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that these are illustrative of the invention and should not be considered as limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention should not be deemed limited by the foregoing description, but rather by the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 10 Leg, 11 Branch leg, 11a Caster, 12 Pillar, 13 Outer tube, 14 Inner tube, 15 Support base, 17 Seat, 17A Upholstery material, 20 Seat support member, 20E Edge, 30 Extension, 30B Band-shaped portion, 30F Front surface, 30K, 30K1 Opening, 30K 2 Right opening, 30K3 Left opening, 30KR Rectangular opening, 30KT Triangular opening, 30L Rib, 30T Top surface, 31 Bending portion, 31A Bending portion, 32 Fixed portion, 33 Movable portion, 33E Extended end surface, 33M Middle portion, 34 Deformed portion, 40 Seat plate , 40L... Lower surface of plate, 40T... Upper surface of plate, 41... Right region, 42... Left region, 50... Deformation inducing portion, 51... Movable body, 52... Rod portion, 55R, 55L... Rod support portion, 56... Protrusion portion, 60, 60R, 60L... Positioning rail, 61... Long hole, 61B... Bottom surface, 62... Groove, 70, 70L, 70R... Operating device, 71... Housing, 71F... Arc surface, 72... Engagement member, 72P... Protrusion portion, 73... Link member, 74... Push button, 75... Spring, 75R... Recess, 76... Connecting protrusion, 77... First shaft, 78... Second shaft, 100... Chair

Claims

1. a seat receiving member having a surface along a front-rear direction and a left-right direction intersecting with the up-down direction, and an edge portion located at one end in the front direction of the front-rear direction; a seat plate supported by the seat receiving member above the seat receiving member; an extension portion having a fixed portion fixed to the seat plate, a movable portion located below the fixed portion, and a bending portion located between the fixed portion and the movable portion, the extension portion extending so as to overhang in the forward direction relative to the edge portion and being elastically bendable; Equipped with the extension portion is a member separate from the seat plate and is more flexible than the seat plate; the extension portion has a deformation portion including a plurality of band-shaped portions that constitute the bent portion, The plurality of strip-shaped portions extend along an extending bending direction, the extending bending direction is a direction obtained by combining a direction extending linearly from the fixed portion toward the bending portion and a direction bending from the bending portion toward the movable portion, Each of the plurality of band-shaped portions has a first width in the extending bending direction and a second width in the left-right direction, the second width is less than the first width; The deformation portion bends in the extending bending direction. seat.

2. The plurality of strip-shaped portions are aligned in the left-right direction, Each of the plurality of band-shaped portions extends along the extending bending direction, An opening penetrating the extension portion is formed between two adjacent band-shaped portions among the plurality of band-shaped portions. The seat of claim 1.

3. In the vertical direction, the thickness of the extension portion is thinner than the thickness of the seat plate. A seat according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. A seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3; a support structure supporting the seat; A chair equipped with:

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